Saying No to Discouragement

Romans 8: 35-39

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Say no to discouragement and return to your roots! Go back to the cross... remember your salvation...return to the arms of The Lord. Malachi 3:7 - It is a two way relationship and pleasant peace is found in God.

When bad things happen people tend to run from God, rather than turning to Him as the one that can help their situation. Make sure you make God your first choice when it comes to fixing problems; He loves to help and He is always there for you. Ramp up your prayer life, bible study and church attendance. In all your actions live a life that is pleasing to The Lord. James 4:5-10

God's word admonishes us and we must be his light. Radiate God's love for all to see! Matthew 5:13-16.

You are God's beacon to the world - let your spiritual light shine for the world to see. Let your Life song sing to the world and let it give praise to God and bring others to know Him.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 Be ready for when Jesus returns - spread His joy until that day comes, but always be waiting and watching. Live your lives in a way that would be pleasing to Him if He did come today.
 
Be sure you are spreading the right message - spread happiness and love, not doom and gloom. See good in all things - replace negatives with positives.
 
Psalms 37:1-4
Psalms 73:38
 
You can trust in God - commit yourself to Him. Where else can you find a friend so dependable?
 
Rejoice in The Lord! Philippians 4:1-5. Brag on Him now because you never know when it will be your last chance!
 
Philippians 4:6-7
Psalms 34:1-3
 
If others see you always smiling, always happy and always finding the good in life - they will want what you have. Make them desire that peace found only in Jesus - make them desire the love that is found from our Father in Heaven. Lead others to Jesus simply through how you live your life!
 

Be Full of the Spirit

 

When Satan attacks you are usually on the verge of something awesome. The Devil doesn't want good to win over, so that is when He is really on the prowl!

Galatians 5:16-17 - Plan to walk in the spirit and be prepared. Use God as a cloak of protection!

Ephesians 4:29 - Always be leery of the words that you speak. You are a banner of God's love and a door to the truth - don't cloud it with foul talk of this world. Anger is not sin - it is what you do with it. The same is true of any emotion... it is how you deal with it and what you let that emotion turn into. We all get angry and we all have times where we feel a way that is less than desirable, but if you let that emotion turn into negative actions, that is when you lose control to Satan. Romans 7 - There is a constant battle between the flesh and The Spirit. Make sure the flesh is not taking control!

We were created by God for worship. When we don't worship we are missing a key piece of our existence. Amos 3:3 - Can two walk together if they are not agreed? No they can not! The same is with The Spirit and our flesh - we must desire that which The Spirit desires so that we can be whole and walk with The Lord as he created us to do. We have The Spirit within us, it is important to always live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Ephesians 5:9-21

God is more willing to share with us than we are to share with our kids. Can you imagine that? How much would you give your kids? Is there anything you wouldn't do for them? It is the same with God. We are His children and He loves us and wants the best for us. Luke 11:13

If you aren't filled with The Spirit it is because you don't want to be. The choice is yours, make sure that you choose right! The Lord wants to dwell in you, invite him in! He has promised The Spirit, ask for it! If you aren't full of The Spirit - you are simply full of yourself!

What Will You Do With Jesus???

It is important that we are close to Jesus in our walk. Each day we should focus ourselves on three main goals:

1. Walking with Jesus
2. Waiting for Jesus
3. Watching for Jesus

Walking with Jesus: Luke 24:13-25 / Luke 24:27-32 How consistent is your walk? Do you strive each day to be closer to Jesus, to have him by your side each step of the way?

Amos 3:3 - That verse makes a lot of sense if you think about it. Do we walk with people that are like us, or do we walk with those that we have nothing in common with? Of course we choose to be around those that are like us... it is the same way with fellowship with Jesus. You must be likeminded to walk closely.

1 Corinthians 7:17 - It is important that you walk in the calling that you are given. Your walk will not be the same as your neighbor's and you must be okay with that.

Colossians 2:6 / Galatians 5:16 / Galatians 5:25 - These verses all enforce the importance of being likeminded with Jesus. The Kingdom of God is a "bridal relationship". You need to give Jesus the respect that you would give to a spouse...strive for that closeness. Being close with Jesus makes you long suffering and compassionate. It isn't always easy - but the rewards are worth it!

Waiting for Jesus: Luke 19:10 / Luke 19:12 - Jesus wants us to take our gifts that God has given us. He wants us to grow those, to expand upon them. If Jesus gives you a gift that isn't used, it is like you are ignoring a blessing that has been bestowed upon you. You must be busy with the Lord's work while you are here on this Earth. Idle hands are the Devil's tool, just make sure they are busy with the right things!

Acts 1:8 - Be cheerful and let your joy enrich the lives of others. If you are a true believer that is filled with the spirit you will also be filled with the abilities to represent God in this world. Let your actions speak for Him and always live like Jesus is coming today.

Acts 4:31 / Luke 8:40 - Be vigilant, be ready, be waiting... always waiting for Jesus.

Watching for Jesus: Luke 21:25 / Luke 21:40-44 - Matthew 24:36 No man or woman, no angel nor demon knows when Jesus will return... but they all know that He WILL return.

Don't while away your time. It is up to you to watch - be the watchman for yourself, for your family and for your friends. Think of all those you are responsible for - all those you have the chance to save with just spreading the Gospel.

Earn it, work for it, yearn for it. Be ready, watchful and vigilant - always watching for Jesus.

Appreciating God

We must be thankful for all that God has done for us, and all that God is. 1 Chronicles 16 - Give glory to His name! David shows his appreciation in Psalms 27 - he was a great testament to showing the Lord thanks for all He has done.

