Victory Through God-Esteem And Confidence

 

 

“Starting Your Day With Jesus” Lifestyle Series

 

 

 

By Mel D Westbrook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Book Introduction

Version: 25.10.09

 

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 Lifestyles?

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 you to see your 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 your 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 you 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 for today.

 

 

 

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 you are children, then you are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed you share in His sufferings in order that you 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 you are children, then you are heirs: What did you inherit when you became a child of God? Dear friends, now you are children of God, and what you will be has not yet been made known. But you know that when He appears, you shall be like Him, for you 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 you are children, then you 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.

 

 

 

 

Victory Through God-Esteem and Confidence

Version: 25.10.09

Truth/Prayer Chapter One

What Kind Of Esteem and Confidence Do You Have?

 

Week One Day Three

 

 

The Eight Power-Attitudes Of God

These are attitudes that you get from God that empower you to get the rest of the things of God. These are in your third toolset that go along with your first toolset, The Three Keys To All Of Christianity, and your second toolset, The Seven Biblical Principles. Without these, the doors of your heart and mind are closed. They alone can open them to the things of God. Spend some time praying for these tools in this toolset to open you to God’s esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, help me understand that I need these eight power-attitudes of God, in order to get Your esteem and confidence. Make it clear to me that these eight things make it possible for me to get my value from You. Show me that they are doors that must be opened, so Your power can flow into me as supernatural value. They are not the value, they are the doors to that value.

 

 

Spiritual Doors That Must Be Opened

Open To Being Teachable Concerning God’s Truth

Mat 5:3 (NIV) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus help me realize that unless this door is opened, I will not be interested in the truths of God. This power-attitude empowers me to only be open to the truths found in the Bible. And, it makes me very receptive to that truth. It is my openness to all God has to offer. Jesus, help me see that if I am going to get God esteem and God confidence, I must be poor in spirit. Open this door in my heart and mind, so You can make me aware of the value You place on me. Let this power-attitude be installed in me, so I will be receptive to that truth. Help me see it isn’t message of Your value; it is the door to that message.

 

Open To Giving Up Fake Esteem And Confidence

Mat 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Jesus, help me understand that I have blockages in my heart and mind that have to be given up. I have types of esteem and confidence that I have relied on most of my life. Help me see that this door reveals how much they are hurting me. It helps me understand my need to repent of these types of esteem and confidence. It isn’t the cure; but, it is the door to the cure.

 

Open To Basing Your Esteem And Confidence On The Final Authority Of God

Mat 5:5 (NIV) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Jesus, help me be aware that this door opens me to the authority of God. It reveals to me that God esteem and confidence are based on my respect, allegiance, and ewe of the greatness of God. It opens the door to me being able to lock all my esteem and confidence in His glory and honor.

 

Open To Basing Your Esteem And Confidence On Righteousness

Mat 5:6 (NIV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Jesus, show me that this helps me be receptive to God’s righteousness. I become willing to base my esteem and confidence in the righteousness of God. Teach me that it is the door into me only feeling value from living a righteous life. However, make it clear to me that in the beginnings of my Christian experience, I get my righteousness value from my perfect record with God.

 

Open To Not Basing Your Esteem And Confidence On Justice

Mat 5:7 (NIV) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Jesus, help me accept Your esteem and confidence that allows for doing good to those who do not deserve it. Open this door in my heart that will be merciful to people who need to see Your mercy. Let my esteem and confidence not be based on me getting justice, fairness, or equity.

 

Open To An Esteem And Confidence Based On A Pure Heart

Mat 5:8 (NIV) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Jesus, let my esteem and confidence be based on honesty, integrity, and purity. Help me be willing to not get my value through anything that is sinful, misleading, cheating, or lying. Help me be open to an esteem and confidence that gets its value from a pure heart.

 

Open To An Esteem And Confidence Based On Peace

Mat 5:9 (NIV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Jesus, help me be open to an esteem and confidence that isn’t based on beating the competition, forcing my way to the top, winning an argument, being smarter or better than others, or anything that doesn’t involve itself in win/win procedures. Help me be receptive to unity, team work, harmony, and peace.

 

Open To An Esteem And Confidence That Can Handle Persecution

Mat 5:10-12 (NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Jesus, help me be open an esteem and confidence that can’t be damaged by people’s opinions, gossip, backbiting, lies against me, abuse, or persecution. Help me be receptive to the kind that will be strong enough to push through it all and get to those who want You.

 

Ready To Apply The Eight Power-Attitudes Of God

Mat 5:3 (NIV) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Once this door is opened, your receptivity to being poor in spirit empowers you to be teachable as it relates to God’s truth. If you will mix this with faith that Jesus heard and answered your prayer. From here on you will learn and be transformed in your esteem and confidence.

 

Mat 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Once this door is opened, your receptivity to giving up all other kinds of esteem and confidence will be in place. Jesus will help you repent of all the damage those type of esteem and confidence did to you, other people, and God’s plan. Mourning will be a power-attitude against bad types of esteem and confidence. You will have a deep desire to never rely on them again.

 

Mat 5:5 (NIV) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Once this door is opened, your receptivity to the authority of God in your life, will be strong. Your esteem and confidence will be based on God’s Word in such a way that no matter how much the Bible is attacked, your esteem and confidence will be unshaken.

 

Mat 5:6 (NIV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Once this door is opened, your receptivity to righteousness will lay the foundation for your esteem and confidence. No matter how much you are pressured to do wrong, bad, or evil things to the competition, an opponent, an enemy, or an opposing view, you will have an esteem and confidence that won’t give in. It will be able suffer the consequences of you doing right, good, and righteous things to those others what you to win over.

 

Mat 5:7 (NIV) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Once this door is opened, your receptivity to those who don’t deserve right, good, or righteous things will cause you to give them to them anyway. This will be because of your God esteem and confidence.

 

Mat 5:8 (NIV) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Once this door is opened, your receptivity to only treating people with honesty, integrity, and fairness will produce an esteem and confidence that will be based on them no matter what the consequences are. You won’t be receptive to doing or saying anything because of pressure.

 

Mat 5:9 (NIV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Once this door is opened, your receptivity to peace will be a powerful influence on your life and the lives of those you are ministering to. Because your esteem and confidence is based on peace, you won’t be receptive to arguments, conflict, strife, or discord.

 

Mat 5:10-12 (NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Once this door is opened, your receptivity to you are no longer easily influenced by people’s opinions, their verbal or physical abuse, or their resistance to your Biblical message. You will present Biblical concepts to those around you, so as to see if they are receptive. If they are, you continue to work with them. You help them grow from where they are spiritually to where they need to go next.

 

Jesus, prepare my heart and mind for Your complete training, so I can have the full manifestations of Your esteem and confidence. Help me comprehend what it will take to completely yield to them. Show me how to open my heart through The Eight Power-Attitudes Of God. Let Your attitudes bring great changes in my esteem and confidence.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Two

Testing Your Esteem and Confidence

 

Week One Day Four

 

 

Challenges To Your Esteem And Confidence

Mat 5:3 (NIV) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The way to be blessed and for the Kingdom of heaven to be yours is to be poor in spirit. The way to be poor in spirit is to be able to be corrected, critiqued, evaluated, and even be rebuked. The only way for that to happen is for you to completely give up self-esteem and self-confidence and receive God-esteem and God confidence.

 

Jesus, examine my esteem and confidence; help me understand where it gets its strengthening and support. Help me have an esteem and confidence that is able to be corrected, critiqued, evaluated, and rebuked. Show me how to know what kind of esteem and confidence I have. Help me totally move into God esteem and God confidence, so I can be blessed and the Kingdom of heaven be mine.

 

The Purpose Of The Bible

2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. You have a way of evaluating yourself, the world has a way, the devil has a way, and God has a way. Since you have spent most of your time being trained by the world, and since the devil has been trying to run your life most of your life, it is highly possible that you have an esteem and confidence that doesn’t respond well to criticism.

 

Jesus, it is my heart’s desire to be able to be corrected and trained by You. I want to be able to hear Your voice, identify it as Your voice, understand what You are saying to me, and obey it. I know that I can’t reach these new heights in You, if I am not totally governed by God esteem and God confidence. Help me be able to take a hard look at my thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. Help me be able to see my faults and be glad to change.

 

The Purpose Of Jesus’ Service Gifts

Eph 4:11-13 (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 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. This takes deep evaluation down in the depths of your attitudes and character. It requires a purification that removes all the spots and wrinkles.

 

Jesus, do what it takes to empower me to be built up until I reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of You, Christ. Help my attitudes to be cleansed and purified by any challenges, corrections, critiquing, and rebuking that is needed. Help me be able to hear any rebukes and respond with love, appreciation, thankfulness, and obedience.

 

The Message You Are Presenting

Mat 28:18 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Jesus, I understand I can’t teach others to obey everything You have commanded me, if I am not living it. I can’t just teach what I know, I must only teach what I am living. Help me have an esteem and confidence that is able to face any shortcoming, failures, or misdeeds of my body. And, help me face them with a river of the fruit of the Spirit flowing through my heart.

 

Building For The Kingdom Of Heaven

Mat 5:3 (NIV) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus just taught you about the Christian judgment in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. Your attitudes and character are the doors into and out of your heart and mind. They decide what you are willing to do and not do. What you are willing to do and not do decides what you are building your life out of.

 

1 Cor 3:12-13 (NIV) If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.

 

Jesus, help me do those things that build the structure of my life out of gold, silver, and costly stones. Show me that my esteem and confidence will have to be open to me facing anything that is a contaminate in my life. I will have to hear any difficult things to hear and be able to embrace them with appreciation and obedience. Heal my esteem and confidence.

 

Testing Your Esteem And Confidence

James 4:8-10 (NIV) Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

 

Are you ready to hear challenging words like this? Are you ready to face them, while the fruit of the Spirit is flowing through your heart like a river? Do you know how to hear challenging words from Jesus and the Bible and be glad? Jesus has a way for you to literally enjoy hearing rebukes, corrections, and critiquing.

 

Jesus, help me learn how to have an esteem and confidence that isn’t based on me only hearing where I am doing good. Help me be able to see all those areas where I am failing, falling short, and messing up. But, teach me how to hear them with a system that sets me free from negative feelings and resistive attitudes.

 

The Goal

2 Cor 10:5 (AKJV) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Being able to allow Jesus to take you into all those areas where you are still in control, will take a special submission. When He shows you where you need to change, you will have to be willing. You will have to be able to hear about any rebellion.

 

Jesus, help me cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and help me bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of You, my Christ. I know I am blind to a lot of faults, shortcomings, failures, and misdeeds of my body. Thank You for not making me face them all at once. Thank You for taking those that were easier to hear and dealing with them first. But, help me be ready for the hard stuff.

 

The Procedure

John 16:8 (NIV) When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. The Holy Spirit won’t just talk to your conscience about sin and judgment. He wants to talk to you about righteousness. He wants to “fine tune” your conscience, so that you are able to deal with the hidden, obscure, and even cherished things.

 

Jesus, if there are things that are bolstering my esteem and confidence that are keeping me from getting them built and strengthened by You, help me see that I don’t need them anymore. Help me let go of them, even though they have been very important to me in the past. Give me a clear picture of where I will get my new source of esteem and confidence.

 

Poor In Spirit

Being poor in spirit means you are very receptive to any teaching Jesus wants to give you. It is an open door to any requirements He wants to put on you. It means you will hear what He requires and make it your priority. You now have three toolsets that help you not put the pressure on yourself. You now know how to deal with the hard things and know that it will be done by Jesus, if you pass The Seven Biblical Principles test.

 

Jesus, I now know that passing The Seven Biblical Principles test has to do with Your power. I have Your power-desire, power-study, power-prayer, power-belief, power-love, power faith-action, and Your power to be very thankful. Heal every aspect of my esteem and character by You making me be totally poor in spirit.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Three

What Builds Esteem and Confidence?

 

Week One Day Five

 

 

Things That Don’t Build Self-Esteem And Self-Confidence

Mat 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. This involves those things that Jesus will be showing you that are faults, failures, mistakes, and misdeeds of your body. They will involve repentance, asking for forgiveness, going and making it right with others, and asking for His power to never do them again.

 

Jesus, as You know, I don’t like feeling bad; I don’t like seeing my real self; I don’t like having to face up to things that make me look like a bad person. So, I am sure I have glossed over things, justified things, excused things, explained things, and ignored things that I should have repented of. Help me be able to now have the esteem and confidence, attitudes and character, and the three toolsets that make it possible for me to face them.

 

Resensitizing Your Conscience

John 16:8 (NIV) When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. With your esteem and confidence on the line, Jesus didn’t make you face a lot of things up to this point. When the Holy Spirit spoke to your conscience and showed you something you did that was bad, you didn’t just see the deed as bad, you assumed that it meant that only a bad person would do such a bad thing.

 

Jesus, You have taken me through Romans 7:15-25 and taught me that You were holding my body responsible for bad deeds. Help me not stop there; help me see that even though I have a perfect record with God, I have hurt myself, other people, and God’s plan. But, help me also see that mourning doesn’t consist of guilt, it consists of hurting, through love, for those I hurt.

 

Preparing Your Esteem And Confidence

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. Do you remember this study? This is where Jesus taught you that you are not your deeds. The world taught you that, if you did a bad thing, that made you a bad person. And, before salvation and justification, that was true.

 

Jesus, prepare my esteem and confidence for accepting Your truth. Help me keep in mind that I am not a bad person, I have a perfect record with my heavenly Father. Help me remember that I, a forgiven person, did a bad deed. And, that bad deed hurt me, other people, and Your plan. Help me hate the bad deed and join You in attacking it and not me.

 

Trying To Mourning Through Self-Sacrifice

1 Cor 13:3 (NIV) If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. You can do all these things and still not have love. Love doesn’t consist of you crying, hating yourself, beating yourself up, crawling over ground glass, giving away all you possess to the poor and surrender your body to the flames, while labelling yourself as a horrible person.

 

Jesus, help me see that I don’t have to sacrifice my esteem and confidence because I am mourning. Help them be based on the fact that I have a perfect record with God. But, also help me join You in hating the bad deeds that You will bring to my attention. Help me join You in attacking the deeds, so they will be destroyed out of my life. And, help me go make it right with those I hurt.

 

Mourning Through Justification

Mat 5:23-24 (NIV) Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

 

If you do this out of guilt, it will be a painful and demeaning thing. You, however, should respond to mourning, as a person who has been completely forgiven for the deed. You should go make right, as a person who has a perfect record. You should go, and it not have anything to do with you. You should go and it have everything to do with the person you hurt.

 

Jesus, help me understand that the reason my esteem and confidence aren’t on the line is because, going and making things right with those I hurt, doesn’t have anything to do with me. You have totally purified my past, forgiven me of it all, and justified me with a perfect record with God. Help me mourn over the damage that happened to the person. Help me love them because they were hurt, not because I hurt them.

 

Mourning Free Of Condemnation

Rom 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The person you mourn over, may want you to prove you are truly sorry you did it. Jesus wants you to be truly sorry they got hurt. They may want you to act truly repentant. Jesus wants you to believe and trust in His forgiveness. Love consists of you being totally forgiven of what you did; but, you still hurt for the damaged person.

 

Jesus, I can see how easy it would be for me to feel totally forgiven of the damage I did to a person and not care about them. I can see how You giving me a perfect record with God, and me not feeling the pain I caused. Let me yield to mourning in such a way that my esteem and confidence are locked into my perfect record. Then let me go mourn over the person I hurt because they got hurt and not because I hurt them.

 

Mourning Through Love

Rom 8:34 (NIV) Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Mourning consists of a person who doesn’t feel any condemnation. Mourning consists of a person whose esteem and confidence comes totally from God. Mourning empowers a person to feel intense pain for the damage they did to someone; but without guilt that it was them that did it.

 

Jesus, I thank You for setting me free from the guilt of my past. I thank You for setting me free from the expectations of other people wanting me to feel guilty about what I did to them. I thank You for the love You put into my heart for them. Help me resist any pressure of expectations; and, help me respond with feeling of love for them and their pain.

 

Long-Distance Mourning

Mat 7:6 (NIV) Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. You may have to just pray for those you hurt who are evil or malicious. Let mourning fill your heart with forgiveness for their treatment of you. And, let it fill your heart with a sincere prayer for healing any damage you did to them.

 

Jesus, if people did damage to my esteem and confidence, bring them to my memory and empower me to forgive them. Heal any damage they did and allow me to praise You for giving me Your esteem and confidence. Help me pray for them concerning any damage I did to them. Help me keep them in my prayers; but, help me know who I can go to and who would trample my words under their feet, and then try to turn and tear me to pieces.

 

Mourning Those No Longer Available

Mat 11:28 (NIV) Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Some of the people you hurt may no longer be available to you. If they have died and Jesus wants you to mourn over those things you did, tell Him what you would like to tell them. If you have lost contact with them, then do the long-distance mourning by praying for their pain and damage you did to them. But, don’t do any praying for trying to set yourself free from guilt. Honor Jesus’ forgiveness and perfect record.

 

Jesus, if I need to mourn for someone who is still alive, as far as I know, but, I have lost contact with them. Show me what You want me to pray, so as to bring healing to the damage I did. If they are no longer living, help me not feel any guilt for not making it right before they died. Help me realize that You would have taught this to me sooner, if You wanted to. Help me honor Your forgiveness and perfect record and never try to forgive myself.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Four

Have You Ever Questioned God?

 

Week Two Day One

 

 

Something That Does Build Confidence

Mat 5:5 (NIV) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. You may just want to go to heaven and not inherit the earth. But, those things you are currently doing that are preparing you for eternity will be used now and later on earth. You will be ruling and reigning with Jesus on earth for a thousand years.

 

Rom 5:17 (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.

 

2 Tim 2:12a (NIV) If we endure, we will also reign with Him.

 

Jesus, help me be meek before God. Help me not be meek before men. Help me understand that meekness is to accept God as my final authority. Help me not be like Eve, who knew what You said; but, considered herself the final authority, as to whether or not she agreed with it. Let my esteem and confidence be in what You say. Help me base everything I believe on the Bible. Help me not allow anything in the Bible be doubted by me.

 

Meekness In Your Ways

Prov 3:5-6 (AKJV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Another type of esteem and confidence is in people. If they say you are valuable, then you feel valuable. This causes a lot of people-pleasing. Since you want their good evaluation of you, you work hard to please them. God esteem and confidence sets you free from them and it.

 

Jesus, whether I have self-esteem, accomplishment-esteem, people-esteem, or possession-esteem, help me see that they all lead to slavery. Help me allow meekness to lead me into God-esteem. Show me that if I only value God’s words, how others feel about me won’t matter. If I try to please them, let it only be because I love them and want to help them.

 

Jesus, help me be so meek that all my needs for esteem and confidence are already met in God. Set me free from trying to get value for others. Help me be able to allow meekness to get all my value from God, so I can concentrate on the needs of others. Help me be a giver rather than a taker. Help my relationships be built on supply rather than need.

 

Words That You Can Base Your Confidence In

Isa 55:11 (NIV) So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Self-esteem, people-esteem, accomplishment-esteem, and possession-esteem have to be constantly fed. There is never enough support, never enough assurance, and never enough satisfaction. They create a hunger that only God can fill.

 

Jesus, let meekness lock me into God’s authority. Since You and my heavenly Father love me, value me, and empower me, help me not make a temporary commitment; let me make it a permanent commitment. Help me yield to meekness, so You are always my final authority. Not only the authority on my esteem and confidence, but, also on every aspect of my life.

 

 

Jesus’ Example

Yield To Jesus’ Meekness

2 Cor 10:1 (NIV) By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you--I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! When Jesus was out in the wilderness being tempted by the devil, He demonstrated His meekness in the final authority of God. When Satan tried to get Him to turn a stone into bread, Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Mat 4:4 NIV).’”

Jesus, help me relax in the authority of God. Help me base my confidence on what God says. Help me know that if God said it, then I can be sure I am on solid ground. If God demonstrates His own love for me in this: While I was still a sinner, You, my Christ died for me (Rom 5:8 NIV), I can have a strong esteem through You.

 

Let Jesus’ Meekness Be Your Meekness

Jesus said in Matthew 11:29 (NIV) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. As you go about your life and ministry, Jesus has a yoke for you to put on. It is a work harness that oxen wear to pull heavy loads. But, they aren’t heavy to the oxen because they are powerful.

 

Jesus, it was You Who made the oxen powerful; and, it is You Who are making me powerful. Help me see that Your yoke helps me take the heavy burdens of those I used to try to get my esteem and confidence from and carry their load. Since You are taking care of my load, I can now take care of other’s loads. Thank You for making me a supplier rather than a taker.

 

A Lack Of Meekness

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. Jesus wasn’t putting this up for debate. He was doing what His Father wanted Him to do.

 

Mat 16:22 (NIV) Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” Jesus, make it clear to me that self-esteem and self-confidence can even cause me to question the final authority of God. Show me that Peter had so much self-esteem and confidence that he dared to challenge You. Help me see that meekness would have caused Peter to hear the authority and finality of Your words.

 

Mat 16:23 (NIV) 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.” A lack of meekness can even cause your esteem and confidence to be used my Satan. It can take away you having in mind the things of God. It can cause you have the things of men.

 

Jesus, I can see the importance of getting my esteem and confidence from You. Help me yield to Your final authority through Your power-meekness. Let me open my heart to Your authority in my life, so I will be letting You tell me what to do. Set me free from trying to tell You what to do. Let my esteem and confidence be in those things You want me to embrace.

 

Esteem And Confidence Transformed By Meekness

Acts 10:11 (NIV) He (Peter) saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

 

Peter didn’t talk with such authority, as Jesus told him to eat things that weren’t cosher. Jesus wanted Peter to enter into a gentile house and preach the gospel message to gentile people. When Peter got there, he said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me (Acts 10:28-29 NIV) ?”

 

Jesus, use meekness to transform my esteem and confidence like You did Peter’s. Help me go from being resistive, authoritative, and rebellious to being totally submitted to You. Take all other influences away from my esteem and confidence. Help me be willing for You to have me do things that I would typically no want or be willing to do.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Five

Is Righteousness The Goal Of Your Esteem and Confidence?

 

Week Two Day Two

 

 

Things That Steer Your Confidence and Esteem

Mat 5:6 (NIV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Your esteem and confidence can be about right, good, and righteousness or wrong, bad, and evil. Self-esteem, people-esteem, possession-esteem, and accomplishment-esteem aren’t spiritually neutral. They have to do with what makes you feel valuable. Jesus gave a parable that illustrated the spiritual aspects of your esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, help me see the spiritual issues of my esteem and confidence. Help me see that if my value is in the wrong things, I will be drawn by them. Help me hunger and thirst for righteousness because that desire will draw me into things that will be esteem and confidence builders that please You.

 

 

Checking Out Types Of Esteem And Confidence

Mark 4:3 (NIV) Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. In this parable, the seed is representative of the gospel message. But, it can also demonstrate what happen to you, if you don’t allow the rest of His Word to have a proper place in your lives. If your esteem and confidence aren’t rewarded through righteousness, bad things happen.

 

People-Esteem

Mark 4:4 (NIV) As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. This is where people walk on the ground. It is like people-esteem that decides whether or not you are valuable. Eventually you get so much abuse that you end up building defense mechanisms to protect yourself. When God tries to bless and help you grow in righteousness, instead of hearing Him trying to help, you feel like He is attacking you.

 

Jesus, I know I still have things in my heart and life that need to go. Heal me of all the abuse and damage people have done to me. Help me realize that they weren’t actual giving me value, they were manipulating me to do what they wanted. Help me go with righteousness.

 

Self-Esteem

Mark 4:5 (NIV) Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. This is like self-esteem, where you decide whether or not you are valuable. As long as you see Jesus and His provisions as being good for you, then you go with Him. But, if you start having to suffer, give things up, get persecuted, or have to make sacrifices, you start putting Christianity on a lower level of priority.

 

Jesus, since You love me more than I can possibly love myself, since You are wiser than I will ever be, and since You have the power to make good things happen to me, help me give up my evaluation of myself and my circumstances and accept Your righteousness for me.

 

Possession And Accomplishment Esteem

Mark 4:7 (NIV) Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. This is like accomplishment and possession esteem. You see yourself valuable for as long as you can do great, impressive, and difficult things, or, for as long as you have more possessions than the typical people around you.

 

Jesus, help me keep from allowing the cares of this world to choke out my spiritual productivity. Help me see the rat-race that ensues from it taking up all my time and effort. Instead of preparing for eternity and being truly successful here, I only invest in those things that will soon pass away. Help me get my value through You and a life of righteousness.

 

Degrees Of God-Esteem

Mark 4:8 (NIV) Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.” These are people who have God-esteem; but two of them have a mixture of God-esteem and other types of esteem. The percentage of God esteem determines their success and crop production.

 

Jesus, I think this might be where I am. I have Your esteem; but, I am also influenced by other evaluators. As I go through these times of study and prayer in this book, help me discover where I have mixture. Help me listen to this parable and allow it to show me how important it is for me to go one hundred percent with Your God-esteem and confidence.

 

Multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times: Just imagine a garden with only thirty percent of it available for crop production. Part of it is devoted to a path for people to walk on. Another part has rocks in it. Other parts have a lot of weeds. This can be like your life; you may spend sixty percent of your time getting your value for the day from people, yourself, accomplishments, or working on getting more possessions. This only leaves thirty percent for God giving you value through what He says about you.

 

Sixty: What if you got the hoe out and chopped up the path, raked the rocks out, and pulled the weeds up? You could be a one hundred percent producer. This is what Jesus is wanting to do as you spend time with Him studying and praying over these esteem and confidence issues.

 

Jesus, help me identify and clear out all those areas of my life where people-esteem and confidence, self-esteem and confidence, possession-esteem and confidence, and accomplishment-esteem and confidence are keeping me from producing one hundred percent for true success now and in eternity.

 

The Big Issue

Mark 4:9 (NIV) Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Jesus finished the Sower and the seed parable with this statement. When you are getting value from some source, it can be very difficult giving it up. Your esteem and confidence can be extremely dependent on its input. When you don’t get that input on a regular basis, you can experience depression, rejection, hopelessness, helplessness, frustration, anger, and many other negative reactions. It is vital that Jesus set you free through the three toolsets.

 

Jesus, I could have any of a number of reactions to Your parable. One main reaction could be me trying to change my source of value. I could pray and ask You to work one big miracle and get me on the right track. I could feel what it would be like being cut off from my worldly source of value. But, I trust You to gradually heal me from all other sources of value.

 

Don’t Walk Away

Mark 10:17-19 (NIV) As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good--except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

 

Mark 10:20-22 (NIV) “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

 

No doubt this man was getting a lot of things out of this wealth. But, one big thing he was getting was accomplishment and possession esteem from it. For all the things you are getting out of those things you do in life, there are things that are really “benefiting” you. They are hurting you; but, they are giving you things that are extremely important to you.

 

Jesus, You have set me free from so many things. It has been miraculous what You have done to transform me into who I am today. However, if you had put your finger on that one, really big issue like You did that wealthy man, I am concerned that I would have gone away sad. As we work together to make some additional adjustment in my life, if You point to something that seems too hard, help me to not walk away. Help me turn to You for help.

 

Jesus, help me hunger and thirst for righteousness. Let that be the area where I get my value. Set me free from getting any value through any kind of issues that the Bible speaks against. If I can’t bring it to You, at least show it to me like You did with the wealthy man. Let it shake my world; but, help me want to go with righteousness more than I want the value that I get from it. Empower me to stick with You until I can let it go.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Six

Challenging Your Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Two Day Three

 

 

Things That Challenge Your Esteem And Confidence

Mat 5:7 (NIV) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. People with any other esteem and confidence than with God, don’t like being merciful. The only way you can be merciful, is to do good to someone who does not deserve it. But, your relationship with God is you getting His mercy by you being merciful to others--for they will be shown mercy.

 

Jesus, help me love You enough to be merciful to others. Help me identify with the fact that You loved me so much that You died for me. Even though I didn’t deserve it, You died for all my past, present, and future sins. Help me not be merciful so as to feed my esteem and confidence. Help me be merciful because You were merciful to me.

 

I’m Too Important

Phil 2:3 (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. This is a real esteem and confidence challenger. If you are busy comparing yourself with others, so as to maintain your esteem and confidence, you won’t be willing to obey this Scripture. This would mean others were more valuable than you.

 

Jesus, help me understand this word “consider.” Show me that You consider me to be perfect in my record with God. I’m not perfect; I am just considered perfect. You credited me with a perfect record with God through the price You paid in my place. Help me see that I can credit others with being better than me through grace and mercy.

 

All Other Types Of Confidence And Esteem

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit: Jesus’ objective is for you to treat others with such love, grace, and mercy that they love being around you. He wants them to love the way you treat them. He wants you to be so kind and merciful that they start wanting what you have. With God esteem and confidence, you can put your value in God, so you can make yourself a servant to others. Soon, many will want to be around you as much as is possible.

 

Jesus, give me an esteem and confidence that doesn’t treat people with selfish ambition or vain conceit. Set me free from having to push myself to the top, try to get the best, or try to look better than others. Give me Your esteem and confidence, so I can help others to the top, help them get the best, and make sure they cross the finish line.

 

Only Possible With God Esteem And Confidence

But in humility consider others better than yourselves: Let Jesus teach you His system of considering. It is a system that only exists in Him. The words are human words; but the concept behind them is all God. They are grace and mercy. You will be considering others better than yourself, so you can make sure they succeed in life. Since you are already an eternal success in God’s Kingdom, you don’t have anything to prove.

 

Jesus, let me have an esteem and confidence that is eternally secure. Help me already know who I am in You, so I can busy myself with the success of others. Help me start winning by winning through others. Help me be like a coach on a sports team. Help me coach others to win; and, when they do, I win because I am their coach.

 

The Win/Win System

Phil 2:4 (NIV) Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Jesus isn’t asking you to lose, so others can win. He isn’t asking you to self-sacrifice, so others can walk on you or abuse you. He is asking you take on an attitude or purpose that serves others interest while being benefited yourself.

 

Jesus, help me see that You are about to change my goals in life. Help me see that You may not change anything in my current life-activities; it may just be an attitude change. Help me start seeing how I can help others while getting my own responsibilities done. Help me see how I can make other people’s lives better through this win/win procedure.

 

A Change Of Interests

Each of you should look not only to your own interests: This could mean that you you’re your interests and others have their interests. And, you not only take care of your own interests but you also take care of the interests of others. Jesus has a way for other’s interests to become your interests. That makes your interests and their interests one interest.

 

Jesus, others have interests that aren’t in their best interest. Teach me that You won’t have me make them my interests. But, show me their interests that are in line with Your interests. You will want me to include them in with my interests. Teach me where others interests are like Your interests and are like my interests, so I can include them.

 

Jesus’ Attitude Affecting Your Esteem And Confidence

Phil 2:5 (NIV) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. This should be a no-brainer. But, it becomes a challenging issue, when you find out what His attitude includes. Jesus demoted Himself; you may be trying to promote yourself. That would put you and Jesus on opposite ends of the spectrum. But, it is just a matter of understanding why He did it.

 

Jesus, help me see that the demotion You put on yourself elevated you to a much higher position eventually. You made sacrifices that produced great rewards. Help me have the foresight to see how I can make sacrifices that are the very best move I can make.

 

An Esteem And Confidence That Can Handle Demotion

Phil 2:6-7 (NIV) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. You will never have as much to give up as Jesus did. Going from being God to making Himself nothing in the likeness of a human was a major sacrifice.

 

Jesus, let my attitude...be the same as Yours. Help me take on the type of esteem and confidence that can yield to Your attitudes. Help me get my value through demotion rather that promoting myself. Help me take on the very nature of a servant. Show me how to take the incredible principles and personal transformations and share them with others as a servant.

 

From Demotion To Incredible Elevation

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. This is how demotion works with Jesus. What seems like you being reduced to a servant, is in fact a way to eternal promotion.

 

Jesus, help me see things the way You do. Your principles are the reverse of the world’s. Your way to success looks the opposite of what seems right to me. It is taking a lot of teaching, training, and explaining to help me see that Your way will take me to great success in life and in eternity. Help me trust You, while You are helping me understand.

 

From Suffering To Glory

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. As you know, Satan is your enemy; but, he really becomes your enemy, when you start sharing these principles with others. He will send his people to resist, attack, and persecute you for helping people fully dedicate their lives to Jesus. That isn’t an esteem and confidence builder.

 

Jesus, even if I decided that my evaluation of my value was going to be me, I still will be affected by other people’s opinions. If a lot of people start criticizing, slandering, gossiping, and persecuting me, I can see that I am going to have to have one-hundred percent God esteem and God confidence. Purify my esteem and confidence by moving it totally into You.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Seven

Have Your Esteem and Confidence Been Damaged?

 

Week Two Day Four

 

 

Setting You Up For Esteem And Confidence Challenges

Mat 5:8 (NIV) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. There are times when your esteem and confidence are on the line. If you make a God-decision, people will label you with demeaning names, fire you from your job, cease to be your friend, persecute you, and a whole bunch of other derogatory things. But, to be pure in heart, you will have to make God-decisions and take righteous actions.

 

Jesus, I can see how being pure in heart can put me in situations where my value will be attacked. When people say all kinds of evil things about me, don’t like the fact that I am so strict about honesty and integrity, and I won’t talk about things and do things that they say and do, it can challenge my feelings about my value. Help me embrace Your esteem and confidence, so I will remain pure in heart and know who I am in You.

 

The Road To A Pure Heart

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. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

 

Claiming To Not Have Sinned

Having a pure heart requires that you face yourself. In your past, you did things that were wrong; but, you excused them, justified yourself, forgave yourself, ignored the Holy Spirit speaking to your conscience, and decided that if you never did it again, you were okay. But, there is a Biblical rule that you ignored. 1 John 1:10 (NIV) If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.

 

Jesus, help me see where I allowed my esteem and confidence be based on my evaluation of my words and deeds. When I did things wrong, I didn’t want to admit that they were wrong. If I admitted that they were wrong, that would make me devaluate myself. The guilt attacked me rather than me joining You and attacking the word or deed. Help me come to You and let You remind me of where I didn’t properly repent.

 

Will Your Esteem And Confidence Let You?

Come near to God and He will come near to you: If you come to God and let Him look into your mind, heart, and life, what will He say? Do you want to be pure in heart? Or, do you want to protect your confidence and esteem? If you are pure in heart, you will see God. But, if you are afraid of what God might say, your esteem and confidence are fighting you.

 

Jesus, help me not have an esteem and confidence that can’t take the correction, critiquing, and rebuking of God. Help me cherish, respect, honor, and appreciate anything God says to me. Help me desire to be corrected in any way that would help me be more pleasing to God. If I am pleasing to Him, then my life is heading in the very best direction for me.

 

Do You Need It?

Wash your hands, you sinners: You only wash your hands when you think they are dirty or contaminated. If you have an esteem and confidence that can stand to see fault, wrong, bad, evil, mistakes, misdeeds of the body, sins, or abuse, then you will let God put your words and deeds under the microscope. All your sins are forgiven; but, your heart has been damaged.

 

Jesus, when I was a sinner, I did things that damaged my heart, while I was hurting others. You have forgiven me from that damage; but, help me have a pure heart. Help me see that my heart, being damaged, is keeping me from being pure in my behavior. It still has walls, calluses, wounds, and defense mechanisms that keep me from behaving purely.

 

Do You Know How?

Purify your hearts: Prior to Jesus’ training and healing, you used your own, the world’s, and even the devil’s methods to heal your heart. You healed your own heart with human reasoning; the world taught you that time would heal it; and the devil taught you that getting even with people would heal it. That left your heart with major damage that had been covered up.

 

1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Jesus, show me how to bring things that the Holy Spirit reminds me of, before You. If He feels I need to confess some things that I have tried to heal through other methods, help me fulfill 1 John 1:9 and get them supernaturally healed. Teach me that this is for me, as a Christian, so I can have a pure heart.

 

Do You Know What That Means?

Purify your hearts, you double-minded: This is where you can’t make a decision. The Bible is true one minute and it isn’t the next. You believe one minute and doubt the next. James 1:6-8 (NIV) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

 

Jesus, if my esteem and confidence are based on my reasoning, show me that they will be unstable. If they are based on other people’s opinions, show me that they will be like waves of the sea. If they are based on my possessions or accomplishments, help me realize that they are blown and tossed by the wind. Help me get a purified heat by constant faith in You.

 

Why Should You?

Grieve, mourn and wail: Your heart can’t speak with words; it needs emotional expressions to communicate. These three words are heart expressions. These areas of heart damage will be released, if you allow it to cry, grieve, mourn, and wail. This brings healing in areas that are affecting your esteem and confidence. As long as your heart is damaged, you will find it difficult to feel fully valuable.

 

Jesus, if it embarrasses me to let my heart express its self and be healed, show me that there is an area of my esteem and confidence that is still not from You. Help me not be ashamed to do those things the Bible tells me to do. Help me have an esteem and confidence that isn’t controlled by what others think. Help me get healing by having total faith in the Bible.

 

How Does That Help?

Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom: Esteem and confidence are based on positive thoughts and emotions. Doing this seems counterproductive. However, repentance brings healing. You may have to pay to get something you want; you may have to study hard to learn what you need to know; you may have to diet to reach the weight you should be at; but, the sacrifice and pain are worth it.

 

Psa 30:5 (NIV) For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Jesus, help me be willing to give my heart my cooperation, as the Holy Spirit shows me things that I need to mourn over. Help me look forward to the rejoicing of my pure heart, as I benefit from its healing.

 

This One Can Operate In Humility

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up: All other types of esteem and confidence are dependent on pride. In self-esteem, you take pride in yourself. In people esteem, you take pride in all the bragging and complements they give you. In accomplishment-esteem, you take pride in all the things you have done. In possession-esteem, you look at all your wealth and feel pride in all you have.

 

James 4:6 (NIV) But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Jesus, I don’t want to do anything that causes God to oppose me. Let me have one-hundred percent God-esteem and confidence, so You can give me grace.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Eight

Is Your Esteem and Confidence Creating Conflict?

 

Week Two Day Five

 

What You Think About Yourself Regulates How You Feel About Yourself

Mat 5:9 (NIV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. As Jesus has already taught you, you have to have peace yourself before you can be a peacemaker. 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. When you are doing what it takes to yield to the fruit of the Spirit, one benefit you get from it is peace.

 

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, help me understand that it is what I am thinking that regulates what I feel. If I am thinking something that doesn’t fit into these requirements, I will not feel peace. Let that be my warning to change what I am thinking.

 

Do You Qualify?

Col 3:15 (NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. When you need to get involved in a conflict with someone else or two people arguing, you have to know you can help. You don’t want to make things worse than they already are. God esteem and confidence let you know the truth about yourself. Jesus will let you know whether or not you should try to help.

