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1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We live in a world where it’s difficult to trust people. The Bible even instructs us not to trust man. With all this lack of trust going around, some people find it difficult to trust in this unseen God Who stated that He has our best interest in mind.

Trust was only created for God. Each time we’re let down by people we claim we trusted, it makes it more difficult for some of us to trust God. However, if we take our dependency off of man and give it to God, we’ll experience the faithfulness of God.

Each situation we face, we have a choice. We can either trust man (including ourselves) or trust God. Every time we choose God, it becomes easier to trust Him again because God comes with guaranteed faithfulness.

Trust God and watch Him be faithful.

John 6: 28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God. 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

In the time of Jesus, there were religious leaders who attempted to be made righteous or holy through their works of the law. In their mind, the more they kept, the holier they were. These leaders would disassociate themselves and judge anyone who didn’t keep the majority of the law.

Jesus understood that no works of the law would make us righteous, holy, or acceptable to God. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, Jesus showed the religious leaders where they failed in keeping the law (John 8:1-11; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 8:43-48). Jesus informed His disciples the only work we’re responsible for is believing in the One Whom God sent. When we believe in the finished works of Jesus, then we’re made righteous.

Unfortunately, there are still some people who believe that our works and behavior make us righteous. These same people feel the need to criticize or judge those who are not as “holy” as they are. They don’t realize the only thing that makes us righteous, is believing in the One God sent. Don’t allow anyone to condemn or criticize you regarding your behavior. When we truly believe and receive what Jesus has done, our behavior will change for the better (Titus 2:11-12).

Psalms 81:8 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! 

The more we grow in our relationship with God and the longer we walk down this holy pathway, the more we pull away from things we previously did. We act differently, we speak differently, we think differently, and our minds are constantly being renewed. 

Genesis 28:15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” 

The Israelites did not receive the promise of God because of how they saw themselves. The Israelites had an identity crisis. They saw themselves as grasshoppers and unable to overcome opposition. Some believers today have an identity crisis. They see themselves as less than. They see themselves as an old wretched sinner. They see themselves as only human. 

Cursed or empowered to fail is the person who trusts in mankind. How do we know if we have placed our trust in mankind?

Genesis 11:6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

God, Himself, stated if the people are speaking the same language, nothing will be impossible for them. God eventually had to confuse their language because they were against God. We know this because the people wanted to make a name for themselves without God being involved (v.4). This was the same mentality Lucifer had prior to getting kicked out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-14).

If God recognized that nothing is impossible for a group of heathens speaking the same language, how much more can the true children of God do if we’re speaking the same language? Satan has done a fantastic job in dividing the focus of the believer. Some are focused on appropriate dress, some are focused on biblical accuracy, and some are focused on informing everyone about their sins.

The Kingdom of God is simple. It’s about Jesus. Through Jesus we are saved, healed, delivered, set free, and forgiven. If we (the believers) can speak the same language and preach Jesus to the world, think of the impact we could make. Nothing will be impossible for us. In the name of Jesus, souls can be saved, lives can be changed, body parts can grow back, and debts can be paid. However, if our focus remains divided, like the heathens, we will remain scattered and non-impactful.

Let’s get on one accord and speak Jesus to the world.

Unfortunately, with denominations, ideologies, and interpretations of the Bible, the image of Christianity can be confusing to a newly converted believer.

Some believers are saying it’s a sin for women to wear makeup and pants while, others are saying it’s okay. Some believers feel like going to parties and playing games go against God, but some churches host parties and game nights. Some believers feel like there is a certain look and behavior one must have when they come to church while others encourage a person to come as they are.

So what is the image of Christianity? 

According to the Word of God, there is no image. The Pharisees and the Sadducees established ways they believed God should be worshipped and served. One of the things Jesus did was destroy the traditions of men. Jesus introduced a new way of doing things by encouraging people to receive the grace of God as they believed in Him. For that, the Pharisees and the Sadducees hated Him. 

