Does your life seem manageable at times? Does it appear that things are out of control in your home, in your work, in your relationships, or in your own mind and heart? Do you find it difficult to manage your negative thoughts and distressing emotions? Does it seem like the more you try to control things, the less control you have? Have you tried everything you know how to do, but chaos and conflict continue to rob you of your peace? If you answered yes to any of these questions, today’s episode will help you understand control tactics, what works and what doesn’t work, and help you find a better way to manage conflict, confusion, and chaos in your life.…

Are your problems and challenges weighing heavy on you? Does it seem as though one problem gets solved and another one comes up? Are you tired of the many battles that you have to fight day in and day out? Does it seem like you must fight for yourself, your family members, friends, and others as they struggle through difficult difficulties as well? If this is how you think and feel, this does not have to be your reality. If you are son or daughter of God, you are not fighting alone. God is fighting for you and in the end you will be victorious.…

Are you confronted with difficulties and challenges today? Does it seem like your joy and your hope are gone?Do you look around for help or support and find that there is none available to you? Do you question whether you can even meet your challenges or resolve your problems? If any of this is true for you, your struggle is not a waste of your energy your time. There’s something good in it for you.…

Are you tired of the struggle? Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted? Have you tried everything you know to do and still haven’t made progress? Does it seem like you are battling forces beyond your control? Do you sometimes think you are fighting a losing battle? If you answered yes to any of these questions, today’s episode will help you renew your strength and fight through to victory.…

Are you frustrated because you’ve not been able to achieve the goals you set? Does one day run into the next without much progress? Do you believe that you have wasted a good bit of time by making poor choices and unwise decisions? Are you ready to make the changes that will bring success and life satisfaction? If you answered yes to any of these questions, today’s episode is for you. We will explain eight ways in which you can live out your God given purpose and glorify God.…

Have you prayed and prayed for something for a long time, and it just does not happen? Does it appear that God is silent or that he has turned away from you? Have you begun to doubt whether you are worthy to have the hand of God move in your life, because you may have made some poor choices or bad decisions? If that is your experience today or in the future, understand that if you belong to Christ, God hears you and he will answer in his own time according to his will.…

When Discouraged or in Doubt Seek God If You Look For God You Will find Him

Have you ever felt heartbroken? Have you ever felt unloved, rejected, or abandoned? Have you had to live through a broken marriage or conflicted family relationships? Have you ever experienced major losses in your life due to inadequate finances, natural catastrophe, or serious illness? Does your life appear to be one heartache after another, robbing you of strength and the will to fight? If you have had any of these experiences now or will have them in the future, today's episode will help you discover the path to help, hope, and healing.…

When You Don't Know What to Do Follow Christ Choose God's Will Over Yor Own and Get the Victory

Do you ever wonder how you will ever make it through your problems? Have you tried one thing after another and seem to fail each time. Do you sometimes believe that no one understands or really cares that you are suffering? Do you question if God is listening to your prayers? If that is how you think and feel, today’s episode will give you hope and a new perspective on life. In the difficulties of life, we sometimes focus more on our own pain and suffering than on the God who heals, delivers, and restores. In order to access the power you need to overcome your battles, this order must be reversed. The focus should be more on God who has the power to help you overcome than on yourself, the situation or your own lack and insufficiency. Peter 5:6 instructs us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and he will exalt us in due time. This means no matter what your situation or circumstance you are to trust God, be patient, and wait on his timing and his means of helping you through. Zechariah 4:6 declares that it is.”Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” In other words there are limitations to our human efforts. Some things must be fought in the spiritual realm where God has the power to overcome the forces of darkness and you can be empowered to accomplish his purpose in your situation. The following Bible based affirmations will remind you that you have all you need to overcome your problems and achieve victory. Rehearse and recite them as often as you can. They will strengthen your faith and bring power to your walk with Christ. Tell yourself: 1.God knows me “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off.” Psalm 139:1-2 KJV “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; And in thy book all my members were written, Which in continuance were fashioned, When as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:16 KJV 2.God loves me “ But God demonstrates his own love towards us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NKJV 3.God hears me “In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” Psalms 18:6 John 5:14 says “Now this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us and if we know that he hears us whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him.” 4.God is with me “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”” Joshua 1:9 NKJV 2 Corinthians 1:20 states, for all the promises of God in him are yes and in him, amen to the glory of God through us. 5.God fights for me “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”” Exodus 14:14 NKJV You know God fights for you because he has fought for his people from the beginning of time. He fought for the children of Israel to release them from bondage in Egypt. He fought for king David when,as a child, he confronted and killed a giant with a stone and a slingshot. He fought for Daniel in the Lion’s den. He fought for Paul and Silas when they were in prison, sang songs and prayed and were freed. He fought for you when you were in sin and he brought you to salvation. He is still fighting for you. 6.God will make a way for me “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 KJV Jeremiah 29:11 NIV says “ for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future.” These six affirmations have the power to transform your mind and create a power shift to accomplish God‘s will for your life. Romans 12:2 states “And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” They bring truth to the situation and allow you to place your faulty thoughts and negative emotions beneath the truth of God‘s word and the power given you through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, you can trust God to see you through your hard times and confidently follow his lead. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me…

