A thief wouldn’t break into a house to steal merchandise he knows isn’t there. So the next time the devil attacks your mind with lies about inadequacies, insufficiencies, and other flaws, remember his strategy is to make you think you don’t possess what he’s after.

The thief knows you got the GOODS!

A thief in the natural world dismantles the security system leaving the structure vulnerable to his invasion. The same stands in the realm of darkness; the enemy comes to implant seeds of doubt to obstruct our confidence in God’s Word, resulting in him controlling our thoughts and actions. When the devil can exchange our faith for his fears, we are more likely to fall for his lies when he says things like:

• You can’t do anything right.
• You’re crazy.
• You’re stupid.
• You’re worthless.

The thief comes to weaken our faith’s immune system.

That negativity isn’t from God; the Lord builds us up; He doesn’t tear us down. Discouraging thoughts like those are confidence stealers; it weakens our faith’s immune system to ward off disbelief. God needs His people to immediately cast down the devil’s lies and walk in faith.

We are everything the devil tells us we’re not.

We can use the enemy’s lies to work against him and, at the same time, build our confidence—by knowing the thief only comes for what’s in our possession. Therefore, walk in boldness:

• We are the workmanship of God. (Ephesians 2:10)
• We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
• We have been made righteous through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• We are loved by God. (John 3:16)
• and so on. . .

What could the thief be stealing that you didn’t realize you had?

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

Will a God of love discipline His children when they disobey?

Yes—of course, and thank goodness He does. By in large, people are prideful, lustful, corruptible, and the list goes on. When ungodly characteristics shape behavior, our heavenly Father will do what needs to be done to make His point.

Would you rather face God’s firm discipline, Who loves you, or be destroyed by the devil, who hates you?

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth  

 (Hebrews 12:6, KJV).

Tough love: experience is a powerful teacher.

I know the thought that a loving God will allow or cause hardship to discipline His children is controversial. But look at it as tough love. Allowing believers to experience the consequences of their sinful choices is a good deterrent when temptation comes knocking again.

I’m not saying all hardship results from disobedience; some adversities come basically to strengthen and test our faith. Those examinations are crucial for assessing faith development. But, on the other hand, when blatant, willful sin is the cause for our rebellion, our Father has no problem chastening us.

For instance, when the Israelites turned away from God and started worshiping other gods and idols, He allowed their enemy, the Babylonians, to enslave them for seventy years. After they repented, they were released, and God punished the Babylonians for their mistreatment. This is just one example of how our Lord uses our adversaries’ evilness to discipline. (See the book of Ezekiel.)

The best weapon against the devil is to be a broken, submissive vessel for God.

Contrary to the devil’s plans to keep us bound and convicted with guilt, God is forgiving, and His mercy offers ample chances for repentance. Therefore, there’s no condemnation for those in Christ (see Romans 8:1) because our Redeemer sacrificed His life and paid our sin bill on the Cross.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5, KJV).

When corrections come, submit and say:

Lord, even though my flesh will have a SCREAMING FIT—discipline me!

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him (Job13:15).

 

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

I don’t watch television without having the remote control close at hand so I can mute it as I please. So likewise, we believers in Christ can mute the nerve-shattering roars of the devil by putting our faith in the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who resides within us (see John 14:16-17). Even though we can’t stop these frightening growls, it’s good to know there’s a safe, effective way to have them muted.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1John 4:4).

The roar is worse than the bite.

The enemy has meticulously studied our vulnerabilities; he knows more about our frailties than we do. Like a maestro conducting a symphony, he knows the opportune time to strike the perfect pitch of resounding roars of worry.

The more we focus on problematic legal issues, failing health, broken families, rebellious children, and other dire circumstances, the louder the roars. Unfortunately, the world’s remedies for quieting the noise are more harmful than the roars.

If you despise the roars, personalize your relationship with the Holy Spirit—get to know Him Intimately!

Why should believers worry about roars when the Holy Spirit resides in them?

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

 

We pray; then, we tend to give God instructions on answering our requests; those step-by-step directions reveal we don’t have the faith to leave everything in His royal hands. We often forget that our omniscient Lord knows more about our appeals than we ever could. He dealt with the matter long before there was an issue to address. His reasoning for doing what He does reaches far beyond our understanding. So tell me, how can our finite brains advise a sovereign God?

