Graced To Do God's Will

Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.‭‭
Rest is having so much confidence in God’s Word until we are not worried or concerned about anything. We are at rest because we know everything has been handled through the finished works of Jesus.

We have one bill after the next and it seems like we can’t keep up. The people of God are at rest because we have confidence that God will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19).

Violence and chaos has increased around us. The people of God are at rest because we know God is our Protector (Psalms 121:7).

God placed a big dream inside of us, but we don’t have a clue on how to obtain that dream. The people of God are at rest because we have confidence that God will give us the wisdom, finances, and/or favor to obtain our dreams (James 1:5).

There remains a rest for the people of God, but our rest is dependent upon our belief and confidence in the Word of God. Believe, and rest people of God.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God…

There’s a quick lesson we can obtain from the first verse in the Bible. Based on this verse and John 1:1, in the beginning, there was God.

If the beginning of creation began with God, surely the beginning of anything in our lives should begin with God. We should acknowledge God at the beginning of our day. We should invite God into the relationship before the beginning of marriage. We should seek God before the beginning of a business deal. It should all begin with God.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

When we begin with God and invite Him into all our affairs, we give Him license to become creative in our lives. Things that we couldn’t make happen on our own, God’s creative abilities have the power to make happen. Ideas we couldn’t produce ourselves, God’s creative abilities can provide wisdom. Doors that seem to be locked suddenly become open.

Start the beginning of everything with God and watch God do spectacular things in your lives.

We have everything we want. We’re living the dream. We have our families, a house, dependable vehicles, a good job, and we’re financially stable. Life is good.

*It’s Sunday, but it’s raining. – We’ll go to church next week.
*This will be a good time to pray and read the Bible. – Our TV show is on, we’ll do it later.
*Don’t do that. Honor God with your life. – This won’t hurt. I’m only human.

When life is good and we’re satisfied with where we are, keeping our enthusiasm for the things of God seems burdensome. We get so content with life until we tell ourselves we don’t have to do the things above to be comfortable. God understands. We make our hard work, education, and experience the reasons for our success; meanwhile, we minimize God and the part He played. These thoughts and excuses are planted in our heads by Satan.

Every good thing we have is because of God. God gave us the intelligence to finish school. He was the One who gave us the job for experience. He was the One who gave us the body for hard work. The least we can do is maintain and eventually build on our commitment to God.

It’s not until we have a big desire or face a difficult situation that we want to get back to the things of God. And true to His nature, God willingly takes us back.

Resist the urge to forget God based on how comfortable we are in life. Maintain that enthusiasm for God and watch Him do more for you than you could have even imagined.

Romans 12:11 (NIV) Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Deuteronomy 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

The Bible tells us, through Paul, to learn to be content (Philippians 4:11). This keeps us from continuously going after “stuff” to be happy. Although the Bible tells us to be content, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to the “American Dream.” The American Dream is essentially having a family, a house, dependable vehicles, a good job, and financially comfortable to splurge from time to time. The problem with the American Dream is it only focuses on us. What about others?

God wants to work through us to be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2). We may be comfortable in our three bedroom home, but what about people who don’t have a home? We may enjoy our family on a Saturday afternoon, but what about people’s families that are being torn apart? Just because we’re content and satisfied doesn’t mean everyone else is.

That same passion we had or have to obtain the American Dream for ourselves, should be the same passion we have to get that dream to others. Don’t limit your prayers, your finances, and your time because you’re content. Continue to seek God for more, to obtain those things for someone else.

John 13:11 For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

In John 13:2, the devil put it in the heart of Judas to betray Jesus. However, we also see that Jesus was not surprised by his betrayal. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. It wasn’t like the disciples came back and told Jesus that Judas would betray Him or He had a spy within the Pharisees. Judas’ betrayal was revealed to Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

As a child of God being led by the Holy Spirit, there are certain benefits we have. One of those benefits is discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14). As we operate in the plan of God, God will reveal certain things to us on a need to know basis. This discernment will reveal the plans of the devil. Like Jesus with Judas, this discernment will reveal if our spouse is cheating on us, if our friends are really not our friends, and if our supervisor is attempting to hold us back from a promotion. This revelation is not given to start a fight or an argument. This revelation is given to mentally prepare us to face life’s challenges. It’s given to know who and what we need to pray for. It’s given to prepare us to make some changes.

