Archive for the ‘Battle of the Mind’ Category

Spiritual Training 28 February 2011

Posted: February 28, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, winning
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Under Gods Command

Jeremiah 42.5,6 Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the LORD your God sends you to tell us. Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the LORD our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the LORD our God.

Johanan and his associates spoke their own course, Jeremiah merely elaborated on it.  It was tragic mistake to ask for God’s guidance with no intention of following it.  Be sure never to ask God for something that you know in your heart you really do not want.  It is better not to pray than to pray hypocritically.  God cannot be deceived.

Spiritual Training 25 February 2011

Posted: February 25, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, winning
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 Under Gods Command

Jeremiah 23 9-14 Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones tremble.  I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD and his holy words.  The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land lies arched and the pastures in the desert are withered.  The prophets follow an evil course and use their power unjustly.   “Both prophet and priest are godless, even in my temple I find their wickedness,” declares the LORD.   “Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be banished to darkness and there they will fall.  I will bring disaster on them in the year they are punished,” declares the LORD.  “Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.  And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible:  They commit adultery and live a lie.  They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness.  They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

 How did the nation become so corrupt? A major factor was false prophecy.  The false prophets had a large, enthusiastic audience and were very popular because they made the people believe that all was well.  By contrast, Jeremiah’s message from God was unpopular because it showed the people how bad they were. 

      There are four warning signs of false prophets-characteristics we need to watch for even today. 

  1. They may appear to speak God’s message, but they do not live according to his principles. 
  2. They water down God’s message in order to make it more palatable.
  3. They encourage their listeners, often delicately, to disobey God
  4. They tend to be arrogant and self-serving appealing to the desires of their audience instead of being true to God’s Word. 

Proverbs 25:26 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 25, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, winning
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Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.    

 “Give way to the wicked” means setting aside your standard of right and wrong.  No one is helped by someone who compromises with the wicked.

Spiritual Training 24 February 2011

Posted: February 24, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, winning
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Under Gods Command

Jeremiah 23 1, 4 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD.  Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people.  Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD.  “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.  I will place shepherds over them who will tend them and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing.” declares the LORD.   

 Those responsible to lead Israel in God’s path were the very ones responsible for Israel’s present plight, and so God had decreed harsh judgment against them.  Leaders are held responsible for those entrusted to their care.  Whom has God placed in your care? Remember that you are accountable to God for those you influence and lead.

Proverbs 24:10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 24, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Maryland Churches, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, winning
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 24:10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength. 

Times of trouble can be useful.  They can show you who you really are, what kind of character you have developed.  In addition, they can help you grow stronger.  When Jeremiah questioned God because of the trouble he faced, God asked how he ever expected to face big challenges if the little ones tired him out (Jeremiah 12:5).  Don’t complain about your problems.   The trouble you face today is training you to be strong for the more difficult situations you will face in the future.

Spiritual Training 23 Febrauary 2011

Posted: February 23, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, winning
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Under Gods Command

Jeremiah 22:21 I warned you when you felt secure, but you said, I will not listen! This has been your way from your youth; you have not obeyed me. 

 Jehoiakim has been hardheaded and hard-hearted since childhood.  God warned him, but he refuse to listen.  His prosperity always took a higher priority than his relationship with God.  If you ever find yourself so comfortable that you don’t have time for God, stop and ask which is more important-the comforts of this life or a close relationship with God.

Proverbs 23:13-14 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 23, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, winning
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 23:13,14 – Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.  Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. 

The stern tone of discipline here is offset by the affection expressed in verse 15.  However, many parents are reluctant to discipline their children at all.  Some fear they will forfeit their relationship, that their children will resent them, or that they will stifle their children’s development.  But correction won’t kill children, and it may prevent them from foolish moves that will.

Proverbs 22:24,25 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 22, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, winning
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Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 22:24, 25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily  angered, or you learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.   

 People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time.  Even the negative characteristics and habits sometimes rub off.  The Bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice of companions.  Choose people with qualities you would like to develop in your own life.

Spiritual Training 22 February 2011

Posted: February 22, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, winning
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Under Gods Command

 Jeremiah 22:15-16 “Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him.  He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well.  Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD.

 God passed judgment to King Jehoiakim.  His father, Josiah, had been one of Judah’s great Kings, but Jehoiakim was evil.  Josiah had been faithful to his responsibility to be a model of right living, but Jehoiakim had been unfaithful to his responsibility to imitate his father.  God’s judgment was on unfaithful Jehoiakim.  He could not claim his father’s blessings when he had not followed his father’s God.  We may inherit our parents’ money, but we cannot inherit their faith.  A great heritage, a good education, or a beautiful home doesn’t guarantee strong character.  We must have our own relationship with God.

Spiritual Training 21 February 2011

Posted: February 21, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Money, Money Issue, Personal Growth, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, winning
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Under Gods Command

 Jeremiah 20:7-18 O LORD, you deceived me and I was deceived, you overpowered me and prevailed.  I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me.  Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction.  So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long.  But if I say I will not mention him or speak any more in his name, his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.  I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.  I hear many whispering.  Terror on every side! Report him! Let’s report him! All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him. 

 11-12 But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.  They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.  O LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind.  Let me see your vengeance upon them for to you I have committed my cause 

 13 Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.

 14-18 Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me not be blessed! Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, who made him very glad, saying, “A child I born to you-a son!” May that man be like the towns the LORD overthrew without pity.  May he hear wailing in the morning, a battle cry at noon.  For he did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave, her womb enlarged forever.  Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame. 

 Jeremiah cried out in despair mixed with praise, unburdening his heart to God.  He had faithfully proclaimed God’s word and had received nothing in return but persecution and sorrow.  Yet when he withheld God’s word for a while, it became fire in his bones until he could hold it back no longer.  When God’s living message of forgiveness becomes fire in your bones, you also will feel compelled to share it with others, regardless of the results.

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