When Jesus calls you to step out in faith, it doesn't mean the journey will be storm-free. Yet, many believers are surprised when challenges arise. We often mistakenly assume that God's will equals smooth sailing. Instead, it's about having the assurance of victory over life's storms. Jesus reminds us that trials will come, but we can be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. His presence guarantees our ultimate triumph, not the absence of challenges.
All we know about Jesus from age 12 to 30 is that he was growing. Growth is not optional; you must continually strive to know God better and become a superior version of yourself. Grow in your love for God and people. Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church highlights the importance of seeking a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God better.
God has a differentiated approach in dealing with us. The goal is the same for all of us, but our training varies. For some, it may be in the wilderness and caves, and for others, it may be in pits and prisons. Peter attempted to compare himself with John, but was rebuked by Jesus and instructed to focus on following Him, not comparing himself.
Regardless of the immense joy a newborn brings when they come into the world, remaining a baby will ultimately bring great sorrow. This is because growth is a proof of life and an expectation. So it is with our walk with God. It's not about growing old, but growing up. Just as it is in the natural world, God relates to us based on our spiritual growth."
Unfortunately, many 'believers' don't truly believe in the inspired writings of scripture. We feel that scriptures are out of touch with our current realities, making them unrealistic to obey or believe in today's context. Some 'believers' are selective, choosing to believe only what makes sense to them, while being indifferent to the rest. As the prophet aptly said, 'Who shall believe our report?
There are times when our best strategy is simply to be still. Just like a patient on the operating table, the patient needs to remain still to avoid interrupting the surgeon's work. Similarly, in the midst of battles and challenging situations, our natural tendency may be to react impulsively. However, we need to find the strength to step back and allow God to do what He does best – work excellently in our lives.
We experience anxiety and discontentment when we try to play God in our lives, thinking we're in control and know what's best. But when we truly trust God and surrender our lives to Him, we'll be filled with consistent thanksgiving and peace. Prayer shifts from being about our own desires to aligning with God's will, which is far better than anything we could imagine.
Sonship is the foundation of prayer, not mere religious obligation. Our sonship is based purely on expressing faith in Jesus and what He did for us. It gives us the assurance that God not only hears but also answers, giving us unshakable peace and joy that transcends life's circumstances.
God answers prayers. The Bible is filled with countless testimonies of answered prayers for various requests. However, like the Israelites, we often fail to recognize when we're living in the midst of answered prayers. Prayer isn't a means to use God to fulfill our requests; rather, it's a platform for genuine fellowship with Him.
In movies, we mostly forget that there are more people behind the camera than infront of it. They contribute immensely to the production of the movie. We are just conscious of what we see, so God seems to be unconcerned and uninvolved in our lives. There is a lot more going on for our good behind the scenes.
Much of what profoundly impacts our lives happens unseen, beyond our immediate awareness. Similarly, God's work in our lives often unfolds behind the scenes, even when it feels like He's distant. We tend to overlook the subtle yet powerful ways God is at work, shaping our lives in profound ways. Job had little no idea what God was doing for him
We are complete in Jesus and Him alone. Yet, we often mistakenly think that money, kids, power, fame, and beauty are what complete us. We've made these things into idols, deriving our identity, sense of security, and confidence from them. Let's fight against every idol that competes with our identity in Christ.
Don't be afraid of failure. Our Father is an expert at turning all things for our good, so in reality, there's no failure with Him. What may seem like failure is often a season God allows us to go through to qualify us for His purpose. God chooses ordinary people so no one can boast in themselves, but only in what God has done."
The fear of failure has robbed many of great destinies. Interestingly, what we often call failure, God doesn't. Naomi asked for her name to be changed, feeling like a failure, but little did she know her story was just beginning. With God, there's no failure.
It is unacceptable for a person with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to live like an orphan - vulnerable to every circumstance. The Holy Spirit is our greatest advantage in this life, yet we often live as though we're at a disadvantage. We live as though God hasn't established and anointed us in Christ Jesus
A person is known by their patience. What are you willing to endure while waiting for the harvest of the seeds you've sown? When a seed is planted, it doesn't just lie dormant and suddenly appear weeks later. There are many unseen workings behind the scenes. This is why many have missed out on the good things God had in store for them. Be patient.
We rob ourselves of God's generosity when we live based on assumptions about Him rather than investing in knowing Him as He has revealed Himself through His Word. As in the story of the prodigal son, both sons lacked an accurate understanding of their Father. Therefore, let those who boast boast in this alone: that they truly know God.
We do not serve a God who does not speak. God has not left us in the dark, considering how He is and how He relates to us. David knew how the ark of God should be carried. Adam and Eve knew about the consequences of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and Joshua knew what to do to succeed as a leader. Our God speaks and speaks to us, so we are not left in the dark.
Faith trades temporal relief for eternal rewards, enduring light afflictions that produce an exceeding weight of glory, valuing heavenly riches above earthly pleasures.
We don't experience these things because we don't dare to trust God's word. We lack confidence in Him to act on His promises. The faith that unlocks the mind-blowing says, "Even if God doesn't save us, we won't bow. Have faith in God