Monday, September 30, 2013

God Enjoys Happy Children

1 CHRONICLES 16:31 NET
31 Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be happy! Let the
nations say, 'The LORD reigns!'

There is plenty to be unhappy about on earth. But we can always
be happy about the Lord and what He has done for us. We don't
have to continually focus on the bad things happening around
us.

When we rejoice in the Lord it makes us feel better, and the
Lord enjoys it, also.

ZEPHANIAH 3:17 NLT
17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty
savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his
love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you
with joyful songs."

God rejoices over you! He loves you more than you realize!

God created you to live with positive emotions. He is happy and
He wants you to be happy, too.

DEUTERONOMY 12:7 NLT
7 There you and your families will feast in the presence of the
LORD your God, and you will rejoice in all you have
accomplished because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Under the Old Covenant God set aside times each year for His
people to gather and rejoice in His goodness. We should learn
from this that it is good to celebrate God's goodness.

ISAIAH 65:18 NLT
18 Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will
create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a
source of joy.

God's creation should cause us to delight in our wonderful
Father God and His amazing ability, creativity, and love.

The Lord enjoys seeing His children grow up to become like Him.
God likes us to be joyful and happy -- just like He is. It is a
choice we can make!

JOEL 2:21 NLT
21 Don't be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice, for the
LORD has done great things.

Life is not always easy and perfect. The natural flow on earth
is not happiness. But by faith we can look past our temporary
circumstances to our eternal God. We can choose to rejoice and
be happy regardless of our circumstances. This is part of God's
instruction that will enable us to walk in victory and
overcome.

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

SAY THIS: I am one of God's happy children.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Don't Give Up!

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 THE MESSAGE
13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face. All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let
you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help
you come through it.

All of us have been tempted to lose hope and give up. But we
always have a choice: focus on God and stay in faith, or focus
on the problem and give up.

Problems -- no matter how huge they seem to us -- are no
problem to God. Nothing is too hard, or complicated, for God to
solve. But God wants us to trust Him.

So what should you do when you are being tempted and feel like
giving in and giving up?

Refuse!

Just keep your focus on the Lord and rejoice in His
faithfulness. Remember that God cannot lie, and will never
fail. God will see you through.

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

When the devil tries to steal your faith, he tries to get you
to quit speaking in agreement with the Word of God. Don't let
it happen! Hold fast to speaking your faith! Keep on saying
what the Word of God says about you and your situation. Don't
be moved by the circumstances.

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

Don't grow weary. Keep your eyes on the Lord. His Word will
work and produce a harvest of blessing in your life. Don't
doubt it!

SAY THIS: I will keep trusting in God and never give up!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Be Quick To Listen

JAMES 1:19 NLT
19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to
speak, and slow to get angry.

You learn by listening -- not by talking.

The biggest barrier to learning is thinking you already know a
subject. If you think you already know everything, it is
difficult to learn anything more.

You can learn from every person -- if you will just listen to
what they have to say. Everyone knows something you do not
know.

Pride robs you from learning from others. Pride keeps you
ignorant -- while making you think you are wise.

ROMANS 1:22 NLT
22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.

This is not to say you should accept everything you hear as
truth -- just that you should be humble enough, and respect
people enough, to listen and evaluate what they have to say.

Listen and learn. Talk too much and only embarrass yourself.

PROVERBS 17:27-28 ICB
27 The person who has knowledge says very little. And a person
with understanding stays calm.
28 Even a foolish person seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. He
appears to have understanding if he doesn't speak.

Proud people act as if they have a duty to display their
superior knowledge to all who will listen. They are quick to
speak, because they "know" they are right.

PROVERBS 10:19 ICB
19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin. If you are wise, you
will keep quiet.

It is not wrong to talk -- just don't talk too much. And don't
be so anxious to impress people with what you know.

ECCLESIASTES 5:3 NLT
3 Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool
makes you a blabbermouth.

SAY THIS: I will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to
become angry.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Be Heaven's Ambassador

2 CORINTHIANS 5:20 LB
20 We are Christ's ambassadors. God is using us to speak to
you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading
with you, receive the love he offers you--be reconciled to God.

An ambassador is a resident representative for the head of state
of their own country.

