Do You Know Why You’re Living?

“For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world.” Jn 18:37 NIV
Jesus knew exactly why He lived. “For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” That’s what He thought about, prayed about, planned for, worked toward, sacrificed for, died and rose again for, and finally accomplished. By fulfilling His destiny He changed the world forever. So, do you know your destiny? What are you doing to achieve it? “We are…created…to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10 NIV). Does that sound like a life of aimless wandering with no known destination? The Bible says: “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Pr 16:9 NKJV). Plan well, but always stay open to God’s direction. “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Ps 139:16 NIV). God’s plan for your life was set before you were a twinkle in your parents’ eyes! If you fail to follow His path you’ll miss His best for your life. The Bible is full of examples of people who crashed and burned at some point. King Saul is a great example. Recalling it, David, his successor, prayed: (1) “I desire to do your will” (Ps 40:8 NIV). Your desires are the driving force in life, so make sure they’re in harmony with God. (2) “Teach me to do your will” (Ps 143:10 NIV). When it comes to doing God’s will, the Psalmist acknowledged he needed God’s help. You do too.

Getting Out of a Spiritual Slump

“As soon as they began singing.” 2Ch 20:22 CEV


Here’s a simple but effective formula for handling a spiritual slump. Praise your way out! David starts Psalm 22 by asking, “God, why have You forsaken me?” and ends it saying, “You…dwell…[where]…praises…[are offered]” (Ps 22:3 AMP). You won’t always feel like praising God—that’s why it’s called “the sacrifice of praise” (Heb 13:15). But when you’re in a slump you need the discipline of praise more than ever. It brings a sense of God’s power and presence like nothing else does. That’s why the Psalmist wrote: “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps 34:1). By praising God in advance for the victory, you open a channel for Him to intervene in your circumstances, hope rises in your soul, and it’s impossible to stay down and defeated. And praise fits every personality, so you’ve no excuse! You can clap and shout (See Ps 47:1), use music and dance (See Ps 150:4), sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (See Eph 5:19-20), make a joyful noise (See Ps 98:4), lift your hands (See Ps 134:2), be still before God (See Ps 4:3-5), and you can even be loud! (See Ps 33:3, 95:1-6). Your praises thwart the enemy’s best-laid plan! When the Israelites were outnumbered, they prayed and God told them the battle was His and that He would do the fighting. Judah (which means “praise”) went out ahead of the army, and “As soon as they began singing, the Lord confused the enemy…and…they turned against each other.” The minute you start praising God He releases His power to start working on your behalf.

"Lord, Help Us to See"

“Take a good look…at who you were when you got called.” 1Co 1:26 TM



Jesus didn’t see people as losers, but as potential winners who’d lost their way. He “was moved with compassion for them” (Mk 6:34 NKJV). He saw them through God’s eyes, not weeds, but potential roses. And His perspective, which is often different from ours, brought out the best in them. Where others saw a woman with five failed marriages, He saw a restored sinner who could reach others in Samaria. They saw a blind man; He envisioned someone who could see. They saw a cripple; He pictured a man picking up his mat and walking away. They saw Matthew as a reviled tax collector; He saw a future disciple. They dismissed Zacchaeus as a crook; Jesus recognized a searching heart. When His disciples saw costly perfume and unnecessary expense, Jesus recognized the sacrifice of a grateful heart. Others saw an impulsive fisherman; Jesus saw a leader who could build His church. Onlookers watched Roman soldiers mocking as they pounded nails into human flesh; Jesus saw blind men who didn’t know what they were doing. “Lord, help us to see!” Paul says, “Think of what you were when you were called. Not many…were wise by human standards; not many were influential…[or] of noble birth” (1Co 1:26 NIV). Face it, you weren’t so wonderful before God turned you around, so stop judging others from your limited perspective and try to see them as God saw you. Work to bring out the best in them. Introduce them to the One Who came to bring “great joy to all the people” (Lk 2:10 NCV)—no exceptions!

