Showing results by author "Dale Mast" in All Categories

Do you ever wonder if what you're hearing is really God--or just your own thoughts? Have you longed for clear direction from the Holy Spirit but struggled with doubt, fear, or confusion? Does it seem like other people hear from God easily, while you're still trying to discern His whispers? Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice"--and that promise includes you. Hearing Him isn't complicated; it's a relationship you can cultivate with confidence and joy.

God took David from the fields where he followed the sheep to become the ruler of Israel. He was overlooked by his father, yet chosen by God. He carried the dream to be king from the day Samuel anointed him, but he did not feel worthy to marry the king's daughter after defeating Goliath. David experienced many amazing moments in his life, yet he also endured many traumas. He was the hero of Israel and then became the hunted villain. He went from leading the armies of Israel to being pursued by the same.

Jabez came to a point in his life where he chose to make a break from his past identity to change his future. He was not a total failure, nor a total success. He knew greater blessings were available if he could break through the pain. Pain deforms our identity and steals our resolve to live a dream of more. Pain can be instructive to learning as well as corrective to undesirable behavior, but it also confiscates honor from the core of our identity that is essential for living a purposeful destiny. When our dreams encounter pain, unbelief mocks us, our future, and our faith.