Reason For Faith

Ephesians 2:8-10 (Amplified Bible) For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

There are those who believe you can lose your salvation, and those who believe you cannot. All too often, either belief is weighed out through human reasoning, and with that, the conclusions drawn through such reasoning often become the pillar of a person's faith rather than Christ. Faith, being "the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things unseen," is also something that cannot be derived through human reasoning. It is something you either place in Christ-or you do not. It is not our reasoning that saves us anymore than it is our works. Eternal life comes by taking God at His Word, and believing that the work Christ has accomplished through His life and death was sufficient. Abundant life comes through submitting to Jesus as Lord, being obedient to Him, living for Him, laying down our lives, taking up our crosses daily and following Him. I can reason all day long, but at the end of the day I must ask myself: "Will I place my trust in my own reasoning-or will I place my trust in God?"
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Your Future

Proverbs 4:18 (The Message) The ways of right-living people glow with light;
the longer they live, the brighter they shine.

How do you see your future? Well, if you've got God on your side there's only one way to answer that question. Your future is bright! You've got something to look forward to. There's no reason today for you to be depressed or defeated. When you are on God's path, it just gets better and better. Does that mean you won't have problems? Certainly not. There will be plenty of opportunities to choose to believe the devil's lies or to focus on the promises of God. But when adversity comes your way and you choose to take the high road, you've taken a step in the right direction. Through Jesus you are a world-overcomer and more than conqueror, so your future is not growing dim, but getting brighter and brighter!
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Blessed

Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

There is much to praise God for this day. Every blessing that is in heaven, He has made available to us through Christ our Lord. In other words, God has made every provision for us to prosper because we belong to Christ. We have been redeemed. We have been empowered to prosper in every area of our lives, and redeemed from the curse. God's plan today is the same as it was four thousand years ago when He made a covenant with Abraham. God blessed Abraham to prosper. Abraham was blessed to be a blessing, so that people would see the goodness of God and turn to Him. Today, that same blessing is ours in Jesus Christ. We are blessed through Christ to be a blessing to others so they would experience the goodness of God and turn to Him. Give praise and thanks to God that He has blessed you to be a blessing, then go out and bless somebody!

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Use What You Have

Romans 12:6 (Amplified Bible) Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;
You are created by God to be one-of-a-kind. Everyone has their own unique combinations of gifts, talents, abilities and personalities. God does not create junk or trash. He does not make mistakes. He has made you for a purpose and has created within you the gifts, talents and abilities to fill a purpose and be successful in life. Begin by using what you have. Many people are not doing what they were created to do because of circumstances, fears, perceived obstacles or excuses. Jesus Christ has empowered you to overcome those things. He has saved you and put you on a path that gets brighter and brighter. Instead of waiting for something big to happen to begin using your gifts and talents, start today by using what you have in whatever capacity you can use them. As you are faithful to do so, God will cause the increase. Doors of opportunity will begin to open. Faith is what is standing in the gap until the evidence is seen. Once you have the faith to believe, begin to act on it as Abraham did. Even if it seems small and insignificant, remember that no one is insignificant in the Kingdom of God. We are all kings and priests. Every part of the body is just as important as the other, no matter how big or small. In your own body you have two hands, but you can do things with one hand that you can't do with the other and vice-versa. Don't compare what you have and do with someone else. Be yourself and be the original that God created you to be!

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Faith or Unbelief

Matthew 13:58 (Amplified Bible) And He did not do many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus).
Faith is the element that moves the hand of God in the performance of the miraculous. Unbelief can hinder God in the performance of miracles. Jesus was unable to perform many miracles in His hometown of Nazareth because of their unbelief.
What power does Jesus have.
1. Jesus has power over all diseases - Luke 4:38-41
2. Jesus has power over Death - John 11
3. Jesus Has Power over Nature - John 2
4. Jesus has power over the tempest - Matthew 8:23-27
5. Jesus has power over demons - Luke 4:35, 36, 41
6. Jesus has power over all things - Hebrews 2:8

So what does that mean for you.


