ALWAYS GIVE THANKS

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

God’s will is for us to always give thanks no matter what we may be going through in life. Being thankful shapes our heart and our thinking so that we can look at the deeper things of God. When we are lost in our self-worries, we can’t see anything other than our problems. When you are thankful, you are freed from burdens and it gives you easy access to seek God.

Thanksgiving leads you into a deeper relationship with God. Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. When we apply our hearts to seek God in prayer and bring our supplications before Him, we have to back it with giving of thanks. When you put your focus on the valuable things of God, you will be at peace and the God of peace will be with you. 

Paul teaches us that when we earnestly ask God to do something special for us, we must match it with an earnest outpouring of thanks. Although the request has only just been made and the manifestation isn’t evident yet, it is appropriate to give Him thanks. Thanking Him in advance demonstrates faith. So always make sure to follow up your earnest asking with earnest giving of thanks. Make it a goal to be just as passionate in your thanksgiving as you were when you made your request.

Further Scripture Study: Ephesians 5:20 NIV

Declare This: From the bottom of my heart, thank You Lord for all You have done in my life. I am externally grateful to You and I appreciate You even more for all You are about to do in Jesus name Amen.

NOBLE FINISH

"I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]." 2 Timothy 4:7 

Paul knew his whole life as an offering to His Lord because he poured out his life in service to God. He knew that he would soon make the final sacrifice, as perhaps within a matter of days he might be killed for his faith. He saw himself as a soldier for Christ, gathering his tent for the next stop and as a sailor launching out on a new journey. He knew that his life would not end with His physical death.

Paul fought a good and worthy fight with a noble finish. I want to be like Paul and get to the end of my life and can honestly make a statement like he did. For him to reach this point in his life some very significant things must have happened along the way. There were some spiritual road markers that he looked back on and said thank God for them because it all helped to lead him to a noble finish.

It is important to start right, but it is imperative to end well. We need to lift up our heads and with our eyes of faith see the "Finish line". Stay on it no matter what, you have your reward waiting for you.

Further Scripture Study: Matthew 24:13 

Declare This: Dear Father, I am determined to fight and keep pressing till the end. I will keep the faith and ensure I end with a noble finish in Jesus name Amen.

HE MUST INCREASE

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30 KJV

We find John the Baptizer was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, and people were coming and being baptized. On the other side of the river, Jesus was also baptizing with His Disciples. For some reason, this triggers a dispute over purification between John’s disciples and a certain Jewish man (Verse 25). John's disciples brought word to him that Jesus was also baptizing people on the other side. John did not respond with a jealous note, nor did his response reveal that he was afraid of losing his position and his popularity with the people. In fact, John said, "He must increase and I must decrease." 

The principle of John’s statement goes far beyond this baptism scene. This should be the lifestyle and character of every Christian. Christ must become greater and we must become less. Well, how do you do that? How do we make Christ greater and how do we become less. Firstly, If you allow Jesus to be Lord of your life, you are allowing Him to become greater (Romans 10:9). Secondly, you must seek to understand who He is and follow His Will for your life by becoming a student of His Word (2 Timothy 2:15). Thirdly, we need to love as we are loved. In John 15:12, Jesus said “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Fourthly, we need to live a life of prayer. There are many other reasons but if you genuinely carry out this instructions, you are fulfilling His Word.

The key to walking successfully with God is; He must increase and you must decrease. Your self will must decrease and His divine will must increase, your plans must be immersed in His plan and purpose for your life, your abilities must be absorbed into His ability and your desires must be totally consumed in His desires for you. When Jesus increases and we decrease, our joy increases. Let Him increase, start today and watch what happens in your life.

Further Scripture Study: Philippians 2:9-11; John 3:29 

Declare This: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. From today, I reverse the order and allow You to increase daily in my life while I decrease in Jesus name Amen.

YOUR BELIEVING

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 NIV

Not only did Paul know whom he believed, he also knew what he believed. A man was asked what he believed about God. He replied, “I believe what my church believes.” “What does your church believe?” He said, “My church believes what I believe.” “What do you and your church believe?” He said, “We both believe the same thing.” Is that what you believe? That answer will not be sufficient in this evil world. It will not convert anybody to Christ and it won’t keep you from evil. Beloved, what do you believe? What do you know for certain? Where do you stand?

