Hope

 Good morning......

Hope is a joyful expectation for a good outcome, and it is a catalyst for breakthroughs in your life. It is a launching pad for dreams to be fulfilled. It is important to cultivate hope, as you are faced with a choice to be either hopeless or hope-filled whenever you face difficult situations. The world we live in is filled with hopelessness, but we are to rise up as God’s ambassadors of hope. When you are filled with hope, you can help others find it in their darkest hour.

I decree that:

1. I trust in the plans that God has for me,

2. I am blessed because my hope is in the Lord.

3. Because I have sought wisdom, I have a future, and my hope is not cut off.

4. The Lord is my portion; therefore I have hope in Him. 

5. The God of hope fills me with all joy and peace in believing; by the power of the Holy Spirit, I abound in hope.

Do you know someone in need of hope? If so, pray about gracing them with hope-filled encouragement. Become God’s ambassador of hope. 

The moment you put your faith in Jesus, God anoints you with the Holy Spirit. However weak and inadequate you may feel, God can use you, like David, in extraordinary ways. When you are in trouble or in a position of great weakness: Know God’s great love for you, Cry out to God in your heart

Be honest with God. Tell him what you are really feeling. 

Lord, thank you that I can pray to you in times of trouble. Lord, today I cry to you for help. Lord, thank you that your Holy Spirit now lives in me. Thank you that, though I am weak, I am anointed to be your witness. Help me to be the mouthpiece of your Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord, that the same Holy Spirit who lived in David, Jesus and in the apostles, now anoints and lives in me. Thank you that even my weakness is anointed. It's not easy to know God's will in each circumstance. I must search out and be ready for the currents, and that's where prayer and meditation help! Because I am, of myself, nothing, I ask God to grant me the knowledge of His will and the power and courage to carry it out-today.

Meditation for the Day

Love is the power that transforms your life. Try to love your family and your friends and then try to love everybody that you possibly can, even the “sinners and publicans”—everybody. Love for God is an even greater thing. It is the result of gratitude to God, and it is the acknowledgment of the blessing that God has sent you. Love for God acknowledges His gifts and leaves the way open for God to shower yet more blessings on your thankful heart. Say “Thank you, God,” until it becomes a habit.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may try to love God and all people. I pray that I may continually thank God for all His blessings.

From PauP WhatsApp page.

NOT MY WILL BE DONE BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE

 Matthew 19:26 - "Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”"

Mark 9:23 - " If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

These two Scriptures have been an encouragement to generations of God's children. All things are possible with God. All we need to do is believe.

 Ephesians 1:19-21 - "and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."

Why are all things possible with God?

His power is incomparable. His power is greater than all other powers earthly or spiritual.

Matthew 26:39 - "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

All though all authority and power is in Christ and at our disposal.We must take the position of Jesus, not as I will, but as you will. This is a hard pill to swallow. Christ did not have to die, but it was in His Father's plan, and Christ willing gave up His life that we might have life in Him.

Isaiah 55:9 -  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

If you look at the cross  in human eyes, it makes absolutely no sense. Satan thought that He defeated Christ on the cross. Yet it was through this selfless act that salvation was brought to all people who put their faith in Christ and the cross.

We have all questioned God, and even doubted God. Why? Why?

It makes no sense to me God. Why have you allowed this to happen when I know you have all power to keep it from happening or all power to make it happen. It is at times like these we need to give all our thoughts, and desires to Christ. We need to lay them at the cross, and say as Jesus said, not my will be done, but your will because my mind is finite and your mind is infinite. My way seems the best, but your way is always the best.

Blessed with every spiritual blessing

Ephesians 1:4 - " Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

Let us reflect on what these spiritual blessings are as believers in Christ.

1) We have been forgiven and cleansed us from all sin.

2) We have been justified and made righteous in Christ's sight.

3) There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

4) Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, continually interceding for us.

5) We have the Holy Spirit who lives in us that helps us live a holy life, strengthens us, guides us, teaches us, helps us remember what God  has said to us, speaks to us continually, helps us pray, intercedes for us and much more. 

6) We are children of the the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's.

7) We have a God who loves us no matter what and never gives up on us.

8) We have a God who will always forgive us if we confess our sins with a sincere heart.

9) We have a God who helps us in our weakness and delivers us from trial and temptations.

10) We have a God who provides, protects and has good plans and purposes for us. He wants us to have an abundant life.

11) We have a God who is always in control, even when it seems like everything is out of control.

12) We have been given talents and spiritual gifts.

13) We have the fruit of the Spirit that is available to us as we yield to Him. Right there is a treasure trove of blessings.

14) We are part of the Body of Christ, His saints.

15) We have direct communication with the Father through Jesus Christ, and always available to us at any time.

16) We have eternal life now, and eternal rewards awaiting us.

15) All power and authority has been given to us through Christ.

There are probably many more that I have not mentioned.

