"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which is in his heart." Luke 6:45 (NAS)
Your thoughts become your words, become your actions, become your habits, become your lifestyle. You can be cautious with your words, or even try not to talk at all, but--though your words are important--it's what's in your mind and heart that will dictate your destiny.
Demons can't read your mind, but they can try to put thoughts in it. And they are sneaky enough to make you think it's you. They might not whisper, "You should get revenge for that," they might instead say, "I'm going to make them pay," so you'll think that idea was your own.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Who is running your thought life?
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish strongholds and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
Friday, February 28, 2020
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Hearing God
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;" John 10:27 (NAS)
Hearing from the Lord takes practice, though it's easier if you already function habitually in proper respect for authority. Psalm 139:23-24 is a helpful prayer to start with when you're asking God for answers:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way." (NAS)
Am I living in humility and gratitude daily, or did I just show up to ask a quick favor?
Do I really want to hear from God, or do I just want to feel justified while I do what I want?
If the Lord says something I don't want to hear, am I prepared to listen to Him anyway?
Am I obedient in areas that seem insignificant, doing what's right even when no one will know? In other words, why would He give me important instructions if I've been disregarding small details?
Do I truly desire His will to be done, or do I just want His will to be mine?
Is what I think I'm hearing from Him in line with what the Bible teaches?
Am I making a decision in faith or in fear?
Have I taken time to listen carefully?
As you read the Bible daily, talk with (not just to) God throughout the day, and get regular input from godly people, God's voice becomes more clear. I find that when I don't hear a straightforward answer after praying about a specific fork in the road, that it's simply my choice to make. Perhaps either job offer is the right one in which to represent Him.
"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 (NAS)
Hearing from the Lord takes practice, though it's easier if you already function habitually in proper respect for authority. Psalm 139:23-24 is a helpful prayer to start with when you're asking God for answers:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way." (NAS)
Am I living in humility and gratitude daily, or did I just show up to ask a quick favor?
Do I really want to hear from God, or do I just want to feel justified while I do what I want?
If the Lord says something I don't want to hear, am I prepared to listen to Him anyway?
Am I obedient in areas that seem insignificant, doing what's right even when no one will know? In other words, why would He give me important instructions if I've been disregarding small details?
Do I truly desire His will to be done, or do I just want His will to be mine?
Is what I think I'm hearing from Him in line with what the Bible teaches?
Am I making a decision in faith or in fear?
Have I taken time to listen carefully?
As you read the Bible daily, talk with (not just to) God throughout the day, and get regular input from godly people, God's voice becomes more clear. I find that when I don't hear a straightforward answer after praying about a specific fork in the road, that it's simply my choice to make. Perhaps either job offer is the right one in which to represent Him.
"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 (NAS)
Friday, February 14, 2020
Finding the Balance
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NAS)
When you consider that God made night and day, and created male and female, you understand that God values balance. A great example of balance is "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) because truth by itself could be too harsh but speaking in love can be too soft.
How do you find balance, when there's so much to do but you're too tired, when needs outweigh resources? Keep your attention on God rather than circumstances. Ask Him what He wants you to do. Keep your heart open to His voice. Be humble enough to listen to what He's telling you, and trust that He is taking care of the details that He didn't put you in charge of.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5 (NIV)
When your goal is to bring God glory, He's going to give you guidance.
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NAS)
When you consider that God made night and day, and created male and female, you understand that God values balance. A great example of balance is "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) because truth by itself could be too harsh but speaking in love can be too soft.
How do you find balance, when there's so much to do but you're too tired, when needs outweigh resources? Keep your attention on God rather than circumstances. Ask Him what He wants you to do. Keep your heart open to His voice. Be humble enough to listen to what He's telling you, and trust that He is taking care of the details that He didn't put you in charge of.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5 (NIV)
When your goal is to bring God glory, He's going to give you guidance.
Friday, February 7, 2020
Fear or Faith
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
As a child I asked Jesus into my heart because I was afraid of going to hell if I died. As a teenager I followed the rules for fear of the consequences. As a parent I realized how awesome it is when the little ones did what I asked because they loved and trusted their Mama rather than because they dreaded punishment.
When we serve God because we're scared of what will happen otherwise, we aren't truly surrendered to God, we are surrendered to fear. Don't reduce Christianity to mere avoidance of sin. Christianity is being so close to God that we ask Him, hear Him, obey Him, and trust Him. When we serve God because we love Him, we begin to experience freedom and joy like never before.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV)
Are you serving the Lord in fear, or in faith?
As a child I asked Jesus into my heart because I was afraid of going to hell if I died. As a teenager I followed the rules for fear of the consequences. As a parent I realized how awesome it is when the little ones did what I asked because they loved and trusted their Mama rather than because they dreaded punishment.
When we serve God because we're scared of what will happen otherwise, we aren't truly surrendered to God, we are surrendered to fear. Don't reduce Christianity to mere avoidance of sin. Christianity is being so close to God that we ask Him, hear Him, obey Him, and trust Him. When we serve God because we love Him, we begin to experience freedom and joy like never before.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV)
Are you serving the Lord in fear, or in faith?
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