Monthly Archive

Luke 18:1 NLT One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

Jesus instructs us, through His disciples, to always pray. That doesn’t mean pray 24 hours a day for 365 days. That means having a consistent prayer life.

Prayer is not limited to a period of time where we’re on our knees for an hour. Prayer can be throughout the day. A way to pray is when anything comes across our minds, pray about it. It doesn’t need to be loud and theatrical, but whispering, we can pray about it.

If it’s a negative thought, throw it out of our minds by verbally declaring the truth of God’s word. If it’s a positive thought, praise and thank God for it. If it’s a thought about someone else, pray for them and their situation. Whatever thought comes across our minds, we can pray about it, right then and right there.

Understanding that thousands of thoughts come across our minds, this will keep us busy praying. Remember to pray. It’s beneficial for everyone.

Mark 4:24 NLT Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.

Technology has made our lives easier, but at the same time, it provides a lot of distractions. When we’re supposed to be listening to the word, some of us have our phones out texting, checking emails, on social media, or playing games. These distractions are keeping us from getting more understanding of who God is, what He’s done, and what He has for us through Jesus Christ. We’re focused on what our friends are saying instead of what God is saying.

Eliminate those distractions by keeping your phone in your pocket or purse. If it’s too tempting to use a bible app because of the other things you have on your phone, bring a paper bible and keep your phone out of sight.

God is always speaking to us. The question is, are we listening?

Mark 4:25 NLT To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Some of us just hear the word on Sundays. We go to church, hear the word and don’t hear anything else until next Sunday (maybe). When we only listen to the word once a week, we limit our spiritual development and our understanding of who God is and what He’s done.

The more word we hear, the more understanding we’ll have. God could be attempting to give us answers or provide a revelation of certain situations through His word, but if we’re not listening, we’re missing out.

Our flesh will think of everything else we could be doing besides listening to the word. But if we discipline ourselves to hear God’s word daily, we can get so much more out of our relationship with God. Take the time to CONSISTENTLY listen to God’s word.

Proverbs 5:21‭-‬23 NLT For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

Some people are deceived into thinking they’re free because they allow themselves to do whatever their flesh wants to do. If they want to get high, they’ll get high. If they want to have sex with this or that person, they’ll have sex. If they feel the need to steal to get financially ahead, they’ll steal.

This sense of freedom is really a trap. They’ll get hooked to sin won’t know how to turn it off. Using our will power won’t work. That’s why God doesn’t want us to go down these paths in the first place.

But for those who have gone down these paths, there’s good news. The power of God, through Jesus Christ, can destroy the bondage of sin. Understanding we’re forgiven, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us, and totally relying on God is the key to breaking the bondage of sin.

Don’t be deceived into thinking following your flesh equals freedom. True freedom comes when we’re submitted to God.

Psalms 42:5‭ NLT Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again— my Savior

Psalms 42:11 NLT Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again— my Savior and my God!

The writer is asking himself why he’s sad and discouraged. The antidote for his sadness and discouragement is a decision he makes. He stops focusing on what’s causing him to be sad and begins to put his hope in God AND begins to praise God.

We all will be tempted to be sad, discouraged, or maybe even depressed. When we begin to feel down or discouraged, put your hope in God regarding that subject. We could be tempted to be discouraged about our marriage, our finances, our health, or our employment situation. Regardless of what may be bringing us down, give that situation to God and let Him handle it. And because He has a perfect track record of success, we can praise Him now, knowing that situation is handled.

Twice, the writer asked himself these questions. This lets us know the enemy will tempt us again and again to be sad and discouraged. But every time he throws negative thoughts in our minds, we combat his thoughts by placing our hope in God and giving Him praise.

Psalms 100:5 NLT For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

God’s faithfulness and love endures forever. It will forever be available for us. Although His faithfulness and love is available, it’s up to us to accept and recognize it.

We often minimize or overlook His love and faithfulness because it’s not packaged the way we want or because the package is too familiar. For instance, most of us eat daily, have a place to stay, and have water to drink. This is God’s faithfulness and love on display but because this is common, His faithfulness and love is minimized. We want the BIG blessings as a sign of His love and faithfulness, but His love and faithfulness is on display on a daily basis.

Don’t minimize what He’s done or doing. God’s faithfulness and love endures forever.

Daniel 4:34 NLT “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and His kingdom is eternal.

God has the ability to put and keep our mind in its proper place. We don’t have to suffer from depression, bipolar disease, anxiety, or any other mental illnesses.

First of all, through Jesus, we are healed (1 Peter 2:24). That’s not limited to physical wounds, but it includes mental instabilities. As we put our faith in God’s word for healing in our minds, we can experience divine mental health.