So how are we to respond to these spiritual blessings in Christ?

We are to continually rejoice and be glad in them. We are to draw from these riches and use them for Christ's glory. 

No matter what the circumstances let us keep our eyes on Jesus and be thankful for every spiritual blessing we have in Christ.

I challenge you to look up Scriptures for each one of these and read them again.

The Faith the Defies Logic

 

Jesus encourages the application of faith for things which are seemingly impossible.

How does faith operate? 

For a start, faith begins where logic ends. 

 

1 Corinthians 2:5 says that our faith does not “rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

 

Faith is based on who God is - His unchangeable character, His power and His Word. Faith is not based on our ability, our expertise or our acumen. 

 

Abraham exemplified this “illogical” faith. Hebrews 11:8 says that, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (emphasis mine)

 

Quite unlike Abraham, we want to understand all the pros and cons before we implement a decision, or even take a step forward. But faith is about implicit trust and obedience in a God whose ways are far beyond our comprehension. 

 

Like Abraham, faith will cause you do things which seem radical. It will cause you to look foolish. But, remember, such acts of faith propel the greatest breakthroughs. 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

 

Let’s unpack those verses:

Trust in the Lord – You and I are called to have complete faith in God

Lean not on your own understanding - Let go of your logic

In all your ways acknowledge Him - Depend on God in everything you do

And He will make your paths straight - The consequence: God will provide a breakthrough .

One of the greatest obstacles of faith is human logic. It’s only when you let go of logic can faith operate fully.

By Rajiv Shelladurai

CLOTHES FOR THE RIGHT SEASON

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:"

Covid-19 pandemic has ushered us unto a new season. We need to identify what season we are in, so that we can appropriately adapt to the season we are in today. We need to adapt our wardrobe to the seasons. We don't wear winter clothes in the Summer, nor Summer clothes in the Winter. I believe we have had a season of Winter, but Spring is coming, and Summer will soon be here. The season of Winter has made many people weary, depressed and burnt out. At the same time, I believe the winter has caused many to draw closer to Christ. Yet, as in winter many things die or go dormant, so it has been in this season. The season has brought a greater understanding of our fragility, and lack of control over what is takes place, which has brought a greater lesson. We can't put our hope on know one else but Christ. I know that I have been and am being brought to a new level of trust in God. My branches have been stripped of self-sufficiency, and pride. This stripping was necessary to cause us to trust God more, and will bring greater fruit.

Disruption causes us to to trust God at a deeper level. Disruption shows where we are anchored, in man or God. This has caused us to draw nearer to Him. Trust is established in intimacy. This season has hopefully caused our roots to go deeper and draw deep from the river of life.

Psalms 1:1-3 - "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

You may still feel the bitter coldness of Winter, but lift up your head, Spring is coming. The blossoms are appearing. You may still feel weak, disoriented and fearful, but trust in God's love, goodness and faithfulness. You are stronger now then you were before, even if you can't see it now.

Divine Appointments

 

We are living in tumultuous times, which creates great opportunities for God to show up in a powerful way. I challenge you today to ask God to give you divine appointments. For this to happen we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. We need to ask God, what are you doing right here and right now. We must live in the moment. It must be a daily choice. 

 

Acts 8:26-31 - "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?”

Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The one thing I love about this story is that the Holy Spirit told him to go stand by a desert road, and God gave Him no reason or explanation. He just obeyed. The second thing I take notice of in this story. Philip never saw the full fruit of his obedience. he was taken away by the Holy Spirit after his brief encounter, and most likely never saw him again. He didn't see the countless people who were probably brought to Christ through this influential man. Many a time, we don't see the fruit, but it doesn't matter. All we are asked to do is be in the here and now, listening to the Holy Spirit and being obedient to His voice.

There are divine appointments everywhere. We just need to look away from ourselves. We need to lift up our heads and say, Lord here I am, your servant. Show me what you have for me today. It may not be something great God is asking you to do, at least not great in your eyes. You may never know the full ramifications of one word or action done in the name of Jesus.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENEMY

 

To overcome Satan we need to understand his tactics. Satan’s main tactics are lies and deception. In the garden Satan deceived Eve by causing her to doubt God’s word and goodness, and minimizing the consequences of sin and disobedience. Satan still tries to deceive us by tempting us with things of the world, and making us think they are not really that bad. He tempts us in the areas where we are weak. We overcome deception and temptation just like Jesus by knowing the Word and not compromising. We also overcome by what we focus on. What you focus on grows. Focus on God and the things of God and the things of the world will become less attractive. The enemy also comes against us with fear of others, fear of failure and of circumstances we face. But 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Satan wants to intimidate you, discourage you and overwhelm you. But 1 John 4:4 says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” When you know who you are in God, and walk in the power and enablement of the Spirit, the enemy has no power over you. Victory is ours in Jesus Christ.

 

By Andy Clark