Category: God’s Provision

Categories
God's Provision Trust

Entrusting Your Life

“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23 (ESV) Hurting people hurt people. Those who have been wounded often wound others. There’s something about our fallen nature that seeks revenge. When someone has inflicted pain onto us, we want them to experience the same measure of pain in return. Retribution saturates the landscape of our lives. Jesus ushered in a new way of living. Jesus demonstrated the proper response to unfair treatment and to adverse circumstances. If there were ever a person who did not deserve one fraction of mistreatment, it would be Jesus. His life was filled with compassion for others, generosity in action, and integrity both in private and in public. Jesus received unjust treatment. He was ridiculed and falsely accused, yet He did not retaliate. As He suffered, He made not threats. Jesus could have called down a legion of angels to eliminate His offenders. Instead of reacting to His assailants, Jesus responded by entrusting Himself to God. Jesus chose to entrust His life and His circumstances to the Creator of the universe. Jesus affirmed that God is the righteous and just judge. God sees the inequities of life. Sin will be judged. Penalties will be ascribed. Have you been treated unfairly? Did you choose to react or respond? Entrust your life to God. God created you for His glory. You are God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10). You have a purpose to fulfill and a light to shine in this dark world. Fallen people will continue to act like fallen people until they come into a saving relationship with Jesus. Even after conversion, a person who becomes a follower of Christ can drift into some of the old fleshly patterns that wound and inflict pain. Don’t retaliate. Respond by entrusting your life to God. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Categories
Anxiety God's Provision Prayer

Unload Your Anxiety

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) Anxiety has the potential to cause us to lose perspective. When we are anxious, butterflies become helicopters. When we are anxious, grasshoppers become giants. Anxiety demands emotional fuel that depletes our passion and distorts our vision. The confetti of anxiety is applied with the spray paint of unrealistic expectations, overcommitment, and lack of margin. Where do you go when you are drowning in the liquid of anxiety? Our tendency is to subdue our anxiety by covering up our pain with a cascade of calories or sprinting into the fast lane of excessive busyness. We seek to divert the pain by suppressing our current reality with the blanket of escape. There is a much better option! God’s way is always the best way! God did not create you to be a wagon of worry. Unload your anxiety. Choose to run to God in prayer. Decide to unpack the heavy load you are bearing. Release your regrets. Dump your doubts and disappointments. Cry out to God in prayer in brokenness and humility and acknowledge your desperate need to cast all your anxiety on Him. God cares for you and cares about every intricate detail of your life. He intimately knows the burdens you are bearing and the concerns you are carrying. Write on a sheet of paper or type on your computer or cell phone a list of the specific items consuming your emotional energy. It helps me to see in print what is generating anxiety in my life. Once I bring these items into the light, they lose their bite. Then I unload each item out of the cargo area of my life and place them at the feet of Jesus in prayer. What do you need to unload? What do you need to release? As Dr. Johnny Hunt says, “Anything over your head is beneath His feet.” Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Categories
Finding Help God's Provision Prayer

Your Help Is Here

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 God never intended for you to walk through adversity alone. Maybe you have heard someone say that God will never put more on you than you can handle. That’s not true. God will not put more on you than you can handle with His help. The Christian life is not a solo flight. God does not launch you out into the world and expect you to live the Christian life on your own. God provides refuge when you need to retreat, strength when you need to endure, and help when you need relief. Your Heavenly Father knows exactly what you need and the exact moment you need it. God gives you His Holy Spirit at the moment of your conversion. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17 ESV). You are inhabited by the Counselor who is the Spirit of truth. You are the walking tabernacle of God’s Presence. Your body is His temple. The Holy Spirit is your Comforter. Are you in need of help? Are you hurting, lonely, or discouraged? Share your heart with God in prayer and anticipate His response. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Categories
Elijah God's Provision Trust

