The Bible tells us the story about a woman who perceived that Elisha was a prophet of God so she prepared a room in her home so that when Elisha travelled through town, he could have a place in her home for him.  No one told her to do it, nor did Elisha ask her to do it.  She did it because she wanted Elisha to have a comfortable place to rest and it was important to her that it be in her home.  It’s interesting that no one else offered to make room for Elisha.  This woman did this and it got God’s attention.  Because this woman had done something for him, Elisha asked her what could he do for her?  Elisha was told that she had no son and that her husband was an old man.  Elisha prophetically told her that in one year’s time a son would be born to her.  She could not believe it at first, but it did happen and this woman received a miracle from God that she probably had stopped hoping for.

Having a servant’s attitude is a sure way to position yourself to receive God’s blessing on your life.  Elisha represents the word of God and this story is an example that we all should make room for God and His word in our lives.  This woman received a prophet and was blessed with a prophet’s reward as promised by God.  God’s word is true and you should purpose in your heart to read God’s word every day.  In the beginning was the word and the word was God.  Reading the word of God will cause you to think at a higher level than you would normally.  God’s word will bring revelations into your life that will be a blessing to you and your family.  God’s word will bring discernment into your life and will enable you to make wise decisions.  Reading God’s word will bring the presence of God into your life and into your home and you will always know what God’s will is for you. God’s word will heal, restore and guide you into your destiny.

Position yourself to be blessed today and get God’s attention in  the same manner that the woman in this story did.  Remember, the Bible says that we will reap whatever we sow.  Sow kindness and you will reap kindness.  Help someone in need and when you need help, someone will be there to help you.  Become a God-chaser and watch the blessings of God over take you.

There are two kinds of people in the world.  One person wakes up and says “Good morning Lord.”  The other type of person says “Oh Lord, it’s morning!”  Every day that you wake up is a good day, and it is a day that the Lord has made and you should be glad and rejoice in it!  No one should take for granted that they are alive today.  No one has been promised tomorrow, and that is why you should make the most of today.  It doesn’t matter what your circumstances might be, if you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have much to be thankful for.  Many things that you will experience in your life will not be of your choosing; they will just happen.  Having joy is one thing in your life that is under your control and it must come from the inside out.

Life is often challenging at best, but Believers have the spirit of God within them.  Therefore, you must learn how to be content in whatever state you find yourself in.  Contentment depends on your relationship with your heavenly Father and nothing else.  Life is full of changes; people change, you could change your career, move to another state or change jobs but for a certainty, the one thing that will never change is that Jesus will never leave nor forsake you.  The goal is to not let your circumstances control you, but you should always be in control of your circumstances.  Knowing that you are in the hands of God gives you the advantage you need to succeed in life because God is the strength of your life.

Psalm 16:11 says that “in your presence there is fullness of joy.”  Commit every day to the Lord and invite Him to be involved in whatever you do and you will experience the joy that the Bible talks about.  When your heart becomes over-whelmed, go to the rock that is higher than you are; go to the rock that is above your problems.  “The name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous run to it and are safe.”  (Proverbs 18:10).  The joy that God gives to His children are to be enjoyed by His children and no one can take it away.  Walk in the spirit and let the joy that is within you change you and change those around you.

There is a story about a young boy who kept standing up on the pew in his church and no matter how many times his mother told him to sit down, he would stand up anyway.  His mother took him out of the service and had him sit down in a corner outside the sanctuary because of his behavior.  The little boy angrily told his mother “I might be sitting down but I’m standing up on the inside!”

That’s the attitude Christians should have in our world today.  Many challenges will come your way but you must get back up and ‘stand up’ on the inside.  The enemy of your soul would like to discourage you and cause you to give up, but in order to fight the good fight of faith, you must keep your eyes on the Lord and run your course with endurance.  The Bible tells us not to put away our confidence and after we have done all we can do, we are told to stand.

At a low point in his life after returning from war and finding his family and all the other women belonging to the men in his army had been taken by their enemy, David did not give up.  It would have been easy to give up especially when everyone around him wanted to stone him because they blamed him for their pain, but David did not rely on anyone for support.  He encouraged himself in the Lord and we all need to learn how to do that.  David was a warrior; he was a fighter and that spirit within himself is what caused him to ‘stand up’ on the inside.

Paul and SIlas were in prison praying at midnight and at a time when their circumstances were bleak, they praised their heavenly Father.  These two men showed us that your circumstances do not define who you are.  Who you really are comes out in a time of crisis.  They had something on the inside that surpassed what was going on around them.  The spirit of God cannot be imprisoned or held back by chains.  Prayer and praise not only set them free but released the chains of everybody around them.

Purpose in your heart that no matter what you are going to encourage yourself in the Lord and ‘stand up’ on the inside.  God sees all things and God knows all things and He knows exactly how to set you free.  Don’t worry about what is going on around you. You have a freedom in Christ that no one can take away from you.  “Let every thing that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6).

Many believers do not realize the daily battles they fight are all orchestrated by Satan and they are designed to discourage us and steal our joy, peace and especially our faith in God.  God knew that man, in his own strength, is no match for Satan so God has provided us with armor that we are to put on every day.  With this armor nothing can defeat us; without this armor we will lose.

God’s armor consists of truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, salvation, Spirit of God and prayer.  Living in truth is the only thing that will truly set us free.  God gives us the righteousness of Jesus Christ and the gospel of peace leads us to salvation.  Faith will cause Satan’s fiery darts to have no affect and the Word of God is a lamp to our feet.  Praying without ceasing causes us to maintain that daily connection with our heavenly Father.  If we remember to clothe ourselves in this armor, we will not only win the spiritual battle we must fight, but we will be able to die to our flesh and live the godly life that God expects of His children.

Putting on the whole armor of God should become as natural as putting on our clothes every morning.  Satan wants believers to be so weak that they give in to every temptation that he puts in their path, and that is why we must be diligent in preparing ourselves each and every day.  Some people may not recognize the schemes of the enemy but when you live in fear for your marriage, children, job, finances and your health Satan will take advantage of you hoping that you will turn away from God and live for self.

God’s Word tells us that after we have done all, we are to stand.  When your journey on this earth is finished, the only one standing should be you, the child of the Most High God.