The only thing we, the believers, are instructed to do is to believe and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The trivial things like dress, look, and behavior are irrelevant. No one is going to hell because they have on makeup. While some of us are attempting to establish the “correct” image of Christianity, millions of people are going to hell.

Let’s not be inward focused, but let’s focus on what actually matters: souls being saved. 

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such things do you.

Mark 5:²⁵ Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, ²⁶ and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. ²⁸ For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 

 The woman with the issue of blood is applauded for placing her faith in Jesus. And she should be. But if you look at the text, faith wasn’t the woman’s problem. The woman’s problem was where she placed her faith.

Twelve years prior to Jesus, the woman placed her faith in physicians. We know this because she spent all she had hoping the physicians could heal her body. The woman was not healed until she placed her faith in Jesus.

This is true today with some of us. Our faith may be misplaced. 

Some of us have recently graduated from college and we believe our degree will help us get a better job. Our faith shouldn’t be placed in that degree. Our faith should be placed in God because God is responsible for promoting us to a better employment position (Ps. 75:6-7). Some of us desire a house, but we’ve placed our faith in having good credit before getting a house. Our faith shouldn’t be placed in good credit. Our faith should be placed in the favor of God aligned with the Word of God which states He (God) will give us houses that we did not build (Deut. 6:10-11). 

Other examples of misplaced faith include vitamins to stay healed, owning a gun for security/protection, and exercising to live longer.

It’s time to redirect our faith back to God and God alone. He may instruct us to obtain a degree or pay off our debts to obtain good credit, but that shouldn’t overshadow our faith in God. Let’s place and keep our faith in God.

We’ve all faced issues and problems in our lives. Some of those issues came from our mistakes and disobedience to God’s plan for our lives. Whatever we’ve done, through Christ, we have forgiveness. Not only do we have forgiveness, our mistakes and disobedience have been erased from the mind of God. He’s not holding our shortcomings over our heads and we won’t see those mistakes at judgement day.

Since God forgave and forgot, we too are obligated to forgive and forget. We need to forget the sins we’ve committed against God and forgive ourselves. We need to forget the hurt and pain we’ve caused to others and forgive ourselves. Regardless if the other person has forgiven us, God has forgiven us and forgotten everything we’ve done wrong.

Release all past hurts, failures, mistakes, and shortcomings and focus on the future plan and purpose God has for your life.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Notice, joy was the emotion of Jesus as He went through a negative experience. When negative experiences arise in your life, what’s your go-to emotion? Is it anger, frustration, worry, or fear? Or is it joy, peace, anticipation, or hope?

If our go-to emotions seem to be negative, we have to ask ourselves, do we really trust this loving God Who can work out any situation for our good or do we trust in our own ability to handle the situation? 

If we’re trusting in our own ability, we’ll always be frustrated or fearful because the situation will always appear monstrous.

We were never designed to be led or controlled by our emotions. We’re designed to be led by the Spirit of God. So, when negative experiences arise in our lives, don’t get emotional and “freak-out.” Trust and depend on God to handle and see you through this seemingly difficult time. 

 Inspired by Pastor Ilya Golden

Some of us have been disappointed with the outcomes in life. If we’re not mindful, we’ll allow this disappointment to affect our faith.

If we have a need or desire, but we’ve accepted the mentality that if it happens then it’s God’s will, but if it doesn’t happen then it’s not God’s will, that’s not faith. We’re living a life with no expectation. We’re allowing life to tell us what it’s going to give us instead of using our God-given authority to take what we need or desire from life. It’s like a person who chooses to never get in relationship because they don’t want to get hurt.

If a person wants to live their life with no expectation and afraid to take risks, that’s fine. However, for those who desire to receive everything God wants them to have, stay encouraged. 

First of all, it’s not a risk when it comes to receiving things from God. It’s a guarantee. God’s Word guarantees we will receive everything we desire (Mark 11:24). The reasons we don’t receive the things we desire are:

1. We don’t ask (James 4:2) 

2. Unbelief/Doubt (James 1:6-7) 

3. Wrong Motives (James 4:3) 

4. Condemnation (1 John 3:20-24) 

 If we ask God, with correct motives, believe in our hearts, and free ourselves from condemnation we will receive whatever we desire. Live a life of expectation. 

