…And let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
— Hebrews 12:1

When I was a younger man, I had a friend who would meet me each evening, and we’d jog together for about an hour. I had never been a runner, so when we first started jogging, it was very difficult for me and I’d get easily discouraged. My friend was a little younger than I and definitely in better shape, so he’d say, “Come on, Rick, you can do it! Keep going!” What was at first a very difficult jog eventually became a regular and fairly easy daily event. In fact, I looked forward to the doorbell ringing each evening so I could meet my friend and run our course together.

The neighborhood Denise and I lived in wasn’t exactly pristine; in fact, it was not a good area of town. So if I ran a little too long and came in a little later than expected, it would bother her. To alleviate Denise’s concerns, my jogging buddy decided he would drive through the neighborhood, chart a course, and measure it in miles so we’d know the exact distance that course included. I never had to think about where we were going to run, and Denise would know where to look for me if I didn’t come home on time. Running that predetermined course not only gave Denise a greater measure of peace, but it also helped me because I had a prearranged race set before me that helped me pace myself for the run. My friend chose the route, the length, and the amount of time it would take us to run. All that was required of me was to run the race he had set for me.

Often as I ran that course, I thought of Hebrews 12:1, which urges us, “…Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Today I want to talk to you about running the race Jesus has set before you. Just as my buddy set a prearranged course for me, this verse declares that Jesus has set a pre-appointed course for your race in this life. And believe me when I say that you’re not smart enough to figure out your own course by yourself! But Jesus has gone ahead of you; He has prearranged the course; and now He pleads with you to run the race He has set before you.

Let’s begin by looking at the word “run.” It is a translation of the Greek word trechos, which means to run. This is not fast walking — this is running. This is a picture of a person who has jumped into the race and is pressing ahead with all his might to reach a goal set before him. He is running at such a pace that both feet never hit the ground at the same time. With his eyes fixed on the finish line, he makes a run for it, steadily moving forward toward the goal. The fact that it requires such effort tells us that this race may not always be easy. That’s why the verse goes on to tell us that we must run it with “patience.”

The word “patience” is the Greek word hupomeno, a word that is used over and over in the New Testament to describe endurance. It is a compound of the words hupo, meaning to be under, and the word meno, which means to abide or to stay in one spot. When these two words are compounded, it forms the word hupomeno, which pictures the attitude of a person who is under a very heavy load but has decided to stay put and stand firm. He refuses to move from his commitment, regardless how difficult the challenges that are placed upon him.

Starting anything is always the fun, easy part of a project, whereas finishing requires a commitment to endure until it is completed. This process can be so challenging that Hebrews 12:1 calls it a “race” — the Greek word agona, which is most often translated to struggle or to wrestle. A form of this word is where we get the word “agony.”

How is wrestling connected to a race? It does seem like a mixed picture, doesn’t it? But you have to remember that in order to stay in a race, especially a long one, a wrestling in your emotions may be involved as your mind screams at you to throw in the towel and quit. The soul can begin to wrestle with you when weariness sets in — screaming that the race is too difficult, that it’s taking longer than you expected, or that it’s requiring more effort than you originally bargained for. Thus, the use of this Greek word agona really makes the point regarding how intense our struggle with the mind and emotions can be.

But you can rejoice that just as my jogging buddy charted a course for me, you don’t have to figure out on your own the path that will lead you to your destination! Jesus has chosen your route for you. What is required of you is to jump in the race and run with all your might — fixing your eyes on Jesus and the goal He has set before you. That’s why the verse says we must run with patience the race that was “set before” us.

The words “set before” are a translation of the Greek word prokeimenon, which is a compound of the words pro, meaning before, and the word keimai, which means to be set, to be appointed, or to be established. Compounded into one word, as used here in Hebrews 12:1, the new word describes a race course that has been predetermined for you by someone else. That “Someone” is Jesus, who has appointed a goal for your life and who has even pre-established the course you need to run to get there! Just as my jogging buddy charted the course for me, Jesus has gone before us and has established the race for us. We’re not smart enough to figure out how to reach God’s goal for our lives, so Jesus has taken care of that part for us. He just needs our willingness to jump into the race and run with all our might — keeping our eyes on the goal!