Do You Need Direction?

“The Lord watches over the path of the godly.” Ps 1:6 NLT


God will speak to you: (1) Through relationships. Sometimes He will give you direct revelation, but often He will speak to you through relationships. His Word says: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you” (Heb 13:7 NIV). Who speaks into your life? To whom are you submitted? Without good input you will live unprotected and undirected. (2) Through your gifts. “A man’s gift makes room for him” (Pr 18:16 NAS). When God is directing your steps you won’t need to kick the door open or force your way in. Your gift will bring a solution and meet a need; therefore, you’ll be welcomed, valued and rewarded. (3) Through your thoughts. “We have the mind of Christ” (1Co 2:16 NIV). When our minds are renewed by His Word and lined up with His will, God actually thinks through us. Consider what an advantage that is! (4) Through open doors. Paul wrote, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1Co 16:9). God will open doors for you, but you must remember that with every opportunity He gives, challenges come too. That’s what builds your faith and strengthens you for the future. (5) Through “a word” of confirmation. “Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isa 30:21). Note the word “behind.” This word comes after you obey God, letting you know you’ve made a good decision and that you’re on the right track. Yes, you can be led by God. His Word says: “The Lord watches over the path of the godly.”

When Someone Stumbles, Help Them (3)

“Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” Gal 6:1 NAS


Why is restoration necessary? (1) To preserve their life. “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death” (Jas 5:20 NIV). When someone you love is sinning, they’re literally killing themselves. If you care, you won’t be able to stand by and watch. (2) To preserve the church. Paul writes, “Admonish the unruly” (1Th 5:14 NAS). When sin is tolerated and rationalized, members become angry and leave, and others are wounded. A church’s reputation and climate are hurt by those who sin and don’t make amends. (3) To preserve God’s reputation. When Nathan spoke to David about his sin with Bathsheba, he said, “You have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt” (2Sa 12:14 NIV). When we condemn in the world what we condone in ourselves, our message falls on deaf ears. So Paul writes: “If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” We are to approach them the right way! We must not confront someone about sin when we have the same problem ourselves. We must approach them with the purpose and expectation of restoring. This isn’t a witch hunt, it’s a lamb search. It’s to bring them back into fellowship, and we must get rid of our “holier than thou” attitude. Be honest; it’s only by God’s grace that you’re not caught in the same trespass, right? Tell the one you’re dealing with that you recognize this. Assure them that whatever the sin, it’s not unforgivable. There’s a way back to spiritual health.

When Someone Stumbles, Help Them (2)

“Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” Gal 6:1 NAS


What is the “spirit” in which we are to restore someone? (1) The spirit of gentleness. “If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” More than likely, the person is already hurting and as fragile as glass; condemnation will only worsen their plight. Understanding and acceptance—not agreement—are what’s needed here. (2) The spirit of humility. “Each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” We’re all cut from the same bolt of cloth; we’re all capable of blowing it. Remember, Peter said to Christ, “Lord, others may deny you but not me!” (See Mt 26:33). And he meant it; he didn’t believe it could happen to him! We must be careful about our own lives, examining ourselves, knowing that we too are vulnerable to all types of temptation and sin. (3) The spirit of love and empathy. Paul writes: “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2 NAS). In this passage the word “burden” means “a heavy load.” It means being willing to walk with them, weep with them and work with them until they’ve been restored. If the hurting cannot find grace, love, and healing in the family of God, where can they go to find it? Dr. Charles Stanley writes: “It should be clear from the scriptures that we have a responsibility to restore a fallen brother or sister. It should also be clear that this sensitive, delicate issue must be handled with great care, lest we damage our witness to an unbelieving world.”

