Tag: Lord Jesus Christ

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We Will Face Disappointments

In life, we all will face disappointments. Maybe bad news concerning your health, job, or a relationship not working out – a setback! It’s easy to get discouraged, lose your enthusiasm, or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we’re going to be God’s best, we must have a “bounce-back” mentality. 

That means when you get knocked down, you don’t have to stay down. You get back up again. You must know that every time adversity comes against you, it’s a setup for a comeback. You may have got knocked down, but you haven’t been knocked out! Remember, as a believer, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on inside of you.

Today, there is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny. If you stay in faith and keep a good attitude, you will rise again. God will turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and you’ll move forward into His victory! Hallelujah!

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…” (Proverbs 24:16, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for setting me up for success in everything I do for You. Father, I choose to trust and rely on You, knowing that Your plans are for my good. Therefore, when life knocks me down, when disappointment comes my way, I won’t stay down, but I will bounce back, knowing my best days are up ahead, and I look forward to the blessings You have in store for me, in Christ’s name! Amen.

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Be Brave Like Christ 

Victory In Christ

The enemy is behind most of our fears. He loves to instil fear into us so we will stay stuck, unable to move forward in the promises God has for us. The devil doesn’t want us to live out our God-given calling. For our enemy roams the earth, “prowling around like a roaring lion just seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). 

Today’s verse reminds us that we will be hated as we are “set apart and chosen” and as we are called to be his disciples. But Jesus shows us what bravery looks like. We can persevere through our fears, the attacks of the enemy, and opposition from anyone who hates us and denies us just, as Jesus persevered. 

It takes bravery to recognize your fears and continue moving where God is leading you. Jesus was brave. He had to face adversity, accusation, and affliction as he shared the truth of the Gospel. He left his family to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God. He was brave when everyone around him hated him, leaving him, and betraying him. 

Today be encouraged by 1 John 4:4 “greater is He who is in me than he who is of the world.” The world may hate you. The world may spit on you for your faith, judge you for your values, and criticize you for your decisions in following Christ. But we know that a man in the flesh, our Saviour was brave enough to walk this earth before you. And the same Spirit He had, you have inside you, so that you too, can be brave like Christ. Step out, despite fear on every hand, trusting that God has gone before you. Follow in His footsteps and be brave just as He was. 

“If the world hated you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” – John 15:18 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for leaving me with your word, which is “God-breathed” and directed by you. Father, thank you for being brave against the devil and devil inspired people. God, thank you for sending your Son, who led the way as our greatest example of what it means to be brave in the face of fear and advance the Kingdom even if we are hated for it. 

Lord, we need you and can’t do this without you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen 

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A Better Provision

Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing.

Jehovah Jireh means “God will provide.” Hallelujah! When the children of Israel were in the desert on the way to the Promised Land, God provided them with manna to eat. That was good. It sustained them for a while, but it wasn’t a permanent solution. Eventually, the manna stopped coming. The people had to move forward, and then God allowed them to have quail. They were so excited. That fed them for a while, but it was also temporary.

God gave the Israelites temporary provision on the way to the Promised Land where they would have permanent provision. The fact that God had something much greater in store for their future is what kept them moving forward. God could have sustained them with manna or quail, but God is a God of increase, a God of better and best. He works in seasons, and He always has something better in store for us.

Today, don’t get stuck in a rut and think that your current situation is going to last forever. Instead, stay open and be willing to change, adjust, make corrections, or try something new as God provides for you. If the “manna” stops coming, as it did for the children of Israel, don’t get upset or disheartened. Remember, God is Jehovah Jireh, He will provide. Just keep moving forward and trusting. Be on the lookout for the new provision God has in store for you!

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 4:19, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, You alone are the just and faithful God! Father, thank You for always providing for me. Thank You for leading and guiding me. God, I trust that You have better and greater things in store for my future. I will choose to keep my eyes on You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Blockage

Have you ever felt like every time you try to move forward in something, you hit a blockage, or something happens that throws you off course? Be encouraged today because God has gone before you! You may not see it, but He is preparing a way for you. He’s making your crooked places straight. He’s making your rough places smooth. You may be going through a difficult time right now, but it’s not the end, God has a detour around the blockage, and He has equipped you for this journey!

