Tag: Spiritual Warrior Blog

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Bible Study Run the Race

Run the Race: Let your Light Shine as You Run

The Olympic races are always started with the torch bearer, who runs with the torch and lights the fire so all can see.

Jesus says we shouldn’t hide our light. If we hide our light, will others see? Will they want to be Christians too?

As Christians, we are to be torch bearers for Jesus. One of the things we must do when we run our race is carry our light. In Get Ready, Get Set, We talked about getting ready by knowing and following the rules. Jesus says that it isn’t just important to carry our lights. He says when we run, we are to let our lights shine so others can see.

By letting our lights shine, Jesus doesn’t mean we are to carry actual lamp. He means that we should do good things so other people will want to be Christians too.

A bad attitude can cause your world to be dark and you to lose sight of your goal.

A good attitude helps keep you light bright and can keep you going when times get rough.

We all try to teach our children to be positive and have a good attitude, but how many times do we live that lesson. I had a preacher once that would say, “Your attitude effects your altitude.” Not that your attitude will keep you out of Heaven, but it can effect your closeness to God.

How can you change your attitude to shine your light?

No complaining. In the Bible, God’s people, the Israelites were wondering in the wilderness. No matter how much God did for them, the children of Israel complained constantly. They were focused on what they wanted NOW and not on what they needed for the future. After all that God had done for them, they said they would rather be slaves again in Egypt!! ! Complaining caused them to lose sight of their goal: the Promised Land.

No blaming others. Adam and Eve were told by God to not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They chose to follow Satan and eat what God said not to eat. When God questioned them, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. They refused to take responsibility for their own actions, and as a result, they lost their reward: living in the garden with God. Denying responsibility causes us to not fix what is wrong and can keep us from finishing our race and receiving our reward.

No shortcuts. Jehoiakim was one of the later kings of Israel. He tried to take a short cut. He cut part of God’s rules of the scrolls and burned them in the fire. Imagine his surprise when Jeremiah wrote God’s words again! We can’t just ignore the parts of God’s word that we don’t like.

No pouting. Jonah wanted to be the judge over Nineveh. When he disagreed with God’s call, he pouted over Nineveh’s repentance.

No excuses. Moses was a man of many excuses. He didn’t want to start the task God had given to him to do. What Moses was supposed to do? How did God respond to each of Moses’ excuses? He was told God would help him. Does God accept excuses today?

No quitting. Daniel prayed to God and served God everyday even though the king told him not to. He didn’t quit even when he was thrown in the lion’s den. Because he was faithful and did not give up, God was with him in the lion’s den and he wasn’t hurt.

Matthew 5:16

16. You should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

In the Bible, Jesus tells us something very important about ourselves.

Mark 4:21-23

21 Then Jesus said to them, “You don’t take a lamp and hide it under a bowl or a bed, do you? Of course not. You put it on a lamp stand. 22 Everything that is hidden will be made clear. Every secret thing will be made known. 23 You people who hear me, listen! This is God’s Word. He wrote it, so we know everything in it is true.

Stop hiding your light, God made you to shine!

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Bible Study Tongue

Zip it, Lock it, Put it in Your Pocket

Saying that my son, Jack, is a talker is a huge understatement. He has this overwhelming urge to day everything he thinks of when he thinks it. It doesn’t matter if it offends or hurts feelings. He needs to say it, so it gets said. When he was about 2 or 3, we started telling him to, “zip it, lock it, put it in your pocket.” which meant zip your lips, lock the zipper and stick the key in your pocket. As Christians, There are many times when we need to be reminded to zip it, lock and put it in your pocket.

James 3:3-6

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Zipping it

James describes the tongue as being like a bit in the mouths of horses or the rudder on a boat. Such a small part, but so vital in the directional control of the horse or ship. Such a small organ can completely change your life and the lives of others depending on the direction it is turning.

He also compares it to a spark that creates a forest fire. I have seen this many times in my life. As you have, I am sure. When one person’s negative comments turns a crowd of people against someone. On the other hand, I have seen one person on fire for God incite a revival, when they allowed God to speak through them. Consider Psalm 19:14.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Locking it

When someone asked you to keep something secret, are you trustworthy? I am always slow to trust new people with personal information. Trust is something that is earned and once it is lost, can be hard to get back. God’s word says it best.

