…is being able to truthfully say “I am only doing what God told me to.” Then looking around at all the blessings surrounding you.

If you have not experienced this please take a hard look at yourself to ensure you are walking in obedience.

Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).

Genesis 27: 36-40

Remember the promise God made to you. Spend your time preparing for it. Make the most of opportunities when they arise.

Jacob knew that Esau had the birthright as the first born son, but he also knew the promise God made Rebekah – the elder shall serve the younger.

Esau never appreciated what was his due – his birthright and father’s blessing.

While Jacob wanted it, and made preparations for it.

So no matter what the world says “should” happen, it’s what God says that matters.

Take what God has promised you and prepare to receive.

So don’t be like Esau, appreciate God and his promise. Strive to be like Jacob, know what you desire from God and go after it full force.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe the in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Sometimes we forget that God is for us all. We all need him equally. Let’s shine our light to all, let us share the word with everyone, let not our prejudices cause us to condemn or give up on people. He never gave up on us.

Luke 17:11-19

“15. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God.

16. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: mad he was a Samaritan.”

One of the simplest things to do is to say thanks. However, it also seems to be one of the easiest things to forget.

Jesus was passing through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. He entered a certain village and was met by 10 lepers. They recognized Jesus and asked him to heal them (they begged him, just as we do when we are in crisis). Jesus saw them and told them to go show themselves to the priests. At that moment they had the opportunity to say thanks, but did not. It is common courtesy to say “thank you” when someone helps you. We teach this same principle to our children. When the Samaritan noticed that he was already healed, he turned around to give God thanks. Jesus asked, was not there 10? But where are the other 9?

We are made to glorify God – always. But when we Jesus does miracles, and blesses us above and beyond the normal everyday blessings, He deserve an even greater praise. Jesus is looking for us to be like the one who came back.

Do not take God’s goodness for granted. Don’t forget to tell God “thanks”.

James 3: 8-10

“8. But the tong can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and there with curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter.”

I have been studying “receiving from God” and have realized how powerful our words are. Many times we speak faith, but later speak doubt or unbelief, almost losing conquered ground.

God said all things are possible to him that believes, ask and he shall receive, and if we ask in his name we know that we have the petitions we desire. So, we speak things by faith. The later, if the blessing is not tangible in a time frame we have arbitrarily set, we forget the faith fight we are in. Our faith confessions are forgotten, and our speech portrays this.

To receive from God, we must keep our petitions before him, until we receive the manifestation of our confession. Doing this helps us to keep them in the forefront of our mind. We must speak them to ourselves, write them out, and share them with people when they ask “how are we doing.” We must walk in our confession at all times, without ceasing.

We must not allow blessings and cursing to come out of our mouth. We cannot speak faith (blessings) and and then speak doubt (cursing) out of our mouth. We must watch what we say, consider our words before we utter them carelessly.

James 2:14, 17

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?”

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

Walking by faith is a way of life for the believer. By faith we receive from God. 

However, there are times when we look at our life and wonder where God is. We wonder why we have not received the thing(s) we desire/need from God.

That is the time to look at Abraham for example, and understand that sometimes we have to put work behind your faith.

Take a step toward your goal. If you want to improve your health and lose weight. Start making smarter food choices, and exercise more. Put work behind your faith. 

Faith alone won’t do. True faith says “I so strongly believe God is going to do this thing, that I am willing to do this…” Make a move, take a step, you won’t be disappointed.