Thoughts Out of Control

Do you wonder how much longer God is going to put up with the rampant evil in today's world? Has He simply turned His face away from the persecution Christians are going through in so many countries? Does He just not care about the babies being killed while still in their mother's womb? Is He unaware of the spread of pornography, the senseless shootings of ordinary people going about their daily business, the marketplace bombings, the obsession with illicit sex, the unabated drug trafficking? Does God have no concern about evil?

There was once a godly man who, the Bible says, "walked with God" (Genesis 6:9) in the midst of a society that was much like ours. His name was Noah. The description of the people of his day is recorded in Genesis 6:1-13. Here are a few verses from that section:

What Does God Say?

"The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart" (Genesis 6:5-6, ESV).

"Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth" (Genesis 6:11-12, ESV).

"And God said to Noah, 'I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth" (Genesis 6:13, ESV)

"Then the Lord said, 'My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years'" (Genesis 6:3, ESV).

"He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark" (Genesis 7:23 ESV).

Notice these facts from those verses:

• God looked at a whole generation's actions, and He knew its thoughts.
• God made a verdict about humanity's guilt.
• God determined to eliminate the entire society.
• God, in His mercy, gave that generation 120 years to repent.
• God carried out His judgment, exactly as He had warned.

My Thoughts

• Re-read Genesis 6:5-6. What do you see there that shows God is concerned with far more than evil actions?
• In Genesis 6:3, what do you see about God's mercy and patience with sinners?
• Look up Proverbs 15:26. What does it tell you about evil thoughts?
• According to Jesus, what is the source of evil thoughts and evil actions (Mark 7:21-23)?
• What did David tell Solomon about God's understanding of our innermost being (1 Chronicles 28:9)?

My Part

If the evil actions of your generation are all traceable to the wickedness of its hearts and thoughts, what should you be doing as a Christian to make sure you are protected from the ravages of evil thoughts in your own life? Here are some pointers on how to deal with God-dishonoring thoughts:

• Recognize that evil thoughts come out of a heart that is not in tune with God (Mark 7:21-23). Make sure your heart is right with God.
• Believe what the Bible says about God's knowledge of all your thoughts and His judgment of your secrets (Genesis 6:5-6; Romans 3:16).
• Make a conscious effort daily to turn your thought life over to God's control; spend time in the Word (Proverbs 16:20) and prayer.
• Fill your mind with good and positive thoughts (Philippians 4:8).

The Bible says this about a person, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). May your New Year be filled with thoughts that please the Lord and give honor to Him!

Steps of Self-Destruction

Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Sin/Temptation

Steps of
Self-Destruction

In debate or rhetoric, the "slippery slope" is an argument for the likelihood
that an action will initiate a chain of events culminating in an undesirable
result. We find the original slippery slope in Genesis 3:1-6. And, sure enough,
we find it is the path to self-destruction.

What Does God Say?

"And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, 'God is tempting me.'
God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation
comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give
birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to
death.
"So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters (James
1:13-16, NLT).

• What are three of the important truths in this Scripture?

• According to these verses, what is the sequence leading to death?

Read the following passage:

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life
through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans
6:23, NLT).

• How can we avoid the consequences of sin?

My Thoughts

Did it ever cross your mind that when you did something wrong, it did not
happen in just that moment? The sinful action is always preceded by sinful
thoughts which are motivated by selfish and ungodly desires. And the more we
think wrong, the worse our attitudes are and the closer we are to acting out in
sinful ways. And that is a slippery slope that we cannot easily climb back up.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans about his struggle:
"I don't really
understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I
do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I
agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in
me that does it.
"And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my
sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. I want to do what is
good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if
I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin
living in me that does it.
"I have discovered this principle of life-that
when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong" (Romans
7:15-21, NLT)
Has that been your
experience? Well, there's good news. There is a way off the slippery slope.

My Part

The secret to keep from destroying yourself is to stop wherever you are on
the downward path and look to God.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John
1:9).

