It’s the Same God

by Shadia Hrichi

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV

I didn’t grow up going to church or believing in God. However, before becoming a Christian as an adult, I had picked up a few Bible stories along the way. I heard of God’s near-destruction of humanity through a worldwide flood, the devastating plagues on Egypt, and ancient wars. I also heard of a man sent from God named Jesus who was compassionate and loving and gave His life to save sinners. At the time, none of it made any sense.

When someone reads the Bible for the first time, they may be tempted to view God in the Old Testament as angry and violent and the God in the New Testament, as revealed through the life of His Son, as kind and gentle.

However, a careful survey of both Testaments reveals that God never contradicts Himself.

In the Old Testament, some may downplay God’s mercy and grace, but then we read the story of King David, who committed adultery and murder. The law required that he be stoned, but because of David’s humble repentance, God had mercy on him, though David’s son died (2 Sam. 11–12). In the New Testament, some may downplay God’s holiness and justice, which requires He punish evil. But then we read of Ananias and his wife Sapphira, who were both struck dead by God for lying (Acts 5).

These are just two examples, but they remind us that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

When we ponder God’s wrath, we need to recognize it from a spiritual perspective and in the context of God’s character, which is altogether perfect. God’s wrath is never vindictive but rather an expression of His holy intolerance for evil. His wrath is in perfect harmony with His justice, righteousness and holiness. The greatest picture of God’s love was expressed in His willingness to pour out His divine wrath on His Son as our substitute to spare us the eternal wrath our sins deserve. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
All of Scripture is an unfolding story of who God is. There is no moment in history when God is less than who He is at any other moment (after all, God is outside time altogether). This is why whenever we teach any passage of Scripture, we must be mindful of the full redemptive story as revealed in all of Scripture. To teach apart from this overarching understanding will inevitably lead to error. We must know who God is as He has revealed Himself all through Scripture before we can teach about what He has done in any one part of Scripture.

God never changes. Just as we do not want to overemphasize God’s holy wrath and judgment to the exclusion of his other attributes, we do not want to overemphasize His love and mercy, either. Whenever we lean to one extreme or the other, we distort our understanding of who God is, which always leads to idolatry: creating our own image of who God is.

If we focus too much on love and mercy, for example, we may neglect to teach others to nurture a healthy reverence for God’s burning holiness, which cannot tolerate sin and evil. When we do this, we fail to deliver the gospel. Few people will be attracted to the message of God’s love without first recognizing their need for God’s forgiveness.

The psalmist laments, “There is no fear of God before his eyes” (Ps. 36:1).

No fear of God. No fear of consequences. No fear of sin, hell, or Satan. The tragic result is thinking they have no need of a Savior.

This excerpt is taken from Shadia’s new Bible study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author:     Shadia Hrichi is an award-winning author and passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including her latest study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Save Me, as well as TAMAR: Rediscovering the God Who Redeems Me, LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies, as well as a master’s in criminal justice. Currently residing in northern California, she regularly speaks at conferences and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the conversation: How would you describe God to an unbeliever?

Friend of Sinners

by Shadia Hrichi

When I was an unbeliever, I was familiar with some of the well-known Bible stories, such as Noah and the Flood, Moses leading the Israelites in the Exodus, or Abraham and Sarah receiving God’s promise of a son. I also knew there was a man named Jesus whom some claimed rose from the dead.

However, none of these stories attracted me to God or the Bible. Sometimes I wonder what might have happened had someone taken the time to tell me about the unsung heroes of the Bible—people like Hagar, the runaway slave girl who gave God a name; or Tamar, who disguised herself as a prostitute, conceived by her father-in-law, and ended up in the ancestry of Christ. Or Rahab—a prostitute living in a wicked city, who helped the Israelites in their quest for the Promised Land.

Maybe nothing would have happened. Maybe everything would have changed.

All I know is that I can relate much easier to these kinds of stories. The stories are messy, the characters made mistakes, but in the end, God redeemed each one of them. There is something beautiful about seeing God at work in the messy stories.

Take Rahab, for example. Rahab had not been raised in a community of believers or worshiping the God of Israel. Yet, the stories of how the Lord saved His people from slavery and gave them victory over their enemies did not fall on deaf ears. Had someone told Rahab that God would one day call her into His covenant family and weave her into the ancestry of the Savior of the world, she surely would have laughed out loud. In light of her shameful past, it is doubtful she could ever have imagined that God would choose someone like her.

