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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someone else to walk in victory with this teaching. All rights reserved.
Sometimes
life is sweet; everything goes according to plan, life is good. However, we all
know that that is not always the case. Sometimes life can just get too much,
things don’t seem to work out and you just feel like giving up. If that’s you
today I want to encourage you with a few scriptures.
“In
the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world” (John 16:33; KJV). “But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:57). “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth
us to triumph in Christ” (2 Cor 2:14).
These
last 2 verses tell us to be thankful; not for the challenges you are facing but despite
them. Everything may look very bleak in the natural but we can be thankful that
we serve a mighty victorious God for whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).
From our verses above we see that with Christ Jesus we are victorious,
triumphant over all the works of satan (Col 2:15). “I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13).
If
you are in the valley today, keep confessing these verses because they are the
word and the word is the truth whether you feel victorious or not. Confessing
the word will build up your faith (Rom 10:17). How long should you keep
confessing them? Until you experience the victory.
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2
Tim. 1:7 (KJV) "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind." The word “fear” there means “timidity”;
the kind of fear that we often experience when it comes to witnessing. However,
according to this verse timidity does not come from God. Proverbs 28:1 says
that the: “righteous are bold as a lion” If you are born again then you are
righteous and therefore you are BOLD.
Let’s see what God has given us instead of
fear. 1. Power; the Greek word used here is dunamis; the power of God that is
like dynamite. 2. Love; the Greek word used here is agape, the unconditional,
selfless love. 3.A sound mind; the Greek word is sophronismus, which means a well-balanced
or self-controlled mind. Next time you are feeling fearful confess this verse
and focus on the 3 things God has given you, not what the devil is lying to you
about.
There
is a beautiful verse in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans: “For ye have
not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father” (Rom 8:15). Fear is not from
our loving father. God’s perfect love drives out all fear from our lives (1
John 4:18) and that love has been poured into our lives by the Holy Spirit (Rom
5:5). Press into God, dwell on his love, cast your cares on him and refuse to receive
the devil’s fear.
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
“Why
art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?” (Ps
43:5; KJV) We all have times of despondency and depression when the weights of
life bear down on us. Isaiah (Is 61:3) told us Jesus would bring us the: “the
garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”.
Depressive
thoughts are fearful thoughts and they don’t come from God; God has given us a
sound mind free from troubling worries (2 Tim 1:7). God does not bring
confusion but peace (1 Cor 14:33). We need to cast our cares on Jesus and he
will strengthen and guard us (Ps 55:22). Paul told us not to be anxious but to
bring our concerns in prayer to God, to have a thankful heart, and then we would
experience God’s peace (Phil 4:6-7).
Paul
also said we should train our minds to dwell upon the things of God; think,
speak and meditate them. “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” (Phil 4:8). This
is the true antidote for worry and depression.
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this helped you then please share this posting with someone else. All rights
reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
In
Romans chapter 7 verse 14 through to chapter 8 verse 2 the apostle Paul
describes the struggle he and we as Christians face. Our spirit is born again
but not our soul and body (John 3:1-6). We are instructed to renew our minds
with God's word (Rom 12:2) and discipline our bodies (1 Cor 9:27). In Romans
chapter 7, Paul laments that his spirit desires to do good but his mind and
body tend toward sin and carnality.
However,
as born-again Christians we have the Holy Spirit in us (1 Cor 6:19) and the
word of God. Paul teaches us in Romans Chapter 8 verse 1-2: "There is
therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who do not
walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death".
Paul
is saying that as Christians God does not condemn us because our new life in Christ
has set us free from the spiritual death that resulted from our old life of
sin. As we strengthen our spirit by allowing the Holy Spirit to bring us
revelation of God's word (John 14:26), we can bring our soul and body into
subjection to our spirit, directed by the Holy Spirit and God’s word. We as
Paul, can walk in victory, the: “Life in Christ Jesus”. The power of the Holy
Spirit enables us in this process (Rom 8:11); he helps us to change (Gal
5:22-23). We cannot change in our own strength.
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someone else to rejoice in this great news; Pass this on. All right reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way:
Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more
encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.