I sit… shrouded by the darkest depths of the mire, for I know Lord, I am living with the despair of bad choices I have made…and choices I had no control over. So I cry out to You for deliverance, for I believe that You will not only hear, but also draw close and comfort me. Because I put my trust in You… I know I can face all my fears.
Tag: God
Ephesians 6: 17 ” Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The Roman soldier’s helmet was a defensive weapon…covering and protecting the head, while the sword was an offensive weapon…used to attack the enemy. Each day we need to intentionally cover our mind with the blood of Jesus…asking Him to guard what we look at, listen to, and think about. We need to then take up our sword – the Scriptures – and armed with that Truth, we are then able to cut through the deception of the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 ” For our strength is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
It’s the age-old battle of good versus evil…but the battle isn’t against our fellow-man, but against what initiates the evil within us. The armor of God isn’t made for battles with man. Rather, its strength and protection is for battles from forces so powerful that without it we would be completely defenseless. It’s made for battles far beyond what we can comprehend…and battles that come from deep within.
Matthew 14: 26-27 ” When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost!’, they said, and cried in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ “
Fear will throw us into confusion…but the calm reassuring voice of the Lord can penetrate any chaos and be heard above any thunderous storm in our lives. But just listening to His voice is not enough…we need to then activate our faith. Because for a moment we might have lost our courage, but with the Lord’s encouraging words, we can find it again.
Hebrews 3:6 ” But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”
It is a special exercise of our faith when we face fear and doubt head on. At that moment, we need to hold fast to the truth with confidence and boldness that no matter what – God is still there and in control.
Hebrews 13: 20-21 ” May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. “
Everything you need to live a victorious, righteous life…every detail, every means of accomplishment, every plan and procedure, the Lord has not only prepared, but also provided for you. He is constantly working in our lives to bring out the very best in us. The Lord desires you to succeed…and He equips you with everything to do so.
Psalm 33:11 ” But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”
From the moment of creation…to the furthest reaches of the future, there are two things that will never change about God. He will never lie, and He will never change His mind. (Numbers 23:19) The plans he puts into motion are driven by divine wisdom and love and will never see failure…for He is God.
Jeremiah 23: 28 ” Let the (false) prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has My word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain? “
This Scripture speaks to what is truth, and what is false…it speaks to God’s divinely ordained Word, and the corrupted half-truths that come from the pit of hell. The bottom line for us is…do we want to be filled with the “fruit” of His Word, or the useless stubble left behind?
Romans 1:8 ” First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”
Every time you share your faith with someone…every time you openly declare your trust and belief in Jesus Christ…God’s word reaches farther into the world. Little did I know when I started this Daily Devotional a little over three years ago that it would now be reaching over 100 countries around the world. As it states in Romans 10:17, “Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Our faith and belief in the Gospel message, when shared with others, catapults His Word to the far-flung reaches of this world.
II John verse 6 ” And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands, as you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”
As you start your journey into 2016, are you willing to yield all of yourself to the Lord…conforming yourself to His ways, not yours? Are you willing to give Him that secret part of you that you’ve been holding on to…hiding from Him…unable to give Him fully? Obedience is the fundamental key in our relationship with God…for His love is truly made complete in it. ( I John 2:5)
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