God is greater...

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

As believers in Christ, a gracious spirit is essential, regardless of current circumstances. God is bigger than our issues. He's greater than our frustrations, so adopt a grateful heart that withstands the unpredictability of life.

Trust In Him

"He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries." Psalm 112:7-8

When we wholeheartedly trust in the Lord, we do not measure success by worldly standards. Therefore, typical "bad news" such as not receiving that scholarship, promotion, or job won't consume us. Trusting God through everything that comes our way should be our focus. We measure our worth according to righteous standards. You will steer where you stare. What are your eyes fixed on today? Happy Wednesday! :) 

Decisions

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21

The Bible teaches that believers are to seek Christ and he'll direct their paths. However, I can be a witness and say that God does not always speak as clearly as we want him to. We want a big flashing sign that says "do this, NOW!" Or a complete outline of our lives for the next 15 years. I've found, that sometimes he just wants us to take a step of faith. He wants to know that we trust him even when we don't understand. Are we willing to sacrifice our comfort zone in an effort to draw closer to Him? Step out the boat and run on water :). Happy Tuesday! 

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." James 3:17

Trust in Every Season

"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

If we claim the title of "Christian," yet don't trust God, we are in direct conflict with the word of God. He has never forsaken us. Even when life seems to fall apart, He's there. If you're at a place of discontentment with your season, practice casting ALL your cares onto Christ. He was built for them, you weren't. Happy Friday! :) 

"He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7

Trusting God with Idols

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 

Yes, we need to pay bills, make good grades, progress in our careers, but we can't allow ourselves to make idols out of those earthly tasks. An idol is anything that takes your focus off of Christ; anything that you spend more time meditating on than the word of God. Don't make an idol out of school, work, relationships, or money, because we know that God is a jealous God. And if we're really honest, worry, stress, and anxiety are signs of lack of trust in our father. Today, examine your heart, what are your idols? Let go of them today and meditate on Psalm 37:23-25. 

Happy Tuesday! 

Emotion led vs. Spirit led

"...make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

There will be times where we're following Christ, operating in his will, and getting tested. Those thoughts of feeling unworthy, inferior, under qualified, over qualified, etc, can end up fueling our actions. They can cast doubt on past decisions. Once we get off track and possibly quit, the enemy has won. Being emotion led vs being spirit led can cause us to make rash decisions that lead us away from our purpose. In the end, Christ wants people sold out for Him. If you are unable to complete the assignment, he will raise someone else up to do it. Before making decisions seek God for his blessing. 

(Original post: November 22)

Preparation for the Famine

"He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread" Proverbs 12:11 

There are over 2000 verses in the Bible that talk about money and provision. This particular verse teaches that God gives us seasons of plenty to prepare to seasons of need. If there is a time where things are great financially, that should be the time that we save and give. If we do that, God will ensure that we're provided for. In turn, we will have a more patience to allow Him to move on our behalf.

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25 

(Original Post: November 15)

Lessons from Moses

Exodus 3:7-15 is an exchange between Moses and God after Moses was told to free the Israelites. Moses was not the most eloquent and he felt inadequate. 

"Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh" Exodus 3:11 

But Moses was chosen for a reason and was successful when he obeyed God. There may be times when you feel like you don't know enough Bible verses, don't have enough speaking experience, or whatever else, but God can use you. He has a plan specially tailored to your gifts and talents. Allow Him to use you and answer the call for your life! 

(Original Post: November 12)

Contentment

"Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5

As believers, we are told that we should be content in every season. But how feasible is that? It seems as soon as contentment comes, so do the changes. I have come to the conclusion that once we truly are content, God sees it fit to stretch and mold us to be more like Him. Although we never "arrive" to a perfect place in Christ, know that if you're truly content, then you're growing in Christ. 

(Original Post: November 11)

Annoying people...

"When a man's ways please The Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Proverbs 16:7 

There have been times where it seems like things aren't going right and there's issue after issue...for no reason! That's so frustrating but this verse is the answer. It's not our place to say everything we may be thinking at the time. Instead, we should keep on the path that God set for us, knowing that we will encounter some opposition. Next time someone gets under your skin, pass the test and show the love of Christ.

