A Bible Devotion

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November 9, 2007

God's Word Is Like A Seed

LUKE 8:11 NKJ
11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

A seed is powerful.

As a seed begins to grow, it will push up dirt, rocks, etc. Whatever the obstacles are, God's Word planted in your heart will push them out of the way.

A seed begins its growth in secret (underground).

The only way to tell if a seed is growing is to dig it up, or wait for a plant to appear. If you dig up a seed, you may kill it.

A seed takes time to produce.

No one expects a seed to produce a harvest the same day that seed is planted.

Sometimes the Word of God seems to spring up and bear fruit immediately. Yet, if we knew the details, we would understand that the fruit of the Word grew in that person's life over time.

A seed is persistent.

A seed never gives up, but works day and night. Even when you are sleeping, the seed you have planted is working to grow and express itself in a fruitful harvest.

A seed is not affected by other seeds.

Whatever happens to other seeds does not make any difference to a specific seed. Each seed sticks to its own task. One wheat seed planted in a corn field will still produce wheat. Seed does not become discouraged, or quit, even if other seeds die.

A seed will stop growing without nourishment.

Planting a seed is not enough to assure a harvest. Seed must be protected and taken care of until harvest time. A seed which is dug up, or not watered, will not produce.

More seeds planted produce a larger harvest.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 NKJ
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Think on these truths about seeds. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you apply them to the role of God's Word in your life.

SAY THIS: God's Word is the most important seed. I will diligently plant it in my life, so God can be glorified in my life.

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November 10, 2007

You Are God's Garden


1 CORINTHIANS 3:9 LB
9 We are only God's coworkers. You are God's garden, not ours; you are God's building, not ours.

We discovered that God's Word is a seed (Luke 8:11). Now we see that the Bible says that we, as believers, are God's garden -- the place where seed is planted.

The question for you to consider is: who determines the harvest? God, or you?

(The harvest I speak of is the fruit, or result, of the Word of God. The harvest of blessing that God's Word produces in your life.)

I suggest that the harvest is mainly controlled by the one who determines what seed is planted. Would you agree?

If wheat seed is planted, it is unreasonable to expect a harvest of corn. If only a few seeds are planted, it is unreasonable to expect a large harvest. Wouldn't you agree?

Yes, you are God's field, but He allows you a lot of freedom to choose what will be produced in your life. And the main way you choose is by choosing what seed will be planted in your heart and mind.

You can choose something other than God's Word. You can also choose different areas of God's Word. Planting different scriptures will produce different results in your life.

If all you ever plant are scriptures on the new birth, you cannot expect to have a huge harvest of healing or financial blessing in your life. The choice is yours.

SAY THIS: I am God's garden. Lord, help me plant the seed of your Word in me in abundance.

[admin]

November 11, 2007

Forgive Others As God Has Forgiven You

COLOSSIANS 3:13 NKJ
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Forgiving others for deep hurts seems to be one of the hardest things a human being can do. In fact -- very few are successful in forgiving.

Yet, in the Bible God commands us to forgive. Is God overly demanding, or...?

God is smart. That is why He commands us to forgive. (Also because He loves us and desires the best for us.) God knows how terribly destructive it is for us to harbor unforgiveness. Not forgiving someone can literally kill you.

Unforgiveness is a poison that eats away at your spiritual, mental, and physical health and life.

Knowing that, God strictly tells us to forgive. But how can we? We are just human, and we don't feel like forgiving when someone has wronged us severely.

(You may think it is impossible to forgive someone who hurt you. With God it is possible. He never asks us to do something we cannot do.)

The answer is in receiving God's help, enabling you to forgive. First, you must be "born again" spiritually by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord. That means you receive new life in your inner being, giving you a new nature -- a nature of love instead of selfishness.

Next, when you are wronged, you need to ask the Lord to help you forgive the person who hurt you. Having done that, you must make a firm decision to quit holding anything against that person.

Forgiveness is not a feeling but a decision to quit holding something against someone. When you forgive you must release them and forget it.

You must forgive by faith, after asking God to help you. Feelings always follow faith -- not the other way around.

How can we humans forgive others just as God has forgiven us? Having God's help is necessary. Only His love in our hearts can enable us.

You must forgive others -- no matter what they have done. To not forgive hurts you. You must forgive.

SAY THIS: With God's help, I will forgive others as God has forgiven me.

[admin]

November 12, 2007

How High Are The Heavens Above The Earth?

PSALM 103:11 NIV
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

If you understood how much God loves you -- your life would be different.

Fear and worry would have no power over you any longer. Fear has no torment for someone basking in the sunlight of Almighty God's love.

This passage in Psalm 103 attempts to picture the size or extent of God's love. It is not portrayed as simply big as the highest mountain. No, no -- far more. As high as the sky is above the earth. That is the picture God wants you to see when you think of how great His love is for YOU.

How do I know this? Just from what the Bible says. And from what God did in and through Jesus Christ to redeem you. He paid a mighty price for you -- because His love for you is so great.

But, you may ask, "Why is my life going so poorly if God really does love me so much?" That is a valid question, but not the same one as whether God loves you. The quick answer is that God has made provision for us -- but most of us are not taking advantage of the help He offers.

Put another way, we are not acting on God's instructions -- whether out of ignorance or for some other reason. When you don't follow a proven recipe you cannot expect a good outcome.

God has no desire to condemn us for our failure, but instead desires to invite us into His fellowship and His way of doing things. It is through His Word that this will happen in our lives. So, read the Bible to see how much God loves you, but also remember that it is because of His great love for you that He gave you the instructions found in the Bible. They are for your benefit -- not God's benefit.

SAY THIS: God's love for me is greater than I can see or understand. His love caused Him to give me the Bible, so I could know the truth and be set free.

[admin]

November 13, 2007

Don't Give Me What I Deserve

Do you really want what you deserve? Maybe you should first find out what you really deserve.

PSALM 103:8-10 NIV
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

Thank God that I don't get what I deserve! People clamoring to get what they deserve are really in the dark.

God is the judge and He declares that we have all fallen short -- none of us deserves good. But the wonderful news is that God loves us so much that He is not giving us what we deserve. But it doesn't stop there. It gets better. Believers are actually going to receive what Jesus deserves!

Jesus took what we deserved -- punishment. And now, because of His great love, offers us what He deserves -- freely as a gift of love.

How can you not respond to Someone like that!

SAY THIS: Thank You, Lord for not giving me what I deserve, but being merciful and gracious and giving me what you deserve instead.

[admin]

November 14, 2007

Control Your Words


1 PETER 4:11 NIV
11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. . . .

When you speak what the Bible says, you are speaking the very words of God. Anything contrary to what the Bible says, should never be spoken by a Christian.

EPHESIANS 4:29 NIV
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

JAMES 4:11 NKJ
11 Do not speak evil of one another . . . .

TITUS 3:2 NKJ
2 to speak evil of no one . . . .

You are responsible for what you say. If you cannot say something good, the Bible is clear: keep quiet.

SAY THIS: Lord please help me to keep quiet unless I have something to say that would be acceptable to you.

[admin]

November 15, 2007

Jesus Is Lord!

PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11 NKJ
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

No matter what it may seem like at times, Jesus Christ is Lord. He is ruler, boss, king: the One ultimately in charge.

He just hasn't exercised His prerogative and taken charge of everything yet.

Jesus is not currently micro-managing everything on earth. He is not responsible for every mistake, accident, and bad thing happening in the world.

God has allowed mankind to "try things our way" so we may see the folly of going our own way in rebellion to God.

But this won't last forever. God has a plan with a limited amount of time allotted for this part of history.

Although God has set certain boundaries, basically human beings are now in control on earth. We are free to choose. Because we are free to choose, we bear the responsibility for the consequences of our chosen actions.

All that is bad in the world today is the result of choices people made. God is not to blame. His only blame is that He allowed us the freedom to choose.

One day Jesus will exercise His authority and put a stop to all evil. Not only that, but He will eliminate the curse and all its effects. He will make all things new, whole, and sound again.

One day everyone will see and acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ. You have that privilege today.

SAY THIS: Jesus Christ is Lord and I am glad!

[admin]

November 16, 2007

Overcome That Problem You Face

I JOHN 5:4 NIV
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Yes, we do face difficulties in life, but they only give us an opportunity to trust the Lord and overcome. Without problems we would have nothing to overcome, and thus not be able to receive all the blessings promised to those who do overcome.

There are seven promises given to overcomers in the second and third chapters of Revelation. Here is the last one:

REVELATION 3:21 NIV
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

As you face the problems of life, keep your eyes on your destination, just as Jesus did. Walk close to God and depend on Him. He will not fail you.

I JOHN 4:4 NIV
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

SAY THIS: I am an overcomer in Christ Jesus. The Lord is my Helper. The One Who is in me is greater than any problem.

[admin]

November 17, 2007

The Greater One Is In You


1 JOHN 4:4 NASB
4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

There are two vital points in this verse, which is addressed to believers. (If you have not welcomed Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit into your life -- none of this applies to you.)

FIRST, God is IN you -- not far off somewhere.

Yes, God is in Heaven -- but that is not the only place He is. By the Holy Spirit, God now has His dwelling place in you! You don't have to "try to reach God." He is right there! What you need to do is to cultivate an awareness of His presence. This, along with communication, is the way to develop a closer relationship with God.

Knowing that God lives in you, and that He loves you, should banish all fear from your life. Fear of failure should have no place. Fear of what other people think should not bother you. Fear of problems that may come up should be of no concern. You have God living in you!

2 CORINTHIANS 6:16 LB
16 And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For you are God's temple, the home of the living God, and God has said of you, "I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people."

SECOND, God, Who is within you, is greater. Greater than any problem. Greater than any difficulty. Greater than the devil. Greater than anything you will ever face.

1 JOHN 4:4 ICB
4 My dear children, you belong to God. So you have defeated them because God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.

This is the Word of God. We must embrace it and live in the light of it. We must meditate on it and speak it. We must resist any contrary thought the enemy might try to place in our thinking.

SAY THIS: God, Who is in me, is greater than anything I will ever face. The Greater One is in me.

[admin]

November 18, 2007

Give Attention To My Words

PROVERBS 4:20-22 NKJ
20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

Giving attention to God's Word is not as easy as it once was. Today we have a multitude of distractions. Busyness seems to be a disease shared by everyone. We all have more than we can do.

Yet . . .

God doesn't change. His Word doesn't change. It still says the same thing it did a thousand years ago -- and it will still say the same thing a thousand years from now.

"Give attention to my words...."

We are confronted with a choice. What is most important? To what shall we give our limited time? God, or....?

God makes promises no one else does -- or can. He created, so He knows how things work.

Life. Life in its fullness. Life as God intended it to be. And health. Isn't that what everyone would like? That is the written guarantee offered by God to the human race -- for paying attention to what He has said.

SAY THIS: I choose to pay attention to God's Word. I choose life and health. I choose God.

[admin]

November 19, 2007

Keep Your Heart With All Diligence

PROVERBS 4:23 NKJ
23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

You have probably heard the saying concerning computers, "Input equals output." Or, the more popular term, "Garbage in, garbage out."

That does not apply to just computers, but also to human beings. If what we feed in is bad, we cannot expect the results to be good.

Today we are constantly bombarded with messages on every side. Everyone wants to influence us to do something -- usually to buy their product or service.

Distraction is a major problem we face. Because of the information overload we must deal with, it is easy to be distracted from what is most important: God's Word.

It is not so much that the information we are feeding into our hearts and minds is necessarily bad, just that it can easily crowd out what is most important from our lives.

PROVERBS 4:20-22 NKJ
20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

God's Word is not just another message, but something that has life in it. Just because your senses are not aware of the life emanating from God's Word is no proof. Nuclear radiation is also unseen and unfelt -- but, as we know, can quickly kill you. God's Word is the opposite -- it radiates life.

HEBREWS 4:12 BBE
12 For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart.

God is our Source of existence. In His Word there is a deposit of life from Him that we require to live and operate optimally. That means that without a constant feeding on the Word of God, you are living below what God intended for you.

SAY THIS: I will keep my heart with all diligence. I will feed in the Word of God which gives life.

[admin]

November 20, 2007

A Perfect Friend

PROVERBS 18:24 RSV
24 There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Would you like to have a perfect friend?

A friend who loved you no matter what you did.

A friend who would always be there when you needed them.

A friend who knew you intimately yet still loved you.

A friend who always encouraged you and never put you down.

A friend who was smart but not conceited.

A friend who had no personal problems to distract them.

A friend who was powerful and famous, yet down-to-earth and approachable.

A friend who is righteous yet merciful to others.

A friend who never makes a mistake.

A friend who enjoyed having a good time and sharing a laugh with you.

A friend who had the knowledge and ability to help you with everything.

A friend who is not too good to wash your feet or clean your toilet, yet talented enough to be the best at everything.

A friend who puts your interests ahead of their own.

A friend who loves you more than you love yourself.

A friend who would be willing to die for you.

There is only one. His name is Jesus, and He wants to be your friend.

SAY THIS: Jesus is my friend.

[admin]

November 21, 2007

Be Thankful

PSALM 107:1 NKJ
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

It seems the more people have the less thankful they become. Today complaints are abundant, but thank you's are few.

COLOSSIANS 3:15 NKJ
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Being thankful is not a choice for a Christian. If it was impossible, God would not have told us to do it.

So, why are people not thankful?

Gratitude is a mark of maturity. Ingratitude is a mark of immaturity. Babies are never thankful.

Neither are proud people thankful. Why? Because their mindset is that they deserve not just everything they have, but even better. "Why be thankful for something less than what you deserve?" describes their thinking.

A funny thing you will notice if you consider it: unthankful people are never happy. In fact, the more thankful a person is, the happier they are.

(This is an example of how acting on God's Word is for our benefit. God didn't invent commands just to be bossy.)

You will not be bothered with depression if you act on the Word of God and "be thankful." The cure for unhappiness is being thankful. Try it.

But how can you overcome the bad habit of ingratitude? Only by changing your core beliefs. As long as you believe you are getting a raw deal, or less than you deserve, you will never become a thankful person.

But if you realize that you deserved punishment and eternal separation from God -- yet in His mercy God instead gave you what He deserved, and EVERYTHING you have -- including every breath you breathe -- is a gift -- then you will become a thankful person.

SAY THIS: I give thanks to the Lord for He is good, and His mercy endures forever. I will be thankful for all God does for me.

[admin]

November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!

PSALM 107:1 NKJ
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

While we all have much to be thankful for, it is easy to lose the right perspective.

God's Word helps us keep the right perspective. We deserve God's wrath and punishment. But instead we are offered His grace, mercy, and love. Not only that, but He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus and has given us richly all things to enjoy (Ephesians 1:3,1 Timothy 6:17).

You do have much to be thankful for.

Things could probably be better in your life. But certainly they could be a lot worse.

No doubt you have heard the line, "I complained about having no shoes, until I saw a man with no feet...."

Remember this secret: you will never be happy without being thankful. Also, practicing thankfulness will make you happy.

So, the key to being happy is to be thankful.

SAY THIS: I will be happy when I give thanks.

[admin]

November 23, 2007

The Love Of Christ Is Beyond Comprehension

EPHESIANS 3:18-19 NLT
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.
19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

How can words describe, or humans fully understand, something that is as deep as God Himself? God's love is greater than words have the ability to communicate. It is impossible to put into language.

How can you explain the unexplainable? How can you know something that is beyond the ability of human knowledge to comprehend? You would have to be God Himself to fully understand why He loves you the way He does. Don't expect to ever understand it. But you can accept it. You can believe it. You can experience it and enjoy it.

God's love for you was demonstrated in redemption. God took your place and suffered what you deserved, so you could be forgiven and go free. God proved that He loved you more than He loves Himself. He did not spare Himself to help you.

God's love for you is also evident in creation. Not just in abundant provision, but also in all the beauty He created for your enjoyment. What a wonderful display of the loving and giving nature of God. Not only did He make everything we need, but He made it in abundance -- and with great variety.

Every good thing in life was created by God for you because of His great love for you.

SAY THIS: I accept the love of Christ: God loves me. Lord, help me to embrace the reality of your love, which is greater than words can tell.

[admin]

November 24, 2007

Every Good Gift Is From Above

JAMES 1:17 WEY
17 Every gift which is good, and every perfect boon, is from above, and comes down from the Father, who is the source of all Light. In Him there is no variation nor the slightest suggestion of change.

Whatever good that you enjoy in life is because of God. Because of His love for you, He created it.

Do you enjoy eating good food? Who designed that food? Who planned it all out so you could have it and enjoy it?

Do you enjoy beautiful scenes in nature -- sunsets, flowers, butterflies, wild animals, mountains? God created them all for your pleasure.

Do you enjoy a mother's love? God created mothers and put within them the capacity to love their children.

Do you enjoy the love of a spouse? God created them and put within them the capacity to love you.

I could go on.

When you think this through, you realize that God actually loves you and helps you through other people. He put the love within them - - so He is the ultimate source of the love you receive from others.

Everything good about life is attributable to God. Everything that we enjoy -- He created it, or the raw materials and the ability for humans to produce it.

As you think of all this, I hope you are struck with two thoughts: I would like to be closer to this kind of God, and I should be more thankful to God for more things than I have been.

SAY THIS: Thank you God my Father for all the good you have created, designed, and provided for me.

[admin]

November 25, 2007

God's Word Is Alive

HEBREWS 4:12 NIV
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The Bible is different than any other book you may read -- it contains life. You don't have to understand it, any more than you have to understand nuclear radiation to experience its effects. You just need to expose yourself to it.

What is the Word of God active in doing? Bringing forth after its kind. Producing life in you. Producing a harvest of peace, joy, righteousness, and freedom in your life.

If you are not enjoying peace, joy, righteousness, and freedom, then your answer is the Word of God.

The Bible, especially the message of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, will set you free and make you whole, if you continue in it.

However, just because you have fed on God's Word in one area, does not mean you will be free in every area of life.

For example, you could plant hundreds of tomato seeds in a garden and never harvest one carrot. Why? You never planted any carrot seed!

God's Word works the same way as a seed. The Word must be planted inside you to bear fruit in your life.

LUKE 8:11 NKJ
11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Just because you plant the seed from God's Word about spiritual rebirth does not mean you can expect a harvest of financial prosperity.

Scriptures about prosperity must be planted in you, and watered, before you can expect a harvest of prosperity.

Even if you plant much seed from God's Word concerning health and healing, you will not automatically have a harvest of a successful marriage and family life.

Each seed of God's Word has to be planted to produce fruit in your life in that area.

MATTHEW 4:4 NKJ
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "

SAY THIS: God's Word is alive and working to produce good in my life.

[admin]

November 26, 2007

Speak God's Word

EPHESIANS 6:17 NKJ
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

The sword, or weapon, of the spirit is not the Bible laying on a shelf, but God's Word being spoken by a believer.

You must take it. Your spiritual weapon is speaking the Word of God. You must take the Word and speak it — just like Jesus did (Matthew 4:4).

Our battle is not against humans, but evil spiritual forces, which requires us to use spiritual weapons to prevail and prosper. That weapon is speaking the Word of God.

Jesus defeated the devil for you. However, you must enforce that defeat by speaking and standing in agreement with God. Only then will you see Jesus' victory manifest in your life.

Of course, before you can speak the Word, you have to know the Word. It must be fed in before you can expect it to come out in a time of need. And you never know when you will be attacked with something designed to steal, kill, and destroy you.

Keep on saying what God's Word says -- no matter what.

HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hang on tight to speaking the Word, because the devil doesn't want you to stick with the Word. Count on being tempted to NOT say what God says. The devil does not want you to use your spiritual weapon of speaking the Word.

Speak the Word of God:
1. To yourself first.
2. To God in thanks and praise.
3. To the devil.
4. To circumstances.

SAY THIS: I will say what God says. I will keep God's Word in my mouth.

[admin]

November 27, 2007

Hold Fast Your Confession

Your confession is what you say. The Bible tells you to hang on tight to saying God's Word.

HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

God has no reason to tell us to hold fast, or hang on tight, to our confession, unless someone, or something, will be trying to get us to turn loose of it — and say something else.

HEBREWS 3:1 NKJ
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

HEBREWS 4:14 NKJ
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Jesus is the High Priest of our confession — what we say. He represents us before God with the words we speak.

The Bible says:

You are righteous in Christ. Romans 3:22

You are forgiven. Colossians 2:13

You are healed. 1 Peter 2:24

You are delivered from the devil. Colossians 1:13

You can do all things through Christ. Philippians 4:13

You are strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10

The Greater One is in you. 1 John 4:4

The Lord is guiding you. John 16:13

God is working in you. Philippians 2:13

The Lord is your helper. Hebrews 13:6

Jesus became poor to make you rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

You may wonder why you should say what God says in the Bible about you. First, God is looking for faith, and second, it is the Word planted in your life that will make you free. Speaking God's Word is a way of planting it in you.

Yes, it can take faith to say what the Bible says about you. Especially when you don't feel like it and the circumstances don't agree, either. But we have to choose: will we rely on our feelings, or God's Word? Do we trust the circumstances more than God's Word?

But you may say, "What the Word says is just not true in my life." You are the establishing witness. God has said something about you. Now when you come into agreement with Him, it will become manifest in your life.

MARK 11:23 NKJ
23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, `Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.

Jesus told us that we will have whatever we say — if we believe it. It will come to pass. So you see why the devil tries to get us to quit saying God's Word, which will set us free.

SAY THIS: I will say what God says about me — regardless of my feelings or circumstances.

[admin]

November 28, 2007

You Are Healed


1 PETER 2:24 NKJ
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed.

"Time" is difficult to understand. Scientists tell us that time is "relative," just something that seems real to us.

The Bible indicates God is "outside of time." God created time so He is not confined to it. Can we easily comprehend this? No.

When a human makes a statement that is not true at this present moment in time, we call it a lie -- not the truth.

But when God says something that does not seem to be true at this moment -- we cannot accuse Him of telling a lie -- because God is not limited to our time frame. (Also, we do not know everything.)

Having said all that, the Bible clearly says that you ARE healed.

ISAIAH 53:4-5 NRSV
4 Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.

So, you have a choice. You can look at it from your perspective and say, "That is not true. I am not healed."

Or, you can view the situation from God's perspective, and because of your faith in Him, agree with what He said.

Which choice is best? As you decide your answer, remember to include eternity in your evaluation. Pleasing God by accepting His Word can bring benefits to you after this life.

Here is one way of understanding all this. God made provision for everyone to be healed. That provision must be received by faith -- by believing and acting on what God has said in His Word. Humans have a choice: believe God's Word and resist anything that would try to steal their health, or, let their feelings and circumstances control them.

If you disagree with all this, let's not argue or fight. That will not help anyone. But remember, the Bible will still say what it says.

MATTHEW 8:16-17 NKJ
16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses."

God made provision for your healing, but the devil tries to steal it away from you.

Here is the bottom line: we do not understand everything. God does. Since God loves us, it seems best to trust in Him instead of trusting in our own limited understanding. So, I choose to believe and say what God says, whether I understand it or not.

SAY THIS: The Bible says I am healed. I choose to agree with what God has said in the Bible.

[admin]

November 29, 2007

You Are Forgiven


2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 AMPLIFIED
19 It was God (personally present) in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them]; and committing to us the message of reconciliation -- of the restoration to favor.

Most people mistakenly think they have to beg God to forgive them. Instead, God has already forgiven. It was His idea -- done on His own initiative.

(Whether you accept God's forgiveness and benefit from it is another question.)

1 JOHN 2:12 NKJ
12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

No matter what you have done -- God has already forgiven you!

God is not mad at you. Instead He loves you and desires to have a close relationship with you. Yes, God is against sin, because sin is harmful to humans. But He has already made provision for you to be forgiven and set free from sin.

Jesus Christ paid the price for all your sins -- and God is no longer holding any sin against you! You have been forgiven. When you accept that, you can begin to receive the benefit of Jesus' sacrifice.

EPHESIANS 1:7 NKJ
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

COLOSSIANS 2:13 NKJ
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

Through Jesus we have redemption from the devil and forgiveness for our sins.

Wouldn't it be great if you could tell someone who has messed up their life that God is not mad at them and not against them? That He desires to be their friend and help them?

SAY THIS: Thank You Father God for forgiving me and loving me.

[admin]

November 30, 2007

You Are Delivered From The Devil

COLOSSIANS 1:13 NKJ
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Many people are afraid of the devil. As believers we have no need to be afraid of the devil, although we should be aware and on guard against his schemes.

The only true power the devil holds over a believer now is the power of deception. If you do not know the truth the devil will take advantage of you. The only way to know the truth is to read, understand, and act on the Scriptures.

To illustrate, imagine entering the hospital room of a patient paralyzed from their neck down. All they can do is talk. They pose no threat to you, unless they convince you to take the gun from beside the bed and shoot yourself with it.

(How could they do that? One way would be to convince you that the gun was not real or not loaded, so it wouldn't harm you.)

You may think this is ridiculous, but it happens constantly with people who do not realize that the words they speak are powerful, and that the ideas they speak originate with the devil. Every day the devil convinces millions of people to take a spiritual "weapon" -- their words -- and use it against themselves.

The devil operates against you through fear and ignorance. God's Word gives you the information that will set you free from both fear and ignorance.

HEBREWS 2:14-15 NASB
14 Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

MARK 16:17 NKJ
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

For believers to cast out demons, it means they must have authority over the devil and his forces. However, unused authority conveys no benefit.

SAY THIS: Jesus is my lord, and the devil has no power over me. I have been delivered from the devil's authority. I am free, so leave me alone, devil!

[admin]

December 1, 2007

You Are Strong In The Lord

EPHESIANS 6:10 NIV
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

No one can successfully argue against the statement, "You are strong in the Lord." It is a given that if you are in the Lord, you are strong. Nothing that is "in the Lord" could be weak.

So the only real question is whether you are "in the Lord."

I JOHN 5:20 NASB
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 NIV
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

The choice is yours. You choose whether to accept Christ and thus be identified as "in Him." God does not force this, you must choose.

EPHESIANS 2:8-10 NASB
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

From Ephesians 2:8-10 we can see that when we are saved through faith, we are created anew IN Christ Jesus. That is our position. So, anyone and everyone who has received Jesus Christ can be said to be legally "in Him" according to the Scripture.

Always remember that your strength is not in your own ability or resources, but your strength is in the Lord. Depend on Him. He will never fail you. (He probably will test your patience and maybe even let the situation look hopeless, but He will not ever fail you.)

PSALM 27:1 NKJ
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

HEBREWS 13:5-6 NKJ
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

PSALM 28:8 NIV
8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

SAY THIS: I AM strong in the Lord. In the Lord, I am strong, for the Lord is my strength.

[admin]

December 2, 2007

Jesus Became Poor To Make You Rich


2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 LB
9 You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus was: though he was so very rich, yet to help you he became so very poor, so that by being poor he could make you rich.

Many Christians consider being poor the will of God. Scripture actually gives a quite opposite picture.

Although there are many warnings in Scripture against the love of money and its misuse, the fact remains that financial prosperity is considered a blessing from God in the Bible.

PSALM 35:27 NKJ
27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."

(Certainly there are dangers in being prosperous. With more money you can make more choices, and buy more trouble. However, money itself is not evil. The person using money determines whether it will be a force for good or a force for evil.)

You do not have to convince God to prosper you. No arm-twisting will be necessary, as He has already made the provision. Through the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ, prosperity already belongs to you.

I can almost hear the objections: "If I am rich, where is it? Why do I have all these debts and bills?"

The answer is simple actually. The devil has stolen it away from us because of our ignorance.

You can reclaim it by faith, but you will have to feed on the Word for your faith to continue strong and effective. So, to receive the blessings available to us through Christ, we have to draw near to God.

Some maturity is required to receive God's provision and to keep the devil from stealing it. This insures that immature believers will not have more money than they can handle and thus have their lives ruined by it.

Nevertheless, according to the Bible you are rich. You may not have ready access to it, but in Christ wealth is yours -- just as surely as a young heir is rich even though his money is held by trustees and he cannot have it until he matures.

SAY THIS: Jesus Christ became poor to make me rich. I am rich in Christ Jesus.

[admin]

December 3, 2007

The Lord Is Guiding You

John 16:13 NKJ
13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you....

This article is directed to believers in Jesus Christ to remind you there are many scriptures indicating that God IS guiding you.

Too often we feel like we are just on our own, drifting aimlessly, with no help or guidance from God. Just because you are not aware of God's guidance does not mean He is not guiding you. This is part of God's genius: to be able to do things unnoticed.

When we don't understand God's method of operation, we easily fall prey to the temptation to doubt God is guiding us, or even hearing our prayers. This often leads to begging God for help, which is not faith, and will not produce good results.

We must believe what God says in His Word concerning this subject of guidance, if we desire to please God.

It is always wise to talk with God before making any decision. But just because you don't hear God's audible voice answering you, does not mean that God is not directing you. His primary means of guiding you are His written Word and the witness of the spirit inside you.

God will never guide anyone to act contrary to the teaching of the Bible. That is one reason it is so important to read and study the Bible.

All of the following are scriptures you can apply to yourself. (Only the pronouns have been changed to make them personal.) Saying these will strengthen your faith.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not lack. He leads me beside the still waters. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

God will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. He will guide me with His eye. (Psalm 32:8)

God will bring me by a way I did not know; God will lead me in paths I have not known. He will make darkness light before me, and crooked places straight. God will do these things for me, and not forsake me. (Isaiah 42:16)

Thus says the Lord, my Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go." (Isaiah 48:17)

The Lord will guide me continually. (Isaiah 58:11)

I follow Jesus so I shall not walk in darkness, but I have the light of life. (John 8:12)

The Spirit of truth has come and He is guiding me into all truth. He will tell me things to come. (John 16:13)

I am led by the Spirit of God for I am a son of God. (Romans
8:14)

Now thanks be to God who always leads me in triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

It is God Who works in me both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

The Lord Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So I may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear." (Hebrews 13:5-6)

SAY THIS: Thank You Lord for guiding me.

[admin]

December 4, 2007

Jesus Will Give You Rest

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Are you struggling? Do you feel like you are barely keeping your head above water?

If you feel like you are struggling and striving just to make it -- you need to turn to Jesus. He will give you rest.

If you say that you have turned to Jesus and you think His yoke is hard and His burden is heavy -- you are deceived.

You need to cast your care on the Lord and learn of Him. So many people are striving and struggling to get God to love them when He already loves them and accepts them.

Living a successful Christian life is not done by our own strength or willpower. It is the result of depending on the Lord. Only He can do it.

Quit trusting in your plans and abilities and efforts, and trust in Jesus instead. Turn things over to Him. Let Him be Lord in your life.

SAY THIS: I will learn of Jesus and trust in Him. Jesus my Lord gives me rest.

[admin]

December 5, 2007

Overcome Evil With Good

ROMANS 12:21 NIV
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

There seems to be no lack of evil. That gives us an opportunity to overcome.

We will be tempted to respond in kind -- to strike back at those who hurt us. But that is a bad choice. All it leads to is more pain and misery for more people -- including ourselves.

The answer is divine love.

With God's love inside us, and God helping us, we can return good for evil done to us. That breaks the vicious downward cycle and also breaks the power of evil to affect us.

Don't tell me this won't work in your case. I have personally heard the victorious testimony of a believer who was tortured by his communist captors yet walked in love and overcame the evil situation. It will work!

Love is stronger than hate. Good is more powerful than evil. You can walk in victory no matter what anyone does to you.

ROMANS 5:5 NIV
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

HEBREWS 13:6 NIV
6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

SAY THIS: With God's love, I will overcome evil with good.

[admin]

December 6, 2007

God's Word Is Vital

MATTHEW 4:4 NKJ
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

When Jesus faced the devil's temptations as recorded in Matthew chapter four, His first response was to quote Deuteronomy 8:3.

God wants you to learn the same lesson that Jesus knew: Nothing is more important than God's Word. Without the Word, your life will be less than God intends. The Word of God is vital!

DEUTERONOMY 8:2-3 NKJ
2 "And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
3 "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

This lesson was what God intended for Israel to learn in the wilderness, but sadly, most of them missed it.

When Joshua was taking command of the Israelites after Moses' death, God wanted to make sure Joshua understood the lesson. So, He gave him directions for success — which are: speak God's Word, think God's Word, and do God's Word. Those instructions have never changed. They are as valid for you today as they were for Joshua.

JOSHUA 1:8 NKJ
8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

SAY THIS: God's Word is necessary for me to enjoy life as God intended it to be.

[admin]

December 7, 2007

You Can Do All Things Through Christ

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 NKJ
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

God often makes statements in the Bible that go against what we feel like, or what it looks like to us at the time.

God is trying to move us to a higher plane of faith where we depend on Him and not on what we feel like.

Others try to evade the issue by saying that a verse only applies to someone else -- like the Apostle Paul -- not to them.

Well, if you don't believe, you won't receive help. But help is available. And that help and strength is just as available to you as it was to the Apostle Paul, because the Lord does not play favorites.

Paul didn't say, "I can do all things because I am an apostle." No, it is "through Christ" that he was enabled to do what he needed to do. And you, as a believer, are in Christ just as much as the Apostle Paul was.

You choose. Either step out in faith in God and say you can do it with His help, and watch God raise you up to that level. Or, cower back in fear, and say you cannot do it.

SAY THIS: I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[admin]

December 8, 2007

God Is An Artist

EPHESIANS 2:10 WEY
10 For we are God's own handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has pre-destined us to practise.

Look around. See for yourself. God is an artist extraordinaire!

When we gaze at a beautiful sunset, or look at the infinitely varied forms of life we find surrounding us, and realize that God designed it all, it is easy to be impressed. God is an artist. The most brilliant, creative artist ever to exist.

But when we look at our own lives and consider what God is doing there, we tend to forget that God is an artist. He is making something beautiful out of you and your life. You may not see the beauty now -- you may not even see any design or evidence that God is working -- but you will recognize it someday.

