Believers Can Do These Things

MARK 16:17-18 NLT
17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe:
They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in
new languages.
18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they
drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able
to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed."

If you were asked what humans can do, you might say humans can
do things like walk, talk, sing, and even reproduce.

And you would be correct. Yet babies cannot do even one of
those things, and they are human beings!

So when God says these signs will follow believers, we have
been told the truth. But that does not mean it will happen
automatically and instantly.

(There is no Biblical justification for anyone trying to prove
they can do things like handle snakes or drink poison without
harm. The context is about believers going into all the world
to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. As they do, the promise of
God is that nothing can stop them, not demons, dangerous
animals, or dangerous food and water. Paul shaking off the
snake in Acts 28:3-6 is an example of how to understand this
passage correctly.)

A human parent might say "When I have children, they will be
able to do what I do" and we would have no trouble believing
that. It seems God has done a similar thing, saying, in effect,
"This is what my children will be able to do."

Should we call God a liar just because on the first day they
are born all of His children don't do everything He says His
children will be able to do?

It's always a mistake to argue with God. Instead we should
accept what He said and learn how to walk in it.

We are born again (spiritually) with all the capability of
children of God, but we must grow, develop, and learn to walk
in the authority we have been given.

JOHN 14:12 CEV
12 I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you
will do the same things that I am doing. You will do even
greater things, now that I am going back to the Father.

Jesus even said we would do the same things He did! But it
takes faith. So until we believe, it won't happen.

1 JOHN 5:4 CEV
4 Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is
what gives us this victory.

SAY THIS: I am a believer in Jesus Christ, so I can do what the
Bible says I can do.

Inexpressible Joy

1 PETER 1:8 ESV
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not
now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is
inexpressible and filled with glory,

Being a Christian believer is not supposed to be a burden but a
delight. You are supposed to enjoy your salvation.

Our enemy, through his lies, tries to give us a different
picture.

This does not mean we will never face tests or trials, but
the promise of God is that we can have peace and joy even when
we face trouble, because the Lord is with us and taking care of
us.

JOHN 16:33 ESV
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart;
I have overcome the world."

Joy is an important part of God's provision for your life to be
what it should be. Just as God has provided air for you to
breathe, God has provided joy for you. Joy should be the
atmosphere in which you live.

ROMANS 14:17 ESV
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and
drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit.

In God's kingdom, joy is present. God's kingdom is wherever He
is allowed to rule. So if God rules in our life we should be
carriers of joy.

This will not happen if you focus on your circumstances. It
requires that you look at all Jesus has done and is doing. We
must focus on Jesus to keep from having our joy stolen from us.

Our spirits have the joy of the Lord. But we must choose to
rejoice and allow the joy that is in us to flow out. The choice
is ours.

JOHN 16:24 ESV
24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you
will receive, that your joy may be full.

The joy of the Lord is given to us by His grace. It is not
something we earn or achieve. But, like everything we receive
by God's grace, it must be received by faith. That means we
must choose to actively receive it -- to take it.

ROMANS 5:2 ESV
2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this
grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of
God.

Instead of allowing our human feelings and circumstances to
rule us, we should choose to rejoice in the Lord. Then we will
experience His joy flowing.

We must choose to rejoice -- to let joy flow from our lips in
worship

JOHN 15:11 NLT
11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with
my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

The Word of God has been given to us so that we may have the
joy of the Lord. God's Word (the Bible) was not given to put
you into bondage, but to make you free (John 8:31-32).

Life is not meant to be a constant struggle, but a joy. If this
does not describe your life, then you are missing out on the
full provision God has made for you.

SAY THIS: I have the joy of the Lord! I am full of joy! Joy is
flowing in my life. I live in joy!

Show Courtesy To All People

TITUS 3:2 GWN
2 Believers shouldn't curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they
should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.

When we fail to show courtesy to all people the reason is
always the same: pride. We think we are better than they are.
Otherwise we would treat them with respect and courtesy.

But remember that true Christianity is not based on keeping a
set of rules (such as: show courtesy to all people). Instead it
is a relationship with God through being united with Jesus
Christ. With His life in us, we can and should act differently.

When our mind is renewed to the truth, we realize the life and
love of God is inside our hearts after we receive Jesus. As we
allow that inner life to dominate, we will fulfill the will of
God by doing what the Bible says we should do.

So it is going to take more than a decision and will-power for
you to always show courtesy to all people. You will need God
working in and through you for it to happen.

One thing you can do is ask the Lord to show you how He sees
people. When you realize how much God loves people and how
precious they are to Him, you will be much less likely to
mistreat them.

TITUS 3:1 GWN
1 Remind believers to willingly place themselves under the
authority of government officials. Believers should obey them
and be ready to help them with every good thing they do.

This verse, which comes just before the one we started with
above, says to "remind believers" to do these things. It is not
a law we must keep in order to be right with God or to have God
love us. Instead it is what we should be becoming as we grow in
Christ by allowing His life and love to dominate and flow
through us. It's a matter of maturing and growing up. Just as
we grow up as physical beings, we also must grow up as
spiritual beings.

TITUS 3:3-7 GWN
3 Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled.
We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were
mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other.
4 However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for
humanity appear,
5 he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain
his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through
the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and
renewal.
6 God poured a generous amount of the Spirit on us through
Jesus Christ our Savior.
7 As a result, God in his kindness has given us his approval
and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have
everlasting life.

God is working in us! Living the Christian life is not just a
matter of will-power and dedication. It is yielding to God and
trusting in Him. We must decide to yield to God's will, for God
never forces us, but we can't make it happen by ourselves.

PHILIPPIANS 2:13 NLT
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the
power to do what pleases him.

SAY THIS: Lord help me to see people as you see them, and to
treat them as you would treat them.

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

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.

Bad things happen to people because the devil is out to steal,
kill, and destroy everyone.

So unless humans understand and appropriate the redemption
accomplished for them by Jesus Christ, and resist the devil's
thoughts and works, bad things will happen.

God cannot be blamed for any bad thing that happens, because He
has provided a way all people can be protected from the devil's
attacks.

It is like we were drowning and God has thrown us a life
preserver, but if we choose not to receive His life preserver
and use it, then we cannot blame God if we drown.

We can learn from observing the life of Jesus Christ, who was
Heaven's perfect representative, that bad things do not come
from God. Jesus fed the multitudes, healed the sick, rebuked
deadly storms, and loved people. Not once did He do anything to
hurt anyone. This should establish clearly that God our Father
is not responsible for the bad things happening to people.

God is our answer, not our problem; our Helper and deliverer,
not our enemy.

God does not desire bad things to happen to anyone, and He is
not responsible for any bad thing that happens.

Then, who is responsible? The truth is that we, human beings,
are responsible. Yes, the devil is behind all the evil that
happens, but he cannot operate without our cooperation. Human
beings have authority on earth, and it is only through our
wrong choices that evil is allowed to operate on earth.

Sadly, the church has not understood this as clearly as it
should have. So many often repeat lies such as "the Lord gave,
and the Lord hath taken away." That was said in ignorance by
Job, for Scripture clearly says it was satan who brought the
evil that robbed Job (Job 2:7).

