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God of Hope

Mar31

Calm the StormAround the world, believers are facing some of the most difficult times they have ever encountered. They are struggling through adversity from every angle. Physically, financially, spiritually, mentally and emotionally shaken to their very core. It has been the worst of times for most. Yet through it all, they have reasons to dig their heels in and hold on for dear life; knowing that the stormy seas can’t last forever nor defeat them.

The devil knows that his time is short. He is doing everything in his power to make you give up. He wants to make sure that you don’t make it to the other side. He doesn’t want you to see your victory, your healing or your prosperity. He knows that if he can make you change your course, then he can put some distance between you and your God-given future. But, the devil is a liar! (John 8:44)

don't give up1God has seen you holding on for dear life. He has seen the storms raging against you. He has seen every tear shed and heard every word you’ve spoken. He knows that you are at the end of your rope. Yet, God also knows that through all of your pain and suffering, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The devil has had his time and the bell is ringing to its end. God is about to reverse the curse in your life and make such an impact; that every single one of your enemies will flee.

There is an old saying, “don’t get your hopes up”. Well, that too is a lie.

Our God is the God of hope. He wishes to fill you with such joy and peace that the Holy Spirit will be overflowing with hope. (Romans 15:13) But God doesn’t stop there. He says “your hope will never leave you ashamed.” (Romans 5:5)

So, expect the unexpected. Expect God’s promises to come to pass in your life today. Hope beyond fear. Fill your mind with God’s goodness and love. For when God’s mighty hand comes upon your life, you will be standing tall. Your testimony will be so great, people will want to know what has happened. They will want to know how your life suddenly changed.

Keep embracing HOPE. Keep dreaming BIG dreams.

You are about to encounter God’s goodness like never before!

suddenlygod of breakthrough

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Be A Comeback Kid

Mar30

DefeatEver see the movie Rocky? Rocky Balboa was a kid from the wrong side of the tracks who didn’t have much. All he knew was that he was to be a fighter. Throughout the movie, Rocky would get knocked down, bruised and busted…only to keep getting up to win the fight. He found the love of his life, Adrian. They went through so many disappointments, heartaches, pain and suffering; you wondered how in the world they kept going. Their determination, strength, and love always shined through their difficulties.

Does that sound like your life? Can you relate to that movie? I sure can. My life has been so full of disappointments, heartache, pain and suffering that I look back and wonder…how in the world did I ever keep going.

Today is the day for a declaration! Today is the day that it’s time to stop looking back and to begin looking forward!

It doesn’t matter what has happened to us in the past nor does it matter what we are going through today. What truly matters is that we FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH! (2 Timothy 4:7) Every single time you get knocked down, use it to your advantage. While you’re knocked down, get on your knees and pray. Every single time you feel lost and the pain is so intense, get on your knees and pray.

We have an incredible God who loves us. He never wanted us to go through the difficulties we’ve endured. He never wanted to see us in pain. He never wanted to see us experience heartaches. No…we have an enemy who rules this world right now and wants to kick us down so much that we simply don’t get up. Satan wants to sway you away from God. He wants you to make mistakes that have terrible consequences. He wants you to fail. He wants to keep you knocked out.

Well today we are taking a stand! NO MORE! Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10) He is our source. He is all powerful. He is all love. He is our provider. He is our healer. He is more than enough to handle any battle that rages against us.

Blessed

So let’s shout out together…

GET BEHIND ME SATAN BECAUSE I WON’T TAKE ANYMORE! I CHOOSE JESUS AND ALL THAT HE STANDS FOR! He is my answer! He is my strength! And my best days are ahead of me. For God so loved the world, He gave us His only son! Jesus is my brother and I need no other!

So stand up and be counted as a COMEBACK KID!

For there is nothing, and I do mean nothing, that God won’t do for His children!

 

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Perspective is Everything

Mar23

What situation do you find yourself in right now? Is everything going well or is everything falling apart?

If you’re like most of us, life seems to be falling apart as we are in the battle for our lives. No matter where you look, it appears evil is winning. Right seems wrong and wrong seems right.

Wilderness seasons are as tough as they can get. It’s a season where sickness and disease are prevalent, we don’t have enough, we wonder if things will ever get better, people walk out of our lives, we can feel lonely and depressed or worse, we can feel so alone that we consider suicide. It’s moments like these you wonder what is your purpose in life and if people would miss you when you are gone. These types of seasons are filled with hurt, pain and lack. And if you let it, a lot of complaining.

It’s a crazy world we live in but have no fear. There are many benefits to our wilderness seasons and if we can change our perspective, it can change everything.

