Whether you know it as “you reap what you sow” or “what goes around comes around” as a Christian it’s important to understand the concept of reaping and sowing.

The following article was written by Mercy Adeyanju Mabwe.  It blessed and encouraged me as it brought light on the meaning of reaping and sowing in a Christians life.  I pray you’re blessed by it too.

Trust in the Lord, with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways Acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5).

Not too long ago I realized the secret to my harvest was in my sowing.  God promises to direct our paths.  However in every situation and circumstance we are given, we need do find the seed and put it in our palm ready to sow an outcome that we would like.  As seed time and Harvest remain as sure as the law of gravity.

Maybe we may be wondering why we do not have friends, why many people do not stop and smile, have we planted seeds of friendship, do we initiate a smile?  If not, start today.  Maybe you may say yes you have planted friendship, favour, kindness, money, love, time, work, e.t.c. Then the next question is; have you done it cheerfully, expecting a harvest.  If so then a ‘bumpa’ harvest is coming your way.

It may take a while but it’s coming.  When you plant an orange seed, you do not expect a Harvest the following week, or even months, it may take a while.  Keep watering, pruning, tend that garden and you will be amazed once the reaping starts; you will have no room to store those blessings.

Remember there is no limit to how much sowing you can do, the more you sow the larger the harvest.   Be sure the seeds you are sowing are the kind you would like to reap as you will get many oranges from one tiny seed.

Be blessed today; sow seeds of goodness, and you are in for a bountiful harvest.

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As a Christian, it’s important for you to know the incredible power of prayer.  Whether your prayer is one for employment, forgiveness, guidance, healing, help, protection, or etc continue to pray because there is power in prayer.

God Already Knows Your Needs

The word of God says, “…don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need” (Bible verse: Luke 12:29-31).

God already knows what you need before you go to Him in prayer; He’s just waiting on you to ask Him.  Now, I’m sure you ask, “if God already knows, why must I pray about it?”  Well think about it like this: parents typically know the needs of their children before they ask for anything.

However, parents normally wait for the child to ask FIRST.  Not because they don’t know the needs of their child but rather to wait and see if the child is going to ask for whatever they need.

Our Heavenly Father does the same with us.  God is more than able to meet and exceed the needs of His children.  God is only waiting for you to go before Him in prayer and tell Him what your needs are; my question to you is have you done it yet?

Make Your Request Known to God

The Bible tells us not to worry about anything but instead to pray and fast about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT).  I like this bible verse because it encourages us to make our requests known to God instead of worrying about everything which is something we seem to be good at doing.

No matter what you’re dealing with; how hard it may seem, there’s nothing impossible or too hard for God.  God is more than able to heal your body, restore your marriage, save your household and etc.  The only thing you have to do as a child of the Most High God is ask for it in prayer.

For the scripture declares that “you can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it” (Matthew 21:22).  I am a living testimony that when you make up in your mind to have faith, pray and to seek and believe God, He will move favorably on your behalf.

I have prayed for healing, college grants, employment, direction, favor and etc and I have witness God open doors.  Not because I deserve it (because I don’t), but because of God’s unmerited favor.

God Is An On Time God

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16; NLT).

Never underestimate the power of prayer.  Just because you’ve prayed for something 20 times or for 20 years does not mean your prayer went unheard.  The manifestation of your prayer may not come when YOU want it, but if you continue to be diligent in your praying, you will see that God is an on time God.

Let me tell you something….the power of prayer will turn the situation around and cause God to produce a miracle for you in the midnight hour.  It will cause a shift in the atmosphere just when you were about to lose all hope.  It will cause your enemies to bless you; it will bring restoration to your household and etc.  Why?  Because “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

The Power of Prayer: Finial Words

Sometimes the most powerful prayer is not the one that last 60 minutes; at times the most powerful prayer is the one where you say, “God help me!”

I don’t know what your story is; I don’t know all that you’re going through but I want to encourage you today and let you know that there is power in prayer.  God doesn’t want you to worry about today or tomorrow; instead He wants you to pray about everything and to make your request known to Him.