When Someone Stumbles, Help Them

“If anyone is caught in any trespass.” Gal 6:1 NAS


Paul writes: “If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” Note the word “caught.” Most of us who stumble thought at one time, “That will never happen to me.” But it did. In a moment of weakness we yielded to evil. When this happens to someone in God’s family we have a responsibility to restore them, regardless of the nature of the sin. In this Scripture this word “restore” has medical overtones. It pictures a physician resetting a broken limb. To restore someone scripturally, we must: (1) Help them to acknowledge their failure. After his affair with Bathsheba, David prayed, “[I have] sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (Ps 51:4 NIV). (2) Help them to accept responsibility for their sin. Even though someone else may have been a contributing factor, we are still accountable to God. (3) Help them to repent. Repentance involves deep remorse, turning away from our sin, and moving in a new direction. (4) Help them to make restitution. For example, someone who has done wrong needs to make amends when possible. (5) Help them to grow stronger through it. Through failure, God teaches us lessons that keep us from wandering into similar situations in the future. (6) Help them to respond to God’s correction with gratitude. Granted, this is not easy, but when a person comprehends God’s purpose in such discipline—that we might “share in his holiness” (Heb 12:10 NIV)—they begin to thank their heavenly Father for His loving correction. Indeed, it protects them from any root of bitterness springing up in the aftermath of sin.

Let Jesus Solve Your Problem

“‘The mother of Jesus said…‘They have no wine.’” Jn 2:3 NKJV


In biblical times offering wine to your guests at a wedding was an expected courtesy. It was also a sign of respect, so running out of it would have been considered a social disaster. But observe how Mary handled it. Instead of looking for someone to blame, or making excuses, she took her problem to Jesus. That’s always your best move. “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.” Jesus told the servants to fill the jars with water and give some to the headwaiter. When he tasted it, the Bible says: “The water had become wine” (Jn 2:9 NCV). But notice, it happened after they had obeyed Jesus, not before. At a particularly contentious church board meeting when one member suggested they pray about the problem, another responded, “Has it come to that?” There are basically two reasons we make prayer our last resort instead of our first: (1) We like to think we’re able to solve our own problems. (2) We feel insignificant and think, “It’s okay for Mary to ask Jesus; she’s His mother, but He’s got bigger problems to solve than mine.” No, your problems are important to God—all of them! He delights in you (See Ps 18:19). He rejoices over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (See Isa 62:5). You’re never too big or too small to ask your heavenly Father for help. Just take your cue from Mary: identify the problem, bring it to Jesus, do what He tells you, and watch Him work it out.

Seeing the Big Picture

“He performeth the thing that is appointed for me.” Job 23:14
Sometimes God permits things, other times He actually plans them. Either way, He’s got a definite plan in mind. In the midst of unspeakable heartache, Job said, “He performeth the thing that is appointed for me.” When you realize that God has “appointed” something for you, it changes how you see it. It’s like flying. On the ground your view is limited, but ten thousand feet up everything looks different. Now you’re seeing what God sees: “the big picture!” The Bible says that after Job came through his trials he was blessed with twice as much as he had before (See Job 42:10). Does that mean if you lose a $30,000-a-year job you’ll get back a $60,000-a-year one? Or that your checkbook will always balance, or your car never break down, or your health never fail? No, sometimes God rewards our faith with things we can’t measure in monetary value—like relationships, joy, character, peace you didn’t have before, a fresh sense of purpose, protection from danger, favor with others, clearer understanding, more compassion, and intimacy with Him. What value would you place on those? Here are three things you need to keep in mind at all times: (1) God wants you to trust Him in whatever you’re going through (See Ps 138:8). (2) When it’s your responsibility, God expects you to fulfill it (See Ecc 9:10). (3) In order to bless you, He will sometimes move in ways that are hard to understand or explain (See Ps 25:4). Why? So that when the answer comes there’ll be no doubt about Who gets the credit.

