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Contentsone:IWILLNOTQUIT

HISWAYISNOTTOOHARD

DETERMINATION

HANGTOUGH!

KEEPONKEEPINGON

SETYOURMINDANDKEEPITSET

RUNTHERACE

BEPATIENT

WAITONTHELORD

two:IWillHaveFaith

STOPTHEEMOTIONALYO-YO

GODISUNCHANGING

GODISALWAYSGOOD

THELORDISOURROCK

AROCK-SOLIDFOUNDATION

FROMFAITHTOFAITH

ATALLTIMES

KEEPONWALKING

three:IWillOvercome

WHYBETESTED?

IWILLTRUSTGOD

IWILLBESECUREINJESUS

IWILLLEANONGOD

IWILLSHAKEOFFREJECTION

IWILLNOTBEBITTER

IWILLFORGIVE

IWILLLOVE

four:IWillBeFaithful

FAITHFULINLONELINESS

FAITHFULINTHEWILDERNESS

FAITHFULTOOBEY

FAITHFULWHENFRUSTRATED

FAITHFULWHENDISCOURAGED

FAITHFULTOSERVE

FAITHFULWHENMISUNDERSTOOD

FAITHFULTOHISTIMING

five:IWillStayBalanced

RESTRICTYOURSELF

BALANCEINYOURWORK

BALANCEINYOURFINANCES

BALANCEINYOURDIET

BALANCEINEVERYTHING

YOUARENOTINVINCIBLE

GETSOMEREST

DETERMINETOPRUNE

six:IWillPressOn

CHOSENBYGOD

BEUSABLE

GODHASAPLAN

GOAGAINSTTHEFLOW

KNOWWHATYOU’REDOING

REFUSETOGIVEUP

DOITAGAIN!

STAYONTHENARROWPATH

JOYCEMEYER

Presentedto:

By:

Date:

Occasion:

IfyouwillobeyGodandnevergiveinorgiveup,thennothing—nopersononearth,nodevilinhell,noinabilityyouhave,nothingfromyourpast—willbeabletokeepyoufrom

beingsuccessful.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUForthiscommandmentwhichIcommandyouthisdayisnottoodifficultfor

you,norisitfaroff.

DEUTERONOMY30:11

one

IWILLNOTQUIT

Sooften,someonewillcometomeforadviceandprayer,andwhenItellthemwhattheWordofGodsays,orwhatIthinktheHolySpiritissaying,theirresponseis,“Iknowthat’sright;Godhasbeenshowingmethesamething.But,Joyce,it’sjusttoohard.”ItisoneofthemostcommonlyexpressedexcusesIhearfrompeople.

WhenIinitiallybegantoseefromtheWordofGodhowIwassupposedtoliveandbehave,andcomparedittowhereIwas,Ialsosaid,“IwanttodothingsYourway,God,butitissohard.”Godgraciouslyshowedmethisisalietheenemytriestoinjectintoourmindstogetustogiveup.God’scommandmentsarenottoodifficultortoofaraway.

WalkinginobediencetoGodisnottoodifficultbecauseHehasgivenHisSpirittoworkinuspowerfullyandtohelpusinallHehasaskedofus(John14:16).Heisinusandwithusallthetimetoenableustodowhatwecannotdo,andtodowitheasewhatwouldbehardwithoutHim!

ThingsgethardwhenwetrytodothemindependentlywithoutleaningonandrelyingonGod’sgrace.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUWhenPharaohletthepeoplego,Godledthemnotbywayofthelandofthe

Philistines,althoughthatwasnearer;forGodsaid,LestthepeoplechangetheirpurposewhentheyseewarandreturntoEgypt.

EXODUS13:17

Fornotemptation(notrialregardedasenticingtosin,nomatterhowitcomesorwhereitleads)hasovertakenyouandlaidholdonyouthatisnotcommontoman[thatis,notemptationortrialhascometoyouthatisbeyondhumanresistanceandthatisnotadjustedandadaptedandbelongingtohumanexperience,andsuchasmancanbear].ButGodisfaithful[toHisWordandtoHiscompassionatenature],andHe[canbetrusted]nottoletyoubetemptedandtriedandassayedbeyondyourabilityandstrengthofresistanceandpowertoendure,butwiththetemptationHewill[always]alsoprovidethewayout(themeansofescapetoalandingplace),thatyoumaybecapableandstrongandpowerfultobearupunderitpatiently.

1CORINTHIANS10:13

HISWAYISNOTTOOHARDGodledtheChildrenofIsraelonalonger,harderrouteinthewildernessbecauseHeknewtheywerenotreadyforthebattlestheywouldfaceinpossessingthePromisedLand.Heneededtodoaworkintheirlivesfirst,teachingthemWhoHewasandthattheycouldnotdependonthemselves.

YoucanbeassuredthatanywhereGodleadsyou,Heisabletokeepyou.Heneverallowsmoretocomeonusthanwecanbear.WedonothavetoliveinaconstantstruggleifwelearntoleanonHimcontinuallyforthestrengthweneed.

IfyouknowGodhasaskedyoutodosomething,don’tbackdownbecauseitgetshard.Whenthingsgethard,spendmoretimewithHim,leanmoreonHim,andreceivemoregracefromHim(Hebrews4:16).GraceisthepowerofGodcomingtoyouatnocost,todothroughyouwhatyoucannotdobyyourself.

Godknowsthattheeasywayisnotalwaysthebestwayforus.That’swhyitissoimportantthatwenotloseheart,growweary,andfaint.

Satanknowsthatifhecandefeatusinourmind,hecandefeatusinourexperience.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUButJesuslookedatthemandsaid,Withmenthisisimpossible,butallthings

arepossiblewithGod.

MATTHEW19:26

DETERMINATIONManypeopleImeetwanttostartatpointAintheirChristianlife,blinktheireyestwice,andbeatpointZ.ManyofthemarefrustratedaboutnotknowingwhattheirgiftsareorwhatGodhascalledthemtodowiththeirlife.Someofthemaresoafraidoffailingandmakingmistakesthatitkeepsthemfromsteppingout.

Weallhaveundevelopedpotential,butwewillneverseeitmanifesteduntilwebelievethatwecandowhateverGodsayswecandoinHisWord.Unlesswestepoutinfaith,believingthatwithGodnothingisimpossible,HecannotdotheworkinusthatHewantstodotodevelopourpotential.Ittakesourcooperationandwillingnessthroughdetermination,obedience,andhardworktodevelopwhatHehasputinus.

Nobodycanbedeterminedforus.Wemustbedetermined.Ifwearenotdetermined,thedevilwillstealfromuseverythingwehave.Sogiveyourpotentialsomeformbydoingsomethingwithit.Youwillneverfindwhatyouarecapableofdoingifyounevertryanything.Don’tstayinthesafetyzone.StepoutintowhatyoufeelGodisleadingyoutodo,andyouwillsoondiscoverwhatyoureallycando.

Mostofushavenoproblemwithwishbone;it’sbackbonethatwearelacking.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUAndletusnotloseheartandgrowwearyandfaintinactingnoblyanddoing

right,forinduetimeandattheappointedseasonweshallreap,ifwedonotloosenandrelaxourcourageandfaint.

GALATIANS6:9

HANGTOUGH!Losingheartandfaintingrefertogivingupinthemind.TheHolySpirittellsusnottogiveupinourmind,becauseifweholdon,wewilleventuallyreap.

ThinkaboutJesus.ImmediatelyafterbeingbaptizedandfilledwiththeHolySpirit,Hewasledintothewildernesstobetestedandtriedbythedevil.Hedidnotcomplainandbecomediscouragedanddepressed.Hedidnotthinkorspeaknegatively.Hedidnotbecomeconfusedtryingtofigureoutwhythishadtohappen!Hewentthrougheachtestvictoriously(Luke4:1-13).

CanyouimagineJesustravelingaroundthecountry,talkingwithHisdisciplesabouthowhardeverythingwas?CanyoupictureHimdiscussinghowdifficulttheCrosswasgoingtobe…orhowHedreadedthethingsahead…orhowfrustratingitwastohavenoroofoverHishead,nobedtosleepinatnight?

JesusdrewstrengthfromHisheavenlyFatherandcameoutinvictory.WehaveHisSpiritdwellinginsideusandthestrengthavailabletomakeitthroughwhateverwearefacing.

YouandIhavethemindofChrist,andwecanhandlelifesituationsthewayHedid—bybeingmentallypreparedthrough“victorythinking”ratherthan“giveupthinking.”

GOD’SWORDFORYOUSo,sinceChristsufferedinthefleshforus,foryou,armyourselveswiththe

samethoughtandpurpose[patientlytosufferratherthanfailtopleaseGod].Forwhoeverhassufferedintheflesh[havingthemindofChrist]isdonewith[intentional]sin[hasstoppedpleasinghimselfandtheworld,andpleasesGod],

Sothathecannolongerspendtherestofhisnaturallifelivingby[his]humanappetitesanddesires,but[helives]forwhatGodwills.

1PETER4:1-2

KEEPONKEEPINGONPeter’sbeautifulpassageteachesusasecretconcerninghowtomakeitthroughdifficulttimesandsituations.Hereismyrenditionoftheseverses:

“ThinkabouteverythingJesuswentthroughandhowHeenduredsufferinginHisflesh,anditwillhelpyoumakeitthroughyourdifficulties.Armyourselvesforbattle;prepareyourselvesforitbythinkingasJesusdid…‘IwillpatientlysufferratherthanfailtopleaseGod.’Forifyousuffer,havingthemindofChristtowardit,youwillnolongerbelivingjusttopleaseyourself,doingwhateveriseasyandrunningfromallthatishard.ButyouwillbeabletoliveforwhatGodwillsandnotbyyourfeelingsandcarnalthoughts.”

Thereissuffering“intheflesh”thatwewillhavetoendureinordertodoGod’swill.TrialsandtestswillcometodevelopthepotentialGodhasputinyou.Yourpartistodeterminethatyouarenotgoingtoquit,nomatterwhat,untilyouseemanifestedwhatGodhasplacedwithinyou.Thereisonekindofpersonthedevilcanneverdefeat—onewhoisnotaquitter!

Keeponkeepingon,andyou’llgetthere.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUAndsetyourmindsandkeepthemsetonwhatisabove(thehigherthings),not

onthethingsthatareontheearth.

COLOSSIANS3:2

SETYOURMINDANDKEEPITSETWecanhaverightandwrongmind-sets.Therightonesbenefitus,andthewrongoneshurtusandhinderourprogress.Weneedourmindssetintherightdirection.

Somepeopleseelifenegativelybecausetheyhaveexperiencedunhappycircumstancesalltheirlivesandcan’timagineanythinggettinganybetter.Thentherearesomepeoplewhoseeeverythingasnegativesimplybecausetheirpersonalityleansinthatdirection.Somepeopleliveinawildernessofnegativity,whileothersareawilderness.Whateveritscause,anegativeoutlookleavesapersonmiserableandunlikelytogrowspiritually.

WithGod’shelpandyourhardworkanddetermination,youcanbreaknegativemind-setsandoldhabitsthatarehurtingandhinderingyou.Thedevildoesn’twantyoutobreakthroughbecauseheknowsthatifyoudo,youwillbecomeaworldchanger.Yourlifewillchange,whichwillcausemanyotherlivestochange.Ifyoudevelopyourpotential,itisgoingtohaveapositiveeffectnotonlyonyourlife,butonsomeoneelse’slife.

