Your Beliefs Have Power

December 11, 2014August 25, 20161 Comment

What do you believe?

Beliefs are ingrained thoughts that distinguish us from each other and dictate how we respond to the world around us. Some say beliefs are the precursor to our future. They control our behavior, influence our words and shape our lives.

A recent conversation with a dear friend challenged me to ask myself this same question. Perfect timing! Distressing events around the world, close to home and at home were trying to rattle my faith. It was time to recollect my beliefs. This was my answer I’d like to share with you.

I believe…
God loves me and is always with me. He is my Heavenly Father and I am His beloved child. (even when I am not reflecting His love)

The Kingdom of God supersedes the laws of this world. God is the Creator of all. In the end, all nations will experience His power and authority. (I continue to pray for the lost)

God is the only vindicator. No person, entity, fear, hardship, mistake, deception, racism, divorce, evil doing, persecution, jealousy, slander, devastation, rejection, betrayal, pain, anger, offense, sin, war, prejudice, disappointment, abuse, loss, addiction, anxiety, disease, frustration or any ungodly thing will have dominion over me and keep me in bondage. (ever again)

Jesus is the Savior of the world. Anyone who accepts the Son of God can experience His power, protection and provision. All things are possible with Him! (especially miracles)

God created me for a purpose. My life is not my own. ( I used to think it was) I cannot do anything of substance or sustainability without God. I trust Him with it all.

My life is abundant, fruitful and victorious! I am so thankful for God’s never-ending grace, mercy, wisdom, favor, truth and power! Regardless of the circumstance, He takes care of all my needs so I can be a blessing to others. (words spoken in faith until full manifestation)

Psalms 91 is a beautiful summary of the peace you can enjoy through belief in God. I pray these scriptures edify and encourage you! Friend, God is ready to be all you need Him to be in your life. Draw close to Him and simply…believe!

Power In The Fiery Furnance

November 29, 2014Leave a comment

Have you ever prayed and believed God for something that never showed up? Have you felt like you have been thrown into a fiery furnace of betrayal, financial disaster, grief, anger, frustration or hopelessness? Well, your feelings are not uncommon to Believers. Many of us feel that God should rescue us from evil before it comes. Rescue us from any sickness, heartache, loss, pain or devastation that life brings before we experience it. But when we keep our faith strong and consistent, God has a way of handling situations for His glory and our victory.

If it be so, our God whom we serve
is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods,
nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. – Daniel 3:17-18

The three Hebrew men: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated the power of assured faith in these scriptures. They completely trusted God no matter how He decided to handle their situation. The king ordered to throw them into a burning, fiery furnace if they did not fall down and worship the golden idol. Despite the harsh death sentence, they chose to have faith in God. Instead of simply bowing down to worship a worldly idol to save their own lives, they displayed their confidence in God’s power. As the soldiers bound them up for extermination, it is amazing that none of the three men cried out…

“Why is this happening to me?”
“What did I do to deserve this?”
“This is not fair!”
“How am I going to get through this?”
“Where are you God?”
“Help me!”

Instead, they demonstrated the “But if not…” type of faith. (Daniel 3:18) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew God could save them before going into the furnace, but even if God decided not to, they still trusted and honored Him. Wow, that is powerful faith!

You can experience that type of faith when facing your fiery furnace. Choose to honor God even when your situation is not turning out like you want. Trust and worship Him even when your prayers are not being answered exactly the way you think they should. Remind yourself that His timing and methods are not like yours, but He will take every bad situation and turn it around for your good. Stand firm in your devotion to God and relinquish the situation over to Him.

You might even confess…

“God is well able to save me from _______________________
and deliver me from __________________________,
but if not, I still honor and love Him! ”

Friend, know that your situation is a priority to God and you are never alone. God sent Jesus to save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and He sent Jesus especially for you! Although, they went in the fiery furnace, the fire had no effect on them. They walked out alive, without a burn or smell of smoke – they even got promoted! The good news is that no matter what fiery pit you may be thrown in, you will come out – victorious and spotless! Don’t stress yourself out another day over the outcome. Ignite the “but if not…” kind of faith and experience the miraculous power of God over your life!

