Over the past few months, we have faced something most of us have never experienced in our lifetimes. Probably the most difficult part of this season has been dealing with all of the unknown elements of COVID-19.

The problem with unknowns is that we just don’t know. The difficulty of dealing with an unknown is that the unknown opens the door and provides opportunities for voices from all over the spectrum of ideas.

Like most of you, I have heard people prophesy that COVID-19 was the end of the world, or at least the beginning of the end. I also heard from those of those who believe that there actually is a COVID-19 that it is simply a scheme directed by those in the New World Order who want to bring about a one world government.

There are those who believe it is a real virus that we need to be aware of and respect as dangerous, but with time and care, it will go away as past viruses have. There are those who believe we should do everything we can to keep anyone from getting COVID-19, and then there are those who believe our best course of action would be to help everyone get the virus so we build up herd immunity.

Because no one really knows an unknown, even our leaders seem at times to be grasping at straws or running around like chickens with their heads cut off. We have been told not to do things because they won’t help, only to be told weeks later to do the very thing we were told not to because it is the only thing that will help.

Our governments told us we needed to close down our economies to stop the spread and keep people from dying. They followed that by telling us we need to open our economies up so that we will keep people from dying.

I don’t know a time in history that the whole world has endured such an extreme level of confusion, which leads me to the point of this blog. In 1 Corinthians 14:33 (TLV), we find these words: “for God is not a God of confusion, but shalom. As in all the communities of the kedoshim.”

It is past time that we realized that, while COVID-19 and everything that goes with it is an unknown, there are some things we know are absolutes. One of those absolutes is that if everything around us is confusing, then what we are seeing is not of G-D. Confusion is a weapon of Satan to distract us from those things G-D is doing.

Confusion is the enemy of our soul’s way of keeping the eyes of our hearts from seeing the victory, blessing, love and provision of our Heavenly Father. Confusion is most often the enemy’s weapon of last resort, his nuclear option, used when he knows the people of G-D are about to experience a great victory.

Just look through the Bible and history and see for yourself. Just before a great victory, the enemy tries to distract G-D’s people through some act that attempts to bring confusion.

So, now that we all understand that, regardless of what people think about COVID-19, we as believers know one thing for certain: COVID-19 is a confusing distraction of Satan. We also know that, historically, the only time Satan employs his nuclear option is when he knows there is no other method he can use to try to stop a great victory from taking place, because Satan knows he cannot stop G-D from providing our victory. Our enemy’s only hope is that he will be able to confuse and distract the people of G-D from their victory.

Let me encourage you this week. Stop listening to the millions of voices who don’t know telling you what they don’t know. Stop being distracted by the confusion and start looking at the miracles taking place right in front of us.

Over the past few weeks in our community, we have seen miraculous healings while hospitals were doing surgeries. We saw people getting jobs and raises while businesses were closing. We sold our old congregational building during a time when congregations were not able to meet.

The list goes on and on of the amazing victories that have taken place during the season of COVID-19. Each one of these miracles could have been missed if our eyes were on the unknown confusion instead of keeping our eyes on our known G-D. Please remember that while many nations shut down because of the unknown, G-D never shut down because there is nothing He doesn’t know.

We are in a season of great miracles and great blessings. Please don’t miss them because your eyes and heart were distracted. {eoa}

Eric Tokajer is author of With Me in Paradise, Transient Singularity, OY! How Did I Get Here?: Thirty-One Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Entering Ministry, #ManWisdom: With Eric Tokajer, Jesus Is to Christianity as Pasta Is to Italians and Galatians in Context.

As I was in prayer and asking the Lord what is on His heart for those who are going through financial uncertainty, the Lord spoke to me prophetically and said, “seed time and harvest.”

I asked the Lord to explain, and He took me to the Scripture in Genesis 8:22 where it declares: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest,cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.” The Holy Spirit said that we are in the days the Bible calls “perilous times” in 2 Timothy 3:1.

The world calls it crisis, pandemic, destruction; however, there are times of revival, breakthrough and an awakening. This pandemic has created panic! In addition, many have gone through a financial hit. Many business owners, entrepreneurs, startup companies, ministries, churches and families are looking for financial relief. It appears that we are in a financial drought.

When the coronavirus started to build throughout the world, especially in the United States, we got word that there would be a quarantine, a stay-in order. Consequently, we’ve seen emptied grocery stores running out of essential supplies. How can we navigate through these challenging days?

Is it possible to live a victorious life in Christ while enduring a pandemic, when the world around us seems to be in a crisis? The answer is yes, and it is found in the Word of God. The Lord spoke to me “Hakeem, we are in a famine!” As I looked at empty streets, grocery stores, gas stations and places of business, these things confirm that we are definitely in a famine.

Ministries, churches, businesses and educational system have been reduced to going digital, virtual and electronic to practice social distancing. Small and large businesses were forced to close, and some may never reopen. Unemployment is skyrocketing, and financial relief is needed.

Furthermore, the government has introduced stimulus packages to come to the aid of the desperate cries of many, but that’s not even enough. God started to speak to me about “favor in famine.” The Holy Spirit said there is a key that will release heavenly stimulus in time of economic drought. He took me to the Scripture in Genesis 26:12-15 where it says: “Then Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; the Lord blessed him. The man became rich and continued to prosper until he became very wealthy. For he had possessions of flocks and herds and a great number of servants so that the Philistines envied him. For the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father by filling them with dirt” (Gen. 26:12-15).

We can see in a time of famine, drought and economic uncertainty that He activated the supernatural faith to sow in that land and time and reaped. The Lord says that in this season. to access supernatural favor, harvest and financial breakthrough, you must implement and invest in what the Word of God says.

Isaac planted or sowed seeds in a time of famine and reaped a hundredfold blessing in the same year. This is not the time to save, as we were taught. There is a time to save and a time to give.

However, this is a biblical principle that will unleash the stimulus of heaven speaking of dew of rain on your life. Something happened to Isaac when he sowed in famine. He activated a famine preventive protection plan in a time of drought:

1. Sacrificial seeds to sow, plant or give.
2. Reaped in the same year a hundredfold harvest.
3. God blessed his seed.
4. He became rich and grew richer.
5. He became very wealthy.
6. Possessions of flocks and herds and a great household.
7. Enemies envied him.

