Life is about learning how to love. Life is full of adventure, triumph, tragedy, and changes that enable us to grow in love and mature in Christ likeness. Test and trials are designed to help develop our character and integrity so we can step into the powerful destiny God has waiting for us. Tests align us with the plans and purposes God has chosen for us. Tests are given for the purpose of promotion and increased blessings coming into our lives. Their fire forges a purity and holiness within, so God’s pure light can shine through everything we do in life. Trials enable us to develop our spiritual muscles so we can win the race that is set before us with grace and stamina. God’s plan is for us to succeed, to be the head, overcomers, and light bearers in this dark world. We bring the hope of God into life’s situations when we act with the faith of God in our hearts. Every hard or difficult challenge we overcome through the great grace and faith of God in our hearts enables us to move into the ‘greater works’ than these realms. The thorny trials of today prepare us to be winners tomorrow, and champions in the future.

It is comforting to know that God knew us by name and that our life purposes and destiny was completed in him even before we were formed in our mother’s womb. When God’s word goes forth it will accomplish what it has been sent forth to accomplish. If allow the Holy Spirit to write God’s words on the tablets of our hearts we will fulfill our destinies. Isaiah 55:11–12 says, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth — it will not return to me unfulfilled; but it will accomplish what I intend, and cause to succeed what I sent it to do.” Yes, you will go out with joy, you will be led forth in peace. CJB God’s word is truth; it is a shield, and the light that continually guides us in our calling. No one or nothing can steal your destiny unless you willingly surrender it into their hands. We were created by God’s eternal spoken word; and His word is quick, sharp, and powerful. Kingdom purpose is activated by faith. Our faith gives permission for an unseen destiny (that which we already are) to come forth out of the invisible spiritual realm and manifest in its fullness.

Believers live and prosper by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Proverbs 30:5 tells us that “every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” In Deuteronomy 8:3 it further states, “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.”

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus didn’t eat anything for forty days and nights, he became very hungry. The tempter came questioning if he was the Son of God, and if he had power, would he abuse that power, and command stones to become bread. Jesus answered with Scriptures, “It is written.” “It is not only bread that keeps people alive. Their lives depend on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matt. 4: 1–4. Jesus knew his Father was well pleased with him. God’s pleasure did not depend on Jesus’ doing miracles or any great works but, simply being himself, enjoying communion with God, and remaining continually in God’s presence through intimate prayer. In the time of testing and trial Jesus stood on the heavenly words his Father’s voice had spoken over him at his baptism, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17 What loving words has God spoken to you recently in your dreams or in times of prayer?

The prophetic words that are spoken over our lives and the dreams we receive form righteous pathways for us to walk upon. The steep paths are not always easy for they lead us upward towards the high call on our lives. The difficult paths enable us to forge a forward path, step by step, in obedience to the confirming words of God’s favor. God watches over his word to perform it. When the word of God comes to us it will try us to see if we are able to carry it. If we choose to carry his word it will conform us to his image. The proceeding words of God are living, powerful, and creative. The words of God will form us into the vessels of honor He has called us to be. The word of God is perfect. We are called to be perfect as well. It is the word of God that changes us and transforms us from one level of glory to another higher and greater level. God is our life source. The word of God will try and test the heart until it removes every stony part. The prophetic word will tear down everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God to replaces it with a heart of flesh full of God’s truth. This new heart will feel the pleasures and favor of God resting upon its every beat. God’s heart beats for the souls of man. Prophetic words provide avenues of change enabling us to become fishers of men’s souls.

When Peter fell away from the Lord he denied knowing Jesus three time. When the Lord came to restore Peter back to his first love, and into his place as a soul winner, Jesus asked Peter three times “Peter do you love me more than these men? “Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these other men love me?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said to him, "Take care of my lambs." Again Jesus said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." A third time Jesus said, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus asked him three times, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep. John 21:1–19” Jesus knew if Peter was not restored to his first love, in his discouragement he would lead the other disciples back into their previous secular life callings. Jesus had called each of the disciples, both past and present, to be fisher of men’s souls. When the disciples were left to their ways, talents, natural abilities, and giftings they worked and toiled all night but caught nothing. It is the same with us today. If we follows man’s traditions, program and forget to seek the Lord for his direction we remain barren and unfruitful. Jesus saw from a different heavenly perspective. His presence brought in abundance, success, and prosperity. Jesus said, “Friends, Cast your net on the right side and you will find some fish.” When the disciples followed Jesus’ directions and did things the “right” way, they caught so many fish they were not able to pull the net full of fish back into the boats. Their boats had to drag the net full of 153 fish back to the shore. Peter was so energized he wraps his coat around himself and jumps into the water and swam to shore. The number 153 represents the nations of the world that are waiting for the “Sons of God” to arise and cast their nets on the right side to bring in the largest harvest of souls ever. The 153 fish also symbolically represents revival, harvest, the ingathering, Kingdom multiplication, and evangelism, because of the different kinds of fish that were saved in the nets, a full yield, and the number of the elect, sons of God. The harvest will not come in by our might, or by our power, but by following the direction of the Spirit of the Lord.

