Focus Scripture: Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4

Bible Reading: Psalms 37: 3-7

“So God, make me your example.

Make me a miracle.

I’ll be the miracle.”

I was listening to Tasha Cobbs’ Sense It, usually one of my favorite songs. But not on this day. Today, I wasn’t feeling it. “I don’t want to be the miracle, I don’t want to be Your example, I was wrong, I just want to be regular. I don’t want to be used.” These are the words that I spoke to God.

“I remember” is what I heard whispered back to me. We may forget, but God never forgets the prayers that we pray. Back in 2005, I prayed and asked God to use me to break generational curses in my family. I told Him, I didn’t care how long it took, but His Kingdom would be restored in my family.

What are you believing God for? Have you been praying and waiting and praying some more? Have you, like myself, found yourself frustrated with God, because He is not moving at the speed you think He should?

When our heart’s desire is to do that which is pleasing to God, when we commit our ways to Him and trust Him, His word says He shall bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5). Will it take some time? Yup. Will it be easy? Nope. But will it be worth it? ABSOLUTELY! This is why God instructs us, in verses 7, to rest and wait patiently for Him. Do you actually think the enemy is going to let you off the hook without a fight? We are talking about Kingdom impact here! When we delight in God, He places those things that we should desire in our heart, and that’s when His desires will begin to become our desires.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for reminding me that You haven’t forgotten about me, just as Your word says, You will never leave me nor forsake me. Forgive me Father, for allowing the way I feel to interfere with what I know to be true. You are for me, and You are working everything out for my good, because I love You and You called me for a purpose. I will continue to delight, trust and rest in You. It is in your son, Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

*Note- Today’s Devo, is a repost from a previous one.*

Bible Reading: 2 Kings 4:37

The fair came to my neighborhood this past weekend. As I was watching all the rides, games and excitement of the people, one particular ride caught me eye.

The Ferris Wheel. It is a massive ride, so how could one not notice it? If you have ever ridden a Ferris Wheel before, you know that it can be somewhat unexciting at first. This is one of the few rides that everyone can’t get on all at one time, once you get on, you must wait until everyone else gets on before the ride actually starts.

So you find yourself in sort of a holding pattern, excited when the ride begins, but suddenly disappointed when it comes to a stop to allow the other riders to get on.

Have you ever experienced this feeling before? Where you were once excited about something, but after months maybe even years of feeling like the Ferris Wheel in your life has stopped, everything just became uneventful?

Let’s consider The Shunammite Woman in 2 Kings. As we read the passage, we learn some things about her. She is a caring woman who thinks of the needs of others and devotes her life to serving. She and her husband have committed to serving, Elisha, the Man of God when he comes into town. Because of this, Elisha wants to do something for the woman. We, later on, find out that she does not have a child but we know that it is something that she desires or desired in the past, see verse 16.

Elisha promised the woman a son within a year’s time and sure enough, she bore a son. The Ferris Wheel of her life that once felt like it had come to a stop began to move again.

The Bible tells us that her son grew up, but one day, we learn that her Ferris Wheel once again came to a stop when her son dies, vs 20.

Maybe you can imagine, going through your life with dreams and goals, things that you want to accomplish, only to realize that you are still waiting on your Farris Wheel to start up again. Then once it does, and seems to be consistently moving, it stops again. How frustrating? Let’s look at how The Shunammite Woman handled her frustration.

In verse 22, we see immediately that she went right back to where her blessing came from. She didn’t waste time talking to people who couldn’t do anything about her situation, but she went straight to Elisha. As we continue to read the passage we see after a number of attempts, Elisha was able to bring the boy back to life. And once again, her Ferris Wheel began again.

Where are you on your Ferris Wheel of life? Is your Ferris Wheel currently moving or has it come to a stop? How long have you been in that position? What are you doing while you are there? I would encourage you to meditate on this passage and see how it parallels with your life?  What can you learn from The Shunammite Woman?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for your faithfulness towards me. Even when there are times that I may have forgotten or chose to move on in my life. There are times in my life where I feel like my Ferris Wheel has stopped in place. Help me to remember that just because my life appears to come to a stop doesn’t mean that it has stopped. Allow me to keep my eyes on you. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

 

 

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*

 

Focus Verse: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

A while back I was praying for a new opportunity in my life, I needed a change from what I was used to, what was comfortable to me. But after an opportunity for change presented itself, I started to become skeptical. Yes, this was something that I prayed about, but was I really ready for it? Was I ready to forfeit being comfortable for change? Was I ready to leave what I know behind to pursue something new?

These were all questions that I had to consider. After talking to a friend about it, she made it perfectly clear, “you are forfeiting change for comfortability.” We see the Children of Isreal consistently struggling with this throughout the Old Testament. Their struggle begins in Exodus and does not end until Joshua, when they are actually in the land that God promised them, see Exodus 3:17.

How many of us consistently make decisions based on how comfortable or uncomfortable we will be? How many times have you decided against pursuing something because it’s not what you’re used to or would cause you to operate outside of what you consider safe? Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with considering what the best option is, as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what should happen. However, when we start making our decisions whether we should pursue something based on how uncomfortable we will be while pursuing it, we also forfeit the blessings that come after that initial pursuit. A blessing that far supersedes the uncomfortable period.

Is there a new job or business opportunity that you have been thinking about pursuing? What about a relationship that God has been speaking to you about pursuing or reconciling? FYI: It didn’t have to take the Children of Israel as long as it did to get to their promise land. How long will it take you?

Prayer: Most gracious Father, thank You so much for this reminder. There are so many dreams and goals that I have, but sometimes, after realizing what it takes to accomplish them, I choose not to pursue them. Please forgive me, Father. Help me to see that the uncomfortable period does not last forever and the blessings that follow will be so great that uncomfortable won’t matter. As I pursue what I know You have called me to, I will give You all the glory. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

 

Bible Reading: But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)

Last week, we talked about the importance of praying and listening.

“Although many of us pray, the listening part is something that we have not all yet mastered. Some of us have never waited to hear what God is saying in our time of prayer with Him. God is consistently speaking to His people and revealing His plan; He desires to direct our path.”

But what if I’ve been listening but He hasn’t said anything?

Then you don’t do anything.

When we pray to God, His answer can be any one of these three, “Yes”, “No” or “Not Yet”. And for many different reasons, He may not always give us an answer the first time we pray. This is why we must be consistent with seeking His face and staying in His presence.

We have to remember that God is not limited to the physical laws and dimensions governing this earth, time included. Nor is He subject to our deadlines. God knows all and He sees all, so your prayer requests aren’t a surprise to Him. If it’s in your life He knows about it.

Declare on today that you won’t let your self-inforced deadline cause you to be anxious as you wait to receive God’s direction and plan for your life.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your omnipotent and omniscient power. You see all, You know all and You have all power in Your hand! Father, there have been times where I have been anxious to move without first hearing from You, please forgive me. As I continue to walk with You, help me to remember to wait for Your guidance and if I don’t hear anything, don’t do anything. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!