Read ~ 1 John 3:19-24
Have guilty feelings created a wall that prevents you from receiving God's unconditional love? Perhaps you still haven't accepted His forgiveness for something you've done in the past. Until you do, you will continue to deprive yourself of the divine love He wants you to experience.
Or maybe the problem is that you carry around a false sense of guilt--you don't know why you feel ashamed, but you do. The Holy Spirit clearly convicts us of sin so we can repent and be free. But a pervasive, vague sense of guilt with no specific cause comes from the Devil. Ask God to cleanse you of it. Jesus died for you so that you could be free!
Another source of guilt is legalistic teaching. Many people have been taught a distorted version of the gospel and think, I'll never measure up. That's the kind of message the religious leaders of Jesus' time communicated: Unless you do this, God won't accept you; if you do that, you'll go to hell. Pharisaical living involves trying to earn the Lord's acceptance through your own power--righteous deed by righteous deed. Since no one can please Him this way, attempting to do so leads to bondage. Jesus came to liberate us from this slavery. It's time to let His grace and love cleanse you from any shame weighing you down.
The Bible says that when you are set free by Christ, your freedom is complete (John 8:36). Reject Satan's lie that you are separated from the liberty found in Jesus' love. Then ask the Lord to help you walk in the truth. You can again experience the joy of unhindered fellowship with your Savior.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, March 30, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
True Spiritual Growth
Read James 1:17-27
If you want to genuinely grow in spiritual maturity, it is not enough to simply be instructed by the Word of God. You may love going to church or listening to Christian radio programs. You might talk about everything you hear and assume you're growing because your knowledge is increasing. However, if you don't actually grow closer to God by allowing His Word to change you from the inside out, your head will merely continue to fill with information. You might even sound like a godly person who is admired for the ability to quote chapter and verse. But if you don't take the next step and allow God to touch others' lives through you, you're missing the point.
Spiritual growth is the result of practicing the truth you receive from God. He wants you to give away what He gives you--that is, by loving and serving others and sharing the truth of the gospel. Our example is Jesus, who said that He did not come to be served, but to serve even the lowest outcasts in His society (Matt. 20:28). He could have exalted Himself and spent all His time preaching and teaching. Instead, Jesus did only the Father's will, which was to reveal His heart of love to a broken world. The Lord sacrificially involved Himself in people's lives, and He calls us to follow in His footsteps.
God's plan is to reach the world through you. If that weren't the case, He would have taken you to heaven as soon as you were saved. But you are here for a purpose--to live out Christ's life alongside hurting people who desperately need to experience His love.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
If you want to genuinely grow in spiritual maturity, it is not enough to simply be instructed by the Word of God. You may love going to church or listening to Christian radio programs. You might talk about everything you hear and assume you're growing because your knowledge is increasing. However, if you don't actually grow closer to God by allowing His Word to change you from the inside out, your head will merely continue to fill with information. You might even sound like a godly person who is admired for the ability to quote chapter and verse. But if you don't take the next step and allow God to touch others' lives through you, you're missing the point.
Spiritual growth is the result of practicing the truth you receive from God. He wants you to give away what He gives you--that is, by loving and serving others and sharing the truth of the gospel. Our example is Jesus, who said that He did not come to be served, but to serve even the lowest outcasts in His society (Matt. 20:28). He could have exalted Himself and spent all His time preaching and teaching. Instead, Jesus did only the Father's will, which was to reveal His heart of love to a broken world. The Lord sacrificially involved Himself in people's lives, and He calls us to follow in His footsteps.
God's plan is to reach the world through you. If that weren't the case, He would have taken you to heaven as soon as you were saved. But you are here for a purpose--to live out Christ's life alongside hurting people who desperately need to experience His love.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
T-H-I-N-K!
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ~ Philippians 4:8
A recent survey revealed that America's teenagers are now spending an average of seven-and-a-half hours per day involved in multiple forms of electronic media, including, TV, video games, listening to music, surfing the Web, texting, and e-mailing.
