cannyben

As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked. 2 Kings 6:18 The king of Aram was so angry with the prophet Elisha that he sent an army to capture him. Elisha was only one man against an army, but he knew how to pray bold prayers. He had seen God open blind eyes, and now he prayed for the reverse. Not only were the soldiers struck blind, but Elisha led them into Samaria where the king of Israel captured them before their eyes were reopened. When you know that God is with you, you’ll see God do amazing things. He can protect you, guide you, and make things happen that you could never make happen. Just as with Elisha, you are so powerful and full of favor that even when the enemy does his best to defeat you, his best will never be enough. You cannot be defeated because you have the favor of God.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 Joseph went through thirteen years of betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment. He had many reasons to become bitter, but you never read that Joseph had a bad attitude. He understood the principle that everything he was experiencing was serving God’s plan, including the bad breaks and unfair things. After Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and was made prime minister of Egypt, he even declared that the very harm his brothers meant for him was instrumental and necessary to getting him to the throne and his destiny of saving their lives. Are you upset about something that’s actually serving His plan? God will use people who are against you to move you into your purpose. God uses the bad breaks, the delays, the setbacks, and the injustices to move you into your destiny. The things you don’t like, and the things that are takin...

Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of (the manna) until morning.” However, some of them…kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. Exodus 16: 19-20 When the Israelites were in the desert headed toward the Promised Land, God gave them a fresh supply of manna every morning. It only lasted for one day, but some didn’t listen and tried to hold on to the old manna, and it spoiled. When you hold on to old manna—friends who were right for a season, a job that you’re afraid to step away from—it spoils. It won’t feed you. You won’t grow. Maybe you’ve enjoyed a friendship for a time, but at some point, you realize you’ve outgrown the relationship. Or what used to challenge you about your career doesn’t challenge you anymore. You feel God telling you to stretch, to get out of your comfort zone, but you’re afraid. You wonder why you’re not passionate, why you’re not growing. It’s because that manna is old; it’s not feeding you. God has new b...

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink ?” John 4:9 In John 4, Jesus surprised a Samaritan woman at a well when He offered to give her “living water,” meaning eternal life. Not only did Jewish men refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans, let alone a Samaritan woman, but this woman had a very bad reputation. Jesus had chosen to wait at the well for a woman who had been written off for her moral failures. He didn’t judge her or find fault. He spoke life into her. He lifted her. He valued her. She was the first person whom Jesus ever told He was the Messiah, and through her many Samaritans believed in Him. God has waited on all of us. Now He’s asking, “Will you wait on someone for Me? Will you wait on that friend who’s making bad choices? Will you call them, encourage them, let them know that you care? Will you wait on that neighbour wh...

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 In Mark 11, Jesus was hungry and walked over to a fig tree only to discover that it was barren. After He said, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again,” there was no evidence that what He said had happened. But the next morning “the disciples saw the fig tree had withered from the roots.” When Jesus spoke to the tree, the source was cut off in the roots. It had still looked alive, but it was just a matter of time before the outside caught up with the inside. When you pray, Jesus says you have to believe that God put the miracle in motion. You can’t wait for the evidence, and then you’ll start believing; you have to believe first. It’s just a matter of time, and you’ll see what God promised.