Bible Studies
BEHOLD! ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW
Even with the threat of terrorism hanging over the whole world, we can still have the peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:7 We can not let fear dominate our lives. That is exactly what Satan wants to happen. Fear paralyzes. We must always remember “Greater is He that is in you then He that is in the world”. 1 John 4:4. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7
Before any battle, we must prepare for it; train in the ways of God. First Ezekiel 18:31 says: “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby you have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit; for why will you die, O house of Israel.” Although he is talking to Israel, it applies to us also. When we are full of sin, we are too weak to fight any battle. Even one habitual sin will take away some of the power God has given us.
Being in the flesh we will be tempted. Satan knows our weak spots. We sin because our flesh wants to. When we truly put God first, we will be able to resist. “Submit yourselves therefore to God, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 Remember “There has no temptation taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” “I Corinthians 10:13
God’s two-edged sword discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. On the surface, we may seem to be the nicest and kindest person on this earth. We may do all the right things and with a smile. What are we really thinking? Why are we do the “wonderful” things we do? Are we doing these with love or from duty? Are we really concerned about the welfare of others? Or do we do them from a selfish motive.
Jesus always put everyone else first. Even when he was tired he stopped to help those in distress. Sometimes he did make them think he wasn’t going to help them. His purpose was to see how strong their faith was that he was able. He did it out of love. Does love motivate you?
How sound is your mind? Sounder than you may think if you let God work on it and heal your wrong thinking. He give you a new way of thinking. “And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not the high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” (Romans 12:16) Don’t think you are better than anyone else. We should put God first, followed by our fellowman and leave ourselves to the last. This doesn’t sound like the self-esteem that so many churches are teaching.
Philippians 2:1-8 teaches us how we are to be like Christ. Verses 4 & 5 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” He was equal with God “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Are we willing to die for God? We may have to. God is being pushed out of everything in this world. Will we be able to say as the young martyr in the school shooting: “Yes I believe in God?”
I Corinthians 2:16b “But we have the mind of Christ”. We have to use it. To sum it up, we will have trouble fighting a battle on the outside until we conquer the battles inside. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things become new.”
God bless you.
01/01/06
In three years many things have changed in my life. I made many mistakes but God has pointed them out to me. He sent the Holy Spirit my way to show me how to change for the better. When I fell, He picked me up and set me on my feet. And best of all---GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME! No matter how many times you have failed, God can do the same for you. For God said in Isaiah 43:19 “BEHOLD I WILL DO A NEW THING” God is forever doing a new thing. Open your heart wide to the new things God will bring into your life.
In spite of all the terrible things going on in the world, God’s people can always rise above them. Keep the faith. Because God loves me unconditionally, I can also love you the same way. I will keep praying for you. I need your prayers, too. God bless you.
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