Let Us Draw Near

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus . . . LET US draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:19, 22a

LET US hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Getting Wisdom

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Proverbs 4:5

When we look into the Word we see this element called wisdom that will make us strong. The Greek word for wisdom is sophia, and it’s defined as “insight into the true nature of things.” Wisdom helps to differentiate between a good idea, a better idea, and the best idea.

Life-Giving Words

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:23-24

Your words have power. In every situation, you can bring peace or you can contribute to the storm. Before you speak, ask yourself these questions: Is it Jesus-glorifying? Is it life-giving? Is it healing? We must learn to be selective with our words because at the end of the day we’ll give an account of what we have said (Matthew 12:35-37).

Peace in Every Situation

The one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the Word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:22

Fears that try to plague your life are not coming to you from God. The devil attacks us with anxiety to choke the effect of the Word in our lives. But God is calling us to better things than giving ourselves over to worry from the time we wake up until we go to bed.

Strength From God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

Satan will try to keep you from fulfilling the things assigned for you to do (1 Thessalonians 2:18). But God has given you the power to overcome everything that comes your way. Whatever set of circumstances you’re dealing with—sin patterns, hurts from past abuse, even self-inflicted misery—God wants to deliver you. His Word is true. You can drive a stake in the ground and stand firm knowing that at the name of Jesus demons flee.

Repaired, Prepared, and Ready!

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! 1 Peter 1:3 MSG

REPAIRED – mended, fixed, and restored.
Jesus left the splendor of heaven on a mission to save what was lost—to repair what the first Adam forfeited (Luke 19:10). The Bible says Jesus went around doing good and healing everyone who was sick and oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). When we turn to God, our lives get repaired and restored—we’re set free!

Future Plans

So don’t worry and don’t keep saying, “What shall we eat, what shall we drink or what shall we wear?”! That is what pagans are always looking for; your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart on the kingdom and His goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course. Matthew 6:31-33 PHILLIPS

1. Worrying About Tomorrow Is Unnecessary. Five times in Matthew 6 Jesus addresses worry. He’s saying to quit obsessing on the “what ifs” and the “how comes” and seek first His Kingdom, and then all the other things we need will be added.

Breakthrough & Expansion

The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” Numbers 11:23

God is all about outreach and growth. He didn’t free the Israelites from Egypt so they could wander around the wilderness in recovery mode forever. His purpose was to get them to the Promised Land. But the Israelites had become discouraged because of the journey (Numbers 21:4), and ten out of the twelve scouts came back with a bad report saying the giants were too big. So it’s really amazing when you hear the response of one of the scouts, Caleb: “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it” (Numbers 13:30b).

Tuning In to the Voice of the Holy Spirit

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers. John 10:3b-5

There are many voices clamoring for our attention, but there is nothing more worthy of consideration than the voice of God’s Word and the voice of the Holy Spirit. You can be led by the Holy Spirit. It’s not just for people with an unusual spiritual aptitude. You are created to be a conduit of the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit, to hear from God and be a creative thinker. We live in a world where people are hungry for answers. In darkness, they are turning to psychic hotlines and horoscopes, which are just poor counterfeits for the one true voice of the Holy Spirit.

Reasons to Fast: Preparing for Increase

I’m dedicating March 11-17 to prayer and fasting so we can filter out distraction and seek God. God has some significant things up ahead. Let’s increase our Word intake and sensitize ourselves to the Holy Spirit so we’ll be ready to walk out His plan.

Fasting & Prayer: Creating a Climate for Breakthrough

While they [the early church] were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3

In the context of ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke. That moment was a launching pad to the missionary journeys of the early church. Above all other positive aspects of fasting, I think hearing God’s voice and receiving direction are preeminent. We all need wisdom and direction, and fasting is a biblical way to seek God.

Set Your Mind on Jesus

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

We are people created in God’s image, fashioned by His hand for purposes—some we know about, some we don’t know about—but it’s worth forging ahead to see and realize all that God has planned for each one of us. That’s why it’s important to put away the distractions, everything that is trying to hijack our imagination, and think on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise.

