The Power of Peace

Can we count on you to introduce peace to a situation or personal interaction?  Are others at ease after having an encounter with you?  This decade has initiated complex challenges, especially to our spiritual and emotional state, and those of our family and friends.  Most of us would appreciate a moment of peace during these chaotic and uncertain times.  As we look to the future, an ongoing test will be our ability to promote and maintain a peaceful life. 

If possible, to the best of your ability,
live at peace with all people.
– Romans 12:18 (Common English Bible)

Making peace with others requires a discipline of emotions, a regulation of the tongue, and a heart to forgive.  Making peace with unexpected circumstances requires a shift in focus, innovations for change, and strong faith.  You can be free from anything that attempts to steal your peace:  fear, anxiety, anger, frustration or past regrets.  Peace provides a freedom from negativity, oppression, stress and conflict.  It is so vital for your victorious living and personal well-being.  

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
– Matthew 5:9 (New International Version)

Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] 
are the makers and maintainers of peace,
for they will [express His character and] 

be called the sons of God.
– Matthew 5:9 (Amplified Bible)

You may ask…”Do I have the power to make and maintain peace?”  Yes! You can have peace not only with others, but peace within yourself.  There is One who can show you how.  Now is a perfect time to make acquaintance with Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  There is no need for social distancing with Him.  He wants to be close with you to provide shelter against life disturbances.  He desires to restore and promote you to a new level of joy. The more time you spend with Him, the more love and power will increase in your life.  Friend, access the power of peace today!

Special Note: You may like Psalms 91 for meditation

Unshakable Power – Part 3

roots-of-powerFeeling overwhelmed and anxious are emotions many of us battle to subdue.  Sometimes, they can be fueled by something extremely new or different to our normal routine.  The good news is that you can grow and flow with opportunities while remaining unshakeable at your core.  Four years ago, I posted about the challenge of what to do with yourself and emotions while God is at work.  Please allow me to share again how you can enjoy peace and remain calm while He is in control of the situation…

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

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!

Power of Stability

yoga-woman-the-trent
Do you sometimes feel like you are losing your mind?  Is it difficult to focus and stay the course?  Maybe you feel unstable and have reached the limits of your patience.  Don’t fret…you are not alone.  This fast-paced society can inundate you with opinions and options that are not based in truth.  These corrupt philosophies devise stress, division and confusion for all.  You may find yourself living in fear of the worse, although you want to live in faith for the best.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  – James 1:8

The good news is that you can find stability meditating on God’s promises.  His Word never surrenders or diverts from its purpose despite the pressure to conform to modern day culture.  He will never abandon you or disregard your life as terrorists do.  He does not deceive as some politicians do.  His agenda for your life is not hidden.  Your Heavenly Father desires for you to live in pristine physical, spiritual and mental health.  He will never give up on you and His love is eternal no matter what you do.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
– 2 Timothy 1:7

You can experience power, comfort and unconditional love in the midst of chaos.  The Kingdom of God and His Word are permanent, incorruptible and firmly established.  It cannot be shaken or overthrown by any nation.  It is constant and unwavering among a fickle society.  God desires for you to be stable, whole and confident.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty
[Whose power no foe can withstand].
– Psalm 91:1 (Amplified Bible)

Your next move is to discover Him for yourself.  Take time out to hear His perspective.  He knows how to ease your mind and prepare you for your successful future.  When you dwell with God, your life becomes lighter because you increase in Kingdom knowledge and trust in His perfect plan.  No matter what the situation, He is the only one who can ensure that everything works out for your good.
God is the ultimate stabilizer!

Power Over Terror

Small-Group prayingHave you ever felt terrorized…mentally or physically?  Terror is defined as extreme fear or the violence committed to cause extreme fear.  At first glance, terror and those who distribute it appear powerful or unstoppable. However, it is only an evil tactic to distract and rattle your faith. In these times, a strong and wise spirit is critical to dominate over the terrors of this world.

Terror wants to literally “scare you to death” and make you relinquish your power to serve its cause.  It is not a person, but an evil, dark presence that is revealed through, but not limited to, the following forms:

violent attacks against innocent persons, racism and other “isms”, brutality, abuse,
human trafficking, slavery, threats, kidnapping, wicked secret societies,
bullying, propaganda, genocide, pestilence and injustice

Although terror is atrocious, God’s grace is greater! You and I are not hopeless or defenseless.  As Believers, we must unite in strong faith.  We have the power of God inside our spirit to disarm and disrupt the schemes of terror globally and in our own communities!

You shall establish yourself in righteousness
(rightness, in conformity with God’s will and order):
you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or destruction,
for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me.
Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you.
(Isaiah 54:14-15 Amplified Bible Version)

 Here’s how you can fight terror…

 

  • Focus on God
  • Speak His promises of victory – Be Fearless!
  • Unite with other Believers – we need each other in these times of spiritual warfare
  • Put on the whole armour of God – now is the time to be skillful
    Helmet of Salvation, Shield of Faith, Breastplate of Righteousness, Belt of Truth, Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) , Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace
  • Pray for your enemies – pray they are no longer used by the evil one – pray that their wicked plans will not be executed – pray to forgive them: forgiveness keeps you disconnected from fear
  • Pray for the safety of your families, communities, churches, leaders and your country
  • Trust God as the ultimate Vindicator

 

 

Praying, believing and speaking the Word of God over any form of terror is key to success! Victory is your inheritance! Today is the perfect day to align with the only One who is victorious!

