Sunday, June 30, 2013

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.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

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 Habakkuk 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.

Friday, June 28, 2013

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.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

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.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

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 NKJ
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 are
allowing it.

SAY THIS: I can cast out demons, in Jesus' Name.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

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 NKJ
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.

Monday, June 24, 2013

You Have Guaranteed Provision

1 TIMOTHY 5:8 NIV
8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and
especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is
worse than an unbeliever.

Now that you have received Jesus you are a child of God. God
will never be worse than an unbeliever -- He will always
provide for His own family. That includes you. Stop and think
about this fact!

LUKE 12:22,24,27-32 NLT
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I
tell you not to worry about everyday life -- whether you have
enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.
24 Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store
food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more
valuable to him than any birds!
27 "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or
make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not
dressed as beautifully as they are.
28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here
today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care
for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink.
Don't worry about such things.
30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over
the world, but your Father already knows your needs.
31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you
everything you need.
32 "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father
great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

In God's kingdom there is no lack. A kingdom is a king's
dominion, where a king rules. When you allow King Jesus to rule
in your life, you are part of His kingdom.

COLOSSIANS 1:13 NLT
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and
transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

When you receive Jesus Christ you become a citizen of His
kingdom, so He is responsible for your welfare.

MATTHEW 6:31-33 CEB
31 Therefore, don't worry and say, 'What are we going to eat?'
or 'What are we going to drink?' or 'What are we going to
wear?'
32 Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father
knows that you need them.
33 Instead, desire first and foremost God's kingdom and God's
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as
well.

Instead of worrying about your provision, your focus should be
God's will. This passage mentions two things: being in God's
kingdom and having righteousness (which means right standing
with God).

Everyone who believes on Jesus is now in God's kingdom, and has
been given righteousness as a free gift (Romans 3:22, 5:17). So
you have God's promise that if you are in His kingdom and in
right standing with Him, you need not worry about provision,
for God will provide for you.

This promise of God is not based on what you deserve or what
you are able to do. If you belong to God, He will provide for
you. No matter where you are, or what you are facing, this is
God's promise of basic provision for you.

If necessary, God will multiply food or have ravens bring it to
you, like He did for Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-6).

But if you refuse to believe God will provide for you, your
doubt will open the door for the devil to steal God's provision
from you. Then, even though God was faithful to provide for
you, you may not receive it.

If there is any lack, it is because the devil has stolen your
provision through unbelief. God's will is always for you and
your family to have more than enough.

This basic provision is not the maximum blessing you can live
in, but even if your faith is weak, this is God's guarantee for
you. If you trust God and obey Him, He will provide for you
even more abundantly.

SAY THIS: God promised to provide for me!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

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.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

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?"

Please think about the following Scriptures. Then, you will
understand why you should read the Bible.

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.

Friday, June 21, 2013

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.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

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.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

You Are Rich Because Of What Jesus Did

2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 NLT
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though
he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his
poverty he could make you rich.

God placed the first humans, Adam and Eve, in a garden paradise
where all their needs were abundantly supplied, with never a
thought of lack.

But through disobedience to God mankind fell, and a curse came
on the earth. After man sinned then the devil had access to
people and brought in stealing, killing, and destruction.

All poverty and lack in the earth today is the result of that
curse, and the devil is behind it.

Jesus came to redeem us and set us free from this curse. It
cost Jesus His life, shedding His blood to free us.

HEBREWS 2:14b NLT
14 For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying
could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of
death.

Jesus died not only so your sins would be forgiven, but also to
free you from the the devil and the curse sin produced.

Jesus' death legally frees you from all the curse. But you have
to stand up for what belongs to you. You have to assert the
rights Jesus paid for you to enjoy.

1 JOHN 3:8b NLT
8 But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

Prosperity was purchased for all by the sacrifice of Jesus at
Calvary. The reason we don't have it is because we either don't
know it belongs to us, or we are allowing the devil to steal it
from us.

