Our Choices Determine The Direction Of Our Lives
Imagine standing at a crossroads, with countless paths stretching out before you. Each one leads to a different destination – some promising, some uncertain, some filled with challenges and others with hope. Now, what if I told you that the direction your life takes, the very path you walk, is not determined by chance or circumstance, but by the choices you make at each intersection? Every day, we are faced with decisions – some small, some life-altering. And while we may not always realise it in the moment, each choice acts as a steering wheel, guiding us toward our future. Maybe you’re wrestling with a decision, or perhaps you’re looking back at choices that have shaped your journey so far. Wherever you find yourself, know this: God has given us the incredible gift and responsibility of choice. This article explores how the decisions you make today can transform your tomorrow. Be blessed as you read! What we choose to believe or disbelieve significantly influences the course of our lives. A fascinating example can be found in the Bible, specifically in Mark chapter 6. When Jesus returned to his hometown to minister to the people he had grown up with, they all knew him as the carpenter’s son. They were familiar with his history, family, and background. Mark 6:5 states that Jesus could perform no mighty works there, except for healing a few sick individuals. He was amazed by their unbelief. Jesus wanted to perform great works and help the community, but he was unable to do so because of their lack of faith. This made me reflect on the idea that if unbelief can hinder the power of God, it can certainly also prevent the lies of Satan from taking hold. We need to recognise that our beliefs, whether positive or negative, shape the direction of our lives. If we are constantly consuming news filled with negativity and fear, we risk believing the lies that surround us. This can lead us to live in a state of anxiety, fixating on “what if” scenarios. For instance, we might think, “What if I lose my job?” or “What if everything goes wrong? How will we survive?” By choosing to believe in these negative thoughts, we are essentially inviting them into our lives. However, we also have the power to disbelieve these negative narratives and instead choose to believe in the truth found in the word of God. This can serve as our guiding principle. The key to overcoming negativity in this challenging world is to be well-founded and well-grounded in God’s word and to maintain a genuine relationship with God the Father. I can’t express how important my fellowship with the Father is to me. If you’ve been believing negative reports about yourself, it’s not too late to change your direction. There are many negative narratives surrounding us. For example, some people claim that alcoholism is not your fault and that there’s a gene that predisposes you to be an alcoholic. They also suggest that there are genes making you more likely to be overweight or susceptible to depression and discouragement. These are simply excuses, and they are not true. We can observe people who grew up in the same family with the same genetic background, raised in an alcoholic or abusive environment, but they often choose different paths. This shows that we have a choice. Even identical individuals in identical circumstances can lead vastly different lives because we have the power to make decisions. You are not just a product of your environment; you have the ability to choose whether to be a victim or a victor, a winner or a loser. If that weren’t the case, it would be unjust for the Lord to hold you accountable for your actions, as you would be predetermined to follow a certain path. ” What we choose to believe or disbelieve significantly influences the course of our lives. “ You may have experienced many challenges in your life, but ultimately, you chose how to respond to them. Remember, no one can oppress you or control you without your consent and cooperation. Never underestimate your worth, regardless of what others may say. You have the power to accept or reject negative beliefs about yourself. Many people grow up in similar circumstances and choose to reject the idea that they are limited by their environment. They decide to pursue a different path and often find success. Unfortunately, some people believe that their prospects are determined by factors like their skin colour, level of education, or background. They use these as excuses for not succeeding, even though many individuals in the same situations have managed to overcome those obstacles and achieve great things. You cannot use the colour of your skin, your lack of education, or your gender as barriers or obstacles to your success. It’s important to stop blaming others and recognise that if you’re facing challenges or not thriving in a certain area, it’s ultimately a choice you’ve made. While you may have faced pressures or difficulties that others haven’t, you have still chosen to remain in that situation. I was taught beliefs that differ from my current understanding, yet I decided to change, and it required significant effort. The devil cannot prevent you from prospering. You might think, “I believe there’s a recession happening, and I can’t succeed because of it. After all, I’m only human, and there’s nothing I can do about it.” However, you need to remember that the Bible says in Philippians 4:19, “God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God has promised to supply our needs according to His riches and glory, not based on current economic conditions, the British pound, or the US dollar. Many people worry about how their needs will be met due to recessions, layoffs, or struggling local economies. However, it doesn’t matter what happens in the world – our needs will be met according to His riches
