Walking by Faith

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
 —2 Corinthians 4:18


This sinful world may attack my senses and emotions daily, but Paul proclaims my life in Christ should center on what is unseen rather than what is seen. Despite Paul’s words, many Christians are more moved by their feelings and human reasoning than by the “unseen.” 

Paul writes that we are to “to walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Why do people who live in a world of “sight” build their lives around things they can’t see, yet are convinced they are real? If a physician tells someone they have a specific diagnosis, they will believe what the doctor has said. We can’t see for ourselves what is happening in the world, yet we trust the news, allowing our emotions to be influenced. However, often when someone states they believe God’s Word over physical circumstances or symptoms, it is thought that they have lost touch with reality. 

The Christian life is to be controlled by faith instead of physical sight. There is a sense in which sight is involved, but it is spiritually seeing by faith rather than seeing with the physical eye that should determine our lives.

Moses “by faith…forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:17). In other words, Moses’ faith allowed him to carry on despite hardships, because he could visualize and understand the God who is incapable of being seen (John 1:18). Abraham was strong in faith because he was fully persuaded that what God had promised, God was able also to perform (Romans 4:20-21). The woman with the issue of blood was strong in faith, being healed the moment that she acted upon her belief (Mark 5:25-34).

Faith is being certain of what is believed (Hebrews 11:1) and acting upon that belief (James 2:20). God is the object of our faith and what we believe. Our faith is in Him, and not what we see, hear, or feel. We must always believe the promise of God and the God behind that promise. Faith, like a seed, must be planted, watered, and nurtured (Matthew 13:18-23). It is a lifestyle where you daily “walk by faith and not by sight.”

Walking by faith is the decision to believe in God’s Word, to take into account the invisible and visible aspects of the world, and choose to see as God sees. Walking by faith is evidence of the unseen world of God’s promises (Hebrews 11:1). While a physician may see an illness, the believer chooses to see healing and life. While another may see lack, the believer chooses to see the riches of their inheritance in Christ Jesus.
 
Walking by faith means I choose to set aside my emotions and human reasoning. It means I choose to submit to God rather than succumb to fear, worry, depression, symptoms, or what I perceive as lack or failure. Walking by faith gives freedom from those limitations and steps into a place of certainty where God’s Word holds the highest authority over all aspects of life.

Faith without my response is dead; it has no power. For the rest of my life on this earth, I will renew my heart with the unchanging truth of God’s Word and focus exclusively on His promises. I will daily die to self and trust Him above all that bombards my senses and emotions. 

Today I choose faith in Jesus over self, healing over sickness, joy over despair, peace over fear, and supply over insufficiency. Walking by faith and not by sight is a decision I make daily to walk in His victory.  

Draw from the Well of Your Salvation

Salvation lies within each believer in Jesus Christ. As Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:3, salvation is not a physical birth but a spiritual one. Our spiritual being was dead and separated from God due to sin. Just as we failed to achieve our physical births, we are equally incapable of producing this spiritual rebirth. We are utterly incapable of saving ourselves; therefore, we require a Savior. Simply believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition for salvation. Faith alone is sufficient, but it’s never alone. James 2:17-18 emphasizes that faith without works is dead. However, salvation is not a reformation; it’s a total regeneration, a new birth, and a new creation from within that can only be accomplished by a creative miracle of the Holy Spirit. When we are saved, we become a new creation in our spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17). And that is where we are created entirely new and identical to Christ because His Spirit has been shed abroad in our hearts (Galatians 4:6, Romans 8:9).

“Therefore with joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation,” Isaiah 12:3 declares. 

The salvation we have received within must be drawn out to make a difference in our lives. This verse says joy is what draws it out.

As Christ is so are you in this world (1 John 4:17). You are identical to Christ in your born-again spirit. However the rest of "you" must work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). The "wells" of your salvation are the truths of your new life in Christ. These truths must be drawn from within the “well” of your born-again spirit through faith, ultimately transforming your mind, heart, and body.

“Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,” Peter declares (1 Peter 1:8). 

