New believers want a firm hold on God’s hand.

The thing about faith is that we have to believe that God is always with us. He always has our back, whether we can see Him or not. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (Jhn 20:29)

A small child always wants to be in touching distance to mom. He wants to hold on a hand or a pant leg for assurance. As new believers, we feel like that. We want some reassurance that God is with us, because faith is new. But as we grow in faith, we need to start standing on the knowledge that God is with us.

It is the lies of the enemy that try to convince us that we are on are own. Mature faith will rebuke the lies and praise God for His presence. Paul said to pray without ceasing. That constant conversation with God will keep you centered in the knowledge that you’re not alone. The more you commune with God during your day, the more sensitive you’ll be to hearing His voice and His encouragement.

Sometimes God may be quiet just to see how you react. Will you continue to trust Him when you can’t hear Him? (Yes, you can!) He’s always with you, despite what you see.

Another post on maturity: You Control Your Level Of Faith

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Can your faith stand against conflict?

Not everyone is going to agree with you. Not everyone is going to listen to you, especially if they think you’re going to talk about God. You are not required to talk about God constantly, but when the Holy Spirit prompts you, you should obey. What if that happens in the middle of dissension?

Are you grounded enough in your faith to know that no matter what anybody says, you will stand strong in your belief? Or will you be swayed by the popular opinion? What if that opinion claims to be Christian, but does not actually support the Bible? That can be a very strong resistance to come up against.

No matter what, we have to know that we know that we know, that God has saved us and His Spirit is in us to do mighty works on this earth. Jesus said that signs and wonders would follow us if we lived according to His promise. Once you experience that, it’s not hard to stand strong in your faith. But it’s hard if you’ve never seen it yet. Press in. Ask God to show you and give you those experiences that will keep you close to Him until the day you go to be with Him.

Another post on being liked: Not Everyone Is Going To Like You

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You have permission to dream big.

Some people are natural at dreaming big. They are amazing. Then there are people like me. I need encouragement to ask for more than I think I should. I share a problem with many people. We think that if we can’t see a practical way to make something happen, then it can’t be done. We forget about what God can do.

God can take what we have and make it so much more. That’s His grace, His wisdom, His ability to do the miraculous. He can open doors we don’t even know about. He can bring opportunities, connections, and mentors.

Big dreams usually come from heaven anyway. God wants so much more for us than we tend to want for ourselves. Those ideas and dreams that you pull out sometimes then push back because they don’t seem real may be God dreams. Dust them off and take a better look at them. What if you prayed into them? What if you allowed yourself to take real steps toward them?

Give them to God. Hold them up and let Him know what’s on your heart. Allow Him to act on them. If you keep them buried, He can’t do anything. And don’t assume the it’s too late. We’re talking about God dreams here. Remember Abraham and Sarah?  Dream big and go for it.

Another post on dreams: Discouragement Kills Dreams

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Give us this day our daily bread.

Jesus said to pray, Give us this day our daily bread—as in, pray today for what you need today. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is the it’s own troubles. (Mat 6:33-34)

It is a favorite strategy of the enemy to get us to worry about the future. Yes, it is wise to make good plans, but worry is sin. Worry shows how little you are trusting God. If God is as great and good as He says He is, then trust Him. He’s got it all worked out.

Focus on today. Ask God to provide all that you need for today, like the manna that was given daily but had to be collected daily. It could not be stored up. That daily provision keeps us always before God, right where He likes us to be.

Everything you need is in God. Ask for His grace, His provision, His blessing. Ask for help in the things you are facing for the day. Then trust Him. If you ask in faith, He will be faithful. He will take care of all you need today.

Another post on faith for today: Going To Move Some Mountains Today

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God allows us to learn from our mistakes.

Sometimes we learn to obey God at the expense of other people. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a valuable lesson if we chose to learn from it. I had such a lesson yesterday.

I ran out during my lunch time to do errands and stopped at a fast food restaurant to pick up a quick bite. On my way through the parking lot, I saw a man walking awkwardly to his car. There seemed be something wrong with his hip alignment, because his walk way tilted dramatically.

I felt that I should have offered to pray for his healing, but I didn’t. My head was on lunch. I was in a hurry. I felt badly for the man, but I didn’t take time to obey.