How To Overcome Life’s Problems
Have you ever faced a problem so overwhelming that it seemed impossible to overcome? Maybe it was a crisis at work, a broken relationship, a health scare, or a season of deep discouragement. What if I told you that from the very beginning, God’s plan for humanity was never one of failure or despair, but of victory and dominion? While struggles are unavoidable, they are not unconquerable. So, how do you rise above life’s storms? How do you walk in unshakable victory? This article explores biblical principles that will empower you to face life’s problems with confidence, knowing that in Christ, victory is already yours. Be blessed as you read! Jesus warned us we would have troubles in this world, and it’s true – we can’t avoid them. Since we all face problems, I want to start by saying that God’s original plan, right from the beginning of creation, was for humanity to live victoriously. We’re meant to rise above challenges and handle difficulties as they come. God gave Adam and Eve dominion over everything He made. The Scriptures show how sin then entered and disrupted that plan, but it never changed God’s overall purpose. He created us to live an overcoming life and equipped us with the ability to do so. I want to talk about how to live in victory, which means overcoming the difficulties we will face. First, let’s define what it means to overcome. An overcomer is someone who subdues, conquers, prevails, and achieves victory. This definition clearly indicates that overcoming is more than just getting by, yet many Christians seem satisfied with merely getting by. In John chapter 16, Jesus addresses this issue, and I believe many of us are familiar with this verse. However, do we truly take to heart what Jesus said in John 16:33? In this verse, Jesus makes a significant statement saying, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He says, “In the world, you will have tribulation.” The word “tribulation” refers to afflictions, distress, difficulties, pressures, burdens, and problems. Jesus was preparing us for life in this world when He stated that we will face challenges. However, not many people include this message in their “promise box.” We tend to avoid discussing it, and this has led many to believe that if they give their lives to Jesus, everything will go smoothly. In reality, it is often the opposite. Jesus did not mislead anyone or hide the truth; instead, He addressed it directly, stating that we will encounter difficulties in this world. He, however, also provided guidance on how we, as believers, should respond to these problems, troubles, tribulations, afflictions, distress, pressures, and burdens. He encourages us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Jesus said to be of good cheer in the face of problems, yet we often see many Christians struggling to do so. Let’s revisit the first part of this verse where Jesus states, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace.” What are the things He spoke of? We need to look back to where He began this teaching in John chapter 14, and the first thing He said to us was, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3). ” You can find peace by not worrying about what’s to come, because Jesus has got it all covered. “ This is where Jesus began a series of teachings in John 14, 15, and 16. These chapters contain some of his most important messages, delivered just before he was to go to the cross. He was preparing the disciples for what would happen after his departure. He concluded with the words, “These things have I spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world, you will have problems, tribulations, and troubles. But be of good cheer.” He emphasised that we can find peace in Him. The first thing he said was, “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” He then spoke of his Father’s house, mentioning that there are many mansions, and added, “If it were not so, I would have told you.” This reassures us that while we face difficulties in this world, we can find peace by remembering that he has taken care of our future. We don’t need to worry because he is preparing a place for us, promising that we can be where he is. He encourages us to believe in God and also in him. I’m sharing the truth with you: your future is secure. Despite what you might hear in newspapers, magazines, or on the radio and TV about the future, you don’t have to worry. For believers like us, the future is bright. I can tell you what it holds: a mansion, streets of gold, and foundations made of precious stones. So, think about your future – the one planned for you by God is truly incredible. You can find peace by not worrying about what’s to come because Jesus has got it all covered. Then He discusses the ministry of the Holy Spirit, starting with John 14, beginning at verse 16: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans;