God's intention for you is to be much more beautiful and glorious than a sunset or a school of multi-colored fish. And you will be! God will not fail.

"Wait a minute, preacher. I can see plenty of people that God has failed on. They are anything but "beautiful and glorious" -- inwardly or outwardly."

Yes... today. But God is not finished. Many great works of art take a long time. Don't judge too soon!

SAY THIS: God is an artist and He is working on me. Go ahead, God. Let's see what you can do.

[admin]

December 9, 2007

The Greater One Is In You


1 JOHN 4:4 ICB
4 My dear children, you belong to God. So you have defeated them because God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.

This message is simple and has two parts: God is greater than anything, and because you're a believer in Jesus Christ, He lives in you.

How can anyone argue with the fact that God is greater than any problem? God, the Creator, is above ALL. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Most people believe this.

The second part is more difficult to believe: God is in you. Yet, that is the message of the Bible to believers.

JOHN 14:16-17 NKJ
16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19 NKJ
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

2 CORINTHIANS 6:16 NKJ
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."

Believe the Bible. The Greater One is in you. He is greater than any problem. He is greater than any situation, any difficulty, any obstacle, any enemy, any thing.

SAY THIS: The Greater One is in me. He is greater than anything I now face or ever will face.

[admin]

December 10, 2007

Why Do Christians Fight So Much?

JOHN 13:34-35 NKJ
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Instead of being known for love, Christians are more likely to be known for disagreements and fighting with other Christians.

Why?

Those who fight are displaying their immaturity. Children can be expected to squabble over insignificant things, but adults should not.

Yet even Christian leaders often fight with other Christian leaders.

It is the devil's strategy to get believers in strife because it opens the door to him. Do you really want to open the door to the devil?

JAMES 3:16 KJV
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

God allows us to face the temptation of strife so we can overcome and learn to walk in love. We are continually given the opportunity to walk in love.

God's primary concern now is preparing us to inhabit eternity with Him. His plan is to make us like Jesus (Romans 8:29). To become like Jesus, we must learn to resist the temptation to not walk in love.

SAY THIS: With God's help, I will walk in love. I refuse to fight and be in strife with other Christians.

[admin]

December 11, 2007

God's Word Is Medicine

God's Word is medicine — for any weakness or sickness in body, mind, finances, family, marriage, etc.

Whatever sickness or disease you suffer from, God's Word can cure it. God's Word is effective for any condition. It works as a preventative as well as a cure. There is no cost and no danger of taking an overdose.

Like any medicine, God's Word must be taken to be effective. It will not work sitting on the shelf. And it has to be taken according to the directions.

But if you will follow God's directions as faithfully as you would follow the directions of a human doctor, you will see wonderful results.

Here are the directions:

PROVERBS 4:20-23 NKJ
20 My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

In verse 22 the Hebrew word translated health is translated as medicine in some translations.

PSALM 107:20 NKJ
20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.

God's Word will heal. It is full of God's power and carries the authority of God who spoke it.

JOHN 8:31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

You have the guarantee of Jesus — His Word will produce freedom.

But, you must abide, or continue in His Word. You must feed it in until you know that you know that you know the truth. Then you will act on that truth — and it will make you free.

God's medicine works by taking His Word into your being. You do that by listening to the Word, reading the Word, and speaking the Word.

You must fill your thoughts with the Word of God. The more of God's medicine you take, the better off you will be.

SAY THIS: I will take God's medicine daily and it will bring healing into my life.

[admin]

December 12, 2007

God Is Working In You

PHILIPPIANS 2:13 LB
13 For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.

Don't be discouraged. God is at work!

You may not be happy with yourself now, but God is not finished working.

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 NASB
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

God can complete what He starts. Give Him some time.

HEBREWS 13:20-21 RSV
20 Now may the God of peace...
21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

You will never be able to please God just on your own effort, but through Jesus Christ and His work in you, you WILL become what God wants you to be.

SAY THIS: God is working in me and He always does a good job.

[admin]

December 13, 2007

We Receive From God By Faith

ROMANS 5:1-2 NKJ
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

All we receive from God is by His grace. We do not deserve it, and we are not able to earn it. It is a gift offered by grace.

But we must access it by faith.

GALATIANS 3:14 NKJ
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

We receive through faith. Whether we are receiving the Holy Spirit or receiving healing. Whatever we receive from God must be received by faith.

HEBREWS 6:12 NKJ
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

There are many promises in the Bible. If you want them to be manifest in your life, you must possess them through faith and patience.

MATTHEW 9:29 NKJ
29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."

This is the statement of Jesus. It is valid for you today just as it was then. You will receive from God according to your faith.

Do not let this discourage you. Rather it should encourage you. Although your faith may not be strong now, you can strengthen it by feeding on the Word of God. It is under your control.

God's Word is faith food. The more you read it, speak it, and hear it, the stronger your faith will grow.

SAY THIS: I will feed on God's Word and build my faith so I can receive all the blessings God has for me.

[admin]

December 14, 2007

Words Are Spiritual Weapons

REVELATION 12:11 NKJ
11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Words are more important than most people realize. All authority is exercised through words.

When it comes to overcoming the enemy of our souls, and all his tactics, we must speak words of faith in line with the Bible.

What Jesus did for you is enough. He defeated the devil for you. However, you must enforce that defeat by speaking and standing in agreement with God. Only then will you see Jesus' victory manifest in your life.

EPHESIANS 6:17 NKJ
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

A sword is a weapon. God's Word is not a weapon when laying on your coffee table. It only becomes a spiritual weapon when you speak it in faith.

You must take it. Your spiritual weapon is speaking the Word of God. You must take the Word and speak it -- just like Jesus did.

SAY THIS: I overcome by what Jesus did, and my words that enforce that victory over the devil.

[admin]

December 15, 2007

Fellowship With God


1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 NIV
9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

You need to stop and think about this. God wants to have fellowship with you.

We are not talking about some lower level person. Not just a leader of a country. Not just a billionaire.

God!

Stop and think about God, all His knowledge, all His wealth, all His power -- the ruler of the Universe, and all that He could choose to do.

Why would God desire your company?

Honestly, I don't know. All I can say is that He does, according to the Bible.

But what an opportunity! What a privilege! To fellowship with GOD!

What does fellowship mean? The word used in 1 Corinthians 1:9 is the Greek word "koinonia" (koy-nohn-ee'-ah). Some meanings are fellowship, association, communion, participation, intimacy, partnership, and a having in common.

That is what God wants with you. Koinonia.

The same word is used in the following verse. Notice how the Living Bible translates it.

2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 LB
14 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. May God's love and the Holy Spirit's friendship be yours. Paul

SAY THIS: I will respond to God's call and fellowship with Him.

[admin]

December 16, 2007

God's Covenant of Words

ISAIAH 59:21 NKJ
21 "As for Me," says the Lord, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the Lord, "from this time and forevermore."

According to Isaiah 59:21, part of our covenant with God includes continually having His words in our mouth and in the mouth of our descendants. Not only are we to speak God's Word, but we are to train our descendants to do the same.

God must know something about the importance of the words we speak, that we have not yet understood.

Although a growing number of believers are beginning to realize the importance of the words we speak, the vast majority of Christians have never heard any teaching on this subject. Yet, if you search the Bible, you will see that God puts a major emphasis on what we say.

1 PETER 4:11 NIV
11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God....

Look at the Bible for yourself. Decide for yourself. You will surely decide that the Bible teaches that believers should speak words in agreement with what God says.

What you say IS important.

SAY THIS: I will speak words in agreement with what God has said, and I will teach my descendants to do likewise.

[admin]

December 17, 2007

God So Loved The World

JOHN 3:16 WEY
16 For so greatly did God love the world that He gave His only Son, that every one who trusts in Him may not perish but may have the Life of Ages.

Do you ever get fed up with the world? Do you just get tired of all the lies and the selfishness?

Do you ever deal with people that you think maybe the world would be better off if they just went to hell right away?

Well, God never thinks that way. God loves the world -- enough to die for it. He has never changed His mind.

JOHN 3:16-17 LB
16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

Remember this the next time you are having difficulty with someone. You are dealing with someone God loves!

No matter how you classify yourself -- God loves you. If you are a sinner or a saint, God loves you. And the good news is that God's love and power will change you into what you should be.

JOHN 3:16 BBE
16 For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.

Don't ever forget it: God loves people.

SAY THIS: God loves the whole world of people -- including me and everyone I know.

[admin]

December 18, 2007

What Is God Like?

NAHUM 1:7 NIV
7 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

Much could be said about God. But the first thing we need to realize is that God is good. He is not a bad guy. He is not against you. He is not your problem, but rather He is the answer to your problems.

Although the world doesn't know what God is like, they desperately need to know Him. Even sadder is the fact that most Christians do not really know what God is like, either.

If you want to know what God is like -- look at Jesus Christ. He perfectly revealed God to us.

JOHN 1:18 TEV
18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

COLOSSIANS 2:9 Phillips
9 Yet it is in him that God gives a full and complete expression of himself in bodily form.

Would you be content to just read what someone else says marriage is like? Why be content to just listen to what others say God is like? You need to taste and see for yourself.

Have your own relationship with God!

PSALM 34:8 NKJ
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

SAY THIS: The Lord is good and I desire to know Him better.

[admin]

December 19, 2007

God Can Be Trusted

HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 . . . He who promised is faithful.

The devil is trying to get you to doubt God and His Word. The devil wants you to give up on God, to not trust Him, to not expect Him to do what He said in His Word.

Do not give up! God can be trusted.

Someone who loves you enough to die in your place can be trusted. Someone who created all that you see, and all that you don't see, can be trusted to handle whatever you face.

TITUS 1:2 NASB
2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

God is not a liar. Whatever He says comes to pass!

1 THESSALONIANS 5:24 NIV
24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

God is trustworthy. Don't be moved by the circumstances. God will not fail you.

SAY THIS: God is worthy of my trust. I trust Him with my past, present, and future.

[admin]

December 20, 2007

Look At The Stars

PSALM 147:4-5 NIV
4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

Sometimes I wonder how God can be mindful of me when there are so many other people for Him to be concerned about. How can He keep up? Then I am reminded of the scriptures that tell us that God has named all the stars. We don't even know how many stars there are -- scientists say billions and billions -- but God can call them all by name!

God is definitely in a different category than anyone else I know. He is mighty. Compared to us, He has no limit to His understanding or His ability.

ISAIAH 40:26 NIV
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

PSALM 8:3-4 NIV
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

When we do consider the heavens, it can make us feel small and insignificant. But, according to God's Word -- we are not.

When I became a parent, I gained some insight into God's love for people. When you have a child, you don't love that child because it is great or powerful, or can do great things for you. You love your child simply because it is your child -- your creation -- a part of you.

Why does God love you -- and the rest of humanity? The best answer we can give is because He created us. He put something of Himself into us. We are His children.

God doesn't love us because of our great achievements -- but simply because we are His.

SAY THIS: If God can remember the names of all the billions of stars, He can remember my name and address, and take care of me.

[admin]

December 21, 2007

Walk In Love

EPHESIANS 4:31-32 ICB
31 Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil.
32 Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.

As a human who has been hurt, you may find it impossible to forgive and walk in love. But as a child of God, with God helping you, you can do it.

God freely forgave you. Now, with His love placed in your heart, you are to act like Him and forgive others.

EPHESIANS 5:1-2 NIV
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Putting others first is the essence of walking in love. Selfishness is the opposite of walking in divine love.

COLOSSIANS 3:12-13 NIV
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

If you are having trouble with this, just ask the Lord to work in you and change you. Tell Him you need help.

SAY THIS: I can walk in love because the Lord is my Helper.

[admin]

December 22, 2007

The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength

NEHEMIAH 8:10 NLT
10 ... Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"

I do not claim it is the only meaning, but one thing the Lord showed me from this verse is that our level of joy is like a thermometer revealing our spiritual strength. If our joy is low -- our spiritual strength is low. That is because the Lord is our strength, and in His presence there is fullness of joy.

PSALM 16:11 NKJ
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

So, if our joy is low, it means we have not been spending time in God's presence, receiving His strength and help. It means we have got our focus off God and onto something else.

(Although God is always with us, as we worship Him and praise Him and thank Him, God manifests His presence.)

Being gloomy is not a sign of being spiritual. God did not intend for His people to be downcast. Let the world be sad, we have something to rejoice about! Jesus! Heaven!

If you look at your circumstances you may not feel like rejoicing. But if you look at Jesus as He truly is -- you will not be able to keep from rejoicing in Him. Jesus is wonderful!

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 NLT
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!

SAY THIS: I will rejoice in the Lord!

[admin]

December 23, 2007

Have A Word Harvest

JOSHUA 1:8 NIV
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

When God first gave anyone instructions for success, the first thing He said was to always keep His Word on their lips.

Jesus taught that God's Word was a seed (Luke 8:11). Seed produces a harvest — if used properly.

The harvest that God's Word produces in your life is freedom (John 8:31-32). Here are three steps to seeing a harvest of freedom in your life:

1. Plant the seed of the Word by reading it, saying it, and hearing it.
2. Water the seed by reading, speaking, and hearing the Word some more.
3. Gather the harvest by speaking the Word (when you believe it and know it inwardly).

Most people try to skip the first two steps. No wonder they have not had better results! You cannot reap the harvest without planting the seed and watering it.

Feed your faith, in every area you desire to be strong in, by speaking God's Word that covers those subjects.

Remember — if you want to harvest a continuous crop of freedom — you must plant the seed of God's Word continuously.

SAY THIS: I will read, speak, and listen to God's Word.

[admin]

December 24, 2007

Peace On Earth

LUKE 2:13-14 NKJ
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Peace? On earth? Who are you kidding? Earth is filled with strife and violence.

What were the angels talking about? What could their message mean, on that night so long ago, when they appeared to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem?

Even Jesus made it clear that His first coming to earth was not for the purpose of bringing peace on earth.

LUKE 12:51 NKJ
51 "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.

Then what were the angels rejoicing about? What was the big deal that night in Bethlehem?

They were speaking of peace between God and man, not peace among mankind.

ROMANS 5:1 NKJ
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

And that is why we can rejoice and celebrate Christmas: Jesus did everything necessary to erase all alienation between God and mankind.

Jesus broke down all the barriers between God and man. Now, through Jesus, we can know God intimately, and enjoy His fellowship.

Although the work was not finished just by Jesus being born, yet the angels saw the love that prompted God to take on a human form, and they looked forward in faith to the completion of mankind's redemption.

The angels were proclaiming peace and good will from God to mankind. That is my message, too. God is not against you. God loves you. God is not your problem. So, turn to God, instead of turning away from Him.

That is the true message of Christmas. Everyone can be right with God, because of God's gift -- Jesus Christ.

SAY THIS: Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

[admin]

December 25, 2007

Happy Christmas

LUKE 2:10-11 NKJ
10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
11 "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Why say, "Happy Christmas"? Everyone knows that's not the traditional greeting.

Aaah... tradition!

Sometimes we have more reverence for tradition than we do for truth, or even than we do for God himself. Not that tradition is all bad -- far from it. We just must not worship our traditions and put them ahead of truth.

Tradition won't set you free -- but truth will.

Many traditions have grown up around Christmas -- some good, and some not so good.

There is not much question that Jesus of Nazareth was NOT born on December 25th, or anytime close to that date. But does it matter? The important thing is that He WAS born, and that is something worthy of celebration.

PHILIPPIANS 1:18 NIV
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

This is the way to look at Christmas: Christ is being remembered -- by the world. Yes, there is too much commercialism. And, yes, Jesus is often forgotten in all the rush and hubbub of the season.

But how wonderful that the largest celebration of the year is centered around the coming to earth of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is something to be glad about!

Let's not be sucked in to fighting about the negatives of Christmas. Let's emphasize Jesus, and try to remind others that Jesus is the reason for us to celebrate.

SAY THIS: Thank You, Father, for sending Jesus Christ!

[admin]

December 26, 2007

Good Tidings Of Great Joy

LUKE 2:10-11 NKJ
10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
11 "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

What kind of statement was this? "Great joy...to all people."?

Billions of people -- maybe two out of three on earth -- have never even heard the "Gospel of Jesus Christ," or good news, as the term gospel means.

Is this really for all people?

Yes, and we are supposed to tell them. God is a Savior -- one who delivers and makes whole.

The true message of God is really good news. The kind of news that people will get excited about when they truly understand it.

If you say, "I don't see what there is to get so excited about," then you don't yet understand the gospel.

We are dealing with "good tidings of GREAT JOY -- which will be to all people."

"So what's so great about it?"

Being made right with God as a free gift. Being set free from the bondage of sin. Being delivered from the curse, including sickness, poverty, and spiritual death. Being given new life and brought into God's own family. Knowing that God is your father and your friend...and so much more!

SAY THIS: I have received Good News that will make people have great joy!

[admin]

December 27, 2007

God With Us

MATTHEW 1:21-23 NIV
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

Part of the wonderful good news of the New Testament is that God is not just a far-off God, but He is right with us.

With us -- in many ways.

With us as we face life -- right here to help us. Not far away, and out of touch with what we are facing. Not difficult to reach -- but only a prayer away.

With us in understanding what it is like to live on earth and face the problems and difficulties we all face.

With us in knowing what it is like to experience pain and loss.

With us in knowing what it feels like to be rejected and despised and misunderstood.

With us in knowing what it is like to be hungry and have nothing to eat.

With us in knowing how difficult it can be to struggle against sin.

With us in knowing what it is like to be attacked by the devil.

HEBREWS 4:15 NIV
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin.

God came to earth. He became a man. (No, I don't understand that, I just accept it.) Jesus experienced what we experience, yet He always walked in victory.

If you let Jesus, He will guide you into victory, also.

SAY THIS: God is with me! He understands, and is here to help me.

[admin]

December 28, 2007

Freely Give Us All Things?

ROMANS 8:32 NKJ
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Most people approach prayer as an exercise in convincing God to help. They think they must twist God's arm, or promise to do something, in order to get God to give them anything.

The New Testament paints a different picture. God not only is a willing giver, but has already given! He is not holding back on us!

When He gave us Jesus, along with Him He gave us everything we could ever need.

"Why then," you may ask, "do I not have what I need?"

Friend, there is a great difference between something being given and something being received.

Many people have been unaware recipients of great good, but until they became aware of it and took the necessary steps to properly receive their bounty, it did them no good.

You can be entitled to some inheritance, or other windfall, without knowing it. You can even know it, but without following the proper procedure, not possess and enjoy it.

So it is with the things of God. Proper procedure must be followed. There are instructions on how to receive. But the instructions are clear and easy to follow. You will find them in the New Testament.

1 TIMOTHY 6:17 NKJ
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

God gives us richly all things to enjoy!

Don't judge God's generosity by what you have, or have not, received. Find out the instructions from the Bible, and receive all that God has provided for you.

SAY THIS: God freely gave me all things in Christ. Now I will learn to be a receiver of God's blessings.

[admin]

December 29, 2007

You Can Be Free

JOHN 8:31-32 NRSV
31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Everyone wants to be free, but many have given up hope that it is possible.

But Jesus gave a promise, valid for you today. You can be free!

Many suffer from physical problems. Jesus' promise includes you!

Some are bound by debt. The promise of Jesus applies to you, also!

Others are bound by fear. You can be free!

Many are bound by destructive habits they are unable to quit. Sin enslaves people, but you can be free from its power!

JOHN 8:34 NRSV
34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

Jesus will set you free from the power of sin. He will not take away your freedom to sin, but He will change you inwardly, so you don't want to sin.

Real freedom is more than being able to do what you want to do. Real freedom is not having to do what you do not want to do.

JOHN 8:36 NRSV
36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Free indeed!

The answers are in the Word of God: the New Testament.

SAY THIS: I will continue in Jesus' Word, and as He promised, I will know the truth and it will make me free.

[admin]

December 30, 2007

Tell satan Where To Go

MATTHEW 4:10 NLT
10 "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.' "

Jesus spoke directly to the devil -- and so must you.

Many Christians think they should pray about the devil and ask God to deliver them from his attacks. But the Bible is clear -- God has given the authority to believers to resist the devil.

You must control the devil, or he will control you!

Unless you exercise the authority delegated to you by Jesus Christ, the devil will wreak havoc in your life, and everywhere he is allowed to.

LUKE 10:19 NKJ
19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Praying to God to stop the devil's operations is no different than my son asking me to take out the trash, after I have told him to do it.

God told us to resist the devil and he would flee. We must believe and act on God's Word.

EPHESIANS 4:27 NKJ
27 nor give place to the devil.

Would God tell us not to let the devil have any place, if we had no say about it? If the devil does have a place in our affairs, it's because we allowed it.

JAMES 4:7 NKJ
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

We must first submit to God, because we are not greater in power than the devil. But submitted to God in Christ Jesus, the devil must back off when we resist him and his works.

SAY THIS: In the Name of Jesus, I command you devil to leave me, my family, and my property alone! Be gone!

[admin]

December 31, 2007

Heaven Is Our Home

PHILIPPIANS 3:20 LB
20 But our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is; and we are looking forward to his return from there.

Heaven is a real place. In fact, Heaven is ultimate reality. There are real people there, involved in real activities. But most importantly, our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ and our Father God are there.

Sometimes people talk of someone who has departed this life as "having gone to their reward."

Heaven is not a reward.

There will be rewards given out by God, but going to Heaven is not a reward. Heaven is a return to normal.

That's right. Heaven is the way life was supposed to be. Heaven is normal. What we have been experiencing on this sin-infested planet is sub-normal.

But part of the Good News is that Jesus will not leave this place, or us, sub-normal forever. One day, maybe soon, Jesus will return from Heaven and change things on Earth back to what God intended when He created this place.

Everything on Earth, as originally created, was a reflection of the home planet, Heaven. All the beauty and everything good that we enjoy on Earth is but a dim reflection of what Heaven offers.

What makes Heaven our home? Home is where your family is. Home is where you are comfortable. Home is where you have a place to live. Home is where you belong. For the believer in Jesus Christ, Heaven fits all those descriptions.

SAY THIS: Heaven is my home.

[admin]

January 1, 2008

Look At The Flowers

LUKE 12:27 LB
27 "Look at the lilies! They don't toil and spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not robed as well as they are.

Many people would have you believe that God only supplies what we need -- nothing more.

But they haven't considered the flowers!

If you want to know God better, obey Jesus and look at the flowers. They were God's idea.

Why did God make flowers? They're not necessary. Although they may have some purposes, one kind of flower in one single color could have been made to meet all the needs.

The fact is: flowers are not needed. They are "extra," something far, far beyond merely what was needed.

We could live without flowers, but life is so much more beautiful with them.

Dear friend, God is not intent on you barely scraping by. He told you to ask and receive -- that your joy may be full (see John 16:24). God desires your joy to be full.

But don't make the mistake that so many do. Abundance of "things" will never satisfy you apart from God. But what a joy it is when you have close fellowship with the Creator, and can thank Him for all the wonderful things He has provided for you because of His great love. In that context, things are a great blessing, because they are a constant reminder of the goodness and love of God.

Others tell us that "God only helps those who help themselves" and make us think that "if it is to be, it is up to me."

No. While it is true that we must cooperate with God, mostly by trusting Him and resisting our enemy by standing in faith on God's Word, it is not true that we have only ourselves to depend on.

That was part of Jesus' point: God "prospers" flowers better than Solomon could achieve -- and he was the richest man who ever lived! God can, and will, take care of you, too. Just let Him.

Whenever I see flowers, or whenever I think of the abundance God has provided, it reminds me of His love, and I say, "Thank You Lord, for flowers."

SAY THIS: Thank You Lord, for flowers!

[admin]

January 2, 2008

Get Out Of Your Cave


1 KINGS 19:9 NIV
9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah was hiding in a cave, fearful, discouraged, and confused.

Why?

Elijah knew God and had seen God do mighty things, even in answer to his own prayers. Yet he was human, just like the rest of us.

JAMES 5:17 NIV
17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

Elijah had only one real problem, and it was not the adversaries he faced. It was that he got his focus off of God and onto himself.

To me, God seems amazed at Elijah's hiding. I picture Him thinking, "Doesn't Elijah know that I am greater than all his adversaries? Doesn't Elijah know that I will help him?"

I would paraphrase the verse above as, "What in the world are you doing here, Elijah? Have you forgotten who your God is? Have you forgotten who you are, a servant of Almighty God?"

Elijah was human -- just like us -- and we face the same difficulties in life. But just like Elijah, our real problem is not the problems we face -- but our focus.

We can focus on our inability and lack, or we can focus on God's ability and abundant provision.

Are you hiding in a "cave" today, afraid to venture forth and face life? Are you afraid of failure and rejection? Are you discouraged because things haven't worked out like you thought they would?

What are you doing?! Get out of your "cave!"

God is on your side. The Greater One is in you. The Lord is your helper. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

SAY THIS: I will focus on God, Who loves me, and Who is greater than anything I will ever face.

[admin]

January 3, 2008

God With Us

MATTHEW 1:21-23 NIV
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

Part of the wonderful good news of the New Testament is that God is not just a far-off God, but He is right with us.

With us -- in many ways.

With us as we face life -- right here to help us. Not far away, and out of touch with what we are facing. Not difficult to reach -- but only a prayer away.

With us in understanding what it is like to live on earth and face the problems and difficulties we all face.

With us in knowing what it is like to experience pain and loss.

With us in knowing what it feels like to be rejected and despised and misunderstood.

With us in knowing what it is like to be hungry and have nothing to eat.

With us in knowing how difficult it can be to struggle against sin.

With us in knowing what it is like to be attacked by the devil.

HEBREWS 4:15 NIV
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin.

God came to earth. He became a man. (No, I don't understand that, I just accept it.) Jesus experienced what we experience, yet He always walked in victory.

If you let Jesus, He will guide you into victory, also.

SAY THIS: God is with me! He understands, and is here to help me.

[admin]

January 4, 2008

Love Your Enemies

MATTHEW 5:44 NKJ
44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

"Love your enemies? What kind of advice is that? How can you have enemies, if you act in love toward them?"

Good point.

Why would anyone want to have enemies? Do you?

God's instructions, if acted upon, will make friends out of enemies. Think how much better the world would be then.

God can, and does, love His enemies. He proved it. No matter what they did to Jesus, He never quit walking in love.

But it may be impossible for a normal human to love their enemies -- without God's help. Fortunately, God's help is available!

No matter how hard it seems, you can love those who have hurt you. If it was not possible, God would not command us to do it. Of course, to be successful at it, we need to call on the Lord and receive His help.

"But why should I love my enemies?" You should know it is the best thing for you to do, just because God said it. It benefits you as well as the one who wronged you.

You have two basic choices when someone does you wrong. Do wrong back to them. Or, return good for evil.

If you fight back, then they will have a valid excuse to continue mistreating you. Is that what you want? If not, then the intelligent choice is to stop the vicious cycle by returning good for evil. Love your enemies until they become your friends.

SAY THIS: I can, and will, love everyone with God's help.

[admin]

January 5, 2008

Father's Faithfulness

PSALM 27:10 NKJ
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.

Normally, one's parents are among the ones who can be counted on to help and love and support -- no matter what.

I recall reading that the mother of a convicted mass murderer said he was still her son, and that she still loved him. That is natural.

Yet, sometimes parents do forsake their children. But God's love for you is more dependable than the love of a parent for their offspring.

ISAIAH 49:15 NKJ
15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Concerning earthly love, none is greater than that of a mother for her baby. Yet even that can sometimes fail, in extreme circumstances. But God's love for you is deeper, stronger, and more sure.

HEBREWS 13:5 NIV
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

People will fail you. You may even fail yourself. But God can be trusted. He will never fail you. He will never give up on you and never turn His back on you. He promised!

Does this mean God will always protect you from everything unpleasant? No. Not any more than a good earthly parent can keep their child from every unpleasant experience.

We must grow up. We must learn to walk in faith and love, and to overcome.

But God will be there to help you. And to make sure that everything does work out for your good in the long run.

Trust in the Father God. He is more dependable than friends or family, and He loves you more than anyone else ever will.

SAY THIS: God will never turn His back on me. He is always available to help me.

[admin]

January 6, 2008

Press On

PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 Weymouth
13 ...one thing I do--forgetting everything which is past and stretching forward to what lies in front of me,
14 with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus.

Believers face many difficulties. Trials. Adversaries. Doubts. At times we're all tempted to quit. The struggle seems too much, and we wonder if it's worth it to continue, to hold on to our faith when there seems to be no hope left.

But there is a goal -- supremely worthwhile: life with our wonderful Lord. Not just existence, but intimate fellowship.

Fix your eyes on the goal -- God Himself -- and press on!

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 NIV
9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Please read the following verses slowly and thoughtfully.

1 PETER 5:7-10 NCV
7 Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.
8 Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat.
9 Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.
10 And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever.

Space does not permit much comment on these verses, but notice that suffering is caused by your enemy, the devil, and its purpose is to attack your faith.

Also notice that God only allows you to suffer a short time.

"But," you say, "it's already been a long time."

Not really. It seems like a long time when you are going through trials, but afterward seems like a short time. Even a few years is nothing when you look back on it. Ask God to help you see things from Heaven's perspective.

"But why does God allow me to suffer at all?"

Because people make wrong choices. Conflict causes suffering. But God believes in you! Why should He yank you out of the arena? God believes that with His grace and help, you will overcome and experience victory.

The end result is what really counts. God will make everything turn out alright. (Read verse 10 again.)

Maybe you feel like your faith is barely hanging by a thread. Just hang on. With God holding the thread -- and He is -- your faith will survive. You will make it! God will help you.

SAY THIS: I will press on with God. I will not quit or give up on my faith.

[admin]

January 7, 2008

The Future Begins Today

PHILIPPIANS 3:13 NKJ
13 ...one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

Today IS the first day of the rest of your life. And it will be what you and God make it.

Your past does not have to dictate your future. You can begin again. With God you really can have a fresh start.

God can forgive your past -- and help you to forgive yourself. But most importantly, God can change you. He can make you into the kind of person you know you should be.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 NRSV
17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

Your life can be different. But don't think it will be different if you continue to do things exactly the same as you always have.

For your life to change -- you must MAKE changes.

If you want real change -- God's Word is the key. You must immerse yourself in the Word. What you feed in determines the output of your life.

ACTS 20:32 NLT
32 "And now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace--his message that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

God's Word will build you up. Jesus said it would make you free -- if you continue in it (John 8:31-32).

The Bible is God's answer to man's problems. It gives life and hope and instruction so we can walk in victory.

Prayer is also vital. Prayer is communication with God. All relationships require communication to keep from growing cold.

So, actively involve God in your life. Consult with Him on every decision. God is the best helper you will ever have.

JOHN 14:16 NKJ
16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever,

The future can be better. The choice is yours. If you invite and involve God in your future -- it will be bright!

SAY THIS: I invite God into every area of my life and future.

[admin]

January 8, 2008

Overcomers Impress God

REVELATION 21:7 NKJ
7 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

You face problems. Sometimes you struggle and wonder why God doesn't "just do something."

God is giving you an opportunity to impress Him!

God is your audience -- rooting for you. He is thrilled when you overcome. Just like an earthly parent is thrilled when their child excels.

God still LOVES you even if you fail. You just miss the opportunity to thrill Him by not overcoming. (But what could be a more worthy goal than to thrill God?)

"OK, I would like to impress God. How do I 'overcome'?"

1 JOHN 5:4-5 NKJ
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Overcoming is clearly something achieved by believing -- not by other means.

Further light on this comes in Revelation 12:11.

REVELATION 12:11 NKJ
11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Because of the redemption obtained by the sacrificial death of our Lord, and our agreement with it, expressed through words of faith, we overcome. In short: expressing our faith in Jesus and what He did.

Another key is mentioned: commitment -- even to death. We must be resolute and determined, no matter what the cost, to fully and finally overcome.

Eight times in Revelation great promises are made to those who overcome. (Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26, 3:5, 3:12, 3:21, 21:7.)

Our Lord's intention in giving these promises was certainly not to make us feel guilty, or inadequate, but to spur us on to victory.

God is cheering you on to victory! He believes you can overcome (with His help)!

SAY THIS: God made me an overcomer, so I will overcome!

[admin]

January 9, 2008

To Become Like Jesus

ROMANS 8:29 NLT
29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters.

Don't despair over your current condition -- you have an amazing destiny!

God's plan is to make you like Jesus Christ. Don't laugh! Remember that nothing is impossible with God.

You WILL be like Jesus!

Always remember that this tops God's agenda for you. You may be concentrating on some temporal project or need in your life. But God's focus is always on transforming you into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

We can't expect becoming like Jesus to always be painless or without difficulty. After all, most of us have quite a few rough edges. But, if we understand what is going on in life, and we keep our eyes on God's goal, it will be easier.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:17-18 NLT
17 For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!
18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

SAY THIS: I look forward to God finishing His work in me -- making me like Jesus.

[admin]

January 10, 2008

Do Not Be Afraid

JOSHUA 1:9 NKJ
9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Over and over the Bible tells us to not be afraid.

When you stop and think about it -- it's ridiculous to be afraid when God is with you -- and for you.

As humans, we tend to forget. Maybe that's why God said so many times to "Fear not!"

Here are just a couple examples.

LUKE 12:7 NIV
7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

ISAIAH 41:13 NIV
13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

SAY THIS: I will not be afraid because I trust in God, who is with me.

[admin]

January 11, 2008

You Can Do What You Cannot Do

Let's look at two people from the Bible who did the impossible. But they did it anyway, because of God's involvement.

HEBREWS 11:11 NKJ
11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

Sarah had a child when she was 91 years old. (Genesis 17:17-21) Physically, it was impossible. She had long since lost the ability to bear children.

But she did what she could not do.

Sarah achieved this impossibility because of God's promise, and because she believed God would keep His promise.

JUDGES 15:14-15 NKJ
14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands.
15 He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it.

Samson killed 1000 of the Lord's enemies with a bone.

He did what he could not do.

No human being is capable of single-handedly killing 1000 people at one time, with no weapon but a bone. No matter how strong or skilled any man may be, he could easily be overcome by such superior numbers.

But with God's anointing and help -- the situation is different.

With God helping you: you have God's ability to do God's will. You can do whatever God's Word says you should do.

Your sufficiency is of God.

Whatever God wants you to do -- He will help you. God does not play favorites. Just as He helped Samson and Sarah to do what they could not do -- He will help you to do His will -- even if "it is impossible."

Without the anointing and help of the Lord, you cannot. But with God -- all things are possible.

SAY THIS: I can do whatever God wants me to do. Nothing is impossible.

[admin]

January 12, 2008

Jesus Is The Friend Of Sinners

MATTHEW 11:19 NKJ
19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, `Look, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'. . . .

Jesus had trouble with the religious leaders of His day, because He was a friend of sinners. Jesus is the same today. He never changes. Jesus is your friend.

LUKE 19:7 NKJ
7 But when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."

Religious people couldn't understand how Jesus could love a sinner -- they certainly did not. But Jesus did, and He still does.

Notice what Jesus said to the woman caught in the act of adultery.

JOHN 8:11 NKJ
11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

Jesus does not condemn you for your sin. He understands. He came to earth and lived in a human body just as you do.

Jesus knows the pressure you face. He knows the pain. And Jesus cares. He cares enough to help you be free of the sin; because He knows that sin will destroy you.

Sin may give a temporary pleasure, but in the end sin always destroys. Jesus loves you too much to want you to be destroyed.

So Jesus is against sin because He loves you.

SAY THIS: Jesus is my friend.

[admin]

January 13, 2008

God's Demonstration

ROMANS 5:8 NKJ
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There is no reason to say, "If God loves me, let Him prove it!" He already has.

God gave a demonstration proving He loves you at Calvary -- where Jesus died a cruel death on a cross. He died, in your place, suffering punishment you deserved, to set you free.

By dying for you, God proved He loved you supremely. How could He love you more?

Jesus showed that He loves you more than He loves Himself.

JOHN 15:13 NKJ
13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

Jesus gave His life for you. What more could He do?

1 JOHN 3:16a NKJ
16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.

Many people have a distorted view of God. The true picture of God's nature is that He loves all the people of the world so much, He was willing to suffer for their freedom.

SAY THIS: God loves me -- and He proved it!

[admin]

January 14, 2008

Don't Grow Weary

GALATIANS 6:9 NIV
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

God has a harvest of blessing in mind for you. Don't let the devil steal it away from you by discouraging you into giving up. Trust in God. He is able to put you over.

Time has a way of wearing us down -- of eroding our hopes and dreams. We must look to God for strength and courage and refuse discouragement. We must, with God's help, overcome -- instead of being overcome by life and circumstances.

Life is not easy. There are obstacles and unexpected turns in the road. But always God is with us, for us, and in us as believers in Jesus Christ. When we grow weary in doing good, it is always because we are losing sight of God and eternity.

As you walk in faith and refuse to give up -- you bring glory and pleasure to God. Imagine how it thrills God when someone, like you, continues to trust in Him and thank Him -- even when it does not look like it is working out very good. Read the Bible. You are not the first to be tested, or have to wait for the promise to be manifested. But God is always faithful. He will never fail you.

Our faith cannot be in ourselves or our ability -- because that can fail. Only God cannot fail, so we must keep our faith in Him and His ability to sustain us and help us.

Remember that as a believer, the Greater One is in you -- and He is greater than any problem or difficulty. He will help you. God has the answer for your situation. Look to Him and you will not be disappointed.

SAY THIS: I will not be discouraged. I will not quit. I will trust in Almighty God, my Father, Who loves me and helps me.

[admin]

January 15, 2008

God's Word Will Make You Free

JOHN 8:31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Many people are afraid that God's Word will put them in bondage -- because of the rules they think they will have to follow. But Jesus said God's Word would make you free.

Abide means to live, to continue, or to spend time somewhere.

If you continue to spend time in Jesus' Word -- you will know the truth.

When you know the truth, you will act on that knowledge -- and acting on the truth will make you free!

The Bible, especially the message of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, will set you free if you continue in it.

We are not guaranteed instant results, although sometimes they do happen. Freedom is certain, however, if you stick with God's Word. Jesus gave His guarantee!

If you are not enjoying freedom in any area of your life -- you have not continued in God's Word enough in that area. Feed it in: speak it, sing it, read it, write it, think it, dream it!

SAY THIS: God's Word will make me free. Thank You, Lord!

[admin]

January 16, 2008

You Are God's Work Of Art

EPHESIANS 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Outwardly, you may not appear to be much of a masterpiece. You may look like a piece of junk. But inwardly, and in reality, you are God's work of art -- and God does not make any junk.

All that is outward and seen is only temporary -- like the cocoon the butterfly inhabits for only a short time. So, while you should take care of your present body, don't be overly concerned about it. Most importantly, don't think of yourself as just the body you are now living in.

You are a child of Almighty God, creator and ruler of the universe. Someone God is "raising" to be His companion for eternity. You are NOT insignificant.

Admittedly, you are a work in progress. God still has more work to do with you -- but He is the artist, and He will finish His work. (Hint: as you submit to God, the easier it is for Him to change you into the wonderful image He has in mind.)

Someday, everyone will clearly see what God has done in you: making you a wonderful, unique individual worthy of Himself.

SAY THIS: Regardless of how I look or feel, I AM God's work of art -- His masterpiece.

[admin]

January 17, 2008

The God Of Peace


2 Thessalonians 3:16 NKJ
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Several times the Bible refers to God as the God of peace. But as English readers we miss the full meaning.

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament of the Bible was written in Greek. All English Bibles are translations.

The Greek word translated peace is eirene (i-ray'-nay), which corresponds with the Hebrew word translated peace, shalom (shaw-lome').

If you study extensively, both in the Hebrew and the Greek, you will find that these words translated peace have a rich meaning -- far more than just an absence of conflict.

The primary thought is one of wholeness -- lacking nothing. When nothing is missing you have peace. There is no anxiety because all is well.

This is the idea meant to be communicated by the term "God of peace" or the "peace of God." It includes health and prosperity as well as the normal English meaning of absence of conflict.

Romans 15:33 NKJ
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

SAY THIS: The God of wholeness, health, and prosperity is with me -- to help me.

[admin]

January 18, 2008

You Don't Face Life All Alone

JOHN 14:18 Barclay
18 I will not leave you to face life all alone. I am coming to you.

Being alone -- with no help -- is a horrible feeling. One the devil would love for you to believe is your lot.

You are NOT alone! Jesus promised!

When you feel alone, desolate, and helpless -- remember the promises of Jesus.

HEBREWS 13:5 NIV
5 . . . God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Your feelings are not the true test of reality. God cannot lie. He is with you now, whether you feel like it, or whether it looks like it, or not.

Since God is always with you, it would be rude to always ignore Him. So call on Him and discuss things with Him. Let God be your friend. That's His plan.

SAY THIS: I am not facing life all alone. God is with me.

[admin]

January 19, 2008

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

PHILIPPIANS 3:14 KJV
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What will really matter at the end of your life on earth?

Will what you are giving attention to now still be important then?

Or, will you be filled with regret for what you did -- or didn't do?

Distractions abound. TV, phone calls, web sites, books, movies.

It might be a good idea to stop and evaluate how you are investing your time.

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24 NIV
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Run to win. Win what?

The true prize is to know God intimately and be His friend.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 NIV
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

One day, possibly soon, you will stand before God. Why not order your life now based on that "final reckoning?"

A wise person would not invest everything in something temporary. A wise person invests in something that will last.

Invest your life wisely!

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to keep my eyes on what is important and lasting.

[admin]

January 20, 2008

You Have A Purpose


2 TIMOTHY 1:9 NKJ
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

You have a purpose in life, a job to do, a mission to fulfill.

You are here for a reason.

What is it?

Ask God. He knows.

EPHESIANS 1:11 NIV
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Of course, I can only answer that question in general terms.

If you are a parent, raising your child is important. Helping a friend is important. You never know how your actions may affect the world -- even through helping just one person.

Don't just wait around for some "big purpose" -- for with God all the details are important -- even the "small" ones.

If you don't know your purpose, just do whatever you can to help the people around you. Through that, and walking with God, you will accomplish your purpose.

SAY THIS: I was born for a purpose. God has a plan for me.

[admin]

January 21, 2008

Your Every Hair Is Numbered

Luke 12:7 ICB
7 Yes, God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. Don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Jesus gave us some insight on how much God is interested in us as humans. God provides for sparrows, and you are MUCH more valuable to God than any sparrow. Valuable enough to monitor every detail about you -- even your current hair-count.

However God obtains your current hair-count -- He does know it. "Why would God waste His time with such useless information?" you may wonder. The point, which so many miss, is simply that God is interested in every detail of your life. Everything.

Nothing concerning you is too big or too small to bother God. You are the "apple of His eye" just as any young child is the delight of a good parent.

So don't try to hide from God. Don't shut Him out of your life. Involve Him in every detail of your day. Talk things over with Him. Ask His advice. Tell Him what you think, and ask for His opinion.

And do not fear. The God Who loves you enough to monitor your current hair count will never forsake you or fail you. When you are face-to-face with Him you will see that fully and clearly. So walk in faith today. Trust God. He loves you.

Also, be thankful for whatever hair you do or do not have! God made you unique. If He wanted you different -- He would have made you different!

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for loving me and being concerned with every detail of my life. Because You love me, I will trust you and look to You for help in both the small and the large questions of life.

[admin]

January 22, 2008

Pray To Be Enlightened

EPHESIANS 1:18 NIV
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

There is much we don't know.

In fact, the most spiritual among us has only glimpsed a part of God's plan. The Apostle Paul said that he only "knew in part."

So, with the Apostle Paul we should pray that "the eyes of our heart may be enlightened." For ourselves, and for others, too.

If study alone was the answer, those who have studied the Bible the most would have the most faith, and would be doing the most exploits in God's name. Often, the opposite is true.

Thank God for scholarship, but that is not the total answer.

The Bible is a living message given by a living Author. Fellowship with God and illumination from Him are necessary for full understanding from the Bible.

Our prayer needs to be that of the Psalmist.

PSALM 119:18 NKJ
18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

You may have wondered why you see some things clearly in the Bible that your friends or loved ones seem blinded to.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 NIV
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The answer is that, somehow, our hearts and minds need opened or illuminated by God. This is a reason, and a way, to pray for your unsaved loved ones.

ACTS 16:14 NIV
14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia . . . The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.

SAY THIS: Lord, open my eyes and give me understanding of all that you have for me to know.

[admin]

January 23, 2008

Beware Of Pride

PROVERBS 16:18 NIV
18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride is deadly. But instead of warning us the world encourages pride in every way.

What is pride?

Pride is faith in yourself, instead of faith in God.

The root of pride is selfishness: putting yourself first. Thinking you are the most important. Thinking you know the most. Thinking you deserve better than someone else.

Pride will cause you to go your own way instead of God's way. Pride makes you think you do not need God's advice or help.

Pride is the root of all sin. It causes you to turn away from God instead of turning to Him. All disobedience has pride as its root. All rebellion has pride behind it. All mistreatment of other people is caused by pride: putting yourself and your feelings above the other person and their feelings.

The world system promotes people who are proud, and often gives them great riches. Jesus said pride is evil and defiles a person. (Mark 7:21-23)

While the world may promote the proud for a short time, their fame and success will not last.

JAMES 4:6 NKJ
6 . . . "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Pride is the most serious, and the most subtle, sin. It often goes unrecognized.

Beware!

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to beware of pride.

[admin]

January 24, 2008

Rejoice In The Lord

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 NIV
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

No matter how bad things are around you, you can always rejoice in the Lord.

God is good -- even when circumstances are bad.

You can look beyond the temporary problems of life and focus on the Eternal God and His goodness. You can rejoice that God loves you and that you have a home in Heaven.

If you only rejoice when you feel like it -- and circumstances warrant it -- you may never rejoice much. But you will miss a lot of joy. For when you rejoice in the Lord and focus on Him, joy begins to flow out of your inner being and strengthens you.

This is God's answer for depression. Focus on God. Rejoice in Him, and receive the spiritual strength you need to carry on in victory.

HABAKKUK 3:18 NIV
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

"Yet I WILL." Whenever you decide to, you can rejoice. In spite of feelings and circumstances, you can choose to rejoice.

Rejoicing is subject to your will -- not your circumstances.

When can you rejoice? When should you rejoice?

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16 NASB
16 Rejoice always;

SAY THIS: I will rejoice -- in the Lord!

[admin]

January 25, 2008

Sin Hurts

ROMANS 6:23 ICB
23 When someone sins, he earns what sin pays--death. But God gives us a free gift--life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sin is a teacher whose lessons are hard and painful.

You can't keep your hand in fire without being burned. And you can't sin without hurting people.

Sin harms humans. That's why God classifies it as sin. All sin hurts someone. The reason God is against sin is because He is for people.

Because sin has consequences, it eventually will convince you of the error of sinning -- if you live long enough. But why ruin your life finding out what you can know now just by reading the Bible?

God is not a killjoy. His purpose is not to keep the human race from enjoying life.

All that God has written in the Bible is for our benefit. God already knows everything. He gave us the Bible so we could know the truth.

The truth is: sin is bad. Sin hurts.

SAY THIS: Sin is deadly and I want nothing to do with it.

[admin]

January 26, 2008

Sing A New Song

PSALM 96:1 NIV
1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

No doubt God, who makes every snowflake different, enjoys new things.

Five times Scripture tells us to sing to the Lord a new song.

You, with God's help, can sing a song to the Lord that's never been sung before.

Don't say you can't do it! God made your mouth and He can give you words to sing.

God is a Creator, and you are His child. Step out in faith. Ask the Lord to help you.

PSALM 105:2 NASB
2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders.

Get by yourself and practice. Sing a new song. Make it up as you go. If you mess up, God won't laugh at you. It may not be very good. But every parent cherishes their child's first attempts.

Make a joyful noise. Rejoice in the Lord. Both you and the Lord will enjoy it.

EPHESIANS 5:19 NIV
19 . . . Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

After you practice in private, you may even want to try it in public.

SAY THIS: I will sing a new song to the Lord.

[admin]

January 27, 2008

The Holy Spirit Will Teach You

JOHN 14:26 NASB
26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

What a wonderful, patient teacher the Holy Spirit is!

This teacher has no limits. He never has to call on anyone else for an answer. He knows everything.

Whatever you are doing, He can help you -- and teach you how to do it better. Just ask.

Jesus said it, "He will teach you all things."

I love the story of George Washington Carver, who asked God to teach him about the peanut -- then changed our world with the knowledge he gained of the peanut.

Do not hesitate to ask God to teach you about even the smallest things. He understands every detail and is never too busy for you.

From child raising to atomic science -- He is the most knowledgable and capable teacher.

And the Holy Spirit is always available! No need to wait for office hours to call on this professor. Call on Him anytime.

SAY THIS: The Holy Spirit is teaching me.

[admin]

January 28, 2008

Be Slow To Speak

JAMES 1:19 NIV
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

How many times have you said something and later regretted it?

Too often we practice: Speak now and think later.

What would happen if you silently consulted with God before speaking? If you thought about, and prayed about, everything you said -- before you said it -- your life would be different.

1 PETER 3:10 LB
10 If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies.

Words are powerful and should be used to accomplish a purpose. Don't just talk for no reason.

PROVERBS 17:28 NIV
28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Remember, you can always learn more by listening than you can by talking.

Be slow to speak!

SAY THIS: God, please help me to control my tongue.

[admin]

January 29, 2008

Why Are There Delays?

JAMES 1:2-4 NIV
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Why are prayers not all answered instantly? Why don't we always experience the blessings promised in the Bible immediately?

If all results were instant, we could never walk in faith. Without faith, we could never please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

If you always reaped the harvest of your deeds immediately, the incentive to do right and refrain from wrongdoing would only be selfish. No faith, or love for God, would be required.

During delays we have opportunity to demonstrate whether we really love God, and trust Him, or not.

A delay is a test. Without testing, there could be no reward. God does not test us so that we can fail, but so that we can overcome. He believes we will make it with His help.

We desire an instant manifestation of victory. God's desire is for us to press into Him and His Word and walk in faith until we see victory.

To overcome there must be opposition and struggle. God cannot always shield us from problems without taking away from us the privilege of overcoming.

Victory is sweet. What makes it sweet is that it is not easy.

If we really trust God, time is not a problem. Leave that with God. His timing is perfect and He is dependable! We know He promised, and can never fail -- and that is enough.

SAY THIS: I will persevere in faith, and the Bible says I will end up not lacking anything.

[admin]

January 30, 2008

Why I Speak In Tongues


1 CORINTHIANS 14:18 NIV
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Speaking in tongues is speaking in a language you have never learned. It is a supernatural act possible only by the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

MARK 16:17 NKJ
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

It is estimated that today over 500 million Christians, in every country on earth, do speak in tongues. It started on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:4.

ACTS 2:4 NKJ
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Every believer can speak in tongues, if they desire. It is a free gift available to all believers.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:5 NKJ
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues . . . .

I think this doctrine has been so controversial because the devil is against it, knowing how helpful it is to believers.

I have no desire to argue with anyone. I do desire to see everyone enjoy all the benefits God has freely provided for us.

I speak in tongues because:

* It allows me to communicate with God better. There are things my mind just cannot put into words which I can express through the spirit by praying in tongues.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:2 NKJ
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God . . . .

* It builds me up spiritually and refreshes me.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:4 NKJ
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself . . . .

There are other benefits. I hope you are enjoying them, too.

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord that I can speak in tongues.

[admin]

January 31, 2008

We Receive From God By Faith

MATTHEW 9:29 NKJ
29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."

Have you ever wondered why God blessed someone -- when it was obvious they did not deserve it?

Do you wonder why you are not more blessed -- even though you are doing your best to be a good Christian?

The answer is faith.

We do not receive from God based on what we deserve, but on what we believe.

GALATIANS 3:9 ICB
9 Abraham believed this, and because he believed, he was blessed. It is the same today. All who believe today are blessed just as Abraham was blessed.

Our receiving from God is not based on our works, but on God's grace. We have access to God's grace by our faith -- not through our merit.

ROMANS 5:2 NKJ
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand . . . .

Many try to earn something from God when He has already given us all things through Christ. Now by faith we must appropriate what God has provided.

Don't despair if your faith is not too strong. The cure for weak faith is to feed on the Word of God, the Bible.

ROMANS 10:17 NKJ
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

If you feed your heart and mind the Word of God, your faith will grow strong. You feed it in by reading it, hearing it, speaking it, and meditating on it.

SAY THIS: I will feed on God's Word and my faith will grow. Then I will receive all God has for me.

[admin]

February 1, 2008

Jesus Became Poor . . .


2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 NKJ
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Most people know that Jesus became poor. They just don't know why.

Some people may tell you this verse refers only to being made "spiritually rich." Don't fall for that. Look at the context and you will see it is discussing money.

"Then why aren't Christians rich?"

The main reason is because of a lack of teaching on this subject. Everything we receive from God must be received by faith. If we don't believe it, we won't receive it.

(Jesus died so that everyone could be saved. However, until people hear the message and believe it, they continue lost in their sins. Yet the price has already been paid by Jesus for their freedom.)

Instead of teaching that prosperity is a blessing available to believers, most churches have taught the opposite -- that it was the will of God for us to be poor.

What we need is to hear preaching and teaching about it being God's will for us to prosper. We need to continue in the Word on that subject, to be set free in that area of life.

I am NOT saying being prosperous makes you a better person, or that it is a sign of great faith. I AM saying that poverty and lack is part of the curse -- which Jesus redeemed us from.

God's prosperity is a growing thing that will not destroy you, unlike winning the lottery, or other get-rich-quick schemes. Time and continued obedience to God are required.

But the fact remains, according to Scripture, Jesus became poor to set you free from poverty -- to make you rich.

SAY THIS: Jesus became poor to make me rich.

[admin]

February 2, 2008

Do You Believe In Love?

MATTHEW 5:44 NKJ
44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

Most people believe in force: guns and armies.

Most people believe in money: "financial power."

Many people believe in education, that "If we just educate people enough we can change the world."

Hardly anyone seems to believe in the power of love to change things. No one seems to think it would do any good to "turn the other cheek."

Jesus didn't tell us to "turn the other cheek" just so we could get beat up more. Jesus believes in the power of love. Jesus believes that evil can be overcome with good.

ROMANS 12:20-21 NKJ
20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

God still believes in the power of love. He believes that if you love enough, and for long enough, people will finally come to their senses and respond to that love.

JOHN 13:34-35 NIV
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Jesus said the mark of His believers would be their love. Where did we go wrong?

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to believe in love, and to act in love.

[admin]

February 3, 2008

Why I Tithe

MALACHI 3:10 ICB
10 Bring to the storehouse a tenth of what you gain. Then there will be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord of heaven's armies. "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out more blessings than you have room for.

Tithing is giving ten percent of your income to God.

While tithing is not a command given in the New Testament, what we do with our money is a test of our love and commitment to the Lord.

In truth, all we have as believers really belongs to the Lord. Ten percent is a low figure, yet it is a starting point. Sadly, one which many Christians have never reached.

I practice tithing to God because:

* Tithing is a way of expressing my worship in a tangible way.

God is worthy of my all -- my best -- and so much more. Nothing I could ever give would be sufficient, but that is no reason to do nothing. The money I give is tangible evidence that I do value God.

* The Lord promised blessing to those who tithe.

There are books full of testimonies from people -- even non- Christians -- who put God to the test, as He challenges us in Malachi 3:10, and found God faithful to prosper them, as He promised.

* Tithing is an act of faith, which pleases God.

It takes faith to give when you don't have enough. Many people do not tithe for this very reason; they are afraid God will not come through and take care of them.

I have experienced miraculous provision many times. I can testify that God is faithful, and will always, somehow, take care of His children who trust Him.

SAY THIS: Giving money to God is an act of worship.

[admin]

February 4, 2008

Surrounded By Favor

PSALM 5:12 NIV
12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

God's favor can change your life.

Someone who is favored is called a favor-ite.

(The New Testament teaches that being righteous (in right standing with God), is a gift we receive when we receive Jesus -- not something we attain by our works.)

So, the promise of Scripture is that God surrounds you with favor. What does that mean?

Favor is the blessing of God making people like you and treat you well.

Is it automatic? We have access to God's grace only through faith (Romans 5:2). So, you will never experience the fullness of God's favor without believing for it.

Faith is released through words. So every day thank the Lord for giving you favor with people, for surrounding you with favor!

Don't say, "People don't like me." or "Everybody seems to be against me." or "I never get a break."

Instead say, "Thank you Lord for giving me favor with people."

Then watch God begin to move on your behalf!

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for surrounding me with favor.

[admin]

February 5, 2008

I Am Wrong

"What are you wrong about, preacher?"

I don't know. If I knew I would change.

"Then how do you know you're wrong?"

Unless I'm perfect and know everything -- I must be wrong about some things. I just don't know what.

"But I thought preachers knew everything."

Some of them may think they do. But even the Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, said he only knew in part.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 NIV
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

There are two ways to face life: thinking you know everything and are doing everything right, or realizing you are not yet perfect. The first way is pride, the second is humility.

If you think you know everything, you cut yourself off from learning. If you think everything you do is right, you almost eliminate any chance of improvement.

Do you really desire to never know more than you do now? Would it please you to never make any progress from where you are now?

Then, to protect you from the enemy of pride, start each day saying, "I am wrong. Lord, show me where to change."

Pride stunts your growth as a person. Pride retards progress. Pride robs you — and can kill. Pride causes strife and destroys relationships. Pride isolates. Pride closes doors of opportunity.

Humility is the only antidote for pride and all its horrible consequences.

The first step to wholeness is to realize you have a problem.

SAY THIS: I am wrong. Lord, please correct me.

[admin]

February 6, 2008

All The Promises Of God


2 CORINTHIANS 1:20 NCV
20 The yes to all of God's promises is in Christ, and through Christ we say yes to the glory of God.

Although the entire Bible is a message to us today, not all of it is written directly to us.

The New Testament epistles are written directly to us who are in the church, the Body of Christ, which includes all believers.

We do need to rightly divide the Bible, but since all the promises of God are yes in Christ -- they find their fulfillment in Him -- we can take any promise of blessing in the entire Bible and appropriate it by faith.

God has blessed us with every blessing in Christ!

EPHESIANS 1:3 NKJ
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Every promise in the Bible is not directed to us specifically. But, by faith in Jesus Christ, we can appropriate every blessing God has to offer.

When we do receive the promised blessings of God's Word, it brings glory to God.

All this is not automatic. You have to actively receive. But the main "activity" involved with receiving blessing from God is believing. To truly believe you need evidence. That's why you need to read and study the Bible.

SAY THIS: Every Bible promise of blessing is mine in Christ.

[admin]

February 7, 2008

Be A Minister


2 CORINTHIANS 3:5-6 NIV
5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

A minister's job is turning people to God.

No one has to appoint you, ordain you, or give you credentials to make you a minister.

A minister is one who serves -- serves God, and people, by turning people to God so they can receive help.

Being a minister does not require you to have a title such as pastor, bishop, or priest.

While it is true that God does call some to special places of ministry, it is a mistake to think that we all cannot, or should not, minister.

A minister is a middle-man like a real estate agent. A person can find out about God on their own with a Bible, just like someone can buy a house directly, but it is easier and faster to have a more experienced person who knows the territory help you.

Someone who helps another is a minister. You can do that.

SAY THIS: God made me able to minister -- to help someone.

[admin]

February 8, 2008

Accept God's Acceptance

God accepts you, because of what Jesus did as your substitute, and because He loves you.

EPHESIANS 1:6 NKJ
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

All barriers between you and God were broken down by Jesus Christ. God forgave you, and offers cleansing from all the sin you ever committed.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-21 NLT
18 All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.
19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.
20 We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!"
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

God's intention is to have a family -- a loving family. He wants you to be a part of it.

ROMANS 15:7 NCV
7 Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other, which will bring glory to God.

SAY THIS: I accept that God has forgiven me and accepted me into His family.

[admin]

February 9, 2008

God Is Your Source

PHILIPPIANS 4:19 NIV
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

God can use any avenue or any means to provide for you, but He is the ultimate Source behind every blessing.

Your job or occupation is one avenue God can use to bless you. But, your job is not your source.

God's plan for mankind is that we labor. So God will usually provide for us by giving us a good job, good health, and the ability to do that job.

However, God is not limited to providing for you through a job. Even if you lose the job -- God is still your Source, and He will still provide for you.

Even if you lose your health, God can and will still provide for you. (And He will also heal you, if you let Him.)

God can bless you through friends and relatives, but they are not your source. Even if they fail you or forsake you, God will not.

PSALM 27:10 NKJ
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.

HEBREWS 13:5 NKJ
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

God deserves credit and thanks for everything good that has ever happened to you. He was behind it. God was the source of it. Was it a mother's love? God put that love in her for you. Was it the love of a spouse? God created that love.

Every good thing in life owes its existence to God. We should thank God for every good thing, no matter how it seems to come to us.

God moves on people and influences them to bless you. God causes situations to work out for your benefit. God is behind every blessing.

So keep your eyes on God. Thank Him for every blessing, no matter how it comes to you, because it is from Him.

SAY THIS: God is MY Source.

[admin]

February 10, 2008

Faith And Patience

HEBREWS 6:12 NKJ
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Patience is not just putting up with things.

Patience means to continue, to persevere, to stay steady, to maintain your course, to not grow weary in doing good and quit.

Patience is a fruit of the spirit, so to walk in Bible patience you must keep your spiritual life strong, by feeding on the Word and fellowshiping with God.

We receive from God by faith, but our faith has to be undergirded by patience to possess and enjoy His promises.

It's normal for there to be a time of waiting and testing when we believe the promises of God. But hang on to your faith and it will see you through.

JAMES 5:10-11 NIV
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

God's Word will come to pass in your life. Don't quit believing.

Hang in there!

SAY THIS: I will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises of God.

[admin]

February 11, 2008

Make Friends Of Enemies

PROVERBS 25:21-22 LB
21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food! If he is thirsty, give him something to drink! This will make him feel ashamed of himself, and God will reward you.

Why would anyone want to be an enemy of someone who treated them well?

Your actions should cause your enemy to reconsider being your enemy.

When you treat your enemies well, not only do you have a good chance of making them friends, but also God will reward you.

ROMANS 12:19-21 LB
19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it. [Don't take the law into your own hands.]
20 Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be "heaping coals of fire on his head." In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you.
21 Don't let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good.

The way to turn an enemy into a friend is to treat them in a friendly manner.

This is God's plan. It should be your plan, too.

SAY THIS: Treat enemies like friends and you won't have any enemies.

[admin]

February 12, 2008

It Is Written

MATTHEW 4:3-4 NKJ
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "

When tempted, Jesus did not use any supernatural powers to resist the devil. Jesus simply quoted the written Word of God to the devil.

You must do the same thing. Jesus was our example, showing us how to overcome the attacks of our enemy.

Notice how the devil came to tempt Jesus -- with a thought -- a thought contrary to the written Word of God.

Then after Jesus quoted the Bible, the devil also quoted the Bible but twisted the meaning. Jesus responded only with another verse from the Bible.

MATTHEW 4:6-7 NKJ
6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "
7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' "

If you read the whole passage in Matthew 4:1-11, you will see that quoting the written Word was the only defense Jesus used against the devil. Nothing else.

If you would overcome temptation and walk in victory, you must follow Jesus' example and quote the Bible to the devil. There is no other way.

God's Word in your mouth is your spiritual weapon. If you neglect to use it, you will be overcome instead of walking in all the victory and blessing Jesus has provided for you.

EPHESIANS 6:17 NKJ
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Obviously you must know what the Bible says to quote it to the devil. So it is evident how important it is to read and study the Bible for yourself.

Yet it is not enough to just read the Bible or study it. When thoughts come that are not in agreement with the Bible, we must speak the Word to the devil who is behind those thoughts.

SAY THIS: I will resist the devil with what is written in God's Word.

[admin]

February 13, 2008

Faith Is The Victory


1 JOHN 5:4 NKJ
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.

We all love to win.

Victory is sweet. One reason it's so sweet is that it's usually not easy. Victory takes effort -- often great effort.

Effort is also required in the spiritual battle of good against evil we are all engaged in. But the effort required of us is to maintain our attitude of faith in God and His Word.

We cannot overcome the strategies of the devil by our willpower, or by our own strength. We must use the spiritual weapons God has provided for us.

As a child of God -- you are a winner! The victory is already yours through what Jesus Christ did on your behalf. Don't let the enemy steal the victory away from you.

Your enemy comes to steal your faith. Don't let it happen.

SAY THIS: I overcome and walk in victory by my faith in God.

[admin]

February 14, 2008

God Is The Original Parent

EPHESIANS 3:15 Amplified
15 For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named-- [that Father] from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name.

Barclay translates verse 15, "of whose fatherhood all heavenly and earthly fatherhood is a copy,".

A note in the Translator's N.T. says, "A play on Greek words is involved here. The meaning is that the whole human idea of family and fatherhood owes its origin to God the Father."

The Tyndale N.T. Commentary says, "He is also the One from whom alone all the fatherhood that there is derives its meaning and inspiration. From Him it derives its existence and its concept...."

What does this all mean?

God is the original Father, the original parent, and everything good that has ever been in any parent is just a copy of what was first in God.

God looks upon you as a good parent looks upon their child.

PSALM 103:13 Beck
13 As a father loves His children, so the LORD loves those who fear Him.

According to the experts, love in Psalm 103:13 means "deep love, cherishing, to behold with tenderest affection."

There has never been a parent who loved their child more than God loves you.

SAY THIS: Thank you God, for being my Father, and loving me.

[admin]

February 15, 2008

Open Eyes


2 KINGS 6:17 NKJ
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

What we see with our physical eyes is not all that's happening.

Spiritual forces are active around us. Unless God "opens our eyes" we're in the dark to what's really happening.

Of course, it shouldn't be necessary for us to "see" into the spirit realm to believe what God has said, such as that His angels would keep charge of us always to protect us.

ACTS 26:18 NKJ
18 'to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

When God told Paul what his calling was, the first step mentioned was "to open their eyes . . . that they may receive."

For us to receive all that God has provided for us, we must also have "our eyes opened."

Our prayer needs to be that of the Psalmist.

PSALM 119:18 NKJ
18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

SAY THIS: Lord, open my eyes. Give me understanding and insight.

[admin]

February 16, 2008

Another Helper

Who among us could not use another helper?

JOHN 14:16-18 NKJ
16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever,
17 "even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

JOHN 14:26 NKJ
26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

JOHN 16:7 NKJ
7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

JOHN 16:13 NKJ
13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

ROMANS 8:26 NKJ
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for sending your Holy Spirit to be my Helper.

[admin]

February 17, 2008

How Does God Bless Us?

Does God bless us by giving us everything we think we should have, even if it's bad for us?

Does God bless us by always letting us have our way -- whether it's the best way for us, or not?

Does God bless us by letting us get away with self-destructive behavior?

Does God bless us by letting us mistreat other people with impunity?

Does God bless us by giving us more responsibility, more money, or more fame, than we can handle?

Does God bless us by allowing us to never face the consequences of our actions?

Does God bless us by never allowing us to struggle or overcome difficulty?

If God blessed us in any of those ways, He would not be a good Father.

God blesses us by changing us into what we should be. He makes us to BE a blessing. That puts us into God's category, where we can enjoy fellowship with Him -- which is the greatest blessing.

GENESIS 12:2 NIV
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for your blessing.

[admin]

February 18, 2008

Should Poor People Give?

ACTS 20:35 NIV
35 . . . the Lord Jesus himself said: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Giving benefits the giver. The poorer you are the more you have a need to give.

Those who don't understand giving as planting seeds usually think it's wrong for a poor person to give to God. But giving is planting seed for a harvest.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8 NKJ
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work.

