Perfectly You DevotionalSample

Day 9 - Arise, Now is the Time!

Mike had asked me to share a message on obedience with the leaders of our church at our monthly leadership night. Worship began and I pleaded with God to somehow let me out of this. My stomach was turning into knots, and my brain was overloaded with fear that I would forget what I had written in my notes. I went up and my voice was cracking so badly because I was scared as I spoke. It was a raw message in which I shared everything - from feeling insecure to God speaking to me about leading the women in our church, and how much I wanted to be obedient to what God was asking of me. As I challenged all of our leaders that night to come forward, many had visions from God to do something for years, but had not done anything about them because of seeds of doubt and fear of the unknown.

When God downloads something in you that you are called to do, you must learn to break intimidation and recognize that you are graced to accomplish His purposes. You must remind yourself of who you are in Christ and that the power of the Holy Spirit is in you to do all things in Jesus’ name. As you are obedient to God, He will take you through a process of overcoming fear and preventing it from taking hold of you and keeping you from doing what God has called you to do.

Fear holds us back from doing anything. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” Knowing God’s truth will set you free, and if you continue to believe this truth, you can do so much more for Jesus. Do not allow the devil to take away what God has said to you by telling lies. The devil likes to plant seeds of doubt in your mind to confuse you about what you’ve heard from God. 

When you decide to obey the Lord and step out in faith, your life will change. His presence will go before you, and you just have to follow. As you step out, others will do the same. God wants willing vessels to be His hands and feet. God puts the passion and fire inside of you to fulfill the destiny that He has designed for you. The definition of arise is to come into being; rise to one’s feet; move forward; get up, and rise. Have you been asleep for awhile to the things of God? It is time to wake up, rise up, and be set free from the things that hold you captive whether it be fear, intimidation, self-worth, past sins or anger. 

Each of us is an answer to the problems of this world and we ALL can do something with what God has given us. You have talents and gifts and you must use them to serve others. Just as 1 Corinthians 12:7 says, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” You are uniquely made in God’s image and have been given many gifts and talents. There is so much to do on this earth and not enough people to get it done. God is calling you to arise!