Faith Response

“The action of heaven is waiting on faith on the earth.

19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:19

11Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

Isaiah 45:11

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.  For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Luke 7:6-10

Did you notice in the passage of scripture in Luke 7 that Jesus really didn’t “do” anything to heal the centurion’s servant? He didn’t go anoint the servant with oil. He didn’t call for the elders of the church. He didn’t lay hands of the servant. He didn’t even pray. Now those are all actions that the Word of God directs to do when dealing with the sick. But this particular passage shows us the strength of one person’s faith. The centurion understood authority, he was the commander of 100 men. Even being Roman, many of whom worshiped false gods, this man believed that Jesus had the power to heal. Even from a distance! He sent people to tell Jesus NOT to come to his house! He said just say the word and my servant will be healed. What did Jesus do? He spoke of the man’s faith with admiration to the crowd around Him. God moved in response to faith and the servant was healed.

 

Victory Action

I will not make God wait on me! I will build my faith through the study of God’s Word. I will step out in faith at His direction. As I do, God will respond to my faith and confirm His Word with signs following.

Prayer Works

“When your back is against the wall, try knees on the floor.

5But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. 6And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. 10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 17Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 20Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.

I Samuel 1:5-7, 10, 17, 20

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

Acts 9:40

24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

Acts 16:24-26

When circumstances begin to put pressure on us we have a choice to begin to fear and complain or take the problem to God in prayer. What is your default position? Do you fear first then pray? Do you get depressed? Do you blame others? Lots of people do. However, that will not solve the issue. If you want to spend less time on the negative side of things then learn to pray first. When you feel the pressure of overdue bills, unruly children, difficult family members that is when you need to go to the Word of God and find scriptures that relate to your need. Take those scriptures to God in prayer and leave the situation in God’s hands. He is faithful! He will confirm His Word with signs following and lead you to victory in every situation.

Victory Action

 When I have trouble, I will go to God in prayer first.

I am on God’s mind!

“God is mindful of me and my house.

 

12The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. 13He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. 14The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. 15Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

Psalms 115:12-15

Isaiah 49:16 TPT

In Charles Spurgeon’s many years at his London church during the 1800s, he loved to preach on the riches of Isaiah 49:16, which says that God engraves us on the palms of His hands. He said, “Such a text as this is to be preached hundreds of times!”

If and when we’re tempted to think that God has forgotten us, we only need to look at our palms and remember God’s promise. He has put indelible marks on His hands for us; He loves us that much. He said He would provide and He will!

 

Victory Confession

God will bless my house.  God always has me on His mind.

I have a choice!

“To have a good attitude is my decision.

 

2I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4A froward heart shall depart from me:  

Psalms 101:2-4a

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.

Philippians 4:8

14 Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves

Philippians 2:14 TPT

Victory Decision

I cannot control what others do or say, but I can control my response to all situations. Therefore, like David, I make a conscious decision to have a good attitude.

Happy New Year!

Today is the day that we mark the beginning of a new year. It is an opportunity to choose a new outlook and attitude. No matter what last year was like, we have a chance to invite God to be in charge of the new year we are embarking on. When we do, He empowers us to conquer in all situations.

Romans 8:37-39 says, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We can rest assured that God is with us, empowering us! But everyday we have to make a choice to rejoice! Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” When you need strength, choose joy!

I encourage you to keep pressing into God this year. Keep pressing in for personal and national revival. We need revival and restoration today more than ever. In times past when people began to see the world grow darker and go deeper into sin they began to pray and seek God. As we do that in this new year, we can believe that change is on the horizon. God does not ignore His kids! Nothing can separate us from the love of God. But unbelief can hinder our prayers and God’s answer to our prayers. Stay in faith this year! When you are tempted to doubt, remember that Jesus said in Mark 9:23…all things are possible to him that believeth.

I am praying that God will show Himself strong to you in this upcoming year! May God’s best be yours today and every day!

Merry Christmas

Today is the day we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. As you celebrate with friends and family please be sure to include Jesus! After all He is the reason for the season! I pray for God’s blessings to be on you today and every day. Have a very Merry Christmas!