We can see that because he sowed in famine, Isaac’s seeds produced a sudden harvest in the same year. God blessed his seed, and he became not only rich but wealthy. Also, he had many possessions and his household was blessed.

God is saying, “You will survive the famine. Your seeds will bless you as you sow into community outreach, missions, the elderly, authentic kingdom projects, ministries, churches, homeless shelters and into valid prophetic ministries or anyone who is in financial distress or dire need.”

God says you will begin to see that supernatural favor in famine be extended to you. Not only you will see favor in famine, but also when you are faithful in famine with the resources and the seed you sow, God will open the heavens over your life. I love that the Scripture says Isaac became wealthy and rich.

Keep in mind that this message is not about prosperity, or everyone would be rich or wealthy. However, God doesn’t want us to be a beggar but lenders. He desires for His children to be the head and not the tail, and first and not last. The Bible says in Psalm 37:25b, “Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor their offspring begging bread.”

We also know that the poor will be with us always. So, it’s not about being rich or wealthy but God desires that our souls prosper while being financially stable and reap divine financial blessings that comes out of working biblical principles. Third John 1:2 declares it like this: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, even as your soul is well.”

Moreover, the Bible says that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22). We as believers must understand the currency of heaven, how it works and how to obtain spiritual, natural and financial breakthrough blessings in times of famine or pandemic. We must know that there is a difference in being rich and being wealthy.

What matters to the wealthy is not how much money they make, but rather how much money they keep as well as how long that money can work for them. The real question is, can their wealth sustain them and pay for all of their bills for the rest of their life? In addition, can they travel the world, eat and drink without having to worry about how one will meet all these expenses? Not only do the wealthy have lots of money, but they also don’t worry about money.

They can afford their all of their essentials as well as an extravagant lifestyle with no worries of money. Those who are wealthy know how to produce or accumulate a lot of residual income or financial streams and cause their money to grow exponentially. This pandemic is the greatest time for creativity and ideas to come forth. Time to sow seed into your future here and now!

God wants to shift us from a pandemic to a planned-emic. What do you plan to do with your seed of faith? We can see that when Isaac sowed in famine, he became rich and richer to the point that he also became very wealthy. We must know that money will work for you and not the other way round. If you don’t believe in prosperity, you will live in a realm of need and poverty spiritually speaking. God wants you to be a benefactor to bless others, not a just a beneficiary to receive from others!

“Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will men give unto you. For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you” (Luke 6:38).

Pray to the Lord that He sends givers to sow into your bosom and you become a giver to sow into others’ bosoms. Isaac became a benefactor, that is, a giver, sower and planter in famine!

Furthermore, we see that Isaac had many possessions as well, and that mean that he had excess acquired that kept him going and doing what he could in famine as long as he wanted, and his financial blessings and excess did not get diminished. Isaac had the blessing of the Lord on his life because of one faithful act of seed sowing in a time of famine, which cause him to possess infinite wealth that sustained him after the famine was over.

Favor in famine is connected to your faithful obedience to take what you have and sow it into someone or something beyond yourself. God has me sow many financial seeds sacrificially to prophetic voices, ministries, people in need, churches and whomever He instructed. God in return has supernaturally sustained me for the last 60 days in this time of pandemic and quarantined.

God wants to release supernatural favor in famine. Do you feel like you are in a financial or economic drought and need divine relief? Well, here is something God said to me in prayer. He said, “This is not the time to save but sow!” You sow in unusual times and seasons like Isaac did that unlocked the floodgates of heaven and opened the earth to yield a hundredfold blessing in the same year.

Do you want to receive your harvest in the same year? If you answered yes, then the principle and secret is taking advantage of this season to sow. Find someone or something to sow into. Your seed has the potential to produce the destiny and future you want. The Bibles says it like this in Proverbs 18:16 (NIV), “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”

In other words, our charismata or Holy Spirit gifts will not bring us in the presence of greatness. But the Bibles say our financial seed does! Are you a giver or eater? In this pandemic and being quarantined, are you giving, sowing and meeting the needs of someone else? This is key in receiving favor in famine. The Bible says that we are better to give than to receive.

“In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive'” (Acts 20:35, BSB).

The Bible says God gives seed to sowers or givers, not the eaters.

2 Corinthians 9:10 (MEV) says, “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.”

The above Scriptures says that the Lord gives seed to sowers and bread to eaters. These terms are being used metaphorically to talk about how the Lord provides extra to those who are givers and supplies the basic needs of eaters. Below will determine if you are a sower or eater:

1. Eaters are those who are using their finances primarily for their own needs.
2. Sowers are those who use their finances primarily to give to others and meet primarily the needs of others.

Basically. this principle is about the attitude of the heart toward giving and sowing. Those who desire more money so they can get more material things or stuff, per se, are eaters. However, there are those who pray to the Lord for more money so they can give more are considered sowers. Absolutely, sowers have to eat too but they understand the currency of the kingdom principle of sowing and reaping, giving and receiving.

So a sower understands that as the money comes in, there is always more than enough for them and for others. But for individuals (eaters) who only seek to get their needs will only get their needs met. Sadly, they will not experience the abundance Isaac experienced of overflow that comes with sowing in famine and giving. Eaters are always focused on what they need, and therefore, Father God doesn’t grant them an overabundance. They would just spend it on themselves selfishly.

I love what the apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For “God loves a cheerful giver.” And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Notice that the reason the Lord makes grace abound toward us is so we may also abound unto every good work that we are called to do in Him. Keep in mind that favor in famine is not just for you. The harvest is to sustain you and those you are called to and depends on you.

I believe prosperity is not for us. It’s so that we may bless others. That is true kingdom prosperity, obtaining eternity and following biblical principles in giving and priority.

There are those who will read this and disagree because their wealth and possessions are what makes them who they are. They forget the one who blessed them. However, I am reminded of the story in Matthew when a rich young man asks Jesus what actions bring eternal life.