Although we don’t see Jesus with our physical eyes, we can see and know Him by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), and that is better than knowing Him by sight. If we are truly in faith (James 1:6; 2:5), there will be rejoicing with joy inexpressible and full of glory. Our joy is related to what we believe, not our experiences. A lack of rejoicing and joy is evidence of a lack of believing.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). 

God doesn’t want you to remain stagnant, never progressing in knowledge and experiencing the truths of your salvation. The Word is life, and it reveals your true identity in Christ. Just as you received salvation through faith, you also receive the truths of your salvation through faith. Your new life in Christ must be drawn from the “well” of your spirit to transform your life. This new life—free from sin, unforgiveness, darkness, despair, insufficiency, sickness, and everything evil—is just waiting to be drawn out through faith to conquer your flesh. Jesus is waiting to give His new life to your mortal body (Romans 8:11). He is patiently waiting to transform you, sanctifying your entire life—spirit, soul, and body from the inside out (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

“Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me” (Psalms 42:7).

Deep calls to deep. The Spirit calls you. Draw from the wells of your salvation. Jesus never runs dry; He accomplishes all of His truths in all of your life when you believe. 

I believe, Lord Jesus. Come, and wash over me.



 

Possess the Lord as He Has You

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
—Psalm 37:4 (NLT)

Do you find joy in knowing Jesus Christ? This verse says to “take delight in the Lord.”  When you take something, you possess it. You own it. Joy is yours in Jesus. The Holy Spirit calls for you to own the new life—the joy—Jesus has given you. Jesus didn’t give His life for you to strive in shame and live in fear. He wants you to possess what He has possessed for you. Righteousness in Him. Freedom in Him. Peace in Him. Faith in Him. To own these truths, you must comprehend the value Jesus has placed upon your life—you must grasp the transformative power these truths bring and believe with unwavering faith that they are rightfully yours. And when you believe, you experience joy. 

“Always be full of joy in the Lord,” Paul wrote. “I say it again—rejoice” (Philippians 4:4, NLT). 

Paul reminds the Philippians that when they choose to rejoice in the joy Jesus has given them, they shall be full of joy in Him. Your attitude determines the value of His gift. When you choose to believe and praise Jesus for His righteousness—His freedom—His peace—His faith, you are placing value on them. When you take delight in Jesus, these become real to you. When you believe in your heart—when you take on the new identity He has purchased for you, you own that identity, allowing the truths of it to shape your life. You possess that new identity. You take delight in the joy of your salvation.

Psalm 37:4 says that the Lord will give you the desires of your heart. He placed His desires within you the moment you were born again; you received them in your spirit when you received Jesus as your Savior. However, for the truths of Jesus’ identity to change your life, you must take possession of them; you must make them yours. 

The Holy Spirit changes your perception of who you are in your mind. He renews your thoughts. He transforms your understanding from the natural realm of your mind to the spiritual realm of His Spirit until you no longer believe what your natural mind perceives as true. You believe what His Word declares is true. You come to believe His promises of what cannot be seen, heard, or felt. Faith is the evidence of what isn’t naturally sensed. In your born-again spirit, His spiritual truth is your evidence. When you renew your mind continuously with the Word, the Holy Spirit transforms your life until you align with the Word. When you finally “hear” His Word in your heart, you believe and know it is yours. You speak its truth, bringing forth and clothing yourself with the reality of the new life Jesus has given you. The fruit of His truth becomes evident in your life no matter what you face; His joy is your strength.

The entrance of God’s words gives light and understanding to the simple (Psalms 119:130). His Word is more precious than silver and “much fine gold” (Psalms 19:7-10). When you know the precious and fine value the Lord has placed on your life, you can “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10, NLT).  You must put continually put on the righteousness Jesus has given you, coming into fellowship with Him daily, and His joy will be your strength.

Allow the infinite love and value Jesus placed on your life to change your perception of who you are. Be enlightened and transformed by His truth. Come into His presence. Come into the fellowship with the One who has given you new life. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11). You are the Lord’s desire. Let Him be your desire. Possess Him as He has possessed you, and you will own His joy. Believe in your heart and experience the reality of the spiritual truths of your salvation.

https://www.lynnlacher.com/2025/10/possess-lord-as-he-has-possessed-you.html

 

 

Turning Your Loss into a Seed for Your Future

It’s impossible to avoid loss, heartache, and persecution in this  life. These can steal the abundant life promised in Christ. When we are wounded by others or experience loss, we have a choice; we can either let bitterness and resentment take root in our hearts or we can change each negative experience into a positive experience that affects our future. Our attitudes and perspectives in life will determine the path we take.
 
