Author: ronda

Proverbs 18:21

Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

The words we say wield great power. When we complain or express worry, we are giving strength to the negative spiritual forces and actually coming into agreement with the Devil in many instances. We need to be careful to always speak life over our family and our circumstances. If life and death are in the power of the tongue, we need to purposefully always speak life over that which we want to live and flourish and death to anything evil.

We speak from our heart and from our thought processes. If we believe the worst and speak it, we are actually giving power to the evil forces that seek to harm us. We are expressing faith in the enemy’s plan for us. If we speak with faith the good things God has promised us and stand firm in what we do not see, we are coming into agreement with what God has placed in our hearts.

Choose today to speak life into the dead circumstances in your life. Speak life over your family, health, and finances. Refuse to give credence to your worries by voicing your fear or complaint. Speak forth what you want, and believe in faith that God is working in your situation. I’m not encouraging a “Name it and claim it” theology, but I am simply stressing the need to turn your complaints into compliments and your fears into statements of faith. Don’t give the Devil more power than he deserves in your life. God has promised us that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus, and we should live from a standpoint of victory over every discouraging or threatening situation.

Have a blessed day!

Luke 18:1

He (Jesus) told them (disciples) a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged.

The parable that follows is of a persistent widow who would not stop approaching an unjust judge regarding justice against her adversary. Although he didn’t care one thing about meeting her need or honoring God, he finally decided to grant her request just to get her to leave him alone. God, however, is not unjust and has a heart for widows. He gave strict orders for their care and brought judgment against those who opposed, neglected, cheated, or brought harm against them. If the unjust judge would finally grant a widow’s request, certainly, God, who is always just and compassionate, will righteously grant a widow’s constant plea.

Don’t give up. God hears your prayers and will grant your request. The Devil will do all he can to discourage you and make you think God is not listening to you, but that is nothing but a lie! Keep praying, and keep your request before the throne of God. Prayer is the most powerful weapon you have, and Satan wants you to put it down.

I highly encourage you to start journaling your prayers, or make a list of requests you have before God. As He answers them, check them off your list. After a while, you will be able to go back and see God’s goodness toward you and realize how valuable your access to His throne room is! As Jesus instructed the disciples in this passage, pray always, and don’t become discouraged. God hears you. He cares about your concerns, and He has an answer for you. Be persistent in prayer and powerful in purpose! Become a prayer warrior, and fight your real enemy.

Have a blessed day!

Luke 1:59-66

When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. But his mother replied, “No! He will be called John.” Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN. And they were all amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill county of Judea. All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

The people were expecting this child to be a replica of Zechariah. They apparently thought he would want a long awaited son to carry on his name, but Zechariah had been instructed to name the child John. If God granted them such a tremendous blessing, surely they could give him the name God wanted him to have. He was, in fact, God’s child merely lent to them for care until he was grown.

I find it interesting how the people of the town tried to name the miracle baby. They didn’t even listen to his mother when she told them what she wanted to name him. Typically in that culture, the father named the children. I assume they thought that since Zechariah could not speak, they would have the chance to name him over the mother. Elizabeth and Zechariah were in agreement. His name would be John – an old Hebrew name meaning “Jehovah favored.”

When Zechariah followed God’s instructions on naming the son, he was able to speak. Now that the child was born, God opened Zechariah’s mouth so he could praise Him. God did not want to hear anything negative from Zechariah; He wanted only to hear words of praise for the miracle He was performing. Praise was the only appropriate response to God’s work at that time, and it is our only appropriate response today. When God’s glory shows up in our life, we need only to praise Him and not question or doubt Him!

Everyone in the hill country of Judea heard about Zechariah’s miracle baby and how he was able to speak when they named him. This was obviously a special child, and everyone would watch to see what he would become. God’s purpose would unfold before their very eyes, and John would have their full attention when he spoke. John was not only a gift to Zechariah and Elizabeth but to everyone who would hear him.

John was a gift to us, as well. He proclaimed one simple message: Repent and be baptized, for the Son of Man is near. John’s warning still rings true, and we should follow his instructions. John left more than just a legacy. He delivered a mighty truth straight from the heart of the Father. Jehovah favored a son, anointed him to speak, and his words are still the message God has for this world. John pointed people to Christ, and we should do the same.

Have a blessed day!

Luke 1:41-42

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: “You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed!”

Elizabeth’s time in seclusion was well spent with her Lord. Spending time in His presence while filtering out the noise of the world will certainly enable us to hear His voice. Elizabeth knew when she heard Mary’s voice that God was working miracles in their day through them. Elizabeth’s baby leaped inside her at Mary’s greeting, as he recognized the Savior’s unborn presence.

