I was a twenty-two-year-old, with a diploma hot off the press, and I thought I was going to change the world. With a couple large suitcases and a head full of dreams, I moved to Chihuahua, Mexico to teach a class of ten precious fourth and fifth graders. But the odds were stacked against me.
First, the mission organization I was working with preferred teachers with at least two to three years of experience. I had just graduated from college. And while I was approved as a missionary just three months prior to moving to the field and needed to raise support for my salary, usually missionaries take several months or even a year to do so. Finally, though I studied Spanish through high school and college, I quickly found out how much I had to learn when immersed in a second language and culture.
The call of God on each of our lives is to know Him and make Him known. Oftentimes, this call means He will ask us to do what seems impossible. When faced with the impossible, the temptation is to do one of two things: run away in fear or muster up our strength to do it on our own as a means of proving something to the Lord. I didn’t know how much I had to learn when I moved to Mexico. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize I was in over my head. After preparing for this move for several months and without any other viable options, I couldn’t run away. But the temptation to do it all in my own strength? That was a daily fight.
The gift of grace given to us by our Savior shows us that He is mightier than the impossible acts before us. God doesn’t ask us to do the impossible and then leave us alone. He calls us to the impossible and then empowers us through His Spirit as we partner with Him.
God, in His rich and bountiful grace, provided for each one of my impossible tasks. He gave me mentor teachers to help me learn and grow. Each month I had just enough to pay my bills, eat well, purchase clothing, and save money for trips home. My roommate was Mexican-American and welcomed me into her friend group, immersing me in Mexican culture and helping me attain the skills I needed to learn fluent Spanish.
So often we want to know every detail of the plan before us. But to walk in faith is to acknowledge that we don’t know it all and surrender to the One who does. When we do, He equips us to fulfill the tasks He entrusts us with in order to bring glory to His name, the only One worthy of praise. Whatever tasks He lays before us are nothing short of anything He hasn’t already done. His victory over death on the cross grants us victory in our everyday life, no matter how impossible the task may seem.
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45 thoughts on "God’s Presence Equips Us"
He equips us, we just have to be willing!
God, it feels impossible. And I can’t see the future or what should be the outcome clearly. You are for, not against, both of us, both of them. Please. Your will be done. I trust the loving father of generations, of countless sons and daughters whom you equipped as needed with your spirit. There is nothing that can separate us. Nothing.
I pray that I will rely on God’s strength, for when I am weak, he is strong!
I trust in the Lord’s plan for me and will lean on my faith rather than giving up
Needed this today ❤️
Praise God for being with us all the time
Lord, help me to trust you when you lead me into the impossible. Please give me wisdom as well for which battles to fight and which to give grace to.
❤
There’s nothing impossible for God. All He wants us to do is trust in Him and have faith that His will would be done. Our situations can sometimes find us in a place of desperation and we want to act so quickly that we don’t involve God and He wants to be in your every move. He knows what’s best. Let us be guided by the Lord. I pray for everyone who is going through a rough moment to find the comfort of peace through Him
@victoria e – oh have I been there! I’ll be praying for you! I was in a horrible situation for 12 long years. When I finally fully Trusted Him and took a step of Faith, He grabbed my hand and took me on a wild ride of everything falling into place and planting me in a job that I absolutely love! The difference is night and day. I have been at my new job almost 5 years and I am so grateful for His faithfulness. Hang in there and give Him control ❤️
I literally cried reading this! I am going through such a difficult situation at work and it seems impossible, but I know that with God I am a conqueror. Please pray for my work situation- it’s a long and complicated issue to try and describe but I’m basically very unhappy where I am but unsure of what to do next. Thank you !
Amen
Loving this SRT study guide about God’s presence in our lives. I love how he relentlessly pursues us! Little Ole us….He is worth to be praised.
“Hosana, blessed be The Rock and my The God of my salvation be exalted. ”
Funny how God brings to mind all those great songs when I was a new baby in Christ. I ❤️ that about God!
Mae – thank you for sharing your story. I pray that the Lord continues to comfort you as you process this loss… though, it is a blessing the way she transitioned to her eternal home. ❤️ I have friends who just went through a similar process. And it looks like there are others here, like Gloria, who can relate to your story. God bless those who are in this situation. Or caretaking or dealing with illnesses in any kind of way – Linda in NC, Gramsiesue, Lynne in Alabama… a few others. ❤️ May God’s heart for you and your loved one be ever present to you, friends. ❤️
Loved this from He Reads Truth today.
“We are not sent out in our own self-sufficiency. We are sent out with the presence of God.”
