“Seek and you will find.” (Matthew 7:7)
When you run out of answers before you run out of challenges you have an amazing opportunity.
To seek and find God’s answers which are beyond anything you can imagine.
Finding Answers to Your Most Difficult Challenges
November 8, 2017 by
Asking For and Receiving Your Deepest Desires
November 6, 2017 by
“Ask and it will be given to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
When you’ve struggled way too long and run out of questions.
Then ask the one who has the answers and he says, “I will give it. No questions asked.”
How to Find God’s Help When You’re Overwhelmed with Doubts
October 31, 2017 by
Do you ever feel like maybe God isn’t really there? Does a twinge of doubt occasionally pinch you?
Particularly when facing a crisis and you’re up to your eyeballs in challenges?
And you’ve done all you can, you’ve done the right things, you’ve lived like you’re supposed to.
Yet, the problems persist and then you wonder, “Where is God in all this? Why doesn’t he answer my prayers? Does he care? Is he even there?”
A lot of people have been there. I certainly have.
But I’ve also seen the truth of what the Psalmist writes and God promises.
“He will call to me and I will answer him; I will be with him in times of trouble. I will deliver and honor him.”
He doesn’t say, “When you’ve done everything perfectly.”
He says, “When you call, I will answer.”
And he promises to deliver you out of every one of your troubles and bring you honor.
What an amazing promise.
Yes, sometimes the answer may be delayed. And it may be different than you expected. And it may come in ways you didn’t anticipate.
But God says he will answer and bless you.
And all you need to do is ask and expect.
After all, you are his child.
*Psalm 91:15
Do You Face the Impossible? Good News!
October 24, 2017 by
What do you face that seems overwhelming? What challenge looms larger than your abilities?
Maybe a health challenge? A financial challenge? A marital challenge? A family challenge?
And you’ve worked hard on it, you really have. Yet, nothing seems to work. And the challenge remains.
And now you’re worn out and worried.
Well there’s good news.
When we reach the end of our abilities we enter the realm of seeing God’s. When we have no more we can do then we see what God can do.
Paul wrote, “”If God is for us who can stand against us?”
I encourage you to make that personal and say, “If God is with me who or what can overcome me?”
See, your power may fail. Your solutions may come up short.
But God’s power is unlimited. He knows the end from the beginning.
And God loves you with an unfailing love that simply will not be conquered.
So, if you’ve entered into that relationship with him then rest in that promise.
If you’ve never entered into that relationship then simply ask, right now.
Then no matter what you face you can say with confidence, “God is with me and nothing and no one can overcome me.”
*Romans 8:31
How to See God’s Miracle When You Need it Most
August 3, 2017 by
I’ve prayed and seen full up miracles.
But before you call, I’ve also prayed and watched things grow worse.
Why sometimes, when you need it most, does a miracle not show up?
Yet, other times it does?
Paul writes, “Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles because you follow his law or because you believe in his promises?”
See, I think sometimes, people don’t really expect God to work a miracle. They pray but don’t actually expect to see God work miraculously.
Instead, Paul says, trust in what God promised. Expect to see God fulfill it. He promised, why would he not honor it?
On the other side, I think sometimes people expect too much. They pray for and try to trust God to give them things he didn’t promise.
So instead read God’s word and see what he really did promise. Then ask for that, but only that. All your needs are covered but in God’s way.
Then look for God’s miracle. It may be different than what you envisioned yet fulfills God’s promise. And it can be just as miraculous in its own way.
Then you really will see God’s power and miracles.
Oh, and still don’t get your hopes up about me. My track record at times has been spotty.
*Galatians 3:5
Do You Face the Impossible? Would You Like to See a Miracle?
June 28, 2017 by
What mountain do you face? What obstacle seems so huge that you can’t imagine life the other side?
You’ve tried to overcome it. You’ve given it your best shot. Followed all the five step plans you know. Yet, the mountain still remains.
So you’re ready to throw in the towel. But you don’t know where to throw it or what you’ll do afterwards.
Believe me I’ve been there. And I’ve prayed with a lot of people who were there.
I’ve found sometimes this is just the place God wants us to get to. Because we stop digging and start looking up.
Then God can work his greatest miracles. And I’ve seen some amazing ones.
Now before you call me, I’ve also seen some answers that were, shall we say, not exactly what we prayed for. Yet, even in those often something better came out.
