Facing the Mountain

Standing at the foot of a mountain is daunting. The incline is steep and treacherous, the rocks posing a possible threat to security and safety. The mass that is in front of me appears so ominous and dark; it feels so terrifying and discouraging- how will I ever overcome this mountain?

Yet looking behind me I see the long journey I have trekked to get to this point and although what lies ahead of me is scary, going back down the same worn and rugged path is depressing as well. I have two ways to go- I can either try to walk around the mountain or I can climb the mountain little by little. 

I am definitely scared that I will fail; that I won't be able to make it up the mountain- that it will kill me trying. The mountain seems so big to tackle, what if I can't make it? The journey will be long and potentially emotionally and physically exhausting. Another fear that grips me is the fear of the top. Getting to the top of the mountain is an exhilarating moment; it's a moment where you can see the accumulation of your dedication and hard work pay off for the epiphany and glory of defeating the beast of a mountain. Yet, what fear that holds me captive is what is on the other side of the mountain? What if I get to the top of this mountain only to find that the mountain just continues, or worse, there is a bigger mountain ahead? The fear of the unknown is sometimes scarier than the fear of the known. 

I've made the decision to climb the mountain, no matter how small the steps may be. As I climb this gigantic black mass in my life, I need to take each step as a victory and a step in the direction towards the top. When I get to the top, I'll deal with the top and what I may see; it may be another scary mountain of darkness or it may be the prettiest sunrise I've ever encountered. Only God knows. 

The Faith Journal: Romans 10:17

I'm starting this new project called the Faith Journal. I want to dissect a verse about faith and really study what it's saying and what it means and how to believe it. Worshiping to awesome Hillsong United songs, joining Bible Study, and doing daily devotionals is great and wonderful but I feel like there's something more. I want to have a greater faith in the Lord and I think that begins by getting back to the basics: reading and studying His word.

Today I want to look at Romans 10:17 in different translations and then delve into what God is trying to tell us in this passage. Links in the chapter for you to find more resources

Romans 10:17 (ASV) So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17 (BBE) So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17 (CEB) So, faith comes from listening, but it's listening by means of Christ's message.

Romans 10:17 (CJB) So trust comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through a word proclaimed about the Messiah.

Romans 10:17 (ESV) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17 (MSG) The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ's Word is preached, there's nothing to listen to.

Romans 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Romans 10:17 (NLT) So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

I've struggled with this concept of "hearing" God. I don't hear an audible voice, so how can I 'hear' God? When you're going through a tough situation and you silently say a little prayer, does a voice come over the radio and instruct you which path to take? Maybe it does. I know for me personally, that lightning-bolt-in-your-face moment doesn't happen. Does that mean God is silent and I'm forgotten? 

Romans 10:17 reminds me that I can't expect to be spoken to if I'm not listening to the right station. How can I expect to hear my favorite country song when I'm listening to the smooth jazz station? I've got to be in the Word. The Word is God's amplifier to us. He speaks through the words in the Bible. When you're sitting at your ropes end and not sure what to do, it's that small voice in your head that gives you peace or direction. Those songs on the radio that hit you like a bullet even when you've heard it 1,000 times. Those moments are God speaking to you and giving you a sense that He is there, He cares, and He is listening. We've just got to be open to receive it. Just like you can't expect to do well in school without studying, we've got to take time to study what God says to reap the benefits.

So faith comes from hearing, so lets read and hear what God has to say today. 

Fighting the Enemy

The enemy is not after your money or your stuff. He wants your mind. Your attitude. Your heart. Your faith. Your peace. Understand that you're not being attacked over the tangible things in your life. The enemy is fighting you over the things can't see.

Half Way There: Peru 2016

I can't believe it- I'm over 50% towards my financial goal to go on my mission trip to Peru! Wow. Thank you, seriously, every single one of you who has prayed or financially supported this call to go serve the people in Peru. God is so good and I'm blown away by the support. Thank You!!! 

I have $845 left to raise. That number is nothing to sneeze at but I know that God has lead my heart to go on this mission for Him, so I know He will miraculously work out the funding.

In case you didn't get a chance to read my previous blog post, this summer I will be traveling to Arequpia, Peru to serve with an organization called AIM (Alpha International Missions). For a week I will be able to share the Gospel and pour out love on children and moms in this area while helping support the medical camp in the area.  

As I prepare for this wonderful opportunity God has placed in my lap, I'd love your support in both prayer and financial support if you feel lead.

