10 Verses to Heal

10 Verses to Heal.

1. God desires that I prosper and be in health. (3 John 2)

2. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Therefore I will speak words of life. Jesus says in John 6:63 that His words are life, so I will speak them. (Proverbs 18:21)

3. I am strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10)

4. Jesus gave me authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt me. (Luke 10:19; Mark 16:17)

5. I am blessed above all people. The Lord has taken away from me all sickness. (Deuteronomy 7:14,15)

6. I have cast all my cares on the Lord for He cares for me. I refuse to worry about anything. (1 Peter 5:7)

7. I know that healing is God’s will for me. According to the Word of God, Jesus never refused nor turned away anyone desiring to be healed. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8; Matthew 8:16)

8. I will give attention to God’s words. I will incline my ear to His sayings. I will not let them depart from my eyes. I will keep them in my heart. They are life to me for I have found them, and they are health, healing and medicine to all my flesh. (Proverbs 4:20-22)

9. God sent His Word to heal me and deliver me from all destruction - Psalm 107:20.
God perfects the things that concern my life - Psalm 138:8

10. By Jesus' stripes I was healed - Isaiah 53:4,5; 1 Peter 2:24.

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Is Sin More fun

A mother told her young son to go to bed and be sure to say his prayers and ask God to make him a good boy. The boy's father, passing by the bedroom, overheard his son praying: " And make me a good boy if You can; and if You can't, don't worry about it, 'cause I'm having fun the way I am." 

Does this sound familiar? How many times do we think this? I do not think that anyone would admit it, but we all know that sin is fun. Why is it fun? It should not be, but it is, because it is easy and it gives instant gratification. That is not what God calls us to do though. It has been said that the things that mean the most, that are most important and meaningful, are the things that we have to work for.

That is the way the Christian life is. First of all we have to work to be obedient. It is a constant battle to do what is right, but the end result is much better than the instant gratification that we get the other way. I heard a sermon one time about choices. We all have choices, but what we have to live with is the consequences. What I do today will never change, but the consequence of that choice is something that I will have to live with. My challenge to you is to think about what you do and make sure that it is God's will that you do it. Does this situation look like it will be in God's plan? Will it glorify him? That is a question that we should always be asking.

John 8:34,36 - Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Prayer: Lord, deliver us from the blindness that deceives itself into thinking that sin is more fun. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The words of an engraving from the cathedral of Lubeck, Germany, beautifully reflect our Lord's teaching here:

"Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us, You call Me master and obey Me not, you call Me light and see Me not, you call Me the way and walk Me not, you call Me life and live Me not, you call Me wise and follow Me not, you call Me fair and love Me not, you call Me rich and ask Me not, you call Me eternal and seek Me not, if I condemn thee, blame Me not.

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How To Increase Your Faith

The Bible says that God gives everyone the same measure of faith. But how do we arrive at the point of being absolutely certain that God can and will do what He promised, that He will take care of us and love us despite everything that happens or will happen?

By knowing God intimately. By hearing His promises. And by applying His promises to our lives.

In Romans 10, we discover that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. A lot of us Christians think that what Paul said only applies to unbelievers; however, what he said also applies to us who are already believers. See, when we’re given the faith to believe, not only are we hearing the promises that God made with our ears, but we’re also hearing His Word with our hearts and our spirits. And when we believe God’s Word, our thinking changes; His Word becomes intertwined with our everyday thinking and our faith is increased. As our faith grows, we begin to automatically apply His promises to our own lives and we no longer doubt His power and His depth of love for us.

When our faith is increased, we begin to see that the promises that God made not only pertain to the men and women of old, but they’re also for us as well, they apply those of us who are living in the here and now.

Another way to increase our faith is by experience.

In Luke 12:24, Jesus said: “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” Despite this, even us believers can derail our own faith by believing that if we don’t take care of everything ourselves, then no one else will, but that kind of thinking is flawed. Perhaps this thinking came from society.

See what I’m saying?

I grappled with Luke 12:24 for a long time. I was constantly worried about putting food on the table, buying clothing for my kids, and everything else. Because I didn’t listen fully to what He promised, I worked like a dog to provide everything for myself, I never enjoyed life. I didn’t trust God completely.

