Dec 1 24
The Season of Miracles
“For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” Luke 1:37 AMP
Christmastime is often called the “Season of Miracles” because of the miraculous birth of our Lord Jesus Christ that we celebrate every year at this time. It is also the time of year when we are most likely to come across sermons and teachings encouraging us to pray bigger and bolder prayers, with a greater sense of expectation.
When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, the mother of Jesus, to announce to her that she would give birth to the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, Gabriel declared, “For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” (Luke 1:37 AMP) One of the most powerful principles contained in this Scripture is that when we pray God’s promises in faith, we can witness Him moving heaven and earth to fulfill that promise, even if it seems “impossible” to us or others. I have seen this happen in my own life and family many times, and it has encouraged me to pray God’s promises on a daily basis, even when the odds are vastly against them coming to pass.
In this same biblical passage, we see that the quality of our faith in the Word of God is a main factor in receiving the promises we pray: “You are blessed because you BELIEVED that the Lord would do what He said.” (Luke 1:45 NLT) When we desire to lay hold of a promise of God for ourselves or others, we must ask ourselves if we really believe that He is willing and able to fulfill His Word as a result of our petitions. Does that mean our faith has to be absolutely perfect? No. There may be times when we doubt, but then we can declare in all sincerity of heart – “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV) Then, the Holy Spirit will help us to get right back to believing.
I remember a time when I prayed for a miracle for a family member that I was sure would come to pass during one particular Christmas season. It didn’t happen, and I confess that my faith was shaken for a time. Then I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me that I had planted seeds of faith during that Christmastime that would bring a harvest of blessings and breakthroughs in the days ahead. One month later, God birthed a miracle that I knew might never have happened if I hadn’t released my faith during that previous Christmas season.
If you don’t receive your miracle before the end of this year, remember this: “Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive ALL that He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT) A blessed Christmas season to you and yours!
Lord, I ask that You help me to cooperate with You for the growing of my faith in You and Your Word. Make me sensitive and obedient to Your Spirit’s leading so that I will always pray and stand on the promises that are Your will for me and mine. When doubts come, help me not to cast away my confidence in You and Your miracle-working power. Today, I thank You in advance for all of the blessings and breakthroughs that will be mine in the days ahead!
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Nov 24 24
Kingdom Blessings Here and Now
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:3 NLT
Here is a promise from Jesus for special blessings from God to those who “realize their need for Him.” “Poor” in this verse means “poor in spirit,” as other translations say. It has nothing to do with our financial status, but everything to do with seeing ourselves as “without resources” apart from God, according to the biblical definition.
The more we realize our need for the Lord – and act accordingly – the more we will receive “Kingdom” blessings, not just in heaven, but here and now. In the business of daily living, the more we cry out to God for His wisdom, strength, peace, and joy, the more we will receive these things from Him. But the Lord doesn’t stop there. When we live our lives with a humble dependence upon God, He releases physical and material blessings into our lives, too.
Those who see themselves as self-sufficient – who have an independent spirit – will never know the heavenly resources that the Lord reserves for those who are “poor in spirit.” Express your need for Him in every situation and circumstance, and be prepared to be blessed with His very best every time!
Lord, guard me from having an independent spirit that acts as though I don’t need Your help in matters that concern me. Teach me how to pray and believe You for Your divine wisdom, peace, and strength. Remind me that the more I depend on You for all of my needs, the more supernatural joy will fill my being. Thank You that as I refuse to rely on my own resources, You will release a continual flow of heavenly resources on my behalf!
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Nov 18 24
Stop Planning to Worry
“Worry takes away your joy.” Proverbs 12:25 ERV
I didn’t realize it until recently, but I have a habit of saying to myself, “I’ll worry about that later.” I probably would have kept saying it for the rest of my life, if the Lord hadn’t given me a “check” in my spirit about it. He told me to strike this phrase from my speech, because it was affecting my well-being without me even realizing it. The other day, I heard my husband say it out loud while we were grocery shopping. He casually mentioned a food item that we might need in the near future, and then he commented, “We can worry about that later.”
The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said that when I use seemingly innocent phrases like these, I am actually making plans to worry. He reminded me of the Scripture that says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.” (Proverbs 18:21 AMP) Whether or not we like it, our words have “consequences.” They minister either “death” or “life” to ourselves and others. And giving ourselves permission to worry is definitely not in the “life” category.