Yourpotentialisapricelesstreasure,likegold.Allofushavegoldhiddenwithin,butwemustbedeterminedtodigtogetitout.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUWhereforeseeingwealsoarecompassedaboutwithsogreatacloudof

witnesses,letuslayasideeveryweight,andthesinwhichdothsoeasilybesetus,andletusrunwithpatiencetheracethatissetbeforeus…

HEBREWS12:1KJV

RUNTHERACEIfwearegoingtorunourrace,wemustlayasideeveryweightandsinandruntheracewithpatience.Inthedaysthisversewaswritten,runnersconditionedtheirbodiesforaracejustaswedotodayButatthetimeoftherace,theystrippedofftheirextraclothingsothatwhentheyrantherewouldbenothingtohinderthem.Theyalsooiledtheirbodieswithfineoils.

InourChristianlifeweneedtoremoveanythingthathindersusfromrunningtheracethatGodhassetbeforeus.WeneedtobewelloiledoranointedwiththeHolySpiritifwearegoingtowinourrace.

Thedevilhasathousandwaystoentangleusandpreventusfromdoingwhatwearesupposedtobedoing.Theworldweliveinisfilledwithconstantdistractions.Toomanycommitments,lettingotherpeoplecontrolourtime,notknowinghowtosayno,orgettingoverlyinvolvedinsomeoneelse’sproblemsinsteadofkeepingoureyesonourowngoalswillkeepusfromfulfillingourpotential.

WehavetobedeterminedthatnothingisgoingtohinderusfromfulfillingGod’splanandpurposeforourlife.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUConsideritwhollyjoyful,mybrethren,wheneveryouareenvelopedinor

encountertrialsofanysortorfallintovarioustemptations.

Beassuredandunderstandthatthetrialandprovingofyourfaithbringoutenduranceandsteadfastnessandpatience.

Butletenduranceandsteadfastnessandpatiencehavefullplayanddoathoroughwork,sothatyoumaybe[people]perfectlyandfullydeveloped[withnodefects],lackinginnothing.

JAMES1:2-4

BEPATIENTJamesteachesusthatweshouldrejoicewhenwefindourselvesinvolvedindifficultsituations,knowingthatGodistryingourfaithtobringoutpatience.Ihavefoundthattrialsdideventuallybringoutpatienceinme,butfirsttheybroughtalotofotherjunktothesurface—suchaspride,anger,rebellion,self-pity,complaining,andmanyotherthings.Itseemsthattheseungodlytraitsneedtobefacedanddealtwithbeforepatiencecancomeforth.

TheBibletalksaboutpurification,sanctification,sacrifice,andsuffering.Thesearenotpopularwords;nevertheless,ifIamtobecomeChristlikeinmycharacter,ImustgothroughsuchthingsandlearnHisways.God’sdesireistomakeusperfect,lackinginnothing.Thedevilcannotcontrolapatientperson.

Istruggledwiththeprocessofchangeforalongtime,butIfinallyrealizedthatGodwasnotgoingtodothingsmyway.TherewerepeopleandsituationsHeplacedinmylifethatmademewanttogiveupandquit.ButHedidnotwantanargumentfromme.Heonlywantedtohear,“Yes,Lord.Yourwillbedone.”

Goingthroughdifficultiesinsteadofattemptingtoavoidthemwillsaveyoualotofagony.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUForyouhaveneedofsteadfastpatienceandendurance,sothatyoumay

performandfullyaccomplishthewillofGod,andthusreceiveandcarryaway[andenjoytothefull]whatispromised.

HEBREWS10:36

Thereforehumbleyourselves[demote,loweryourselvesinyourownestimation]underthemightyhandofGod,thatinduetimeHemayexaltyou…

1PETER5:6

WAITONTHELORDTherearemultitudesofunhappy,unfulfilledChristiansintheworldsimplybecausetheyaresobusytryingtomakesomethinghappen,insteadofwaitingpatientlyforGodtobringthingstopassinHisowntimeandHisownwayWeareinahurry,butGodisn’t.

Humilitysays,“Godknowsbest,andHewillnotbelate!”Pridesays,“I’mreadynow.I’llmakethingshappenmyownway.”Ahumblemanwaitspatiently;heactuallyhasa“reverentialfear”ofmovinginthestrengthofhisownflesh.Patienceistheabilitytokeepagoodattitudewhilewaiting.Butaproudmantriesonethingafteranother,alltonoavail.Prideisattherootofimpatience.

PatienceisafruitoftheHolySpiritthatmanifestsitselfinacalm,positiveattitudedespiteourlifecircumstances.Don’tthinkyoucansolveallyourproblemsorovercomedifficultiesonyourown.AswehumbleourselvesunderGod’smightyhand,webegintodietoourownwayandourowntimingandtobecomealivetoGod’swillandwayforus.Characterdevelopmenttakestimeandpatience.

ItisonlythroughpatienceandenduranceinfaiththatwereceivethepromisesofGod.

YouandIneedtomakeadecisionthat,comewhatmay,wearegoingtokeeppressingon,lookingtoJesus,nomatterwhat.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUIamcallingupmemoriesofyoursincereandunqualifiedfaith(theleaningof

yourentirepersonalityonGodinChristinabsolutetrustandconfidenceinHispower,wisdom,andgoodness),[afaith]thatfirstlivedpermanentlyin[theheartof]yourgrandmotherLoisandyourmotherEuniceandnow,Iam[fully]persuaded,[dwells]inyoualso.

ThatiswhyIwouldremindyoutostirup(rekindletheembersof,fantheflameof,andkeepburning)the[gracious]giftofGod,[theinnerfire]thatisinyoubymeansofthelayingonofmyhands[withthoseoftheeldersatyourordination].

ForGoddidnotgiveusaspiritoftimidity(ofcowardice,ofcravenandcringingandfawningfear),but[Hehasgivenusaspirit]ofpowerandofloveandofcalmandwell-balancedmindanddisciplineandself-control.

2TIMOTHY1:5-7

two

IWillHaveFaith

IhaveafeelingthatintheselastdayswewillneedtoberemindedofPaul’swordsofencouragementtoTimothyofbeingwillingtosacrificeortosuffertofulfillthecallofGodonourlife.Everythingwehavetodoisnotgoingtofeelgoodallthetime.

Timothywasayoungministerwhosimplyfeltlikegivingup.Thefirethatonceburnedwithinhimwasbeginningtogrowcold.Thechurchinthosedayswasexperiencingagreatdealofpersecution,andTimothyhadsomefears.Perhapshefeltwornoutandthateverythingwascrashingdownuponhim.Weallfeelattimesthatwejustcan’tkeepgoing.

Paulwassaying,“Timothy,youmayfeellikequitting,butIwanttoseesomestabilityinyou.RememberthepoweroftheHolySpiritthatchangedyourlife.Hegivesyouaspiritofdisciplineandself-control.”

Ifwehavestability,wedowhatisrightwhenitfeelsgoodandwhenitdoesn’tfeelgood—whetherit’sprayingorgivingoranyotherobedienceGodisaskingofus.Ifweeverwanttoseeareleaseofourpotential,wemustdisplaystability.

Idon’tknowaboutyou,butIhavemadeupmymindthatIwillputmyfaithinGodandHisWord,comewhatmay.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUButthefruitofthe[Holy]Spirit[theworkwhichHispresencewithin

accomplishes]islove,joy(gladness),peace,patience(aneventemper,forbearance),kindness,goodness(benevolence),faithfulness,

Gentleness(meekness,humility),self-control(self-restraint,continence).Againstsuchthingsthereisnolaw[thatcanbringacharge].

GALATIANS5:22-23

STOPTHEEMOTIONALYO-YOIremembertheyearswhenIwaswhatIcalla“yo-yoChristian.”Iwascontinuallyupanddown.Ifmyhusband,Dave,didwhatIliked,Iwashappy.Ifhedidn’tdowhatIliked,Iwouldgetmad.IwasledbymyemotionsratherthantheHolySpiritwithin.

Morethananyothersinglething,believerstellmehowtheyfeel.“Ifeelnobodylovesme.”“Ifeelmyspousedoesn’ttreatmeright.”“IfeelthatI’llneverbehappy.”“Ifeel…Ifeel…Idon’tfeel…,”andonandonitgoes.

Godwantsustogrowupandrealizethatouremotionsarenevergoingtogoaway,sowemustlearntomanagethemratherthanlettingthemmanageus.Wehavetoexerciseself-controlandtellourfleshtogetinlinewithwhatisrightratherthanwhatitwants.Weneedtotellourselvesthatwearenotgoingtobeabletosayeverythingwewanttosay,eateverythingwewanttoeat,stayupaslateaswewant,orgetupwhenwefeellikeit.BythepoweroftheSpirit,Hewillhelpusstoplivingbyouremotions,andteachustobestable.

AsChristians,insteadofconcentratingonhowwefeel,weneedtofocusonwhatweknowtobetruthfromtheWordofGod.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUJesusChrist(theMessiah)is[always]thesame,yesterday,today,[yes]and

forever(totheages).

HEBREWS13:8

GODISUNCHANGINGWhatisthemainthingthatwelovesomuchaboutJesus?Therearemanyanswerstothatquestion,ofcourse,suchasthefactthatHediedforusonthecrosssowewouldn’thavetobepunishedforoursins;thenHeroseagainonthethirdday.ButinourdailyrelationshipwithHim,oneofthethingsweappreciatethemostaboutHimisthefactthatwecancountonHisunchangingnature.Hecanchangeanythingelsethatneedstobechanged,butHeHimselfalwaysremainsthesame.

ThatisthekindofpersonIwanttobe,andGodwantsmetobe,butitwillneverhappenifIcannotcontrolmyemotions.BeingemotionallymaturemeansmakingdecisionsbasedontheleadingoftheHolySpirit,notonourfeelings.Butitdoesn’tcomenaturally.

Justknowingthesethingsisnotgoingtomakeouremotionsgoaway.ButwehaveaGodWhoisabletobringusintobalance.Itdoesn’tmeanwebecomeemotionlessordull.Godgaveusemotionssowecouldenjoylife.ButitdoesmeanwetakecontrolinthestrengthandpoweroftheHolySpirit.

Goddoesnotwantustochangeeverytimeourcircumstanceschange.Hewantsustoalwaysbethesame,justasHeis.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUEverygoodgiftandeveryperfect(free,large,full)giftisfromabove;itcomes

downfromtheFatherofall[thatgives]light,in[theshiningof]Whomtherecanbenovariation[risingorsetting]orshadowcastbyHisturning[asinaneclipse].

JAMES1:17

GODISALWAYSGOODJamestellsusthatGodisgood,period.Heisnotgoodsometimes;Heisalwaysgood.

Isn’titwonderfultohaveaGodWhoisunvarying?WithGodthereisnoturning,novariation.WehaveseenthatHisSon,Jesus,neverchanges.InJohn10:30,wearetoldthatJesusandGodareoneandthesame.IfJesusneverchanges,Godneverchanges.WhetherintheformoftheFather,HisSon,Jesus,ortheHolySpirit,Godisalwaysthesame.

Ifwearehavingahardtime,ifwefeellikegivingup,Godisstillgood.Ifsomethingbadhappenstous,Godisstillgood.GodisagoodGod,andHewantstodogoodthingsforus.Hedoesn’tdogoodthingsforusbecausewearegoodandwedeservethem;HedoesgoodthingsforusbecauseHeisgoodandHelovesus.

Theworldstillneedstolearnthattruth.Sodosomeinthechurch.It’sarevelationthatcanblowawaydoubtandfearanddiscouragement.Itcanturndarknesstolight!