If we suffer loss due to someone else’s dishonesty, it’s natural to feel resentment, bitterness, and conflict with the person who hurt us. However, instead of allowing bitterness to take hold, we can view that loss as an opportunity for growth. That loss can be a seed we sow for our future. While bitterness will keep us trapped in on-going pain, adopting a positive attitude can transform that loss into the potential for a future harvest. Even if you’ve been wronged, choosing a positive outlook in life can lead you to experience positive results.
 
We will inevitably encounter pain in this life. No one intentionally plants weeds in their lawn, yet they still appear. Many of life's challenges are like weeds; they arise suddenly. Our response to these challenges can lead us to experience God's abundant grace or plunge us into despair and bitterness. If we can learn to let go of the loss and, with faith, invest that loss into our future, the joy of the Lord will return, and our expectations will improve. Ultimately, our attitude shapes the outcomes of our lives.

Love those who take advantage of you. If someone uses you, pray for them. Don't let what they’ve done stop you from being a blessing. Holding onto bitterness will destroy the peace that is yours in Jesus. Avoid the "eye for an eye" mentality; remember, God is the judge. If you don't judge others, you will free yourself from the bitterness of condemnation. Forgive others as Jesus has forgiven you; you will keep your peace and joy instead of losing them to the relentless pain of unforgiveness. It’s your choice which seed you sow. Whatever you give to others will always come back to you.
 
No offense has the power to hold you captive. When God restores your loss, you are overcome with joy (Psalm 126:1-2). Read Luke 6:27-38, meditate on these verses, and let the Holy Spirit enlighten your understanding of loving those who have wronged you. The words of Jesus can transform your life. Sow His words into your heart. You can turn your loss into a seed to sow for your future, and with gratitude, you can praise God for the increase that comes. So let go of that loss. Don’t let it define your life. Be generous with forgiveness. When you give it, it will be given back to you in abundance. The measure you use in giving will determine your future harvest (Luke 6:38). 
 
He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.
—Psalm 126:6

Rich in Faith

My friend, Debbie, and I visit an amazing lady. Her name is Margaret, and she is a member of our church. Margaret had a stroke many months ago, and as a result has lost her sight. Margaret’s loss does not weaken her faith. In fact, she has the kind of patient, unwavering faith I wrote about yesterday. She may sit in darkness, but her life is filled with light. She resolutely believes for her sight despite the opinions of others that she will never see again. 

Margaret is uncompromising in her faith and is fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised her. She remains steadfast and firm in her conviction. She believes for her healing no matter how long it takes. Despite her loss of vision, her commitment to God healing her is unshakable. Nothing and no one can tempt her to change her mind and give up. She holds confidently to her promise. Margaret’s faith is strong, enduring, and tenacious. She believes in her Savior in whom she has placed her faith.

It would be easy for someone in Margaret’s condition to be depressed and suffer from a lack of faith, but Margaret doesn’t. She believes God will restore her sight, and she encourages herself daily. She is totally dependent on her son and others to take care of her physical needs. Yet, she isn’t poor as some might think of her. Margaret doesn’t feel sorry for herself. She isn’t poor. “God is so good to me,” she always declares. Margaret is rich. She has an overflowing wealth of patience and faith. She only “sees” Jesus. She knows that the Word of God says she shall receive her sight according to what she believes (Matthew 9:29). 

Margaret may sit in the dark, but she is never alone. Her constant companion is the Holy Spirit, who constantly stirs a deep hunger within her heart to do something for God. She yearns to be used because Brother Bill’s sermons over Youtube each week inspire her to get up and serve. To be able to write a note to someone who is hurting or just pick up a phone at a moment’s notice to pray with someone are things we take for granted. To Margaret, these choices are everything. 