Created To Overcome Problems
God created us to overcome problems. Life is filled with challenges – moments that test our strength, faith, and resolve. But what if I told you that you were not created to be defeated by your problems, but to rise above them? This conviction is rooted in the words of Jesus, who not only acknowledged the reality of trouble in our lives but also promised victory and peace through Him. Jesus assures us that while difficulties are inevitable, we are not left powerless or alone. Instead, we are equipped by God’s design and through His presence to rise above adversity and become overcomers in a world filled with trials. This article uncovers how, by design, we are all equipped to transform struggles into strengths and adversity into victory. Get ready to rediscover the overcomer within you. Be blessed as you read! I want to explain what I mean by “overcoming problems or difficulties.” If you’re reading this and thinking, “I don’t have any difficulties or problems, so this isn’t for me,” I urge you to reconsider. Even if you feel like you have everything in life and you have no obstacles to overcome, this message still applies to you. Jesus warned us that in this godless world, we will inevitably face difficulties. But take heart! He has conquered the world. So, how do you overcome life’s challenges? How do you live as an overcomer? Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He also said in John 14:27 that: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” This scripture encourages us to trust in Jesus and not let fear or worry control us, regardless of the circumstances or difficulties we face. As Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” He assures us that we can find peace by recognising that He is guiding our future. We can experience peace, knowing that He is taking care of us every day of our lives here on Earth. If we truly meditate on this and understand that we are never alone, we can find peace even in the midst of problems. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” It doesn’t matter what you’re going through; Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is right there with you in your struggles. I want you to know that He will never let you down. A great example of this can be found in the story of Peter walking on water. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk on water. But the moment he focused on his circumstances, he began to sink. However, Jesus didn’t let him go under; He reached down and lifted him up. This is the message that Jesus has for us: don’t worry about your problems or the challenges you face every day. You are not alone; He is with you. And if Jesus is with you, who can be against you? The Bible puts it this way: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” He also says, “Take heart, I have overcome the world.” God wants us to be overcomers; in fact, He created us to be just that. It began with Adam and Eve, who were told to have dominion. To overcome means to subdue, conquer, and prevail – to achieve victory. That’s essentially the same as having dominion. Jesus said in John 14:16 and 26 that: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” ” God’s word is powerful, and you can use it to change any difficulty or obstacle you face. “ In other words, you can face challenges knowing you’re not isolated and don’t have to rely solely on your own strength. The Holy Spirit, your helper, is present with you and within you. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). The good news is this: He who is in you is greater than any challenge you’re facing, so you can overcome any situation. This strength comes from understanding. I want to encourage you to hold tightly to God’s promises (2 Peter 1:3–4) with all your heart, and keep declaring them over your life. God’s word is powerful, and you can use it to change any difficulty or obstacle you face. Jesus demonstrated this throughout his life and ministry on this earth. He stilled the wave. Jesus calmed a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating the power of his words. He was asleep in a boat with his disciples when a powerful storm erupted. The boat was tossed about, waves crashed over it, and it seemed as though it would sink. Terrified, the disciples woke Jesus, who was sleeping in the stern, and begged for help. Jesus then rebuked the wind and the sea, commanding, “Peace! Be still!” resulting in an immediate calm. The wind stopped, and the sea became completely calm. Amazed, the disciples wondered who Jesus really was, since even the wind and waves obeyed him. This shows the power of God’s word over nature and emphasises the need for faith when facing difficulties. Jesus taught in Mark 11:23 that we can do the same; we can address our problems and conquer them.