I encourage you to take God up on His word.  I can attest to the incredible power of prayer as I have witnessed God’s unmerited favor last week.  Not because I deserve it; but simply because I went before His throne and asked.  I come to tell you that God still answers prayer; that there is power in prayer.  Just be diligent; consistent and have faith.

Don’t give up if you don’t get what you are praying for immediately and don’t allow the devil to play with your mind neither.  As a God that’s all knowing, you have to trust and know that God answers prayer in His perfect timing.

However, until you see your prayer manifest, continue to believe, have faith and to thank God in advance for answering your prayer.  Remember, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be added unto you.  Don’t lose hope child of God, there is power in prayer.

Christian Prayer Request

It’s never too late to pray.  God answers prayer and He’s still able to turn the situation around.  Furthermore, if you need prayer, I would be more than happy to pray for you.   Just send your prayer request to: contact@2PraiseGod.com or you can send your prayer request here.

God bless you and rest assure knowing that there is power in prayer.  Be blessed and Encouraged in Jesus Name; Amen.

Image by: Kelsey Lovefusionphoto

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It’s easy to say, “give your cares to the Lord and trust Him” when everything in life seems to be going well.  It’s easy to say, “I trust you Lord with everything I own” when bills are paid on time and when you just got a promotion at work.

However, if God striped you of everything you own; If God told you to leave the very job that’s paying your bills, will you trust the Lord enough to do it?  Will you trust God even when you don’t understand; even when life hurts?  If God told you to leave the familiar and enter the unfamiliar, will you trust Him?

For many of you, God has done just that.  He has taken you from what’s “oh so familiar” and redirected your paths into the unfamiliar.  You don’t understand what’s happening in your life; what to do or where to go.  The only thing you know is that the Lord gave you a word (instruction, a promise, vision, etc) and the only thing you have to hold on to is that word.

I understand the feeling; you’re not alone.  There is encouragement for you today.  Here are 4 things to remember whenever you feel as though you don’t understand what God is doing and/or allowing in your life.

Consider the Source

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13).

Who else can say that but God?  No one, only God can say such a thing.  God knows everything: the past, current and future and our knowledge and understanding doesn’t even compare to the knowledge and understanding of God –  even when it applies to our own life.

Furthermore, when you don’t understand what God is doing in your life, consider the source – Who is it that you’re trusting; God or yourself?

Here is something to remember.  Man is fallible; we fall short and at times we’re unable to keep our promises.  Man can give you instructions that are misleading and imperfect.  With God, none of these things are possible.  God keeps His promises, God gives you right instructions according to His perfect will and He won’t mislead you.

No matter how much you don’t understand life as it is right now; no matter how uncomfortable it may seem or how hard it gets, don’t give up.  If God is with you -  the same God who spoke life into you, the same God who IS and knows the beginning and the end, the same God who knew you before the foundation of this world -is with you, then ask yourself who or WHAT can stand against you.

Consider the source and seek to be obedient to the Lord, even when you don t understand what God is doing in your life; don’t worry about “this or that” because God has provisions for you.

Trust the Lord

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

When you learn to trust the Lord, you will begin to have a sense of rest in the Lord knowing that He has everything under control even when life seems to be out of control.  Trusting God will get you to the point where you make a decision to trust in Him and NOT in your own logic and understanding.

As Christians, we must make a decision to trust Him regardless of how scary the situation may seem.  Trusting God doesn’t prevent you from being in uncomfortable situations but it does allow you to be placed in a position where you seek the Lord’s presence, provisions, guidance and promises.

I encourage you to stop stressing yourself out- losing sleep, being weary, anxious, worried, depressed and sad.  Don’t try to understand the ways of God because it is impossible for you to understand His decisions and ways! (Romans 11:33). The natural man cannot understand the things of God.  For God’s ways are higher than mans, they are past finding out and this is why we must make a decision to trust our all knowing God.

Be Obedient

The bible states that “obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)” which should tell you a lot about our God.  God places significance on obedience.  He’ll much rather you be obedient to His instruction than for you to give Him sacrificial praise, money offerings, fasting and etc.

Why do I bring obedience up?  Because when God gives you instruction and you’re in a situation where you don’t understand what’s going on in your life, you need to be reminded to be obedient and to trust in the one who does understand – Christ.   There are blessings that follow a person who is obedient just as there are curses that follows a person who is disobedient.