Thekeytohappinessandfulfillmentisnotinchangingoursituationorcircumstances,butintrustingGodtobeGodinourlife.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUHeistheRock,Hisworkisperfect,forallHiswaysarelawandjustice.AGod

offaithfulnesswithoutbreachordeviation,justandrightisHe.

DEUTERONOMY32:4

Fortheyareanationvoidofcounsel,andthereisnounderstandinginthem.

Othattheywerewiseandwouldseethroughthis[presenttriumph]totheirultimatefate!

Howcouldonehavechasedathousand,andtwoputtenthousandtoflight,excepttheirRockhadsoldthem,andtheLordhaddeliveredthemup?

FortheirrockisnotlikeourRock,evenourenemiesthemselvesjudgethis.

DEUTERONOMY32:28–31

THELORDISOURROCKGodalwayslovesusunconditionally.Hedoesn’tloveusifwearegoodandthenstop

lovingusifwearebad.Healwayslovesus.Heisalwayskind,alwaysslowtoanger,alwaysfullofgraceandmercy,alwaysreadytoforgive.

GodisaRock,unchangingandundeviating.Heisgreatandunfailing,faithfulandjust,perfectandrightinallHisdoing.Hewillneverleaveusorforsakeus.

WhatwouldhappeninourlivesandinthelivesofthosearoundusifwewerelikeGod?Whatwouldhappenifwewerealwaysloving,alwaysslowtoanger,alwaysfilledwithgraceandmercy,alwaysreadytoforgive?Whatwouldhappenifwe,likeourGod,werealwayspositive,peaceful,andgenerous?HeisourRock,butHeisalsoourExample.WearetostrivetobethewayHeis.

IknowthatanyonecanchangeifIcanbecauseIhadabadcaseofinstability.Goddoesnotexpectustobecomeperfectovernight,butHewantstohelpustobecomemoreandmorelikeHimdaybyday.

Godwantsyoutocomeintoaplaceofstability.Youwillneverbeabletoenjoylifeasyouweremeanttountilyoubecomestable.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUNowwhenJesuswentintotheregionofCaesareaPhilippi,HeaskedHis

disciples,WhodopeoplesaythattheSonofManis?

Andtheyanswered,SomesayJohntheBaptist;otherssayElijah;andothersJeremiahoroneoftheprophets.

Hesaidtothem,Butwhodoyou[yourselves]saythatIam?

SimonPeterreplied,YouaretheChrist,theSonofthelivingGod.

ThenJesusansweredhim,Blessed(happy,fortunate,andtobeenvied)areyou,SimonBar-Jonah.Forfleshandblood[men]havenotrevealedthistoyou,butMyFatherWhoisinheaven.

AndItellyou,youarePeter[Greek,Petros—alargepieceofrock],andonthisrock[Greek,petra—ahugerocklikeGibraltar]IwillbuildMychurch,andthegatesofHades(thepowersoftheinfernalregion)shallnotoverpowerit[orbestrongtoitsdetrimentorholdoutagainstit].

MATTHEW16:13–18

AROCK-SOLIDFOUNDATIONWhenPetersaidthatJesuswastheChrist,theSonofthelivingGod,thatwasastatementoffaith.Inmakingthisstatement,Peterwasdisplayingfaith.

Idon’tthinkPeterjustcasuallyornonchalantlymadethatstatement.IthinkhediditwithasuretyandacertaintythatimpressedJesusbecauseHeimmediatelyturnedtoPeterandtoldhimthathewasblessed.ThenHewentontosaythatitwasuponthisrock-solidfoundationoffaiththatHewouldbuildHischurch.

JesuswassayingtoPeter,“Ifyoumaintainthisfaith,itwillbearocklikesubstanceinyourlifeuponwhichIwillbeabletobuildMykingdominyou.Yourpotentialwillbedevelopedtotheplacethateventhegatesofhellwillnotbeabletoprevailagainstyou.”

TherehavebeenmanytimesinmylifewhenIhavebeendiscouragedandnotknownwhattodo,orfeltthatnothingwasworkingandthateverybodywasagainstme.ThewordIhaveheardoverandoveragainis,“Onlybelieve.”

ThispromisewasnotjustforPeteralone.Jesusissayingthesamethingtoyouandme.Onlybelieve!

GOD’SWORDFORYOUForthereinistherighteousnessofGodrevealedfromfaithtofaith:asitis

written,Thejustshalllivebyfaith.

ROMANS1:17KJV

FROMFAITHTOFAITHIthaslongbeenagoalofminetolearnhowtolivefromfaithtofaith.AnumberofyearsagotheLordrevealedtome,“Joyce,yougofromfaithtofaithtodoubttounbelief,andthenbacktofaithtodoubttounbelief.”

Thetroublewiththechurchtodayisthatwehavetoomuchmixtureandnotenoughstability.Thatmixtureisevidentinourspeech,asweseeinJames3:10:“Outofthesamemouthcomeforthblessingandcursing.Thesethings,brethren,oughtnottobeso.”

PerhapsyoufeelasIdid—likeaflattire.Wegetallpumpedupandrollalongfineforawhile,butthenthenextthingyouknowweareflatagain.Toooftenweoperateatzeropowerlevel.Wekeepmixingpositivesandnegatives.Ourpositivesaredeletedbyournegatives,andweenduprightbackatzero.Idon’tknowaboutyou,butIdon’twanttooperateatzeropower.

It’stimetodeterminetostopthenegatives—inourthoughts,ourwords,andouractions.

DoubtcomesintheformofthoughtsthatopposetheWordofGod.WemustdeterminetoknowtheWord,thenwecanrecognizewhenthedevilislyingtous.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUTrustin,leanon,relyon,andhaveconfidenceinHimatalltimes,youpeople;

pouroutyourheartsbeforeHim.Godisarefugeforus(afortressandahightower).Selah[pause,andcalmlythinkofthat]!

PSALM62:8

IwillblesstheLordatalltimes;Hispraiseshallcontinuallybeinmymouth.

PSALM34:1

ATALLTIMESWearenottohavefaithandtrustinGodonceinawhileorfromtimetotime,butatalltimes.Wemustlearntolivefromfaithtofaith,trustingtheLordwhenthingsaregood,andwhenthingsarebad.ItiseasytotrustGodwhenthingsaregood,butwhenthingsaregoingbadandwedecidetotrustGod,thatiswhenwedevelopcharacter.

ThepsalmistalsotellsusweshouldblesstheLordatalltimes.ThereareseveralotherScripturesthattellusthingstodoatalltimes—resistthedevilatalltimes,believeGodatalltimes,loveothersatalltimes—notjustwhenit’sconvenientoritfeelsgood.

Therewillnevercomeatimewhenwewillnotfindtemptationlurkingaroundus.Aslongasweliveintheflesh,wewillhavedesiresthatbringhurtanddamage.Itisonlybydiscipliningouremotions,ourmoods,andourmouthsthatwebecomestableenoughtoremainpeaceful,whateveroursituationorcircumstances,sothatweareabletowalkinthefruitoftheSpirit—whetherwefeellikeitornot.

Sinceyoucanchooseyourownthoughts,whendoubtcomesyoushouldlearntorecognizeitforwhatitis,say,“No,thankyou,”andkeeponbelieving!

GOD’SWORDFORYOUButtheboatwasbythistimeoutonthesea,manyfurlongs…,beatenand

tossedbythewaves,forthewindwasagainstthem.

Andinthefourthwatch[between3:00—6:00a.m.]ofthenight,Jesuscametothem,walkingonthesea.

AndwhenthedisciplessawHimwalkingonthesea,theywereterrifiedandsaid,Itisaghost!…

ButinstantlyHespoketothem,saying,Takecourage!IAM!Stopbeingafraid!

AndPeteransweredHim,Lord,ifitisYou,commandmetocometoYouonthewater.

Hesaid,Come!SoPetergotoutoftheboatandwalkedonthewater,andhecametowardJesus.

Butwhenheperceivedandfeltthestrongwind,hewasfrightened,andashebegantosink,hecriedout,Lord,saveme[fromdeath]!

InstantlyJesusreachedoutHishandandcaughtandheldhim,sayingtohim,Oyouoflittlefaith,whydidyoudoubt?

Andwhentheygotintotheboat,thewindceased.

MATTHEW14:24–32

KEEPONWALKINGPetersteppedoutatthecommandofJesustodosomethinghehadneverdonebefore.Asamatteroffact,noonehadeverdoneitexceptJesus.

Itrequiredfaith!

ThenPetermadethemistakeofspendingtoomuchtimelookingatthestorm.Hebecamefrightened.Doubtandunbeliefpressedinonhim,andhebegantosink.HecriedouttoJesustosavehim,andHedid.

InRomans4:18-21,Abrahamdidnotwaverinhisfaithwhenheconsideredhisimpossiblesituation.Hewasawareofit,buthedidn’tgetpreoccupiedwithit.YouandIcanbeawareofourcircumstancesandyet,purposely,keepourmindonsomethingthatwillbuildusupandedifyourfaith.

Thedevilbringsstormsintoyourlifetointimidateyou.WeglorifyGodwhenwecontinuetodowhatweknowisrighteveninadversecircumstances.

Whenthestormscomeinyourlife,diginbothheels,setyourfacelikeflint,andbedeterminedintheHolySpirittostayoutoftheboat!Veryoftenthestormceasesassoon

asyouquitandcrawlbackintoaplaceofsafetyandsecurity.

JustbecauseIdon’tunderstandwhatisgoingoninmylifedoesnotmeanGoddoesnothaveapurposeforit,orjustbecauseIdon’tfeelgoodaboutsomethingdoesnotmeanitis

notgoingtoworkoutforthebest.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUOh,letthewickednessofthewickedcometoanend,butestablishthe

[uncompromisingly]righteous[thoseuprightandinharmonywithYou];forYou,Whotrytheheartsandemotionsandthinkingpowers,arearighteousGod.

PSALM7:9

But,OLordofhosts,Whojudgesrightlyandjustly,Whoteststheheartandthemind,letmeseeYourvengeanceonthem,fortoYouIhaverevealedandcommittedmycause[rollingituponYou].

JEREMIAH11:20

three

IWillOvercome

Allofourlifeisfilledwithconstantchallengesanddifficultiesthattestourresolveanddeterminationandthequalityofourcharacter.ItwouldbeagreatmistaketooverlookthefactthatitisGodWhotestsourhearts,ouremotions,andourminds.

Howdowetestanything?Weputpressureonittoseeifitwilldowhatitsaysitwilldo.Willitholdupunderstress?Canitperformatthelevelitsmakersaysitcan?Isitgenuinewhenmeasuredagainstatruestandardofquality?Goddoesthesamewithus.

Itisverysadtomehowmanypeoplenevermakeitpastthetryingpoint.Theylackthepowerofdeterminationtopassthetestandspendtheirwholelifegoingaroundandaroundthesameproverbialmountains.ButinGod’sschoolwedon’tflunk.Wejustkeeptakingthetestoverandoveruntilwepassit.

James1:2-4saysthattestsbringoutwhatisinus.Itisintimesoftrialthatwebecomebestacquaintedwithourselvesandwhatwearecapableofdoing.Peterdidn’tthinkhewouldeverdenyJesus,buthecavedinwhentested.Asdifficultasitwas,thattestwasthestepthatshapedPeterintothemanofGodheeventuallybecame.

Godisnotimpressedwithwhatwesaywewilldo;Heisimpressedwithwhatweprovewewilldounderpressure.

