Committing To

The Christian Life

 

Starting Your Day

With Jesus Lifestyle Series

 

By Mel D Westbrook MBTh

 

 

 

The Book Introduction

Version: 25.10.7

 

Using The Truth/Prayer Pages

Jesus will be teaching you a truth then lead you into praying for that truth.  Each page has power truths and power prayers.  Today read about the purpose of Power Truths.  Then, tomorrow read about the purpose of Power Prayers.  From then on, you will read three Truth/Prayer Pages each day for five days.  Please read the purpose of Power Truths today.  NOTE: This is a five-day program; you skip Saturday and Sunday. 

 

 

The Purpose Of “Power Truths”

 

Week One Day One

 

What Is Your Original Purpose?

This introduction is used in all the “Starting Your Day With Jesus Lifestyle Series” studies and prayers.  If you have read this introduction before, it may seem repetitious.  But, it is vital that you stay aware of where Jesus is taking you and what you are doing to get there. 

 

What kinds of people are you having to deal with every day?  Do you find that, as a Christian, it hard to do what Jesus wants your relationships to be?  With the kind of people you have to deal with, how does He expect you to treat people with unity, truth, compassion, fairness, and love?  How do these things work in business, dating, marriage, a family, or with an enemy or adversary?  How do you take what you learn in the Bible and apply it to the way you live life?  How do you do it in such a way it actually empowers you to succeed in life in a better way than ever before?  You and Jesus will be able to solve these issues together here. 

 

Does The Bible Help With Your Life?

Have you ever read a requirement in the Bible, and wondered what would happen if you applied it to your business or a relationship?  What would happen to your business or your friends if you went around just telling them the truth?  It can look like you would be a lot more successful if you mainly concentrated on your needs, likes, preferences, and interests.  To start loving others and concentrating on their needs, can appear to hurt your goals, plans, and future; but, it actually enhances them.  Wisdom from Jesus will make the difference. 

 

What makes you win in life?  What causes people to want to be around you?  Why would someone want to do business with you, marry you, be your friend, or stop being your enemy?  What kind of a person would you need to be to win at life and it make you and those around you happy.  What is Jesus, the truths of the Bible, and Christianity offering that would make your life so much better that you wish you had lived that way all of your life? 

Did You Know There Are Two Lifestyle?

There are two approaches to life; one involves dishonesty and the other involves honesty.  One involves selfishness and the other involves love.  One involves goals that end at death and the other wins now and in eternity.  One involves loving things and using people and the other involves loving people and using things.  One involves following the teachings of the world and the other involves following the teachings of Jesus.  The thing about these two lifestyles is, one abuses people and the other blesses, helps, befriends, and cares about people.  

 

Would You Like To Grow With Jesus?

What if you are already too busy to add one more thing to your life?  What if you already have a full schedule?  What if you are already doing as much as possible trying to have a relationship with God?  Why would you add something like this to your busy schedule? 

 

It’s true you can’t just stop your life to let Jesus teach you.  But, would reading and praying over three pages a day really be that hard?  Rather than a simple “thought for the day” or some self-help concept, what if Jesus took you into steady, continued growth in your relationship with Him?  What if He took you into incredible principles and taught you how to succeed at everything you do?  Studying a truth and then praying and asking Jesus to put it in your life is a powerful way of making your life so much better than it has ever been. 

 

How Is The Bible Relevant To Your Every Day Life?

What about your life?  Would you like Jesus to teach you how to succeed in a business, a marriage, a family, a career, or your life?  Are you willing to let Him help you grow in your relationship with Him?  Have you ever considered how wise Jesus is?  What would happen if you included Him in all the decisions of your day?  He will help you think of incredible things that will enhance your plans.  You can simply read and pray through three pages a day for five days a week and Jesus will help you learn how to walk and talk with Him all day long. 

 

What about your happiness?  Have you ever thought a certain thing or person would make you happy and it didn’t?  Have you ever got something that made you happy for a while and then it gradually lost its excitement?  How would you like Jesus to guide you into those things that bring true happiness that lasts for a lifetime?  How about starting your day with happiness? 

 

What Is Your System For Life?

What is life all about?  Jesus and the Bible are like turning on the light in a dark room.  Most people are trying to “feel” their way through life.  They are trying to imagine and guess what life is all about.  They find themselves going down dead-end paths, running into obstacles, and falling over things they weren’t able to see.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He illuminates the issues and circumstances you face so you can see and understand what you are dealing with.  This is called truth.  On each page, you will be letting Jesus teach you a truth and then empower you to pray and invite Him to put it into the attitudes, character, and behavior of your life.  That is worth the little time it takes to read and pray three pages a day. 

 

Do You Know What Causes You To Win Or Lose?

What about your success?  Did you know there are certain areas of your attitudes and character that are causing you to win or lose at life?  These two things are Jesus’ priority.  He knows that if you have bad attitudes, you will fail.  How is your character?  You may feel like your attitudes and character are pretty good.  Have you ever dealt with a person who seemed to be unaware of their faults?  Their people-skills were poor; but, they didn’t seem to know it.  It is difficult for us to see our own faults.  Jesus will lovingly and gently help you improve. 

 

Who do you like? Do you like those who are trying to use you to get what they want?  Do you like those who lie to you so you will meet their needs?  Do you like those who will cheat you, if they think they can get by with it?  Do you like those who talk down to you because they think they are superior to you?  Improving your attitudes and character are how Jesus helps you treat people the way you like being treated.  When they find out that you are real and trustworthy, it becomes much easier for them to be around you.  Jesus wants to teach you how.  Win/win relationships are all about doing to others what you want them doing to you. 

 

Your Team

Jesus’ people are praying that you are blessed in a special way.  They are praying that you have a close relationship with Jesus. 

 

People Are Praying This For You:

Eph 1:16-17 (NIV) I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may GIVE YOU the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.

 

Eph 1:18-19a (NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. 

 

Eph 1:19b-21 (NIV) That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

The Purpose Of “Power Prayers”

 

Week One Day Two

 

Living Life For A Purpose

How Do You Turn Information Into A Lifestyle?

If you were a hoarder, you would fill your house with all kinds of things.  They may be very useful; but, you would have forgotten why you obtained them.  Working on your LIFEstyle is about using what you learn, and living life as God gives it to you.  This keeps you from just “hoarding” a bunch of information. 

 

Let’s say you got a degree and was licensed as a professional.  What if you worked at a fast-food place, getting minimum wages, while getting your education, degree, and license?  But, suppose you kept working as a fast-food worker after you paid the price, learned the information, earned the degree, and were licensed to take advantage of your training.  You didn’t make the changes in your lifestyle.  Jesus’ methods keep this from happening. 

 

What Makes Jesus’ Truths Different?

Have you seen people going on a strict diet, lose a lot of weight, but later gain it all back?  They didn’t make dieting and exercise a part of their lifestyle.  Your lifestyle is permanently changed by you “doing what it takes” to get where you need to go so you can continue living there.  By exposing yourself to Jesus’ principles, you develop a lifestyle. 

 

How can Jesus take three-page chapters and turn those principles into a new lifestyle for you?  First, He helps you understand His truths.  Then He helps you ask Him to put those truths into your life by providing you relevant prayers based on those truths.  Plus, He helps you be thinking about what you studied and prayed about.  All during your day, He helps you see how you can use His principles in your daily life. 

 

How Does Jesus’ Life Help Your Life?

A baby goes through many stages in becoming an adult; they try to pattern their life after adults. If they saw how much smaller, weaker, and untrained they were, they might get discouraged and not try.  You have been born again; this time you were born into the family of God.  You started out as a spiritual infant. As a beginner child of God, you are to become a mature, trained, adult child of God.  Jesus will help you grow into all these things. 

 

Jesus is your pattern for adulthood; But, you must see Him as your example.  Jesus is the Creator of the universe; He is God; of course He is able to do what He did.  As a spiritual beginner, you may see how small, weak, and untrained you are; you may not be willing to try.  You may not know you are to be a spiritual adult someday by following Jesus’ examples and training.  Jesus can get you ready to live in God’s Kingdom by helping you now. 

 

What Is Jesus Trying To Teach You?

If a baby doesn’t innately know the reason they have a small version of an adult body, they won’t develop properly.  They must desire to watch, practice, grow, and gradually learn how to live life as an adult.  You are never going to be God; but, you are a child of God; you are to watch Jesus, practice, grow, and gradually learn how to live life as a spiritual adult.  Jesus IS God; but, it is still His desire to show you how to live His adult, Jesus-life as a child of God. 

 

You were born as a human so you could have a body and a life to be trained with.  It is a limited life because your attitudes and character haven’t been developed to a place where you can be trusted with supernatural, God-sized power.  If you yield to Jesus’ training, your attitudes and character will be developed properly.  Then Jesus will gradually give you opportunities to work together with Him.  He and you will be able to train and help those around you to experience Jesus’ power and truths in their life. 

 

Are You Ready To Learn How To Live The Jesus-Life?

Ask Jesus to help you understand vital truth issues.  Like in the rest of these things in this book, spiritual understanding only comes from Jesus.  If you read and understand these things, you can be sure it is because Jesus is empowering you to understand.  If you read and don’t understand, all you have to do is ask Jesus to help you understand.  If you pray and still don’t understand, then ask Jesus to help you bring it back up when He is ready to explain it to you. 

 

1.     Be Born Into It

John 3:3 (NIV) In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  You know what human birth looks like; it is a small version of a human, starting out for the first time on this planet.  They usually have all the physical equipment, but, don’t know how to use it or take advantage of it.  They have a lot of growing to do physically, mentally, spirituality, and in experiences.  They have a long way to go to be an adult human; but, they seem to have the desire, hope, and determination to get the job done. 

 

You were born again; your second birth made you God’s child, a member of His family, and a citizen in His Kingdom.  Now you need to allow all of this become a reality in your heart and mind.  You know you have been born into it.  Now allow Jesus to help you know the other things you need to know. 

 

2.     Know You Are Born Again For Eternity

1 Pet 1:23 (NIV) For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  Being born again is different from being born as a human.  The human “seed” of your parents produced a life that is perishable and heading for death.  You do all that growing physically, mentally, and in experiences; but, if you aren’t born again, you lose it all at death.  Being born again through the “seed” of God is imperishable; you live forever.  But like human birth, you have some growing to do; you start from spiritual infancy and mature into an adult child of God. 

 

3.     Trade Your Human Life For Jesus’ Life

Gal 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.  If you want to, you can spend all your time learning how to succeed as a human.  If you do, you will forfeit your eternal Jesus-training.  As an untrained Christian, you will enter into eternity with very little spiritual skills, abilities, experiences, or training.  Your opportunities will be extremely limited.  However, even if you only give Jesus a few minutes of your time each day, He will use it to help you succeed now and for eternity in many ways.  

 

As a child of God, you have some growing to do.  Jesus will help you learn to live in the spirit realm where your Father lives.  As a new born-again beginner, you don’t know much about this new realm.  But, Jesus provides you examples through His life and teaching.  He will teach and show you what an adult child of God looks like.  It will take a lifetime to learn; but all of it will work now and last for eternity.  Let Jesus show you how to trade your life for His. 

 

4.     Trade One Lifestyle For Another

John 14:12 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 

What if a young child didn’t see their parents as someone they were to pattern after?  What if they thought they could never be like them?  That is what happens to a lot of Christians.  They don’t understand the lifestyle Jesus is trying to give them.  Yes, Jesus is God; but, He lived His life as a human, spiritual adult.  He did it so you can accept His lifestyle as yours. 

 

5.     Trade One Inheritance For Another

Rom 8:17 (NIV) Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.  What if you see the Bible and Jesus’ life as not have anything to do with your life now?  How would it affect your life if you knew your life now was influencing your eternal inheritance?  What if you found out that you could be making investments in eternity by living a certain way here?  Did you know that your success here affects your success in eternity? 

 

6.     Appreciate Your New Birth And New Inheritance

Now if we are children, then we are heirs: What did you inherit when you became a child of God?  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).  Just like a human child will automatically grow up looking a lot like their parents, there are parts of you that are automatic in Christian growth.  But, there are skills, knowledge, experiences, abilities, and training your parents have that you didn’t get. 

 

7.     Take Advantage Of Your New Birth And New Inheritance

Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ: Not all of Christianity is automatic; a human baby inherits their characteristics from their parents.  But, what they do with them is up to them.  That is the way Christianity is; you inherited God and His provisions.  That is automatic; but, what you do with all this is the next big issue. 

You aren’t here just to learn how to live as a human, you are mostly here to learn how to live as a spirit being.  You are to let Jesus use the things you learn about living as a human to teach you about living as God’s child.  You have applied yourself to learning a lot about being human; and, you have applied yourself to learning how to live as God’s child.  Now it is time to start living as a child of God. 

 

8.     “Do What It Takes”

If you need a drink, you have learned how “to do what it takes” to get one.  If you need to chew some food, you know how to do it.  If you need to pick something up, you have learned the process of accomplishing that.  But, do you know how to hunger and thirst after righteousness?  Do you know how to “chew” spiritual truths?  Do you know how to move spiritual issues from one place to another?  Learning how to walk in the Spirit, digest God’s truth, have eyes and ears that can see and hear what Jesus is teaching, is what you are dealing with now. 

 

A Prayer For You To Always Pray For Yourself And Others

Jesus’ people are praying Ephesians 1:17-23 for you.  It contains such vital requests before God that it has converted into a prayer for you and those around you.  As others pray it for you, please join them by praying this modified prayer for yourself and your friends. 

 

I keep asking that the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know Him better. 

 

I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which He has called me, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for me, who believes.  Jesus, help me see, know, and understand the hope, the riches, and this power. 

 

That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills everything in every way.  Jesus, I ask that I would receive a full revelation and vision into all this power that is available to me; and, I ask this in Jesus' name.  Amen. 

 

It would be good for you to pray this prayer for yourself and those around you regularly. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

“Committing To The Christian Life”

Truth/Prayer Pages

A Progressive Training In Romans 8:1-30

Version: 25.10.7

 

Chapter One

How Does Jesus Want To Train Me?

 

Week One Day Three

 

Going From Start To Finish

It’s your thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds that are hurting you and those around you.  Jesus used each book to improve your relationship with yourself, the people around you, and God.  You have a perfect record with God.  How do you start having a good relationship with people? 

 

·        Jesus used the “The Jesus Life” book to set your goal: Would your life improve, if you had Jesus’ knowledge, foreknowledge, understanding, wisdom, and power? 

·        Jesus used the “The Seven Biblical Principles” to teach you how to get your prayers answered: There are seven principles you must have in order to get Jesus’ knowledge, foreknowledge, understanding, wisdom, and power so you can live a better life. 

·        Jesus used the “Vital Spiritual Attitudes” book to open your heart and mind to Him: God’s eight vital attitudes empower you to be receptive to Jesus’ knowledge, foreknowledge, understanding, wisdom, and power.  

·        Jesus used the “Victorious Christian Living” book to free you from human effort and world training to live the Christian life: He showed you that your body gets in the way of you getting His knowledge, foreknowledge, understanding, wisdom, and power. 

·        Now Jesus is using the “Committing To The Christian Life” book to help you make His life a permanent and eternal relationship with your heavenly Father. 

 

Jesus, give me a permanent life with You.  Thank You for helping me win over my body through Romans chapter seven.  Prepare my heart now for Your training in Romans chapter eight.  Use it to elevate me to a new level of Christianity. 

 

Going From New Or Untrained To Trained

Since Jesus has taught and installed the Biblical principles in you from the first four studies and prayers, you are now ready for the powerful Biblical principles in this “Committing To The Christian Life” study and prayer book.  The “Victorious Christian Living” studies and prayers covered Romans chapter seven and these studies and prayers, in “Committing To The Christian Life,” cover Romans chapter eight.  These two Bible study/prayer books take you from being a new or untrained Christian into maturity and the Jesus life. 

Jesus, Your salvation moved me into a realm that was totally new to me.  Help me see that being born again into God’s family and Kingdom was like being born as a human on this planet.  There was so much I didn’t know or understand.  As I tried to learn how to get food in my mouth, learn how to crawl and walk, learn how to communicate with other humans, and learn how to get my needs met, I found that they were just the beginning of my learning experiences for living as a human.  Help me see that this is true for me as a child of God. 

 

Trained Through The Bible

Rom 7:22-23 (NIV) For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  In “Victorious Christian Living” you learned that your body was your problem.  You also learned that when you cried out:  What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death (Rom 7:24)?  The answer was: Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 7:25a)!

 

Jesus, I am ready to advance in my training through Your Bible.  I am ready for You to teach me how to win over my body of death.  Help me see that You put the Holy Spirit inside me.  You did it so You could work through Him to empower and teach me how to live the victorious Jesus-life.  Help me be totally cooperative with Him.  Help me with it so He can move me out of the Romans chapter seven life into the Romans chapter eight life. 

 

Trained Through The Holy Spirit

John 16:13-14 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is Mine.  That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you.

 

Jesus, help me learn how to hear You through Your Holy Spirit Who is inside me.  Help me realize that this will be Spirit-to-spirit communication.  Help me not require words to be presented to me.  Let me be open to ideas and feelings coming into me as complete concepts.  Give me full revelations of what You want me to know.  Let me be looking for ideas and feelings popping up in my mind and heart from You.   

 

The Power-Relationship Of The Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  You learned in your studies and prayers in “Victorious Christian Living” that you need a power-relationship with God.  If you are going to go beyond righteousness credited to your record but not being lived in your life, you need the power provided by the Holy Spirit.  As you studied Romans chapter seven, you saw it wasn’t going to be your power to live the Christian life.  But, you receiving unregulated, supernatural power would be very dangerous. 

 

Jesus, teach me that my purpose and motivation for the use of power, positions, and authority to influence people is a great concern to God.  He cares what I am using my power and influence for.  Show me that if I talk someone into spending a lot of money on something they don’t need, that is an abuse of power and influence.  Help me realize that God evaluates all my business, friendship, marital, family, and human relationships based on whether or not they have win/win results.  Show me that, that is what winning over my body is about. 

 

Jesus’ Training And Transformation Of The Disciples

The apostles in Jerusalem were people who had been trained and transformed by the teachings and work of Jesus in their lives.  Their motives and methods had been changed by a process of new birth that turned them into people who became righteous.  They did what they did because Jesus transformed them into people who were what they were supposed to do. 

 

Jesus, teach me that the reason a pig acts like a pig is simply because that is who it is.  Help me realize that the apostles had not only been transformed into being a Christian, they were also changed by being trained by You.  You took the powerful truths, I now have in my Bible, and used them to bring great changes in these people.  Show me that they accepted You and Your life as a permanent lifestyle.  Now, help me do the same in my relationship with You. 

 

Jesus’ Training And Transformation Of You

Gal 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 

1.     I have been crucified with Christ: Jesus, show me that the Romans chapter seven training helped me see I needed to die out to myself.  I needed to accept Your death as my death.  I needed to accept that, that death caused me to be dead to the Old Testament law so it couldn’t force me to be responsible for living it.  But obviously, I still need to be doing things on this planet through my body. 

 

2.     I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live: Jesus, teach me, through the Romans chapter eight life, that I can’t live the Christian life.  You taught me that world training and human effort don’t work in Christianity.  Now teach me what does work in Christianity.  Help me understand that Your system for training me is different from anything I have ever experienced.  You are asking me to let You live my life through me.  Show me that, that is how You are training me for eternity.    

 

3.     But Christ lives in me: Jesus, help me see that this won’t happen as a total take over.  I will not have my God-given free will removed or overpowered.  Teach me that I will be deciding moment-by-moment and issue-by-issue all during my day, whether or not I will yield to You.  From this point on, show me that You will be using Romans chapter eight to teach me what You want me to allow You to do in and through me all during my days for the rest of my life on this planet.  That will be Your way of preparing me for eternity. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Two

How Do I Only Do Right, Good, And Righteous Things?

 

Week One Day Four

 

The Romans Chapter Eight Life

In the Romans chapter seven training, Jesus showed you the major problems you face with your body.  The reason it is difficult living the Christian life is because your body didn’t get saved.  From this point on, Jesus will be teaching you how to cooperate with His Spirit, as He leads you into a whole new way of living your life.  So, the first issue is, how are you going to treat yourself, others, and God’s plan the right way? 

 

The Difference In The Two Laws

Rom 8:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  God’s law still requires a life that is in cooperation with what is right or wrong, good or bad, and righteous or evil.  The issue between them is, who will fulfill it?  The law of sin and death required you to use human effort to live it.  The law of the Spirit of life gives you the Holy Spirit’s power to live it. 

 

The Problem And The Solution

Rom 8:3 (NIV) For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. 

 

THE PROBLEM: God’s Law Makes You Responsible

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature:

It’s true you can’t just have a perfect record with God and keep on hurting yourself, others, and God’s plan and not do something about it.  But, here are the problems you have been facing:

1.     You must treat yourself, other’s, and God’s plan with right, good, and righteousness.   

2.     God’s law lays out what that right, good, and righteous behavior is. 

3.     God’s law makes you responsible for finding out what that law says. 

4.     The Law of Sin and Death made you responsible for living it. 

5.     The Law of Sin and Death doesn’t have any power to help you or make you live it. 

6.     Since the Law of Sin and Death doesn’t have any power to help you or make you live it, the sinful nature in your body made you live the Romans chapter seven life. 

 

Jesus, teach me that Romans chapter seven explains what my Christian life will be like for as long as I try to live God’s law by using world training and human effort.  I was trying to live it as if I was still under The Law of Sin and Death.  I was trying to live it rather than taking advantage of the fact that I now am under The Law of the Spirit of Life.  That law allows me to use the Holy Spirits power to live it.  Help me see the difference and make the change. 

 

THE SOLUTION:

1.     The Power To Provide You With A Cure

God did by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering: Jesus died in your place giving you forgiveness for all your past, present, and future sins.  Your past sins were forgiven through His death.  Your present and future sins are forgiven through His resurrection life.  Rom 8:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  Jesus is going to live your life through you and for you, if you allow Him to do it moment-by-moment and issue-by-issue. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for providing me with salvation.  I thank You for taking my record, that contained a list of all my sins, and making it be perfect.  I thank You for giving me this perfect record so I am now able to have direct access to You and my heavenly Father.  I thank You for giving me this perfect record so I am now able to have the Holy Spirit living inside me.  I thank You for giving me this perfect record so I am now able to be trained by You on how to live the Romans eight way of life. 

 

2.     The Power To Save And Justify You

John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  When you believed in Jesus, the salvation cure was applied to your record and to your life.  Salvation took care of all your past sins.  But, that didn’t keep you from going out and sinning again.  Justification is a system where you are given immunity from sin.  Even when you do things that would have been sins, God keeps your record perfect with Him.  But, in order to keep your current and future sins from contaminating you and your record, you must have the Romans 7:15 attitude. 

 

Jesus, I thank you for justification.  I thank you that I don’t have to keep coming back and getting saved all over again, when I do something that Your law says is a sin.  Empower me to not try to abuse your justification procedure.  Help me never sin on purpose.  Let me so appreciate all You have done for me that I live a right, good, and righteous life. 

 

My Perfect Record With God

Rom 7:15 (NIV) I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  At this point, you have a perfect record with God because of your “want” and “hate.”  You aren’t great at doing right, good, and righteous things to yourself, other people, and God’s plan; but, you want to.  You are doing some wrong, bad, and evil things to yourself, other people, and God’s plan; but, you hate it.  This “want” and “hate” is what God is looking for.  As long as you have them, He keeps your record perfect with Him. 

 

Jesus, keep my want and hate strong.  Help me use my three toolsets on them, if they ever start to get weak.  Help me never do anything wrong, bad, or evil on purpose.  If I get tempted to do that, empower me to come to You immediately and get Your help.  Help me realize that You are going to be living in me, for me, through me, and with me; but, I must yield to You.  

The Cure For All Mankind

Rom 8:4 (NIV) And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 

 

The All-Inclusive Cure

And so He condemned sin in sinful man: Jesus didn’t just die for Christians; He died for all humans everywhere.  The cure for every person is now in Jesus.  Here is God’s rule for making the cure available to everyone: John 3:18 (NIV) Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

 

Jesus, thank You for sending someone my way, who knew how to help me make You my Savior, Lord, and King.  Thank You for doing such incredible work in me so I could be here today.  Help me take full advantage of Your great provisions now that You are teaching them to me.  Teach me how to yield to Your wonderful life on a moment-by-moment basis. 

 

The Changing Of The Laws

Rom 8:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  When you “did what it took” to believe in Jesus, Jesus removed your responsibility to the Old Testament law of sin and death.  And, He made you responsible to the New Testament law of the Spirit of life.  The important thing about the Old and New Testament laws is: How are you to carry them out? 

 

1.     The Old Testament Law Of Sin And Death: You are responsible for finding out what it says; and then you are responsible for living it using human effort. 

 

2.     The New Testament Law Of The Spirit Of Life: You are responsible for finding out what it says; and then you are responsible for living it using the Holy Spirit’s power. 

 

Jesus, I thank You from setting me free from the Old Testament law.  Help me see that I would have to be constantly coming to You for forgiveness and the power to go make it right with those I hurt.  I thank You for this New Testament law that allows me to yield to You for living it.  Help me cooperate with this training so I will get Your truths on how to live the Jesus-life.  Help me take full advantage of Your Holy Spirit living in me.  Help me pray over each Biblical truth so I will understand it and receive its power and transformation. 

 

Rom 8:13 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.  Jesus living through you helping you yield to the Holy Spirit’s power, brings victory over your body of death (Rom 7:24). 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Three

Will This Make My Body Obey Me?

 

Week One Day Five

 

Offering Your Body

Rom 7:22-23 (NIV) For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  You, a spirit, aren’t having a problem turning your life over to Jesus so He can live out the law.  But, as you can see, your body is keeping you from doing that; it is making you a prisoner.  So, here is the solution. 

 

Jesus Is Changing Your Exposure

Rom 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.  This is a change of lifestyle; this is where you will need to get your three toolsets involved.  You are being directed to change all of your exposures.  You are being required to only expose your eyes, ears, and body to those things that help you live the Jesus-life.  You are being required to not expose your body to anything that would hurt or keep you from living the Jesus-life.  That is how you offer your body as living sacrifice. 

 

Jesus, I am asking You to help me start with this prayer.  Help me not think I can offer my body as living sacrifice using my own efforts.  Help me look to You for the power to force my body to start and continue doing those things that help me live the Jesus-life.  Help me only expose myself to those things I know You would be pleased with.  Let Your mighty power strengthen me to eliminate anything that would contaminate my mind or heart. 

 

Getting My Mind Set On The Holy Spirit’s Desires

Rom 7:16 (NIV) And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  How do you stop doing what you do not want to do?  And, how do you do what the Bible tells you to do?  First, you have to agree that the law is good.  That means you allow the Bible to tell you what you should watch, read, listen to, and expose yourself to.  Then you start applying your three toolsets to each situation in your day.  If you have a decision to make, ask Jesus to help you make one that is in keeping with the Bible.  If you struggle with making a Biblical decision, apply The Seven Biblical Principles to the situation so you can find out why you are struggling. 

 

Rom 8:5 (NIV) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  All during your day, as you start to look at, listen to, think about, or talk about something Jesus and the Bible are against, ask Jesus to empower you to not yield to it.  Then ask Jesus to empower you to expose yourself to those things that are Biblical. 

 

1.     Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires: Jesus, teach me that this means I am doing what my body wants me to do.  I am watching things that the Bible is telling me is wrong.  I am listening to music and conversations that lead me into doing worldly, sinful, and satanic things.  And, I am exposing myself to people and things that open the doors to temptation. 

 

2.     Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires: Jesus, teach me that this means I am doing what the Holy Spirit wants me to do.  I am watching Biblical, spiritual programs that encourage me.  I am listening to Christian music and programs.  I am exposing myself to people and things that help me grow spiritually, all day long. 

 

Controlling My Mind

Rom 7:17 (NIV) As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  This is still living the Romans chapter seven life.  Because your body has the sinful nature, it is forcing you to do what it wants.  And, because you don’t know how to yield to the Holy Spirit, you can’t keep it from forcing you to do what it wants.  But, by doing those things Jesus just taught you about what to expose yourself to, reading your Bible, doing these devotions, praying, going to church and to small groups, listening to good Christian music, and reading good Christian books, you are feeding your spirit.  That will empower you to yield to the Holy Spirit. 

 

1.     Rom 8:6a (NIV) The mind of sinful man is death: This is the condition of your mind after you have spent most of your life exposing yourself to wrong, bad, and evil input. 

 

2.     Rom 8:6b (NIV) But the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace: This is the condition you are bringing your mind into.  Because you are offering your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, you are setting yourself up for Jesus transforming your mind.  You are feeding your inner being with spiritual food. 

 

Jesus, empower me to love exposing myself to those things You want me to learn and live.  Help me hate those things that lead me away from You.  Help me understand that any resistance to me exposing myself to spiritual, Biblical things is my body.  It tries to make me feel bored, limited, and disinterested.  Let me yield to my spirit that delights in God’s law. 

 

My Renewed Mind Transforms My Life

Rom 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

1.     Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world: Jesus, show me that what I feed my mind is what will flow into my heart, then out of my mouth, and then out of my moment-by-moment behavior.  My moment-by-moment exposure starts with my mind and ends up flowing out of my behavior.  Help me control my exposure. 

2.     But be transformed by the renewing of your mind: Jesus, as I ask You to transform what I expose myself to, if I can’t seem to control my exposure, help me see if it is a lack of desire, a missing truth from my studies, a lack of prayer, I haven’t waited for Your faith to believe, I am not sharing my breakthroughs in love, I have the power but haven’t taken faith-action, or You have been blessing me and I haven’t been thankful.    

 

Controlled By The Holy Spirit

Rom 7:18-20 (NIV) I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  As you can see, if you do what you do not want to do, only then is it no longer you who do it, but it is sin living in you that does it.  But, the Holy Spirit is in you giving you the power to change. 

 

Rom 8:9 (NIV) You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 

 

Jesus, teach me that I, as spirit being, am not being controlled by the sinful nature; but, my body is.  Help me be poor in spirit enough to be taught by You how to expose myself to good things all day long. If I fail, help me mourn and repent, asking for Your forgiveness and the power to never do it again.  Help me be meek before God and agree with the Holy Spirit and the Bible that what I did was wrong.  Empower me with an intense hunger and thirst for righteousness, so I will be exposing myself to good, Biblical things all day long.   

 

Getting My Body Changed

Rom 7:21-23 (NIV) So I find this law at work: When I want to do good (this is you, a spirit), evil is right there with me (this is the sinful nature in your body). For in my inner being I delight in God’s law (this is you); but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  Your body’s will is more powerful that your spirit’s will; and you must live through your body.  It can force you to expose yourself to sinful things, if you don’t yield to the Holy Spirit.  The Three Keys and The Seven Biblical Principles lead you into yielding to the Holy Spirit. 

 

Rom 8:10 (NIV) But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  Jesus, help me see that this means You and I have a battle to fight.  Help me see that at first, my body will be resisting me all the way.  But, You will be empowering me to win.  Show me that this battle will get easier after I have fought through the power of the Holy Spirit for a while.  Help me see that, as I keep exposing myself to the Bible, prayer, church, small groups, good Christian books and music, and good Christian people, my body will submit to the power of the Holy Spirit and be changed. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for the week.

 

 

Chapter Four

Why Do I Have To Do All This?

 

Week Two Day One

 

Applying Romans Chapter Ten Verse Eight To My Body

Rom 8:11 (NIV) And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.  This is moving you into a major body change. 

 

1.     Settle The “If” Issue

And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you: This “if” cannot be ignored.  It is true that the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.  But, you must take faith-action and live on the basis of that fact. 

 

Jesus, I ask You to help me believe the fact that the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me.  Then help me live on the basis of that fact. 

 

2.     Applying The Confession And Believe System

Rom 10:8 (NIV) But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming.  This is the procedure for taking faith-action.  After you have asked for something that you know is God’s will, it becomes your responsibility to use this Romans 10:8 procedure for speaking it into existence, or, as in this case, establishing what you believe.  Jesus is teaching you how to operate in the spirit realm as a child of God.  This may seem complicated; but, so is learning how to drive a car. 

 

Jesus, help me always take those things that I have applied the ask, seek, and knock keys for and speak them into existence as I believe them in my heart.  Help me understand that this is always my first step in faith-action.  I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart. 

 

3.     Remember How You Got Saved

Rom 10:9 (NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  You used the Romans 10:8 procedure and were instantly made into a child of God, made a member of His family, and made a citizen of His eternal Kingdom.  Rom 10:10 (NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  That is how it worked then and that is how is works on all other spiritual things. 

 

Jesus, show me the instant results I got by applying this procedure to my unsaved condition.  Help me use my three toolsets in accordance to the way You taught me.  Then once I am ready to take faith-action, help me speak and believe it into existence. 

 

4.      Apply The Romans 10:8 Procedure To Romans 8:11a

First, you must say this with your mouth that this Biblical sentence is true: “The Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me.”  Then, you must believe in your heart that the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.  This is how you take faith-action and use the Romans 10:8 procedure on those passages of Scripture that you want in your life.  Say this next prayer out loud.  It must be expressed with your mouth. 

 

Jesus, I now confess with my mouth that “The Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me.”  And, I now confess with my mouth that I believe in my heart that “The Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me.”  I now thank You for empowering me to confess this and believe it.  And, I thank You for making it true of me. 

 

5.      Apply The Romans 10:8 Procedure To Romans 8:11b

Your next responsibility is, you must confess with your mouth that this Biblical sentence is true: “He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to my mortal body.”  Then you must confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that He Who raised Christ from the dead did give life to my mortal body.  This makes it possible for you to force your body to start doing those things the Bible tells you to do.  This prayer too must be prayed out loud. 

 

Jesus, I now confess with my mouth that “He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to my mortal body.”  And, I confess with my mouth that I believe in my heart that “He Who raised Christ from the dead did give life to my mortal body.”  I now thank You for empowering me to confess this and believe it.  And, I thank You for making it true of me. 

 

6.     Accept This As Your Responsibility And Lifestyle

Rom 8:12 (NIV) Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  This may seem complicated; but, you are operating in the spirit realm as a child of God.  As a human, you had to go through all kinds of mathematical formulas, mechanical procedures, and relational methods to live the human life.  You have been willing to obey all those complicated rules and systems, give Jesus your same cooperation as He teaches you spiritual things. 

 

Here's what is what will gradually happen.  Right now, you may have to fight some very tough battles together with Jesus to win over various areas of your behavior.  There are strongholds in your body’s activities that it will fight you over.  But, as you keep winning over it through the faith-action of confessing the truths of the Bible and believing them in your heart.  The Spirit will give life to your mortal body.  It will start routinely doing spiritual things. 

 

Jesus, help me accept those things that are my responsibility.  Help me see that You have taken my responsibility for living the law away from me.  But, You have given me the responsibility of applying the three toolsets to each situation I face.  I must apply them to those things required in Your Bible.  Show me that these three toolsets help me look to You for everything in the spirit realm.  Help me see that I must accept them as my responsibility. 

Living The Romans Eight Life Through The Holy Spirit

Rom 8:13-14 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 

 

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die: If you don’t apply your three toolsets to what you expose yourself to, then you will be living according to the sinful nature.  At first it will just be looking, listening, thinking, and feeling.  But then, it will start coming out of you mouth and out of your behavior.  You will die (be separated from God). 

 

But if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live: If you go to war against any bad you expose yourself to and yield to a deep hungering and thirsting for righteousness, you will live (stay connected to Jesus)!

 

1.     If: Jesus, I am asking You to help me see that this “if” is saying I have a choice.  My God-given free will hasn’t been taken away for me.  If I choose to do this, I will win over my body.  If I choose to practice it, I will get good at it.  If I believe Romans 8:13 is true, I will start living the Jesus-life in faith.  Teach me that Romans 8:13 is a major assignment for me to apply my three toolsets to for the rest of my life.    