As citizens of Heaven, we are authorized to represent our King,
the Lord Jesus Christ, here on Earth.

An ambassador is a very important person. Unless they do their
job correctly, misunderstanding can easily develop -- and
possibly even war.

This is Heaven's problem. Its ambassadors have not always
clearly communicated the correct message to Earth's
inhabitants. That is why so many people are "at war with God"
instead of enjoying the blessings of peace with God.

The problem comes from people misunderstanding God, and not
realizing the sin problem has already been dealt with in
Christ.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 NLT
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering
for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through
Christ.

The logic supporting the plea in verse 20, to be reconciled to
God, is found in verse 21: the sin separating us from God has
been dealt with through Christ. So we no longer need to hide
from God, or fear His judgment. Instead, we can enjoy His gift
of being made right with Him.

A good ambassador for Heaven must know the message of God, and
speak His message -- accurately.

One way of determining the accurate message of Jesus Christ is
found in John 8:31-32. Jesus said His message would make people
free -- not beat them down or put them in bondage.

God has a message that He desires for every person to hear: He
loves them, and will help them, if they will only turn to Him.

We must communicate that message clearly.

This message of God's love for mankind was displayed in and
through a person: Jesus of Nazareth. We learn of Him, and His
message, through a book -- the Holy Bible.

Actually, Jesus Himself was, and is, God's message. We need
only present Jesus to people as He truly was, and is -- and
they will be drawn to Him, because there is no fault in Him.

An ambassador does not speak for himself -- he speaks the
official policy and message of the country he represents.

So we are not here to give our opinion, but to proclaim what
God has said in His written Word, the Bible -- Heaven's
official message.

SAY THIS: I will be a good ambassador of Jesus Christ, to
represent Heaven, and speak His accurate message here on Earth.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

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). You are not told to do
anything 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.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

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.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

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!

Be ready!

SAY THIS: Come Lord Jesus. Come back and straighten everything
out.

Monday, September 23, 2013

A Relationship With God

HOSEA 2:19-20 NLT
19 I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness
and justice, unfailing love and compassion.
20 I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will
finally know me as the LORD.

Sometimes God illustrates His relationship with His people by
using the human relationship of marriage, the most intimate
relationship between human adults.

By using this illustration the Lord is trying to help us
understand His feelings: His deep love toward His people, and
the pain caused by their unfaithfulness and lack of love for
Him.

EPHESIANS 5:31-32 NLT
31 As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother
and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one."
32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the
way Christ and the church are one.

Whenever I have been tempted to complain about how my wife was
treating me, the Lord has gently shown me how I was also
treating Him in the same way. For example, if I thought she was
not giving me enough attention, I realized I had been treating
the Lord the same way. (I have a wonderful wife, but our
relationship has had to grow just like every relationship.)

What a way the Lord has of illustrating things and teaching us!

God has feelings, just like you do. God is a Person. He does
not enjoy being ignored, neglected, or disrespected any more
than you do. Fortunately for us, God is not controlled by His
feelings, but always acts in line with His Word!

God's plan is not to force us to do His will. His objective is
for us to freely desire to do His will. God gets no pleasure
from forcing us to love Him or do His will.

God already made the first move and now waits for us to
reciprocate. He loved us first and demonstrated it at Calvary.

Of course the devil, the father of lies, tries his best to
deceive us into thinking God doesn't care and doesn't deserve
our love. What a lie!

SAY THIS: God desires a close relationship with me, so I will
not disappoint Him.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Recognize Your Enemy

1 PETER 5:8-9a NLT
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He
prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to
devour.
9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.

The devil is your enemy. His forces are the ones causing you
trouble. (And their main target is your faith.)

God is not your enemy! God is for you. He is on your side.

People are not your enemies. They sometimes act like enemies --
but they are not. They are only relatives in darkness who are
believing lies and being influenced by the devil.

EPHESIANS 6:11-12 NLT
11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand
firm against all strategies of the devil.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but
against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,
against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil
spirits in the heavenly places.

Although Jesus completely defeated the devil and gave us
authority over him, the devil is still free to tell his lies
and try to deceive people.

