Stepping Out In Faith

Saturday, August 3, 2013
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Amazing Grace"1 (Lyrics)

Joshua 1:6-8 – Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (ESV)

I have had a dream to write since I was in grade 5. It all started when I was selected to go on a special trip to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, for the annual jamboree for bus patrols. As a bus patrol, I was responsible to ensure that younger children remained seated on the bus, and I escorted them across the road to and from the bus, ensuring that no cars were coming and that their journey was a safe one. I have no idea how or why I was selected for the jamboree. I was not the best bus patrol or the oldest. I hadn't done anything heroic or special, yet I was chosen. I don't recall being excited or thrilled about being chosen, but I do recall being afraid. Where would we stay? What if I got lost and left behind? I wouldn't know any of the other people. In spite of all my fears, off I went.

On the trip, we visited many of the sites in Ottawa and were treated to many experiences that I would never have had access to on my own. I met many new friends from various places, and we were all treated like royalty. To conclude the jamboree, we were all invited to a special dinner, and all of us were given a special jacket for looking out for the safety of others.

When I returned to school, I was asked to write an essay about my experience to share with others. I was so excited to share my wonderful adventure, and I wrote the best essay I had ever written. I surprised myself, and it was published in the school newsletter.

I recently contributed my first devotional. It wasn't planned; it just happened after reading an inspiring devotional on PresbyCan Daily. I felt that excitement again, the passion to share my love of the Lord and how He has worked and continues to work in my life. He has been with me long before I knew Him, loving me, caring for me, and protecting me. It brings tears to my eyes when I realize how long and how much the Lord loves me. I want everyone to know the amazing love of Christ. At first I was afraid: I am not a writer. In spite of my fear, I hit the "send" button.

How is God asking you to step out in faith?

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (ESV)

Prayer: Dear awesome heavenly Father, speak to our hearts, and show us how we can serve You and step out in faith. Use us to be Your hands and feet and provide us with the courage and strength to step out in love for Your glory alone. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lisa McLaughlin-Kent <gotzboyz@rogers.com>
Scotland, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Well said. Thank you. Blessings.


    Sound like a writer to me. Good job.


    He gives us the courage and the words if we but ask as you found when you hit the ‘send’ button.


    Hi Lisa
    Keep on writing! A great devotional.


    AMEN!
    Thank YOU for writing to us through PresbyCan Daily.


    Well done. Your devotional is a blessing to me as I know that it will be to many others. Keep up the good work. God bless you.


    Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. God’s richest blessings as you write for Him.
    Enjoyed what you wrote. Blessings.


    The moment you pushed the “send” button was the moment you overcame fear. What a blessing you are to us! You are an overcomer and more than a conqueror through Christ. Thank you for sharing your heart.


    Thank you Lisa for sharing your experience with us. It was really enjoyable to follow your progress as you entered the world of writers. May God continue to inspire and bless you as you pursue your career as a writer.


    Lisa, well done!!
    I have to thank you for sharing your experience and your love for our Heavenly Father.
    We all are so proud to see you contributing your writing to the PresbyCan Daily Devotional.
    God Bless You as you continue your walk with The Lord.


    Dear Lisa:
    Thank you for writing todayès devotional. Another case of if He asks you to do it, He will give you the resources to do it.
    I remember being asked to do the children’s story at church. I realized that they had the wrong name, but being ashamed that I didn’t just do it. Since then I have done it and lived to tell about it.
    Blessings.


    Praise God for the talent He has blessed you with. I enjoyed reading your devotional, it spoke to my. Especially the verse about studying His laws day and night. I confess that I have been slacking in my studying of the word. I do pray and talk to the Lord daily, I read the devotional and some scriptures. But that is not the same as the passion and discipline I did have for digging into I the Bible. You are blessed, continue writing as when the Lord inspires you. Your devotional will always minister to someone. God bless you.


    Dear Lisa;
    As I read your devotional this morning it brought back memories of when I first started to write. I, also, was afraid and did not consider myself a writer. But God had a different plan for us both.
    I pray that you will continue to share your life and how God continually works in your life with us, the reader. May God continue to inspire us to be His feet and hands and voice in a world that needs to hear the truth and show that God is alive and still working today!


    Dear Lisa,
    Your devotional fits well with the one about the two men, the minister and the shop-man praying together and receiving answers to their prayers.


    Dear Lisa,
    I just wanted to tell you that I LOVED your devotional.
    It was a real encouragement to me.
    I am going to print it to read it many times.
    (Ohio, USA)


    Hi, Your devotional reminded me of the first time I tried to do something I thought the Lord wanted me to do. I was so scared I was shaking. Then I seemed to hear a little whisper in my ear. “Trust me and do it, afraid” I did, in His strength. it was a very important spiritual lesson.
    Bless you for writing that first devotional..afraid, for you learned the all important truth of obedience, whatever be the cost to you.


    Thumbs up and keep it up.


    Lisa, thank you for sharing with us today. This was awesome! I’m in the program of AA and that is the way I stay clean and sober and how God brought me into this spiritual life through his grace and others sharing and caring and giving what they received away. Thank you so much again for sharing with us and may God contnue to bless you. I look forward to your next one.

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