Monthly Archive

Over the years, ministers have rightly identified ways to position believers to receive the promises of God. There’s developing our faith by hearing the word of God. There’s finding the promise in God’s word and meditating on those scriptures. There’s using the power in our words to bring the promise to pass. There’s sowing a seed to reap a promised harvest. There’s fasting to get clarity to hear from God. The list continues.

If we’re not mindful, Satan can use these things to make us feel like we’re not doing enough to receive God’s promises. He’ll tell us we’re not fasting enough, we’re not giving enough, we’re not serving in the church enough, or we don’t have enough faith. This trick to make us think we’re not doing enough can lead to doubt. When we doubt, we can’t expect to receive anything from God (James 1:6-7).

Ultimately, Satan is using good principles to try to get us to earn a blessing through works, instead of receiving by faith what grace has made available through Jesus Christ.

Jesus has already made every promise of God available to every believer (2 Cor. 1:20). Instead of trying to do all these different things to earn a blessing, our initial response should be to rest (Heb. 4:11). In this context, resting is believing God has made every promise available to us. Resting is labor intensive because you feel like you should be doing something to bring that desire to pass. But, God’s word instructs us to rest.

All these principles are beneficial, but don’t apply them to earn a blessing. Apply them as the Spirit leads you, but always be at rest knowing God has already made these promises available through Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:11 KJV Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Love your enemies (Luke 6:27). Pray for the leaders of your country (1Tim. 2:2). Forgive anyone who has sinned against you (Matt. 18:21-22). Give to the Kingdom of God (Prov. 3:9). Don’t have sex before you’re married (1 Cor. 6:18).

These are things God instructs us to do in His word. Some of these things are difficult to do. But there’s hope in Philippians 2:13.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. -Philippians 2:13 NLT

God lets us know He’ll give us the desire and power to please Him. Essentially, He helps us obey His word. He’ll help us forgive that spouse who had an affair. He’ll help us resist the urge to look at pornography. He’ll help us to trust Him when things seem to be falling apart.

God is not expecting us to obey His word in our own strength. His Spirit is present and He wants to help us do what we can’t do on our own.

Let’s humble ourselves before God, tell Him we can’t do these things without His help, and expect divine strength and the desire to obey His word.

Psalms 141:3 AMP Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].

What we say will determine where we’re going. If we speak negatively, in doubt, and with fear, that’s exactly what we’ll experience. However, if we speak in line with the word of God, we’ll have everything God has made available through Jesus Christ. This includes, health, wealth, peace, restoration, relationships, and more. But it first starts with our words.

As always, God is our Helper (Ps. 121:2). He will help us with anything He instructs us to do including, being mindful of our words. If we ask for help and follow His advice, we’ll find ourselves speaking in line with His word regardless of the situation.

If you know or have been told about your negative mouth, go to God and ask for help. He will help you speak His word and what we say, will come to pass (Mark 11:23).

Psalms 34:10 NLT Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

Trusting in the Lord is not something we just say. Trust requires corresponding actions. We can say we trust God, but if we’re trying to handle situations ourselves, make it happen in our own strength, be our own provider, protector, and healer, our trust is limited to our words.

A real display of trust is resting in God’s word (Hebrews 4:9-12). We may see a situation we can handle ourselves, but God’s word says He’ll fight for us (Exodus 14:14). Someone may be lying on us, but anyone who attempts to accuse us, God will dismiss them as a liar (Isaiah 54:17). Instead of working 2 or 3 jobs in our flesh to get ahead, trust in the blessing of the Lord and His promise to be our Provider (Proverbs 10:22; Phil. 4:19).

As a result of our trust in the Lord, God promises no lack in our lives. There will be no lack in our finances, our health, in our relationships, etc. If there’s an area where you’re not trusting God completely, give that to Him and rest in what His word says.

1 Samuel 18:12‭, ‬14 NLT Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul. David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him.

Every born-again believer has the Lord with them. Because the Lord is with us, two things will happen. Our enemy is afraid and is threatened by our existence and we’ll succeed in everything we do.

Satan will use anything he can to make us doubt that God isn’t with us, God doesn’t love us, and God isn’t for us. Don’t listen to him. He’s a liar. He knows when we get a true revelation of God in our lives, through Jesus Christ, we’re unstoppable. Like David, we’ll succeed in everything we do. We’ll succeed in our relationships, in our finances, in our marriages, and in our health.

