Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Faith
Organizing the Inside – Day 354 Be Fearless and Look Straight Ahead!
24Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am her”
28Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:24-31 (NLT)
Perfect love drives out all fear. It’s not until we reach the point where our love for God supersedes our love for anything or anyone else, that we can experience life with no fear. Each day as we walk in step with God, He removes the barriers of fear and builds our faith. I don’t believe that this just happens overnight, we must grow in the knowledge of His awesome love. Nothing about this Christian walk is on autopilot. For me, with each new day of trusting Him, I discover that getting out of the boat was only the first step of obedience. Keeping my eyes on Him with each additional step upon water keeps me absolutely FEARLESS! God is so good! He is the author and finisher of our faith.
When God gives the okay, His Word encourages us and we believe we can do anything. Peter asked Jesus to give him permission to come. How many have tried God by asking, “Okay Lord if this is you… let this happen”? We all have looked for a simple sign or nod from the Lord. Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” Jesus told him, “Yes, come.”
Peter being encouraged by the Word, obeyed Jesus, and stepped out on faith. Keeping his eyes upon Jesus, Peter was able to do something no one else (other than Jesus) had ever done. He was the only one willing to get out of the boat. Even after he got out of the boat and was walking on the water, the others remained in the boat. Sometimes you are the only one among the group willing to step out on faith. You may be the only one willing to ask God for what is seemingly impossible.
Peter became distracted by everything that was happening around Him. The strong waves had not stopped, but Peter locked in focus on Jesus as he walked on the water toward Him. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus he began to exchange faith for fear.
Be single-minded and stay focused on what God told you to do. Forget about what the rest are not doing, those who decided to stay in the boat. Focus your attention on Jesus and the goal that is before you. Keep your eyes on Him regardless of the conditions around you. If God said, “Come” then go! Keep the Word He gave you in your heart as you do what others thought was impossible. When you step out on faith you can’t take a poll nor wait for a consensus. If God told you to do something than you have all the agreement you will ever need by agreeing with Him. Jesus asked Peter, “Why did you doubt me?” We can learn so much from this. When you are walking in faith, you are pleasing God and there is no doubt or fear in faith.
There are two things that Jesus said to His disciples which are written in various ways throughout scripture: “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” and “Be not afraid.”
- Don’t be afraid
- Do what God says
- Forget about what everyone else does
- Stay focused on Jesus
- Remain fearless
- Do not doubt God
- Keep the Word He gave YOU in your heart
Organizing the Inside – Day 340 Consider Your Actions
21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. James 2:21-24 (NIV)
Prayer requires faith, but not always in the way you may think. Perhaps you have prayed for God to do something in your life and you have waited and waited, and in fact you are still waiting, but it seems your prayers are not being answered. There is one question you may want to consider asking yourself. Have I added the correct action to my faith? …Faith without works is dead. James 2:26b (KJV) Working on the wrong action is just a mess. It is imperative to find out what action is required for what you have waited for. This is by no means meant to be a solution for all the unanswered prayers. There are many reasons why prayers are not answered; to compile such a list would likely require a very large book and many reasons would still not be addressed. This is only one I want you to consider.
Have you obeyed or are you too busy, waiting and crying out? (Exodus 14:15) There must be a point of specific action. This is action beyond prayer and preparation. Be bold; discover where your faith is and act upon it.
Receive direction. (Proverbs 2:6-11)
Prepare to do. (Luke 12:47)
Follow through and do. (James 2:18)
Keep your focus and don’t get off track. Watch out for things that are by no means related to what God originally told you to do or what you are praying and believing Him for. Some things are common sense, but in this busy world we live in there are many distractions. Be aware; the enemy is crafty when it comes to deception. You may end up planting Christmas trees instead of vegetables when what you need is food to eat. KEEP focused and ACT according to your faith. If your family needs food, do you just pray and wait at home for the food to come? (If that’s where your faith is… go ahead open the door and wait) Most of us aren’t there and that course of action may not be God’s will. Actions must be according to God’s will and according to faith. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. Matthew 9:28, 29 (KJV)
If you don’t know, ASK for definite direction. God will not hide the answers you need. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (NIV) One may plant a vegetable garden, another may ask the church for help, another may go to the local food pantry, and another may stay home and keep crying out to God about how hungry they are. If you are like the one who has cried out to God for something and you can’t understand why your prayers have not been answered, (when you know your prayers are according to His will) consider your actions. Do your actions line up with your faith? Does your faith line up with His will?
