Dare to Do It

NOTHING'S finished ...


That dream of yours may be dormant right now, but if it's God-breathed then He's keeping it alive and it will be birthed IN DUE SEASON. Don't grow weary. God can resurrect ANYTHING. Activate your faith today. Speak and believe that ALL things are possible with God.

We have to let go of things like our plan, our timing, our way, our reputation, getting credit for what we do, the need to be in control and the need to be right. We need to be focused on God and be determined to expect from Him, seeking His face and putting our trust in Him.

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. Psalm 37:4,5

Facing challenging, discouraging times? The Holy Spirit whispers gently and lovingly, GOD IS WITH YOU. Experiencing disappointments and hardships? DON'T give up on your dreams.

There are rough times that are gonna come, but they have not come to stay, they have come to pass!


... until GOD says it's finished.



 

Pain is Part of Growing

 

No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear/beyond your strength, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

No matter how hard life gets, there is STILL always something to be thankful for ... thank God, for He is worthy. Wake up each day thankful for your life, because someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them.

Sometimes doors close because it is time to move forward. And that's a good thing because we often will not move unless circumstances force us to. Sometimes, life hits us over the head with situations that we never saw coming. Ouch. What in the world are we gonna do? Life just seems to spin so out of control at times, us helpless as to the way things will be when the dust settles.

When times are tough, remind yourself that no pain comes without a purpose. Move on from what/who hurt you, but never forget what it taught you. Just because you are struggling does not mean you are failing. Every great success requires some type of struggle to get there. Some problems and circumstances will never make sense to us, or why God allows them and doesn't stop the suffering and pain.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

There are two kinds of pain: pain that hurts and pain that changes you. When you roll with life, instead of resisting it, both kinds help you grow. There's an awakening and release in your spirit when the light comes on that IT'S NOT ALL YOUR FAULT and NOTHING you could have done would have changed your circumstances or what you or loved ones are going through. Thank God that Jesus is on the right hand of the Father, continually interceding on our behalf. He prays for us just like He did for Peter in the book of Luke:

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:31,32

We must come to the Lord during those times when we need Him and let Him pour in us His grace, love and peace. Cast your burdens upon the Lord (roll and repose each care) and He WILL sustain you (Psalm 55:22), for His shoulders can carry the weight that tries to pull us down and drain us of all that we have. That's the secret to the trials ... that even though we CAN'T handle all that He allows to be put on us, we CAN bear it and make it through when we give all the troubles and pains and sorrows to Him, for HIM to carry instead of US. When we allow the Lord to minister to us, His touch is so soothing. We can feel Him helping us to feel better. These strokes of love are causing us to be healed and to grow to be more like Him.

Father, the journey sometimes seems too hard to handle. Life just flat hurts and seems so unfair. Help us to allow the Holy Spirit to deal with us so that the process will be easier. In spite of all the trials/growing pains, thank You God that there is a way out. You are the Way out, Jesus and You promised that You would make a way of escape through every trial. We don't want to be like the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, going around the same mountain over and over again. Help us to learn and move on. Lead us, Lord. Teach us Holy Spirit. Help us to be obedient to Your voice and Your leading. We have problems that need solving. We have family that needs healing. We have bills that need paying. God, just fix it all and help us to remain faithful and believe. Help us to put feet to our faith and walk in love. Give us grace and peace through it all. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Rock Solid

The rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and slammed against that house and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:25

Though storms are unpleasant and unwanted, it reveals in whom or what we lean on. Just as a tree that has deep roots can survive a violent storm, so the truth is that nothing can see us through but Jesus, He is the Rock to cling to.

This world changes like the tides and the sand but the Rock stands firm amongst it all.

Father, thank You that through the storms You never leave us. You are the rock on which we stand. In Jesus' name, amen.

Be at Peace, My Child

God did not give us a spirit of fear or timidity, but a spirit of power, and of love, and of sound mind and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

 

There is no question that there is pain and intense suffering in this world. Some of it is explained by selfish, hateful actions on the part of others. Some of it defies an explanation in this life. But God offers us Himself. God gives us the knowledge that He has endured also, and is aware of our pain and needs. Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’ (John 14:27). There is ample reason to be afraid, troubled, but God can give us His peace, which is greater than the problem before us. He is after all, God, the Creator. The One who has always existed. The One who created a universe with a spoken word.

 

Yet even in His power, He's also the One who knows us intimately, even the smallest, insignificant details. And if we will trust Him with our lives, relying on Him, though we encounter difficulties, He will hold us securely. Jesus said, ‘These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, trials and distresses, but take courage; I have overcome the world and deprived it of its power to harm you. So stopping letting yourself get agitated and disturbed’ (John 16:33). He went through our ultimate threat -- death -- and overcame it. He can take us through the difficult circumstances of this life, and then bring us into eternal life, if we will trust Him.

 

We can either go through this life with God or without Him. IN HIM, we can be at peace.

 

Father, thank You for Your promise of peace as we turn to You. We ask You to help us keep our minds stayed on You and as we do, trusting in You, I pray that You bless us with Your presence and Your perfect peace. We wait upon You now to receive it by faith. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
 

 see also: Christ is My Victory (Psalm 91 to pray)


 

Oh YES You Can

God is our refuge and strength, a very-present (right now when we need it) help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

 

Everyone has troubles. We all face problems, afflictions, heartaches, suffering and hardships. We all get weary at one point or another in the journey.

 

You need to know something. You CAN make it. You CAN do it. Keep going forward ... one step at a time. You've survived and made it this far, YOU WILL make it further, HOLD ON.

