The Miracle Ahead

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Do you believe in miracles? If you struggle with believing in miracles, see my other article, “Miracles Or Myths?“, which addresses the challenge of believing in miracles. But for this article, I’m starting with the assertion that miracles are not only possible, but that we should expect miracles from the GOD of miracles.

Think about this: what is the distance between you and the miracle you need? Not the miracle you want, but the miracle you need. I would argue that the distance between you and that miracle is the length of your obedient faith-filled walk. That distance is different for each person, depending upon each person’s circumstance. Understand this: the miracle will always be found between the the point of doubt/fear and your destination. The miracle will never be found between your starting point and doubt/fear. The miracle will always be found after the point in which a person desires to quit. The miracles in life can only be found while moving forward in faith beyond the point of doubt/fear.

When the time comes that you feel lost or abandoned, filled with doubt and fear, as if everything is working against you, you don’t understand how anything could possibly work out in your favor, and you feel like you want to quit, that will be your moment to realize that your miracle is ahead! There are miracles planned for your life that you know nothing about. GOD is so loving and giving that He planted treasures in your timeline for you to find as you go through life. 

Old Testament Biblical Examples

(Read: Genesis 22: 1-19):

As a test of faith, GOD had instructed Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abraham traveled to the alter and was about to use the knife on Isaac when an angel of GOD prevented Abraham from completing the sacrifice, saving the life of Isaac. GOD already had the real sacrifice there waiting for Abraham, but he didn’t see the miracle of the ram stuck in a bush until he arrived at the alter. One must be willing to sacrifice his/her own plan if that person is to ever receive GOD’s plan.

(Read: Exodus 14: 5-31):

Moses led the Israelites out of slavery from the Egyptian Pharaoh to a dead end at the Red Sea. The Egyptians were chasing the Israelites and the Israelites didn’t have anywhere to go because they were trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea. The parting of the Red Sea didn’t occur until they were at the Red Sea. The miracle did not happen until they arrived at the water’s edge. Had Moses succumbed to doubt and fear and decided not to progress forward in faith, the miracle never would have happened. One must be willing to move forward in faith beyond doubt/fear if that person is to ever receive a miracle.

(Read: Exodus 16):

While the Israelites were wandering through the desert of Sin, GOD sent manna to them each morning and quail each evening. However, they were told only to collect the amount of food they needed for the day and not to save any for the next day. That requires faith. If in faith, you believe that GOD’s miracle will arrive tomorrow, then there will be no need to hold on to the blessing of today. Why did GOD tell them to finish what they had each night? Because GOD wants you to have your fill of delight each and every night! You can fill up every night on GOD’s promises and GOD will still have more blessings for you the next day. We must believe that GOD will come through for us with our daily needs. One must be willing to have faith for today if that person is to receive the miracle of tomorrow.

(Read: Joshua 6: 1-17)

GOD instructed the Israelites to march around the walls of Jericho for 6 days without speaking and then to shout on the 7th day. The walls of Jericho fell on the 7th day when they all shouted. But 6 days without speaking wasn’t an easy task to complete. No talking while marching around the walls… not even a whisper. How do you think you would have reacted if you were one of the soldiers given those orders? No communication for six days meant that they had six days only to think. So, what happens in that situation when it’s silent? I don’t know how you would react, but I know what could happen in that type of situation: some people would start thinking, analyzing, and thoughts of doubt and fear would creep into their head. Without speaking, it’s extremely challenging to encourage one another and motivate each other. This particular task of faith is extremely challenging if you truly put yourself in their shoes and think about what they experienced. It’s mentally challenging. Unlike the youth of today, the army didn’t have earphones playing music to distract them from their own thoughts. No. The entire time they weren’t speaking, they were thinking. However, The devil would have been speaking! Demons would have been speaking into their thoughts, attempting to convince them of lies. Put yourself in their shoes. After a while, you would probably begin to feel stupid and think of doing something else, something that would ‘work,’ right? Or perhaps you would be strong enough to do what they did, but you can also acknowledge how difficult it would have been, right? But… the soldiers followed Joshua’s orders. They followed the task of obedience and the task of faith. The miracle only happens after the act of obedience through faith. One must be willing to be silent long enough in order to hear the movement of the miracle. Can you hear the miracle coming?

(Read: 1Kings 17: 2-9)

GOD instructed Elijah to hide by the Kerith brook and that he could drink the water from the stream and that crows would feed him until the day GOD was ready to send him elsewhere. The miracle of the crow bringing Elijah food did not occur until Elijah was already at the Kerith brook. After a while, GOD instructed Elijah to go to a certain widow’s home and that she would feed him. One must be willing to relocate to where GOD will be found if that person is to receive a miracle from GOD. 

(Read: 1Kings 17: 10-16)

GOD instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath and that a widow there would feed him. The widow in Zarephath did welcome Elijah, but she told him that all she had left to her name was a little bit of flour in a jar and little bit of oil in a jug. Elijah recognized the moment for a miracle and told her to give him all she had and in return, her jar of flour and jug of oil would never run out until GOD sent rain on the land again. The miracle of unlimited flour and oil would never have happened if the widow didn’t put GOD’s Kingdom first and feed Elijah in faith, believing that GOD would provide. One must be willing to let go of the natural he/she desires or possesses if that person is to ever receive the supernatural GOD is offering. 

(Read: 2Kings 4: 1-7)

A widow was unable to pay her debt and her two children were about to become slaves to the debt collector. Elisha asked her what she had and then he used it – she had only a jar of olive oil.  That lady didn’t even have flour! All she had was some oil. Elisha instructed her to borrow as many empty containers as she could from her neighbors and then to pour her oil in those containers. The amount of containers she gathered ended up being the amount of oil she collected. The widow was able to pay her debt and live off the extra profit because she followed through in faith. The amount of containers she collected revealed the amount of faith she had in the miracle she needed to receive. One must be willing to collect and build faith if that person is to receive a large miracle.

(Read: Daniel 3)

King Nebuchadnezzar threatened Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that he would throw them into the blazing fire of the furnace if they didn’t worship the idol he set up. Not only did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship the idol, but they proclaimed in faith that GOD could rescue them from being burned alive if GOD desired to do so. King Nebuchadnezzar threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fire! Please allow that to sink in. The three men of faith were thrown into the fire! Most people would lose faith and give up on the miracle the moment they were being grabbed to be thrown into the fire. As the three men of faith were being grabbed and thrown into the fire, they decided in that moment to increase their faith, not decrease their faith or lose it altogether. And GOD was with them in the fire. The miracle arrived while inside the fire. One must be willing to go through Hell and endure fiery pain in order to obtain the miracle. 

New Testament Biblical Examples

(Read: John 2: 1-12)

Jesus’ first miracle was when He transformed water into wine at a wedding. He instructed servants to pour water into containers, draw some out in a cup and take the cup of water to the master of the banquet (the person in charge). The miracle happened either on the way there or once they arrived. However, I believe that the water turned into wine when the cup was handed to the master of the banquet. It’s one thing to walk with a cup of water over to the master of the banquet, but it’s another to hand that cup to the master of the banquet. It required true faith to hand the cup of water to the master of the banquet and that’s why I believe the miracle arrived in that exact moment. The miracles of GOD seem to happen at the last possible moment when a decision of faith must cause one to show his/her faith or reveal the doubt within. One must be willing to follow through on the initial faith in order to initiate the miracle. 

(Read: Matthew 14: 22-32)

Jesus walked on water and Peter asked if he could join Him. Jesus told Peter to get out of the boat and to walk on water by faith. Peter walked on water for a short amount of time due to his faith. One must desire to join Jesus and be willing to walk with Jesus if that person is to ever experience the supernatural miracle that’s beyond the natural expectations. 

