Devotions - Prayer
It doesn’t matter how many people you’ve led to the Lord, how many Scriptures you’ve memorized or how many Bible studies you’ve taught; if you’re not fully convinced God loves you…there’s something missing.
“…we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ…”Ephesians 4:14-15
The apostle Paul challenges us in Romans 12:2 to not let our minds be conformed by the patterns of this world.
*This means we need to take our patterns of thought into consideration because they affect what we believe about ourselves and what we believe about God’s view of us and others.
The world’s patterns of thought tell us our worth is measured by our weight or bank account, our job or spouse, by the number of our friends, or if we are able to have children.
And if we do have children, the world tells us we’re only good parents if our children behave ‘just so.’
It takes time to replace our patterns of thought with God’s thoughts. The ways of the world—fear and worry—are powerful forces. But God’s Word trumps them, always.
Today, let’s be intentional to lay down self-doubts and replace them with truth, remembering “… he who began a good work in [us] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:16).
4 principles to understand to renew the mind
1. The weapons of the enemy.
2. The strategy of the enemy.
3. The weapons of God.
4. God’s battle plan for Holiness and purity.
Approach uncertainty with faith that Jesus is with you directing your steps. Nothing is uncertain to Jesus or in His kingdom. Jesus knows the beginning from the end, and we can trust Him to lead us in the way we should go. Jesus is for us and not against us. Maintain peace in all things—-we are God’s Masterpiece.
Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Lord, I want to have a confident heart in Christ and persevere in Your truth so that when I have done Your will, I will receive what You have promised. When doubt tells me I can’t do something, I’ll remember all things are possible to those who believe In Jesus! Amen
Read MoreEphesians 4:22 So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor 5:17).
It’s a second chance to get a fresh start without penalty.
1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.
Christ represents the invitation to throw away our first life and begin anew with Him as a new creation. (see Eph. 2:1-10)
The new life in Christ has nothing to do with church attendance or even doing good things.
Christ said there will be many people who will claim Him as their Savior but they never really knew Him. (see JN 17:3 “to know Jesus is to have Eternal Life” “to know”)
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matt 7:22-23).
Jesus invites everyone to partake of the new life He offers.
*We only must believe, invite him to remove our sins and allow Him to live as Lord through our lives.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me?” (Rev 3:20).
If you want another chance in life, now is the time to let Jesus give you a brand new start. Ask Him for that new start today. (Read Ephesians 1-6 each day and find a new truth each day to walk in for the renewing of the mind)
In 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21 As a new creation we Are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God is pleading through us: on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For God made Christ who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become righteousness of God in Christ.
Dear Lord, I want to be that new creature, I want more of you Lord. Help me to be righteous. I thank You Jesus who has erased that which I’m not proud of and has given me new beginnings. Jesus now please give me the discipline that I now make time for Your Word each day and then put Your word into action. Amen
Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd;I have all that I need.
If you need a prescription for peace, I encourage you to let your thoughts dwell on God’s promises and rest in His presence as you pray.
Ask Him to help you release your worry. Praise Him for the good things He’s done, and talk to Him about the problems you’re struggling with.
Seek God’s will for every area of your life and commit to trust Him enough to make changes as He nudges you.
True peace comes when we trust God and seek rest in Him, not when life is conflict-free.
****A daily dose of God’s presence and promises is the best prescription for peace.
Philippians 4:6-7.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
As the words of these verses wash through my soul, I realize I’ve been depending on people to diagnose my problems instead of seeking a remedy from God.
I had overlooked the only One who had a prescription that could heal — Jesus Christ.
Galatians 6: 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
ENEMIES OF GODLINESS
Enemy #1 Selfishness:-Don’t only look to satisfy your own sinful nature, this harvests death. Live to please the spirit, this harvests life in the spirit.(See 1 Peter 3:18)
Enemy #2 Pride: Be Humble.
(SeeProverbs 16:18)
Enemy #3 Insecurity:-It prevents intimacy and promotes fear. -We are afraid that or weaknesses will be revealed. We are also afraid of rejection of being ourselves so we try to be something and someone we are not.
-The antidote of rejection is the acceptance of Almighty God.
Enemy #4 Resentment: -Hurt people hurt people.
(Philippians 2:4)
Dear Lord, I am stressed. I know I need a change in my life, and I am ready for the prescription for peace that only You can offer. Fill me today with a dose of serenity that I cannot find anywhere else but in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read MoreDo not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19 NIV).
- Who has a better arsenal to repay, you or God?
- Who can settle the score better, you or God?