If you're able to make a gift for this trip:

1. Go to Daystar's online giving website here(you can donate as a 'guest')

2. Click on "downtown campus"

3. Go down to the allocation of "Missions Directed- Unasigned"

4. Include message at the bottom and put "Katlin Peru Mission Fund" in the message box

5. Click continue and fill out the rest of the form with your information

THANK YOU for your prayers and financial gifts. I believe that He will provide the remaining $800+ for this trip and I'm just blown away by your willingness to support global missions. If you have any questions about giving or Peru, leave a comment or email me at katlinvoigt@gmail.com!

The Thankful Project: November 30th

The Thankful Project: November 30th: The Birth of Christ

As November draws to an end and we look towards tomorrow, a new month dawns. This coming month will hopefully be a month filled with joy and love for you and your loved ones. One of the things I'm looking forward to is celebrating the Advent. The advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christ. Maybe you're more familiar with the modern (non-Christian) interpretation of the 25-day chocolate calendar that leads up to Santa Claus coming to town. It's the same thought: you're waiting anxiously for a special day, preparing your heart and home for the day. 

I really like how The Voice put it Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!

It is that hope, however faint at times, and that God, however distant He sometimes seems, which brings to the world the anticipation of a King who will rule with truth and justice and righteousness over His people and in His creation. It is that hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world.

Coming off a month of thankfulness, I'm looking forward to a month of preparation. Preparing my heart for a month to specifically focus on the special meaning of this season: Christ. The love of Christ, the story of Christ, the continued miracles Christ performs in my life, and ultimately the second coming of Christ. If you're looking for a good devotional and book to get you into the Advent season, I suggest checking out She Reads Truth. 

Take this moment to be thankful for the blessed and most wonderful gift anyone could ever give you: a way to have a relationship with God. God bless everyone & thanks for coming on this thankful journey with me!

The Thankful Project: November 5th

The Thankful Project: November 5th: A talent you have

Today I'm thankful for the gift of writing. I distinctively remember when I learned to live writing, I was in Ms. Doorheim's 5th grade class and she really encouraged me to continue writing; now granted I was just a kid and she was probably just doing her job but it made an impression! Ever since, I have always found joy in writing. 

Recently I was reading about spiritual gifts. Growing up in church I'd always heard about the 'typical' spiritual gifts like the gift of prophecy and the gift of speaking in tongues and I never quite knew what gift the Lord had instilled in me. This author however talked about the gift of writing and I was intrigued. Here is what it said

The gift of writing: the special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to translate Bible truths into a written form that can edify, instruct and strengthen the community of believers. This is a gift of creative ability that is called into use in the service of the Lord to forward his kingdom.
Although this gift is not specifically named in New Testament gift lists, there is little dispute that God still gives special creative abilities for use in his work today as he did in Old Testament times. David’s great poetic ability was a skill God used to enhance temple worship, and his writings became timeless through the Psalms, moving literally hundreds of generations of believers. 

One of the reasons I started blogging was to share, inspire and encourage... a desire that has come from the Lord. I'm thankful that He has given me a platform to share His word and be an encouragement to others by sharing my journey of being a Christian woman with a case of wanderlust in the 21st world!

Stop. Drop. Roll

I had dinner with a friend last night and we both opened up about these slumps in our lives. We're both in this season of struggle and it's so frustrating because neither of us know what to do. Life gets you down, you become exhausted and bored and are just going through the motions of it. But we were called to live a life that is full and beautiful and wonderful (notice I didn't say easy). This morning at work I was listening to an archive series from back in April of Hillsong London and it was one of those rhema moments where I just felt God speaking directly-to-my-heart. It was about living a victorious life and how our thoughts get in the way of that; how are thoughts and emotions play such a huge part in our life and yet if we don't take them captive and give them to God, we're destined for disaster.

If we want to have victory in our lives, if we want to be victorious, it first starts with us having a victorious mindset; having victory over our thoughts. In having victory in our mind is so important to living victorious. Because everything we do stems for our thoughts. Our thoughts determine how we feel, how we feel determines how we act, how we act determines what we do in life. Gandhi sums it up well when he says “A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” If we want to be victorious, we have to think victoriously. Our thoughts have the power to influence and control our lives. Our thoughts have the power to dictate and determine the course of our lives. Therefore, one small fearful or negative thought can actually have a huge impact in your life. Now fearful and negative thoughts, they will be present in your life, but I don’t believe they should be precedent in your life. And as Christians, I believe we should have full control over our thoughts, not our thoughts controlling us.

