A Life of Change

A relationship with Christ changes our whole life. Our nature, desires, friends, spirituality and lifestyle will all change. Sometimes, it even changes our address, family dynamics, church attendance, values, goals and dreams. The biggest change comes in the form of who we are. We are brethren, related to other Believers; and children of the Light, adopted into God's family.

Satan attempts to convince us that we are still sinners. We even call our self "sinners, saved by grace." This cripples our walk with God and keeps us tied to the earthly realm. Our focus is negative, which does not allow us to live in victory over sin. We subconsciously think that we have no recourse but to sin. Satan cripples our walk with this lie (John 10:10).

The devil wants us to believe that we have not changed, that God is not real and that the Christian walk is ridiculous or impossible. However, God is the author of sweeping transformation. He changes us at our very core, and His power has a positive effect on our daily walk, as well as our eternal destination. We can certainly resist sin, because it no longer appeals to us.

God turns us into Saints who walk away from sin and toward Christ. We leave a world that is dark in disobedience and deprivation and walk toward the light of the Lord (Ephesians 5:8). Our spirit, once dead in sin, is now Born Again (Colossians 2:13). We no longer struggle with our identity, because we see our self as a child of God (1 John 3:2). We have value in our relationship with Him.

Prayer:

Father God, when Christ moves into our life, He radically changes our motivation and behavior. Your Spirit gives us the desire and the power to walk in holiness (Philippians 2:12-13). Our character takes on Your divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The fruit of Your Spirit replaces the negative characteristics of our personality (Galatians 5:22-23). We live and move and have our being in Christ (Acts 17:28).

Thought for the Day:

We build on salvation with sanctified living and we reach for the prize of the high calling of Christ. - Philippians 3:14

Faith Without Doubt

 

After Pentecost, the apostles, full of faith and the Holy Spirit, continued to share Jesus’ teachings. The Word of God multiplied in the hearts of many, and even some of the hard-hearted priests, who schemed to bring about Jesus’ demise, put their faith in His divinity (Acts 6:7). This same thing occurs today through the preaching of God’s Word.

Faith gives us the assurance of what we hope for, and confidence even when we see no way for it to occur (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus’ life gives us the faith to believe that God exists also, because God raised Jesus from the dead and glorified Him at His right hand in Heaven. This allows us to place our trust and hope in God alone rather than in our own abilities (1 Peter 1:21).

Our faith grows as we exercise it. Faith visualizes the impossible (Matthew 19:26), overcomes the lies of the devil (Revelation 12:9-11), believes in God without proof (Hebrews 11:1), holds us firm during life’s tribulation (Matthew 7:24-27), places our feet on the solid Rock (Psalm 40:2), sees the Creator in nature and clings to God’s faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Faith overcomes temptation from the world, the flesh and the devil without giving them any credence (Galatians 5:16). Even when we do not fully comprehend it, faith helps us to believe the truth of God’s Word (Mark 9:24). Just a little faith allows us to move huge impediments in our life, even those, which are the size of a mountain, because nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 17:20; 19:26).

Prayer:

Father God, many in this world condemn themselves to hell by their unbelief (John 3:18). Their stubbornness and pride cripple their heart and prevent them from trusting in anyone but their own self. Those of us who do believe in You, often have trouble with whole hearted trust. Father, help our unbelief (Mark 9:24). Take our human doubts, which wiggle into our hearts and bind them with Your truth. Your Word proves Your faithfulness to us over and over again. Thank you for all You do for us each moment of every day.

Thought for the Day:

We live by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7

Dealing with Fear

 

Jesus could see the concern and anxiety for his daughter in Jairus’ face, along with the faith to ask Him for his daughter’s healing. Jesus encouraged this father with the words , “Fear not...only Believe.” (Luke 8:50). This is a perfect example to us of how our flesh and spirit, the carnal and the spiritual, struggle within us. We have a dichotomy warring in our soul and spirit, but God is able to help our unbelief (James 1:5-8; Mark 9:24).