Those things are not bad. But we can be so current on culture yet so out of touch with Scripture. So let's make sure that our minds and hearts are filled with the truths of God.
Romans 12:1 tells us to "give [our] bodies to God because of all he has done for [us]. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable." Giving our bodies to God also includes our tongues—our words and what we say to others. As James 3:5 points out, "The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire."
I would suggest that you T-H-I-N-K before you speak. The next time you have one of those things you are about to say and are not sure if you really ought to say it, run through the T-H-I-N-K acronym:
T—is it true?
H—is it helpful?
I—is it inspiring?
N—is it necessary?
K—is it kind?
Maybe you're thinking, If I lived by that principle, I wouldn't say anything. Ever. So be it. Present your tongue to God.
Not only that, we need to present our hands and feet to Him as well. Proverbs 6:17–19 says there are seven things that God detests: "haughty eyes (pride/arrogance in self and distain/scorn toward others), a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent ( this includes character assasination), a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family."
So present your hands and your feet and your tongue to God.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
A recent survey revealed that America's teenagers are now spending an average of seven-and-a-half hours per day involved in multiple forms of electronic media, including, TV, video games, listening to music, surfing the Web, texting, and e-mailing.
Those things are not bad. But we can be so current on culture yet so out of touch with Scripture. So let's make sure that our minds and hearts are filled with the truths of God.
Romans 12:1 tells us to "give [our] bodies to God because of all he has done for [us]. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable." Giving our bodies to God also includes our tongues—our words and what we say to others. As James 3:5 points out, "The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire."
I would suggest that you T-H-I-N-K before you speak. The next time you have one of those things you are about to say and are not sure if you really ought to say it, run through the T-H-I-N-K acronym:
T—is it true?
H—is it helpful?
I—is it inspiring?
N—is it necessary?
K—is it kind?
Maybe you're thinking, If I lived by that principle, I wouldn't say anything. Ever. So be it. Present your tongue to God.
Not only that, we need to present our hands and feet to Him as well. Proverbs 6:17–19 says there are seven things that God detests: "haughty eyes (pride/arrogance in self and distain/scorn toward others), a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent ( this includes character assasination), a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family."
So present your hands and your feet and your tongue to God.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, March 19, 2012
Are You Discouraged Today?
Even the most committed believer has those moments when fear or worry can kick in.
Anxiety can overtake us. Maybe we're concerned about our future, feel discouraged about some of our failures and shortcomings, or find ourselves anxious about the lives of our family members.
Far too often, though, we are afraid of the wrong things in life, and not afraid of the right things . . . or the right One. Many people don't fear God, giving Him the awe and the reverence that is His due. Yet the Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom.
What is the "fear of the Lord?"
The Bible says that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:10).
To fear God doesn't mean that we cowering in terror before Him. Rather, the fear of God has been properly defined as a wholesome dread of displeasing Him. If I have sinned, my fear should not be based on the anticipation of what God will do to me, but on what I have done to displease Him. I love Him so much that I would never want to grieve His heart by turning my back on Him or going my own way. That is what it means to fear the Lord.
Don't be discouraged today
David wrote, "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever" (Psalm 19:9). It is good for us to fear Him. The remarkable thing is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else. On the other hand, if you don't fear God, then you fear everything else, and you find yourself running from shadows.
In another psalm, David stated, "The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1). Only the person who can say, "The Lord is the strength of my life," can then say, "Of whom shall I be afraid?"
Maybe you feel that your life has been a failure, or perhaps find yourself discouraged, depressed, or afraid of something. If you're gripped by fear and worry today, then let the Lord be the strength of your life. Trade in all your lesser and destructive fears for the fear that will bring wisdom and peace.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Anxiety can overtake us. Maybe we're concerned about our future, feel discouraged about some of our failures and shortcomings, or find ourselves anxious about the lives of our family members.
