Graced To Do God's Will

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!

When we’re in tune with God, He’ll give us dreams, desires, and visions that are big. Sometimes, they’re so big until it’s best to keep it to ourselves.

If we tell certain people about the plans God has downloaded inside of us, they’ll laugh and tell us how crazy we sound. They’ll tell us it’s impossible, illogical, or farfetched. They’ll tell us to be humble and content with where we are.

This negative feedback could cause us to doubt. It may have us minimizing the desire or plan of God to something that makes sense or something we can do in our own strength. Telling the wrong person could be detrimental to our faith and hinder God from doing some amazing things in our lives.

We can’t tell everyone about the plans God has for us. Be mindful to tell only like-minded believers. If they’re not around, just keep it to yourself.

Genesis 37:9 Then Joseph had another dream and told it to his brothers. “Look,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream that you have had? Will your mother and brothers and I actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”

We all have desires we want from God or an assignment from God. Both require faith. Faith is moving beyond our natural senses and trusting in the written or audible word of God. The key word is “moving.” Unfortunately, some of us have been sitting on our faith. Another way of putting it is, we’ve procrastinated in using our faith.

For instance, we know we heard God telling us to apply for that supervisor position. We haven’t applied yet because it requires undoubting faith to believe for a position we’re not qualified for. Instead of applying and trusting in God, we’re sitting on our faith because we don’t want to experience the possibility of rejection. 

We heard God telling us to open a business, but we haven’t because we don’t have all our affairs in order. We sit on our faith instead of obeying God because we don’t want our business to fail.

God may have told some of us to go look at the car we desire. However, we’ve sat on our faith because we don’t want to look foolish in the dealership, knowing we don’t have the money or the credit to get the car.

During the time we’re tempted to sit on our faith is the time we must realize God’s favor is on our lives. God wouldn’t tell us to do something if it’s not going to be beneficial. We may run into challenges along the way, but ultimately it will succeed. Don’t sit on your faith. Listen to the voice of God and apply your faith where it’s needed.

Psalm 119:60 I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.

Proverbs 18:1 (BSB) He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.

There are people who are perfectly content being by themselves. They’re not bothering anyone, and no one’s bothering them. They can go to work, do their job, have minimal to no conversations with their coworkers, and go home. They have a few friends and they’re not trying to make anymore.

This isolated mentality is devastating to the Kingdom of God. God made us uniquely special. He’s placed abilities in us that only we can do. He’s given each of us wisdom and a perspective that needs to be voiced. As believers, how can we share the gospel, encourage others, and be a light in the world if we isolate ourselves? We don’t have to become the life of the party, but as God leads us, we should step out of our comfort zone, and socialize with others with a positive attitude.

At the end of the day, we must remember, it’s not about us. It’s about giving God glory, being a blessing to others, and not hoarding the gifts and talents God put inside of us.   

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’s strength.

By relying on God’s strength, we can do anything. Nothing’s too hard for us because we’re strengthened by God.

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.

Mark 6:1-6 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

They didn’t respect the anointing of Jesus because they knew His past. They knew He was a carpenter and couldn’t believe He was the Messiah. Because of their unbelief, they missed out and Jesus couldn’t do mighty miracles in His home town.

Be sure not to miss out on the power of God by disqualifying someone just because you’ve known them all their lives. They could be sent from God to help, but we disqualify them because they failed in their business, they got divorced, or they went to jail. Their lives could’ve been changed and God is sending them our way to help, but if we’re not sensitive to the voice of God or we’re only looking at the person, we’ll miss out on the miracle God is trying to perform in our lives.

Because of our not so glamorous past, some people won’t value our thoughts. They’ll dismiss us, but that’s their loss.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
Ephesians 1:7‭-‬10 NKJV

Through Jesus Christ, we have everything. Let’s look at just a few things He’s made available to us.

Reconciliation with God, forgiveness forever, authority over demonic influences, the ability to release and stop things in our world, power, wisdom, faith, divine health, riches, and favor.

These things have been made available to us for free. Jesus paid the price for everything. We didn’t have to work for it, we didn’t have to earn it, and we didn’t buy it. It was given to us for free.

