There were many things to love about the message given by Pastor Dean-o this past week - whether it be the spontaneous singing and leading of worship, or the hilarious stories that illustrated his points, we were left feeling the undeniable joy and presence of God!
But the one part that stood out to me was at the very end - when he shared that all he wrote in his notes was “Go-off” — meaning, it was time to tell of the goodness of God.
To tell of the stories of His faithfulness. To share those parting-of-the-Red Sea moments. To brag on how faithful and wonderful our God truly is.
It is beautiful to see Him at work in someone’s life, isn’t it? To see how far He has brought them, or to what lengths He has gone to woo them with His love.
I think we all left with smiles on our faces Sunday, just seeing the joy in remembering how good God is and has always been. And as I was thinking about what to write for this week, the idea of continuing that joy kept coming to my heart.
I wondered; how could we keep recounting that feeling where we “go off on the goodness of God” in our lives each and every day?
So I decided to sit down and make a list. To recount all the times He has come through for me and parted the “Red Sea” in my life.
Here are some of the things on my list:
• When Jesus reached down in the pit of my anxiety and depression, health issues galore, and a whole host of unknowns and told me, “It’s going to be ok. I will heal you.” - And guess what? He did!
• The time where I went into labor on vacation where there was only one hospital on the whole island and God safely brought me and my daughter through an emergency surgery - healthy and ok!
• When we were barely making ends meet as a newly married couple and God provided the exact amount of money we needed to pay one of our bills - down to the very dollar.
• When He gave me the idea to write a Christmas devotional at the end of October and He made it happen and put a published book in my hands one month later!
The stories can keep going, can’t they?
If you were to sit down right now and make your own list of His faithfulness in your life, what would it say? What would you write down?
Were there times where He made a way that just seemed impossible? Can you recount the moments where all hope was lost, only to see His hand ready to pull you out and give you new life?
It is healthy and good for us as believers to look back and recount the many ways God has come through for us…the times where He has done the impossible. We need to remember those times not just in our everyday lives, but especially in moments of crisis where we need to hold onto our faith.
As 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” And sometimes, that faith comes from looking back on what He has already done, to fuel us for what we are yet to see…His promises fulfilled.
I am challenging you this week to sit down with God and create your own “Only He Could Do It” list.
And as you talk to others this week, whether it be believers or unbelievers — make sure you share a thing or two on that list. Bring up a time where He did the impossible. Chances are, it will lead them to share a time in their life where He also did the impossible for them!
But the one part that stood out to me was at the very end - when he shared that all he wrote in his notes was “Go-off” — meaning, it was time to tell of the goodness of God.
To tell of the stories of His faithfulness. To share those parting-of-the-Red Sea moments. To brag on how faithful and wonderful our God truly is.
It is beautiful to see Him at work in someone’s life, isn’t it? To see how far He has brought them, or to what lengths He has gone to woo them with His love.
I think we all left with smiles on our faces Sunday, just seeing the joy in remembering how good God is and has always been. And as I was thinking about what to write for this week, the idea of continuing that joy kept coming to my heart.
I wondered; how could we keep recounting that feeling where we “go off on the goodness of God” in our lives each and every day?
So I decided to sit down and make a list. To recount all the times He has come through for me and parted the “Red Sea” in my life.
Here are some of the things on my list:
• When Jesus reached down in the pit of my anxiety and depression, health issues galore, and a whole host of unknowns and told me, “It’s going to be ok. I will heal you.” - And guess what? He did!
• The time where I went into labor on vacation where there was only one hospital on the whole island and God safely brought me and my daughter through an emergency surgery - healthy and ok!
• When we were barely making ends meet as a newly married couple and God provided the exact amount of money we needed to pay one of our bills - down to the very dollar.
• When He gave me the idea to write a Christmas devotional at the end of October and He made it happen and put a published book in my hands one month later!
The stories can keep going, can’t they?
If you were to sit down right now and make your own list of His faithfulness in your life, what would it say? What would you write down?
Were there times where He made a way that just seemed impossible? Can you recount the moments where all hope was lost, only to see His hand ready to pull you out and give you new life?
It is healthy and good for us as believers to look back and recount the many ways God has come through for us…the times where He has done the impossible. We need to remember those times not just in our everyday lives, but especially in moments of crisis where we need to hold onto our faith.
As 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” And sometimes, that faith comes from looking back on what He has already done, to fuel us for what we are yet to see…His promises fulfilled.
I am challenging you this week to sit down with God and create your own “Only He Could Do It” list.
And as you talk to others this week, whether it be believers or unbelievers — make sure you share a thing or two on that list. Bring up a time where He did the impossible. Chances are, it will lead them to share a time in their life where He also did the impossible for them!
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.