Take a Leap of Faith

Pastor Kelly Franklin

Freedom Christian Center

I remember when my boys were young, my husband, Tim would stand them on the top bunk bed and then with just a simple word from him, they would take a leap of faith and jump into his arms. I stood amazed that they so easily believed that their Dad would always catch them. No fear, no questioning, just raw faith and the trust of a child.

The Lord desires each of us to take a leap of faith and believe His Word for the situation that we are facing. Is it financial pressures, strained relationship, job demands, or physical need? Whatever the challenge that seems to be capturing your attention these days, are you willing to release it to the Lord? He longs that you take a leap of faith, believe His Word for the situation, and set your focus back on Him. Just like Josh and Caleb had to focus on their Dad and believe His words that he could catch them when they jumped, the Lord is looking for you to overcome the hurdle that is holding you captive and keeping you from His loving arms of grace and peace. Jesus, our redeemer, is the answer to the problem that you face. He will carry you through the difficulty, into victory, as you place your trust in Him. He will catch and carry you every time.

In II Chronicles, chapter 20, Jehoshaphat was facing his challenge much like us, with the “ites” in his life. The armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and the Meunites, thus the “ites” of life, were coming against Jehoshaphat to battle. Yet he chose to set his focus on the Lord, acknowledging how great, awesome, powerful, and wonderful the Lord is. He stood in confidence that the Lord would speak and provide direction to bring solution to his problem. He took a leap of faith, putting His trust in the Lord. What I love is that the Lord spoke to Jehoshaphat in the midst of his challenge saying, “Do not be afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Jehoshaphat could rest in the midst of the challenge knowing God was in control. He heard the word of the Lord and the result of his faith was victory!

So I want to encourage you with these words, “Do not be afraid or dismayed just take a Leap of Faith. Set your gaze and trust on Jesus today. You can always trust Him to catch you in His arms of Grace!” God loves child-like faith!

Remember now, O Lord!

Gary Stebbins
Church on the Rock, Melbourne


Hezekiah was a mighty king over Judah. When the Assyrian army had surrounded Jerusalem and was threatening to attack the city, the Bible says that he took the message that the enemy had sent him, spread it out before the Lord, and ... "Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said, 'O Lord, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see;'" (2 Kings 19:15-16)

Later on in Hezekiah’s life he becomes mortally ill, again the Bible says ... "Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, 'Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.' And Hezekiah wept bitterly" (Isaiah 38:2-3).

Both of these stories about the life of Hezekiah have always been vivid pictures to me that encourage me to pray no matter what difficulty I am facing in my life. In the first case Hezekiah’s prayer concerned the deliverance of Jerusalem and Judah from the hands of an enemy army. In the second case, Hezekiah’s prayer had to do with his own personal need for healing. Whether we are praying for issues concerning our country or our own personal lives, God is a God who hears our prayers and responds to those prayers. There is no prayer that is too small or too large for God to hear and respond to. All of our prayers are important to God.

These two stories also demonstrate to me the sovereignty of God both over the affairs of nations and over the affairs of my own personal life. God has the power to deliver a nation from their enemies and to deliver my body from sickness and disease. There is nothing in this world that God cannot take care of.

We do live in serious times. Our nation is facing difficulties that seem almost insurmountable. Many people are experiencing very trying times in their lives personally. The stories from the life of Hezekiah remind me to pray and put my faith and trust fully and completely in the Lord. Difficulties at any level in our lives should drive us into the presence of God where we can find His hope and peace. Fervent, diligent prayer is an indication of our trust in God and not in ourselves.

Pray, pray, and keep praying! God is a good God and He is listening. Prayer can move the heart and hands of God for our nation and in our personal lives.

What about you? Are you facing some serious issues in your own life? Perhaps you are facing financial difficulties, marriage problems, or health issues. Have you taken them to God in prayer? As you listen to the news do you find yourself growing anxious over the future for our nation? Have you taken your concerns to God in prayer? How has prayer helped you cope with the issues of everyday life?

SPECIAL BLOG POST - A prophetic picture

A Prophetic Picture by Kim Nicholas from Our Father’s House ,

Filled With Gold Bars

At our December MyHop meeting we were praying that the faith of God’s people would prevail in the middle of financial adversity. During our time of prayer and intercession the Lord gave Kim Nicholas, from Our Father’s House, a prophetic picture. She saw a picture of a jeep completely filled up on the inside with gold bars. As you looked through the windows of the jeep all you could see was the gold that was inside.

In the natural gold speaks of provision. A jeep full of gold bars would certainly meet our need and more. In the spiritual, gold speaks of God’s glory. Again, there would be an ample supply of God’s glory. The jeep itself is a vehicle built for rough terrain.

Kim felt the Lord was saying that there would be a rough ride ahead in the natural. There would be trying times that we would go through as a nation and as a people. However, there would be ample provision for our earthly needs as well as an abundant supply of Gods’ glory to take us through any and all circumstance that we might face.

As Paul said in Philippians…“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).

Whatever difficulties we might face, we can be assured that there is no limit to Gods’ supply. He will meet all of our needs “according to His riches in glory.”

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 115:11: “You who fear the Lord trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.” Today God is our help and shield just like He was when the Psalmist penned these verses. The Psalmist goes on and in Psalm 115;13 he says:“He will bless those who fear the Lord, The small together with the great.”

God is revealing His heart towards us so we can be strong in the days ahead.

Have you been able to put your full trust and confidence in the Lord?

Do you see God, in everyday life’s circumstances as your “help” and your “shield”?