Video Bible Lesson - The Struggle with Self-Condemnation By Jennifer Waddle

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

4/7/2020

The Struggle with Self-Condemnation
By Jennifer Waddle

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. (Psalm 37:23-24 NKJV)
Shame is one of the biggest deterrents of a Christian’s freedom in Christ. Self-condemnation holds people back from living, serving, and enjoying the abundant life Jesus offered. When we mess up, we feel like we are bound by our mistakes and unable to truly move past them.
But the Bible reminds us that when we fall, we are not utterly cast down. The Lord upholds us with His hand. His grace is sufficient, for when we are weak, His power is made perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9) So, why do we struggle with self-condemnation?
Every chance he gets, the adversary comes in and shoots his arrows deep into our minds so that we are reminded of past shame and regret. In turn, this cycle of condemnation keeps us bound by failure, unable to live in the glorious freedom given us by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Dear fellow believers, this should not be! The Bible reassures us that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive. (1 John 1:9) And again, in Isaiah, chapter 43, the Lord says,
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
And I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25 NKJV)
If God, who is all-knowing, can forget our sins, why do we hang on to them and let them condemn us over and over again?
Take heart today. Your sins, once the color of scarlet, have been washed clean—white as snow. There is now no condemnation for you in Christ Jesus. Put on the full armor of God so that when the arrows of the enemy come, (and they will), you will be ready to deflect them straight back at him. It is time to rise up and say “no” to Satan’s lies. And, it is time to begin living the amazing, abundant life Jesus offered.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Wisdom’s Benefit Package.....Dr. Charles Stanley

Wisdom’s Benefit Package

Dr. Charles Stanley

Proverbs 2

When someone applies for a job, a common question is: “What does the benefit package include?” Since the world’s advice about how to have a good life is in sharp contrast to what the Bible recommends, we might want to consider asking a similar question about the value of living according to God’s wisdom: What are the benefits? In other words, Why should we seek to live in obedience to the instructions given in the Scriptures?

First of all, in seeking God’s wisdom, we will acquire a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Lord (Prov. 22:4-6). Our perception of life is greatly enhanced when we know Him intimately. He’ll give us the ability to see ourselves, others, and situations from His perspective. As biblical principles permeate our minds, they will shape our thinking and responses to all of life’s situations and challenges.

Second, God promises divine guidance and protection if we walk wisely (vv. 7-10). Nothing outside His will can penetrate the shield of protection around those who seek to obey Him. When we let His wisdom enter our hearts, discretion watches over our desires and emotions, preventing us from entering into foolish or sinful relationships that would draw us away from Him (vv. 11-20).

Godly understanding and protection don’t become ours simply because we want them. Such benefits come to people who diligently seek divine wisdom. If you receive the wordsof Scripture and let them fill your heart and mind, the Lord will reveal Himself to you and give you His discernment.

Proverbs 2

When someone applies for a job, a common question is: “What does the benefit package include?” Since the world’s advice about how to have a good life is in sharp contrast to what the Bible recommends, we might want to consider asking a similar question about the value of living according to God’s wisdom: What are the benefits? In other words, Why should we seek to live in obedience to the instructions given in the Scriptures?

First of all, in seeking God’s wisdom, we will acquire a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Lord (Prov. 22:4-6). Our perception of life is greatly enhanced when we know Him intimately. He’ll give us the ability to see ourselves, others, and situations from His perspective. As biblical principles permeate our minds, they will shape our thinking and responses to all of life’s situations and challenges.

Second, God promises divine guidance and protection if we walk wisely (vv. 7-10). Nothing outside His will can penetrate the shield of protection around those who seek to obey Him. When we let His wisdom enter our hearts, discretion watches over our desires and emotions, preventing us from entering into foolish or sinful relationships that would draw us away from Him (vv. 11-20).

Godly understanding and protection don’t become ours simply because we want them. Such benefits come to people who diligently seek divine wisdom. If you receive the wordsof Scripture and let them fill your heart and mind, the Lord will reveal Himself to you and give you His discernment.

A Prayer for Hard Days

A Prayer for Hard Days
By Christina Fox

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8

We all have hard days. Challenging days. Days that stretch us, sometimes beyond what we can bear. Sometimes these days appear as a series of little irritating events that build up to one terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Other days we wake up to find one huge unexpected event that lands like a bomb in our life.

Sometimes those hard days find us busy and distracted as we try to fix everything that has gone wrong. Or we get so caught up in our thoughts and feelings about our circumstances that it consumes us. Or perhaps we attempt to hide away from struggle of the day in the hopes that if we don't think about it, maybe it will all go just away.

Instead of such responses, hard days are opportunities for us to draw near to God. They are opportunities for us to rely on him, depend on him, and receive more of his grace. Such days remind us how desperate we are and how much we need our Savior.

A Prayer for Hard Days

Father in Heaven,

Help me! I am so weary and worn down by this day. So many things are happening all at once and I don't know what to do. I am overwhelmed. It feels like I am standing in a fierce wind that is whipping and swirling around me. I can't move; the force is so strong. It may just knock me down flat. And worse of all, what if I can't get back up again?

Father, I can barely lift my eyes to you. It's all I can do to cry out for help. Please extend your grace to me this day. Help me to see that you are in this and that you are with me. Help me to remember that you are not surprised or taken off guard by the events of this day.

As I dwell and meditate on who you are, I am amazed and filled with wonder that you would love and care for me. No other religion in all the world has a God that loves his people. No other religion has a God that listens and cares about the cries of the human heart. No other religion has a God that would humble himself and take on frail human flesh and live in this sin-stained world. No other religion has a God that would lay down his life for his people.