A Second Time

“And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, ‘Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.’ And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.” 1 Kings 19:7-8 (ESV) Elijah had experienced the power of God on Mount Carmel and now he is running for his life from the pursuit of wicked Jezebel. Elijah was emotionally and physically exhausted and reached a low point personally. He was so desperate that he prayed that he might die. Elijah was so low that he felt that death was his only source of relief. God met Elijah at his point of need and provided rest and refreshment. Elijah was strengthened by the provision of God and traveled forty days and forty nights. God was positioning Elijah for a blessing on Horeb, the mountain of God. The journey God has for you is too much for you. God never intended for you to fulfill His will in your own strength. God always builds your character to match His assignment and God always supplies everything you need for the journey. You cannot accomplish the mission God has for you without God’s enablement. Your personal energy will not suffice. Don’t get so focused on the destination that you miss what God wants to do along the journey He has for you. Rest and refreshment are vital components in His journey. Every moment matters! Slow down. Reflect on what God has done to bring you this far in the journey. God is not through with you. Your life is not over. God has more in store for you. Enjoy His rest and be refreshed by His presence. Spend some time in prayer acknowledging your dependency upon God. Allow Him to meet you at your point of need. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Categories
2 Kings Faith God's Provision

Empty Jars

“And Elisha said to her, ‘What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?’ And she said, ‘Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.’” 2 Kings 4:2 (ESV) I want you to think about how far you have come during your life on the earth. Think about all that God has done to see you through each moment of each day of each month of each year of your life. Perhaps you have come close to death. Maybe you have experienced God coming through for you financially at just the right moment. As you look over your life, you may be able to remember specific encounters of God’s divine intervention. You know that you would not be where you are today without God’s abundant supply of grace. God has provided for you every step of the way. The widow only had one jar of oil left in her house. The creditor had come to take her two sons and make them slaves. She and her sons were desperate for a move of God and for a miracle of God. Can you relate? She cried out to Elisha and he responded by instructing her to go to her neighbors in order to borrow empty vessels. Elisha told the widow and her sons to pour into all the vessels. Miraculously, as one jar became full, she would pour into another jar until it became full, and the process continued until all the jars were full. The oil stopped flowing. She sold the oil to pay her debts and then she and her sons lived on the rest. God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Entrust your life to His care! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
2 Chronicles God's Provision Victory

Divine Intervention

“‘You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17 (ESV) Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout Judah in order to seek the Lord and to seek help from the Lord. A great multitude was coming against them in battle and they needed to hear from God. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel and he communicated the will of God. He affirmed that the battle belonged to the Lord and that they were to stand firm and hold their position. Jahaziel exhorted the people to not be afraid and to not be dismayed because the Lord was with them. “When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.” 2 Chronicles 20:24-25 (ESV) What kind of battle are you facing? Seek the Lord and trust in Him to fight your battles. Don’t worry. Don’t fret. Entrust your life and your circumstances to the Lord’s care. Obey what God has shown you and stay close to His Word. Write down promises from God’s Word and claim them through prayer. Perhaps you are in need of divine intervention. Cry out to God in prayer and express your desperation. Acknowledge your dependency upon God and walk in the light God gives you. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Provision Psalms Trust

Where Is Your Trust

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7 (ESV) Trust is a fragile item in the life of a believer. Trust is like the petal of a rose. Trust can beautify a difficult path and create an aroma pleasing to Christ. Trust can also wilt when betrayed. Like a gem in the hand of a jeweler, trust in God can lead to an irresistible life in which God’s glory radiates. Where is the trust? In our society draped with affluence, it is so easy to trust in materialism. If we can only acquire one more object of our affection or jump into one more activity that produces an adrenaline rush, then we will be fulfilled…so we think. The things of this world just don’t deliver what they promise. The chariots of our culture and the horses of our entertainment are not trustworthy. “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) Only God can deliver on the magnitude of His promises. God always lives up to the level of His nature and character of perfection. There is no lack! There is no discrepancy! God is all sufficient and more than enough! Place your trust in the Lord. Anchor your faith to the Rock of ages. He is the source of your strength and empowers you to fulfill God’s agenda. As your faithful Shepherd, the Lord will help you overcome obstacles and live in victory. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
God's Provision Psalms Shepherd

My Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV) God never intended for you to walk through adversity alone. Maybe you have heard someone say that God will never put more on you than you can handle. That’s not true. God will not put more on you than you can handle with His help. When you come to know Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, you find the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul (1 Pt. 2:25). The Christian life is not a solo flight. God does not launch you into the world and expect you to live the Christian life on your own. God provides refuge when you need to retreat, strength when you need to endure, and help when you need relief. Your Heavenly Father knows exactly what you need and the exact moment you need it. Are you in need of help? Are you hurting, lonely, or discouraged? Share your heart with God in prayer and anticipate His response. No need to count sheep, just talk to your Shepherd. He will lead you beside still waters. His goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
God's Provision Grief Psalms