There are several people who believe in different kinds of strange teachings or doctrines. I'll ask the question again; what do you believe? We need to believe the Word of God with all of our hearts and not partially. We have to understand that without God, our lives are uncertain. We need to stand on the solid rock of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have to believe that the Bible is the Word of God. We may not understand it all, but we have to stand on it. We have to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died for our sins and Jesus rose bodily from the grave. We have to believe that there is a Heaven and a hell. We have to believe that Jesus Christ is the answer to every problem (past, present and future) and that He is coming back again, Amen.

What you believe will determine how the path of your life will go. I believe in the many good things that God has given us to enjoy (John 10:10), but these good things cannot save us from sin and death. The most important belief we have is in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God and Savior of the world. He is the only One that can save us, if we believe in Him alone. You must make the choice on what to believe.

Further Scripture Study: John 3:16 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I believe only in You and none other. I refuse to be distracted and moved, rather I stand in faith of Your Word in my life in Jesus name Amen.

DON'T PUT OUT YOUR FIRE

"Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV

The Holy Spirit was moving in the Thessalonian church and Paul wanted the people in the church to guard against quenching what God was doing in their midst. What does Paul mean when he says, "Quench not the Spirit"? Different translations of this same verse can help clarify this statement made by Paul: "Do not quench (suppress or subdue)" (AMP); "Do not smother the Holy Spirit" (TLB); "Do not extinguish the Spirit’s fire."(Berkeley); and "Do not stifle the inspiration of the Spirit."(NEB).

The Greek word for "quench" is "Sbennumi" which means "to extinguish" or "to go out." The word quench in the Greek means to extinguish, suppress, subdue, stifle, snuff out or cause something to dry up. In scripture, the Holy Spirit has been likened to fire, and fire can be extinguished, stifled, or snuffed out.

You did not start or kindle the Heavenly Fire, but you can extinguish it. There are consequences when you quench the Spirit. When you do, God will be silent and when He leaves you, He will not announce it. The spirit of Error sets in; you'll start doing things in error (making mistakes and blunders). The mind becomes callous to all that class of truths and knowledge will be assumed (forgetting). Don't put out your own fire.

Further Scripture Study: 2 Timothy 1:6; Mark 9:50 

Declare This: Dear Father, I will not quench my fire neither will I allow any external force put it out. I will continue to follow after You with my whole heart in Jesus name Amen.

FAITH COMMUNICATES

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." Matthew 21:21 KJV

Every Christian is in a battle. There is a perpetual struggle against Satan and his kingdom. Our enemy goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8); but those who resist the devil will see him flee (James 4:7). The only ones whom he devours are those who don't actively fight against him. Jesus makes it very clear in our text verse above that we must have faith and doubt not. Every believer has faith, but most believers also have an abundance of doubt that negates their faith. 

One key for any successful relationship is communication. This is true in the case of a marriage, a parent-child, brother-sister, or any other type of relationship. It is also very true of our relationship with God. We need to ensure that our lines of communication are open when it comes to our relationship with our Lord and Savior. Knowing this to be so, God has always kept an open channel of communication with us, His children. Effective communication is a 2-way process; Prayers are sent up to God and God sends our answers down to us. When faith is used backed in prayer, God sends answers but when doubt is communicated, the communication line is distorted.

Failure to recognize that you need to use your faith everyday will cause doubt, fear and anxiety. From the text verse above, for your faith to be recognized, you have to always use the power of your mouth; you have to consistently speak into existence what you want in communication with the Lord. God's hand even in the smallest thing will cause peace and will keep your heart and mind stayed on Him.

Further Scripture Study: Mark 11:22-23 

Declare This: Dear Lord, thank You for the relationship You always want to have with me. I will consistently use my faith and stay away from doubt in Jesus name Amen.

TEST OF FAITH

"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:1-2 NIV

How would you feel if God tells you to "Take the best, the most treasured possession you have, the object of your love & give it to me." I'm sure you will get ready series of strong reasons why God should change His mind. Abraham simply obeyed and not rebel at the instruction of God. These test was a test of Abraham’s faith in God. 