 James 1:6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

In Psalms 77, we see a troubled person. We see a person who seems to be bogged down by the issues of life. 3: I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

Because of the overwhelming issues he faced, he began to complain and question the presence, mercy, and promise of God. 7: Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? 8: Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? 9: Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah

Due to difficult circumstances, some of us have questioned if God was with us, for us, and able to do what He said He would do.

In the midst of this person’s troubling experience, he had a revelation of Who God was. He had a defining moment that moved him away from depression and towards expectation. 10: And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 11: I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12: I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds. By remembering the great and mighty things God has done, he person was able to overcome depression. By praising God and meditating on His works, he was able to encourage himself.

We have all faced the issues of life. If depression, self-pity, or a bad attitude starts to set in, begin to recall what God has already done for you. Praise Him for all the marvelous things He has done in your life. The more we reflect and praise our God, our days get a little easier and brighter. Eventually, our troubling experiences will end and we’ll have another reason to praise and thank our God.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

If we took a survey, the majority of the population desires to be wealthy. Some may want to be millionaires while others desire to be billionaires. As we can see, a lot of us are not millionaires or billionaires. Even some of the believers, who serve a God Who owns all the gold and silver, are not millionaires. Some believers are even struggling to make it from day to day.

Throughout the Word of God, the believer is promised wealth and riches (Psalm 112:1-3; Isaiah 45:3; Prov. 13:22). Even with these promises, why does it seem like wealth is eluding the believer? Could it be the motives of the believer? If we asked most people what they would do with their riches, most of the things would be self-involved. People would invest their money to make more money for themselves, buy a nice house and car for themselves, and enjoy seeing the beautiful sights of the world. There’s nothing wrong with these activities but, what about everyone else? What about the Kingdom of God? 

To whom much is given, much will be required is a principle. If we’re not willing to do something with our riches, why would God give us riches? If we ever want to be millionaires or billionaires, we have to renew our minds to become Kingdom-minded. Kingdom-minded people are not self-involved; they do for others, and most importantly, they do for the Kingdom of God.  

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. 

 Our praise is the most appropriate response to the finished works of Jesus. On the cross, Jesus stated “It is finished.” What did Jesus finish? Everything.

Jesus reconciled us back to God. Jesus allowed us to be forgiven. Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law. Jesus disarmed Satan of his power. Jesus allowed us to be partakers of the blessing. 

With this in mind, we praise God for Jesus for allowing us to receive everything we need or desire that pertains to life and godliness.

So, when we have needs or desires ,we should have faith and believe that we’vereceived it. Secondly, we praise God that through the blood of Jesus those needs and desires have already been made available to us. We’re not praising God to do something; we’re praising God that through the finished works of Jesus, it’s already done.

Psalms 69:7-8 Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, And an alien to my mother’s children;

12 Those who sit in the gate speak against me, And I am the song of the drunkards.

As we commit ourselves to God and go deeper in Him, everyone is not going to cheer and applaud. Some of the people we call “friends” may talk behind our backs, call us hypocrites, or turn their backs on us. In fact, Jesus lets us know in Matthew 10:22 people will hate us because they hate Him.

This doesn’t mean we should stop serving the Lord. In fact, we should be serving God even more and thanking Him for revealing the true identity of those closest to us. Our identity is not based on who we’re friends with and how we’re viewed by the world. Our identity is in Christ and how we’re viewed by God.

Let’s continue to go deeper in God and not be concerned with what others think of us and how others treat us. It’s a guarantee they will hate.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A lot of us want to know and walk out the ultimate plan and purpose God has for our lives. Instead of sitting around and waiting on that purpose to be revealed, let’s make it easier on ourselves and fulfill our daily purposes.

There are a few things that take place as we seek God to walk out our daily purposes.
1. We show God we’re serious and sincere about fulfilling HIS plan and HIS agenda while we’re here on the earth.
2. It gives us a sense of meaning and accomplishment on a daily level.
3. Our daily purposes will eventually lead us to our ultimate purposes.