I want to encourage you that Jesus has already gone before you, and He is beckoning you to run your race with all your might. It’s very possible that weariness will try to set in at times and that your mind and emotions will wrestle with you, telling you to quit. Your emotions may even tell you that the entire endeavor is just not worth it because it’s so much more than you bargained for when you began.

But quitting is not the answer. Jesus didn’t give you a goal you cannot reach! Just shove your negative emotions out of the way by setting the focus of your mind and heart on Him. Make a determined decision that you are going to stay put in the race, and then make a run for it! Once you get moving, the Holy Spirit will give you supernatural momentum. You’ll find yourself speeding down the track toward your goal, getting closer and closer all the time!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for the Person of the Holy Spirit, who positioned me in this race and who now empowers me to stay in the race until I reach completion. You are fair, Father, and You wouldn’t give me a goal I couldn’t reach. So when my mind and emotions argue with me, telling me that the finish line is too difficult to reach, I thank You that You’ve given me the mind of Christ that enables me to rule over my emotions. For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured in His race, and I thank You that I can do the same thing! I receive Your precious gift of divine strength that empowers me so that nothing moves me. I set my focus on Jesus and strive for the mastery, running according to Your ways so I can reach my goal. I can achieve whatever You have told me to do, Father, because Jesus has gone before me and prepared the way!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that God’s plan for my life holds only victory. He has made total provision for me to fulfill what He has called me to do through Jesus Christ. God has not called me to quit; therefore, I will not quit this race that I am running right now. He has already prepared me for this task. I will run my race; I will stay in the fight; and I will reach the finish line that Jesus has prearranged for me. I take the path He prepared ahead of time, and I will live the life He has made ready for me to live. Quitting is not an option. Therefore, I will say no to my flesh. I say no to the devil’s attempts to insert thoughts of doubt that defy the word of the Lord for my life. I can and I will do what God has asked me to do. I will run this race to completion and finish my course with joy!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. What is the goal that Jesus Christ has set before your life? Can you write it out on a piece of paper well enough that you could communicate it clearly to someone else?
2. Do you have intermediate goals on the way to your final goal? Thinking of the intermediate goals you have already met along the way may encourage you to keep going, so which of these goals have you already reached on the way to completing your course?
3. How do you encourage yourself when you grow weary or when the devil tries to attack you mentally or emotionally? What do you say or do to stir yourself up to stay in the race?
4. Can you think of a specific person you know who needs your encouragement right now so he or she is strengthened to keep pressing forward in the race of faith?

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
— Ephesians 4:29

Some of the “dirtiest talk” I’ve ever heard used to happen almost every week at the end of our living room couch as I was growing up. About once a week, a certain member of our church would drop by to visit with my parents. She was the church gossip, and she always came loaded with the “latest scoop” on people’s personal matters that were absolutely none of her business to know or to discuss. Although my parents loved her, I can still see my dad rolling his eyes when he realized it was her ringing the doorbell of our house. She’d plop down on the end of the couch and within seconds, the verbal garbage would begin to flow about everyone and everything — absolutely no one’s personal business was off-limits! If a person attended our church, then like it or not, that person was a potential victim of this woman’s tongue.

This woman’s fairly regular visits to our house represented some of the ugliest moments of socializing I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Outright cursing would have been totally inappropriate for any believer, much less for a leading church member. Yet what this woman did in our living room almost every week was as distasteful to God as cursing — if not more so.

Talking badly about others behind their backs, such as the outpouring of gossip that proceeded from this woman’s mouth, is a type of nasty conversation too often tolerated in the Church. The apostle Paul called this kind of talk “corrupt communication” — and he strictly forbade it when he said to let no talk of this type proceed out of our mouths!

In the Greek text, the word “corrupt” is the sapros, a word that depicts something that is putrid or rotten. The word “putrid” describes meat that has gone so bad that it emits a foul smell. The decomposing meat reeks of a noxious and rancid smell that nearly makes a person sick to his stomach. The word “rotten” describes fruit that is spoiled, decayed, and sickening to the taste. It can also be described as putrid. Either way, whether meat or fruit, if something is putrid, it is disgusting to taste or smell. So when the Holy Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to use the word sapros to describe “corrupt communication,” he was describing communication that is really nasty.