(Read: Matthew 15: 21-28)

The faith of the Canaanite woman healed her daughter because she refused to accept anything less than a miracle. One must be willing to expect the love of GOD and accept nothing less than the expectation of GOD’s love if that person is to ever receive a miracle.

(Read: Mark 10: 46-52)

Blind Bartimaeus heard Jesus walk by and he begged Jesus for healing. The people in the crowd told Bartimaeus to shut up, but he kept shouting for Jesus despite what the crowd was shouting at him. Jesus then told the crowd to tell Bartimaeus to come to Him. Jesus healed Bartimaeus due to his faith, but only after he walked over to Jesus. One must be willing to ignore the noise of the mindless crowd if that person is to ever hear from the Holy One. One must be willing to walk by faith and not by sight toward Jesus if that person is to ever receive a miracle. 

(Read: Luke 5: 17-26)

Four men carried a paralytic man to a location where Jesus was teaching. It was too crowded to enter the house; therefore, they made an opening through the roof and lowered the paralytic man down directly in front of Jesus. Due to their faith, Jesus healed that paralytic man. One must be willing to take extraordinary risks in this natural life if that person is to ever receive anything extraordinary and supernatural (miracle). 

(Read: Luke 7: 1-10)

A Centurion told Jesus (via a messenger) that Jesus didn’t need to come in order for the miracle to happen. The Roman army officer knew that if Jesus simply spoke the word, healing would happen. And Jesus was impressed by his faith and then healed the man’s servant from a distance. One must be willing to believe that the miracle is already on the way if that person is to ever receive that miracle.

(Read: Luke 17: 11-17)

Ten men with leprosy called out to Jesus, begging to be healed. Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests. The miracle of healing happened as they were walking toward the priests. Put your action where your faith is at! One must be willing to walk the talk and go the distance if that person is to ever receive a miracle. One must be willing to take action based on belief!

(Read: John 9)

Jesus used his saliva and dirt to create mud and then He placed the mud in the eyes of a blind man. After Jesus placed the mud in that man’s eyes, He told that man to go wash in the pool of Siloam. The miracle of sight didn’t happen until the man traveled to the pool and did as Jesus instructed. The DNA of Christ Jesus went into the blind man’s eyeballs – the DNA of Jesus entered that man! The washing at the pool of Siloam was symbolic for baptism. One must be willing to set his/her sight on Jesus if that person is to ever see a miracle. One must be willing to accept Christ within him/her if that person is to ever see clearly. One must be willing to repent and be baptized and wash him/herself clean of his/her old life if that person is to ever receive the miracle of the new life. One must be willing to take action based on belief!

Summary

Do you need a miracle? Increase your faith in the One who creates miracles!

“Jesus told them, ‘I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.’ ”
(Matthew 17:20) –NLT

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”
(Luke 17:6) –NIV

“But Jesus was matter-of-fact: ‘Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, “Go jump in the lake,” and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.’ ”
(Matthew 21:21-22) –MSG

“Nothing is impossible for God!”
(Luke 1:37) –CEV

“Jesus replied, ‘Why do you say “if you can”? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!’ “
(Mark 9:23) –CEV

“I tell you the truth, whoever believes in me will do the same things that I do. Those who believe will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you so that the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.”
(John 14:12-14) –NCV

“My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you?”
(James 2:14) –CEV

Life Application

1. Are you willing to set aside your own plan in order to receieve GOD’s plan for your life?
2. Are you able to cast out doubt and fear?
3. Do you believe that GOD is working in your life even right now in this very moment?
4. Are you able to be silent long enough to hear the movement of the miracle?
5. Are you willing to relocate to where GOD will be found or are you trying to force GOD to work where you desire to be?
6. Are you willing to seek first the Kingdom of GOD and put GOD’s will before your list of wants?
7. Are you willing to go out and collect your faith in order to build your miraculous moment?
8. Are you willing to go through Hell and endure fiery pain in order to obtain your miracle?
9. Are you willing to follow through on your faith even if the situation seems hopeless?
10. Are you willing to sail even if it means sinking?
11. Are you able to ignore the noise of the mindless crowd in order to hear from the Lord?
12. Are you willing to believe GOD is working on your behalf even if you don’t see it?
13. Are you willing to take extraordinary risks in order to receive extraordinary results?
14. Are you willing to take action based on your belief?

