The Introverted Evangelist

Live Wisely Live Fearlessly : " Pray that I will proclaim this message clearly and fearlessly as I should. Be wise when you engage with those outside the faith community; make the most of every moment and every encounter. " ( Colossians 4:4-5) Set sail ! Let the refreshing breeze of God's love whisk away every trace of fear. Surrender your ship, and allow your vessel to be wholly His. Let Him splash His grace-rich glory all over you.  Don't drop an anxious anchor and stand still , too afraid to live courageously.  You're not ruled by those fears any longer ! His love has cleared away those tyrannical forces and given you a new name -  called ,  free ,  chosen ,  healed ,  strong , and  cherished . So what are we so scared of?  What can anything in this life take away from us ? Hasn't He promised? Won't He stay true to His Word? Everything we'll ever need and all the dreams planted deep inside our hearts?  Secured . All is safe in the han...

Grace Amazing Grace Unending : " ...then He will have mercy on you and bring you back from captivity. He’ll gather you from all the peoples you’ve been scattered among. " ( Deuteronomy 30:3) God never forsakes His faithful promises. He made a covenant with Abraham, and promised to be faithful for ALL generations. Because we are descendants of Abraham (we are the people of God), God will always accept our repentance and our turning back to Him - our dedicating of everything we are to Him - heart, mind, soul, and body. He is a gracious and forgiving God, and because Jesus ransomed us, we are now forgiven and cleansed for all eternity. His grace poured out on the Cross will never lessen - never stop flowing into the depths of our desperation. Grace so amazing, we're covered and redeemed. Nothing can take us away. Not even death has his say. Grace will last 'till the Final Day. -The Introverted Evangelist Photography Source: http://www.globeimages.net/data/media/3/twiligh...

Surrender the Adventure: The week looms mysteriously before me. Adventure awaits, and fear takes his place. The thief wants desperately to take the joy of what's ahead, but God, I know You're there. You're in my future, my past, my here and now. There's nothing I can't do when I go with You. There's not one fear too big that Your love and gracious mercy can't sweep away. So as the week comes, let Your love lead. As my future unfolds, let me live it boldly with fearless faith in Your goodness. Let the winds blow through my hair, the water rush over my toes, and the light glimmer on my face. I know Your Presence is shining upon me. I know You're here with me now, and You're not leaving. So let the week and all its uncharted adventure arrive, for I know You're my strong and generous Guide. I know I will more than survive. I will live and I will thrive. I glow with Your glory and Your grace, for this heart and this soul always seek Your face. I'm...

#JoyfulJune : Goodbye May, hello June! What a marvellous month you've been, but I'm ready for the new to begin. May has been a month best described as the first few miles of a marathon. Starting a new adventure. It's scary at first, but the key is to make sure you don't deviate your focus. Christ within, Heaven ahead, there joy abounds. May was the start of a brand new life for me. The entire month resonated with the sound of chains *smack* crashing down to the ground. Oh what a beautiful sound... He cut those chains off me, and now I'm free. I'm free from everything that once paralyzed me with fear, and it's all because my gracious Saviour heard my cry. He came and He rescued me. When my life had hit a DEAD END, God had a better plan. His BEST plan.  --> Redemption. Renewal. Restoration. <--  There's nothing He can't do. This new life exists to exalt Him. This healed heart beats to bring Him honour. These whole lungs breath to shout His praise...

Losing a Best Friend : " Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. " (2 Thessalonians 3:16) Two years ago this day, I had to say goodbye to one of my best friends. May 31, 2013 Heaven gained the most loyal, loving, and gentle canine. I grew up with Guinness, and didn't know what life would be like without my soft, cuddly best friend. Prayer and puppy loving could fix even the toughest of days. Guinness was an angel of a dog, sent straight from God's heart. Everyone who ever met him will agree, he is unforgettable. Guinness will be in our hearts forever. I'm eternally grateful to have lived so many years of my life with him. I am also grateful we opened our hearts again to expand our family and welcome a new member, Klaus. Klaus, our second schnauzer, was adopted on January 1, 2014. It's so nice to have furry friends who we can hold dear to our hearts. How generous and kind is our God, th...

