A Thankful Heart

We are given amazing privileges when we trust in Jesus. Recalling these promises is a good way to maintain a thankful heart, even when facing challenges in other areas. Consider four such blessings:

1.Christ’s gift of salvation. No matter what trial we’re facing, it is microscopic next to the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. The cross was a steep price to pay, but the Savior willingly took our place in order to offer us forgiveness and eternal life.

2.Assurance of God’s love. The Lord cares for us unconditionally—that is His very character (1 John 4:16). Unfortunately, the storms of life can cause us to question this, but Romans 8:31–39 unequivocally tells us that nothing can separate us from God’s love.

3.Answered prayer. We have the awesome privilege of talking to the Father about anything burdening us—and He never grows tired of listening to His children. Our omnipotent, omniscient God is not only able to help us in any situation; He also knows the best possible way to do so.

4.A personalized plan. The Lord has a will, plan, and purpose for our lives that He will accomplish if we obey Him. No one is exempt from adversity, but we can trust God to bring good from everything He permits to come our way.

Hardships, temptations, and tests will touch us all, but the Lord allows difficulty for a reason—even when we don’t understand why (Rom. 8:28). Therefore, submit yourself to the Father, thank Him for His wisdom, and be confident that He will accomplish His purposes for you..

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.     Psa 9:1,2

His thoughts for me.....

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desires, even that he does.

Pss 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Pss 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are your wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order to you: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Isa 46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes my counsel from a far country: yes, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isa 55:10 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: >>
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isa 55:12 For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Zech 1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do to us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so has he dealt with us.

Zech 8:14 For thus said the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, said the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:
Zech 8:15 So again have I thought in these days to do well to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear you not.

God is our Helper!

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills--from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Psa 121:1,2). 

Where does your help come from? The psalmist lifted his eyes to the hills. The most stable, secure thing the Jews knew were the mountains around Jerusalem. Then the psalmist lifted his eyes higher and said, "No, I don't get my help from the hills. I get my help from the heavens. God is my Helper." Whatever your need or task is today, your help will come from the Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. A God big enough to make this world and keep it going is big enough to help you with your problems today.

God is also our Keeper. "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (vv. 3,4). This is a dangerous world we live in. Enemies would like to attack and destroy us. But as we walk in the will of God and depend on His power, He is there as our Keeper and Preserver. "The Lord shall preserve you from all evil" (v. 7). This verse doesn't say we won't have pain. It doesn't say we will never suffer or sorrow. Though we may be hurt, we won't be harmed. "He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore" (vv. 7,8).


God is your Helper and Keeper. No matter where your path in life leads, if you walk in His will, He will preserve you. Walk with confidence today. You have a Helper, a Keeper and a Preserver, who will see you through.

Enduring satanic attacks

Ephesians 6:10-14

Every believer faces temptation. Take a moment to recall a particularly enticing situation involving something that would displease God. Did you realize you were involved in a satanic battle?

The Devil is real. Scripture reveals that he leads an army of fallen angels and is prideful enough to think he can gain victory over God. By definition, a satanic attack is a deliberate assault upon an individual, which is designed to cause spiritual, physical, material, or emotional harm. Satan desires to thwart the Lord's purpose in believers' lives, to rob them of joy and peace, and ultimately to deny God the worship He receives through yielded followers.

As in any war, knowing the enemy's plan helps us prepare for the attack. First, be aware that the battlefield takes place in our minds. To walk in a godly manner with Christ, we must first be sure that our thoughts are in submission to His Spirit. This takes daily surrender and time in God's Word. Second, Satan tempts us during vulnerable moments. Be cautious when you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (This is often known as the H.A.L.T.  warning). Third, he is deceptive; we won't recognize the trap as an evil scheme. Instead, it will seem good, and we'll likely wrestle with some sort of doubt.

As Christians, we should walk closely with Jesus. Satan desires to lure us into destructive actions that rob us of God's plan for a good, full life. Stay connected to the Savior: read the Word, pray, and fellowship with other believers. These are weapons we use against the Devil in spiritual war. 