How To Receive Greater Blessings
Receiving greater blessings is a longing shared by many, yet Jesus reveals a surprising pathway to these blessings in His words to Thomas after the resurrection: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This statement shifts our focus from relying on visible proof to embracing a deeper trust in God’s promises. Rather than seeking tangible signs or demanding personal evidence, Jesus teaches that true blessing comes to those who exercise faith – believing in Him through the testimony of Scripture and the witness of others. So, how do we unlock this kind of faith? How do we position ourselves for the greater blessings Jesus spoke of? Get ready to be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to believe God in a new way in this article. Be blessed as you read! Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Here is a clearer version of the text:Let me provide some context for this scripture. After Jesus resurrected from the dead, He appeared to his disciples. The doors were locked, yet Jesus suddenly appeared in the room and said, look at my hands and my side, and the disciples believed him. 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side (John 20:29). The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. However, in verse 24, it states, 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” He told Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus emphasised that a greater blessing is bestowed upon those who believe without seeing. When I first read this, I prayed, “Lord, I want those greater blessings. I want to walk in fullness and possess complete power.” Jesus explained to Thomas that there is a greater blessing than the one he received, as Thomas’s faith was based on sensory knowledge. This type of faith, rooted in what can be seen, tasted, heard, smelt, or felt, is limited and will not bring forth the blessings of God. The Word of God is more certain than anything else, and if your faith relies solely on your physical senses, then you are far behind those who base their faith on what God’s Word says. The Lord teaches that there is a greater blessing for those who believe His word without needing physical proof or evidence. He acknowledges that some believe because they have seen, but He emphasises that those who believe without seeing are truly blessed. As it is written, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas expressed his need to see and touch the Saviour before he could believe in the Resurrection. However, Jesus pointed out that those who trust in Him without requiring visual evidence of His work and power are especially blessed. My friend, trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what He sees. This is the essence of faith: even when we don’t see God at work, we have confidence in Him, anyway. We must actively obey Him and trust in His love for us before we can receive His blessings. It is evident that some people receive more blessings than others. The greatest faith is the faith that says, “Speak the word only.” Let’s examine Matthew chapter 8 and compare this with the faith that Jesus declared to be the greatest he had ever encountered. In Matthew 8:5, it states, 5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralysed, suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Here’s an instance where Jesus mentioned that he had never seen such great faith. When he spoke to Thomas in John chapter 20, he said, “Thomas, there are people who are more blessed than you because they believed without seeing.” What was lacking in Thomas’s faith that caused Jesus to consider it less than great? In contrast, in the eighth chapter of Matthew, we find the greatest faith recorded in the Word of God. The difference lies in the foundation of their faith. Thomas based his belief on what he could see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. In contrast, the centurion recognised the authority in Jesus’s word. He acknowledged his own authority, saying, “I have people under me; all I have to do is say the word, and
Our Choices Determine The Direction Of Our Lives
Imagine standing at a crossroads, with countless paths stretching out before you. Each one leads to a different destination – some promising, some uncertain, some filled with challenges and others with hope. Now, what if I told you that the direction your life takes, the very path you walk, is not determined by chance or circumstance, but by the choices you make at each intersection? Every day, we are faced with decisions – some small, some life-altering. And while we may not always realise it in the moment, each choice acts as a steering wheel, guiding us toward our future. Maybe you’re wrestling with a decision, or perhaps you’re looking back at choices that have shaped your journey so far. Wherever you find yourself, know this: God has given us the incredible gift and responsibility of choice. This article explores how the decisions you make today can transform your tomorrow. Be blessed as you read! What we choose to believe or disbelieve significantly influences the course of our lives. A fascinating example can be found in the Bible, specifically in Mark chapter 6. When Jesus returned to his hometown to minister to the people he had grown up with, they all knew him as the carpenter’s son. They were familiar with his history, family, and background. Mark 6:5 states that Jesus could perform no mighty works there, except for healing a few sick individuals. He was amazed by their unbelief. Jesus wanted to perform great works and help the community, but he was unable to do so because of their lack of faith. This made me reflect on the idea that if unbelief can hinder the power of God, it can certainly also prevent the lies of Satan from taking hold. We need to recognise that our beliefs, whether positive or negative, shape the direction of our lives. If we are constantly consuming news filled with negativity and fear, we risk believing the lies that surround us. This can lead us to live in a state of anxiety, fixating