This Bible devotion is going to show another facet of what we already talked about in "Rejoicing Essential Part 2." In that post from Genesis chapter 1 we talked about - doing good, looking upon that good and rejoicing in that good. But today we are going to talk about how that same process has a by-product of a healthy self-esteem.
The focus of our Christian walk is not our self-esteem but rather building godly character. However, a by-product of godly character is an improved self-esteem. When we see how our actions brought good to another then we can rejoice about the good we brought them. When we rejoice about our actions, as a by-product we feel good about ourselves. Our self-esteem is elevated by loving others.
I'll use an extreme example to get the point across. A firefighter saves a baby from a burning building and returns the child unharmed to a very happy mother. He meditates on his actions and is glad about the good he brought them. As a result of his deeds he feels good about himself. But we don't have to do a big thing to rejoice. It blesses someone, and God is also pleased, when we give a cup of cold water to someone in need.
In contrast when we do wrong we feel bad about our actions. And at that moment we have a lower esteem of ourselves. We all sin and fall short. And a troubled conscience can be a weight on how we feel about ourselves. So, after a fall, lets reverse that negative process as quickly as we can . Repent, confess, trust that God has forgiven you and then also forgive yourself. Forget the past and move forward doing what is good today, and then rejoice in that good. Doing good for others changes our whole perception of ourselves for the better. As always, walking in God's ways is good for us!
( Note: this post is not a substitute for Professional counseling or Doctor directed medicines)
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
God bless
My humor blog
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Motivators that encourage us to obey God - Part 1
The purpose of this series is to find Biblical truths that will stimulate us to love and good works. The first truth we'll cover is obtaining favor with God and also with man. The Bible verses are found in Proverbs 3:3-4
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
First, believers can find favor with God through walking in obedience. Being careful to do all that God commands will result in our way being prosperous and having success. It is one of the things Joshua was instructed to do in Joshua 1:8
8"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
But in addition to finding favor in the sight of God we can also find favor in the sight of man.
We can shape our own environment by the way we treat others. If we make it our habit to bring good to others then good ends up coming back to us. People can warm up to us when they receive love from us and it increases how we are esteemed in their eyes . And although it is not our intention to show kindness and receive something in return, often times they want to reciprocate and do something nice for us. Our kindness caused us to find favor with them and it shaped our own environment in a positive way.
But the opposite it true too. If we are nasty with people then we shouldn't be surprised when that nastiness is returned back to us. One Bible verse that shows how being nasty with others causes us to have difficulty with people instead of favor is Galatians 5:15
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Nastiness breeds nastiness and also causes us to have a poor reputation with others. But kindness encourages kindness to be returned to us. And our kindness also increases how others esteem us . So lets walk in kindness and truth so we can find favor with God and also with our fellow man.
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
First, believers can find favor with God through walking in obedience. Being careful to do all that God commands will result in our way being prosperous and having success. It is one of the things Joshua was instructed to do in Joshua 1:8
8"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
But in addition to finding favor in the sight of God we can also find favor in the sight of man.
We can shape our own environment by the way we treat others. If we make it our habit to bring good to others then good ends up coming back to us. People can warm up to us when they receive love from us and it increases how we are esteemed in their eyes . And although it is not our intention to show kindness and receive something in return, often times they want to reciprocate and do something nice for us. Our kindness caused us to find favor with them and it shaped our own environment in a positive way.
But the opposite it true too. If we are nasty with people then we shouldn't be surprised when that nastiness is returned back to us. One Bible verse that shows how being nasty with others causes us to have difficulty with people instead of favor is Galatians 5:15
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Nastiness breeds nastiness and also causes us to have a poor reputation with others. But kindness encourages kindness to be returned to us. And our kindness also increases how others esteem us . So lets walk in kindness and truth so we can find favor with God and also with our fellow man.
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
God bless
My humor blog
Monday, January 24, 2011
Balancing dependence on God with diligent effort
In our struggle against sin we must have a balance between our utter dependance on God's power and our responsibility to diligently resist sin.
It is easy to get these two out of balance by going to one extreme or the other. One extreme would be a self reliant attitude where we resist sin but don't ask for God's help. The other extreme would be where we asked God to change us but we don't engage our will and provide resistance. We just expect God to do it all. Both extremes can stunt spiritual growth.