LUKE 6:38 NKJ
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

By giving, seed is planted for a larger harvest of blessing. Nobody needs that more than a poor person.

Jesus commended a poor widow for giving all she had.

LUKE 21:1-4 NKJ
1 Then He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.
3 So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;
4 "for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty has put in all the livelihood that she had."

SAY THIS: Giving is a way to be blessed.

[admin]

February 19, 2008

Who Can Be Against Us?

ROMANS 8:31 NKJ
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

We all face opposition. No one likes it. But opposition is a fact of life on earth.

But here's a more important fact: with God for us, opposition doesn't really matter.

With God on our side, what does it matter who opposes us? The worst anyone can do is kill us -- which would be doing us a favor. (Being a martyr for Christ and going to be with Him in Heaven is not bad!)

And never forget: God IS for you!

PSALM 56:9 KJV
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

PSALM 118:6-7 LB
6 He is for me! How can I be afraid? What can mere man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side; he will help me. Let those who hate me beware.

SAY THIS: God is for me, so no one can successfully be against me.

[admin]

February 20, 2008

Why Read The Bible?

"I'm a busy person. I have a lot to do. Why should I spend my time reading the Bible? I don't have time to do all I need to do as it is."

"I already believe in Jesus Christ, that He's the Son of God and my Savior. I've already heard the Gospel."

"Why should I read the Bible?"

Read the following Scriptures. Then, if you still wonder why you should read the Bible, you need help.

JOHN 8:31-32 RSV
31 Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples,
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

JOHN 14:23-24 Rieu
23 Jesus replied: 'If anyone loves me he will cherish my word; my Father will love him and we will come to him and make him our abode.
24 He that does not love me neglects my words. Yet the word you hear is not my own but that of the Father who sent me.

ACTS 20:32 NKJ
32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

SAY THIS: I will read and study the Bible.

[admin]

February 21, 2008

The Cure For Weak Faith

MARK 6:6 NIV
6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

Don't despair if your faith is weak. Everyone starts out with weak faith.

Your faith can be fed and grow strong.

Faith requires evidence to rest upon. The Bible provides the evidence that your faith needs.

ROMANS 10:l7 New Life
17 So then, faith comes to us by hearing the Good News. And the Good News comes by someone preaching it.

Correct teaching on a subject produces faith in your heart.

But it is not enough just to hear teaching on a subject. To keep your faith strong you must feed on scriptures pertaining to that subject, by reading, speaking, and thinking about those scriptures.

And you must exercise your faith for it to grow strong. That is: act on what you learn from Scripture.

Your faith can be strong in one area while being weak in another. For example, most Christians have strong faith concerning the new birth, but weak faith concerning healing, because they have never heard much teaching on the subject of healing.

It is true, as Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, that we need every word that God has spoken -- not just some of them.

So, if you want your faith to grow in any area, listen to anointed teaching on that subject, then continue to read, speak, meditate, and act on those scriptures.

SAY THIS: I will feed my faith on God's Word and it will grow.

[admin]

February 22, 2008

What Are Alms?

"Alms" are not some kind of tree, but something you should know about -- and do.

The Greek word translated alms in the New Testament originally meant mercy or kindness, then came to represent the kind deeds caused by mercy and kindness. So it came to mean charitable giving to the poor -- or giving motivated by love.

Many times this word is translated as "charitable deed."

LUKE 12:33 NKJ
33 "Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

Jesus often spoke of giving alms. But He made it clear that our motives are important.

MATTHEW 6:2-4 NRSV
2 "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The Bible tells of Cornelius, "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always" (Acts 10:2), who had an angel deliver this message:

ACTS 10:4 NKJ
4 . . . he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

God was impressed with this Roman soldier's giving to meet the needs of the poor.

Alms are not offerings to God, or His ministers. Alms are charitable deeds -- gifts to the poor and needy. Helping people who are in trouble.

Alms impress God.

SAY THIS: Alms are gifts of love to help people in trouble.

[admin]

February 23, 2008

You Have Authority Over The devil

LUKE 10:19 NKJ
19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Jesus defeated the devil for you. According to Matthew 28:18, all authority on Earth now belongs to Jesus. As His earthly representatives, Jesus has delegated His authority to us in certain ways.

MARK 16:17 NKJ
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

All believers have authority to use the Name of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' Name, or authority, we can cast out the devil and all his forces.

PHILIPPIANS 2:10 NKJ
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

After Jesus' resurrection, Scripture clearly puts responsibility on the believer to exercise the delegated authority of Jesus to resist the devil, and all his works.

EPHESIANS 4:27 NKJ
27 nor give place to the devil.

JAMES 4:7
7 ...submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 PETER 5:8-9 NKJ
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith,....

You can resist the devil and not allow him any place in your life, because you have authority over the devil.

SAY THIS: In Christ, I have authority over the devil, all his forces, and all his works.

[admin]

February 24, 2008

You Can Cast Out Demons

MARK 16:17 NKJ
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

A demon is a member of the devil's forces. Any Christian can cast out demons, because all believers have authority over demons in Jesus' Name.

PHILIPPIANS 2:10 NKJ
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

All believers have the delegated authority to use the Name of Jesus -- at which every knee shall bow in submission.

Demons operate through fear. But you don't have to be afraid, because Jesus is backing you up. So, when you command demons to leave in the Name of Jesus, they must obey you.

Don't limit this to casting out demons from "demon-possessed" people. If there is demonic activity in any area of life affecting you, use your authority in Christ and throw the demons out in Jesus' Name. Command them to cease their activities and stop their operations against you.

How do you know if something is demonic? If it steals, kills, or destroys -- it certainly is not of God! (See John 10:10.)

JAMES 4:7
7 . . . Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

EPHESIANS 4:27 NKJ
27 nor give place to the devil.

The Bible tells you to not give any place to the devil, and to resist him, so it is obvious you can do so. If the devil, or his forces, have a place in your life, it means you allowed it.

SAY THIS: I can cast out demons, in Jesus' Name.

[admin]

February 25, 2008

Focus On Jesus

True Christianity is not a religion based on rules and rituals but a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

Many people reduce Christianity down to attending church meetings and trying not to commit a list of certain sins.

But being a Christian is being united with Jesus, a member of His body, with His life in your heart.

Jesus should be your focus -- not religious activity -- but the person of Jesus, the Lord and Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 NIV
9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Church meetings, Bible reading, etc. can be good, but should not be allowed to become an end in themselves. They are tools to help us know Jesus and walk more closely with Him.

The Bible says we are to be faithful; but faithful to what: a religious system, an organization -- or, a Person? Are you serving Jesus -- or serving something else as His substitute?

The focus of your life should be to please Jesus.

COLOSSIANS 1:18 NRSV
18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

Does Jesus have first place in your life? In your schedule? If not, why not?

In everything, Jesus should be central.

SAY THIS: I will keep my focus on Jesus Christ.

[admin]

February 26, 2008

Hang On To Your Faith

The devil's whole strategy is to get you to turn loose of your faith in God and His Word.

MARK 4:15 NIV
15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

How can the devil steal the Word from someone? Only when it seems untrue. People don't turn loose of what they believe is true.

So, to steal the Word, the devil must convince people it's not true. The devil does this by getting us to focus on what our senses tell us, instead of on God's Word, the seed which changes our circumstances when we retain it.

As with any seed, the full manifestation of its life is not apparent immediately, but manifests over time with the proper care. God's Word will change your circumstances!

If you don't believe God's Word, you won't act on it. Without following God's instructions, you will not be made free (see John 8:31-32).

Actions cannot be separated from believing. Whatever you are acting on is what you really believe.

In the New Testament, "faith" is the noun and "believe" is the verb form of the same Greek word. So, hanging on to your faith means to keep believing what God said -- regardless of circumstances.

HEBREWS 10:23 KJV
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)

A key to hanging on to your faith is found in what you say. When you speak of fear and doubt, faith shrivels. But when you speak faith words in line with the Bible, your faith grows strong.

The devil tries to get you to doubt God and His Word. The devil wants you to give up on God, to not trust Him, to not expect Him to do what He said in His Word. Do not give up! God can be trusted.

SAY THIS: I will keep on believing and acting on God's Word.

[admin]

February 27, 2008

Rejoice In Trouble

Life can be hard.

Maybe you have been forsaken by your spouse. Or are struggling with the death of a loved one. Or facing the constant pain of disease. Or the loss of a job or business. Or, maybe just the daily grind of life.

What can you do? You always have choices. You choose how you respond. With God's help, you don't have to let the problems of life defeat you.

A prophet named Habukkuk had the attitude we all need:

HABAKKUK 3:17-18 NIV
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Even if everything seems to go wrong, you can rejoice in the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever!

There is no darkness so dark that Jesus cannot overcome. There is no situation that is hopeless. There is no problem too big for God to fix.

When you face trouble in life, will you whine and complain, or will you rejoice in God?

Maybe I should ask, "Would you prefer to get better or to get worse?"

As you rejoice in the Lord, you will find strength to go on and face life. God will give you strength to overcome.

We all face struggles in life. Focusing on God -- who has the solution to every problem -- is a way out of the jaws of defeat into glorious victory.

Whatever your struggle is, look to God. Rejoice in Him!

Don't let the devil steal your joy. Rejoice in the Lord!

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 NIV
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

SAY THIS: I will rejoice in God even when I face trouble.

[admin]

February 28, 2008

Imitate God

Did you know that the Bible tells you to imitate God?

It surely does!

EPHESIANS 5:1-2 NIV
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love,
2 just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

No doubt you have seen a child imitating their parent. Sometimes the parent is glad -- sometimes embarrassed.

Just as earthly children imitate their parents, children of God are supposed to imitate their Heavenly Father.

In what way are we to imitate God? Should we try to create planets? (You're probably not quite ready for that! But who knows about the future.)

We are to imitate God by walking in love instead of selfishness. By being givers instead of takers.

SAY THIS: I will imitate God my Heavenly Father, and walk in love.

[admin]

February 29, 2008

No Poor Among You

DEUTERONOMY 15:4 NLT
4 "There should be no poor among you, for the LORD your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession.

The Word of God states there should be no poor among us.

"But wait preacher," someone might say, "that was written to the Jews under the Old Covenant."

Yes! And we have a better covenant!

HEBREWS 8:6 NLT
6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

Some people seem determined to reject Good News from God, so they say, "Our covenant is only better because of spiritual blessings, not financial blessings, which were just for the Old Testament saints."

Really? Where does it say that in the Bible? I have never seen it.

No! The Bible is written to mankind -- in our language -- so we can understand God's message. When the Bible says we have a covenant that is far better, it has to include every blessing from the Old Covenant as well as additional blessings. And it does!

2 CORINTHIANS 1:20 NKJ
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Every promise -- old or new testament -- is yes in Christ.

EPHESIANS 1:3 NJB
3 Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ.

While God's blessing may be in spiritual form, as we appropriate it by faith it will be manifest physically on earth.

EPHESIANS 1:3 Laubach
3 I praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ because He sent Christ to bless us. And Christ has blessed us with heaven's every blessing.

One translation of this verse says "has blessed us with every blessing that Heaven itself enjoys." The idea is that God gave His best -- without holding back any good thing from us.

ROMANS 8:32 NKJ
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

God gave His best when He gave us Jesus. What does God's best cover? Everything!

2 PETER 1:3 NLT
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

Do you realize what it means to live a godly life? A god-like life! Can a life marked by lack and poverty be described as god-like? Do you really think the Creator God lives in poverty and lack?

According to Scripture, God HAS already given us everything we need so we can live a godly life. Certainly, that cannot mean starve or be homeless.

Do you really believe it is God's will for any of His children who love Him to be poor and lack basic necessities? If you do, you don't know God very well.

Then why are so many believers struggling with so many unmet needs? There may be many reasons, but the primary one is not knowing the will of God in the matter.

If we don't know God's will, we can't have faith. Without faith, we will not receive God's blessing.

(If you are poor, be encouraged. God loves you and desires good for you. Begin to expect it and thank God for it.)

SAY THIS: God's plan and provision is that there be no poor among His children.

[admin]

March 1, 2008

Forgive Yourself


1 JOHN 2:12 NLT
12 I am writing to you who are God's children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.

COLOSSIANS 3:13 NIV
13 . . . Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

GALATIANS 5:14 NIV
14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

For many people, the hardest person to forgive is themselves.

If God can forgive us, then we can, and must, forgive ourselves. Not to forgive ourselves is to exalt ourselves above God.

If God can decree that we are forgive-able, but we say we are too bad to be forgiven, we are saying we know more than God.

Should your standards be higher than God's standards? He forgives. Why won't you forgive yourself?

The devil wants you to stay focused on your past and your failures, so you will not receive God's blessing.

God wants you to believe His Word and focus on His victory so you will have a better future.

Which one will you choose to follow?

SAY THIS: Because God has forgiven me, I forgive myself.

[admin]

March 2, 2008

Speak To Your Mountain

MARK 11:23 NKJ
23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, `Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.

"Talk to mountains? Do you think I'm crazy?"

Jesus talked to things, and taught that "whoever" could also speak to mountains.

A mountain is primarily any obstacle that stands in your way.

Faced with obstacles, most Christians pray to God. But Jesus told us to speak directly to the obstacle and tell it to be removed.

There is nothing wrong with discussing things with God. You should. But when something is blocking your progress -- Jesus said YOU should tell it to get out of the way.

Most Christians just speak to God about the mountain, instead of following Jesus' directions and speaking directly to the mountain.

Are you just talking to God about the problems in your life, instead of talking directly to the problems and telling them to be removed?

MATTHEW 17:20 NKJ
20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

According to Jesus, unbelief keeps us from speaking to our mountains.

What is the mountain in your life? What stands in the way of your progress? What holds you back from going forward and fulfilling God's plan?

Speak God's Word to that mountain!

Speak to the devil and his forces and tell them to get out of your affairs.

Speak to sickness and tell it that it can't stay in your body.

Speak to debt and financial lack and tell them to be removed from your life.

Speak to doubt, fear, and worry and tell them to be gone.

If you say, "I just can't believe it would do any good for me to talk to problems," that's why you still have them.

Read what Jesus said again, and again.

SAY THIS: I will speak to the mountains that try to hold me back.

[admin]

March 3, 2008

Jesus' Invitation

REVELATION 3:20 NKJ
20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Most people think this verse is directed to non-believers. Not so. Jesus was talking to those already in the church.

How sad!

This is the Lord, the Head of the church, speaking to His own people. "If you will open up to Me, we will enjoy times of fellowship."

God desires your fellowship. He wants you to spend time with Him. But He invites -- He never forces.

We enjoy the presence of those who love us, especially when we also love them. God loves you more than anyone else does. So, you shouldn't need to be forced, or talked into, spending time in fellowship with God.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 NIV
9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

God has called you. You must choose whether to answer.

Who would you rather know than God?

Spending time with someone is the way you get to know them. You begin to know what they like and dislike, and how they think. When you spend time with the Lord in His Word and prayer, you get to know Him.

Spending time with someone is the only way to build a relationship.

SAY THIS: Jesus, I open up the door to You!

[admin]

March 4, 2008

How Do I Get God To Do What I Want?

Sorry, you have it backward. God is trying to get you to do what He wants, because His way is perfect, and yours is obviously not.

PSALM 18:30 NKJ
30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

You don't need to get God to do anything. God knows what to do. You are the one who does not know what to do.

Imagine a two year old child telling his parents what they should be doing. It is even more crazy to think we know more than God about what is best for us, and that we need to tell Him what to do.

This attitude indicates immaturity.

If we were so good at figuring out things, we should be running the universe instead of God. But look at what our decisions have produced -- a mess. What we need is new management, not just to get God to do something for us.

Even if we were to get God to do what we think He should do for us, would it really fix our life?

For example, many people think getting a lot of money would solve every problem, but the facts show differently. Just look at the record of people who won the lottery. Some people think getting a spouse would fix everything, but don't think about how half the people who do get married then seek a divorce.

What you need is to let Jesus be Lord of your life. You need to learn of Him and follow His directions. You need to learn His ways. Your ways have got you in a mess. You need to change your ways so you can have a change in your life.

God has already done what He needs to do. Now we must learn how to receive His provision and walk in victory.

If you are on the road to destruction, why should God give you a new car and gas money to go down that road? Your decisions have produced wrecks in your life. What you need is a new driver. Let Jesus take the wheel.

You don't need to argue with Jesus or tell Him what to do. You just need to trust Him.

God knows more than you do, and loves you more than you love yourself. He desires the best for you. You can trust someone like that!

SAY THIS: Lord Jesus I trust You. Please take over management of my life.

[admin]

March 5, 2008

Leave Your Case With God

ROMANS 12:19 NLT
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD.

When people do us wrong, to not retaliate is difficult. It seems natural to fight back when someone attacks us.

But the Bible tells us to let God judge them.

This is not saying you should never defend yourself or what belongs to you. But rather to not seek revenge after you have been wronged. Instead, let God handle it.

People who try to exact revenge, usually end up committing more injustice. Often a deadly cycle develops. Instead of taking revenge, God's Word tells us to bless our enemies.

PROVERBS 25:21 NKJ
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

God is aware of every injustice. And God promises to right every wrong, eventually. God is a righteous judge, but all judgment is not instant, or even in this life.

1 PETER 2:21,23 NLT
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

SAY THIS: I will not seek revenge but trust God to bring justice.

[admin]

March 6, 2008

Temporary!

This is what you should say to your circumstances when they don't line up with God's Word:

Temporary!

2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 NIV
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

You may not realize it -- but problems often "speak" to you. They say things like, "You can't get rid of me. I'll be with you as long as you live."

"Your parents died from this and you will, too."

"Your family was poor and you'll always be poor. You'll never have abundance. You'll never get out of debt."

Actually, it's the demonic forces behind the problems that speak to our minds -- trying to keep us in doubt and unbelief. We must resist those thoughts -- and the first step is to talk back!

We should speak to thoughts of doubt and unbelief that are contrary to what God has said in His Word -- for His Word is truth.

Don't be passive. Resist!

The Bible tells us to resist the devil. That means to resist his thoughts and ideas, too.

Long ago, God gave mankind dominion on earth. That dominion included naming things. You still have that form of dominion today. If you name your troubles as "yours" and "permanent" -- they will stay. But if you call them "temporary" -- they will eventually leave.

Jesus told us to speak to our mountains and tell them to be gone. But what should you say after you have spoken to the mountain and it's still there?:

TEMPORARY!

SAY THIS: My circumstances are subject to change!

[admin]

March 7, 2008

Make Prayer A Habit

ROMANS 12:12 NRSV
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

Prayer is a habit that, like every other good habit, must be developed.

You know you need to pray. You need God's help, His wisdom and His guidance. But you must persevere in prayer. The activities of life try to keep you from praying. So persevere!

LUKE 21:36 BBE
36 But keep watch at all times with prayer, that you may be strong enough to come through all these things and take your place before the Son of man.

In communing with God, you gain strength that comes in no other way. You find the wisdom and courage to face life and overcome.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:17-18 ICB
17 Never stop praying.
18 Give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.

Learn to always include God in your thoughts. Ask Him about everything. Cultivate your relationship by continual communication. And one of the most important things for you to communicate to God is your gratitude. Thank God for everything.

Don't relegate prayer to just when you're on your knees. As you go about your activities, include God by constant communion with Him.

Talk to God about everything!

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to develop the habit of continual communication with you.

[admin]

March 8, 2008

When You Sin


1 JOHN 1:9 NKJ
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Many people let sin separate them from God. But the devil is the one who tells us God does not love us when we sin.

Jesus paid a great price so you can be forgiven and freed from sin and its penalty.

ROMANS 5:8 NKJ
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God is against sin because it harms people, but God loves sinners!

When we sin, it does not make God hate us. We should not run away from God, but run to Him for help and cleansing, so that our fellowship with Him will not be hindered in any way.

We confess our sins to shut the door on the devil so he has no place in our affairs. We don't need to confess our sins to get God to forgive us. God has already forgiven! We confess our sins to get rid of them, and keep the devil out.

EPHESIANS 1:7 NKJ
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

God loves people, including you. His ultimate plan is to have a family of people who do not sin, but voluntarily choose the way of love, which is God's perfect way.

But just as a good parent does not throw their baby into the street because they are not perfect yet, but still mess their pants, so God does not discard His children when they sin.

God loves you more than any good parent ever loved their child. So look to Him for help in overcoming sin, instead of expecting condemnation from Him.

When you sin, confess it to get rid of its influence in your life and to keep the devil from having any place. I don't mean begging God to forgive you and promising to never do it again. Instead say, "That is wrong. I should not have done that. Lord, I need your help to overcome it. Please continue working your will in me."

Sin has already been paid for with the precious blood of Jesus. God has already decreed that sin is forgiven, so that it should not keep people from fellowship with Him.

SAY THIS: I will not let sin separate me from God.

[admin]

March 9, 2008

Jesus Died For Sinners

ROMANS 5:6 NKJ
6 . . . Christ died for the ungodly.

Jesus Christ did not come to earth to help perfect people, but to help ungodly sinners.

ROMANS 5:8 NKJ
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus already paid the price for the forgiveness of all sins through His death.

EPHESIANS 1:7 NKJ
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

The devil tries to make people think God does not love them because of their sins. But nothing could be further from the truth. God loves sinners! Jesus died to save sinners.

1 TIMOTHY 1:15 NKJ
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

God is against sin because it is harmful to people, but He is not against sinners.

If God could not or would not help a sinner, then He would never help any human. The Bible tells the opposite story. We have all missed the mark of perfection so we all need a Savior. And we all have a Savior if we will but receive Him.

HEBREWS 9:26 NLT
26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

The sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient to deal with all sin. You have been forgiven. Accept that forgiveness. Turn away from going your own way and walk with God.

SAY THIS: Jesus died because He loved sinners, including me.

[admin]

March 10, 2008

Giving Is Planting Seed


2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8 NLT
6 Remember this--a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

God is love. Love gives and helps others. God wants you to be like Him -- to be a giver.

God, knowing human nature, gave incentives to encourage us to be givers. Not only does giving make us feel good, but God promises whatever we give will be multiplied back to us -- the same way seed planted by a farmer produces a larger harvest.

LUKE 6:38 NLT
38 If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving -- large or small -- it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

God's plan is to develop you into a loving, giving person who trusts God.

Faith and love -- the two primary attributes God is working to develop in us -- are both exercised by giving.

It takes faith to give. It seems safer and more prudent to hold on to everything we have, just in case we might need it. But God encourages us to be generous and give to others -- trusting Him to multiply our giving back to us.

Someone has well said that whatever we give does not leave our life, but just enters our future, where it will be multiplied.

SAY THIS: Whenever I give, I am planting seed for a harvest of blessing.

[admin]

March 11, 2008

Does Jesus Care?

MARK 4:37-40 NKJ
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

All of us have questioned whether God cares for us when we have faced difficulties. It is easy to wonder why things are so tough, if God truly loves us, as the Bible says.

What is the answer? Why don't things go better for us, especially when we are trusting in God?

Mark 4 gives us a glimpse into how God looks at this.

When the disciples thought they were going to sink in the storm -- even though Jesus was on their boat -- they cried out to Him. And Jesus did deliver them from danger.

But then, Jesus rebuked His disciples because they were fearful, and didn't handle the situation themselves.

Why didn't the Lord take care of the dire situation sooner? Why did Jesus let them nearly sink before He intervened? The answer is simple. Jesus was expecting His disciples to exercise authority over the storm.

God has confidence in His children. He desires for us to grow up, to learn to take responsibility, and to exercise the authority He has given us.

LUKE 10:19 NKJ
19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

God told us to resist the devil, and all his works -- which is everything that would steal, kill, or destroy. Why should God interrupt and do things for us that He has already told us to do, using His authority?

JAMES 4:7 NKJ
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Yes, Jesus cares for you -- enough to die for you! Don't judge His love by your circumstances.

If it seems Jesus is not stilling the storms in your life, He has not abandoned you. He is just expecting you to overcome, by using your faith and the authority He has given you.

SAY THIS: Jesus cares for me, and I will be delivered out of all the storms of life!

[admin]

March 12, 2008

Do You Want To Be Happy?

What are you waiting for?

Most people are waiting for something -- something "special" that will make their life great, so they can be happy.

Ask yourself: have others had this, and are they all happy? No, they're not, and it won't give you lasting happiness, either.

Happiness is not determined by external circumstances, but by internal circumstances.

Everyone chooses how happy they are by what they choose to think about.

Your attitude is determined by your perspective, which is determined by what you think about -- your focus. You choose your focus, so ultimately, you are the one who chooses whether to be happy, or not.

Perspective is what the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) are about. Seeing a bigger picture than just this one small moment of time. (The Beatitudes are where Jesus explained how some are blessed, or happy -- even in difficult situations.)

(The word we translate as "happy" in the New Testament is usually translated as "blessed.")

You won't get happiness by chasing what the world has to offer. It has already been tried and found wanting.

And, you will never be happy as long as you are self-centered. A focus on self is guaranteed to prevent happiness.

Right after Jesus performed the menial task of washing his disciple's feet -- akin to cleaning toilets today -- He told them:

JOHN 13:15,17 ICB
15 I did this as an example for you. So you should do as I have done for you.
17 If you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.

You will be happy if you help others. If you take your focus off yourself. That's what Jesus taught.

SAY THIS: I choose to focus on God and be thankful and happy.

[admin]

March 13, 2008

Be Thankful For What You Have

COLOSSIANS 3:15 CEV
15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.

If you are reading this, there are literally millions of people who would trade places with you. They envy you and would be very grateful to enjoy all that you do.

Usually the more someone has, the less thankful they become.

So how can you overcome ingratitude? Only by changing your beliefs. As long as you believe you're getting a raw deal, or less than you deserve, you will never become a thankful person.

An attitude of gratitude is the result of what we focus on.

Remember, you deserved punishment. Instead, God gave you what He deserved, and EVERYTHING you have -- every breath -- is a gift. Keep this in focus and you will become a thankful person.

(An extra bonus is that a thankful person is a happy person.)

HEBREWS 13:5 NIV
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

What could be greater? Almighty God promises to always take care of you! Never will you be forsaken! Never will you be left facing life all alone! (You may feel forsaken, but it's a lie.)

A rewarding, satisfying, and fulfilling life does not depend on being rich. Jesus is the one who told us, and He knows.

LUKE 12:15 LB
15 Beware! Don't always be wishing for what you don't have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are."

SAY THIS: I will be thankful.

[admin]

March 14, 2008

All Things Are Possible

MARK 9:23 NKJ
23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

From our early years we are educated in what is impossible.

But progress continues to be made by people who attempt the impossible and achieve it.

Some have said that mankind's only real obstacle is between our two ears.

We ARE limited by what we believe, according to Jesus.

So, how can we change what we believe? Only by getting new evidence, which is available from the Word of God.

MATTHEW 17:20 NKJ
20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

A conventional approach will not achieve the "impossible." It will require acting different than the crowd, who probably won't understand you or support you. Speaking to things and telling them to move, as Jesus taught, is certainly not conventional.

Acting different than everyone else can be scary. It's like getting out of the boat to walk on water. But do you want conventional results?

As you read the Bible and see the instructions God gave us, you will usually find them unconventional. But the person who acts on God's Word will be blessed.

SAY THIS: All things are possible!

[admin]

March 15, 2008

None Of These Things Move Me

ACTS 20:24 NKJ
24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Some believers are tempted to give up on their faith in God whenever the least thing seems to go wrong in their lives.

The apostle Paul suffered many things: beatings, stoning, and shipwreck -- yet he called them "light afflictions."

2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 NKJ
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9 NKJ
8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed --

We are in a battle for the hearts and souls of men. The devil is against us. While we know our victory is sure, we should not expect to never face obstacles or difficulties.

2 TIMOTHY 2:3 NKJ
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

If this life was all there was, this would not be a wise way to live. But there is a life in heaven and a future world. We would be foolish to live as if this life is all there is.

So we should not forget eternity and focus only on the present.

We must hold on to our faith in God, no matter how things seem to be going at the present. Because of our limited understanding, our ability to evaluate things accurately is limited. Our wonderful Lord Jesus can be trusted. He loved us enough to die in our stead, so we could go free. Why would He lie to us?

We must be determined not to be moved by things our enemy does to get us off our faith in God's Word.

SAY THIS: I'm not moved by what I see. I'm not moved by what I feel. I'm moved only by what I believe, and I believe the Word of God.

[admin]

March 16, 2008

Balance In Life

MARK 6:31 NIV
31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Balance is a difficult thing to achieve.

Success usually requires discipline, a large commitment of time, and a lot of hard work.

But sometimes what's needed is to take a vacation!

Taking a trip is not always necessary, but taking a break from your normal routine is.

You need time to think, and time to listen to what God is saying to you -- as well as physical rest. Without taking time to "recharge your batteries" you will never be your best.

People who face relentless responsibilities, such as pastors, mothers of young children, care givers, and owners of small businesses, especially need an occasional break.

(Be creative. It doesn't have to be expensive.)

We want to lead productive lives and be fruitful in our walk with the Lord, but we cannot take the place of God. We cannot do everything. We are not God.

Burning out is not a good witness for the Lord, as it makes Him look like a hard taskmaster.

Humans require rest. To continue to be healthy and productive for many years, we must live a balanced life which includes rest and taking time off.

Always keep the big picture in mind. That includes eternity.

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to achieve balance in my life.

[admin]

March 17, 2008

Hang On!

HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Sometimes it seems like there's no hope and no help. Like you have no more strength or ability to go on. You're at the end of yourself and just can't do any more.

Don't worry. Just hang on to your faith in God.

God is faithful. He will not forsake you. He has not forgotten you. (It just seems that way when you face a trial of faith -- but it's a lie.)

It may seem dark and hopeless, but God is holding on to you. God is working behind the scenes. Things will work out.

When you don't know what to do, just continue to trust in God, and know that He is helping you. Persevere even when you feel like you can't. Just don't give up.

JAMES 1:2-4 Barclay
2 My brothers, you must regard it as nothing but joy when you are involved in all kinds of trials,
3 for you must realize that when faith has passed through the ordeal of testing the result is the ability to pass the breaking-point and not to break.
4 This ability must go right on to the end, and then you will be perfect and complete, without a weak spot.

Trials are no fun. But we should not be surprised when we find our faith being tested.

The devil is doing his best to steal your faith in God, but his best is not good enough. God is greater than the devil. Hang on to your faith!

Remember that God is for you. God is on your side. God will help you and see you through.

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep praising and thanking God -- especially when you don't feel like it. Don't give up. Hang on!

SAY THIS: I won't give up on God. I trust in Him.

[admin]

March 18, 2008

Expect Favor

PSALM 5:12 NIV
12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

If Jesus is your Lord, then He is also your righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30, Romans 5:17). So, you are righteous in Christ and qualify for this blessing.

Favor is the blessing of God causing people to like you and treat you well.

Why expect favor?

Because God is your Father. He loves you. And He responds to faith. When you walk in faith you expect blessings.

PROVERBS 16:7 NIV
7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Some people always talk of how badly they are treated and how things always go wrong for them. Should we be surprised? After all, Jesus told us in Mark 11:23 that we would have what we say.

Why not begin to say that God surrounds your life with favor?

SAY THIS: I expect God's favor in my life.

[admin]

March 19, 2008

Redeemed By His Blood


1 PETER 1:18-19 NKJ
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . .
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Some Christians shy away from talking about blood -- but not the Bible. In fact, the Bible presents blood as an integral and honored part of Christian teaching.

Blood represents life, and Jesus freely gave His life to redeem you.

COLOSSIANS 1:13-14 NKJ
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

The blood of Jesus -- representing the giving of His life -- was the payment for your freedom. You should give bold testimony to the power of the precious Blood of Jesus. It is what has set you free!

Sin opens the door for the devil. But Jesus' Blood cleanses us from all sin and closes the door of opportunity to the devil.

1 JOHN 1:9 NKJ
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus' Blood enables us to stand before God as if sin had never existed. We have no other plea for entrance into God's presence but the precious Blood of the Lamb.

HEBREWS 10:19 NKJ
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

The blood of Jesus represents all that God accomplished for you in His great redemption.

We should display the token of Jesus' Blood over the boundaries of our lives -- anywhere the devil might have an opening -- by releasing our faith in the sufficiency of that precious Blood through words.

SAY THIS: I am set free by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

[admin]

March 20, 2008

Plead The Blood

Pleading the Blood of Jesus is not begging -- but a legal term.

REVELATION 12:10-11 NKJ
10 . . . the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

The devil is our accuser. The only successful plea is the Blood of Jesus. Pleading our ignorance, our innocence, or our merits will fail. Only relying on the Blood of our substitute sacrifice, the Lamb of God, will win our case before God the Judge.

When we pray, we should base our prayer on the Blood of Jesus -- the price paid for our needs to be met -- instead of on our need or our worthiness.

When we resist the devil, we cannot resist him based on who we are or what we have done, but only on the price paid for our complete redemption -- the precious Blood of Jesus.

Faith in Jesus' Blood, released in testimony against the devil, will always cause him to flee. We must resist him, steadfast in faith, for as long as it takes.

Our enemy can always be overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We have victory over every evil because of Jesus' shed Blood.

PSALM 107:2 NKJ
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

We must SAY we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Here are some example statements you could use in pleading the Blood.

In the Name of Jesus, I plead the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ against this problem.

I cover my home with the Blood of Jesus to protect all occupants and possessions from all evil.

Especially in times of violence we need to cry out for the protection of the Blood for all our household. Parents can put the Blood on their "door" -- taking in all that pertains to them -- and claim salvation and protection for their entire family. The Blood is the one thing that will keep your family safe in these perilous days.

When we awaken in the morning we should call for the Blood to be upon us and all that belongs to us. Before we sleep we should, in the same way, call for the protection of the Blood.

SAY THIS: I plead the Blood of Jesus over all my household and all our possessions.