GOD’SWORDFORYOU[Youshould]beexceedinglygladonthisaccount,thoughnowforalittlewhile

youmaybedistressedbytrialsandsuffertemptations,

Sothat[thegenuineness]ofyourfaithmaybetested,[yourfaith]whichisinfinitelymorepreciousthantheperishablegoldwhichistestedandpurifiedbyfire.[Thisprovingofyourfaithisintended]toredoundto[your]praiseandgloryandhonorwhenJesusChrist(theMessiah,theAnointedOne)isrevealed.

1PETER1:6-7

WHYBETESTED?Therearemanyteststhatcomeourwayeveryday.Forexample,ourbosstellsustodosomethingwedon’twanttodo.Orwe’regoingtopullintoaparkingspaceandsomeonezoomsinandtakesit.Orsomeonespeaksrudelytouswhenwe’vedonethemafavor.

In1Peter4:12,PetertellsusnottobesurprisedordismayedbytheteststhatwehavetoendurebecausebythemGodistestingour“quality,”orourcharacter.Peterknewthevalueofbeingtestedinhisownlife.Weallgothroughthem,andweshouldn’tbeconfusedaboutwhytheycomeourway.Godistestingourhearttoseewhatmannerofpersonweare.

EverytimeGodgivesusatest,wecantellhowfarwe’vecomeandhowfarwestillhavetogobyhowwereactinthattest.Attitudesoftheheartthatwedidn’tevenknowwehadcancomeoutwhenweareintestsandtrials.So,Peterconcludesinverse13thatweshouldrejoicewithtriumphinoursufferingsothatChrist’sglorymayberevealedthroughus.

TestingtimesthatGodpermitsinourlifeareactuallyforourbenefit,despitehowwefeelwhilewe’regoingthroughthem.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUButHeknowsthewaythatItake[Hehasconcernforit,appreciates,andpays

attentiontoit].WhenHehastriedme,Ishallcomeforthasrefinedgold[pureandluminous].

JOB23:10

IWILLTRUSTGODOneofthetestswecanexpecttoencounterinourjourneywithGodisthetrusttest.HowmanytimesdowesaytoGod,“Whatisgoingoninmylife?WhatareYoudoing?Whatishappening?Idon’tunderstand.”SometimesthethingshappeninginusseemtobetakingusintheexactoppositedirectionofwhatwefeelGodhasrevealedtous.

Thisiswheremanypeoplegiveupandfailandgobacktosomethingthatwillbequickerandeasierforthem.Ifyouareinaplacerightnowwherenothinginyourlifemakesanysense,trustGodanyway.OnelessonI’velearnedthroughtheyearsisthis:ThereisnosuchthingastrustingGodwithoutunansweredquestions.AslongasGodistrainingustotrust,therearealwaysgoingtobethingsinourlifewejustdon’tunderstand.

Whenheavenissilent,IhavelearnedthatIneedtostaybusydoingthelastthingGodtoldmetodoandjustkeeptrustingHim.GodwillmakeallthepiecesofourlifeworktogetherforHispurpose,evenwhenwedon’tseetomorrow’sprovision.Tomorrow’sanswersusuallydon’tcomeuntiltomorrow.

WemustdeterminetotrustGodwhenwedon’tunderstandwhatisgoingoninourlife.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUForwe[Christians]arethetruecircumcision,whoworshipGodinspiritand

bytheSpiritofGodandexultandgloryandprideourselvesinJesusChrist,andputnoconfidenceordependence[onwhatweare]inthefleshandonoutwardprivilegesandphysicaladvantagesandexternalappearances…

PHILIPPIANS3:3

IamtheVine;youarethebranches.WhoeverlivesinMeandIinhimbearsmuch(abundant)fruit.However,apartfromMe[cutofffromvitalunionwithMe]youcandonothing.

JOHN15:5

IWILLBESECUREINJESUSGoddespisesindependence.HewantsustobeastotallydependentandreliantuponHimasabranchisonavine.Wearenottoputconfidenceintheflesh,notoursoranybodyelse’s.

Howmanytimeshaveyoutrustedinyourownstrengthandfailedmiserably?Howmanytimeshaveotherpeopleletyoudownafteryouputyourtrustinthem?Howmanytimeshaveyoubeendisappointedwhenothersrejectedyouorfailedtodowhatyouexpected?GodwillkeeptakingusthroughthesetestsuntilweputourconfidenceinHimalone.Thetestsdon’tchange,butwechange.

Somepeoplespendtheirwholelivestryingtomakeeverybodyandeverythingelsechange—tryingtocontrolotherpeople,tryingtocontroltheircircumstances—withoutrealizingtherealsourceoftheirmiseryandunhappiness.Weareinforconstantfailureanddisappointmentaslongasoursecurityisinourselvesorotherpeople.Wewillbeheldhostagetocertainthingstomakeushappyandnevergetaroundtochangingbecauseweexpecteveryoneandeverythingelsetochange.

Wemustdeterminetoallowthetestsinourlivestocausetheimpuritiesinustorisetothetopwheretheycanbedealtwith.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUCeasetotrustin[weak,frail,anddying]man,whosebreathisinhisnostrils

[forsoshortatime];inwhatsensecanhebecountedashavingintrinsicworth?

Forbehold,theLord,theLordofhosts,istakingawayfromJerusalemandfromJudahthestayandthestaff[everykindofprop],thewholestayofbreadandthewholestayofwater…

ISAIAH2:22—3:1

IWILLLEANONGODGodasksusthroughtheprophetIsaiah,“Whyareyouputtingyourtrustinweak,frail,andmortalpeople?Inwhatsensecantheybecountedonashavingintrinsicworth?Instead,putyourtrustinMe.”Inlightofthat,HeaddsthatHeistakingawayfromHispeoplealltheirprops.

Whathappenstouswhenourpropsarepulledoutfromunderus?Wediscoverwhatwearereallyleaningon,whatwearereallyrootedandgroundedin.

AsnewbelieversinChrist,whenwebeginourwalkwithGodweneedapropsystem,somethingtohelpusonourway.WeneedagroupofpeoplearoundustokeepusstudyingtheBible,praying,andseekingtheLord.Withoutthatsupportsystem,whenthestormsoflifecomeagainstus,theywillblowusover.

Thatsupportsystemmaytakemanyforms,butsoonerorlaterGodisgoingtostartremovingthepropsfromunderus.Atfirst,thisisprettyscarybecausewedon’tunderstanditorlikeit.Itisthenwediscoverhowmuchofoursenseofvalueandworthdependsonthethingswearedoing.OurplaceistocooperatewiththeLordwhileHedoesHisworkinourlives.

WemustputourrootsdowndeepinChristsothatwecanstandtallandsteadyandbeatreeofrighteousness.

GOD’SWORDFORYOURememberthatItoldyou,Aservantisnotgreaterthanhismaster[isnot

superiortohim].IftheypersecutedMe,theywillalsopersecuteyou;iftheykeptMywordandobeyedMyteachings,theywillalsokeepandobeyyours.

JOHN15:20

Hewhohearsandheedsyou[disciples]hearsandheedsMe;andhewhoslightsandrejectsyouslightsandrejectsMe;andhewhoslightsandrejectsMeslightsandrejectsHimwhosentMe.

LUKE10:16

IWILLSHAKEOFFREJECTIONPeoplewillrejectusjustastheyrejectedJesus,Paul,andtheotherapostlesanddisciples.WeareservantsofarejectedMaster,andHeleadsustodothingsthataredifferentfromwhatothersaroundusaredoing.Butitisespeciallyhardwhenwearerejectedbypeoplewhoarewrongandwhoaresayinganddoingwrongthings.

WhenIfirststartedpreaching,Iwasterriblyinsecureandtookmyshareofcriticismandrejection.Finally,afterstrugglingthroughembarrassmentsandfeelingbad,theLordsimplysaidtome,“IamtheOneWhocalledyou.Don’tworrywhatpeoplethink.Ifyoudo,youaregoingtobeworryingallyourlifebecausethedevilwillneverstopfindingpeoplewhowillthinksomethingunkindaboutyou.”

InActs28:1-5,whenPaulwasbittenbyasnake,thenativesoftheislandofMaltathoughthemustbeamurdererandtheiravenginggoddessofjusticewouldnotallowhimtolive.Paulsimplyshookoffthesnakeandsufferednoevileffects.Thatiswhatwemustdowithfear,rejection,discouragement,disappointment,betrayal,orloneliness—shakeitoffandgoon.

Evenwhenourrejectionisfrompeoplewhoareclosetous,wemustdeterminetokeeppressingontowardfulfillingwhatGodhascalledustodo.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUButJesussaidtohim,Judas!WouldyoubetrayanddeliveruptheSonofMan

withakiss?

LUKE22:48

IWILLNOTBEBITTERJesusboreoursinssowedonothavetobearthem.ButthereareotherthingsHewentthroughthatHeenduredasanexampleforus,thingsthatwewillhavetofollowinHisfootstepsandgothrough.JesusfacedthebetrayalofJudasattheworstmomentofHislifebutdidnotletithinderHim.Anditcameintheformofakiss.

Satanlovesbetrayalbecauseoftenwhenwearehurtbysomeonewelove,respect,andtrust,wefeelwecan’ttrustanyone.ThinkofwhatDavidfeltwithAbsolam,orJosephwithhisbrothers.Wewanttogiveupand“doourownthing”soweneverhavetoexperiencethathurtagain.Betrayalissomethingwemustlearntoshakeoffandnotlethinderus,nomatterhowwefeel.

InMatthew24:10-13,Jesuswarnsusthatinthelastdaysbetrayalswillincrease.Healsotellsusthatthosewhoenduretotheendwillbesaved.Asbelievers,itisnotwhathappenstousthatruinsus.Itisourwrongresponsetowhathappensthatruinsus.Wecanchoosetomakearightresponse.

WemustdeterminethatwithGod’shelpwewillallowourpaintomakeusbetter,notbitter.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUAndtheLordturnedthecaptivityofJobandrestoredhisfortunes,whenhe

prayedforhisfriends;alsotheLordgaveJobtwiceasmuchashehadbefore.

JOB42:10

IWILLFORGIVEOneneednotreadfarintheBibletoseetheneedofforgivingothers.ManyoftheheroesoftheBible—Moses,Paul,Joseph,Stephen,Jesus,andothers—hadtoforgiveothersforunthinkablehurtsandwrongs.

ButIwillpointoutthecaseofJob,whomGodtoldtoprayforhisfriendswhodidnotstandwithhiminhispainandsufferingwhenhelosteverything,butwhojudgedhimseverely.Notonlywastheircounselunfairandcruel,butitwascouchedandtwistedinspiritualwordsthatmusthavepiercedintoJob’sdespair.Asaresultofhisprayerandhisforgivenessofthem,JobreceivedadoubleblessingfromGod.

Thetestofforgivenesscomesinallsizes—frompettyissuestocrueltyandpersecution.Atwhateverlevel,Satanknowsthatifwedonotforgive,ourfaithwillnotwork.EverythingthatcomesfromGodcomesbyfaith.Andifourfaithdoesn’twork,weareinserioustrouble.

TheheartofJesuswasnevertoreturnevilforevil,buttobecharitable,unselfish,speakingkindwordstothosewhoharmedHim.ThatisHiswayforus.

WemustdeterminetowalkinthepowerofGod’sloveandforgiveness,nomatterwhathatred,bitterness,ormalicewemayface.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUForifyoulovethosewholoveyou,whatrewardcanyouhave?Donoteventhe

taxcollectorsdothat?

MATTHEW5:46

IWILLLOVEWeallhaveafewpeopleinourlifewhoarelikesandpapertous.Somearelikeanentirepackageofsandpaper.Itseemsthatwhentheyarearound,wearesurroundedbysandpaperonallsides,grindingawayonourroughedges.