I love all of the testimonies today. Thank you for sharing. I trust everyone has been having a wonderful Tuesday.❤️
Wow what a great reminder today. As there have been so many moments in my life that I’ve had to trust God with timing. As many people on here my journey with being single has been one of the hardest things I’ve gone through. As I have a boyfriend now it seems like that part of me has calmed down but we will always face new trials that make us dig into our faith and trusting Gods plan for us. If you’re single or struggling with being patient to start the next big step in your life I see you and feel you whole heartedly. Praying that for you all today.
It is amazing to read how God’s presence strengthens us and equips us to walk on and face challenges in our lives. I loved that several of the Bible verses today reaffirmed this. They remind us to not be afraid of these hardships we may face because when we put our faith in God, He will provide us with what we need to get through. He is stronger and mightier than anything we may face! And just like it said in the devotional, it is because of Jesus’s victory over death that provides us with the ability to prosper and have victory in our own lives. I am praying for all of you wonderful women, and I hope you all have a fantastic Tuesday! ❤️
♥️
The scriptures, devotional, and your comments have truly touched my heart today. I am prepared to face two major concerns this week. Thank you, Lord. Lifting your concerns up in prayer.
“He equips us to fulfill the tasks He entrusts us with in order to bring glory to His name, the only One worthy of praise.” I don’t know why but of all that I read, Joshua 10:9 stood out to me…If for some reason I have a very late night and don’t get my normal amount of sleep – I am totally done in the next day, stay in bed later than usual and skip my 5:30 run to the gym. But here, Joshua and his army had marched all night and defeated the enemy in a great victory! Without sleep, marching all night — only God could equip them to fulfill that task! “The Lord is my strength and my shield…” Psalm 28:7
Praying for your requests @Anna Lenoir @Danielle B @Kate K @Tara B @Char Hight
Have a blessed and Spirit filled Tuesday!
The gift of grace given to us by our Savior shows us that He is mightier than the impossible acts before us. God doesn’t ask us to do the impossible and then leave us alone. He calls us to the impossible and then empowers us through His Spirit as we partner with Him.
I remember when Tanner was diagnosed at 14 months old. We were told we would out live him. I had to go through so much therapy to accept that. It was my biggest fear. Yet God walked me through it. He was right by my side to say goodbye to my son when I didn’t think I would survive my biggest loss.
@ Traci When I lost my daughter it took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I outlived my child. It was this terrible realization that I wouldn’t get the chance to make memories with her or see her become into her own person. At the time, I didn’t know that God was present as I walked through my grief journey. But as I look back now I see that He was there, holding me up when I couldn’t do it myself. And He was there carrying me through my journey when I couldn’t walk using my own two feet. God’s love for us is truly amazing ❤️
Today’s was a reminder to me of not trying to f do everything in my own strength! Since I’ve had my shoulder surgery, I find myself frustrated with how slow the progress is. I feel like I should be able to do more! But God, I
My notes from the scripture today…
Romans 8:31-39
*This is exactly it!!! Thank You God!!! May we BELIEVE, KNOW & TRUST!!!! Amen.
Joshua 10:8 The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I have handed them over to you. Not one of them will be able to stand against you.”
*such an important reminder!!! KNOW God and His voice!! BELIEVE and TRUST what He tells you.
Joshua 10:14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord listened to a man, because the Lord fought for Israel.
*this is referencing how Joshua asked the Lord for the sun to stand still and for the moon to stop and God did it!! He made them both stop, almost a full day, until the enemy was defeated. AMAZING!!! Such a powerful and intimate relationship between God and man… REMEMBER this!!!
Joshua 1:3 I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses.
*given every place where the sole of your foot treads. Wow!!! I know this in reference to the Israelites and the Promised Land, and it is showing the absolute FAITHFULNESS of God, which is beyond gracious and AWESOME!!!! But this verse also makes me think… where have I allowed my feet to tread? Am I choosing to walk, follow and obey where God leads me? Am I faithfully following through with what He says/promises & reveals to me? I am feeling the depth of this as I type it out!! Wow… Adjust and align me Lord!! Thank You Father. Amen.
Joshua 1:5-9
*God never leaves or abandons us!!! And NOTHING happens without His permission!! I remind myself of this everyday throughout the day!! It is extremely comforting!!! I love the reminder here to be Strong & Courageous, do NOT turn to the right or the left, in other words don’t be distracted but keep your focus on God alone!!! SO Good and such a MUCH needed reminder!! SO Thankful for Your Word Lord and all the reminders and truths in it!! Align and adjust me Lord and help me to stay pliable and moldable in Your hands and at Your feet!! Amen.
I love the constant reminders God gives in His Word that even though life may be hard at points, He promises His presence to always be with us.
I love today’s devotional as I literally lead this exact message yesterday in a book I’m reading for a class at my church. 6 months ago I stepped into the role of worship leader at my church..it’s definitely been outside my comfort zone but I felt led by the Lord. He has been with me, but boy have I had to rely On Him! He is always faithful and always present! I’m so grateful!!!
