Faith in God's Word

As you go through life challenges there is one thing you need to remember and that is, “the battle is not yours, but the Lord’s.”  When you give your challenge to the Lord, leave it there.  Don’t pick it back up.  Of course doubts are going to enter into your mind.  Sure it may seem that nothing has happened to change your circumstance.  But this is where faith kicks in.  You’ve prayed about it.  You’ve cast that care to the Lord.  So now is the time to really stand on what you believe God for.  Easily said I know.   But I am here to tell you it can be easily done with faith. 

 Jesus said, “That if you ask anything in my name” God will give it to you.  In Matthew 21:22 Jesus said, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”   Faith is the substance of things hoped for (in prayer) and the evidence of things not seen.”  Faith is the answer to your prayer.  It is the breakthrough.  It is the physical manifestation, the tangible-touchable-reality of what you have believed God for.  It is the evidence; evidence of your faith in God’s Word.  Going through a challenge of any kind can be overcome, if you put your faith in God’s Word, don’t doubt and believe. 

Give you problem/challenge to God and see the evidence of his mercy and grace through answered prayers.

God Bless!  

Speak God's Word - Part 2

The Word of God is a powerful tool if you use it.  The Word of God is a weapon provided by God for us to use whenever we need it.  When you apply the Word of God, you are releasing his power over your life or circumstance.  In fact, you are saying to your problem, “OK, this is more than I can handle, but my Father who is in heaven can handle it.”  You are telling your problem that God has given you “the keys to heaven”; he has “made a way for you to escape”; and he (God) will see you through.  When you release the word of God by speaking his word, you are declaring that the victory is already won; that your blessing is here; and that you know without a shadow or doubt, that your prayers are answered. 

Speaking the Word of God has great benefits and all you have to do is to believe and SPEAK IT!  God’s word will work for you, believe it, speak it and see it.      

Talk to God Today

A couple of days ago, I attended a human resources conference.  It was filled with great content, professional speakers, and a exhibit hall.  Between each session, I would charge my way through the crowd to the exhibit halls to collect stamps from vendors with the goal of acquiring 500 points (500 points could get you a raffle ticket to drop in the lottery to win great prizes.)   This year's event had some fantastic prizes, an I-Pad, Atlanta Falcon Tickets, and two Coach handbags, to name a few.

By the end of the conference I had 1115 points and was handed my two lottery tickets.  As I viewed the prizes, I saw some expensive headphones that my son had been talking about since the summer.  OK, I said to myself, why not drop a ticket in for the headphones and the other ticket for the I-Pad?  Great idea, and I did just that.  The winners' names would be posted at the end of the last session.  As the last session came to a close, I remember saying,  "God, I would really like to win those headphones for my son."  You know what happened?  I won the the headphones.  Yes indeed.  I was a winner.

The next day as I was driving to work, I heard the spirit of  God say to me.  Margaret, my word is really simple.  Just ask me or tell me what your desire is.  You don't have to get double deep, or need to be emotionally high when you talk to me.  Talk to me like you talk to a friend.   Remember when Jesus walked around and people would call out for him.  He would say, "What would you have me do for you?"  And the people said, " Lord, heal my eyes so I could see." or "Heal my legs so I could walk."  Jesus responded immediately and healed them as they asked. 

I thank God for his mercy, his grace and the simplicity of communication. God loves us and wants the best for us. We should talk with him regularly.  Talk to him like you talk to a friend or to your parent.  He has a sense of humor and is waiting on you to communicate.  Have faith in him, ask and thank him for answered prayers.  Talk to God today in plain and simple language.

  

Speak God's Word - Part 1

God gave us his word for us to use in our lives.  His word is life to those who finds it and health to your body. God's word is filled with his power and when you say what he has said about your circumstance, you are indeed giving the power of God over to your circumstance.  For example, let's say that you are having trouble at work. You study the bible and find the scripture that says, "No weapon formed against me shall prosper."  Instead of rehearsing the problem over and over, you speak the word of God over your problem.  So you say, "Lord, I release my care of my issues at work to you.  Lord, your word says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper.  Therefore, Lord my issue at work will not prosper and I thank you Lord for my answered prayer."  Now that you have made this declaration, keep it on your heart (spirit), on your mind, and in your mouth.  Sure things will escalate at work because the enemy wants to take you off of your focus.  But remember, you have declared God's word over your circumstance, so stay focus and don't doubt.   When a thought comes up that is contrary to the Word of God,  tell it to flee because your mind is made up and you know that God will work it out.

Do this and be blessed in the Lord, Jesus Christ.   

Good Name, Favor and Health

Proverbs 3:1-7 (NIV)
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.  Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will find favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

This passage scripture is powerful and full of life changing promises.  Let’s examine.

We are to remember (and do) God’s teaching, word, commandments, instruction and we do this by keeping them in our heart (spirit).  To keep God’s word in your heart, you must study his word and know his word. Long life and prosperity is promised to us when we remember and keep God’s teaching and commands.