On the cross Jesus suffered true poverty and lack. It was not
because of anything He did wrong, but for our redemption. By
His sacrifice, provision was made for our finances. On the
cross Jesus took the curses we deserved, so that we might
receive as a gift the blessings Jesus deserved.

ISAIAH 53:5 AMPLIFIED
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for
our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain]
peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes
[that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

Jesus paid the price necessary for you to obtain peace and
well-being. The word translated as peace is "shalom." It means
well-being in every way, not just inward peace, but what can be
seen by others, and definitely includes material prosperity.

Jesus died so that you could always have enough. His death
purchased prosperity for you. Jesus died that you might have
life, and have it in all its fullness (John 10:10).

GALATIANS 4:7 NLT
7 Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since
you are his child, God has made you his heir.

After you receive Jesus, you are no longer a broke beggar, but
a child of Almighty God (John 1:12).

Just like a well-loved child of a billionaire can say, "I am
rich!" even when they have no money in their pocket, you can
say the same thing and tell the truth.

Your heavenly Father is rich beyond compare, and He chose to
make you His heir, and give you everything!

When God gave us Jesus, He gave us everything because
everything belongs to Jesus (Romans 8:32, Hebrews 1:2).

You should not have to wait until you have money in your hand
to believe what God said. You can have confidence that He will
always provide for you abundantly. So you will always have a
full supply, and that is one definition of rich.

SAY THIS: Because of what Jesus did for me, I am truly rich in
every way.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

God Is Good

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

God is not a bad guy. He is not against you. God is not your
problem. He is the answer to your problems.

The Bible reveals who is responsible for all the bad things
that happen -- and it is not God! God is not guilty!

DEUTERONOMY 32:4 NLT
4 He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is
just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just
and upright he is!

God has never done anything unfair or unjust. Everything He
does is perfect!

LUKE 6:35 NLT
35 "Love your enemies! ... and you will truly be acting as
children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are
unthankful and wicked.

According to Jesus, God even shows love to His enemies!

PSALM 145:8-9 NLT
8 The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and
filled with unfailing love.
9 The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all
his creation.

God is kind and merciful, gracious and generous. He desires the
best for everyone. Every good thing we have or enjoy is because
of God and His love.

JAMES 1:17 NLT
17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our
Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never
changes or casts a shifting shadow.

1 JOHN 4:8 NLT
8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is
love.

God is love, and love is defined by giving. God puts the
interests of others first. He is not selfish. He is willing to
suffer so you will not have to suffer.

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

JOHN 1:18 NLT
18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself
God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us.

PSALM 86:5 NLT
5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of
unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

JEREMIAH 9:24 NIV
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have
the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises
kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I
delight," declares the LORD.

EXODUS 34:6 NLT
6 The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The
LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and
filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

PSALM 107:1 NLT
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love
endures forever.

SAY THIS: How wonderful it is to know that God is good!

Monday, June 17, 2013

God Can Speed Things Up

LUKE 8:11 NLT
11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God's word.

MARK 4:26 NLT
26 Jesus also said, "The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who
scatters seed on the ground.

To help us understand how God's Word and His kingdom operate,
Jesus used a seed. And normally, for a seed to grow and produce
a harvest takes significant time.

However, it is also clear that God can speed up natural
processes.

Here are three examples from Scripture: Aaron's rod that grew
almonds overnight, a plant that grew overnight which shaded
Jonah, and the boat immediately reaching the shore when Jesus
got aboard.

NUMBERS 17:7-8 NKJ
7 And Moses placed the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle
of witness.
8 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the
tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the
house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced
blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.

The book of Jonah tells of a plant that grew large enough
overnight to be able to shade Jonah from the sun.

JONAH 4:5-11 NKJ
5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the
city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the
shade, till he might see what would become of the city.
6 And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over
Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from
his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.
7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and
it so damaged the plant that it withered.
8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a
vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah's head, so that
he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, "It
is better for me to die than to live."
9 Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry
about the plant?" And he said, "It is right for me to be angry,
even to death!"
10 But the LORD said, "You have had pity on the plant for which
you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a
night and perished in a night.
11 "And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which
are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who
cannot discern between their right hand and their left -- and
much livestock?"

