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Daniel 3:18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

The Hebrew boys were faced with a consequence if they didn’t bow down to the statue. As we can see, they didn’t compromise on their beliefs. In the face of death, they chose to remain faithful to God.

There are people in the world whose lives are being threatened because they’re a Christian. They’re forced to make a decision to denounce Christianity or die. I say you, don’t bow. Trust God to deliver you.

For the rest of us, our consequences may not be as severe, but certain situations will require us to make a decision. We may be working in a company where it’s the norm to fudge the numbers a little bit. Don’t bow. Stay honest and do what’s right even if it may cost you a promotion. There may be an attractive person asking you to sleep with him/her. Don’t bow. Honor God in your body.

Let’s not compromise our beliefs or go against the word of God to stay alive, get ahead, or please our flesh. Do what’s right in the sight of God and rely on Him to guard, defend, and protect you.

Jude 1:2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Through Jesus Christ, we’ve been given authority to bind and loose things in the earth (Matt. 16:19). We also see throughout scripture how our words have power.

With this understanding, we can invoke a blessing on ourselves and others. We can speak this over our children, our parents, and our friends.

Follow the example of Jude and invoke a multiplied blessing today.

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this saying, “A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest.”

Sowing and reaping is a principle. When we sow a lot, we’ll reap a lot. Although it’s a principle, it’s important to be led by the Spirit when giving.

He’ll tell us what to give and when to give it. If we’re not led by the Spirit, we can end up being unwise with our finances and giving money away that we actually need or could’ve been used somewhere else.

Accompany the principle of sowing and reaping with being led by the Holy Spirit. He’ll position us to reap the maximum harvest on the seeds we’ve sown while being wise with our resources.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Sometimes, things seem so rough until it’s difficult to find gladness. It’s during these times we have to be glad by faith.

Just like anything else we don’t have, gladness is something we can obtain by faith. We literally have to open our mouths and declare, “God, I thank you for and I believe that I received gladness.” We may have to say this several times throughout the day. Eventually, God will replace negative thoughts about situations we’re experiencing with thoughts of gladness. The situation has not changed, but our perspective has changed.

Don’t go through the day feeling sorry for yourselves or with a negative attitude. Choose to be glad in the day the Lord has made.

Psalm 115:14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

“Wherever we are in life, God desires to give us more.”-I.V. Hilliard

If we have $1,000,000 in the bank, God desires to give us more. If we have $2.00 in the bank, God desires to give us more. It makes no difference.

He not only wants to give us more, but He wants to provide increase to our children. Who wouldn’t serve a God that wants to be good to our children?

Don’t limit this scripture to money. He wants to provide us with more peace, more confidence, more help, more resources, etc.

This more is not for us to flash on social media. This more is to be a blessing to others and advance the Kingdom of God (Genesis 12:2).

Believe, receive, and expect more in your household.

Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

When Mary was informed she would have God’s son, she believed it. She didn’t doubt. She believed. Because she believed, she was blessed and was promised fulfillment or manifestation of the things that were told to her.

This principle is still true today. The things that were told to us by God, are in God’s word. When we choose to believe God’s word (without doubting), we are blessed and we’re guaranteed to experience the manifestation of the things that were told to us.

Manifestation from God is directly tied to our belief. Choose to believe and experience God’s best.

Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. 8 He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

When we place all of our trust and confidence in the Lord, we become like a tree whose roots are in the stream. No matter what happens in our lives or around us, we’ll always prosper.

This is how us trees should be…
The doctor gives us a negative health report. We’re not moved because our confidence is in His word that we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). We have to go to the hospital. Okay, we’re still healed. The doctors say our lives will never be the same. They’re correct. It won’t be the same because we’ll have a testimony to tell how we were healed.

We desire a spouse. God’s word says He’ll give us our heart’s desire as we delight in Him (Psalm 37:4). Even people who don’t like us and dishonoring God are getting married. Makes no difference to us because no good thing will God withhold from us (Psalm 84:11). It’s taking a long time. No matter how long it takes, we believe the truth in God’s word (Mark 11:24).