 

Jesus, because pride is at the root of all other types of esteem and confidence, help me realize that they could cause me to feel confident, when I should stay out of the conflict. Help me not check my qualifications; help me look to You for what You want me to do. Since the peace of You, my Christ rules in my heart, help me bring peace to every situation You want me to get involved in.

 

Jesus, if it is a conflict that I am having, let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. If my esteem and confidence are on the line, help me reject it. Help me know that Your confidence and esteem, that You put in me, will never be about to be damaged. They are secure in You and won’t be affected by anything anyone says or does.

 

The Source Of Peace

1 Th 5:23 (NIV) May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is vital that you are aware that all peace comes from the God of peace. As you enter into an issue that is causing strife, enter into it with your eyes locked on Jesus. When people are arguing, they often enter into an unreasonable state. Even the one that you are trying to help the most can turn on you. It can happen that you become the center of the strife.

 

Jesus, help me keep in mind that God esteem and confidence are from You. Show me that they help me not get myself involved in issues. They help me enter into an argumentative issue with my value locked in You. When people say things that are offensive to me, they help me not join into the strife. They help me be a true peacemaker.

 

Power-Peace

2 Th 3:16 (NIV) Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. Since peace comes from God, He has to give those in strife His peace. You are looking for a miracle from Him. Let God esteem and confidence remove you from the issue; then start listening for special power-words to come to you.

 

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, help me not get my esteem or confidence involve in any issue. Help me be yielding to Your esteem and confidence, so my words can be Spirit and life. Speak through me with your power-words, so people will be healed.

 

Peace That Lasts

John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. You don’t want to keep working with the same contentious people all the time. You want to get them a peace that will bring them into unity and harmony. Part of peacemaking comes through teaching God’s peace principles. They have to get Jesus’ peace that puts peace in their heart.

 

Jesus, a lot of arguments come from people’s esteem and confidence being on the line. Someone hurts their feelings and it starts a fight. Help me share the ways into God esteem and confidence. Teach me these principles, so I can share them effectively with others.

 

John 16:33 (NIV) I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Jesus’ truths make it possible for striving people to have peace. He has been teaching you how to provide win/win solutions and situations. Often people are fighting because they want to win the argument. Another reason is, they want to get the best deal. Jesus helps them have win/win situations where no one loses.

 

Jesus, as I get involved in an argument, help me see what is motivating the argument. Help me find out if it is just about someone being right, so they can feel good about themselves. Help me show everyone involved that You have taught ways for everyone to win. Help me share Biblical principles that let them see that there is a better way than arguing.

 

Speaking Peace Into Others

John 20:21 (NIV) Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.” This is a power-peace that you speak into others. Sometimes you can add the word “may” to it. 2 Th 3:16 (NIV) Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. This can be spoken to quarrelling people, so they will have Jesus’ power to stop fighting.

 

Jesus, give me the faith that I can pronounce peace over people who are in conflict. If they don’t have Your power-peace, they will only have temporary peace for as long as I am working with them. Help me rely on Your supernatural power, as I yield to being a peacemaker. Help me not get my esteem and confidence in the way of yielding to You.

 

Peace Through God’s Will

Heb 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, Who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever.

 

When people get their esteem and confidence on the line, they want to win the argument. It becomes a battle of the wills. People want their way no matter what. But, if they are Christians, then they need to submit their will to the will of God. Even if none of those arguing get their way, if God gets His way, every one of them will win.

 

Jesus, if I get into strife with someone or I am helping people who are in strife, help me stop them and say: “Let’s pray.” Help me lead them into a prayer asking for Your will. Help us wait for You to reveal Your great solution to the conflict. Help us give up trying to build our esteem and confidence by winning an argument. Help us want Your esteem and confidence by yielding to Your will and Your way of doing things.

 

Rom 15:5 (NIV) May the God Who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Asking Jesus to give people the Spirit of unity will help them see that they need each other. If they damage each other’s esteem and confidence, they damage a person they will need in the future.

 

Jesus, help me show people how much they need one another. Help me show them that they are fighting each other and not just the issue. If they hurt one another, they damage a person that will be important for other issues. Give me Your wisdom and power to help people see the vital aspects of Your principles. You and they are so wise that everything is taken into consideration. Help me show them You and Your ways, so they can have a life of peace.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Nine

What Is God Esteem and Confidence?

 

Week Three Day One

 

 

Being People-Opinion Proof

Mat 5:10-12 (NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

This is dealing with negative comments, derogatory attitudes, and physical abuse. If enough people gang up on you and you don’t have God esteem and confidence, you will break down. As a Christian, you can have the media, educational systems, many of your friends and associates, and the leaders over you saying you are wrong.

 

Rom 12:21 (NIV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Jesus, help me not only have Your esteem and confidence, so I can resist being influenced by people who are against You, help me be a mighty influence on those around me. Empower me to not only keep from giving in to their pressure, help me lead them into You and Your principles for life. Help me be a loving force for overcoming the evil in this world.

 

Power To Help Hurting People

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 a power of love, a power of wisdom, a power of boldness, and a powerful esteem and confidence. You will get your value from the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus, completely heal me from being influenced by people’s opinions, mistreatment, and persecution. Give me Your esteem and confidence that is stronger than anything people can do to me. Help me be able to push beyond those who are evil. Help me get to those who are hurting and will accept Your help. Give me Your power-esteem and power-confidence that are able to ignore anything that tries to keep me from helping the sincere.

Romans 8: 31-39

The power behind God-esteem and confidence is in Romans 8:31-39. It builds faith, love, esteem, and confidence. To make this very personal, the words “me,” “my,” and “I” were put in the place of “us,” “we,” and “those.” The actual Scripture is bolded; and, the “me,” “my,” and “I” pronouns are not. If you will allow Jesus to speak these verses into your heart, you will gain a power that will help you throughout the rest of this book and the rest of your life.

 

The Power In God Esteem And Confidence

Rom 8:31a (NIV) What, then, shall I say in response to this? This is your opportunity to start speaking these truths out loud. When your esteem and confidence, in God, are being challenged, if you will go to these verses and speak them out loud, you will feel the power of God flow into your esteem and confidence in Him.

 

Rom 8:31b (NIV) If God is for me, who can be against me? Do you believe that God is for you? If you sincerely believe that God is for you, then you can say: “Since God is for me, who can be against me? Say it out loud and for as many times as you need to.

 

Rom 8:32 (NIV) He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for me--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give me all things? This is the most powerful one. Say it as loud and often as you need. You might memorize this one, so you can empower your esteem and confidence in God any time it is needed.

 

Rom 8:33 (NIV) Who will bring any charge against me whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies. When satanic charges are being brought against you, you can be thinking this in your mind. Then, when you are alone, you can proclaim it with your mouth, so your ears can hear it and transport it into your mind and heart.

 

Rom 8:34 (NIV) Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for me. When Satan tries to convince you that you have, for some reason, been cut off from God, let this verse flow out of your mouth in loud tones. Jesus is interceding for you.

 

Rom 8:35 (NIV) Who shall separate me from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? When it seems like everything is going wrong, and Satan tries to tell you that it is because of something you did, yell this at him. You can always come to God and repent of anything you did. Plus, if you do something wrong, the Holy Spirit will clearly tell you about it in your conscience; He keeps you informed.

 

Rom 8:36 (NIV) As it is written: “For Your sake I face death all day long; I am considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” When people are persecuting you, when Satan starts worrying you about life-threatening diseases, and when you feel like something bad is about to happen to you, just remember that the only way you are still alive is because God kept you alive.

 

Rom 8:37 (NIV) No, in all these things I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loved me. When you are going through the issues in verse thirty-six, these the are the words you need to shout out.

 

Rom 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord. This is your goal! Keep speaking Romans 8:31-39 out loud until you are convinced. Your God esteem and God confidence are strengthened with these words.

 

Jesus, help me learn these words, keep them handy, and use them on a regular basis. Help me shout them out, so my ears, mind, and heart can hear them and believe their truths. Help me never forget that these are vital to my God-esteem and confidence. As satanic attack, evil people attack, and doubts in my mind come my way, help me keep these handy, so I can fortify my God esteem and confidence.

 

2 Cor 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. God esteem and confidence are powerful; but, they must be fed. And, so must other’s esteem and confidence. As your esteem and confidence are strengthened, share it as comfort to others.

 

Jesus, help me realize that others need to have their esteem and confidence strengthened. They too experience a loss of value. Help me look for all those things I see in them that are good. Help me constantly be pointing them out. Make me into an encourager and comforter. Help me do it in sincerity; but, help me show them what You see in them that is good.

 

2 Cor 1:5 (NIV) For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. God esteem and confidence are for you being able to face sufferings. They aren’t just so you can feel good about yourself. They are the power to enable you to face the satanic resistance that will come, as you try to locate those who want Jesus. Satan will always have people who are trying to keep the lost from being found.

 

Jesus, I typically don’t like confrontation. I use anger or avoidance to handle people who attack me. Set me free from my human defense mechanisms. Help me have Your esteem and confidence that enables me to not feel any of the accusations, labels, or persecutions that Satan sends my way. Empower me to press forward in sharing Your message.

 

2 Cor 1:6-7 (NIV) If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

 

Jesus, help me have this attitude in my ministry for others. Help me develop a love relationship with them that provides what they need. Help me make them a part of who I am and what I do, so they can always be informed as to how I am doing.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Ten

Identifying God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Three Day Two

 

 

You Are Valuable Because God Made You Valuable

1 Cor 4:7 (NIV) For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

 

God esteem and confidence consists of you recognizing where your value came from. If you look at how you got here, where you got your body, how the planet and all the wonderful things on it came from, and why you are able to think, feel, say, and do what you do, it all came from God. You are valuable because of all God has given you.

 

Jesus, help me see that I am not a self-made person. You have given me my talents, mental and physical capabilities, and all the resources on this planet to use them on. If I didn’t have all these things You have given me, none of who I am, what I have, and what I can do would be possible. Help me see that all my value has come from You.

 

Value Greater Than Angels

Heb 2:6-8 (NIV) But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.” In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

 

If a highly skilled builder invests a lot of money in building a house, the value of the house comes from that skill and investment. The better the job the builder does, the more valuable the house is. The better the investments in the location, the quality of the lot, and the quality of the landscaping, the more the value of the house is enhanced. That is the way it is with you.

 

Jesus, You made my body much more advanced than a rabbit; my brain is much more advanced; and my mind has abilities to use my brain and body in incredible ways. You made me aware of Your existence; You let me get to know You; You allowed me to be born again into a child of God; and, You have plans for elevating me far above the angels.

 

Who Values You More Than This?

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. You didn’t die for you and no one else will either. If you cease meeting the needs of those around you, they will go find someone else to meet those needs. But, with God, you are not expendable.

 

Jesus, help me see that God’s value of me is greater, better, and more consistent than any kind of value I have ever seen. Help me see that His evaluation of me is far superior to mine, other people’s, or what I possess or have accomplished. Open my eyes to how God evaluates me, so I can understand the importance of Him being my evaluator.

 

Why You Are Valuable?

Gen 1:26-27 (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.

 

Because you are a human, you have started off with a special value. God saying: “Let Us make man in Our image” put you in a valuable category. He put special traits and characteristics in you. He designed you with the potential to not only be valuable, but to increase in value. You have been given the opportunity to excel in value.

 

Jesus, help me appreciate what God has done for me. Help me see that being born a human has a lot of value in it. I have been made in Your image and in Your likeness. Help me understand that this puts me in a place where I automatically am valuable. Also, help me realize that You made me a human, so I could take advantage of it and become more valuable.

 

What Has Increased Your Value?

John 1:12-13 (NIV) Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. Your value just keeps increasing in the eyes of God. If you consider God’s evaluation to be valid, then this is going to really help you feel valuable.

 

Jesus, help me open my heart to God’s evaluation of me. He sees things the way they really are. When He considers me very valuable, teach me that, that is the most credible and accurate evaluation in all of existence. Help my heart embrace the way God sees me. Help me allow myself to feel valuable based on what God says is so.

 

You Inherit God!

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. Your inheritance also increases your value. You are inheriting God; and, you are co-heirs with Jesus. Inheriting God makes you more valuable that can be measured.

 

Jesus, help this to not go over my head. Help me not just read this and not allow it to penetrate my heart. These are vital truths for helping me give up all other types of esteem and confidence. Help me feel them in my heart and understand them in my mind. Show me a value that exceeds anything I could have imagined in my wildest dream.

 

You Inherit A Kingdom

Mat 25:34 (NIV) Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. If you see who you are in Christ Jesus, you will be able to understand why all other types of esteem and confidence are totally inadequate. You can also see that God esteem and God confidence involve a whole lot more than you realized. You will soon inherit a Kingdom.

 

Jesus, help this all sink into my heart and mind. Help me see that my meager existence here on earth is just a training place getting me ready for incredibly wonderful and powerful things. Help me understand these things; help them not just be words to me. Show me who You have made me, since I accepted You as my Lord, Savior, and King.

 

You Reign In That Kingdom

2 Tim 2:11-12 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us. Is your esteem and confidence coming into focus? It is easy for your current situation to evaluate you and not let you see who you really are. If you can understand what it means to be a child of God, then you will only accept God esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, increase the meaning of God esteem and God confidence. Help me realize that it stands for who You have made me to be in eternity. But, if I don’t embrace it now, I will allow circumstances, evaluations, and current positions to establish my future. Help me base my esteem and confidence on my new understanding of God esteem and God confidence.

 

You Will Rule With Great Power

Rev 2:26 (NIV) To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--‘he will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’ -- just as I have received authority from My Father. This is why Jesus has been working on your attitudes and character. Your opportunities in eternity are going to be incredible. He is doing a lot of things to you, so you will be totally ready for them.

 

Jesus, help me not only have God esteem and God confidence, help me have a whole new vision of what You are getting me ready for. Let me see as much as possible of what my eternal future holds. Give me an eternal perspective, so I will know who I am in You. You are giving me a whole new perspective on how awesome Your plans are for me. Help me apply myself to these assignments here on earth, so I reach my full potential in eternity.

 

Jesus, help me understand that the more successful I am here, the more successful I will be in eternity. But, help me realize that Your definition of success is different from the world. Help me see that if You help me have money, possessions, positions, power, prestige, popularity, pleasure, and accomplishments, they will be used to help people.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Eleven

Your Future Through God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Three Day Three

 

A Look At Your Future

Being Given Opportunities To Be Successful

Luke 19:12 (NIV) He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’

 

Jesus, has given you incredible potential, resources, principles, tools, and fulfilled prayers. The skill to these servants to take money and increase it is the same as you studying and praying for becoming a World Changer. All the servants got ten minas. It wasn’t the amount of “money” that made the difference, it was the character, attitudes, esteem, and confidence that empowered them to get the job done well.

 

Jesus, help me see that we all start out with equal opportunities to advance in You. Everything is a free gift to any that want it. You value us all the same. But, then when I allow You to start increasing my Bible knowledge and pray for You to put it into my life, that is when I excel more than if I don’t. Help me see that the ten minas of my life don’t increase on their own. You and I are working together to at least double them.

 

The Christian’s Final Exam

Luke 19:15 (NIV) He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. This isn’t the final judgment where you are identified as a Christian and are given your inheritance. This is the judgment that evaluates your deeds.

 

1 Cor 3:11 (NIV) For no one can lay any foundation other than the One already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.

 

1 Cor 3:15 (NIV) If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

 

Jesus, I can see why You are working on my attitudes, character, esteem, and confidence. These are the things that decide what kind of materials I use to build the house of my life. These are the things that double my “ten minas.” Help me yield to all that You have and are doing in me, so I can become a truly successful Christian here and in eternity.

 

Esteem And Confidence That Excels

Luke 19:16-17 (NIV) The first one came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned ten more.” “Well done, my good servant!” his master replied. “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.” The quality of the servant brought about the quality of the results. It was the person in the project that made the difference.

 

Jesus, You are not only working on my attitudes and character, You are working on those things that give me my motivation. If my esteem and confidence are in You, then I dare to do things that I wouldn’t typically have the drive, passion, and motivation for. Help me see why I need esteem and character that can be empowered to excel in Your assignments.

 

Esteem And Confidence That Does Good

Luke 19:18-19 (NIV) The second came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned five more.” His master answered, “You take charge of five cities.” This servant got ten minas just like the first servant. But there was a difference in his esteem and confidence. He may have been just as developed in his attitudes and character; but, he didn’t have the drive, passion, and motivations that the first servant had.

 

Jesus, I don’t have to develop greater esteem and confidence. You have given me the three toolsets that guide me into getting all I need from You. I don’t have to start out with the intensity of God esteem and confidence that the first servant had, I can just desire it and You will guide me through The Seven Biblical Principles to get it.

 

The Wrong Kind Of Esteem And Confidence

Luke 19:20-22 (NIV) Then another servant came and said, “Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.” His master replied, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow?

 

Luke 19:23 (NIV) Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?” When you have a derogatory attitude about the world around you, everything seems impossible. You will see the people, your circumstances, and your own value to be bad and inadequate. You could pump yourself up with self-esteem, people-esteem, possession-esteem, or accomplishment-esteem. But, that will distract you from working on your eternal treasures.

 

Jesus, help me see that this servant was looking through blue tinted glasses. His esteem and confidence were putting a negative tint on everything he looked at. He couldn’t even see the true character of his master. Help me understand that Your esteem and confidence will give me rose tinted glasses. You will help me see everything through the lens of faith.

 

You Influence Others

Luke 19:24 (NIV) Then he said to those standing by, “Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.” This is going in a direction that many can’t understand. They just see a servant that didn’t increase his master’s investment. You may see your successes and failures as just being personal and private. But, when you succeed in Jesus, many are influenced by your success. The final judgment is based on this influence or lack of it.

 

Jesus, help me understand that the greatness of my God esteem and confidence influences all those around me. When I have incredible productivity in developing win/win solutions and situations, many are blessed. When many are blessed through me, some will want what I have. Help me always be expressing the fact that You are the reason I do what I do.

 

Spiritual Math

Luke 19:25 (NIV) “Sir,” they said, “he already has ten!” He replied, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.” There is no socialism in God. Since everyone can get anything they need to be truly successful here and in eternity, it is just a matter of them taking advantage of Jesus’ attitude, character, esteem, and confidence training. Once you yield to all these things, nothing will be impossible for you.

 

Jesus, help me take all those things that You have done in my life and at lease double them. Help me not keep it laid away in a piece of cloth. This servant got ten minas just like the other two servants. His resources were the same. His opportunities were the same. Help me see that it was him that failed the test. Protect me from taking all You have invested in me and have it laid away in a piece of cloth.

 

Start With Desire

Mark 11:24 (AKJV) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. It isn’t a matter of you developing great esteem and confidence in yourself. It isn’t you having to decide that you can do it. It isn’t a matter of you building a big dream and looking at it everyday until it inspires you to do great things. It’s a matter of you looking to Jesus for dynamic esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, I desire to double everything You invest in me. I desire to hear You say something like: “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.” I desire to have Your esteem and confidence that empowers me to take my transformed attitudes and character and use them to fulfill the assignments You give me. Give me the most motivating esteem and confidence that is available, so I can excel in You.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twelve

Basing Your Life On God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Three Day Four

 

 

Listen To A World Changer

Phil 3:8 (NIV) What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

 

I consider everything a loss: This is the kind of thing the first servant had motivating him. This is the kind of thing you can have motivating you. You can go to God and allow Him to add His esteem and confidence in you. They will create the feelings, the goals, the dreams, and the desire to excel in Jesus. The seek key is the key that takes everything you ask for and brings intensity, drive, passion, and a hungering and thirsting for the righteousness of God.

 

Jesus, I thank You for teaching me about three toolsets that all involve me looking to You for everything I need. When I look at this kind of drive and passion Paul is describing in himself, I either feel pressure to perform; or, I feel excited about going out and getting the job done myself. Thank You for setting me free from the Romans 7:15-25 life of human effort.

 

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord: There is a huge difference between giving something up and trading it. In one case you start giving things up that you have wanted, liked, enjoyed, and that made you happy. Once you have finished giving them up, you are left empty, deprived, inactive, and lost. With Jesus, He takes the counterparts of all those things you need to get rid of and crowds them out.

 

Jesus, help me see that Your esteem and confidence incorporates a willingness in me to trade those things that are holding me back, for those things that will make me a great success in this life and in eternal life. Already I have experienced the surpassing greatness of knowing You, Christ Jesus my Lord. So far, the trades that I have made with You have been supernaturally wonderful and God-sized. Thank You have teaching me how to trade rather than giving things up. I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing You, Christ Jesus my Lord.

 

I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ: When you start comparing what you have with what Jesus has, it gives you a whole new perspective on the value of things. Things that you felt you couldn’t live without, all of a sudden look like rubbish.

 

Jesus, esteem and confidence must have something to get involved in. When I was working on worldly things, I didn’t need the greatness of Your esteem and confidence. But, now that my goals and dreams are eternal, I need esteem and confidence that qualifies for the goal.

 

Your Freedom To Dream

Phil 3:8b-9 (NIV) That I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. As you look at all the incredible things that are in front of you, you are seeing them through the three toolsets that help you get them. The pressure is off of you of having a righteousness of your own.

 

Jesus, because You have taught me to ask, seek, and knock, I no longer am trying to get Your righteousness and blessings through having a righteousness of my own. Because You taught me that all I have to have is a desire for those righteous things you are offering me, I now can dream, set supernatural goals, and know that I can excel to Your highest level.

 

Your Supernatural Determination

Phil 3:10-11 (NIV) I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. When you consider getting involved in sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in His death, Jesus has taught you that Satan and his people will resist you in trying to get to the hurting people who want Him.

 

Mat 23:13 (NIV) Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

 

Jesus, I believe in Your power-esteem and confidence that will empower me to not be detoured by Satan and his evil people. They don’t want You; and they don’t want anyone else getting You. I believe that You will empower me to find these hurting people that want You no matter what Satan and his people try to do to me.

 

You Have Come A Long Way

Phil 3:12 (NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Wouldn’t it be sad, if you got everything you needed to be a professional pilot, passed all your tests, qualified for your licenses, and wouldn’t accept the position? Jesus has brought you to the place where you are now ready to take advantage of the attitudes and character that He has developed in you.

 

Jesus, show me that I haven’t arrived. All these things You did in me were to bring me to the place where You give me the esteem and confidence, in You, that presses me forward. Help me yield to Your esteem and confidence, so I can take advantage of all You have developed in me. Help me press on to take hold of that for which You, Christ Jesus, took hold of me.

 

Is This The One Thing You Do?

Phil 3:13 (NIV) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. You and Jesus have worked together for so long. You and Jesus have accomplished so much. Now, you and Jesus can do this one thing: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, you can press on toward the goal to win the prize.”

 

Jesus, after all this training, studying Your truths, and praying for them to be installed in my life, help me not be like that third servant that wrapped all of it up in a cloth. Help me be like that first servant, who at least doubled all his master invested in him.

 

It’s Up To You

Phil 3:15 (NIV) All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

 

You know that all you have to do to press on toward the goal to win the prize is, ask for it, seek it, and then knock on the doors of opportunity to share it with those hurting people who want Jesus. You know that all you have to do, if you don’t see the results is, desire it, study more about it, keep praying for it, keep waiting for Jesus’ faith for you to believe you have it, love people enough to share it, take faith-action on it, and be thankful for Jesus’ incredible results through it.

 

Jesus, show me that the highest goals, the biggest plans, the size of the mountains, and the greatness of the challenge is all dependent on me trusting You to do it in and through me. Give me the power of Your esteem and confidence that helps me allow You to be God in and through me life. Help me let them inspire, motivate, and excite me to do what You are capable of doing. Help me not limit You and what You want to do for all these hurting people.

 

It's All Available To You

Phil 3:16 (NIV) Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Jesus has done the work in your attitudes and character. He has already done the work in Your knowledge of His truths. He has already answered all the prayers you have prayed. Now it is just a matter of you taking advantage of Jesus and the work He has done in you. Live up to what you have already attained.

 

James 4:7 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Jesus, if I feel any pressure, help me resist the devil. Show me that he is trying to draw me back into world training and human effort. If I feel any fear, help me go to Philippians 4:8 and see if what I am thinking fits in with that mind filter. If I feel any doubts, help me bring them to You, so You can speak faith into me. If I feel any weakness, help me yield to Your esteem and confidence that has the power to inspire me to do what You want to do in and through me.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirteen

God Esteem and Confidence That Motivates Commitment

 

Week Three Day Five

 

Successfully Running A Spiritual Race

An Indestructible Esteem And Confidence

Acts 20:23 (NIV) I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. As Paul headed toward the end of his ministry, Jesus gave him a choice of whether or not he wanted to die a natural death or the death of a martyr. It was a choice that Jesus was allowing him to decide on. So, Paul chose martyrdom.

 

Jesus, I know You gave Paul the same tools You have given me. I know he had to desire to be a martyr in order to start heading into prayer for it, doing his studies in the Old Testament, being taken into heaven for some quick training in Your truths, allowing You to give him the faith to believe for martyrdom, loving people enough to be willing to be martyred, taking faith-action and going to Jerusalem, where he knew it would start his journey toward being martyred, and being thankful for the choice You gave him.

 

Jesus, I don’t know what my desires are about martyrdom, at this point. But, I desire to be willing to lay down my life for You, if the need arises. Help me not fear death, pain, or persecution. Help me have an esteem and confidence in You that knows You will give me what I need to endure anything. Help me simply put this matter in Your hands, knowing that just like Paul, You will give me choices and decisions I can make.

 

An Eternal Esteem And Confidence

Acts 20:24 (NIV) However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. Paul was willing to do what it took to get the gospel of God’s grace to hurting people who were willing to accept Jesus. He ran into all kinds of opposition, persecution, and physical pain and abuse. He loved those hurting people so much, that he allowed Jesus to empower him to do whatever he needed to do to get the message to them.

 

Jesus, help me love the hurting people around me enough to do whatever is needed to get them into Your Kingdom. Let my life be spent on those things that count for eternity for me and for those who will accept You. Help see that the only way I can tell whether or not someone will accept You is to present the message You give me for them.

 

An Unbeatable Esteem And Confidence

2 Tim 4:7 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Fighting the good fight started with you getting Jesus’ help with sins, mistakes, temptations, errors, misdeeds of your body, and spiritual failures. Then added to the fight was spiritual growth. You started doing what it took to bring your body under Jesus’ and your control. You did these studies and prayers, read your Bible, prayed, went to church and small groups, listened to good Christian music, and read good Christian books. Now you are fighting the good fight of faith by having Jesus’ esteem and confidence to help hurting people.

 

Jesus, thank You for helping me win over sin and spiritual failure. Thank You for helping me win over my body by empowering me to make it do these studies and prayers, go to church and do all those things that were a good input into my spiritual growth. Thank You for bringing me to this place where I am now growing in my ministry. Help me get the kind of esteem and confidence that is able to resist all opposition against me helping hurting people.

 

An Esteem And Confidence That Reigns

2 Tim 4:8 (NIV) Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. As you rule and reign with Jesus in His eternal Kingdom, you will be wearing the crown of righteousness. Your eternal opportunities are set like Jesus’ parable of the servant who was put in charge of ten cities.

 

Jesus, help me embrace this attitude that You gave Paul. Help me realize that it is not only to Paul, but also to all who have longed for Your appearing. Help me not only get the crown of righteousness, help me be so faithful to You and so loving to hurting people, that I am put in charge of supernatural opportunities that I will enjoy for eternity.

 

 

You Successfully Running A Spiritual Race

Your Goal Establishes Your Prize

1 Cor 9:24 (NIV) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. World Changers have a goal that consists of winning a prize that is God-sized and eternal. They don’t settle for a race that only counts for here. They want to be motivated and inspired to do things that they know will bring the rewards of God. So, they set their goal for those things that take them there.

 

Jesus, just like in a race all the runners run, in life everyone lives. But, just like in a race only one gets the prize, I don’t just want to be living life to live life. I want to be living it with the purpose of running in such a way as to get the prize. Help me lock into Your purpose, so I take advantage of who You have made me to be. I don’t want to be born again into a child of God and then go back to just living. Help me be motivated by Your esteem and confidence, so I run with purpose, with determination, and with passion.

 

Your Training Establishes Your Results

1 Cor 9:25 (NIV) Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Kings wear crowns; and Jesus is King of kings. Since you have gone into strict training, Jesus is preparing you for a crown that will last forever.

 

Jesus, help me understand that I need to have an esteem and confidence that matches a crown that will last forever. If I fail to know who I am in You, my evaluation of myself and what You are making me into won’t match up. You are wanting me to be motivated to really apply myself to the potential You have put before me. Help me be a World Changer, so I can be in strict training that prepares me for my eternal assignment.

 

Your Focus Establishes Your Readiness

1 Cor 9:26 (NIV) Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. You must allow Jesus to keep setting Your goals, plans, and strategies. He knows what He is training you for, so you won’t be running aimlessly. You have your foundational training established. Now He is bringing the specifics into your life. He is starting to add the training that is designed for you. He has a unique ministry that He is calling you to.

 

Jesus, help me not fight like a man beating the air. Help me get engaged in the spiritual battle that You want to use to get me ready for my advanced training. Help me see that I am not going to be just like everyone else. You train all of Your World Changers for their special place in Your ministry. You have a dynamic place for me that is going to take the kind of training that will help me be successful in the work You have prepared for me.

 

Your Commitment Establishes Your Success

1 Cor 9:27 (NIV) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. You have to do things that are more difficult than those who are just going to sit around. You have to structure your day to include things that get you ready for Jesus’ plan for you. You must spend your days strategically, so what you do each day makes your body do what you want it to do. You must make it do these studies and prayers; you must make it go to church and small groups; you must make it read good Christian books; you must make it read the Bible; you must make it pray; and you must make it listen to good Christian music.

 

Jesus, help me focus on those things that matter. Help me sit down with You and let You lay out for me how to structure my days. Point out those things that are a waste of time. Show me those things that are priorities. Help me see what needs to be added, so I can win the prize. Set my goals, lay out my plans, structure my strategies, and empower my determination and commitment. Fill me with an esteem and confidence that motivates me to yield to everything You have for me. Empower me to expose myself to the very best things.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fourteen

God Esteem and Confidence That Handles Battles

 

Week Four Day One

 

 

Reach Your Goals Through Jesus

Phil 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength. With all this discussion about what you must do to run in such a way as to get the prize, it is vital to keep your eyes on Jesus. The more excited you get, the more committed you feel, and the clearer your goal gets, the more you need to keep understanding how this all works. Jesus calls all this spiritual work, study, and prayer you are doing--remining in Him. In other words, you must yield to Him and His power to accomplish all these things. Pray rather than try!

 

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. Jesus, show me that doing these studies and prayers, reading my Bible and praying, getting together with other believers, listening to good Christian music, and reading good Christian books are me remaining in You. Help me understand that those things I expose myself to are what end up coming out of my life. Help me only expose myself to You and the things You want me to look at and listen to.

 

Be Consistent Through The Bible

1 Tim 1:18-19 (NIV) Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

 

During Timothy’s time, the New Testament was being put together through letters and prophecies. Paul was encouraging Timothy to stick with those New Testament truths, so he could fight the good fight. All the illustrations about boxing, running races, being attached to Jesus, the Vine, and building on a foundation with gold, silver, and costly stones, are all pointing to the real assignment. You will be fighting the good fight.

 

James 4:7 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Jesus, help me understand that my main assignment, after learning how to submit myself to You is, to resist the devil. Help me be aware that You have been using these studies and prayers, in this series, to expose me to submission training. Help me see that, that training and prayers got me ready to be so submitted to You that I am ready to resist the devil.

 

A Vicious Esteem And Confidence

Eph 6:10 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Jesus is getting ready to review the armor you are wearing. Not so much for looking at it, as looking at the warrior inside the armor. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the armor. It is impenetrable! It’s you that can pose problems with it. If your esteem and confidence aren’t made out of God-esteem and God confidence. Your sword and shield will be dragging the ground. You will be facing your spiritual enemies with fear, intimidation, doubt, defeatist attitudes, and resignation.

 

Jesus, help me realize that my esteem and confidence will have a profound affect on my armor. It is activated by me! It only does what I cause it to do. It goes where I go; it positions itself where I put it; and, it exhibits the warrior aggression I provide it. It only manifests the skills, talents, experiences, and techniques I possess. Help me be the warrior I need to be, so I can win over every attack that Satan sends against me.

 

An Esteem And Confidence That Is On Guard

Eph 6:11 (NIV) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. You already have put this on; and, hopefully you never take it off. If you have, put it back on. There is never a time when you don’t need it. Satan is just waiting for a moment when he can catch you vulnerable. Once you have secured the full armor of God on you, the next issue is for you to take your stand. This is an “on guard” position that is ready for battle at any moment.

 

Jesus, I now see why my esteem and confidence are so important. All the equipment You put on me is dependent on my attitudes, character, esteem, and confidence. They are powerful and effective; but, their power and effectiveness is dependent and controlled by me. Help me respond to Your esteem and confidence that produces a warrior’s attitude. Help me be aggressive, determined, vicious, and deadly to the enemy.

 

An Esteem And Confidence That Knows Who The Enemy Is

Eph 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

You are a spiritual being; you are a child of God, Who is a Spirit; you are going to be spending eternity in the spirit realm. You are going to ruling and reigning with Jesus from the spirit realm into the natural realm. You are learning spiritual procedures, techniques, and systems. Your first assignment in the spirit realm was to submit to God. Your current assignment is, to stay submitted to God, while resisting the devil.

 

James 4:7 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Jesus, help me understand that this has been a two-part study and prayer series. You have been putting the major part of my training and prayer on submission to God. Help me see that all of my success at resisting the devil comes through that submission.

 

Esteem And Confidence That Stands Its Ground

Eph 6:13 (NIV) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. The objective in your spiritual training and prayers is, stand your ground. You will only be maintaining possession of those things Jesus has provided. Faith only deals with that which Jesus accomplished. If something doesn’t yet exist, then that must be handled with hope. You have this powerful hope that Jesus will come and get you.

 

Jesus, I can see that I will only stand my ground, if I have an esteem and confidence that doesn’t allow Satan to scare me. If I am not impressed with him, then I will stand my ground. If I have my full armor on, then I will be able to stand my ground. Help me see that the whole battle issue has to do with what is going on in my esteem and confidence.

 

Esteem And Confidence That Stands Firm

Eph 6:14 (NIV) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. You aren’t just being told to have the belt of truth buckled around your waist. You are being told to stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. Stand firm is the major part of this impenetrable armor.

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that it is what I think, what I feel, what I believe, and who I think I am, that influences how I use this incredible armor. My success in battle will be because of who I am in You and who I believe I am in You. As I stand ready for spiritual battle, I will have the most powerful, dynamic armor in existence. I will have You, the most powerful being in all of existence. But, if I don’t allow You and my armor to function at optimal performance, I will still lose.

 

Your Esteem And Confidence Will Make The Difference

Stand firm then...with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Stand firm will carry through as the major commandment, as you put on and wear this full armor of God. Another commandment made with Jesus speaking it into you is: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Eph 6:10 NIV). This whole discourse was prefaced with this verse. If your esteem and confidence aren’t strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, your full armor of God is going to be limited.

 

Jesus, I thank You for this book of studies and prayers. Thank You for showing me that I can get great and powerful things in me and on me and still lose. We live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7 NIV). Help me keep in mind that faith is very important for me being able to win in my battle against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifteen

God Esteem and Confidence For Your Command Center

 

Week Four Day Two

 

 

You Have To Stand There

Eph 6:16 (NIV) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Can you see that the shield of faith has to be held in front of you. You can’t be running away from Satan and your shield of faith be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The only way to live by faith and not by sight is to have an esteem and confidence that will stand.

 

Heb 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Jesus, it is all starting to make sense to me. I can see that I have been too timid, too unsure, and too uncertain. Help me realize that I have to have You constantly speaking Your faith into my esteem and confidence. Help me see that God esteem and confidence must be connected to Your faith at all times.

 

Your Command Center

Eph 6:17a (NIV) Take the helmet of salvation. Your head is where your command center is. Your mind and your heart are protected by this helmet. Salvation gave you Jesus’ mind.

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. So, the helmet of salvation protects you and Jesus’ mind from those desires of your body, the influence of the world, and the temptations of the devil.

 

Rom 8:16 (NIV) The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Jesus, help me see that this is where my esteem and confidence are. Help me keep it on by believing in Your salvation and justification. Your Holy Spirit is speaking truth into me about the fact that I am God’s child. I yield to that truth, so the helmet of salvation will remain on.

 

Esteem And Confidence Based On The Bible

Eph 6:17b (NIV) Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. You can know the Bible, memorize it, quote it, teach it, and believe it. But, if you don’t involve the seek key to it, it will be weak. The Bible is powerful; but, your use of it will be based on the lack of intensity and passion behind it. As you stand ready to battle against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, the intensity of your attack will decide how things go.

 

Jesus, help me see that the intensity of how I swing the sword of the Spirit, will decide how much damage it does. Let me use it with the passion, viciousness, and intensity of one who is committed to win the battle. Help me see what all is at stake, as I use Your Word to defeat Satan’s temptations, lies, and misquoted Scriptures.

 

Words That Challenge Self-Esteem And Self-Confidence

Mat 26:31-32 (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.”

 

As Jesus talked, His words were powerful; He was telling His disciples what was going to happen. Peter could have heard those words, and if he didn’t want to be scattered, first he needed to accept that Jesus knew what He was talking about. Second, he should never contradict Jesus, even though it was about him. Third, he needed to yield to an esteem and confidence that asked Jesus questions rather than make bold statements.

 

Jesus, I thank You that You have set me free from self-esteem and self-confidence. Your esteem and confidence empower me to get my value in such a way that no matter how disappointing Your words are to me, I am able to honor Your words. Help me see that Your words are facts and not opinions. If I need clarification, help liking what I hear, or reasons for why what You are saying is true, help me have an esteem and confidence that comes to You in humility, honor, faith, and respect.

 

Faith Self-Confidence Closes Your Ears

Mat 26:33-34 (NIV) Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.” Peter wasn’t expressing God-esteem and confidence; if it had been, Peter would have turned to Jesus and asked Him to protect him from doing it. His value and confidence would have been in Jesus’ abilities to empower him to not fail.

 

Jesus, help me not mistake my esteem and confidence for Yours. Show me how Peter felt at that moment. Help me see that he felt a pride, a determination, a confidence in his own abilities. Help me understand that he was believing in himself. He was trying to present how great he was and how capable he was in fulfilling a commitment.

