We are soldiers—we have the belt of truth, the shield of righteousness and shoes of peace (Ephesians 6). We know that God will answer our prayers (1 John 5:14-15). We will not be afraid; we know that God will not leave us (Deuteronomy 31:8). He will take care of us, because He said in His Word, “By His wounds you are healed …” (Isaiah 53:5). In other words, we have been given everything we need to live in victory!

God is not sitting up in heaven behind some great golden desk of stern authority, automatically stamping “NO” on all our requests. Because of what Jesus did on our behalf, we have both access and conversation in the throne room of God!

Dead religion and sin consciousness have created an inferiority complex in people, but God has no intention of putting you down. His great plan is to lift you up out of condemnation and give you a purpose!

You and I were created for friendship and fellowship with God. Our rightful place is with Him, not under His feet or under His thumb. He doesn’t carry a hammer or a whip, commanding obedience—no! Our rightful place is standing arm-in-arm with our living, loving Father God!

What will the future hold for us as we stand once again on the threshold of a new year? I can predict with confidence that we are more than conquerors in every situation as Romans 8:37 declares! Why expect the worst when all things are possible to those who believe, as Jesus has spoken? Why believe it will be a time of isolation, when Jesus said I will never leave you nor forsake you?

God is NOT waiting for you to make a mistake so He can put a sickness or some calamity on you. It’s the devil who walks about like a roaring lion, looking for someone he can devour (1 Peter 5:8)! He’s the one trying to pervert the Word of God with evil schemes and tricks — he’s trying to convince you that what Jesus has already done for you is not really for you!

God is FOR you! He gave you the gift of eternal life so you would have peace of mind about your future. He gave you His promises for every area of your life so you would know His best for you. God is not hard, He is benevolent!

Matthew 7:11 says, “If you then being evil know how to give goods unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good gifts to them that ask Him?” Not only is God NOT using sickness, disease and lack as a tool to make us learn something, He clearly tells us that He has a great desire to answer our prayers and to meet our needs!

Poverty is not fate for the unlucky. Poverty is not a destiny to train you in godliness. Poverty is addressed by Jesus and has been broken off your life forever by His work on the cross!

All the devil heard from the lips of Christ when tempting Him was “It is written,” and he was powerless against Him. Whose report are you going to believe, the devil’s lies, or the report of the Lord?