I’m Only Passing Through!

As you look around at the ever-worsening condition of our world, it’s easy to grow discouraged and disheartened wondering if there is any hope left for humanity. The willful sickness of sin that has laid siege upon our world is draining mankind of all his strength.

Everywhere you turn you see people hurting, deep in pain and suffering, wondering about as though lost—while the powers-that-be continue pouring out their vials of wrath on those they consider mere subjects—individuals to be trampled all over for their own pleasures, whims and gains.

Certainly, you may face these situations daily just like everyone else, but they need not rule your life and keep you down. As a child of GOD, you are given the opportunity to rise above these things as you rest securely in GOD’s promises of protection and the assurance you are given of an eternal home beyond your imagination. You can hold fast to the promised blessed hope of the soon “appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 HCSB).

GOD has prepared a place for you so far beyond your ability to understand or comprehend—a kingdom of hope, love, peace and abundant blessing. Paul re-enforced this thought when he wrote: “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NET). This world is not your home; it is but a foreign land we each must pass through on our journey to a heavenly kingdom that surely awaits us.

The excitement of things to come should overwhelm your every day. The joy of the hope you have in Jesus should create an abundance of praise and thanksgiving continually. In the midst of the utter chaos of this world, you can look beyond and by faith grasp ahold of the kingdom that awaits us and out of this will flow praise without ceasing.

Paul wrote an exciting piece of instruction as to how we should be conducting ourselves as we wait in excited anticipation for our Lord’s return. He said: “For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works” (Titus 2:11-14 HCSB).

The excitement created by realizing the grace of GOD that brought salvation to your soul should be evident in every facet of your life. The knowledge you have of how far GOD was willing to go to save you should motivate you to refuse living according to the standard of this world—denying godless living, worldly desires—choosing rather to live sensible according to GOD’s standard, living right according to GOD’s Word and living Godly according to the direction of the Spirit that is living within you.

Why, you ask? Because this world is not your home! Jesus paid the ultimate price for your redemption from the consequences of eternal punishment for your sins. He bought you out of your past worldly lifestyle with His own blood and has made you clean and pure so you may enter into the throne room of Almighty GOD with boldness and security (Hebrews 4:16), assured He will accept you based upon your obedience to follow Christ (1 John 3:23-24).

Friend, as you pass through this mess, GOD has an assignment for you—to impact your world every moment of every day for the cause of Christ—sharing Jesus through word and deed—so others may discover the same path you have found, Jesus Christ, leading to their eternal security in the heavenly kingdom.

Scripture Reading: “Sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works among all peoples. For the Lord is great and is highly praised; He is feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name; bring an offering and enter His courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations: ‘The Lord reigns. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. He judges the peoples fairly.’ Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and all that fills it resound. Let the fields and everything in them exult. Then all the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the Lord, for He is coming- for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with His faithfulness” (Psalm 96 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, I praise You for calling me out of this world! I praise You that You did not give up on me as I wondered about, but You remained faithful in Your endeavor to draw me safely into Your arms of love. Thank You for sending Jesus to pay a price I could never pay. Help me to live in obedience to Your standard, Your Word and Your Spirit’s guidance. Help me to share Jesus everywhere I go. May every facet of my life reflect Jesus Christ so all may know that He is living in me. Help me through every day to rejoice in You regardless of the situations I may find myself in knowing that all of these things are working together to produce in me what You have for my strength and maturity in the faith. I love You and thank you…in Jesus’ name I pray all these things…AMEN!

Released from an Overbearing Burden!

Rarely does a day go by that someone doesn’t make contact with me seeking relief from the weight and consequences of sin in their life. Certainly, most don’t recognize the seriousness of their issues or the true basis for their problems; they simply know they have a nagging weight they can’t shake that seems to be dragging their life, joy, happiness, peace and contentment down. From those dealing with addictions to those caught up in issues and problems they simply can’t seem to get rid of—the weight and struggle for each is real!

The fact is we have all dealt with this struggle at one time or another. We have all come to a place where the weight we were carrying was overbearing and we needed relief. We felt as though our life was being slowly sapped from us. Have you been there? Have you felt that at some point in your life?

We finally arrive at the place in our lives where we realize that the only relief we will ever find is at the foot of the cross of Christ. It was at the cross that sin’s heavy burden and cost was paid. It was at the cross that Jesus did for you and me what we were incapable of doing for ourselves—paying the ultimate cost for the forgiveness of sins. It is at the cross that you will find peace, assurance, and discover the weight and burden of your sin lifted from your shoulders.

