The Source of Your Strength

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:6-8)

The Lord is on your side! What a powerful revelation! Understanding this, we can face any challenge or opposition without fear. We can confidently declare, "I will not be afraid.”

When we fully grasp the reality that God is on our side, a shift happens in our expectation. We understand we are not alone in our battles. God gave us a Word; He gave us prayer partners and brothers and sisters. He gave us pastors and teachers and evangelists and prophets, but most importantly, He gave us the authority of Jesus!

Having that revelation means we can boldly declare that we are overcomers, no matter what is trying to come against us.

It's essential to recognize that our trust should always be in the Lord and not on perfect circumstances or other human beings. God is faithful, unchanging, and all-powerful and He alone is our source of strength.

Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. We are not destined for defeat but rather our destiny is for victory. No matter what the enemy may bring against us, we can remain confident that God’s plan for our lives is always good.

Practical Application

When fear or anxiety shows up in your life, intentionally shift your focus to God's faithfulness. Thank Him for what He has done and expect what He is going to do. Replace fearful thoughts with thanks and repeat Scripture verses that remind you of His unfailing love and protection.

Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 56:11

Choosing Joy in Every Season

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (Romans 12:14-15)

Have you been in a storm recently? Not just a physical one, but an internal storm in your soul or a storm of troubles and trials? I’ve learned that everyone is either going through a storm, has just been through a storm, or is getting ready to go through one. It's easy to allow circumstances to depress our spirits and steal our joy, but as believers, we are called to live a higher life. Romans 12:14-15 encourages us to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and persist in prayer even during the difficult moments.

Rejoicing in hope means finding our joy and confidence in the promises of God, even when we don’t yet see the outcome. It's a choice to shift our focus from the present difficulties to the confident expectation that God is working behind the scenes doing what only He can do. Our joy is not dependent on the circumstances we face, but on the hope we have in Christ, knowing that He who began a good work in us will perform it.

When we face trials, it's easy to become weary, discouraged, or even resentful at the fact that we are going through the struggle. However, the Word of God instructs us to be patient in tribulation. Patience is not simply waiting passively; it is an active and cheerful endurance. It involves staying anchored in God's truth, declaring His promises, and trusting that He is working on our behalf. It means doing what we can do while we wait on the fullness of God’s promises to come to pass. When we patiently endure, we allow God's grace to work on our mountains and bring about the victory we have been believing for.

When Paul told us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, he reminded us of the power of compassion. When we share in the joys and sorrows of others, we display the love of Christ to them and build genuine connections with each other. Rejoicing with others doesn't diminish our own joy; instead, it multiplies it as we celebrate together.

Practical Application

Rejoice with others in their victories and offer a listening ear, a caring heart, and prayer to those who are going through difficult times.

Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28

Sowing and Reaping: God’s Law in the Earth

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22)

Everything in the Bible is a divine cycle. From the beginning of time in Genesis 8:22, we see it spelled out: “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” God’s divine cycle of sowing and reaping is seen in the changing seasons, the rhythm of nature, and the unfolding of our own lives.

In the same way that the earth follows the cycle of sowing and reaping, we are also invited to take part in the same law with the same results. Every action, word, and thought we sow is like a seed that carries the potential for a harvest. It is a reminder that our choices matter and that we have the power to shape our future through intentionally sowing into moments, people, and situations.

Intentional sowing happens when we open our eyes to what God wants to do in every situation, and we are willing to be a conduit for seeing it come to pass. It could be giving a gift to someone God puts on your heart, sowing seed into your local church, giving to a missions’ organization or even dedicating your time and energy to something that you believe in. By putting effort into your sowing, you reverence God and open the door for His blessings and the fulfillment of His promises in your life.

Everything is a seed, not just money. What words are you sowing today? What actions are you sowing towards your fulfillment? What seeds of gifts or finances are you sowing this week? Be mindful of the seeds you sow, because God will use them to prepare for what you need in the future. Sow in faith, knowing that God is faithful to bring a harvest that far exceeds your expectations.

Practical Application

This week sow intentionally. When you are tempted to complain, instead find an opportunity to sow words of faith. When you are frustrated with someone, sow a seed into their life. When you are feeling stuck in your faith, sow a seed in your local church. When you live as an intentional sower, God will use your seed to bring a harvest at the right time!

Jeremiah 5:24; James 5:7