WhenGodfirstcalledmetopreach,Godputthreepeopleinmylifewhoirritatedthedaylightsoutofme.Onewasmyhusband,Dave,whoneverseemedtodothingsthewayIwantedthemdone.Anotherwasafriendwhowasaperfectionist,whosawlifeinawaythatdrovemycholericpersonalitycrazy.Theotherwasagirlwholivednextdoorwhowasreallyvagueabouteverythingshewantedtodo,whileIfeltIexcelledinsettinggoalsandbeingdefiniteineverythingIwantedtodo.Thesandpaperwasgrindingonme.

Ithoughteverybodyelsehadaproblem.IresistedallthethingsInowknowGodhadplacedinmylife.ThenIdiscoveredthatGodputsirritatingpeopleinourlivessowecan’tgetawayfromthem.Ifwetrytorunfromone,twomorewillappeararoundthecorner.Wemustlearntoloveandtogetalongwitheachother.Noteveryoneisgoingtobeordowhatwewant.

WemustdeterminetowalkintheloveofChristandletHimshapeusthroughothersHebringsintoourlives.

Wemustdeterminethatwewillbefaithful,evenwhennobodyknowsusorseemstocarewhatwearedoingorgoingthrough.NeverleaveanythingGodhasassignedyoutodo

unlessHeHimselfreleasesyoufromit.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUAndletthemalsobetriedandinvestigatedandprovedfirst;then,iftheyturn

outtobeabovereproach,letthemserve[asdeacons].

1TIMOTHY3:10

four

IWillBeFaithful

Weareallgoingtobetested.Countonit.Therearenoexceptions—everybodygoesthroughdifferenttestsattimesintheirlives.Buttheyareallopen-booktests;theanswersarefoundintheBook.Nomatterwhatwearegoingthrough,theBiblehastherevelationthatGodhasplacedthereforus.

Wemustbefaithfultokeepondoingwhatisright,evenwhentherightthinghasnothappenedtousyet.IfwewantGodtoworkthroughourlives,Heisgoingtodoaworkinusfirst.Satanattacksusinourminds,tellingusliessuchas,“Thisisnotworking.Thisisnotdoingyouanygoodnow,andit’snevergoingtodoyouanygood.Youmightaswellgiveitupandgodosomethingelse.”SomanypeoplequitonGodrightbeforetheirbreakthrough.

Today’sinstantsocietyisruiningpeoplebecausewethinkeverythingshouldbeeasy.Butgodlystrength,wisdomandknowledge,spiritualmaturityandcharacteraredevelopedinusaswegothroughtests.

IfwewanttogrowupinGodanddowhatHehascalledustodo,wehavetojustsettledownandbefaithful.Thereisno“microwavematurity.”

GOD’SWORDFORYOUBecausehehassethisloveuponMe,thereforewillIdeliverhim;Iwillsethim

onhigh,becauseheknowsandunderstandsMyname[hasapersonalknowledgeofMymercy,love,andkindness—trustsandreliesonMe,knowingIwillneverforsakehim,no,never].

HeshallcalluponMe,andIwillanswerhim;Iwillbewithhimintrouble,Iwilldeliverhimandhonorhim.

WithlonglifewillIsatisfyhimandshowhimMysalvation.

PSALM91:14–16

FAITHFULINLONELINESSGodwantsyoutoknowthatyouareneveralone.Satanwantsyoutobelieveyouareallalone,butyouarenot.Hewantsyoutobelievethatnooneunderstandshowyoufeel,butthatisnottrue.InadditiontoGodbeingwithyou,manybelieversknowhowyoufeelandunderstandwhatyouareexperiencing.

Whenyouaremakingspiritualprogress,Satanoftenbringsafflictiontodiscourageyouandwilltrytomakeyoufeelalone.SeveralyearsagoIwentthroughaverydifficulttimewhenIwasseparatedfrommanypeopleandthingsverydeartome.Godwantedmetomoveonwithmylife,butIwasnotobeyingHim.WhenIwouldnotmove,Godmovedmeandsomeofthepeopleinmylife.Irealizenowthatitwasoneofthebestthingsthateverhappenedtome,butatthetimeIthoughtmywholeworldwasfallingapart.

Death,divorce,losingacareer,orexperiencingapersonalinjuryaresomeofthedevastatinglossesthatpeopleface.Ifyouarebattlinglonelinessandpain,drawstrengthfromGodandknowthatyouaremovingforward.Hehasthepowertoturnyourmourningintojoyandtocomfortyouinyoursorrow.

IwillhopeinGod’sloveandbelievethatGodisalwaysatmyside.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUOGod,YouaremyGod,earnestlywillIseekYou;myinnerselfthirstsforYou,

myfleshlongsandisfaintforYou,inadryandwearylandwherenowateris.

PSALM63:1

FAITHFULINTHEWILDERNESSOneofthewaysGodtestsusisbyallowingustogothroughdrytimes,timeswhennothingseemstoministertousorwateroursoul.Wegotochurch,andwefeelnodifferentwhenweleavethanwedidwhenwecame.Timeswhenourprayersseemdryandtheheavensarebrass,timeswhenwecan’thearorfeelanythingfromGod.

Ihavegonethroughmountaintoptimes,andIhavebeenthroughvalleytimes.Ihavehaddrytimesinmyprayerlifeandinmypraiseandworship.TherehavebeentimeswhenIcouldhearfromGodsoclearly,andtherehavebeenothertimeswhenIhavenotheardanythingatall.

Iwillbehonestwithyou.IcametoapointwhereIdon’tlethowIfeeldeterminewhetherIbelieveGodiswithmeornot.IjustchoosetobelieveHeis.IjustloveGod,andthat’sit.IworshipHim,andthat’sit.Ipray,IbelieveHehearsme,andthat’sit.IrefusetohavetheupsanddownsIusedtogothrough.

IwillsimplytrustthatGodknowswhatHeisdoing.IfIdoordon’tfeelanything,that’sfine.Iwillbefaithfulinthewildernessaswellasonthemountaintop.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUHowhaveyoufallenfromheaven,Olight-bringeranddaystar,sonofthe

morning!Howyouhavebeencutdowntotheground,youwhoweakenedandlaidlowthenations[Oblasphemous,satanickingofBabylon!]

Andyousaidinyourheart,Iwillascendtoheaven;IwillexaltmythroneabovethestarsofGod;Iwillsituponthemountofassemblyintheuttermostnorth.

Iwillascendabovetheheightsoftheclouds;IwillmakemyselfliketheMostHigh.

ISAIAH14:12-14

FAITHFULTOOBEYItwasself-willthatdestroyedLucifer.Inexaltinghimself,hesaid,“Iwill,”fivetimes.Godhadananswerforhim:“…youshallbebroughtdowntoSheol(Hades),totheinnermostrecessesofthepit.”Inotherwords,“Youwillbecastdowntohell.”

WhenGodasksustodosomethingcontrarytoourwill,wemustrememberthewordsofJesus:“…notwhatIwill[notwhatIdesire],butasYouwillanddesire.”Thisisperhapsthehardesttesttopassandpassquickly.Whenwewantsomething,wedon’tgiveupeasily.IttakesalotofbrokennesstobringustotheplacewherewearepliableandmoldableinthehandofGod.

ThebottomlineisthatwemustbewillingtodowhateverGodsays,andnotwhatwefeelorwant.Hemayaskustogiveawaythingswedon’twanttopartwith.Hemayaskustogoplaces,dothings,anddealwithpeoplewedon’twantanythingtodowith.Hemaytellustokeepourmouthsshutwhenwewanttoblastsomeone.

IwillbefaithfultoalwaysputGod’swillaheadofmyown.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUIdonotfrustratethegraceofGod:forifrighteousnesscomebythelaw,then

Christisdeadinvain.

GALATIANS2:21KJV

FAITHFULWHENFRUSTRATEDIknowwhatfrustrationislikebecauseIspentmanyyearsinfrustration.IknewnothingofthegraceofGod.IhavesincelearnedthatwhenIgetfrustrated,itisalmostalwaysbecauseIamtryingtomakesomethinghappeninsteadofwaitingontheLordtomakeithappen.IfIamfrustrated,itisasignthatIamactingindependently.

Areyoufrustratedwithyourspiritualgrowth?DoesitseemthemoreyouprayandseekGod,theworseyouget?Areyouwrestlingwithanareaofyourpersonalitythatiscausingyouproblems,oristhereaspecificbondageinyourlifethatyoucan’tbreak?

Frustrationcomesfromtryingtodosomethingyoucannotdo.GodistheonlyOneWhocanmakethingshappenforyouinyourlife.Itwilldonogoodtotrytokickthedoorsdown.Buttheminuteyousay,“Lord,Ican’tdothis,soIletitgo,”youcanalmostfeelthefrustrationliftoffyoubythegraceofGod.

IwillletgoandtrustGodtodowhatonlyHecando.IwillletGodbeGod.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUAndSaulsaidtoDavid,YouarenotabletogotofightagainstthisPhilistine.

Youareonlyanadolescent,andhehasbeenawarriorfromhisyouth.

AndDavidsaidtoSaul,Yourservantkepthisfather’ssheep.Andwhentherecamealionoragainabearandtookalamboutoftheflock,

Iwentoutafteritandsmoteitanddeliveredthelamboutofitsmouth;andwhenitaroseagainstme,Icaughtitbyitsbeardandsmoteitandkilledit.

Yourservantkilledboththelionandthebear;andthisuncircumcisedPhilistineshallbelikeoneofthem,forhehasdefiedthearmiesofthelivingGod!

Davidsaid,TheLordWhodeliveredmeoutofthepawofthelionandoutofthepawofthebear,HewilldelivermeoutofthehandofthisPhilistine.AndSaulsaidtoDavid,Go,andtheLordbewithyou!

1SAMUEL17:33–37

FAITHFULWHENDISCOURAGEDWhenDavidvolunteeredtogoandfightGoliath,nooneencouragedhim.Everyone,includingtheking,toldhimhewastooyoung,tooinexperienced,toosmall,andhedidn’thavetherightarmor.ButDavidencouragedhimselfbyrecountingthevictoriesGodhadgivenhiminthepast.

Understandthis:Therewillbehundreds,maybethousands,oftimeswhenSatanwillcomeagainstyoutodiscourageyou.HeknowsyoumusthavecouragetoovercometheattackshelaunchesagainstyoutokeepyoufrombeingfaithfultofulfillGod’sgoodplanforyourlife.Ifyouarediscouraged,youbecomeweakandlosethecouragetomoveforward.

Whenyouhavetowaitalongtimeforsomething,orwhenitseemsthateverythingandeverybodyisagainstyou,youenduptiredandwornout.Sometimesyouarenotreadytofacethediscouragementthataccompaniesit.SaytoGod,“Lord,IwillbefaithfultoYou.Helpmenow,orIwillsurelysink.”Thengetupandgoon.

Iwillfacemydiscouragementandrefusetohaveapityparty.IchoosetobepowerfulinChristratherthanpitifulinmyself.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUSowhenHehadfinishedwashingtheirfeetandhadputonHisgarmentsand

hadsatdownagain,Hesaidtothem,DoyouunderstandwhatIhavedonetoyou?

YoucallMetheTeacher(Master)andtheLord,andyouarerightindoingso,forthatiswhatIam.

IfIthen,yourLordandTeacher(Master),havewashedyourfeet,youought[itisyourduty,youareunderobligation,youoweit]towashoneanother’sfeet.

