Steven Furtick's Blog, page 24

Discovering Purpose in a Surprising Place

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

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What God Taught Me Through a Box of Legos

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)

I don’t know how long it’s been since you tore open a box of Legos, but it can be a little overwhelming. Hundreds of pieces jumbled together in tiny plastic packages. Vague instructions.

 

Someone gave my son a Lego Star Wars fighter recently. As I looked at the mess of blocks, I was reminded of what it feels like when God gives you a glimpse of His plans for your life. Like looking at the front of the Lego box, sometimes you get a picture of what could be, but the process involves lots of little pieces that look nothing like that picture!

 

Frustrated, we lose faith. But often the problem isn’t that we have the wrong pieces; it’s that they haven’t been put together yet.

 

I know it sounds simple — but that’s how faith works. If God has given you a picture of something He wants to do in your life, don’t expect it to come fully assembled. It comes in pieces.

When You’re Running on Empty

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

God isn’t intimidated by your insufficiencies. If you’ll invite Him, He’ll meet you right where you are. Watch this video and be encouraged today!

Who We Are > What We Do

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, crxeated to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

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What to Do When You Don’t Feel God

“Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.'” (Joshua 6:2-5)

Born in Egypt as a slave and then chosen as the assistant and successor to Moses, Joshua would’ve had a front row seat to all the miracles God performed during the Exodus. The Red Sea parting, manna falling from Heaven, water pouring from a rock — Joshua had seen his fair share of God doing the seemingly impossible. But just as time can prove God’s faithfulness, it can also put your faith to the test.

Joshua had witnessed Moses’ obedience over and over again, but as he faced the impenetrable walls of Jericho, this time the obedience was up to him. Joshua was instructed by God to lead his people around the city for seven days. This meant he had to lay his head down six nights in a row with the realization that the walls he had been walking around still stood tall and strong.

There aren’t many details recorded of what went through Joshua’s mind during those seven days, but what is recorded is his steadfast obedience. Surely he fought doubt, but with each day that passed, Joshua continued to lead his people around a wall that showed no evidence of falling.

Like Joshua, you have a choice to make when you don’t feel God. Will you keep walking even though it doesn’t seem to be working? Will you continue to believe God is moving even when the wall isn’t?

Your faith might be getting put to the test right now, but don’t focus on what hasn’t happened — focus on what has happened. If you’ve seen God do it before, He can do it again. Obedience is your responsibility; the outcome is God’s.

God Can Work With What You’ve Got

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)

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What You Should Remind Yourself of Each Day

“And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:2-4, ESV)

The events in Acts 2 signify a moment that would forever change the life of Jesus’ followers and their mission on this earth. The promised Holy Spirit had been given, and a supernatural filling had occurred. In a moment, the supernatural interrupted the natural, and they began speaking in other languages to the amazement of all who witnessed.

This filling was the presence of God making its home in the believers. But it wasn’t just God’s presence that made a home in them — it was also His power. And it’s this power that Jesus referred to as He prepared to ascend to Heaven and tasked them with spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

This was no simple mission. In fact, it was impossible, naturally speaking. Facing intense persecution, God’s Word and God’s love were the only two weapons they were given. But in spite of all the odds, the Gospel spread, and followers of Christ were multiplied.

Thousands of years later, we’re still witnessing this multiplication. But we’re not invited to just witness it; we’re invited to participate in it. As a believer in Christ, you’ve been given the gift of the Holy Spirit — not as an accessory or add-on, but as the operating system for your life.

As you begin each day, remind yourself of this fact: You’re not alone. God’s presence is with you, and so is His power.

Are You Looking for Validation in the Wrong Places?

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” (John 4:13-14)

We all have a desire for affection and approval. The question is — are you looking for it in the right place? Check out this short video.

If God Is For You…

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

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I Can Handle It

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

What you need, God’s got. In His name, you can handle it! Turn this video up LOUD… and make it a great day!