I. Sing the Lord’s song through suffering. It brings power, hope, freedom, and peace. Psalm 137 is a psalm expressing grief and sorrow about the Israelite's captivity. They were so discouraged and depressed they wept and hung their musical instruments that were used to praise God up in the trees Psalm 137:2-4 “We hanged our harps Upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; And they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” It goes on to say “How shall we sing The LORD's song in a strange land?” A foreign land can be your suffering, loss, grief or other troubles. Singing can be seen as your activities that lift up Christ and demonstrate faith in God’s power to deliver, heal, and restore you. David wrote and sang songs to God while hiding in caves in the mountains while he was hunted down by King Saul and later being pursued by his own son Absalom who wanted to kill him. Another example is Paul and Silas. They sang and praised God while being held in prison. According to scripture, while they sang and praised God, the chains fell off, the prison doors swung open and they were freed. Acts 16:25-26 NLT Singing the Lord’s song in hard times means you live like you serve a God who is able and faithful to deliver you. In a literal practical sense, you can sing the Lord’s song in many ways. Eight ways to sing the Lord’s song through difficulties, struggle, pain, and suffering: 1. Stop seeking comfort and start seeking God “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”Matthew 6:33 2. Thank and praise God through the suffering and pain “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 KJV 3. Go on with your life and obey God “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” Jeremiah 29:4-7 KJV 4. Trust God and have faith that he will deliver and heal you “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV 5. Shift your focus from the pain to the presence of God “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9 KJV 6.Forgive, show love, and serve others “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39 KJV 7. Follow the example of Christ My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. John 10:27 8. Use your gifts, talents, skills and abilities to honor God and to advance the kingdom of God “And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:20-21 KJV Sing the Lord’s song in trouble and despair, Through it all God will strengthen and deliver you. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: But the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19 KJV…

Are you battling difficult problems right now? Are you struggling to hold on mentally, emotionally, physically, or spiritually? Have you tried and tried to get what you need but you seem to be blocked on every side? Do you sometimes question whether or not life is even worth all the pain and misery? if you answered yes to any of these questions, this episode gives eight principles to help you walk with God in peace and power as you overcome the hardships in your life. If you find yourself in a similar place now or in the future, listen to the still small voice within you that says go on with God anyway. Even if you don’t see God working, Even if you don’t feel God’s presence; even if you feel broken and lost, go on with God. Your faith and trust in him must remain steadfast in the face of trouble. You may not understand why you have to go through so much: Believe that God has a purpose and a plan. Isaiah 55:8 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts nor your ways my ways says the Lord.” God is a spirit. You will never be able to fully comprehend his ways or his plans with human understanding. Exodus 14:14 declares the Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace.” If you belong to the Lord he has heard your cries and will deliver you. The Pursuit of Peace, Letting Go of Anxiety, Worry, and Fear, Mary Ann Echols, PhD I too had to make a decision to go on with God. God has been faithful and true to his word. The battles you fight are: 1)situational or circumstantial, 2) thoughts and emotions, and 3) spiritual The attacks against you are no match for the power of God in your life. Isaiah 54:17 “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,” Jeremiah 32:27. “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side. I will not fear; what can man do unto me? These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be a good cheer; I have overcome the world. Go on with God. He is fighting for you. You can let go of the turmoil in your life and go on with God by walking the walk of faith. It not about just knowing God or what he can do. It is mostly about putting one foot in front of the other and pressing on despite the trouble in your life, you do this by walking in faith. If you want to overcome the hardships in your life and go on with God, you must walk the walk of faith. Here are eight principles that will help you understand what you must do in order to walk the walk of faith. Walk the Walk of Faithful 1. Study and apply the word of God 2. Pray with faith and expectation 3. Nurture your relationship with Christ and abide in him 4. Know and apply the promises of God 5. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit 6. Conquer fear and anxiety with faith and the word of God 7. Guard your heart and mind 8. Praise and thank God in every circumstance and situation…

