Shalom stories

The beginning of a new month provides another opportunity for us to re-establish unity and love with our family, friends, and loved ones. If you've missed some divine appointments, or if you simply want to live more fully for God, this new month is an opportunity to renew your heart. According to Jeremiah 29:11 of the Bible, God's plans are not to harm us, but to prosper us. May God bless you as you begin the new month of February, and may God's blessings not pass you by.

Jeremiah 1:19 is the scripture referenced. God called Jeremiah when he was very young, but Jeremiah was doubtful at first because he thought God called his prophets based on their age and appearance. God made Jeremiah realize in the last verse of chapter 1 that since he had been called, people would oppose and persecute him, but they would fail. I have never witnessed God abandoning his children. The Bible also says that the Lord's eyes are on the righteous in 1 Peter 3:12. It's reassuring to know that God has promised to protect his people in a world that seems to be spinning out of control. God will triumph even when disaster strikes, storms rage, and prayers go unanswered.

It is important for us to be united, because when we are united, we begin to have one spirit, one mind, and one heart.  Unity allows things to run more quickly and without interruptions or delays. Unity attracts God's attention and blessings to manifest in our lives. There must be a difference between Christians and sinners, and can be accomplished when Christians work together. In other words, the more we unite, the more the world will realize that we are members of the family of love, also known as the family of Jesus.  And it becomes much easier for us to overcome a particular challenge.

God puts us to the test because he cares about us and wants us to grow in faith and knowledge of him. Being put to the test by God is simply a part of the process of growing closer to him.  He tests us to see if our faith in him is genuine (real). If God knows you are still preoccupied or unprepared, he will not advance you. He needs to know if you have what it takes to pass that specific request. According to Jeremiah 11:20, God puts his children's minds and hearts to the test. If we fail, he teaches us so that we can prevail next time. God will reward us if our faith is genuine.

It's easy to become frustrated, or rushed in the morning, but praying to God first thing in the morning gives us peace and allows us to better approach each day.  When we start each day seeking God's kindness, we are much more resistant to the temptation to sin! Early in the morning, before you start your day, is a great time to spend some time with God. He cares about us more than we notice, and the time we spend with him is more significant and useful than most people realize.

Today I'd like to talk about Jesus' name because I've seen miracles and wonders through it! Jesus' name is more than a name; it is a name that carries God's power and his character. His name has the power to move mountains and silence fear. When demons hear this name, they tremble. It allows us to be saved, delivered, and sanctified. According to Paul, Jesus was given this name because he left heaven, came to earth, and died on a cross (Philippians 2:5-11).

Many years ago, when I was doing grade 7, God compelled me to pen something that has remained in my mind until this day. I was a child, but I had a very clear revelation that came to my spirit. I didn’t know that God was literally preparing me to write this story (chapter) today.  It took me years and years, and that is why I always tell people who are close to me that God’s designed time is the best. I remember using my 3310 Nokia phone to write down everything that popped into my mind.

We all want to be at the top, but taking shortcuts is one of the most destructive things you can do. Shortcuts were offered by Satan when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. He showed Jesus a short way to carry out God's will, and a simple way to avoid the cross. Satan loves to provide shortcuts, but God's methods are far too long and difficult.  God's will must be carried out in God's timing and in God's manner. Any other method is ineffective in achieving the end result that God desires.

As I was praying today, the Holy Spirit whispered into my ears, and he said, "Speak positive confessions." And I began to remember that I am the light of the world- Light is meant to shine in darkness. To put it another way, you are meant to shine in your circumstances.  The Bible, in the book of Proverbs, 18:21, tells us that the tongue has the power of life and death (God has equipped the tongue with the access to create). Our tongue has gotten us into a lot of sticky situations, but it can also get us out of them.

After each trial and tribulation, there is earning and multiplication. God’s blessings and rewards aren’t for anyone, but are stored for his faithful children (saints). There will come a time when God will say to you, "Well done, son or daughter, you remained faithful even though I brought you into this wicked world." Even if God puts you in the cup of the devil, remain faithful. Sometimes I remind the Devil that this battle isn’t mine, but God’s battle, and that he is fighting a losing battle. Listen, the real battle was overcome on the cross.  I remember one day when I was praying and the Lord visited me, and He said to me, "Remain faithful, my child (mentioning my name)." And it dawned on me that God is telling me to be faithful even in the midst of this hardship.

