For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

This verse underscores the reason we read the Bible and give our lives to its truth. The Apostle Paul talks about how “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable,” and when we look at the Scriptures, we see account after account of God’s faithfulness throughout the generations (2 Timothy 3:16).

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Hebrews 11:32-34

When we look in the rear view mirror of history and see the patterns that were set in the Scriptures, we can take away something personal: Instead of letting the battles of life reduce us to a state of survival and maintenance, we find that we too are called to rule and reign and to carry the Gospel of Jesus around the world.

We are to be people filled with hope. Don’t conform to the bitterness and misery of the culture around you. Instead, get in the Word and find out who you are and what you have been called to in Jesus. You are a child of God and He is not weak toward you but mighty in you (2 Corinthians 13:3)! You are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139:14; Genesis 1:27-28). You are called to change the world, to be fruitful and multiply, to meet and influence people, and to pray big prayers of faith. You can go into workplaces, schools, economies, cities and nations and make a difference by the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

Press on,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP

Jesus said when you see signs of the end times do not be afraid, but instead “straighten up and lift up your heads” and “be on guard so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness [escapism methods] and the worries of life” (Luke 21:28, 34a). You may have lapsed into unbelief and fear, but Jesus’ mercy triumphs over judgment. You can destroy fear with faith and get back in your A-game.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

To cultivate a heart of confidence and trust in God, go to the Scriptures and get settled in God’s consistency. Read what King David wrote in the Psalms, or read about Caleb and Joshua, or study the early Church. The Bible is filled with men and women who continually referenced the faithfulness of God rather than the difficulties of their circumstances. In God, your thought processes can be redeemed and renewed. In God, you can overcome a spirit of fear and the vicious attacks of temptation. Use January as a month of fasting and prayer, a month of seeking God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

God has some stuff He wants to do through you—as an individual, in your family, through us as a church, through this generation—that you don’t have an inkling of right now. So keep trusting God. Make mid-course corrections, keep a humble heart, and keep standing. As you dial into how present and available God is, 2012 will become a year of stability, a year where you are fortified, rooted, and solid.

Because of Jesus it is a happy new year!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). Psalm 55:22 AMP

There is always the “day before the breakthrough”: the period of time when the weapons of mass distraction—anxiety, worry, lethargy—assail us. The devil loves to attack when we’re in these areas and times of uncertainty. But God is consistent. You can trust Him. As you read this, I pray that a spirit of faith will stir in your heart and you will be able to connect with just how faithful God is.

When you purpose to fulfill God’s plan for your life, you become a greater threat to the forces of darkness, so of course you are going to elicit a challenge. Any twig can float with the current. But the salmon swim upstream, over waterfalls and past grizzly bears, to reach their goal. Some of you are having a five-year challenge. Some of you wish it could have been just a five-year challenge because yours has stretched into a 20- or 30-year battle. But no matter how protracted your battle has been, God wants to see you through!

Most people who succeed in the face of seemingly impossible conditions are people who simply don’t know how to quit. Robert Schuller

Get specific. What is the primary thing bothering you right now? Take that item of worry and find corresponding promises in the Scriptures. Start speaking them over your situation. Go to God and trust Him to sort out that specific thing. No one else but God has the ability and inclination to care about your situation as if you’re the only person in the universe.

. . . Run in such a way that you may win. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Some of you are in the last phase of running your specific battle. Increase your expectation. Don’t drop off at 75 percent; stand for the next 25 percent! God knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). He knows each item, each issue, and if you cast your cares on Him, He’ll work it all together for good (Romans 8:28).

God is faithful,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. The Amplified Bible, Old Testament copyright © 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation and The Amplified, New Testament copyright © 1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8

You may have been meditating on some pretty weird stuff, but God wants us to focus on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. If we are really going to revolutionize the world, we’ve got to be different in our thinking. Shake off the heaviness and fear by focusing on who Jesus is and by renewing your mind in the Word. Here are some scriptures that will help you press past the mind-numbing attacks of the devil and remember that God is faithful. He will calm whatever storm you’re in and get you to the other side (Matthew 8:24-28).

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! Luke 12:24

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:28-29 NKJV

Now is not the time to waver. It’s time to be intent on one purpose, with hearts and minds in one accord with the Master’s work. While the world is anxiously looking for answers, you carry the truth. Don’t shrink back but learn to abide under the shadow of the Most High, where you can rest and find strength and renewed confidence for the journey (Psalm 91:1).

Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

[One of the scribes asked] “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, o Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28b-31

Nothing matters more than making Jesus a priority. God wants you to finish stronger than when you started. He is more interested in your fruitfulness over the long course than in some little blip of what people call “success” followed by a faltering dead end. Even those of you who don’t suspect it or who are dealing with cynicism—God has a plan for your life, and He is doing something in your world.

Church is a launching environment for us to become thinking disciples of Jesus, loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In this life we will go through the fire, but as we follow God, we will bear much fruit.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

God does not show partiality. He values you (Acts 10:34-35), so seek the Lord and listen for His voice. He wants to download vision into your spirit. He will lead and guide you in His plans. Maybe you need to take a vacation day and fast and pray. Get a legal pad and have the audacity to write down what you are believing God for. Make sure it’s biblical. Expect God’s will to come to pass. When the will of God is known, faith will rise.

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

You may not have it figured out, but God has it all figured out. When you find out what His will is, get after it! There are other people attached to your obedience, and God wants to do some amazing things through you.

Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.