Job did not know what was happening in his trial, but we can
read the story and see that all the bad happening to Job was
the result of what satan did. And satan does not work for God,
but is rebelling against Him.

Bad things happen because our Creator gave us freedom to make
choices, and many people have been making wrong choices.

Bad things happen because mankind has turned away from God,
rejecting Him and His loving ways. We fell for the devil's
lies, and turned against God. The only way to stop bad things
from happening is for us all to turn back to God.

Bad things happen on earth because mankind has allowed the
devil and his ideas a place here. And the devil is encouraging
people to make wrong decisions in every way he can.

But we can't really blame the devil, because humans have free
will to choose what we do. We can choose to do right and resist
the devil's temptations to make wrong choices. Unless some
human being decides to give the devil a place, he cannot do
anything on earth. Also Jesus redeemed us by His blood,
defeated the devil for us, and gave us authority to stop him
through the Name of Jesus.

The people of the world are in the darkness of ignorance. They
have not understood the truth. For example, life and death is
in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21), but most people
are ignorant of that and always speak negatively, then wonder
why negative things happen to them, not realizing it was
because of their own words, which opened the door for the
devil.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 NKJ
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not
believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,
who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Many people are blinded to the truth, even those who are
children of God. Jesus said truth would set us free if we would
live in it (John 8:31-32). Just hearing the truth is not
enough. We must act on it in order to be free from bad things.

Why has God allowed this situation on earth to go on, with evil
happening? Because it allows the universe to see clearly the
results of rebelling against God. It also allows God's children
an opportunity to overcome evil and to walk in love, so we can
grow into more Christ-likeness.

So while it may seem now that God is guilty in allowing evil to
continue, it is actually God's mercy in allowing humans more
time to turn to God, and also allowing us to see the results of
following the devil instead of God.

If you still think God should be faulted for allowing humanity
to experience so much pain, you are judging prematurely. God
has promised in the end to make everything right. He will wipe
away every tear and take away all pain and sadness, so that it
will be as if it never happened, except for the lessons we
learned.

Why hasn't God stopped evil? Because He is raising a family,
and it is His desire that we, His children, learn how to stop
evil. He defeated all evil at the cross, and gave us the
authority to stop it in His Name.

After Jesus defeated the devil completely, He left him loose
here for awhile so we could practice resisting him. If the
devil still has any place of influence, it is because we
Christians have not done our job completely.

So, while God's long-term plan will exclude all evil from His
creation, He is allowing it to continue for a period so His
children might have opportunity to understand it and overcome
it (Romans 12:21, Revelation 3:21).

Part of the Good News of Jesus is that He has defeated the
devil and stripped him of authority over us. Now, by the grace
of God and through the blood of Jesus we can walk in freedom
and victory over all evil. As we do so, nothing shall by any
means hurt us (Luke 10:19).

SAY THIS: God is not to blame for the bad things in life.

How Many Sons Does God Have?

HEBREWS 2:10 KJV
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are
all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the
captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

1 JOHN 3:2 KJV
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet
appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall
appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

At one time Jesus Christ was the "only" Son of God. But no
longer -- according to Scripture.

Now all those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are
also sons of God.

JOHN 1:12 KJV
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Every one who truly receives Jesus becomes a son of God. (But
just like human babies, we don't start out fully developed or
mature.)

(This has nothing to do with human gender. Female humans have
the same status with God as male humans, and we are all called
"sons of God.")

GALATIANS 3:28 KJV
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus.

Jesus is the firstborn -- the first, and the most important --
of MANY brethren.

ROMANS 8:29 KJV
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren.

God's plan is a family plan. He is raising MANY sons. We may be
new-born babies or toddlers, but we are still sons.

It may sound a little strange to hear that God has many sons.
In a quest to correctly honor Jesus, theologians have stressed
so much that Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God that it is
difficult for us to accept what Scripture plainly says: that
now, since the great redemption accomplished by our wonderful
Lord Jesus Christ, He is no longer the only son of God.

None of us will ever take the place of Jesus, and be Lord of
all. And it is true that without Him we are nothing. But we are
not without Him. He has made possible for us to have the great
privilege to also be sons of God.

SAY THIS: Today God has many sons, and I am one of them.

Nebuchadnezzar's Lesson

DANIEL 4:26 NIV
26 . . . your kingdom will be restored to you when you
acknowledge that Heaven rules.

King Nebuchadnezzar was one of the most powerful rulers in the
history of mankind. He learned a great lesson which we should
never forget. Wise people learn from the mistakes of others.

DANIEL 4:29-37 NIV
29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of
the royal palace of Babylon,
30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the
royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my
majesty?"
31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from
heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar:
Your royal authority has been taken from you.
32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the
wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will
pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is
sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he
wishes."
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was
fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like
cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his
hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the
claws of a bird.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes
toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the
Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His
dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from
generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He
does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of
the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What
have you done?"
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and
splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My
advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my
throne and became even greater than before.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King
of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways
are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

What was King Nebuchadnezzar's problem?

Pride! He thought he was a self-made man. He thought the reason
he was exalted, rich, and powerful was because he was better
than others.

He thought he deserved what he had because he had done it
himself. He failed to credit God with giving him the ability
and opportunity he enjoyed. He failed to understand that all he
had and all he could do were the result of what God provided.
But he learned. And you will also learn.

You can choose the hard way or the easy way, but this is a
lesson you will also learn. For that is a main purpose of life
on earth: learning. And this is one of the most important
things you need to learn.

You may think you don't have a problem with pride, but if you
think you can make it without God, then you do. So if you
ignore God or neglect God, you have a problem with pride. The
truth is you could not even exist without God.

We need to understand that the God of Heaven rules. That does
not mean God is micro-managing every action on earth, for He
has given us a free will to choose what we will each do.
However, God has set certain boundaries, and He is in control
of the overall plan.

It is a mistake to think that God is responsible for every evil
act happening on earth, as if God were behind all the decisions
to murder, rape, and steal. All those evil decisions are made
by humans influenced by the devil, not God. So while we cannot
blame God for the evil happening on earth, He still retains
overall control of the events unfolding throughout history.

Let's be wise and never forget the last word of Nebuchadnezzar
which summarizes what he learned:

DANIEL 4:37 NIV
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King
of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways
are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

SAY THIS: I will be wise and learn from Nebuchadnezzar's mistake.

Does God Hear Sinners?

JOHN 9:31 NKJ
31 "Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone
is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.

This says God does not hear sinners, but the word "hear" does
not always mean just perceiving a sound. It can also include
acting on what is heard.

God surely listens to every human prayer. Jesus said He knows
the number of hairs on our head. Experts say we lose many hairs
every day, so the number is always changing. If God makes the
effort to know this about every human, surely He listens to all
we say, no matter who we are.

God must listen to sinners in order to be able to save them
when they call on Him.

It seems God is pleased when anyone truly calls on Him, whether
they are sinner or saint. At least they are turning toward God,
acknowledging His existence, and realizing they need His help.

