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Jeremiah 32:40 NLT And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship Me, and they will never leave Me.
God’s covenant with the children of Israel was to never stop doing good for them. Wow, just think about that. This is the true character of God on display.
The children of Israel weren’t saved or filled with the Holy Spirit. They were spiritually dead in their sins, but God still made a covenant with them to never stop doing good for them. If they got a promise like that, being unsaved and under the Law, how much more of a promise do we have being saved, righteous, justified, and sanctified under grace?
Some believers think God is still punishing us for our sins or He’ll only do good when He feels like it. No. God’s heart is to do good for us continually. If we’re in a bad place, God desires to turn it around for our good. Even if we feel like we’re in a good place, God desires additional goodness for us.
Don’t think for a second that good isn’t on God’s mind concerning us. It may look bad right now, but as we trust Him, it will work for our good (Rom. 8:28).
#God’s #goodness #mercy #pursue #me
Push her down.
What are they like in bed?
Just leave and never come back.
Take their phone and sell it.
I should jump and end it all.
These are intrusive thoughts that may enter our minds. These thoughts sometimes come at the worst possible moment. We could be praying or worshipping and these thoughts come. We could be in a meeting at work and these thoughts come.
As these thoughts come, especially the outlandish ones, we may begin to question our righteousness, holiness, or even salvation.
These are not our thoughts. These thoughts come directly from Satan. These thoughts don’t make us a bad person and it doesn’t necessarily mean we need to pray or fast more. Satan throws these thoughts in our minds to see if we’ll dwell and act on them. Or, he’ll try to make us feel bad for having these thoughts.
We can’t stop a thought from coming, but we can control whether it remains in our minds.
When intrusive thoughts enter our minds, we must immediately recognize it’s Satan and kick them out. We remove the thought by replacing it with a righteous word. To interrupt these thoughts we must audibly say the word of God. If the thought of ending it all enters our minds, we must say “I will live and not die.” If the thought of taking someone’s money or property comes, we must say “I will not steal.”
Intrusive thoughts have nothing to do with our character or our righteousness. They’re thoughts sent by Satan that must be kicked out.
Ephesians 6:16 NKJV above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
#guard #your #mind #think #better
John 8:32 NKJV And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
We are made free from sin when we know the truth. What is the truth we should know? The truth is Jesus came and saved us from our sin. He lived a perfect life, but took on a sinner’s death for us. When we know and truly believe this truth, we become free from sin’s grip to hold us down. We become free from guilt, shame, and condemnation. We may not like when we miss the mark, but we know we have an Advocate who already paid for the mark we just missed.
As we focus on Jesus and know what He’s accomplished for us, the weight of sin has been lifted and the power of sin has been weakened.
Thank God for Jesus who defeated the power of sin.
#focus #on #Jesus #victory
James 5:16 NKJV Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
There are people out in this world who are going through a lot. It can be difficult at times to look beyond ourselves, but there are people who are really hurting.
There are people who are overcoming childhood trauma, people’s marriages are being torn apart, people facing health challenges with no end in sight, and people who have experienced an unexpected loss of a loved one. With everything that’s going on in the world, believers should be compassionate enough to pray for others.
We can pray for our friend’s peace and comfort. We can pray for our coworker’s family. As we drive, we can pray for that homeless person’s mental health. If we don’t know what to pray for, we can always pray that a person has a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Remember to think of others outside of ourselves. As we pray for each other, changes will take place.
#pray #for #people
Jeremiah 22:21 NLT I warned you when you were prosperous, but you replied, ‘Don’t bother me.’ You have been that way since childhood— you simply will not obey Me!
In times of prosperity, when everything is going well, it can be challenging to hear God’s voice. Why? Because there’s no incentive to seek God.
We have no problem seeking God when our backs are against the wall, we’re in financial trouble, or our health is declining. But when money is flowing in, our health is good, and our home life is great, there can be a temptation to push God to the side and enjoy our prosperity.
Seek God for more than what He can provide. Have the desire for a close relationship with Him. Develop more of an appreciation for what Jesus has accomplished for us. Allow Him to reveal areas where we need to mature, and let the Holy Spirit guide us in that maturation.
Don’t get stuck in the cycle of sincerely seeking God when you need Him, then pushing Him away when you receive what you wanted. Allow Him to be the focal point of your life.
#focus #on #God #growth
As we wait on the promises of God to manifest, we need to be mindful not to be spiritually superstitious.