The source of all fear is Satan’s doubts whispered into our mind. We give him permission to plague us by taking our focus off Jesus. Satan reminds us of all the negative situations we experienced in life, and of all the times other people had negative outcomes to similar situations. These unconstructive thoughts cripple us and diminish our faith. They often destroy our witness in the world around us.

God does not give us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). When we allow fear to influence our life, we agree with the devil and doubt God. Yet, exposing Satan’s lies allows our faith to grow. When we look at the circumstance as a new adventure in Christ, we have the hope that everything will turn out for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). We strengthen our faith by reading, quoting and memorizing God’s Word.

Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8). There is no need to concern our self about our shortcomings or failings, because we do not earn Salvation by our good works, church membership or generosity in giving and serving (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). These works flow from our salvation, once it is secure in Christ (Philippians 1:6). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and grows by walking in His truth (Romans 10:17).

Prayer:

Father God, we thank You for what You did for us on the cross and for what You do for us each and every day. Satan wants us to believe that You forsake us, but You will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). You seal us with Your Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). We have confidence that You have a perfect plan for our life (Ephesians 2:10), and that You will complete the work in us, which You started (Philippians 1:6). Remind us to show our gratitude to You by serving You with our life.

Thought for the Day:

Rather than focusing on your problems, look for God’s purpose in them.

 

 

 

 

How to expose Satan’s lies:

Read these three free chapters:

http://theophostic.com/page13051343.aspx

God Provides

King David commented that throughout his life, He never saw a righteous person forsaken or his descendants begging bread (Psalm 37:25). God provides for His own and He blesses thousands of generations of descendents of those who love and serve Him (Exodus 20:6). We are happy and put all of our hope in our Lord. He keeps every promise He makes to us with as much certainty as He uses to keep the world He created in perfect balance (Psalm 146:5-6).

He causes the Godly to flourish like a palm tree. They grow tall and He transplants them into His own garden, so that we are under His personal care. Even in our old age, He sees to it that we produce fruit and remain green and vital. Our prosperity honors the Lord, because it shows the world that God cares for His own (Psalm 92:12-15). When we are acquainted with God’s ways, we come to put our trust in Him, because He never forsakes anyone who seeks Him (Psalm 9:10).

When someone or something comes against God’s beloved, He takes it very personally (Zechariah 2:8). We are precious in His sight (Isaiah 43:3). God’s will is not an objective to achieve, but a lifestyle to live. We trust Him because He always helps those who seek Him (Psalm 9:10). He never sleeps, but watches over us day and night. He cares for us and defends us, keeping us from evil and preserving our life. He keeps his eye upon us as we come and go, and guards us in all of our ways (Psalm 121:2-8).

Jehovah made the mountains and the heavens; and yet, is mindful of all mankind (Psalm 8:4-6). He gives justice to the poor and the oppressed, as well as food to the hungry. He heals the sick, lifts the burdens of those crippled under a heavy weight, protects immigrants and cares for both orphans and widows. The Lord loves His righteous Saints and is their defense (Psalm 146:7-9). He gives His angels charge over us, so that we never stumble or fall (Psalm 91:11-12).

Prayer:

Father God, we will never forget Your promises, Your mercy and grace or the marvelous works You perform (Psalm 111:4-6). Your loving kindness pours out forever and ever on those who revere You. If we are faithful to Your covenant and obey Your precepts, Your salvation is for us and our children (Psalm 103:17). Your love stands firm forever and You establish Your faithfulness in Heaven and earth, and it endures forever (Psalm 89:2, 119:90).

