James 1:6 Faith must prompt your requests (not your needs.) Faith is the stabilizing factor; otherwise you become driven by emotions (inconsistent judgments) that get out of control like rough seas tossed by tempest winds. (Mirror Bible)

Psalms 59:17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. (KJV)

Are you doubting?

There are many reasons a person has doubts.

  • Many people have a hard time believing anything, often because of the skeptical nature
    • If this is you, fight doubt with the word.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new. (The Passion Translation TPT)

  • Many have had difficult or traumatic experiences in the past.
    • If this is you, fight doubt with the word.

Philippians 3:13-14 I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. 14 I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. (The Passion Translation TPT)

  • Some work for God instead of allowing Him to work through them. It makes them weary and overwhelmed, and they begin to doubt.
    • If this is you, fight doubt with the word.

Galatians 2:20 Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. (The Message MSG)

  • There are also those who don’t really understand who God is; unfulfilled expectations create doubt.
    • If this is you, fight doubt with the word.

Isaiah 55:8-9 “I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.” (The Message MSG)

  • And finally, there are those who doubt because they are not obeying God, there is no partial obedience.
    • If this is you, fight doubt with the word.

1 Samuel 15:22-23 Samuel said, “Which does the Lord prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey him than to sacrifice the best sheep to him. 23 Rebellion against him is as bad as witchcraft, and arrogance is as sinful as idolatry. Because you rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as king.” (Good News Translation GNT)

If your reason is listed or if you have one of your own, doubt blocks your blessings.

James 1:6-8  But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. 7-8 If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord. (Good News Translation GNT)

The time that you spend with God helps you understand who He is. Armed with the knowledge of who God is, you can have spiritually realistic expectations; you can pray in faith without anxiety; you can rest and be patient for His response; and you can accept His will. Doubt makes you double minded, tosses you back and forth, and your emotions are like a roller coaster. You won’t be able to recognize the answer to your prayer or a blessing from God. Don’t live a life of doubt. Live a life of faith because the God you serve is Elohei Chasdi [ē-lō-hī chas-dē] (God of my kindness, goodness, and faithfulness).  

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, in the name of Jesus, I don’t want to be double minded. As I continue to spend time with You, I evaluate the requests I make. I try to determine, if they are requests You would want me to make; if they are within Your will; or if they are just what I want. When I try to make that distinction, sometimes I feel like it’s just what I want and may not be what You want. The going back and forth makes me double minded. Thank You for reminding me You Are God. You see what is in my heart. I can ask You whatever I want. I only need to trust You to do what’s best for me. Thank You for settling my mind. Even if I don’t ask You, the request is in my heart and You know it. I thank You for peace. I love You and I know You love me. If I ask amiss, You’re not going to do what I asked anyway. So, I make my requests known to You and I wait for You to order my steps and guide my feet. You will fulfill the plan You have for my life…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.

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