If a hell is breaking loose around you, don’t get frustrated. Trust and believe the Lord is with you and you’ll succeed over every attack of the enemy.

Psalm 37:1‭-‬2 MSG Don’t bother your head with braggarts or wish you could succeed like the wicked. In no time they’ll shrivel like grass clippings and wilt like cut flowers in the sun.

When you see unsaved individuals live in mansions, porn stars drive Bentleys, or cartel kingpins with stacks of cash, don’t get envious or frustrated. God’s word forewarned us that they will succeed.

Although it looks like they’re succeeding on the outside, it doesn’t mean they’re happy or at peace. These are the intangibles that money can’t buy.

Of course we would like to have some of the things the unrighteous have, but we shouldn’t obsess over them. If we want it, ask God in prayer and believe that you have received it (Mark 11:24). As we keep our faith in His word, in due time, we’ll have our heart’s desire.

In the waiting period, we must do what 2 Timothy 3:14 tells us. It says, you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

Be blessed!

Proverbs 13:16 NLT Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

There are prisons all across this world full of prisoners who didn’t think before they acted. There are cemeteries full of people who didn’t think before they acted. There are people who lost good jobs, good relationships, and good friendships because they didn’t think before they acted.

Life is a sum total of the decisions we make. If we think about potential consequences before we act, we’ll make better choices. The problem is some people make decisions from their emotions. They allow their emotions to run their lives instead of wisdom.

There is great earthly wisdom we can get, but the best wisdom is from the word of God. God’s word teaches us how to forgive, how to love our enemies, how to maintain peace, and how to control ourselves. When we follow God’s word and are led by the Holy Spirit, we’ll be wise enough to think before we act.

Save yourself from potential consequences by thinking with God’s wisdom before you act.

James 5:20 NLT you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

It’s great when we get saved. It’s great to know we have access to God through Jesus to get everything we’ll ever need or want in this life. But when we establish a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ, it’s time to go hunting for the lost.

There’s no sense in holding all this too good to be true (but it is true) knowledge to ourselves. Be the light in darkness. Help snatch them out of the pit of hell. Let’s do our best to show people in the world how loving and great our God is. Let them know how easy it is to have a relationship with Him.

It’s more than just praying for them from the comfort of our home. It’s having a conversation with them to let them know God is waiting on their decision to turn or return to Him.

Having an abundance of blessing is cool, but being a vessel to point them to Christ is better.

2 Samuel 7:22 NLT “How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!

There is no one like our God. He’s great, He’s awesome, He’s powerful, and He’s amazing.

Who else can make our mistakes work out for our good? Who else can take our weaknesses and make them our strengths like He did with Moses? Who else can give you a deal where you don’t have to earn your righteousness, but simply believe in His Son (Jesus) to be made righteous? The answer to all these questions is no one.

As great as a spouse, a child, or a pet can be, no one comes close to the awesomeness of God. Give Him praise. Give Him glory. Give Him honor for being so good. And since He’s so good, give Him full access to govern your life based on His Word.

1 Samuel 23:16 NLT Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.

If we’re not mindful, life’s challenges have the potential to make us quit. We’ll throw our faith in God away and settle for whatever life gives us. We’ll give up on making our marriage work, settle for financial instability, or accept the decline in our health.

It’s during these times we need real friends to encourage us to keep our faith in God. We need friends to pray with and for us, tell us to get in God’s word, or friends that will send us encouraging sermons that will ignite our faith. We need friends who will encourage us not to quit.

If you don’t have friends like that and you want one, sow a seed of friendship to someone else who is going through difficult times. Be the one to encourage them. As you sow a seed of friendship, God will send a friend across your path who will encourage you and help you strengthen your faith.

Psalms 91:11 NLT For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

God has assigned angels to guard, defend, and protect our lives. It’s not just one, but more than one.

We may have heard this before, but for some, it hasn’t sunk in. The reason being is because some of us are still afraid to go places at night. Some are afraid to go places alone. Some are afraid to fly, take a cruise, or go to a foreign country. If we truly had a revelation on what our protecting angels can do, we would never be afraid again.

