That is why it's vitally important to be encouraged in the Lord...through yourself and through others.
This is a word as you walk on your journey to keep you focused on the Lord and to know just how much He IS with YOU!
I pray you read this and let it soak in. If God is calling you to new things...let this encourage you to step out in faith and take those necessary steps to walk into the new plans He has for you! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
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"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear." (Matthew 13:16)
Romans 12:2 says not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. It's easy to believe that we can be transformed by the changing of our circumstances—but the Bible says otherwise. When our perspectives are changed through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will think, speak, act, and live differently in the knowledge that we walk with a perfect God.
As my friend Bill Johnson has said, "What you know about God changes who you are. It defines your purpose. It defines your destiny. It shapes how you think most of all. Everything comes from your perspective on life."
My question to you is, "What is your perspective?" In other words, "Where are you looking?" If you're not looking to the One who created you and watches over you every moment of every day, you may feel discouraged or unsure of where you are headed. Sometimes, we can enter a New Year with a burst of motivation and renewed hope, but as the year continues we may get discouraged by a desire unfulfilled or a difficult situation. Regardless of where you may find yourself today, God is with you.
Eyes to See
"Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, 'Alas, my master! What shall we do?' So he answered, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.' And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:15-17)
In this story, the prophet Elisha and his servant are facing a seemingly impossible circumstance; surrounded on every side by enemies on horseback, ready to attack. But in that moment, Elisha saw what God was doing. He prayed for his servant to see that though they seemed to be hugely outnumbered, they had a heavenly guard of supernatural reinforcements with them that would ensure their victory.
It's essential that we always have "eyes to see" what God is doing in every circumstance. When you look around and see that the odds seem to be "stacked against you," ask God to open your eyes to see what He is doing. Ephesians 1 speaks of the "eyes of our heart"—spiritual eyes that can be opened to understand the hope we have in God, the beautiful inheritance He has for us, and the "surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe" (Ephesians 1:18-19). Ask God to open the "eyes of your heart," and be encouraged and reassured to see that He is not only with you, He is with you in all His glory and His power to assure your victory.
Ears to Hear
"And Abram said, 'Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.' Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.' And He took him outside and said, 'Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.'" (Genesis 15:3-5)
Though Abraham and his wife were well past the age of conceiving a child, and had been unable to do so in their youth, God told Abraham that he would make him "a great nation" (Genesis 12:2). Abraham and Sarah waited many years to see the fulfillment of this extraordinary promise, but in the passage above, God re-affirms His Word to him by re-directing his perspective.
God often wants to show us something or speak to us in a specific way, but we must have ears to hear, by being willing to listen for His voice. God led Abraham outside to show Him a beautiful vision that symbolized the fulfillment of His Word to him. When you are contending for a promise in your life, look to God, speak to Him, and be specific in your prayers. God did not leave Abraham and Sarah to bear an heir in their own power—Sarah conceived miraculously, made possible only by the One who spoke the promise.
He Knows Your Journey
Though we may not always understand where we are on the journey towards fulfilling our destiny, God sees where we are headed. He knows what is behind us and ahead of us, and He is faithful to speak to us, guide us, and partner with us in all circumstances. When you shift your perspective and see what God is doing, you will find renewed hope, strength, and faith that only God can give. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
Che Ahn
HRock Church
Email: info@hrockchurch.com
Website: www.hrockchurch.com
Ché Ahn and his wife, Sue, are the Founding Pastors of HRock Church in Pasadena, California. Ché serves as the Founder and President of Harvest International Ministry (HIM) and the International Chancellor of Wagner Leadership Institute (WLI). With a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, he has played a key role in many strategic outreaches on local, national and international levels. He has written more than a dozen books and travels extensively throughout the world, bringing apostolic insight with an impartation of renewal, healing and evangelism.
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I know many of you are stepping into new territories and areas the Lord is calling you to. This is exciting but can also cause us some doubts and fears on the new journey we are walking on.