Have you ever felt that your past disqualified you from serving God in some way? Maybe you are wrestling with these thoughts right now. But consider this: Rahab was a prostitute. I was a party girl. The Israelites worshiped demons (Numbers 25:1-3). If not having a shameful past is a requirement for being chosen by God, there would be no one left to choose. God is not ashamed of those He redeems. He loves to take the broken, the sinful, and the outcast and transform them into witnesses to His power and grace. How else will the world recognize His marvelous grace?

In the New Testament, the theme continues. Jesus invited people just like Rahab to follow Him. He was often accused of shocking behavior, including breaking the law and even being demon-possessed! Jesus Himself was well-aware of what people were saying about Him: “Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” (Matt. 11:19 ESV).

A friend of sinners. What a beautiful title for the Savior of a fallen world.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 ESV

This excerpt is taken from Shadia’s new Bible study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author:     Shadia Hrichi is an award-winning author and passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including her latest study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Save Me, as well as TAMAR: Rediscovering the God Who Redeems Me, LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies, as well as a master’s in criminal justice. Currently residing in northern California, she regularly speaks at conferences and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the conversation: Do struggles with your past keep you from serving the Lord?

Carving Out a Place for God’s Name on Earth

by Shadia Hrichi

But you shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go. Deuteronomy 12:5 ESV

If there is one thing my close friends know about me, it is my love of cartoons. The Veggie Tales series is a personal favorite. To this day, I can still picture the little green peas mocking the Israelites from atop Jericho’s fortified wall in the hilarious episode, “Josh and the Big Wall”.

The producers of Veggies Tales are not the only ones intrigued by this famous Bible story. The story of God’s destruction of Jericho has been the object of countless church sermons and Sunday school lessons for centuries. However, God’s reasons for destroying the city of Jericho and others throughout the land of Canaan may come as a surprise: it was not about punishing the inhabitants for sin. If it were, all the inhabitants of Earth (including the Israelites!) deserved the same fate (Rom. 3:23).

Rather, God’s decision to single out the land of Canaan was His divine right.

The psalmist reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Ps. 24:1 ESV; see also Job 41:11).

While the people of Canaan were indeed exceedingly evil, God’s purpose in giving Joshua and the Israelites victory in their conquest of the land of Canaan was ultimately about carving out a place for God’s name on Earth (Deut. 12:1–5). God commanded His people to cleanse the land of unrepentant demon worshippers and their idols and altars to false gods, because they were in the way of God using the land for His purposes.

While few historical records exist describing the religious life and customs of the people of Jericho specifically, there is plenty of evidence portraying the pagan religion and depraved lifestyle of the people of the land of Canaan in general. The Canaanite religion included various gods and goddesses who were primarily concerned with sex (fertility) and war. Worship of these counterfeit deities (which were actually demons; see 1 Corinthians 10:20) involved a belief that if the gods and goddesses were pleased, the result would be victory in warfare, a thriving people, and a plentiful harvest. To appease the gods, people engaged in human sacrifice and cult prostitution.

These heinous practices were such an affront to God’s holiness and such a violation of His purpose for human beings created in His image, that God sent the Israelites to “vomit” the people out of the land (Lev. 18:25). Not only were the people acting wickedly, but the Israelites were at risk of joining in their perversions—which is exactly what happened. 

Sometimes we think sin is a private matter. Perhaps you’ve heard it said (or thought it yourself): As long as I am not hurting anyone else, why does it matter?

Have you ever found yourself thinking this way?

After God freed His beloved people from slavery and rescued them out in Egypt, imagine God’s heartache and His brewing anger as He witnessed them turn away from His saving love—while camped on the edge of the Promised Land, no less! And to what did they turn? To pagan gods who exchanged dignity for shame, life for death, sacred for perverted—in a word: prostitution, both physically and spiritually.

How intriguing, then, that the one person God chooses to rescue from the doomed city of Jericho is a Canaanite prostitute named Rahab . . .

This excerpt is taken from Shadia’s new Bible study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including Rahab: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me, as well as LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as an MA in Criminal Justice. Currently residing in northern California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the Conversation: How do you connect with God?

