Fellowshipping With Gazelle Again (12)
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Does God Test Us?
Yes. But it's always an open-Book test. With the help of God's instruction Book -- the Bible -- you can always pass the test.
1 THESSALONIANS 2:4 NKJ
4 . . . even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
God doesn't test you to hurt you, but so you can experience victory. He walks in faith and believes you will win every test. He is like a proud parent who tells their child to "Go out there and show them what you can do," expecting them to win.
In all schooling there is testing to determine whether the material taught has been mastered.
Testing is necessary and even beneficial for the one being tested. You may think you're ready to graduate -- but testing confronts you with reality.
Testing lets you know how you're doing. If you're not doing so well, turn to God, asking for His help. Spend more time in God's Word and in prayer.
Remember that God's tests are different than the temptations of the devil. God's test is whether you will act on His Word.
God never tempts you to do wrong! He never uses evil to test you (James 1:13). God just allows you to overcome evil by acting on His Word -- which is more than enough to put you over.
PSALM 105:19 NKJ
19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord tested him.
You should always stand in faith, resisting the devil. God's Word always works -- but not always instantly. From when you take your stand on God's Word to when the answer manifests, constitutes the test.
Remember, God is for you -- He's on your side. He sent His Word, His Holy Spirit, His angels, and His ministers to help you.
SAY THIS: I can pass God's tests by acting on His Word.
Yes. But it's always an open-Book test. With the help of God's instruction Book -- the Bible -- you can always pass the test.
1 THESSALONIANS 2:4 NKJ
4 . . . even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
God doesn't test you to hurt you, but so you can experience victory. He walks in faith and believes you will win every test. He is like a proud parent who tells their child to "Go out there and show them what you can do," expecting them to win.
In all schooling there is testing to determine whether the material taught has been mastered.
Testing is necessary and even beneficial for the one being tested. You may think you're ready to graduate -- but testing confronts you with reality.
Testing lets you know how you're doing. If you're not doing so well, turn to God, asking for His help. Spend more time in God's Word and in prayer.
Remember that God's tests are different than the temptations of the devil. God's test is whether you will act on His Word.
God never tempts you to do wrong! He never uses evil to test you (James 1:13). God just allows you to overcome evil by acting on His Word -- which is more than enough to put you over.
PSALM 105:19 NKJ
19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord tested him.
You should always stand in faith, resisting the devil. God's Word always works -- but not always instantly. From when you take your stand on God's Word to when the answer manifests, constitutes the test.
Remember, God is for you -- He's on your side. He sent His Word, His Holy Spirit, His angels, and His ministers to help you.
SAY THIS: I can pass God's tests by acting on His Word.
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A Happy New Year
for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Romans 10:13
for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Romans 10:13
Today people everywhere are gathering together to celebrate the first bright moments of the New Year.
Yet, for thousands of others, this day will be the toughest 24 hours of their lives. For those people, New Year's will serve only as a dim reminder of loneliness and loss. It will simply mark the beginning of another year of failure.
What about you? What's this year really going to be like for you?
You may appear to be happy enough. You may be passing out seasonal smiles and holiday greetings just like everybody else. But inside, you may hurt. You may be disappointed. You may even feel like you can't go on.
If so, I want you to know something. All of that can change in an instant. You can start your life over today and make this New Year's Day the most joyful day of your life!
How many times have you said to yourself, "If I could just start over, I'd do it all differently"? That doesn't have to be simply and idle wish. Jesus Christ has actuallly made it possible. That's His Christmas present to you. He paid the price for all your sins. He paid the penalty for all your mistakes.
That's the reason He came to earth. That's the reason He was born-so you could start over!
You may look at your life and say, "But I've made some terrible mistakes. I've done some despicable things." That doesn't matter. Jesus paid the price for them all!
How can you make a new start? Romans 10:9 Says that "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." It's as easy as saying, "Jesus, I'm turning my life over to You. From this day forward I'm Yours."
What better time to turn your life around than on this first day of the New Year. Right now, wherever you are, just give your life to Jesus. Then jump up and down and holler, "Praise God, I'm starting all over!" And find out what it really means to have a Happy New Year!
Yet, for thousands of others, this day will be the toughest 24 hours of their lives. For those people, New Year's will serve only as a dim reminder of loneliness and loss. It will simply mark the beginning of another year of failure.
What about you? What's this year really going to be like for you?
You may appear to be happy enough. You may be passing out seasonal smiles and holiday greetings just like everybody else. But inside, you may hurt. You may be disappointed. You may even feel like you can't go on.
If so, I want you to know something. All of that can change in an instant. You can start your life over today and make this New Year's Day the most joyful day of your life!
How many times have you said to yourself, "If I could just start over, I'd do it all differently"? That doesn't have to be simply and idle wish. Jesus Christ has actuallly made it possible. That's His Christmas present to you. He paid the price for all your sins. He paid the penalty for all your mistakes.
That's the reason He came to earth. That's the reason He was born-so you could start over!
