Everyday I talk with people that are living through some of the most difficult times of the life.  One thing that life has taught me, is that almost none of us like trials, especially when we are in the middle of one.  But trials are not bad in and of themselves, unless we make the choice for them to be.  Trials can hinder us or help us, the choice is ours.

Next time you find yourself facing a trial, look at the trial as an opportunity to look to and trust in a higher power.  See the trial as an exercise that can develop your faith and grow it into a strong muscle that can work miracles.  We live in a time when man is having to face and fight some of the most fierce battles that we have ever been engaged in.

The enemy wants you to be paralyzed in fear.  If the enemy can keep you from moving forward, then he can keep you from the growth that you were created for.  Instead of allowing yourself to be immobilized by fear, take the opportunity to grow in your faith by trusting in the One Who created you and live blessed!

The Scriptures teach that if we will resist the devil, then he must flee (run away) from us.  We don’t need to be afraid of him, he needs to be afraid of us, because we are the ones that have unlimited power that flows from within.  Next time you find yourself in the midst of a trial, afraid and uncertain of which way to turn, turn toward your Creator and enjoy the warmth of His smile.

There is no condemnation for those that are in Him.  You have been judged by the only One that matters and through Grace, He has found you not guilty today and for all eternity.

I try to begin everyday with a time of quiet meditation.  Taking the time to sit in stillness and reflection is a vital part of my relationship with my Creator.  It is during my embrace of the silence that I am able to breathe in the awesomeness of something that is so much bigger than anything I know.  I talk about the practice, and will every now and then share some insight, but do not go into much detail about the moments, because for the most part they are private – between me and my Maker.

What I will tell you is that they are an essential and important part to my being able to do the things that I do.  I am not a perfect person.  I am just a man with all of the challenges and flaws that come with being one.  I understand where Paul was coming from, when he said:  “The things I want to do, I don’t and the things I don’t want to do, I do!”  This seems to be an ongoing battle in my life.  This is one of the things that has taught and encouraged me to not be judgmental, but more accepting and loving.

During these still moments with God at the beginning of the day, He speaks with me.  He reminds me that I am loved, forgiven, restored and on purpose.  With mercy, He empties my life of guilt and pain and with grace He fills my life with hope and promise.  What begins in still quietness, often erupts in rejoicing and celebration.

It is almost impossible to spend time in His presence and not walk away with Joy!  He has set me free from death and the grave and blessed me with an eternal inheritance.  I cannot help but to sing out loud with gratitude:  

“His grace is amazing, it washes my sins away.  His love is overwhelming, it gives me a place to stay.  I am rescued, redeemed and rejuvenated by His grace and through His love.  My quiet stillness erupts in song to my great God and King, Who is more than worthy of worship and praise.  May my life lived for You today, bring blessings to all around and glory to my Savior and Friend!”

Understanding Life From The Perspective Of The Kingdom Of God!  Jesus taught ten parables about the power of God’s Word!  In Mark 4:14 Jesus told us that the sower sows the word.  The word is spiritual seed that produces supernatural miracles in our ordinary lives.  We say we want the blessings of God, but refuse to use what He has given us!

You Reap What You Sow!  It really is a very simple concept.  If you don’t plant, then you don’t harvest!  If you really believe this is God’s Word, then plant it in your life!  The best way I know to plant it, is to meditate on it!  We need to know God’s Word.  We need to believe God’s Word.  We need to claim God’s Word.  We can’t know it, believe it and claim it, if we don’t take the time to meditate on and in it.  There are Kingdom Laws at work in each of our lives.  Just because you do not realize it or fail to pay attention, does not mean that they are not there and at work.  These laws are part of God’s natural design.  When you honor His design, it will honor you!

You Have To Do Your Part!  You do your part by Falling in love with his Word!  You do your part by taking and making the time to study, apply and obey His Word!  You do you part by knowing the promises of His Word, so that you can claim the promises!

In Mark 4:26-29 we learn how to get our harvest from the Word.  It says:  “26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” 

Getting Our Harvest!  The first thing you have to understand it that our HEART is the GROUND! (v. 26) (“He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.”)  Here is this sowing seed idea again.  If Jesus repeats it, then it has to be important.  Here are two things that I want you to mark as very important:  1.  Making sure we have the right seed – God’s Word!  2.  Making sure the ground is right – the soil of our heart!

Some Incredible Truths!  (v.27)  (“Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how…”)  The Word works even when you don’t!  It takes time! (You can’t go dig up the seed!)  But once the seed of God’s Word is planted in our hearts, then it begins the work of growing and producing a harvest!  Matthew 6:33-34 “33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  The good news is:  You don’t have to understand it for it to work!  It is faith in God’s Word that unleashes it’s power!

The Miracle Process! (vv. 28-29) (All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”)  There is a process of how God’s Word works in our lives!  This process has been designed by God so that it will bless us and glorify Him.  When the seed grows and produces its crop, when the crop is ripe, then we harvest!  Yes it’s simple, but powerful!  Do you believe God’s Word is powerful?

God Has Done His Part – Will You?  We have to plant the seed and leave it in our heart!  Plant it and trust it is working even when you can’t see it!  We don’t have to understand or explain it, just believe it!  Grow your faith and you will grow your harvest!  We need to trust the process!  Ask God for His help and you will live blessed!