- I think God! If I have to choose whether
- I’m going to get back at someone or let God be the God of justice, I’m going to let God be the God of justice.
- I’m going to choose to leave it to God.
Forgiveness does not mean the instant restoration of trust.
- Forgiveness is instant.
- Trust must be rebuilt over time.
- Forgiveness is based on grace.
- Trust is built on works.
- You earn trust. You don’t earn forgiveness.
A lot of people don’t want to forgive, because they think if they forgive people, then they’ve got to trust them again. No. That’s a whole different issue!
Let me say it again: Forgiving someone does not mean you have to trust that person. It means that person has to earn the trust.
If people are in a relationship and one person is dealing with drugs or alcohol or abuse or whatever, they may ask, “Will you forgive me?” Yes, you will forgive them. “Can we go back to the way it was?” No. That’s not at all what we do. If we did it would be called enabling.
Forgiveness and a restoration of a relationship are two different things.
- Forgiveness is only your part, whether they respond or not, whether they ask for it or not, whether they even recognize they need it or not. You forgive for your sake.
- Restoration of a relationship takes far more than forgiveness.
- It takes repentance.
- It takes restitution and a rebuilding of trust.
- And it often takes much more time.
Many people think they can’t forgive because that would mean going back to the same old way. Not at all. But you do have to leave it to God.
Lord, help us all in this area of relationships. Help us do what You would do. Help us search Scripture to find the answer. Amen
Read More“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
We all struggle with negative thinking at times; it’s a common battle.
And that’s why it’s important to recognize negative thought patterns and learn how to re-route them.
** The good news is we can have control over what we think.
*When we’re down, sad or hopeless, let’s take inventory of our thoughts.
*When we find ourselves jumping to conclusions, doling out guilt trips on others or replaying arguments in our mind, let’s consciously change our thinking.
*When I get in a self-pity party, often it’s because I’ve focused too much on what’s bad.
The apostle Paul advises us in our key verse, Philippians 4:8, to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For ‘who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”
The next time you’re fighting negative thoughts, “rattle your cage” by remembering you have the mind of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
*Take each negative thought captive and replace it with what Paul describes in our key verse.
Scripture promises that when we align our thoughts with God’s, His peace, which passes all understanding, will keep our hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.
Lord, give me Your ability to bring every thought captive. Help me to refute negative thoughts with Your truth from Your word. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read More THIS IS THE VICTORY
The true purpose of our Christian walk is to freely lay down our lives so God’s Love can pour through us to others.
“Greater love has no one than this; that one lay down His Life for his friends.” John 15:13
“This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John5:4). (see 1 John 4:4 also)
Have you failed?
*Is there a sin that easily besets you?
*Do you feel like a weakened coward, unable to get the victory over secret sin?
*But with that weakness in you, is there also a consuming hunger for God?
*Do you yearn for Him, reach to Him?
*That hunger and thirst is the key to your victory
That hunger sets you apart. You must keep that hunger alive. Keep thirsting after righteousness (moral orderliness). Never justify your weakness, never give in to it, and never accept it as a part of your life.
Faith is your victory.
Sure, you have failed. Maybe yesterday—or even today! We all have!
*But do you believe Jesus has the power to ultimately free you from sin’s power?
*Do you believe the cross of Jesus means sin’s bondage is broken?
*Do you accept the fact that He has promised to deliver you from the snare of Satan?
Where the victory lies.
***Let your heart accept all the promises of victory in Jesus.
**Then let your faith tell your heart,
* “I may not be what I want to be yet but God is at work in me, and He has the power to loose sin’s hold on me.
* I am not the devil’s puppet and I will not be his victim.
*I am a weak child of God, wanting the strength of Jesus.
*I am going to come forth as pure gold tried in the fire.
*God is for me! I commit it all to Him who is able to keep me from falling and present me faultless before the throne of God—with exceeding great joy.”
This is a universal truth. Wisdom comes from obedience, not knowledge. When we have been tested and proven, the reality of our faith results in possessions from God that we would never receive if we had not gone through those trials.
Christ beside me, Christ before me ,Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
Dear Lord, thank You for calling us Your children. And for making a home within us, so we may rest secure in You. Because You are our dwelling place, we are never alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Lets First Hear “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name”(Acts 10:43).
Believe Jesus was crucified at a place we call Calvary. It was nine in the morning when soldiers nailed his hands and feet to the cross and then suspended him between heaven and earth.
At noon the sky darkened. It was the darkest moment in human history. God was making Jesus, the one who had no sin, to be sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
At three in the afternoon, Jesus said in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And then….