Finally, as I learned to step back and quit trying to do everything myself, and I began to trust in the Lord to provide me with everything I needed, the Lord came through each time. As a consequence, my faith increased. Hopefully, you’ll learn far sooner than I did that if you’ll step back and let God take care of you, He will indeed fulfill His promises in your life too. I pray that soon you’ll be able to say with absolute certainty: “It’s the Lord Who takes care of me, not me.”

Listen, my own mother, who claimed that she was an atheist up until she was near death, had absolute faith in God. She knew without a doubt that God would come through for her and He always did. If she can have faith like that, then so can we.

In Matthew 17:20, Jesus said: “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (KJV) The key here is to realize that it’s not us moving those mountains, but God. Apart from God, we can do nothing. If we’ll just step back and let Him strut His stuff in our lives, miracles will happen. If we step back, take our own egos out of the equation, and let Him fulfill the promises He made then those mountains will be moved and our tiny little mustard seed of faith that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 20 will grow into a huge tree.

Verses to consider:

1 Pet.3:9
Romans 1:17
Romans 8:1-39

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The Gift of Salvation

God loves each and every one of us so much. He loves us beyond comprehension. He offers us the most beautiful gift. It is the gift of salvation. He offers us the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son.

John 3 : 16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Why does man need Salvation?

Romans 6 : 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have all broken God's commandments and for that reason, mankind is lost spiritually. The Bible says that the "wages of sin is death". What is a wage? It is what you earn. We have all sinned and therefore we all have earned death. The Bible says in Ezekiel 18 : 20, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Man has broken God's commandments. Sin separates man from God.

The Lord God is holy and cannot have sin in His presence. The Bible tells us that even if a person breaks just one commandment, it is like breaking them all. James 2 : 10 tells us: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." This means that even if you break one commandment, it is as if you broke them all for you stand guilty before the Holy God. That is God's Holy standard. None of us have kept every commandment. We have broken God's Law. We are all sinners. God’s justice requires that sin receive its full penalty.

The suffering and sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus upon the cross satisfied the requirements of God’s justice. Jesus Christ died for our sins. He suffered the penalty of the Law we had broken. Jesus suffered our punishment-- He took our place.

I John 4 : 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

God loves us and He desires to have a close relationship with us but sin separates us from God. The Bible tells us that ALL on this earth have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory. When Adam and Eve first sinned in the Garden of Eden, they brought sin upon all mankind and the close fellowship that they had with God was no longer possible because of their sin.

The Lord instructed man to make unblemished animal sacrifices for their sin. The Bible tells us that "For without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sin." The blood of these animals covered man's sins but the blood of animals could not actually take sins away. God had a wonderful plan to restore mankind unto Himself. This plan would take away the sins of the world. God sent His only Begotten Son to become a man and to shed His blood and to die for our sins.

The Lord Jesus never sinned and therefore willingly died for us -- being the perfect and holy sacrifice for our sins. Our sins were laid upon Him as He died for us.

It was prophesied in the Old Testament, hundreds of years before Christ Jesus came, that Messiah would die a terrible death and would save His people from their sins and be raised from the dead.

In the Book of Isaiah, we read that Messiah would die for our iniquities:

Isaiah 53 : 5,6 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The Lord Jesus said:
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

There is no other way to Heaven except through the Lord Jesus Christ. We all have sinned but He, being sinless, paid the price for our sins. He died in our place. Notice in the above passage of Isaiah 53 : 6 that the Lord laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all. Hebrews 9 : 26 says, "he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

The Lord Jesus was the sinner's substitute on the cross. Because He died for sinners, those who receive Him as their Savior, are NOT indebted to pay the penalty for their sin. The wages of sin is death-- but He died for our sin-- and paid our penalty. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christ Jesus paid it all! He has made the way for fellowship back to God. In order to be saved, one must have complete faith in the Savior. Faith in the Lord Jesus is most necessary for we are justified by faith:

Romans 5 : 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus said in John 3 : 3: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Because we are all descendents of Adam and are sinners, we must be born again of God's Spirit-- a spiritual birth-- in order to be saved. And this new birth is only possible through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Man has been granted a free will by God and because of this, God will not force Himself on anyone. But He wants His creation to come to Him and be saved.. God's plan of salvation is so wonderful but it is only wonderful to those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Those who do not believe on Him will not have everlasting life. He told us in John 3:36: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Because Jesus never sinned, His sacrifice of His own life paid the price for our sins. That is why He is called the Lamb of God. The prophet, John the Baptist, called Jesus the Lamb of God:

John 1 : 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Christ Jesus died on the Preparation of Passover. He took upon Himself all the sins of the world and He shed His own blood that we might be saved. He died willingly for us:

John 15 : 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 10 : 17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Christ Jesus rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion. By conquering death, all those who receive Him will live forever with Him and death shall haveno power over them. Because of His Resurrection, Christians can walk a victorious life through the power of the Holy Spirit. The true meaning of life begins upon this earth when one receives Christ because all sins are forgiven and the fellowship that man had in the Garden with God is restored once again in the life of the Believer. And when the Christian physically dies, they go to live with Christ Jesus forever. God the Father sent His Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus, into the world to save the world because God loves us so much.

