Revelation‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Look at these beautiful mountains. They always make me think about God and how with faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. We don’t get a Testimony without a Test! Remembering what God has done is a big part of our testimony. This verse from Revelation holds so much power. Through the testing of our faith, we will triumph. Take a moment to think about how much power our testimonies hold over Satan. This is so encouraging to keep pushing through the testing.

I encourage you to listen to this song, Don’t You Give Up On Me by Brandon Lake. The lyrics sing, “When the night is at its darkest, that’s when the light hits the hardest. You ain’t seen what I promised, child we’re just getting started.”

Today I leave you with homework. Recall a time in your life you have been tested. Have you shared your testimony? Ask God to impress upon your heart, who needs to hear your testimony. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share your story. Together we can bind Satan though the power of our testimonies. With God’s help, let’s move mountains!

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Read over and meditate on this week’s featured scriptures.

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭2‬ ‭ASV‬‬ — Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.

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Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭2‬ ‭ASV‬‬ — Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.

There are many different artists with many different music genres that use their platform to give us a testimonial message. We all have a testimony to share. For some, it is how we became a Christian, our struggles with depression, addiction, divorce, wandering away from God, and more.

I encourage you to worship God with God Is In This Story by Katy Nichole and Big Daddy Weave. God is in every detail of our stories. 

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Philippians 4:13 NKJV — I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

This week as I shared on the topic of what matters most, I have also been striving to do just that. Recently, my mom fell, broke her arm, and hit her head. The hit to her head not only resulted in a black eye but also a brain bleed. The last few weeks have been filled with frequent trips to visit and support her and my dad who is caring for her. While this has been a stressful time, I have also been blessed to be able to be there with her as she is slowly recovering. Several times I have had to drop everything and go to her, and each time has been an exclamation mark on the necessity to focus on what matters most. Today I am savoring my sweet family memories as well as the opportunities I have to help care for the people I love. When we were growing up and struggling with an issue my mom would recite today’s featured scripture to my brother and myself. As a result, I quickly committed it to memory and learned to call on Christ for strength. As an adult, I am now aware of the verse that comes before this scripture of promise and better understand the context. Philippians 4:12-13 —- I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

As Tara Leigh Cobble from the Bible Recap says, “He’s where the joy is!”

Today I encourage you to reflect on what scripture reminds you to focus on Christ during difficult times. If you don’t already have a favorite, I encourage you to commit Philippians 4:13 to memory and share it with your loved ones too.

Matthew 6:28-34 NIV — “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

What consumes your attention and your thoughts? Do you spend your time worrying about circumstances and situations? Worrying disrupts our peace and robs us of joy. In fact, most of our worries are out of our control. Today’s scripture reminds us to not worry. Easier said than done, right?

In his book, Draw the Circle, Mark Batterson writes, “We tend to view the goal as the goal, but in God’s economy the process is the goal. It’s not about what we are doing at all; it’s about who we are becoming in the process.” Today I encourage you to focus on the process your struggles may be taking you through. Don’t focus on worry. Focus on who you are becoming in this process.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my life. Forgive me when my focus is on earthly matters instead of being focused on You and Your call on my life. Instead of worrying, help me to focus on who I am becoming in the process of my struggles. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV — Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Today’s verse reminds us to be content and to remember God is always with us. When we stay focused on this promise we can focus our attention on all we are grateful for and have joy. For who or what are you thankful? Last week Julie reminded us of the practice of making a daily gratitude list. I encourage you to not only make your gratitude list but to choose one of those to focus on today. Explore why that is a gratitude for you. What about it brings you joy? Is this something that helps to change your focus? Is it something that matters most? An attitude of gratitude is pleasing to God and allows you to positively affect those around you. 

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my life. Forgive me when my focus is on earthly matters instead of being focused on You and Your call on my life. Help me to have an attitude of gratitude. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Philippians 4:4-9 NIV — Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Today’s scripture encourages us to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, or praiseworthy. My challenge for you today is that whenever you find your mind focusing on worry to turn your worry into a prayer or praise. For example, if I am worried about the health of a loved one I will turn that worry into a prayer of thanksgiving for that person and ask God for His healing touch. I have learned I must then let it go and trust God. 

How have you learned to change your thoughts around to focus on what matters most?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my life. Forgive me when my focus is on earthly matters instead of being focused on You and Your call on my life. May I learn to turn my worries into prayers. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion