When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2 NKJV
*God is our source and our protection. We have to work on realizing that if God is for us, who can be against us? He never fails, and through the good or bad, He never leaves or forsakes us. Let go of fear, and give thanks to God while trusting in Him.
Food 4 Thought: Matt. 8:23-27
Jesus slept through the storm, and only rose to calm it after someone was in fear. He then went on to rebuke the winds, and reminded the disciples that they were capable of doing the same; therefore we have a few options: Rest in Him to believe all is well; Depend on Him for help during times of need; Remind ourselves that we are greater than anything that the unbalanced world can throw at us.....OR, you can forget what you believe and live in fear. What will you choose?
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalms 46:10 NKJV
*Sometimes we need to remember who God is, and the fact that He always has everything under control. We don't have to do anything extra when we trust Him, & allow Him to guide us. People of this world have different plans to get them through...Ones that take more work, but as a believer what don't have to do what everyone else is doing when you trust in God.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
*There have been plenty of days when I don't feel like hearing or doing anything. I have even asked myself what is really going on? However, even in bland or unclear times, we have favor and can do all things including renew our mind to line up with godly thoughts. No matter what it is, whether you're an expert or not, we can do anything we desire with God's help and according to His word.
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2 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV)
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. . . .
*If you are a child of God, do not be afraid to represent Him and not fit in with the world. If the world doesn't accept you, be happy they do not and don't blame yourself. Sometimes people become upset with what they do not understand, or even what they wish they could become. It's our job as believers to help them get there, and if they aren't ready, then be a light amongst the darkness. We can be lights by sharing what we go through and declaring God's will and love. You never know who needs to hear it, or what someone else is going through... Your suffering, situation, and ability to overcome may be the very thing that brings them out. Remember knowledge is power, but only if u share it. Do not be ashamed of Him bc He wasn't ashamed when He took your punishment. Even more so, we will go through bc Christ went through... A rock must go through a process b4 it becomes a diamond...Go through declaring victory towards the enemy, and come out ready to tell the world!
Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
*Many times people miss out on their blessings because they are afraid to ask for them, or following God's guidance and carry out the action of seeking Him in order to find what rightfully belongs to them. The process of receiving what's yours may be held up because you feel you aren't ready, aren't deserving, or you may not believe it even exists. Think about situations God has brought you out of, people He has tried to place in your life, or things He has given you...He felt you were worthy, so why not seek out & obtain your blessings with confidence? If you are afraid, then ask for wisdom and incorporate Him in your life more to help you with the balancing act. Remember, we can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13). The problem is how we handicap ourselves be it due to lack of faith or complacency in sticking to what we know, instead of receiving what God promises and reaping what we have sowed. Ask yourself are you the one who is blocking your blessing?
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
*Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our desires that we operate by worldly principles in order to obtain them, rather then seeking our Father and receiving His guidance. We may even become driven by the thought of receiving it or getting things done as quickly as possible, or by any means necessary. That drive may turn into what fuels us rather then the directions of the Holy Spirit, and the reassurance of God coming through with what is truly right for you. Remember, we are not to circum to the anxiousness that the world has taught is to thribe on, but we are to be governed by a higher power (God) that has already guaranteed us the promises of Abraham. We just have to be guided and act on how God tells us to obtain our heart's desires. God made us with specific goals and blessings in mind which will take specified instructions, just for you, in order to obtain these things. Therefore, calm yourself and realize who you are to Him...Now, pray and feel the peace of how to go about your day, walking fully in your purpose ad promises of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)
7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
*God has a covenant with His people and promises to supply your needs (Philippians 4:19), give overflow (Malachi 3:10), and give us our heart's desire (Psalm 37:4) just to name a few. There are several promises that He desires to fulfill, but He is waiting on us to receive them. We just have to operate under the elements of grace and stay in faith. God blesses us even when we are hard headed, but imagine the grace we would flow in if we removed things from our lives that didn't coincide with God...And if we stopped operating with malice or negativity towards one another. The blessings of the Lord are suppose to continuously flow. Don't allow anything to hinder your spirit, or any person to pull you out of His grace and peace by blocking your blessing. God is always trying to get things to us and desires a stronger relationship with His people, but are we willing to accept guidance, make room, and remove distractions to operate in His covenants.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
*Building up enough faith to see beyond our current circumstances, in order to believe for better, can be challenging. However, building your faith starts with knowing your worth. When you KNOW how God sees you, and accept how precious you are then you will not settle for anything. You will receive knowledge of what He has promised you, and what He knows you are capable of... Don't settle for what you currently have or what you're use to, but strive for better by building your relationship with God and growing in Him in order to be prepared for greater...
Psalm 37:4 ESV
Delight yourself in the Lord , and he will give you the desires of your heart.
*Notice that before receiving the things of God, we must focus on Him. Focusing requires the ability to get more in tune with the word, seek God for guidance, being obedient and stop procrastinating, and remove elements of us doing what we feel vs what is right. A feeling alone only lasts for a moment and fulfills only what we desire at that time. However, obeying an unction from the Holy Spirit can impact you long term, and continue to provide balance over the course of your life. There is no desire that is to small or great for God to provide. It's just up to us whether we are ready to incorporate Him in our lives, decisions, and desires that will determine when or even if something or someone will manifest through His perfect will. Seek God first, and all things will be added (Matt. 6:33).
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
*When you make a decision to accept God into your life and serve Him, you become a part of a royal lineage and powerful blood line. You are no longer in line with the world, but placed above it because you now have more help, spiritual guidance, unconditional favor, and divine protection. It doesn't matter about your past because God sees you as being brand new, and His view is the only view that matters. Embrace how the Father sees you, the benefits of His royalty, and do not sell yourself short. It's so easy to settle with what you're use to, but it's far better to be open to the many possibilities from His view and ability to help you gain.
Galatians 1:10 ESV
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
*You would be surprised to know how many times in a day we are after approval...We seek approval from our performances at work, from our friends or family when we ask for advice, or even within ourselves when look in the mirror or compare our current state to our past. Regardless of the measures in which you may do this, it is an act of wanting to feel justified by any means that you prefer to make yourself feel better. However, ask yourself why the opinion of others matters to you...Even more so, what effort are you willing to put forth to receive their approval? Now, is that effort more then the effort you put forth towards God? Does His opinion even matter to us, or is it tossed to the side due to your lack of connecting or desiring Him? Everything we do and say carries a reason behind it, but does that reason line up with God's thoughts of you or plans for you? Today, let's pray we each become more focused on the goal God has set for us (Philippians 3:15-16) and the plans He has for our lives...AND LESS focused on seeking short-term approval from others. If we seek God first, then favor with people will come automatically.