God’s Customized Plan for Your Life

“To will and to act according to his good purpose.” Php 2:13 NIV


God is committed to His plan for your life, not yours! You can’t say, “Lord, here’s my plan; bless it.” He may, but He may not. “He…created us…so we can do the good things he planned for us” (Eph 2:10 NLT). You can’t say, “In this category I’m doing things my way, but in that category I’m being led by God.” No, every step you take must be synchronized by the beat of the Holy Spirit. Nothing should be more important to you than keeping pace with Him. Paul writes: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his…purpose” (Php 2:13 NIV). God works through you as you open your spirit, engage your mind, and use your talents to do what He’s already put into your heart. The moment you say yes, He gives you the power to perform His will. Notice, He doesn’t reveal His will, then call you. No, He calls you, and as you step out and obey Him He reveals His will to you step by step. Each day God is molding you into a greater likeness of His Son. That’s His objective. You’re not out for a stroll, you’re going somewhere! Over and over again you’ll be put into situations that mature you to the point where you have the same attitude, the same perspective, the same responses, and the same discernment as Jesus. Once you understand that, walking with God will take on a whole new meaning. You’ll realize that His customized plan for your life is the only plan that will ever satisfy you.

Who Are You Depending On?

“My help comes from the Lord.” Ps 121:2 NIV


If you desire to do God’s will but don’t draw on His power, you’ll fail in spite of your skill, your connections and your resources. You must develop an increasing sense of dependence on God. Now you can’t just sit on the sidelines expecting Him to do everything for you. You’ve been called to step out in faith, obey His instructions—then trust Him for the right results. God-sufficiency should become your goal, not self-sufficiency! This calls for praying, “Lord, I’m tempted to do things in my own strength, but I don’t like the results. Teach me to strive for excellence, not omnipotence; to maximize my talents and minimize my ego. Remind me that You will never give me an assignment that doesn’t require obedience, commitment, and Your enabling grace.” The Psalmist cried: “My help comes from the Lord.” Think: if He’s Lord of every situation and He’s promised to help you, then your victory is assured. It’s when you think you can do it without Him, or with limited input from Him, that you get into trouble. Jesus said: “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do” (Jn 5:19 NKJV). Jesus knew He couldn’t do anything apart from the Father, so He never bothered to try. We, on the other hand, quote the verse, “Without Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5 NKJV), then go out and act like it all depends on us. And what happens? We fall flat on our face. So learn to stop regularly and ask yourself, “Who am I depending on?” Then answer, “You, Lord!”

Honoring His Name

“Hallowed be thy name.” Mt 6:9


 Jesus taught us to pray, “Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (vs. 9-10). How do we honor God’s name? By doing His will on earth. Saint Francis once took a young monk with him to preach in town. But when they arrived they just chatted with vendors and talked to people on the street. Returning home, the novice asked Saint Francis why they hadn’t preached. He replied, “People listened; they observed our attitude and behavior. That was our message.” Paul writes: “Take care of…business…do your…work…then people who are not believers will respect you” (1Th 4:11-12 NCV). That means ensuring that your walk matches your talk, that you truly care about others, that you’re not cheating on your spouse or your income taxes, that you’re paying your bills on time, that you’re not short-changing your employer. Peter writes: “Serve one another” (1Pe 5:5 GNT). It’s one thing to call yourself a Christian, it’s entirely another when those who know you best, agree!

Growing Stronger through Change (2)

“I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love.” Ps 31:7 NLT

(1) Take time each day to pray and read God’s Word; it’ll transform your outlook. (2) If you still look like your old passport photo, take a vacation; you need one! (3) What goes up must come down, so cut back on caffeine and sugar! (4) Eat right—a balanced diet isn’t having a cookie in each hand! (5) Exercise three to five times a week for thirty minutes; it’s nature’s magic bullet for stress. (6) Develop better time management habits: “use it or lose it.” (7) Make room in your life for fun and relaxation. (8) Get eight hours of sleep when possible. (9) Maintain your sense of humor: “A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired” (Pr 17:22 TM). (10) Start counting your blessings. The Psalmist said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Ps 103:2 NKJV). (11) When you talk to yourself, say the right things. Your words affect you more than others. (12) Simplify your life by eliminating clutter. If you haven’t used it for two years, you probably don’t need it. (13) Develop a sense of purpose by seeking God and setting personal goals. (14) Forgive; grudges are too heavy to carry: “If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive [you]” (Mt 6:15 NLT). (15) Read the last chapter—we win!

