Let us try to endure the wait with JOY!

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Either way, we must wait so our attitude before, during and after is what we need to keep in check. It's too easy to grumble and complain while waiting.

Revive me! Weekly Reflections #4 ©www.christian-recovery.com

Rom 8:26 "Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along." (MSG)

We are all familiar with this verse about the Holy Spirit, our Helper. I like this translation talking about the moment we get tired in the waiting. Are you tired in the waiting of your promise of recovery? Are you tired in the waiting for that moment when you know, that you know, that you know you are set free?

At moments like those, Doubts can creep in. Insecurities. Frustration. Exhaustion. All words that in last weeks Revive Me! we made a commitment to eradicate from our thoughts and voice. See how foreign those words should be if we are practicing ridding our lives of negativity?

Have you ever thought of how long it has taken, and how patiently Christ has waited upon us---for perhaps many things? Receiving the gift of salvation. Destroying bondage and stronghold and sins in our life. Desiring the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The response to sanctification, that is the yes to His setting us apart for holy service. If Jesus were to dwell on negativity, His list would far outweigh ours. He would get tired in the waiting.

He does not tire though. With joy, He awaits with anticipation, for that moment we quit struggling and enter willingly into the will and plan He has for us. And we will find, once we arrive, His Lordship and control is not burdensome. Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Your future and your hope depends on you stopping of the saying that negative word "no" to Him so often. Will you go for Me, He asks? Will you speak boldly in My Name, He asks? Will you cease your kicking against My will, He asks? Will you trust Me more, He asks? Will you endure awhile longer if I ask that of you, He asks? Take time to note this week in communication with our Lord, how many times you speak the word yes or no, and see which one is genuine and which one is too frequent to be pleasing to Him.

Prayer: Lord, I have said no to You thinking I was saying no to others, or even my own capabilities. I am working at becoming more flexible. I am striving to enter into the abundant life. Have patience with me and do not tire as I make my freedom in you a surety as I begin to think and say the word yes to all your desires for me. Amen

My commitment this week: __________________________________________

Me too saying amen! When the negativity begins to dissipate, the Holy Spirit fills us to overflowing as we stay in the Word!

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Hello my friend Iam catching up here:)
I really like that affirmation!I am making changes to better my life.

Man those Joel and Victoria devotions are fantastic! ***God, thank You for the everlasting joy You reveal in Your Word. I believe that I am what it says I am, and I have what it says I gave. Help me to be faithful in reading my Bible with an open and receptive heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.** AMEN!!!!

Although circumstances and decisions made in the past affect our lives in the future, we are not supposed to allow the past to dominate our lives. Are you in bondage to your past? Remember, ". . . if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Amen Iam a new creation in Him and I'm loven it! Iam free from my past praise God!So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36 NIV)WOO HOO! I am experiencing freedom from areas where I was bound so that scritpure( all of the Word is good) fills me with joy because I KNOW it Praise God.
Thanking the Lord for you Dear Editor you are a blessing!

Freedom!
 
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (NIV) John 8:32

Why bother with God? Because He is the difference between. . .

Freedom or Bondage to the Past

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 NIV)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36 NIV)

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15 NIV)

Although circumstances and decisions made in the past affect our lives in the future, we are not supposed to allow the past to dominate our lives. Are you in bondage to your past? Remember, ". . . if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Written by Marji "Mike" Kruger

Everlasting Joy

Today's Scripture

“All who seek the Lord shall find him and shall praise his name. Their hearts shall rejoice with everlasting joy.”
(Psalm 22:26)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

The Bible is full of happiness, peace, victory and joy. The more you read God’s Word, the more you realize that God is an awesome heavenly Father who gives His children joy, peace and love. Followers of Jesus should have unshakeable and unmistakable joy in their lives every single day. It may sound pretty obvious, but it is a practical truth that needs to be applied. Every time you have experienced an answer to prayer, every time you have received a blessing, that is the work of God! If you have Jesus, your life should be full of joy that will never go away.

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for the everlasting joy You reveal in Your Word. I believe that I am what it says I am, and I have what it says I gave. Help me to be faithful in reading my Bible with an open and receptive heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Today's Affirmation: I am making changes to better my life.

You are so sweet and receptive before the Lord, Connie. His blessings will overtake you.

Hi catching up here

Don’t allow your own flesh to dictate another day of captivity for you. Don't allow your own negative thoughts dictate another day of captivity for you.*** Hallelujah!!
***Never talk or think defeat. Use words like hope, can, belief, faith, victory. See how many positive words you can find in your Bible studies and devotionals this week. Note each positive quality word you find and cling to it like a man being thrown a life line. Jesus is our Life Line. If you begin to work on the inner man, you will see the flesh become in subjection to the power and authority of Christ Jesus who longs to see you overcome. All you still lack, you can find in Him. Praise God.!!!!