First, Jesus advises the man to obey the commandments. When the man responds that he already observes them, and asks what else he can do, Jesus adds: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (see Luke 18:18-34).

Many people believe prosperity is all about greed, and that’s why they oppose it. But true Bible prosperity is so we can be a blessing to others. The mindset that states: “I’ve got enough. I would never ask or desire for more” is the wrong mentality. That’s selfish. That’s an eater attitude basically and, not a sower.

If you are a sower, God will bless you with a supernatural abundance of finances that will more than supply your essential needs and enable you to sow freely as you are led of Holy Spirit.

“Let him who steals steal no more. Instead, let him labor, working with his hands things which are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need” (Eph. 4:28).

The above Scripture is stating that the purpose we work is so that we can give to those that have need. Favor in famine is connected to your faithfulness to God to obey and sow into others with what He blesses us with. However, there are those who would misinterpret the reason. We do work so we can provide for our own needs and pay our bills. But that’s not what this Scripture is saying.

The purpose for our work is so that we can bless others. When you are in position to bless others, meaning you have more than enough regardless of a national crisis, pandemic or drought. I can just hear people reading this and saying, “But what about my needs? Doesn’t the Lord want me to be blessed as well?” Of course He does. But the way to blessing isn’t in trying to meet your needs. It’s in meeting the needs of others. The Bible says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be given to you” (Matt. 6:33).

Lastly, I am reminded of the story in 1 Kings 17 that introduces the prophet Elijah and gives the account of his encounter with a widow from Zarephath. The chapter notes that the Lord was withholding rain from Israel (verse 1).

Due to the rampant idolatry in the nation by the royal couple, Ahab and Jezebel, a famine was the judgment God sent through the prophetic voice in Elijah. In verse 8, God instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath, a town outside of Israel, where a widow woman would provide him food. As he obeys, he finds a woman gathering sticks (verse 10).

Elijah instructs her to “Please get a small cup of water for me to drink” and “bring me a morsel of bread in your hand” (1 Kings 17:10b, 11b). As we know, the widow was in the same situation as Elijah. She responded, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, but only a handful of meal in a barrel and a little oil in a jar. I am gathering two sticks, that I can go in and make it for me and my son, so we may eat it and die” (1 Kings 17:13).

In a famine, she was certain she and her son would die of starvation and only had enough for two, not three. They both were in survival mode. Elijah’s response to her was surely a test of her faith.

But he instructed her to make some food for him first anyway, using her only essential ingredients in an economic drought. He released a prophetic word of hope to her: “For thus says the Lord God of Israel: The barrel of meal will not run out, nor will the jar of oil empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth” (1 Kings 17:14). The widow’s faith was evident in her obedience that released favor in famine.

We can see that later, supernaturally, the Lord was faithful to His prophetic word by the prophet: “she, he, and her household ate many days. The barrel of meal did not run out, nor did the jar of oil empty, according to the word of the Lord, which He spoke by Elijah” (1 Kings 17:15b-16).

The widow’s food supply was supernaturally extended as promised. Elijah stayed there for some time, living in an upper room of her house. The woman’s son eventually died of an illness and, in her grief and disbelief, she blamed Elijah for his death—assuming the Lord was judging her for her sin (1 Kings 17:17–18).

But Elijah cried out to the Lord: “”O Lord, my God, I pray that You let this child’s soul come into him again” (1 Kings 17:21b), and the was revived suddenly through prayer. When the woman saw this, she said, “Now, because of this, I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth!” (1 Kings 17:24b).

Favor in famine comes by obedience to give sacrificially to meet someone else’s needs. The widow took little, and God supernaturally gave her more than enough not just for two but for Elijah as well. She and Elijah needed each other and survived the famine with heavenly favor! {eoa}

Dr. Hakeem Collins is an empowerment specialist, respected prophetic voice, apostolic leader, governmental minister, life coach and sought-after conference speaker. He is known for his keen accurate prophetic gifting and supernatural ministry. He is the author of best-selling books: Heaven Declares and Command Your Healing. He’s been featured on many television shows: Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural! The Word Network and Cornerstone TV, just to name a few. He is host of the Prophetic Breakthrough podcast on Charisma Podcast Network. Follow him on: and .

According to The Barna Group, founded by George Barna, only 6% of adults today have a biblical worldview. That’s a bleak and discouraging number, and Barna himself agrees that the church has “gotten off the path” God intended for it.

But Barna is also convinced that radical revival can still happen for the church, although he says it won’t be executed by the church as a whole.

Rather, says Barna, a professor at Arizona Christian University and president of the Cultural Research Center at ACU, it’s going to take a remnant—those who are totally sold out to Christ—to radically change the culture of this country and bring glory to the Father who so richly deserves it.

“I don’t want to be derogatory toward the church or believers because I know that God and His kingdom are going to be victorious in the end,” Barna told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “I believe that He’s about to do something magnificent, and maybe COVID-19 is a part of it.

“But when you look at those periods in history when He is about to change a culture in a dramatic and positive way, He doesn’t invariably wait until he has a majority of people who are on His side to do it. He also uses a small remnant—people who are willing to follow Him to do whatever He calls them to do that are tuned into His purposes.

“And so, I’m excited about the fact that in America today, the numbers are there of people who have fully in love with God, people who have been broken and healed by Him, and therefore, you’re never going to shake them from Him. Those numbers aren’t close to what I’d like to see them be, but I know that they are large enough that it gives God the army He needs to get this country to bring about revival and renewal within His church and in this society. I know I want to be a part of that. And trust me, God will use us if we’re available.”

For more about The Barna Group and what’s in store for America, listen to the entire podcast.

Apostle James Alford isn’t buying into theories that say God brought COVID-19 to the earth these past few months as a judgment. From what the Lord has told him, the pandemic is “wholly from the realm of the demonic.”

“This coronavirus wasn’t from Him. The Lord gave me three different devils that are prevailing in this season,” Alford told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “There is fear, the spirit of death and, something interesting that God spoke to me about, a suffocating spirit.

