Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)

When you accept Jesus as Lord, things will begin to change in your life. There may be times it seems like everything is going smoothly and then sometimes you face trials, challenges and pain. Have you noticed when you begin to grow spiritually; you begin to change as a person? People, situations and circumstances that would have bothered you in the past, no longer affect you. This change, this new way of living day can be attributed to the peace that God gives you.

When you have God's peace, you will no longer worry or stress out about situations that would typically upset you. People who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will not be able to understand how you could be calmed and settled in the midst of trouble. They will not understand why you did not "go off' on that person that was talking negatively about you. It's all because you chose to walk in God's peace.

Our human minds can't comprehend or explain how it works, because it's unexplainable. When you put your trust in God, then you know that you know His Word works and His promises will be manifested in your life.

So how do we attain the peace of God? The above scripture tells us, that we must not get anxious for anything; in other words don't start to worry, get stressed, scared or apprehensive when things go wrong.  But it also says, we must bring our requests to God, through prayer and supplication; with thanksgiving and His peace which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. That means the challenges that we face, we can bring those to God and He will help us.

God never makes things hard for us, He always makes it easy, we just have to take Him at His Word and obey. It's amazing how God works in you (when you let Him) to give you peace about things that should bother, upset or anger you. Philippians 4:7 is a scripture that will continually bless you, because God's peace truly does surpass ALL understanding.

Always Giving God The Glory,
Justin Miller

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come into your presence with praise and thanksgiving, realizing that without You were nothing. Father, forgive me for not putting my trust in You, for Your word says in Psalms 118:8 “It is better to TRUST in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” So Father from this moment forward I will trust You.

I trust You Father, just as David wrote in Psalms 22:4-5 “In Thee our fathers trusted; They trusted and Thou didst deliver them. To Thee they cried out, and were delivered; In Thee they trusted, and were not disappointed.” Father, I know I will not be disappointed, for my trust is in You and You are the only One who has never failed me. 

When everyone else failed me Father, You were right there to remind me that if I trust in You, my path will be made straight. Lord I commit from this day forward to trust You in every area of my life, knowing you will deliver me from all my troubles, burdens, sickness, diseases and poverty that attempts to come against me. Guide me and keep me Father each and every day, in Jesus Name, Amen!

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

HOPE - confident desire...earnest expectation...trust...the promise of the future...  I have noticed that people tend to place themselves into one of two categories:  1) hopeful or 2) hopeless.  As I have thought about that, I have asked myself why?  What is 'it' that determines if a person is hopeful or hopeless?  Having the right perspective when faced with challenging times is definitely necessary.  However, I was reminded that there is another factor involved in under-girding hope and that factor is fulfillment.

It is said that around 1650, the English theologian and historian Thomas Fuller appears to be the first person to commit to print the notion that 'the darkest hour is just before the dawn'.  The meaning of this phrase - there is hope even in the worst circumstances.  Over the years, I have heard other phrases used to encourage others during difficult times, like 'this too shall pass', 'trouble don't last always' and 'weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning'.  It does make a huge difference, when people are around that encourage and help keep us focused on the goal. People that will speak words of life not despair or defeat.

Have you ever felt extreme pressure to give up, cave in or quit; to say something in opposition of what you desire?  When this occurs (notice I didn't say if, because it will), you must surround yourself with others that will stand with you, speaking life and victory.  Earlier I mentioned that fulfillment is involved in under girding hope.  Fulfill means to achieve, satisfy or complete something.  When you breakthrough to the other side of hope and receive, there is a confidence that comes upon you.  The next time you are faced with a challenge, you are more likely to push through because you have already experienced victory.  Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden breakthrough can turn life around.

One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 40:31, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."  Where is your hope?  The pressure may be on, so to speak, but Galatians 6:9, says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  This is your time to win.  This is your time for breakthrough.  Manifestation is closer than you think.  Be encouraged today...and take the opportunity to encourage someone else!

You were created for greatness!

Minister LaShorne Zarlengo

God is our source. He is our ever-present, always willing, and always loving Father. Psalms 34:10 declares that there is no good thing that He will withhold from us.

Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life], and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist] (1 Corinthians 8:6).  I have known to some degree that God is my source of life, wisdom and salvation for several years. Recently the Lord has been demonstrating to such a remarkable degree that He is my only source, my provider, my healer, and my peace-nothing broken or missing-in any dimension or facet of my life.

2 Corinthians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement).  He is my source of encouragement!  He is the Living Word, and therefore the author, finisher, and Source of my faith!  Hebrews 12:2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].

The Lord is our source and provider of all good things. He is remarkably encouraging and full of mercy. There have been numerous times when I have missed an instruction, or moved without His agreement and yet amazingly, His response is to give me mercy and grace. His loving way is always to help me to make a course correction.  I am reminded of the lyrics to an old hymn that says, "He knew me, Yet He loved me, when He was on the cross, I was on His mind". The story of Jonah is a good illustration of how God remained committed to Jonah's success, and purpose. You can surely trust that He is the same with us.  Those who pay regard to false, useless, and worthless idols forsake their own [Source of] mercy and loving-kindness.  But as for me, I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord!  (Jonah 2:7-9)  God has a strategy and a specific key to unlocking every situation. This is true financially, physically, and spiritually. Our part is to be available to Him and willing to allow Him to be our first and only source. 

I truly enjoy golf and occasionally I have the opportunity to play! Last week I asked a couple of friends to go with me after work. They all said that it was going to rain. They were right according to the forecast. It had been raining all week.  However, in Psalm 34:7 the Lord said that if I delighted myself in Him that He would give me the desires of my heart.  I was prompted by my Source to pray.  "Lord I know we need the moisture.  However I declare that rain will not interrupt our golfing this day...in Jesus Name."  My friends said they agreed but when the afternoon came it was raining hard and dark gray clouds were all around.  Most of them cancelled.  I said, "I know my Source and I trust Him. I am not moved."  I was fully persuaded...and a marvelous thing happened. As I got nearer to the golf course the rain and dark clouds were intense, yet there was a large patch of blue, sky right over the golf course.  We played, and then practiced afterwards all the while staying dry.  As we were getting into our cars, it began to sprinkle on us. The entire time it had been raining in the surrounding areas.

God is our source for everything good, and while this little golf outing was not a huge matter, like so many of the provisions and protections that He gives freely, it reminded me that He takes pleasure in the outpouring of His goodness on our lives.  It is vital that we not only look first to Him but also to trust our loving Father as our only source. It has helped me to remember that grace is His absolute willingness to use His power and ability on our behalf.

God is a Father who desires to commune and communicate as well as answer prayers simply because of His unconditional love for us. Your prayer is not getting Him to do something; it is laying hold of His highest willingness.  What do you need, or desire? Ask Him today. He will undoubtedly have more, and better for you than you can possibly ask or think.

Minister Jim Zarlengo

www.becomingblessingminded.blogspot.com