Proverbs 11:13

13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Proverbs 21:23

23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
    keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 20:19

19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with a simple babbler

Prove yourself trustworthy and keep the secrets of those who trust you enough to share them with you.

Put it in your pocket (Memorize a few scriptures to keep in your pocket when Satan temps you)

Job 4:4

4 Your words have supported those who stumbled;
   you have strengthened faltering knees.– Can your friends say this of you.

Proverbs 12:18

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:1

15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 16:24

24
Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Ephesians 4:29

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

These are a few to start you off there are so many more. If you have found a verse, you use to help you keep that mouth locked, share it in the comments section.

Challenge Yourself

Change doesn’t happen without God or overnight. Be patient with yourself. Prayerfully depend on God and His grace.

Choose a scripture you would like to see demonstrated in your life. Write it on a card-memorize the verse-pray for it to be manifested in your life.

Categories
Bible Study

Move from Fear into Fabulous

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4

The Shackle of Fear

I think we have all had that feeling. The one in the pit in your stomach, your heart is about to jump out of your chest, and rush of thoughts as you drop into a pit of fear, anxiety and flat out terror. It comes sitting across the table from a doctor, stepping into an angry bosses office or for some being asked to be more than a flower on the wall.

We are human and fear is something we can’t avoid, but it is something we can control. Having that tingle down your spine can alert you to a hazardous situation or danger. However, allowing that fear to take hold of you and keep you from moving forward will be detrimental to your Christian walk.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7

This doesn’t say that God will swoop down and change everything. It does say that if we take it to God. We will get peace. God understands that we will have fear and that we will need Him. Look at Psalm 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere man do to me?” David doesn’t write, “If I am afraid.” He says, “When I am afraid.”

Becoming Fabulous because of a Faithful God

When we look at life just with our own eyes, we become fearful, fugitive & pessimistic. We start to second guess ourselves and every decision we ever made. When we look at the Bible and begin to see how God empowered normal average people. The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and strengthens us and gives us courage that we didn’t know we had.

John tells us how God’s love fights fear.


“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” ~ 1 John 4:18

God doesn’t want us to be shackled to our fears. All throughout the Bible, God tells us how faithful He is.

1 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10

“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” ~ John 14:27

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

“But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” ~ Isaiah 43:1

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” ~ Proverbs 12:25

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~ Matthew 6:34

“Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time.  Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” ~ 1 Peter 5:6-7

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” ~ Psalm 27:1

“’For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,’ declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” ~ Isaiah 41:13-14

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” ~ Psalm 46:1

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?  The Lord is with me; he is my helper.” ~ Psalm 118:6-7

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” ~ Proverbs 29:25

“But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.” ~ 1 Peter 3:14

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.” ~ Psalm 34:4

How to change my fears into fabulous

  • Put your hope in God—in God and His Word rather than the unreliability of ourselves or others.
  • Do what is right—according to God’s way of approaching life, not the world’s way, especially those cultural practices that go against God’s Word.
  • You can choose to give God your fears

Spiritual Warrior Blog

Choose to give God your fear

We have a faithful God. Who wants you to rely on him and step away from fear.

Your Faith Walk

Read John 14:27 and 16:33. What does Jesus promise to you?

John 14:27 New Living Translation (NLT)

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 16:33 New Living Translation (NLT)

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

He is with you through any trouble. You can trust Him. Our God is trustworthy!

What might be holding you back from trusting Him whenever you are afraid?

Fabulous-in-Action:

#1: God loves you

John 3:16; John 16:27; Romans 5:5

God sent Jesus to die for you. He loves you. Jesus would have died for you even if you were the only person on earth.


#2: God knows what is happening to you and around you.

Matthew 6:31-32; Psalm 139:1-10

God is everywhere and knows everything. So, God knows what is going on in your life. He knows your needs and how best to meet them.

#3: God can change you or your situation.

Genesis 18:14; Luke 1:37

Is anything impossible for the Lord? NO! Our God is all-powerful. He is capable of doing anything He chooses to do that is in agreement with His character, will, plan and purposes.

#4: You can trust His goodness in whatever He chooses to do

Psalm 119:68; Proverbs 3:5

The Bible says that God is good, and what He does is good. It’s a choice to trust God and bank on His goodness.

What is causing you fear today? What are your choices for acting on that fear?

Pray

Pray about your fears and decisions you are making to trust God in them. Thank God for His grace toward you and His love for you.