 

2.     If by the Spirit: Jesus, teach me that this is similar to the way I have always used my body.  I will, for example, reach over and pick up my Bible and read it, just like I reach over and pick up other things.  And, I will read those Scriptures that I was supposed to read.  But, this time, help me see that I did it because I believe the Holy Spirit is empowering me to do it.  Teach me that by the Spirit means I don’t give myself the credit, when I do these things I couldn’t continue doing before. 

 

3.     If by the Spirit you: Jesus, teach me that I move my body as usual.  But, help me know I am succeeding by the Holy Spirit’s power.  I will have to force my body to get up and go to church.  Help me understand that it will all look the same.  Help me realize that the devil will try to tell me that I am actually doing these things myself.  But, make it clear to me that as I continue to believe the Holy Spirit is empowering me to do what I couldn’t do before, by the Spirit, I will start living the victorious Jesus-life. 

 

4.     If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body: Jesus, teach me that the same is true of me not doing things I shouldn’t be doing.  It will feel like I just made up my mind to not do them.  And, help me understand that if I allow Satan to convince me that, that is the case, I will lose my battle.  But, as long as I know it is being done by the Spirit, I will win!  Help me go over these procedures in prayer until You have made this lifestyle real to me.  Make it clear to me that this is the way to live the Jesus-life. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

Chapter Five

What Is A Spirit-To-Spirit Relationship?

 

Week Two Day Two

 

Confirmation Of Relationship

Rom 8:15 (NIV) For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 

 

It’s A Love Based Relationship

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear: You aren’t being motivated by the fear that if you don’t live according to the Bible, God will bring curses on you or something bad will happen to you.  You are doing it because you know God loves you and is directing you into the very best for you.  You are doing this because you want your life changed into the blessings of God.  Rom 5:5b (NIV) God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.

 

Jesus, I thank You for taking away my responsibility for me living the Old Testament law.  I thank You for giving me the law of the Spirit of life that set me free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2).  I thank You for my three toolsets that keep my eyes looking to You for yielding to Your life being lived in and through me.  I thank You for giving life to my mortal body through Your Spirit, Who lives in me (Rom 8:11).  I thank You that now I can by the Spirit…put to death the misdeeds of my body (Rom 8:13).

 

It’s A Family Relationship

You received the Spirit of sonship: You are God’s child; you are a member of His family; and You are a citizen of His eternal Kingdom.  Mat 7:11 (NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!  God’s blessings can’t be deserved, stolen, traded for, or demanded.  They are good gifts to those who ask Him. 

 

Jesus, help me embrace this new lifestyle.  Help me open my heart to a relationship of gifts and love.  Show me how my new toolsets will help me start living the Bible by looking to You, Your love, Your grace and mercy, and Your powerful Jesus-life.  Help me be able to read the Bible and know that all I have to do is ask and You will empower me to live everything it lays out for me to fulfill.  I am looking forward to living this wonderful Jesus-life. 

 

It’s An Intimate Relationship

And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father”: The Holy Spirit connects you to your heavenly Father and Jesus.  He is how you have direct contact to Them.  When you feel God’s presence, when ideas pop up in your mind, when you know what God wants you to do, and when you feel a special love for and from God, it is the Holy Spirit making all that connection possible. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for putting Your Holy Spirit in me.  Thank You for my direct connection through Him to You and my heavenly Father.  Thank You for this intimate love relationship with You and my heavenly Father.  Let me feel Your presence in my heart.  Help me love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me do everything I do because I love You. 

 

It’s A Spirit-To-Spirit Relationship

Rom 8:16 (NIV) The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  You will be able to feel God’s love, know whole concepts instantly, know God’s will, and feel His presence.  With the Holy Spirit connected directly to your spirit and directly connected to Jesus and your heavenly Father, He makes you one with them. 

 

Jesus, help me take advantage of the Holy Spirit’s connection to my spirit.  Help me be constantly listening for You to tell me what is the best way to take action on the various assignments of my day.  Then, as He give me Your message, help me put it into action, so I can take advantage of Your knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, wisdom, and power.  Help me with every moment and every issue all during my day. 

 

It's A Generous Relationship

Rom 8:17-18 (NIV) Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  The main part of the Jesus-life is sharing.  Jesus has made you co-heirs with Him.  You are also an heir of God!  Since He is being so generous with you, He is asking you to make your breakthroughs available to your friends. 

 

Rev 21:3-4 (NIV) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

Jesus, I thank You for Your generosity.  It is incredible that You made my co-heirs with You.  It is incredible that I am an heir of God.  Thank You for dying in my place and allowing me to consider Your death my death.  Thank You for allowing me to have Your life as my life.  Help me take advantage of You training me for eternity.  Teach me how to function in the spirit realm and how to be a child of God by You living Your life in and through me. 

 

It's A Power Relationship

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Jesus, teach me that the Holy Spirit not only lives in me, He wants to saturate me from the outside in.  Submerge me into Him and leave me there.  Once I am saturated by the Holy Spirit, empower me to live a life that is an incredible witness to others. 

Living A Powerful Life

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 

 

Getting Your Body Saturated

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you: Ask Jesus to submerge you in the Holy Spirit.  Acts 1:5 (NIV) For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  The word “baptize” means to submerge.  In a water baptism, you are submerged into the water and then brought back up.  This represents that you died and were buried with Jesus.  Then being brought out of the water represents that you rose from the dead with Jesus.  However, in the Holy Spirit baptism, you remain submerged. 

 

Jesus, I ask You to submerge me into Your Holy Spirit so I am saturated with Him inside and out.  Let my body be like a sponge that is saturated with water.  Help me be brought under His control so I can totally yield to Your life.  Let me be so saturated that I, as a spirit being, and my body are totally yielded to You.  Give me Your life so You can do those things You need to do.  Do Your ministry in and through me so that the needs of people are met by You. 

 

Getting Your Body Working With Jesus

Rom 8:13-14 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  The Holy Spirit isn’t just connecting you to Jesus’ teaching, He is connecting you to Jesus’ life.  Once you are saturated with the Holy Spirit, Jesus is able to do those things in and through you that He did when He was living in His own body.  John 14:12 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

 

Jesus, help me realize that without Your Holy Spirit providing me with His power according to Acts 1:8, I won’t be able to force my body to yield to Your life and ministry.  I and the people around me need You and all You have to offer.  I want to get out of Your way so You can live and work in and through me.  Let me experience all those things You did for those in the Gospels.  The people around me need Your work and ministry just as bad as they did. 

 

Getting Your Body Under Control

Rom 8:9 (NIV) You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  Since you have the Spirit, you are controlled by Him. 

 

Jesus, I can’t help people; they don’t need what I, as a human, can do.  They need You to talk to them, work with them, heal them, bless their children, and teach them Your truths.  Help me come under the control of Your Holy Spirit so I can give You my body to reach out physically to those who will receive what You have to offer them. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Six

Why Are My Emotions Controlling Me?

 

Week Two Day Three

 

Bringing Your Heart Under Control

Jer 17:9 (NIV) The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 

 

Your Heart Problems

The heart is deceitful: Your heart is constantly listening to your mind.  It is constantly observing the circumstances of your life.  It has the assignment of making sure you are protected from danger and pain.  Even if it has to lie to you (deceit), it will do its job of doing what it thinks will protect you from past experiences of danger and pain. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that I can’t just trust the emotions from my heart.  Help me submit my emotions to the Holy Spirit so He can regulate what is good for me and what isn’t.  Help me see that I can’t just trust my heart and let it pressure me through emotions.  Help me yield my heart to the Holy Spirit so He can fill it with His emotions from the fruit of the Spirit. 

 

Your Heart’s Power Of Influence

The heart is deceitful above all things: Like your body, your heart is very powerful.  If it decides that you should be afraid of something, you will feel fear.  You may decide, in your mind, to face your fears.  But, if you do, it will make you pay for it.  Bad dreams, debilitations, phobias, and unexplained anxieties can be symptoms of you facing your fears. 

 

Jesus, help me not try to overcome or ignore my heart.  I have damaged my heart with world systems and human effort.  Teach me how to get a pure heart.  Help me see that I can’t just let my heart, in its current condition, run my life; help me not try to force it to conform to those things You are teaching me.  I ask You to prepare my heart to accept spiritual things. 

 

Jesus’ Solution To A Damaged Heart

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure: Your heart can’t be cured; it has to be cleansed and given new information.  Heb 9:14 (NIV) How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  Your conscience is in your heart.  All that memory of the experiences and deeds of sin in your heart were cleansed.  They are still there; but, they are covered with Jesus’ blood. 

 

Since God honors the free will He gave you, your heart and mind must keep past memories and experiences.  You must be able to choose whether or not you want to go back to your old way of life.  But, Jesus is leading you to a place where you can make a permanent decision. 

 

Mat 5:8 (NIV) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God:  Jesus, teach me that this is where You need to help me give special attention to my heart and make it an issue of prayer.  Give me a pure heart like you did my spirit.  Help me only store Biblical things in it from now on.  Help me not expose it to those things I put in it before.  

 

They Are Still Available

The memories in your mind and heart aren’t erased; they are purified.  They aren’t held against you, because they have been cleansed by Jesus’ blood.  But, for as long as you are on this planet, you can go back to your old way of life.  God has given you a free will; and you must always have a choice to exercise your free will on; but, you can make a permanent choice.  If you make a permanent choice for Jesus, it will bring healing to your memories. 

 

Jesus, help me see that this is my earthly Christian life.  As I go through my day, I always have a choice of going with my old life or my new one.  I can either go with You on each decision or I can go with human effort and world training.  I can use my body and its new life, or I can go with its sinful nature.  But, help me understand that as I keep going Your way, I will find it getting easier for me to yield to You and all those new things You have given me. 

 

 

Jesus’ Plan For Purifying Your Heart

A New Way Of Living

Heb 10:16 (NIV) “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time,” says the Lord.  “I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

 

This is the covenant I will make with them after that time: This is talking about The New Testament and its laws.  This is what Jesus is doing to, for, with, in, and through you. 

 

I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds: How does He do that?  He shows you how wonderful and beneficial they are.  As you start to apply the Bible’s principles to your life, you see how they are the right way to be treated and to treat others.  You see how well your life becomes because of the new way of thinking and feeling.  You see how well people treat you because of how you treat them.  You see how God blesses you because you are treating yourself, other people, and His plan with right, good, and righteous living. 

 

Jesus, help me respond to Your efforts to show me how much the Bible is leading me to a much better behavior.  Help me understand that none of these principles are arbitrary.  With Your incredible wisdom, they are designed to bring blessings to me and those around me.  As I read and study the Bible, empower me to allow them to be written on my heart and mind. 

 

A Perfect Record With God

Heb 10:17 (NIV) Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more:” This happened through you accepting Jesus’ death as your death and His life as your life.  You did what Romans 10:8-10 required of you; and you were saved and justified.  That gave you a perfect record with God.  That gave you direct access to Jesus and your heavenly Father. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for making it possible for me to have a perfect record with God.  Help me take advantage of it and spend a lot of time with my heavenly Father.  Help me utilize this great privilege and absorb all His love, grace, knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, wisdom, and power.  Help me not neglect one aspect of this privilege You have made available to me.  I thank You for hearing and answering this prayer. 

 

Establishing A Permanent Relationship

Heb 10:18 (NIV) And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin: Your perfect record keeps you from having to get saved and justified over and over again.  Instead, when you do something that would be a sin, you still have direct access to God.  You can go directly to Him and mourn and repent.  As long as you didn’t do it on purpose, you can ask Him to forgive you, repent and tell Him you are sorry, ask Him to empower you to never do it again, and ask Him to empower you to make it right with those you hurt. 

 

Jesus, help me never sin on purpose.  Help me take advantage of this Romans chapter eight relationship with Your Holy Spirit.  Help me by the Spirit to put to death the misdeeds of the body (Rom 8:13).  And, help me not do those things in the first place so I don’t have to repent and don’t have to go make them right with those I hurt. 

 

Your Direct Access To God

Heb 10:19-20 (NIV) Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body: The Most Holy Place, in the Old Testament, was the area of the temple where the presence of God was.  Only the high priest could go in once a year after he had totally cleansed himself of all contaminants.  But, now, you can stand before your heavenly Father confidently and get His forgiveness, power, training, and grace to grow as His child. 

 

Jesus, help me see that this is the most incredible thing You did for me.  Prior to what You did, I was shut out of God’s presence.  I couldn’t pray to Him because only the High Priest had access.  I had to go through him to get my sins forgiven and my needs met.  But, through You offering Your body on the cross, I can pray and access Him directly any time I want. 

 

Accessing God For Growth

By a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body: It is vital for you to take advantage of this access for important spiritual issues.  Don’t neglect this privilege and don’t abuse it.  Pray those prayers provided in these books so you will be addressing those things that will bless you here on earth and in eternity. 

 

Jesus, I always have things I would like to have that are worldly and humanistic.  As I look around at all this world has to offer, and as I look at all those things I am having to suffer, I develop prayers for things that can be met in a better way.  Help me realize that if I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness…all these things will be given to me as well (Mat 6:33).  Help me pray meaningful, important prayers that will set my priorities. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Seven

How Do I Keep From Sinning On Purpose?

 

Week Two Day Four

 

 

Heb 10:21-22 (NIV) And since we have a great Priest (Jesus) over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

 

A High Priest That Lives In You

And since we have a great Priest (Jesus) over the house of God: If you haven’t read much of the Old Testament, these things may not make much sense to you.  One of the major difficulties of the Old Testament was being able to talk to God.  They had to go through the priests that were in charge of the temple.  They had to go where the temple was and bring their sacrifices.  There was no praying and accessing God yourself, anytime and anywhere. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that You made things so much better and easier.  Help me understand that me having a personal relationship with You and my heavenly Father are all new.  Teach me the difference between the way things were in the Old Testament and how they are now.  Help me appreciate the door that has been opened for me.  Let me take full advantage of being able to live my life all day long while having constant communication with You. 

 

Drawing Near To God

And since we have a great Priest (Jesus) over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith: Jesus made it possible for you to access God.  But, He isn’t forcing you to do it.  You can go for hours, days, weeks, months, and years without taking advantage of your direct access to God.  And, you can draw near to God without appreciating this privilege.  You can draw near to God and not have a sincere heart.  You can draw near to God and not come in full assurance of faith. 

 

Jesus, help me see that if I didn’t have direct access to God, all these prayers I have been praying wouldn’t have You answering all of them.  It wouldn’t have done any good for me to obey Romans 10:9-10 because God wouldn’t be listening.  Help me draw near to God with a heart that can see how great and wonderful God is.  Help me draw near to God with a heart that is thankful and is sure that He is hearing and answering my prayers. 

 

A Heart With A Pure Conscience

Having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water: Once you have been baptized in water, you are ready to take advantage of a heart with a pure conscience.  It is no longer creating guilt inside you. 

 

Jesus, help me understand water baptism; help me see that it is my witness to others that I have given my heart and life to You.  It is my first step into letting everyone know that I am not ashamed of the fact that You are my Lord, Savior, and King.  I thank You for giving me a life where my conscience is pure, as my heart benefits from the work You have done in me.  Help me do everything I can to let people know that I serve You. 

 

Looking Forward To Eternity

Heb 10:23 (NIV) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful.  Your body will be transformed into a heavenly body, you will be spending eternity in heaven with Jesus, you will never have disappointments, pain, or death, and you will be ruling and reigning with Jesus over the nations.  Jesus promises that you will be totally glad you were willing to go through everything necessary to get ready for living in God’s eternal Kingdom. 

 

Jesus, even though You can’t give me a clear picture of eternity, because it would cause me to want to leave here, I thank You for giving me enough information to help me want to pursue You and Your wonderful Kingdom.  Give me an eternal perspective so I won’t get caught up in these things that are temporary.  Help me make my investments in those things that matter. 

 

Getting The Eternal Attitudes

Heb 10:24 (NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Since God’s Kingdom will consist of people who have love and good deeds, God is requiring all His children to be transformed into those kinds of attitudes and character.  Anything outside love and good deeds is sin.  And, sin is a deadly and highly contagious spiritual disease.  No one can enter God’s eternal Kingdom with one sin inside them.  Therefore, it was vital that Jesus provide you with a perfect record and help you start living it. 

 

Jesus, as You work miracles in my attitudes and character, help me share these breakthroughs with those around me.  Help me teach these principles and spiritual procedures to those who are willing to listen.  Help me use the knock key, asking You to open doors of opportunity for me to find people who will be willing to join me in growing in You.  Let me find as many as is possible for being set free from those sins that keep them out of Your Kingdom. 

 

Christian Fellowship

Heb 10:25 (NIV) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see The Day approaching.  You need church, small groups, and Christian friends.  It is in these things that you spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  You need the friendship, fellowship, and encouragement that comes from good Christians that enhance your efforts to grow and work in Jesus.  Ask Jesus to help you find those right groups and people you need and need you. 

 

Jesus, guide me to those Christians that will help me live more faithfully and more determined in my Christian life.  Lead me to those who need me to be an encouragement to them.  Let us work together to be a blessing and prayer partner for each other and for the lost. 

 

Sinning On Purpose

Heb 10:26-27 (NIV) If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.  Your objective is to never sin on purpose.  That is where God draws the line.  When you are being forced by your body to sin, God is looking for that “want” and “hate” described in Romans 7:15.  All during any Romans chapter seven battles, it is vital that you use your three toolsets to help you win over any sins that try to change your attitudes and desires toward a certain temptation. 

 

Jesus, help me always “want” to do those things the Bible is teaching me to embrace.  And, help me always “hate” it when I do those things the Bible is teaching me to resist.  I want to be a true Christian that uses the three toolsets to help me keep my eyes locked on You.  Help me ask You to keep my “want” and “hate” strong.  Help me seek Your truths in the Bible that will give me an intense hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Help me use the knock key, asking You to empower me to love others enough to live a righteous life around them. 

 

 

Fighting Deliberate Sins

The True Christian Message

1 John 1:5 (NIV) This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.  Jesus, help me allow this message to empower me with Your faith.  Let Your faith give me the power to believe that You can keep me from sinning on purpose.  Guide me into these Biblical truths that are designed to set me free from losing my “want” and “hate.”  I don’t trust me; so, I want to use my three toolsets of keep my trust and focus on You, Who are totally trustworthy. 

 

Don’t Fool Yourself

1 John 1:6 (NIV) If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  Jesus, help me know the difference between those things that I am being forced to do by my body and those areas where I am using it as an excuse.  Help me see that my “want” and “hate” are my indicator as to whether or not I am doing something on purpose.  Teach me how to live the Romans chapter eight life so I will always be by the Spirit putting to death the misdeeds of the body (Rom 8:13). 

 

Choose To Walk In The Light

1 John 1:7 (NIV) But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.  Jesus, help me set my goals of asking, seeking, and knocking for those things that help me live by the truth and light of the Bible.  Help me stay in constant contact with the Bible, devotions, Christian fellowship and friendship, good Christian music, good Christian books, and special times of prayer.  And, help me avoid exposing myself to anything that might lead me away. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Eight

Why Do I Need The Holy Spirit?

 

Week Two Day Five

 

Spiritual Growth Through Relationship

Jesus said in John 16:1 (NIV): All this I have told you so that you will not go astray.  The ministry of Jesus, on this earth, was to help you be able to live the Christian life successfully.  His words are powerful and transforming.  But, He wants you to have a relationship.  Just like it was a comfort for the disciples to be together with Jesus, it is important for you to have that same kind of comfort and fellowship.  So, He sent His Holy Spirit to live inside you. 

 

Jesus, I often wish I could have you right here with me like You were with Your disciples.  To have Your tangible presence seems like it would be so wonderful.  But, help me see that You only being in one place at a time meant there would often be a crowd.  Show me that much of the time, I wouldn’t be able to have those close, intimate moments with You.  Help me see that, even though I don’t have Your physical presence, Your Holy Spirit is providing me with a wonderful relationship with You.  Open my heart so I can feel You right here with me. 

 

Facing Challenges While Having A Relationship

John 16:2 (NIV) They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.  This may not be happening to you; but, you are facing many life challenges.  It is vital that you not feel alone during these times.  Even though you don’t have Jesus’ physical body with you, it is very important that you not feel like you are by yourself.  The Holy Spirit is inside you; and, He can be a very real presence of Jesus in you.  He connects you directly to Jesus and your heavenly Father. 

 

2 Cor 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight.  Jesus, help me not need to see You in a physical body in order to feel Your presence.  Help me not feel alone, as I face the challenges of life.  Help me understand that You and the Holy Spirit aren’t going to force me to feel You.  Teach me that I must focus in on You and Your presence.  I must believe You are in my spirit and allow You to comfort me.  I now open my heart to Your presence and comfort. 

 

Surrounded By Opposition While Having A Relationship

John 16:3 (NIV) They will do such things because they have not known the Father or Me.  When you go about your day, you can be surrounded by people who don’t know your heavenly Father or Jesus.  If you try to talk to them like they are Christians, they won’t be able to respond with receptivity, understanding, or commonality.  They can’t be excited about those things you are excited about.  They can actually be hostile.  Many of them will at least be disinterested.  If you didn’t have the Holy Spirit inside you, you could feel lonely and isolated. 

 

Jesus, help me walk with You and have a relationship with You just like Your disciples did.  The comradery, the friendship, and security of You being there was emotionally vital.  Help me feel You right here with me, so I won’t suffer emotionally.  Help my spiritual eyes and faith bring Your presence into my reality in a greater way than You being with me physically. 

 

Opposition Focused At You

John 16:4 (NIV) I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you.  I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.  As long as Jesus was with His disciples, all the questions, accusations, and persecution were directed at Him.  But, when He physically left His disciples, things changed.  That’s happening to you; you have become the target of anything people want to say against Jesus, Christians, and Christianity.  But, even though they are looking at you, they aren’t attacking you; they are attacking Jesus. 

 

John 15:20-21 (NIV) Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.  If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also.  They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One Who sent Me.  Jesus, help me not feel attacked.  Help me see how their eyes were on You, when You were with Your disciples.  They didn’t look at the disciples because they could say it directly to You.  But, now they are saying it to You, Who are in me.  When that happens, help me rejoice and be glad (Mat 5:11). 

 

Feeling Abandoned

John 16:5-6 (NIV) Now I am going to Him Who sent Me, yet none of you asks Me, “Where are You going?”  Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief.  You are a spirit being; you just live in a body.  You aren’t a physical-being any more than Jesus was a physical-being.  He always identified His human existence as “the Son of man.”  It is important for you to make this distinction.  If you will let Him, Jesus will help you make greater spiritual connections, spiritual relationships, and greater spiritual interactions. 

 

Jesus, help me accept that my heavenly Father is a Spirit.  Help me accept that the Holy Spirit is obviously a Spirit.  Show me that You are a Spirit living in a heavenly body.  Teach me how, as a child of God, to accept spiritual relationships, fellowship, and comfort. 

 

A Change Of Relational Plan

John 16:7 (NIV) But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.  Jesus was only with a limited amount of people at a time.  Now He can be everywhere there is a person who wants to have His presence.  This is a good plan; but, you have to take advantage of it. 

 

Jesus, help me overcome this need the disciples had.  Just like them, I sometimes think I do better with human relationships.  Help me see that I am a child of God, Who is a Spirit.  Help me believe that it was good that You went away.  Empower me to embrace Your plan, Your decisions, and Your relationship with me.  Teach me how to take advantage of this plan. 

 

Your Relationship With The Holy Spirit

The Importance Of Submersion

Acts 1:4 (NIV) On one occasion, while He (Jesus) was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  Just like Jesus didn’t want His disciples to be without the Holy Spirit coming on them, He doesn’t want you trying to live your life without you being baptized or submerged into Him.  They needed to be saturated and so do you. 

 

Jesus, help me trust You, as my baptizer, to immerse me into the Holy Spirit.  Help me understand that I got Him inside me at salvation.  But, now I need Him to be saturating every fiber of my being.  Show me that He is my only hope of winning over the sinful nature of my body.  My body needs to be soaked with His presence so I can force it to do Your will.  

 

Your Internal Connection With God

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  You already have the Holy Spirit inside you.  He came inside your body at salvation.  1 Cor 6:19 (NIV) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own.  That took place for you to have the power to know you are God’s child. 

 

Rom 8:16 (NIV) The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Jesus, help me yield to the Holy Spirit helping me on an internal level.  Help me see that He is speaking to me Spirit-to-spirit so I can be directly connected to You and my heavenly Father.  Let Your thoughts and feelings flow into me so I can be constantly being led and trained by You all day long.  Let Him lead me into a close and intimate relationship with You. 

 

Power To Live The Bible

You will receive power: One of your biggest challenges is to read the Bible and obey its instructions.  You know they are the right way to live.  But, your body resists anything spiritual and craves anything worldly.  And, since you have to live through your body, it makes it hard for you to treat yourself, other people, and God’s plan the right way.  But, when you allow Jesus to submerge you into the Holy Spirit, you get power. 

 

Rom 8:11 (NIV) And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.  Jesus, this is a little bit difficult to yield to.  Help me trust you to baptize me into the Holy Spirit for my good.  Help me believe that this is vital for me so I can live the Christian life through my body.  Show me how to be submerged into the Holy Spirit.  Help me yield to You so You can take my body and immerse it in Him.  

 

This concludes your reading and praying for the week.

 

 

 

Chapter Nine

What Can I Expect After Jesus’ Baptism?

 

Week Three Day One

 

The Holy Spirit Starts His Jesus-Ministry

Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 

 

Many make the fact that they began to speak in other tongues as being the big issue.  The big issue is, all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.  And, another big issue was that Peter got a change of attitude about being willing to be identified with Jesus.  His power to be a witness for Jesus was enhanced greatly. 

 

Jesus, help me yield to You, as You submerge me into the Holy Spirit.  Help me yield to whatever You want to empower me with.  Help me be submitted to Your plan for my experience with being baptized into the Holy Spirit.  Let me see that the main issue is, I need my body to be totally submerged into the Holy Spirit so I can win over its behavior. 

 

Peter’s Body Comes Under His Control

Acts 2:14-18 (NIV) Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.  These men are not drunk, as you suppose.  It’s only nine in the morning!  No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 

 

As you know, all this confident promising that Peter did, didn’t produce results.  Peter was expressing faith in his human abilities.  What he does after being baptized into the Holy Spirit by Jesus is, to have the power that Jesus said he would get through that submersion. 

 

Mark 14:29-31 (NIV) Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”  “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today--yes, tonight--before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown Me three times.”  But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” And all the others said the same.  Jesus, help me go from this kind of human confidence and commitment to the change Peter experienced through You submerging him into Your Holy Spirit.  Help me become bold and fearless about sharing You with others.  Let me be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit like Peter. 

 

Peter’s Bible Knowledge Came Alive

Acts 2:32-33 (NIV) God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.  Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.  Peter is now able to understand the Scriptures in a much better way.  Like Jesus told His disciples: John 16:13a (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  As you are reading your Bible, the Holy Spirit empowers you to get the interpretation in a much better way. 

 

Jesus, let me take advantage of being submerged into the Holy Spirit.  Help me understand Your Word better than ever before.  Let the Bible come alive to me so my spirit is able to be fed with Your incredible truths.  Let those truths change my life so I can share my breakthroughs with those around me.  Thank You for submerging me into Your Holy Spirit for me to remain there for the rest of my life. 

 

Submersion Into The Holy Spirit Is Available

Acts 2:37-39 (NIV) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

 

Jesus, I see how much better of a disciple Peter was.  He was able to take all those things You taught Him during his three-year training with You.  This submersion into the Holy Spirit took an immediate effect on his life.  Use all the training You have been giving me through my Bible studies and prayers in a powerful way like that. 

 

Applying Romans 10:8 To Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Rom 10:8 (NIV) But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: If you haven’t taken advantage of the gift of the Holy Spirit that is the promise…for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call, then you can use the Romans 10:8 principle. 

 

Jesus, I have repented of my sins and have been baptized in water in Your name.  I now receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  I believe that the promise is for me and my children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call.  I now confess with my mouth that You have baptized me into the Holy Spirit.  And, I now believe in my heart that I am submerged into Him.  I thank You for this great gift that You have baptized me into.  Help me take full advantage of it so I can help people in large quantities like You did in and through Peter. 

 

Being More Committed To Jesus

Acts 4:1 (NIV) The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.  Acts 4:3 (NIV) They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.  Acts 4:6 (NIV) Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family.

 

Acts 4:7-10 (NIV) They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!  If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 

 

Jesus, help me have an effect on my society like this.  Help me be bold, filled with Your Spirit, knowledgeable in Your Word, and ready to present Your message to all who need to hear it.  Let Your words flow out of my mouth into the hearts and lives of those I talk to.  Send forth power through me from You into them.  But, if they won’t listen, help me not give in to their pressure.  Help me be determined to find those who will listen and help them. 

 

Threats Don’t Stop You

Acts 4:18-20 (NIV) Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”  Since you are submerged into the Holy Spirit, you will find that you have a commitment, a determination, and a fearlessness that enables you to face even the greatest resistance and threats. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that people who resist me are those who are trying to keep me from getting to those who will listen.  Help me realize that there are people who are hurting and are looking for You.  Help me not allow those who don’t want You to stop me from getting to those who do.  It would be so sad, if I caved to other’s resistance and cheated the hungry and hurting from getting Your wonderful message. 

 

Rejoicing Over Persecution

Acts 4:29-31 (NIV) Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness.  Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Your Holy Servant Jesus.”  After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.  When you are persecuted for presenting Jesus and His message to people, it is great to turn to this passage and pray it with your friends. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

 

Chapter Ten

What If Jesus Gives Me Some Small Assignment? 

 

Week Three Day Two

 

 

Committing Your Life To Spreading The Word

Acts 5:42 (NIV) Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.  The Word doesn’t spread, if people don’t spread it.  The problem is, there are a lot of types of persecution that don’t involve being beaten or killed.  You could lose all your friends; you could lose your job; you could have people say all kinds of evil things about you.  You may not want to have all those things happen to you.  So, you only say things when it is safe and convenient. 

 

Jesus, help me be willing to listen to You.  Help me be willing to do whatever I need to do to see to it that Your gospel message spreads.  Then help me lead those who come to You into spiritual growth.  Help me not sell out for any reason.  Help me be like Your disciples and be willing to lay it all on the line.  Help me understand that people must know about all You have provided for them.  Make it clear to me that they can’t find out, if I don’t tell them. 

 

With Numerical Growth Comes Problems

Acts 6:1 (NIV) In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  You may not want to have to deal with a growing body of believers.  But, the truth of the matter is, whether you are working for money or working to spread the message, there will always be problems.  This problem here is one that will count for eternity.  There may be things you are doing that won’t count for eternity. 

 

Jesus, help me rather have problems with Christians than from earning money.  Help me be willing to consult You for solving problems with Your people and not be put out by it.  Help me see that working for You is much more meaningful than any other problems I face.  Help me be glad that I am helping Your message move forward by being willing to get involved in these Christian problems. 

 

A Need For Everyone’s Involvement

Acts 6:2 (NIV) So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.  It can seem to you that you aren’t all that important in the work of God.  God may not have called you to some prestigious work of God.  It is vital for you to see your part as being just as important to the work of God as those who seem to be major ministries.  Frequently it is one-on-one contact that brings the greatest change in people’s lives. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that me being baptized into the Holy Spirit by You prepared me for something important in Your work.  Help me see how my body works so I can see how Your body of believers work.  I give a lot of attention to my hair and other parts that do nothing to keep me alive.  I take organs in my body for granted that I can’t live without.  Help me see that Your work has very visual ministries doing things that everyone sees while there are behind the scenes people that are doing things that keep Your work alive. 

 

You Are Getting Ready

Acts 6:3 (NIV) Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  We will turn this responsibility over to them.  There is no leader in any organization who can do it all.  There is no leadership group that can run a whole company.  No matter where Jesus puts you, you are vital to His work.  But, you need to see that what you are doing, in applying yourself with these studies and prayers, make you one of those like those the Apostles chose for that important assignment. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for helping me to be growing and seeing my attitudes and character changed by You.  I thank You for help me devote myself to spiritual application so I can not only grow spiritually myself, I can help others grow in You.  Thank You for helping me be ready for the assignments You need me to do.  I believe You are helping me be ready to do those things that will serve a vital area in Your work. 

 

Stay Out Of Other People’s Way

Acts 6:4 (NIV) And we will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.  If you are responsible for the front aspects of Jesus’ work, then it is important that you not get sidetracked with those things that others are supposed to be doing.  Your assignment may have taken a tremendous amount of preparation, study, prayer, and training to do.  You may not be easily replaceable because of your years of Biblical growth.  In that case, you will need to make sure you don’t take on things that would crowd out other people’s work. 

 

Jesus, help me stay in the area where You want me.  Help me see that You have people You want to be working too.  Show me that if I get into someone else’s area, I am keeping them from doing what You want them to do.  And, help me see that I am neglecting to things You want me to be doing.  Show me that all of the areas of Your work are very important.  It isn’t because I am so important that someone else’s job is beneath me; I just need to obey You.  

 

People Who Are Applying Themselves

Acts 6:5 (NIV) This proposal pleased the whole group.  They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.  These people were ready when Jesus needed them. 

 

Jesus, help me be ready when You need me.  Help me see that You are giving me special tools and opportunities to be helped and healed myself.  Show me that You are giving me special life-classes that are getting me ready to help certain people with special needs. 

 

Seemingly Insignificant Assignments

Acts 6:8-10 (NIV) Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia.  These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.  This man is just a table waiter.  He was chosen because the Apostles needed him to do what they didn’t feel they had time to do.  When you don’t see your work with Jesus as being unimportant, you will give Jesus your whole heart. 

 

Jesus, help me see that no matter how insignificant the work You are calling me to seems, if I allow You to work in and through me, You can make it vital.  Let me be like Stephen, who allowed the power of the Holy Spirit to use him in a mighty way.  Help me be a dynamic worker for You wherever You put me.  Let me be like Joseph in the Old Testament, who put his all into Potiphar’s assignments and in the prison with the warden’s assignments.  Show me that this gets me ready for other assignments, like it did for him.  

 

Your Work With Jesus Goes On

Acts 7:54-56 (NIV) When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.  But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

 

Acts 7:57 (NIV) At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.  Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

Jesus, help me realize that You gave Stephen fifty-one verses in Your Bible for generations to read.  Help me see that even though his work with You was short, You made sure he was given a chance to change the lives of thousands of people through his sermon.  Help me never consider that any assignment You give me is insignificant.  Help me do like Stephen and give it my full cooperation. 

 

Witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul:

Acts 8:1-3 (NIV) And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.  On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.  Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.   But Saul began to destroy the church.  Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.  Even Saul, who later became Paul saw Stephen’s commitment, Holy Spirit anointing, and incredible love. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Eleven

Why Didn’t I Get The Same Results The Disciples Did?

 

Week Three Day Three

 

Philip Was Another Table Waiter

Acts 6:5 (NIV) This proposal pleased the whole group.  They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.  These men aren’t Apostles.  They didn’t have a great title or hold some important position.  They just allowed the Holy Spirit to saturate them with His presence and power.  And, they were well versed in the training in the Word of God. 

 

Jesus, help me see that what I am doing is the kind of preparation that helps me be ready for You to flow in and through me.  You are giving me those things I need so I can be readily available for being mightily used by You for Your glory and honor.  Help me continue with great passion, intense desire, and total commitment to giving myself over to You and Your life.  Help me continue to yield to all You want to do in and through me. 

 

Jesus Was Running Philip’s Life

Acts 8:5 (NIV) Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.  Philip and Stephen were to handle the issue that the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  But, that didn’t keep them from doing other aspects of the work of God.  Even before they had any assignment, they were busy giving themselves totally over to God. 

