The struggle of the flesh:
Galatians 5:16-21:So I say,live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit,and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other,so that you do not do what you want.But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.The acts of the sinful nature are obvious:sexual immorality,impurity and debauchery;idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy;drunkenness, orgies,and the like.I warn you,as I did before,that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
When the word "flesh" appears in the New Testament,it usually doesn't refer to the human body's physical covering.The flesh is the humanness within us that wants to indulge in self-gratification.
Our natural impulses are geared,not toward pleasing the Lord,but toward personal comfort and pleasure.People go to great lengths to fill the emptiness within—even participating in the acts of sexual immorality,contention,idolatry,and carousing listed in today's passage.But nothing can truly appease the flesh,which always selfishly wants more.
When an unbeliever acts out of self-interest,believers cannot say he should know better.There's no Helper inside him to sound the alarm when he is wrong or to enable better conduct.But the Christian has no such excuse,since God's Spirit dwells within,prompting appropriate behavior and thoughts.However,the tug of the flesh remains,since we do not shed our humanity until we reach heaven.So we still have the capacity to give in to sinful inclinations and sow corruption into our life.
To protect ourselves from fleshly desires,we must place our complete trust in the Holy Spirit.
Only He can point out wrong actions,thoughts,and attitudes.What's more,He can fill us with the desire to obey and enables us to make right choices.
By,
Deep
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Today let King Jesus be glorified.
God made His people for praise, fame and honor. God said "people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise". Praise is very relational, because it originates from love. You never praise a total stranger. Praise proclaims who God is and ridicules the devil. Praise describes the awesomeness of God to all creation in all generation. Praise is a glorious spark from our inner man's life with Christ. Praise crushes the devil under your feet and puts him in the lake of fire.
Praise is the key to the Throne Room of God. Praise signifies your momentum in approaching God for intimate worship. Praise is the act of triumphant warriors. Praise declares nothing is impossible for God. Praise is a proof of your tongue's submission to God. Praise is a firm decision applied by your mind. Praise shows that you love to give God the glory. Praise frightens the enemy camp because God abides on the praises of His people. Praise is a thunderous shout of astonishing faith.
Where we hear the deafening sound of Praise and we see the sheen of unapproachable light. Praise destroys the power of darkness; Praise also means shine in Greek. Praise is an explosive weapon in the spiritual warfare. Praise is the evidence of your absence in the enemy camp. Praise is the display of inner joy flowing from a heart that is engaged with Jesus. Praise is the mark of a saint. Praise proclaims God and His people are not dead. Praise invites God to fight your war.
In war Praise brings victory against the enemy and destroys the lies of the devil. Praise proves that you don’t quench the Spirit of worship. Praise is not the meaningless clichés spoken by fake worshipers, Praise is the sincere act of the saints [1Pet2:9]. Praise signifies the unity in the Church Worship. Praise fills God's glory in the Temple [2Ch5:13]. Praise is a great celebration of joy and it shows you are not a stumbling block in Congregational Worship. Praise is lovely, when we kiss the King of Glory.Come together in song and dance, let's make His praise glorious. Amen...
By
VJ Traven
God made His people for praise, fame and honor. God said "people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise". Praise is very relational, because it originates from love. You never praise a total stranger. Praise proclaims who God is and ridicules the devil. Praise describes the awesomeness of God to all creation in all generation. Praise is a glorious spark from our inner man's life with Christ. Praise crushes the devil under your feet and puts him in the lake of fire.
Praise is the key to the Throne Room of God. Praise signifies your momentum in approaching God for intimate worship. Praise is the act of triumphant warriors. Praise declares nothing is impossible for God. Praise is a proof of your tongue's submission to God. Praise is a firm decision applied by your mind. Praise shows that you love to give God the glory. Praise frightens the enemy camp because God abides on the praises of His people. Praise is a thunderous shout of astonishing faith.
Where we hear the deafening sound of Praise and we see the sheen of unapproachable light. Praise destroys the power of darkness; Praise also means shine in Greek. Praise is an explosive weapon in the spiritual warfare. Praise is the evidence of your absence in the enemy camp. Praise is the display of inner joy flowing from a heart that is engaged with Jesus. Praise is the mark of a saint. Praise proclaims God and His people are not dead. Praise invites God to fight your war.
In war Praise brings victory against the enemy and destroys the lies of the devil. Praise proves that you don’t quench the Spirit of worship. Praise is not the meaningless clichés spoken by fake worshipers, Praise is the sincere act of the saints [1Pet2:9]. Praise signifies the unity in the Church Worship. Praise fills God's glory in the Temple [2Ch5:13]. Praise is a great celebration of joy and it shows you are not a stumbling block in Congregational Worship. Praise is lovely, when we kiss the King of Glory.Come together in song and dance, let's make His praise glorious. Amen...