God Will Lead You

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).

God told Abraham to leave everything he knew; everything he was familiar with and to enter into the unfamiliar.  God told him to go into a land which he will show him which meant Abraham didn’t know where he was going; He only had the instruction of the Lord to depend on.  Abraham could have easily said, “God, where will I go; what will I eat and drink”, but he didn’t.  He chose to trust God and be obedient and as Christians we must learn to do the same.

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

As much as we would like God to give us “what where when and how” upfront all the time (all in one shot), God does not operate like that.  Sometimes, God will place you in a satiation where you have to trust Him and He’ll give you piece by piece as you obey and trust Him.

As a person who’s been in this situation, I will tell you that this only increases your faith as you learn to walk by faith and not by sight.

Trusting God When You Don’t Understand: Finial Words

I don’t know what your story is (your more than welcome to share it below), but I encourage you to trust God even when you don t understand what’s happening in your life.

You may not understand life and all that’s happening; but God will give you a piece to the puzzle as you learn to step out on faith, trust and obey him.

Don’t let the devil fool you into believing that you’re taking a step backwards in life or that you’ll never make it out of this situation; because you will.  What you’re going through is temporary.

Encourage yourself in the Lord daily; read His word; pray without ceasing and seek His face.  The next time you find yourself in a position where you are stressed and worried about what God is doing in your life remember to:

1. Consider the Source
2. Trust the Lord
3. Be Obedient
4. Trust God to Lead You

Prayer for Trusting God’s When You Don’t Understand Life

Heavenly Father,

I ask that you place within me your obedient spirit so that I may be obedient to your instruction.  Help me Lord to walk by faith and not by sight.  I don’t understand what you’re doing in my life, but I make a decision to trust you God.

In this season, I ask that you place within me your spirit of joy, peace and rest.  Give me joy; peace and rest to endure all that comes my way.  Right now, I make a decision to trust you Lord because I know that you’re in control of my life even when my life seems to be out of control.

Lord, I thank you for clarity, guidance, provision and strength.  I pray and ask for these things in Jesus name; Amen.

Pray and stay in the word of God.  There is strength for you in the word of God.  Trust the Lord and be obedient even when you don’t understand life and what God is doing.  Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus name.

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Yesterday my Bishop (Bishop A Ray Rouson) preached a sermon titled, “You Can Face It”.  It spoke to me directly as only God knows about the challenges in life I am currently facing and dealing with.  I was truly ministered by it and wanted to take this time to encourage and share a portion of the sermon with you.

Whatever it is you are facing OR need to face; whether that’s facing problems, obstacles, issues, weaknesses, decisions, a wilderness experience or etc, know that through the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in you, you can face it.

Below are 3 things you can expect when facing life’s challenges.  I encourage you in advance to be encouraged and not intimidated by them.  Let it encourage you to confront the challenges you’re facing.

3 things to Expect When Facing Life’s Challenges

The enemy will try to put fear in you

When you make a decision to face something, one of the tactics of the devil is to embed fear in you.  Convincing you to believe you can’t do it and to think of all the things that will happen as a result of you confronting what needs to be faced.

Don’t give into the schemes of the devil.  We know that he comes to kill, steal and destroy and that God has NOT given you the spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind.  Overcome the spirit of fear with faith.

Expect people to change on you

When Jesus was here on earth, the same people who smiled in His face were the same people who turned on Him and yelled for him to be crucified.  Truth be told, when you are facing whatever it is you need to face, not every person will understand.  They may smile, talk behind your back and even reject you as they did with Jesus.

Although Jesus knew this to be so, He didn’t let facing rejection, mockery, suffering and rejection stop Him from going to the cross.  As the time became closer for Jesus to be crucified, He said to his disciples, “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead” (Luke 9:21)

As the time of crucifixion got even closer Jesus said, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42).  As you see, Jesus didn’t want to face being crucified, but He did for you and I.  But while doing so, He had people, such as Judas, change and turn on him.

When you make a decision to face life’s challenges and confront the things you know needs to be faced, don’t be surprised when people begin changing on you as they did with Jesus.

“But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats” (1 Peter 3:14).

