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There may be some who read God’s word, can quote scripture, and know all the church lingo, but have no power. They have no power because they don’t truly believe what they’re reading or quoting. They say the right things in the four walls of the church or when they’re around their church friends, but when the pressure comes, they fear, fold, and get frustrated. This shouldn’t be.
Our lives should reflect God’s word. There’s no way we should be saying, “God has not given us the spirit of fear” and “He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways,” but afraid to get on a cruise, afraid of going to that country, or afraid of to be in this neighborhood. Either we believe God’s word of protection or we don’t.
We all are growing in being fully persuaded of God’s word, but let’s not be pretenders acting as if God’s word is truly down in us, when in reality it’s not. Let’s not act like we’re so deep and spiritual, but when demonic activity happens, we run the other way.
Let’s get to a place where we actually believe what God’s word says about us. Let’s believe in what He promised us. Let’s believe God’s word regardless of what we experience.
Acts 19:14-15 NKJV Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
Luke 4:5-8 NKJV Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Spiritual warfare is real. On one side of the war, there are demonic attacks in our minds attempting to make us think, say, and do things contrary to God’s word. On the other side, there’s the Holy Spirit instructing us to think, say, and do things that align with God’s word. What we listen to and focus on the most will determine who wins these daily battles.
Jesus, The Example, shows us how to win these battles. When thoughts, ideas, and suggestions contrary to God’s word entered His mind during His fast, He countered those thoughts by speaking the word of God. He didn’t entertain those ideas, He immediately countered them with the word of God.
Satan wasn’t done after Jesus rejected his first idea. He came to Jesus again and again. Each time, Jesus countered Satan’s suggestions by speaking the word of God. Eventually, Satan ended his attacks, but his plan was to return at a more opportune time (Luke 4:13).
When we get attacked in our minds to divorce or cheat on our spouse, steal money from the company, cheat on our taxes, lie to someone, or do anything else contrary to God’s word, we must follow The Example and counter those thoughts by speaking the word of God. We must have the word of God inside our hearts in order to use them against Satan. Let’s study God’s word to equip ourselves with the weapons we need to win every battle (2 Cor. 10:4).
John 6:28-29 NKJV Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
The people wanted to know what works or requirements they must do to be accepted by God. Jesus responds with a singular work of believing in the One God sent (Jesus).
Although Jesus provided an answer about our work, there are still believers who are looking for works (plural). In their minds that one single act of believing in Jesus is not enough. They’ll add other things like prayer, studying God’s Word for so many hours, fasting, and proper behavior. All of these other works are important, but according to scripture they’re unnecessary to be accepted by God.
When we truly believe in Jesus and believe all that He’s done for us, those other works will follow. Our appreciation for what He’s done will increase our desire to pray, study God’s Word, and improve our behavior.
Just know any work outside of believing in the Lord Jesus to be accepted by God is unnecessary. If there were other works, Jesus had every opportunity to inform us of them. Our singular work of believing in Him is enough and we all must accept that.
#just #believe #Jesus #is #Lord
You just heard a store you usually go to was robbed. Will you stop going to that store? Will you take two guns and a knife the next time you go to that store? Or will you believe God will cover you with His feathers, He will shelter you with His wings, and His faithful promises are your armor and protection (Ps. 91:4). What path would you choose?
The doctor just told you that you’ll suffer from a disease for the rest of your life. Will you accept this over your life? Or will you believe because Jesus was whipped in Isaiah 53:5, you have been healed of that disease? What path would you choose?
With every negative situation we hear, see, or experience, there will always be two paths. One path is built on fear and the other is built on faith. With hypothetical scenarios, it seems easy for us to choose the faith path, but we’ll see how much faith we have when the situations actually come.
To consistently choose the faith path, we must inundate ourselves with the word of God. We must believe the Word so strongly until it’s almost offensive when negative experiences enter our lives. We can’t accept anything less than the Word of God for our lives.
Don’t let negative experiences run your life. Overcome those situations by believing the Word of God more than the experiences seen in the natural.
1 John 5:4-5 NLT For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
#just #believe #God
Tolerance is the capacity to endure, accept, or allow something, even if you disagree with or disapprove of it.