Although delay, pain, and unfortunate events may occur, as we keep our focus on God and the truth in His word, we can’t be uprooted and we’ll receive whatever we desire.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

When a desire enters our minds, the first thing we need to do is confirm if it’s a God-inspired desire. Once we consult the Holy Spirit to confirm it’s a God-inspired desire, we ask God for it. While we’re asking for it, we believe that we’ve received it from God (Mark 11:24). Once we asked for it, God heard us. And since He heard us, we know we have what we’ve asked for.

Whatever we desire HAS TO COME TO PASS. It’s not maybe or possibly. God put His word on the line. It has to come to pass. The only way it won’t come to pass is if doubt or unbelief is involved. James 1:6-7 says we shouldn’t expect to receive anything from God if we doubt.

No matter how long it takes, how impossible it seems, or how much things have changed, if we believe for a God-inspired need or desire, it has to happen.

Genesis 13:8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

The reason why Abram didn’t care where he went was because the blessing was on his life. In Genesis 12, the Lord commanded the blessing on his life. By chapter 13, he not only was rich, but very rich in materialistic wealth (v. 2). So, Abram knew he was going to thrive wherever he went.

The same blessing that was on Abram, is on us too. Galatians 3:14 says, He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Having faith in this blessing guarantees us wealth and prosperity wherever we go. As we follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, while having faith in this blessing we’ve received through Jesus Christ, we can literally be led to the uninhabited north pole and prosper.

It’s not about where we are in life or what company we work for that causes us to prosper. It’s about the blessing. Have faith in the blessing, be led by the Holy Spirit, and prosper everywhere you go.

Just FYI… this prosperity is not only for ourselves, but to be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2).

Genesis 22:2 God said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I will show you.” 3 Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut the wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place that God had told him about.

Abraham’s faithfulness was tested. Abraham was willing to be obedient and sacrifice his son if it meant pleasing God.

At times, we too have obedience exercises. For instance, God may have us apply to a position. We’re obedient and apply. A week later, we get an email telling us we weren’t selected for the position. In our heads, we’re thinking, what was the point? The point was to exercise obedience. Or, God will instruct us to call someone we haven’t spoken to in a long time. We call, and they’re disinterested and not really appreciative of our call. Instead of vowing to not call anyone again, let’s pat ourselves on the back for being obedient.

As we exercise obedience whether we get favorable results or not, God is pleased. Eventually, we’ll obey God and the results will greatly exceed our expectations. Choose to always obey God and watch God’s will be accomplished in the earth and expect Him to positively impact our lives.

Numbers 11:22 Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them? Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?” 23 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!”

Limited thoughts are thoughts that enter our minds that handcuff God. We may not handcuff Him on purpose, but since our logical minds can’t comprehend how He’s going to manifest the desire we have, we limit God.

For instance, we may want another car. Our limited thinking can’t foresee how God can get a new car so, we stand in faith for a used car. Or, we have a health issue that the doctors said couldn’t be cured. Limited thinking accepts this statement instead of believing for divine health.

Spend time in God’s word and see what He’s done for others. Once you’ve discovered how much He’s done for them, take the limits off of your mind and expect Him to do the same for you.

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

The daily struggle we often have is between our will and God’s will.

Our will wants to sleep around, but God’s will wants us to wait until we get married. Our will wants to hoard all our money, while God’s will wants us to be givers. Our will wants to complain, while God’s will wants us to count it all joy.

As soon as we realize that God’s will for our lives is better than our will, we’ll no longer have to struggle. We’ll see the benefits of God’s will and side with Him over our own flesh. Choose God over self.

You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’
Deuteronomy 1:17 ESV

Intimidation can potentially come from supervisors, parents, or spouses. Depending on their track record, these people can intimidate others just by stepping into a room.

We’ve been instructed to NOT be intimidated by anyone. Intimidation is another form of fear. As believers, we should fear no man.

