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. 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body what you will wear. Is not your life more than food and the body more than clothes? (Matt 6:25)

The concerns for our lives are very typical for us. We get wrapped up into the next decision, idea or situation that we are affected by. Deciding on non essential issues have no long term effect and it takes our focus away from the things that matter most. Can we accept the fact that there is more to life itself than the material aspect? It consumes us and sometimes it becomes our priority. Shall we consider, focus and concentrate on the present or invest in tomorrow which has not arrived? There is no absolute guarantee of tomorrow let alone the next second. The challenge is to determine what your today and tomorrow consists of. Also, How and why? 

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.(Prov 16:18) 

A diet consists of many different foods because we delight in certain things.  However, there are parts of us that we can afford to discard from our diet , which we tend to hold on to. This does not require much effort because we are generally content with who we are at present. However, a personality that involves pride and arrogance can become destructive to our mind, body and soul. We possess so great a power in the same we do our diet. Can we switch our internal natural diet for the spiritual? Are we willing to dispose of the very things that causes us to fall in defeat? Maybe it’s not us whom we are affected by. Can it be those people that are the utmost important to us that we are influenced by? I challenge you to self examine your degree of pride if any and determine if it’s beneficial to survival. 

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed says the Lord who has compassion on you.    (Isaiah 54:10)

The love of the Lord is greater than the comprehension of our natural mind. It never disappoints and never hurts unless we allow the distractions of the day get in the way of it. Though the world around us at present is in shambles, our feet shall continue to be planted firmly and our hearts will be content. If there is a greater love, peace or joy in the atmosphere, I challenge you to weigh its longevity. The love of God is permanent and it’s based on our faith that solely rest and believe in him. 

Now then, my children, listen to me, blessed are those who keep my ways. (Prov 8:32)

The idea of listening involves how and and what we are listening to. How many times do we hear and tune in to something that is beneficial to us. Especially, when there is great expectation and reward ahead. In the same regard, Christ wants and desires us to completely listen to him. There is nothing more rewarding than a child listening to a parent that promises something of appreciation just for listening. Think of how many ways we can incorporate this when Christ only asks us to listen to his voice. Usually our conscience gets the best of us and we make rash decisions based on natural instinct. I challenge you today to be attentive to the voice of the spiritual  Father versus the father our natural world. The outcome will be different.