Isaiah 62:6-7, “I have watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day or night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”

1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walket about, seeking whom he may devour;”

The struggle is real! And we as believers must always pay attention to what is going on around us; to what is happening in our lives. If/when we lose focus or allow ourselves to be distracted by the activities of life, we are making room for the enemy to come in undercover to wreak havoc in our lives. We begin to forget who we are in Christ and will take on the attitude of the world – bad things happen to good people – and will just allow things to go on unchecked. Things that are contrary to God’s will for our lives. This is spiritual delusion. 

I always talk about the responsibility of the believer, but there is also an accountability factor to consider. We must hold ourselvesaccountable to stand on the word of God – at all times. We must be sober and vigilant because our enemy is always about his business. He never takes a vacation. We must show the same determination to protect ourselves and our loved one.

Let’s take a deeper look at these scriptures:

Isaiah 62:6-7 (also see Ezekiel 33:1-9, Habakkuk 2:1).

Purpose:  To guard, look for danger, and pray for God’s purposes to be fulfilled.

Call to Action: To be spiritually alert, constantly praying, and not silent.

Other Related Verses are Ezekiel 33:1-9: Describes the duty of a watchman to warn the people. Habakkuk 2:1: The prophet takes his stand at the watch post to receive God’s word. 

These scriptures highlight the role of spiritual leaders and believers to act as guardians in prayer and spiritual warfare. 

1 Peter 5:8

“Be Sober” (Greek: nephate): Refers to being free from intoxication, not just of alcohol, but of anything that dulls spiritual perception, such as distractions or sin. It implies a serious, stable, and self-controlled mindset.

“Be Vigilant “ (Greek: gregoresate): Means to stay awake, watch, and be attentive, like a guard or night watchman. It involves being alert to spiritual dangers and being on guard against temptations.

The command is given because the devil is actively searching for victims to devour. Believers are advised to resist this enemy by standing firm in their faith.

This requires avoiding spiritual complacency, staying close to God through prayer, and recognizing potential dangers in daily life. 

The scripture emphasizes that while spiritual danger is real, believers can stand firm by being alert and maintaining a strong, faithful, and focused life. 

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Now that we understand the importance of living a life on alert – the call to all believers to be watchful and not be deceived by the enemy, let’s clarify some key points.

Life happens – This is so true. We face difficulties, challenges, loss, victories, prosperity and blessings. We are all when the positives happen. However, when the negatives happen, if we are not watching, we can forget who we are and not challenge these things. We just let them happen and act like this is just a part of life. 

It’s the small things – When things seem minor. Small annoyances that don’t seem to greatly impact on our daily lives. However, Song of Solomon 2:15 helps us to see the error in idea. Little foxes represent minor issues – like bitterness, poor communication, or neglecting intimacy—that can cause significant, long-term damage. It is a call to action. The verse calls for proactive, intentional effort to remove these small threats before they ruin the “vineyard” (life or marriage). 

Things happen in the darkness – Matthew 13:24-30, tells the story of the sower who sowed seeds in his garden. But while the sower was sleeping the enemy also sowed weeds among his seeds. Yes, things happen in the darkness – while the believe slept. This cannot be helped. However, we must be in a place to recognize what has happened and take steps to appropriately deal with it. This is spiritual discernment. A necessary spiritual gift that every believer must hone. 

So how do we combat these things?

We must know who we are and have the boldness of David (1 Samuel 17:26, 36). David had the spiritual position to say who is this man to come against the people of God. He trusted in the divine skills and abilities God gave him to defeat the enemy. He knew he could not go into battle with armor (defenses) that were not his. He trusted God and took what he knew God had used in the past to allow him to prevail against his enemy.   

We must exercise the power and authority given to us when the Holy Ghost comes to indwell in us. Acts 1:8, “…But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” Also, Luke 10:19. records Jesus giving believers authority to “tread on serpents and scorpions” and overcome all the enemy’s power without being harmed, promising spiritual protection and victory over demonic forces.

We must become a student of the word of God to understand the promises of God. To understand the victory promised to us. For we serve a God who always causes us to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14). But we cannot triumph in a battle if we refuse to fight! 

We must be defensive workers. Meaning, yes, we must do the work God called us to, but we must also be prepared to always fight the good fight (Nehemiah chapter 4). The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls is characterized by a “balanced life” approach where the Israelites worked and prepared for war simultaneously to counter opposition. Nehemiah instructed the workers to be both builders and soldiers, holding a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other to protect their work and families.