John 14:12-1 'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
So when you have problems in your life, the need is not what moves the hand of God, Faith is what puts the answer to the problem into action. When you speak in faith its like pressing the gas pedal to make your car move. You can set in the car all day long and say this car can move, but it want until you press the gas pedal. You can talk about your problem all day long, but until you speak to it (speak the answer not the problem) in faith there is no positive action that will take place.
You hear from three voices. God a positive voice--satan a negative voice--Self voice of reason, it will always question Gods voice! Who are you listening to today!
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The Word is Sure

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

The bible is the very word of God. 2 Peter 1:21 says that men who were inspired and heard the voice of God wrote it down. God's words aren't for nothing. They are for a purpose. The bible says that they are life. They are health to your whole body. They are able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart of man. They are a light for the path we are to take, and a lamp to guide our feet. They reveal the will of God. By them, Jesus resisted the devil in the wilderness and won the victory. They will outlast heaven and earth. God's words stand forever. Stand on the word during your trials and hardships. Confess the word over your life. The word is truth. You can find comfort, hope and peace in the written word of God. Believe the word and hold fast to the promises. They are real and they are for today. When all else is failing, and everything else is on the decline, trust in the word of God. It will not fail or return void. It will accomplish what is says. You have God's word on it!

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Life Isn't Fair

Romans 8:28 (KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Perhaps you have heard that life isn't fair. Perhaps you heard that at a time when that was the last thing you wanted to hear. In all reality, life isn't fair-it is more than fair. Life, first and foremost, is not some random series of events-bad, good and otherwise. To think that life is like some haphazard game of chance is to leave God out of the equation. You've heard that God has a plan for your life. It's true. God has a purpose and plan for your life and He always has your best interest at heart-regardless of how well you understand what it is He is doing in your life. Why is life more than fair? Because God is active in it. He blesses you in all things. He blesses you in ways you are pleased with. And He blesses you in ways that don't make you happy-but they do make you whole. When life doesn't seem fair, it may be hard to remember that there is so much more going on than you see. For you have a loving Father who will always be using all things-bad or good-to bring about what is truly good in the lives of His children.

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Never Too Late

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

It is not, nor will it ever be too late, to put away selfish want so as to draw near to God and embrace His desires as our own. It is not too late to give up anything that takes our eyes off of our Lord. For only in our death to self will we truly ever find life. And that life is in us and with us daily. We come to a gracious God because Christ has opened the door for us to boldly approach the throne of grace. And as we approach Him, we find forgiveness, love and true peace.

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Look To Heaven

Luke 9:16 (NKJV) Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.

Where you put your focus will determine your results. Jesus fed the five thousand not by looking at what could be accomplished only by the worlds standards, but he looked toward heaven and drew upon what could be accomplished by the standard of heaven. God is a god of increase and He can make a way where there seems to be no way. He can make the impossible, possible. He can take a hopeless situation and bring hope to it. If you are facing an impossible situation, look to God first and give thanks to Him, that He can do the impossible and take what you have and multiply it when it seems to be not be enough. If you look to yourself and your abilities, then you'll only experience and get what you can do. But, when you look to God and thank Him for what He can do, then you can experience abundantly more than what seems possible. Look to heaven!

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Where Do You Turn

Psalm 34:8 (KJV) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

When trouble comes where do you turn? Where do you seek peace, hope, strength and encouragement? Those who continuously take their refuge in the Lord will see the blessing come upon their life. When you seek the Lord in everything, you have an advantage over those who don't. They rely upon their knowledge and reasoning, and whatever else they can think up in their on minds. On the other hand, those that seek the Lord have access to wisdom and understanding that is not of this world. It comes directly from the One who created it all! If your life was a car, would you rather have someone work on it that has just studied about cars, or would you rather it be worked on and fixed by the one who created it? God knows you inside out, and He knows all about your life. He certainly has the answers to fix anything you come up against. Some people run to alcohol or drugs to help them cope with life. Be the one who gets the blessing - taste and see that the Lord is good!

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Trouble

James 1:2-3 (KJV) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

We often think of trouble as uncommon or unusual. But as we study God's Word, we see in Matthew 14 the lessons Jesus taught the disciples in a storm. And James said, "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" Peter said, "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you" God does not promise us that our trials will be easy or will always make sense to us. But He does promise us His comfort and His abiding presence to overcome life's storms.

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Revelation Knowledge

1 Timothy 6:20 (Amplified Bible) O Timothy, guard and keep the deposit entrusted [to you]! Turn away from the irreverent babble and godless chatter, with the vain and empty and worldly phrases, and the subtleties and the contradictions in what is falsely called knowledge and spiritual illumination.

