Psalm 107:20 (KJV)
20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions
In this verse, we read that God "sent His word and healed them." God's word
has the power to heal us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. If we want to experience God's healing power at every dimension of our lives, we need to be in a place where we regulary hear His word, such as in church and in individual and group Bible study.
The same word of God that created the heavens and earth (Gen. 1:1-10) is able to heal our lives. God still sends His word to heal us today. Jesus healed a centurion's sevant with a word ( Matt. 8:5-13). Whenever the word of God is allowed to be heard by people and received by faith, it is going to heal people.
A little bit of this a little bit of that
10/22/10
10/15/10
Christ Esteem-Philippians 3:12-14
"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
Thoughts for Today
As we come to Jesus and begin to understand who we are in him, it is time to learn from the past, put it behind and move on ahead. Paul makes it clear in today's scripture that he is on a journey. He knows he is not perfect, but he determines to forget the past and reach forward--to become all Jesus wants him to be. He is moving the right direction--toward Jesus--and he is not turning back.
That's where we need to be too. On a journey to Jesus, to accomplishing his purpose for us. If we try to drag the hurts and mistakes of the past along with us on the journey, our progress will be slowed … or come to a stop altogether. We need to give all that baggage to Jesus and receive his healing and forgiveness. We need to keep our eyes on him and run forward.
Consider this …
Are you dragging baggage along as you try to move ahead with Jesus? Painful memories of abuse or other hurts. Unforgiveness. Condemnation. If you have made Jesus Lord of your life, it is time to put all those things behind. You have been made right in God's sight. You are his child. You are his masterpiece, designed for a purpose.
Join the apostle Paul in putting the past behind and moving forward along the marvelous path God has set before you. He has a good plan for you. Press on!
Prayer
Father, thank you for your healing and forgiveness. Help me to truly leave my hurts and failures in the past and keep my eyes on Jesus as I move forward along the path you have for me. In Jesus' name …
www.LivingFree.org.
Thoughts for Today
As we come to Jesus and begin to understand who we are in him, it is time to learn from the past, put it behind and move on ahead. Paul makes it clear in today's scripture that he is on a journey. He knows he is not perfect, but he determines to forget the past and reach forward--to become all Jesus wants him to be. He is moving the right direction--toward Jesus--and he is not turning back.
That's where we need to be too. On a journey to Jesus, to accomplishing his purpose for us. If we try to drag the hurts and mistakes of the past along with us on the journey, our progress will be slowed … or come to a stop altogether. We need to give all that baggage to Jesus and receive his healing and forgiveness. We need to keep our eyes on him and run forward.
Consider this …
Are you dragging baggage along as you try to move ahead with Jesus? Painful memories of abuse or other hurts. Unforgiveness. Condemnation. If you have made Jesus Lord of your life, it is time to put all those things behind. You have been made right in God's sight. You are his child. You are his masterpiece, designed for a purpose.
Join the apostle Paul in putting the past behind and moving forward along the marvelous path God has set before you. He has a good plan for you. Press on!
Prayer
Father, thank you for your healing and forgiveness. Help me to truly leave my hurts and failures in the past and keep my eyes on Jesus as I move forward along the path you have for me. In Jesus' name …
www.LivingFree.org.
10/14/10
Christ Esteem
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NLT
Thoughts for Today
We are valuable to God. How could he have expressed his love for us any more than to send his only Son to die so that we might have life?
Focusing on these scriptures--and others like them--can remind you who you are in Christ Jesus …
You are forgiven. 1 John 1:9
You have been made right in God's sight. Romans 5:1
You are righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:26
You are loved. 1 John 3:1, John 4:10
You are a member of God's family. Ephesians 2:19
You are known by God. Matthew 10:30
You are God's child. Romans 8:14
You are an overcomer. 1 John 5:3-5
You are his masterpiece--designed for a purpose. Ephesians 2:10
Consider this …
Have other people said or done things that make it hard for you to see yourself as God sees you? You can't do anything right. … You are ugly. … You are stupid. … You will never amount to anything. Or maybe you won't forgive yourself for past failures or sins.
Bring all the self-doubt and self-condemnation to Jesus. Receive his forgiveness … and then walk tall. Meditate on scriptures like these that tell you how important you are to God. How much he loves you. How complete forgiveness in Jesus really is. And what great plans he has for you.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your great love for me. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you that I am special to you. Help me to view myself not as others do, not from my own perspective, but the way you see me. In Jesus' name …
Living Free, www.LivingFree.org.
