3rd  AUGUST 2023

“And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” –  Hebrews 11:6 

Other things we must need to know to prove to us that God is indeed behind our new opportunity are: 

·        Does the opportunity require you to depend on God? God would not do for us anything that will separate us from Him or make us believe we no longer need Him. He is a God of relationship and a God who insists upon being first in our lives (Matthew 6:33). In some instances, when I had tried to do things without first committing them to God through prayers, I found myself doing the wrong thing. Therefore, if you find yourself saying, “I can’t do this unless God goes before me,” or “I can do this, but only with God’s help and leading”, it’s likely to be something God is calling you to do. This is because an “open door” from God often allows our faith to be stretched and strengthened. After all, God’s objective for us is to grow in faith and Christ-likeness. On the other hand, if you are thinking of executing the new opportunity without reliance on God whatsoever, it is doubtful if the opportunity is from God. We all do need God in everything that we do. Although God does not regulate how we do things, He will gladly take the lead and guide us if invited into our project. The last thing we need, as believers, is an opportunity that will feed our egos and convince us that we are fine on our own without God’s help. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. God is drawn to the humble heart (James 4:10). So, if your opportunity is a bit humbling, causing you to think, “Why would God give something this grand to me”? Or “How could I even do this were it not for Him”? then it may be an indication that it is a blessing from God. 

·        Does the opportunity require you to develop a Living Faith in God? God wants us to develop a Living Faith or an extraordinary faith in him; Not the kind of faith that believes in God only when the end is clear and visible. In fact, that isn’t faith at all. That is simply following directions. Although God also gives a direction, His “direction” is as sketchy as the one He once gave to Abraham when He was about to bless Him, asking him to relocate to somewhere else so that God’s blessing might locate Abraham. Abraham had no idea about where he was to go. Yet, he followed God’s sketchy direction to relocate! (Genesis 12:1) Therefore, an extraordinary faith will build trust in God and follow Him without knowing exactly how God would solve the problem at hand.

Beloved in Christ, today is a new day to discern through prayer what God wants for you.  Is your new opportunity stretching and challenging your faith? Maybe this is an occasion for you to experience a higher dimension of God through understanding the importance of faith in human affairs, especially in the life of a believer. Move closer to God, and embrace the new challenge!

PRAYER

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for Grace and the Faith to hear you today. Father, I pray that you reveal yourself to me in this new opportunity. Thank you, Father. AMEN 

FURTHER READING: Proverbs 11:14; Deuteronomy 30:19; 1 John 5:14; John 5:30

HOW TO CLAIM A NEW OPPORTUNITY BY FAITH (PART 2 OF 3)

3rd  AUGUST 2023

“And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” –  Hebrews 11:6 

Other things we must need to know to prove to us that God is indeed behind our new opportunity are: 

·        Does the opportunity require you to depend on God? God would not do for us anything that will separate us from Him or make us believe we no longer need Him. He is a God of relationship and a God who insists upon being first in our lives (Matthew 6:33). In some instances, when I had tried to do things without first committing them to God through prayers, I found myself doing the wrong thing. Therefore, if you find yourself saying, “I can’t do this unless God goes before me,” or “I can do this, but only with God’s help and leading”, it’s likely to be something God is calling you to do. This is because an “open door” from God often allows our faith to be stretched and strengthened. After all, God’s objective for us is to grow in faith and Christ-likeness. On the other hand, if you are thinking of executing the new opportunity without reliance on God whatsoever, it is doubtful if the opportunity is from God. We all do need God in everything that we do. Although God does not regulate how we do things, He will gladly take the lead and guide us if invited into our project. The last thing we need, as believers, is an opportunity that will feed our egos and convince us that we are fine on our own without God’s help. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. God is drawn to the humble heart (James 4:10). So, if your opportunity is a bit humbling, causing you to think, “Why would God give something this grand to me”? Or “How could I even do this were it not for Him”? then it may be an indication that it is a blessing from God. 

·        Does the opportunity require you to develop a Living Faith in God? God wants us to develop a Living Faith or an extraordinary faith in him; Not the kind of faith that believes in God only when the end is clear and visible. In fact, that isn’t faith at all. That is simply following directions. Although God also gives a direction, His “direction” is as sketchy as the one He once gave to Abraham when He was about to bless Him, asking him to relocate to somewhere else so that God’s blessing might locate Abraham. Abraham had no idea about where he was to go. Yet, he followed God’s sketchy direction to relocate! (Genesis 12:1) Therefore, an extraordinary faith will build trust in God and follow Him without knowing exactly how God would solve the problem at hand.

Beloved in Christ, today is a new day to discern through prayer what God wants for you.  Is your new opportunity stretching and challenging your faith? Maybe this is an occasion for you to experience a higher dimension of God through understanding the importance of faith in human affairs, especially in the life of a believer. Move closer to God, and embrace the new challenge!

PRAYER

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for Grace and the Faith to hear you today. Father, I pray that you reveal yourself to me in this new opportunity. Thank you, Father. AMEN 

FURTHER READING: Proverbs 11:14; Deuteronomy 30:19; 1 John 5:14; John 5:30