The Lord Jesus said in John 11 : 25-26:

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Salvation is a FREE gift. This means that you cannot earn your way into Heaven. Your good works will not get you to Heaven. Being a good person cannot get you into Heaven. You can never be good enough to get into Heaven because even one sin will keep you out of Heaven. Jesus already paid the price for your sins. To say that you can save yourself is an insult to Him who gave His life for you. The Bible says that our righteousness is like filthy rags and there is no way that we can make it into Heaven by our own works. The Bible says that we are saved by grace through faith and NOT of our own works. Salvation is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2 : 8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

You can accept God's wonderful free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ or you can reject His gift. God created you with a free will to choose. God will not force Himself on anyone. Those who receive Jesus receive the gift of eternal life and their sins are forgiven. Those who reject Him will die physically and spiritually -- lost in their sins and will have to face the wrath of God at the Judgment.

Every person will face the Lord Jesus Christ someday. He will either be your Savior or He will be your Judge.

Romans 1 : 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Unbelief in Him is a grievous sin against the Savior and will be punished as such. As we read before, the Lord Jesus said, "He that believeth not, is condemned already." The Bible says that those who die in their sins, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, will go to the Lake of Fire for all eternity:

Revelation 20 : 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

But one does not have to go there...

BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The Bible says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." What does it mean to believe?

Believe what the Bible says.
Believe that Jesus is God-- The Second Person of the Trinity.
Believe that He became flesh and was born of a virgin.
Believe that He lived a pure and sinless life.

Believe that God the Father loves you and He sent His Only Begotten Son to die for your sins so that you would not have to go to hell. Believe that the wrath of God abides on the sinner but that eternal life is provided through Jesus Christ. Believe that you cannot save yourself by your own good works.

I John 4:9-10 says, In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and that He is seated at the Right Hand of God the Father.

Romans 8 : 34 ... It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Believe the words that Jesus said in the Bible. He said in John 14 : 6 I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Believe that by receiving Him, you too will have eternal life. John 3 :1 5 says That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

You must BELIEVE that Jesus died for you and acknowledge that your own merits and good works CANNOT save you. You cannot add anything to your salvation. His sacrifice of Himself at the cross is all-sufficient. There is nothing that you can add.

You must trust Him 100% for He saves completely. You must RECEIVE Christ Jesus as your personal Savior-- believing with all of your heart-- that He paid the price for your sins. Give up your pride and your own efforts to make yourself "a better person" and commit your guilty soul and all of its interests into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ -- asking Him to save you. From your heart, call upon Him. As a helpless sinner, who cannot save yourself, you must receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior and Lord. He has given you His word that He will save you. Believe that He paid the price for your sins upon the Cross and that He rose again from the dead. Remember there is absolutely nothing that you can do to make yourself righteous. Jesus suffered the penalty of the Law we had broken.

When you receive Christ, you receive His forgiveness and you receive eternal life in Him for He is the ONLY Savior. The price of salvation was already PAID in full but you can only be saved by receiving the Savior. He is the Only way to Heaven.

Romans 10 : 9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,t hou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

God says in Jeremiah 29 : 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

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Wisdom

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; Proverbs 3:13 NKJV

Yes, happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. It’s not that wisdom was lost, but rather we are lost until we find Jesus Christ. He alone is wisdom.

Before knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior we are driven by impure, self-centered, lustful, greedy for gain, what’s-in-it-for-me kind of thinking. A wise Christ-filled person no longer lives by fulfilling fleshy desires. That shift in motive changes our actions which ushers in the benefits of a rewarding God-balanced life as outlined in verses 14-18:

• Better proceeds than profits of silver
• More precious than rubies
• Nothing compares with wisdom
• Long life on the right
• Riches and honor on the left
• Pleasant ways
• Paths of peace
• Tree of life
• Happiness

Those are some great benefits of receiving wisdom into our hearts. Happiness comes when we lose the burden of trying to control things. When we gladly submit to God and let Him handle things it frees us from trying to figure stuff out and releases us to walk the pathways of peace. God has it. He won’t drop the ball. Whatever the outcome is His desire and we trust it is for the best.

