Spiritual Growth
Stretch Your Faith
Stretch Your Faith
What you’ve done so far has brought you HERE.
What you’ve done so far will not take you THERE.
Unless THERE looks and feels a lot like HERE.
If THERE does look like HERE, you’re not dreaming God sized dreams!
New levels require new efforts and it starts with stretching your faith.
If you stepped one foot out of your comfort zone last week, how did it feel? A little bit uncomfortable?
I understand uncomfortable. So does God. He knows that you don’t feel entirely ready for some of the big actions He is calling you to.
The good news:
If you took one step, he was right there with you.
When you take another step this week, he’ll still be there.
The cool thing you should know about stepping out of your comfort zone is that it gets easier with a little momentum.
It’s like when you get farther from your comfortable spot, you feel less gravity and more freedom to stretch yourself.
So link arms with your Divine CEO and take the next step with enthusiasm!
A Biblical Model for Praying for Growth
A Biblical Model for Praying for Growth
A sweet believer has been running a struggling business for a long time. She never makes more than a pittance from her time and often struggles to pay her bills.
Asked if she prayed for her business, she shook her head, smiled and said, ‘No, God has given me love, grace, forgiveness and daily bread – I won’t ask for anything more than that.’
I don’t tell you about her to criticize her attitude, not at all. That’s awesome! But the Bible clearly states “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 14:14 NASB
We all have different goals and dreams. Some of you want to build a business to provide a part time income that gives you the ability to stay home with your kids and have no interest in growing beyond that point.
Some of you though… you have big dreams for your biz!
If you have been a believer for at least ten years you’ve probably heard of a little book by Bruce Wilkinson titled the Prayer of Jabez.
If you haven’t heard of it or if you never got a copy of your own to enjoy, I recommend it.
The book is based on this verse in the Bible:
1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV) reads:
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
If you Google the Prayer of Jabez you’ll find quite a few opinions both good and bad – but you can’t argue with the Bible on this. Jabez prayed for increase and God gave it to him!
Don’t let anything stop you from crying out to God about your business and all of its related needs.
God equips you to run your business, if you’re doing what He has called you to do he will certainly be faithful to provide you with the tools and resources you need to make it profitable.
Stretching Your Faith!
Stretching Your Faith
And so we begin!
Every month we’ll kick off with a ‘Stretching Your Faith’ message. I don’t want you to put a single finger to work until you’ve been reminded that you have been created for a purpose and that God has a plan for your days.
Knowing this to be true, we should approach our activities with enthusiasm but that isn’t always the case is it?
No, some days we drag ourselves out from between the sheets with a sigh and inward feelings of antipathy.
(an·tip·a·thy = A strong feeling of aversion or repugnance.)
In future months we’ll definitely be covering the importance of choosing work that you enjoy – so that you won’t dread your work!
For today I want to simply encourage you to approach your day with an attitude of wonderful expectation.
Maybe you don’t love what you’re going to have to do to make a dollar today – but you have the opportunity to make one and that’s worth celebrating isn’t it?
If you’re not 100% satisfied with your business today, you can still kick off the work week with an attitude of grateful appreciation.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Whatever you do, don’t grumble and groan about it. Why? Because the words you speak matter.
Proverbs 18:21 in the New Living Translation says: “Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life.”
If you’re going to talk about your work, shouldn’t you speak positive words over it?
Here’s a real-life example:
Gert has a young Virtual Assistant business that has no steady clientele yet and she is worried about whether her promotional efforts are ever going to pay off.
Option A: She can wake up stressed, spend some time whining about her concerns, verbally fretting to a friend that she may have chosen the wrong business, the wrong target market or the wrong promotional tools. She finally gets down to work with a total lack of confidence.
Option B: She can wake up determined, spend some time praying for her business and tells a friend how glad she is to be creating something she really enjoys. Is it any wonder that she tackles the day with excited expectation?
Attitude is everything and the words you speak DO matter.
If you tend towards negativity or if your situation is really stressful right now, choosing to be positive with your words may be challenging – but I’m asking you to stretch your faith and give it a real effort.
I’ve never heard even one person express regret over having been positive all day 😉
Confess One To Another
Confess One To Another
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16, NIV
Delaney had started viewing porn when she was a teenager. She was over at her uncle’s house and he didn’t have the adult channels blocked on TV. She was channel-flipping one night when she came across it.
As she got older and had computer access, she started regularly viewing it. She felt deep shame over the habit but she didn’t know who to talk to. She’d never heard of women dealing with sexual addictions.
When she was in her twenties, she started attending a women’s group at her church. After one service, she struck up a conversation with the lady next to her. The other woman revealed a struggle with porn and asked if Delaney would be willing to be her accountability partner.
According to Fight the New Drug, 1 out of every 3 women watches pornography once a week. Although once viewed as only a male problem, porn is becoming increasingly among women of all ages.
Some magazines and media channels promote porn as a good thing claiming that it “empowers” women. But that’s simply not true. Porn distorts relationships and destroys marriages.
If you’re struggling with porn, find an accountability partner to talk with. You can also download apps like Fortify that can encourage you to avoid porn.
God, help me to stop hiding my sin. Instead, send me a loving friend that I can share my struggles with. Forgive me for my sins and set me free! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Praying for Those who Doubt
“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.” – John 20:24, NIV
Henry had been a pastor for over twenty years. He loved the little church he ministered over and delighted in serving them. He watched children grow up to become adults who brought their littles on to the Sunday services.