The devil is a liar and a deceiver (John 8:44, 2 Corinthians
11:14, Revelation 12:9). He robs people by getting them to
believe lies. He attacks with thoughts of doubt and fear. We
must resist those thoughts and refuse to speak them.

Be aware also that the devil may even try to misuse Scripture
to deceive you (Matthew 4:5-7). So we cannot take Scripture out
of context and try to make it say something which it does not
really say, and which does not reflect God's nature.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:4 NLT
4 We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock
down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false
arguments.

We are involved in a fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12), so we may
have to struggle to hold on to faith in God's Word (Hebrews
4:14, 10:23), and not give in to fear and doubt.

We receive God's provision by faith so we must believe what God
says. We must not allow the devil to rob us through doubt and
unbelief.

SAY THIS: I will not believe the lies of my enemy, the devil.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

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.

Friday, September 20, 2013

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.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

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.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Prosperity Preachers

Sometimes people ask me if I am a "prosperity preacher."

The term "prosperity preacher" is a critical term some use to
put down those who preach God's will is prosperity.

After thinking about this, I believe there are only four
possible positions on this issue.

1 Preach prosperity is God's will for people.

2 Preach prosperity is NOT God's will -- leading people to
believe poverty is God's will.

3 Preach prosperity is God's will for some people, but not for
everyone.

4 Don't preach anything about the subject. Just keep quiet
about the subject of money.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems these are the only
options. Either you preach God is for prosperity, God is for
poverty, God has some special favorites, or just keep quiet
about the whole issue.

For those who might think it safest to ride the fence and not
say anything, realize that Jesus spoke more about money than He
did heaven or hell. The Bible is not silent on the subject, so
we should not ignore the subject either.

For those who think God shows favoritism, the Bible clearly
says otherwise six times (2 Chronicles 19:7, Acts 10:34, Romans
2:11, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25, 1 Peter 1:17).

Admittedly, there are warnings in Scripture about the dangers
of prosperity. And we should not ignore them. Money, just like
fire, can cause great damage if used wrongly, but is a great
blessing when properly used.

Money is certainly not the most important thing in life. Nor
can we judge a person's spiritual condition by their financial
condition. Yet we all require material things in order to live
here on earth.

Surely our Father God, who Jesus taught is superior to earthly
parents (Matthew 7:11), desires for every person to have all
they need.

No doubt there may be some who preach prosperity imperfectly,
with the wrong emphasis, or with wrong motives. But they are
not my servants, and to their own Master they are accountable,
not to me. It is not my job to criticize other preachers and
call them names to put them down.

Maybe they are not perfectly balanced in their teaching. Maybe
they don't know everything. But I don't either! (And neither do
you.)

But surely the correct approach is not name-calling, trying to
tarnish the reputation of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I think the right attitude is the one Paul had, that even if
people were preaching with wrong motives, Christ was still
being preached -- so he rejoiced.

PHILIPPIANS 1:17-18 NLT
17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about
Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely,
intending to make my chains more painful to me.
18 But that doesn't matter. Whether their motives are false or
genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way,
so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

The reason the devil wants people to use such disparaging names
is because he is afraid people will find out the Bible really
does teach God's will is prosperity for all people -- which it
is.

Poverty is not God's will for any person!

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to pray for my brothers and
sisters instead of calling them names.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

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.

Monday, September 16, 2013

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.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

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.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

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.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Think You Know Something?

1 CORINTHIANS 8:2 NIV
2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he
ought to know.

1 CORINTHIANS 8:2 LB
2 If anyone thinks he knows all the answers, he is just showing
his ignorance.

A problem we have is that we don't know what we don't know.

(Certainly, we can trust in God's Word (the Bible) and know it
is truth -- as long as we are accurately reading it.)

Just like you, I evaluate things based on what I think I know.
I evaluate myself. I evaluate others.

But are my evaluations correct? Do I know as much as I think I
do? Am I using the right criteria? Do I really see the whole
picture as God does? Am I really qualified?

What should we do? We have to make choices everyday -- which
implies making judgments in the sense of making evaluations. We
have to proceed based on the best information we have at the
time.

But just remember, not one of us knows everything. So walk
humbly before God and mankind. Those you think are wrong today,
you may realize tomorrow are actually right.