You may look at your life and say, "But I've made some terrible mistakes. I've done some despicable things." That doesn't matter. Jesus paid the price for them all!
How can you make a new start? Romans 10:9 Says that "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." It's as easy as saying, "Jesus, I'm turning my life over to You. From this day forward I'm Yours."
What better time to turn your life around than on this first day of the New Year. Right now, wherever you are, just give your life to Jesus. Then jump up and down and holler, "Praise God, I'm starting all over!" And find out what it really means to have a Happy New Year!
Scripture Reading: Romans 10:1-13
Romans 101Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."[a] 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'[b]" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'[c]" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[d] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."[e] 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentilethe same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f]
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Look Up!
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:3
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:3
Look up...because in times like these, your very life may depend on it.
Some time ago, the Lord showed me that a spirit of weariness is trying to work its way into our lives these days through all the pressure and bad news that surrounds us. It's working to get our eyes off the Word of God by bombarding us with negative forces. It's trying to get us to look down at defeat instead of up at Jesus.
If you let that happen, your spirit man will begin to lose his dominion. And the Word tells us what the results of that is. It says you will "be wearied and faint in your minds."
Jesus put it this way in Mark 4. He said that when the cares of this world enter into your heart and mind, they'll choke the Word and cause it to become unfruitful. And since your faith is the product of the Word, that means your faith will wither. Once that happens, you're headed for disaster.
What can you do to stop this chain reaction of weariness?
Look up! Get your eyes back on Jesus. I remember onthe field of athletic competition that when an opponent allowed himself to drop his head, he was no longer dangerous. He could be very easily defeated. So keep your head up. Keep considering Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Consider Him instead of the cares of this world. Consider what God says in His Word. Be moved by the thoughts of God. Let His thoughts become your thoughts.
Look Up! Get your eyes off the circumstances around you and onto your heavenly source. Don't be afraid you're going to lose everything. God is your Source, not the world. He can take care of you regardless of what happens around you.
If you've gotten weary lately, begin to lift your eyes. Raise your head up instead of looking down. God is up. Jesus is up. The devil is down-under your feet. Look Up!
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:21-31
21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
Some time ago, the Lord showed me that a spirit of weariness is trying to work its way into our lives these days through all the pressure and bad news that surrounds us. It's working to get our eyes off the Word of God by bombarding us with negative forces. It's trying to get us to look down at defeat instead of up at Jesus.
If you let that happen, your spirit man will begin to lose his dominion. And the Word tells us what the results of that is. It says you will "be wearied and faint in your minds."
Jesus put it this way in Mark 4. He said that when the cares of this world enter into your heart and mind, they'll choke the Word and cause it to become unfruitful. And since your faith is the product of the Word, that means your faith will wither. Once that happens, you're headed for disaster.
What can you do to stop this chain reaction of weariness?
Look up! Get your eyes back on Jesus. I remember onthe field of athletic competition that when an opponent allowed himself to drop his head, he was no longer dangerous. He could be very easily defeated. So keep your head up. Keep considering Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Consider Him instead of the cares of this world. Consider what God says in His Word. Be moved by the thoughts of God. Let His thoughts become your thoughts.
Look Up! Get your eyes off the circumstances around you and onto your heavenly source. Don't be afraid you're going to lose everything. God is your Source, not the world. He can take care of you regardless of what happens around you.
If you've gotten weary lately, begin to lift your eyes. Raise your head up instead of looking down. God is up. Jesus is up. The devil is down-under your feet. Look Up!
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:21-31
21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
25 "To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
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You Are Not An Orphan
JOHN 14:18 NIV
18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
You are not facing life all alone -- no matter how you feel.
Jesus is with you. He promised to never forsake you.
Our enemy loves to make us think we have no help, that God does not care, and we have no hope. But the devil is a liar.
"But why does God allow things to look so bleak? Why doesn't He help me sooner?"
God desires faith and trust from us. Without testing times we would have no opportunity to show our faith. Without obstacles we would have nothing to overcome.
We must always remember that God is raising a family, preparing us for eternity with Him. It can be a great error to judge everything by "the bottom line" today.
We must trust our Father God, because only He really knows what the "true bottom line" is. And we can trust Him, because He is good and trustworthy.
SAY THIS: Thank you Father God that I am not facing life all alone -- as an orphan. You are my Father and are taking good care of me. I trust You -- for time and eternity.
JOHN 14:18 NIV
18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
You are not facing life all alone -- no matter how you feel.
Jesus is with you. He promised to never forsake you.
Our enemy loves to make us think we have no help, that God does not care, and we have no hope. But the devil is a liar.
"But why does God allow things to look so bleak? Why doesn't He help me sooner?"
God desires faith and trust from us. Without testing times we would have no opportunity to show our faith. Without obstacles we would have nothing to overcome.
We must always remember that God is raising a family, preparing us for eternity with Him. It can be a great error to judge everything by "the bottom line" today.
We must trust our Father God, because only He really knows what the "true bottom line" is. And we can trust Him, because He is good and trustworthy.