Power Choices

October 28, 2014Leave a comment

Are you overloaded with information?
Do you live in uncertainty that your life choices are the right ones? Have you ever felt overwhelmed when it is time to make a decision? Often, feelings of anxiety surface because we try to make important life choices all on our own. There are so many options to consider… who to trust, where to go, what to believe, which cause to support, when to start or what to do next? Thankfully, God gives us advice on what to choose.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: – Deuteronomy 30:19

In other words, whatever is presented to you as a “choice” in your personal daily life, mindset or business that brings life, peace and blessings – CONTINUE and GO FOR IT! Choices that contradict the life God promises in His Word or situations that bring pain, confusion and death – RELEASE and DO NOT CHOOSE.

Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. – Proverbs 3:31

It can be difficult to choose life if the opinions of the world have more influence over you than the Word of God. Making choices based on spiritual revelation is a humbling process because they are not always popular, supported or understood by others. Sometimes the decision may not even agree with your own flesh. Your mind tells you one thing, while your spirit leads you in an entirely new direction. When you find yourself going back and forth, reasoning or making excuses to justify a decision – ask God for guidance. He does not want you to choose anything out of fear, anger or desperation. Draw close to Him regardless of the circumstance. You are His beloved and He honors your free will.

God desires for you to thrive and live a long, victorious life! The more you fellowship with Him, the easier it will be to choose the life and blessings he has especially for you. Today you can begin making decisions with more confidence and power than ever before. Friend, know that choosing life will always result in good success!

Steadfast Power

September 18, 2014Leave a comment

Many people in the world today know about God. Some reverence Him, but may not desire to practice religion or go to church. Some accept His Son, Jesus, as their Savior, but choose not to walk in love or forgiveness. Some worship Him, but do not really believe they can live in the power and blessing bestowed upon them. There are many ways people relate to God and varied emotions on how they feel about Him. However, God is always the same.

God’s love is steadfast (unwavering, firm and purposeful) towards you.

He is all and everything you need…a Father, protector, creator, redeemer, path maker, healer, sustainer, financier, blessing provider, restorer, comforter, innovator, wisdom revealer and much more! It is truly amazing to comprehend how much God loves and adores you. He has made all provisions for you. He always forgives and does not remember mistakes. His grace and mercies are new each day. He never changes, takes a day off, or withholds any good thing from you. He wants you to be healed, joyful, abundant and victorious! Always!

How can I be steadfast towards God?

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence
stedfast unto the end; – Hebrews 3:14

Focus on His word and believe with confidence. Situations and circumstances in life are temporary. Your Heavenly Father wants you to be steadfast in Him regardless of the world around you. It is never too late for new beginnings with God! He has a plan for your life that is more elaborate than you can ever imagine. You must be with Him so He can pour out blessings on you. No matter what you have done, He is always open for a closer, more intimate relationship with you. He would love to hear from you! You are His precious child and representative on earth. Be steadfast and experience the power of His unwavering love!

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know
that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 15:58

Power For The Brokenhearted

August 21, 2014August 25, 20164 Comments

When do I feel whole again?

Maybe you have asked this question while recovering from a broken relationship. Betrayal, divorce, abuse and deception often cause overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, sorrow and anguish. Whether it is a spouse, friend or family member – damaged personal relationships can be some of the hardest to overcome.

These distressing situations work to steal your joy. They cause fear to torment you and hinder your love walk from thriving. The good news is that God does not want you to live this way. You are not alone and there is help. Today is the day to be whole again!

How you may ask?

By relinquishing yourself and your emotions to God. He is the only one who can make you whole. Do not allow your heart to become hardened, but open it up to the promises of God. Your happiness and well-being are of the utmost importance to Him.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace
[Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
– 1 Peter 5:10 (Amplified Bible Translation)

Take small steps of faith toward a closer relationship with Him by going as deep as you can in His Word. There you will find truth, peace and encouragement for moving forward! Discover for yourself how God has already made provisions for your healing and wholeness.