True prayer that God responds to is always based on His Word
that He already gave us. When, in faith, we bring God His Word
as the basis of our request, God will always answer our prayer.

1 JOHN 5:14-15 NKJ
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we
ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know
that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

We cannot expect to have prayers answered that don't line up
with God's will. However, that does not mean God does not
listen to the prayers of everyone. If God did not listen to
every prayer, how would He know which ones were in agreement
with His will?

You could say that God "ignores" (in the sense of not
answering) those who do not pray in line with God's Word. But
God truly ignores no human being. He is always willing and
ready to help everyone. But He only answers prayer that is
according to His Word.

Because the Bible teaches it is God's will to provide everyone
with every good thing, we have no need to worry about God not
answering any prayer that would be good for us.

Another thing we should remember is that part of the good news
for all who have received Jesus Christ is that He is our
righteousness (or right standing with God). So, God does not
consider us who are in Christ as sinners, (1 Corinthians 1:30,
2 Corinthians 5:21), but as His children (1 John 3:2, Galatians
3:26).

SAY THIS: God listens to all who call upon Him.

One Thing I Know

JOHN 9:25 NKJ
25 He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do
not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I
see."

Others may say all kinds of things about Jesus Christ.

But I know the change Jesus Christ has made in me.

I know the change Jesus Christ has made in the lives of
millions of others now living on earth.

I know the miracles and healings I have seen that were done in
the Name of Jesus Christ.

I know Jesus is alive and that His Word is true, because of
what has happened in my life.

Skeptics may loudly proclaim their theories. But they are too
late to convince me.

Those who think they are scholars may tell me God has changed
and does not do miraculous things in our day, but they are too
late to convince me.

I have tasted and seen for myself that the Lord is good. I
encourage you to do the same.

SAY THIS: I know God is real and Jesus Christ is alive.

God Is Working

PHILIPPIANS 2:13 NLT
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the
power to do what pleases him.

The Christian life is not supposed to be a struggle to be good
enough for God to accept you. That was the Old Covenant way.

God's Old Covenant message was "Do right and I will accept you
and bless you."

God's New Covenant message is, "I love you and accept you
because of your faith in Jesus. So you are blessed. You are now
my child, so I will work with you and help you do right."

The Old was dependent on human effort. The New is Good News
because it is dependent on God's effort.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:23-24 NLT
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may
your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our
Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

God will do it! God will make it happen! We can trust Him.
(Trusting ourselves doesn't work.) Our salvation does not
depend on us striving to do good, but on trusting God.

God now accepts responsibility to make you perfect. The
responsibility to perform is now on God -- Who cannot fail! (Of
course we must cooperate, because God never forces His will on
us.)

God's standard of perfection has never changed. His desire and
plan for all of us is that we be perfectly whole and wholly
perfect in every way. But there is a huge difference between
the Old Covenant approach and the New Covenant.

Under the Old Covenant the responsibility to perform was on us.
"You shall..." and "You shall not..."

God has not lowered His standards in the New Covenant. But He
has said He Himself will be responsible for meeting them.
Notice in the following passage describing the New Covenant
that God says, "I will... I will... I will..."

HEBREWS 10:16-17 NLT
16 "This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that
day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I
will write them on their minds."
17 Then he says, "I will never again remember their sins and
lawless deeds."

The New Covenant is Good News! It should make you happy!

ROMANS 4:6 NLT
6 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of
those who are declared righteous without working for it:

Keep your focus on Jesus. You fall short -- that is why you
needed a New Covenant and a Savior. But God is working!

Don't hinder God's work by refusing to believe His message of
love toward you. When you try to earn God's acceptance through
your performance, you are rejecting God's gift through Jesus
Christ.

ROMANS 10:3 NLT
3 For they don't understand God's way of making people right
with himself. Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their
own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.

Don't reject the Gift of God and try to establish your own
righteousness. Your own attempts to do better will always fall
short. Only God can make you perfect.

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.

We are the result of God's work -- not our own striving. We
can't make ourselves perfect. We can't attain God's standard by
our own efforts. That was the purpose of the Law -- to show us
we fell short so we would know we needed a Savior -- someone
who could help us (Galatians 3:22-25).

ROMANS 8:28 NIV
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose.

God is always working for your good! Things may not always be
good, but God is always behind the scene working things out for
your good.

So when thoughts come like "There is no hope!" respond by
saying "God is working!"

In fact, any time is a good time to say "God is working!" It
helps you keep your focus in the right place.

SAY THIS: I believe God is working in my life!

Bless And Do Not Curse

ROMANS 12:14 NLT
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that
God will bless them.

(Fallen) human nature retaliates. If someone wrongs us, we want
revenge.

But children of God, who have the love of God in their hearts,
should act differently (Romans 5:5).

1 PETER 3:9 NLT
9 Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when
people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That
is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.

We have been delivered from the power of darkness and placed in
the Kingdom of Love, where Jesus is Lord (Colossians 1:13). Our
King desires that all people be blessed (John 3:16, 1 Timothy
2:4, 2 Peter 3:9).

God loves the whole world. We are His representatives to give
them that message (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). We cannot win the
world by cursing them. We are supposed to love them.

JOHN 13:34 NLT
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other.
Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

We are to love as Jesus loved. Even when treated badly, He
never cursed those who mistreated Him.

LUKE 23:34a NLT
34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what
they are doing."

People do evil because they are trapped in spiritual darkness.
Our only real enemy is the devil and his forces, not people.

EPHESIANS 6:12 NLT
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.

Just as Jesus was mistreated, we will not avoid being
mistreated in this life.

JOHN 15:17-21 NLT
17 This is my command: Love each other.
18 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged
to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to
come out of the world, so it hates you.
20 Do you remember what I told you? 'A slave is not greater
than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will
persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would
listen to you.
21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have
rejected the One who sent me.

1 PETER 2:19-23 NLT
19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is
right and patiently endure unfair treatment.
20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are
beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and
endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering,
just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you
must follow in his steps.
22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten
revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.

We can expect to suffer the same things Jesus did in life,
primarily rejection and mistreatment. (Note that Jesus never
suffered sickness or lack during His life, until He died on the
cross for us.)

Yet in all this, we can rejoice, knowing that God our Father is
just, and He will protect us and reward us for doing His will.

SAY THIS: God loves me, so I can love others, even when they
act unlovely.

Be Fruitful

GENESIS 1:28 NLT
28 Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply.
Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea,
the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the
ground."

These are the first words God spoke to a human being.

Being fruitful means being productive. That can include
producing children, but it certainly is not limited to that. It
means to produce something or accomplish something.

Being fruitful gives you a sense of accomplishment, the feeling
that you made a difference.

It does not have to be something others consider great or
something that will make you famous. Keeping a clean home and
providing for your family is being productive. Here are some
more ideas:

Fix something.
Bake something.
Build something.
Plant something.
Start something.
Invent something.
Nurture something.
Help someone.

Anything that helps people can be fulfilling. This is your
purpose as a human being. This is what will fulfill you and
give you satisfaction. (Of course, without God we will never be
satisfied, no matter what we do.)