We should always be quick to brag on God. Be quick to give him the glory for the blessings He has given you. Show what He has done for you so that others will desire Him as well. You are a living testimony to God's enduring love and grace - the best way to show appreciation is to share those blessings with others.

Be thankful for Jesus! 2 Corinthians 9:15 There aren't words fit to describe the sacrifice that God gave when he sent Jesus to die for our sins. Psalms 119:89,97,105,128,133,165 - cry thanks out to God, let your appreciation show for the world to see!

Know the truth and it shall set you free! John 8 / Romans 10:17. Faith comes by hearing, and sometimes it is you that the lost will hear. You must be the voice of the Word of God!

John 16:7 - Get to know the comforter well, receive Him as He has been promised to you. Enjoy the peace that He can bring to your life.

Your salvation is eternal - God seals us and keeps us once we have believed. Ephesians 1:12-13. In spite of our sin, rebellion and disobedience we are still saved. Be thankful that you don't have to worry about your salvation, about where you will spend eternity. You no longer need to fear Hell because as a believer you are promised Heaven and God is faithful to all His promises! As a believer you are saved for all eternity - and no one can take that gift from you.

Romans 8:1-2 / 1 John 5:10 - It is black and white. Once you have received the Son you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 was written for believers so that there is no doubt that salvation is eternal. 1 Chronicles 16:8 - We are to call upon Him, trust in Him. Live on the edge and you fall off - so make sure you walk fully in the light of the Lord following His way.

Having a close walk with God is important to our happiness here on Earth as well as in achieving our rewards in Heaven. Failure is not an option and God NEVER fails. Nothing is impossible with his help, but you must trust fully that He is capable of helping you. Romans 6:14-18 / Acts 2:41-47

Practicing Faith

"Faith is the substance of things that are hoped for and the evidence of things unseen."                                                                          Hebrews 11:1

The Bible says that we must have faith - even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains! Matthew 17:20

Me must get beyond the substance - things that are unseen are often the ones hardest to wrap our heads around. That doesn't make them any less important!

In school we strive for good marks on our report cards. In life we must strive for good marks from God.  Look to God for help in all things and boast not of your own accomplishment, for it is only through God that we are able to succeed. Some say leave life to fate, but even fate is the work of God.

John 6:28 Go said it, I believe it and that settles it! Romans 1:17 - We must walk and live by faith - and through that faith God will make it a reality.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Any man who takes on Christ as his savior is then a new creature. Old things are passed away and all things become new. Matthew 21:22 has a wonderful promise from God - promising that we will be given anything we ask for in prayer if we have faith it will be given to us. The key to that promise is we have to have faith that God can and will deliver. You must claim it!

1 John 2:13
Mark 11:22

 

The Importance of the Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
If you know Christ as your savior then He becomes #1 in your life. The Gospel is important and it must be faithfully proclaimed.

The Gospel is for saved believers and He was us the share the Word with those that are non-believers in the hopes that they will change their mind and choose salvation. Matthew 28 tells us that we are to proclaim the Gospel.

Think of those who are lost and who will remain lost if we don't share the Word of God. We aren't called to keep our faith quiet - share the joy that the love of the Lord brings you!

The Gospel is to be believed. Christ died for our sins - He willingly shed his blood for us because He loves us. John 15:13 - Jesus counts us as friends, how amazing and wonderful is that!?! He came here to Earth specifically to save us. What a gift he has given to each and every one of us as believers!

Salvation is deliverance. Jesus gave us that as a gift when he died and was buried and then raised again.

We must worship God, not just on Sunday, but ALL THE TIME! Let God's light shine in you - show the world what the Gospel has done for you. Believe in ALL that God tells us so that you may share it wholeheartedly - lead others to the salvation that you have already secured for yourself!

Finally, the Gospel must be received. You must accept the Lord as your savior so that you may be entitled to all the things he has promised us.

The Lord sent us His Son and His Word to ensure we life our lives in a way that is pleasing to him - give His message the attention it deserves; read it, live it, share it!

Keep the Word alive - it must be Preached > Believed > Received and we each must be willing to take a stand. Take a stand for what is right and for what God wants us to do. Always choose Jesus, obey God over man for his gifts are eternal and things of this world so rapidly pass away...

Precious Promises from God

Did you know that there are more than 30,000 promises to us from God? It is up to us to Name Them and Claim Them!!!

 

 

Philippians 4:13 Seek His help and claim your blessings! 2 Peter 1:1-8 There is no reason to want anything less than what we are promised. These promises were made through Jesus Christ and they are only for believers... not for the world! We must "cast our cares" upon the Lord. Trust Him and lean on Him.

We were given the tools to help us in life. For example, when we are sick we can go to the doctor. God gave us medications and gave us those skilled in medicine to help heal us... but none of that will ever replace God's role. We must use the resources he has given us, don't always expect that his answers will come in the form you expect them to be in, or in a direct manner at all. Use whatever resources He has provided you, but don't let that be a substitute for having a close fellowship with God.

God's promises make life worth living. John 15:5 - without Him we can not succeed. We worry about troubles and sometimes we let worry take over our lives. Fight against worry and pessimism with the power of the Lord. Philippians 4:19 - Take it to God and He will supply!

Acts 17:24 We have an eternal home as believers. 2 Peter 3:13 / Hebrews 4:5. God is constructing a new Heaven and earth and He promises us rest. Revelations 7:16-17.

The promises of God will never fail because God can not fail!

Titus 1:1-2 The Lord never forgets his promises. Psalms 105:42

The promises of God will never fail because God is able to deliver in every way! Romans 4:20-21