For it is by Faith that All Things are Accomplished (2.22.15)

My Child,

It is time for you to move beyond your comfort zone, 

and exercise the freedom I gave you. 

Do not allow your faith to dwindle, 

for it is by faith that all things are accomplished. 

Stand strong on My Word and let the enemy know who you are. 

Do not allow the enemy to intimidate you any longer. 

Do not let the mistakes you made hinder your walk with Me. 

Put your mistakes behind you and forgive those who have hurt you.

Stop being a bystander.  Challenge yourself to get up and go after your dreams. 

This is a new day, and I’m calling you forth to do great things in My Name. 

Step out with courage and boldness; and know 

beyond the shadow of a doubt that I Am with you. 

Renew your faith in Me, stretch out on My promises, 

dwell in My presence for a time of refreshing 

and you will accomplish the impossible.

Just Have Faith, Trust in God & Believe in His Word (2.20.15)

My Child,
There are times when the storms of life make you feel as though all hope is lost, that no one cares, and that there is no way things will ever be restored. The enemy would have you to think you are never coming out of your dark valley experience. I know all about what you are going through. I have already been through it for you. All is not lost. It is never out of My reach. I can restore the things in which you seek.

Just have Faith and Trust Me.
Believe My Word.

Yes, I know you have gone through some fierce battles. The enemy’s goal is to wear you down and get your attention off the vision I gave you. If the enemy can disturb your relationship with Me, then he knows that you will lose faith.  And that everything else will fall apart. You must not allow him to do that.

Your fellowship with Me is where your strength lies.

I am aware of every detail of your life. I am working on your behalf to bring restoration to what you believe is lost. Do not faint, and do not grow weary, in your season of waiting   on  Me. I have not forsaken you, nor   have I forgotten  you. Even though you cannot see a way out of what is happening to you, trust Me when I say "the way has been provided."

Stand strong in My Name and lift up your head.
Your restoration is closer than you think.

Nothing is lost.

Meditate on My Word:
Jeremiah 30:3 - For, behold, days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.' The Lord says, 'I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall possess it.

 ~ A Prayer Confession ~
Yes, Lord,
I admit there were times
when I felt like I could not go on.

I felt like all hope was and
I thought You had forgotten about me.

I know You did not forget about me
and I thank You for not giving up on me.

You allowed me the chance to repent
and come back home.

Father, I know that You are with me
and are helping me to stand on Your Word.

When I am weak,
I will feast on the Word of GOD,
for that is where my strength lies.

 In Your Son Jesus' Name,
Amen

The Peace of a Harmonious Relationship with God (2.19.15)

Faith Belivers,

In Romans 12:18, Paul exhorts, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." What a perfect example of our role in the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. We are to submit our wills to God's leading and our actions to GOD's Word, but the actual results are up to Him. Only GOD can create peace through the work of the Holy Spirit. Especially the peace mentioned in Galatians 5-the peace of a harmonious relationship with GOD.

We are born at war. At birth, our sinful nature has already declared war on GOD and His truth. Our heart's desire is to be separated from Him, and if we persist in this desire until death, He will give us what we want.

But GOD's methods of warfare are not what we expected. Instead of a battle, He sent us the Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:6). Jesus' goal in coming to earth was more than simply to cease hostilities; He came to bring about a full and abiding relationship of restoration and love. The cost of this peace was His life (see Isaiah 53:5).

But, just as we cannot force another to be at peace with us, even Jesus' sacrifice on the cross did not ensure that we would accept His terms of peace. Romans 3:10b-11 explains, "There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for GOD." None of us can accept Jesus' offer of peace through our own will and power. Our natural selves do not want it. Only GOD can lead us to want peace with Him; the Holy Spirit leads us to want Jesus and His message. Once the Spirit draws us, we believe in Jesus, and the peace comes. "Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ" (see Romans 5:1).

However, the fruit of the Spirit includes a peace that goes beyond that of salvation. It is a sweet relationship. We are called to His presence (see Ephesians 2:11-18) and called to be confident in that presence (see Hebrews 4:16) because we are His friends (see John 15:15). As Isaiah 26:3 says, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You."

GOD's peace transcends earthly matters, as Philippians 4:4-7 illustrates. Believers are to be "anxious for nothing," for GOD promises to "guard your hearts and minds." It is a peace "which transcends all understanding"; that is, to the worldly mind, such peace is incomprehensible. Its source is the Holy Spirit of GOD, whom the world neither sees nor knows (see John 14:17).

The Spirit-filled Christian has a peace that is abundant, available in every situation, and unlike anything that the world has to offer (see John 14:27). The alternative to being filled with the Spirit and His peace is to be filled with alarm, filled with doubt, filled with foreboding, or filled with dread. How much better to let the Spirit have control and perform His work of growing fruit to the glory of GOD!