But when his own daughter returned from college questioning her faith, Henry felt like a failure. He searched and searched, trying to understand what he’d done wrong. He was terrified to share his daughter’s questions with the congregation.
He finally reached out to a mentor. The older man listened to him as Henry poured out his heart, uncertain of how he should respond to his daughter. Finally, his mentor said, “Do you know what Jesus did with Doubting Thomas? He let him touch his scars. Jesus doesn’t shoo away doubters, rather he invites them closer.”
When loved ones doubt their faith or question God, it can be upsetting. We worry that we’ve failed and we wonder how to show them love in the middle of their doubts. Follow Jesus as your example—invite them to bring out their doubts. Let them wrestle through this season. You never know what Jesus will reveal to them.
Jesus, I pray for (name). I think they’re doubting their faith and that scares me. Oh, show up in my loved one’s life! Reveal Your gentle touch…show them Your scars and let them know they can trust you. In Your name, Amen.
Peace in the Middle
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord is everlasting strength. -Isa. 26:3-4 NKJV
Katie had a normal pregnancy. When she went into labor, she called her husband who met her at the hospital. They had prayed over and anticipated the arrival of their first son for months.
But as soon as he was born, doctors ushered the newborn away from his parents. That’s when Katie knew something was wrong. The doctor returned a few minutes later to explain that their child was born with deformities and would need a series of surgeries as he grew.
It was months before Katie was able to take her son home. Even then, he had many medical needs and was a sickly child. On the evening before one of his surgeries, she was terrified something would go wrong.
She managed to sleep for a few hours and when she woke the morning of the surgery, she felt a deep peace in her soul. She knew whatever happened that her son was safe in God’s hands.
It wasn’t until after she checked her voicemail messages later that day she understood why. Her friends had organized a prayer vigil and spent the entire night in prayer over her son.
If someone you know is going through a difficult time, you can pray that they would be held in perfect peace. Peace is not the absence of pain but the assurance of God’s presence in the middle of it all.
God, I pray for (name) that they would feel Your presence today. Grant them peace. Send worry, doubt, and pain far from them. Guard their heart so they would know that You are watching over them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God’s Provision
Now when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven-Nehemiah 1:4, NASB
Nehemiah was an Israelite living in Persia. When his brothers came to visit him, they reported that the remaining Israelites were in deep distress. Not only were they weary and discouraged, but the wall surrounding Jerusalem had also been broken down. The once magnificent wall had protected the city for years and stood as a testament to the faithfulness of God.
So when Nehemiah learned it had fallen into disrepair, he was deeply troubled. He wept over the destruction, confessing the sin of his nation.
Shortly after that, Nehemiah was serving the king of Persia. When the king noticed Nehemiah’s distress, he asked what was bothering him.
Nehemiah prayed in the moment and explained the situation. The king granted him permission to leave and repair the city’s walls.
God caused the heart of the king to be responsive and kind to Nehemiah’s request. He was not only given permission to go but he was also granted protection and provision, too.
“And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.” (Nehemiah 1:8)
Is there a situation where you or a friend needs God’s protection and provision? Take heart in the story of Nehemiah. God can and does provide for His children when they’re walking in His will.
God, thank You for dealing so graciously with me! I have need of (request) and I’m coming to You because I know You are the good Father. You always provide for Your children and bless us. So thank You for what You’re about to do! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
When There Are No Words…
“Now, in the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words .” – Romans 8:26, NASB
Cheryl was about to head into her next college class when she got a text message from her mom asking her to call. Stepping outside the door, Cheryl quickly dialed her mom’s number and waited.
Her mom answered and she told Cheryl that her little sister had just been diagnosed with leukemia. Her sister had been a surprise baby, born late to Cheryl’s parents. Cheryl was sixteen and often cared for her little sister like she was her own.
The two had formed a strong bond that hadn’t faded when she’d gone away to college. She still regularly Skyped with her little sister and sent her notes home.
When Cheryl heard the news, her stomach did a funny flip and she felt like she couldn’t think. She was overwhelmed with pain and didn’t know how to process her mom’s words.
Sometimes, there are moments in our life when the pain we feel is so deep that there are no words. Maybe your family member was seriously injured in a car collision or a dear friend lost her husband in a work accident.
In these moments, know the Spirit is praying for you and your loved ones. The Holy Spirit intercedes on your behalf constantly, so you’re always in God’s presence.
God, help! The pain is so big and so deep, it’s threatening to consume me. I can’t see anything and I’m scared. Please be with me. Let me feel Your presence today! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
NOW Faith
My fortune cookie from last night was a scripture. Never seen a fortune cookie as such in my life. As I kept reading it I realized one missing word – NOW.
Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.”
The use of the word ‘now’ is present in many translations.
The Strong’s Concordance definition of ‘now’ states that it is a conjunction. As we have learned, conjunctions are ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘yet’, etc etc.
So when we read this scripture we can read it as a continuation of the previous chapter as such: ” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul (Hebrews 10:39) [And] faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)
Or we can read it as such: [But] faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
When we read it like this it becomes a rebuttal. So I ask, what are we disputing? Could it be the lies of the enemy? Could it be the lies of your inner thoughts? What are you disputing?
Yes, the bills seem to be piling up and it feels like there’s no way to come back from the struggles, and society and eviction notices, and the bank account keeps saying defeated but what do you say to it?
BUT faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.