People who are not productive are not happy because God created
us to be productive. We are designed to accomplish.

Every living human being is capable of this. No matter who you
are, or what your limitations are, there is some way you can
make a difference. For example, everyone can pray for others.

Things such as too much entertainment can keep us from being
fruitful. When that happens we feel unsatisfied and
unfulfilled. But more entertainment is not the answer. Only
walking with God and being fruitful will satisfy us, because
that is how God designed us.

SAY THIS: I can, and will, be fruitful.

How To Confess Your Sins To God

1 JOHN 1:9 NKJ
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This is the only verse under the New Covenant that mentions
confession of sins to God.

The meaning of the Greek word here translated "confess" is "to
say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with."

So replacing the word "confess" in the verse with its meaning,
gives us this:

1 JOHN 1:9
9 If we (say the same thing as God about) our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.

So let's see what God has said about our sins under the New
Covenant, so we can say the same thing as He has said about
them.

HEBREWS 8:12-13 NKJ
12 "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their
sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."
13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first
obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is
ready to vanish away.

HEBREWS 10:16-17 NKJ
16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those
days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and
in their minds I will write them,"
17 then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will
remember no more."

Since God says He does not remember our sins, is it polite or
wise to keep bringing them up to Him?

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

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

This says we have the forgiveness of sins. There is no need to
ask for something you already have. Doing so is disrespectful
to the One who has given you forgiveness.

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

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 NKJ
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to
Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has
committed to us the word of reconciliation.

God reconciled the world to Himself in Christ and He is no
longer holding our sins against us (which is what imputing
means).

In Christ, God extended complete and total forgiveness for all
the world. He is not holding the sins of anyone against them.
For God to do so would be unjust, because Jesus already
suffered the penalty for all sin.

Yet we must receive God's forgiveness for it to benefit us. God
did His part, now we must respond in faith and be reconciled to
God.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:20-21 NKJ
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were
pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be
reconciled to God.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him.

For us to beg God for forgiveness is rude. God already said He
has forgiven. Now it is up to us to believe and accept His
forgiveness.

(Showing remorse for our sin is not wrong. Remorse is what many
people think of as repentance, but actually repentance means a
change in thinking which results in a change of action. Remorse
is not required for true Biblical repentance.)

Using the definition of what the word confess means, here is
one example of a correct way to confess sin.

"Lord Jesus, what I did was a sin. Thank You for already paying
the price for that sin on the cross. Thank You for loving me
and suffering the punishment so I can go free. Thank You God
that I have been forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
Sin is deadly so please work in me and help me to stop it."

Asking God to forgive you is not New Covenant confession of
sin, because God says you are already forgiven. Don't ask God
to do something He has already done! Instead, acknowledge the
sin was wrong and thank Him for forgiveness and cleansing by
the precious blood of Jesus.

SAY THIS: If I sin, I will agree with what God says about it.

When Did The New Covenant Start?

HEBREWS 8:13 NKJ
13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first
obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is
ready to vanish away.

The part of the Bible we call the Old Testament is not exactly
the same as the Old Covenant, nor is the part of the Bible we
call the New Testament exactly the same as the New Covenant.

The Old Covenant was an agreement between God and the children
of Israel. We have the record of it in the Old Testament.

The New Covenant is an agreement between God and Jesus Christ.
(Therefore it includes all who are united with Jesus Christ, or
as the Bible says, all those who are "in Christ.")

The New Testament is the name we give to the 27 books of the
Bible from Matthew through Revelation. The New Testament book
is not the New Covenant, but reveals it and explains it.

The New Covenant did not start until after the death of Jesus
Christ. For it was sealed by the precious blood of Jesus paying
the price for the complete remission of sins for all who
believe in Him.

Jesus himself plainly said the New Covenant involved His blood
being shed.

MATTHEW 26:28 NKJ
28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for
many for the remission of sins.

The following passage in Hebrews also makes clear that the New
Covenant could not begin until after the death of Jesus Christ.

HEBREWS 9:14-17 NASB
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in
order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of
the transgressions that were committed under the first
covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of
the eternal inheritance.
16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the
death of the one who made it.
17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is
never in force while the one who made it lives.

Why does it matter when the New Covenant started?

Because it is the key to rightly dividing the Word of God,
which 2 Timothy 2:15 reveals is necessary.

Without a clear understanding of when the New Covenant starts,
and what the New Covenant is, we will be confused. (Not
understanding this clearly is why so many teach different
things about what is required to be in good standing with God.)

The entire earthly ministry of Jesus happened under the Old
Covenant and was directed only to Israel (Matthew 15:24, Romans
15:8). When Jesus first sent out His disciples He told them to
only go to the people of Israel (Matthew 10:5-6). But after His
resurrection they were sent into all the world to tell the Good
News to everyone (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19).

So every word spoken by Jesus before His resurrection was
spoken before the New Covenant existed.

Does this mean we should ignore what Jesus said before His
resurrection, or that what He said was not true? Certainly not!
Jesus is Truth! It just means we have to remember He was
talking to people under the Old Covenant, not the New Covenant.

For example, in Matthew 19:16 the rich young ruler asked Jesus
what to do so he could have eternal life. Jesus' answer in
Matthew 19:17 to "keep the commandments" is much different than
the answer in Acts 16:31 which says simply to "believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved," or 1 John 5:13 which
says those who believe in the Son of God may know they have
eternal life.

Under the Old Covenant, keeping the commandments was required
as the way to have good standing with God. Under the New
Covenant, good standing with God is a gift which comes with
believing on Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

1 JOHN 5:11 NKJ
11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal
life, and this life is in His Son.

Eternal life is not gained under the New Covenant by "keeping
commandments" but as a gift. This is why Jesus came, to bring
in a New Covenant established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).

ROMANS 6:23 NKJ
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans tells us that "eternal life" is a gift. If we have to
earn it in any way, or pay any amount for it, then it cannot be
a gift.

We must realize things changed dramatically because of the
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without that
realization, we can err greatly in understanding the message of
Jesus.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 NKJ
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to
Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has
committed to us the word of reconciliation.

All the New Testament is Jesus' message to us. But the things
He said to His body, the church, after He redeemed us with His
blood, take precedence over the words He spoke under His Old
Covenant ministry on earth, because they recognize the reality
of the New Covenant.

Jesus told His disciples (right before His death) that He had
much more to reveal to them.

JOHN 16:12-13a NKJ
12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear
them now.
13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will
guide you into all truth;

So don't be confused and think what Jesus said during His
earthly ministry was His last word. If Jesus had already given
them complete truth, there would be no need of the Holy Spirit
to come and guide them into all truth.

So Jesus continued speaking through His apostles after His
ascension to Heaven. This is what we have recorded as the
letters to the church (Romans through Revelation) in the New
Testament.

Through these letters, Jesus by the Holy Spirit, has revealed
that the New Covenant includes right standing with God as a
free gift through our union with Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!

HEBREWS 10:16-17 NKJ
16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those
days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and
in their minds I will write them,"
17 then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will
remember no more."

SAY THIS: Lord, thank You for the New Covenant! Please help me
understand it clearly.