The word “communication” is the Greek word logos, which simply means words. But when it is used in conjunction with the word “corrupt,” the Greek phrase describes words or forms of communication that are putrid or disgusting to the recipient. As far as God is concerned, this type of communication reeks. And those who consume this type of talk find it to be so putrid that it sickens them, just as spoiled meat would do. And just as a rotten apple must be removed from a bucket of apples or it will eventually spread and ruin the entire batch of good apples, this is how ruinous “corrupt communication” can be to those who listen to it, as far as God is concerned. Everything about corrupt communication has a putrefying effect on others.

Paul says instead of spreading corrupt communication to others, we must learn to speak that which is “edifying” to hearers (see Ephesians 4:29). The word “edifying” is the Greek word oikodomeo and, as used here, means to build others up. These words never result in tearing someone down, but rather cause others to be left in an improved state after we are done talking to or about them.

Have you ever known a person who always had something good to say about someone else? Doesn’t that person leave a sweet taste in your mouth? You feel good about the time you spend with such a positive, sweet-speaking individual. In fact, you feel challenged to rise higher and be better every time you leave that person’s presence! What a difference that experience is from an encounter with a person who tears others down and leaves a bitter taste people’s mouths!

The Holy Spirit is urging us to become a wellspring of good words when we talk to and about others. Rather than have the putrefying effect that a gossiper has on his or her listeners, we must determine that our words build others up and leave them in a much-improved state of being! That is the Holy Spirit’s message in Ephesians 4:29.

The woman I told you about earlier was someone who never missed church and served faithfully, but she had never learned to control her tongue. Had she really understood the stench her words were releasing into the atmosphere and into the ears of her listeners, I’m sure she would have asked the Holy Spirit to help her change.

I believe that today the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about your tongue and your words. Ask yourself this: Does God commend me for leaving others in better shape because of my words, or is He saying that I need to get a grip on my tongue and stop talking in a way that puts others down and harms their reputations? Only you know the answer to these questions!

Why don’t you make the determined decision that from this day forward, when you leave a room or a conversation, you leave it with the sweet fragrance of Jesus lingering behind you? Let people remember you for the kind words you left behind. You can be known as one who leaves a sweet taste in people’s mouth every time you leave a conversation or walk out of a room!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I ask You to forgive me for allowing myself to get involved in conversations that were unfruitful and hurtful to those who were listening. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Gossip is a form of putrid communication that defiles both the speaker and the hearer. I realize that I have been guilty of gossiping and discussing things that are none of my business, and I sincerely repent for these actions. I ask You to set a guard over my mouth so I no longer do this. I want to be only a river of life to others who are near me. Let my words be of benefit to others to build them up so that after I leave them, they are in better shape than they were before they talked to me.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that my mouth speaks good things about others. I do not gossip about others, nor do I tear others down with my words. The Holy Spirit is inside me, and I do not grieve Him by foul talk. I yield to the Spirit, and as a result, I speak words that minister grace to those who hear me. After spending time conversing with people, I leave a sweet taste in their mouths and they are blessed by the fellowship they shared with me.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you ever known someone whose mouth was like an open sewer because that person’s conversation was so often full of gossip about others? What kind of effect did his or her “gossipy” attitude have on you and others?
2. If you find yourself in a situation where a gossip is spewing out putrid information about others, what is your responsibility? Should you simply be silent and let it go on uninterrupted, or would the Holy Spirit want you to take some other action?
3. Are you guilty of speaking about matters that are none of your business and that don’t edify those who are listening? If you’ve been guilty of gossiping and disseminating information about others that is none of your business, what is the Holy Spirit expecting you to do about it?
4. Can you think of a person whose words always build you up and leave you glad that you had the opportunity to talk to him or her? Who is that person?

The Holy Spirit Wants To Take Responsibility For You in This Life

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
— 2 Corinthians 13:14

Most all of us would say we want to live a victorious Christian life. But without daily communion with the Holy Spirit, it’s impossible to attain that goal. Communion with the Holy Spirit is the launching pad for a life of supernatural power and consistency.

In Second Corinthians 13:14, Paul says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” I want you to notice the word “communion” in this verse, because communion with the Spirit is what we are talking about today. The word “communion” is the Greek word koinonia, a word that has a whole flavor of meanings, but one primary meaning is that of partnership.