[admin]

March 21, 2008

Christ Is Our Passover

God gave instructions to the Israelites so they could escape the judgment coming on the Egyptians.

EXODUS 12:7,13 NKJ
7 `And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.
13 `Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

The Egyptians had no protection from the destroyer, but the people of Israel who put the blood of a lamb on their dwellings were safe.

The blood represented the Blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world -- Jesus Christ (Rev. 13:8). Judgment was legally avoided because of it.

The blood applied stopped the destroyer. Action was required -- not just passive belief in the blood.

PSALM 105:37 NKJ
37 He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes.

Not only were the children of Israel spared from destruction, but they all left Egypt in good health carrying away the wealth of Egypt.

Christ is our Passover. Can we not expect Him to provide us as much protection and deliverance as the lamb provided the children of Israel in Egypt?

1 CORINTHIANS 5:7 NKJ
7 . . . For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

HEBREWS 8:6 NKJ
6 . . . He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

LUKE 22:20 NKJ
20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

New Covenant believers have the right to draw a faith Blood line the devil cannot cross. By speaking words of faith we apply the Blood over the "doorposts" of our lives -- the outer edges of all that belongs to us.

With blood on the door of the Israelites in Egypt, no evil dared enter their dwelling. Likewise, we are kept safe through the protection of the divine Blood of Jesus.

Wherever we have authority we should apply the Blood -- and never leave the protection the Blood of Jesus provides.

SAY THIS: Jesus Christ is my Passover who protects and delivers me and my family.

[admin]

March 22, 2008

Meaning Of The Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth was the greatest event in human history.

Why?

Not just because someone came back from death. That had happened before.

Jesus was acting as a representative for the human race. What He was doing was not for Himself -- but for us.

ROMANS 4:25 NKJ
25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

The people watching Jesus die on the cross knew nothing of this. Later it was revealed what actually happened. Jesus was being a substitute for the human race, suffering in our stead. When divine justice was satisfied -- Jesus was raised from the dead as your representative. You got credit for what Jesus did.

It was not just the death and resurrection of one man. It was the legal death and resurrection of us all. All Jesus did was as mankind's substitute representative.

Jesus was not raised from the dead until you were justified. That means declared righteous, or in right standing with God.

The resurrection of Jesus, according to Scripture, is a declaration that God has taken care of the sin problem and made you righteous.

SAY THIS: Father, please help me to understand the implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in my life.

[admin]

March 23, 2008

Jesus Rose From Death

MATTHEW 28:5-6 NKJ
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Jesus Christ's resurrection is either the supreme fact in history or a gigantic hoax. If Christ's resurrection is true -- we ignore its implications at our own peril. If not, then Christianity is the biggest fraud in the history of the world.

Christ's resurrection forces the question of Christianity's validity from being merely a philosophical issue to being a historical one.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact verifiable from history. No one can challenge Christ's resurrection -- if they take an honest look at the evidence.

Only those who never study the evidence -- or who refuse to listen to its testimony -- could deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Many learned men have tried to disprove Christ's resurrection -- only to become believers instead!

Some people refuse to examine the evidence, because they do not want to believe in Jesus Christ and submit to Him as Lord.

The facts remain. Confucius' tomb, Buddha's tomb, Mohammed's tomb, and Lenin's tomb are all occupied.

But Jesus Christ's tomb is EMPTY!

REVELATION 1:18 NKJ
18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

SAY THIS: I believe that Jesus Christ rose from death.

[admin]

March 24, 2008

Do Not Worry

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 NLT
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Worrying can't accomplish anything. So why do it?

MATTHEW 6:25-34 NKJ
25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
29 "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

LUKE 10:41-42 NKJ
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

What did Mary choose that was better than worrying? Spending time with Jesus hearing His Word. You would do well to follow her example.

SAY THIS: I will trust in God and not worry.

[admin]

March 25, 2008

Worship God With Your Money

PHILIPPIANS 4:18 NLT
18 At the moment I have all I need--more than I need! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable to God and pleases him.

Our money represents time -- a portion of our lives. We trade our time for money. To truly worship God requires our money -- our treasure -- not just our voices.

The word "worship" is a contraction of "worth-ship" -- something we do that demonstrates how valuable we think something is.

We show how valuable we think God is by what we give to Him. True worship offers our whole being to God, all we are and all we have. Money is a tangible expression of the devotion in our hearts.

Worship is an act of reverence. In the Bible it usually means bowing down. (One Greek word in the New Testament translated worship means to adore or reverence.)

But true worship always costs something. In true worship you always give up something: sacrifices in the Old Testament, sovereignty in bowing down, dignity, reputation, time, etc.

"Is it worth it?" is a worship question. "Is God worth it?" is a worship question.

How much is God worth to you?

When you are a young person interested in dating someone, do you begrudge the time, effort, and money you spend on them? Why do you do it? Because you think knowing them, and being with them, is worth it. That shows worth-ship, or worship.

God is a Person. He is great beyond description in every way. What is it worth to you to know God, and be with Him?

It is not enough to say you love God more than anything. To please God you also need to demonstrate your love.

SAY THIS: I will worship God with all I have, including my money.

[admin]

March 26, 2008

You Must Control The Devil

JAMES 4:7 NKJ
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Most believers expect God to control the devil, but God gave you that responsibility.

EPHESIANS 4:27 NKJ
27 nor give place to the devil.

Would God tell you not to let the devil have any place, if you had no say about it? If the devil does have a place in your affairs, it's because you allow it.

The devil will take over -- if you let him.

Jesus won the victory. It legally belongs to you. But the devil is a criminal, who doesn't obey the law unless forced to. You must enforce Jesus' victory and Lordship in the situations of life, or the devil will take control by default.

No human being, in themselves, is any match for the devil. So you can't resist him in your own ability or name. You are not more powerful than the devil, but you do have more authority as a believer in Jesus Christ.

Just as a policeman in uniform has the backing of the entire government and all its forces, so believers have the backing of God and all His forces, when we stand against the devil in Jesus' Name.

God gave you authority to resist the devil, and expects you to use it. If you disobey God by not using it, things will not go very well in your life.

Praying to God to stop the devil's operations is no different than my son asking me to take out the trash, after I told him to do it.

God told us to resist the devil and he would flee. We must believe and act on God's Word.

SAY THIS: I will resist the devil and he will flee from me.

[admin]

March 27, 2008

Why Pray?

JOHN 15:5 NKJ
5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

There are three reasons to pray: for God's benefit, for your benefit, and for the benefit of others.

To Benefit God

Just as earthly parents enjoy talking with their child, our Heavenly Father enjoys hearing from you.

Also, God desires certain things done on Earth, but He has delegated authority to mankind. Through our requests, God can justly intervene in earthly situations and bring His will to pass. So, praying in line with God's Word benefits God.

To Benefit You

Prayer is communication with God. It includes listening, discussion, and giving thanks -- not just asking for things.

Relationship requires communication. Your relationship with the Lord will never grow without communication.

Time spent in prayer helps you stay tuned-in spiritually -- remaining sensitive to God. Prayer keeps you "connected" with God. It helps keep your focus on God and how great He is.

Prayer is a way of humbling yourself and is the opposite of doing things by yourself. Receiving direction from God is the greatest help you can get. If you fail to seek God's help, you are headed for trouble, because the devil sets traps to destroy you.

Also, talking with God forces you to honestly face your situation -- for you know you cannot fool God.

To Benefit Others

All around us, people are in great need. Through prayer we can appropriate heavenly help on their behalf.

God can do more in one minute than you can do in a lifetime.

SAY THIS: I will pray because prayer is beneficial.

[admin]

March 28, 2008

If You Have A Need, Plant A Seed

LUKE 6:38 NKJ
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

The natural response to having a need is to focus on getting instead of giving. And to hang on tightly to what we have.

But God does not bless selfishness. He is a giver, and desires for us to become like Him. So, God's Word tells us to give.

(Some preachers may have tried to exploit these truths to enrich themselves, but that does not nullify God's promises.)

God is trying to raise us to a higher level of thinking, where we trust in His faithful provision, and act in line with that faith by blessing others.

PROVERBS 11:24 NET
24 One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy, but another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty.

It requires faith to give when you don't have enough to meet your own needs. But remember that faith pleases God, and nothing is too hard for God.

Faith acts on God's Word. Fear hesitates.

To help us understand how giving can enrich us, instead of impoverishing us, Scripture pictures a farmer planting seed for a harvest.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6,10 NLT
6 Remember this--a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

Plant whatever seed God has given you, and God will give the increase through a harvest of blessing, and your needs will be met.

GALATIANS 6:7 CEV
7 You cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant.

You are never without seed. Anything of value can be a seed. Your time is valuable, so if nothing else, you can give time to pray for others as a seed.

SAY THIS: Whenever I have a need, I will plant a seed.

[admin]

March 29, 2008

Prayer Guidelines

Prayer is communication with God. Talking with Almighty God is the greatest privilege you have.

God desires a growing relationship with you. Communication is essential for a relationship to develop. Involve God in every part of your life: every decision and every action. In that sense you should pray without ceasing -- always being in communication with God.

However, we need special prayer times focused completely on the Lord. He is worthy of our time and attention -- and we require this time with Him to develop spiritually.

Remember the instruction given in Psalm 100:4, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise." If you seem to run out of words to praise God, use some of the Psalms, or praise and give thanks in tongues (1 Corinthians
14:16-18).

Many use the model prayer our Lord gave in Matthew 6:9-13 as a guideline for their special daily prayer time. Some of the principles taught are:

*You are praying to your Father. *First worship and honor God. *Pray that God's will be done before praying about your own or others' needs. *Ask for God's forgiveness and help. *Finish by praising God.

During times of prayer many find it helpful as a memory aid to have a prayer list of people and things to pray for. Also, keeping a journal of your prayer requests and answers is beneficial and will bless you tremendously as the years go by.

Always base your prayer on Scripture. Scripture is God's answer. Receiving from God in prayer involves taking His answer (His Word) to Him and receiving your request by faith.

Also, every believer can and should develop the habit of praying much in tongues. This not only edifies you spiritually (1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 1:20), but allows you to pray with a wisdom beyond your ability and knowledge (Romans 8:26-27).

SAY THIS: Prayer is a privilege.

[admin]

March 30, 2008

We Shall Be Like Jesus


1 JOHN 3:2 NKJ
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

God's plan is to change you. He will not quit until you are like Jesus Christ.

ROMANS 8:29 NKJ
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

God has already made the decision. You WILL be like Jesus! (It may take awhile -- but God has plenty of time.)

Surely this doesn't mean an identical physical appearance, but perfection. Perfection morally, spiritually -- and yes, even physically and mentally.

So don't be discouraged with where you are now. God is still at work and He is no quitter.

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 NKJ
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

How is God doing this? Primarily through His Word. So, stay in the Word. The more you expose yourself to the accurate Word of God, the more you will be changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

SAY THIS: God is at work to make me like Jesus!

[admin]

March 31, 2008

You Are Part Of Christ's Body On Earth


1 CORINTHIANS 12 NLT
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ.
17 Suppose the whole body were an eye--then how would you hear? Or if your whole body were just one big ear, how could you smell anything?
18 But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each part just where he wants it.
21 The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you."
22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary.
27 Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.

Scripture says we are a Body -- not just that we are "like a body." You ARE connected to everyone who acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord -- whether you like them, or think they are necessary, or not. Whatever happens to ANY member of the Body does have an affect on EVERY member.

Remember this the next time you are tempted to speak ill of another believer, or mistreat them. Even if they don't believe exactly like you, or go to the same church -- they are still connected to you in Christ. So be nice to your Body!

SAY THIS: I am a member of Christ's Body on earth. Today I will let Jesus Christ manifest His love and wisdom through me.

[admin]

April 1, 2008

God Loves You More Than You Love Yourself

ROMANS 5:8 NKJ
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God has proven His love for you. So don't doubt it.

What proves that God loves you more than you love yourself? He died in your place -- suffering the punishment for sin that you deserved, so you could go free. God was more willing to suffer Himself than to see you suffer.

Of course, the devil constantly tries to get you to doubt that God loves you. That's why you must rely on what the Bible says -- not what your feelings or circumstances may tell you.

You may think you don't love yourself -- maybe you think you hate yourself. Even if you don't think too highly of what you have done, you still love yourself in the sense that you desire the best for yourself. You don't desire pain or loss.

So it is with God -- He desires good for you -- even more than you do. And He demonstrated at Calvary that He would put your interest before His own.

1 JOHN 4:16 NKJ
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

There are at least two reasons why God loves you so much. First, it is His nature to love. The Bible says that God is love. Love is the word that best describes God's nature.

Second, you are His creation. God loves you just as good earthly parents love their offspring. People may not seem very special to others, but to their mother and father they are always special. This should help you understand how God could really like you -- even though you may not like yourself very much.

Also, God sees you as you can be and will become -- not just as you are now. God has faith in you and in His ability to make you someone special.

SAY THIS: I choose to believe what the Bible says: God loves me.

[admin]

April 2, 2008

God Is Not A Liar

NUMBERS 23:19 ICB
19 God is not a man. He will not lie. God is not a human being. He does not change his mind. What he says he will do, he does. What he promises, he keeps.

Too many of us judge God by ourselves, or those we normally deal with. Unfortunately, honesty is scarce today. We are accustomed to people lying to us.

But God is different. He does not lie. Not ever.

TITUS 1:2 NKJ
2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

SAY THIS: My God is not a liar. He will do what He said He would do.

[admin]

April 3, 2008

Jesus Understands

HEBREWS 4:15 NKJ
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Whatever you face, Jesus Christ has already faced it.

Jesus knows what it is like:

to be hungry to be tired to be lonely to be hurt to be hated to be beaten to be persecuted to be misunderstood to be mistreated to be mocked and laughed at to be betrayed by a friend to be tempted to sin to be responsible for employees to feel forsaken to feel hopeless to have no spouse to have no earthly father there to help to have lost a loved one to have to pay taxes to have money stolen from you to have the responsibility to provide for a family to live under an oppressive government to experience extreme pain

HEBREWS 4:16 NKJ
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Don't be afraid to talk to Jesus about anything. Not only does He understand, but He knows how to help you so you can overcome and have victory.

Remember, Jesus loves you -- enough to die for you. And He also ever lives to intercede for you.

So Jesus not only understands what you face, but He is able and willing to help you.

SAY THIS: Jesus understands what I am going through and is leading me to victory.

[admin]

April 4, 2008

Learn To Use Your Faith

MARK 11:23-24 NKJ
23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

There is spiritual growth as well as physical growth. We don't start out strong and mature. The Bible, and all creation, teaches gradual growth.

MARK 4:28 NLT
28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.

The Bible is full of great promises. We must receive them by faith. Faith is not trying to believe, but knowing that you believe. So, you must start using faith at the level you are at. If you don't have faith for a new car then believe for a bicycle. Then believe God for a motorcycle. Keep using your faith and feeding it on God's Word and it will continue to grow.

Eventually, you will get to where you can believe God for large things as easily as you did for small things.

It requires feeding your faith on God's Word as well as exercising your faith to cause it to grow strong.

The mistake many make is trying to believe God for a jumbo jet when they really don't have enough faith for a bicycle. Yes, the Word says that all things are possible, but only for those who truly believe. Most people are just trying to believe and hoping something will happen.

What if you have a need now, but don't have enough faith to cover it? Get someone else to agree with you, using their faith on your behalf.

MATTHEW 18:19 NKJ
19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

But don't expect to go through life depending entirely on someone else's faith. God will require you to eventually grow up and use your own faith. So you might as well get started now.

God knows our needs. The Bible is clear that God does not want us to be in lack. Then why doesn't God just meet our needs, without us having to ask?

One answer is God wants us to grow in faith. Our faith can only grow strong as we use it. So, every need is a faith opportunity, and thus an opportunity for growth.

God wants us to be specific in our asking, so that when the answer comes, we will know it was from God and came in response to our faith in Him.

Don't wait until you have a large crisis in life to start learning to use your faith. Start now!

Don't try to start praying for something big. Start small. Your faith will grow as you use it.

SAY THIS: God will help me to learn to walk in faith.

[admin]

April 5, 2008

Cast Your Cares


1 PETER 5:7 Amplified
7 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.

God is not just mildly interested in you. He cares for you just as a good mother cares for her infant child -- affectionately and watchfully.

Would it be reasonable for a well-loved infant to worry? Neither is it reasonable for you to worry when God loves you and has promised to take care of you.

To worry you must believe one of two lies: God can't take care of you, or God won't take care of you.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 NRSV
6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Worry is not appropriate for a child of God.

SAY THIS: I throw all my cares on God because He cares for me.

[admin]

April 6, 2008

God's Word Will Make You Free

Many people are afraid that God's Word will put them in bondage. But Jesus said God's Word would make you free.

JOHN 8:31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Abide means to live, to continue, or to spend time somewhere.

If you continue to spend time in Jesus' Word -- you will know the truth.

When you know the truth, you will act on that knowledge, and acting on the truth will make you free!

The Bible, especially the message of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, will set you free if you continue in it.

We are not guaranteed instant results, although they sometimes do happen. Freedom is certain, however, if you stick with God's Word. Jesus gave His guarantee!

If you are not enjoying freedom in any area of your life, you have not continued in God's Word enough in that area.

God's Word has the information that, when acted upon, will make you free!

SAY THIS: I will continue in God's Word and it will make me free.

[admin]

April 7, 2008

Words Control Your Life

PROVERBS 18:20-21 NKJ
20 A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, and from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:20 says what your lips produce will fill your life. Your lips produce -- words.

Words determine the course and the outcome of your life. You now have, and will continue to have, the fruit your tongue produces.

To change your life you need to change your words.

JAMES 3:2,8 NIV
2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

To change the words you speak you need God's help.

As Jesus said, out of the abundance of your heart your mouth will speak. So, you need a new heart and you need it filled with God's Word. Only in that way can your tongue be brought under complete control.

SAY THIS: Lord, because your Word teaches that words control my life, please help me to control my words.

[admin]

April 8, 2008

The Inner Witness

COLOSSIANS 3:15 Amplified
15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

God has revealed His will to us in many areas through His written Word, the Bible. But there are many things the Bible does not specifically tell us, such as what person to marry, what job to do, or where to live. (While the Bible gives us some principles, it does not tell us individually and specifically what to do in these types of things.) But God has made provision to guide us in these areas of life also.

The peace of God is the umpire to determine our direction.

Understanding the "peace of God" (which I also identify as the "inner witness") can sometimes seem difficult. Inexperienced believers can mistake feeling good or comfortable in their flesh for the inner witness. But, just like everything in life, we learn, even when we make a mistake.

While this may be open to misunderstanding and abuse, it's what Scripture teaches. God desires a growing relationship with us, and obviously is not too concerned about us never making a mistake while we grow spiritually and learn by experience how to better discern the "inner witness."

We are not talking about having "peace" in your flesh, but an "inner" peace deep within your spirit. It is not fleeting, but grows stronger the more we draw near to God by spending time focused on Him and His Word.

Normally, with the inner witness, thoughts will just come to you. But thoughts can come from sources other than God. We need a way to judge which thoughts are from God and which ones are not.

There are two criteria by which we can determine whether a thought is from God. The first is a knowledge of the written Word of God, the Bible. God will never lead us contrary to His written Word.

The second criteria is the inner witness.

ROMANS 2:15 NKJ
15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

How can you determine the inner witness?

First, it is important to realize that it is not usually a voice, but a witness. Some words to define it are intuition, impression, idea, hunch, knowing, or peace.

The inner witness is something we learn to recognize better as we grow in our relationship with the Lord. It is best to learn on things that are not life-and-death issues. God is interested in every detail of our lives and will help us in everything. He will even lead us in things we would consider small things, such as locating misplaced objects.

The inner witness (along with Scripture) is also how God confirms the most important thing in this life: knowing we are a child of God.

ROMANS 8:16 NJV
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

To be sensitive to the Lord's leading, we must look to the Lord and spend time focused on Him. Prayer, praise, giving thanks, and acknowledging God in all our ways are part of it. The better we know the Lord, both through His Word, and through walking with Him, the easier it will be for us to discern the inner witness of the Spirit, and know God's will for us.

We must walk in the light we have, and make our decisions prayerfully and humbly, always being ready to change and admit we were wrong.

God promises that if any of us lack wisdom, we can ask Him and He will give it to us (James 1:5).

SAY THIS: I will follow the leading of the Lord, through the inner witness of His peace, in line with the Word of God.

[admin]

April 9, 2008

Get Answers To Prayer

MARK 11:24 NKJ
24 "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Jesus says we must believe we receive our answer WHEN we pray, not wait until we see it.

But no one can believe they receive without evidence. God's written Word is our evidence.

MARK 11:24 Amplified
24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].

Whenever we ask the Father for anything we really desire, we must believe that we receive our request granted to us when we pray. Then we act like we already have it, and the thing we prayed for will eventually show up.

But we must pray in line with God's Word. We cannot just "believe" anything out of thin air -- if it does not agree with God's Word -- and expect to receive it.

1 JOHN 5:14-15 NKJ
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Bible-based prayer that works is not getting God to do something, but receiving by faith from God based on what He has already said and done.

In other words, we do not need to change God's mind or get Him to do something. We just need to enter in by faith to receive what God has already decided and provided.

So, find Scripture that promises what you need or want, then take that to God in prayer and believe you receive it when you pray.

SAY THIS: I will base my prayers on God's promises, and believe I receive my answer when I pray.

[admin]

April 10, 2008

The Witness Of The Spirit

ROMANS 8:16 NKJ
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

God has a plan for guiding His children in all the questions of life.

God's primary method of leading us in matters the Bible does not specifically address, (such as which job to take or which person to marry), is the inner witness, which is a knowing communicated by the Holy Spirit to our spirit. It is not a voice, but an inner knowing.

ROMANS 2:15 NKJ
15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

Another term for the witness of the spirit is "peace."

COLOSSIANS 3:15 Amplified
15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise ....

An umpire is responsible for making decisions. Our "umpire" is the inner peace, or witness in our spirit.

1 JOHN 5:10 NKJ
10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself....

One way Scripture describes the "inner witness" is "it seemed good."

This was the Scripture phrase God showed me as I sought Him concerning how to be led by the Spirit. I realized that had been the way I had determined which message God would have me preach. I would pray and seek God until, on the inside of me, it just seemed good to preach a particular message. I couldn't really explain it, but I knew it was how God was leading me in what subjects to preach.

I saw in Scripture this was also the same "leading" Luke had to write down the Gospel of Luke. And also how some important decisions were made in the early days of the Church. They described it as "it seemed good."

LUKE 1:3 NKJ
3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,

ACTS 15:25,28 NKJ
25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

Obviously, an immature believer could easily use this as an excuse for their behavior, saying it just "seemed good to them." But we are not talking about something seeming good to your flesh or your mind, but to your innermost being, your spirit where God dwells (if you are a believer in Jesus Christ.)

And we must always remember that the Holy Spirit will never lead us to do anything that is not in line with God's written Word, the Bible. So, being familiar with God's Word is vital.

SAY THIS: God is helping me understand being guided by the inner witness.

[admin]

April 11, 2008

The Gospel

ROMANS 5:18 NLT
18 Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

Gospel means good news. It was not originally a religious word, but meant good news which makes people happy and excited.

If what you have heard about Jesus Christ does not make you happy and excited, then you have not yet truly heard and understood the Gospel as it is meant to be understood.

The basic outline is that Jesus of Nazareth, who was God in a human body, took your place in judgment, paying the penalty for all your sins, and gave you the blessing He deserved because of His perfect sinless life.

God, the Creator, and Sustainer of the universe, loves you enough to die for you. That's good news!

Jesus took what you deserved, and gave you what He deserved! That's good news!

And this is not limited to just you. Jesus died for all mankind. Deliverance from sin, its effects and penalty is available to anyone and everyone who will believe and receive Jesus Christ as Lord.

ROMANS 1:16 NLT
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes -- the Jew first and also the Gentile.

God is on your side -- not against you. That's good news!

If you do not get so excited you can hardly contain your excitement, you have not fully understood the Gospel.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 NLT
4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

If you can keep yourself from telling others about Jesus, you have not yet understood the Gospel.

SAY THIS: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is GREAT news!

[admin]

April 12, 2008

Instructions For Success

JOSHUA 1:8 NIV
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

If you desire to succeed, here are the instructions.

You may follow other plans that promise success, but you have no guarantee they will work long-term. People may give you advice that works for awhile -- but can you be sure it will not fail you someday?

With God you have an eternal guarantee: His Word will never fail. Heaven and earth will disappear before even the smallest detail of God's Word will fail.

Look at God's success instructions again. Study them in detail. Surely if anything is worth your time, this promise of God is.

First, speak in line with God's Word. Isn't it interesting that the first instruction from God for success has to do with what you say? Some people proclaim that what you say doesn't matter, but God puts it at the top of the list.

Second, meditate on what God said. This is the opposite of worry. This is more than just reading the Bible. (Although if you never read it, how could you meditate on it?) This is thinking about what God says and how it affects everything.

When are we to think about God and His Word? When it is day, or when it is night. Any other time, you can safely shut God out of your thoughts.

Look at what God promises will be yours if you follow these instructions: prosperity and success. What everyone wants, but few are willing to do what it takes to achieve.

Of course you can ignore these instructions. But why would you?

SAY THIS: I will speak God's Word, meditate on it, and act on it. Then God promises I will be prosperous and successful.

[admin]

April 13, 2008

Don't Worry


1 PETER 5:7 NLT
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

Probably the biggest temptation most believers face is the temptation to worry.

What is worry? Worry is thinking that leaves God out. Worry is the opposite of faith. Instead of expecting God's help -- you expect the worst.

1 PETER 5:7 CEV
7 God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.

The Bible has much to say about not worrying. Worry is not appropriate for a child of God.

MATTHEW 6:32 CEV
32 Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 ICB
6 Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks.

SAY THIS: I will not worry. I will trust in God. He will take care of me and everything that concerns me.

[admin]

April 14, 2008

In Everything Give Thanks


1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NKJ
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Are you giving thanks to God today? You should. If you want to be happy, you must. For, without being thankful, you will never be happy.

Just because things are not going the way you would like is no excuse. The Bible clearly says that God's will for you is to be thankful -- always.

The Bible does NOT teach that we're to thank God for evil, because God is not responsible for evil. No, God is not guilty of any wrongdoing.

What the Bible does teach, is that we should always be thankful -- even when evil happens. Being thankful is part of an attitude of faith, and faith will overcome evil.

Although the Bible does say we should give thanks to God FOR all things, that only means the things for which God is responsible. For example, if a guest at your home said, "Thank you for everything," you wouldn't think they were thanking you for what someone else did.

God doesn't do bad things to people. He's not the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. That's the devil, and people motivated by selfishness and demonic influence. So you have the devil "to thank" for the bad things in life.

Yet, during the bad things in life, we are to continue thanking God, no matter how we feel. This helps us keep our eyes on God and keep things in perspective.

No matter how dark and hopeless the situation may look -- give thanks. This is God's will for you.

Thank God for the opportunity to see His deliverance. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Thank Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him for defeating the devil and setting you free in Christ. Thank Him that Jesus is Lord. Thank Him that your name is written in Heaven. Thank Him for loving you and taking good care of you. Thank Him!

SAY THIS: In everything I will give thanks to God for what He is doing. All God does is for my good.

[admin]

April 15, 2008

Laugh!

PSALM 2:4 KJV
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

PSALM 37:13 KJV
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

PSALM 59:8 KJV
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

ECCLESIASTES 3:4 KJV
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

LUKE 6:21 KJV
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

PROVERBS 17:22 KJV
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

God laughs. So should you!

SAY THIS: I will laugh with God today.

[admin]

April 16, 2008

People Are Precious

JOHN 3:16 BBE
16 For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.

We may be too familiar with John 3:16 for its message to impact us as it should. When it says that God loves the world, it means the people of the world.

God loves people -- even the sinners. ALL the people of the world are loved by God. (That does not mean He approves of their behavior. But God loves them.)

People are created in the image of God. We are like God, His children.

Children are precious to their parents. No matter how many children a parent has, every child is precious to them. They are all loved.

So it is with God, who obviously has a huge capacity for love.

A parent may have a child who is a criminal, but that parent, if they are a good parent, will still care for their son or daughter and desire good for them. God is no less loving and caring. He desires good for us -- every one.

When we deal with people who are acting terrible, it can be difficult to remember they are precious to God.

LUKE 6:35-36 NLT
35 "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

People will last for eternity. People will live with God and give Him pleasure in the ages to come.

Let's stay focused on what is really precious and worthwhile. Material possessions are nice and have their place, but are nothing compared to the worth of a human being -- even if that human being is not perfected yet.

Even with rough edges, people are valuable. You are precious to God! So is everyone else.

SAY THIS: Every person is precious to God.

[admin]

April 17, 2008

The Message Of Reconciliation


2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 NIV
19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

The Good News is about reconciliation between God and man. Jesus Christ accomplished it.

Mankind was estranged from God. We had gone our own way, were lost, and couldn't find our way back to fellowship with God. Fortunately, God loved us and did something to help us.

Two extremely important ideas are presented in the above verse.

First, God is not holding people's sins against them! As far as God is concerned, Christ's sacrifice paid the penalty for all sin -- and God considers the world reconciled back to Him.

Second, this wonderful good news of what God has done has been committed to us. Human beings must tell it. If we don't -- it won't be told.

People can live and die and never know the glorious truth that God is not holding any sins against them -- if no one tells them. They need to know they are forgiven, loved by God, and welcome to come back into fellowship with Him through Christ.

Think about this: God is interested in reconciliation. Not in shutting you, or others, out. He is inviting humanity in, saying all is forgiven.

SAY THIS: Thank You Father God for reconciling me and not holding my sins against me. Please help me to share this message with the right people in the right way.

[admin]

April 18, 2008

You Are Righteous In Christ

ROMANS 5:1 NLT
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

God offers righteousness as a free gift to everyone who receives the Lord Jesus Christ.

Righteousness means right-wise-ness, or being right. So righteousness is right standing, or good standing with God. It does not mean human "perfection."

Righteousness is a gift from God -- not something you can earn or achieve. God simply declares that you are innocent, as far as He is concerned, because you believe in Jesus, and that makes you righteous.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 NKJ
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God -- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption

You ARE righteous if Jesus is your Lord. In fact, Jesus IS your righteousness. As a believer in Jesus, you will never be more righteous -- no matter what you do.

Romans 3:10 is a well known verse on this subject that is often misunderstood. It is a quote from the Old Testament, and is part of a passage that continues on to say that NOW we can be righteous through faith in Jesus Christ.

ROMANS 3:10 NKJ
10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;

ROMANS 3:21-22 NKJ
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Romans 10 gives instructions on how to become righteous.

ROMANS 10:9-10 NKJ
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.

SAY THIS: Jesus is my righteousness. I am in right standing with God through what my Lord Jesus did for me.

[admin]

April 19, 2008

Jesus Will Not Reject You

JOHN 6:37 LB
37 But some will come to me--those the Father has given me-- and I will never, never reject them.

People may reject you. But Jesus won't.

Jesus died for sinners. He loves them and will help them -- if only they will come to Him.

Jesus didn't come to condemn us, but to help us. Think of the Bible account of the woman caught in adultery.

JOHN 8:11 NIV
11 "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Religious people will reject you for any number of reasons. The length of your hair, the food you eat, or the clothes you wear are only examples of reasons they may reject you.

But Jesus is different. He will accept you just as you are.

Many people think they need to clean up their life and get their act together before coming to Jesus. But they have it backwards. They should come to Jesus now, and let Him "clean them up."

If we could make ourselves perfect -- we wouldn't need a Savior.

SAY THIS: Jesus is my Savior.

[admin]

April 20, 2008

Take It!

MARK 11:24 NASB
24 "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you.

The Greek word translated "received" is lambano, which means to actively receive. In English we use the word "take" to describe actively receiving.

For example, the following scriptures contain the Greek word, "lambano." This may help you get a better understanding of what receive means when it translates this word, lambano.

MARK 12:8 NKJ
8 "And they TOOK him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

JOHN 19:6 NKJ
6 ...Pilate said to them, "You TAKE Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him."

As the above passages show, sometimes lambano is translated as take or took -- and is not at all passive, but very active.

MARK 11:24 Swann
24 Therefore, I exhort you, All things whatever you pray for and ask, have faith that you have taken hold, and it shall be for you.

So, this verse is saying to us that when we pray, we are to believe we take what we are asking for, and then we will have those things.

How can we do that?

We must take them by faith. How do we "take them by faith?" We release words of faith based on what God has said in His Word, the Bible.

We are not talking about forcing God to do something, but to receive (or take) what is already offered.

How can you "believe you have received" something before you see it? Easy! You just need credible evidence.

If someone you trusted told you they had deposited money in your bank account, you would not need to physically go to the bank and see the cash before rejoicing.

Well, God -- who cannot lie -- has told us many things in His Word. When we pray in line with what God's Word already says is ours, that is our evidence on which we can base our belief.

When God says it -- we can believe it. So that is our evidence by which we can "believe we receive" something when we pray. So, by our faith, we "take it."

(We are not taking it from God. He has already given it to us.)

SAY THIS: When I pray I am supposed to "take" the answer by faith.

[admin]

April 21, 2008

God Is Your Father


2 CORINTHIANS 6:18 NKJ
18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty."

I am truly sorry if your earthly father was not a good father. But there are good fathers -- and certainly God is one.

Have you really thought about what it means to have God as your Father?

Think of His power, His wisdom, His wealth. Then remember that God loves you more than anyone else has ever loved you -- even more than you love yourself.

No earthly father ever loved his children more than God loves you.

Are you living your life in the light of this knowledge? Or, are you acting like an orphan and worrying like you have no one to take care of you?

JOHN 14:18 NIV
18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

SAY THIS: God is MY Father. He loves me and takes good care of me. I am not facing life all alone.