Secondly, our minds can stay regulated by thinking on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). We control what we think about. When we think on what He instructs us to think about, our minds won’t entertain negative thoughts.

Finally, our words have the power to change any situation (Proverbs 18:21). As long as we continue to claim we have this or that mental illness, we’ll always suffer from it. However, if we declare we’re healed in the name of Jesus, mental illness of any kind has to submit to the Name.

Mental illness is not a hopeless situation. We don’t have to suffer with it for the rest of our lives. We can take authority over mental illness and allow God to regulate our minds.

Lamentations 3:25 AMP The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word].

We all are waiting on God for something. It could be a desire, healing in our bodies, or a promotion. Regardless of what we’re waiting for, the key is to wait with confidence.

Confidently waiting on God is a display of our faith in His word. We’re not worried, sulking, or depressed because we confidently believe He’s going to manifest what He said. We may not know the timing, but we do know it will come to pass.

Continue to believe and don’t doubt. Trust that He will do what He said. Eventually, what you’ve been standing in faith for will come to pass.

James 1:5 NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Our Heavenly Father is a generous giver. His generosity is based on His love for us. He generously gives because that’s His nature. He’s not withholding anything from us. He’s a generous God.

A generous giver gives more than expected. If we need $500, He’s likely to give us $800. If we desire for our neck to be healed, He’ll heal our knee too. If we need wisdom in our jobs, He’ll also provide wisdom in parenting. He’s a great giver.

When we have a revelation that God is a big giver and He loves to give, we’ll comfortably ask Him for anything. We won’t feel ashamed or think we’re asking Him for too much. We’ll ask with an expectation to receive because He loves us and He wants to see us happy.

1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin.

When we make Jesus Christ Lord and Savior, there are several things we have through Christ Jesus.

United
We are united with Christ. We’re no longer seen as individuals. We’re united with Christ. When God sees us, He sees Christ.

Righteous
Because we’re united with Christ, we are made righteous. Being righteous and made righteous are two separate things. Being righteous has to do with our behavior. Made righteous is our new nature. There’s nothing we can do to be made righteous. Only our union through Christ makes us righteous.

Pure
Jesus has made us pure. Purity doesn’t come from our virginity, what we eat, or what we’ve experienced. Like our righteousness, we were made pure and there’s nothing that can take that away.

Holy
Holiness doesn’t come from what we wear, how much makeup women have on, or how we choose to entertain ourselves. It’s not external. Holiness ONLY comes through Jesus. We can do holy things, but that doesn’t make us holy. We were made holy to continuously be in the presence of God because He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).

Freed
We have been freed from sin. Sin no longer has power over us (Rom. 6:14). In the past, when they sinned, it made them unrighteous, impure, and unholy. Because of Jesus and the forgiveness we have through Him, sin’s power has been taken away.

Praise God for Jesus. Through our belief in Him, we are united with Christ, made righteous, made pure, made holy, and freed from sin. Who else can give us a better deal than that?

Psalms 121:2 NLT My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

All of our help comes from the Lord.

Our help doesn’t come from the government. Our help comes from the Lord. Our help doesn’t come from the Republicans or Democrats. Our help comes from the Lord. Our help doesn’t come from close friends or family members. Our help comes from the Lord.

Whenever we have an issue, we need to go to God for help. It could be a financial issue, a health issue, a marital issue, a mental issue, or a parenting issue. Whatever the problem is, God is our help.

Don’t get mad at the government, family members, or coworkers because they didn’t help you. They’re not the source of our help. All of our help comes from the Lord. Go to God.

1 Peter 3:15‭-‬16 NLT Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

Following Christ may come with questions and critics. When those questions arise, be sure you’re ready to explain your beliefs. The only way to explain your beliefs is to know the Word of God for yourself. Saying “this is how my church does it” or “my pastor says” won’t cut it. We must know what we believe and why we believe backed by scripture.

Obviously, even after we explain ourselves, there still may be critics. That’s when we follow verse 16. We continue to honor God, put Him first, and let the success of our lives do the talking. When people see us with peace, joy, overcoming testimonies, and blessings, they’ll have no choice but to say, “Jesus is Lord.”

We don’t need to argue with anyone. If people have questions, we’ll politely explain ourselves in the hopes that they’ll turn to Jesus. Otherwise, our abundant lives will be the proof of God’s existence.

It’s important to have a balanced spiritual diet of the word of God. Too much of anything will leave us spiritually unbalanced.

If we only hear the word of God about God’s love, we’ll have faith in God’s love, but we’ll be lacking in our understanding about giving, serving, or ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we only hear sermons about preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, that’s good, but we’ll be deficient in developing our faith to overcome negative situations in the world.

It’s unfair to think our local church should preach about every beneficial topic within a year. So, it’s important to feed ourselves.

