When we were born again our spirit was made new (John 3:3-7) but we need to bring our body under (1 Cor 9:27) and renew our minds (Rom 12:2). Our minds have had years under the influence of satan and his worldly system that we live in and we need to change our thinking over to God’s influence and ways.

I was looking at Philippians 4:8 (KJV) and the things God says we should meditate on to clean up our minds: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”.

I checked out some of the words from the Greek. Well, true means true and you can’t get closer to the truth than in God’s word. Noble has the sense of something that demands respect. Something that is just, is innocent or even holy. To be pure is to be morally faultless or without blemish. To be lovely is to be lovely. Words of good report are words that lack any negativity or ill report. Virtue, speaks of moral excellence and goodness. God is praiseworthy, so that sets a standard right there. Paul says meditate on these things.

Obviously, God’s word is where our thoughts need to be and we need to train our minds to think along God’s pattern in all our daily interactions and thought processes. The results will be peace (Phil 4:7). Try it you will see results, guaranteed. 

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony." (Rev 12:11 KJV). The "him" used here is referring to the devil. If we are committed Christians then we will always have the devil to contend with (John 10:10) because he doesn't like it when we start getting serious about God.

However, let me encourage you with Rom 16:20: "The God of peace shall bruise satan under your feet shortly”. The verse in Rev 12:11 says that 2 things are needful to overcome the devil. The first one is the work of Jesus done on the cross. Col 2:13-15 reveals that when Jesus died we received forgiveness of sins and Jesus also conquered satan completely (see also Eph 1:20-22).

The second thing that Rev 12:11 talks about is the word of our testimony; this simply means that our words must speak the answer and not the problem. Refuse to speak doubt and fear when faced with difficult situations. Instead speak words of faith such as 1 John 4:4: “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” and Phil 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”. There are many victorious verses in the Bible; write them out and speak them every day so that they will automatically flow from your mouth when you need them.

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

How often we try to fight all our battles on our own? Moses and the children of Israel were trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s army. Moses told Israel in Exodus 14:13-14 (KJV), "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord...The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace”.

God's prophet spoke similar words to King Jehoshaphat when a great army came against Judah. When the praise team went out ahead of Judah's army as directed by God, he brought a huge victory, God fought for Judah.

What is God telling us here? He is saying, trust me, trust my word, do it my way and we will walk in victory every time. In his word, God tells us to cast our cares on him (1 Peter. 5:7), rest in him (Matt. 11:28-30) and seek his word for the answers to the challenges we face. We need to set our faces like flint on his promises (faith in his word) and watch his word work in our lives. It cannot fail. Fighting your own battles without God is hard. Do it God's way.

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

 A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

The high priest and elders tried hard to find a reason to condemn Jesus to death but could not (Matt 26: 57-62; KJV). Finally, the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Christ, the Son of God. I was looking at Jesus reply the other day and it struck me like never before: "Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Matt 26:64).

Jesus was so confident in his Father and Jesus knew who he was and where he was going; He had only one goal, that of complete obedience to the Father. He knew that his reply to the high priest would mean certain death but he spoke the truth. How often God prompts us to share the Gospel with another but because of busyness, fear of rejection, pride or embarrassment, we ignore God’s prompting. What would have happened if Jesus had not had the resolve he did and had not given the reply he did?

I believe, that just like Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, God gives us divine appointments to share Christ with people (Acts 8:26-39). God even says he will give us the words to say (Luke 21:15) and the Holy Spirit sets up those divine appointments (Prov 3:5-6). All we have to do is show up, do our part and be obedient. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner who repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). Let’s do it, it’s a spiritual rush.

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.  

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

In Nehemiah 8:10 it says that: "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (KJV). So, how do we get this joy? Do we plaster a big smile on our faces and pretend? No! Gal 5:22 tells us that joy is a fruit of the Spirit; so, as Christians, with the Holy Spirit on the inside of us, joy should naturally develop.

However, in order for this fruit to develop we need to be abiding in the vine (spending time with Jesus) as we learn in John 15. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Just as an apple will naturally develop on an apple tree so joy will naturally develop as we keep abiding in Christ.

The Bible also says that we should: "rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil 4:4). As you know we don't always "feel" like being joyful, but the kind of joy we are talking about doesn't depend on the circumstances we are in but it is an inner joy in the Lord that we have regardless of our circumstances. We choose to rejoice because the "greater one" lives in us (1 John 4:4) and he has the answer to all our problems.

Spend time with Jesus, in his word, in prayer and in fellowship with him and watch your joy grow.

  A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com