Pleasing to God

Have you ever thought no matter what you say or do...you are would never be good enough? (For whatever reason) But why is that? Why does it seem so hard to please people? On more than one occasion, some of us have been guilty of putting people standards higher than God's just for the sake of fitting in as if our lives revolve around pleasing them.

However, one thing I know for sure is that it doesn't take much to please God. You don't have be someone that you are not. You have don't have to sacrifice your identity, your morals, and all that good stuff. All you need to do is believe. Have faith!! It's just that simple. :)

If you don't believe me, I like to issue this scripture into evidence as exhibit #1.








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How to have faith? Build your faith by reading God's word. There are countless stories, scriptures of great men and women of God about their faith in God and it worked miracles in their lives. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." I pray that you would read God's word, listen to what it is saying, so that you can activate your faith.

Lay Aside Weights and Cast Your Burdens

There are times when I get frustrated, aggravated, overwhelmed or have those moments of despair when things don't seem to be going quite right...at the same time I try not to waddle in it...Because I must and have to keep in mind the God I serve. He is the God who takes away through the power of the Holy Spirit every feeling of despair, frustration, aggravation, and so on. He doesn't want us to carry around such feelings that would hinder our faith in Him.

Feelings such as those are mere distractions. Distractions that can keep our eyes not fixed on Jesus. Now, don't get me wrong, we are entitled to have those feelings because after all, we are only human. However, just to waddle in it and stay in that place far away from God and not allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to destroy those feelings so that you can breakthrough and go forth in victory is another thing.

Hebrews 12:1 says, ".....let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." When it comes to being steadfast and immovable in our faith, there is no one else we should look to but Jesus. We look to Jesus (who sits on the right side of our Father interceding on our behalf) to give us the tools needed to endure when our faith is being tested.

The minute you take your eyes off of Jesus [because you were distracted by your feelings or situations], is the very minute the devil will try to use in order to sneak in and try to distort your faith in Christ Jesus. When the opportunity presents itself, the devil will try to devour you the very chance he gets.

6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
(1 Peter 5:6-8)

God has a plan for every one of us - a journey. However, there will be obstacles, trials, tribulations along the way. Even though they may trip us up and make us fall along the way, that does not mean we have to stay down for the count. We have a choice to get up, dust ourselves off, and keep going. No matter what is thrown your way...whether its financial problems....marital problems....problems on the job....problems with your child(ren)...car problems....etc....etc....etc...refuse to give up and not lose faith in our God and His plan for your life. Stay in God's word and keep the faith.

Let these scriptures encourage you in the spirit and increase your faith in Him.

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:8-9)

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

"For I know the plans 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)

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
(Hebrews 11:6)

Lord, I pray that we will not grow weary in well doing. I pray through your Son, Jesus, that we refuse to let the cares of the world, our problems, our circumstances distract us from the author and finisher of our faith. That we will lay aside every weight and cast every burden so that we can endure and perservere on the journey that you have prepared beforehand on our behalf. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray....Amen.


Blessings, Peace, and Faith be to you!!!
Toia

Have a Happy Saturday

Saturday Graphic Comments

The Walk of Faith (Pt. 4) - The Conclusion

The conclusion of my "Walk of Faith" Series will be about faith that can move mountains. "Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says," (Mark 11:22-23). The mountain in this scripture can symbolize a stronghold, a situation, a circumstance, or an obstacle that is trying to hinder and twist your faith in God, which is what the devil wants. The devils come to kill, steal, and destroy our hope, faith and trust in God.

Without faith it's impossible to please God. "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him," (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith it's inpossible to speak to that mountain in your life and tell it to be removed. Without faith it's impossible to have eternal (everlasting) life. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes (have faith) in Him should not perish but have everlasting life," (John 3:16).

Your mountain can be anything like a financial need, marriage on the brink of divorce, children becoming unbearable, a mean and disrespectful boss, getting laid off, and etc. But when you first encounter your mountain, you may be caught off-guard or even become overwhelmed, which is perfectly normal. However, before you react to your current situation, take your eyes off your mountain for a brief moment and pray to God for help and to erase every ounce of fear and doubt in your heart.

Fear and doubt can throw a monkey wrench in your faith. Fear is your faith being distorted. It's not God will for us to fear our mountains in our lives. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind," (2 Timothy 1:7). He wants us to stand up and speak to our mountains and to be removed and cast it out into the sea. As for doubt is concern, you cannot be unsure of God's Word and the faith you have in Him to make a way out no way.



Your walk of faith in God can take you many places and open up many doors that you thought was impossible to open. Remember, it doesn't take a lot of faith, but a little bit. "...if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you'," (Matthew 17:20). Just like the old cliche' says....A little bit goes a long way.