“Fear has been the primary thing that has driven this whole virus situation. And of course, when fear enters in, it takes you away from faith, and death begins to operate. Then God said something I’ve never heard Him say to me before: the suffocating spirit,” Alford says. “I think some people refer to it as a python spirit. What He was saying to me was that this virus and the spirits that have been working behind it have been designed to divide the sheep from the shepherd. It is trying to separate the pastors and the leaders from their sheep, and it is trying to attack them in different areas. It’s trying to bring the church to a place of confusion and affliction.

“I don’t believe it will be successful. We’ve seen some pastors commit suicide, and we’ve seen a lot of different, crazy things happen during this time,” he adds. “I’ve heard some pastors have shut their churches down. The enemy is trying to disconnect the church from their church families. The enemy is trying to silence the church and put it in a place where it’s not effective. There is so much power and authority in our worship services on Sunday. Breaking that up allows the enemy to almost … begin to enter in and do things on earth he couldn’t do while we were meeting on Sundays, when were all together in one accord. But that hasn’t happened.”

For more of James Alford’s take on the suffocating spirit of COVID-19, tune into his podcast, Kingdom Authority, and listen to this entire episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network.

“Even God rested on the seventh day. So, what makes you think you can get by without doing the same?”

The minute I heard the speaker say that, I was convicted down to my toes. Indeed, if Almighty God, the maker of heaven and earth, saw that it was important to rest, what makes me, or you, think we can work seven days a week without taking a Sabbath rest?

I was going to church on Sundays and hanging out with my family around Sunday dinner, but I had gotten in a bad habit of working on Sunday afternoon. It was a great time to do my weekly videos for my coaching group because my hair and makeup were already done.

Overwork Causes Overeating

I knew things had to change. Working seven days a week was taking its toll on me even though I loved what I was doing. Stress can drive me to overeat and for someone who’s lost 250 pounds, putting myself in a state to be tempted is not wise. I never want to go back to where I weighed 430 pounds and was feeling totally overwhelmed.

Our society’s emphasis on performance is screaming at us to work, work, work. The pressure is on to make more money, to have more stuff, to save money for hard times, to do more and more and more. It’s an easy trap to fall into.

We feel we are forced to work two or three jobs just to support our families, but in financially supporting our families, we are not there for the love and support our children need. Then that morphs into even more issues.

Why Did God Rest?

In the process, we have forgotten how to really rest and relax. God knew we’d have this problem, and that’s exactly why He modeled for us what rest should look like. Why else did He rest on the seventh day? It’s not because He was tired. God is all-powerful and always present. He never sleeps or slumbers (Ps. 121:3-4). Still, after creating the entire world, He rested.

“By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested (ceased_ on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it [as His own, that is, set it apart as holy from other days], because in it He rested from all His work which He had created and done” (Gen. 2:2-3, AMP).

Work is not all there is to our lives. If we don’t stop and smell the roses, we won’t have time to actually enjoy our lives. God intentionally stopped creating. He abstained from work, He ceased to create in order to really see and appreciate that what He had done was good.

This what we need to do. We need a change of pace. We need to appreciate that we have worked hard. But in order not to burn out, we have to take a step back and really thank ourselves for our hard work.

We Need to Recharge

God created us as limited human beings. He knew we’d need a day at least to stop and recharge. So He showed us how important that is by doing it Himself.

Ceasing from work allows us to stop long enough to think, to ponder, to hear God. Taking short breaks in the day, taking a day a week to rest and taking time to get totally away are all ways to help us stop and recharge.

Daily time with God, though, is the most important time to recharge. When I go into my intentional no agenda time with God, I put aside my to-do list and my questions to be with Him and hear what’s on His heart. Disconnecting from my drive to accomplish things must be intentional.

Queen of Busy

I used to be the queen of busy. I had to be busy doing something every minute of every day. My busyness actually fueled my food addiction. I was too busy to shop for healthy food, to cook healthy foods, to think about preparing healthy foods, to even care about healthy foods. Not only that, but my workaholic attitude and drive made me feel like I needed to reward myself for all my hard work.

Since no one was patting me on the back for getting a freelance job done, I would feel like I deserved that brownie, cinnamon roll or entire cake, if it had been a particularly stressful day. So. I “rewarded” myself by indulging in whatever my heart desired.

We have to recharge, but not with unneeded food that only makes us more tired. We were not created to run without recharging in the proper way. We are overwhelmed. We are loaded down with cares. We have taken on way too much. Rest is our answer.

Sabbath Rest

We need to recharge daily, but we also need to take a day when we stop working. I will confess this is harder for me to do, but because I know the value of it, I have made it a goal to cease all work on Sunday. (Sunday is the day I choose, but you can choose another if Sunday is a workday for you.)

It is only a true Sabbath when we allow Jesus to give us rest. Jesus said in Matt. 11:28-30 (MSG): “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

When I feel I have a heavy burden to carry, it is because I have piled more on myself than I should be handling. He says He will give us rest when we come to Him. That’s because He is our rest. He is where we find our rest. If your burden feels heavy, it’s because you are carrying more than God wants you to carry.

Tips for Resting

I’ve learned a few things along the way about this. So let me give you four don’ts and three dos to help keep you from being constantly tired, worn out and burnt out.

1. Don’t say yes to another job unless God has said yes to you doing it.
2. Don’t feel like you have to burn out in order for God to be pleased with you.
3. Don’t assume God wants you to overwork for Him.
4. Don’t assume that doing yet another thing for God will mean you don’t have to do what God really wants you to do.
5. Do rest in God.
6. Do learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
7. Do learn how to live freely and lightly.

Doing these things will go a long way toward alleviating the overwhelm in our lives. This in turn will help us make healthier life choices in what we eat, when and how much we exercise and how we incorporate other sacred rhythms into our lives.

For more specifics on this topic and more on these seven tips, listen to Sweet Grace for Your Journey podcast, episode 19. {eoa}

Teresa Shields Parker is the author of five books and two study guides, including her latest, Sweet Journey to Transformation: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Live Healthy, and her No. 1 bestseller, Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds. She is also a blogger, spiritual weight loss coach (check out her coaching group, Overcomers Academy) and speaker at . Check out her new podcast, Sweet Grace for Your Journey.