Thank GOD for what you have,
Trust GOD for what you need.
- Marilyn Chaney

 

There is Victory Coming; Do Not Grow Weary, Your Prayers are Before God (2.18.15)

My Child,
I want you to know that your prayers are before Me. 
I have not forgotten them, nor have I been deaf to your petitions.  

I am the ONE who cares, hears and listens to everything concerning you.  I am the ONE who works in the unseen places, to make what is not, into what is.  I take what you cannot see; and bring forth life, power, love and joy.  

I do not look at what is; I see and know what will be.  
Therefore, trust Me when I say, your prayers are before Me.

I see the deep waters you’re facing and the isolation you’re enduring.  I even feel the emptiness and the pain in your heart, as you walk through the valley.  Yes, I see all that you’re going through; your prayers are before Me. Weep no more, for when you ask for help, I will be gracious unto you. 

I will respond to the sound of your cries,
so rest peacefully knowing that I am working on your behalf.

My Child, I wish that you could see the battle that’s being fought in the spirit realm; so that you can receive your blessing. When the time is right, in My time, your blessings will flood your soul, and your sorrow will be turned into joy. This victory will replace your sadness, your loneliness and all that hinders your walk with Me.  

I assure you there is victory coming. 
So, do not faint and don’t grow weary.
Your prayers are before Me.   

MEDITATE ON HIS WORD

1 Kings 9:3 - And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me:

Daniel 10:12 - Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy GOD, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Psalm 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of GOD, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Why Do We Forgive? Because We Have Been Forgiven! (2.17.15)

Everyone has been wronged, offended, and sinned against at some point.
How are Christians to respond when such offenses occur?
According to the Bible, we are to forgive.

Ephesians 4:32 declares, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Similarly, Colossians 3:13 proclaims, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." The key in both Scriptures is that we are to forgive others as GOD has forgiven us. Why do we forgive? Because we have been forgiven!

Forgiveness would be simple if we only had to grant it to those who ask for it in sorrow and repentance.

The Bible tells us that we are to forgive, without condition, those who sin against us. Refusing to truly forgive a person demonstrates resentment, bitterness, and anger - none of which are the traits of a true Christian.

In the Lord's Prayer, we ask GOD to forgive us our sins, just as we forgive those who sin against us (see Matthew 6:12). Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." In light of other Scriptures that speak of GOD's forgiveness, Matthew 6:14-15 is best understood to say that people who refuse to forgive others, have not truly experienced GOD's forgiveness themselves.
Whenever we disobey one of GOD's commands, we sin against Him.
Whenever we wrong another person, we not only sin against that person, but also against GOD.

When we consider the extent to which GOD forgives all our transgressions, we realize that we do not have the right to withhold this grace from others.

We have sinned against GOD infinitely more than any person can sin against us.
If GOD forgives us of so much, how can we refuse to forgive others of so little?
Jesus' parable in Matthew 18:23-35 is a powerful illustration of this truth.
GOD promises that when we come to Him
asking for forgiveness, He freely grants it (see 1 John 1:9).
The forgiveness we extend to others should know no limits,
in the same way that GOD's forgiveness is limitless toward us (see Luke 17:3-4).

You Will Never Overcome, If You Stop Trying. Stay Focused, Get Back Up and Try Again. (2.16.15)

When you have made a mistake or failed, the enemy will come in and whisper lies to you, taunting you to give up.
he will remind you of the many times you failed, and will try to convince you that you will never succeed.

My Child, I know you may be weary, but do not listen to his voice.
he knows that each time you stumble and get back up, that you are getting closer to success.
he knows that if you keep pressing your way, you will destroy his plans.
Therefore, he will do whatever he can to keep you discouraged,
so that you will want to give up and never try again.
You will never overcome the enemy if you give up now.

Do not be thrown off track by his tricks or the unbelief of others.
Stay focused, get back up, and get back into the truth of My Word.
Stay focused on what I have spoken to you. 
Believe that I am faithful to keep My promises, for I am the God of grace and mercy.
It doesn’t matter how many times you have made mistakes or failed - 
I am merciful, I will forgive you and I will give you another chance. 
All you have to do is get back up and try again.

So do not be discouraged and do not lose hope.
Instead get back up and try again.
Try again, knowing that I am on your side. 
I won’t give up on you, so please don’t give up on Me.

Take authority in the realm of the spirit; and do not back down to the voice of the enemy, nor the naysayers that would come to discourage you.  My Child, you will never overcome your circumstances if you stop trying. Do not allow the voice of the enemy to hold you down or keep you in bondage.  Get back up and try again.

I want you to open your spiritual eyes and see the truth that I see.

When you see as I see, the truth will be revealed, and you see that you are getting closer and closer to victory, more and more every day. Turn a deaf ear to the lies of the enemy.  Listen only to My Voice.  Keeping your eyes on My Word.  Renew your mind, refresh your thoughts with My Word and think about things that are true, honest and of a good report. If you follow these guidelines you will be able to overcome anything the enemy tries to bring against you.

