Faithfully His: I fear no more

I recently finished reading the next chapter in the Resolution for Women book, by Pricilla Shirer. This resolution is about being Faithfully His. Pricilla challenges women to think about the difference between having faith and being faithful. She opened up the chapter talking about how Moses was faithful. This is detailed in Hebrews 3. It is refreshing to see that Moses is described as faithful. When we read Moses' story we see that he did not always appear faithful to God's calling in his life. Moses initially fought with God regarding his call to save the Israelites from Pharaoh's rule. Pricilla detailed how Moses had his up's and downs with following God and as an outsider looking in he does not necessarily appear as one who would be included in an example of  faithfulness. But she said that God knew his heart. Moses had set his heart on the promised land and desipite his pitfalls he remained faithful to God by leading his people until God told him to stop. Despite the fact that he was unable to enter the promised land he is honored by being recalled not only in Hebrews 3 but in Hebrew 11 for his faithfulness to God (Shirer 69-72).

As I think about what faithfulness means to me personally many things come to mind. I have always had faith, but at times have lacked faithfulness. You see there is a distinct difference between the two. In Hebrews 11:1 we read that faith is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". But that is where faithfulness begins. In fact it is a lot easier to have faith in something than to live a lifestyle of faithfulness. When I was in college I worried so much. I knew in my heart that God had called me to be a doctor and that He promises not to leave me or forsake me but I worried and I feared that it would not happen. I lacked confidence in Christ. My pastor in college challenged me to  Even as I graduated from college and was accepted to medical school the following year I still struggled with completely turning over things to God. I was comforted by reading Moses' story in this new perspective. I realized that I like Moses have struggled to be faithful. I have always had my mind set on becoming a doctor but I have struggled with trusting God to fulfill these promises to me. At church this past Sunday that pastor spoke about fear. I realized that I have lived a life in fear. I go between being completely faithful and relying on God to being fearful of the future. I also struggle with control. I want to be in control because it makes me less fearful. Last Sunday it finally hit home. When I am in control I am actually more fearful, but when I turn my life completely and totally over to God, I have no reason to fear. I have always admired those who say "I know God is in control I know God has my back I know that with God all things are possible". You see I have only grasped a hold of these promises at the surface level I have taken a hold of them in the fullest since that God has to offer. On Sunday I realized that my living this on and off relationship with Christ, of having faith but not being faithful, leads me to live a life of fear. I was challenged to no longer live in free but to live in faithfulness to the One who has called me, the One who has saved me, the One who loves me, and the One who stands with Me. I fully take hold of the promises offered in scripture. God goes  before us and behind us. With Him nothing can over take us or come against us. This doesn't mean that life is always easy and free from trails, in fact the bible also promises us that we will have trouble in this world, but it also says take heart because God has overcome the world. That being said as Christians we are promised that in all things we are conquers, we are overcomes, we have new life, we are new creations, and we do not have to fear.

For me to be Faithfully His, I fear to no more. I trust in the Lord's promises to me no matter what. I surrender complete control to my master. I don't take back pieces and try and figure out things on my own. I trust that the Lord knows where He intends for me to be for residency. I claim victory in Christ over graduating in May, passing boards, and getting the residency I want. I have long desired to live a life like this but always seem to fail. I know that I am human and still sinful by nature so there will still be moments where I fail in these things, but will not fear. I will discuss my anxieties with those I love and turn them over to God. I will faithfully spend time in His word. I will challenge and mentor those younger than me to become women that faithfully and fearlessly serve God. I challenge you to live a life that is faithfully His. What is keeping you from living faithfully? Are you living a life of fear? Control? Worry and Anxiety? Mistrust? or Have you never accepted Christ's love for you before and committed your life to Him? I challenge you to look at what is keeping you from living a faithful life to God and His plan for your life. If you've never accepted Christ as your savior I challenge you to do that. For more info please leave me a comment and I would be happy to share.

"I will live as a woman answerable to God and faithfully committed to His word"

"The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid, what can mortals do to me? 

Ps 118:6

 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you  never will I forsake you.”

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.    What can mere mortals do to me?”

Hebrews 13:5-6

"no weapon forged against you will prevail,
    and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
    and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord"

Isaiah 54:17

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

    He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

 

    he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

    for his name’s sake.

 

Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,

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 your goodness and love will follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

    forever.

'

Psalms 23

"Being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"

Philippians 1:6

Check out this New video From Chris Tomlin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzSYOoPkeFg

Recipes

Hello Everyone

I thought I would add a new section to my blog. A recipe section. I absolutely love cooking. My grandmother loved to cook and passed on this passion to her "girls" as she called us sometimes. My grandmother was a hostess. She loved to cook for others and wanted to be in the kitchen. In many ways this was her form of ministry. In my grandmother's last days she wanted to be in the kitchen. I remember my mom would have her come in and do basic things to make her happy. For probably for at least 65 years of her life my grandmother would serve family and friends around her kitchen table. I would like to believe that when my grandmother died she stepped through heaven's doorstep and into glory. The Father greeted her and said "well done my good and faithful servant". Family and friends that had gone before welcomed her home and at last she was seated at the feast of the King.

I would like to create a place to share recipes. I will share some of my own and some of my grandmothers. Please feel free to post yours as well. Please feel free to also share your cooking stories.

Sarah

Garlic Glazed Chicken

2 Cloves of garlic minced
1/8 of onion chopped
4 tbsp of brown sugar
1 stick of butter
2-3 Chicken Breast sliced into strips. Or 7-8 chicken strips

Place 1/2 stick of butter in pan, saute' garlic and onion. Then add brown sugar and let it melt. Then add the other 1/2 of butter if desired for more sauce. Then add chicken strips and cook until done.