Abraham didn’t know what was going to happen, he knew that God had given him a specific command & that command was to sacrifice his son. So he said, "I will do it; I will obey; He knew exactly what the command to sacrifice meant. He knew for sure that, "The Lord would provide Vs 7-8." 

That is a child like faith no questions asked. "The Lord will provide" whatever the circumstances, whatever happens even if Isaac is dead God is still going to provide. This is what I call a "Test of Faith". I would encourage you to have a faith that never questions what God is doing and a faith that never argues with God, but always in obedience to Him. 

God never intended to take Isaac, only to test Abraham. And the test was not for God's sake, but for Abraham's. God intended to bring Abraham to full surrender to Himself and to full faith. The test you go through is to prove your trust for Him and your submission to His Perfect Will. Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible; There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends. Failure to use your faith will keep you on the same level that you’ve been on for a long time. Ensure whenever your faith is tested, always come out with an "A+".  

Further Scripture Study: Hebrews 11:17 

Declare This: Dear Father, I will always put my faith to work and never allow my flesh dictate to me in Jesus name Amen.

THE ABILITY OF THE WORD

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

God’s Word has power. It isn’t just ink on a page; it’s living and active. It penetrates and does things according to what it says. You hear it, and it goes in your ears, or you read it, and it enters in by the eyes, and immediately it goes to work. It starts to accomplish God’s purpose in you, to strengthen your faith, to give you understanding, to open your eyes to the truth, to draw you to God in love so that you can know Him more. God’s Word always accomplishes its purpose in us, whenever we allow the Word in.

One of the ways the Word shows its power is by exposing what’s in our heart. It penetrates deeply into our soul, like a sword, cutting through all the layers of pretense, until it finally gets to the truth. It reveals our thoughts and attitudes. It tears down every wall of religion and shows us whether we truly are what we think we are. God knows us completely. He’s not fooled by appearances; He sees what’s in our heart. 

The Word’s power isn’t limited just to searching our hearts and revealing what’s there. The Word also has the power to change us, to purify us, to renew us and transform us. The more we are in God’s Word, the more we will think like God thinks. The more we will love what He loves and hate what He hates, the more we will value what He values. The more we will be able to distinguish between truth and falsehood, between good and evil; the more we are in His Word, the more we will be like Him. The more we are in the Word, the more deeply we will know Him and love Him. Be a doer of the Word.

Further Scripture Study: 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Samuel 16:7; James 1:22-25 

Declare This: Heavenly Father, Your Word is all I need for a successful and fruitful life. I choose to study and stay in the Word always in Jesus name Amen.

GOD'S SOLDIER

"Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus". 2 Timothy 2:3 ASV

The army is a place of discipline and toughness. A soldier in service is controlled with an ordered lifestyle. He endures tough physical and mental training and always at the disposal of his commanding officer. When its time for war, he can't give excuses because he is under an oath and his life is no longer his as long as he remains in the army. He is a legitimate soldier of his Country. 

When you give your life to Christ, you were enrolled as a soldier in God's army; You are now a bona-fide and authentic soldier in God's army. 2 Timothy 2:4 ASV says "No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier". When you realize that you are a soldier in God's army, you begin to understand that you are called to a life of spiritual discipline. It's no longer the case of doing what you feel like doing or what you want to do, you learn to take instructions from the Holy Ghost because He is your Grand Commanding General.

At this point, going to church no longer become optional to you. The army soldier has no choice but to always resume his job everyday and at a particular time. You are also an army soldier and you have a responsibility to always be in church and be there at the time stipulated for any service. Prayer becomes part of the daily lifestyle of the soldier in God's army and Soul Winning also becomes unquestionable. The Soldier takes an active role in the expansion of God's Kingdom and in all church activities. Keep your uniform on and stand firm in Faith as a good soldier in God's army.

Further Scripture Study: Ephesians 6:12 

Declare This: Dear Father, I've made up my mind to remain one of Your soldiers and I commit myself to carrying out the instructions You laid out in Your Word in Jesus name Amen.

