Reading Matthew 26:31-56
Are you disappointed in yourself for failing to fulfill your commitment to our Lord or even to a friend? It happens to most of us.
Without being strong in the Lord our plans are in vain. Look at Peter. He really wanted to stand with the Lord, but he was not prepared spiritually. He was depending on his own ability.
But the battle starts in the spirit realm. If we are not dressed for it in the Spirit and in the Word we cannot win. So when Jesus told Peter to put up his sword and not resist with his physical power, Peter was confused. He even ended up denying the Lord three within a span of hours!
We can only be strong in the Lord by following Jesus’ call in Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Paul gives us very good advice on how to be prepared. Eph. 6:10-18
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
I fix my mind on Your Word
Loving Father, Your Word shall not depart from my mouth; I will meditate on it day and night and follow your principles so that I may be prosperous and have good success.
I am not anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, I present my requests to You, Father. And Your peace which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
Joshua 1:8
Philippians 4:6-8
I am not anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, I present my requests to You, Father. And Your peace which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
Joshua 1:8
Philippians 4:6-8
I submit myself to the Word of God
Holy spirit, thank You for encouraging me to abide in the Word of God as I submit myself to You. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
For though I live in the world, I do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of my warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
I am transformed by the renewing of my mind that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Hebrews 4:12
2 Corintians 10:3-5
Romans 12:2
For though I live in the world, I do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of my warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
I am transformed by the renewing of my mind that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Hebrews 4:12
2 Corintians 10:3-5
Romans 12:2
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Abide in God's Word and you will continue in His will
Psalms 119:11, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!" This is the foundation of obedience and walking in faith.
We can stay in the God's will by studying, meditating on and doing the Word of God.
Mark 14:38 "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." Here Jesus Himself warns us against depending on our thinking and will. We need to be watchful otherwise we may enter into temptation.
This implies that temptation is not accidental. It starts in thought and then planned. Let me give you an example: when driving to a particular destination, you move from one street to enter another. You plan your movements trying to avoid trafic, etc. Temptation can be avoided by watching our thoughts through staying in the Word and in prayer.
Temptation or sin is conceived (Jas. 1:14-15) and therefore its conception can be avoided. It is easier to avoid being tempted by being in constant communion with God, than it is to overcome temptation. Practicing the presence of God thoughout the day keeps us in fellowship with our loving Father, meditating on His Word and therefore, our thoughts are not easily succumbed to temptation.
We can stay in the God's will by studying, meditating on and doing the Word of God.
Mark 14:38 "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." Here Jesus Himself warns us against depending on our thinking and will. We need to be watchful otherwise we may enter into temptation.
This implies that temptation is not accidental. It starts in thought and then planned. Let me give you an example: when driving to a particular destination, you move from one street to enter another. You plan your movements trying to avoid trafic, etc. Temptation can be avoided by watching our thoughts through staying in the Word and in prayer.
Temptation or sin is conceived (Jas. 1:14-15) and therefore its conception can be avoided. It is easier to avoid being tempted by being in constant communion with God, than it is to overcome temptation. Practicing the presence of God thoughout the day keeps us in fellowship with our loving Father, meditating on His Word and therefore, our thoughts are not easily succumbed to temptation.
Friday, November 6, 2009
If it be Thy will Lord
Have you ever prayed "Lord, if it is Your will"? I have found myself doing just that a few times. However, one of the vital principles of answered prayer is to believe that we receive when we pray (Mk. 11:24).
How can we fulfill that condition if we don't know God's will in the situation? Praying, "if it is Your will" removes us from the active position of believing and puts us in the passive position of waiting thus letting circumstances rule our lives. When we pray, we should say and believe the promises of God which are 'YES and AMEN' Jesus said that if we pray and believe what we have prayed we will have what we ask.
The only suitable time to pray, "If it be thy will" is when we are dedicating ourselves to the service of God. We are instructed, whenever we lack wisdom to ask our loving Father. James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
Ephesians 5:17-18 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” This scripture invites us to let the Holy Spirit be our mentor.
How can we fulfill that condition if we don't know God's will in the situation? Praying, "if it is Your will" removes us from the active position of believing and puts us in the passive position of waiting thus letting circumstances rule our lives. When we pray, we should say and believe the promises of God which are 'YES and AMEN' Jesus said that if we pray and believe what we have prayed we will have what we ask.
The only suitable time to pray, "If it be thy will" is when we are dedicating ourselves to the service of God. We are instructed, whenever we lack wisdom to ask our loving Father. James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
Ephesians 5:17-18 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” This scripture invites us to let the Holy Spirit be our mentor.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Walking in the will of God
Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
A sure way to stay in the will of God is by walking in the spirit. Walking in the spirit is away of thinking that lines up with the Word. Walking in the flesh is also a way of thinking that doesn’t agree or align with the Word of God. Chech your thinking: Does it line up with the Word of God? Can you walk in the spirit without knowing the Word of God? Will power may take you for a little while but it will not sustain you. Remember, holiness is being of one mind with God and this will be achieved through walking in the Word by the Holy Spirit.
Decide to walk in spirit today. “I am not going to change the Word of God. I am going to allow the Word to change me”
God says in Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"
John 6:63 Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
A sure way to stay in the will of God is by walking in the spirit. Walking in the spirit is away of thinking that lines up with the Word. Walking in the flesh is also a way of thinking that doesn’t agree or align with the Word of God. Chech your thinking: Does it line up with the Word of God? Can you walk in the spirit without knowing the Word of God? Will power may take you for a little while but it will not sustain you. Remember, holiness is being of one mind with God and this will be achieved through walking in the Word by the Holy Spirit.
Decide to walk in spirit today. “I am not going to change the Word of God. I am going to allow the Word to change me”
God says in Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"
John 6:63 Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)