How Will You Respond?
Some folks will study the story of Esther, or listen to a series of sermons on bravery, and catch hold of this truth: living courageously doesn’t depend on us; it depends on Him. Perhaps for the first time in a long time, or for the very first time, you can identify with these words from the Apostle Paul:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 ESV)
You realize it’s not about what you can do, but about what He can do through you. You’ve made your decision; you’ve suited up in His armor; you are waiting for His command. All of us would want to respond this way.
But for some of us, the challenge to be brave is overwhelmed by doubt. Perhaps the moment comes readily to mind, or maybe it’s something the Holy Spirit has just brought to mind -- that moment in the distant past, or perhaps just yesterday or last week, when we didn't pass the test of bravery. We hear the challenge, but the call to try again is drowned out by the past. If your find yourself in this category, consider these words from the Apostle Paul:
“...But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 ESV)
Surrender the past to Him; lean into His grace; lean on His power; and begin again. I’ll borrow some lyrics from one of my favorite songs that speak clearly to this moment.
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in, onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone ...
But the waves are calling out my name, and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed...
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
The voice of truth, the One who created you, the One who knows you better than you know yourself, is calling out your name. How will you respond?
By Jesse Smith
Jesse and his wife, Melanie, reside in Lexington, along with their son, Zak.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 ESV)
You realize it’s not about what you can do, but about what He can do through you. You’ve made your decision; you’ve suited up in His armor; you are waiting for His command. All of us would want to respond this way.
But for some of us, the challenge to be brave is overwhelmed by doubt. Perhaps the moment comes readily to mind, or maybe it’s something the Holy Spirit has just brought to mind -- that moment in the distant past, or perhaps just yesterday or last week, when we didn't pass the test of bravery. We hear the challenge, but the call to try again is drowned out by the past. If your find yourself in this category, consider these words from the Apostle Paul:
“...But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 ESV)
Surrender the past to Him; lean into His grace; lean on His power; and begin again. I’ll borrow some lyrics from one of my favorite songs that speak clearly to this moment.
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in, onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone ...
But the waves are calling out my name, and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed...
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
The voice of truth, the One who created you, the One who knows you better than you know yourself, is calling out your name. How will you respond?
By Jesse Smith
Jesse and his wife, Melanie, reside in Lexington, along with their son, Zak.
Recent
Archive
2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job Rejection
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
The Final Curtain CallBraveLet Your Light ShineThe God Who SeeksI Once Was Blind But Now I SeeSalvation for the Chief of SinnersA Picture of RepentanceJesus Is The Son of GodThe Red BinGoAllInAlwaysJesusOur Identity In ChristThe Christian Duty to ForgiveJesus Paid Our Sin Debt In FullThe Power of Forgiveness ExperiencedThe Consequences of UnforgivenessThe Freedom of ForgivenessDo Not Be Conformed to the WorldBetter Than I DeserveGrace Considers Us WorthyGrace Seeks OutGrace ExtendedUnconditional GraceNovember 3, 2020 | HopeGod Is ConsistentNovember 2, 2020 | Never Alone
November
November 4, 2020 | Stand the HeatNosy NeighborsUnintended ConsequencesCultivating a Biblical View of Sorrow in the Midst of a Global PandemicIt's About MoneyBeing ShrewdAre You Rich?PrioritiesThe Big IdeaThe Bigger PictureDifficult SilenceDifficult AnswersReverent HonestyHumble WaitingFrowning ProvidenceLove One AnotherGod's Love Is...Write It DownTalk It OutPandemic FatiqueHappy Thanksgiving!Stuff-MartSilenceFocusing On The EternalKnowledge of God is a Prerequisite of Faith
December
Praising God by Remembering His FaithfulnessThe Relationship Between Fear and FaithThe Transformation of Affirming FaithThe Freedom of HumilityFaith In The StormThe Adventure of AdventA Sure FoundationA Long SilenceA Divine MessengerA Doubting ResponseGod RemembersChristmas Is Still Worth CelebratingNothing New Under The SunNazareth?Highly Favored OneNow THAT'S An Understatement!He KNOWS You!Mary's SongReading Like An Ancient HebrewGo Tell It On The MountainWonder In The FamiliarOur High PriestThe Horn of SalvationTo My Grandmothers, With LoveMerry Christmas!Hope In JesusThree DaysNow I Can Die in PeaceWait, What?Rejection