There was a time when access to the presence of God was extremely limited. Entrance into the Holy of Holies—the place of God’s presence and mercy—was limited to the High Priest of Israel and then to only one day a year. When the temple was built in Jerusalem, a heavy, thick curtain was hung as a barrier to restrict access to God to this one person and only one day a year.

When Jesus was crucified, the Bible tells us the final words He cried out from the cross were, “It is finished!” (John 19:30 HCSB) indicating the work of the cross was completed—payment for the sin of mankind had been made in full. Luke records that at that moment “the curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle” (Luke 23:44) indicating God’s acceptance of all humanity into His presence through the blood of Jesus. No longer would there be any barrier, whether it be a man or an object, preventing man’s direct entrance to and interaction with God.

Hebrews 4:14-16 puts it this way: “Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens-Jesus the Son of God-let us hold fast to the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time” (HCSB).

We now have personal access to the Father through Jesus Christ. There is no need whatsoever for a pastor or priest to pray in intercession for us or our needs—the door of access was opened to all—mankind could now can go to God for themselves—not only do we have that access available to us now but we are encouraged to utilize it boldly.

Do you need release from an overbearing burden today? Is your life weighted down, heavy with sin or the consequences from a sinful past? If you have never done so, you need to go to the foot of the cross today and accept God’s forgiveness for your sins. Discover “the peace of God, which surpasses every thought” and find out for yourself the power it has to “guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

If there are things going on in your life right now that you know are not right, approach God’s throne of grace and mercy and find release from those things as you lay them before Him and walk away from them for good. Discover that overbearing burden you are carrying around is not God’s plan for your life today. Get rid of it through Jesus Christ!

Scripture Reading: “Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord. Many are saying, ‘Who can show us anything good?’ Look on us with favor, Lord. You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety” (Psalm 4 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I feel so overwhelmed by life. It seems every day more stress and burdens are added to my already weighted-down life. Please forgive me of my many failures and short-comings. Please forgive me for allowing things to come into my life which are not right or simply don’t belong here. I give myself wholly over to You. Please flood me with Your mercy and grace and give me Your peace. I love You…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Struggling with Destructive Addictions?

I often receive email and Facebook messages from individuals begging for help as they struggle with destructive addictions. Truth be told, no one sets out to become addicted to any vice—whether it be drugs, alcohol, pornography, food, or any other thing that can eventually take control over an individual’s life.

“I just drink a little when I’m around my friends.” “I like to smoke a little pot because it calms me down and helps me to relax.” “It doesn’t hurt anything for me to take a little look at a girly-magazine every now and then.” “I like my food, leave me alone about it!” Just a few of the many possible responses one may get when confronting an individual about their vice.

Certainly, a little drink may be just fine as Paul encouraged Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach’s sake (1 Timothy 5:23). A little pot may help calm you down but other things can too. Food, of course, is a necessity but can be dangerous in excess. Everyone has their excuses for why they choose to allow various practices to be a part of their life but few fail to see the tunnel that vice will eventually take you down that you had no intention of ever being in.

Paul sounded a warning cry when he said: “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT).

Understanding the eventual consequences of bad choices that can lead to one’s personal destruction or destructive behavior is paramount to our understanding of why Paul was so adamant that we not even give these things a second thought.

A man does not wake up one day and say I’m going to go out and drink with my buddies this evening and then come home and beat up my wife and frighten my kids almost to death, but it happens all the time. A man does not just leave work, go have a drink or two, and then drive off intoxicated, and simply hit another car and kill its occupants. These habits are developed over time as one runs toward instead of away from destructive addictions.

When an individual flirts with temptation, consequences will eventually come. Satan’s ploy is to bring destruction upon anyone who falls into his many traps as we read in John 10:10: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy” (NLT). The Scripture instructs us to bring up our children on the right path and they will not falter from it (Proverbs 22:4). We not only do that by our words of instruction but by the lifestyle we choose to live out in front of them.

If you are struggling with destructive addictions today, give it over to Jesus. Remove yourself from situations that encourage such behavior. Change your friends. Change the places you go. Change your mind set by filling your heart and mind with God’s Word. David said: “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 WEB).

If your life is free from addictions, stay that way. Stay away from places and people who would encourage you to try new things. Keep your heart and mind pure by centering your affections upon things that are right and pure. Flee from the things in this world that would seek to take your heart and mind captive. Don’t test the waters. Don’t waste your time checking out what you might be missing out on. You aren’t missing out on anything but eventual destruction. Live your life centered upon Jesus.

Running in Circles to Get Away?

