“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV)

How to pray and receive

·      Pray according to His will: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

·      Pray in faith: “He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.’” (Luke 17:6)

·      Pray in His name: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13)

·      Believe that you have received it: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

Therefore

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful .in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2)

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

You are free indeed!

Don’t allow the devil to lie to you and say you are still in bondage. You’re not! The old self is dead and set free from the sin to which we’d been enslaved.

“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” (Rom. 6:6 NLT) 

Believe it!

“For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:2) 

Therefore

You are free of unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, rage, lust, and pride. You can still experience temptation (even Jesus did), but you are not obligated to give in to it!

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)

“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today.” (Exo. 14:14)

In the Book of Exodus, there is a powerful story about the Israelites, who had just been rescued by God’s mighty hand from slavery and oppression in Egypt. But then they saw the powerful Egyptian army bearing down on them with their mighty chariots and horses. In terror they cried out to Moses, and he answered with the following words from the Lord:

“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exo. 14:13-14).

Therefore

If scary and impossible looking problems come your way, don’t fear, stand firm, and to turn to God.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (2 Thess. 3:3)

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31)

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matt. 25:21 ESV)

Faithfulness to little beginnings

It’s easy to dismiss your morning routine as not that important because it’s made up of so many little things; you wake up, take a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, go to work, or to whatever else you normally do every day. But thinking differently about small daily routine could greatly impact your life, and in big ways, here’s how.

Refocus them!

Instead of absentmindedly beginning your day, use each part of your routine as triggers to refocus your thoughts towards God’s Word and to remember what He has created you for, which is what He put you on earth to do.

·      Each morning, when you wake up, say, “Good morning, Lord!” This is a small yet powerful thing to do because you are putting God first at the very start of your day. And you are doing exactly what Jesus said you must do, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33) 

·      Each morning, when you take a shower and brush your teeth, remember what Jesus did for you on the cross to cleanse you from sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

·      Each morning as you put on your clothes, remember that you have put on Christ: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal. 3:27)

·      Each morning as you eat breakfast, remember that you need more than physical food; you need God’s Word every morning, too.“ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4)

·      Each morning, as you leave for work or school, remember that you’re actually representing Him in whatever you’re doing. So commit it to Him! “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” (Col. 3:23). And to “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Prov. 16:3).

Therefore

Even though the daily things listed above are small, they really do have great potential to change how your day (and future) goes for you!

And don’t forget, little things often grow into big things!

“He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matt. 13:31-32 ESV)

“Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.” (James 3:4 ESV)

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13 ESV) 

How old are you in your head?

I heard an interesting interview with residents in a nursing home. The interviewer asked each person: “How old are you in your head?” And the answers were fascinating. The mind-set ages were all over the place. Some had a mental age pretty close to actual, others did not. The one that really caught my attention was the lady, somewhere in her mid to late 80s, said, “I still see myself in my mind as 20!” After she said that, I took a second look at her and noticed she looked healthy and she did not dress, walk or act like an old person; her hair and makeup was perfect, she spoke clearly, and she was alert, inquisitive, and enthusiastic. As the others revealed their mind-set ages, I noticed their appearance and behavior matched what they said. Why is this so? Simple, the Bible says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7). Therefore, if you are young or old in your head, that’s how you will behave.

I asked myself that same question

After giving it some thought, I realized the age in my head for most of my adult life was 35. And I did act that age, until something awful happened that changed it; I got long-term COVID! It lasted over a year and a half and caused serious lung issues that felt like walking pneumonia; I gained a lot of weight; I lost energy; I lost my sense of taste and smell; but worse of all, I got horrible brain fog and could no longer hold a thought! I now felt old! In a short time, I transitioned from age 35 in my head to my actual physical age, 77. I began to think, act, and feel old!

Something had to change!

I finally became very tired of feeling old with all the negative symptoms. So, I did a self-evaluation, developed a plan for recovery, and began to do everything I could do, with God’s help, to change things. I started a strict diet and lost 25 pounds; I began to exercise daily; and I focused on accomplishing some exciting new projects. And it worked! It didn't take long for wonderful things to happen. I felt better, regained my sense of taste and smell, the brain fog vanished, and my old energy came flooding back. And I realized something else wonderful had happened—in my head, I'm back to age 35!

Therefore

Change your mind, change your life!

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2)

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6)

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Rev. 22:12)

Just before Jesus rose into heaven, He promised He would soon come again to take his own with Him at the resurrection of the dead.

Be alert and ready!

It is wonderful news that he is coming again to make all things right, but it also means that we should live in a state of readiness for his return. Seek his kingdom and trust him. Walk in his Spirit and do his will.

Therefore

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17 ESV)

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (Rev. 1:7 ESV)

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3)

Jesus promises that there is a place prepared for us in heaven. And though He said we will experience some troubles while living here (John 16:33), they are temporary.

Therefore 

We are co-heirs with Jesus and will receive an inheritance in heaven in him for eternity. Live for him today, so that you can live with him forever.

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:16-17)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

Some people sincerely want to know what God’s will is for their lives, but they struggle with a lack of direction; they don’t know what they should do or where they should go. And they are looking everywhere to find it. They are making it too hard for themselves.

The answer

The promise at the top of the page starts off with the answer using eight simple words: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart!” Where most get it wrong is that they think there has to be more to finding God’s will than just doing that, so they overthink it. They often think they must do something religious to find God’s will for their lives. And, of course, there’s an endless crowd of religious organizations and cults standing by with their instructions about what you must do. But don’t go there! Simply trusting in the Lord with all your heart will get you exactly where God wants you to be—the center of His will for you! And how do you do that, you may ask? The instructions are right there in the rest of the passage: “Do not lean on your own understanding.” That will only mislead you! (Prov. 14:12). Instead, “In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.” That’s it! Just do that and God takes care of the rest!

Therefore

Another similar verse says to “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33).

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:31-33 NIV)

The above promise is very powerful!

Jesus was speaking about the fact that God knows all your needs; He clothes the birds, makes beautiful flowers, and He cares more about you than them. Therefore, don't worry; just seek Him first, and the rest of your needs, such as food and clothing, will be provided to you by Him.

There is nothing more powerful in the Christian life than living under the rule and reign of God in his kingdom. The kingdom of God is the opposite of the kingdom of the world and submission to God’s rule will radically change your life for the better.

Therefore 

Don’t worry! Radically trust God! Seek his kingdom and His righteousness first in everything you do and leave the rest to him; it will radically change your life in every way.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jer. 17:7-8 ESV)