Where are you today? Have you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior? If not why? Don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Acknowledge God, trust Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Lord Jesus, thank you for saving us. Thank you for giving us wisdom and understanding when we confess you as Lord and Savior. Help us to live for you and experience the benefits of your ways. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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Better Together

Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for safety’s sake. Proverbs 3:29 NKJV

People were made to be with people. People are not meant to be alone, living in isolation. For when they are alone they are attacked and weakened.

We need others for protection. We need each other for balance. We need others in our life to help us grow. We need others for the best return on our efforts.

Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: We are more creative and capable of much bigger things together. Working together causes us to bring out the God-given gifts in each other.

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! We all fall at some point. Therefore, we need someone on our side to pick us up and set us on the right path again.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? We need others near us to keep us warm. Not just physically warm, but spiritually warm as well. By our selves we can’t stay warm. Picture single hot coal removed from a fire. At first is hot, but over time it looses its heat. Eventually, it will no longer be on fire because it wasn’t near the other coals keeping it lit.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. This may represent more than the physical as well. When we are alone, we lack someone speaking truth into our lives. Without truth, we are tempted to believe lies and our minds are easily overpowered by worldly thoughts, lustful thoughts and prideful self-centered thinking. This is exactly where our enemy wants us. However, having someone near can quickly squelch those ungodly thoughts and bring us near the heart of God.

God wants us to be with other people. His plan is not carried out in isolation. Granted you might feel like doing evil to a grumpy, mean neighbor, but just think. Maybe he doesn’t have someone in his life. Maybe that someone is you.

Lord forgive us when we so easily want to do harm than good. Grow us up in you’re him image so we learn to live together with others. Equip us this day for what lie ahead. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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Power to do Good

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Proverbs 3:27 NKJV

How do we respond to someone collecting change in front of a supermarket? Or when we see a troubled co-worker? Or after hearing about the plight of an orphan needing a sponsor?

Are you like me at times? It’s just too painful to think about all the suffering people. I mean really, how can one person help anyway? Do you turn away, refuse to see, deny the problem and carry on your own merry way?

If so, remember God blesses us so we can bless others. We can’t bless if we don’t open ourselves up to see people who need the blessing. Ask God to open our eyes to see the hurting people. Then ask Him for compassion and seek courage to lay aside your own needs/desires to be used by God instead.

Whether it is dropping change in a collection bin, or asking a co-worker if they are okay, it is within our power to do good. Maybe you don’t have much money, you still have time. Consider using your time to bless someone. Volunteer somewhere, give your time instead.

Since May, my 3-year-old son and I have been visiting an elderly woman in a nursing home. We simply walked in one day and asked to visit someone who hadn’t had a visitor in some time. We were told about Rose. She’s 98-years-old and hadn’t had a visitor in over two years! That broke my heart. Can you imagine sitting there waiting for someone to come and being disappointed each day as no one came? Let me tell you, it has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. We visit Rose each Sunday for maybe an hour or so. We just listen to what Rose wants to say. She’s full of stories from her life. Rose loves the company, but more than that the other residents enjoy watching my son strolling through the halls saying “hi” to everyone he passes. Our being there makes Rose feel treasured valued and cared for. What an awesome privilege to give time to bless someone.

There are many ways to do good. Here’s a list of some easy and mostly free ways to you can start doing good.

• Try smiling at the checker at the checkout counter.
• Say hello to folks as you step into an elevator.
• Say thank you to your children’s teachers.
• Write a letter of appreciation to someone.
• Place a thank you note in your mail box to bless the mail carrier.
• Stick love notes in your family’s lunch box.
• Pray for someone other than yourself

The best place to start is by thinking about what others do for you. As you consider the many things they do for you, you will never run out of people to bless. Develop godly habits and integrate doing good into your life today. Proverbs 11:25 says “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” I have found this to be true in my life.