What’s so bad about worrying? Well, for one thing, it takes away our joy. (Proverbs 12:25 ERV) One translation says that it weighs us down. (NLT) Feeling like there is a weight on our shoulders is draining, and it makes it nearly impossible for us to live the abundant life that Christ died to give us. (John 10:10)
Jesus said: “What’s the use of worrying? What good does it do? Will it add a single day to your life? Of course not! And if worry can’t even do such little things as that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?” (Luke 12:25-26 TLB) Worrying never did anyone any good. On the other hand, prayer always brings rewards. Always.
Whatever you do, don’t make plans to worry – even unintentionally. Work with the Lord to evaluate and improve your speech, so that His blessings will flow into your life completely unhindered!
Lord, remind me often that my words have consequences. Help me to work with You to evaluate and improve my speech on a regular basis. Teach me how to incorporate Your Word and Your Truth into my prayers and conversation in ways that minister life to me and to others. Thank You that my joy will increase, and my worry will decrease, as I follow Your lead in this area of my life!
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Nov 10 24
A Position of Great Honor
“Though You have allowed me to experience much trouble and distress, revive me once again! Bring me up once again from the depths of the earth! Raise me to a position of great honor! Turn and comfort me!” Psalm 71:20-21 NET
If you are a follower of Christ, and if you have ever suffered in any way, then these verses are for you. I love how this psalmist “tells it like it is.” He admits that it’s his God who has allowed him to “experience much trouble and distress.” And it’s his God who he turns to for revival and relief. But this man of God doesn’t stop there. He has the audacity to ask his Lord to “raise [him] to a position of great honor,” right in the midst of his suffering.
According to the NET Bible notes for this psalm, another translation for verse 20 would be “increase my greatness.” Then it is stated: “The psalmist’s request for ‘greatness’ (or ‘honor’) is not a boastful, self-serving prayer for prominence, but, rather, a request that God would vindicate him by elevating him over those who are trying to humiliate him.” We see the desires of the Lord’s heart for His devoted ones in this context, as well as in other parts of the Bible. Deuteronomy 28:13 (NKJV) says: “The Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath.” The NLT version reads, “You will always have the upper hand.” Hallelujah! Think of it this way – we are not asking to be exalted over other people, as much as we are praying to have the upper hand over the devil and all of his evil strategies against us.
One of my favorite translations of Psalm 71:21 says: “You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” (NKJV) Imagine being totally surrounded by God’s supernatural comfort in times of distress. That is the Lord’s will for us every moment of every day, not just in times of adversity.
When God allows you to “experience much trouble and distress,” ask Him to revive, renew, and restore you. But don’t stop there. Go ahead and pray with boldness and confidence – “O Lord, raise me to a position of great honor, and turn and comfort me!”
Lord, in times of trial and trouble, fight my battles for me. Help me to cooperate with You all the way, so that Your divine purposes will always prevail in my life. When I experience pain, ridicule, or humiliation, help me to respond in a Christlike manner, and comfort and vindicate me. Thank You that You will surely increase my honor and my greatness for Your glory!
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Nov 3 24
Watch for Those God-Winks
“What about the seemingly minor issues of your life? Do they matter to God? Of course they do! So you never need to worry, for you are more valuable to God than anything else in this world.” Luke 12:7 TPT
I was emptying my dishwasher this morning when I noticed that our supply of teaspoons was dwindling. I immediately sent up a prayer to God, asking Him to provide us with more spoons. Let me explain. My husband, Joe, and I have been married for almost 50 years. We are still using our original set of flatware because I love it so much. Over the years, it has been a real challenge to find replacement pieces, especially ones that were not previously owned and used. I have done searches online many times, with some success. Recently, though, it’s been especially difficult to find replacement teaspoons. Right after I sent my prayer up to the Lord, I walked from my kitchen to my office, where I checked my cell phone. Immediately, a notification popped up saying that my teaspoons were in stock through one of my favorite vendors! I marveled at the goodness – and promptness! – of God, and I placed an order right away.
As I thanked and praised the Lord, I was reminded of the now-popular term, “God-wink.” A good definition of a God-wink moment is: “An event or personal experience, often identified as coincidence, so astonishing that it is seen as a sign of divine intervention, especially when perceived as the answer to a prayer.” Some people would see the provision of my teaspoons as a coincidence. I see it as a gift from a loving God. I believe that it grieves the heart of God when we overlook His blessings, including His smallest ones. He constantly reaches out to us through God-wink moments – both great and small – in the hope that we will draw closer to Him, so He can reveal more of Himself to us.