The proper balance is to be utterly dependent on God's power while at the same time making diligent effort to resist sin. This concept is easy to grasp when we think about driving a car. We realize that without gas in our car we can't go where we want. If we try our best to drive, but don't have gas, we won't move forward. On the other hand if we fill the car with gas and then lay down in our seat we won't move forward either. We must recognize our dependence on having gas in our tank and at the same time we must do our part with that gas.
We need to recognize that we can't change without spiritual gas. We need to ask Him for help so we can move forward. Then we need to use that spiritual gas and do our part. We need to diligently resist sin according to the power He gives us.
Doing our part requires self control and discipline. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 talks about disciplining yourself.
7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Fortunately we are not the only one involved in making our heart willing. God is faithfully at work to make you willing too. Philippians 2:12-13
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
It is easy to get these two out of balance by going to one extreme or the other. One extreme would be a self reliant attitude where we resist sin but don't ask for God's help. The other extreme would be where we asked God to change us but we don't engage our will and provide resistance. We just expect God to do it all. Both extremes can stunt spiritual growth.
The proper balance is to be utterly dependent on God's power while at the same time making diligent effort to resist sin. This concept is easy to grasp when we think about driving a car. We realize that without gas in our car we can't go where we want. If we try our best to drive, but don't have gas, we won't move forward. On the other hand if we fill the car with gas and then lay down in our seat we won't move forward either. We must recognize our dependence on having gas in our tank and at the same time we must do our part with that gas.
We need to recognize that we can't change without spiritual gas. We need to ask Him for help so we can move forward. Then we need to use that spiritual gas and do our part. We need to diligently resist sin according to the power He gives us.
Doing our part requires self control and discipline. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 talks about disciplining yourself.
7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Fortunately we are not the only one involved in making our heart willing. God is faithfully at work to make you willing too. Philippians 2:12-13
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
God bless
My humor blog
Some reasons prayer goes unanswered - Part 2
In today’s Bible devotional we will look at an additional reason why prayer goes unanswered. That reason is praying with wrong motives.
The book of James talks about prayer going unanswered because our motives are pleasure centered.The passage is James 4:3
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
If our prayers are centered on fulfilling our own selfish pleasures then be prepared for those prayers to go unanswered. On the other hand, increased answers to prayer result from pure motives and an obedient heart. - 1 John 3:22
22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
But I don’t want to show an unbalanced picture of scripture. When God talks about not answering our prayers that are based on selfish pleasures this does not mean He is anti-enjoyment. God Himself provides us a multitude of ways to have wholesome enjoyment - 1 Timothy 6:17.
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
In addition when our hearts are centered on Him, He also wants to give us our desires
Psalm 34:4.
4Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
So let us purify our hearts and our motives so that we can look forward to an increase in prayers being answered.
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
The book of James talks about prayer going unanswered because our motives are pleasure centered.The passage is James 4:3
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
If our prayers are centered on fulfilling our own selfish pleasures then be prepared for those prayers to go unanswered. On the other hand, increased answers to prayer result from pure motives and an obedient heart. - 1 John 3:22
22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
But I don’t want to show an unbalanced picture of scripture. When God talks about not answering our prayers that are based on selfish pleasures this does not mean He is anti-enjoyment. God Himself provides us a multitude of ways to have wholesome enjoyment - 1 Timothy 6:17.
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
In addition when our hearts are centered on Him, He also wants to give us our desires
Psalm 34:4.
4Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
So let us purify our hearts and our motives so that we can look forward to an increase in prayers being answered.
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
God bless
My humor blog
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Two things that will make your insight and understanding excel
There are some basic things we must do to learn the things of God. We must regularly attend a church that gives sound Biblical teaching. We must engage in fellowship with other believers that Love the Lord. We must personally read the Bible on a regular basis. Studying a reliable Bible commentary is a good idea too.
But in addition to these things, two other things will cause us to excel in insight and expand our understanding. Those two things are meditating on God’s Word and obedience. Lets look at Psalm 119:99-100
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.