Stop destroying yourself and others with you. Confess your sin. Forsake it.
Ask God to forgive you of it. And then, start over. This time walk before God
and be blameless. You can do it. The Spirit will help you to be strong. Ask Him
to help you stop destroying yourself.

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Wise Persons Still Worship Him - 2

You don't need to be intelligent or well-educated to worship and follow Jesus; you need to be wise.

What Does God Say?

Matthew 2:1-2, tells us about some wise men. "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him'" (ESV).

These "wise men" who came to seek and worship Jesus were probably well-educated men who spent their lives studying many things including the stars. But while their studies made them aware of the birth of the King, it wasn't mere curiosity or genius that brought them to Jesus. It was a desire to see, know and worship the one "who has been born king of the Jews."

And "when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:10-11, ESV).

You don't have to "check your brain at the door" in order to believe in Jesus. In fact, Proverbs 9:10 tells us,

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (ESV).

On the other hand, Psalm 14:1 tells us "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" (ESV)

Respect or fear of the Lord helped these "wise" men understand who this Baby was and gave them the perfect reason to bow and worship.

My Thoughts

In John 3, Jesus had a conversation with an intelligent, learned man named Nicodemus. Read John 3:5-21 with these questions in mind.
How does one get eternal life?

• What are the qualifications for believing in Jesus?
• Who does this exclude? Or include?
• What gets in the way of believing?
• What are the consequences of not believing in Jesus?

My Part

Real wisdom is seeing Jesus and believing in Him; in bowing down to worship as the "wise men" did. You can go looking for Jesus and learn everything about Him but until you take the step of faith, you gain nothing. It's not blind faith--God's Word is full of all you need to know in order to believe. (Try Romans 3-8.) Are you wise enough to believe?

First Corinthians 1:26-29 says " Few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God" (NLT).

You don't have to be wise, wealthy or powerful to put your faith in Jesus. But wisdom, wealth and power don't have to be barriers to living with Him either.

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

Risking Hatred

Here's a possible situation and a dilemma: Let's say you move to a new town and proudly fly the banner of your favorite sports team from your new home. Very quickly, though, you find out your neighbors hate that particular team and are very vocal about it. Wanting to make friends, not enemies, you remove the banner and from then on only cheer your team from the privacy of your own home.

Now, here's the dilemma: What if, instead of a sport's team, it's Jesus in your life that attracts the hatred of your neighbors? Do you practice your faith privately, or do you risk hatred by publicly living a life of faith? What would you do?

What Does the Bible Say

It's an interesting question. Some people say that if neighbors or acquaintances are hostile towards you, they will never allow you to tell them about God's grace and salvation. Therefore, if we are to witness to as many as possible, we should downplay our relationship with Jesus, for now, with the hope that in the future they will be less hostile and more receptive to hearing about Jesus.

On the other hand, if your relationship with Christ isn't evident in your interactions with your neighbors, are you really witnessing at all? Isn't it kind of like rejecting one relationship to embrace another?

Let's go to the Bible to find the answer.

When Jesus taught His disciples (and us when we read His Word), He told them plainly, "You will be hated by all for my name's sake" (Matthew 10:22, ESV). Over and over again, throughout the Gospels, Jesus takes it as a given that people will hate Him--and, by extension, those who follow Him. "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:18-19, ESV).

• Who was Jesus speaking to when He said these things about hatred?
• Jesus said that Christians would be hated. What reason did He give for the world's hatred toward His followers?
• What would cause the world to love you?

Did Jesus fail because people chose to hate Him instead of love Him? Of course not. And you aren't failing either when your neighbors hate you for living your Christian faith.

My Thoughts

As long as there is sin in the world, there will be hate in the world. Jesus explained that the world, "hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil" (John 7:7, ESV). In a sense, you and I who pursue a relationship with Christ act like lighting rods. Because the purity of Jesus exposes the sins of the world and because we seek to become Christ-like, we will attract the hatred of those who live in darkness (See John 3:20).

