Better Than a GPS - By Greg Laurie -
Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. -1 Corinthians 6:19
Every now and then, it seems that my GPS has a mind of its own. I'll be driving on the freeway, going to a destination where I've never been before, and all of a sudden it tells me to turn right at the next off-ramp. It doesn't make sense, but I turn right. Then it tells me to turn left, so I turn left. Then it brings me back to the freeway. What was that all about? It makes no sense at all.
The Lord gave the Israelites an amazing GPS system: a fire by night and a cloud by day. It was very simple. When the cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud stopped, they stopped. At night when the fire moved, they moved. When the fire stopped, they stopped.
We might think, "I wish I could have that, because a lot of times I don't know what I should do and where I should go. It would be so easy."
As believers under the New Covenant, we have something better than a cloud or a fire. We have Christ Himself living in our hearts. This is only for the Christian who has believed in Jesus Christ. God takes residence in our hearts. We don't need a fire in the sky. We have the fire of the Holy Spirit in our lives, giving us the power to do what God has called us to do.
The Lord will lead us in the way that He wants us to go. Now, sometimes God's will doesn't make sense. Maybe we think God is trying to ruin all our fun. But in time we'll realize that God knew what He was talking about all along.
A GPS isn't always right, but God is always right. And God's way is always the right way.
A Walk of Faith - By Greg Laurie -
So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! -Exodus 14:22
It must have been very exciting when the Israelites walked through the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground. Maybe they saw fish cruising by in the walls of water on each side, like the best aquarium ever. But they had to walk for hours and hours. It took all night.
That is the Christian life. It's just a walk with the Lord. Sometimes there's a lot of excitement in the beginning of the Christian life when we realize what God has done for us. But as time passes, we might start taking things for granted. And we might find ourselves becoming apathetic.
If that describes you, then you need to plot your RPGS: (1) Read the Bible every day. You never outgrow it and never get beyond it. God's Word never becomes irrelevant. (2) Pray about things. Bring things up before the Lord. You need to have a prayer life. (3) Go to church. You need to be a regular part of the church. (4) Share your faith with others.
We stop doing these things and then wonder why spiritual apathy is seeping into our lives. It's because we're not doing the basics. Let's just say that you decided you weren't going to eat anymore. Here's what will happen: You'll get lightheaded. You'll feel almost sick. And if it goes on for a while, you'll basically start to die. You can't live that way. You must eat to survive. In the same way, if we neglect spiritual disciplines, it won't be long until we'll find ourselves withering.
Nietzsche said, "The essential thing 'in heaven and in earth' is . . . that there should be long obedience in the same direction."
As Christians, our lives are a walk of faith. We need to keep walking that walk.
Developing a Tender Heart
Ezekiel 36:25-28
The Lord wants to give each of us a "heart of flesh" so that we will be pliable and responsive to Him. When touched by the finger of God, a tender heart yields to the pressure and assumes the form He desires, much like a lump of clay that allows the potter to determine the shape of the vessel.
To aid in this process, God has sent the Holy Spirit to indwell each believer and awaken responsiveness in him or her. By yielding to the Spirit's promptings with ready obedience, the heart becomes increasingly tender and sensitive to His leading. The Lord is able to impart greater understanding of His Word to a soft heart because it has faithfully accepted and obeyed previous teachings.
Any resistance to God will result in hardening. But those who are accustomed to intimacy with Christ�which is the result of submission to Him�will be quick to deal with sin and return to the place of obedience and blessing.
People with tender hearts stay closely connected to the body of Christ, seeking to build up and encourage others in their walk of faith. Such individuals are not only receptive to what God wants to tell them; they are also teachable, in that they are willing to listen and be corrected by others.
This week when you read your Bible and pray, let your heart be soft toward the words of God. As He pokes His finger into each hard area, listen to His instructions, and rely on the Spirit's power to help you yield and obey. Let Him shape you into a beautiful and useful vessel.
A Certain Young Man
�And they all forsook him, and fled. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.� (Mark 14:50-52)
This �certain young man� is mentioned only in Mark�s gospel and was almost certainly John Mark himself. A rather obscure character in the New Testament, yet the Lord chose him to write what is probably the earliest of the gospel records of the life of Christ. If so, his account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ is the first record we have of the most important events in all history.
