Perpending His Presence and His Promises

"In the same way the sun never grows weary of shining, nor a stream of  flowing, it is God's nature to keep His promises. Therefore, go immediately to His throne and say, 'Do as You promised.'"

                                                          Charles H. Spurgeon

The book of Joshua is known to be a book of new beginnings. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites were finally able to claim their inheritance and enjoy the blessings that God had prepared for them. It was "as the days of heaven upon the earth" (Deuteronomy 11:21). This is also the way that God wants us to live because He has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings" (Ephesians 1:3) and has provided the path to victory through Jesus (who is our Joshua).

When God first called Joshua, He told him to "Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). What we don't see in this statement is all the years of preparation God had infused inside of Joshua. He was born into slavery in Egypt and given the name of Hoshea (Numbers 13:8), which means "salvation". Later, Moses changed his name to Joshua, the Hebrew form of Jesus, which means "Jehovah is salvation".

By giving their baby the name of "salvation", Joshua's parents were bearing witness to their faith in God's promise to redeem His people. They had seen God deliver their family from many perils such as the Passover when Joshua was a boy. Because he belonged to the tribe of Ephraim and was the firstborn son of Nun, his very life was in danger that night. However, they trusted in the Lord and in the power of the blood of the lamb and his life was spared.

Joshua got to see firsthand the signs and wonders God performed in Egypt (Exodus 7-12), and he quickly came to realize that Jehovah was a God of power that was with them and would protect and care for them. He witnessed the One, True God humiliate the gods of Egypt and understood that there was no one to compare with Him. His faith grew and he trusted God to do wonders for His people.

We can do the same today. When we really meditate on the presence and promises of God in our lives, we will understand that He continually is with us and is working on our behalf. We can intentionally choose to heed the commands God gave to Joshua and not be afraid nor dismayed. Obviously, our human tendency when things get tough is to become discouraged or fearful, but perhaps our perspective should be the opposite. Perhaps we should understand that the warfare is trying to prevent us from walking in our destiny. If God didn't have great plans, then why would the enemy try so hard to bring discouragement to us?

The real thing Satan tries to steal from us is our faith because that is the very thing that can move mountains. Our faith should rise up in times of distress and when we are weary because that will drive the enemy out and help us to possess the Promised Land that God has for us. The name that God called the Promised Land was "a good land" (Joshua 8:7-10) and He contrasted it to the monotony and barrenness of Egypt. This land was to be a place of rest and inheritance and the dwelling place of God.

The Israelites had persevered and endured much hardship and fatigue while they were slaves in Egypt. Now, they would be able to rest and enjoy the fellowship with their God and their deliverer. Similarly, "the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered today" (Hebrews 4:1).  Paul goes on to tell us that after we have entered into this rest, we should then "fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace ( the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]" (Hebrews 4:16).

Courage and strength will increase as we draw near to God to experience the full weight of His presence and trust in the merit of all His promises to us individually. When life becomes a battering ram of challenges and difficulties, we can have peace knowing that He is with us and that His goodness will triumph over all obstacles. God will open our eyes so that we can "Look to the heavens and see; and behold the skies which are higher than you" (Job 35:5). We will understand that when God is at our side, nothing shall be impossible.

Before God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, He told him, "This book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success" (Joshua 1:8).

In the Old Testament, there are two primary Hebrew words for meditation: Hagah and Sihach. The word Hagah means "to utter, groan, meditate, or ponder". The word Sihach means "to muse, to rehearse in one's mind, or to contemplate". Both of these words can also be translated as "dwell, diligently consider, and heed".

Rick Warren describes meditation this way: "Meditation is focused thinking. It takes serious effort. You select a verse and reflect on it over and over in your mind... if you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate. No other habit can do more to transform your life and make you more like Jesus than daily reflection on Scripture...If you look up the times God speaks about meditation in the Bible, you'll be amazed at the benefits He has promised to those who take the time to reflect on His Word throughout the day."

In Satisfy Your Soul, Dr. Bruce Demarest writes, "A quieted heart is our best preparation for all this work of God...Meditation refocuses us from ourselves and from the world so that we can reflect on God's Word, His nature, His abilities, and His works... So we prayerfully ponder, muse, and 'chew' the words of Scripture... The goal is simply to permit the Holy Spirit to activate the life-giving Word of God."

God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). In my walk, I have found that the more chaotic the world around me becomes, the more intentional I need to be in my Quiet time and pressing into God's Word. Otherwise, it can be really easy to fall into the trap of distractions or spending my time in useless ways. These are the times when it is much easier to give in to fear and discouragement. Knowing what God has to say about my circumstances changes everything.

Spend time in His presence and write down specific promises He has made to you. If you cannot think of specific ones, sit down in faith and ask the Holy Spirit for verses directly related to the concerns you may have. Meditate on these verses and remind God of what He has shown you.

