when He presses...

When He presses something on your heart and mind...
you really don't have much choice but to do it...
or at least I don't...

Even if it's new... and it takes way too long to figure out...
and even if it feels crazy... because you feel behind on many other things...
and even if it pushes you way out of your comfort zone..
and you feel as if you won't ever finish... and look like a failure...

So as He pressed... that's just what I've done...
spent too much time on something new...
felt crazy... and behind...
stepping way outside my comfort zone... (again...)
wondering how it will get finished...
hoping not to look like a failure...

I guess that's what happens... when you step out to offer a study on faith...

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,

the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 NASB95

To see a place I've stepped out in today...

much of it still unseen... and unwritten...
click the link below...

SisterTalkFaith.wordpress.com

a timely reminder...

As I listen to a friend struggle with relationships...
see the chaos... confusion... in the church...
listen to the insanity... being stirred... by the government...
a timely reminder... comes to my thoughts...

For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful.

2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 ESV

The reason for the craziness in the world...

not all have faith...

The reason for not getting drawn into the craziness in the world...

the Lord is faithful...

Because of His faithfulness we shall not fear...

His purpose will come to pass...

He is not surprised by any of it...

He has all things under control...

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!

I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory!

Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 57:7-10 ESV

crazy faithfulness...

She asked it in Bible study today... in reference to the letters to the churches in the book of Revelation... the ones from Jesus... commending... rebuking... instructing...

What would He say that you are doing well...?

I tentatively said... Faithfulness...

I know faithfulness only comes from Him... it's a gift... but I believe my faithfulness to Him is something He would commend in me...

And I thought is that really true... then I realized what I had done just that very morning...

I allowed the leader of this group of ladies to pass out invitations to a study on Romans 8... the one I believe (by faith) He's calling me to lead... 

The proof of faithfulness in the passing out of invitations... comes with the fact that at this point... today... there is no completed study...

This is crazy faith... to invite ladies to a study... that still needs to be written...

But I have faith in Him... that He will complete... what He's... begun...

To the faithful you show yourself faithful...

Psalm 18:25

craziness...

Following Jesus... looks like craziness to the world...

Unbelievers see His disciples as... turning the world upside down... 

They say what we believe is... madness...

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

Paul sharing his faith before King Agrippa... was interrupted by the governor...

And as he thus proceeded with his defense,

Festus called out loudly, Paul, you are mad!

Your great learning is driving you insane!

Acts 26:24 Amp

Paul's words to the Corinthians... We are fools for Christ's sake... reflect this understanding...

And I'm reminded... and hear the words of Proverbs... again...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV

If it seems like a reasonable choice... you might want to double-check...

Take time to pray...

Is it His Way...? or the world's way...?

His Word warns...

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy 

and empty deceit, according to human tradition,

 according to the elemental spirits of the world,

and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:8 ESV

Following Christ looks crazy... to those who do not know Him...

And in this flesh... sometimes it feels crazy... when we do trust and obey...

Have you felt crazy lately...? following Him...? instead of the world...?

Father God... bless me with the faith... to boldly obey...

even when it feels... like... craziness..

crazy bounty...

Sunflower trees...

Just one example... of the crazy bounty... of our bountiful God...

I will sing to the Lord,

because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13:6 ESV

Amen...!