Coffee with Carole

Most of want to escape from situations that cause us to feel stressed or fearful.  We also can react in fear by getting angry or completely freezing and not taking action.  Abraham (Genesis 16) reacted in fear by telling a lie about Sarah being his sister instead of his wife.  

The way we react to situations tells us a lot about how much we believe God & trust God.  When we allow fear to rule instead of faith, we disappoint God.  Your fear tells you what you value the most and your faith demonstrates the complete opposite.

Take time to consider why you are angry or want to run away from a situation.  What is it that is causing you to stand paralyzed and not take action on your goals and dreams?  Why are you becoming "resourceful" and looking for shortcuts or ways to make the situation work in your favor?  Could it be that you are reacting in fear of an unknown challenge instead of responding in faith to a God who is ALWAYS working for your good?   

Have you ever felt that even though you’re doing what you know God wants you to, you just can’t seem to make it happen? You may be on the path that God placed you on but you just don’t seem to be making any progress or things don't seem to be "coming together".  

Just because you feel that God has given you an opportunity or idea does not mean He wants you to take action on it in the same way it was presented to you.  Take the time to ASK God for His opinion and direction.  "God, is this what you want me to do?"  "God, what do you say about this?"  He may have specific guidelines or ideas for you to follow before you start taking action.

This was true for David when he decided to move the Ark of the Covenant and did not follow God's instructions to the letter.  (1 Chronicles 13), It is a good reminder to filter all things through God and His word before acting on them.

The very first fear was embarrassment.  This type of fear can cause us to react in ways that are irrational.  When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God out of a fear of embarrassment.  (Genesis 3:8)  

What would it be like to stand naked in front of your boss, or your family or your friends?- after you did something you were not supposed to do?  How many times do we let our fear , or shame, push us to continue to make more problems for ourselves?  Wouldn't it be better to simply take responsibility for the situation, admit your wrongdoing or mistake and learn from it?  

I have done both.  I can tell you that when you simply OWN your situation, fear has no choice but to go.  When you ask God to show you HOW to handle your mistake instead of trying to push it under the rug, things work out so much better.   Isaiah 41:10- "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and I will help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

We all like to be a part of the NEW, don't we?  We love to hear about the new store or the new restaurant opening.  There is just something wonderful about being a part of the NEW!  Did you hear?  There is a NEW earth and a NEW heaven coming!  Are you ready for it?  It is time to get serious and get prepared.  ♥  

Chapter 47 in the book of Ezekiel is the vision of the river flowing from the temple and the process that God may take us through.  

When we first enter into the waters, (verse 3) things are easy to manage.  However, when things get challenging (verse 5), it is not that He has left us or that we have made a wrong decision, but rather that He requires us to become MORE dependent on Him.  Rather than fight the current, relax and let the waters take you to where He has your blessing.  You don't need to be prepared before you get there.  God will prepare you along the way.  God doesn't need systems, marketing or money to promote you.  He just needs an obedient and willing heart.  Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5 remind us that He will never leave us.  Ask Him to show you how to trust Him more.  You got this.  You are almost there so just keep moving.

If you are like most, you say you trust in God, yet you worry about things too.  Ok, so maybe you don't actually trust God all that much!  It's ok.  We are all in the same place.  However, there are ways to strengthen and deepen your trust in God.  You actually have to practice it by applying His word to your life in a practical way.  A daily surrender of all your tasks and to-do's is just one way of seeing God's hand at work in your life.  Why not try it?  ♥

What do you do with new information?  When you were ignorant to the information, you behaved one way...but now that you know, what will you do differently?  

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 in the Message Bible says, "Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone.  That puts everyone in the same boat.  He included everyone in his death so that everyone could be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own."  

We are (as told to us in 2 Corinthians 6 NIV) in a "time of favor."  What will we do with this information?  What decisions will we make?  How will we live with the knowledge that a man died for us?  When will we stop taking things for granted and stop living small?  Do you see the world issues as God speaking? Throughout scripture God has "shaken the earth" to get our attention.  Does he finally have yours?

Sometimes, we want God to approve or accept our decisions so much that we try to make His word fit our situation instead of conforming to it.

As you consider God's word, don't just read one line and apply it.  Look at the rest of the verse or chapter.  The original Bible was not written in English either.  Sometimes we need to look up words to discover what God was actually saying when He said it!  For example, PROSPER.  Our translation may lead us to believe that it is material wealth that God gives.  While He may give us this, “prosper” in the Greek literally means “to help on the road” or “succeed in reaching.” Prosperity is much more than money!  Imagine having unending joy and peace?  That is what God wants for us.  

Go back to what you have learned and then work to discover what God is really saying.  You might not like it, but it will be for your good. ♥

We have all heard the phrase, "fear and faith can't fly on the same plane".  But, is this true?  As I work to live my life by God's design, I continue to question the teachings of the world.  

Do you realize that God doesn't actually speak about faith and fear together, but He does speak about DOUBT and faith!  In James 1:6 He reminds us that when we ask in faith, we should not doubt.  Jesus confirms this by telling us in Matthew 21:21 that if we have faith WITHOUT doubt, we actually can throw a mountain into the ocean!

Fears and doubts go hand in hand, but it is the doubt that is the bigger problem.  We have the authority to speak against the doubt and fear, but are we using it?  Are we working to BELIEVE what God says?  Every day we are given opportunities to test our faith and increase our belief, yet it seems we give the opportunities to the enemy instead. 

Ephesians 4:27 tells us to give NO opportunity to the enemy!  When you feel doubt creeping in, go to the Word of God and get tough.  Speak to your situation and tell it what it will do in Jesus' name.  Don't speak about it and create worry, fear and doubt.

God will show you.  Just ask Him how.  God does the how and you do the do!  ♥

God is faithful.  He never lies.  He never says something and does something else.  How faithful are YOU to HIM?  

I think, more than ever before, we need to be testing ourselves and our faithfulness to God.  Let's spend time putting God first in everything and choosing HIM over the pressures of the world.  Many of us look at Russia and the injustice in the Ukraine as a sign that Jesus is coming back.  

You might say, "I am ready."  But, are you?  Are you truly ready for the persecution and difficulty you will face for your association to Christ?  Take a look at how Jesus describes things surrounding His return for those who have faith.  In Matthew 24:10, He says that many will turn away from their faith and betray and hate each other! - this is because of the way Christians will be treated! ( I would encourage you to read the entire chapter of Matthew 24) 

He tells us that those who are steadfast in their faith will be saved. 

Are you using these moments to practice your faith?  With your money, relationships, time, careers, personal growth?  In James he said that the testing of our faith creates steadfastness.  But, unless we practice using our faith now, will we be strong enough to withstand the tribulations to come?

When I was in Youth Group as a teenager, we sang a song called "I wish we'd all been ready" by Larry Norman. It speaks about the rapture and not being ready for Jesus' return.

If we don't start now, while things are still easy for us, we may not be ready when things get tough.  Use every current "Daniel Decision"-(decisions that test your convictions and steadfastness to what you believe) to strengthen your relationship with God.  He will show you how.  Just ask Him. 

He is faithful to keep every promise and hold true to every word He spoke.  Are you?

 (For more information on what is to come:  1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 and 1 Thessalonians 5, Ezekial 38, Revelations 19 & 20)