Let’s say we had a health issue two years ago. During that time, we believe God told us to pray in the Spirit for 30 minutes a day and confess Isaiah 53:5 ten times a day. After three months, our healing manifested. Praise God for this, but don’t be spiritually superstitious thinking that’s the remedy to overcome every health issue. Each trial we face is an opportunity to seek God for answers and guidance. If there’s another health issue, He may want us to listen to healing scriptures on repeat.
The same thing goes with getting a new job or a major purchase. Just because God told us to give a big offering at church last time doesn’t mean He wants us to do it again. He may have us do something unrelated like serve faithfully in our community during the summer.
Let’s not put God in a box and limit Him to one way. He may be doing something new. The only thing that needs to remain the same is our trust in Him. Even if it looks unusual, unrelated, or like a waste of time, trust that His way will manifest His promises.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
#trust #rely #dependon #God #Jesus
Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ephesians 4:32 NKJV And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
In Matthew 6, Jesus spoke this when mankind was under the Law of Moses. Under the Law, we could only be forgiven by God if we forgave. If we didn’t forgive, we were not forgiven.
In Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3:13, not under the Law, Paul lets us know to forgive because we are forgiven. There’s a difference. Under grace, there’s not a consequence from God of eternal damnation if we don’t forgive.
Does that mean we should go throughout life holding unforgiveness in our hearts just because we’re under grace? Absolutely not. We should still forgive, but our motivation to forgive is different. Instead of forgiving out of fear, we forgive from a place of gratitude. Because of our appreciation for being forgiven, we can forgive others. We can say to ourselves, “if God can forgive me, based on all the things I’ve done, I can forgive this person.”
It still may not be easy to forgive in certain situations, but the motivation to forgive is ever present and staring at us in the face. Because we’ve been forgiven by God, we can forgive someone else.
#forgiven #forgive #Jesus #didit #gratitude
Whether we like it or not, AI (Artificial Intelligence) is here to stay. If you’ve used it, you’ll see you can ask it any question or put in any prompt that comes across your mind.
We can use it as a doctor and describe an unusual mark on our arm and it will provide an answer. We can ask what products we should put on our lawns to make them grow based on our geographical location. We can use it as a counselor and ask how we should parent a child with behavioral issues. There are even reports of people using AI as a relationship partner to avoid being lonely.
If we can essentially get all our answers from AI, where does that leave God? If we’re not mindful, we’ll push God to the side to get an immediate answer to all our issues. Biblically speaking, this is idolatry. Some may say they’re not worshipping AI, but to put anything above God, or as a replacement for God, is idolatry.
The reason why AI is so appealing is because it appeals to our carnality. Carnality is where we receive information and satisfaction from our five senses in this physical world instead of God.
Does that mean AI is wrong and of the devil? It can be, but it can also be a tool that God uses to benefit us.
So how do believers use AI without making it our god? We continue to spend quality time with God in prayer, in His word, and in worship. If a question arises or if a problem occurs, instead of running to AI to get an answer, we should seek the Holy Spirit. He’ll give us the best answer and guidance for our situation. It may take time to receive an answer and we may have to confirm if the answer is truly coming from Him, but it’s worth it.
Because our flesh hates delay and ambiguity, our flesh will want an immediate answer without taking the time to tune our spirits to hear God’s voice, but we must resist. We must trust His way and timing is more advantageous for our lives.
As we seek God for answers, He may direct us to AI. He may give us the prompt we need to get the answers we’re seeking. Just remember to use it as He directs us. Be prayerful when using AI.
Romans 8:14 NIV For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
#seek #God #first
Jeremiah 19:2 NKJV And go out to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the Potsherd Gate; and proclaim there the words that I will tell you,
Jeremiah 20:1-2 NKJV Now Pashhur the son of Immer, the priest who was also chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things. Then Pashhur struck Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord.
Some believe that when we obey God, blessings will immediately fall like rain. But here, we see otherwise. God gave Jeremiah words to say. After he said them, Jeremiah was struck and put in the stocks for a day.
This is not an Old Testament thing. We see Paul following God’s instructions in the New Covenant and being incarcerated. Also, in Hebrews 10:36 it 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. The promise only comes after patient endurance.
In certain instances, we can do the will of God and we may not immediately get the outcome we thought. God may instruct us to tell someone about Jesus. In return, they may use profanity and tell us to go away. God may instruct us to give sound advice to our friend. Our friend may take offense to our advice and think we’re belittling their way of living.