Genuine faith gives no instructions.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. ⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Do we trust God’s ways, or do we just want His power to execute our plans?

Yes, we believe God knows best but is that what we want, or do we just want Him to execute our best-laid plans? Do we trust His ways will satisfy our desires?

However, when we truly understand how much God loves us, His desires become our desires which loosens our tight grip on trying to control everything. And when we love Him in return, everything works together for our good (see Romans 8:28). So the sooner we trade our instructions in for His ways, the sooner God can get to work on our behalf.

Think about these questions:

• Did God need Noah’s advice on building the ark?
• Did God ask Moses for instructions on parting the Red Sea?
• Did God take lessons from Elijah on stopping the rain?

Of course not, and like so, God doesn’t need any instructions from us on starting our businesses, shielding us from evil plots, healing our bodies, saving our children, or any other circumstances we face. The truth of the matter is:

God doesn’t need any instructions—about anything.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

God is sending us some undeniable warnings of things to come. Ignoring the current ominous happenings that were foretold in biblical prophecy by sticking our heads in the sand won’t make it not so; this fuse was lit back in Garden of Eden, and now we’re in the path of its fiery blaze.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1, NIV)

Everything we’re witnessing was prophesied thousands of years ago.

We are characters who have been placed in this real-life drama. For those in Christ, there’s nothing to fear as each act unfolds. As a matter of fact, if we view what’s going on as God revealing His sovereignty right before our eyes, then these times are pretty exciting.

But the body of Christ has work to do in the vineyard (see Luke 10:1-2). And we can’t be effective witnesses if we bury ourselves and do not face what’s going on from a spiritual perspective. We are to cry loudly and alert others to prepare for Jesus’ return.

Right in plain sight!

On a particular day, Jesus went to the synagogue, opened the book of Isaiah, found Himself in Scripture, read it, then closed the book, and sat down (see Luke 4:16-20).

God revealed His long-range plan to prophets like Ezekiel; therefore, like Jesus, we should open the Scriptures and find our place.

The night is far gone, the day of his return will soon be here (Romans 13:12a, LAB).

 

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

With all the different beliefs in the world, coming to a consensus about anything is highly unlikely. Yet, one undisputed unanimous action will take place in the end: every knee will bow, every tongue will confess—Jesus Christ is LORD.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

The Great Commission

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded His disciples to go out and spread the gospel; today’s Christians are mandated to do likewise. (See Matthew 28:16-20.) The way things are going in today’s world, this is not the hour for believers to hide their light under a bushel; if they don’t step up now, then—when?

I genuinely believe the Holy Spirit has assigned each Christian specific people to witness to; they could be in their families, on their jobs, a stranger in a grocery-store line, or across the seas. They might accept the gospel or not; nevertheless, it won’t change the fact that every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess:

Jesus Christ is LORD!

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14).

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

Pain in our bodies is not without a cause; it’s a signal from the nervous system that something is wrong. The same is true for our dear planet earth; it’s receiving electrified surges of pain that translate worldwide as something is wrong. We can ignore all this distress, but things will only worsen if we do. You see, because of our wrongdoings: turning our backs on God and mistreating one another is why the earth is in such pain.

The land suffers for the sins of its people. The earth languishes, the crops wither, the skies refuse their rain, The land is defiled by crime; the people have twisted the laws of God and broken his everlasting commands (Isaiah 24:4-5, LAB).

How we treat people reflects our love for God; our love for God reflects how we treat people.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20)

When Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment? He replied, Love the Lord with all your heart and soul. And the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:34-40)

Instead of hundreds and hundreds of commands that we must adhere to—we only have two. Jesus said everything—hangs on those two conditions.

The Hatfields and the McCoys kept their feud going for over a century, as the story goes. But unfortunately, the same is true for many of us. We weren’t born with these prejudices; they were taught. We’re doing our loved ones a disservice when we pass those same biases to the next generations to come, without counting the cost that God meant what He said.

When I taught school, I was always looking for ways to lead the students to the correct answers. In Matthew 7:12, God leads us to the correct answer on how to treat others:

In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets (NRSV).