Remember, don’t focus on your circumstances, focus on the promises of God! Keep speaking words of faith because God promises to anoint your head with oil. He’ll cause your cup to run over. That means when you seek Him, He will refresh and anoint you to do what He’s called you to do.

Today, keep moving forward despite the blockage, God can make a way out of no way. Start by checking your attitude. Don’t go around complaining and focusing on the negative side of things. Instead, put on an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Thank Him for removing that blockage and for making your crooked places straight. Keep your eyes on Him and let Him lead you into victory all the days of your life!

“I will go before you and make the crooked places straight…” (Isaiah 45:2, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness in my life. Father, thank You for preparing my path and for making my crooked places straight. God, I give You total permission to remove all the blockages in my life that are stopping me from moving forward. Restore my soul and lead me in the plan You have for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Understanding the role of a Christian life coach

For many people, the work of a counselor or a therapist is similar to that of a life coach, and they wouldn’t be far wrong. There are many areas of overlap, both in terms of the methods of helping clients and the type of problems they deal with.

However, whilst there are many similarities, there are significant key areas in how the work differs.

Let’s consider the main differences between the two and then see how a Christian life coach can best be used to advance your goals.

Angle of approach

The work of a life coach is to identify and describe any given problem. Only from here can the client work on making changes to their lives.

The work of a counselor will analyze a client’s past to understand current behaviors.

So the primary difference is that the counselor/therapist looks backwards to work out the “why”, whereas a coach looks forward to working out the “how”. This may feel like a small and insignificant difference but it has huge implications both in the way a professional works with their client, but also in terms of how to move forward with that client.

There are often great benefits from having a therapist help someone overcome trauma and difficulty with past issues and hurts in life. However there are often times when there is little to no benefit to looking back, and the goal of moving forward is all that is needed. This is where a life coach best comes in.

REACHING your goal

Counselor/therapists work with clients in exploring your current understanding of your life and also to help explore your subconscious. The benefit of this is to help everyone achieve a deeper understanding of life’s patterns and behavior. Naturally, this can be beneficial with issues of anxiety or depression.

However, it’s a completely different approach for a life coach. Taking the above approach works with the belief that it’s the past that is causing a client to be stuck in the present, when that’s not necessarily the case.

A life coach works on the principle of seeing where a client is stuck right now, and what the immediate options are to help overcome the stagnation. It’s more than possible to move forward without having to unpick the past. In short, Life Coaching is all about action and results.

Usually a life coach will measure the success of their clients, using known and proven metrics such as SMART goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

It’s through the use of proven accountability and this focus on results that enables clients to progress towards achieving their dreams.

Framework

For both life coaches and therapists/counselor, the use talking sessions is how they help their clients, but that’s where the similarities end.

Counselling sessions are often unstructured sessions and client led. The conversation may start at one point, and then zig zag all over the place, pulling at random threads in life, covering the past, the present and the future… but not necessarily in that order!

Life coaching is far more structured. The goal is to find just one actionable outcome by the end of the session. This structured method, sometimes quick, sometimes slow, provides tangible results and visible growth for the client.

What is different about working with a Christian life coach?

Christians understand that the world has come into being through a creator God. Not only does the Lord create the wonder around us, but he has also created us as unique human beings, made in his image.

Christians understand that a life with God is not about obeying rules, but about being in an intimate relationship with God. He has counted and numbered the hairs on our heads. We were knit together in our mother’s womb. God has created us for good works. He knows us and we know him. In John 10:27, Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me”

A Christian life coach takes all of those biblical principles, and weaves them together, into the life coaching framework.

This framework does two specific things. It helps clients achieve their best. However, more important than that, it helps a client achieve their best in God.

This is the unique approach that a Christian life coach offers.

It’s also worth noting at this point that a Christian life coach differs hugely from a ‘spiritual’ life coach.

A Christian life coach will be intimate with the bible and Christ’s calling for all believers. Often they will have studied theology at a deep level, with some, including the author of this article, being pastors themselves.

A Spiritual life coach may not hold to biblical principles at all. They may be open to a client exploring whatever they consider ‘spiritual’, but doesn’t particularly agree with Jesus’ statement of him being ‘The way, the truth and the life’.