Organizing the Inside – Day 334 What Do You Know?
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Consider for a moment what this scripture tells us we know. We know that all things… I wonder, what is it that we truly know? To bring one’s mind and heart completely in agreement with God’s Word is to know. To know God’s Word is to establish a relationship with it. Reading the Word won’t automatically give you a relationship with it. However, meditating on the Word of God will intrinsically change what you know and completely free your heart from fear and doubt. By meditating on the Word you establish a knowing (or relationship) with the truth that defies human logic. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Psalm 119:97 (NIV) Through biblical meditation we can affect the course of our lives, because when we receive the engrafted Word of God in our hearts FAITH happens. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV) To stay strong and have peace in a world where everything that is wrong is considered right, and all that is right is considered wrong, we must make time to meditate. To survive in a foreign land there are some things that those of us who are in Christ must “know.”
Another similar post on meditation.
Organizing the Inside – Day 311 Pray to the Lord of the Harvest
53When Jesus had finished … 54He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” 55Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. 56All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” 57And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Matthew 13:53-57 (NLT)
The people who are closest to us are often the hardest to win over to the Lord. Jesus experienced more rejection in His hometown than in other places. We learn that because of this, He did very few miracles where He grew up. … And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58b (NLT) Sometimes old friends and relatives blow off your faith as if it’s just a fad. I find that because “they knew me when” some, are quick to reject the truth that I bring. When close family and old friends reject your Christian values or act as though “oh, it’s just you” as if they don’t really need to respect your beliefs, it can be difficult to deal with. Remember, Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” Mark 6:4 (NLT)
Jesus told His disciples to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers. …“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37, 38 (NIV) You may not be the one to lead your girlfriend from high school to Christ. There are others who God will send. What you do in your prayer closet could mean more than any words you speak. Yes, pray for those who are near; the ones you’ve known for years. They’ve likely set up walls, and kingdoms of their own, declaring their own form of righteousness just to get by. Yet, they deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ daily by the very lifestyle they choose to live. There is no point in judging them; it’s your prayers that will make a difference. (James 5:16)
Keep praying for their salvation. Organize your prayer life to include them at least daily. When their face comes to mind, whisper a word of prayer in earnest intercession for their lost souls. Let your light continue to shine and be the witness that God has called you to be. Trust that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers who are equipped to minister to your lost loved one and friends. God knows how to meet them right where they are, and give them just what they need. Don’t lose hope, some may take years. When it happens it will be a celebration worth waiting for.
Organizing the Inside – Day 286 Keeping Cool in the Pressure Cooker
16So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. 19At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 21Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! 22My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.” 23The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:16a, 19, 21-23 (NIV)
Read Daniel 6
Daniel stood firm in his convictions. He trusted God and found strength through his relationship with God. Daniel’s heart was settled; serving God was the only option for him. When the time came and Daniel’s faith was tested he remained cool and was not afraid. His trust in God made all the difference in his choices. Daniel did not cave in to the pressure to stop serving God and bow to the king instead. God rewarded Daniel and punished his enemies. Daniel’s faith even provoked a change in King Darius and inspired change throughout the land. The story of Daniel is an encouraging reminder for us. Our faith will prevail if we put our trust in God.
7 Non-negotiable actions we can extract from the life of Daniel.
When our faith is tested we must:
1. Keep trusting God and don’t give in to the pressure of the circumstances. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:2 (NIV)
2. Keep serving God no matter what jealous people might think, say or do. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 (KJV)
3. Keep praying as you always have. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10b (NIV) Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38 (NLT)
4. Remember when you are at your weakest then you are strong. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
5. Remember your position may make you a target for the enemy. But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NLT)
6. Remember God will use your faith to show Himself mighty through. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV)
7. Stand firm, and don’t be afraid to face the impossible. For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37 (KJV)
Daniel was a man of great faith. We are made right with God through our faith in Jesus Christ. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” Galatians 2:16 (NLT) God has given us all the faith we need to stand firm in the face of adversity. Victory is based upon faith, not what we do. We must however, act upon our faith to experience victory. Resist the temptation to give in when times are tough. God will reward your decision to stand up for your convictions and not bow down under pressure. Your faith can have a huge impact on others. Your life is a living testimony to the sustaining power of God.