SAY THIS: Thank you Father God that I am not facing life all alone -- as an orphan. You are my Father and are taking good care of me. I trust You -- for time and eternity.
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Be a Blessing
May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, "The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant."
Psalm 35:27
May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, "The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant."
Psalm 35:27
If traditional religion has taught you that God wants you poor and oppressed, I have good news for you today. The Bible says, "God takes pleasure" in your prosperity. God wants you to prosper!
Not just in the financial realm but in every area of your life...spirit, soul, and body.
No matter where you are or who you are, God wants to see you delievered from every adverse situation.
Why? Because He loves you and He has a job for you to do. He wants you to help meet the needs of mankind and He's smart enough to know that you can't give away what you don't have. You can't give to spread the gospel or buy food for the hungry when you're broke. You can't go out laying hands on the sick when you're lying in a hospital bed. You can't minister joy to others when you're being held captive by depression. No! You have to be blessed to be a blessing.
If you really want to tap into the riches of God today, make up your mind to be a blessing to others, and before you know it, you'll be receiving more from God than you ever dreamed.
That's what happened to me. I decided years ago, first and foremost, to be a giver. I developed a life-style of giving. Today, I literally "live to give." And I don't mind telling you, God dumps blessings on me by the truckload!
He'll do the same for you if you'll become His servant-if you'll lay down your time and your money and your love for those who need it. Become a giver-and God will take pleasure in prospering you!
Scripture Reading:
Genesis 12:1-4
The Call of Abram Not just in the financial realm but in every area of your life...spirit, soul, and body.
No matter where you are or who you are, God wants to see you delievered from every adverse situation.
Why? Because He loves you and He has a job for you to do. He wants you to help meet the needs of mankind and He's smart enough to know that you can't give away what you don't have. You can't give to spread the gospel or buy food for the hungry when you're broke. You can't go out laying hands on the sick when you're lying in a hospital bed. You can't minister joy to others when you're being held captive by depression. No! You have to be blessed to be a blessing.
If you really want to tap into the riches of God today, make up your mind to be a blessing to others, and before you know it, you'll be receiving more from God than you ever dreamed.
That's what happened to me. I decided years ago, first and foremost, to be a giver. I developed a life-style of giving. Today, I literally "live to give." And I don't mind telling you, God dumps blessings on me by the truckload!
He'll do the same for you if you'll become His servant-if you'll lay down your time and your money and your love for those who need it. Become a giver-and God will take pleasure in prospering you!
Scripture Reading:
Genesis 12:1-4
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.
Genesis 13:1-4
Abram and Lot Separate
1 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.
3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD.
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Your Words Are Important
MATTHEW 12:36-37 NIV
36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Few people realize the importance of the words they speak.
There is almost no way to overemphasize the importance of what we say. Yet most people give it almost no thought -- usually speaking without even thinking.
Jesus came from Heaven and revealed to us that words are important. Very important. The Bible has much to say on this subject. We ignore it at our own peril.
You may not be familiar with what the Bible says about the importance of words, but if you knew only the verse above, Matthew 12:36-37, that should be enough to convince you. Your judgment will be determined by the words you have spoken.
Certainly, this is not a negative message. When we understand the importance and power of words, we can use them for good. The Bible says death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Just as fire can cause great destruction, tamed and controlled it can be a great blessing to us. So it is with words. Life is in the power of the tongue. That means life is controlled by words.
I repeat: life is controlled by words. Words release authority. Words determine the course of events. Words matter.
What should you do about this?
First, you need to study what the Bible says about words. Jesus said if you continue in His Word you would know the truth and the truth would make you free (John 8:31-32).
Also, you need to ask the Lord to teach you and help you to speak correctly -- because we must have God's help to tame our tongue.
SAY THIS: Lord, please teach me and help me to speak the right words.
MATTHEW 12:36-37 NIV
36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Few people realize the importance of the words they speak.
There is almost no way to overemphasize the importance of what we say. Yet most people give it almost no thought -- usually speaking without even thinking.
Jesus came from Heaven and revealed to us that words are important. Very important. The Bible has much to say on this subject. We ignore it at our own peril.
You may not be familiar with what the Bible says about the importance of words, but if you knew only the verse above, Matthew 12:36-37, that should be enough to convince you. Your judgment will be determined by the words you have spoken.
Certainly, this is not a negative message. When we understand the importance and power of words, we can use them for good. The Bible says death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Just as fire can cause great destruction, tamed and controlled it can be a great blessing to us. So it is with words. Life is in the power of the tongue. That means life is controlled by words.
I repeat: life is controlled by words. Words release authority. Words determine the course of events. Words matter.
What should you do about this?
First, you need to study what the Bible says about words. Jesus said if you continue in His Word you would know the truth and the truth would make you free (John 8:31-32).
Also, you need to ask the Lord to teach you and help you to speak correctly -- because we must have God's help to tame our tongue.
SAY THIS: Lord, please teach me and help me to speak the right words.
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