Graced To Do God's Will

James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

There are so many people who believe God is tempting them with this or that, as if He’s testing our will power or our devotion to Him. This is a misconception in the body of Christ. God is not tempting us with that attractive man/woman, those expensive shoes, or that alcoholic beverage. These temptations are built-in sin tendencies the devil is trying to exploit.

We must identify our own temptations we’re drawn to and we must recognize when we’re being tempted. When we’re tempted, don’t blame God. Take the necessary steps to overcome that temptation.
1. Submit to God’s will above the temptation.
2. Rely on God’s strength inside of us to resist that temptation.
3. If we do fall into temptation, receive God’s forgiveness and understand there is no condemnation to those in Christ.

It’s not God. It’s our flesh. Overcome the flesh with the Word of God.

Ezekiel 3:10 Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.

God told Ezekiel to hear His Words and receive His Words into his heart. Obviously, God is showing a distinction between hearing and receiving His Word and there are benefits for both.

It’s important to hear the Word of God because that how faith comes (Rom. 10:17). The more Word we hear, the more faith or belief we have in His Word.

Although hearing God’s Word is important, it’s not enough. God’s Word must be recieved into our hearts. We can go to church and hear God’s Word for years, but still haven’t received it. We can read the Bible for hours, but still haven’t received it. To receive the Word of God means we’ve established it in our hearts as the Truth. Regardless of how it looks, people’s opinions, or historical facts, God’s Word is the Truth above anything else. 

To receive God’s Word is to eliminate the word “impossible” from our vocabulary because with God, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). To receive God’s Word means to remove the concept of failure from our minds because we know all things work together for our good (Rom. 8:28). 

Learn to hear and receive the Word of God. It will make a positive impact in our lives and in our relationship with God.

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

People are hesitant when it comes to speaking in our heavenly language (praying in the Spirit). A lot of it is based on ignorance. People don’t want to feel silly because they feel like they’re speaking gibberish and they don’t want to be possessed by some unknown “spirit” taking over their bodies. All of this is far from the truth.

If we carefully read the Word of God, it tells us when we speak in our heavenly language; it’s a controlled language that only God understands (1 Corinthians 14:2). Regardless of what we see at certain churches, it’s not a language where we have to jerk, fall out on the ground, or have our eyes rolled in the back of our heads.

This language has benefits. When we speak in our heavenly language, we strengthen ourselves (1 Cor. 14:4), we obtain the wisdom of God in all areas (1 Cor. 2:6-13), and we keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:20, 21). The same way we can believe Jesus is the Son of God because it’s in the Word of God, we can believe we’re strengthening ourselves, obtaining the wisdom of God, and keeping ourselves in the love of God because it’s in the Word of God.

Don’t miss out. Use this heavenly language as an advantage in every area of our lives.

Genesis 3:5 For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

Here is an interesting scripture where we can identify one of Satan’s traps to attempt to ruin our lives.

In the beginning, Satan ruined the lives of Adam and Eve by tempting them with the thought that God was hiding knowledge from them. The curiosity for additional knowledge ultimately led them astray from God’s Word and to their destruction. 
There is nothing new under the sun. Satan is still up to his old tricks today. With new discoveries in history and new theories, Satan is making some of us believe that the Word of God is not enough and there are additional resources that will lead us to the “truth”.

Some people will read books and listen to lectures that will intelligently contradict the Word of God. People become so fascinated with this new found knowledge until it makes them question the validity in the Word. This thought process can lead people astray from God’s Word, cause them to doubt, which will ultimately ruin their lives. 

I’m not saying don’t read books outside of the Bible or don’t listen to lectures outside of Christianity, but don’t let those things supersede the Word of God. Let God and His Word be true, but everything else a lie (Rom. 3:4). Don’t get fooled by the knowledge trap. 

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

As a born-again believer, we don’t have to compare ourselves with anyone else as far as holiness, righteous living, and acts of kindness. Sure, someone may read the Bible more than us, pray longer than us, and active in a certain ministry at church but, that doesn’t make them better than us.

If we get that feeling of not being where we want to be spiritually, don’t fret because inwardly, we’re being renewed day by day. This renewal is going to take some effort from us but, it’s not impossible. We should be spending more time with God now than we did two years ago. We should be more consistent in our church attendance now than we did in the past. Our temper should be more in control now than it was previously. Why? It’s because inwardly, we’re being renewed.

Let’s listen to the voice of God to help improve our inward development. It will allow us to have a more enjoyable life and we’ll better reflect the image of Christ.

Ephesians 3:20 (AMP) Now to Him who is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams, according to His power that is at work within us,

One key phrase we should focus on in the amplified version of this scripture is “dare ask.”

A lot of us have big dreams and desires, but are we bold enough to ask God for those desires or do we limit our desires based on what seems reasonable? Some of us are not daring enough to ask God for our biggest dream because we don’t want to make it too hard on God or we don’t see how God is going to do it so, we don’t even ask. We don’t want to dream big and be disappointed if it doesn’t come to pass. That’s doubt.

God is telling us, whatever we can conjure up in our minds (big or gigantic) and be daring enough to ask for that desire, He is able to do it. God may not give it to us immediately or within the next five years based on our maturity, but if that desire still burns inside of us and we don’t back down from our confession, God will eventually fulfill His promise to us.

I challenge everyone reading this post to think of your biggest desire and I dare you to ask God for that desire and maintain your belief that God will fulfill His promise to you. I dare you.

Matthew 5:45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

God allows blessings to fall upon the just (righteous) and the unjust (unrighteous). Most of us can comprehend why the righteous are receiving blessings, promotions, and increase in their lives. They’re living a holy life and honoring God in all their decisions, therefore, they’re blessed. However, a lot of us can’t understand why God will bless the unrighteous. They don’t honor God, they engage in unrighteous activities, and they’re living however they feel. This can leave a righteous person, who’s trying their best to honor God, confused or possibly jealous. Why would God bless the unrighteous?

The answer can be found in Romans 2:4 which says, don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

At one point in our lives, we weren’t always living a holy life and yet, God blessed us in spite of our ways. This is grace and mercy. We didn’t deserve anything from God, but He blessed us, protected us, and increased us anyway. These blessings got our attention, motivated us to repent, and now we’re in a constant state of gratitude.

So, don’t be confused or jealous when we see the unrighteous getting blessed. Like us, God is just trying to get their attention to lead them to repentance.

Dear God,

Thank You for all that you’ve done for me. Thank You for Your many blessings you have given to me. Thank You for your protection over my life. I thank God for Your protection over and me and Your angels surrounding me. I am healed of all sickness and disease and nothing will harm me. Continue to bless my life and allow Your favor to fall upon me. In Jesus name, Amen.

The only problem with this prayer is it doesn’t include anyone else. What about our family and our friends? What about the homeless and the less fortunate? What about our city or country?

Jesus, our example, is compassionate. He cared about people and their well-being. As believers, we should have the same compassion towards others. We all know people, who are close to us, who need us to intercede for them in prayer. We have a voice and authority. The same way we desire God’s blessings, protection, and healing power over our lives is the same way we should desire those things for others.

Let’s not be so inward focused by only praying for things associated with us. Remember others during the time of prayer.

1 Timothy 2:1 – I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL men;

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

You’re too fat. Your teeth aren’t straight. You have nappy hair. Your nose is too big. You’re too short. Those are all lies sent to discourage us and minimize God’s creation.

It doesn’t matter what other people think or say. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator. If they don’t like how we look, they’re speaking negatively on God’s creation. On a psychological level, people who degrade another person don’t like something in themselves.

Every freckle, your skin tone, and even that weird thing on your body was a creation from God. Love yourself because Love created you and He loves His creation.

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Democrats and/or Republicans are not our problem; immigrants are not our problem, and a person of a different race is not our problem. Our problem and our real enemy is the devil. These groups can be influenced by Satan, but the problem is not the group itself. 

Anytime we think someone or something else, outside of Satan, is our problem, we’re being deceived. It’s a distraction to get our minds off of him. It would be better for Satan to see us destroy ourselves than for us to collectively destroy everything he created. 

Let’s stop the bickering between one another and focus our efforts on dismantling Satan’s empire. 

Proverbs 11:24 Though they join hand to hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the descendants of the righteous shall be delivered.

There are two awesome promises at the end of this verse.

The first promise has to do with a seed or descendants. God promises every born-again believer a child. It doesn’t matter how old we are or the medical diagnosis the doctors gave us, God promises the righteous a child. Once again, righteousness has nothing to do with our daily behavior. If we’ve accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we’ve been made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21).

The second promise is the deliverance of that child. As children grow up, thinking they know everything, they will make some mistakes. They may experiment with drugs and alcohol, be rebellious towards authority, or dishonest. No matter how far or how long they’ve strayed away from a righteous pathway, the Word of God declares their deliverance. 

