Secrets For A Better Life

Posts tagged ‘God’s love’

UNSEEN BATTLES-PART 2

Ephesians 6:
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

FAITH! FAITH! FAITH!
Our spiritual journey begins with faith when we take that first step to believe and to become God’s child, then faith continues as we grow and mature spiritually, and finally our faith becomes fulfilled on that glorious day when we reunite with our Creator.
In our last devotion, we talked about life’s problems, big and small and that with each of those real-world struggles come an UNSEEN BATTLE—the battle to steal our spiritual inheritance and legacy. That is what the enemy wants. He wants us to listen to his lies, to believe him, to believe we don’t have the power to change our circumstances. To believe that God is not God. To believe that God is not good. To believe that God doesn’t love us as much as the other people around us.

We can’t always choose our circumstances, but we can choose to activate our faith in and through every circumstance. In Beth Moore’s study—Living Beyond Yourself—she has a phrase for each of the fruit of the spirits. For faith, the phrase is FAITH FIGHTS!

FAITH FIGHTS!
Faith is not passive.
Faith is active.
Let’s look at today’s verse again in light of the fact that FAITH FIGHTS. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Which YOU can extinguish…. YOU must do it. Faith is not passive.  Faith is active. You must be the one who activates your faith.
But how?
A good start is with our thoughts, our words, and then our actions!
Every time, those seeds of doubt enter our minds, banish them with God thoughts! A great verse and very easy to remember is “With God, all things are possible.”
Every time, you are tempted to whine about the situation, change it to an act of faith, by using positive words:” It’s tough right now, but God is still with me.”
As you practice using your thoughts and words to activate your faith, let your actions show that you are believing God’s Words and His Promises, not the enemy’s lies.
Faith Fights!
In her study, Beth also talks about prayer and that prayer can change our circumstances. She uses the illustration of a wall of doubt but with prayer that wall can be knocked out and turned into a window to allow God’s Power into our lives. Can you picture that?
I can. I kneel before a sold wall but as I pray to God. I pick up my  axe of faith and start to knock out the wall. With each prayer a little more of the wall of doubt crumbles allowing more of God’s light and power to shine on me. And before I  know it, I am bathed in the light of God’s love.

Bring on the flaming arrows, enemy—I will use them to enlarge my window of faith!
FAITH FIGHTS!

 

 

SHARING TIME: What’s one real way you can activate your faith on a daily basis?

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FAITH, SPIRITUAL BATTLES

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UNSEEN BATTLES

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

LIFE IS TOUGH! And then it gets even tougher. Sometimes it seems as if our problems and troubles will never end. And the truth is they might not! Or they might not end the way we want them to.

Disappointments, worries, and problems come. Illnesses happen. Tragedies strike. That’s the reality of the fallen world we live in.

Those are the battles we fight every day in the natural world.

Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, and sometimes it becomes a wait and see what happens. But there’s another battle going on as well. This battle is much more important than whatever you are experiencing in the natural world.

It’s an UNSEEN BATTLE

The unseen battle is about stealing your faith, hope, trust,  power,  peace, joy, and all the other wonderful gifts God gives us as His heir. Paul says it this way in Ephesians 6:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

Paul knew what many of us forget in this modern world. Even though we can’t see the supernatural world, it’s out there and there’s an unseen battle going on. And that’s the battle that counts!

You may not be able to do much about the battle in the physical world. Sometimes, you can and you certainly should do all you can, but there are times, it is what it is and you can’t change it.

But the UNSEEN BATTLE.

God gives us the weapons we need for that battle, but it’s up to us to use them. If we don’t we’ll lose the war. So, what are the weapons for fighting the unseen battle?

Ephesians 6: 13-20

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

 

As you can see, God has not left you defenseless in the UNSEEN BATTLES, but instead has given you many weapons. They are all important, of course, but it all starts with that shield of faith which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Wow! Did you read that line? Maybe you should read it again:  that shield of faith which YOU can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Did you notice the word I put the emphasis on that time?

YOU can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one! YOU are the one that much activate your faith. YOU are the one that must use your faith.

So, how do you do that? Good question and we’ll  discuss it some more in the next devotion.

SHARING TIME:  What are ways you activate your shield of faith?

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WHO’S IN CONTROL?

Proverbs 3: 26

for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about control lately.

If you ask me, who is in control, I would, of course, give the good Christian answer—GOD . If you ask me who is my provision, I would, of course, give the good Christian answer—GOD. If you ask me who the source if my confidence is, I would give the good Christian answer—GOD.