ForIhavegivenyouthisasanexample,sothatyoushoulddo[inyourturn]whatIhavedonetoyou.

JOHN13:12-15

FAITHFULTOSERVEGodwillgiveusopportunitytobeaservant,andthenHewillcheckourattitudetoseehowwe’redoing.Jesusgaveusanexampleofservanthoodbywashingthefeetofthedisciplesandthentellingthem,“YoushoulddotoothersasIhavedonetoyou.”

Somepeoplefailtobeservantsbecausetheydon’tknowwhotheyareinChrist.Theyfeeltheymustbedoingsomethingimportant,ortheydon’tfeeltheyareworthanything.Theyfailtoseethevalueofdoingwhatevertheyarecalledupontodo,regardlessofhowordinaryormundaneitmayseem.

WeneedtobewillingtodowhateverGodwantsustodo,tobeusedinwhateverwayHewantstouseus.Theattitudeofaservantshouldbedisplayedineveryareaofourlife.TheservanttestissimplyhowwerespondtotheopportunitiesGodgivesustobeablessingtoothers.ItrevealswhetherwereallyandtrulywanttobelikeJesus.WhenGodanointsaperson,Heisanointingthatpersontobeaservant,nottobeafamousperson.

Iwillbefaithfultowashsomefeettoday,startingwiththoseinmyownhome.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUNooneunderstands[nooneintelligentlydiscernsorcomprehends];noone

seeksoutGod.

ROMANS3:11

FAITHFULWHENMISUNDERSTOODTherearetimeswhenourfaithfulnesstoGodwillbemisunderstoodbypeopleweexpecttounderstandandcomfortus.Ibelievetherewillalwaysbethosewhowon’tunderstandus.PeopledidnotunderstandJesuseither.NobodyreallyunderstoodHimorthecallonHislife,notevenHisownfamily.

Irememberwhenpeoplewouldsaytome,“Whydoyouactthewayyoudo?”Ihavealwaysbeenalittleunique.WhatImeanbythatis,Ididn’talwayslikewhatotherpeopleliked,orIdidn’tsayordothingsotherpeoplethoughtIshould.Ihavealwaysbeenreallyserious,andsomepeopledidn’tunderstandmeormypersonalitytype.

YourobediencetoGodmaymeanthatyouwon’tfitintotheregularregimenofwhatisgoingonaroundyou.Youmayfeeloutofplace,andinthosemomentsitisreallyconfusinganddisturbingtobeaskedbyotherpeople,“What’swrongwithyou?Whydoyouactthatway?”Rememberthatthisissimplyatestofyourfaithfulness.

IwillstandwithGodanddowhatHesays,evenifnobodyunderstands,agreeswith,orsupportsme.Jesusunderstandsme,andHeisenough.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUButItrustedin,reliedon,andwasconfidentinYou,OLord;Isaid,Youaremy

God.

MytimesareinYourhands;delivermefromthehandsofmyfoesandthosewhopursuemeandpersecuteme.

PSALM31:14–15

AndlestIshouldbeexaltedabovemeasurethroughtheabundanceoftherevelations,therewasgiventomeathornintheflesh,themessengerofSatantobuffetme,lestIshouldbeexaltedabovemeasure.

ForthisthingIbesoughttheLordthrice,thatitmightdepartfromme.

Andhesaiduntome,Mygraceissufficientforthee:formystrengthismadeperfectinweakness.MostgladlythereforewillIrathergloryinmyinfirmities,thatthepowerofChristmayrestuponme.

2CORINTHIANS12:7–9KJV

FAITHFULTOHISTIMINGGoddoesnotmoveinourtiming.Heisneverlate,butHeisusuallynotearlyeither.HeisoftentheGodofthemidnighthour.Itisasthoughweareadrowningmangoingdownforthelasttime,andGodcomesthroughtorescueusatthelastmoment.

WemustlearntotrustGod’stiming.Butbeforewecandothat,wemustcometotheplacewherewearebrokenbeforeHim.Ourself-willandindependencemustbebrokenbeforeGodisfreetoworkHiswillinourlifeandcircumstances.

WeseehowthisworkedinPaul’ssituation.WhileGoddidnotgivePaulthebreakthroughhewanted,HegavePaulthegrace,strength,andabilitytoendurewhathewasgoingthroughandstillwalkinthefruitoftheSpirit.Oneleveloffaithgetsusdeliveredfromtrials,butanotherleveloffaithtakesusthroughtrials.Personally,Idon’tthinkittakesnearlyasmuchfaithtoprayandgetdeliveredfromsomethingasitdoestocontinuetobelieveinGod’spowerwhendeliveranceisnotbeingmanifested.Itisinthosetestingtimesthatwegrowinfaith.

IwillremainfaithfulandtrustGodtoworkinmysituation—inHisperfecttiming.Iwillnottakemattersintomyownhands.

Thesourceofmanyofourproblemsisoftennotabigspiritualissue,butasimple,practicalareathatdemandsourfullattention.Weneedtobebalancedinallofourlife.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUBewellbalanced(temperate,soberofmind),bevigilantandcautiousatall

times;forthatenemyofyours,thedevil,roamsaroundlikealionroaring[infiercehunger],seekingsomeonetoseizeuponanddevour.

1PETER5:8

five

IWillStayBalanced

Ibelieveweliveinaworldthatisoutofbalance.Ialsobelievethatmostofthepeopleinitareoutofbalance.Yetoneofthethingsthatwehearverylittleteachingaboutistheimportanceofbeinginbalance.

TheapostlePeterhadseveralthingstosayonthesubject.Hetellsustobewell-balancedandsoberofmind,whichmeanstobedisciplinedandserious.Healsotellsustobevigilantandcautiousbecausewehaveanenemy,Satan,whoisouttoseizeuponanddevourus.

InEphesians4:27,Paulemphasizesthissamepointwhenhetellsustocontrolouranger,warningus,“Leaveno[such]roomorfootholdforthedevil[givenoopportunitytohim].”

Ifwearegoingtokeepthedoorclosedtothedevil,wehavetobedeterminedtodoso.Heislookingforsomeoneoutofbalance,someonewhoispayingtoomuchattentiontooneareaofhislifeandlettingtheotherareasofhislifegotopot,sotospeak.WehavetobedeterminedtokeepourprioritiesinlinewithGod’spriorities.Manytimesitcomesdowntosimple,practicalareasofourlifethatcanmeanthedifferencebetweenkeepingthedoorclosedornot.

Thedevilisalwaysgoingtogiveustrouble,butwemustdoourparttokeepthedoorclosedtohim.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUNoweveryathletewhogoesintotrainingconductshimselftemperatelyand

restrictshimselfinallthings.Theydoittowinawreaththatwillsoonwither,butwe[doittoreceiveacrownofeternalblessedness]thatcannotwither.

1CORINTHIANS9:25

RESTRICTYOURSELFFirstCorinthians9:25saysthateveryonewhostrivesformasteryinanythingmustrestricthimselfinallthings.Thisisallaboutthepowerofdeterminationtokeepourlivesinbalance.

Balanceisnotsomethingwegetintoonetimeandstaythereforever.WecanbeinbalanceonMondayandoutofbalancebyWednesday.Itmustbekeptandmaintained.

Norisbalanceachievedovereverythingatonce.Therearethousandsofareasofourlife,andeachoneofthemhastobebroughtintobalanceandthenkeptthatwaythroughregularmaintenanceandcare.

Wehaveapractical,naturalsideofourlifethatwemusttakecareof.Ifwedon’t,itwillenduphurtingourspiritualside.Forexample,ifwedon’ttakecareofourphysicalbody,wewillgetsick.Whenwegetsick,wedon’tfeellikepraying,releasingourfaith,orbelievingtheLord.SatanlooksforwaystogetusoutofbalancesohecanstopusfromdoingwhatGodhascalledustodo.

Whenwehaveaproblem,itisnotalwaysaspiritualareathatisoutofline.Manytimesitisanaturalareathatwearenotpayingattentionto.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUBymuchslothfulnessthebuildingdecayeth;andthroughidlenessofthehands

thehousedroppeththrough.

ECCLESIASTES10:18KJV

BALANCEINYOURWORKWehaveallbeengivenpowersandabilities.Butwehavetoregulatethedifferentareasofourlifetokeeptheminproperperspective.Ifwehavetoomuchworkandnotenoughrest,wegetoutofbalance.Webecomeworkaholicsandendupburnedout.

Igetalotofsatisfactionoutofaccomplishmentsandwork.Idon’tlikealotofwhatIconsidersillinessandwastedtimeinmylife.Butbecauseofmynature,Itendtogetoutofbalanceinthisarea.IhavetodeterminethatIwillnotonlyworkbutalsorest.Thatisapriorityforme.

Butitispossibletogototheextremeandhavetoomuchrestandnotenoughwork.Solomonsaysthat“throughindolencetherafters[ofstateaffairs]decayandtheroofsinksin,andthroughidlenessofthehandsthehouseleaks.”Inotherwords,peoplewhodon’tworkenoughendupintrouble.Theirhouses,cars,bodies,andeverythingelsebecomeamessbecausetheydon’tdotheworknecessarytokeepthingsinorder.Theyfailtoregulatethepowersattheirdisposal.Theyareoutofbalance.

Bringorderandbalancetoyourlifeonestepatatime.GodischangingyoudaybydayasyoutrustHim.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUOfwhatuseismoneyinthehandofa[self-confident]fooltobuyskillfuland

godlyWisdom—whenhehasnounderstandingorheartforit?

PROVERBS17:16

BALANCEINYOURFINANCESWehavethepowertospendmoneyortosavemoney.SomepeopletrytosavealltheirmoneyEithertheyaregreedyortheyarefearfulaboutthefuture,thinkingthatmoneymightsavethemfromsomeunforeseencalamitySotheygetoutofbalance.

Othersgetoutofbalancewithmoneybyoverspendingallthetime.Whenthathappens,theystartusingcreditcardsandrunningthemuptothemaximumallowed.Someofthemtrytogetoutofdebtbyrebuking“thedevilsofdebt.”Theywantamiracletocorrecttheirlackofdiscipline.

Toooftenthatisourproblem.Wegetourselvesintoamessandthentrytogetourselvesoutbysomemiraculousmethod.Wegofromonemesstoanother,neverwantingtotakeresponsibilityforourownmistakes.Itiswalkinginstupiditytospendourlivesignoringtheconsequencesofbadchoices.

Ifyouareinfinancialtrouble,youmustdeterminetopayoffyourdebts.Itwillrequiregreatdisciplineandperhapssomepain,butthisisnotatimetofeelsorryforyourself.Takingresponsibilitytosolvetheproblemisforyoutodo.

Ittakestimetogetintodebt,andittakestimetogetoutofdebt.CooperatewithGodindealingwithit.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUDoyounotknowthatyourbodyisthetemple(theverysanctuary)oftheHoly

SpiritWholiveswithinyou,Whomyouhavereceived[asaGift]fromGod?Youarenotyourown…

1CORINTHIANS6:19

BALANCEINYOURDIETIfIdon’tdeterminetosticktoasensiblediet,IwillfindsomethingIlikeandeatitallthetime.Ofcourse,thatisnotwisebecausethehumanbodywasnevermeanttoliveoffofsweetsandsnacks.Wecannoteatonlyicecream,candybars,andpotatochipsandexpecttostayhealthy.

Thereisnothingworsethangoingthroughlifefeelingbadallthetime.Asapersonwhostruggledforyearswitheatingandweightproblems,Iknowthefeelingalltoowell.Whenweeatthewrongfoodsandputonextrapounds,wejustdon’tfeelright.

