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God Will

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“The Lord will work out his plans for my life” (Psalm 138:8 NLT).

“Hello, Abram. It’s me, God. I want you to pack up your things, say goodbye to your home, and settle in a new land. Got it? Now, go!”

That’s pretty much how it happened. God didn’t give Abram details, only directions. He told Abram what he wanted him to do and expected him to get moving. The Bible doesn’t record Abram’s immediate response, but I’m sure he had a few questions, such as, “Where exactly will I be going? What am I supposed to do once I get there? How is this all going to work out?”

God saw the fear and doubt in Abram’s heart. He understood Abram’s struggle with leaving the familiar and stepping out into the unknown. That’s why the Lord spoke the following words:

“I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3).

Notice God said, “I will,” five times in two verses. God was making it clear he would be the Prime Mover in this adventure. He would be the One making things happen. He would be Abram’s sole Provider. Abram didn’t have to figure out the game plan for his journey to a foreign land. He just needed to believe God and obey his instructions.

Has God laid something specific on your heart he wants you to do? If you’re hesitant, remember God’s promise to do the work. He will bring his plans to pass if you’ll trust him. If God says it’s time to leave something behind and move forward in faith, don’t delay. Respond as Abram did. Go!

Obedience Leads to Peace

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Open Bible with Mug
The simplest instructions can sometimes be the most difficult to follow. Let me give you an example (hypothetical, of course). When a parent tells her teenage daughter, “Clean your room,” you’d think the teen would know to pick up her various piles of clothes on the floor, not bunch them up in one gigantic, overflowing heap! But somehow what’s obvious to the parent seems to befuddle the child.

Fortunately, when it comes to obeying the Lord, we don’t have to guess how we’re supposed to live. The Bible gives us simple, clear-cut instructions, such as, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Sounds easy enough, right? I wish it was. Let’s take a closer look at the truths in these two verses:

  • “Don’t worry about anything.” You may be wondering, Is that even possible? It must be, or God wouldn’t have included this command in the Bible.
  • “Pray about everything.” Talk to God about the details of your life. No matter how big or small, He cares about it all!
  • “Tell God what you need.” If you haven’t already, make a list of prayer requests for yourself and others in a journal. Then continue to bring those requests before the Lord on a regular basis.
  • “Thank him for all he has done.” Tell the Lord how thankful you are for specific blessings in your life. Make it a goal to write down five or 10 things every day.

When we develop the habit of trusting God with every situation, we’ll have tranquility instead of tension. Also, as we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, our hearts will be full of joy. But wait. There’s more! Check out Phil. 4:7:

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Did you catch that? The peace of God will act as a garrison around us so the enemy can’t break though!

In your prayer time today, thank the Lord for the gift of his perfect peace that protects you, strengthens you, and leads you to victory.

What Do You Want God to Do?

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DFL Prayer Cards

“In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me” (Ps. 86:7).

A few weeks ago I served as a volunteer at the Designed for Life Women’s Conference at JQH Arena in Springfield, MO. During the three-day conference, hundreds of prayer request cards were filled out by women seeking God’s help in various situations.

When I piled all 400+ cards on the table, I was overwhelmed by the size of the stack. So much pain. So many needs.

But, in the next breath, I remembered that we serve a big God, one who is willing and able to answer! One who responds to the cries of His people!

Let me give you an example from the Bible.

One day when Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, they came across a man who sat by the roadside begging. When the man heard that Jesus was near, he cried out to Him. The Bible says the beggar shouted. His voice was so loud that people told him to be quiet.

But the man didn’t zip his lips. Instead, he shouted all the more!

Then Jesus stopped and asked the beggar, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man replied, probably without hesitation, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Do you know what happened next? The blind man wasn’t blind anymore! He received his sight. And then he followed Jesus.

God cares about what’s happening in your life. Nothing is too trivial to bring to Him. No situation is too difficult for Him to handle. The Lord wants to help you. He wasn’t too busy to answer the man’s cries. And He isn’t too busy to answer yours.

The Lord sees right where you are. He hears your cries. And He will respond. It may not be immediate as it was for the blind man, but you can be confident God is working.

Today Jesus is asking, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Take your concerns to God in prayer. Just talk to Him about what’s on your mind and heart. Your words don’t have to be fancy or formal. Pour out your heart to the Lord in honest communication. Your heavenly Father is waiting. He loves you so much.

