Fearlessly Courageous
From the Desk of Dennis Piller
8 9 2023

Click for Audio Version

Turn your eyes upon Jesus…Trust Him Completely!

“Hold on to the spirit of my calling. early and late. Make me your focus. Present yourself as a holy sacrifice. Hold fast in season and out. In the shadows and in the storms – Stand. Do not be discouraged or dismayed for I walk with you. I’m holding you with my right hand. Grab hold. Call out to your father. I am right here for you. I will still the waters, just fall down before me. I will not… Cannot… Ignore a broken and contrite spirit. I will always be true to my word. Always true to every promise. Forever true to you. Praise me in the midst of the rain and thunder. Praise me for your life. Praise me that you are forever mine. I will not let you slip through my fingers. Whatever is happening, turn it over to me, and I will turn it to my glory and you’re good. Only believe. Only have faith, I am sovereignly Present”.  (God’s word to me Sunday)

I have full-grown children that still call me when they are hurting…when they are beaten down by the world…when they are facing some huge mountain of adversity or opportunity that is overwhelming them.  As a parent, I love when they reach out in those times.  I hurt with them…feel for them… and want to help them in every way I can.  The greatest thing I can do is pray with them and for them.  What an honor to receive that call.  What a privilege to be on their list of needed people and valued council.

When you read the prophecy today.  Can you sense the Father’s love?  A father’s advice and directive? A Father’s compassion and encouragement? He is giving us again and again His assurance that everything will be ok when we have faith…when we believe His encouraging words and directives… when we obey the direction of a loving and caring Dad.

Does a loving child ever tire of receiving love and affection from their parents or from that person who means more to them than anyone else?  Who is it you long to grab their hand and walk along the beach and just pour out your heart too?  Can you pray that the Holy Spirit would help you see Him that way?  That he would strengthen you to spend more time in His word and in prayer.  In that offering of love to God you will feel your strength growing, his peace enveloping you, your vision will be clearer, your stamina to stay the course of serving and praising him will grow exponentially.  

Isn’t this a great example of trusting Jesus?  But let’s look further at this same example that Jesus left us.  Jesus trusted his father completely even on his horrific journey to the cross.  It appeared to many that God did not know what he was doing, but his son..,.Jesus trusted him implicitly.  We read often he retreated to a quiet place to pray and gain His strength just as He calls us to do.  Prophecy after biblical prophecy God calls us to pray unceasingly, fervently…with courage to believe that all things are possible.  Jesus entrusted himself to his Father, even death through crucifixion.   The son knew His “Abba Father”. Daddy…would do what was right…Do what is best for him. 
Yes, He still went to the cross…He still suffered beyond description Hebrews 12:2 says,  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that YOU will not grow weary and lose heart”.…

I pray today that you will take heart and take it to our Father and whatever burden you’re carrying you will put it in His hands.  He promises to not let it slip through his finger…Nor you!  When we put our trust in him…we can relax…we can calm down by the weight of his promise to be there for us and most importantly with us. 
Look around you at what God is doing. 
Find someone with a heavier burden than you and pray for them…intercede for them…even in not knowing the entire story…Pray for them and watch the pressures of your world diminish… My Mom who is still very weak and needs our prayers at almost 98 taught me that.  She would say,  See that boy with no leg or that one with no arm. 
Pray for them and the fact you are missing part of your finger will seem much smaller.
She was right. “Fix your eyes upon Jesus…look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his mercy and grace.  Do you remember that song…If you have time listen to it below and rest your spirit. 

Michael W Smith Turn your eyes upon Jesus