If we are wise, we will live in the constant realization that
we need God's wisdom and guidance in all we do. God is not too
busy for you to talk with Him about every decision you face --
no matter how small it is.

SAY THIS: God is the One Who knows all things -- not me.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

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.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

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.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Jesus Paid For Your Prosperity

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, by His sacrifice on Calvary, paid for your prosperity.

(The word translated peace in the verse above is "shalom." It
means well-being in every way, not just inward peace, but what
can be seen by others, and includes material prosperity.)

Everything Adam lost through the fall was reclaimed for mankind
by the sacrifice of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, Romans 5:15-
19). Jesus took the punishment necessary for us to have peace
and perfect well-being.

With Jesus, God gave us everything He had (Romans 8:32). God is
not holding out on us. He has given us richly all things to
enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).

All the blessings of Abraham are available now to all people
through Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:14). These blessings include
good standing and fellowship with God, abundant riches, and
long life (Genesis 13:2, Genesis 25:8). Abraham enjoyed all
these blessings because of His faith in God.

Jesus has been appointed heir of all things, including the
Earth, and we are now joint heirs with Jesus (Hebrews 1:2,
Romans 4:13, Romans 8:17).

But just as the children of Israel had to actively dispossess
the giants in order to possess their promised land, which God
said He had given to them, so we must actively possess our
inheritance in Christ Jesus. God's promises must be actively
received by faith.

We possess what God said is ours, not by killing those who
possess it now, or stealing from them, but by blessing them. As
we bless others through ways like providing excellent goods and
services, in return we prosper by God's blessing. By helping
others we are blessed.

While all things are ours, we reap a harvest of blessing based
on what we sow. It is like we inherited the whole farm, and are
therefore rich, but if we don't plant anything, not much of
value will be produced. So our prosperity is given to us in
seed form.

Now we live by the perfect law of liberty: whatever we sow, we
reap, multiplied (Luke 6:38, Galatians 6:7).

God does not send money out of Heaven. But He does send ideas.
If we obey the ideas and put them into action, we will reap a
rich harvest of God's blessing.

Jesus is our wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). As we allow Him to
live His life in and through us, His wisdom will cause us to
increase and prosper in all we do.

Jesus said God feeds the birds (Matthew 6:26), yet we see they
have to gather their food. God does not carry food to their
nest and put it in their mouths. In the same way, God is also
our provider, but we must do as He directs. We cannot be lazy
or rebellious and expect blessing.

We don't have to earn God's prosperity. Jesus already paid the
full price for us. We cannot add to the perfect sacrifice of
Jesus. But we can only receive this blessing through faith
(Romans 5:2). So we must believe it!

When we believe something, we will act on it. If we believe
prosperity belongs to us, we will not allow the devil to steal
it from us. So we must resist doubt and unbelief, tools used by
the devil to steal from us.

SAY THIS: Jesus already paid for my prosperity.

Monday, September 09, 2013

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.

Sunday, September 08, 2013

God Still Loves You

ROMANS 8:38-39 NLT
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from
God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow --
not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.
39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below -- indeed,
nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from
the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

At one time you may have believed God loved you. But now,
because of what you have done, you may not understand how God
could possibly still love you. But He does!

ROMANS 5:8 NLT
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die
for us while we were still sinners.

God loved you while you were a sinner, in rebellion against
Him. And He has not changed His mind!

We must understand that God does not love us because we deserve
His love, but because it is His nature to love.

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

Why does God love you? Because He has a loving nature. And
because He created you.

We tend to evaluate people, including ourselves, like we would
a factory: by what we produce. But that is the world's way of
thinking, not God's.

I certainly have been like that. When I did good things it was
easier to think of myself as a good person who God would love.
But when I was not accomplishing much, it was easy to think of
myself as worthless.

Although God did create us with the ability to do good works,
we don't have to do good works for God to love us.

God does not love us because of what we do for Him, but because
of who we are -- His workmanship, His children, made in His
likeness.

The world values us by what we produce, but God values us for
who we are.

You are valuable and precious to God, not because of what you
are able to do for Him, but because of who you are. You are His
creation.

God knows your true value because He created you in His image.
You may only see your present situation, but God sees your
potential and your future.

A good father does not provide for his children based on what
they do for him, like a pimp or a slave master, but on the
basis of his love for them as his children.