 

Jesus, help me see that Stephen and Philip were seeking first Your righteousness.  They gave themselves completely over to You, so they would be ready for whatever You needed them for.  Help me see that what I am doing isn’t just helping me in my relationship with You.  You are getting me ready to help other people who are hurting just as much as I do.  Help me be like Stephen and Philip.  Help me be able to touch their lives with Your great power and love. 

 

Jesus Was Living In And Through Philip

Acts 8:6 (NIV) When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.  As Jesus keeps working on your attitudes and character, you become trustworthy with His life and ministry.  He can use you to help desperate people who are suffering with no hope of recovery.  But, Jesus has to get you ready; or, it will do damage to you and to those you work with.  Pride, misleading, cheating, greed, and many other sins come through those whose attitudes and character haven’t been properly changed. 

 

Jesus, help me see that my future and the futures of many other people are dependent on me allowing You to change my behavior and character.  Help me yield to Your work, so I can be trusted with You working in and through me to help these people. 

 

Things Philip Couldn’t Do

Acts 8:7 (NIV) With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.  When Jesus has taught you and has cleansed your attitudes and character, the Holy Spirit can be your connection to Jesus’ ministry.  It wasn’t just an issue of impressive miracles being worked; it was people who were suffering with such horrible conditions.  The people who saw them happen may have been impressed.  But, the people that these things happened to were mightily blessed by Jesus.  They were more than impressed. 

 

Jesus, help me see that You aren’t trying to use me so I can be impressed or impress other people.  Your heart hurts because of the suffering of so many people that need Your supernatural help.  Show me that You aren’t trying to do impressive things.  You love people and hate seeing them suffer from things You have provided healing, deliverance, and miracles for.  Help me not seek the notoriety; help me love and care for hurting, suffering people. 

 

It’s The Same Jesus-Life

Acts 8:8 (NIV) So there was great joy in that city.  It was Jesus working through Philip that brought great joy to that city.  If Philip hadn’t allowed the Holy Spirit to saturate him, there wouldn’t have been great joy in that city.  Do you want to bring great joy to people and cities?  Well, let Jesus flow in and through you.  The thing you are learning, is how to yield to Jesus so He can bring great joy to people through you. 

 

Jesus, help me see how troubled, sad, lonely, and pained the people are around me.  Help me see beyond their efforts to appear okay.  Help me look beyond their efforts to work around and do their best to handle all life sends them.  Help me be a person You can use to show them that they don’t have to just tolerate anything and everything that comes their way.  You can flow through me and work miracles, blessings, transformations, and healings that are supernatural, God-sized, and beyond anything they thought was possible. 

 

After Jesus Has Properly Trained You

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  This was said to people who had just spent three years with Jesus.  Being submerged and saturated by the Holy Spirit is vital; but, Jesus’ ministry cannot be ignored.  You are currently being trained by Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is inside you taking the things of Jesus and making them known to you (John 16:13-14). 

 

Jesus, help me understand that Your Apostles didn’t get submerged into the Holy Spirit until after You had trained them.  Help me see that I am being trained while being submerged into the Holy Spirit.  Help me not expect to have the same immediate results they got right after their submersion.  Help me remain committed to Your training until I am brought up to the same level of training they had when You gave them Your Holy Spirit. 

 

 

The Holy Spirit Baptism Event

John 16:13-14 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you.

 

Jesus Is Reversing The Process

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes: This was presented to Jesus’ disciples prior to Acts 2:4.  The Holy Spirit hadn’t come, the disciples hadn’t been submerged in or saturated by the Holy Spirit, but they had been taught by Jesus for three years.  He had been working on their character and attitudes for three years.  You, on the other hand, are getting your attitudes and character worked on now.  But, you need to be submerged and saturated now.  Jesus isn’t coming in a physical form to teach you.  You must be taught by Jesus through the Holy Spirit. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that Your disciples were baptized into the Holy Spirit after their training.  Show me that I need to be baptize as soon as possible so He can train me.  Help me see the tremendous difference submersion made to Your disciples because they had already been trained by You.  Help me see that, that same difference will show up in me after I am trained by You.  Help me understand the reverse situation between me and them. 

 

Yielding To The Reversed Process

He will guide you into all truth: The Holy Spirit is doing the same things with you as Jesus did in His physical form with His disciples.  It is still Jesus discipling you with the same truths His first disciples received.  Jesus is just using a much more versatile teaching method where He can train an unlimited amount of people at a time. 

 

Jesus, help me yield to You and the Holy Spirit so I can reach the same spiritual growth level that You first disciples reached.  Help me understand that it won’t be until I have reached that level that I will be able to do those things they were doing after their submersion into the Holy Spirit.  So, help me cooperate with Your full training by taking advantage of the fact that I have been submerged into the Holy Spirit.  Help me see that I needed it for my training. 

 

Getting Your Jesus Training Now

He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears: You are only getting those things Jesus is telling the Holy Spirit to tell you.  Jesus is totally in charge of your training through the Holy Spirit. 

 

He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you: Jesus, help me know I am being trained directly by You.  You are taking me through these Biblical principles and prayers so I can reach the same level of training Your first disciples received.  Give me the same receptivity, teachable spirit, and hunger and thirsting they had.  Help me allow You to challenge, discipline, correct, rebuke, and command me like You did them.  Empower me to get ready to experience the same supernatural results they experienced.

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Twelve

Why Can’t I Just Be Ministered To By One Minister?

 

Week Three Day Four

 

Coming Just As You Are

Acts 8:9-11 (NIV) Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria.  He boasted that he was someone great,

and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.”  They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.  When Jesus’ message comes to each individual, it comes to all kinds of people in all kinds of spiritual conditions.  This is what Simon, who had practiced sorcery…for a long time, was facing.  He wasn’t just a neutral, spiritual person. 

 

Jesus, help me see that much of my past can have a great influence on who I am at salvation.  Even though You forgive me of all my past, present, and future sins, I still remember and have habits that are based on my previous way of life.  Help me be willing to let You work on those issues as well as my sins.  Show me that I need to be helped with things that have influences that will keep me from growing properly in You. 

 

Not Staying Just As You Are

Acts 8:12 (NIV) But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  The people, Simon had amazed with his sorcery, saw Jesus in action through Philip.  They experienced supernatural events; but, Philip wasn’t trying to amaze them or draw them to himself; he was pointing them to Jesus.  Jesus’ teaching and the Holy Spirit’s saturation had healed Philip of the pride, deception, greed, and cheating Simon was involved in. 

 

Jesus, help me see why You require me to be worked on in my attitudes and character.  Help me see why You haven’t allowed me to do certain spiritual things I could abuse and misuse.  Show me that You are helping me not be like Simon.  If I start doing like him, I would draw people’s attention away from You, the only One Who can really help, heal, and transform.  I thank You that You are working with me in a way that is best for me and everyone else. 

 

Paying For Your Past Life

Acts 8:13a (NIV) Simon himself believed and was baptized.  This person had been influenced by a lot of satanic things for a long time.  Many ministers and Christian people don’t realize that all those memories, all that satanic training, and all those spiritual experiences will have a very strong hold on a new Christian.  This is obvious with many addictions to drugs, gambling, sex, pornography, and many other things.  In their case, the Romans chapter seven life is very clear.  They are failing in areas where everyone can see it.  But, in cases where no one can see the spiritual failures, a new Christin can move on into an untrained Christian. 

 

Jesus, help me get every Romans chapter seven issue taken care of.  Help me not get almost all of them solved and then move on.  Help me see that, that is me allowing myself to lose the Romans 7:15 “want” and “hate.”  Even though it is just one little area of my life, help me see that not one sin will be allowed into God’s eternal Kingdom.  Show me that, in that area, I am sinning on purpose.  Empower me to repent, get Your forgiveness, get Your power to never do it again, and get the power to go to those I hurt and make it right. 

 

Your Motives For Becoming A Christian

Acts 8:13b (NIV) And he (Simon) followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.  It isn’t obvious to Philip why Simon is following him around.  Philip is an evangelist who specializes in helping those who aren’t Christians.  Jesus didn’t give Philip the gifts and ministry that He gave others.  So, Simon is being influenced by his past; and no one is helping him grow in the right spiritual direction. 

 

Jesus, help me see why I need all this special training.  Help me realize that there are a lot of things You need to deal with besides sins.  Let me allow You to take me through all of those things I need to learn.  Help me with this so there isn’t anything that gives me wrong motives for getting supernatural things in my life. 

 

Different Ministerial Gifts

Acts 8:14 (NIV) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.  Your spiritual needs cannot all be met by one spiritual leader.  There are people “pastoring” churches who aren’t pastors.  They wanted to work for Jesus and found that, that was the only open door for them to get involved.  If your “pastor” was like Philip, you can see that you could have all kinds of spiritual needs and problems and he wouldn’t notice. 

 

Jesus, help me find those ministries, books, messages, websites, and materials that I need for all of my spiritual growth.  Help me see that just like I don’t shop at one store for all my physical needs, I can’t get all my spiritual needs met by one minister.  Help me find those ministries that are from You.  Help me be careful to be led by You to those who will really meet my needs.  Help me not be fooled because they have personalities or styles I like. 

 

Getting The Christians Saturated

Acts 8:15 (NIV) When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.  Now, these Christians experienced the submersion into the Holy Spirit in the beginnings of their salvation and justification experience.  All Christians, except for those trained by Jesus personally, need it done this way because their Jesus-training is done through the Holy Spirit. 

 

Jesus, help me see that this submersion experience was so important that two of the apostles were sent to Samaria just so these people could be baptized into the Holy Spirit.  Help me accept the importance of me yielding to the Holy Spirit’s power over my body.  Show me that He is my power to take control over the daily activities of my body. 

 

Power To Win Over Your Body

Acts 8:15-16 (NIV) When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.  Water baptism is very important; but, being submerged by Jesus into the Holy Spirit is vital.  Even though these believers had the Holy Spirit inside them, they desperately needed Him to saturate every fiber of their body.  As you know, Romans chapter seven made it clear that your body is dominant without the Holy Spirit’s work.  Romans 8:13 helps you see that with the Holy Spirit’s power, you win over it. 

 

Jesus, help me be willing to help all my Christian friends understand the importance of them allowing You to baptize them into the Holy Spirit.  Many of them are struggling because they haven’t allowed themselves to be submerged in and saturated with the Holy Spirit.  Teach me how this all works so I can explain it effectively.  Let me notice how much I am being helped by His work on me and my body. 

 

Praying For Jesus To Baptize People

Acts 8:17 (NIV) Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.  It is Jesus doing the baptizing; but, He wants you involved in helping people with their spiritual growth and empowerment.  While Philip was busy helping more and more people be saved and justified, Peter and John were helping people be submerged into the Holy Spirit.  There is always a place for everyone to work together to help people grow in Jesus. 

 

Jesus, help me understand how important it is for me to place my hands on people and pray for them.  When they need healing, baptism into the Holy Spirit, or any kind of prayer, help me ask them if I can put my hands on them and help them with their needs.  Help me see how important it is for me to learn how to pray for people so they can get You working in their life. 

 

Protected From The Spirit Of Antichrist

1 John 4:2-3 (NIV) This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus, is not from God.  This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  As strong deception is coming into the world.  The Holy Spirit is making sure you get great training and power to resist that deception.  These things you are doing are not only helping you now, they are preparing you and protecting your future. 

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that You are helping me resist sin; You are helping me resist those things that are hindering my spiritual growth; and, You are helping me resist those things that are major future attacks from the spirit of antichrist.  You are protecting me from deceptions that are already being poured out on society.  Help me appreciate all You are doing to teach me and empower me for everything I need. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Thirteen

Why Do I Have To Repent?

 

Week Three Day Five

 

Mixing Christianity With Sorcery

Acts 8:18-19 (NIV) When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  What Simon is wanting to do is a major breach in the relationship with God.  However, it is possible that he doesn’t know a lot about how Christianity works.  But, even if that is true, he is going to need to know how serious what he is suggesting is.  This is an eternally serious issue! 

 

Jesus, if there is anything in my philosophies that are breaches against Christianity, the Bible, and with God, help me get rid of it immediately.  If it is something serious, help me realize how serious it is.  Then, help me repent of it and let You deliver me from it.  Let my heart, belief systems, and philosophies be examined and evaluated as to their Biblical validity. 

 

Christianity Is All Gifts

Acts 8:20 (NIV) Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!  Simon got saved and justified as a gift.  No doubt Philip made that clear to Simon.  However, all of Simon’s past had been involved in the system of money.  Much of what he had, came from him being able to purchase knowledge, training, supervision, and equipment.  The major problem Simon had was he lacked being poor in spirit.

 

Jesus, help me come to You, the Bible, and Christianity while being poor in spirit.  Help me not approach any of it with assumptions.  Let me come to every aspect of it as a little child.  Show me any area of my life where I am making assumptions about the way Christianity works.  Help me understand that Christianity is totally different than anything I have ever experienced.  Help me come to be taught rather than to think I already know. 

 

Christianity Isn’t Only A Mind-Thing

Acts 8:21 (NIV) You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.  Simon hadn’t given his heart to God.  He was still in love with sorcery.  He was still in love with the notoriety, popularity, prestige, power, and honor he was receiving from it.  When the Holy Spirit came inside him, He let Simon know what was right and wrong.  He made it clear that what Simon was asking Peter for was wrong.  But, his heart was still devoted to all sorcery could give him.  He wasn’t yet submitted to the desires of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Jesus, help me listen to the Holy Spirit even when I feel like I know what to do.  Help me see that just because I have always done something a certain way doesn’t mean that is Your way.  I know I have to have confidence; so, help me have confidence in what You have to say. 

 

Repentance And Forgiveness Put You Back On Track

Acts 8:22 (NIV) Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.  Perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.  The deed is based on something going on in your heart.  Repentance brings your heart before God and invites Him to bring forgiveness and healing to it.  Forgiveness keeps your record with Him perfect and repentance changes the wrong thing in your heart.  Until repentance takes place, your heart keeps initiating wicked thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds in that area of wickedness. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that repentance is a spiritual decision where I make a U-turn and go in the opposite direction.  Help me see that I make the decision to repent; and You empower me to stop going in the wrong direction.  Then when I ask for forgiveness, that keeps the perfection in my record with God.  Help me realize that when I sin accidently or ignorantly, it is an indication that something is wrong in my heart.  Help me see that repentance brings healing, transformation, and a change of influence in my heart. 

 

A Spiritual Diagnosis

Acts 8:23 (NIV) For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.  When someone tells you what is in your heart, it gives you vital information.  When you read the Bible and the Holy Spirit points out that, that passage is describing a problem in your heart, stop and repent and ask for forgiveness concerning that item.  When you think, feel, say, or do something wrong, stop and ask Jesus to reveal to you what is in your heart that is creating this symptom. 

 

Jesus, help me be receptive to spiritual diagnoses.  Rather than being defensive, help me see it as a vital moment.  Help realize that it gives me some important information about my heart that I desperately need.  Once I get a spiritual diagnosis, I have the item identified in my heart that is causing me to do wrong, bad, or evil things.  Help me be glad I have that information and immediately bring it to You for repentance and healing. 

 

Don’t Just Pray—Repent!

Acts 8:24 (NIV) Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”  Before you ask God to help you never do something wrong ever again, repent.  Before you ask others to pray for you, repent.  Before you do anything else about the issue, always go before God and tell Him that you sinned and are sorry that you did it.  Ask Him to forgive you for the deed; ask Him to empower you to never do it again; ask Him to empower you to go make it right with those you hurt; and then thank Him for His forgiveness. 

 

Jesus, when I do something wrong, help me not do anything else until I have come before God and repented.  Help me not refuse to repent, try to make myself feel better about it, get others praying for me, or anything else.  Help me immediately go to God and repent so I can get His healing in that area of my heart and His forgiveness.  Help me not resist going to those I hurt and making it right with them.  Help me maintain my “want” to do the right things and my “hate” for doing those things that are wrong, according to Romans 7:15. 

 

Living The Christian Life

The Bible Identifies The Light

1 John 1:5 (NIV) This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.  Spiritual light may not mean a lot to you unless you understand that the Bible tells you what light and darkness look like in real life.  Spiritual light is all those things the Bible says are right, good, and righteous.  Darkness is all of those things the Bible describes as being wrong, bad, or evil.  Spiritual light is an indication in your conscience that you are doing a good thing.  Darkness is the Holy Spirit telling your conscience that what you are about to do or have done is wrong. 

 

Jesus, help me find out what the Bible identifies as light and darkness.  Help me bring them to You and ask for Your power to avoid all those things that are darkness and embrace all those things that are light.  If I get involved in something that is darkness, help me immediately repent and get forgiveness.  If I find myself staying in an area of darkness, help me spend time with You finding out why. 

 

Practicing Darkness

1 John 1:6 (NIV) If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  A person who claims to be a Christian but willfully, purposely does sinful things is lying to themself and others.  If they try to use some “sinner’s prayer,” water baptism, church membership, or any other process to verify they are a Christian, then they are looking to the wrong thing.  True Christians have the “want” and “hate” of Romans 7:15. 

 

Jesus, help me accept these verses as my criteria for letting me know where I stand with God.  Help me not look to anything else but whether or not I am sinning on purpose.  Empower me to believe that this is the Biblical criteria for letting me know who is a true Christians and who isn’t.  Help me not judge them; but, help me bring myself and others to repentance. 

 

Practicing Light

1 John 1:7 (NIV) But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.  This must be your heart’s desire.  No matter what your body forces you to do, immediately bring it to Jesus and repent.  No matter what kind of pleasure you experience through sin, realize that it is trying to destroy your relationship with God and repent. 

 

1 John 1:8-9 (NIV) If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  Jesus, empower me to be able to resist even the greatest pleasures Satan tries to lure me with.  If I experience excessive pleasure, empower me to resist it and come to You and repent.  Help me never sin on purpose.  Help me always have the attitudes described in Romans 7:15-25.  Empower me to only expose myself to those things that help me stay close to You.  Let me spend my time experiencing those things that empower me to live as a true Christian. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Chapter Fourteen

Who Should I Trust Completely?

 

Week Four Day One

 

This Is Your Chance

Acts 8:14-16 (NIV) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.  When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

God Knew You Were Going To Need This

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God: You may not have been saved in an environment that is as well structured as the one Jesus put together.  There can be all kinds of things that can cause you to be neglected after your salvation experience.  But, God has made sure that these studies and prayers are ready to help you move forward in Him.  These books are here waiting for you to take advantage of them.  They are being provided for you, so you can grow and reach your full potential in Jesus. 

 

Jesus, You are making sure that I get all the opportunities I need so as to reach my full potential in You.  You are providing me with great truths so I can be trained and successful in the life You have given me.  Help me not miss out on anything You are providing.  I thank You for making sure I have all this information; but, help me be sure to use it to its full potential.  Help me know it, understand it, believe it, receive it, and live it. 

 

Qualified Help

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them: Peter and John were two people who had really committed and dedicated their lives to following Jesus.  They gave up all their monetary and physical security and went wherever Jesus went.  They applied themselves to all of Jesus’ leadership requirements.  They made sure they listened, understood, believed, received, and lived all those things Jesus required of them.  Then Jesus sent them out to share all those things He taught them to live.  These are the kinds of people you need to surround yourself with. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that the people You send to me are qualified to help me get the results I need.  The main way You have made sure I am helped by the right kind of people was to give me the people in the Bible.  You handpicked them because they were people who only wrote those things You wanted written.  I can trust them and their Jesus-words. 

 

Jesus, help me see that I can trust those You put in Your Bible for helping me live a mature Christian life.  Help me see that I am responsible for basing my life on Your Bible.  I must not just trust a certain person because they have typically been trustworthy.

 

You Can’t Even Trust You

John 16:13 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  Just because you think a Scripture means something doesn’t make it true.  Just because people who wrote books or commentaries say it means something, doesn’t make it true either.  You must bring a sincere heart to Jesus and ask Him what a verse means.  Keep in mind that you are the one who picks the books, commentaries, translations of the Bible, certain people, and personal opinions as to the meaning of a verse that you want to believe. 

 

Jesus, help me see that I have to honestly want to know the truth.  Even my research for the meaning of a verse can be skewed by which resources I pick.  Help me have a complete desire to not be led into error.  Help me understand that I will get what my heart desires.  If I have a leaning toward a certain interpretation, if I have desires that cause me to want to believe a certain way, if my heart is deceiving me, then I will pick the interpretation that fits my bias.  Help me base my interpretations on what the Holy Spirit tells me. 

 

You Must Let The Holy Spirit Guide You

2 Tim 2:15 (AKJV) Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  You can know when the Holy Spirit is guiding you into a certain interpretation of a verse of Scripture.  It will agree with all the rest of the Bible.  Some will tell you that the way to get the true meaning is to keep a verse in context; and, that is true.  However, they will tell you that the way to keep it in context is to read the verses above and below it; and, that is true too.  But, that isn’t enough.  You must keep every verse in context with the whole Bible.  No verse can stand alone outside the whole Bible. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that I have heard from the Holy Spirit when the interpretation I receive agrees with the whole Bible.  Show me that if I find a verse that disagrees with the interpretation I received, then I have misunderstood the Holy Spirit.  Help me realize that it isn’t because I failed to get His interpretation, it was because I contaminated it in some way.  Help me not get discouraged.  Help me keep an honest heart for only believing the truth.  Help me keep studying and praying for You to make sure I am believing the truth. 

 

Above All, Trust Jesus

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” 

 

Jesus, You are telling me that my heavenly Father won’t allow me to get something bad, when I am asking Him for something good.  Help me want the truth with all my heart; but, help me see that being afraid I might believe something wrong won’t protect me; only You will. 

 

 

Getting Familiar With The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit Is Your Connection

John 16:13-15 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is Mine.  That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that the Holy Spirit is inside me, is my connection to You and my heavenly Father, and is my only way into knowing, understanding, believing, receiving, and living the Bible.  Teach me that I must yield to Him in a total way in order to live the Jesus-life.  If I don’t allow Him to bring me under His control, I won’t have a complete connection to all You have to offer me.  Show me that He is my vital way into all You want for me. 

 

You Have Been Experiencing The Holy Spirt

John 16:8 (NIV) When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: As you know, the Holy Spirit has been speaking to you through your conscience from the moment your heavenly Father decided you were mature enough to be responsible for knowing the difference between right and wrong.  This brought you a lot of familiarity with the Holy Spirit.  But now, for the first time, you and He are on the same team. 

 

Jesus, help me not feel hesitant in embracing my relationship with Your Holy Spirit.  Help me understand that getting used to the fact that He is a Spirit and doesn’t have a body is just like my heavenly Father.  Help me not struggle with this situation because He is helping me get used to being a spirit myself.  Show me that I am just wearing my body.  I am a spirit being just like He and my heavenly Father are.  Let me relax in this relationship with Him. 

 

It Is A Love Connection

Rom 5:5 (NIV) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.  The feelings you get for being loved by God are coming through the heart of the Holy Spirit.  He loves you with the supernatural power-love of God.  This is because He is God.  He is the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Jesus!  Rom 8:9 (NIV) You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  But, don’t try to figure this out, just listen and learn. 

 

Jesus, help me not try to figure You, my heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit out with my human mind.  Help me just know that You all make up one God.  Show me if there is some misunderstanding about this, that is normal for me as a human.  Help me see that those who think they have You figured out, are fooling themselves.  Let me just allow You to expose me to these things so I will relax as various Scriptures talk about You, my heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit.  Help me learn and get familiar with these things without trying to master the subject.  Make it clear to me that no one has mastered the trinity relationship. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Fifteen

What Is So Important About My Attitudes And Character?

 

Week Four Day Two

 

Sanctification: Starting To Live The Life

It’s Time To Be Growing

Your Christian age started the moment you were born again.  Just like you know what a baby should be doing at a certain age, you can know how a new Christian should be living and progressing.  If a person has been a Christian for a year, then they are no longer a new Christian; they are either a growing Christian or an untrained Christian.  By the end of a year, they should be progressing in their knowledge, training, and spiritual development.  The amount of time they have been saved is an important issue with how they are doing as a Christian. 

 

Jesus, help me see whether I should be farther along as a Christian.  Am I progressing and “acting my age?”  Or, am I somewhat immature for my spiritual age?  If I am under developing, help me make it up.  Help me be advanced for my spiritual age.  Let me take advantage of all this help You are giving me.  Give me special “extra credit” work and training that will give me a boost.  Let me press on to Your high call. 

 

Failure To Grow At A Normal Pace

Heb 5:11-13 (NIV) We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.  You need milk, not solid food!  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

 

Heb 5:14 (NIV) But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. 

 

Jesus, help me not be slow to learn.  Open my mind and heart so I can eat spiritual solid food.  Help me grow out of having to have someone to teach me the elementary truths of God’s Word all over again.  Make me acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  Help me see whether or not that by this time I ought to be a teacher. 

 

Spiritual Growth Evaluated Based On Behavior

1 Cor 3:1-3 (NIV) Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ.  I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.  Indeed, you are still not ready.  You are still worldly.  For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?

 

Jesus, help me be able to be addressed…as spiritual.  Help me no longer have to be addressed as worldly—a mere infant in Christ.  You gave me milk, not solid food, for I was not yet ready for it.  But, keep me from still not being ready.  Keep me from still being worldly.  Keep me from having jealousy and quarreling coming out of me.  Help me no longer be acting like mere men. 

 

Moving Into The Life Of The Spirit

Rom 8:4 (NIV) In order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.  The grace period isn’t a place where you can stay and pretend you are living the Christian life.  There must be a time when you start yielding to the desires and power of the Holy Spirit.  You must allow Him to help you live out good things in your relationships with yourself and others.  

 

Jesus, help me see that I need to be gaining success in my spiritual efforts.  Help me apply my three toolsets to those areas where I am walking in darkness.  Help me not just relax and accept that You have given me a perfect record with God.  Show me that I have it so I can take advantage of my relationship with You.  Help me ask, seek, and knock on those areas where I am failing.  Then, if I don’t see results, help me use The Eight Power-Attitudes of God and The Seven Biblical Principles to find out why I am still struggling with it.   

 

Motivated By The Wrong Thing

Acts 8:18-19 (NIV) When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 

 

As the apostles laid their hands on those who were ready to move on into sanctification (spiritual growth), Simon was impressed with the power changes in these people’s lives.  He could see the wonderful things that happened to these people, as the Holy Spirit started to work in and through them.  He could see God’s love blessing them, healing them, and empowering them to live a much better life.  But, that wasn’t what he really wanted to focus on for himself. 

 

Jesus, teach me that it was normal for Simon to start out, in his Christian life, trying to mix all his philosophies of the world with trying to live Christianity.  Show me that money, power, prestige, popularity, selfishness, human effort, and even satanic powers were all Simon knew.  Help me see that Simon’s problem was, he wasn’t growing spiritually in a normal, natural progression.  He wasn’t experiencing the confusion and frustration of Romans 7:15-24.  Help me see that he wasn’t yielding to the wants, desires, and delights described in that chapter. 

 

Comparing Age With Spiritual Growth

The person who is sincerely trying out Christianity is willing to accept a new attitude, set of goals, and way of life.  They will start to see the difference between the way they should be treating themselves, other people, and God, and the way they actually are.  Simon was still wanting the things he wanted before he was born again.  He wasn’t growing at a normal rate. 

 

Jesus, if I need to, help me go back to Romans 7:15-25 and see if I still have the “want” and “hate” that I should have.  Help me pray over those truths and attitudes until I can feel them strong in my heart.  Help me see the difference between the way I should be treating myself, other people, and God, and the way I actually am.  Then help me “do what it takes” to change. 

 

You Must Be Desirous To Move Forward

Here’s The Problem Simon Was Facing

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 (NIV): “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.”  The purpose of salvation and the forgiveness of your sins is to provide you with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  In the beginnings of salvation, your record is perfect with God; But, your relationship with yourself and those around you isn’t being lived in love.  The way you treat yourself, other people, and God’s plan isn’t based on righteousness. 

 

Jesus, teach me that, if I just want my record to be perfect with God but don’t care how I am treating those around me, then I haven’t learned how to yield to the love of God.  Show me that Simon wanted to move from salvation into the power gifts of the Holy Spirit.  He wanted to use them to get what he really wanted.  He wanted money, possessions, power, prestige, positions, popularity, pleasure, and accomplishments rather that yielding to God’s love. 

 

Power Hungry People Lack Love

Mat 7:22-23 (NIV) Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from Me, you evildoers!’  Prophesying, driving out demons, and performing many miracles in Jesus’ name doesn’t seem wrong.  But, the word “we” shows you the real problem with these people.  They used Jesus’ name; but, they gave themselves the credit for why the miracles were flowing through them.  They acted like these free gifts of God were coming out of them because they were unique and special. 

 

Jesus, show me what is wrong with those people in Matthew 7:22-23.  Help me see that if you gave Simon Your power prior to his attitudes and character being changed, he would be one of these people.  Help me be glad You are taking me through all this training and prayer.  Show me that You are protecting me from being one of these greatly disappointed people. 

 

You Can’t Save Or Heal Hurting People

Acts 8:9-10 (NIV) Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria.  He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.” 

 

Jesus, teach me that when I draw people’s attention to my greatness, I take it away from You Who really love them.  You were doing all those miracles through Philip.  Teach me that the people in Matthew 7:22-23 caused people to think the miracles only came through them.  Show me that this cheats others out of having their own personal sonship and citizenship relations with their heavenly Father. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Sixteen

How Am I Going To Live The Bible Out In The World?

 

Week Four Day Three

 

It’s Wonderful To Be Warned

Mat 7:23 (NIV) Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from Me, you evildoers!’  No one wants to experience this Matthew 7:21-23 situation.  You don’t want to take your final exam with Jesus and “discover” you don’t qualify for salvation, sonship, citizenship, and an eternal relationship with God.  You don’t want to be using the benefits of salvation for your own purposes.  That is why Peter gave Simon such a stern warning! 

 

Jesus, help me understand that You sent people to warn all these people in Matthew 7:21-23.  You did it just like Peter warned Simon; but, they refused to repent and allow You to help them start yielding to Your love.  Thank You for helping me see these warnings so I can put my total trust in You and Your keeping power.  Help me believe that You are taking me through all this study and prayer so my heart can be prepared to give You all the credit. 

 

It's Wonderful To Be Loved

Luke 16:13 (NIV) No servant can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and Money.  Jesus is helping your motives grow into a love for yourself, other people, and God.  He knows you will be tempted to love money and use people.  He is empowering you to love people and use money to help people.  The Holy Spirit is speaking to your conscience all the time so you won’t get off track.  And, the Bible is informing you of how to go into a complete and total relationship with Jesus so money is the last thing you would love. 

 

Jesus, thank You for helping me love You with all my heart.  Thank You for filling my heart with You so there is no room for a love of money.  Thank You for loving me so much that it is easy to only love You.  Thank You for warning me so I would know to run to You with all my heart.  Thank You for telling me where the pitfall is, so could go in the opposite direction. 

 

It’s Wonderful To Be Trained

All of this warning you are reading right now can cause you to worry, try to do better, check your motives, and “make sure” you are doing things the right way.  However, all of these warnings are just pointing you back to your need for Jesus’ help.  When you ask, seek, and knock, you are focusing in on Jesus.  When you are going through The Eight Power-Attitudes of God, you are opening your heart to Him.  When you go through the diagnostic tools of The Seven Biblical Principles, you are finding out how to have a better relationship with Jesus.  Rather than you looking to you for protecting yourself, you are looking to Jesus. 

 

Jesus, help me see that all the weight of the responsibility was on me, when I was trying to fix something rather than praying.  When I was trying to live the Christian life myself, I didn’t have all these tools to help me get my eyes on You.  When I read a Scripture and tried to live it, I didn’t know that all I had to do was ask You to live in and through me.  I didn’t know that all I had to do was seek Your Word with intensity and it would empower me to change. 

 

It's Wonderful Having The Holy Spirit Living In You

Jesus said in John 4:23-24 (NIV) “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”  It is important to understand that the Holy Spirit empowers you to serve God in spirit and in truth.  The difference is going from ritual to a heart-felt relationship. 

 

Mat 15:8 (NIV) These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.  Jesus, let my heart get involved in my relationship with God.  Help me feel His presence as I go about my day.  Keep me from being mechanical and ritualistic in my relationship with Him.  Let my emotions be filled with the fruit of the Spirit.  Help me worship God in spirit and in truth.  Let my spirit be completely saturated with the Holy Spirit. 

 

 

Living In Spirit And Truth

Your Source Of Truth

John 14:26 (NIV) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth; He is your interpreter of the meaning of God’s Word.  He will teach you all things and will remind you of everything Jesus said.  He is your power to live such a Biblical life that you become a great witness concerning Jesus. 

 

Jesus, help me appreciate the Holy Spirit.  Help me pause while reading the Bible and allow Him to explain what the Bible means.  Help me memorize various passages and verses through Him reminding me of everything You said.  Help me receive power through the Holy Spirit so I can live a life that is a dynamic witness for You. 

 

Your Power To Live The Truth

Rom 7:6 (NIV) But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.  Now that you are responsible for activating your three toolsets, you will be able to live the truths of the Bible without being responsible for the old way of the written code.  You are no longer responsible for living God’s law by your power.  You will live it by means of Holy Spirit power in the new way of the Spirit.  When you face a spiritual, moral, or integrity issue, you can ask Jesus to help you do the right thing.  In response to that prayer, Jesus will work through the Holy Spirit to help you win over your body. 

 

Rom 8:13-14 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  Jesus, as I weigh the consequences of what will happen, if I do things according to the Bible, help me do what is right no matter what will happen because of it.  Help me put to death the misdeeds of the body no matter what the cost is.  Give me a greater desire to obey You than save myself from worldly consequences. 

 

Your Motivation For Living The Truth

Rom 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Emotional Power

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace: When you are caught between the demands of the world and the life of truth, you have to have the emotions that inspire you to be honest.  By being filled with all joy and peace, the fear of what will happen to you if you go with honesty and integrity, will be overwhelmed and defeated. 

 

Jesus, with the world moving farther and farther from honesty and integrity, as I work in that environment, let Your joy and peace empower me to do the right thing no matter what may happen to me.  Help me choose You and what the Bible stands for rather than the consequences that hang over my head.  Protect me from fear and my body’s weakness that would keep me from being the person You want me to be. 

 

Faith Power

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him: Faith that Jesus can and will help and protect you, will head you in the right direction.  You must ask Jesus to give you the right desires, help you study the right Scriptures, pray the right prayers, get faith from Him to believe you have the right things, help you yield to His love, take faith-action to live on the basis of the right lifestyle, and give Him thanks for those right things.  Jesus is always your answer. 

 

Heb 12:2 (NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Jesus, my mind can reason that, if You paid this price, then I should be willing and able to pay the price of only doing honest things.  But, my heart often has other feelings about me suffering the end results of going against company policy, social protocols, or my body’s requirements.  Empower me to be honest. 

 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith: Jesus, help me understand that if my eyes are on the consequences of being honest, moral, or spiritual, I will struggle with doing the right thing.  Help me fix my eyes on You, the Author and Perfecter of my faith.  Show me that, as long as I have my eyes fixed on You, I will be empowered to obey what the Bible tells me to do. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Seventeen

What’s Wrong With The Monetary System?

 

Week Four Day Four

 

Motivated By The Wrong Thing

Acts 8:18-19 (NIV) When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

 

When Simon saw: What causes you to notice things; what captures your attention; what makes you want certain things?  When you came into salvation and justification, you came with interests, dreams, goals, desires, and priorities.  You have Jesus’ forgiveness for any of them that were wrong; but, they are still in your heart and mind.  If you don’t let the Holy Spirit start correcting them, you will see things around you from the wrong perspective, like Simon did. 