Let’s continue to seek God regarding our ultimate purposes. Until that purpose is revealed, let’s seek God regarding our daily purposes.

Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

There are some who think they don’t need anyone else while in this world. All they need is God. This kind of thinking is actually contrary to the Word of God. As we can see, from the beginning, God Himself made it clear that it’s not good for mankind to be alone. If God, our Creator, said it’s not good for man to be alone, surely He knows what we need. God knows it’s in our best interest to be sociable.

Some may say, all I need in this life is God and my spouse. This kind of thinking is also contrary to the Word of God. For instance, in James 5:14 it says, Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. We may be sick physically or emotionally. By not being sociable, we limit our avenues to maintain this healing Jesus provided.

Finally, in Hebrews 10:25 it says, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. We may not need encouragement that day, but God may use us to encourage someone else.

Socializing has been a component of God’s plan from the beginning. Receive a blessing or be a blessing by socializing with others.

In relationships, value seems to be placed on being right. Arguments may start and some relationships have ended because people want to be right. Jesus was right about a lot of things, but notice His behavior in the midst of the conflict:

In the case of raising Lazarus up from the dead, Jesus had a conflict with the sister of Lazarus (John 11). Lazarus’ sister was upset with Jesus because He didn’t heal Lazarus before he died. When Jesus said He would raise him up, she didn’t think immediately.

Jesus could have gotten into an argument about how He was going to raise Lazarus up and after He raised Lazarus up, He could have had an “I told you so” moment with Lazarus’ sister. Instead, Jesus remained calm, allowed his actions to do the talking, and He didn’t boast about being right.

This also occurred with Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8). When Jesus informed Jairus his daughter was not dead but asleep, everyone laughed. Jesus kicked everyone out and healed his daughter. Jesus could have walked out and said, “I told you so,” but He didn’t. He continued to do the work of God.

What can we learn from this? If we believe we are led by God to do a certain thing or if we believe we’re correct about a certain topic, there’s no need to argue about it. We should allow our actions to do the talking. If we’re correct, the other person will see. We don’t need to yell “I told you so” or hold it over the person’s head for the next week. Let’s grow in maturity and take the importance off of being right.

Luke 8:52 Everyone there was crying and mourning for the child. Jesus said, “Don’t cry; the child is not dead—she is only sleeping!” 53 They all made fun of him, because they knew that she was dead. 54 But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Get up, child!” 55 Her life returned, and she got up at once, and Jesus ordered them to give her something to eat

Numbers 11:21 But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are 600,000 on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month.’ 22 “Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?” 23 The LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” 

 In Maximize Our Belief part 1, we mentioned how it’s important to place our belief on a supernatural level when serving an unlimited God. We also mentioned how it’s important to stand in agreement and encourage other believers in the body of Christ to believe God for the impossible.

With this in mind, as we continue to be led by the Spirit of God, the Spirit of God may have us do something that goes beyond all human logic, reasoning, and understanding. In order to experience the impossible, we have to believe and do what the Spirit of God is leading us to do. 

Miracles in the Bible were a result of the prophets obeying God.

God has instructed some of us to step out on faith and do things that are totally contrary to our human reasoning. He may have instructed some of us to quit our jobs and start a business, sell our cars and give the money to the Kingdom of God, or start our own church in the community. Unfortunately, some of us have not obeyed God because of fear or unbelief. I’ll ask you the same question God asked Moses, “Is the Lord’s power limited?” 

 Whatever God has instructed us to do, He’s already made provision for us on the other side of our obedience. Trust God and let’s do what He instructs us to do to maximize our belief in Him.

Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 

 Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

 Christians are so quick to quote these scriptures, but very few of them actually believe what they’re quoting. It seems as if some believers are choosing to believe what they’ve seen or experienced over believing God. Unbelief is expected in the world, but not for born-again believers. 

