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1 John 3:20 NLT Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything.
Guilt is not a good thing. No matter how many times we hear that from people or even ministers, the bible paints guilt in a negative light.
Guilt lets us know we did something wrong and tells us to feel bad or ashamed about it. The good news is God is greater than our guilt.
Whenever that feeling of guilt comes after we’ve missed the mark, we can boldly go to God and receive forgiveness that has already been made available through Jesus Christ.
God will let us know what we did wrong, but He never wants us to feel guilty about it. Remove all guilt, shame, and condemnation from your life. It’s not good and it’s not of God.
1 John 3:21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from Him whatever we ask because we obey Him and do the things that please Him.
#freedom #found #in #Christ #nocondemnation
Acts 20:23 NKJV except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul knew, by way of the Holy Spirit, that he would have to endure suffering and tribulation from preaching the gospel. Regardless of what was ahead, he wasn’t moved. The joy of preaching the gospel outweighed his upcoming suffering.
When we experience pain, discomfort, shortcomings, and disruption, while doing the will of God, this is not the time to panic or give up. This is the time to stand our ground and not be moved. We have a God who loves us, who has given us a promise, and is there to see us through. The circumstances are temporary, but God and His word is eternal.
It doesn’t matter if we’re starting a business, a church, looking to promote, or raising children, if it’s God’s will, we will prosper. The only way we won’t prosper is if we doubt and get into unbelief because of the circumstances. However, if we stand our ground, trust in the Lord, and exercise patience, we’ll accomplish the goals He set out for us.
If you’ve given up, get back up and do the will of God. If you feel like giving up, go to God’s word and let Him give you a pep talk. If you’re standing your ground and believing God’s word, don’t be moved by anything and keep on standing.
#keep #the #faith #trust #God
If you see a successful God-fearing person, but don’t want to ask for their help or don’t want to do the things they suggested just because you want to do it your way, that’s pride.
It’s a form of humility to ask questions or follow the example of others. You’re letting yourself and everyone know you don’t have it all together. And that’s okay. As you pick the brain of godly people, you’re getting the wisdom needed to change the trajectory of your life.
Don’t be stubborn, prideful, or foolish. Follow the example of those who honor God, have the success you want, and learn from them. If you don’t know anyone personally like that, let the Holy Spirit lead you on who to follow.
1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
#follow #me #as #I #followChrist #Godfirst #success #in #Christ
Jonah 2:9 NLT But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”
Jonah was in the belly of the fish. Some bible scholars believe he was dead or near death. Even at the point of death, he’s conscious enough to know the following 3 things:
- The sacrifice of praise.
- Commitment to God.
- Reliance on God.
In the middle of terrible situations, it’s important to praise God. It’s a sacrifice because we won’t feel like praising God. We would rather cry, complain, and feel sorry for ourselves. But, we praise God because He is THE only One who can deliver us from that situation.
Commitment to God is something a lot of us have done. A lot of us had that desperation prayer of, “God if you get me out of this, I promise I’ll serve You.” Desperation in negative situations can drive us to be committed to God.
God has obligated Himself to be our Savior. It has everything to do with His love towards us. Jonah didn’t have the finished works of Jesus. But we do. Our reliance or faith in Jesus is the exchange needed to obtain what Jesus has already provided. As we rely on what God has provided through Jesus, He’ll provide tips, strategies, and people to come across our paths that will help us.
Give God praise, commit yourself to Him, and totally rely on Him. And like Jonah in verse 10, our negative situations will turn from bad to good.
#trust #rely #depend #on #God
Psalms 148:5 NLT Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for He issued His command, and they came into being.
Although we’re instructed to praise God, a lot of us have never been taught to praise God. We usually end up imitating what we see others do. We’ll raise our hands, say hallelujah and glory to God. That’s fine, but it’s limited.
If we look at Psalm 149 and 150, it provides some instructions on how to praise God.
Praise God by Singing – Psalm 149:1 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
Even if we don’t know how to sing well, start singing to God on how wonderful He is. Create a new song. He loves it.
Praise God by Dancing – Psalm 149:3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.
Don’t just sit still, start dancing with your praise. Your flesh WILL think it’s embarrassing, but if He’s been that good, you would move beyond embarrassment and give into praise.
Praise God in Speech – Psalm 149:6 Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands.
Don’t let praise be limited to church. As we go throughout the day, open your mouth and praise God.
Praise God with Instruments – Psalm 150:3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp!
Some of us have a talent to play an instrument. Use that instrument to praise God.