At the end of the day, they’re just people. They may think they can hurt or stop us from being successful, but they’re deceived. If we’re really trusting in God and relying on His word, we’ll realize no one can hurt us or stop God’s promises from coming to pass in our lives.

So, don’t allow yourself to be intimidated by anyone. Remain confident by relying on Him.

We all should be standing in faith for something. We may desire healing in our bodies, a new career, or a peaceful home. Whatever we’re standing in faith for, we must be mindful to not keep searching for “the missing key” we think is going to unlock heaven’s door.

Some may think if they fast longer, their fast is going to provide breakthrough in their marriage. Some people think if they listen to 3 sermons a day, they’ll have prosperity in their finances. Some may think if they give more, their money is going to open up doors of opportunity in their career.

True enough, there are benefits and promises attached to all these things, but we shouldn’t look at them as if that’s the thing that’s going to manifest our desires.

We get our desires by remaing patient, in faith, as we rest in Him. Do whatever God leads you to do, but don’t be deceived into thinking that your righteous works are the things that will give you your desires.

Hebrews 4:10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.

Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31‭-‬32 NKJV

The word says God will freely give us all things. There’s nothing left out of all. All things includes a great marriage, wealth, divine health, a successful business, a prosperous ministry, peace, joy, long life, house, car, etc.

He wants to provide all these things for us. The only way to obtain these things is by faith.

1. Get a desire that’s in God’s word or a desire that pertains to life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
2. We ask for the desire in prayer.
3. We believe that we’ve received the desire the moment we prayed.
4. No matter what it looks like, how we feel, or how long it takes, we believe we’ve received that desire.
5. God’s word cannot return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). Whatever we desire will come to pass.

Since God wants to give us all things, take advantage of His graciousness and obtain every desire in His Word and every desire He placed in us.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Trouble is inevitable. When trouble comes, God hasn’t left you. Like a tool, He’s waiting to be utilized by you to get you out of trouble. All we have to do is remember He’s around.

Instead of focusing on the problem and trying to figure it out in our own strength, we can go to God and request His assistance. He may have you listen to a sermon, spend time with Him, speak (by faith) to the problem, or rest in knowing He’s already handled it. He may also provide practical solutions such as, research, talking to someone, or eating better.   

Don’t freak out. Remember, He’s there. Listen to Him, do what He says, and the problem will eventually be irrelevant.

The delay on some of God’s promises gets real. We know God has made these promises available to us, but now it’s just a waiting game while keeping our faith in God. We’re waiting, but we don’t know what we’re waiting for. The situation seems perfect for God to perform the miraculous.

It’s during this waiting period that thoughts of doubt and uncertainty enter our minds. Questionable thoughts like, “Is this really God’s will for me?” or “Did I do something wrong?” enter our minds. These are just thoughts from the enemy to get us off track.

When negative thoughts come, realize you’re in the correct lane. Counter these thoughts by speaking the word of God that aligns with what you desire. Build your faith by listening to sermons that correlate with what you’re going through. Focus your mind on what God has done and not what you don’t have yet. Finally, get yourself off your mind and focus on Jesus and being a blessing to someone else.

When we apply these tactics during delay, we can last a lifetime. Hold on and don’t doubt and know God’s promises will manifest in due time.

Habakkuk 2:2 (GNT) The LORD gave me this answer: “Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance. 3 Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.

John 20:29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus being raised from the dead was a promise from God (Mark 9:31). As many Christians know, it’s profitable to believe in His resurrection although we haven’t seen it with our own eyes.

There are other promises from God that we may not have seen yet. Blessed (which means empowered to prosper) are those who have not seen or experienced those promises, but still believe. When we believe in God’s promises of healing, deliverance, wealth, etc., although we haven’t experienced them yet, we empower ourselves to prosper.

Although we may not have seen all of God’s promises in our lives, continue to believe they’re available for us.

Some people give the devil too much credit. Some think at any given time he can attack our health, attack our marriage, or threaten our lives. Some even think he can possess our bodies or cause furniture to move. That’s not true.