on “what if” scenarios. For instance, we might think, “What if I lose my job?” or “What if everything goes wrong? How will we survive?” By choosing to believe in these negative thoughts, we are essentially inviting them into our lives. However, we also have the power to disbelieve these negative narratives and instead choose to believe in the truth found in the word of God. This can serve as our guiding principle. The key to overcoming negativity in this challenging world is to be well-founded and well-grounded in God’s word and to maintain a genuine relationship with God the Father. I can’t express how important my fellowship with the Father is to me. If you’ve been believing negative reports about yourself, it’s not too late to change your direction. There are many negative narratives surrounding us. For example, some people claim that alcoholism is not your fault and that there’s a gene that predisposes you to be an alcoholic. They also suggest that there are genes making you more likely to be overweight or susceptible to depression and discouragement. These are simply excuses, and they are not true. We can observe people who grew up in the same family with the same genetic background, raised in an alcoholic or abusive environment, but they often choose different paths. This shows that we have a choice. Even identical individuals in identical circumstances can lead vastly different lives because we have the power to make decisions. You are not just a product of your environment; you have the ability to choose whether to be a victim or a victor, a winner or a loser. If that weren’t the case, it would be unjust for the Lord to hold you accountable for your actions, as you would be predetermined to follow a certain path. You may have experienced many challenges in your life, but ultimately, you chose how to respond to them. Remember, no one can oppress you or control you without your consent and cooperation. Never underestimate your worth, regardless of what others may say. You have the power to accept or reject negative beliefs about yourself. Many people grow up in similar circumstances and choose to reject the idea that they are limited by their environment. They decide to pursue a different path and often find success. Unfortunately, some people believe that their prospects are determined by factors like their skin colour, level of education, or background. They use these as excuses for not succeeding, even though many individuals in the same situations have managed to overcome those obstacles and achieve great things. You cannot use the colour of your skin, your lack of education, or your gender as barriers or obstacles to your success. It’s important to stop blaming others and recognise that if you’re facing challenges or not thriving in a certain area, it’s ultimately a choice you’ve made. While you may have faced pressures or difficulties that others haven’t, you have still chosen to remain in that situation. I was taught beliefs that differ from my current understanding, yet I decided to change, and it required significant effort. The devil cannot prevent you from prospering. You might think, “I believe there’s a recession happening, and I can’t succeed because of it. After all, I’m only human, and there’s nothing I can do about it.” However, you need to remember that the Bible says in Philippians 4:19, “God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God has promised to supply our needs according to His riches and glory, not based on current economic conditions, the British pound, or the US dollar. Many people worry about how their needs will be met due to recessions, layoffs, or struggling local economies. However, it doesn’t matter what happens in the world – our needs will be met according to His riches in glory. God uses His abundant resources to provide for us. If you don’t
Choose To Believe His Word
In a world of endless opinions and shifting truths, one choice remains eternally significant – the truth of God’s Word. As Christians, we are called not just to read the Bible, but to believe it, trust in its promises, and live by its truths. Choosing to believe God’s Word is more than a one-time decision; it’s a daily commitment to stand on His promises even when circumstances challenge our faith. This choice is foundational to our spiritual growth, our relationship with God, and our ability to navigate life with hope, peace, and purpose. When we believe God’s Word, we open our hearts to transformation and align our lives with the unshakable truth of who God is and what He has said. Let’s discover how this single decision can transform your perspective, renew your mind, and guide you through life’s most challenging moments. During His time on Earth, Jesus was aware that He would die and rise from the dead. He communicated this to His disciples on several occasions and specifically mentioned that He would rise on the third day. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus made multiple predictions about His death and resurrection, affirming that He would die and then come back to life. For example, it says in Mathew 17:22-23 that, “Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.’ And they were exceedingly sorrowful.” After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples. However, Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, was not present at Jesus’s first appearance. When the other disciples told Thomas that they had seen the Lord and spoken with him, he was sceptical. They had locked all the doors and windows, yet Jesus simply appeared inside the room. The disciples shared their incredible experience with Thomas, but let’s look at how he responded to this remarkable news. Let’s take a look at this from John 20:24-25 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” My friend, you might think, “Oh, I want to believe; I’m trying, but it’s hard to believe.” Let me tell you that it’s really a matter of choice. Just as Thomas chose not to believe, you also have the option to choose to disbelieve. I’m sharing what the word of God says, and if you decide not to believe it – if you say, “I just don’t believe that” – then you can live your life that way. Deuteronomy 30:19 says, This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. This applies everywhere – in heaven, on Earth, throughout the universe. It’s a definitive pronouncement: ‘I call Heaven and Earth to record against you this day that I have set before you, life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore choose life that you and your seed may live.’ God gave you a choice. No one can force you to do anything or to fail. Thomas declared, “I will not believe.” That was his choice. If you struggle with unbelief, it’s because you are walking by sight and not by faith. Thomas refused to believe what he couldn’t see or feel. Yes, God gave us five senses – hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch – which are essential to help us function in this life. But if we do not renew our minds to acknowledge their limitations, they’ll hinder our faith. Thomas insisted, ‘Unless I see Christ physically, I won’t believe.’ He said, “Unless I see the nail prints and put my finger in them, and put my hand in His side, I will not believe.” Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Faith pleases God, and He’ll meet you where you are. Faith can perceive things that the senses cannot. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Thomas made a conscious decision not to believe. Unbelief is always a choice. He declared, “I will not believe,” and some of you might think, “I don’t want to feel this way. I’m trying to believe.” However, you have chosen to remain in this mindset. You were taught to think in a particular way, and you have embraced those beliefs, unwilling to let them go. You’re holding on tightly to your own thoughts. Yet, you have access to something that can change your thinking. The Word of God has the power to transform your mindset; it is given to make you brand new. Thomas expressed his disbelief by stating, “I will not believe.” Some of us may feel that it’s not our choice to disbelieve. However, the truth is that believing or not believing is a choice we all make. Nobody forces us to hold certain beliefs. While we might have been taught particular ideas, if you’re struggling with unbelief, it’s often because you’ve accepted the opinions of others. You’ve embraced the mindset of the world around you and, in doing so, may have hardened your heart towards God by neglecting His teachings. Ultimately, you have chosen your current state. Many people resist this idea and prefer to blame others for their circumstances. They argue, “You don’t understand; my upbringing shaped who I am,” or, “I was abused as a child, and that’s why my heart is hardened.” We come up with various excuses and look to place the blame on others. Even Adam attempted to shift responsibility when God asked him what he had done; he replied, “It’s the woman you gave me.” In that moment,
You Have A Choice To Make
Life is filled with choices – some simple, others profound. But among all the choices we face, none is more critical than the one that determines our faith, future, and freedom. Will you believe what God has declared in His Word, or will you surrender to the temporary reality of your circumstances? In a world full of conflicting voices, God’s Word stands as the unshakable truth, offering healing, hope, and redemption. The Bible declares that you are forgiven. You are healed. You are deeply loved. But it’s not enough to hear it. You have to choose to believe it. You have to make it personal. So, will you trust in God’s promises, even when your situation says otherwise? Will you let His Word be the final authority in your life? This article highlights the amazing power of believing God’s word. Choose to believe what God has said. Psalm 103 says: Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” 1 Peter 2:24, talking about Jesus: “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” Again, Isaiah 53:5, talking about Jesus: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Even if you have been diagnosed with an incurable disease and the doctor has given you a grim prognosis, you can choose not to accept what the doctor has said about your condition. Instead, you can embrace the promises of God and find peace in the belief that “by His stripes, you were healed.” While the reality of your symptoms may be undeniable, you can decide not to believe the doctor’s conclusion. This doesn’t mean you are ignoring your health issues; rather, you can choose to reject the finality of the doctor’s assessment. Instead, adopt a different perspective. You can affirm that you will live and not die. Choose to believe the promises of God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them (Mark 11:23-24). Affirm to yourself, “In the name of Jesus, I can have what I say. I am healed, and I am not sick.” You see, many people do not put in the effort required to truly believe in this healing. Individuals often come to my meetings seeking prayer for healing. If they experience healing, they rejoice and believe it, but if nothing happens, they frequently leave with the mindset that they expected that outcome. This reflects the minimal effort many people invest in their faith. The scripture says, “Let the sick say, ‘I am healed.’” This statement is a call to faith and belief in God’s healing power, even in the face of illness. It serves as a spiritual declaration of healing and a way to express hope and trust in God’s provision. I choose to believe what God has said in His Word. By His stripes, we were healed; let the sick say, “I’m healed.” Let the weak say, “I’m strong.” Can you say that? I can say this because I have a strong foundation of God’s Word in my life. After spending years in the Word of God, the promises He makes give me the peace to ignore negative reports and believe the truth found in Scripture. Let me give you an example of this. When the children of Israel were first led to the Promised Land, the Lord instructed them to go and explore the land He had given them. He specified that it was a land He had already given to them and told them to send twelve spies to check it out. Many of us are familiar with this story. Twelve spies were sent into the land, and when they returned, ten of the spies gave a very negative report. The majority of the people chose to believe this negative report, while only two of the spies decided to dismiss it. We have these verses in Numbers 13:32-33. 