To my fellow Christians, we are on display; the world is listening when we say we love the Lord, but they “hear” our actions.

If we don’t change our ways, earth pains will continue.

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

Christians have an advantage over nonbelievers; they have the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, residing in them. But even though many believers can quote scriptures stating that truth, not as many have the revelation of what it really means to have the availability of God’s power and wisdom living in them as their on-the-spot—go-to.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Is the Holy Spirit your primary prayer partner?

Sadly, too many Christians bypass the power they have access to and allow the devil to drown them in fear and confusion. They lean to outside help skipping over the One who knows more about the matter and has more wisdom than anyone else. The Holy Spirit is the on-the-spot—go-to with everything needed for the situation.

The Holy Spirit is our Secret Weapon.

There will be times when calling a prayer session together to get a prayer through isn’t fitting. We have to know the Holy Spirit for ourselves; nothing is more important than developing an intimate relationship with Him. Then when the enemy comes ranting and raving, we are able to (a lot of the time secretly), on-the-spot, call on our inner Strength and Power. Never underestimate the power of a believer who knows how to pray effectively.

My On-the-Spot—Go-to!

I can recall several times as a principal when I listened to hostile parents going after each others’ throats. By the expression on my face and my eye movement focusing on the person talking at that moment, one would have thought I was listening intently; to the contrary, I was silently screaming for the Holy Spirit to HELP me. My physical posture was sitting in a chair looking professionally; however, my spirit bowed before God crying.

The Holy Spirit never let me down; He always told me the perfect thing to say, ending those disputes with smiles, handshakes, and sometimes hugs.

God wants us to experience the Holy Spirit and not just talk about Him theoretically.

For the past few weeks, God has led me to write about the Holy Spirit. He wants us to know Who He is beyond a theoretical standpoint but from an experiential knowledge base. God wants us to know the Spirit that resides in each Christian and that He is our on-the-spot—go-to.

Once we understand, the enemy better WATCH OUT!

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

Born-again Christians are vessels equipped to perform mind-boggling supernatural miracles. God is pouring out His power across the world through the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit, in turn, empowers believers to demonstrate His glory on earth.

God established the plan, Jesus executed the plan, and the Holy Spirit enables us to walk the plan out.

Not until recently did I realize the critical role of the Holy Spirit in my daily life. Even though I grew up in a Christian home, I was never taught that the Holy Spirit is the liaison to which the power of God is channeled; and that He is the embodiment of Christ living in me to teach, comfort, guide, and help whenever needed.

But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shines within us—is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own (2 Corinthians 4:7, LAB).

My mind is still processing the truth that this invisible Person living in me is as real as anybody in the natural that I can see and touch. And the more He and I converse throughout the day, and the more I involve Him in everything I do, the more conscious I am of His presence, which makes me more available for His use.

But we can become of no use when our faith gets gridlocked focusing on the frailties and shortcomings of these clay vessels rather than concentrating on the Supreme Power that says: You can’t—but I Can!

The Holy Spirit fortifies our prayers.

The Holy Spirit knows our hearts when we pray, and He knows the mind and will of God; therefore, He takes our imperfect prayers, makes interceptions, and presents them to the Father as perfect prayers. (See Romans 8:26-27.)

Who wouldn’t have faith in the Holy Spirit’s prayers?

We hear people say they want to see more of God’s power manifested in the world; however, He waits on submissive vessels for His Spirit to work through.

When we provide the vessels, the Holy Spirit will provide the power!

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

“Lord, please don’t let me let You go” is one of my regular prayers. I know He will never let me go, but that doesn’t mean I won’t let Him go. Right now, I’m on fire for God; He has my full attention; He is all I want to talk about. As a matter of fact, you can’t engage me in a conversation for long before I turn it, in some way or another, to God. But, I can’t take this passion for granted when the enemy is out to steal it.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

I started praying this prayer when I heard Christians say things like they don’t have the fire they once had; despite one’s enthusiasm for God, they made it sound inevitable you’ll lose some of the zeal over time.

It’s on us to tend the flame.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart

(Jeremiah 29:13).

To be honest with you, what these believers said was frightening to hear until the Holy Spirit let me know that it was up to each individual, no one else, to keep themselves stirred up for Christ. If Paul had put the responsibility of keeping himself spiritually inspired on others, he probably wouldn’t have written the books of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon while in prison.