In victory, he cried out, “It is finished!” With that cry, he gave up his spirit.
This was no ordinary death suffered by no ordinary person. This was Jesus, the Lord and creator of all, offering himself as the perfect Lamb of God.
- His achievement removed the barrier that stood between God and man.
- It shook the foundation of the world and it raised people to life.
- This was God saying to mankind to take note, to stop and consider the implications.
Christ Jesus, as the Lamb of God, took away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He took away your sin.
Live
- Do you believe that Jesus’ death at Calvary was sufficient to take away your sin?
- Are you willing to rest in His finished work and trust that your sins have been forgiven once and for all?
- Are you willing to thank God that according toActs 10:43, you have forgiveness of sins?
John 6:47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life!
1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is IN his Son. Amen
Read MoreHosea 4:6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
“Because you have rejected knowledgeI also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
Knowledge is power! Your knowledge of God [His word] will spur you on through the fiercest of storms. Because you know that God is always with you,-you can walk through on this earth with the widest smile anyone has every seen.
**Because you KNOW that you’re more than a conqueror, that God never leaves you, that you can do all things through Christ, that He who is in you is greater [than all].
God loves you–You are His Masterpiece!
Proverbs 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Have we allowed our prideful thoughts, wounded emotions and self-centered desires to quench God’s Love in our hearts and separate us from each other?
John 17: 3 Now this is eternal life: that they KNOW you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
Jesus defines eternal life as KNOWING God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Eternal life is having an intimate, personal relationship with God the Father and Jesus the Son.
This intimacy with God is what salvation is all about.
-Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Anyone who views salvation as only forgiveness of sins and stops there is missing out.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Salvation was intended to be presented as the way to come back into harmony with God.
Romans 10:13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Instead, salvation has often been presented as the way to escape the problems of this life and later the judgment of hell.
John 3:15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
We Belivers KNOW that—Only an intimate relationship (eternal life) with our Father can do that. We need to tell them.
*KNOW, that the Lord has been with you and protected you; even carried you in times when you were not able.
Lord, help me have an Eternal Perspective and:
” Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(1 Thess. 5:16-18). Amen
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Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. (John 3:3)
A new birth is absolutely essential to enter the kingdom. John uses a very interesting word here that is translated anew, or again. It is the Greek word, anothen, which means again or to do something a second time. It often points to a radical new beginning which comes from above.
• It signifies God must do this.
• It is speaking of something radical, a new beginning.
• It is a second birth, but it comes from above.
• It is God that does it, not man; and it results in a new creation, a new beginning.
This idea appears many times in the New Testament.
• Paul speaks of babes in Christ, (1 Corinthians 3:1).
• Peter says, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow, (1 Peter 2:2).
• Again Peter says we are born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, (1 Peter 1:23).
• And he speaks of being born to a living hope, (1 Peter 1:3).
• Paul speaks not only of being new creatures in Christ but of a new creation; of passing from death unto life, of a new, radical start.
Jesus makes clear that this is the only way to enter the kingdom of God. If you do not come this way you cannot enter. There is no way you can even see the kingdom of God without this.
To be in the kingdom of God, of course, is to belong to God; it is to be a part of his rule, his reign, his domain. Paul speaks of being transferred from the kingdom of darkness, ruled by the god of this world, into the kingdom of the Son of his love, (Colossians 1:13). Thus, Jesus was referring to a transfer of citizenship, a radical departure from what we once were.
Jesus sensed in Nicodemus (John 3) a deep hunger, an emptiness. Here was a man who was doing his level best to obey what he thought God wanted, yet he had an empty and unsatisfied heart that led him to seek out Jesus by night, at the risk of the displeasure of his peers, to talk with him about the kingdom of God.
Sensing this our Lord immediately puts him on the right track, saying to him, in effect, You are wasting your time if you think you can enter the kingdom of God the way you are. You cannot do it. You must be born again.
Father, thank you for the miracle of new birth which comes only from above. It is only through your great power and love that such a thing could happen to me. Amen (See Ephesians 2:1-10 too)
Scripture tells us that, as new believers, we have “put on” Christ. Although this begins in our hearts when we’re born again, we must continually choose to “put on” Christ moment by moment throughout our lives. This is the process of sanctification.
“…put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3b).
The Hebrew word translated “paths” means “a well-defined, well-worn trail.” That indicates again how stupid sheep are, because even when the trail is well laid out, they still need a shepherd. They are still inclined to wander away, no matter how obvious the path may be. The shepherd knows the trails. He has been there before, and the sheep trust him
We have to make countless decisions, day after day, which touch the lives of our children and our wives and husbands. We need wisdom. We need a shepherd. We need someone who knows the trails, someone whom we can trust.