Growing Stronger through Change

“We get up again and keep going.” 2Co 4:9 TLB


Max Gunther quipped: “When you’re in a tug-of-war with a tiger, give him the rope before he gets to your arm. You can always buy a new rope!” Resistance to change just creates ulcers, sleeplessness and stress. So here are some attitudes you may need to adjust: (1) Thinking like a victim. Stop expecting others to rescue you, feel sorry for you, or reduce your stress levels. Get behind the wheel of your own life! You’re not helpless, and the situation is not hopeless. God’s Word promises you “can do everything…with the help of Christ” (Php 4:13 TLB). (2) Deciding not to change. Instead of banging your head against the wall of reality, invest your efforts into changing what you can—like your attitude and your approach! It takes more energy to hang on to old habits and beliefs than to embrace new ones. (3) Playing the new game by the old rules. When a car that’s stuck in second gear keeps trying to do 100 mph, guess what happens—meltdown! If you don’t want to burn out, learn to change gears. When your life’s seasons, assignments or relationships change, begin to adjust. Learn to play by the new rules, otherwise you’ll keep losing. (4) Trying to control the uncontrollable. When the music changes, it’s time to learn some new dance steps, otherwise you’ll finish up sitting on the sidelines. You may not like the changes, but you can learn to flow with them. “We are perplexed…but we don’t give up and quit…We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going” (2Co 4:8-9 TLB).

"Seeing" People’s Needs

“Joseph…saw that they were sad.” Ge 40:6 NKJV

Sometimes you can tell by the look on someone’s face, what they are going through. “Joseph…looked at them, and saw that they were sad.” Even though he himself was unjustly imprisoned, he found fulfillment in helping two other prisoners. Would it have been easier just to focus on his own problems? Yes, but it’s self-defeating. Henry Drummond wrote, “As you look back on your life, the moments that stand out are always the ones when you did things for others.” Joseph realized he wasn’t the only one hurting, so he did what Jesus always did—treated those around him with compassion. How about you? Do you take time to try and understand what people are going through? Are you self-absorbed, or concerned about others who are hurting, especially when you’ve nothing to gain by it? Encouragement is like a shot of adrenaline, it can lift a person and put them back on their feet again. Writer René Bazin says, “A remedy for the evils of our time…is the gift of yourself to those who’ve fallen so low that even hope fails them.” Will those you give to, always give back? No, but God will. When the royal butler was released from prison he forgot the promise he made to speak to Pharaoh on Joseph’s behalf. But God didn’t forget! Joseph’s best days were ahead. Think of his rise in Egypt, his service to a nation, his impact as a leader, and the joy of reconciling with his family. He bottom-lines it: “God turned into good what [others] meant for evil” (Ge 50:20 TLB). So, start “seeing” the needs of those around you.

Standing on His Promise

“He who comes to God must believe that…He is a rewarder.” Heb 11:6 NAS




Little Christopher Pylant’s parents refused to believe there was no hope for their son, who’d been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. After studying the x-rays, neurosurgeon Ben Carson told them, “There’s no way I can encourage you.” “The experts told us that in Georgia,” the mother replied, “But God led us to Baltimore and said there’s a doctor here who can help him. We believe you’re that doctor.” Carson replied, “I’ll do my best,” praying for a miracle. When he operated, Christopher’s brain stem looked like it had been consumed by cancer, and without that there’s no real life. In the waiting room he told the Pylants, “I’m sorry I couldn’t help your son. We’ve all prayed but sometimes God works in ways we don’t understand.” They never wavered, saying, “God’s going to heal our son. We’re standing on His promise.” Carson admired their faith, but the evidence was irrefutable. For three days little Christopher was comatose, but his eyes were focusing and his physical movements improved. Following another scan Carson reoperated, and after removing the cancerous mass in layers and cleaning out the crevices, there it was—a healthy brain stem, distorted, but intact! Taking their son home a month later, his parents and the doctor thanked God together for a miracle. “He who comes to God must believe that…He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” The neurosurgeon said, “As they walked out of the hospital that day…glory shone on their faces, and I heard my mother telling me again, ‘If you ask God for something believing He’ll do it…He’ll do it.’”