 Let’s look at our Power and Authority in Jesus

The dictionary defines:

Power is the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality. The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.

Authority as the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

The Bible defines Power and Authority as:

Power in the Bible represents the divine ability, strength, and authority of God (often dunamis in Greek) to create, liberate, and redeem, rather than just raw force. It is primarily the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, given to believers for witness, endurance, and transformation. 

Key aspects of power in Scripture include:

• Divine Origin: God is the source of all power, which is infinite, sovereign, and used for righteousness.

• Dunamis  (Ability/Might): Often refers to the dynamic, miraculous power of God, particularly the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, Luke 1:35).

• Exousia  (Authority/Right): Refers to the legal right or delegated authority, such as the authority Jesus gave his disciples to act in his name (Matthew 28:18). 

• Kratos (Strength): Denotes the manifest strength or dominion of God.

• Purpose: Biblical power is not for self-aggrandizement, but for empowering the weak, performing, and witnessing.

• Paradoxical Nature: The Bible highlights a “power in weakness” motif, where God’s strength is made perfect in human weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). 

In the New Testament, power is most profoundly manifested in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. 

 In the Bible, Authority refers to the supreme power and legitimate right of God to rule, judge, and define reality, with the Bible serving as the authoritative, infallible word of God. It signifies God’s sovereignty over creation, and delegated authority exists through government, the church, and parents, all of which are subordinate to His ultimate authority. 

Key aspects of authority in the Bible include:

• God as Ultimate Authority: All true authority stems from God, as seen in the Ten Commandments, which establish Him as the supreme spiritual authority.

• Christ’s Authority : Jesus claimed all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18), demonstrating power over sin, sickness, and spiritual forces.

• Scriptural Authority: The Bible is considered the final, reliable source for worldview, truth, and moral guidance.

Authority is also defined in the New Testament as exousia, which refers to the right to act or the freedom to make decisions, such as the authority given to believers to become children of God (John 1:12).

 The believer’s authority in the Bible is the delegated spiritual right, granted by Jesus Christ and backed by God’s power, for Christians to act in His name to advance the Kingdom, overcome evil, and walk in victory. Based on the finished work of the cross, this authority allows believers to enforce Christ’s victory over sickness, sin, and the enemy. 

Key aspects of the believer’s authority include:

• Delegated Power: It is not personal strength but the authority of the “name of Jesus” (exousia), like a police officer enforcing the law.

• Position in Christ: Believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places, giving them a position of spiritual dominance over demonic forces.

• Purpose: The authority is given to fulfill the Lord’s work, advance the Gospel, and live a life according to God’s will.

• Usage: It is exercised through faith, using the Word of God, and speaking in faith to command situations to change, often against spiritual opposition.

• Responsibility: This authority is not for selfish gain but for serving God, and it comes with a call to humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit. 

It is essential to distinguish between exousia (the delegated right to act) and dunamis (the inherent power of God). While the former is the authority, the latter is the strength by which the authority is exercised. 

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Now that we have a deeper understanding of the power and authority given to us by Jesus. Let’s look at how we effectively use this power.

Dress appropriately for the battle – Ephesians 6:10-18, details the whole armor of God. This is the one outfit that we should put on every morning (spiritually speaking). We must speak it daily – putting it on by faith. Pay attention to the purpose of every piece of our armor and use it accordingly.

Speak to the mountains in your life – Mark 11:23, tells we can speak to the situations in our lives that look like mountains, but are only the enemy trying to get us to back down from doing the will of God.

Clean house spiritually – the principle of Binding and Loosing – Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, details the keys (authority) given to the church. This is a perfect example of that attitude David showed when he dealt with Goliath. We cannot allow anything to attempt to shut down the importance of the function of the body of Christ – kingdom work. This includes things happening in our personal lives. We have God given authority that we are expected to use to maintain order.

This is a battle – Remember 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” means that spiritual battles are fought with divine power rather than human, worldly methods. Instead of using manipulation, physical force, or human reasoning, these weapons are mighty through God to demolish strongholds, cast down arguments, and bring thoughts into obedience to Christ. 

**The bottom line – we cannot allow the enemy to go unchecked in our lives, our homes, our jobs, our local church, our community, etc. We have power and authority that God expects us to exercise daily. This is key for the abundant and victorious life God has promised to believers. It is our responsibility to take action to obtain and maintain. Then we trust God to do what he said he would do. This is a partnership. God will do his part, but we must also do ours.

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Self-reflection time.

