The Introverted Evangelist

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

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...

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...

Rest in Him : " In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in  safety  and  confident trust . " (Psalm 4:8) When you're  still and surrendered , the quietness of My Presence can settle over you, settling every one of your distressing fears. My love will quiet all the accusatory voices that haunt you, and My joy shall shine pure light on all the lies keeping your mind in a dark prison.  My holy fire is coming down in glorious light to set you free and burn away fright . " The light shines in the darkness, and  the darkness can never extinguish it . " (John 1:5) When you're feeling too weary to carry on, come to Me and bring those heavy burdens too.  I will carry you as well as care for every one of those concerns . No matter how great your fears appear to be, there is not one single thing too difficult for Me. " Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm.  ...

Fight For Rest, God is Sovereign : Always and forever. I'm fighting for rest. It's time to see God's faithfulness come to pass in my life. The thing is... I must allow Him to burn brighter than my doubts and fears .   I must let His goodness consume my anxieties . I can't give God glory for things I try to control myself . Don't I see it? His control is even better than mine! If I'll  relinquish my worries by worshipping , I'll be overcome by His marvellous Presence and His miraculous majesty will become unmistakable. ~ God, You're the One in control. You hold the  ultimate Authority  above everything - EVERYTHING - else. Help me to trust with my entire heart.  You've given me the promise of Your unwavering love and faithfulness. Your whispers are more certain than embossed lies. I can hold tightly to Your hand and step into the unknown territory, because I know  You won't ever forsake me in my weakness . You are gentle, caring, and compassionate...

Grateful for Sunday Rest : " And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful ." (Colossians 3:15) " singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ " (Ephesians 5:19-20) " Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all ." (2 Thessalonians 3:16) I hope everyone enjoyed a very peaceful and tranquil Sunday of rest. I took this photograph of the most vibrantly coloured deciduous tree outside of my house a few weeks back. It's so nice to be able to look back and  reflect on all the glory  God has  painted  throughout the earth in this Autumn season which now draws to a close. Winter trickles in with every falling leaf and chilling breeze . In this cozy season, let us not become  entangled in busy hustling , but rather  enthralled with joyous reverence . May aw...

Fight On : " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. " (2 Corinthians 5:17) " Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage ." (Galatians 5:1) Temptation  presses unrelentingly on the walls of your soul, gripping and choking your courage and strength. You hear  screaming agony  blaring loudly, but behind all the madness you hear  My faint whisper ... " Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ." (Matthew 11:28) Rest ... Let your  fear-fogged  mind find perfect peace and relaxation in the flowing rivers of My grace, mercy, and security. I will keep you safe and protected. " He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters...Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your r...

Shielded by His All Consuming Power : " In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one ." (Ephesians 6:16) You may feel like you're  sinking  in anxieties. However, no matter how  surrounded  you may be, you cannot be  invaded . Fear cannot penetrate the  shield of protection  that the Holy Spirit erects around us. We're  sheltered  from every attack, because the One who dwells within us has made His  all-consuming power  readily available to us in any and every battlefront. " But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised ." (Deuteronomy 9:3) Take up the Sword  of His Word.  Proclaim the promises  of God, and by doing so you destroy the enemy's devices. I...

The Road is Joy: "You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence." (Acts 2:28) Nothing in this world will last. All is fading away fast, but Jesus is mine even unto eternity. From His Presence I may stray, but by my side He'll always stay. Oh bring me back to the joy, the joy found only in You, beloved Lord. Your persistent promise of perfect patience pulls me closer, ever so close to Your pure and spotless heart. What detail of my life has gone unnoticed by the God who cares, cares so intricately intimately? "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Cast all, ALL cares, oh my soul. Hold nothing back, for He withholds no blessing from you. If He gives all so unconditionally, why should I be hesitant to trust Him with the technicalities of my life? After all, I am of more value than sparrows, and yet He divinely cares for them with delicacy. "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? A...

Slow Down and Breathe in His Grace: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) You beckon me into Your Presence as Your very own beloved child. You're orchestrating my life with a rhythm of peace. You're never rushed, for Your timing has supremacy - even over all my stressing. Though the world clamours and corrodes, You welcome me into sacred, rejuvenating rest. You lead me beside the most serene waters, even when all the world around threatens with its roaring waves of worry. "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake." (Psalms 23:2-3) With paths of righteousness arrayed before me, You've shown me marvellous measures of mer...