One time Jesus' disciples were in the middle of the lake rowing
in a storm. As soon as Jesus entered the boat, they were
immediately at land, which was about 4 miles away (a little
over 6 kilometers).

JOHN 6:19-21 NKJ
19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw
Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they
were afraid.
20 But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."
21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and
immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

God is gracious and merciful. So while understanding the seed
idea is important, it need not severely limit us when God is
involved.

For example: healing is a natural process God created so the
human body will heal. However, we can pray for God's power to
cause the process to speed up so that healing occurs faster
than normal.

SAY THIS: God can speed up His harvest of blessing in my life.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

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.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

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.

Friday, June 14, 2013

You Are Not Under The Law

ROMANS 7:4 NJB
4 In the same way you, my brothers, through the body of Christ
have become dead to the Law and so you are able to belong to
someone else, that is, to him who was raised from the dead to
make us live fruitfully for God.

You are not under the (Old Covenant) Law as a way of being
right with God.

Just as a wife whose husband has died is no longer in that
marriage after her husband dies, we are no longer in a
relationship with the Law for the purpose of being right with
God.

ROMANS 7:1-2 NLT
1 Now, dear brothers and sisters -- you who are familiar with
the law -- don't you know that the law applies only while a
person is living?
2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her
husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of
marriage no longer apply to her.

The Law is still good. For example, it is still wrong to steal
and murder. And it is still right to worship God. But we no
longer do those things in order to be right with God. Instead
we do them BECAUSE we are already right with God by being
joined with Jesus Christ.

Now it is His life in us that causes us to live right. We do
not live right in order to get God's approval. Instead we were
given God's love and acceptance as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9,
Romans 5:17). Because of our union with Christ Jesus, we can
manifest God's will naturally from our new heart (Romans 5:5).
We have new life in us -- His life -- which causes us to act
differently.

GALATIANS 5:18 GWN
18 If your spiritual nature is your guide, you are not subject
to Moses' laws.

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.

GALATIANS 2:16 NLT
16 Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in
Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in
Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because
of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For
no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law."

ROMANS 6:14-15 NLT
14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under
the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the
freedom of God's grace.
15 Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law,
does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!

COLOSSIANS 3:3 NLT
3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with
Christ in God.

GALATIANS 2:19-20 GWN
19 When I tried to obey the law's standards, those laws killed
me. As a result, I live in a relationship with God. I have been
crucified with Christ.
20 I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now
live I live by believing in God's Son, who loved me and took
the punishment for my sins.

SAY THIS: I died with Christ, so I am free from the demands of
keeping the Law in order to be in good standing with God.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

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.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

According To Your Faith

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

God responds to faith.

God blesses people who have faith.

Don't you appreciate people who have faith in you? Well, God
appreciates people who have faith in Him.

But His reason is not just selfish -- as ours may be. God knows
His ways are right and bring blessing, while protecting people
from harm. So, when we have faith in God, we will follow His
instructions, and the world will be a better place.

When everyone has faith in God, and follows His way of love,
the world will be a perfect place.

Many people don't understand God because they think He should
respond to need, instead of responding to faith.

God doesn't do that because it doesn't work. Meeting human need
without them having faith in God brings no lasting benefit.

MATTHEW 8:13 NKJ
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you
have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was
healed that same hour.

SAY THIS: God responds to my faith.

Monday, June 10, 2013

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.

Sunday, June 09, 2013

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.

Saturday, June 08, 2013

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.

Friday, June 07, 2013

Gift Or Purchase?

There are four possible ways to obtain something you do not
have.

1. Steal it.
2. Create it.
3. Purchase it.
4. Receive it as a gift.

As you know, stealing is not a legitimate way, and we have not
yet learned how to create something from nothing. So that
leaves us with paying for something or receiving it as a gift.