Although a good father may use incentives to encourage and
train his children in right behavior, he would never withhold
his love or necessary provision for his children until they
perform perfectly and produce abundantly.

Jesus taught that we should relate to God as a good Father. God
is raising a family, and He will not disown you just because
you make mistakes. Jesus, as your Savior, has accepted
responsibility to teach, train, and mature you into the person
God intended -- someone everyone will love.

God never will give up on you. You were created in His image,
determined and designed by God to be a glorious creature. Just
because you have not yet lived up to your potential is not
enough to cause God to discard you. God is patient, and He is
still working on you, making you what you are supposed to be.

No doubt you have made mistakes -- we all have. But God's love
for you is not dependent on you being perfect.

There may still be consequences from your bad decisions, but
God giving up on you will never be one of them.

SAY THIS: God still loves me, no matter what I have done, or
failed to do.

Saturday, September 07, 2013

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.

Friday, September 06, 2013

Importunity

LUKE 11:5-8 KJV
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and
shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend
me three loaves;
6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have
nothing to set before him?
7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the
door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot
rise and give thee.
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because
he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise
and give him as many as he needeth.

The lesson of this parable is NOT that we must persist in
prayer to obtain an answer from an unwilling God. But that we
should be bold in asking.

A parable may teach by showing similarity or by contrasting
differences. The point here is based on contrast. This becomes
more clear, just a few verses later, in verse 13.

LUKE 11:13 KJV
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

How much more willing is God -- than any earthly friend! People
may sometimes be undependable, but God is always dependable!
God is "rich unto all that call upon Him" (Romans 10:12).

Read the story again and you will see that Jesus was asking a
question: "Who would have a friend that would not help in a
time of need?" Someone like that would not really be a friend.
A friend would not say, "Don't bother me!"

However, even if the friendship was not that strong, if someone
has the boldness and audacity to ask for help in the middle of
the night, they would not be refused by someone they knew.

Even if it was inconvenient and they really didn't want to
help, if you have the nerve to knock on their door and present
your request, they will not ignore you. Your audacity and
boldness will overcome any reluctance they might have, and you
will get your request.

This assumes some relationship was already established. For if
you knock on a stranger's house at midnight insisting they give
you something, you are more likely to be met with a weapon,
instead of having your request granted.

Understanding this about human friends, HOW MUCH MORE your
Father in Heaven, who is perfect, can be counted on to help
whenever you come to Him. The key is that you must have the
confidence to come and make the request.

Note that this person was coming to get something for someone
else. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when we need
it for ourselves. But Jesus was especially encouraging us to
ask boldly for help for other people. They may not have a
relationship with God, so they can't ask Him for help and have
confidence in receiving an answer, but you do, and you can!

Why was the person so bold in asking? Because he was his
friend. He had a relationship, so he boldly did something out
of the ordinary, knowing he was being unreasonable, but having
confidence to do it because he knew his friend. Although the
friend, at first, realizing how unreasonable the request was,
talked reluctantly, nevertheless, granted what was asked.

The word translated "importunity" in verse 8 is a Greek word,
used only once in the New Testament, which literally means
"without shame." It pictures someone without bashfulness or
reluctance. Someone who did not hold back, or hesitate. Someone
with audacity, even recklessness in their disregard of anything
stopping them.

These descriptions indicate faith -- a belief that if I make
the request, it will be granted.

Unfortunately, some modern Bible translations translate this
word as "persistence." This is simply because many people, even
translators, have not clearly understood this parable.

(But other modern translations more accurately use words like
"hutzpah," "brashness," "insistence," "shameless audacity,"
"shameless asking," "shamelessness," and "because you were so
bold" to translate this word.)

Translation is not an exact science, but is subject to the bias
and level of understanding of the translator. So every
translation is affected by the beliefs of those who do the
translating.

In this parable, the person did not stand outside the door for
days on end while continuing to ask for bread. So the point
cannot be to just keep on asking for a long time, but to be
bold in asking, instead of being held back by fear or doubt.

Persistence in prayer (in the sense of keeping on asking for a
long time) is not the idea Jesus was encouraging in this
parable.