Lord thank you for opening our eyes and allowing us to be used for good in the lives of others. Help us focus on your will rather than our own. May we refresh others and in doing so be refreshed ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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Contend with Man

Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. Proverbs 3:30 NKJV

Dictionary.com defines “strive” in the verb tense this way:

1.	to exert oneself vigorously; try hard: He strove to make himself understood.

2.	to make strenuous efforts toward any goal: to strive for success.

3.	to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete.

4.	to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance: to strive against fate.

5.	to rival; vie.

Based on the context of Proverbs 3, we’ve been talking about how to become a good neighbor. Therefore, any of the last three definitions from above might apply to today’s verse.

We are not to contend in conflict with someone without cause. Meaning we should not be the one creating the conflict. We are not to struggle vigorously in opposition with our neighbor without cause when no harm or foul has occurred. Don’t be opposed to someone when they’ve never done anything wrong to you. We are not to rival with someone. We are not in competition with anyone.

These are really good points. How often do we fail at them? Do we hold grudges against someone because we heard some unflattering thing about them? Do we compete against other trying to get the best jobs? Do we measure our success based on how we compare to the Jones down the street? Do we secretly harbor hate in our hearts for someone, all the while pretending we love people? First John 2:11 NKJV says “But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” First John 3:15 NKJV continues saying “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

If there’s no harm done to you, we are to drop the striving. Get rid of any thoughts that would lead us down the path of destruction. Switch gears and think of the good things about the person instead. Be thankful for the person. Even if we can’t name one thing to be thankful for, we most certainly can be thankful God used this person to get us to contemplate God’s ways and evaluate how well we are abiding them.

Lord, thank you for your word. Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Enable us to put away all bitterness that leads to death. Teach us not to contend with man. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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Temptations

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. Proverbs 1:10 NKJV

What are you consenting to in your life? What or who is enticing you to sin?

In your work are you tempted to:

· Gossip or listen to gossip about other co-workers?

· Lie by distorting or stretching the truth in your reports?

· Be lazy by not doing your work?

· Steal company time by arriving late, taking long lunches, and leaving early?

In your home life are you tempted to:

· Be preoccupied with your own interests you neglect your family?

· Slack off on doing your chores?

· Speak unkind words to one another?

· Be critical and judgmental of your family members?

In your mind are you tempted to:

· Think only about yourself and getting your way done?

· Listen to lying thoughts such as “I deserve better”, “I’m no good”, and “Nobody really loves me”?

· Refuse to think about God and His Word?

· Be anxious, troubled and worried about everything?

At school are you tempted to:

· Cheat on a test you didn’t study for?

· Skip a class you don’t like?

· Avoid people who are different from you?

· Not do your homework?

We are all tempted in many ways. Just remember it is not a sin to be tempted. It’s how we respond to the temptation that determines whether it is sin or not. Jesus was tempted yet without sin.

How did Jesus counter sin? Read Luke 4:1-13. He quoted scripture to remind Satan of truth. He submitted to authority of God and resisted the devil. He knew His purpose and His position and stood firm.

We can use the same three tactics to overcome our temptations:

1. Use the mighty Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).

2. Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

3. Remember you are a child of God. Nothing can separate you from the love of God.

We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. “Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world,” Jesus said.

Lord, thank you for not leaving us helpless against our enemy. Thank you for your godly armor to protect us. Thank you for your mighty Word of Truth. Help us to use these tools of righteousness as our shield, defense and guide for life. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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The Way to Understand God’s Word

Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Proverbs 1:23 NKJV

I am not a big proponent of touting a specific formula or certain number of steps to freedom. However, in this verse I see a clear path towards enlightenment. Let’s look at it together.

Step 1: Turn at my rebuke.

In other words, agree with God about our sin. Romans 3:23 says “all have sinned” and Psalm 14:3 says “They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.” It’s hard to acknowledge we are not good, but the truth is we are sinful. That sin prevents us from knowing and loving God. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death”. However, the rest of Romans 6:23 says “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. While we may be sinful, there is a way out – belief in Jesus Christ. When we trust Jesus to take away our sins we are made new creations. The old is gone and the new has gone (2 Corinthians 5:17). But the benefit of coming to Christ is not just about cleansing us from sin.

Step 2: Surely I will pour out my spirit on you.

Why do we need God’s Spirit? God’s Word is spiritual but the natural man is not. First Corinthians 12:14 says “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Therefore, man can not understand the things of God without some help. Thankfully God does not leave us to figure it out all alone. No, He gives His Spirit to anyone who turns at His rebuke. First Corinthians 2:12 says “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”

Step 3: I will make my words known to you.