Show Grace

“Forgiveness…in accordance with the riches of…grace.” Eph 1:7 NIV


Ever notice how quickly we judge somebody else’s shortcomings while making all kinds of allowance for our own? Paul talks about “the riches of…grace” that God lavished on us. But we strain that grace when we refuse to extend it to others. Jesus said, “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so…your Father…may forgive you” (Mk 11:25 NIV). You don’t get to decide which offenses you’ll forgive and which ones you’ll keep holding over somebody’s head. We are commanded to “love mercy” (Mic 6:8 NIV). That means we must pursue it and make it our goal. Don’t say, “I’ll forgive him when he proves he deserves it.” Biblical forgiveness isn’t conditional, can’t be earned, isn’t deserved, and you can’t bargain for it. Jesus said, “Give as freely as you…received!” (Mt 10:8 NLT). “If I forgive her she’ll have gotten away with it.” You’re not letting anybody get away with anything, because even when you’ve forgiven the offender there’s still a penalty to be paid. It’s just not your job to enforce it. “If I forgive him he’ll keep hurting me.” Forgiveness doesn’t mean the relationship always stays the same. It takes time to rebuild trust and make sure repentance is genuine. In fact, if the offense is abusive or puts you in danger—forgive, but maintain a safe distance. “If I forgive her she’s free to hurt me again.” The truth is, she’s free to do it again anyway, just like you’re free to show grace even when the offender doesn’t ask or show any sign of repentance.

“I will give [you] favour.” Ex 3:21




God told Israel, “I will give [you] favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and…when ye go, ye shall not go empty [handed].” God promised His people two things before they left Egypt: favor with their enemies, and great provision. And when He brought them out, they had both. There’s a lesson here. Your trouble is only a classroom—a controlled environment for God to work on your behalf. Look what He used to free His people from slavery and turn their situation around—flies, hailstones and frogs. Go figure! The things that destroyed their enemies were the very things God used to deliver them. There’s nothing God can’t do. He can be your doctor, your counselor, your broker, your lawyer, and anything else you need Him to be. Notice, the frogs that invaded the homes of the Egyptians couldn’t cross the property line of God’s people. That’s because the favor of God will protect you! Think of the things that have come right up to you, but didn’t touch you. Ezra said, “The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies” (Ezr 8:31 NIV). Why did the same Pharaoh who repeatedly said no to Moses, suddenly say yes? Timing! When the time is right God will move on your behalf. So start praying for favor: favor in unexpected places, favor that moves mountains, favor that opens doors, favor that gives you access to things you otherwise wouldn’t have. If you can’t cope with the future, check with the past. “Surely [not maybe] goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Ps 23:6).

Go Back and Make It Right

“If you are displeased, I will go back.” Nu 22:34 NIV


A lace maker was working on a very intricate design when she noticed a mistake at the beginning of her work. To the untrained eye it was inconspicuous and she could easily have camouflaged it, but moments like that separate the professional from the “dabbler.” She worked all night, painstakingly unraveled her work till she reached the flaw, fixed it, and started over again. When the angel blocked Balaam on the road, Balaam said, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me…if you are displeased, I will go back.” There are times when you need to go back and make things right. Now, God doesn’t usually send angels to tell us we’re off course; He speaks through His Word, through a trusted friend, or through our conscience. One Bible teacher says: “If the Holy Spirit reveals we’ve made an error, it’s pointless to go on unless we go back…Sometimes you get so far in life and realize…the threads just aren’t coming together; you’ve made a mistake somewhere along the line. Your sins have come home to roost. We do ourselves a disservice when we merely make a quick midcourse correction. If you want the ends to come together, then ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you ‘dropped the stitch.’” Marcus Aurelius said, “A wrongdoer is often one who has left something undone, not always one who has done something.” If the Holy Spirit is dealing with you right now about some unfinished business in your life, stop, go back and make it right. It’s not easy, but God will honor your humility and obedience.

