Do you find it difficult asking the Lord for help regarding your financial needs? Maybe it feels selfish and self-centered. After all, there are people in other parts of the world that are starving.

On the one hand we can struggle with finding the boldness to pray about our physical needs. Yet, on the other hand we can be consumed with anxiety about our financial future.

Jesus addressed our concern about the resources we need in life saying, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

In another passage Jesus said that when we pray we were to ask saying…”Give us this day our daily bread.” If the Lord already knows what we need, then why do we need to ask?

The petition isn’t for God, it’s for us. The act of asking reminds us that no matter how the economic landscape of our lives may change, the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father NEVER changes.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:28 NIV)

Jacob’s defining moment came when God called him by a different name. Up to this point, Jacob’s life had been one of lies and deception. But, what else could be expected? Afterall, that’s what the name Jacob means- deceiver.

God changed Jacob’s name and from that moment on, Jacob saw himself differently. It was at this point Jacob began to step into God’s purpose for his life.

The way you see yourself determines your path in life. You will always tend to act according to your self image. God does His deepest changes in your life by changing your sense of identity.

Where does your sense of worth come from? Do you tend to define yourself by your position in life or by the recognition of others? Does your sense of worth come from your possessions or your past?

In the bible we read, For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3 NIV). According to this verse, your life and your value  are found in Christ. Nothing less and nothing more is needed.

God wants you to know Him – to really know Him. Deep relationships are built, not in the noise of a party but in the solitude of a one-on-one relationship — in that quiet time.  Find ways to quiet the noise of life and hear His voice. He has something incredible to tell you today.

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. (Mark 1:35 NLT)

There is a universal law called the principle of sowing and reaping. If I sow generosity, I’m going to reap generosity. Every farmer knows this. If a farmer has sacks of seed in his barn  he doesn’t looks at his empty field and complain he doesn’t have a crop.  He goes out and starts planting seed. In other words, the farmer knows that when you have a need, you plant a seed.  Yet, for many of us this seems illogical.

Why did God set it up that way? Because God IS a giver. He is the most generous giver in the universe, and God wants you to learn to be like him.

The Bible says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.” (Proverbs 3:9 NLT) This is the principle of tithing. It’s the principle that says every time I make $100 — the first $10 goes back to God.

Tithing isn’t paying a bill, it’s an act of worship.  When we worship through our giving we’re saying, “Lord, I am trusting you regarding my finances.” Even though giving looks like subtraction, according to the Bible it’s the exact opposite. The promise from our Heavenly Father is; “Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:10 NIV)

The Apostle Paul’s moment of surrender occurred on the road to Damascus. As Paul was on his way to persecute the followers of Christ, he was knocked down by a blinding light. As dramatic as this event was for the Apostle Paul, it wasn’t enough. Surrendering is never just a one-time event. Paul would later say in a letter, “I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31 NASB)

There is the moment of surrender and there is the practice of surrender. Jesus said, “If you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, take up your cross every day, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 GNT) The practice of surrender requires obedience and humility. But most of all, it requires these DAILY. I’ve noticed that once I surrender my life today, I am challenged to make the same choice again tomorrow. What in your life do you need to surrender today? What area of your life is God asking for more control?

There was a situation in the Bible where Jesus asked a man who had been crippled for thirty eight years what seemed to be a silly and even insulting question; ”Do you want to be well?”

Even though the answer seemed obvious, the question was necessary in helping the lame man identify an enemy that was greater than his infirmity. Jesus’ question led to the real question; had this man been crippled for so long that he had lost the vision for being well?

The truth is we too can become comfortable with the things that “cripple” us. Over time, we grow to accept our self-imposed barriers. We can find ourselves more afraid of the perceived pain that comes with change, than the pain we are currently experiencing.

Jesus wanted to challenge the way this man viewed his life. He wants to do the same for us today. Here’s another question: Are you willing to believe the resources available for your breakthrough are greater than the reasons to be stuck?

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”–Jesus Christ

Even though many people feel like their prayer life is lacking, I am convinced it’s not due to a lack of interest. Often, it’s a nagging sense of inadequacy that serves as an obstacle to consistent prayer. Many are plagued with questions like; “Am I good enough to pray? Will God even hear me? Do I need to say the right words for God to answer my prayers?

In Hebrews 10:19-22 we read, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…”

The Bible declares that the freedom we have to connect with God is not based on us, but on what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection. The blood of Jesus settles the question of whether or not we have the right to pray.

The greatest pleasure you can give God is to take a few moments today to lay aside your weaknesses and boldly enjoy His presence.

Half of our spiritual growth is learning what we don’t know. The other half is unlearning what we do know. It’s the unlearning part that is the most challenging for us. That’s why in one of his sermons Jesus repeated five different times the phrase, “You’ve heard it said, but I tell you…..”

We all have “corrupt files” in the hard drive of our minds; faulty ideas and concepts of God. These false perceptions become obstacles, causing us to sabotage our relationships, families and careers.

The solution is found in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.”

According to this passage, the Bible is the only weapon we have that has the power to expose and destroy those “corrupt files.” Let’s continue to develop the habit of mediating on the scriptures. As we do, we can expect the miracle of His transformation.

If you place a poker near the heat of a fire, eventually it becomes red hot. To succeed in relationships we need to follow the same principle. Surround yourself with great men and women. Remove your unhealthy relationships and begin to foster the type of friendships that empower your life.

Keep in mind that healthy relationships don’t just happen. They are developed on purpose. Friendships are never created by approaching them with the idea of what you’re going to get – if that’s the case, you will only “get” disappointment. Great relationships are created by giving! As you keep the fire of love, acceptance and forgiveness alive, you’ll never lack the heat of authentic friendships.

There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. Just as fruit takes a full season to ripen, the same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. We’re often obsessed with speed. God is more interested in strength than swiftness.

A great picture of this is found in the growth of the Chinese bamboo tree.When you plant a bamboo sprout into the ground, for five years nothing seems to happen.

But in the sixth year a dramatic change takes place. The Chinese bamboo tree grows to a staggering eighty feet! The World Book of Encyclopedia records that a single bamboo plant can grow three feet in a twenty-four-hour period.

Instead of being discouraged about how far you have to go, remind yourself how far you’ve already come. Be encouraged, you’re sixth year is coming!