Encouraging Notes

KEEP WATCH

One of the greatest privileges you have is that of communion with the Creator of the universe! Prayer gives us the unique opportunity to peer into the heavenly realms! Have you ever heard this saying, “Much prayer, much power – More prayer, more power – No prayer, no power.” In the Bible, being watchful is often speaking of prayer and spiritual effectiveness. Sleep is often a metaphor for those who have lost their relationship, intimacy, and communication with God and are therefore spiritually ineffective.

Mark 13:35-37 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch! ’ ”

This Scripture is speaking of the return of Jesus and how important it is for us to be in constant relationship with him. He is coming back, and intimate communication with him is the power to carry out his kingdom’s work!

Listen to what Jesus said just hours before he was going to be crucified, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and she.” Mark 14:34

From the context, we know that Jesus wanted them to pray. Being effective in the kingdom of God requires an intimate relationship with God. Being effective for God means you have the wisdom to write the book, start the business, launch out into that ministry, pray for that person, or do anything else God has called you to do. This is why he desperately wants you to know him intimately. God longs to showcase you; his dearly loved child! He wants to release His power through you! Wow! It is no wonder that Jesus said, “My house will be called a house of prayer.” Mt 21:13

In Luke chapter 18, Jesus used the story of a woman needing justice from an unjust judge. The purpose of Jesus telling this story was to teach his disciples that they should always pray and never give up. According to the story, persistent prayer is the proof of faith in God! Only those who believe God will be relentless to go to him to get the answers or provisions they need. In the economy of God, prayer is the way we are to get things done.

Being fully involved in God’s purposes is the most rewarding and exciting life of all. God wants to meet with you! He wants to share his heart with you! He has grand plans for you and all the power and provision necessary to make you effective! Today is your day! Now is the best time to press into a deeper connection with God! Today is your day to see what you have not yet seen as you gaze into the unseen realm! God has answers and provisions available! It is almost as if I can hear Jesus calling your name and asking you to…

KEEP WATCH

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DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!

Sometimes it’s what you’re willing to ignore that will determine the outcome of your life. Yes, at times, if you want to have a breakthrough, then you have to choose not to think about it! You might be thinking… What in the world is he talking about?

You see, the devil’s ways are tricky. He knows if he can get you to start thinking about how to fulfill the desires of your flesh, the rest will be history – he’s got you. But, if you choose not to let your mind go there, he has no avenue to defeat you!

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

There are many deceitful and dangerous desires of the flesh, but the most perilous of them all is the desire to feel righteous and okay with God based upon your deeds! This is the lie of all lies in the sin of all sins! If there’s anything God truly longs for you to have, it is the revelation that you are already righteous in his eyes because of the sacrifice of Jesus! The desire to try to feel right about ourselves outside of God’s provision was and still is the most hideous sin of all! This was the downfall of Adam and Eve and continues to be the greatest downfall of all humanity!

It is time to set your mind on what God has for you. Yes! With everything you have, surrender to the reality that you are righteous in his eyes because of the blood of Jesus! Wow! Think about this; God is not only on your side but through this revelation will cause you to defeat the enemy at every turn!

To exercise your power over the enemy, you must know that the best way to triumph over him is to refuse his thoughts in your mind! Oh yes! You can do this! Are you ready to kick some devil bootie? You’re headed into a battlefield today, and here is your weapon of choice…

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!

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TALKING ABOUT IT

It is critical who you talk to about what! Telling the wrong person the wrong thing can create big problems. On the other hand, sharing your needs or vision with the right person can release a breakthrough solution. When you are in a trial, who is the first person you talk to? The best person you will ever talk to when in great need is God! He is the one with the solution that you need.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Anxiety is a killer! The word disease can be broken up into two words, Dis and Ease. Disease comes from the lack of ease or rest in one’s life! The most compelling reason to rest in God is that he is the one who paid for all your sin and is in love with you! He owns it all. He knows everything, can do anything, and is in love with you! Wow! Think about it! You are in a win-win situation with God! He owns everything and can do anything, and you are everything to him! Hallelujah!

Would you take a minute to talk to God and give him your problems? Not only can he handle the issues much better than you, but you will also receive his supernatural peace and rest when you do? It is a great time to talk to him right now! If you will put your requests before him and trust him, you can be sure that a specific solution from God is coming your way! Look what Apostle Peter said.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him because he cares for you.

Faith-filled prayer is the key to your next breakthrough! I am praying to God for you right now! I’m asking him to encourage you to start...

TALKING ABOUT IT

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When you face trials, and everything seems to be going wrong, it is challenging to be thankful and walk in the victory God offers us! It is during these times that what you genuinely believe is being tested! During these times, choosing to be thankful can be a real sacrifice! Sometimes I wish that a bell would ring and a clear voice would say, “Hey, this is a test, this is only a test.” During the midst of difficult trials, it is often hard to remember that this is just a test that God has allowed. Yes! This is a test to help you learn the extraordinary life of faith! You can be sure of this, the benefits of trusting God during these times are huge – take a look at this:

Ps 50:23 He who sacrifices thank offerings, honors Me, and he prepares the way that I may show him the salvation of God.

Being willing to let go of how you feel and be thankful no matter what the circumstances are screaming is very pleasing to God and therefore releases his salvation on your behalf. Oh yes! A thankful heart

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YOUR FAITHFUL, LOVING GOD!

When I consider how loving God is, how passionate and compassionate he is towards me, I am overwhelmed! I often feel like King David when he wrote, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have set in place, 4what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:3-4

The fact that he loves people like me with all our sin and failure is astounding! I love the description King David gives of the faithful love of God here in this Scripture.

Psalm 103:8-13 8The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

To me, God’s love for us is beyond description! If there’s one thing that has dramatically changed my life over the past six or seven years, it is the growing revelation within me of God’s tremendous love! Here’s another writing from David that I love.

Ps 146:5-10 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the Lord, who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free; the Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.

WOW! Our God is amazing! He is everything we need and more! The secret to a great life is fully trusting in his love and watchful care over us! I pray that you would be entirely convinced of his love for you today and that you would wholly receive that he is...

YOUR FAITHFUL, LOVING GOD!

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