Organizing the Inside – Day 282 Let Us Fix Our Eyes On The Answer
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Is your mind perplexed?
Until we see Him face to face, there will be unanswered questions. So many of the questions you’ve asked since you were young in the Lord still go unanswered. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT) As you grow closer to Him; as your love for the Father deepens, certain answers you sought are no long important, because you now know the Answer.
Stay focused on the mission.
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Proverbs 4:25 (NLT)
When you trust the author there is no longer a need to know the story behind the story; you just know that the story is true. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Not only is He the one who has the authority to create our faith; He is also the one who will ensure the completion of our faith. How beautiful is His Word that strengthens feeble knees. “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
Listen to the call to TRUST God.
Here is a wonderful post from Shannon Moreno
A Work In Progress
Organzing the Inside – Day 266 God’s Small Appliances Cook Up Great Results
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7 (NLT)
God doesn’t fulfill dreams using the microwave. He often does it in the pressure cooker or the slow cooker. Understand clearly that faith and patience will ensure victory. Rest in the goodness and grace of God, which is able to bring about results in your life. Who doesn’t want what they want, when they want it? I’d dare say most of us do. The real test of true Christian character is found in our willingness to humbly accept the timing and plans of God. Sure there are times when we think, dear Lord, this is taking too long. God has a process and His plans toward you are good. (Read Jeremiah 29:11)
I’m reminded of a one of my favorite episodes of I Love Lucy. Lucy and Ethel were working in a candy factory. They had to individually wrap each piece of candy as it came across on the conveyer belt. Lucy, being impatient, had another of her hair-brained ideas and kept calling out to have the conveyer belt, “speed it up a little,” Each time she did only created more chaos, as the candy started coming at a rate much faster than they could handle. Eventually the two of them had a huge mess with chocolates in their hats, pockets and mouths. What a mess we make when we try to do things our way because of a our lack of patience. Trying to rush the plan of God only creates chaos and calamity. Trusting God starts with having the faith to believe He really does know what He’s doing and that He’ll leave no work undone. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
Allow God time to build. He is working to get you ready to receive all the glorious gifts and blessing He has in store for your life.
The process of fulfilling God’s will for our lives is simplified in two ways.
1. Be willing to listen and obey as God directs your life.
2. Be willing to submit to God’s own timing.
The farmer knows that seeds planted at the right time will produce a much different result than seeds that are planted in the dead of winter. Planting at the wrong time will never reap the harvest you desire. There is a process and this all takes time. Much cultivating occurs between seed time and harvest. It’s imperative to submit to the will of God about every detail of your vision, allowing Him to prepare you for the work that is ahead. Be open to the timing that He has planned and adapt your plans according to His good pleasure. As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” Genesis 8:22 (NLT)
Organizing the Inside – Day 265 Surely God Understands Me
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:6 (KJV)
Just because God knows how you are, doesn’t mean you don’t need to change. I wonder if we make excuses so that we can justify not changing. So you have a habit and you know it shows an overt lack of faith, yet you try to justify it by saying, “God knows how I am.” In her futile attempt to rationalize her so-called quirkiness that’s rooted in an irrational germ phobia, she summarizes such behavior as, “just how I am.” Not calling it what it is, a real lack of trust that God is greater than her fear. In the vanity of her individuality, she tries to suggest it’s no big deal to wash her hands 20-30 times while preparing a meal. Honestly she knows her compulsive behavior is bordering on sin, but it’s much easier to play it off and leave things the way they are. God accepts us because He sees our faith when we come to Him. ( Romans 3:27) But, just because God accepts us the way we are, doesn’t mean He is pleased to accept our unwillingness to completely yield to Him.
I’ve always been this way is not a good reason to continue.
How can one find internal order, when there is an unwillingness to let go of everything and yield completely to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, 1 Corinthians 14:33a (NIV) Certainly disorder is what any of us have if we don’t let go. …and everything that does not come from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 (NIV) The scripture is fired up and loaded, ready to defend your position because after all, “God understands,” for he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Psalm 103:14 (NLT) God’s gentle kindness and longsuffering demonstrated through His patience, in that, He hasn’t utterly destroyed us is not permission to continue in wrong-doing.