Satan is defeated. Through Jesus, he is powerless over us (Heb. 2:14-15). Jesus disarmed him and made a public spectacle of him (Col. 2:15). Not only that, but he’s given us power over Satan (Luke 10:19).

Satan is defeated, but because he’s the prince of this world through sin, his powers are limited (John 12:31). Satan’s power is limited to influence. He has the ability to place thoughts, ideas, and suggestions in the minds of people. For those without a mind built on the word of God, he can influence someone to do things contrary to God’s word. But if we build ourselves on God’s word and use the power that has been given to us, we can stay free of demonic influence. Don’t be afraid of a loser. He’s all bark and no bite.    

Revelations 12:11 They conquered him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; for they did not love their lives to the point of death.

Prayer is the most effective way to get results. When we confidently approach God, knowing that He hears us and knowing we’ll receive whatever we request, we’ll have a different outlook on life.

As we pray according to God’s will, we’ll understand that our problems are not that serious. We’ll realize difficult times are just an opportunity for God to manifest His power. The only thing we need to keep in check is our patience. We may want something done immediately, but God’s timing is best for us, best for the situation, and great for someone else.

So, be patient. Understand that God heard you. You don’t need to go back to God over and over again about the same subject. He heard you and as you remain in faith, whatever you’re facing will get resolved.  

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Isaiah 25:1 Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

Some people like to say, “I don’t worship God for what He’s done. I worship God for who He is.” That sounds deep and all, but there’s no separation between who God is and what He’s done. Who God is, is attached to what He does.

If God was just sitting in heaven and didn’t do anything for us, He would be no different than a tree in a forest, miles away from us. We wouldn’t worship Him. What’s the point? We worship Him because of what He’s done. He gave us salvation through Jesus, supplies our needs, and gives us the desires of our hearts. We worship Him because He’s healed us, protects us, and made us joint heirs with Christ. We worship because He’s good and causes all things to work together for our good.

Don’t let some “deep” over religious person try to make you feel bad because you’re worshipping God because of what He’s done. It’s okay to worship God for what He’s done. He simply wants our worship.

Psalm 130:3 If you kept record of our sins, no one could last long. 4 But you forgive us, and so we will worship you.

If God kept track of all the things we’ve done wrong, no one would be able to stand. We all would look filthy in God’s sight. That’s why He not only desires to forgive us, but He’s not keeping a record of our sins.

Those of us who’ve been saved for a while need to keep God’s forgiveness in mind. It’s not because of the goodness we’ve done, but it’s because of His grace and mercy that allows Him to forgive us and not record our wrongdoings. Understanding God’s mindset of forgiveness with no record will help us treat ourselves and others better.

We won’t be so hard on ourselves when we miss the mark. We won’t allow the devil to make us feel guilty by replaying our past. We won’t hold grudges against others. And we won’t bring up the faults of our spouses, children, or parents.

God has forgiven us and He’s not holding anything against us. If God has moved on, we should too.

Then the Lord himself said, “Gideon, you will be strong, because I am giving you the power to rescue Israel from the Midianites.” Gideon replied, “But how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest one in Manasseh, and everyone else in my family is more important than I am.”
Judges 6:14‭-‬15 CEV

Gideon sounds like some of us. The Lord will give us a big task and we make every excuse why we can’t do it. Excuses like…I don’t have a degree, I don’t have the experience, I don’t have the money, I haven’t been trained.

God knew that before He tasked you with the assignment. He didn’t ask for your resume. He requested us to be a vessel.

We may not initially know how to do what God has called us to do. But as we seek God (knowing He’s with us), He’ll give us knowledge, favor, and finances to get the job done.

Stop making excuses. Step out on faith trusting God is with you and He’ll guide you every step of the way.

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
Philippians 3:3‭-‬7 NKJV

Paul was exceptionally knowledgeable in the law. He had status and a discipline like no other. But when Christ revealed Himself to Paul, his titles, knowledge, and status meant nothing. He was so overwhelmed by Who Christ is until all those other things meant nothing.

