Give It Up!

One day, a man came to Jesus looking for the key to eternal life. This man was a person who followed after the Law from when he was a child. The Bible points out that he was rich and he had the status of a ruler among the community. This man was wise enough to see that Jesus had insight that other leaders of the day had not attained.

However, Jesus expertly tapped into the young man's weak spot:

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. Luke 18:22, 23

 

This young man could not give up everything to follow after Jesus. Even though he recognized the wisdom and power Jesus had, he could not give Jesus full reign of his life. He could not give up his title, his money, and he possessions for the eternal life that Jesus had for him.

 

What do you have in life that is precious to you? It may be your job, your car, your status in your church, or your beautiful home. Can you honestly say that those things aren't more important to you than your relationship with Jesus? If He asked, would you freely give it all up for Him?

 

Today, check your heart. Are you holding on to something that God is asking you to let go of? Are you placing something of this world as your first priority instead of your Savior?

 

Don't miss out on your eternal blessings for the temporary things this world has to offer! Allow yourself to put Jesus first, so you can reap the heavenly rewards that never expire. No matter how dearly you held the things you give up, they can never match what the Lord will give you in return.

 

Verse of the Day: And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. Luke 18:29, 30

 

 

Wednesday's Word: Stand Firm

And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.


But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.

Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. 

That is why the Holy Spirit says,
“Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled,
when they tested me in the wilderness.
There your ancestors tested and tried my patience,
even though they saw my miracles for forty years.
So I was angry with them, and I said,
‘Their hearts always turn away from me.
They refuse to do what I tell them.’
So in my anger I took an oath:
‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”
Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Hebrews 3:1-14 (NLT)   Don't lose your confidence in the Lord. Remain firm of your convictions in Christ. As you stand in faith, believing His Word, you will share in Christ's reward.   Have a blessed Day!

Wednesday's Word: God's On It!

In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.


When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.

Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.

Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” Daniel 10:1-14 (NLT)

Right now you may be standing in prayer, seeking God's face, fasting, and searching for God's answer for you. Time may have passed, and you may feel like God has not heard you or that God doesn't care. It may seem like your answer will never come, and you may be thinking of giving up.

Don't lose hope!

Just as He heard Daniel's first prayer, the Lord has heard your prayer as well. Your answer is on it's way! God has you in mind. You are precious to Him, and He loves you. The Lord will not leave you hanging.

Continue to trust in the Lord, and He will prove Himself faithful to you.

Going Through The Storm

Sometimes you can see a storm coming. You look at what is coming down the line, and you see the obstacles in your path. You feel the winds change. You see the dark clouds start to gather. And often we know we have to walk through the storm to get to the other side. We can't avoid it. We can't escape it.

Going through the storm strong requires full reliance on the Lord. We have to put away fear and trust that God has our best interests in mind.

When facing His greatest challenge, Jesus knew He had to walk through it. Even though He prayed for the Father to take the situation away, Jesus knew that He could only reach His ultimate goal by going through. (Luke 22:42)

So, Jesus prayed. He put His full being into communicating with the Lord. As He prayed, He received strength from heaven. (Luke 22:43) And when He got up, He was able to face His greatest challenge head-on. And He went on to win.

What storm clouds are gathering in your life? What obstacle is standing waiting up ahead for you?

Don't give in to fear. Don't look at the problem. Look to the Lord who is your help!

Continue in prayer. Communicate with the One who holds this entire world in His hands. Allow heaven to strengthen you in what you're about to face. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! (Philippians 4:13) And that means you can make it through the storm.

Verse of the Day: But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:32, 33

Hard Times

Life does not always make sense. Life is definitely not always fair.

I find myself in a period right now where there seems to be more going wrong than right. I have more questions than answers. And, I'm just trying to stand in faith and not question my way into doubt and unbelief.

The Lord has told us that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Since He's the One keeping this world spinning, I have to trust that what He allows is what's best for all of us in the end. Even when it doesn't make sense... Even when I still have questions...

