Faith and the devil

Faith and the devil. Okay you're saying what in the world does the devil have to do with faith? Well according to Scripture a person can believe but not live the life or be saved. So it is with the devil and his demons. He knows there is a God and trembles at him. He is proof for your faith to be stronger in God. First he knows that God is all powerful, he got dropped kicked out of heaven, like a bolt of lightning, trying to rise above God. What was he thinking...that was stupid!! Pride will do that. Second he knows the word of God is true because he tried to tempt Jesus, with changing the Word to conform to worldly appetites. Well that didn't go over either Jesus rebuked him. Thirdly the devil does what Jesus says. A legion of demons were cast out of a man, they wanted to know, if they could go into a herd of swine. Jesus said go, and it didn't turn out so well, because the demons ran the whole herd off a cliff. Which is exactly what will happen to your life if the devil controls it. Jesus told sickness you got to go, death you can't have them. Then there's the cross. The devil thought he had killed Jesus. Finally got rid of his threat. Big mistake, because what really happened Jesus took our sins and paid our debt. Then he went into the bowels of the earth set the captives free, took the keys from death, hell, and the grave. The devil has a rockin headache to this day. Gen.3:15 Oh and you don't believe and have faith in God. Devils do. James 2:19 NKJV You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Faith Identity

Faith for your true identity. OK, yesterday we dealt with the sin issue. To sin is to miss the mark or to have disobedience towards God. So what is the devil trying to hide and keep us from? Let's jump back in time to Genesis. In chapter 1:26-31 God said let us make mankind in our image and likeness. Let us give him dominion over all things on the earth. To be fruitful and multiply. No sickness, no depression, no death, but blessed and prosperous and happy. All that we may have a relationship, with God and worship Him only. OK see anything wrong with that picture... ummm...me neither. It was perfect because God loves us and there was no sin. See that is your DNA. VICTORIOUS. After all of that I hate to bring this up...there was a serpent a devil hiding behind this plan. He didn't like God giving man all this cool stuff to enjoy. He didn't like he had no control or power over man. Well need I tell you the rest of the story. A lie, a choice and a piece of fruit. Someone made a really bad choice and missed the ultimate plan, all of Hell broke in and oh what a mess. Oh!! so you don't think your choices effect anyone else? Someone has been listening to the serpent, the Liar. Genesis 2:7 NKJV And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Faith in Christ

Faith in Christ is the first step in your victory over sin. In our scripture yesterday, Satan is the father of sin. Therefore no matter how good you are, you're a sinner without Jesus. There are two masters; one speaks truth that can set you free, from your past and present sin. The other one lies, twist and distorts the truth, to keep you bound to your failures and sin. You see there is no one without sin. Rom 3:23 says that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". We all are born on the same Ship in life and it is sinking. Jesus is the life boat that can save and redeem us from our self destructing life bound by sin, disobedience to God the Father. The Titanic called out all night, but it was to late, the great ship went down. Jesus is so close that He is waiting for you to call out to Him. This is an emergency situation. He loves every single person rather you think your perfect or believe you are the worst person alive. Not one of us meets Gods qualifications of Holiness and Righteousness accept for Jesus Christ. That is the reason Rom. 6:23 states, "the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." The devil does not want you to know the truth. Romans 6:6-11 NKJV knowing this, that our old man (sinful nature) was crucified with Him (Jesus on the cross), that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died (that means we have confessed our sin and ask Jesus into our heart, to be our Lord and Saviour) has been freed from sin. Now if we died(confessed and ask forgiveness) with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Faith over Lies

Faith over lies. Do you realize that everyday life is more negative than positive. We are drawn not to the positive things in life because of a spiritual fact. Fact one we are born into sin and our nature tends to be one of defeat instead of victory. We grow up hearing: you can't, no, it's not possible, our family just don't get those kind of breaks, I'm not this or that. Etc. Fact two the devil is a liar. If you were to find out the truth about who you are, the DNA of God that is in you, the plan and purpose that God has for you than you would be a threat to the enemy. Fact three is the devil has no doubt whatsoever that God is God and that God can do anything he wants to. He just doesn't want to past that info on to you. This is our thought this week unless God leads me different. John 8:44 NKJV You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Faith in His Purpose