Some of us have multiple degrees, a great job title, and we’re influential in the community. Don’t place your confidence in those things. Instead, place your confidence in Christ Jesus alone. Those other earthly things can change or become meaningless. What Christ has done will last forever.

The titles and status we have now don’t need to be thrown out. Use the knowledge we obtained from school, the job title, and our influence to glorify Christ all the more. In whatever you do, bring honor and glory to Christ.

John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Some of you have been patiently waiting on God’s promises to come to pass. You may have thought God was going to do it in a certain way, but that particular way has come and gone. Don’t get discouraged. The pathway to receiving that promise may not have been the way you expected, but the results are still the same.

You may have been in faith to see the mass gone after the doctor finished looking at the x-ray. Don’t get discouraged because that’s not the case. The results are the same. You are healed (Isaiah 53:5). You may have thought you would have landed the dream job by now after obeying God’s instructions to move to a new city. That didn’t happen yet. Don’t start trying to land the job in your own strength. The results are still the same. You shall get whatever you desired in prayer (Mark 11:24). You may have thought you would have been married by now. Don’t throw God away. The results are the same. You will have what you say (Mark 11:23).

Don’t have faith in the method. Have faith in the results.

There are some Christians who look for what’s wrong in the body of Christ. One would think that Christians would promote what’s right in order to attract unbelievers. Instead, some tear each other down and keep the spirit of division around.

Let’s magnify what’s right in the body of Christ.

1. Jesus’ blood still saves.
2. Jesus’ wounds have healed.
3. The Word of God has not changed.
4. People are still preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world.
5. Faith in the finished works of Jesus provides any promise we desire.
6. The church is still feeding, clothing, and providing for the poor.
7. The church has made impact outside the four walls.
8. The power of God can deliver.
9. The schemes of the devil are being exposed.
10. Miracles are possible with God.

These are just a few things that are right in the body of Christ. Instead of finding fault with what’s wrong with this or that, let’s highlight what’s right in the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

There are people who believe wealth is not God’s will for the believer. They believe wealth appeals to greed. They believe Christians should be humble and content. They read scriptures out of context and say, “money is the root of all evil.” They believe having riches pulls us away from God. Let’s see what the bible has to say about the believer having wealth.

Proverbs 13:22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. – How can we leave an inheritance if it’s not God’s will for us to be wealthy?  A sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. Through Jesus, we’ve been made righteous (Rom. 5:1).
Ecclesiastes 2:26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
2 Corinthians 8:9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. – This is not spiritual poverty and spiritual riches. This is material. They’re talking about financial giving.

There’s nothing wrong in having wealth. We’re in the wrong when we trust in wealth. That “money is the root to all evil” scripture is incomplete. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Wealth is a tool every believer should have. It’s a tool we can use to spread the gospel, give to the poor, be a blessing to others, as well as enjoy.  

There are people who believe that healing is not God’s will for us. After seeing “good” Christians die believing God for their healing, they’ve been convinced that healing is not God’s will for everyone. There’s not one verse in the bible that insinuates that it’s not God’s will for us to be healed. In fact, it’s the opposite. There are multiple verses in both the old and new testament that show us healing is God’s will for us.

Exodus 15:26 lets us know it’s God who heals us.
Isaiah 53:5 says, by His stripes we are healed.
Throughout the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Jesus healed the sick. If it’s not God’s will for us to be healed, Jesus was disobedient and went against God’s plan.
In Mark 16:17, Jesus gives every believer authority to heal the sick.
1 Peter 2:24 echoes Isaiah 53:5 and says, by His wounds we are healed.
In 3 John 1:2, Paul prays that we be in good health.

As we can see, it’s God’s will for us to be healed. We can’t simply declare it’s not God’s will for people to be healed just because some people have died after claiming they believed for their healing. We don’t know what’s in their heart. They may claim they believe, but in their heart, they have doubts. Or, they claim they believe, but they really just want to go to heaven. Know it’s God’s will for every believer to be healed.