NO ROOM FOR ANXIETY

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 NIV

Do you ever have moments when anxiety tries to creep up on you and seize your heart? I’m talking about those times when you are thrown into a state of panic about things that concern you; such as your family, your friendships, your business, or your finances. Very often this state of panic is caused by the mere thought of a problem that doesn’t even exist and is unlikely ever to come to pass. Nevertheless, the mere thought of this non-existent problem troubles you deeply. Soon you find yourself sinking into such a strong state of worry and anxiety that it literally takes you emotionally hostage.

The only way be to free from any form of anxiety is to rest confidently in God's plan for your life and also submit totally to His Will. Anxiety will not just disappear when you commit to trusting God, you must know His Word and apply His Word in your life. To be anxious for nothing means, we must see God’s goodness, present our cares before the throne of grace and leave them in God’s Hands. Paul is pleading with us not to be worried about the basic needs and provisions required for life. He is also telling us not to let the events of life get to us and throw us into a state of anxiety or panic. 

If you let anxiety and worry start operating in you even for a moment, it will try to become a habitual part of your thought life, turning you into a “worrier” who never knows a moment of peace. Jesus is waiting for you to cast all your cares upon Him, because He really does care for you. 

Further Scripture Study: Matthew 6:24-33; 1 Peter 5:7 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I confess that I am free from worry, fretfulness, and anxiety. These forces have no place in me. I have surrendered every care and concern to you and I'm free of every burden, every weight, and every problem in Jesus name Amen.

STAND FIRM

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

Each day holds many elements that can quickly move us into worries, frustrations, hurts, etc. Beloved Brothers and Sisters, "Stand Firm" and let nothing move you". Continue to be settled and firmly situated on all sides and don't waver in your convictions. The devil has no power over you unless you give it to him. He is already defeated if you believe and hold on to God’s word. Whatever the devil is doing right now is all child's play and he knows it too. God has given us the ability to stand firm without being weak. Stand firm in faith, when you do - victory keeps standing at your door step.

To stand firm is to be confident, bold and dependent in the Lord. How are you doing in this area of confidence, boldness & dependency? Do you believe you’re laying up treasures in heaven? Do you have confidence that none of your labors for the Lord are useless or in vain? Or do you sometimes feel discouraged because you don’t see any results? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself in this area of serving with confidence? If low, ask God to help you in this area.

One of the ways to remain firm and confident is in your service to the Lord. Your commitment in the house of the Lord increases you and gives you that ability to do whatever it is you desire. All of our service has world-changing power behind it and it comes with an eternal reward. Standing firm makes you a world-changer.

Further Scripture Study: Galatians 5:1; Philippians 1:22-24 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I will not be moved by the cares of the world. Rather I stand firm in confidence and I let nothing move me in Jesus name Amen.

READ THE BIBLE

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

The Bible is worth reading because it is the authoritative guide for living. It’s the owner’s manual for every human life. It answers all the fundamental questions; Where did I come from? Where am I going? Is there a God? What’s He like? What does He want from me? Not only that, but it also addresses the kinds of practical issues and ethical choices we face every day. How you should treat people, including the people who mistreat you. Dealing with anger, raising children, wealth and poverty, self-control, marriages, family, how to resist temptation, and which temptations you should resist. Where to find hope and comfort in the midst of suffering. What it means to love someone. Discerning truth from falsehood, reality from appearance. 

This is the bestseller Book all over the world and it's the oldest Book still alive and active today. Everything you need to know to live a happy and fulfilling life, a life pleasing to God, is in this book, The Bible. If you want to have understanding and discernment; if you want to be wise instead of foolish, then don’t spend all your free time watching TV. That’s hardly the route to wisdom. Don’t waste your time reading self-help books or watching movies. Read the Bible. In it you’ll find proven wisdom that has been around for thousands of years. True wisdom, the kind that comes from God and leads us to God.

Further Scripture Study: Proverbs 2:1-2; 2 Peter 1:3 

Declare This: I am in charge of my life, therefore I choose to read and study God's Word everyday. All I need for a triumphant life is Your Word in Jesus name Amen.

REFUSE TO FEAR

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15 KJV

Fear can make you make wrong choices. There are many examples from Scripture that talks about fear. Abraham lies about Sarah being his wife because he fears for their lives. Jacob destroys a family because he is fears loosing the birthright. David kills a man because he is afraid that his sin of adultery will be exposed. Peter removes a guys ear in a moment of fear.