My Rock and My Redeemer

“I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.” Psalm 6:6-7 (ESV) David was well acquainted with victory, despair, and grief. He had known the favor of God and the wrath of Saul. David combated his enemies while seeking to remain true to the Lord his God. Through seasons of adversity, he became weary with his moaning and flooded his bed with tears. Grief overwhelmed him as he drenched his couch with his weeping. He grew weak because of his foes. In the midst of his abiding pain, David revealed the solidarity of his faith in the Lord. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 (ESV) “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (ESV) Latch onto the Lord who will be a stronghold in times of trouble. Place your total confidence and trust in the Lord for He will not forsake those who seek Him. In God’s presence, you will receive fullness of joy. God will make known unto you the path of life. Outside of Him, you will not find life. God places pleasures at your right hand. Maintain integrity by practicing moment-by-moment surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Submit your tongue to the Lord and yield your heart to His prompting. May the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be acceptable in His sight. The Lord is your rock and your redeemer. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
God's Provision Joshua Warfare

And the Lord Threw

“And the Lord threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.” Joshua 10:10-11 (ESV) Joshua’s life was marked by conquest and depending on God’s provision. Joshua courageously pursued his enemies as prompted by God and learned the value of taking God at His Word. In his battle at Gibeon, Joshua mobilized the men of war and engaged in strategic warfare. As Joshua obeyed God, the Lord threw his enemies into a panic. As they fled before Israel, the Lord threw large stones from heaven on them and they died. More died because of the hailstones than from the sword. Living in a fallen world mandates preparation for spiritual warfare. We are to anticipate opposition to God’s will and prepare for spiritual attack. We are in a battle to fulfill the Great Commission as we live out the Great Commandment. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV) Find your strength in the Lord. Put on the full armor of God and prepare for battle. You are covered by God’s sufficiency and He will fight your battles for you as you obey His prompting. God will enable you to stand against the schemes of the devil. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
God's Provision Miracle Moses

Following God’s Lead

“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22 (ESV) God makes His Presence known. For the children of Israel, God revealed His Presence through the glory cloud. God would guide the Israelites by the visible manifestation of the cloud during the day and the pillar of fire by night. When the cloud lifted and shifted, the Israelites moved. The people of Israel followed God’s lead and crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. God removed the threat of the Egyptian army by causing the water to cascade down upon them. “Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31 ESV). As God’s workmanship, where did Moses learn that kind of sensitivity to God’s movement? Did he learn it in the palace during his first forty years on the earth or perhaps during the second forty years of his life as a shepherd in the desert? The burning bush experience obviously made an abiding difference in his sensitivity to God’s Presence. God is always at work. Are you sensitive to His activity? You can experience God’s Presence moment by moment as you commune with Him through prayer and feed on His Word. You can experience God’s Presence as you maintain a posture of expectation and anticipation. Recognition of God’s activity is proportionate to your sensitivity. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell    

Categories
God's Provision Moses Sufficiency

Feeling Inadequate

“But Moses said to the LORD, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.’ Then the LORD said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.’” Exodus 4:10-12 (ESV) Have you ever felt inadequate? It is an overwhelming feeling. Anxiety intensifies when you feel that your assignment is beyond your ability. Moses felt that way. He had received an assignment from God to deliver the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Moses was to confront the Pharaoh and to forge a path of deliverance for those enslaved by Egypt. Moses began to read off his list of excuses for God to consider. Moses was trying to get God caught up on the deficits that he had been living with all of his life. In others words, Moses was not quick on his feet and he felt inadequate to be God’s choice for the task. God is so patient. He gently reminded Moses of who the Creator is. Who gives man the ability to speak, to hear, and to think? Who makes it possible for humanity to know and to do and to be? God graciously affirmed Moses by saying, “Go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” God is your sufficiency. He will never ask you to do anything that He does not equip you for. Will you trust God to provide for your role in His story? God will be your sufficiency. God will compensate for your inadequacy. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
God's Provision Jacob Joseph