Godly life

1. Introduction: God desires that every believer lead a righteous life. But our culture places a tremendous amount of pressure on Christians to "fit in." The doctrines of our faith are often mocked and ridiculed in the public arena. Individual believers sometimes make spiritual or moral compromises in an attempt to be accepted. How can we resist the secular influence of our time? In Romans 12:1-2, the apostle Paul reveals how to pursue holiness and resist compromise.
2. God calls us to godly living.
   1. God's call to surrender our lives to Him as living sacrifices is reasonable because He redeemed us from spiritual darkness and adopted us as children. 
      • In Romans 1-11, Paul explains salvation, victorious Christian living, and the Lord's ultimate plan for Israel. In Romans 12:1-2, he urges believers to give control of their lives to God in light of all He has done for us.
   2. We must make the choice to give control to the Father.
      • As God's people, we no longer have the right to run our own lives, but He still allows us to choose whether or not to surrender. Your entire being—including your mind, will, and emotions—should be yielded to God. 
   3. We are called to be living sacrifices.
      • Becoming a "living sacrifice" means we allow the Holy Spirit to live through us. As we surrender to the Spirit's guidance and leadership, He empowers us to live a godly life.
   4. The apostle also urges believers to be holy sacrifices.
      • In Greek, this word means "set apart" (as in "for a special purpose"). In one of the paradoxes of our faith, sanctification—or being made holy—happens immediately at salvation, but it is also a lifelong process.
   5. Our lives should be acceptable to God.
      • As believers, we ought to be different from the world. Our goal should be to act as Jesus did: forgiving, loving, and helping others—yet knowing when to speak the truth in love or share our faith. When we sin, we should be quick to confess and repent.
        
        A godly lifestyle will attract some people to you, and it will drive others away. But sometimes the same people who resist the gospel will seek out a believer for help when life gets difficult.
3. Those who live in a godly manner will face conflict with the world.
   1. Pressure from those in the world sometimes causes believers to compromise their convictions.
      • As individuals, Christians sometimes justify compromising the truth in this way: they claim they are "being a witness" by spending time with ungodly friends, even when that includes making unrighteous choices. Instead, we should make sure our best friends are believers who take their faith seriously 
        (2 Cor. 6:14-15, 17; 1 Cor. 15:33). Our highest priority should be to please God rather than to fit in with the world.
   2. Paul warns believers, "Do not be conformed to this 
      world" (Rom. 12:2). 
      • The media frequently portrays the idea that if we become rich, attractive, influential, or famous, we will be happy and content. But none of things guarantee joy. Don't let our culture shape your value system and determine your priorities.
   3. To resist conforming to the world's image, you must "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom. 12:2). But how?
      • Fill your mind with Scripture. It is through the Bible that we learn God's perspective.
      • Focus on positive, righteous, and holy things (Col. 3:3; Phil. 4:8). This should include choosing friends and entertainment wisely.
      • Apply biblical truth to your heart. As you go about your day, ask God to show you how to put into practice the principles of His Word.
      • Practice the presence of the Lord. God is always with you. Ask Him to make you more sensitive to His presence. As you allow the Holy Spirit to live through you, He will help you withstand temptation and become more Christlike.
4. Conclusion: The key to living a godly life is full surrender. That means we must let God have complete control over our lives. The Lord is looking for faithful men and women who will stand up for truth in a world that is increasingly opposed to the gospel. Rather than base your standards on popular opinion, allow Scripture to set your values. Answer the Lord's call to a godly life, and you will never be the same.

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

  

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Assurance in Trails

We all experience hardship, and trials can shake us unless we cling to truth. Let me share three assurances to remember when troublesome circumstances arise.

 

First, God will always meet our needs. This doesn't mean He provides everything we want. Instead, the Lord will bless us with all that is necessary to fulfill His purpose for our lives. His goal is to sanctify us, not simply to satisfy each immediate desire.

 

Second, we're never alone. God promised to be with us always (Heb. 13:5). Loneliness often accompanies hardship, so we may feel deserted or opposed by family and friends. But our Father has sent His Spirit to be with us and in us, until the day He brings us to heaven (John 14:16-17). He is all we need--our advocate, guide, helper, and comforter. Recognizing His intimate presence gives us confidence in the midst of trials.

 

Third, God's love is eternal. Regardless of our circumstances or poor decisions, His care is unconditional--even when He reprimands us. Loving parents allow disobedient children to experience the consequences of wrong choices; they recognize the benefit of learning from mistakes. Of course, there are also times when we are negatively affected by others' wrong actions. Even then, God is sovereign and allows only what will bring good in His followers' lives.