Mark�s family (Acts 12:12) apparently was prosperous enough to own a home in Jerusalem with a large upper room where the disciples (even 120 of them, Acts 1:14-15) could meet for prayer after the resurrection. This was possibly the same �large upper room furnished and prepared� (Mark 14:15) where the Lord�s last supper took place. Note that Mark�s account says: �And in the evening he cometh [not �goeth�] with the twelve� (v. 17). Thus, Mark�probably as a teenager�was very likely an intensely interested observer of all the moving events that took place in the upper room, both before and after the crucifixion and resurrection.
He may well have overheard the conversation with and about Judas, and then watched as the disciples went out to Gethsemane. Perhaps Judas returned with the soldiers, and Mark, already in bed, grabbed a �linen cloth� and rushed out to warn Jesus. The soldiers found Jesus first, however, and Mark had to watch the disciples flee, and then finally had to flee himself.
In any case, this close proximity to these great events made such a profound impression on him that he was later led to write about them, very probably working closely with Peter (1 Peter 5:13), and Mark�s gospel was the result. HMM
The Mind of Christ
�For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.� (1 Corinthians 2:16)
The mind of the natural man is �a reprobate mind� (Romans 1:28), a �carnal mind� (Romans 8:7), and a �defiled� mind (Titus 1:15), characterized by a daily walk �in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart� (Ephesians 4:17-18).
When a person is born again through faith in Christ, however, he should be �transformed by the renewing of [his] mind� (Romans 12:2) and should henceforth seek to conform to the mind of Christ in every attitude and every decision.
But what is the mind of Christ? As our text says: �Who hath known the mind of the Lord?� Paul echoed the same question to the Romans: �For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?� (Romans 11:34).
There are many aspects to His infinite mind, of course, but the key is undoubtedly the great attribute of sacrificial love. �Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who . . . became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross� (Philippians 2:5-6, 8).
Thus, following His example, we should �in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves� (Philippians 2:3). We should constantly �consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest [we] be wearied and faint in [our] minds� (Hebrews 12:3). We should receive �the word with all readiness of mind� and serve �the Lord with all humility of mind� (Acts 17:11; 20:19). Herein is the mind of Christ. HMM
Our Adversary, the Devil
�Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.� (1 Peter 5:8)
This grave warning concerning the devil was given not only to young Christians, easily subject to temptations, but also to �the elders which are among you� (v. 1). It often seems, in fact, that Satan�s greatest victories are won when he can cause the fall of a Christian leader, thereby not only destroying that leader�s influence for Christ, but also giving �great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme� (2 Samuel 12:14). The devil is a roaring lion, but he doesn�t come as such. If he did, the intended victim would flee.
He is, above all, the one �which deceiveth the whole world� (Revelation 12:9), �transformed into an angel of light� (2 Corinthians 11:14). As he did with Mother Eve, the �subtle� one will insidiously appeal to our pride, or our aesthetic sense, or our appetite, or our desire for material things.
Peter could speak from bitter experience. Satan had desired to �sift you as wheat,� Jesus had told him, but he foolishly boasted that he would stand true (Luke 22:31-34).
No wonder Peter could warn with such urgency: �Be sober, be vigilant.� Note particularly that, in the context, he is especially warning against greed (1 Peter 5:2) and pride (vv. 5-6). We must not allow Satan to �get an advantage of us,� Paul says, �for we are not ignorant of his devices� (2 Corinthians 2:11). Though Satan is deceptive and powerful, we need never fall to his tempting if we simply�along with staying sober and vigilant��submit [ourselves] therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you� (James 4:7). HMM
Overcome Them
�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.� (1 John 4:4)
This is one of the most reassuring promises in the Bible for the believer. Because �we are of God� and because He is in us (as the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 3:16) and is �greater . . . than he that is in the world,� we have already overcome!
I firmly believe that there are no empty promises in the Bible, and I know that this passage is true. But there are times when I do not feel like I am over anything. Just what does this promise promise? And who are �them� that I have to overcome?
To begin with, the Greek word means to conquer, overcome, prevail, or get the victory. It is translated similarly in speaking of the Lord�s ultimate victory as He assumes the throne in heaven to bring about the end of the age (Revelation 5:5). And in the same way, we are to conquer as we �reign in life� (Romans 5:17) because we are �born of God� (1 John 5:4). The Lord Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33), and since we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we too will get the victory over the world (1 John 5:5; Romans 12:2).