So for a Christian life coach, to bring biblical spirituality to the role, helps those being coached to walk in godliness. This doesn’t refrain a client from seeking God’s will for their lives. In fact, completely the opposite. It is the hopes and dreams that the Lord places inside each of us, his children, that we need to draw out, examine and give back to God, that creates the success that both the coach and the coach is looking for.

So is life coaching right for you? Pray about it. Seek God’s will, and pray for direction as he guides you in your life. That guidance may come through a message at church, private reflection in your study of God’s word, or maybe, just maybe, it might come through the work of a life coach, as they help you to discover how God is leading you on in the future of your life.

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Remember God’s Promises

GodInterest exists to welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds, equipping people with a faith that works in real life and sends them into a world to serve for God and humanity.

This year, things have not gone the way anyone expected. When things don’t go the way you planned, or something unexpected happens, how do you respond? Do you start expecting the worst, or do you go to God’s Word and remind yourself of His promises? 

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Faith activates God’s promises. When difficulties come and you’re tempted to get upset, remind yourself of His Word and declare, “This is not going to prosper against me.” They may be talking about me. It may look bad, but I know that God is my vindicator. He’ll take care of me. I know that God has me in the palm of His hands. ” 

Today, remind yourself of God’s promises. You don’t have to get worried. You know God is still on the throne. You know that problem didn’t come to stay; it came to pass. So today, remind yourself of His promises and feed your faith so that you can move forward in the life of blessing He has prepared for you! 

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” 

(Joshua 1:8, NIV) 

Let’s pray to Yahweh. Thank you for every one of your amazing promises. Father, I choose to meditate on your word, which brings life to me. Almighty God, fill me with your peace as I stand in faith until I see the victory you have promised me to come to pass in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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The Currency Of Faith

Keeping Faith in God During Hard Times

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.  

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Unanswered Season

Seasonal Depression: Remembering God’s Provision

There are things in this life I will never understand. Are you going through a situation in your life that you don’t quite understand? You may be going through an uncertain season, it’s natural to question things in your mind. But in order to move forward, we have to look forward with our heart and not just our head. We have to look beyond the questions and continue to trust in Almighty God.

Remember, serving God means we’re going to have some unanswered questions. You may never understand why a relationship ended sooner than you would have liked. You may never understand why you lost a loved one. You may never understand why you went through something difficult. You may never understand why your God-fearing child is on drugs or why your prayers didn’t get answered. But at some point, you have to decide to put your questions aside and go on with God.  Trust Him when you can’t trace Him.

Today, we have to decide to trust His character even when our circumstances don’t make sense. The Bible tells us that adversity will come, but God is the one who promises to lead us into victory. He has promised that He’s going to turn that difficulty around and use it for your advantage. He is faithful to His word, and you can be sure that He will fulfill every promise He’s made to you.

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God…” (Deuteronomy 29:29, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I choose to trust You with my unanswered questions. I choose to release any doubt and confusion to You. Father, help me to focus on Your word which is truth that will set me free from doubts and lack of understanding. God, I will trust You when I can’t trace You. Thank You for Your goodness and for the blessings You have in store for my future, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Resist

How can I teach my children to resist temptation?

Have you ever been tempted to take something that didn’t belong to you,? Maybe it was something you thought you deserved or felt you just had to have, maybe it was something that looked exciting and fun, but you also knew that it could be dangerous and hurt you and you knew this might be your only chance to have it. After all, it looked so interesting and inviting—and even though you had been warned about it, you thought, “How could this possibly harm me?” 

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he used all kinds of reasoning and tricks to try to convince Jesus that He should have certain things or do certain things. But, thankfully for us, Jesus never gave in to his temptation. Christ saw through Satan’s lies and pushed away those temptations by recalling God’s words. 

Today, we can resist temptation by the power of Christ. You may be tempted by what you see in front of you, but, like Jesus, you need to let it go and move on. Jesus, endured temptation so that He could pass the test for our sake, and now we have His example of how to resist. You can trust that God will always provide a way out of temptation. Hallelujah! 

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” — Matthew 4:10 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for your example of how to resist temptations. Father, please give me the courage and power to resist all of the devil lies, and please provide me with a way out of those bad things I enjoy. In Christ name, Amen. 