Few Find Fullness Of Life

MATTHEW 7:14 NKJ
14 "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which
leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Many misinterpret this verse, thinking that Jesus was saying
few people would go to Heaven. Read it again and you will see
that Heaven is never mentioned in this passage.

Jesus was talking about life!

Few people enjoy the fullness of blessing in life that God
intends.

JOHN 10:10 NEB
10 'The thief comes only to steal, to kill, to destroy; I have
come that men may have life, and may have it in all its
fullness.

One of the biggest misunderstandings is thinking that the whole
plan of God is just having our sins forgiven so we can go to
Heaven. That is an important truth, but it is just the first
step. God's plan is much bigger than that. He is raising a
family. He is preparing us to be fit companions for eternity.

God gave us His Word, and sent His Spirit to guide us into all
Truth, so we could know how to live, both now, and for ever.

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.

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."

SAY THIS: Lord please help me to walk in the way of life as you
intended it to be.

Keep On Keeping On

GALATIANS 6:9 NLT
9 So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the
right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give
up.

The best advice for being a growing and successful Christian
believer is just to stick with it. Just keep on doing what you
know to do.

More than anything, keep feeding on God's Word. The Word is
what has the power to change things in your life. It is the
power that drives the whole Kingdom of God.

MARK 4:26-28 NLT
26 Jesus also said, "The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who
scatters seed on the ground.
27 Night and day, while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts
and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.
28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade
pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally
the grain ripens.

Jesus explained in Mark 4:14 that God's Word is the seed. So
God's Word will bring forth God's will in your life if you will
just plant it in your heart and protect it until it produces a
harvest.

Don't worry if it seems like your progress is slow. Just keep
on the right road and you will reach your proper destination.
You can't feel a tree growing by putting your arms around it
either, but day by day it surely grows stronger and stronger.

And don't quit just because you messed up and made some
mistakes. Receive your forgiveness and go forward. Just because
the devil tripped you up does not mean you should stay down.

So, keep reading the Bible. Keep on talking to God about
everything. Keep on being thankful. Keep on praising God. Keep
on walking in love. Keep on trusting God even when you don't
understand what is going on.

God understands -- even when you don't. And you can be certain
of His never-failing love for you. So, trust God and keep on
walking in faith and love. Keep on doing what you know is
right.

SAY THIS: I will not quit but will keep on walking with God.

You Are Qualified

COLOSSIANS 1:12 NIV
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share
in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

You are qualified to receive any and every blessing from God,
not because of what you have done -- but based on what Jesus
did for you.

You don't become qualified with God based on your performance,
but you were MADE qualified by God when you received Jesus.

Being righteous -- or in right standing with God -- is all the
qualification you need. And righteousness is a free gift that
you receive when you receive Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus is
your righteousness.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 NIV
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has
become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness,
holiness and redemption.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 NIV
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him
we might become the righteousness of God.

Righteousness is not something you have earned or done, but a
gift given by God (Romans 5:17).

Because of God's grace, you can partake of the inheritance of
the saints of God. You have a right -- given to you by God --
to share in all that God has.

You were qualified to receive every blessing of God by being
made right with God. You don't have to do anything else so you
can qualify. It's a gift! You just have to believe it!

You are qualified to be completely forgiven.

You are qualified to be filled with God's Holy Spirit.

You are qualified to receive healing.

You are qualified to get prayers answered.

You are qualified to prosper.

You are qualified to live with God in Heaven.

"But preacher, you don't know me. You don't know what I have
done."

Good news! It doesn't matter!

Jesus paid the price to qualify you. Right now -- because of
Jesus' blood -- you qualify for all of God's blessings.

So don't believe the lie that you are not good enough. The
blood of Jesus is what makes you good enough. Nothing else ever
can!

"But preacher, I just don't believe that. It doesn't seem
to work for me."

Well, you are right that if you don't believe it, it won't
happen for you. All the blessings of God are only appropriated
by faith. That means you must believe what God says before you
will see the promised blessings happen in your life.

ROMANS 5:2 NIV
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace
in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory
of God.

God has provided everything for us by His grace -- purely
undeserved by us -- as a free gift. However, we only have
access to it by faith.

SAY THIS: I am qualified for all God's blessings. God made me
qualified!

Christians Love Their Enemies

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

No other belief system teaches such an idea! Only followers of
Jesus preach this.

This idea will change the world! In fact, it is the only one
that will change it as it needs to be changed.

But only those who are connected to God, the source of Love,
are fully capable of loving their enemies.

What does it mean to love our enemies?

To understand this we need to have a definition. To love
someone means to desire the best for them and to work toward
that end.

Does it mean to let our enemies do whatever they will to us?
No, not necessarily.

Remember our definition of loving someone is desiring and
working toward what will be best for them.

Allowing someone to do something not in their best interest is
not love, but apathy. It means you don't really care. Stopping
someone, even with force, from doing something they will later
regret can be an act of love.

Allowing an enemy to destroy your family, instead of protecting
and defending them, certainly cannot be considered an act of
love.

But you can protect your loved ones, then later pray for the
salvation and healing of the attacker, instead of hating the
attacker and hoping they go to hell.

ROMANS 12:19 NIV
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's
wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"
says the Lord.

Revenge is the way of the world. Forgiveness and mercy is God's
way. God asks us to love people as He loves us (John 15:12).

God's way will turn enemies into friends.

ROMANS 5:5b NKJ
5 the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit who was given to us.

As true believers in Jesus, we have the love of God in our
hearts. But we must allow that love to control our actions. The
choice is ours. It is not automatic.

God's children have the ability to choose to love. It's
actually our inner nature as Christians to show love.

1 JOHN 4:8 NKJ
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

If you don't realize that God loves everyone, that He is
interested in, and working toward, the best for everyone --
then you don't know God.

ROMANS 12:14,20-21 NKJ
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
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.

This may not be easy, but with God's love inside you and with
God helping you -- you can do it.

SAY THIS: God wants me to show love to absolutely everyone.

You Can Have Children

As a believer in Jesus Christ there are Bible promises about
having children you can claim. If you desire to have children,
you can, according to the promises of God.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:20 NKJ
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen,
to the glory of God through us.

All the promises and blessings of God are yours because of your
faith in Christ Jesus.

DEUTERONOMY 7:14 NKJ
14 "You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be
a male or female barren among you or among your livestock.

EXODUS 23:25-26 NKJ
25 . . . I will take sickness away from . . . you.
26 "No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land;
I will fulfill the number of your days.

PSALM 113:9 NRSV
9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous
mother of children. Praise the Lord!

The Bible mentions many women who were unable to have children
before they received a miracle from God.

Sarah became the mother of Isaac.
Rebekah became the mother of Esau and Jacob.
Rachel became the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.
Hannah became the mother of two daughters and three sons,
including Samuel.
Elizabeth became the mother of John the Baptist.

Multitudes of women living today have also experienced the
miracle of having a child after having been barren. God is
still working in the lives of people. And He will work in your
life too!

ACTS 10:34 NKJ
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive
that God shows no partiality.

