Tag: transfiguration

By Pastor Andrew Farland

One time on a mission trip, I got in an argument with another leader and I didn’t know how to resolve it. The only thing I could think about was how horrible that person was and how wrong they were!
That night, as my head was on the pillow I knew I didn’t wanna go to bed mad “giving a foothold to the devil” so I got out of bed to talk. I went to the living room and prayed, “God, give me wisdom” I was desperate to figure it all out, but still unsure of what to do.
Right then, I opened my bible and the first thing I read was
Galatians 6:4-5 says:
“Each one should test their OWN actions… for each one should carry their OWN load.”

At that moment I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit…
“Andrew, get up and be the FIRST to apologize. If you want to be a leader you are going to need to learn to be humble and go first, take care of your own load. Don’t wait for her to apologize, and don’t expect her to.”
At that moment I got up from the dining room table and whispered to the other leader, “are you awake?” she responded, “Wow that was weird, I was asleep and then I heard God tell me to wake up!”
At this moment, I had complete peace and I was able to apologize for what I did, said, and felt.
What came after this I never expected….

She started crying and told me “I have never had a male authority figure in my life apologize to me”
Because I was responsible to carry my OWN load and tested my actions first, there was a breakthrough and a peaceful night’s sleep. Us talking and understanding each other also brought us closer together as friends and leaders.

Is there someone you’ve had an argument or falling out with lately? Take the first step. Stay humble and take responsibility for your actions. Humility is one of the most powerful spiritual weapons we possess. It can mend a relationship, save a marriage and ultimately change the world.

Galatians 6:4-5
“Each one should test their own actions…each one should carry their own load.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

To make a galvanized sword, steel is placed over a hot fire, and then pounded and folded over 2,000 times. It’s virtually the same process when God fashions you into a tool that He can use for His kingdom.
Just like the sword, you have to go through the fire, the pounding, and folding. His goal is to make you so strong that He can swing you against anything and you won’t break.

1 Peter 1:6-7
So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

I was flying across the country, praying to God, when He spoke to me and brought me a lot of clarity. He said, “Andrew, when you were in your suffering, I didn’t just give you grace, I gave you Myself.”
This message is for all of us. No matter where you go, God is always with you. Whether you are in suffering or joy; whether you remember or you forget. God is with you.

God does everything for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. If you’ve given your life to Christ, I’ve got good news for you—you’ve been called!
Being called by God simply means that when God has reached out to you, you picked up the phone to answer. It means you’ve consciously made the decision to open your heart and your ears to Him. You are called!
If you’ve given your life to God, you can be 1000% sure that wherever you are, even in suffering, He is with you. And not only that: He is working everything out on your behalf.

Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

We all get discouraged. We lose sight of all that God has already done and we give in to the lie that all our work is for nothing. Even Isaiah penned these oh so familiar words,
Isaiah 49:4a
“But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.”
But God always comes in at just the right time to remind us of the truth, just as He did for Isaiah when he said:
Isaiah 49:6
“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

When we take our focus off of what we can do, we learn that only God makes us what we are and gives us our purpose.
Today, do as Isaiah learned to do: leave it all in the Lord’s hands.

Isaiah 49:4b
“Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.