Staying Blessed
What do we have to do to stay blessed in this crazy world? There are so many overwhelming things that we become influenced by. They flood our minds with all kinds of thoughts and images. There’s TV (hundreds of channels to choose from), movies, newspapers and magazines, computer games, music, cell phones, cars, traffic jams, traffic lights, poor drivers, no parking spots; cold weather, hot weather, humid weather, windy weather; taking care of pets. What about neighbors, hobbies, causes, bills? So many things attack our thoughts and then our minds.
With all of this going on, how do we stay blessed?
James 1:25:
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:12:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:12:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Psalms 1:1-3:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Tuesday 12 October, 2010
Power From Within
Ephesians 6:10
Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
To be strong in the Lord we have to have this power. And it takes a strong, serious commitment to use it. So we have to be strong and exert power, God’s power. Not the power of our flesh, meaning ourt mind, personality, intellect, or physical strength. It is God’s power and it has to be exerted. God’s “might” is the Greek word Ischus, and it’s His ability to do.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
We put on the “whole” armor of God. If we put on half or two thirds, we are going to, get our butts kicked.
Ephesians 6:14
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Very importantly is the “breastplate of righteousness”. We have to remember that we are righteous. Righteousness is our God given right to stand in His presence without fear, guilt or condemnation.
Ephesians 6:16
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Here it says “above all” to take on the shield of “believing”.
These are two of the parts of the armor mentioned. Two of the primary most powerful tools the adversary uses are fear and guilt. He rules the world with these, especially the religious world.
1 John 3: 20 & 21
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
If we don’t put on the righteousness, we will wind up living in a ton of guilt and the devil is just going to beat us down with it. And we must that that shield of believing to conquer our fear.
1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
The adversary will subtly and obviously attack us, but if we deal with these things with the power that God has given us, which is much stronger than the adversary’s power, we can overcome anything.
It is no doubt hard work and takes a very strong commitment to put on the whole armour of God. We can not depend on our minds to do it for us. It would be great if we could just press a button whenever we needed to. We can’t. We have to use the power of God.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Don’t Be Discouraged
When we get fed up and the challenges get intense we get discouraged. It’s not that the circumstances and situations aren’t real. THEY ARE. They can be major challenges and sometimes they can be overwhelming.
We have to remember that these are outright attacks. God’s Word never promises perfection but He gives us all the answers we need to be able to handle it, not to mention, the power, including the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
2 Corinthians 4:14&15
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
This is what makes it all worth it. Everything that God has done and does is for US is because He loves us.
2 Corinthians 4:16
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day
This is not talking about getting older, it's talking about our endurance weakening. But, our spirit is strong.
2 Corinthians 4:17&18
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen : for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
We face challenges and obstacles because we’re staying faithful, not because we’re NOT. We're getting pressured because we’re standing strong. All of us go through this. But this world is not our home and we don’t do things IT’s way. It DOESN’T work and there are no rewards in heaven.
Through the power of God and His Word, the spirit of Christ in us and our power of attorney, it’s absolutely available to get through the pressure in a matter of minutes. There are some things that can’t be reversed like the injustices in the world. We can’t change them so why sit around and dwell on them. The challenges aren’t going anywhere. There are just those things that we don’t have power over. We can’t control people. They have freedom of will. We’ll always have moments when negatives show their ugly faces; like a song, a place a smell. It can’t be stopped. We can’t change people and we can’t stop being reminded of certain things. Some days are worse than others.
When we decide to change our thoughts and keep them “on the Word”, we not only receive great rewards, but we triumph right then and there
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 5:7-11
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold , the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Be ye also patient ; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Grudge not one against another ,brethren, lest ye be condemned : behold , the judge standeth before the door.
Take , my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
Behold , we count them happy which endure . Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Patience certainly has it's rewards.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
These are the things we need to think on.
Romans 8:17&18
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together,
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Putting up with all of this is nothing compared to what we get in eternal life. Our lives are just a spec now. bit we have an eternity to look forward to.
1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Sometimes we sit and wait for that way out. We forget that we already have it. God has given us His Word. We always have Him. And He's given us the name of Jesus Christ. And when we need that extra help, well we need to "listen", because God WILL make a way. It's a promise.
We’ll always have challenges but we have to stand and fight. There’s always gonna be “fiery darts, but we never have to be afraid or get discouraged. We can stand strong and overcome.
Romans 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Our Dad is the Almighty God who set the moon and stars for us. He gave us the opportunity to gain rewards. And on top of all of that, HE gave us the hope of Christ’s return AND an eternity together.
Sunday 26 September 2010
Why Worry
A long time ago I read a book. It was called “Your Erroneous Zones” by Dr. Wayne Dyer. Dr. Dyer made some great points in that book that I never forgot. He was particularly adamant about stating how certain “emotions” are “useless”. I’m an emotional person, and I really did have to learn to focus on realizing when my emotions were controlling my actions. I had a distinct problem with worrying and Dr. Dyer really helped with that, but once I learned the Word and God’s way, it became my standard of truth and practice.
Allowing yourself to worry is unfruitful because worrying about the circumstances that confront you never really changes them. When you think about it, worry accomplishes nothing productive. This is what God’s Word teaches that will help us to live worry-free:
We have to view the situation as a believing son of God with power. We need to see our circumstance as God sees it, according to His Word.
I John 3:2a
Beloved, now are we the sons of God....
1 Peter 5: 6 & 7
Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time;
Casting all your care [anxiety] upon Him; for He careth for you.
Philippians 4: 6 & 7
Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
You have to teach your mind to work for you, not against you. Think God's thoughts, by filling your mind with His Words.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
You don’t use your natural reasoning by way of your five senses to evaluate situations that confront you. God's Word far exceeds your natural thinking. Ask God by way of the spirit within you what to do. He can give you word of knowledge and word of wisdom.
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Demolish that human logic that tries to tell you anything other than God's Word. Then believe what God's Word says.
II Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivitiy every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Declare from your heart that: "I am what the Word says I am. I have what the Word says I have. And I can do what the Word says I can do." So I DO IT!
We all have situations that can cause us to doubt to worry and to become stressed. Instead of responding with worldly emotions, why not put God's Word to work in our lives and believe it.