Fear is still present in our day. I am afraid of being single the rest of my life so I will settle for the first person that pays me any attention, I am afraid of being laughed at, I am afraid of failure, I am afraid of change, I am afraid of what others think, I am afraid of authenticity, I am afraid of life etc.

When we are fearful we make silly and wrong choices. Fear is not a good platform for decision making and we should be fearful of choices that are made when we are afraid. Fear establishes limits, it creates barriers and you can only go as far as your fears will allow you to go. When we are afraid we don’t see clearly! We see ourselves and our God as too small. We fail to recognize our own abilities, gifting, and strengths. We also make assumptions about how others see us. Fear clouds perspective and keeps us from actually seeing reality. We have not received the spirit of fear but the Spirit producing sonship. A Son does not fear. 

Further Scripture Study: 2 Timothy 1:7 

Declare This: Dear God, You have not given me the spirit of fear and so I refuse to fear or allow fear take away my blessings in Jesus name Amen.

MEDITATION TIME

"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." 1 Timothy 4:15 KJV

Paul talking to his protege’ Timothy instructs him on how to live a life full of the Holy Ghost (1 Timothy 4:12-14). He instructed him to meditate on all the advises and give himself totally to them so that him progress will be evident to all. 

The Lord told Joshua to meditate (murmur) on the Word of God and to do the Word. As you meditate, the Word of God brings you the inspiration and motivation you require to do those things God has asked you to do. Psalm 1:3, says he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of the water..., So you become like a tree planted by the rivers of the Word. The way you get planted is through murmuring the Word.

The degree of your meditation will determine the degree of your testimony. You will not have your testimony beyond the depth of your meditation. When you are listening to the word and you are distracted, you are not taking care of the Word. Be careful of your disposition of the word. Someone rightly likened those who do not meditate to someone eating food and not swallowing. Meditation means chewing and swallowing. It is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or as an end in itself.

Meditation times are times the Spirit of God can minister to you specially. Don't spend time meditating on the wrong stuff; meditate on the Word. Also, He’ll well up some thoughts in your Spirit and your mind, and you’ll have an inspiration in the direction that God is leading you to.

Further Scripture Study: Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8 

Declare This: Precious Heavenly Father, my spirit and mind are alert to Your Word. It's my responsibility to meditate on Your Word and I choose to stay in Your Word only in Jesus name Amen.

WHAT DID PAUL DO?

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith". 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV

If we are going to finish well, it is imperative that we keep our focus. One person in the Bible who is a great example of finishing well in Life’s Journey is Paul. He did not start out so well but he finished well. He was a persecutor of Christians and he was even there at the stoning of Stephen, giving his approval to his death. But the Lord gave him the opportunity to step into Hope and he became a believer in Jesus Christ.

He then took the next steps of faith and continued on in the journey. He took steps that stood firm when he was arrested, beaten, stoned and he finished well. As he approached his death, he told Timothy what he was concerned about. He was concerned for others to come to salvation and he also encouraged Timothy to properly “discharge the duties” of his ministry. How was it that Paul was able to face what he faced and yet came to the end of the race, the end of his life’s journey and still be focused on others coming to Christ? It is because Paul is focused on the eternal, not the temporary. He understood that our hope is not found in this life or in anything in it.

What did Paul do? He fought a good fight and kept the faith in the mist of staggering oppositions. He was focused on the prize (Eternal Crown of Righteousness - Verse 8). Keeping our focus on the eternal will enable us to take the steps that are required for finishing well. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. 

Further Scripture Study: 1 Timothy 6:12

Declare This: Heavenly Father, my focus is on You. I will not allow what is going on around me dictate the prize You have for me. I am strengthened on all sides in Jesus name Amen.

DON'T MISS GOD

"For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ." Colossians 2:1-2 KJV

The best place to be is not on a beautiful island in one country or the other, the best place to be is in the center of God's will. When you are at the center of the will of God for your life, you won't miss Him. Now, Paul did not want the Christians to miss God. Paul says, “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you,” what he means by that is, “I am really concerned about you who live in Colossae and for them at Laodicea.” Paul just had a burden; he calls it a conflict“…for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;” he said, “I wish I could sit down face-to-face with you and tell you why I am so concerned.” 

