Thursday, December 31, 2009

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.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

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.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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.

Monday, December 28, 2009

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.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

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.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

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!

Friday, December 25, 2009

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.

Jesus of Nazareth may not have been born on December 25th. 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!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

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!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

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.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

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 home.
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.

Monday, December 21, 2009

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, about 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.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

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.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

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.

Friday, December 18, 2009

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 LB
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.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

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, so it
won't defeat 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.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

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.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

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.

Monday, December 14, 2009

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.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

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
access 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.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

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 fully 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.

Friday, December 11, 2009

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 so that we may receive all God 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.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

The Blood Speaks

HEBREWS 12:24 NKJ
24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood
of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

The Blood testifies that Jesus set us free from all the curse
and made us able to partake of the inheritance of the saints.
The Blood testifies that Jesus bought our redemption and set us
free from the devil.

EPHESIANS 1:7 NIV
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

God worked when the blood of Abel cried unto Him -- how much
more mightily He will work when it is the blood of His own Son
that cries.

By speaking words of faith, we agree with what the Blood says
concerning our total and absolute redemption and freedom from
the curse.

ROMANS 5:9 NIV
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more
shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

HEBREWS 9:12 KJV
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own
blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us.

SAY THIS: Jesus' Blood declares that I am free and forgiven.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

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.

Monday, December 07, 2009

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.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

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.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

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.

Friday, December 04, 2009

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.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

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. Putting God first will bless
you, improving your life and well-being.

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.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Sprinkle The Blood

1 PETER 1:2 NKJ
2 . . . in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace
be multiplied.

By faith we can sprinkle the Blood of Jesus on people who come
to us for help. The Blood is a token of Christ's total
redemption, signaling the devil that he must flee. By faith in
that precious Blood all can be delivered.

Blood in the human body brings healing to sick tissue. The
Blood of Jesus brings healing to His body as well.

LEVITICUS 17:11 NKJ
11 `For the life of the flesh is in the blood . . .

Blood delivers everything necessary for the members of a human
body and carries away waste material. Jesus' Blood also brings
life and nourishment to the members of His body, and rids us of
everything that is of the curse.

When the Israelites in Egypt had blood on their door, no evil
dared enter their dwelling. Likewise, we are kept safe through
the protection of the divine Blood of Jesus.

Jesus' Blood overcomes the devil and all he has done. Believe
it in your heart and say it with your mouth -- until you see
complete victory.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:4 NKJ
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in
God for pulling down strongholds,

By faith, sprinkle the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ anywhere
there is evidence of satanic effort to stop the complete will
of God in your life.

Let us use all our weapons: the Name of Jesus, the Word of God,
and the Blood of the Lamb.

SAY THIS: By faith I apply the Blood of Jesus to my life and
property.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

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.