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Don’t Sit Back In 2022

Prayer for the New Year

Growing up, I used to believe that weakness was as a result of continued sinning in one’s life. Sometimes, people get distracted by what they consider to be a disadvantage or weakness. It may be something about their personality or looks, maybe they’ve been through an unfair situation: a divorce, loss of a job, or just a bad break. We all have things that can feel like disadvantages, things that make life hard and difficult. It can even be a mental or physical disability.  

In 2021 you may have been “disadvantaged.” However, just because you’ve been through a tough time, it doesn’t mean you’re supposed to sit back in 2022 and settle where you are.   

Today and in 2022, God has something great for you to do! He wants to show Himself strong in your weakness. The Holy Spirit wants to help you when you feel weak and low. Stay strong in faith, and let God take what you see as a disadvantage and turn it around into an advantage, so you can move forward into the abundant life He has for you! Hallelujah!  

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26, NLT)  

Let’s Prayer   

Yahweh, I give You all that I am – my weaknesses, my disadvantages, my emotional and physical pain. Father, I invite You into the weak places in my life so that You can make me strong. God, thank You for working in my life in 2021 despite my weakness, and using me for Your glory, in Christ’s Name! Amen.   

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A New Creation

As a born again child of God, you are a new creation. You have a new spirit and a new life! There may be “old” things in your life that you are trying to get rid of. Maybe you have old habits or addictions that you need to change. Remember today that the new has come. It’s a new season with fresh opportunities, and it’s time for you to be the new fresh you. Let this be the moment, the day, the year that you break old habits, addictions and old thinking. Let this be the time that you move forward into a new life of victory. So take hold of your spiritual blessings that the Lord has promised — peace, health, protection and victory. Don’t let anything pass you by. 

Today, be encouraged, because no matter what is happening in your life right now, you have a chance for a new beginning. Choose to leave the old behind — leave behind old behaviours, old thinking, old words, and old mindsets and embrace the new by faith. Trust that He is leading you in this season. Declare His Word and embrace the blessings and victories He has prepared for you! 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for making me new. I leave behind the old life and ask that You empower me by Your spirit. Father, help me to understand Your plans for my life, and to embrace the truth of Your Word that sets me free. God, please break my addictions and bad habits. Make me new and whole. Grant me Your peace, health and protection, as I move forward in Christ’ name! Amen. 

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As We End 2021 Switch To Praise

Praise Him Always

After dealing with 4 deaths in 4 days I have concluded this is a hard season. We all face challenges and obstacles. We all have dreams in our hearts, and at times, it looks like they may not come to pass. When this happens, we have a choice. We can get negative and discouraged and talk about how things are not going to work out, or we can switch over into praise and thanksgiving, which confuses the enemy and will opens the door by faith for God to move on our behalf. 

People say, “I’ll have a good attitude as soon as I get over this health issue.” “I’ll give God praise when I get through these tough times.” But that’s not how faith works. As long as we’re negative, discouraged and focused on our problems, it limits what God can do. Faith says “You’ve got to give God praise first, and then the breakthrough will come as God wills it. ”You’ve got to change your focus first, and then things will change in your favour. Praise always precedes the victory. 

Today, if you’ve been dwelling on what’s wrong and focusing on the wrong direction, switch into praise and thanksgiving. Begin to declare that God is good all the time! Declare that He is faithful. Declare His praises and open the door to victory in every area of your life! 

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17–18, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I come before You, lifting You up and magnifying Your holy name. Father, this is a hard season for many with financial issues, loneliness and deaths. God, despite life’s challenges I praise and lift You up, and I thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. By faith I praise You today for all You have done and will do. I bless You and honour You for Your goodness, in Christ’ name. Amen! 

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A Morning Of Hope

In Uncertain Times Christ's Death and Resurrection Offer Comfort and Hope

David was called a man after God’s own heart. He knew God and saw amazing miracles in his life. Notice what David did. He set the tone for his whole day by spending time with the Lord in the morning.  

It didn’t matter what was going on in his life, David had his priorities set. Even though he was mistreated by his family, manipulated, made fun of, hunted down by King Saul, and even made some major mistakes of his own, David realised that each morning held the promise of new hope. 