We all need a decisive word from someone who knows the way, and the Lord knows the way. But the question arises–
“How can I discover His will for my life?”
May I suggest these steps?
First, submit wholeheartedly to the leadership of the shepherd. That is the basic attitude we must maintain. Unless we are willing to admit that we don’t know the way through the wilderness and submit to His leadership, we will never find the way.
The second thing we must do is to obey what we know now to be God’s will for us. Most of God’s will is already revealed in His Word. We have to begin by obeying the truth that we have.
But what about other areas of life where the Scriptures do not give specific information?
There we are led by the peace of God. As we spend time praying and waiting upon God, there comes a sense of peace, an inner conviction, about the correctness of a certain direction.
Father, You have promised to lead me in paths of righteousness. Help me to be willing to follow, even when I don’t understand. AMEN
God Speaks through Circumstances
by Os Hillman
“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things” (Eccl 11:5).
God will often use circumstances in our lives to direct us in making and confirming decisions. I have often discovered this to be the case – but only after a situation has occurred. I later look back and see how God worked in the situation.
Years ago, I launched a magazine designed for Christians in the workplace and I was having lunch with a Christian leader named Larry who headed a ministry that helps men and women apply biblical principles to managing money.
During our lunch, I explained to Larry that I had noticed that there were many grassroots workplace ministries cropping up all over the country. I asked Larry if he was familiar with some of the groups since he had taught a course and wrote a book on operating a business on biblical principles. But he said he was not. He then asked, “It would be nice to know what all these groups are doing so we don’t duplicate efforts. Do you think you could invite some of these groups for a roundtable discussion?” I told him I would and I proceeded to invite four main workplace ministries that I had worked with in the past.
Then something unexpected began to happen. I began to get requests from ministries all around the country that had heard about the gathering and they were asking if they could attend the roundtable. By the time the event actually took place, 54 people showed up representing 45 organizations from around the country! Unfortunately, Larry had a last minute conflict and was not able to attend, and he informed me that I would have to host the meeting myself. That was the birth of Marketplace Leaders, the ministry I now lead full time. I often joke that God tricked me into starting this ministry because He knows I never would have done that on my own at that time.
God often confirms His direction through circumstances. Be on alert that when God sets up situations that are out of your control – He may be giving you direction through these circumstances.
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Basically, having an eternal perspective means that as we make decisions or take actions, we consider how they will impact us and others in eternity.
Rather than thinking about how a decision will look in 30 days, we think about what it will look like in 3,000 years (and beyond).
When trying to decide how to run our business or allocate our resources, we do not merely look at how it will affect our retirement, but also how it will impact eternity.
Scripture Example
Whenever possible, I want to go to Scripture to get our direction. Let’s look at Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-8.
Rather, train yourself in godliness, for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
…The Life To Come
Notice how Paul acknowledges that godliness has benefits for our present life in this world while also for the life to come! This is the perfect example of having an eternal perspective. Training the body also has benefits here, but not so much in the life to come.
So if Paul is recommending this kind of eternal perspective mindset to Timothy, why would it not work in the business world? Why would it not make sense for us to think the same way as we approach every aspect of our lives today – work, school, church, etc.?
Critical To Following Jesus
I am convinced this kind of thinking from an eternal perspective is critical. In fact, I do not believe we can effectively follow Jesus Christ and think otherwise. For us to attempt to truly follow Jesus while only thinking about the short-term results of our actions or decisions may just be impossible. I think Luke 9:62 fits here:
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Not Easy!
The difficulty in this thinking from an eternal perspective – and I promise you there is difficulty – is that the world does not think this way. Because of this, the rewards of this world often come to those who think short-term. In this context, short-term is any time-frame on this side of eternity.
Eternity In Our Hearts
Recognize that God put eternity into our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and that is how He expects us to think.
*The more we think from an eternal perspective, the more our decisions and actions will reflect i
Lord, create in me an Eternal Perspective, looking to You and Your word for my direction each and every day through the Holy Spirit. Amen
Read More1 Corinthians 4:6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
*Going beyond what is written – This means to me that we have tendencies to place ourselves in a position where WE ACT in an independent way, believing that it lines up with the word of God, or exceeds it.
*This is the kind of attitude that causes us to become boastful, and in a way that we feel like we know all, and can’t be taught anything.
*Keep your eye out for pride! Pride can infect our spiritual lives and divide His Church.