It’s what Jesus promised, “If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt but believes it will happen, it will be done for him.”
Doesn’t leave a lot out does it? Pretty bold promise.
What would happen if you actually took God up on it?
How big is your mountain?
Good news. We know the one who made the mountains.
*Mark 11:23
What to Do When You Face the Impossible and Need God’s Miracle
May 12, 2017 by
It seems like we have so many friends struggling with so many issues. I finally told Jennifer, “Don’t answer the phone. No one is calling with good news.”
Health issues, financial challenges, relationship struggles. And no matter how hard they work the challenges remain. I mean, what gives?
I don’t have an answer but I do have a contrasting picture.
Paul writes, “God will fulfill all your needs with his glorious riches.”
Wow! Not just some needs and not just barely enough to get by. No all of your needs will be fulfilled with the unlimited riches only God has.
So what do you face that’s bigger than God’s riches? What do you face that’s stronger than God’s power?
Nothing that I can imagine, or if you do want any part of.
So how do you see those riches in your life?
Just ask and anticipate. That’s it.
And I’ll tell you from personal experience I’ve had times when I faced the impossible and have seen God’s amazing power work.
Not because of any special spiritual power on my part. Believe me it’s not there. But simply because I asked and thought, “If he promised who am I to doubt?”
So simple even I can follow those directions.
*Philippians 4:19
How to Walk Clearly in the Darkness
May 8, 2017 by
Life is challenging isn’t it? It seems like half the time you have no idea where you’re going. And the other half, you don’t want to go.
I mean between financial, career, relationship and health challenges you sometimes feel like the ball in a pin ball machine.
You struggle to make it through one challenge only to find two more waiting.
Do you ever find yourself thinking, “Can I get off this merry-go-round for a while?” I sure have.
That’s what I love about this promise David writes.
“If the Lord delights in a person he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he won’t fall for the Lord holds him up.”
That gives me so much comfort. It seems like I’ve spent a lot of time stumbling in the dark.
Yet, God knows the path. He sees in the darkness. He guides you step by step even when you’re lost.
And when you catch your toe on a tree root in the trail and stumble he grasps your hand to keep you from falling.
I’ve seen this so many times. God led us through the darkness into the light again. And in the darkness I felt his steadying hand.
I’m glad.
Now, where’s that light switch?
*Psalm 37:23-24
Are Challenges Piling Up? Do You Need a Miracle?
April 19, 2017 by
Do you ever have times when the challenges seem to pile up? I mean, you barely get one solved and the next hits? Or worse their lining up faster than you can work?
We have so many friends facing that right now. Truthfully, we’ve been on a run too.
I have two observations. One it can feel overwhelming at times. Two, maybe this is just life and I’m growing less tolerant. Oh and three, no don’t ask my wife.
When I reread a Psalm I was encouraged though.
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Evidently, people have felt this way a long time. Yet you have hope.
He says when you rest in the hope that God will work it all out your perspective changes.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the mountains you face you see them through the lens of God’s unlimited power.
Instead of feeling frustrated and anxious you discover unexplainable peace.
You find joy in the midst of the stress as you see God act on your behalf.
Then you surprisingly find yourself quietly thanking him.
Now that’s the real life I’m tolerant of.
*Psalm 43:5 (NIV)
Never Call Any Challenge Impossible!
April 14, 2017 by
We have so many friends right now facing what seems like impossible challenges. Unsolvable health problems, financial crises, family struggles.
They try everything they know and the situation only grows worse with no end in sight. They feel helpless, more than a little frustrated, I’d guess even with God sometimes.
Heck, I would. Actually, I have.
I’d guess you’ve had those times. Maybe you’re facing one right now. You’ve tried everything and nothing has worked. And you’re ready to give up.
That’s what I love about Jesus’ reply to a question about impossibility.
“What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
I can’t tell you how many times holding onto that promise has seen me through a dark night of despair until the sun dawned. In the midst of some impossible challenges, knowing that though this is impossible for me it’s child’s play for God, has made all the difference.
He created all things so he can recreate them as he chooses.
He may not always give you exactly what you ask. But he will give you what he knows is best.
Nothing you face today is impossible to the one who sees it all from the beginning.
Never call anything impossible.
I have and gladly been proven wrong.
*Luke 18:27 (NIV)
Sign up to receive my blog updates by email
and receive my popular ebook free.