I had to giggle at myself as I equated Joshua crossing the Jordan with stepping into my middle school band hall to teach each day. Haha. Thank you God for being by my side every step of the way!
Update on my dad, Armando- They found an issue with his heart in the final round of testing for his kidney transplant. He has severe mitral regurgitation which will require heart surgery to repair the damage, and likely knock him out of any chance of a transplant as he’s 79. We are pretty heart broken about this, but staying in prayer and trusting God who knows all and knows better.
“The call of God on each of our lives is to know Him and make Him known.” End of story. However that looks for each of us today, I pray that we would have eyes to see God’s presence equipping us to what He has called us to today.
Love to all and lifting up the prayer requests <3
Don’t we all just want to see the blueprint? I know I do….being someone who’s always looking ahead, trying to plan I was blown outta the water about 4 years ago with my widowed Mom’s sudden illness – it led to surgery, rehab, more surgeries & procedures and the decision she could no longer live in the home she’d had for 60+ years. Short story is we found assisted living in a nearby town, and while the transition wasn’t easy she made many friends, and I dare say thrived in the environment. Staying home would have been a) ultimately dangerous due to her stubbornness b) isolating as all her neighbors had passed on, moved to assisted living themselves or were new young families with no time for an elderly lady who didn’t really think she needed help at first! She refused to live with family “don’t wanna burden you”. Four steady years of her body declining, more illnesses, hospital stays….Mom went home to the Lord March 25, with family by her side. But me? I kept questioning if it was right to move her, who will help me with a zillion decisions since Mom handed all her business over to me to take care of, asking God “will she run out of money, what will we do, what will her last days be like, will my brother finally reconcile with her?” Blah blah blah. God moved mountains to see her in the place she ended up, and things all came together in a way it could only have been God. All praise to Him, as my faith sure wiggled a lot, he dealt with my “fear, doubt & unbelief”…I wonder if He used my ‘testimony’ to my work mates as I was working full time thru most of this. He truly does NEVER FAIL us!
That is the situation I am in now. God has blessed and my mom is in a wonderful memory care assisted living. She has dementia. Constantly have have to turn worries over to God. Some days I am better at doing that than others , but God is faithful.
God’s Presence Equips Us, amen. A hymn title comes to mind, Just a Closer Walk With Thee. The closer I walk with Him, am I more able to feel His presence? The ways I’m being equipped for the unknown? For the seemingly impossible?
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Romans 8:37-39
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
TINA ❤️ all of your testimony stories are my favorites, but this one? My favorite favorite! I love to bake, but nothing fancy, and look at you, equipped by the Lord in the face of a challenging, time-constrained spun sugar croquembouche – praise Him!
TAYLOR GRAVES – thankful you are seeing the Lord move in the heart of your family member
MERCY – amen on your wrestling – or wrasslin’ in the Deep South :) – questions to ponder ❤️
ERB – love that you pointed out looking forward!
DANIELLE B – praying for safe travels and your dad’s surgery
TARA B – praying for your family
CEE GEE & TRACI GENDRON ❤️❤️ thank y’all for the God with us comments, I totally missed that in the devo.
KATE K – your son has made great progress in being ready to go back to the classroom! Praying with you for the Lord’s guidance in your next steps.
DONNA WOLCOTT – love the share from Joni Eareckson Tada! Her story of overcoming and thriving in the challenges of her life are truly an example of being equipped by God. She is so encouraging. And an amazing artist – touched by her earthly father’s teaching you shared.
And a praise for what looks like a step forward with our elderly relative challenges – found a possible long term solution yesterday that would allow aging in place. Praying for clarity in these decisions. Thank you all for your prayers!
@Mia Faith- I pray and believe it will be an encouragement to your walk with the Lord. I loved it!! ♥️ Always glad to see you here. ♥️
@Tina ♥️ lol, I love your story! I believe it happened, because I have a similar story where I threw a party and was relying on a group of girls to help host it with me. Only two showed up and we had less than 2 hours to cook and serve a plated dinner for 30, prepare the cheese platters and hor dourves, set up the dining room… I had planned to wash my guests feet at their entry. The timing of it all seemed crazy, but it was exactly what I felt the Lord told me to do in that moment.
Can I tell you I threw a sauce together blindly and somehow it was the thing that everyone was raving about? I was praying over the pot as I was dumping things in it, hoping it would well coat the fish and chicken I planned to serve. People loved it so much but I told them I could not replicate it or give them a recipe!! Haha!! It was all the Holy Spirit!
God is funny. In the moment we are like “okay God, how is this gonna work?” but like Joshua, we take the steps of obedience and there are miracles! Whether it’s sugar spun in record time and a pastry tower filled and built in 45 mins … Or a dinner party cooked and served without the hands thought needed to make it!