Expect God to work through you

The Bible never says that everything we face and go through will be good; however it does say that ALL things work out for our good.  When you confront the thing God has pricked in your heart to face, expect God to work through you; revealing His glory through you to others around you.

You may not see it right now, but once you confront this thing, at the end of it all you will realize that it was for your good that you needed to confront and face it.

You Can Face It: Final Words

Know that when you face this particular thing in your life, you can expect the devil to bring more temptation your way.  Why?  Because you’re actually doing something to spiritually grow in Christ.

While you were wavering and unsure on whether or not to face this particular thing, the devil didn’t need to do too much; but now that you’re facing it, expect the devil to tempt you more…but greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.

I don’t know what you need to face, but the Lord used my Bishop yesterday to tell the church that we can face it and now I’m telling you that YOU can face it.  Don’t allow the devil to hold you back from spiritual growth in Christ because of your fear to face this particular thing.  Cancel fear with faith.  Don’t allow the devil to convince you into believing you can’t face it.

If God’s been nudging at your heart to face something, do it.  Don’t worry about “this or that”.  You may have to make some adjustments, but God will give you the strength and grace to face and confront it.

Prayer for Facing Life’s Challenges

Heavenly Father, I ask in Jesus name that you help my brother/sister face the very thing that you’ve laid on their heart to face.  Give them the strength and grace needed to confront, face and deal with the very thing you know needs to be dealt with.

During this time, open their eyes to the schemes of the devil and allow them to overcome every temptation.  God I thank you for them.  I ask that you allow them to see that they’re not alone, for you have promised to never leave nor forsake them.

I thank you Lord for my brother/sister in Christ.  Give them the strength, grace, joy and peace needed to get through this.  In Jesus Christ name I pray; Amen.

Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus name; Amen.

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For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9; KJV).

The part I really want to focus on is where it says, “neither are your ways my ways.”  It wasn’t until I begin my Christian walk with God that I was able to realize the truth and reality of this bible verse; that in fact God’s ways are not our ways.

There are many times when I want to do things my way; because my way at the moment seems logical or appeases how I feel and/or what.  I remember last year when I had to learn the lesson of doing things God’s way…the hard way.

His Ways Are Not My Ways

It was right before the spring semester of college and God was transitioning my family physically and spiritually.  I believe God did not want me to enroll spring of 09, but because of the desire to do things my way, I enrolled anyway.

Long story short, the consequence of my disobedience resulted in me dropping and failing a course.  (Keep in mind that prior to this, I had a 3.8 GPA; maintaining all A’s and B’s; never failing a course).  Needless to say, I knew it was God speaking to me, showing me He had a different plan for my life.

God’s Ways Are Not Your Ways

As it may relate to you; there are going to be times when God does something in your life and you question His motives.  There will be times when you make plans to do something and God instructs you to ditch your plans and follow Him.

There will be times when you don’t understand why God is allowing certain things to happen in your life.  I want to encourage you to trust and be obedient to the Lord because the ways of God are not our ways.

It’s so easy to get caught up in what we want and how we want it done, but we must remember that we are here on earth to do God’s will; not ours.

Don’t stress yourself out on trying to understand the ways of God because His ways are past finding out; for the scripture declares it is impossible for us to understand His decisions and His ways! (Romans 11:33).

The ways of our God are mysterious, perfect, unfathomable, inscrutable and unexplainable.   They are higher than our ways.  If you’re going to have a relationship with God, you must realize that God’s ways are not man’s ways.  You must learn to trust His ways because He’s omniscient (all knowing) and knows what’s best for you.

Although doing things God’s way is hard at times, rest knowing when God ordains something to be so in your life, God will give you the tools and resources needed to do His instruct and provide the strength and provisions needed to guide you through.

Conclusion

Regardless of what happens as a result of your obedience, know that God’s way is still the best way and living God’s way is much more rewarding than living life the way we want or believe is right.

Remember, you serve a God who’s all knowing, who knows the beginning and thee end.  With that in mind, why would God, being so loving and all knowing, steer you the wrong way?

Be encouraged to start living according to God’s purpose for your life.  His ways are not our ways and His way is the best way for our lives.  God bless you in Jesus name.

