God Says "Go BIG"

God says the phrase BE NOT AFRAID 365 times in the Bible.

He is trying to tell us something.

BE NOT AFRAID! God, that is easy for you to say. Do you see what I deal with down here? Do you know the people I work with? Do you see the kind of church I attend? Do you know who is in control of our government? And you say BE NOT AFRAID?

And the phrase remains … 365 times. These words first came to my attention in 1994 when I was facing a job change. My company moved to Nashville and I was left behind in Waco. Who gets left behind in Waco, Texas?

I found Joshua 1:9 and latched onto that verse. I read it every day for many days and weeks. I clung to it like a life preserver.

It says this: “Be not afraid nor dismayed, for I, the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Even as I type these words this morning, my spirit is moved within me and I feel a calm assurance that God is still with me, He still watches over every step I take, every moment of my mostly mundane life. How amazing is that?

A new writer that I’m into right now is Bob Goff. He says this: “God keeps telling us to be not afraid, to go big.”

Go BIG!

I like that. That sounds a lot like the kind of God I want to hang with.

GO BIG!

Here’s my take on that. Let’s say God gives you an idea. Go start something – a school, a business, a book, a not-for-profit foundation – whatever. And God says … Go see what you can do?

That’s it. “Go See What You Can Do!”

No boundaries, no lines drawn in the sand, no restraints, no restrictions, no rules of do’s and don’ts. Just “go see what you can do.”

When I started this blog – Internet Church – I had a vague idea that I wanted somehow for these posts to be full of hope and encouragement. You don’t need another sermon on what you should do or how you should be. You don’t need to be reminded of your failures or how unsuccessful your life is. You just need encouragement founded in the word of God.

And so that is what I’ve started. God basically was saying to me – “Michael, Go See What You Can Do.” And on February 20, 2013 that is exactly what was begun. 

How can I talk about my writing life without sounding like a braggart? I shall not. All I can say is this … I’m really doing my best version of GO BIG. I’m using whatever talents, thoughts, skills and heart and soul I have to encourage someone along the trail.

I hope you find your BIG.Internet Church Blog Site
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God Is not Fragile

Some of the best news I could give you today is this:

God is not fragile

We sometimes treat God as if He is anemic.  We think He can’t handle certain conditions of our lives, our thoughts and our mannerisms.  We think He will break if we dare even utter certain words of disgust and frustration to Him in our prayers. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. 

I saw this on a Twitter post recently – Life is fragile – God is not!

Well said.

When I was in college working in a Kroger’s grocery store, I worked with a man a few years older than I.  Jimmy seemed to delight in yanking my chain about God. 

One day he turned to me, got in my face and said, “God sucks!”

Whoa.  That set me back on my heels.  I felt offended for God’s sake. 

But you know what – God kept right on loving Jimmy, watching over him just like He did me and you and the rest of the world.

God is not fazed by our thoughts, our whims, our inclinations or our waywardness.

He is not fragile.  He will go with us to any place we choose to go: 

-Hell and back

  -Whore houses

    -Drug dens

      -War

        -Marital strife

          -Thievery

            -Gambling debts

And on and on.

Isaiah 59:1 says this:

Listen!

The Lord’s arm is not too weak

to save you, nor is his ear

too deaf to hear you call.

  

Does that sound like a fragile God to you?  Not in the least.

So the next time you feel down, angry, disgusted, and defeated, let God know about it.  He already knows it, but sometimes He likes to hear your heart, regardless of your pain or state of anxiety.  Unload on Him. 

He can handle it.

He will not break, and He will never ignore you.

Watch this inspirational video version of A Mighty Fortress Is our God by a group called Glad.

(If the above video link doesn't work, click here

A MIghty Fortress Video)

My prayer for you:

God:

We recognize that you are a God of great strength, great power and great understanding.  You know us, you made us and you see us at our best and at our worst.  And your love keeps right on reaching out to us.  You love us in all the seasons of our lives.

What a great God you are.  You are not fragile.  You are the Great One.

Thank you God.

Amen!

P Michael Biggs

www.up-words.net

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