God does not play favorites. What He did for them, He will do
for you, if you will believe it. If you seek God as they sought
God, He will answer your prayer also.

But when you read the Bible stories of barren women having
children, you notice that often their children were born after
many years of waiting. So don't make the mistake of thinking
that just because you have not received a quick answer to your
prayer that God is saying no.

The will of God does not always come to pass quickly. Sometimes
we have to stand in faith for an extended period -- much longer
than we would choose.

These verses should give you hope. They should help you realize
that having children, if you want them, is God's will. It is
possible. It may not be easy, but it is possible.

The Bible says all things are possible!

LUKE 1:37 NKJ
37 "For with God nothing will be impossible."

MARK 9:23 NKJ
23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are
possible to him who believes."

MATTHEW 17:20 NKJ
20 . . . if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to
this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and
nothing will be impossible for you.

MARK 11:24 NKJ
24 "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you
pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Even if medical experts tell you it is impossible, remember
that Jesus said all things are possible with God.

Miracles still happen. I have heard of a man who sees perfectly
without an eyeball, and another man who talks and sings without
vocal cords.

Some dear women have already had operations at a young age that
medically render them unable to ever have children. But some
women who have undergone these complete hysterectomies have
later produced natural children. Yes, miracles still happen!

Not everyone will believe this is possible. But all things are
possible with God -- if we will believe.

All of us can have "spiritual children" -- those we help to
know the Lord and learn His ways. Producing and raising
"spiritual children" can be just as important and fulfilling as
having natural children.

ISAIAH 54:1 NKJ
1 "Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into
singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child!
For more are the children of the desolate Than the children of
the married woman," says the LORD.

Adoption can also be wonderful, both for the children and the
parents who adopt them. If it is your desire, God will help you
to adopt children if you will look to Him. He can make
difficult things seem easy if you trust Him.

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for giving children to those who
desire them.

Is All The Bible True?

2 TIMOTHY 3:16 NKJ
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness,

We can have complete confidence that the Bible tells us the
truth. All of it is a message of truth. But some things in the
Bible are truly reported but are not the truth.

For example:

GENESIS 3:4 NKJ
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.

It is true that the serpent made that statement. But the
statement he made is not truth.

There are other places in Scripture where what someone says is
truly recorded, but that does not make it all true. For
example, God said all the things spoken by Job's friends
throughout the book of Job were not right. Toward the end of
the book, we read:

JOB 42:7 NKJ
7 And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job,
that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is
aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not
spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.

So, according to God, some things spoken by these people which
are recorded in the book of Job, are not truth.

JOHN 17:17 NKJ
17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

If God said it, it is truth. I believe in the inspiration of
the Bible, that every single word was given by God and can be
depended upon that it happened just as it was recorded.

2 TIMOTHY 2:15 NKJ
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker
who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.

SAY THIS: The Bible always tells me the truth, but not every
statement made in the Bible is a statement of truth.

You Are Special, But Please Don't Act Like You Are

MATTHEW 23:11 ESV
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.

Jesus was our perfect example (as well as being our Savior and
Lord). No one could ever be more special than Jesus Christ, but
He did not consider Himself too good to work hard and even to
do menial tasks like washing feet (which would be equivalent to
cleaning toilets today).

You are special because God created you. You are very valuable
-- valuable enough for Jesus Christ to die so you could be in
God's family.

But as a child of God, you are to be "clothed with humility."
Acting like you are better than other people does not please
God. And it won't make you many friends, either!

1 PETER 5:5 ESV
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one
another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble."

You are valuable and precious, but so is every other human
being. God loves us all. So don't treat anyone else as if you
are better than they are.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:7 NLT
7 For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do
you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have
is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?

When we look at others and are tempted to think we are somehow
superior to them, we need to realize, "There, but for the grace
of God, go I." The only reason you are not in their shoes is
because of God's grace. Without God's help, you could be in
worse shape than they are.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:10 ESV
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am . . .

SAY THIS: I am valuable because God loves me, just as He loves
all people.

Respect The Elderly

LEVITICUS 19:32 NLT
32 "Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect
for the aged. Fear your God. I am the LORD.

When I was young a popular idea was that you should not trust
anyone over the age of 30.

Now that I have lived many years I see how that idea was from
the devil -- who would like to steal good things from people by
cutting them off from the wisdom of those with much experience.

1 TIMOTHY 5:1a NLT
1 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him
respectfully as you would to your own father.

Why should we respect the elderly? First, because they are
people made in the image of God and we should respect everyone
-- regardless of age.

Second, because by living you learn. If you pay attention, the
longer you live, the more you can learn.

JOB 32:7 NLT
7 I thought, 'Those who are older should speak, for wisdom
comes with age.'

It's not always true that an older person has learned what they
should. But to ignore their experience and wisdom gained from
many years is not wise.

1 PETER 5:5 NKJ
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your
elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be
clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives
grace to the humble."

Young people are not the only ones devastated by pride, but
they are particularly susceptible to it. Aging has a way of
curing pride in most of us as we experience the struggles of
life.

We need both the energy and exuberance of youth and the wisdom
and experience of the aged. Too often the elderly develop an
attitude of giving up on overcoming certain problems because of
past unsuccessful attempts, while the young tend to think
anything is possible. Youth often have zeal without knowledge,
while older people often have knowledge but lack zeal. So we
need input from both young and old.

It should be stated clearly: young people, you need the wisdom
and experience of old people. And older people, you also need
the strength, energy, and enthusiasm of young people. To be at
our best, we need each other.

Whatever you face, someone older than you has already faced it.
You can learn from both their mistakes and their successes.

SAY THIS: I will respect the elderly.

Ask Jesus In

REVELATION 3:20 NKJ
20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My
voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with
him, and he with Me.

Although this verse has been used to encourage sinners to
receive Jesus, it is actually addressed to those who are
already believers.

Jesus is not a gate-crasher. He only enters the areas of your
life into which He is invited.

It is a common mistake to reserve areas of our lives which we
do not invite Jesus to enter. But we need His help in
everything. He is our Savior, the One who can deliver us.

Remember, Jesus did not come to condemn us but to deliver us
from bondage. He proved how much He loves us by dying to save us.

JOHN 3:17 NKJ
17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

We cannot hide anything from God. He knows our every thought
already. Yet He loves us and desires to help us. But He allows
us to choose to open up to Him, or not.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 NKJ
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship
of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus is not a dictator. He is a ruler, and He deserves to be,
because of His capability. But He allows us to choose. If we
refuse Him and His way, Jesus won't knock the door down and
force His will on us. Instead He invites us by love to
fellowship with Him. This word fellowship means sharing
everything.

Every area of your life that you do not welcome Jesus into,
will be an area less blessed than it could be. Jesus, the
Creator, knows everything. He understands how everything works.
There is no wisdom or knowledge greater than Jesus has.

If you will only invite Jesus in, and allow Him access to every
part of your life, you can be the recipient of all that Jesus
is and all that He has.

SAY THIS: I am not a fool, so I invite You Jesus into every
area of my life.

Fasting

Fasting means going without something, usually food.