Here are a few points for you to reflect on:

He will make something beautiful out of any dark and dirty situation in your life. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
He will restore your health and heal all your wounds – emotional and physical. (Jeremiah 30:16-17)
Be patient. He will handle the situation in His perfect timing and in His way.
(2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)
He sent His Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort you through the tribulations of life. He wants you to live abundantly! (John 10:9-11)
You are brand new! Everything in your past is forgotten when you accept Jesus Christ into your life. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)
He will restore to you one hundred times more than you lost to follow Him. (Mark 10:29-31)

Praise God! You are free to forgive and love again. Emotional healing is a process, but you will feel whole sooner than you ever imagined. Wholeness is yours through the love and power of God!

Power Gifts Freely Given

July 24, 2014Leave a comment

Power Gifts Freely Given Do you enjoy getting good gifts? You know – the kind of gifts that make you feel special, loved and appreciated? I certainly do! You may not realize this, but God has good gifts waiting for you to receive and experience their joy each day!

Let’s take a look at just a few…

Peace
The perfect gift for any occasion.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. – John 14:27

Wisdom
The one-size-fits-all gift.

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries
shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. – Luke 21:15

Power
The must-have gift!

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy:
and nothing shall by any means hurt you. – Luke 10:19

Jesus
The ultimate gift.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. – John 3:16

Grace
The gift that keeps on giving.

I thank my God always on your behalf,
for the grace of God which is
given you by Jesus Christ; – 1 Corinthians 1:4

Holy Spirit (Comforter)
The one-of-a-kind gift.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever; – John 14:16

Friend, God has many more gifts especially for you! Each is customized and tailor-made to perfectly fit your life. They are as unique as you are. Seek God and you will discover all the powerful gifts freely given to you!

Unshakable Power – Part 2

June 30, 2014Leave a comment

Maybe you can relate – You no longer want to live precariously, reacting to the unexpected, stressing over conflicts and running amuck trying to create your own life. You understand that there are trials to overcome. God has brought you through many. But your challenge has been what to do with yourself and your emotions while He is at work.

How can you become unshakable in the midst of all this?

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD,
and whose hope the LORD is.
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters,
and that spreadeth out her roots by the river,
and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green;
and shall not be careful in the year of drought,
neither shall cease from yielding fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8

What I am about to share has helped me to have peace and remain still while God is in control of the situation. I hope it helps you, too.

Get ROOTED.

Go DEEP in your relationship with GOD – deeper than you have ever been. Ask Him to show you new dimensions of His love and the essence of His power. Only with God will you become steady during turbulent times. The winds of change continue to blow and the heat of the unexpected burns, but nothing shall harm you. He loves, protects and empowers you to be a blessing in any situation. This requires a complete trust and focus on God instead of your circumstance.

SPREAD your roots among the “living water” of God’s Word. Find at least one or two scriptures in the bible that you believe to be true. If you’d like an example, here are two scriptures that you can begin to plant and grow roots in your spirit.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them
that put their trust in him. – Proverbs 30:5

And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee;
for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. – Jeremiah 1:19

Every day, speak the scriptures aloud and think on the words and their meaning until it abounds in you. You will know it is rooted when it comes into your mind or out of your mouth freely, without prompting. Once you have deeply rooted those scriptures in your spirit, search for others and repeat the process. Firmly establish yourself in the truth of God – not mankind. Understand, it is the storms of life that reveal how deep and wide your roots have grown.

When we are spiritually rooted and grounded, we become impervious to the chaos in the world. Our emotions are steady. We can love, forgive, prosper and go forward in the midst of any storm!

Get rooted in God’s Word and become UNSHAKABLE!

Unshakable Power

May 29, 2014May 29, 2014Leave a comment

In these times of uncertainty, there is one thing you can be sure of…God’s Power!
There is nothing in this world – man, military, government, relationship, natural disaster, disease, deception, financial crisis, circumstance, addiction, wickedness, sin – that is greater than God. Everything is subject to His authority.