Today, if you’ll make spending time with God a priority in your life, you will see Him move mightily on your behalf. Make it a habit to seek Him first every single day no matter what. Set the tone for your day and set your course for victory! 

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I choose to put You first in everything that I do. Father, I choose to set the tone for my day by starting it with You. God, please draw me close to You, and empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill the dreams and destiny that You have placed within me. Each morning Lord, I live in hope of blessings, miracles and joy, in Christ’ name! Amen. 

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Thanksgiving Pt 5

GodInterest exists to welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds, equipping people with a faith that works in real life and sends them into a world to serve for God and humanity.

This weekend is Thanksgiving weekend in America. One thing we don’t regularly thank God for are the lives of the faithful ones in our family that have gone before. We ought to thank Him for His promise to pass down blessings from generation to generation. Some blessings are stored up for you because someone in your family line honoured Him. It may have been a parent or a grandparent, or maybe someone way back in your history that you don’t even know; but because they lived a life of faith, now you are going to reap the rewards. God wants to release favour and blessing into your life. He longs to be good to you.

It may have been a hundred years ago, but God keeps His promises, and as the scripture says, God wants to increase you a thousand times over your ancestors. When you have those moments where you feel like you’ve received “favour out of nowhere,” that’s the time to thank God for His grace, mercy and faithful ancestors.  

Today, we serve a gracious and mighty God, whose favour lasts from generation to generation! This Thanksgiving be thankful for your legacy of faith and favour that has gone before, and has been passed down. Now get ready to move forward, with an attitude of expectancy, because blessings are coming your way!

“May the Lord, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!” (Deuteronomy 1:11, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life and the lives of my faithful ancestors that have gone before. I give You honour and glory today for all You have done for me, for Your love and their faithfulness. I receive Your blessings and promises, I look forward to the amazing plans You have prepared for me and my future generations, in Christ’ name! Amen.

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Thanksgiving Pt 2

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name." ?

Challenges and obstacles are normal in this life. During these difficult seasons, we have a choice. We can get negative and discouraged and talk about how things are not going to work out, or we can flip the script and go into praise and thanksgiving mode, which opens the door for God to move on our behalf.

“I’ll have a better attitude as soon as I get over this health issue.” Or “I’ll give God praise when I get through these tough times.” That’s not faith. As long as you’re negative, discouraged and focused on your problems, it limits what God can do in your life. Faith says, you’ve got to praise God in advance, and then the breakthrough will come. Flip the script, change your focus, and watch things change in your favour. Praise always precedes victory.

Today, flip the negative script, stop dwelling on the wrong things and focusing in the wrong direction, go into a season of praise and thanksgiving, which will confuse the enemy and the negative people in your life. Begin to declare that God is good. Declare that He is faithful. Declare His praises and open the door to victory! Hallelujah!

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I humbly come before You, asking You to give me Your Spirit, so I can flip the script in my life, not focusing on the negative, but lifting You up and magnifying Your Holy Name. God, I will praise You at all times, despite the negative influences around me, for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. I bless You and honour You for Your goodness, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Active Expectations

I hate waiting. Nowadays there seems to be queues everywhere. What are you waiting for God to do in your life? One thing I’ve learned is that waiting should not be a passive thing. When we’re waiting, we’re on the lookout, we have expectation. We speak what we are expecting from God. We act like it’s going to happen. We spend time making preparations. 

When you’re expecting someone special for dinner; you don’t wait till they show up before you decide to start cooking. Most likely you start early in the day. You make sure the house is clean, you go to the grocery store, and maybe you buy some flowers for the table. You make preparations because you’re expecting someone. Staying focused as you wait with excited expectation. 

Today, the attitude we need to have while we’re waiting for God’s promises to come to pass, and our prayers to be answered, is one of excited expectation and preparation. Put your faith to work as you prepare for God’s answer to come. Keep standing, keep believing, and keep hoping because your answer is on the way! 

“…faith without works is dead.” (James 2:20, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I choose to put actions behind my faith today. Father, I trust that You are working in my life as I wait for Your promises to come to pass. God, I will wait the right way – with expectancy and without complaining and worrying, knowing that my faith in You opens the door for Your hand to move in my life, in Christ’ Name! Amen.   

 

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