[admin]

April 22, 2008

Don't Wait For Tomorrow

PROVERBS 27:1 NIV
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Do what you need to do today.

Don't wait to receive Jesus. Don't put off doing the will of God. Don't wait to tell someone you love them.

JAMES 4:13-15 NIV
13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

You don't know what tomorrow holds -- or even if you will be here tomorrow.

Keep your focus on God. Trust in Him, and do His will today.

SAY THIS: I will do what God leads me to do today.

[admin]

April 23, 2008

Are You A Pharisee?

MATTHEW 16:6,12 NKJ
6 Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees."
12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Why did Jesus warn His disciples to beware of the Pharisees? What did they do wrong?

(An entire chapter of the Bible (Matthew 23) is Jesus' teaching against the Pharisees.)

The Pharisees were conservative, faithful "church" members. They accepted the Bible as the written Word of God. They paid tithes. They believed in miracles (at least in days past). They wouldn't dream of stealing, committing adultery, or such things. You would like living next to a Pharisee as they were model citizens.

But instead of having a living relationship with God, the Pharisees took the Word of God and made just another dead religion out of it.

The Pharisee way of thinking is: keep up appearances. "It doesn't matter so much what you are on the inside, as long as you keep the rules (at least publicly)."

Notice that Jesus likened their teaching to leaven, or yeast. Why? Yeast spreads easily and rapidly. Humans are very susceptible to approaching God in this manner, "Keep the rules. Just do these 10 things and you are OK."

Different groups may have different rules, but we all accumulate them. It may be how many times each week you must attend church meetings, or what kind of clothes you must wear, or how you must wear your hair. Or, it may be a list of things you cannot do. But, as long as you meet these requirements, you are in good standing with your group (or denomination).

But, good standing with God is based on only one thing according to the New Testament: faith in what Jesus did for us. That alone is what makes us right with God. Not our works, but Jesus' work.

LUKE 12:1 NKJ
1 ... He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

The Pharisees were hypocrites. That is, they put on an act. What they pretended to be in public was not really what they were like in private. They claimed to be perfect in keeping God's law, but as humans they were all sinners, just like the rest of the people were. Yet, in public, they insisted that others keep the Law perfectly, or be condemned.

They were quick to pass judgment on others, and slow to extend mercy or help. The Pharisees had a legalistic view of God's Word and did not realize that God was merciful and wanted to help people.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:6 NKJ
6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Using God's Word to "kill" instead of using it to minister life is wrong. God's Word is meant to help people and lift them up, not place such hard demands on them that they cannot ever measure up. When we load people down with heavy loads of rules to keep in order to be right with God, we are ministers of death.

MATTHEW 23:1-5 NLT
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 "The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.
3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach.
4 They crush people with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.
5 "Everything they do is for show. . . .

If your "Christianity" is nothing more than a list of "do's and don't's" then you are missing real Christianity, which is a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

SAY THIS: Jesus does not want me to act like a Pharisee.

[admin]

April 24, 2008

God Is A Healer

EXODUS 15:26 NRSV
26 ...for I am the LORD who heals you."

When God first revealed Himself to the people of Israel after their deliverance from Egypt, He called Himself "the Lord Who Heals."

He didn't just describe Himself as a healer -- He actually gave Himself that name. One of God's names is "The One Who Heals" or we could just say "Healer."

Certainly God heals physically. Yet we should not limit our thinking on this. God heals, or makes whole and sound, everything that He touches. (So, if we need healing, our plan should be to get closer to God.)

The idea of making whole and sound is what we should focus on.

God, by His nature, makes things whole. He IS a healer. A healer of bodies, of minds, of relationships, of nations -- whatever needs making whole and sound.

The important point is to realize that we need not convince God to heal, because that is His very nature.

No wonder that when Jesus of Nazareth, who was God in the flesh, came along that:

MATTHEW 4:23 NRSV
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

SAY THIS: I serve the God who heals. My God is a healer.

[admin]

April 25, 2008

What Is Sin?


1 JOHN 3:4 KJV
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Sin is breaking the Law, missing the mark set by God.

The word "sin" is a translation of the Greek word "hamartia" which means to miss the mark.

ROMANS 3:23 NLT
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

Religious tradition labels many things as sin which the Bible does not. People make up all kinds of rules based on what they think is right. But God is the judge and only God can decree what sin is.

MARK 7:9 KJV
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

God has not left us to wonder what sin is. The Bible reveals it to us. We don't have to guess, or make it up as we go.

Just because you do something someone else thinks is wrong does not mean it is a sin. So don't let people condemn you over things the Bible does not clearly say are wrong. God is the judge.

COLOSSIANS 2:8 NKJ
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Another error is to think being tempted is a sin. Temptation itself is not sin. You cannot help being tempted. Even Jesus was tempted -- but He never yielded.

HEBREWS 4:15 NKJ
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

A common mistake is believing that having bad thoughts is a sin. It is not a sin to be tempted with bad thoughts. It only becomes a sin when we embrace those thoughts as our own and decide to commit them.

JAMES 1:15 NLT
15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

God is against sin because it is deadly. Sin brings forth death, not life and blessing. God loves people, so He is against everything that harms people.

All sin harms people. (Just because you don't see how a sin would harm anyone, does not mean you know more than God.)

But no human can be right with God by never sinning. We have all fallen short and need a Savior. It is only by God's grace and His forgiveness that we can be right with God.

ROMANS 3:20 NLT
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

We can be glad because Jesus came to save sinners, and He paid the price for the forgiveness of all sins by shedding His blood.

EPHESIANS 1:7 NKJ
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

SAY THIS: Only God has the authority to decide what sin is.

[admin]

April 26, 2008

Have A Happy Life


1 PETER 3:10-11 NLT
10 For the Scriptures say, "If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.

Why just tolerate life when you can have a happy life?

Obviously, you have some choice in the matter, according to these verses. So, make the obvious choice, and ask God to help you.

Notice that the first instructions given in these verses concern the words you speak.

What you say is enormously important, according to the Bible. Yet, most believers are unaware of the importance Scripture places on the words they speak.

Why not ask God right now to help you understand and apply this instruction, so you can reap the benefits?

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for giving me a happy life and good days. Thank you for helping me not to speak evil or tell lies. Thank you for helping me to avoid evil, do good, and live in peace.

[admin]

April 27, 2008

Jesus Is A Savior

MATTHEW 1:21 NIV
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

The name "Jesus" actually means "the Lord saves" or "the Lord is a Savior."

So, when we say "Jesus" we are actually saying "Savior." The two words are synonyms.

The angel told Joseph what to name the son born to his wife Mary -- and the reason for that particular name. Jesus: because He will save. We could say, "Savior -- because He will save."

Being a savior is integral to Jesus' nature. That's what He is. Not just something that He does. He IS, by His very nature, a Savior.

But we are so used to hearing the word "Savior" in relation to Jesus that it has lost its meaning for us. It no longer affects our thinking the way it should. So we need to hear another word -- Deliverer.

The word savior means deliverer. To save something means to deliver it. To deliver something means to set it free from what held it down and kept it from being whole.

You don't have to convince Jesus to deliver you -- He IS a deliverer! That's what He does. It's as natural for Him to set you free and make you whole as it is for you to breathe.

All you have to do is allow Jesus jurisdiction in your life. Invite Him in. He will bring deliverance.

Too many people have been deceived into thinking that allowing Jesus into their life would put them in bondage and hold them back. No! Jesus brings freedom. He delivers you from bondage.

SAY THIS: Jesus is my Deliverer! He delivers me from everything that would hold me down and keep me from wholeness.

[admin]

April 28, 2008

A Member Of The Body


1 CORINTHIANS 12:12 NKJ
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

Each individual believer IS also part of the Body of Christ, which is composed of all believers.

(This is the work of God. Not something we "join.")

Think how insane it would be for you to allow your hand to attack some other member of your body. It's just as crazy for us, as members of the Body of Christ, to attack other members.

ROMANS 12:4-5 NKJ
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Other members have different callings -- different functions. But your job is not to oppose them -- even though you may not understand them, or why they do what they do. Just leave that to the Head of the Body -- and do what He tells YOU to do.

You are not the Head of the Body of Christ -- Jesus is. He is responsible for, and capable of, coordinating all we do so our actions will accomplish His plan. Members of a body have different functions, but all are necessary for the body to function properly.

When you don't obey Jesus, the Head of the Body, you are a drag on the rest of the members.

Think what a difficult time you would have accomplishing anything if each member of your body did whatever it felt like -- instead of obeying orders from your brain.

SAY THIS: I am a member of the Body of Christ.

[admin]

April 29, 2008

God Is A Good God

Luke 6:35-36 NKJ
35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Unfortunately, not many people understand that God is truly good -- but He is. The world has been deceived into accepting an image of God that's mean and vindictive, harsh and strict.

But the Bible, especially the fuller revelation given in the New Testament, paints a different picture of God. He is a Father -- a good Father.

It would be good news if we had a God who was kind to the average person. But God doesn't stop there. According to Jesus, who knows, God is kind to unthankful and evil people, too!

That may not be what you often hear preached, but that's what Jesus said. The Most High God is kind to evil people.

Jesus also said that not only is God kind to evil people, but He is merciful. In fact, one passage even says that God delights in mercy! (Micah 7:18)

Too often people think God is mad at them, so there is little chance He would help them. The opposite is true. Jesus told us that God so loved the world . . . .

And He hasn't changed His mind.

SAY THIS: My Father God is a good God. He loves the people of this world, including me.

[admin]

April 30, 2008

Pray For Our Leaders


1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2 NASB
1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

Praying for our leaders is not a useless ritual. God would not tell us to do something in His Word, unless it would make a difference.

Sometimes, when bad things happen, people ask why God allowed them to happen. But we should be asking ourselves why we allowed them to happen: by not obeying God and praying.

If believers are praying as we ought, we can expect many bad things and difficult times to be avoided.

Since God told us to pray for our leaders, it is our responsibility.

Of course, we shouldn't limit ourselves to praying only for our leaders. We should pray for all people. But we must not forget to pray for our leaders. And not just when we face difficult times, either.

SAY THIS: Father, I pray that you would give our leaders wisdom, understanding, and insight into all the situations that we face, and the courage to do what is right.

[admin]

May 1, 2008

God's Protection

God doesn't want us to live our lives in fear. Over and over the Bible tells us to fear not.

Yet with all the terrible things happening in the world, how can we not be afraid? How can we overcome the temptation to fear?

We must know and remember that God loves us and has a good plan for us: including a home in Heaven and going to be with Jesus when we die.

Also, we must know and remember the promises of God given in the Bible concerning protection from evil, accident, and harm in this life. For example:

PSALM 91:9-11 NKJ
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

This is not to say that victims of tragic events are sinners, or are not loved by God. Only that if we walk with God and heed His direction, God promises to protect us.

We know many good people have died unexpectedly and tragically. Yet the promise of God stands true and should not be doubted. There is a place of protection as you live close to God and walk in faith.

SAY THIS: God gives His angels charge over me, to keep me safe in all my ways.

[admin]

May 2, 2008

We Know In Part


1 CORINTHIANS 13:9 NKJ
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

The apostle Paul, who was caught up into Heaven, given divine revelation, and wrote down most of the New Testament, said he only knew in part.

If he only knew in part -- how much more it must be true for us.

One problem we have is too many people thinking they know more than they really do. Just because you have read the Bible does not make you a Bible expert. Just because you have a degree from a Bible school does not mean you have all the answers.

Even if you know Hebrew and Greek, so you can read the Bible in the original languages, it does not mean you understand the Bible. It can help, but it does not guarantee understanding. The apostle Paul certainly knew those languages, yet he only knew in part.

We need to be smart enough to admit, along with the apostle Paul, that we don't know it all.

It's not a sin to not know everything. We should not feel like we must have an answer for every question.

God even said there are some things that are secret.

DEUTERONOMY 29:29 NKJ
29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

God also indicates there are things in His Word we will only see if we search diligently and work at it, like we were digging for silver (Proverbs 2:1-7).

So, we all need to remain humble. Humility always accompanies wisdom. There is much in the Bible that none of us yet knows completely.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 NKJ
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Only when we are face to face with God will we see the whole picture. Until then we will only know in part. Certainly we can learn more now, and we should. But we must always remember that, in this life, none of us will ever know it all.

SAY THIS: There are some things I think I know that I could be wrong about. I don't know everything yet.

[admin]

May 3, 2008

Glorify God In Death

ECCLESIASTES 3:1-2 KJV
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

Death is a part of life we cannot escape.

The Bible does not say a certain time has been determined for you to die. It says it has been appointed for us to die once. After death there will be judgment (not reincarnation.)

HEBREWS 9:27 KJV
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

There is a time to die. When you have lived a full life, then it is time to face death.

It is also a good time to die when you can glorify God by your death. Too many people think life is to be grasped at any cost. Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's, and we should seek to glorify Him and please Him.

JOHN 21:19 KJV
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

ROMANS 14:7-8 NLT
7 For we don't live for ourselves or die for ourselves.
8 If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

I am planning ahead to glorify God in my death. Some people are only concerned with their comfort. But I desire to leave a good testimony pointing to the reality of my faith in Jesus Christ.

When I have lived a full life and am satisfied I have finished my course, my plan is to make sure all my affairs are in order, then tell the Lord I am ready to come home. I don't plan to stay around doing nothing but causing trouble for my relatives just to be able to stay here on earth a few more days.

Too many so-called "believers" don't really seem to believe in God and Heaven. They act like life on earth is all there is and every effort and expense should be exerted to stay here every second possible.

PHILIPPIANS 1:21,23 NLT
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
23 I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.

Should believers have to be dragged out of this life in a drugged stupor kicking and screaming to stay here in this sin- infested planet one more day, instead of joyfully giving up the ghost and eagerly going to meet our wonderful Lord Jesus?

While none of us can claim to be experts on dying, Scripture seems to indicate that an individual has a part to play -- either in hanging on for dear life, or in giving up the ghost (spirit).

LUKE 23:46 KJV
46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

GENESIS 25:8 KJV
8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

What kind of testimony will you leave behind? Will your friends and relatives see your life and death, and be inspired to follow you -- and the One you claim to be following, Jesus Christ?

If you don't think it matters to God how you die, consider the hall of fame of faith in Hebrews 11. Three of those mentioned tell how they left this earth.

The world needs to see that faith in Jesus Christ gives us a triumphant passage through death.

So, let us die in faith, just as we have lived in faith.

SAY THIS: When I am ready, I will die by faith and leave a good testimony.

[admin]

May 4, 2008

If You Don't Know What To Believe

JOHN 17:17 NKJ
17 ". . . Your word is truth.

According to Jesus, the Word of God is truth. Yet many people proclaim quite different messages -- all using the Bible as their text. How can you know who to believe?

Jesus also told us that continuing to abide in the Word of God would produce freedom -- not bondage.

JOHN 8:31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

So, look at the fruit produced by the message proclaimed. Is it freedom? If not, then it must not be the ACCURATE message of Jesus Christ.

The true message of Jesus Christ will set people free -- not put them in bondage. It truly is good news, and makes people happy when they correctly understand it.

JOHN 10:10 NKJ
10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

If it produces death, stealing, or destruction, it is not God's plan for you. Jesus came so you could have life in all the fullness God intended.

What you need to do now is simple:

1) Stop listening to lies.

Anything that makes you think God does not love you, or that you are hopeless or helpless -- is a lie. God is not against you or mad at you. All your troubles have been caused by the devil, and your ignorance, not by God.

2) Listen to the truth.

God's truth is good news. It will build you up -- and give you an inheritance. It will give you good things, not take anything good away from you.

ACTS 20:32 NKJ
32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Primarily, you need to read the New Testament for yourself. Don't just listen to what others tell you that God says. And before you read, ask the Lord to teach you and reveal Himself to you.

Secondarily, listen to teachers and preachers who feed you the Word of God which builds your faith and makes you love and appreciate God more. Otherwise, quit listening to them.

Remember, the accurate message of Jesus makes you free. (Not free to sin without consequences, but free from the bondage and the effects of sin and its curse.)

SAY THIS: I will stop listening to and believing lies, and I will listen to and believe the truth. God loves me and will help me.

[admin]

May 5, 2008

Delay Is Not Denial

LUKE 18:1 NKJ
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

Many people give up too easily in prayer. When they don't see the answer almost immediately, they quit.

God is not pleased with this approach.

You may say, "God knows my need. Why doesn't He just give it to me, instead of playing games?"

Whether you agree with God's ways, or not: God is still in charge and makes the rules -- not you. So, it does you no good to argue or complain. Better to just line up with God instead of fighting against His plan. Besides, in reality God's ways are perfect, it is just that we are often too immature and ignorant to understand all God is doing.

Scripture has many examples of people pressing in and receiving answers to prayer. We should never be quitters when it comes to prayer.

It is God's will to answer your prayers. He is the One who told you to pray. God actually delights in answering your prayers.

(Never forget that God loves you more than you can imagine. God loves you more than He loves Himself, and proved it by dying in your place, so you could go free.)

"Then why are there so many delays?"

There is an enemy, the devil, who hates you and is against you receiving your answer from God.

Second, some prayers involve other people, and God does not force people to do His will, but works with them patiently so they can see and do the right thing willingly. This takes time.

Third, there are things that God is working in you while you are persevering in prayer. God's plan is for you to grow up spiritually. God wants to enlarge your faith and encourage you to develop a closer relationship with Him. If every answer always came immediately, would you really press in and spend time drawing closer to God and studying His Word?

Don't despair in prayer. Keep on praying in faith as long as you are praying according to God's Word. A delay, even a very long one, does not mean that God is saying no to your request.

SAY THIS: I will not give up in prayer.

[admin]

May 6, 2008

Help, Mate!

GENESIS 2:18 LB
18 And the Lord God said, "It isn't good for man to be alone; I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs."

An important part of God's purpose for marriage is to have someone to help you in life.

(God did not intend for this to be one-sided. A husband also should help his wife. Otherwise, a husband would not love his wife as Christ loves the church. See Ephesians 5:25.)

We all need help and encouragement. Sadly, for most people, that is often not at all what they receive from their spouse.

Your spouse, whether you know it or not, desperately wants and needs your help, your encouragement, and your support.

Are all spouses perfect and deserving of encouragement and support? None are! No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. But especially in those times, it is important that we have someone to encourage us and help us to believe we can go on and do better. God meant for you to be that someone to help your spouse.

Don't fall into the trap of waiting until your spouse starts being nice to you. God's law works in this area, too: whatever you give, you will receive. So the best way to get your spouse to treat you better is to treat them better.

God does not expect you to love and help your spouse solely with your own love, but to allow God to pour His love through you. God loves your spouse -- enough to die for them -- and desires to express that love through you.

If your spouse would not describe you as their encourager, friend, and a great help to them -- you are missing God's plan. You need to be your mate's biggest booster.

Yes, this can be hard. Yes, you have no doubt suffered because of them. Yes, they have hurt you and you probably don't feel like being a blessing to them after what they have done to you. But none of this changes the Word of God and His plan.

Whenever you find direction in God's Word that seems difficult or impossible, your approach should always be to ask God to help you. "Lord, I see in your Word that you want me to do this, but I need your help. Help me to love them. Love them through me."

SAY THIS: With God's help, I will encourage and help those around me, especially and always, my spouse.

[admin]

May 7, 2008

Divorce

MALACHI 2:16 NIV
16 "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

God hates divorce because He loves people. Keep that in focus. Divorce hurts people, so God is against it. But God is NOT against the person who is divorced.

Many reading this have been divorced, and would agree that divorce is no fun for anyone. It is devastating, ranking right up with the death of a spouse or a child in causing stress.

Divorce does not usually solve problems, but creates more problems. Whatever is causing conflict and trouble will almost surely still be there after a divorce.

If you are thinking about getting a divorce -- don't.

(Of course, if your life is in danger, you should protect yourself.)

With God's love and faith, anything can be faced and overcome. God, who raises the dead, can also resurrect your marriage and give you love for each other.

If you have been divorced, God is not mad at you. He still loves you. (Remember, the reason God is against divorce is that He loves you and wants to spare you the pain and suffering.)

Divorce is NOT the unforgivable sin. And remember, when God forgives He forgets. While it is true that you may continue to suffer effects of a divorce in this natural realm, as far as God is concerned, it can be forgiven and forgotten.

SAY THIS: God hates divorce because He loves people, including me.

[admin]

May 8, 2008

Esteem Others Better

PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NKJ
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

When you start thinking you are better than other people, you are on dangerous ground. It leads to actions opposite to divine love.

Be on guard! The Bible warns us, and we should take heed.

Of course it's not just what we think of others that's important, but how we treat others. However, thoughts always precede and determine actions. So, we must guard our thoughts.

PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NET
3 . . . treat one another as more important than yourself.

Yes, every one of us is better in some way(s) than some other person or persons. But not one of us is superior in every way to everyone else.

Of even more importance is that we should not value a human being by their looks, abilities or accomplishments, but by their value to God. God is the true judge of human worth and He thinks that person you are tempted to look down upon is valuable enough to die for.

When you judge someone as not valuable, or judge yourself as more valuable than they are, you are setting yourself up as a judge with higher authority than God.

JAMES 4:6 NLT
6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble."

God resists the proud!

Only a fool would want God to oppose them or resist them. Therefore, only a fool, or an ignorant person, would want to be proud -- which is thinking you are better than others.

1 PETER 5:5 NKJ
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

What do you have that was not given to you? Did you create yourself? So, what do you really have to boast about?

1 CORINTHIANS 4:7 NKJ
7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Instead of being proud, be grateful for all God has blessed you with. And realize God has blessed you so you can also be a blessing to others -- for they are important to God, too.

1 PETER 2:17 NLT
17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters.

SAY THIS: I will not fall into the trap of thinking I am better than others.

[admin]

May 9, 2008

Put God First

MATTHEW 22:37-38 NKJ
37 Jesus said to him, "`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
38 "This is the first and great commandment.

The most important command is to love God with all your being. As with all His commands, God does not give this for His benefit, but for your benefit. It will bless you, and improve your life and well-being to put God first.

Loving people, while important, is only secondary according to Jesus. In practice -- because God loves people -- loving Him will result in you loving people also.

When you get your priority backward -- putting people and their needs first -- you miss God's plan, and will be relatively ineffective in helping people -- compared to what you could have been if you put God first.

MATTHEW 6:33 CEV
33 But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

Determine to follow Jesus and obey Him. Don't allow anything other than Jesus Christ to be your highest priority.

SAY THIS: My highest priority is God. I will put God first in my life.

[admin]

May 10, 2008

God Has A Plan

JEREMIAH 29:11 NIV
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. At that time, I'm sure it didn't look to Joseph like God had a plan -- at least not one that was good for him.

Joseph surely thought what many of us have, "Why did you let this happen to me, God?"

No doubt things looked clearer to Joseph later on when he was ruling Egypt and was able to save his entire family from starvation. (Genesis 45-50)

Often life may seem confusing and out-of-control. But don't despair. God has a plan for you which He is working out. If you could only see the end He has in mind for you -- you would begin to rejoice and thank God right now. (Hint, hint.)

SAY THIS: God has a plan for me, and I will trust Him to work everything out in my life.

[admin]

May 11, 2008

Repentance

ACTS 17:30 NKJ
30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

To repent means to change. Repentance is a change of thinking which results in a change of life.

Repentance involves a change of mind -- waking up to reality, seeing things as they really are, and recognizing the error of your ways -- resulting in a change of action.

Repentance includes forsaking old patterns, habits, priorities, and all things that have controlled you (gods). Repentance means accepting Jesus as Lord!

To repent is to forsake all other gods -- and embrace Jesus Christ as your Lord and God.

The word translated "repent" in English New Testaments is the Greek word metanoeo. It means to change one's mind, or to convert. Not merely to forsake sin, but to change one's mind regarding it. Metanoeo means to reform, to have a genuine change of heart and life from worse to better.

The noun form of the Greek word we translate as "repentance" is metanoya. It is a change of mind that involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.

The parable of the prodigal son is an outstanding illustration of repentance. (Luke 15:10-21)

2 CORINTHIANS 7:10 NKJ
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Many mistake sorrow for repentance. As this verse shows, godly sorrow leads to repentance, but they are not the same thing.

There is another Greek word, metamelomai, which means to have remorse or regret. It is pain of mind, rather than change of mind. "You're sorry you got caught".

Metanoya implies that one has later arrived at a different view of something, metamelomai that one has a different feeling about it. In remorse (metamelomai) a man sees the bitter end of sin, in repentance (metanoya) he breaks free from it.

So, repentance has to do mostly with your thinking and therefore your actions -- not your feelings.

Repentance is associated with renewing the mind (Romans 12:2). When you know the truth -- truth makes you free as you act on it (John 8:32).

SAY THIS: Jesus, I call on You to be my Lord. Please help me to repent in every area of life and walk in agreement with you.

[admin]

May 12, 2008

Pray Through Daily

Many have criticized the old phrase "praying through," by rightfully telling us that now there is no need to struggle in prayer, since Jesus has already won the battle for us.

The devil is defeated, and any child of God has the right to use the Name of Jesus and immediately be through the devil's resistance and be heard by our Father God.

However, in life we must deal with things of the flesh and this world, which can pry our focus off God.

Spiritually, we can grow dull. It can seem like we are in a fog. Things are not clear. We do not have a note of victory and triumph. We can, and must, press through these impediments.

Pray through -- until praying is not hard. Pray until you enjoy it, because you have broken through the things of your flesh and this world that would hold you back from enjoying daily fellowship with your Father God.

MATTHEW 26:41 NASB
41 "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

SAY THIS: I will "pray through" every day.

[admin]

May 13, 2008

You Are Not A Failure

EPHESIANS 2:10 NIV
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

You may have failed, but you are not a failure.

It is not the essence of what and who you are. Failure is just something that happened to you.

God created you, and He made you able to do good. Maybe you have not yet discovered what you were created for, but God has a plan for you. When you fit into God's plan you will find that God truly made you "a work of His art."

A donkey could compare itself to a race horse and think it was a failure. But a donkey was created for other things than running fast.

Find out what you were created to be and do. Then rejoice as you do it.

SAY THIS: I am God's unique work of art -- still in progress.

[admin]

May 14, 2008

God's Word Is Settled

PSALM 119:89 NKJ
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

Heaven is not running around trying to figure out the will of God. His Word is settled in Heaven.

God surely had enough time before the Bible was written down to make any changes in His plans. Now that He has given His Word, He will keep it and see that it comes to pass.

MARK 13:31 NKJ
31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."

ISAIAH 40:8 NKJ
8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."

1 PETER 1:23 NKJ
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

JOHN 17:17 NKJ
17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

The issue is settled in Heaven. Now you should settle it: God's Word is true. God said what He meant and meant what He said.

SAY THIS: God tells the truth, so I will not doubt what He has said.

[admin]

May 15, 2008

Seed, Time and Harvest

GENESIS 8:22 NIV
22 "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

Planting seeds. Then harvesting the crop. As long as the earth exists, this is the way things work on earth.

This is true in the spiritual realm as well as in the physical realm. The Bible teaches that our words and our actions are the seeds we plant, that produce a harvest in our life.

If we are merciful to others, we will be treated with mercy. If we show love and respect, others will show love and respect to us. If we speak words of faith and blessing, good things will increase in our lives. But if we continually speak fear, doubt, and trouble, life will not go well for us.

GALATIANS 6:7 NIV
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

The world has a saying based on this principle, "what goes around, comes around." We reap what we sow. Using modern terms, we harvest what we plant. And the more we plant, the larger our harvest will be, good or bad.

(Fortunately, because of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf, we can receive forgiveness and cleansing from our sins and not reap the harvest of death and failure we deserve.)

GALATIANS 3:13a NLT
13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing.

1 JOHN 1:9 NKJ
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Too many people think God "moves in mysterious ways" and any spiritual blessing we may receive is just like winning the lottery -- entirely by chance. But the Bible teaches us that the kingdom of God operates on the "seed principle."

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 NIV
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

So the wise course of action is to continually give out what you would like to receive. If you desire respect, respect others. Would you like people to give you things? Then continually look for opportunities to give to others.

LUKE 6:38 NLT
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full -- pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. "

Seed, Time, and then Harvest is how God operates.

When Jesus wanted to explain to people how God operates in His Kingdom (or rule), He told them it could be illustrated by planting a seed, which will then grow, and produce a harvest.

MARK 4:30-32 NLT
30 Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?
31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds,
32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade."

When seed is planted, it grows up, and increases.

First you have the seed, which must be planted. Then the seed grows. Growth takes time. This is why it can be helpful to remember this principle as "seed, time, and then harvest." Those are the three phases of receiving what God has provided for you. Plant the seed. Be patient and keep believing while the seed grows. Then you will reap a harvest of blessing.

Jesus said this is the way He could illustrate how the whole kingdom (or rule of God) works.

SAY THIS: After I plant good seeds, I expect a good harvest.

[admin]

May 16, 2008

When You Sin

Sin is deadly. Sin opens the door to the devil.

But none of us are immune to falling into sin. What should we do then?

1 JOHN 1:9 NIV
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

If you sin as a believer, immediately confess it to God. Don't make excuses. You need not beg God to forgive you, because He is a forgiver and has already paid the price so all sin can be forgiven. You confess it to get rid of the sin and its effects on you.

1 JOHN 2:1 NIV
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Jesus is on your side. His death provided forgiveness for all sins -- not just to save sinners, but also forgiveness for believers when we sin. Do not let sin separate you from the Lord and His love. Run to Him and be cleansed. Stay close to Him and receive His help to enable you to not sin.

When you sin, it gives an opportunity for the devil in your life, but God does not turn against you. (God loves all people, even those who sin -- and proved it by dying for sinners.) He purposely made provision so you can be cleansed from sin. Jesus' death already paid for your forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 was written to Christians: so when you do sin, confess it -- and by faith -- immediately receive your cleansing and freedom from all un-righteousness. That shuts the door on the devil.

SAY THIS: God has made provision for me to be cleansed from sin.

[admin]

May 17, 2008

God Is Not Poor

PSALM 50:12 NASB
12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all it contains.

HAGGAI 2:8 NASB
8 `The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD of hosts.

You probably knew that God is rich. But have you thought about what that means?

Since God is not poor, surely He would not desire His children to suffer poverty.

Misunderstanding has developed because most Christians think Jesus was poor and that His followers should also be poor. Not necessarily true, but a strong tradition.

Why did God create all the wealth of this world? Surely not for the devil and his crowd.

God does not withhold good from us but desires blessing for all His children. If it were otherwise, God would not even be as good as earthly parents.

Any court would condemn an earthly father, who, although rich, withheld support from his children. Should we think our Father God is any less loving and caring and giving than an earthly father? NO! Jesus taught that our Heavenly Father is much more gracious and generous than any earthly father.

MATTHEW 7:11 NASB
11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Just because you have not yet received the fullness of God's blessing does not mean God does not desire that you have it. We must grow up and quit blaming God. Instead, we should seek Him for understanding and help to receive all He has for us.

Yes, God warns against trusting in riches or being deceived by them. Anything can be dangerous if not used properly. Fire can maim and kill, yet properly controlled it is a great blessing. So it is with money.

God is not against His children having wealth. He just does not want us to trust in it and worship it.

PSALM 35:27 NASB
27 . . ."The LORD be magnified, who delights in the prosperity of His servant."

Let's line our thinking up with the Bible and quit letting the devil rob us of the blessings God intends for us.

SAY THIS: God is my wealthy Father Who loves me and delights to bless me.

[admin]

May 18, 2008

God Is Just

PSALM 89:14 NIV
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

Every decent human being deeply detests injustice. When we see it in life, or even in a movie, it agitates us. Nothing makes our blood boil more than injustice.

We instinctively know injustice is wrong because God put that within us when He made us in His image. You can be sure that God's reign will never involve injustice of any kind.

PSALM 11:7 ICB
7 The Lord does what is right, and he loves justice. So honest people will see his face.

While we may not understand all that God might do in judging the human race, surely we can be confident with Abraham who said in Genesis 18:25, "Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?".

God is fair. God is just. God does what is right. God is righteous. All these statements are equivalent.

People who would condemn God now are judging Him before the time -- before all the evidence is in -- before God has finished His great work with mankind. Then, and then only, shall we see and understand the greatness of the mercy and the justice of our wonderful God.

ISAIAH 9:7 NIV
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

SAY THIS: God is fair and just, and He is the ultimate and only judge that really matters.

[admin]

May 19, 2008

Jesus Is The Only Way

JOHN 14:6 NKJ
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The word translated "way" means road. Jesus is the road to God.

The Bible is clear. Jesus did not lie. There is no salvation or entree into Heaven without receiving Jesus Christ.

ACTS 4:12 NIV
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

The Bible clearly teaches there is only one name by which people can be saved. That name is not Buddha, Confucius, or Mohammed, but the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no other way to God than through Jesus Christ.

SAY THIS: Jesus is the way for me to God.

[admin]

May 20, 2008

Destroyed For Lack Of Knowledge

Hosea 4:6 KJV
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge . . . .

Are people's lives destroyed because God does not love them? Do people come to ruin and live in misery because God is callous and uncaring?

NO!

People are destroyed for lack of knowledge -- even God's people. What kind of knowledge? Knowledge that is available in the Bible: how to walk in faith, how to overcome, how to get prayers answered, how to resist the devil, etc.

God is not to blame for our troubles. God has already made provision for us. But we must avail ourselves of what God has provided.

How can we benefit from God's great provision if we don't even know about it? So, we should seek the knowledge of God on our own, and receive teaching from others, also.

There is not one among us who does not have much to learn. No one yet is walking in the absolute fullness of what God has provided.

This must be one of the saddest verses in the Bible. To think that God's people are destroyed simply because of a lack of knowledge. As God's children, they are our brothers and sisters. It is our relatives being destroyed, and we should do what we can to stop it.

Let's quit giving place to the devil by our lack of knowledge of God's Word. And, as we learn from God's Word we should share our knowledge with others, so they can walk in freedom and victory, too.