Prayer: Lord God, I find taking back dominion of my mind one of the most overwhelming tasks ahead of me. Yet, I know that if I want Your Power to flow through me, cleansing me and setting me free, I need the mind of Christ. Help me to make a conscious effort to receive the blessings You long to give to an uncluttered mind and spirit. Amen*** Amen to that!


excellent devotion on caring for the spirit man, Iam going to copy that and keep it handy . Thanks.

About taking care of your spirit…

Philipians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV)

Your spirit has a life just as your body has a life. Your spirit needs the sustaining food of God's love just like your body needs sustaining food. Your spirit needs living water to stay alive just like your body needs water. Your spirit needs your attention just like your body needs your attention. To sustain, renew, and invigorate your spirit you can place your spirit in the hands of God through prayer, petition, and giving thanks. Your spirit living in thanksgiving is empowered and strong. Your spirit spent in hours of worship can weather every storm. Your spirit connected to God in prayer is fed the food of God's love. Your spirit resting in meditation upon the love of God is awash in His living water. Your hours of worship, prayer, meditation, and thanksgiving bring to your spirit the sustaining power of God.

findthepower.com

Edited by author 04-22-2007 07:18 AM
Revive me! Weekly Reflections #3 ©www.christian-recovery.com

Col 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (ESV)

Don’t allow your own flesh to dictate another day of captivity for you. Don't allow your own negative thoughts dictate another day of captivity for you. Don't allow your own false concepts dictate another day of captivity for you. Jesus came to set the captives free by the preaching of the Good News.

We are daily processing a whole lot of data, often more than the natural mind can handle. But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:16) We are to let His mind dwell in us richly. Why then live as beggars and paupers by dwelling on the glass half empty syndrome? Why let the carnal mind and flesh control us when greater is He within us, than he that is in the world? Why return to the leeks and garlic of Egypt when we could be feasting on manna from heaven?

Never talk or think defeat. Use words like hope, can, belief, faith, victory. See how many positive words you can find in your Bible studies and devotionals this week. Note each positive quality word you find and cling to it like a man being thrown a life line. Jesus is our Life Line. If you begin to work on the inner man, you will see the flesh become in subjection to the power and authority of Christ Jesus who longs to see you overcome. All you still lack, you can find in Him.

Prayer: Lord God, I find taking back dominion of my mind one of the most overwhelming tasks ahead of me. Yet, I know that if I want Your Power to flow through me, cleansing me and setting me free, I need the mind of Christ. Help me to make a conscious effort to receive the blessings You long to give to an uncluttered mind and spirit. Amen

My Commitment This Week: _________________________________________________

Holy and Incomparable
 
The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. (NIV) Psalm 77:13-19

O Lord,

Through this Psalm, we know that You are holy and incomparable. We know that You are the One who performs miracles and displays Your power among the people. You are the One who has the power and the desire, to redeem Your people. Your power is displayed as incredible power over nature. . the waters obey You. . .the skies resound with thunder. . .Your lightning lights up the world. . .the entire earth trembles and quakes in Your presence.

You were the One who lovingly cared for Your people by parting the waters of the Red Sea to provide deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians. Although You did not leave a visible mark through Your footprints, the people knew You were the only One with the power to deliver them!

O Lord, if You can do all that, why do I doubt Your power at work in me? or Your power at work in others? Help me to see Your power at work around me today. . .and may I continually acknowledge Your glory and dominion over all Your creation! Amen

Written by Marji "Mike" Kruger

Interesting note is that we do overcome by His Blood and our testimony (His really). If you put it in your signature, you are testifying to others.

Editor you overcomer you! This was fantastic thank you
**God made me an overcomer, so I will overcome!** this needs to go in my sig

Overcomers Impress God

REVELATION 21:7 NKJ
7 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his
God and he shall be My son.

You face problems. Sometimes you struggle and wonder why God
doesn't "just do something."

God is giving you an opportunity to impress Him!

God is your audience -- rooting for you. He is thrilled when
you overcome. Just like an earthly parent is thrilled when
their child excels.

God still LOVES you even if you fail. You just miss the
opportunity to thrill Him by not overcoming. (But what could be
a more worthy goal than to thrill God?)

"OK, I would like to impress God. How do I 'overcome'?"

1 JOHN 5:4-5 NKJ
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is
the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that
Jesus is the Son of God?

Overcoming is clearly something achieved by believing -- not by
other means.

Further light on this comes in Revelation 12:11.

REVELATION 12:11 NKJ
11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the
word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to
the death.

Because of the redemption obtained by the sacrificial death of
our Lord, and our agreement with it, expressed through words of
faith, we overcome. In short: expressing our faith in Jesus and
what He did.

Another key is mentioned: commitment -- even to death. We must
be resolute and determined, no matter what the cost, to fully
and finally overcome.

Eight times in Revelation great promises are made to those who
overcome. (Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26, 3:5, 3:12, 3:21, 21:7.)

Our Lord's intention in giving these promises was certainly not
to make us feel guilty, or inadequate, but to spur us on to
victory.

God is cheering you on to victory! He believes you can overcome
(with His help)!

SAY THIS: God made me an overcomer, so I will overcome!

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