Psalm 41:3 The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness.

John 7:14 About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. 15 The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?”

Jesus was anointed by God. With this anointing, He was able to amaze the Jews by tapping into the wisdom of God and provide revelation and knowledge about the scriptures without formal education.

Through Jesus, under the new covenant, we too are anointed (1 John 2:20). Through the Holy Spirit, we have the same ability to tap into the wisdom of God just like Jesus. Things that took people years to learn, we can learn in a month. Solutions to problems come easy to us. Ideas, inventions, and concepts can come to us overnight. No matter what field we’re in, we can tap into this wisdom.

If we want this ability, we must receive it by faith. Spend time with God, be guided by the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to download wisdom that will wow others.  

Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

There are people who can really help us. They can help us in our careers, in our marriages, or in raising our children, but if we’re too prideful or stubborn to be corrected, we’ve officially become stupid.

We’re not stupid because we don’t know something. We’re stupid because we hate correction. Hating correction is an insecurity that must be uprooted. We don’t know everything and everyone from our children, to God, will correct us. Instead of looking at correction as an attack on our intelligence, we should view correction as God providing an opportunity for us to get better.

Let’s change our perspective, avoid stupidity, and welcome correction.

When we pray and ask God for our desires, it’s beneficial to add “or better” at the end of our request.

Examples: God, I desire and ask for a new Honda Accord or better. God, I thank you for a career at Hewlett Packard or better. I believe that I have received a house in __________ neighborhood or better.

We should add “or better” at the end of our request because we truly don’t how much God wants to bless us. We may be thinking too small or we haven’t explored better possibilities. Adding “or better” unties God’s hands. It gives God permission to exceed our expectations.

Let God blow your mind by adding “or better” to every desire you have.  

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Jeremiah 29:7 NIV

We all reside in different cities across the world. No matter if we’ve lived there all our lives or moved there recently, that’s our assigned cities.

It’s beneficial to pray for the peace and prosperity of our assigned cities. We pray for violence to decrease, unity to increase, and prosperity for every wholesome business. Pray for the leadership and elected officials. Through our prayers, we reap the benefits of a peaceful and prosperous city.

Add peace and prosperity for your city, state, and country in your prayers. This prayer is another way God can prosper our lives.

Some people hear about confessions and get excited. They confess for all their desires for a few days. When they don’t see anything happening, the excitement leaves and their confessions start to wane. They don’t confess as often or they’ll forget. Other things become more important to them.

The reason people’s confessions start to decline or disappear is because of doubt. When people don’t see anything happening after a few days of confessions, they become deceived into thinking their confessions aren’t working. In actuality, they’re quitting too soon.

The confession itself doesn’t make our desires come to pass. Faith is what brings our desires to pass. Our confessions maintain the level of faith we need to go the distance and access what God has promised.

Don’t stop feeding your faith. Keep believing. Keep confessing. Don’t doubt; expect to receive all that God has promised.

2 Corinthians 4:13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,

Genesis 37:28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

Exodus 2:5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it.

As soon as Joseph was thrown in the pit, a caravan of Ishmaelites just so happened to be coming by. Coincidence? I think not.
When baby Moses got too big to hide in the house, his sister hid him in the Nile river. Pharoah’s daughter just so happened to be coming to bathe in that exact spot. Not only did she find Moses, but she went against her father’s orders and decided to keep him. Coincidence? I think not.

In the family of God, there are perks. It’s called favor. By leaning, trusting, and relying on God, we position ourselves to receive favor with God and man. Favor is God raising up someone somewhere to use their power, ability, and influence to help us.

The world may call it a coincidence or getting lucky, but we know it’s God working on the hearts of people for our benefit. Receive and expect this favor.

1 Timothy 1:5 (ERV) My purpose in telling you to do this is to promote love—the kind of love shown by those whose thoughts are pure, who do what they know is right, and whose faith in God is real.