SAY THIS: I will study God's Word so I can know the truth and not let the devil destroy me for lack of knowledge.

[admin]

May 21, 2008

Eternal Life

ROMANS 6:23 NKJ
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eternal life, or everlasting life, is more than living forever. Eternal life is the life of God, the Eternal One.

The Greek word "aionios" is usually translated as eternal or everlasting in the New Testament. (From this word we get our English word "eon.")

"Zoe" is one of several Greek words that are translated life. According to Vine's Dictionary, zoe means "life as a principle, life in the absolute sense, life as God has it. . . . Eternal life is the present actual possession of the believer because of his relationship with Christ. . . ."

A note in the Translator's New Testament says, "In the New Testament eternal life is that kind of life which is given to all true believers in Christ. The word `eternal' draws attention to the quality of that life, not to its duration in a temporal sense. Thus eternal life can be experienced by believers even while subject to the temporal conditions of earthly life. Translators should be careful to avoid expressions which mean no more than a timeless continuation of life after death."

More than three times as many scriptures refer to eternal life as a present possession, than as a future possession.

JOHN 5:24 NKJ
24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

There is only one way to get eternal life. When a person is born again by receiving Jesus Christ, eternal life is imparted to that person's spirit -- making them new inwardly.

1 JOHN 3:14-15 NKJ
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

From this passage, we see that eternal life is a present-tense possession which changes the nature of a person: turning them into someone who cares for others. Eternal life enables people to overcome selfishness.

Just as something with fish life in it could do what a fish does, so someone with God's life in them can do what God does -- which is walk in love.

SAY THIS: God has given me a new kind of life through Jesus Christ -- His life.

[littlebit]

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Light and Easy

MATTHEW 11:30 KJV
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Christians often struggle in their walk with the Lord, but it should not be so. Have you ever thought, "It's so hard to be a Christian!"?

I have.

At one time I believed it was so difficult being a Christian that I had no motivation to tell others about the Lord. Living for Jesus just seemed too hard for normal people.

How wrong and deceived I was!

Never forget that the message about Jesus Christ is the gospel -- which means good news!

If you are having a hard struggle, it's not because of what the Lord is requiring of you. The problem lies with yourself -- in pride and unbelief, which the Lord will help you overcome.

Walking with the Lord is meant to be a joy, not a burden. Yes, there are trials and difficulties. But the Lord always helps us and delivers us. (Even if it results in martyrdom, we will be delivered!) Therefore, we can always trust in the Lord and rejoice in Him. When we do that, every day can be a joyful day.

Living the Christian life is not supposed to be just a matter of our willpower, but a matter of trust -- faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who carries the load. We are not qualified and capable of saving ourselves by our own effort. That's why we need a savior.

Too many people are trying to save themselves, instead of trusting in Jesus to save them and make them into what He wants them to be.

PHILIPPIANS 2:13 NKJ
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

We do need to change -- to do better and be better. But our focus needs to be on Jesus and not on ourselves. We need to ask Him and expect Him to work in us and change us. The Christian life is meant to be a constant fellowship with Jesus and looking to Him in faith. Otherwise, in our own ability, it is impossible.

Remember, Jesus is not out to condemn us, but to help us. He loves us, and proved it by dying in our place.

SAY THIS: Living for Jesus is easy because the Lord is my Helper.

[littlebit]

May 23, 2008

God's Word In Your Mouth

EPHESIANS 6:17 NIV
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The sword, or weapon, of the spirit is speaking the Word of God. Left sitting in a book on your shelf, it does you no good.

A weapon must be used against an adversary to be of any benefit. Our adversary is the devil and a weapon he uses is doubt. We must speak God's Word to actively resist doubt defeating us.

JAMES 1:22 NIV
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

We need to personalize the Bible, and act on it. The first, and main, way to accomplish this is to speak in agreement with what the Bible says.

For a short basic confession to get you started, look at http://www.believers.org/helps/basiccon.htm

SAY THIS: I take the sword of the spirit and put it in my mouth by speaking in agreement with the Word of God.

[littlebit]

May 24, 2008

Make Room For Jesus

LUKE 2:7 KJV
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

You probably think it was terrible that there was "no room in the inn" and the baby Jesus had to be born in a stable and lay in a manger.

If the people then truly understood who Jesus was, no doubt they would have gladly opened their homes and provided much better for Him. But do we not often make the same mistake?

The situation for Jesus today must be even more sad. Most of us still do not make room for Jesus in our lives.

For some the reason is busyness, just being so caught up in making a living and trying to take care of things that they feel they just don't have time. (The truth is that with Jesus' help, life will be better and easier.)

For others, it is fear: fear of what Jesus might think, or say, or do, if He were invited, or even allowed access, into their lives. (This fear is baseless because Jesus does not wreck things but improves them. They need to know Jesus truly loves them and desires the best for them, which He does.)

For some the reason is just lack of knowledge: they don't know about Jesus and His love. (For these people, you are the answer. You can share the wonderful story of God's love for mankind.)

REVELATION 3:20 Living
20 "Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.

Jesus is persistent and still reaches out in love, expecting that someday people will see Him as He truly is, overcome their busyness and fear and ignorance, and enthusiastically invite Him into the center of their lives.

Jesus does not enjoy being ignored, or being put in an inferior place. Surely Jesus would like for us to accept and appreciate Him for what He truly is: the Central One, Creator and Sustainer of all, who knows more and can do more than we can even imagine.

You may acknowledge Jesus and claim He is your Lord and Savior, but do you neglect Him, or give Him a central place?

Do you talk to Him about everything? Do you thank Him for everything good? You should.

Jesus does not want you to feel guilty about neglecting Him. He loves you and just wants you to return His love. Jesus desires a central place in your life so He can bless you more.

Don't ignore Jesus.

SAY THIS: I will always make room for Jesus in my life.

[littlebit]

May 25, 2008

Pay Your Teachers

GALATIANS 6:6-7 NLT
6 Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them.
7 Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!

A law of human behavior is that you will get more of what you reward, or support. If those who teach the Bible are not supported, less people will teach the Bible. This is not the will of God!

If we expect to keep learning, we must support teachers. Otherwise, without support, there will be no teachers. Then who will be left to teach us? Basketball players? Movie stars?

1 CORINTHIANS 9:11-14 NLT
11 We have planted good spiritual seed among you. Is it too much to ask, in return, for mere food and clothing?
12 If you support others who preach to you, shouldn't we have an even greater right to be supported? Yet we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ.
13 Don't you know that those who work in the Temple get their meals from the food brought to the Temple as offerings? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings.
14 In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.

God's plan is for us to support those who teach His Word. This will insure an ample supply of people ready to continue teaching you, and others, the things of God. How valuable is that to you?

(God is not pleased when we do not value His Word highly. It is disrespectful to God, and not very smart.)

SAY THIS: I will honor God and His Word by supporting those who preach and teach the Bible.

[littlebit]

May 26, 2008

Offering Time


2 CORINTHIANS 9:7 NIV
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Most people regard offering time as a necessary evil, at best.

As usual, our ideas are much different than what the Word of God teaches.

God does not encourage giving just to meet the needs of His work on earth. No, God does it for our good, so that we can be blessed. (Also, to combat selfishness.)

Every offering time is an opportunity for us to worship God and express our love to Him in a tangible way. But God, being so good, has designed it so that when we do give to Him it also functions like planting a seed, which will produce a harvest of blessing in our life.

God designed His creation to work in such a way that money and blessing will come back to us in even greater measure than we give out.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6,8 NIV
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

One way the devil tries to suppress the spread of the Gospel is by making people believe that messages like this are just to get money, as if preachers dreamed up the Bible for their own benefit. No, God planned all this, and He is smart enough to know that without adequate funding, those whom He has called to teach and equip His people will be held back, unable to be as effective as they should be.

When we give to those proclaiming the Word of God on earth, God considers it giving to Him, and a seed sown.

A farmer does not hate planting his crops. Farmers don't whine about having to put their seed in the ground. No, they look forward with joy to the time of harvest they know is coming, because they understand how seeds work.

If we believe God's Word, then we know our giving works exactly as the seed the farmer plants in the ground.

You don't have to believe this (or anything God teaches us in His Word). But surely you can understand that refusing to believe God's Word is NOT a way to please Him.

SAY THIS: I will plant my financial seeds with joy and thanksgiving, as I worship God with my money.

[admin]

May 27, 2008

Jesus Is Coming Back

ACTS 1:11 NKJ
11 ...This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Jesus of Nazareth, born into this earth by the virgin Mary, who was the pre-existent, eternal, Creator God, and who suffered and died on a cross as mankind's substitute, is coming back to earth again.

You probably have questions, such as "When?" and "Why?"

Fortunately, the Bible does give us answers, just not as many as most of us would like. (This attitude is really a matter of pride, thinking we know better than God how much information He should share with us.)

Godly people, throughout history, have not all reached the same conclusion by studying Scripture, as far as the specific timing and events surrounding the second coming of Jesus Christ.

What is crystal clear from Scripture is that Jesus Christ will return to earth in triumph to rule over all. And that all people should live in a state of readiness for His return.

(Since all the details are not clear, let us not fall into the trap of fighting over this doctrine. The Bible does not say that a perfect understanding of this subject is necessary for you to be saved.)

My personal opinion is that the coming of Jesus Christ is drawing very near. (Of course, I have been wrong about other things.) One thing is sure: it will happen some day!

For a believer, the return of Jesus Christ to earth is the most wonderful thing that could happen. Any fearfulness is a sign that you do not know the Lord as intimately as you should.

As believers, we should look forward to the triumphant, physical return to this planet of its rightful owner and ruler: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here are a few things Jesus said about His return.

MATTHEW 24:3,4,14,27,36,44 NKJ
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
27 "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.

Jesus will return in person -- instantly, as lightning flashes from east to west. Everyone will know it when it happens.

Be ready.

SAY THIS: Come Lord Jesus. Come back and straighten everything out.

[admin]

May 28, 2008

Actively Receive

In the Greek New Testament there are several words we translate into English using the word "receive." "Lambano" is the Greek word we could translate as "actively receive."

It is important for you to understand this word. Many expect things promised in the Bible to just fall on them. But, as you will see from understanding this word, "lambano," you have a part to play in receiving the Bible promises.

You can passively receive something. An example would be someone throwing a ball through your window into your house. That kind of receiving requires no action on your part.

"Lambano" is not like that. It requires that you do something. Like when you reach out your hands and grab a ball someone threw to you.

For example, the following scriptures contain the Greek word, "lambano." This may help you get a better understanding of what receive means when it translates this word, lambano.

MARK 12:8 NKJ
8 "And they TOOK him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

JOHN 19:6 NKJ
6 ...Pilate said to them, "You TAKE Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him."

As the above passages show, sometimes lambano is translated as take or took -- and is not at all passive, but very active.

JOHN 1:12 NKJ
12 But as many as RECEIVED Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name:

Receiving Jesus and becoming a child of God is not something that happens by accident. Each person has to make the choice to actively choose Jesus.

MATTHEW 21:22 NKJ
22 "And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will RECEIVE."

ROMANS 5:17 NKJ
17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who RECEIVE abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

Remember that receiving is something you must actively do.

SAY THIS: I will be an active receiver of all God has for me.

[admin]

May 29, 2008

You Are A Spirit

JOHN 4:24 NKJ
24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

GENESIS 1:26-27 NKJ
26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...."
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Because we are created in the image of God, it follows that, since He is spirit -- we are also spirit.

To say it clearly, you are a spirit-being, you have a soul (mind and emotions), and you live in a body.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 NKJ
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

According to Scripture, humans have 3 parts: spirit, soul, and body. (Note that spirit and soul are not the same.)

ROMANS 12:1-2 NKJ
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Note that YOU are to do something with your body. So, your body is not the real you, but something that you possess. Also, you are to renew your mind (verse 2). Nothing is said about your spirit in this passage because your spirit is the part that is born again with new life from God when you receive Jesus.

JOHN 3:6-7 NKJ
6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.'

From this Scripture we see that when you are born again, the part that is born again is your spirit -- not your mind, and not your body.

So, the real you is your spirit -- which is born again, right with God, and filled with His life. You are to control your body, and to control what is fed into your mind, so that it can be renewed by the Word of God to know the truth. Then your life will be changed, and conformed to the will of God.

SAY THIS: According to the Bible, I am a spirit being. I have a soul, and I live in a body.

[admin]

May 30, 2008

Be Heaven's Ambassador


2 CORINTHIANS 5:20 LB
20 We are Christ's ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you--be reconciled to God.

An ambassador is a resident representative for the head of state of their own country.

As citizens of Heaven, we are authorized to represent our King, the Lord Jesus Christ, here on Earth.

An ambassador is a very important person. Unless they do their job correctly, misunderstanding can easily develop -- and possibly even war.

This is Heaven's problem. Its ambassadors have not always clearly communicated the correct message to Earth's inhabitants. That is why so many people are "at war with God" instead of enjoying the blessings of peace with God.

The problem comes from people misunderstanding God, and not realizing the sin problem has already been dealt with in Christ.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 NLT
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

The logic supporting the plea in verse 20, to be reconciled to God, is found in verse 21: the sin separating us from God has been dealt with through Christ. So we no longer need to hide from God, or fear His judgment. Instead, we can enjoy His gift of being made right with Him.

A good ambassador for Heaven must know the message of God, and speak His message -- accurately.

One way of determining the accurate message of Jesus Christ is found in John 8:31-32. Jesus said His message would make people free -- not beat them down or put them in bondage.

God has a message that He desires for every person to hear: He loves them, and will help them, if they will only turn to Him.

We must communicate that message clearly.

This message of God's love for mankind was displayed in and through a person: Jesus of Nazareth. We learn of Him, and His message, through a book -- the Holy Bible.

Actually, Jesus Himself was, and is, God's message. We need only present Jesus to people as He truly was, and is -- and they will be drawn to Him, because there is no fault in Him.

An ambassador does not speak for himself -- he speaks the official policy and message of the country he represents.

So we are not here to give our opinion, but to proclaim what God has said in His written Word, the Bible -- Heaven's official message.

SAY THIS: I will be a good ambassador of Jesus Christ, to represent Heaven, and speak His accurate message here on Earth.

[admin]

May 31, 2008

Be Quick To Listen

JAMES 1:19 NLT
19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

You learn by listening -- not by talking.

The biggest barrier to learning is thinking you already know a subject. If you think you already know everything, it is difficult to learn anything more.

You can learn from every person -- if you will just listen to what they have to say. Everyone knows something you do not know.

Pride robs you from learning from others. Pride keeps you ignorant -- while making you think you are wise.

ROMANS 1:22 NLT
22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.

This is not to say you should accept everything you hear as truth -- just that you should be humble enough, and respect people enough, to listen and evaluate what they have to say.

Listen and learn. Talk too much and only embarrass yourself.

PROVERBS 17:27-28 ICB
27 The person who has knowledge says very little. And a person with understanding stays calm.
28 Even a foolish person seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. He appears to have understanding if he doesn't speak.

Proud people act as if they have a duty to display their superior knowledge to all who will listen. They are quick to speak, because they "know" they are right.

PROVERBS 10:19 ICB
19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.

It is not wrong to talk -- just don't talk too much. And don't be so anxious to impress people with what you know.

ECCLESIASTES 5:3 NLT
3 Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool makes you a blabbermouth.

SAY THIS: I will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

[admin]

June 1, 2008

Don't Give Up!


1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 The Message
13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

All of us have been tempted to lose hope and give up. But we always have a choice: focus on God and stay in faith, or focus on the problem and give up.

Problems -- no matter how huge they seem to us -- are no problem to God. Nothing is too hard, or complicated, for God to solve. But God wants us to trust Him.

So what should you do when you are being tempted and feel like giving in and giving up?

Refuse!

Just keep your focus on the Lord and rejoice in His faithfulness. Remember that God cannot lie, and will never fail. God will see you through.

HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

When the devil tries to steal your faith, he tries to get you to quit speaking in agreement with the Word of God. Don't let it happen! Hold fast to speaking your faith! Keep on saying what the Word of God says about you and your situation. Don't be moved by the circumstances.

GALATIANS 6:9 NIV
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Don't grow weary. Keep your eyes on the Lord. His Word will work and produce a harvest of blessing in your life. Don't doubt it!

SAY THIS: I will keep trusting in God and never give up!

[admin]

June 2, 2008

Jesus Rose From Death

MATTHEW 28:5-6 NKJ
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Jesus Christ's resurrection is either the supreme fact in history or a gigantic hoax. If Christ's resurrection is true -- we ignore its implications at our own peril. If not, then Christianity is the biggest fraud in the history of the world.

Christ's resurrection forces the question of Christianity's validity from being merely a philosophical issue to being a historical one.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact verifiable from history. No one can challenge Christ's resurrection -- if they take an honest look at the evidence.

Only those who never study the evidence -- or who refuse to listen to its testimony -- could deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Many learned men have tried to disprove Christ's resurrection -- only to become believers instead!

Some people refuse to examine the evidence, because they do not want to believe in Jesus Christ and submit to Him as Lord.

The facts remain. Confucius' tomb, Buddha's tomb, Mohammed's tomb, and Lenin's tomb are all occupied.

But Jesus Christ's tomb is EMPTY!

REVELATION 1:18 NKJ
18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

SAY THIS: I believe that Jesus Christ rose from death.

[admin]

June 3, 2008

Don't Talk Too Much

PROVERBS 10:19 ICB
19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.

1 PETER 3:10 LB
10 If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies.

JAMES 1:19 NLT
19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

PROVERBS 17:27-28 ICB
27 The person who has knowledge says very little. And a person with understanding stays calm.
28 Even a foolish person seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. He appears to have understanding if he doesn't speak.

ECCLESIASTES 5:3 NLT
3 Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool makes you a blabbermouth.

TITUS 3:2 NKJ
2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

2 TIMOTHY 2:16 NKJ
16 But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

1 TIMOTHY 1:6 NIV
6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.

1 TIMOTHY 5:13 NKJ
13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

MATTHEW 12:36-37 NKJ
36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to control my tongue and only say what is acceptable to you.

[admin]

June 4, 2008

Live Long And Strong

DEUTERONOMY 34:7 NIV
7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.

Old age should not be a time to dread. We can look to God and receive strength, health, and provision for a full and enjoyable life.

God's plan for you is NOT an old age full of sickness, poverty, and loneliness.

Moses and Caleb are examples for us.

JOSHUA 14:10-11 NKJ
10 "And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old.
11 "As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.

GALATIANS 3:13-14 NKJ
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3 tells us we are to receive the blessing of Abraham -- through faith -- because of what Jesus has done. Now, read the following verses about Abraham.

GENESIS 13:2 NKJ
2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

GENESIS 25:8 NASB
8 And Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people.

Because Jesus has redeemed us from the curse, we also should believe God for a long, enjoyable, and productive life. And we should resist the devil who would try to steal it away from us.

We have the promise of God that He will satisfy us with life. (If you are not satisfied with your life, make some changes. God intends for you to be satisfied.)

PSALM 91:16 NKJ
16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."

PSALM 103:5 NKJ
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

God made our bodies to repair and renew themselves. As we walk and talk in faith, looking to the promises of God, the life of God will renew our bodies. (We should also allow God to guide us in the things we take into our bodies -- only putting good things into our mouths.)

PSALM 92:14 NKJ
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,

ISAIAH 46:4 NIV
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

God is faithful. He will always be our wonderful Father, our great Provider, Helper, and Healer -- no matter how old we are, or what we face.

SAY THIS: Jesus redeemed me from the curse, so I will live a long, enjoyable life to the glory of God.

[admin]

June 5, 2008

Life Is Good

God says that all He made is good.

GENESIS 1:31 NKJ
31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

The devil wants us to believe that life is bad.

(One way he tries to accomplish this is through all the bad news reported daily. Feeding too much on bad news is not good for you. You can get the top news stories without spending hours every day listening to the bad things the devil is trying to do in the earth.)

If you think life is bad, you will be depressed, or maybe even bitter.

If you think life is good, you will be thankful.

No matter what your circumstances are, there are always things to enjoy and rejoice about. If we focus on the goodness and greatness of God: all He has created and all He has done for us, life will seem good. If, instead, we focus on our pains and problems, we will not enjoy life much.

Even the bad things of life -- which are all the result of sin, not what God did -- can benefit us IF they cause us to draw nearer to God and act on His Word.

God's main purpose is to prepare us to be fit companions for Himself for eternity. (See Romans 8 -- we WILL be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.) What God wants you to do is submit to Him, feed on His Word, be thankful, walk in faith, and let Him make you like Jesus Christ.

God's plan is good.

Marriage is good. If we disobey God by husbands not loving their wives, and wives not respecting their husbands -- it can be bad. But only because we make the wrong choice, to disregard God's instruction.

Work is good. It is satisfying to do a job well and accomplish something. But when we don't do our work as unto the Lord, or try to make our jobs our source, worshiping and serving money instead of God -- work can be bad.

Family is good. Being surrounded by those you love and care for, and who love and care for you, is a wonderful blessing. But, when we fail to walk in love, and allow strife into our relationships -- it can be bad.

If your life is not good, then you need to make adjustments based on the Bible.

When you see your cup as half full, instead of half empty -- life will be better for you. Take time to smell the flowers, and rejoice in all the goodness of God. Rejoice in all the beauty of God's creation -- life.

SAY THIS: God made life, and it is very good.

[admin]

June 6, 2008

God Cares


1 PETER 5:7 Amplified
7 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.

EXODUS 3:7 NIV
7 The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.

ISAIAH 63:9 NIV
9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

JOHN 11:35 KJV
35 Jesus wept.

Of course, the question arises, "If God cares, why doesn't He do something?"

The answer is that God has already done something. Now it is our turn to act. God has redeemed mankind and set us free from the dominion of darkness by the sacrifice of Calvary. Now we must believe God's Word and act on it.

The truth, which you may find hard to accept, is that God is already doing all He can to help you. But often, we are blocking God's help in our lives by our unbelief and acting contrary to the instructions of God's Word.

The solution is to ask God to help us see the truth and act on it. We should ask God to show us how we can stop hindering Him from blessing us as He desires.

SAY THIS: God cares about me and everything that concerns me.

[admin]

June 7, 2008

Life Is Not Over

JOSHUA 14:11-12 NIV
11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."

Too many people, especially as they accumulate some years, settle into a rut and quit expecting.

It's time to dream again. Expect God to show Himself strong on your behalf.

Don't believe the devil's lie that it's too late.

You are never too old for faith to make a difference; remember Abraham and Sarah. The key is to keep your focus on God and His ability instead of on yourself and your shortcomings.

GENESIS 21:2 NIV
2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.

God, who created this universe, is ready, willing, and able to bring forth new things in your life.

You may have failed before -- but you are still alive. With God you can succeed this time.

LUKE 1:37 NKJ
37 "For with God nothing will be impossible."

All things are possible!

Life may be full of challenges, but with God you can meet the challenge and overcome.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that bad is ahead of you. The good old days can be the days ahead. It depends on your attitude and focus.

If you don't quit, God won't quit. Keep on believing the promises of God. Keep on expecting blessing.

PSALM 92:14 NKJ
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,

SAY THIS: My life is not over. With God's help, my best days are still ahead of me.

[janbear]

Sunday, June 8, 2008


3 Keys To A Happy Marriage
(Or, any relationship.)

JOHN 13:17 KJV
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

1. Be thankful.

It all starts with attitude. If you don't stay on the positive side, failure is inevitable. You cannot have a happy marriage without happy people. Have you noticed that unthankful people are never happy?

2. Express your appreciation.

Let your spouse know by word and deed that you appreciate them. Be specific and lavish in your praise and thanks. Nothing encourages people like encouragement.

People love people who love them. If you want your spouse to love you, the best thing you can do is love them, and let them know it.

3. Aim to please.

If you make them happy, you will be happy. True happiness is never found in trying to please ourselves. Fulfillment comes from accomplishment, and the greatest accomplishment is helping someone else in their life.

SAY THIS: With God's help, I will have a happy marriage.

[admin]

June 9, 2008

Act On God's Word

JAMES 1:22 NKJ
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

How easily we fall into the trap of listening to, or even studying, the Bible -- but not acting on its instructions. According to this verse, that opens us up to deception. We think we are spiritual. We think we are safe. But then, when things don't work out we will blame God and question why He let us down.

LUKE 6:46-49 NKJ
46 "But why do you call Me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?
47 "Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:
48 "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
49 "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."

Trouble is coming -- it's part of this life. If you act on the Word, trouble will not destoy you and your household. If you neglect acting on the Word -- no matter how much you hear it -- when trouble comes your way, it may be devastating.

Why?

Not because it's God's will, or God doesn't love you. Simply because you refused to act on the instructions which God -- who knows more than you do -- gave you for your protection.

DEUTERONOMY 12:28 NKJ
28 "Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.

God gave us His Word because He loves us and desires to help us. Not because He likes to boss people around and give orders. Acting on God's Word is for our benefit.

SAY THIS: I will act on what God's says to me in His Word.

[admin]

June 10, 2008

Your Body Is Your House


2 CORINTHIANS 5:1 NKJ
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

The "real you" is not your body. Your body is just a house you live in so you can function here on earth.

Just as someone can change houses where they live, you can, and will someday, leave your body and still exist.

We focus too much on our body. The inner part of us is most important. These bodies we live in are not eternal.

It is not wrong to take care of our bodies, any more than it is wrong to take care of the house or apartment where we live. It is a mistake, however, to spend all our time on our body and neglect our spirit and mind.

1 TIMOTHY 4:8 RSV
8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Who a person is on the inside is more important than what their body looks like.

We judge too often on the house (body) that people live in, instead of focusing on the real person living inside that body.

SAY THIS: My body is only a temporary house where I live.

[admin]

June 11, 2008

The Accurate Message Of Jesus

JOHN 8:31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

The promise of Jesus is clear: the end result of staying in His Word will be freedom.

So, if you are not becoming more free, you need to examine if you are accurate in your understanding of the Word of God.

JOHN 8:31-32 KJV
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Whether the Greek word is translated as continue, abide, or remain, the meaning is clear. You need to stick with the Word; not stop and start; not try it for awhile; but jump in with both feet and stay there.

"What do you mean by freedom, preacher?"

I don't mean a license to sin. Sin produces bondage -- the opposite of what I am talking about.

I mean freedom in every area of life. Freedom from having to sin. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from doubt. Freedom from strife. Freedom from confusion. Freedom from family problems. Freedom from oppression. Freedom from poverty. Freedom from disease.

Note that Jesus did not promise that everyone who called Him Master would automatically and instantly be free. Instead Jesus indicated that time would be involved before those who truly followed Him would see the full result of the freedom His Word would produce in their lives.

If you continue....

If you abide....

If you live in....

If you remain in....

Don't forget the "IF." And don't forget the "CONTINUE." This Scripture promise is NOT for everyone who claims to be a Christian. Only for those who are willing to spend the time and effort required to feed on God's Word.

While I do not wish to criticize any group of Christian believers, I do think we should all individually judge our own situations. If the Bible teachers you have been listening to are not producing freedom in your life, you should prayerfully examine whether the message they proclaim is accurate -- or distorted.

Remember that it only takes a tiny amount of poison added to an otherwise wonderful and nutritious meal to make it dangerous.

SAY THIS: I will continue, abide in, and remain in the accurate message of Jesus Christ, without ever giving up, and it will produce freedom in my life.

[admin]

June 12, 2008

Don't Hurt God

Fortunately for us, God is not motivated or moved or controlled by His feelings. But that does not mean God has no feelings.

We are made in His image, in His likeness. Just as we have feelings, and can be hurt, God also has feelings, as the following verses show.

GENESIS 6:6 NIV
6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

EPHESIANS 4:30 KJV
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

It is inevitable in human relationships that there will be misunderstandings and hurts. When we are hurt, the natural response is to strike back, to retaliate so they will know we are hurt, and they will also hurt.

(Doing that, we hurt not only the other person -- but God Himself. Just as a human parent is upset when they see their child acting badly, God is hurt when we act badly.)

But the way of God is different. God's command to us is to walk in divine love.

JOHN 13:34 NKJ
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

When you have been hurt, and are starting to retaliate, to strike back, remember that when you walk out of love, it is God that you hurt and disappoint.

(Often people don't even know they are hurting us. Most people are not doing it intentionally.)

We can choose how we respond. As a child of God, we have God's divine love deposited in our inner being. We can allow that divine love inside us to respond.

ROMANS 5:5 NKJ
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

After all the love God has shown you, does He really deserve to be hurt?

SAY THIS: Just because someone hurts me, is not a good reason for me to hurt God.

[admin]

June 13, 2008

God Feeds The Birds

MATTHEW 6:26 LB
26 Look at the birds! They don't worry about what to eat-- they don't need to sow or reap or store up food -- for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are.

Have you ever watched birds eating on a snowy day? It takes some effort on their part. They don't just sit in a heated house waiting for someone to bring them food.

Is God feeding them? Directly or indirectly?

Jesus stated clearly that God is the one who provides food for the birds. This implies that God provides for every creature.

Yet, if a bird sits still, instead of gathering the food God has provided for them, they will starve.

Yes, the birds can be a good lesson for us. They don't worry. Neither should we. They gather what God provides for them. So should we.

I don't know whether the birds are thankful to God, or not. But we should be thankful. And we should recognize that God is the Source of all the good that we enjoy in life.

So work, but don't worry. (And if you can't do normal work -- still don't worry, because God cares more for you than He does the birds, and He will provide for you somehow.)

SAY THIS: God cares for the birds, so I know He will take care of me.

[admin]

June 14, 2008

Keep Thanking God


1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 CEV
18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.

There are many things in life we may not understand. But we can understand this verse, and know that God gave these instructions for our benefit, to help us -- not because God is so insecure that He needs constant thanks.

When bad things happen, what should we do?

Will it help to gripe and complain and feel sorry for ourselves?

No. That only makes things worse.

When bad things happen they seem to contradict belief in the goodness and care of God.

But we must remember that there is an enemy, the devil, who is out to steal our faith, our peace, and our joy. We are commanded in Scripture to resist him, staying strong in our faith.

Giving thanks is a powerful way to resist the devil. Even when we do not understand, and it seems like things are out of control and going downhill fast -- we should force ourselves to stay in faith and be thankful.

(I am not saying God is responsible for evil, or to thank God for evil. Instead, I am saying we can thank God for what He is doing, and what He has already done for us in the sacrifice of Jesus -- no matter what may be happening.)

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NLT
18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

SAY THIS: I will keep thanking God, no matter what happens.

[admin]

June 15, 2008

Prayer: An Exchange

ISAIAH 40:31 NKJ
31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Time is precious. Our lives are full. Life is busy. Many of us think we are too busy to spend time in regular daily prayer. But is that a wise choice?

In the Scripture passage above, the literal meaning is "those who look to the Lord expectantly will exchange strength."

Prayer is an exchange of strength.

God offers to exchange what He has for what we have. As we spend time looking to Him, this exchange takes place.

What strength does God have? Wisdom. Understanding. Insight. Guidance. Favor. Influence. Health. Everything we need!

When you give your time to God, He reciprocates by giving His time to you. He goes ahead of you and makes your way smooth, giving you favor and guidance so you can walk in victory.

God will give you ideas as you wait on Him. Ideas of how to do things better. (For example, I got this message while praying.)

You may think you don't have anything God would want. But God wants your love and your trust. As a human, you also have God- delegated authority on Earth, especially as a member of the Body of Christ.

Exchanging the little strength you have for the strengths of God is a great trade!

Don't miss this wonderful benefit!

SAY THIS: I will invest time looking to the Lord expectantly in prayer.

[admin]

June 16, 2008

Overcome!


1 JOHN 5:4 NKJ
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

All of us have a choice: we can either make excuses, or make progress in life.

Most people have an excuse. They are too young or old, short or tall, educated or uneducated -- whatever. We all have some reason to justify our failure.

But when we focus on God and His ability and willingness to help us in every way -- all our excuses beome insignificant.

God's intention is not for His children to be defeated by the problems of life. No! The problems of life are opportunities for us to experience God's help and provision.

God plans for His children to overcome.

How?

By faith!

And faith is available to anyone who will feed on the Bible. Faith comes from God's Word like physical energy comes from eating physical food.

So, if your faith is weak, take in more of God's Word.

Then your faith will grow strong. Then you can overcome the problems you face. Then God will be glorified in you.

SAY THIS: With the help of God, I will overcome!

[admin]

June 17, 2008

The Ministry Of God

EPHESIANS 4:12 NIV
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Ministry means service. To minister is to serve.

How does God "serve us"?

God serves us by helping us. So, primarily, ministry means helping people. Of course, the foremost way of helping people is to help them know God and His Word, so they can receive all God has provided for them.

But anything that helps people -- that makes their life easier, or better -- is also ministry. That is, it is part of the ministry of God: God's purpose, God's plan, God's desire for humanity.

God desires the best for all people. People were God's idea, and He longs to bless them.

God helps people. So, when you help someone, even in the smallest way, you are acting like God.

EPHESIANS 5:1-2 NASB
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

We are to imitate our Father God -- or act like Him. How? By walking in love, just as Christ did.

In practical terms, what is walking in love? Helping people. Walking in love means you will help people, you will put their interests first.

When you help people, you are involved in the ministry of God.

SAY THIS: When I help people, I am serving God.

[admin]

June 18, 2008

Watch Your Words

PROVERBS 6:2 NKJ
2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth.

MARK 11:23 NKJ
23 "For assuredly, I say to you . . . he will have whatever he says.

Words are powerful. They are the way humans express their decisions. Words carry authority, even in the spiritual realm.

God created the world with spoken words. Humans are created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore our words also carry authority.

The words you speak are important and carry more weight than you may realize.

Words can get you into trouble. And words can deliver you.

The most powerful and life-giving words in the universe are those spoken by God the Creator.

Fortunately for us, some of what God has said has been written down, for our benefit, in the Bible.