And I believe that but….

On the other hand, I like to think of myself as self-reliant. I started working the same week I graduated from high school in…cough…stammer…uhm 1973 . I found a job the same week and have worked since then with the exception of one quarter in college when I saved enough money to take a break.

I put myself through college along with a few grants and scholarships—no loans. ME and MY WORK. I saveD my money—bought my houses-bought my cars. ME and MY WORK

So, even though I say and believe God is in control, believe He is my provision, I’m not so sure I’ve ever depended on HIM the way HE wants. Because after all, for almost forty years, it’s been ME and MY WORK.

That is until lately.

I’ve been retired and only working part-time for the past few years. That was really awesome!  I had time to write and enough money not to worry!  And then it happened!

NO JOB! I actually didn’t freak out at first. I assumed something would come along at the last minute. But it didn’t.

The last check came and then it wasn’t ME and MY WORK anymore! Just me!  Oh, that’s right, I admit it—I forgot about God for a few anxiety-filled weeks. I worried, I grumbled to myself. I was more anxious than I’d been in years!

And it was driving me crazy!

Suddenly, my peace and joy was replaced with worry and aggravation. A lot of it and I didn’t like it. But I didn’t stop me from doing it until one day when I realized by worrying I wasn’t trusting God. I was NOT placing my confidence in God as my provider.

HE had been my provider all along but as with us fleshly humans, I forgot that for awhile…

So, now each time the worry comes back, I say a quick prayer: “I know You love me. You are all-powerful and I know you will work this out for my good.” Sometimes, it’s simpler and even quicker: “I need you or Your Will be done.”

The anxiety and worry are slowly being replaced by the peace and joy again. And that is wonderful!

We don’t, can’t, and won’t always know why things happen the way they do, but we always have a choice in how we react to them. We can choose to believe God’s promises. We can choose to believe God loves us and will take care of us. We can choose to stay in faith.

My life circumstances may still a mess, but as long as I keep my eyes on God, my faith remains steady. I now know that GOD truly is in control and my times are indeed in HIS hands.

Interestingly enough, I wrote the above devotion a few months ago before I developed complications from the Gamma Knife treatment for my brain tumors. Because of the complications, I was put on high dosages of steroids. And there would have been no way I could have worked during that time. And that would have only put me under more stress–something I certainly didn’t need.

God knew what he was doing when He decided it was time for me to retire for real.

He was in control and He knew what He was doing.

He was working my circumstances out for what was best for me–even though I couldn’t see it at the time.

That’s what TRUST and FAITH  are all about!

 

SHARING TIME: Share a time when what seemed like bad circumstances actually turned out to be the best thing for you. And allowed you to know God was working things out for you.

 

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FOREVER HIS!

 Romans 8:38-39

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is an awesome GOD moment I experienced many, many years ago, but I remember the details as if it happened yesterday. And that’s saying something because I don’t have a good memory. I was in my car driving up what is called Madison Hill in my 62 Falcon (but it was 1974 on the way to Fredericksburg, Ohio.

God gave me answers that I was searching for and they were the perfect answers for me.

I was nineteen and making choices that weren’t godly. I wasn’t consciously rebelling against God but my actions told a different story. God’s love is so amazing that even though I had turned my back on him, he didn’t do the same to me.

After a year of working in dead-end jobs, I was going to college. but I needed to decide what to major in. I really had no idea. I only knew I wasn’t going to work in a factory or fast food for the rest of my life.   “Teacher” popped into my head from nowhere.  Almost audible, but not quite. What a good idea but what kind of teacher? Elementary? Home Ec? Math? The words, “Deaf teacher” popped into my head. Another great idea! I”d been involved in the deaf ministry through my church since I was about thirteen or fourteen so it made sense to me.

Four years later, I became a Speech Pathologist and several years later received my Master’s Degree as a teacher of the deaf. I was blessed to work most of my career as a Speech Pathologist for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the Cleveland City Schools.

I loved it! Not that there weren’t a few moments of frustration, but it was a job that I was good at and it brought me much joy thanks to the great students I had through the years.

It was only years later that I realized that God had truly spoken to me in HIS  still quiet voice in that car that day going up Madison Hill.  God had guided me to the perfect career for me even though I was in complete rebellion at the time and for many years afterwards.  I’m still blessed every day by that choice that God gave me that day.

AT the time, I wasn’t living in a godly way, but God loved me enough to get me down the right path anyway. God is so wise and so good. He picked the perfect job for me in spite of my rebellion. This was only one of the times that God clearly guided me, protected me, and blessed me during my rebellion. There were many others!

