On Your Side!

 

 

On Your Side!

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31, NIV

TODAY'S WORD:

Joshua chapter six tells the story about how the odds were stacked against Joshua and the people of Israel. They were standing at the massive walls of Jericho that many thought were impenetrable. 

I’m sure as he was standing before the well-fortified walls and gates of the city, many around him didn’t think his future was too bright. But you see Joshua had something others overlooked; he had the promise of Almighty God. Joshua had faith because He knew God was on His side, and God had already determined the victory. Sure enough, just as God promised, the people marched around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, they shouted the victory and the walls came tumbling down!

Today, don’t look at the walls in your life; look at the promise of God. He is for you, and if God is for you, nothing can stand against you. Get a vision of victory and don’t let it go. Keep moving forward in faith and obedience knowing that when you do, the Most High God is on your side!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, thank You for Your favor, grace and victory in my life. I choose to trust You. I choose to follow Your leading. I choose to be faithful to You because You are faithful to me. I love You and bless You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PS...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExNHWHnhXns

What It Takes To Change

BY RICK WARREN — AUGUST 23, 2014

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” (1 John 1:8 NLT)

We’re all defective. None of us measure up to a standard of perfection. It is silly to pretend that you’ve got it all together when everybody knows you don’t. In fact, the Bible tells us it is self-deception.

You will never be sinless on this planet, but it is possible to sin less. So why is it so hard to change stuff in us that we really don’t like?

1. Because we’ve had our defects so long. Some of our destructive patterns were developed in childhood, perhaps in resistance to pain or as a stress coping device. These defects may be self-defeating, but at least they’re familiar!
2. Because we identify with our defects. We often confuse our identity with our defects. When you see yourself connected to your defect, you set yourself up to perpetuate it.
3. Because our defects have a payoff. Whatever is rewarded gets repeated. The payoff for the defects you have in your life may be to mask your pain, cover up a fear, give you an excuse to fail, or compensate for guilt.
4. Because Satan discourages us. Once you start to work on something in your life that you want to change, Satan starts saying, “Who do you think you are? You haven’t been able to change in the past. Do you think you’re going to be able to change now? It’s hopeless. It’s not going to work.” Those fears are planted in your mind by the Devil himself.

These things keep us from changing the hurts, habits, and hang-ups that we know are unhealthy.

So what does it take to change those deep patterns in your life that you really don’t like about yourself?

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil” (Ephesians 4:21-27 NLT).

Talk It Over

• Have you ever tried to change a bad habit in the past and felt discouraged? Why do you think you felt that way? How did you respond?
• What defect do you perpetuate by thinking it is part of your make-up? Try changing your thinking. Instead of saying, “I’m a workaholic,” say, “I work too much.” Instead of saying, “I’m lazy,” say, “I have a tendency to put things off and procrastinate.”
• What truths and promises from Scripture can you use to combat Satan’s lies about your ability to change and become more like Christ?