Your Original Software

Your Original Software TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Do not conform 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.” (Romans 12:2, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Our minds work like a computer. The way you program it is the way it’s going to function. You can have the most powerful computer made, but if you put the wrong software in it, it’s not going to function like it was designed. We’ve all had to deal with these computer viruses. All these problems occur not because the computer is defective, but because somebody contaminated the software. In the same way, when God created you, He stepped back and said, “Another masterpiece.” Your hardware is perfect. From the very beginning, He programmed you to be victorious, healthy, strong and creative. He programmed, “Whatever you touch will prosper and succeed.” He programmed, “The head and not the tail. Lend and not borrow. Victor and not victim.” That’s how your Creator designed you. But the reason we don’t always experience this abundant life is because we’ve allowed viruses to contaminate our software. Because our software is infected, we go around with low self-esteem, negative and doubtful. It’s time to reprogram your mind with the Word of God! Meditate on what He says about you, delete the viruses, and get back to your original software! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for making me in Your image. Help me to see any areas where my thinking is contaminated. I choose to meditate on Your Word daily so I can live the life You’ve prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen. PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5DnUvrxpeM

If You Want to Be Healed, Tell Other People

BY RICK WARREN — AUGUST 25, 2014

“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16 LB)

You know that problem you’d like to get rid of in your life? That temptation, defect, fault, fear, worry, loneliness — whatever is in your life that messes you up? You’re never going to get rid of it on your own. If you could, you would, but you can’t, so you won’t. You’re only going to get well when you’re honest with God — and with other people.

You say, “I don’t want to do that. That makes me uncomfortable. Why should I do that?” Because it humbles you, and God gives grace to the humble. It’s your pride that keeps you stuck.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (NIV).

God wired us so that we need each other. You were never meant to face your problems or your sins by yourself. We need each other. We have a longing for belonging. We’re to help each other out.

James 5:16 is one of the most important verses for your health and holiness as you get over your habits and hang-ups: “Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (LB).

You’ve heard me say it before: Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing. It’s based on James 5:16. The way you get well in life is by revealing your feeling. When somebody comes up to me and says, “Pastor Rick, I’ve never told this to anybody,” I know that person is on the road to recovery, because when you share something for the first time, you’re opening the closet door where the boogeyman hides — but it turns out he’s not as big as you thought he was, and you breathe a sigh of relief. There is relief and healing in admitting and sharing. Why? Because the moment you do that, you humble yourself, and God gives grace to the humble.

This is the hardest step for some of you because it really hits your pride. You don’t mind telling God about your habit, but you’re not about to tell anybody else. Your stomach just starts churning even thinking about it.

If that’s the case, you’re going to be stuck in that sin the rest of your life because you’re never going to get well on your own. God has wired you in a way that you need other people to help you grow.

If all you want to do is be forgiven, tell God. But if you want to be healed, you’ve got to tell other people.

Talk It Over

• With what kind of people do you think God wants you to share your sin, worry, and fears?
• Who are the people in your life who fit that description?
• How do you think God wants you to respond when friends share their sins, hurts, habits, or hang-ups with you?