There are ways you can miss God. When you walk by sight and not by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7); When you make wrong decisions based on your flesh (how you think it should go and not what God is saying); When you are weak in your devotion (not going to church & been committed to His work); When pride takes charge; Greed can also make you miss God. it is sometimes hard to notice it in yourself, but it’s awfully easy to notice in others. Greed with it’s power to grab, takes a hold of your soul and robs you of making wise decisions, turning you into a fool. Greed is costly and very dangerous.

The blaming game begins when you miss it (you blame God and even the devil for your own wrong). Don't look for reasons to miss God, rather stay in the Word and keep walking with God. This takes commitment, dedication and consistency. God does not want to miss you.

Further Scripture Study: Psalm 1:1 

Declare This: Dear Heavenly Father, I will continue to remain steadfast and true to Your Word and keep walking with You. I don't want to miss You in anyway in Jesus name Amen.

CALL ON HIM

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

We have a duty to seek after God, everyone on this earth has that duty. Man does not set the time for seeking God, but God sets it. We are at the point in this world today thinking we can set the time when we should seek God. Have you ever heard someone say? Oh well, I can do that later; I’ll accept God or I’ll seek God after I’ve had my fun on this earth. Some even say, “Why do it today, when I can do it tomorrow.” It’s a daily walk with Him and not occasional. 

How do I seek the Lord? Right after the Bible says “Seek the Lord while He may be found” it then adds, “Call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).” The best way to “seek the Lord” is to “call upon Him.” We all make calls to our loved ones, friends, family and colleagues on a daily basis, therefore calling the Lord should also be on a daily base too. The Bible says "God is a Jealous God (Exodus 34:14). This means He seeks our attention all the time but too many times we are too busy for Him. We are distracted by the cares of the world, but He wants to hear from you at all times. 

The best way to call Him is in prayer. You have to spend time talking to Him without any hesitation and whenever you call, He never holds back or allow your call go to voicemail; No! He will always pick you calls. Don't play games with the Holy Spirit, don't respond when you feel like or when you're emotionally down. Seeking and calling God is not at your convenience, it is mandatory.

Further Scripture Study: Isaiah 55:6 

Declare This: Dear Lord, thank You for giving me access to Your throne of Grace daily. I will do my best to call on You everyday in Jesus name Amen.

CAGE OF FEAR

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 

In a cage fight, there are two who go in and only one exits as the victor. A test of will, a test of strength and dexterity and ultimately one must exert authority and impose His will on the other. There are two ways to think about cages. We can either see a cage as containment, a prison or a trap or we can view the cage as a battlefield or an arena. 

What locks you down? What fences you in? Whether you call the resistance walls, barriers or obstacles, the truth is that we all have cages that we must fight our way out of if we desire to be all that God want us to be. Our path to fulfillment and maturity will be marked by cage fighting and the cage of fear is one cage we have to always ensure we win because God has not given us the spirit of fear. At some time, we will have to face and fight our way out of the cage of fear. Fear can be paralyzing and debilitating to our souls and to our lives.

What do you fear and what is it that holds you back? For some it's the fear of failure, the fear of the unknown, the fear of ridicule, the fear of success, the fear of change, the fear of what others will think, and other fear of disaster. Fear may be the first cage we must face in our relationship with Christ if we want to be fully developed believers. Because if we don’t deal with fear we will doubt, we will hesitate and we will worry. But one thing for sure is that God never gave us fear but power, love and a sound mind. With love, power and sound mind we can fight our way out of this cage.

God must have known that we would be in a constant day to day battle to get out of the cage of fear. Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to fear not. In fact, the phrase "fear not" is used 365 times in Scripture. God knew that we would have to face fear and that it would be a common part of life. Fear doesn’t have to be victorious. If fear can be learned it can be unlearned. We can face our fears and battle out of the cage that keeps us from life.

Further Scripture Study: Romans 8:15 

Declare This: Dear God, You have not given me the spirit of fear and so I refuse to fear or allow fear take away my blessings in Jesus name Amen.