Right now you may be in a situation where you don't understand what's going on. You may feel that life is dealing you a really rotten hand. You may think that you can't possibly take any more, but the hits keep coming.

So, today, I wanted to remind all of us of the kind of God that we serve.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust:

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Psalm 91:3-10

This passage was written either by David or Moses. Both men faced hard times. One led people from the hands of slave owners into the wilderness. The other was given a promise of greatness but then was forced into a life on the run, a life where he was being hunted like an animal. No matter which one wrote these words, the meaning still rings true: our God will take care of us.

In the long run, we will look back and see the sovereign hand of God orchestrating our lives to the fruition of His great purpose for us. Yes, right now we may be hurting, confused, or concerned. But we have no reason to fear. We have no reason to lose our hope. God is working all things together for our good.

Let's not forget that God still has the last say, and He has our ultimate good in mind.

Afternoon Ti: Giving Back

In honor of #GivingTuesday, I would like to encourage everyone, again, to take a moment today and give to someone else in need. It can be large, it can be small, but do something! It's a privilege to be a blessing.

Jesus took a moment to observe some givers one day as He visited the temple. One rich man made a great show of the offering that he was able to drop into the bucket. But, it was a woman who caught our Savior's eye. She only dropped in two small coins, but Jesus knew she had given everything she had to the Lord.

Would you be able to give your all to God? If He asked right now, would you be willing to empty your bank account, savings, cash in your stocks and bonds, throw in your hidden stash and give it to God?

Our commitment to Jesus is a trust that He will take care of us no matter what. And we should have that trust because we know He is the sovereign God. He holds the entire world in His hand. He has brought us to this point, and He is keeping us whole by His mighty hand.

We should gladly be able to give whatever the Lord asks for to Him. Nothing should be too dear, too precious, or too great. All of our riches could never compare to the matchless majesty of our Lord.

That woman gave all she had because she esteemed who God was. She gave her last to the One who could supply her every need.

Today, search your heart and find a way that you can esteem the God you serve. No, you may not empty your bank accounts, but there is something that you can give to the Lord to signify your trusting Him with your life.

Verse of the Day: And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:41-44

No Adjustments Necessary

Often when God gives us a promise, instruction, or request we take His words and modify them to fit into our own more comfortable views of what we would like. Instead of trusting His word completely, we tweak little sections here and there to make His word more palatable to our taste buds... or we ignore it altogether.

Abraham tweaked the word of God concerning his offspring. He believed that his wife was too old to bear children, so he took on a mistress. (Genesis 16:1-4)

Moses grew so angry with the children of Israel, that instead of speaking to the rock like God commanded, he struck the rock in order for water to spring forth. (Numbers 20:11)

Jonah ignored God's Word altogether after he took it upon himself to figure out what the outcome would be if he followed the Lord's call. (Jonah 4:2)

Those little tweaks and adjustments brought strife and division to Abraham's household, death to Moses, and landed Jonah in the belly of a great fish.

God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-seeing. At this very moment, He is keeping universes in motion. Galaxies were created by His very word.

Who are we to question it? Who are we to doubt His will? When He speaks to us and gives us the privilege of knowing His plans for us, who are we to think we can make any adjustments for the better?

Don't allow doubt, fear, impatience, or indecision to cause you to tweak God's will for you. Don't let your own narrow views cause you to adjust your sight off of what God is trying to show you.

If God told you something, you can trust it completely. If He is telling you to go right, don't you dare even think about going left. He's leading you to guaranteed greatness. Are you certain that your way will really be better?

Verse of the Day: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Let the Lord Fight For You

So many of us right now are facing battles and obstacles in our lives. Many of us are spending our days going through the motions of life while trying to figure out how to overcome roadblocks. We spend our nights lying in bed trying to figure out how to make ends meet. We can't relax because we are consumed with strategizing how to make things work.