God is good…and funny lol. I think in heaven we will have some good stories to talk about with Jesus…
♥️
God will give you what you need.
Lately, it seems like there has been so much thrown at me. I think about the scene from Moana when her foot was trapped in the ocean and the waves were coming back to back. It’s hard to see that you will make it through while in the moment of it all. At least it is for me. I don’t know what God’s plan is for this season in my life, but I’m praying that as the waves come, I will remember that God’s in control and I can have peace in that alone.
What a wonderful reminder from these words today!
I needed this today just as others have said the same. I truly think we all do, each and every day. The reminder, I mean. That He is there. In all our uncertainty. I have many decisions to make regarding kids or where and how to live. In this new life of separation with 3 children, it is a lot on this working mom. Especially with one graduating high school next month and one about to turn 16…so much. Anyway, the Lord is near. I can hide and hope it all turns out ok or I can trust the Lord and look for His provisions and leading to make the right decisions. I pray that I follow and listen to Him in all of this. And not get anxious and try to do it on my own…Father, may I look to You always. You, alone, know my path and what is best for me. Lead me Jesus. In Your Name, Amen
Oh how many times have I relied on my own strength. This is an area over the last several months God has been growing me? In late February when my parents had Covid I began to surrender control and strength to Him. Here we are today preparing to head to Philadelphia for my dad’s surgery and again God who is good reminds me to surrender. I covet your prayers ladies.
I needed this today. I am facing uncertainty. After 4 years of homeschooling my youngest child (we were pandemic homeschoolers who then faced mental health issues upon trying to return to school) he is ready and willing to return to school in the fall. This is what we have been working toward for 4 years, but it is still a big change, and I will miss him, and I have no idea what is in store for my life and how I will spend my time and what God will have me do. Those two temptations Jessica wrote about are strong—run away or try to do everything in my own strength. Praying for God to keep reminding me of His presence and my need for Him so I can walk in what He has next.
“So often we want to know every detail of the plan before us. But to walk in faith is to acknowledge that we don’t know it all and surrender to the One who does.”
Surrendering it all brings true victory
DANIELLE B – praying all goes well with your dad’s surgery today
TINA – a croquembouche, really? Wow! That’s impressive.
Thank you for this message ♥️
Amen
JESSICA MATHISEN, Thank you for this reminder, Beautifully written.
I was reminded as I read the verses, especially Romans 8:31b…IF GOD IS FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU..
Of one of the many, many, many times when God’s presence surely did equip me!
Asked to make a croquembouche (a choux pastry tower), with cream filling, and spun sugar, all around, for a christening of a friends little boy, I was super excited and honoured to be asked, but, I had never made a choux pastry tower with spun sugar! Chocolate sauce, no problem, but this was a challenge. The saving grace was I was asked a week before event, and so didn’t have much time to worry, with other commitments beforehand.
Pastries were made the day before and on the day of the christening, my assistant/friend and i drove to the venue where I was told I would have use of the kitchen.. on arrival, there was some misunderstanding, as the chef also needed to prepare for the menu required. After pleading and some silent prayers, I was given 45 minutes to do what I had to do.. 45 minutes to fill 300 profiteroles, make spun sugar I had never done before, and tidy up ready for the chef to continue his job.. my head told me, this is a shambles..
BUT GOD..
Oh my goodness, BUT GOD..
Whilst my friend filled, I set to, making the sugar.. praising God as I waited and kept an eye on the sugar..
As with many disclaimers ‘ do not try this at home’.. unless YOU KNOW YOUR GOD is the source of your strength and that ..’if He is for you, my goodness, who can be against you’
I continued to sing praises, giving thanks to Father God for His grace, mercy and help, for I did not do what I am about to tell you, in my own strength..
300 choux pastries were filled, stacked and spun with sugar in time for the chef to return to a clean kitchen and the croquembouche in site… Needless to so,the chef was scratching his head and his staff, overwhelmed, they rushed to the dining area to see the finished product.
God’s presence, for sure, equips us in the most inconceivable ways sometimes, but mostly His presence, is with us every minute, every hour of every day, whether we know it or not, feel it or not, because Our God is and always will be for us.. always..
AMEN.
Happy Tuesday Shes, covered in love, hugs and continued prayers for all requesting and those that may just need a boost of a sister from afar lifting them up..
Much love.
Tina..❤️
TINA, this is amazing i didn’t know what a Croquembouche was. It pulled up a recipe. Oh my God is so good. The recipe said it should take over 5 hours. So impressive. I love how God always shows up. Even in what I may think are the little things. The prayers for my kids to do well on a test, even though I’m not sure how much they really studied. It really show them and reminds me God is real and he truly cares about all the details.