 

Jesus, help me see things from a Biblical perspective.  Let me look for opportunities to produce win/win situations for people.  Join me in constantly looking for ways to be used by You to make all of our lives better.  Help me not just see how I can benefit or make my life better.  Empower me to yield to Your Holy Spirit’s training.  Train me how to do good things for everyone I possibly can.  And, help me give all the glory and honor to You. 

 

Seeing But Missing The Point

When Simon saw that the Spirit: The Holy Spirit could have really made Simon’s life much better.  The Holy Spirit had been working with him most of his life trying to help him head in the right direction.  But, Simon had resisted, rejected, and redefined most of those things He had been speaking into his conscience: and, that was the way he was still treating Him. 

 

Jesus, most of my life I have not cooperated with the Holy Spirit.  I resisted the feelings coming from my conscience.  Help me listen to Him as He works through my conscience.  Help me agree with what He is saying; and help me receive His power to do what He is saying.  Let me give Him my full cooperation, so I can be changed for the good. 

 

Misunderstanding Who Is Doing What

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands: Jesus taught His disciples that without Him they could do nothing (John 15:5).  Luke 10:17 (NIV) The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.”  We all do this; Jesus does something through us, and we think we did it.  Jesus explained to them: Luke 10:19-20 (NIV) I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”  The demons were subject to the authority Jesus gave them. 

 

Jesus, I know You want to help a lot of people through your power.  So, You are doing wonderful things to my attitudes and character.  You are blessing me with finances, health, joy, friends, and Biblical training so I can use them to help people.  Help me not take the credit for these things coming in and flowing out of me.  Empower me to always let people know that it is all coming from You.  Let them be impressed, appreciative, and thankful to You for all these things You are doing in and through me. 

 

The Realm Of Gifts

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money: In Simon’s training, this was the way to legally get something from someone else.  It was just a business exchange where it was considered to be a win/win situation.  He wasn’t trying to steal it, cheat them out of it, or con them into giving it to him; he was willing to pay for it.  But, in God’s world that is an evil approach to Him and His provisions.  He and His provisions are all available through grace, mercy, love, and gifts.  Buying, trading, or stealing His things corrupt this system; but, Simon wasn’t learning this. 

 

Jesus, I can see how important it is to yield to Your teaching and training.  Things in Your realm operate on a totally different system than the way I was trained.  The normal, typical way for to me go about my life, in the world, was very different from the way You do things.  Help me open my heart and mind to Your way of living life.  Untrain me and retrain me in the ways of love, grace, mercy, and gifts.  Help me listen to my conscience for warnings. 

 

Power In The Wrong Hands

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability: In the world, you possess or own things; even if you lease or rent, you temporarily “own” the property until the lease or rental contract runs out.  Simon assumed two things that weren’t true.  First, the Apostles didn’t have the ability so they could sell it to him.  And second, Jesus was never going to give Simon such power.  You must learn how to yield to the Jesus-life because all power and authority will always remain in Him.  For you to be used like Philip and the Apostles, you must yield to Jesus. 

 

Jesus, I am glad You are not just turning Your supernatural power over to me.  The pressure, temptations, and weaknesses I would face would be incredible.  If I were responsible for it, my lack of knowledge, foreknowledge, understanding, wisdom, and experiences would cause so many things to go wrong.  Help me realize how many people can be healed, blessed, and helped if I allow You to flow in and through me; help me yield to You and Your love. 

 

Corrupting God’s System

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit: This might sound like a great deal; if Simon could increase the output of people receiving the Holy Spirit, then that great and wonderful experience would keep moving forward in Samaria, long after the Apostles had gone back to Jerusalem. 

 

Jesus, help me see that even though Simon would be making the Holy Spirit available to the people in his region, You still wouldn’t use him with Your power.  Help me see the true heart of God.  Show me that, as much as God wants His Holy Spirit spread around the world in the lives of people, He still puts the priority on who we are and what our motives are. 

 

Changing Who Gets God’s Things

Simon would be charging people for the privilege of receiving the Holy Spirit.  Only those who could pay enough for the Spirit would get the blessing.  Simon would become the source and control over who got what from him.  People would start looking to someone whose heart wasn’t like your heavenly Father.  His attitudes and character wouldn’t help people see what was most important to God and for us. 

 

The world would make money and possessions be the way into God and His provisions.  It wouldn’t be free, about grace and mercy, and a special gift from God.  It wouldn’t be simply by faith to everyone who puts their trust in Him.  It would be all about greed, covetousness, fighting, lying, stealing, cheating, misleading, backbiting, gossiping, and sensual pleasure.  The godliness, holiness, and righteousness of God would be perverted; and, the whole plan of salvation, justification, and sanctification would be scrapped. 

 

Jesus, I see that attitudes and character are vital for keeping Your plans, provisions, and power pure.  It is wonderful that everything is provided as a gift to everyone simply by us putting our faith and trust in You.  Your plan is perfect, loving, gracious, and merciful.  Thank You for not allowing me to pervert Your system of salvation, justification, and sanctification.  Help me always see that Your ways cannot be improved on. 

 

Preparing Your Hands

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands: It is important for you to see the apostles’ hands.  Jesus had been working on the person behind those hands for three years.  The difference between the apostles’ hands and Simon’s hands was worlds apart.  People could trust the apostles’ hands; but, they couldn’t trust Simon’s hands.  The reason for why the world is in such bad shape is because of the person behind all those hands.  Let Jesus change the way you use your hands to deal with the people around you. 

 

So that everyone on whom I lay my hands: Jesus, when I lay my hands on someone, help them be attached to a person who is totally submitted to You.  Let my hands be hands of love, grace, mercy, and compassion.  Help me use them to accomplish those things You want them doing.  Move into my life and guide my hands toward those things You know will accomplish the will of God.  Teach me, train me, and cleanse me from all those things that were dominating Simon and his hands. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Eighteen

How Do I Fit In With Other Christians?

 

Week Four Day Five

 

Gifts That Guide Your Interests

In Acts 8:5-24, Philip had a special gift from Jesus called Evangelist.  Jesus gave him an interest and training for helping people experience Jesus’ salvation.  Since Philip was mainly gifted with getting people started in Christianity, the people he was working with weren’t growing spiritually.  People with other gifts from Jesus needed to come help with that issue. 

 

1 Cor 12:12 (NIV) The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.  Jesus, help me understand that those who help me with my new birth aren’t necessarily the ones who help me with my spiritual growth.  Help me understand that those who help me with my spiritual growth aren’t necessarily the ones who help me with my financial system.  Help me understand that the reason why You have a body that has many parts is so all my spiritual needs can be met. 

 

Gifts That Help People A Certain Way

1 Cor 12:14 (NIV) Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.  Peter and John, came to Samaria with a gift from Jesus called Apostle.  This gift gave them an interest and training for helping new and untrained Christians.  They came to help them make Christianity a permanent part of their life.  They were praying for them to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.  This would take these people to the next level in Christianity.  This was going to help them start living the righteousness that had been credited to their record with God.  Eph 4:11-12 (NIV) It was He (Jesus) Who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. 

 

Jesus, help me see that I am going to eventually be made a part of Your body.  You will be causing me to take special interests in people who have certain needs.  You will give me compassion for those that You will want me to work with.  Help me be receptive to Your special training for me. 

 

Gifts That Flow Through You

Eph 4:11-12 (NIV) It was He (Jesus) Who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.  Because God had gifted Philip to concentrate on the beginning aspects of salvation and Christianity, his gift didn’t help him notice that Simon had a major spiritual problem.  If Simon had just been receptive to Philip and his ministry, he wouldn’t have received that special warning from Peter. 

 

These Bible studies and prayers you are involved in with Jesus, help lay a very important foundation in your life.  But, you need church, small groups, Bible reading, prayer, good Christian music and books, and Christian fellowship. 

 

Jesus, teach me that since Peter and John were gifted by You to help new and untrained Christians mature, they helped them receive the Holy Spirit.  Show me how this started them growing in the spiritual issues of sanctification.  When Simon offered Peter and John money, help me see that Peter’s Apostle-gift revealed heart problems in Simon and empowered Peter to be able to make spiritual diagnoses.  This made it possible for Simon to remain in You. 

 

We All Get This Type Of Warning

Acts 8:20 (NIV) Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!  The main problem with an evangelist is, they can see their ministry as being the only one needed.  They can teach you that once you respond to their ministry, you are eternally secure in Jesus.  However, that breaks the Word of God concerning your need for many ministers working in your life.  1 Cor 12:21 (NIV) The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  Along with these studies and prayers, you need other members of Jesus’ body. 

 

Jesus, help me see that money, selfishness, human effort, and even satanic powers can be all I learned in the world.  When someone diagnoses my spiritual condition in terms that helps me know just how serious my lack of training and spiritual growth (sanctification) are, help me repent, ask for forgiveness, ask for power to never think that way again, and make it right with anyone I have hurt.  Help me see that I need their ministry just as much as I do others. 

 

You Must Move From Romans Chapter Seven To Romans Chapter Eight

Acts 8:21 (NIV) You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.  Simon was failing his assignment to love the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his mind and with all his strength (Mark 12:30).  He was also failing in his assignment to love his neighbor as himself (Mark 12:31a).  Just because Philip didn’t see anything wrong with him, didn’t mean he was okay. 

 

1 Cor 12:28 (NIV) And in the Church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

 

Jesus, when someone like Peter treats me harshly, help me not prefer someone like Philip.  Help me take any warnings, corrections, rebukes, criticisms, or strict Scriptures before You.  Help me not just ignore them, hate them, or fight them.  Help me want to be right with You more than being right in my own eyes.  But, help me not just take these things at face value.  Help me bring them before You so You can tell me what to do with them. 

 

Applying The Cure

Acts 8:22 (NIV) Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.  Perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.  Philip didn’t treat Simon that way.  You can pick those who won’t treat you that way either.  Should you just listen to them? 

 

Jesus, show me that there are many times I need to repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.  Help me see there are many times the Holy Spirit speaks to my conscience and I have difficulties obeying.  Help me understand there are many times when I read a Scripture in the Bible and I try to justify my thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.  There are many times when I read a book or hear a sermon and I try to ignore it.  Show me that if someone doesn’t notice these issues in me and mention them, I will fail to make the necessary changes. 

 

Taking Advantage Of Your Perfect Record

Simon had righteousness credited to his record.  It is something no Christian can live without.  But, you have to realize you are not actually living the life of righteousness.  That means you are still hurting yourself and those around you.  You can see that, if Simon didn’t allow himself to be exposed to those ministries that would work on his attitudes and character, those people in Samaria would still be in danger of him leading them astray. 

 

Jesus, help me not just see this danger in Simon.  Help me see how my influence on the people around me can put them in danger.  Help me not just see how much sanctification (spiritual growth) is going to help me.  Help me see how much it is going to be a blessing to those around me.  Show me how my relationships are going to be win/win relationships. 

 

A Spiritual Diagnosis

Acts 8:23 (NIV) For I (Peter) see that you (Simon) are full of bitterness and captive to sin.  Some people don’t want to actually be set free from sin in their “real” lives.  They just want to learn the Bible, hear sermons, read Christian books, learn Bible principles, sing uplifting Christian songs, praise and worship during the service and then go out and live a totally different way of life during their week. 

 

Jesus, help my secular life not be different from my church life.  Help me not live, believe, act, and talk differently at church.  Help me not just grow in my church and Christian fellowship life, while living different around the unsaved.  Help me not read the Bible like it is talking to someone else.  Help me not postpone working on what it is saying to me.  If the Bible, a minister, a Christian book, or the Holy Spirit says I am full of bitterness and captive to sin or any other diagnosis, help me repent and go in a Biblical direction. 

 

Jesus, change my secular, business, and social life.  Help me not see things in the Bible that are over my head and ignored them.  Help me not separate my church life from my life out in the world.  Help me see that I now know how to get the Bible and its supernatural lifestyle in me.  Help me see that there is no spiritual requirement in the Bible that The Three Keys, The Eight Power-Attitudes Of God, and The Seven Biblical Principles won’t empower me to live. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

Chapter Nineteen

What Do I Do With Spiritual Warnings?

 

Week Five Day One

 

A Very Important Warning

James 4:8 (NIV) Come near to God and He will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  This kind of talk could hurt someone’s feelings; with your special people skills, you would probably put this diagnosis into a better “bedside manner.”  This is like God using words like laws and commandments rather than guidelines and instructions.  Since you have a God-given free will, this is a diagnosis not a judgment.  You decide whether or not this diagnosis is an incurable disease.  God is telling you that you have something very serious but you can do something about it! 

 

Jesus, when I read Scriptures like James 4:8, help me not think it is talking to someone else.  Help not just go on to the next verse.  Empower me to stop, open my heart, and ask You whether or not this is true of me.  And, if it is, help me repent, ask You to forgive me, and then apply this verse’s principles to my life.  Help me wash my hands of all sin; help me purify my heart from being double-minded.  And, then let me thank You for helping me grow spiritually through it. 

 

Truth Being Presented As Truth

James 4:9 (NIV) Grieve, mourn and wail.  Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  This isn’t a criticism; it isn’t some personal opinion from a human; it is a spiritual diagnosis and a prescription from God.  This is a fact that must be revealed to you.  You often stand at crossroads; there are decisions you are forced to make.  God isn’t going to let you sit on the fence.  You must make a decision as to which side of the fence you are going to live on.  This is a moment where you repent: Grieve, mourn and wail. 

 

Jesus, I know I am going to face some very important moments of decision; I know I will face some crossroads in my life.  I have already faced many; I have had to decide whether I wanted Your salvation or wanted to go back into the world and sin.  I thank You for helping me choose You.  Now that I have made the decision to make salvation a permanent part of my life, help me decide how much time, effort, and money I will devote to You.  Empower me to desire and pursue You with all I am and all I have. 

 

Eternal Life Instructions

James 4:10 (NIV) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.  There is no room for misunderstanding; you are getting words that are very clear and precise.  You know how important they are, what you need to do, and what is at stake.  As you make this vital decision, you are making it based on full knowledge about Christianity and what it does.  You are able to weigh out all the implications, benefits, and possibilities and decide what you want. 

Jesus, help me not make my decisions alone; help me always turn to You for help with them.  Work miracles in those where I feel a great temptation, desire, or pressure to make a decision contrary to what the Holy Spirit or the Bible is telling me do.  Let me respond to any possible warning by taking time to talk with You about it.  Give me the power to always consult You on everything I do.  Help me apply my three toolsets rather than my own effort. 

 

A Diagnosis For Cure

James 4:11 (NIV) Brothers, do not slander one another.  Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it.  When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.  The power-attitudes give you attitudes that make you receptive to any and all warnings.  Each power-attitude item carries the power of God for enabling you to be open and responsive to anything that comes your way from Him. 

 

When you get a verse like James 4:11 telling you what to do, each power-attitude of God makes you to only receptive to truth.  They give you the power to be changeable, teachable, flexible, and open to God’s truth.  But they keep you from being gullible, naive, or ignorant.  They make sure you know what the truth is.  When you get correction like this, you could be offended and close your heart and mind to it.  But, God’s eight power-attitudes keep that from happening. 

 

Jesus, I know that not everything that sounds spiritual is coming from You.  I know Your Word says: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).” 

 

Jesus, empower me to know how to test the spirits with the Scriptures in the Bible.  Empower me to test what I am hearing in my mind, feeling in my heart, and getting from other people.  But, once I know it is something from You, help me come to You and allow You to tell me what You want me to do about it.  Then help me ask You to join me in fulfilling it.  Let me do everything I do while being united with You. 

 

An Opportunity To Pray

When you are faced with challenging diagnoses, you can cry out to God: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” or you can decide to just go on the way you are.  You can know that nothing good lives in you, that is, in your sinful nature…and that you have the desire to do what is good, but you cannot carry it out.  Or, you can embrace yourself the way you are at the moment. 

 

Jesus, show me that salvation gave me an inner being that can lead me into the laws of God.  Help me know this is true of my spirit: For in my inner being I delight in God’s law (Rom 7:22).  Help me choose my inner spirit being and fight my body with its sinful nature.  Help me use the power of the Holy Spirit to put to death the misdeeds of my body. 

 

An Opportunity To Pray From Your Spirit

Rom 7:23 (NIV) But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  The Holy Spirit, Jesus, the Bible, and your three toolsets are right there ready to lead you into a special work.  They are ready to help you receive the Holy Spirit’s wonderful work in your life.  But, you, as a spirit being, must decide whether or not to respond to them. 

 

Jesus taught you how to not live according to the sinful nature: For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die.  Instead, He taught you how to by the Spirit…put to death the misdeeds of your body, so you can live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Rom 8:13-14).  But, you decide to yield and ask Jesus to empower you to yield.    

 

Jesus, as I work together with Your Holy Spirit, help me allow Him to lead me, control me, and give me His desires concerning the directions for my life.  Help me give Him control, moment-by-moment and issue-by-issue.  I know He won’t try to take my free will away from me.  I know He will wait to be invited into every situation.  At the moment of decision, empower me to decide to join Him and yield to Him regarding all He has to offer me. 

 

 

An Opportunity To Pray Through The Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit Intercession

Rom 8:26 (NIV) In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  The Holy Spirit will help you pray from your heart.  He will help you take those challenging diagnoses and turn them into prayers that heal areas in your heart that you didn’t even know you had.  He can help you repent in deep areas where there is heart damage. 

 

Jesus, help me yield to the Holy Spirit; let Him intercedes for me with groans that words cannot express.  Let Him lead me into heart-prayers that express emotions that only my heart can appreciate.  Help me realize that my heart needs this kind of prayer.  It can’t express itself with logic, reasoning, or facts.  Help me allow Your Holy Spirit to pray anything I need.  

 

Heavenly Father Approval

Rom 8:27 (NIV) And He Who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.  The Holy Spirit will help you pray according to God’s will.  Often your heart has a hidden agenda.  The Bible approaches you with Biblical truths, facts, principles, concepts, and reasoning.  Even though these things change your mind, they don’t always change your heart.  It needs a special message from God. 

 

Jesus, help me give my heart what it needs.  Since my heavenly Father searches my heart and knows the mind of the Spirit, help me yield to heart-change where my heart isn’t willing to give in to the will of God.  Help me see that it often is stubborn, resistant, hard, and calloused.  Let Your Holy Spirit go into this hidden heart-area and bring healing and submission to it. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Twenty

The Twenty-Five Truths Of Romans Chapter Seven

Truths One To Fourteen

 

Week Five Day Two

 

Before you go into the powerful things in Romans chapter eight, it is best you to review the twenty-five truths Jesus taught you in Romans chapter seven. 

 

How To Be Free Of A Law

Rom 7:1 (NIV) Do you not know, brothers--for I am speaking to men who know the law--that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? 

 

TRUTH ONE: Once you die, the law no longer has any influence or jurisdiction over you. 

 

How To Be Free Of A Marriage Law

Rom 7:2 (NIV) For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. 

 

TRUTH TWO: The marriage contract is no longer in effect, once the other spouse dies. 

 

How To Live Free Of A Law

Rom 7:3 (NIV) So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress.  But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. 

 

TRUTH THREE: The marriage contract law is still in effect as long as both spouses are alive. 

 

How You Became Free Of A Law

Rom 7:4 (NIV) So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him Who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. 

 

TRUTH FOUR: You died to the law by accepting Jesus’ death as your death through faith. 

 

The Law Used For Evil

Rom 7:5 (NIV) For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. 

 

TRUTH FIVE: As an unsaved person, you were controlled by the sinful nature located in your body.  Its passions were illegal according to the law of sin and death in the Old Testament.  And, you yielded to those passions and died spiritually and were separated from God. 

Free From One Law Into Another Law

Rom 7:6 (NIV) But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. 

 

TRUTH SIX: By dying through accepting Jesus’ death as your death to what once bound you, which was the law of sin and death in the Old Testament, you have been released from the law so that you serve in the new way of the Spirit, which is the law of the Spirit of life in the New Testament. 

 

What God’s Law Is Not

Rom 7:7 (NIV) What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law.  For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” 

 

TRUTH SEVEN: The law of sin and death in the Old Testament is not sin. 

 

When Law Doesn’t Exist

Rom 7:8 (NIV) But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.  For apart from law, sin is dead. 

 

TRUTH EIGHT: If there is no law, then you can’t break it. 

 

Your Conscience Became Your Law

Rom 7:9 (NIV) Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 

 

TRUTH NINE: When the commandment came: When you became old enough to be responsible for knowing the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, and righteousness and evil, God caused your conscience to become active.  Sin sprang to life and I died: When that happened, you sinned and became separated from God. 

 

Your Conscience Lacks Power

Rom 7:10 (NIV) I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 

 

TRUTH TEN: The very commandment that was intended to bring life: The law of sin and death was to point out what was spiritually deadly so you would avoid it, thus keeping you alive in your relationship with God.   Actually brought death: But, because of the sinful nature in your body, you were pushed into a life of sin (you broke the law) and death (you were separated from God). 

 

 

Satan Deceived You

Rom 7:11 (NIV) For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 

 

TRUTH ELEVEN: Sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment: As an unsaved person, Satan tempted you to do those things against God’s law just like he did with Adam and Eve.  Deceived me: Satan made all those things to look good that he was tempting you with.  And through the commandment: Since the Holy Spirit was speaking to your conscience and telling you sin is wrong, you knew what God’s commandment was.  When you did it anyway, you knowledgeably sinned on purpose and it put you to death.  

 

God’s Law Is Good

Rom 7:12 (NIV) So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. 

 

TRUTH TWELVE: The law of sin and death in the Old Testament is telling you the truth about those things it labels sins.  Therefore, when it tells you not to do something, it is giving you a holy, righteous and good command. 

 

God’s Law Serves An Important Purpose

Rom 7:13 (NIV) Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. 

 

TRUTH THIRTEEN: In order that sin might be recognized as sin:  You had to be told what was destroying your life.  Sin had to be identified for you, so you could try to avoid it.  It produced death in me through what was good: But, since the law didn’t have the power to make you or help you avoid sin, it ended up making you guilty.  So that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful: Satan was deceiving you by making sin look good.  But, God’s law was telling you the truth about sin so you could see how bad it is and resist it. 

 

God’s Law Lacks Power

Rom 7:14 (NIV) We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 

 

TRUTH FOURTEEN: The law is spiritual: It is a part of the rules in the spirit realm.  I am unspiritual: You are a part of the natural, human world.  Sold as a slave to sin: Satan, your body, and the world are driving you into sin.  God’s law is your main warning. 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-One

The Twenty-Five Truths Of Romans Chapter Seven

Truths Fifteen To Twenty-Five

 

Week Five Day Three

 

Jesus is taking you into a review of the twenty-five truths of Romans chapter seven. 

 

You Lack Power

Rom 7:15 (NIV) I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 

 

TRUTH FIFTEEN: Just like the law of sin and death doesn’t have the power to make or help you do what it is making clear to you, even though you see how right it is, you can’t make or help yourself live it. 

 

Your Want Is Important

Rom 7:16 (NIV) And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 

 

TRUTH SIXTEEN: Since you can see that the law of sin and death is good, even though you don’t have the power to obey it, you are still a true Christian. 

 

You Have A Perfect Record With God

Rom 7:17 (NIV) As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 

 

TRUTH SEVENTEEN: The moment you became a true Christian, God gave you a perfect record with Him so that when your body does wrong, bad, or evil things, He doesn’t hold it against you.  He considers it a sin that was committed by your body. 

 

The Sinful Nature Is More Powerful Than You

Rom 7:18 (NIV) I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 

 

TRUTH EIGHTEEN: I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature: The sinful nature is in your body and that makes nothing good living in the body part of you.  For I have the desire to do what is good: The spirit part of you wants to do good and hates doing anything bad.  But I cannot carry it out: Your human effort and world training does not work in Christianity.  You need Jesus to help you carry it out. 

 

The Sinful Nature Is More Powerful Than Your Want

Rom 7:19 (NIV) For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 

TRUTH NINETEEN: For what I do: As a new or untrained Christian, most of what you know is human effort and world training.  So, what you end up doing is continuing to do wrong, bad, and even evil to yourself, other people, and God’s plan.  For what I do is not the good I want to do: But, because you are a true Christian, you want to do good.  The evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing: Because you haven’t been trained and know how to yield to the power of the Holy Spirit, you keep doing things you hate. 

 

You Are No Longer Your Deeds

Rom 7:20 (NIV) Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 

 

TRUTH TWENTY: Now if I do what I do not want to do: This is the “if” that sets the law of the Spirit of life in the New Testament.  This verse is how you can know you are a true Christian.  It is no longer I who do it: This is your perfect record with God.  He considers it to no longer be you doing those things that are wrong, bad, or evil.  He attributes it to the enslavement put on you by your body.  But it is sin living in me that does it: The evaluation of God is putting the blame on the sinful nature of your body. 

 

This Is The Law Of Your Body

Rom 7:21 (NIV) So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 

 

TRUTH TWENTY-ONE: So I find this law at work: This is the law that governs the new and untrained Christian.  It is a temporary law that will soon be rescinded.  When I want to do good: Once again, this is the attitude and desire of the true Christian.  Evil is right there with me: You are living in your body that has the sinful nature.  You have to fulfill the activities of your day through your body that has this evil resident in it. 

 

This Is How You Feel

Rom 7:22 (NIV) For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;

 

TRUTH TWENTY-TWO: In my inner being: This is you, a spirit being.  I delight in God’s law: Because you, a spirit being, are a true Christian, this is how you feel about the law of sin and death in the Old Testament.  You see the importance that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.  You agree that the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.  You delight in God’s law.   

 

This Is What You Are Dealing With

Rom 7:23 (NIV) But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

 

TRUTH TWENTY-THREE: But I see another law at work in the members of my body: There is a body law.  Waging war against the law of my mind: The law in your mind is the law of the Spirit of life.  The law of your body is waging war against the law of your mind.  The law of your body is making you a prisoner of the law of sin at work within your members.  That is why Romans 7:15 is happening to you: I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

 

You Realized That You Needed Outside Help

Rom 7:24 (NIV) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 

 

TRUTH TWENTY-FOUR: What a wretched man I am: After going from verses fifteen on down to here, all you did, as a new or untrained Christian, was to try to live the Christian life using human effort and world training.  You, like every other Christian, found out that human effort and world training don’t work in Christianity. So, at this point, you see your need to cry out for outside help.  Who will rescue me from this body of death: This is just a question; it isn’t yet an ask prayer.  It is just asking, Who will rescue me? 

 

You Discovered That Jesus Could Help You

Rom 7:25 (NIV) Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

 

TRUTH TWENTY-FIVE: Thanks be to God: This is your first step into the law of the Spirit of life.  You had to learn the truth of twenty-four that you needed outside help.  But, it was eternally vital that you learn this truth.  Who was going to rescue you from this body of death?  Through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So, once you prayed The Lord’s Prayer or some “sinner’s prayer,” you then did what Romans 10:8-10 told you to do; and, you were saved and justified.  But, things remained in a challenging condition for you.  You became a new Christian, who was an untrained Christian. 

 

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.  I myself: You are now aware that you are a spirit being with a mind inside you that is a slave to God’s law.  You are also aware that your body has a sinful nature in it that is a slave to the law of sin.  Romans chapter eight will help you and Jesus solve this problem. 

 

These are the twenty-five truths that you learned in your study in the Victorious Christian Living book.  It is a good outline for you to go over, when you need to review your journey as a new and untrained Christian, or for helping a friend make their journey through their Romans chapter seven life.  It might be good to print these pages. 

 

You can get these pages by going to wctlc.com; then select, “I would like good BOOKS to read;” then select, “I Am Ready To Get Started” at the bottom of the page; then scroll down to “Committing To The Christian Life” and select it.  There you will find the link to these pages. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Two

What Do I Do Now That Things Have Changed? 

 

Week Five Day Four

 

STEP ONE: Know There Is No Condemnation

Truth One: Rom 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

 

ACTION: Which do you choose, being motivated by condemnation or motivated by love? 

DECISION: The key issue you will be dealing with will be, what do you use to drive you forward toward life success?   

 

Since All That Is True

The first word is, therefore, in Romans 8:1.  It means, since all that is true.  In Romans chapter seven, you were given twenty-five truths to read, understand, accept, and base your life on.  Since they are facts, you are therefore free from condemnation.  You are now ready to learn ten truths that produce a powerful, successful life in Jesus through the Holy Spirit. 

 

Jesus, help me completely believe, embrace, and start living my life based on those twenty-five truths You provided in Romans chapter seven.  Help me be ready for the “therefore” in this chapter.  Since all those twenty-five principles are true, I am, therefore, ready to base my life on all these things You are about to train me now.  Prepare my heart to accept them and allow them to take me into a life of success in Your Holy Spirit.  Open my heart and mind to all Your truths; empower me to take advantage of every one of them. 

 

How Do I Use This?

What if you got a new car but didn’t know how to drive?  What if you were hired for a great job but didn’t qualify for it?  What if you become a Christian and didn’t know how to live it?  You needed the Philips of this world to give you a chance to experience Jesus’ salvation.  But, you also need the Peters of this world to lead you into taking advantage of it. 

 

Jesus, help me learn this part of this Bible study as You help me look at the ten steps for getting the most out of my salvation experience.  Show me how God and I have been able to establish a relationship, through faith into justification, where I now qualify, through grace and mercy, to get His help with all my needs. 

 

How Do I Forget This?

There will need to be a whole bunch of unlearning before you will be able to start really learning the ten truths about how you and life really work.  In this study and prayer time, Jesus will help you look at the Scriptures that bring results in the actual way you live.  He will be laying out a special decision you need to make, and, a specific action for you to take. 

 

Jesus, as I live life, help me decide what is going to motivate me.  Show me that Satan will send guilt, fear, and condemnation to drive my decision making.  But, God has sent me love to guide my decisions.  Help me choose love to motivate me.  But, help me realize that this decision will have to be made on a moment-by-moment and issue-by-issue basis. 

 

How Do I Make Love Decisions?

As you face an issue, will you fear what people will do to you if you go the Bible way?  You will make a wrong decision if it is based on fear, condemnation, guilt, or worry.  You will make a correct decision if it is based on God’s loves.  By applying The Three Keys and The Seven Biblical Principles you will know He loves you and will take good care of you during this time. 

 

Jesus, as I break away from the world, social pressure, satanic temptations, human business procedures, and my body’s demands, help me be strong and committed to making Your love decisions.  Help me want to please You more than I want anything else.  Show me that Your way will bring rewards that are greater that the rejections, persecutions, and criticism of the people around me.  Help me believe that You will make it all work together for good. 

 

Therefore, There Is Now

Things Are Different Now

Each truth from God sets you free from some kind of bondage you were under, if you now allow it to.  If you now “do what it takes” to get it into the fabric of your life, Jesus will cause it to create a major difference in who you were a few seconds before and who you are now.  The thing you need Jesus to help you believe is, each verse in the Bible has the power to make some kind of powerful difference in you, if you will now stop and allow it to do its work.  Truths can come from each word in a verse; other times it will be two or three words in a phrase.  Now it’s just a matter of you applying The Three Keys and the diagnostic powers of The Seven Biblical Principles to them.  They now help you get those things Jesus and the Bible offer. 

 

Jesus, help me not miss out on the power and love flowing out of the Bible.  Help me not treat it like it is a human work.  Let me move along through it with a deep hunger for getting all those things You offer through it.  Help me have a full understanding that Your Word is capable of accomplishing things in me that are way beyond what I am able to imagine.  Help me allow You and Your Word to do what You want rather than what I am capable of thinking.  Please fulfill Your Word in my life in a God-sized, supernatural way. 

 

Love Rather Than Condemnation

You can try to improve your behavior, your performance, your business success, your marriage, or your life through guilt, condemnation, fear, or frustration.  Or, you can now find out what God wants done.  Whether the decision is a spiritual, business, marital, or physical-health decision, spiritually positive or negative motivations decide success or failure.  You can live life through negative motivations that are world, human, or satanic drives.  Or, you can be motivated by the positive motivations of God’s love for you, in you, and through you.  The important thing is, with your three toolsets, you are now able to make the move and win. 

 

Jesus, show me that if I feel I have to do something, I am driven.  If I feel God is helping me do something, I am being led.  Show me that God is all about freedom rather than a fear of failure or mistakes.  Help me see that He wants to fill my life with love, joy, peace, and happiness.  Help me realize that the daily decisions I make either cooperate with Your plan; or, they steal my feelings of love, joy, peace, and happiness. 

 

 

Therefore, There Is Now No Condemnation

The Deed And The Doer

Condemnation works on how bad you are; love works on how bad the deed was and what you can do to make it right.  Romans 7:20 separated you, the doer, from your deeds.  Suppose you make a bad business decision.  But, Jesus gave you a perfect record with God; the deed was bad; but you, the doer, still have a perfect record with God.  Since your reputation isn’t on the line, you don’t have to live your life fearing making a mistake.  You and Jesus can go back and make it right.  He will make the mistake work out for your good.  You want to do the right thing; but, you are still learning how to do the right thing; God looks at the want. 

 

2 Cor 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  Jesus, teach me that this is my spirit inside my body that is created into a whole new person.  But, my body will still be pressuring me into doing deeds that aren’t things I want to be doing.  I can still embrace fear, desires for extreme pleasure, wanting to do things my own way, and simply making uninformed decisions.  Show me that when I base my decisions on these things, it hurts my business, my marriage, my family, my friendships, and my life in general.  Help me yield to You and Your love motivations. 

 

Taking Care Of First Things First

Before salvation, the Holy Spirit spoke guilt and condemnation into your conscience. You needed to know you were on a deadly path.  But, salvation and justification changed His purpose for speaking to your conscience!  Now, He is pointing out things you do that are wrong, bad, or evil so you will allow Him to help you work together with Jesus.  He is helping you get rid of those things you no longer want to do.  They are interfering with you being able to work together with Jesus.  Jesus wants to do some wonderful things together with you; but, you need to first by the Spirit…put to death the misdeeds of the body. 

 

Jesus, help me not always be working on all those wrong, bad, or evil issues.  Help me so progress in You that we are doing right, good, and righteous things together.  Help me grow spiritually so we can get involved in the exciting and miraculous things that You want to do in and through me.  I know You have wonderful plans together with me; I know You are ready to get started just as soon as I and the Holy Spirit have taken care of these other things.  Help me take faith-action and live on the basis of the fact that there is now no condemnation. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Three

What Does It Mean To Be In Jesus?

 

Week Five Day Five

 

STEP TWO: Know There Is No Condemnation In Jesus

Truth One: Rom 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

 

ACTION: Which do you choose, being empowered by Jesus or yourself? 

DECISION: The key issue you will be dealing with will be, what do you use to empower you forward toward life success?   

 

It’s Free And Readily Available

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who: In Romans 8:1a, Jesus showed you a life without condemnation.  Now He is showing you that, that life is in Him.  He isn’t keeping you from getting all God has to offer.  He is more than willing to cure those things in you that are preventing them.  And, once they are cured, you will have a life in Him that is totally free from condemnation.  You are your only reason why you have anything missing in all Jesus has for you.  Apply your three toolsets and you will be able to experience all of God’s blessings. 

 

Those who desire God’s blessings, those who are willing to study and find out what they are, those who are willing to pray and ask for them, those who are willing to look to Jesus for His faith so they can believe they have them, those who are willing to go after them through motivations of love, and those who are willing to take faith-action on the basis of the fact that they have them, get them!  Then, if you are thankful, you become one of those who do. 

 

Jesus, keep me in You so I won’t go into guilt, depression, condemnation, or frustration.  Keep me from feeling this way because it is my fault that I don’t have all Your provisions.  Help me move into Your love and faith so I can believe that I can now change all of that.  Help me be glad I found out that it is me and not You that is keeping them from me.  Help me take advantage of this truth so I will know where the work needs to be done.  Show me where I need work; show me where You, the Holy Spirit and the Bible are trying to help me.  Empower me to “do what it takes” to get everything You have to offer me. 

