Remain Strong In Him

In life, we all have ups and downs. Some seasons are more difficult than others, seasons of testing, trials and temptation, where our character is being developed, and our faith in God is being strengthened. Sometimes it can feel like we are taking one step forward and two steps back. 

If we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is always going to be this way. Even in the strong seasons, you’ll start looking for things to go wrong. God doesn’t want us to live life like a roller coaster. He wants to bring us to a place of stability where we remain strong in Him.  

Today, Christ says in His Word, “if you abide in Me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will remain.” The word “remain” means “to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances.” If you will just keep abiding in God, just keep meditating on His Word, He’ll bring you through. He’ll make you strong, He’ll keep you stable, and you’ll keep moving forward into the life of blessing He has prepared for you! 

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I set my heart and mind on You, knowing that You are good and faithful. Father, I trust that as I seek You and put You first, You will direct my steps. God, I will remain in You and follow Your leading in everything I do, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Suffering 

Suffering is a human reality. Christians are not exempt from the results of suffering. The Apostles suffered greatly and many of them died horrendous deaths. But it was all for God’s glory and a part of His divine plan for their lives. 

When trials come your way, unexpectedly, do you shake your fist, or do you trust God’s ways are higher than yours? Do you say to God, “Not my will, but Yours be done”? Do you trust that He will use that terrible trial for your good and for His glory? God will use all things to make us to the image of His Son and often in the life of the believer that may include pain and suffering. But In times of suffering, He gives us coping mechanisms pray for God’s mercy to come, cry out for His help and we will one day taste of victory. Hallelujah! 

Today, please remember there is a day that awaits every believer where all pain and suffering will cease. That is why we must keep our eyes fixed upon the hope of eternity and not on this life. And that is why faith in God is so important it is the rock on which we stand when trials come, and they will. We must remember the hope that God will never leave our side and walks with us through the valley experiences. We also have the ultimate hope of eternal life that awaits us in Christ. That is our anchor during hard times – the hope of eternity. 

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” – James 1: 12 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank you for being with me in my suffering. Father, please help me find your mercy and goodness when trials come and not grumble and complain, Holy Spirit convict my heart and remind me to be thankful for your promises. That bring comfort and opportunities to help those around me who maybe suffering. God, in my suffering I look forward to heaven my home and there that crown of life that awaits me so today I stand firm in faith, trusting like you I will overcome this world. So, I won’t fear. I love you for not allowing me to be alone in my suffering. In Christ’ name, Amen

Abide & Remain

God Doesn’t Make No Junk

Our lives are like roller coasters, we all have ups and downs. There are seasons that are more difficult than others, when our character is being developed and our faith in God is being tested. Sometimes it can feel like you are taking two steps forward and three steps backward. If we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is always going to be inconsistent. 

God doesn’t want us to always have roller coaster lives. He wants to bring us to a place of stability and peace, so we can remain strong in Him. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will remain.” The word “remain” means “to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances.”  

Today, if you will just keep abiding in God, by meditating on His Word and staying constant in prayer, He’ll bring you through. He’ll make you strong, He’ll keep you stable and consistent, and you’ll embrace the life God has prepared for you! 

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I set my heart and mind on You, knowing that You are faithful. Father, I trust that as I seek You and put You first, You will direct my thoughts and my life. God, teach me how to remain in You and follow Your leading in everything I do, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Superheroes

We all like superheroes, the way they can run and jump through and over danger to protect and solve difficult situations. However, the great heroes of the Bible impress us with the strength of their confidence and depth of their faith in God. And as God’s Word tells us, you can do the same great things they did, you can be a superhero because you have the same God in you!  

One of those biblical superheroes is King David. He was supremely confident in God, firm in the knowledge that God would give him the strength to overcome his obstacles.  Whether it be a lion, a bear or a philistine giant. Philippians 4:13 says you can accomplish anything through the power of Christ who strengthens you. Hallelujah! 

Today, I hope this will encourage you to take a stand for God. Don’t ever think that God did great things only for people in the Bible. Greater power than Christ had we can have. According to Psalm 18:29 God can give us great supernatural power to run up against troops and jump over walls, obstacles and challenges in our lives! Just give Him an opportunity and you’ll see just how awesome and powerful He is. 

“For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.” (Psalm 18:29, ESV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the invincible and unexplainable power which You have placed within me through Christ, which I receive by faith. God, my deepest desire today is to be confident in Your supernatural power, so I get over, through or around life’s challenges. In Christ’s Name! Amen.  

Faith In The Midst Of The Storm

There are always reasons to get upset and be stressed out. The storms of life come to every person, you are not unique or too good. No matter how good a person you are, you’re going to have some “rain” in your life. When these storms come, a lot of people use their faith to try to control their circumstances, but I’ve found it’s better to use my faith to control myself in the midst of my circumstances.

If we can just remain stable in the storms of life and stay in peace, we give God permission to act on our behalf. Remember, God never said that we wouldn’t have difficulties, but He did promise we could have peace in the midst of the storms. 

Today, when you face adversities, one of the most powerful things you can do is simply stay calm. When you are at peace, you are displaying your faith in God. By your actions, you’re saying, “God, I know You’re still on the throne. I know You’re bigger than this problem.” So keep the peace in the midst of your storms today. Trust that He is working behind the scenes. Keep your heart open to Him, because soon He will deliver you!

