Let's think about it for a moment...
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:27-29
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
When was the last time you woke up at 4 in the morning just to tell your father a secret? Just to give Him the “411” on what’s been going on in your life, and more importantly when was the last time you tell Him how much you love Him for saving you from eternal death by sending His son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for you? The Bible says, “"that in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.... For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers.... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)
The armor of God is the belt of truth
the breastplate of righteousness (of Jesus Christ);
the sandals of peace (God’s peace),
the shield of faith (living by faith),
the helmet of salvation (eternal salvation through Christ) Praise the Lord!
and the sword of the Spirit (of God).
The Armor of God is Christ Himself.
This wonderful truth has become reality to all who believe and follow Jesus. When you put on His armor, His life surrounds you, keeping you safe, close to Himself, and free to be His friend. So "put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) He is your victory! Since living in the safety of the armor means oneness with Jesus, we can expect to share His struggles as well as His peace. Remember, God has promised us victory in the midst of trials, not immunity from pain. So "do not be dismayed at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ..." (1 Peter 4:12-13)
The kind of love that Jesus has for us is worthy of praise, even our pain and sufferings seem meaningless when we think of the unconditional love of Christ for the church, along with what awaiting us when we finally see Him face to face and have the privilege of putting our arms around him and to thank Him for His goodness.
Let’s pray together
Heavenly father I thank you for showing me the truth about you. Being your child has been a source of joy, a fact that isn't a surprise considering that you are the source of all good things. Thank you for the gift of life through your son Jesus Christ sacrificial death. Thank you for being the lover of my soul. Thank you for being the Shepherd who leads me beside the still waters and makes me lie down in green pastures. Thank you for being my loving father and all that need to get through each and every day. I love you; accept my prayer and praise in Jesus Holy name. Amen.
Praise the Lord!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Weapon of our Warfare #1
The Word of God (#1)
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com
www,bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
My son, pay attention to my words, Open your ears to what I say. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart, because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22
God's Word is the highest authority. When you place it higher than anything else, your success in life is guaranteed. God is able to keep you from falling into sin but you must submit to His Word. You have to trust God and allow Him to protect you and keep you out of trouble. You have to do your part. Over and over God commands us to read and meditate, He knew that there would be terrible time ahead and the word of God is our strength. The only sure way to rebuke the devil is with the word of God. He was also tempted. Jesus overcame this temptation. He did not yield to Satan’s subtle deception. Jesus responded with God’s Word. The way to fight Satan, when he speaks to us and tempts us in our thoughts, through our flesh, or in our emotions, is by using God’s Word. Jesus said, it is written, THAT MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD (Luke 4:4). Quoting God's Word to Satan caused him to cease this temptation and go on to another. His Word tells every born-again Christian how to live. We are to live by the word of God. We are to live by the Bible. Jesus is our example, consider, He WAS IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED/TESTED LIKE AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN (Heb 4:15) . You can also do it: “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
People say that it is too hard to resist temptation, and I say you can do this. Jesus was tempted while He was on the cross. Satan asked Him to (through one of the thief) come down from the cross and people would believe if he’d do so. Jesus cameso that people would believe in Him. How tempting was that! And what a horrifying thought! If He escaped the cross both you and I would be lost forever. Thank God no temptation could move Jesus to disobey the will of His Father in heaven. In order to be effective in our warfare, you and I must know how to use the Word effectively. It is when, (through) much study and meditation on the Word of God, that word comes to live in us, and consume our thoughts, dwell in our heart, that we will be strong in the Lord. Jesus promised that if we abide in Him, and His Word abides in us, we will ask what we desire, and it will be done for us (John 15:7). This will include victory over Satan tricks.
When you are battling temptation, you can wisely choose to use the weapon God has given you. That weapon is His Word. He has given us a whole arsenal of weapons in His Word. God’s Word says His weapons are Mighty to the pulling down of Strongholds. He has given us a Sword of the spirit (His Word) A Shield of faith (His Word) The Name and the Blood of Jesus, and Authority over the devil.
Praise the Lord!
