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Consider Your Ways

Posted on by Rob Collins in Messages

Psalm 139:1-10
Proverbs 4:23-27
*Haggai 1:5-*7 *“Consider your ways”
Ephesians 5:15-17

Consider: to take into account or to think about carefully: a: to think of especially with regard to taking some action to change.
– take into account
– think about carefully
– to think about in regard to taking action to change

Ways: *way, *road, *distance, *journey, *passenger, manner, path, way of course or course of life, *moral character, *habits. (fig. or lit.)

– *way: way of life, way of doing things, way of thinking, way of dealing with others, way of handling issues, way of saying things, way of handling stress, way of dealing with problems.
– *road: the road you are traveling, road of life, road that gives you access: interchanges, exit ramps, detours.
– distance: how far have you come? I’ve come to far to turn back, there’s more in front of me than behind me. If your going the wrong way it doesn’t matter how far you’ve come, it’s not too late to turn around.
– journey: are you enjoying the journey? It’s not about arriving at a destination it’s about enjoying the process of the journey and learning from every moment.
– passenger: who’s with you? who’s helping you? who are you connected with? Why?
– moral character: what do you tolerate? what did you stand for?
– habits: what habits help? what habits hinder?

7 Things to Consider When Considering:

1. Is the direction I’m heading the direction I really want to go?

2. Are the choices I’m making producing the results I desire?

3. Are the people in my life hindering me or helping me?

4. Are my daily habits helping me become the person I desire to be?

5. What do I need to do differently to experience something different, that will make a difference?

6. What have I allowed to hinder me that I already have the power to overcome?

7. Am I putting God, His Word, and His way of doing things first in my life?

Forgive and Forget

Posted on by Rob Collins in Messages

When you read Philippians 3:13 Paul says, he forgets whats behind him and does his best to reach for what is ahead of him. In verse fourteen he goes on to say that he runs straight toward all that Christ Jesus has laid hold of for him. This is a good formula that he establishes for us. One that we could all follow: 1. Forget what’s behind you. 2. Reach for whats ahead of you and 3. Run toward what Christ has obtained for you to possess. The process of forgetting is not always easy. Nonetheless, you must forget on purpose. In other words, if you are going to forget it’s not going to happen by accident, its going to happen on purpose. If you forget where you put your phone, your wallet, or your keys, thats by accident, not on purpose. If you are going to forget a wrong, or a fault, or a hurt. You are going to have to do that on purpose and here’s how: You can forget on purpose by replacing the thoughts of the fault or the wrong with another thought. A positive thought, a scripture, or a prayer. You can also forget on purpose by not rehearsing it. Thats right! The more you talk about it, the more you will think about it. And, the more you think about it, the more you will talk about it. Stop the cycle and let it go! Jesus forgave so that we could forgive, forget, and be forgiven. *(Lk 24) Some of last few words He spoke were words of forgiveness: He forgave the thief on the cross… “this day you will be with me in paradise.” He said, “Father forgive them do they know not what they are doing.” This statement is interesting because there are many times when people are probably vindictive and purposeful with their actions or deeds of hurt and hate. But not always. I believe there are many times when people don’t even realize that what they are doing or saying is hurtful. Jesus covers that when He says, “forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” I believe the next statement of Christ explains how He felt and that He was experiencing. Remember, Jesus wasn’t dying to be forgiven of His sins, He was dying so that we might be forgiven of our sins. Nevertheless in His next statement He said this, “Into thy hands I commit my *spirit” *(pneuma: deep part of one’s being). In other words, publicly, He committed Himself into the hands and care of His Father who cared for Him. I believe Jesus made was difficult, awkward, and private, a public matter. He did this so that we might be empowered. Remember, “Forgiveness doesn’t minimize the fault of the offender, it brings freedom to the offended.” It’s difficult to forgive when you can’t forget. And, it’s difficult to forget, when you can’t forgive. These two crucibles are linked to one another. If you want to freedom you must learn the art of forgiving and forgetting. Forget about what’s behind you and reach for whats ahead of you. Run towards everything that Christ has laid hold of for you:  Salvation, healing, peace, joy, strength, hope, and forgiveness. Forgive those that don’t deserve it. Forgive those that do. Forgive and forget! It’s easy, but it is worth it! Why is it so difficult to forgive and forget?

5 Reasons Why It’s Hard to Forgive and Forget:

1. You feel like you are letting the person off the hook or minimizing the fault.

2. You want to rehearse and nurse the fault, instead of releasing it while being empowered, liberated, and healed.

3. You want to talk about it; therefore you can’t forget about it, and, no one else can either.

4. You verbalize it because you want others to know what you’ve experienced and how you feel.

5. You want to get back at or at least allow the offender to feel what you have felt and are dealing with internally.

Here are 5 Ways to Forgive and Forget: 

  1. “Confess forgiveness not the fault.”
  2. “Release it, don’t rehearse it.”
  3. “Don’t take it on yourself to repay a wrong. Trust the Lord and He will make it right.” (Proverbs‬ ‭20:22‬ ‭GNT‬‬)
  4. “Take it out of your hands and put it in God’s hands.”
  5. “Deal with conviction and rebuke condemnation.”

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ.”

*Christ was convicted and condemned by man. But, He was accepted by God.
(He was convicted and condemned undeservingly. So we wouldn’t receive the condemnation we deserved. We are accepted by God through Christ). He forgave and forgot so that we could be redeemed by grace through faith. He is our example and we must do the same; we must forgive and forget.

It’s hard to forget when you are feeling condemnation or conviction. It’s difficult to forgive when you can’t forget. That’s why: Conviction has to be resolved and Condemnation has to be rebuked.

The cross says there is now no Condemnation for those who belong to Christ.

  • Conviction comes from God through the Holy Spirit.
  • Condemnation comes from the devil, self, and other people.

 

  • Conviction corrects something that’s not right in your life.
  • Condemnation puts you down and makes you feel guilty, miserable and ashamed.

 

  • Conviction is from God’s love for you and His desire to help you be better.
  • Condemnation is from Satan’s hatred and his desire to make you miserable.

 

  • Conviction is specific.
  • Condemnation is general.

 

  • Conviction has a solution from it’s source.
  • Condemnation has no end from it’s source. (It’s only end is found in Christ)

The cross empowers us to conquer our convictions and cast down our condemnations. It Give us the power to forgive and forget.

 

The God who knows everything chooses to forget. “I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember their wrongs.” (Hebrews 8:12) #forgetit #2018

Ask God for the power and grace to forgive and forget! Conviction comes from God to help you. Condemnation is not from God. It comes from satan, self, and from others. You are not to condemn or live under condemnation. Forgive and forget and live at peace with God, your self, and others. Forgive them and Forget it!

Covered

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog, Messages

Joseph, the one who famous for his robe of many colors was his father’s favorite son. I believe there were two reasons for this. First, he was the firstborn of his daddy’s heartthrob Rachel, and secondly, Joseph had a heart for God and heard from Him in a uniquely special way. You remember the story don’t you? Joseph’s father Israel, aka Jacob, had a brother named Esau. There was some deception, some stew, and the great exchange. The birthright was surrendered and the plot continued to unfold. There was also a wrestling match won by God and Jacob became Israel. Now Jacob had a “thing” for Rachel. But there were two sisters Rachel and Leah. Their father, Laban, who would later become Jacob’s father in law… twice, had some mischievous deception of his own… he tricked Jacob into marrying the wrong sister, Leah. Anyway, Joseph’s working for his father in law finally paid off. He married Rachel (his dream girl) and their first child was Joseph. That’s right, his daddy’s favorite, and the coat he wore that was made by his father, represented what everyone already knew. The coat, however, seemed to be a bigger deal to his brothers and everyone else then it did to Joseph.

Joseph was a dreamer. But, when he told his dream to his brothers, they didn’t like it. As a matter a fact, they got so mad they stripped him of the coat of many colors and through him in a pit. While they were having some lunch, they began to feel bad for what they had done. So, they drug him out of the pit and sold him to some slave traitors that just happened to be passing by. They then took the coat they stripped him of and dipped in blood, took it to their father, and told him that Joseph their brother, his son, had been killed by wild animals. Their father wept bitterly. However, it was all a lie. Joseph was alive. The coat nonetheless, was never mentioned in the story again. All the while, Joseph never stopped dreaming, and he continued to walk in the favor of his God. Although the coat was history, what it represented lived on in Joseph long after the coat was forgotten about.

He didn’t waiver when he stripped of his coat. That’s because he still possessed what it represented. What he had was based on an internal “knowing”, not an external “seeing”. His earthly father gave him the coat. But, his Heavenly Father gave him the promise. The promise was eternal and internal, not external or maternal. Joseph knew that what he was wearing wasn’t who he was. In other words it wasn’t his identity, it was just a reminder of what he already knew. He was cOVERed! He was a dreamer favored by both his earthly, and his Heavenly Father. He knew that what was happening at the moment in his present situation wouldn’t deter what was going to happen in his promised future. He was a dreamer with a promise; even in the midst of problems. When Joseph was sold to the slave traders that were passing by he was probably given a slave’s robe. But, he didn’t allow that define him because it wasn’t who he was. He was a son with a promise, not a slave! When he was purchased to serve at Potiphar’s house he was probably given a servant’s robe. But, he didn’t allow it to affect him because that wasn’t who he was. He was a son with a promise, not Potiphar’s servant. When he was thrown into prison on false accusations he was probably given a prisoner’s robe. But, he didn’t let that affect him because that wasn’t who he was. He was a son with a promise, not a prisoner. Joseph was covered! He didn’t ask for it, he just received and walked in it. His earthly father gave him the coat of many colors and no one could take what it represented. It represented an earthly blessing and heavenly favor.

Joseph was thrown in a pit, sold to slave traders, purchased by Potiphar, betrayed by Potiphar’s wife, forgotten about in prison but, he never lost sight of his promise. Everything that was put on Joseph was given by someone else. His daddy put the robe of many colors on him. The slave traders put the robe of slavery on him. Potiphar put the robe of a servant on him. The jailer put the robe of a jailer on him. Remembered this: what others put on you doesn’t have to define you! People will put labels, opinions, and expectations on you, but don’t let it define you. When they took Joseph’s robe they didn’t take what it represented. In other words, when Joseph was stripped of his robe of many colors he didn’t stop dreaming or believing and the favor and blessings didn’t stop either! The coat represented his dream, and his promise. But, it wasn’t his dream or promise, it was a robe. Joseph was cOVERed with a colorful coat made by his father. It represented favor, but, it wasn’t his favor. His favor was his favor. Even in the midst of problems Joseph had a promise. Even in the midst of frustration he had favor. That’s why Joseph didn’t pout in the pit, plead at Potiphar’s House, or protest in prison. Instead, he allowed God to elevate him to a position of power so that he could provide prosperity and provision for those that had caused him problems. You see when you know your cOVERed it doesn’t matter where you are, or what you have, or what someone is trying to put on you. What matters is that you know who you are, and most of all, whose you are. When you know your cOVERed you can get OVER whatever is your going through, so you can get to where it is your meant to be! No matter what you’re going through… God’s got you cOVERed!!!

PeaceKeeper PeaceMaker

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog, Messages

“Face It!” (James 3:13-18)

Jesus said, “I’ve come that you might have peace; not as the world gives but that only I can give.” Jn. 14:27

“I will give peace to the one who’s mind is fixed on me.” Is. 26:3

“The peace of God will transcend all understanding and guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7

“Blessed are the PeaceMakers for they will be called the children of God.” Matt. 5:9

*A PeaceKeeper will avoid conflict by treading lightly around the real issue or by acting like a real issue doesn’t even exist.

*A PeaceMaker will strive to resolve conflicts and seek to reconcile conflicted relationships.

*A PeaceKeeper is a mediator (takes middle ground acting between two parties in a disagreement).

*A PeaceMaker is a reconciler (One who settles or resolves differences in a conflict).

> It’s my desirethat youhave peacein your heart, in your mind and in relationships with others.

You will be miserable if you don’t have peace.

***It takes wisdom to discern when to make peace and when to keep peace.

⁃ You can only make peace when you first have peace yourself.

⁃ You can only make peace when those in conflict desire peace.

⁃ You can only make peace when you begin to sow peace.

 

How Do You Strive to Make Peace? *(You can’t fix what you won’t face).

1.Ask God for wisdom and a way.

2.Make the first move if no one is else is moving and you feel led.

3.Don’t wait on someone else to make the first move; especially if you are the one in the wrong.

4.Don’t accuse or excuse.

5.Don’t build hateful or hurtful opinions when you don’t know all the facts.

6.Don’t wait until it’s too late.

7.Know that sometimes the only thing you can do is keep the peace; but don’t let it steal your peace.

8.Realize making peace is not contingent upon you alone.

9.Focus on the person more than the problem.

10.Focus on reconciliation more than being right.

11.Stop talking and start listening.

12.Quit confessing what needs to be forgotten.

Peace is an atmosphere that is produced by proper patterns that embodies a Spirit-Led Christ centered life.

To be a PeaceMaker means you produce peace in situations, circumstances and, in the lives of others by giving what you have received from God first. His peace!

As much as it depends on you, leave at peace with everyone.

Sometimes you have to face it to fix it! But, sometimes you have to release it to receive true peace.

Speak To It

Posted on by Rob Collins in Messages


In my previous post I talked about “A Time to Speak and a Time to be Silent.” In this post I want talk to you about “Speaking to It.” Declaration, proclamation, adoration; making our needs, petitions, and requests known by prayers are all words that proceed from our mouth. I believe there is a time to speak and a time to listen. But, I also believe there is a time to pray and prepare. I believe there is a time to pray and prepare. But, I also believe there is a time to declare! The Bible says, man should always pray and never faint. But, it also says, “we are to speak to the mountain.” Your mountain only responds to your voice because you created it with your mouth or God has put it in your life for you to open your mouth and by faith declare it to move. There are many mountains in our lives that need to move. However, I believe we must stop talking about them and start speaking to them. You are already talking about it; why not “speak to it” and see what happens. The Proverb writer gives many scriptures about our words. Here are a couple of those verses: “Your reward depends on what you say and what you do; you will get what you deserve.” Proverbs‬ ‭12:14‬ ‭GNT‬‬ and “Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself.” Proverbs‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭GNT‬‬

Here’s the difference in “Speaking to It” verses “Speaking About It.”

– Speaking about it declares what you see.

– Speaking to it declares what you desire to see.

– Speaking about it declares what you know.

– Speaking to it declares what is not yet been identified.

– Speaking about it declares the facts.

– Speaking to it releases your faith.

Here is an example of something you or I might say in comparison of “speaking to it” or “speaking about it”:

Speaking about it: “that’s the way it’s always been and that’s the way it will always be because they won’t change!”

Speaking to it: “I declare that things are about to change. I agree with the word of God and declare that things will be different and anyone can change. I believe You can make all things new and everything and everyone can be different. In Jesus Name! *(Pray and declare in Jesus name)

– God spoke to the darkness and it became light. (He didn’t speak about the darkness. He said, “let there be light.”)

– God gave man dominion on the earth.

How do we take that dominion? 

– by Prayer

– by the Power of the Holy Spirit

– by Standing on the Word

– by Declaration and Proclamation

You have been given dominion and you have authority to speak to the mountains in your life….

– Jesus spoke to the fig tree.

– Jesus spoke to the winds and the waves.

– Jesus spoke to the infirmities.

– Jesus spoke to the evil spirits.

– He spoke to people and their needs.

– He looked up and blessed the bread. That means He spoke well of it.

– David spoke to the giant.

– Jesus told us to speak to our mountain.

Speak to your mounatain. Your mountain responds to your voice because you probably created it with your mouth to begin with.

Speak to your mounatain. Your mountain responds to your voice because God created you to move it by faith with your mouth.

Speak to your mountain. You are already speaking “of it” why not “speak to it” and see what God does.

There’s A Time to Speak and a Time to Be Silent 

Posted on by Rob Collins in Messages


“a time for silence and the time for talk.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭GNT‬‬

 

 

Practical Insights in Regards to Speaking or Being Silent:

 

A Time To Speak

1. When you’ve been spoken to.

2. When you enter someone’s personal space.

3. When you have something to say that’s worth hearing.

4. When you need to express what someone needs to hear.

5. When you need to comfort, encourage, or praise someone.

6. When you need to welcome someone or make them feel comfortable, wanted, or needed.

7. When you know the truth and you know it needs to spoken.

8. When the Holy Spirit prompts you.

9. When injustice has been done and the victim or recipient needs a voice that they don’t have.

10. When you are trying to build a relationship.

11. When you speak out of a heart of love with the right motive.

12. When something needs to be said.

 

A  Time To  Be Silent

1. When nothing else needs to be said.

2. When someone needs you to listen more than they need to hear what you have to say.

3. When someone else is talking.

4. When you really don’t have anything to say.

5. When you’re angry.

6. When your motive is wrong.

7. When you don’t know all the facts.

8. When the Holy Spirit is talking to you.

9. When you’ve not earned the right to speak into the situation to the person’s life.

10. When you need to think about what you are wanting to say.

11. When you need to give yourself or the person you are in conflict in a minute to get over the hurt or rejection that is being felt.

12. When God tells you to not say anything.

All You have is All God Needs

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog

In II Kings Chapter 4 a widow of a prophet approaches the prophet Elisha with a request for help. Elisha responds with a question, “What do you have in your house?” The widow replies, “Absolutely nothing! Expect, for a little flask of oil.” Elijah tells her to go to her neighbors and borrow as many empty jars as you can find. He instructs her to take the oil she has and start pouring it into these empty jars until they are all filled. She filled enough jars of oil to incur enough money to pay off all her debt. And, she still had enough left over for her and her sons to live off of.

Now let me ask you a question: “Who had the oil?” The widow did, right? Let me ask you another question: “Who made the oil pour in abundance?” “That’s right, God did!”

There was another widow in the book of I Kings Chapter 17 that had a little flour and a small amount of oil. There was a drought that came on the land that Elijah had declared. Nevertheless, he ask her for some water to drink and for a small morsel of bread to eat. She swore by the Lord that she only had enough flour and oil to bake a small cake for her and her son. She was going to gather some sticks for a fire to bake the cake. She told Elijah that her and her son would eat the cake and die. She thought this would be her last meal because it was all she had.  Elijah said, “Do as you said, but make me a cake first. Afterwards, make you and your son a cake. If you do this, as sure as the Lord God lives, your flour and oil will not run out.”

Let me ask you a question: “Who had the flour and oil?” That’s right, the widow of Zarephath did. Let me ask you another question: “Who made the flour and oil not run out?” “That’s right, God did!”

There is another story of a little lad who had some bread and fish packed for his lunch. He just happened to be among thousands of people who were hungry and didn’t have anything to eat. Jesus had instructed, helped, and healed the people in the crowd that day. But, the hour was getting late and the people were hungry. So Jesus asked His disciples what there was for the people to eat. His disciples reported: “Nothing! Except, for a couple pieces of bread and a few small fish.” There was no food in sight, except for the little lad’s lunch. Jesus said, “Bring it to me.” He took the loaves and fish and gave thanks and blessed it. This meant He was thankful for what He had, even though it wasn’t enough. The words “blessed it” means that He spoke well of it, even though it was not enough to feed the crowd gathered. The story tells us that Jesus had compassion on the crowd. This word compassion is used five times in the Bible where Jesus performed other miracles. It is the same word that is used in the story of the Good Samaritan. Compassion is when your passion compels you to do what you normally wouldn’t do. When you don’t have enough, begin to be thankful and bless what you do have. Then stand back and watch God begin to multiply it. As a side note the little lad didn’t eat his lunch until he gave it away. God is a God of more than enough! And all you have is all He needs!

Now let me ask you a question: “Who had the fish and bread?” The little lad did, right? Let me ask you another question: “Who blessed the fish and bread?” “That’s right, Jesus did!” And one more question: “Who multiplied the fish and bread?” “That’s right, God did! 

ALL YOU HAVE IS ALL GOD NEEDS!!! Nothing less and nothing more. In all of these stories what the people had, appeared  to them as “not enough.” As a matter of fact when they were asked what was available or what they had, they all said, NOTHING!Except  for a little __________. The problem is you look at what you have as insignificant; because it’s not all you need or desire. But I want to remind you today, that all you have is all you need, because you serve a God of more than enough!

  1. Your access to more is only limited by your capacity to receive. *(note the widow with the empty jars). When she ran out of empty jars, the oil stopped.
  2. What you have the faith to give away will become what someone else has the opportunity to receive. *(note the little lad with the lunch). The little lad blessed everyone with their own lunch that day. *(plus twelve baskets full left over)
  3. You only access more and give away what you have in a act of faith, not in a moment of fear. *(note the widow of Zarephath). She was afraid that her and her son would just eat and die. But, when she fed the prophet first, her obedience paid off for her and her son later. When you feel like what you have is not enough, it will usually produce fear.

Here’s what fear will do:

  • Fear will keep from doing anything about the problem.
  • Fear will keep you from finding a way to change your situation.
  • Fear will make you believe there’s not an alternative to access more.
  • Fear will cause you to hold on to what you have; ultimately keeping you from more.

I want you to know today: “ALL YOU HAVE IS ALL GOD NEEDS!!!”

Going Nowhere on the Way to Somewhere

Posted on by Rob Collins in Messages

Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. Col. 1:11

I had several weeks of therapy where I looked at this staircase. Immediately I noticed that these steps didn’t lead anywhere. As a matter of fact, they set against a wall. One day during therapy I told my therapist, “I’m going to write a blog about these stairs.” The staircase that leads nowhere, but develop steps and strength for all who endeavor to climb them.

Here are some questions I pondered as I looked at these steps each week: Do you ever feel like you are going nowhere? Do you ever feel like you are hitting a wall? Do you ever sense what you are doing is not making a difference? I think we all do at times. Most of us desire to live a life of significance while doing those things that produce the results we truly desire. Nonetheless, in reality it is often the most insignificant experiences, or, the most common routines, that usually produce the most significant results in our lives. 

I was in therapy for my shoulder, not my legs. Therefore, I never walked up those steps that led to nowhere. However, I did gently push against a wall with my arm and wrist. And, I also took a towel on that same wall, wiping in a continuous circular motion. At the time these activities seemed redundant, nonproductive, and ineffective. I’m sure that those who walked up and down the steps that led to nowhere, felt the same way at some point too. But, nevertheless, I went from gently pushing and wiping on a wall, to eventually lifting weights. 

Sometimes the purpose is found in the process. Many times it’s the process that develops our progress. Sometimes it’s the daily routines and disciplines of life that develop us. Sometimes it’s the mundane movements of the moment, that create miraculous results over time. Although these steps lead to nowhere, they will eventually help develop someone’s steps, through a rigorous routine of redundancy. They will help strengthen someone’s stability over time. They will help establish someone’s balance, while producing strength, to climb up stairs somewhere, someday. You see these stairs weren’t designed to lead somewhere. They were designed to help develop someone’s strength, so they can walk up stairs again someday.  The staircase that leads to nowhere is not meant to give access. It’s meant to develop one’s balance and increase one’s steps. 

Here’s my point. In life there are many times when you will feel like what you are doing is leading nowhere, while producing minimal results. Here are some biblical examples that should encourage you. Jesus lived thirty years of his life in a community, a classroom, and a carpenter’s shop. He did this before He ever forgave a sin, spoke to a storm, or made the lame to walk.  John the Baptist lived in the wilderness in obscurity eating wild locust and honey. He did this before he proclaimed the way of our Lord and eventually baptizing Jesus. David tended to his father’s sheep on the backside of a mountain and delivered cheese sandwiches to his brothers and Saul on the battle lines. He did this before he defeated the giant with a sling and a stone. 

The steps in this picture that lead to nowhere will allow someone to gain stability and  balance over time. This will eventually enable them to walk with strength out of the facility that these steps set in. The steps that appear to be leading nowhere, are ultimately leading someone, somewhere. They are ultimately enabling a person to be able to walk up the stairs of a business one day, or even the stairs of their home someday. The key is: keep stepping, keep walking, and keep developing your stability and strength. This in time, will produce a constancy to overcome. 

You may be closer than you think you are! And you are probably doing better than you think you are too! The things that you may discount, or despise, are the very things that are developing you into the person you need to be. They are also leading you to the very place you need to be as well. And, when you arrive you will be equipped with everything you need. I can now move my arm with ease and sleep with minimal pain. But, it all began by gently pushing on a wall.

Keep reading your bible even when you feel like it’s not making a difference. You are hiding the living word of God in your heart and establishing it in your mind. Keep attending church even when you don’t feel like it. You are developing a divine discipline that will create a defining testimony in your life, and in the lives of others. Keep praying even when you don’t see the manifestation of your desired results. Your prayers are being heard and you are coming into agreement with heaven. You are invoking God, your creator and maker, in whom, nothing is impossible! 

Don’t despise small beginnings. Don’t overlook the daily routines of your life. God may be using them to develop you. Keep walking. Keep striving. Surrender. Stay open. Be obedient. It may look like you are going nowhere; but, you are on your way to somewhere. You are being  strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.