There are many places in the Bible where we are promised long life. In the book of Genesis God promised us 120 years (Gen 6:3) and he reaffirmed this in Exodus chapter 23 and verse 26 (KJV): "the number of thy days I will fulfill”. Again, in Psalm chapter 91 and verse 16 we read: "with long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

So, what can we do to live a long life? We are taught that: "the fear of the Lord prolongs days" (Prov 10:28) and that to obey God’s law and commandments will add: “length of days, and long life and peace” (Prov 3:2). The men (or women) that seek wisdom will also see long life (Prov 3:16) and in Deuteronomy (Deut 5:16) we were commanded to honor our parents with the promise that we would the enjoy a long and prosperous life.

These are all great promises but in order to receive them we have to believe them and receive them by faith. If you feel you just cannot believe them then spend time reading them over and over and speaking them out loud till you get a revelation of them and have faith in them (till you get them in your heart and not just your mind; Rom 10:17). God's word is powerful, never fails but always achieves his objectives (in other words it gets the job done) (Isa 55:11). His promises are yes and amen (2 Cor 1:20).

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In Acts 14:22b Paul clearly tells us that as Christians if we visibly walk the walk, we will suffer tribulation (see also 2 Thess 1:4-5). Tribulation is best seen as pressure applied to us to make us give up. Obviously, this is engineered by the devil (1 Peter 5:8) but he uses circumstances, situations and people to bring this pressure. Jesus told us to expect this pressure in the world but he encouraged us by adding the we should rejoice because he has: “overcome the world” (John 16:33; KJV).

We share in Christ’s victory over the devil (Col 2:15) and we walk in Christ’s authority (Matt 28:18-20). Remember the greater one lives in you (1 John 4:4). We are not fighting people here but simply asserting the spiritual authority Jesus won for us with the spiritual weapons he provided (Eph 6:10-18).

Stand firm and put on God’s armor: “having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:14-17).

Resist the devil with your armor and spiritual weapons and he has to flee from you (James 4:7). When tribulation comes, speak the word in faith. Have a victorious day.

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Psalm 103:2-3 talks about God’s benefits and reminds us that he heals all of our diseases. God told his people in Old Testament times that as long as they listened to him, obeyed his commandments and did what was right they would walk in his healing and health (Ex 15:26). We live in New Testament times and we know that we are healed by the stripes of Jesus (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus body was flogged, broken and striped with wounds so we could be whole.

In Acts 10:38 (KJV) Luke the physician wrote about Jesus: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him”. Jesus is still our healer today; are told in the book of Hebrews that he never changes (Heb 13:8).

So, he can heal but will he heal me you may ask? Well God is no respecter of person (Mark 12:14). Jesus reassured the doubting leper: “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean”. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matt 8:3).

Alleluia! Healing is yours, believe God for it today.

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When we were born again it was our spirit that was reborn, not our flesh (soul and body). “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see he kingdom of God. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:3, 5-6; KJV). We need to renew our minds (Rom 12:2) and bring our bodies under (1 Cor 9:27). This is all put another way in Eph 4:22-24 (also see Col 3:9-10). Paul writes about putting off the old man or old nature and lifestyle and putting on the new man or allowing the Holy Spirit and the word to transform us to be more and more like Christ.

We cannot do this in our own strength, we need to come before God in humility and ask his help in emptying ourselves of self and to be transformed into his likeness. Sure, this involves things like controlling lust and anger and watching what we say but we also need to examine ourselves and ask God to show us the things in our core that limit his hand in our lives: pride, ego, stubbornness, rebelliousness, lack of submission, self-seeking, seeking recognition, to mention a few.

I heard a preacher once say that the thing that most struck him about Christians was how little they changed; how superficial their relationship with God was. I don’t think he was being cynical but honest. Wow, this isn’t where I want to be; how about you? God will change us if we let him; but be warned, it can be a painful process. However, the rewards of intimacy with God and growing in him are awesome. Let’s get serious with God. He’s waiting on his church. 

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I love the Psalms; reading one a day is a good plan. David really shows his love, fear of and heart for God in his poetry. In writing Psalm 139 verses 23 and 24 King David humbled himself before his God and cried out that his heavenly Father would search his heart for any wickedness and show him how to walk in Godliness.

As with David, we cannot do this and walk the walk on our own; o how we need God in our lives. In Romans chapter 2 and verse 15 we are told that our born-again spirits, (hearts or consciences) will show us if we are right or wrong if we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate and strengthen our spirits with the word of God (John 14:26; Rom 8:16).  

Get in the word, ask God to bring you revelation by the Holy Spirit as you read and meditate his word. Allow the spotlight of God’s word to show you where you need to change so you can draw ever closer to God. Remember it is not in our own strength but it is God who shows us the way and empowers us to change and be more like him: “being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6; KJV).

Lord, flood us with your presence, your Holy Spirit today and have your way in our lives.

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