MATTHEW 9:14-15 NKJ
14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, "Why do we
and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?"
15 And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom
mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will
come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then
they will fast.

The New Testament does not command us to fast. But it indicates
that fasting will be done and can be useful.

Fasting can help you, if approached correctly. But if you
approach fasting as a way to gain points with God, you are
wasting your time (see Luke 18:9-14 where Jesus tells of the
religious Pharisee who fasted twice a week).

Fasting will not force God to do anything. There is no need to
do that anyway. God is perfect and perfectly willing to help
people. God is not the problem.

Fasting is not a magic wand. Nor is it a substitute for
studying God's Word or praying.

But we don't want to be among those whose god is their belly.
That is, we don't want to allow our bodies to control us.

PHILIPPIANS 3:19 NKJ
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and
whose glory is in their shame -- who set their mind on earthly
things.

Food and bodily comfort should not be our entire focus in life.

LUKE 21:34 KJV
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this
life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

This verse indicates it is possible for a person to be so
focused on eating, drinking, and the normal activities of life,
that it affects their spiritual life.

Fasting can be beneficial for spiritual growth when it causes
you to get your focus off your physical body and physical
senses and to realize that the real you lives inside your body.

When you are relieved of the burden of gathering and preparing
food to eat, you have more time you can devote to God's Word
and prayer.

You can also give some of the resources you saved to help
others.

Fasting helps you have a better grasp of reality. You learn
that you don't die just because your body does not immediately
get everything it wants. You learn that you can control your
body instead of allowing your body to control you. It helps you
realize that your body is a tool to use here on earth, instead
of your master, telling you what to do and what not to do.

So fasting can help you have a better perspective on
controlling your appetite. Once you know you can go an entire
day without food, it's easier to not overeat or to skip
dessert.

And for those of us blessed with sufficient to eat, it can be
good for us to remember what it is like to feel hunger -- which
multitudes of people do every day.

Also, it can be good to give your body a break, allowing it to
rest from the job of digesting food. Then instead of using
energy to digest food, other jobs can be done. This is why many
people have found improved health by at least moderate fasting.

For most people fasting can be a healthy practice, although
there are differences of opinion. Some say fasting used to be
healthy for the body, but now that there are so many toxins in
our system an extended total fast is not as safe. Each one of
us should look to the Lord for His direction and follow it.

In the Bible we read of people fasting food for up to 40 days.
Most people can fast that long before they begin to actually
starve, because the body can live for awhile from what it has
stored. It depends on our stores of fat, but most of us could
go a lot longer without food than is commonly thought.

However, unless the Lord leads you otherwise, most people
should only attempt shorter fasts of 1-3 days. Anyone fasting
longer than that needs to be very careful in how they resume
eating.

On any extended fast it is vital to drink plenty of water.

(Interestingly, after about 3 days completely without food,
physical hunger will stop. Its return (after maybe 40 days), is
the signal that starvation has begun. So in an extreme food
shortage, it can be easier, and you will be stronger and feel
better, if you do not eat at all instead of eating very
little.)

Some people fast to impress people with their devotion or
spirituality. Jesus told us not to do that. So if you are
telling the world about how much you are fasting, that may be
the only benefit you will receive.

MATTHEW 6:16-18 NKJ
16 "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites,
with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that
they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you,
they have their reward.
17 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your
face,
18 "so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your
Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in
secret will reward you openly.

What could this mean? How will God reward you? If you are
fasting to draw closer to God by being more focused on Him,
then being rewarded would be getting what you were seeking, a
more intimate relationship with God.

Fasting helps us focus more on the things of God by removing
our focus from the normal feeding of our body.

The only instruction on fasting in the Letters to the Church is
found in 1 Corinthians 7 which is directed towards a husband
and wife. So while fasting can have a place in our spiritual
life, it should not be given more of a place than Scripture
gives it.

1 CORINTHIANS 7:5 NKJ
5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time,
that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come
together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your
lack of self-control.

A person who fasts a lot is not necessarily more spiritual or
Godly than one who does not. Fasting, by itself, does nothing
to build you up spiritually. It mainly allows you time and
opportunity to focus more on spiritual things.

We should not feel guilty about eating, but enjoy our food and
thank God for it. For God gave us richly all things to enjoy (1
Timothy 6:17).

Feasting is not evil and God is not against it. In the Old
Testament we find three great yearly pilgrimage feasts, but
only one day a year (the day of atonement) that was a fast. In
Heaven we will feast at the marriage supper of the Lamb. And
Isaiah 25:6 says the Lord will prepare for all people a feast.

So, while fasting has its place, we should seek the Lord for a
proper perspective and balance.

Whether we are feasting or fasting, we should stay focused on
the Lord and let His joy flow through us every day.

SAY THIS: Fasting will not change God, but it can change me.

Count Your Blessings

EPHESIANS 1:3 NLT
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly
realms because we are united with Christ.

An old song says: "Count your blessings, name them one by one,
and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

It's easy to lose perspective. We all face challenges and
difficulties in life. And if we are not on guard, they can
divert our attention from all the Lord has done for us.

Yes, you may face obstacles, but you need to remember the man
who complained that he had no shoes till he saw a man who had
no feet.

We may not have everything we would like, but we all have
something to be thankful for.

Your children may be a challenge, but at least you have
children.

Your spouse may tempt you to pull your hair out, but there are
millions who would gladly trade places with you.

Your boss may be ruthless, but there are many in the world who
would literally give anything to have any job so they could
feed their family.

Your attitude is determined by your focus. When you focus on
the negative -- you turn negative, making your life, and those
around you, miserable.

It is amazing how different you feel after taking just a few
minutes to truly thank God for what you have.

I can read!
I can see!
I can smell!
I can hear!
I can talk!
I can think!
God loves me!
Jesus died for me!
I have a home in Heaven!

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for every blessing you have provided
for me.

Believe And Speak

2 CORINTHIANS 4:13 NIV
13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With
that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,

We are not supposed to just quietly believe. We should express
our belief by speaking it.

In Mark 11:23 when Jesus taught about faith, He stressed the
importance of what you say.

Real faith not only believes, but it speaks what it believes.

The world would have us believe words are not that important.
They think we can just say anything and it doesn't matter, that
"it's just talk!"

But the Bible teaches that our words are extremely important.
Here are just a few verses on the subject.

PROVERBS 18:21 NIV
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who
love it will eat its fruit.

MATTHEW 12:37 NIV
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words
you will be condemned."

ROMANS 10:10 NIV
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are
justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are
saved.

So we should never be sloppy in our speech. We should only say
what we mean, and mean what we say.

As children of God, and His representatives here on earth, all
our words should also be in agreement with God's will (revealed
in the Bible).

SAY THIS: I will not stop at just believing, but I will also
speak what I believe. I believe God's Word.

God's Way Is Perfect

PSALM 18:30 NIV
30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is
flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

People blame God for many things. But they are wrong. God is
perfect in all He does. When we have full information and see
the complete picture, we will not be able to find any fault in
God.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 NLT
12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but
then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I
know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know
everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Yes, there may be things that now seem as if God is at fault.
But, in time, we will know the full truth. Then we will realize
that God has done everything in the best way.