God says in His word that His people are destroyed (perish) for lack of knowledge. The knowledge that God is speaking of is the knowledge of His Word - the Truth. This has to do with what God has said or spoken about a situation or circumstance. It is a spiritual truth or revelation that defies common sense or intellect. It is revelation knowledge. It's the kind of knowledge that says take two fish and five loaves and divide amongst over five thousand people and pick up twelve baskets of left-overs. There is also another kind of knowledge that is based on intellect, common sense and what can be seen, heard, tasted, smelled and touched. It's the kind of knowledge that says two fish and five loaves will only feed three to four people at best and then we'll all have to go to McDonald's afterwards. God says to oppose knowledge that goes against what He says in His word. It doesn't mean that you are to be careless or to not apply common sense to your daily lives, but it does say that regardless of what the facts may be, God's Word is the final authority and it is truth.
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Who Are You?

Romans 9:20-21 (NKJV) But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?


The calling of God is on each of us, right? He indeed has a purpose for each individual; and He has a purpose for us as a group. Many of us would like to better understand that purpose, and how we are meant to fit into the church. Yet, in the quest to understand our purpose and place, and in determination to function as God intended, we sometimes question God. "Who am I?" we ask. Sure, we mean no disrespect to Him. We are not implying that the Potter has made a mistake in how He has fashioned the vessel. And yet, we may see ourselves of no importance, and as someone with so little to offer. "Who am I that You would use me?" we continue, "I am nobody." But who we are is of no consequence. What matters is that we recognize who God is, and that we trust that He is able to accomplish through us anything He desires. The question is not, "Who am I?" but, "Who are You?" The answer is: He is the one Who has fashioned you for His purposes, and you are simply to surrender your all, even your understanding of things, completely and fully to Him.

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Waiting

Lamentations 3:25, NKJV: The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.

Abraham and Sarah understood what it meant to wait for the Lord. He had revealed His plans to them to give them a son, and to make Abraham the father of many nations. Abraham and Sarah did what so many of us would do, or have done--they took matters into their own hands. They attempted to work out for themselves the purposes of God in their lives, in their own way, and by their own timetable. But, "the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you--" (2 Peter 3:9). Responding to our circumstances using human reasoning or worldly wisdom is something that often brings more headaches than solutions. God's plan for us is something He is bringing about in His time, and His way. Our primary responsibility is to seek Him, follow where He leads, trust Him when things don't make sense to us, and wait for Him as we journey forward.

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The Choice is Ours

Joshua 24:15, (NKJV): 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.

A day will come when each of us will face the one true Judge. On that day, there will be no appeal to a higher court. Truth will not be relevant or subjective, but based on what is. Nothing will remain hidden that was hidden. All will be laid bare before the Judge, the Lord. And when the final arguments are heard, and those that have chosen to seek to live for themselves and deny Christ are faced with their consequences, there will be a great cry. Some will be broken with sorrow. Some will be speechless. And some will have the audacity to blame God. Augustine said, "A man may lose the good things of this life against his will; but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent." There are so many people who seem to believe their misfortune is the fault of someone or something else--perhaps a parent, or society, or some other life circumstance. But concerning our choice to seek self or seek God, there is no one else to blame. We choose Jesus, or we don't. The choice is up to each of us.

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Faith Is

Hebrews 11:1,( NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

If we walk by sight, faith has no substance. It has no weight or merit, but is a vague idea only. Yet, if we walk by faith, we will discover what faith truly is. But it is not because it is faith alone, but because of in Whom we put faith. Even within our churches today, faith is something so very few truly understand. It is more an unattainable, incomprehensible ideal. This is evident in the way we live our lives. As we work our way through life, how we respond to life is more like the way the world responds, than how people of faith in the Scriptures responded. Yet we hold the Scriptures up as our example. Faith is not some fanciful feeling, as some have made it out to be. Faith is an assurance that God is. Faith is letting go of what we reason according to the world, and realizing what truly is real within God. Faith is clinging to God's reality while letting go of our own. Faith is substance, and when it is placed in God, nothing is impossible.

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What is God Like

John 14:9 (Amplified Bible) Jesus replied, Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know Me yet, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, Show us the Father?