For the original article, visit .

How do you feel about your life? Would you say you love it? Or do you just get through each day, enduring the things you don’t want to do, putting up with the things that frustrate you, wishing you had someone else’s life?

Do you believe you will finally be happy someday … when you have this or that?

People often say things like: “I’ll be happy when I have a different job.” “I’ll be happy when I’m married.” “I’ll be so glad when the weekend gets here!” “I’d be so happy if I had children.” And then after the children come … “I’ll be so happy when these kids are finally grown and out of the house!”

It’s a mistake for us to go through life thinking we can’t be happy until we have something we want or our circumstance changes. The truth is, we’ll always find something to be unhappy about until we learn to be happy in the Lord.

I know about this from personal experience. I got a very bad start in life, and it made me a miserable, angry, insecure person who didn’t trust anybody because I believed if I didn’t take care of myself, nobody else would. And that caused me to be very selfish and self-centered.

But God didn’t create us to live selfish lives, spending all our time trying to get what we want. He put a desire in us to have pleasure, but we will never really experience His blessings—His peace, joy, love and all the good things He wants to give us—if we live with a “What about me?” mentality.

John 10:10 (AMP) says, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”

The enemy—the devil—wants to steal our joy and destroy our lives. But Jesus came and died on the cross to give us abundant life, “to the full, till it overflows”! And it’s a tragedy when born-again Christians don’t enjoy their lives because they have a “barely getting by, hanging on till Jesus comes to get me” mentality.

If you’re unhappy and want to enjoy your life, I want to give you two keys to help you get there.

The first key is to make an attitude adjustment.

Having a negative, critical attitude and feeling sorry for ourselves sours everything. We all have things we could complain about, but it doesn’t do any good, so we’re just wasting our time and energy when we give in to it.

Make a determined decision to have a more thankful attitude in your day-to-day life. Thank God for the good things you can think of right now, and actively look for more things to add to the list each day. This will help you stay focused on God’s goodness.

Another way to improve your attitude is to get your mind off yourself and think about others more. Ask God how you can be a blessing and help make someone else’s life better. When we’re paying attention to others, it’s easy to find something we can do, whether it’s giving an encouraging word or compliment, a random act of kindness or a hug. There’s really no end to the ways we can show God’s love to someone around us.

The second key is to have a proper perspective.

Loving or hating a thing often comes down to how you look at it. It’s possible you can have more joy in your life simply by looking at it from a different perspective.

Whatever you focus on, that is what you’re going to get. If you focus on trouble long enough, that’s all you’ll expect, and it will likely develop.

What we choose to focus on gets larger in our lives. If we don’t have a proper perspective of it from God’s point of view, it will grow and get out of balance. For example, in marriage, people sometimes get so focused on the things they don’t like about their spouse that they totally forget all the good things they love about them.

I know life is not easy, and we all have to deal with hardship at times. But when you’re struggling, realize that although you have some trouble, things could be worse.

I certainly don’t mean to make light of a serious issue you’re facing; my purpose with this point is to help you keep your perspective based on God’s Word and His promises. Because when you choose to trust Him in every circumstance, He will always be bigger than your problems! {eoa}

For more on this topic, order Joyce’s three-teaching CD series, Joy and Enjoyment. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting .

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times‘ bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries Inc. She has authored more than 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Your Battles Belong to the Lord (FaithWords). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit .

“If God exists, why are people battling cancer?”

“If God is real, why are homeless people sleeping on the street?”

“If God is who He says He is, why do we experience sadness, hardship and heartbreak?”

Those are commonly asked questions by countless unbelievers. In fact, believers have asked the same questions at some point in their lives, too, and I share that factoid with certainty because I was once on the speaking end of those questions. People often wonder why the faithful suffer and why believers do not always prosper despite their faith.

In 2015, when my mom fell ill with cancer, I remember crying out to God. “Why, God?” I screamed. “Why my mother? She loves you. She believes in you. Why is she so sick, God?”

My husband heard my cries as I was wailing from our bedroom upon hearing the news of my mom’s stage 4 gastric cancer.

“Laci,” he said as he gently put his hand on my shoulder. “Our reward is in heaven, and our faith doesn’t mean we will live perfect lives or be exempt from pain while on earth.”

His answer angered me because at that moment I couldn’t seem to come to grips with my mom’s illness. I just wanted to be angry and, admittedly, I decided to direct my anger toward God. I questioned Him, I refused to pray, and I turned my back on the one who never turned His back on me.

From that moment forward, my husband and loved ones prayed for my mom, and they prayed for me, too, because they knew I was having a difficult time processing this news. Their prayers filled me with renewed strength and peace, thus leading me to dive back into my prayer life. The ironic part is that my mom’s conditioned worsened, yet my faith strengthened. During that trying stage in my life, I fell in love, yet again, with a specific Scripture that has led me through troubled waters.

“When you pass through waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame kindle on you” (Isa. 43:2).

Even the most faithful, diligent Christians will suffer from sickness, failures, heartbreak and letdowns. You might pray for hours on end, regularly attend church, tithe, read the Word and treat others with love and respect, but that does not mean God will automatically grant you success. Faith is not a permanent hall pass for life’s troubles, and choosing to believe in God does not mean you have a genie with unlimited wishes. However, faith does entitle you to something better than a life of perfection and success—eternal life. Fellow believers and those teetering on the fence, remember that the level of one’s success or failures is not a measure of one’s faith. Look toward heaven as the ultimate reward.

“I press on toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

Steer clear of convincing yourself that Christianity paves a path of prosperity. A sanctimonious mode of thinking will deviate even the strongest believer and place them on the path of pride, bitterness, skepticism and emptiness. Instead, remind yourself that the enemy always aims high; he focuses his attention on those who are right with God. God makes no mistakes, and in everything He does, He prepares you to be the best version of yourself.

To grow in character is a priceless blessing more valuable than a life without difficulties. Strengthen His Kingdom by glorifying His name, no matter the circumstances. {eoa}

LightWorkers’ mission is to create engaging, uplifting and inspirational content that breaks through the clutter, building a community of sharing and igniting a movement in the real world that motivates people to celebrate and share the good all around them. Visit their website at .

