trials
Inspirational – Expect the Favor of God and Let Him Turn Your Trials to Blessings!
Inspirational – Expect the Favor of God and Let Him Turn Your Trials to Blessings!
Expect the Favor of God to Flow in Your Life
Inspirational encouragement and
favor abounds and flows from God.
So if you feel like there is no hope,
for the trials you are struggling to overcome
at this time in your life, be encouraged.
God is there for you and He wants to turn your trials into blessings!
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers them out of them all.”
— Psalm 34:19
Trials Turned Into Blessings
Alright, well we can’t expect that the storms of life won’t blow our way. The fact is: storms are a part of life. What we can expect is to have God by our side; helping us through the storms.
God can be trusted to always be there for us. It comes as no surprise, but it’s not the same case with people – people let us down. And that is exactly why we turn to God first and foremost in our trials, because He is the one that can ultimately turn our trials into blessings.
Regardless of the trouble you may be facing, God has an answer. He wants you to turn to Him so He can help you with a solution. Remember, God cares about you. Not only that, He loves you and has a great plan and purpose for your life.
“‘For I know the plan I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
— Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Expect the Favor of God
Learn to put your expectation on the favor of God flowing in your life. Sure you can expect some storms in life to blow through, but you should have a greater focus that expects the favor of God to abound.
“For His anger endures but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
— Psalm 30:5
Choose to see with the eyes of your heart and have an attitude of gratitude:
- Expect to find favor with God and man. EXPECT PROMOTION.
- Expect God to open doors that no man can shut. EXPECT DIVINE CONNECTIONS.
- Expect God’s strength in times of weakness. EXPECT HEALTH.
- Expect with God all things are possible. HAVE FAITH.
- Expect God, the Father of lights, to flow good things your way. EXPECT EXCELLENCE.
- Expect to be blessed to be a blessing. GIVE THANKS.
- Expect to be found when God is searching the whole earth for those whose hearts are towards Him. LOVE GOD.
Solomon tells us in Proverbs 8:35 that those who find wisdom, find life, and shall obtain the favor of the Lord. And we see in Luke 2:52 that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Seek wisdom.
Seize the day; it is a gift. God can turn your trials into blessings, your storms into sweet breezes. Great things happen with faith that starts as tiny as a mustard seed. Seek first the kingdom of God and be about your Father’s business. Expect the favor of God and let Him turn your trials into blessings.
May life overflow with the favor of God and abound with growing prosperity!
Be Blessed to Be a Blessing –
Cheers,
Brenda
Growing Prosperity – Do These 2 Roadblocks Detour You from Receiving God’s Best?
Growing Prosperity – Do These 2 Roadblocks Detour You from Receiving God’s Best?
Roadblocks In Our Way of Receiving God’s Best
Growing prosperity requires making
wise choices in our everyday decisions.
Do you understand that God longs
to help you and bless you, and there is truly no one
who knows your needs better than He does?
If so, you’ll understand the importance of seeking His guidance in order to experience His best.
Seeking God’s best in our life decisions requires accepting God’s way and listening to His voice. There are however, some potential roadblocks that can stand in the way of receiving His best.
Do these 2 Roadblocks Detour You from Receiving God’s Best?
1. FOCUSING ON THE PROBLEM
A primary roadblock to making wise decisions is taking our eyes off God. Many times, when unforeseen trials or storms of life blow through, we place our focus on the problem instead of the ultimate solution, which is God’s wisdom.
When problems show up, we must not look at our shortcomings and inabilities. We must also avoid comparing ourselves to others. Instead, we must pray for the wisdom of God; which He says if we lack then to simply ask for it. (James 1:5)
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”
— Isaiah 30:21
It is great to know that we can count on the Lord to help us overcome roadblocks to wise decision making. When our trust is in Him, and our focus on Him, He will guide our paths according to His will.
2. DETOURS FROM THE ENEMY
Another set of roadblocks we are likely to encounter are detours from Satan. The enemy will do everything in his power to lead us away from God’s best and into a foolish decision. We must discard ungodly counsel and be keenly aware of his conniving schemes.