Faith in His purpose. I was just messaging a friend that lives in a warmer climate. They love it. I have always been a four Seasons kind of guy. Winters here in Ohio can get a little crazy. My wife, she could live where its warm all the time, just give her some snow on Christmas Day. Me on the other hand, it is absolutely beautiful when it is snowing, and I love when it sticks to everything. A little vacation in the middle is nice, don't get me wrong. I'm saying all of this for a purpose. Look at all the trees in the winter they all look the same. They can't show their color or give you shade. It's very hard to identify them. Just trunks and limbs, they are in a state of rest as white snow paints on them. There is a purpose, if they don't get rid of their leaves and their beauty they would die. In life we have to do the same thing. Because we all are going to have winters and hard times. We have to make time, for the blood of Jesus, to cover our failures and messes in life and find rest in him. Life has a grand purpose and every season is important. But if you don't have winter, a time to really reflect on who you are inside, you will miss the purpose that God has planned for you. Can you really know a book by its cover? In closing think about an old car and brand new Mercedes. When the snow is all over them it's hard to tell what they are and what condition they're in. So it is with the blood of Jesus we are all the same at the cross. Romans 8:28 NKJV all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Isaiah 1:18 “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow...

Faith like God

Faith like God. Is that your desire to be more like Jesus? To be more like God, to have his love and compassion. Rather than fight back with revenge and remorse that controls our lives. To have His long suffering and self-control, rather than lashing out and bring hurt to those around us. To have the faith of God which created the heavens and the earth. Which created you in your mother's womb to fulfill a wonderful and powerful purpose and plan. That faith that sees all of our faults and failures. But because of His awesome LOVE, He still has faith and has not given up on us. Oh! That we could have that kind of faith, by surrendering and seeking Him. We could see lives changed, relationships healed, people delivered and set free. Mountains can be moved with that kind of faith. Hebrews 11:3, 6 NKJV By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,... But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith for Now

RIGHT NOW. That's right! God is the God of the right now. I am reminded of words in a song " right now if you believe, God can work a miracle for you". When we read the Bible we have the tendency to believe that the miracles were for them in their day, and their time. That somehow God moved differently back then, then he does now. Okay, faith check. According to the Bible faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So what does the Bible say? That God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He does not change according to time. He always remains constant. So if God has not changed, then it must be us. I mean think about it. It's amazing what we sacrifice for that has nothing to do with God, but has everything to do with our desires, passions and lust for things of this world. God has not called you to be weak, but to be strong in the power of his might. So when you are weak, you have to stand and fight the good fight of faith. He can and will change your life. Repent, have faith, receive your miracle! 2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV For all the promises of God in Him (Jesus) are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Faith in Trials

Faith in trials. Do you have faith to overcome trials and test in life. I am reminded of a story in Daniel Chap 3. Three Hebrew boys had been taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar. They were very wise and knowledgeable. After training they were placed as rulers over Providences . The king built a false god for the people to worship . If they did not bow and worship, they were thrown into a furnace. The 3 Hebrew boys, which are now men, would not bow down and worship a false god. The King called them forth and told them he would give them another chance. They told the king they did not need time to think about their answer, but that they would not bow to any other god , but their God. They knew that God could deliver them, but if he didn't they still would not bow down to a false god. He was so upset he heated the furnace 7 times hotter and threw them in. The strongmen that threw them in were destroyed by the fire. The king looked into the furnace and seen them walking around with the Son of God. He called them to come forth and they came out without 1 hair being singed on their body. They didn't even smell like smoke. God elevated their positions. This story remind me if I will keep the faith and put God first in my decisions. If I will not bow or give in, or compromise to the things of this world my God is able to deliver me, elevate me, promote me, without compromising my faith in him. Our God is mighty to save. You never walk alone in the trials of life. Daniel 3:16-18, 25 KJV He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Faith is Witness

Faith makes you a witness that God is God. When you live a life of faith and believe in God your life becomes a testimony of the power God. You become a living book that nothing is impossible to those who believe, that trust and live out the power and healing of the Word of God. How does your life reflect Christ? Do others see God as a forgiver, healer, helper encourager, or does your life reflect doubt and uncertainty, unhappiness and complaints? Remember how others see you reflects on faith or doubt in our Great God and Saviour. Isaiah 43:12 NKJV Therefore you are My witnesses,” Says the Lord, “that I am God.

Faith in our Creator

God is the great I am. He has created all things. He has created you. All things stand at attention when He speaks. The heavens and the earth were formed by his hands.