There’s definitely a benefit in obeying God. Just know that after doing God’s will, rainbows and butterflies may not be the immediate result. But, trust that what God instructed you to do is for the greater good.
#trust #obey #God’s #word
Hebrews 2:14 NLT Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
Between movies, the news, and other people’s experiences, some people are afraid of death. They feel like death is waiting behind every corner and they’re paralyzed by fear.
They fear flying on airplanes because they’re afraid they’ll die in a plane crash. They fear getting on a cruise because they fear the ship will sink and they’ll drown. They’re afraid of going somewhere by themselves because they fear someone will take them out.
As children of God, we don’t need to be afraid of dying. Satan had the power of death. Because of Jesus, he no longer has the power. Jesus took the power of death away from Satan and through Him, we have authority over death.
We can put our faith in His word that says with long life He’ll satisfy us (Ps. 91:16). We can know we won’t leave this earth until we’re satisfied. We can believe God when He says our days shall be 120 years (Gen. 6:3). We can believe in God’s protection over our lives (Ps. 121:7).
Eventually, we all will transition from this life to the next, but because of Jesus, we have promises on when that occurs. Don’t fear death. Believe for and expect a long satisfying life.
#with #longlife #God #satisfies #us
Mark 9:25 NKJV When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!”
Jesus is our example of how we should use our authority here in the earth. Looking at this example, Jesus not only used His authority to kick the unclean spirit out, but He also used His authority to lock the door so the spirit won’t enter again.
Believe this, we have the same power as Jesus did. In John 14:12 it says, “verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Jesus has given us power to heal the sick and cast out demons (Mark 3:15). But like I mentioned before, looking at Jesus, we can close and lock the door on these demons so they won’t return.
Practically, we can command sickness to leave a person (including ourselves) and never return. We can command the spirit of depression to leave and never return. We can command a spirit of lust to leave and never return.
Some may feel like this has gone too far or this is impossible. The only thing that’s making this impossible is unbelief. Mark 9:23 says, “Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Let’s increase and maintain our belief in God’s Word and in the authority He’s given us. Let’s kick out these demons, sickness, and anything else that’s not like God, and command they never return again.
#boldy #use #your #Christ-given #authority
Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
I John 4:17 NKJV Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
These scriptures take ourselves, our performance, our thoughts, and our behaviors completely out of the equation. It has everything to do with Jesus and what He accomplished on our behalf on the cross. God sees us like we’re Jesus Christ Himself.
By being in Him (in Christ Jesus), we are complete and perfected and as Christ is, so are we right now. This means we’re lacking nothing. We may want to be more passionate for the things of God or want our behavior to improve, but that’s looking at ourselves independent of Christ. In Christ, there is no more areas to improve and nothing more we can do to earn God’s acceptance.
Does that mean we just sit back and do what we feel because God sees us like Christ? Absolutely not. Being complete and perfected in Him only applies to our born-again spirits. Romans 12:2 lets us know our minds need to be renewed. So, there’s still some effort on our parts, but our efforts aren’t earning God’s approval. Our efforts are from a place of gratitude knowing that we’ve been accepted by God.
Stop thinking you’ve got a long way to go or you’re not holy enough. If you’ve made Jesus Christ Lord, you’re complete and perfected in God’s eyes.
#complete #perfect #in #Jesus #Christ
Jeremiah 13:1-7 NIV This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and buy a linen belt and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water.” So I bought a belt, as the Lord directed, and put it around my waist. Then the word of the Lord came to me a second time: “Take the belt you bought and are wearing around your waist, and go now to Perath and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks.” So I went and hid it at Perath, as the Lord told me. Many days later the Lord said to me, “Go now to Perath and get the belt I told you to hide there.” So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from the place where I had hidden it, but now it was ruined and completely useless.
God gave Jeremiah a strange illogical task. Regardless of how unusual it was, he did it. If we continue reading, God revealed something to Jeremiah through this task. The question is, would you?
If God gave you a strange unusual task, that required you to spend your money, time, and energy, would you do it or would you disregard it because it seems so illogical and wasteful?
Following these strange instructions requires great trust. We must trust that if God said it, there’s a beneficial purpose for it. With God, nothing is ever wasted. Even if we miss a step, He’ll use that for His glory and our benefit.
Don’t minimize or disregard strange illogical requests from God. Ultimately, these requests are designed to reveal something to us about a situation, a person, or about ourselves. Remember, it will always work out for our good (Rom. 8:28). Trust Him.