If you look in the Bible when John baptized Jesus, what was the very next thing that happened? The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. It was a place of nothing, a place of loneliness, a place of temptation and a place of hunger. (Matthew 4)

God wants us to lean on Him in good times and bad times. He wants us to invite Him into our lives to take our lack and multiply it to meet, not just our needs, but the needs of others too. Sometimes the only way for us to learn how to lean on Him for ALL things is by going through a very rough and dry spell. It’s during these times we seek Him above all else. We read the Bible more, we commune with God more, we ask questions, we seek His answers and we learn to not lean on our understanding or on our ways of doing things because no matter what we try, nothing works.

During these difficult times, God wants us to grow. He wants to test us, transform us, purify us, prove us and prepare us for great things. He wants to walk with us and teach us that He is with us no matter how good or bad the situations are in life. He wants us to depend on Him when fear is trying to get a hold of us. He wants us to look towards Him when we don’t see a way. He wants us to see Him as our provider, our restorer, our healer, our first love.

The wilderness is sometimes the best way for God to clean out the junk in our hearts. We may think we are in alignment with God, only to find out we are holding onto grudges, unforgiveness, pain and brokenness. This is when God can do amazing things. When we can humble ourselves in the midst of the battle to say “God I need you”.

When we are feeling lost, scared and alone that’s when God can bring out the best in us and prepare us for the road ahead. He wants us to always remember “give us this day our daily bread”. We need to change our perspectives and see God moving in the midst of our battles. He has a way when we don’t see one. He knows what we need and when we need it. Begin to rely on HIM for EVERYTHING and you will quickly become ready for your “promised land”.

Boast in your battle, your distress and your persecutions. (2 Cor. 12:9, Hebrews 11:34) Depend on God! You’re strong if you’re holding on. Don’t let go. God is transforming you into a mighty warrior in the midst of your battle. His resources are unlimited and dependable. Let Him do His mighty work in you so your are prepared for His incredible plan for your life.

Realize that temptations will also be in the “promised land”. It’s easy to get comfortable and feel secure when things are going great. It’s easy to forget that God provided the blessings and abundance. We need to be prepared for the greatness He has in store for us while still relying on Him even when everything is going well.

Remember…Faith, Dependence, Trust, being Humble, Provision, Healing and Protection is needed in the wilderness and in abundance. It takes courage and strength to embrace the difficult learning seasons; but God is calling you out and wants to hold your hand. Will you trust Him enough to let go, learn what you need to learn, let Him transform you and prepare you while depending on Him every step of the way? And will you remember Him and give Him the praise when everything turns into your favor?

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Anger and The Art of Forgiveness

Mar22

AngerHave you ever found yourself so angry that you began to shake violently or you want to hit or throw something? Anger can be violent and very disruptive to your life, as well as, those around you.

For when we hold built up anger against others or ourselves, it lingers and tends to grow into a full-blown pity party and you seem to fly off the handle at the little things in life.

Let’s see what scripture has to say:

  • Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice”.
  • Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger”.
  • Proverbs 16:32 “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty…”.

Let those scriptures sink in. Repeat them. They sure say a lot, don’t they? But why would it be so important for God to tell us these things within the Bible?

Sing Out Loud

Because, He knows that this is not a simple task for us. Our human nature tends to hold onto grudges. We like to think that if we treat the individual differently, they will feel our pain or if they can sense our anger towards them, they’ll get the point. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

When we have a quick temper or say something that we shouldn’t, then it tends to fester as guilt and becomes a vicious cycle. When we hold onto pain, anger and unforgiveness; all it does is cause sickness and unhappiness within our own lives. We are clearly told in Colossians 3:13, that we should “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you so you must forgive others.”

Now, we all know that we are not perfect and we certainly make mistakes. There was only one perfect person that ever existed and that was Jesus. So, the best thing we can do is learn how to control anger and learn the art of forgiveness, His way. It is imperative that we make HIM a big part of the equation. It is completely for our benefit, not for anyone else.

The absolute best thing you can do when you find yourself angry or unwilling to forgive is to STOP YOUR THOUGHTS AND HOLD YOUR TONGUE. Immediately, ask God to help you overcome the situation, release it to Him for transformation and ask for Him to fill you with peace that surpasses all understanding. It is also best to hold your tongue rather than to regret your words later. For it is written that the power of the tongue brings life or death.(Proverbs 18:21)

Word of Caution…the more you attempt to release things to God, the more negative thoughts you will encounter.  Do not allow yourself to relive the situation over and over again. Just keep stopping the thoughts, ask God to take them off your shoulders and to be filled with His indescribable peace.

Forgiveness

Stand against your opposition by giving it to God and filling your mouth with praises for Him! You will notice that the burdens begin to lift and your anger, pain and frustration will subside. Things will begin to roll off your back and you won’t sweat the small stuff either.

God is bigger than any problem you face, that I can guarantee you!

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