There are many opinions on what God is like. People often think of God as some far away being that is unapproachable. Others may think of God as mean and that He inflicts people with things to teach them a lesson. Others simply don't have an opinion and plan on waiting until they get to heaven to see what God is really like. Well if we read the stories of Jesus in the Bible we find out exactly what God is like. Essentially Jesus said if you want to know what God is like, come follow me around for a while and I'll show you. Jesus built relationships with people. He fed them, He ministered to them. He served them and gave His life for the sins of the world. And although he hated religion and self-righteousness, He cared for them and forgave them saying "Father, they know not what they do". He healed their sickness and diseases; He opened the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf. He cast out demons and evil spirits from those who were tormented. If we look at Jesus and see the reflection of the Father, we see that He always left people better off than when He found them. That's what God is like.

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Laughter

Proverbs 17:22 (The Message) A cheerful disposition is good for your health;
gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

If there's one thing in these stressful times that can give you some relief, it is laughter. We would all do ourselves good by finding something every day to laugh about. Yes, times are serious, but we don't have to take ourselves so serious that we lose our joy. Every good thing comes from the Father above and joy is a good thing. Laughter is from God. It is like medicine to the heart. The joy of the Lord is your strength. So instead of having a broken spirit and dried up bones, resulting from a negative outlook and a poor attitude, do yourself some good today and find something to laugh about!

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Complaining and Arguing

Philippians 2:14-15 (KJV) Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

You are a citizen of heaven, an ambassador and representative of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. If people who don't know God ever get a picture or demonstration of what life in the kingdom of God is like, it will be through you. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace & joy in the Holy Spirit. If those around you are arguing and complaining, you can combat that with the kingdom of heaven by speaking what is right, and things that produce peace and joy. If you're not accustomed to acting or reacting this way, it will take some discipline. You'll have to stay alert and be aware of the devil's schemes so that you are not caught off guard. His job is to steal, kill and destroy and he wants to keep you from being a light in a dark place. So always be ready to usher in what makes for peace, joy and righteousness! The next time you stand there wishing God would come in and change a situation, keep in mind that He is already at work trying to get that done. And He's choosing to do it through you! That's why you're on the scene. So don't fall into the trap of grumbling and complaining - do and say what makes for peace, joy and righteousness. It's up to you!

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Day By Day

Psalm 32:8 (NKJV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

We all have a purpose and we all have a destiny that God has planned for each of us. The water that flows from the beginnings of a river is sometimes hundreds of miles from the ocean. It has a course that it follows to get there. Though it takes days or weeks to get there, it eventually finds the ocean. Don't be discouraged if you don't have the full picture or understanding what God has for your life. He is teaching you as you go. He is preparing you for the great things that are ahead of you. Listen to His daily instruction and be faithful to do all that He asks. Little by little, step by step, God is taking you to what He has planned. Each day, you are seeing the way. Though it may not seem like it, you are getting closer to the place that God has called you to be. In the mean time, "water the ground" and be a source of encouragement and life to those around you as you go.

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Throwing a Fit

James 4:1-3 (NKJV) Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

It is the picture of a childish tantrum-children of God fighting over matters within the church. Do I think the carpet should be red, the hymnbooks blue, or the emergency fund larger? Why? Is it God?s glory that I seek? Is the service too slow, the song selection too modern, or the preaching too dry? Who am I to judge? Perhaps I should concern myself with weightier, more personal questions. Am I willing to put aside my preferences regarding church decor in favor of encouraging peace, love and unity? Am I able to take responsibility for worshipping God during the service, regardless of the songs or sermon? The church does not exist to serve me, but I exist to serve within the church. The church does not exist to honor me, but to honor God. As long as the church does not dishonor God, who am I to argue that my wishes be heeded? So much of what is argued about is petty and pointless. And so often because we simply lose sight of Who is Lord, and Whose church it is.

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Worry

Matthew 6:25-34 (KJV)

25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Worry is faith in the negative. It is a belief in defeat. It has been said, Worry is wasting today's time to clutter up tomorrow's opportunities with yesterday's troubles. Worry is like a rocking chair-it gives you something to do , but it doesn't get you anywhere. Worry is the interest you pay on troubles that seldom come. I encourage you to practice rejoicing rather then worrying. Know that the Lord is in control of your life, and if you will look to Him, He will bring you out of any circumstance. he will see you through and bring you victoriously to the other side. And instead of living in turmoil, you will be able to live in peace.