 

Self-Esteem Will Blind You

Mat 26:35 (NIV) But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” And all the other disciples said the same. Looking Jesus in the eyes and contradicting what He had just said was unbelievable. How could Peter get to a place where he could indicate that Jesus didn’t know what He was talking about? Peter’s esteem was on the line. What Jesus was saying was challenging all the value in him. Self-esteem ties you to your deeds. If Peter scattered, he would feel like he was the scum of the earth.

 

Jesus, help me see that when I read something like what You said about Your disciples scattering, I have the same struggle Peter had. I want to deny it and decide I am just not like that. And, since the Bible isn’t talking directly to me to the degree You were, I feel right in deciding that it is talking about someone else. Help me realize that this kind of esteem blocks off all chances of me being healed in that area.

 

An Esteem And Confidence That Watches And Prays

Jesus took His disciples to the garden of Gethsemane, were He left most of them off in the distance. But, He took Peter, James, and John much closer to where He stopped and prayed. There He prayed for the possibility to be delivered from the crucifixion.

 

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 just told Peter what to do to win over self-esteem and confidence. Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. This is Jesus speaking truth into Peter.

 

Jesus, give me an esteem and confidence that watches and prays, so I will not fall into temptation. Help me be vigilant and observant of all those things that I need to fight off. Help me not lose focus, when I am under attack or You are giving me warnings. Let me be ready, at a moments notice, for going into attack mode.

 

Diagnosing Peter’s Condition

Mat 26:33-35 (NIV) Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” “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.

 

All other forms of esteem and confidence tie you to your deeds in such a way that any criticism doesn’t just point out a bad deed, you will hear them saying that you are a bad person. When ever anyone says anything that you did wrong, it is going to hurt your feelings. This is your warning that you are still connected to a wrong kind of esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, help me listen for any indications that I can’t take criticism. If someone says something negative about me, help me bring it to You, so You can decide whether of not I need to address it. Help me evaluate how I felt about the criticism. If it really hurt my feelings, then help me bring my esteem and confidence for Your evaluation. If I am yielding to any other kind of esteem or confidence, set me free and replace it with Yours.

 

Diagnosing Your Condition

Rom 2:1 (NIV) You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. If this is one of your favorite Scriptures for deflecting any negative comments about you, this is another indicator that you have embrace some other kind of esteem and confidence. You have arrived at a place where you don’t care what people think or say. This is a wall that has closed off your heart. This allows you to hurt people and not care.

 

Jesus, help me listen to what people say about me; but, help me allow You to be my final judge. Help me care about people’s negative comments for as long as it isn’t a person who is always critical. Then help me filter those comments that are indicators of how they always talk and feel. But, if someone, who isn’t always negative criticizes me, help me ask them questions for clarification, questions for what they are basing it on, and if they indicate that others feel the same way, let me find out who those other people are.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Sixteen

God Esteem and Confidence That Shares Jesus

 

Week Four Day Three

 

The Difference Between Bragging And Being Humble

James 4:6 (NIV) But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

 

Jesus has shown you that it is important for you to include Him in your times of setting goals, making plans, making decisions, and taking actions. He helped you understand that you are to think: “Jesus, what should I do in this situation,” rather than thinking, “what should I do in this situation?” He has explained to you that this small change in your thinking is the difference between human effort and getting God’s help. The same is true of how you talk; if you leave Jesus out of your conversation, it is the difference between bragging and being humble.

 

Jesus, when I face something like going around saying Jesus helped me with this, and, Jesus helped me with that, isn’t just a matter of me changing my words. Social pressure, people’s opinions, and doing things that are different from the way “everyone else” does them, puts a pressure on me that is hard to resist. When I do something that people think is weird, strange, stupid, or unacceptable, I feel embarrassment, rejection, persecution, and alienation.

 

A Willingness To Do Something Weird

Mat 5:10-12 (NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

There are times and places where people are imprisoned or killed if they even mention the name of Jesus. How bad is it, if people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because you go around giving Jesus the credit for the things you do? But, you know you won’t put yourself in these situations without Jesus giving you the power to do it. That is the difference between self-esteem and confidence and getting them from God.

 

Jesus, give me such an esteem and confidence that tell people that I am able to do what I do because of You. Help me show them that what I am experiencing is what they will get from You. If they think I am doing it, then they will think it is just because I am so talented or skilled. Help me show them that You will give them those things You are giving me.

 

Being Spiritually Influential

Mat 5:13-15 (NIV) You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

 

You are the salt of the earth: Jesus, let Your esteem and confidence flow through me, so I am empowered to include You in my conversations with the people around me. It is true they don’t think like I do, don’t understand what I do, and don’t always want what I want. But, what is going to help them get there, if I don’t talk to them about it? If I don’t make You a normal part of my conversation, how will they learn what I know, think like I think, and live like I live. Teach me that God-esteem and confidence make this happen.

 

You are the light of the world: Jesus, help me understand that my conversations don’t have to be constantly mentioning You. I don’t have to always be preaching Bible principles. I don’t have to try to always be helping someone become a Christian. Teach me that much of my relationships with people will be simple sentences where I just mention that You helped me with something. As You give me a way to love people and give me Your wisdom to mention You without being offensive, help me shine truth into the darkness of a person’s heart and life. Show me that this is the blessing of God-esteem and confidence.

 

Are You Being Proud Of Jesus?

Mark 8:38 (NIV) If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels. Being ashamed can be a simple feeling of embarrassment, feeling like it isn’t appropriate to say something true, thinking it isn’t socially acceptable to be honest, or not “doing what it takes” to work Jesus into your conversations. Being ashamed has much more to do with what you don’t do than what you do.

 

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 issue of being powerful and at the same time being Your witness means that it flows through the love of God. I know that, that love comes from the Holy Spirit inside me. It may be embarrassing and stressing to mention You in non-Christian settings. But, give me the power of love to help me desire to help people see how wonderful You have been to me.

 

Jesus, as I move from self-esteem and self-confidence to God-esteem and God-confidence, show me that it has a lot to do with the way I talk. But, make it clear to me that it doesn’t have anything to do with me being offensive, obnoxious, forceful, or insensitive. It has to do with me loving You and those around me. Let God esteem and confidence flow out of me in a loving, appreciative, and wise way. I am extremely happy and thankful for my relationship with my heavenly Father, so let show in my conversations.

 

Flow From Faith In God

2 Tim 1:12 (NIV) That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. You used to see value, faith, assurance, and conviction in who you were and what you could do. But, you opened your heart to Who God is and what He can do. And, now you are seeing value, faith, assurance, and conviction in who you are and what you can do through Jesus.

 

Phil 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength. Jesus, I am now doing some incredible things; and, it would be easy for people to think that I am doing them through my own efforts, skills, talents, experiences, and abilities. Help me see that if I don’t explain to them that You are why I am able to do these things, they will misunderstand. Help me wise ways to give them that message without doing damage to them.

 

The Seven Biblical Principles

Will Help You Get God-Esteem And Confidence

Jesus has already taught you that these difficult things like you are studying right now can’t be solved by human effort. Jesus and you, through the Seven Biblical Principles, have been solving these challenging things for quite a while. He has helped you ask God to empower you to not be ashamed. He has helped you look to the Bible for being light and salt to those around you. He has already worked many miracles in your life. He isn’t going to fail you now.

 

Jesus, if You hadn’t taught me to turn to God in prayer, I would just feel guilty that I am not sharing His wonderful things often enough. Show me that it’s too hard for me, on my own, to always give You the credit, be proud of You, and demonstrate how much I really believe, trust, and depend on You for my esteem and confidence. I know that as You and I go through the seven principles, You will give me Your knowledge, understanding, wisdom and power to share You with others.

 

Jesus, as I keep moving into these studies and prayers, help me be sure to not allow all the challenges, requirements, and spiritual issues put pressure on me and my performance. As I face each issue, help me put my trust in You. When I use The Three Keys To All Of Christianity and don’t seem to be sharing You adequately, help me go to The Seven Biblical Principles and The Eight Power-Attitudes Of God. Help me make sure that there isn’t anything in my life that is blocking off the flow of Your message to others.

 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Seventeen

God Esteem and Confidence Through Jesus

 

Week Four Day Four

 

 

Progressive Training Through Romans 8:31-39

Looking At A Different Perspective

Jesus has helped you look at the seven questions in Romans 8:31-39 to give you faith, love, and in this study and prayer time, God-esteem and God confidence. Now, you can allow them to show you who you are in Jesus. As they ask you the same questions, let them ask you for a different reason. You must see who God sees you to be.

 

Jesus, show me why You are asking me these questions. Help me see that because I am God’s child, these things are true of me. Because I have been born again as a spirit being, I am going through life with these things protecting me. Help me read these seven questions from the stand point of how I am being provided for by my heavenly Father.

 

Understanding What Is Going On

Gal 3:29-4:2 (NIV) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.

 

Jesus, show me that, as one of God’s children, I am an owner of the whole estate. Help me see what is going on in my life right now. As long as I an heir am a child, I am no different from a slave. I am subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by my father.

 

Your Future Inheritance

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.

 

Jesus, help me understand that I must be trained to love others. I must be willing to go through many satanic people, so I can get to those who want You. If I am not willing to suffer in this way, then You can’t trust me to rule and reign with You. Reveal to me that all this attitude, character, esteem, and confidence training is empowering me to live the right way here and rule and reign with You in eternity.

 

Seven Things For You To Consider

It is now vital that you see how much you are protected and provided for, as you go through your life-classes, as you do these studies and prayers, and as you include Jesus in your conversations. As you explain to those around you what Jesus is doing in your life, some will want what you have, some will ignore you, and some will persecute you.

1.     Rom 8:31a (NIV) What, then, shall you say in response to this? Jesus, help me see myself as a child of God, show me that I must respond to this. Help me respond by allowing this to give me the knowledge of who I am in You. Since I am God’s child, help me respond by seeing that He is allowing me to go through life-classes that are preparing me to rule and reign with You.

 

2.     Rom 8:31b (NIV) If God is for you, who can be against you? Jesus, help me understand that this is so I can face the challenges of sharing with others and not allow those who are against me to influence my esteem and confidence. You are making me a part of Your ministry of bringing people into Your eternal Kingdom. You are empowering me to know that God is for me.

 

3.     Rom 8:32 (NIV) He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for you--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give you all things? Jesus, let this impact me in a powerful way. Help me see how much I can count on being protected and provided for, as I take authority over the evil that is dominating the lives of hurting people. Help me resist persecution with attitudes of a child of God. Help me rise above all that Satan is trying to do to who I see myself as being in You.

 

4.     Rom 8:33 (NIV) Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies. Jesus, as the people who are trying to keep me from reaching those who want You, let this provision empower me to not allow anything they say or do to hold me back or intimidate me. Let me feel Your justification, as I mentally and emotionally resist their charges.

 

5.     Rom 8:34 (NIV) Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for you. Jesus, as I meet wolves in sheep’s clothing, as I meet leaders who represent themselves as Christian leaders, help me know that their condemnation is invalid. When they accuse me of not being a Christian because I stand for righteousness, help me know it is love to warn people. Help me know I am doing what You did, when You were here on earth.

 

6.     Rom 8:35a (NIV) Who shall separate you from the love of Christ? Jesus, help me believe this with all my heart. Help me believe that no matter how many people resist me, no matter what people accuse me of, no matter how much I am persecuted, help me see that You love me and suffered in the same way.

 

7.     Rom 8:35b-37 (NIV) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things I am more than conquerors through Him Who loved me.

 

Jesus, as I lead more and more people to You and teach them to obey everything You taught, I know it will bring greater and greater resistance. But, help me keep my eyes on those You are transforming. Help me stick with the message of all those things You taught and not just the salvation message. Help me realize that, that message will even bring resistance from some of Your people. But, make me more than conquerors through You Who loved me.

 

Rom 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Jesus, build my faith in who You have made me in You. Help me not go around feeling, rejected, persecuted, outnumbered, or different. Help me see the love You have put in my heart to suffer all these things, so I can reach those who will join You in Your eternal Kingdom.

 

Who You Are In Christ Jesus

Mat 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me: The reason Jesus said this and then said, “therefore” is because Him having all authority means you have all authority. Not in yourself; but, living in you. You have been crucified with Christ and you no longer live, but Christ lives in you. The life you live in the body, you live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved you and gave Himself for you (Gal 2:20 NIV).

 

Jesus, I have given my life and my body over to You and Your ministry. I know I can’t meet anyone’s needs. I know that I have nothing to say or give. I know that everyone needs You. I know that if I contaminate You and what You want to say or do in someone’s life, it will hurt them. That is why You have been working on my attitudes, character, esteem, and confidence. You have prepared me to totally yield to You.

 

Jesus, help me believe in all those things You just said to me in Romans 8:31-39. Help me believe You spoke them into me, so I can be a totally yielded vessel to You. Take me through The Seven Biblical Principles and help me find anything that would contaminate You living in and through me. Take me through The Eight Power-Attitudes Of God and help me see if there is any resistance against You flowing through me. Help me devote everything I am to me no longer living, but You living in me.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Eighteen

God Esteem and Confidence Express Truth

 

Week Four Day Five

 

 

Impersonal Self-Esteem And Self-Confidence

The world’s concepts were supposed to help you win at life; they made you the main motivation and resource for your life. You need confidence, esteem, and purpose. If you lack them, you won’t even try to win at life. But, the world is only willing to teach you self-help methods.

 

Jesus, the people of this world are only interested in me, if I have something they want or need. If I don’t have something others want, the only help they will give me is to charge me for self-help training. The world doesn’t want to be responsible for me. So, they require self-confidence, self-esteem, self-determination, and believing in myself. I thank You that You are empowering me to be a mature child of God with Your confidence, esteem, faith, and power.

 

The Failure Of Self-Esteem And Self-Confidence

The world and Satan have put the whole responsibility for your life success on you. Any errors you make are held against you through rejection, criticism, gossip, backbiting, and dishonor. But, if you succeed, all the credit goes to you. You are given money, possessions, positions, popularity, power, prestige, pleasure, and praise for your accomplishments. This draws you into the rat race of living your life and expending your efforts for keeping all of this coming your way.

 

Jesus, I got addicted to the praise, benefits, and promises of the world. There were moments when I was getting a lot of rewards from people for my accomplishments. For as long as I was giving them those things they wanted, I got acceptance, praise, appreciation, and special attention. The pleasure I got from the world, when I succeeded in giving them what they wanted, drove me into continuing to try. But, within all those rewards came great competition from others trying to get all I had. When there was a lack of money, possessions, positions, popularity, prestige, power, pleasure, and praise for my accomplishments, it created emotional and physical pain.

 

Jesus, set me free from the rat race of the world; the benefits I get from it only demand that I keep doing what it takes to get more; it never is enough; I always have to keep trying to duplicate the experience; I never get satisfied or feel like I have arrived. Help me realize that it all has to do with pleasing people who will never fully accept me. Show me how I am being addicted to their demands on my life. Reveal the slavery that is created in me by me trying to please them. Deliver me from their most popular styles, new models, improved versions, and “better” opportunities. Give me the benefits You give that set me free from all of them.

 

 

Comparing The Difference

Powerful Old Testament Examples

Let Jesus give you an example that He provides you in the Old Testament. He will use it to help you better see the difference between self-esteem, people-esteem, accomplishment-esteem, possession-esteem, and God-esteem, God-confidence, and faith in Him. He will show you a life-event taken from the life of David in the Old Testament. The whole event is recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 17.

 

Jesus, help me take advantage of this case-history that You have made available. Thank You for giving me a real-life example of how these things look. Empower me to get all that You are trying to convey to me, so I can benefit greatly from it.

 

Presented By God For You

God handpicked some people like David and Goliath who best exhibit certain characteristics and attitudes; you need to learn from them. Their lives are opened up; and, you are given an opportunity to see things from God’s perspective. This look into the life of David and Goliath, gives you vital information about the difference between those who rely on self-esteem and confidence and those who yield to God-esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, help me be open to this study; help me see the pitfalls of believing in myself. Deliver me from all the self-help training that the world and the devil have given me. Set me free from the addictions I have that came from wanting the praise, acceptance, and rewards of the world. I have been drawn into a slavery that I have never seen or understood before. Help me see the difference between the esteem and confidence the world gives and those that You give.

 

 

The Man With Self-Esteem And Confidence

The World’s Solution To Unity

Israel’s biggest enemy, during David’s life, was the Philistines; they were trying to make the people of Israel slaves to them; so, they came to war against Israel. Goliath, a Philistine, who was over nine feet tall, made them this battle challenge:

 

Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us

(1 Sam 17:8-9 NIV).” Then in 1 Samuel 17:24 the Bible says: When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.

 

Jesus, help me not just read this and be entertained by it. You provided this so as to help me put myself in David’s place. Help me not just learn interesting information. Help me be transformed by what You did inside David, as You empowered him to help hurting people.

 

The World’s Solution To Survival

Goliath’s proposal is what the world is about. It’s about the survival of the fittest; it’s about who is wise enough, powerful enough, rich enough, or better trained to beat the competition. The people around you are trapped in this overwhelming, competitive, and enslaving system.

 

Jesus, help me see how self-esteem and confidence pit me against those around me. Rather than being motivated by Your love, I see them as competitors. Set me free from the greed, coveting, and envy that comes from comparing myself with others. Let me look to You for all my needs and wants being met. Show me the evil that Goliath was experiencing, as he yielded to the drive that self-esteem and self-confidence produced in him.

 

The Man With God-Esteem And Confidence

Jesus Will Give You The Courage

David was the youngest son of Jesse; when he came to bring his brothers some supplies, he heard the challenge of Goliath: David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God (1 Sam 17:26 NIV)?

 

They told him that the king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his father’s family from taxes in Israel (1 Sam 17:25b NIV).

 

Jesus, make it clear to that this Bible presentation isn’t showing me how great David was. Help me see that he is representative of who I am, as I do what he did. He spent his time listening to You, praising You, singing worship songs to You, and being obedient to You. Help me see how that affected him and how it is affecting me.

 

Jesus, show me that I can win without yielding to self-esteem and confidence through Your mighty method of defeating evil. Rather than trying to defeat anyone who has what I want, I defeat those hurting the people who serve You. Give me Your goals for who I need to resist and who I need to help. You have a way of looking at things that is different from the way I was taught. I want to unify with Your people and resist those who are trying to hurt them.

 

Jesus Will Empower You To Ignore Things

So, after a lot of resistance from his brothers and getting permission from King Saul, David said to Saul, The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” (1 Sam 17:37 NIV).”

 

Jesus, when I face the challenge You want me to win over, show me that You will give me the same courage, same determination, same trust in You and the Bible, and the same abilities to resist and ignore all comments, opinions, and “expert” advice that David resisted.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Nineteen

God Esteem and Confidence Through Life-Classes

 

Week Five Day One

 

 

Jesus Has Been Giving You

The Perfect Life-Classes And Biblical Training

It is important that you not see David as unique or superior. Jesus is showing you what He is doing in and through you, as you do what David did. You have been yielding to The Eight Power-Attitudes Of God, and Jesus has been doing the same work in you that He did in David.

 

THE HUMAN VIEW: Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth (1 Sam 17:33 NIV).” Satan will be telling you the same thing; he wants you to believe you aren’t qualified.

 

GOD’S VIEW: But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God

(1 Sam 17:34-36 NIV). Your life-classes have successfully prepared you too.

 

Jesus, help me realize that just like You gave David life-classes to prepare him for physical battle, You have been giving my special life-classes that prepared me for the assignments that I will face. Help me understand that just like You didn’t let David face Goliath without training, You are giving me all this study and prayer, so I will be ready for the work You have called me to do. And, You have given me life-experiences to go with them.

 

Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” You will be constantly confronted with the way things are in the physical realm. Satan will try to influence you; and his people will be constantly trying to tell you the same things. But, Jesus is trying to heal your eyes.

 

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.

 

Mat 16:17 (NIV) Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven. Jesus, heal my eyes and ears; help me look beyond what I see in the natural realm. Remind me how excited You were, when Peter got that revelation. Help me see how excited You are, when I start seeing the way things are in real life. Keep me from listening to people who can’t see or hear.

 

Jesus, help me not just stand there and smile, when people say things that aren’t true. Help me be like David and speak the truth. When people try to speak doubt and humanistic concepts into me based on their blind eyes, help me explain to them what I see. Help me be Your representative for the truth that is coming to me from the spirit realm.

 

Don’t Ignore Or Forget Your Experiences

GOD-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE: THE LORD Who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you (1 Sam 17:37).”

 

Jesus, I have misunderstood, when You allowed the “lions and bears” come my way. Rather than seeing them as life-classes that were preparing me for bigger and more dynamic things, I saw them as things hurting me and keeping me from my goals and plans. Teach and prepare me through Your life-classes; empower me to excel in them and be ready for my next life-class. Help me take advantage of them, so I will be well trained and ready to win at all of life.

 

Jesus, help me understand how vital it was for David to see Your hand in his battles with the lion and the bear. Also, help me realize how vital it was for David to verbally express Who empowered him to do it. No matter who I am talking to, help me, with wisdom and love, let people see what You have been empowering me to do.

 

 

Taking A Look At Two Different Ways Of Talking And Thinking

Now, let Jesus show you these two people who are getting ready to do battle with each other. Their words are going to reveal where their faith, confidence, and esteem are coming from. It will be easy for you to see which is which, as you read these conversations from the Bible.

 

The Character Of Self-Esteem And Confidence

1 Sam 17:41-44 (NIV) Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

 

Jesus, show me that Goliath had gods. Help me see that dead religions have to require all their subjects to rely on themselves. Since these gods don’t exist, humans have to do all the work for them. However, help me realize that secular humanism is a type of religion where the humans are their own gods. Help me realize that secular humanists “worship” themselves and make other humans their heroes.

 

Jesus, show me that Goliath measured David by his physical size, age, skills, experience, and condition. He couldn’t see the spiritual provisions that were resident in David. Thank You for teaching me how to look beyond the physical to the spiritual. Help me always keep in mind that the spiritual always triumphs over the physical.

 

The Character Of God-Esteem And Confidence

1 Sam 17:45-47 (NIV) David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, But I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

 

Jesus, teach me that including Your name in my conversation isn’t just a religious exercise. You don’t provide me with Your power, wisdom, help, and good circumstances unless I will acknowledge You before those I am talking to. You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom you have defied.

 

Jesus, teach me that David is a person inviting You into the battle; he is a person with God-confidence and God-esteem. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. You were speaking faith into this young man and were telling him what You were about to do. Then David took faith-action with his mouth and spoke this truth into reality. Help me understand that this is Your plan for me.

 

The Power Of God-Esteem And Confidence

He [Goliath] said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” Self-esteem and self-confidence are easily offended; they constantly cause you to compare yourself with others. They need reassuring, strengthening, and, additional support. They are only as reliable as the person is who is trying to use them to feel better about themselves. If something happens to their skills, health, mental abilities, training, or supplies, then they fail them. But, God’s skills, health, mental abilities, training, and supplies are all perfect and unlimited forever.

 

Jesus, just like You have been doing with me, You and David had been working together for quite some time. 1 Sam 17:37 (NIV) The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. Just like You have been helping me to do, David had been cooperating with You and practicing faith-action by yielding to Your power with other issues of life.

 

Jesus, help me see beyond God-esteem and confidence. You aren’t just empowering my esteem and confidence; You are flowing through them and giving me circumstantial, relational, physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual victories. Show me that this is opening the doors to much more than spiritual determination, value, and confidence. Reveal how it is actually opening the doors to You changing all of my life. Let me see how they enhance us working together in a power-relationship of great victories.

 

Faith Based On Previous Life-Classes

1 Sam 17:37 (NIV) The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. Defeating lions and bears wasn’t a small thing; but, they were smaller than being able to defeat Goliath. Your life-classes start you out with Jesus teaching you how to win over simple things. Then if you pass that course, Jesus has been able to get you ready for the next “grade.” Those who understand the importance of each hardship, difficulty, challenge, temptation, and assignment from Jesus, are on their way to being trained and prepared for Jesus’ successes in your life.

 

Jesus, help me pass every life-class You send my way. Help me understand the purpose of why You allow hardships, challenges, difficulties, and problems come at me. Show me how to win over everything You allow to confront me. Let Your confidence and esteem empower me to approach them in faith. I want to succeed in life; but, I want to succeed by living through God-esteem and God-confidence; help me do that.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty

God Esteem and Confidence Get You Ready

 

Week Five Day Two

 

 

How Do You Grow In God-Esteem And Confidence?

Let Jesus help you look back over your life-classes. See if you are learning what David learned. Have you been able to see Jesus training, working, and empowering you to win over previous things? Life-classes are only as effective as what you get from them.

 

1 Sam 17:34-36 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.

 

1.     Accept The Importance Of Each Assignment

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep: During David’s time, when a child was sent out to take care of the sheep, they were being given the lowest assignment of them all. When a person is taking care of their father’s sheep and not their own, they are in an even lower position. Telling King Saul that your current job description and career experience has been keeping your father’s sheep, isn’t coming from someone who is relying on self-confidence and self-esteem.

 

Jesus, help me not try to impress people with my positions or accomplishments. Let my conversation be to lift You and Your positions and accomplishments up. When I have to reveal that I am not that great, let me be good with it. Help me see that it shows others how much You are contributing to who I am and what I do.

 

What happens when you are having to do something that you don’t want to be doing? What happens to your attitudes, if you can hardly wait to get out of a situation and “get on with those things that are important?” Your attention gets projected into the future; when that happens, you can’t live in the future because you aren’t there yet. And, you are refusing to live in the present because you don’t want to be there. Why has God allowed you to be in your current situation?

 

Jesus, help me embrace each assignment with respect and cooperation. Help me find out what it is you are wanting me to be taught and get skilled at. Lead me into all those things that You want to create in me and my life. Heal my heart and mind and empower them to receive all You are trying to do in me. Transform my attitudes, so they are open to all You are trying to do in me. Develop my character, so I am ready for my next assignment in You.

 

2.     Grow In Your Relationship With God During Small Assignments

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock: Practicing faith-action so as to learn how to put your faith, dependence, esteem, and confidence in God must start with smaller issues. It would have been easy for David to despise this flock tending assignment. He could have been so unimpressed with sheep-tending that just did his job while being bored.

 

Jesus, show me, in the Psalms of David, how he took care of his earthly, physical assignments while spending time with You. He wasn’t spending his time practicing hitting targets with his sling. And, he wasn’t just practicing playing his harp with secular music. 1 Sam 16:23 (NIV) Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

 

What must happen in your life to prepare you for the lions and bears coming your way? David had to get incredible preparation and training, so he would be ready to deal with them. But, you know David passed all other life-classes, or, he wouldn’t have survived the lion and the bear life-classes. You know David understood and cooperated with the reasons why he was in those other classes. You also know David realized He was supposed to learn how to win over each assignment God gave him. And you know he always looked to God for those victories.

 

Jesus, I want these truths placed in my heart and mind. Help me pass all my life-classes by putting my complete trust in You. Reveal to me why things happen to me and what I am supposed to learn from them. Help me know that Your objective is to teach me how to win over these issues. And, help me always look to You for everything I need, so I can be victorious over them.

 

3.     Let Jesus Take You Beyond Your Comfort Zone

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth: The assignments of God start out small and then get more and more challenging. If you don’t allow God to build your confidence and esteem in the small things, you won’t be ready for the larger challenge. No matter how small or unimportant an assignment is, you need God to help you with it. Those who wait until a lion or a bear come into their life before they turn to God for help, will not be ready.

 

Jesus, there are things I think I can handle on my own and things I feel I need Your help with. Teach me that if I don’t get Your help even with those things I think I can handle, I won’t be ready for those things I realize I need Your help with. Make it clear to me that each assignment takes all the training I received from the last assignment.

 

If you don’t realize that everything you face in life is a life-class, then you will miss finding out what the subject is, what lesson is being taught, and what you need to apply The Seven Biblical Principles to. David remembered the class, remembered what he learned, remembered what kind of success he had in the class, and knew exactly what it was trying to empower him with. He knew how to take the victories from the lion and bear classes and apply them to the Goliath- class he was about to face. He told King Saul what the purpose and results of the lion and bear classes did to him to prepare him for facing Goliath.

 

Jesus, I want Your help in leading me into seeing life like David. Help me see why things are happening to me. Give me attitudes like him, so I can grow and increase in my successes in life. Let me progress each step of the way, so I can win over the lion and bear challenges in my life. Help me to so progress in my training and spiritual skills that I too am ready for my Goliath assignments. I want to grow and succeed like David did.

 

4.     Stay Alert For The Next Assignment

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it: A bear or lion with a sheep in its mouth is one thing; but, a bear or lion that has just had a sheep forcibly taken out of its mouth is quite another thing. It is now angry from being attacked and its food removed from it; and, its mouth is then free to try to eat you.

 

Jesus, when I get Your power, assurance, faith, confidence, and esteem to solve one problem and it seems like the situation gets worse, help me understand why. Show me that You know a Goliath is going to be coming into my future; and, I need to be trained, skilled, experienced and ready. Help me realize that rescuing a person from Satan’s mouth, is the prerequisite class for defeating him when he tries to attack me. You know how much God-esteem and God-confidence I am going to need in my future.

 

David’s battle with Goliath involved a sling and a stone. His battle with the lion and the bear involved hand-to-hand combat. If David misunderstood the lion and bear life-class, he could have thought God was teaching him hand-to-hand combat for Goliath; things would not have gone well. God-confidence and God-esteem aren’t about the method of your battles in life, they are about looking to God for His training, instructions, and will for your life.

 

Jesus, protect me from assuming what it is You are trying to teach me. Help me keep asking questions; help me be set free from my assumptions, so I will be open to Your purpose. Give me Your power-attitude of being poor in spirit, so I am receptive to all You are trying to do in and through my life-classes. Empower me to learn every aspect of all You are trying to teach me and create in me. I don’t want my assumptions to cause me to miss anything.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty-One

Being Ready For God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Five Day Three

 

 

How Do You Get Ready For God-Esteem And Confidence?

 

1.     Don’t Misunderstand Who Did It

Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God: David would have been pretty proud and confident in his own abilities, if he allowed these life-classes to be turned into self-confidence and self-esteem. He wouldn’t have learned how powerful and real God is. He would have been looking back on his life and be telling Saul how great a warrior he was. He would have been empty of all the truths and power of God. Self-esteem and confidence would have stolen all the wonderful things David learned about GOD.

 

It is true you are very much involved in the ever-increasing battles of life. It is true that the greater the battle and the greater the victory, it increases your esteem and confidence. “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear” sounds like a person bragging with self-confidence and esteem. But, God helped David not get confused, prideful, self-centered, and self-confident.

 

Jesus, protect me from self-esteem and confidence. Help me not turn these life-classes into trying to prove how accomplished, knowledgeable, and skillful I am. Help me be learning how to respect, appreciate, and love You. Teach me how great You are in me, with me, for me, and through me. Then empower me to give You all the glory, praise, thanksgiving, and appreciation. Let them lead me into a better and better relationship with You.

 

2.     Don’t Misunderstand How It Was Done

Psa 18:1-3 (NIV) For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in Whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, Who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

 

Long before lions and bears, David had an intimate relationship with God. Jesus isn’t going to expose you to things that you can’t handle. 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. If you aren’t growing spiritually, then your assignments will remain in the area of just tending sheep.

 

Jesus, help me see the end result of David’s life and see how much You will be empowering me to accomplishing the same sized things. As You have been growing me spiritually through all these studies and prayers, You have been leading me into life-classes containing lions and bears. And, when I rescued people out of their mouths, You empowered me to defeat them, even though their mouth was then free to try to eat me.

 

Jesus, as I see how David allowed You to prepare him for earthly challenges through spiritual growth, help me believe in all that You have done in me spiritually. Help me believe that all these studies and all these prayers have prepared me to do all those things You have planned for me in my future. But, help me understand that just as much as David had physical battles he was being prepared for, I have major spiritual battle you are preparing me to fight.

 

3.     Grow In Obedience

Acts 13:22 (NIV) After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” This is what Jesus has been accomplishing in you. He has helped you face your life-classes and your studies and prayers with an open heart. He has equipped you with The Three Keys To All Of Christianity, The Seven Biblical Principles, and The Eight Power Attitudes Of God. He has used them to work on your attitudes and character. This got you ready for Him to work on your God-esteem and God-confidence.

 

Jesus, as I look at David’s life, help me see the foundation he allowed You to lay in him. Help me see that he was doing what You have been helping me do. He didn’t succeed with lions, bears, and Goliath through his own greatness. He didn’t start out with a lot of faith, courage, and spiritual growth. He started out with the same weaknesses I started out with. Help me not look at any people in the Bible and see it as them starting out any different than me.

 

4.     Grow in Seeking God With All Your Heart

Psa 119:2 (NIV) Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart. The only way all the heroes in the Bible are going to help you, is for you to not put them on a pedestal. If you don’t see how all these things Jesus is doing in your life as being what they had to do, then you will get cut off from being helped by these great people.

 

Jesus, help me see this Psalm 119:2 attitude in David. Then help me see how it empowered him to be able to win over lions, bears, and Goliath. Show me that it is You being allowed to work in and through him and me that make these great things happen. Help me not believe that You were willing to use David any more than You are willing to work through me.

 

5.     Praise And Thank Him For Every Thing

Psa 119:7 (NIV) I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. You can see how much David not only praised God during his prayer times, he was constantly praising Him in front of those he talked to. No one was ever confused as to how David was able to do the great things he did. But, his praise in front of people started during his praise before God. That gave him so much success and blessings from God that it gave him a lot of reasons and subject-material for praising God before people.

 

Jesus, help me have such an incredible relationship with You during my studies and prayers, that I am greatly inspired to tell everyone about You. Fill my heart with great appreciation for all You have and are doing to me, for me, in me, with me, and through me. Help me be one of Your greatest advocates for sharing Your greatness to everyone I can.

 

6.     Memorize And Familiarize Yourself With God’s Word

Psa 119:11 (NIV) I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. The very best way to memorize a portion of the Bible is to let God explain it to you. If you understand the purpose and meaning of each word, it almost gets memorized in the process. Also, memorized verses that you are very clear on their meaning, get used frequently in your conversations. It helps you support why you are saying what you are saying.

 

Jesus, help me not just mindlessly memorize Your Word. Give me a priority for which Scriptures You want me to memorize first. Help me see the incredible importance and relevance of that verse to my life and ministry. Help me memorize it with understanding and full comprehension. Let it be dear to my heart and mind. Let it be so important to me that it becomes easy for me to memorize and use on a regular basis.

 

7.     Meditate On God’s Word And Ways

Psa 119:15 (NIV) I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. When you are just sitting and thinking, meditate on the Bible and how great God is. If you aren’t busy thinking about something important, give your thought-life over to this assignment. This was how David got ready for God-esteem and God-confidence. He shared this principle, in this Psalm, so people could know how he lived his life.

 

Jesus, help me not only memorize and understand various verses in the Bible, help me spend time thinking about them. Help me realize that it is at those times that You open them up. Help me spend a lot of time meditating on all the verses that You have put a priority on. If there is a verse or passage that I don’t understand. Help me spend time meditating on it. Help me allow You to bring other Scriptures to my mind that help me understand it.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty-Two

Using God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Five Day Four

 

 

Your Purpose For Studying David and Goliath

You spent time looking at David and Goliath in 1 Samuel chapter seventeen. The reason for this was, so you could see what God was trying to teach you and create in you concerning God-esteem and God-confidence. You saw the humility and honesty of David; and, you saw the self-confidence and self-esteem of Goliath. If you understand the character of the two types of confidence and esteem, it will prepare you for yielding to God’s esteem and confidence.

 

Goliath

1 Sam 17:4-7 (NIV) A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels (approximately 125 pounds); on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels (approximately 15 pounds). His shield bearer went ahead of him.

 

Jesus, let this be a time to put myself in David’s place. Help me think of issues in my life that are this big and this intimidating. Just because I know David’s outcome in this situation, help me not treat it like it is different from my challenge. Just like David only knew what the outcome was going to be by trusting and believing in You, help me do the same with a challenge that is huge in my life. Help me allow all You have done in my life produce trust.

 

Here’s Your Goliath

Eph 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood: So, no matter how big or small, your battle isn’t against humans. Your Goliath won’t be standing in front of you saying insulting words. You won’t be able to down him with a sling and a rock. It is a battle in the spirit-realm.

 

Jesus, help me understand that all this work You have been doing in me has prepared me for a battle. But, it isn’t like the battle that David had to fight. As a child of God, You are teaching me using David’s physical battle with Goliath as an example. But, my weapons and procedures are totally different. Help me see that You are showing me his faith, his heart, and his attitudes and character. But, mine have to be directed to a totally different kind of enemy.

 

Identifying Your Enemy

But against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world: Jesus spent a lot of time trying to direct you away from fighting with humans. Mat 5:39 (NIV) But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. This is dealing with the fact that your struggle is not against flesh and blood. Jesus doesn’t want you attacking the wrong enemy.

 

Jesus, help me understand that You are trying to teach me how to live as a child of God. You are trying to teach me that people aren’t my enemy. Satanic forces my be flowing through a person; but, if I attack the person, I am not making contact with the source of the problem. It is like attacking the house where an evil person lives. Teach me how to do spiritual warfare, so I can do damage where the damage needs to be done.

 

Identifying Your Battle Assignment

And against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms: Your battle assignment is to gain territory. Mark 16:15 (NIV) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” So, what does David’s battle with Goliath have to do with you leading people to Jesus for salvation? You have people who are making snide, derogatory, negative, and evil comments about Jesus. That was the whole thing that got David started checking on how he could help.

 

1 Sam 17:26 (NIV) David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

 

Jesus, help me see that people have to be overcome, who are fighting You, who are trying to keep people from coming to You, and who are persecuting me and trying to get me to stop. It is my job to help hurting people have courage to come to You. I must set them free from the lies they have been told. I must explain to them how to find out the truth about You. Teach me how to fight this battle against my Goliath.

Identifying Your Weapons

2 Cor 10:4 (NIV) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

 

The weapons we fight with: Just like David had a sling and five smooth stones, you have weapons that you do battle with. But, you have to first of all know you have weapons.

 

Jesus, help me identify the weapons I am to use to fight with. Help me know what they look like, what they do, and how to use them. Help me be like David, who knew what he needed to use, so he could go out with God-esteem and God-confidence and win.

 

Laying Down Weapons

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world: If you use those things the world taught you to use to reach your goals, make your plans, and start your strategy, you will have the wrong weapons for getting the job done. It will be like you bringing sewing tools for doing plumbing. This is a spiritual battle that requires spiritual weapons.

 

Jesus, help me give up all the weapons of the world. Help me not use greed, covetousness, lies, misleading, cheating, stealing, or manipulating. Show me when I am trying to set people free, while using things that don’t have any spiritual power. Help me be able to tell the difference between those things that I used to use and what You are equipping me with now.