Do not be ignorant of this roadblock. The Bible says that Satan is “like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Do not be fearful of this roadblock either. We must pray for protection and rely upon the discernment of the Holy Spirit in order to avoid disastrous detours. We must submit to God, and then resist the devil and he will flee from us. (James 4:7)
In any state of weakness, that hinders our decision making, we must call upon the strength of the Lord. God has said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Now that you know this: Choose to let the wisdom and peace of God guide you in your next important decision. Begin to welcome the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Find practical insights and strength for daily living in the Word of God. Keep in mind: God’s best will far exceed any good thing we could create on our own.
May you experience God’s best and live a life of growing prosperity!
Be blessed to be a blessing –
Cheers,
Brenda
Intimacy with God – Do You Make This Your Key Priority in Life?
Intimacy with God – Do You Make This Your Key Priority in Life?
Tap into the Great Power Source and Change Your Outlook!
Intimacy with God is a great power source in life.
Unfortunately, the natural thing for most of us to do…
is become absorbed in our day-to-day problems and demands.
On any given day, many people face stressful situations,
extreme trials, and even heartbreaks with marriages,
family members, or friends.
All this tends to keep the focus on self.
Learning to Look Beyond
When we learn to look beyond the trials and obstacles and fix our eyes on Jesus, and believe God is Sovereign, we will begin to have a different perspective and response to everything we face. The Bible teaches us that God uses all things, even the painful things, for the good of believers. One of the positive results of trials is the intimacy that can develop when we turn to the Lord for help.
“We know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”
— Romans 8:28
Intimacy with God – A Key Priority
God desires an intimate, loving relationship with us, and we should make this relationship our TOP priority. Intimacy with God begins with turning to Him and humbling ourselves before Him. It involves regular time in His Word, time in prayer, and patiently waiting for Him to speak to our hearts.
As we develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, we will understand that every hardship has a purpose. We have lessons to be learned and maturity to be gained. And remember, God has promised to meet the needs of His children, if they come to Him, seek Him diligently, and obey Him.
We can’t live above our circumstances in our own strength, but we certainly can by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Steps for a Closer Walk with the Lord
One – Give God the daily worship He deserves because of who He is and His finished work on the cross. Let Him know you love Him.
Two – Take time to confess all known sin; knowing that if you do, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Three – Give thanks regularly to God for all He has done in your life and in your world.
Fourth – Take time to pray daily and ask God to supply your needs.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
— Philippians 4:6
What’s stopping you? Why not tap into the great power source in life? For each of us, our priority in life should be intimacy with God.
May you continually walk closer to the Lord and live a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you always –
Cheers,
Brenda
Why in the World Would God Allow a Sincere Believer to Undergo Attacks of Evil?
Why in the World Would God Allow a Sincere Believer to Undergo Attacks of Evil?
Spiritual Warfare – If God is For Us, How Can He Allow Such Difficult Seasons of Trials and Attacks to Come In Our Life?
Spiritual warfare is a part of life that many people prefer to ignore and overlook.
However, on a daily basis, we experience all kinds of attacks and temptations from the unseen world; some more intense than others.
Under typical conditions, most godly people will walk steadfast throughout life. Not perfect, but in victory.
God develops strength in us through tests and trials. But why would God allow us to go through intense evil attacks? Well, since God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours, we can’t completely understand; but there are some answers available to us.
Tests and Temptations of Life
God may test us, but He never tempts us to sin. And He always provides a way of escape for us.
“There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:13
We see temptation come through a couple of obvious sources. One is the devil and the other our own lusts. (1 Thessalonians 3:5, James 1:14)
The Example of Job
Before the devil can wage an all out war on a believer, he first has to get God’s permission. Look at Job, for example, and how God allowed him to be tested so harshly. Why? Because God had faith in Job. And Job, having no idea what was going on in the unseen world during his attacks, proved to be faithful to God.
Sometimes in life, the heat is turned up and it is battle on, and things can seem unbearable. But that is when we need to stand firm and trust God. Remember, God is for us and we can come through victorious just like Job!
“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take to you the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.”
— Ephesians 6:10-13
No matter how bad we get knocked down we need to call on the power of God and get back up!
The Example of Peter
Another example is Simon Peter. Satan wanted permission to attack Peter and attempt to cause him to lose his faith. But God had a different purpose for allowing the shaking. When Simon Peter’s self-confidence was shaken he was brought closer to a true foundation of trust in the Lord, and better equipped to strengthen his brothers.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
— Luke 22: 31-32
Jesus did not pray that Simon Peter would escape the sifting, but that his faith would not fail in the process.
