The Introverted Evangelist

Rise Up and Pray : " At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.” " (Luke 22:45-46) Don't give in to all the grief . Rise up and pray in the power of the Holy Spirit! Don't become so worn and weary from the battles surrounding you that you throw in the towel and call it quits. Instead,  call on God ! Pray relentlessly because He's not left your side. His ear is still tuned to your cry.  He's not going to stop fighting for you . Be still, call upon His Name, then you will receive peace, joy, and a renewed hope once again. This battle may not be over yet, but I can assure you:  the victory is already won and we are triumphant ! -The Introverted Evangelist Photograph Taken By: Julian Brezden  #2112co_freeforall

Be Still : " My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him ." (Psalm 62:5) Slow down, my wearied and burdened soul... Slow down...  Enough fighting ... Enough stubborn resisting... Submit, silently submit to your God, for He has made a path before you. You can walk in perfect peace, relying on and  resting in His unending goodness  and grace. " Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.  Show me where to walk , for  I give myself to you ." (Psalms 143:8) My will for this world is released , and my hope is somehow resurrected in this relinquishing. As the heart, mind, and soul all agree His will be done, peace settles over me with an unearthly extent -  a measure only Heaven can permit . That peace? The one passing my understanding? " Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you  live in Chr...

Be Not Dismayed, I Am Your God : " Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand...For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you ." (Isaiah 41:10, 13) Really sensing that God is speaking this verse over me lately. It's been recurring a whole lot... He's reminding me, " Fear not. Let your fears dissipate in the divine glow of My glory. I am with you. I will help you. Fear is just a lie. Trust in the truth of My promise. I Am your God - now and always, sovereign over all ." What an  anchor for my soul . What hope to make this heart whole. I'm  running to You , my King. To Your Presence I will cling. He is Lord, Lord over all. He reigns over the chaos.  He is good ,  even when I cannot see . He is faithful, even in my wandering. He is sovereign. When things feel like they're swirling out of my co...

Let Go of Fear : " For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more  in bondage to fear , but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the  bliss  of] which we cry, Abba (Father)!  Father ! " (Romans 8:15 AMP) Fear . My child, fear only wants to keep you bound up in chains.  Fear is a gruelling prison guard , his only desire to make you more and more miserable. Don't wear the  chains  that hold you  prisoner  as a  comfort-cloak . These are the very chains that I have already  broken  off for your  freedom . " Therefore if the Son makes you free,  you shall be free indeed . " (John 8:36) I long to see you liberated . At the very centre of My will for you, there is a promise of  impenetrable peace . The first steps of a faith-filled journey feel infiltrated with fears, but  faith and freedom finally begin when fears are put to de...

Death Has No Hold on Me : " For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. " (1 Corinthians 15:53-58) I just love this passage of Scripture! It fans the  burning flames of hopeful anticipation  for our eternal home in heaven. This life we live today shall not last forever, so  take heart ! If you're struggling and suffering, look up!  Look up to the...

Fear Freeing:   "Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalms 55:22)   "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)   There's a whole lot of disquieting troubles going on these days. It's very easy and common to become entangled in fear-knots. Yes these disturbing events are real as day, but our God is so much more than them. The certainty of our God's power, authority, and sovereignty must become a shield of comforting courage to each and every one of us, especially when all the world around us is in utter turmoil and upheaval.   "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)   The Amplified Bible translation adds this little gem, which I love:   "For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and hav...

God Has a Plan: "We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will" (Ephesians 1:11) The waters are rough and the winds rage relentlessly, but You, O God, are keeping me steadied in Your sovereignty. It can be difficult to imagine, that You, the God of the whole universe, might take care of me in such a gracious and loving manner. Then I'm tempted, tempted to fear that Your love has suddenly disappeared. I can see the storm that's coming near, O Lord my Lord, come meet me here and take my fear. "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved." (Acts 2:21) My lips spill over in desperate defeat, "My Lord, I can't walk this path on my own two feet." You hear my cry, and You will satisfy. "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk throug...

Conversing with the Creator: "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3) What a privilege prayer is. What a gift to be able to approach the Lord's throne with boldness and confidence. Prayer is a marvellous mystery, yet a splendid blessing. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2) Prayer is more than just a cry for help or plea for mercy. Prayer is also an opportunity to pour out your heart on God. Let the abundance of gratitude in your heart overflow at His throne. "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1) "Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King." (Psalms 149:1-2) Prayer regenerates hope, peace, and abounding joy. Jesus desire...

Have Faith: "Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, extend to the skies, and Your faithfulness to the clouds." (Psalm 36:5) As my eyes open on this Monday morning, it's easy for my focus to be fiercely fixed on fearfulness. Instead, I choose to fix my focus on all His faithfulness. I know this week will have its challenges and difficulties, but if I'll just draw back, back into this moment right NOW, I can see that He is here in the midst of me. His Presence hasn't left my side. Now, if I look back, not to see regret or shame, but to see that He has been faithful in EVERYTHING, then I'll find courage and hope. Ever since the start of this journey, He's been nothing but faithful, loving, and filled with mercy. "He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield." (Psalms 91:4) You covered me in gracious faithfulness then, and I feel it now, You're still protecting me. What a...

Adventure: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:16-17) I'd like to talk about the word "renewed" here in Second Corinthians. This is the word ἀνακαινόω (anakainoō) in the New Testament Greek language. This word literally means to make new, or to revivify to an incorrupt constitution. Just as the verse says, our physical bodies are deteriorating, but our inner man is routinely being refreshed and restored. Daily we're faced with tasks that require much of us. We oft wonder how we'll manage to comply with all of the towering to-do lists. This is where we can jump into the third dimension of this word ἀνακαινόω. Yet another meaning of this word is to be daily revitalised. God is recurrently reinvigorating us, so as to insure we'r...

You Never Let Go: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you." (Isaiah 43:2) Here I stand, this brutal battle blatantly beating on my bravery. Tempestuous tidal waves come corroding at my courage. Oh how I long to shrink back into safety, and I desperately desire a hiding place. You, Lord, have spoken and promised to be with me. These raging rivers of ruins shall not ruin me. Roaring waters threaten to engulf me wholly, but Your Word has assured me, "they shall not overflow you". Surging storms shall not swallow me up, for I take safe shelter in You, O Lord. I need not carry these troubles on my own shoulders, because You are here and I know that You will help me. "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death....