Choose to let go of this thing that you have falsely identified with. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Allow God to permeate every area of your heart. Today, may you give up the not so cute thing that you’ve been clinging to. That hard thing that’s been around so long it’s now considered harmless, and only customary. Yes, give up full ownership and not hold back anything for yourself. It’s not necessary to fix, undo, move, hide, tuck, tug or pull, only YIELD. God is willing to meet you at your point of need. He reaches down to right where you are, where we all are in our lives today. It’s time to surrender this one, which seems like an old childhood friend, so familiar yet after all these years a stranger to anyone new in Christ.
Is Christ truly Lord over all? Or is that one weakness, you’re holding on to, enough to keep you from relinquishing the throne? After all God knows how you are.
Organizing the Inside – Day 249 Willing To Be Inconvenienced
1When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-5 (NLT)
True friends have a critical role.
Mark shares how this paralyzed man who was unable to get before Jesus on his own was helped by his friends. His friends went to great lengths to see to it that they brought him before the one who could help him. Not only did this man’s friends climb onto the roof, they also had to lift him to the roof as well. They additionally had to go through with digging the hole in just the right place so that when they lowered him down, he would be directly in front of Jesus. I can imagine that this was not necessarily so easy to do. They could have given up and just said we’ll try again some other time when it’s not as crowded. Did they need to exert extra strength or take certain care to make sure the hole was just in the right place? What a huge inconvenience this must have been for this man’s friends.
Yet, what great faith they had, and that faith moved them to action.
Although this was an inconvenience they acted on their faith, on behalf of their friend. As a result of these men acting on their faith, Jesus responded and the paralyzed man was made whole. How willing are you to be inconvenienced for a friend? Is there someone in your life who needs you to bring them right before the Lord? How far are you willing go, to act on your faith? Consider those whom God has made your friends. How does God want to use you in the friendship, and what purpose does this friendship bring?
No greater love.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (NLT) Jesus was referring to His own willingness to die for us, as He indeed considers us His friends. Jesus is also teaching the spiritual perspective whereby one is willing to give up something that is of particular interest or significant value for a friend. Being willing to give of your time, prayers or resources is a way of laying down your life. You are simply laying aside your own desires, wants, needs and motives to give to the life of another. Jesus shows us that there is no greater love. Are you a true friend to someone today? If so, have you considered what you are willing to sacrifice for your friend?
Organizing the Inside – Day 245 Patiently You Wait By The Shore
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NIV)
You’ve done all that you know to do.
Your obedience has been fulfilled, at least as far as you can tell. For weeks, or months, or perhaps even for years now you’ve pressed in and obeyed God. Whether in time or money or prayer or hope, you’ve invested greatly in the kingdom. So your bread was cast many days ago and now your hope is starting to fade. You lay awake at night and begin to wonder why. You’re now asking God all the hard questions like you’ve never asked before. You’re determined to find the right answers that will unlock each and every door. Obedience has left you standing there on the shore, waiting, simply waiting. When will your bread return to you? The words, “Father, Father why have you abandoned me?” are the only words that seem to come out.
God hears your prayers and He sees your work.
There comes a time when you must apply the Word where it hurts. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Hebrews 6:10 (NLT) You must not quit! Don’t even consider giving up. God’s promises are true; I know I’ve seen the works of His hands. God specializes in providing hope to the hopeless. He is fully able to do that which seems impossible. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4 (KJV) You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:36 (NLT) “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people.” Revelation 2:2 (NLT) “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things… Revelation 2:19 (NLT)
Stay where God has called you.
Do not move, not unless the Holy Spirit directs you to. Remember this, For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. Romans 11:29 (NLT) God has not abandoned you. No matter what your situation looks like, stand firm. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)
Let God know where you stand.
Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, you are the one, O LORD our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us. Jeremiah 14:22 (NLT)
It’s true, right before dawn is when the sky is darkest. Don’t give up on your dream. Look how far you have come. Remember the promises of God. He cannot lie. Finally my dear sisters in Christ, believe the Word. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) Keep praying and never give up hope.
Nothing I have shared is a hidden mystery, God always keeps His promise. If you’ve seen the promises of God fulfilled, share a word of encouragement. Many of our sisters are holding on and patiently waiting for an answer from the Lord. Have you been through a storm? Have you waited against all odds? Perhaps you’ve seen God’s salvation after years of praying for a loved one. Post a quick comment and encourage someone today.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 