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” This is the bad report that caused the people to wail and gnash their teeth. They chose to believe the negative account. However, two of the spies decided to reject the bad report. They had been there, and they had seen, but they had also heard God’s promise: This is the land I have given you. So, in Numbers 13:30, we find their response. 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” This was the encouraging message from the two men of faith, Caleb and Joshua, who returned with a positive report. They did not believe the negative report that the others presented. Unfortunately, the rest of the people chose to believe the fearful account, which resulted in them wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Ultimately, Caleb and
The woman of Samaria who moved the whole city
If you have had an encounter with Jesus – if you have received Him as your Lord and personal saviour – then you have something very powerful to share with others. John 4 tells a story of a Samaritan woman who met a man at the well who actually revealed to her that He was indeed the Messiah. I encourage you to read the whole chapter. The woman of Samaria understood her mission. Immediately she had an encounter with Jesus for the very first time, she ran back to the city and told everyone, “Come, see a man, who told me all things that I ever did: is not this the Christ?” The Bible says they all left the city and went out to see Jesus (John 4:6-30).woman of Samaria… The woman of Samaria had never been to an evangelism event when she decided to share her testimony, at a short notice, with the whole city after she had an encounter with our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. Although, the woman anticipated the Messiah’s coming, she never expected to meet Him personally at that moment in time, let alone, be His witness – she ended up with the whole city following her to meet Jesus. She went into the city to tell the people to see if they were interested in meeting the Messiah, saying: “come, see a man who told me all things I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29). It was her encounter with Jesus which made this Samaritan, a woman living morally depraved life, from a prostitute to believer in Christ and soul’s winner. On that afternoon, Jesus met her spiritual need for conversion and cleansed her of her sins. Straightaway, she became a powerful witness for Christ as she mobilized the men in the city to come and meet Jesus. ” You don’t have to be an apostle, evangelist, prophet, teacher, or pastor to be concerned about souls and share your faith. “ We’ve been introduced to the gospel of Christ for a while, if not long time ago. We’ve known enough to tell the message and impact on other people’s lives. I wonder, why haven’t many believers stood up and shown that they have the most important message that the world needs to hear? After going into the city to share her testimony, generating great interest and curiosity, the people of that city climaxed her story with the following powerful statement: “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (John 4:42). You may think you can’t be Christ’s witness, but yes you can. The life of the Christian is to tell the gospel and disciple the world (Acts 1:8, Matt 28:18-20). What’s the most important message that you can give to people in order to change their eternal destiny? Nothing, but the Gospel of Christ because it’s the power of God to salvation (Rom 1:16). Many are on their way to destruction because the harvest is great, but the labourers are few (Matt 9:36-38). You don’t have to be an apostle, evangelist, prophet, teacher, or pastor to be concerned about souls and share your faith. We’ve all been called to be Christ’s witnesses. Don’t be afraid to share your faith, the Holy Spirit communicates through you, so you have a good working relationship. For the woman of Samaria, it was extraordinary to be thrust into the centre of such vibrant movement of a city to meet the Messiah because of her story. My friend, arise and share your story from today, for your light has come. Go and tell your friends and family what Christ has done for you and it will not be just a one-off, but the beginning of something huge because there is great harvest of souls out there to be won. My own experiences as a soul winner have driven me to encourage you. It’s the gospel of Christ that saves lives. I was saved when someone told me about heaven and hell. When I started going to church and studying the Bible, I realized that putting God’s word into practice was the best way to live a successful Christian life. But then I came across Matt 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8. I set up a prayer group and eventually started witnessing to unbelievers. There comes a point in your life where one decision has a big impact. And it has for me. Now I organised evangelism outreaches and conferences calling on believers to make soul winning their number one priority and also unbelievers to be reconciled to God. I travel around preaching the gospel of Christ with the demonstration of God’s mighty power at work in meetings – conferences, churches and open-air crusades. We’ve nothing to do in this world but to preach, teach and heal because we’ve been commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations and we are obliged to heed to our master’s command. Sharing your faith or making disciples is not always easy, especially for someone taking on a witnessing role for the first time, but Christ is clear about our cause: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). He is with you in your community and across the globe. Believers engaging in any sort of evangelism campaign, Christ is with you. We need to unify and stand together for Jesus and propagate the gospel because that’s the only way souls can be won. Witnessing for Christ must be demonstrated, and the easiest presentation is to say, “come and see”. Having known Christ, invite others to Him. I pray that soul winning will be on your top agenda from now on. Amen! Evangelist Paul AcquahPaul Acquah is the founder of Christ Is All Ministries (CIAM), an evangelical ministry meeting the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of people. He is passionate about seeing people transformed by the Word of God and making heaven more crowded! Read More