 

Identifying Your Weapon’s Potential

On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds: You will know you are using the wrong weapon, if it isn’t demolishing strongholds. Jesus has given you weapons that set people free from things that are strongholds in their lives. And, you have Jesus inside you ready to join you in attacking those strongholds and demolishing them.

 

Jesus, help me recognize what kind of weapons I am using. Help me start going against those things that are imprisoning people and see what kind of results I get. Help start reaching out to captives and helping them express those areas where they are being held captive. Help me apply the solutions that the Bible tells me to apply. If I don’t get the results that the Bible says I am supposed to get, help me go to my three toolsets and find out why my weapons failed.

 

Identifying Your Potential

Eph 6:10 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. You have the right to take authority over those things that are strongholds in people’s lives. You have truths that have set you free; those truths with set others free. All you have to do is tell people, who are captive to strongholds, what Jesus has done for you. Then when they want Him to do that for them, all you have to do is share how He did it for you.

 

John 8:32 (NIV) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Jesus, I do know the truths that have set me free. I have experienced a lot of truths that have set me free in a lot of areas. Help me share my stories with people, so they will know about my freedom. Then when people, who hear my stories, want the freedom I got, help me share Your truths with them.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty-Three

Teaching God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Five Day Five

 

Sharing Jesus With Your Friend

What Jesus will be doing with you from this point on, will be to teach you how to set your friends free from the strongholds that are binding them. Just like you, the world has taught them things that are destroying them and the people they are trying to be friends with. You will be using the weapon of truth to set them free from the lies, misinformation, and fake truths they have been taught. You will be using all those things Jesus taught you to set them free.

 

Was Goliath Just A Product Of His Society?

Rom 1:20 (NIV) For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

 

Your friends are being taught that they are a result of mistreatment from parents, teachers, and the society in general. They are taught it isn’t their fault that they think, feel, say, and do what they do. They are blaming everyone else for things God is holding them accountable for.

 

Jesus, teach me that Goliath wasn’t a product of his society; he was a reaction to his society. Show me why Goliath used self-confidence and self-esteem to make himself feel like he could beat any opponent he faced. Explain to me why he didn’t respond to God’s message that was being given to him through creation. Reveal to me that it was a decision he made.

 

Jesus, show me that the people I am working with have to understand that they make a choice, as to how they want to experience happiness, pleasure, and enjoyment. They decide what they want to do with those things they achieve or accumulate. They decide what they want to share or want to keep. Help me see that David’s people and Goliath’s people could have decided to work together and share the land. There didn’t have to be a winner and a loser.

 

Self-Esteem And Confidence Require Comparison And Competition

1 Sam 17:8b-9 (NIV) Goliath wanted Israel to choose a man and have him come down to him. He said, “If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.”

 

Jesus, teach me that the reason the people I work with use self-esteem and confidence to feel good about themselves is because they see themselves as being as good as or better than someone else. They compare themselves with those of their choosing and use those examples to decide how good they are. Help me teach them that a person with God-esteem and confidence gets their feelings and value from what God says about them. He loves them so much that He sent His one and only Son to show them just how much He loves them.

 

Self-Esteem And Confidence Require Things

Mat 6:31-33 (NIV) So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall you eat?’ or ‘What shall you drink?’ or ‘What shall you wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

People with self-esteem and confidence need a way to tell how good they are. There has to be a gage, a measuring device, and a certain criterion whereby they can measure their value and greatness. Typically, the amount of money, possessions, positions, popularity, prestige, power, pleasure, and accomplishments are the indicators for people with self-esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, help me teach my friend that God-esteem and confidence are measured by the amount of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:23) they have. Help me show them that God will give them money, possessions, positions, popularity, prestige, power, pleasure, and accomplishments, but, not as a measurement for how great they are. Let me help them understand that God esteem and confidence are measured by how they went about getting all those things.

 

Your friend wants more than getting things, so they can live a good and happy life. It isn’t enough that they have a car, a house, clothes, shoes, hair, skin covering their body, and a job. They actually want these things to also be of a quality and character that “says” something about them. They want their career, their income, and their clothes to be an indication of who they are and what they have accomplished.

 

Jesus, it will be hard for my friend to stop trying to impress people by what they have and what they can do. They are very aware of the fact that people evaluate them based on what they possess and what they accomplish. Help them lay it all down before You and allow You to decide what You want in their life. They need a miracle to take place in their heart and mind. Empower them to only be concerned with what You think of them.

 

Self-Esteem And Confidence Requires Someone To Lose

1 Samuel 17:9 (NIV) If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us”: Your friend may not be involved in life and death battles; but, the world has trained and involved them in a lot of other types of competition and comparisons; and, all of them require that someone lose.

 

If your friend is going to allow Jesus to only involve them in win/win situations, self-esteem and self-confidence aren’t going to work for them. If they can only feel good about themselves when they win over someone, they won’t be able to give themselves over to love. If they get depressed, discouraged, sad, or unhappy when others do better than them, then they won’t be able to rejoice with those who rejoice; and mourn with those who mourn (Rom 12:15). Self-esteem and confidence are glad they beat the competition, out did everyone else, are number one over number two, and are victorious over those who were competing against them.

 

Jesus, heal my friend from comparisons and competition. They have been raised on the principles that cause them to look at others and compare themselves with them. Help them not look critically at others; help them not see what others have or can do and then compare that with themselves. Set them free from jealousy, envy, covetousness, being critical, having judgmental attitudes, and feelings of competition. Help them identify and be in unity with those around themselves. Help me teach them win/win ways of life.

 

These Things Won’t Fit Into A Self-Esteem And Self-Confidence Lifestyle

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: If your friend has money, possessions, positions, power, prestige, popularity, pleasure, and accomplishments but lack these things, they are a total failure. Even though they may get total support, appreciation, rewards, and acceptance from the world, they get rejected by God. They have to decide who they want as their evaluator and acceptor.

 

Jesus, my friend wants praise, appreciation, and acceptance from others. Help them realize that this desire feeds self-esteem and confidence. If they keep feeding them, they will keep growing into more selfishness. Empower them to starve them out and allow You to feed the God-esteem and God-confidence in their life.

 

So, Was Goliath Just A Product Of His Society?

Just like your friend’s life-classes surround them with wonderful opportunities to be trained by Jesus, Goliath had all of creation proclaiming the wonderful works of God; he just wasn’t listening. Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear (Mark 4:9 NIV).” Pray for your friend’s ears. They are struggling in areas not because Jesus is failing to provide help and healing; it is because they aren’t listening to Jesus. It is because they are listening, but, to the wrong information.

 

Jesus, I pray for my friend’s ears; help them stop listening to themselves, other humans, and the world’s training. Give them a great respect for Your words. Set them free from respect for the world and its information. Let hunger and thirst after You and Your righteousness be their goal. Show them they will never succeed until they get Your power-attitude of meekness. It will empower them to allow You to be the final authority in all they think, feel, believe, and act on.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty-Four

Increasing God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Six Day One

 

 

Having The Confidence And Esteem To Face A Challenge

1 Sam 17:40 (NIV) Then he (David) took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

 

You are looking at a life and death situation; you might get too nervous to stand up in front of a crowd and speak. But, it wouldn’t be because they might kill you if you didn’t do a good job. Fear can keep you from doing a lot of things you need and want to do. If you can get up enough esteem and confidence, you can often push through your fears. There’s a way for you to tap into self-esteem and self-confidence. And, there is a way to tap into God-esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, help me be able to help those around me. They aren’t threatening my life; but, I find it hard to open my mouth and present Your message. Just like the Philistines needed to be driven out of Israel, Satan and the world’s teaching need to be driven out of my friends. Give me the type of God-esteem and confidence that David had. His life was on the line; and, he still went out to face Goliath. Continue to teach me how to help my friends.

 

Lacking esteem and confidence can hold you back in life. David was only able to get involved in the situation with Goliath by having the knowledge that he could do it successfully. Both he and Goliath believed they were going to win this confrontation. David believed God would empower him to win; Goliath believed he would be able to win through his own determination, strength, skills, and power. Neither one of them would be willing to face this if they lacked the esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, my friend has been in situations where they had the wrong kind of esteem and confidence. Goliath believed something that wasn’t true and it cost him his life. Only Your truth can fill my friend’s heart and mind with the esteem and confidence that wins. Help me to show them how to seek Your truth, so their esteem and confidence will be based on it and not their opinions.

 

Getting Self-Confidence And Esteem

If you were Goliath and were wanting to get involved in a battle to the death, then you would have to convince yourself that you could do this. Since self-esteem and confidence are based on being able to produce a result over and over again, you would have to have a lot of experiences where you have defeated many other opponents.

 

Jesus, teach me that my friend is looking back on their life and remembering all those other victories they have produced. They are assuming that these victories represent their future victories. They started out with small battles and lesser competition and worked their way to the top. Like Goliath was standing out there ready for battle because of all his past successes, my friend has all their esteem and confidence in their past successes.

 

Jesus, like Goliath, my friend has kept working on their abilities until they started producing successful results. Their focus has been on what they can accomplish. They have practiced, trained, paid the price, and made themselves into a person with a lot of self-esteem and confidence. Now they are being challenged to give that up and trade for something better.

 

The Misconception

Rom 1:21-22 (NIV) For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools. All the battles Goliath had won were battles he fought against other humans. He hadn’t come face to face with God and His plan for a person’s life; so, it all looked to Goliath like he was invincible. But, what happens to a person who is trying to win against a person or group who trusts in God?

 

Jesus, help me teach my friend what happens to a person with self-esteem and confidence when they come up against a person with God-esteem and confidence. Help me show them why Goliath was in trouble.

 

The God Factor

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. David kept working on his relationship with God. He desired to be close to God; he studied and grew in his knowledge of God. He prayed, worshipped, praised, and gave Him thanks for every success he got. He allowed his heart to be filled with a complete faith, trust, belief, and reliance in Him. He yielded to the love of God, so that God was able to teach him how to care about others. He then took faith-action and started living on the basis of the fact that God had given him what it took to win and went out and won.

 

Jesus, I can see the subtle but vital difference in what I do to get God-esteem and God confidence. Help me teach this distinction to my friend; help me use The Seven Biblical Principles to lead them into focusing in on You. Join me in training and creating in them the methods and principles that keep them looking to You for their esteem and confidence. Protect them and lead them away from the methods and systems of the world.

 

Getting God-Confidence And God-Esteem

Rom 8:31 (NIV) What, then, shall you say in response to this? If GOD is for you, who can be against us? If you were David and were wanting to get involved in a battle to the death, you would have to be convinced that God would empower you to do this. Since God-esteem and confidence are based on you and God producing a result over and over again, you would have to have a lot of experiences where you and GOD have defeated many other opponents.

 

Jesus, my friend can’t look back on their life and see where they and You have defeated many other opponents; but, I can. Help me look back on my life and remember all those other victories You and I have produced. Help me share them with my friend, so they can believe that my victories represent their future victories. Help me teach them that You will start them out with small battles and lesser competition and work their way all the way to the top. Help them get to the place where they will be standing out there ready for battle because of all their past successes with You.

 

Rom 8:31 (NIV) What, then, shall you say in response to this? If God is for you, who can be against us? This isn’t something you can just read and believe; God esteem and confidence don’t come into your life from just studying and getting excited about the promises of God. Your eyes must be directed toward what God can do, you must be headed into God-confidence and esteem. But, it may be through life-classes that look very secular.

 

Jesus, You may put my friend through the same physical training they were going to go through as an unbeliever. You may require them to train for the same profession and get in the same career they had always wanted to go into. You may take them in the same direction they would have gone had they not become a Christian. But, You will give them training that will build a power-relationship with You.

 

Secular Life-Classes Are Frequently Used

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it (1 Sam 17:34-35).

 

Jesus, my friend has to have some battles in their life for them to work on and get victories from. You and they have to work together on some lesser battles, so they will be ready. Help me lead them into some of those lesser battles, so they have successes with You for themselves. Teach me how to guide them through some of those things they are facing.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty-Five

Attacking With God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Six Day Two

 

 

Why Do Lions And Bears Come Your Way?

John 16:33 (NIV) I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Self-esteem and confidence involve trying to make your life better. Your goal is to get enough things, so you can be happy, successful, a winner, feel good about yourself, and make your world a better place for you to live in. God-esteem and confidence involve learning how to apply the principles of God to the troubles of life. You are here to learn how to apply these principles, so you will win and be ready to move into eternal life and God’s world.

 

Jesus, help me realize my friend’s goal is to get away from trouble. You are teaching me to attack the Goliaths in my life. You are teaching me how to face and win over those things that are challenging me. Help me show my friend that You don’t want them to fear them, ignore them, or just try to get rid of them. You allow them to come their way, so they can win.

 

Jesus is all about you winning; but, in order for you to win, you have to win over something. He allows things to come your way; but, only for the purpose of you defeating them. However, Jesus seldom ever wants you to defeat a person. Almost all of your battles will be about business challenges, circumstances, relationship struggles, temptations to sin, and reaching your goals.

 

Jesus, teach me that the only time You will lead me into defeating a person will be to protect my family, friends, country, or society. I am to fight to protect them from a threat to physically take them or a group over to do them harm. The Philistines were trying to conquer the nation of Israel; so, You used David to fight a physical battle against another human.

 

Jesus, teach me how to win where I am not typically wining against someone else. Help me devote myself to peace, unity, love, and win/win situations. Let Your confidence and esteem flow through me, so I can win; and, let it be a win for all who are involved. Make my victories be a blessing to as many other people as is possible.

 

Why Do Goliaths Come Your Way?

Why wouldn’t David just look at this situation with the Philistines and Goliath and be glad he wasn’t king over Israel? Why did he allow Goliath to become his problem; why get involved; why should he have to go out there “all alone” and fight a battle to the death? No one else was willing to step up and accept the responsibility. God-esteem and confidence take you places in faith that move you out of your comfort zone; but, it started with a few sheep.

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that rather than David not worrying about a “few” sheep getting eaten by lions and bears, his concern for them caused him to go to battle for their lives. Help me find out about the people around my friend. Let me ask them, if they know of some of their friends who are in trouble. Then let me lead them in prayer for their friends.

 

Two Different Goals

Mat 6:33 (NIV) But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

•        Self-esteem and confidence have the goal of making your life better.

•        God-esteem and confidence have the goal of creating win/win situations. Love causes you to see the suffering, pain, and struggles of other people and get involved.

 

•        Self-esteem and confidence love things and use people.

•        God-esteem and confidence love people and use things.

 

•        With self-esteem and confidence, you will only step out on the battle field if it serves your purpose.

•        With God-esteem and confidence you step out on the battle field if it serves God and His people’s purpose.

 

The type of esteem and confidence you have, decides which goal you pursue. And the goal you pursue decides which esteem and confidence become predominate in you. If you seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, it will lead you into God esteem and confidence. But, it takes a certain amount of God-esteem and confidence to direct you into seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. That is why your friend has to ask for God-esteem and confidence first.

 

Jesus, help me teach my friend that it all has to do with their priorities; if God and a relationship with Him is their first priority, then things take a backseat to Him. They can’t use God-esteem and God-confidence to go after things. Help me show them that to the Christian, God’s Kingdom and righteousness are pursued and things are to be given to them. Help me also show them that to the unsaved, things are pursued as a top priority.

 

Two Different Pursuits

Pursuing God, His Kingdom, and His righteousness help build your God-esteem and God-confidence. The more they become your priority, the more of them you get. David obtained a very high level of them; It had been His life’s goal to get close to God. His brothers, King Saul, and most of the Israelites had been pursuing things. Rather than looking to God to give them to them, they took matters into their own hands. It takes a special faith from Jesus for you to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things...be given to you as well.

 

•        Jesus, help me show my friend how to desire to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, and then wait for You to cause all these things...be given to them as well.

•        Help me show them how to devote themselves to studying the Bible, so they can know how.

•        Help me lead them into asking for this in such a way that their prayer is pleasing in Your sight.

•        Help me teach them how to wait for You to give them the faith to believe that You have empowered them to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, and then wait for You to cause all these things...be given to them as well.

•        After that, please check their heart and help them be doing all this out of love for You, others, and themselves.

•        Then let me help them join You in taking faith-action and practice seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, and waiting for You to cause all these things...be given to them as well.

•        Then help them appreciate what You did and give you thanks for them.

 

Having The Confidence And Esteem To Face A Challenge

1 Sam 17:40-44 (NIV) Then he (David) took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

 

Lacking esteem and confidence can hold you back in life. David was only able to get involved in the situation with Goliath by having the knowledge that he could do it successfully. Both he and Goliath believed they were going to win this confrontation. David believed God would empower him to win; Goliath believed he would be able to win through his own determination, strength, skills, and power. Neither one of them would be willing to face this if they lacked the esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, like Goliath, my friend has won at a lot of things by having self-esteem and self-confidence. Unlike David, they haven’t been living their life based on faith in You. So, they don’t have any evidence that self-esteem and confidence are wrong. And, they don’t have any proof that God-esteem and confidence is the way to go. Use this study and prayer time looking at David and Goliath to help them make the transition.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty-Six

Exhibiting God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Six Day Three

 

 

How To Get Self-Confidence And Esteem

Rom 1:21-22 (NIV) For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools. It wouldn’t seem like a good study for you or your friend to find out how to get self-esteem and self-confidence. But, it is vital that you know how people get there.

 

Jesus, help me use Goliath as an example of how people move into self-esteem and confidence. Help me show them that he kept working on his abilities until they started producing successful results. Help me explain to them that the whole time, his mind was on himself and what he could accomplish. He practiced, trained, paid the price, and made himself into a person with a lot of self-esteem and confidence. But, help me show that, since he saw himself as being the reason he was good at what he did, he didn’t give God credit for being able to succeed. This fulfilled Romans 1:21-22.

 

David Not Ashamed To Share The Truth About God

1 Sam 17:45-47 (NIV) David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

 

Everyone is watching! Two men are shouting at one another and making their statements. The future of both nations is hanging in the balance based on these two men. All eyes are on them and what they are able to accomplish. It isn’t a sports event; this is a life and death situation. This is the deciding factor as to who will rule over whom. David was unashamed of Who he believed in, Who was going to win the battle, and Who he gave all the credit to.

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that if David hadn’t had the esteem and confidence to proclaim Who God is, the battle would have been a human battle. This is how their life has gone in the past. But, this is showing them how to get God involved in their battles. Help me teach them that, if a Christian doesn’t have God-confidence and esteem, they will win through God; but, they won’t realize it and won’t let others know. That will breach Romans 1:22-23.

 

You Not Ashamed To Share The Truth About God

Can you imagine sitting in a secular business meeting and telling your client what God has done for you and will do for all involved? Israel and the Philistines all believed in some kind of god. Secular humanism has taken the place of realizing there must be a god of some kind. For you to reintroduce the concept of God will typically create a lot of criticism, rejection, social pressure, and ridicule.

 

Mat 5:10-12 (NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Jesus, as I think about talking to the people around me like David talked to all those people, I feel fear. I can imagine what my friend is going to feel, as they read this event with David. All the persecution of condescension, threats, ridicule, rejection, disdain, and mistreatment will come up in their mind. Help me show them how to apply these principles with knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and love. Help me show them how to not be ashamed of You, while doing things that also help people who are secular humanists and atheists. Open the doors for them to tell those around them all You have done for them.

 

Giving God The Credit

Rom 1:21 (NIV) For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Your heart may not fall into this category; you may be thankful to God by the way you think. But, you may not give God the glory and thanks in front of everyone. It is one thing for David to talk about God to King Saul who believed in God. But, when David was standing out in front of thousands of people who didn’t believe in Him, it was a totally different thing.

 

Jesus, help me understand that my friend not only has to see that it is You producing their successes, they have to realize that they must tell people about it. Help them start seeing the miracles You are working in their life. Help them start appreciating them and give You praise and thanksgiving. Then help them start sharing these stories with others, so they can know about You and Your greatness.

 

Letting Goliath Win

The way false religions, false principles, and secular humanism are spread is by people teaching it, sharing it, living it, and incorporating it into various life situations. They make it a part of all your life; they include it in your exercise, your sports philosophies, your schools and higher learning institutes, and they create seminars for helping people succeed in business. They start you out with concepts that don’t create suspicions, reservations, and resistance. They make you feel like these are just “neutral” concepts that don’t have any moral, spiritual, or religious implications to them.

 

Jesus, You said in Luke 16:8: “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.” Let me help my friend apply The Seven Biblical Principles to why these false philosophies are spreading faster than Your good news message. Help me teach them how to start influencing all kinds of people in all walks of life. Help me teach them how to incorporate the great truths of God to exercise, sports philosophies, schools and higher learning institutes, and create seminars for helping people succeed in business.

 

A Problem Too Big For You

1 Sam 17:10-11 (NIV) Then the Philistine (Goliath ) said, “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. The secular humanists and atheists have been gaining ground in schools, corporations, sports, media, and entertainment for a long time. As you look at all of it, you and your friend may become dismayed and terrified.

 

Jesus, help me lead my friend into Your type of esteem and confidence that doesn’t get dismayed and terrified. Help us see that it didn’t matter how much the Philistines had developed in warfare, You had a simple solution to the whole thing. Help us go out into our communities and address the issues with complete faith and trust in You. Give us incredible knowledge, understanding, wisdom, power, and love for solving this problem.

 

The Challenge:

2 Tim 3:1 (NIV) But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

 

The Solution:

Mat 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Jesus, help my friend and I see the power in leading people into Your salvation and justification. Help us realize that the moment a person becomes born again, old things pass away and everything becomes new. Show us the dynamics of the weapons You have given us, so we will not become dismayed and terrified. Give us the type of God-esteem and confidence that David had. Help us be willing to go where other Christians won’t go. Help us do what other Christians will only send us out to do. Make us World Changers.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty-Seven

Transformed By God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Six Day Four

 

 

Being A David

Mat 5:13-15 (NIV) You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

 

Jesus, help me share Your wisdom, so my friend can do a better job than the world. Help me teach them how to incorporate Your truths into the lives of those around them. Help me come up with ways to assist them in applying Your principles to all the aspects of their lives and the lives of their friends. Reveal special ways to me, so I can teach them how set people free from false religions and world principles. Let my friend lead them away from those things that have taken over their marriages, businesses, relationships, and life.

 

Talking Like David

1 Sam 17:36 (NIV) Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. One of the first things you must be able to do is share all the things God has already done in your life. Rather than sharing the good part of what has happened to you and leaving out the fact that it was God Who did it, you will share with everyone what GOD did.

 

Jesus, help me teach my friend that first, they start looking for the provisions, influences, ideas, and empowerment of God. Then they take out the time to examine them and see all of the various parts of each provision of God. After that, they spend time with God telling Him how much they appreciate all these things His has helped them with. From there, they look for ways to share them with people. Help them look for ways to lead people into asking for, looking for, and appreciating those things God did for them.

 

Believing Like David

1 Sam 17:37 (NIV) The LORD Who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” As you grow in God-esteem and confidence, you will tell people what God is going to do. You will have experienced so many “lions and bears” in your life that you will know what God is going to do next; and, you will be able to tell people about it.

 

Jesus, this part takes my friend being able to clearly hear Your voice, voice tone, and voice content. They don’t want to just make bold claims and hope that God comes through like they said He would. Help me explain to them that to do this, You must speak faith into them for what God is about to do for them, to them, in them, with them, and through them.

 

Jesus, my friend needs Your help in asking for, noticing, and appreciating all that God is doing for them, to them, in them, with them, and through them. Help them see everything He has done, is doing, and will do; open their eyes, so they can see it all. Then fill their heart with a supernatural appreciation, praise, worship, and thanksgiving for every one of them.

 

Having David’s Esteem And Confidence

There are two major issues that you have to deal with, so you can yield to God-esteem and confidence:

 

STEP ONE: The first one has to do with your attitude toward the problems and issues of life. Since self-esteem and confidence have the goal of making your life easier, better, and more enjoyable, when something “bad” comes your way, you hate it. You wish it hadn’t happened to you; you want it to go away; you don’t want to have to deal with these kinds of things. But, with God-confidence and esteem, you realize it is your opportunity to learn how to practice, handle, fix, defeat, or win over the problem.

 

Jesus, help me lead my friend into the David type of esteem and confidence. Set them free from the attitudes they have developed concerning problems. Set them free from the damage self-esteem and confidence have done to them. Help them see things the way David did. Help them start collecting their five smooth stones, so they can attack their Goliaths.

 

STEP TWO: The second things you have to deal with, so you can yield to God-esteem and confidence has to do with your training. This David and Goliath event is trying to prepare you for dealing with anything that tries to defeat you and separate you from God’s love. The end result will be: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:38-39).

 

Jesus, help my friend with this supernatural miracle of being convinced. You alone can speak this kind of faith into them. Help them open their heart to this conviction that they are secure in You. Help them do their studies and prayers with this kind of faith. Show them how to leave their time of studies and prayer and go win over every problem they face.

 

Loving Like David

David wasn’t running from problems, trouble, challenges, discomfort, or even death. John 15:13 (NIV) Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You don’t often face things that threaten your life; but, if you value your life more than God, you won’t be able to really help people with the love of Jesus.

 

Jesus, as my friend and I talk about You and the Bible, it will probably cost us “benefits,” relationships, “opportunities,” emotional experiences, financial deals, and may even cause physical attacks. Help us pay the price for being who we need to be, so we can help those open to You. Help us put up with those who will try to discourage us from sharing. Show us how many people we will be able to help, if we go ahead and take the persecution.

 

Putting Your Life On The Line Like David

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul (Mat 16:24-26)?”

 

People with self-esteem and confidence won’t take a chance, get involved, make other people’s problems their problems, or be willing to lay their lives down for their friends. David eventually became king over Israel; he became the greatest king that ever ruled their nation. He lived based on the principles of God and had a great love for God.

 

Jesus, help my friend and I be willing to care enough to do what it takes to get past the opposition. Help us be willing to suffer whatever it takes to get to those who want You. Help us have an eternal perspective that wants others to spend eternity with You. Help us put our own comfort, safety, convenience, and reputation on the line for the hurting and for You.

 

Win Like David

1 Tim 1:18-19 (NIV) Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

 

Don’t be like Saul, David’s brothers, or the rest of the Israel army. Their spiritual preparation was inadequate for the current situation. Be like David, who prepared spiritually for the natural issues of life. He was not only ready to help with this situation, he was ready for advancement.

 

Jesus, You are giving me studies and prayers that are getting me ready to face the issues that come my way. Help me share these spiritual principles with as many as I can. Help me join You in building a spiritual army that will demonstrate what God-esteem and God-confidence will do for those who will yield to it.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty-Eight

Advancing In God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Six Day Five

 

 

Trained But Still Training

1 Sam 17:48-51 (NIV) As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

 

God-Esteem And God-Confidence That Advances

David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him: The power to move forward, the ability to attack challenges, and the ability to win over life’s problems is what God-esteem and God-confidence are all about. Whether it is a Christian or not, they will face things that are extremely difficult. But, as a Christian, you can face them with the power of God.

 

John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (abundantly). Jesus, help me train my friend to be a winner. Help me lead them into Your faith and power, so they will be aggressive, determined, and vicious against the thief, the devil. Help me show them how to lead people into the life of Jesus, so they can have it to the full. Help them present the power-weapon of salvation, so more and more people are set free.

 

God-Esteem And God-Confidence That Attacks

Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground: If Goliath had won, the Jews would have been made their slaves. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:35-36 NIV). Jesus doesn’t want you to be a slave to anything; He wants you to be free.

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that the deal Goliath was offering Israel was slavery. And that is the deal Satan is offering them; if he wins, they become a slave to the difficulties, sins, addictions, and worries of this world. God-esteem and God-confidence are for empowering them to defeat every obstacle they face. And, it is all about defeating every one of them supernaturally and miraculously. Help me show them that David won; but, he won through the power-relationship of God.

 

God-Esteem And God-Confidence Change Your Life

How does a boy spend all his time out tending sheep and become a man who wins on a battlefield? Yielding to the life-classes of God gradually take you from the mundane, simple, uneventful, and boring things of life. God’s life-classes help you see a problem, face it with the confidence and esteem that God gives you, and defeat it.

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that David spent a lot of time conversing with You. So, when a problem came his way, rather than running from his problems, misunderstanding why he had to have problems, and getting defeated by them, he faced each one with more power, more skill, more training, and more experiences of victory; and, it all came through a close and intimate God-relationship.

 

Practice Spiritual Things

David could have been the world’s most accurate person with a sling; he could have developed this skill until he never missed. But, it wouldn’t have empowered him to care about defending his father’s sheep, love God, love himself, and love the people of his nation. Selfish people only see things from their perspective. They want to be safe and work on things that make them happy. They don’t want to get involved in dangers, problems, and issues that aren’t theirs.

 

God-Esteem And God-Confidence Take You Into The Jesus-Life

John 10:11 (NIV) I (Jesus) am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that David wasn’t caring for his own sheep; they were his father’s sheep. David wasn’t king; it was King Saul’s nation of people. Goliath wasn’t his problem; Saul had a whole army of people who were responsible for this battle. But, let me show them that there was something different in the heart of David. He cared about other people’s issues and problems, as if they were his.

 

Care About People

The lives of all those people in Israel would have been completely different, if David hadn’t had God-esteem and God-confidence. If David hadn’t faced all his life-classes by putting his trust in God, he would have failed, way back with the issues of the lion and the bear. He wouldn’t have cared that they ate a “few” sheep. That would have been his father’s problem. Why should he risk his life over a few dumb sheep?

 

Jesus, help me explain to my friend that, unlike David, they can reason their way out of being responsible for “other people’s” problems. Make my friend and I into being good trainee- shepherds by helping us join You in Your attitudes and character. Turn us into people like David, who yield to all that the Jesus-life has to offer.

Let God-Esteem And God-Confidence Take You Into Victory

Rom 8:36-37 (NIV) As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.

 

You Are Important To Others

As you go through your studies and prayers, you will see the new you that Jesus made you into. Like David, you will find yourself out on the battlefield in behalf of a lot of other people. Your whole life has been Jesus’ training class for getting you ready for this moment. Jesus has been teaching you why you face death all day long. You don’t get depressed, feel picked on, or want to run away and hide. You know that the objective of God-esteem and God-confidence is: To make you into more than conquerors through Him Who loved you.

 

Jesus, David took five smooth stones with him to the battlefield; but, he ended up only needing one. Help me see that all he had to do was be a vessel for your mighty power and provisions. Teach me that he didn’t have to kill Goliath; he just had to go out there with that sling dedicated to Your power. You kept him from being so nervous that he kept missing. You guided his hands, the sling, and the rock he sent toward Goliath. You saw to it that one stone hit right where it needed to hit, so that Goliath died from it.

 

Jesus, teach me that David’s battle with Goliath was a cooperative relationship. Help me see that if David hadn’t gone out there to do his part, You wouldn’t have delivered the people of Israel from the Philistines. Help me show my friend that, just like David, they have to be a willing person, so Jesus can do wonderful things in the lives of hurting people.

 

Your Success Is Important To Others

What would have happened if David had been defeated by the lion or bear? The sheep would have been completely unprotected. What would have happened if Goliath defeated David? The people in Israel would have been defeated, enslaved, and killed. What happens if you don’t learn how to be more than conquerors through Him Who loved us? Not only you but all those people you are going to help, protect, love, and care for will be defeated. When you and Jesus win, a lot of other people will win because of it.

 

Jesus, when I get my eyes off of myself and my situations, I see how important it is for You to teach me how to win for others. It was dangerous for David to be out there fighting a lion, a bear, and Goliath. It wasn’t until after such a dangerous battle, did he experience the joy of winning. Help me see what it is going to take to win. Empower me to face the lions, bears, and Goliaths in my life. Give me what it takes to get involved in the impossible, so You can bring great victories and successes into my life. Then help those conflicts produce great victories and successes for all those around me.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Twenty-Nine

Inconvenienced By God Esteem and Confidence

 

Week Seven Day One

 

 

1 Sam 17:52 (NIV) Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

 

Ezek 22:30 (NIV) I (God) looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.

 

A Life Of Inconvenience

Most people are trying to make their life convenient. They are looking for ways to make it safer with less danger, less pain, less stress, less fear, and less difficulties. You aren’t looking for ways to face bears, lions, and Goliaths. But, if someone, who wasn’t prepared to face Goliath like David was, had gone out to face him, they would have been defeated. Then when the Philistines made them all slaves and killed many of them, David and his family would have suffered these things.

 

Jesus, help me see that lacking God-esteem and God-confidence training isn’t an option. You must have people, who will take Your life-classes and grow in You. Show me that I am defeated, when I fail to allow You to prepare me for life. I can’t help people, who become slaves to their jobs, careers, debts, and bad relationships. I can’t help with sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, depression, and fears, if I am not prepared. Help me grow through Your life-classes; help me become a person who will stand before You in the gap on behalf of the land. Make me a David, so I can experience Your great victories.

 

Willing To Be Inconvenienced

It was inconvenient for David to have to care about what happened to his father’s sheep. It was challenging for him to give in to God’s esteem and confidence. As he yielded to God’s various life-classes, he was never allowed to take the easy road. His assignment in every class was to face the problem, crisis, difficulty, and challenge. The goal he was given, was to learn how to defeat them through the power of God. But, God never gave him an assignment that He didn’t help him defeat.

 

1 Cor 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

 

Jesus, just like it was inconvenient for David to get involved in the Goliath-problem, help me be willing to be inconvenienced for those things You want me to do. It is inconvenient for me to start desiring, studying, praying, believing, loving, taking faith-action for joining Your way of life, and being thankful for it all. But, help me see clearly that You were totally inconvenienced for me. Then help me show my friend how to do the same.

 

Inconvenienced So You Can Win

Rom 5:6-8 (NIV) You see, at just the right time, when you were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for you in this: While you were still a sinner, Christ died for you. Being inconvenienced was a part of the Jesus-sacrifice; but, Jesus didn’t stay dead; He rose from the dead and won! That is why He has all authority in heaven and on earth.

 

Mat 28:18 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” Jesus, help me show my friend that they will defeat death through Your power. Death was the ultimate battle for You; and, it is the ultimate battle for my friend and I. As we join You, we learn how to defeat all Your and our enemies. Help us devote ourselves to a life of winning through inconvenience.

 

Inconvenienced By Other People’s Problems

Heb 2:14-15 (NIV) Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. It’s inconvenient to join Jesus in His way of life; But, it is a whole life of victory.

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that a life of convenience will be a boring, useless life. Help me teach them that the excitement comes through joining You in dealing with the challenges of life. Help us give ourselves over to Your way of doing what it takes to bring Your freedom to those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

 

Weapons For Winning Over Inconvenience

2 Cor 4:13-14 (NIV) It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same Spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the One Who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. Unlike David, your whole battle is in the spirit realm; one of your weapons is your mouth. You speak, while using the Spirit of faith. Your words of faith change you and the situation in a powerful way. You use it like David used his sling.

 

2 Cor 10:4 (NIV) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. Jesus, help me teach my friend how to use weapons that flow through their mouth. As they face the issues of their day, help them say those things that they believe will happen and not what they hope doesn’t happen.

 

A Life Of Sharing Victory

1 Sam 17:52 (NIV) Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. Prior to David showing up and starting to ask questions about what would be given the person who defeated Goliath, you have this verse. 1 Sam 17:10-11 (NIV) Then the Philistine [Goliath] said, “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. This defeat and fear came through them not inconveniencing their lives with the life-classes for God-esteem and God-confidence.

 

Jesus, help me lead my friend into working with people who haven’t inconvenienced their lives with the things of God. But, help them see that, like David helped the army of Israel, they will bring courage to dismayed and terrified people.

 

Seeing The Incredible Difference

David had been allowing God to create inconveniences in his life. When he showed up at the battlefield, he was totally different than all of these other people. 1 Sam 17:22-24 (NIV) David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear. Up to this moment, David’s life had been one of great inconvenience but also one of great victories. He had been spending time with God and joining Him in God-esteem and God-confidence training.

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that all the inconveniences they are putting themselves through right now, will show up as them being totally different from those who don’t. Help them see how much David’s time with You changed his sheep herding days. Then show them how much it changed the rest of his life.

 

You Show People The Greatness Of God

The reason the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines, was because David had yielded to the power of God. The reason Saul and all the Israelites were no longer dismayed and terrified was because David allowed God to inconvenience his life.

 

Jesus, it isn’t easy to take out time to join You in Your way of life. It isn’t easy to only involve ourselves in win/win situations. It isn’t easy taking Your life-classes. But, it really isn’t easy being defeated, being fearful, being ignorant of how life really works, and always ending up being enslaved, defeated, filled with fear, and not knowing how to win.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty

When Did David Get God Esteem and Confidence?

 

Week Seven Day Two

 

You Are Off To An Awesome Start

The main thing you may not know about is an event in David’s life that had happened long before the Goliath issue. 1 Sam 16:1 (NIV) The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” Jesse was David’s dad; David was his youngest son. In the process of Samuel going to Jesse’s city and finding which one of Jesse’s sons God would choose, he examined all of the sons except one. As you will see, Samuel was impressed with the oldest, Eliab.

 

Jesus, help me not only see the event that empowered David to start winning, help me see how others viewed him. Help me lay out any insignificant, critical, self-denigrating, and negative attitudes I have had toward myself. Help me understand that You don’t see me like I evaluate myself. Teach me how to open my heart to Your evaluations, so I can be healed.

 

Jesus Has Been Working On Your Heart

1 Sam 16:6-7 (NIV) When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” David had, was, and would accomplish a lot of great things; but, the thing that mattered to God was how he accomplished them; that came from David’s heart.

 

1 Sam 16:10-12 (NIV) Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” Why was he the one?

 

Jesus, help me see that You are looking at my insides. You are looking at all the work I am allowing You to do on my attitudes and character. You want me to treat myself, the people around me, and Your plan with honesty, integrity, and obedience. Help me teach my friend how to be chosen by You to do great and mighty things.

 

This Is Power For The Victories In Your Life

1 Sam 16:13 (NIV) So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. From that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power: Let Jesus show you how David was able to kill a lion, a bear, and Goliath. Let Him show you that David wasn’t operating on human effort, self-esteem or confidence. He was operating through the power of the Holy Spirit. During David’s day, only a few specially chosen people received the Holy Spirit. Judges over Israel, like Samuel, had to have Him, prophets had to have Him, and the kings of Israel had to have Him.

 

Jesus, teach me the difference between people in the Old Testament and people like me in the New Testament. Help me see why David was so different from everyone else. Help me realize that the Holy Spirit had come on him in power. That power enabled him to kill the bear, the lion, and Goliath. But, help me see that the reason You chose him to be the next king and give him that power was because of what David would do with that power.