An example of koinonia conveying the idea of partnership can be found in Luke 5:7 after Jesus supplied a miraculous catch of fish. After the fishermen had fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side. When they obeyed, they caught such a massive amount of fish that the nets began to break!

Peter knew he couldn’t handle this miraculous catch by himself, so he called to other fishermen in nearby boats to come and assist him. Luke 5:7 says, “And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.”

Do you see the word “partners” in this verse? It is a form of this word koinonia. However, in Luke 5:7 it refers to real, legitimate business partners. One scholar says that this word used in this context lets us know that Peter was no small-time fisherman. He owned an entire fishing enterprise, and those men in the other boats were his business associates or his company partners. Whether these other fishermen were co-owners or employees who worked for Peter, they were all working together on the same job and were focused on a joint venture to catch and sell fish.

Keeping this in mind, Second Corinthians 13:14 could convey the following idea:

“…and the PARTNERSHIP of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

If you stop and think about it, this really makes a lot of sense. When Jesus’ earthly ministry was in operation, He and the Holy Spirit always worked together. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35); empowered by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16); and led by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:1). Jesus also healed people by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38); cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:28); was resurrected from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11); and was seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places through the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:19,20).

Every time we see Jesus in the Gospels, He is working hand in hand with the Holy Spirit. In fact, Jesus even said He wouldn’t initiate anything by Himself, indicating His total dependence on the Spirit of God (John 5:30). Well, if Jesus needed this kind of ongoing partnership with the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish His divine role in the earth, we certainly have to have it as well!

But there is yet another idea conveyed by the word “communion” (koinonia) — that is, the idea of taking responsibility for someone. An example of this is found in Philippians 4:14, when Paul wrote to the Philippians and commended them for the generous gift they sent for his ministry. He told them, “Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.” The word “communicate” here is another use of the word koinonia.

At the time Paul wrote the Philippian letter, he was in prison in Rome. Over the years, he had traveled and preached, raised up churches, worked with leaders, and given his life for the Church. But of all the churches Paul had poured his life into, none of them helped him financially the way they should have.

In order to cover his expenses, Paul worked as a tentmaker during the day; then he preached and trained leaders during the evenings. This wasn’t the best plan, but because no one would support him, it was what he had to do. He was pouring his heart and soul into churches that were not financially helping him bear his load.

Paul was in prison in Rome when he received a special delivery letter from the Philippians. In that package, he found a sizable offering that the Philippian church had sent to support him during his time of difficulty. In other words, the Philippian church didn’t just say, “We’ll pray for your situation, Brother,” and then forget about Paul. Instead, they understood their responsibility to help him, so they took up an offering to support him and to communicate their love for him. In other words, they took responsibility for him. Paul uses the Greek word koinonia to convey this meaning — the same word he uses in Second Corinthians 13:14 when he writes about the “communion of the Holy Spirit.”

Thus, Second Corinthians 13:14 could also be read this way:

“…and the RESPONSIBILITY of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

This means that just as the Holy Spirit wants to become your Partner, He also wants to assume great responsibility for you in this world. If you wish, He’ll stand by and watch you try to do it all alone. But if you’ll open your heart to the Spirit of God, He will assume a more active role in your life. He wants you to know that you are not alone — and that He will take responsibility for you!

If the cry of your heart is to know the partnership and the responsibility of the Holy Spirit — not merely as mental doctrines, but as constant, daily realities in your life — then decide today to get to know the Holy Spirit as your intimate Friend. Make Him your Partner. Allow Him to help you fulfill the responsibilities of your calling in Christ.

Begin today to develop a walk of daily communion with the Greater One within. Let Him be all He wants to be in your life — your Source of wisdom, power, and strength to launch you forth into victory!