The Pain You Don’t See

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Commodus, 5.10a, Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Jasper, AR

I stood at the base of Commodus, a popular, 5.10a sport climbing route at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper, AR. It was a sunny September day, and the weather was perfect. Climbers from all over the country had gathered at Horseshoe for a full day of climbing. Since Commodus is a classic route, several people wanted to get on it, including Justin and me. So when it was finally our turn, I was ready to go.

Justin had already led the route, which means he had attached our rope to the fixed bolts along the wall with carabiners. After he had reached the top of Commodus and secured the rope in the anchors, Justin descended to belay me. My job was to follow him and remove the carabiners, a process known as “cleaning.”

I tied in, chalked up, and started up the rock. The climb to the first bolt was easy and fun. The handholds and footholds were solid. All I had to do was unclip the first carabiner and continue on up to the next bolt.

But I had trouble unclipping. With my right arm extended and left hand holding on, I could barely reach the bolt. Because I was stretched out, the tension on the rope was tight.

I gave the rope a big jerk to force it out of the carabiner. When I did, I came off the rock. I knew I was going to take a fall, but I expected Justin’s belay device to activate before I hit the ground. It didn’t.

Directly underneath me was a tall, pointy rock. When the sharp edge made contact with my tailbone, I cried out like a wounded animal. The pain was immediate and intense. A warm sensation swept over my whole body. I felt nauseated and thought I would throw up. 

Slowly, I stood up. The last thing I wanted to do was keep climbing. But, after a few minutes, I forced myself to get back on the wall. I didn’t want fear to keep me grounded, that day or in the future. I had to conquer Commodus. And I did. Bruised backside and all.

I struggled with constant pain for the next two weeks. It hurt to walk. To sit. And even to lie down. I only felt relief when standing for short amounts of time.

Most people around me had no idea how much I was suffering. Only an extremely observant person would have noticed my gait was a little awkward, like I’d been riding a horse too long. Only someone watching my body language would have picked up on how slowly I moved. And only those paying close attention would have seen my slight grimace as I shifted my body weight from one cheek to the other when I’d been sitting too long.

One day when I was especially uncomfortable, I sensed the Lord speaking to my heart about my experience, challenging me to consider it from a spiritual perspective.

Every day I come into contact with hurting people. People who are in great distress, not from a rock climbing accident, but from circumstances in their lives, past and present. Abuse, rejection, neglect, addiction, and betrayal have caused massive internal injuries. Only I don’t see their pain. I’m not paying attention. I’m too preoccupied with myself to notice.

But I’m not the only one in this predicament. Every human being on this planet struggles with self-centeredness. It’s part of our sinful nature. We’re all guilty of getting caught up in the details of our own lives. But we can do better. We can change! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I can become more focused on others instead of ourselves.

If that’s your desire – to be more aware of people’s hurts and ways you can help – pray this prayer with me today:

“God, I confess that I think too much and too often about myself. Your Word says, ‘Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” (Phil. 2:4 NLT).’ Open my physical and spiritual eyes to the people around me. Give me your heart – a heart of compassion and comfort – and show me how to alleviate their suffering. Thank you for teaching me how to grow in this area of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Once you’ve asked God to increase your sensitivity to others, you can be confident He will answer such a request. In fact, be on the alert. The Lord just might send someone your way today.

[Note: A climber who rated Commodus online as a 5-star climb commented, “Pleasant balancey climbing with some reachy moves. Loved it. A fall might be painful.” Might be? I know from experience that a fall is definitely painful on this route!]

When You’re in a Hard Season

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Crocus in Spring
Spring is finally here! Where I live, the weather is getting warmer, and flowers are starting to bloom. Spring is one of my favorite seasons because it means new beginnings and new life.

But not all seasons are so pleasant. Sometimes we find ourselves in an extended time of sadness or pain, somewhat like a spiritual winter.

I know because it has happened to me. Recently.

Last year was tough. January 2015 started out great with the annual online Daniel Fast and the release of my second book, Spiritually Strong: The Ultimate 6-Week Guide to Building Your Body and Soul. But then I encountered scary health issues in February. At the same time, family problems arose. By March, I was spent. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And I got stuck.

Fear set in. I felt anxious throughout the day. At night, my body was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept going a hundred miles an hour, thinking about all the what ifs. I was scared because I stopped trusting God.