One of the Holy Spirit’s roles is to help us grasp what we’ve received in Christ through understanding God’s truth. John 16:13 says “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” As God’s Word is the source of truth, it is reassuring to have His Spirit enabling us to recognize and understand it all.

So what do we conclude? God’s Word is truth. This truth can not be known by the natural man. If we choose to agree with God about sin, He will send His Spirit to reveal His truth to us. With the Holy Spirit’s help we will understand the glorious gift given to us through Jesus Christ and His Word.

Lord, thank you for your Spirit who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment to come. Thank you for cleansing us from all unrighteousness and giving us your Spirit to guide us into all truth. Open our eyes to your truth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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Doing Our Part

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2 NKJV

Obedience to the Lord

Did you happen to notice the first part of this verse? It was “as they ministered” which means they did stuff for the Lord. The point is action. There must be a “doing” to our obedience to the Lord. James 1:22 says we must be “doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves.” Even Jesus was obedient to the Father. John 6:38 says “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” So laying aside our will and choosing to follow God’s will demonstrate our obedience to Him. But did you know this is not something we can do on our own?

Receiving the Holy Spirit

Jesus taught us everything of our sinful nature is worthless in John 6:63: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Where does the Holy Spirit come from? He is sent to us from Christ Himself (John 16:7). John 15:26 says “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” How do we receive the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 1:13-14 says “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” In other words, once you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit is given to you as a guarantee that you are saved.

Understanding God’s gift

First Corinthians 2:13-14 says “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The Holy Spirit is our teacher, guiding us in all truth. Without Him we wouldn’t understand spiritual things. He opens our eyes and makes us realize the sin in our life, so we can fully embrace the grace given to us. Romans 8:16 says “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 5:5 says “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 8:2 says “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” First Corinthians 2:12 says “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” All this a great news, for now we know we are able to understand the glorious riches stored up for us in Christ Jesus.

Empowering our Witness

Knowing all the depth of God’s love isn’t just for our benefit. No, it’s more about sealing our understanding and compelling us to share His glorious plan with others. One of the things I love about God is how He equips those He calls. Let’s review some verses about that. Acts 1:8 says “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” See He’s giving us the power to be His witness. Romans 8:26-27 says “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Even when we don’t know how to pray, He helps us through His Spirit interceding for us. How does this empowering happen? Romans 12:1-2 give us a clue. It says “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” By offering our lives as living sacrifices, allowing God’s Word to change the way we think, we prove God’s will is perfect, acceptable and good. Romans 8:5 says “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” As we learn to walk by the Spirit rather than by our natural self, we become God’s witness to the world.

What do you think? Are you ready to do what God has already shown you? Do you understand His precious gift better? Is the Holy Spirit compelling you to share His message with others?

If you answer no to any of these questions, ask God to help you see things from His perspective. Continue reading God’s Word and the truth will be revealed as His Spirit teaches you.

Lord thank you for your word and your Holy Spirit. Lead us on the pathways of life and enable us to witness to the world through an obedient life in Christ. In Jesus’ precious name Amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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How to Have Great Quiet Times with God

Things You’ll Need:

• Your Bible
• A Prayer Journal
• Pen or Pencil

Step 1

Focus on God. Everyone’s quiet time is different but one thing remains the same no matter who you are. Quiet times are all about God. There you have it the first key to quiet time is also the very purpose behind quiet time, which is to focus on God.

Whether you focus on God by taking a nature walk, singing praises, or sitting quietly in your living room in a moment of reflection doesn’t really matter. What does matter is allowing time and space in your hectically over-scheduled life to make room for focusing on God.

Step 2

Make Time for God. Taking time to make room for God is one of the best things you can do not only for yourself but for those around you. Think about it. If you are more secure in your relationship with God, your other earthly relationships will be dramatically improved as well. That leads us to the second key to a successful quiet time: Making time for God.

Step 3

Now that you’ve gotten the first two keys down, it’s time to figure out what you do with your time for God. Let’s talk about a plan to help you organize your time with our Lord. Remember, this is not a formula because you’re in a relationship with the Lord. Relationships are ever growing, expanding and deepening. However, these guidelines can certainly get you started in your quiet time.