Fearless Power

Photo Credit: Blue Cross, Blue Shield

Photo Credit: Blue Cross, Blue Shield

What are you most afraid of?  What fear goes beyond the temporary shock of something like a snake, clown or spider? This month, let’s attack the “scary things” that have tried to debilitate progress and become permanent in our lives.  With the power of God, now is the time to conquer our deepest, darkest fears!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7

Here are some of the fears many of us encounter:

  • Running out of money, resources, or food
  • Making a wrong decision with family or business
  • Fear of failure and the shame or judgement that results
  • Generational curses or demonic influence
  • Rejection in relationships or career path
  • Getting sick or dying from disease
  • Losing control and becoming stressed or depressed

When waging a spiritual assault against fear, you need to know what God’s Word says about overcoming it. This is a serious war – fear wants to control, torment and keep you in bondage. Unforgiveness, jealousy, bitterness and anger are all some of the tactics fear will use to oppress you.  Meditating on God’s Word and hearing the good news of Jesus Christ weakens the grip of fear over your life.  Instead of fear causing anxiety and making you afraid to live victoriously, you can confront it with the powerful promises of God!

There are so many, but here are two scriptures you can store in your arsenal…

Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand
of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10

In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:6

Friend, God loves you and wants you to be free. Let Him show you how to live a fearless, blessed life. Seek Him and unleash the supernatural power residing in you. Today is a perfect time to begin a new relationship with your Heavenly Father and…Live Fearless!

Your Beliefs Have Power

Your Beliefs Have Power

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!

Unshakable Power – Part 2

Unshakable Power - Part 2

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

Unshakable PowerIn 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!

Power To Move Forward – Part Three

Power To Move ForwardToday is the perfect day for a new beginning!  You can move forward past pain, fear, hopelessness and anger.  The process begins with opening your heart to God.  Here are five points, along with scriptures, to encourage you as you embark on a beautiful journey…forward!

Before we proceed, let’s quickly review…

Part One – to live victoriously in the new life God has for you, the old you must die

Part Two – unhook yourself from the anchor of the past and connect with God’s power

Ok, now we are ready!

1.       Go to God

He is always ready with open arms to comfort and strengthen you. Go to Him and He will gently guide you towards your victorious future.  Prayer and praise are two of the best ways to communicate with Him day or night.

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely,
and shall be quiet from fear of evil. – Proverbs 1:33

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


2.       Remind Yourself

Throughout this journey, you will have to continually remind yourself of who you are. You must always know that your Heavenly Father loves you immensely.  Your faith and confidence to step away from the old and into the new is strengthened by His love. Your spiritual identity will bring peace about the future and keep you connected to the promises of God.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:26

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
because greater is He that is in you,
than he that is in the world. – 1 John 4:4

3.       Forgive

Yes, forgiveness is mandatory for your growth, your progress and your freedom.  Forgive your parents, your ex, your friends, your children, your enemies and most importantly, forgive yourself.  God has already forgiven you of any and everything. Forgiveness is a vital step in the process of moving forward. You must now completely trust that God, in His infinite wisdom, will take care of all who have hurt you. 

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto [God’s] wrath:
for it is written,
Vengeance is mine;
I will repay, saith the Lord. – Romans 12:19

4.       Be New

Moving forward means…new thoughts, new talk, new trust, new opportunities and new direction!  This requires renewing your mind and speaking the Word of God into your own life.  This does not happen overnight so you must be patient and persistent.  Each day, visualize yourself the way God sees you…spotless and pure.  Find scriptures that are encouraging and speak them daily.  Guard yourself against negative people and those who want to keep you in the past.  Ask God to open your spiritual eyes to see the goodness and newness inside of you!

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:
many shall see it, and fear [be amazed], and shall trust in the Lord. – Psalm 40:3

5.       Go Forward
Freedom from the past expels fear and trepidation about the future.  Take the first step forward into the victorious life God has for you.  He is always with you even when you mess up. Trust God and experience His power.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do, 
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

Go ahead! Go Forward!

If you want to learn more on how to move forward with God, go to Week 26: Look Ahead in the Power Over All book. 

You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone

What do you do when you feel broken and hopeless?

Any situation that has caused (or is causing) you deep misery and anguish can be difficult to overcome alone.  You may respond like I once did… holding your head in your hands while crying excessively.  Or maybe you ball your hands in a tight fist ranting cuss words and lashing out venom on innocent bystanders.  Maybe you seclude yourself and gradually descend into self-pity.  Whatever the response, they are all ineffective in gaining true victory over your situation.

If you are tired of hurting, I have good news to share.  God loves you and is ready to bring you into a place of peace, restoration and joy!  God can and will bring you out of anything you encounter – your darkest valley, your unspeakable shame, your unbearable grief, your misfortunes, your depression, your failures, your fears and your seemingly incurable pain.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
– Isaiah 41:10

All you have to do is seek Him.   

Now is the best time to go towards God.  It does not matter if you have never had a relationship with God before or you cannot remember the last time you spoke to Him.  Today is your day.  Seek Him through prayer, praise and meditation of His Word.  He desires for you to know Him more intimately.  God is ready to show you His power and His response to your situation!

If you want to learn more on how God delivers you from any situation go to Week 45: Free from Bondage in the Power Over All book.