Are there areas in your life where you recognize opportunities to take authority? Areas where you have noticed the weeds sowed among your seeds? Areas where you might have allowed small things to fester because you thought they were “not that bad” or “not worth the fight” or argument that might happen if you addressed it?  Are you facing difficulties, challenges, or losses that you have not addressed spiritually?

If so, understand that prayer is a weapon; praise and worship are tools we can use to maintain our peace and positive attitude in Christ. Psalms 16:11, reminds us that in the presence of God is the fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Repent, and get back to where God needs you to be. Take authority over the things that are trying to bind you and hold you hostage to the past or prior mistakes you made. Forgive yourself and refuse to continue to punish yourself for prior poor decisions. Now that you know better, do better. Move away from those old habits. Speak to these mountains, in Jesus’ name, and cast them out. Be free! For whom the son has set free is free indeed!

Have a blessed day.

John 15:5 (NJB), “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing.”

Hello OTP family! To anyone who is doing a fast/consecration for the month of January, here is some information you may find helpful. We (at my local church) are fasting and consecrating this month. 2025 was an interesting year that was full of challenges, heartbreaks, and upsets. But there was also victory, increase, maturity and fulfillment.

2026 is full of uncertainty, but what remains constant is the faithfulness of God and his provisions and blessings. It is also a year that will require direction from God so that we can navigate it successfully, and not be ambushed by the whims of men.

Week 1 was all about Connection through partnering with Jesus! Scripture focus: John 15:5. “Going Deeper: Partnership with God does not mean equality of authority, but alignment of will. Participation is the lived expression of that alignment, where believers actively cooperate with the work God is already doing in the world. In this sense, discipleship is not about initiating activity for God, but discerning and joining the divine movement already in process.” – Apostle Aaron B. McNair.

• Day 1: Connectivity. Connection is not symbolic; it is spiritual, covenantal, and vital. Jesus invites us into the same union He shares with the Father. Point to ponder: Connection to Christ is not optional – it is oxygen. Point to pray: “Lord, help me to recognize the life flowing through me because I am commented to You.”
• Day 2: Co-laborers. Focus scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:9. Jesus modeled this for us in John 5:19. He said and did nothing independently but worked in total partnership with the Father. Point to ponder: When I work with God, I work at a divine advantage. Point to pray: “Father, thank you for trusting me enough to partner with you in your kingdom work.”
• Day 3: Cooperation. Focus scripture: Philippians 2:13. Jesus cooperated with the Father perfectly. He only acted where the Father led (John 5:30). Point to ponder: The branch does not force fruit – it cooperates with the vine. Point to pray: “Holy Spirit, teach me to cooperate fully with your movements in my heart.”
• Day 4: Cohabitation. Focus scripture: John 14:17. Jesus prepares his disciples for this shift: He is leaving physical so He can return spiritually in a way that is more intimate and transformative. Point to ponder: where I live determines how I live – and Christ lives in me. Point to pray: “Lord, dwell richly in me. Fill every room of my heart.”
• Day 5: Coordination. Focus scripture: John 15:2. The disciples wanted to build an earthly kingdom; Jesus was coordinating them toward a heavenly mission. His pruning brought them into the rhythm of God’s plan. Point to ponder: Pruning doesn’t punish effort – it purifies focus. Point to pray: “Father, align my heart, schedule, and priorities with your mission.”
• Day 6: Collaboration. Focus scripture: Acts 1:14. This prayerfully unity is what births Pentecost. Their connection to Christ becomes collaboration with one another. Point to ponder: Heaven collaborates where believers unify. Point to pray: “Lord, make me a unifier and collaborator in your kingdom work.”
• Day 7: Communion. Focus scripture: John 15:4. Sin broke communion with God; Jesus restores it. Communion is not just a ritual, it is a relational rhythm. Point to ponder: Communion is the daily choice to stay connected to Christ. Point to pray: “Jesus, deepen my communion with you throughout this consecration.”

As with any fast/consecration there should always a time daily for devotion and prayer. We want to pray in alignment with our daily focus as noted above.

This week was a tough one for me. The new year started a Thursday, and I was under attack by Saturday. I praise God for the victory (he always causes us to triumph), but this consecration is right on time for me. You can take the remaining weeks of the month and make the consecration your own. This is a great starting point because it causes us to focus on our relationship with Christ as well as with our fellow laborers. It highlights the fact that we need one another; that we are stronger together.