Godcallseachofustodosomethingspecialinthislife.Buttodoit,wemustdeterminetotakecareofourbody—thehousewelivein.Wehavetofindbalanceinwhatweeatanddrink,getenoughrestandexercise,andkeepourweightdowntowhatisrightforourframe.

Idon’tthinkthatanyonewillbehealthywithoutfollowingabalanceddiet.Eachofusneedstoknowourbody,whatitneeds,andwhatisreallybestforit.Determinetodaythatyouwillbegintoeatbetterandlivefree.

YouarefreetofollowtheleadingoftheHolySpiritandfreefromdoingeverythingyourfleshdemands.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUForGoddidnotgiveusaspiritoftimidity(ofcowardice,ofcravenand

cringingandfawningfear),but[Hehasgivenusaspirit]ofpowerandofloveandofcalmandwell-balancedmindanddisciplineandself-control.

2TIMOTHY1:7

BALANCEINEVERYTHINGIt’spossibletogooverboardinanyareaofourlife.Awomancanruinhermarriagebygettingexcessivelyinvolvedinspiritualactivities,suchasprayingandBiblestudies.Ifshefailstopayattentiontoherhusband’sneeds,noamountofspiritualreasonswillcompensateforthedamagetoherrelationship.

Menhaveagreatneedforrecreationandwanttohavefun.Forsomemen,thatneedisturnedintoanobsessionthatconsumesthem.

Somepeopledon’tthinkenough,whileothersthinktoomuch.Somedon’ttalkenough,andsometalktoomuch.Somepeopleplantoomuch,andsomedon’tplanenough.Sometimeswethinktoohighlyofourselves,andsometimeswethinktoolowlyofourselves.Wecanspendtoomuchtimeonourselves,becomingselfishandself-centered.Butwecanalsoignoreourselvesandourownneedssomuchthatitcausesdeepemotionalproblems.Sometimesweallneedtodojustalittlesomethingforourselves.

Godismercifulandworkswithustobringordertoourlives.TakewhateverstepsandmakewhateveradjustmentsHeisshowingyou.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUMoses’father-in-lawsaidtohim,Thethingthatyouaredoingisnotgood.

Youwillsurelywearoutbothyourselfandthispeoplewithyou,forthethingistooheavyforyou;youarenotabletoperformitallbyyourself.

EXODUS18:17–18

YOUARENOTINVINCIBLEItwouldnotsurprisemetolearnthatGodissayingthesamethingtoyouthatHesaidtoMoses.ItisawordfortodaySometimesweliketothinkweareinvincible.Wedon’tlikeanybodytotellusthatsomethingistoomuchforustohandle,andwepushonandondespitewhatwefeel.

IwasalwaysthekindofpersonwhothoughtIcoulddoanythingIsetmymindto.IwasthoroughlyconvincedIcoulddoallthingsthroughChristWhostrengthensme.Ifsomeonetoldmedifferently,itjustmadememoredetermined.Ifoundoutthatifwehaveanattitudethatwecandoanything,nomatterwhatitis,weareoutofbalance.Ittooksomehealthproblemstoproveittome.

Here’sthetruth:GoddoesnotgiveuspowerforanythingHedoesnottellustodo.Goddoesnotgiveusmorethanwecanstandorendure.IfHegivesusajobtodo,thenHegivesustheabilitytoperformit.AndIdon’tmeanjustdraggingourselvesaroundhalfdeadallthetime.Godmeansforyoutohavelifeandtohaveitabundantly.

Arethereanyadjustmentsyouneedtomakeinordertokeepyourselfinbalance?Ifyouwilladjust,asMosesdid,youwillslamthedoorinthedevil’sface.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUButhehimselfwentaday’sjourneyintothewildernessandcameandsatdown

underalonebroomorjunipertreeandaskedthathemightdie.Hesaid,Itisenough;now,OLord,takeawaymylife;forIamnobetterthanmyfathers.

Ashelayasleepunderthebroomorjunipertree,behold,anangeltouchedhimandsaidtohim,Ariseandeat.

Helooked,andbehold,therewasacakebakedonthecoals,andabottleofwaterathishead.Andheateanddrankandlaydownagain.

TheangeloftheLordcamethesecondtimeandtouchedhimandsaid,Ariseandeat,forthejourneyistoogreatforyou.

Sohearoseandateanddrank,andwentinthestrengthofthatfoodfortydaysandnightstoHoreb,themountofGod.

1KINGS19:4–8

GETSOMERESTWhyintheworldwouldamansuchasElijah,whoonthepreviousdayhadtriumphedover450prophetsofBaal,suddenlyallowhimselftobecomesointimidatedbythethreatsofasolitarywomannamedJezebelthatheranawayinfear?

Ifyoustudythestoryclosely,it’sclearthathewastotallywornoutandexhaustedfrompushinghimselfsohardforsolong.EvenanextraordinaryanointingoftheSpiritdoesnotmeanyouwon’tgettired.Elijah’sbodywascompletelybrokendown,andhisemotionshadtotallyfallenapart.Hewasnothandlinghimselfthewayhenormallywould.Hewasafraid,depressed,discouraged,andsuicidal.

Nothinginlifelooksgoodtouswhenweareexhausted.Itseemstousthatnobodylovesus,nobodyhelpsus,nobodyisconcernedaboutus.Wefeelabused,misused,misunderstood,andmistreated.Manytimeswhenwefeelwehavedeepproblems,allthatiswrongwithusisthatweareexhausted.

TheLordsaidtoElijah,“You’rewornout.Youneedacoupleofhotmealsandagoodnight’srest.”Weneedtolistentothatword.

Manyoftheproblemspeoplehaveinrelationshipstodayaretheresultofimbalance—justbeingwornout.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUIamtheTrueVine,andMyFatheristheVinedresser.

AnybranchinMethatdoesnotbearfruit[thatstopsbearing]Hecutsaway(trimsoff,takesaway);andHecleansesandrepeatedlypruneseverybranchthatcontinuestobearfruit,tomakeitbearmoreandricherandmoreexcellentfruit….

Whenyoubear(produce)muchfruit,MyFatherishonoredandglorified,andyoushowandproveyourselvestobetruefollowersofMine.

JOHN15:1-2,8

DETERMINETOPRUNELackofbalancehindersfruitfulliving.AndifthereisanythingthatGodwantsustodo,itistobearfruit.ThefirstthingGodsaidtoAdamandEvewas,“Befruitful.”JesusmadeitclearinJohn15thatHedesiresustobefruit-bearingdisciples.

Jesussaysthatifwedonotbearfruit,Godwillpruneustomakeusproductive.Andifwedobearfruit,Godwillpruneussowebearmore,richer,andmoreexcellentfruit.Tousthewordpruneisanasty,uglywordbecauseitmeansto“cutaway,”“trimoff,”or“takeaway.”Nobodylikesthosecuttingwords.Butit’sclearthatwearegoingtobepruned.

Godmayhavetoclipoffsomethingsinourlivesthatwewouldliketobabyandnursealong.Itmaymeanlettinggoofthingswe’redoingthatwe’reverycomfortablewith.Itmaymeansignificantchangetoadjustto.ButGodknowswhatHehasinmindforusoverall.WhenHestartsdealingwithustoletgoofsomething,thebestthingwecandoisjustletitgobecauseHeknowsHisbusiness.

WhenwearedeterminedtogiveupourwayofdoingthingsandacceptGod’swayofdoingthings,weareontheroadtobecomingallthatGodwantsustobe.

Godisonyourside,andifHeisforyou,itreallydoesnotmatterwhoisagainstyou.Thegiantsmaybebig,butGodisbigger.Youmayhaveweaknesses,butGodhasstrength.Youmayhavesininyourlife,butGodhasgrace.Youmayfail,butGodremainsfaithful!

GOD’SWORDFORYOUNowtoHimWho,by(inconsequenceof)the[actionofHis]powerthatisat

workwithinus,isableto[carryoutHispurposeand]dosuperabundantly,faroverandaboveallthatwe[dare]askorthink[infinitelybeyondourhighestprayers,desires,thoughts,hopes,ordreams]…

EPHESIANS3:20

six

IWillPressOn

Godlovestousecommon,ordinary,everydaypeoplewhohaveuncommongoalsandvisions.

ThatiswhatIam—justacommon,ordinarypersonwithagoalandvisionthatfuelmydetermination.ButjustbecauseIamcommonandordinarydoesnotmeanthatIamcontenttobeaverage.Idon’tlikethatword.Idon’twanttobeaverage.Idon’tintendtobeaverage.Idon’tserveanaverageGod;therefore,Idon’tbelieveIhavetobeaverage—andneitherdoyou.

IbelievethatanyonecanbemightilyusedbyGod.Ibelievethatwecandogreatandmightythings,thingsthatamazeevenus,ifwebelievethatGodcanuseusandifwewillbedaringanddeterminedenoughtohaveanuncommongoalandvision.ByuncommonImeansomethingthatwetrulyhavetobelieveGodfor—beyondallthatwecoulddaretohope,ask,orthink,accordingtoHisgreatpowerthatisatworkinus.Weneedtobedaringinourfaithandinourprayers.

Wemustdeterminetostretchourfaithintonewrealms.Weneedtobecommonpeoplewithuncommongoals.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUFor[simply]consideryourowncall,brethren;notmany[ofyouwere

consideredtobe]wiseaccordingtohumanestimatesandstandards,notmanyinfluentialandpowerful,notmanyofhighandnoblebirth.

[No]forGodselected(deliberatelychose)whatintheworldisfoolishtoputthewisetoshame,andwhattheworldcallsweaktoputthestrongtoshame.

AndGodalsoselected(deliberatelychose)whatintheworldislowbornandinsignificantandbrandedandtreatedwithcontempt,eventhethingsthatarenothing,thatHemightdeposeandbringtonothingthethingsthatare,

Sothatnomortalmanshould[havepretenseforgloryingand]boastinthepresenceofGod.

1CORINTHIANS1:26–29

CHOSENBYGODPaultellsusplainlywhatGodchoosesandwhy.HesaysthatHechooseswhattotheworldisfoolishtoputthewisetoshame,andwhattheworldcallsweaktoputthestrongtoshame.

IamsogladittellsmethatGoddeliberatelychoseme.Hedidn’tgetmebyaccident.Iwasn’tjustpushedoffonHimsothatHehadnochoicebuttocarryonthisministrythroughmebecauseHecouldn’tgetanyoneelsetodoit.

WhenGodgottheideaforLifeInTheWordMinistries,HelookedaroundforthebiggestmessHecouldfind,someonewholovedHimandhadarighthearttowardHim,someonewhowouldworkhard,someonewhowasdetermined,diligent,anddisciplined.ButIhadnospecialtalent.TheonlythingIdoreallywellistalk,butevenmyvoiceisabitunusual.

Peoplelookattheexterior,butGodlooksattheheart.Hischoiceisnotbasedonappearance,education,ourpossessions,orevenourtalents.Itisbasedonourheartattitude,whetherwearewillingtofulfillahandfulofqualificationstobeusedbyGod.

IfwecontinuebeingfaithfultoGod,wewilleventuallygetwhereGodwantsustobe.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUIappealtoyoutherefore,brethren,andbegofyouinviewof[all]themercies

ofGod,tomakeadecisivededicationofyourbodies[presentingallyourmembersandfaculties]asalivingsacrifice,holy(devoted,consecrated)andwellpleasingtoGod,whichisyourreasonable(rational,intelligent)serviceandspiritualworship.

