Tag Archive | mind

A Word For Christians

Sep30

SO.  You’ve got the fire insurance. Your forever home will be Heaven.

“But I thought that everything would change when I met Christ.

Nothing’s changed.

In fact, it’s gotten worse!”

Psalm 13:1-2 (NIV)  How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day has sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Even the most notable Christian leaders of our time have experienced the same thing. 

It does not matter who you are. 

Well known or unknown, weak or strong, rich or poor.

It doesn’t matter where you are. 

In a house or in a hut, on a boat or in a plane, in a big city or the smallest of towns.

It doesn’t matter whether you are well-educated or not educated at all. 

The same thing is common for all of the types listed above.

Things can get worse after receiving Christ. 

“Why?” you ask.

Simply put, you now have an enemy. 

 He would like to destroy the potential you gained by saying “Yes” to Jesus.

If you have not said “Yes” to Jesus , please see the “Rescue” tab on this blog.

Why would I want to say “Yes” if this is what is going to happen? 

We’ll look at that shortly.

In the following scriptures, you will read what God says about

you and your struggle.     

Romans 8:37-39 (NASB)  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing can separate us from His love.  What can separate us from the love of God?

Nothing.  No thing.  This love is shown to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So how can we ever stand up against this enemy of our souls? 

Ephesians 6:11-13 (NASB) Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:13-15 (CEV)  So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.  Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor.  Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet.

 

OK.  How do I do this?

 

Read God’s word.  He sent this love letter/road map to guide us in our days here on this earth.  It is …. The Truth.  If we read it, we will know what He thinks about all the things that concern us.

Repent.  What does that mean?  The easiest way I’ve ever heard it said is this way.  Recognize your wrong doing, and turn around and go the other way.  A change of   direction.  God’s word is full of directions for this change.                          Righteousness begins here. 

Be obedient.  Submit your will to God (not as in door mat submit, but as in I love You God submit) Reading His word will show us how He thinks. The first thing we’ll notice is that what He thinks and what the world we live in thinks are very much opposite.  This is why this new life with Christ can be so difficult.  His word never promises it will be easy, it does promise however that it will be worth it.         Strength comes from obedience.

Be intentional.  You’ll have to choose to be intentional.  The enemy of your soul won’t like it one bit.  He’ll distract you at every turn.  You’ll need to choose again and again.  As you choose though, you will see that the choosing becomes easier.           We are beginning to be ready, the gospel shoes are beginning to fit. 

Receive God’s peace.  God’s word gives us peace in our heart.  No matter what goes on in our daily lives, the peace of God lives in our hearts.  When we are in the center of His will for us, He will fully provide for us, no matter how things look.   This means that even in extreme circumstances, we can be at peace.

So here we are, regarding to your question about saying “Yes” to Jesus.

Isn’t it a most amazing idea to have a peaceful heart in the middle of, well …. everything?

Right?

Genius

Sep28

Back in the day~

   You couldn’t climb the rope – You could hear them laugh

   You couldn’t hit the ball – You could get picked last

   You couldn’t read out load – You could turn red in the face and feel like throwing up

   You couldn’t sit still – You could stay in from recess all by yourself

   You couldn’t not talk – You could write “ I will not talk in class” 500 times on                                                                                                                            the chalk board

   You couldn’t run fast – You could day-dream and pass on the whole deal

*Each one of those fiery darts pierced your heart.

*Each one told you something about your worth.

*Each one deepened your sense of shame.

*Each one helped you to add another layer of self-defense around your already broken heart.

*Each one re-declared your sense of failure.

*Each one made you more determined to not be hurt again.

*Each one sent to you by the enemy of your soul.

Please allow me to tell you the truth.

      YOU … are worth it

      YOU … have a special gift to share with the world around you

      YOU … don’t need to guard your heart

      YOU … can trust Jesus to do that for you

      YOU … are not a mistake

      YOU … can begin to think better of yourself

Following are some scriptures to help you in your endeavors.

Please consider printing them on a card and carrying them with you.

you can check them periodically throughout the day that way.

1 John 3:1-3 (NIV1984) How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 (NIV1984) For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

Colossians 3:2 (NIV1984) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Psalm 139:23 (NIV1984) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  (He knows you inside and out)

Proverbs 2:7-8 (NIV1984) He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Fear

Sep2
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      I was four or five at the time.  Mean boys, a couple of years older than I, captured me and put me at the bottom of the tallest tree in my neighbors yard.  From there, they climbed to the lowest branch of that tree and taunted me.  “If you move, we’ll jump on you.”  “If you move, we’ll kill you.”  I didn’t know what “kill” meant, but I knew they were serious.  My heart fluttered and sputtered in my chest.  I could hear their words of torment loud even over the sound of my pounding heart in my head.

fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear  fear fear fear fear fear fear fear 

      This is the first time I can actually remember where fear entered.  The truth was that even if I did not understand the meaning of “kill”, I definately understood the the malice in their tone of voice.  There was no one there to tell me the truth, that little boys don’t “kill” little girls.  There was no one there to stop the lie.  There was no one there to tell me how special I was, or that I did not have to believe all the horrible things they said that day.

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     Had I known the truth, I could have laughed at them and went home to my Mom.  I didn’t go to her though.  Instead I sat there terrified and let that terror nestle close into my heart. 

     Whether their actions would be true or not, I do not know.  What I do know is that even with the feel of the grass itching my skinny little kindergarten legs, my full bladder screaming to be released and the pounding of my heart was not enough to move me until the two decided they were tired of their little game and went home.

     Here’s what I’d like you to do today. 

     Learn at least one new truth about yourself according to God’s Word. 

     I’ve placed a couple of true statements from His Word, the Holy Bible here to get you started. 

     How do you know His Word true?  Or if His Word is a lie?  

     (If you do not know the answer to this question, then first refer to the Rescue Page of this blog.)  

      I’ll be here to help you, but the best thing is that God is always at our side.

      Psalm 23:4* Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.

      Psalm 27:1* The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? 

Experts say that if we repeat anything for twenty eight days, it becomes a habit. 

      Might I suggest that you write these truth words on a card and pocket them?  You can then pull them out throughout the day and remind yourself what God says about fear.

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      Your new habit will be to begin to recognize fear and your answer to it will be the Truth of His Word.

      Your new habit will begin to give you some peace in your heart.

      Your new habit will begin to renew your heart and your mind.

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