Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

And for those of you visiting for the first time I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my purpose is to nourish your soul that you may live a powerful life on earth.

Over and over again we are taught in the Word to be strong in the Lord. We are told: do not fear, do not be discouraged (in other words, don't let courage get away from you!), do not despair, do not look down.

How do we strengthen ourselves in the Lord?

Let's look at its physical parallel: We strengthen our bodies by putting a demand on them. If we want to increase muscle mass, we lift heavier weights than we are used to. If we want to run faster, we pick up the speed until our lungs are screaming back at us. If we want stronger bones, we do weight-bearing exercises that push us beyond what's comfortable.

To strengthen ourselves in the Lord is to build ourselves up in faith. And to build ourselves up in faith, is to exercise our spiritual muscle, one step at a time; it's to put a demand on our belief system (a Bill Johnson phrase) by stepping out and expecting God to be true.

We cannot sit down on our faith and be strengthen in the Lord at the same time.

Some have dreams and hopes that have fallen by the wayside. For others, a fresh passion for a powerful life seems an impossibility. And for many, expectancy in what God will do each day has decreased instead of increased.

So how do we build ourselves up to a most holy and powerful faith?

SPEAK OUT!

The Bible says that faith comes from hearing, and hearing the Word of God! You have to hear yourself say what Heaven says is true about you! How often do our own words bear testimony against the promises of God! Too often our words gravitate toward insufficiency, imperfection, and being overwhelmed.

Here's a spiritual warm-up for you to begin your day:

Through me, the Word of the Lord spreads widely and increases in power (Acts 19:20).

God has given me all things that pertain to life and godliness and I am well able to possess all that God has provided for me (Numbers 13:30, 2 Peter 1:3-4).

Your law is on my heart and my feet do not slip (Psalm 37:31).

Thank you, God, for promising to guide me along the best pathway for my life. You have promised to bless me and watch over me. I will be quick to listen and quick to respond (Psalm 32:8)!

Through each day, You pour Your unfailing Love upon me, and each night I sing Your Song, praying to You because You give me a full and beautiful Life (Psalm 42:8).

STEP OUT!

What are you believing God for right now? I submit that you should always be exercising your faith; believing God for the next place of promise or a breakthrough for someone in need. Without faith it is impossible to please Him.

This is how we gain spiritual strength, we put a demand on the Promises of God. We shift our hopes and choose a perspective consistent with Heaven's voice over us.

Walk it out! Believe His Word is true! Turn your back on worry, fear, and anxiety.

Decide instead to trust in the Name of the Lord. Speak out His promises so your ears hear them and your heart embraces them. Step out as if you believe them.

Be strong in the Lord because He is strong in you.

Until next week...