 The paths that God leads you in will cause you to prosper, profit and to have peace. My question to you, are you listening, are you walking in his commandments?

 God leads us in the paths we should go, again this is your choice. God your Creator has spoken will you hear. He doesn't speak in secret, he openly proclaims his word and his will. Have faith in your Creator that he knows best, the Universe does.

 Isaiah 48:12-18 NKJV
 “Listen to me...I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together. “All of you, assemble yourselves, and hear!... I, even I, have spoken; Yes, I have called him, I have brought him, and his way will prosper. “Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning;...“I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river...

God is faithful

What around you can you trust today? In the day and time that we are living there is nothing sure. How about those that even have your interest as their top priority. They love you and would do anything to fulfill your dreams and happiness. But life has a way of taking things, cancer and sickness cut life short. Accidents and tragedy arise and change our world. You see we are limited and have no promise for tomorrow, neither can we promise it to others. God on the other hand is always faithful. One great thing about God is his faithfulness never changes and he is no respecter of persons. He has all power and strength to deliver you in any circumstance. God keeps his promises and nothing can stand in his way, accept for your doubt and unbelief. There is one thing that God is not going to do, that is to force you to serve him and trust him. You have the power of choice. You hold in your hands the ability to surrender or to hold back. The power to change your future through Jesus, or stay where your at. God is faithful to deliver. Psalm 31:19 NKJV Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! Psalm 36:5 NKJV Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Faith in God

Faith in God is required if victory is going to be abtained. If you are going to choose, know what you are choosing to believe and have faith in.

God reminds us that first He is the only God. OH!! There are other gods, but I assure you according to scripture and history, that they are mere thoughts and images that are desired, to satisfy ones agenda and desire good or bad. They are created to control their destiny and others. There are others that will try to make God none existant so they can choose their own path.
Argue and write books, talk until you are blue in the face...THERE IS A GOD AND WITHOUT FAITH your life will have a void and will never be fulfilled to its fulness with out HIM.
This world would be in total caos, just like the Devil would like you to believe, for even he knows God is real
Dont take life for granted for there are two masters. God died for you to fulfill in you the greatest purpose and plan. Then there is Satan who is the father of lies, who hates you and laughs at your calamities, to keep you from the plan God has.
Have Faith in God. Isaiah 44:6, 8-9 NKJV “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one. ’ ” Those who make an image, all of them are useless, And their precious things shall not profit; They are their own witnesses; They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.

Faith to choose.

Faith to Choose. There is a battle going on in the spirit realm. It is a battle for your soul, for your freedom, your eternity. If you lose most likely so does your family. Jesus paid a great price for your victory. But God gives you the power of choice. Satan hates you and deceives you, into selling out your soul, for the temporary things of your flesh. Your desires, lusts and passions may be fun for a time, but will cost you a great price, eternity and possibly the ones you love. God loves his children to be happy and full of life, but not through sin. The wages of sin is death Rom. 6:23, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. In Rom. 7:15 God says there is a battle in you. The things I don't want to allow in my life, I allow and the things I what to do right, I don't. Why? Because this flesh is weak, but through Christ we are strong. Whoever you yield your life too is your Master. By faith choose Jesus. Matthew 6:24 NKJV “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Faith to break the Curse

Faith to break the curse. That is the reason that Jesus came into this world. He was given the earthly name of Jesus which is the Gr. Form of the Heb. Yehoshua which means "Saviour" or "God who is Salvation". He came to break the curse of sin in our lives. The family tree that Jesus was born in was not royal by any means of the word, more like really messed up. Murders, drunkenness, infidelity, perversion of all types. Family deceit and disloyalty, the failures of preachers to kings God doesn't hide anyone's sin, all have sinned and have fallen short of righteousness. Jesus has come to break you from your past. He has come to give you life more abundantly. You do not have to be like your family tree. Break the curse and become free through the blood and death of Jesus the Christ. He who knew no sin took your sin. Be Free. This is our study this week as we continue Faith for Change. We are praying for you and love you. Galatians 5:1 NKJV Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Faith for Change

