"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." Romans 8:1
Once we have been saved we often sincerely want to do the things God wants us to do, but in our human condition it is harder to do than it seems. Inwardly, we have a deep desire to do the will of God, it's just that our humanness gets in the way. I heard a Pastor say, 'we never drift towards God.' Since we are human it takes effort to pray everyday, read the Bible, and get up early for church (Hebrews 10:25).
Remember it is a common experience to struggle with moving forward in our relationship with God. Since this is so common be encouraged. Sometimes we see other people that appear to be so devoted it makes us feel inferior. However, what we are seeing are the results of their perserverance. We can perservere too. In fact, God wants us to perservere (James 1:3-4 & Hebrews 12:1). Trying again when we mess up is His will for us.
'The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.' Ps. 145:8
Prayer: Lord, help us not to give up. When we do mess up, help us to turn back to you knowing that this is a part of the human experience and that You don't condemn us when we are trying and reaching out to You. Revelation 2:19
Read More:
John 3:16-18
Plan of Action (James 1:22 & James 1:25):
Try again, one more time! Don't give up! James 5:11
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Testing, 1, 2, 3 Testing!
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
God tests us, but not because He wants to put stumbling blocks in our way, or because He really doesn't want us to be successful. He tests us because He wants us to be completely and totally His. (Deut. 13:3). When we come to Him and decide we want a relationship with Him more than we want anything else, it is then and only then that we can be completely His. That is what He is after. Having us completely. He wants us sold out to Him, one hundred percent for Him, because that is how He is toward us (John 3:16). He wants us to perservere and determine to follow Him even if it may mean being offended, and then choosing to let go of that offense. God's testing helps us be fully committed. When we are tested and we decide to seek Him eventhough we have to struggle for it, (James 1:3) that decision and determination helps us get to a place where we can love Him completely.
Loving Him helps us be more willing to do His will, which is to lovingly serve others.
He loves us totally and completely and wants us to return the favor, even when we are not seeking Him, He still desires to be close to us.
Read More: Luke 8:12-14
Prayer: Lord, help me not fall away, but instead remain faithful to You!
Plan of Action: Pray about letting go of past offenses.
God tests us, but not because He wants to put stumbling blocks in our way, or because He really doesn't want us to be successful. He tests us because He wants us to be completely and totally His. (Deut. 13:3). When we come to Him and decide we want a relationship with Him more than we want anything else, it is then and only then that we can be completely His. That is what He is after. Having us completely. He wants us sold out to Him, one hundred percent for Him, because that is how He is toward us (John 3:16). He wants us to perservere and determine to follow Him even if it may mean being offended, and then choosing to let go of that offense. God's testing helps us be fully committed. When we are tested and we decide to seek Him eventhough we have to struggle for it, (James 1:3) that decision and determination helps us get to a place where we can love Him completely.
Loving Him helps us be more willing to do His will, which is to lovingly serve others.
He loves us totally and completely and wants us to return the favor, even when we are not seeking Him, He still desires to be close to us.
Read More: Luke 8:12-14
Prayer: Lord, help me not fall away, but instead remain faithful to You!
Plan of Action: Pray about letting go of past offenses.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
My God Can!
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
First, it is important to realize that our God can! Once we decide to believe the truth that God is our God, that He is all powerful, and that He can do whatever it is that needs to be done, then we can start working on the truth that He wants to use us to do His will.
It is amazing how God will orchestrate our circumstances and how He will work things out for our benefit and His glory! When we think there is no way, when we think it can't be done, when we think we can't do it, He can and does work it out. Often in ways we did not expect and couldn't imagine. Sometimes we just need to stand back and let Him work. That is why the Word says we need self-control. It is so hard to let Him have control so that He can work His way. We often want to 'help' out, but sometimes we can end up getting in the way and hindering His plan of action. That means staying close to Him to identify when He is wanting to use us and to recognize just how much we should do.
Prayer:
God help us to be ready when You want to use us and help us only do what You would have us do and no more.
Read More:
2 Samuel 22:30 & Philippians 4:13
Plan of Action:
Daily prayer and Bible reading.
First, it is important to realize that our God can! Once we decide to believe the truth that God is our God, that He is all powerful, and that He can do whatever it is that needs to be done, then we can start working on the truth that He wants to use us to do His will.
It is amazing how God will orchestrate our circumstances and how He will work things out for our benefit and His glory! When we think there is no way, when we think it can't be done, when we think we can't do it, He can and does work it out. Often in ways we did not expect and couldn't imagine. Sometimes we just need to stand back and let Him work. That is why the Word says we need self-control. It is so hard to let Him have control so that He can work His way. We often want to 'help' out, but sometimes we can end up getting in the way and hindering His plan of action. That means staying close to Him to identify when He is wanting to use us and to recognize just how much we should do.
Prayer:
God help us to be ready when You want to use us and help us only do what You would have us do and no more.
Read More:
2 Samuel 22:30 & Philippians 4:13
Plan of Action:
Daily prayer and Bible reading.
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