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When Adam fell, God pronounced a curse on mankind. “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. Genesis 3:17 Adam and Eve were originally created to have dominion over the earth and to replenish and subdue the earth. The Devil was jealous of Adam’s dominion and caused man to fall so that he could become the Prince of the world. Satan stole the dominion which belonged to God’s people.

Jesus is referred to in 1 Corinthians 15:45 as the second Adam who is a life giving spirit. As through one man death reigned on earth, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17

Jesus’s birth, death and resurrection served to bridge the gap between fallen man and God and to restore us after the fall. Jesus confirmed to his disciples that all authority and power is given to him in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18 And it is with that authority that we have been commissioned to make disciples.

Once we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour then we become the righteousness of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. We are seated in heavenly places with Jesus Christ, therefore in him we are no longer under the curse. The curse brings fear, hardship, suffering and punishment but when we accept the perfect love of God, this drives out fear. We are free to live in the abundant overflow of God’s love, mercy and grace and to live free from the curse on mankind. We are no longer slaves to fear but we walk in the freedom which Christ purchased with his blood on the cross.

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Colossians 2:14

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Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! Psalm 37:1

David reminds us not to worry about the actions of those who do evil or to become envious when they appear to succeed. David also said that he would have lost hope if he did not hold unto the promise of God that he would see good things while he was alive. Psalm 27:13

David again said that his feet almost stumbled and his steps nearly slipped. Because he was envious of the arrogant, when he saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:2-3

It is easy to become daunted when we see people around us who are cutting corners, acting deceitfully who seem to prevail and make progress. It can be difficult to work hard and feel like all your efforts go unnoticed while others do wrong and still get ahead.

David said that the wicked may spring up like the grass but that they would soon be cut down and wither like the herb. Psalm 37:2 David reminds us that the wicked would soon be cut off because God loves justice. He encourages us to delight in the Lord and he would give us the desires of our hearts. To wait patiently for the Lord and to be of good courage as God will reward us for being faithful.

God is using this test to refine you and to prepare you for greater things. Trust in him and do not fret or grow weary. Friends may fail and acquaintances grow weary but God will not forsake you. He will never leave you alone but will accomplish his plans and purpose towards you.

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God longs to bless us as his children and he wants us to prosper and excel. The blessings from the Lord makes us rich and he does not add sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22). I have watched a Children’s Fairytale series, involving the character Rumpelstiltskin from the series by Brother’s Grimm. Rumpelstiltskin would often appear on the scene, when someone was in trouble and in need of help and offer to help them with money or riches. The twist is that the unsuspecting person would be making an agreement with Rumpel, who would return to collect at a later time, one of their most prized possessions.

I liken Rumpel to the way the Devil works and his promise of wealth, fame and success often conditioned with loss and sorrow. Stories regarding people being involved in occult practices and Satanic alliances, will include stories of being asked to sacrifice loved ones, in order to progress in the Satanic kingdom. I thank God that through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who causes us to triumph and who daily loads us with benefits, that we are not asked to lose an arm or a leg every time he bestows a blessing on us (2 Corinthians 2:14; Psalm 68:19). Jesus has already made the ultimate sacrifice for us by, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14).

The Lord says in Psalm 2:8, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” He is the same God who promises to give us great and good cities that we did not build. “and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant” (Deuteronomy 6:10-11).

It is a misconception to think that being a Christian means, that God wants you to struggle and live in poverty as a sign of humility. We have to wrap our heads around the truth that God wants us to have good things. The more we meditate on these truths in his word, the greater this will become our reality. Prosperity is a precept within the word of God and his desire is that we prosper and be in good health.

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We have to take responsibility for how other people treat us at times, as we often set the tone for this. People will often treat us how we allow them to. When we see value in ourselves and act as such, then people have no choice but to act accordingly.

Remember that God considers you to be precious in his eyes, honoured and loved (Isaiah 43:4). Some people will try to use you to satisfy their selfish ambitions and desires, if you give them the chance to. Ever had someone try to make you feel guilty for being a Christian and setting firm boundaries? ‘I thought you said you were a Christian and shouldn’t Christians help others?’ Yes, as Christians with the mind of Christ and the desire to be led by him, we seek to do his will and walk in his purpose. But even Jesus had to call out people who followed him with ulterior motives.

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves” (John 6:26). Jesus performed a great miracle by using five loaves and two fishes to feed a large multitude with twelve baskets left to spare. Some people would have been amazed by the miraculous power of Jesus and the power from God to do great wonders. This multitude however was concerned with getting their bellies full.

It is more blessed to give than receive, but there are people who will latch unto you because they perceive you as being able to give. Envy is a dangerous emotion and there are persons who can at times view you to be in a ‘better position’ than they are. All the while not acknowledging that you have your own needs, struggles and weaknesses. Not many people care about reciprocity in relationships, but will take as much as they can get.

We have to set boundaries in order to protect ourselves. Jesus moved away from the crowds to preserve himself, as he perceived that they sought after him out of greed and not need. Our talents and abilities are given to us by God to be used for the establishment of his kingdom. You have to ensure that they are not misused by others so set clear boundaries.

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At times we may feel like we have exhausted our prayers and that we already know how we should be praying. However, with the many problems and challenges that we face, there is always something to pray about. I sometimes write down my prayers because I like writing and I have stumbled upon lists of prayers that I have written down, after a few years and I am generally amazed at how God met every one of my requests. Life can be overwhelming and at times we can feel like a failure or feel that there is no end in sight to our difficulties. This is why God instructs us to take every single worry to him and to rest in his assurance that he has it all in control. “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (I Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬).