When God Makes a Promise…

by Shadia Hrichi

Were you eager to get your driver’s license when you were a teenager? I sure was. In fact, once I had my license, my mom promised to buy me a used car. Money was tight, so I knew the choices would be limited. I decided to ask for just one thing: please promise that the car would not be the color green. In my mind, green was the worst, most embarrassing color for a car.

The plan was for Mom to accompany her trusted mechanic to a used car auction. The mission? Find the safest and most reliable car within mom’s budget. When they returned, and I saw my ‘new’ car for the first time, I couldn’t believe my eyes. When I opened the driver’s door and looked inside, I was even more shocked. The car was green – both inside and out.

Incredulous, I just looked at my mom. She tried to explain that this really was the best car for the money—it ran well, had low mileage, and should last several years. Ironically, the car lasted just a few months after my younger brother secretly took it out for a spin and promptly burned out the clutch. My next car was even older and uglier, but looking back, I was fortunate to have a car at all – and to have a mom who kept her promise.

But she’s not the only one . . .

Long before Jesus stepped foot on the Earth, before David was crowned king, before the walls of Jericho fell, before the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, before Noah built an ark, before Adam ate the fruit, or before the universe was spoken into being, God made a promise.

“[We have this] hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.”  Titus 1:2 ESV

God could have promised anything—or nothing—before creating the world. This means that long before you took your first step or even your first breath, long before God planted you in your mother’s womb, or you chose to go your own way, God, in His mercy, promised the “hope of eternal life.” 

Think of a time when someone made a promise to you that you held dear, only to later discover that person then let you down.

How did you feel?

How did it change you, or what did you learn?

How can you take comfort in knowing that God, who never lies, always keeps His promises?

All the way back in the Garden of Eden – at the beginning of human history, God announced how that promise would be fulfilled: a Savior would be born of human descent (Genesis 3:15). Some of the people whom God would choose to weave into the Savior’s ancestry are the last people we might expect—people like Rahab. Her story begins in the Old Testament book of Joshua, but it doesn’t end there. Her name is also found in the New Testament – not once, but three times! 

God used a Gentile woman with a sketchy past to bring a baby into the world that would be in the direct line of King David: the promised Messiah. Much of the Old Testament gives us detail after detail that points to the coming King. When God promises, He delivers. One day the Messiah will return and bring all His yet unfulfilled prophecies to pass.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV

This excerpt is taken from Shadia’s new Bible study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

Want some practical tips for connecting with God and planning a “Sabbath date with Jesus”? Join Shadia’s BRAVE THE DEEP email community and receive your free download, “7 Simple Ideas to Refresh Your Quiet Time” and “How to Plan a Sabbath Date with Jesus,” plus unlock all the premium resources.

About the author: Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including Rahab: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me, as well as LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as an MA in Criminal Justice. Currently residing in northern California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the Conversation: How do you connect with God?

How to Connect with God in Busy Times

by Shadia Hrichi

What do you do when you’re too busy to take time to connect with God?

In the busyness of life, it’s easy to take God’s presence for granted. Our lives move fast every single day. We stay up late and get up early. The hustle and bustle is the backdrop of our lives…and the tempo never seems to let up.

So how do we break away from our busy schedule to reset? How can we find the peace of God our hearts crave? What is our heavenly Father telling us in the midst of all this? 

Consider this: there is no greater dignity bestowed on human beings than the fact that the Creator of the Universe desires a relationship with us: He actually enjoys spending time with us! In fact, God is speaking to us all the time. 

However, we are not always listening. 

More and more, our culture is conditioning us to crave noise, busyness, and entertainment—anything to distract us from nurturing our relationship with God. So before we are able to listen, we need to be able to hear, and before we can hear, we need to be silent. And before we can be silent, we need to remove ourselves from the distractions of the world. 

The Sabbath is a day when we put aside our to-do list, our work, and for some, social media. It’s when we make an intentional effort to connect with God and rest from our busy life. The Bible says, “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” (Genesis 2:3 ESV).

There is nothing more important than spending time with our Creator and being reminded that He is our source of strength.

I understand it’s hard to make room for rest. 

Right now, I’m on a major book deadline, and I’m behind schedule due to several difficult unexpected events that occurred this past summer – including finding a new place to live. But when I am tempted to skip my Sabbath, I remind myself that the quality of my writing is far better when I give God room to work in my mind and heart – and much of that holy work only happens when I take time to rest in the presence of the living God. To spend quality time with Him. To read God’s Word, meditate on His character, listen to worship music, and spend time in intentional prayer.