Paul’s stimulation came from the same place we must receive ours, and that’s from the Holy Spirit within. And the best way to stay inspired is to continue building a personal relationship with God by involving Him and His ways in everything we do. The moment we become slack is an opened door for the devil to enter.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

Look, for the most part, the enemy isn’t going to blow a die-hard Christian’s fire out suddenly; he’s too cunning for that; instead, he patiently dwindles the flame until it’s no longer a threat. Therefore, the moment you notice that you’re not advancing in your spiritual walk, and you’re not on fire, as you once were—reach out and cry:

Lord, please don’t let me let You go!

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

The answer to your prayer could be delayed so an exhibition of God’s glory can take place. The Bible gives multiple examples of when delays manifested into mind-blowing events. For instance, if Jesus had come immediately when Mary and Martha sent for Him to come and heal their brother, more than likely, He would have healed him. But Jesus didn’t get there until after Lazarus had been dead for four days. Our Lord wanted to demonstrate more than a healing; He wanted to perform an exhibition of God’s glory.

. . . “Lazarus died. And I [Jesus] am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.” (John 11:14-15, MSG)

Delays test the sustainability of our faith.

Can your faith withstand delay?

Another delay for an exhibition was when Jesus healed a man who was blind since birth. Afterward, the disciples asked Jesus who sinned this man or his parents? Jesus answered, Neither. The reason for his condition was to display the power of God. (See John 9:1-3.)

Perhaps you feel a few of your prayers are delayed; no action—crickets. If you think nothing is happening, feed your faith by imagining all the great things God could be preparing behind the scenes; by the way, that will be more fun than feeding your fears.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20)

Let your faith give God all the time He needs to set up an exhibition.

 His glory—your blessing!

© 2022

   See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

When trouble comes in like a flood, the worst thing we can do as believers in Christ is start worrying. I know we usually gravitate towards anxiety when trouble strikes, but worrying is a waste of time, and it’s not the position Christians are empowered to take. So instead of relinquishing our spiritual weapons over to the devil for him to immobilize us in fear, we need to use the power we are given by the Holy Spirit and immobilize him. The choice is up to us; we can’t have it both ways—one will cancel out the other. (See James 1:6-7.)

Is faith or worry the custodian over your troubles?

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;  yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).

Like many people, I wrestle with the spirit of fear, but as I mature in the Lord, I’m learning not to tolerate the pains and agony that it brings. And the good news is, I don’t have to since God gave me faith; therefore, He expects me to pick up the Sword (the Word) and the shield (faith) and grab hold of His promises. (See Ephesians 6:10-18 for the complete suit of armor.)

No, it’s not easy; things can get quite intense in spiritual warfare. But we must stand our ground; the adversary is afraid of us when we are backed by heaven.

Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10a)

I received comments from several of my readers that worry is one of their greatest threats. So, I’m going to share how I fight when under attack. I’m not suggesting you do this because you must be led by the Holy Spirit and follow the personalized plan He wants you to do.

The road God takes me down is:

• Pray!
• Listen for His promptings and obey His instructions.
• Read Scriptures that speak to my situation.
• Listen to worship music and sermons that feed me spiritually.
• Spend blocks of uninterrupted time alone with the Spirit.
• As soon as fear hits my brain, I cast it out before the thought is completed.
• Depending on the severity of the matter, I shut in and go on a fast, meaning I stay in the house and tune out all outside influences such as television and social media. I tell my family and friends only to contact me in an emergency. Then I wait———before the Lord.

One of the devil’s tricks is to make us think we can appease worry using human logic.

When I’m involved in a tight spiritual regimen, the devil leaves me alone for then. Instead, he waits to wake me up in the middle of the night when I’m the most vulnerable then he flashes a worrisome thought across my mind. The minute I become aware of what’s happening, I’ve learned to jump up like an invader broke into my home—take hold of my spiritual weapons because if I don’t get up immediately and fight, those thoughts will be harder to uproot.

All I’m saying is, do whatever the Holy Spirit leads you to do because trouble is too serious to just sit and worry.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13).