This is good news on all fronts. God can’t promise the deliverance of a child if there’s no child to deliver. Praise God for these promises and more, but they’re only available for those who are willing to believe in the finished works of Jesus. Believe and be blessed.

Ezekiel 34:4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.

We’re living in a time where people seem to have self on their minds. They make sure that they’re okay, they have enough money, their family is taken care of, and their life is figured out. They’re not concerning themselves with anyone else, just themselves. We shouldn’t be too surprised about this. 2 Timothy 3:2 tells us in the last days that people will become lovers of only themselves.

Based on this scripture and other scriptures in the Bible, God prioritizes people and He desires that EVERYONE enjoys their lives. The main way He does that is through us. He surrounds us with people who will need assistance in one area or another. He may tell us to buy that person’s groceries, He may tell us to pray for our coworker, or He may tell us to help someone out with their mortgage. However, if we’re only self-focused, we’ll miss out on an opportunity to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2). 

Even if it’s a quick call to say hello to someone, let’s reach outside ourselves to impact someone else. 

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

There are some who say cursing is a form of expression. It frees our lips from constraints and it’s therapeutic during an emotional time. Then there’s another group that asks, what is a curse word? The Bible doesn’t clearly define cursing. For all we know, curse words are made up just like the rest of the words we use.

For those who have these opinions about cursing, I’ll counter with this question, what do you think the Bible means when it says corrupt communication? Another version of this scripture says unwholesome talk. If we don’t want our little children to use these words and we don’t say these words at church, why do we feel like it’s acceptable any other time? Finally, do you think these words will be used in heaven? If no, then make the adjustment now because even now, we’re in the presence of the Lord and we’ll be held accountable for every word that comes out of our mouths (Matthew 12:36-37).

There are so many vocabulary words to express how we feel without cursing. Pick one and honor God in your communication.

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

Unfortunately, we’re living in a time where people are so easily offended. If we attempt to correct someone, even if it’s done in love, they feel like you’re trying to belittle them or make them feel inferior. A lot of us are on guard, trying to protect ourselves because we don’t want to get our feelings hurt. We can’t allow this form of protection to lead us down a path of stupidity.

This hatred of correction is influenced by Satan. If he can convince us that a person’s correction is only criticism, we’ll reject the very thing that’s trying to help us. This is also known as pride. If we’ll appropriately receive the correction, this will improve our character, our performance, and/or our productivity which will eventually improve the quality of our lives. Satan doesn’t want that.

God’s sends people in our lives to help us. Don’t be prideful and stupid. Receive this correction and make the necessary adjustments to improve in every area of life.

Proverbs 3:3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.

In today’s world, it almost seems like it’s cool to be mean, critical, or judgmental towards others. There are entire TV shows and websites devoted to magnifying the worst in people and criticizing what someone says, how they’re dressed, or what they look like.

At times it’s comical, but God’s Word hasn’t changed. In a dark world where “shade” is being spread daily, God still requires us to be a light (Matthew 5:16). Our light comes in the form of love, kindness, honesty, and compassion towards others. How does it benefit society by criticizing someone’s setbacks or harping on what they could have done better? It doesn’t and God is not glorified.

Although it’s popular to be negative and it feels good to point out the flaws in someone else to make us feel better about ourselves… let’s make this world a better place by being positive and kind. As a reward for our kindness, we receive favor from God AND man.

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, 24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

If we should work for a large retail company (Wal-Mart, Macy’s, Foot Locker, etc.), many times these companies give their employees discounts on items at their store. If an item cost $50.00, with their employee discount, they can receive the item for $30.00.

This concept is not new. It’s been done in the Kingdom of God since the beginning. If we would put forth the effort in the Kingdom of God (physically and financially), not only will we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7), but God promises employee discounts. Our employee discount comes in the form of favor. God’s favor is God using somebody, somewhere, to use their power, their ability, and their influence to help us.

The favor of God includes things we didn’t work for falling into our laps; additional money somehow being saved in our accounts, or jobs coming available at the right time.

All these things and more are available for those sold out for the Kingdom of God. When we prioritize God’s Kingdom, God makes it a priority to bless our lives. Take advantage of this employee discount by believing it’s available for us and expecting the favor of God to impact our lives.

Proverbs 8:35 “For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD.

Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

From Satan in Matthew 4:1-11 to a criminal on the cross, there were numerous people who questioned or doubted Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. Jesus had every opportunity to do the super miraculous and convince the world He was the Son of God. He could have performed “Red Sea” type of miracles for thousands of people every day, but He chose to teach and perform miracles on a personal level to have people believe in Him.

Aren’t you believing God for a new car? Where is it? Aren’t you standing in faith for a new job? Did you get it? Aren’t you believing God for a new house? How’s that coming?

As long as we’re publically standing in faith for something, there will be people who question the materialization of our belief. Some sincerely want to know if our desires manifested, but others, want us to question or doubt our belief in God.

We don’t have to prove our faith to anyone else, but God. Don’t allow questions of doubt to contaminate your faith. Believe in God and hold on to that belief until manifestations take place.

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 31:20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.

Exodus 33:14 LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

The presence of God is all we need. The presence of God is more powerful than any weapon we can carry ourselves and more fortified than any bunker we can create. The presence of God provides an endless supply of joy and pleasures forevermore. The presence of God allows us to have favor wherever we go and it gives us rest.

Unlike the people in the old covenant, the presence of God doesn’t come and go as the Lord sees fit. Through the blood of Jesus and His sacrifice for us, God’s presence is always with those who are willing to believe.

We can be confident in a job interview because the presence of the Lord is with us. We can complete a seemingly difficult task because the presence of the Lord is with us. We can witness to the unsaved in problematic parts of a city without fear because the presence of the Lord is with us. We don’t have to have it all figured out before we start because God’s presence is there to lead and guide us. Whatever is going on in our lives, be confident, fearless, and at rest knowing the presence of God is with us.

Psalm 140:13 Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kind,

When we’re getting blessed and things are going our way, by default, we tend to have a joyous positive attitude. Based on this scripture, God instructs us to have joyous attitude in the midst of troubling times. What God is showing us is, whether a situation is good or bad, we can control our attitude for that day. 

God desires that we maintain a joyous positive attitude but like everything else, our daily attitude is our decision. We can allow external situations to negatively effect our emotions or choose to have joy. It’s up to us. 

Satan is always in our ear attempting to magnify the problem. That will only lead to anger, moodiness, or some other negative emotion. We have to choose to look beyond the problem, focus on the finished works of Jesus, and because of His sacrifice, maintain our joy. 

Control your attitude by being consistent with joy. 

From the time we pray to the time we receive our desire, we may experience delay. Unfortunately, for some of us, we’ll experience a significant delay in receiving God’s promises.

One of the reasons for significant delay is disobedience. If we’re assembling a blender and we choose to deviate from the instructions, if it’s incorrectly assembled, it will cause delay. When we’re not following the instructions of God, our disobedience causes us to experience a significant delay.

Significant delay can also occur because we ask with wrong motives (James 4:2-3). If we’re asking God for a desire, but He knows we’re too immature to receive that desire now, we’ll have to wait. Would we give our 7 year old a car even if they asked for one? Of course not. God loves us and He’s not in the habit of giving us things that we’re not ready to receive.

A final reason for significant delay is demonic influences (Ephesians 6:12). Demonic forces influence the minds of people to disobey God’s instructions. They know they hear God or “something inside” telling them to cut us a deal in spite of our credit or offer us the job in spite of our experience, but those demonic influences are telling them to do the opposite.

We may not be able to control delay because of God’s perfect timing, but the good news is we can control significant delay. We can make up our minds to obey God’s instructions, ask God to reveal improvement areas in our lives, and use our God-given authority to remove demonic influences from the minds of people (Luke 10:19). Regardless of our delay, our patience during that delay causes us to gain maturity (James 1:3-4).

Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere, so that after you have done God’s will, you will receive what He has promised. 37 “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.

Romans 4:21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

In order to receive the promises of God, we have to be convinced of His Word. We can’t doubt His Word, we can’t be partially convinced; we have to be fully convinced of His Word.

We have to be convinced of His Word in spite of our behavior or shortcomings. A lot of times we think God’s Word won’t come to pass because of our mistakes. We may think His Word will work for this other person because they lead a Bible study, work in a soup kitchen, and pray every day, but our good behavior is not the prerequisite for God’s Word coming to pass. Our belief in what Jesus accomplished on the cross is the only thing that’s needed to receive the promises of God.

If we made Jesus Lord at an older age, if we made numerous mistakes in our past, or if we don’t have it all together now, we’re still eligible to receive the promises of God.

Don’t let anyone, including yourself, talk you out of the promises of God. If God said it, be convinced that it will come to pass.

Luke 16:10 Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Time plays a factor in faithfulness. God’s Word tells us if we’re faithful in little, we will be faithful in much. Matthew 25:23 says if we’re faithful with a few things, we can be entrusted with many things. We all want more, but our faithfulness cannot be displayed without time.

We want a better car, but we have to be faithful with the car we have. Over time, we have to clean the car and keep the car well maintained. We want a better job, but we have to be faithful at our current job. We have to consistently arrive at work on time and work unto the Lord (Col. 3:23).

Even the world’s system honors faithfulness. People honor commitment. It’s difficult to show our resume of faithfulness if we’ve been at 6 jobs within a year.

Don’t be so anxious to move on to the next best thing. Understand that during the delay of more, we have an opportunity to exercise our faithfulness. Place your faith in God and exercise faithfulness, and God guarantees we’ll receive more.

If a farmer plants an immature tree in the ground and tells everyone it’s an orange tree, would anyone doubt him? Most people wouldn’t. We would think the farmer is knowledgeable about plants and he knows what type of tree he bought. That tree is watered and cared for. It grows taller and stronger, but still has no oranges. The farmer tells everyone that the tree is an orange tree. Would anyone doubt him? Probably not. Most people would think it’s a matter of time before the oranges appear. After some time, the tree eventually produces oranges.

What’s the point? Just because the tree didn’t produce oranges at first, doesn’t negate the fact that it still was an orange tree.

Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we are perfect, holy, righteous, and blessed. Although we may not produce the fruits of holiness, righteousness, or manifested blessings at first doesn’t negate the truth that we’re all that God says we are.

We can honestly tell everyone that we’re holy, perfect, and righteous through Jesus Christ. Unlike that orange tree, people may doubt us or tell us we’re not because they don’t see our fruit. But, if we continue to declare who we are in Christ and take the necessary steps to produce that fruit, people will eventually see the truth.

We don’t have to have it all together before we declare the truth about our lives. By faith, we can declare who we are in Christ and eventually the fruit will follow.

Hebrews 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Inspired by Pastor Creflo Dollar

1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

What has the final authority in your life? Is it logic, the popular opinion, how we feel, the Word of God, or a mixture? Of course, the final authority should be the Word of God but, it’s easier said than done.

When decisions need to be made concerning our lives, everything must reflect the Word of God. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense or how we feel about the situation. What does God’s Word say about the situation?

When the doctor says we have an “incurable” disease, do we believe the doctor or do we stand in faith that through His stripes we’re healed (Isaiah 53:5)? When the popular opinion says it’s okay to fornicate or be homosexual, do we go along with the majority or do we reserve our sexuality in a heterosexual marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18)? When the news says the economy is bad and we should prepare for the worse, do we believe the news or believe regardless of the situation, all our needs are met and we are victorious in every situation (Philippians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 15:57)?

When our final authority is based in the Word of God, we honor God with our lives. When we honor God He assures us that our lives will be prosperous (Isaiah 1:19; Job 36:11). Resist the urge to conform to the ideas of this world and make your final authority the Word of God. Our logic, the popular opinion and how we feel will all change and pass away, but the Word of God remains forever.

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Jesus had a choice. He could do the will of God and sacrifice Himself for mankind or not suffer or be separated from the Father. Praise God He chose to do the will of God for our benefit.

There’s a lesson in this for us. Although it was uncomfortable, Jesus put His feelings aside to do the will of God. Everything God calls us to do may not be easy or comfortable, but as we put our feelings aside and choose His will above our own, we’re putting God first.

Since Jesus put God first in His sacrifice for us, God awarded Him with the greatest reward ever. God made His name higher than any other name. If we would push past our discomfort to do the will of God, there’s a reward in it for us. It may be a breakthrough, wisdom, or favor, but God promises us a blessing for our obedience.

Do the will of God. We may be tired, it may be uncomfortable, and it may be intimidating, but choose to do the will of God over the will of self.

Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

One man is attempting to justify himself before God based on self-righteousness. He boasts about all the good works he’s done and how he’s better than others. What he failed to realize was all of his righteous works are filthy works in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). The other man understands he doesn’t deserve anything from God and he’s totally relying on God’s grace and mercy. Jesus informs us the second man is justified in the sight of God.