 

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.  The Lord will rescue His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned. Psalm 34:17-19,22

 

God may not remove all of our problems and afflictions immediately, but He WILL make sure we are able to endure them faithfully. He WILL provide the strength we need to be faithful despite the problems we are going through.

 

Just ask.

 

Father, please strengthen those who are tired of holding on. Send them a sign that You are there and renew their hope. Help us to wait on You, Lord and renew our strength in the waiting. Give grace, grace and more grace. In Jesus' name, amen.


 

see also: So, Are You Still Standing?

              

Is it in Vain?

Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

Weeping may remain for a night, but joy REALLY IS going to come in the morning.

Good will come from that trial somehow, because … what you've been through not only strengthens you ... the pain YOU'VE been through gives you a message to bring hope to OTHERS and helps bring them through, too. 

If God brings you to it, He believes you are strong enough to handle it and He WILL bring you through it. Whatever it is that you ‘think’ is going to break you, it’s NOT. You won’t even smell like smoke. God’s will WILL be accomplished through whatever He’s allowed in your life. 

YES - you DO make a difference.

NO - what you are going through IS NOT in vain.

Father, give us faith and endurance to wait upon You to come in like a knight in shining armor and save us. Help us to trust Your timing. Bring us through our trials and circumstances successfully and unscathed. Give us words and encouragement to help us in our journey and then bring fellow warriors into our lives that we can share the words you gave us with them. Let what we go through to not be in vain. In Jesus' name, amen.


 

Worrying Will Never Change the Outcome

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have over come the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33







The battles rage within, and only You Lord God can quiten the restlessness, fears, anxieties, and questions.

The things we worry about, stress about and busy ourselves with are just distractions for the enemy to deter us from the Lord's cause to win souls and heal hearts.

Worry will not only NEVER change the outcome, it can cloud our mind so that it's hard to hear the Lord's voice and direction as He tries to help us with what we're facing.

God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Hold on ... with bull dog faith.

And relax, God's taking care of it - - - don't you worry about a thing.

Prayer: Our hope lies in You Lord God, drive our hurts and fears away with Your presence and love. Help us to trust in You and look to You and not let the distractions of the world pull us away from You and Your will for us. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.


 
see also: God Really Does Come Through 

Yep, We’re Going Thru

The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. When you ask, believe and not doubt. James 3:3-6

Release and trust. Trust God - whether you see victory yet or not - cause He IS gonna come through for YOU. Don’t just believe that God can do it, or that He’ll do it for others and not you. No … He’ll do it for YOU too, for He’s no respecter of persons. It doesn't matter what it looks like, God's still moving. Most of the time we don't see where God's been till after He's already past (done what we need).

If you feel alone or like God isn’t hearing you, that’s just not true. God is ALWAYS with you and He hears your EVERY cry. God hasn't abandoned you, He may have just stepped back so you could see how strong, tall and beautiful you really are.

I’ve been having a lot of physical problems lately, including trouble with both my knees (bursitis, bones separating, and possible gout) and I can barely walk. Both knees are swollen and now my legs are swollen, too. I started using my cane and now my hand and wrist have become so swollen that I can’t even use the cane anymore. I’m used to lifting weights every day, doing 2 or 300 sit ups a day, and walking 3 miles 5 times a week and now … NOTHING. I feel like I’m going stir crazy. It’s pretty frustrating. On top of everything else that I’m behind with, I have 2 acres of grass that needs to be cut, desperately (pray for help with that, thanks).

The below scripture from Job really brings fight to my soul, a desire to not give up. Each time I’ve had severe medical problems or have been in the hospital, the Lord has had it rise up from within my spirit and it renews my hope. I quote it quiet often and it’s really become like a theme scripture for me:

Though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and I'll maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face. Job 13:15

So often we think that we’re going through a severe trial or storm because we’ve sinned. Sometimes that’s true. The Lord will use our desperate times to show us areas that we need to work on. BUT, we need to stop receiving the lies of the enemy about us and what we’re doing and not doing, and instead be able to come to the Lord and ask Him what He thinks. BE STILL and listen to what He has to say. Wait on Him if you have to. He’s faithful to point out areas that we need work on … without beating us up. God is a GENTLE leader and a GOOD Father. During a trial if He shows you some area where you’ve sinned or need work on, ask for forgiveness, repent, and ask for grace and help to do better. Period. WITHOUT guilt or shame move on. If you don't hear anything, if the Lord isn't pointing to a particular thing that you need work on, you're probably not in the trial due to sin.

Sometimes the trials we go through are because WE’RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT. The enemy would like nothing better than to steal, kill and destroy us. He doesn’t want us helping people and encouraging them in the Lord. Tough toodles, the enemy is a loser. We must be strong and continue to carry on. We’re gonna do it anyway.

If you’re going through a hard trial … that trial is almost over … hold on a little longer. The trial WILL come to an end. I said, the trial WILL come to an end. If you're doing your best ... KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING ... and be listening for further instruction. Our part is to praise, it's the Lord who actually defeats our enemies for us. Praise God (whether you see victory yet or not) 'cause He's gonna come through for you.

We don't have to be afraid anymore, because our loving, heavenly Father walks through the valley of the shadow of death WITH US.

Father, forgive us for the times that we hurt You. Help us to repent and move on instead of beating ourselves up when You show us areas that need work. Be the lifter of our heads. Encourage us. Be so close that we can feel Your loving arms around us. Lord, give us peace and rest on EVERY side. Help us to make it successfully through the trials you allow in our lives and help us not to give up while going through them. Defeat our enemies. Hold us in the palm of Your hand. Thank You Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 see also: There's a Reason for That Test, You Know

                How's That Waiting Thing Working Out for You?