9-1/2-2018 Take It Through The Week

9-1/2-2018 Take It Through The Week

Monday– Romans 7:15–16 Occasionally we see something in scripture that is not only a question but also an answer. Paul is asking a question about himself, but then answers, with the law is good. Paul’s underlying question expresses a frustration that we all feel sometimes. I do not practice what I want to , but I do what I hate. In other words, why am I not further along spiritually? Yes, even Paul looked into the mirror and was frustrated at himself. We all feel that at times, if we are growing in the Lord. We cannot look into the beauty of God’s Word without being convicted of our sin. And the fact that we are convicted means that we can agree with the law that it is good. When we became believers, we were never given a promise that we would be immediately perfected or that we would stop sinning. But the fact that we are convicted when we sin, means God’s plan is working. The frustration that Paul felt with himself, at times, confirms God’s Word and it’s power in his life. Read Gal. 5:17-18. It says almost the same thing as Rom. 7:15-16. But it gives more explanation. …the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh… So what is the solution to the age old dilemma? Be led by the Spirit. Take a few moments and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, to teach you. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you agree with the law and follow God’s Word.
Tuesday– Psalms 19:12–13 Who perceives his unintentional sins? We all have places in us that we don’t see, but others do and God does. Can we see them? Not likely, unless we are purposefully in God’s Word, asking Him to show us what we need to do to mature. This scripture talks about unintentional sins…hidden faults…willful sins… And the Psalmists prayer is just like ours, do not let them rule over me. If we are mindful of the hidden places in our lives and regularly give them over to the Lord, then we will be innocent and cleansed from blatant rebellion. Pray with me. Holy Spirit of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, dwell in me in fullness. Show me the places I need to give over to you. Show me the things I cannot see but you can. I confess them to you and ask you to cleanse me. Help me to not justify myself, but rather to be justified by you. Exalt yourself in my life. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday– Psalms 65:1–4 It is right to praise God. It is right to praise Him even now as we worship together and He sits enthroned in Zion. We gather together to praise Him. You pause in your day to praise Him just like you are doing right now. We are assured that when we do this, He hears prayer. Even when our sins are literally overwheliming, He can atone for our rebellions. That is the reason we praise Him. Take a moment and praise Him right now. Make a list of praises and tell Him about it.
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Thursday– Romans 12:9–10 There are hypocrites in the church! It’s true. As a matter of fact, there are nothing but hypocrites in the church. Only Jesus was not. The rest of us are. So how do we solve it? Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil. Cling to what is good. God’s solution for hypocrisy is love. We have to love by showing family affection to one another. We are called to treat other believers like family. We are to outdo one another in showing honor. We do all of this because this is what God has done for us. We treat others the way God has treated us. Read 1 John 4:11-12. When we love one another, we show that God’s Spirit remains in us and His love is perfected in us. Pray with me. Lord help me to be sincere in how I live by loving You and loving others. May unbelievers be able to see You in me, because of Your love in my life. May other Christians see my love and be encouraged by it. You are love, and may my family and friends know you through my loving Spirit. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Friday – Philippians 3:12–15 I don’t know about you, but I have a long way to go. Paul says exactly that here in his letter to the Philippians. He says, I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Paul wants to grow and become more mature because He wants to forget what is past and is looking toward his future. Paul is firmly fixed on tomorrow and thoroughly convinced that his yesterdays, no longer matter. His sins are forgiven and He is pursuing the goal. What about you? Are you praying about being a mature believer? Are you asking Him to help you gain the prize? Paul is talking about appearing before Jesus someday and hearing the words that all believers long for, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” What about you? Are you longing toward eternity? Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. As you grow as a believer, you will think more and more about seeing Him and you will long for it. Take a few moments and think about heaven and seeing Jesus. Ask God to help you to keep eternity on your mind. Ask Him to help you win the prize.
Saturday– 2 Peter 2:4–9 the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials… It is enough that He can do it, but even more important is that He wants to do it. He wants to rescue us. He wants to rescue us from hell, from sin, and from ourselves. He loves us that much. He didn’t spare the angels who sinned. He didn’t spare the ancient world from the flood. He didn’t spare Sodom and Gomorrah. But He spared you and me. He literally rescued us. How does He know how to rescue us? How can He meet us at our point of need? God knows humanity. He knows who we are. He made us from the dust. He watches us every moment of every day, individually and personally. Don’t ask me how He can do all that, but the Bible says He can and does.
Read 1 Cor. 10:13. Anything you and I go through is common to all of us. Every temptation, every trial is common to all of us. And whatever the temptation is, God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able… He will give us an out. He will make us an escape, if we will but take it. He knows us and wants us to be victorious. He does not want us to walk in the guilt of sin but in the joy of victory. Take a few moments and think about these scriptures and how they can be applied in your life, the next time temptation comes your way.