Standing In The Way

Standing In The Way

Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us... Ephesians 3:20

In past devotionals, we’ve discussed that the Lord wants to involve us in His miracles, as well as the importance of keeping focus on Him, rather than the miracle itself.

Today’s Question: Are you standing between God and the miracle He has for you? Perhaps you are the obstacle to the miracle you’ve been asking for, as opposed to other people, circumstances, and timing.

In expectant answer to our prayers, we may give a head nod to the Lord saying, “Go ahead and deliver on that miracle. I’m standing by!” Perhaps that’s what we hope or believe should happen. Rather, the Lord may want you to come to Him in prayer and fasting first, and ask that He examine your heart and mind:

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24

As you spend intimate time with God, the Holy Spirit may reveal to you, “Be patient. Wait on the Lord.” Or, “Surrender.” Perhaps He is saying to “Forgive that brother or sister first.” Maybe His response is, “You have this habitual sin that restricts me from working.” 

Oh! The many miracles that Jesus wants to do in our lives each day, but we stand in the way and don’t realize it!

How Can We Avoid Being the Miracle Obstacle

Practice Patience. Perhaps patience isn’t your strong point. God wants us to develop patience in every area of our life, for His Word says:

Notice patience is the first descriptor of love. Patience and kindness are like water and cement, and when mixed gives a strong and immovable foundation. The Lord is patient because He is love, and since He wants us to become more like Him, for we have been created in His image, He wants us to be patient as well.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26

Surrender. If you’re not fully surrendered to Jesus, it’s an indication of your doubt in Him; an indication of pride that you trust yourself more than Jesus Christ- the King of Kings, Savior of the World, and our Bread of Life. The more we surrender to Him, our faith grows to trust Him in all things. And with faith, God is willing to do exceedingly more, for we only need the faith to provide two small fish and five loaves of bread for Him to feed five thousand (John 6:5-14). And even smaller, having faith the size of a mustard seed, “nothing will be impossible for you,” Jesus promises. (Matthew 17:19-20)

Forgiveness. To remain in unforgiveness towards anyone, the root of bitterness and anger grows in one’s heart. It restricts and dampens one’s relationship with God. For Jesus said:

“For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses.” Matthew 6:14-15

Break Habitual Sin. When we embrace a lifestyle of habitual sin, there’s a deep chasm that separates us from the Lord. It keeps Him from working more abundantly in our life and giving richer blessings. Many cover their lifestyle with weekly church attendance and perhaps posting scripture on social media. However, God knows the heart (Proverbs 21:2).

Miracles Are In HIS Purpose And Plans

We need to embrace deeply in our hearts that Almighty God does not work for us, for He is OUR creator and Heavenly Father. He can choose to bless or withhold blessing, according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). For He has the sovereignty, wisdom, power, and authority to do as He wishes, and has omnipotence with power over all things at all times. This extends to who He chooses to bless and withhold blessings from. For Jesus said God “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45).

Take heart! He is loving and faithful to us, and we can trust Him fully. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” says the Lord. (Isaiah 55:9)

Miracles and blessings are for this life on earth. We should always want Jesus more than we want a miracle, for despite what happens while we walk the earth, He is the ultimate miracle- giving us peace, joy, and everlasting life.

And if this speaks to your heart, will you pray over this today? 

Lord Jesus, I come to you in a posture of total surrender to you. I repent and ask for Your forgiveness for any disobedience. Lord, though I desperately want to be blessed, please search my heart. Show me where I may be standing in the way of your blessing and miracle. I trust you though I may not understand. You are the only miracle and blessing that I truly want and need. I pray all of these things in your powerful and almighty name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

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Health

Blended Green Juices: What You Need to Know

Do you have a difficult time getting your required amount of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients each day? Perhaps cooking or preparing vegetables is time consuming, or just inconvenient. A blended green juice may be your answer!

Drinking blended greens provides essential fiber for digestive health, antioxidants for cell protection, and vitamins and minerals that support energy levels, mood, skin health, and immune function. Blended green juices can aid in weight management and contribute to overall health by providing a concentrated source of beneficial phytonutrients in an easy-to-digest juice. 

What Is A Blended Green Juice?

A blended green juice is a beverage consisting of dark leafy greens such as spinach, arugula, or kale, plus other nutrients that contain vitamins, polyphenols, and anti-inflammatory properties. The whole fruit and greens are blended into a juice and consumed, as opposed to using a juicer that extracts the pulp and fiber.

You simply need a blender and a liquid base such as milk, purified water, coconut water, or a combination. You can add non dark leafy vegetables such as cucumber and celery. Also consider berries, citrus, dairy (milk or yogurt), and superfoods such as spirulina and chlorella, herbs such as ashwagandha, and spices like turmeric. It’s up to you what you wish to blend together.

While there are no rules to what you should add, you may want to be careful of adding too many fruits or too much coconut water that contain a lot of sugar. You can experiment with a little fruit, and then add more as you prefer.

Suggestion: If you would rather leave out the fruit, you can add a flavored protein powder to give it a more palatable taste. Be on the lookout for clean protein powders that don’t contain synthetic ingredients, but rather real fruits, vegetables and natural flavors such as vanilla, berry, or strawberry.  

Nutritional Benefits

• Rich in Fiber:

  Blended greens are excellent sources of dietary fiber, which aids digestion, promotes regular bowel movements, and supports a healthy gut microbiome. You may experience bloating and more frequent bowel movements than you’re normally used to when consuming a lot of fiber.

• Packed with Vitamins and Minerals:

  They provide a wide array of essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, and iron, which are vital for immune function, bone health, and energy production. 

• Antioxidant Powerhouse:

  The chlorophyll and antioxidants found in greens help combat oxidative stress and protect the body's cells from damage. 

Health and Wellness Benefits

• Improved Energy Levels:

  The combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in greens helps the body convert food into energy efficiently, providing sustained vitality without the crash associated with sugar and caffeine. 

• Enhanced Mood and Cognition:

  Regular consumption of nutrient-rich green drinks can help balance mood and maintain cognitive function. 

• Radiant Skin:

  The vitamins in greens, particularly vitamin C, help repair and nourish the skin from within, contributing to a healthier, glowing complexion. 

• Support for Digestive Health:

  Fiber and specific herbs can help normalize the digestive system, reduce bloating, and promote a healthy gut flora. 

• Weight Management:

  The high fiber and nutrient content in green smoothies can contribute to feelings of fullness and support healthy weight management. 

• Nutrient Absorption: The raw ingredients help in preserving the nutrients, which are otherwise destroyed in the cooking process. This makes it easy for your body to absorb the essential nutrients in fruits and vegetables.

Though generally safe, consult with your licensed nutritionist, naturopathic doctor or medical doctor before consuming some combinations of greens, herbs, fruits, spices, and protein powders.†* 

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_{†All health information in the articles is exclusively gathered from clinical/medical resources that have been industry vetted, with no conflict of interest in the information they present/publish.} 

_{*Holy Nutrition does not diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Information provided is not medical advice and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider or medical practitioner for any health concerns, questions, or before making any decisions related to your health. Individual health conditions and needs may vary, and therefore, professional medical advice is essential for personalized guidance. Holy Nutrition is not responsible for any harm or damage resulting from the user's reliance on the information contained in the articles.}