My Part

While we can't control the way other people will respond to us, we can control how we will respond to them. Jesus had a lot to say about how we should respond to those who hate us. Take a few moments with a concordance or an online Bible search engine and find some of those things Jesus taught. Now that you've been able to see what the Bible says about this issue, how would you advise a friend in the dilemma described above? How would you yourself act?

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

God Has Spoken

God has spoken. Are you grateful? You are if you want to know God. And you can be even more grateful because not only has God spoken in the past, He is speaking today. Are you listening?

What Does God Say?

God gave His message to men so they might write it down--we call this the Bible. As we read His Word, the Bible, God speaks to us. What does God want to say to us when He speaks? Look at the verses below:

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ).

● List the four ways God's Word is profitable to us.

● What are the results that come from listening to God through His Word?

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4, NKJV)

● Why did God have men write down His words?

● What is the ultimate benefit of the Scriptures?

My Thoughts

What is one way that God's Word affects our lives today?

"This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life".(Psalm 119:50, NKJV).

The greatest revelation from God was about His only Son, Jesus, who came to make it possible not to just know about God but to experience God personally and become His child.

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2 NKJV).

My Part

Because God has made the Bible so readily available to us, we can know what God says to us about a relationship with Him through Christ. In fact, God's Word says that His salvation is easily within reach. Today, listen to God speaking to you and accept His salvation.

This is what the Scripture says: "But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:8-10,13 NKJV).

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

Following the Leader

Topic: Obedience/Discipleship


Following the Leader

You've trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. You're a new Christian. You have the gift of eternal life. Now you wonder, Is that all there is? If there's more, what's next?

You've started the greatest adventure of your life, and you want to do it right. What would Jesus tell you to do?

What Does God Say?

Your next step after receiving Christ is to begin growing as a disciple. A disciple is a follower of a teacher, and for a Christian that means Jesus. How do you become a disciple of Jesus? When you trust Christ as your Savior, He calls you to move forward in your Christian life, to follow Him and learn constantly from Him. He calls you to become like Him--to be one of His disciples.

Jesus says that being His disciple involves service: "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him" (John 12:26 ESV).

But discipleship goes deeper than mere Christian service. Here are some other things Jesus said about being His disciple. Look at the following verses and write down the requirements Jesus gives for being a disciple. Ask yourself how each one affects you as a Christian disciple.

• John 8:31
• John 15:8
• John 13:35
• Luke 14:33
• Luke 14:27
• Luke 6:40

My Thoughts

If you're a disciple, then you've made some choices. You're willing to give up your life for your Teacher; you're willing to be taught, with the goal of becoming like Him; you're willing to hand over the reins of your life to Christ.

There's another word that is closely related to the word, "disciple." It is "discipline." One definition of discipline is "training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character."

You will learn that there are several disciplines that will make you a better disciple. Let's look at just two of them:

In John 8:31, Jesus mentions abiding or dwelling in His Word. Here is what a noted Bible scholar says about the discipline of Bible study:

*"There can be no real discipleship apart from Bible study. Bible study is no option for Christians. It cannot even be a minor, occasional, or 'vacation time' pursuit. Bible study is the most essential ingredient in the believer's spiritual life, because it is only in study of the Bible as that is blessed by the Holy Spirit that Christians hear Christ and discover what it means to follow Him."

Another discipline that is vital to your growth as a disciple is prayer. *Oswald Chambers said: "The point of prayer is not to get answers from God; the goal of prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God."

My Part

Go before the Lord in prayer right now. Thank Him for the great salvation He has freely given you in Christ, then ask Him to make you the kind of disciple He wants you to be. Ask Him to make your daily time in His Word the core of your life as a follower of Jesus. Ask Him to change and mature you more and more into oneness with Him.

Someone has said "A Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks; a heart through which Christ loves; a voice through which Christ speaks; a hand through which Christ helps."

Does that describe your life?

*James Montgomery Boice, Christ's Call to Discipleship, p. 52.

* Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, (August 6).

