VICTORY - A PROVISION : Matthew 6:13, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen. A temptation can be a difficult situation or a pressure. Contrary to popular belief, God is not the source of our temptation (Jas. 1:13). When we are under pressure, it is important to realize that God is not trying to entrap us. Satan is called the tempter (Mt. 4:3; 1 Th. 3:5). Then why did Jesus instruct us to pray that the Father would not lead us into temptation? This was simply a request for guidance so that we could be delivered from evil. Jesus himself was tempted by Satan (Mt. 4, Lk. 4). He trusted God fully for provision, protection, and purpose. The Father would no more lead us into temptation than He would withhold our daily bread. But as stated in James 4:2, Ye have not because ye ask not. Both give us our daily bread and lead us not into temptation are simply requests for what has already been provided for us. This part of prayer serves as a reminder to us of Gods promised protection (Ps. 91) and gives us an opportunity to release our faith and appropriate what has already been provided. No temptation has seized you but such as is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Cor. 10:13 NIV). The victory demonstrated by Jesus is available to us. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57). He has given it to you. Believe and receive it. SALVATION BEGINS NOW : MATTHEW 6:10, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. We do not have to live a beggarly existence here on this earth and just wait till we all get to heaven to begin to experience the benefits of our salvation. Jesus told us to pray thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. In heaven, He will wipe away all tears from our eyes (Rev. 21:4), so here on earth we can pray and believe to receive joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Pet. 1:8). Healing, prosperity, and all the other benefits of heaven are ours here on earth to the degree that we can believe and receive them. It is Gods will to deliver us from this present evil world. The Lord didnt save us from our sins so we could be saved and stuck until we go to heaven. He made provision for our success in this life as well. Our salvation is effectual in this life too, not just the one to come. Some people have relegated all the benefits of salvation to, when we all get to Heaven. But thats not so. Through the atonement of Jesus, we have been delivered from sickness, poverty and demonic control, as well as sin, in this present life. To the degree we believe that, we will begin to experience the physical benefits of our salvation in the rough now and now, not just in the sweet by and by. Our salvation is not just pie in the sky, but it is victory in this present life. Today believe God to start receiving every benefit of your salvation here in this life, and help others to receive what has been purchased for them also. We dont have to wait until we get to Heaven. LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITY : “Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains” - (Colossians 4:3, NLT) When Paul wrote today’s verse, he was in chains in prison. He had been arrested for preaching the gospel. Everything in his surroundings shouted “limitations,” but instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. He kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next. No matter what “chains” you may feel like you are in today, remember, we serve a God who’s in the business of setting people free. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He fills you with His power. He promises to walk with you all the days of your life. When doors look closed all around you, when your surroundings look limited, when you feel like you’re in chains, remember, God is still at work in your life. Like Paul, keep your hopes up. Keep expecting. Keep believing. Pray for those opportunities to be opened to you. If you fall, get back up and press forward with even greater determination to accomplish the dream that God has planted in your heart. The prayer of the righteous avails much, so keep praying because He promises to break the chains and open doors of opportunity in your life! WHAT PLEASES GOD : “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” - (Hebrews 11:6, NIV) Do you know what pleases God? He’s not impressed by how much knowledge we have. He isn’t influenced by how many possessions we have. He’s not moved by our accomplishments, He is moved simply by our faith in Him. What’s interesting is that faith is a gift. It’s not something we have to contrive or work up. The scripture tells us that everyone has been given a measure of faith and that faith grows as we hear the Word of God. That’s why it’s so important to stay connected to a Bible-based church where you can hear the Word of God taught. That’s why we have to make time every day to read and study His Word because you’re feeding your faith. The more you feed your faith, the more you know Him and understand His goodness. Today, take time to feed your faith. Meditate on His Word and ask Him to illuminate your heart with His truth. Trust that He is good and has good things in store for your future because that is faith that pleases God ESTEEM ONE ANOTHER : “And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us...” – (Ephesians 5:2, AMP) In today’s culture, we don’t often hear the word esteem used very much, yet, scripture tells us to esteem and delight in one another. One definition of esteem is to hold in high regard. That means we are to honor and value one another. Even if we don’t always agree with one another, even if they don’t necessarily act honorably, we are to honor and esteem others because they are valuable in the eyes of God. Think of it this way: if you had a costly and valuable piece of jewelry, you wouldn’t just wear it to the gym or leave it on the kitchen sink. No, you would treat it carefully. You would put it in a safe place and protect it. Well, when we see others as valuable the way God sees them, we will treat them carefully as well. We should be careful in the way we talk to others. We should look for the good in them and honor them for who God made them to be. The Bible tells us that the way we treat others is like sowing seed, and it will come back to you. Choose to esteem and delight in one another. Sow good seeds, and you will see a harvest of blessing in your own life in return! PUT IT INTO ACTION : “And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ” - (Philemon 1:6, NLT) The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. If we don’t put our faith into action, it’s not really faith; it’s just nice ideas. You see, when God truly does a work in our lives, it affects everything about us. It affects our words, our thoughts and our actions. How do you know someone is generous? By their generous actions. How do you know someone is kind? By their kind actions. How do you know someone is gentle? By their gentle actions. How do you know someone is a follower of Christ? By their Christ-like actions. Can people tell by your actions that you belong to God? We all have areas where we can come up higher, but as believers in Jesus, we can be confident that God is at work in us. He is faithful and will complete what He started. As we invite Him to search our hearts and minds, as we surrender every area of our heart to Him and put our faith into action, He will finish His perfect work in us! THE POWER OF TOGETHERNESS In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5 NIV An American veteran who was part of the D-Day invasion described meeting Churchill prior to the launch of that bloody offensive against the forces of Nazism. He said D-Day was the most frightening experience of his life. In fact, he said, I dont think some of us would have been able to do what we did if it werent for a visit we got just before we crossed the English Channel. That visit was from Winston Churchill. He rode up in a jeep, got out and mingled with the troops. He shook hands with us and even hugged some of us, the veteran recalled. He spoke of his own wartime experience and identified with our emotions. Then, he stood up in his jeep and gave a five-minute speech. He spoke the whole time with tears in his eyes. Heres what Churchill said: Gentlemen - I know you are afraid. I remember being afraid when I was a soldier. I had the privilege of defending my country... through dark days when we didnt know whether we would accomplish what we had been given to do. But this is your moment. We are counting on you to rise to the occasion and achieve everything you have set out to do. The fate of the free world rests on your shoulders. May this be your finest hour. The veteran said, Needless to say, our group of frightened soldiers turned into a band of men who were ready to take on anybody. Togetherness - its a powerful thing when you put it into practice! GOD SO LOVES YOU For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. - John 3:16–17 Jesus is the apple of God’s eye. He is God’s darling Son, His infinite joy and delight. Yet, God gave Jesus up for you. That’s how much God loves you. Just think about it: If you knew you could save a dying person by giving up something precious to you, would you go as far as to give up your only child whom you dearly love for that person? Yet, that is exactly what God did to save you. Jesus, His beloved Son, died on the cross to cleanse you, heal you and redeem you—spirit, soul and body! That is how precious you are to God! Today, meditate on this truth and let God’s amazing love wash over you. It will drive out every fear, put strength and boldness in your heart, and cause you to walk in His provision, protection and peace.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 08:21:51 +0000