The point isn't that God is reluctant and needs to be
persuaded. But that we should not be reluctant asking God for
help. Jesus makes the point clear in the next verse by saying,
ask and you will get, etc.

LUKE 11:9-10 KJV
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and
ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Some translations insert the idea in verse 9 of "keeping on"
asking, seeking, and knocking, but that idea is not from the
Greek New Testament text, but from the Latin translation.

Nothing in this parable gives us any evidence it took a long
time for the request to be granted. Instead of getting the idea
of knocking on a door for several years from this parable, we
should realize Jesus was encouraging us to be bold in asking
for God's help, especially for others.

So don't hesitate! Don't think God is too busy, or the need is
too small or too big for God. Even a human friend will help, if
asked. HOW MUCH MORE will your Heavenly Father who loves you,
and also loves those you want to help.

SAY THIS: I will be bold in asking God for help -- especially
for other people's needs.

Thursday, September 05, 2013

The Message Of Revelation

REVELATION 1:1 NKJ
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show
His servants -- things which must shortly take place. And He
sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

Books on the "end times" are very popular. People are
interested in knowing the future.

Some think the Book of Revelation is a step-by-step guide to
what will happen in the future, but not every Bible teacher
agrees with this interpretation.

Although I taught on the Book of Revelation in a Bible School,
I admit I don't have it all figured out.

But the first verse reveals what is the true subject of the
Book of Revelation -- Jesus Christ. It is about the victory of
Jesus Christ, revealing to us that He will triumph over and
banish all evil.

The Book of Revelation is supposed to give us comfort and
encouragement, not by revealing to us the Antichrist, but by
revealing to us the victorious Christ.

At one time I thought I needed to thoroughly understand the
Book of Revelation so I could know the future. Now I realize my
motivation was more one of fear and lack of trust in God than
anything else.

We don't have to know the future in order to be safe, because
we know the One who holds us and the future in His hands. He
has promised to provide for us and protect us. We can trust Him
and not be afraid.

Nations come and go. But God, and His Word, are forever.

All God's promises will always be true. He will take care of
His people no matter what happens. Period. God loves us and He
is faithful. We don't have to worry about the future. All we
need to do is trust God and obey Him, day by day.

So what is the primary message of the Book of Revelation? Very
simple. Jesus Christ comes out on top. He puts an end to all
the evil and suffering and misery in this world. And it will be
worth it to remain true to Him -- even through all the evil
this world is currently experiencing.

Jesus wins! Those who stick with Him also win!

That's the message!

SAY THIS: The Book of Revelation reveals the triumph of my Lord
Jesus Christ and His elimination of all evil.

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

God Is Not Angry With You

ISAIAH 54:9-10 ESV
9 "This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the
waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have
sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke
you.
10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but
my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of
peace shall not be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion
on you.

Isaiah 53 foretells the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The
following chapter, Isaiah 54, speaks to those who are redeemed
by that sacrifice of Jesus and so are under the New Covenant.

It is a lie of the devil that God is angry with you! Because of
what Jesus accomplished you have a covenant of peace with God.

The message of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant is clear: God
loves you!

Yes, God knows about all your mistakes. You have sinned and
fallen short of perfection. You are not alone! The Bible says
we have all fallen short (Romans 3:23). We all need God's
forgiveness and help.

But it is important for you to realize God loves you like a
good parent loves their child, even when the child does wrong.

God is there right now, listening and waiting for you to call
on Him for His help. God has already forgiven you. Now you just
need to reach out to God and receive His forgiveness so you can
be free from the burden of guilt and shame that has kept you
from fellowship with God.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 ESV
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,
not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to
us the message of reconciliation.

EPHESIANS 1:7 ESV
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

No matter what your past has been -- no matter how terrible you
have been -- no matter what you have done -- God still loves
you and desires for you to turn to Him. This is the reason
Jesus died on the cross, to show you the greatness of God's
love for you, and to make a way for you to be forgiven and not
separated from God any longer.

SAY THIS: God is not angry with me.

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Delay Is Not Denial

LUKE 18:1 NKJ
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to
pray and not lose heart,

Many people give up too easily in prayer. When they don't see
the answer almost immediately, they quit.

God is not pleased with this approach.

You may say, "God knows my need. Why doesn't He just give it to
me, instead of playing games?"