We are instructed to love always and to have faith; and again to do this by writing them in our heart (spirit).  God word tells us that the greatest commandment is to love.  When we walk in love we are pleasing to God because he is love.  And as a being obedient and walking in love, we will have favor with God and with man.

Finally, trust God and do not depend on our own intellect for understanding. Take everything to him in prayer and God will make our paths straight (direct, guide, deliver, set free).  God will answer our prayers. We are to turn away from evil and fear the Lord which will bring health to our bodies.   

Be blessed.  

It's OK to Cry!

No matter what you are going through right now at this very minute, you are not alone.  No matter what you’ve been told about your health, about your finances, about your home, about your job, you are not alone.  God said that he will never leave you.  He sent the Holy Spirit to comfort you, to hold you, to confirm his love for you.  I know how it hurts.  I know how you just want to cry and cry and cry.  Trust me; it is OK to do just that.  Crying has a way of releasing the pain of suffering.  Crying will allow you to let go and let God.  God is with you.  He hears your moans.  He sees your tears.  God will provide if you just trust him.      

Benefits of Studying the Word of God

I hope this blog finds you in perfect peace.

When your life is running like a clock, it easy to smile, to have joy, to be energetic, to have a good attitude- I am sure you get what I am saying.  But on the contrary, once you’ve been delivered bad news of any kind, we spiritually slump.  Our mood shifts to “oh me oh my”; our smile goes away, our forehead has a questionable wrinkle on it, and our demeanor shifts to worry.  We may experience problems sleeping, eating and joy is no where in sight.  There is nothing unusual about these noticeable changes and for the most part, most people fall into this mode.  We are human and when we get bad news, it bothers the heck out of us.    

However, the Word of God can protect us from worry, can shield us from doubt and can deliver to us peace that surpasses all understanding.

What should a person do when faced with a bad news situation? First, accept the fact that there are some things that you cannot control. When you relinquish your inability to control, you are giving the care and control over to the Lord.  The Word of God tells us to cast your care upon him, for he cares for you.  So do take your concern to God in prayer and leave it there.  Sure it is going to come up again in your mind, but when it does, tell the situation that you have given it to God and begin to praise God for answered prayer.  

How can a person move from worry to total belief in God?  Worry is an enemy of the God’s word and is designed to keep you off focus.  Worry is an indication of lack of faith.  To eliminate worry, you must have faith in what God’s will is for you.  In order to have faith in God’s will for you, you must know what God word says.  To know what God’s word says, you must spend time studying his word. The word of God tells us to study/mediate on the word of God day and night then you will have success.  Friends to defeat worry and build your faith, you absolutely must spend time in the Word of God.  The time spent will get into your spirit and grow.  Your faith will become stronger.  You need to say what God has said on your behalf.  You must make God’s word a priority in your life (as if your life depended upon it) and in reality it does.  

What can a person do to keep his spirit lifted in spite of?  To keep your spirit lifted, energize your mind with the promises of God. When you study the word of God, your mind is fruitful.  Your mind remembers and recalls what God’s word said about a given situation.  When you think of these wonderful promises of God, praise God for his faithfulness.  Give God’s word your voice and by doing so your spirit will be lifted.  Remember every day is a new day, so the next day, you must make a decision to praise God for answered prayers, believe and keep your spirit energize with the Word of God.

In summation, the Word of God has everything you need to see you through any situation.  Make a decision today to study the word of God daily so you might have good success.    

When Life Happens

My mother, rest her soul, use to say, “Just keep on living and one day life will happen to you”.  When she would say this, I would just smile and say, I know what you mean.  My family for the most part was physically blessed.  My mom, dad, grandmother and great uncles lived a good life, disease free until very late in their lives.   But as my mother said, our turn of events came in sets, my great uncle, my grandmother, my daddy, my mother and then my other great uncle all died over a span of 5 years.  My mom and dad died within 5 months of each other.  Suddenly it was. 

During this time of my life and the first time in my life, I was in “when life happens”.  What got me through my “when life happens” moment, was a trust in God like never before.  I had to spend time with him alone.  I read the Word a lot, I prayed a lot, and of course I cried a lot.  I had to build my faith quick because I had to be strong for my parents, grandmother and great uncles.  Plus I had children of my own and had to be strong for them.  I was with my grandmother when she passed.  The doctors took me to a private room while they tried to revive her, I prayed to God (she was 86) and he said to me that he had her.  I was relieved and sad, but more relieved because I knew where she was.  I cried at the foot of my mother’s hospital bed because she was towing with living and giving up.  She finally gave up.  Hurtful as it was, there was nothing that I could do or say. 

When life happens to you, you must put your faith in God into another gear.  You realize how insignificant other issues are and come to a place of understanding what’s important to God and ultimately to you.  You mature to a new height.  When life happens, you need to talk to God more and ask for strength.  The Word of God tells us to study and mediate on God’s word day and night, and my friends believe me, when life happens, you will do just this.  You should seek his word for understanding, for help, and for comfort.  You will come to realization that God is good no matter what and he was indeed there with you when life happens.