Faith is defined as “a complete trust or confidence in someone or something.”

You’ve heard people say, “just have faith, it will all work out,” when they’re faced with a difficult or stressful situation. Some will respond by, “that’s easier said than done.”

You can have faith in many things. You can have faith that your car will start and get you to work on time. You can even have faith in the pilot (whom you seldom even meet) will get you from one city to another.

But, faith in God is seeing in advance. It’s trusting in God alone to get you to the next destination in life.

Faith is the absolute confidence in God, that He is who He says He is, and that He protects you and guides you.

Faith in God is knowing in your heart that no matter where you are in life, God is near. No matter what you’re going through, He already knows.

Take the pressure off yourself and give everything to God. Trust Him.

Have faith in God, the one Who created heaven and earth. Have faith in the unseen character of God.

Matthew 9:28-29- “They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.”"

People are always searching for the next thing that will make them happy; get them financially secure, or to change their physical appearance.

It appears that many are discontent with their current status. They’re dissatisfied with their body, their job, their life.

Some are still climbing the ladder of success. There’s nothing wrong with trying to better yourself in your career. We all want to achieve our goals and live the best life possible.

It’s when we do all the above, with the wrong motives, and when leaving God out of our plans is the norm.

Oh, it seems that some people can get away with the dangerous, risky and sometimes illegal lifestyles. Running with the devil looks good at first, but will eventually lead you down a destructive path.

If you’re following God, you’re on the right path. God will plant you, where you are needed, to grow and spread yourself for the good of others.

God sees beyond what we see. He knows that those outside of His will, can’t see the good in the day to day; they can’t see beyond their own pain or circumstances.

Quit searching for a quick route to success. Stop looking for happiness in things.

Be content where God has planted you. He has great plans for you, that go beyond planting season.

John 15:7 - “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

Trust that God has placed you right where you need to be.

If you’ve ever played chess, you know that each of the pieces have certain roles, when moving them on the board.

Your opponent, if he’s experienced, is always looking ahead, trying to visualize your next move, so he can make his.

Just as precise is a chess player in his moves, God purposely orchestrates our lives.

This doesn’t mean that He’s directing our every movement. We all have free will, our own choices in life. But, God’s will for our lives is brought to fruition through a variety of seasonal movements.

God places people in our lives at times to bring us closer to Him, or for us to share our love of Christ to them.

I have wondered, at times, why certain people have come into my life. Looking back, I can see the wonderful choreography that God arranged for me.

He sometimes lets me try it on my own, only to fail. This puts me in the position to look to Him, and not my own strength.

Allow yourself to be moveable by God.

You are exactly where God wants you to be.

Allow His will to be done in your life.

God ordains His purposes and orchestrates His people.

Psalm 37:23 - “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

I’ve read where there are people who are living two separate lives. Even going to the point where they have two spouses in two different states.

Sounds exhausting, let alone illegal.

But, still there are Christians among us who are living two lives. They may profess to be a Christian, and it looks like they go to Church on Sunday, and they don’t cause any trouble. Yet, if you ask them anything about the Bible or their walk with God, they will look at you like a deer in headlights.

And, even though you, as a Christian, may be reading the Bible, learning about the truth, are you honestly walking in truth?

Are you telling others about the God you serve, or would it be too embarrassing for you?

God gives us His word for a distinct purpose; to live by it.

Whatever standards you’re living by today, re-evaluate your life and see where changes can be made. Not so much that others will notice, but that God sees you living the life He destined for you, and living in His truth.

Live the only life worth living. Live for Jesus, walk in truth.

1 John 1:8 - ”If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

Biblical history is full of hope. There are great lessons to be learned from these legendary stories.

If you know God, you know that He NEVER changes. He’s the same today as He was yesterday, and 2000 years ago.

But, we change. As we develop from childhood to adulthood, our personality changes, our surroundings possibly change, and yes, our circumstances change.

Change can be a good thing. It’s your reaction to change that typically affects your circumstances.

I’ve read where children growing up in poverty, one would think that this would be their destiny, but the opposite often happens. Through determination, perseverance and pure will, they can overcome all of this.

History can teach us lessons, to either be knowledgeable about the future, or help us to focus on how we can help change our future.

The good news is, if you have surrendered your life to Christ, your destiny is already planned for you.

In the Biblical history I’ve read, I see God blessing those who acknowledge and follow Him, but I also read where He brings justice on those who do not.

Leave a legacy in doing what’s right, according to God and His word. Let it teach you to be all you were meant to be and live your life to the fullest.

Don’t let the mistakes of the past predict your future trials. Let the history of change inspire you to be a part of the future.

Have a hopeful future.

Ephesians 1:11 - “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,”

The word ‘love’ has been defined in so many ways. There is ‘first love,’ ‘puppy love,’ ‘true love,’ etc. The list goes on and on.

Human love wears out, but God’s love lasts forever.

For those of you who are married, or were married, know that love at first looks different from love 5 years later.

Most couples will start arguing on their honeymoon night. This is actually the norm. Think about it; two people, possible complete opposite personalities, all of a sudden, living together and making decisions daily.

Disagreement is normal. It’s ok to disagree.

Love is a learning process in a marriage, a friendship or any relationship. As you grow together, you learn how to live and love at the same time with the other person.

Put God first in any relationship, whether marriage, parental, sibling, friendships.

Try this. Put the other person’s needs before yours. I know it sounds counterintuitive but it works.
Above all, put God first and your love relationship will last forever.

Love as Jesus first loved us.

Philippians 2:5 - “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”

A leaky roof is never a good thing. The leak started slowly and before we knew it, we were calling the roofer to fix a leak in the roof.

Sometimes it doesn’t take much for a roof to leak, but on the other hand, the hole could have been developing long before we saw the drip.

Isn’t that a lot like relationship strife? It starts out small; a missed date, a forgotten anniversary. Some people damage easily.

As Christians, we need to be ready and available to reach out to hurting people.

If we’re feeling lonely and unappreciated ourselves, then we won’t be ready to give to others.

Allow God to fix the hole in your own heart, before reaching out to others.

Stay close to God; talk to Him. Did you know that He’s waiting to have a relationship with you?

After all, God sent His only Son to earth to die for you and me. There’s nothing God won’t do for His children.

Ask God for grace to give to other people. If you want to receive grace for yourself, give some to others first.

Forgive as Jesus does. Love like God commands.

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 - “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

I was in a small group at my church a few years ago, called, “Train & Multiply.” The training was based on God’s main law; train Christians to become disciples, to spread the good news of Jesus around the world.

The people that receive Jesus as their savior are added to Heaven’s family. When that one person tells another of his experience and the story of Jesus, that person gets saved (by God), and on and on.

God’ not so much impressed with how many people you got to come to church Sunday morning. He’s more interested in spreading the good news of Jesus, making disciples that are making disciples.

Don’t be comfortable just going to Church on Sunday. Be fearless for Jesus. Step out of your comfort zone.

Multiply the kingdom of heaven with soul winning.

I can promise if you do this, God will make you bolder; He’ll strengthen your faith, and you’ll be ready to step out and tell the world of this great life that can be theirs, if they believe.

You’ll have the courage to sign up for that next mission trip; you’ll be ready to tell your co-worker about Jesus, and you’ll be willing to love and share your story with a stranger you just met.

Make a difference.

Train and multiply the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 28:18-19 - “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”