Sometimes we tolerate struggles we don’t actually have to carry, according to scripture. Although God’s Word says we’re healed and we’ve been given authority to speak to things contrary to God’s Word, some of us have been walking around with back pain for years (Isa. 53:5; Matt.17:20). In other situations, some of us find ourselves struggling financially when God’s Word says He’ll meet our needs and wealth and riches shall be in our houses (Matt. 6:31-33; Ps. 112:3).
Some believers tolerate things after they’ve tried to believe for God’s Word to come to pass and it “didn’t work.” Some people haven’t tried to use God’s Word to eliminate their struggles at all. They’ve just accepted it as their burden to bear. For some, this is the first time hearing that you don’t have to tolerate negative experiences in your life.
When (not if) a negative situation comes, we can do something about it. First, we find scriptures in God’s Word that counter what we’re facing. If we’re experiencing sickness, we find scriptures on how we’re healed. If it’s difficulties in managing our emotions, find scriptures on self-control.
Secondly, we read, study, and meditate on these scriptures daily. Get these scriptures in our souls.
Third, we act on these scriptures. The moment we experience pain, we speak to the pain and let it know that Jesus took this pain years ago and we’ve been healed (Isaiah 53:4-5).
Finally, don’t give up. Hebrews 10:35-36 says, therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. It may take years for us to receive what we’ve believed in God’s Word, but don’t give up. Continue to resist and don’t accept what this fallen world has to offer.
Don’t tolerate anything less than God’s best.
1 John 5:4-5 NLT For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. [5] And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
#believe #trust #God #expect #good
Colossians 2:8 NLT Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
Between YouTube and other social media networks, people have created a platform to say whatever they feel is important. There are conspiracy theorists, overnight pastors, and scientists all with something to say. Some of these things sound deep, factual, truthful on the surface, but if we pull back a layer, they don’t align with scripture.
Paul warns us to not allow these empty philosophies that come from human thinking and spiritual powers to capture our minds. To be honest, some of these arguments and philosophies make a strong case. We must compare what they’re saying with the truth of God’s Word.
We must especially be mindful of some of these internet pastors. What they’re saying may sound like the truth because they have scriptures to back what they’re saying up. But some of them are using the scriptures out of context.
To not be captured by these empty philosophies, we must have knowledge of the Word of God and a relationship with the Holy Spirit. If we’re listening to someone who sounds spiritual or intellectual, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit will confirm if it’s the truth or not.
Let’s validate what is said with the truth of God’s Word and not be led astray by empty human philosophies and high-sounding nonsense.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 NLT but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
#know #Bible #God’s #Word is #Truth
Matthew 6:6 NKJV But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
It’s a gift that we can go in the presence of God anytime we want. We have no restrictions at all. It doesn’t matter if we’ve been on our holiest behavior or if we’ve made numerous bad choices that has us poor and in prison, God will hear our prayers.
We don’t need a priest or a holy man, to get to God. We don’t need to confess our sins before He can hear us. We don’t need to pay our tithes and offering for God to answer our prayers.
We don’t need to know Greek or Hebrew for God to understand us. We don’t need to speak in King James. We don’t need to bow our heads or be on bended knees.
We don’t need anything mentioned above. All we need is a believing heart and a way to communicate with Him…(sign language counts too). As we communicate our needs or desires to God and believe that He’s listening, every single one of our prayers will be answered. It doesn’t have to be long. A simple, “God help” can go a long way. Once we make our requests, the prayer is not over. Listen, look for, and expect an answer from the God of the universe.
Don’t forfeit or minimize prayer. All of our answers can be found in Him.
#pray #God #hears #us
I Samuel 18:13-15 NKJV Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.
Saul put David in a position of power. He made David captain over 1000 men. The scriptures make it a point to say that when he became captain, he “behaved wisely.”
It doesn’t matter if we’re in charge of children as a teacher, a supervisor over a group of workers, president over a company, or president over a country, when we’re in authority, we need to behave wisely.
What does behaving wisely look like? Behaving with honor and integrity. Respecting others and making wise decisions. Doing the job with excellence. When we behave how the Word of God instructs us to behave, people will see something different about us. They will know that the Lord is with us.