The Light In My Heart : " But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted ." (1 Peter 2:9-10 MSG) Darkness and despair surrounded me everywhere, but then came grace, my life to spare. He came in like a flood, cleansed me with His blood. He gave me His promise, that I'll never be lifeless. He breathed in my heart, gave me a new start. Now this life, free from strife, forever changed and rearranged, shall always praise His great Name. In His Light I remain, His promises I claim, and shameful sin is slain. A heart this full can't help but extol. My joy overflows, and my spirit glows.  Oh Heavenly Father, thank You for shining in my darkness, and giving me a fresh start again. -The Introverted Evangelist

I Found My Life When I Laid it Down : " So  let God work his will in you . Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious.  Get down on your knees before the Master ; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet ." (James 4:7-10 MSG) Life is tough, and oftentimes we find ourselves in the midst of certain circumstances that are unbearably trying. When times get so hard and hurtful, we tend to question or even doubt God's love and faithfulness. If this is you today, allow me to encourage you -  God has a supreme and sovereign plan for your good and His glory ! ( See Romans  8:28 ). He takes each chapter of our lives, every single little detail, and He binds it all together into the most beautiful book. Every season of our lives has purpose and meaning....

Be Energetic In God: "[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." (Philippians 2:13 AMP) Keep going. God's plan is worth obeying. There's so much more to this life than struggling through. God doesn't want you to merely survive. He wants you to glow, shine, and radiate His life and energy. He will give you that energy and joy, if you'll simply obey and trust Him. His energy will sustain you. His energy will overflow in you, giving you that "future you hope for" as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:11. Obedience is worth it. That joy will be worth it. Recovering is worth it. His energy will be worth it. Trust, my dear. Trust, and follow His way. He won't leave you. He won't forsake you. He is good, and He is kind. Leave all your fear behind. -The Introverted Evangelist

We Are Forgiven : " Who is a God like You, Who forgives iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because  He delights in mercy and loving-kindness . He will again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our iniquities.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea . " (Micah 7:18-19 AMP) O Heavenly Father, there truly is none like You. You're so  gracious , so merciful and true. You deal justly with us, yet You deal tenderly with us too. You have  exchanged our records  of grime and guilt for the pure,  blameless record  of Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Because  Jesus lived the perfect life , I don't have to. Because Jesus died the ultimate death that satisfied Your wrath towards sin's horrendous filth, I am forgiven and freed. I am  no longer held to that debt . I'm not expected to pay even a fraction of that enormous price. Jesus, You paid it...

Rest In His Faithfulness: Sick days are a great ("great") reminder that it's OKAY to take a day off. God had been nudging me lately, saying, "I don't expect you to perform for Me. Simply be. Be who I made you to be, and that's Mine. I don't put all these rules and regulations on you. Throw them off, and come to the Waters. Come and drink from the flow of My Living Waters, and I will give you rest and restoration." Lesson learned? Don't drive yourself into the wall with an attitude that screams, "Do! Perform! Earn!" Instead, listen to the gentle voice of the Holy One, whispering, "Be. Rest. Receive." ---> He doesn't drive us like cattle, He leads us like sheep .<--- -The Introverted Evangelist

I Live to Love You Lord : " For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent,  to be well pleasing to Him ." (2 Corinthians 5:7-9) I just want to live for You , God. I want to live my life, not to gain the approval of others, but to please and to serve You, my Gracious King. I want to see Your Will be done. It's so hard living in this fallen world, but I know You've put me here - in this city and in this season - for a reason. In surrendering trust, I put aside all pride and joyfully proclaim, " Have Your way in me, O Lord!  All I am is Yours ! " -The Introverted Evangelist (Photograph Taken by: @instagramvancouver)

Christ the Eucharist: "Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight." (Luke 24:30-31) When we humble ourselves in thanks, honouring His Sacrifice, His Presence shows up and removes the blinders from our eyes. When we gather under His Name, as the Body of Christ, and glorify Him together, His Spirit envelopes us in God's wonder. His Presence is made manifest among us. And it's in that sacred moment that we all as believers remember that only by grace through faith are we saved. We're reminded of our desperation, our insufficiency... His abounding love, His unending mercy... Christ be glorified! For He has rescued us, redeemed us, and made us new creations by the power of His holy blood! -The Introverted Evangelist

Good Friday Morning Meditation : Tea and Bible reading. It really doesn't get much better than that. I love how even the tea bags couldn't help but praise the One who gave it all. "Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." (Ephesians 2:7-10 MSG) More Good Friday meditation coming later today. I am so in awe of all He's done for us. What a selfless sacrifice! Our Humble King is worthy to be praised! He has won the INFINITE V...