So why do we get “shook up” over life situations? I think we sometimes forget how awesome He is. Let’s take a moment to remember…

He is the Creator of all we know and everything we have yet to comprehend –

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. – Genesis 1:1

He loves and protects us –

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,
even as thy soul prospereth. – 3 John 1:2

The LORD preserveth all them that love him:
but all the wicked will he destroy. – Psalm 145:20

He gave His Son to save us and the Holy (Ghost) Spirit to guide us –

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved. – John 3:17

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you – John 14:26

He shared in His Word what the future will bring –

When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth,
but now he makes another promise:
“Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”
This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed,
so that only unshakable things will remain. – Hebrews 12:26-27 (New Living Translation)

Friend, there is no need to worry or fear. Trust in God and continue to draw close to Him for reassurance. He is ready for a deeper, more intimate relationship with you. Seek Him to strengthen your faith and experience His power. Be unshakable!

The Power of Compassion – No Questions Asked

April 30, 2014August 25, 20162 Comments

Lately, I have been intrigued by the power of compassion. Compassion is not only defined as a sympathetic consciousness of another’s distress, but it also includes a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Through my own life, I search to find how I can cultivate this unique spiritual force.

Jesus is a great example of compassion.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude,
and was moved with compassion toward them,
and he healed their sick – Matthew 14:14

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes:
and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. – Matthew 20:34

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him,
and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. – Mark 1:41

One thing I realized about Jesus is that He did not inquire for specific details. He was not curious to know the cause for the pain, shame, loss or disease. Although Jesus could discern the heart of men, His compassion moved Him to heal everyone regardless of their circumstance. You would not find Him saying things like…

What happened to you?
How did you get yourself in this mess?
I am only willing to help a little.
Why didn’t you come to me first?
Explain what you have done to help yourself.
Have you learned a lesson from all of this?
This is what you get.

Jesus demonstrated compassion. No questions asked.

He wants us to come to Him for our healing and our complete restoration. Jesus is the only one who can set us free from all evil and wickedness. His compassion comes without judgement and without condemnation.

God had compassion and sent His only son, Jesus to alleviate all our pain and suffering. Jesus had compassion and laid down His life so that we could have an abundant one. The power of compassion is fueled by love and does not require an explanation. Praise God!

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing;
knowing that ye are thereunto called,
that ye should inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:8-9

Power Money Can’t Buy

March 18, 20143 Comments

Do you feel that you must somehow pay for your sins or past mistakes? Has shame or guilt or even condemnation made you feel unworthy and disconnected from God? The enemy may be trying to deceive you into thinking suffering, sickness, and punishment are all deserved and should be expected payment for your imperfections. This is not true.

God has given you a new covenant through His Son, Jesus Christ! All of your sins, from the beginning of time until the end, have been forgiven. Jesus was and is the ultimate sacrifice to cleanse you forever in the eyes of God. Not only are you free from sin, you are empowered to live victoriously! There is nothing more you have to pay. The gift of salvation is free!

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee,
because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
– Acts 8:20

When we accept and receive this free gift of salvation, you and I are no longer under the old covenant of the law. We now live under God’s new covenant of grace through Christ Jesus.

We do not have to be re-cleansed every time we sin.

We do not have to pay a special offering in order for our prayers to be answered.

We do not have to perform special rituals to receive His blessings.

There is nothing we can do to make God love us more or less.

Our Lord has already qualified us, perfected us, and paid for everything we will ever need – our healing, favor, deliverance, peace, forgiveness, anointing, joy, abundance and so much more! Rejoice! There are no hidden fees for salvation.

So, you might be thinking…

Why would God do all this for me?

You are His Beloved! God did all of this because of His immense love for you.
Continue to seek Him and experience His love, grace and ultimate power in your life!

AKILAH GRANT

Power, Love and Inspirations