Category Archive

People are looking for solutions. They want solutions to help them sleep better, eat correctly, overcome past traumas, manage their emotions, parent their children, etc.

The answer to all our problems is God. If we go to God with our problems, He’s obligated Himself to be the solution. Psalm 62 says, our victory comes from God alone. We can replace victory with solutions.

Stop trying to figure it out on your own or find solutions outside of God. Go to Him with all your problems and let His Spirit guide you to the correct solution that you need.

Psalms 62:7 NLT My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

When we order something online through Amazon or another business, we usually provide a credit card number. Once the credit card information has been approved, we’ll get a confirmation email with a note informing us what date the item will be delivered. The item is already ours. We’re just waiting for it to be delivered.

God has everything we’ll ever need and want in this life. The blood of Jesus was the form of payment that purchased everything. Our needs and desires have been approved through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 1:20). Our confirmation of payment is in the word of God (1 John 5:15). According to Mark 11:24, once we’ve prayed for what we want in faith, we’re just waiting on our delivery.

The difference between an online order and a heavenly order is if we doubt an online order is coming, there’s no consequence. However, if we doubt a heavenly order will be delivered, the order will be canceled (James1:6-7).

How and when the delivery on a heavenly order will take place is usually unknown. Don’t worry, stress, or get frustrated about it. If we maintain our belief that the order will be delivered, heaven has a 100% success rate of getting what we want to us. In most cases, it exceeds our expectations (Eph. 3:20).

Once the request has been made, wait on your delivery with a positive attitude and with praise. The desire is already ours. We’re just waiting for it to be delivered.

Romans 8:25 NLT But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

Matthew 3:16‭-‬17 NIV As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Jesus didn’t die on the cross, He didn’t perform one miracle, and He didn’t heal a single person, but God still said He loved Him and He’s pleased with Him.

Religion says we need to do something in order for God to love and be pleased with us. The scriptures tell us God loved us before we had a relationship with Him (John 3:16). When we become children of God, through Jesus Christ, He not only loves us, but He’s pleased with us (Gal. 3:26).

Don’t ever think there’s a certain number of righteous acts we need to perform, behavior that must be perfected, or do any other thing in order for God to love and be pleased with us. He loves and is pleased with us because we’ve accepted His Son’s sacrifice as THE payment for our sins and we’re now part of His family.
Know you are loved and He’s pleased with you.

Psalms 50:23 NLT But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors Me. If you keep to My path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”

A way to honor God is by thanking Him.

Thank Him for His goodness.
Thank Him for His mercy.
Thank Him for life, health, and strength.
Thank Him for His protection.
Thank Him for His many blessings.
Thank Him for sending and sacrificing Jesus.

Thanking God should be done more than just on Thanksgiving. It should be done all the time.

We may have other things we want, but thank Him for the things He’s already done.

Don’t be ungrateful. Thank God for great and small things.

When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia. -Acts 20:1 NLT

Life can be a challenge. We’re the ones who are supposed to be nice when it’s normal for everyone else to be mean and ugly. We’re told to forgive when our flesh is telling us to hold a grudge. We’re instructed to love in a world full of hate. Internally, Satan is telling us all the reasons to feel depressed, less than, or unloved.

With all this opposition, it’s important for believers to remain encouraged, joyful, and to continue to honor God. It’s easy to curse someone out or punch someone in the face. It’s easy to give up and commit suicide. It’s a more difficult task to remain positive.

When we understand how much of a threat we are to the kingdom of darkness and when we realize how much good God has in store for us, we should be encouraged to continue on. Be a light to a fellow brother or sister. Let them know about the goodness of God. We all need to be encouraged from time to time. Let that encourager be you.

Acts 20:2‭-‬3 NLT While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece, where he stayed for three months. He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia.

Some believers today would look at Paul and say he was in fear and he didn’t have “real faith” because he chose to go to Macedonia instead of Syria. There’s no doubt Paul was led by the Spirit, he was full of faith, and he walked in his authority. But even with all of his faith and authority, Paul exercised wisdom.

Some believers understand faith and their authority, which is a good thing, but they use it foolishly. People have been killed by lions thinking their authority can protect them from going into a pride of lions. People have been injured in car accidents believing their faith will heal their vision. That’s not faith or exercising authority. That’s foolishness.

