A brighter path awaits for us

The path of the righteous (somebody who is in right standing with Jesus) gets brighter and brighter until the full day" (when Jesus returns)! (Proverbs 4:18)

I do expect things to get better for me until Jesus comes. I do expect to have better clarity for my future. I do expect to be better equipped to deal with everyday problems because I will be able to see them with a better perspective. As pastor Dickow says, " I'm designed by God to get better spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially and in my relationships."

God speaks

God speaks. Sometimes I receive words of knowledge or can see little visions to show the people that God knows them and loves them. However, when I, myself, can feel the heartbeat of the Father for them I become an oracle of both his knowledge and his emotions. I can actually feel the person's pain and the compassion of the Father for her or him. And this is exactly how our heavenly Father uses me as a prophet.

New Attitude of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is the highest form of faith. When I see a promise in God's Word, I ask for it; and thank God that I have it. Right there my faith soars.I receive all that God promises, and I walk in gratitude for what he has already done.

Having an attitude of gratitude every day makes me aware of all the blessings that come my way. Busy during the holidays, I have forgotten about my thank-you list.

I am back, Lord, with a new attitude of gratitude for the New year.

My "Butterfly Lesson"

Is God talking to you? Is he encouraging you to do something? 

He wanted me to keep writing books. Yet, I was not sure it was God speaking. Then I read Joyce Meyer's and Deborah Bedford's book, The Penny. That novel gave me the courage to keep writing my own stories with a new-acquired knowledge that my past was the stepping stone to reach others. God had the power to use my pain to heal hurting human beings, to give hope to the hopeless, and to set free many who were oppressed by depression, evil spirits and abusive husbands. My experience did matter in reaching many who were still suffering. My efforts to get out of the cocoon of disbelief and atheism were not in vain. I had emerged with airy wings so enormous I could sour on the Spirit’s power. My suffering had given me courage to show God’s love to the oppressed. I had stories to tell; I had the power to encourage others; I had the willingness to serve the One who had saved me and had given me wings.

Before the new year begins, I need to do a few things:

1. I need to boldly speak to my past seeds, “Harvest, come forth from the seeds I’ve sown”. This is according Galatians 6:9  where God promises that "in due season, you shall reap if you faint not.”
2. I need to speak life over my  family, health, finances, etc. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of your tongue...” My words have the power to give life.
         I believe God will restore to me all lost money, opportunities and years. He will repay me for all that has been lost. I expect double for the trouble, in Jesus’ Name!

Parking problems

When I was not able to find a parking spot, I thought, "This problem just never seems to go away."

Then I remembered pastor Dickow's words, "The problem is not the problem. The problem is the power that you give the problem. Numbers 13:33 says, "We became like grasshoppers in OUR OWN sight, so we were in THEIR sight."
        I declare, over and over, that I am bigger than my problem. My little tongue is more powerful than the biggest mountain. The parking problem has to move because God is with me and because I say so, in Jesus' name! 

       Needless to say I found a place to park my car.

Christian Devotions

A Lesson from a Donkey - Nadia Ianakieva Lesson from a donkey

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV

You need to learn from the old donkey! The thought churned in my mind.

I'd lost my job, felt discouraged, and turned to God for help. Was there a lesson I needed to learn? Turned out there was, and the teacher was a donkey.

The story goes like this: A donkey ended up in an old abandoned well. His owner decided the hole was too deep, the donkey, too old, and it wasn't worth rescuing him. Instead, he called his neighbor and the two farmers agreed to fill the hole with dirt and bury the animal in the well.

When the cries of the animal subsided, the owner peeked into the well to see what had happened to the donkey. What he saw astonished him. Instead of being buried, the donkey dodged the incoming dirt, standing on the ever-increasing mound, getting ready to jump out of the well.

When I feel trapped by the circumstances, when the dirt of problems threatens to bury me, I remember the story of the old donkey. As a believer I declare, “Faith will always find a way.”

The four men in Luke 5 found a way to lower their paralyzed friend who was lying on a mat, through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. They took action and climbed on the roof. They found a way for their friend to be healed.

Paul encourages us by saying we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength. It takes willingness to accept that truth, but it is what the Bible says we can do. God is our “turn around” specialist. If we trust Him, He can give us the power to overcome any hurdle on the road. He can transform the unfavorable circumstances into a stepping stone for our success, and use us to encourage others.

Don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Take action. Do the footwork. Believe God can and is willing to help you in trouble. Get off that couch and declare, “Faith will always find a way.” Stand on the Word of God and believe.

Photo courtesy microsoft.com free image gallery

Nadia Ianakieva is a freelance writer living in Hanover Park, Illinois. She was born in Bulgaria, a country behind the Iron Curtain of Communism. When baptized in the Holy Spirit, she was miraculously delivered and healed of several diseases. In 2000 Nadia’s family moved to America as permanent residents. Her mission is to encourage believers by pointing out the power they have been given in Christ.
Nadia’s articles have been published by Leah, a magazine for Christian women and Breathe Again magazine, designed to uplift the modern women of today. Nadia is the author of The Red Dress Decision: True Stories of a Life Filled with God’s Miracles.
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61663-168-0 http://www.wix.com/nianakieva/nadiaianakieva

Read Nadia's devotions.