I was thinking about how easy it is to forget God's promises when Satan whispers his sneaky lies into our ears. The best way to ignore him is to keep focusing more and more on the truth, the Word of God. And then speak it out against the lies... His Word is the "sword of the spirit"..... so use it! (Ephesians 6:17)
Satan's lie: "You can't handle this"
God's promise: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13
Satan's lie: "Well I don't think Christ has strength for this"
God's promise: "With God, all things are possible" Matthew 19:26 "Now God has not only raised the Lord [from death], but will also raise us up through His power." 1 Corinthians 6:14
Satan's lie: "God can forgive... but not that."
God's promise: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9 "Who is a God like you? You forgive sin and overlook the rebellion of your faithful people. You will not be angry forever, because you would rather show mercy." ... Micah 7:18 "... But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God. You are patient, always faithful and ready to forgive. ..." Psalm 86:15
Satan's lie: "Okay, so he forgave you. But he can't use you now. You're damaged goods."
God's promise: "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you by the Messiah Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, establish you, strengthen you, and support you." 1 Peter 5:10
Satan's lie: "What happened to you as a child has ruined you. You have an excuse to be the way you are. God understands. It's okay to feel like a victim."
God's promise: "The Spirit of the Almighty LORD is with me because the LORD has anointed me to deliver good news to humble people. He has sent me to heal those who are brokenhearted, to announce that captives will be set free and prisoners will be released" Isaiah 61:1
Satan's lie: "this sickness is incurable. Didn't you hear the doctor?"
God's promise: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." Ephesians 3:20 "For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds," says the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
Speak the truth into life and then watch God's amazing power in action... smashing the lies! But we have to speak it. And we have to speak it with faith.
"... For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit ..." Hebrews 4:12
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Luther
I saw this movie last night, and wow...
For those who did not know (I didn't, lol), Martin Luther (not Martin Luther King) was a German Monk (1483-1546) who reformed against the Roman church to spread the TRUTH about salvation, and also translated the entire Bible into the German language, so that the Germans could finally read it for themselves instead of depending on the Romans, who had it totally corrupted.
The Roman church had a lucrative business of charging people money to buy "indulgences" which basically meant they could buy a document saying that their dead relative was now saved from hell. Luther himself bought an indulgence to "save" his dead grandfather, until he started to realize this wasn't making any sense. This isn't what scripture says we need to do for salvation. Scripture says we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ, not works (Ephesians 2:8,9). But the Germans couldn't read this for themselves because the Romans wouldn't allow them to have the Bible in their own language.
So Luther risked his life many times against the Roman church, to spread the truth, and by himself, he translated the entire Bible in German and finally they had it in their own language to see for themselves, the truth of Salvation.
Can you imagine how different life in this world would be sometimes if certain people didn't stand up and make a change?
And I'm so thankful to be born in a time, and place, where I am free to worship my God, and have access to His Word to see for myself. We have it so good, people!!!
For those who did not know (I didn't, lol), Martin Luther (not Martin Luther King) was a German Monk (1483-1546) who reformed against the Roman church to spread the TRUTH about salvation, and also translated the entire Bible into the German language, so that the Germans could finally read it for themselves instead of depending on the Romans, who had it totally corrupted.
The Roman church had a lucrative business of charging people money to buy "indulgences" which basically meant they could buy a document saying that their dead relative was now saved from hell. Luther himself bought an indulgence to "save" his dead grandfather, until he started to realize this wasn't making any sense. This isn't what scripture says we need to do for salvation. Scripture says we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ, not works (Ephesians 2:8,9). But the Germans couldn't read this for themselves because the Romans wouldn't allow them to have the Bible in their own language.
So Luther risked his life many times against the Roman church, to spread the truth, and by himself, he translated the entire Bible in German and finally they had it in their own language to see for themselves, the truth of Salvation.
Can you imagine how different life in this world would be sometimes if certain people didn't stand up and make a change?
And I'm so thankful to be born in a time, and place, where I am free to worship my God, and have access to His Word to see for myself. We have it so good, people!!!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Pressing On
"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
Philippians 3:12-14
I just love the book of Phillipians, because it's just packed full of encouragement from Paul (who, by the way, used to persecute and kill Christians until Jesus saved him) to the church... to believers who may be feeling weary in their race, in their work for God.
Sometimes in my serving, I feel like no one appreciates it, so why do I bother? For example, I actually thought many times that I should quit serving in my church nursery because I felt so underappreciated, I was doing it 2 Sundays
per month, and I started noticing I wasn't getting invited to certain
things that others in the leadership were, and I was like "why am I doing this if no one cares" and then I said to myself, you know what? I'm here for the kids. They need good leaders. So isntead of quitting, I volunteered to be there EVERY Sunday instead of every OTHER Sunday, lol... and I love it, and I just don't care if I am appreciated or not, because it isn't for my glory anyway, duh!
But funnily enough, I started to notice that they were very appreciative towards me, and I started noticing them reaching out to me, and maybe I was just feeling too sorry for myself and over-imagining things. Maybe too much self-focus, and not enough focus on serving for the cause of Christ.
Take a look at why you're serving, and doing good for others. Is it for your glory, or God's anyway? Once you make up your mind to do it for the real Cause, you'll notice blessings upon you in this life, but especially once you've reached the end of the race, which is heaven.
Important: Don't be confused to think you need to do these works to EARN heaven. Jesus already paid our way through His death and ressurection. Salvation is through faith, NOT works, lest we should boast (Ephesians 2:8,9). However, the Bible says that our faith is useless without works (James 2:14), because they go hand in hand... how can you excersize your faith without an action? This is what we do to glorify God who gave His life for us. That's why Paul says God is calling us to the heavenly prize THROUGH Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14
I just love the book of Phillipians, because it's just packed full of encouragement from Paul (who, by the way, used to persecute and kill Christians until Jesus saved him) to the church... to believers who may be feeling weary in their race, in their work for God.
Sometimes in my serving, I feel like no one appreciates it, so why do I bother? For example, I actually thought many times that I should quit serving in my church nursery because I felt so underappreciated, I was doing it 2 Sundays
per month, and I started noticing I wasn't getting invited to certain
things that others in the leadership were, and I was like "why am I doing this if no one cares" and then I said to myself, you know what? I'm here for the kids. They need good leaders. So isntead of quitting, I volunteered to be there EVERY Sunday instead of every OTHER Sunday, lol... and I love it, and I just don't care if I am appreciated or not, because it isn't for my glory anyway, duh!
But funnily enough, I started to notice that they were very appreciative towards me, and I started noticing them reaching out to me, and maybe I was just feeling too sorry for myself and over-imagining things. Maybe too much self-focus, and not enough focus on serving for the cause of Christ.
Take a look at why you're serving, and doing good for others. Is it for your glory, or God's anyway? Once you make up your mind to do it for the real Cause, you'll notice blessings upon you in this life, but especially once you've reached the end of the race, which is heaven.
Important: Don't be confused to think you need to do these works to EARN heaven. Jesus already paid our way through His death and ressurection. Salvation is through faith, NOT works, lest we should boast (Ephesians 2:8,9). However, the Bible says that our faith is useless without works (James 2:14), because they go hand in hand... how can you excersize your faith without an action? This is what we do to glorify God who gave His life for us. That's why Paul says God is calling us to the heavenly prize THROUGH Christ Jesus.
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