It could hurt terribly to believe God is drawing you to do something, yet not have the physical ability to do it. But Margaret doesn’t focus on what she doesn’t have; she “sees” what God has promised her. God had a purpose for Margaret long before anyone had an opinion about her. His power and promise to fulfill Margaret’s hunger is absolute. God doesn’t call us to where He doesn’t provide. He is faithful to do the work in and through us ( Thessalonians 5:24).

“Assuredly, I say to you,” Jesus said, “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:18-20).

Margaret has shared her dreams of seeing again with Debbie and me. We have also shared with Margaret what the Holy Spirit has revealed to us. We are standing and praying in agreement, binding the enemy’s destruction and loosing the life of Jesus. 

Do you believe in the power of the Word? Will you pray, agreeing with Margaret, praising the Lord for her restored sight? Will you believe the vision she has “seen” in her spirit is God’s promise and not a remembrance of something she once “saw?” Will you agree that Jesus will manifest healing in her life, empowering her in the calling He has given her? Can you sense a spiritual awakening in yourself and this world? God is pouring out His Spirit. We will either be part of His miraculous work or not. We will either receive His Word in our hearts by faith and experience His power or not. He wants to not only heal and empower Margaret’s life for service, but also ours.

Margaret is already a miracle. She is rich in faith. She endures where others give up. She believes where others doubt. It’s a great honor for Debbie and I to believe with her for her sight. Will you believe, too? Will you believe not only for Margaret’s promise but also for yours?

“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).  

Our God is faithful and merciful, keeping His covenant to Margaret and to us. He loves us. God sent Jesus, His living Word, to heal and deliver us (Psalm 107:20). Hold on to His instruction to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The same faith in Jesus that saved you is the same faith that heals, guides, and empowers you. His light shines, banishing the darkness. Believe without wavering for the promise Christ has given His precious blood for you to receive. 

Margaret believes. Will you?

This Kind of Patience

Many Christians give up on their faith when they fail to see results as swiftly as they anticipate. When their prayers for healing aren’t answered within a certain time frame, their experience convinces them that their illness must be God’s divine purpose. Those who invest their time and resources into the Lord’s ministry and fail to observe a return within a specific time frame are also tempted to give up believing. Not witnessing the results of promises such as “by His stripes you were healed” or “whatever a man sows that he shall also reap” makes these promises appear false. However, God’s promises aren’t lies. The problem lies in the fact that many believers seek instant solutions to problems that most likely have developed over time, and they haven’t given their faith the time to witness the fruit the Word promises.

A significant amount of patience is involved to develop our faith. A lot of people give up before faith has a chance to work in their lives. Faith and patience are connected. Both are necessary to receive God’s promises. Hebrews 10:36 states in the King James Version: “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

The word “patience” comes from the Greek word “hupomene,” which is a compound of the two words “hupo” and “meno.” The word “hupo” means “under,” and the word “meno” means “to stay or to remain.” Together these two words mean “endurance” and “to stay under.” The Greek word “hupomene” describes a person who is burdened by a problem but remains steadfast in their faith, determined to endure the wait for an answer, no matter how long it takes.

This person portrayed in the word “hupomene” is unwavering and fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised (Romans 4:21). He will remain steadfast in this uncompromising position until he achieves victory. Despite the sacrifices he must endure, his commitment remains unshakable. Nothing can tempt him to change his mind. He is resolute in his determination to hold tightly to his belief. His faith is strong, tenacious, and stubborn; it refuses to give up on what is promised.

Perhaps, pressure from the devil has kept you from standing resolutely in faith. Don’t let his lies condemn you for your failure. Neither let your heart condemn you, and you can have confidence in God to try again and “to stay” the course (1 John 3:21). To experience victory in a strenuous situation, you must make a courageous stand of faith and remain steadfast in your commitment to it.

Time is often required to experience victory. Even if your request aligns with God’s will, the answer doesn’t always come promptly without hindrances. The enemy comes against your understanding of God’s will for your life. You also struggle with your flesh, which craves comfort and hates challenges. Your faith may need to grow. As you seek the answer to your prayer, God desires your faith to progress to a higher level. You must renew your mind so that you can “ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:6).

