Challenges

Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl from his den unless he has captured something? Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all? If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it? Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy? Amos 3:4-8 NASB 

While we may not have control of all the thoughts that run through our minds, we have the power to decide what stays, and our point of focus will determine where we end up.

Friend, when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, as your King, the praise and worship planted and grown within by Holy Spirit is fantastic and bewildering, it overflows! hallelujah! the word of God instructs, in fact often commands, the Lord’s people to praise Him over 300 times in the Bible!! 

Praise God! In His overwhelming care for humanity He has not left us stranded but has empowered us with a weapon to combat every lie of the enemy, and it's called PRAISE! The enemy plants clouds of depression, fear, anxiety and terror and these feelings are trying their best to enter into our minds and hearts BUT Holy Spirit constantly communicates God’s words to us: (Isaiah 54:17) "No weapon formed against you will PROSPER and you will refute every tongue that accuses you" (1 John 4:4) "Dear child, you are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (Deuteronomy 31:6) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your GOD goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 10:20-21) Revere the LORD your God, serve Him, be loyal to Him and take oaths only in His name. He is the One you should praise; He is your God, the One who has done these great and awesome things for you that you have seen. 

Rejoicing, praying, and expressing gratitude is easy to do when life is going smoothly, i know, but what about when we are struggling just to get a foot out the door? Jesus knew we would have difficult times, and His antidote for a stifled spirit is praise – not for the struggle, but for His presence and promise of eternal life with Him! He loves you. He loves me. He died for us. And those are all the right reasons to rejoice in the Lord.  

Every day in life we face challenges: be it in our homes, the job, health or finances. Every one of us is subject to battles, but trusting Jesus through the mess and the way we let Him work out our challenges will make the difference in the outcome.