I really believe that this is a year where we will see God move in mighty ways. We need to be positioned and prepared. We need to stoke the fires of our faith on a daily basis. We truly need to diligently perpend His presence and His promises!

"Let my cry come right into Your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from Your Word. Give my request Your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of Your promise. Let praise cascade off my lips; after all You've taught me the truth about life! And let Your promises ring from my tongue; every order You've given is right. Put Your hand out and steady me since I've chosen to live by Your counsel. I'm homesick, God, for Your salvation; I love it when You show Yourself! Invigorate my soul so I can praise You well, use Your decrees to put iron in my soul. And should I wander off like a lost sheep- seek me! I'll recognize the sound of Your voice."

                                                              Psalm 119:169

Divine Assignements

         "They'll do the work I sent them to do; they'll complete the assignment I gave them."
                                                      Isaiah 55:8, The Message Bible




Life in Christ is a wild adventure! It is neither for the faint of heart nor for the doubters. It is a mind-blowing, nail-biting series of steps that ultimately lead to the finality of our journey here on earth. We finish our assignments and step into eternity to cheer on the next generation of believers.

God holds the master plan and He is the One who gives out the assignments and then directs our steps accordingly. Each one of us was born for a reason, which is our divine purpose, and it is that purpose that will lead us to our assignments in Christ. Because God developed our purpose before the world began (Ephesians 2:10), we must discover it by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Times and seasons also reveal the handiwork of God. I truly believe in this New Year that there is so much promise that is before us. I believe it is a year in which we will walk in greater vision and purpose. I believe it is a year of alignment and breakthrough and really walking in what God is calling us to do.

To know for certain what that is we must really get alone with God, seeking both His presence and His purposes. We are promised that those who "seek (inquire and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing" (Psalm 34:10). Certainly it is His will to specifically reveal His purposes and assignments in our lives.

The uncertainties that arise come from our end. Sometimes we feel unqualified for what God calls us to do. Jeremiah did. He thought he was too young for his assignment to be a prophet but then God reassured him that He would put His Words into Jeremiah's mouth. God followed through on is promises and Jeremiah completed his assignment.

Other times, we can be intimidated by a God-sized assignment. This is what happened to Moses when God told him to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Not only did God support Moses through his insecurities (Exodus 4:10-11), He also brought Moses into his potential by exhibiting His power (Exodus 4:1-17). He did all of this to reveal to Moses that He was with him and that He was all Moses needed.

God understands our frailties but He also loves us too much to leave us stuck in them. He bids us to "Follow" and promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. His Spirit ever compels us to walk by faith and not by sight in order to accomplish all that He sets before us.

If we let fear rule and reign in our hearts, we will run from our assignments like Jonah did. However, running will never change the assignment God has ordained for us. When we eventually get tired enough from fleeing, our assignment will still be waiting. The book of Romans tells us that "God's gifts and His call are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29).

There is a stipulation, though. We do have to daily receive His grace in order to complete our assignments. God gives a daily outpouring over our lives that must be received by a surrendered heart and life if we are to bear the quality and quantity of fruit that God has purposed. It is His provision and it is He that receives the glory.

God matches our gifts with our assignments. If you clearly see your gifts and strengths and talents and look at them against the backdrop of people and circumstances God has placed in your life, you will begin to have more understanding of your calling. He deposits His gifts and Spirit within us and then places us and positions us for success and victory.

Like the Wild Fig Tree in Mpumalanga, South Africa, that has roots documented to be 400 feet deep, our character must also match our calling in order to be sustainable. God will direct our journey to mold and shape the character we will need, but this does require our cooperation. Henry Blackaby says, "Nothing is more pathetic than having a small character in a big assignment. Many of us don't want to give attention to our character; we just want the big assignment from God." Without adequate character development and sanctification, we will stumble and potentially fall.

Our assignments will also determine the suffering and the attacks we encounter. After Paul described his assignment as a preacher and teacher, he said, "For which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know in Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12). It was because of his calling that the attacks came.

God can even use our families as a training ground. They may misunderstand, doubt, or even betray. Jesus understood this because we are told that "Neither did His brethren believe in Him" (John 7:5). While our families may long to humble us, it is Satan that desires to destroy us. When we survive our families, it is a great indicator that we will survive our calling.

Our adversaries are just as important to our development as our friends are. Promotion comes when we stand against our enemies and determine we will not be conquered. Much of our assignment has to do with how we problem-solve  and how we overcome. Jesus had assigned adversaries and we are told that we will, too (John 15:18-21).

We do not need to worry about having what we need for our divine assignments. God will provide everything we need. While He may stretch our muscles of faith in this area, His Word promises over and over again that He will provide for His children. Especially for what He calls us to do.

Therefore, we are gifted, equipped, anointed, uniquely positioned, called, and empowered for our divine assignment. We are strengthened and favored for the tasks at hand. There is a purpose and plan in each of our lives to ultimately reach the 7 billion people on this planet with the Gospel. God is beckoning us all into His perfect plan and purposes. Are you ready to really walk in your divine assignment?