With steadfast focus and determination, your faith remains unshakable. If you want to outmaneuver the enemy and successfully accomplish what God has planned for your life, you must sow and nourish this kind of patience. If you want to stay in the battle until the enemy is defeated and you are victorious, endurance is a requirement.

With this kind of patience in your life, there’s no doubt that you’ll emerge victorious in the battle; the only question is when. You must hold on tightly to your faith, remaining steadfast, resolute, relentless, unwavering, and unyielding. Resist any attempts to sway you.

Lord Jesus, I repent for the times I have given up on my faith before it has had time to work. There are times I have not fed my faith with your Word, and I have become impatient instead of persevering and remaining strong.  Lord, I receive your forgiveness, and I ask you to strengthen me in my inner man so patience can have its perfect work in me. Lord, your promise to me is true. It is your will, and I will remain steadfast until I receive it. I pray this in your wonderful and powerful name. Yours is the name above any sickness, need, or issue. Yours is the name above princes and principalities, the name above all. You are my Jesus, and I can put my faith in you. You will never fail me.

Let Jesus Serve You

Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
—John 13:8

Peter refused to allow Jesus to wash his feet, believing he was utterly unworthy of his Master’s care and attention. While Peter was undoubtedly right in his assessment of his own unworthiness, he overlooked a crucial truth. Jesus’ service to Peter wasn’t driven by Peter’s unworthiness, but rather by His profound love for him.

Despite Peter’s humble refusal, he was actually resisting God’s will and refusing because of his pride. Pride isn’t just about inflating yourself above what is fitting; it can also be about deflating yourself below what is fitting. Pride is really being self-centered instead of being submitted to God’s will. Peter ought to have been humble enough to know His Master knew what we was doing; Peter should have surrendered to Jesus’ desire to serve him.

Some Christians think they are undeserving of God’s favor because they are so consumed with their unworthiness instead of being consumed with the gift of His redeeming love. They beat themselves up in penance, working to prove to God how humble they are. It is true that our actions don’t earn God’s favor, but a genuinely humble person can expect the Lord’s blessing as a demonstration of His love (James 4:6). It is only by the Lord’s grace and not through our works that His grace really becomes free and undeserved (Romans 11:6). The moment you start relating God’s blessings to anything you have done you void His grace in your life. You void Him serving you. Humility that is misplaced is just as harmful as pride.

Peter desired to serve Jesus, but he was reluctant to allow Jesus to serve Him by washing his feet. Jesus emphasized that unless Peter allowed Him to serve him, Peter would be unsuitable to serve. Since we cannot make ourselves or anyone else suitable to Jesus, we are totally dependent on God’s grace. Only in total surrender to God’s grace do we become fully equipped to serve others.

Before we can serve others with God’s unconditional love and grace, we must continually surrender to Jesus and allow Him to minister to us. It is only when we trust in Him to bless us in the way He chooses can we become the blessings we desire to be to God or anyone else. When we allow Jesus to serve us and surrender to His grace within us, we are driven by His profound love and give to others the grace we receive. 

Will you allow Jesus to serve you so that you may serve others with His goodness and grace? Jesus’s purpose manifesting in you and blessing others through you is the greatest fulfillment in this life.

Who is Your Most Important Person?

Our pastor made a profound statement yesterday: “The will of God for your life probably involves others.” God’s will certainly involves others! We each have the calling and privilege of sharing the love of Jesus with those we come in contact with! 

Debbie Sivley and I have come to realize the truth behind this statement. Every week, we visit shut-ins, offering our prayers and time to make a positive impact on their lives. Jesus calls us to emulate His presence in this world, radiating His love, offering His touch, providing comfort through His words, and attentively listening to their spoken and unspoken concerns. Some individuals yearn to be heard, while others require encouragement in their faith. Still others simply need our presence, allowing them to experience the profound love of God both emotionally and physically. 

I have always found comfort in Psalm 46:10, which proclaims, “Be still and know that I am God.” Yesterday morning, our pastor encouraged us to take a few moments to be still and meditate on this verse before he began sharing the Word. It was akin to a Quaker meeting, where you silently await the Holy Spirit to move upon your heart. Yesterday, the Spirit touched my heart, reminding me that in being still, I can connect with God and receive His love. The love I have received in Jesus isn’t meant to be concealed within me; it’s meant to be radiated outward. I have freely received it, and I must freely give it to others. 