The �them� are those who are driven to embrace ungodly antichrist doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1) and worldly philosophies (James 4:4). They are those who �love the world� (1 John 2:15-17) and seek to spoil (plunder and/or take captive) the people of God (Colossians 2:8). We, on the other hand, are to prevail over evil with good (Romans 12:21) and take them captive with the mighty �weapons of our warfare� (2 Corinthians 10:3-5), which are the Word of God and prayer (Ephesians 6:13-18). HMM III
The Effectiveness of God's Way
Exodus 3
Yesterday we observed the ineffectiveness of Moses' attempt to liberate his people from Egyptian slavery, but today we see him given a second chance to do it God's way. If we could learn the lessons Moses learned about the dangers of self-reliance and the advantages of depending on the Lord, we would save ourselves much hardship.
When we choose to cooperate with God and submit to His way, He will do amazing things in and through us. Despite Moses' past failure, the Lord still used him to accomplish the divine plan, but only after he became usable�that is, humbled and broken of self-will. Just consider what God achieved when Moses did it His way.
A Walk of Faith - By Greg Laurie -
Ezekiel 36:25-28
The Lord wants to give each of us a "heart of flesh" so that we will be pliable and responsive to Him. When touched by the finger of God, a tender heart yields to the pressure and assumes the form He desires, much like a lump of clay that allows the potter to determine the shape of the vessel.
To aid in this process, God has sent the Holy Spirit to indwell each believer and awaken responsiveness in him or her. By yielding to the Spirit's promptings with ready obedience, the heart becomes increasingly tender and sensitive to His leading. The Lord is able to impart greater understanding of His Word to a soft heart because it has faithfully accepted and obeyed previous teachings.
People with tender hearts stay closely connected to the body of Christ, seeking to build up and encourage others in their walk of faith. Such individuals are not only receptive to what God wants to tell them; they are also teachable, in that they are willing to listen and be corrected by others.
This week when you read your Bible and pray, let your heart be soft toward the words of God. As He pokes His finger into each hard area, listen to His instructions, and rely on the Spirit's power to help you yield and obey. Let Him shape you into a beautiful and useful vessel.
A Certain Young Man
�And they all forsook him, and fled. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.� (Mark 14:50-52)
This �certain young man� is mentioned only in Mark�s gospel and was almost certainly John Mark himself. A rather obscure character in the New Testament, yet the Lord chose him to write what is probably the earliest of the gospel records of the life of Christ. If so, his account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ is the first record we have of the most important events in all history.
Mark�s family (Acts 12:12) apparently was prosperous enough to own a home in Jerusalem with a large upper room where the disciples (even 120 of them, Acts 1:14-15) could meet for prayer after the resurrection. This was possibly the same �large upper room furnished and prepared� (Mark 14:15) where the Lord�s last supper took place. Note that Mark�s account says: �And in the evening he cometh [not �goeth�] with the twelve� (v. 17). Thus, Mark�probably as a teenager�was very likely an intensely interested observer of all the moving events that took place in the upper room, both before and after the crucifixion and resurrection.
He may well have overheard the conversation with and about Judas, and then watched as the disciples went out to Gethsemane. Perhaps Judas returned with the soldiers, and Mark, already in bed, grabbed a �linen cloth� and rushed out to warn Jesus. The soldiers found Jesus first, however, and Mark had to watch the disciples flee, and then finally had to flee himself.
In any case, this close proximity to these great events made such a profound impression on him that he was later led to write about them, very probably working closely with Peter (1 Peter 5:13), and Mark�s gospel was the result. HMM
| Adding to God's Word �For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.� (Revelation 22:18) This very sober warning right at the end of the Bible was given by Christ Himself (note verse 20) to indicate that the written Scriptures were now complete, and it would be a serious sin for some pseudo-prophet to come along presenting some alleged new revelation from God. That this warning applies to the entire Bible, not just to the book of Revelation, should be obvious but is made especially clear when it is remembered that Jesus promised His chosen disciples that the Holy Spirit �shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,� and furthermore, that �he will guide you into all truth: . . . and he will shew you things to come� (John 14:26; 16:13). This special revelation to the �apostles and prophets� of the New Testament would constitute the �foundation� of the church, and would be complete when the last of these �holy apostles and prophets� were gone. (Study carefully Ephesians 2:19�3:11.) When John completed the Apocalypse, he was very old; all the other apostles and prophets of the New Testament had already died (all by martyrdom), so God�s written Word was now complete. No new revelation would be needed before Christ returns. We shall do well if we just learn what we already have received from His holy apostles and prophets. Note also the emphasis on �the words,� not just the concepts. God was able to say what He meant, and we are wise if we take His words literally. Jesus warned about �false prophets� who would come after He left (Matthew 24:24), and there have been many of these through the centuries. The Bible as we now have it is sufficient for every need. HMM |
�For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.� (1 Corinthians 2:16)
The mind of the natural man is �a reprobate mind� (Romans 1:28), a �carnal mind� (Romans 8:7), and a �defiled� mind (Titus 1:15), characterized by a daily walk �in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart� (Ephesians 4:17-18).