Praise God for What He’s Done – Psalm 150:2 Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!
Here’s where we go beyond just saying hallelujah and glory to God. Praise Him for waking you up. Praise Him for that promotion last year. Praise God for keeping you safe last night. Praise Him because of His faithfulness. Praise God for a heart beat. This can go on forever.
What’s the point? There’s no right or wrong way to praise God. Let’s sincerely, boldly, and unashamedly praise our loving God with everything we have to give.
#let #everything #that #has #breath #praise #the #Lord #God
Obadiah 1:3 NLT You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully.
Some people have been deceived into thinking because of their financial status, where they are in their career, and their notoriety that they’re untouchable.
Wrong!! If the right circumstances come up, it could cost a person all they have. Then what?
That’s why it’s so important to lean on God. Depending on anything else but God is foolish. He is the Supplier. He is our Help. HE is everything we need.
Stop trusting in riches and a career. Trust in God alone because He is THE One who will sustain you when everything else seems like it’s falling apart.
#trust #in #God #alone
Jonah 2:1 NLT Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.
When we’re in the middle of a bad situation, pray. Don’t panic and freak out. Pray.
Understand that when we pray, God hears us. It doesn’t matter if we were disobedient and put ourselves in that bad situation, when we pray, God hears us and He’s promised to respond.
Whether it’s a financial crisis, marital problems, disobedient children, or problems with your boss at work, in all these situations, pray. After praying, expect God to respond and follow His instructions on overcoming that situation.
#pray #expect #God
There are people who don’t mind being alone. It’s not because they don’t like people or have been hurt by people. It’s just natural for them to be loners.
As a believing loner, it’s even more of a temptation to be isolated from people. A believing loner has God and the finished works of Jesus. You don’t have people bringing you down with drama and chaos. You don’t have peer pressure to lead you into sin. You’re just living your life with God and Jesus and a few friends who understand you.
As a loner, you may be honoring God, prospering in your career and with your family. You may not feel like you need something from someone else, but here’s the thing, someone else needs something from you.
We all (loners included) have a gift or a talent that people need to see. You may feel like you’ve got yourself together, but someone else may need what you have. Use the opportunity to socialize with people to pour what you have inside of them.
The first obvious thing is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people. We assume most people know it, but everyone doesn’t know the truth. We can share financial wisdom with people, marital tips, career advice, or how to overcome hurt.
Don’t be selfish with your time and space. You may not feel like you need people, but there are people who need you. Be a vessel to be a blessing.
Luke 3:11 NLT John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
#generosity #be #a #blessing #share #Jesus #shine #bright
Psalms 37:7 NIV Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
From our childhood to being an adult, patience is something we really don’t like to hear. We may understand its benefits when we get older, but we really don’t like waiting on something we want.
In the Kingdom of God, it’s a necessity. Hebrews 10:36 says, patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.
It gets more difficult to be patient when we see others getting blessed and we’re waiting with uncertainty of how long it will take. We can’t worry about someone else. We must focus on ourselves.
Galatians 6:9 says, let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. If we continue to believe God’s word, be patient, and don’t get frustrated with God, we’ll have everything He promised. So, let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4).
#patience #waitforit #God #will #provide
Galatians 6:8 NIV Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
When people think of acts of the flesh, they usually think about sex, drugs, alcohol, and partying. You know what also is an act of the flesh? Sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself. Intentionally isolating yourself just to think about all the things that are going wrong in your life. Complaining to someone about how bad things are.
The flesh referenced in the bible means our sinful nature. Anything done from our sinful nature is referred to as the flesh. There’s no difference between a person giving into their sinful nature to have a one night stand or to have a pity party. It’s all out of the flesh and it will all lead to destruction.
Now that you understand that the flesh comes in many forms, ask yourself, are you pleasing your flesh in any way or are you actively resisting your flesh to please God? Let’s do our best to please God.
#discipline #selfcontrol #God #first
Psalms 32:10 NLT Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
God loves us unconditionally. His love never stops, never ends, and never runs out. His love doesn’t come and go based on our behavior. His love goes on and on and on.
God is love. That’s why He has so much to give. There are no levels or hierarchies to God’s love. God loves us just as much before we were saved as He does after we’re saved. God doesn’t love ministers more than He does a God-hating atheist. He loves us all the same.
God’s love is always available. It’s up to us to take it. We may not always feel His love, but it’s during those times we must receive it by faith. Don’t let no devil, person, or preacher tell you that God doesn’t love you. His love is unfailing and everlasting.