 

In difficult times, we can remember that God will meet all of our needs, is always with us, and loves us forever. Though Jesus said we would face troubles in this life, He offered encouragement: The ultimate victory is His. So keep in mind that trials are fleeting, whereas our Father's love is forever.

Rom 8:32-39

 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things ?  Who will bring a charge against God's elect ? God is the one who justifies ;  who is the one who condemns ? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  Who will separate us from the love of Christ ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ?  Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Accountablity

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

I. Introduction: We all love the freedoms enumerated and protected by our Constitution and should be grateful for the liberties we have. However, along with our wonderful rights come important responsibilities. As believers, we are accountable to God not only for the course of this country, but for the path we take in our lives. Therefore, we must live in a manner that not only glorifies the Father and edifies others but also preserves and protects the sacred values we hold dear.

II. Our liberty in Christ does not give us the right to indulge in sin.

A. Parents should talk daily to their children about the things of the Lord (Deut. 6:7).
B. Though our sins have been forgiven, we will still face consequences for the choices we make (Matt. 25:14-30). This can be seen vividly through Jesus' parable of the talents. The Lord gives us gifts, skills, resources, and talents, and we are responsible to use them in ways that honor Him. If we fail to do so, we forfeit our rewards in heaven.

III. What is accountability?

Accountability means we are answerable to others, and we should accept this responsibility as a gift from God. Not only does it provide a system of checks and balances that protect us from harm, but it also gives us unique opportunities to share our lives with others and encourage them.

IV. What biblical examples do we have concerning accountability?

A. Adam and Eve—Genesis 3:8-19
B. Samuel and Saul—1 Samuel 13:8-14
C. Nathan and David—2 Samuel 12:1-14
D. Jesus and Peter—Matthew 16:21-23

V. Why is accountability important for our lives?

A. Knowing that someone will ask about our conduct motivates us to do our best and encourages us to be good stewards of our time, talents, and resources.
B. When we're answerable to others, we are positioned for promotion. As those in authority review our work, they realize our potential.
C. Accountability inspires and protects us and those we're closest to, which makes our relationships even stronger.
D. We must regularly face the truth about our attitudes and actions, and examine whether we are staying in the center of God's will.
E. Being responsible to the Lord and others challenges us to maintain high standards, godly convictions, a transparent heart, and a trustworthy character.

VI. Why do people resist accountability?

A. Rebelliousness
B. Slothfulness
C. Fear of loss
D. Untrustworthiness
E. Pride

VII. What happens without accountability?

A. We cannot do our best.
B. Our resources may be wasted.
C. Spiritual growth will be hampered.
D. There will be divisions in our most important relationships.
E. We will miss opportunities, privileges, promotions, and rewards.
F. Others may feel free to take advantage of us.

VIII. Conclusion: Accountability is absolutely necessary in every aspect of our life, starting with relationships in our family and among fellow believers. However, we must also hold others in society responsible for what they do, whether they are in the church, the schools, or the government. These are serious days for our nation and world, and as believers, we are charged with defending the faith and proclaiming the gospel of salvation—the only true path to freedom from sin and death. We know the truth, so we cannot keep silent about it. Rather, we're accountable to declare the truth as passionately, effectively, and fearlessly as we can.

Lessons from Gideon (Judges 6,7)

Through the story of Gideon, the Lord teaches us five lessons:

A. Don’t underestimate what God can do in and through you. He can use anyone and anything to accomplish His purposes. When we walk obediently with Him, His power and presence assure our victory.

B. God will always be with you in whatever He’s called you to do. You may feel helpless and inadequate, but you’re never alone because the Lord will never leave or forsake you (Heb. 13:5).

C. The Lord is ready to give you assurance when you doubt Him. He’ll work in your situation in a way that reinforces your trust in Him.

D. His ways are often surprising and challenging, but they’re always the best and the most successful. The Lord may ask you to do something that seems totally unreasonable, but success is guaranteed because God is the one who gave the assignment.

E. The Lord always works in a way that exalts and glorifies Him. If you’re willing to die to yourself and surrender to God, He will powerfully display Himself through you by accomplishing more in your life than you ever expected.