God, Jacob, and Joseph

“And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.’” Genesis 46:2-4 (ESV) Jacob had endured hardship, grief, and anxiety. He lived for years with the darkness of Joseph’s death looming over him, when in fact, Joseph was alive. After God promoted Joseph to second in command over Egypt, and after Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and forgave them, Jacob and his family came to meet Joseph. Jacob had another encounter with God whereby God spoke to him in visions of the night. God affirmed Jacob with His abiding Presence and comforted Jacob with the assurance of protection and provision. God promised to make Jacob into a great nation and to allow Joseph’s hand to close his eyes. “Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years.” Genesis 47:27-28 (ESV) God keeps His word. You can entrust every detail of your life to God’s care. He created you so that you can enjoy an ongoing love relationship with Him. God includes you in His redemptive story and invites you to join Him in His activity. Your faith will be refined as you trust God and obey His directives. God will accomplish His purposes and plan through you as you yield to Him. Respond to God with the words of Jacob, “Here I am.” Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
Dream God's Provision Joseph

God’s Instrument

“Joseph answered Pharaoh, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.’” Genesis 41:16 (ESV) God uses human instrumentality in His redemptive process. God chooses to involve us in His master plan. Life is not about our story that we invite God into. Life is about God’s story that He invites us into. How will you respond to God’s invitation? Joseph had been forgotten by the chief cupbearer and the baker, but not forgotten by God. The Lord was with Joseph when he was in the palace and when he was in prison. As God would have it, the Pharaoh had a vivid dream that no one could interpret, including the chief cupbearer. God then prompted the chief cupbearer to remember Joseph and to let the Pharaoh know how Joseph had previously interpreted both his dream and the baker’s dream. That opened the door for Pharaoh to invite Joseph to seek to interpret his dream. “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.’” Genesis 41:39-40 (ESV) Make yourself available for God’s use. Place your “yes” on the altar and be willing to join God in His activity. Practice instant obedience and maintain your integrity. God will promote you in His timing. Nothing escapes His attention. Be faithful to do what God has called you to do and be willing to get out of your comfort zone in order to be used by God for His glory. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
God's Provision Jacob Protection

God’s Protection

“So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was and said to them, ‘I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.’” Genesis 31:4-7 (ESV) Jacob experienced God’s protection as he served Laban. Though Laban deceived Jacob in several ways, Jacob found comfort in God’s Presence. Jacob recognized God’s provision in the midst of the unfortunate treatment Laban inflicted. The instability of the circumstances surrounding Jacob did not penetrate the protective covering provided by God. Navigating the current of shifting loyalty from Laban’s integrity deficit, Jacob rested in the consistent provision of God. When you are treated unfairly, be encouraged by the reality of God’s protection and God’s abiding Presence in your life. Even when your circumstances create an atmosphere of uncertainty, you can anchor your faith to the rock of God’s nature and character. You can trust God to see you through. Jesus knew what it meant to be betrayed and to suffer injustice. Jesus was perfect and encountered unfair treatment by those whom God had created. “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23 (ESV) Do what Jesus did. Entrust yourself to Him who judges justly. Entrust your life to the One who has given you life and to the One who has the final say in every circumstance you face. God is worthy of your trust and worthy of your devotion. Relinquish control of your life to the One who created you for His glory. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
Abraham God's Provision Obedience

Jehovah Jireh

“And Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.’ So they went both of them together.” Genesis 22:7-8 (ESV) Abraham demonstrated absolute loyalty and devotion to God by his willingness to sacrifice his promised son. Abraham and Sarah were beyond child bearing years. Yet, God provided the miracle of Isaac’s conception. Now God is asking Abraham to sacrifice that which was promised to him. “And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.” Gen 22:13 (ESV) Is there anything in your life that takes priority over your relationship with Jesus? Are there any allurements sifting your affection away from your devotion to Christ? Do you have an Isaac in your life that you are unwilling to sacrifice? What is standing in the way of your realization of unbroken fellowship with God? What is taking the number one place of prominence in your life which is reserved for God? Whatever that item, ambition, or person is may be your Isaac. Could it be that God wants you to sacrifice that Isaac in your life to enable God to have top priority in your life? God wants first place in your daily walk. God wants to be the supreme object of your energy and affection. He not only deserves it, but He demands it. Spend a few moments taking inventory of your current priorities and identify what is preventing God from being your top priority. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
Abraham God's Provision Obedience