Have you ever been in a similar situation? Are you there now? If so, let God pull you out of that pit of despair and unbelief. Don’t even try to climb out yourself. You’ll never make it. Oh, you might gain some ground, but you’ll slowly slip back down into the mud and mire. Instead, reach out for the Lord, and let Him grab your hand. Let His strength replace your weakness. Let His power remove your pain.

Yes, the past year has been challenging for me. But the Lord has used (and is using) the experiences to strengthen my spiritual muscles. I believe that the past winter season is about to usher in a glorious spring in my life. As my wise mentor, Ginni, told me, “This is not a bad season. This is a season of becoming fit for God’s power.”

I encourage you to adopt the same perspective.

If you’re experiencing a difficult time right now, put your trust in the Lord no matter what your circumstances. Stand on the truth of His Word despite your feelings. Remember, this promise:

“And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans” (Rom. 8:28 TLB).

A hard season is actually a good season. The Lord is with you, and He will bring you to a greater, deeper, stronger place because of it. 

Your winter is coming to an end. Spring is just around the corner.

God is Proud of You

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Isaiah 43:4

I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard.

I was having lunch with my friends who are missionaries in El Salvador. For about an hour, we shared what the Lord is doing in our lives. Mostly, I just sat and listened, gleaning from their godly wisdom. I soaked in their passion for ministering to hurting people, secretly hoping it would rub off on me. Then, as we said good-bye, my eyebrows raised when I heard, “We’re proud of you.”

What?! I thought. They’re proud of ME? No, no! It’s the other way around!

What I wanted to say was, “It’s your commitment to the poor that touches my heart deeply! It’s your tenacity to share the gospel in one of the most dangerous countries in the world that challenges me! It’s your faithfulness to share the love of Christ that reminds me to reach out to others! I’m so proud of YOU!”

But I didn’t. I was too shocked to speak. As I drove home, I wondered, Were they praising my achievement of being a bestselling author of two books? Patting me on the back for having a successful online Daniel Fast ministry? Applauding my abilities as a speaker?

No, I don’t think so. I doubt that their affirmation was prompted by any accomplishment or accolade. Instead, they wanted to communicate, “We’re proud of who you are. We see the Lord at work in your life, and we thank Him for what He’s doing.”

I thought about those four words several times throughout the day. Such an unexpected gift from my dear friends. Such a priceless treasure I will hold in my heart always. Then I realized that their declaration was God’s message to me as well.  

The Lord is proud of me simply because I’m His child. I belong to Him, and He thinks I’m pretty special. My heavenly Father loves me when I’m generous and kind. He loves me when I’m selfish and mean. God doesn’t focus on all the bad stuff when He looks at my life. That sin has been covered by the cross! What He does see is His beloved Son, Jesus, and He is well pleased.

If you’ve been born again – if you’ve accepted God’s gift of salvation – the Lord sees you the same way! Your Father wants you to know that He’s proud of who you are! You’re precious and valuable, not because of anything you’ve done, but because you’re His.

The message the Lord spoke to my heart is also meant for you: 

“You are precious and honored in my sight, and…I love you” (Is. 43:4).

Receive those words as God’s gift to you today!

{Stay informed about upcoming events, new Daniel Fast recipes, and my latest blog posts by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.}

Say “Yes” to the Daniel Fast!

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Say "Yes" to the Daniel Fast
This past Sunday morning was like déjà vu. You know, when you feel as if you’ve been in the same situation before. The thing is, I have. Nearly six years ago.

In August 2009, I sat in the same church under the same pastor, hearing the same challenge to seek the Lord through the Daniel Fast. I eagerly accepted. Even though I’d never done a three-week partial fast, I was excited to see what God would do as I submitted to Him. But I had no idea how that one decision – that one “yes” – would change the course of my life.

I couldn’t have dreamed I would write a bestselling book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast.

That my website would become a worldwide resource and ministry tool.

That God would open many doors for writing and speaking.

That I’d publish a second book, Spiritually Strong.

And, that’s just the beginning.

Two days ago, as my pastor shared his reasons for calling our church to a time of praying and fasting, I heard a familiar voice: Will you trust me? Will you commit to three weeks of fervent prayer? Will you set aside your agenda and seek my will?

Again, I answered, “Yes.”

Less than two weeks from today, our church will begin a corporate Daniel Fast. Already, I’m beginning to pray. Already, I’m asking God to prepare my heart and to move powerfully among our church and community. Already, I’m believing this Daniel Fast will be miraculous in ways I can’t even imagine.

God is also calling you. Can you hear His voice? Listen closely because He is speaking.

