Denying oneself is so hard, but imperative to be a follower of Jesus; totally opposite of the teachings from most of today's pulpits. 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 whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
Luke 9:24 KJV
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 is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?”
Luke 9:25 KJV
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 satisfaction!
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22 KJV
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 when we say them - 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 voice is the devil!
Recognizing your enemy’s ways, his voice, is one of the ways to overcome and gain the victory in this war!
“Neither give place to the devil.”
Ephesians 4:27 KJV
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 the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
2 Peter 3:10-14 KJV
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 7/3/15
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