God of Creation, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Your name is Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. You are the one who is age to age the same, the Great I Am. There is no shadow of turning with You. You are the one who brought Israel into existence. You have said that You did not set Your affection on her and choose her because she was more numerous than other peoples. But it was because You loved her. Therefore, because You are the same yesterday as You are today and forever will be, we know Your love has not waned over the ages. Your eyes have never left her. Your heart is still filled with love for Your people …

On Israel’s 72nd birthday (April 28), we shout Your praise! Her very existence is evidence that her God is God! Who has ever heard of a country being born in a day or a nation brought forth in a moment? Yet seventy-two years ago, You reestablished Your people as a nation in the family of nations! After 2000 years of being dispersed all over the world, You brought Your people back from the four corners of the earth to their ancient homeland, speaking their ancient language, keeping their ancient traditions. We greatly rejoice with Jerusalem! We are glad for her!

On her behalf, we claim Your promise that in the very last days, You will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. You have promised that the time is coming when You will make a new covenant with the house of Israel—that they will all know You, from the least to the greatest. Is this the time? You have promised that You will go out and fight against the nations that come against Your people, that You will set Your feet on the Mount of Olives once again. You have promised that one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea; You have promised that living water will flow out from Jerusalem; You have promised the Lord God of Israel will be King over the whole earth, and Jerusalem will be secure.

Living Lord, we do not ask for what we want or what we hope. We are asking You to do what You have said! You do not mock Your children. You keep Your word.

Show up in great power, giving Your people supernatural strength to withhold vengeance, to execute justice, to remember mercy, to walk humbly as they acknowledge that victory will be won not by their might nor by their own power, but by Your Spirit. Give them a shared vision and a shared faith, as well as a shared identity, that will transcend their differences and unite them under Your ‘wings’ of protection and blessing. You have said that when their government is on Your shoulders, there will be no end to their peace. How we long for that day!

On this significant day, we look to You. You are a great prayer-hearing, prayer-answering, covenant-keeping, miracle-working God. We believe in You. We believe that Jerusalem’s God is God. We believe You are as strong today on her behalf as You were in the beginning, and always have been and always will be. We believe our words have been heard. Because our words are based on Your words, we believe that we have asked according to Your will, in the name of the one who is the Son of David … and the Son of God. Therefore, we expect to receive answers.{eoa}

Called “the best preacher in the family” by her father, Billy Graham, Anne Graham Lotz speaks around the globe with the wisdom and authority of years spent studying God’s Word. The New York Times named Anne one of the five most influential evangelists of her generation. She’s been profiled on 60 Minutes and has appeared on TV programs such as Larry King Live, The Today Show and Hannity Live. Her Just Give Me Jesus revivals have been held in more than 30 cities in 12 different countries, to hundreds of thousands of attendees.

For the original article, visit .

I will admit that this “safer at home” quarantine during the current COVID-19 crisis is getting old.

Multiple times each day, even though I feel fine, doctors, scientists and newscasters are reminding me that I’m in the “vulnerable” senior-age-group! As I write, we’re at over seven weeks of home-detention and still counting.

This crisis and these weeks have caused me to reflect in a new way on the end times, the brevity of this life and the biblical hope of eternal life to come. Whether this epidemic is part of the biblical “last days” or not, it certainly has been the last days for scores of thousands of virus victims in our country alone. How many were without the hope of heaven?

A Final Harvest Awaits

John the revelator tells us that at the last days and the end of time, just before the final harvest of the remaining righteous souls is reaped, a final effort of evangelism is to be undertaken by angels (Rev. 14:6-8, 14-16).

First, an angel is said to proclaim the “everlasting gospel,” which focuses on:

—Preaching to all humans who remain on earth, “to every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9).

—Proclaiming: “Fear God and give Him glory, for the hour of His judgment has come” (Rev. 14:7b).

—Pleading for all people to “worship Him” as Creator, for He “made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water” (Rev. 7:14c).

It seems to me that this angelic evangelistic-effort completes and fulfills Jesus’ prediction that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14). This simple message is to be a life-changing and future transforming experience for all remaining humanity.

God’s initial and ultimate intention is that He would receive worship for His “worth-ship” and praise from the people He has created and sustains: Revelation 4:11 (MEV) proclaims:

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You have created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

Bringing People to our Creator God

That initial divine intention remains as mankind’s obligation. Our “Good News” proclamations are insufficient and incomplete if they do not bring people to our “faithful Creator” (1 Pet. 4:19) and to that intended worship experience and expression.

Two reasons are stated for that needed response: the reality of God’s eternal judgment and the responsibility of His creation. Sin dishonors God and contradicts His holy, moral character. It must ultimately be punished. Paul told the Romans that the ancient, unrighteous mankind “suppress(ed) the truth,” which would have required them to repent and serve the living God, even by faith (1:17-18).

Today, such saving faith only comes through hearing and believing the Bible’s message about Jesus, the Jewish Messiah and the Gentiles’ Savior (Gen. 3:15; Rom. 1:16; 10:14-17). Evidence of God’s existence and power can be seen in the created world and reflected in our inner consciences. Both should motivate everyone to repent and worship this Creator God.

Paul explained to the Romans that even the ancient neighbors of Noah (“since the creation of the world”) “knew God,” in this universal, existential way, but were not thankful to Him nor did they worship Him. Consequently, they and we “are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20-21). The closing verses of this revealing chapter (verses 29-32) describe a society—like our own, today—totally rejecting moral purity and rebelling against God, our Creator and sustainer.

Perhaps Eugene Peterson makes it clearer to us in The Message paraphrase:

Since they didn’t bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose: rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: mean-spirited, venomous, fork-tongued God-bashers. Bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. Stupid, slimy, cruel, cold-blooded. And it’s not as if they don’t know better. They know perfectly well they’re spitting in God’s face. And they don’t care—worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best (Rom. 1:28-32, MSG).