First, start your time together with prayer. It’s a good way to clean the palette of your soul, so to speak. Try a prayer like the following:
Lord, thank you for hearing me and being with me this day. Help me to focus on You and lay aside anything that would distract me from knowing you in a new way this day. Speak to me and show me what you would like me to learn from our time together. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Step 4

Next, open your Bible and read. What you read is not what’s important. Simply open your Bible and whatever the pages fall open, start reading a few verses or a chapter. You may want to read that section one more time. Meanwhile, open your mind and ears to hear what the Lord may be trying to say to you through scripture. You might ask yourself some questions like the following:
• Is this pointing to any hidden sin I need to confess?
• Is this a godly example to follow?
• Is this a behavior I should avoid?
• How can this be applied in my life today?

Step 5

Now, move into listening mode. What do you hear the Lord saying to you? Just relax, take a deep breathe in and exhale. You may want to close your eyes, as long as you don’t fall asleep. Think about the scripture you just read. Think about the questions about the scripture. Do you hear the Lord instructing you? Listen.

Step 6

Lastly, you probably will want to have a pen and paper handy to write down the prompts you feel in your spirit. Remember, God gave us His Spirit in us to confirm with our own spirit when He’s talking to us. Don’t hesitate to implement what you hear the Lord leading you to do (or to stop doing).

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Single-Minded Devotion

What do we devote our time and energy to? Where do our thoughts reside during the day? Can we say, like David did in Psalm 73:25, “Whom do I have in heaven besides You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You.”?

Do we believe God? Sure, most of us could easily say we believe in God, but that’s different. Do we believe Him? Reading a promise of God such as “I will never leave you or forsake you”, what goes through your mind? Is it nice to know? Do you think it can’t possible apply to you? Can you grasp the “never” part? Never is a mighty long time, yet God tells us He will never leave us.

Do we believe Christ died for us? Certainly there is no doubt He died. But for us He chose to die, paying our sin debt while we were still His enemies. Romans 5:6 says “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Does the knowledge of our pardon from hell cause exceeding joy? It does when we believe it.

Do we believe Christ rose again to give us life and power through His Holy Spirit? Our life is hidden in Him in the heavenly places. Or should we say His life is hidden in us. Those who believe and accept Christ have been given His Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Our power and strength come not from our own resources, but from Christ in us. Philippians 4:13 tells us we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

In believing God, we take seriously His Word to us. The Bible is inspired by God and written for our instruction, teaching, correction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Therefore, when it tells us to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm against our enemy, we do so (Ephesians 6:10-20). Likewise, when it says lay aside all things that hinder our walk, especially sin that so easily entangles us, we do it (Galatians 5:1). When it teaches us to be renewed in our thinking (Romans 12:2), focus our thoughts on eternal things (2 Corinthians 4:17-1 , we train to do just that. It is in our diligent and relentless pursuit of God, our mind is wholly devoted to Him.

Here are a few tips for helping set your mind on Him:

• Next time you are faced with a decision, ask God for wisdom to make the right choice.
• When you drive by a car accident, pray for the people involved to be healed and for the rescue workers to have what they need to save them.
• Waking up in the morning, say “Good Morning, God. Thank you for that good night’s sleep.”
• When going to bed at night thank God for keeping you safe all day.
• At meals time, say a simple pray of thanks to God for providing the food.

These few things, along with Bible Study, church attendance and fellowship can greatly increase your focus on God. Yet, all of these will be worthless if your attitude about doing them is not right. We do these things out of love for God and wanting to know Him more. If you do these because you feel guilty or forced to, don’t do it. Let the Spirit lead you and stay open to His prompting.

Lord thank You for Your word. Teach us more about You. Draw us closer to You. Help us focus on You. In Jesus’ name amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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Wisdom

He who gets wisdom loves his soul; he who keeps understanding will find good. Proverbs 19:8 NKJV

Wisdom is something we all need. Some of us think we have wisdom, yet in time our decisions prove otherwise. Solomon had much knowledge and wisdom to pass on his son. Lucky for us he wrote a lot of it down. Now, we have the opportunity to learn from those who have gone before us.

How do we obtain wisdom?

Some might say we study and try to learn everything we can. Others might say you collect it throughout your life with experience that comes from each passing year. But what does the Bible say? James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

What is wisdom?

Wisdom is an attribute of God. He is wisdom. He is sovereign and sees the beginning and the end of everything. He knows all possibilities and how things will play out. When we ask for wisdom we ask for a part of God.