 

It’s Free; But, It’s Through Faith

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are: This is where you see how the Bible works; this is where you see how faith works; and this is where you see how you get all that God has available to you.  “Those who are” leaves it up to you to believe this applies to you.  Are you one of those who are?  Once you do what Jesus says is “doing what it takes” to be included, from that moment on it’s up to you to believe.  You either believe Jesus is telling you the truth or you don’t.  If that is a problem, fix your eyes on Jesus for His faith (Heb 12:2). 

 

Jesus, give me Your faith to read the Bible in faith; You are my Author and Perfecter of faith.  Empower me with Your faith so I can accept Your truth as truth.  Let Your faith set me free from doubts about things the Bible says are mine.  Move me through the words, phrases, and verses and know the truth.  Make it real and final in my heart and mind.  Speak Your faith into my faith so I can move from truth to truth without doubt, fear, confusion, or frustration.  Make me sure and certain that all Your truths are mine.  

 

It’s Free; But, It Is Through Faith That I Am In Jesus

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus: Being in Jesus is to be inside the Creator of the universe.  Being safe and secure in Him means everyone and everything must pass through Him to get to you.  But, if you look back on your Romans 7:15-25 life, there were times that looked like being in Jesus wasn’t all that great; but, you were wrong!  Once you started studying and praying about the twenty-five truths in Romans chapter seven, you were changed!  There is now no condemnation because you are in Christ Jesus. 

 

Jesus, my feelings of being loved, secure, included, and filled with faith, are being influenced by my failure as a new or untrained Christian.  My failures, during my Romans 7:15-25 life, occurred while being in You.  But, help me see that You had to teach me those twenty-five truths.  My God-given free will had to be convinced that human effort wouldn’t work in Christianity.  You wouldn’t force me to put my dependency in You.  You had to teach me those principles so I would give up human effort and world training and accept Biblical training to put in their place; that is why I was failing as a Christian. 

 

 

Understanding Life In Jesus

The Bearing-Fruit Assignment

John 15:1 (NIV) I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  In this grape vine illustration, you are a branch connected to Jesus, the Vine.  The objective is for you to bear the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.  And, the other objective is for you to bear the fruit of reproduction.  You are to share your breakthroughs with others so they will accept Jesus as their Lord, Savior, and King. 

 

Jesus, help me bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith and faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  And, as You give me breakthroughs in my attitudes and character and in my behavior, help me share them with those who don’t know You.  Also help me share them with those Christians who need those breakthroughs in their lives. 

 

The Pruning Experience

Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful: This is talking about God working on your attitudes and character.  Those things that bring attention to you and your greatness, keep people’s eyes off of the One Who can really help them.  If you cause people to think they can only get the things of God through you, you need pruning. 

 

Jesus, teach me the principles of this Jesus-life that I am living in You.  Help me learn how it works, what the purpose and goals are, and how I can best cooperate with You.  Help me understand why I am often dealt with concerning my attitudes and character.  Help me see that they decide how I treat the people around me.  Show me that the fruit of the Spirit are relationship powers that help me get breakthroughs with myself, other people, and You. 

 

The Remaining-Requirement

John 15:5 (NIV) I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.  The thing that keeps you from having condemnation by remaining in Christ Jesus is, you get incredible spiritual results or fruit through that connection.  As you stay connected to Jesus, you get incredible growth.  And, as your heavenly Father prunes you, you will get incredible productive growth. 

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that apart from You I can do nothing.  Help me see that it is through my continued exposure to You through these studies and prayers, my Bible reading, going to church and small groups, listening to good Christian music, reading good Christian books, praying, and good Christian fellowship that I am remaining in You and You in me. 

 

The Impact On Your Prayers

John 15:7 (NIV) If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  You already did these studies and prayers, read your Bible, went to church and small groups, listened to good Christian music, read good Christian books, prayed, and had good Christian fellowship.  What now?  If you remain in Jesus and His words remain in you, then you keep doing it for the rest of your life.  That is what remain means. 

 

Jesus, I have prayed a lot of prayers that didn’t get answered the way I wanted them to.  It is now obvious to me why that happened.  Heal me of all those attitudes and reactions I had from trying to get my prayers answered without establishing a permanent relationship with You. 

 

How To Remain In Jesus And His Love

John 15:9-10 (NIV) As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in My love.  If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love.  How do you remain in Jesus, His words, and His love?  You must obey His commands!  How do you obey Jesus’ commands?  Mat 7:7 (NIV) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  Have you already done that?  Then keep doing it!  Remain!

 

Jesus, these are such incredible promises being presented to me.  There is no condemnation, I have the fruit of the Spirit growing out of my life, I am sharing my breakthroughs with the unsaved and other Christians, and through Matthew 7:7, I am remaining in You and Your words are remaining in me, so I can ask whatever I wish, and it will be given to me. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Four

Why Do I Have To Be Under Any Law?

 

Week Six Day One

 

Truth One: Rom 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

 

Truth Two: Rom 8: 2 (NIV) because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 

 

Freedom From Something To Something

I Am Still Under A Law

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus: You must not ignore truth two when applying truth one.  If Romans 8:1 is misapplied, it would be a license to do evil.  This would create a whole society of psychopaths and sociopaths.  Christians would be free to do whatever they wanted without any feelings of guilt, condemnation, or wrong doing.  The Holy Spirit would no longer be speaking to their conscience.  The Scriptures that deal with right and wrong, good and bad, and righteousness and evil would no longer apply to them. 

 

Jesus, help me not misapply Romans 8:1; help me always see it as part of Romans 8:2.  Help me put these two truths together so I can see that I have gone from one law to another law.  Help me see that You have not made me lawless.  Show me that the laws are basically the same.  The issue is, the law of the Spirit of life is fulfilled through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The law of sin and death was to be fulfilled by my human effort. 

 

I Am No Longer Under This Law

The law of sin and death: What if you became a Christian and got some of your “successes” through lying to people?  What if you made some deals that helped you but actually hurt or at least didn’t benefit others?  What if you were really nice to people just because they had things you wanted?  In other words, what if you mostly cared about yourself and what you wanted and needed?  The law of sin and death makes this approach illegal.  But, if you were doing those things because your body was forcing you, the law of the Spirit of life would be empowering you to “want” to do the right things and “hate” that you were doing the wrong things. 

 

Jesus, help me not read Your Word and hear about Your grace and mercy and misunderstand the issue of love.  Help me not try to find some loophole where I can be selfish, hurtful, and evil without any feelings of wrong doing.  Help me be looking for the way into Your love, godliness, holiness, and righteousness with training and power to live it. 

 

Going From One Law Into A New Law

“There is now no condemnation” is only talking about “those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Those who are in Christ Jesus are those who have been born again and are a new creation through the power of Jesus’ salvation, justification, and heading into His sanctification.  Those who are in Christ Jesus are those who can find out that “if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  They discover this truth but don’t try to use it as an excuse for continuing to go around hurting themselves and other people.  They are people who are living according to the law of the Spirit of life. 

 

Jesus, help me go into freedom from condemnation by going into the law of the Spirit of life.  Help me see that the law of the Spirit of life provides me with a relationship of power.  You are still holding me responsible for not have any other gods before You.  I still can’t make for myself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  You haven’t changed Your mind about The Ten Commandments. 

 

Living In Christ Jesus

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because: It is like being in a car; you go wherever the car goes.  John 15:4 (NIV) Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.  If you tell someone to remain in a car going sixty miles an hour, you are giving them good advice.  They may want to get out and look at something along the road.  But, if they get out while it is going that fast, it will kill them.  Jesus telling you to remain in Him is good advice because spiritual death is outside Him. 

 

Jesus, you are teaching me truths at a high rate of speed.  Show me that, outside You, there are a lot of principles I could distort, misapply, misunderstand, or try to misuse.  But, show me that because I continue to remain in You, there will be no distortions, misapplications, abuses, or misunderstandings of Your truths.  Help me see that because I am in You, I will go where You go.  By me remaining in You, You have taken me out of the control of the law of sin and death.  And, You took me immediately into the law of the Spirit of life. 

 

Jesus, help me see that the law of the Spirit of life won’t allow me to misuse the name of the LORD my God.  It will empower me to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  Your Holy Spirit will give me the power honor my father and my mother.  You will live through me so I won’t commit adultery.  You will give me the desire to not steal.

 

Making Jesus’ Way Your Way

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus: Remaining in Jesus is you listening to and living the teachings of Jesus.   Remaining in Jesus is you accepting His teachings as your final authority.  Remaining in Jesus is you seeing Him as the only One qualified to establish what the truth is.  That is why you go verse by verse, word by word, or phrase by phrase.  It is why you see the Bible as Jesus’ Book.  These attitudes about Jesus and the Bible are what keep you Remaining in Him. 

 

Remaining in Jesus is you knowing the Bible contains the words He wants you to read and pattern your life after.  Remaining in Jesus is you knowing He is working through the Holy Spirit, making sure you get the right meaning to each word you read.  It is you knowing He is the only One Who cares enough for you that He makes sure you stay inside His truth.  It is you knowing He wants you going in the right direction and ending up in the right place. 

 

Gal 6:2 (NIV) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  Jesus, help me see that You are taking a slightly different approach to me fulfilling The Ten Commandments.  Mat 7:12 (NIV) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Help me see that You haven’t changed Your mind about them; You are just showing me how to fulfill them. 

 

Blessings That Bless Everyone

Because through Christ Jesus: When you were alone without Jesus and were the major representative for you getting your needs met, you had to do what it took to see to it you came out on top.  No one cared as much as you did about your protection and provisions.  But, once Jesus started using His power and abilities to help you get those things you needed in life, you didn’t need to cope with life by breaking the law of sin and death.  Jesus is making sure you know how and have the needed wisdom, love, and power to apply the win/win principle. 

 

Jesus, teach me that this life through You, Christ Jesus, is a life that supplies my needs while supplying the needs of others.  I don’t have to lie to anyone, cheat anyone, hurt anyone, or ignore anyone.  The world system can be dropped because I can now involve myself in the win/win system that You provide.  Teach me that this life doesn’t break the law of sin and death because it uses the win/win systems of the law of the Spirit of life. 

 

Knowing The Right Way To Go

Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life: You could think you were really living if you had everything you ever wanted.  But, you did get things you thought you wanted and found they weren’t what you really wanted.  Life is filled with disappointments; and a lot of those disappointments came from you getting “what you wanted.”  Many of the things you really wanted didn’t make you happy or satisfied.  With all those disappointments, you think you would be convinced that you really don’t know what you should want or need. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that the reason the Holy Spirit has been speaking to my conscience ever since I was old enough to know the difference between right and wrong, was because He knew all along what would make me happy, feel satisfied, be able to enjoy life, and feel like I had really accomplished something.  Help me realize that because I lacked the power to yield to His voice in my conscience, I had to learn the hard way that He knew what was best for me.  He was trying to get me involved in the law of the Spirit of life.  But I needed Your help with the training, wisdom, and power to live by that new law. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Five

How Is The Law Of The Spirit Of Life Better?

 

Week Six Day Two

 

Freedom From Something To Something

Truth One: Rom 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

 

Truth Two: Rom 8: 2 (NIV) Because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 

 

The Law Of The Spirit Of Life

What if someone made a law that everyone had to be happy and filled with joy?  Wouldn’t that be a great law?  The law of the Spirit of life is that law.  It’s a law that draws you toward all the good things in life.  It makes all good things be legal.  Gal 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  All those things that are bad for you and others are still illegal.  But, the punishment for doing those bad things has changed, provided that you yield to the love, power, and desires of Jesus to not want to do them (Rom 7:15-25). 

 

Jesus, help me see that the fruit of the Spirit has the power to motivate me and empower me into living the Christian life.  Show me that with all of those emotional powers, my heart will be filled with desires, drives, and “wants” that take me into the Jesus-life.  Help me open my heart to them, as I go about my day.  Rather than yielding to some other emotion, when something challenging happens, help me feel the fruit of the Spirit flood my heart. 

 

Making A Law Obsolete

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death: Jesus uses the law of the Spirit of life to set you free from the law of sin and death.  It crowds out the law of sin and death.  You got things from God that cause you to not need to be legislated.  A transformation, a power, an intense desire, and wisdom came inside you.  They started at salvation and grew, as you studied and prayed.  Now, let the Holy Spirit teach you their use and you will do what you couldn’t do before.  Practice, practice, practice all day long. 

 

Jesus, You said: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (NIV Mat 22:37-39).”  Help me see that The Ten Commandments are no longer just a set of rules; they are a lifestyle.  You have poured Your love into my heart so I can go even farther that The Ten Commandments in the way I treat people. 

 

Inconsistent Obedience To God’s Laws

The law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law: There are a lot of laws we break from time to time.  Some laws are broken because you don’t know they are illegal.  But, you also break some laws because you don’t like them or don’t want them telling you what you can or cannot do.  When that happens, your objective is to break it in such a way that you don’t get caught.  But, with God, that isn’t possible. 

 

Jesus, help me see that there are situations, during my day, where doing the right things seems impossible.  The pressure, the consequences, and the habits I have developed in my past all influence me to do the wrong thing.  Let the power of God’s love empower me to love God and love my neighbor supernaturally.  Help me see that this new law of the Spirit of life has benefits, powers, motivations, and wisdom that enable me to live this law without any struggle.  Help me see that with all these provisions, it won’t even seem like a law. 

 

Confusion About God’s Laws

The law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death: You can know what is right or wrong; but it doesn’t always help much because you can feel like some of them don’t apply to you.  You can actually develop two sets of laws you live by.  You can have one set for yourself and another set for everyone else.  You can apply God’s laws to your life based on you being aware of extenuating circumstances.  You can feel like those circumstances exempt you from a law.  You can give yourself breaks that don’t apply to others.  Since you don’t know what their circumstances are, you can apply strict laws to them and optional laws to you; but God doesn’t see things that way.  Love your neighbor as yourself. 

 

Jesus, help me see that You don’t allow me to have situational ethics.  Your laws don’t come and go based on my situation or circumstances.  Help me understand that, that is me deciding what laws apply to me and which ones don’t.  Help me bring each situation to You for You to decide what You want me to do.  Help me realize that just because a Bible verse seems impossible for me to live because of my situation, doesn’t mean You can’t make it work. 

 

Laws With Penalties

The law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death: You may not concern yourself with laws that don’t have consequences.  If a law is inconvenient and you aren’t likely to get caught, you may routinely break it.  Even if you have to do some reasoning and justifying it, you can figure out a way to ease your conscience and bypass the law.  But, if it is a law that is punishable by death, that is a law to be respected.  That is the kind of law the law of sin and death is.  It is a law that can cause eternal death! 

 

Jesus, help me see why I can’t sin on purpose and keep my perfect record.  I can see how wonderful The law of the Spirit of life is and get the impression that it isn’t as deadly as the law of sin and death.  You knew I wasn’t powerful enough to live it and the law wasn’t powerful enough to help me live it.  So, You made important changes to it.  But, help me see that this new law doesn’t have any flaws in it.  I must yield to the Holy Spirit and live it. 

 

Laws Without Penalties

What if they removed all punishment for murdering someone?  No doubt there would be a lot more murders taking place.  But, what if Jesus set you free from all laws and punishments for committing any sin no matter how bad it was?  With sin offering extreme pleasure and with you being constantly pressured to do wrong, what would keep you from at least committing the “little” sins?  That is where the law of the Spirit of life comes in; it helps you see sin as being exceedingly sinful.  And, it helps you see righteousness as being exceedingly good.  Plus, the Holy Spirit gives you the power to make your body do what is the very best. 

 

Jesus, help me see that the law of the Spirit of life solves all my problems with sin.  It continues to show me how beneficial righteousness is.  That empowers me to “want” to only do good things to myself, others, and God’s plan.  And, it empowers me to “hate” doing wrong because I can see how evil it is (Rom 7:15).  And, Your Holy Spirit empowers me to be able to do what I couldn’t do before.  I can not only resist sin; I can live a righteous life. 

 

An Amazing Concept

God has provided you with a law that doesn’t require penalties in order to keep you from doing wrong, bad, and evil things to yourself, other people, and God’s plan.  And, it doesn’t have to try to force you to do right, good, and righteous things.  The Holy Spirit put the “want” and “hate” in your heart at salvation.  He made it possible for you to see how sin and righteousness affect you, others, and God.  Your mind is being trained in all the benefits of living the way of the Bible.  And, your heart is being filled with the fruit of the Spirit so you will be empowered to want to do the right things. 

 

Jesus, help me believe that, as I go about my day making decisions and facing life situations, You empowered me to choose right, good, and righteous solutions to each issue I face.  Help me believe that You empowered me to choose the emotions of the fruit of the Spirit.  Help me know that I have the power to push out wrong, bad, and evil decisions and emotions, and, know that I have the power to yield to right, good, and righteous decisions and emotions. 

 

An Amazing Training Program

First, Jesus had to change your want or desire; that happened in your Romans 7:15-25 life.  Next, He had to teach you how to yield to the Holy Spirit, Who is inside you.  He is in you to work together with you on the law of the Spirit of life.  That is happening, as you go through Romans 8:1-30.  The big question is, what did it take to change your desire; and what will change your behavior?  Jesus taught you that salvation and justification changed your desire.  Now He is teaching you that sanctification, through the Holy Spirit, is changing your behavior. 

 

Jesus, help me yield to Your teaching.  As I go through my day, help me not just keep doing what I have always been doing.  Help me understand that it is going to take a conscious effort on my part to yield to what You are teaching and empowering me to do.  Show me that because of my God-given free will, You are waiting for me to purposefully activate these truths and prayers in my day-to-day living. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Six

Why Do I Have Such A Problem Training My Body?

 

Week Six Day Three

 

Truths One And Two: Rom 8:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

 

Do You Need Laws Or Transformation?

Now, let Jesus show you a major difference between the law of sin and death and the law of the Spirit of life: 

 

1.     The law of sin and death was trying to make a human stop acting like a human by making laws that punish them every time they do.  It was trying to bring humans to the place where a woman, Mary, would be in the spiritual condition to qualify to give birth to the Son of God.  Mary was willing and spiritually qualified to do that. 

 

2.     The law of the Spirit of life takes a human and transforms them into a new creation.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Cor 5:17 NIV)!  But, as you know, your body didn’t get transformed.  So, let Jesus show you the problem by examining a pig and a dog. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for putting me on this planet after You provided the law of the Spirit of life.  You made my life so much better than it would have been under the law of sin and death.  Teach me how to fully take advantage of what you have already made available to me.  Help me believe in and live on the basis of the transformation You have provided my spirit.  Now help me live through my human body by learning how to make it do Your will. 

 

A Law Based On Human Effort

2 Pet 2:22 (NIV) Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”  What makes a pig or a dog act the way they do?  Even though they can be trained, in some ways, to act like a human, what makes them go back to acting like a pig or a dog?  They haven’t been transformed!  That is the basic problem with your body; but, that isn’t the case with your spirit. 

 

Jesus, show me the difference between me trying to act like a Christian and being one.  Help me see why I had to be born again.  Help me see why, in my inner being, I delight in God’s law (Rom 7:22).  Help me understand that transformation made all the difference in the world.  It made it natural for me to be ready to live the Christian life.  Help me see how the law of the Spirit of life is going to free my spirit and empower me to put to death the misdeeds of the body (Rom 8:13). 

 

A Law Based On Transformation

Becoming a Christian is similar to a pig becoming human.  If that were to happen, their training on how to live as a human would make things go so much better.  But, what if the only thing that got transformed was the pig’s spirit?  What if they got a human spirit but didn’t get a human body?  Their spirit would understand and desire human things; but, their body would still understand and desire pig things. 

 

Jesus, help me see, through this passage in 2 Peter 2:22, what my spirit is up against, as I move into the law of the Spirit of life.  Help me see why my spirit no longer wants to wallow in the mud of sin.  Help me see why I no longer think like a human, feel like a human, or want to live like a human.  You have created me into a child of God.  I am starting to think, feel, talk, and do the things I have now been transformed into. 

 

A Transformed Spirit But An Untransformed Body

Rom 7:22 (NIV) For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.  As you know, your spirit got transformed into a child of God; but your body is still a human body with human desires and a sinful nature.  This causes the same basic problems as a human spirit in a pig’s body.  The human spirit would know how to do human things and need a human body to do those human things.  Pig bodies don’t have fingers, they don’t have a mouth and a voice that can speak human language, it would be a very frustrating thing to have a human spirit in a pig body. 

 

But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members (Rom 7:23).  Jesus, help me understand that my human body doesn’t have the physical equipment to perform spiritual, child of God things.  It is like a pig body trying to respond to the demands and needs of a human spirit.  Help me understand my frustrations and disappointments of trying to perform child of God things through a human body. 

 

Facing The Legal Problems Of A Human Body

But I see another law at work in the members of my body: Just imagine, for a moment, how much work it would be for a human spirit to train a pig tongue and mouth to try to form human words.  However, the Holy Spirit is training you how to get your body to do child of God things.  Just like the results would never be that great for a pig mouth to speak human words, it will always be a struggle for your body to do child of God things.  But, that is what you, as a born again spirit, are up against in forcing your body to perform like a child of God. 

 

Jesus, help me see that I am always going to be limited by my human body.  I will never be able to do what I will do through my glorified, heavenly body.  However, help me be willing to cooperate with You and make it reach its greatest potential in trying to do child of God things.  Help me keep in mind the illustration of a human trying to talk with a pig mouth.  Let this help me not get too frustrated.  Help me see that You will work miracles in my human body.  You will help me get as much performance out of it as is possible. 

 

Your Body’s Law At War With Your Mind’s Law

But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind: When a pig spirit is in a pig’s body, it doesn’t know it’s living far below human life.  It likes pig food, being in a mud hole with the stench of sour, rotting plants, and hanging around other pigs.  The same was with you; you didn’t know you were living far below the life of a child of God.  But now, you are a child of God spirit inside a human body.  You face the same battle as a human spirit “trapped” inside a pig’s body.  The pig body would wage war with the human spirit, wanting to wallow in the mud, eat pig food, and hang around other pigs. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for elevating my mind and heart to a whole new level of expectations.  I thank You for awakening my spirit to the awareness of a child of God.  I thank You for letting me comprehend spiritual things that were way beyond me prior to new birth.  Thank You for Your generous and sacrificial love that made it possible for me to be transformed into a new creation in You.  Thank You for my new hope in eternal life with You in Your Kingdom. 

 

There Is A Way To Solve This Problem

Making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members: The difference between the scenario of a human spirit in a pig body and your child of God spirit in a human body is, Jesus has miraculous, supernatural power to assist you in dealing with your human body.  Rom 8:11 (NIV) And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.

 

Gal 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.  Jesus, help me see that You will empower me to say and do supernatural things through my human body.  You have gifts of the Spirit, ministerial gifts, and the fruit of the Spirit that will enhance my body’s abilities.  You have the Philippians 4:8 thought life that will transform my way of thinking and feeling.  And according to Galatians 2:20, You are providing me with Your life to live through my body. 

 

There is A Way To Eliminate This Problem

As you learn how to yield to the Jesus-life, you will experience incredible supernatural things flowing out of your spirit and into your body.  Jesus will take it and make it be His body.  He is able to cause it to perform in miraculous ways that it typically shouldn’t be able to behave.  Once His Spirit is working through it, much of its limitations and weaknesses will be eliminated.  He will handle its sinful nature and the evil that is located in it. 

 

John 14:12 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  Jesus, teach me that my human body/child of God problem is being brought under Your control.  Help me appreciate the miracles you are working in me, when I am able to do those things through my body that are so incredible.  Help me see how miraculous they really are. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Seven

How Do I Go About Investing In Eternity?

 

Week Six Day Four

 

TRUTHS ONE AND TWO: Rom 8:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

 

There’s Only One Good Choice To Make

Rom 7:24 (NIV) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 

 

What a wretched man I am: There are only three choices new and untrained Christians can make, at this point of frustration over the inadequacy, weakness, and lack of functionality of the human body.  They can get so frustrated that they decide to quit Christianity.  They can get so overwhelmed with this situation that they just decide to live with it and accept it as normal Christianity.  Or, they can move on into Romans chapter eight’s training and learn how to make a human body cooperate with a child of God spirit. 

 

Jesus, You have shown me, according to Galatians 2:20 and John 14:12, that You can do miraculous things to my body.  Help me believe these things are being done to me and my body.  Help me know that You are taking me into Your training, power, and provisions.  Help me see that the situation I am in is just temporary.  We are moving forward into Your great works that will make all of this worthwhile. 

 

You Can’t But He Can

Who will rescue me from this body of death: The only good choice is to cry out to Jesus and allow Him to make your salvation a permanent relationship of living, moving, and accomplishing things through the power of the Holy Spirit.  He can do all kinds of wonderful things to your human body that will make it yield to your child of God spirit.  The first part of this move into letting Jesus do it, is for you to give up some of your own techniques. 

 

Phil 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  Jesus, show me that satanic condemnation, frustration, confusion, and misunderstanding are attitudes that I must defeat.  Empower me to not yield to them; help me crowd them out of my mind and emotions by applying Philippians 4:8 to my mind and Galatians 5:22-23 to my heart.  Help me totally yield to the fact that the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 

 

A Total Rescue Is Coming

Who will rescue me from this body of death: Later, when Jesus comes to take you home with Him, your body will be changed (glorified) into a spiritual, heavenly body.  2 Cor 5:4 (NIV) For while we are in this tent (temporary dwelling), we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  Jesus is getting you ready for this new body. 

 

While you are in this tent or temporary house of your body, you groan and are burdened.  Why would God give you a child of God spirit but keep you trapped in a human body?  This is because you have to decide whether or not you want to make Christianity permanent.  Rom 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.  Your human body gives you an option of going back into the world, if you want that option. 

 

Jesus, rather than using my body to take me back into my old way of sin, help me keep offering it as a living sacrifice.  I give up my option of going back into the world of sin.  I accept Christianity as my permanent way of life.  Empower me to live the Galatians 2:20 way of life and yield to the John 14:12 way of ministering to those around me. 

 

A Total Rescue Is Coming After You Are Trained

For while we are in this tent (temporary dwelling), we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed: Your body is a real problem; but, the answer isn’t to get rid of it and leave you unclothed.  It needs to be glorified.  But, giving you a glorified body right now would be like giving a child access to nuclear power.  You must stay in this condition long enough to be trained how to handle God’s supernatural power. 

 

Jesus, Help me use my new child of God spirit to learn how to bring my body under control by using Your supernatural power.  Be my teacher, mentor, and leader for getting me ready for eternity and eternal life.  Help me cooperate with You in such a way that I can be completely ready to skillfully handle a glorified body by the end of my life. 

 

Jesus Is Handling Glorification

Mat 28:18 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.  Jesus has absolute power; but, it doesn’t corrupt Him because He also has godliness, holiness, purity, and righteousness.  His attitudes and character control how He handles absolute power.  Romans chapter eight deals with how you use God’s power for making your body do the right things.

 

Jesus, I now understand that my assignment is to learn how to handle my human body.  Help me be willing to “do what it takes” to make it do the right things, this will show that I have the right kind of attitudes and character for learning how to live in an eternal body.  Help me love my neighbor as myself, so I can head in the right direction.  Help me get involved in win/win decisions so I can see my attitudes and character are manifesting spiritual growth. 

 

Jesus Is Teaching You How To Handle Glorification

For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life: Eternal life is quickly coming your way; you only have a few years to get ready for living forever.  Romans chapters seven and eight are laying a foundation of truths so you will have the equipment for getting ready.  If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Rom 8:13-14).  This will soon have you ready for your new glorified, eternal body. 

 

Jesus, help me go through my day putting to death the misdeeds of the body.  Help me understand that by doing that I will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  Help me believe that You have given me the power to make decisions and come up with solutions that fulfill the requirements of the Bible.  Help me use my three toolsets that direct my focus and dependency on You and take my eyes off of human effort. 

 

Jesus Is Giving You A Glimpse Into Your Glorification

1 Cor 15:51-53 (NIV) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  This is talking about the glorification of your body.  In the twinkling of an eye, your body will be glorified into a heavenly, eternal body that cannot be destroyed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.  Your current, perishable body must clothe itself with the imperishable body for eternal life in God’s eternal Kingdom. 

 

Jesus, help me be inspired by these words.  Give me a clear picture of why I am involving myself in all these studies and prayers.  Help me see that this is more important than any career or profession I could dedicate my time, money, and energy to.  Help me see the value of these studies and prayers for getting me ready for the most important event of all my existence.  Speak to my heart and mind and convince them that this is where I need to put my time, efforts, and investments. 

 

Salvation, Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification

1 Cor 15:54 (NIV) When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus, thank You for making me a part of this event.  Thank You for teaching me about these incredible plans You have for me.  Give me a full vision of these plans for my future.  Let them motivate me to put my priority on those things that enhance this future provision.  Show me that all those things You are helping me to invest in are laying up treasures, benefits, opportunities, and positions for my eternal life. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Eight

How Did Jesus Becoming A Human Help?

 

Week Six Day Five

 

Truth Three: Rom 8:3a (NIV) For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.   

 

I Must Know The Law’s Purpose

For what the law was powerless to do: You saw the powerlessness of trying to make laws that force a pig to act like a human.  When the pig did something that was the way a pig acts, it would be breaking your law and you would punish it.  That might make the pig “act” a lot more like a human; but, that wouldn’t change the pig’s nature.  That was what made the law of sin and death powerless to help humans live like children of God; humans needed transformation. 

 

Jesus, help me see that since I got transformed in my spirit, I can now do things I couldn’t do before.  Show me that just as sure as the law was powerless to make me live according to the Bible, so was I.  Help me see that the transformation has taken place, the Holy Spirit is living inside me, I have been baptized into the Holy Spirit, and I am being trained and empowered by the Bible.  Show me that all I need to do is take advantage of all these miracles in my life.  Help me see that all I need to do is learn how to yield moment-by-moment and issue-by-issue. 

 

Two Laws And Two Desires

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature: As long as the pig was a pig, its nature was always going to be a pig nature.  The laws of trying to make it act like a human would always be inadequate because of that pig nature.  Every law the pig obeyed so as to escape punishment would just be an act.  So, if it got a human spirit, there would be one place where its pig body could excel and another place where its human spirit could excel.  The human spirit could excel during human meetings and the pig body could excel when meeting with the pigs. 

 

Jesus, I have found that when I am in church and Christian meetings, my child of God spirit excels and has a great time.  But, when I am in a secular meeting, my body seems to excel best and my spirit seems to pull back and not engage.  In those secular meetings I find myself reverting back to using world systems and human effort.  My body seems to be really at home and knows exactly how to communicate with unsaved people.  But, my spirit doesn’t seem to want to express itself and contribute to Your ways of living my everyday life. 

 

Bringing God To Humans

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Own Son: Since you are a spirit that lives in a body that still has a sinful nature, Jesus is teaching you how to work through it and express yourself as a child of God.  It is fighting you, limiting your expression, lacking the desires to serve God’s laws, and failing to have the abilities that your glorified body will have.  Jesus has given you three toolsets that will empower you to do that.  You will live successfully among Christians and among the unsaved. 

 

God did by sending His Own Son: Jesus, teach me that You opened the door to me having direct access to You.  Help me see that as I keep going through my three toolsets, I will find out where my body is holding me back.  Then I will be able to take that issue to You and You will fix it.  Help me see that I have two desires that are in conflict with each other.  Help me see that I must use the power of the Holy Spirit to force my body to do spiritual things. 

 

 

Getting Human Rights And Privileges Back

Getting Ownership Of The World Back

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man: All the rights and privileges for control over the things of this earth had been given to humans; but, Adam and Eve sold them out to Satan.  2 Cor 4:4 (NIV) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  When Satan was given control over what originally belonged to humans, a human was the only one who could win it back. 

 

Gen 1:26-28 (NIV) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, in Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 

 

Winning Over Your Circumstances

It isn’t enough for you to just win over your body; Jesus is teaching you and empowering you to win over your circumstances as well.  You and your body are going to win at life! 

 

Mat 28:18 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”  Jesus, Thank You for gaining control over all we humans lost.  Thank You for living a perfect life, so You could regain authority over the planet we humans sold out to Satan and sin.  Thank You for allowing me to start having my circumstances come under Your control.  Rom 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. 

 

Getting The Rights And Privileges Of Humans Back

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering: All this studying and praying, going to church and small group, reading good Christian books and listening to good Christian music, and exposing yourself and your body to the things of Jesus is so you can win at life.  Once you and your body are functioning properly, that will happen. 

 

Rom 5:17-19 (NIV) For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One Man, Jesus Christ.  Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.  For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One Man the many will be made righteous.

 

1 John 1:7 (NIV) But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.  Jesus, thank You for being willing to take on the likeness of sinful man.  Thank You for being willing to represent me as a human.  Satan had blinded my mind as an unbeliever, so that I could not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.  Thank You for drawing me into Your light and setting me free from spiritual blindness.  Now You and I can start winning at life. 

 

You Getting Your Rights And Privileges Back

Rom 8:37 (NIV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.  It doesn’t matter who you are, what you have done, how long it took, or why you came.  Jesus’ plan for you is for you to bring your body under the control of righteousness so you can use it to create win/win situations for you and those around you.  You and the people around you will find out that this system is much better than climbing to the top. 

 

Phil 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  Jesus, I thank You for the great price You paid so that I could get all the benefits, rights, and privileges that come from me being in You Christ Jesus.  You came in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering for me.  Now I have a direct and wonderful relationship with You forever.  Help me worship and praise You for all You have done for me. 

 

Winning Consists Of A Battle

Your body, the world, and the devil aren’t going to just let you win at life through the principles of Jesus.  Every person you bring into Christianity will be a loss for Satan.  But, you are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.  You are becoming a winner for yourself, other people, and God’s wonderful plan for all who join His family. 

 

Jesus, help me see that I am not just learning how to win for myself.  I am going to be helping many others win right along with me.  Let that motivate me to yield to all You have. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for the week.

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Nine

How Do I Fulfill The Requirement Of The Law?

 

Week Seven Day One

 

Truth Four: Rom 8:3b-4 (NIV) And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

 

This Gave You A Perfect Record With God

And so He condemned sin in sinful man: Sin blocked your access to God.  So, Jesus condemned sin in sinful you; that made you sinless, which is a perfect record with God.  But, you had to accept Jesus’ provision in order for it to be applied to you and your record with God. 

 

John 3:16-18 (NIV) For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.  Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.  Just like you had to cooperate with this system to be saved and justified, you must keep following all the other aspects of the Bible.  You got salvation by “doing what it took.”  You get all the other provisions of God the same way. 

 

Jesus, thank You for making me a child of God, a member of His family, and a citizen of His eternal Kingdom.  Thank You for giving me a perfect record with God, so I can have direct access to You.  Show me that it is now possible for me to learn how to win at life by being cooperative with the rest of your training and provisions. 

 

A Perfect Record Isn’t Enough

And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law: Jesus’ wants you to accept the righteous requirements of the law.  They are your guide into the way to treat yourself, the people around you, and God’s plan.  Those righteous requirements are how you succeed in life and how you help others succeed.  The Bible is the perfect life-manual that is going to raise your life and your relationships to an incredible level. 

 

Mat 5:17-19 (NIV) Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Rom 7:22 (NIV) For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.  Jesus, empower me to take control over my body in such a way that I demonstrate this love for the Bible.  Let Your great power of Your Holy Spirit flow from You to my spirit and then out through the behavior of my body.  Help me see that Your whole objective is to help me live Your life through my body.  Show me that, that will change my relationships with myself, others, and You. 