Now, get back up and try it again. 
Then you will see that you are closer to your victory than you realized. Amen.

MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Psalms 37:23-24 - The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

John 10:3-5 - To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Philippians 4:7-8 - And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Revelations 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony

Do Not Let Go of the Faith God Has Placed Within Your Heart (2.15.15)

My Child,
Do not let go of the faith that I have placed within your heart.
It is important that you continue to draw closer to Me. 
Do not let go of My Word.  The Word that I have birthed within you. 
My Word is true and it will be the light I have placed on your path. 
Read it, and search out its treasures, allow it to become a part of you.

My Word is powerful to those who choose to embrace it. 
Do not let go of the vision that’s been placed deep within you. 
Do not hold back because others say you are not ready.

I have prepared you. 
I will show you the path to take, but it’s up to you to walk it out. 

Do not let go of your peace. 
Guard your heart and your mind. 
Set your house in order and keep your life pure. 
Do not abandon your testimony. 
Your life is a mirror of your heart. 

Your testimony is your strength.
It is powerful to the saving of souls.

Meditate on God's Word.  Let Him know you are listening.

1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

February Cover Photo (2015)

All You have to do is Pray, Believe & Do Not Doubt in Your Heart that God will Provide (2.13.15)

The enemy will do all he can to put just one more thing on you, so that you will give up and walk away from your dream. Refuse to allow him to take you back into old places of defeat, for he will certainly do so, if you let him. If you can see beyond what he is doing, you will know that his work is only temporary, then you will be able to move past it.

Whenever the adversary sends strong winds your way, do not fear. All you have to do is remember Who is standing with you, and never forget the Power that is behind you. I am able to make all grace abound towards you. I will shelter you under My wing to protect you. All you have to do is pray, believe and do not doubt in your heart that I will provide.  Then you will see signs and wonders all around you.

Refuse to allow anything to stop your forward momentum. 

 

Put your trust in Me and you will not be affected by what is going on around you. 

 

Remember that My ways are high above the ways of man, and that I will make a way where there is no way. Getting through this obstacle will give you the courage and strength you need to face anything the enemy brings your way. 

 

Now, take a deep breath; believe in Me, look beyond what the enemy is doing, and you will find the fresh hope and strength you need for this day. 

 

MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

2 Corinthians 4:18 -  We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 9:8 - And GOD is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Isaiah 55:8-9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

When You cannot see His Hand, Trust His Heart & Know He has not Forsaken You (2.12.15)

Where is GOD when it hurts?

Faith Believers,
We want to know the answer to this question most when faced with painful trials and attacks of doubt. Even Jesus, during His crucifixion, asked, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (see Matthew 27:46). To the onlookers of that time, as well as to those who first read the story, it seems that God did forsake Jesus, so we obviously conclude that He will forsake us as well, in our darkest moments. Yet, upon continued observation of the events that unfolded after the crucifixion, the truth is revealed that nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even death (see Romans 8:37-39).

After Jesus was crucified, He was glorified (see 1 Peter 1:21 ; Mark 16:6, 19 ;  Romans 4:24-25). From this example alone we can be assured that even when we do not feel God's presence in the midst of our pain, we can still believe His promise - that He will never leave us nor forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5). "God sometimes permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves" - Joni Erickson Tada.

We put our trust in the fact that God does not lie, He never changes, and His Word stands true forever (see Numbers 23:19 ; 1 Samuel 15:29 ; Psalm 110:4 ; Malachi 3:6 ; Hebrews 7:21 ; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17 ; and 1 Peter 1:25). We do not lose heart over painful circumstances because we live by faith in every Word that has proceeded from the mouth of God, not putting our hope in what is seen or perceived. We trust God, that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us, an eternal glory that far outweighs all the suffering that we will endure on this earth.

So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, because we know and believe that what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (see 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and 5:7). We also trust God's Word, which says He is constantly working things together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28). Even though we do not always see the good ends to which God is working things out, we can be assured that a time will come when we will understand and see more clearly.

Our lives are like a quilt. If you look at the back side of a quilt, all you see is a mess of knots and loose ends hanging out all over. It is very unattractive, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the work. Yet when you turn the quilt over, you see how the maker has craftily woven together each strand to form a beautiful creation, much like the life of a believer (see Isaiah 64:8). We live with a limited understanding of the things of God, yet a day is coming when we will know and understand all things (see Job 37:5 ; Isaiah 40:28 ; Ecclesiastes 11:5 ; 1 Corinthians 13:12 ; 1 John 3:2).

Where is God when it hurts?

The message to take with you in hard times is that when you cannot see His hand, trust His heart, and know for certain that He has not forsaken you. When you seem to have no strength of your own, that is when you can most fully rest in His presence and know that His strength is made perfect in your weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).