But you are that God. You are God alone. Your word tells me that before time began you chose me to be yours through your Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:4). You set your love on me and made me yours. Ephesians also says that through Christ, I have "redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace" (1:7).

Forgive me for my fears about this day. Forgive me for how I have complained and muttered about how hard this day has been. Forgive me for forgetting that you are with me. Forgive me for forgetting who I am because of what your Son, Jesus Christ, has done. Forgive me for failing to remember the glorious truths and riches I have because of the gospel.

It is these truths that I am focusing my heart on in the midst of this hard day. I pray the words of Paul and claim them as my own that "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of my hearts enlightened, that I may know what is the hope to which he has called me, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe" (Ephesians 1:17-19).

Father, hear my prayer. Grant me gospel hope in the midst of this hard day. Help me to cling to your grace, your wisdom, and your strength.

Through Jesus and because of Jesus and in His name I pray, Amen.

Are You a Spiritual Fighter?

Are You a Spiritual Fighter?
By Dick Woodward

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” - 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Heavenly Father, how can we possibly comprehend your will? In times of uncertainty, help us to put our trust in you.

When we read in the Bible about the great men of God we find that they all seem to have deep experiences with God. The details of their experiences vary greatly but the results are very similar.

Jacob wrestled all night with an angel. The angel forced Jacob to look up and wrestle his way through to God. Then the angel forced Jacob to look in and confess that he was a rascal who lived up to his name. The name “Jacob” meant “Grabber.” He was a mover, shaker, doer kind of man who was always running and would not stand still long enough for God to place a blessing upon him.

God could not get Jacob to wait on his Lord. He had to cripple him so He might crown him with His blessing. We might call it: “The cripple crown blessing of God.” When a man is crippled what else can he do but wait?

When God won the wrestling match He pronounced a blessing upon this man – the one quoted above from the book of Genesis. By changing his name to “Israel” God declared that Jacob was a fighter. He had fought his way through to his God and confessed to what he saw when he looked in. He was then ready to look around and fight through his relationships with people.

Are you a spiritual fighter? Have you fought all the way through your up look to God? Have you won the battle when you look in? Are you winning the battle when you look around and work out all your relationships?

God Will Keep Your Way Secure

God Will Keep Your Way Secure
By Debbie McDaniel

"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." - 2 Samuel 22:33

I was sitting outside early one morning just before dawn. Rainstorms were all around, I could hear the distant thunder and feel the strong winds. But my little place under the roof awning with a hot cup of coffee, Bible, and favorite blanket was secure, safe, undisturbed, though all around me it was stormy.

God's reminder came: "You are secure in Me. You are held strong by My protection overhead though the storms of life may surround you. The winds can blow, the rains can beat down hard, the times may look dark, but My Presence surrounds and I am greater than the storm."

Just because I was under the roof awning, it didn’t stop the storm. But it did provide protection during the storm.

Just because we are under God’s care, it doesn’t stop the storms from happening around us. But it does provide incredible strength and protection for every battle we face in this life.

Many of you might find yourselves facing huge storms in life right now. Maybe your storm is caused by circumstances that are out of your control. Maybe your storm is caused by people, broken relationships, and betrayal or hurt that has wounded you deeply. Maybe the biggest storm you face is caused by the enemy himself whose main goal is simply to bring you down, stop you in your tracks from being a light in this world. God reminds us in His word, that the enemy's intent is always to steal, kill, and destroy. He will do all he can to prevent truth from being shared, and he is ruthless and cruel.

But the storms never have full reign, for right in the midst He reminds us: You are held secure by a Mighty God. You may feel some wind, you may hear the loud thunder, and see darkness or rain all around. But His covering of protection and love surround, you don't face it alone. And in just a short time the storms will pass, the light will shine again, and you will be strengthened for a greater work ahead.

Press on my friends who are facing hard times.

He knows your way and has a plan.

You are held, and He is with you.

Peace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Write down a storm you’re facing right now. Then after it, write down this verse, "It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." 2 Samuel 22:33. Put it in a place you’ll see it daily, maybe tucked in your Bible, or hang it up on the bathroom mirror, or keep it in your car. But choose to remind yourself daily, that you are not facing this battle alone. God is the One who is with you, strengthening you daily, keeping your way secure. He gives peace and joy right in the midst of the toughest times. Trust Him, even though you can’t figure it all right now. He knows what’s up ahead, and He is building greatness within you.

Further Reading:
James 1:2-3
John 16:33
Psalms 91

What Easter Is Really About.....🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

What Easter Is Really About

Greg Laurie

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 nkjv).

Easter is not about eggs and wearing pastel colors. That’s all fine, but that isn’t what Easter is about. It’s about Jesus wanting a relationship with you.

Jesus was born to die—and to rise again. That was the reason for the Incarnation. On the cross, Jesus faced the judgment of God. He took the wrath of God upon Himself.

It’s why He cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

He was bearing all the sin of the world, including your sins and mine, by dying in our place. That is why He came.

Jesus talked about it all the time. He was on a mission to go to the cross of Calvary. His life was not taken from Him; He willingly gave it up for us.

Nails did not hold Jesus to that cross. Love did—love for you and love for me. He died for us.

So how do you come into a relationship with Him?

First, you have to admit that you’re a sinner. Some of us choke on that word, but we have to admit that we’ve broken God’s commandments. If you’ve broken even one commandment, then you have sinned.

We’ve all done that many times over, because the Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 nkjv).

You need to realize that Jesus died on the cross for you. And then you need to repent of your sin, which means a change of direction. It means turning away from it. Next, you must receive Christ into your life. You must ask Jesus to be your Savior and your Lord.

No one else can do this for you. This is a decision you make. And eternity hinges on this decision.