Psalm 42:7 explains that deep calls to deep, and what was deep inside Elizabeth responded to the deep seed inside of Mary. The Holy Spirit revealed to Elizabeth what was happening, and Elizabeth could realize and appreciate their blessings for what they really were. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and abandoned to His voice, we will have a greater appreciation for what God is doing in our own lives. Following the lead of the Holy Spirit will allow God to work in us and through us, and we will be able to perceive His work. Elizabeth could celebrate her secret with Mary and look forward to the days to come.

If you feel you are wrapped in a bundle of confusion, abandon yourself to the Lord. Find a place of seclusion so you can just spend time in God’s presence and hear from Him. If you are a Christian, you have the presence of the Holy Spirit inside you, and He wants to speak to you. Cultivate your relationship with Him, and listen to see what He has to say. He will speak to you through His word and through prayer, and you will be able to immediately recognize His work in others as they relate to your own calling. Expect to see deep call to deep as you encounter those God has brought alongside you to share in your calling and to help you reach your destiny in Christ. Discover the work God has already begun in you, and have faith that He will complete it.

Have a blessed day!

Psalm 126:5-6

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

This has long been one of my favorite passages of Scripture, and I know it has been for many of you, too. Anyone who has experienced loss can appreciate the comfort of knowing that there is yet a harvest of joy coming and the current sorrows will eventually fade. Pay close attention to the words, however. This does not promise joy for everyone who has experienced loss; this joy has certain conditions attached.

Specifically stated here, those who sow in the midst of their sorrow will reap with shouts of joy. Sow in the Hebrew in this context means “life-giver.” Those who give life to others are the ones who will reap the joy! To experience a great harvest from your sorrow, you must have a servant’s heart that is willing to give to others. The person who seeks only what they can get to make their situation better is not promised anything. When you give life, you reap joy!

Notice, too, that the person sowing in tears is carrying a bag of seed. If God allows you to experience loss, you have something to give. He does not leave you empty-handed. If you want a harvest, sow that seed. If God has comforted you in any way, turn around and comfort someone else. If He has blessed you financially, bless someone else financially. Give what He has given you, and get ready to gather a harvest! If you want a bigger harvest, just sow more seed. You cannot out give God, so take your seed and begin to give life to someone else.

We are all in need of building new relationships after experiencing a loss, but unless we are willing to give of ourselves, those bonds will not happen. We are all left with empty, gaping holes to fill, but unless we are willing to give something of ourselves, those holes will only enlarge in isolation. By giving, we gain. The heart that cannot give does not truly appreciate what it has. If you can’t appreciate what God has already given you, He has no reason to give you more.

Take time today to thank God for what He has given you. As the old song teaches us, counting our blessings really does change our perspective on things. After you’ve truly come to appreciate what He has given you, begin to give life to others by blessing them in some way. Your life will never get any better until you learn to be a life-giver. No one wants to be around someone who just sucks the life right out of you. Bless. Comfort. Encourage. Give. Serve. The tiny seeds you sow today will be the harvest you reap tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

Exodus 19:4

You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me.

God spoke these words to Moses when he climbed Mt. Sinai to hear from God. This verse describes how God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. The illustration of the eagles’ wings implies that God just whisked them away and brought them to Himself. Just where did that eagle take them? The eagle picked them up in Egypt and dropped them off in the wilderness!

The wilderness is a place of transition between bondage and the Promised Land. In this place of great uncertainty, the Israelites learned to depend upon God. Out of the comfort zone of Egypt, they had to learn to seek God and depend upon Him daily for their provision. They had to believe He was taking them somewhere – somewhere good. The wilderness was actually a place of preparation before entering the Promised Land.

In the wilderness, the Israelites grumbled and complained. They wandered in circles, not knowing where they were going. They even gave up waiting for Moses to return from the mountain and built an idol with the gold they received in Egypt. In our own wildernesses, we do the same thing. Who among us hasn’t grumbled, complained, given up hope, and wasted something valuable upon temporary satisfactions? If these things sound familiar to you, then you have experienced the wilderness.

An encounter with the wilderness means that a Promised Land is waiting. Don’t lose hope or focus. Remind yourself that your wilderness adventure is temporary, and God has something good waiting for you. Just as that eagle swooped down and delivered the Israelites from bondage, He can suddenly bring you to see the good land He has for you and give you courage to move forward. Grumbling, complaining, and building idols will only increase your stay in the wilderness. Dare to believe God, and come out of your cycle of self-destruction. His plans for you are good, and He is busy preparing you for it.

Have a blessed day!

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your activities to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

Have you ever failed at something or felt there was no way you could ever accomplish what your heart truly desired? Do you have a challenge in front of you that seems impossible? Are you constantly making plans that never come to fruition? Pay close attention to this verse because it tells us a secret to success that few find and many just overlook.