How do we keep understanding?

Understanding comes from God too. He has provided us 66 books of understanding for our instruction. In order to keep understanding our first step is to read about God’s commandments. With the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we are able to keep His commandments. Proverbs 19:16 says “He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways will die.” Notice keeping understanding or commandments requires effort on our part. Matthew 7:7-8 says “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” If we are careless with our ways we die.

What is good?

The opening verse says “he who keeps understanding will find good”, but what is good? Jesus told us in Matthew 19:17 “No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Therefore, good is God. He who keeps understanding will find God.

Wisdom and understanding are critical components of salvation. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying read more and you’ll saved, for salvation is not based on human efforts of earning our way to heaven. But I am saying God’s Word contains what we need to guide us into a right relationship with God. When we have “listened to its counsel” we will find God and know his perfect will – that none should perish but that all should be saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

Wisdom and understanding are more than just that. They provide us guidance for every day life. They instruct us on how to respond to every kind of problem, conflict or issue we may face.

Proverbs 19:20 says “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.”

Lord, may we be wise in seeking you first in all we do, say, and think. Lead us by your Word and Spirit that we may be wise in our all affairs. In Jesus’ name Amen

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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Idolatry Stands in the Way of Peace

What’s the greatest commandment of God? Matthew 22:37 NKJV says “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” Jesus was quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5. Anything that hinders us from doing exactly that is an idol. Idols are not good because they lead us away from God and down a path leading to death. Idols are not God, therefore, they can not satisfy our longings. Idols have no power except the power to enslave us. They are a trap preventing us from pursuing our relationship with God. What stands in the way of peace with God for you?

• Work-a-holism
• Guilt over your sins
• Watching too much television
• Constant perfectionist tendencies
• Being overwhelmed with worry, anxiety or fear
• Being too legalistic following the letter of the law
• Thoughts and longings for a more intimate marriage
• A hobby your spending extraordinary amount of time on

To overcome idols in our life, we first must identify them. Second, we confess our sins to God and seek His forgiveness and ask for His strength to turn away from the idols. Third, we allow God’s Word to change how we think. Lastly, we ask a godly friend to become an accountability partner.

Where are you struggling today? James 5:16 NKJV says “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.”

Lord we thank you for your spirit who reveals idols in our lives that need to be dealt with and for your strength to turn from idols. May your word renew our minds that we would know your good and perfect will. Help us to be accountable to you through the help of others. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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Fear of the Lord

…And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Acts 9:31 NKJV

Proverbs 1:7 NJKV says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” but knowledge of what? Well, perhaps it is knowledge that life is not all about us, but rather all about God and His purpose. It’s about focusing on God’s plans instead of our own self-centered plans. Fear of the Lord is about having the proper view of God, who is the One really in control. Everything exists because of Him and He sustains it all (John 1:3). Fear of the Lord is about being reverent and respectful of God’s sovereignty and His right to rule. It is a demonstrated respect for God through our obedience to His ways.

Walking in the fear of the Lord implies action on our part. Once we begin to understand who God is and our own fallen nature, our life changes. We are not sitting, standing, or laying down but walking, always moving, learning, reaching for more of the Lord, His Will and His Word. When we act on what we’ve learned as James 1:5 says about becoming “doers of the word”, it is followed by the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

The comfort of the Holy Spirit is something quite extraordinary. What brings comfort? Certainty, security, confidence, assurance and peace all provide a measure of comfort. The Holy Spirit provides these as He confirms our spirit with His in us. He guides us in all truth, so as more truth is revealed the more certain we are in our faith (John 16:13). As He brings to remembrance all things Jesus taught our confidence increases because we know the right words will be spoken in every situation (John 14:26). When we are steadfast in the Lord we have peace and comfort from the Holy Spirit which tells us we’re on the right path (Isaiah 26:3).

The result of walking in the fear of the Lord and in comfort of the Holy Spirit is God’s glorious purpose is fulfilled. God doesn’t want a single person to perish, but all to come to Christ and be saved (Matthew 18:14). As we are obedient, the brighter His light shines out through us. We are the light of the world Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14. His work in and through us will cause others to come to Him. This is how the church, the body of Christ is multiplied.

Lord thank you for your word and your Holy Spirit in us leading us in all truth. Enable us to be doers of the word that your light will shine forth from us and cause many to come and be saved. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Source http://thinkonitdevotions.wordpress.com

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