This picture depicts Debbie and Melba Harris. Melba is responding to our visit with her. I wish I had a picture of the radiant smile and overwhelming joy that lights up Melba’s face every time she looks at Debbie and connects with her. If you could witness the sudden burst of happiness and life in Melba’s eyes, you would see her coming alive in the love of Jesus. You would also see her returning the love she is receiving—Melba is ministering to Debbie in return!

The world is yearning for this love. The grumpy man down the street is yearning for it. The woman who uses offensive language is yearning for it. The angry one who constantly pushes you away is yearning for it. The child who has turned away from his faith is yearning for it. The shut-in in the nursing home is yearning for it. The lady who can’t see but believes in her healing is yearning for Jesus’ love and physical touch. They all need His grace. They all need His unconditional love. They all need Jesus loving them through you. And you may not realize it, but you are starved for His love when you aren’t letting Him love through you.

Years ago, even as my parents lost ground to dementia, they inspired me with their love for Jesus. But they still needed something from me. I asked the Lord to reveal their hearts to me. And these were their unspoken words He spoke in my heart.

“Sometimes I feel so alone in my world and so afraid. But then I feel your hand on my arm and I know you are with me and will take care of what I can’t. God doesn’t abandon me now that I am old and gray and lost to even myself. I feel Him in your love, in your words, in your touch, and in the moments that you give me. No matter how lost I may become, I am still me. Remind me of who I am when I have forgotten and love me through times which may break your heart. As long as you love me, I know who I am through you.”

Who is your most important person? Is it someone else or it is you? Are you loving the shut-in, your neighbor, your friend, and the one who annoys you so much? Are you loving them so they can know how much Jesus loves them? Are you laying down your life for them as Jesus laid down his for you?

In her time with Debbie, Melba knows she is loved. She is loved as she longs to be loved, and she returns it with joy. In that moment, Debbie receives the blessing of the one she has blessed. 

God blesses us to bless others. Love those He brings into your life with His love. Share His Word and take the time to genuinely listen to them. Pray for His wisdom and ask the Holy Spirit to continually guide you. Sharing God’s unconditional love and grace with others is your highest calling; never run away from it; run to it! There, you’ll find your joy, peace, and purpose! 

God's Abundance for Every Good Work

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
—2 Corinthians 9:8

In chapter nine of 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks about financial giving. He declares in 2 Corinthians 9:8 that God can make all grace abound toward us so we can trust His provision, enabling us to be generous. In Philippians 4:19, Paul also assures us that God will supply all needs according to His riches in glory. God’s grace isn’t just for salvation but also for empowering our daily lives. He supplies what we need to accomplish His work in this world. His provision is unlimited.

This verse doesn't say, “God will make all grace abound toward you.” It says that God is able and willing to supply every need of a cheerful giver, but this supply doesn’t just happen. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 

2 Corinthians 9:8 also dismisses the idea that God only supplies our bare needs. He is willing and able to make “all” grace abound toward us. 

“Charis” is the Greek word for “grace.” One derivative of “charis” is “charisma,” which translates as a “free gift” (Strong’s Concordance). Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines “charisma” as “a gift of grace, a gift involving grace on the part of God as the Donor.” God is our donor. He graces us with His provision so we can grace His work in the lives of others.
 
The word “abound” means “to be great in number or amount; to be fully supplied” (American Heritage Dictionary). Whatever hardships we face in this life, God’s grace “abounds” much more (Romans 5:20). The Lord desires that we are “fully supplied” and have “sufficiency in all things.” It is not God’s will for us to suffer financially. 

Deuteronomy 8:18 states, “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

People who argue against financial success point to examples of people who have sought riches to fulfill their own lusts. They rightly say these people are selfish and corrupt because of their greed. God desires us to be prosperous not for our selfish ambitions but for His purposes.

Genesis 12:2 says, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.”