Here’s an example of what one angel can do. 2 Kings 19:35 That same night the Lord sent an angel to the camp of the Assyrians, and he killed 185,000 of them. And so the next morning, the camp was full of dead bodies. In Daniel 6:22 it says, my God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in His sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

For each example, this is the outcome for just one angel. Again, God has assigned multiple angels on our behalf.

So, don’t be afraid. Live and enjoy your life. God has ordered His angels to guard and protect you wherever you go.

There’s been a misunderstanding amongst believers regarding a guardian angel. There is nowhere in scripture where it says we have a guardian angel. It sounds nice and sweet, but it’s not in the bible.

It does, however, say we have guardian angels (plural). God has assigned angels to guard, defend, and protect our lives. It could be 2. It could be 2,000. We don’t know. But we do know there’s more than one and one of their assignments is to protect us in all of our ways.

Receive this protection and never be afraid again.

Psalm 91:11 NLT For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

2 Kings 5:11 NLT But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me!

Naaman expected to be healed a certain way, but when his expectations weren’t met, he walked away and almost missed his blessing. His officers had to encourage him to do what the prophet had said.

Some of us are like Naaman. We expect God to bless us a certain way, but because the steps to receive that blessing oppose our logic, our desires, or our emotions, we walk away from the steps that can change our lives.

Some of you want a spouse. God may have instructed you to get on a dating site, but because that’s not how you expected to get a spouse, you walk away from that blessing.

Some of you want to be healthier. God may have instructed you to stop eating certain dishes, but since you expected to get healthy and still be able to eat those dishes, you walk away from that blessing.

Some of you want a new house. God may have instructed you to forgive your cousin or friend you haven’t spoken to in years, but since you can’t logically see what forgiveness has to do with getting a house, you forfeit a house or the house you truly desire.

Naaman’s ego and pride almost cost him a blessing. Don’t let that be your story.

1 Timothy 4:8 AMPC For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

We’re living in a time where everyone is working out. This is good because it helps with lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and improving overall health. We’re also living in a time where spiritual training is dying. People don’t attend church as often, bibles are left on the shelf, and prayer has been limited to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Physical training is good, but like the scripture says, spiritual training will positively impact all of our lives. Bench pressing 300 pounds won’t help our marriage, but being sensitive to the Holy Spirit will. Running 10 miles won’t give us peace of mind, but we can have perfect peace when keeping our minds focused on Him (Isaiah 26:3). Doing 1000 abs won’t stop us from lusting and falling, but being uplifted by fellow believers can.

Spiritual training is just like physical training. We may not want to do it, but we’ll definitely see the benefits as we continue to train.

Psalms 34:11 NLT Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.

As parents, we’re the first door to introducing our children to Christ. It’s not the church’s responsibility, but our responsibility to let our children know God loves them and through Christ our sins are forgiven, we’re protected, and we’re righteous. The church simply reinforces what should be taught at home.

It’s important for them to hear the word of God on a level where they can understand. Youtube is filled with great bible-based shows that entertain as well as teach them the word of God. We can also explain it to them with nightly devotionals. Have them attend children’s church to let them experience other like-minded believers their age. All of this builds a foundation that they’ll never forget (Prov. 22:6).

People are quick to say how bad the world is getting, but if they’re not teaching the next generation to reverence God, they’re a part of the problem. Let’s teach our children the word of God.

1 Samuel 17:45 NLT David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

When Goliath talked all that trash, David responded by saying, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” David coming in the name of the Lord gave him the victory.

When Goliath-like situations come in your life, how do you respond? Do you come in the knowledge found on WebMD when sickness attacks your body? Do you come in the information found in self-help books when negative thoughts attack your mind? Or in any situation, do you come in the name of the Lord?

When we come in the name of the Lord, we’ll defeat anything the devil throws our way. The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10).

Psalm 62:5 GNT I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him.

Dependence is the total opposite of what we’re taught in the world. Countries are praised because of their independence, songs are written about being independent, and children are applauded because of their independence. But in the Kingdom of God, we’re instructed to depend on God.

Dependence has to be taught and received because it’s not common as an adult. We want to do everything ourselves. If we get a pimple, we want to pop it instead of waiting on supernatural healing. If we’re lonely, we want to find the one instead of allowing God to show us the one. If we lack financially, we want to get a second stream of income instead of listening to God on where financial favor will come.