Far too often, though, we are afraid of the wrong things in life, and not afraid of the right things . . . or the right One. Many people don't fear God, giving Him the awe and the reverence that is His due. Yet the Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom.
What is the "fear of the Lord?"
The Bible says that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:10).
To fear God doesn't mean that we cowering in terror before Him. Rather, the fear of God has been properly defined as a wholesome dread of displeasing Him. If I have sinned, my fear should not be based on the anticipation of what God will do to me, but on what I have done to displease Him. I love Him so much that I would never want to grieve His heart by turning my back on Him or going my own way. That is what it means to fear the Lord.
Don't be discouraged today
David wrote, "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever" (Psalm 19:9). It is good for us to fear Him. The remarkable thing is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else. On the other hand, if you don't fear God, then you fear everything else, and you find yourself running from shadows.
In another psalm, David stated, "The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1). Only the person who can say, "The Lord is the strength of my life," can then say, "Of whom shall I be afraid?"
Maybe you feel that your life has been a failure, or perhaps find yourself discouraged, depressed, or afraid of something. If you're gripped by fear and worry today, then let the Lord be the strength of your life. Trade in all your lesser and destructive fears for the fear that will bring wisdom and peace.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Prerequisite for Knowing God's Will
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ~ 1 Timothy 2:3-4
The first prerequisite for discerning the will of God is that you must be a believer in Jesus Christ. I say that because 1 Timothy 2:3–4 says, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Scripture also tells us that God is "not willing that any should perish (separated from Him forever) but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). So to know the will of God, we must first know God.
I think that sometimes people view the Bible as sort of a magical book that is full of successful principles they can unleash. But the Bible is written for God's people. It is not a bunch of potions that a person can enact in his or her life. These are principles that are given to the man or the woman of God who lives the way He wants them to live.
Though the Bible is very inspiring and contains great literature and beautiful poetry, if you are not a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are not going to be able to unlock the truths that are found in it. So it starts with knowing the Author of the book.
I have the privilege of knowing some well-known pastors who have written books, and sometimes I will call them up and say, "Hey, I was just reading this in your book the other day, and I was wondering what you meant by. . . ." Then they will explain to me what they meant. It is great to be able to talk to the author of the book.
In the same way, we can consult with the author of the Bible, who is God. But first we must be believers.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
The first prerequisite for discerning the will of God is that you must be a believer in Jesus Christ. I say that because 1 Timothy 2:3–4 says, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Scripture also tells us that God is "not willing that any should perish (separated from Him forever) but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). So to know the will of God, we must first know God.
I think that sometimes people view the Bible as sort of a magical book that is full of successful principles they can unleash. But the Bible is written for God's people. It is not a bunch of potions that a person can enact in his or her life. These are principles that are given to the man or the woman of God who lives the way He wants them to live.
Though the Bible is very inspiring and contains great literature and beautiful poetry, if you are not a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are not going to be able to unlock the truths that are found in it. So it starts with knowing the Author of the book.
I have the privilege of knowing some well-known pastors who have written books, and sometimes I will call them up and say, "Hey, I was just reading this in your book the other day, and I was wondering what you meant by. . . ." Then they will explain to me what they meant. It is great to be able to talk to the author of the book.
In the same way, we can consult with the author of the Bible, who is God. But first we must be believers.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, March 12, 2012
Guaranteed Guidance
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. ~ James 4:17
Sometimes we cry out to God, "Lord, show me Your will—just speak to me right now," when all the while, we are holding the answer in our hands. God's will is revealed in the pages of Scripture.
It would be like waiting for a letter containing directions that tell you what you should do, and when the letter finally arrives, you hold it in your hand, never open it, and then wonder why you could not get the information you needed.
In the same way, God has revealed His plan and His purpose, but we must study the Scripture to know what it is.
