by Alisha | Nov 18, 2012 | Uncategorized
Today, you may be dealing with a circumstance or situation that seems overwhelming. You may be wondering when, if ever, you will receive the breakthrough you’ve been believing God for. You may feel discouraged, depressed, and ready to give up – but don’t do that. Instead, give thanks to the Lord!
First Thessalonians 5:18 (Amplified) says, “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].”
Sometimes, giving thanks “no matter what our circumstances may be” is one of the hardest things to do. But it is the very thing that will bring you out of those situations — and it’s the will of God!
No matter what it looks like or how you feel, God loves you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:1), He is mindful of you (Ps. 115:12), He cares for you affectionately (1 Pet. 5:7 AMP), and He has already given you the victory in every situation (1 Cor. 15:57)! If you will stop focusing on your problem and begin to thank the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness in your life, then you will rise out of that circumstance and you will experience the breakthrough you’ve been believing for.
But you can’t just give thanks once or twice and expect to see a change. And you shouldn’t limit your “thanksgiving” to a certain time of the year. You must cultivate a lifestyle of thankfulness. Continually put yourself in remembrance of all the wonderful things the Lord has done for you. Refuse to consider your circumstances and choose to be thankful for His many blessings.
The enemy wants to discourage you. He wants you to take your eyes off of the Lord and focus on the negative. He wants to use your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and circumstances to get you out of faith. If he can get you out of faith, if he can get you to fling away your confidence in the Lord, then he’s won.
But if you’ll give thanks to God in the midst of your situation, if you will keep your eyes on Him and remain in faith, you will rise up out of it. Remember, God always causes you to triumph in Christ Jesus!
Smith Wigglesworth (a British minister of the late 19th and early 20th centuries) said, “God can work mightily when you persist in believing Him in spite of discouragements from the human standpoint…I am not moved by what I see. I am moved only by what I believe. No man considers how he feels if he believes. The man who believes God has it!”
Cultivate a daily lifestyle of thanksgiving and praise. Choose to look beyond the problem and worship the One who has your solution. Refuse discouragement and remain in faith! Thank God in everything and your life will be changed for the better!
by Alisha | Nov 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to experience blessing after blessing while others struggle with difficulties and defeat on a continual basis?
(Please understand that I am not referring to the tests and trials of life that we all go through, nor am I trying to oversimplify the reasons certain people go through suffering and pain. However, I want to focus on one specific attribute that we can all improve upon.)
So, what separates the blessed from the disappointed? One word: faithfulness.
There are many people who are not experiencing the blessings of God to the extent that they could be because they are not faithful to do the little things that the Lord requires of them.
In Luke 16:10, 12 (NLT), Jesus said, If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities…And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
Are you being faithful in the little things?
Little things matter to the Lord – little things like obedience, integrity, honesty, excellence, character, and discipline. In our society of shortcuts, it may seem easy to overlook those little things in order to get to the end result, but with God those little things are really big things.
There are things that we as Christians know we should do on a daily basis, such as reading and studying the Bible, as well as spending time in prayer and fellowship with the Lord. We must never become legalistic about it, but we need to discipline ourselves in these areas because we will never grow spiritually unless we do.
We should walk in love to others (Eph. 5:2). We should guard our tongues and speak only words that minister grace (Eph. 4:29). We should be disciplined in our thought life (2 Cor. 10:5). We should be honest in all things (2 Cor. 13:7). We should lead a life of honor and integrity (Ps. 101:2).
These areas are innate to our born-again spirits, but when we don’t renew our minds with the Word of God, these are some of the first areas that we allow to slip.
If you want to experience the blessings of God to the fullest, then make sure you are being faithful in all the little things that are required of you.
As one minister said, “The secret to a blessed life isn’t one thing – it’s a million little things. It’s the accumulation of a life in God, one step at a time, little by little…”
God doesn’t play favorites. He doesn’t choose to bless one person and curse another. He loves all of us the same. And yet, there are things you can do to make sure you continue to live in the blessings of God. On the other hand, if you don’t do these little things, the blessing of God can be hindered from operating in your life.