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1. Trusting God When You Don’t Understand

Do you know the God whom you serve? You serve a God of abundance; a God who shall supply all your needs; a God who said that you shall lack no good thing. This is the kind of God you serve. A God of more than enough; He is a God of abundance.

Definition of Abundance

Dictionary.com defines ‘abundance’ as an extremely plentiful, over sufficient quantity or supply of something; it can be described as having an overflow in quantity or supply.

God of Abundance and More than Enough

As we read our Bibles, we see that this is the kind of God we serve; a God of abundance, plenty and overflow. God wants to bless you with more than enough; not just enough or barely enough.

You do not serve a god of lack. God is more than able to supply everything you and I will ever need here on earth. Ephesians 3:20 states that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think of, according to the power that worketh in us.

This means that God is able to send you an abundance of something and it will be more than what you can ever imagine or think of. He is able to exceed what you could ever ask for. This is the kind of God you serve; a God of increase, abundance and overflow. One that does exceedingly abundantly above anything you or I could ever ask of Him.

Scarcity Mentality: The Killer of an Abundant Life

Although we serve a God of more than enough, many are living with a scarcity mindset; that is, a mindset of lack and barely enough. Don’t let a poverty mindset rob you of the abundant life Jesus died to give you.

The Word of God states that Jesus came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Nowhere in the Bible have I seen God unable to provide for His people; where God was unable to bless His people with an abundance of something – whether that something be food, drink, clothes, money or etc. God has always shown Himself to be God the supplier; God of more than enough.

However, although we serve a God of abundance, many Christians live in lack and this is not the kind of life Jesus died on the cross to give them. Notice in Ephesians 3:20 it states that God is able. It didn’t say God will. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think.

I believe many Christians experience a lack of resources because of the mentality they carry; it’s a scarcity mentality which is the opposite of an abundance mentality. If you’re a Christian dealing with lack, I encourage you to read about having a more than enough mentality. Why settle for lack when God came to give you abundance?

I am convinced that until we stop believing God for very little; until we stop placing limitations on God and begin asking for more than enough, until we stop speaking negatively and etc., we will never fully experience God’s abundance in our lives.

Finial Words: Renounce Lack and Declare Abundance

The Lord says in Malachi 3:10 that He will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to receive it! Today I encourage you to acknowledge and declare that God is more than enough; that God shall supply all your needs; that God is a God of abundance.

I challenge you to have a more than enough mentality, an abundance mindset, and to let go of a lack and scarcity mentality. Since Jesus came to give you life and life more abundantly, seek and expect to experience God’s overflow.

Believe God for spiritual abundance, financial abundance, an abundance of love, joy, peace and life; believe God for abundance in every area of your life. Whatever you lack, expect and believe God for increase. Believe that God will supply all your needs; believe that God meets our needs and provide for those who seek Him.

Conclusion

Be encouraged to start living life in abundance each day, starting now. You may lack in the natural realm but there’s nothing that prayer and seeking the face of God can’t change. Seek God and expect increase and abundance and He will meet your needs (according to your faith) in more ways than one. A simple way to get started is to renounce scarcity (lack) and to decree and declare God’s abundance over your life.

I am a living testimony that God is in fact a God of increase. He will use people, things and even situations to bless you with overflow. Trust God to increase and multiply what you have because my God is a God of more than enough.

Make a decision to receive the abundant life Jesus died to give you spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, financially and etc. Remember to seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If you serve a God of more than enough; one who promises to do exceedingly abundantly above, why settle and believe God for anything less? Rid the scarcity mentality and declare God’s abundance and watch God move in your life.

Be encouraged and blessed in Jesus name.

Image by: Andyarmstrong

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Let’s face it; one of the most devastating things a person can experience is getting laid off from work or being turned down for numerous positions due to business slowing or shutting down.

Today, while applying for jobs, I begin to feel hopeless, somewhat depressed and a desire to give up.  There’s nothing worse than being told, “We’re not hiring” or “we’ll contact you if we’re interested” leaving you no hope of employment.

Glory be to God, there’s encouragement for those dealing with unemployment depression and stress.  Although you may have lost your job and feel like giving up, though you may feel scared, I want to encourage you and let you know that you’re not alone; that your help comes from the Lord.