There are times when you cannot effectively pray for yourself. We need someone to pray for us. I was able to lean on my husband to pray for me during the attack. The beauty – God spoke to me to pray the prayer of faith for myself as well – to rebuke the enemy and cast him out in accordance with His word. We did this together – and I am walking by faith in the victory he has given. During your prayer time, call out the names of those that God places on your heart and pray earnestly for them. Trust me, God is putting you on someone else’s heart too. So let’s all be willing to pray for one another.

I am looking forward to everything God has for me (and his people as a whole) during this time of consecration. Jesus came so that we may have life more abundantly and I am decreeing that abundant life for myself and the people of God. I encourage you to join me in doing the same.

Week 1 is in the books already and today is the first day of week 2. I am excited for a deeper connection to God and deeper understanding of his will for my life. Trusting Him to provide direction as we step fully into this new year.

I pray God’s blessings continue to be upon you this year. Have a blessed day.

Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks received; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (NIV).

James 2:17, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (NIV).

Happy New Year 2026 OTP Family!!

As we are now in day 4 of the New Year, I wanted to share some information to inspire and encourage you as you develop and navigate your plan for this year. 2026 is a year of opportunity. We need to not just seek the next level, but to take action – make proactive steps in reaching our goals. The time for being idol is long past.

New Year Resolutions

January is well known for a time of make positive statements of the changes we would like to see in our lives. But the determination to actually see them through to completion usually falls through by March’s end. But this year we cannot afford to fail in our mission to achieve our goals. Matthew 7 promises that if we ask, seek and knock, we will receive just what we need. James 2 warns us that if we do not act upon our faith, we are not actually exhibiting faith at all. Faith is an action word – always has been. Otherwise faith dies when it is idol.

Good Advice in Navigating the New Year

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” – Brad Paisley.

This quote encourages us to be move in purpose and to be intentional. Take time to pray about this new year, get direction from God, then set a plan of attack. Remember God has already promised if you ask, seek, and knock you will get what you need. But also remember the warning to put your faith in action. So you have to develop a plan. Then break the plan down into small manageable steps.

Then, take the quote literally – get a journal, and start to write. Write down the vision God gave you for this year. Look at this journal daily and continue to write. Write the things that went wrong, and write the things that went right. Make adjustments to the plan as needed, but with a focus to stay in the will of God. This will serve as a reminder during those times when it seems like everything is going wrong.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.

This quote paints a beautiful picture of faith. You must have faith in the God who gave you the vision or dream. God has a way of breathing life into the things he shows us. They may be small visions – things that we only see small glimpses of (not the full picture at all), but they are full of life and powerful enough to keep us moving forward. They are crucial for creating the future we want and propel us toward personal growth (spiritually and naturally). Most importantly, they move us beyond fear and doubt. We have to maintain our faith in the vision God has given us. We must know (remember and understand) what God has promised, he is able also to perform. (Romans 4:21).

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started” – Mark Twain.

Starting is often the hardest part of the journey. We cannot allow fear, laziness, or waiting for more_____ (you can fill in the blank), stop us from making that first step. Let’s flip back to our journal. If we have complied with the advice, we have already developed our plan and broken that down into manageable steps. Now, let us focus on making that first step a completed reality. This is called applying it – just begin. Stop planning and start doing – even if it is imperfect. You can always make corrections. This is part of the journal as well. We logging what worked and what did not. Then get then next step ready and put that in action too. Keep moving forward. Focus on taking action, not on perfection.

“You don’t get what you wish for. You get what you work for.” – (Quora).

Remember – achieving goals requires consistent effort, action, and persistence, not just hoping or desiring something to happen. It is effort over intention: your outcomes are determined by your actions, not your aspirations. You have a responsibility that cannot be ignored. True success comes from putting in the necessary work, over coming challenges, and making tangible progress. Again, we cannot stand idol. We cannot afford to be slothful or lazy either. It is time for faith in action.

Happy 2026 – A year of turning opportunity into success

Let us lean into Matthew 7 and James 2. Let us seek God and move in faith.

Actionable steps: Dreams become reality through small, consistent steps, dedication, and discipline. We just cannot think about it, we need to be about it.

Responsibility: We must take control and work on self-improvement (spiritually speaking, but also mental, emotional and physical). It’s going to take hard work, but it is not impossible work.

Embrace challenges: view failures as stepping stones and keep working through difficulties. Do not give up. Don’t give in. Keep faith in action.

*** *** ***

Happy new year and strap on your boots – it’s time to get to work.