God's timing is ideal. I know that most of you might think that time is ahead of you or that God hasn’t heard your prayers. Things always have a designated time with God. And when God does not change your situation, be informed that he wants to change you instead. God will not grant you something you cannot handle because you will die as a result. Is it possible, for example, to enlist the help of a three-year-old baby in the kitchen? A three-year-old child is still a child, and he can't seem to help but endanger himself. You'll have to wait for your baby to mature before you can ask anything else as a parent.

Along my experiences in life, I learned to be patient and trust God's process. And to be honest, following God isn't an easy task, but believe me when I say, "it's worthwhile."   During the waiting, he teaches us, strengthens our character, faith, and ability to know him better. In one of Joyce Meyer's most interesting books, she wrote, "Following God is like climbing a mountain, and if he showed us how high the mountain is, some of us would've given up a long time ago." Joyce Meyer certainly comprehends how difficult it is to trust the unseen and unforeseeable, but we must trust him.

Chapter one I don’t know where to commence, but I just want you to know that I am a survivor. My existence is testimony, and that reminds me: there is no testimony without a test. God is so  Incredible that you can never figure out how he manages to do what he does. I sit here glorifying him for taking good care of me since I was in my mother’s womb. A decent life is not about having material things only; a good life is knowing that God is under control and you have nothing to worry about. We all want great things in life, but if they come in a way that will mislead us, we should quickly resist them.

We want our prayers to be effective, but we make the biggest mistake by focusing on the outcome of our prayers, as a result, we lose sight of the amazing opportunity of prayer. We must ensure that our prayers are in accordance with God’s will rather than our own. All of our heart’s desires will automatically follow us if we seek the kingdom of God first.  In our prayers, we should seek the Holy Spirit’s help in finding the right words and praying the right prayers. God knows what is best for his children, and he knows that we are certainly worthy of nothing less.

This quote appeals to me because it clearly states that when we spend time alone with God, working hard, will result in the desired outcome. When confronted with challenges, we should be aware that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone wants to live at the top, but climbing to the top is the only way to grow.  Life gets in the way of a lot of things, some are minor stumbling blocks that only add to the bumpiness of the journey. Other factors may cause a delay or even a detour, turning what could have been a short trip into a lengthy journey.

We all go through times when our prayers seem ineffective, our worship feels empty, or we feel alone, wondering if God cares or even notices what we’re going through. When those seasons arrive, our old spiritual routines are no longer enough. With all of our activities, worries, and distractions, it’s true that we may have strayed away from God. God has never abandoned us or disowned us, to be sure. Some of us may believe and feel that God has abandoned us, but this is not the case.

Generational curses are remarked to be passed down from one generation to the next as a result of disobedience against God. You are most likely cursed if your family line is marked by anti-marriage, deprivation, anxiety, divorce or other ungodly patterns. Affirming to the Bible, these curses are the result of choices. Conforming to Deuteronomy 30:19, we have the option of choosing life and blessing or death and cursing. Many traits and preferences that we inherit from our parents are not always positive influences on ourselves or others.

The greatest deception perpetrated by the devil is that you have plenty of time to make things right with God. Life is too short to postpone prayer. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, and no one knows if we'll see it. We are only alive because of his grace, and we have no idea how long he has decided to keep us alive.  I recall attending a church service some years ago and being approached by a man of God. "Come  to the front," the Prophet of God ordered. And I was trembling because I sensed he had something to say to me from God.

Prayer is essential, and if you notice you aren't as interested in praying as you once were, Satan is interfering with your spiritual life. When the enemy wants to destroy a person's life, he makes sure they stop talking and listening to God. The importance of beginning with prayer cannot be overstated. Life is full of the unknown, but when we devote our lives to God, we can rest assured that no matter what happens, everything will work out. When we commit everything to God, we get rid of our fears because we know that God who comes before us and after us will keep us safe and deliver us from all evil.