Make it happen!

• 
  "Prosper" is a wonderful word. It means: "flourish physically; grow strong and healthy; be financially successful".
  
  It is not as commonly used today as in the past--but it is something we all desire in one way or another. Most think of it only in financial terms, but its scope if far beyond money!
  
  God gives us a "how to" in His Word, and today's Scripture is a key.

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Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psa 1:1-3 NIV)

Move your mountain

• Faith is not a feeling or a product of feelings. Feelings change, and we cannot always control our feelings.
  
  Faith is not produced by an analysis of circumstances or evidence. Analysis is a process of logic. Faith, more often than not, appears illogical.
  
  I believe that, like love, faith is a choice, a decision. I also believe it is far more about trusting the integrity of the one who promised than about the circumstances--or even the promise itself.

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Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (Rom 4:18-21 NIV)

Help in the time of trouble

• Sometimes we get to the point that we cannot make it another day--or even hour or minute! If you are there, know that your faith has not failed, nor has God abandoned you.
  
  Feeling change: that is going to happen from time to time. But God is still the same, He still feels the same about you, and He remains faithful to do all that He promised. 
  
  Remember this: what you feel and what you believe are two distinctly different things. Believe and trust God in your spirit, and do not allow your feelings to change that.

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He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but 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 be faint. (Isa 40:29-31 NIV)

The best is yet to come

• Have you ever been in a situation that seemed bad at the time, but later, you discovered that it was for your good, perhaps even the best thing that could have happened? It is like finding a treasure in an unexpected place.
  
  I have experienced enough of those in my relationship with God to trust that regardless of what happens, He will work it out for my good--in the end. Those experiences have taught me that before "the end", there is a process. That process is where most of the education and maturity (and uncertainty and pain) takes place.
  
  If you are in one of those places, in pain, uncertainty, doubt, or even anger, do not despair. It is not the end yet. Wait for, look for, and expect the treasure to be revealed.

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Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. (Phil 1:18b-19 NIV)

Faith or Feelings

• Faith is not a feeling or a product of feelings. Feelings change, and we cannot always control our feelings.
  
  Faith is not produced by an analysis of circumstances or evidence. Analysis is a process of logic. Faith, more often than not, appears illogical.
  
  I believe that, like love, faith is a choice, a decision. I also believe it is far more about trusting the integrity of the one who promised than about the circumstances--or even the promise itself.

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Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (Rom 4:18-21 NIV)

But God!

When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. (Dan 6:20-23 NIV)

He is Able

• I saw this a long time ago on a poster in a photo lab I used: "We have done so much with so little for so long, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing." (Sort of how I feel about my ministry. 
  
  Well, God did say that all thing are possible with Him--and He did EVERYTHING with NOTHING. However, for us, there are prerequisites to receiving spectacular answers to prayer. Jesus included conditions: believe and forgive.

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"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:23-25 NIV)