The intention of God’s prosperity is to bless us so that we can bless and help others. If we are unselfish with our prosperity, those blessings are wonderful. If we are selfish with our financial blessings, we degrade the grace with which His blessings were given to us.

2 Corinthians 9:8 describes abundant financial blessings in our lives, where we can “abound in every good work.” This means we should never be unable to give to any good cause. Satan has convinced many Christians that God wants them to always be poor, causing many good works to go unfunded. 

Money isn’t evil. It is our love of money that is (1 Timothy 6:10). If you're always thinking about the amount of money you have—whether it is a lot or too little, you are thinking about the wrong thing. What money can do for you is your concern. You are thinking about yourself and your needs instead of others and their needs. If you are blessed in this life, God has blessed you to have an abundance for every good work. He has given you sufficiency in all things. As a man thinks in His heart, He is (Proverbs 23:7). Believe Him for even more abundance so you can bless others as He has blessed you. 

God desires you to have an overflow of His blessings so He can overflow into the lives of others. He wants you to have His abundance for “every” good work, not just one or two. God has given you sufficiency in all things. Never limit Him. Never forget that He gives more grace to the humble (James 4:6). Believe Him and expect to be more blessed so you can be a greater blessing in His Kingdom. Favor others abundantly as God has favored you. 

What Are You Sowing in Your Heart?

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 
—Philippians 1:19-20
 
 
Paul preached the Good News of Jesus Christ. The message of new life in Christ was his absolute focus. Paul had the unwavering expectation and hope that God was with him at all times, guiding and empowering him to share the Gospel. God’s grace was sufficient in everything, and nothing could keep him from God’s will. Paul had an earnest expectation and hope that no feeling or circumstance could compromise his faith. He was bold because he allowed the fruit of his relationship with Jesus to be bold. Paul knew who Christ was manifested in his life. He had assurance—he trusted—and he expected God to magnify Himself in his life. He was willing to give all for the grace of Jesus to be known and lived out in the lives of others.
 
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only one who makes all the difference in your life. He is the only one who gives you a new life. You were also Paul’s focus. Jesus Christ is the life Paul offered to you. Paul endured persecution for the sake of Christ so you could experience the fruit of your relationship with Jesus. Your expectation and hope make all the difference in how you live this new life.
 
Look at the phrase “according to my earnest expectation and hope” in Philippians 1:20. 
 
You are expecting something in life whether you are aware of it or not. Look at your expectation as soil from which your life grows. A pessimist only expects a negative life. An optimist discovers something positive in every circumstance and thing that happens. If you fill your life with negative influences—negative thoughts—negative things, you will wrestle with negative expectations.  If you dwell on the mistakes and sins of the past, you will find yourself expecting more of the same in your future. Your attitude—your approach to life—is extremely powerful. 
 
Your expectations are either based on God’s promises or on your fears and failures.  Hope comes alive as a result of positive expectations. Hope in God’s promises can only grow from the soil of your positive expectations. Since faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1), a negative approach to life can never inspire your faith to grow. Faith can only be inspired and exercised when positive expectations and hope are alive. Negative expectations are why so many Christians struggle to live in victory.
 
Expectation, hope, and faith spring from a promise God has made to you. These grow in your life from a seed that has been sown in your heart.  Every promise of God activates your faith, and faith comes when you “hear” His Word in your heart (Romans 10:17). God never lies. It isn’t His nature to lie. And God has designed seeds to multiply according to their nature. A farmer who plants seeds expects a harvest. A believer who sows God’s grace and His love into the lives of others can also expect a harvest. What you invest will be multiplied and returned to you.
 
What do you expect in your life? What is the source of your attitude? If you are basing your life on God’s promises—if you believe you will reap a harvest from sowing His truth in your heart, you will without doubt live a life of faith. If you see everything through the eyes of a pessimist, you will be left to your own strength. You will experience a stingy life when you could have had an abundant one.
 
Paul had the expectation, hope, and faith that the Holy Spirit would supply all his needs as he stepped out to share the message of grace so you could, also, plant the seed of God’s truth in your heart; so you, also, could choose to live by faith and not by sight; so you could, also, believe. 

What are you sowing in your heart? It’s going to multiply.

—Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Romans 15:13