A Prayer for Understanding

“But he knoweth the way that I take.” Job 23:10


Are you in a situation you don’t know how to handle? Are people giving you conflicting opinions and advice? Are you afraid you’ll make the wrong decision? If so, you’re in the place where God can speak to you. Here’s a prayer for you today: “Lord, Your Word says that You are ‘the only wise God’ and I am desperately in need of You at this time. I’m in a situation human wisdom can’t explain and human ability can’t fix. There’s only one way out—that’s through You! Send the spirit of wisdom and show me which way to go. Send the spirit of revelation to help me understand what I can’t figure out, for nobody but You can get me through this. Help me to faithfully obey all You show me to do, and to remember that sometimes the wisdom of this world is foolishness to You. Help me to know the difference between human advice and godly advice, and to choose Your way. I submit this situation to You and commit myself to following You, knowing You’ve promised to direct my steps. Help me to walk this road with confidence in You; with the courage that comes from knowing I am Yours. Help me to cling to my convictions, yet still love those who misunderstand me. Keep me far from anger and close to Your heart. And though it’s an uphill climb, take my hand, light my way and help me to walk on, for in the end I know that all things will work together for my good and Your glory: in Christ’s name, Amen.”

The Voice of Fear (2)

“He will work for you today.” Ex 14:13 AMP


If you’re battling fear today, listen to these words from the God Who loves you, protects you, and promises to be with you: (1) When there seems to be no way out, He says, “Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the [deliverance] of the Lord which He will work for you today.” Notice the words, “He will work for you today.” Start looking for evidence of His hand at work in your situation; that’s how your faith grows. (2) When the problem looks too big, He says, “Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you” (Dt 31:6 AMP). Stop and remind yourself whose company you’re in. The One “Who goes with you” has never lost a battle, and He will win this one. (3) When you feel like you can’t cope anymore, He says, “Do not look around you…and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties” (Isa 41:10 AMP). Notice the words “harden you to difficulties.” God usually doesn’t lift us out of the problem, He takes us through it and toughens us up. (4) When you lose your peace of mind, He says: “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance…continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace…which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds” (Php 4:6-7 AMP). Don’t listen to the voice of fear. God is with you today!

The Voice of Fear

“Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.” 1Ki 19:3 NIV


The Bible says: “Jezebel…sent this message to Elijah: ‘You killed my prophets, and now…I am going to kill you’…So Elijah fled for his life” (1Ki 19:1-3 TLB). Often the voice of fear comes after you’ve had a mountaintop experience. Elijah had just called down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel. Then Jezebel spoke. She didn’t use chariots and soldiers; she didn’t need to. Her words intimidated him, depressed him and drove him into hiding. Look out! If you listen to the voice of fear you’ll be afraid of the next telephone call, the next medical prognosis, or the next stock market report. Who are you listening to? Who are you going to believe, God or men? Neither the wind nor the fire nor the earthquake could bring Elijah out of his cave, only the still, small voice of God could! (See 1Ki 19:11-13). Our fears are often the result of two things: Imagination. Fear causes us to think the worst instead of believing God for the best (See 2Co 10:5). Misunderstanding. “Fear brings with it the thought of punishment” (1Jn 4:18 AMP). When something goes wrong we wonder, “Is God punishing me for something I’ve done?” No, fear and faith are present with us every day; the one you choose will rule your life. So when you come up against a fear-producing situation, do these three things: (1) Pray for God’s wisdom and protection; He promises both. (2) Admit your inner struggle. You’re not unique; we all battle fear. (3) Stand on His Word, for He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5 NKJV).