The miracle is always produced from obedience through faith. Without faith, you will never receive the miracle. Today, I challenge you to step out in faith and proclaim your miracle! If you need a miracle, then step out in faith right now! Expect a miracle! Accept nothing less than GOD’s love for you! Like blind Bartimaeus, call to Jesus with passion and belief! If you need a miracle, then in the name of Jesus, by the power of GOD-Almighty, I proclaim your miracle for you! If you need to walk again, may you get up and walk! If you need healing, may you proclaim your healing and be healed! GOD is the same miracle-creating GOD of yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)! Oh yes – miracles are possible! Anything is possible with GOD so long as it is in alignment with His will! Seek the Lord in prayer!

But above all else, we need to pray that GOD’s will be done, not our own (Matthew 26:39,42,44). Above all else, we need to be able to have so much faith in GOD that we can say with confidence the words that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego spoke in that our GOD is able, but even if GOD doesn’t act on our behalf, our faith will never fail (Daniel 3:17-18)! The miracle is ahead! Whether the miracle is in this lifetime or the next, I do not know, but the miracle is ahead!

Superhero: Solution Seekers

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This is Part 5 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love.

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In this message (Part 5), I’m going to examine another defining characteristic of superheroes: they are solution seekers!

Solution seeker! Yes! Being a solution-seeker is a great concept and a wonderful thing to write on a resume! But there’s one problem: we often worry about what’s wrong. Many people are prone to pointing out problems. In fact, I just pointed out a problem by pointing out that problem. (Oh no! That’s a problem!) But wait – there’s more! I have good news to share! Where there are problems, there can be solutions! In fact, here is a solution to problems: Never point out a problem unless you’re also willing to seek a solution. At the very least, you must be willing to seek a solution to a problem or else you become the problem. For the one who refuses to seek a solution accepts the problem as a permanent pain.

If seeking solutions is such an easy answer to pesky and persistent problems, why are there so many people who are depressed and/or filled with anxiety or worry? Why do so many people consider suicide? Well, there exists two major evil villains that prevent people from seeking solutions: Fear and Doubt – they are the fork in the tongue of the serpent. Many people often allow problems to paralyze them from going forward due to fear of failure; many people also what-if themselves into indecisiveness and doubt themselves into idleness.

Fear and Doubt:

Fear paralyzes people and prevents possibility. Even if you do not fear anything, you can still be denied possibility due to Doubt. If Doubt becomes a barrier between you and Belief, it becomes equal to fear in the sense that it still prevents you from possibility. The person who allows Fear and Doubt to take control becomes his/her own problem because he/she is imprisoned within his/her own mind. In the prison of problems, your only cellmate is stagnation.

There Is Hope:

I’m going to let you in on a secret in the hope that you’re going to tell everyone and it will no longer be a secret: Doubt fears Belief, and Fear doubts Belief. Even with as much hatred and evil as Fear and Doubt have within themselves, they still understand the concept of teamwork; together, they can imprison you! However, Doubt fears Belief. Doubt fears Belief because Belief banishes Doubt away. Where is your concept of teamwork? You cannot have teamwork with Fear or Doubt while seeking Possibility. Fear and Doubt already work together with plans of destruction and their target is you! You can only pair up with Belief and Vision in order to find Possibility. Belief banishes Doubt from you when you and Belief join together to create a team. Together, you can then overcome Fear because you would believe that you can do so. However, because Fear doubts Belief, Fear will follow you, doubting that Belief will remain within you. Since Belief banishes doubt from you when you team up with Belief, Doubt will live inside of Fear (who is following you), motivating Fear to follow you. However, the pursuit will be in vain because Belief is eternal so long as you never have an about-face of doubt. That means you will always be able to find Possibility so long as you team up with Belief. But belief in what? Not what, but who! Belief in the Savior, Christ Jesus! The Savior is the Solution – we simply need to seek the Solution to all problems if we are to find the specific solutions for specific problems!

Resist and Receive:

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”
(James 4:7-8) -NLT

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”
(Matthew 7:7-11) -NLT

The special stipulation to this promise is found in James 4:2-3; our desires need to be in alignment with GOD’s will. Ask yourself three important questions:

1. For what are you asking?
2. Why are you asking for that specific request?
3. Will it benefit the Kingdom of GOD?

Knowing GOD takes faith, focus, and follow-through. Jesus promises a reward for the passionate pursuit of seeking GOD’s will.

What Does GOD Say About Fear?

There are over 300 instances in the Bible in which we are instructed not to fear. There are two major reasons why we should not fear:

1. Trust in GOD;
2. love for others.

(1) There should be no fear in this limited lifetime because we know our eternal destiny:

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
(Matthew 10:28-31) -NLT

(2) Why would we fear the outcome of choosing to love?:

“And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”
(1John 4:17-18) -NLT

Therefore, we do not fear people nor do we fear punishment. Perfect love casts out all fear. And since we trust in GOD – who is love (1John 4:8,16) – and we choose to love GOD and others, we have no reason to fear.

What Does GOD Say About Doubt?

“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
(Psalm 94:19) -NLT

Do you see how this works? Belief banishes doubt. Faith (trust) in GOD creates hope. With hope, one has reason to seek solutions. While seeking the Solution, the Holy Spirit gives the seeker wisdom and vision. Wisdom and vision plan out and produce possibilities.

“And Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’ ”
(Matthew 14:28-33) -ESV

Peter had faith and so he walked on water. However, he allowed doubt within and he started to sink. But remember: doubt was living inside of fear and fear is faithful to follow. Doubt and fear joined forces and caused Peter to sink. But in seeking the Savior, the Solution was found: trust in the Lord is the solution. Faith creates hope and hope gives birth to possibilities.

“Then Jesus told them, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, “May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.’ ”
(Matthew 21:21) -NLT

So, faith is foundational and prayer is powerful. But in order to pray we must first be seeking GOD. If prayer, however, is one of the keys to being a solution seeker, then prayer needs to be properly understood.

Faith-filled Purposeful Prayer:

Prayer needs to be purposeful if it is to be powerful (I’ll expound upon prayer in parts 21-22). Prayer is not a means of merely asking for what we want. GOD is not a magic genie and prayer is not the magic lamp by which to summon GOD. Prayer is a connection between us and GOD. A healthy relationship requires constant communication. So, talk. Prayer is also a way to love others. We should pray for others (Ephesians 6:18-19). But we should also pray that GOD’s will be done and not our own (Matthew 26:39, 42, 44). In the connection of prayer, the goal is to come into alignment with GOD’s will. Regarding prayer, it is important to remember that GOD always answers our prayers in one of three possible ways: yes, no, or not yet. And it is important to thank GOD for all the “no” answers. All the “no” answers eventually lead to the “yes” moment. When we pray, we must pray for the right reasons. Motive matters. We don’t need a mantra, we need a meaningful connection with the Maker. Prayers need to be genuine and purposeful. But remember: you don’t always need to know exactly what to say (Romans 8:26-28). Just be honest.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
(James 1: 6-8) –NIV

Doubts are sometimes unavoidable and seem inevitable. Whether intellectually based or emotionally charged, all doubts need to be doubted and examined. If you find yourself doubting, you’re certainly not alone in your struggle. In Mark 9:24, the father of the possessed son asked Jesus to help his unbelief. Having the courage to doubt your doubts and investigate their causes leads to greater confidence in your relationship with Jesus. In seeking the Savior, He can help work through your doubts to increase your faith. Therefore, investigate your doubts. Seek Truth. Be specific about what your doubts are – write them out and list reasons for and against them. Also, pray! And never stop praying (1Thessalonians 5:17)! Like the father of the possessed son, we too can ask GOD to help with unbelief. Be a Solution seeker! This is important because belief casts out doubt and love casts out fear. The faith-filled become the faith-full! The faithful and loving solution-seeker is stable and also able to pursue possibilities.

Beyond, Through, and To:

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.”
(1Peter 5:7) –NCV

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6-7) -NLT

Though the Bible does not explicitly say that worry is a sin, we can still logically conclude that it is a sin by examining all the available evidence. One simply cannot trust GOD to provide if one worries about provision. Likewise, one cannot trust GOD about wellbeing if one worries about wellbeing. Faith is trust. There’s no trust in worrying because worrying comes from doubting GOD.

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
(Hebrews 11:6) -NLT

Know this: GOD already told us He will take care of all our needs (Matthew 6:25-34).

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
(Philippians 4:8-9) -NLT

Pray Your Way To Peace:

Prayer is not our last resort; rather, it is our first line of defense! And that is why prayer is being discussed here in addition to the end of this book. How do we get GOD’s peace? By putting into practice what we learned. We have learned that we need to put our trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). So, let us put into practice our faith by living confidently in Christ. We can pray our way into peace! Look beyond the problem, through the potential and to the possibilities by seeking the power of GOD in prayer. If we focus on all that is good and right, our focus won’t be on what is bad and wrong. That’s easier said than done – I know. But no one ever said that what is simple is also easy. If we fill our minds with GOD’s Word, we won’t have enough room to fill our minds with the Satan’s lies and the world’s ways. Christians must think about what they’re thinking about and not allow their minds to wander into the chaotic circus of sin. In our spiritual warfare, we need to wear the helmet of salvation (explain in Part 19) because it is spiritual armor for the mind. Negative thoughts can be replaced with positive ones, and the more that godly substitution takes place, the more peace and joy we can experience. Many times we are asking GOD to change our situation when GOD desires to change our stinkin’ thinkin’! GOD’s peace is promised to guard those who pray – with thanksgiving – about everything.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
(Romans 8:28) -NLT

Stay Focused:

We already know the ending of the story! Christ returns, evil is banished to Hell, and all believers will live happily ever after with Jesus for eternity (Revelation 19-21). Knowing this, our focus should simply be on how to continually make things better until Christ returns. GOD gave people the great gift of free will. Where free will exists, evil is always possible; in fact, bad things are inevitable in this sinful fallen world. But GOD created us to create good while we choose to live a life of love. So, what are you creating? In order to be a solution seeker, we must trust in GOD and love others. Belief banishes doubt and love expels fear. Without fear and doubt, GOD’s peace will be with you and GOD’s power will enable you to be more than a conquerer in Christ (Romans 8:37).

Conclusion:

“Show mercy to those who have doubts. Save others by snatching them from the fire of hell.”
(Jude 1: 22-23) –GW

You can be a superhero! You can be a superhero by simply being a consistent solution seeker! In the name of Jesus, go be a defender of the faith by helping others battle fear and doubt. Peter was saved while sinking in the sea of doubt because he reached out to Jesus. All people can find salvation by doing exactly what Peter did – by reaching out to Jesus and trusting Him to save. In fact, I did the same thing when I once found myself sinking and Jesus saved me too! To read my testimony, see my other article, “My Testimony: From Agnosticism, To Atheism, To Christianity“.

Here’s the bottom line: When a problem comes along, you must whip it! Whip it good… in the name of Jesus!