Are you being obedient in what the Lord has told you to do? Examine your heart and life. Ask the Holy Spirit about the areas you need to improve in. Then be quick to obey.
Song 2:15 (NLT) says, Catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard….
1 Corinthians 5:6 (NIV) says, Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?
Little things are big to God. Your character and integrity – the things no one but God sees – matter. Little things neglected or ignored can ruin the results you want. But little things done daily will produce tremendous blessing in your life. Not only will you be blessed, but you will be a blessing to others!
Do the little things!
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by Alisha | Oct 8, 2012 | Uncategorized
Over the years, this has been the one subject that I love to study and talk about more than anything else. However, I have not always been so faithful in the execution of it. I have failed many times. But, each time I’ve entered into His presence, my Father has been there, waiting for me with open arms and unfathomable love!
Psalm 84:1-2 AMP says, How lovely are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.
My heart’s cry is to dwell in His presence. He is the Source of true contentment and peace. He is the Source of all strength. Nothing and no one else can ever satisfy. He is what our spirits crave.
But we can be so easily distracted. (See my blog post, Get Rid of the Weeds, for more on this subject.) There always seems to be someone or something demanding our time and attention. And if we go too long without pulling ourselves away, we can become “dull” to the things of God.
To avoid becoming “spiritually dull” we must learn how to dwell in His presence continually. But how do we learn to do this? Anytime you are “learning” something new, you must practice. And we have to practice remaining in the presence of God.
It is daily decision that we must make to seek Him. We can make the decision that we are going to “dwell in His presence all the days of our lives” (Ps. 27:4) one moment and then the next moment feel as if we are as far away from His presence as we have ever been. We must choose His presence. It is a daily (sometimes moment by moment) choice.
This is where “practicing the presence of God” comes in. We must practice focusing our attention on Him. We must practice turning our hearts to Him. In this world, it doesn’t come naturally or easily. But the more you spend time with the Father, the more you begin to crave Him.
One way we practice His presence is found in Psalm 84:4 AMP: Blessed are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long.
When we sing His praises – songs of love and worship to Him throughout the day, it helps us to keep our focus on Him. Our hearts are turned toward him and our eyes are fixed on Him.
I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. How many times have you been down or discouraged, but you made yourself sing to the Lord? You know that wonderful, uplifting, burden-removing feeling that His presence brings!
Another way we practice His presence is by simply talking to Him throughout the day. I don’t mean a monologue where you’re the only one talking—I mean a dialogue where you speak to Him and then listen for His voice speaking to you. He will speak to you. He desires your company. He created you for fellowship!
When you listen for His still, small voice and learn to obey it, things will change in your life. You will change. Your relationships will change. Your circumstances will change.
You can experience God’s presence throughout the day – every day – as you learn to focus your attention on Him even in the midst of your hectic life. In fact, He will even show you what things to lay aside so that you can have more time to be with Him.
Psalm 26:8 AMP says, Lord, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.
I want to be in the place where God’s glory dwells. I want to know Him and His ways. I want to be changed in His presence from glory to glory. I want to grow in the things of God. I want to be in the place where He can use me for His glory. Don’t you? Then begin to practice His presence on a daily basis. In His presence is fullness of joy!
(For further insight on this subject, I recommend the book, The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence.)
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by Alisha | Sep 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
Has your heart ever been overwhelmed? Have you ever felt besieged by the storms of life? Inundated with problems of all sorts? Have you ever felt that you just couldn’t take it anymore?
In times like this, what do you do? Do you succumb and surrender to these storms? Do you allow yourself to accept failure or defeat? Do you feel sorry for yourself and throw a pity party? No way!
You keep standing – in the midst of the storm – you keep declaring that God’s Word is true. You keep pressing into Him and His Word, and you keep holding fast to your faith.
Psalm 61:2 KJV says…when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
The Contemporary English Version of Psalm 61:2-4 says, I feel hopeless, and I cry out to you from a faraway land. Lead me to the mighty rock high above me. You are a strong tower, where I am safe from my enemies. Let me live with you forever and find protection under your wings, my God.