Whether you agree with God's ways, or not: God is still in
charge and makes the rules -- not you. So, it does you no good
to argue or complain. Better to just line up with God instead
of fighting against His plan. Besides, in reality God's ways
are perfect, it is just that we are often too immature and
ignorant to understand all God is doing.

Scripture has many examples of people pressing in and receiving
answers to prayer. We should never be quitters when it comes to
prayer.

It is God's will to answer your prayers. He is the One who told
you to pray. God actually delights in answering your prayers.

(Never forget that God loves you more than you can imagine. God
loves you more than He loves Himself, and proved it by dying in
your place, so you could go free.)

"Then why are there so many delays?"

There is an enemy, the devil, who hates you and is against you
receiving your answer from God.

Second, some prayers involve other people, and God does not
force people to do His will, but works with them patiently so
they can see and do the right thing willingly. This takes time.

Third, there are things that God is working in you while you
are persevering in prayer. God's plan is for you to grow up
spiritually. God wants to enlarge your faith and encourage you
to develop a closer relationship with Him. If every answer
always came immediately, would you really press in and spend
time drawing closer to God and studying His Word?

Don't despair in prayer. Keep on praying in faith as long as
you are praying according to God's Word. A delay, even a very
long one, does not mean that God is saying no to your request.

SAY THIS: I will persevere in prayer.

Monday, September 02, 2013

If You Don't Know What To Believe

JOHN 17:17 NKJ
17 ". . . Your word is truth.

According to Jesus, the Word of God is truth. Yet many people
proclaim quite different messages -- all using the Bible as
their text. How can you know who to believe?

Jesus also told us that continuing to abide in the Word of God
would produce freedom -- not bondage.

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

So, look at the fruit produced by the message proclaimed. Is it
freedom? If not, then it must not be the ACCURATE message of
Jesus Christ.

The true message of Jesus Christ will set people free -- not
put them in bondage. It truly is good news, and makes people
happy when they correctly understand it.

JOHN 10:10 NKJ
10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and
to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they
may have it more abundantly.

If it produces death, stealing, or destruction, it is not God's
plan for you. Jesus came so you could have life in all the
fullness God intended.

What you need to do now is simple:

1) Stop listening to lies.

Anything that makes you think God does not love you, or that
you are hopeless or helpless -- is a lie. God is not against
you or mad at you. All your troubles have been caused by the
devil, and your ignorance, not by God.

2) Listen to the truth.

God's truth is good news. It will build you up -- and give you
an inheritance. It will give you good things, not take anything
good away from you.

ACTS 20:32 NKJ
32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of
His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an
inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Primarily, you need to read the New Testament for yourself.
Don't just depend on others to tell you what God said. And
before you read, ask the Lord to teach you and reveal Himself
to you.

Secondarily, listen to teachers and preachers who feed you the
Word of God which builds your faith and makes you love and
appreciate God more. Otherwise, quit listening to them.

Remember, the accurate message of Jesus makes you free. (Not
free to sin without consequences, but free from the bondage and
the effects of sin and its curse.)

SAY THIS: I will stop listening to and believing lies, and I
will listen to and believe the truth. God loves me and will
help me.

Sunday, September 01, 2013

Prayer Strengthens You

ISAIAH 40:31 NKJ
31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength...

Too many people think of prayer only as asking God for what
they want. But prayer is much more than that. Prayer is
communication and communion with Almighty God. Somehow, in the
act of prayer we receive a transfusion of God's strength.

LUKE 22:46 NKJ
46 ..."pray, lest you enter into temptation."

Being strong enables you to not enter into temptation. Time
spent in prayer strengthens you spiritually. (Temptation
strikes us all. But we decide whether to yield to the
temptation, or not.)

JUDE 1:20 NKJ
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

According to Jude, praying builds you up, or edifies you.
Prayer is a spiritual exercise; the more you do it the stronger
you get spiritually.

Some may protest that they don't know how to pray. Just begin
to talk to God. And listen for His response, not through a
voice, but through His Word, or thoughts in line with His Word.
God is not so particular about how His children visit with Him.
Just do it!

SAY THIS: I choose to spend time with God each day in prayer
and receive God's strength and help.