Denying oneself is hard but imperative to be a follower of Jesus! It is totally opposite of the teachings from most of today's pulpits. Because when you are carrying your cross there is no way to carry the things that make for a comfortable life! All the money and success the world expects you to gain is not important in The Kingdom of God!
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." (Luke 9:24 NKJV)
As long as we hold onto the things of this world we are NOT on the narrow path! You cannot live and do the things the world does and follow Jesus!
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?" (Luke 9:25 NKJV)
When you are born again through repentance there is a change, and your desires are to please your Father! His approval is more important than your own satisfaction!
"that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts," (Ephesians 4:22 NKJV)
However, when the tests come, and we blow it, the devil whispers in our ears: "there is no way you can do this"; "give up"; "it didn't take"; "well so 'n so does this"; "it's not so bad - just once"! And we listen; thinking those are our thoughts; then we say them, and they become ours! When we speak them, we give them life, and the devil knows this!
IMPORTANT: Every thought in your head is not your own! The "still small voice" is God. The loud, accusing, doubting, incessant, negative voice is the devil. Your voice is the one to which you come into agreement and speak! It's your choice that is your voice!
Recognizing the devil's ways; his voice is one of the ways to overcome and gain the victory in this war!
"nor give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27 NKJV)
Giving place to the devil, comes when we live like the devil; when we live like the world! If we enjoy and desire what the world has to offer more that the things of God, we are not following Jesus.
Giving place to the devil also comes when we have unrepented sin in our life, he has a right to be there and accuse us! And WHAT he is accusing us of, is OF WHAT we need to repent!
It may be a deed, it may be unbelief, it may be rejection, it may be a fear; those things that torment us are from him and God wants us to be free! Freedom only comes from repentance of those sins!
Take fear! Do you know that the fear that plagues you, (say of storms - since we are having so many) says to God, "You are not big enough to protect me", "I can't trust You!"
Your fear is unbelief and unbelief is sin!
Fear is the same as faith, as it also projects the future, but in the negative!
When a fear comes on us, and we give voice to it (speak it out), then we give it the power the devil is counting on, to make it happen!
We have a choice! Live in fear or live in freedom!
The Word tells us how to live a victorious life! It is doable no matter what the devil says! Through repentance and obedience we receive the peace and joy The Word promises and they are worth our every effort!
Time is running out and we must get serious about our walk! The line has been drawn and the separation of the wheat and the tares has begun! (Matt 13:29).
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; (II Peter 3:10-14 NKJV)
Repent!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 7/3/15
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