Only What’s Done for Christ Will Last

Those of that ancient world may have been acclaimed by their own for their gross sins but those of us, in this age, who have righteously run our race and are finishing our destiny for this life before God, the Bible assures us that our “labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58b). Nothing done for Him will be overlooked. We shall be rewarded in this life and the life to come!

Death, for believers, either now or at the “harvest” or “gathering” at the end of time, is to be a blessing, as we are released to receive two precious promises, as shared by John in Revelation 14:12-13:

1. Eternal Rest: No more tears, death, sorrow, crying nor pain (Rev. 21:1-7).
2. Eternal Rewards: We become jewels in His crown. We will be rewarded according to our own labors. Our rewards will be tested and purified by fire, as an inheritance worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom we serve (Mal. 3:17; 1 Cor. 3:5-17; 15:58; Col. 3:24).

May “we who are alive and remain” until the harvest of the righteous (1 Thess. 4:17-18; Rev. 14:12-16) recommit—even now—to persistently keeping the commandment of Jesus (Rev. 3:10) and of God, His Father (Rev. 12:17), patiently enduring trials and tribulation (Luke 21:16-19; ) and boldly testifying of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:11, 13:10, 14:12), even “to the end” (Matt. 24:13, Mark 13:13).

In so doing, we can claim Paul’s prayer that our God will: “count you worthy of this calling and with power fulfill all your good desires and works done by faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:11b-12).

May all the saints say, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20b). {eoa}

Gary Curtis served in full-time ministry for 50 years, the last 27 years of which he was part of the pastoral staff of The Church on The Way, the Van Nuys, California Foursquare Church. Now retired, Gary continues to write a weekly blog at and frequent articles for digital and print platforms. Gary and his wife live in Southern California and have two married daughters and five grandchildren.

Note: Although Mother’s Day has come and gone, I wanted to share this with you about the importance of the influence of a mother. It cannot be overstated.

A mother’s love and encouragement help shape our worldview. Godly mothers impart faith that guides and strengthens us.

I am grateful for the influence of my mother. She believed in me always. Her confidence in me helped me overcome challenges and setbacks later in life.

George Washington, our first U.S. president, said this about his mother, “All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all of my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”

Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president during the U.S. Civil War, spoke of his mother’s prayers for him, “All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother’s prayers, and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”

Today, looking at Paul’s second letter to Timothy, I want to examine “The Power of a Mother’s Faith.”

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus. I am writing to Timothy, my dear son. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace. Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:1-7, NLT).

Paul, imprisoned for the second time, writes this letter to his protégé Timothy around A.D. 66 or 67. Paul wrote 1 and 2 Timothy just before his death by Roman Emperor Nero. Timothy had become a son in the faith and one of Paul’s closest friends.

Timothy converted to Christianity after Paul’s first missionary journey to Lystra (Acts 14:6-18). By Paul’s second visit, Timothy had grown into a respected disciple of Jesus (Acts 16:1-5). Timothy would later join Paul for his other two missionary journeys.

Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day (Acts 16:1-5, NLT).

Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother and a Greek father. To the Jews, he was like a Samaritan. So, Paul asked Timothy to be circumcised to remove some of the stigma with Jewish believers. Timothy was not required to be circumcised (in Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council decided this), but he voluntarily did this to overcome any barriers to his witness for Christ. Timothy’s willingness to be circumcised as an adult emphasize his commitment to Jesus and spreading the gospel.

Paul left Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3-4) to oversee the church there. Paul’s letters to Timothy (1 and 2 Timothy) provided him guidance, instruction and comfort during challenging times.

Sharing the Faith of His Grandmother and Mother

Paul recalled the faith he observed in Timothy’s mother and grandmother, “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you” (2 Tim. 1:5, NLT).

Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice were early Christian converts, possibly through Paul’s ministry in their home city of Lystra. They may have heard Paul’s preaching when he was there during his first missionary journey (Acts 14:6-18). Timothy is the first second-generation Christian mentioned in the New Testament.

Timothy’s mother and grandmother had faithfully influenced him for the Lord. There is no mention of his father being a believer; nevertheless, the faithfulness of his mother and grandmother prevailed.

In these verses (2 Tim. 1:1-7), we observe the influence of a mother’s faith, as well as principles to impart faith to others and grow one’s faith.

1. A mother’s faith is generational; it leaves a godly legacy. Paul first observed genuine faith in Eunice and Lois. They raised Timothy in the Jewish faith prior to their conversion to Christ. Timothy learned the precepts of Judaism and God’s Word from a young age.

The writer of Proverbs tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6, MEV). The phrase “train up” is from the Hebrew word ḥā·nǎḵ, meaning to develop a person’s behavior by instruction and practice.

We do not know much about Timothy’s conversion experience, but the training and demonstrated faith of his mother and grandmother (both in Judaism and Christianity) played a significant role in his coming to Christ.

Mothers, your influence is greater than you may realize! Your faith in God and His Word, along with the faith you have in your children is powerful!

David said, “But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You caused me to trust while I was on my mother’s breasts” (Ps. 22:9).

The special bond between a mother and child creates trust and influence. Faith develops through love; the nurturing bond of a mother lays a foundation for trust. The stories and prayers you share with your children empower them to dream, trust God and believe in themselves!

My mother always encouraged me, always believed in me and gave me the confidence that I could do anything. Perhaps it was being raised on a farm in the Midwest; she demonstrated a resolve to press ahead despite hard work, setback and loss. Her ability to press through and persevere in hardship help build a determination in me that helps me to this day.

I read a story about Thomas Edison (the man credited with inventing the light bulb) which described as a young boy, his teacher sent him home with a note that said, “Your child is dumb; we can’t do anything for him.”Mrs. Edison wrote back, “You do not understand my boy. I will teach him myself.” She did and Edison impacted our world!

The Atlantic publication reported in 2016: A new report from the Pew Research Center suggests mothers have more influence on their children’s religious upbringings than fathers, especially in interfaith households. One-third of respondents in a survey of roughly 5,000 Americans said their mom was more responsible for their religious experiences than their dad. In families with parents of mixed religious backgrounds, the percentage was well more than half. This was especially true in households in which one parent was religious, and the other wasn’t; in those cases, nearly two-thirds of respondents said their mom had the most influence on their religious lives.”