1. Plan God’s plan for your life existed long before you were born. God’s plan is for your good and he will reveal it to you.: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13 KJV “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalm 32:8 KJV 2. Presence You can discover God's plan for your life and what he is calling you to do by seeking his presence. In the presence of God you find what you need to live life on purpose and fulfill God’s plan. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 KJV The presence of God will give you a place of refuge and safety “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.”Psalm 91:1-2 KJV The presence of God will reveal who God is and who you are in him. You will know that there is nothing you cannot accomplish that is within his will and his plan for your life. This will help guide your choices, decisions and actions. “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 KJV 3.Purpose A close relationship with Christ and study of the word of God will reveal your purpose which is first to love and serve God and advance the kingdom of God. “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Daniel 11:32 NKJV “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39 KJV “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8 KJV “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV 4. Power You have been given power by God through the Holy Spirit to accomplish all that God has called you to do. God’s plan for your life has always included giving you power to accomplish his will. The Holy Spirit fills God’s servants and empowerment them to speak truth and glorify God. This makes way for the drawing of all people to the Lord. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 KJV 5. Provision God is your provider. He equips you and gives everything you need to accomplish his purpose for your life. You were uniquely gifted with skills, talent, skills and abilities for the call God has placed on your life. What he has given you supersedes any perceived lack or weakness. because scripture tells us that his strength is made perfect in weakness. Indeed one of the names of God is Jehovah Jireh, which means the Lord provides. You must use and multiply what God has given you as illustrated by the parable of the talents found in Matthew chapter 25. God will provide for all of our needs but we must put him first “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 KJV God has ordered your steps as stated in Psalms 37:23. Walk in those steps according to his plan, presence, purpose, power and provision.…

God Answers Prayer John 15:7 says if ye abide in me and my words abide in you, he shall ask what he will and it shall be done unto you.” 1 John 5: 14-15 says and this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his, will he heareth us and if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” A yes answer, a no answer, or a wait answer are all equally to the advantage of those who call on God. They all have the potential to grow you in Christ and to advance the kingdom of God. God knows what is best. He knows what we need and doesn’t need. He also knows the plans of the enemy to trap. deceive and destroy us. Unanswered prayer may in the end be a protection from future hurt, harm or danger. Here are some things to consider when prayers seem to go unanswered When the answer is no. Isaiah 55:9 tells us “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know? Proverbs 16.25 days “There is a way that seemeth right into a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” When the answer is wait. Philippians 1:6 declares “ being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:3 and not only so, but we glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation work with the patience and patience experience and experience, hope and hope make it not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto you.” When the answer is yes. When God blesses you with a yes, to your prayers, it is important to praise and thank him, testify of his goodness and faithfulness. and use it for the glory of God. There is no wasted action on God’s part. We must use what he gave us and multiply it by doing good. This is illustrated by the parable of the talents in Matthew chapter 25. Use what God has given you. When you thank and praise him, testify of his goodness and glorify him, others are drawn to him and the kingdom of God is advanced. Don’t be silent when God blesses you. Let it grow and multiply to bring glory to God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Have a Godly mindset in prayer. Your prayer requests and answers to prayers are less important than the state of your heart and spirit. Some guides to follow as you wait for your prayers to be answered 1. Be transformed in your mind And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Romans 12:2 a. Seek the heart and mind of Christ in prayer and the Word of God. b. Seek God’s will over your own c. Nurture your faith 2. Trust God by applying his Promises to the situation Trust in the Lord with all the heart, and not until they own understanding in all that ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths Proverbs 3:5-6 a. His plan is for our good b. His promises are yes and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20) c. Don’t rely on your own understanding 3. Put God first. Surrender to God’s will But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 a. Stop struggling and stressing b. Believe all things work together for your good c. Surrender the process and the outcome 4. Wait and be still in God’sPresence. But they that way upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as equals they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 a. Don’t give up. Wait With expectation b. Stop trying to fix it c Listen to hear God speak and receive what you need from him (comfort, courage, strength, etc.)…

Approach Prayer with a godly mindset God Hears your prayers and wants to give you good things within his will “Therefore I will look unto the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation: My God will hear me” Micah 7:7 “He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32 God has the power to accomplish miracles in your life. “Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: Is there anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 God can make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 Pray that God’s will be done. Surrender all to him. Seek to glorify God in your prayers.Ask big, because you serve a big God. Six criteria (self-questions) to maintain a Godly mindset in prayer: 1. Does your request line up with God’s word? Examine your motives. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, tht ye may consume it upon your lusts. James 4:3 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” 1 John 5:14-15 2. Have you made a passionate, persistent, consistent plea? “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus Concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 3. Are you seeking God about everything that concerns your request? “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you” Matthew 6;33 “And ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29;13 4. Have you surrendered your will to God’s will? “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will but thy will be done, Luke 22:42 5. Are you praying and waiting with faith and expectation? Fight the anxiety and fear and replace it with faith. Thanking him before you see results reaffirms your trust and faith in God. “Therefore I say unto you, what things soever you desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24 6. Are you thanking and praising him for the answer, sight unseen? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God, so that things with are seen were not made of things with do appear.” Hebrews 11:1-3…