Today I would like to encourage you to give it to God.

As believers in Christ, we don't have to allow the trials of life to overtake us. As joint heirs to the throne we don't have to figure out how to make things work. As children of the King of Kings we don't have to fight one battle in our own strength.

The Lord Himself has promised that He will fight for us. And any battle He fights, He has already won.

We don't have to struggle, stress, strategize, or worry. All we have to do is take our burdens to the Lord and leave them with Him. We have to leave them in His care trusting that He will work it out for us.

Too often, though we trust our own ability over the Lord's. We say we trust God to deliver us, but then we allow the discomfort of our situations to sway us. We take our eyes off of Him and start looking at the storms. We grow weary of standing on the Word and try to walk forward on our own strength.

Allow the Lord to be your fighter. Allow Him to be your deliverer. Give Him the opportunity to fulfill your miracle. Stop sabotaging your own breakthrough.

Yes, it may take more patience than you might expect. It may cause you to spend more time in prayer and fasting than you had anticipated. You may have to do some things that you weren't prepared to take on.

But the end result is victory! The final chapter is the fact that you win! It's guaranteed! Why not let God do His thing?

Today, give your battle to the Lord and leave it with Him. No matter how much you are tempted to take matters back into your own hands, use your faith and allow the Lord to work it all together for your good. It will definitely produce a better outcome than you can ever devise on your own.

Verse of the Day: The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14

Afternoon Ti: Working For the Good

This past week was a true week of faith for me and my family. We have had to stand, and having done all to stand, stand firm in the face of fear, doubt, and anguish. And as we stood, God proved Himself faithful. In the midst of our mourning, the Lord kept us with joy. In the midst of sorrow, we found we had peace. Where we should have despaired, we found ourselves full of His everlasting love.

Even though I may not be happy with or even understand God's decisions, I was reminded yesterday that all things work together for the good of those who love God.

I can only imagine how Abraham felt as he believed God for the son the Lord had promised him. Who knows what thoughts swirled through his mind as the years ticked away, and he still had no heir. Yet, Abraham believed God, and God stayed true to his word and gave Abraham a son in his old age.

Or, think of Noah, tasked with the feat of making something he had never seen for a phenomenon he had never heard of. Still, Noah worked faithfully in the face of ridicule from his neighbors believing what God had told him. The Lord sent the rain like He promised, and Noah was delivered from the flood.

Even Daniel had to trust that God would stand with him as he continued to worship the Lord in the midst of a pagan nation. And when his very life was threatened for following God, Daniel chose to lose his life because of how much love he had for the Lord. As a result, God honored his public stance and delivered Daniel from the mouths of the lions.

God works everything together for the good of those who love Him. It is up to us to cultivate that love, to deepen and strengthen it. God is always there willing to pour out His love for us, we just have to get in His presence and receive it. When that love is there, nothing can change, shake, or remove it. And that love will carry you through anything and cause you to overcome everything.

No matter what you may be facing, draw on the love that God has for you. Don't let circumstances pull you away from your relationship with the Lord. Press into His presence. Come closer to His throne. Continue in talks with Him, and allow Him to work everything out for your good. Allow yourself to experience the faithfulness of God.

Verse of the Day: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Give It Up Already

The Bible tells us to give our worries and problems over to God so that He can handle them for us.

A lot of us do bring our problems to God. We discuss them with Him during our prayer times. We ask Him for His help and guidance. We say amen...

And then we take our problems back on our shoulders and walk off wondering how we're going to make it all come together.

We serve a great big God. We serve a God who is all-seeing and all-knowing. He also loves us more than we could ever imagine. Why is it that we can't seem to fully trust Him to handle our problems? I know, to us they seem so big. But, to Him they are small potatoes! Yet we continue to hold on to our griefs and allow ourselves to worry and fret about how to resolve our problems.