#Hislove #neverends #neverfails #God #greatly #loves #us
Some of the things God instructs us to do don’t make us happy. Some things don’t make sense and go against how we feel. For our flesh, it’s extremely difficult to obey God.
God never told us to obey Him with a smile on our faces and gladness in our hearts. He simply wants us to obey Him.
As we obey Him, even if it’s reluctantly, we’re prioritizing Him above our logic, emotions, and our flesh.
Look at Jesus in Luke 22:42. He wasn’t excited to suffer and separate Himself from the Father for us. However, He pushed His emotions aside and obeyed God.
As we continue to obey God, hopefully, we’ll get to a point where our reluctancy is short-lived because fulfilling the will of God and experiencing the fruit of our obedience is magnified. Let’s obey God above anything else.
Luke 22:42 NLT “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
#Hiswill #just #obey #God #first
Being a believer requires 100% faith. Without using our five senses, we’re using our faith to believe that God exists and He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the world’s sins. We obtained this information, along with so many other things, from the bible.
When it comes to the bible, there are skeptics. People think because it was written by flawed men, there could be inconsistencies or contradictions. Some feel like promoters of the bible are attempting to brainwash society and squash “free thinking.” People feel like some stories in the bible are too similar to other stories that predate the bible.
With all this skepticism surrounding the bible, it’s important to use our faith to believe the bible is inspired by God. We can’t ask the authors of each book to validate their inspiration from God. We must use our faith and completely trust that God’s word is real and true.
Don’t allow the skepticism of the world to lead you down an unbelieving path. If there are some questions, ask God and allow His Spirit to provide the answer.
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
#faith #believe #God #inspired
Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.
A lot of us wait for perfect conditions before we do anything. We want to wait and get ourselves together before we surrender our lives to the Lord. We want to get in a better financial place before we give. We want to wait until everything is situated before we start our business. We want to have everything set up before we get married.
If we keep waiting for perfect conditions, we’ll be waiting forever. Perfect conditions are a deception from the enemy. Satan is the god of this world and he’ll always move things around until nothing feels stable.
If God gives us a desire or He instructs us to do something, do it. Don’t wait, do it. He knows the conditions are not ideal. But He knows and we should know that when we obey, His power can change circumstances in our favor. The only time we should wait is if God instructs us to wait.
Whatever God has instructed you to do, even if it seems illogical, obey God.
#follow #God #pray #trust #obey
1 Corinthians 7:21 NLT Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it.
Thank God there’s no longer legal slavery where people are forced to serve others. However, there is a form of slavery some of us volunteer for. That’s debt.
Debt is modern day slavery. Our master is creditors. Whenever we buy things on credit, lack self-control in shopping, and spend more than we’re bringing in, we’re volunteering for slavery. We’re limited to what we can do because of debt. Not only are we limited to what can we do in our own lives, more importantly, we’re limited to what we can do for the Kingdom of God. Think of the amount of ground we can take for the Kingdom of God if we’re not in debt.
It’s one thing to use credit to get something we NEED. It’s another thing to be irresponsible and buy too much of what we want or what we can’t afford.
Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to help us be responsible with our finances and not voluntarily put ourselves in the slavery debt.
#stewardship #finances #money #management
Psalms 147:3 NLT He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
A tragic childhood, failed marriages, backstabbing friends, the loss of a loved one, and other unfortunate circumstances can all potentially cause emotional pain. Some of the things we’ve been through can leave us messed up in the head.
In God’s word, He promises to heal our broken hearts. Just because it’s in the bible doesn’t mean it’s automatic. We must receive it by faith.
When the emotional pain comes and we’re feeling down, sad, or depressed, that’s when we apply our faith to this scripture as well as 1 Peter 2:24. We literally confess, “I receive the healing God made available, through Jesus Christ, for this emotional pain.” If the pain comes back again 5 minutes later, confess it again. Depending on how deep the emotional pain is, we may have to confess this 30 times a day for the next 3 years.
It seems like a lot, but the alternative is to live with depression and the negative impact sadness has on our bodies and the effect it has on other relationships. When we use our faith in God’s word to combat negative emotions, we’re guaranteed victory (1 John 5:4).
Since God promises to heal our broken hearts and healing has been made available through Jesus, apply your faith to God’s word and allow Him to mend your broken heart.
#broken #hurt #abused #healing #restoration #redemption #in #Christ #God #heals #loves #restores
Acts 20:21 NLT I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
There’s only one message for everyone in the world.