Romans 13:11-12, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

GM OTP family! This is your morning nudge to wake up. Time to wipe the slumber residue from your eyes so you can see clearly in the morning light. Many have been “sleep walking” through the responsibility to our portion of kingdom work. We are all members of the same body – the body of Christ and we all have our specific job (calling) to perform. Many have at least acknowledged the call, but at the same time have not fully embraced it to the point extent of fully walking/working in their call.

People Need You

Romans 8:19, tells how all of creation is waiting for God’s people to get in line/get in place and work in their particular ministry fully. Do not allow the enemy to make you believe you are small and insignificant. This is a lie! The world needs you to take your place. It’s time to wake up!

Shake Yourself and Get to Work

2 Timothy 1:6, urges the people of God to stir up the gift that is in you. We have to shake ourselves up for we cannot always depend on encouragement to come from outside sources. You have to have enough of God in you that even in your low times you can wake up and come out of the issues that try to weigh you down and make you forget who you are and whose you are. Don’t allow the God-given gifts and spiritual abilities to lie dormant in you. Fast and pray over yourself and watch God work for you.

Some other things to consider:

We move in power.

• Ephesians 3:20
• Luke 10:19
• Matthew 17:20
• Acts 1:8

We operate in the spirit of excellence.

• Daniel 6:3
• 1 Corinthians 10:31
• Colossians 3:23

We do not fear.

• Isaiah 41:10
• Psalms 46:1
• Psalms 23:4
• 1 John 4:18
• Philippians 4:6-7

We are never alone.

• Deuteronomy 31:6
• Joshua 1:9
• Hebrews 13:5

There are millions of people out there depending on you. Don’t let God down, and don’t let yourself down. It is hard to live with yourself when you know you have a gift/calling/special ability that is God-given that is needed at this appointed time, but you allow lazy (slothfulness) to keep you from using effectively.

It’s time to wake up and get to work!

Have a blessed day.

Romans 11:19-21, “Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”

Hey OTP Family! The topic of unbelief has been in my spirit for a few days now and I felt a pull in the spirit to dive into this topic today. In Matthew 13:58, Jesus said he could not do many miracles in his home time because of their unbelief. He noted their familiarity with his upbringing stopped them from receiving from him. But this was just an excuse to hold on to the things they were not yet ready to let go of. Look at your life – is there any unbelief lurking around? If so, deal with it because unbelief will block God from moving in your life. It is not that God is powerless in your situation. Rather your unbelief makes you unreceptive to his ministry. It blocks you from receiving from God. The end result? Just as Jesus left his home town because of unbelief and went to the places where he could work miracles. Your unbelief will also turn him away from you.

What is Unbelief?

Spiritual unbelief is a rejection, distrust, or lack of conviction in spiritual truths, God, or religious principles, often manifesting as stubborn resistance to faith, reliance on worldly evidence over divine promises, or prioritizing personal emotions/pride over spiritual understanding. It’s seen as more than just doubt, involving a determined turning away from spiritual connection, which leading to negative consequences or separation from God.

Key aspects of spiritual unbelief:

• Refusal to trust: It’s an active refusal to believe what God has revealed, rather than just a questioning mind, and can stem from pride or self-reliance.
• Distrust and disobedience: Often linked to distrust (Greek: apistia), it can become disobedience (Greek: apeitheia) when one ignores God’s commands or promises.
• Reliance on senses: Trusting feelings, worldly evidence, or logic above God’s Word is a common source of spiritual unbelief.
• Spiritual blindness: It’s characterized by a spiritual blindness that prevents recognition of divine reality, even when presented with clear signs.
• Varying degrees: It’s not always a total absence of faith but can be a significant struggle within a believer, as seen in the “unbelieving generation” Jesus addressed, where parents cried out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!

When unbelief is left unchecked it does lead to separation from God. Our unbelief will sever the connection we have to God. It is like a cancer that will impact the healthy cells around it until the cancer spreads throughout the body. The end result – you will no longer find yourself attached to a body of believers as you find excuses to stay away from God and his people.

The Danger of Spiritual Unbelief:

It acts as a barrier to God’s promises, leading to separation from Him, spiritual ruin, condemnation, and a failure to experience God’s blessings. It can stem from doubt, fear, or a focus on earthly problems over faith, causing individuals to drift from God, lose courage, and turn away from divine guidance, potentially resulting in eternal consequences for the soul.

How it Manifests:

• Wavering & Doubt: Fluctuating with conventional opinions instead of holding to God’s word.
• Focusing on Obstacles: Overemphasizing problems (like giants in the land) rather than God’s ability to overcome them.
• Unwillingness to Trust: More and unwillingness to trust than an inability to understand, often fueled by fear or discontent. 

