This week we are going to start a three-week discussion on the topic “Faith or Fear?” Mothers of Nations, fear is something we all face in our lives. Some people face fears more often than others. As Christians we must learn how to face our fears and overcome them with faith. This is simply a necessity for faith-filled lifestyles.

We know from the Word that God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. In light of this truth, let’s consider the story of David and Goliath for a moment. We can see several points related to fear as revealed in this account.

1. Fear comes from what we see and how we perceive what we see. The Israelites looked at the “giant” situation and were terrified. (1 Samuel 17:24) On the other hand, when David looked at Goliath, he saw a person that was defying God.
2. The Israelites only looked at their own abilities. In contrast, David saw God’s ability to deal with the situation, not his own.
3. The Israelites were fixated on what Goliath
...

Today we will conclude our four part series on God-given vision.  I pray these weekly blog entries have been a blessing to you and an encouragement to press in to all that the Lord has for you!  Let’s get started.

A vision requires setting goals.

Goal setting is an important activity for almost every part of our life. Without a “finish line” or a goal, how can we possibly measure if we have grown or achieved what we have been working towards?

The same holds true for God-given vision. It is important to break down the vision the Lord has given us into pieces so that we can measure our progress as we pursue the vision’s final goal.

Have you noticed that God does love process and details? 

We see this in Psalm 37: 23-24.

• The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
•  Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Mothers of Nations, before we move on why don’t you take some time right now to think about yo...

We will continue this discussion of God-given vision today by looking at two more requirements. Let’s get started!

A vision requires faith.

Hebrews 11: 1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Mothers of Nations, we need to be like the Sons of Issachar who understood the times and seasons. We need:

• Foresight: to look ahead
• Insight: to understand now and later
• Oversight: to see the whole picture

Certainly we are all aware that fear challenges faith.  So how should we respond to those fear attacks?  That’s right, we fight fear with faith!

Take the example of the twelve spies we read about in Numbers 12: 1-13 and Deuteronomy 1: 22-24.  Only two of these spies had faith! The others allowed themselves to only receive the eyesight of a grasshopper. They couldn’t see beyond their noses and therefore fear clouded the vision God had for them in the Promised Land. 

Why don’t you take a moment right now to read these verses about the twelv...

Let’s continue our discussion of God-given vision by looking at two more vision requirements.  If you did not read our introductory blog on this subject last week, I would encourage you to do that first so that we are all on the same page as we move forward.

A vision requires action, not just seeing.

We read in Proverbs 29: 18 (NLT): When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. Where there is no vision, the people perish (or cast off restraint – live purposeless lives).

This verse means that we can have a vision, but if we don’t put things into motion or act on it, we get nothing done. For example, if I would put a boat into the water but just let it go, it would simply follow the river current flow and never get to the specific destination that I desired. Mothers of Nations, we must see the vision. We must embrace the vision. We must “do” the vision!

Let’s think about the life of Saul before his Damascus Road experience.  He had a ...

In these next several weeks we are going to discuss the topic of God-given vision.  We are all familiar with the Scripture in Proverbs 29:18a that says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

But what is vision and why is God-given vision so important to us as Mothers of Nations?  I am excited to dig into this topic with you so let’s get started!

Vision is comprised of many elements.  Some of these include:

• Seeing your final destination (future).
• Seeing your future through God’s eyes.
• Asking where you are headed.
• Asking why you are doing what you do.
• Asking what you will accomplish.
• Asking how you will get there.
• Asking who will help you.

Many years ago my husband and I met a man named Dr. Kaufman. He was a pastor in the Bronx of New York and we heard him teach a message titled “What the Lord Requires.” He used Micah 6:8 as a foundation Scripture. “The Lord has told you what is good and this is what He requires of you:  to do what is right, to love mercy, and to w...

Let’s continue our discussion of what it means to be “thirsty” spiritually by first looking at this passage in Isaiah 44:1-5.

“Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen.
² Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
³ 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;
⁴ They will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.’
⁵ One will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; another will write with his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.

As we consider this passage, why do you think God uses water to explain blessing as He says, “I will pour water on him who is thirsty.”

Here are a few possible reasons for this analogy of water and blessing.

1. Water is common to all. We all know someth
...

We are all well aware that life presents many diverse challenges, seasons, and experiences.  And because of this reality, we can find ourselves “thirsty” for a variety of things.  I’m talking about things like:

• Wealth – power                      
• Peace                              
• Labor                              
• Influence                                 
• Knowledge                     
• Fame                               
• Acceptance                   
• Love                               
• Sex                                 
• God

These attractions will come and go as we navigate different stages and seasons of our lives.

Mothers of Nations, I think we become especially “thirsty” when we find ourselves in the wilderness of life.  For example, consider David’s situation that we read about in Psalm 63. He found himself a fugitive in the wilderness of Judah as he ran from Saul and then from Absalom.  He’s thirsty (literally, Psalm 143: 6) and he finds himself crying out fo...

Mothers of Nations, have you ever considered that when Jesus was entering Jerusalem, He was well aware that trouble was going to come. His ministry, His life purpose, and His destiny would all include problems and difficulties.

Life is like that for all of us at some point even though we are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. We were not chosen to escape troubles. Rather, we were chosen to face troubles, overcome them, and glorify God in the midst of all that comes our way.

In John 16: 33 Jesus said, “In this world you will have troubles, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”

Job 14: 1-2 (NKJV) says this. “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.”

How frail is humanity! How short is life! How full of trouble our lives can be at times!

We blossom like a flower and then whither. Like a passing shadow, we quietly disappear.

King David commented on troub...

Last week we looked at eight ways that doubt can rob or steal from the quality and value of our spiritual lives. Yes, DOUBT IS A ROBBER! If you did not read last week’s blog entry, I would encourage you to do so before continuing with today’s discussion.

So recognizing the enemy’s strategy to get us to doubt and the many disadvantages of living a doubt-filled life, how do we as believers overcome doubt? Let’s consider these five possible strategies to defeat "the doubt robber."

1.  Determine our personal strengths and weaknesses and then get into the Word of God to change what needs to be changed. Mothers of Nations, let’s look carefully at ourselves because life reveals weaknesses and strengths. We need to be honest and truthful with our current situations so that we can make progress and grow stronger in our faith.
2.  Put our faith in the Lord. This means putting faith in God and not in ourselves, our family, our money, our ministry, etc. Don’t complain but rather exchange complaint...

Let’s continue the discussion that we started last week on the topic of doubt by first looking at a definition.

What is doubt? It can be defined as:

•  the uncertainty of belief or opinion
•  lack of confidence
•  distrust
• second guessing
• double mindedness

Philippians 4: 8 (NKJV) is very clear about what God’s Word says that we should think about.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Let’s next look at some familiar verses from Matthew 28.

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. ¹⁷ When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of...