Let’s not compromise on our morals or do anything that goes against God’s Word to fit in or get ahead. Let’s not cut any corners or half do the job. In positions of power, let’s behave wisely and represent the Kingdom of God.
#act #wisely #represent #God #Jesus
II Corinthians 5:15 NKJV and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. He was innocent of any wrongdoing, but He paid the price and died as if He was the worst sinner in the world. He exchanged His righteousness for our sin. He was whipped, beaten, spat on, and publicly humiliated just for us. He did all of these things and more because of the love He has for us.
Because of His sacrifice, we’ve been totally forgiven and made righteous. We have 24/7 access to God. We’ve been adopted into the family of God and He’s our Heavenly Father. We have God’s Spirit living in us. We are joint-heirs with Christ.
As a token of our appreciation for ALL that Jesus has done, we no longer should live for ourselves, but for Him. This means continuing to walk in love and keeping our emotions in check when we come across an extremely rude or aggressive person. This means giving to the Kingdom of God when we already had plans for that money. This means serving in our church and communities when we don’t feel like it.
We shouldn’t exhaust ourselves or act unwisely when living for Him. But, if we’re led by the Holy Spirit to serve and give even if our flesh doesn’t want to, let’s do so as a way to thank Jesus for all that He’s done for us.
#serve #love #give #share #Christ
Philemon 1:6 NKJV that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
As believers, we should be excited about our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So much so we can share all that we are in Christ and all that we have in Christ. It’s great to know that we won’t go to hell because of Jesus, but there’s so much more.
To know all the things we are and have in Christ requires hearing, studying, and meditating on God’s Word. For instance, believers are still calling themselves sinners. Because of Christ, we’re no longer sinners, but we’ve been made righteous (Rom. 5:19). Through Jesus, all of the promises of God have been approved (2 Corinthians 1:20). So, the promise of healing has been approved, sweet sleep has been approved, etc.
As we share the good news with others, this excitement should spill over to others and there will be a chain reaction. Share all the good news we have because of Christ, and cause a movement.
#share #Christ
John 7:24 NKJV Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Unfortunately, some believers have a bad habit of judging unbelievers and believers alike. If they find flaws in someone that are not like their own, instead of praying for them or talking with them, they openly judge them.
Believers can judge others, but there’s a right way to judge and there’s a wrong way to judge. As we can see from this verse, judging based on appearances is wrong.
So, if we see a person smoking a cigarette, it’s wrong to say they’re a sinner or unholy. That cigarette has nothing to do with their righteousness. Our righteousness comes from Christ alone (Rom. 5:19).
If we see a woman who is wearing clothes that we feel are too revealing, it’s not our place to judge them based on their appearance and say they’re dressing like a whore and are causing men to lust. We don’t know anything about her story, but criticize her clothing. That’s wrong. Our job is to pray for her, and if led by the Holy Spirit, speak the truth about her attire in love, not judgment.
So, what is righteous judgment? Righteous judgment is judging the actions of a person who is doing something contrary to God’s Word. If we see someone doing something contrary to God’s Word, we can say those actions are sinful. That’s where it ends. What we do next will determine if we judge unrighteously. If we label them, criticize them, and don’t offer to help them in some way, we’re judging unrighteously.
It’s common knowledge that Christians are seen as judgemental. Christians judge because other people sin differently than them. Let’s put an end to unrighteous judgment and only judge righteously.
#righteous #judgement
Proverbs 19:5 NKJV A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.
When we lie, we open ourselves up to receive spiritual and natural consequences.
Spiritually, our consequences are allowing ourselves to be used by Satan, who is known as the father of lies (John 8:44). By allowing Satan to use us, we weaken our guard against his schemes. If we “get away” with the lie once, he’ll easily influence us to lie again, and again, and again.
Ultimately, those lies will catch up with us and we’ll experience natural consequences. Those consequences may include losing our family, losing our jobs, jail time, or being labeled as a liar.
There is NO reason to lie about anything. Not an opinion about someone if they ask, a surprise birthday party, our location, or the amount of money we spent. If we feel the need to lie, that feeling is based in fear.
Be honest with everyone and speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). If God made Himself with the incapability to lie, we can follow His example and renew our minds not to lie.
#speak #truth
I Samuel 8:7 NKJV And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.
