Category Archives: Growth

Posted on

Don’t Stop Praying!

I know it may get hard at times and extremely difficult at others, but don’t give up and don’t stop praying! One of the greatest assets the Father has given us is our faith, yes we can shrink back in fear OR we can rise up in faith and trust God! You may question how you got where you are or why things are the way they are, you may feel worn and ready to throw in the towel…don’t!

See God is incredibly faithful and he is not far away, he is right there with you even now. He loves you and delights in you in ways you and I can hardly fathom. Take your eyes off of your discouraging situation and set them on things above! Give it to God today and believe that he is at work (because he is)!

Philippians 4:6 says, “Let you request be made known to God with thanksgiving.” Thanksgiving is the key because it represents trust and it immediately affects your heart, mind AND situation! As you pray thank God that he loves you and he’s working everything for your good, thank God that he’s working in your marriage, in your family, in your finances, in this nation and the world around us. Trust God and believe that he loves you, he is good and he hears your prayers!

Be encouraged today and don’t stop praying!

Believing with you!

~John

“Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:7 (The Message)

Posted on

It’s Amazing!

It’s amazing how much God can use someone who is fully committed to him even in a short amount of time. 

I think about how Jesus’ ministry was only three years and yet how much he accomplished in that short amount of time. Or how the little boy only had a few loaves of bread and a couple fish but he gave it ALL to Jesus and how God did AMAZING things. And we all know the story of the widow’s mite, how a poor widow gave what little she had and Jesus said she gave more than anyone else because she gave it all.

I really am amazed at how great God is and how he desires to use us. And I am even more amazed at how powerfully he uses those of us who are simply willing to give our all. Not independently of him but rather we give our all to him and when we do he promises to do great and awesome things!

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

So, be encouraged! God wants to do amazing things through you and he will, as you are willing to give your all to him he will show up and show off in and through you!

Blessings,

John

Posted on

What’s the rush?

Do you ever feel rushed? Whether it’s by deadlines at work or the demands of life? It could be pressure you feel from family or friends, or your desire to please them. Maybe it’s your own doing where you put demands on yourself and make yourself anxious in the process. I believe the temptation is great to always feel busier than you actually are and more rushed than you should be. I see it everyday while driving (and I have to admit I sometimes fall into this trap while driving as well).

May you be encouraged by this brief word today: SLOW DOWN!

God never intended for us to be rushed, being rushed is really being anxious and often there is an absence of peace when we feel this way. We need to cast our cares upon the Lord, we need to slow down and breathe. Set all of life’s demands in the Lord’s hands and receive his peace. Trust God and rest in his love for you and his care for your life and your needs. Receive his peace in Jesus name! Let me say it again, “Peace be with you!”

Rest, relax, trust God and be filled with his peace and joy! You will not only be a happier person to be around, you yourself will be happier!

Blessings,

John

Posted on

What do you do when you don’t know what to do?

What do you do when you don’t know what to do?

HAHA That is a funny question! And yet at the same time it is a very serious and real question for all of us at different times in our lives. So what do YOU do?

I know I’ve done many different things but the most rewarding thing I’ve done is this:

Turn to God! Now this looks very different at different times and seasons in my life. There are times I am broken before God with tears but without words. There are other times I am simply still, I get alone in his presence and just “Be” (kind of like king David in Psalm 46:10), “Be still and know that I am God.” And at other times when I don’t know what to do I just start thanking and praising God for who he is and what he’s already done. I thank him and praise him for his goodness and faithfulness to me and for how I know that he knows what I’m suppose to do.

See, he has the answer and when we learn to draw near to him in our uncertainty he often reveals to us the direction in which we should go. As we acknowledge him he will give us his peace and he will lead us by that peace as well. So, when you don’t know what to do turn to the one who knows all, receive his comfort and peace and allow him to lead you so you can confidently make those needed decisions with peace and assurance. (For more on this read 2 Chronicles 20, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 30:21, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 3:15)

Blessings my friend,

John

Posted on

Trusting God’s Timing

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

You don’t have to make it happen, God will just make it happen! 

Yes we are called to be faithful, obedient, good stewards and excellent in all that we do, but we are not called to force things, promote ourselves or worry. We are called to humbly serve and watch God promote us, take care of us and lift us up at the appointed time.

It’s easy to get caught up in wanting things to happen overnight, we live in a culture that is saturated with selfishness and a feeling of entitlement that says, “I should get what I want and I should’ve had it yesterday!” Resist this narcissistic influence of our culture and boldly humble yourself before your God. He will lift you up, he will exalt you in due time and it will be worth the wait, because it’s in the waiting that he is developing you and preparing you to have greater influence both far and wide!

Be encouraged and keep serving the Lord with joy and humility, it’s all going to be worth it my friends! Give him your worry and concern about your bills, needs, health, relationships, dreams and destiny. He loves you and he is working on your behalf even when you can’t see it.

Be encouraged!

-John