HOPE Part V: Blessings come when we walk in obedience

When I answered God's call to leave my brick-and-mortar business to serve women on a deeper level, I had no idea what I was doing.  And 5 months later, I still have days where I feel like that. But I knew God had been equipping me and preparing to grow His kingdom and serve His people, I just didn't know how it would look.  But, that's the beautiful thing about saying YES to God.  We don't have to have all the info to say yes. That's what FAITH is all about.

Please read on for part five of my blog series.  HOPE Part V: Blessings come when we walk in obedience

Hebrews 11:1 NIV "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Yes.  God was telling me to go.  I was asking how.  He was saying do.  

I heard Christine Caine say more than once that God is not looking for ability but availability.  He is looking for people who will say yes.  If you feel like you're not ready, learned or knowing, then YES, God wants you! He is looking for people who will say yes to His voice.

When I publicly announced I was leaving my business, I had one private client.  I was TERRIFIED! I had lots of skills, knowledge and experience, but there was no longer a safety net.  I was all on my own (with God, of course).  But I kept pressing, praying and working.  

One week before my last day in my old business, my ONLY client texted me.  She couldn't renew her fitness training.  She so badly wanted to but just couldn't financially continue.  Now I had no clients.  But God's voice was still there.  "Trust me," He said.  So I did.

One month later I had 10 clients.  Five months later I have 15 personal training/fitness coaching clients and a growing network marketing business.  I am the corporate fitness trainer for a start-up nutrition and wellness company.  I am the captain for the Fitness Group Hub at my local church campus.  I lead a small group weekly where 4-20 women show up to hear the words God has placed on my heart to share through fitness boot camp. I am a fitness influencer, coach, motivator, encourager, listener and leader.  

God has BLOWN MY MIND! At the beginning of the year, my dear friend and team leader at church challenged me to pray boldly; to ask God for things I'm not sure he can do (rhetorically).  She challenged me to write them down.  Then she spoke and prayed truth and favor over my life.  She affirmed God would work all things for good because of my bold faith and obedience.

Do you want to know something?  I wrote four big things down.  Four BIG, SCARY, AUDACIOUS prayers.  Eight months into the year, all four of them are in the process of coming true.  I'm not quite ready to share them yet.  I will when it's time.  

This is my point:  God wants to bless you.  The Bible tells us:

• Jeremiah 29:11 ESV "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
• Psalm 37:4 ESV "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
• Philippians 4:19 ESV "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
• Matthew 6:33 ESV "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

God is for you.  He wants to bless you.  He places hopes and dreams in your heart that He wants to fulfill.  Pray.  Trust. Hope. Work. Do.  Obey.

Please join me next time for the last installment of my hope series.  Thanks for reading.

HOPE Part I

Did you ever want something so badly that you would stop at nothing to get it?  Whether it is a material thing, a relationship or something intangible (i.e. peace, freedom), we all have goals, dreams and visions of our future.

I was baptized as a baby, but I have been seeking God all my life.  I really started to pursue a relationship with Jesus in my early 20s, when a lot of young women and men are searching to find who they are. One scripture that I have always clung to, whether I was walking closely with the Lord or bumbling my way through life, hanging on by a thread, was Jeremiah 29:11.

It has become my family's scripture, the one my husband and I pray out loud, in the quiet, together and alone.  It really sums up what we all need to make it in this crazy world: HOPE. Placing my trust in God to guide me and help me navigate life was the best decision I ever made.  It doesn't make things perfect, but it makes life enjoyable. 

This scripture has a particular place in my heart as it relates to my hopes and dreams to become a mother.  In the 'About Me' section of my blog, I talk a little about my road to motherhood because it was the catalyst for a lot of big changes in my life.  The news of my health troubles and infertility led to me making big changes in my life spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. The greatest joy to come out of my journey to motherhood has been my relationship with Jesus.  

I'm going to unfold a story to you over the next few months.  It is a story of grief, brokenness, heartache, trust, redemption, love, friendship and of course, HOPE.  I pray you will follow my blog as I share a very personal but important story, one that changed the course of my entire life and led me to a place I hope each and every one of you finds.  

My greatest wish for you is that you find your purpose and embrace the man or woman God created you to be, for you to have hope and a future.

Yours in health,

Coach Steph