"The Lord will fight for you, and you should hold your peace" Exodus 14:14

(Original post: November 8)

Wisdom & Knowledge

"For The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity" Proverbs 2:6-7

It's so comforting to know that if we need direction, understanding, and wisdom, The Lord will give it to us. When He speaks to us, we gain understanding and a new perspective. How open are you to receiving wisdom and direction from The Lord? Have you sought Him for guidance in every decision?

"For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul" Proverbs 2:8

(Original post: November 7)

...For or Against

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters" Matthew 12:30 

The great thing about God is that he's not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Jesus spoke words from God that were so clear - we're either followers of Christ or not, because there's no in between. How do we know if we're truly following Him? Our fruit tells it all. (Matthew 12:33) Our fruit is our lifestyle, what we say, do, and even wear. If we've had an encounter with Christ, our lives should change, because we are new creatures in Him. 

"..put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" Ephesians 4:22-24

(Original post: November 6)

Spiritual Check-up

"...be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22(-24) 

How many people do we know who can quote partial Bible verses or even call out the name of Jesus in times of distress, but their lives are contrary to The Word? It seems that we are quick to recognize others shortcomings before our own. Chances are that we have probably had a fit of road rage, ignored a charitable opportunity, or even used foul language. All those things are contrary of The Word also! Daily, we should be praying for The Lord to make our heart like His and gradually change from our worldly ways. Just like we get bodily check-ups, we should do spiritual ones as well. Are you living according to God's word? Where can you improve? 

(Original Post: November 5)

Thoughts vs. Future

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" Proverbs 23:7

Our mind has the power to propel us forward or hold us back from our destiny. Proverbs 4:23 says that we are to guard our hearts. This applies not only to external factors, but also to internal things, like our thoughts. Remember to cast down thoughts that are negative and discouraging with positive affirmations and encouraging verses. What are your thoughts doing for your future? 

 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

(Original post: November 4)

Habitual Thanks

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

Thanksgiving is generally the one day of the year that people stop and think about all the things that they are thankful for. As believers, we should stand out from the world and continuously thank God and show gratitude to those around us. This month, consider making a conscious, daily effort to tell The Lord all you're thankful for. It takes 21 days to create a habit (just in time for thanksgiving day!)

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

(Original post: November 1)

Waiting on God

"So The Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For The Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help" Isaiah 30:18 

God is looking for someone who is waiting on Him to be good to them. God wants to be there for us to guide us in our journey, but we have to expect Him to move in our life. This means that no matter what disappointing things have happened in the past, we still expect God's grace and mercy. If we continually have a pessimistic attitude, we could limit our blessings. Eliminate the what ifs and doubts. Trust in Him. 

(Original post: October 31)

Godly Advice

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21 

When making tough decisions we seek advice from friends, family members, and sometimes anyone who will listen! But who do we ultimately follow? The Lord hears our prayers and wants us to seek Him for wisdom and understanding. So He should be the first one we go to for advice, because he knows our path. If we feel the need to discuss it further, make sure that it's godly counsel because hopefully they'll serve as conformation of what God has already placed in your heart.

"Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14

(Original post: Octoer 30)

Humility

"But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me and not without results. For I have worked harder than any other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace." 1 Corinthians 15:10 

Apostle Paul wrote the words of The Lord so clearly for us to understand and the books he penned teach us about church, relationships, and many other things about our Christian walk. Despite all of that, Paul remained humble (2 Corinthians 12:5-10) and still understood that his success was only do to God's grace and mercy. Paul wanted to make the best of his life because he realized that it was a blessing. You were given special gifts and talents for a reason. Are you using them to glorify God and lead people to Christ? 

(Original post: October 29)

Molded by The Spirit

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

Learning to adapt to new situations can be challenging because we get comfortable in a certain place. However, if we want to become more and more like Christ, we have to be open to some molding and pruning. The way to be more flexible is to change our perspective and seek wisdom and understanding from our situation. Let's not hinder our blessings by not being pliable by the Holy Spirit! 

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God" Colossians 3:16

(Original post: October 28)

Casting Cares

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19 

Being concerned about our past, present and future financial situation is completely natural. But we can't be so consumed that we forget who controls it all. As long as God is first in our lives, we have nothing to worry about. How comforting?! If you find yourself stressed, overwhelmed, confused, or any other negative emotion, take a moment to cast your cares onto Christ (1 Peter 5:7 & Psalm 55:22)

"Commit your work to The Lord, and your plans will be established" Proverbs 16:3

(Original post: October 25)