"Christians are not left in the world by accident, but are placed there on divine assignment from their Lord."
                                                                 John MacArthur

Vision For 2017

"And the Lord answered me and said, 'Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint.
Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not delay on its appointed day.'"
                                                                 Habakkuk 2:2-3




The beginning of a New Year is an excellent time to take a spiritual inventory of our lives. While I'm not really one to set a bunch of lofty resolutions for the year, I do enjoy the challenge of trusting God with the struggles at hand and for insight regarding spiritual disciplines that I need to improve in the upcoming year. For me, it is very beneficial to press in spiritually in an effort to gain God's perspective for how I can best co-labor with Him for the next twelve months.

Right now our church is doing a 21 day Daniel fast as we write down our prayer requests for 2017. It has been during this time that I realize that the most important thing for me right now is a fresh perspective. I am believing God for revelation on what He is doing in my life, which direction we will be travelling, and what my role in our partnership will be. In other words, I really want supernatural eyes and understanding to know the ways that will yield the greatest harvest in my life- both in a transformation and in a literal way.

The more New Years I have experienced the more it occurs to me just how short this life really is. There are two things that I think will matter on the day I go home to be with the Lord. The first thing is how much like Jesus I have become and the second thing is how many people did I share the love and Good News of the Gospel with? On that day, it seems to me that all else would seem unimportant.

Too often, I tend to focus on the obstacles and the challenges that seem to be insurmountable. Instead, I want to see my God as bigger and more powerful than what I face and I want my love for Him to supersede whatever parts of myself I need to lay down. I want gratitude to rise above all else and to be thankful for His provision for us to conquer all that stands against us. His grace really is sufficient.

This is the year of the breakthrough. For Brent and I, there have been some prayer requests that we have prayed now for over two decades. There was a time when I believed that the answers to these prayers were the most important things, but I don't anymore. While they are Biblical petitions, I now see that even more importantly than the answer was the journey that landed me smack in the middle of God's arms. His heart far outweighs what His hands can do. While I am excited for the breakthroughs, I am more excited about hearing the heartbeat of a beautiful and loving Father!

Other prayers we have prayed have been flat out denied by God. Most of the time while it was happening we didn't understand why God said, "No". Too often, I would see it as God not moving on our behalf. Now I see it as God moving fiercely to protect us from things in which we were unaware. Things that would have harmed us.

Now I crave the set-ups for Him to be glorified in the earth. It doesn't matter how it happens or who it comes through; I just want Him to be lifted up. Interestingly, when I survey the places in my life where the enemy tried to discourage me or deceive me into believing that no good could come from it, I now see that those were the set-ups for His glory to be seen! That's where God shines the brightest!

Whatever looks dead in your life, begin to speak resurrection to those places. If you are currently facing a situation in your life that only God can revive, then rejoice and look up! This is not the time to give up; it is the time to be filled anew with His Spirit, His vision, and His purposes.

It is time to dream again, live again, and hope again in Christ. God is moving in mighty ways across the globe and we will not be exempt from what He is doing. His desire is to seek and save the lost and He will use our lives to accomplish this goal.

Look ahead in this New Year and do not look behind. Trust His timing and His process in your life. When He said that He was returning for a bride that was without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27), we have to know that that level of sanctification involves some pain. However, in the end, the result is glorious!

Ask God to give you a new vision and a new dream or to resurrect the ones He has placed in you previously. This is not a time to shrink back. Rather, it is a time to be on fire for God and to help others to do the same.

Spend time in His presence and hear what the Spirit is saying to you personally. There is so much he wants to share with us right now. There is so much He longs to give to us.

When the apostle, Paul, was blinded on the road to Damascus, he was given a heavenly vision of Jesus. The Lord said to Him, "I have appeared to you for this purpose that I might appoint you to serve as [My] minister and to bear witness to what you have seen of Me and to that in which I will appear to  you, choosing you out and delivering you from the Jewish people and the Gentiles to whom I am sending you- To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:16-18).

Paul's spiritual eyes were opened before his natural eyes were. He also heard the voice of the Lord. Supernaturally, God revealed His glory so that Paul could see the Living Christ. God showed Paul Himself so that he could co-labor with Hi to reap a mighty harvest.

This was the First Advent of Christ and we are drawing ever closer to His Second Advent. We have the ultimate privilege of living in the times in which we live. We are blessed beyond measure to be a part of what God is doing in this time and season.

Dream big. Pray without ceasing. Shine your light brightly. Receive God's vision and write it down. Love Him and trust Him with all your heart. Have a blessed and fruitful 2017!


"It won't be long now, He's on the way; He'll show up almost any minute. But anyone who is right with Me will thrive on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won't be very happy. But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way."
                                                                                                                     Hebrews 10:38-39
                                                                                                                     The Message Bible