God’s Provision

“Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV) Without trust, there is no authentic relationship. Relationships are built on the foundation of trust. As you know, to be trusted one must be trustworthy. Without question, God is worthy of our trust. He is holy, righteous, immutable, eternal, and perfect. God honors His Word. God keeps His promises. God has impeccable timing and matchless integrity. When God revealed Himself to Abram, the relationship of trust was demonstrated. God commanded Abram to leave his comfort zone and to embrace the unknown. God promised to bless Abram and to make Abram a blessing. At this time, Abram was seventy-five years old and he and Sarai had no children. Even though God’s promise did not make logical sense in that Sarai was well along in years and childless, Abram took God at His Word and obeyed Him. What are you doing with what God has said to you? Have you obeyed what you already know? God blesses obedience. When you obey God, you come to know God by experience. You will discover God’s will as you obey God’s will. Walk in the light God gives you and watch to see how God unveils the next step that He wants you to take. As you obey, God will show you the way. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
God's Provision Job Love

Life, Love, and Compassion

“‘You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.’” Job 10:12 (ESV) Job was in a season of desperation. He knew calamity on a first name basis. Surrounded by an inner circle of friends, Job made a profound statement about God’s provision. In the midst of severe adversity and extreme suffering, Job chose to look up even when he was completely down. Can you echo Job’s statement of faith? God has granted you life. You were God’s idea. God created you and planted you so that you can bloom for His glory. You are alive today because God has given you life. What are you doing with the life God has given you? God has lavished you with His steadfast love. You matter to God. Your value has already been established when God gave His only Son to die for you on the cross two-thousand years ago. That’s how much God loves you and values you. Don’t let the devil stick a clearance label on your life. You have already been purchased by the shed blood of Jesus and the value of your life is priceless! What sustains you? What keeps you going? God’s compassion and tender care preserve you. He is the source of your strength and the reason for your existence. God will see you through the seasons of uncertainty and will help you overcome the obstacles that seek to divert your focus. God cares about you and everything you care about. You are His treasure and He keeps your tears in a bottle. Nothing bypasses God’s awareness. He knows where you are and just what you need right now. Will you rest in His care and receive His personal touch ministry? Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
God's Provision Petition Prayer

Present Your Requests

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) Why do we worry about stuff instead of praying to God about the stuff we worry about? Anxiety evaporates our joy and constricts our passion. The things we worry about become fixated in our minds and consume our emotional reserves. This is not the life God has for us. When all else fails, we then choose to pray. Why is that? What keeps us from turning to God in prayer the moment worry appears? Our first response to anxiety should be to pray. Maybe we feel that we just don’t have time to pray. We always have plenty of time to worry. Let’s make time to pray. Instead of being anxious about anything, in everything, let’s choose to present our requests to God by prayer and petition. Prayer is our unbroken communion with God through heartfelt communication. When we present our requests to God through petition, we are praying specifically about those things that produce anxiety in us. The more specific your prayer life becomes, the more dynamic the results will be. Move beyond generic prayers and ambiguous requests. Get specific about each detail that keeps you from walking in the victory and the freedom that has been purchased for you by Christ. Be thankful in your circumstances. Express your gratitude to God in prayer by specifically articulating all the things you are thankful for. It is possible to miss the rose by focusing on the thorns. What are you thankful for right now? Express that to God. Thank Him for your salvation. Thank Him for allowing you to have this day to experience His presence and to know His peace. Thank God for loving you unconditionally and for including you in His redemptive plan. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Anxiety God's Provision Trust

