Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Overcoming Temptation

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 32:3-7 (NIV) When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
James 4:6-7 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Psalm 119:105-106 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
Joshua 24:15  “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Daniel 1:8 Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself...

Psalm 101:3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.
Psalm 119:37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.
Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
Psalm 25:15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net
Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.
John 1:29  “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
John 11:9 
"If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Romans 12:2 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.
Philippians 4:8 ...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Colossians 3:2-3, 9-10 
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.... you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him
2 Corinthians 10:5  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
Romans 6:11 
...reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Psalm 51:11-12 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Psalm 23:3-4 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
1 Corinthians 6:18-19 
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh
Romans 8:13-15 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
2 Timothy 1:7 
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Psalm 16:7-8 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Romans 8:26 ...the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Psalm 34:13-14 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 94:18-19 If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 121:3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber
Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.
Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy

Psalm 119:133 Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.
Psalm 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Isaiah 59:19 ...When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
John 8:31b-32, 34, 36 
[Jesus says] “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free... whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.... if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
2 Peter 1:3-4 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

Related posts: 

A future post will look at finding shelter in God's presence through prayer

Monday, April 25, 2022

What Is The Gospel?

The "gospel" or "good news" that Paul speaks about in his epistles centers around being "in Christ", because in "Adam" we all die. (1 Corinthians 15:22). "In Adam", our relationship with God was broken, we were disconnected from the source of love and life. We have a longing in our heart that only God can satisfy and all of us at some point have tried to satisfy it with something or someone else (Ecclesiastes 3:11, Jeremiah 2:13).

The "good news" of the gospel is that "in Christ", you are brought back to God and you become a new creation. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-19). Jesus identified himself with all the bad, whether done by you or done to you and nailed it all to the cross. In return, you become identified by His good life, His thoughts, feelings and attitude. (2 Corinthians 5:21). We experience the new life by thanking God for what Jesus did and continues to do in us. (Philippians 1:6). When we really appreciate His love and value for us, it will only be natural to worship Him in the beauty of holiness. 

We completely miss the point of the gospel when we inspect fruits (behaviors) of sin, but never address the tree and root, which is the separation from God. Whatever your temptations may be, the good news is that it's not up to you to overcome temptation in your own strength, but when you come into a close relationship with Jesus, He overcomes it for you. (1 Corinthians 15:57).

 How we treat others different than us is a reflection of our picture of God, we all truly live out our theology (1 John 4:8). That's why it's so important for us to really get to really get to know Jesus personally and His good news (the gospel) for you and everyone around you. We need to know the value we have in God's eyes and that's what the gospel will show us. When we really take the time to know the good news about God's love for us and His power to change our hearts, we will want to share that with others. 


Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Slow Down, Start Small, Take Breaks

Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God:  Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Proverbs 19:2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.

Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

Proverbs 29:20
Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 25:8 Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?

James 1:19-20 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Mark 6:31  And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Luke 10:38–42 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”  And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Friday, August 20, 2021

How to overcome strongholds



2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

Get to know the Lord
Knowing God's keeps you humble
Isaiah 6:5 “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24 
Thus says the Lord:  “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
Let God's Spirit and Word guide you in knowing Him
John 15:26 But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

Humility, Faith, and Divine Wisdom
Humbly submit to God, receive His grace
James 4:6-7 ...God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Humbly trust in God with your worries and fears
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) 
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 
Psalm 56:3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
Trust God is with you and will act on your behalf
Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 37:5–6 (GWT) Entrust your ways to the Lord. Trust him, and he will act ⌊on your behalf⌋. He will make your righteousness shine like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun.
Humbly trust God's guidance and wisdom
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Psalm 25:9 The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.

God's Wisdom Changes Yout Behavior
The Meekness of Wisdom
James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Keep away from lies, Depart from evil, Seek Peace
Psalm 34:13-14 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
Overcome evil with good
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Don’t give place for the devil
Ephesians 4:25-27, 31-32 (ESV) Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil... Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NIV) Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

The Truth In Jesus Sets You Free
John 8:31-32, 34, 36 
If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.... whoever commits sin is a slave of sin...  if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Ephesians 4:21-24 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

God's validation for you

God made you in his image and delights in you
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Zephaniah 3:17 
The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

God loves you so much and wants to be with you forever
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

God is for you not against you
Romans 8:31 
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

His plans for you are good
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

He has given you unique gifts, talents, and strengths
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

You really are the apple of His eye
Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings


Friday, August 13, 2021

Bible Advice For Digital Media Use



You become like you look at
2 Corinthians 3:18 
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Don't waste your time
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ISV) So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil.
Psalm 119:37 
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.

Replace what's bad with what's good
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Cling to what is good, avoid any form of evil
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 
Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Set limits on social media
Proverbs 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

Social media fasting
Joel 2:12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

Meet in person
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Depend on the Lord's strength
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Wake up, Watch, Hope, and Be Transformed


Be watchful and thankful in prayer
Colossians 4:2 (ESV) Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Watchful prayer keeps you from temptation
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
1 Corinthians 1:12 (ISV) Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing securely should watch out so he doesn't fall.
Watch out and Be Sober-minded
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Armored with faith, love, and salvation
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
Wake up, clean up, dress up
Romans 13:10-14 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Arise and let Jesus shine
Ephesians 5:13-14 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,  “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
As servants waiting for their masters return
Mark 13:33-36 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
Living right and looking for the blessed hope
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
A Hope that Purifies You
1 John 3:1-3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
A Hope That Doesn't Disappoint
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.