This photo was taken approximately two years ago. I was suffering malabsorption and my hair was falling out. God is my healer. He rescued me. As one of my favourite Tenth Avenue North song says: "You break me to bind me You hurt me, Lord, to heal me You cut me to touch me You died to revive me" Every moment we suffer, God is working vigilantly to break us free of the chains that hold us captive. No pain is pointless, but all pain hold purpose. The struggle is part of the story. -The Introverted Evangelist

Fear Has to Leave: "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”" (Romans 8:15) Abba, Father! My spirit within me wails to be consoled. I plead for peace. My heart is overwhelmed, but I confess that fear must leave. Anxiety tries to overthrow me, but I whisper, "The Lord is with me wherever I go." "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." (Isaiah 41:10) You are upholding me, Lord. You won't allow the destructive distresses to destroy me. Though I am exhausted and beat, You come to me and carry me through the raging seas. I'm choosing to trust. I'm trusting You and all You've revealed to me this day. I'm choosing to rest. I'm resting in the truth of Your promises today. There's nothing to fear, because Your love has come ne...

Just Breathe: "Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4) "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." (Isaiah 41:10) I carried your sorrows and your pain, now let Me carry your frail and fragile body through this rough terrain. I'm here for you, dear child of Mine, I am always near. "The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17) Hush, precious one, for I long to soothe your strained soul. Cease your striving, for My love has accomplished all you need. Rest in Me. Come and let yourself be refreshed by the Living Waters of grace and favour which flow freely from My heart and over you. "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall...

Sabbath Sunday Surrender: "One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple." (Psalms 27:4) Another week draws to its conclusion. A new week is just around the corner. Lord, we come into Your Presence this day, and we devote our hearts to seek You. We come to the Well, we're thirsty for more. We come to Your throne, bowed down we adore. "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God." (Revelation 21:3) Be with us, so closely and intimately, yet again, O God. See our desperation, and come with compassion to care for Your people. Unhinge the gates that contain Your Living Waters, and let Your righteousness rain down on us. Oh come closer, Lord, and lead us in the Light of Your glory and goodness. "I will turn the darkness i...

Streams of Mercy Never Ceasing: "For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring" (Isaiah 44:3) I know Your promise to me. I know You're a personal Lord, who specifically speaks to each one of His children. I know what You've told me, "Honour Me, and I'll bless you." I know that if I'll obey and surrender to Your way, You're going to bless me abundantly with abundance and mercy and blessings. If I'll step back from white-knuckling my life into the cool and refreshing stream of Your unending mercy, I'll begin to see many blessings manifest. "But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”" (Luke 11:28) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17) You're not ...

Be Still: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass." (Psalms 37:7) Many people rush in life. They rush to get to the next event, the next exciting thing. However, in all their rushing, how much of their day is spent simply soaking in God's goodness? How much spare time does rushing leave you? And if you're negating God to "spare time" then what does that communicate to Him? God wants to be your delight, your safe refuge, and your everyday companion. We are not meant to live alone, apart from Him, buzzing around place to place attempting to satisfy everyone's requests. We're not made to be people pleasing machines, we're created to be God's very own. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) I've never seen a rose bud reject ...

Restore Me: "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit." (Psalms 51:12) Joy of salvation. There is none like it. The joy of salvation is unsurpassable, incomparable, and incorruptible. No other worldly possession or even a fellow human being can deliver to your soul the joy like salvation in Christ will. The world cannot offer joy like the joy of salvation. When we wander off and begin searching for joy in tangible objects or mortal companions, we leave still feeling empty and despondent. This is because the only Way to achieve truly satisfying joy is by coming to the Way Himself. "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) Jesus IS truth. He is the complete opposite of fallaciousness, impurity, and fraud. He is all that is honest, dependable, trustworthy, and faithful. Jesus IS Life. He is the very mighty Life Force that blooms within our souls. Christ is...

And it Was Good: "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day." (Genesis 1:31) The context of this verse, as you may have guessed, is the days of creation. This was during the days when God spoke everything into existence for the very first time. "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands." (Hebrews 1:10) The towering trees teeming with vibrant plant life that had never existed before, now grew taller and swayed gracefully. Flowers, herbs, rivers, and more, all this was spoken into existence by the Lord. So what did God do after He reviewed all of His marvellous creation? He rested. "Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done." (Genesis 2:1-2) God rested. How in...