It would have been foolish for Paul to have learned about the Jews’ plot to kill him, but still go to Syria telling himself, “I’m God’s chosen one and no one can stop me.”

Allow the Holy Spirit to tell you when and where to apply your faith and authority. Until the Holy Spirit reveals that information, exercise wisdom.

Galatians 6:9 NLT So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

This verse informs us that fatigue is a part of being a believer. We will get tired of being nice to people who are rude to us. We will get tired of keeping our flesh in check. We will get tired of doing things the right way when everyone seems to be getting ahead doing things the wrong way.

Although there will be times of fatigue, we’ll reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t quit.

It’s a blessing to have peace in your home because you chose to follow God’s instructions regarding marriage. You may have wanted to tell your spouse about themselves, but you obeyed the Holy Spirit by holding your tongue. It’s a blessing when we work unto the Lord when everyone else is slacking off, because when that undeserving promotion comes, you’ll thank God that you didn’t quit doing good.

Quitting is easy, but it will only satisfy our flesh. Continuing to honor God will be the more difficult route, but it’s worth it.

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.

Romans 15:1‭-‬2 NLT We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.

As we mature in our understanding of who Christ is, what He’s done, knowing our authority in Him, and being led by the Spirit of God, it’s important not to forget others who may not have gotten to that point.

It’s important to encourage new or immature believers to grow in the things of God. Let them know to pray about every situation, give them understanding of what it means to be led by the Spirit, and encourage them to totally depend on God.

Leave no believer behind. As they mature, they can be a blessing to new believers and be a blessing to those who taught them. In Christ, we all can benefit from one another.

Matthew 4:4 NLT But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

We should be living by every word that comes out of the mouth of God. If God said it, that’s what we should be living by. Not by what we see, hear, or feel, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.

Just to name a few, God said we’re righteous, holy, forgiven, healed, wealthy, protected, and prosperous. That’s the word we should be living by.

Don’t let the circumstances dictate how you should be living. Only live your life based on what God said.

John 17:21 NLT I pray that they will all be one, just as you and —as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

Jesus prayed for His followers to be one. Although Jesus prayed for us to be one, this prayer is not going to automatically happen because it involves our will.

It’s our decision, as believers, to be one. God can’t make it happen and Jesus can’t pray for it to happen. We must choose to set aside trivial differences and be one. The unification is centered around Jesus. Jesus is Lord, He loves us, and He has made salvation available to everyone. If we can all agree on that and spread that message, we can be one. It’s okay to have a difference of opinion about certain scriptures, but we shouldn’t let that difference divide us.

Let’s fulfill Jesus’ prayer by being one. If that’s His desire, we should make it happen.

#beone

John 14:26 NLT But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Romans 15:4 NLT Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Contrary to some religious circles, God doesn’t use sickness, tragic circumstances, and loss to teach us something. God doesn’t need to hire Satan to teach us anything. Based on scripture, God teaches us through His word and His Spirit.

The word provides instructions on how to treat each other, how to have a successful marriage, how to parent our children, etc. The Holy Spirit provides specific details tailored to our situation. For one child, the Spirit can tell us to give them tough love. For another child, the Spirit can tell us to take a more gentle approach.

We can learn from any circumstance, but God is not causing negative circumstances to teach us anything. He will use His word and His Spirit.

Philippians 4:11 NLT Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.

Contentment wasn’t something that came automatically to Paul after accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. Paul had to learn how to be content.

As believers, we too must learn to be content. Daily, we’ll see something we don’t have. It may be a job, a car, a house, a spouse, or a pet. The devil will attempt to use these things to have us discontent in life. We may see a couple of those desires we don’t have yet, get upset, and forget about everything else God blessed us with.

There’s nothing wrong with desiring things, but don’t get to a place where you’re not content. Whenever we find ourselves feeling anxious, sad, or discontent, we must force ourselves to think about all the other things God has blessed us with and give Him praise.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 NLT Always be joyful.

This is a simple, yet powerful verse. It’s commanding us to always be joyful. This means we should have joy when things are going well and when we face challenges. Anyone can have joy when at peace and prospering. The real test is to maintain joy during the trials of life.