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

The Power of One

Many Christian biographies are awesome stories of someone who comes to faith in Christ and not only is that peron's life transformed, but he or she goes on to change the world. Look at individuals like John Newton or William Wilberforce who helped take down slavery, Hudson Taylor and Amy Carmichael who dedicated their lives to teach the Gospel and personified compassion in distant lands like India and China. Or consider Dwight L. Moody who called a nation to revival and trained a new generation of leaders. And it all started with just one person--and Jesus.

What Does God Say?

Take a look at John 4. This is Jesus' famous conversation with a woman He meets at a well in Samaria. You can read their discussion in John 4:4-26. But let's focus on what comes next. This woman is so amazed over what Jesus knows about her, that she believes He's who He says He is--the Messiah, the Promised One who'll save her.

And she has to spread the news. "So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" (John 4:28-29, ESV). Based on her words, "the people came streaming from the village to see him" (John 4:30, NLT).

It was important for the townspeople to hear the woman's testimony. They needed to know what Jesus had said and why. But more importantly, they had to meet Him too. John 4:39-41 describes it this way, "Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, 'He told me all that I ever did.' So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word" (ESV).

Faith isn't built just on hearsay. It comes from a personal encounter with Jesus. Look at John 4:42: "They said to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world'" (ESV).

These people had the advantage of seeing Him face to face and hearing His voice. Today, you can encounter Jesus through God's Word and listen as the Holy Spirit speaks through the pages of this inspired Book. And what starts with you--just one--can change your world too. Jesus told His followers (including us) that we are "the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV).

My Thoughts

It's often this personal one-on-one encounter with Jesus that changes the course of someone's life. God also uses other people to make introductions. Check out these four meetings.

John 1:43-51
John 20:10-18
Acts 8:26-29
Acts 9:1-19

• Who met Jesus? Was another believer involved?
• What changed for the person who met Jesus?
• What did he or she do next?
• How do you think this meeting influenced or changed each person's world?

My Part

It really only takes one to get things started--and that one could be you. Jot down your personal spiritual biography.

• How did you meet Jesus? Who introduced you?
• How has it changed your world?
• What are you doing to introduce others to Jesus?

You can't "make" someone believe, but you can share your own story and then help him or her find Jesus. That's what Philip did, and what the woman at the well did. And in one case it changed the life of a friend and in the other it changed a whole town.

As you pray today, thank Jesus for introducing Himself to you and ask Him to show you ways to do the same for others. You can change your world!

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

Living in View of Eternity

How's your eyesight, your spiritual eyesight that is? We can have perfect 20/20 vision and still not see everything we need to see spiritually. Sometimes we get focused on our daily lives, the problems, the struggles and the successes of this world and live with an exclusively earthly vision when God has called us to live our lives in view of eternity, asking ourselves, what really matters?

What Does God Say?

"The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 'Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?' So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
"Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, 'Rabbi, eat something.'
"But Jesus replied, 'I have a kind of food you know nothing about'" (John 4:28-32, NLT).
What were the disciples thinking about?
What was Jesus thinking about?
What happened as a result of Jesus taking the time to talk to the Samaritan woman?

My Thoughts

Because Jesus took the time to meet the need of an immoral woman, who was not even a Jewess but part of a nation shunned by the Jews, a great many people heard about Him and came to see Him. Jesus lived in view of eternity. He lived his life on earth focusing on what really mattered--and what mattered most at that moment was not Jesus' need for physical food (Although that's what the disciples were thinking about.) His eternal view required Him to meet the needs of the woman. Imagine the kind of impact we could have if we did the same

Ask yourself:

Do I take time to look around and see the needs of others?
If I don't, how can I slow down enough to become aware of other peoples' needs?

My Part

A lot of us have appointment books and electronic calendars. We map out our schedules, and we like to stick to them. In fact, our lives seem to run more smoothly if we do stay in a routine. But a problem occurs when we've scheduled our lives so closely that we don't see another person who needs a little encouragement or a helping hand. Today think about those around you. Who is in need? Who can you help? Pray that God will give you a vision like His--to see the needs of others. In the end, that's what really matters.

