Archive for August, 2010

God’s Word Will Make You Free

Many people are afraid that God’s Word will put them in
bondage. But Jesus said God’s Word would make you free.

JOHN 8:31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you
abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free.”

Abide means to live, to continue, or to spend time somewhere.

If you continue to spend time in Jesus’ Word — you will know
the truth.

When you know the truth, you will act on that knowledge, and
acting on the truth will make you free!

The Bible, especially the message of Jesus Christ in the New
Testament, will set you free if you continue in it.

We are not guaranteed instant results, although they sometimes
do happen. Freedom is certain, however, if you stick with God’s
Word. Jesus gave His guarantee!

If you are not enjoying freedom in any area of your life, you
have not continued in God’s Word enough in that area.

God’s Word has the information that, when acted upon, will make
you free!

SAY THIS: I will continue in God’s Word and it will make me
free.

Cast Your Cares

1 PETER 5:7 AMPLIFIED
7 Casting the whole of your care — all your anxieties, all
your worries, all your concerns, once and for all — on Him;
for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you
watchfully.

God is not just mildly interested in you. He cares for you just
as a good mother cares for her infant child — affectionately
and watchfully.

Would it be reasonable for a well-loved infant to worry?
Neither is it reasonable for you to worry when God loves you
and has promised to take care of you.

To worry you must believe one of two lies: God can’t take care
of you, or God won’t take care of you.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 NRSV
6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Worry is not appropriate for a child of God.

SAY THIS: I throw all my cares on God because He cares for me.

Don’t Judge By Appearance

JOHN 7:24 NKJ
24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with
righteous judgment.”

Making a snap judgment based on appearance often works — but
not always. And the exceptions can really cost you.

The world teaches us to judge people by their appearance. But
God doesn’t judge people by how they look — and neither should
we.

1 SAMUEL 16:7 NLT
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance
or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t make
decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.”

One main reason we’re not qualified to judge others is because
we don’t know their thoughts and intentions. Only God does.

As they say, “You can’t always judge a book by its cover.”

LUKE 16:15 CEV
15 But Jesus told them: You are always making yourselves look
good, but God sees what is in your heart. The things that most
people think are important are worthless as far as God is
concerned.

It is important that we treat all people with respect — since
they are created and loved by God — no matter how they look.

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to not judge people by their
appearance.

The Holy Spirit Will Help You

JOHN 14:16 NKJ
16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another
Helper, that He may abide with you forever,

If you allow Him to, the Holy Spirit will guide you in every
area of life; from the words you should speak, to the spouse
you should marry, to the investments you should make.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity of God. It
is difficult for humans to understand how there can be only one
God, as the Scriptures teach, yet He can reveal Himself as
three persons. So do not let it be an obstacle for you, or be
drawn into fighting about it.

The Holy Spirit is a person, not just a force. He should be
treated with the utmost respect and gratitude.

I have personally found the Holy Spirit to be a wonderful,
wonderful Helper — in so many ways. Even in simple, practical
things, like reminding me of things, or helping me to find
misplaced items. The Holy Spirit is truly interested in
everything that affects you, and desires to help you — if you
will allow Him to.

No doubt, the Holy Spirit has been helping you, too. You just
may not have recognized it. You may have called it “a hunch” or
“it just came to me” or “I just had an idea.” Start giving
thanks to the real source of your help — the Holy Spirit of
God.

The Bible mentions several ways the Holy Spirit helps: teaching
you all things, bringing the Word to your remembrance, telling
you of things to come, revealing to you the things of God,
comforting you, encouraging you, empowering you to be a
witness, and bringing life and healing to you.

You are not facing life all alone — as an orphan would. The
Holy Spirit is with you continually — living with you. When
you need help He is never far away, but always right with you,
waiting for you to call on Him for His help.

SAY THIS: Holy Spirit, I appreciate your help. Thank you for
guiding me in life and helping me in every way.

God Is Not A Liar

NUMBERS 23:19 ICB
19 God is not a man. He will not lie. God is not a human being.
He does not change his mind. What he says he will do, he does.
What he promises, he keeps.

Too many of us judge God by ourselves, or those we normally
deal with. Unfortunately, honesty is scarce today. We are
accustomed to people lying to us.

But God is different. He does not lie. Not ever.

TITUS 1:2 NKJ
2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised
before time began,

SAY THIS: My God is not a liar. He will do what He said He
would do.