Instead of being blind-sided by the demonically influenced actions of people closest to us, get into a position where God can be clearly heard to reveal some information to us about our family and friends.

John 13:2 “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,”

Most of us know Judas betrayed Jesus, but a lot of us overlook the fact that the devil put it in the heart of Judas to betray Jesus. If Judas could be influenced by the devil to betray the Son of God, surely people can be influenced by the devil to do horrific things we see today. 

A popular idea today says, Satan doesn’t exist and the evil actions we see are a direct result of a person’s will. That’s partially true. Satan does exist and although he can’t willingly take over a person’s mind or body without their consent, he can influence a person to a degree where they believe their evil actions are justified (Adolph Hitler, Osama bin Laden, etc.).

These senseless killings, the hoarding of resources while other people starve, and extremists groups whose tactical advantage is fear, are all a direct result of the devil entering the hearts of people. 

Don’t be so quick to judge that person based on their behavior or dismiss people when they say, “the devil made me do it” after committing an evil act. To a certain point, they’re being honest. Pray for them. Pray that the demonic influences leave their hearts and they live a holy life. 

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Our flesh opposes God. Everything God’s Word says not to do, our flesh wants to do. From the beginning with Adam and Eve, their flesh wanted to eat of the forbidden fruit. Now, our flesh wants to do whatever it can imagine.

We are to clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ. What does that mean? It means to tame our flesh with the Word of God. Jesus overcame His flesh and He didn’t allow it to govern His life. He forced His flesh to do the will of God. Example: Jesus’ flesh didn’t want to suffer, die, and be separated from the Father.  Nevertheless, He forced His flesh to comply with the will of God (Luke 22:42).

That same overcoming power Jesus had to overcome His flesh resides inside of us. So, put down that donut, tame that lustful desire, control that temper, and stop being so moody. Don’t do it by will power. Allow the Spirit of God to help you overcome the desires of the flesh.

John 9:11 He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.”

Our breakthrough is on the other side of our belief and obedience. This man believed in the power working through Jesus, therefore, he obeyed His instructions. What would have happened if this man didn’t take Jesus seriously or didn’t follow His instructions? He would have been blind for the remainder of his life.

A lot of us want the blessings, but we won’t believe and/or we won’t obey. For instance, some of us have a dream so big inside of us until we can’t see how it’s going to come to pass, therefore, we won’t go after that dream because we don’t believe with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). Or, we want a great relationship, but we won’t believe they can exist or obey God by forgiving an ex and choose instead to harbor bitterness and unforgiveness towards that ex.

For the manifestation of God’s promises, belief and obedience go hand in hand. Like a respectful young child who is willing to believe and obey anything, believe the Word of God and do what it says.

John 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

Luke 15:4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

From food to sheep, Jesus is adamant that nothing is lost. Jesus making sure that nothing is lost and everything is accounted for includes us.

Jesus sacrificed Himself so that all will be saved, therefore, He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. Unfortunately, as we know, all won’t receive salvation, but He desires as many of us that can be saved to get saved.

Jesus is now in Heaven, but He commanded us (the believers) to retrieve the lost (Matt. 28:19). If the lost were important to Jesus, the lost should be important to us. From your circle of friends, to the people you see on a daily basis, contact them and confirm that no one is lost.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no Law.

From drugs, to pornography, to over-eating, to excessive television watching, there are so many addictions that will attempt to overtake our lives.

For those who really want to please God, we don’t want to be bound by those addictions all our lives. We want to overcome them. Part of overcoming any addiction is operating in the fruit of the spirit known as, self-control.

Self-control is exactly how it sounds. We take control of ourselves. We have to make an intentional decision to not give in to that temptation. Once we feel tempted to satisfy our flesh, we must:
1. Recognize this is an attack from the enemy to compel us to not honor God.
2. Believe with every temptation, God provides a way to escape (1 Cor. 10:13).
3. Consult the Holy Spirit on our escape route from that temptation.

As we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we’ll avoid the traps of the enemy. But, just know, he’ll return again. Overcoming addictions begins with us. We must make the initial decision to have self-control rather than allowing outside factors to control us.

2 Chronicles 20:12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

When we become parents for the first time, we go back to school after a significant delay, or we start a business, the unknown is evident. For the most part, we don’t know what to do or how to do it. When the unknown is so apparent, that should make us seek and trust God even more.