I felt great conviction as I left. I realized that God could have healed someone and changed his life, but I didn’t give Him the opportunity. God impressed on me how much He loved that man and my schedule got in the way of healing.

I am filled with gratitude that God forgives when we confess our sins. I now have the mindset to consider working through God’s love and how it will affect other people. My schedule is irrelevant.  My awkwardness at offering prayer does not compare to how the person’s life can be changed. I’m just sorry that I learned this at that man’s expense.

Another post on obedience: Fear Of Man Is Obeying The Enemy

The power of heaven is waiting for your word of fait

Imagine not having to face all the difficulties of life alone. Imagine having the power of heaven at your command–for every difficulty, every storm you have to face in life. By faith, you have to believe that God has you back.

When you belong to God, you are never alone. Not only is Emmanuel always with you, all His resources are with you too. Now imagine that you are facing a difficult situation. Instead of worrying about it, turn around and see the army of fierce angels, lined up in battle array, right behind you. They are just waiting for you to declare your trust in God that He will save and deliver you.

Boom! The angels are deployed and the battle is won. This is not a fictional representation of trusting God. This is Biblical.

And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2Kng 6:7)

You are not alone and powerless. Your faith releases all the power needed to work for you good. All that is needed is your agreement that God loves you and protects you and all that is yours. If only you could see behind the curtain, you would never fear again.

Another post on God’s strong protection: Never Be Afraid

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Agree with God and He will protect you.

Who do you think is stronger and more powerful, God or the devil? Satan did not have the power to stay in heaven. He was kicked out. He is not powerless, but he is not equal to the power of God. A small dog may bite and make noise, but it is not a real threat to a German Shepherd.

When we remember the power of heaven, it’s so much easier to trust God’s word. Worry, anger, frustration, fear are all attacks of the enemy. It may help to visualize these as spirits that are whispering in your ear. Now visualize a massively powerful angel from God, fresh from the blazing presence of the throne standing at your side. When you refuse to give into fear, when you rebuke worry, you give the nod to that angel to release the power of heaven against the spirits sent to hurt you. That battle is done. The enemy has no defense against our faith in God.

The next time you find yourself scared, worried, or unhappy, think about the angels that are waiting for you to let them fight. All you have to do is refuse to agree with what is attacking you. Turn your heart to God and claim His goodness. Your faith to allow God to protect you will send the enemy fleeing.

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Don’t loose your faith with all your questions.

Not everything in the Bible is going to make sense. There are a lot of things you just have to take on faith. Apparently, God doesn’t feel obligated to explain Himself to us. So where does that leave you when you just don’t understand everything? You ask.

Asking questions does not mean you don’t have faith, just don’t get hung up on the minutia. If you have to know every detail of creation, the millennial reign, and the apocalypse, then you’re not in faith at all. But if there are concerns that you have about the Bible, talk to someone you trust who you believe hears God. Listen with your heart. See if what they say feels true.

Read the Bible and ask God to clarify what you’re concerned about. It’s amazing how much He covers in His word. Put your question out there and be aware of all the ways He may answer. It may be through another person, a book, or a dream. It will usually confirm what you already thought because His truth is in you.

God is not afraid of  your questions. He’s concerned that you let them alter your faith. In the end, somethings will never be fully explained for you, and if it does not conflict with your confession that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins, then let it go. Not everything is that important and it’s ok.

It’s a good thing to be refined by the fire of God.

Nobody likes to go through trials of faith. You begin to doubt everything you know to be true and forget everything you know God said. Your life seems like a black hole with no way out. We all go through it. But why?

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1Pet 1:6-7)

If you allow God to lead you through trials of faith, you will come out cleaner on the other side. When gold is heated, the impurities float to the top to be removed, leaving it purer than it was. We should all want that. Bad temper, unforgiveness, selfishness, jealousy–get rid if all of it.

God wants to take away everything that prevents His Spirit from filling you completely. When you take out what is corrupt, He can pour in what is joyful, loving, and kind. He can mold you into the person He sees from heaven. Don’t avoid the trials. They will make you better than you know.

Another post on trials of faith: Why Hardships In Life Are Worth It

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