Bible Reading James 1:2-4

And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. James 1:4 (AMP)

Your frustration with God doesn’t change anything;

1) His love for you is still the same.

2) His protection of you is still the same.

3) His compassion for you is still the same.

4) And His plan for your life is still the same.

God is in the business of developing His character in the lives of His believers. I have recently talked to people who have said that God has been developing their character; testing their faith, patience, gentleness and self-control, myself included.

James 1 teaches us that despite what we may be going through or having to endure right now, we must consider those character-building trials and tests a pleasure. And, because we serve a good, good Father, there are benefits to doing so. James goes further and tells us when our faith is tested through our experiences, and we endure, in return, we experience spiritual maturity and inner peace, which results in being complete, lacking nothing!

I encourage you to be grateful and realize that your whining, complaining or frustrations do not persuade God. Instead, He loves you enough to not leave you where you are and continues to present situations that help develop you into the disciple He needs you to be.

Consider this: you don’t want to be developing discipline two days AFTER you’ve brought your newborn home from the hospital. By that time, it’s too late! Let God do what He needs to do in your life now, so that when you really need it, you have it.

Prayer: Abba, thank You for being a good, good, Father. Thank You for Your love, protection, compassion and plan for my life. Thank You that You love me far beyond my frustration and care more about developing my character to look more like Jesus. Thank You that I can consider it joy when I go through test and trials because I know in the end, I will be complete lacking nothing. Thank You! It is in Your son Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

 

Focus Verse: But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrew 5:14 (NKJV)

Back in 2009, my workout and eating regimen allowed me to go hard during the week and then on the weekends I could be more relaxed. My diet during the week pretty much consisted of the same meals repeated 5 times, but on the weekends when I was hanging out with my friends, I could live a little and change it up, pizza or maybe red velvet cheesecake! But then on Monday, back to my normal routine of the same meal, over and over again. It would change slightly, if I didn’t have fish then I would have chicken. and instead of sugar snap peas, I would have spinach.

I was fine with that routine. No, my meals weren’t exciting, but it worked for me so that’s all that really mattered.

A few years later, I found out that eating regimen no longer worked for me. I could no longer go hard during the week and be more relaxed on the weekend. It didn’t have the same effect as it did in 2009 and I wasn’t seeing the same results as before. Things had changed and I soon learned my regimen had to as well.

This is similar to our Christian walk if we are growing in Christ. The things you once did that sustained you when you were a babe, feasting on the milk of God, aren’t sufficient for you now that you desire solid food. Your old routine is no longer sufficient and you no longer experience growth. What you used to do is not working for where you are trying to go. Your desires have changed. Your appetite for Christ has changed. You are no longer fine with your routine. You desire more.

As we grow in our relationship with Christ and just like any other relationship, the closer you get, the deeper you go. The deeper you go, the more you want to learn and cultivate.

When you are eating right and working out regularly the results aren’t evident to just you, but everyone else around you. The same is true for your growth in Christ, others will notice.

Does your life reflect a life of change and growth? Is it evident that you are a follower of Christ in your thoughts, words and the things that you do? Where in your life should you be desiring solid food, but instead you as still drinking milk?

Prayer: Father God, thank You for this time of reflection. It is my desire to consistently be growing and maturing in You. Help me to be mindful of when I need to allow myself to be stretched beyond the norm, in order to grow in You. Allow my growth to be evident to those around so that You may be magnified in my life. In Jesus name, amen!

 

Focus Verse: For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a (NKJV)

“But I’m just trying to understand why You think this is anything I can handle? When did I EVER show You that I was strong enough for this?”

I had questions that needed answers. I wrestled with this literally ALL weekend long. I felt like Jacob. I told God I wasn’t letting up until I got an answer. Then the first part of 2 Chronicles 16:9 was more real than it had ever been in my life.

A loyal heart, that’s all it takes for God to trust you. Trust you to endure pain. Trust you with challenges. Trust you in unfamiliar places. Trust you to believe what He said and not what you see. But most of all, trust you to give Him glory in ALL things.

If you have ever asked God, “Why me? Why would You trust me with this? Why do You think this is something I can handle?” Just remember, your loyalty to Him showed Him just how strong you really are.

Be encouraged, God can trust you with things that others would have made Him look bad going through!

Prayer: Father God, How excellent is Your name! I thank You for everything You have allowed in my life. You formed me and created me in my mother’s womb. You know me better than I know myself. Thank You for revealing to me that my strength has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with trusting You. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen!

Focus Verse: Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35 (NKJV)

Some time ago I started studying individuals in the Bible and their characteristics. As a result of this study, there were characteristics that I came to admire from some individuals; Joshua’s courage, King Solomon’s wisdom, David’s dedication.

I found myself asking, “how can I get what they had?”

Then it hit me, just ask!

The God that granted Joshua courage, the wisest man (King Solomon) wisdom, and David dedication, is the same God that provides for me in my time of need.

I began to pray, “God grant me courage like you did with Joshua so that I know, no matter what I come up against, You are with me where I go, according to Joshua 1:9.”

“Father, as I face decisions that I have to make today, give me supernatural wisdom and understanding, like You did with Your servant King Solomon, so that I can discern between good and evil, according to 1 Kings 3:9.

“Lord, as I encounter changes in my life, help me to be dedicated to You like Daniel. Where nothing can shake my commitment and focus on You and I continue to give You praise just as I have done before, according to Daniel 6:10.”

After adopting this principle during prayer, a change occurred. Mainly because these prayers were grounded in God’s Word. When we pray God’s Word back to Him, it indicates that we agree with what God has already established and accomplished.

Are there individuals in the Bible who’s character you admire? Do you need protection like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? What about a heart like Jesus? Consider incorporating their character into your prayer time today.

*Use one of the above prayers to help start your personal prayer*