Thursday, February 25, 2010

Are you weighed down by guilt?

Even after trusting Christ to save us, most Christians still experience spiritual defeat. One of the mistakes we make is trying to carry the burdens which Jesus already took.

Do you constantly feel guilty about your past? The devil is trying to derail you from your new journey. Remind him and yourself that you are the righteousness of God. Jesus took all your sins and even carried your infirmities.
But if it is a habitual sin, you do need to address the problem. Repent. Committing sin knowingly is exploiting God’s grace. But fear not.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Each new day ask the Holy Spirit to help you follow Him more closely as you meditate on the Word and walk in faith.
Now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy.”
Jude 1:24 NLT

Always remember your righteousness is Jesus Christ himself, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

God wants the best for you

Lev 19:24-25

"But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal.
And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the LORD your God."

In verse 23, the children of Israel were instructed to wait three years before they even considered the fruit from the trees they planted.

As I was reading these verses this morning, I realized how far we have diverted from God’s original plan for our health and increase. I know some of you are ready to argue the fact that we are no longer under the law and I agree with you entirely. But don't forget that all scripture was inspired by the Holy Spirit for instruction and guidance. Therefore always listen to the Holy Spirit as you read and meditate on what He guides you to read.

In this scripture the following two points stood out:
1. Gratitude for what God provides for us. The fruit in the fourth year was set aside for thanksgiving and praise. 'A grateful heart does not complain!'
2. The maturity of the fruit: if we pick our produce before it matures, we interfere with its quality, both the yield and the nutrition of our food is jeopardized.

No wander our food lacks quality nutrients. To our loving Father, a mature apple had to grow its fruit for 4 years before they would be picked. This gave the tree time to produce both quality and quantity. But what do we do today? We fertilizers the soil and spray the tree and the fruits with dangerous chemicals so that we may get the harvest in one year!!!!
Madness isn’t it? Let’s go back to the basics. Back to nature, no tricks,.

When purchasing your produce, choose organic and live longer. God wants the best for you.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Exploiting God's grace?

Are you eating food you know is not good for your health on the presumption that you are "free". Of course Jesus set you free. Yet Jesus the son of God who was free to do anything never gave in to the devil's enticements in the wilderness or anywhere else for that matter. Instead being led by the Holy Spirit, He used the Word of God to resist the devil. Can we relate His answers to our present circumstances?
When you are led by the Holy Spirit, the devil may quote perfect scripture after scripture but that will not move you. You will know exactly what to say and what to do.
1. Luke 4:3 “If you are the Son of God, command the stone to become bread”. Did Jesus do it? Remember, He turned water into wine. Why didn’t He do it? It was not profitable. Read 1 Corinthians 10:23.
2. Luke 4:6 You may say that you cannot worship the devil but do you know that if you follow his suggestions he becomes your master?
3. Luke 4:5 He took Him to the high mountain and tempted Him to through Himself down. See how the devil quotes these scriptures perfectly? But Jesus would not budge. His answer was: “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” And the devil departed.

What do you do when the devil or your flesh tempts you to turn God nutritious vegetables into stone? What do you do when he tempts you to eat 5 donuts full of corn syrup as he reminds you that you are free to eat what you want as long as you bless it?

Ah, but look at Like 4:14, “Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee….” You are supposed to convey God’s glory here on earth both physically and spiritually, does your lifestyle help you to do that?

Assess yourself and take a positive step to change. 1 Corinthians 10:23 '"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.' NIV
So you are free to eat what you want but still listening to the Holy Spirit will save you a lot of complications.
Jesus is calling us to change. Make the quality decision and be the ambassador He sent you to be!