When Ashley and Carlie were poor Bible college students, they were so poor, they couldn’t even pay attention! Yet, God began speaking to Carlie about His abundance, how He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) and that God always keeps His promises.
At the time, they were renting a small house with no heating except for what they could burn in the fireplace. (And what was generated by the squirrels that would dart around the kitchen if they used it!) Yet, Carlie started looking around the house, remembering how God had always provided for them. It was then that she noticed that their furniture was the same as when they were married.
Carlie realized it was God’s pleasure to provide her with a new sofa. Faith rose up in her, and she prayed, “God, You are a God of abundance! Can I have a new sofa?” It was perhaps her first ever “faith project” and she kept it a secret. Carlie started picturing the ideal sofa she had seen at IKEA: one with a fold-out bed. She imagined inviting family over who could sleep on the bed and where in the house she would put it.
Attacks Will Come
How many of you know that when you start putting your faith into action, an attack is likely to follow? In John 16:33 Jesus promises us:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
This isn’t exactly a promise for a fridge magnet! But the Good news is that even though we will face tribulation, God-in-us has overcome the world! We can have peace and stand in authority, armed with God’s Word to overcome any trouble.
In the midst of her little faith project, a random thought popped into Carlie’s head while in class: You’re never going to get that sofa. She immediately recognized that it was a lie from the devil! Carlie started laughing out loud. Her heart declared, “My Daddy says He’s going to get me a sofa, so I’m going to get a sofa!”
That same afternoon, Ashley did what many diligent financial stewards do: he stopped at IKEA to buy a 50-pence hot dog for lunch! On his way through the store, he noticed that a little sofa with a pull-out bed had been discounted several times down to only about 100 pounds. Suddenly, Ashley thought, I ought to buy that couch for Carlie. He again did what many diligent financial stewards do: he spoke with the manager and the couch was discounted even more!
Carlie had never even shared her faith project with Ashley. But the Lord knew the desire of her heart, and that afternoon, she received the exact sofa she had believed for!
God Always Keeps His Promises
God has brought Ashley and Carlie a long way since then, but His Word and promises haven’t changed! They have learned to stand and declare God’s Word when tribulation comes, or the devil tries to steal from them, and you can, too. God always keeps His promises!
We know that as you are thinking according to the Word of God, you are going to see His promises manifest in your life in a greater way than ever before! We encourage you to, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Possessing the Promises
2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen…” God’s promises for healing, financial provision, and abundant life are ours, but they don’t happen by accident.
This series will show you how to possess them by agreeing with Him-coupling your “Amen” with His “Yes!” Now is the time to take possession of the powerful promises of God for your life!