 For instance, if someone would say they are standing in faith for an easy pain-free pregnancy and delivery, some “believers” would laugh in unbelief and/or try to talk them out of what they’re standing in faith for. Why? Why would some “believers” attempt to persuade that person or couple to think logically and naturally instead of supernaturally? They’re only standing on a collection of promises found in Exodus 23:26, Isaiah 53:4-5, and 1 Timothy 2:15. 

 If someone would say they will be debt free next year. Some may say they should be “realistic.” Why minimize the belief of another?

The scriptures say have faith in God and with God all things are possible. It doesn’t say faith in logic or realistic expectations.

Let’s encourage and stand in agreement for the members in the body of Christ to believe big. We shouldn’t reduce our beliefs, dreams, and desires to the finite thinking of man. We serve a big God who can and is willing to do the impossible for us. 

 Believe Big!

Psalms 67: ⁵ Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. ⁶ Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. ⁷ God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.

This was an old covenant conditional blessing the people would receive as a result of their praise and worship to God. When people praised and worshiped our God, the earth would yield its increase and God would bless them.

Through Christ, we are under a better covenant. Through the blood of Christ, we have access to the earth’s increase and God’s blessings through faith alone. Although our praise and worship does not cause God to bless us, our praise and worship displays where our faith lies. Our faith or belief in God, through Christ, allows us to obtain the promises of God (Romans 4:16). Our praise and worship prior to receiving the manifestation of our desires shows God and everyone else we’ve received, by faith, the manifestation of our blessings. Our praise and worship after receiving the manifestation of our desires shows God and everyone else we acknowledge Who was responsible for the manifestation of our blessings.

Let’s praise and worship our God to solidify our faith.

Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

When a minister or someone well-known in the body of Christ gets caught in the act(s) of sin, people often say they “fell from grace.”

As we can see, the term “fell from grace” has no correlation with sin. Falling from grace means a person who chooses to be justified or made righteous by the law. When a person chooses to be justified by the law, they choose to live by religious rules and regulations of the old covenant. They think by following these rules and regulations of the old covenant, they are righteous, holy, and positioning themselves to receive blessings from God. Meanwhile, these same people reduce the works of Jesus to only dying for their sins. They forget that through the grace of God, Jesus has made them righteous, Jesus has made them holy, and there is nothing they could ever do (righteous works or good behavior) that can outdo what Jesus has done (1 Cor. 1:30).

These are the people who “fell from grace.” They pushed grace aside and believe their acts of righteousness and good behavior alone will make them right with God and get them the desires of their hearts.

With all this in mind, let’s examine our lives to see if we’ve fallen from grace. Let’s determine if we’ve magnified our self-efforts to be righteous above what Jesus has done. If so, we need to make a change and receive everything that grace has provided.

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

This is such a simple verse but, it’s impactful and beneficial.

Regardless of what we do, we must make sure we’re doing it in love. It doesn’t matter if we’re helping out a friend, serving at our church, working at our jobs, or disciplining our children. It all must be done with love.

God is Love (1 John 4:8). When we do things in love, we share a piece of our God with those who are experiencing our help or assistance. We may not be able to preach the gospel to those we’re assisting, but if our actions are done in love, they may experience a touch of God that will leave them wanting more of Him.

Imagine if an unsaved person wakes up and calls customer service and experiences someone helping with the genuine love of God. That person then goes to the grocery store and someone greets them with Love. Then later on at the gym people are socializing with that person in the love of God. Eventually, that person’s heart will be softened and someone will have the opportunity to explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ to that person. Now, that person is no longer unsaved but saved, and spreading the love of God to others.

Let’s examine the love in our lives to determine if we’re spreading love in everything we do.

Everyone is called to a specific purpose or purposes. So many people believe that the purposes He has for us are going to be automatically handed to us or they will come with time. As we can see, this scripture alone proves that there is a corresponding action we must have to receive ALL God has for us. 

Psalms 119:148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promises.

Grace is unmerited or unearned favor of God through Jesus Christ. There was nothing we did to earn our salvation. Our salvation is a gift from God. Likewise, there is no sinful behavior that will remove our salvation because through grace, all of our sins have been forgiven and where sin is present, grace is even more abundant (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:20).