2022-06-05
Hebrews 11:6 CEV
Just as the right key opens the door, there are scriptural principles that guarantee your prayers will be answered. For the next few days, let’s look at them.
Faith. “Without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him” (v. 6 CEV). God doesn’t necessarily respond to your need. Look around and you will see that everyone has unmet needs. So what does God respond to? Your faith!
But Satan will try to fill your mind with doubts. And when he does, you need to examine your heart and see what it says. You can believe God’s Word in your heart even when your mind questions it. So stand on what’s in your heart instead of what’s in your head. Sometimes doubt begins with distraction. When you’re distracted from God’s promises, you start to doubt. And as you focus more and more on your problems, your faith begins to waver. When that happens, you must refocus like a laser on God’s promises – and merely glance at your problems.
Don’t try to deny them, but don’t give them undue attention. The Bible says: “When you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all” (James 1:6-8 CEV). Stay anchored to God’s Word, and don’t drift all over the place when your circumstances begin to change.
Soul food: Lev 23:15-22; Acts 2:1-18
2022-02-04
Mark 4:19 CEV
In the parable of the sower, Jesus said the seed fell into four kinds of soil. Here is one of them: “The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are…people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything” (vv. 18-19 CEV).
Observe what keeps God’s Word from working effectively in your life: (1) Worrying that God won’t take care of you. (2) Thinking if you had more money, a bigger house, a better car, or a more attractive appearance, you would be happier.
Here is the question: Do you remember when you thought your present career, the house you live in now, and the financial portfolio you have acquired would make all your worries disappear? But it doesn’t work that way, does it? The more “things” you have, the more you have to lose, protect, maintain, and be concerned about. Worrying about material things can “choke” the life out of you!
Peace and happiness come from trusting God for what you need; knowing if something is right for you, He will provide it, and if it’s not, He will give you something better. An amazing thing happens when you meditate on God’s promises. Your worries shrink, your mind and attitude are reprogrammed, and you enjoy life more. Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else…live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT). So today, put prayer and Bible reading at the top of your to-do list.
Soul food: Isa 1-3; Luke 8:1-15; Ps 108; Pro 3:31-32
2021-04-10
Romans 8:32 NKJV
George Müller is considered to be one of the spiritual giants of the church. Do yourself a Favour and read his life-story. Faced time and time again with overwhelming needs, he turned to God in prayer, claiming His promises and experiencing amazing miracles. But great faith does not come overnight; it comes over a lifetime of walking with God.
Müller said: “My faith is the same faith which is found in every believer. It has been increased little by little for the last twenty-six years. Many times when I would have gone insane from worry, I was at peace because my soul believed the truth of God’s promises. God’s Word, together with the whole character of God as He has revealed Himself, settles all questions. His unchangeable love and His infinite wisdom calmed me. I knew, ‘God is able and willing to deliver me.’ It is written, ‘He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?'”
You say, “How do I get this kind of faith?” The Bible says, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Just as a daily diet of good nutrition strengthens you physically, so do reading, meditating, studying, verbalizing, and standing on God’s Word each day strengthen you spiritually. The “secret” of successful Christian living is not a secret at all – just get into God’s Word and get God’s Word into you. You can’t avoid anxiety-producing situations in life, but when your faith is strong you can overcome them.
Soul food: Lev 18-20; Mark 1:21-28; Ps 25:16-22; Prov 10:2
2020-11-13
Nehemiah 4:14 NIV
Fight a gloomy outlook. Attitude is a little thing, but it makes a big difference. Depression, gloom, pessimism, despair, and discouragement stop more people than all the world’s combined illnesses. The truth is, enthusiasm will take you where talent alone can’t. Think about it: Every day talented people give in to discouragement and quit, while people with less talent and ability keep going and succeed. Winston Churchill once quipped, “I’m an optimist. It doesn’t seem too much use being anything else.” If you really, really, really believe that God is on your side, you’ll be optimistic even in the face of overwhelming obstacles and discouragement.
In the Old Testament, a group of former slaves rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in just fifty-two days, and went on to prosper. How did they do it? Because their leader said, “Don’t surrender to discouragement. Don’t give it an inch. Fight every step of the way!” And that prescription still works today!
One of Satan’s favourite weapons is discouragement. He knows you can never be defeated unless you’re defeated in your thinking. But you have the power to overcome him. The Bible says, “Submit…to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). When Satan brings discouragement to your door, what should you do? Don’t open the door! Don’t invite him in! Don’t accept the package! Don’t sign the receipt! Instead, submit to God – and resist him! From time to time we all experience fatigue, frustration, failure, and fear. But by standing on God’s promises and drawing on His strength, you can choose not to get discouraged. The choice is yours!
Soul food: 1 Chr 16-18; John 10:22-42; Ps 83:9-18; Prov 26:13-16
2018-12-12
Habakkuk 2:3 NLT
Has God promised you something and humanly speaking you see no way it can come to pass? Are you having a hard time waiting? Read this Scripture: “If it seems slow…wait patiently, for it will surely take place.” God does things on schedule, and your appointment is still on His calendar. Be assured that nothing the Enemy does can preempt the plan of God for your life. When He gives you a promise, it’s like a seed. First it must fall into the fertile soil of faith and be given time to grow. Then it must be watered regularly through prayer and the Word of God. It won’t come to pass because you push and try to manipulate: “[It’s]…not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6). If God has promised you something, stand on His Word and remind yourself, “My life can’t end before this comes to pass.” The story of Joseph’s life could be summed up in this Scripture: “Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him” (Psalm 105:19 NKJV). Why test something? To reveal its strength; to see if it holds up or falls apart under pressure. What has God promised you? Do you believe Him? How strong is your faith? If it’s weak, God will put you back into the school of faith so you can learn the lessons, pass the tests, and graduate. “Without faith it is impossible to please [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is…a rewarder” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV). The word for you today is: Keep believing God, and it will happen.
Soul food: Gen 47-49; John 19:25-42; Ps 150; Ecc 5:10-12