 

Taking Advantage Of The Perfect Record

And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us: Having direct access to Jesus means you can bring Him into your life on a moment-by-moment and issue-by-issue basis.  The righteous requirements of the law are…fully met in you, as you make each decision of your day.  As you keep exposing yourself to these studies and prayers, reading your Bible, going to church and small groups, praying, listening to good Christian music, reading good Christian books, and avoiding all those things that aren’t good, you will have Jesus’ power to make win/win decisions all day long. 

 

Rom 6:10-13 (NIV) The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.  In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.  Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

 

Jesus, help me see that the first step into doing what is right is to expose myself to the right kinds of influences.  Help me see that by looking at, watching, reading, and listening to righteous things feeds my inner spirit.  Then when I start my day and am faced with how I am going to treat people, I will be empowered to do that which You want to do through me.  Then the righteous requirements of the law will be fully met in me, as I care for other people. 

 

Behavior Transformation Through Your Perfect Record

And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature: Here is where you start treating yourself and others with righteousness.  The more you expose yourself to the things of God, the more the righteous requirements of the law…are fully met in you, who do not live according to the sinful nature.  The righteous requirements of the law means you treat yourself and those around you with love, respect, and with win/win solutions. 

 

Rom 7:17-20 (NIV) As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  This is you with a perfect record with God; but, it is also you failing yourself and those around you.  Jesus is now changing all of that by helping you expose yourself to those things that transform your behavior. 

 

Phil 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through Him (Jesus) Who gives me strength.  Jesus, teach me that because I have the “want” and “hate” of Romans 7:15, You keep those things I haven’t learned yet covered by Your forgiveness.  But, at the same time, You are training and empowering me to grow spiritually.  And, through that growth, I am doing more and more righteous things and less and less evil things.  I thank You for making all this possible. 

 

The Holy Spirit Lives Inside You Through Your Perfect Record

And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit: All this training, empowerment, relationship with God, and results have been flowing through your perfect record with God.  One of the greatest things is having the Holy Spirit inside you.  Rom 8:13-14 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 

 

If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will be treating yourself, other people, and God’s plan with a wonderful behavior.  That brings great success in life! 

 

Rom 8:9-11 (NIV) You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you. 

 

This has been happening to you.  Life has been given to your mortal body through His Spirit, Who lives in you.  That has made it possible for you to expose yourself to all those spiritual things.  And, that has made it possible for you to have your behavior transformed more and more.  And that has made it possible for you to win more and more in life. 

 

The Holy Spirit Has Saturated You Through Your Perfect Record

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  This is the other thing the Holy Spirit has done for you through your perfect record.  Jesus baptized you into the Holy Spirit; now you are demonstrating through your behavior and your message that Jesus has made all these things happen in and through you. 

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that me being a witness isn’t just what I say but also how I live.  If my words are representative of how I behave, I will be a powerful witness for You.  Help me live such a victorious Christian life that people can see that I am living by the words I am sharing with them.  Help me only share my breakthroughs with them.  And, help me continue to get breakthroughs in the issues of my life and in the activities of my behavior.  Let me live in such a way that people want what I have. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Thirty

What Can My Child Of God Mind Think?

 

Week Seven Day Two

 

Truth Five: Rom 8:5 (NIV) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

 

Cooperating With Your Body

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires: When you were a human spirit living in a human body, your mind was totally controlled by what your body wanted.  However, because the Holy Spirit was speaking to your conscience, you quickly learned how to “civilize” your behavior.  You did those things during your day that got you enough money to support your body.  Then at night, you catered to your body, as much as your conscience would allow. 

 

Gal 5:19-21 (NIV) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery (excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures); idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Jesus, I thank You for helping me see what the desires of the sinful nature look like.  Thank You for helping me expose myself to those things that are heading me in the opposite direction.  Instead of me influencing people to join me in doing those Galatians 5:19-21 things, I am now resisting them and helping others join me in living a righteous life. 

 

Breaking Free From Your Body

But those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires: At first, Jesus transformed your human spirit into a child of God spirit but not your body.  That gave you your perfect record so the Holy Spirit could be inside you to start changing your body.  Rom 8:11 (NIV)  And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.

 

Jesus, show me that You transformed my human spirit into a child of God spirit.  That elevated my mind to a much higher level.  It made me able to understand and envision possibilities, opportunities, and potential that are God-sized and supernatural.  Now that I am connected to You, I am getting Your knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, and wisdom.  Help me understand that, that can be a tremendous asset to me and others. 

 

Being Able To Think God Thoughts

1 Cor 2:14 (NIV) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  You now have the Holy Spirit in you; He gives you a power that helps you, as child of God.  He is helping you accept the things that come from the Spirit of God.  He is leading you into all God’s truths.  They are no longer foolishness to you; you are able to understand them.  And, the reason you can understand them is because they are spiritually discerned.  And, through Him, you have spiritual discernment. 

 

Eph 1:7-8 (NIV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.  Jesus, help me see that when I am with the unsaved, if I yield to Your mind, I can receive incredible ideas that help solve their problems.  Since you have given me a child of God spirit, You have elevated me to think on a much higher level.  Show me that, if I will yield to Your thoughts, I can be a great asset to those around me.  You will be able to use me to help people with their relationships, business, finances, and emotional issues. 

 

Going From Thinking Like A Human

Rom 8:6-7 (NIV) The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Your salvation and justification prepared you inside so it could house the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit came inside you and started providing you Jesus’ training.  John 16:13 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.

 

Jesus, You are teaching me principles that create great success in life.  But, they are expressed in the Bible as complex concepts that need to be understood by a spiritual mind.  Show me what has happened to my mind since You have elevated it to the level of a child of God.  Help me see that just like if a pig’s mind were elevated to a human mind, it would be able to think on an incredibly higher level, so I am able to think on a much higher level as a child of God.  Help me see how much that makes me more beneficial to those around me. 

 

The Capabilities Of The Child Of God Mind

Rom 8:8 (NIV) Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.  God couldn’t give you incredible ideas that were on a child of God’s mind level.  You couldn’t think things that were win/win in nature.  You couldn’t please God because your human mind could only think selfish thoughts.  When you were benevolent, you had a hidden agenda. 

 

Rom 8:9 (NIV) You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  Jesus, help me realize that You and the Holy Spirit are helping my new child of God mind think win/win thoughts that will impress me and the people around me.  Help me be attentive to thoughts from You that are bigger and better than what I am used to.

 

 

Examples Of Children Of God

Heb 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

 

I Now Have A Child Of God Mind

A great cloud of witnesses: The Bible gives you some great examples of people yielding to the Holy Spirit and doing incredible things.  Because they were transformed into children of God, they were able to think on a level that was supernatural.  Some of them were able to do supernatural things with their bodies because of them having a child of God spirit.  Let Jesus take you through some of these examples to help you see what you can do as a child of God. 

 

Jesus, take me through some Biblical examples so I can see what You are wanting to do in and through me.  Help me understand that, as a child of God, my mind was transformed into abilities that I haven’t used to its full potential.  Because I haven’t been aware of what being born again did to my mind, I haven’t given it much of a challenge for coming up with ways to live supernaturally around the unsaved.  Help me help them so they can see what it can do. 

 

The Great Hall Of Faith

Heb 11:1-2 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.  This chapter eleven gives a summary of people who took advantage of the fact that they had been transformed into a child of God.  Because they had faith in God and the work He did in their heart and mind, they used them to do incredible things.  But, they didn’t do them to impress you with themselves; they did them to empress you with the greatness of God working through the life of a human. 

 

Jesus, take me through these people’s lives and change the way I use my new mind and heart.  Help me give up living far below what you have turned me into.  Help me go out into the world and start demonstrating the power of the ideas You are giving me.  Let me use Your incredible wisdom to solve problems and produce win/win results.  Help me show the unsaved that we don’t have to use sins and competitive procedures to be successful. 

 

The Wisdom Of God Demonstrated

Heb 11:3 (NIV) By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.  Faith in what God has done gets you started.  Once you see what God has done, it can inspire you as to what God can do in and through you.  Let the God Who created the universe increase your productivity with people. 

 

Jesus, when I am in meetings with people, when I am given projects and assignments, and when I am having discussions with them, give me incredible child of God wisdom to share.  Help me see that my child of God spirit is my true asset.  Even when I am talking with total unbelievers, give me great wisdom so I can show them ways of living their life.  Help me be so wise that they are impressed with what a child of God is capable of thinking. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Thirty-One

How Does My Child Of God Mind Help People?

 

Week Seven Day Three

 

A Mind That Understands These Things

1 Cor 2:6-8 (NIV) We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.  No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.  None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  Your child of God mind has been elevated to a level that is incredibly powerful.  That doesn’t mean that it thinks incredibly wise thoughts; it means that it has the potential of thinking incredibly wise thoughts.  It is like a person who has a very high intelligence quotient (IQ).  However, they may or may not take advantage of it. 

 

Jesus, help me expose myself to those things that my incredible child of God mind can use.  Help me not waste its potential by exposing it to useless information and principles that are way below its abilities.  Show me that it is a knowledge, understanding, and wisdom that You can use for bringing about Your mighty work and results.  Help me understand that I am deciding whether or not I expose my child of God mind to Your great truths. 

 

Taking Advantage Of The Potential

1 Cor 2:9-10 (NIV) However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” --but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  It is easy to see that if you are exposed to these things and they were way over your head, the Holy Spirit would be wasting His time revealing them to you.  Something incredible has happened to your mind when you were born again.  You became a child of God in your spirit and have a child of God mind.  It has the potential of understanding the deep things of God. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that my body isn’t going to like me focusing in on spiritual things only.  Satan isn’t going to like it, because he knows what kind of power and results I will obtain through this change.  Also, many of the people around me aren’t going to like it because they want me to join them in those things they are doing.  But, help me realize the incredible contributions I will be able to provide them, as You give me revelations that are great enhancements to their lives. 

 

Understanding The Potential

1 Cor 2:16 (NIV) For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.  Again, this doesn’t mean you automatically think the same thoughts Jesus thinks.  You now have the potential of thinking what Jesus thinks.  And, if you yield to this potential, the words you will speak as you go through your day will be incredible. 

 

Jesus, help me see that me being able to think what You are thinking is how I yield to Your will.  As You give me those thoughts You want me to experience, it empowers and informs me of what Your will is for that moment.  Help me be aware of the fact that this is how You are going to help me win people over to Your way of life.  You are going to help me start contributing ideas, plans, and goals from You that will win the hearts of people. 

 

Your Mind Helping Their Mind

2 Cor 4:4 (NIV) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  You are opening your child of God mind to Jesus so He can reveal things to you, as you are going about your day.  When you are making business decisions, the unsaved people around you can only see things from a human, selfish vantage point.  As you yield to Jesus’ thoughts, He will give you ideas that will be very impressive.  If you handle these revelations correctly, you will help these unbelievers start believing in the power of Jesus and His Christianity. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that this is how You won the people over, when You were with them during Your earthly ministry.  You taught them things that they could see as being incredibly liberating.  You took the teachings of their religious, educational, governmental, and financial leaders and showed them a better way.  They were so impressed with those ideas You shared with them that they started following You and making You their leader.  Help me learn how to do this with those I am around. 

 

 

Getting Ready For Jesus’ Information

Your Child Of God Mind Under Attack

Rom 7:22-23 (NIV) For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  The first issue was to learn that your child of God mind was being dominated by your body.  The next issue was to learn that you have a perfect record with God that keeps this domination and the sins your body commits from being held against you.  The third thing you had to learn was that you could actually start winning over your body so your child of God mind could start running your life.  This passage presents the time when your body was winning over your mind. 

 

Jesus, I thank You that this Romans chapter seven life isn’t where I, as a Christian, have to continue living.  Thank You for teaching me the Romans chapter eight truths that are helping me not only get great revelations from God, but, I can actually carry them out.  Help me appreciate the journey of training and empowerment that has brought me to this place.  Help me see how wonderful Your work has been in my life.  Help me learn how to take full advantage of Your powerful training and provisions for winning over my body. 

 

Getting Your Child Of God Mind Set

Rom 8:5 (NIV) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  You have been focusing your mind on the things in these studies and prayers, on reading your Bible, on church and small group subjects, on good Christian music and books, and on the things you have been praying about.  You have also been avoiding exposing yourself to those things that could contaminate your child of God mind. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for teaching me to only expose myself to those things that help me grow in my relationship with You.  Continue to empower me and guide me into those things that You want me exposing myself to.  Also, continue to empower me to refuse to expose myself to those things that would damage my spiritual growth.  Set my child of God mind on what the Spirit desires.  Let that empower me to live in accordance with the Spirit. 

 

Your Child Of God Mind Controlling Your Body

Rom 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.  As you force your body to do these studies and prayers, read your Bible, go to church and small groups, listen to good Christian music, read good Christian books, and pray about Biblical issues, you are fulfilling this Scripture. 

 

Rom 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.  As you fulfill Romans 12:1, you get the Romans 12:2 results: You do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but you become transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

Jesus, I thank You for empowering me to offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is my spiritual act of worship.  Help me see that all those things I am focusing on and exposing myself to are building my child of God spirit and mind with Your incredible power.  And, help me see that as I cease to expose myself to other things, I am no longer feeding my child of God spirit and mind with things that contaminate me. 

 

Jesus, help me see that as I offer my body as a living sacrifice, I become empowered to be able to test and approve what God’s will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.  He starts giving me revelations in my child of God mind that enhance my contributions in business meetings, family meetings, church and small group meetings, and many other places where I meet.  Help me understand that this will change my influence on the people around me so they can see how incredibly wise and powerful You are. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Thirty-Two

Can You Make Me Wise?

 

Week Seven Day Four

 

Training Your Child Of God Mind With Bible Examples

You Have Examples

Heb 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  This great cloud of witnesses is talking about you allowing these special, spiritual heroes to set you an example of the benefits of yielding your life to the thoughts, ideas, and concepts of God. 

 

Jesus, teach me how to apply these Biblical examples to the way I live my life.  Help me yield to Your purpose for putting them in Your Bible.  Help me understand that these people’s lives make it easier for me to learn.  They give me a better picture of how I should live my life.  Help me get the most out of each Biblical example, as You take me through them. 

 

You Have A Supernatural Resource

Heb 12:2 (NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  You will be learning from the example of Noah.  He will be getting great thoughts, ideas, and concepts from God like you do.  From this point on, Jesus will be taking some of the people He put in His book to help you be trained and guided.  He will be dealing with this concept of exposing your child of God mind to Him like they did. 

 

Jesus, help me fix my eyes on You, so You can keep working on my faith and my spiritual training.  Give me a total respect for the superiority of Your ideas, principles, and goals.  When I am listening to world concepts, help me see where Your concepts would make a much better plan.  But, help me be able to present Your ideas and concepts in such a way that I don’t come across as arrogant, obnoxious, prideful, or demanding.  

 

 

Noah’s Child-Of-God Mind

Getting A God-Sized Idea

Heb 11:7 (NIV) By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.  By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.  How does a person build a ship, when they have never seen one?  How does a person build a ship that will withstand a massive flood, when they don’t know what a flood is?  How does someone build a ship that will house the animals God wants to protect, when he hasn’t taken any classes on the laws of physics or mathematics?  

 

Jesus, show me that even if I have taken the best classes on a certain subject, I still have a much better resource on that same subject.  Help me benefit from those things Noah experienced.  Help me understand that You can take me from total ignorance and make me an expert.  Help me not just believe this happened for Noah’s benefit, help me see that You are trying to teach me what kind of God You are in relationship to me and my mind. 

 

Talking Mathematics

Gen 6:13-16 (NIV) So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.  So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.  This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.  Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. 

 

Jesus, help me see that even though Noah had no idea what an ark was, You made it possible for him to comprehend the specific specifications, construction, and operation of it.  Help me more effectively appreciate and respect my child of God mind.  Keep me from allowing my God-given free will from interfering with You giving me great revelations during my day. As I get opportunities to think and express ideas from You, let them open doors for me to show those around me what You are capable of within us humans. 

 

Discussing Animal Husbandry

Gen 7:1-3 (NIV) The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.  Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth.

 

Jesus, help me see that You can reveal complex concepts to me that are unrelated to each other.  If I need to understand very different concepts so as to fulfill a project, You can help me be introduced into the basics and then expand my knowledge into the more difficult aspects of the subject.  Help me see You working with Noah and let it open my mind to how You can help me have a great influence and make a great contribution to the people around me.  Help me make it clear to others that it is You making all these things possible. 

 

Noah Listened And Obeyed

As you allow these examples to influence your opinion of your child of God mind, be sure to start looking for opportunities to listen to Jesus during your day.  When you face a problem-solving moment, let Jesus give you a win/win solution.  While others are coming up with worldly, human solutions, let Jesus show you how the problem or goal can be addressed while making it possible for many to win.  Help them see that they will get greater participation and cooperation if everyone is gaining benefits from the decision. 

 

Jesus, as I go through these examples, like this Noah case, show me how incredible of an idea You can install in me.  While it is true You were working with Noah on a very critical issue, help me see that helping one person come to You causes great rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:7).  Show me that these ideas, You give me, will provide me an opportunity to explain my relationship with You.  And from that, it will show them what You want to do for them. 

 

Noah Wasn’t Overwhelmed

When God gives you a God-sized idea, He will break it down into its smaller parts as you go along.  At first, it comes as a complete idea; but, when people start asking you how you would go about accomplishing such a project, open your mind to further revelations from Jesus.  You will be tempted to use your human mind to try to explain how a God-sized idea will work.  That will put you in a bind and cause you to feel the weight of explaining something bigger than you. 

 

Jesus, as the people around me face a major project or issue, help me get the big picture for how it can be done or solved.  Then as we start to implement the project or solution, help me be able to see the smaller solutions and steps.  Help me keep my eyes on You allowing You to be talking to me all the way through the project.  Help me be an asset to every individual involved.  Give me great wisdom for the project and great love for the people. 

 

Noah Wasn’t Ashamed

Can you imagine what kind of treatment Noah got, when people saw him building a ship for a flood?  All the ideas God gives you won’t be readily received.  Sometimes you may have to pursue the project on your own.  Then when people see the superiority of your Jesus-idea, you will help them gain greater respect of those things Jesus is telling you.  Don’t be afraid of getting ideas that others can’t appreciate or see their validity.  Be willing to face some criticism. 

 

Jesus, help me be able to handle criticism, persecution, and ridicule for Your great ideas.  Help me realize that they can be so revolutionary that they can’t be appreciated at first.  Help me be able to explain their benefits and brilliance.  And, if necessary, help me go ahead and implement the project on my own, so they can see how great an idea it was. 

 

Noah Completed The Project

You will run into opposition, delays, problems, misunderstandings, and mistakes.  Just because it is an idea from God, doesn’t mean it will all move along smoothly.  All during the fulfillment of a God-sized project, you may start to doubt you heard from God, wonder if you misunderstood the revelation, wonder whether or not you should complete it, and wonder why you aren’t getting more cooperation from God and other people.  Take all these issues to God! 

 

Jesus, help me not doubt Your ideas.  I believe and trust You; it’s me I don’t trust.  Help me see that You work through my weaknesses.  2 Cor 12:9 (NIV) But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  Help me trust You; and, trust You with my weaknesses and inadequacies. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Thirty-Three

How Has My Mind Changed?

 

Week Seven Day Five

 

Joseph’s Human Mind

You Start With A Human Mind

Heb 11:22 (NIV) By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.  This describes the end of Joseph’s life; but, Joseph demonstrated incredible insight in accomplishing special assignments.  God wanted Joseph to go to Egypt for many different reasons.  But, one thing God wanted was for Joseph to be able rule in second in command to Pharoah.  So, in order for that to be possible He had to train Joseph in increments. 

 

Mental Error Number One

Gen 37:2 (NIV) This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.  When you are just one person who is reporting against eleven other brothers, you aren’t calculating the odds.  When you are stuck in the home with eleven other brothers and you rat on them, there is something missing in your wisdom.  When you are one of the youngest sons and your older brothers are going to get the greatest portion of your father’s wealth when he dies, you have a death wish. 

 

Jesus, help me see that just because I start out not being able to think clearly doesn’t mean You won’t be able to give me wisdom in my child of God mind.  When I make a lot of mistakes, help me not see them as indications of my future.  Help me see that when I open my heart to the potential of my child of God mind, it is then that I start getting supernatural ideas.  Help me see that You want me to be able to gain the respect of those around me.  It is only then that they are open to me helping them with all Your truths. 

 

Mental Error Number Two

Gen 37:3-4 (NIV) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him.  When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.  When people don’t like you, it is best to not do additional things that you know will make them hate you.  When Joseph’s father gave him special treatment, a young novice will see it as an asset.  They won’t comprehend that, that will create jealousy.  So, when Joseph went around wearing his richly ornamented robe, he rubbed his special treatment in the faces of eleven already agitated brothers. 

 

Jesus, even though I have made some very obvious mistakes in my human relationships, help me see that my mind isn’t in a hopeless state.  Help me see that the magnitude and the quantity of dumb moves doesn’t seal my doom.  Show me that You want me to be a friend to the people I will be around all during my day.  You want to help me demonstrate to them that You are their answer to all their life’s problems.  Help me believe You can even use a person like me to do incredible things to help them see what You can do through a person like me. 

 

Mental Error Number Three

Gen 37:5-7 (NIV) Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.  He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”  It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what this dream indicated.  If you had a dream like this, would you share it with eleven brothers who already hated you?  Would you share it with brothers who were bigger than you?  Would you share it with those who would inherit most of their father’s wealth when he died?  Would you share with them when you knew your future was in their hands at your father’s death? 

 

Jesus, help me see that a person can be pretty clueless and still stand a chance of You speaking incredible wisdom into them.  Help me believe that You are able to help me experience notoriety, prestige, popularity, and acceptance, if I will allow You to work on my attitudes and character.  Show me that You will use me to win people over, if I will use those opportunities to help people experience You.  Let me open my heart to Your great work so I can be used by You to do things that are God-sized and supernatural. 

 

Mental Error Number Four

Gen 37:9 (NIV) Then he (Joseph) had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”  No body is that dumb!  At least no one who wanted to continue living.  There was no law out there!  They were their own government.  All Joseph’s brothers had to do was wait for the opportune moment and they could kill Joseph.  It would seem that the only thing keeping Joseph alive was that he was staying at home with his father. 

 

Jesus, it seems to me that I at least have more intelligence than Joseph.  With his lack of wisdom and common sense, it seems hopeless for him to ever be brought to a place where You could use Him for much of anything.  It looks like his only hope is to be taken care of by his father.  And, it doesn’t seem like there is any hope for him surviving after his father dies.  Show me that no matter what my life has been so far, if You can use Joseph, You can use me. 

 

Total Mental Failure

Gen 37:12-13 (NIV) Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem, and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” “Very well,” he replied.  If it weren’t for the fact that we are told that Jacob loved Joseph very much, we would get the impression that he wanted him dead.  You can see that Joseph came by his lack of wisdom and common sense naturally.  Evidently both Joseph and his dad were oblivious of the law of the jungle.  Jacob and Joseph’s ability to read people was totally missing. 

 

Jesus, this event gives me total faith in Your ability to take someone who doesn’t stand a chance of survival and make them wise.  But, to take Joseph and get him wise enough to rule over Egypt is beyond my wildest imagination.  This builds my faith in what You are able to do with my child of God mind.  Help me ignore all evidence to the contrary and trust You to use me to help those around me.  Give me faith that You can take my mind and give it wisdom that will help many be brought to You by the wise things You have me doing. 

 

What Can Save Him?

Gen 37:18 (NIV) But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.  It’s a good thing God had special plans for this boy.  It looks like he didn’t have enough intelligence to ever be able to take care of himself much less run a nation.  How is he going to know who his political enemies are?  The reason they had food tasters back then was because kings were often poisoned. 

 

Jesus, help me read these things and see that nothing is impossible for You.  Help me look at my life and the dumb things I have done and see that nothing is impossible with You.  Help me look at my future and see that nothing is impossible with You.  Help me get rid of all my excuses, doubts, fears, inadequacies, and failures.  Help me see that if You were able to save and use Joseph, You can do anything needed to help me help those around me. 

 

God Has A Plan For You

Gen 37:28 (NIV) So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.  Well, they didn’t kill Joseph; instead, they sold him as a slave to some Midianites.  But, God did something special in Joseph’s heart during this deadly ordeal.  A miracle was worked, in his mind, and he was set free from it all being about him.  Whether it was the hatred of his brothers, being thrown into a pit to die, or being sold into slavery, God was allowed to make a major change in Joseph’s mind so that from that point on, he was able to move into life-classes and be trained for Egypt. 

 

Jesus, make major changes in me; help me not have to go through so much difficulty and danger.  Help me be more responsive to the issues around me.  Keep me from being oblivious of my faults and failures.  Let me be much more aware of where I need Your help in my attitudes and character, so You don’t have to put me through so much training.  Open my eyes to what You are trying to do as You reveal things to my child of God mind.  Since I have been exposed to Joseph’s life, help me always be aware that there is nothing that You can’t change in me, if I will open myself up to Your power and training. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Chapter Thirty-Four

Do Things Always Work Out For Good?

 

Week Eight Day One

 

Joseph’s Child-Of-God Mind Being Trained

Facing A Major Crisis

Gen 37:36 (NIV) Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.  When your mind is changed, you are able to be in some of the most difficult and unknown situations and still be able to move forward.  Joseph was away from home where his father spoiled him and treated him like he was better than his brothers.  Now, he is in a place where he is supposed to serve everyone else.  It is in these times when your character and attitudes are challenged.  Will you turn to God and let Him help you adjust?  Or, will you allow the situation to take you down? 

 

Jesus, help me see situations like this as an opportunity to be worked on by You.  Help me take a traumatic life challenge and spend the time it takes to grow spiritually.  Help me give my heart and mind over to You, so You can heal them.  Teach me how to submit to You and let You protect me from the pain of the situation and make it into a growing time.  Give me the attitude of wanting to be helped to become a person much better than I was before. 

 

When Does The Lord Prosper You?

Gen 39:2 (NIV) The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.  When you are willing to allow God to make the best of your situation, He will bless you because you are trusting Him.  But, if you don’t seek Him to help you take a seemingly bad situation and turn it into good, your child of God mind will be sad, frustrated, see things as impossible, and be nonproductive. 

 

Gen 39:3-4 (NIV) When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.  When you allow God to give you great ideas that are win/win, you become an asset to those you are in charge of, those who are your colleagues, and those who are over you.  Not everyone; but, most will appreciate you and make your life better. 

 

Jesus, help me see this change in Joseph’s heart and mind.  Show me how the change helped a spoiled brat turn into a person who had a very successful life.  Help me see that even though he was a slave in a foreign country, You were able to transform Joseph’s heart and mind so that he could make the very best of what seemed like an impossible situation.  Help me allow You to take every situation I end up in and turn it into great ideas and attitudes for success. 

 

 

What’s The Difference Between Attitudes And Character?

Gen 39:6 (NIV) So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”  Good character is when you stay humble before God.  Even when God is blessing and using you in a mighty way, if you stay aware that it is all God, then you won’t enter into pride.  Pride will cause you to do evil things that you wouldn’t have done before. 

 

Gen 39:8-9 (NIV) But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.  No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”  When you allow God to train your child of God mind, you see things from a Biblical perspective.  Rather than looking at the extreme pleasure that the temptation offers, you see things through honesty and with integrity. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for exposing me to all these Biblical principles.  I thank You for Your Holy Spirit constantly speaking to my conscience.  I thank You for the power You have put in my heart to yield to You.  And, I thank You that with this new law of the Spirit of life, I don’t have to rely on my own strength to resist temptation.  Keep empowering me to put my total dependency on You to live a holy life in and through me.  Help me have this kind of character in all my relationships. 

 

Things Aren’t As Bad As They Look

Gen 39:11-12, 19-20a (NIV) One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside.  She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.  When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger.  Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined…. 

 

Just like God did this to get Joseph to be the leader of Egypt in second in command under Pharaoh, God will let things like this happen to you, so you can end up where you need to be.  If your child of God mind is submitted to God, you will know what is going on and stay filled with faith and joy.  But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; He showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.  So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there (Gen 39:20b-22).

 

Jesus, I can see that me maintaining this kind of attitude will be difficult.  But, help me go from what appears to be an unfair, evil situation to a place where I immediately start being led by You.  Help me allow You to put the fruit of the Spirit in my attitudes so I can get great revelations for how to make my next assignment a mighty work of God. 

 

God Events

Gen 40:1 (NIV) Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt.  Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.  There was no way for Joseph to know how important this event was.  He didn’t know that God was heading him into leadership in Egypt.  When he was a kid, he had a couple of dreams where his brothers and his parents bowed down before him.  But, that didn’t look nearly as big and as dynamic as what the actual plan was that God had for him.  And, that is the same way it is for you! 

 

Jesus, help me see that You have great plans for me.  Help me realize that, as You give me child of God ideas, I can be trying to turn them into benefits for me, or, I can be trusting You to turn them into a mighty work for everyone.  Show me that Joseph wasn’t trying to advance himself to the top.  He was just letting You give him great ideas for how he could produce win/win situations for everyone involved. 

 

A Child Of God Mind With A Heart Of Compassion

Gen 40:4 (NIV) The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. After they had been in custody for some time, each of the two men--the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison--had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.  When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.  So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?”

 

Jesus, help me be like this; help me not start getting great ideas in my child of God mind and become selfish.  Help me not get this wisdom and become prideful.  Let my great ideas from You flow through a heart of love.  Let my win/win solutions be because I care as much for others as I care for myself.  Help me not just embrace the mechanics of these principles, help my heart be just as anointed with Your power, as my child of God mind is. 

 

Great Ideas Belong To God

Gen 40:8 (NIV) “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”  This is a new assignment for Joseph.  But, he didn’t limit his child of God mind.  So, Joseph interpreted both men’s dreams.  Then Joseph asked the cup bearer to remember him to Pharaoh; but, he forgot all about Joseph for two years.  So, the cup bearer got restored to Pharaoh and the baker got killed just like Joseph predicted. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that just because You reveal all kinds of things to me doesn’t mean You will tell me everything.  Help me not take Your revelations in my child of God mind for granted.  Help me stay submitted, humble, and open to You.  Help me trust You to do what is needed when it is needed.  Help me trust Your timing as well as Your plans for my life.  Let me keep moving forward where You have placed me for as long as You keep me there. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Thirty-Five

How Do I Apply The Bible To Secular Situations?

 

Week Eight Day Two

 

Joseph’s Child-Of-God Mind Put To Use

God Is Setting Things Up

Gen 41:1 (NIV) When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds.  After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank.  And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 

 

God has a whole universe to run; and, He is making sure everything is working together for good for His people (Rom 8:28).  He doesn’t forget you; He is just making things happen according to His special timing.  The big issue is, what do you do in the mean time?  It all has to do with your attitudes and character.  Seeming delays, where you feel like you are just marking time, is a time of testing for you.  God is getting your next assignment ready; but, it has to mesh with a whole lot of other people’s lives.  Keep doing your current assignment with passion. 

 

Jesus, when things get redundant and boring, help me get a fresh revelation for my current assignment.  Help me not stop looking for win/win situations in the assignment where I am.  Help me not see where You could advance me, move me forward, and make my life better and try to make it happen.  Help me stay where You have me and continue to give it my best.  Keep me from getting dissatisfied and get lazy or underproductive.  Help me see that it is the kind of attitudes and character I have at the moment that You consider. 

 

What Have You Been Doing?

Gen 41:8-9, 14 (NIV) In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.  Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.  So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

 

From the pit to the prison, Joseph has been allowing God to control his attitudes, character, and life.  There are people that God wants to use in a mighty way like this; but, they won’t let Him.  From your being born again to now, you may not have been as cooperative as Joseph.  But, it is still not too late for you to get started.  Joseph’s dad, Jacob, didn’t start cooperating with God in a total sense until much later in life.  His life wasn’t as great as Joseph’s; but, the moment he started cooperating with God, it got so much better. 

 

Jesus, help me see that my child of God mind has so much potential.  But, You are the One Who supplies it with great win/win ideas.  Help me see that it was Joseph’s attitudes and character that allowed You to do such incredible things in his future.  Help me get started allowing You to work on my attitudes and character from this point on.  Get me to the place where You can give me incredible revelations in my child of God mind. 

 

The Right Kind Of Attitudes And Character

Gen 41:15-16 (NIV) Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”  “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”  Do you remember how many mental mistakes Joseph made when he was a boy?  If he had remained in that condition, he would have never been able to be in this situation.  Your commitment to God makes a huge difference in your future.  All things are possible with God!

 

Jesus, help me see that my potential is based on my relationship with You.  Help me see that You are taking these studies and prayers and raising my level of potential.  Help me yield to You and these things You are exposing me to.  Help me see what You did in a boy that changed him into an incredibly humble, submitted, and mighty person for Your work. 

 

A Child Of God Mind Is Unlimited When….

So, Pharaoh told Joseph his dream and Joseph yielded to God for the interpretation.  By this time Joseph had been listening to God for running Potipher’s house, listening to God for how to resist temptation, listening to God for how to handle being falsely accused, listening to God for how to run a prison, listening to God for how to interpret two prisoner’s dreams, and listening to God for how to patiently wait for God to get him out of prison.  So, when he got to his major assignment, he was an experienced, trained, talented, skilled, mature, adult child of God for how to listen to God. 

 

Joseph said in Genesis 41:28-31 (NIV): “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.  Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.  The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe.

 

Jesus, help me see that You didn’t put Joseph in Egyptian leadership too soon.  You didn’t give him dreams as a boy that showed how great his future was.  All You showed him, as a boy, was his family bowing down to him.  And, when You showed that to him, his attitudes and character weren’t ready to even properly process that.  Help me see how slowly and patiently You brought him from the bottom of spiritual condition to this moment in his life. 

 

Wisdom Through Spiritual Growth

Joseph said in Genesis 41:33 (NIV): “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.  Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.  They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.  This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

 

This isn’t part of the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream.  This isn’t a man who has learned how to handle many situations over many years.  This is coming out of a man who has been listening to God for handling many different situations over many years.  This is wisdom that is supernatural and God-sized.  No human would know how to prepare for a famine that was going to overwhelm all the plenty of seven years of abundance.  How did he know they should take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance? 

 

Jesus, help me see that Joseph didn’t learn how to run Potiphar’s house, the prison, or anything else.  Show me that he didn’t cut himself off from God and make his own decisions at any point in his training.  Help me see that he is going to keep listening to You for the rest of his life.  Teach me how to listen to You better and better, as I go through life.  Teach me to do that rather than learn how to function better and better in life.  Help me not think that a system I used in the past will work in those things I face in my future. 

 

Succeeding Through God

Gen 41:37-38 (NIV) The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.  So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”  It isn’t until you allow God to influence your child of God mind that you start living the Christian life to its full.  Prior to that, your spirit will only excel when it is around other Christians.  And, your body will be the one who excels when you are around the unsaved.  But, when you and God are working together like this, there isn’t a place where you, a child of God, don’t excel. 

 

Gen 41:39 (NIV) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.  You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”  So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”  There are unsaved people who are climbing the ladder of success using world principles.  There are a lot of Christians climbing the ladder of success using world principles.  However, Joseph got to the top by listening to God all the time.  He didn’t start out that way; but, once he got started, he never changed his methods. 

 

Jesus, help me see how to win at life.  Show me that You are my greatest asset.  Teach me that the Bible will lay the foundation in me.  Then You will start speaking to my child of God mind and apply all those Biblical principles to each life situation. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Thirty-Six

What’s God’s Main Purpose For Speaking To Me?

 

Week Eight Day Three

 

Joseph’s Child-Of-God Mind In Action

The Benefits Of Listening To God

Gen 41:42-44 (NIV) Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.  He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.  Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.”

 

If Joseph had still been in the condition he was in prior to opening his life to becoming a child of God, none of those things he said and did would have happened.  The people of Egypt would have lived as though the abundance that was coming their way was going to be permanent.  They would have had no idea a massive drought or famine was coming right after it.  They would have eaten all that abundance, been wasteful, and starved to death once it was all gone. 