Paul is preaching this because of the “cliques” created within the church, because of the leaders essentially making themselves idols.
This kind of things happens in our times too, where leaders glorify themselves through what kind of gatherings they have, how much offering they receive, how spiritual they are, how connected they are to God and how many people attend and what they did for them etc.
After being so “self-inflated” we can even succumb to a state of arrogance, casting out all humility to right ourselves before the Lord…
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Any true spiritual leader is a representative of Christ and has nothing to offer that God hasn’t given him or her.
*Don’t let your loyalty to human leaders cause strife, slander, or broken relationships.
Hosea 4:6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests;
*God desires relationship not religious exercises! He wants us to know His heart, His ways, His love for us and He wants us to return that love.
It’s a heart thing…why do I do what I do to serve Him? If its not out of love for Him, the fruit of my love relationship with Him, then it has little value in His eyes.
Read Amos 5:21-24 in the Message Bible for what God values! I had me wake up anyway!
Lord, expand my understanding of who You are. I don’t want to simply know about You; I want to know You intimately and personally in my experience and serventhood to YOU! Help me to relax, let You lead me, and follow You because I want to – not because I am supposed to. Help me to know YOU more and help me not to go beyond what is written. Amen
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How Can I Be Sure I’m Saved?
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.
*If we think the Bible teaches universal salvation, we may arrive at a false sense of assurance by reasoning as follows: Everybody is saved. I am a body. Therefore, I am saved.
*Or, if we think salvation is gained by our own good works and we are further deluded into believing that we possess good works, we will have a false assurance of salvation.
Romans 3:30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
To have sound assurance, we must understand that our salvation rests on the merit of Christ alone, which is appropriated to us when we embrace Him by genuine faith.
Romans 5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
If we understand that, the remaining question is, “Do I have the genuine faith necessary for salvation?”
Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
James 1:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
The Cross of Christ has given me Salvation. Not only from sin, but EVERY Bondage.
*Fear, anxiety, doubt, unbelief, failure, broken hearted, sickness, addiction.
*EVERY BONDAGE.
*No chains can hold me. Christ Jesus my Lord has set the once captive free– Through Faith in Him.
The second requirement involves a sober analysis of our own lives. We must examine ourselves to see whether the fruit of regeneration is apparent in our lives.
*Do we have a real affection for the biblical Christ?
Only the regenerate person possesses real love for the real Jesus.
Have you ever changed your mind, stopped defending yourself and trying to blame everything on others, and said, “No, Lord, no one else is to blame, only I. This is the way I am—and I need help? I Repent!”
That is where God will meet us. He always meets humans at that point, washes away guilt, cleanses, forgives. That is where you will find forgiveness of sins. If you have never repented before, I urge you to do so now. God will meet you right there.
In the quiet of your own heart, where God alone hears, you can say to Him, “Lord, I repent. Lord, send me the Holy Spirit through Jesus.” And He will.
Lord, thank You that You promise to meet me in this place of repentance. I come to You now on that basis. Amen
Read MoreMatthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
The only reason that an abundance of iniquity would make anyone’s love for the Lord wax cold, is if he were not separated from that iniquity.
As with Lot, a righteous man can vex his soul from day to day by hearing and seeing the unlawful deeds of the ungodly (2 Pet. 2:8).
We have to deal with the world’s system and those in it, but we need to be careful and maintain proper balance. We should shun relationships with those who influence us negatively more than we influence them positively.
Marriage is one area where this principle is especially true. There is no closer union in life than the marriage relationship. A believer who marries an unbeliever is directly violating this scripture and is toying with disaster.
The Lord should be the most important person in our life.
*How could we possibly become “one” with a person who doesn’t love our Lord?
It is folly to think that after marriage an unbelieving spouse will accept the Lord. Although that does happen, it cannot be guaranteed.
In fact, statistics are overwhelmingly against this happening. Regardless of that possibility, a believer who marries an unbeliever is directly violating God’s instructions here. It is not a good start to any marriage to spurn God’s Word.
Being unequally yoked with unbelievers just doesn’t work. Believers and unbelievers are as different as :
- Righteousness and unrighteousness,
- Light and Darkness
- Jesus and Evil
- One has faith and the other has none.
- One is the temple of God and the other an idol.
- Any Christian who doesn’t see this conflict is deceived.
- Lord, Thank You for your Word and the hard truths that come from it to help us in our journey here on earth. Forgive me for the mistakes I have made and direct my feet onto your path. Give me more wisdom and discernment to do Your will. Amen