SUBMIT TO GOD
James chapter 4 verse 7 says ‘Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.’ So many times, when people quote this verse, they’ll talk about ‘resist the devil and he will flee.’ Well, what’s key about that verse is not only resisting. You and I can learn to resist the devil and we understand when we resist, he has to flee. But what’s key about this verse is ‘therefore submit to God.’ Sometimes, many prefer to pursue their own methods. They may think, “I’ll do it my way, according to my desires, on my schedule, and by my own means. And if any challenges arise, I’ll confront them using my own abilities, because I’m charting my own course.” Be encouraged to know that submitting to God can unlock a new level of anointing, discernment, wisdom, and power in your life. By surrendering your way, will, agenda, timeline, and emotions to God, He can help eliminate worldly thoughts and desires from your heart and mind. Trust in His guidance to lead you towards a more fulfilling path and you will realize that certain actions or decisions taken in the past were not aligned with God’s will. Grateful for this realization, it will cause you to express gratitude to the Lord for revealing this truth to you. You will acknowledge that those actions were carried out solely through your own effort, prompting a request for divine guidance and direction. When we submit ourselves to God, we become infused with his strength, wisdom, and energy. This allows us to resist the devil not by relying on our own self-control, willpower, or tenacity, but through our submission to God. By being submitted to God, we are already in a position to resist the devil, who will then flee from us. Don’t worry about what you see ahead. What matters is who’s standing behind you, or better still, who’s living inside of you. Who’s inside us is the all-powerful God who’s greater than all. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). On the outside you may look feeble, weak, or smallish; but tell the devil, don’t make a mistake about how I look. I’m stronger inside than I am outside. That’s the way to respond to the word of God. We are to live by the word of God. Because of this text of scripture, I can declare that I have the resistive ability of God in my Spirit. I’m not weak. I’m strong. The spirit of God has strengthened me. I’m resisting the devil so he will flee. God is our protector. He protects his children. You don’t mess with his children. I’m submitting to God. I’m totally backed by the King of kings. I understand that my strength comes not from my own little fortress, but from my submission to the almighty God. By cooperating with the Spirit of God and drawing strength from Him, I can resist the devil and he will flee. The lion of the tribe of Judah lives inside of me, and my ability to resist comes from my submission to Him, not my own strength. Isaiah chapter 54 verse 17 says ‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord. Take a moment to reflect on your current life situation. Are there any challenges that you may be facing and attributing to negative external forces from the enemy? Note what it says: It shall not prosper. Look at those things and refuse to accept them. Look at all your challenges and refuse to accept them. Be confident that you will overcome any challenges that may come your way, whether it be health issues, relational tension, debt, lack of funds, fear, anxiety, or depression. Know that no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and your submission to the Lord should always stem from this victory, rather than futile resistance and reliance on your own strength. The scripture goes on to say that ‘every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn.’ There’re all kinds of tongues of judgment trying to rise up against you. Sometimes people make negative judgments about us that can be hurtful, like telling a spouse that they’ll never have a good marriage or that they’ll never change. The news also sometimes predicts negative outcomes, like inflation affecting our lives and dreams and the future of our children. However, it’s important to recognise that these are all tongues of judgement. Who are you to tell me what inflation is going to do to my family? Who gave you the right to be jury and judge over my life? No way! Who do you think you are? When you listen to the voice of God, and you know what God is saying to you then you get an attitude. Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass when the Lord has not commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed? (Lamentations 3:37-38). The deeper my relationship with God goes, the bigger my attitude in a good way. The more you submit to God, the more you get the word of God inside of you. The more you die to yourself, the bigger God gets within you and the bigger your attitude. Don’t ever approach the enemy with a timid excuse and express your discontent with his influence in your life. Instead, boldly confront him with the fact that he has no authority, he is a defeated foe, and you possess the power and authority. Let him know that your words have power and it can cut through any situation like a two-edged sword. Strive to distinguish truth from falsehood and reject anything that attempts to elevate