Am I the only one who thinks they have an option when God gives an instruction?

I clearly understood when I got the assignment last week that I was supposed to attend a meeting and deliver a specific message in person. Immediately (after several way too late worknights and a mishmash of other circumstances), I began to rationalize that I could give the message just as effectively if I attended the meeting virtually.

Then I remembered that God really isn’t concerned about my personal comfort in the big scheme of the cosmos. After all, He IS the Creator of the Universe. HE has a purpose and a plan (the details of which have not been divulged to me in their entirety because my finite mind cannot begin to comprehend the infinite). His will must surpass my will.

Jesus was uncomfortable when He made the decision to die on the cross…and yet, He obeyed and completed His assignment. And I’m thankful to be a direct beneficiary.

So I made preparations and I went.

I’m SO glad I chose to OBEY the instruction as given. The first instruction. The ONLY instruction. God’s instruction – not my adaptation on a theme (I’m growing in this area and grateful to finally see some mature fruit).

Simple. But not always easy.

I challenge you to try it. And check the results. The fruit. 

As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. I don’t like pudding, but I sure do like the results of obedience more than the consequences of doing my own thang – or a variation on what God instructed…

Blessings as we continue down Calvary road, Kayren

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

(John 3:30)

“42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”

(Luke 22:42-43)

© Copyright 2025 by Kayren J. Cathcart

A glance at my favorite driving app warned, “Crash ahead – expect delay.”

Great – just what I needed. 

This was my regular morning route – 3 minutes before the exit for my job. (ain’t God speaking!? won’t He do it?) 🔊 

My GPS rerouted me with enough advance notice that I didn’t get stuck in traffic.👍🏽I quickly pivoted to the right lane and took the next exit.

As soon as I took the suggested detour, I literally sailed over the gridlock and shook my head while peering at the congested parade of brake lights. Delay indeed.

It’s not healthy to ignore the signs intended for your benefit.⚠️

Reroute! NOW. 

While there’s time. Before you get stuck and have limited choices.

Let’s act like we know God is speaking to us…because He is!

Blessings, Kayren

“12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. 

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 

14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you.”

(John 16:12-14, AMP)

© Copyright 2025 by Kayren J. Cathcart

There’s so much in Luke 7 that I need to continue digging into from the passage explored in my earlier post, Fewer Words, Greater Impact. 

The situation at an organized funeral looked bad to everyone – except Jesus. We see the authority of Jesus’ words as He spoke life to the dead man, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” 

But what happened next?

He That Was Dead Sat Up

Once we’ve received God’s Word, it’s up to us to do something with it. We must take action! 

What good is being raised from the dead if you just stay in the same ol’ place? Exactly! 

The dead man started moving. He shifted his position from where he had been and left where he was.

Cuz if you’re alive, there’s NO WAY you wanna continue laying in a casket or on a bier…since that is a place where the dead lay down…and stay…

And Began to Speak

If we’ve experienced the healing, resurrecting, and restoring power of Jesus, there’s NO WAY we can remain silent! 

An encounter with Jesus is transformative, and we’re compelled to tell others. 

Sharing the Good News is a direct response to contact with the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). The Light of the World (John 9:5).

How can we keep it to ourselves?

Jesus reunited the man with his mother because He is well aware of the power of connection within loving relationships (Luke 12:15). Can you imagine the reunion between a revived, resuscitated man with the woman who had given him natural birth? Wow!

God Was Glorified

Respectful, holy, reverent fear came on EVERYBODY who saw and heard about what happened when the dead man was raised to life again by Jesus.

All for a purpose – to glorify God!

How exciting to know that God is still visiting His people…during this Lenten season, I encourage you to dig into the scriptures for yourself and learn of Jesus. 

I believe He still wants to make dead things come alive in us, and His power is beyond adequate and more than sufficient to meet our needs!

Do you have evidence and receipts of a direct encounter with Jesus? If not, Jesus offers an open invitation to get to know Him for Who He truly is. And if so, it’s time to get moving, tell someone, and glorify God…because transformation speaks for itself.

Blessings to you, Kayren

“12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.”

(Luke 7:12-16)

© Copyright 2025 by Kayren J. Cathcart

I took note of my personal growth when I recently deleted a set of emails without opening or scanning the preview content first. <collective gasp!> Learning not to look at quarantined “spam” messages – this has to be a timesaver in and of itself, right? Baby steps (in the right direction) still lead us to progress…

If you think this isn’t a big deal, then you may not use a Yahoo email account from the early 2000s (or late 1990s if I’m honest) with over 56k unread messages…and counting. But IYKYK. 😆

(Do I think I’m super-cool because I actually know that IYKYK means “if you know, you know?” Absolutely, said the mother of college children.)

The lesson I took from this observation was: That message was quarantined from the regular inbox messages FOR A REASON. Lower value. Questionable content. Sus. Doesn’t need to consume my time or attention.

Ponder that for a moment. 

What distraction is taking you from the area that NEEDS your focus? (preaching to myself here)

We always hear about spring cleaning for our homes, but do we have any relationships, habits, time-wasters, or energy drainers that we need to purge? IJS. It made me think.

No, everyone doesn’t deserve to be deleted from your inbox. However, I’m reminded that errybody can’t be top tier! Let us take an honest inventory and choose how we invest our precious God-given energy with judicious prudence.

And don’t forget to DELETE stuff ya don’t need! We’re making space for greatness, y’all…let’s GO! #Purge #Refresh #Reset #Renew

Blessings, Kayren

“But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.”

(Psalm 4:3)

© Copyright 2025 by Kayren J. Cathcart

This weekend, the Bible word search puzzle I was working on came from Luke 6:8-10. I was aware that Jesus worked many miracles, but as I read the passage a second time, I could relate to the man with the withered hand. Why? Because I know what it’s like to have “issues” that are very noticeable when in Jesus’ presence. Jesus called the man out – but it wasn’t to shame him…it was for the purpose of healing him.

Yet, there was a sequence of steps (instructions) the man had to take in order to receive that gift of healing from the Master.

Rise Up

“Seriously, Lord?” We have to get out of our comfort zone (which may be more familiar than comfortable).

Stand Forth in the Midst

“You mean I’ve gotta stand in the middle of all these people?” This could have been overwhelming to the man. But he obeyed.

Stretch Forth Thy Hand

“You mean there’s something ELSE I’ve gotta do?” Yep. For the next step, we’re required to reach out in faith. Faith supercedes and transcends our intellect and natural wisdom.

The Heart of the Matter

Here’s the truth: I’m working on my obedience. I realize that sometimes my obedience is delayed or not existent…and this equals DISOBEDIENCE. <ouch!> God’s series of sequential steps become a set of instructions – and it’s not a mere suggestion.

When we follow the instructions He’s tailored specifically for us, we’re agreeing with God’s will, and He’s positioning (or repositioning) us. In this passage, instructions are part of the preparation for the man with the withered hand to be healed as GOD is glorified.

Can you identify some instructions you’ve been given that will lead to healing in your life? I certainly can! Let us be swift to obey our loving God Who stands ready to heal us from every infirmity and restore us whole…after all, aren’t you tired of living with that withered situation?

Blessings,
Kayren

“8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand,
Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”
(Luke 6:8-10)

© Copyright 2025 by Kayren J. Cathcart