February 7, 2024

Since we started Wellspring, I’ve had three cars totaled. In all three cases, the other driver was at fault. The past fews days I’ve been continually on the phone with insurance representatives, working out the details of our most current loss. It occurred to me that I am not a desirable insurance customer, not because of my or my family’s driving skills, but simply because other cars seem to target us. I wonder if insurance companies see “pastor” on my occupation and immediately have a bias. In the world of auto insurance, is “pastor” synonymous with “accident magnet”?

In all three car incidents, my family walked away with no broken bones or serious harm. And in each case we experienced the Lord’s protection and His provision. HE IS FAITHFUL!!!

I am still moving through the process on our most recent accident. I had another phone call just a few minutes ago, and I realized that I’m full of faith until I get on the phone and then I want to chew a hole in somebody. I found myself thinking that if I push harder or behave more sternly, perhaps I’ll get what I want. If I explain the situation in the right way, everything will move more in my favor. If I do this, that will happen. I’m working in my labor for my benefit, doing what I can to manipulate things according to my desired outcome. That’s stressful because the pressure is on me. I’m carrying the burden instead of laying it on Jesus and trusting Him.

Last week in our Higher Ramblings podcast, I defined dead works as anything “formed by the art and imagination of man” (Acts 17:29). It what’s we do and labor and attempt to birth that doesn’t come from intimacy with Jesus. If it’s not conceived in our relationship with Him, their’s no faith. And we end up in the same infamous situation that Abram found himself in the Bible. He had a promise, but attempted to fulfill the promise through his own art and imagination. Boy did that go wrong…

In our present car situation, in the direction of the church, in provision for my family, and in day to day living, the Spirit of the Lord continually draws me back to trusting Jesus. The Bible says repent from dead works and turn in faith towards God. Repent means change how you think. We have to change our thinking from operating according to our abilities and strategies, and we have to make the source of our thinking our trust relationship with God. Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. We get to return to our created design of being connected to Him and operating from Him. Things are not going to work out because I make them work out. He is the one who turns every enemy intention for my good.

Sometimes we think we’re suppose to make things happen and then ask God to bless what we’re doing. This is actually a sign of a lack of submission. Humble yourself before the Lord and HE will exalt you.

We know that storms will come, and we don’t get to pick the storms. Let’s be mindful to not attempt to control or fight the storms. Lock our eyes on Jesus and put all of our trust in Him. Engage when He says engage and how He directs us to engage. This past Saturday, I shared some important keys for 2024 [click HERE to watch the message]:

410 Firepower in the Year of the Dragon:

Get under the Lord and He’ll empower you. – James 4:10
Expel the dragon and worship the Lord. – Matthew 4:10
Trust the Lord to expand your territory. – 1 Chronicles 4:10
Rejoice in the advance! – Zechariah 4:10

On Monday, I wrote the following in my journal:

Feed on His Faithfulness!

“Trust in Yahweh, and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in Yahweh, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Yahweh; trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” — Psalm 37:3-5 [Interlinear]

These three verses are so encouraging and reassuring. Your Creator Father God will fulfill the longing in your heart and will bring your mission to completion. He is trustworthy! And what is your role? Trust and feed on His faithfulness.

What you feed on is what sustains you, keeping you strong, energized, healthy, and advancing. Your body needs healthy food throughout each day; and even more so, your whole being (body, soul, and spirit) needs the faithfulness of God. When you wake up, feed on His faithfulness. In the middle of your day, feed on His faithfulness. In the evening, feed on His faithfulness.

Meditate on His faithfulness as you study the Bible. Remember His faithfulness from your own stories. Look forward to the things He’s spoken to you and over you, for He shall bring it to pass. How do I confidently know this? He is faithful!

Pay attention to your diet today. What are you feeding on? Don’t make His faithfulness just a snack. How will you feast on His faithfulness today? Be intentional, eat well, and be full of Him.

Feeding on His Faithfulness!
Matt