Colossians 3:2 says “Set your minds on things that are above, not on the things of this earth”. If we fix our thoughts on this, fix our negativity and fearful thoughts, and live out of those- we will cause ourselves serious damage. Our thoughts are like sparks, and left alone they can cause serious damage. So what we need to do is extinguish those thoughts before flames break out. How to take control of our thoughts, before our thoughts take control of us:

1.      STOP- As soon as a negative or fearful thought comes into your mind, you need to stop. You need to take that thought captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”. Take that thought captive. Emotions say hurry, whereas wisdom says wait. Your emotions want you to respond immediately, they want you to react but wisdom says stop, wait and think about what you’re going to do next. Before you react on that thought, just think about things for a moment. You have a decision to either add fuel to the fire or to extinguish the fire. So stop. What are you going to do next?

2.      DROP-So we’ve taken that thought captive. The next thing we need to do is drop before God and give that thought straight to Him. 1 Peter 5:7 “cast all your caries, your worries, and your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”. Let Him be your first priority, not your last resort. Because what you give attention to, you give authority to. As soon as those fearful and negative thoughts come into your head, start throwing water over those sparks. Start extinguishing those sparks. Because that water is the Holy Spirit. You can ask for discernment and direction on how to deal with these thoughts. The more water you throw on these captive thoughts, the quicker those sparks go out. When you stop and drop in a real fire, you drop to protect yourself, to cover yourself. Spiritually speaking we need to cover our face and focus on God, and solely Him.

3.      ROLL- Now we’ve stopped, we’ve captured those thoughts. We’ve dropped before God and given Him our thoughts. Now we need to roll over and move on. Roll over and move on. It’s that simple. Thoughts are much like waves, you can’t stop them from coming, but you can choose which ones you’re going to surf. Be someone who is quick to drop before God, quick to roll over and move on. Don’t dwell on the thoughts you’ve already handed over to God, it’s such a waste. You don’t need to carry certain things, God will carry them for you.

Check out the full message here

Ye of Little Faith

Matthew 14:22-34(NIV)

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.

How many times have we heard this story- or at least an account of this story? I know I've heard it since the time I was in the children's ministry of school; I think I may have even reenacted this scene in a preschool skit or something. I think a problem with these stories is that we can get too comfortable with them. We can skim over this passage and be like 'oh yeah, I remember this. Ye of little faith..yea yea yea' and move on. 

The thing is, God can change this story for you. He can make something connect that didn't the last time you read it; he can bring a new perspective to this lesson; he can totally change your whole thought process in the matter of a moment. This week I've become so aware at how much fear is a stronghold in our lives. Fear is destructive, devastating and crippling. Fear is from Satan and no other. 

There is no fear in love, and God is love, therefore fear = not of God.

I had an urge to read Matthew 14 today and when I did, verse 29-31 jumped off the page. See Peters faith and love- he walked on water! He didn't hesistate when Jesus told him to "come". He didn't say, 'well let me take off my sandals' or 'well the water seems cold today'. He stepped over the side of the boat and WALKED on water. Then in a matter of a moment he lost focus, he looked at his surroundings and he lost it and was consumed by the very thing that Satan himself tries to devour you with every day: F-E-A-R.

Fear. A four letter word that is damning and terrorizing. A feeling that makes grown men cower and children cry. The enemy wants to keep you in that state of fear; and want to know why...because when you're suffocated by fear you won't do anything. You'll become paralyzed by it and suddenly will panic, run, hide, cry, scream, lash out in anger- emotional and physical reactions that take us away from the hand of God reaching out to calm us. Fear. Four letters with incredible results.

Listen to the Bethel song "Brave". It's empowering and exhiliterating

"You make me brave...you call me out beyond the shore into the waves". God calls us not to fear but to have faith- faith in Him. It's so easy to get caught up in fear: fear of the unknown, fear of loss, fear of embarrassment, fear of heights, fear of darkness, fear of death, fear of being alone, fear of failure, fear of flying, fear of public speaking, fear of rejection. But God's hand is extended towards us, He says there is no reason to fear. "Do not fear" is written in the Bible 103 times, it is the most common command the Lord gives us because as humans we are consumed by fear. Reach out to the extended hand of God and commit to face your fear. Bring your fear into the light because Satan can not survive in the light and must only operate in the dark. Expose your fear to Light and the Lord will grab your hand and pull you out of the darkness you've been paralyzed in for so long. 

"Do NOT fear"

Day 25 of 30: Hot Pursuit

Day 25 of 30: Something you feel strongly about

When I get passionate about something, it's pretty obvious, I get fired up. I have a heart for people and an absolute tender spot in my heart for God's creatures. I hate seeing people left out or made picked on and it's one of the reasons I became a sorority mommy for two years during college- because no one was standing up for the girls who didn't wear Lilly Pulitzer or have monogramed everything…but I digress. 