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

When You Can't Do Anything

Daily Bible Study

Topic: God's Care, Faith/Trust

When You Can't Do Anything

If you're facing a problem that seems unsolvable, what do you do? If your problem is physical, you'd probably see a doctor; if your problem is financial, you might seek financial counseling; if emotional, you might talk with your pastor--whatever your problem is, it's likely you would use any methods available to provide a solution. But what if nothing worked? Jesus encountered a man like that in His ministry.

What Does God Say?

"Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie--the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, 'Do you want to get well?'
"'Sir,' the invalid replied, 'I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.'
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.' At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked" (John 5:1-9 NIV).
Jesus spoke to a paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda who had been unable to walk for 38 years. The man had been dealing with his affliction for so long, he must have had moments of hopelessness and despair--feeling he'd never be cured. But the waters in the pool offered some hope. (Evidently a legend existed that said the first person who got into the pool when the waters were stirred would be healed.) And this paralyzed man had waited and wished for someone to lower him into the waters when that happened but no one was available.
The point of this story is that when the paralyzed man encountered Jesus, his situation improved. Jesus made the difference in his life. He makes the difference in your life, too, when you know Him. His Spirit comes to live in you and begins to work all things out for your good and His glory (See Romans 8:28-29).

My Thoughts

Read again today's passage and answer these questions:

1. What were the first words Jesus spoke to the paralyzed man?
2. Why do you think Jesus asked him that?
3. Did Jesus put the man into the waters?
4. Instead of relying on a legend, what did Jesus do to help the man?

My Part

When you come to a place in life so difficult that you feel helpless and hopeless, and there is nothing you or anyone can do, what then? Then is when you must trust the only person who is able to help and can bring hope to any situation--Jesus. Will you trust Him today?

"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 NLT).

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

Born Again

Daily Bible Study

Topic: Salvation

Do you remember all the steps you went through to join your family? The application you filled out, the questionnaires about your future plans, the endless interviews with potential mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters? And then the whole probationary period when you had to be on your best behavior or you'd be shopping for a new family all over again?

You don't!?

Well, I don't either and for a good reason. Becoming a member of a family doesn't work that way--even if you're adopted. Generally, you're born into a family; and you'll die as a member of that family. No matter how good or bad the relationships get in between, the people you are related to are your family.

So, if we can't earn or buy our way into our families here on earth, what makes us think we can do that when it comes to God's family?

What Does the Bible Say

You see, you become a member of God's family the same way you become a member of your family here on earth: you're born into it. "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3, ESV). That's what Jesus said to Nicodemus. And Nicodemus asked a very natural follow-up question: "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (John 3:4, ESV).

Yes, there is a difference between being born and being born again. You had no choice about your first birth. But when it comes to being born again, there is a choice to be made--by you and by God. See, it's God's family you'd be born into; so, naturally, He gets a say in the matter. And here's what He says: "For [I] God so loved the world, that [I] he gave [my] his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV).

God's choice is this: He wants you to join Him in heaven. That means there are no good deeds you can do to make God accept you into heaven--He's already accepted you. All you have to do is respond to Him, for "everyone who believes in him will have eternal life" (John 3:15, NLT).

Being born into God's family is something that has immediate benefits. We get a new outlook on life. We get a peace that comes from seeing life from God's perspective. We get a genuine love and compassion for others. Sure, these things don't come overnight--after all, you weren't born physically as a 25-year-old--but as you grow and mature in God's family, they'll become a part of your life.

My Thoughts

Based on John 3:1-21, think about the following questions:

• We read that not only is Jesus providing a way into God's family, He's also saving us from something. What is that?
• What does it mean that whoever does not believe "is condemned already" in verse 18?

My Part

If you've ever felt like you need to live up to God's standards before He'll let you near heaven, let this message sink in: You're already accepted.

If you live in constant fear that you'll slip up and God will disown you, remember: He'll always love you. Even if you've already made the choice to be born into God's family, take some time today to think about these truths.

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

Temptation

Think for a moment about what tempts you. Got a picture of that (or those) temptation in your mind? Now, ask yourself where temptation originates. Does it come from God? And also, consider a practical question, what's the most effective way to deal with temptation?

