Greater Is Coming! This inspiring book is filled with personal stories, faith-building Scriptures, and biblical examples of God’s goodness that will encourage you to believe for more. It’s a book that will help you look past any struggle and realize that God can use our setbacks as a setup for something greater.
Today's Word: Sep 26, 2022
In John 5, Jesus healed a man lying beside the pool of Bethesda who had been crippled for thirty-eight years. Why did He tell him to take his mat with him? After all those years, that mat was dirty, ragged, and probably stunk. Why didn't Jesus tell him to get rid of it? Because that mat was there to remind him of what God had done. It was part of his story. Whenever people asked him, "Why are you carrying that ugly old mat?" he would say, "No, this is a beautiful mat. It's a reminder that God healed me."
The reason God leaves mats from our past is not only that we'll remember what He's done, but so we can tell others. The mat means you're healed, you're forgiven, and you can walk again. You may still have your mat, but that's simply to remind you of the greatness of our God. When you see other people who need healing, let them know that what God did for you, He can do for them.
Friend, no matter how big the obstacle, no matter what limitations have slowed you down in the past—know that your tomorrow is good and in God’s hands! No matter what your story has been, God is writing for your future.
One reason we don't see God do great things is we're only asking Him for small things. We pray over our food, we pray for protection, and we pray for wisdom. That's all good, but when was the last time you asked God to do something that seems impossible, something out of the ordinary, something you couldn't accomplish on your own? If God answered everything you're praying about now, would it be big enough, would you be satisfied? Are you asking for your dreams? Are you asking for those secret petitions He's put in your heart? You know those are from Him, but you haven't told anyone because it seems too far out.
Many prayers are not being answered simply because they're not being asked. If you only pray small prayers, you're not going to see the greatness of our God. If you only ask for little things, you're not going to reach the fullness of your destiny. There are dreams that God has put in your heart that you can't accomplish on your own. There are obstacles that you'll face that are too big for you to overcome by yourself. If you don't learn to pray bold prayers, if you don't learn to ask God big, to ask for your dreams, for things that are over your head, you'll get stuck where you are.
James 4:3 says, "You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss" The word "amiss" in the original language means sick, weak, miserable. This is saying, "You won't receive when you pray sick prayers, when you pray weak prayers." When we pray to just endure and make it through, that's a sick prayer. "God, I'm so defeated and under so much pressure. Please do something." That prayer needs to go to urgent care, that prayer is on its last leg. Try a different approach, try a bold prayer. "God, I have a lot coming against me, but I know You being for me is greater than what's trying to stop me. Thank You that the tide of the battle is beginning to turn right now." That's a healthy prayer. That gets God's attention. He responds to faith-filled prayers.
Bold prayers cause angels to go to work. Bold prayers open doors you could never open. Bold prayers turn impossible situations around. When you pray boldly, you're releasing your faith. You're saying, "God, I know there's nothing too hard for You. I know You're the all-powerful Creator of the universe, that You can take me where I can't go on my own."Ask Him for what you want Him to do, ask Him for what you're believing for, ask Him today and watch what God will do.
When you keep God first, He'll guide you down the best path. God knows how to change your desires. He's going to align your will with His will. I can assure you: God's plan is better than your plan. The beauty is you don't have to figure it all out. All you have to do is commit your ways to God, keep Him first place, and He will put the right desires in you. He'll guide you down the best path for your life.
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