Thoughts for Today
We are valuable to God. How could he have expressed his love for us any more than to send his only Son to die so that we might have life?
Focusing on these scriptures--and others like them--can remind you who you are in Christ Jesus …
You are forgiven. 1 John 1:9
You have been made right in God's sight. Romans 5:1
You are righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:26
You are loved. 1 John 3:1, John 4:10
You are a member of God's family. Ephesians 2:19
You are known by God. Matthew 10:30
You are God's child. Romans 8:14
You are an overcomer. 1 John 5:3-5
You are his masterpiece--designed for a purpose. Ephesians 2:10
Consider this …
Have other people said or done things that make it hard for you to see yourself as God sees you? You can't do anything right. … You are ugly. … You are stupid. … You will never amount to anything. Or maybe you won't forgive yourself for past failures or sins.
Bring all the self-doubt and self-condemnation to Jesus. Receive his forgiveness … and then walk tall. Meditate on scriptures like these that tell you how important you are to God. How much he loves you. How complete forgiveness in Jesus really is. And what great plans he has for you.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your great love for me. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you that I am special to you. Help me to view myself not as others do, not from my own perspective, but the way you see me. In Jesus' name …
Living Free, www.LivingFree.org.
10/8/10
So be strong and courageous....
"So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!"
Psalm 31:24 (NLT)
There are two choices. We will either cower away from hard situations or charge toward them with courage.The trouble is that in scary situations the only "nerve" I have is a nervous stomach. In the past I let the nervous stomach win, sadly. I didn't have a real connection with God at the time so I missed out on a lot of things in my life that I really wanted to try, do. I reality I let Satan win!I had a choice to make. Either I could allow my anxiety to prevent me from doing things in life that i wanted to do, or I could face the situation with courage. How do I find courage when I am trembling in fear? I guess it comes down to deciding what is more important, the thing I need to do or giving in to my fear. Being courageous is being brave enough to move through my fears.I have to put my hope in God who will see me through.Since I've given my life to Jesus 6 years ago, I turn to Him for the courage I need. NOT that I don't get nervous, because I DO, but I am able to follow through. Satan still tries to win me back, and although he may slow me down in some things, eventually I turn to God to help me get past my fears.
Today when fear grips me, I search my thoughts only to discover that my nervousness is based on pride. What will they think of me when it is my turn to pray our loud? I nervously wondered as I have never done this before, I am not yet strong in prayer. Knowing my own limitations created doubt in my mind, which in turn could have caused me to back away. Instead, I decided to move forward in faith. My heart warmed as I considered what was more important. God wanted me to go to the prayer meeting. I have prayed on it and wanted to go for so long. Sure, my heart was pounding and my knees were knocking, but I chose to be brave, to trust God. The result was amazing and I felt great for following through! That's the incredible truth about courage. It transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Whatever God is calling you to do, this is His promise. " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NIV
Psalm 31:24 (NLT)
There are two choices. We will either cower away from hard situations or charge toward them with courage.The trouble is that in scary situations the only "nerve" I have is a nervous stomach. In the past I let the nervous stomach win, sadly. I didn't have a real connection with God at the time so I missed out on a lot of things in my life that I really wanted to try, do. I reality I let Satan win!I had a choice to make. Either I could allow my anxiety to prevent me from doing things in life that i wanted to do, or I could face the situation with courage. How do I find courage when I am trembling in fear? I guess it comes down to deciding what is more important, the thing I need to do or giving in to my fear. Being courageous is being brave enough to move through my fears.I have to put my hope in God who will see me through.Since I've given my life to Jesus 6 years ago, I turn to Him for the courage I need. NOT that I don't get nervous, because I DO, but I am able to follow through. Satan still tries to win me back, and although he may slow me down in some things, eventually I turn to God to help me get past my fears.
Today when fear grips me, I search my thoughts only to discover that my nervousness is based on pride. What will they think of me when it is my turn to pray our loud? I nervously wondered as I have never done this before, I am not yet strong in prayer. Knowing my own limitations created doubt in my mind, which in turn could have caused me to back away. Instead, I decided to move forward in faith. My heart warmed as I considered what was more important. God wanted me to go to the prayer meeting. I have prayed on it and wanted to go for so long. Sure, my heart was pounding and my knees were knocking, but I chose to be brave, to trust God. The result was amazing and I felt great for following through! That's the incredible truth about courage. It transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Whatever God is calling you to do, this is His promise. " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NIV