When a person is born again through faith in Christ, however, he should be �transformed by the renewing of [his] mind� (Romans 12:2) and should henceforth seek to conform to the mind of Christ in every attitude and every decision.
But what is the mind of Christ? As our text says: �Who hath known the mind of the Lord?� Paul echoed the same question to the Romans: �For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?� (Romans 11:34).
There are many aspects to His infinite mind, of course, but the key is undoubtedly the great attribute of sacrificial love. �Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who . . . became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross� (Philippians 2:5-6, 8).
Thus, following His example, we should �in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves� (Philippians 2:3). We should constantly �consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest [we] be wearied and faint in [our] minds� (Hebrews 12:3). We should receive �the word with all readiness of mind� and serve �the Lord with all humility of mind� (Acts 17:11; 20:19). Herein is the mind of Christ. HMM
Our Adversary, the Devil
�Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.� (1 Peter 5:8)
This grave warning concerning the devil was given not only to young Christians, easily subject to temptations, but also to �the elders which are among you� (v. 1). It often seems, in fact, that Satan�s greatest victories are won when he can cause the fall of a Christian leader, thereby not only destroying that leader�s influence for Christ, but also giving �great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme� (2 Samuel 12:14). The devil is a roaring lion, but he doesn�t come as such. If he did, the intended victim would flee.
He is, above all, the one �which deceiveth the whole world� (Revelation 12:9), �transformed into an angel of light� (2 Corinthians 11:14). As he did with Mother Eve, the �subtle� one will insidiously appeal to our pride, or our aesthetic sense, or our appetite, or our desire for material things.
Peter could speak from bitter experience. Satan had desired to �sift you as wheat,� Jesus had told him, but he foolishly boasted that he would stand true (Luke 22:31-34).
No wonder Peter could warn with such urgency: �Be sober, be vigilant.� Note particularly that, in the context, he is especially warning against greed (1 Peter 5:2) and pride (vv. 5-6). We must not allow Satan to �get an advantage of us,� Paul says, �for we are not ignorant of his devices� (2 Corinthians 2:11). Though Satan is deceptive and powerful, we need never fall to his tempting if we simply�along with staying sober and vigilant��submit [ourselves] therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you� (James 4:7). HMM
Overcome Them
�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.� (1 John 4:4)
This is one of the most reassuring promises in the Bible for the believer. Because �we are of God� and because He is in us (as the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 3:16) and is �greater . . . than he that is in the world,� we have already overcome!
I firmly believe that there are no empty promises in the Bible, and I know that this passage is true. But there are times when I do not feel like I am over anything. Just what does this promise promise? And who are �them� that I have to overcome?
To begin with, the Greek word means to conquer, overcome, prevail, or get the victory. It is translated similarly in speaking of the Lord�s ultimate victory as He assumes the throne in heaven to bring about the end of the age (Revelation 5:5). And in the same way, we are to conquer as we �reign in life� (Romans 5:17) because we are �born of God� (1 John 5:4). The Lord Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33), and since we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we too will get the victory over the world (1 John 5:5; Romans 12:2).
The �them� are those who are driven to embrace ungodly antichrist doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1) and worldly philosophies (James 4:4). They are those who �love the world� (1 John 2:15-17) and seek to spoil (plunder and/or take captive) the people of God (Colossians 2:8). We, on the other hand, are to prevail over evil with good (Romans 12:21) and take them captive with the mighty �weapons of our warfare� (2 Corinthians 10:3-5), which are the Word of God and prayer (Ephesians 6:13-18). HMM III
The Effectiveness of God's Way
Exodus 3
Yesterday we observed the ineffectiveness of Moses' attempt to liberate his people from Egyptian slavery, but today we see him given a second chance to do it God's way. If we could learn the lessons Moses learned about the dangers of self-reliance and the advantages of depending on the Lord, we would save ourselves much hardship.
