Able.

"You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?" - Malachi 3:14.

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Do we walk around acting like being a disciple of God is futile?

Do we give God credit for what He's doing in our lives, even when it is not evident in rich and obvious blessings?

Do we testify with our actions that we really believe that God will provide for us and take care of our needs?

Do we make BOLD choices, trusting that God will show up in powerful ways, even before He does?

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Or do we live practically, making safe choices, excusing away challenges and risks, turning down possibilites and adventures, because deep down in our hearts we don't believe that God can do great things through us?

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I often catch myself subconciously acting out of the belief that God won't show up for me. That I'll end up penniless and shamed if I step out for Him.

That obeying Him with bravery will turn out to be futile.

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But you know what? IT ISN'T. When God is involved, futility is impossible.

God really is powerful.

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A friend recently reminded me that even His name testifies to that power.

I AM - A name that carries such mystery and depth and power within it.

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I AM.

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Will I be able to pay rent this month, Lord? I AM Provider.

Do I have what it takes to go to school in Jerusalem and proclaim Jesus there? I AM Teacher.

Can you heal my heart, her heart, their hearts, from those past wounds? I AM Healer.

Will you really be with me, every step along this journey? I AM faithful.

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Today, I once again move myself in the direction of trust and BOLD obedience, attempting to live a life that testifies to the truth that God is willing and able to show up in my life in incredible ways.

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I will act in a way that puts faith in Him who is powerful. faithful. bold. wild. reckless. zealous. passionate. full. glorious. almighty. awesome. brave. present. TRUE.

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And I will pray the following for all of us, who continue to carry on this mission.

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"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

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We are disciples of JESUS (!).

We are disciples of a brave and powerful and wild Rabbi.

That means we can (and must) be brave and powerful and wild too.