Instead of going through trial and error, risking failure, and attempting to handle this big task on our own, we should seek God all the more. Historically, God placed people in situations where they can’t succeed in their own strength (Numbers 13; Joshua 6; 1 Samuel 17). He placed individuals in situations where they had to depend on God.

Today is no different. God intentionally places us in situations where we can’t succeed on our own. This is done so that we can trust, lean on, and rely on Him. Instead of becoming upset with God regarding how difficult circumstances are, begin to seek God on how to overcome those circumstances. And like the people in the Bible, when we seek God, we’re guaranteed victory. When we don’t know what to do, seek God.

Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.”

The things that occur in the days of our lives have been fashioned for us. Regardless if it appears negative, God has fashioned our days to overcome whatever comes our way.
If we get a flat tire, God has fashioned our days to overcome the inconvenience. If we have a break up in a committed relationship, God has fashioned our days to get through the break up. If a loved one passes away, God has fashioned our days to overcome grief. It doesn’t mean God causes the negative event to occur, but He’s given us the grace to overcome that negative event.

Believe that everything we go through is not a surprise to God. Because He knows everything that will occur in our lives, if we look to Him, He will give us the grace to overcome every obstacle.

Psalm 125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become people of God (John 1:12). As we can see, the Lord has promised to surround His people.

What does this mean for us? It’s another form of protection. In countless places in the Bible, God promises to protect and keep us while we’re living in a dying sin filled world (Psalm 91:7 Psalm 91:11; Psalm 128:1, etc.).

From the news to social media, we’ll see devastating things happening to people and our environment. If we keep our focus on what’s happening in the world, we’ll live in fear, paranoia, and honestly, we’re really not living at all. However, if we read God’s Word regarding His presence always being with us, His protection, and His covering, this will comfort and reinforce God’s commitment to us.

Believe this promise and enjoy life in spite of what’s occurring around us. Praise God that we’re surrounded.

John 4:34 Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

After a long day, Jesus was hungry and thirsty. His disciples left him by the well to get food. There, He met a woman who had a troublesome past. After ministering to that woman, Jesus was so overjoyed in fulfilling His God-given purpose until He was no longer concerned about His hunger.

God has given every one of us an assignment. When we walk in our purpose, we’re no longer concerned about trivial things. We won’t be concerned about what this person said about us. We won’t have time to think about how we were treated by our co-worker. We won’t involve ourselves in the affairs of another person. It just won’t matter.

Our joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction in life will come from doing the will of the Father. Begin the journey of doing the will of God and experience the fulfillment factor.

Proverbs 11:28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

We have a promise from God to thrive. It doesn’t matter if our lives appear to be going downward or if we’re confused, God’s promise is for us to thrive.

This promise WILL NOT be received unless we BELIEVE. We can look at our lives and wonder how it’s going to prosper from where it is now or we can simply take God at His Word. For those who are believing God at His Word, we have comfort in knowing God places His Word above His name and His Word will accomplish what He purposed (Psalms 138:2; Isaiah 55:11).

You’re sick with a reoccurring disease? Don’t worry, you will thrive. You’re living from paycheck to paycheck? Don’t stress, you will thrive. You’re a successful CEO of a company? Yes, you too can thrive. Only believe.

Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

How many of us sincerely love and pray for our enemies? It’s something that’s rarely mentioned. We’ll speak about prosperity, healing, and being a blessing, but we rarely mention praying for those who persecute us. The rarity of this topic is because it goes against the world’s wisdom, our logic, and everything within our flesh.

Prayer for our enemies should be out of sincerity. Although it’s technically considered a prayer, we should go beyond the “bless them Lord” prayer. The love of God within us should inspire us to pray for our enemy’s family, health, prosperity, peace, etc. Essentially, the same way we would pray for ourselves is the same way we should pray for our enemies.

Increase the love in the world and within ourselves by praying for our enemies. And for those who need motivation, think of this: If God blessed Job with double after he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10), how much more would God bless us if we prayed for our enemies? There is a blessing on the other side of prayer.

Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Proverbs 30:30 a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing;

When most of us think of lions, we think of big, strong, fearless creatures. The Word of God makes reference to the righteous being as bold as a lion. It also mentions that lions retreat from nothing. Seeing these two references should give us a clue that God wants us to be lion-like.