Take Heart : " And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” " (Matthew 9:2) Take heart.  Don't let your past paralyze you . Don't listen to the lies that say your mistakes are who you are. Remember that the Blood of Jesus has made you new ( see 2 Corinthians  5:17 ).  His atoning sacrifice cleanses us  from all unrighteousness. We don't have to live the way we used to. The grace of our generous Lord gives us  inner strength  to break old habits and create a life of newness, rooted and founded in Christ Jesus. His Holy Spirit comes and floods us.  His Presence washes over us like the waves of the ocean's tide ... Washing away the shame of our old self, and  replenishing our strength with His mercy . Take heart, He is for us. Take heart, we are new creations. Take heart, for  He is good and worthy of our trust and prais...

Release and Receive : " My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. " (Proverbs 4:10-13) Come, dear child, come receive My grace and strength for your every need - your every weakness.  I will carry you to a new beginning . I, your Great Redeemer, can  restore to you the joy of living life  unhindered. No longer will your muscles ache and body cry out - dying and wasting away.  I will prosper you , I promise you. Trust Me. Walk with Me. Come  take hold of My gracious gifts . I withhold no good thing from you. Therefore,  you're free to abandon all that you try to control in your own strength ...  Release and receive ... I have an amazing plan for you. Your  trusting obedience is the key that u...

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

Jesus - Δουλος - Humble Servant : " You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead,  he gave up his divine privileges ; he took the  humble position of a slave  and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,  he humbled himself in obedience to God  and died a criminal’s death on a cross. " (Philippians 2:5-8) I love how the Holy Spirit kept the theme of Pastor Spurling's message at Gateway Church this weekend. I opened up my MacBook to see this...  Jesus Christ ...  Humble Servant . The Greek word written here is δουλος and it is translated " slave " in the verse above. How marvellous! Jesus took on the humble position of a slave so that we might become free. In fact, right now as I type, I'm wearing my Walk in Love shirt that reads:  I AM SET FREE . Thank You, Jesus! Thank You for Your obedience even to death on the Cross. Because of...

Selah Saturday - Psalms 145 : " For your kingdom is an  everlasting kingdom . You rule throughout all generations.  The LORD always keeps his promises ; he is gracious in all he does. The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand,  you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing . The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.  The LORD is close to all  who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth ." (Psalms 145:13-18) For all You've done this week, my Lord, I will pause and reflect...  Selah ... How gracious You've been. Oh how Your kind Heart has been revealed to me.  Your generous Spirit overwhelms me . I am in awe. You're so good, my God. You're so good, and  I praise You with all that I am . I will worship You for all that You are... You are the merciful, righteous, and gloriou...

Walk in Obedience and Trust : " The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands ." (Psalms 25:10) When I obey God, it not only unlocks  immense blessings , but it's also a way for me to put my deep love for Him into action. Meaning, I don't just merely speak the words, " I love God and I will trust Him wholeheartedly " and then continue on living in my disabling doubts and fear. Think about this...  Perfect love casts out fear ... Is it possible that as we journey closer and closer to that perfected state in the Heavens, our love for God and for others is made more and more perfect like the love of Christ? And as  our love is in the process of being transformed and perfected , the fears that once controlled us are now being cast out left and right. Why? Because perfect, matured, and full-grown love drives away all fears! " There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but  full-grown (complete, perfe...

Worry Not! God Has a Plan : " I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. " (John 14:27) God will lead me step-by-step into a future more spectacular than I can even begin to dream. He's never given up on me, and He won't start now. Each day is a new beginning. God guides me  one day at a time . I needn't worry about future events or possibilities. God is taking me on a joy-filled journey into new and incredibly exciting places. " Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert ." (Isaiah 43:19) I look forward to what the future holds, but I don't anxiously look for what it is that may be - in  an attempt to gain control over the unknown . " Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart;  don’t try to figure out everything on your own . Listen for GOD ’s voic...