The whole world is groaning and the earth is quaking as it is waiting for the sons of God to arise into their place of restoration. When the Sons of God arise and move in obedience to the Spirit of God, the greatest harvest of soul’s man the world has ever seen will come to pass. Romans 8:19–23, says, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” NKJV

God sees us saved, healed, whole, and complete in him. He sees the end product, what we are destined to be in the future. When we hear, and receive his written, and spoken words in our hearts they release the needed power for us to become the person we are in the future. Prayer, worship, praise, and decrees enables us to bring the future into our now. His words go before us to prepare the way to open the double doors and establish spiritual gateways so his presence can accelerate the transformation process. Isaiah 45:1–3 "Thus says the Lord to His anointed (that’s you), To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held — to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: 'I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.” NKJV

When we are in God’s presence his light changes us every time. Learning to sit at his feet receiving his love, and giving him our love, is all God asks of us. Jesus says, “Come to Me with all your struggles and burdens, seek My face, and I will give you rest. Learn of Me I am gentle and humble in heart."

This is the time to ASK largely that our joy may be full! (John 15:11, John 16:24) Ask, Seek, and Knock in times of intimate fellowship in God’s presence and your request will be given to you.

Jabez was a man who was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because she bore him in pain. Jabez didn’t want to be known as one who caused pain so he called out to God. Jabez asked to be blessed with an enlarged measure of God’s presence resting upon his life. He asked for God’s hand to be upon him. “Be near me and don’t let anyone hurt me!” God granted his request. Jabez asked for his territory and his borders to be enlarged. If the territory or magnitude of God’s presence increases in our lives, like it did in Jabez’s life, the level of pain we experience, and the level of pain we cause others, will decrease. Jabez realized it was God’s hand and presence that brought forth the increased measure of blessing, favor, and prosperity in every area of his life. He hungered for and desired more of God. The prayers Jabez uttered enabled God to bless him indeed.

The Bible tells us that Abraham was known by God. The Lord appeared to his friend Abraham in his tent. He sent three angels to communicate his plans and share his purposes with Abraham. When Abraham looked up, and saw the angels he ran from the presence of the Lord, bowed down, and greeted them with, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.” The angels asked for Sarah his wife, because they had come to bring the promise of a son to life in her womb. Their words brought laughter and joy into her heart. Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" And the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” “Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. And the Lord said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."…. “Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.” Genesis 18:1–32

God visited Abraham in his tent, walked with him, and talked with him in daily times of intimacy. God shared his secrets and plans with Abraham. And Abraham shared his hearts desires, hopes, and plans with the Lord. An intimate relationship requires an open dialogue and trust. God granted Abraham his hearts desire for an heir but the promise was fulfilled only after it seemed impossible. We must remember God is present and powerful so nothing is impossible. If we will hide His word in our hearts and seek God’s face we will be able to abide in His presence. It is the presence of God in us that empowers us to bear eternal fruit. If we live our lives apart from God we will not be able to do anything. The Bible says it like this, “apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15: 4–5, Abiding in God’s presence will ensure that the dreams of destiny that God has sown in each of our hearts will come to pass. David cried out for God to search every part of his life even his very heart to discover if there were wicked areas that didn’t please God. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23–24” Our faith and trust is pleasing to God. Fear, doubt and unbelief bring God’s displeasure because He cannot look upon sin. Abraham was the Father of Faith. Abraham’s faith in God caused him to receive the promises of God in the fullness of time. His faith enabled him to be a friend of God. We too will become intimate friends of God as we develop our love and faith through overcoming the trials and test of this life. Trials empty us of ourselves making more room for the faith and love of God to reside within us.