When situations come our way, we shouldn’t back down; we should confront the situation as bold as a lion. We attack the situation with our faith. We boldly declare sickness to be gone in Jesus name. We tell chaos to go in Jesus name. We declare increase in our finances in Jesus name. All the while, believing like a lion, that the situation will back down or be destroyed.

Lions also hunt in packs. We too have the ability to hunt in packs. When we face a situation, the Word of God says we can touch and agree with two or three people about the situation, in the name of Jesus, and it shall be done by God (Matthew 18:19-20).

Why in Jesus name? Because that’s where our authority lies, that’s where our strength comes from; and He is our Lion who we look up to, being the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).

Be lion-like and back down from nothing.

Psalm 91:16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

There’s been this debate amongst believers regarding how many years God promised us on earth. Some believe God promised us 120 years according Genesis 6:3 which states, then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” Others believe God promised us between 70 and 80 years according to Psalm 90:10 which states, as for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away. The remaining believers believe at any time, God can take us. 

So who’s correct? Our faith is correct. 

Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.” Although He was referring to healing in this particular verse, the principle remains consistent throughout scripture. 

So if a person has faith to live 120 years and they’re following the promptings of the Holy Spirit to live a long healthy life, it shall be done unto them. Likewise, if a person has faith to live 80 years, let it be done according to their faith. For those who don’t have a specific age and they’re leaving the years of their life up to fate, that’s an area where they chose not to activate their faith.

Don’t debate or get upset because someone else desires to live a long or not long enough life. It’s there life and the longevity of their life is totally up to their faith. Whatever we consider to be long life, God promised to save and satisfy us. 

Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.”

There is hope in the Word of God. If we can’t seem to find hope anywhere else, we can find hope in the Word of God. 

It’s a choice for us to receive the hope found in the Word or not. That’s why the writer says, “in His word I DO hope.” We can read “with long life He will satisfy me (Psalm 91:16)” but, have we received that or do we have it settled in our minds the lie of “you never know when your time is coming” at the age of 40. Just FYI…long life is 120 years (Genesis 6:3). Do we truly believe that our children are delivered from the hands of the enemy (Proverbs 11:21) or are we constantly worried about our children’s future? 

Throughout the Bible, there is page after page of hope (do not fear, I am always with you, you shall prosper and be in good health) but at the end of the day, we have to receive it. Receive the hope that has been so graciously given to us by God. 

Hebrews 3:15 “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled

The Israelites refused to inherit their Promised Land because they thought it was too hard. They complained about the giants rather than trusting God to help them overcome the giants. 

What’s your promised land? Is it being a healthy size, having your degree, being debt free, or something else? Are you hesitant to conquer your Promised Land because of the difficulty and discipline it may require to attain it?

It’s time for us to surrender to God. His Spirit is available to us to lead and guide us, but we have to be willing to hear and obey. Remember that we have self-control, according to Galatians 5:22-23 (we have the Holy Spirit, therefore we have His fruits). We just have to develop it. And developing discipline, or self-control, can be uncomfortable, but the Holy Spirit will help us.

1 Corinthians 9: 24Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified

Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

What is Solomon telling us in this verse? Unless the Lord is the initiator of our efforts, our efforts are in vain.

Someone has a business idea. Did the Lord give them that? If not, whether the business is successful or not, that business is in vain. Someone wants to be healed of a certain disease, therefore, they pray an extra hour, fast until dark, and speak in their heavenly language for an hour everyday to “get God to move.” Did God give them those instructions? If not, their efforts are in vain. Someone desires promotion within their company, therefore, they work longer hours and attend all the company’s functions to be noticed. Did the Lord prompt them to do that or was this an idea developed within themselves? 

The point is, no matter what efforts we put into something, whether it be for the Kingdom of God, our success, or the success of our families, God must be the initiator. Let God lead and direct our lives. If not, all our efforts are in vain. 

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Psalm 37:25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

We have a lifetime supply of God. We’ll leave God before He’ll ever consider leaving us. In fact, based on His Word, He’ll never consider leaving us.

A lot of the times, people get mad at and walk away from God or think God has left them based on a difficult situation. Whether we realize it or not, God has never left us nor will He ever leave us. Regardless of what we’ve done, where we’ve been, and what we believed, God is always present.

No matter how difficult our situation may be, God is right there with us, waiting on us to acknowledge His presence, so that He can strategically elevate us above that situation. It doesn’t matter if it’s a death in the family, a layoff, or just a tough situation, God is there.

