Character is forged in the arena of temptation. We are all tempted to be arrogant, selfish, lustful, and angry, as well as other destructive forces that can work on our soul. The legacy of a man or woman is the character in which they handled their temptations.
Never let someone else tell you who you are! Just as Jesus found Himself in the scriptures, you can find yourself in the scriptures too. And when you do, you will discover who you are and who you are called to be!
Many believers are asking God to do what He already told THEM to do. “Lord, send Your Spirit! Lord, send your angels to save my family! Lord, SEND…” But Jesus told us in the gospels, “As I have been sent SO I SEND YOU….Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (John 20:21; Mark 16:15 author’s emphasis).
When we know who Jesus is, we know who we are. And when we know who we are, we know what we can do. This is why mountains, obstacles, troubles, and anything else that keeps us from being the best that God made us to be can be removed when we speak!
We are not designed to continually handle hard struggles, difficulty, shame, lack, stress, and failures. Jesus said, “Come unto me and I will give you rest for your souls.” He also said His yoke is easy and His burden light (Matt. 11:28–30). If you’ve allowed the troubles and uncertainty of the times to pile greater and greater loads of care upon you, it’s time to come back to Jesus and make an exchange. “…Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1Peter 5:7).
The faith within us should roar out when we are pressured by the world, the devil, and all his agents of destruction. That’s why scripture doesn’t ignore the reality of trials or temptations, but instead tells us to use them as stepping stones to God’s greatest potential in both our lives and the lives of others (James 1:2-8)!
Humanity alone was created in the image of God. Only humanity was given the right and the ability and the authority to walk with the living God, to speak words as He spoke, to create as He created, and to live as He lived on the earth. The desire of every human heart should be to manifest each day the reality of the blessing and privilege we walk in!
There is no special theological degree required to lay your hands on the sick and see them recover. You can trust God’s Word! Just take the opportunities the Lord gives you—the rest is up to Him!
Never underestimate the importance of your personal testimony, no matter how insignificant it may seem. The potential of your words in a heart that is ready to receive it is as explosive as one little match in a mountain of dry wood!
A ship that remains tied to the dock will eventually be overrun with barnacles and dry rot, a plane that sits idle in the hangar will grow brittle, moldy and its engine will cease to function, and a person without a purpose greater than themselves will weaken in resolve and retire in heart. We must not shrink from the opportunities before us!