I certainly wake up some days feeling overwhelmed and wanting to start the night again, to get another 12 hours before moving ahead. On these days God reminds me that he sits ready for me to hand the worries and anxieties to him and trust him to resolve every single difficulty. There are times when we don’t even know where to begin with praying and we can feel worried about finding the correct words. This is where the Holy Spirit steps in and supports us when we are completely surrendered to him. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

Not only does the Holy Spirit pray on our behalf, but Jesus also sits at the right hand of God making daily intercession for us (Romans 8:34). This is why prayer is such a powerful tool for believers, because within our prayers is the supernatural activity of praying through the Holy Spirit and Jesus himself praying on our behalf. There are also angels encamping around us to deliver us out of every difficulty and they are busy producing the answers to our prayers and at times doing war in the heavens on our behalf (Daniel 10)

Continue in prayer even when it is difficult because great things happen when we pray. Our prayers are powerful and effective (James 5:16).

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Jesus spoke of the parable of the good shepherd who looks after the sheep. Like sheep we hear the voice of Jesus our good shepherd and we follow his lead. Hearing from God requires a relationship with him. One where we know how to distinguish his voice from the voice of the enemy.

There are many voices of reason in our society today and many will be led astray by strange teachings and philosophies. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

Paul warned the church to not be led away by strange teachings. Hebrews 13:9 My father always says that the bible is a good book, but it is not the only good book. As such, there are books that can help to edify us in areas related to our health and wellbeing. That being said, we have to test what we read and hear to see if it lines up with what the word says.

To those who did not believe his words and harken to the voice of God, Jesus said. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 The Devil is the father of lies and he uses social media and other avenues to corrupt the truth of God’s word. He will also try to fill our minds with anxiety and fear and ideas that do not relate to God:

The most accurate way to hear from God is through his written word and the testimony of believers who have gone before us. Test the spirits to see if they are of God and study the word through scripture so that you do not accept false doctrine. We will survive the many voices in our world today by being still and listening for God to speak.

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Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

God wants to bless us more than we want to be blessed and he has more answers than we have questions. We have to seek him to hear what he has to say and to receive from him. God rewards those who earnestly and diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

We say all the time that you have to seek a friend before you need one. We sever ties with fair weather friends and soon enough we decipher people who only hang around because of what they think they can get from us. We have to spend time with God to cultivate a relationship with him. Yes we live by grace and are not saved by works but we need a relationship with God to understand and live according to his purpose.

We are created by God and in his image and the closer we are to God, the greater understanding we develop about our existence. God promises that if we seek that we will find and if we search for him that he will be found after we have searched for him with our whole heart.

I have questions that I need answers to and there are things that I am yet to accomplish that I know God can show me how to do. I am trusting God to show me things that I would never know. He is an all seeing, all knowing, omnipotent and omnipresent God. People feel special to be in the presence of great men and to rub shoulders with ‘special people.’ I want to stay in the presence of God because I know when I ask he will give me the answer.

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When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7

God will use even our enemies to be a blessing to us and to make our way easier. Solomon also said that when we commit our work to the Lord and our plans will be established.

The enemy will try to frustrate our plans but when we trust in God, he will direct our path and cause our way to be established. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 So we daily clothe ourselves in the righteousness of God and nothing can stand in our way.

When you decide to try to be successful at anything in life, you can expect difficulties, frustration, trials and resistance. Spiritual wickedness in high places will try to frustrate you from accomplishing your purpose but if you keep your armour on, God will help you to overcome and be victorious. And nothing shall by any means harm you.

The strategies used against us are division, strife, discouragement, disappointment, delay, fear and anxiety. Paul encourages us to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Corinthians 10:5

We remember that the spirit of fear is not from God but he has given us power, love and a sound mind. As such we align our thinking and our speech with the word of God as we live in victory and walk in our God given authority. The Devil has power, but he is not powerful enough to stop us from moving forward when we are connected to God. We stay aligned to God, daily read his word and listen to his voice and live within the realm of the power invested in us.

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Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14.

We have to make a deliberate effort to have and maintain peace in our lives. Daily cultivating an environment and relationships that make for peace.

What we watch on television, what we read and listen to, those people that we surround ourselves with should help us cultivate peace. Paul’s caution in Romans 12:18 says, IF it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceable with all men.

When Abraham set out with his nephew Lot in Genesis 13, strife developed between the two camps over territory. Abraham’s response was to separate himself from Lot and they chose different ways to travel. Again in Genesis 21, Abraham’s servant and his son out of wedlock made fun of his wife and newborn. They threatened peace in his family. Abraham had to make a hard decision to send his son away.

Abraham was a man of peace and his actions and decisions created peace. Two can’t walk unless they be agreed. There are times when we have to separate ourselves even from loved ones that threaten our peace of mind.

In other situations there are people who God has placed in our lives to fulfil a purpose and we have to do everything in our power to maintain peace. Let us speak the truth in love and consider each other better than ourselves. We have to develop better conflict resolution strategies and find a way to let people know how we feel.

Sometimes we learn dysfunctional relationship and communicating patterns that we transfer to relationships. The good news is that whatever we learn we can unlearn. Let us extend grace to others and seek to resolve and settled differences quickly in order not to foster resentment and bitterness.

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