We can’t get rid of Him. He’s here to stay. So receive Him and work with His plan to prosper your life.

Have you learned the secret to being content in every circumstance?

Rely on God’s strength.

He demonstrated how expansive and unconditional His love is for you (John 3:16). He promised He would never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Practically, you have to recite these scriptures continuously. Even when the situation overwhelms you and you find yourself crying out – confess the truth of those scriptures. Even when all your flesh wants to do is meditate on all of the negative thoughts, force yourself to audibly speak the scriptures.

And there will come the moment of clarity where you find yourself finally believing the Truth. That you can, in fact, do all things through Him Who continuously strengthens you. And then, when fear, doubt, and frustration attempt to take over again, you say to yourself, I’ve got this.

Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

God’s got this.

Those were the three words my husband, Marvin (the one who provides most of the daily devotionals), said to my healthcare provider as he waited by himself in the emergency room following the car accident. He didn’t wait for the medical professionals to provide an outcome; he stood in faith in the midst of the unknown.

To stand in faith when trials arise, we have to feed our faith daily. So, read and re-read the Word of God, listen to those Word based sermons and worship songs, and your faith will move mountains.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

To read more about the accident, click the following link (no Facebook account needed): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10106518548179225&set=a.10100618670017355.2930794.23409184&type=3

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.

Believers often refer to favor. They want favor on their lives, favor on their children, and favor on their jobs. Favor is God using people somewhere to use their power, their ability, and their influence to help us.

Favor is great and it’s available for anyone who can have faith for it, but how about being the favor? Favor works through people. It’s God inspiring people to be a blessing to someone else. Instead of always looking for favor, how about being the favor?

We can be that person who takes a friend out to eat, be that person to pay for the groceries of someone we don’t know, or help someone get a job where we work. All it takes is us listening and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. Our flesh will tell us we don’t have the time or the money to be the favor for someone else, but He wouldn’t tell us to do something we couldn’t do.

Just remember, as we’re led to be the favor for someone else, God promised to reward us.

Ephesians 6:8 knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.

God desires good in the world. So much so until He has a promise of good being returned by Him, based on the good we do.

God didn’t limit the good we do only to the church or even to His Kingdom, but He desires goodness done in every arena in the world. Why is goodness so important to God? Because God is good (Mark 10:18).

Every time we spread goodness throughout the world, we spread God throughout the world. So give to that charity, volunteer at that shelter, help that friend who is behind on their bills, and spread God throughout the world.

Although Christmas is over, the goodness of God should continue throughout the year. 

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

These are simple lessons from the Word of God that will assist us in life.

Faithful in Prayer: There are a lot of circumstances in our lives and in this world that need to change. The only way things will change is through prayer.

Prayer is permission for God to get involved in mankind’s affairs. If it’s a circumstance that needs changing in our lives or in the world, prayer is the first thing we must do. Once we’ve prayed, we don’t need to pray about the situation again. We transition into thanksgiving because we know God heard us and since He heard us, we know we have what we asked (1 John 5:15).

Our faithfulness in prayer is based on our consistency. From mass shootings, to cancer in people’s bodies, to an increase in finances, the amount of things we can pray about is endless. Watching the news for an hour will keep us praying for a week.

The problem occurs when we get prayer-lazy because we’re content with our life and how our life is going and we’re not compassionate for others or the condition of the world. If we can extend our prayer life outside of ourselves and our immediate circle, the world around us would be a better place.

Continue to be faithful in prayer because it’s the only way God can get involved.

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

These are simple lessons from the Word of God that will assist us in life.

Patient in Affliction:
As we go through troubling times, our afflictions seem like they last forever. The pain won’t seem to go away, the chaos continues, and there’s one issue after the next.

It’s during these times we must have patience. Biblical patience is not inactivity as if we’re waiting on the signal light to change. Biblical patience is doing what we know to do until the situation changes for the good.

That means we’ll have to use our God-given authority to confess the Truth in God’s Word about the situation instead of feeding the negative situation with our speech (Prov. 18:21). We’ll have to find scriptures pertaining to that affliction and saturate our minds with the Word of God (Josh. 1:8). We’ll have to combat doubt by praising God knowing He’s already given us the victory over the circumstance (2 Cor. 2:14).

Just remember we go through our troubling times. We don’t stay there. So be patient in affliction

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

These are simple lessons from the Word of God that will assist us in life.