 

Jesus, help me see the importance of me allowing You to speak into my child of God mind.  Show me that the information You give me will be very important to others.  Not only will they be impressed by what You reveal to me, they will be saved through the wisdom You give them through me.  With this way of life, I am blessed by being used by You in such a wonderful way.  And, they are blessed by the revelations they get from You through me. 

 

Great Ideas Lead To Great Projects

Gen 41:46-49 (NIV) Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt.  During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully.  Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it.  Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

 

When you let God give you great ideas to share with people who don’t listen to God, it opens doors for wonderful projects for you.  It is the difference between mediocre ideas that produce boring projects and projects like Joseph is doing.  This makes you fun to be around; and you keep life interesting for all involved.  When you say things like, “God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do,” you help people see where all your great ideas are coming from. 

 

Jesus, help me see the potential of my new child of God mind.  Help me see how it has elevated my ability to think on a much higher level.  Show me that it also is able to see things like Joseph saw, as he interpreted dreams.  Help me stop limiting it and start listening to You speak to me.  Help me understand that if I am not looking for You to speak to me, You won’t.  Let this example inspire me to open up to a supernatural, God-sized life. 

 

God’s Ideas Are Amazing Ideas

Gen 41:56-57 (NIV) When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.  And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.  It is wonderful when you listen to God; Joseph knew what was going to happen before it happened.  You will be so much more informed because of all the things the Bible tells you.  And, you will also have the information that Jesus speaks into your child of God mind.  It is such a great feeling to be in the know. 

 

Jesus, help me see that You will be giving me information that will be greater than just for the moment.  You will be providing me insights that help me understand what is coming next.  Help me see how useful it is for You to include me in on some of Your plans for the future.  Show me that this keeps me from being caught off guard.  Help me start listening carefully so You can demonstrate that You are in control of everything. 

 

God’s Ideas Help Your Family

Gen 42:1-3 (NIV) When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?”  He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”  Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.  If Joseph had stayed home, he, his family, and all of Egypt would have died in the famine.  You may not like the way God does things; Joseph’s journey to be a ruler in Egypt wasn’t an easy one.  Are you willing to let God cause things to happen that you don’t like?  Sometimes you can get so upset with the way God is running your life that you stop listening to what He has to say to you. 

 

Jesus, I can see why Joseph needed to be ruler under Pharaoh; but, You put him through some very difficult things getting him there.  Help me not get so upset with the way You are allowing me to be treated, that I am not open to what You want to tell me.  Help me understand that You know what You are doing.  Help me know that You are doing the very best for me and others.  Help my attitudes and character; help them so that I maintain a good relationship with my heavenly Father.  Fill my heart with trust for Him and His plans. 

 

God’s Ideas Bring Relationships Together

Gen 45:1-3 (NIV) Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.  And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.  Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

 

After Joseph had put his brothers through a few tests concerning their attitudes and character, in Genesis 42:6-44:34, he decided to reveal who he really was.  It was scary enough dealing with an Egyptian ruler that was accusing them of theft.  But, to then discover that, that ruler was your brother that you discussed killing and later decided to sell into slavery, that was terrifying!  Joseph had absolute power over these men.  Their lives were totally under his control.  If he wanted to kill them or throw them in a dungeon for the rest of their lives, no one could stop him.  What they did to him was totally evil and cruel.  What stopped him from getting even? 

 

Jesus, help me see that my attitudes and character need to be under Your control.  If I don’t hear from You, there are a lot of ways I can handle the situations of my day.  Show me that people’s futures are in my hands.  Even though I don’t have the control Joseph did, I can hurt, change, and damage people’s life paths.  Help me get the revelations that You put in my child of God mind.  Let me influence people in such a way that their life is enhanced through their contact with me.  Speak to me and help me do what You know is best. 

 

God’s Ideas Reveal Truth

Gen 45:4-5 (NIV) Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.  What Joseph was saying was true; but, that was the logic, mental way of looking at it.  He could have thought about the fact that there were a lot of ways God could have got him to Egypt without those guys selling him into slavery.  When God talks to your child of God mind, He also speaks to your spiritually transformed heart.  Joseph had heard from God and was brought to a place where he could forgive his brothers. 

 

Jesus, help me see all the different ways Joseph could have dealt with this situation.  Help me allow ideas to come to me about how I could have handled that, if it had happened to me.  If I were all powerful and my brothers had done that to me, what are some of the things I could be thinking?  Show me that if I don’t allow Your supernatural healing power to work on my heart and mind, it will be almost impossible for me to react the way Joseph did.  Help me see that it would have been easy for Joseph to have already thought of all kinds of revenge scenarios prior to his brothers coming to get his help.  

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Thirty-Seven

What Is Situational Ethics?

 

Week Eight Day Four

 

Jacob With A Human Mind In Training

Learning What Not To Do

Heb 11:21 (NIV) By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.  Now that you have looked at Joseph’s life and learned what to do, let Jesus take you back to Joseph’s dad and see what not to do.  Jacob had self-confidence and self-esteem.  Jacob believed in himself.  Jacob believed that those who were on the planet were there for his convenience and to supply his needs.  He went to almost the end of his life before he finally got his child of God mind. 

 

1 Cor 15:58 (NIV) Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  Jesus is taking you through this study and prayer book for the specific purpose of helping you make a permanent commitment to Him and the Christian life.  He is exposing you to these human events so you can live a powerful, influential, and successful life.  But, it isn’t until you are living Biblically and helping others do it too that you are able to really enjoy this commitment.  So, let Him show you how to live the Bible’s principles all day long. 

 

Jesus, I don’t want to just live Biblically when it is convenient.  Help me not have situational ethics where I believe it depends on the situation as to whether or not I am honest, moral, or righteous.  Help me see Jacob’s life and see what is going on in the spirit realm as he mishandles himself in his relationships with others.  Show me how he could have trusted You and You would have given him incredible revelations on how to be totally blessed by You. 

 

Learning About God’s Plan

Gen 25:21 (NIV) Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.  The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.  The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

 

When God speaks to you, like God spoke to Jacob’s mother, you can be tempted to give God a little help.  You can take that revelation that God spoke into your child of God mind and feel like He told you that, so you would know what to do.  Many times, God can’t tell people things because of them taking the information and trying to implement it.  It is vital that you allow God to give you the information, tell you how He wants you to use it, tell you when He wants it used, and then allow Him to work it in and through you.  If you do it, you will experience pride. 

 

Jesus, show me that these ideas are just the beginning of Your work.  Help me realize that You are just informing me about what You are about to do.  Help me just wait on You to include me in on the plan when, where, and how You want to.  Help me keep in mind that anything produced by me will be inferior to what You will accomplish in and through me. 

 

Trying To Fulfill God’s Plan

One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger: This revelation will be a problem in Jacob’s mother’s mind from that moment on.  The way she raises Jacob, the things she teaches him, and the way she treats Esau will speak a principle into Jacob’s mind for most of his life.  Jacob grew up thinking everything was all about him.  He didn’t have a conscience against cheating people out of things he wanted.  This ruined his life. 

 

Jesus, help me not have principles taught me at an early age to be a trap in my life.  Show me that I have to bring all my belief system to You so You can evaluate it for me.  Give me Your way of doing things so that when You give me an idea in my child of God mind, I will be receptive to it.  Set me free from anything I believe that would resist Your revelations. 

 

Off To A Bad Start

Gen 25:27-28 (NIV) The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents.  Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.  Your parents had an incredible affect on you.  If there were bad things that happened through them or because of them, you need Jesus to heal you.  He will help you forgive them of anything you are holding against them.  And, He will replace any of those things that they weren’t exactly right about. 

 

Jesus, help me to be receptive to Your ideas even if that isn’t the way I was raised.  Help me understand that my parents meant well.  But, make it clear to me that You are always right.  Let me love my parents and respect them.  But, help me accept You as my final authority for the way life works.  Help me make adjustments to my upbringing with confidence in the way You are training and empowering me now. 

 

Characteristics Of A Satanic Idea

Gen 25:29-31 (NIV) Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.  He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)  Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”  You can see the first thing on Jacob’s mind.  It didn’t bother him that a bowl of stew was nothing in comparison with a birthright.  Being honest, fair, loving, caring, and righteous wasn’t a part of Jacob’s spiritual foundation. 

 

Jesus, help me see the difference between Your ideas and satanic ideas that also pop up in my mind.  Show me that these types of ideas are conniving, ruthless, heartless, and selfish.  Empower me to reject them immediately as being satanic.  Help me recognize them as being ideas that will ruin me and everyone I use them on. 

 

Characteristics Of A Satanic Business Deal

Gen 25:32-34 (NIV) “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”  But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.  Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.  When you find yourself trying to take advantage of a person’s bad situation, that is another warning that the idea wasn’t from Jesus.  Jesus is about win/win solutions, situations, and projects. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for helping me have these concepts so I can test the ideas that come into my mind.  Help me use them to evaluate the decisions I am about to make during my day.  Empower me to help people in need rather than exploiting them.  Help me do to them what I would have them do to me.  Help me see that I don’t have to use wrong, bad, or evil methods in order to win at life and see Your plans fulfilled in my life. 

 

When Things Aren’t Going The Way You Want

Gen 27:1-4 (NIV) When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” he answered.  Isaac said, “I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death.  Now then, get your weapons--your quiver and bow--and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.  Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.”

 

This was a special blessing that is to be pronounced over the first born.  It was a prophetic blessing that typically came true.  It was Esau’s right, even though he no longer owned the inheritance of the first born.  Jacob was to get two-thirds of the inheritance and Esau was to get one-third because of the trade.  But, this blessing had nothing to do with the trade.  However, Joseph’s mother was determined to make sure the prophecy was fulfilled that the older would serve the younger.  She wasn’t leaving it to God; she decided to try and make it happen. 

 

Jesus, help me see what happens to a person who decides to take matters into their own hands.  When I get to a place where I feel like I have to make things happen, help me realize I am stepping outside of Your will.  If I feel like I have a deadline that I have to make and it requires me taking matter into my own hands, help me turn to You for the power to lose the “opportunity.”  Help me put my total trust in You for making the right things happen. 

 

Situational Ethics:

Most people, around you, are honest, if the situation supports it.  They will tell you the truth, as long as the situation doesn’t dictate otherwise.  Jacob and his mother didn’t just go around cheating and lying all the time; they had situational ethics.  If you find yourself being honest most of the time, it is time for you to pray for Jesus’ type of ethics that are empowered to help you do the right things all the time. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Can Satan Speak Through People?

 

Week Eight Day Five

 

Jacob With A Human Mind In Practice

Assisting In Others Sinning

Gen 27:1-4 (NIV) When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” he answered.  Isaac said, “I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death.  Now then, get your weapons--your quiver and bow--and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.  Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.”

 

Gen 27:5-7 (NIV) Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the LORD before I die.’  This is a person becoming a satanic messenger.  Not only are they sinning in their mind, they are helping someone else make a plan for sinning against others.  It is one thing to allow thoughts to come into their mind, it is another to put them in others minds. 

 

Jesus, protect me from allowing Satan to talk to me, in the first place.  Help me see the character of sin that cheats others, misleads them, hurts them, and spreads to others.  Help me be a messenger of Your truth.  Help me yield to Your ideas and then assist others in getting involved in them.  Help me protect others, when they get ideas from Satan.  Let me work for You and show them the characteristics of sins so they can identify them and reject them. 

 

Listening To A Plan For Sinning

Gen 27:8-10 (NIV) Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it.  Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.  It is vital for you to be able to identify ideas that are coming from Satan through a person.  It can be in a business meeting, a time with friends, or even from a family member.  It is deception, cheating, lying, and dishonesty.  When it comes from someone you trust, like it is for Jacob, it can be very hard to resist. 

 

Jesus, if I find myself having a hard time resisting something that has the characteristics of sin, help me tell them I will think about it and go pray.  Help me be so prepared in advance as to how You want me to live that it doesn’t matter who is carrying a message of Satan.  Empower me to resist it on the spot.  Then empower me to point out the damage it will cause to those who are being sinned against.  Help me devote myself to win/win ideas from You. 

 

False Resistance To Sin

Gen 27:11-12 (NIV) Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I’m a man with smooth skin.  What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.”  When you start trying to figure out how to do something without getting caught, you know you are putting a strategy together for sinning.  Jacob wasn’t resisting sin; he was willing to sin as long as it was a good enough plan where he wouldn’t get caught. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for teaching me all of the tricks that Satan uses to get me to sin.  Help me see that, if I start trying to figure out how to do something without getting caught, I am planning to sin.  Help me be straight forward, honest, open, and sincere.  Help me identify all ideas that have these characteristics, resist them, and warn the person who is trying to involve me in it.  Help me not only resist sin, help me show others the pitfalls of sins. 

 

Pulling It Off

Gen 27:27 (NIV) So he (Jacob) went to him (his dad, Isaac) and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.  To fool someone can bring feelings of success.  The person can feel clever, superior, and skilled.  But, it is a celebration of evil achievements.  The positive feelings that come from implementing a sinful plan are the rewards that cause a person to want to do it again.  Satan is luring them into becoming an addicted evil person. 

 

Jesus, help me see that doing something wrong, bad, or evil just once isn’t possible.  Show me that Satan has a whole set of procedures for trapping a person who sins once.  Help me understand that the sin itself has consequences.  Let me be aware that when I do something on purpose, I have breached my perfect record with God.  I have put myself in a very deadly position that can have eternal consequences.  Help me be totally serious about not sinning. 

 

Seeing Sin Through Jesus’ Eyes

Gen 27:34-36 (NIV) When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me--me too, my father!”  But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”  Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”

 

Jesus helps you identify with those around you.  He helps you see other’s pain and suffering.  He helps you feel what it would be like, if you were sinned against.  If Jacob could have foreseen all Esau’s pain and disappointment and cared, it would have motivated him to refuse to join his mother in that deception.  Love is a power that is helping you identify with the problems, disappointments, and suffering of others.  It empowers you to feel their pain and want to help them be blessed by Jesus.  That is what motivates you to listen to the ideas of Jesus. 

 

Jesus, help me envision what sinning against someone would do to them.  Help me see these things in advance, so I will be appalled at even the thought.  Give me a heart that wants to only do good things with and for others.  Help me feel the joy that others experience when I listen to You, as You show me how to create win/win situations for them.  

 

The Minor Consequences Of Sin

Gen 27:41-43 (NIV) Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”  When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother Esau is consoling himself with the thought of killing you.  Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran.

 

The earthly, human consequences of sin are bad enough.  But, separation from the relationship with God is the really big one.  The darkness, depression, loneliness, guilt, and emotional and physical pain are huge.  Once you have experienced the fellowship, love, forgiveness, healing, and blessings of God, their absence is devastation in itself.  But, Jacob was getting ready to not only have to leave home where he typically hung out, he was getting ready to meet Laban, the master cheater of all cheaters.  Jacob was getting ready to reap what he had sown. 

 

Jesus, help me see how important it is to only listen to Your ideas.  Help me see that any ideas outside You are loaded with consequences.  Help me only trust You with all my daily ideas for myself and for helping others be blessed with ideas that can be completely trusted. 

 

Listening To The Same Person

When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother Esau is consoling himself with the thought of killing you.  Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran: This is the same person who got him into this mess.  It is amazing how people will keep listening to people who have proven to be wrong over and over again.  Often, they will reject the voice of Jesus and the Bible.  But, they will allow someone who has proven to not know what they are talking about, to advise them again.  Just because someone is your “friend” doesn’t mean they are giving you good counsel.  Just because you know they mean well doesn’t help you. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that just because someone likes me or is a person who should have my best interest in mind, help me see that, that doesn’t qualify them as my advisor.  Set me free from listening to people who think they know what is best for me.  Help me evaluate every piece of advice they give me.  Help me bring all advice to You so You can show me whether or not it is good advice. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Chapter Thirty-Nine

What Is The Only Thing I Can Get From God?

 

Week Nine Day One

 

Jacob With A Human Mind Being Challenged

Ideas Reap Results

Gen 27:43 (NIV) Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran.  Once you meet Laban, you will see where Jacob’s mother gets her ethics.  Laban and Rebekah are made out of the same cloth.  What Jacob is facing is, he is being drawn into relationships with people like himself.  It is one thing to do bad things to others; but, it is another thing to have it done to you.  Gal 6:7-8 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 

 

Jesus, help me see my daily decisions, words, and deeds as seeds.  Help me see that they are recorded by God as seeds that will bring a spiritual harvest of one kind or another.  Help me also see them as seeds that go into the hearts and lives of other people.  Help me see that they also produce a harvest of either good or bad relationships. 

 

Reaping Destruction

Gen 28:5 (NIV) Then Isaac sent Jacob on his way, and he went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau.  Jacob is having to leave the birthright that he cheated Esau out of.  He is having to leave his family that could have been the people who loved him the most.  And, he is having to leave Esau who now wants to kill him.  This is because of his willingness to listen to concepts and principles that go against what is fair, honest, win/win, and based on friendship and love. 

 

Jesus, help me see that Jacob and Rebekah lost the very relationship they were developing together.  Because it was built on lying, cheating, conniving, and scheming, it was made out of material that couldn’t stand the test of time.  Help me see that this kind of life doesn’t end up with the results these people were working so hard to get.  Show me that just as fast as they steal it they lose it.  Plus, they end up with a lot of enemies in the process. 

 

Passing On The Destruction

Gen 28:8-9 (NIV) Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac; so he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham, in addition to the wives he already had.  This was the damage Jacob did in the heart of Esau.  He was trying to hurt the very father who loved him and was going to give him his first-born blessing.  Isaac tried to make sure the person he blessed was the real one.  Jacob drove a wedge between Isaac and Esau hurting their relationship. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that Isaac tested Jacob in as many ways as he knew how, trying to see if it really was Esau.  Show me that, even though Jacob “successful” fooled him and stole the blessing, it wasn’t Isaac’s fault.  But, because of what Jacob did, Esau is blaming his dad for it.  Help me see the damage this kind of lifestyle does to the people who live it and to those it is used against.  Set me free from any kind of system like this; make me a blessing. 

 

Being Inspired To Trust God

Gen 28:10 (NIV) Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.  When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.  He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.  This is like the revelations God is giving you.  He is using the Bible to let you see some of the most incredible spiritual things.  He is allowing you to be inspired by the blessings and benefits of eternity, as you read the Bible and get the truths from it. 

 

Jesus, help me see how much you are trying to elevate Jacob’s mind.  You are trying to help him understand that You are the way for him to get what he needs and wants.  Help me yield to this revelation and allow it to completely establish faith and trust in You.  Set me free from all human effort, world training, and satanic methods.  Give me a heart and mind that totally yield to all Your ideas.  Help me be inspired to live Your way of life. 

 

You Don’t Need Human Effort

Gen 28:13 (NIV) There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.  Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 

 

The sad thing is, Jacob heard the same thing his mother heard.  When God told her that the older son would serve the younger son, she thought He was telling her that so she would see to it that it happened.  Jacob heard God say this to him and would, from that point on, believe that all the efforts he put into it would bring this prophecy into being.  He believed that all his human efforts would be blessed so as to bring this promise of God into being. 

 

This is a difficult concept, in that you do have to work and take action.  But, if you do all you do with the realization that God is blessing and empowering you to do it, then your faith is in God.  This is you working with God rather than working for God; this is called faith-action. 

 

Jesus, teach me that the words, “I will give you” are talking about a gift.  Show me that all Jacob would have to do was, do his daily work with honesty, integrity, and righteousness and You would take it and bless it with those things You promised.  Help me realize that all Jacob had to do, was his daily job, with faith in You, and You would do the rest as a gift. 

 

Trusting In The Promise

Gen 28:15 (NIV) I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”  The Bible is filled with promises that you have inherited.  Because God made Abraham be your spiritual father, everything that was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob apply to you.  Gal 3:28-29 (NIV) There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

Jesus, show me that, as I go about my daily routine, all I have to do is yield and listen to You.  You will be with me and will watch over me wherever I go.  Teach me that I am an heir according to the promise.  Since I am Your child, You want me to trust You to empower me and guide me into things that bless me and those around me.  Help me listen to You, as You give me great ideas.  Then help me share them with others so we can all be blessed. 

 

Making A Bargain With God

Gen 28:20-21 (NIV) Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God.  Jacob had no idea how things work with God.  He told God that if He would do what he wanted, then he would allow Him to be his God.  Jacob thought he was doing God a favor by allowing him to be his God.  He thought God had to do some special things for him in order for God to get this privilege.  But, from that point on, in Jacob’s life, he was excluding God until God had fulfilled his requirements.  If it hadn’t been for the grace of God, Jacob would have been godless. 

 

Jesus, help me with my attitudes and character.  Help me not think I am someone so special. Help me not think it is God’s privilege, if I make Him my God.  Teach me how wonderful it is that He would be willing to be my God.  Give me a great appreciation for Him making me His child.  Help me understand and feel the privilege of Him putting ideas in my child of God mind all during my day.  Give me a great heart of love for Him and all His generosity. 

 

Your Gift Relationship With God

Then the LORD will be my God: When you put requirements on God, you create a space where you aren’t trusting Him until He fulfills your requirement.  This breaches your relationship with Him and puts you at a standstill.  You are waiting on God to do what you are requiring Him to do.  And, He is waiting on you to remove the requirement.  Your demands aren’t an available procedure in your relationship with God.  God only gives gifts.  Demands would turn the gifts into requirements.  You are saying that you deserve them; but you don’t. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that my relationship with God isn’t based on what I do or don’t deserve.  Show me that grace and mercy have removed the issue of what is or isn’t deserved.  Help me realize that everything I get from God will only be a gift.  If I try to get anything else from Him, He won’t do it.  Help me appreciate this gift relationship I have with Him.   

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Forty

What Does It Take To Get A Child Of God Mind?

 

Week Nine Day Two

 

Jacob With A Human Mind Being Punished

Jacob Meets An Expert Cheater

Gen 29:13 (NIV) As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things.  Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.” 

 

Weren’t these things Laban was saying to Jacob trust building?  What Laban was doing was causing Jacob to relax and start believing that he had his best interests in mind.  What Jacob was doing was working for free so he could get Laban to trust him.  He was trying to convince Laban that he was a trustworthy person.  Both of them thought they were successfully deceiving the other person.  The only problem for Jacob was, Laban had been cheating people for a lot longer period of time.  It was going to take Jacob being cheated by the best before he realized who he was dealing with.  But, both of them were sowing seeds of destruction in their own life. 

 

Jesus, help me see what reaping what was sown looks like in the realm of sin.  I thank You for the privilege of being shown how evil sin is.  Thank You for showing me what would happen to me if I allow myself to sow sin into the lives of others.  Help me see how sin would escalate and surround me, if I yield to Satan’s temptations to sin.  Help me take advantage of Your power and training so I can stay away from those things.  Show me that Jacob had to, so he would learn how to put his trust in You rather than his own wisdom, skills, and craftiness. 

 

The First Cheating Match

Gen 29:16 (NIV) Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.  Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful.  Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”  The verbal contract was established with both men thinking they had the upper hand in the deal.  The Biblical principle that can save you from finding out who you are dealing with after seven years is, give your test person some small assignments first.  Let yourself be vulnerable and available to be cheated on a small scale. 

 

Jesus, help me give people the benefit of the doubt by establishing a small project with them.  Help me trust them enough so they can prove their trustworthiness.  Help me give them opportunities to be trusted with things that are important to me, but, not devastating.  Show me how to gradually work with them until they have had multiple chances to gain my full trust. 

 

Cheaters Get Cheated

Gen 29:21-23 (NIV) Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to lie with her.”  So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast.  But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her.  This deceit was based on seven years of hard work.  Jacob wasn’t used to this kind of person.  He was used to everyone being honest and kind to him while he was busy cheating them.  Now he is getting a chance to see how it feels to be cheated. 

 

Jesus, help me realize how much You have saved me from.  Help me appreciate the kind of benefits I am reaping by You changing the way I treat people.  Help me see that You are making it possible for me to be blessed by living a righteous life with people.  Help me notice how much I gain from every direction because of the attitude and character changes You have made in me.  I thank You for transforming my life through Your training and power. 

 

Dishonesty Can Make Sense

Gen 29:25-26 (NIV) When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?”  Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.  When should Laban have discussed this “custom” with Jacob?  Should he have waited until Jacob had served for seven years, had the marriage ceremony, and slept with the wrong wife?  Why didn’t Jacob bring all these issues up?  When you give yourself over to dishonesty there are some systems of justification that confuse the rules.  Jacob has been justifying his actions for years.  That caused him to see Laban’s reasoning as making sense. 

 

Jesus, set me free from any rules I have built up in my mind where I justified sins.  Help me get rid of them so that I don’t get fooled by the reasonings of dishonest people.  Put Your wisdom in my heart and mind, so I can immediately see the flaws in dishonest reasoning.  Deliver me from any areas where I still justify things in me that are wrong.   

 

Dishonesty Contaminates Your Wisdom

Gen 29:27-28 (NIV) Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.”  And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.  Jacob never wanted to work seven years for Leah.  He and Laban had agreed that seven years of labor would get him Rachel.  Laban was talking him into working for fourteen years for Rachel.  And, he was making him have another wife that he didn’t want.  Why was Jacob receptive to such a bad deal?  Remember how it didn’t bother his conscience to trade a bowl of soup for Esau’s birthright?  Totally unfair deals can become normal when cheating is normal. 

 

Jesus, help me see how damaged my mind can be, when I expose it to world training and satanic reasoning.  Help me see what the people around me are thinking is normal as they work on business deals, marriage arrangements, friendships, world training, and their development of their life’s goals.  Help me see that I need to share Your ideas with them. 

 

Cheaters Don’t Care

Gen 29:30 (NIV) Jacob lay with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.  Laban didn’t care what he did to Leah and Jacob, just like Jacob didn’t care what he did to Esau.  Now Leah is with a man who doesn’t love her as much as he does Rachel.  When you listen to God’s win/win ideas and share them with the people around you, you start an event that blesses and helps everyone.  Since Laban cheated Jacob, Jacob is going to feel free to cheat Laban.  Even if Jacob wasn’t already a cheater, it often creates a revengeful attitude in the person cheated.   

 

Jesus, help me see that the way I treat people is often how they treat me.  Let me understand that I can start a chain of relationship attitudes, when I listen to You rather than Satan.  Empower me to open my ears and mind to ideas from You that make my life and the lives of others so much better.  Let me be a person who gets good things happening in people’s lives.  Show me how to be an influencer into Your blessings, healing, and success in life. 

 

Jacob Finally Gets His Child Of God Mind

Gen 32:3-6 (NIV) Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.  He instructed them: “This is what you are to say to my master Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now.  I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, menservants and maidservants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.’”  When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 

 

After many years of Jacob trying to use selective breeding to cheat Laban and Laban continuing to change Jacob’s wages, God instructed Jacob to go back home.  This journey back home is where God uses Esau’s four hundred men to shock Jacob into seeing beyond himself.  In fear for his and his family’s lives, he starts praying and giving away his wealth to Esau.  Gen 32:9-11 (NIV) Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups.  Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children.  This is a big change for Jacob! 

 

Gen 32:13-15 (NIV) He (Jacob) spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau: Two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 

 

Jesus, show me through Jacob’s life that I and all those around me need to allow You to give us all our ideas for how to live life.  Help me care for those around me and not just care for myself.  Help me not lie to, cheat, steal from, gossip about, be immoral with, or hate those around me.  Lead me into the win/win way of life.  Help me be totally changed immediately rather than waiting for a crisis. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Forty-One

How Do I Access My Child Of God Mind?

 

Week Nine Day Three

 

Peter With A Human Mind

Being Exposed To Jesus

Mat 4:18-20 (NIV) As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  At once they left their nets and followed Him.  Let Jesus take you through Peter’s life and help you see more of the difference between the human mind and the child of God mind.  Jesus took Peter from being a person with a lot of self-confidence and self-esteem and transformed him into having God-confidence and God-esteem. 

 

Jesus, use Peter’s life to show me how much difference there is in self-confidence and esteem and God-confidence and esteem.  Help me understand the process You used to bring this change in Peter.  Teach me the importance of giving up my own way of thinking so I can base my thoughts on Your thoughts.  Help me see myself, as You take me through Peter’s human thoughts.  Show me where I need to yield to Your way of thinking all during my day. 

 

I Can Do This

Mat 14:25 (NIV) During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  Mat 14:28-29 (NIV) “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.”  “Come,” He said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  Learning the difference between human effort, confidence, esteem, and world training and the things of God, is a major part of Jesus’ training.  Peter had to experience some major failures so he could see the difference. 

 

Jesus, help me see that just because I think I am ready to take on a spiritual assignment doesn’t mean I am.  But, help me be like Peter and go ahead and give it a try.  However, help me also do like Peter and get Your permission to give it a try.  Help me see that he didn’t just get out of the boat without first checking with You.  And, help me see that once You gave Him permission, he was empowered to give it a try. 

 

Why Did You Doubt?

Mat 14:30-31 (NIV) But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”  As Jesus starts giving you ideas, at first you will make a lot of mistakes.  If you try to figure out why you went wrong, you will come up with wrong reasons.  When Jesus asks you a question about why you did something wrong, don’t consult your mind.  Instead, immediately bring the question back to Him.  Why did I doubt? 

 

Jesus, help me not be afraid to step out and take an idea You put in my mind and give it a try.  Help me realize that I will make mistakes, misunderstand, implement it the wrong way, and do a lot of other wrong things.  Empower me to lay my reputation on the line so You can teach me how to move from my human mind to my child of God mind. 

 

Jesus, when You ask me why I did something wrong, help me not consult my human mind.  Help me turn to You for Your evaluation of why I did wrong.  Help me realize that the reason I did the wrong thing isn’t something I can figure out.  Help me look to You for the reason for my mistakes, failures, and shortcomings.  Make that a special training moment for me. 

 

Social Graces

Mat 15:12-13 (NIV) Then the disciples came to Him and asked, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”  He replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.”  Jesus was calling the Pharisees hypocrites and saying all kinds of things about what they were doing wrong.  Peter and the other disciples didn’t think Jesus was being loving or nice to them.  However, if Jesus hadn’t shown them all these spiritual errors, they would have gone on doing wrong and not known it was wrong.  You may have to hurt someone’s feelings; but, if you don’t tell them the truth because you love them, who will? 

 

Jesus, teach me that even when You were calling people hypocrites, You were doing it from a heart of love.  Show me that You weren’t feeling hate, anger, disdain, or being condescending.  Help me be able to say some of the sternest things possible while feeling great love for the person.  Help me not think I am being loving by trying not to hurt their feelings. 

 

When Jesus Evaluates You

Mat 15:15-17 (NIV) Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”  “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.  “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?  This is Jesus’ way of telling you that you are thinking and getting ideas with your human mind.  You are a child of God and that gave you a much more powerful and capable mind than your human mind.  If you are having trouble understanding a Biblical concept, check with Jesus to see if maybe it is because you are thinking with the wrong mind. 

 

Jesus, when You are trying to give me ideas that will help me and those around me during my day, teach me how to receive it with my child of God mind.  Show me the difference between them, so I can tell when I have lowered my level of understanding.  Help me realize that my child of God mind comprehends spiritual ideas.  It goes to Scriptures, when I get ideas, and confirms them with the Bible.  Show me that my human mind is just trying to see if an idea makes sense to it.  Help me check all ideas I get with Your Word. 

 

When A Revelation Comes

Mat 16:15-17 (NIV) “But what about you?” He asked.  “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven. 

 

Peter Not Using His Human Mind

This was not revealed to you by man: This is a very important moment.  Jesus is explaining to Peter and the rest of His disciples the difference between the human mind and the child of God mind.  When a human explains something to you and you understand it on a human level, nothing spiritual is being expressed.  Even if you are quoting or explaining a Scripture, if the information is expressed from a human standpoint, it will only be information to you and to the person you said it to.  You and they will not be empowered to be changed in your behavior. 

 

John 6:63 (NIV) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life.  Jesus, make it clear to me that information from the Bible doesn’t automatically transform lives.  Show me that it isn’t until it is able to empower me to change that it comes as Your Word.  Teach me that information lays dormant in my human mind and is just something I can pass on as information to others.  But, let me realize that those things in my child of God mind set me and others free. 

 

Peter Using His Child Of God Mind

This was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven: Your human mind only reads and hears human information.  1 Cor 2:14 (NIV) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  This doesn’t mean your human mind can’t memorize it, teach it, and put its own meaning to it.  A lot of people are taking the Bible and teaching it as information but without transformation. 

 

You now have a child of God mind and a human mind.  Your child of God mind is in your spirit; and, your human mind is in your body.  When you use your three toolsets, they put your focus on Jesus, Who only speaks to your child of God mind.  When you are focusing on your ability to figure something out, you are addressing your human mind.  When you are asking, seeking, and knocking, you are addressing your child of God mind. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that it all depends on who I consult.  If I try to get the answer from myself or some human, I get information that is just information.  If I consult You, I get information that has the power to transform me and those around me.  Help me stay in the information that the Bible gives me.  But, help me not try to get its interpretation with my human mind or anyone else’s human mind.  Let the Holy Spirit give me His interpretation. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

Chapter Forty-Two

How Spiritually Resistive Can My Human Mind Be?

 

Week Nine Day Four

 

Peter Using Both Minds

A Temporary Experience

Mat 16:15 (NIV) “But what about you?” He asked.  “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven.  This was just a temporary moment for Peter.  He didn’t stay locked into his child of God mind.  You must rely heavily on your three toolsets to make this change.  They help you ask Jesus, seek Jesus, knock on the doors where Jesus’ will is. 

 

Jesus, help me use my three toolsets because they point me to You for everything I think, feel, say, or do.  They help me not try to figure things out with my human mind.  Help me desire, study, pray, believe, love, and take faith-action so I know I am thinking with my child of God mind.  Then help me express my thanks and appreciation for that miracle. 

 

Reverting Back

Mat 16:21 (NIV) From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.  Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.  “Never, Lord!” he said.  “This shall never happen to You!”  Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”  This is Peter telling Jesus what to do!  That is definite evidence of the human mind. 

·        When you desire to do the will of God, you are thinking with your child of God mind. 

 

·        When you study the Scriptures for guidance, you are training your child of God mind. 

 

·        When you pray for Jesus’ guidance, you are seeking Him with your child of God mind. 

 

·        When you won’t make a move until Jesus gives you the faith to believe you have your answer, you are taking advantage of your child of God mind. 

 

·        When you love others so much that you want to share the great things of Jesus with them, you are functioning and motivated by your child of God mind. 

 

·        When you and Jesus take faith-action, you are living through your child of God mind. 

 

·        When you stay in your child of God mind, be sure to be thankful and give thanks to Jesus. 

 

Jesus, help me allow The Seven Biblical Principles to guide me in diagnosing which mind I am using on a particular issue.  Help me realize that these seven principles are mandatory requirements from You.  Help me see that they require me to be looking to You for information, interpretations, provisions, healing, blessings, and empowerment. 

 

Awakening The Child Of God Mind

Mat 16:28 (NIV) I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”  After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  There He was transfigured before them.  His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 

 

It is easy for you to just see the natural world around you.  It is easy for you to spend all your time thinking natural thoughts.  It is easy for you to just work on natural things.  And, it is easy for you to ignore the supernatural, God-sized things Jesus is wanting to do in, for, with, to, and through you.  This was a moment when Jesus helped Peter and His friends see into the spirit realm where they were being trained to live and operate. 

 

Jesus, help me embrace this experience you gave Peter.  Help me see You from an eternal, heavenly perspective.  Help me be able to see the reality of the spirit realm.  Help me understand that the spirit realm is more real, more stable, and more lasting than this temporal world.  Show me that the reason You made me a child of God was so I could join You in eternity.  Help me realize that You are teaching me eternal, child of God things. 