Depending on God requires trust, patience, and faith. Without those, we’ll be tempted to handle the situation ourselves. Trust that God has our best interests at heart. Be patient and wait on His perfect timing. And have faith knowing God will do what He said He will do.

Philippians 2:17 NLT But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

When most people think of giving an offering to God, they think of money. That’s true, but there are more ways to give an offering to God.

Another offering to God is giving our lives to Him. Paul was willing to lose his life as a sacrificial offering to God. Although we may not be in a life or death situation, the sacrifice of giving up things appealing to our flesh is an offering to God. Romans 12:1 says, to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. When we give up premarital sex, drugs, alcohol, and pornography because we want to honor God, we’re giving an offering to God.

The second offering we see in this scripture is the offering of service. God understands we have busy schedules and things we want to do. When we intentionally carve out time to serve His kingdom, we are giving an offering to God. Feeding the hungry, being a greeter at church, cleaning the streets, or volunteering at a shelter are all examples of offerings we can give to God.

Don’t limit your offering to just money. It could be worship, a lifestyle change, or service. Let’s continously bring an offering to God.

Jeremiah 29:12 NLT In those days when you pray, I will listen.

We don’t have to wonder if God heard us when we prayed. His word clearly tells us when we pray, He listens. 1 John 5:15 says, since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.

There are no qualifications on God hearing and answering our prayers. It didn’t say we needed to go to church for so many months before He hears our prayer. It didn’t say we need to pray with a pastor in order to be heard. It didn’t say we need to be on our best behavior for two weeks in order for God to hear and answer our prayers. It said anytime we pray, He will listen. We literally could have just awakened with a hangover and pray and God will hear us.

Don’t be deceived into thinking God’s not hearing your prayer based on your behavior, how often you attend church, or much you read the bible. He obligated Himself to hear our prayer every time we pray.

Luke 6:47‭-‬48 NLT I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.

There are people, believers included, who choose to do things contrary to God’s word. When God’s word says forgive, they choose not to forgive. When God says to give, they choose to hoard. When God’s word instructs them to discipline their children, they choose another path.

They do things contrary to God’s word because they ultimately don’t trust it. They may not have been exposed to the word of God, they may not know how to rely on it, or they may have been taught to trust more in themselves instead of God’s word. Some people may not have given God’s word a chance because it’s too illogical for them to comprehend.

After choosing not to obey God’s word, they become stressed, their children act out, they’re lacking financially, and their marriage is a mess. They wonder what’s going on, but ultimately it began with a choice not to trust God’s word.

Jesus lets us know when we come to Him, listen to Him, and do what He says, our foundation will be secure. It doesn’t mean things won’t attempt to attack our peace, our finances, or our families, but when those attacks come, we’ll know how to respond appropriately. We’ll realize God’s love for us, we’ll understand the authority God has given us, and we’ll know the promises God’s made available for us.

Stop trying to do things without God or contrary to God’s word and start trusting in His way of doing and being right.

1 Corinthians 2:16 AMP For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes].

When we make Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, we receive the mind of Christ. In the Amplified version of Proverbs 16:3 it says, God will cause our thoughts to become agreeable to His will.

The mind of Christ comes by way of the Holy Spirit. So, we don’t have to wonder what the will of God is for our lives or what He wants us to do in this season. God will reveal what He wants us to do through His Spirit.

The mind of Christ will teach us how to respond appropriately, how to treat each other, how to be good parents, or how to be a good co-worker. The mind of Christ can reveal major things like establishing a new business that will change the world or starting a ministry.

Every believer has the mind of Christ. As long as we rely on His mind, we’ll have everything we need to be successful. Stop looking to the limited knowledge we have in our natural minds and start looking to the infinite wisdom we have through the mind of Christ.

Acts 26:2 NKJV “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,

Our thoughts control our emotions. We can either think positive thoughts and be joyful, happy, and at peace or think negative thoughts and be sad, angry, frustrated, or depressed. The good news is it’s up to us.

Negative thoughts will enter our minds, but we don’t have to accept them. With God’s help, we have the ability to think ourselves happy. Negative situations may be going on all around us, but in the midst of all that, God has given us control over our thoughts.

Philippians 4:8 tells how to think. It says, finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Stop dwelling on negative things. Find the good in every situation and think on those things.