Archive for the ‘Solid Life Journal Devotions’ Category

22 Jul

Removing Barriers to Faith

Posted by janicenielson in Solid Life Journal Devotions. Tagged: .

2 Kings 18:1-8

Hezekiah’s trust in the Lord was greater than any of the other kings of Judah, either before or after his reign. His faith was active, powerful and affective, demonstrated in destroying the places of idol worship and the idols God’s people were worshipping, refusing to submit and serve a foreign king, and stricking down his enemies in the surrounding territory. Hezekiah’s faith in action paved the way for the people to worship the One, true God, and protected their ability to continue doing so.

I find myself, as a pastor and leader of God’s people, asking myself how I can follow Hezekiah’s example in removing barriers that prevent people from living lives of worship to God.

  • What false altars, practices and idols are in lives around me that I can help take down?
  • What is tempting me to give away any of my allegiance to Jesus, and affect those God has placed under my care?
  • What should I be targeting, as an enemy, that is coming against God’s people?

My prayer: Lord, help me to hold as fast to you as Hezekiah. Show me ways where I’m not walking as close to you as I should, where I am not following what you have asked of me. Be with me and allow me to create paths of greater worship for your people.

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4 Jul

Heart for Ministry

Posted by janicenielson in Solid Life Journal Devotions.

To begin my blog, I’ve chosen to share from a scripture the Holy Spirit used to reveal God’s desire for my ministry.  Principles I learned from this account in Jesus’ life ignited within me a deep desire to be like Him in the lives of others…

The story:

Tired, hungry and desiring to slip away with His disciples to rest, Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the crowd of people waiting for Him. Recognizing their need for someone to lead them, He stepped up, laying aside His own needs and desires, and taught them many things. As time passed and the hour grew late, Jesus’ disciples came to Him and suggested the people be sent away to find something for themselves to eat. In response Jesus turned his attention to training His own disciples, calling them to step up to meet the needs of the people. He directed them to take account of what resources they had, and after organizing the crowd and blessing the food, distributed it to them to pass out. Everyone ate and the leftovers were collected.

It’s a story of self-sacrifice, compassion, teaching, training, organizing, and meeting needs of people. Amazing in itself.

Enter the power of God, transforming a simple story into a testimony of His character and ministry:

The crowd exceeded 5,000 people, the disciples didn’t spend any of the money they had on hand, only five loaves of bread and two fish fed everyone until they were satisfied, and twelve baskets of leftovers were collected.

It’s a story of believing for the impossible, the miraculous stretching of resources, and knowing God’s desire to abundantly satisfy and bless beyond the need at hand.

Enter God’s call:

With no bread, bags, money or sandals, and only one tunic apiece, the disciples went in pairs, traveling and calling people to repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick with oil, healing them. Upon returning to Jesus they were told to go away and rest. Tired, and hungry they slipped away and found a great crowd waiting for them when they arrived.

Tired and weary, yet obediently doing as Jesus asked, the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 occurred from their hands.

From Mark 6, my heart’s desire: to be moved with compassion, to teach and lead others, to  create systems that enable His hands to move in meeting the needs around me, to believe in the impossible and to be a participant in His miracles.