© 2021

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

Believers, who are skilled faith walkers, didn’t become proficient overnight; they had to learn how not to fall for the enemy’s fears, just like the tightrope walker had to learn how not to fall off the rope. The tightrope walker understands the body’s physics can keep them from falling; believers understand God’s love keeps them from falling.

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 2 Corinthians 5:7.

The secret to walking by faith is knowing God loves you.

Humans’ interpretation of love covers a broad scope based on their personal experiences. Unfortunately, some people view love through tear-filled eyes and battered hearts. In those cases, learning to trust God’s love can be more challenging; however, not impossible when open to discovering and receiving a different kind of love from the Holy Spirit. Even if one had positive love experiences—there’s still much to learn about God’s love.

Learn to walk the tightrope of faith.

Our relationship with the Holy Spirit becomes a love affair when we reciprocate love back to Him. When this happens, a bond begins to weave; the faith walker confidently knows that cord is unbreakable and will hold up through tough times.

Can you do the faith walk?

We must keep in mind: God will permit “faith exercises” to test our security in Him. When these tests come, we should view them as calisthenics to strengthen our relationship with Him. If God allowed the circumstances to come, He has a plan to see us through it. One of the devil’s deceptions is to tell us we have to go it alone. He doesn’t want us to know that the Holy Spirit will walk with us when we ask for God’s help.

When we understand God’s love, the faith walk gets easier.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ³For I am the Lord thy God …. (Isaiah 43:2-3)

© 2021

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

Does your faith capture heaven’s attention like the woman with the issue of blood tapped into the essence of Jesus’ virtue when she touched the hem of His garment and was healed? (See Luke 8:43-48.) In Psalm 3:4, David said, I cried to the LORD, and He heard me. Does heaven come to attention when you pray? Does God bend down to listen to your prayers?

I love the Lord because he hears my prayers and answers them. ² Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe! (Psalm 116:1-2, LAB).

Everyone has a measure of faith, but we have to be careful and not take our portion for granted like the servant did when his master entrusted him with money to invest. Instead of capitalizing, the servant hid the money for safekeeping. As it turned out, the master rebuked him; called him wicked and lazy. (See Matthew 25:14-30, LAB.)

Faith is well-equipped to flip impossibilities.

I view faith as a living organism that gains strength from challenges; inactivity can stunt its growth capabilities. The good news is the LORD doesn’t expect our faith to be perfect when He returns; however, He does expect it to be alive. Therefore, we should be able to chart our faith’s maturity over time. For example, has our faith flatlined, or is it moving progressively toward trusting God more and more.

How does one’s faith achieve heaven’s honor?

I’m sure many of you feel the same as me, not satisfied knowing that I have faith but cannot activate it to the extent God wants me to. As a result, the Holy Spirit inspired me to start this blog as He teaches me weekly how this beautiful gift of faith works. So here’s what I’ve learned so far in a nutshell.

Stalwart faith demands having a personal, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. There are no shortcuts. As a matter of fact, spending quality time with the Spirit should be the highlight of our day. The more we incorporate Him in our daily activities, the more conscious we are of His constant presence. We show love and honor when we make Him our top priority with our time, resources, and all other aspects of our lives. These are essential ingredients faith needs to flourish.

Dr. Tony Evans, the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas and the president of The Urban Alternative, describes faith as: “Acting like God is telling the truth.” That description, right there, elevated my understanding of what it means to walk and live by faith.

Questions to think over:

• In what areas of my life could I be inhibiting the growth of my faith?
• What steps have I taken lately for heaven to recognize I’m trying my best to walk by faith?
• How can I tell if my faith is being honored in heaven?

© 2021

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

We typically complete our prayers by saying,  “In Jesus’ name, Amen.” But is that a mechanical ending, or are we certifying that those prayers are vacuum-packed in unwavering faith? One definition of Amen is “so be it.” Embracing that interpretation will escalate our faith since a doubled-minded person shouldn’t expect to receive anything from God. Is your Amen vacuum-packed in faith?

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. ⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. ⁸A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8).

Amen is more than a closure; it’s the beginning of our faith test.

When I refer to vacuum-packed in faith, I mean sealing out doubts, reservations, and skepticism. The test is when uncertainties come—can you stay focused on God and His Word? What are you believing God for at the moment? When you said Amen, did you sign off in faith?

