Get A Grip!
Romans 7:18 “I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn I can’t make myself do right. I want to but I can’t.” (LB)
This is Paul, the most effective Apostle speaking about his spiritual life. The summary of what Paul is saying is he has no traction in that instance because he cannot do what he wants to do. Is Paul saying that it is impossible? Absolutely not. Read the rest of this entry
Dis-Traction, I
Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
For you to move forward, make progress, and gain ground in your life this year, you need traction. We spent the last two days going through the fundamentals. To help us understand that in the areas where we are just spinning and spinning, all we need is traction. Read the rest of this entry
Action Is Power!
Ecclesiastes 11:4 “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”
We will begin today with the final thought from yesterday’s devotional. When I know what to do and I do not do it, there is no movement, no traction. Not because I do not have the power to do it. Read the rest of this entry
Traction
Psalm 18:35-36 “You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.”
If we are to make progress, if we are to move forward, we need Traction. So, for this season we will be focusing on Traction. Traction because at this time of the year, we need to get a grip and move forward! Read the rest of this entry
Keep At It
Luke 11:9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (NIV, emphasis added).
Imagine you need something, and you get to the house of the person that has it, then you knock once and leave because no one is answering the door. Who does that? It just means you are really not interested in getting it in the first place. Read the rest of this entry
Endure
Luke 22:32 “But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Your faith, not your education, intelligence, network, net worth, or resources, is the most important thing you can have on earth. With your faith, you can recreate everything. With your faith, you can take whatever you have to unbelievable heights. Read the rest of this entry
Persist
Luke 18:1 “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” (emphasis added).
Jesus is saying, look up—do not give up because persistent prayer Focuses You On God, Clarifies Your Request, and Prepares You For The Answer. God is preparing you for the answer so do not give up. The story is told of a missionary who was in a remote village for eight years. Read the rest of this entry
Far More
Jeremiah 29:11 “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out. I alone know the plans I have for you—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.” (MSG & GNT)
Why should I keep praying even though the answers appear to be delayed? Firstly, persistent prayer focuses me on God. Secondly, persistent prayer clarifies my request. The third reason why I should keep praying is, Persistent Praying Prepares Me For The Answer. Read the rest of this entry
Refining Process
Matthew 7:9&11 “If a child asks his father for bread will he be given a stone instead? …Of course not! If you… know how to give good gifts to your children, won’t your Father in heaven even more certainly give good gifts to those who ask Him for them?” (LB, emphasis added).
What are you asking God for? I want you to take this scripture and meditate on it until it becomes flesh in you. Then personalize it and you will see how it completely changes your prayer life. When we ask and we wait, it is not because God has bad intentions, or that He is ignoring us. Read the rest of this entry