Joyful in Hope:
When we hope to receive something from God, that thing has not appeared in our lives yet. From the time we pray, to the time we receive our desire, there is a season of delay. During delay, doubt and frustration has a tendency to set in. At that point, we must recognize that the enemy is attempting to distract us and we must choose to be joyful.

We’re joyful because every Godly desire has been paid for by the blood of Jesus and we know regardless of how long it takes, our promise will come to pass. In every season of delay, there is a lesson from God. As we successfully complete that lesson, that lesson helps us to become better people through maturity (James 1:4).

So as you hope for your promise, make an intentional decision to have joy.

Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Unfortunately, a lot of us get to a place where we get used to God’s goodness. There is no longer any excitement after being delivered from a situation, and now we just expect to be blessed. As a result of this commonality with God’s goodness, we tend to lose our zeal or intensity for the things of God.

Think back to when we first got saved, when everything would excite us. We would give God praise for the smallest things such as, when we found a scripture directly related to the situation we were facing, or praise and worship Him based on how far He had brought us, and we valued the importance of reading God’s Word.

It may take some effort, but some of us need to reflect on the goodness of God and all He’s done for us. We need to stop going through the motions of life and walk in the exciting purpose He has for us. When we reflect and walk in our purpose, we can maintain our zeal regarding the things of God.

We get a new job that we believed God for, however, the job pays us less than we desired. We can thank God for our job or wonder why He didn’t completely answer our prayer. We get into a car crash. God spared our lives, however, we received a broken arm. We can rejoice that God spared our lives or wonder why He allowed us to receive a broken arm instead of coming out of the accident injury free. We’re in a successful relationship, however, our best friend is in a relationship where money is not an object and they frequently travel. We can continue to enjoy our relationship or slowly begin to resent the relationship we’re in.

The enemy has a way of minimizing the blessings we receive. In spite of all the joy we may initially feel when we receive our blessing, he’ll show us what we’re missing out on. Sound familiar? It’s the same trick he used against Eve. Out of all the trees in the Garden of Eden, Satan magnified the tree that was off-limits. Instead of being grateful for ALL God provided, she was enticed by the one thing she couldn’t have, and sinned against God.

Never get deceived into minimizing what God has done. Receive, accept, and be grateful for all God has done and for the blessings coming into your life.

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

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

If it takes faith (believing the sacrifice Jesus paid on our behalf) to have peace with Almighty God, how much more should faith be applied to have peace in other areas of our lives?

This is the time of year where the phrase “peace on earth and goodwill toward men” is frequently used. Unfortunately, peace is not automatic. Faith must be applied to receive peace.

Many of us would prefer additional peace in our homes, our marriages, at our jobs, and in our minds. Peace is God’s will for our lives (John 14:27). In order to have God’s version of peace, we must use our God-given authority to declare peace in those areas. Once declared, we can’t be moved by what we see. In the face of chaos, calamity, and delay, we must continue to believe and declare peace. By keeping the faith, peace will materialize in our lives.

Receive the God kind of peace and enjoy more of life.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

One definition of pride is a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements. The deceptive part of this definition is with the last three words “one’s own achievements.”

So many of us have been deceived into thinking we’ve accomplished goals and are successful based on our own efforts. We’ve had our friends, our family, but most importantly, God helping us along the way.

There is nothing we have that God didn’t graciously provide to us. We don’t deserve anything but a hellacious life and eternity in hell, however, God loved us enough to graciously send His Son to take our place.

The reason why pride is associated with destruction is because we’re magnifying our efforts above what God has done in our lives. We’re ignoring the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Anytime we place our abilities above God, we fall into idolatry and eliminate grace, which is the same reason Lucifer got kicked out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15).

Eliminate pride from every area and receive what grace has provided.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

The older generation would often tell the younger generation to have some pride in their appearance or pride when performing a certain task. Is pride really what we want to instill in the next generation when the Word of God clearly says, pride comes before destruction?  

Pride is a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements. By instilling the true definition of pride into the next generation, we contaminate the wisdom of God. If someone would tell a person to have pride in their appearance, that person may believe they have to always appear “successful.” They may feel like they need to have the nicest clothes, car, house, etc. This mentality could lead a person into bondage to people and at the same time, maintain a reputation for themselves. This goes against the wisdom of God because we’ve been freed from bondage; and Jesus, our example, instructed us to not make a reputation for ourselves (Philippians 2:7; Galatians 5:1). 