Do children comprehend everything? Neither do we. No matter how
smart we think we are, compared to God, we still have much to
learn.

At this time, we are like children who may think they know
better than their parents, but who will, later on, realize
their parents were right.

When you are tempted to think God is not doing what He should
be doing, look around you at what God has created. (Although we
live in a fallen world where the devil's forces are intent on
stealing, killing, and destroying, the genius of God still
shines brightly in all He created. Remember that death is an
enemy, and storms are something that Jesus rebuked.) Look at
the precision and beauty in all God created. Then realize that
God never changes, and the precise way He perfectly created
things is the same way He is working now to create your future.

God loves you. God knows more than you do. God is perfect. So
trust Him!

SAY THIS: My God is perfect in every way.

Look Up!

LUKE 21:25,26,28 NKJ
25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the
stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity,
the sea and the waves roaring;
26 "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of
those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of
heaven will be shaken.
28 "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up
your heads, because your redemption draws near."

Unprecedented troubles seem to be sweeping the earth.

What should we do when we see these things happening?

Jesus said we should "look up and lift up our heads!" That is,
we should not be discouraged or disheartened by all the
troubles on earth, as if we have no hope. Instead we are to
continue in faith, knowing that our Lord will always take care
of us, and that our final redemption is drawing nearer.

We must remember that God is truly our Source and that He has
promised to never forsake us, but to always provide for us.

As we await the return of our Lord, we should actively continue
to be a witness of God's goodness by our life and testimony.
Our refusing to submit to fear and worry, but instead giving
thanks and praise to God, will be a witness to those around us.

SAY THIS: I will not be discouraged by all that is happening in
the world, but I will look to Jesus my Savior, Protector, and
Provider.

Believe!

JOHN 20:31 NKJ
31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in
His name.

"But how can I believe in an invisible God?"

The same way you believe in the wind. No one has ever seen the
wind. But we all see the effects of the wind.

You may not see God, but open your eyes and look around and you
will see God in action. In His marvelous creation, in people's
testimonies of God's provision and deliverance, in miracles
happening all over the earth, in answered prayer.

It is not necessary to see God, or feel God, to believe in Him!

JOHN 20:29 NKJ
29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you
have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
believed."

If it was always easy to believe, there would be no reward
offered for believing. No one offers a reward or bonus for
doing something easy.

HEBREWS 11:6 NKJ
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder
of those who diligently seek Him.

The Bible speaks of the fight of faith. That means you will
have a struggle with believing. Don't be surprised. Expect it.

1 TIMOTHY 6:12 NKJ
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to
which you were also called and have confessed the good
confession in the presence of many witnesses.

JOHN 6:28-29 NKJ
28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work
the works of God?"
29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God,
that you believe in Him whom He sent."

SAY THIS: I choose to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son
of God, and His Word is truth.

Teach Your Children

DEUTERONOMY 6:6-7 NKJ
6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your
heart.
7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall
talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the
way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

God holds all parents responsible for teaching their children.
But that does not require some formal approach to instruction.
The best way is a natural flow of information as we go through
life.

God's Word tells us that teaching our children should happen
during the normal events of daily life. We can illustrate truth
and apply it to what happens every day, just as Jesus did with
His disciples.

We must also realize that everything our children see us do in
life is also unintentionally teaching them. Whatever they see
you do is a lesson your children are watching and learning
from.

If you never speak of God and His Word, it communicates to your
children that God is not very important to you. If you don't
read your Bible, don't expect your children to read the Bible.

It is also important to mean what you say, and say what you
mean -- to always tell the truth. If your children know you
don't keep your word, they won't expect God to keep His Word
either. So if you tell your child something, either do it, or
ask their forgiveness for not keeping your word.

Don't try to leave the responsibility for teaching your
children about God to someone else. You may not feel qualified
but God will help you. Just be honest with God and honest with
your children, and you will make progress with both.

SAY THIS: I will teach my children the knowledge of God.

Resist The Devil By Faith

EPHESIANS 6:16 NKJ
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Isn't it good to know you can withstand whatever the devil
throws at you? Although the devil may attack, your faith in
God's Word will shield you from being harmed.

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, knowing that the same
sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

How do we resist the devil?

We resist the devil by refusing to think, speak, or act in
accordance with his suggestions and ideas. We choose rather to
think, speak, and act in line with God's Word, the Bible.

Refusing to accept less than the perfect will of God is
resisting the devil. Standing against sin, sickness, poverty,
and fear is resisting the devil's plan, which is to steal,
kill, and destroy (John 10:10, Acts 10:38).

Humility is resisting the devil. Walking in love is resisting
the devil. Spending time in prayer and fellowship with God is
resisting the devil. Being thankful is resisting the devil.
Praising God and talking of His goodness and faithfulness is
resisting the devil.

The Greek word for resist literally means to stand against. It
means to withstand and oppose.

The English word resist means to stand against; to strive
against; to obstruct; to act in opposition to; to exert oneself
so as to counteract or defeat; to refuse to give in.

The opposite of resist is to agree with and to yield.

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

This verse is written to believers. It does not say the devil
will flee from you whether you resist him, or not. So you must
actively resist the devil if you don't want his plan in your
life.

We are to yield to God in all things, but yield to the devil in
none. How do we yield to God? We yield to what He says. How do
we resist the devil? We do not yield to or accept what the
devil says but rather stand against it.

God and the devil do not come to most of us in person. Rather
they come to us by thoughts which originate from either God or
the devil. We choose which one we yield to and which one we
resist by how we respond to the thoughts and ideas that come
our way.

JAMES 4:7 CJB
7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the
Adversary, and he will flee from you

Take a stand against the devil! Refuse to give up or give in!
The devil cannot overcome you if you continue to resist.

SAY THIS: In Jesus' Name I can and I will resist the devil and
walk in victory.

The Holy Spirit Is Your Guide

JOHN 16:13 NLT
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all
truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he
has heard. He will tell you about the future.

Jesus never said the Holy Spirit would instantly tell you the
whole truth on a subject, but He said the Holy Spirit would
GUIDE us into all truth.

A guide is someone who helps you find something. For a guide to
be of any benefit, you must be searching for something.

MATTHEW 7:7-8 NKJ
7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and
to him who knocks it will be opened.

If you don't seek answers -- don't expect to find them.

The greatest obstacle to learning is thinking you already know
enough.

If you are satisfied with what you know, you will not be
searching for more answers -- so you have no need of a Guide to
help you.

Remember: truth sets you free (John 8:31-32). Lies keep you in
bondage. So if you are not enjoying perfect freedom, seek more
understanding of the truth.

The Holy Spirit is a perfect teacher. He guides us into the
truths we are ready and able to receive. Then He patiently
teaches us until we understand the lesson.

It is important to remember that guiding us into all truth is a
process. Even when you have not realized it, the Holy Spirit
has been at work in your life. He does not force knowledge on
you, but when you are hungry for truth, He will guide you in
the right direction.

SAY THIS: Jesus promised the Holy Spirit will guide me into all
truth.