My Prayer for Today

Holy Spirit, I want to thank You for being my Partner in this world. I need Your partnership. I know that without You, I am so limited in what I am able to do. You see what I can’t see; You know what I don’t know; You have wisdom and insight that I don’t have. I simply must have Your help if I am going to do what God has asked me to do. I ask You to please forgive me for all the times I have gotten in such a hurry that I didn’t take time to fellowship with You. From this moment on, I promise I will do my best to consult You before I make a decision or take a single step!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am led by the Spirit of God. I am careful not to make big decisions without consulting Him first. The Holy Spirit is my Leader, my Teacher, and my Guide; therefore, I look to Him to help me make the right decisions and take the right actions in every sphere of my life — my family, my business, and my ministry. Every day I experience more and more victory because I allow the Holy Spirit to direct all my steps.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Have you asked the Spirit of God to be your Partner in life and to take responsibility for all your cares and concerns?

2. What can you do to make the Holy Spirit a closer, more active Partner in every area of life?

3. Have you spent quality time in communion with the Holy Spirit today, being still and simply knowing that He is your God?

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
— Ephesians 3:12

I’m so grateful for all the truths and godly qualities that my pastor and church family planted in me during my growing-up years. But I have to say, in all the years I attended that church, I personally can’t remember a time when I heard anyone pray boldly or confidently. I simply had no idea what bold, confident praying sounded like until I attended a seminar at another church where a special speaker was teaching on the subject of faith.

At that seminar, I could hardly believe my ears! The man prayed like he actually believed what he was praying would come to pass! At first I was offended, because I mistook his confidence for arrogance. But the longer I listened, the more I realized this man really believed that God was listening to him and that God would do what he had asked of Him. With all the years of sincere praying I had heard in my life, I had never heard such confidence in prayer. That day changed my life as I realized for the first time this truth: If we really know the will of God, we can approach God boldly and confidently!

One of the scriptures that came alive to me at that time of my life was Ephesians 3:12, which says, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” The words “in whom” tell us that our confidence is not based on ourselves, but on our relationship with Jesus Christ. And when you really know that you are in Christ, there is no longer a need to be sheepish about asking for what God has already promised you in His Word. Ephesians 3:12 tells us that we can come to God with boldness and confidence!

The word “boldness” in this verse is from the Greek word parresia, which describes a frankness of speech that is often viewed as unflinching authority — even in the face of opposition. It presents a picture of unashamed boldness. It also is associated with joy and courage. But in addition, Paul goes on to tell us that we can have “confidence” in Christ as we pray.

The word “confidence” is a derivative of the Greek word peitho, which, in most cases, means persuasion. However, in this verse, the word persuasion isn’t enough. The Greek form used here depicts absolute confidence — that is, one who is doubly persuaded. You could say that this person is convinced to the core — rock-solid certain about what he believes or feels. He is so completely persuaded and trustful of what he believes that no element of doubt remains.

These words describe exactly what I heard so long ago in that seminar when I first heard someone pray with utter boldness. It caught me off-guard because I’d never heard such bold praying. But as I listened, I understood that the man prayed with such confidence because he knew he was standing firm on promises in God’s Word. His boldness was based in his assurance of God’s faithfulness to perform what He had promised. This man was thoroughly convinced that God’s promises were trustworthy and true, and that confidence caused him to pray with bold authority.

When you are certain of your right-standing in Christ, it provides you with a foundation on which to stand. You are convinced of what God has promised you. You have a certainty that when you pray, God hears you and will do as you have asked. This means you don’t need to feel sheepish or embarrassed when you come to Jesus’ throne of grace. You can come boldly to seek mercy in your time of need.

So use your God-given authority without flinching as you boldly and unashamedly put God in remembrance of His promises. He is waiting to hear your voice of authority!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for inviting me to come boldly and confidently to You in prayer. I’m so thankful I don’t need to feel embarrassed or sheepish when I come to You with vital needs in my life. As I stand on the promises of Your Word, I will lift my voice in humility and confidence, believing that You hear me and knowing that if I ask anything according to Your will, I will receive it.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I declare that I have no need to be embarrassed or ashamed when I come to God in prayer. The blood of Jesus has purchased me, cleansed me, and given me right-standing with God. On that principle, I come before Him convinced to the core that His promises are alive, active, and at work in my life. When I pray, I pray like God really hears me, because I am absolutely convinced that He does! It’s not arrogance; it’s divinely inspired confidence. And when I pray like this, Heaven and earth move out of the way for God to activate His power and manifest His blessings on my behalf!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you ever heard a person pray with great boldness in prayer? How did it impact you when you first heard it? Have you ever experienced a moment when utter boldness came out of your spirit as you prayed?
2. Can you think of an area of your life in which you are so convinced about something that no room is left for any element of doubt? If so, what is that area in which you feel such confidence?
3. In what area are you lacking confidence when you pray? What do you need to do to reassure yourself so you can pray confidently?