By
VJ Traven
Overcoming obstacles to victory
"A wide door has been open to me and with it are many adversaries." (I Corinthians 16:9)
Today's Word
God is always giving you opportunities to move forward in life. It is God's desire that you grow and reach your full potential. Anytime you take a step forward, the enemy will try to bring opposition and adversity against you. But God also promises that through Him, you can overcome any opposition the enemy brings your way.
When you step out in faith and the opposition comes, stand your ground and keep doing what you know to do. Keep on praying. Keep reading the Word. Keep going to church. Keep walking in love and forgiveness, and keep your heart tender. When the enemy sees that you are more determined than he is, he'll back down and you will move forward to new levels of victory! Stay focused and full of joy no matter what comes against you. As you do, you will overcome opposition and discover the champion in you!
A Prayer for Today
God, I will be the steadfast Christian You called me to be with the help of prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship. I have faith that I will overcome whatever comes my way. In Jesus' Name – Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
"A wide door has been open to me and with it are many adversaries." (I Corinthians 16:9)
Today's Word
God is always giving you opportunities to move forward in life. It is God's desire that you grow and reach your full potential. Anytime you take a step forward, the enemy will try to bring opposition and adversity against you. But God also promises that through Him, you can overcome any opposition the enemy brings your way.
When you step out in faith and the opposition comes, stand your ground and keep doing what you know to do. Keep on praying. Keep reading the Word. Keep going to church. Keep walking in love and forgiveness, and keep your heart tender. When the enemy sees that you are more determined than he is, he'll back down and you will move forward to new levels of victory! Stay focused and full of joy no matter what comes against you. As you do, you will overcome opposition and discover the champion in you!
A Prayer for Today
God, I will be the steadfast Christian You called me to be with the help of prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship. I have faith that I will overcome whatever comes my way. In Jesus' Name – Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
Monday, July 30, 2007
The divine stamp of approval
"Before you were ever formed in your mother's womb, God saw you and He approved you." (Jeremiah 1:5)
Today's Word
You are approved by Almighty God! You are created in His image and you're the apple of His eye. You did not choose God, but He chose you and He is pleased with you–His most precious creation.
Notice that verse doesn't say that God approves you as long as you don't have any faults, or as long as you don't make any mistakes. No, God approves you unconditionally. No matter how many weaknesses you may think you have today, no matter how many times you fall in your walk with God, you've got to get right back up again and hold your head up high. Don't allow the enemy to bring strife into your life by deceiving you into thinking that you are not "good enough" for the plan of God. Stand strong in your thoughts about yourself knowing that not only have you been chosen, but you are approved by Almighty God.
A Prayer for Today
God, Thank you for your unconditional acceptance. I was made in Your image and born with your approval...and that makes me good enough for any challenge I face in this life. I will hold my head up high and look for opportunities to share this message with my brothers and sisters and friends in Christ. In Jesus' Name – Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
"Before you were ever formed in your mother's womb, God saw you and He approved you." (Jeremiah 1:5)
Today's Word
You are approved by Almighty God! You are created in His image and you're the apple of His eye. You did not choose God, but He chose you and He is pleased with you–His most precious creation.
Notice that verse doesn't say that God approves you as long as you don't have any faults, or as long as you don't make any mistakes. No, God approves you unconditionally. No matter how many weaknesses you may think you have today, no matter how many times you fall in your walk with God, you've got to get right back up again and hold your head up high. Don't allow the enemy to bring strife into your life by deceiving you into thinking that you are not "good enough" for the plan of God. Stand strong in your thoughts about yourself knowing that not only have you been chosen, but you are approved by Almighty God.
A Prayer for Today
God, Thank you for your unconditional acceptance. I was made in Your image and born with your approval...and that makes me good enough for any challenge I face in this life. I will hold my head up high and look for opportunities to share this message with my brothers and sisters and friends in Christ. In Jesus' Name – Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
Friday, June 29, 2007
Jesus, the Son of God:
Luke 22:66-71:
When it was day,the Council of elders of the people assembled,both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber,saying,"If You are the Christ,tell us."But He said to them,"If I tell you,you will not believe;and if I ask a question,you will not answer."But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD."And they all said,"Are You the Son of God, then? And He said to them, "Yes,I am."Then they said,"What further need do we have of testimony?For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth."
Jesus called Himself both the Son of Man and the Son of God.The first title emphasized His humanity;the second,His deity.Leaving heaven,He laid aside His divine glory and took upon Himself the robe of humanness (Philippians 2:6-7).Who recognized His divine nature?
• Angels:At Christ's birth, the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would bear a child and His name would be the Son of God (Luke 1:26-35).
• God the Father:When Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan,the heavenly Father declared,"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am wellpleased"(Matthew 3:17).
• Satan and the demons:Knowing that Jesus was God's Son,the Devil challenged Him to use His supernatural powers to bypass God's plan.Later in the same chapter,the demons saw Jesus and shrieked that He was the Son of God(Luke 4:1-41).