 

Making An Assumption

Mat 17:24-25 (NIV) After Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your Teacher pay the temple tax?”  “Yes, He does,” he replied.  When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak.  “What do you think, Simon?” He asked.  “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?”

 

Peter had his reasons for saying Jesus would pay the temple tax.  But, the human mind makes its decisions on what makes sense to it.  The child of God mind makes its decisions based on what the Word of God says.  If Peter had been using his child of God mind, he would have said something like, “Just a minute!  Let me go check with Jesus.”  It is vital for you to consult Jesus and His Word or you will use the wrong mind and come up with the wrong answer. 

 

Jesus, when people ask me questions, help me not guess, make assumptions, or give them my opinion.  Help me go to the Scriptures and get the answer there.  If I can’t find a Scripture that answers their question, help me tell them I don’t know.  Then help me tell them that I will keep searching the Bible looking for their answer.  Help me set them an example of the fact that I only base my life and my beliefs on Your Word. 

 

How The Two Minds Think

Mat 26:31-33 (NIV) Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’  But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”  Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” 

 

Peter was basing his disagreement with Jesus on his ability to make up his mind.  His human mind went to times when he did extra ordinary things by his human determination.  If he had used his child of God mind, it would have been greatly impacted by the fact that it was Jesus that said: “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me.”  It would have been greatly impacted by the fact that it was God’s Word that said: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”  The human mind isn’t impressed by Jesus saying something or the Bible saying it; but, your child of God mind is very impressed with them. 

 

Jesus, help me be able to tell which mind I am thinking with.  Help me be able to sense whether I feel a respect for what You say and what the Bible says.  Teach me that my human mind is resistance to any authority that tries to tell it what to think.  Help me understand that it is only my child of God mind that accepts You and the Bible as my final authority. 

 

The Stubborn Human Mind

Mat 26:34-35 (NIV) “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.”  But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” And all the other disciples said the same.  When the Creator of the universe speaks and Peter is able to disagree, it gives you a clear picture of how humans can reject absolute power and absolute truth.  Peter had seen Jesus control and manipulate the very laws of the universe.  And yet, he didn’t see any problem with refuting Jesus’ words.  He was able to indicate that Jesus didn’t know what He was talking about.  He saw his own opinion of himself as being the ultimate evaluation.  That is what you are having to deal with concerning your human mind. 

 

Jesus, I am amazed at Peter’s arrogance and pride in disagreeing with You.  Help me resist my human mind and my body’s sinful nature that has this kind of spiritual condition.  Heal my attitudes and character from any kind of arrogance I might have against anything You have to say to me.  Help me embrace You and the Bible so I don’t find myself having even the slightest disagreement with what You and it says. 

 

Ignoring The Cure

Mat 26:40-41 (NIV) Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping.  “Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  Jesus, help me see that You always provide me with protection from temptations.  Help me not get so arrogant that I stop listening to You and obeying Your commands.  Help me process everything You are telling me by using my child of God mind. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

Chapter Forty-Three

Does My Child Of God Mind Unite With Circumstances?

 

Week Nine Day Five

 

Peter Using His Child Of God Mind

Starting To Use The Child Of God Mind

Mat 18:21-22 (NIV) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.  This is where you get child-of-God information.  It is when you take a situation in your life or the life of someone else and consult Jesus and the Bible.  If you don’t have a Scripture to base your decision, your action, or your solution on, don’t just guess.  Peter thought he only had to forgive a person up to seven times.  If he had based his life on that, he would have failed to adequately be involved in forgiveness. 

 

Jesus, teach me to always bring things I think I already know and verify them with You.  Help me not get so confident in my Bible knowledge that I don’t keep all of it being approved of by You, issue-by-issue.  Help me see that it is very possible that You have more to teach me out of that Scripture or principle.  Help me want You to keep adding to all I know. 

 

No Arguing, Just Obedience

Acts 2:1 (NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  Jesus told Peter and the rest of His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came on them.  So, that was where Peter was; he had learned that if Jesus tells you something, do it! 

 

Jesus, help me understand that Peter’s obedience was based on the fact that he was thinking more exclusively with his child of God mind.  Help me see how obedient he became once he gave up thinking with his human mind.  Show me how much more he was able to be mightily used by You, once that happened.  Make it clear to me that it is only my child of God mind that understands and honors You and what You and Your Bible say. 

 

Uniting With Your Circumstances

Acts 2:5 (NIV) Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.  When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?  Peter was where he was supposed to be, experiencing what he was supposed to experience, and the circumstances occurred like they were supposed to happen.  Your child of God mind meshes with God’s plan for your life.  

 

Jesus, help me give up my opinions, resistances, arguments, reservations, and reasoning.  Help me see that You have arranged the circumstances a certain way that will only be completed, if I am where I am supposed to be.  I have to be ready to cooperate with the events You have planned for me and those around me.  This is the only way for all things to work together for my and other people’s good (Rom 8:28). 

 

A Changed Peter

Acts 2:14 (NIV) Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.”  An idea popped up in Peter’s child of God mind, the Holy Spirit had come on Peter, Jesus had helped Peter submit to His instructions, and Peter was at the right place, at the right time, doing and saying the right things, to the right people. 

 

Rom 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  Jesus, I see how important it is for me to be constantly listening to You.  As time and events are flowing through the day, You will have ideas come to me that will take advantage of situations.  Help me be listening to You with my cooperative, non-argumentative child of God mind.  Let me start being at the right place, at the right time, doing and saying the right things, to the right people. 

 

People Get The Right Information

Acts 2:37-38 (NIV) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Peter presented to these people a very complete message that helped them get what Peter and the others had just received.  He was able to remember Scriptures that the people needed; he was able to give them convincing proofs they had to have, and he was able to tell them how to go about getting what he had. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that this condition Peter is in, was vital to these people.  Help me stop using my human mind and start using the mind You gave me.  Help me see that it alone is able to comprehend the Bible and Your spiritual instructions.  Make it clear to me that when I know what You want me to say and do, people’s lives get changed in miraculous ways. 

 

People’s Lives Get Blessed

Acts 2:41-42 (NIV) Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  As you go through your day, Jesus will be helping you get great ideas to share with those around you.  You will see people who need help with certain things and you will help them with them.  It won’t have to do with you being paid for it; it will have to do with you caring about them.  If you were to charge them for it, it would cause them to think you did it for money.  But, when you reach out to them for free, when you just do it because you care about them, they can see your love. 

 

Mat 10:7-8 (NIV)  As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.  Jesus, like You taught Your disciples, help me do things for people in such a way that they don’t get confused as to my motives.  As You give me win/win ideas during my day, help me demonstrate that it is You Who taught me to live this way.  Help me reveal Your heart to them, so they will see how wonderful You and Your principles are. 

 

Jesus-Ideas Spread

Acts 2:46 (NIV) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  Win/win ideas can often be duplicated in other situations and locations.  Once you share an idea that Jesus gives you and other people see how well it works, it will inspire them to implement it in their groups.  The teachings of Jesus will start to show up in group, family, business, and personal situations as others start sharing it. 

 

Jesus, once You give me an idea, if You want it to be duplicated in many situations, help me not just share it once.  Show me when You are giving me an idea that has multiple purposes.  Let me be willing to share this idea with others so they can benefit from it in other venues.  Help me train people who can take the idea to other places that would be beneficial. 

 

Jesus-Ideas Need Follow Up

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts: Don’t forget that your Jesus-ideas came out of you child of God mind.  Typically, the people around you, in secular environments, won’t be using a child of God mind.  Just as much as a Jesus-idea has to be understood by your child of God mind, it has to be activated and maintained through Jesus.  Don’t just tell someone your idea and walk off.  Help them get it going and keep it going. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that these ideas, You give me, are my opportunity for helping people get familiar with You.  Let me help people start involving themselves in Your principles.  And, help me use these situations as training moments.  Show me that Your ideas are being given to me as introductions into Biblical principles.  They give me opportunities to teach people how to work together, respect one another, and start creating win/win situations of their own. 

 

Jesus, also help me realize that these ideas help build community among people.  As I help them treat one another with Biblical principles, help me show them how to do other things together.  Show me that other people can be added, as Your idea is put into practice by the original people.  Help me learn how to lead people.  Help me be a living example of how to treat people.  When difficult situations arise, help me behave in such a way that the people around me see how Biblical principles work. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for the week.

 

 

 

Chapter Forty-Four

Why Is Jesus Giving Me Great Ideas?

 

Week Ten Day One

 

Jesus-Interruptions

A Change Of Plan

Acts 3:1 (NIV) One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon.  Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.  A major issue you need to always consider is, Jesus won’t be controlled by your schedule.  He will expect you to be flexible with your plans.  This may take a lot of prayer; but, you must be ready to change your plans at a moment’s notice.  Peter and John were going for a time of prayer.  Jesus had other plans for them. 

 

Jesus, help me see that my child of God mind makes plans that are totally under Your control.  If I have a plan that I would not like interrupted, then it is a plan developed and implemented by my human mind.  Help me be totally flexible, so You can speak to me at a moment’s notice and I will immediately respond to Your wishes. 

 

A Change Of Purpose

Acts 3:3-4 (NIV) When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.  Peter looked straight at him, as did John.  Then Peter said, “Look at us!”  This man had his own reason for talking to Peter and John.  Should they cooperate with this man’s request?  Should they ignore him and do what they planned on doing?  Should they stop and do a teaching on healing?  In a lot of your moments, during your day, there are a lot of ways for handling a situation.  If you are going to do what Jesus wants you to do, you must be thinking from a Biblical perspective.  Be allowing Jesus to put some Biblical idea in your mind. 

 

Jesus, let me be thinking, in the back of my mind, is this a moment where Jesus wants me to make this situation a Biblical moment?  Help me be constantly looking for opportunities where I can yield to an idea from You.  Help me trust that, if I get an idea from You, You will make every situation turn into a much better situation. 

 

A Change Of Response

Acts 3:5-7 (NIV) So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  Just because the person you are doing business with, a friend you are talking to, a spouse you are making plans with, or a stranger you are just meeting is expecting one thing, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t allow Jesus to change your response.  Let Jesus use the Bible to give you something different to say or some other way of responding.  They may have an idea, a plan, a solution, or a subject they want to talk about.  But, if Jesus shows you something entirely different, let what Jesus wants to do or discuss be what you lead the conversation into.

 

Jesus, help me not allow social protocols, the purpose of a conversation, a person’s agenda, or my original goal interfere with what You want said and done.  Help me be flexible, not only with my schedule, but also with each moment in my day.  Help me not handle it in a strange or unusual way where I am trying to act spiritual.  Help me just make the transition in a normal, reasonable way.  

 

A Change Of The Solution

Acts 3:6 (NIV) Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  Jesus has supernatural things to offer.  What if this man didn’t know healing was one of his options?  Many of the people you talk to, in the secular realm, have a very limited set of options.  When you start talking to them about things that are going to take supernatural help, it may scare them, confuse them, or cause them to respond with doubt.  The Bible is full of people exposing others to things way over their head. 

 

Jesus, help me not limit Your ideas to those things I and those around me can accept from a human perspective.  Help me broaden my and their faith and expectation to those things that You want us to consider and believe as possible.  Help me read the Bible and see that many of Your solutions were supernatural and God-sized.  Empower my mind to include them. 

 

A Change Of Results

Acts 3:7 (NIV) Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  Don’t force or physically assist someone into a miracle unless Jesus tells you to.  Typically, Jesus requires the person to take faith-action in response to what they believe about what He did.  But, when Jesus gives you an idea, it may often involve you giving physical assistance to helping the idea be implemented and maintained. 

 

Jesus, help me not just give people ideas and not be willing to get involved myself.  Help me see those areas, of the idea, that are going to take supernatural results to make happen.  Help me be there to assist others get those supernatural results.  Help me be a channel through which You work to produce miracles through the ideas You give me. 

 

A Change Of Heart

Acts 3:8 (NIV) He jumped to his feet and began to walk.  Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.  This is why Jesus is giving you ideas and miracles for.  He wants to do things through you that bring praise to God.  Keep your heart and mind set on this objective.  It can be easy for you to get distracted.  In the world, you can spend most of your time trying to get physical, financial, emotional, relational, or accomplishment results.  Let your child of God mind keep you thinking Biblically. 

 

Jesus, protect me from getting off track from Your purposes for doing these things in and through me.  Keep me operating in my child of God mind so I always think Biblically.  Lead me away from my human mind that leads me into human goals, human results, and human drives.  Help me lead people into a closer and closer relationship with You. 

 

Spreading Jesus

Acts 3:9-10 (NIV) When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  Those ideas and miracles that Jesus works through you don’t always have this great an impact.  But, it doesn’t always take raising someone up who was unable to walk.  Your idea can just produce a special business deal.  The important thing is, when it isn’t obviously a miracle like Jesus healing a paraplegic, you will have to explain to them that it came from Jesus. 

 

Jesus, help me give you the credit for the obvious and the seemingly simple miracles.   Help me see that You are working through me to do things that help people in special ways.  Show me that You are doing them so as to impress them with Your love, wisdom, and relevance to their life.  Help me work with You to reveal to them that You care about their every day life.  And, help me show them that You have ways to make their entire life so much better. 

 

The Purpose

Acts 3:11 (NIV) While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.  Not only did Jesus want to help the man who was a paraplegic, He wanted to use his miracle to help others be impressed with that miracle.  It is important for you to realize that impressing people and even helping people isn’t the end of the work.  The main objective is to help them make Jesus their Lord, Savior, and King. 

 

Jesus, help me keep in mind that You are using me in special ways with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.  You are doing it so I can go into a business situation, a family gathering, or a secular meeting and be used by You to help people see what You are capable of doing.  Help me see that You want them to get a glimpse of what their whole life would be like, if they put their trust in You. 

 

Moving Into The Opportunity

Acts 3:12 (NIV) When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?  Peter seized the opportunity and moved right into an explanation on why this event happened.  He had seen Jesus take advantage of opportunities like this many times.  It is just as important for you to be looking for opportunities to explain what is happening, as it is to share ideas.  If the event is explained, then the idea or miracle accomplishes its purpose. 

 

Jesus, help me be ready for the whole process of moving people from where they are to where they need to go.  Use my everyday occurrences to give me opportunities to do things that impress people with Your wisdom and power.  Then help me take advantage of the situation.  Let me help them understand that it was You Who made it all happen.  Then help me lead them into repentance, getting forgiveness, being healed from their past, and lead them into these Bible studies and prayers. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

Chapter Forty-Five

What Do I Do Once People Are Impressed With Jesus?

 

Week Ten Day Two

 

Moving Into A Life Like Peter’s

Knowing What To Do Next

Acts 3:12 (NIV) When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?  As Jesus gives you various ideas, miracles, healings, messages, or personal breakthroughs that you share with people, your objective is to impress them with the greatness of Jesus.  As you keep going about your day, week after week, sooner or later people will be impressed with Jesus.  They will want to know what to do to have what you have. 

 

Jesus, help me be ready for those who decide they want You.  Help me see that all this training and working on my attitudes and character are getting me ready for helping the unsaved.  Make sure that I am ready to duplicate, in others, the life You have created in me.  And, help me not only know how to lead them into being born again, empower me to be able to train them in those things You have been working in me. 

 

You Must Deal With Their Rejections

Acts 3:13-14 (NIV) The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus.  You handed Him over to be killed, and you disowned Him before Pilate, though he had decided to let Him go.  You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  Peter was presenting the sins that had been destroying his generation.  Their problem was, they were praying, waiting, begging God, and looking for their Messiah.  However, their spiritual leaders were telling them that their Messiah would come as a warrior and deliver them from Roman slavery.  So, when their and our Messiah came, they didn’t recognize or accept Him.  Your people are doing the same thing. 

 

Jesus, help me know what the people around me are expecting from someone who will help them with their problems.  Help me take them from what they are looking for and lead them into seeing Jesus as being exactly what they need.  Help me find out what kind of “messiah” or philosophy they are embracing so I can present them a message like Peter’s that will help them come to You.  He helped them see where they went wrong. 

 

Rejections Because Of Expectations

Acts 3:15 (NIV) You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead.  We are witnesses of this.  Why are your people rejecting Jesus?  They are rejecting Him for the same reasons Peter’s people rejected Him.  They were looking for one kind of messiah and Jesus didn’t provide what they thought they needed in a messiah.  Your people killed the Author of life but in another way.  He died because of their sins; but, they aren’t appreciating it. 

 

Jesus, help me see that the people around me are also looking for a messiah.  They are going to one person after another hoping to be set free from their problems.  Their leaders are claiming to be their messiah, as they advertise one product after another.  Their heroes are claiming to be their messiah by acting like they have found everything they want and need by having money, possessions, popularity, prestige, positions, power, pleasure, and accomplishments.  You and I are trying to help them recognize You as their true Messiah. 

 

You Are Looking At Jesus’ Works

Acts 3:16 (NIV) By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.  This is your main message; you have experienced incredible miracles in your life through Jesus.  So, you tell them what Jesus has done for you.  Jesus has been helping you help them through great ideas for producing win/win solutions.  Jesus has been giving you great ideas that you have been sharing with them.  Just like this man was a miracle of Jesus, so is your life and your ideas shared with them. 

 

Jesus, this is all new to me; I am coming to You to help me see how this all works.  Help me be willing to share what You have done for me to those around me.  And, help me start helping them get win/win ideas from me, as I work together with them.  In the meantime, be teaching me what to do, once they get impressed with You and want to come to You. 

 

Giving Them A Way Out

Acts 3:17 (NIV) Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.  As you are pointing out those areas where they went wrong, it is important to see that they did it out of ignorance.  They must see that they are looking and heading in the wrong direction.  But, you must help them see it was an accident.  It is the job of the Holy Spirit to cause them to feel guilt.  It is your job to present them with Jesus as their solution.  All those things Jesus has been doing as breakthroughs in your life, and, all those ideas that have led them into win/win situations are helping them see Jesus is their answer. 

 

Jesus, teach me how to point out people’s mistakes without doing the Holy Spirit’s work.  Help me show them they are going in the wrong direction.  But, help me show them they did it because they didn’t know they had a better option.  Help me open their eyes to all You have to offer them.  Let me help them see that You are what they have been looking for all along. 

 

Translating The Bible

Acts 3:18 (NIV) But this is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ (Messiah) would suffer.  What Peter continuously did was, he showed them that the Bible contains the answers they had been looking for.  However, most of his people had spent a lot of time reading the Bible.  Your people may not have done that.  So, rather than quoting Scripture, you can explain what the Bible says in words that make sense to them.  But, it is vital that you let them know that all those wonderful things coming their way are from what Jesus provides and the Bible teaches. 

 

Jesus, teach me how to take Scriptures from the Bible and make them real to those who aren’t that familiar with the Bible.  Help me show them that it was information from the Bible that I was using to help them experience win/win solutions to problems.  And, it was wonderful principles from You and Your Word that help me get the breakthroughs I am sharing with them.  Show me how to translate Scriptures into words that are meaningful to them. 

 

Leading Them Into Salvation

Acts 3:19 (NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Christ (Messiah), Who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.  This isn’t the presentation into salvation and being born again, this is Peter telling them what they needed to do.  Once they agree to repent and turn to God, he will show them the steps into doing that. 

 

Jesus, teach me how to lead my friends into repentance and turning to You.  Just as soon as they get to the place where they are impressed with You and what You can do, help me do what Peter did and explain where they are going wrong and how they can head in the right direction.  Help me be well trained, skilled, experienced, and talented in my abilities for helping people go from where they are to where they need to go. 

 

Building A New Expectation

Acts 3:21 (NIV) He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets.  The people around you don’t know why they are on this planet.  Most of them have made this life their only life.  The reason they have chosen the “messiahs” they have chosen, and the reason the people in Peter’s day were looking for the wrong kind of messiah, was they wanted a better life here on earth.  Earthly messiahs only offer temporary relief; Jesus offers eternal life.  

 

Jesus, help me see that the people around me are only looking for a better life now.  Help me show them that Jesus offers them eternal life.  Help me raise their eyes beyond this earth into heaven and the spirit realm.  Let me show them that the successes they have here can be produced in such a way that they will count for all of eternity.  Help me show them that as You work on their attitudes and character, they will move into win/win ways of life. 

 

Be Ready For Opposition

Acts 4:1-2 (NIV) The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.  They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  Jesus, help me see that Satan doesn’t want to lose these people I am helping come to You.  Get me ready for opposition and persecution.  Prepare my heart and mind with a resolve and a determination to not allow Satan’s people to scare or intimidate me.  Help me love these hurting people enough to be willing to do what it takes to help them come to You. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Forty-Six

What Are The Steps Into Salvation?

 

Week Ten Day Three

 

When Your Friends Get Impressed With Jesus

It is important that you be able to lead your friends into accepting Jesus as their Savior, Lord, and King.  If you don’t know how or don’t want to do it, they are at an important moment that can dissipate.  If you make them wait until you can get someone else, they can lose the moment of excitement and desire.  They trust you and won’t typically know the person you want to take them to.  Keep the Lord’s Prayer handy in your wallet, purse, or phone.  Have it memorized in the form that your friend will need to pray. 

 

Jesus, give me Your boldness, confidence, and faith that I can lead my friends into Your prayer.  Help me be ready and excited about the opportunity to help someone become a Christian.  As I get ideas, share my breakthroughs, and help them get excited about You, help me be ready to lead them to You. 

 

 

The Lord’s Prayer For Sharing Salvation

Your Daily Prayer

Jesus presented His prayer to pray on a daily basis.  It is your foundational prayer that starts your day off right.  It covers all the main issues you will face during your day.  As you pray it for your life, you become familiar with it so you can use it to help a friend become a Christian.  Here’s the prayer Jesus gave you and your Christian friends to pray each day:

 

Mat 6:9 (NIV) This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,

 

Mat 6:10 (NIV) Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

Mat 6:11 (NIV) Give us today our daily bread.

 

Mat 6:12 (NIV) Forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors.

 

Mat 6:13 (NIV) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

 

Jesus, help me pray this prayer before I start my day.  Help me realize that it makes requests from my heavenly Father for things I will need all day long.  Help me then add any additional prayers to it, so I can invite Him into specific areas of need and desire.  Help me get used to it so I will be very familiar with how it goes, so I can use it for helping my friends come to You.  Give me boldness and assurance that You will transform them through Your prayer. 

 

Preparing The Lord’s Prayer For Your Friend

Here is the prayer you should lead your friend into.  You just say these words and then have them repeat them after you.  Let them know you will be saying a short phrase and that they are to then repeat it after you:

 

You say: My Father in heaven.  Then, have them repeat it after you. 

 

You say: You are wonderful.  Then, pause for them to say it after you.

 

Say: Let Your kingdom come into my heart and life.  Then, pause.

 

Say: Let Your will be done in me.  Pause.

 

Say: Just like it is being done in heaven.  Pause.

 

Say: Let my daily needs start being met through You each day.  Pause.

 

Say: Forgive me my sins, Pause.

 

Say: As I also have forgiven the sins of those who have sinned against me.  Pause.

 

Say: And don’t let me be led into temptation.  Pause.

 

Say: But deliver me from the evil one, the devil.  Pause.

 

Say: I ask these things in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  Pause.

 

The Invitation

The Lord’s Prayer prepares their heart for salvation and justification.  It empowers them for their confession with their mouth into salvation.  And, it gets them ready to believe in their heart for justification.  Here is the next thing you lead them into:

 

The Principle

Rom 10:8 (NIV) But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

 

The Process

Rom 10:9 (NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

The Results

Rom 10:10 (NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

 

The Principle

Rom 10:8 (NIV) But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: Open your Bible or worksheet, that you have prepared for this moment.  Then show them this verse and explain what they are about to do.  The word is near you: Explain that the powerful, transforming power of God is right there in their mouth.  Because they prayed The Lord’s Prayer, they can now do supernatural, God-sized things.  This first thing they are going to be doing is, become a child of God, a member of His family, and a citizen of His Kingdom. 

 

Jesus, help me move into this principle-verse, in Romans 10:8, with the understanding that this is what my friend will use for the rest of their Christian life.  Help me explain to them that their mouth has been made a part of how they live the Christian life.  And, help me explain that what they believe plays a very important part of what happens in their life. 

 

The Process

Rom 10:9 (NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

 

1.     Confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord: Your friend won’t totally understand all of the implications of the fact that Jesus is the Lord of all creation.  But, you can help them accept Him as their Lord.  So, after you ask them to confess with their mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” have them confess: “Jesus is my Lord.” 

 

2.     Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead: You can’t push them into this; but, you can keep explaining it to them until they believe.  You can take them to Matthew chapter twenty-eight and let them read it for themselves. 

 

Jesus, prepare me so I can lead my friends into fulfilling Romans 10:9.  Help me go over this process until I feel confident in You that I can bring about this miracle in my friend’s life.  Show me that I am facilitating a spiritual birth into Your family and eternal Kingdom.  Fill my heart with faith and joy at the privilege of helping someone be born again. 

 

The Results

Rom 10:10 (NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  Explain to them that salvation brought Jesus’ forgiveness for all their past sins.  Help them see that it is like they never did a wrong thing in all their past.  Then explain that justification gives them a perfect record with God.  As long as they don’t sin on purpose, justification will cover any accidental sins for the rest of their life. 

 

Jesus, let me explain to my friend that they will need another process to help them with their behavior.  It will help them with their relationships.  Help me remind them that their perfect record with God will allow them to come to You for help with these relational issues.  And, that You are constantly available to give them more and more help with their behavior. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Forty-Seven

Where Should They Go From Here?

 

Week Ten Day Four

 

New And Untrained Christians Growing

 

Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Jesus, in addition to me doing my studies and prayers, help me spend time going over the training resources for my friends.  Help me be willing to get ready to lead them into being born again and growing into healthy Christians. 

 

Resources For Helping Your Friends

Go to wctlc.com and select: “I want to know more about CHRISTIANITY.”  It would be good if you went over that material with them.  Have them read it during the week and then meet with them once a week and answer any questions and discuss any problems they are having. 

 

Their Battle With Their Body

Rom 7:15 (NIV) I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  New Christians will struggle with issues of morality, honesty, fairness, and relationships after salvation.  Take them into The Jesus Life book.  While in it, they will need to be helped with some work with the Holy Spirit.  Make sure you have prayed for the Holy Spirit to come on them (Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:5-17). 

 

Jesus, help me keep a close watch on my friend’s struggles.  Help me let them feel comfortable talking to me about anything they are going through.  Help me share with them things I struggled with as a new or untrained Christian.  Help me take them through some of the Romans eight Scriptures that will eventually help them win over their body. 

 

The Way To Win

Rom 8:13 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.  Help your friend believe the Holy Spirit is giving them power to resist their body, world training, and satanic temptations.  Explain to them that the Holy Spirit is in them giving them the power to make their body do the right things.  But, when they try, they must believe it is His power doing it. 

 

Jesus, help me speak with Your power, so my friend will believe they have the power to force their body to do the right things.  Give me faith, when I speak to them.  Let them feel the truth concerning the power of the Holy Spirit.  Help them be prepared for this training so they can believe that He is giving them power to do what they couldn’t do before. 

 

Their Conscience Is Working Even Better

Rom 8:14 (NIV) Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  Now that the Holy Spirit is inside your friend, He is giving them indications that warn them far in advance.  He will be telling them, when they are about to do something that, in itself, isn’t wrong, but will open the door to temptations that will be very strong.  He will help them listen to His advanced warnings that will protect them from doing wrong things in the first place. 

 

Jesus, help me explain to them that God, the Holy Spirit, is in them.  Help me explain to them that He has been talking to them for most of their lives.  When they felt bad about something they did or said, that was Him helping them know the difference between right and wrong.  Help them understand that He has been their friend all their life. 

 

Their New Family

Rom 8:15 (NIV) For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  Your friend is now a child of God, a member of His family, and a citizen of His eternal Kingdom.  Their heavenly Father loves them with a supernatural love.  Because salvation and justification, that they got through Romans 10:8-10, gave them a perfect record, they have direct access to Him through prayer.  Jesus is going to help them get a better understanding of this relationship. 

 

Jesus, help me explain what it means that my friend is now a child of God, a member of His family, and a citizen of His eternal Kingdom.  Help me show them how this puts them into a gift relationship with Him.  That, just like parents don’t charge their children for all the things they give them, their heavenly Father is ready to give good gifts to them. 

 

Introduce Them Into Matthew 7:7-11

Mat 7:7-8 (NIV) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Explain to them that this is how they start getting these special gifts from their heavenly Father.  Tell them that they are typically known as The Three Keys To All Of Christianity.  Help them understand that they will be trained by Jesus on how to use them to start winning in life. 

 

Jesus, help me feel relaxed and sure that You are helping me share these things with my friend.  Help me be patient with myself and with my friend.  Empower me to share this with them in a matter-of-fact way, so they will understand that this is normal Christianity.  Even though they don’t understand the full implications of this, help me assure them that we will be using The Three Keys To All Of Christianity on a regular basis so they can get used to them. 

 

Mat 7:9-10 (NIV) Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  This is to help your friend understand that they only get good gifts from their heavenly Father.  If they ask for something they think is good but He knows it isn’t, He will refuse to answer their prayer. 

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that You and our heavenly Father never takes a prayer for something good and responds to it with something wrong, bad, or evil.  Help me show them that they have an enemy in Satan that does that.  Help me explain to them that Satan shows them something good; and then He uses it as bait or a trap to give them something evil.  Help me teach them that, that is what has happened to them prior to their salvation and justification. 

 

Developing A Trust Relationship

Mat 7:11 (NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!  There are two important things expressed here.  First, your friend’s heavenly Father is totally trustworthy.  Second, He won’t give them anything that they don’t ask for.  Help them see that He wants them to have a love relationship with Him that is based on their desires. 

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that God wants them to see Him as loving and respecting them.  Help me share with them that He has given them a free will so they aren’t a robot or a slave.  He loves them as His child; He wants them to learn how to ask Him for good gifts. 

 

Developing A Love Relationship

Rom 5:5 (NIV) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.  Your friend needs to know that they now have a supernatural love inside their heart.  The Holy Spirit, that is inside them, is going to teach them how to yield to that love for themselves, for their friends, and for God.  It is vital for your friend to feel loved.  The first assignment God is giving His love to do, is to fill your friend’s heart with a great feeling of being loved. 

 

Jesus, help my friend feel Your love that has been poured out…into their heart by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given them.  Help them realize that they are loved by their heavenly Father because He is their parent.  Help them see that He is a supernatural parent Who loves them supernaturally.  Help them learn that through their perfect record with Him, He doesn’t react to their deeds as if their deeds are them.  Show them that when they accidently do something bad, He doesn’t see them as a bad person.  Their deed was bad; but, they aren’t. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying.

 

 

Chapter Forty-Eight

Where Are They Headed?

 

Week Ten Day Five

 

New And Untrained Christians Being

Two Voices

Rom 8:16 (NIV) The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  This is happening to your friend.  But, there is another voice that is disagreeing with the Holy Spirit.  What your friend has to do is learn who to listen to!  If they are talking to two of their friends and one of them is always critical and mean to them, then they would have to filter what that “friend” had to say.  But, if the other friend was always encouraging them, pointing out their strong points, and helping them succeed, then they would need to just listen to them. 

 

Jesus, help me show my friend how to ignore thoughts and feelings that are disagreeing with the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is testifying with their spirit that they are God’s child.  Help me show them that Satan will be telling them that, that isn’t true.  Help me teach them how to listen to You and how to resist Satan. 

 

The New And The Untrained Christian’s Hope

Rom 8:17a (NIV) Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.  Your friend just joined the wealthiest, power, influential, and loving family in existence.  They have no idea what they have just inherited.  But, if they will allow the Holy Spirit to lead them into God’s wealth, they will gradually find out what is available to them.  However, there is one issue they must face. 

 

Jesus, help me show my friend how much they have been given by accepting Jesus as their Lord, Savior, and King.  Help me lay out the incredible benefits, so they will totally commit themselves to this wonderful and eternal gift.  Let this experience and inheritance be so real to them that they won’t allow anyone or anything take it away from them.  Help them be so committed to You and all You have to offer that they make it permanent. 

 

Beating The Opposition

Rom 8:17b (NIV) If indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.  Satan and the unsaved will be opposing your friend’s decision to join Jesus.  There will be temptations to come back into the pleasures of the world and sin.  Some temptations will be invitations that appear to be friendly, benevolent, and affirming.  Other temptations will be hostile, attacking, and persecuting.  Satan wants your friend back; and will use as many techniques as is possible to lure, drive, or trick them into sinning. 

 

Jesus, pour out Your blessings on my friend so they can see what they would give up, if they yield to temptation.  Help them gain a love relationship with You that is so strong and rewarding that they are able to say: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Rom 8:18 NIV).  Help them see all the benefits now and in eternity for remaining in You and You in them.  Help me present all You have to offer them, if they will just make a permanent commitment to You. 

 

Getting New Goals And Motivations

Rom 8:19 (NIV) The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.  It is vital that your friend get an eternal perspective.  This temporal world can’t compete with God’s eternal plan for them.  All the struggles and disappointments of this world are only their proof that this isn’t heaven.  The fact that they only live a short time here helps them see that to invest totally in it is a waste of time.  But, there is a way for them to train and invest in eternity.  It involves them allowing Jesus to change their attitudes and character. 

 

Jesus, help me lay out the incredible plan You have for my friend.  Help me show them why You put them on this planet.  Help me explain how they can start getting ready for their incredible inheritance that has been prepared for them.  Help me teach them how to start getting ready to spend eternity with You.  Prepare their heart so they can comprehend the wonderful blessings and training that You want to provide for them. 

 

Making Some Slight Changes

Rom 8:20-22 (NIV) For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One Who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.  We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Everything your friend does either goes to the investments in this world or to the investments in eternity.  Mat 6:19-20 (NIV) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that those things they do here can either just count for here, or, they can count for here and in eternity.  Help me show them how to use money, possessions, positions, power, prestige, pleasure, popularity, and accomplishments to help people.  Help me guide them into doing that rather than using people to get them.  Prepare their heart for being able to understand that this will count for eternity.  Show them that all wealth stored up for here will pass away. 

 

The River/Lake Principle

Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  This is a powerful principle that gets the blessings, prosperity, and generosity of God flowing in and through your friend.  They are mostly used to getting, spending on themselves, and saving up for their own future.  They will do a few benevolent things just to make themselves feel good about themselves.  But, Jesus has a way to revolutionize their whole existence. 

 

Jesus, help me show my friend this “river” principle.  Help them learn that money and possessions can be used to start a flow in and through them.  If they hoard, store, keep, and only spend on themselves, they become a lake.  But, if they allow the wealth to flow out of them, You will pour more into them like a river.  Help me teach them that the current finances must flow out like the water in a river so the next blessings and provisions can flow in. 

 

Matching The Donation

Rom 8:23 (NIV) Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  The reason this world has so many problems is because this is just a temporary dwelling place.  It and we are suffering the birth pains of getting ready for eternal life.  Your friend can try to make this world as comfortable as possible.  Or, they can use the generosity principle to start investing in eternity.  As they become generous with their time, effort, and money, they not only get much more back, they are sending it all into eternity as well. 

 

Sometimes there will be a generous benefactor that will set up a plan for their special charity.  They will tell all donors that for every dollar they give, the benefactor will match it.  That is the way God is doing with your friend.  For every contribution of time, effort, and money they give out of love, God will multiply it in their eternal treasures in heaven. 

 

Jesus, help me explain this incredible way of generous life to my friend.  Empower me with Biblical knowledge, understanding, and wisdom so I can help them see what is involved in their new life in You.  Teach me all these things so I can apply them to my life.  Let me set them an example so I can give them incredible testimonies for how these principles have worked for me.  Help my friend and I so commit to the Christian life that we press on to the highest call in You.  Help use apply the principles in this book to their greatest potential.