“And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.” (1 John 5:14) Let’s revisit this scripture from last week. Confidence. Assurance. The privilege of boldness. Certainty. This is not wishful thinking or hopeful guessing. This is settled knowing. Abraham walked in that kind of certainty. God promised him an heir, and then the years piled up. Abraham turned ninety-nine. Sarah was long past childbearing. Every natural Read More
Category: Trusting God
God’s Plan: Consult Before You Commit
The Condition We Skip “And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.” — 1 John 5:14 We love to quote this verse. We claim the confidence, the boldness, and the promise that God hears us. But too often we rush past four words that hold the whole verse together: according to His will. God Is Not Obligated to Your Plans Here is the pattern Read More
Close the Books: Living the Love That Keeps No Record
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4–7) Some of us are carrying ledgers we were never meant to keep. We remember the exact words spoken in anger, the date the promise was broken, the moment we were overlooked. We file every offense away, ready to pull Read More
Trusting God: The HOW Is Not My Business
I keep a note on my laptop titled “Musings.” It’s nothing fancy, just a running list of things I’m thinking about, wrestling with, or talking to the Lord about when nobody else is around. A couple of weeks ago, my pastor said something that landed in that note and hasn’t left me alone since. She said: “The HOW is not my business; Trust God!” I sat with that for a long time. Because if I’m honest, I’ve prayed plenty of prayers where I said the words “I give this to You, Lord” and then spent the rest of the week Read More