Posts

Faith Increased!

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  The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5, NIV Faith Increased When Jesus told His disciples they were going to have to forgive someone who wronged them seven times a day, meaning to continually forgive, their immediate response was, “Lord, increase our faith!” They knew that based upon the opposition and the offenses that Jesus faced, they would face the same. They didn’t say, “Lord, increase our faith so we can do bigger miracles, and increase our faith so we have a larger vision.” They asked Him to increase their faith so they could forgive the wrongs, let go of the offenses, and keep the toxins out.  Sometimes it takes more faith to keep your heart free from impurities than it does to accomplish a dream. We’re praying for faith for a breakthrough, faith for a new level, and that’s good. But have you ever prayed, as these disciples did, “God, increase my faith so I can let go of the hurts. Increase my faith so I can forgive the person who betrayed me....

The Spirit Operates!

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  The Spirit Operates Scripture: Galatians 5:16 “ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ” (NIV) There is a war inside of each of us. Though the old flesh always wants to reassert itself, the power of the Spirit can overcome it if we ask in faith for him to control how we think, feel, act, and talk. “ The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. ” (Romans 8:6, NIV84) The  mind  is key. The battle first takes place in our head. Whoever controls our mind, controls us. It is crucial we set our minds on what the Spirit desires. “ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ” (Romans 8:5, NIV) “ Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ” (Colossians 3:2, NIV84) Paul further wrote, “ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itsel...

Nothing Lost, Everything Gained!

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  So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. Genesis 41:14, NIV Nothing Lost, Everything Gained For thirteen long years after Joseph’s brothers betrayed him, he was enslaved, lied about, mistreated, imprisoned, and forgotten. Given Joseph’s environment, the dream that God gave him of leadership and the identity that he was going to do something great could have easily been lost in bitterness. But rather than play the victim, Joseph was faithful to be his best, and the day came when God suddenly turned things around and made him the ruler of Egypt. We all have opportunities to lose who we really are. You go through a relationship breakup, a job layoff, or a financial setback, and thoughts will tell you, “You’re not valuable. Nobody wants to be around you. You’re nothing but a failure.” People will tell you to be content and make the most of it. Don’t take on that defeated identity and let it change you. What happens to you is not who you are. You’re a m...

Walking in the Newness of Life!

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  Walking in the Newness of Life Scripture: Romans 6:4 “ When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life. ” (NCV) Living a new kind of life is now possible for the believer who understands and practices these wonderful concepts. We have seen how the Spirit of Christ seals us, how we must choose to be controlled by him in our thought life, and how we can put to death the misdeeds of the body by the Spirit of Christ. The reality of Paul’s insight—“ I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore—it is Christ who lives in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself to save me. ” (Galatians 2:20, NCV)—becomes more of our everyday life experiences. The Spirit of Christ overpowers the old self so we can walk in newness of life. In fact, our lives become hidden in Christ: “ For you ...

Romans 8:1-17!

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  Romans 8:1–17: The apostle Paul says that living according to the Spirit and in union with Christ Jesus sets us free from sin and death. Being controlled by human nature is in opposition to being led by the Spirit. Today’s Key Verse: Romans 8:1 GNT There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus. Read 8 There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.  2  For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.  3  What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature, to do away with sin.  4  God did this so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature.  5  Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have...

Giving Equals Investment!

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  Giving Equals Investment Scripture: Matthew 6:20–21 “ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ” (NIV) THE TWO BIG REASONS TO GIVE 1. Giving is your investment in eternity.  It is your eternal investment account. The Christian life is all about giving, and we are not just talking about money. Giving includes giving one’s self, time, talent, and treasure. Only two things will last for all of eternity: God’s Word will endure forever, and the souls of people will live forever in one of two places. Everything else perishes. Everything you and I can see and touch is going to perish. Our relationship with Jesus Christ will determine  WHERE  we live in eternity. How we spend our time, talent, and treasure will determine  HOW  we live in eternity. 2. Giving is the MAJOR GATEWAY  for God to work big time in the...

Back to Wholeness!

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  He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3:10, NLT Back to Wholeness When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they immediately felt guilty and hid. They went from loving God to being afraid. They lost their innocence, their joy, their wholeness. Too often, we do the same. We make a mistake, have a disappointment or a broken relationship, and we go into hiding. You can lose part of yourself. Things happen that have taken your joy, limited your vision, stopped your creativity. Now you’ve settled in that area. You’re not pursuing your dreams, not enjoying your family, not passionate about life. God is saying, “Come out of hiding and go back to who I created you to be. Let Me love you back to wholeness and give you a new beginning.” Get your fire back, get your dream back. No more isolating, checking out, pretending to be there but not engaging. This is a new day. That lost part of you is coming back—the creative you, the outgoing y...