 

Power Flowing Through Attitudes And Character

David was already king before he fought Goliath. But, because of his attitudes and character, he waited for God to depose Saul. David left his life, his future, and his kingship totally in God’s hands. This cost him a lot of time, misery, and hardship. But, that is why God anointed him king. He knew what David would do with all that power.

 

Jesus, help me see why You have worked so hard on my attitudes and character. Help me see the humility, honesty, and integrity of David. It is easy to get excited about his power and the victories that came through it; but, help me see that they were flowing through a godly, pure, righteous, and loving person. Help me lead my friend into this way of life.

 

A Permanent Life Of Integrity

Since God had already put His anointing on David and had made him the next king over Israel, what did David do? He went back to tending sheep! Why? Shouldn’t he start campaigning and trying to win the people over? After David defeated Goliath, shouldn’t he have done something to take advantage of the situation? No! David didn’t slip into self-confidence and esteem; he kept His eyes on God. God-esteem and confidence keep your eyes on Him.

 

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, help me understand that when the Holy Spirit comes on me, it is for empowering me to do my ministry. It is to give me power, so I can kill my bears, lions, and Goliaths. Help me be able to provide power through You to my friend. Let them experience the power You have to offer them, so they can be set free like David was used by You to set the people of Israel free.

 

God Will Make A Way For You

All this happened after David was anointed king but prior to him defeating Goliath. This happened, so David could get the leadership training he needed before he took the throne. God will eventually give David the throne; but, He wants him to get used to the power of the Holy Spirit first.

 

1 Sam 16:14-16 (NIV) Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let your lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better.” These people aren’t making all these suggestions from their brain. God is working it out where David can be around the government of the people.

 

Jesus, help me be like David; help me not want anything to come my way that hasn’t passed through You. Protect me from self-esteem and confidence that push me toward human effort. Help me see that the David that responded to God-esteem and confidence before he was put on the throne, was the same David that ruled over Israel, after he was put on the throne.

 

David’s Governmental Training Begins

1 Sam 16:17-18 (NIV) So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.” God is causing them to make this plan.

 

Jesus, help me not just read this in the Bible and fail to allow it to apply to me. Help me see that David’s approach to life will really work for me in the same way. Remove all fear, efforts to manipulate my circumstances, and doubts that You will come through. Help me totally trust You with my future. Help me only get those things You bring my way.

 

David Moves To His Next Life-Class

Now you are getting back to the place where David shows up to confront and defeat Goliath. Taking this situation based on David showing up with the power of the Holy Spirit on him, puts everything in a whole different perspective. You can see that the Holy Spirit made him a whole different person. No wonder he could kill a bear, a lion, and Goliath. But, wait! The Holy Spirit David had come on him is the same Holy Spirit that comes on you.

 

Jesus, help me understand that You are willing to use me in a mighty way for Your glory and honor. Show me that the only thing that can hold You back is my willingness to allow You to orchestrate my life. Help me see that it is during my moments of planning, strategizing, changing, and interfering with God’s plan that I delay and even stop the move of God.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty-One

What Did David’s God Esteem and Confidence Look Like?

 

Week Seven Day Three

 

 

A Look At David’s God-Esteem And God-Confidence

Let take a look at the first Psalm from David and see what he allowed God to put in his heart and mind. Psa 1:1-3 (NIV) Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

 

Jesus, make this real to me, like it was to David. Help me apply The Three Keys To All Of Christianity to these principles. Help me see how You were able to anoint David king long before You put him on the throne of Israel. Help me see why You were able to allow David to kill a lion, a bear, and Goliath. Show me what God-esteem and confidence did for him.

 

A Look At David’s View Of Self-esteem And Self-Confidence

Psa 1:4-6 (NIV) Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

 

Jesus, help me believe that when I get my esteem and confidence from God, He puts His philosophies in my heart and mind. You train me in the ways for success in life. Help me realize that these words are words that You were willing to allow to be in Your Bible. They are words that express the truth about God and about life. Not only did David become king over Israel, You used Him to speak to me today. David is still being allowed to influence the lives of people thousands of years later. Let this affect the way I live and the way I minister.

 

1 Sam 18:2 (NIV) From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. This Psalm wasn’t just a theory to David; he didn’t just write beautiful Psalms; he yielded to the power of God and was able to live the life. 1 Sam 18:5 (NIV) Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officers as well. Samuel has already anointed David to be king! Technically, David is king. God made him king.

 

Jesus, help me realize that the rewards make the sacrifices worth it. Help me share this with my friend. Help me show them that the rewards are superior to anything they have to give up. Let my story of all You have done with and for me help them be willing to make the same sacrifices. Let them hear my stories and it inspire them to find out for themselves.

 

 

King But Not King

Your Life-Classes Keep Coming

That Psalm was David’s way of life no matter how people bragged on him. God-esteem and confidence were solidly locked into his attitudes and character. That is what helped David yield to God’s next life-class and learn how to be a great leader. You may be where you need to be in attitudes and character; but, you also need training in how to do your ministry.

 

1 Sam 18:6-8 (NIV) When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”

 

Jesus, help me understand that this attitude, that came into Saul, became a conflict and a battle between him and David for years. You allowed David to be pursued by Saul and make his life miserable for a very long time. But, David stayed in God-confidence and esteem and passed all his life-class tests. You used this time to train him and make him a great leader.

 

Apply The Three Toolsets To Them

The fact that Samuel had anointed David king, the fact that he had defeated Goliath, the fact that the people loved and respected him, and the fact that everything he did was successful didn’t change his dependency or cooperation with God and the life-classes He developed for him. David waited for God to decide when he was to be crowned king over Israel.

 

Jesus, You know when I am ready for my next assignment; You will change them with precision timing. If I stay in God-esteem and God-confidence, You will perfectly train and prepare me to win in everything I do in You.

 

Jesus, help me fully trust Your leadership, Your wisdom, Your decisions, and Your training classes. Deliver me from being self-governed; I have made too many mistakes to be confused about the fact that I need Your help. You are perfect in Your goodness, Your love, Your generosity, and Your wisdom. Help me totally submit to all Your training and provisions.

 

God’s Blessings Can Create Jealousy And Envy

1 Sam 18:17-18 (NIV) Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”

 

The Bible reveals that this was a trap Saul was preparing for David. All David had to do was allow pride, self-esteem, and self-confidence to enter into his heart and he would have fallen into it. There will never be a time when you shouldn’t consult God about all your decisions.

 

Jesus, a lot of things can come my way that I can be fooled by. I can get off track and head in the wrong direction. Take me, my life, and ministry and help me keep my eyes fixed on You. Help me see that there are a lot of pitfalls, traps, temptations, and distractions that come my way. Reveal to me the ways You want me to go; show me what is good and what is bad.

 

Evil Plans Can’t Hurt You

1 Sam 18:12-14 (NIV) Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul. So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.

 

Jesus, help me see how You kept David from actually taking the throne. Help me see how You keep me from things that I am not ready for. Help me not get impatient and frustrated. Even though David was clear on what You had for his future, he allowed You to empower him with patience and trust. Help me get to that place where You can show me Your future plans for me; but, empower me to not touch them.

 

God-Esteem And Confidence Win Friends

1 Sam 18:15-16 (NIV) When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

 

Jesus, help me treat people with the power of the fruit of the Spirit. Help me allow Galatians 5:22-23 flow through my emotions, so that people are treated with great power. Let me be a river of these power-emotions, so people’s lives will be changed by You. Show me that, if I yield to the Holy Spirit, He will help me have wonderful relationships.

 

Taking Care Of Your Success And Your Safety

1 Sam 19:1-2 (NIV) Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there.

 

When you are flowing in God’s plan, He flows through your life. When you are being obedient to God, He blesses what you do. When you yield to His esteem and confidence, you are protected from the devil’s traps. Get connected to God by yielding to His provisions.

 

Jesus, let this example that David set be not only an inspiration to me, let it show me all the things that are available to me. Help me realize that Your plan for my life is just as important as was David’s. You are using me to help people enter Your eternal Kingdom. David was working on an earthly kingdom. Help me see that I need to respect Your plan for me.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty-Two

Do You Have The Power David Had?

 

Week Seven Day Four

 

 

Getting Trained Through Your Life-Classes

Now it is time for you to follow in the footsteps of people like David. While David was out in the fields tending sheep, God was teaching him how to put his trust in Him. As David spent time with God, he learned how to get his confidence and esteem from Him. Like you, David started out with self-esteem and self-confidence. But, as God sent him through various life-classes, he allowed God to give him his value and faith.

 

Jesus, even though David didn’t have my type of Bible, help me see that he had many of the records of people who had lived before him. You had the people of Israel write down those things You wanted in Your Old Testament Books. People like Samuel, the Prophet and Judge, also helped with writing down only those things You wanted in the Old Testament. As David was trained by his family, help me see that he was exposed to those accounts that were read and told to him. As he was taught about how You created the universe, the earth, the garden of Eden, and Adam and Eve, help me realize that it helped shape his esteem and confidence.

 

David Didn’t Have All You Have

Only those who were willing to serve in special ways in Old Testament times received the Holy Spirit. As David yielded to the training of God and was selected to serve as king, only then did he get a special relationship with the Holy Spirit. 1 Sam 16:13a (NIV) So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.

 

Jesus, I have a lot more than David did; I have the Old and New Testaments as finished works. I know You have finished Your work of salvation and justification. I have the Holy Spirit, Who is now coming inside me at salvation and coming on me through You baptizing me into the Holy Spirit. Help me take advantage of this more advanced spiritual system.

 

You Have God’s Bible, Jesus’ Salvation, And The Holy Spirit’s Training

James 4:8a (NIV) Come near to God and He will come near to you. It’s much easier for you to grow in God-esteem and God-confidence than it was for David. The Bible is readily available in almost every language on the planet; the salvation message is spreading to almost every place in the world, and the Holy Spirit has become available to every person who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

 

Jesus, help me explain this to my friend. Help them see how much more they have than David did. Help us appreciate the incredible provisions You make available to us. Give us a thankful heart for letting us live during such a powerful time in history.

The Benefits Of The Children Of God

The Holy Spirit Inside You

First of all, salvation and justification brought the Holy Spirit inside you. 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. He is making it possible for you to win over your body, world influences and training, and satanic attacks and temptations.

 

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, help me see that You have provided me with all I need, to live based on righteous attitudes and character. I have Your Holy Spirit leading me into all truths. I have Him inside me, impowering me win over evil and succeed in righteousness. Now help me see that You have also provided me with the power to be used by You to do a dynamic ministry.

 

The Holy Spirit Coming On 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. With the Holy Spirit in you, you are ready to experience what David got. 1 Sam 16:13a (NIV) So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power.

 

Jesus, I thank You for baptizing me into the Holy Spirit. I can see that, that experience has equipped me with power to do the ministry You have assigned me to do. Teach me how to take advantage of my relationship with the Holy Spirit. Let me help people with power and commitment like David did for the nation of Israel.

 

Who Is The Baptism In The Holy Spirit Available To?

One hundred and twenty people were baptized into the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. As this happened to them, they are were speaking in the languages of the people who were in Jerusalem at the time. Peter stood up and explained to them what was happening and who this experience was available to.

 

Acts 2:38-39 (NIV) 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 your God will call.”

 

Jesus, help me see that when I received the gift of the Holy Spirit, I received the power to do the ministry You want me to do. Help me see that I will be able to do my ministry with the same commitment, skill, talent, abilities, and successes that David did against the lion, the bear, and Goliath. What he was able to do in the physical realm, I will be able to do in the spirit realm. Give me the same God-esteem and confidence that You gave him.

 

What Is The Baptism In The Holy Spirit For?

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.

 

Just like David needed the Holy Spirit’s power to do his ministry, you need it to do your ministry. Just like the Holy Spirit empowered and equipped David to do his job, He is doing the same for you. Just like David really applied himself to a special relationship with God, so have you. Jesus has been getting you ready for being used by Him for His glory and honor.

 

Jesus, help me not miss this opportunity to put my faith and trust in You. Help me not see David as being different than me. Help me understand that You have been doing the same mighty work in me that You did in David. Help me realize that the people around me are facing slavery, but on a much more dangerous way. Show me that You need me to yield to You just like You needed David to yield to You.

 

Who Does It Help

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. This doesn’t sound like that big of a deal. Just appoint some guys and go on with the ministry. However, that is the kind of thinking that destroys the work of God. Bad attitudes and character can contaminate God’s work.

 

Jesus, help me understand that the smallest, most insignificant assignment must be made a part of You and the Holy Spirit. If anyone doing the work of God is contaminated, they will spread over the ministry like a disease. Help me see that You have been working on me, not to make me special. You have been changing my attitudes and character, so I can be used by You. If You hadn’t been allowed to help me, You wouldn’t be able to use me.

 

Acts 6:3-4 (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 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. These guys are going to be waiting on tables! Why do they need to be known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom?

 

Jesus, help me remember that David was involved in the least important profession of his day. He was tending sheep, when You had him anointed to be king. Help me see that no matter what job You give me, I need to be totally equipped. Help me not be defined by my assignment; help me be defined by the fact that I am God’s child.

 

Jesus, when You assignment me to do something, help me not grade or evaluate it. Help me see that, if You give me the assignment, I must put my whole heart, mind, and life into it. Help me remember David, who was anointed king but went back to tending sheep.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty-Three

What Was Missing In David’s Spiritual Provisions?

 

Week Seven Day Five

 

 

You Are Better Equipped Than David

1.     You Have God’s Bible:

2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

Heb 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is living and active (powerful). Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

 

2.     You Have Jesus’ Salvation:

Rom 10:8-10 (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 you are proclaiming: 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

 

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.

 

2 Cor 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

 

3.     You Have The Holy Spirit Inside You:

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.

 

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,

 

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.

 

 

Now, Live By Faith In God

Your Faith-Action Goal: Speak It With Your Mouth

1 Sam 17:26 (NIV) David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

 

What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine: This isn’t just “trash” talk; David really believes he is going to kill this Philistine. As you go about your day, you must have the same relationship with Jesus. You have to know where your faith comes from, when you have it, what to do with it, how to live by it, and how to not doubt. The basics of you living by faith have to become second nature to you, because you live by faith, not by sight.

 

Jesus, help me live my life by faith; help me realize that it is offensive to You, when I doubt You and Your Word. Help me get set up with each day being lived in faith with You. Help me understand that it is not optional. I have to face the Goliath’s of my day with the same type of faith David did. Take me through the basics and empower me to be transformed.

 

 

Back To The Basics

This Is The Christian Life

2 Cor 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight. More importantly, you must live by faith and not by sight! Whether you live by faith or not, you can only live the Christian life by faith. If you go through a day and there was one thing you didn’t do by faith in Jesus and His Word, it was a failed attempt at life. You live by faith; and, by faith you live. After you have been thankful for every individual thing Jesus has done for You, the main continuous thing you must do is, believe what the Bible says rather than what you see.

 

Not by sight: David had probably never seen a giant killed. He certainly had never defeated one. If your future is based on your past, then you have human faith. Goliath believed he would defeat David because that had been all his experiences with everyone he had fought.

 

Jesus, help me know the difference between human faith and Your faith. Help me realize that You have been giving me faith for things I have never seen before. From salvation and justification to all the miracles I have experienced from You so far, they have all been based on Your faith that empowered me to believe things I had never seen before.

 

Faith Is Mandatory

Heb 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. This isn’t a one-time assignment; you must be in the continuing condition of believing that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Everyday, all day long, you must be believing this. Just as much as it wouldn’t be pleasing to God for you to not believe this at all, it is also offensive for you to not believe it for one second. Your life must be based on this fact.

 

Jesus, help me see how important faith is to Your and my relationship with each other. Help me understand that, if I am going to live life like David, it is going to have to be a faith-filled life. Help me see that my God-esteem and God-confidence have to get their power through faith in You. And, they must be based on the fact that You reward those who earnestly seek You. Help me realize that, if I don’t believe that, I won’t earnestly seek You.

 

Faith Is

Heb 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. You have to know when you are in the continuous condition of believing that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. If you aren’t believing that all day long, then there will be moments where you base your life on the possibility that maybe He won’t.

 

Jesus, help me understand what it feels like to be sure and certain that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. If there is any doubt in my heart and mind, set me free from it. If there is any issue where I no longer believe He is rewarding me for earnestly seeking Him, remove it from my heart and mind. Bring it to my attention, so I can repent of it and be healed from it. Help me base every moment of every day on the fact that God rewards me when I earnestly seek Him.

 

Faith Is From Jesus

Heb 12:2a (NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. As you go through your day, it will totally depend on where you are looking for the decisions you make, the actions you take, the thoughts you entertain, the feelings you accept, the words you say, and the deeds you do. Many possible decisions, actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds will pop up in your mind. But, the deciding factor will be, who will you listen to, when you yield to one of them?

 

Jesus, help me with my decisions, actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. Help me fix my eyes on You, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. Show me that, if I yield to these things based on the fact that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, I will go through my day living the Christian life. Help me not respond to fear, threats, pressures, opinions, or misinformation. Help me live all day long with You guiding all that I do.

 

Faith From Jesus Doesn’t Doubt

James 1:6-7 (NIV) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.

 

Jesus, give me clarity on this faith issue; help me understand that, like all the other six Biblical principle items, this is not optional. However, help me see that it all has to end up with me taking action based on faith. The actions of my life, as a Christian, must be locked into total faith in You. Help me see that David was able to do what he did through faith in You.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty-Four

Can You Live A Better Faith-Life Than David?

 

Week Eight Day One

 

 

Jesus Speaks Faith Into You

Rom 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

 

Faith comes from hearing the message: Your first message, the gospel message, isn’t the last message you will hear from Jesus. Jesus spoke faith into you, when you heard the message of salvation. That started you on a journey of Him speaking faith into you for the rest of your life. If you just heard that message from a human, it wouldn’t have done anything to you or for you. If you just listened and made a human decision, it would have been powerless.

 

Jesus, help me realize that the reason I know I am saved and justified is because of the faith You spoke into me. The reason I felt sure and certain, was through the power of Your faith. Even if, at the time, I thought it was just because I decided to accept You, help me see that my decision was empowered by Your faith spoken into me. Now, help me understand that this is how I am to live the rest of my life. Help me make the same kind of Biblical decisions, so You can speak faith into me for them as well.

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Power To Believe

And the message is heard through the word (rhema) of Christ: The Greek word for “word” here is “the spoken word” which is rhema. The Greek word for the “written word” is logos. This message is heard. The reason it is heard, is because it is spoken. Faith comes from hearing the message that Jesus speaks into you. But, what is Jesus’ message?

 

Mat 28:19-20 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Jesus, help me be clear on the fact that Your message is all of Your commandments. Help me understand that unless You speak faith into me for each one of them, I will not be able to believe for each one of them. You aren’t just the Author of my faith; You are also the Perfecter of my faith.

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Power To Love

John 14:15 (NIV) If you love Me, you will obey what I command. If Jesus didn’t speak faith into you to obey what He commanded, even though you wanted to, you wouldn’t do it. His faith is your power to obey all the issues of His commands, as you go through your day. It is His faith, spoken into you, that motivates your day through God-esteem and confidence.

 

Jesus, show me that, if it weren’t for Your faith being constantly spoken into me, the thoughts of my mind would be inadequate, the emotions of my heart would be negative, and the actions of my life would only be what humans can do. I would never be able to obey what You command. Help me fix my eyes on You, the Author and Perfecter of my faith.

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Power To Live

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. Due to the fact that a lot of discussions have to do with faith for an event, it can sound like one minute you don’t have faith and all of a sudden you do. And, even though faith for certain things do come to you at a moment, there is that relational faith that must be a constant flow. Behind David’s faith for defeating the giant was a powerful faith that was always with him.

 

Jesus, help understand the difference in faith that comes for things and the faith I have in You. Help me realize that the faith I have in You must be like a river flowing into my being at all times. Help me see that this is a faith that supports all other faith. Show me that this faith is my lifeline that empowers me to be able to do those things that matter.

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Relationship With God

1 Sam 17:45-46 (NIV) David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.

 

Heb 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Jesus, make it clear to me that without Your faith, I can’t believe any of this. Of the things that are true, I have been believing all that I have been believing, through Your faith. You have been speaking that faith into me, so I could believe.

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Answers To Prayer

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. Without a river of faith flowing from Jesus into you all day long, your prayers won’t be answered positively. Relational faith with Jesus lays the foundation of you and Jesus accomplishing great things today. As long as your decisions, actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds remain in Jesus and His words remain in you, you are ready for Goliath. Jesus’ faith will empower you to be able to believe anything is possible.

 

Jesus, focus my thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds in on You and Your faith. Empower me to believe for those things that are Your size. Help me see that, as long as I remain in You and Your words remain in me, I will have a supernatural day.

 

Jesus’ Faith Sets You Up For More Answers To Prayer

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you: You can’t remain in Jesus and His words remain in you on your own. Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:5b NIV).” No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to do it. Do you believe Jesus can solve this dilemma? Good! Because Jesus also said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Mat 7:7 NIV).”

 

Jesus, I want to get into the work You called me to, just like David got into the work You called him to. Help me not stay in a work that doesn’t take Your supernatural manifestations. Help me not be like King Saul and David’s brothers; let me live like David. Only those people’s lives that yielded to Your supernatural work were presented as heroes.

 

Jesus’ Faith Sets You Up For Answers To Other’s Prayers

1 Sam 16:13 (NIV) So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. The moment David started supernaturally killing a bear and a lion, his ministry started developing. If you don’t have this, then Jesus’ ministry can’t flow through you.

 

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.

 

The flesh counts for nothing: Jesus, teach me that this is my body and my human effort. If I try to do Your work with human effort, it won’t happen because apart from You I can do nothing. Help me see that everything You do is supernatural; You speak Spirit and life. So, help me move into the life You are living.

 

Jesus’ Faith Sets You Up For Helping The Hurting

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.

 

He will do even greater things than these: How are you going to do greater things than Jesus? You aren’t! But, you are going to be doing greater things than Jesus did, when He was on this planet. You just aren’t going to do them through yourself.

 

Jesus, help me see that just as it was impossible for David to kill a bear, a lion, or Goliath prior to Your Holy Spirit coming on him, so it will be impossible for me to do what You have been doing, or, to do even greater things than these. Help me get started yielding to Your ministry through me like David did with the Holy Spirit.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty-Five

Can You Yield Like David Yielded?

 

Week Eight Day Two

 

 

Getting Started Yielding To Jesus’ Ministry

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. Since you have Jesus and the Holy Spirit inside you, you are in a much greater position than David to be used to help hurting people. Jesus is telling you that all you have to do is have faith in Him and you will do what He has been doing. You will do even greater things than these, because He wants to do an even greater work through you to others.

 

Jesus, help me accept this verse as truth. Help me see that the reason so many people are suffering like they were before David had the Holy Spirit come on him, was because they needed someone like him doing Your work. Help me learn how to yield to You like David yielded to Your Holy Spirit.

 

It Started At Salvation

2 Cor 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ: Jesus had to get you inside Him. When you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you were placed inside Jesus. And, Jesus and the Holy Spirit came into you. That was far better than the Holy Spirit coming on David in power.

 

Jesus, help me see that Your plan for my life, at salvation, was to bring me to this place. You have a work You want to do through me. But, You had to take me through all this study and prayer, so I would have an attitude and character that would yield to You. Help me see that I never lose my God-given free will; so, You had to help me be willing to yield to You. Thank You for bringing me to this place where I would yield to You.

 

It’s Only For Children Of God

He is a new creation: As long as you remained just a human, very little could be done to help you get ready for Jesus to do His ministry in and through you. But, the moment you were born again, Jesus started exposing you to things, as life-classes, to help train you. He also tried to encourage you to go to a good church and a good small group, read your Bible and good Christian books, pray, and start doing daily devotions.

 

Jesus, I thank You for helping me allow myself to be exposed to spiritual things. I thank You for eventually getting me started with these studies and prayers, so I could get more mature spiritual food. Help me keep growing in You, so I can fulfill Your plan for my life like David did. Help me take advantage of the fact that I have much greater resources than David did.

 

This Starts Out Credited To Your Record

The old has gone, the new has come: This is the part that gets confusing. Of course this is totally true. If it weren’t, faith wouldn’t help you. However, you did not lose your God-given free will. The old is only gone when you allow it to be gone. The new has come and stays with you for as long as you want it to. Fortunately, you have constantly wanted it to stay.

 

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. Jesus, I remember this battle; thank You for teaching me how to use Romans 8:13 and by the Spirit I put to death the misdeeds of the body, so now I am living a much more victorious life. Help me see that all of this had to be solved, or I would not be able to yield to You. My body would be out of control and unusable for Your ministry.

 

 

Taking Faith-Action

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.

 

This Makes Jesus’ Ministry Possible

I have been crucified with Christ: This is the same as the old has gone. You have been crucified with Jesus; but, as a new or untrained Christian, you kept crawling off of the cross. At times you were willing to allow your body to remain dead; then something would happen during your day. You would lie, cheat, mislead, retaliate, hurt someone, or do something that your body wanted to do. This kept you from being able to do much with Jesus.

 

Jesus, thank You for helping me remain crucified with You for longer and longer periods of time during my day. Thank You for crediting the rest of my day as me being crucified with You. But, I understand that the crediting only serves to keep me from losing my relationship with You. But, because I am not actually remaining crucified, I hurt myself, other people, and Your plan. Help me stay crucified with You, so You can do Your ministry through me.

 

This Gets You Out Of Jesus’ Way

I no longer live: Because you have your God-given free will, this is always true on your record, but, not always true in the behavior of your life. Because it is true on your record, you can use faith and bring it into existence, as often as you are willing to believe. As you know, faith only works on things that already exist. Therefore, I no longer live exists on your record, so you can believe and it be true of you.

 

Jesus, teach me that this is a seven Biblical Principle’s issue. I no longer live during those moments in my day where I desire to, have studied and learned how to, am praying and asking You to empower me to, am waiting for You to give me faith, so I can believe and do it, am doing it out of love, am taking faith-action and doing it (some or most of the time), and am thankful when I no longer live.

 

This Is How Jesus Does His Ministry Through You

But Christ lives in me: This is always true! Jesus isn’t just living in you on your record. 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 Jesus lives in you, you might assume that He will take control and do His ministry no matter what. But, as you know, He will not thwart your God-given free will.

 

Rom 1:17 (NIV) For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Jesus, as I go through my day, I am challenged by all kinds of pressure. If I believe and trust You, I will make a righteous decision on every issue. If I doubt Your abilities to make things work together for good, I will make an unrighteous decision. Help me do the righteous thing no matter what might happen to me. I want You ministering through me all the time.

 

This Is How You Allow Jesus To Do His Ministry Through You

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 will minister in and through You all day long, every day. But, it will always depend on your decisions, actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. Are you and these things remaining in Jesus and His words remain in you and your decisions, actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds?

 

Jesus, show me that the only way I will do unrighteous things, is a moment in my day where I don’t trust You. Help me not allow fear, doubt, pressure, threats, love of money, desire for pleasure, or love for things to cause me to fail You. I thank You for empowering me to resist and overcome these things. Join me in making all my decisions of my day in righteousness.

 

Mat 5:13-15 (NIV) You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

 

Jesus, help me understand that it isn’t just my words that influence people like salt and light. Help me realize that my life must demonstrate Your message through me. If I am living an unrighteous life, You will not want people seeing me as being representative of You. Empower my life to be pure salt and pure light. Help me allow You to flow through every thought, feeling, word, and deed, so Your ministry will be uncontaminated.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty-Six

Can You Experience What David Experienced?

 

Week Eight Day Three

 

 

A Regular Human With The Holy Spirit

1 Sam 16:13 (NIV) So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. You can see David as killing a lion, a bear, and Goliath because he was different than you. But, that would be because you are ignoring this verse. You can feel like nothing can happen to you that would empower you like David. But that would be because you are ignoring Acts 1:8.

 

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. For as long as you read this in the future tense, this could happen to you sometime. Or, if you don’t believe this will ever happened to you, for some reason, then David got this in The Old Testament, but you don’t believe you can have it in The New Testament.

 

Jesus, apart from You, I can do nothing. Help me understand that if I don’t receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on me, I can’t be Your witness. Help me realize that if I don’t receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on me, I can’t do what You have been doing and I can’t do even greater things than these. You are in me; but, You will be completely hindered. You won’t be able to demonstrate to people that You are the living Savior.

 

It Only Comes Through A Miracle

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. If Jesus doesn’t work through you supernaturally, they won’t be able to believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. They believed in Jesus, when He was on earth, because He did the miracles and works of the Messiah.

 

John 14:11-12 (NIV) Believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 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 open my eyes to Your plan. You want people to believe You on the evidence of the miracles themselves. Then You want me to do what You have been doing, so You can do them in and through me. Help me see that Your plan is to do these things through all Your people, so You can be doing them all over the world at the same time. You went to the Father, so You could send Your Holy Spirit. He will work through us to do Your ministry.

 

 

How Does This Work?

Jesus Speaks Faith Into You

Rom 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

 

Faith comes from hearing the message: Always remember that your first message, the gospel message, isn’t the last message you will hear from Jesus. Just like Jesus spoke faith into you, when you heard the message of salvation, He will be speaking faith into you for other things. You must allow Him to speak faith into you for the rest of your life. Just like your future was dependent on that faith, other people’s future are dependent on Him speaking faith into you. Just like David’s life of faith changed people’s futures, your life of faith will change their futures here on earth and for eternity.

 

Jesus, help me realize that the reason I knew I was saved and justified was because of the faith You spoke into me. The reason I felt sure and certain, was through the power of Your faith. Help me understand that this faith-power is how I am to live the rest of my life. Help me make the same kind of Biblical decisions, so You can speak faith into me for them as well.

 

Jesus, help me share my life with others out of love. Help me lead them into salvation and spiritual growth. But, help me understand that I must move into the supernatural realm or the work will be dead. My ministry must be You flowing through me to others.

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Power To Believe

And the message is heard through the word (rhema) of Christ: Let Jesus take you over this once more: The Greek word for “word” here is “the spoken word” which is rhema. The Greek word for the “written word” is logos. This message is heard. The reason it is heard, is because it is spoken. Faith comes from hearing the message that Jesus speaks into you. People may have told you what they think the message is; but, you must let Jesus tell you what it is.

 

Mat 28:19-20 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

 

Jesus, once again, help me be clear on the fact that Your message is all of Your commandments. You want me to do what David did. You want me to go in the power of Your ministry and set people free from slavery to sin. You want to do, through me, what You did on earth, so people can see You have been raised from the dead.

 

Jesus, you aren’t just the Author of my faith; You are also the Perfecter of my faith. You want to take me beyond faith for salvation, justification, and sanctification. You want to move me into Your ministry, so You can broaden my concept of Your message.

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Power To Love

John 14:15 (NIV) If you love Me, you will obey what I command. Matthew 28:19-20 established what you are to do with Jesus’ commandments, as they relate to other people. First you had to obey them; now you must teach others to obey everything He has commanded you. But, your ministry must represent Jesus’ ministry, so people will see Him as the living Messiah!

 

Mark 16:15-16 (NIV) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

 

Mark 16:17-18 (NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” It is to be understood that, they will pick up snakes and drink deadly poison must happen accidently.

 

Jesus made it clear that we are not to tempt the Lord our God. You cannot drink deadly poison on purpose, and it not hurt you. Paul ended up with a snake attached to his hand; but, it was an accident. He didn’t see it, pick it up, get bit, and then not get hurt. The point here is, you will be living in the supernatural realm in great power. But, it will be Jesus with the power; and, He will be doing the work.

 

Jesus, show me that, if it weren’t for Your faith being constantly spoken into David, the thoughts of his mind would have been inadequate, the emotions of his heart would have been negative, and the actions of his life would have only been what humans can do. He would never have been able to do what he did. Let Your faith flow in and through me, so I can obey what You command. Help me fix my eyes on You, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. Help me allow You to do Your ministry in and through me.

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Power To Live

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. So, now that you are remaining in Jesus and Jesus is remaining in you, you are ready for His ministry to flow through you. He will speak faith into you for an assignment, and you will have the same response that David did. You will feel the faith, God’s esteem and confidence, and a power to do something very supernatural and God-size.

 

Jesus, help understand that, when You give me an assignment, I will have a power flowing in me that is working with the thoughts of my mind and the emotions of my heart. My body will still be able to feel conflictive feelings, Satan will still be able to try to talk me out of it. But, Your power flowing into my heart and mind will be much greater.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty-Seven

Can David’s Experiences Help Your Experiences?

 

Week Eight Day Four

 

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Relationship With God

1 Sam 17:45-46 (NIV) David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.

 

Heb 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Jesus, make it clear to me that without Your faith, I can’t believe any of this. Of the things that are true, I have been believing all that I have been believing, through Your faith. You have been speaking that faith into me, so I could believe.

 

Jesus’ Faith Is Your Answers To Prayer

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. Without a river of faith flowing from Jesus into you all day long, your prayers won’t be answered positively. Relational faith with Jesus lays the foundation of you and Jesus accomplishing great things today. As long as your decisions, actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds remain in Jesus and His words remain in you, you are ready for Goliath. Jesus’ faith will empower you to be able to believe anything is possible.

 

Jesus, focus my thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds on You and Your faith. Empower me to believe for those things that are Your size. Help me see that, as long as I remain in You and Your words remain in me, I will have a supernatural day.

 

Jesus’ Faith Makes The Supernatural--Natural

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you: You can’t remain in Jesus and His words remain in you on your own. Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:5b NIV).” No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to do it. But, do you believe Jesus can solve this dilemma? Good! Because Jesus also said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Mat 7:7 NIV).”

 

Jesus, I want to get into the work You called me to do, just like David got into the work You called him to do. Help me not stay in a work that doesn’t take Your supernatural manifestations. Help me not be like King Saul and David’s brothers; let me live like David. Only those people’s lives that yielded to Your supernatural work were presented as heroes.

 

Jesus’ Faith Makes You The Answer To Other People’s Prayers

1 Sam 16:13 (NIV) So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. The moment David started supernaturally killing a bear and a lion, his ministry started developing. If you won’t let Jesus give you this power, then His ministry can’t flow through you. He only does supernatural, God-sized things.

 

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.

 

The Spirit gives life: Jesus, help me understand that everything You do through me will be through the Spirit of life. If I use human words, human effort, and do ministry that any human could do, then You can’t do Your ministry through me. I will be trying to do Your ministry through my skills, talents, abilities, and effort. Help me see that, that won’t help people.

 

The flesh counts for nothing: Jesus, teach me that this is talking about my body and my human effort. If I try to do Your work for You, it won’t happen because apart from You I can do nothing. Help me see that everything You do is supernatural; You speak Spirit and life. So, help me move into the life You are living and where David was living.

 

Jesus’ Faith Empowers You To Help The Hurting

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.

 

Anyone who has faith in Me: There is only one way you are going to have faith in Jesus that will work with this principle. Plus, Jesus isn’t talking about you having faith once or every now and then. He is talking about a continuous, unending faith that flows like a river. James 1:6-7 makes it clear that if you have a moment of doubt, you won’t get anything from God.

 

Phil 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength. Jesus, teach me that this is Your relational faith that flows into me constantly. It empowers me to believe in You for everything. It helps me believe that no matter what assignment You give me, I will be empowered to do it through You Who gives me strength. Help me not just get Your faith spoken into me for an assignment. But, help me also get Your faith for an assignment.

 

He will do even greater things than these: How are you going to do greater things than Jesus? You aren’t! But, you are going to be doing greater things than Jesus did, when He was on this planet. You just aren’t going to do them through yourself.

 

Jesus, help me see that just as it was impossible for David to kill a bear, a lion, or Goliath prior to Your Holy Spirit coming on him, so it will be impossible for me to do what You have been doing, or, to do even greater things than these. Help me get started yielding to Your ministry through me like David did with the Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus Gives You Faith For An Assignment

1 Sam 17:26 (NIV) David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David did walk around with God esteem and confidence. That was a relational faith that Jesus was constantly speaking into David. But, that wasn’t the faith that David was experiencing here.

 

Jesus, teach me that in addition to the Philippians 4:13, relational faith, You will speak a special faith into me for a specific assignment. Help me understand that I will walk around all the time with Your relational faith. It is a faith in You that I can do everything through You Who gives me strength. But, help me be waiting for You to give me a specific faith that empowers me, at the moment, when You are assigning me to do something supernatural.

 

You Are Still Just A Human

1 Sam 17:32 (NIV) David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” If you read this and think this is David’s courage, faith, bravery, or confidence, then this lesson will end with David. It will have no influence on you trusting God for your assignments. If you think David had a special ability to have faith, then you will probably decide that your faith isn’t as strong and powerful as David’s.

 

Jesus, thank You for speaking relational faith into me, so I can believe that I can do everything through You Who gives me strength. Thank You for showing me that it wasn’t David that just naturally had powerful faith. It was You speaking a river of supernatural faith in him all the time. But, help me also understand that, as You gave him the assignment to fight Goliath, You spoke a special faith into him to believe he could defeat Goliath.

 

David Had To Do This Too

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. It wasn’t David killing Goliath, it was Jesus giving him faith, God-esteem and confidence, foreknowledge of the future, and knowledge for the strategy on how to kill Goliath, and the power and skill to do it. David explained to everyone how he was doing it. 1 Sam 17:46a (NIV) This day the LORD will hand you over to me. David was never confused, as to how he was going to fulfill this assignment, and you shouldn’t be either.

 

Jesus, help me learn from David, what to expect to happen to me, when You give me an assignment. Help me listen to him and learn where my faith, God-esteem and confidence, foreknowledge of the future, knowledge for the strategy on how to fulfill my assignment, and the power and skill to do it. Help me always read about Bible heroes this way.

 

Jesus, help me understand that my relational faith, that I can do everything through You Who gives me strength, is my all-important faith. Teach me that faith for an assignment is built on my relational faith in You. Help me never try to establish a relationship where I am just wanting faith for something. Help me love You rather than things.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty-Eight

Can Seven Questions Help You Experience What David Experienced?

 

Week Eight Day Five

 

 

Your Relational Faith In Jesus

You have been doing what David did, so as to prepare for special, supernatural assignments. Jesus won’t be giving you any natural assignments. There will be natural activity involved. David had to use his body to defeat the lion, the bear, and Goliath. David had to use a sling and a rock to kill Goliath. He had to use Goliath’s sword to cut off his head. But, none of those things came out of human faith, esteem, confidence, skill, talent, experience, or power.