If you pay any amount, or trade anything in exchange for what
you are receiving, then it is a purchase. For something to be a
gift, you cannot pay anything to get it.

If someone said "I will give you my new car for only one
dollar" they would be wrong. Paying only one dollar for a new
car would be a great bargain, but it would not be a gift, but a
purchase.

We need to understand this clearly. When the Bible says God has
given us a gift, we need not -- in fact, we cannot -- pay for
it in any way.

Trying to pay for a gift is a refusal to receive it as a gift.

EPHESIANS 2:8 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't
take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Salvation is a gift! (Salvation means more than going to Heaven
when we die, but includes deliverance and safety from all that
would harm us.)

Your salvation is a completely free gift! Jesus paid the full
price, so you don't have to pay anything for it! And you CANNOT
earn it by anything you do.

The New Testament tells us that right standing with God is a
gift (Romans 5:17, Romans 3:21-24). We receive this wonderful
gift when we receive Jesus.

JOHN 1:17 ESV
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.

Too many have not yet understood that the New Covenant is based
on an entirely new approach. The Old Covenant (the law of
Moses) required people to perform to gain God's help and favor.
It was based on our human performance. But the New Covenant is
based on the performance of Jesus Christ, and our faith in Him.

If we have to be "good enough" for God's blessing, then we are
trying to pay for a gift. But it is impossible to pay for a
gift! When we start paying for a gift we turn it into a
purchase. And God does not have anything for sale! God will not
allow anything so precious as His love to be bought by our good
performance.

GALATIANS 5:4 NLT
4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by
keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have
fallen away from God's grace.

When we try to pay for God's gift, we "fall from grace." That
means we are trying an inferior approach that will not work. It
means we are still trying to earn God's love and acceptance
instead of receiving it as His gift to us.

SAY THIS: There is no possible way I can ever purchase, pay
for, or achieve good standing with God. It is a gift I must
accept by receiving Jesus Christ.

Thursday, June 06, 2013

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.

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Believe What You Say Will Come To Pass

MARK 11:23 ESV
23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be
taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his
heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it
will be done for him.

Most people have no problem believing what God says will come
to pass. But not many believe that their own words will come to
pass.

You may think it unbelievable to even consider that what you
say would come to pass. But Jesus told us that's part of how
faith works.

"How can it be possible?" you may ask.

For most of us, it will mean we will have to stop much of what
we have been saying. Idle words will have to stop.

But it is possible! If you restrict your words so that nothing
you say is contrary to God's Word, then you can believe that
what you say will come to pass. Because you will only be
speaking in complete agreement with what God has already said.

This won't happen overnight, and it is not easy to completely
control your tongue, but it is possible with God.

JAMES 1:26 NLT
26 If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue,
you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

JAMES 3:8 NLT
8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full
of deadly poison.

We need help to control our tongue. So we must not depend on
our own self-will or efforts to change, but look to God for His
help.

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to always speak in agreement
with Your Word, so I can believe what I say will come to pass.

Tuesday, June 04, 2013

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.

Monday, June 03, 2013

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.

Sunday, June 02, 2013

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.

Saturday, June 01, 2013

The Bible Gives You Instructions For Victory

JOSHUA 1:8 NLT
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it
day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in
it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

God has the answer for every problem. God's Word is God's
wisdom (Luke 11:49).

The Bible is God's message, given to you from His heart of
love, so you can know the truth, and have a sure foundation on
which to base your life.

The Bible was not given to put you down, but to raise you up.
Not to put you in bondage, but to make you free! (John 8:31-32)

God's Word gives you dependable truth you can use to form your
beliefs, so that your beliefs will line up with the reality of
how God's creation works. God alone knows all truth, and in the
Bible He shared what you need to know to live a blessed life.

Follow God's instructions and things will go well with you. The
answer for success in life is to do what the Bible says to do,
because it is truth.

SAY THIS: The Bible is my instruction book for victory.