For those of us who’ve been saved for a little while, if we walk around with an attitude of self-righteousness based on what we’ve done, we’ll never be in position to be justified by God. But if we understand that we’re nothing without the grace and mercy through Jesus Christ, then we become justified.

For those who are still trying to understand their righteousness through Jesus Christ, realize the devil is deceptive. He’ll make us think that because we’re not perfect in our behavior and we’ve missed the mark in a certain area, we’re not worthy to be in God’s presence. That’s not true. The very fact that we have and acknowledge our flaws, but rely on the righteousness of Jesus Christ, qualifies us to receive God’s grace and mercy. Through Jesus we’re made perfect, holy, and acceptable in the sight of God.

We should continue to improve in our ways to be more Christ-like in the world, but always remember it is through Christ and Christ alone, that we’re justified.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

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

Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

After looking at the news or reading an article online, it can make the toughest person be afraid to go out of the house without feeling a sense of paranoia. God never intended for us to live our lives looking over our shoulders every five minutes.

In God’s Word, He promises to be our fortified tower, He has His angels protecting us, and He vowed to not allow anything to harm us. With these scriptures in mind, God established an ultimate protection package. This protection is not automatic. With any promise from God, it requires our belief in what He said to receive these promises.

Our belief and confidence in these promises, causes us to have unusual peace. While everyone else is freaking out over the things that are occurring in this world, the believers in these promises are cool and calm because of their confidence in God’s Word. The difference between the believers and the unbelievers of these promises should be so apparent until it causes the unbelievers to question our behavior.

Get your ultimate protection package by placing your unwavering belief in God’s promises. This offer never expires.

Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

This is a popular verse that everyone seems to know. A lot of us like to highlight the second half of this verse. We like to know that God is our Provider and He’ll never cause us to lack. Praise God He’s our provider, but in order to maximize on His provisions, we have to allow Him to be our Shepherd.

The job of the shepherd is to lead his sheep. David made the decision to be led by God and we must make the decision to be led by God. We must ask ourselves, when times are comfortable or uncomfortable, are we willing to allow God to lead us or will we wander off the pathway He set for us? Will we forgive our enemies, walk in the ways of righteousness, and do everything without complaining? These are all things the Shepherd leads us to do.

God knows and only wants what’s best for us. Let’s be good sheep and follow our Shepherd. 

Psalm 30:5 For his anger endures but for a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

A lot of people read this scripture and conclude joy comes after weeping. That’s not what the scripture says. The scripture says weeping may endure for a night. That means it’s a choice to weep during difficult times. To be honest, there are difficult times that rock us to the core. During those difficult times, we may weep and it’s okay. But, weeping is not a requirement for joy.

God promises us joy without weeping. God promises us everlasting joy (Isaiah 35:10). This means during difficult times, we can decide to maintain our joy. In spite of all we may be going through, we still can have joy.

Our joy is maintained because our trust and hope is in God (Romans 15:13). We understand that this difficult time is temporary and God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9). He delivered us from tough times before and He will do it again. We believe all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). Finally, we can use our God-given authority to command joy to remain in our lives (Mark 11:23).

Understanding all these promises, we can magnify God’s Word above the difficult times and make the decision to maintain our joy. Whether times are good or not preferable, choose to have joy.

We all are or should be standing in faith for something. Some of us are standing in faith for healing in our bodies, a new career, or simply a better situation. As we stand in faith, at times, it seems like the situation gets worse. Additional complications occur in our bodies, we lose the job we currently have while in faith for our new career, or our situation gets worse. What do we do when the situation gets worse?

We remain consistent. When things worsen, two opportunities are presented. We can quit and say this faith stuff doesn’t work or we can remain consistent in applying our faith for the desires we want to see. Worse situations will also tempt us to place limits on our faith. Initially, we stood in faith for a new car, but when too much time passed, we’ll settle for a used car. Be consistent.

Consistency is the key to our breakthrough. When we remain consistent in our faith and don’t waiver or doubt, our desires MUST manifest themselves. Our confidence in the manifestation of our desires is based on our confidence in God’s Word. God set His Word higher than anything else and He vowed that His Word will not return to Him without producing results (Ps. 138:2; Isa. 55:11). Based on His Word, it’s a matter of time before things change in our favor.

We may not have complications in our bodies or an uncomfortable situation, but we still have God’s unchanging Word and a mouth to declare what we desire to see. When things worsen, don’t quit, remain consistent.

Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

When we get saved, some of us feel like we can just sit back, wait on our blessings, and go to heaven when we die. We have work to do and we work unto the Lord.