• Disciples:When these men saw Jesus walk on water in the midst of the storm,they worshiped Him and concluded He was the Son of God(Matthew 14:25-33).Peter later declared,"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"(Matthew 16:16).
• Martha:When Jesus brought Lazarus back to life,his sister Martha said,I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,who was to come into the world(John 11:27).
By
Deepthi
Luke 22:66-71:
When it was day,the Council of elders of the people assembled,both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber,saying,"If You are the Christ,tell us."But He said to them,"If I tell you,you will not believe;and if I ask a question,you will not answer."But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD."And they all said,"Are You the Son of God, then? And He said to them, "Yes,I am."Then they said,"What further need do we have of testimony?For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth."
Jesus called Himself both the Son of Man and the Son of God.The first title emphasized His humanity;the second,His deity.Leaving heaven,He laid aside His divine glory and took upon Himself the robe of humanness (Philippians 2:6-7).Who recognized His divine nature?
• Angels:At Christ's birth, the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would bear a child and His name would be the Son of God (Luke 1:26-35).
• God the Father:When Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan,the heavenly Father declared,"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am wellpleased"(Matthew 3:17).
• Satan and the demons:Knowing that Jesus was God's Son,the Devil challenged Him to use His supernatural powers to bypass God's plan.Later in the same chapter,the demons saw Jesus and shrieked that He was the Son of God(Luke 4:1-41).
• Disciples:When these men saw Jesus walk on water in the midst of the storm,they worshiped Him and concluded He was the Son of God(Matthew 14:25-33).Peter later declared,"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"(Matthew 16:16).
• Martha:When Jesus brought Lazarus back to life,his sister Martha said,I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,who was to come into the world(John 11:27).
By
Deepthi
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Death of an Innocent:
I went to a party Mom, I remembered what you said.You told me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom, the way you said I would.I didn't drink and drive, Mom, even though the others said I should.
I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you were always right.Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece.Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom, but as I pulled out into the roadthe other car didn't see me, Mom, and hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say,the other guy is drunk, Mom, and now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying here dying, Mom. I wish you'd get here soon.How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom, and most of it is mine.I hear the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink.It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I.The only difference is he drank and I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life.I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don't think it's fair. I'm lying here dying and all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave.And when I go to heaven, Mom, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive.If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom. I'm becoming very scared.Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom, before I say good bye.I didn't drink and drive, so why am I the one to die?
By
Rubina Raj
I went to a party Mom, I remembered what you said.You told me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom, the way you said I would.I didn't drink and drive, Mom, even though the others said I should.
I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you were always right.Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece.Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom, but as I pulled out into the roadthe other car didn't see me, Mom, and hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say,the other guy is drunk, Mom, and now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying here dying, Mom. I wish you'd get here soon.How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom, and most of it is mine.I hear the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink.It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I.The only difference is he drank and I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life.I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don't think it's fair. I'm lying here dying and all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave.And when I go to heaven, Mom, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive.If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom. I'm becoming very scared.Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom, before I say good bye.I didn't drink and drive, so why am I the one to die?
By
Rubina Raj
Monday, June 25, 2007
"Do not cast away your confidence for it will be richly rewarded." (Hebrews 10:35)
Today's Word
Before you're ever going to be successful, you've got to see yourself being successful. Before your dreams come to pass, you've got to look through your eyes of faith and see them come to pass.
The enemy doesn't want you to grow and increase, or fulfill your destiny. Instead he immediately tries to distract your heart and uproot the seed God planted. In order to defeat the enemy in your life, you have to stay focused on God, His Word–and the dream He's promised to you! Constantly meditate on His promises, live a life that is pleasing and honoring to God, and thank the Lord for His faithfulness no matter what the circumstances. Before long, you'll begin to see the dreams God placed in your heart come to pass.
A Prayer for Today
God, I want to please You by living the life You planned for me. As I grow in my faith, I know that I will see you bless every area of my life. Thank you for planting seeds of greatness in me and having confidence that I will fulfill my dreams. In Jesus' Name – Amen.
By
Shreedhar Jaysingh
Today's Word
Before you're ever going to be successful, you've got to see yourself being successful. Before your dreams come to pass, you've got to look through your eyes of faith and see them come to pass.
The enemy doesn't want you to grow and increase, or fulfill your destiny. Instead he immediately tries to distract your heart and uproot the seed God planted. In order to defeat the enemy in your life, you have to stay focused on God, His Word–and the dream He's promised to you! Constantly meditate on His promises, live a life that is pleasing and honoring to God, and thank the Lord for His faithfulness no matter what the circumstances. Before long, you'll begin to see the dreams God placed in your heart come to pass.
A Prayer for Today
God, I want to please You by living the life You planned for me. As I grow in my faith, I know that I will see you bless every area of my life. Thank you for planting seeds of greatness in me and having confidence that I will fulfill my dreams. In Jesus' Name – Amen.
By
Shreedhar Jaysingh
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