Unlimited Supply

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” Matthew 6:31-32 (ESV) How do you overcome anxiety? How do you win the war against worry? These questions remind me of a story about a man who offered to pay another man an annual salary of $200,000 to do his worrying for him. On the first day at work the hired man asked, “Boss, how are you going to get $200,000 to pay me?” The response came quickly, “That’s your worry!” Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair, it will keep you busy, but you don’t get anywhere. Our English word, worry, comes from an old German word, which means “to strangle” or “to choke.” As you may know by experience, worry can strangle the life out of you and choke the flow of joy in your life. Worry produces unhealthy side-effects such as: ulcers, backaches, headaches, and insomnia. Invert worry by trusting in God’s unlimited supply. You are more valuable to God than the birds of the air and He feeds them. You are more valuable to God than the lilies of the field and He causes them to grow. Worrying won’t lengthen your life. Worrying won’t benefit your future. Worry is practical atheism. When we worry, we are saying, “We don’t believe God will do what He says He will do.” Your heavenly Father knows what you need. He created you and has a plan for your life. God will provide you with everything you need to accomplish His will on the earth. No need to worry about your circumstances or to fear the unknown. Your heavenly Father knows right where you are and He knows exactly what you need to operate in the center of His will. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Faithfulness God's Provision Spiritual Markers

Review Spiritual Markers

“’I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’” Joshua 24:13 (ESV) The children of Israel drifted from God’s best and slipped into immorality. Joshua called them back into alignment with God’s will and God’s way. Joshua reviewed the spiritual markers that God had established for them. God gave Abraham many descendants and later raised up Moses and Aaron to deliver them from Egyptian bondage. God enabled them to cross the Red Sea on dry ground and to defeat the Amorites. God turned Balaam’s curse into a blessing and delivered them out of his hand. God enabled them to miraculously cross the Jordan. Joshua reminded the children of Israel of the faithfulness of God. The spiritual markers served as reminders of God’s provision. The blessings of God were clearly evident in each of the spiritual markers. Review your spiritual markers. Identify the times in your life when God made Himself known to you in a special way. You may have a spiritual marker that was formed in the midst of adversity where God reminded you of His protection over you. You may have a spiritual marker that was established as a result of God revealing His unconditional love to you through your saving relationship with Jesus. Spiritual markers are vital for the Christian life. As you review your spiritual markers, you will gain a sense of stability. Your faith is strengthened as you review the activity of God in your life. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Provision Hope Stewardship

Honor God

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV) Would you consider yourself rich? That question is rather ambiguous unless you have a clear point of reference. If I asked you if you were rich compared to Bill Gates, you may instantly respond with “absolutely not!” So let’s expand our point of reference to the 6.78 billion people presently on the earth. I want to share a quote with you from a book I have read that God has used in my life. The book is entitled, Radical, by David Platt. “We are an affluent people living in an impoverished world. If we make only ten thousand dollars a year, we are wealthier than 84 percent of the world, and if we make fifty thousand dollars a year, we are wealthier than 99 percent of the world.” Now let me ask you the question, “Are you rich?” You are rich! You are blessed! In his letter to Timothy, Paul reminds us to not be arrogant and to not put our hope in wealth. Our faith is not to be in our possessions, our position, or our portfolio. Instead, we are to put our hope in God. If you are going to anchor your faith to anything, it will be futile unless you anchor your faith in the Most High God! God provides us with everything we need to live in the center of His will and to fulfill His purposes in our generation. Align your time, energy, and resources to honor God. Is God first in your life? Is your love relationship with Him your top priority? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Provision Money Stewardship

Before or After Taxes?

“Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they marveled at him.” Mark 12:17 (ESV) What belongs to God? Everything! God is the Creator and the owner of the entire universe and everything on the earth. As His children, we are simply managers of God’s resources. God expects us to fulfill our civil duty as citizens and pay taxes. God also expects us to fulfill our duty as kingdom citizens and bring the tithe to His storehouse. “‘Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.’” Mal. 3:10 (ESV) My wife and I have had the joy of practicing biblical stewardship together as a married couple for over twenty years. God has proven faithful to His Word! I have often been asked, “Are you supposed to tithe on your income before or after taxes?” A similar question I have been asked on several occasions is, “Do you tithe on your gross income or net income?” Both of these questions are valid. My personal conviction, based on my study of God’s Word, is that your tithe is to be based on your income before taxes are withheld. You tithe on your gross income. The biblical stewardship principles my wife and I have faithfully embraced include: giving proportionately (at least 10% of our income before taxes are withheld), giving consistently, and giving cheerfully. God is faithful. You can trust Him with your life, your future, and your income. God can make 90% of your income, with 10% given to Him, go farther than 100% of your income. God blesses obedience! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Provision Obedience Stewardship