David did not just have average insight. Verse 99 says that David had insight that was greater than all of his teachers. And what was one of his powerful secrets? He meditated on God’s Word. One way we can accomplish this is by setting aside a time where we ponder a verse or passage over and over again. Paying attention to each word as we try to extract insight from that passage.
But, David also made mention of meditating on God’s Word throughout the whole day. In Psalm 1:2 he said,
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
And as we meditate on His Word we must also ask God to teach us. David was dependent on God for his insight. In Psalm 119:18 he prayed this,
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.
Next, in verse 100, David had a greater understanding than the aged. And how was he able to have a greater understanding than those with more life experiences? It was because he observed what God told him. Obedience enlarges your understanding.
And there is a direct connection between meditating and obeying. Everyone knows that we first think about what we are going to do before we actually do it. So too David meditated on God’s Word and those thoughts led to acting on God’s Word.
Do you want an insight and understanding that is greater than those around you? Then meditate on God’s Word and obey it.
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
But in addition to these things, two other things will cause us to excel in insight and expand our understanding. Those two things are meditating on God’s Word and obedience. Lets look at Psalm 119:99-100
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.
David did not just have average insight. Verse 99 says that David had insight that was greater than all of his teachers. And what was one of his powerful secrets? He meditated on God’s Word. One way we can accomplish this is by setting aside a time where we ponder a verse or passage over and over again. Paying attention to each word as we try to extract insight from that passage.
But, David also made mention of meditating on God’s Word throughout the whole day. In Psalm 1:2 he said,
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
And as we meditate on His Word we must also ask God to teach us. David was dependent on God for his insight. In Psalm 119:18 he prayed this,
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.
Next, in verse 100, David had a greater understanding than the aged. And how was he able to have a greater understanding than those with more life experiences? It was because he observed what God told him. Obedience enlarges your understanding.
And there is a direct connection between meditating and obeying. Everyone knows that we first think about what we are going to do before we actually do it. So too David meditated on God’s Word and those thoughts led to acting on God’s Word.
Do you want an insight and understanding that is greater than those around you? Then meditate on God’s Word and obey it.
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
God bless
My humor blog
Monday, January 17, 2011
When you can't find encouragement then strengthen yourself in the Lord
Have you ever been discouraged and there was no one to lift you up? At those times we must be able to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. David had a situation where he had to do just that. We find this account in 1 Samuel 30:1-6 . ( If you are thinking about doing yourself harm then please seek medical attention immediately.)
While David and his men were away from their families the Amalekites made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag. During this raid they took captive the families of David and his men.
While David and his men were away from their families the Amalekites made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag. During this raid they took captive the families of David and his men.
In addition to the grief of having his own wives taken captive, he also was distressed because the people were angry and talked about stoning him. David is very troubled and has no source of encouragement. He couldn’t look for encouragement from those around him because they wanted to stone him. But David had learned the needed quality of strengthening himself in God.
1 Samuel 30:6
6 Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
When we are troubled we need the encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ. But there may be times when we have no one to lift us up. During these times we must strengthen ourselves. We must not neglect prayer. We must seek God and His Word. And we must hold on to any promise that God gives us. We must hold on to the promised like a pit bull and refuse to let go.
Let me leave you with one other passage where David did self-encouragement. This verse is found in Psalm 119:52
52 I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O LORD,
And comfort myself.
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
God bless
My humor blog
Friday, January 14, 2011
Some reasons prayer goes unanswered - Part 1
This devotion is not intended to be an exhaustive study on why prayer goes unanswered. But,I hope a few of these principals will increase your answers to prayer.
The first thing we’ll discuss is wickedness. Psalm 66:18 warns that regarding wickedness in our heart can make God unwilling to answer prayer.
18 If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
Are any of our personal prayers being withheld due to wickedness? Are any of our prayers for loved ones being withheld? Let's not take a chance. Let’s remove this barrier. Let’s turn from our sin.
The next thing we will talk about is our relationship with our spouse. 1 Peter 3:7 encourages us to keep in a right relationship with our spouse so our prayers won’t be hindered.
1 Peter 3:7
7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
So an additional step we can take to increase our prayers being heard is to walk in love towards our spouse. No marriage is perfect all the time. Make things right quickly and walk in love again.
Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
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