How much time have you wasted over the years running in circles to get away from the will of GOD for your life? The majority of Christians have been guilty at one time or another of running in other directions to escape going where GOD would have them to be—you’ve done and I’ve done it!

I look back over the years and see numerous times, too many to count, where I thought I knew better or simply just refused what God had in mind for me. I see so much wasted time that could’ve been used for the sake of the kingdom of GOD but I was too busy doing my own thing. I look back on these occasions with great regret!

I have often seen myself in much the same light as Jonah. The Bible puts it this way:  (Jonah 1:1-2 HCSB). Simple, straight-forward command of the Lord.

But, the Bible tells us Jonah had different plans. It says: “Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish, from the Lord’s presence” (v. 3).

The Bible clearly indicates that Jonah was attempting to escape the presence of GOD—it relates this idea twice. And his intention to disobey GOD was even more clearly indicated by the fact that he headed in the opposite direction.

How often have you done much the same thing? GOD tells you to go speak to an individual about Him and you head the opposite direction to keep from even crossing paths with the person. GOD tells you to go help out a person in need and you make excuses about how that person deserves to be where they are or they’re just scamming money.

It really happens more often than we even realize—GOD prompting us to do something for Him—to touch someone’s life in a special way—to make an impact in the world we are in. We have a tendency to simply overlook what GOD’s Spirit is trying to lead us to do. We are no different than Jonah in this regard!

We must learn to be sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance and then be willing to say, “Yes, LORD! Not my will but Yours be done through me.” Blessings from GOD come through these times of interaction we experience when we walk in obedience to GOD’s will. There is no greater joy and satisfaction that can come to human spirit than impacting another individual’s life through simple obedience to the prompting of GOD’s Spirit. Be sensitive and discover what GOD is truly trying to lead you to today!

Scripture Reading: “Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.’ As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, and I will not speak their names with my lips. Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will praise the Lord who counsels me- even at night my conscience instructs me. I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see the Pit. You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures” (Psalm 16 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father GOD, I praise You for never giving up on me. I have run away from You; I have run away from Your instruction to me; I have failed You more times than I could ever know; yet, You remain faithful. Lord, help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit. Help me to reach out beyond my little world so others can come to know Jesus through a word I speak or an action I do. I want to follow in complete obedience to You from this day forward. I promise to go out of my way if need be to touch someone with Your love and gracious mercy. I love You, LORD,…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Time to Confront the Wickedness!

It doesn’t take long to recognize the wickedness that has overrun our nation. From the lies and corruption of the politicians to the liberal, anti-God teachings of the classroom, it is easy to see America is headed for disaster of epic proportions. Abraham Lincoln warned of this impending disaster when he said: “The philosophy of the classroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”

We are now living two generations past the removal of prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Bible from the public education classroom. I have discovered in my conversations with students in middle school and high school that the vast majority have no idea what a preacher is, who Jesus really is or what the Bible is or stands for.

America is now filled with a generation of young people who tend to be atheistic in the religious beliefs, have never attended a church service nor wish to, and have no desire to abide by an old archaic law such as God’s. Morals and ethics are no longer important. Lying, cheating, deceiving are all simple necessities to achieve higher and greater things.

The church in America is facing a serious dilemma as masses of people continue to exodus the church never to return. If the church does not stand up and confront the wickedness that has overwhelmed our nation, most churches will not survive another twenty years. What truly frightens me is the fact that most pastors simply don’t care! Church, it is time to rise up and confront the wickedness while we still can!

The nation of Israel had turned its back on God. The wickedness of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel had infiltrated and overwhelmed every facet of society. Idol worship had become the norm. Every man sought to do that which brought pleasure to himself. Elijah the prophet recognized the time had come for a showdown between the gods of Israel and the one-true GOD. He knew it was time to confront the wickedness of Israel was to be saved.

Elijah confronted Ahab and said: “I have not destroyed Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have abandoned the Lord’s commandments and followed the Baals. Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table” (1 Kings 18:18-19 HCSB).

“Then Elijah approached all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If Yahweh is God, follow Him. But if Baal, follow him.’” (v. 21). The challenge was made! Let GOD prove Himself today! The false priests built and altar and called down fire from their gods for the better part of the day—with no response!

After their total failure, Elijah stepped forward, built up the altar and then poured water all over it. Elijah stepped up to the altar and prayed out loud: “Let it be known that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that at Your word I have done all these things. Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that You, Yahweh, are God and that You have turned their hearts back” (v. 36-36).

