John 10:27
'My sheep respond to (listen and hear) My voice, and I know who they are. They follow Me!' - God wants to come and lead and guide you. - Be sensitive to His voice and His leading in your life. - Don't forget to do what He tells you to do. - Remember, He knows you Andre. PRAYER: Lord, lead me and guide me today and always. I am Your child and it is my heart's desire to follow You. Amen. Why do many Christians fail to experience real joy, which is listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22?
In his book Laugh Again, Charles Swindoll suggests three common “joy stealers”—worry, stress, and fear. He defines worry as “an inordinate anxiety about something that may or may not occur.” (And it usually doesn’t.) Stress, says the author, is “intense strain over a situation we can’t change or control.” (But God can.) And fear, according to Swindoll, is a “dreadful uneasiness over danger, evil, or pain.” (And it magnifies our problems.) Swindoll says that to resist these “joy stealers” we must embrace the same confidence that Paul expressed in his letter to the Philippians. After giving thanks for the Philippian believers (1:3-5), the apostle assured them “that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (v.6). Whatever causes you worry, stress, and fear cannot ultimately keep God from continuing His work in you. With this confidence we can begin each day knowing that He is in control. We can leave everything in His hands. Resist those “joy stealers” by renewing your confidence in God each morning. Then relax and rejoice. Although our joy will wane at times From worry, stress, and fear, God keeps on working in our heart And tells us He is near. —D. De Haan Happiness depends on happenings; joy depends on Jesus. Seuntjie sit in wiskunde klas en skryf:
2+10 = Jesus 8+5 = Jesus... Meneer roep seuntjie nader en vra hom hoekom is al sy antwoorde "Jesus"? Hy se toe: "Meneel, ons was Sondag inni kelk en toe se die Oom da vool.... Jesus is die antwoold tot al jou vlae." And He said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Key to a Good Relationship My aunt recently told me the most important quality in a marriage partner: “Amy, look for someone who is teachable, who doesn’t think they know everything.” This surprised me, but then I remembered the words of Jesus: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” What is it that kids have that is so important? Untainted by Doubt and Pride Kids just believe. They haven’t yet set up boundaries in their mind about what is or isn’t possible; what they will or won’t do because they’re “too mature.” When Jesus told His disciples (who were young men),“Follow Me,” they didn’t first ask, “Well where are we going?” —they just went. This childlike humility is exactly what Jesus loves and is the key to getting into God’s kingdom. Older, but Not Necessarily Wiser… When I first became a Christian, everything was so new and exciting to me. I knew that I didn’t know much, and so I sought out trusted teachers, devoured the Bible, and was so hungry to hear and talk to God. But as I began to get “older” in my faith, I began to think I knew it all and got prideful. This hindered my growth greatly and cut off what once was my fresh, new relationship with God. Now I want to become like I once was: trusting and believing. Become a Kid Again Remember as a kid, how you would play on your hands and knees all them time? Now imagine Jesus’ kingdom had an entry gate that was just a little shorter than you, and you have to kneel to get in. The adult in you says, “I don’t get on my hands and knees!” But that childlike faith is all that God asks of us. The Bible says, “’Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’ He was even called the friend of God” (James 2:23). It just starts with believing. To start the process, just pray from your heart, “God, I want to believe You whole-heartedly, like a trusting child. I am sorry for doubting You. Please help me follow You anywhere.” I am in this with you! God will praise each one of them. 1 Co 4:5
What an incredible sentence. God will praise each one of them. Not "the best of them" nor "a few of them" nor "the achievers among them," but "God will praise each one of them." You won't be left out. God will see to that. In fact, God himself will give the praise. When it comes to giving recognition, God does not delegate the job. Michael doesn't hand out the crowns. Gabriel doesn't speak on behalf of the throne. God himself does the honours. God himself will praise his children. And what's more, the praise is personal! … Awards aren't given a nation at a time, a church at a time, or a generation at a time. The crowns are given one at a time. God himself will look you in the eye and bless you with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Mat 25:23 NIV). When Christ Comes (Max Lucado) But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God... For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:12,14
As a born again, God sees you with now flaw, spot or imperfection, so honor His Word and the finished work of His Son by saying, “Amen!” Don’t doubt your perfection in Christ. To see yourself as being far from perfect is not modesty, but a failure to understand the perfect sacrifice that Jesus has made for you. The Bible tells us, “For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” You have not only been sanctified, that is, made holy, but by the same offering of His body, you have been perfected. You are both holy and perfect in God’s eyes! Your sins have been purged perfectly. Today, Jesus is seated at His Father’s right hand not because He is the Son of God (although that is true), but because His work of purging your sins is completely finished and perfect! So instead of being conscious of your sins, which is to have an evil conscience (Heb 10:22), you can have a perfect conscience, a conscience that is free from the guilt and condemnation of sins. When you find yourself conscious of your sins, just say, “Thank You Lord Jesus, for Your wonderful work at the cross. It is a perfect work that has removed all my sins completely.” “Holy Spirit, thank You for convicting me of righteousness, not my own, but God’s righteousness given to me as a gift. Keep on convicting me in the days to come, reminding me especially when I fail that I am still the righteousness of God in Christ.” God sees you perfect without any spot of sin. He sees you covered in the beautiful white robes of His own righteousness. He treats you as a righteous man because that is what He has made you. So expect good things to happen to you because blessings are on the head of the righteous! (Proverbs 10:6) “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels...”(2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV)
You have many treasures buried deep inside of you. Gifts, talents, abilities that you don’t even know about yet. But as a believer in Jesus, the greatest treasure within you is the Spirit of God. You carry the treasure of God in an earthen vessel! He’s also deposited treasures on the inside of you that are tied to your purpose. By His Spirit, you will discover that God has fully equipped you for everything you need in this life. We have to draw out those treasures inside of us by what we speak and what we believe. We stir up the gifts by praying in the Spirit. Don’t let those treasures lie dormant. Seek God and follow His leading. Dig deep, stir it up and move forward in the destiny God has in store for you! Father, thank You for choosing to live inside of me. Show me the treasures You have deposited within me so that I can fulfill Your purposes for me all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.— Joel & Victoria Osteen Proverbs 2:7 (NIV)
'He (the Lord) holds success in store for the upright!' - God wants to supply what you need in order to make it. - If you need wisdom, He will provide wisdom. - If you need strength, He will come and strengthen you. - He has what you need, so run to Him and expect His help. PRAYER: Lord, thank You that You hold success in store for me. I will run to You knowing that You are able to supply me with the very things I need today. Amen. |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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