Thought for the Day:

Those who refuse to obey the Lord do not comprehend His might or the wonders of His creation. – Nehemiah 9:17, 31

 

 

 

 

The Trouble with Thoughts

The first negative thought that enters our mind is usually from Satan. He inserts his two cents worth into our mind before we can even hear from God. We often focus on some person causing us issues, when it is really Satan’s intrusion (Ephesians 6:12-18). If we react to his temptation or believe his lies as truth, he has us crippled. He can manipulate us any way he wishes. According to Jesus’ example, we combat Satan’s interference by standing on the truth in God’s Word. 

Many people are confused by their emotions; however, negative emotions are actually little roadmaps to idols in our life, which God wants to remove. As we fix our eyes on Jesus and stand on the truth of God’s promises, we walk in the victory of the joy of the Lord, through whatever life brings our way (James 1:2-4). As we fulfill God’s calling for our day, He works all things out for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:33). 

Taking a daily inventory of our thoughts allows us to keep watch over our soul – our mind, will and emotions. What we think in our mind also affects our feelings and decisions. So, if we journal our thoughts and feelings every day, it will help us to diffuse them and to prevent them from building up and exploding all over everyone else. This will also avert anxiety, paranoia and aggravation from feeding on our thoughts and exacerbating them.

God promises that there is a seed of joy hidden within every trail and temptation, and He will reveal it to us if we wait on Him (James 1:2). He also uses trouble to mature our faith, so we have everything we need to live a Godly life (James 1:4). We overcome each temptation with the power of God’s Spirit, because He always provides us with a way to resist (1 Corinthians 13:10). Trials stop bothering us after a while too. We learn from experience that God has a purpose for each one. 

People, places and things often irritate us and cause us to take our eyes off Jesus. If negative emotions influence our decisions, we make mistakes and live to regret them. We tend to take life into our own hands rather than to walk in obedience to God’s Spirit. As we surrender control over our life to Christ in us, we experience God’s victory. If we avail our self of His constant presence in our life (Hebrews 13:5), His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Prayer:

Father God, remind us that our attitude about the issues in this life will often influence our thoughts, which influence our emotions and actions. We can slip into a downward spiral from which it may take days to break free. We cannot change anyone else, but we can change our focus about our times of trouble and count it all joy. We need to remember that nothing is too difficult for You (Jeremiah 32:17). Christ in us provides us with Your abundance as we abide in You (Colossians 1:27).

Thought for the Day:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

An Eternal Perspective

Read: Isaiah 57:14-19

"Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You."  - Psalm 9:10

Living with an eternal perspective gives life all the vibrancy and fragrance of a blooming flower. This lifestyle makes it so much easier to align the desires of my heart according to God’s ultimate plan for my life. I no longer look to the body or the soul to find fulfillment, although I do not neglect their legitimate needs. I delight more in reading His Word and in fellowshipping with His Body instead. I start taking every opportunity to invite people to church and to share Christ with every weary soul that He brings my way.

In order for us to have an eternal outlook, God needs to pull out all of the roots of pride, selfishness and self-reliance that prevent us from fully surrendering to Him. This takes years as the roots are strong and deep. Initially, this pruning is uncomfortable. However, ultimately, it frees us from the encumbrances of the flesh and the world. This new spiritual mindset allows us to walk in abiding joy, peace and gratitude as we accomplish His will for our lives on a daily basis.

When we sell out for Christ, we live with a stronger desire to please Him. We love God with all of our heart and we lean on Him for wisdom and guidance throughout the day. We follow Him to the cross and we lose our life for His sake; but then, we find new life through this glorious new intimate relationship with Him (Matthew 10:38-39). As we faithfully follow His precepts, our love for and trust in Him also increases. Simply doing the will of God on a daily basis brings both Him and us so much joy and satisfaction. From then on, the grief we experience when we live outside of His will sends us running back into His everlasting arms.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, make me an instrument of Your peace and let me inspire others to believe in You and to willingly shed the pounds of earthly ties that cripple us in so many areas of our life. Give us Your eternal perspective and help us to relinquish the areas of our flesh that bind us to a carnal life.

Thought for the Day:

God's will is a continual journey, not an ultimate destination.