The Lord doesn't want you to live in worry. He doesn't want you fearful or anxious. He doesn't want you going throughout your day stressed out. Jesus gave us His peace. (John 14:27) He assured us that His burden was light. Our Lord offered us perfect rest in Him. (Matthew 11:29, 30)

All we have to do is surrender. We just have to give up our need to control and be in charge. We need to surrender our will to the Lord's and trust that He is working it all out for us... even when we don't see it happening... even when we don't think it's coming together fast enough... even when the resolution is something that we ourselves didn't come up with.

We serve a great big God. We serve a God who loves us so much that He's willing to take on our problems and concerns. He's willing to fix things for us, so that we can live happily and at peace.

Too many of us are stressed out for no reason.

Today, take your concerns to God and leave them with Him. Allow your Heavenly Father to be that Father for you and solve your situations. Anything that He comes up with is much better than anything you yourself could have conceived. Trust Him to handle it.

Verse of the Day: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6, 7

There's Nothing Too Hard For God: Believe It!

There's a popular saying in the church that goes, "There's nothing too hard for God." We Christians like throwing that phrase around. We say it with our chest puffed out because the phrase reiterates that the God we serve is so powerful, nothing can stop Him, nothing can beat Him, nothing can make Him fail.

Yet, when problems come our way - I mean serious problems - why do we get so fearful? Why do we worry? Why do we stress wondering how we're going to make it through? We're the same folk who boast that our God can do anything, but our 'big' problems make us shake in our boots.

Do we really believe there's nothing too hard for God?

When you believe something, you're at rest. You're at peace. Right now, I'm believing that my chair is going to continue holding me up. I'm not worrying about falling on the floor in the next moment, I'm not stressing out about how to make this chair strong enough to hold me. I'm at peace. I'm not even thinking about it. I believe in the strength of this chair to hold my weight.

If we can put simple faith in a chair, how much more should we be able to put faith in our God? If He told us something, why should we not believe Him? If He made a promise, who are we to think that it will not be fulfilled?

Still, we do it every day. We face a problem and try to take it on by ourselves because deep down we're not fully sure that God is really able. We look at the size of our challenge and get intimidated. We forget how great our God is, and we succumb to fear. We worry instead of standing on God's Word.

Today, take a moment and check your faith level. Do you really believe that God can do it? Be honest. And if you don't believe, bring your doubts to God! He is so loving and will honor your honesty. And then He will prove His Word to you. He will show you that, yes, He can handle it.

There is nothing too hard for God. We just have to give Him an opportunity to showcase His strength.

Verse of the Day: And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27

Believe in Yourself

I've said this earlier this year, but it bears repeating: God created you on purpose. He made you for a reason. He put you together as a part of His large divine plan. You're not here by accident. It's not a fluke that you're breathing.

So, why do so many of us suffer through doubt, indecision, and low self-esteem? Why do so many of us second guess ourselves? Why do we hesitate to act on the dreams and aspirations that are in our hearts and minds?

When God formed you, He put everything inside of you that you would need. He believed that His remarkable creation - you - would accomplish its purpose. He tucked those dreams inside your heart, He placed those visions deep in your mind. He put all that inside of you believing that you would be the perfect person to get the job done.

Don't let fear and unbelief stop you from reaching your purpose! Don't let your own self trick you out of accomplishing the very thing you were created to do! God put you together, gave you the breath of life, and allowed you to be born for this very moment in time.

He believes that you can do it. It's time for you to believe it for yourself.

Go ahead and reach for the stars. Step out of fear and into your destiny. Stop making up excuses and do what you feel in your heart. The Lord of All believed in you enough to place all of that inside of you, the least you can do is back Him up and get it done.

Verse of the Day: ...for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isaiah 43:7b

God's Got You!

In Psalm 56, David is praying to God for deliverance from his enemies. In the verses, David tells of being afraid and crying because of the way he is being targeted by evil men. Yet, in the midst of his despair, David had chosen to trust in the Lord. In the midst of his fear, David had decided to stand on the promises of God.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee... (Psalm 56:3)

Who do you run to when you are afraid? Do you run to the Lord? Or, do you only trust yourself to handle dire situations?