Why Does God Allow the Attacks?
We see in these examples that the devil can seek permission to come at us with intense attacks. God also allows him permission sometimes. And even though it is not a happy thought, in each of these examples they were tested by God through Satan.
All of us will be tested so we can be refined like gold. None of us will escape some degree of it.
“When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
— Job 23:10
“Greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
— 1 Peter 1:6-7
God knows what He is doing. And what Satan intends for evil, our faithful God intends for good.
“The very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body
be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is He that calls you, who also will do it.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Make no mistake about it: God is faithful and He will do whatever it takes to sanctify us to fulfill our calling. Yes, there are things going on out there that we just don’t understand. But if the enemy has been allowed to attack, and we go through a season of severe sifting, we still have to trust God.
May you faithfully trust God in all seasons and live a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you always,
Brenda
P.S. Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or feedback…
The Cards You Have Been Dealt In Life – Skit Guys Video
The Cards You Have Been Dealt In Life – Skit Guys Video
A look at life: The Good and the Bad
My pastor reminds us regularly that “Life is Life for Everyone!”
None of us want to deal with the difficult seasons in life, but that is a part of the package of life. And everyone who walks this earth is going to face them.
Consider Jesus, the son of God. Having already dealt with trials and temptations and then facing crucifixion He prayed, “Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.”
Then immediately there appeared an angel to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony He prayed more earnestly. (Luke 22:42-44)
May we strive to always be more like Jesus and trust God. To pray that God’s will be done, regardless of the suffering we may have to go through.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
We don’t have to give thanks FOR the difficult times, but we do have to continue to give thanks to God IN the midst of them.
God bless you,
Brenda
Matthew West – The Motions – Music Video
Matthew West – The Motions – Music Video
Matthew West underwent career threatening vocal surgery on May 17, 2007. In the time that followed, he faced a season of silence and uncertainty.
We all face trials. Matthew’s story testifies that God is at work even in our weakest moments.
And this is where change begins…
“I don’t want to go through the motions
I don’t want to go one more day…
Without Your all consuming, passion inside of me.
I don’t want to spend my whole life asking:
What If I Had Given EVERYTHING Instead of Going Through the Motions?
No regrets, not this time, going to let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love, make me whole, I think I’m finally feeling something
Just okay is not enough, better fight through the nothingness of this life
’cause…
I don’t want to go through the motions
I don’t want to go one more day…
Without Your all consuming, passion inside of me.
I don’t want to spend my whole life asking:
What If I Had Given EVERYTHING Instead of Going Through the Motions?
I don’t want to go through the motions… take me all the way!”
“Have one consuming passion, to please Christ.”
— Billy Graham
May you know the love of Christ,which passes knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 4:19)
Cheers,
Brenda
P.S. You can find “The Motions” and other songs by Matthew West on amazon.
How On Earth Do You Stand Steadfast When Your World is Crashing In?
How On Earth Do You Stand Steadfast When Your World is Crashing In?
Discover strength to make it through your storm stronger than you started!
Within the last week I’ve had a number friends and family share with me that they are hanging on by a thread and going through some very difficult trials. Some lost loved ones, another has a family member with a terminal cancer diagnosis, and also another is struggling mentally with panic attacks and anxiety.
It just so happens that last night at mid week service, my pastor shared a very encouraging message on standing steadfast during trials. So I thought I would try to summarize and share as encouragement…
For starters, he pointed out that there are some things that will never be developed in us without going through the struggles of life. After the storm, you will know and be able to say … ‘if it hadn’t been for the Lord’. Your confidence and trust in the Lord will increase and you’ll know it wasn’t your own doing that brought you through.
No doubt about it, when there’s a knock on the door at the midnight hour you need more than your own strength or theory of who God is. You need God – with no trepidation and fear. You need to KNOW God. And you need to know God did not bring you this far to leave you now. God is your very present help in time of trouble.
Bear in mind also, if your heart is still beating you are a target for the devil. But what the devil meant for bad, God can turn to good! God’s grace is sufficient for you during your trials.