David prayed, "Teach me to do Your will" (Psalm 143:10). Notice that he did not say, "Teach me to understand your will." Rather, he said, "Teach me to do Your will." This carries the assumption that it is not a matter of information, but obedience. Sometimes I think the problem is not that we don't know the will of God; it is that we don't like the will of God.
I have a granddaughter who engages in selective hearing. She hears me when I say something she likes, such as, "Let's watch a cartoon." But then when I tell her to do something that she doesn't want to do, all of the sudden it is as though I never said it.
We are that way with God sometimes. It is not that we don't know His will. It is that we don't like His will. But James 4:17 tells us, "To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
Do you know something to be the will of God for your life that you are not doing? Obedience to revealed truth guarantees guidance in matters unrevealed.
(Via G reg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Sometimes we cry out to God, "Lord, show me Your will—just speak to me right now," when all the while, we are holding the answer in our hands. God's will is revealed in the pages of Scripture.
It would be like waiting for a letter containing directions that tell you what you should do, and when the letter finally arrives, you hold it in your hand, never open it, and then wonder why you could not get the information you needed.
In the same way, God has revealed His plan and His purpose, but we must study the Scripture to know what it is.
David prayed, "Teach me to do Your will" (Psalm 143:10). Notice that he did not say, "Teach me to understand your will." Rather, he said, "Teach me to do Your will." This carries the assumption that it is not a matter of information, but obedience. Sometimes I think the problem is not that we don't know the will of God; it is that we don't like the will of God.
I have a granddaughter who engages in selective hearing. She hears me when I say something she likes, such as, "Let's watch a cartoon." But then when I tell her to do something that she doesn't want to do, all of the sudden it is as though I never said it.
We are that way with God sometimes. It is not that we don't know His will. It is that we don't like His will. But James 4:17 tells us, "To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
Do you know something to be the will of God for your life that you are not doing? Obedience to revealed truth guarantees guidance in matters unrevealed.
(Via G reg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, March 9, 2012
Where to Find Joy
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. ~ Psalm 25:14
People have different views of the will of God. Some imagine the will of God as something that God effectively hides from us, sort of like a divine Easter Bunny who has a golden egg put away somewhere, and as you get closer, just maybe he will give you little hints.
For others, their concept of the will of God is that it is something horrible or undesirable, sort of like a diet. All the things you like to eat are out of the diet, and you can't have any of the good stuff. That is how some people see God. They think it is boring at best and miserable at worst.
Both of these views are incorrect, however. There is joy in being in the will of God. The apostle Paul wrote to Roman believers, "Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other" (Romans 15:32).
Then we are told in Isaiah 55, "You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!" (verse 12).
There is joy and peace in the will of God. And when you are outside the will of God, there is misery and turmoil. The most miserable man or woman is the one who knows what is right and does not do it. He or she is even more miserable than a nonbeliever who has never heard the truth of the Word of God. When you know what is right and are running away from it, your life will be especially hard.
As a believer, you are a friend of God's. And He wants to reveal His will to you.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
People have different views of the will of God. Some imagine the will of God as something that God effectively hides from us, sort of like a divine Easter Bunny who has a golden egg put away somewhere, and as you get closer, just maybe he will give you little hints.
For others, their concept of the will of God is that it is something horrible or undesirable, sort of like a diet. All the things you like to eat are out of the diet, and you can't have any of the good stuff. That is how some people see God. They think it is boring at best and miserable at worst.
Both of these views are incorrect, however. There is joy in being in the will of God. The apostle Paul wrote to Roman believers, "Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other" (Romans 15:32).
Then we are told in Isaiah 55, "You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!" (verse 12).
There is joy and peace in the will of God. And when you are outside the will of God, there is misery and turmoil. The most miserable man or woman is the one who knows what is right and does not do it. He or she is even more miserable than a nonbeliever who has never heard the truth of the Word of God. When you know what is right and are running away from it, your life will be especially hard.
As a believer, you are a friend of God's. And He wants to reveal His will to you.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
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