Wow what an awesome New Year we have ahead of us. I am so excited about doing our devotions. I believe that God is going to do great things for sure. So to start out this new year we need to first do one thing. Forget the past and the mistakes you made. Ask for forgiveness from God, forgive yourself and forgive others. Learn from them, don't stay down and defeated for this is your year. This is your time to shine and have victory. This is your moment to defeat the enemy in your life, instead of him defeating you. This is a time of hope, faith and for the impossible to happen. Because I believe God with you this year, that you are an overcomer. Set your eyes on Jesus and on your goal, don't lose focus. With God all things are possible. Remember he calls you sons and daughters he loves you and he knows your name. If you don't know him as your Father and Jesus as your Savior, then start out this new year by saying Jesus , forgive me for my sins thank you for coming and dying for me and rising from the dead for me, come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I accept you now. Thank you Father for loving me and forgiving me of all my sins and my past. I declare I have a brand new future in you as I serve you, in Jesus name Amen. Remember we love you and are praying for you and there is power in agreement.

Believe you have Hope

Ok, so to stay with our thought from yesterday. How do we move on from the past? How do we forgive and release it? First you have to believe you have hope in a future. If you do not believe there is hope than your past and present control your future. There are three things that eternally exist. You will find these in 1 Corinthians 13:13. Faith, hope and love. Now love is the greatest of these three. Love is what causes hope to spring forth. If we believe that God loved us so much that he gave us his Son, so we could be forgiven of our sin, past and present, than hope says I Can Be Free. Hope is the anchor that grabs hold of Jesus and declares that " who the Son sets Free is Free in deed." Remember God cannot lie. God I declare that I have hope today and in my future because of your great Love. I am anchoring my hope in Jesus for my victory. Amen. Hebrews 6:18-19 NKJV that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...

You have got to want to change.

You have got to want to change. This is the second step in moving from our past. You can have hope but not believe or not want to change. Some people believe there's hope just not for them. Some just don't have the faith, then there is those that just like living the way they are . They have believed the lie of the devil that it's not going to get better.

Some just like the victim mentality blaming everyone else and relying on everyone else to change their situation. People around you may change the conditions but it doesn't change you. Jesus created us to have dominion not to be a burden, to help others to get on their feet and to be victorious. To change and be blessed and be a blessing.

So when we stand before him he can say to us well done thou good and faithful servant. It's all in your head, God has given us the power to change. Proverbs 23 as a man thinks so he is.
God help us today not conform to the ways of this world or the lies of this world but help us to be renewed and transformed by the Holy Spirit in Jesus name amen.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what  is  that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

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Activate your faith.

Now activate your faith. If you believe there's hope and you want to change, then activate your faith. Faith requires you to believe in something bigger than yourself. Faith says, God loves me and has made a promise, I believe him, that is my hope.

Hope says I can change and I choose to change. Faith now requires you to believe and to take the steps to change. We do this by surrendering to God. Faith is the title deed and the evidence, of what has not happened yet, but will, if you surrender, believe, trust and put your confidence in God for the awesome plan he has for your life. Remember he is your Creator he doesn't make mistakes. Sin, lies and doing nothing destroys. But life is in God through Jesus Christ.

Father today I've chosen hope I've chosen to change and I choose to have faith in you. I surrender all that you're perfect plan may be carried out in my life in Jesus name Amen.

Hebrews 11:1 AMP
"NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed)
of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see  and  the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]."

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The Challenge

Now comes the challenge,fear. That's what happens when you choose to change, when you choose to  have faith. I remember growing up being in band, a play or sport. You were really excited and your adrenaline was flowing,  you are part of the event. Until your solo part that is, until everyone was watching you. How about that new job or moving to a new place?

Change can be hard and fear can cause you to freeze up. Your hands become sweaty, clammy and thoughts run wildly  through your mind like; what did I get myself into? Why did I do this? I should have stayed where I was at etc. Stop that! You have hope, believe now and walk it out.

My son was in Airborne in the Army. One thing about jumping out of a plane, you hope your parachute opens. Because they know someone is going to freeze up and not pull the ripcord, they hook you to a line. When they jump the ripcord is pulled and the chute comes out.

Go ahead, walk out, faith is the cord and God is your chute, he will not fail you. Cancel out that fear. God does not give you a spirit of fear. He loves you and gives you the power and the right mind to go forth in victory.

Proverbs 3:4,5 Reminds us to Trust God with all of our heart and mind. Don't allow your emotions and thoughts to control you, God is directing your path.

Father we come to you today with full trust and confidence. We overcome our fear by taking the next step and the next step, trusting your Word and choosing to walk by faith and not by sight, in Jesus name amen.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

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