Overcoming Unbelief:

Today, the morning message was on the topic of “Close the Gap” (Apostle Aaron B. McNair, Sr.). We don’t want to leave space for the enemy to come in and wreak havoc. But we are instructed not to give place to the enemy. So we must examine ourselves and close any gaps to prevent the subtle strategic infiltration of the enemy. The same concept should be applied to unbelief.

We must examine ourselves, detect the gaps where unbelief has crept in and close them through prayer (communion and fellowship with God), worship and praise. Through Bible study (faith comes by hearing the word of God), and fellowship with other believers. We are our brother’s keeper and we need one another. The scriptures say we over come by the word of our testimony. When we share our testimony with one another we are working to strengthen and encourage each other.

Once you recognize unbelief in your life – you must call it out, repent (ask God for forgiveness). Then you must be prepared to perform spiritual surgery to cut it out. Just as a surgeon must cut out the cancerous tumor, we must spiritually do the same to unbelief. Then apply ongoing treatment to keep you free of this cancer is as follows.

Spiritual Practices (aka Spiritual Warfare)

• Study Scripture: Faith grows by hearing God’s Word; read, listen, and meditate on it daily to renew your mind. 
• Pray Honestly: Bring your doubts and struggles to God in prayer, asking for help, rather than hiding them. 
• Remember God’s Faithfulness: Keep a journal of answered prayers and past blessings to see His track record. 
• Act in Faith: Take small, obedient steps based on what you already know;obedience strengthens faith. 

Mindset Shifts (change your perspective)

• Stop Overthinking: Don’t rely solely on your limited understanding; trust God’s higher plans. 
• Block Negativity: Actively counter negative thoughts and voices. 
• Embrace Humility: Admit your need for God and surrender your self-reliance. 

Community & Action (add works to your faith)

• Fellowship: Connect with other believers who build you up in faith. 
• Take Risks: Do hard things and step out of your comfort zone to build discipline and faith. 
• Live Transparently: Be honest about your feelings, even when struggling

Along with this ongoing treatment it is also necessary to make changes to those people who influence you (or have influence in your life). Unbelief is contagious. If you constantly hang around those who refuse to believe God, eventually their words of doubt can find their way into your heart. It is necessary to protect (guard) your heart, mind, and peace. Once God has delivered you, please be selective with those you spend time with. Most of the time spiritual victories are hard fought battles. It does not make any sense to willingly subject yourselves to the same influences that initially lead to your bondage.

Once you expose your struggles to God and ask for help, I guarantee you – your help is on the way. It is a faith battle, and you must spiritually dig in to survive and come out victorious. This is not the time to stop coming to church. This is the exact time to come out and gain strength from one another. It’s the perfect time to lean into God, not lean or pull away.

Prayer Time:

If this lesson has found you, let’s pray the prayer of faith together:

Heavenly Father, I confess my doubt and unbelief. Please forgive me for not fully trusting you. The scripture says “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. Help me believe that you are real and that you reward those who earnestly seek you. Strengthen my faith, help me believe your word above all else, and replace my fear with hope in Jesus’ name, Amen.

God bless and have a great day!

2 Timothy 1:12’ “for which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

Hey OTP Family! I just wanted to share some encouraging words to help you make it successfully through this week.

Understand that the same God who promised to never leave or forsake you truly has your back!

We just need to be fully convinced and confident of this fact, and to trust him with our cares. If we trust him then we can cast our cares upon him knowing he can (and will) work every thing out for our good.

Have a blessed Monday everyone! ❤️

Psalms 118:24, “ This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Hey OTP Family!! Just wanted to share some morning encouragement…

Praying God’s blessings be upon you and in you!

Have a great day!

Proverbs 26:16, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

Philippians 3:13 & 14, “Brethern, I do not count 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 on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Hey OTP Family! God is so very good to us. He is patient, faithful, and long suffering. He does not give up on us even when we want to give up on ourselves. I just wanted to take a moment to encourage to show yourself some grace. You may not always be perfect or do everything just right. You will fail and you will fall down from time to time. But the key is not to lay there and wallow in your failure. We get back up, shake ourselves and get back in line. We repent, ask for forgiveness, ask for strength to move one and continue to do what God has given us to do. Here is the key – we have to accept the forgiveness God freely gives to us.