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com
www,bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
My son, pay attention to my words, Open your ears to what I say. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart, because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22
God's Word is the highest authority. When you place it higher than anything else, your success in life is guaranteed. God is able to keep you from falling into sin but you must submit to His Word. You have to trust God and allow Him to protect you and keep you out of trouble. You have to do your part. Over and over God commands us to read and meditate, He knew that there would be terrible time ahead and the word of God is our strength. The only sure way to rebuke the devil is with the word of God. He was also tempted. Jesus overcame this temptation. He did not yield to Satan’s subtle deception. Jesus responded with God’s Word. The way to fight Satan, when he speaks to us and tempts us in our thoughts, through our flesh, or in our emotions, is by using God’s Word. Jesus said, it is written, THAT MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD (Luke 4:4). Quoting God's Word to Satan caused him to cease this temptation and go on to another. His Word tells every born-again Christian how to live. We are to live by the word of God. We are to live by the Bible. Jesus is our example, consider, He WAS IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED/TESTED LIKE AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN (Heb 4:15) . You can also do it: “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
People say that it is too hard to resist temptation, and I say you can do this. Jesus was tempted while He was on the cross. Satan asked Him to (through one of the thief) come down from the cross and people would believe if he’d do so. Jesus cameso that people would believe in Him. How tempting was that! And what a horrifying thought! If He escaped the cross both you and I would be lost forever. Thank God no temptation could move Jesus to disobey the will of His Father in heaven. In order to be effective in our warfare, you and I must know how to use the Word effectively. It is when, (through) much study and meditation on the Word of God, that word comes to live in us, and consume our thoughts, dwell in our heart, that we will be strong in the Lord. Jesus promised that if we abide in Him, and His Word abides in us, we will ask what we desire, and it will be done for us (John 15:7). This will include victory over Satan tricks.
When you are battling temptation, you can wisely choose to use the weapon God has given you. That weapon is His Word. He has given us a whole arsenal of weapons in His Word. God’s Word says His weapons are Mighty to the pulling down of Strongholds. He has given us a Sword of the spirit (His Word) A Shield of faith (His Word) The Name and the Blood of Jesus, and Authority over the devil.
Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Understanding the Will of God
God's (perfect) will for YOU!
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
Does God have a specific will for every decision in your life? How does God guide us in making decisions that are good? Must we depend on feelings, impressions, and circumstances to determine God’s will? Guidance is a fundamental issue for every Christian. How do we pick which person to marry, which community to live in, what church to attend? The will of God is eternal and immutable. It is visible and ever present. It is easy to discern once you are sensitive to God’s voice. The problem is that not all of us understand the will of God. Not all of us want to live in the perfect will of God. We just want to be blessed beyond measures and to be able to go to God when it is convenient or when we have a need. Some of us just want to use Him like we use people. But God loves us too much, to let us get away with it. He is a good Father.
Most of us think that His desire for us is to be happy and to have the desires of our hearts outside of His will. Others think that He is a father that we can pressure into giving us what we need. So if anything is contrary to that, our flesh rejects it. If God asks us to come out of our comfort zone to witness to people, be disciplined in prayer, or if we become sick, a boyfriend/girlfriend breaks our hearts, a loved one dies we then we pray and pray for God to take that situation away. But the will of God isn’t for us to be happy; it’s for us to be holy and to become better people and to strengthen our faith and to draw us closer to Him, and He teaches us discipline to keep our flesh from taking over our spirit. His goal is to make us more like Him. And sometimes, it takes trials and tribulations to bring us back to God.
We have all heard or have read the scripture, Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” I’ve often heard people say that if you have a deep desire for something, then God has placed that desire in your heart. And sometimes, that’s the case. Sometimes, it’s not. Because the thing He desires most (since the creation) is to be in relationship with you. That’s why the Scripture says delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Because if you’re pursuing God, you’ll desire the things He desires. And if there happens to be some desires that aren’t right for your life, they’ll pass and God will place the right thing in your life and you’ll realize it’s everything you didn’t know you always wanted.
Are you seriously seeking the will of God? Would you like to (finally) find the happiness and peace that you have been longing for? Come to your loving Father. He alone is the wise counselor, Only He has your best interest at heart. Seek God for guidance through CONSISTENT prayer and Look to the scriptures (read your Bible) for direction. Friend, make reading your Bible part of your daily routine and soon, real soon you will find yourself understanding the (perfect) will of God for your life.
Praise the Lord!
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
Does God have a specific will for every decision in your life? How does God guide us in making decisions that are good? Must we depend on feelings, impressions, and circumstances to determine God’s will? Guidance is a fundamental issue for every Christian. How do we pick which person to marry, which community to live in, what church to attend? The will of God is eternal and immutable. It is visible and ever present. It is easy to discern once you are sensitive to God’s voice. The problem is that not all of us understand the will of God. Not all of us want to live in the perfect will of God. We just want to be blessed beyond measures and to be able to go to God when it is convenient or when we have a need. Some of us just want to use Him like we use people. But God loves us too much, to let us get away with it. He is a good Father.