But He is also at work in us even when we’re not actively thinking of Him. Sometimes I’ll “rest” in small ways by coloring, reading a novel (biblical fiction is my favorite leisure reading), writing in my prayer journal, or taking a long walk (ooooh….. or a hot bubble bath – now there’s a treat).

Remember, keeping the Sabbath is not about empty rituals or being legalistic. Rather, it is about finding rest, connecting with God, and nurturing your intimate relationship with Him. It may take some effort and planning, but the rewards of a day dedicated to rest and renewal are well worth it. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

The beauty of meeting with God is that He is always willing to meet us where we are. Trust Him in this, and He will honor your commitment. 

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

Want some practical tips for connecting with God and planning a “Sabbath date with Jesus”? Join Shadia’s BRAVE THE DEEP email community and receive your free download, “7 Simple Ideas to Refresh Your Quiet Time” and “How to Plan a Sabbath Date with Jesus,” plus unlock all the premium resources.

About the author: Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including her latest study, TAMAR: Rediscovering the God Who Redeems Me, as well as LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as an MA in Criminal Justice. Currently residing in northern California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the Conversation: How do you connect with God?

Becoming All That God Created You to Be

by Shadia Hrichi

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 ESV

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. It is especially fun when we celebrate with young children. Who can resist the joy of seeing little faces light up as they discover the thrill of an exciting new toy?

However, in today’s gadget-giddy world, when I shop, I am very careful to keep a second list: batteries! It seems everything needs batteries. You simply can’t pick up a toy without seeing that tiny print in the corner, “batteries not included.” I can just picture the pitiful scenario. I buy the perfect toy and wrap it beautifully. The child unwraps toy and squeals in delight. Moments later, we discover that the toy, attractive and filled with potential, simply cannot do what it was made to do. I didn’t supply the batteries!

When it comes to today’s toys, batteries are the equivalent of life or death. A toy may look appealing. It may have all kinds of bells and whistles and be packed full of promise. Yet, without batteries, it can do none of the things it was designed to do.

In a way, we are like that toy. God created us for a purpose and filled us with promise. However, without “batteries” – the true Light of God – we remain only an empty shell of all that we were intended to be. Ever since Adam and Eve rebelled against God in that garden paradise so long ago, every human being is born spiritually dead: without light or true life. But praise God that He does not abandon us there. Through the gift of His Son, God came down from Heaven to fill us with His light and His love. He desires to fill us with Himself.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:4, 5, 8, 9 NIV).

Father: thank You for the precious gift of Your Son. Thank You for giving me life through Christ even when I was dead in my sins. Help me, Lord, to walk in a manner worthy of You. Fill me with Your light and Your love as You send me into our lost and broken world – not only during Christmas, but all the year through. Amen.

May our loving Lord bless you and yours this new year. No matter what this past year has been for you, not one stroke of the pen in God’s Book has changed. He still reigns, He still saves, and He is still coming back. Remain in His power! He will equip you to do what He has called you to do.

Do you need some fresh ideas to help kick-start your Quiet Time”? Get your FREE guide: 7 Simple Ideas to Refresh Your Quiet Times. May the Lord bless you as you seek to grow closer to Him!

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including her latest study, TAMAR: Rediscovering the God Who Redeems Me, as well as LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as an MA in Criminal Justice. Currently residing in northern California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the conversation: What do you to do remain in God’s power?

An Unexpected Gift

by Shadia Hrichi

How many times did you hear as a child, “It is better to give than to receive”? Perhaps from a parent or grandparent or favorite aunt or uncle. It often preceded a trip to the shopping mall to buy Christmas presents. As children, it was a challenge to resist wanting the toys for ourselves.

Even as adults, we can struggle with the temptation to seek our own interests over other’s. When it comes to giving gifts to support the work of God’s Kingdom, even as a Christian, we may struggle at times. How much should I give? What if I can’t pay the rent? Or maybe we are more than happy to give, only to find ourselves tempted to become prideful in our giving.

I am a very black and white thinker. As such, when I became a Christian as an adult, I didn’t struggle too much with the concept of giving. To me, it made sense and God commanded it. That was enough. However, one morning I was deeply moved by the unexpected gift described in 2 Corinthians 9:10-14.