Find bible-based ministers online who resonate with you that are ministering about beneficial topics you may not be hearing on a consistent basis. Romans 10:17 says, faith comes by hearing the word of God. The topics we hear is what we’ll have faith for. If your local church primarily teaches on love, developing a relationship with God, and serving, find bible-based ministers teaching about faith, forgiveness, and righteous living. If you’re only hearing about living holy and having authority over demonic activity, find teaching about grace and faith-filled confessions.

Daily, we should be listening to the word of God to feed our spirits. Be sure to feed your spirit a balanced diet.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!
Isaiah 65:24 NLT

Have you ever got a need met and you didn’t go through the process of asking, believing, and receiving by faith? I have. That’s God fulfilling His promise to us.

He’s not going to do this all the time, based on the fact that He established a process in Mark 11:24 of asking in faith, believing that we have received whatever we asked for in prayer. But when He meets a need or gives us a desire we didn’t ask for, it’s a special feeling to know how much God loves us.

If He promised to meet our needs, expect every need to be met. Just know, some of our met needs may catch us by surprise.

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
Galatians 6:8 NLT

How do we please the Spirit? By doing what the Holy Spirit says.

The Holy Spirit will always tell us to do something good (Gal. 6:9). He’ll tell us to encourage that random person sitting alone, He’ll tell us to buy something nice for our child’s teacher, He’ll tell us to spend more time with our parents, or He’ll tell us to give a certain amount to the Kingdom of God. Even if it doesn’t seem good at first, especially to our flesh, it will work out in our favor.

As we please the Spirit, we’ll have a harvest of everlasting life and in verse 9 it says we’ll reap a harvest of blessings. So, please the Spirit by following the leading and guiding of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” -Acts 8:29‭-‬30 NLT

The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. -Acts 8:34‭-‬35 NLT

We cannot earn a blessing from God. No matter how many church services we attend, how long we pray, and how distant we are from the world, we can’t earn a blessing. All of God’s blessings have been approved and made available for every believer through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 1:20).

Although we can’t earn a blessing, we can position ourselves to receive a promise from God. We position ourselves by being led and obeying the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will tell us where to go to get approved for a loan. The Holy Spirit will tell us what to do to be healed of that pain in our back. The Holy Spirit will tell us how to be a blessing. If we’re not sensitive to or don’t obey His voice, we’ll miss what’s been made available through Christ.

God has made every need and desire available for us. Obedience positions us to receive what has already been promised and made available to us.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT

Whether it’s a marriage, a friend, a child, or a coworker there are some of us who keep record of being wronged. We want to let them know how they hurt or disappointed us. Some harbor resentment for that person based on how they were treated. That’s not love.

Love is forgiving. We need to let things go and walk in freedom. We need to forgive them and move on with whatever God wants us to do.

Keeping record of being wronged adds unnecessary stress which lead to disease. Give your cares to God, forgive them, and trust that what was meant for evil will turn out for your good.

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
Luke 16:10 NLT

Some of us have big aspirations to be used by God. We want God to use us in a mighty way. We want to preach to thousands, feed millions, or be one of the biggest givers in the body of Christ. That’s good. Keep that energy.

Until God reveals that big way He wants to use us, be faithful in the little things He asks of us. Go to bed when He tells you to, encourage that friend He keeps putting on your mind, or start that small group that He’s been telling you to start for months.

If we do the little things He tells us to do, we display our faithfulness. That faithfulness qualifies us to do bigger things for the Kingdom and for people. Be faithful in little.

Psalms 119:93 NLT I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.

Life is given when we follow God’s instructions. This is literal and figurative. Following God’s commands can literally be the difference between death and life. When we obey His voice or His word, we can avoid car crashes that could kill us or avoid going to parties where we could end up being shot.

Figuratively speaking, we get revived knowing we’re following God’s instructions. It revives us knowing we’re doing what God told us to do. What God tells us to do may be difficult to our flesh, but once we obey, it’s like accomplishing a goal and that accomplishment gives us life.

Never forget His word and you’ll experience abundant life.

Psalms 25:8 NLT The Lord is good and does what is right; He shows the proper path to those who go astray.

We may have gone astray or know people who have gone astray. Either way, we have a promise from God where He’ll show us the proper path to return to Him and His will. He’s doesn’t make us figure it out on our own as a punishment, but wherever we are, He’ll find us and show us the way.

Our going astray could have led us to being in debt, having a criminal record, or having broken relationships. When we surrender ourselves to God, He’ll lead us not only to Him, but He’ll show us how to get out of debt, work around our criminal record, and mend broken relationships.

For anyone who may have gone astray, return to the Lord and allow Him to show you the proper path to take.