Will you accept His invitation? Will you step out into the unknown and pursue a deeper relationship with God? Will you commit to a three-week Daniel Fast?

The Lord wants to show His love to you and demonstrate His power in your life. Don’t let fear or disobedience rob you of the blessings God wants to give you.

Just trust Him. Just say, “Yes.”

{Stay informed about upcoming events, new Daniel Fast recipes, and my latest blog posts by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.}

Do You Trust God?

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Do You Trust God? by Kristen Feola

It’s easy to say the words, “I’m trusting in the Lord.” But, what exactly does that mean?

Trusting God involves remaining in His Word. Letting go of anxiety. Choosing to rest in His presence. Refusing to be held captive by fear.

In human relationships, we often extend trust to someone only after it has been earned. But that’s not necessary with God. We don’t need to put him on a trial basis or “test” His actions. The Lord is forever faithful and completely reliable. And, just for the record, not one of His good promises has ever failed.

If you’re facing a difficult situation that causes you to be afraid, you can do one of two things: 1) Try to figure everything out on your own (believe me, it doesn’t work), or 2) Cast all your cares on the One who loves you most.

May I suggest the second option? That’s what I’m trying to do right now.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve faced a few situations that have challenged my faith in big ways. I’ve been afraid. Confused. Sad. Angry. Disappointed. Frustrated. Anxious. But in the midst of the confusion and chaos, one word keeps coming to my mind.

Trust.

Even though I’m tempted to rehearse all the “what if” scenarios in my mind, the Lord is calling me to look to Him instead. So I’m relying on the Holy Spirit to guide me. Step by step, day by day. I’m also clinging to the familiar truth of Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Will you join me? Can we agree to allow God’s peace to cover us, even in the midst of uncertainty?

Together, let’s resolve to walk the path of faith. Let’s trust in the Lord with full confidence that His plans are for our good. We don’t need to worry. We just need to trust Him.

 

My Friend, Miss Georgia

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Last week I visited my friend, Miss Georgia. God brought this sweet lady into my life four years ago, and I’m thankful He did. The Lord has taught me much through her.

Georgia lives in a nearby assisted living facility in the Alzheimer’s unit. She moved there shortly after we met. I used to visit Georgia at least once a week. Sometimes twice. I’d take her out shopping, and we’d spend the afternoon together.

Over the past year, Georgia’s physical condition has worsened dramatically, and she can’t move around easily. Mentally, she has declined as well. Georgia’s words come out like nonsense, so it’s difficult to communicate with her.

Wednesday night I received a call that Georgia had suffered from a seizure, fell on her arm, and fractured it. Today, when I went to see her, she was heavily sedated for the pain and could barely talk.

It made me so sad to see Georgia in that condition. The doctor is recommending surgery on her arm. But, I’m not sure that’s the best option. Georgia is in her 80s, and she’s also very weak. Putting her under anesthetic could be deadly.

Because I’m Georgia’s guardian, the final decision is mine. I’ll consult with my husband, of course, but we need wisdom to know what is best.

Before I left Georgia’s room this morning, I sat beside her bed, laid my hand on her, and prayed. Faith rose up within me, and I asked God to miraculously heal her body, so she wouldn’t need surgery. I believe our great God can touch her bones and make her well.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Cor. 1:3-4 NLT).

Will you pray with me for Georgia’s healing, physically and mentally? My friend, Miss Georgia, needs the Lord. And,  unless  God does a miracle, she is going to die without Him.

For more on Georgia’s story, read my blog series, “Her Name is Georgia.” 

When Fear Becomes Faith

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When Fear Becomes Faith by Kristen FeolaIt should have been a relaxing date. My husband and I were at a nice restaurant three hours from home. Our daughters were staying with friends, so we had the weekend to ourselves. When the server brought our meal, Justin bit into his hamburger, but I could only manage a few bites of my salad. I didn’t have an appetite.

We were in St. Louis because I’d been invited to be the guest speaker at a Friday night prayer service. I was thankful for the opportunity and excited about sharing with the people. A little too excited. The more I thought it, the more I was filled with fear. I felt much like Moses did. When God told him to go to Pharoah to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses made all kinds of excuses as to why he wasn’t the one for the job. He said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it (Ex. 4:13).”

At one point during our dinner, my body was literally shaking. As Justin and I got into the car to drive to the church, I said, “I’m not doing very well. I’m so scared.” He paused for a moment and said matter-of-factly, “You’re a child of the King. You need to start acting like it.”

