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The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them, he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 God will deliver us from trouble, but consider it in a new light. The post office picks up a package in New York, and drivers deliver it to Tashkent. “Deliver” means they transport it from one location to another. It may go through five stops along the way before it is delivered. In the same way, right now God is delivering you from trouble. You’re en route, and there may be some stops along the way. But don’t worry, you’re not delivered yet. You’re dealing with depression, but God is delivering you into joy. God is going to open new doors, turn impossible situations around, and push you into a level of your destiny that you would never have experienced without it.

But Lord, “exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem ! Acts: 9:13 When God told Ananias to go pray for Saul, Ananias didn’t want to go. Saul was the biggest persecutor of the church. But Ananias didn’t know that Saul’s life had been changed on the road to Damascus. He was worried and started telling God all the reasons why he shouldn’t go. He didn’t realize that God had already taken care of what worried him. When he went and prayed for Saul, instead of finding an enemy, he found an ally. Some of the things we worry about, God has already changed. He’s already set the miracle into motion. It’s just a matter of time before you experience it. Stay in peace, and as Ananias did, you’ll come into what God has already done.

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10 We all face challenging situations and troubled relationships. Sometimes the secret to solving a problem isn’t in praying more or working harder; it’s in helping someone else solve their problem. As you take the focus off yourself and help others in your time of need, you’re sowing a seed that will bring the harvest you’re waiting for. When you take your hands off your problem and be good to someone else, God will put His hands on your problem and make things happen that you couldn’t make happen. Today’s Scripture says it was “after” Job had prayed for his friends that his problems were solved in abundance. Can you imagine how many times Job had already prayed for himself when he was dealing with all of his great losses, especially for his healing? It’s good to pray and release your faith, but don’t stop there, because there are times when your breakthrough i...

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you (and approved of you as My chosen instrument), and before you were born I consecrated you…. Jeremiah 1:5 Today’s Scripture doesn’t say, “God approves you as long as you don’t make any mistakes and don’t have any weaknesses.” No, He approved you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. This means He approves you with those weaknesses and despite those shortcomings. You’re not defective; you’re not a mistake. When God created you, He called you a masterpiece. We all have flaws and weaknesses. A lot of times we think we can’t feel good about ourselves until we do everything right. If we resist the temptation, if we bite our tongue, if we’re more patient, then we believe God will approve us. The truth is, there’s nothing you can do to make God love you more. His approval is not based on your performance; it’s based on your relationship. He chose you before you could choose Him.

… then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side – come to me !” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. Exodus 32:26 After Moses received the Ten Commandments on the mountain, he discovered the Israelites worshiping a calf made out of gold. He was furious, knowing that God was about to bring judgment upon them. When Moses called to the people, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” the sons of Levi took a stand and did the right thing. Because of that decision, God declared that all the priests would come through the tribe of Levi. What’s interesting is that they were descendants of Levi, whose father was Jacob and whose grandmother was Rebekah—all who had been deceivers. These men were saying in effect, “This is a new day. We’re not going to be defined by our past. That’s what happens when you decide to get rid of negative things that have been passed down. That dysfunction may not have started with you, but it can stop with ...