Say what God says! Reciting His promises and thanking Him for all the amazing things He has done for you in Christ is the heart of true praise and worship. “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).

Since the fall of Adam the image of God has been distorted little by little, like a photocopy where each copy is a little less clear than the copy before it. Eventually the image is barely recognizable, until fresh toner is installed and the image becomes crisp and clear again. If your walk with God has become faded and lacking clarity, only the Word of God can give you fresh perspective and a clear view of the exciting, limitless life that has been set before you in Christ!

We don’t come into the throne room telling God about who we used to be in Adam and crying for things He’s already given to us. No! Speaking the Word of God from our lips about who He has made us to be and how He sees us, what He has done for us, accomplished and given to us is the TRUE and SINCERE praise and worship that the Father desires from us! “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).

When the Israelites brought an offering to the priest to atone for their sins, the priest didn’t inspect the people to see if they were worthy, he inspected the offering they presented. If you have received the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus, God isn’t inspecting you to see if you’re worthy of His forgiveness and blessing—He looks at the perfect offering—His Son!

“Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:5-6). You can come to the place where no matter what is happening around you, you are not shaken. How? By taking time and meditating, speaking and growing in the truth of this and other scriptures like it. You’re not ignoring what’s going on around you, you’re just becoming more confident and focused on things above, where you’re seated with Christ!

Jesus Christ is the only spiritual leader in history who is alive in the present. Right now He is working, walking and talking in current affairs, sharing His divine life with those who believe in Him!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). God is not far away! Once you came into Christ, He is now right there with you continually. If you feel He’s far away, make sure your faith and expectancy are in the right place, and your fear isn’t pushing God farther away from you than where He desires to be!

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Prov. 4:23). Ask yourself, “What is my first reaction to bad news?” The life of God IN you is greater than any circumstance around you. Identify the inspiration-killers that have tried to defeat you, and become trained in God’s Word to walk in victory against them!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus”—NOT according to how much is in your bank account, or how good or bad the economy is. His supply to you is not at all rooted in anything going on around you, it comes to you from His glory! (Phil. 4:19 NIV)

Elijah prayed 7 times for it to rain. He didn’t quit at the 6th time and start teaching his disciples why God doesn’t answer prayer. No, he persisted and received the rain on the 7th time (1 Kings 18:42-44). Neither the devil or the world’s system can hold back what God has promised for His children, so forget your failures and start the day with fresh expectation and fresh focus on what you are asking of the Lord!