God wanted to rule over and lead Israel. Samuel took it personally when Israel wanted a visible king to rule over them rather than an invisible God. Samuel was informed that they aren’t rejecting him, but God.
We may want people to get saved and have a real relationship with God. When we tell them about God’s love and how Jesus died for their sins, they may reject or mock what we’re offering. We don’t need to take it personal. They’re not rejecting us, but God.
If they reject or mock our beliefs, our flesh may want to respond. We may want to defend our God, belittle their beliefs, and let them know they’re going straight to hell.
First of all, God doesn’t need us to defend Him. He would still be God if no one believed in Him. Secondly, belittling someone’s beliefs doesn’t display the love of God. It shows that we’re immature and no different than the rest of the world. And although it’s true that people are destined for hell if they don’t accept Jesus, it helps no one if it’s coming from our flesh and not out of love.
Let’s continue to let the world know about Jesus Christ. Let’s continue to inform people about the benefits of living holy and being led by the Spirit. If they reject what we’re offering, know they’re not rejecting us, but God. And although He doesn’t want to see anyone perish, He’s strong enough to accept their rejection.
#share #Jesus #show #Love
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Luke 6:45 NKJV A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
We need to be mindful of what enters our hearts. I’m not talking about our organ, but our spiritual inner man (soul).
We can screen what enters our hearts by analyzing what we’re hearing and seeing. What we hear and see will determine how we think. What we think will determine what we believe. What we believe will determine what we say. And what we say will manifest in our lives.
If we’re hearing and seeing a bunch of negative news on TV or social media, our hearts will be negatively impacted. We’ll be worried that the economy will negatively impact our finances or we’ll fear being robbed. To keep our hearts full of faith, we need to exchange negative news for God’s Word. The news may say there’s a new virus strain going around, but God’s Word says no plague will come near our dwelling (Psalms 91:10).
It’s not just news that can negatively impact our hearts, but it’s music, movies, and TV shows. If we’re watching shows or listening to music that glorify sex, it can be difficult to stay abstinent as a single person. Those words and images are entering our hearts and can tempt us to lust.
Even conversations with our friends must be screened. If our friends are gossiping about another person and causing us to think badly about that person, we need to change the subject or limit our conversations with our friend.
Start screening what enters our hearts. Although certain things are informative or entertaining, we must evaluate if it’s best for us to consume.
#guard #your #heart
Proverbs 21:23 NKJV Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
You’re about to give me a heart attack.
You scared me to death.
You’re driving me crazy.
I can’t believe that.
I’m so stupid.
These are statements some of us say, but we don’t really mean. When are we going to make the connection between our words and our lives? God designed us to have everything we say (good or bad). If we don’t mean it, don’t say it.
Some of us may say, “I say these type of things all the time and nothing has happened to me.” Praise God nothing has happened, but do you really want to gamble with your life or health for the sake of a statement?
Secondly, when we make statements like this, we’re training our spirits to not believe what we say. How do we make statements like, “I’m dying to go,” then turn around and say, “by the stripes of Jesus Christ, I am healed?” To manifest the promises of God, we need to condition our spirits to bring everything we say to pass.
A few chapters before this is Proverbs 18:21, God lets us know that death and life are in the power of our tongue. Obviously, God is giving us wisdom and informing us that our words have power, and we need to use them wisely. Let’s train our spirits to speak what we actually want to see.
#speak #life #guard #your #mouth
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NKJV Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Everything may not go like we want it to all the time. The facts of our lives can change. Marriages may be problematic, finances may be acting funny, and there may be a health decline.
What will you do if these things happen? Will you panic or freak out? Or will you do the unfathomable, and rejoice in the Lord. Obviously, the word of God is instructing us to do the latter.
As we rejoice when everything seems chaotic, we’re reminding ourselves of God’s ability working through us to change the situation. As we rejoice, we’re keeping our focus on God’s ability and not the magnitude of the circumstances. As we rejoice, we should be agreeing with God’s Word and not the facts in front of us.
When tough times come, rejoice by faith, believing that the outcome will change as we allow God’s power to work in and through us (Ephesians 3:20).
#God’s #power in us #changes #circumstances #rejoice!
Graced To Do God's Will 