4GIVEN

Psalm 34:1-3, “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.”

 You see, It doesn’t matter how bad it may seem, God has already worked it out for your good and His glory! So it’s up to us to give Him the praise and honor that He rightfully deserves.

You got a big deal decision to make but you’re filled with fear and ambiguity, You may pray about it for a little bit but the next thing you do is turn to a trusted friend and ask for their input. They listen and the first thing they say, “If I were you..” I know our friends mean well but the fact is they’re not you! Proverbs 3:6 say, “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do.” I know that seeking confirmation is important however, I suggest you first seek conviction because conviction comes from our wonderful Counselor. Make note, the plumb line in every decision is established through pray and God’s living word. Yes, God is a whisperer but in most cases, He always speaks to the silence of our hearts!

Adrian Rodgers said, “Faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted.” It was written by the notable self-help and spiritual author John C. Maxwell. It’s during the trying times in life that our faith seems weak and sometimes absent, however, the Bible teaches that it is in God’s design to refine His people like gold is refined in the fire. Maxwell understands and teaches this concept in his writings, knowing that our faith is strengthened, and deepened, by the tests and trials of life. However painful, and contrary to our natural thinking, trials are actually good for us: at least from God’s perspective. We should find encouragement in read James 1:2, “Count is all Joy when we experience trials…” If God is in control of prosperity is He not also in control of adversity? Tested faith confirms that at least you have faith! 

“God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ever ask or think through the powers that work in us” (Eph 3:20-21).
Lord God of exceeding abundance, I/we worship You as the one who is able to do all things well. Forgive me/us for repeatedly turning to my/our ability. Lord, as I/we seek You in Your word, build my/our faith. Unleash the powerful life of Your Son within my/our heart(s), making me/us what You want me/us to be, through Christ I/we pray and ask this all in Your Son’s name, Amen!

If God allowed you to go in, He will also bring you out! Bear in mind, God is never late but, He is never early! 

The Bible says, “Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-matured (James 1-4b MSG).

 A delay is not a denial from God! 

I heard it said, “Years ago people wore a popular button with the letters PBPGINFWMY. It stood for “Please Be Patient, God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.” God isn’t finished with you, either, so keep on moving forward. Even the snail reached the ark by persevering!”

If we want super natural peace; we sometime need to close our mouths and open our ears. God’s peace (Super natural) always resides where He is. Therefore, when there is no peace, it’s a good possibility that you’re heading the wrong direction:”And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”(Phil 4:7).

The late William Barclay, a world-renowned Bible commentator and minister with the Church of Scotland, made the following profound observation regarding God’s peace:

“It may be that one of our great faults in prayer is that we talk too much and listen too little. When prayer is at its highest we wait in silence for God’s voice to us; we linger in His presence for His peace and His power to flow over us and around us; we lean back in His everlasting arms and feel the serenity of perfect security in Him.”

What will people say about you at the end of your life? Thought provoking isn’t it? I know what Christ will say when we stand before God; FORGIVEN! But, what will the people say that you leave behind? The world says ‘live’ like your ‘living’ (focusing on self) however, we are called to ‘live’ while we are ‘dying’ (Ecc 11:7-12:8). People that have encountered near death experiences are often reminded to reinvest well in the relationships that matter most. Fact is we have birth control but not death control (Hebrews 9:27) however, we can live a life that is pleasing to God and also be a blessing to those He place in our lives!Jesus said, “You are the salt and the light of the world” (Matt 5:13-14). My point is, don’t waste time on things that don’t really matter. Life is short and we are called to live an abundant life. However, it’s important to remember that an abundant life is a continual process of learning, practicing, and maturing, as well as failing, recovering, adjusting, enduring, overcoming, loving, and forgiving! 

How does a spinning ballerina keep her balance? She must must keep returning her eyes to one given point. A spinning ballerina is much like the spinning world in our lives. We are bombarded with problems, disappointments, failures, and unexpectedness that seem to always wanna grapple our focus away from our given point; Christ! Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “We run with perseverance the race that set before us by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” No matter how difficult it appears, we must keep our eyes and minds focused on Christ. Jospeh Prince said, “Anyone who don’t focus on Jesus Christ and His finished work as neither the wisdom of God nor the power of God” and Helen Lemmel said in her hymn, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, / Look full in His wonderful face, / And the things of earth will grow strangely dim / In the light of His glory and grace.”
#FocusedOnChrist

Ephesians 2:8, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” That’s right your salvation isn’t dependent on your efforts. Romans 9:16, “So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Look at it this way, if salvation was dependent on what we do, would we really make it to heaven! The basis of the salvation of all mankind is Christ’s death for sinners, followed by His resurrection and exaltation. The faithfulness of the One Who shed His blood for all is what brings about life’s justifying for all (Rom. 3:22; 5:8,18,19). It is in Christ Who died for our sins and was roused that all who are dying in Adam will be brought to life in Christ! (1 Cor 15:3,4,22).

What if the POTUS knew you by name? What if one the largest recording artist of your favorite music genre plugged your name at a concert? How good would they make you feel? Well, I got news for you! God, creator of EVERYTHING knew you and your name before you were conceived in your Momma’s wound (Jeremiah 1:5). My point is Jesus calls your name daily and the million dollar question is how do you respond? John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” It is a privilege and honor to be known personally, intimately, lovingly by the Son of God. It is a precious gift to all His sheep, and it contains within it the promise of eternal life.