 

1 Sam 17:24 (NIV) When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.

Jesus, help me realize that all the assignments You will give me will be dependent on my relational faith in You. Help me not try to fulfill any assignment, while thinking that I am to do it with human strategy, skill, wisdom, or effort. Help me see that the moment I look at my lion, bear, and Goliath assignments, while looking at my abilities, will create great fear and helplessness in me. Help me keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

 

Fulfilling Your Supernatural Assignments

Through God-Esteem And God-Confidence, The Holy Spirit,

And Seven Questions From The Bible

You Must Think Like This

Your relational faith with Jesus flows through your thought-life. 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. This isn’t a suggestion; it is a Jesus-command that sets you up for winning.

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that Your thoughts will always fit into the Philippians 4:8 criteria. When I am thinking these kinds of thoughts, I am yielding to You. When I am yielding to You, You are living my life through me. When You are living my life through me, the life I live in the body, I live by faith in You, the Son of God.

 

David Thought Like This

1 Sam 17:37 (NIV) “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” This isn’t an optional way to think; this has to be the way you think all the time, if you desire to obey Philippians 4:8. Jesus has to empower your thought life, so your mind and heart are locked into His way of thinking with you, all day long.

 

 

Jesus, give me the Scriptures that train my mind and heart to think Philippians 4:8 thoughts. Help me think like David thought, so You can give me supernatural assignments. And, help me realize that all Your assignments involve the supernatural, spirit-realm.

 

Now That You Are Ready

Jesus has taken you through a faith training exercise by using David as an example. He has helped you see His involvement in David’s victories. He has helped you not put David on a higher level than you. You have seen that David simply yielded his life to God, and Jesus flowed through that yielded life with supernatural assignments. David gave God all the credit; and Jesus is helping you do the same. Now, you are ready to enter into that life of faith.

 

Jesus, help me obey Philippians 4:8, so I can live the relational faith-life of Philippians 4:13. Expose me to truths that empower me to believe that I can do everything through You Who gives me strength. Help me see that this must take place in my heart and mind as relational faith. Show me that all faith for all assignments will be based on my relational faith in You.

 

Relational Faith Is Built On Seven Questions

The seven questions in Romans 8:31-39, must be answered from a supernatural perspective. Memorizing them is good; but that won’t do it. Reading them over and over is wise; but that won’t do it. Developing them into a study of each word, phrase, and context is helpful; but, that won’t do it. Jesus must supernaturally turn them into relational faith.

 

After you have done everything you can do to expose yourself to them, it will all come down to:

•        What do they say?

•        What does the Holy Spirit say they mean?

•        How are you to get them into your life?

•        Are you willing to receive them into your life?

•        And, will you keep going over them until Jesus turns them into relational faith?

 

Jesus, keep exposing me to these seven questions until I am empowered to believe that I can do everything through You Who give me strength. Help me know the difference between excitement, human faith, human conviction, and Your supernatural faith. Let the fruit of the Spirit give me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Let them fill my heart, so I can stick with these questions until You transform my faith. Help me yield to the fruit of the Spirit, so I don’t ever give up.

 

Don’t Do It!

Gal 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

 

 

The Seven Relational Faith Building Questions

1.     Rom 8:31a: What, then, shall you say in response to this?

2.     Rom 8:31b: If God is for you, who can be against you?

3.     Rom 8:32: He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for you--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give you all things?

4.     Rom 8:33: Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies.

5.     Rom 8:34: Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for you.

6.     Rom 8:35a: Who shall separate you from the love of Christ?

7.     Rom 8:35b: Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

 

The pronouns “we, us, and us” all have been changed to “you.” This is to help you make it a personal issue. Just as much as these questions apply to all who have been born again, they also specifically apply to you personally. And, at this juncture in your life, Jesus is dealing with your relational faith in Him. These seven questions bring you down to two major issues.

1.     Winning Through Faith

First, faith is expressed in Romans 8:36-37 (NIV) As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. If you yield to receiving God-confidence and God-esteem through these seven questions, it won’t matter how things look. When you face them, you will believe you are more than conquerors through Him Who loved you. The seven questions will prepare you for the battle like Jesus did for David.

 

Jesus, empower me to believe that in all these things I am more than conquerors through Him Who loved me. Help me keep going over and over these seven questions until I believe this with all my heart and mind. Help me not ever give up until I can feel with my heart and know in my mind that I am more than conquerors through Him Who loved me.

 

2.     Winning Through Relationship

The second thing has to do with your relationship with Jesus. God-confidence and God-esteem have to do with your relationship with Him. You must realize that when “lions and bears” come against you, it isn’t Jesus neglecting, ignoring, or failing you. He is sending you or allowing you to experience things that you can defeat, win over, and turn into good for everyone involved.

 

Jesus, empower these seven questions to give me the power to be convinced that none of these things listed below will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Let God-esteem and God-confidence give me the power to believe in my relationship with You. Teach me that they are my power to go out and defeat the “lions, bears, and Goliaths” in my life. Help me study these seven questions until I am convinced!

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Thirty-Nine

Are You Convinced Like David Was Convinced?

 

Week Nine Day One

 

 

Rom 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus your Lord.

 

The seven questions in Romans 8:31-37 must bring you to being convinced about these things. If your relational faith doesn’t embrace these things, then you need to go back and study and pray over the seven questions some more. Even though Jesus will be taking you on into more studies and prayers, you will need to keep a copy of those seven questions, so you can get and keep a powerful and constant relational faith in Jesus.

 

Jesus, help me keep a copy of the seven questions, so I can yield to them through Your supernatural power. If I find myself not being convinced of the Romans 8:38-39 list, help me understand that the seven questions haven’t been completely yielded to. Help me see that this list lays out what I must believe about my relationship with You.

 

Winning Through The Faith-Relationship With Jesus

Jesus loves you and is giving you these opportunities (lions, bears, and Goliaths) to see His power at work. And, your victories will spill over into other people’s lives just like David’s victory provided all of Israel a great victory. So, let Jesus get you started allowing these powerful questions to build a great faith and power-relationship of God-esteem and God-confidence in your heart and mind.

 

1.     Rom 8:31a: What, then, shall you say in response to this? Jesus, help my response be one of total faith in You. Help me go over this and all the following questions until my response is solidly locked into relational faith in You.

2.     Rom 8:31b: If God is for you, who can be against you? Jesus, help me go over this question until my mind is convinced and my heart feels sure and certain that no one can successfully win against me.

3.     Rom 8:32: He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for you--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give you all things? Jesus, help me go over this statement and question until it is settled in my mind and heart that there is nothing good that You won’t give me. Since You, heavenly Father, didn’t spare Your own Son, let Jesus give me supernatural faith that You will graciously give me all things.

4.     Rom 8:33: Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies. Jesus, help me go over this question and statement until I supernaturally know and feel that no one can successfully bring a charge against me.

5.     Rom 8:34: Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for you. Jesus, help me keep going over this question and statement until I supernaturally know and feel that no one can convince me that I have been condemned and separated from You.

6.     Rom 8:35a: Who shall separate you from the love of Christ? Jesus, help me study and pray over this question until it is obvious to me, on a supernatural level, that no person can separate me from Your love.

7.     Rom 8:35b: Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Jesus, help me keep studying and praying about this question until I am unshakable concerning the fact that there is no circumstance that can separate me from Your love.

 

Jesus, help me never get tired, bored with, or ritualistic with going over these seven questions. Help me yield to them, so that Your and my relational faith is supernatural and God-sized. Make it invincible, immovable, and God-powered. Help me watch over this faith-relationship with You and take good care of feeding it what it needs.

 

 

Getting Trained Through Jesus’ Life-Classes

John 16:33 (NIV) I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Why do you have difficulties in this world; why do you have to face the lions and bears of life; why can’t you just pray and God take all of them away from you? It is because you are on this planet to learn how to get skillful, talented, experienced with and take advantage of the spiritual equipment of God.

 

You are a child of God; and, you are learning how to function in the spirit realm. Jesus is exposing you to special life-circumstances. Like David’s life-classes were specifically designed for him, so are yours. The seven questions, in the Bible, are to build your faith and God-esteem and confidence, so you can win over the troubles that come your way through these life-classes.

 

Jesus, help me receive the relational faith transformations that these seven questions are trying to create in me. Help me yield to the supernatural power that is to flow through them. Help me not try to approach them with human understanding, faith, or effort. Create the truth of these things in my life. You are my God; put Your esteem and confidence in my heart and mind. Empower me to approach life with them giving me faith to face my life-classes through a power-relationship with You.

 

 

Getting Protected Through Jesus’ Armor

Eph 6:10 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. You don’t want to run into trouble and get hurt, damaged, or destroyed by it. So, Jesus has been working on your power. He has empowered you by this statement. He has empowered you by immersing you into the Holy Spirit according to Acts 1:8. He has empowered you by training you in the words of the Bible. And, He has empowered you by teaching you spiritual warfare.

 

Jesus, help me apply faith to the fact that You have empowered me by Your Ephesians 6:10 statement. You have empowered me by immersing me into the Holy Spirit according to Acts 1:8. You have empowered me by training me in the words of the Bible. And, You have empowered me by teaching me spiritual warfare.

 

Eph 6:11 (NIV) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

 

Since you have done this, the belt of truth is keeping you from being deceived. The breastplate of righteousness is keeping you from being tricked or pressured into doing something wrong, bad, or evil. The shoes of the gospel of peace are helping you to only produce win/win solutions and situations. You are moving the shield of faith to block off all bodily drives, world pressures, and satanic temptations. The helmet of salvation is protecting the thoughts of your mind and the emotions of your heart. And, the sword of the Spirit is providing you with the Word of God to attack all efforts to stop the Gospel message.

 

Jesus, thank You for providing me with this invincible armor of protection. Thank You for making sure I have the equipment to enable me to go about my day successfully. I am so thankful that the attacks of Satan aren’t able to get through to me. Help me see how much I am being protected from. Let me be aware of what would be happening to me, if all these armor pieces were not in place.

 

Eph 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. All the tempting thoughts that go through your mind, all the pressures and attacks that come through people, all the distracting elements that come through the messages of the world, and all the temptations of the devil are from the authorities...the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

Jesus, help me be receptive to Your Sermon On The Mount, where You address the issue of me not fighting, resisting, suing, or retaliating against humans. Help me be able to see the spiritual forces of evil behind all of these abuses, attacks, and persecutions from humans. Teach me spiritual warfare that addresses the true issues that are coming against me.

 

Eph 6:13 (NIV) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Your reactions to humans have been dealt with, as Jesus worked on your attitudes and character. Now your reactions to powers of this dark world are being addressed.

 

Jesus, teach me how to deal with the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Help me love the people around me, even when they are allowing these forces to flow out of their behavior. Show me that Satan is trying to get me to fight them rather than lead them to You.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty

Are You Getting Your Spiritual Needs Met?

 

Week Nine Day Two

 

 

Getting Trained Through Jesus’ Ministers

Eph 4:11-13 (NIV) It was He 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 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

 

Your Ministers

It was He Who gave some to be: Jesus is giving His mature Christians special service gifts. As they grow in their attitudes and character, He gives them supernatural gifts that help them be able to train you in certain specialized ways. Each one is a specialist for emphasizing a certain aspect of your spiritual growth.

 

The apostles start, stabilize, and take care of the health of churches. Prophets help you get special messages from God that are Biblical, but apply specifically to your situation. Evangelists spend their time making sure everyone gets an opportunity to be born again. Pastors help the new Christians grow in Jesus. Teachers help new and untrained Christians increase in Bible knowledge and spiritual growth from it.

 

Jesus, as all these ministers provide sermons, lessons, studies, church and small group services, prayer meetings, crusades, seminars, and retreats, help me take advantage of their specialized ministries. Help me understand that I need all of them working in my life, so I can grow in all areas in a unified way. Help me not neglect any area of spiritual growth.

 

Your Christian Experience

Eph 2:8-9 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. You got this free gift of salvation, so you could share it with others. You were saved, so you could help others be saved. You were justified, so you could help others get a perfect record with God. You are being sanctified, so you can help others experience spiritual growth.

 

Jesus, help me love my neighbor as myself. Help me do to others what I would have them do to me. If I were unsaved, I would have people do whatever they had to do to help me into the Kingdom of God. Help me put myself in all these unsaved people’s places. Help me examine their situation and see what I would want them to do, if I were the unsaved person.

 

Your Ministry

To prepare God’s people for works of service: The purpose of all the ministers Jesus has empowered with service gifts is, He wants them to prepare you for works of service. He wants you to get involved in these works of service, so you can help hurting people. If your attitudes, character, esteem, confidence, and faith are built up like David’s, then you will be able to serve the people of your generation like he did. Jesus is using the Bible, prayer, these studies and prayers, church, small groups, good Christian music, good Christian books, and life-classes, through your circumstances of life, to teach you how to help the hurting.

 

Eph 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. God has a plan that He designed just for you. He gave you the body you needed, the parents you needed, the place on the planet that you needed, the place in time you needed, the experiences you needed, the talents, skills, abilities, and interests you needed to help the types of people who would respond to you.

 

Jesus, help me take advantage of all You have made sure I had. Show me how I can fit into the work You prepared for me. Just like You did for David, help me move freely into that place where I can obey You and can help the people You prepared me to help. Show me what You have been doing in my life, so I would be ready to fulfill Your plan for me.

 

Your Place In Jesus’ Body

So that the body of Christ may be built up: People are going to need all kinds of ministries to speak into their life. Just like it would be impossible for you to just shop at one store to get all your physical needs met, it is impossible for one minister to address all your spiritual needs. That is why you must go to a good church, attend a good small group, do these studies and prayers, pray, read your Bible, read good Christian books, and listen to good Christian music.

 

Jesus, help me see that I have many spiritual needs. Help me see to it that they are all met. Just like I make sure all my physical needs are met, help me be willing to do what it takes to expose myself to all the ministries You have provided me. Give me the kind of priority that David had. Even though he was surrounded by people who weren’t doing it, he let You deal with and provide all the training he needed.

 

Your Goal For You And Others

Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God: Not only are you to get along with the unsaved, you are to get along with those Christians who believe different from you. Not only are you to produce win/win solutions and situations for the people in this world, you are to do the same to the members of Jesus’ Body. You are to help Christians reach unity in the faith by you and them growing in the knowledge of the Son of God.

 

Jesus, let me be so transformed that I am able to help me and others reach unity in the faith. I thank You for helping me grow in the knowledge of You, the Son of God. Help me be constantly exposed to those mature Christians that can help me grow in You.

 

Jesus’ Goal For You And Others

And become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ: What would it take for you to reach the whole measure of the fullness of Christ? It will take those things that the Bible requires of you. You will have to do what the Bible says. You will have to become what Jesus is trying to transform you into. You will have to get along with those Jesus is telling you to love. So, what would it take for you to reach the whole measure of the fullness of Christ?

 

John 15:4-5 (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. 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.

 

Jesus, help me see that all these Scriptures that tell me what to do aren’t telling me how to do it. Help me understand that You have designed the studies and prayers, in this book, to provide me with the Scriptures that tell me how to do it. Help me use The Three Keys To All Of Christianity, The Seven Biblical Principles, and The Eight Power-Attitudes Of God to attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of You, my Christ.

 

Jesus, You have provided me with Romans 8:31-39 to build my faith. You gave me seven questions, that if answered properly, will empower me to live by faith and not by sight. You are making sure that I have everything I need to attain to the whole measure of the fullness of You, my Christ. Help me be like David and take full advantage of all Your provisions.

 

Jesus’ Solution To This Problem

Eph 4:14 (NIV) Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. You are only as stable and secure as your knowledge of the Son of God. And you are only as stable and securing in your knowledge of the Son of God, as your faith in His Bible. David believed and lived, based on what God said.

 

Jesus, all the people in Israel, except David, were infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. They were allowing Goliath to set the rules and standards for life. They were letting him tell them what he was going to do to them. Help me see that, if I don’t live by faith and not by sight, I will do the same as them.

 

The Result

Eph 4:15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him Who is the Head, that is, Christ. Jesus, help me see that I will only speak the truth in love, if I have total faith in You. If I have the slightest doubt, I will speak the truth, but not in love. Or, I will tell people what they want to hear, and not speak the truth in love. Help me get the faith that Romans 8:31-39 produces in me.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty-One

Are You Ready To Do Everything Good?

 

Week Nine Day Three

 

 

Mat 22:29 (NIV) Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. This sounds like Jesus was saying they didn’t know what the Scriptures say. That wasn’t what He was saying. He said in John 5:39-40 (NIV): You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.

 

The Scriptures were telling them about Jesus; but, they didn’t apply faith to those Scriptures. David listened to those same Scriptures and lived a powerful life. God was even able to use him to write some of those Scriptures. You can have the Scriptures, apply faith to them, and see your life excel. They are the same Scriptures you read before; but, now you are believing them and apply them.

 

Jesus, help me know the Scriptures and the power of God. Help me realize that I can know a lot of Scriptures; but, if I don’t have faith in them, they will never become a part of my thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. Help me see that David believed and then took faith-action. He laid his life on those things You taught him. Help me be so filled with faith that I will lay my life on the line. Help me base my life on Your Word through the faith You have spoken into me.

 

Come Near Through God’s Bible, Jesus’ Salvation, And The Holy Spirit’s Training

James 4:8a (NIV) Come near to God and He will come near to you. If the only time you come near to God is when you feel a need for something from God, have a problem that you feel only God can solve, and think about preparing for eternity and know only God can help you with it, you will typically spend most of your life without Him. David spent most of his life with God; he invited God into every aspect of it. That’s the “come near,” God is looking for.

 

Jesus, it looks like I am living part of my life using self-esteem and confidence. But, I am living other parts of it using Your esteem and confidence. Let me involve You in the smallest issues of my life. Show me how to live in God-esteem and God-confidence, so I can look to You for every need I have. Give me an esteem and confidence that depends on You for information, planning, goal setting, decision making, and actions taken.

 

 

God-Confidence And God-Esteem Empower You To Win

You want to win; if you lose, it doesn’t make you feel good about it. But, what matters to God is what you win and how you win. Some winning, that make you feel good about yourself are sins. Self-esteem and self-confidence need you to defeat others. When you do something better than someone else, it proves to you that you are just as good or better than them.

Jesus, if my faith, esteem, confidence, and value are in me, I will see myself competing against others. If they are in You, I will see myself involved in win/win situations. Help me evaluate my goals in every decision and action I take all day long. Help me bring them to You, so You can reveal to me what it is I am trying to accomplish with each decision.

Winning Through Power Against Satan

Romans 8:36-37 (NIV) As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.

 

You must have the faith, the esteem, and the confidence to defeat evil. You must win not only for yourself but also for the sake of others. David wasn’t being more than conquerors through Him Who loved us just for himself or just to win a battle. The Israelites were living for righteousness; and the Philistines were living for unrighteousness. The people of Israel wanted peace; the people of Philistine wanted slavery.

 

Jesus, I can see that I have a lot to learn about life. Lead me into a way of life that defeats unrighteousness and wins with righteousness. Help me defeat all the lies, misconceptions, false teachings, and deceptions that the world and Satan are teaching people. These philosophies must be overcome by truth. Help me look past the human that is teaching them and attack the philosophies themselves.

 

Jesus, show me that my struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12 NIV). Help me understand that my battle is to attack the teachings, the philosophies, and the principles of the world. They are the deadly, satanic weapons that are being used against people.

Winning Through Faith

Rom 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. You can lose faith, esteem, and confidence when you have circumstances tear you down. When it seems like everything is going wrong, you can see yourself as being a sheep to be slaughtered. It can look like there is nothing you can do to solve the problem and save yourself. But, if God still loves you, then there is something you can do to solve the problem and save yourself.

 

Jesus, You are empowering me to take my eyes off of me and get them on You. Let me see the problem; let me understand how big it is; then help me apply the Romans 8:31-39 questions to it. Since You love me, I can always turn to You for help. Since nothing can separate me from that love, then there will never be a time when You can’t or won’t help me. But, it is all dependent on whether or not I believe in You for the solution.

 

Winning Through The Power-Relationship With Jesus

Phil 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength. The power always remains in Jesus; the victory always comes through Him; and, the training on how to win comes through you being poor in spirit with Him. God-esteem and God-confidence only exist by you realizing that the victory comes through Jesus. That attitude kills and destroys self-esteem and self-confidence. The more you realize that all good things come through Jesus, the more you get set free from selfishness, pride, self-confidence and self-esteem.

 

I can do everything: Jesus, help me see that my life, through You, is unlimited. Every good thing can come to me and those around me, if I get my faith developed by You taking me through Romans 8:31-39. I and the people around me need me to do everything good. We need all You have to offer. Help me be able to have a powerful relational faith in You.

 

I can do everything through Him: Jesus, help me realize that the righteousness You are producing in my attitudes and character are connecting me to You and Your power. They are opening the door to Who You are and what You do. But, also help me see that faith in You is vital for me taking advantage of that spiritual growth. If my faith doubts for even one second, You won’t do these things in and through me. Help me know Your honesty and integrity.

 

I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength: Jesus, the strength and power come from You; but, they are given to me. Help me understand this procedure. Teach me that You are flowing through my God-given free will. You are only doing what I allow You to do through me. I have to decide to yield to it passing through me. Help me keep in mind that the power is in and from You. The results of that power were accomplished by You. But, I allowed all of it to take place through my God-given free will and through my body.

 

Winning Through The Fruit Of The Spirit

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. Being trained as a child of God presents some real challenges. You can figure that, if you need a full armor of God, a battle is coming your way. Jesus won His battle with joy set before Him.

 

Jesus, since You needed joy, so You endured the cross, then I sure do. Since joy empowered You to scorn its shame, help me get mine through the fruit of the Spirit. Help me see that my faith, esteem, and confidence have to be supported by supernatural emotions. Since You used joy to empower You to fulfill Your God-given assignment, You sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Help me understand how all these spiritual principles work. Help me take full advantage of all these powerful provisions You have supplied.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty-Two

It’s True; But, Do You Know It’s True?

 

Week Nine Day Four

 

 

Opening Up To God

Question One: Rom 8:31a (NIV) What, then, shall we say in response to this?

This is going to be an interactive exercise with you and Jesus. He is asking you some questions that He wants you to respond to with sincerity and honesty. This first question is asking you for a personal commitment to being willing to open your heart and mind to God and admit how you really feel and think about His love. What are you going to say in response to this?

 

Jesus, show me the realities of my heart and mind. You know all the things that happened to me; and, You know I had to try to protect myself, while I was living under my own control. You see the barriers, walls, defenses, and weapons I developed, so as to make sure I wasn’t destroyed. Heal my heart of all these things, so I can put my total trust in You.

 

Changes That May Or May Not Change

What, then: Jesus is going to be reasoning with you. He will be trying to get you to make some changes in your opinions and feelings. “What then” is trying to take you from how things have been to the way they are now. You have experienced salvation; that provisionally gave you miraculous changes in your life.

 

Jesus, show me that You could put a million dollars in my bank account; but, if for some reason I didn’t take advantage of it, nothing in my life would change. Now that I have been born again as a child of God, teach and empower me to start living based on it.

 

2 Cor 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! That could be very exciting news; but, what if you don’t fully understand what that did for you? What if you aren’t fully taking advantage of it? The potential in being a new creation is awesome for those who know how to take advantage of it. But, that potential isn’t something that is automatically pushed on you; you have to “do what it takes” to get them. You aren’t waiting on God; He is waiting on you.

 

Jesus, help me see that I must apply faith to all the potential of being a new creation. Help me understand that You are waiting on me to believe what the Bible says about me. You are giving me faith, esteem, and confidence that are supernatural. Help me use them to believe and start taking faith-action on all the things the Bible is saying are mine.

 

It Matters What You Think

What, then, shall you: You may get some wonderful reports from other people about how great Christianity and God’s love is to them. But, what God is interested in is, what do you think and feel about them? Just because you are surrounded by a large quantity of people who are all very excited about God and His love, doesn’t mean you feel that way. You may be just going along with the crowd and are having a lot of doubts and emptiness.

 

Jesus, sometimes I know what I am supposed to think and feel. So, I say all the right things and act like I feel the way I know I am supposed to. But, the love the Bible says I already have doesn’t seem to be flowing through my mind and heart. I “believe” I have the love of God somewhere down in my heart; I know I “should” have it where the Bible says I do. But, it doesn’t seem to be affecting me like it should. Help me understand why.

 

It Matters What You Say

What, then, shall you say: It is important that your mouth agrees with what the Bible says. But, it takes more than you just saying the right things. You must be willing to act on the basis of the fact (faith-action) that God has poured out His love into your heart by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given you (Rom 5:5). Your decisions, your actions, and your words all have to start being based on this fact. Without faith-action it all remains theory and just information.

 

Jesus, as You and I go together through these seven questions God is asking me, show me how to start living. Let Your love open my eyes to the needs, problems, and issues of the people around me. There are things You want me to start doing for them. Sometimes I experience a lot of resistance, as I think about this possibility. Let God’s love help me not just do these things for these people, give me a real desire.

 

It Matters How You Respond

What, then, shall you say in response to this: This is where you get the true benefits of the Bible. Those who just go through the Bible reading verse after verse and not responding, end up knowing a lot of information. But, they don’t get much of it into their lives. If you were to read a recipe book and never follow the instructions and actually cook something, it wouldn’t do you much good. As you pray these prayers, Jesus empowers you to “cook” something.

 

Jesus, empower me to answer these questions with my mouth. Let that help my heart hear what I think about these questions. Then help me desire them to be functioning in my heart. Help me allow my answer prove to my heart that God loves me with a love that never fails. Help me read each question over and over again until Your faith sinks into my heart and fills it with Your faith concerning the answer to that question.

 

It Matters What You Believe Is True

You can see that God is looking for a reaction and a response from you when He asks you: “What, then, shall you say in response to this?” Most of these questions give you the right answers. They tell you what you are supposed to believe, say, and then live on the basis of. You must understand that, when you first start saying these things, you are speaking the truth based on the provision. You probably won’t feel it; but, your feelings are wrong. The truth is, God has poured out His love into your heart by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given you (Rom 5:5).

 

Jesus, no matter how wrong it feels, no matter how scary it may feel, help me trust You. Help me trust You to give me the necessary things that help me live on the basis of Your love. No matter how difficult it may look to me, help me trust You to empower me to say and do the right things. When I don’t feel love and when I don’t act loving, help me believe that this spiritual procedure will bring my heart and mind into the truth. Help me remember that these questions are helping me get life-success through God-esteem and God-confidence.

 

It Matters What The Provision Is

God has poured out His love into your heart by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given you (Rom 5:5). God isn’t asking you to lie. He isn’t asking you to say something that isn’t true, so you can speak it into existence. Every one of these questions are based on solid truth. God is just trying to get you to believe that it is true of you. If you believe it is true in the Bible, it won’t help you. If you believe it is true of others, it won’t help you. You must believe it is true of you!

 

Jesus, help me realize that the answers to all these questions have already been provided. It is like money in my checking account. Help me see that You are just teaching me how to get these things from what is provided to what is happening in my life. You are teaching me how to take advantage of things I have but haven’t learned to yield to.

 

It Matters How You Take Faith-Action

As long as Peter stood in the boat, he couldn’t walk on water. As long as David just talked to people about what he was going to do, he couldn’t defeat Goliath. David had to say the truth; he had to believe the truth; and, he had to act on the truth. David wasn’t guessing that he was going to win. He wasn’t hoping he was going to win. Jesus has already spoken faith into him. David knew he was going to win. It isn’t until you know the answers to each of these questions that you are ready to take faith-action.

 

Jesus, help me read these seven questions until I feel with my heart and know in my mind that each answer is true of me. Help me understand that David was saying all those things because he had already settled these issues in his heart and mind. This wasn’t his first time to get the answers to these questions established in his heart. You had already taken him over these things prior to him defeating the lion and bear. Help me not wait until I am facing a lion, bear, or Goliath to get the answers to these questions settled with You.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty-Three

Do You Talk Like David Did?

 

Week Nine Day Five

 

 

Opening Up To God

Question One: Rom 8:31a (NIV) What, then, shall you say in response to this? There are things the Bible has told you to think, believe, say, feel, and do. You know what God expects you to think, believe, say, feel, and do. And, you know how to “act” like you do think, believe, say, feel, and do these things. But, do you really? You know God knows what is really going on in your heart, mind, and life. You know you can’t fool Him into thinking you are something you aren’t. But, since you can fool people, you go on acting like a Christian in those areas.

 

Jesus, I am so glad that You have forgiven me and credited all righteousness to my record. But, help me live the life of faith, God-esteem, God-confidence, and faith-action. Help me start getting the results that these things can bring. Help me see that David’s life was based on these things empowering and motivating him. Help me be aware of how much people were helped and blessed by him yielding to these things. Help me do the same.

 

Where Do You Go From Here?

What, then: This is saying, now that all the previous verses are true, what then? Your life is different as a Christian; all the things in the Bible became yours. God became your Father; you got eternal life; you inherited God’s eternal Kingdom; and, you got a power-relationship with Jesus that is incredible. Now that all that is true and a lot more, what then?

 

Jesus, I am now in a life that is unlimited. I get excited about the things I read; but, I want to get involved. Help me understand that it only comes through faith. I must believe what I read. I must base my life on what the Bible says. Help me find out all the things that are mine. Then help me have the faith to live on the basis of them.

 

You Decide What’s Next

What, then, shall you: Since the Bible is true, since the Bible words create themselves in you, and since all you have to do is believe it created them in you, you have a tremendous number of things that can start happening in your life. Once David had the Holy Spirit come on him in power, his life changed supernaturally. Once the Holy Spirit came into you at salvation and came on you, when Jesus baptized you in His Holy Spirit, things changed drastically for you.

 

Jesus, let my ability to get up in the morning and face the world be through Your love. Help my heart and mind be supported and influenced by the power of Your love for me. Let me realize that You won’t let anything destroy me. Use the Scriptures in Romans 8:31-39 to open my heart and mind to the power of Your love. I want to love You, feel Your love for me, and share Your love with others.

 

Getting Your Words And Actions Into God’s Love

What, then, shall you say: Your mouth is the steering mechanism for guiding your life. If you say things as if Jesus doesn’t love you, that He doesn’t care about what you are going through, or is failing to help you, then you are moving your life and your relationship away from Jesus.

 

James 3:2 (NIV) We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. This is a very important and powerful Scripture. It explains why you get certain things from Jesus and why not others and why you end up in places. What you say steers your life just like a steering wheel directs a car.

 

Jesus, let Your love bring a new way for me to talk. Help me feel so loved that it influences everything I say. Let Your love saturate my heart and mind to such a great degree that I my conversation, every day, is based on it. Help me feel Your love in my heart; help me know You love me in my mind. Make it the strongest motivation in the words I choose. Change the words of my mouth, so they are constantly being controlled by Your love.

 

Interacting With God And The Bible

What, then, shall you say in response to this: Responding back to God as you read the Bible is what God is looking for. Every word in every verse of the Bible needs a response from you. This keeps you from just reading and getting information only. These seven questions are helping you start responding. For example: 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 (Romans 8:13-14).

 

When you read: “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die” you would respond with: Jesus, “through the power of Your love I am no longer living according to the sinful nature, therefore I am not going to die or be separated from Your love.” When you read: “But if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” you would respond with, “through the power of Your love I am putting to death the misdeeds of the body, therefore I am alive in You.

 

Jesus, help me start responding with my mouth and tongue as I read the Bible. Teach me how to steer my life through the spiritual steering mechanism of my tongue. Let Your love so influence my speech that I start saying those things the Bible is telling me to think, feel, say, and do. Help me accept the truth and reality of what my mouth and tongue can do to steer the events of my life.

 

Reading And Saying Things

There can be times when all you can do is read and expose yourself to the Bible. When you are studying the Bible, however, you need to be able to say things out loud. But, you can’t always be in a place where this is possible. However, as much as is possible, you need to respond to each verse with your mouth. As you learn how to influence the spirit realm, you will learn how important saying things are.

 

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. Jesus, help me learn how to steer my life and circumstances with my mouth. Help me express the truth through it while believing it with my heart. Help me see that this is a major part of faith-action. As I confess it with my mouth and believe it in my heart, let it bring the power for me to join You in living on the basis of it.

 

 

A Lesson In Saying Things

Influencing The Natural Realm

Mat 17:20 (NIV) He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

 

Jesus, help me fix my eyes on You, so You can speak a faith into me where nothing will be impossible for me. Help me be able to be used in the spirit realm, so the hurting can experience Your supernatural power. Help me yield to You, so You can meet their needs.

 

Mat 16:13 (NIV) When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus taught this lesson to His disciples; He got them thinking about what other people were saying with their mouth and tongue. You are greatly influenced by what other people say to you. Their words can enter into your mind and heart and push you in the wrong direction. You have to decide what you say.

 

Mat 16:15 (NIV) “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” The moment you move from only listening to what others say to what you say, is the moment when your heart and mind accept your belief and conviction on the matter. If you go through the Bible saying what Jesus says, then you are coming into agreement with Him; and, that causes your heart and mind to come into agreement with Him.

 

Mat 16:16-17 (NIV) 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 wonderful concept was just laying in Peter’s mind. God had revealed it to him; but, he hadn’t said it yet. So, Jesus helped Peter say it.

 

Jesus, help me not just get the revelations from You and allow them to lay dormant in my mind. Help me not just think about them; help me open my mouth and say them. Let me not just say them to myself; help me say them to other people. Let every truth You reveal to me be shared with someone after You have empowered me to start living it. Teach me how say these things in such a way that they first become a part of my own life. Then empower me to start saying them to others so they can start saying them to themselves and You.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty-Four

Is It “If” Or “Since” With You?

 

Week Ten Day One

 

 

Question Two: Rom 8:31b (NIV) If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

From “If” To “Since”

If God is for you: You decide whether it is “if” or “since” in this relationship with God. The Bible requires you to believe in the truth. The “if” here is presented to you, so you can use your free will to believe or doubt. Rom 1:17 (NIV) For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

 

Jesus, the Holy Spirit is telling me that it is no longer “if” but “since,” in my relationship with God. Rom 8:16 (NIV) The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Since I believe Him, I know God is for me. I don’t hope, wish, wonder, or doubt that God is for me. Through Your power, I have decided that it is “since” and not “if” that applies to me. When You speak to me through the Bible, I know every word is true.

 

Embracing The Truth

Here is the end result of God being for you and no one being able to succeed in being against you: 2 Cor 9:8-9 (NIV) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

 

Jesus, obviously God has the ability to make all grace abound to me. Show me that what You are having me do, is move from God’s ability to His provisions. You have taken me over and over the seven questions that move things from God’s ability to Him giving them to me. I believe that God is able to make all grace abound to me. However, help me see that this is only the foundational truth.

 

Faith In God’s Love

2 Cor 9:10-11 (NIV) Now He Who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through you your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

 

If God is for you, who can be against you: Jesus, teach me that those who doubt, only see what might happen in their life, if only God would decide to be for them. They think things like, “if God should ever start being for me, then no one would ever be able to be against me. But, because He isn’t for me right now, all kinds of people and things are against me.” The “if” isn’t settled in their heart.

 

Jesus, also help me see that others think things like, “I don’t know whether God is for me or not; so, I guess I will have to wait and see whether people and things succeed against me.” But, help me understand that this isn’t the purpose of these seven questions of God. He is trying to bring me into God-esteem and God-confidence. Help me accept the power and faithfulness of His love for me.

 

A Moment-By-Moment, Issue-By-Issue Decision

“If God is for you, who can be against you” will be part of why you decide to do what you decide to do. All during each decision of your day you will base it on this fact. What you say in response to this question will influence your reactions to all the issues, problems, and decisions you have to face and make. Say, since God is for me, no one can be against me. God’s love will help your decisions be based on that love.

 

Jesus, teach me that once I realize God is for me and therefore no one can succeed being against me, my decisions will all be based on that fact. Once all my decisions are based on that fact, they will be powerful and success-oriented decisions. Help me realize that God’s love will enhance my life and my relationships in a wonderful way. Help me see that, that was why David was able to do what he did. Show me how he knew how the battle with Goliath was going to turn out. Show me what caused him to make the decision to go face him. Show me what would have happened, if David didn’t believe God was for him.

 

Keep Responding With Truth

Rom 8:31a (NIV) What, then, shall we say in response to this? What is your answer to this question? Is God for you? What do you believe applies to you in this challenge? Each person’s answer decides what the answer is to the next part of the question: Who can be against you? If you believe people and things can be against you, then your decisions and actions, all during that day, will be based on that fear, which will put you back into yourself.

 

Jesus, help me move from knowing You are able to knowing I have it. Out of all the things I would like to have from You. Just give me faith for those things You know are good for me and those around me. Help me be happy with those things You speak faith into me for. Then help me be satisfied with You not speaking faith into me for those things that wouldn’t be good for me. Help me “do what it takes” to move from Your abilities into Your provisions for all those things that You want to give me.

 

Faith Makes The Difference

Rom 10:8-10 (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 you are proclaiming: 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

 

Jesus, I confessed with my mouth that You are Lord. I also believed that God raised You from the dead. That is how I got were I am in You. It instantly worked a miracle in me. I am a Christian, a child of God, a member of His family, and a citizen of His Kingdom. Therefore, God is for me and no one and nothing can be against me. Help me see that this is how the spirit realm works. Help me use my mouth with this Biblical issue of You being for me.

 

Faith In Jesus Brings God’s Love

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. You did this; this is why God is for you; Jesus is the One Who has opened the door for God to be for you. So, what does it mean that no one and nothing can be against you?

 

Jesus, help me realize that You being for me doesn’t mean I won’t have problems. Help me understand that it means You will make them all work together for my good. Help me accept that Your love won’t keep me from facing the challenges of life. Help me see that You are wanting to train me how to win over my difficulties not escape from them.

 

John 16:33 (NIV) I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Does God being for you mean you won’t face trouble? No! So, since God is for you, what should you do when you face trouble? Have peace! Take heart! Why? I (Jesus) have overcome the world. When you face trouble, have peace and take heart knowing this: And you know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).

 

Jesus, empower me to have peace and take heart. When trouble comes my way, let that be the moment when I confess that God is for me and no one or nothing can succeed against me. Help me have the emotions and thoughts that are based on this truth. Let my life be governed by the fact that I know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Help me have peace and take heart all during the time He is working for my good.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty-Five

Can You Think Of A Reason Why Not?

 

Week Ten Day Two

 

 

Question Three: Rom 8:32 (NIV) He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

 

God Lives A Life Of Love

Rom 5:8 (NIV) But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. What is going to empower you to yield to this love? What is going to help you receive the supernatural aspects of question number three? How are you going to be able to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all good things are coming your way? Is there a way for you to go from not being convinced or sometimes being convinced and other times not convinced to always being convinced? What makes it possible for you to read a verse like Romans 5:8 and Romans 8:32 and them change your heart and mind completely?

 

Jesus, You alone are able to make these verses real to me. Only You can speak faith into me that settles the issues of fear, doubt, misunderstanding, and ignorance. As I read these two verses, help me look to You for the power to receive them into my heart and mind.