Let's see what light the Bible sheds on this matter.

What Does God Say?

James 1:12-15 answers both our questions. It tells us clearly and succinctly about God and temptation.

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death" (James 1:12-15 NLT).

• How does God expect you to respond to temptation?
• What will be the end result if you properly handle temptation?
• Does God tempt you?
• Where does temptation come from?
• What's the result of giving in to the temptation?

My Thoughts

Have you ever been tempted and sinned, and then when you looked back on it, you realized that you walked right into that temptation. Maybe you ignored the warning signs, or for some reason, thought you could handle the temptation. Well, Scripture tells us exactly what we should do in such a situation.

Don't do as the wicked do,
and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
Don't even think about it; don't go that way.
Turn away and keep moving." (Proverbs 4:14-15 NLT).

"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts" (2 Timothy 2:22).

• Write down the best action to take when tempted?
• Plan ahead. Determine how you can avoid situations where you may be tempted.
• If you find yourself in a tempting situation, ask the Lord for His strength to get out of the setting as fast as you can. This is the time, to run first; pray later. Or better still, run first--while you are praying!

My Part

Jesus Himself taught us to pray,

"Don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13 NLT).

That's a wonderful petition to pray not only for ourselves but for others. Here's what Dr. Woodrow Kroll, radio Bible teacher at Back to Bible, shared from his life: "I've often been asked what I pray for my children. I never pray for my girls to be great women of faith. I never pray for my son, who's a pastor by the way, I never pray for him to become a great preacher of the Word. But I do pray this for my children; I've always prayed, 'Lord, don't let them fall into sin' because I figure as long as they stay away from temptation and don't wander down a path that leads them into sin, God will take care of the rest of their lives."

Make this your prayer this week as well.

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part

God's Amazing Messengers

God's Amazing Messengers

Today in the Bible Minute get ready to meet some totally biblical, very real personalities who are spiritual, invisible and powerful. They make their home in heaven with God, yet work around the world and are intimately concerned with the good of every believer.

You guessed it! They are angels. Would you like to know more about them? Find out what God says:

What Does God Say?

Get acquainted with some interesting facts the Bible reveals about angels by taking this brief quiz:

• In Job 38:4-7, angels are called the "sons of God." What does God say they did when He created the earth?

• What is characteristic of the angels in Psalm 103:20? In Psalm 148:2?

• What are angels called in Hebrews 1:7?

• According to Hebrews 1:14, what people do angels especially assist?

• When Jesus was being arrested, how many angels did He say He could ask the Father to send to help Him (Matthew 26:53) and how long did He say it would take the angels to get there?

• In Luke 2:15, where did the angels go after announcing Jesus' birth to the shepherds?

• What did the angels do for the poor man in Luke 16:22?

• In Matthew 18:10, what does Jesus say the angels "always" do?

God's Word will give you many more facts about angels. Both the Old and the New Testament have scores of references to them.

My Thoughts

You may have heard legends, read novels or seen TV programs about angels. Because angels are normally unseen, people may give them credit at times for things they didn't do. On the other hand, there are undoubtedly times when an angel has done something on a person's behalf without the person knowing it has happened. The Bible, however, makes it clear that many people have personally encountered angels. For examples, see Luke 1:30; Luke 2:9-10; Acts 5:17-20. It stands to reason that through the ages of the Church, angels have continued to be active in their ministry to God's people.

Your understanding of angels should come from the Bible, however, not from myths and fantasy. For example, angels are not glorified humans. They are not present everywhere. They are spirits without bodies, although they sometimes may take on the appearance of a human. Not all angels are good. Some, including Satan, have sinned and will be punished forever (Matthew 25:41).

Angels are never to be worshiped. They are creatures of God just as you are (Revelation 22:8-9).

My Part

You'll want to learn more about angels. If your Bible has a concordance (a list of Bible words with their references) look up "angel" and "angels" and do your own study. Or go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ for an excellent interactive online concordance for the Bible version you are using.

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part