Jesus Understands Your Struggles

Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Imagine meeting the new politician who is 2 represent your district or neighborhood only 2 discover that he is not familiar with your neighborhood’s needs and problems. You will wonder, “Can this guy really represent us? Does he know anything about our living conditions? Is he familiar with the various challenges that families here are facing? Can he help me get my child into one of the schools here?” I am sure that u would prefer someone who truly understands your challenges 2 represent u!

In the same way, I am so glad that right now at the Father’s right hand, we have someone who came as a Man 2 redeem us, and who fully understands what man goes through. When Jesus walked on earth, He went through every human emotion so that He could identify with us in all points. Jesus is God, but He is in the Father’s presence as a Man, representing us.

My friend, u may feel that no one understands your struggles. Listen, while this may be true of man, it is not true of Jesus. He knows exactly what u are going through and He can sympathize with your weaknesses bcoz He was “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin”.

None of us have been tempted in all points. But God allowed Jesus 2b tempted in all points so that He can understand and identify with the struggles of every single person on this earth. He can be touched by our humanity — our weaknesses, tears, disappointments, griefs... all points!

There is no trial, difficulty, challenge or temptation that u face that Jesus cannot identify with. My friend, the moment u go through it, right there and then, He feels it too. That is the kind of representative u have in Jesus! That is the love of God so that u will draw near 2 His throne of grace (not judgment) 2 find mercy and grace in time of need! (Hebrews 4:15–16)

Be Numbered Among The Undevourable

1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; bcoz your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.




 The devil cannot just walk right up 2 u and rob u of your health, peace or family. He cannot just come into your life 2 enforce disease and destruction.

If the devil can do that, then he does not have 2 walk about “seeking whom he may devour”. He only has 2 walk straight up 2 anyone he wants 2 devour and devour him! But since the Bible says that he goes about seeking whom he may devour, the truth then is that there are people whom he "cannot" devour.

You see, the devil goes about like a roaring lion trying 2 stir up fear in people with his roars. But the people who are not devourable are those who refuse 2b intimidated by his roars bcoz they know that the true Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:5), has already come and rendered powerless him who had the power of death. (Hebrews 2:14, NASB) They know that the devil cannot just do anything 2 them bcoz the Lion of Judah resides IN them, and that He is greater than the devil who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) My friend, the Lion of Judah is IN u. He has given u rights, privileges, authority and power. He redeemed u with His blood. Therefore, everything about u and your life is redeemed by His blood. So if u are fearful about losing your job, cover your job with the blood of Jesus. If u are worried about your children’s safety in these days of terrorist attacks, plead the blood of Jesus over them. If u have received a bad report from the doctor, speak the blood over yourself.

Whatever u have covered with the blood of Jesus, God declares, “Protected! Redeemed!” And the devil flees when he sees the blood. And when he flees, he takes with him sicknesses, diseases, pains, sufferings, destruction and loss.

Once the devil knows that u know who u are in Christ and what u have in Him, his days of intimidating u are over, and u are numbered among the undevourable!
 

You Are Next

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Psalm 50:10 - For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

Suppose u have just heard of someone whose financial debts have been miraculously cleared. Or your elated friend has just told u that despite being an average student in school, he scored straight As in all his subjects.

Perhaps on Sunday, u heard a couple share about how they had become proud owners of a condominium which was the grand prize in a supermarket lucky draw, or how a once-childless couple is now expecting their miracle child.

When u see or hear of others being blessed, do u ever wonder when it will be your turn? Or do u even find yourself saying, “Oh, he got blessed with the very thing that I have been praying for. There goes my blessing.”

Now, just because man’s economy operates on the principle of shortage, it does not mean that God operates in the same manner. So the next time somebody gets blessed, tell yourself, “I won’t be disheartened. I won’t be jealous. I am the next one 2b blessed!”

Always remember that God does not have 2 bless anyone at your expense. Nor does He have 2 bless u at anyone’s expense. We don’t have 2b jealous of each other. There is a portion that God gives 2 u which no man can touch bcoz it has your name on it — “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given 2 him from heaven”. (John 3:27)

Our God is a rich God. He owns the whole universe. He has contacts and blessings u do not know of and which are reserved just 4 u! There is more than enough 4 everybody with plenty of leftovers. In fact, u will not be able 2 take it all bcoz when the blessings start coming in, they will come in a net-breaking, boat-sinking style. You will have 2 call 4 your friends in the other boats 2 come and help u! (Luke 5:1–7) That is the kind of blessings that our God gives. So get ready 4 your blessings and overflowing abundance!