Maybe you do turn to the Lord, but do you turn to Him trusting that He can handle what you are facing? Do you come to Him with assurance that He can deliver you from the hands of your enemy?

David made the declaration that he would never fear what a man could do to him. He knew that with the God of the Universe on his side there was nothing the earth could present that could overtake him. He knew that with a cry to the Lord, his enemies would be turned around because God was fighting for him.

In the time of trouble, we should cry out to the Lord trusting in His righteousness and strength to save and deliver us. We should face the world with no fear because we know that we have the ultimate Winner on our side. There is nothing on this earth that can override the will of God.

As long as we're in His will, we have nothing to fear.

We just need to remember to call out to our Savior when trouble comes. We need to fill ourselves up with the Word of God, so we can have something to stand on when things get tight. We need to spend time with the Father to build a relationship so that our instinct is to turn to Him first before anyone else.

When trouble comes, you have someone who can keep you safe from all trouble and harm. Don't let the circumstances cause you to fear or falter. God's got your back!

Verse of the Day: When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Psalm 56:9-11

Right Obedience

When God blessed Abraham with a son, Abraham was overjoyed. He loved Isaac so much that God began to wonder if the child had taken first place in Abraham's life. To test Abraham's loyalties, God asked Abraham to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice to Him.

When Abraham heard the Lord's request, he didn't argue, he didn't complain, and he didn't talk back. He simply obeyed. Literally, the next morning, Abraham got up and set out to follow the Lord's command.

Abraham's heart had to be in turmoil and his mind utterly confused. Yet, he chose to obey the word of the Lord. Even when Isaac asked how they were going to make a sacrifice without a lamb, Abraham merely replied, "The Lord will provide the lamb."

When God saw Abraham's obedience, when He saw that Abraham was indeed willing to give his most prized possession up as an offering to Him, God intervened and spared Isaac's life. And the Lord did provide a ram in the bush to serve as the sacrifice instead. (Genesis 22)

Abraham endured this emotional test and passed God's challenge with flying colors. He obeyed immediately, he did not obey grudgingly or with the wrong spirit, and he kept his words in line.

Has God placed you in a challenge situation? He may not have asked you to sacrifice your child, but maybe He's asking you to sacrifice some time. Maybe He's challenging you to sacrifice in the area of giving. Perhaps He's testing you in the workplace.

Are you being like Moses? Are you simply obeying God without complaint? Or, are you talking back, questioning God's instructions, or even ignoring them altogether?

Our Father wants to know that He has first place in our hearts. He should take precedence over our jobs, our favorite hobbies, our friends, and even our families. He should be first always.

As our first love, we should have a deep enough relationship with Him to know that whatever He asks of us, He has our best interests in mind. We should trust that He will never lead us astray or cause us to fall. We should be assured that He loves us far beyond what we could think.

Maybe you are in a difficult spot. Maybe you feel that what God is asking you to do is unfair or painful. But, if we act in obedience like Abraham, the end result is God showing up and showing His love for us far beyond what we could have imagined.

Verse of the Day: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. Job 36:11, 12

What Are You Expecting To Happen?

Yesterday I was inspired by a message by Joel Osteen. He was ministering on doing an act of faith to show God that you believe that He is going to answer you prayers. In the message, Joel mentioned the story of the lame man who was lowered through the roof and placed at Jesus' feet in a crowded house. As a result of their act of faith, their friend was healed.

This morning I am meditating on expectation. Those friends expected their lame friend to be healed. They brought him to Jesus on purpose expecting Jesus to heal him. And, even when they encountered a large crowd and couldn't get right to Jesus, they figured out a way to get their friend in that house because they knew that he would be made whole.

What are you expecting? Do you have anything up before the Lord? Are you expecting Him to answer your prayers? Or, are you just praying out of fear or formality or desperation?

