Day 9 – The Exchange – 21 Days of Spiritual Swaps

As I was praying this morning, God brought a picture to my mind.

The image was of a bird cage under a table, made from palm. The cage was human-sized and filled with blankets, so that it was impossible to see outside, once you were trapped in.

I felt God asking: what is the first thing you would do, if you went from captivity to freedom?

The truth is, I don’t know!

Most likely, I would feel afraid by the lights and opportunity, and I would want to hide away again in the comfort of my blanket-prison!

Yet, as I was reading the bible today, I stumbled across this verse:

[Saul] spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the [disciples] learned this, they brought [Saul] down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

Acts 9: 29-31, ESV, with my emphasis and brackets.

Saul escaped death, was set free to preach in another area and the church had peace. Not only that but walking in fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the church multiplied.

We have escaped sin, so we have the peace of Jesus. To keep that peace and freedom we need to walk in the fear of the Lord, with the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Then, we will multiply.

The question is – how do we walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit? What does that physically look like?

My understanding of the fear of the Lord is this: fearing God is not being terrified of Him, as though He were a mean and cruel father. The truth of God is that He is merciful, kind, loving, gracious and absolutely wonderful.

Fearing God, then, is having a deep-seated conviction and reverence that He is who He says He is. And that He has done what the bible says He has done.

That is, if Jesus has died on a cross, paid all the punishment for your sin, shame and sickness – you cannot keep walking in your sin. Because, if you do, it is like saying His death wasn’t enough for you.

John 8:36 says:

 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:36, NIV.

Today, I know I am tempted to hide away in the comfort of shame and regret. It sounds silly, but my soul is so used to self-criticism and its familiarity. I want to stay captive.

But the fear of God calls me to be brave and stand free.

So, I asked the comforting Holy Spirit: what should I do today in order to stay captivated by God, instead of being stuck in captivity?

I really felt like I was supposed to make a dream board or a vision board.

Get a big piece of paper, magazine cut outs or photos and just write down all the things that I am hoping for.

Maybe you could do the same? Make something to look at daily that will remind you of where God is taking you.

You might need to spend time with Holy Spirit asking Him to fill you and give you dreams again. You might have a dream to be confident in who God says you are. Therefore, your vision board may become filled with bible verses.

Or, you can buy a magazine and just flick through seeing if anything catches your eye. I have hopes for my family, hopes for my friendships and hopes for a new shed! Be real with God, He knows that you want a new sofa and a published book, as well as all of the relational stuff!

Praying that you will have a fun day, captivated by our wonderful God.

Action Points:

• Create your own dream board, ask the Holy Spirit to release fresh vision for your life with Jesus.
• Allow yourself to become captivated by the wonder of God – nothing is impossible with Him.