Life Is Fragile

“‘O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!.’” Psalm 39:4-5 (ESV) When you compare your life to that of a breath, it makes life seem to be so insignificant. Yet, the psalmist is not measuring the value of life. God has already established the value of life. The psalmist is asking God to give him a glimpse of how fragile life is and how temporal life is. How would you respond if God let you know that you only had thirty days to live? What would change about your current lifestyle? What adjustments would you make in order to live like you were dying in thirty days? If your remaining time on earth became a specific number of days that was clearly communicated to you, perhaps you would rearrange your current priorities. Maybe the way you allocate your time and energy would demonstrate radical adjustments once you found out that you only had thirty days to live. The number of your remaining days would directly impact how you would spend each moment. Our tendency is to take life for granted. We so often feel invincible and act as though we are guaranteed several decades of life on earth. God has a way of reminding us how fleeting life is. Are you ready to die? Are you ready to live? Have you made reservations for eternity in heaven? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Provision Humility Prayer

Pursue God

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) What moves the heart of God? Have you ever thought about that? Consider the portrait of God’s family living in harmony with each other and with Him. Picture God’s people embracing the posture of humility, employing the privilege of prayer, enjoying a daily pursuit of His presence, and eliminating the indulgence of sin. Now that would be considered revival. God is the ultimate Promise Keeper. God promises to bless obedience. God’s definition of success is not the accumulation of possessions but the application of obedience. If we will humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our sinful ways, God promises to hear our prayers, forgive our sin, and heal our land. What is keeping you from obeying what you know? Are you willing to move the heart of God through a consistent lifestyle of obedience? God does not expect you to live the Christian life in your own strength. God has empowered you with His abiding Holy Spirit to enable you to live the life He has for you. Do you have unconfessed sin in your life? Sin grieves the Holy Spirit. Sin hinders your fellowship with God and impedes the fruit of the Spirit. Confess your sin and receive God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Start running from sin and choose to run to Jesus. Do not think about how to gratify the cravings of the sinful nature (Rom. 13:14). God will hear your prayer, forgive your sin, and heal your land. Claim God’s promises and walk in victory! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Adversity God's Provision Prayer

He Can Hear You Now

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” James 5:13 (ESV) Independence is valued in our society. Being strong and self-sufficient tend to be the marks of success by the world’s standards. However, God’s economy has a much different value system. It’s not about personal strength, but reliance upon God’s strength. Self-sufficiency is replaced with dependency upon God and His provision. Success in God’s economy is marked by instant obedience and alignment with God’s plan. Part of God’s plan includes our relational connection to God through an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. The love relationship that God has made available to us in Christ is nurtured by our daily communion with God in prayer. The prayer connection flows from God to us and from us to God. God invites us into an intimate prayer connection that radiates from His heart of love and our response of awe and wonder. Imagine being able to share your heart as well as your heartaches with the God of the universe. We have that amazing privilege to bring everything to God in prayer. In Christ, we have been given access to the Creator of the universe. Are you in trouble? Are you experiencing challenging circumstances or strained relationships? Don’t delay! Take your burdens to the Lord in prayer. Empty the contents of your heart before the loving and faithful God that you have come to know by experience. God has provided you with the ultimate communication instrument called prayer. Just pray! Begin to articulate to God whatever is perplexing you and whatever is bothering you. God can handle your hurt. God can make the fog lift. Be still and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10).  God’s line is never busy and yes, He can hear you now! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Faithfulness God's Provision Persecution

Unwavering Faith

“Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!’” Daniel 6:16 (ESV) Daniel had a track record of faithfulness to God. His loyalty to God was unwavering. After the king signed a decree forbidding Daniel to pray to God, Daniel allowed his devotion to God to supersede his devotion to the king. Daniel was not willing to disobey God in order to obey the king. Instead, Daniel honored God at the expense of the king’s retribution. Daniel paid a hefty price for his obedience. He was thrown into the lions’ den. “Then Daniel said to the king, ‘O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.’” Dan. 6:21-22 (ESV) Your devotion and faithfulness to God may not ever lead you to be thrown into a literal lions’ den. However, your lions’ den may simply be having others misunderstand you or criticize you for your devotion to God. Your family members may not support you in your walk with God. Your co-workers or neighbors may not fully understand your commitment to serving God. Your lions’ den may be when your peers fail to comprehend your level of loyalty to God. Serve continually! Trust God completely! God can shut the mouths of the lions. God can redeem the hurt you endure. Allow God to use you to make an impact for His glory for every generation. Be comforted by the fact that God is all-knowing and nothing escapes His attention. God knows right where you are and He knows exactly what you need to accomplish His plan. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Adversity Faith God's Provision