When you expect something to happen, you act as if it's already done. You make plans based on that thing coming to pass. You look for signs of it showing up. You speak in terms that it has already happened. Your mind is set on what you are expecting and your mood matches that expectation.

Are you expecting the right thing? Are you choosing to stand on God's Word believing that it will come to pass just as He said? Or are you just hoping and wishing? Don't just hope with the Lord, stand strong in faith! Believe that His Word is true! Have faith that He is coming through for you!

It is faith that moves God to action. It is that positive expectation that the Lord will come through that prompts Him to do exactly that.

Verse of the Day: And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2:4, 5

Know No Fear!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to encourage one of my friends who was going through a tough spot. I normally try to encourage those around me who need it, but this time I was especially motivated to say something because I saw my friend slipping too far into worry and fear. My friend was starting to stress out and I could see that the enemy was trying to lead them down into depression.

When trouble comes sometimes it's easy to just grab hold to fear, worry, and despair. We concentrate on what could go wrong, we start to fear that the worst could happen, and we stress out over the negative outcomes.

As believers in Christ, we should never give place to the enemy's suggestions! We should never entertain his lies or the fears he presents to our minds. Yes, we have to be practical in life and think ahead. Yet, with our relationship to the Lord, we should be thinking ahead with victory in mind! There is no reason for us to fear, worry, or get depressed. Even if the worst possible scenario does happen, God has us in the palm of His hand. He is still in control. We will still gain victory in the end.

Don't allow the 'what-ifs' of life to pull you down into a negative place. With God all things are possible! With Him, nothing can overtake you! Stop focusing on the negatives and start thinking on the positives! Everywhere you look there is evidence of God's love for you! Just being able to breathe in and out is evidence that He is keeping you.

Yes, things may be looking dark. I understand that the prognosis may actually be grim. It may seem like everything is going against you. But even if the only thing you have to hold onto is the fact that you are redeemed by Christ's love, that is more than the whole world against you!

Don't despair. God's got you. Rest in the strength of His embrace.

Verse of the Day: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. Psalm 27:1-3

Showing Love for All

In 2 Kings chapter 5 we find the story of a young girl who was taken into captivity by the Syrians. She was made a slave to the wife of one of the captains who defeated her country. Yet even while enslaved, the young girl displayed the love of God.

Her master, Naaman, was a leper. Seeing his sickness, the young girl spoke up. She mentioned to his wife that Naaman should go see the man of God because she knew that Naaman could be healed if he went to see him. As a result of this young girl's suggestion, her master was ultimately healed after following the prophet Elisha's instructions.

This young woman had every right to be bitter. She was taken captive from her home and she was now forced to be a slave to a family of her enemy. But, this young woman was not bitter. She recognized a need and knew how it could be fixed. She spoke up in faith believing that God would heal even her enemy. In showing her faith in God, she was able to give Naaman his miracle and ultimately show him that the Lord was the one true God.

Are you in a "captive" situation? Do you find yourself working with someone or in a situation that you see as totally against your favor? Don't get so caught up in what you see as a slight that you allow bitterness and anger to cloud your vision. Choose to remain full of God's love. Bless those that curse you. Do good to those who despitefully use you.

As you showcase God's love - even to your enemies - He may point out some problems that only He can fix. As you speak up in faith, you may be just the instrument to bring someone their miracle and ultimately lead them to the Lord.

Verse of the Day: And he [Naaman] returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel... 2 Kings 5:15a

No Need to Fear

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  - 1 John 4:18

I love this Scripture because at one time I had a problem of fear. I used to be afraid to talk to people, I was afraid of messing up, I was fearful of other people's views of me... I had so many worries and concerns that plagued my mind.

Yet in this verse I learned that there was no reason for me to be afraid. As I allowed God's perfect love to envelop me and to fill me, I experienced a strength and assurance that drove away fear.