As we continue to mature in the knowledge of God, we gain wisdom. With this wisdom, we may find ourselves in a position where we can provide instructions to help someone else. It’s important to remember to instruct in love.

We may see someone headed down the wrong path or see someone making a foolish decision. It’s during those times we should instruct out of love. We don’t instruct to show how knowledgeable we are, and we don’t instruct to make someone feel guilty. We instruct because we genuinely want to see them do better and live their best lives.

Some people like to be instructed with a straight to the point approach while others need a gentle approach. Allow the Holy Spirit to provide the words for the best outcome with each person.
Instruct in love to provide knowledge, wisdom, and help that will be well received.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith comes by hearing the word of God. It’s been said that in order for our faith to come and grow, we need to hear preaching and teaching on a daily basis. This is 100% true. However, that’s not the only way faith comes.

Listening to ministers preach and teach is good, but if that’s the only way our faith comes, we become too reliant on someone else. What if we’re in a situation where we don’t have access to hear a 30-minute sermon? What if we can’t call our pastor to receive faith-filled guidance? What if we’re in a situation that requires immediate faith?

In addition to hearing the word from a minister, we can develop faith from hearing ourselves speak the word of God. We can hear ourselves say, by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). We can hear ourselves say, God shall supply all our needs (Phil 4:19).

As we hear ourselves speak the word of God over and over, faith comes and grows. Let’s not hinder the development of our faith by waiting to listen to a minister. Build your faith by listening to yourselves speak the word of God.

Psalm 115:14 May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children.

Increase is God’s plan for our lives. For some, they don’t want to talk about increase. They think it’s wrong to mention God and increase in the same sentence. But as we can see, increase is God’s will for our lives. He not only wants us to increase, but our children too.

God’s increase is not limited to possessions. We can increase in the word, increase in our knowledge of Him, and increase in our influence.

Don’t let anyone talk you out of increase. Increase in your finances, increase in love, increase in the time you spend with God. Increase! INCRease! INCREASE!

Psalm 84:5 (AMP) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

When we’re trying to do things in our own strength, certain tasks can be stressful, burdensome, or impossible. That’s because we are not designed to do anything in our own strength. We were made to rely on God.

By relying on God’s strength, we can do anything. Nothing’s too hard for us because we’re strengthened by Him. With God’s strength, we can forgive those who mistreated us, we can start a business, we can quit smoking, and we can end toxic relationships.

No matter how big the task is, we’re happy to take it on because it allows us to see the strength of God at work. Let’s rely on God’s strength and not our own.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

After receiving a revelation on the road to Damascus, Saul grew in his understanding of who Christ really was. Because of his growth, he was able to powerfully preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we seek to know more about God, we too should grow in understanding. Doctrines and beliefs we thought 10 years ago, may be different than what we think now and that’s okay.

We might have thought we should pray to Jesus a few years ago, but as we can see in John 16:23, we should pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. We may have thought fasting expedites our prayers. It doesn’t. Fasting increases our sensitivity to hear the voice of God.

We should always continue to grow in the knowledge of God. If we purposefully stop growing in the things of God, we limit what God can do for us and through us.

Some of us embrace the instructions, advice, and views from the leaders of our local church without considering the Holy Spirit.

For instance, at the beginning of the year, most churches fast for a certain amount of days. Instead of just going with the flow and fasting the amount of days the church has planned, we should consult the Holy Spirit and see what He personally wants us to do. He may tell us to fast longer or abstain from different things.

Our church may ask us to give $20 above our tithes and offering. Some of us just give it. Take the time to listen to the Holy Spirit. He may have us giving $40 above our tithes and offering.

During elections, our church may endorse a candidate or have them make a speech. That doesn’t mean we should vote for them. It all comes back to the Holy Spirit. If He tells us to vote for that person, then we’ll vote for them. If not, we’ll vote for someone else.

The local church is great and it gives us an opportunity to sow into the Kingdom of God, but the instructions, advice, and views from the leaders of our local church should never supersede the instructions, advice, and views of God, through the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!