#trust #and #obey #God
John 9:1-3 NKJV Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
The one option the disciples didn’t ask that some of us would have asked today is if God made him blind. It never crossed the disciples’ minds that God made him blind.
Unfortunately, some believers still link God to negative circumstances. If someone transitions, they assume God took them home. If someone gets sick, they assume God made them sick to teach them a lesson. If someone loses their house, they assume God is humbling that person.
This goes against the character of God according to scripture. God doesn’t cause death to take us home. John 10:10 lets us know Satan is responsible for stealing, killing, and destroying. God isn’t making people sick to teach them something. He uses His word to correct us (2 Tim. 3:16). He’s not taking things from us to humble us. Romans 11:29 says God’s gifts are irrevocable.
God is not behind negative circumstances. There are numerous reasons why we face them, but God isn’t one of them. He’s that good until He turns negative circumstances in our favor, but He’s not the cause of them. He’s a good Father and He’s not the cause of evil, harmful, or hurtful experiences.
#God #is #GOOD #allthetime
Jeremiah 10:23 NKJV O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Mankind’s steps, ways, and decisions aren’t directed in himself. Our decisions are influenced and directed by the kingdom of darkness or the Kingdom of Light. We have free will, but we were created to have an overlord. That overlord will be God or Satan.
With this understanding, we must be mindful of who’s feeding our souls. Because who we’re feeding from will determine our steps, ways, and decisions.
This is why it’s so important feed on the Word of God. By knowing God’s Word, we can filter our thoughts to determine if they’re thoughts of light or darkness.
Satan will throw some obvious dark thoughts in our minds like, stealing money or punching a disrespectful person, just to see if anything works. But he will also throw some subtle thoughts like questioning our spouse’s whereabouts or thoughts concerning our children’s safety based on news reports.
God will fill our minds with thoughts agreeable to His will (Prov. 16:3). Those will be thoughts of love, forgiveness, positive communication, and trust in Him.
If a thought contradicts God’s Word or what He promised us, it’s a dark thought. Those thoughts are NOT meant to be acted upon. Likewise, if a thought aligns with God’s Word, it’s a thought of light and those thoughts ARE meant to be acted upon. It’s up to us what we will choose.
What we align our thoughts with will determine our actions. Let’s align ourselves with God’s Word.
#may #my #thoughts #please #God
As believers who are choosing to trust in God’s Word, when we’re talking about our lives or the lives of people close to us, speak in facts and not in absolute terms.
For instance, our bank account may show we only have $10. If someone would ask about our finances, we shouldn’t say “I only have $10.” Or worse say, “I’m broke, I only have $10.” When we speak in absolute terms, we limit our lives solely based on what we see. We’re not considering the truth of God’s Word. Instead, we should reply by saying, “the facts say I have $10, but wealth and riches are in my house (Psalms 112:3).”
We can tell people the facts. Faith doesn’t deny the facts. Faith chooses to believe God’s Word above the facts. Faith doesn’t give the facts the right to govern our lives because our lives should be governed by the truth in God’s Word.
The facts may show we have a lump in our breast. Instead of just informing people of the lump, we should say, “the fact says there’s a lump in my breast, but by His stripes I’m healed (Isaiah 53:5).”
Even when it comes to our children, the facts may show our children have a learning disability, but the truth is our children are taught by the Lord and great is their peace (Isaiah 54:13).
The beautiful thing about God’s Word is when it’s accompanied by our faith, it has enough power to change the facts.
When talking about our lives, be sure not to speak negatively in absolute terms, deny the facts, or lie about the facts. Put God’s Word above the facts and those facts will align with God’s Word.
Psalms 141:3 NLT Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
#speak #life #Truth #God’s #Word
Galatians 1:23-24 NKJV But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me.
Paul was a failure. He was being used by the devil to persecute, imprison, and kill followers of Jesus. On the road to Damascus, he received a revelation from Jesus, and after a 3-year transformation, he began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
No matter what we’ve done or how far we’ve strayed, we can still be used by God to share the gospel. It doesn’t matter if we’re 74 or still struggling with a bad habit, we can still be used by God. We can preach the gospel to our family, friends, and the people in our environment. Like Paul, we may have to take some time to consistently get in God’s presence to learn more about Him, but don’t let that time turn into a crutch of procrastination.
We ALL have something to say. Don’t let your failures of the past hinder you from sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
#share #Jesus #gospel #love #truth
Graced To Do God's Will 