Multiplied Blessings

Are you struggling to make ends meet right now? Is your faith dwindling? Is the enemy trying to convince you that this is all you have to look forward to? Get this down in your spirit right now, it doesn’t matter what your need is today because the bible says God made a solemn pledge to you, that He would multiply you exceedingly. God longs to increase you so take heart!

One time God simply multiplied the sound of four men’s footsteps and caused them to sound like a mighty army. When their enemies heard them coming they took off running. Picture that, thousands of trained warriors running for their lives, thinking they were being attacked by a massive army when in fact it was just four people.

Friend, God knows how to multiply your money, influence, strength, talent, whatever you need. You don’t have to figure it all out. All you have to do is believe. If you will release your faith and get up every day expecting God’s promise of far and beyond favor then you’re going to see God show up and do amazing things. Declare with me, He will bless you beyond your wildest dreams and multiply you in every area of your life!

Ever-Present Help

The bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” This means God is always present, continually, all the time. So be encouraged because in your times of trouble He promises to help you. How is He your help? “Help” means something different to each person. That’s because “help” is specific to your need. But God always knows exactly what you need and has promised to LIBERALLY provide it!

Are you facing trouble or adversity? Are you feeling discouraged about something you’ve been asking God for? Understand that the enemy always fights the hardest when he knows you are closest to your breakthrough. He would leave you alone if he thought you were going to be satisfied living in mediocrity. Remember that the Israelites were right next to their promised land when they let the enemy talk them out of taking it. They said, “There are giants in the land. It’s too difficult.”

What are you allowing yourself to believe today? You think God isn’t interested in what concerns you? You think you’ve messed up one too many opportunities and now God has given up on you? Sweetheart, no! God loves you beyond the most perfect love you can imagine. He is patient and forgiving and all He wants is for you to trust Him. He’s made many promises to you as His precious child. The bible says He wants to prosper you and protect you and cause you to triumph in every area of life. He wants you to grow and love and be loved. Begin TRULY trusting in Him and you will see!

Friends, don’t focus on the obstacles in your life today. Don’t believe the enemy’s discouragement. Focus on the fact that that God is always with you. Look to Him for help. Trust that He is working things out to be BETTER for you; to bring you up higher. Choose to stand in faith and keep praying because I believe you’re so close to seeing your situation turn around. Don’t give up now! As you continue to follow God’s will He’ll be your ever-present help and cause things to shift in your favor.

Heavy Is The Head That Wears The Crown

This is an adaptation of a quote from Shakespeare's “Henry IV.” The bible puts it like this, “To whom much is given, much will be expected.” When God called Joyce Meyer to go to a higher level all of her friends rejected her and she was asked to leave her church. She said she was lonely for a while but it was in that time that she became much closer to God and stronger in her character. God used that time to draw her close and prepare her to be able to maintain the position of awesome blessing and impact she’s had all of these years.

Before you experience a positive shift in your situation it may be that you have to let go of some things that are currently holding you back. This may mean losing friends; you may have to be lonely for a while. I myself have gone through this a few times in my life; slipping into behaviors that weren’t God’s best for me. I always knew in my heart it was because of the company I was keeping so I had to change that and trust God to bring me better company – which He’s always done.

The bible says, “Those who walk with the wise become wise but those who associate with fools become a fool and shall suffer for it.” If someone decides it’s cool to get drunk all the time or be selfish or drop “F bombs” every other word or be rude to others, that’s THEIR choice and though it’s not your duty to change them it’s also not your duty to follow them.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not saying that having an alcoholic beverage disqualifies you from God’s blessing. I mean come on, the very first miracle Jesus performed was turning water into wine :] But there is a difference between having a drink vs. having to get drunk because you won’t control yourself. Being a hard worker is commendable BUT if you’re working so much that you can’t take time to enjoy your life – that’s not good. The bible says it’s not necessarily the thing that’s bad but if that thing (or person) causes you to behave against God’s will then it is bad for you.

Friends, choosing a healthier way of life (physically AND spiritually) doesn’t mean giving up “fun.” I still have a lots of fun and of course no one misses feeling sick the day after or having to perform the awkward task of apologizing for some drunken behavior. If you truly want to turn your situation around you’re going to have to start putting action behind those desires and show God you’re committed to doing whatever it takes. Trust Him; He never asks you to give up something unless He has something better in store for you!

Tend To The Seeds

When God created you He deposited in you everything that you need in order to fulfill your calling. He gave you the desire and the ability. Maybe you don’t feel that way today but let me reassure you, He equipped you with specific gifts and talents so know that no dream you can dream is too big – no challenge is too great. He wouldn’t have put that dream in your heart if He didn’t have every intention of bringing it to pass.