In this passage, Paul is speaking of gifts given to those less fortunate, whereby the gifts did more than simply provide for their needs. They prompted a gift to be offered up in return – a gift that far outweighs what they received. Paul writes,

They [the recipients] will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you (2 Corinthians 9:14).

The needy will pray… for Me?

It never occurred to me that those whom I viewed as being in real need would turn around and pray for me. Don’t I already have everything I need? So much so that I can share some of it with others?

But that’s where they are so rich and I am so poor. Those who must depend on God for even their next meal recognize the grace, faithfulness, and compassion of God in ways we never will. Day-by-day and moment-by-moment. It’s a humbling thought when you consider that from such grateful hearts, those who have so little offer up prayers for those who have so much.

Our gifts to those in need are certainly important, but they are temporary. However, what they give us in return—sincere prayers of “deep affection”—are gifts that no amount of money can buy. What a glorious God we have! Only in God’s economy, can the gifts we give come back to bless us in ways that last for eternity.

I am well supplied, having received … the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. Philippians 4:18 ESV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, award-winning author and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies and is the author of various Bible studies, including TAMAR, HAGAR, LEGION and WORTHY OF LOVE, a Bible study for post-abortion healing. Currently residing in California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com.

Join the conversation: What blessing from God have you received after giving?

Do You Fear Failure More Than You Trust God?

by Shadia Hrichi

“Ha! We took bets on whether you could color outside the lines. The resounding answer was NO.” That was my friend’s response after seeing my first masterpiece.

I was home with the flu. My Bible study group kindly brought me groceries. Actually, they left the bag on the porch, rang the doorbell, and ran off. (Not that I blamed them). At the bottom of the bag, I found a “Princess” coloring book and crayons.

I laughed at those two items. However, by this time, I had been stuck in the house for over a week. Since it hurt my eyes to read, I began to color. But when I posted a finished drawing on social media, my friends teased me. “We knew you’d never color outside the lines!”

In my defense, I did add a cross on the Princess Sophia book. I decided it was time for the princess to meet Jesus.

Truly, I love my Bible study group. For weeks, they patiently listened to my frustrations regarding the Bible study I am writing:

“I just can’t seem to finish chapter five.”

“Why don’t you start working on chapter six?” someone asked.

“Because I want to finish chapter five.”

I like things to be done in order. It’s just wrong to write chapter six before finishing chapter five. Yet, they challenged me, “What if God has a different order in mind?”

I’ll admit it. I struggle for control. We all do. Perhaps in the workplace or relationships … even our health. But what if by clinging to our own way we miss something wonderful God has planned? What if all of this striving for control is precisely what keeps us from experiencing the Spirit-led life our hearts crave?

I’ve found that very often our struggles are not a control issue; they’re a trust issue. Control is an illusion. All of us are utterly dependent on God. Our very breath comes from Him. Stepping out in faith can be frightening. It may be a new ministry, marriage, trusting Christ for the first time (or writing a chapter out of order).

Do we trust God enough to “step out of the boat”?

As Jesus walked on the water toward his disciples, they were terrified. But when Peter recognized Jesus, he stepped out of the boat! “Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus” (Matthew 14:29 ESV).

We get so focused on verse 30, “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink…”that we forget how Peter had the guts to step out of the boat! If you and I really want a Spirit-led life, we’re going to have to get out of the boat (or color outside of the lines).

We must face our fears, which look different for each of us. Below are some fears I struggle with, along with the Truth I pray to overcome them:

“God, I am afraid that if I “step out of the boat,” You will not be with me.” Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 ESV

“God, I am afraid of what people will think of me.” Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?” (Isaiah 2:22 ESV).

“God, I am afraid that I will look foolish.” Blessed are you when people hate you … exclude you and revile you … on account of the Son of Man! ” (Luke 6:22-23 ESV).

God knows we are fearful creatures. But when we follow His call—even after a time of resisting—he is faithful to receive us with open arms.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including her latest study, TAMAR: Rediscovering the God Who Redeems Me, as well as LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as an MA in Criminal Justice. Currently residing in northern California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the conversation: Are you afraid to fail?