God's love is so strong that He would do anything to save you. He gave up His only Son, so you could live. His love placed you in the right moment in time, the right family, the right country, with the right abilities and talents to fulfill your destiny. His love for you is so great He makes Himself available to talk to you whenever you want. He allows you to experience His awesome presence and to hear His personal words of wisdom straight to you.

With love like that, what do you have to fear?

There is no circumstance that can beat you. There is nothing a human being can do to you to cause you to fall. There is no sickness that can overpower you. There is no mountain that can block you. You have no reason to be afraid.

Why? Because God's love is for you. With His love, God will make sure you succeed. He will make sure your destiny in Him is fulfilled. He will take care of your every need and destroy your every foe.

All you have to do is allow His love to lead. All you have to do is trust in the love that saved you. All you have to do is allow yourself to become perfected in His love.

Verse of the Day: And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:16, 17

Willing To Obey

Peter's first introduction to Jesus was Jesus' use of his boat to preach from. After Jesus was finished with His sermon, He asked Peter to go out into deeper water and let down his nets to catch some fish. Peter told Jesus that they had worked hard the night before and caught nothing. Yet, after hearing Jesus' powerful words, Peter said: "...nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5)

When Peter obeyed Jesus, he caught more fish than he could handle alone! Peter's willingness to obey the Lord at His word caused him to become blessed beyond measure.

Many times we may labor in our efforts only to see little or no results. We work hard looking for solutions or increase only to find more questions and lack.

When God steps in (or we step towards Him finally) and He gives us instructions, it's always in our best interests to follow His word without question.

I'm sure Peter was exhausted after working all night. He had just cleaned his nets from their fruitless efforts, and now Jesus was asking to use them again. It was broad daylight, so as a fisherman Peter knew that the probability of catching more fish was small.

But Peter still chose to obey.

Maybe God is asking you to do something that seems out of place. God may be requesting you do to something you've done on your own before without results. He may be requiring you to pick up and try something that you feel is impossible.

However, if you are willing to obey God's Word, He will bless you beyond what you can think. Your obedience opens the door for Him to work all things together for your good. When you step out in faith, He can back up your actions with results.

Don't hesitate to obey God's Word. No matter how crazy, hard, or improbable it may seem, if it is the Lord's request, you would be a fool to ignore it.

Verse of the Day: Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalm 143:10

A God Kind of View

The Apostle Paul went through a lot in his life after he dedicated his life to Jesus. He was ridiculed, jailed, whipped, put under house arrest, questioned by other Christians, undermined in his ministry, as well as a host of other things. Yet Paul was able to go through all that he went through because he kept his mind on Christ.

Paul knew that in the larger picture, it was more important for him to spread the gospel than to be swayed by the circumstances around him. Paul recognized that he could not give up or give in. He saw that the temporary pains and disappointments could not compare to the joy and reward that he gained in following Jesus.

I often look at my father who is going through a great battle right now. Despite being unable to walk or use his hands, my father still does so much! He is still preaching and teaching the Word of the Lord on Sunday mornings. He still takes care of what business he has with our family and church. My father has not lost his joyful spirit or the great love in his heart.

My dad is able to keep his sweetness because he sees things in terms of eternity. He recognizes that God's plans for him will ultimately prevail. He knows that God's Word is sure. And because of that rock solid faith, my father can face each day with a smile.

So this week let's challenge ourselves to look at things in the scope of eternity. Instead of focusing on what's going on in the natural, let's acknowledge the spiritual. Instead of accepting the devil's negativity, let's adhere to what God says about us.

Yes, we all have trials and circumstances that we have to face. But we can face them head-on knowing that in the end we overcome! We don't have to be sad, depressed, or downtrodden. God's Word tells us that we win in the end! Have faith, and believe God's Word.

This week, let's strive to be kingdom minded. Nothing should be able to steal our joy or keep us from enjoying our lives.

Verse of the Day: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed... For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9, 17, 18