C Your Situation Thru God’s Eyes

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Psalm 1:3 - He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 

When darkness covered the face of the earth, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3) When a certain man paralyzed for 38 years lay helpless at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk,” and immediately, the man was healed, took up his bed and walked. (John 5:8–9)

You don’t say such words unless u C something others don’t. God does not C the way man sees. Man, however, must C the way God sees. We must C the vision of the Almighty.

The prophet Balaam saw the vision of the Almighty when the Spirit of God fell on him. As he looked down from a mountain at the camp of the Israelites, he found himself saying, “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel! Like valleys that stretch out, like gardens by the riverside, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters.” (Numbers 24:5–6)

Balaam would not have said this unless he saw Israel not in the natural, but as God saw it. At that time, the Israelites were a discontented lot, always murmuring and complaining in the wilderness. But when God looked at them, He saw them like flourishing gardens planted by the rivers — fruitful and prosperous.

Beloved, God wants u 2 C yourself the way He sees u — “like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper”. So C yourself like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in your season. See yourself as one who will not wither, whose health will not fail. See whatever u do prospering!

See the vision of the Almighty. That vision is always a good vision. Whenever u C your situation thru God’s eyes, u will find that your situation will change bcoz when u C as He sees, u allow Him 2 work as the Almighty in your life!

God Hears Your Prayers

Romans 4:7–8 - 7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8blessed is the man 2 whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”

Some people think that if they were more “right” with God, then He would hear their prayers. For example, they sometimes believe that if they had not quarreled with their wives or had those bad thoughts earlier in the day, then God would answer their prayers. 

God is not like that. He wants u 2 know beyond any doubt that u can always come 2 His throne of grace with boldness and have every confidence that u will receive His mercy and grace. (Hebrews 4:16) You see, bcoz of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, u are already right with God. You don’t need 2 do anything 2 make yourself more right with God. 

In fact, by faith in Jesus, u have received the righteousness of God Himself! (2 Corinthians 5:21) And no matter how many mistakes u make, u will never lose that righteousness bcoz in the first place, God gave it 2 u apart from your works. (Romans 4:5–6) In other words, God did not impute righteousness 2 u bcoz u were good, but bcoz u believed in Jesus. 

Because of what Jesus has done 4 u at the cross, all your sins — past, present and future — are forgiven. God will by no means ever remember your sins or count them against u! (Hebrews 8:12, 10:17) 

My friend, bcoz Jesus has been punished 4 your sins, today, God is not counting your sins against u. This means that your sins won’t stop Him from hearing and responding 2 your prayers. So u can always run into His presence knowing that u can boldly stand in and enjoy His presence and His love. 

When u know this truth, it is going 2 set u free in your relationship with God. You can talk 2 Him without fear or any sense of condemnation. You can practice His presence and trust that He always hears u. Should something happen at home or at work, u don’t always have 2 call for your church leaders — u pray and God hears u! 

Beloved, u are righteous in Christ and God hears your prayers — all bcoz of Jesus!

God Daily Loads U With Benefits

Deuteronomy 28:6 - Blessed shall u be when u come in, and blessed shall u be when u go out.

In the Jewish community, the promise, “Blessed shall u be when u come in, and blessed shall u be when u go out”, refers 2 being blessed in the affairs of one’s daily life, whether in or outside one’s home.

So here, God is saying that u are blessed in your everyday life. Do u believe it? Do u believe that every day, your family and work life are blessed? Or do u think that u are blessed only during Christmas when u receive your gifts and year-end bonus, or when u get that promotion u have been wanting? Perhaps u think that the blessed life only begins when u meet the man or woman of your dreams!

No, my friend, u are blessed every day and u have God’s Word 4 it. Psalm 68:19 says, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!” And bcoz God’s Word says so, believe that every day of your life is loaded with benefits. Every morning, when u get up, believe that it is a day that the Lord has made, and rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) Start the day expecting it 2b loaded with the benefits that God has prepared just 4 u.

At night, when it is time 2 sleep, know that u will be blessed when u get up in the morning bcoz there will be another load of benefits from your heavenly Father, who so loves u unconditionally, waiting 4 u!

You can’t make your blessings happen. But if u will just believe what God has said in His Word and (act like it is so), the blessings will manifest in your life. In fact, God wants 2 bless u more than u want 2b blessed! His Word declares it: “Blessed shall u be when u come in, and blessed shall u be when u go out… Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!”

Beloved, believe God’s Word. Believe Him 4 the blessings and u will find yourself loaded with His daily benefits!

=== I speak 2 those who have been in an unsettling time.  You have a sense of being disoriented, but all u have 2 do is settle yourself on the firm foundation of My word and find stability in My presence.  I am still with u and will lead u 2 a place of security and safety.  Do not be afraid or allow despair 2 undermine your faith.  Be strong, says the Lord.