When we choose to cooperate with God and submit to His way, He will do amazing things in and through us. Despite Moses' past failure, the Lord still used him to accomplish the divine plan, but only after he became usable�that is, humbled and broken of self-will. Just consider what God achieved when Moses did it His way.
� He showed what great things He could do through one yielded, dependent person.
� He got more done in less time, and with fewer resources. There was no insurrection or long, drawn-out war�just a dramatic display of His power.
� He proved the superiority of His way by freeing over two million people without the loss of a single Hebrew life.
� He sent impoverished slaves out of bondage with their captors' riches (Ex. 3:21-22).
� He proved to both the Israelites and the Egyptians that He alone is the God of heaven and earth.
� He received all the glory.
Our past failures never prevent God's willingness or ability to use us. In fact, our weakness is a great opportunity for the display of His glory. In our own strength, we are totally ineffective. But when we submit to the Lord's authority, we can experience His victory in whatever He calls us to do.A Walk of Faith - By Greg Laurie -
So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! -Exodus 14:22
It must have been very exciting when the Israelites walked through the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground. Maybe they saw fish cruising by in the walls of water on each side, like the best aquarium ever. But they had to walk for hours and hours. It took all night.
That is the Christian life. It's just a walk with the Lord. Sometimes there's a lot of excitement in the beginning of the Christian life when we realize what God has done for us. But as time passes, we might start taking things for granted. And we might find ourselves becoming apathetic.
If that describes you, then you need to plot your RPGS: (1) Read the Bible every day. You never outgrow it and never get beyond it. God's Word never becomes irrelevant. (2) Pray about things. Bring things up before the Lord. You need to have a prayer life. (3) Go to church. You need to be a regular part of the church. (4) Share your faith with others.
We stop doing these things and then wonder why spiritual apathy is seeping into our lives. It's because we're not doing the basics. Let's just say that you decided you weren't going to eat anymore. Here's what will happen: You'll get lightheaded. You'll feel almost sick. And if it goes on for a while, you'll basically start to die. You can't live that way. You must eat to survive. In the same way, if we neglect spiritual disciplines, it won't be long until we'll find ourselves withering.
Nietzsche said, "The essential thing 'in heaven and in earth' is . . . that there should be long obedience in the same direction."
As Christians, our lives are a walk of faith. We need to keep walking that walk.
No King in Israel
�In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.� (Judges 17:6)
Four times in the book of Judges we are told that �there was no king in Israel in those days� (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25), indicating that the book must have been compiled either by Samuel (the last judge) or someone else of his or a later generation. The first and last of these (which is the final verse in the book) add that �every man did that which was right in his own eyes.� With no centralized government, there were only tribal leaders. Occasionally, one of these would acquire followers from other tribes; these were the �judges� whom God raised up to lead the people out of bondage on the occasions of widespread repentance and prayer.
The intervening periods were times of oppression by enemies and moral and spiritual chaos among the people. They did have a King, of course, but they refused Him, as did the men in the parable who �sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us� (Luke 19:14). When they finally requested a human king, Samuel rebuked them for saying, �Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king� (1 Samuel 12:12).
Lest we be too critical of the ancient Israelites for rejecting God as their king and going each his own way, that is essentially what people are doing today. �There is no fear of God before their eyes,� and they are �lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God� (Romans 3:18; 2 Timothy 3:4). When every man believes what is comfortable and does as he pleases, he in effect becomes his own god, and this is nothing but humanism. But just as this ancient humanism was empty and the people soon desired a human king, so modern atheistic humanism will also revert to pantheism, and the world will then yield to a humanistic king to lead them on to a final deadly confrontation with the true King of kings. HMM
�In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.� (Judges 17:6)
Four times in the book of Judges we are told that �there was no king in Israel in those days� (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25), indicating that the book must have been compiled either by Samuel (the last judge) or someone else of his or a later generation. The first and last of these (which is the final verse in the book) add that �every man did that which was right in his own eyes.� With no centralized government, there were only tribal leaders. Occasionally, one of these would acquire followers from other tribes; these were the �judges� whom God raised up to lead the people out of bondage on the occasions of widespread repentance and prayer.
The intervening periods were times of oppression by enemies and moral and spiritual chaos among the people. They did have a King, of course, but they refused Him, as did the men in the parable who �sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us� (Luke 19:14). When they finally requested a human king, Samuel rebuked them for saying, �Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king� (1 Samuel 12:12).