Our problem – we still remember what we did wrong. We still think about how we failed, how we did not do what God told us to, etc. But when God forgives us, we have to forgive ourselves too. We need to receive that forgiveness with a whole heart and let the past go. Yes, the past – because that is where the failure lives. We cannot take our past failures into the bright future that God has planned for us.

The thing to remember is that no matter what your gift and calling is without repentance (Romans 11:29). Which means God’s gifts and His selection of people for a specific purpose (His calling) are irrevocable; He does not change His mind nor regret them. With that in mind, understand you do not have the option to walk away from this anointing. We need to get it together and get back to work.

But remember to give yourself grace. This race is a marathon and not a sprint. Our focus is to finish the race. You do not have to be the first to the finish line, the goal is to stay in the race and finish strong.

Trust God’s plan for your life and focus on being the vessel for his will to be done.

Prayer is essential. The believer needs to have a consistent prayer life. This is our life line. Most of our failure is precipitated by a lack of prayer. Prayer is our daily (sometimes hourly) conversation with God. This is our opportunity to seek God, to cry out God, to vent our frustrations, admit our weakness, to surrender to his will, and to get direction and guidance. The scripture says it like this – “Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6).

Show yourself some grace on this journey. Trust God and all will be well.

Stay encouraged and have a blessed night.

Psalms 150:6, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”

Psalms 100: 1, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing,”

Nehemiah 8:10, “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Hello OTP Family! Have you ever ran across something that is so monumentally important for your life, but is also such a small thing that it can be easily overlooked? That is how I look at praise. It is, indeed, essential to the life of the believer, but many take the attitude that they can take it or leave it. But the truth of the matter is this – praise is one of the most important weapons in our arsenal to fight against the enemy.

Today I want to talk a little bit about praise. I want to be transparent in our conversation to share why I praise God like I do.

What is Praise?

Praise is to express warm approval or admiration. Biblically, praise is the reverent adoration of God for who He is and for what He has done, expressed through expressions of gratitude, awe, and worship.

There are 3 main reasons why I praise:

1. It is a command of God (see Psalms 150).
2. Psychologically, it relieves stress and opens my ears to hear and receive from God.
3. It confuses the enemy.

Now that we know what praise is, let’s take a deeper look at each reason to praise

The Command of God.

In Psalms 150, we see the great command from God – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” With this command it is clear that every living being is required to give praise to God. This chapter goes into great detail on where, why, and how praise should be conducted.

Where: in his sanctuary and in his mighty heavens.

Why: for his mighty deeds and for his excellent greatness.

How: with trumpets, lute, and harp. With tambourine and dance. With strings and pipe. With cymbals.

It is clear that music and dance are essential in the praise process! But simply, we are to acknowledge the greatness and goodness of God. To acknowledge that God has been good to us and for that alone he is worthy of the praise.

Another thing to realize is that praise requires your whole being. Your mind, your body. This encompasses our attitude. It is essential to have an attitude (the way you think and feel) and posture (of your heart – humility, reverence, and obedience) of praise. It is not just lip service. It is more than surface level involvement. Praise is something that flows from your heart, from your inner man. It is passionate and expressed with deep meaning.

It involves you pouring out of your heart gratitude and thanksgiving to God. Because of this great passion it flows directly to worship for this who walk in the spirit (John 4:24). But we will save the topic of worship for another time.

Praise is a Stress Reliever.

For me, during those times when I recognize that I am under an attack of the enemy, or if I feel my mind wanting to cross into fear and wander down the ‘what if’ rabbit hole – I can go into praise and let go of the cares of this life. I don’t have to worry about bills being paid, or my job, my children, the state of the world, etc. I can leave them all at God’s feet and just rest in praise. I cannot explain the light feeling I have after a good praise session. It is a feeling of release that is unparalleled.

There are added benefits to praise. As I draw closer to God in praise, he draws nearer to me too. James 4:8, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” Praise brings us closer to God so that we can better hear his voice. This encourages us as believers to exercise the word of God in our lives. We will find ourselves quoting the scripture and actively applying it to our lives. Adding works to our faith.

When are ears are open to hear what the spirit is saying, we are strengthened to walk in obedience and the favor of God. This positions us to receive from God. When we can better hear from God our ability to trust him increases. Our ability to walk in our call and anointing also increases. God is so awesome – He gave us this awesome gift of praise that brings glory and honor to him. But he also uses this same gift as a door way to receive from Him.