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

That assurance of knowing our prayers are answered comes from knowing God on a personal level. The more we grow in Him, the more intimate our relationship becomes, which leads to trust. Psalm 37:4-5 says if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts, and if we commit our ways unto Him, He will bring it to pass.

So, how can our Amen be vacuum-packed in faith?

• First, we must make sure we are in right standing with God and not just wanting Him for what He can do for us. Do we go to great lengths to find and obey the Lord even when we’re not asking Him for anything in particular? God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
• Second, is our prayer request in God’s will? If the prayer isn’t in His will, we’re just spouting off words detached from power. Praying in God’s will comes from knowing His Word. Proverbs 3:5-6 says that if we trust and acknowledge God in all our ways, He will direct our path.
• Therefore, finally, if we are in right standing with the Spirit, and our prayers are in His will, then we should proceed with confidence that our Amen is vacuum-packed in faith.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him (1 John 5:14-15, NIV).

Amen.

© 2021

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

 

 

After you willfully flip off good-sound advice, the last thing anyone wants to hear is, “I told you so!” But that’s precisely what the world is hearing after it has excluded God. As a result, the consequences of wickedness are staggering. But don’t be shocked—God told us so!

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death

(Proverbs 14:12).

Why be surprised when God told us what would happen if we turn away from Him.

• The world dispenses cruelty without a second thought, but evil deeds will return to their senders—God told us so.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).

• The world encourages self-aggrandizing behavior on the backs of others; however, those supercilious attitudes will come tumbling down—God told us so.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

• The world thinks immorality is without penalty; nonetheless, the result is death—God told us so.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

• The world promotes evil; but, anyone submitting to those sins will not inherit the Kingdom of God—God told us so.

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21).

• The world views the LORD’s return as nonsense, but He is coming despite the skepticism—God told us so.

 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not (Luke 12:40).

We can’t say God didn’t tell us so!

© 2021

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

 

God is love, but some of us have a narrow, restricted definition of love, which often excludes tough love. Like any caring parent, our Father chastens those He loves (see Hebrews 12:6). And right now, with the way things are going in this world, we’re being chastened; no quick-fix remedy can circumvent God.

Sometimes tough love is really mercy.

Look around and take notice; it’s time to listen with our ear of faith to what the Holy Spirit is saying about these times. Even though no one knows the day and hour of our LORD’s return, many of us sense this world has recently made a significant leap forward on that timeline, which means there’s no time for quick fixes when internal repair is needed.

The cover-up days are over.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit is shooting holes through our smokescreens, disclosing lies, and taking masks off hypocrites; the things we used to hide our mess in the past aren’t working for us now—and that’s a good thing.

As we read the prophetic books in the Old Testament, we can see after so much disobedience, God would make a drastic move to remind His people who He was. Today, with all the hate that is raging, we can expect a radical response from heaven.

God is the Only One Who can fix this mess.

© 2021

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

If we could step out of earth’s regimented time machine and view the ages from a heavenly perspective, we would realize—we’re passing through life at an immeasurable rate of speed. But although the journey is brief, each person is given ample time to choose their eternal destination.

You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14b, NIV).

Time is for earth’s use only.

Now let’s return back to time as we know it and see if we’re using it wisely, and the best way to tell is to ask ourselves these two questions: 1. Does my conduct reflect Jesus Christ is my LORD and Savior? 2. Do my actions show I love my neighbor and my enemies? Traveling outside these two guardrails is time wasted.

If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15, KJV).

Time wasted is time lost.

A few questions to think about:

• How much time do we waste justifying our unforgiveness toward others? (Matthew 6:15)
• Do we waste time deceiving ourselves that we can love God and still do people wrong? (1 John 4:20)
• Do we squander time gossiping and faultfinding? (Psalm 34:13)
• Do we eat up time plotting vindictive schemes? (Romans 12:19)
• Do we blow the time we could use to grow spiritually? (2 Peter 3:18)
• Are we guilty of wasting time on other matters while we put God on hold? (Isaiah 55:6)  

 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12, NKJV).

We must ask the Holy Spirit day-by-day to search our hearts and tell us if we’re using our brief stay on earth to glorify Him or ourselves?

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: ²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24, KJV).

© 2021

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.