go big or go home | courtney cooper rosen

“our God”

Chris Tomlin

water You turned into wine

opened the eyes of the blind

there’s no one like You

into the darkness You shine

out of the ashes we rise

there is no one like You

our God is greater

our God is stronger

God you are higher than any other

our God is Healer

awesome in power

our God, our God

and if our God is for us, 
then who could ever stop us

and if our God is with us
, then what could stand against

this song has been on repeat for two days now because i feel like God is trying to teach me that sometimes there aren’t going to be neon signs with the answers to your problems, and in these times you just have to stand strong in your faith, and trust that He is God. i was driving down the road yesterday singing this song at the top of my lungs, and when it came to “and if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? and if our God is with us, then what could stand against?” it was like God literally hit me in the head, and said, “if I’m for you then it doesn’t even matter if some stands against you. I’m bigger than any issues you are facing right now. stop thinking so small. I’m leading you into deeper places, and all you are doing is holding yourself back.” even with hearing the voice of God so clearly tell me that He is ready to take me deeper i still feel like i’m just beating my head against this spiritual brick wall that i can’t break through. i’ve just been feeling very restless in my spirit, and like God is holding things back from me because i’m not ready for them. it’s not a fun or comfortable place to be in. it’s like a spiritual dessert of sorts. so like most times when i don’t know what to do i went seeking advice.

we just started a series at church on deep water praying and our pastor said something sunday that really stuck out in my mind:

all relationships have an ebb & flow, and our relationship with God isn’t exempt from this.

so of course my question is how do you get through the ebb and back to the flow? his answer: “just like the ocean you don’t really control the ebb and the flow. you have to remain consistent in bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship. in other words:

don’t leave the beach.

the tide will come back in. if it is always flow it would not be long before we take it for granted. the ebbs help us stay disciplined. they are the places where we can see the greatest times of growth.”

my prayer:

God show me the places in my life that need changing according to malachi 3:3: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.”

God sustain me during this dark period according to psalm 119:116: “sustain me according to your promise, and i will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.”

God fill me with your Holy Spirit according to acts 1:8: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in jerusalem , and in all judea and samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

God make me hunger after you according to matthew 4:4: “man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

God bring me to a deeper place in You according to daniel 2:20-23: “praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, o God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, You have made known to me what we asked of You, You have made known to us the dream of the king.”

God make me fearless according to deuteronomy 31:6: “be strong and courageous. do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” & isaiah 41:10: “so do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

believe me praying these things scares the mess out of me, but i’m to the point in my spiritual life where God is telling me “put up or shut up”, “step out of the boat”, “go big or go home”.

so i’m going big, because i don’t want to go home…