A Rainstorm is Coming

Then Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!’ 1 Kings 18:41, NLT

In First Kings 18, the Samaritans had been in a great famine. For three and a half years, there had been no rain. The prophet Elijah showed up and said to King Ahab, “I hear the sound of the abundance of rain.” When he said that, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, yet he chose to believe what he heard in his spirit in spite of what he saw in the natural. With his eyes, he saw drought, famine and barrenness; but inside, he heard the sound of the abundance of rain.

Friend, this is what faith is all about. You’ve got to believe what you hear in your heart even when you see just the opposite. God is saying, “There’s about to be an abundance of favor in your life. The drought is coming to an end. You’re going to see healing, restoration, new opportunities, new growth.”

Soon after, that rainstorm came. And just like Elijah, you have to believe that your rainstorm of blessing is right around the corner. No matter what anyone says, no matter what happens, keep believing and keep declaring because soon you will hear the sound of rain!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, thank You for the blessing and victory You have in store for my future. Thank You for allowing me to see and hear in my heart the good things You have planned. I choose to keep my eyes on You and declare Your blessing over my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bless Your Future

…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.
Deuteronomy 30:19, NKJV

Did you know that with your words you can either bless your future or curse your future? Your words have creative power. If you want to know what your life is going to be like five years from now, just listen to what you’re saying about yourself today. Too many people go around saying, “I’ll never get well.” “I’ll never get out of debt.” “It’s flu season. I’ll probably get it.” “This marriage is never going to last.” Then they wonder why they don’t see things turn around. It’s because they’re calling defeat into their future. They’re calling in mediocrity. Don’t let that be you!

When you get up in the morning, no matter how you feel, no matter what things look like, instead of using your words to describe your situation, use your words to change your situation. Make a declaration of faith by saying, “This is going to be a great day. I have God’s favor. He’s directing my steps.” When you do that, you are choosing life for your future. You are calling in favor, increase and opportunities. Your words are coming into alignment with God’s Words, and when you align yourself with God, He’ll lead you into victory and blessing all the days of your life.

Prayer for Today:

Father, I commit my words to You today and choose to bless my future. Thank You for directing my steps. I keep my heart and mind focused on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Keep Walking Through

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…"
Psalm 23:4, ESV

Everyone faces challenges and difficulties in life. If you are going through a valley today, know that you are not alone. God is with you! He is working behind the scenes on your behalf, and He will carry you through. Remember, your challenges didn’t come to stay; they came to pass. Don’t get stuck in the valley by allowing your setbacks to become the focus of your life. Jesus endured the pain of the cross for the joy that was set before Him, and when you focus on your victory, you will be able to keep walking through your valley, too! 

Shake off bitterness and self-pity today and be determined to press forward. With God on your side, no weapon formed against you shall prosper. As you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, your challenges will become easier, and you will move forward and live the life of victory God has in store for you.

Prayer for Today:

"Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me. Thank You for giving me strength during the difficult times. I trust that You are with me today, and I choose to focus on the victory You have in store in Jesus’ name. Amen."

You Are Made for a Purpose!

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith. Romans 12:6 NKJV

Understanding why God put you here is one of the most important principles when it comes to discovering your unique purpose and calling in life. The reason is that knowing why you are here on earth helps you answer the question of why God has uniquely gifted you the way He has, and what He has called you to accomplish individually.

There's nothing more exciting than to discover your purpose, your area of calling and really focus on it! Don't let the enemy tell you you've been forgotten or left out. God has not left anybody out. You have talents, you have abilities, you have natural strengths and you need to be aware of what they are and make sure that you're taking advantage of them and using them for His glory. There is something important that only you can accomplish for God!

Prayer for Today:

God, help me to understand clearly the reason You created me and gifted me the way You have, so I can fulfill my purpose and experience the joy and victory that comes from being in Your will. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Seeing the Unseen

"We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18, NKJV

God wants you to focus on the good things He has for you, which are far greater than the things you can see around you. Unfortunately, too many people give up when they face tough times. They stop expecting anything good to happen. But the truth is, hardships and trials are really opportunities for you to go higher. Whatever struggles you're going through right now, no matter how large or small...they are subject to change. 

God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Your health may not look very good today, but it's subject to change. You may be out of work today, but that's subject to change. Your finances may look dismal today, but that's subject to change! You may be struggling in your relationships or marriage, but that's subject to change too! No matter what your circumstances might be...you can experience real positive change when you look to God.

Prayer for Today:

God, it's so exciting to realize that the hard circumstances in my life are subject to change. Help me to keep on trusting You as You work out Your good purposes in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Stay Positive

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!I have overcome the world."
John 16:33, NIV

It's easy to be positive and encouraging when everything is going your way, isn't it? But every one is going to have obstacles to overcome in life. Problems have a purpose, and part of God's purpose for allowing you to face obstacles is to test your attitude. That's why you need to be positive even in negative situations. Remember, God wants you to live life to the fullest. And He has provided a way for you to enjoy your life, even when you're going through hard times.

Look closely again at John 16:33. Jesus has just told you that you will face tribulation. But then He says, "Take heart!" That's the secret. One translation puts it this way: "When you have trouble, cheer up." What God is saying is that you can choose to be joyful and positive no matter what happens. The reason you can do that is because Jesus has already won your battle, whatever it may be!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, thank You for the trials that strengthen my faith. I know that all I need to do is look up to You when troubles come, and claim Your victory over them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Live Skillfully

"Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings…"
(Proverbs 22:29, NIV)

Too often, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut, doing the same thing the same way over and over every day. But if we are going to live at our full potential, we should constantly be growing and sharpening our skills. We should strive to learn and grow every single day because when you stop learning, you stop growing. When you stop growing, you stop living.

In this season of your life, what are you doing to stretch yourself? What are you doing to improve your skills? Don’t get trapped into thinking that “good enough” is good enough. You were created for more than just average. Today is a new day, and there are new heights for you to climb. Pursue what you love and keep developing that area of your life. Take a class or find a mentor that will help you live skillfully. As you do, you’ll see growth and increase. You’ll stand before leaders and rulers and live the blessed life God has in store for you!

Prayer for Today:

Father, today I choose to rise out of mediocrity. I choose to give my very best to everything I set my hand to. Teach me to live skillfully so that my life is a continual praise to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.