Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. (Prov 4:25)

Sometimes it is much more fitting for us to try and control several situations all at once. It may even feel as if we have full control and expect positive results. However, what would happen if we sat in the seat as the driver and passenger all at once? The outcome and compromise it creates would be very interesting to say the least. Also, consider trying to walk left and right at the exact same time. If it sounds complicated and confusing, then indeed it is. We can be very focused on one too many things at the same time but it may cause some unforeseen circumstances to occur. I challange you to take a moment to remove yourself from the driver seat and allow Christ to take over completely. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads beside quiet waters. (Ps 23:2)

What pastures are we resting in today? Do they provide comfort? Are your pastures green,withered, dried or dissipating? The same goes for rough seas. Are you riding in the rough waters of this world? Do you feel like your ship will capsize or sink? Have you considered the comfort and security that Christ provides? We will explore this concept in my next series on green pastures and still waters. 

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you.(2 Chr 20:17)

The fight of this world does not belong to us. Have we taken full control of every trial that we face each day? Do we continue to try and create our own victory over a situation? What does it profit us in the long run to toil with the cares of this world and lose? Sometimes our greatest defeat can be our greatest victory. However, are we willing to allow the hand of Christ to stand in our position so we take a seat in battle? I challenge you today to allow the power of the everlasting Savior to stand in the gap on your behalf. Change your seating position so that fear, doubt,disbelief and uncertainty is transformed into victory in our lives. Let go and let him. 

For we live by faith and not by sight.        (2 Cor 5:7) 

If we live by faith, then what do we call faith? Is it something tangible or concrete? Can we say that faith is a dream or idea waiting to manifest in our lives? For many of us identifty faith with things to come that may be rewarding. It can very well be our hope in something that affects us mentally and emotionally. Have you often wondered what it would be like without faith? The faith that Christ sets before us has been instilled in those who believe wholeheartedly. For what profit is there when faith is absent in our lives. Can the number  “0” produce anything of value? In the same regards can something dead revive anything dead? The same applies to our faith in Christ. He goes before us knowing that we have an expected end because we are justified by the very faith that we excercise. For without it there is nothing concrete. I challenge you today to push your faith to the next level and go beyond your innermost strength. 

There is a way that appears to be right but in the end it leads to death. (Prov 16:25)

Depending on “your” right way of doing things there are consequences. The consequences can be good or bad but there will definitely be some kind of outcome. Now, we as humans have a certain way of strategically conditioning our hearts and minds to execute things. It involves an effort that is thought out carefully and for some it’s just by instinct alone. The mind and heart are connected in a way that produces actions of power. Together they have great impact on us and the lives of others. Do we really pay attention to what lies ahead of us? Do we acknowledge the importance of it all for the sake of living a life of purpose? Do we consider the circumstances that may become fatal as it relates to our spiritual and natural body? Have we truly considered submitting our thoughts, emotions, challenges, circumstances and decisions to Christ. Living according to our natural way is vain and living “in” Christ is gain. Let us choose life over death, for no one desires anything that is not profitable. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding.          (Prov 3:5)

Our efforts of trust are usually based on instinct and matters of the heart. We put our hearts and minds into things based on the situation or dynamics thereof. Investments are great when there is a return. Nevertheless, the return can sometimes be disheartening but it’s also due to the degree of effort involved. However, have we considered taking a seat and trusting in someone greater than ourselves to lead the way? Can we even begin to imagine the outcome? It will surely be different than what our natural minds may comprehend. In times of need, Christ is faithful and willing to take all the cares of our world and stand on our behalf. If your results are still the same or they are not quite what you expected, try handing them over to Christ. Today, I challenge you to speak to your heart and mind for the purpose of a greater return of investment. Try trusting more and worrying less. 

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)
What we call common is sometimes not necessarily common at all. Our mind perceives what is familiar at the present time. Therefore, allowing situations and circumstances to be as acceptable as we allow them to. Our thoughts and actions are based on and nurtured by our surroundings. This is what we identify with. Thus, in regards to temptation, it’s also how we are accustomed to responding in a certain way. The capacity that we leave for error and fault, terminates any possibility of relief in our lives. However, have we considered that, God is completely our saving grace? Especially, in times of temptation, allowing us to forfeit thoughts that lead to emotional, mental and sometimes physical turmoil. Sometimes, the stronghold takes precedence over our minds. This is where our Father in heaven steps in to offer up relief in times of compromise and complicated situations. Are we ready to accept and allow him to go before us? Can we wholeheartedly reject that very thing that can change our lives completely? I challenge you to stand still and experience the presence and power of God as it relates to being tempted. 

And let us consider how we spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:24,25)

Sometimes we hold onto and embrace the very thing that allows us to become distant amongst those we care for the most. We may even lose value of self when we get caught in a whirlwind that may trigger emotional pain. Longing for the acceptance of others to fill voids of that pain can also disconnect us from our ability to love ourselves first. The times we spend in isolation, only prolongs our intent for true divine happiness and communing with others. Also, we mistakenly buy our way into compensating our feelings by false acts of kindness when we are truly abandoning our self worth. Lots of time and energy is spent with investing in insignificant habits that create no true emotional and spiritual return. We can all see by the series of events happening today that, the time here on earth is very limited. Evil has been running rampant  and the time that matters is now. I know and trust that we are all fully capable and willing to tap into our innermost calling to remain steadfast and not lose sight of hope. The challenge is, can we assemble together in the true divine love of Christ? If we do, it is very critical and necessary for us to build and create for the sake of love and fellowship with each other. I challenge you to take advantage of your God given purpose. 

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. (Psa 40:1)

No waiting is in vain unless we see no benefit or profit from it. In the process, we tend to become weary and exhausted mentally and emotionally. Over time it makes one want to throw in the towel and call it quits. Our natural minds produce an expiration date on our impatience. This can cause frustration and put us on edge. It also causes tension amongst those we are affected by on a daily basis. It is unhealthy and is very uncomfortable at the same time. However, there is always a way but the way that we are used to has not been profitable to us. How many times have we requested assistance and had to wait patiently for it? It is the same determination with the Lord. Instead with him it’s permanent and eternal as well. It’s forever profitable and will not fail unless we allow the distractions of the world interfere. With the Lord you have direct access and communication. No longer will you have to toil with the challenges of your own efforts. Waiting on and in Christ builds faith, character and strength. Today, I challenge you to listen and wait patiently for the one who is greater than our cry. 

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)

Today, where do we put our complete trust in? Someone, something or ourselves? We have various degrees of trust that we place on our lives and we measure them by our circumstances. Depending on the situation, we also react and respond differently. Our life is dictated by our reactions. Our natural mind has been programmed and accustomed to that of which we are only familiar with. It’s the very thing that we can look past because God is gracious and faithful. Today, I challenge you to put full trust in God so that your faith is elevated and your expectation is greater. There is nothing more comforting to know that someone other than ourselves have our back in times of need.