What happens a lot of times is that people don’t recognize what’s been placed within them because at first maybe it seems subtle. It starts out in seed form but just like planting a seed and tending to it will help it grow and develop fruit, when you tend to the seeds inside of you, they will begin to produce also. How do you tend to the seeds? By reading, studying and meditating on what God says about you; by keeping Him first place in your life and following His directions.

Just always remember, even if you aren’t clear about God’s plan for your life, when You put Him first place He promises to lead and guide you. As you draw close to Him, He will reveal His purpose for your life to you. Show Him that you honor Him in everything you do and He will bring you into that breakthrough you’re hoping for! 

Help Is On The Way

I’ve learned that when the enemy attacks, God does react. God doesn’t just sit back and watch. No, He goes to work. You are His most prized possession! The bible says, “God is close to those that are hurting. God is close to the broken hearted.” He loves you and cares deeply about everything you’re dealing with. There is purpose even when we don’t understand it. Trust that this is going to work out to your benefit.

God knows when you’ve gotten bad news from the doctor. He knows when you’re struggling in your finances. He knows when you’re being mistreated. You may not see anything happening but you can be assured that your loving Parent is not only aware but He’s at work, turning that which was meant for your harm into good.

The bible says, “With us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” You need to trust that He already has the solution. If you will stay in faith, at the right time, He will release His favor, His healing; restoration in your finances, in your love life. Trust that right now He is working behind the scenes in your life and He will bring you out of this difficulty. He will not only bring you out but He will bring you out better off than you were before!

Action!

We all know the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” I think it’s easy to get caught up in words and maybe forget that just because we say it doesn’t mean people have to believe us. You can’t just say something but not back it up with action and expect that people won’t take notice of that little inconsistency. The bible says we shouldn’t merely SAY something but we are to show THE TRUTH of what we say by our ACTIONS.

I was watching Joyce Meyer the other day and she said, if you really want to know the true nature of a person watch how they act (1) in hard times, (2) when they have to wait longer than they would like for something, and (3) when someone else gets something they’ve been wanting for themselves but they don’t have it yet. Words are easy but if you really want to know the truth about a person watch their actions.

And think about this, the enemy isn’t going to stop coming at you because you declared a promise from God over your life one time this morning. You have to be persistent if you want to keep ahead of the enemy’s attacks. The bible warns us, be self-controlled and alert; your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. So you can’t expect to just say something one time and have that sink down in your spirit deep enough that you automatically start exhibiting the behavior behind that statement.

As you begin this week I want to encourage you to MEDITATE on the words of God. I think most of us intend on doing the right thing, the mature thing, the courageous thing, but we all need encouragement to stand firm on such things. The bible says that even King David; the apple of God’s eye; a man after God’s own heart, had to encourage himself. Many times we can find ourselves amongst people who couldn’t care less or may be just too wrapped up in their own stuff to notice yours so you have to get in the habit of encouraging yourself.

This is why it’s so important to learn and meditate on the promises of God, so you can fight against becoming one of those people who merely say it but don’t live it. That kind of example makes you look hypocritical and that can turn people away. The enemy wants nothing more than to make you the least effective in God’s name as possible. Please join me in focusing more on how our actions do or don’t line up with our words so that not only can we benefit by how this improves our character but also sets a better example for others. Commit to this and you will see God take you to that place of greater blessing you’re praying for!

Start Preparing For That Higher Level

I was walking out to my truck yesterday morning and had to step over a caterpillar. It started me thinking how before it becomes a butterfly it’s wrapped in a dark cocoon on the backside of some tree. It could seem like that’s all it was meant to do. But inside that cocoon, we all know it’s getting ready to transform into one of the most beautiful insects God ever created.

Friends, we all go through seasons of struggle but during those times we have to remember that the Creator of the universe is greater than any struggle we face. God takes those challenges and uses them to strengthen you so that you can become the full, amazing manifestation of who He’s created you to be and have all of the awesome blessings He’s specially designed for your life.

As it becomes a butterfly though, the caterpillar doesn’t just sit and wait for someone to come and let it out. No, that butterfly knows that it has to use that time to prepare if it’s going to be strong enough to fly at just the prescribed right time. In the same way, we have to do something to get out of the confining places we’re in. You have to actively seek your way out of the dead-end job, the wrong relationship, the self-defeating mindset. We have to press through if we ever want to get to that next higher level God destined you for.

Today, no matter what you may be facing, remember the bible says God’s grace is sufficient for you. I really like the NLV version, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” It’s okay to feel weak, because God never intended for any of us to navigate this life on our own. Put and keep your faith in God so that He can lead you into the higher level of blessing He has waiting for you!