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Inner Peace

John 16:33 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

I often think of the peace God gives as a peace that is with us in the midst of our circumstances-a peace we experience regardless of external trials. But it is also a peace that goes much deeper. The turmoil we face is often internal, having little to do with external things. As we struggle with finding direction, making a personal decision, or coming to grips with personal attitudes and downfalls, His peace is available. And His peace is consistent regardless of the outer, or inner, storms we must endure.

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Attitude

Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible) I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

Attitudes are not determined by circumstances; attitudes are determined by choice. In any situation, we can choose to have either a good or a bad attitude. You never hear people with a negative attitude say," I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Or " No weapon formed against me shall prosper". Instead, they constantly say, "I never get ahead "or "Things never work out for me." Their negative attitude controls how they look at life.If only these people would start to meditate on these two verses, their situations could be turned around. Instead of allowing difficulties to defeat them, they would see that they can be victorious through the Word of God.

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Don't Forget

Proverbs 4:20-21 (The Message) Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart!Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they're bursting with health.

Do you think you'll ever forget what 2+2 equals? No! Because you studied it over and over again until you knew the answer without even counting on your fingers. The Bible says you should study to show yourself approved unto God. When we study God's word and get it in us, then we remember it just as easily as we remember that 2+2 equals 4.But when we don't study God's Word, something happens...We Forget. James 1:24 tells us not to be forgetful hearers of God's Word.So, how do we overcome this problem we have of forgetting God's Word. Proverbs 4:20-21 Gives us three keys for remembering. Pay attention to it...Listen closely to it...and keep it deep within your heart!

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YOUR VALUE

Luke 12:6-7 (NKJV) Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

In this world we tend to put value on ourselves, and maybe others, based on monetary worth. Your company may think that you are worth $40,000 per year. Your bank or some other institution considers your worth based on what you own, what your assets are and how much money you make. Sometimes friends may consider your worth to them based on how trustworthy your are or how good of a friend you have been to them. A person who creates and sells things puts worth on an object based on how much time and material it took to make the item. There are many ways to consider worth. But, let's look a little higher and consider from a creator viewpoint what our true worth is. God sees you as His most prized possession. He made the whole universe and everything in it, yet He desires to have a relationship with you. The Bible says in Psalm 115:16 that the highest heavens belong to God, but the earth He has given to man. God made the whole earth for you to enjoy. If you ever start to wonder if your life is worth anything, think about these things and remember that God gave everything He had in His son, Jesus, to save and have a relationship with you!

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Roots

Romans 5:12 (KJV) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

We too have bad roots. Not to put it all on Adam, but it is true that our roots are tainted with sin and the effects thereof. God, of course, saw this condition and knew what to do to bring life back to us. "For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned. . .much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ" (Rom.5:17). God replaced the roots. Or should I say, He engrafted the branches onto a new root system--one that was full of life. Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches, if a man remains in me and I in him he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (Jn.15:5). Jesus was God's answer to our bad roots. But strange as it is, we continue to try to do so much on our own--out of self will and self determination. Referring back to the vine and the branches, we would think it odd if the branches on a plant suddenly jumped off, deciding they would go it alone for a while. Yet that is exactly what we do when we choose our way over God's. We stop abiding in the Vine (Christ), and somehow think we have the strength within ourselves to do all things--or at least some things.

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Thorns

Psalms 6:2, KJV; Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

Ever feel like the same old sin keeps bringing you down? Ever wonder if you will ever overcome and have a final victory? Consider Paul who prayed to God that God would remove the "thorn" from his flesh. But God chose not to. Instead, God allowed the thorn to remain while teaching Paul how to live a life glorifying to God in spite of the thorn. It is not God's will that we continue in sin, but rather than just remove the "thorn" from us; it may be His will that we find that eventual, lasting victory in spite of it.

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Blood

1 John 1:7 (Amplified Bible) But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

There Is Power In The Blood Of Jesus.

What can wash away my sin?Nothing but the blood of Jesus;What can make me whole again?Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flowThat makes me white as snow;No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,Nothing but the blood of Jesus;For my cleansing this my plea,Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing can for sin atone,Nothing but the blood of Jesus;Naught of good that I have done,Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my hope and peace,Nothing but the blood of Jesus;This is all my righteousness,Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Now by this I'll overcome-Nothing but the blood of Jesus;Now by this I'll reach my home-Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Glory! Glory! This I sing-Nothing but the blood of Jesus,All my praise for this I bring-Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Have a Blessed Day