February 22, 2005
Encouragement for Today
I'm Believing God!
Amy Kidd - Proverbs 31 Certified Speaker
Key Verse:
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Devotion:
"Ok, God. Remember when I prayed about this problem and gave it to you? Then why am I still struggling with this area of my life?" Then comes the familiar voice, "You wimp, you fell again! You will never be a strong Christian!" Do you ever find your mind being repeatedly attacked by the same old negative thought patterns, leading to the same old undesirable behaviors? You just can't seem to shake them, creating greater frustration, because you have already dealt with this - right? You obeyed, laid it all down and you still can't seem to shake those doubts. You prayed, but still can't seem to control your thoughts. It is a vicious cycle of defeat.
Guess what? You're in a battle! This spiritual warfare thing is not to be taken lightly. Evil wants to destroy us! What a beautiful thing to be viewed as a threat by Satan! He knows that God's power is mighty in a life controlled by a guarded mind. The Enemy's time is short and we can make it harder for him when we daily follow the purposes of God in our lives, stepping out in faith.
Faith empowers us to face life head on, going against the ways of the world, destroying works of evil through the love of Jesus Christ! Our old nature, our "flesh", will always try to focus on self rather than on the love of Christ. Those thoughts contrary to God and His truth will always disguise themselves as truth. We must not be ignorant of the enemy's tactics and we must know he is nothing but a liar and deceiver. In fact, the Bible says he is the father of lies!
I believe one of Satan's best tactics is attempting to convince the believer that there is no Satan and that our battle is against each other instead of his principalities, powers and dominions of darkness. Do you recall how Jesus was able to do so many miracles in the lives of everyday people he encountered? He said it was according to their faith! Yes, he had the power, but they had to exercise their faith in Him in order for that power to be released in their lives.
I have come to realize that in every moment of every day, we must choose whom we are going to serve and believe. I believe God today! Every day we choose to trust God and walk in His ways, our faith grows stronger and God is honored.
Because faith is the very catalyst that propels the power of God in our lives, Satan will go to great lengths to steal it from us. Keep fighting! Refuse to give in to the lies of the enemy. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Trust Him to accomplish great things, including winning the battle. You can believe it!
My Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, help my unbelief. I have faith Lord, but sometimes waver in unbelief. I want to be like Abraham who did not waver regarding the promises of God, but was strengthened by his faith and it was accredited to him as righteousness. Lead and guide me into all truth and bring the word of God written on my heart to the surface as I need it to strengthen my faith. I know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. As I choose to trust you, I pray your favor and blessing will follow me, but most importantly, I want your peace that surpasses all understanding. I love you Lord. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Application Steps:
Find a quiet place. Take your journal and begin to record the circumstances in your life that lack faith. You might have believed God for financial provision, but find it difficult to believe him for a husband and family. Maybe you need to let God have the pen to write your love story. Perhaps you have trouble believing him for the salvation of loved ones or the safety of your children. God cannot work without a seed of faith, but he can do wonders when we give him even one small seed of faith. Declare your desire to believe him in these areas of your life. Declare that you will no longer restrict your faith but will believe he is God of all!
Reflection Points:
God cannot work on anything you withhold from Him. What have you withheld from God?
Have you considered the power in your words? Maybe your unguarded words and thoughts have something to do with your struggle to believe God. Explain.
Power Verses:
"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:30 (NIV)
"Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.'" Matthew 9:2 (NIV)
"Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment." Matthew 9:22 (NIV)
"Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you'". Matthew 9:29 (NIV)
"He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."' John 14:12 (NIV)
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." Mark 5:34 (NIV)
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." 1 Corinthians 2:4-6 (NIV)
"Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God." Romans 4:20 (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed by Lysa Terkeurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/radical.html
Ultimate Makeover by Sharon Jaynes
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/makeover.html
Message of the Month Club by Proverbs 31 Speaker Team
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/messageclub.html
P31 Woman Magazine
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/p31woman.html
Originally published Tuesday, 22 February 2005.
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