However, in order for you to see that, one must fight the depression and stress associated with unemployment.   Choosing not to fight depression will make it difficult for you to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It will affect you while you seek employment and possibly hinder you from seeking the helping hand of the Lord.

Pick Yourself Up and Fight Unemployment Depression

Guard Your Thoughts

Loss of income and financial security can cause unemployment depression and leave one stressed about money.  There is nothing worse than being unemployed and scared; wondering if you’ll ever find a job.  As a Christian dealing with depression due to unemployment, it is vital for you to guard your thoughts at all times during this transition.

The devil will use every opportunity he has to whisper doubt, fear, worry, anxiety and anything else that’s contrary to the spirit of the Lord.  Guard your thoughts and allow no room for the devil to plant seeds of despair and worry.

Cast Your Cares upon the Lord

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psalms 55:22; NIV).

Give your depression and worries to the Lord as the scripture encourages you to do so because the Lord does in fact care about your financial needs.  He cares even when you think He doesn’t, He understands although it may seem as though no one else understands; even when you feel alone and scared, God is there and He cares.

I encourage you to have a made up mind in the Lord and to have the determination that you will get through this because you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).  I don’t care if you have to pray to the Lord 20 times a day in order for you to cast your worries upon Him; do it.  God will give you His peace during this season in exchange for your worries.

And I will tell you this; when you learn to cast your depression, worries and anxieties upon the Lord, God will provide you with the peace and mindset needed to positively and faithfully get through the transition you’re in.

Encourage Yourself in the Lord

It’s interesting the thoughts that come to mind when dealing with unemployment.  Some become lazy, some become suicidal and some even spend their entire day thinking about everything that could go wrong.  Although these responses may seem natural, it’s counterproductive mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially.

I encourage you to read the word of God; begin to encourage yourself in the Lord.  It’s like the old saying, “what comes in must come out.”  Well, when you put nothing in, expect to worry and to be depressed.  Why?  Because you’re thinking and placing your faith in what you can tangibly see when God instructs us to have faith in what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

Read the word of God and expect to be empowered in the Lord; expect your faith to increase.  For every worry and lie the devil has magnified and told you, instead of listening and believing it, I encourage you read your Bible and believe what the Lord says about you and your situation.

If depression and stress from unemployment consumes your thoughts, find scriptures that speak of God being a provider and a way maker.  Decide right now that unemployment depression and stress is not an option and that you’ll begin strengthening and encouraging yourself in the Lord.

Pray and/or Seek Prayer

As a Christian, the last thing you need while coping with unemployment is to stay in a state of depression.  Yes, as humans it’s natural to feel depressed; however, it’s exhorted that you don’t allow yourself to dwell there.

If need be, ask someone you trust to pray for and/or with you.  The scripture declares: “don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

The last thing you need to feel is a sense of loneliness; as though you have no one to turn to.  You have Christ who promises to never leave you nor forsake you and you have those whom Christ places in your life to intercede and pray on your behalf.

Pray and ask God for His blessing and unmerited favor as you apply for jobs; petition the Lord and tell Him in prayer what your needs are.  Don’t under estimate the power of prayer because the Bible tells us that the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5:16; NIV).

Unemployment Depression: Finial Words

Dealing with unemployment is never easy; dealing with unemployment AND depression doesn’t make the situation any better.  I encourage you to have a determined mind to fight the emotional stress of unemployment and depression because you are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37).  It may not feel like it now, but at the end, you will come out of this standing victorious in the Lord.  Have faith in the Lord to grant you favor with employers and to provide you with a job.  Be encouraged Christian because you’re not alone (Hebrews 13:5); your help cometh from the Lord (Psalm 121:2).

Prayer for Coping with Unemployment and Depression

Heavenly Father, thank you for your provision.  Thank you for being a provider and a way maker.  I cast all my financial worries and concerns upon you Lord and in exchange I ask for and receive your peace.   Father I thank you in advance for the job you have in store for me.

As I actively and diligently seek employment, I ask for your unmerited favor and blessing with employers right now in the name of Jesus; you know my needs and I make a decision right now to trust you with them.  I thank you Lord that it’s already done.  I thank you Lord for taking care and supplying my every need according to your riches in glory.  I thank you Lord.  In Jesus name I pray; Amen.

Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus name.

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So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).

The bible verse above encourages us to do unto others as you would have done unto you.  In today’s society, this would be the same as saying: treat others the way you want to be treated.  As Christians, I believe we can refer to the life of Jesus as a guide on how we’re to treat others.

Jesus Life as a Guide on How to Treat Others

When Jesus began His ministry on earth, He didn’t come saying, “I am God, serve me and do as I say.”  When Christ came, one of the many things He showed His disciples (including you and I) was how we’re to treat others.  He forgave sins and past mistakes, showed mercy and grace to those who didn’t deserve it, prayed for and served others, helped the poor, healed the sick, reached out to sinners and so much more.

The whole Bible, particularly the New Testament, reveals to us through the life of Jesus Christ how we’re to treat others.   As a result, we know Jesus wants us to forgive the mistakes of others because He said unless you forgive others He will not forgive you; we know that Christ wants us to have mercy and grace toward those who may not deserve it; to pray for and serve others, to help the poor, to share the gospel with sinners and etc.

Matthew 5:16 tells us to “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”   If you’re treating people with the love of God, people will not only see your good deeds, but they will also see Christ through you and begin praising Him because of the love of God they’ve experienced through you.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, if you’re treating people anything less than with the love of God, people will begin to see your evil deeds.  Because Christians are representatives of Christ here on earth, those witnessing and experiencing your evil deeds may begin to have negative thoughts about God.  This is why as Christians, it’s important to examine how we treat people.

It’s Time to Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated

In conclusion, how you treat others is a reflection of your relationship with God.  You cannot have a growing relationship with Christ and continue to treat people everything else but with the love of God.

The more you read the word of God and the closer you are to Him, the more compassion, love and respect you should have toward others.

Today, I challenge you to treat others how you want to be treated and to do it with the love of God.  Just as Christ is compassionate and loving towards you, just as Christ is mercifully and graceful towards you, I encourage you to be the same toward others.

As a result, people should see Christ in you and begin reciprocating the same compassion, love and respect you’ve shown them.

Remember, in everything you do, do to others what you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12) and to let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus name.

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Your mind is powerful.  Many of the decisions you make, the actions you take, the images you have about yourself and so forth all starts in the mind.  It amazes me how having a negative mindset can prevent one from being the very best they can be.   How a negative image of one’s self not only steals their confidence but also their ability to receive the joy and abundant life Jesus died on the cross to give them.

Today I ask you, “What is on your mind”?  Is it lack, poverty, a just making it by attitude?  If so, I encourage you to change your mindset and perspective on life.  Jesus said in His word that He came to give you life and life more abundantly.  An abundant life in Christ is not lack.  For the Bible says those who seek Him shall lack no good thing.  Shift your mindset from a barely making it by attitude to a more than enough mentality.

When lack enters your mind, rebuke it in Jesus name and begin to say, “Thank you Jesus that you supply all my needs; I have more than enough to take care of x,y,z.”  Believe God and praise Him in advance for more than enough.  More than enough money to pay your bills, more than enough funds to get out of debt, more than enough time in your day to spend with God, more than enough food to feed your family and etc.

Why is this important?  A simple answer to that question would be because you serve a more than enough God.  A God who said if you seek Him, you will lack no good thing.  A God who said He shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.

The Bible makes it clear that God doesn’t give just enough; He gives more than enough.  In the Bible, we read the story where Jesus multiplies 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to feed a crowd of over 5,000 people.  Jesus didn’t multiply it to where it was just enough.  When every person ate, there was more than enough fish and bread left over (12 baskets to be exact).

Furthermore, I encourage you to carry a more than enough mentality; regardless of what you do or do not have.  Even if you find yourself in a situation where you’re lacking, don’t accept or confess lack over your life.  Instead, confess, believe and trust God for the abundance He’s promised you.

Expect God to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ever ask or think of (Ephesians 3:20).   Watch God open up the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing that you won’t even have enough room to receive it (Malachi 3:10).

Remember, God is a God of more than enough.  If God can multiply bread and fish to feed a crowd of over 5,000 people (with more than enough left over), then God can multiply and bless you with an abundance of whatever it is that you lack.

Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus name.

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