PREPARING FOR A NEW SEASON OF FAITH!
Are you ready?
Today, we need to be prepared in the spirit, and focus our minds on the Lord. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”—Isaiah 26:3 The Lord has awakened concern in my heart that we have become too busy to see many of the recent shifts in this spiritual season. Our schedules keep us frantic and occupied—and yet the world is changing right before our eyes. It is during these times that it is important to maintain an atmosphere of peace, but doing so can be found difficult at the best of times. Fortunately, Romans 12:2 encourages us with instruction to stay in the Word, walk in godly fellowship, pray, praise and give. These are the keys to creating an atmosphere of peace in spite of the circumstances surrounding us. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”—Romans 12:2 We are in a season where we will be required to have greater levels of faith in God’s love and provision than ever before, because walking in His love will protect us from the fiery darts of fear that can hinder us from walking in His best for us. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”—1 John 4:18 We know that both our faith and our love will be tested; but we also know that faith without testing is faith without a testimony. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”—James 1:2 Friends, Revelation 12:11 burns in our spirits: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” We know that through our testimony, we overcome. Our testimonies must be lived; they cannot be escaped. They are empowered by experience, but they must be sown into.
How do we sow? We sow with our time, finances, and prayers.
Philippians 4:13 promises us that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Do you believe that? When we are operating in His strength, and not our own, we can walk in peace with both God and man. This is true for all times and in all seasons. Friend, no matter what you are going through today, I want to encourage you that there is faith and provision for your journey. Grasp onto it. Hold it tightly. Defend it fiercely. So many people share with us that they are struggling in the area of faith. I understand. Faith wanes when we are disappointed, hurt, or feeling abandoned. Faith wanes when we pray for something and it doesn’t happen—or when the opposite happens. We pray for the sick, and they get worse. We believe for a miracle, and someone dies. We pray for provision, and an unexpected bill arrives. It is true that our faith is often tested. But again—faith without testing is faith without a testimony. Remember, your faith is grounded in WHO HE IS, and not your present circumstances. You have faith not because you SEE it manifesting now, but because you know it will manifest. A big part of faith is trusting that the outcome ultimately belongs to God, and that His ways are highest and best.