Month: April 2023

Embrace Life

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Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

In Disney’s incredibly popular animated film, “Frozen”, the character Elsa sings a song that became a pop culture phenomenon. Say the words, “let it go”, and kids everywhere will almost certainly start singing that song. There is a reason for that. Truth is, deep down,

We All Long For A Fresh Start

Jesus came that we would have life and have it more abundantly. The key is not to put any limits on what this statement means. If you are breathing today you have an opportunity let go of the past, and say yes to the future God has for you. Talk with God about it. You will be amazed at the abundance He has in store for you.

Power Play

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“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness” Ephesians 6:12

In the Book of Ephesians, the author, Paul, reminds us that there is a very real enemy among us. Call him the Devil, Satan, or Lucifer, he has one objective and that is to leave your life in ruins. He will steal, kill and destroy anything and everything in your life that he can get his hands on, be that your health, your attitude, your finances, your relationships, and especially your faith in God. What you need to realize is that you possess the perfect defense.

Simply Speak The Name of Jesus.

There is a story in the New Testament about a demon possessed man. When Jesus approached, the demons inside this man were suddenly terrified. They knew they were powerless against Jesus. Let that story illustrate for you your defense against your true enemy. Each day and every day, speak the name of Jesus. “Jesus you are my rock, you are my fortress, you are my deliverer. Jesus, I speak your name for you are all I need.” There’s an old gospel hymn that sums it all up by saying, “victory is mine, victory today is mine. I told ol’ satan, get thee behind, because victory today is mine”.

Restless?

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Jesus said, “…Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29

Are you restless? There is actually a solution for the peace you lack. Jesus said, learn from me and you will find rest for your souls. So, what can we learn from Jesus. Very simply,

Faith Results in Soul Rest

Trust is the key. Learn trust in God and the peace you never thought possible will fill your days. Jesus said in Matthew 6, “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” The point being, we stress and worry about far too much in life when the answer to our needs starts and ends with trust in Him.

Endless Supply

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“ The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts” Haggai 2:8

King David said in Psalm 24 that “The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof.” The point being, God does not need your money, He wants your trust. When you give of what you have to Him it is an act of surrender and worship. He provided you everything you have, including the air in your lungs and only asks that we trust in Him more than we trust what’s in our wallet.

God’s Supply Is Endless

There is only one scripture that I know of where God says “test Me” and it is Malachi 3. “Bring your gifts into the storehouse, test Me in this and see if I will not open the windows of heaven.” Oh, but the questions soon start, will those funds I give to His church or ministry always be used perfectly? I can guarantee you that the answer to that question is no. But that’s not the point. The point is all the gold and all the silver of this world already belongs to God. In giving, you are saying, God, I trust you more than gold. As you give, you will be amazed at how God blesses you more than you dreamed possible.

What Now?

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God said, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Life has a way of tossing you around and sweeping over you like an uncontrolled river. In these moments anger, fear, depression, and anxiety will instantly flood your mind. The only words you can find to say are “I don’t understand what’s happening to me. What do I do now?” I’ve been there, more than once, and each time I have to remember that,

Trust = Faith!

Of all the things I’ve learned about God in my lifetime, one of the most valuable is His patience and understanding. When life does not seem fair, we are tempted to lash out in anger at God. Fortunately, God is the very definition of patience and gently helps us find the pause button for our emotions. Trusting in God means praying “Thy will be done”, no matter what junk life hands to us. God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Indeed, Trust = Faith.

Promises

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“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19

Pastor and New York Times best selling author Mark Batterson released a book in 2012 called “Draw the Circle, The 40 Day Prayer Challenge”, which I highly recommend. Mark reminds us that each of us on this earth are traveling through space at 67,000 miles per hour yet none of us really spend any time worrying that the planet will suddenly start spinning off course. “We don’t doubt God’s ability to keep the planets in orbit, but we have a difficult time believing He can keep our lives in orbit”. God makes promises in scripture, and

These promises are For You.

I have said these word several times in this Faith Proposition blog, but this powerful truth bear repeating. God is a God of promises and when He said “I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” He means it. And yet, you may ask, how can I believe that? How about letting today’s verse in Numbers 23:19 strengthen your Faith in God’s promises. For you see, God is not a man, He is God. When he speaks, when He promises, it’s impossible for Him not to follow through on His word. God loves you and He never fails.

Miracle Praise

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“You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:16

If in your moments of weakness, or hardship, or turmoil, or despair, you’ve ever wondered how to begin a conversation with God, take a stroll through Psalm 145 and begin to praise Him. There is something amazing that happens when you turn your focus on the Lord. His hands open and

Miracles Come Forth.

So many times we read words from scripture, and in this instance, the Psalms, yet fail to personalize them. God gave us His word to instruct us, to encourage us, and to bless us. Your breakthrough is waiting to be released through your praise!

The Faith Factor

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“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

So many times we see failure as a foregone conclusion when times get tough, or, we won’t even dive into something new for fear the outcome will be disastrous. I too have battled my own fear of failure. Yet, the idea of doing nothing has always seemed worse to me than any fears I have over diving into something new.

Faith Starts What Fear Tries To Stop.

When Paul writes these words, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” it’s after a long laundry list of conditions that he’s endured as a man of faith. He endured both ridicule and received praise, had plenty and lived with poverty. Yet in all these things he said he had learned to be content with whatever life threw at him. Faith is facing fears and moving forward anyway.

True Light

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Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

Whether you realize it or not, you emit light. You are a source of energy, either positive or negative. And your very presence on this planet is not ignored, even in those time when you feel very alone for God is always with you, which means a whole host of angels are gathered around just to see how you interact with God, and how He interacts with you. For as David wrote in Psalm 139, “Where can I flee from your presence. If I go up to the heavens, You are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn or settle on the far side of the sea,

Even there, Your right hand shall hold me”.

With all this attention focused on you, you should smile more, encourage others often, and pray that others around you discover as you just have, how powerful the light within them is.

Atmospheric River

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“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

There has been endless news about the “atmospheric river” effect in California as storm after storm make their way across the Pacific Ocean and make landfall across the West Coast of the United States. Many seasons of drought are being, at the very least, eased by more rain and snow than the West has seen in decades. The way I see it,

We prayed for Rain and the heavens opened.

Remember, during seasons of drought or rain, feast or famine, God has it all under control. I’ll never forget the exact moment, during one of the most stressful times in my life, I prayed to God pleading for rescue. His response to me was instant and unambiguous. “Be Still” He said, “and know that I am God.” In that instant I focused my perspective on Him. The season that needed changing eventually did, in God’s perfect timing. Whatever season you find yourself in today, God is saying to you today, “Be still, and know that I am God.”