“…he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matthew 5:45, NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for peace in the midst of the storms of life. Father, I choose to hold my peace knowing that You are working for me. God, I trust You, I trust Your timing, and I trust that You are working everything together for my good because You love me, in Christ’ name! Amen.

Supernatural Currency

Everyone needs money – it is the currency of our world. In the natural, we exchange money for the things we want and need. But in the supernatural or spiritual realm, faith is our currency and what we exchange for what we need or want. 

The Bible tells us that when we pray, if we have faith, we will receive what we pray for.

Faith is heaven’s currency. Faith moves mountains. Faith opens doors. Faith pleases God. What is faith you may ask? It is simply believing and trusting God and His Word. It’s believing in His goodness, and knowing that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after Him. Faith is trusting that the promises of God are true. It’s obeying His Word. Where does faith come from? Everyone is given a measure of faith. Romans tell us that faith grows by hearing the Word of God. 

Today, the more you hear the Word of God, the more real it becomes in your life, and the easier it is to believe His promises. It doesn’t matter how much faith you have today, begin investing your faith in God’s Word so that your trust will grow. As you hear and obey the Word, you will be empowered to move forward to receive every good gift God has in store for you.

“And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.”

(Matthew 21:22, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the supernatural currency of faith which gives Your Word power to work in my life. Father, I submit myself to You today, and ask that the seeds of faith in my heart grow stronger with each new day. God, I trust You and I open my heart to You, and ask You to remove doubt and unbelief, so that I can trust and serve You with my whole heart, all in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Be Contented Now

Woman, You Are Enough

Be contented now! It’s easy to get so focused on our dreams, our goals and what we want, that it consumes us. We can get to the point where we are not going to be happy until it happens. But I’ve found that if we have to have something in order to be happy, our lives are out of balance. When our goals and dreams start to frustrate us, when we lose our peace and are not enjoying life, that’s a sure sign that we’re holding on too tightly. 

What’s the solution? You’ve got to release it. Freedom comes when you say, “God, I’m turning it all over to You. You know my desires, and You know what’s best for me. I’m choosing to trust You and Your timing.”

Today, learn to be content in whatever circumstances you find yourself, this will take away the power from the enemy. It takes away his ability to frustrate us. Not only that, but by our actions, we show our faith in God. Choose to trust in His timing; choose to live in peace and joy now, and know that your “now” shapes you for the good things God has in store for your future.

“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11, NIV)

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I will trust You with my now. Father, I release to You my frustrations over the dreams and desires that’s in my heart and mind, knowing that You know what’s best for me. God I will trust in Your timing, because You are always reliable and faithful, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

They Kept the Faith

faith

In my mind today, I’m pretty rattled. In all truth the past few weeks have been full of grief. A classmate and former student of mine started their new chapter in heaven. This earthly life is one of many questions and uncertainties. Keeping the faith is so hard when sadness is all around. My prayers lately are “God help me keep the faith. I know I’m but a wretched sinner myself and do not deserve all the good that you give me. Just use me as part of your plan and please forgive my mean words, thoughts, and actions.” Yes, we all have chinks in our character, me especially.
This morning I read about Peter and Paul. It helped to remind me that all is not lost. We all remember Peter’s big declarations, “Lord, I could never deny you!” Then the old cock crows and he is scared and his faith is shaken. In these tough times, I feel Peter’s pain. I know you do, too. Then after the resurrection he tells Peter to tend and feed his sheep. He understands our two big W’s: weakness and wretchedness.
Then we have the Persecutor Saul/Paul. He was super wretched. He was responsible for many deaths of early Christians. God took his sight so he could be able to see the real truth and meaning of life. He became one of the best vehicles for spreading truth and light into our muddled world. The letters of Paul never fail to ignite my heart.
I want to think that today our lives are the worst they’ve ever been. People dying of cancer too soon, brokenness of families, suffering children, and rampant addictions coupled with ignorance make me want to just give up. Toss it all away and just take care of my family and forget all of the nuts out there. My faith just wavers some days like it has the past few weeks. I want to be like Peter and run or roll away in my wheelchair. I make myself pick up my devotional, Bible, and spiritual reading and whisper prayers “God help me. God protect my loved ones. God help me. The world is getting to me. Please hear me. Let me be a light. Don’t let me give up. Help me understand that this life is not all that we have. Thank you for listening.” Your Wretched & Weary Gal Sal

Amen

I keep the faith. Why? It’s all we really have. The world has always been a mess and will continue to be so because humans are broken. Here’s the objective kids: In keeping the Faith, doing good deeds, and creating a culture of love, we win the race. We finish well. Each of our little lives matter in the big picture. I’m trying hard not to give up. Don’t ever give up and walk with me by Faith and not by sight.

Sal the Rolling by Faith Gal

Sarah Anderson Alley
Dedicated to:

Kelly Jo Blair Hicks

Teresa Hughes Milligan
Quote of the Day:

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

Mother Teresa
“Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.”

Rabindranath Tagore
“Our last earthly breath is the beginning of happily ever after.”

Sarah Anderson Alley

 

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