In order for your plans to succeed, they must first be designed to reach a God-given goal. If they are, then commit your activities to Him. This means that in everything you do, honor God in your efforts to reach that goal. When you do, your plans will be achieved. If you are constantly grumbling and complaining, you are not honoring God or displaying faith. If you are worrying and doubting yourself, you are not trusting God. If you are just too lazy to put forth an effort, you have not committed anything to God. Make your plan, follow your plan, honor God in all aspects of your plan, and you will succeed.

Carefully consider the plans and goals you are trying to reach. If your activities are not aligned with the Word of God, stop and re-direct your focus. Negativity will only delay you or deny you altogether. Before talking to someone else, talk to God about it first. You may be amazed at what you can accomplish when your commit your activities to God and simply move forward!

Have a blessed day!

Luke 1:24-25

After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

The reason for Elizabeth’s seclusion is not revealed in Scripture, nor can it be properly assumed from customs and traditions. Perhaps, she wanted to take extra measures to care for herself since she was older and not risk miscarriage. We know she gave God the glory for her pregnancy, and I can’t help but feel she just wanted to isolate herself from the cares of the world that might try to redirect her focus or cause her to doubt.

When God looks upon you with favor, it doesn’t matter what the world thinks at that point. God’s favor and blessing are proof that He is at work in your life, and He has a plan for you. He can shut the mouths of the critics and naysayers with one intervention of favor that cannot be denied as His personal handiwork. If He grants you favor, why would you want to fellowship with the world when you can fellowship with Him? I really think Elizabeth just wanted to spend time with God as she praised Him for taking away her disgrace. Nothing else was important to her then.

Elizabeth was older and must certainly have thought it was too late for her to have a child. She may even have resumed to carrying her shame forever as she continued to worship God. She is proof, however, that we are never too old to receive God’s favor upon our lives. She wasn’t unfruitful; she was merely a late bloomer. God can still use us in mighty ways when we’ve passed what we consider to be the prime of life.

Seclude yourself from the world today, and just seek God’s face. Ask Him to look with favor upon you again and to make your days fruitful and productive. Shut the door to the cares of this world, and don’t listen to the complaints and critics. There is yet a bloom in you to come forth, and God’s favor can draw it out.

Have a blessed day!

1 Samuel 1:12-13

While she was praying in the LORD’s presence, Eli watched her lips, and although her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk and scolded her. “How long are you going to be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”

Hannah was weeping and wailing so hard that she appeared drunk. The pain inside her gave her the appearance of being drunk when she poured it out to God. I can easily understand why such pain can be debilitating and needs to come out. Holding this kind of hurt inside can drive someone into depression an even suicide. Hannah could hold it inside no longer and decided to do all she knew to do in giving it to God. He was the only one who could do anything about it, anyway.

Eli did not understand this kind of pain, so it appeared strange to him. All he saw was a woman in prayer with her lips moving, but he could not understand or even hear what she was saying. Through her tears and her unstable demeanor, she looked drunk, so he scolded her. He sought to correct what he could not comprehend.

When we pour out our pain to God, others may not understand. Don’t let it stop you. God hears your prayers, and He wants you to give Him the hurt deep inside you so it does not consume you and He can heal you. Your grief may be too much for others to bear, and they may be uncomfortable in your presence. You cannot control the hurt inside; you can only give it to God and trust Him to heal you and restore you. People who have not experienced loss often expect those who do to just suck it up and get over it after a while, but that is not always possible. Hannah felt a deep void, and those who have lost someone feel a deep void, as well. Give your pain completely to God, and expect Him to fill your emptiness. He has brought you to this place for a reason, and only He can reveal that purpose to you.

Have a blessed day!

Romans 4:13

For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

You cannot work hard enough or long enough to inherit God’s promises to you. Abraham did not receive the promise of a son because he obeyed the law because the law had not yet been given. He certainly sinned after receiving the promise, including lying about his wife twice and giving her to two kings who had the intention of molesting her! He even tried to manipulate the promise through his wife’s maidservant, thereby, creating havoc within his family. Abraham received the son of promise simply by believing God would do exactly what He said He would do. He received the promise by faith.

Faith, however, must have an object. You can’t just believe enough, work enough, wish enough, or hope enough and call it faith. Our belief that God will fulfill His promises in us must be attached to the work of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of what He did, we receive God’s promises.

We must come to the point where we stop, let go of things that weigh us down, and simply believe that God is at work in our lives and is faithfully bringing to pass the very things He has promised us. When we do, peace and joy begin to fill the places where anger, frustration, anxiety, and doubt occupied in or hearts, and we start to walk forth in the grace of God by faith and receive the fulfillment of His promises.

2 Corinthians 1:20

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him. Therefore, the “Amen” (so be it) is also through Him for God’s glory through us.

As the old saying goes, “Let go and let God.”

Have a blessed day!