Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

1. GET CONFIDENT. The devil antagonizes people in areas of uncertainty. That’s why we continually go to the Word to reinforce the truth—that God is trustworthy, reliable, and present. Find God’s revealed will regarding every given situation. Correctly interpret the context. Read. Meditate. Speak. Pray.

“A tale of two cities” and two attitudes about Jesus, and what happens when He comes on the scene to bring life and healing. Key Bible Verses: Philippians 4:10-13; Mark 6:1-6

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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).

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Proverbs 4:20-26

The path toward daily victory lies in how we guard our inner life. A lot of things are vying for our attention and, with all the sensory reinforcement in the world, many have forgotten the hidden person of the heart. But how we tend to the soil of our hearts will show up in our words, our thought life, and our attitudes.

Te•na•cious (verb): holding or grasping firmly; forceful and persistent; holding together firmly; tough or cohesive. Collins English Dictionary

Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4

Your commitment makes a difference. The world right now needs people who have backbone, who persevere through challenging circumstances.

A wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:9

Fulfilling God’s call on our lives elicits a response from the enemy. The devil doesn’t mind when we are blasé about our existence, but when we step up in obedience, there will be opposition.

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12-13

These verses from Paul in the book of Philippians put into context all the trials, afflictions, and challenges we face: Because of what Jesus did for us we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). Continue Reading

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Proverbs 3:13-15 NKJV

We need God’s wisdom to help us navigate through the challenges of life. I once heard a preacher combine the two primary Greek New Testament words for wisdom to describe it as “insight into the true nature of things with a view to the end result.” We need that big-picture thinking that God’s wisdom offers.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Let’s find out what is pleasing to the Lord and do it. If we dedicate ourselves to pursuing what God likes, we will stop comparing ourselves to others and accomplish God’s plan for each of our lives.

You know the word which the Lord spoke to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh-barnea. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. Joshua 14:6b-8

When the twelve Israelites came back from spying out the Promised Land, only Joshua and Caleb chose the good report. All those guys saw the same land and the same people, but they had different conclusions which produced different results. Continue Reading