Know that God loves you no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. Just as the prodigal son’s father worried, loved him, and longed to bless his child when he was off in rebellion, so it is with our heavenly father. Whether our rebellion lasts for ten minutes or ten years, God is waiting with open arms to welcome us back because we are forever HIS!

 

SHARING TIME: Is there a time God guided you in spite of your rebellion?

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A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

Luke 2: 10-12

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 

 

A baby changes everything, there is no arguing that point. Ask any parent, new or experienced, young or old, tired or rested. A baby changes everything for the family they were born in.

And that’s true for the baby we celebrate during this Christmas season. Jesus was born and He changed everything for His family. Mary and Joseph? No, I’m not talking about Mary and Joseph. I’m talking about God’s family.

To become part of God’s family, you must accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and when you do you become part of the Family of God. Don’t believe me, read the next verse.

Ephesians 1:5

In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace which he has freely given us in the One he loves

We become His Child. How awesome is that!! Along with adoption comes an inheritance–and what an inheritance that is!!

Matthew 7:11

 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

 

For most of us, our earthly parents loved us and took care of us to the best of their ability.  They want us to have a successful life. They want to give us all that they have, emotionally and materially. They want to give us whatever advantages in life that they can.

Our earthly parents’ love is shallow and minute compared to the infinite love of God.  Can you imagine how much God is on our side?  Can you imagine how much he loves us and wants good things for us?  Can you imagine what good and wonderful plans our Heavenly Father has for us?

Unfortunately, not all of us had the perfect parents, the perfect family or the perfect life. Not all of us made the right decisions and those wrong decisions have taken us to places we couldn’t imagine. Even now as you read these words, you might be in the depths of despair while everyone around you SEEMS happy as they rush around with smiles on their faces.

And now you think it’s too late.

But it’s not too late! God loves you and He wants you to be part of his family. He wants to adopt you and give you the inheritance He created just for you. His inheritance is about love and joy and peace and tons of other wonderful things–too many to list here.

Not sure what to do? Here’s a few verses to get you started, but the Bible is filled with more wisdom than I can put in this little devotion.  I suggest you find a Bible and then search all the verses about God’s Love. 

Romans 10: 9

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

1st John 4: 9-10

9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

And remember a child changes everything.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!

Merry Christmas to all!!

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Unwrapping The Gifts-GOD’S LOVE

 Psalm 36:5
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love!

As promised, it’s time to get to the good part and learn about the gifts that come along with God’s big gift of salvation. And at the top of the list is GOD’S LOVE.  The wonderful news about GOD’S LOVE  is that it is available to everyone. Remember–For God so loved the world….
Jesus loves me, yes, Jesus loves me. The words from this childhood song may be simple but that doesn’t make them any less true or any less wonderful. Jesus does love you and me. If it’s been awhile since you sang that song, go ahead and sing it now.
While you sing, feel the truth, the love, and the joy behind those words.
How great is that!
Did you feel the miracle of God’s love while you sang those words? Imagine that the God who created the universe, the earth, the moon, the sun and the stars, the mountains, and the rivers, loves you.

He doesn’t just love us as an idea or a concept. He knows each of us as individuals. He knows our names, our struggles and our joys, our problems and our accomplishments, our good traits and our not so good traits. He knows the good, the bad, and the ugly about each of us and still He loves us.

I can hear you thinking right now….no, God doesn’t love me. I’m not good enough to be loved but the Bible says he does love you and me.

John 3: 16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world. It doesn’t say the perfect people, the good people, or even the religious people. It says God loved the world. Last time I looked I was part of the world and so are you.
And that means God loves me and you!
God demonstrates this great love for us in so many remarkable ways but by far His greatest demonstration was by sending his son, Jesus, to earth to die for us. When Jesus died on the cross and then rose again, He forever gave each and everyone of us a way to reconcile our broken relationship with Him, God, the creator of the universe.
What amazing love! Here’s a few more verses you can check out to learn more about God’s love:

God’s love is unconditional.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God’s love is boundless.

Lamentations 3:21-2
3But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!

 

 God’s love is everlasting.

 Psalm 117:2
His love has taken over our lives; God’s faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah!
1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever

God’s love is personal.

Psalms 36:5-7
God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.

So as you go through this day, keep reminding yourself GOD LOVES ME, and see if it doesn’t bring a smile to your face.

Share your favorite verse about God’s love or tell us about an experience where  you felt God’s love.

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