Week 8
Day 1 - Christians
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name John 1 :12,13
Meshan had a secret, a very deep dark secret. He was the pastor's son, who used to help out in church, give bible studies and assist in any other work of the church he was able to. Everyday he would go to college doing and afterwards help out with whatever he could, but when everyone was asleep he would go on his computer and watch x-rated videos for hours. Despite the fact that he hated it he still felt attracted to them. As time progressed he found he could watch more videos for a longer period of time. Until he was well and truly hooked. Each time promising himself that it would be the last time.
One day he decided that something must be done, so he thought to himself, if I just watch one video a day, then bring it down to one a month and so on then one day I will be rid of this terrible addiction. At first this worked and he began to feel relief, but about 6 months later when no one was around and he had no work to do he found himself on the dreaded website. The next day he felt dissappointed and dirty wondering what he could do. So he decided to read pray for help. One day he came across the key text in John 1:12-13. He realised that he had done it all wrong, instead of relying on the power of God he had been dependant upon his own strength.
Just like Meshan, we can do nothing of our own strength we need to be born of God. We are naturally sinful and we need the power and love of God to come and live within our hearts. He is the only one that can change us and help us get rid of all our dark habits. Trust Him with your heart and mind.
Dear God,
I know that I have many flaws, I try so hard to follow you but most times it's just not very good. I pray that you will come into my heart and take full control. Forgive my sins and create in me a clean heart. Help me to trust in you wholeheartedly so that you can help me get rid of my wrongs. You are all powerful and all loving. Thank you for all you do and for sending your Son to die.
Amen
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Day 2
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
Being a Christian is hard work!! Just imagine you tell someone you're a Christian and suddenly their expectations of you soar through the roof. If you ever say a bad word, or even tell a half truth someone is there to point the finger at you. Many people decide that they will hide their wrong actions by living a double life in order to fulfil their worldly passions or pleasures without accountability. But like most things your sins will catch up with you. Take Tiger Woods for example, it is understood he had an affair whilst being married, as soon as this was published in the press, his sponsors were up in arms, the public and anyone else who could get a word in. Unfortunately this cost him his reputation and his game hasn't been the same ever since. Disobedience to the laws of God
James 4:7 tells us to 'Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you' this should be our prayer every day. That God will take control of our hearts so that we can get closer to Him. The closer we get to Him the further we are from sin but we must allow God to permanently live in our hearts so that our lives can be shaped for His service. The way we conduct ourselves can either bring people to Christ or turn them away (Romans 5:19). Ask God to get rid of you double-minded mind and replace it with one focused on living right.
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Day 3
Get Equipt !!!!
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Argh the amount of times I prepare for an exam, I am never garanteed to be fully prepared. Can you believe I went to a physics exam without A calculator? Seriously !! Who does that?. Obviously me. Anyways fortunately someone in the class had a spare and I was saved from total failure.
Even more so in our Christian lives we can be just as poorly equipt for everyday life. Ephesians 6:13-17 breaks down clearly the attire needed for a Christian.
Firstly we need to put on truth, this is so important in order for you to be clear in your walk with God and a proper witness for Him you need to be honest. Your word should be your bond and the only way this can happen is if you have trained in the knowledge of the truth. It is important that we conduct ourselves with the highest integrity the bible says we should gird our loins with truth.This means we should focus on the things of God and not allow our own lusts or desires to take us away from the real truth. The best place for this is the bible the word of God - 100% truth!
Secondly - righteousness - Once we have received the truth. The next step is to follow in it. This is known as being right or just. The breastplate was used to mainly protect the heart, in the same way we should place our hearts in God's hands, look to Jesus and in this way we will be able to be right with God.
Next - feet ready to carry the gospel - once you've got the truth and are focused on Jesus you will be able to withstand the tests of time, resting in the knowledge that God is in control. You will have true peace
Above all it says we should take the 'shield of faith'. Faith Is the Victory! Whatever situations arise your faith will see you through. Just put your trust in God don't waiver or fret just trust and that is the most powerful tool you will have.