Psalms 61:2 From the end of the earth I will cry 2 You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me 2 the rock that is higher than I.

You Will Have Whatever U Say

Mark 11:23 - For assuredly, I say 2 u, whoever says 2 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.
God says that we will have whatever we say. So whatever we want 2 have, we can say it and have it. Unfortunately, we often say what we don’t want 2 have.

For example, we say, “I don’t know why I go through my money so fast every month. Even when my boss gives me an increment, there never seems 2b enough money.” And true enough, we see a lack of money at the end of every month.

You see, u will have whatever u say, good or bad. So why not change what u have been saying 2, “From now on, I will have more than enough bcoz Jesus became poor at the cross, so that I might become rich — 2 Corinthians 8:9. So poverty, be gone in Jesus’ name!”

Whatever mountain of difficulty u have, be it a mountain of debt or serious health condition, Jesus says, “For assuredly, I say 2 u, whoever says 2 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.”

Jesus highlights the importance of saying by mentioning the word “say” thrice, but the word “believe” only once. Our problem today is that there is more preaching on believing than saying. So the reason people find it hard 2 walk in faith is that they are not saying enough of the Word.

But if we would focus more on saying God’s Word, faith will come. That is how God quickened Abraham’s faith. He changed Abraham’s saying when He changed his name from Abram 2 Abraham, which means “father of many nations”. (Genesis 17:5) From then on, whenever Abraham introduced himself, he would say, “Hi, my name is Father Of Many Nations."

Beloved, declare your abundance, saying, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) Speak forth your healing, saying, “By Jesus’ stripes I am healed!” (Isaiah 53:5) And u will have whatever u say!

4 of 31 Reasons People Do Not Receive Their Financial Harvest

Introduction
=========     REASON # 04 - MANY DO NOT REALLY RESPECT MONEY AND DO NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A WEAPON AND TOOL 4 GOD.