Most of us think that His desire for us is to be happy and to have the desires of our hearts outside of His will. Others think that He is a father that we can pressure into giving us what we need. So if anything is contrary to that, our flesh rejects it. If God asks us to come out of our comfort zone to witness to people, be disciplined in prayer, or if we become sick, a boyfriend/girlfriend breaks our hearts, a loved one dies we then we pray and pray for God to take that situation away. But the will of God isn’t for us to be happy; it’s for us to be holy and to become better people and to strengthen our faith and to draw us closer to Him, and He teaches us discipline to keep our flesh from taking over our spirit. His goal is to make us more like Him. And sometimes, it takes trials and tribulations to bring us back to God.
We have all heard or have read the scripture, Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” I’ve often heard people say that if you have a deep desire for something, then God has placed that desire in your heart. And sometimes, that’s the case. Sometimes, it’s not. Because the thing He desires most (since the creation) is to be in relationship with you. That’s why the Scripture says delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Because if you’re pursuing God, you’ll desire the things He desires. And if there happens to be some desires that aren’t right for your life, they’ll pass and God will place the right thing in your life and you’ll realize it’s everything you didn’t know you always wanted.
Are you seriously seeking the will of God? Would you like to (finally) find the happiness and peace that you have been longing for? Come to your loving Father. He alone is the wise counselor, Only He has your best interest at heart. Seek God for guidance through CONSISTENT prayer and Look to the scriptures (read your Bible) for direction. Friend, make reading your Bible part of your daily routine and soon, real soon you will find yourself understanding the (perfect) will of God for your life.
Praise the Lord!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Submit yourself to God
"Submit yourself to God resist the devil and He will flee from you" James 4:7
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
What does it really mean to submit to God?
To submit to God, is to surrender your will, your being to Him. EVERY area of your life should b under His commands, His authority. It is definitely not easy to be submissive. Every second of each day, a battle rages in our heart between doing the will of God and our own. To be submissive means to choose the will of God even though it is not easy. Jesus told the disciples "If anyone would come to me, he must deny himself" Luke 9:23 You cannot serve God and yet holding to your selfishness. When we are following God, you must plant good seeds, but more importantly then that, you life should be a testimony to God. People should be looking at the way you live your life and know that you God's follower. You must live the values that you believe in and preach. You shouldn't have to tell your neighbors that you are a Christian. They should know by the way you carry yourself. Your attitude should change when you submit yourself to God. Yesterday, you panic when you going through tough times but today, you praise the Lord for each opportunity to endure because Christ also suffered. "Give thanks to the Lord, or he is good" Psalm 136:1.
Be honest with yourself today and find out which area of your life has not yet submitted entirely to God, then repent and ask God to take possession of your being. If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just, he will forgive you. (1 John 1:9)
Now you can live in peace because you have been made right with God through the blood of Christ. (Romans 5:1). It doesn't matter if you don't feel any different because you are a changed man/woman of God. He promised to forgive you. You must believe that promise. Lots of people think that their sins are too great to be forgiven, not so. Anyone who comes to Christ, He accepts him.
I never turn away anyone who comes to me (John 6:37)
Submit to God today and start enjoying your relationship.
Praise the Lord!
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
What does it really mean to submit to God?
To submit to God, is to surrender your will, your being to Him. EVERY area of your life should b under His commands, His authority. It is definitely not easy to be submissive. Every second of each day, a battle rages in our heart between doing the will of God and our own. To be submissive means to choose the will of God even though it is not easy. Jesus told the disciples "If anyone would come to me, he must deny himself" Luke 9:23 You cannot serve God and yet holding to your selfishness. When we are following God, you must plant good seeds, but more importantly then that, you life should be a testimony to God. People should be looking at the way you live your life and know that you God's follower. You must live the values that you believe in and preach. You shouldn't have to tell your neighbors that you are a Christian. They should know by the way you carry yourself. Your attitude should change when you submit yourself to God. Yesterday, you panic when you going through tough times but today, you praise the Lord for each opportunity to endure because Christ also suffered. "Give thanks to the Lord, or he is good" Psalm 136:1.
Be honest with yourself today and find out which area of your life has not yet submitted entirely to God, then repent and ask God to take possession of your being. If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just, he will forgive you. (1 John 1:9)
Now you can live in peace because you have been made right with God through the blood of Christ. (Romans 5:1). It doesn't matter if you don't feel any different because you are a changed man/woman of God. He promised to forgive you. You must believe that promise. Lots of people think that their sins are too great to be forgiven, not so. Anyone who comes to Christ, He accepts him.
I never turn away anyone who comes to me (John 6:37)
Submit to God today and start enjoying your relationship.