God's Surpassing Power & Love

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. Ephesians 1:18-19

The impact of the Good News. Occasionally all of us have to deal with feelings of inadequacy and insufficiency. This world’s system is depleted, but not so with God’s kingdom! It is vibrant and complete. Jesus came on a rescue mission, not to institute another world religion but to erase our sins and to lift us out of the pit (2 Corinthians 3:5).

A Life of Serving

But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11

If you want to have greatness, get involved with a life of serving. Jesus came not “to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). The world is skewed in valuing what’s important, grabbing at any form of happiness that can be found. But a follower of Jesus knows that the greatest in God’s kingdom is a servant (Matthew 23:11). Here’s a ten-step recipe for happiness: Do something good for somebody and then repeat it elsewhere nine more times.

Tenacious Faith

One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him [Jesus], fell at His feet and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. Mark 5:22-24

In Mark 5, an account is given of two people who were desperate and tenacious enough to seek God’s help. Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, overcame prestige barriers and fell at Jesus’ feet to ask for healing for his 12-year-old daughter, and a woman with a 12-year hemorrhage overcame social and inferiority barriers to reach out and touch Jesus. Whether you are a big shot or a “nobody,” Jesus’ love and grace know no bounds.

Called to Change the World

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

This verse underscores the reason we read the Bible and give our lives to its truth. The Apostle Paul talks about how “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable,” and when we look at the Scriptures, we see account after account of God’s faithfulness throughout the generations (2 Timothy 3:16).

New Beginnings

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

RENEW YOUR PERSPECTIVE. There is more to life than meets the eye—more than maintenance, survival, or just coping. Your perspective is renewed when you seek the things above and start seeing yourself as God sees you. You can live the Christian life. You can pray amazing prayers and experience victory. And you can identify the call on your life and see it come to pass.

Hope, Encouragement & Perseverance

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:4-5

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

The historical accounts we read in the Bible reveal a pattern of how God consistently helps people. When we run into alarming situations, we can turn to the Scriptures to see examples of God’s faithfulness through the ages.

Casting Your Cares on Him

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP

Jesus said when you see signs of the end times do not be afraid, but instead “straighten up and lift up your heads” and “be on guard so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness [escapism methods] and the worries of life” (Luke 21:28, 34a). You may have lapsed into unbelief and fear, but Jesus’ mercy triumphs over judgment. You can destroy fear with faith and get back in your A-game.

Moving Forward in 2012: The Year of Stability

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”

But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

God is calling you to carry joy to a fallen world, but the devil wants you to become so preoccupied with the issues in your own life that you stay in the constant cycle of maintaining and trying to overcome discouragement and distraction instead of being what God has called you to be.

You Are Loved

Long before [God] laid down earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Ephesians 1:4-6 The Message

When Jesus, the King, was born in a feeding trough over 2,000 years ago, God was showing the love and value He places on each one of us.

The Power of God’s Word

There is a God in heaven who cares about you. When you experience high times and feel like you are flowing with the Holy Spirit, or when you feel worn slick with nothing going your way, God’s grace stays constant, undiminished. Wherever you are, day or night, you can cry out to the Lord and He will respond.

Rely on God: Part Two

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). Psalm 55:22 AMP

There is always the “day before the breakthrough”: the period of time when the weapons of mass distraction—anxiety, worry, lethargy—assail us. The devil loves to attack when we’re in these areas and times of uncertainty. But God is consistent. You can trust Him. As you read this, I pray that a spirit of faith will stir in your heart and you will be able to connect with just how faithful God is.

You Can Rely On God

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP

Jesus is capable and He has broad shoulders. He bore our sins and carried our sickness (1 Peter 2:24). We aren’t designed to carry burdens all the time. That’s why we need to defy the tendency to be super worried and instead cast our cares on God—He wants to bring vitality and strength to our lives.

God Is Faithful

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8

You may have been meditating on some pretty weird stuff, but God wants us to focus on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. If we are really going to revolutionize the world, we’ve got to be different in our thinking. Shake off the heaviness and fear by focusing on who Jesus is and by renewing your mind in the Word. Here are some scriptures that will help you press past the mind-numbing attacks of the devil and remember that God is faithful. He will calm whatever storm you’re in and get you to the other side (Matthew 8:24-28).