     What u respect will come toward u.
     What u do not respect moves away from u.
     Whether it is a miracle or a dog, what u fail 2 respect will become uncomfortable in your presence.  Think about a bad restaurant u visited.  Remember when the failed 2 serve u, and u waited 40 minutes?  When u asked 4 the catsup, they looked angry.  U were treated as an interruption 2 their day, instead of an answer 2 their prayers.  What did u do?  U never went back.  Why?  They did not respect u.
     Respect simply means 2 find someone important and worthy of protection and pursuit.
     Recently, I did a little opinion poll in several of my meetings.  "How many have been in a financial seminar or consulted a certified financial planner within the last 3 years?"  It amazed me.  Only 3 out of a 100 had ever sat down w/a financial planner.
     "Are not those financial planners pretty expensive, " a tall lanky fellow asked after the seminar one night.  "Well, mine cost $200 an hour,"  I replied.  But, do u not agree that $200 is worth spending 2 find out how 2 make your $30,000 income multiply?"
     Your library reveals  the depth of your respect 4 money.  U spent $300 last month on your automobile payment, $130 dollars went 2 gas, and u spent $800 on your apartment expenses.  Now, let us look at your checkbook.  Provide me a total of what u invested in books and tapes.  Does it compare w/your automobile payment?  Probably not.
     Some believe in their car more than they believe in their future.
     Your reluctance 2 invest money in financial books may reveal little respect 4 money.  for example, if u are 40 years old, u should have in  your library at least 40 significant books on wealth, one book a year.  That is not too much 2 ask.  Are u 30?  Then, u should have 30 significant books on building your financial worth.
     Your anger toward ministers who talk about money reveals a lack of true respect.
     "Dr. Mike, I think preachers say 2 much about money," a lady ranted and raved after one seminar.  "Why, last Sunday morning, my pastor talked for 15 or 20 minutes about money b4 the offering.  It just killed something inside of me.  Many of us are so mad, we do not know what 2 do.  It is really hurting our church."  How tragic, unfortunate and sad!
     This lady probably spent 2 hours a day sitting in a hot sweaty automobile, in traffic on the freeway..2 make money.  Then, she worked and toiled 40 hours that week in a smoke infested, foul-mouthed environment...2 make money.  Then, she complained and cried when her boss failed 2 give her more money, following her conversation 4 a raise.  Now, she is infuriated that a man of God would discuss it for only 15 minutes.  That is MIND damage.
     "But, there are many things more important 4 a preacher 2 discuss than money!" some will argue.
     Let us look at it a moment.  Are u angry w/the Dentist who refuses 2 discuss your teeth?  Of course not.  But, I could easily argue that there is many things on earth that are more important than your broken tooth.
     Would u be angry w/a Lawyer who refused 2 take your case?  Of course.  But, I could argue that there are many things much more important than your lawsuit.
     Than, why do u not respect a man of God who cares enough about your financial status 2 help u connect w/the master Provider, your Jehovah-Jireh?  Unfortunately, secular society has more respect 4 money than Christianity does.  Almost every article in Christian magazines dealing w/money is a warning 4 pursuing it.  Almost every ministry in America points 2 the pitfalls of materialism.  Meanwhile, someone has said that 40 percent of the bankruptcies involve born-again Christians.  Millions cannot even pay their bills.  Thousands of dreams are sabotaged and shipwrecked on the rocks of bankruptcy and poverty, while we are worried about the danger of money!
     Lack of respect is evident when u ridicule and laugh at financial mentors.
     "Dr. Mike, I think some preachers are obsessed w/money.  That is all they talk about.  There is one preacher on TV that talks about nothing else.  He never talks healing, or the coming of Christ, or family problems.  His whole focus is money."
     Then, answer these simple questions.  Are u angry at your dentist bcoz he refuses 2 cut your hair?  Of course not.  That is not his focus.
     Do u fire your lawyer bcoz he will not mow your grass?  Of course not.  Legal work is his calling.
     U see, every minister is given a different assignment.  Usually, they contain a unique and uncommon anointing (a Divine enablement) 4 that particular revelation of wisdom.  If u truly respected money, u would leap w/joy at the discovery of any man of God who could help u move away from poverty into the Land of Plenty.
     Lack of respect 4 money is obvious.  When u make simplistic, sneering and belittling statements such as "Money will not make u happy."  Well, poverty will not make u happy either.  There is not even a relationship between the two.
     Money is not necessary bcoz it it makes u happy.  Money is necessary bcoz it solves problems.  "Money answereth all things" (Ecclesiastes 10:19). 
     If u treat someone wrong, they will move away from u.  So it is w/money.  When u disrespect someone, they may never enter your door again.  So, When u disrespect money, your ability 2 attract it will vanish.
     U must recognize that money is a TOOL.  Your financial Harvest will enable u 2 help your family, loved ones, and participate in great civic projects such as a hospital, the Red Cross, the March of Dimes or whatever charity is close 2 your heart.  Money is a tool bcoz it enables u 2 buy the things 4 your children that educates them, excite them and strengthen their lives.
     Money is a weapon against ignorance.  Money enables u 2 go 2 college, secure a wonderful education, travel around the world, and be a provider instead of a parasite of society.
     Money makes u a Burden-Bearer, instead of a burden.
     I have often asked those who belittle financial prosperity, "Tell me how many wonderful things that u can do w/o money.  Then, provide me a list of the things that u could accomplish if u had plenty."  They refuse 2 answer.  Respect money and it will leap toward your life like a deer.  Disrespect money and it will move away from u faster than lightning.
     It is one of the main reasons people do not receive their financial Harvest.  "For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence.." (Ecclesiastes 7:12).
     Why is money not respected?  Usually, when it comes too easily 2 someone, they do not respect it.
     U often C this w/your children.  U give your child a quarter or a dollar.  An hour later they do not know what happened 2 it.  They lost it or gave it 2 someone.  Why?  It required nothing of them.  It became 2 easy.  U will only protect something in which u have invested.
     Teenagers rarely respect money.  At this young age, they have not developed an obsession or passion 4 a great goal that requires it.  Their house is provided by daddy.  Their food is provided by mother.  Their friends give them free transportation.  A father, who feels guilty over neglect, shoves a $20 bill in their hand 2 go 2 town.  If a teenager has not labored and worked hard 4 their money, they will not develop a respect 4 it.  U will rarely fight 4 anything that comes easy.
     Money is often not respected when financial mentors have not been a part of your life.  Everything must be taught.  Few things are truly instinctive in these areas.  If your mother or father experienced the "Depression," they probably emphasize the importance of making "every cent count."
     Often, wealthy children are careless w/money.  Especially if it is handed 2 them instead of their laboring and working 4 it.
     Recently, I read where one of the wealthiest men in America gives his child only $5.00 a week.  He said, "I want him 2 learn 2 respect money.  If I make it 2 easy 4 him, he will not understand how difficult it is 2 generate."
     "I never think about money," was the flippant remark one night by a young man.  I looked at him.  His clothes were purchased by his father.  His car was given 2 him 4 a birthday.  His college education was paid 4 by his parents.  He was a parasite.  He had never done anything significant w/his life.  it was no wonder 2 me that he had no respect 4 money.  He had never earned any.
     When u truly recognize how important the gift of money is, your harvest will come towards u in miraculous ways.