If I had to choose one topic I was adamant about it would be how a woman is to be pursued by a man. Obviously besides treating a lady right, I believe it is so important for a man to pursue a woman’s heart. Biblically a woman is supposed to be pursued and a man is to pursue her heart. I love that saying “A woman’s heart should be so hidden in the Lord that a man has to go through Him to find her”. Courting may sound old-fashioned to some, but to me all it means is pursuing a woman’s heart and not her body. He should want to ask her questions, understand what she’s thinking and feeling, discover her deepest desires and dreams all while keeping the physical side separate.

Call me old fashioned but I still find it charming when a man comes straight up to me and asks me out on a date. I don’t want this “lets chill” or “hang out” thing; I want an intentional invitation to go somewhere one-on-one and learn more about one another (and I don’t think its too much to ask of a man- any grown man is completely capable of asking a woman out on a proper date).

I believe it’s important that a man pursues a woman and provides her with a solid foundation for their relationship. That begins with talking. Talking on the phone, through texts, in-person: all of these lines of communication allow a woman to open herself up to him on a deeper level than just a physical side. Women also have the responsibility to be pursued. Especially in the 21^st century when women are incredibly strong and powerful, its that much more important for a woman to slow down and let the man take the lead. It may not be in our culture anymore to let a man open the door, order for you, pull out your chair, and pray over the meal but it’s Biblically-based that women are to be pursued and sought-after.

Women, let a man court you and pursue you. Let him take the initiative to go out. Let him chase you, don’t just give in to any first guy who shows you attention. Let him go after your heart, not just your body. Let him be courteous and show chivalry and appreciate it when he does. Ladies you need to wear the Armor of the Lord and cloth yourself in dignity. You should allow a man to take a lead, let him pursue you and don’t chase him. Let yourself be open to God’s will and His plan for your life but don’t place yourself in a man’s path in hopes you will change his mind… it doesn’t work like that. Dance with God and He will let the right man cut in.

Day 04 of 30: I Believe

Day 04 of 30: Your views on religion

I've checked the box "Christian" on Facebook, but really, I'm a firm-standing-passionate-believer of Jesus Christ my Savior and that He died for me and you and He will come again. 

I've never been a huge Newsboys fan, but their song "We Believe" literally makes me want to raise my hands in praise every time I hear it come across the radio. What is my religion? What do I believe? To put it in the most simple words...

I believe in God the Father.
I believe in Jesus Christ.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, and that He's given us new life.
I believe in the crucifixion 
I believe that He conquered death
I believe in the resurrection and He's coming back again.
I believe. 

In Christ Alone

"In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song"

It's incredibly easy to get caught up in the world. The world tells us women that our worth is found in our relationship status, job title, GPA, pant size, our clothes or are outward beauty. As a sorority mentor for years and a Bible study leader I've witnessed many girls that struggle with self-worth, a subject I personally have struggled with and I know many others have too. 

In my morning devotional (Jesus Calling) it said: 

"My children make a pastime of judging one another and themselves. But I am the only capable Judge, and I have acquitted you through My own blood. Your acquittal came at the price of My unparalleled sacrifice. That is why I am highly offended when I hear My children judge one another or indulge in self-hatred. 

If you live close to Me and absorb My Word, the Holy Spirit will guide and correct you as needed. There is no condemnation for those who belong to Me."

Luke 6:37; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 3:4 & Romans 8:1

What a humbling reminder that when we are so hard on ourselves, judging and picking at every little thing, it literally makes His heart ache. Someone once explained it like this once: if you were an artist and put your whole heart into a masterpiece you were so proud of and then you put it out into the art world. Then people start picking it apart ruthlessly and tirelessly. Here you have made this perfect piece of artwork and people ridicule your heart and soul. God loves us just the way we are because He made us in His image, even though that is hard for us to comprehend sometimes. 

I am the worst culprit of this myself! I am highly self-critical, nit-picky, judgmental and hard on myself. It is a daily conscious effort to choose to be loving, accepting and not so critical on yourself, an effort that takes time to consciously choose. 

Once you understand that your worth is not tied up in your job, your boyfriend, your behavior, the friends you choose to hang out with, your number on the scale, or your clothes, you become free in Christ. Your worth is greater than gold, more precious than the finest jewels, and more lovely than you understand. Your worth is found in Christ.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14