- Repent of sin.
- Turn to God.
- Have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
This message is THE foundational message for everyone to establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Once we believe, this message will allow us to maintain a relationship with God. This message will renew our minds to the word of God. This message will allow us to see and experience all that God has promised us. This message will soften our hearts in order to share this same message with others.
This message is simple. Don’t over complicate it with rules and traditions that aren’t mentioned.
Receive this message and share this message with someone else.
#repent #receive #forgiveness #have #faith #in #Jesus
Some of us had an unfortunate upbringing. Our parents, the people we’re supposed to trust and depend on, let us down. They may not have been there, they didn’t care, or they violated our trust in some way. At the same time, we may not have received a good foundation to value God’s word.
We get older and attempt to find trust in earthly relationships. Unfortunately, because of our upbringing, some of us have trust issues. Those trust issues sabotage these relationships or people take advantage of our trust.
With all that some of us have been through, we’re told to put all our trust in an invisible God who loves us. That’s a difficult task for some, but it’s worth it.
Depending on our situation, start trusting God a little bit at a time. The goal is to put all our trust in Him, but start with a portion of our trust. The first and most important thing to trust God with is our eternity. We may not trust God with our relationships or finances, but trust that He sent Jesus to die for our sins.
Once we’ve solidified our salvation, start trusting God in other areas like our protection. Find a scripture where God promises to protect us (Psalm 23:4), start confessing that scripture, and expect His protection in every situation. Eventually, we’ll move on to trusting God in our relationships, in our health, with our finances, etc.
Don’t allow an unfortunate upbringing and broken relationships to stop your trust in God. Our trust in God is THE only thing we can count on that will remove the pain of our past and positively impact our future. Trust in God.
Psalms 9:10 NLT Those who know your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You.
#insecure #hopeless #broken #hurt #trust #God #protected #loved #valued #restored #byGod
John 17:23 NLT I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
If there’s anyone who got all their prayers answered by God, it would be Jesus. In this verse, Jesus prayed that we know God loves us just as much as He loves Him. That’s awesome. God loves us just as much as He loves Jesus.
We don’t live a perfect life. We didn’t die or even go through a little suffering for Him. But still, God loves us just as much as He loves Jesus.
There’s no stipulations with God’s love. We don’t have to sacrifice everything or earn His love. His love is freely given. He loved us tremendously before Jesus prayed this prayer and He certainly loves us because Jesus prayed this prayer.
Understand how much God loves you. Even though you didn’t do all that Jesus did, He loves you and I just as much as He loves Jesus. Receive His love.
#God #loves #people
Jude 1:23 NLT Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
Unfortunately, there are people who are still misrepresenting God. They’ll say, God hates homosexuals, God hates liars, God hates baby killers, or God hates adulterers. That’s NOT true. God hates sin, not the sinner.
God hates sin because He knows the destruction it causes. It destroys our lives, our mindsets, our marriages, and our families. God doesn’t hate the people committing the sin. He loves us. Notice I say “us” because we all sin and no sin is greater than another. He hates sin itself.
We’re instructed to hate sin as well. So much so until we become vessels for God, informing others of the damage it causes.
If you ever read an online post or a sign on the street that says, God hates the people committing a particular sin, understand that they’re misinformed. God hates sin, not the sinner.
#godloves #godislove #loved #by #god
Psalms 78:19-22 NLT They even spoke against God Himself, saying, “God can’t give us food in the wilderness. Yes, He can strike a rock so water gushes out, but He can’t give His people bread and meat.” When the Lord heard them, He was furious. The fire of His wrath burned against Jacob. Yes, His anger rose against Israel, for they did not believe God or trust Him to care for them.
How many times do you think we’ve angered God because of our unbelief? Like the children of Israel, some of us put God in a box.
We’ve told ourselves He can do this, but I don’t know if He can do that. He’s decreased the pain in my leg, but I don’t think the pain will completely go away. He’s provided me with a job, but I’ll never make over $100,000 annually. Thank God my child is no longer failing their classes, but I think my child will always be a “C” student.
Thoughts and statements like these have to frustrate God. The only thing stopping Him from doing what He really wants to do is our unbelief. We may not see or know how God can change the situation, but we don’t have to. Our responsibility is to believe.
Trust and believe that God can do the impossible and that He’ll take care of you. Even if it’s farfetched, our belief in His power can make it happen.
#trust #believe #relyon #God #anything #is #possible
Graced To Do God's Will 