Praise the Lord!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Work of the Flesh
And The Works of the Spirit
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. Galatians 5:16-17
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
www.bibletoourwithjoline.blogspot.com
It is very important that Christians exercise control over flesh because the flesh will always lead you into trouble. It is a very difficult to control the flesh, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is achievable. The flesh leads us to personal satisfaction, whereas the spirit, leads to God’s way of doing things. Yesterday we live by the flesh, but today we let the spirit lead us because we have been brought for a great price (The blood of Christ). Today we exercise self-control. We do have power over the flesh. We just have to exercise such power.
Adam and Eve give us the example of what can happen we make decision according to the flesh.( we die). In Luke 11:3 Jesus makes this wonderful promise of strength to those who trust Him: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
Trust Jesus Christ, and ask Him to govern. Ask Him for more of God's Holy Spirit, and He will help you to control yourself. Remember, 2 Timothy 1: 17 says this is a major reason that He gives us His Spirit. He will not fail in what He has promised because the request fits perfectly into God's purpose of creating sons in His image.
Don’t be discouraged. The battle of the flesh is already won more than 2000 years ago. You have the victory. Confess it and accept it
Without Christ we can do nothing, but with Him, all is possible. Stand firm my friend.
Praise the Lord!
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. Galatians 5:16-17
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
www.bibletoourwithjoline.blogspot.com
It is very important that Christians exercise control over flesh because the flesh will always lead you into trouble. It is a very difficult to control the flesh, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is achievable. The flesh leads us to personal satisfaction, whereas the spirit, leads to God’s way of doing things. Yesterday we live by the flesh, but today we let the spirit lead us because we have been brought for a great price (The blood of Christ). Today we exercise self-control. We do have power over the flesh. We just have to exercise such power.
Adam and Eve give us the example of what can happen we make decision according to the flesh.( we die). In Luke 11:3 Jesus makes this wonderful promise of strength to those who trust Him: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
Trust Jesus Christ, and ask Him to govern. Ask Him for more of God's Holy Spirit, and He will help you to control yourself. Remember, 2 Timothy 1: 17 says this is a major reason that He gives us His Spirit. He will not fail in what He has promised because the request fits perfectly into God's purpose of creating sons in His image.
Don’t be discouraged. The battle of the flesh is already won more than 2000 years ago. You have the victory. Confess it and accept it
Without Christ we can do nothing, but with Him, all is possible. Stand firm my friend.
Praise the Lord!
You are Destined To Win
But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air. 2 Corinthians 2:14
One of God’s plans is for you to win every battle. You should succeed in your business and marriage. Your love ones should know God, and your ministry should prosper. God only wants good things in your life and He designs you to win. You are destined to win because he predestined you to be adopted, to become his sons/daughters through Christ. “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will” (Ephesians 1:5). How is it possible when there are problems in your life you can’t even began to tackle? Perhaps your finances are not where you want them to be, or maybe your health is an overwhelming issue but the word of God guaranteed success, you should handle your battles without fears because you already know the outcome “because everyone who has been born from God has won the victory over the world. Our faith is what wins the victory over the world” (1 John 5:4).
www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletoravecjoline.glogspot.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com
Many people have told me this year that they have not heard from God or they haven’t felt His presence because of all the situations they had to face and I always ask them, well if you don’t think is around, how is it possible that your are still standing? Some of the situations they share with me are so great that it would be impossible to overcome without God. It had to be the maneuverings of the Almighty God, and the spirit-filled heart understands that all victory come from God. Personally, I have never been without God (I may not have been doing His will continuously but I am never without Him, or believe He wasn’t with me) and I wonder what it is like for people who think they have been without God. Is this even possible? What kind of unbearable, heartbreaking loneliness would that be? I truly believe that nobody is really alone. They may be unaware of God's presence or they may not be trained to understand how He works miracles.
My image of God (when I was a child) is that of a father standing with a stick, waiting to give me a good spanking when I step out of lines. I was absolutely terrified of Him. As I grow in the Word (read my Bible) my image of him started to take shape, revealing His true nature as a Loving Father sitting on the edge of His throne ordering my steps, watching over me without blanking, praying with pounding heart that I take the road of righteousness that He so clearly lay ahead of me, clapping and encouraging when I do take the right road and saddened when I don’t, but working hard to bring me back to the road of redemption which He also provided through the blood of Christ. There is no way that the father who loves and knows me as portrayed in Psalm 139, takes joy when I lose.
May prayer is that someday soon, you finally own up to your heritage as a son/daughter of God so that you may know the greatness He destined you to attain. I know for a fact that God wants you to become your best. Don’t stop moving until you reach your best. Good is simply not “good” enough. Don’t stop until your “good” gets better and your “better” is best. God predestined you for best. You are destined to win, but you must decide to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, only then you can experience God’s love and plan for your life. The good news is God will not turn you down. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20
Open the door and you will win.
Praise the Lord!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)