I love the Passion Translation of Jesus’ words in Luke 12:7: “What about the seemingly minor issues of your life? Do they matter to God? Of course they do! So you never need to worry, for you are more valuable to God than anything else in this world.” Teaspoons are definitely “seemingly minor issues” of life. But God cares about whatever I care about, and He feels the same way about you. The Lord invites us to bring our smallest concerns to Him so He can demonstrate His deepest desire to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Start praying for your own God-winks today, and see what great lengths the Lord will go to in order to prove His great love for you!
Lord, give me a new understanding of how valuable I am to You. Remind me often that You care about whatever I care about, including all of the seemingly minor issues of life. When I hesitate to bring my smallest concerns to You, give me a Holy-Spirit nudge so that I will pray about them. Thank You for revealing more and more of Yourself to me so that I can know You better and better!
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Oct 27 24
Bite Your Tongue and Be Strong!
“If you keep talking, it won’t be long before you’re saying something really wrong. Prove you’re wise from the very start – just bite your tongue and be strong!” Proverbs 10:19 TPT
The Lord has shown me this warning from the Book of Proverbs many times over the years. Now He is showing it to me again in the hopes that I will finish off this year in a better way than I ever dreamed possible, if I will just be more careful with my words. The NLT translation of this verse says, “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” I love the fact that the Bible talks plainly to us, even though it’s downright painful sometimes.
The Amplified Translation says, “When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable, but he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.” Did you get that? When we do too much talking, sin and offense are “unavoidable.” Sometimes, the best thing we can do is practice “thoughtful silence.” God has taught me over the years that I don’t have to have the last word in a conversation or an argument. In 51 years of being together, my husband, Joe, and I have had a LOT of arguments. Often, in the midst of a tense conversation, I can sense the Holy Spirit saying, “Shhhh! Enough! Be quiet! Stop now before it’s too late!” I suppose that if I had ignored every holy nudge that I have gotten over the years, Joe and I wouldn’t be together today.
Years ago, the Lord had me memorize a prayer from Psalm 141:3 (NIV): “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” The Amplified version adds, “to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly.” What we have to remember is that Satan and his evil cohorts are constantly working overtime in order to get us to sin with our mouths. When we pray Spirit-inspired prayers like these, we can be sure that the Lord will hear us and come to our rescue.
The next time you are tempted to say too much, or to have the last word, remember what the Bible says – “just bite your tongue and be strong!”
Lord, I want so much to please You with my conversation. When I am tempted to talk too much, or to say the wrong thing, give me a holy nudge that I can’t ignore. Work in my heart so that what overflows into my speech will always be pleasing to You, and a blessing to others. (Luke 6:45) Thank You that as I practice thoughtful silence according to Your will, You will bless my relationships, and use me in new ways for Your glory!
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Oct 20 24
Mix Faith with God’s Word
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the Word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” Hebrews 4:2 NKJV
When I went to see my eye doctor for a long-overdue checkup, he asked me if I had been experiencing any eyestrain or headaches since I last saw him. I told him that I thought I might need new eyeglasses. That’s when he told me that my prescription was too strong for me. “You mean, my vision has improved?” “I mean that you are less nearsighted now than you were before.” “Thank You, Jesus!”
My paternal grandmother lived with me and my family the entire time I was growing up. I watched her go blind from multiple eye diseases, so my parents made sure that my sisters and I always got good eye care. I began wearing eyeglasses by the time that I was 10 years old. Over the years, my vision has gotten worse. When I got serious about my relationship with the Lord, and began devoting myself to His Word, I decided to start praying God’s promises over my vision. Every day, I would declare: “My eyesight is clear, and I am as strong as ever! Blessed are my eyes for they see, and my ears for they hear!” (Deuteronomy 34:7 NLT; Matthew 13:16 NKJV) Even though I am in my 70s, I can still read my Bible without wearing any glasses. Before this latest eye exam, my doctor told me not to come back for at least two years because my eyes were so healthy. This time, my vision had actually shown some improvement. Glory to God! The fact that I was born into a family with serious eye diseases makes it even more startling that my eyes are so healthy at my age.
