Burn the Ships | May Monthly Blog

May 2022 Blog

Burn the Ships

Summary
In the month of May, God is encouraging us to have unwavering faith and relinquish our backup plans. He is qualifying us in the places we feel we lack talent or experience. He is purifying us and inviting us to surrender any area of compromise. And He is guiding us into perfect truth. This month, take time to focus on His Presence and allow His goodness to remind you of who you are in Him. 

Burn the Ships
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
James 1.6-8

There are seasons in life when we need to take a risk and stand in faith for what God is leading us to do. Although the world’s  wisdom would tell us we need  to have a backup plan–that’s not what faith encourages us to do. Even when it looks foolish, faith encourages us to put all our eggs in one basket–the basket of believing in God. This isn’t to say we should go through life unprepared without ever making plans, rather that our primary plan begins with trusting God.  We know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11.6). And James 1.6-8 tells us of the power of single minded faith. In this passage, James states that if we ask God for something and then doubt that we are double-minded and unstable in all we do.  That's a strong way of saying “you need to hold onto faith!”

One story from history where unwavering faith and commitment to a cause is displayed is in the story of  Hernan Cortes.  In 1519, as he landed on the shores of Mexico, he set out to conquer the Aztec empire.  To assure that the men that he brought with him were committed to his cause, he destroyed the ships they arrived on.  Although many think he burned them, he actually sank them.  While this is not a commentary on who he was as a person or a justification of his conquering, I do want to note his commitment.  He was so deeply committed to his cause that he destroyed any means of retreat. And he was ready to die in order  to assure that his men would be as committed as him. This is an example of unwavering faith and commitment to a cause. 

God is inviting us to partner with Him with this same unwavering faith and commitment.  What has God said to you or called you to do?  Have you recently quit your job or been fired?  Is everything on the line for an area of your life?  A relationship?  A court decision?  Your livelihood? Your home?  God is inviting you  to press in and hear his heart for you in this situation and then stand in faith.  Abandon your Plan B.  It’s time to be all in on God’s plan for you.  If you have just made, are in the midst of making, or considering making a risky decision…BE BOLD.  You know where you’re feeling led, therefore leap.  There may still be a part of you that says that it’s unwise and you should have an alternative plan, but  it’s time to muster up your faith and STAND.  Commit your will and your heart to God’s plan for you.  Trust and do not doubt so that you won’t be tossed about.  

unQUALIFIED
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.”
Psalm 32.8

In the past, I have been paralyzed by the idea that I  don’t know what I’m doing–I’ve never done _____________(fill in the blank)  before therefore I can’t do it. This feeling of paralysis can come up with things that are unknown. However, our lack of experience doesn’t matter at ALL to God.  In fact, God often uses the most unqualified to accomplish His purposes. If God calls you, He qualifies you.   Sometimes, we can allow our own experience and training to give us confidence rather than trusting God and His leadership.  God wants to partner with you in the process of where He’s leading and teach you to rely on Him to get you to where you need to go.  I love how David phrases it in Psalm 32.8-God will guide you  with His eye.  That means that we are constantly looking to God in order to see Him lead us.  A true partnership.  

God is guiding us and leading us through situations we’ve never been in before.  He’s opening  doors and making a way for us to move into  new arenas.  Because He is leading us, we can trust the path that is opening up.  This word is for people who  have felt intimidated by something they are feeling led to do because of their lack of experience.  Their world will be marked by a completely new season into something for which they feel unqualified. However, God will use this season to draw you closer to Him and develop the skills you need. Watch God’s eye.  Pay attention to how He’s leading you and don’t focus on how you feel or your lack of experience.  Focus on Him and what is opening up before you.  Follow the nudges He gives you for that is evidence that He’s leading you.  Trust that you are hearing Him and take a step!

Spotless Bride
“You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
I Peter 1.16

Jesus is returning for a spotless Bride.  We are stepping into a new Great Awakening, where people will return to the heart of God and darkness will be exposed.  Many  have become corrupted or compromised–-including many in the church.  They are on all points of the spectrum, but compromise starts with a justification of sin. Justification can sound like: “This isn’t that big of a deal-it will be fine,” or “they’re doing it, and I respect them” or “I need this, and God wants me to be happy.”   By these seemingly small moments of compromise we are giving the enemy a foothold into our lives.  We also allow the enemy a foothold Him in by partnering with fear, unforgiveness and hatred.  

If we are truly God’s people we need to be holy as He is holy. When this feels impossible we need to remember that He wouldn’t require anything of us that He’s not making a way to accomplish.  In our weakness, He is made strong (2 Corinthians 12.10). God gives us the grace to walk with Him and become like Him. This isn’t rigid perfection, rather a beautiful invitation to become more like Jesus.

 Focus on God’s nature-his goodness, kindness, gentleness, worthiness and all that He paid for on the cross-so that we could live.  This is a pivotal time of knowing Jesus personally and aligning ourselves with Him.  It’s also a very important time to evaluate if we have idolized anyone in our lives–be that a favorite pastor, ministry leader, celebrity or sports star.  It is important not to elevate anyone into our God spot– that special place in our heart that is intended only for our Creator.  He is worthy of all our worship, honor and praise.  

God  is opening people’s eyes to see the truth-those that want to know the truth and have a heart to worship only Him.  He is uncovering the truth that’s been hidden.  He is allowing us to see when we’ve allowed offense, fear, hatred and unforgiveness to dominate in our heart-and repent from this.  He’s also drawing us closer to righteousness and His goodness.  This word is for those that have been convicted by sin in their life recently-whether that is putting someone on a pedestal, partnering with fear or even allowing offense or hatred to rule in their hearts.  They will know this word is for them because they will feel the sweet conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 16.8) and they will experience a willingness to repent, and soften their heart.  One sign of knowing that this word is for you is that when you experience righteousness or kindness in another person you melt, or even weep.  This is an indicator that God is softening your heart into a place of repentance.  Take the time to evaluate your life and choices with the Holy Spirit.  Allow Him to convict when necessary and repent as you feel led. Wipe the slate clean, submitted, to begin again.  Renounce any lies that you’ve believed.  

Lovers of Truth, Arise!
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children. ”
Hosea 4.6

God is using truth, knowledge, and wisdom right now as a way to accomplish His purposes and expose the plan of the enemy in an unprecedented way.  So many people have been deceived and even brainwashed by a narrative put forth by people that don’t have our best interests at heart-but their own.  God does not want His people to be ignorant of the enemy’s plan against them or of truth. Becoming  knowledgeable takes initiative, effort and prayer.  Learn how to research things you hear, if you don’t know the truth already.  If you tell God you want to learn the truth, He is faithful to guide you into all truth (John 16.13).  Our God is a relational God and He wants nothing more than for us to pursue Him.  He promises to lead us (Jeremiah 33.3). Some that have been awakened to truth have been hesitant to speak because of their fear of relational conflict or tension.  God is calling those that are awakened to truth to RISE UP.  There is a greater benefit to be gained by speaking truth (even with the casualties of those who don’t believe) than there is for you to keep silent.  It is time for you to come to the frontlines and FIGHT.  

God is strengthening the conviction of people that He has guided to the truth.  He’s calling them to rise up and use their voice to speak the truth.  He is opening others’ eyes and ears to receive the truth.  He is preparing  hearts to see the truth.   This is for people who have felt like they needed to say more, but for a variety of reasons have not.  Ask Holy Spirit how and where you are to speak the truth.  He will guide you and lead you to know what to share, at what time and to whom. 

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Written by Anne E. Ballard