Month: October 2020

Politicians have an adage that goes something like this “a criticism that goes unanswered is seen to be a valid one that will stick, therefore you must counter all criticisms”. Now it would seem to me that one should admit something if it is true, but I don’t suppose that is how one gets elected.

The point however is clear. It is important to counter something before it “sticks”. This is especially true when dealing with ones own mind and thoughts. Our minds and thoughts create a world more “real” to us than the one we live in. Our thoughts and assessments of others always go unchallenged because it is not natural to “argue with oneself”. What we see we assess and pass judgement upon. We also do this about ourselves. Self talk is the most potent type of input I am told. And unfortunately most self talk is quite negative.

How then can we answer ourselves truthfully to counter the constant lies of the enemy of our souls (Satan)? What is strictly true about us?

The message is: Believe what God says about you, not what you tell yourself. In reality your own thoughts are quite limited and normally prejudiced against yourself, but the scripture is not. Believe what it says about you.

If you are a child of God by faith, these are the things you can believe about yourself, and many more!! Following are some NKJV verses that apply.

For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:16-17.

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will …” Ephesians 1:4-5.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.

For God so loved that world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

It is the most potent tool of evil these days – FEAR.

Anger is fear manifested; hatred is fear manifested; violence is fear motivated. What do people fear? They fear loss of someone or something; they fear the competition of others in the workplace; and they fear death. What a world it would be if we could conquer our fear. How is fear conquered? it is conquered in the mind. Refuse to fear!! But on what basis and on what authority can one legitimately not fear? It is only on the basis of faith. Here are some verses from the King James Bible instructing us not to fear. There are literally hundreds more. If you trust in God you need not fear death for you will be with Him forever. you need not fear bad tidings because God will help and protect you. You need not fear being wronged, because God will make it right at some point. All following verses are from the King James Bible.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Romans 12 tells us: “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. ¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Psalm 118:6

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15

Fundamentally there are only two religions. The first general type of religion is a system whereby man seeks to please God in order to gain salvation or eternal life. This religion is found everywhere, even in false Christianity. The method may be different but the intent is the same. We must be good enough; we must be sad enough over our sin; we must punish ourselves enough; and we must follow enough rules to earn, by our own merit, our entrance into the kingdom of God. The other religion is a specific religion which says in Galatians 2:21 (KJV) ¹⁸ For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. ¹⁹ For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. ²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not frustrate the grace of God, for if righteousness comes  by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Doesn’t that make great sense? If there are many ways to God, including the worship of inanimate objects, then why would God send His only son to live on this earth. to be crucified mercilessly and to die a tortured death? Would God do this to simply add yet another way into the kingdom? It seems God paid the price for our sin by Himself assuming the death penalty. According to John chapter 3 verses 14-16: ¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and accept His free gift of salvation by grace through faith, and enter into the family of God.