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Father in Jesus' name, I pray that our walk of faith in You will increase. If there is any doubt or fear in our hearts, please remove it. We know that it's impossible to please you without faith and we want to be pleasing in your sight. We have faith in you. We trust you. No longer will we lean to our own understanding, but acknowledge you, so that, you will direct our paths. We walk by faith and not by sight. All praises and all glory belongs to you. Great is thy faithfulness. Amen!!!

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Your Sister in Christ,

and

The Walk of Faith (Pt. 3)

"So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

It's amazing how a little bit of faith can make things happen. Even if you just have a small amount of faith (the size of a mustard seed), that's better than exercising no faith. Jesus was letting His disciples know that even a little bit of faith can move mountains. There is great and miraculous power in little faith, especially when you believe in God to make a way. If nothing is impossible for us, when we put our little faith into action., imagine if we put a large amount of faith into action. The devil will be in trouble for sure. He'll probably be shaking in his boots.


But the key thing is that (small or large), we must put our faith into action. If you are in need of a job and believe in God to make provision for one, you don't sit home all day and not go out and apply for a job as if you're waiting for a job to fall in your lap. After you pray and believe in God to give you a job, then you put your faith into action by going out to look for one. In addition to that, God will prepare the way for you. Again, you must put your faith into action. "...Faith without works is dead...," (James 2:26).

Look at it this way. A mustard seed is just a seed if you don't do anything with it. A seed cannot produce a harvest, if you don't put it into action. When you take a seed and sow it into good ground, God takes that seed and transform it into a plant. Of course with some watering and nurturing, in time that plant (which was once a seed) produces a great harvest. It's almost like cause and effect. Because you plant a seed, the effect is that you reap a harvest.

When you take your faith and sow it deep into your heart, you are putting it into action. As a result, your faith will grow and come very much alive in you. All the while you must remember to nurture your faith seed through prayer, fasting, reading God's Word,....."this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting," (Matthew 17:21).

Then at the appointed time set by God, you will reap the harvest from your seed faith. "And let us not grow weary while doing good (exercising our faith), for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (if we do not nurture our faith) ....." (Galatians 6:9; with emphasis added mine)


If you believe in God for something, start putting your faith into action. Call it forth. Speak it into existence right now. Activate your faith in the name of Jesus!! Search God's word for scriptures that will line up with your requests or desires of your heart and begin the growing process of your faith. Because in due season you shall reap if do not lose sight of your faith.


To be continued.......

Blessings to you always!!

Your Sister in Christ and

The Walk of Faith (Pt. 1)

Walking in faith gives us the opportunity to trust God to fulfill His Word, to trust in His Character and to believe what the bible teaches. Following God is an exciting journey of faith. When you walk in faith you are believing without a shadow of doubt that if you don't have the strength to walk Jesus will carry you the rest of the way.

"And those who know your name will put your trust in You. For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you," (Psalm 9:10). In other words, trust and confidently believe in the Lord that He will never leave you or abandon you. Faith is believing.

According to the Webster's Dictionary, faith means belief and trust in and loyalty to God. So, let's break this down a little bit more.

What is belief?

Belief is a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing. Your belief in God depends on your state of mind. When it in comes to trusting in (walking in faith with) God, you cannot do it with any ol' mindset. You must have a renewed and transformed mind. Otherwise, satan can easily try to eaves-drop in your thoughts to distort your mindset in Christ, which in turn will distort your faith. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God," (Romans 12:2). One of God's will for us is to walk in faith and have a state of mind in which our trust and confidence is placed 100% in Him.

What is trust?

Trust is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone. Whose character should we rely on? Whose ability to make a way out of no way should we rely on? Whose strength should we rely on? Whose truth should we rely on? And the answer is...........nobody but God's.

"For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything He does is worthy of our trust," (Psalm 33:4).

"It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people," (Psalm 118:8).

In other words, it is better to have assured reliance on God's character, ability, strength, and truth than anyone else's.


What is loyalty?

Loyalty is the state of or being loyal, which is unswerving in allegiance; as a faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign. Walking in Faith is not being move by your siutations or circumstances and is being faithful and standing on God's Word. When you exercise your loyalty in God, you showing that you are not double-minded. You not swerving from God's Word and His promises. You are steadfast and immovable. Most importantly, you do not compromise your relationship with God to fit your standards.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," (1 Cor 15:58).

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong," (1 Cor 16:13).

To add some emphasis: Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong, and be loyal.

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I pray what you read so far is a blessing to your spirit. I will continue on this series (The Walk of Faith). Just allow what I have posted at this time marinate into your spirit. Until then.....



Your Sister in Christ,