Genuine Faith

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’” Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV) Has your faith ever been tested? Have you ever been in an environment that provided you with an opportunity to make a bold stand for the Lord? Maybe your home is a place where your faith is put to the test. Maybe your work environment has been a difficult place for you to express your faith. Swimming upstream is always a challenge. Whenever you decide to go in the opposite direction of the cultural current, you will face resistance and opposition. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the midst of impending death if they chose not to abide by the king’s command, were willing to obey God at all costs. Instead of bowing to the golden image erected by King Nebuchadnezzar, they chose to honor God even if it meant death. They demonstrated their belief in God’s ability to save them from the blazing furnace. They went a step further by declaring that even if God did not deliver them that they would not worship the image of gold. Do you have that kind of “but even if God does not” faith? Are you willing to obey God in the face of opposition and in the face of being misunderstood by your family or peers? Even if God does not deliver you from your difficult circumstances, are you willing to obey Him and honor Him? The good news is that God did deliver Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They would not bow, they would not bend, they would not budge, and they would not burn! God rescued them through the blazing furnace. God allowed them to go through the fire unharmed. Now that’s a life changing experience! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Provision Preparation Sanctification

The Desert of Preparation

“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’” Exodus 3:11 (ESV) Who am I? Why am I here? These two basic questions are innate in every human being. We long to know who we are and we strive to discover why we are placed on this planet called earth. Our security is proportionate to our understanding of our identity. God allowed Moses to experience forty years in the palace and then forty years in the desert. God wanted Moses to learn some things about his personal identity through a desert experience that he could not learn in the palace. God was preparing Moses for the purpose of delivering the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The burning bush encounter was a life changing experience for Moses. The encounter enabled Moses to come to know God in a personal way. God revealed His holiness to Moses and then unveiled His plan for Moses to embrace. As you can imagine, Moses could not visualize himself as the deliverer of the children of Israel. They had been slaves for over 400 years. Moses began making excuses and tried to deny his usefulness to God. Moses began to focus on what he lacked and missed the reality of God’s ability to do the extraordinary through ordinary people. Have you ever doubted your usefulness to God? Have you ever tried to convince God that you are not fit for His plan? God is not impressed with our abilities or our inabilities. God is not limited by our limitations. Are you willing to yield to God’s control and allow Him to have His way in your life? God is willing to take you through a desert experience to prepare you for His assignment. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Provision Godliness

Everything You Need

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”   2 Peter 1:3 (ESV) God does not expect you to live the Christian life outside of His enablement. In fact, it is impossible to be a fully devoted follower of Christ without God’s provision. You need God’s fuel to accomplish God’s will for your life. God’s mission demands supernatural power that you don’t have outside of His resources. To operate in God’s economy requires God’s energy. God’s divine power has given you everything you need for life! Your union with Christ connects you to the supernatural power needed for living out your faith. Being salt and light on this broken planet will require that you to stay in a vibrant, healthy, and growing relationship with Christ. As you come to know the Lord intimately, your progressive relationship will unlock God’s power in your life. God’s divine power has given you everything you need for godliness! To be godly is to be like God. His heart becomes evident in your heart. His love becomes evident in the way you love others. His compassion becomes apparent as you extend His compassion to those in need. In Christ, you become the conduit through which God displays His power and His grace. Everything you need for godliness is made available to you through your abiding relationship with Christ. Stay connected! Keep your love relationship tender, open, and progressive. Confess known sin. Receive God’s forgiveness. Feed on God’s Word daily and practice His Presence throughout the day. Be conscious of God’s activity in you, through you, and around you. God is working His power in you so that He can display His power through you. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor