Don't we all wish we could have a little more faith? I'm in a season where God is making it clear that I must expect Him to do great things--things far beyond what I could have imagined or thought in my own mind (Isaiah 64:4). Welcome to the harvest (although I'm not quite seeing it yet). But God wants us to BELIEVE Him for one! You can trust Me; I am faithful, He says.

I love the above Matthew scripture because faith depends so much on our perspective and how we see. Lord, open up our eyes so we can SEE! Perspective is everything! We have to get God's perspective on our lives--now, in the past and future. With His perspective we see things clearly through the light of His Truth (which sets us free to dance) and not through the lens of Satan's lies.

Our satisfaction and joy should come from God alone (not from our circumstances) and if you aren't feeling it-- I promise you there is a lie from the enemy that you are believing. Go to God and ask Him to reveal that lie (or lies). Ask Him to help you come clean. Once you have accepted the truth, you are free to love, laugh and dance no matter how bad your circumstances may be. I learned this in the valley. I learned it the hard way, but I'm so glad I finally learned. I pray what I learned with help you too?

Are you ready to believe God for something bigger, greater? Take a leap of faith--believe and obey. I think we will all be blown away by what our Great God can do :)

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. ~Psalm 27:13-15

Who or what is the cornerstone of your life (Isaiah 28:16)? If it's not Jesus, then you are on shaky ground. Sure, circumstances can make us happy for a while, but if they are our foundation, then we are sure to fall as soon as one thing goes wrong (and it's only a matter of time before it does). If our whole world rises and falls based on our circumstances or another person (maybe a friend, spouse, parent, etc) then have idolized that circumstance or person. God wants to remove all the high places in our lives to allow us to make Him our solid foundation so we can live on an even plain (Isaiah 40:4). If Jesus is our cornerstone and foundation, we can live out of the JOY of a relationship with Him. Only Jesus is the abundant supply of living water. We must have this living water to have abundant life. Thus, if you want abundant life you must have Jesus as your foundation. Once He is the cornerstone of our lives, we cannot be moved by any circumstance or person. Think about how powerful that is!!! No human or circumstance has the ability to move you or me! We can live on a constant, even plain of worshiping God and being in a state of joy that only knowing and pursuing Him can bring. People will let us down eventually. They also will never fully live up to our expectations. However, God never fails and He never stops loving us. We can live in 100% security based on His love for us and His character.

Do you want to be fully satisfied? I believe only Jesus Christ can satisfy the deepest longings of our heart. Is your cup empty? Do you know that as a believer you can take your empty come to Jesus Christ and He will fill it overflowing with the Living Water? Do you realize that your empty cup can be filled this way no matter how terrible or great your circumstances are? You see, our cup never runs over because of our circumstances, but because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. That's why we can have life and have it abundantly no matter how deep and dark the valley is that we are walking through.

Are you waiting for God to give you a desire He has placed on your heart? Do you realize that God can fulfill that desire completely with Himself while you wait for it to come to fruition in your life? God let Abraham understand this:

I've been in a season of my life (and I still am) where I've had to rely on God for everything. I realize God has done this to build up my faith in Him and His sovereignty. I've learned that the waiting kind of faith is the hardest. It's easier to do, do, do and have faith than it is to sit on the sidelines of life and wait and have faith that God will move. Sometimes God puts us in circumstances where we cannot do what He has called us to do until He moves and provides us with what we need for our calling (these are seasons of preparation for what is to come). God promised Abraham a promised heir so that his descendants would be many and he would be the father of many nations. Abraham waited for 25 years until God fulfilled the promise. However, Abraham's faith became so great after Isaac was born that when God told him to go sacrifice his only son Abraham turns and says "We'll be back!" on his way with Isaac up to the altar. Abraham had such faith in God after he waited 25 years for God to deliver, that he knew he would be returning with his son one way or another because he relied on God's faithful character which he had already witnessed. God would not take away what He had promised to give Abraham so that he would become the father of many nations.

Look around today at all the Christians in the world. We are all Abraham's descendants. God is still faithful to Abraham today. In fact, as every day that goes by before the return of Christ, God is increasing his promise to Abraham! Abraham's blessing keeps getting bigger and bigger every time a new person accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior! I am amazed by God's fierce loyalty and faithfulness to His children. What has God promised you today? Are you trusting in Him and waiting for Him to fulfill His promise? Or are you giving in to doubt and despair? Perhaps this devotional by Oswald Chambers will lift your spirits: IS YOUR HOPE IN GOD FAINT AND DYING?

Many Blessings!

I love how righteousness and believing God go hand in hand. Not only in the passage above but also in Habakkuk 2:4 where God tells Habakkuk that the righteous will live by faith.

Abraham believed what God told him and as a result God counted him as righteous. Go outside at night and look at the stars. Look at the promise that God has made Abraham. Has it not already come to pass? All of God's loyal followers from Abraham's seed are now so many that they cannot be counted. It brings tears to my eyes. Yes, Abraham is our father. In Christ, we also are one of his descendants.

What has God promised you today in Christ? Will you believe God and have righteousness credited to you? We have to live by faith. We have to trust God no matter what--there is no other way to live. Remember that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). You cannot please God unless you believe Him. Remember that the next time Satan tempts you to doubt. God is faithful and true to His promises. For all the promises of God are "yes!" in Christ! (2 Cor 1:20)

Is there is something you are struggling with today? Pray. Stand firm in faith. Trust God to see you through. He is the great almighty Deliverer. He will see you through. Be still and know that He is God.

My prayer is that this image will give you peace as you are still before God and meditate on the wonderful works of His hands like the stars. Go outside and let God romance you with His creation. Be still before Him and most importantly, believe.