 

Jesus, help me not just read these two verses; help me have the truths from them. Help me stop and allow You to empower me to meditate on each word until they become Your words to me. Help me spend time asking You for each truth, as You reveal them to me. Speak faith into me, so I will know You have given me that truth. Search my heart for any wrong motive that would keep me from receiving these truths. Help me cooperate with You and go out and live on the basis of the fact that You have given me these truths.

 

God Is Able And Willing

He Who did not spare His own Son: The impact of this truth can transform your life. You know God is able to give you good things, because He says so in the Bible. 2 Cor 9:8 (NIV) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. In this verse you are being exposed to the truth about His ability. In Romans 8:32, He is speaking the truth into you about His willingness.

 

Jesus, I receive this truth; I now accept the fact that my heavenly Father is willing to give me all good things. Help me take this broad truth and be able to apply it to each issue in my life. Give me the power to apply Your willingness to Your truth’s moment-by-moment and issue-by-issue, as I go through my day. Help me have the faith to attack the lions and bears that come my way. Fill me with the confidence and esteem that empower me to win over them.

 

God Is Generous

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up: You are now dealing with generosity; God is able; He is willing; and He is generous. Rom 5:8 (NIV) But God demonstrates His own love for you in this: While you were still sinners, Christ died for you. The greatest thing in all of God’s provisions is Jesus. No amount of money, possessions, positions, power, popularity, prestige, pleasure, or opportunities can match the gift of Jesus. He is the greatest gift God could have ever given you.

 

Jesus, help me feel this in my heart; help me grasp the greatness of this truth in my mind. I know in my mind that You are the greatest gift God could have ever given me. But, I can tell that I don’t have the full impact flowing into my heart. Open it to the fullness of this truth; let it be saturated with the greatness of this gift. Don’t let me miss out on the effects of this truth. Let this great truth set me free from ignorance and a lack of appreciation.

 

God Is Gracious

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all: This has to do with God’s graciousness. You know God is able; you know He is willing; you know He is generous; and now you know He is gracious. No one deserves to be included in God’s abilities, willingness, generosity, and graciousness. You can think of at least one evil person who shouldn’t be included in this generosity. You can find at least one person who is worse than you. But, if you can think of one personal reason for why God should be good to you, you have made an error. Isa 64:6 (NIV) All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

 

Jesus, help me understand Your grace; help me see that it was only by that grace that I have been included in Your provisions and relationship. Keep me from thinking that there is one good reason in me that made me worthy to get You and all You have to offer. Help me see that “gave Him up for us all” included me only through the gift of grace. I believe You are able, willing, generous, and gracious toward me.

 

God Is Trustworthy

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not: This has to do with trustworthiness. You know God is able, you know His is willing; you know He is generous; you know He is gracious; and now you know He is trustworthy. You can count on God; you can put your faith, dependency, reliance, confidence, and esteem in Him. He will not let you down; He will always come through. No matter what the circumstances or evidences are to the contrary, God is always trustworthy.

 

Jesus, help me always trust You; empower me with Your faith in God. Build such a relational faith in Him that nothing is able to cause me to doubt Him. Help me look beyond the issues, the problems, and the circumstances of life. Help me keep my eyes fixed on You. Show me that You will never let me down, neglect me, ignore my problems, or allow me to be defeated. Teach me how to win over everything that comes my way.

 

God Is Relational

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him: This has to do with relationship. You know God is able, willing, generous, gracious, and trustworthy. You now are included in with Him, as His child, through your relationship with Jesus. You allow your children to live in your home, eat your food, share in your money, and be safe through your protection. 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!

Jesus, help me see why God is so willing to use all His abilities to generously, graciously pour out all His provisions on me. Help me compare how I feel about my children with how much greater He feels about me, His child. Reveal this Father/child relationship to me, so I will be able to understand His relationship with me. Open my heart to His love, so I can feel and understand the greatness of His love for me.

 

God Is Good

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things: This has to do with good; you know God is able, willing, generous, gracious, trustworthy, and relational. Now you know He is only good.

 

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! As Jesus tells you about the three keys to all of Christianity, He reveals something very important about your heavenly Father. 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?

 

Jesus, help me understand the goodness of my heavenly Father. Protect me from being afraid that if I ask Him for something, He will give me something bad to teach me a lesson. Help me know that He will always give me good things, when I ask Him. Let me completely trust Him and His love for me, His child.

 

God Is Able, Willing, Generous, Gracious, Trustworthy, Relational, And Good

These are awesome concepts about your heavenly Father. Jesus wants to speak these truths into your heart and mind. He wants these truths to permeate the very fiber of your being. As He makes these and many more things become faith-filled truths, you will be able to live on the basis of these facts. There will be no doubting, wishing, wondering, or hoping. You will know God is all of these things and many more wonderful things.

 

Jesus, help me keep going over these seven questions until I can feel the power of these truths influencing my heart and mind. Let them build faith in these facts until I will never be removed from them. Help them become a part of the very fiber of my being. Empower me to live life in front of others based on this kind of faith. Show me how to yield to them, so I can be used by You to bring powerful provisions to all who are receptive to Your truths.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty-Six

Can Your Friend Think Of A Reason Why Not?

 

Week Ten Day Three

 

 

Question Three: Rom 8:32 (NIV) He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us ALL--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

 

God Loves Sacrificially

God doesn’t just say He loves you; He doesn’t just do some nice things to prove He loves you, He made the ultimate sacrifice to demonstrate how much He loves you. Rom 5:8 (NIV) But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Jesus, as I go about my day, if all I needed was convincing proof that God loves me, then this would be the proof I needed. But, since spiritual proof doesn’t come from me being mentally convinced, let something happen in my heart. I have to have a power-faith that holds up, when I am being tempted to mislead someone, to “stretch the truth,” to brag, to want something someone else has, to make money at someone’s expense, or to say something that hurts someone. Build this truth, from this verse, into me until I live a life like David.

 

Supernatural Proof

He Who did not spare His own Son: Being spiritually convinced is much more powerful than being mentally convinced. When the Holy Spirit takes a verse like this and opens up your heart to its meaning, and when Jesus speaks faith into you to believe what this verse is saying, you get a knowledge, an assurance, and a confidence that is unshakable.

 

Jesus, when I start to make a decision out of fear, when I start to worry about something turning out bad, when I start getting feelings of loneliness, depression, or hopelessness, and when I feel like God isn’t helping me, empower me to take this verse and use it as a weapon to protect and guide me. Rather than me allowing just any thing, any thought, or any feeling to come my way, show me that I am equipped with a weapon that will defeat anything that is trying to hurt me, my confidence, or my esteem.

 

A Sacrificial Gift

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up: If a person has billions of dollars and they give you a thousand dollars, they haven’t made any real sacrifice. Sacrifice isn’t so much what you give as what you have left after giving. Jesus is the one thing that God doesn’t have an unlimited supply of. Plus, Jesus is the one thing God loves the most. God-esteem and God- confidence can only come through the truth from Jesus; and, this has two parts to it.

 

John 8:32 (NIV) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

1.     Then you will know the truth: Jesus, help me realize that first, I need to allow this sacrificial love to move into my mind in such a way that I understand the intensity of this gift. Help me open my mind and receive what you are saying about Your sacrificial gift. Help me meditate on it until I find myself using it to help me make the decisions of my day. Let it become a part of the convictions of my decision-making.

 

2.     The truth will set you free: Jesus, speak faith from this verse into me, so I will be able to go beyond mental knowledge. I need more than just a knowledge of this truth about how much God loves me. I need You to speak a faith into me that is powerful, liberating, and confidence and esteem building. When my life of righteousness is challenged during my day, help me make sacrificial decisions that maintain righteousness.

 

A Sacrificial Gift For You

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all: Once you are able to see that there has been no exclusions, you know you were included in this sacrificial gift of love. God gave Jesus up for us all; that includes you! That makes you important to the people around you. Since Jesus did this for you, let Him empower you to lay down your life for others.

 

2 Cor 5:14-15 (NIV) For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him Who died for them and was raised again.

 

Jesus, since the gift was given to every human everywhere, all that is required is for everyone to accept it by faith that God is telling them the truth. Since God so loved the world that He gave You, His one and only Son, that whoever believes in You shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 NIV) help me share this with everyone. Since God didn’t exclude anyone, and since You helped me not exclude myself, help me present this good news message to all those around me. Help me serve You like David did.

 

Spiritual Reasoning

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not: This makes total sense; it is easy for you to help people see this point. If God isn’t going to withhold the One Who is most important to Him, then His generosity and love for your friend is clear. And, if that mental proof would set your friend free, they would have all their fears, doubts, and worries solved. But, Jesus has to give them a power that is much more reliable and effective than mental proof.

 

Rom 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Jesus, help me present Your message to my friend, while believing that You are speaking faith into them through Your message. Help me pray for them that they would have an open heart to this message and to Your faith spoken through that message. Help me present it through faith in You.

 

Spiritual Receiving

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him: In the physical realm, when someone offers a gift, the way you demonstrate that you are willing to receive it is to reach out your arms and hands to take it. Once you do that, it becomes obvious that the gift isn’t being forced on you. In the spirit realm, the way your friend demonstrates that they willingly receive this gift is to believe or trust that it is something they want.

 

Jesus, help me see that, if my friend is one of those who sincerely desires what God has to offer, they will be willing to study with me how to get it, they will be willing to pray and ask for it, and then they will be willing to open their heart for You to give them faith to believe they have it. Help me see that this is what it takes for them to start feeling and living on the basis of God’s love. Empower me to help them live on the basis of it through faith-action. And after that, help me lead them into being thankful for all You did for them.

 

The Gift Is Jesus

He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things: “All things” is only talking about all good things; you can’t just take this verse and run with it; you have to understand that “along with Him” means that everything flows through Jesus. When all things flow through Jesus, only those things that are good for you and your friend come your way.

 

David knew God’s love; he had spent a lot of time noticing all the good things God did for him. The Psalms of David are filled with this. He always gave God the credit for empowering him, teaching him, guiding him, and using him. He allowed his confidence and esteem to grow through this appreciation and thanksgiving.

 

Jesus, my friend can feel like they aren’t loved because they asked for something and didn’t get it. To them, all things didn’t come; and therefore, God and His Word must have lied and failed them. Help me show them that, as far as their heavenly Father is concerned, anything that isn’t a good thing, isn’t a thing. He has all good things; He doesn’t have any bad things to give them. Help me explain to them that, if they fulfill all the requirements for all good things, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give them all things?

 

Graciously Receiving The Gift

If you and your friend aren’t graciously receiving all things, you are either asking for the wrong thing, or are failing to “do what it takes” to get the right thing. Let Jesus show you people who have a damaged God-esteem and God-confidence through not “getting their prayers answered.” This study and prayer section can be very helpful to your friend.

 

Jesus, a lot of people have become resistive to You because they asked You for something and You didn’t do it, because it wasn’t good for them. Help me assist my friend with this issue, if they have any resistance in their heart because You said “no” to them about something.

 

 

Reasons For Jesus To Say No

1.     Wrong Desires

James 4:1 (NIV) What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? If you or your friend want things that God knows aren’t good for you, God won’t graciously give you all things. If your desires are causing fights and quarrels, then there is something wrong with your desire. If your desire is pure, then you will want to be only involved in win/win solutions and systems.

 

2.     Wrong Methods

James 4:2 (NIV) You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask GOD. If you are using to human systems and worldly procedures for getting good things, God won’t graciously give you all things. That is what Romans 7:15-24 is all about. Human efforts and world training do not work in Christianity or in your requests from God. You and your friend must use Biblical principles to get these answers. Also, God requires that you ask Him before He is willing to graciously give you all things.

 

3.     Wrong Motives

James 4:3 (NIV) When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. Let Jesus break this down for you:

 

When you ask: Asking for right and good things is still not enough. God is more concerned about the method you use and the motive you have than caring about the thing itself.

 

You do not receive: Good things are those things that are beneficial for all involved, not just you or your friend. Also, God loves you; if there is something you want, but your attitudes and character need changing, He will withhold it from you long enough for you to become willing to allow Him to change them first.

 

Because you ask with wrong motives: It may be a good thing you or your friend are asking for; but, you are much more important to God than the good thing. If you have wrong motives, they will hurt you much more than you not having the good thing. God’s love moves you into not receiving a good thing, so you can receive a better thing. But, this is where Christians often lose their God-esteem and God-confidence. They start thinking that God is failing them and lose confidence in Him.

 

That you may spend what you get on your pleasures: Selfishness keeps you from being able to allow God’s love to flow through you to those around you; it will hurt you now and in eternity. When God doesn’t give you something that typically would be good for you, you need to come to Him and find out why. Once you get the spiritual healing you need, He will give you the good thing you asked for; that is the way God’s love protects and blesses you and your friends.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty-Seven

Are You Activating The Seven Questions?

 

Week Ten Day Four

 

 

Question Four: Rom 8:33 (NIV) Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies.

 

Consider The Source

Who: Who would want to hurt you; what kind of person would try to think of things they could do bad to you? A certain kind of person will have a motive to go around hurting people. They may be trying to tear you down, so as to make themselves look good. They may feel that they need to tear you down, so as to get a position they want. They may do it to gain power over you; But, it isn’t as important for you to know why they do it as it is to know who they are.

 

Jesus, You love me and are doing good things to me because of that love. Help me only look to You for my evaluation, value, esteem, and confidence. If I know someone typically does wrong things, says bad things, and is an evil person, help me not open my heart, mind, and life to them. If they are new to me, let the Holy Spirit give me a caution about them.

 

Accidental Damage

Who will bring: You are interacting with people all the time. They are regularly doing and saying things to you and about you. It is your responsibility to ask God to help you be open to those who have your best interest in mind. But, it is also your responsibility to ask God to help you always stay aware that “they are only human;” they can accidently hurt you.

 

Jesus, help me always keep in mind that people don’t know what God knows; they don’t understand what God understands; and they don’t have the wisdom God has. Even those who have the very best intentions will still make mistakes. And, help me even keep this in mind about myself. Just because I have the best of intentions for myself and my future, help me realize that, that doesn’t mean I have the right evaluation about me.

 

Presenting Hurtful Things

Who will bring any charge: People don’t have to accuse you directly in order to bring a charge. They may simply avoid you in order to let you know they don’t like you or want to be around you. They may interrupt and talk “over” you and not listen to what you have to say. They may say things that belittle you, undermine you, typically disagree with you, or shame you; and, they may talk “down” to you. People can be nice to you to your face and then backbite you, gossip against you, and try to destroy your reputation with other people.

 

Jesus, teach me that bringing charges against me can be to my face or with other people. Show me that it doesn’t have to be a legal charge; it can just be a charge that has to do with my relationship with them. Bad circumstances can hurt me; but, help me see that when people say bad things about me, it is even more damaging to me. Teach me that this is where self-esteem and self-confidence hurt me the most. The more my “self” is attacked, the more my confidence and esteem are damaged. Help me let God be in charge of them, so it only matters what He says about me.

 

You Belong To A Group

Who will bring any charge against those: You belong to a special group; you are a child of God; you are a member of His family; and you are a citizen of His eternal Kingdom. You need to ask God to help you see yourself as belonging to these people. When people speak bad to or about one of God’s children, it is a different matter than it was when you were all alone. You need to get your esteem and confidence from these facts.

 

Jesus, when I am charged with wrong doing or of being a bad or evil person, help me realize that one of God’s children is being accused and He takes it personal. Help me always remember that, as His child, I have rights and privileges I didn’t have before. But, help me always take advantage of them, because they aren’t forced on me.

 

God Chose You To Belong To This Group

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen: In one since, God has demonstrated His love to the whole world. In that since, God has chosen every human who has, is, or will ever live. But, by using your God-given free will, you can make yourself be “un-chosen.” You have the right to reject His “choosing” and make it as if you were never chosen.

 

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (John 3:17). Jesus, help me understand that just like it was my choice to accept You, it is my choice to take advantage of Your provisions. Help me stay aware of the fact that even though God chose me, He didn’t force me to become a Christian. Help me see that, if He isn’t going to force me to spend eternity with Him, He isn’t going to force me to take advantage of all You have provided me.

 

Faith Keeps You As A Part Of God’s Chosen

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, teach me that God’s motive for sending You into the world was to save everyone; but, Your coming brought a responsibility on them. Show me that the “all” You came to save are responsible to use their God-given free will to believe in You. Salvation belongs to all; salvation was provided for all; all are able to take advantage of it. But, help me never forget that God fiercely protects all rights and privileges that come through God-given free will.

 

True Christians want To Do The Right Things

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies: God’s justification gave you a perfect record with him. Your perfect record keeps you from being guilty for all your accidental or forced misdeeds of the 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. As long as you sincerely want to do the right things to yourself and other people, no charge can be brought before God against anything you say or do. If anyone tries to accuse you before God, He won’t listen.

 

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, help me not do anything wrong, bad, or evil on purpose. Help me not cause charges to be brought against me because I deserve it. Let any wrong, bad, or evil be because I haven’t grown spiritually enough to keep it from happening.

 

Grace And Mercy

It is God Who justifies: Your God esteem and God confidence are based on a perfect record with God. You are never going to be perfect while you live on this planet. If you evaluate yourself based on your behavior, then your esteem and confidence increase and decrease depending on what you think, feel, say, and do at any given moment. You can be very excited about yourself one minute and very down on yourself the next.

 

Jesus, help me not bring charges against myself. Help me accept Your perfect record You have given me. Help me understand that as long as I have the Romans 7:15 want and hate, I have a perfect record with God. He sees me and evaluates me as being perfect in my thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. Help me be able to resist my charges and other people’s charges based on the fact that I sincerely want to do righteous things; and, I sincerely hate doing wrong, bad, or evil things to myself, other people, and Your plan.

 

It’s You Being Gracious And Merciful Too

It is God Who justifies: It is God Who also justifies others. Mat 5:7 (NIV) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. It is very important that you not bring charges against others. If you do, it can open the door for others to bring charges against you. Your perfect record with God is based on you being merciful to other people. As a matter of fact all of these seven questions are activated by you being like this with others.

 

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, help me understand that one of the ways for me to get these seven questions fulfilled in my life is to start doing them to others. Help me see how I can active them in other people’s lives as often as is possible.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty-Eight

Did They Do It On Purpose?

 

Week Ten Day Five

 

 

Question Four: Rom 8:33 (NIV) Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies.

 

Who Is Doing This?

Who: Let’s say someone is accusing your friend of something. They may be accusing them to their face, or, accusing them to others. There are several things that can happen to your friend when they are accused. It can hurt their feelings; they can be taken to court; they can hurt your friend’s reputation; or, they can bring them before God and try to turn Him against your friend. God-esteem and God-confidence help your friend get it solved the right way.

 

Jesus, help me teach my friend to not try to evaluate people’s motives for why they are accusing them. Help my friend not try to justify themselves, forgive themselves, or ignore people’s accusations. Help my friend always bring every accusation to You. You alone know why they are being accused; You are the only One Who can show them who their accuser is and whether or not they need to address it with the accuser. Help them come to You with an open heart, so You can show them what to do; and empower them to do the right thing.

 

Why Are They Willing To Do It?

Who will bring: God-esteem and God-confidence deal with relationships. They help your friend keep their eyes on Jesus’ salvation and justification. However, sanctification deals with their relationship with other people. God, the Bible, and Christianity deal with three main issues. They deal with their relationship with themselves, other people, and God.

 

The question is, who is bringing this charge against your friend and how do they, other people, and God feel about this charge? Your friend may be hurt, feel guilty, want revenge, get mad, want to justify themselves, or just want to get along with the accuser. The accuser may be hurt, want revenge, be mad, want to prove your friend wrong, want justice, or want to try to solve some problem with them. You may be called on the be a peacemaker in the situation.

 

Jesus, help my friend with the way they react to other people’s accusations. Help them, through God-esteem and God-confidence, to be open to what the accuser has to say without allowing them to hurt them in the process. Help them first accept the way You feel about them. Let them be healed in their own heart and mind before they start listening to what others have to say about them. Give them Your knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, wisdom, and love. Show them how You want the accusation handled, so that there can be a win/win solution to it.

 

Jesus, if the accusation is a false accusation, help my friend not try to solve it themselves. Keep them from being hurt, trying to justify themselves, or retaliate. Let them come to You with it and let You decide who they are dealing with. If the accuser is sincere, show them how to solve it. If they have bad motives, protect my friend from their devices. Guide them into these things with the knowledge that You love them and are empowering them t

o do the right things.

 

Presenting Hurtful Things

Dealing With A Charge

Who will bring any charge: To face a charge, you have to first look to God for His esteem and confidence. The main issue concerning any charge is, what does God think or how does He feel about you? Unlike humans, God doesn’t combine your friend with what they think, feel, say, or do. To God, they aren’t the same as what they think, feel, say, or do. Salvation and justification separated them from the way they think, feel, talk, or act.

 

Jesus, help me make my friend aware of the fact that, they can do wrong, bad, or evil while they are right, good, and righteous. When they hurt themselves, others, or God’s plan, help me show them that salvation and justification made it possible for them to deal with their thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds and not who they are. Reveal to them that, that is what God-esteem and God-confidence are all about.

 

Jesus, help me teach my friend that before salvation and justification, what they thought, felt, said, or did could make them a bad person. Now, the deeds can be bad; but, that doesn’t make them bad. Help them come to You as one who has been made righteous; help them come to You, as a righteous person, who may have thought, felt, said, or done something wrong, bad, or evil. Then help them, as a righteous person, join You in dealing with these thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds the way You want them dealt with.

 

They Belong To A Family

Who will bring any charge against those: Who are the “those” this question is asking about? Your friend belongs to God’s family, who have also received a perfect record through salvation and justification. They belong to a group of people, who have also been separated from their thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds, as it relates to right or wrong, good or bad, righteousness or evil. They belong to the family of God, who are also citizens in His eternal Kingdom.

 

When your friend gets charged, it matters to the whole of God’s family and the citizens in His eternal Kingdom. It is like them accidently hitting their finger with a hammer. It is true that their finger hurts; but, it is also true that their whole body suffers with it.

 

Jesus, let God-esteem and God-confidence unite my friend with the whole family and eternal Kingdom of God. Help them see that they no longer represent themselves; they are no longer alone; their family loves them. They value them and support them ; they unite with them as they yield to God-esteem and God-confidence too.

 

Jesus, help my friend feel the connection to all the other Christians in Your body. Help my friend care about them and let them care for my friend through the unity of Your love. Help them not be judgmental, critical, prideful, or selfish in their relationship with other Christians. When they or other Christians are charged with something, help them work together to get it solved by You.

 

God Chose Them To Belong To This Family

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen: God-esteem and God-confidence come out of the fact that you have been chosen by God. Your friend used their God-given free will and did what Romans 10:9-10 told them to do. From that point on they became one of God’s chosen people. He values them; He empowers them with confidence in Him. He is taking them through these seven questions, so as to make their confidence and esteem invincible, unshakable, and secure. They know they are loved by God and that has become the most important thing in their mind and heart. If others are accusing them, that accusation has to go through their heavenly Father before it can get to them.

 

Jesus, when my friend is accused, let them feel their heavenly Father giving them love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Let these characteristics be the emotions in their heart. Help them so feel those emotions that they don’t argue, attack, retaliate, justify themselves, or ignore them. Help them go straight to You, so You can guide them into those things that You want done with the accusation.

 

As A True Christian They want To Do The Right Things

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies: When someone brings a charge against you, if you feel like you are being accused, then you are yielding to self-esteem and self-confidence. If you become defensive, hurt, offended, or attacked, then you are not yielding to God-esteem and God-confidence. Your friend needs to allow Jesus to teach them this warning signal.

 

“It is God Who justifies” is talking about your friend’s perfect record. They are righteous; for as long as they don’t do it on purpose, their thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds may be wrong, bad, or evil; but, they are righteous. Salvation and justification have built a wall of protection around them. But, it has not built it around their thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. Your friend, God, and other people have the right to bring charges against those thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds; but not your friend.

 

Jesus, help my friend not feel attacked, when charges are brought against them. Help them join You in evaluating their thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. Empower them to impartially examine them as a righteous person who is growing in You. Help them join You in going over any charge anyone ever says about them. Even though people may be attacking them, let them only allow them to question their thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. Help them want their thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds to always be pleasing to You.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Forty-Nine

You Don’t Need To Worry

 

Week Eleven Day One

 

 

Question Five: Rom 8:34 (NIV) Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

 

Keep Considering The Source

Who: Sometimes you and other people notice things about you that are legitimate errors, character flaws, and weaknesses in you. When you notice them or they point these things out, there are good and bad reactions that can take place. People around you can point these things out and prove you really do have this character problem. And, you may listen to them and decide that they are completely right in their assessment. But, what do you do with this information?

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that people, me included, are unqualified for making good diagnoses. And, they and I don’t qualify for deciding what the cure is. I and other people may see something that looks wrong to us; but, we are not the final judge, assessor, diagnostician, or inspector. I need a second opinion; and, that second opinion must be You.

 

Consider The Problem

Who is he: You need to be careful of who you allow to criticize, critique, and evaluate you in the first place. Some people can wear you down to the place where they say so many negative things that you get depressed. You need to ask God to protect you from people who are typically negative. However, not all criticism, critiquing, and evaluation of you are wrong. God may use people, ones who are trustworthy, to say something you need to hear; but, they will do it in love.

 

Jesus, once I or someone else bring a potential personal problem to me, show me that I have one responsibility for that information; I am to take the potential problem to You. You alone qualify to say whether or not it is a problem. And, You alone qualify to say what is to be done about it. This is how God-esteem and God-confidence work; You are my final authority.

 

Condemnation Is Totally Different

Who is he that condemns: Now you are looking at a very dangerous thing; condemnation is a total separation from God. Condemnation is a final judgment that only God has the right to exercise. You may get a feeling that God has rejected you and cut you off from Him. It can be a religious group telling you that you have sinned and caused yourself to be permanently cut off from God. It can be a misinterpreted Scripture that seems to be saying you are cut off. If you don’t want to be cut off, then you can know for sure you weren’t cut off.

 

Jesus, help me realize that I can think I have committed the unpardonable sin mentioned in Matthew 12:31-32 (NIV): “And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Show me that thinking this Scripture applies to me, can completely destroy my God-esteem and God-confidence.

 

It is also written about in Mark 3:28-30 (NIV) I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin. He said this because they were saying, “He has an evil spirit.”

 

The Unpardonable Sin

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us: There are people who don’t want salvation; they want to be free from the convicting influence of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Three Stages Of Conviction

John 16:8 (NIV) When He (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: Jesus, teach me that You were telling Your disciples that the Holy Spirit was going to be enforcing the laws of the Old Testament. Rather than having to have someone tell me what these laws are, the Holy Spirit came into this world to tell me when I am about to or have sinned. This is Your explanation about the work of the Holy Spirit in my conscience.

 

1.     Normal Conviction

John 16:9 (NIV) In regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me: Jesus, teach me that the Holy Spirit now works on my sins by speaking to my conscience, telling me I have done wrong. Every time I do something wrong, bad, or evil, He causes me to feel guilty about it. This lets me know I need Your help; but, show me that it isn’t condemnation; it is a warning.

 

2.     Spiritual Growth Conviction

John 16:10 (NIV) In regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see Me no longer: Jesus, You were presenting the message of righteousness for as long as You were on this planet. So, now the Holy Spirit is teaching me about the truth. He is leading me into the righteousness of me doing those things that are good for me, those around me, and good for God’s plan. He helps me feel guilty when I don’t live out those things that have been credited to my record. For example, He helped me feel like this: Rom 7:24 (NIV) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

 

3.     A Permanent Relationship Conviction

John 16:11 (NIV) And in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned: Jesus, the Holy Spirit helped me make salvation a permanent decision. New and untrained Christians are just trying Christianity out. God gave me the right to give it a try, so I could make a knowledgeable decision as to whether or not I wanted it. So, once I had adequate knowledge and experience, You empowered me to make Christianity permanent.

 

The Bible gave you Jesus’ words in John 15:1-17 where He encouraged you to make your relationship with Him a permanent relationship. In this passage, Jesus used the words “remain” eleven times. He helped you see the importance of “doing what it takes” to make it permanent, so you did. Judgment and condemnation only come against those who decide they don’t want Jesus and His salvation.

 

Those Who Don’t Worry About Condemnation Or The Unpardonable Sin

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for you: Those who reject Jesus and salvation don’t care that they have committed the unpardonable sin. They want to be free from salvation, so they can live a life of sin. But, as long as the Holy Spirit keeps convicting them of sin, righteousness, and judgment, they can’t enjoy the sins they are committing. So, they resist Him and all He is saying to them; and, they resist Him on purpose.

 

Jesus, show me that a person who doesn’t want to remain in Your salvation not only rejects the work of the Holy Spirit, they harden their heart and their conscience against the words of the Holy Spirit. They want to sin and not feel bad about it; and, the only way that is going to happen is to stop the voice of the Holy Spirit in their conscience; help me see that this causes them to commit the unpardonable sin which brings total condemnation on them.

 

Committing The Unpardonable Sin And Being Condemned

1 Tim 4:2 (NIV) Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron: These people have philosophies, belief systems, and teachings that are totally against the Bible, the voice of Jesus, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They have a confidence and esteem that comes from Satan himself.

 

Jesus, help me see that these people have rejected the Holy Spirit and are now “free” from any guilt for what they think, feel, say, or do. Since the Holy Spirit is no longer speaking to their conscience, help me realize that this is how they become psychopaths and sociopaths. They, if given the opportunity, will even kill those who profess Christianity and You.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifty

Your Friend Doesn’t Need To Worry

 

Week Eleven Day Two

 

 

Question Five: Rom 8:34 (NIV) Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

 

Consider The Human Factor

Who: All humans, including your friend, can only have opinions. God knows; He decides, He commands; He judges; and He is the final authority. When your friend evaluates themselves or other people do, they do it without total knowledge, complete understand, and supernatural wisdom.

 

Jesus, judging, condemning, charging, and criticizing need to be completely removed from my friend’s heart and mind. Help them realize that they and other people don’t qualify to make accusations, charges, and condemning thoughts, feelings, or words against themselves or others. Take away their confidence in themselves or other people’s opinions. Help them realize that they are just opinions. You alone know the truth; You alone know how to apply the truth; and You alone can make the final decision as to who and how it is applied.

 

Consider The Problem

Who is he: When your friend or others bring them an accusation, charge, or condemnation, they must not ignore it. These thoughts, feelings, or words can hurt them, if left alone. They can be like fiery darts burning in their chest. If not taken to God, they can keep accusing them, judging them, and contaminating them. They must know what God’s evaluation of them is. Jesus will speak truth, faith, love, and healing into them, if they always bring them to Him.

 

Jesus, help my friend always bring to You, every accusation, charge, negative comment, or attempt to condemn. Help them to not try to handle it themselves. Help them not go back to trying to justify, defend, explain, or ignore them. Even if they feel the accusation, charge, negative comment, or attempt to condemn is totally wrong, help them still bring it to You. You alone can defuse it, neutralize it, and protect them from it. You alone know exactly how it should be addressed and handled. Help them always want Your evaluation and protection.

 

Condemnation Is Totally Different

Who is he that condemns: If your friend is experiencing condemnation, Satan is telling them they are permanently separated from God. The main purpose of the seven questions is to help them see that they can have a permanent relationship with God that no one or nothing can separate. Help them see that as long as they have the want or desire described in Romans 7:15-25, they have a 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.

Jesus, help me teach my friend that the verses in Romans 7:15-25 present the fact that their will isn’t powerful enough to change their thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. They need the power of the Holy Spirit to change their relationship with themselves and other people.

 

Jesus, help my friend see the difference between their relationship with You and their relationship with other people. Reveal to them that salvation and justification have to do with their relationship with You. It has to do with the want You placed in their heart and mind that is causing them to want to do what is good. It is also causing them to not want to do wrong, bad, or evil. Thank You for giving them this want through salvation and justification. Help them keep this want, so they can learn how to be empowered by Your Holy Spirit to start fulfilling this want.

 

Protection From Condemnation

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus: Those people described in Romans 7:15-25 are failing in their relationship with themselves and other people. In spite of their desires to only do good to themselves and other people, which is called living a righteous life, they are finding themselves powerless to change their behavior. They have a lot of Bible principles and training to experience before their behavior starts to improve. But, because of salvation and justification, their relationship with God is credited with perfect righteousness. If your friend is in this condition, then Satan will use the failures in their life to make them feel condemned.

 

Jesus, help my friend take advantage of the want You gave them through salvation and justification. Help them be thankful that good behavior is credited to them. Even though their behavior is wrong, bad, and sometimes evil, their relationship with You is being presented in Romans 8:31-39 as being righteous. Let it be their desire to allow these seven questions to make their relationship with You to be permanent. You alone can empower them to be sanctified and improved in their behavior with themselves and others.

 

Protection From Condemnation Comes Through Death

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died: Jesus gave your friend the faith to believe that His death was also their death. Through the process of substitution, Jesus took their place, as their substitute, and died for all their sins. Your friend then accepted His death as their death. Every sin they have, are, or will commit was paid for by them accepting that fact in faith. 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, even though salvation and justification didn’t deal with my friend’s behavior with themselves and other people, help them be grateful for the fact that it has given them the Romans 8:31-39 relationship with You, the Holy Spirit, and their heavenly Father. Help them grow in God-esteem and God-confidence, so they will be empowered to be sanctified and changed in their relationship with themselves and other people. Protect them from ever accepting condemnation rather than the truths of these seven questions.

 

Protection From Condemnation Comes Through Resurrection Life

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life: Salvation and justification come from Jesus’ death. Sanctification comes from Jesus’ resurrection life. That empowers your friend to have a wonderful relationship with themselves and other people. If they accept the truths of these seven questions, they will stop looking to themselves through self-confidence and esteem, which keeps them in the Romans 7:15-24 life. Instead, they will be empowered to gain a real confidence and esteem in their heavenly Father through Jesus’ life; and, that will change their behavior.

 

Jesus, help my friend put their faith and trust in Your life. Show the that when they died with You, they got the power to be raised with You. Now they can receive the power of Your life. That enables them to change their behavior through it. Help them yield to Your life.

 

Your Friend’s Concern Is Their Proof

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us: Your friend, who wants to keep Jesus’ salvation, doesn’t have to worry about losing it. Those who are concerned or worried that they may have done something to lose it are the ones who haven’t lost it. The only ones who lose it are those who want to lose it, are glad they lost it, and don’t want it back.

 

Jesus, You died for my friend, was raised to life for them, and are now interceding for them. Help them realize that the whole point of these seven questions is, those who want to keep salvation cannot lose it! The “want” or desire of Romans 7:15-25, the mindset of the allowing the Holy Spirit to lead them into Romans chapter eight are their proof that they are permanently and eternally saved.

 

Jesus Is Providing Eternal Security For Those Who Want It

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: Your friend doesn’t have to worry about being cut off from God; they are in Christ Jesus. This is a position of safety. This is also a position of power. They are being empowered to remain in Jesus. All they have to do is want to remain in Jesus, so Jesus can empower them to “do what it takes” to grow and win in Him.

 

Jesus, help me teach my friend that this is their assurance straight from You and Your Word. This is why they should want to allow these seven questions to lead them into God-esteem and God-confidence. They are their assurance, faith, knowledge, and conviction that no one and nothing will be able to separate them from the love of God that is in You, Christ Jesus their Lord.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifty-One

Who Has The Authority And Power To Keep You?

 

Week Eleven Day Three

 

 

Question Six: Rom 8:35a (NIV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

 

Who Has The Power Or Authority?

Who: You are now being asked a question that Jesus wants you to give a response to. What do you believe concerning His love. Since Jesus came to them (His disciples) and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me (Mat 28:18 NIV).” it is your responsibility to pray and seek God until you are completely convinced that no one has the power or the authority to separate you from the love of Christ.

 

Jesus, help me accept this challenge and answer it from my mind and heart. Show me what kind of power and authority You have over all other power and authority. Help me see that it isn’t a matter of me keeping myself from being separated. It all has to do with You and what You have the authority and willingness to do. Since my confidence and esteem are in You, help me realize it is being supported by You, Who have all authority in heaven and on earth. Since David felt something inside that changed his life, let that happen inside me.

 

Including You

Who shall: 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. Who is able to take away the salvation you want and your relationship with Jesus that you want? Who has the power and authority to make you lose those things of God that you want to keep? Can you do something that is so bad that you lose the love of Jesus that you want to keep?

 

1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Jesus, help me understand that no matter what I think, no matter what I feel, no matter what I say, and no matter what I do, if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just and will forgive me my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness. Teach me that this right and privilege is always available to me because I want to remain in You. Help me believe that I can’t cause myself to lose Your love for as long as I want to keep it.

 

Including Others

Who shall: Mat 5:10-12 (NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that social pressure, peer pressure, satanic pressure, and my body’s pressure cannot make me leave Your love. I may sin, I may fail, I may commit misdeeds of my body, and I may yield to temptation; but, if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just and will forgive me my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness, as long as that is what I want. But, help me never do any of those things on purpose.

 

How To Remain In Jesus

Permanent Unity

Who shall separate you: 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. Jesus, teach me how to remain in You and Your love. Help me see that if my eyes are on myself, I will fail to find a way to remain. But if my eyes are on You, I will see a lot of ways to remain in You and Your love.

 

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, help me understand that the issue isn’t, can I remain in You and Your love? The question isn’t, will I remain in You and You love? The issue is, can and will You be able to keep me locked into You and Your love, if I want You to?

 

Knowing The Truth

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. Jesus, what do I, as a Christian, have to do to remain in You and Your love? Help me see that the answer is, “nothing!” I am in! Teach me that the issue isn’t, how do I stay in; the issue is, how do I get out? Show me that I have to first, want out; then I have to start doing on purpose those things You are against, in order to get out. Protect me from doing any wrong thing on purpose.

 

Yielding To The Truth

Those who want to stay in will simply allow the Holy Spirit to lead them into bearing fruit of righteousness. Those who want out will simply refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them into bearing fruit of righteousness. John 15:1-2 (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. That sounds very threatening to your God-esteem and God-confidence; but, that isn’t the end of it.

 

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. Jesus, what do I have to do to bear fruit? Help me see that, once again, it is nothing! Help me realize that it comes naturally for those who don’t decide to get out of You and You love. God will prune me, so that I will be even more fruitful. Teach me that the answer is to apply my three toolsets to remaining in You. As I keep studying and praying, help me believe that You are answering my prayers and empowering me to stay in.

