Tag: Jesus Christ

By Pastor Andrew Farland

Back in 2001, I was sitting by a pond.

While I was sitting there, I noticed part of it was frozen over. Then I saw a bunch of ducks playing in this little part of the ice that was broken up. It was freezing, but the ducks were playing in the water like kids in a pool – flapping, splashing, and playing. To the side was a bunch of ducks lined up waiting for their turn to get in the water, even though there was plenty of room for all of the ducks to join the fun.

That’s when I felt God speak to me.

He said, “Andrew, I’m giving you permission to step out, to always give permission to my people to step out.”

I thought back to the pond and the ducks. It was such an interesting metaphor. The water was there, and all the ducks could have played at once. There was plenty of room for everyone, but they were sidelined. They waited for the others to jump in.

That’s when I remembered this verse from Genesis 24:27:

“Being on the way, the Lord led me.”

So often we never get on our way. We wait for a sign. We hope the clouds will part. It’s like waiting with our phone for a text message from God. DING! Move your right foot, says the text. Fifteen minutes later, there’s another DING! Now move your left foot.

Sometimes we think God has to show us every single step of the way. That He has to direct every footstep. There’s no relationship, no growth, no character development in that.

God didn’t create robots. Instead, He gave us free will.

He allows us – and even encourages us — to step out. Jump in. Make the first move.

You may remember when Abraham’s servant was looking for a wife for Isaac. His many requirements for a life partner held him back from getting what he was seeking. They obstructed him from achieving his goals.

In our own journeys, we too become spiritually constipated by sitting there, not practicing our faith and not moving forward. We are like a parked car, and it’s hard to steer a parked car in any direction.

Take your first steps today. Start moving toward something.

Don’t worry about the direction.

Let God course-correct you. Just as a GPS reroutes you if you take a wrong turn, so will God. Let God reroute you. A GPS isn’t much good if your car is permanently in park, and God won’t guide your path if you refuse to step forward. You have to take that first step.

Today, take that action step. Step out. Do something different, something unfamiliar, something a bit scary.

The important thing is that you get going.

Remember that being on the way, the Lord led me.

Get your feet moving and then expect God to show you the direction He wants you to go. Once you start, He’ll lead your way.

Proverbs 16: 9
32 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

Every really great question needs an equally great answer. The challenge lies in figuring out how to ask the right questions, whether you need information or are studying God’s word.

My pastor once told us that the key to good Bible study and getting something out of God’s word is asking the right questions.

You’ll have the best Bible study if you ask the right questions.

The same thing is true with God’s voice. When you are studying God’s word, you must ask the right questions. In fact, if you want to hear God’s answer, you must ask specific questions.

Lately, I’ve been going back to a technique that’s worked well for me before. I ask God intentionally specific questions so that I get equally specific answers. I know He will answer my questions because He tells us to knock on His door, seek Him out, and ask for what we need.

God wants you to find Him.

The problem is that we don’t ask specific enough questions. We ask vague questions, expecting nothing more than a vague response, or maybe no response at all. We’re afraid of the silence. We’re afraid that God won’t answer us. But if you ask a specific question, you will get a specific answer.

Just today I was just processing something I have to do tomorrow. I took ten minutes to pray, silencing my heart and waiting for God’s response. It wasn’t long before I got a specific answer. God’s answer comes as an aha moment, and it’s always clear. He has a specific answer for my specific question.

I encourage you to ask specific questions rather than general ones because the latter will get you a general answer.

Sometimes we’re afraid to step out in faith and ask for that special answer.

Do it anyway, and you’ll sense God’s grace. You’ll see him answer your questions because you asked the right kind of questions – specific ones. You’ll get certainty in your heart and have a sense that God is there.

God does want to answer your questions. His answers will help you become confident in your prayer life. Special answers challenge your faith and encourage you to step out more boldly in your faith as well.

Matthew7: 7-8
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

Every really great question needs an equally great answer. The challenge lies in figuring out how to ask the right questions, whether you need information or are studying God’s word.

My pastor once told us that the key to good Bible study and getting something out of God’s word is asking the right questions.

You’ll have the best Bible study if you ask the right questions.

The same thing is true with God’s voice. When you are studying God’s word, you must ask the right questions. In fact, if you want to hear God’s answer, you must ask specific questions.

Lately, I’ve been going back to a technique that’s worked well for me before. I ask God intentionally specific questions so that I get equally specific answers. I know He will answer my questions because He tells us to knock on His door, seek Him out, and ask for what we need.

God wants you to find Him.

The problem is that we don’t ask specific enough questions. We ask vague questions, expecting nothing more than a vague response, or maybe no response at all. We’re afraid of the silence. We’re afraid that God won’t answer us. But if you ask a specific question, you will get a specific answer.

Just today I was just processing something I have to do tomorrow. I took ten minutes to pray, silencing my heart and waiting for God’s response. It wasn’t long before I got a specific answer. God’s answer comes as an aha moment, and it’s always clear. He has a specific answer for my specific question.

I encourage you to ask specific questions rather than general ones because the latter will get you a general answer.

Sometimes we’re afraid to step out in faith and ask for that special answer.

Do it anyway, and you’ll sense God’s grace. You’ll see him answer your questions because you asked the right kind of questions – specific ones. You’ll get certainty in your heart and have a sense that God is there.

God does want to answer your questions. His answers will help you become confident in your prayer life. Special answers challenge your faith and encourage you to step out more boldly in your faith as well.

Matthew 7:7-8
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Be encouraged today because God is with you.