Lest we be too critical of the ancient Israelites for rejecting God as their king and going each his own way, that is essentially what people are doing today. �There is no fear of God before their eyes,� and they are �lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God� (Romans 3:18; 2 Timothy 3:4). When every man believes what is comfortable and does as he pleases, he in effect becomes his own god, and this is nothing but humanism. But just as this ancient humanism was empty and the people soon desired a human king, so modern atheistic humanism will also revert to pantheism, and the world will then yield to a humanistic king to lead them on to a final deadly confrontation with the true King of kings. HMM
Grounded in Truth Psalms 25:4-10
If we'll let the truths of Scripture fill our minds, guard our emotions, and influence our conduct, God will richly reward us. I'm talking about spiritual blessings here (though He at times chooses to bless materially as well). By reading and meditating on His Word, you'll learn to understand His ways. This isn't something we can figure out on our own, because His ways are unlike ours�they are higher, bigger, and eternal.
Also, your relationship with the Lord will grow increasingly more intimate because He chooses to reveal Himself to those who seek Him and obey His instructions. When you see that God always keeps His promises, your confidence in His faithfulness will soar. No matter what the situation, you'll know you can trust Him. Then He'll transform your worries into joyful anticipation about what He's going to do next in your life. Even if hard times await, you'll be convinced that the Lord will work them out for good.
A life grounded in truth is powerful. Those who live by the Word develop spiritual discernment, which guides their choices and guards against deception. Because they demonstrate wisdom and godliness, the Lord enables them to impact others greatly. Since He knows they can be trusted, He also gives them greater responsibilities and opportunities for service in His kingdom.
With all this available to us, wouldn't it be wise to invest our time and energy in building the truth of God's Word into our lives? The other activities which clamor for our attention seem so important or pleasurable, but none of them can offer us the spiritual riches of a life grounded in truth.
Let God Fight the Battle - By Greg Laurie -
If we'll let the truths of Scripture fill our minds, guard our emotions, and influence our conduct, God will richly reward us. I'm talking about spiritual blessings here (though He at times chooses to bless materially as well). By reading and meditating on His Word, you'll learn to understand His ways. This isn't something we can figure out on our own, because His ways are unlike ours�they are higher, bigger, and eternal.
Also, your relationship with the Lord will grow increasingly more intimate because He chooses to reveal Himself to those who seek Him and obey His instructions. When you see that God always keeps His promises, your confidence in His faithfulness will soar. No matter what the situation, you'll know you can trust Him. Then He'll transform your worries into joyful anticipation about what He's going to do next in your life. Even if hard times await, you'll be convinced that the Lord will work them out for good.
With all this available to us, wouldn't it be wise to invest our time and energy in building the truth of God's Word into our lives? The other activities which clamor for our attention seem so important or pleasurable, but none of them can offer us the spiritual riches of a life grounded in truth.
Let God Fight the Battle - By Greg Laurie -
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. -1 John 4:4
At the time of Israel's exodus from Egypt, there was no mightier army on the face of the earth than Pharaoh's army. Imagine what it must have been like for the Israelites to see that army pursuing them with chariots and horses, with shields and swords and spears. If it were happening today, it would have been tanks and hummers and aircraft coming at them all at the same time.
The Israelites thought they were dead. So what did Moses tell them to do? He said, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm" (Exodus 14:13-14 NLT). Just stay calm. . . . That's kind of hard to do.
Sometimes the devil comes at us with everything he has, with all his temptations and all his deceptions. We think we're not going to survive it. Yes, we will. The Bible says, "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world" (1 John 4:4 NLT).
Christ is in you. You belong to the Lord. Yes, the devil can tempt you. He can hassle you. But he cannot overcome you, because you are under God's protection.
That is why Ephesians 6 tells us about the believer's spiritual armor: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit, and so forth. But before the apostle Paul begins describing this spiritual armor, he writes, "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" (Ephesians 6:10 NLT).
Stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.
THIS IS NOT SPAM...CHECK OUT MY BUSINESS.... THIS IS AMAZING!!!
I RELAX EVERY NIGHT WITH ESSENTIAL OILS. GO TO WWW.YOUNGLIVING.COM. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, CONTACT ME VIA THIS EMAIL, AND I WILL GIVE MORE DETAILS. I PROMISE YOU THAT YOU WILL ENJOY THIS AS MUCH AS I DO. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.... CONTACT INFO:
TERRY SEEMAN - DISTRIBUTOR # 16084320
TERRY SEEMAN - DISTRIBUTOR # 16084320
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.