The Bible tells us: “Yahweh’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench” (v. 38). Not only was the sacrifice consumed but everything around it. The fire of GOD cleansed and purged the entire area from the wickedness of the false prophets.

The world’s systems are all a total failure. The enemy is intent on destroying America today. The proliferation of false gospels, false messiahs, and false teachings in the churches across America will soon be dealt with by the fire of GOD.

The only hope for America is a return to Jesus and the church is His vehicle through which this change is brought. A cleansing of the temples across America is in order but it can only happen as the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ rises up and confronts the false teachers and by the power of GOD calls down the destruction of their false idols of worship.

“When all the people saw it, they fell facedown and said, ‘Yahweh, He is God! Yahweh, He is God!’” (v. 39). A national revival swept across Israel as GOD’s power was loosed by the one man, Elijah, who stood strong in the face of evil by the power of GOD. Church, it is time to confront the wickedness and it needs to begin with a cleansing of the house of GOD. It is time for the fires of revival to sweep through our midst and change the hearts of humanity back to GOD.

Scripture Reading: “God, You have rejected us; You have broken out against us; You have been angry. Restore us! You have shaken the land and split it open. Heal its fissures, for it shudders. You have made Your people suffer hardship; You have given us a wine to drink that made us stagger. You have given a signal flag to those who fear You, so that they can flee before the archers. Save with Your right hand, and answer me, so that those You love may be rescued. God has spoken in His sanctuary: ‘I will triumph! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim is My helmet; Judah is My scepter. Moab is My washbasin; on Edom I throw My sandal. Over Philistia I shout in triumph.’ Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Is it not You, God, who have rejected us? God, You do not march out with our armies. Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we will perform valiantly; He will trample our foes” (Psalm 60 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, our nation is crumbling around us. The false teachers have infiltrated many pulpits across America, spouting their lies and deceit; tricking, coercing and dragging many away from Your truth. The flocks of people following them make many believe they have to be right in what they are saying; yet, it is easy to recognize a message other than that which we read in Your Word. Help us to rise up against this evil. Help us to stand together in the power of Jesus Christ against this evil. We declare together that we will no longer stand for such a perpetration of evil upon our fellow Americans. GOD, America needs to turn back to You. Light the fire fresh in me today that I may stand for You regardless of what others may choose to do…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!  

The Door of Life Stands Ajar!

The first TV game show I can ever remember seeing was Let’s Make a Deal. The show started just a year after I was born and still goes on to this day. The concept behind the show was to make a deal with the host based on what prize the contestant hoped would be behind door 1, 2, or 3.

Life is similar in many regards. Life, too, is a series of doors—we often call them choices. Every day we find ourselves confronted with choices we have to make—some of them are important, others not so much. But, there is one all-important choice every human being is confronted with in life.

The decision each person renders sets the course for their eternal existence. Many live in denial of this choice and unfortunately will one day discover the eternal mistake they have made in so doing and the consequences they will suffer through forever will haunt their very existence.

In John 10:9, Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (HCSB). This one door, one decision, one choice is the single most important choice you face in life. This one door alters the entire outcome of an individual’s existence both now and for all eternity. All the other doors of life you will ever face hinge upon the decision you make concerning Jesus. Will you trust Him with your life?

Pilate stood looking at Jesus, undecided about what he should do. He turned to the Jews and asked them: “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Messiah?” (Matthew 27:22). The door of life stood slightly ajar before Pilate and the Jews—the final decision—crucify Him. They slammed the only door of eternal life shut and walked away.

Some will say, oh, but there are many doors from which to choose. I choose the way of Buddha, of Muhammed, of Confucius, of one of the many who present themselves open before me. Why does it matter anyway—all doors will eventually get me to the same place? On the contrary, Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 HCSB).

Jesus is not one of many ways, of many doors, or many choices—He is the only way to the Heavenly Father above. He proved Himself when He fulfilled His statement: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live” (John 11:25 HCSB). His resurrection proved to all mankind that He was truly the Son of GOD and the only door.

Is life not really making sense to you? Things just don’t seem to add up right? You think “this choice” is going to be the one to bring me happiness; yet, it soon falls short of its promises? Until you pass through the door of Jesus, all the other doors life is offering you will fail to make sense. Jesus is standing at your door today, knocking, encouraging you to step into real life through Him.

What will you do? Reach down and pull the door shut like Pilate and the Jews? Or, will you reach out and accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ as you push open the door to eternal life? Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10 HCSB). The door of life stands waiting for you to walk through today. There are no deals to be made, no bargaining to be carried out—Jesus has paid the price—simply walk through His door today!