Take this opportunity to truly thank God for Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us. God wanted to make our lives as easy and enjoyable as possible. And this ease only comes through Jesus.

Jesus, we love You and thank you for all that You’ve done.

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest” – Isaiah 32:18.

As we can see, peace is God’s will for us. Anything less than peace shouldn’t be accepted. There should be peace in our minds, our marriages, with our children, and other relationships.

Like all of God’s promises, our peace has to be received by faith. It’s not going to happen automatically because we’re saved. We apply our faith to receive and maintain this peace.

So, anything that doesn’t look like peace in our lives, our homes, or our marriages can be changed by placing a demand on God’s word for peace.

Confession: According to Isaiah 32:18, there should be peace in every area of my life. So, I declare peace right now, in the name of Jesus.

-Continue to confess until your life looks like God’s word.

There are two ways of living, naturally and spiritually. The natural way of living requires hard work, logic, networking, and luck. The spiritual way of living requires resting in the finished works of Jesus and relying on the word of God.

If we’re living naturally and want something, we have to work hard, save money, and hope we can get it without going into debt or missing any other bill payments. If we’re living spiritually and want something, we ask God, confirm the desire is in God’s word and believe we’ve received it until it manifests. There’s no debt or missing payments. It’s God materializing our desires without toil (Prov. 10:22).

If we’re living naturally and get diagnosed with something, we’ll possibly stress over the situation, take the prescribed medication and hope it cures the disease. If we’re living spiritually and get diagnosed, we can rejoice because Jesus has healed us from that disease and look to the Holy Spirit to lead us in our next steps. No stress necessary.

Some of us combine the two by living spiritually in some areas, but natural in other areas. God will let us live however we want to live, but He prefers if we totally rely on Him.

Stop looking at your bank account every day and stop stressing over things. Make the effort to live spiritually and totally rely on God.

Romans 8:6 (Weymouth Translation) Because for the mind to be given up to earthly things means death; but for it to be given up to spiritual things means Life and peace.

When we’re believing God for something, we usually believe God for something big or a pressing desire. We tend to forget we can release our faith for minor things.

We can release our faith for our water pipes to stop making that annoying sound. We can release our faith for a certain gas price. We can release our faith for that pain in our back to go away. We can release our faith for new shoes we may not need. We can release our faith to find our keys.

These things may not be life threatening or super serious, but we can either put up with it or use our faith to change it.

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

James 1:6 (NLT) But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Faith is what we use to obtain the promises of God. We see a promise, we believe God has already made that promise available through Jesus, we receive it the moment we pray, and we obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit to position us to physically receive that promise.

As we’re patiently waiting, we’re living in expectation. We’re expecting that promise to come. We may not know how or when, but we’re expecting. It may take a week, a month, a year, or more, but we’re expecting. The downfall of our faith is when it takes too long and we stop expecting. That’s called doubt. And doubt will withhold God’s promises every single time.

Get those desires back out, dust them off, and expect to receive them. Don’t be anxious about them, but expect to receive them by faith.

Imagine yourself as a king or queen 2000 years ago. You have an amazing kingdom of 10,000 people. There’s an abundance of food and water. The people in your kingdom are strong and happy. The walls around your kingdom are heavily fortified and heavily guarded with 3000 of the most strongest warriors. Now, imagine seeing a small army of 100 soldiers attempt to take over your kingdom. Would you freak out? Would you begin to complain or worry? Probably not.
Why? You realize this army won’t stand a chance against your kingdom.

That’s what trouble is. Trouble is a small army attacking our large heavily protected kingdom. We don’t just have any old protection. We have the best defense and weapons ever assembled. We have God Himself backing up His word (Isa. 55:11). We have angels protecting us and waiting to obey the voice of God’s word (Ps. 91:11-12; Ps. 103:20). We have the blood of Jesus keeping us free from guilt and shame (Rom. 8:1). We have faith attached to our mouths to release anything we desire or don’t desire in our world (Matt. 18:18).

So, we don’t need to worry when we experience sickness. We don’t need to freak out if we lose our jobs. We can keep our cool when negative situations occur. They’re minor in comparison to what we have at our disposal. As kings and queens of God, we can totally rely on Him.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”