Did you notice how significant a mother’s faith influence their children? Especially in the homes where the father was not religious? Considering that nearly 25% of the children raised in America today are raised by single mothers, it underscores how influential and how important it is for mothers to impart their Christian faith to their children. It has generational implications!

Paul understood this. In the next chapter he tells Timothy (who understood the generational impact his grandmother and mother had upon him):

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:1-2, NIV).

Notice there are four generations of disciples mentioned in these two verses? Paul, Timothy, reliable people and others taught. Genuine discipleship leaves a generational legacy. Timothy understood this concept firsthand through his mother and grandmother. As Paul instructed Timothy, mothers understand that your imparted faith to your children leaves a generational legacy.

2. A mother’s faith is anchored in God’s Word. Paul encouraged Timothy to read and study God’s Word, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15, NASB).

This verse is compelling. Paul clearly tells Timothy, despite persecution and adversity, he needs to give attention to study of God’s Word in order to present Godly truth to believer and unbeliever alike. By so doing, he is an approved worker in God’s vineyard! Certainly, Timothy’s mother and grandmother instilled the value of the consistent study of God’s Word to him.

One of the founders of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, said of his mother’s biblical instruction, “I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians in England.” His mother, Susanna, was a woman of faith, the Word and prayer. She faithfully taught her 10 children and others God’s Word.

Once, when her husband Samuel (who was a pastor) was called away for nearly four months, he left Susanna with the responsibility of the care, education and religious training of the children. Susanna cared for the spiritual wellbeing of her family by leading Sunday afternoon prayer gatherings for her 10 children, including John and Charles Wesley, who were 8 and 4 respectively at the time. “I thought it my duty to spend some part of the day in reading to and instructing my family,” Susanna Wesley wrote to Samuel, “especially in your absence, when, having no afternoon service, we have so much leisure for such exercises.” She thought family worship was more beneficial than private devotions.

A 2019 LifeWay study found that only 32% of Americans who “attend a Protestant church regularly say they read the Bible personally every day.” Unfortunately, this is a concerning statistic. Biblical illiteracy is on the rise, and believers must place a higher priority on God’s Word.

In our 21st-century culture, we are easily distracted through instant access to video, social media and information—adults and children alike. Mothers (as well as fathers) it, is imperative you model to your children a love and study of God’s Word. Teach them the value of memorizing Scripture. Read them Bible stories consistently; build biblical literacy in them, love for God and faith for God to do the impossible!

3. A mother’s faith is demonstrated through consistent prayer and worship.

“Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers” (2 Tim. 1:3, NLT).

Paul was a man of prayer, and he modeled it for Timothy, “I constantly pray for you Timothy—night and day!” I believe Timothy’s mother and grandmother were prayer warriors too, like Paul and most of the believers at that time.

Acts 16:1-2 describes Timothy as a disciple, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed (Eunice), and was well spoken of by other Christians in the city. These verses imply that the faith and practice of Eunice influenced her son in the Christian faith—certainly through teaching in God’s Word, prayer, worship and service.

Judaism is filled with prayers recited consistently. Timothy, before he and his mother and grandmother converted to Christianity, would have prayed routinely before meals, on Shabbat and so on. As Christians, the tradition of saying the Lord’s prayer and other prayers would have been habitual.

One cannot be well spoken of by other believers apart from genuine faith that is filled with love for Jesus, His word, prayer, worship and service to others! The early church demonstrated a commitment to prayer.

We read in Acts 12 how Peter was imprisoned by Herod who planned on executing him for his Christian faith, but the church prayed fervently until he was supernaturally released. God sent an angel who freed Peter and led him out of the gate of the city!

“So Peter was kept in prison. But the church prayed to God without ceasing for him. … Realizing this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:5, 12, MEV).

The early church had no other recourse but to rely completely on God and stay vigilant in prayer. They knew as truth prayer moves mountains! Doubtless, Timothy’s mother Eunice and Grandmother Lois also understood the power of prayer and modeled it for him.

James tells us that, “…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” (James 5:16b, AMPC). Effective or earnest from the Greek energéō means to work, be active, or bring about.,

The basic idea in the Greek means prayer “having activity or energy.” Effective prayer is characterized by earnestness, fervency and energy. This text suggests that our praying, when energized by the power of the Holy Spirit, causes things to happen!

4 A mother’s faith is full of love, a love that overcomes fear! Paul could see a strong faith in Timothy because of the loving influence of Eunice and Lois. He then finished this section with, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7, NLT).

Faith needs love to function properly—love fuels faith! Paul explains the link between faith and love: “but faith which works through love” (Gal. 5:6b, MEV). A mother’s nurturing love fuels fiery faith! Faith working through love overcomes fear and timidity. Godly mothers help infuse a faith that loves, serves and is bold when needed!

Timothy, like every leader and follower of Christ, needed to be courageous and confident. But he also needed to be loving, tender and compassionate toward others. His mother and grandmother helped shape these values in Timothy, and Paul was simply reminding him of what was important.

Final Thoughts

Mothers, I want to thank you for helping to raise godly children who are destined to change our world. Be encouraged and do not grow weary in well-doing; you will reap an eternal reward for your investment in your children and the children of our generation. They are destined to change our world!

You are building a strong faith in them to overcome in the most adverse situations. Moms, stay committed to the task of raising godly children. Continue to infuse them with love, faith and courage!

Here more of Pastor Bob’s teaching at this link. {eoa}

Bob Sawvelle is the founding and senior leader of Passion Church in Tucson, Arizona. Passion Church is a vibrant, kingdom-minded church in the heart of Tucson that values God’s love and presence. He is a doctor of ministry doctoral mentor for the Randy Clark Scholars cohort at United Theological Seminary (UTS); an adjunct professor teaching master’s-level classes in evangelism, discipleship and church planting with the Global Awakening Theological Seminary (GATS); and an online course facilitator for Global Awakening’s Christian Healing Certification Program (CHCP) and Christian Prophetic Certification Program (CPCP).