When you feel overwhelmed, when you begin to feel hopeless, when you lose heart, cry out to the Lord. He is your Rock, your Strong Tower, your Safe Refuge from the storms of life. Remind yourself that the God you serve is a mighty God. He will protect you. He will keep you safe. And He will deliver you. Always.
Everyone goes through difficult tests and trials. We’ve all felt overwhelmed and hopeless at one time or another. But it is not okay to continue feeling that way – not when Almighty God is your Father!
You must put yourself in remembrance of God’s great love for you. You must remind yourself of His faithfulness and of all the times He has come through for you. You must refuse to waver in your faith and trust in Him.
Psalm 34:19 says, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
We are guaranteed afflictions, but we have a promise that the Lord will deliver us out of them all.
We must be so grounded in the Word of God that when we face these tests, trials, afflictions, storms, and outright assaults from the enemy, we will not waver, be swayed or shaken.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT), Anyone who listens to My teaching and obeys Me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock.
The storms of life will come, but you don’t have to be swept away by them. Instead, you can just stand firm with your feet planted on the solid rock of God’s Word. Though the storms may come and the winds may blow, you will remain steadfast and immovable because of the Word of God that is in your heart.
You will look the storms in the eye and laugh because they are powerless to harm you. You are sheltered safe within God, your Refuge. Nothing can by any means harm you. No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
Storms come and storms go, but those who remain fixed and stable on the Solid Rock will weather the storms and grow stronger still.
Just like David, we must learn to “encourage ourselves in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6), and we do that by reminding ourselves of the Lord’s great faithfulness to us in times past, and by meditating on scriptures that speak of His goodness and faithfulness to us.
I have a included a few scriptures for you to remember when your heart is overwhelmed. These are just a starting point. If you would like a FREE printable of even more scriptures to help you stand in the midst of a storm, sign up below and we’ll send it to you.
- Psalm 91:2 (KJV) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
- Isaiah 54:17 (NKJ) No weapon formed against you shall prosper…
- Luke 10:19-20 (NKJ) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
- 1 John 4:4 (KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Thank you!
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by Alisha | Aug 20, 2012 | Uncategorized
Is there something that you’ve prayed about but you haven’t received yet? If so, I want to encourage you to not give up. Keep standing in faith. The answer is on the way!
Jesus said in Mark 11:24 (NKJ), Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
And 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJ) says, Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
There is almost always a waiting period from the moment we say “Amen” until the moment we receive. But if you’ve asked according to the will of God (His Word), and if you believed that you received when you prayed, then according to these scriptures, you can be confident that the Lord heard you and that you will receive what you’ve asked of Him.
But what do you do while you’re waiting – especially when the answer is l-o-n-g in coming?
Hebrews 6:12 tells us that through faith and patience we inherit the promises of God.
And Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT) says, Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
So first of all, exercise patience. Don’t be quick to give up just because it takes some time to receive. Don’t throw away your confident trust in the Lord. Keep believing!
James 1:6-7 (NKJ) says, But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
If you want to receive, then make sure that you don’t allow doubt to creep in. If the Word says you will have it, then you will have it. God is not a man that He should lie (Num. 23:19). He is always faithful!
Heb 4:3 (NKJ) says, For we who have believed do enter that rest…
Another thing to remember is to rest. You don’t have to beg, manipulate or try to persuade God to answer your prayer. If you prayed in faith, then enter into rest. It’s not up to you to figure out when and how the answer will come. It’s up to you to trust and rest.
And finally, learn to be thankful, (Ps. 100:4, Col. 3:15). If you believe that the Lord has answered your prayer, then thank Him for doing so. Don’t wait until you have the full manifestation – thank Him in advance. When we are thankful to the Lord before we receive the answer, it demonstrates our faith and trust in Him.
God’s Word is true. If you pray according to His will, and believe you receive when you pray, you will have the thing you asked of Him.
Keep standing in faith. Keep exercising patience. Keep believing that you will receive the thing you asked for. Enter into rest and just thank Him for the answer. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Keep expecting. The answer is on the way!
(Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis)