So, we can, and should speak words that are in agreement with what God says. When we do, the power of God is released, because it is God's Word we are speaking.

Remember: whatever God says never loses its power.

SAY THIS: Please help me Lord to watch my words and speak in agreement with Your Word.

[admin]

June 19, 2008

God's Word Will Build You Up

ACTS 20:32 NLT
32 "And now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace--his message that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

Many shy away from the Bible because they think it's just a bunch of rules to keep them from enjoying life.

Although many have misused the Bible -- to tear people down, its true purpose is to build people up.

Tradition makes us think a good sermon should "skin 'em alive" and make the listeners feel guilty.

But God is on your side and He loves you. So He gave you His Word for your benefit, to build you up and give you things -- not to take anything good away from you.

Certainly God's Word can, and will, correct you. But primarily, if you understand it correctly, the Word will build you up -- not beat you down and make you feel guilty.

Yes, there are passages in the Bible that will not encourage you. They are needful at certain times for certain people who need to be corrected and called to repentance. But for those who love God and are His children, there are words of encouragement to build you up.

Feed on the Word of God's grace -- His favor, His love, His goodness. It will build you up.

If what you are feeding on is not encouraging your faith, check to see if it really lines up with the Word.

Don't spend all your time meditating on a passage from the Bible that's not written to you. All the Bible is profitable, and we can learn from it. But you should concentrate on what God is saying to you, as His child: a member of the Body of Christ.

The message God has for His family, the church, is primarily found in the letters (epistles) in the New Testament. These are written directly to us, the church.

God is never interested in just cutting you down, or hurting you. His intention is to build you up, to encourage you, to make you better.

SAY THIS: The true message of the New Testament will build me up. It is good news.

[admin]

June 20, 2008

Read The Bible


1 TIMOTHY 4:13 BBE
13 Till I come, give attention to the reading of the holy Writings, to comforting the saints, and to teaching.

HEBREWS 4:12 BBE
12 For the word of God is living and full of power. . .

There is no substitute for the basics.

The words of God recorded in the Bible are containers. They contain ideas from God. They contain life. When those words enter us through our eyes, ears, or our thinking, they impart life and faith.

Even if we don't understand everything, we are still receiving a deposit of life from the Word.

JOHN 6:63 NIV
63 . . . The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Many Christian believers are weak in their faith simply because they do not take in much of the Word of God.

If you spend hours each day listening to, watching, and thinking about the news and views of the world, but you only listen (half-heartedly) to a twenty minute sermon on Sunday -- you should not be surprised if your faith is weak and the influence of the world is great in your life.

The choice is yours. Yes, you are busy, but you can, and do, make time for what you think is important.

Fortunately, today there are many aids we can take advantage of. You can read the Bible online, and be reminded each day by an email. You can obtain recordings of Bible translations to listen to while you drive or exercise or work.

"But what should I read? The Bible is so big."

All of the Bible is instructive and worthwhile. However, the New Testament, and specifically the letters to the Church, is written directly to us and is most applicable for us today.

If you want to get acquainted with the Lord, read the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I would recommend starting with John. Mark is the shortest.

If you want to understand redemption and what has happened to you as a result of receiving Christ, and how to live in victory, then you need to read the letters in the New Testament, which are all the books except the Gospels I just mentioned, and the book of Revelation.

Always remember that the Bible is faith food. So if you want your faith to be strong, you need to feed it on the Bible. It does not matter if you feel any different, for faith is not something that you feel. Faith is of the spirit, not of the feeling realm.

SAY THIS: I will read the Bible and it will help me.

[admin]

June 21, 2008

Jesus Took A Nap

LUKE 8:23 NLT
23 On the way across, Jesus lay down for a nap, and while he was sleeping the wind began to rise. A fierce storm developed that threatened to swamp them, and they were in real danger.

So many people are driven -- feeling and acting like the responsibility for running the whole world is on their shoulders.

But Jesus was able to relax. Arguably, He had an important job to do. Yet He had balance in His life. He knew when it was time to take a nap.

Jesus also spent whole nights in prayer. So, His example does not encourage laziness or apathy. Just balance -- and trust in God, instead of worry.

Some may think it would be a sin to "take a nap" because we should always be working. But Jesus never sinned, and we may safely follow His example, and keep our lives in balance.

SAY THIS: I will relax and trust God.

[admin]

June 22, 2008

Respect People

JAMES 3:9-10 NIV
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

It seems that respect has gone out of style. But God's unchanging Word teaches us to treat people with respect.

Not agreeing with someone is no reason to treat them disrespectfully. Just because they are wrong does not make them unworthy of respect.

By His death for them, Jesus showed us He considers people valuable and precious. So, we should not treat people as insignificant or worthless.

Disrespecting people is actually disrespecting God who created them.

God considers this so vital for wives, He gave a specific command to respect their husband.

EPHESIANS 5:33 NIV
33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Certainly, we should respect all people, but God obviously thought a special reminder to wives was needed.

A wise woman will enjoy the benefits, both now and for eternity, of acting on this command from a loving Heavenly Father.

MATTHEW 25:40 NIV
40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

The world respects people who are rich, famous, and successful. Anyone can do that.

But how do you treat those who are thought to be the "least," who seemingly cannot help you in any way?

SAY THIS: I will respect people because they are valuable to God and He loves them.

[admin]

June 23, 2008

Feed Your Faith Daily

MATTHEW 4:4 NKJ
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

You may neglect the Word of God and still exist, but you will not enjoy life -- really live -- as God intended, without feeding regularly on God's Word.

Just as you need physical food to remain strong physically, you also need spiritual food to stay strong spiritually.

God's Word -- the Bible -- is the food that feeds our faith, and gives us spiritual strength.

Every day you need to feed, at least some, on God's Word.

A helpful key is to develop good habits, such as reading the Word every time you eat food, or every morning when you awake, or right before you go to sleep. The time is not important, just that you remember every day.

There are many ways to feed on God's Word available to us today. Reading, or listening to, teaching from the Bible is one way. Speaking the Word -- especially when you personalize it, can really build your faith fast. Of course, nothing can replace your own reading of the Bible, or having it read to you.

Most of us have busy schedules. Time is scarce, and we must invest it wisely. Nothing will benefit us more -- both in this life and in the one to come -- than feeding on God's Word.

All of us can find time for God's Word, if we want to. You can write Scriptures on cards to read and meditate on whenever you stop in traffic, or whenever you have to wait for someone. Maybe listening as you travel, or as you prepare for work, is a good plan for you.

The important thing is that you have a plan, so you don't let this most important habit slip.

Seeing the Word. Hearing the Word. Speaking the Word. Thinking about the Word. This is what builds our faith and keeps us strong spiritually.

SAY THIS: I will feed my faith daily on God's Word.

[admin]

June 24, 2008

Meeting Together

HEBREWS 10:25 KJV
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

While the Bible does warn us, in the above verse, not to forsake meeting together with other believers, it never tells us how often we should meet. Neither does it say when or where we should meet.

When we meet together, God did not intend for it to be just a ritual, but something beneficial.

It should be a time of fellowship, learning, sharing, giving, receiving, and spiritual encouragement. A time to build one another up by what the other members of the body supply.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:26 KJV
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Although nothing is more important than receiving teaching to help us understand and act on God's Word, that should not be the only reason we meet together.

When the Bible was written, the only way to hear anointed teaching of the Word was to physically gather together when a Bible teacher was present. But today we are not limited to a time or place, because of recorded media.

The reason for meeting together as believers is more than just to listen to someone else "preach" to you. You need to become involved.

A true "church meeting" does not require a large number of people. In fact, a smaller group is often best, as it is easier to share what you have and offer spiritual encouragement to others, as well as receive it yourself.

MATTHEW 18:20 KJV
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Even two believers discussing the Word during their lunch break is a valid expression of a "church meeting" according to this verse. Jesus promised us, as individual believers, He would never leave us. So, clearly this verse must mean Jesus expresses Himself in a special way, as members of His body meet together in His Name.

The New Testament refers often to believers meeting in their homes. There is no reason believers cannot meet anywhere: on a commute to work, at a restaurant, at an office, or even in a church building. The Bible sets no limitations.

Of course it is absolutely vital to regularly feed on teaching from God's Word to stay built up spiritually. But today, that can be accomplished anywhere and anytime.

But too many believers stop with only being fed the Word. They never share and interact with others. So they don't grow and develop as they should. You always learn better and receive more when you share what you have already received.

No one knows everything. But we all have something to contribute. You don't have to be a super-saint to be involved with others. You can meet with another believer (or maybe a few others): a friend, neighbor, or family member. Just discuss the Word. Ask a question if you have one. Share an insight if you have one. Maybe pray for one another. Things like this are the reason to not forsake meeting together.

If your church-going is just a ritual, and all you get out of it is no more than what you could get at home, then changes need to be made. But please, do not fall into the trap of criticizing others for what they do, or do not do.

SAY THIS: I will regularly meet with other believers.

[admin]

June 25, 2008

You Are Important!


1 CORINTHIANS 12:22,27 NKJ
22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

There are NO unnecessary parts in the Body of Christ.

The devil wants you to think your part does not matter, so you will slack off.

But your part IS important. Your prayers are important. Your giving is important. Your witness to others is important.

It is easy to believe a famous person who ministers to thousands is vital in God's plan. But we need to be reminded that every member of the Body of Christ is needed -- including you!

Don't condemn yourself because you aren't doing a job that puts you in the spotlight. Don't worry that no one knows what you are doing. God knows.

Someone witnessed to Billy Graham. Someone prayed for Oral Roberts to be healed of tuberculosis. Do you know their names? God does. What if they hadn't been faithful and obedient to do their part?

What if the person who brought you the Gospel hadn't been obedient?

So, when you are tempted to be discouraged and think what you do doesn't matter -- resist those thoughts!

No one but God may see what you are doing, but it is significant.

Have confidence in God. He knows what He is doing. God placed you where you are. God has a plan and a job for you to do there. Be faithful and do it. When it is time for you to do something else, God will arrange it and lead you out.

Don't try to be somebody else. Just be faithful and obey God where you are.

Too many Christians think preachers are supposed to do all the work in the Body of Christ. Preachers may be likened to a mouth. A mouth is important. But a mouth is not more important than our hidden, internal organs. We don't see the liver and kidneys working. However, you could live without a mouth capable of speech, but not without functioning kidneys or liver.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22 NLT
22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary.

A body may exist without some of its parts functioning, but it cannot accomplish as much as it would otherwise.

Do your part! God thinks it's meaningful. Don't let the devil convince you otherwise.

Maybe all you can do is pray, but that is most important.

Obey God and be faithful where you are. You are needed or God would not have placed you there.

SAY THIS: God says I am necessary and important.

[admin]

June 26, 2008

Are You In Trouble?

JAMES 5:13 NIV
13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

The Greek word translated as trouble in this verse means to suffer trouble, be afflicted, or to endure hardship or evil.

The best thing anyone facing trouble can do is pray. You don't have to know how, just pour out your heart to God and discuss the situation with Him.

We are tempted to do many other things: cry, complain, criticize others, but Scripture says we should pray when we face tough problems.

Notice it does not say you should ask everyone else to pray for you. It says you should pray.

There is nothing wrong with having other people pray for you. But there is something wrong with expecting others to pray, while you never pray.

By praying, we do not mean begging God for help. God loves you, and always desires to assist you.

What is needed is not twisting God's arm to get Him to help. Usually a part of the answer is God getting us quiet enough for long enough so He can speak to our hearts and show us what needs to be done.

Sometimes we have missed it, and that is why we are in trouble. Other times, we may face trouble just because we live in a fallen world. But always, when we are in trouble, we need to know God's direction as to what to do.

Discuss your situation with the Lord. Lay it out in detail. Often just telling Him honestly about the situation will cause you to realize what should be done. Pour out your soul to the Lord, but also wait in His presence with thanks and praise. Let your heart and mind get quiet. Let God's peace overcome your turmoil and worry.

God tells us that if we will draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. This is why you should pray. You need God's help. He has the wisdom and knowledge to get you out of the trouble you face.

Direction may not come the first time you determine to seek God and pray. You may not seem to get the answer while you pray. But know this: God is working, and the answer is coming. So keep praying. Keep on drawing closer to God. Help will come.

JOHN 16:33 NIV
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

SAY THIS: When I face trouble I will pray and draw near to God, and He will help me.

[admin]

June 27, 2008

Motives

PROVERBS 16:2 NLT
2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.

Motives are important to God.

God is interested in WHY we do things, not just in WHAT we do.

Why do you do what you do?

Is it to help others? To please God? Or do you live focused totally on yourself?

These questions are important to ask ourselves. As 1 Corinthians 11:31 says, "if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."

However, we must use caution when trying to judge other people. We don't know their motives.

PROVERBS 21:2 LB
2 We can justify our every deed, but God looks at our motives.

We often justify ourselves, but judge others harshly. We may judge ourselves based on our good intentions, but we are only capable of judging others by their actions.

So, we must be very cautious about judging others in a condemning way.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:5 NIV
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

One main reason we are not qualified to judge others is because we don't know their thoughts, intentions, and motives. Only God does.

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to be aware of my motives.

[admin]

June 28, 2008

Pride and Humility

PROVERBS 22:4 NKJ
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.

Humility is the opposite of pride.

Humility does not think it is better than anyone else. "I am what I am by the grace of God."

1 PETER 5:5 NKJ
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

A humble person is one who follows God's instructions, instead of leaning to their own understanding.

Being a humble person does not mean being a loser. A humble person is one who has the proper relationship to God and grasps reality, which is: without God, we can do nothing.

Humility will cause a person to remember their need to pray.

A humble person is one who prefers to suffer wrong rather than do wrong.

Pride will bring you low. Humility will cause God to exalt you.

LUKE 14:11 NKJ
11 "For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

God cannot exalt proud people without it harming them.

JAMES 4:10 NKJ
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

1 PETER 5:6 NKJ
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to beware of pride.

[admin]

June 29, 2008

Cursed By Blessings?

PROVERBS 10:22 KJV
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

What we might consider "blessings" don't always help people. Sometimes they hurt.

We don't always know what is best for us. Often, what we think we want turns out to be a big mistake.

Consider the case of two girls: one extremely beautiful -- the other quite plain looking. Because of her natural beauty, the one becomes totally self-absorbed. Thinking herself superior, she grows haughty and proud, and, although rich and famous, has no true friends.

She selfishly only seeks her own welfare and gives no thought to other's desires or happiness.

As she grows older and less attractive, she cannot live with not being the center of attention. Lonely and depressed, she finally takes her life.

The other girl, not being endowed with any great natural beauty, is not tempted to be proud and haughty. She is forced to develop in other ways.

She, being humble, is willing and ready to help others and gains many friends. Because she could not rely on her natural abilities in life, she was forced to turn to God and seek His help. With God's life and love manifesting through her, she was able to marry a godly man, and they raised a fine family together and enjoyed a long and happy life.

Which girl was really blessed?

Just remember: what you think you want is not always what you would really want. Be thankful for what you have and who you are.

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for my life.

[admin]

June 30, 2008

Believing Prayer Changes Things

We have authority in our domain and can choose to invite God's involvement -- or not.

EZEKIEL 22:30 NKJ
30 "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

JOHN 16:23-24 NKJ
23 ". . . Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
24 "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

JOHN 14:13-14 NKJ
13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Christ has delegated a certain amount of His authority in the earth to His Body, the church. Our decisions as believers -- which we can express in prayer -- make a difference in our lives and others' lives.

MARK 11:24 NKJ
24 ". . . whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

JEREMIAH 33:3 NKJ
3 `Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

PSALM 50:15 NKJ
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."

SAY THIS: God invites me to pray and believe, so His will can be done on earth as it is in heaven.

[admin]

July 1, 2008

Jesus Prayed

LUKE 5:16 NKJ
16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

But why?

Jesus prayed and He is our example. If prayer was necessary for Jesus -- how much more so for us.

JOHN 13:15 NKJ
15 "For I have given you an example. . . .

LUKE 6:12 NKJ
12 . . . He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

MARK 1:35 NKJ
35 . . . a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

Jesus obviously impressed His disciples with His prayer life, and the importance of prayer. They asked Him to teach them to pray -- the only thing recorded that they ever asked Jesus to teach them.

LUKE 11:1 NKJ
1 And it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

SAY THIS: Jesus knows more than I do, so I will follow His example and spend time in prayer with my Father God.

[admin]

July 2, 2008

Honor Your Parents

EPHESIANS 6:2-3 NKJ
2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:
3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

Think about this: God himself promises that if you will honor your parents you will have a long and blessed life.

What a promise!

So we need to learn from Scripture what God means by "honoring" our parents, so we can do it and be blessed.

MATTHEW 15:4-6 NLT
4 For instance, God says, `Honor your father and mother,' and `Anyone who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.'"
5 But you say, `You don't need to honor your parents by caring for their needs if you give the money to God instead.'
6 And so, by your own tradition, you nullify the direct commandment of God.

Here we have Jesus telling one way that people are to honor their parents: by caring for their needs.

So honoring your parents is not just speaking politely to them, or telling others that they are great parents. If your parents have needs, you should help them. In this way, according to Jesus, you are showing them honor.

Here is Mark's account of the same speech:

MARK 7:10-12 NLT
10 For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: `Honor your father and mother,' and `Anyone who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.'
11 But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, `Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I could have given to you.'
12 You let them disregard their needy parents.

Obviously, letting your parents go with unmet needs, when you could meet them, is the opposite of showing them honor.

Of course, the words we speak and the attitude we have toward our parents, also indicates how we honor them.

The word translated honor means to value or prize. God is telling us we should value our parents highly. When you consider something valuable you take care of it, and speak well of it. This is how you should treat your parents -- if you desire God's blessing.

(This is not to say we should honor parents above God and His will. Parents should not control the lives of grown sons or daughters. But, no matter what, our parents deserve love and respect -- not necessarily obedience.)

SAY THIS: I will honor my parents and God will bless me.

[admin]

July 3, 2008

Lack Of Knowledge

HOSEA 4:6a NKJ
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

People wonder why many Christians experience so much trouble in life without ever achieving victory. The reason, according to the Bible, is a lack of knowledge.

The Bible tells us the devil is out to destroy us, but it also makes clear that we can overcome his attacks. The real problem lies with our ignorance.

Real knowledge produces faith. When we really know something, we have faith in it. Then we will act on that knowledge.

The reason God's people are destroyed by calamity is not because God doesn't love us, or because God is not able to help us. It is simply that we don't know the truth. If we really knew the truth, we would act on that knowledge. Acting on true knowledge makes you free -- it does not destroy you or put you into bondage.

JOHN 8: 31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

God's Word is our instruction book. When we act on it, things will work for us. God allows us to make choices. When we make the right choices, we will be blessed.

Don't let the devil condemn you with this message. Instead, let it give you hope. You can learn God's Word and act on it more accurately in the future -- and be blessed!

SAY THIS: God gave me the knowledge in the Bible so I could know the truth, act on it, and be blessed.

[admin]

August 19, 2008

Speak God's Word

EPHESIANS 6:17 NKJ
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

The sword, or weapon, of the spirit is not the Bible laying on a shelf, but God's Word being spoken by a believer.

You must take it. Your spiritual weapon is speaking the Word of God. You must take the Word and speak it — just like Jesus did (Matthew 4:4).

Our battle is not against humans, but evil spiritual forces, which requires us to use spiritual weapons to prevail and prosper. That weapon is speaking the Word of God.

Jesus defeated the devil for you. However, you must enforce that defeat by speaking and standing in agreement with God. Only then will you see Jesus' victory manifest in your life.

Of course, before you can speak the Word, you have to know the Word. It must be fed in before you can expect it to come out in a time of need. And you never know when you will be attacked with something designed to steal, kill, and destroy you.

Keep on saying what God's Word says -- no matter what.

HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hang on tight to speaking the Word, because the devil doesn't want you to stick with the Word. Count on being tempted to NOT say what God says. The devil does not want you to use your spiritual weapon of speaking the Word.

Speak the Word of God:
1. To yourself first.
2. To God in thanks and praise.
3. To the devil.
4. To circumstances.

SAY THIS: I will say what God says. I will keep God's Word in my mouth.

[admin]

August 20, 2008

Hold Fast Your Confession

Your confession is what you say. The Bible tells you to hang on tight to saying God's Word.

HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

God has no reason to tell us to hold fast, or hang on tight, to our confession, unless someone, or something, will be trying to get us to turn loose of it — and say something else.

HEBREWS 3:1 NKJ
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

HEBREWS 4:14 NKJ
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Jesus is the High Priest of our confession — what we say. He represents us before God with the words we speak.

The Bible says:

You are righteous in Christ. Romans 3:22

You are forgiven. Colossians 2:13

You are healed. 1 Peter 2:24

You are delivered from the devil. Colossians 1:13

You can do all things through Christ. Philippians 4:13

You are strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10

The Greater One is in you. 1 John 4:4

The Lord is guiding you. John 16:13

God is working in you. Philippians 2:13

The Lord is your helper. Hebrews 13:6

Jesus became poor to make you rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

You may wonder why you should say what God says in the Bible about you. First, God is looking for faith, and second, it is the Word planted in your life that will make you free. Speaking God's Word is a way of planting it in you.

Yes, it can take faith to say what the Bible says about you. Especially when you don't feel like it and the circumstances don't agree, either. But we have to choose: will we rely on our feelings, or God's Word? Do we trust the circumstances more than God's Word?

But you may say, "What the Word says is just not true in my life." You are the establishing witness. God has said something about you. Now when you come into agreement with Him, it will become manifest in your life.

MARK 11:23 NKJ
23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, `Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.

Jesus told us that we will have whatever we say — if we believe it. It will come to pass. So you see why the devil tries to get us to quit saying God's Word, which will set us free.

SAY THIS: I will say what God says about me — regardless of my feelings or circumstances.

[admin]

August 21, 2008

You Are Healed


1 PETER 2:24 NKJ
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed.

"Time" is difficult to understand. Scientists tell us that time is "relative," just something that seems real to us.

The Bible indicates God is "outside of time." God created time so He is not confined to it. Can we easily comprehend this? No.

When a human makes a statement that is not true at this present moment in time, we call it a lie -- not the truth.

But when God says something that does not seem to be true at this moment -- we cannot accuse Him of telling a lie -- because God is not limited to our time frame. (Also, we do not know everything.)

Having said all that, the Bible clearly says that you ARE healed.

ISAIAH 53:4-5 NRSV
4 Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.

So, you have a choice. You can look at it from your perspective and say, "That is not true. I am not healed."

Or, you can view the situation from God's perspective, and because of your faith in Him, agree with what He said.

Which choice is best? As you decide your answer, remember to include eternity in your evaluation. Pleasing God by accepting His Word can bring benefits to you after this life.

Here is one way of understanding all this. God made provision for everyone to be healed. That provision must be received by faith -- by believing and acting on what God has said in His Word. Humans have a choice: believe God's Word and resist anything that would try to steal their health, or, let their feelings and circumstances control them.

If you disagree with all this, let's not argue or fight. That will not help anyone. But remember, the Bible will still say what it says.

MATTHEW 8:16-17 NKJ
16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses."

God made provision for your healing, but the devil tries to steal it away from you.

Here is the bottom line: we do not understand everything. God does. Since God loves us, it seems best to trust in Him instead of trusting in our own limited understanding. So, I choose to believe and say what God says, whether I understand it or not.

SAY THIS: The Bible says I am healed. I choose to agree with what God has said in the Bible.

[admin]

August 22, 2008

Abraham's Blessings Are Yours

GALATIANS 3:13-14 KJV
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians tells us Christ redeemed us, so that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us.

What were the blessings Abraham enjoyed?

GENESIS 24:1 NIV
1 Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.

GENESIS 13:2 KJV
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Abraham's blessing also extended to his descendants as they walked with God.

GENESIS 25:11 KJV
11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.

GENESIS 26:12-13 NIV
12 Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him.
13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.

According to Romans, Abraham was promised the world for his descendants, and we who have faith in Christ Jesus are those descendants.

ROMANS 4:13 KJV
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

It should not be hard to believe that Jesus Christ is heir of this entire world. And remember that Romans 8:17 says we are joint heirs with Christ.

GALATIANS 3:9 KJV
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Abraham's blessings do not come on everyone -- only people of faith. Abraham was blessed because of his faith in God's Word. We must receive these blessings by faith, also. So, if we refuse to believe they are for us, we will not have them.

SAY THIS: In Christ Jesus, all the blessings Abraham enjoyed are mine.

[admin]

August 23, 2008

You Are Delivered From The Devil

COLOSSIANS 1:13 NKJ
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Many people are afraid of the devil. As believers we have no need to be afraid of the devil, although we should be aware and on guard against his schemes.

The only true power the devil holds over a believer now is the power of deception. If you do not know the truth the devil will take advantage of you. The only way to know the truth is to read, understand, and act on the Scriptures.

To illustrate, imagine entering the hospital room of a patient paralyzed from their neck down. All they can do is talk. They pose no threat to you, unless they convince you to take the gun from beside the bed and shoot yourself with it.

(How could they do that? One way would be to convince you that the gun was not real or not loaded, so it wouldn't harm you.)

You may think this is ridiculous, but it happens constantly with people who do not realize that the words they speak are powerful, and that the ideas they speak originate with the devil. Every day the devil convinces millions of people to take a spiritual "weapon" -- their words -- and use it against themselves.

The devil operates against you through fear and ignorance. God's Word gives you the information that will set you free from both fear and ignorance.

HEBREWS 2:14-15 NASB
14 Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

MARK 16:17 NKJ
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

For believers to cast out demons, it means they must have authority over the devil and his forces. However, unused authority conveys no benefit.

SAY THIS: Jesus is my lord, and the devil has no power over me. I have been delivered from the devil's authority. I am free, so leave me alone, devil!

[admin]

August 24, 2008

The Blessing Of The Lord Will Make You Rich

PROVERBS 10:22 NKJ
22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

All Christians generally agree, that in Old Testament times, God prospered His people when they were obedient. But sadly, because the devil's lies have infiltrated some of the Church's teaching, many do not believe it's still God's will to prosper His people today.

But the Lord does not change. He still desires His people to enjoy abundance. Any problem lies with us -- not with God.

MALACHI 3:6 NKJ
6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

For us to receive and walk in God's blessing, we must walk in faith. This is the main problem why Christians today are not blessed. They simply do not believe prosperity is God's will for them. If you don't believe something is God's will, you cannot have faith to receive it.

The cure for lack of faith is feeding on God's Word, which builds you up. As long as you base your beliefs on the circumstances around you, instead of what you see in God's revealed will -- the Bible -- you will not have all that God has provided for you.

We must quit believing the lies of the devil -- no matter who says them. Whatever is contrary to God's Word in the Bible is a lie.

I am not criticizing other ministers or churches. Even Peter fell into the trap of repeating the devil's lies. We all must guard against believing the devil, and stick to what God has said.

MATTHEW 16:23 NKJ
23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

If you study the Bible you will see that God is clearly for the prosperity of His people, in both the Old and New Testaments.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 NKJ
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

In the Bible we are warned against trusting in riches instead of God. There are verses that tell us we should not love money or serve money. But these verses should not be taken out of the context of the whole of Scripture and twisted in their meaning to steal what Jesus has provided for us -- abundant provision in every area of life.

SAY THIS: The blessing of the Lord is making me rich.

[admin]

August 25, 2008

Jesus Became Poor To Make You Rich


2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 LB
9 You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus was: though he was so very rich, yet to help you he became so very poor, so that by being poor he could make you rich.

Many Christians consider being poor the will of God. Scripture actually gives a quite opposite picture.

Although there are many warnings in Scripture against the love of money and its misuse, the fact remains that financial prosperity is considered a blessing from God in the Bible.

PSALM 35:27 NKJ
27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."

(Certainly there are dangers in being prosperous. With more money you can make more choices, and buy more trouble. However, money itself is not evil. The person using money determines whether it will be a force for good or a force for evil.)

You do not have to convince God to prosper you. No arm-twisting will be necessary, as He has already made the provision. Through the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ, prosperity already belongs to you.

I can almost hear the objections: "If I am rich, where is it? Why do I have all these debts and bills?"

The answer is simple actually. The devil has stolen it away from us because of our ignorance.

You can reclaim it by faith, but you will have to feed on the Word for your faith to continue strong and effective. So, to receive the blessings available to us through Christ, we have to draw near to God.

Some maturity is required to receive God's provision and to keep the devil from stealing it. This insures that immature believers will not have more money than they can handle and thus have their lives ruined by it.

Nevertheless, according to the Bible you are rich. You may not have ready access to it, but in Christ wealth is yours -- just as surely as a young heir is rich even though his money is held by trustees and he cannot have it until he matures.

SAY THIS: Jesus Christ became poor to make me rich. I am rich in Christ Jesus.

[admin]

August 26, 2008

The Lord Is Guiding You

John 16:13 NKJ
13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you....

This article is directed to believers in Jesus Christ to remind you there are many scriptures indicating that God IS guiding you.

Too often we feel like we are just on our own, drifting aimlessly, with no help or guidance from God. Just because you are not aware of God's guidance does not mean He is not guiding you. This is part of God's genius: to be able to do things unnoticed.

When we don't understand God's method of operation, we easily fall prey to the temptation to doubt God is guiding us, or even hearing our prayers. This often leads to begging God for help, which is not faith, and will not produce good results.

We must believe what God says in His Word concerning this subject of guidance, if we desire to please God.

It is always wise to talk with God before making any decision. But just because you don't hear God's audible voice answering you, does not mean that God is not directing you. His primary means of guiding you are His written Word and the witness of the spirit inside you.

God will never guide anyone to act contrary to the teaching of the Bible. That is one reason it is so important to read and study the Bible.

All of the following are scriptures you can apply to yourself. (Only the pronouns have been changed to make them personal.) Saying these will strengthen your faith.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not lack. He leads me beside the still waters. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

God will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. He will guide me with His eye. (Psalm 32:8)

God will bring me by a way I did not know; God will lead me in paths I have not known. He will make darkness light before me, and crooked places straight. God will do these things for me, and not forsake me. (Isaiah 42:16)

Thus says the Lord, my Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go." (Isaiah 48:17)

The Lord will guide me continually. (Isaiah 58:11)

I follow Jesus so I shall not walk in darkness, but I have the light of life. (John 8:12)

The Spirit of truth has come and He is guiding me into all truth. He will tell me things to come. (John 16:13)

I am led by the Spirit of God for I am a son of God. (Romans
8:14)

Now thanks be to God who always leads me in triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

It is God Who works in me both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

The Lord Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So I may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear." (Hebrews 13:5-6)

SAY THIS: Thank You Lord for guiding me.

[admin]

August 27, 2008

Jesus Will Give You Rest

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Are you struggling? Do you feel like you are barely keeping your head above water?

If you feel like you are struggling and striving just to make it -- you need to turn to Jesus. He will give you rest.

If you say that you have turned to Jesus and you think His yoke is hard and His burden is heavy -- you are deceived.

You need to cast your care on the Lord and learn of Him. So many people are striving and struggling to get God to love them when He already loves them and accepts them.

Living a successful Christian life is not done by our own strength or willpower. It is the result of depending on the Lord. Only He can do it.

Quit trusting in your plans and abilities and efforts, and trust in Jesus instead. Turn things over to Him. Let Him be Lord in your life.

SAY THIS: I will learn of Jesus and trust in Him. Jesus my Lord gives me rest.

[admin]

August 28, 2008

Overcome Evil With Good

ROMANS 12:21 NIV
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

There seems to be no lack of evil. That gives us an opportunity to overcome.

We will be tempted to respond in kind -- to strike back at those who hurt us. But that is a bad choice. All it leads to is more pain and misery for more people -- including ourselves.

The answer is divine love.

With God's love inside us, and God helping us, we can return good for evil done to us. That breaks the vicious downward cycle and also breaks the power of evil to affect us.

Don't tell me this won't work in your case. I have personally heard the victorious testimony of a believer who was tortured by his communist captors yet walked in love and overcame the evil situation. It will work!

Love is stronger than hate. Good is more powerful than evil. You can walk in victory no matter what anyone does to you.

ROMANS 5:5 NIV
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

HEBREWS 13:6 NIV
6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

SAY THIS: With God's love, I will overcome evil with good.

[admin]

August 29, 2008

God's Word Is Vital

MATTHEW 4:4 NKJ
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

When Jesus faced the devil's temptations as recorded in Matthew chapter four, His first response was to quote Deuteronomy 8:3.

God wants you to learn the same lesson that Jesus knew: Nothing is more important than God's Word. Without the Word, your life will be less than God intends. The Word of God is vital!

DEUTERONOMY 8:2-3 NKJ
2 "And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
3 "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

This lesson was what God intended for Israel to learn in the wilderness, but sadly, most of them missed it.

When Joshua was taking command of the Israelites after Moses' death, God wanted to make sure Joshua understood the lesson. So, He gave him directions for success — which are: speak God's Word, think God's Word, and do God's Word. Those instructions have never changed. They are as valid for you today as they were for Joshua.

JOSHUA 1:8 NKJ
8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

SAY THIS: God's Word is necessary for me to enjoy life as God intended it to be.

[admin]

August 30, 2008

You Can Do All Things Through Christ

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 NKJ
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

God often makes statements in the Bible that go against what we feel like, or what it looks like to us at the time.

God is trying to move us to a higher plane of faith where we depend on Him and not on what we feel like.

Others try to evade the issue by saying that a verse only applies to someone else -- like the Apostle Paul -- not to them.

Well, if you don't believe, you won't receive help. But help is available. And that help and strength is just as available to you as it was to the Apostle Paul, because the Lord does not play favorites.

Paul didn't say, "I can do all things because I am an apostle." No, it is "through Christ" that he was enabled to do what he needed to do. And you, as a believer, are in Christ just as much as the Apostle Paul was.

You choose. Either step out in faith in God and say you can do it with His help, and watch God raise you up to that level. Or, cower back in fear, and say you cannot do it.

SAY THIS: I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.