Like my pastor often says, ‘Life is life for everyone’.
In 1 Peter 4:12 it tells you not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice. James 1:2 says to count it all joy (throw a party my pastor likes to say) when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
Some key references to help you through the storm:
Temptation is common, but God is faithful and will provide a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers them out of them all. (Psalm 34:19)
The waters will not overflow us and the fire will not burn us because the Lord is our God and He is with us. (Isaiah 43:2-3)
When I am weak, then I am strong through Him. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Cast All your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Are you with me? You must remember that you are not staying in the trial, but going through. To overcome your trials the word of God must abide in you. We are told in 1 Peter 5:9 to resist the devil steadfast in our faith (get more scripture happy). Standing steadfast is speaking only what the word of God says.
It’s no secret that, many of our struggles are attacks from the enemy. But we have help to overcome. The sword of the spirit is the spoken word of God and an offensive weapon. We have the ability to speak and chose our words, so chose them wisely. Imitate Jesus when He was tempted and say ‘it is written’, ‘it is written’, ‘it is written’ and speak what is written in the word of God over your situation.
Don’t abandon ship during the storm, because we are told in 1 Peter 5:10 that after we have suffered a while, the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, will make us perfect, established, strengthened, and settled. God’s grace is sufficient to bring us through the storm better developed than ever before.
May God strengthen and develop you as you overcome trials through your faith in Him!
God bless you,
Brenda
Want 5 Keys to Turn Your Trial to Prosperity?
Want 5 Keys to Turn Your Trial to Prosperity?
Make it Through the Storms of Life with 5 Positive Keys
We all face challenges in life. Different trials come at different times for each of us. That is simply part of life. However, when these trials of life come, they are often so overwhelming that it can be hard to see a prosperous future in the midst of the storm.
Financial trials in the form of job loss and huge debt are all too common. Illness and life threatening health issues are a struggle for many. Marriage, relationships and families are falling apart. Tragic accidents and people dealing with crisis in their lives are reported on the news daily.
If you are facing some type of challenge in your life right now, these five keys of trust in God will help take you through the trial.
T – TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME. In the midst of a storm it is enough just to get through today. So do just that. Live one day at a time and put your focus and energy on what you can do today. Today’s challenges need to be dealt with today. Matthew 6:34 teaches us not to borrow trouble from tomorrow. God’s grace is sufficient to help us overcome whatever trial may occur in our lives today and tomorrow.
R – REMEMBER ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD. People fail many times on the path to a prosperous life. Current trials may be from personal poor choices or from a storm that is just blowing through life. However, God did not create you to fail but to prosper. We are assured in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good to and for those who love God. Trust Him even in the midst of the storm. He has a good plan and purpose for your life.
U – UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU WORRY! Worry is destructive and will not help your situation. In Matthew chapter six alone, Jesus commands us many times not to worry, but to again trust God. Think of times in the past that God has supplied and helped you overcome a difficult time. Let that encourage you. Know that God is big enough to again provide help for your needs of today.
S – START EVERYDAY WITH PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING. We already read that worry is out and trust in God is in. So how can we take steps to do that? In Philippians 4:6 we are told not to be anxious about anything. But that in everything we are to let our requests be made known to God by specific prayer requests with thanksgiving. Prayer and thanksgiving to God puts our trust in Him. In verse seven it goes on to say that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will then guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
T – THE LORD WILL NEVER FORSAKE YOU. It is not uncommon to wonder if God is really going to come through or if He has left the scene. But in Hebrews 13:5 God promises not to fail or leave us. Then in verse six we are told to confidently and boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”.
Every person alive on this earth is going to continue to go through trials. That’s just life. These storms God allows in our lives are temporary. So take comfort in knowing that no matter what you may be going through, God’s got your best interest in mind. Take His promise to heart. He makes all things work together for your good if you love Him. God wants to fulfill His purpose for you and your trust in Him will take you through the trial and into prosperous times.
Enjoy growing prosperity as you put your trust in God!
Be blessed,
Brenda
P.S. Have you had a time when God helped you through a storm? He is currently helping me as I deal with the challenges of a teenage daughter! If God would have left me during this trial, I know I would not still be standing…but I am still here! :0) Feel free to share and leave a comment below…