When it comes to praying God’s promises over ourselves and our loved ones, persistence is the key. In the areas where I am diligent to declare God’s Word, I see the most progress. Humans have a tendency to want to quit and give up when we don’t see results right away. But in God’s economy, persistence pays off in a big way. So does faith. We can confess God’s Word over ourselves all day long, but if we don’t “mix it with faith,” as the Scripture above says, then we shouldn’t be too surprised when it doesn’t “profit” us. Those who make a quality decision to take God at His Word will witness Him working mightily on their behalf. What is the Lord calling YOU to believe Him for today?
Lord, remind me often that Your Word says that when I give it my wholehearted attention, it ministers life and health to my whole body. (Proverbs 4:20-22) Show me which promises to pray and stand on each day, so that I can live the abundant life that You have purchased for me. (John 10:10) Thank You that as I mix my faith with Your life-giving Word, I will profit from it in my spirit, soul, and body – and in every area of my life!
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Oct 13 24
Wealth, Honor and Exaltation
“Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 NIV
One morning during my quiet time with the Lord, He led me to the verses above, and He used them to speak to my heart. He showed me that if His people would “exalt” Him, and make Him “head over all” in their hearts and lives, He would bestow upon them “wealth and honor,” and He would “exalt” them and “give strength” to them.
How do we “exalt God as head over all”? We totally abandon our sense of independence and self-sufficiency. We make Him “the ruler of all things” that concern us. We learn to seek His will and wisdom for every area of our lives – including our finances, our relationships, our health, and our entertainment. We devote ourselves to the Word of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us how to please the Lord with our character, conduct, and conversation. We learn to agree with God about what is right, and what is evil.
The verses above make it clear that God desires to bless His people with the measure of wealth, honor, strength, and exaltation that He has ordained for us. But He is not about to shower us with material blessings when we are living carnally, because it would only ruin us, and draw us further away from Him and His purposes for us. God is not against His people possessing wealth. He IS against wealth possessing His people. That’s why Jesus said that we can’t serve both Him and money. (Matthew 6:24) The Lord is eager to honor and exalt us, but not until we demonstrate a humble dependence upon Him. Scripture says, “Laying your life down in tender surrender before the Lord will bring life, prosperity, and honor as your reward.” (Proverbs 22:4 TPT) Today, let us humble ourselves before our God, and receive all the blessings and rewards that He has in store for us!
Lord, teach me to exalt You in every area of my life, and to allow You to rule over my finances, my relationships, my health, and my entertainment. Help me to always seek to please You with my character, conduct, and conversation. Thank You that as I give You first place in my life, You will exalt me, strengthen me, and give me all of the wealth and honor that You have ordained for me!
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Oct 6 24
The Untold Blessings of God
“If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God!” James 1:12 TPT
Over the years, I have seen more Christians falling away from God than I ever dreamed possible. These people hear the Good News of the Gospel, and they become so focused on the rewards they think are owed to them, that when trouble strikes, they decide that following Christ just isn’t worth it. What they fail to realize is that there are “untold blessings” for those whose “faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties.” And they miss out on the greatest joys that they could ever experience, because just as the second half of this verse says, “True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God!”
The Bible has a lot to say about perseverance and endurance during hard times. In this same letter, James writes: “You know we call those blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] who were steadfast and endured [difficult circumstances]. You have heard of the patient endurance of Job and you have seen the Lord’s outcome [how He richly blessed Job]. The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” (James 5:11 AMP) God “richly blessed Job” for not losing his faith in Him during his painfully “difficult circumstances,” by giving him twice as many blessings as he possessed before his trials. If Job were here, he could tell you himself about “the untold blessings of God.”
Think of all the people who have missed out on the greatest blessings of their lives, simply because they gave up on God when things got too hard for them. Please don’t be one of those people. The Lord’s plans for you far exceed any plans that you could come up with on your own. When trouble comes, run TO God, and not away from Him. He’s the only One who has the power and the wisdom to turn your trials into triumphs. Let me encourage you with a word from the Lord today: “Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive ALL that He has promised!” (Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT)
Lord, help me to feed on Your Word and promises continually, so that my faith will remain strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties. Help me to never cast away my confident trust in You, but to lean heavily upon You in times of trial. Teach me to practice patient endurance, and to keep my eyes and thoughts fixed on You. (Hebrews 12:2; 3:1) Thank You for the untold blessings and rewards that I will reap as a result!
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Sep 29 24