If someone told us to have pride in our tasks, once again, we may place ourselves in bondage to people, feeling we have to perform up to their standards. Secondly, we position ourselves to compare our efforts with someone else which is unwise according to 2 Corinthians 10:12.

The older generation should tell the younger generation to have some dignity. Dignity is the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. When we look our best and perform our best with the mentality of dignity, then we honor God. Remove pride because it’s the prerequisite of all sorts of issues in our lives. 

God wants to lead us to a place where we trust Him in every way. Everything we do should be approved by God. By having God’s approval in all our decisions, we eliminate risks. Risks have the potential for negative consequences. However, with God there are no negative consequences. Even if it appears negative, the end result is it works out for good.

Instead of quitting or starting a job, consult God to determine if that’s what’s best. Instead of investing a certain amount of money into a certain stock, consult God to see if that’s wise. Instead of getting married, seek God to see if that person is the one. Even consulting God on which street to drive to get to our destination will do us some good.

Eliminate the risk factor by consulting and trusting God in everything. Allow Him to guide and direct because when He’s in the driver’s seat, our destination is always prosperity. Seek, listen, and react.

Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

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

When someone has a dream or goal they want to accomplish people, including unbelievers, may encourage that person to “have faith.” Other forms of encouragement may be “have faith in yourself” or “have faith in your dream.” These statements sound nice on the surface, but these statements are false or incomplete.

The only way we’re going to see our dreams and goals materialize is to have faith in God. Having faith in ourselves is good, but our talent, strength, and wisdom can only go so far. Having faith in our dream or goal sounds good, but our dreams or goals can change. The only One Whose wisdom and strength are limitless, Who remains the same, and Whose plan for our lives never changed, is God.

Let’s place our faith in the ONLY ONE who can make a difference. Let’s place our faith in God.

Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols.

God is not in the habit of sharing His glory with anyone or anything. When something good happens in our lives, He wants and deserves the credit.

Some of us have the tendency to give glory to someone or something else. When people notice our skin cleared up, our first response should be glory to God not, “I began to drink more water.” When we have a better career opportunity, we should give glory to God not, magnify the fact that we have a Masters degree. Experience didn’t give us our promotion, God did it. Our credit score didn’t open the door for our house; God did.

Our credit score, experience, and degrees are tools that God can use to bless us but, glory shouldn’t be given to a tool. All the glory goes to God and nothing should take His place. 
Give glory to God.

God has success on His mind when thinking about us. However, He doesn’t want our success to be predicated on compromise.

When we do things that dishonor God to network with more influential people, that’s compromise. When we do deceitful things to increase our finances, especially during tax season, that’s compromise. When we choose to pay a bill instead of giving to God, that’s compromise.

We don’t need to do anything outside of the will of God to get ahead in life. God promised that HE will bless us and HE will make our names great. If we believe this promise and trust in His Word,  He will make us successful without compromising our beliefs, morals, or His Word.

Daniel 3:15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Psalms 119:11 “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”
‭
In the day of trouble, we might not always have time to pull out our Bibles or search through our Bible app to find a specific scripture dealing with the situation we’re facing. 

That’s why it’s so important to study the Word of God and have it hidden in our hearts or stored in our memory. We need to know that if we lose our jobs, it doesn’t matter because God is our provider according to Deuteronomy 2:7. We need to believe when we get a negative report from our doctors that in spite of their report, we are healed according to Isaiah 53:4-5. We need to believe no matter how far our children appeared to have strayed from the plan of God, our children will eventually be delivered according to Proverbs 11:27.

Get in the Word of God, find out what belongs to you, and store it in your heart. 

Psalms 119:37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.
 
The television and internet are full of worthless things. Those things are designed to appeal to our flesh. Worthless things simply mean things that have no value. 

Our souls are composed of our mind, will, imagination, emotion, and intellect. When we look at dramatic, lustful, or chaotic things, we’re putting worthless things into our souls. So, instead of knowing scripture that will help us in our day of adversity, we know who did what to who and instead of having compassion for a group of individuals we saw in need on TV, we know which celebrity cheated on their spouse. 

This is not to bring condemnation on anyone regarding the shows they’re watching or what’s being researched. This is an opportunity for us to reevaluate what we’re putting into our souls and determine if it’s beneficial to our lives, the lives of others, or the Kingdom of God.