 

Just Don’t Want Out

2 Tim 1:12 (NIV) That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

 

The keeping power of Jesus is your issue; He is able to keep you locked inside Him and His love. All you have to do is “do what it takes” to keep your eyes fixed on Him and He will help you know you are safe and secure in Him.

 

Jesus, I desire to say in; help me continue doing what I am doing now and be willing to study how to stay in; help me continue to pray that You will keep empowering me to stay in; help me keep my eyes on You, so I can believe I am staying in; empower me to love others enough to help them say in; help me take faith-action and live on the basis of the fact that I am in; and help me be thankful that I am in.

 

Who shall separate you from the love of Christ: You are free to want anything you want to. You have a God-given free will that God honors with great intensity. For those who want Jesus, His salvation, and His love, nothing shall separate them from the love of Christ. As you apply your Three Keys to this issue, they help you keep your eyes on Jesus.

 

The Three Keys To All Of Christianity

Ask: Jesus, I ask You to empower me to remain in You. Thank You for giving me the assurance that this Ask Key does what I can’t do by looking to myself.

 

Seek: Jesus, I seek to remain in You with great intensity. Thank You for empowering me to pursue You with all my mind and heart.

 

Knock: Jesus, I knock on the doors of opportunity to share all these wonderful truths with others. Thank You for giving me a love for others, so I can use the seek key and knock with intensity for opportunities to help the hurting.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifty-Two

Your Friend Doesn’t Need To Know Everything

 

Week Eleven Day Four

 

 

Question Six: Rom 8:35a (NIV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

 

For True Christians Only

Who: If your friend isn’t at least a Romans 7:15-25 Christian, then Romans 8:31-39 doesn’t apply to them. Romans chapter eight is based on them at least being the kind of person Romans chapter seven describes. Jesus wants to take them into a life where the good they want to do, they do! And, the evil they do not want to do, they don’t do.

 

Jesus, help my friend grow in You, so they start living the Romans chapter eight life. Help me excel in You, so I can set them an example of the Romans chapter eight life. Help us “do what it takes” to always qualify for the fulfillment of Romans 8:31-39.

 

How To Not Qualify For Romans 8:31-39

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. If the reverse of this verse is true, then the good your friend does not want to do they don’t do; and, the evil they want to do they keep on doing. This person cannot claim the answers to Romans 8:31-39, because God is not for them; He will not graciously give them all things; He will not justify their deeds; Jesus is not interceding for them; and they are condemned. Why? Because that is the type of relationship with God they want.

 

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, help me show my friend how simple it is to qualify for Romans 8:31-39. Empower them want to do good and hate to do wrong, bad, or evil.

 

You Have The Tools

John 14:15 (NIV) If you love Me, you will obey what I command. Those who simply want to do good, and hate doing evil have the right to accept every part of Romans chapter eight. No one and nothing can separate them from the love of Christ. But, in order to move from Romans chapter seven into Romans chapter eight, they must learn how to “do what it takes” to start living it. If they are living the Romans seven life, they are obeying what Jesus commands, because it is credited to their perfect record. But, in order to start living the Romans chapter eight life, they must start applying the toolsets to their behavior.

 

Jesus, help me show my friend that salvation, justification, sanctification, and their relationship with You mainly has to do with their want and hate. There will be times when the desires of their body will appear to be their desires. Let me help them not get confused by the desires of the world, the devil, and their body. Give them a clear understanding of which desires are theirs and which desires are from the world, the devil, and their body.

 

Is It A Mistake?

Who shall: 1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. You have heard and you have experienced the fact that “we all make mistakes.” The main issue about a mistake is that it was accidental. But, how does your friend deal with the fact that they don’t always know what is truly in the desires of their heart.

 

Jer 17:9 (NIV) The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jesus, my Christian friend can try to figure out what their desire really is. They can try to examine their own motives to see whether what they did was accidental or on purpose. Help me show them that this is a road into confusion, fear, depression, accusations, charges, and maybe even condemnation. Help me show them what they should do, the moment they face the issue of which desire is theirs.

 

Finding Out

Jer 17:10 (NIV) I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve. Jeremiah 17:9 asks the question about your friend’s heart’s desires: “Who can understand it?” The next verse answers the question; only God knows. So, where should your friend go to find out which desire is theirs, if they get confused about it? Teach them to always take it to God!

 

Jesus, help my friend always come to You, when they are not sure what their desire is on an issue. When they do something wrong and are not sure whether they did it on purpose or it was an accident, help them always let You tell them what it was. And, if it turns out that they did it on purpose, empower them to confess their sins, because You are faithful and just and will forgive them their sins and purify them from all unrighteousness.

 

Including Others

Who shall: Mat 5:10-12 (NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. This verse is saying that it is normal for your friend to be accused, charged, persecuted, insulted, and mistreated.

 

Some of those things your friend is charged with, accused of, and persecuted over have to do with their Romans 7:15-25 behavior. If they are a new or untrained Christian, they will make a lot of mistakes in their relationships with themselves and others. When they have people accuse them of something, they will wonder whether or not the accusation is true. Maybe they did mess up; maybe they should pay for what they are accused of; maybe they are guilty of the accusation. What do they do? They take it to Jesus and let Him tell them what to do about it.

 

Jesus, my friend does things accidently, does things out of anger, does things because of selfishness, and does things through misunderstandings. Sometimes people let them know how what they did affected them; and, sometimes Your Holy Spirit points it out to them. Help them grow in their skills with people. Help them know how to best straighten these things out with others. Then help them not being doing those things in the first place.

 

 

How To Remain In Jesus

Permanent Unity

Who shall separate us: 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. When your friend reads passages like this, that tells them what to do but seems to not be telling them how to do it, this is where you help me understand that they will be taught how to use three toolsets to get them into their life.

 

Jesus, guide me in how much I should share about each of the three toolsets. Help me not go beyond teaching them to pray and ask, if they aren’t ready for more. Guide me in joining them in praying for various things, so I can set them an example for how to pray.

 

John 15:10 (NIV) 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. Romans 7:15-25 has proven to you that your friend can’t just obey Jesus’ commands by trying really hard. And, if they don’t obey His commands, it will look to them like they can’t remain in His love, in Him, or in His words. If they don’t know what to do about it, they will read it and move on, or go into condemnation.

 

Jesus, this is the place where I would apply The Seven Biblical Principles.

•        My friend doesn’t just need to desire to obey, which is based on Romans 7:15-25,

•        they need to study the Bible, based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17;

•        they need to pray and ask God for His help, which is based on Matthew 7:7-11;

•        they need to fix their eyes on You and wait for You to give them the faith to believe they have the answer, which is based on Hebrews 12:2;

•        they need to yield to God’s love, which is based on Romans 5:5;

•        they need to take faith-action and start practicing living on the basis of the fact that they have God’s power to live it, which is based on James 2:14-26;

•        and they need to be thankful, when You do these things for them, which is based on Hebrews 12:28-29; but, they don’t know all of that yet.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifty-Three

Can Your Friend Rely On You?

 

Week Eleven Day Five

 

 

Question Seven: Rom 8:35b (NIV) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

 

What Has The Power?

Question Six was dealing with people; question seven is dealing with circumstances; it is asking you “what” rather than “who.” Some of these things may be caused by people; but, the issue this is dealing with is the circumstance that is trying to indicate that something is wrong with your relationship with God.

 

A Consistent And Stable Love

Shall trouble: Whether trouble is coming from a person or is happening from the events of life, you have to understand why it is happening to you. This is still dealing with the love of Jesus, but, as it relates to how you see circumstances and events that look bad. If you start experiencing a lot of trouble, does that mean Jesus no longer loves you? John 16:33 (NIV) I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

 

Jesus, as long as circumstances are ones I like, feel good about, are fun, and create happiness, I can see them as evidences of Your love. But, when trouble starts coming, I can feel like I am losing my proof of Your love. Help me not see Your love as something that comes and goes. Help me not base it on the way my relationships and circumstances are going. Let this seventh question help me see that Your love isn’t indicated by the way people and things treat me. Show me that You are not using them to send me a message.

 

Facing Trouble And Hardship

Shall trouble or hardship: What does it mean when trouble and hardship start to come your way? The main type of trouble and hardship is just normal life. You were going to face a certain amount of these things whether you have Jesus or not. The difference is, with Jesus, trouble and hardships get worked together for your good. Without Jesus, you have to face it all alone; and, God doesn’t work it together for your good; you have to try to solve it yourself.

 

Jesus, the wonderful thing about You and Your love is, I always win over the trouble and hardships I face. Because You have helped me start living the Jesus-life, You and I work together to overcome the trouble or hardship. Help my heart stay open and receptive to feeling Your love all during the battle. Help me understand that my assignment is to win over every problem and every challenging circumstance.

 

Learning From Trouble And Hardship

Heb 12:5-7 (NIV) And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

 

Jesus, teach me that sometimes there are problems, trouble, and hardships that come because I am doing things I shouldn’t. When the Holy Spirit keeps speaking to my conscience and telling me that I am doing something wrong, bad, or evil, but, I decide I want to keep doing it, help me understand that this is when disciplinary hardships come my way. I still want salvation, Christianity, and You. But, at those moments, I am trying to mix the things of the world with the things of God; so, the Lord disciplines me. So, in those cases, help me endure hardship as discipline.

 

Discipline Or Punishment

Discipline has to do with those things you do accidently or ignorantly. When the Holy Spirit speaks to your conscience and tells you that you are doing something you shouldn’t, you may get confused as to what is wrong with it. You may think you are just getting guilt because you are misunderstanding the Bible. When this happens, you need to take it to God to find out.

 

Jesus, help me not just do questionable things without checking them with You. Help me not just wonder whether or not they are okay. Help me immediately stop doing it and bring it to you. If it is something I really want to be okay, empower me to bring it to You anyway.

 

Punishment has to do with those things you do that you know are wrong. You may feel pressure from a boss, a spouse, a friend, or your body’s desires. Social pressure, peer pressure, world philosophies, and all kinds of outside influences may cause you to feel like you have to do something against the Bible or your conscience. Punishment comes, so you can be saved from something that you feel is making you do wrong, bad, or evil.

 

Jesus, rather than feeling like I don’t have a choice but to go against the Bible or my conscience, help me realize that You are all wise and all powerful. You can come up with ways for me to avoid doing things that are wrong, bad, or evil. And, You will give me the power to take advantage of Your wisdom. Help me trust You to make me be an overcomer.

 

Still Not Separated

The Lord disciplines those He loves: Sometimes trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword can come your way because you are in a certain territory where you shouldn’t be. Rom 6:15 (NIV) What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Some Christians have been taught or believe on their own that since they have a perfect record, they can go back to their old way of life.

 

Rom 6:16 (NIV) Don’t you know that when you offer yourself to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Jesus, make it clear to me that it is one thing to be pushed or tricked into doing things that are wrong, bad, or evil. But, it is a totally different thing for me to willingly and purposely offer myself for doing them.

 

Getting Off Track

He punishes everyone He accepts as a son: In James 4:17 the Bible says: Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. As you grow in your knowledge of the Bible, and as you remain a Christian for a longer and longer period of time, you learn a lot about what is right and wrong, good and bad, righteous and evil. But, you also simultaneously learn how to defeat the wrong, bad, and evil things. You learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit into living out the right, good, and righteous things.

 

Jesus, teach me that knowing to do good and not doing it has one important issue that governs it. Did I want to do what I knew was wrong? 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. If I haven’t got to the place where I am able to by the Spirit...put to death the misdeeds of the body, then help me understand that my perfect record will protect me. But, help me also understand that God’s love will be disciplining me, so I won’t just try to stay there.

 

Sonship

God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father: You are in training for eternity. This is information that explains one of the ways you need to address difficult circumstances. But, don’t guess why a difficult circumstance is coming your way. If you know you have been doing something that is against the Bible, then you know why you are experiencing it. But, if you are pretty sure you haven’t been going against the Bible, then ask Jesus to help you see why this circumstance is coming your way.

 

Jesus, if I am confused, as to why something is happening to me, help me bring it to You. Help me see if it is something I need to yield to, so my heavenly Father can teach me an important lesson. If You help me realize it is a discipline or punishment, help me come to You to find out how to best cooperate with it. But, if it isn’t, help me find out how You want me to win over it.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifty-Four

Is Your Friend Going Through A Hardship?

 

Week Twelve Day One

 

 

Question Seven: Rom 8:35b (NIV) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

 

What Has The Power?

Rom 8:35a (NIV) Who shall separate you from the love of Christ? When numerous difficult things start happening to your friend, Satan can tell them that it is because they are being punished by God. This question is asking your friend if they believe circumstances are relational indicators. Just because one bad circumstance after another could mean God is mad at them, disappointed in them, or is no longer working things together for their good, doesn’t mean that is true. If they aren’t sure, then it isn’t God. God doesn’t work with confusion.

 

Jesus, when circumstances seem to be piling up against my friend, they can think something has gone wrong in their relationship with You. Help me keep them from making a record of all their bad circumstances. Let me help them not try to figure out what is going on. Teach them and empower them to give up trying to get the answers through their mind and heart. Let me help them run to You just as soon as they get concerned about their circumstances.

 

A Consistent And Stable Love

Shall trouble: Relationships and circumstances are all subject to your friend’s heavenly Father. From salvation and justification on, the normal relational and circumstantial problems that come their way are under His jurisdiction. 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

 

First, no one and nothing is allowed to come your friend’s way that is beyond what they can bear. God is controlling everything for them, so as to make sure of this. Second, He will also provide a way out so that they can stand up under it. They have this kind of love watching over them; they will have trouble, according to Jesus (John 16:33). But, it is controlled trouble; And they can know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Jesus, let me help my friend realize that those things that come their way are common to man. Help them not feel picked on, unprotected, or unloved. Help them accept that I they are experiencing normal life. Also, help them accept that You will never allow anything to come their way that is beyond what they can bear. Also, help them look for the way out. Then help them keep in mind that in all things God works for their good.

 

Facing Trouble And Hardship

Shall trouble or hardship: Hardship could be disease, financial problems, relational problems, emotional struggles, or circumstantial issues. But, your friend can know it can’t crush them, it can’t get too big for them, they will be provided a way out, and it will end up working out for their good. But, knowing these things doesn’t always help their mind and heart. If they think they should be far enough in God where these things shouldn’t bother them, they have a mistaken principle. They will never get to the place where they are so far along in God and spirituality that they don’t need to run to Jesus.

 

Jesus, help my friend see that their challenge isn’t just in dealing with the problem, it is also in dealing with their reaction to the problem. Show them that they need You just as much now as they did when they first came to You. Protect them from pride, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Help them never get to the place where they don’t immediately run to You concerning every issue. Help them not care how big, how small, or how often it is; let them always come to You instantly.

 

Learning From Trouble And Hardship

Heb 12:5-7 (NIV) And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

 

The question your friend has to deal with is, is the hardship coming because of normal life? Or, is it coming because of discipline? They must learn that it isn’t a guessing game with God; it isn’t their assignment to figure out why something is happening to them. If they start wondering why rather than asking God why, then that is the issue to take to God in prayer. They must ask Him to set them free from just wondering, trying to figure it out, and guessing what they think it might be.

 

If you friend is having trouble hearing Jesus’ voice, recognizing it, understanding it, and responding to it with His power, then you may need to share some of the principles in “The Voice Of Truth” book in this series. Talking, asking questions, and looking to Jesus for direction are important. But, your friend must get His response to everything they don’t know.

 

Jesus, help my friend not only come to You, help them hear from You, recognize that it is You, understand all You are saying to them, and then empower them to live their life on the basis of it. Teach them how to hear from You through the Bible. Let them get the answers to their questions, concerns, and confusions straight from You. Help them not get discouraged, distracted, or frustrated with waiting until they hear from You.

 

Discipline Or Punishment

Heb 12:6 (NIV) Because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son: Self-confidence and self-esteem don’t do well with discipline and punishment. They keep your friend from being set free from all kinds of faults, misinformation, bad goals, bad plans, and bad behavior. Because they are self-validating and self-reliant they are the final authority in their life. If they don’t like what they hear, they simply don’t listen. They use self-justification, self-established excuses and alibies, self-forgiveness, and self-protection. This creates walls, barriers, defense mechanisms, and isolation that keeps them from growing, improving, and getting true success.

 

Jesus, help my friend grow, improve, be trained, excel, and be successful. Help them not get cut off from very important truths, information, transformations, and principles because of being self-defensive. Discipline and punishment aren’t pleasant or fun; but, do whatever it takes to help them get what they need. Heal them from everything that they have built up as barriers, walls, and defense mechanisms for self-protection.

 

Still Not Separated

Rom 6:15 (NIV) What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Your friend may have accepted the Romans 7:15-24 life as the normal Christian life. They may have ignored the words “want,” “hate,” “do not want,” “agree,” “desire,” and “delight.” If they have, they no longer feel the intensity of “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

 

They may be using this Scripture to make it okay to go on living as if this is the way Jesus wants them to live: 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. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me (Rom 7:20-21).

 

If a person sincerely believes wrong doctrines, God starts to use discipline to help them change their beliefs. He loves them so much that He allows troubles and hardships to show them a much better way. The things that are coming their way aren’t just normal life; they are things God is sending to them. This discipline is a specially designed relational and circumstantial trouble and hardship that strategically points them in the right direction.

 

Jesus, let me know if my friend is going through a hardship because they are misinformed, as to the Romans 7:15-25 life. If there is something holding them back from moving into the Romans chapter eight life, I ask You to do what it takes to set them free. And help them respond with respect and appreciation for Your love, when You do.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifty-Five

Are You Practicing Your Toolsets?

 

Week Twelve Day Two

 

 

When You Face Difficult Situations

Rom 8:35-36 (NIV) Who shall separate you from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake you face death all day long; you are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

 

You live in a world where temptations, problems, and dangers are always present. Before salvation, the only way you were protected was for you to make sure you didn’t get exposed to wrong, bad, or evil things. All kinds of things came your way; and, you were responsible for protecting yourself. Now, God is protecting you; He is using His knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, wisdom, and power to make sure you are safe. But, the only way you can get this provision is to have God-esteem and God-confidence.

 

Living The Jesus-Life

Rom 8:37 (NIV) No, in all these things you are more than conquerors through Him Who loved you. As you work together with Jesus, you will discover that there is a part you do and a part Jesus does. When you do your part, Jesus does His part; and, together with Jesus, you are more than conquerors through Him Who loved you. The love of God has united you with Jesus, so together you can conquer all those things that are trying to hurt you. And, the love of God is keeping you united with Jesus, so you can get all the miracles, blessings, and benefits of being God’s child.

 

Jesus, help me realize that my main battle is with esteem and confidence; if I try to win by myself, I lose. If You teach me how to do them through You Who loved me, I win. Teach me that God esteem and confidence help me look to You for doing Your part; then they empower me to do my part. With them, help me see that I don’t look to myself to be able to do my part. I wait until I am given Your power, knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, and wisdom, so I can do my part.

 

Moving Into The Spirit Realm

2 Cor 4:18 (NIV) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. When you learn how to live based on a life with Jesus, you are learning how to live based on what isn’t visible. 2 Cor 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight. David could see into the invisible realm; he could see what was going to happen before it actually happened; that gave him the esteem and confidence to go. Self-esteem and confidence can’t predict the future; God doesn’t change the future for them.

 

Jesus, help me give up all faith in myself, my opinions, my knowledge, my understanding, my wisdom, and my abilities. Help me understand that, when I apply my three toolsets, they direct my eyes, my faith, my dependency, and my trust toward You. Help me realize that this is when I have God esteem and God confidence. Set me free from failing to use them to help me go through my day. Then I will have Your knowledge, Your foreknowledge of the future, Your understanding, Your wisdom, and Your power.

 

Faith In The Love Of God

Rom 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord.

 

For I am convinced that: This is God esteem and confidence; the objective is for God to bring you to the place where you feel completely convinced and secure in His love. If your spiritual eyes can see how much He loves you, you will become convinced that there will be nothing you and Jesus won’t be able to handle.

 

Jesus, I have been reading and praying over these seven questions until You make me convinced. Show me that this is Your main objective for all this study and prayer. Help me see that the other purpose is for You to help me understand the meaning of each question. You are leading me through them, so I will be a totally changed and faith-filled person.

 

Jesus, I have had so many experiences with those things I can see that I have a tremendous amount of faith in what they can do to me. I have “seen” these things happen over and over again and have been taken down by some of them time after time. That has made me fear and doubt that anything invisible will be able to overcome them. Help me understand that You created all these things from the invisible and are telling me that it controls the visible.

 

Handling Life Rather Than Just Living It

For I am convinced that neither death nor life: Your lifespan will encompass a lot of good and bad events; you can expect to face all kinds of relational treatment and all kinds of circumstances. It isn’t the relationships or the circumstances that are most important; it is what the result is while and after you experience them. When you face major issues, you want to be sure to handle them in such a way that you are more than conquerors through Him Who loved you. It all depends on where your esteem and confidence are; are they coming through Him Who loved you? Or, are you experiencing fear and doubt?

 

Jesus, if I have a strange pain in my body, help me not just hope it will go away. If something bad happens, help me not just hope it will turn out okay. I have lived a lot of my life hoping that something will happen to help me make it through it all without major calamity. Help me take an active part in it; help me address these issues like David did. Help me experience faith, esteem, confidence, and power through You. Help me live the victorious Christian life.

 

Handling Spiritual Issues

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons: Satan and his demons and God and His angels are actively involved in the lives of you, as a human. The temptations you face, many of the wrong, bad, or evil thoughts that pop up in your mind, and the negative emotions you experience, come through the satanic realm. But, if you don’t understand this about the spirit realm, you will try to figure out why certain things are happening to you. You will try to work it out using physical solutions to spiritual problems.

 

Jesus, when I get sick, help me not just try to figure out what made me sick. Help me not just try to figure out what physical thing I can do to make myself well. When I run into financial difficulties, help me not just analyze the whole thing using physical principles. Teach me that most of the “bad luck,” “karma,” “fate,” and “random circumstances” that I assume are just normal for the way life works, are actually coming through satanic resistance against me.

 

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Luke 6:46-47 (NIV) Why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice. Start with the small, simple things in your life and practice using your three toolsets to win over them. All during your day, as you consult Jesus for ideas, solutions, and principles, add a request for how He would like for you to practice using your toolsets.

 

Jesus, help me realize that God esteem and God confidence only connect to me doing things Your way. Teach me how to go about my day using my toolsets to help me take a spiritual approach to going through my day. Teach me how to give up just learning how to be better at physical systems for living life. Get me ready for eternity, as a child of God, by helping me give more and more of my procedures over to spiritual methods.

 

Practice Seeing In The Spirit Realm

Without God esteem and confidence, you can’t see what is really going on in the spirit realm. David could see things from the true perspectives of God. Goliath could only see them from the human perspective. Goliath lost! David won! Ask Jesus to open your eyes to not only what is currently going on, ask Him to help you see what is going to happen. Through faith, David told everyone what was going to happen to Goliath.

 

Jesus, as I grow in God esteem and God confidence, Your love is providing me with all kinds of weapons, tools, and procedures that can help me deal with satanic temptations, satanic emotions, and satanic circumstances. The things people say and do that hurt me and the circumstances that threaten me are all able to be handled through me becoming more and more convinced of God’s love. As I move into God-esteem and God-confidence, help me see how life really works. Move me into the life David was living.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifty-Six

Are You Practicing With Jesus?

 

Week Twelve Day Three

 

 

When Your Friend Faces Difficult Situations

Rom 8:35-36 (NIV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

 

There is a lot more to God’s love that just a warm and safe feeling. There actually weapons, protective armor, tools, gifts, and power that are a part of God’s love. Being loved by God also involves training, truth, relationships, and provisions. You get opportunities, experiences, goals, plans, and procedures that lead you and your friend into a life of success and winning. You are no longer dependent on what humans can do; what humans can provide; and what humans can think of.

 

Jesus, teach me that I am now living in the world of God’s love; it means so much more than I can ever imagine. So, I need You to tell me what it means; but, help me get more than information about it. Take my training and bring me into an involvement in that life of love.

 

Jesus, it is good to know that life in general has a purpose. But, it is also good to know that my purpose for living that life is to learn how to be a winner. Help me apply myself to learning how to win by using my toolsets in the spirit realm. Teach me how to use spiritual tools, weapons, protective devices, techniques, systems, and gifts. Help me so understand Your love that I open my heart to a way of life that handles all that this world has to offer.

 

Living The Jesus-Life

Rom 8:37 (NIV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. God-confidence and God-esteem aren’t just emotions, feelings, convictions, faith, or attitudes. They are the door for the Jesus-life that makes all the verses in the Bible be real in and through your life. Your attention, focus, and dependency are put in Him; you realize things are no longer impossible for you because they aren’t impossible for Him. These two things connect you to Him and give you faith, trust, dependency, reliance, value, and confidence in Him.

 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors: Jesus, now that my esteem and confidence are in You, this is who I have become. Teach me that they opened the door for all Your abilities, provisions, power, and characteristics to flow through me into the issues, challenges, charges, condemnations, accusations and troubles of life. When it looks to me like I am considered as a sheep to be slaughtered, my God-esteem and God-confidence make me more than conquerors.

 

Jesus, let all the things You and the Bible are saying to flow in and through me. Self-esteem and confidence left me in the condition of being considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Now You are making me more than conquerors. That success and victory was never an option before. I was never going to be more than conquerors. But, help me understand that Your esteem and confidence will connect to the plan and purpose for my life and empower me to do all those things You have trained me to do. Help me be looking for those moments.

 

Moving Into The Spirit Realm

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us: You can only deal with those things you see; Jesus is going to be empowering you to deal with things He can see. 2 Cor 4:18 (NIV) So you fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. You aren’t more than conquerors; you are more than conquerors through Him Who loved you. Now that you have God-esteem and God-confidence, everything is flowing from Jesus into you. As that happens, you will deal with your “physical” world using spiritual tools, equipment, systems, procedures, principles, and methods.

 

Jesus, help me get all the benefits of Your esteem and confidence, so I can be more than conquerors through You Who loved me. Help me fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Let us move together into the spirit realm, where real, true influence and change are able to take place in the physical realm.

 

Faith In The Love Of God

Rom 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus your Lord.

 

For I am convinced that: What if God gave David all the power, the skills, the training, and the promises, so he was able to go out and defeat Goliath? But, what if David was too afraid to go out on that battlefield and apply them? God-esteem and God-confidence are giving you the power to win; and, they are giving you the power to go out and face the things you are to win over. Because they connect you to Jesus directly, you not only are made ready, you actually take faith-action and go out there and face life and win.

 

Jesus, help me practice being more than conquerors; help me get good at being more than conquerors; help me become advanced at being more than conquerors; join me, so we can go out into real life and be more than conquerors together all day long.

 

Handling Life Rather Than Just Living It

For I am convinced that neither death nor life: When everything is going along fine in your life, it doesn’t look like you need God’s help. But, the truth of the matter is, He is the One Who is making it go along fine. However, you aren’t here to learn how to flow in a life that is going along fine. There is a reason why Jesus has made you more than conquerors through Him Who loved you.

 

David had already killed the lion and the bear and his life was going along fine. But, life for King Saul, the Israelite army, his brothers, and the future of Israel wasn’t going along fine. So, David accepted the challenge of a life that wasn’t going along fine.

 

Jesus, help me be willing to get involved in the lives of those who are struggling, hurting, and facing problems. Help me get the problems in my life sorted out, so I can reach out to the needs of others. Empower me to be willing to take on the issues of others. Teach me how to be more than conquerors through You Who loved me. Then empower me with Your esteem and confidence to go win for myself, others, and Your plan.

 

Handling Spiritual Issues

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons: You may not think much about the fact that the spirit realm is what causes all the events, circumstance, diseases, storms, earthquakes, financial crises, emotional struggles, battles in relationships, and many other issues of life. You have learned all kinds of human “solutions” to your life’s problems. If you keep on using them, that is all you will get good at.

 

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, You went around using spiritual solutions to all kinds of human problems. Help me realize that You were trying to show me how to move into the spirit realm with You. You want me to join You, so You can go out in my world and us work together doing what You did back then.

 

Jesus, help me have a life like David; let me have such a powerful and wonderful relationship with You that I can get involved in the lives of others. Let me be ready to defeat the lions, bears, and Goliaths in their lives. Help me start practicing being empowered to be who I need to be, so You and I can do what You need to do for others. Help me allow You to create Your life and ministry in me like it was when You were here on earth.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifty-Seven

Are You Secure In Jesus?

 

Week Twelve Day Four

 

 

Eternal Security

Rom 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Handling Current And Future Events

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future: The love of God is very active in making everything that comes your way work together for your good (Rom 8:28). If you know that, it puts a confidence, a peace, an assurance, and a faith in you that provides you with powerful, positive emotions.

 

Jesus, I am ready to join You in dealing with present situations and future possible events, since You have empowered me to lock my heart in the love of God. You have empowered me to not be worried, stressed, depressed, angry, or feeling hopeless, that was making everything harder than what was happening to me. But, since I am confident in God’s love, my esteem is secure in it. So, now I am relaxed because of it. Now that I am filled with faith through it, I can face the challenges of life with a lot more excitement; and, that sets the stage for success.

 

You Handling Current And Future Events

It is wonderful that God is taking care of your present and future; but, there is a part you play. God got David ready to face a lion; but, David had to have the attitudes and character to get physically involved. God’s love had to be allowed to effect David’s love. David had to care so much about his father’s sheep that he was willing to get involved and put his life on the line. God didn’t allow David to kill the lion and the bear with his sling and a rock.

 

Jesus, help me see that my present dealings with lions and bears are preparing me for my future battles with Goliaths and other things. You are preparing me now relationally, physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually, so I can be ready to deal with future events and issues that You and I will be doing together. Help me yield to these relational, physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual preparations. Let me see them, appreciate them, yield to them, and use them to win now. I want to be so successful today that is lays the foundation for me winning in a great way tomorrow.

 

Handling Everything

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation: Look at these words; you can’t handle death or life, angels or demons, the present or the future, any powers, height or depth, or anything else without Jesus joining you. Even lions and bears are too much for you; they are a lot faster and a lot more powerful than you are. They have weapons that are too much for you to do hand-to-hand combat with them.

 

The reason Jesus gave you God-esteem and God-confidence are so the doors will open that allow the realities, provisions, attitudes, and character to flood into you. They are the openings that allow all the things of God to fill you and your life. The love of God for you is so great that He has built this wall around you; it won’t allow anything to come into your life that He hasn’t already established the solution for.

 

Jesus, I now know I am here on this planet to join You in using the power-relationship I have with You. I know I am not here to just learn how to live life using the techniques, systems, and laws of this world. I am ready to join You in Your ministry, so You can do in and through me those things You are capable of doing. Like David, I am ready to incorporate the spirit realm and Spirit-life into my temporary life; and like him, that will bring great success in my life and the lives of others.

 

Jesus, I also know You will be allowing the lions and bears come my way. I know that some of my first assignments will be like sheep rather than people. You will give me challenges of things like money, possessions, positions, popularity, prestige, power, pleasure, and accomplishments. You will do that before You give me a people assignment like Goliath. Help me be ready to deal with things and smaller issues successfully. Then help me be ready to deal with the more challenging issues of people and helping them with their problems.

 

Handling The Power-Relationship

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you: God gave you all the things you need to win in your next assignment. Even if you failed the “first grade” life-classes, He will help you win in “the second grade” class. You don’t know what all David failed at before he won over lions and bears. You do know he failed with Uriah and Bathsheba. But, God got him back on track and he started winning again (2 Samuel 11-12).

 

Jesus, I see why I need the doors of God-esteem and God-confidence open. There are a lot of things coming my way that I need to take an active and powerful part in. Help me not be a victim of bears and lions; help me not be a spectator just watching lions, bears, and Goliaths. Empower me to win over everything that comes my way. Teach me how to be constant in my relationship with You, so that in my later life I won’t fail with the Uriah’s and Bathsheba’s.

 

Eternal Security Spoken Into Your Heart And Mind

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

This is eternal security because you have moved from the Romans 7:15-24 life into the Romans 8:1-30 life. You moved from trying Christianity out to making it a permanent way of life. Since you have done that, Romans 8:31-39 apply to you. You are now convinced that nothing will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus your Lord. By these seven questions you have grown in faith, love, God-esteem, and God-confidence.

 

Jesus, I now realize that God-esteem and God-confidence only survive in eternal security. I now know that nothing will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in You, Christ Jesus my Lord. Since death or life, angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers, height or depth, or anything else in all creation can’t separate me, I and my esteem and confidence are secure in You. Since David and Paul knew about this security, they did things most people couldn’t do. I am ready to join You and live that life.

 

Learning What God’s Love Looks Like

Nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus your Lord: You are now ready to see what God’s love looks like, what it means to you, and be open for it to do its work in you. This is because you now have God-esteem and God-confidence. You are no longer getting your esteem and confidence through yourself, or money, possessions, positions, power, prestige, popularity, pleasure, or accomplishments. You are now experiencing the effects of having God’s love poured into you by the Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus, many people end up with money, possessions, positions, power, prestige, popularity, pleasure, and accomplishments. But, I only want them through the open door of God-esteem and God-confidence. Help me not get one of these items through some other door. If I have, help me get rid of them, so I can get them through You.

 

You have learned that God loves you with a powerful and consistent love that, for as long as you want it, nothing can take it away from you. You are secure for now and eternity. As you move more and more into God-esteem and God-confidence, you open the door to experiencing all Jesus has to offer. You are ready to start with some small things and grow from there.

 

Jesus, I now know that God’s love is powerful and beneficial; it helps and heals me; it changes the way I think, feel, talk, and act. And, it is a miraculous help and healing power for all those around me. I know that God’s love is what the world desperately needs. they are hurting in their relationships, finances, emotions, physical condition, and spiritual needs. This is because they don’t have God’s love working in their lives. I am ready to join You, so You can help them get what You have given me.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Chapter Fifty-Eight

Are You Ready To Move Forward With Jesus?

 

Week Twelve Day Five

 

 

Keep Moving Forward In God-Esteem And God-Confidence

Jesus, I want to know You, my Christ and the power of Your resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in Your sufferings, becoming like You in You death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead (Phil 3:10-11 NIV) .

 

Jesus, not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which You, my Christ Jesus took hold of me (Phil 3:12 NIV).

 

Jesus, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Your, my Christ Jesus (Phil 3:13-14 NIV).

 

 

The Conclusion

Using What You Have Become

James 4:7 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. You have just finished the last book in the “Starting Your Day With Jesus” series. You won’t graduate and get your “diploma” until Jesus comes and takes you to be with Him; so, you need to keep applying The Three Keys To All Of Christianity, The Seven Biblical Principles, and The Eight Power-Attitudes Of God until then. The more you succeed now, the more you will be a success in all of eternity.

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that the main purpose of this series was to fulfill the first part of James 4:7: Submit yourselves, then, to God. As it relates to the two parts to this verse, help me keep in mind that submission to God is the most important. As a matter of fact, help me always be aware that it has to flow into the second part: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

Jesus, You used the books in this series to equip me with Scriptures, prayers, and submission, so I would be ready for spiritual warfare. Everything He has taught you, prepared and equipped you for now.

 

 

 

 

Knowing Who You Are In Jesus

Rom 8:37 (NIV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. The objective is for you to grow in spiritual warfare skills. Jesus wants to help you be efficient, skilled, experienced, talented, and mature in using the full armor of God. He has been working on you, who are inside an armor that is impenetrable, invincible, supernatural, and powerful. But, since you are wearing it, if you were weak, ignorant, fearful, distracted, or untrained, it would be greatly diminished in its effectiveness. So, Jesus first took care of you.

 

1 Tim 1:18-19 (NIV) Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Jesus, help me realize that you have been empowering me to submit to God, so I could join You in defeating the devil in all areas in my life and in the lives of those who can’t yet protect themselves. Help me cooperate with You, as You demonstrate how to successfully engage in spiritual warfare.

 

Getting Skillful With Jesus’ Spiritual Weapons

2 Cor 10:4 (NIV) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. Your next assignment is to continue submitting yourself to God, and, resist the devil. In other words, you are to use everything you have learned and asked for to accomplish this assignment. It won’t require you to be constantly focusing in on the devil. Your eyes will remain fixed on Jesus. But, He and you will be destroying Satan’s kingdom, as you win over your body, the world, and Satan’s temptations. You will be winning; and, you will be winning for others, who can’t defend themselves.

 

Eph 6:10 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Jesus, thank You for getting me ready to move into the spirit-realm in a greater way. Help me take all You have taught me and created in me for my next assignment. Show me that resisting the devil will consist of doing a lot of what You have been having me already do. Teach me that it is now a matter of understanding what principles I have been using to resist the devil.

 

Defeating The Right Enemy

Eph 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. In the spirit realm, there are weapons of Satan that are trying to destroy people. Jesus has been working with you on them; but, now it is vital that you start focusing in on what your assignment is. It is a battle against Satan’s sin-weapon.

 

Jesus, help me know what I am supposed to be attacking. Help me be aware of what I use my sword and shield on. Help me combat those things that are trying to destroy me and those around me. Since You have already trained me concerning those issues that are sin, help me take all that training and yield it to You powerful work that sets people free from all of it.

The Weapons Of The Devil

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.

 

These are the flaming arrows that Satan has been shooting at you. And, these are the weapons he has shot into the unsaved around you. Jesus has trained you with three toolsets that have empowered you with procedures that have set you free from these weapons. He has also installed powerful anti-sin counterparts of right, good, and righteous protections and behavior. You will be using all this training and provisions to set others free.

 

Rom 12:21 (NIV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Jesus, I can see that first You had to help me not be overcome by evil. If I didn’t know how to do that, then I wouldn’t know how to help others. Now I see that my next assignment is to overcome evil with good. Help me realize that the way to do this is to start showing people the alternative to evil. Help me start showing people a better way of live. Help me demolish the strongholds in their life with the truths of a better way of life.

 

The Weapons Of Jesus

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. When everyone is defending themselves and fighting for what is best for them, then there is a constant battle being waged against one another. What you start teaching people to do is to first ask themselves, how would you feel if people treated you like that? This lifts their eyes away from themselves. Satan has them focused, locked in on, and totally concerned about what they want and need. This Jesus-weapon attacks selfishness that is a stronghold in their life.

 

Jesus, help me start looking at all the wonderful Biblical principles You have taught me. Help me see which ones would set a person free from some spiritual injury that Satan has inflicted them with. Help me start teaching people how You want them to treat one another. Help me show them how much success and freedom they would get, if they started using Your principles instead of those Satan is inflicting on them. Then when they start struggling with living based on them, help me lead them into allowing You to transform them into a child of God, who has the power to live a life like I have been teaching them.

 

 

 

This concludes your reading and praying in this book. CONGRATULATIONS!