Joy doesn’t come from what we have. It comes from what we know. When we truly know we’re children of God who have authority over everything in this earth, we’ll have and maintain joy. We’ll have joy when we understand our faith in what God said in His Word will change any circumstance.

If facing sickness, maintain your joy by believing by the stripes of Jesus Christ we’re healed (Isaiah 53:5). If your marriage is chaotic, have peace knowing God promises restoration (Psalm 51:12). If suffering lack, know that God is the supplier of our needs (Phil. 4:19).

Use what God has said as the tool to always be joyful.

2 Corinthians 12:9 CEV But He replied, “My gift of undeserved grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me His power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.

Losing our keys and we can’t get into our house, getting a flat tire and not having the money to get a new tire, getting a divorce, or the transition of a loved one. These are all things that can potentially have us feeling weak or helpless. Instead of staying in the place of helplessness, that’s when we need to rely on God’s grace.

Grace, through Jesus Christ, has been made available for every believer. God’s grace has made everything we’ll ever need available to us when we need it. If we need comfort, God’s grace has made comfort available to us. If it’s finances, the grace of God has made finances available for us. If there’s a problem that we can’t fix, God’s grace has made unimagined solutions available to us. Whatever our weakness is, grace has been made available to supplement our weakness.

Praise God for the grace we have through Jesus Christ. His grace helps us overcome every negative situation in our lives.

Faith is constant belief in God’s word. It’s believing God will do what He said He will do. Some of us threw away our faith and passed on our promise based on circumstances and what we saw in the natural. Here’s good news…you can get it back.

At any time, you can reignite your faith and go after what God has promised. It’s not too late, you’re not too old, you don’t have too many responsibilities, or too much debt. It’s just a decision to believe God’s word for what He promised.

We see where it says nothing is too hard for God and with God all things are possible multiple times in scripture, but will we believe it? Just because you passed on God’s promise 10 years ago doesn’t make it harder for Him to bring to pass now. It may seem more impossible to us, but not with God. It’s all the same with Him. All we have to do is believe HIS word that He’ll use HIS power to bring HIS promises to pass.

You may have let your faith for something go. Make a decision to believe God’s word and get it back.

Mark 9:23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

Psalm 34:19 NLT The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.

2 Peter 2:9 NLT So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.

No matter how many trials we face, the Lord will rescue us from them all. It doesn’t matter if these trials are self-inflicted or not, God promises to rescue us from every trial.

Another thing to point out is God is not the author of these trials. Some believe God creates trials to teach us something. Why would God rescue us from a trial that He intentionally created to teach us something? That doesn’t make sense. God teaches us through His word and His Spirit (John 14:26). We can learn from any situation, but God didn’t create the trial to teach us.

Look to God when going through trials. Be encouraged to know that through any trial we face, God promises to rescue us.

Mark 3:33-35 NLT Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

The written word of God is the will of God, but the will of God may not always be written in the word of God.

For instance, it’s the will of God for husbands to love their wives like Christ loves the church according to Ephesians 5:25. An expression of that love will vary. It’s the will of God for me personally to love my wife by giving her massages. Even though giving my wife massages is not written in the word of God, it’s still the will of God because I’m being directed to by the Holy Spirit. If He doesn’t direct me to give her massages that particular day, I’m outside the will of God.

The job we choose, the church we attend, who we marry, or where we live cannot be found in the scriptures. But, if we obey the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, we can be in the perfect will of God.

Just know, it’s still God’s will even if you can’t find what He’s telling you to do in scripture. Whatever He tells us to do will be an extension of His written word. Obey His voice and be in the perfect will of God.

Genesis 8:22 NKJV “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”

God established a universal law of seedtime and harvest. When we give to a person, a ministry, a charity, or a family, we can expect a harvest.

If we financially give to a charity, we can expect a financial harvest in the future. Most of us think of a harvest being received in the form of a promotion, a bonus, someone giving money to us, or unexpectedly receiving a check in the mail. Our harvest can come that way, but God can also produce a harvest by downloading wisdom in us that can save us money over time. For instance, He can have us restructure our budget which will save us $200 a month. God can also provide a harvest through unexpected savings. We may have thought our electricity bill was going to be $300 this month, but it turned out to be $200.

Don’t limit the ways God can produce a harvest in our lives. When we give, be in expectation to receive a harvest through various ways.

Luke 6:38 NKJV Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”