ROMANS12:1

BEUSABLEIfyouareabeliever,yourlifehasbeenconsecratedtoGod,setapartforHisuseonly.Youdon’tbelongtoyourself,becauseyouhavebeenboughtwithaprice(1Corinthians6:20).YouhavethebrandoftheHolySpirituponyou(Ephesians4:30),justasarancherbrandshiscattletoshowthattheybelongtohim.

WeshouldnothavetheattitudethatGodbelongstousandtrytotellHimwhatwewantandhowHeshouldgoaboutgettingitforus.WeshouldnotstarteverymorningbygivingGodourtwelve-partwantlistofwhatitisgoingtotaketomakeushappy.ButIspentyearsdoingthat.Iusedtopray,“Oh,God,ifIdon’thavemoremoney,Ijustcan’tstandit.”Thosewerethewildernessyearsformylife.

Ourproblemisthattoooftenwethinkaboutwhatwecannotdoratherthanwhatwecando.WhateverGodrequiresofus,wecando.WhatHerequiresofusissimplytobeusable,andallofuscandothat.Wecanworkhard,walkinwisdom,andtrytomakesurethatourwordsandthoughtsarepleasingtoGodwhilewetrustHimtoworkoutHisgoodplanforourlife.

Wemaynotbeabletodoeverything,butwecanfinishwhatGodgivesustostart.Wecanstayonthenarrowpath.Wecanbecommittedanddisciplined.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUForIknowthethoughtsandplansthatIhaveforyou,saystheLord,thoughts

andplansforwelfareandpeaceandnotforevil,togiveyouhopeinyourfinaloutcome.

JEREMIAH29:11

GODHASAPLANThemostimportantthingisnothowwestartbuthowwefinish.Somepeoplegetstartedwithabang,buttheyneverfinish.Othersareslowstarters,buttheyfinishstrong.

Godhasaplanforeachofus.Itisourdestiny.Butitisapossibility,nota“positively.”EvenifsomeoneprophesiesoveruswonderfulthingsinthenameoftheLord,justasaprophetdidwithme,whatisbeingprophesiedistheheart,thewill,andthedesireofGodforus.Itdoesn’tmeanitispositivelygoingtohappen,becauseifwedon’tcooperatewithGod,itisnotgoingtocometopass.Wehaveaparttoplayinseeingthatplancometrue.Godcannotdoanythinginourliveswithoutourcooperation.

IchallengeyoutocooperatewithGodeverysingledayofyourlifetodevelopyourpotential.Everydayyoushouldlearnsomethingnew.Everydayyoushouldgrow.Everydayyoushouldbeabitfurtheralongthanyouwerethedaybefore.

WemusteachdiscoverourownGod-givengiftsandtalents,whatwearetrulycapableof,andthenputourselvestothetaskofdevelopingthosegifts,talents,andcapabilitiesto

theirfullestextent.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUDonotbeconformedtothisworld,(thisage),[fashionedafterandadaptedto

itsexternal,superficialcustoms],butbetransformed(changed)bythe[entire]renewalofyourmind[byitsnewidealsanditsnewattitude],sothatyoumayprove[foryourselves]whatisthegoodandacceptableandperfectwillofGod,eventhethingwhichisgoodandacceptableandperfect[inHissightforyou].

ROMANS12:2

GOAGAINSTTHEFLOWJohnMasonwrotetwoverygoodbooksthatIrecommendyouread.OneisentitledAnEnemyCalledAverage,andtheotheristitledConqueringanEnemyCalledAverage.OneexpressionofhisthatIreallylikeisthis:“Knowyourlimits,thenignorethem.”That’swhatIdo.IknowwhatIcan’tdoandwhatIcando.IhavedecidedtoconcentrateonwhatIcando,notwhatIcan’tdo.

Toomanypeopleconcentrateoneverythingtheydowrongandneveronwhattheydoright.TheygetsocaughtupintheirmistakesthattheylosesightofthefactthatweserveagreatGod.SometimesourowninabilitiesdistractusfromlookingtoJesus.

Masonalsosays,“Themostunprofitableitemevermanufacturedisanexcuse.”Peoplemakeupexcusesforwhytheydon’tdoanything.“Ican’t.It’stoohard.”MotherTeresawenttoIndiawiththreepenniesandGod,andshedidn’tdobadly.

Takeaninventory.Whatareyoudoingwithyourtime,energy,talents,abilities,andlife?Areyoujustfollowingeverybodyelse?Goagainsttheflow!

Ifyoucanonlydoonething,makeupyourmindthatyouaregoingtodothatonethingwell.Bethebestatthatonethingyoucando.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUThereforeHesays,Awake,Osleeper,andarisefromthedead,andChristshall

shine(makedaydawn)uponyouandgiveyoulight.

Lookcarefullythenhowyouwalk!Livepurposefullyandworthilyandaccurately,notastheunwiseandwitless,butaswise(sensible,intelligentpeople),

Makingtheverymostofthetime[buyingupeachopportunity],becausethedaysareevil.

Thereforedonotbevagueandthoughtlessandfoolish,butunderstandingandfirmlygraspingwhatthewilloftheLordis.

EPHESIANS5:14-17

KNOWWHATYOU’REDOINGDoyouknowwhatthewillofGodisforyou?Doyouhaveavisionthatfuelsthepowerofyourdetermination?Doyouknowwhatyouaregoingtodowithyourlife?Youshould.

Nowobviously,ifyou’rejuststartingoutontheChristianwalk,youmaynotknowyourfuture.ButGodwillgiveyousomethingtostartdoing,anditwillbecomeclearerasyouobeyeachstep.Butifyouarefortyorfiftyyearsold,youshouldknowGod’swillforyourlife.

IgotaholdofthispassageinEphesiansmanyyearsagowhenGodfirstcalledmeintotheministry.InthosedaysIwassuchamessthatIwouldsitonmycouchafterIhadputthekidsdownforanapandcryfortwohours.ThatisallIknewtodobackthen.IwasmadatDave,hadachiponmyshoulder,andhadmanyotherproblemsaswell.YetIwasteachingahomeBiblestudyandIlovedGod,anditwasthewillofGod.Itwasmystartingspot.

PaultellsusthatweshouldnotbevagueaboutGod’swill,butweshouldunderstandandfirmlygraspit.

Weneedtobepeopleofpurpose.Weneedtoknowwhywearedoingwhatwearedoingandnotlosesightofourgoal.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUAlso[Jesus]toldthemaparabletotheeffectthattheyoughtalwaystopray

andnottoturncoward(faint,loseheart,andgiveup).

LUKE18:1

REFUSETOGIVEUPItiseasytodriftbackward,butwemustpressforward.Effortlesslivingisnevereffective.Everyonethinksthatthemorewecangetaholdofwithnoeffort,thebetterlifeis,butthatisalie.

OnethingthatiswrongwithusAmericanstoday,evenwithourhealth,isthefactthatwedon’thavemuchofanythingtodobutgothroughlifepushingbuttons—theelevator,thedishwasher,thewashingmachine.Justpushabuttonandawaywego.Stillwegripeandgrumblebecausewehavetoloadandunloadthemachines!

Wewerenotcreatedtohaveaneffortlesslife.Wewerecreatedforwork,involvement,participation,andstruggle.Wearenotsupposedtostrugglewitheverything,butwearealsonotsupposedtobethekindofpeoplewhoquitandgiveupeasily.

TherearenumerousexamplesofpeopleintheBiblewhosimplyrefusedtogiveup.ZacchaeuscouldnotbekeptfromJesus,despitehisshortcomings.Thewomanwiththeissueofbloodpressedthroughthecrowdandwasrewardedforherdetermination.Thisishowwereachourobjectives.

TheapostlePaulsaidthatthemostimportantthinghedidwastoforgetwhatliesbehindandpresson.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUInthefourthyearofJehoiakimsonofJosiahkingofJudah,thiswordcameto

JeremiahfromtheLord:

Takeascroll[ofparchment]forabookandwriteonitallthewordsIhavespokentoyouagainstIsraelandJudahandallthenationsfromthedayIspoketoyouinthedaysof[King]Josiahuntilthisday.

JEREMIAH36:1–2

DOITAGAIN!WhenJeremiahwrotethisscroll,hewasactuallyunderhousearrest.Certainpeoplecouldvisithim,buthecouldn’tgoout.HewasstillreceivingpropheciesfromtheLordandwritingthemdown.Thenoneofhisservantswouldcomeandcarrythemessagethroughouttheland.Godisnotputoffbyinconveniences;HealwaysfindsanotherwaytogetHisworkdone.

GodgaveJeremiahaprophecyaboutIsraelandJudahandorderedhimtorecordit.Writinginthedaysofquillandinkonascrollwasatediousjob,andifcopieswereneeded,itwaslongandpainstaking.Whenthekingheardaboutthescrollandhaditbroughttotheroyalpalaceandreadtohim,hedidn’tlikewhatitsaid.Thekingenjoyedhisunrighteouslifestyle,andhedidn’twanttochange.Sohecutupandburnedthescrollpageafterpageuntilitwasallgone.

Afterallthat,whatwasGod’sresponse?“Jeremiah,gogetyourselfanotherscrollandwritethethingover”(seeJeremiah36:27-28).Inotherwords,doitagain.

UntilwegetabreakthroughandfinishwhatGodhascalledustodo,weneedtobewillingtodoitagainandagainandagain.

GOD’SWORDFORYOUEnterthroughthenarrowgate;forwideisthegateandspaciousandbroadis

thewaythatleadsawaytodestruction,andmanyarethosewhoareenteringthroughit.

Butthegateisnarrow(contractedbypressure)andthewayisstraitenedandcompressedthatleadsawaytolife,andfewarethosewhofindit.

MATTHEW7:13-14

STAYONTHENARROWPATHJesusmadeitclearthatitiseasytosuccumbtotemptation,tofallintosin,andbedestroyed.Itiseasytogetintotheflowoftheworldandjustfloatalongintheworldlyboatwitheverybodyelse.Theworldisfullofcompromiserstoday,peoplewhoarewillingtomakeanyconcessionandlivethestatusquo,beaverage,andjustgetbyinlife.

Youwhohavegonethroughthenarrowgatearegoingtohavetostandagainstpressure.Ifyouaredeterminedtotalkright,actright,thinkright,putyourmoneyintherightplace,andtostoplivingaselfishlife,Satanisnotgoingtomakeiteasyforyou.HehatesitwhenwedecidetoberadicalforGod.

WeresistthedevilbysubmittingtoGodandstayingonthenarrowpath.Satanmaytellyouthatyouaretheonlyonewhoisgoingthroughtrialsandtribulationsandit’sallworthless.Thetruthis,Idon’tknowtoomanypeoplewhoarenotgoingthroughsomething.

Keepinmindwherethenarrowpathleads,andyou’llnevergivein.

SometimestheonlypeopleyouaregoingtofindonthenarrowpathareyouandtheLord.Ifthat’sso,justkeepgoing!

JOYCEMEYER

JoyceMeyerhasbeenteachingtheWordofGodsince1976andinfull-timeministrysince1980.Sheisthebestsellingauthorofover54inspirationalbooks,includingSecretstoExceptionalLiving,TheJoyofBelievingPrayer,andBattlefieldoftheMind,aswellas

over240audiocassettealbumsandover90videos.

Joyce’sLifeInTheWordradioandtelevisionprogramsarebroadcastaroundtheworld,andshetravelsextensivelyconducting“LifeInTheWord”conferences.Joyceandherhusband,Dave,aretheparentsoffourgrownchildrenandmaketheirhomeinSt.Louis,

Missouri.

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