WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?

There are times when we encounter great difficulties that we question whether God will do certain things in our lives.  Things go from bad to worse; time is passing by, so we think about other possible solutions we will make just in case things don’t pan out.  We begin gathering our emotions, reaching out to others to ensure we are well-prepared for an undesired outcome.

However, when the Lord looks at this, it might be viewed as a lack of faith in His promises. God’s word encourages us to walk by faith despite the hard times we face.  Regardless of what the situation dictates, His word tells us to only believe, and that all things are possible if we believe.

Someone may be walking through a difficult time right now, and you’re preparing for what to do if things don’t work out.  Why not have faith and wait on the Lord, and EXPECT God to perform a miracle just for you?  He has not forgotten you.  It’s never too late for the Lord.  He’s never failed and never will.

STAY THE COURSE

Don’t give up now; stay the course and continue to walk with Me. Stop looking around at what others are doing, saying, or what others are preparing for; stay focused on what I’ve called you to do. Fight the good fight of faith and stay the course. Remember My Words to you, and only follow them. Stop allowing the voices of the world to distract you, and rob you of your peace. I have given you specific instructions, so set your face like a flint, and continue the path that I set before you.

Stay before Me, and maintain your prayer times, and allow no more clutter to come between you and Me. Many things are trying to occupy your days, and at times they’re causing you to become frustrated and confused.  Take a moment to stop and listen to My voice.  I will show you how to clear out the clutter and help you get your house in order so you can continue to walk with Me.

Psa. 138:1-3 I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. (NLT)

Let this day be a day of praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord for who He Is. Let this day be a day when you give Him praise just because you love Him.  It does not matter what you are going through this day; it doesn't matter what the situation looks like, rise up heart filled with thanksgiving.

Show the Lord how much you love Him by praising Him in the midst of the trial.  When you give Him thanks and praise Him in the midst of your storm, you are telling the enemy, he is defeated, and the Lord has given you the victory.  Praise Me in and through every situation. When you are frustrated and discouraged, praise Me and sing a song of praise. That is how David found strength in the Lord; He praised the Lord.

Be encouraged this day.  Rebuke that spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise. Lift up your and decree victory over the enemy!  Tap into the joy that is already in your spirit and give God the praise. Laugh and smile. Rejoice and praise the Lord for how He has watched over you.  Praise Him; for He is more than worthy to be praised.

Now, take time today to smile, and dwell in His presence.  Rest in Him this day, and know that the joy of the Lord is your strength; and when you think about all that the Lord has done for you, give Him thanks and praise His Holy Name!  O’Lord we give you thanks. 

READ AND MEDITATE ON HIS WORD:

Psa. 145:2-3 I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.

Isa. 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

1Pe. 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Th. 5:16 -18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you

RISE OUT OF THE ASHES

Now is the time for My people to rise up and stop looking down at their ashes and counting their woes and pains.  It’s time to lift up your head and look to Me and remember where your help comes from. Your help comes from Me, the maker of heaven and earth! I am the One who healed you. I am the One who removed oppression from your life. I am the One who brought joy in the midst of your pain. I am calling you to rise up from the ashes and continue proclaiming the truth of what is already yours.

PRAYING FOR BREAKTHROUGH

My child,

I am calling you to a new level in your prayer life. I want you to press into Me like never before. Seek Me early. Go into your secret place. Seek My face and cry out unto Me. Pray, pray in My name, and don’t leave your secret place until you know that I heard you. This is what I want you to do, and do it even more when you are in a corner surrounded by impossibilities. Pray and faint not, because that which seems impossible to you, is possible with Me. Oh yes, it’s possible.

YES, THERE WILL BE AN END

No valley experience will go on forever. Rest assured, I will not leave you in the valley forever. Didn’t I say in My word, “Ye, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." I would never leave you in the valley to perish. I know how much you can endure. I promise you I will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. I am a God of My Word. I am right there with you walking through the valley. There are times and seasons for everything; even sorrow has its time to be. And you will see how your tears of sorrow will be replaced with tears of joy when the test is over.

WALK THROUGH THE DOOR

You’ve prayed for open doors. I made a way out of no way, and led you to the door, but you won’t walk through it. There is a door waiting for you to walk through. This is your door. However, it’s up to you to walk through it. Walk through this door without hesitation, because beyond this door lies greater things.

Don’t allow yourself to think I wouldn’t bless you this way. Remember, I open doors My way, and sometimes it might seem strange to you—like the doors I opened for Joseph. At first, Joseph didn’t recognize the open door because it led to slavery and prison. However, when the door swung wide open, it led him directly to the throne room.

LET MY WORD DO THE WORK

Your season has not passed. I have not set you aside. I chose you from the beginning, I know your name. Therefore, let Me remind you that no matter what has happened in your life; no matter what you are going through; it’s never too late for Me to turn things around.  No matter how dark or impossible things may appear to be, do not let your heart be troubled. Nothing is too hard for Me. Nothing is impossible for Me.  All you have to do is stand in faith and allow My word to do the work.

SEASON OF LEARNING AND GROWING

My child, at times, you will go through trials and struggles in your life. Do not be surprised when they come. Remember, I said, “In this world, you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."  These trials are a part of life, and they help you to grow and mature.  The only way for you to become more like Me is for you to experience some of the things that I went through.  

ENTER MY COURTS WITH PRAISE

It is easy to stand in faith when My presence manifests around you. However, there must be times when you choose to trust in My faithfulness and to believe in Me even when you cannot sense My nearness.  It is easy to have joy and say you know My will when you are keenly aware of My presence; however, I want you to demonstrate that same joy and faithfulness even when you do not sense My nearness and tangible presence. 

Some may think that the happiest people are the ones who have the loudest praise. The loudest praise comes very often from the ones who are praising Me while passing through their hardships. This is the kind of praise that pleases Me the most. I don’t want men to praise Me only when they are on the mountaintop.  It is My desire to see and hear the praises of My people while they are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. This is true praise; and this is the type of praise that will lead you out of the valley.

Can you offer up a sacrifice of praise in the midst of your pain and suffering? Oh, that My children will continually praise Me through the circumstances.  Oh, that they would realize the joy that it brings Me when I see My children demonstrating their love and faith in Me while in the fiery furnace. Oh, to hear them say, though He slay me, yet will I trust Him; yet will I praise Him.

Yes, I know there will be times when you don’t feel like praising Me. However, it’s in those moments that you must not allow your circumstance to dictate to you whether you will praise. You should praise Me because I am worthy of praise. You should praise Me just because of who I am. Although you are in the midst of difficulties, I am still worthy to be praised. Although you are in distress, you should still praise My name. 

My child, if you desire to come out of that spiritual attack that you’re going through; open your mouth and give Me a sacrifice of praise.  You’ve prayed about the problem; prayer is a warfare, but praise is a victory. You say you have the victory; well praising signifies spiritual victory. Lift up your voice and praise Me. Praise Me for who I am, not for what I will do, but for who I am.  Praise Me because you want to see My face, not for what’s in My hand. Praise Me because you love Me.  Come before Me this day with a heart of thanksgiving; enter in My courts with praise and bless My Holy Name.