Scripture Reading: “The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom should I be afraid? When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell. Though an army deploy against me, my heart is not afraid; though war break out against me, still I am confident. I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple. ” (Psalm 271-5 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, in heaven, I have approached the door of life often, only to find myself distracted by something else. Today, I desire to walk through the door. I repent of my wickedness and the life I have lived. I confess I am a sinner in desperate need of a Savior. Today, I turn to Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me so I could have life. I surrender my life to You and ask You to take control of me and of my life. I am no longer mine, I now belong wholly to You. Thank you for saving me…I love You…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Peace in the Midst of Your Storm

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a raging sea of problems? It seemed like the waves of difficulties just wouldn’t stop? It seemed like before one problem had completely washed over you, another was already coming in? What do you do? Who do you turn to? Where do you find some peace in the storm?

Jesus had gathered his disciples and, together, they got on a boat to head across the lake. Jesus saw the moment as a good time to catch a quick nap before the crowds would once again be all over Him. Luke tells us: “Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger” (Luke 8:23 HCSB).

This was not a little squall line but a major storm. The intensity of the problem was huge; the boat was being swamped; they were all in danger of drowning. Where was Jesus? Why hadn’t He jumped up and handled the problem? He was still sleeping—peacefully! We are told: “They came and woke Him up, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to die!’ Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm” (v. 24).

The storms of problems have swept over your life. You seem to be drowning in it all. Where is Jesus? Why doesn’t He run to your side and handle all this for you? The answer is in the question He posed to His disciples: “Where is your faith?” (v. 25). Jesus tells us in John 14:12: “I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father” (HCSB).

The disciples had witnessed miracle after miracle; yet, when the storms arose, they were overcome by them. They focused on their storms instead of their ability to overcome them. Jesus tells us: “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:13-14).

Jesus spoke to the storm—commanded it to be still—and calmness immediately fell. Today, you are facing problems—financial, health, family, job, marriage—it really doesn’t matter how big your storm appears because you serve a GOD whose power and ability is without limit. Jesus tells us to lift up our problem before Him, ask for deliverance in His name and He will take care of it—to the glory of GOD.

Jesus asked them, “Where is your faith?” He is asking you that same question today. Where is your faith? Why do you not trust me to be able to handle this for you? Take authority over your storms and problems in Jesus’ name—today! The storms are howling but the power of GOD will bring peace to your heart and life even in the midst of the most difficult of storms.

What’s Waiting on the Other Side?

It’s interesting how faith operates. Often, GOD will leave a door slightly ajar encouraging you to trust Him as you push it open and step through. Certainly, you have no idea what might be waiting on the other side, but you know in your heart of hearts that GOD is leading you through.

By faith, you push through to discover something you never could have imagined; maybe a victory over something you’ve been struggling with awaits you, maybe GOD has a new path which opens up into an even greater walk and fellowship with Him, maybe it’s the answer you’ve been looking for to a problem that has had you overwhelmed? The possibilities on the other side are innumerable; but, you will never discover what they are without stepping through by faith.

The Scripture tells us that: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8 HCSB). Had he stayed put, he would’ve never experienced the awesome adventure GOD had in store for him.

Think about it a moment. Abraham was a part of a wealthy family. He had no reason whatsoever to go out looking for another fortune as he already had it all. But, his fortune wasn’t satisfying his soul. He desired so much more. Inside, he was crying for an adventure with eternal value.

He heard the voice of a GOD He did not even personally know; but, by faith, he obeyed and set out—not even knowing where he was headed to. Have you ever heard the voice of the LORD telling you to step out of your everyday world and you obeyed and found yourself becoming involved in the grand scheme of GOD for your world? Have you ever just responded in obedience to the voice of GOD and discovered that GOD had so much more out there for you than you could’ve ever imagined?

The Scripture tells us that Abraham “was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (v. 10). He refused to be content with what life was throwing at him. He knew there was something so much grander out there, if he would only step through that door GOD had left ajar. He was seeking after something that would meet the internal longing he had for eternity.

What’s waiting on the other side for you today? You have heard GOD calling you to step out of your comfort zone; you have heard Him beckoning you to push through and discover that you were made for something far beyond what this world could ever even begin to offer. The longing in you is for something eternal and its real!

Your eternal longing begins to be fulfilled as you reach out and impact the lives of others. When you step out of the comfort of the boat into the raging seas, you begin to experience the awesomeness of a GOD who desires to take you higher and further than you ever imagined—eventually leading you right through that heavenly door into the heavenly realms with Him.

Are you ready to step through? The door is ajar—push it open and discover the great things GOD has in store for you today!