Our work of the Lord consists of the following:
Preach the Gospel – Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Make Disciples – Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Feed Sheep – John 21:17 Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things; he replied, “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Preaching the gospel, making disciples, and feeding the sheep of Jesus are not responsibilities only for the pastor. This responsibility is for every born-again believer. Some people may not respect a minister, but they will listen to us. They may not visit a church, but they will visit with us.

Not only do we have work, but we should be abounding or flourishing in our work. Our Lord has done everything for us. The least we can do is do work by reaching out to people to preach the gospel, make disciples, and feed the sheep of Jesus.

Ezekiel 17:24 All the trees of the forest will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. “‘I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.'”

Some of us are unsettled with where we are in life. We want better for ourselves and we want better for our families. Don’t be discouraged about where you are. In an instant, God can take us from a low point to a more successful state. Regardless of our background, if we’re willing to believe, God can prosper us far beyond our imagination (Ephesians 3:20).

Even if we appear successful in other people’s eyes, if we want better, God can give us better. Let’s be clear, this better must be accompanied with a heart of selflessness. Having better can’t just be to have more money, more cars, and a bigger home. We must have a mindset to expand the Kingdom of God and to be more of a blessing to others in need.

Never settle and don’t be discouraged. Stand in faith and believe God’s will is for us to continuously prosper.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, since you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Faith: When we pray for a desire, the moment we pray, we are to believe that we have received it from God. This is faith in action. We haven’t seen the desire materialize in front of our eyes and the situation may not have instantly changed, but we are to believe that we have received our desire when we prayed. We don’t have to ask for it again just because it hasn’t manifested yet. He heard us. We are to maintain our belief that it has been received.

Praise: Since we’ve received our desire, what’s stopping us from giving God praise? We’ve received it, so let’s praise Him. We praise God because we know it’s been given to us. We praise God because we know it’s only a matter of time before our desires manifest. We praise God because He heard us and since He heard us, we have whatever we asked for in prayer (1 John 5:15).

Faith should always be accompanied with praise. Even if it takes two years or more, combat thoughts of doubt of our desire not coming to pass and continue to praise God for that desire.

Psalm 118:21 I will praise you: for you have heard me, and have become my salvation.

John 9:41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

The Word of God is always giving birth to new revelation. Once we know the truth and have received its revelation, we’re now liable to act on what we know. We can no longer say we didn’t know or we didn’t understand. It’s our responsibility to act on what we know.

For instance, everyone who has heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, being the One Who came from the Father, sacrificed Himself on our behalf, and is the only pathway to God, is now liable to act on that truth and receive Jesus as Lord. A person who dies and hasn’t received Jesus Christ as Lord is held accountable for their inaction. They can’t tell God they didn’t know. They knew, but they rejected or didn’t act on the truth.

We’re liable for many topics throughout the Word of God. We’re liable to live by grace instead of the Law, receive and be led by the Holy Spirit, give tithes and offering, and much more. It doesn’t matter how we feel about the topic, if it’s in the Word of God and the message is given in the correct context, we’re now liable to act on the truth.

Don’t be stubborn. Change your mindset and act upon the Word of God once it’s known and received.

God has promises available to everyone who is willing to believe. Not everyone knows or is willing to research His Word for those promises. We can’t release our faith for a promise if it’s not known. Here is a small list of promises available to every born-again believer. 

We are blessed (Galatians 3:14). 

We are healed of all sickness, disease, and pain in our bodies (Isaiah 53:5).

We are forgiven of all our past, present, and future sins (Hebrews 10:1-18).

We are righteous, in spite of our behavior (2 Corinthians 5:21).

We are protected (Psalm 91:11).

We are loved by God in spite of what we do (Romans 8:35-39).

We can prosper in any area of our lives (relationally, educationally, etc.) (3 John 1:2).

 We can be wealthy (Psalm 112:1-3). 

We can have children (Psalm 127:3).

We can have sweet sleep (Proverbs 3:24). 

We can have a long satisfying life up to 120 years (Psalm 91:16; Genesis 6:3).

There are more promises but, if we’re willing to believe, we can have at least every promise mentioned above. It doesn’t matter how old we are, how many sins we’ve committed, or where we are in life, we’ve been given a “yes, let it be done unto them” to receive all of God’s promises. 

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.

Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Teenagers endure violence to be accepted into gangs, college students endure hazing to be accepted into fraternities or sororities, and people do things outside of their character to be accepted into a certain group. With God, He accepts us just the way we are. We don’t have to put on airs, act like fools, or be tortured to be accepted by God.

We often value the opinion of others and some of us are willing to do whatever needs to be done to gain their acceptance. If a certain person or group rejects us, that rejection has the potential to negatively impact the way we view ourselves. It hurts to the core if a parent rejects us. We feel bad because we put our best foot forward and they still reject us. When everyone else has rejected us, our confidence should be in knowing that God has accepted us.

We’re humans living in a sin contaminated body and we’ll miss the mark from time to time. Satan will attempt to make us feel like God has rejected us based on our sin. Lies!!! The blood of Jesus has forgiven all of our sins (past, present, and future) and although we’ve missed the mark, with flaws and all, God accepts us (Hebrews 9:26).

Receive this acceptance. Know that you are God’s beloved child. No matter how many people reject us, through Jesus Christ, God has accepted us and vowed to never let us go.

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

There’s a difference between the parents of biological and adopted children. Parents tend to accept biological children a little bit more due to the fact they see a little bit of themselves in that child. It doesn’t matter if they have tantrums, misbehave, or have a bad attitude; most parents are willing to endure their children’s issues and raise them.

Parents of adopted children can be a little bit different. There’s a reason why everyone is not rushing out to adopt a child. It takes a special person to truly love and embrace a child who is not their own and who looks nothing like them. If adopted children have too many issues, some parents are quick to put them back into the system.

Parents of biological children tend to intensely love their children by default, while good parents of adopted children make the decision to love.

With flaws and all, God chose and decided to love us. Not only did He love us, He sent Jesus to save us from eternal damnation. He could have stopped there, but He loved us enough to adopt us into His family and give us an inheritance we didn’t deserve. This is our Father. He decided to love us and not allow anything to separate us from His love.

Romans 8:39 (NLT) No power in the sky above or in the earth below–indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 

We’re living in a time where it seems like everything offends everyone. What people say, how people act, and what people stand for all have an opportunity to offend us. It’s a choice to be offended, and as believers, we shouldn’t be so easily offended.

What keeps us from being offended is the Word of God. The Word of God keeps us in a state of great peace. We’re at peace because we value the promises in the Word of God over what someone else may say or do. 

If someone says something harsh or negative towards us, our first response should not be to react with anger because of offense. Our response should be love and blessings based on Matthew 5:44. When we respond with love, we’ll reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7), we’ll receive good from God (Eph. 6:8), and God is glorified because we let our light shine (Matt. 5:16). 

If we think about it long enough, we can be offended by anything, but what good will that do in our lives or in the world? Throughout our lives, we’ll have an opportunity to practice not being offended. Sow that Word in your hearts and don’t take offense. 

Ezekiel 2:6-8 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. 

There are some people in our lives that need to hear the truth through the Word of God. They need to know that Jesus is the only way, they need to hear that their behavior doesn’t honor God, they need to hear that there’s a better path than the one they’re taking. 

Unfortunately, everyone is not going to respond to this truth with gladness and most of us know this. The idea of possibly offending someone or no longer being accepted by them after speaking the truth causes us to shrink. We see the pathway some people are headed on and we do nothing because of fear. 

As the Spirit of God leads us, we can’t be worried about or held back by people’s responses. If God (and only God) gives us a Word to tell to someone, with boldness, we need to speak the truth. It doesn’t matter if they’re our elders or our 4 month old children. It doesn’t matter if we’ve known them all of our lives or for 2 minutes. God’s Word must be shared. Shake off the fear of people’s reactions. The only person we should desire to please is God. 

Jude 1:24 Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

When we were younger, do you recall making something for your parents in art class? We took our time and did our best on that art piece. When we finished, we would be so excited to show what we made to our parents. If we had good parents, our parents would encourage us, tell us what a good job we did, and proudly display our art on the refrigerator or on the shelf.

Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus sacrificed His time, His status, and His life to clean up and save our lives. Because of His sacrifice for us, with exceeding joy, Jesus presents us faultless before His Father. Not only does He present us faultless, He continues to keep us from falling. God, being a good Father, proudly displays the names of everyone who believes in the sacrifice of Jesus in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27).

Thank God for the presentation of Jesus. It’s through Jesus and ONLY through Him that we can be presented faultless before a holy and perfect God. Without Him, all of our notable efforts to please God would be as filth in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). Praise God for Jesus. He is our Redeemer.