Immediately, I felt strength rise up within me. I held my head a little higher and stood a little straighter. My husband’s words jolted me back into reality.

That’s right! I thought. I’m a child of the King! God is with me, and He will provide! I remembered one of my favorite verses, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you” (Is. 26:3).

When I took the platform, I sensed the Lord’s presence. Not only did God help me, but I also truly enjoyed every minute of the presentation! After I finished and sat down, I imagined the Lord gently patting my back, whispering the words, “Well done, my child. Well done.”

Are you struggling with anxiety over a situation in your life? Maybe it’s not a speaking engagement, but a broken relationship, a wayward child, or severe financial problems. The Enemy would love nothing more than to keep you in bondage. But, God wants to set you free from fear so you can live by faith!

Choose now to believe the truth about your circumstances. Remember who you are and whose you are! Find a Bible verse that addresses the topic of peace. Memorize the verse and quote it aloud when you start to panic. As you set your mind on God’s Word and put your trust in Him, you’ll be filled with a wonderful, supernatural peace that passes all understanding.

Ocean Depths

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Ocean

“May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is” (Ephesians 3:18 NLT).

I’m fascinated by the ocean. When I look out upon its mighty waters, I’m in awe of God’s marvelous creation. But if I stay on the sand collecting sea shells and never venture out into the waves, I miss out. For just below the ocean’s surface is an amazing display of colors and creatures that’s breathtaking. The first time I went snorkeling, I couldn’t believe my eyes! As I swam among various kinds of fish and sea life, I realized there’s  much more beauty to the ocean than what I can be seen from the shore.

That’s how the Christian life is. If we’re content to go to church once a week and read the Bible sporadically, we rob ourselves of the abundant life God wants us to experience. But when we choose to dive into spiritual waters through disciplines such as fasting, we discover a whole new level of joy and power. Our lives are enriched and strengthened in ways they wouldn’t be otherwise. We’re also more sensitive to what God is doing around us.

Have you set aside time to fast and pray this year? If not, don’t let fear of the unknown keep you stuck in the sand. Trust the Lord to give you the courage to step out into the water. When you do, you’ll have a greater understanding of how long, how high, and how deep God’s love is for you!

One Word for 2015: FIGHT!

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FIGHT!
“Don’t be afraid….Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and daughters, your wives and your homes.” – Neh. 4:14

Every December I ask God to give me a word. Not just any word, but one that describes what He wants to accomplish through me in the coming year.

In 2011 my word was SATISFIED. I needed to realize only the Lord can fill me.

In 2012 it was PEACE. God wanted me to let go of my fears and rest in Him.

2013’s word was REJOICE. I wanted to increase my level of joy by spending more time in praise and thanksgiving.

Last year it was RENEW. God faithfully revealed areas of my life that needed a fresh touch from Him.

As I begin 2015, I’m ready to live out my new word for this year. God is calling me from complacency and laziness in prayer to a place of fervent, frequent intercession for my family and friends. He’s challenging me to FIGHT!

My goal is to pray like never before  –  to be a “warrior woman” who fights on her knees!. I desperately want to see God do miracles in the lives of the people I love.

If you’re not familiar with the “one word” concept, let me clear up any confusion. Following is a list of practical steps to help you discover your word for this year.

How to “Get” Your One Word

1. Prepare your heart to receive your word.
Fast and pray (which you’re doing). God will speak when you put yourself into a posture to hear from Him.

2. Ask God to reveal your word.
The word can be anything – a fruit of the Spirit (kindness), attribute of God (mercy), or character trait (perseverance).

3. Do not seek counsel from others.
Godly counsel regarding issues or problems is essential, but you shouldn’t get advice on your word from family or friends. Let God show you what it is.

4. Look for confirmation of your word.
God will often bring your word to your attention through various ways – sermons, a song, conversations, etc. Expect God to make your one word undeniably clear.

4. Share your word.
Once you have your word, you can talk about it and share it with others. Ask them to pray for you and to hold you accountable so that God can do His work in you.

5. Live out your word.
Trust God to help grow in this area of your life. Keep a journal, and write down insights and lessons throughout the year. Keep praying about your word.

I challenge you to seek God for your one word for 2015. Use the steps above as a guideline, but don’t rush the process. Be patient as you wait on the Lord. Keep your eyes and ears open. God has something powerful to show you through your word!

If you already know your one word for 2015, please share it below!