This doesn't mean that you just need faith there are other things you should keep aswell like the helmet of salvation. Keep at the forefront of your mind Jesus' sacrifice what He has done for you and how you are redeemed by His blood. This is so important, afterall as Christians we believe that salvation's plan takes us and makes us new giving us an opportunity to live with God forever.
Then we get to the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. God speaks to us through His word. Why it is that as Christians we don't take time out to read it is beyond me. It's like saying I work in a nice office but I've never been in there!! Who does that? We need to spend more time focused on God's word so we can have an experience with Him and live purpose filled lives
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Day 4
Disobedience Hurts
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land Isaiah 1:19
There is always one stubborn person, they never want to listen. I must admit when I was younger I may have had my moments. I remember going to play school in the holidays so I could participate in many activities.
One of the main rules where to try and be safe as much as possible. Everyone loves the popular game of tag, and I was no exception. I really got into it as I ran around. Soon I found that my feet were quite hot so I took of my shoes and began to run around. "DO NOT RUN AROUND WITHOUT YOUR SHOES ON - YOU WILL GET HURT" A big voice boomed. 'I'm fine really I called out' "OK if you insist don't say I didn't warn you'. So I continued believing that the danger was small and considering I was quite athletic the chances of me getting hurt were slim. Soon after the game got a bit more urgent, the tags were getting faster and the speed maximised as we zipped back and forth the hall. As I was running I felt a hand reach out and grab my leg and before I could react I tumbled to floor. The pain was excruitiating and I started to cry. The Big Voice boomed for me to come over to be checked out, because I could move my arm I was told to sit down and wait for my mum. When my mum arrived I burst in to tears again and asked her to take me to the hospital. After a reasonable wait in the hospital and an x-ray, it turned out I had a hole in the bones of my left arm and other cracks along my arm. All because I couldn't follow instructions.
In Genesis 2:17- the tree of knowledge, good and evil was the first temptation that if succumbed to would lead to death. It is up to us to choose whether to obey the voice of God or not. The choices are simple choose life or death, blessing or curse (Deut 11:26-28;30:19,20). However, I encourage you to choose to obey as this is the highest form of worship (1 Samuel 15:22).
The only way to do this is to stop doing what is wrong and listen to the voice of God and obey Him . We need to change our ways (Jeremiah 26:13). We need to be willing to listen and obey the voice of God and He will bless us.
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Day 5
Obedience fruit of Love
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23
When we love someone we try to please them. When a loved one's birthday comes up, even in this recession it is very easy to break the bank and purchase items of high wealth in order to please and satisfy our loved one's desire's. When someone you love tells you to do something or you see something they need help with often times one is very quick to offer a helping hand. Not because they are obliged but because they want to assist. That's what real love is. If we truly love God we will obey His word and try and do all we can to serve Him a right. The bible points out that it is better to 'obey God rather than man'. God is all loving, He only gives us His very best, His laws are set for our benefit so we should find it a pleasure to obey Him. God will give us the Holy Spirit when we obey Him to dwell within us. (Acts 5:29,32). There is no requirement for accepting the word of God, even in Romans 15 the gentilles were able to be saved all they did was obey God. By obeying we are saying we no longer wish to sin but want to get closer to God (Rom 6:17,18). Most impotantly our obedience will bring about blessings it will give us eternal life (Revelation 22:14).
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Day 6
Look to God!
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philipians 2:12,13
Growing up, my family used to have devotion twice a day. My parents, sister and I would spend time reading the word. Everyday our parents would tell us that we are God's witnesses and everything we do should reflect Him.
One day when my sister was about 6 years old, her and a friend were walking through school to get their belongings, the friend saw a room that had lots of sweets in there and decided that they should take some as no- one was looking. My sister instantly refused, saying that it was wrong and that even if no-one was around Jesus was still there as He is with us all the time and He will know.
What a marvellous exapmle the text in phillipians 2:13. God can work in each of our hearts to do His will and what is right . No wonder Christ said we are to be like little children. This is because, they carry out what they have learnt. If they are taught to be deceitful then that is what they will be, but if they are taught to be like Jesus, they will be wonderful witnesses for Him.
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