Psalms 22:3, tells us that God inhabits our praises. When we praise Him, we bring his presence in our midst. With an atmosphere of praise we can receive whatever we need from the Lord. Healing, deliverance, salvation, freedom, etc. Whatever we need we will have access to it with an atmosphere of praise.

Our Praise Confuses the Enemy.

The enemy just does not understand why we continue to praise God despite the fact that he attacking us on every side. 2 Chronicles 20:22 reminds us as we begin to sing and praise God, God will set up ambushments against our enemies. Our praise will cause them to attack themselves, so much so that the trap they attempt to set against us will ensnare them instead.

Praise – this joy of the Lord – becomes our strength. Through praise we are strengthened to endure, to resist the enemy of our soul. We can do this with a joyful heart because we recognize that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We can live on this exchange principle. He takes our weakness and gives us strength. He takes our pain and gives us peace. He takes our sorrow and gives us joy.

When the children of Israel would go into battle, they would always send the praisers out first (see 2 Chronicles 20). We must also learn to lead with praise. Praise is a weapon that God has given us. We just have to be willing to use it – daily. The enemy is always looking for opportunities to attack. We must be just a vigilant to use what God has given us to thwart this plan. Praise, prayer, and thanksgiving – this is a combination that we depend upon to navigate this walk with Christ.

Summary

The matter can be summed up simply by Psalms 100:1 , praise Him, serve Him with gladness, and come before Him with a song of praise on your lips and in your heart. This is both your weapon and strength as a child of God.

Become proficient with this mighty weapon of praise.

Have a blessed night.

1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perished, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto the praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

Hello OTP family! Have you ever been in the place where God has revealed himself to you in some profound way through his word? A place where you are so grateful and thankful because of the revealed word. Where you are standing on this new revelation and decreeing and declaring this word over your life? Then the next thing you know it seems the very gates of hell are breaking through in your life? A time where it seems that nothing you do to fix the situation works. If you answered yes to any of these questions or the statements resonates with your experiences – do not be alarmed. God is just working that newly revealed word out in your life.

The bible tells us that our faith must be tried. The trial of our faith is a foundational point of the believers life. We are told to study the word… “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that neededeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). We study to know God’s word so we can, in turn, apply the word to our lives and stand upon it. God is faithful, that he promised in John 14:26, “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.” This is why it is so important that every believer spend time in the word of God. How can God remind you of something you never took the time to study (hide in your heart) before?

Getting back to the topic. We do not live in a vacuum. The enemy is also aware of what God is doing in your life. He is not all knowing like God. But he does know how to understand human behavior. He also hears the words that you speak. He sees the difference in you when you are standing on the word of God by faith – using that word to fight against his plan of attack. Just like God allowed Satan to attack Job, he also gives him permission to pick at our lives too. But just as with Job, God places parameters around just what the enemy can do against us. He declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). You will not be in this thing too long. Another thing to remember is God also promised he would not put more on us than we are able to bear (1 Corinthians 16:13).

So when the revelation of the word – a particular scripture, or principle – comes, just know a trial is coming too.

But be encouraged, we also serve a God who always causes us to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14). But understand, we do need to walk through the fire. However, there is a blessing in knowing that God is in the fire with us. Hallelujah!

Back to my testimony. I find myself in this very situation and I bring you salutation from the middle of the journey. I am still in the fire, fighting the good fight of faith. The weirdest thing is, I am thankful for my journey. I am seeing everyday just how faithful God has been to his word. As God sees us standing upon (decreeing and declaring) his word, he watches over it to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).

For me, the moment I began to rejoice in the deep knowledge of this biblical principle and share the word with others, I also began to be tried by this same word. Here’s the thing – God has been faithful. He has supplied all of my needs – in ways I never imagined. Most importantly, I am happy and content. I don’t have any regrets. I am just thankful.

No, I am not fully on the other side of this thing yet. It is tough and I have to remember and speak the word daily. Yes, it is a daily battle. But I am also not sitting in sadness and tears. I am standing in the light of God’s word, knowing he has my back.

With a full heart I choose to lift up my head to where my strength comes from. I choose to give God praise, rather than complain about what I don’t have or the unfairness of the situation.

My prayer for you – if you find yourself in a similar situation – do not give into despair. Understand 2 Corinthians 4: 8 – 9, “we are troubled on every dies, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed;” Understand, what ever trial you are in, it is because you have been built to survive it. Not only that, you were also made to thrive in spite of it. Do not let it define you, it is just something you are temporarily going through at the moment. Eventually, you are going to testify how God brought you successfully through it. Stronger than ever before.

Have a blessed night.