Some Assembly Required

by Shadia Hrichi

“Everything at IKEA requires assembly. I bought a pillow; they gave me a duck.” –Todd Glass

When I became a Christian at the age of 30, I truly had a ‘scales falling off the eyes’ experience. I was driving to church one morning, just days after becoming a believer and nearly drove off the side of the road when I noticed a beautiful flowering tree. Of course, I had seen the tree many times before – but previously, I did not know God as Creator. I was instantly awe-struck in seeing the world through new eyes. What I once viewed as a cosmic accident suddenly came to life. Though it was a day I will never forget, not everything about me was transformed that day. In many ways, I still looked like a duck. Certain things take more time. There was still “some assembly required.”

Many people have the misguided notion that becoming a Christian means that God instantly transforms us. That we instantly embody all of the compassion, self-control, and sacrificial love as our Lord Jesus. Then, when we fail (and we will), the world uses us as an excuse for dismissing Christianity as a hoax. But there is a difference between becoming a citizen of God’s glorious Kingdom and cooperating daily with His Holy Spirit to live it out.

“Therefore, my beloved … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

While the Holy Spirit indwells all believers (1 Corinthians 3:16), God, in His sovereign wisdom, chose for us to remain in our sinful flesh in a sinful world, at least for a short time, to be His agents in a fallen world. And who are we to question His wisdom? I, for one, am thankful for all of the people throughout history who struggled through life, sometimes making poor choices, yet God used them anyway. People like Abraham, Moses, and Esther, to name just a few.

When God chooses to use someone “with some assembly required,” the world takes notice. That is when we are perfectly positioned to introduce them to our Maker. And praise God that, when He looks at us, He sees us as a perfect reflection of His Son, both inside and out (Colossians 1:22, Ephesians 1:4).

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness from glory to glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Do you need a reminder of how precious you are in God’s sight? Check out Shadia’s Bible study, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including her latest study, TAMAR: Rediscovering the God Who Redeems Me, as well as LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as an MA in Criminal Justice. Currently residing in northern California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the conversation: What changes has God brought about in you that better reflect His glory?

Walk With Me

by Shadia Hrichi

Let’s be honest: some days are just plain hard!

If you’re like me, serving God can be a great joy and privilege, but sometimes we make it too complicated. Imagine my surprise when God used a simple ice cream to teach me a valuable lesson.

I had been at my desk all day struggling to write the same chapter I’ve been wrestling with for weeks. I was praying, studying, confessing and crying out to God, It’s just too hard!

At one point I thought I sensed God say, “Let’s go for a walk.” However, since I wasn’t sure, I dismissed it. Besides, it was hot outside. Instead, I stayed at my desk, papers and notes and my Bible spread out everywhere. By now, I was trying to suppress the nervous energy causing my legs to bounce incessantly. Then I heard it again, “Let’s go for a walk.”

When the Spirit nudges you once and you’re not sure, God is gracious. The second time, it’s best to take notice.

So, I put on my sneakers, and just before heading out the door, I remembered that I needed eggs. I was planning to bake treats for my Bible study group on Tuesday night. There was a drug store a few blocks away. I almost never take money with me when I go for a walk. This time, I grabbed my wallet and walked out the door. I headed toward the park as I usually do, talking and walking with God. (Not talking out loud, of course, lest I scare the neighbors).

That’s when I saw it. An ice cream truck was parked up ahead at the corner by the playground. I couldn’t even remember the last time I bought an ice cream from a truck. Just the fun of actually standing in line with the kids to buy an ice cream started to lighten my mood.

As God and I continued walking and talking, me eating my ice cream, I marveled at how pausing to enjoy such a simple treat could make such a big difference in one’s day. It was then that I sensed God say, “You see; it doesn’t have to be so complicated.” And I knew exactly what He meant.

I had been wrestling with a lot of heavy theology, and in doing so, I was losing focus on the heart of the lesson: the delightful treasure; the sweet spot. Only later did I realize the added irony that the lesson I was writing begins with God’s command to Abraham, Walk with me (Genesis 17:1 ). What a simple, but profound, invitation! Though Abraham had “stumbled” 13 years earlier by using Sarah’s maidservant, Hagar, to conceive a child, God knew Abraham’s heart.

To this day, for all who come to God with a humble heart, He gently nudges our spirit, “Come; walk with me.”

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 ESV

Adapted from of HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, a Bible study by Shadia Hrichi. Copyright © 2017 by Shadia Hrichi. Published by Leafwood Publishers.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including her latest study, TAMAR: Rediscovering the God Who Redeems Me, as well as LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as an MA in Criminal Justice. Currently residing in northern California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the conversation: Do you ever walk with God? What has He communicated to you?