You Have a Two-Edged Sword

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword.…
— Hebrews 4:12

What is the significance of the “two-edged sword” referred to in Hebrews 4:12? If you start looking, you’ll find out this phrase regarding a “two-edged sword” appears all over the New Testament, so it must be pretty important.

For instance, when the apostle John received his vision of Jesus on the isle of Patmos, he said, “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Revelation 1:16). Notice that this “two-edged sword” came out of Jesus’ mouth! Why would Jesus have a sword in His mouth? Shouldn’t the sword have been in His hand?

The phrase “two-edged” is taken from the Greek word distomos and is unquestionably one of the oddest words in the entire New Testament. Why is it so odd? Because it is a compound of the word di, meaning two, and the word stomos, which is the Greek word for one’s mouth. Thus, when these two words are compounded into one (distomos), they describe something that is two-mouthed! Don’t you agree that this seems a little strange? So why would the Bible refer to the Word of God repeatedly as a “two-edged sword” or, literally, a “two-mouthed sword”?

The Word of God is like a sword that has two edges, cutting both ways and doing terrible damage to an aggressor. Ephesians 6:17 calls it “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (see February 8). As noted, the term “word” is taken from the Greek word rhema, which describes something that is spoken clearly, vividly, in unmistakable terms and undeniable language. In the New Testament, the word rhema carries the idea of a quickened word.

Here’s an example of a rhema or a quickened word: You are praying about a situation, and suddenly a Bible verse rises up from inside your heart. At that moment, you are consciously aware that God has given you a verse to stand on and to claim for your situation. You’ve received a word that came right out of the mouth of God and dropped into your spirit! That word from God was so sharp that it cut right through your questions, intellect, and natural logic and lodged deep within your heart.

After you meditated on that rhema, or that quickened word from God, it suddenly began to release its power inside you. Soon you couldn’t contain it any longer! Everything within you wanted to declare what God had said to you. You wanted to say it. You want to release it out of your mouth! And when you did, those powerful words were sent forth like a mighty blade to drive back the forces of hell that had been marshaled against you, your family, your business, your ministry, your finances, your relationship, or your body.

First, that word came out of the mouth of God. Next, it came out of your mouth! When it came out of your mouth, it became a sharp, “two-edged” — or literally, a “two-mouthed” — sword. One edge of this sword came into existence when the Word initially proceeded out of God’s mouth. The second edge of this sword was added when the Word of God proceeded out of YOUR mouth!

The Word of God remains a one-bladed sword when it comes out of God’s mouth and drops into your heart but is never released from your own mouth by faith. That supernatural word simply lies dormant in your heart, never becoming the two-edged sword God designed it to be.

But something happens in the realm of the Spirit when you finally rise up and begin to speak forth that word. The moment it comes out of your mouth, a second edge is added to the blade! Nothing is more powerful than a word that comes first from God’s mouth and then from your mouth. You and God have come into agreement, and that agreement releases His mighty power into the situation at hand!

So begin to willfully take the Word into your spirit by meditating on it and giving it a place of top priority. This is how you take the first necessary step in giving the Word a “second edge” in your life. Then when you are confronted by a challenge from the demonic realm, the Holy Spirit will be able to reach down into the reservoir of God’s Word you have stored up on the inside of you and pull up the exact scripture you need for that moment.

As that quickened rhema word from God begins to first fill your heart and mind and then come out of your mouth, it becomes that “two-mouthed sword” described in the Scriptures. That’s when demons start to tremble in terror!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I know that Your Word has the power to defeat every adversary in my life. As I take it into my heart and get it deep into my soul, I know it will empower me to speak Your Word with mighty strength and authority. Forgive me for the times I have just skimmed over Your Word rather than planting it deep in my heart. I realize that the answers I seek are in Your Word — and that Your Word, when spoken from my mouth, releases authority against the devices the devil tries to use against me. So today, Lord, I make the decision to plant Your Word deep in my spirit man and then to speak it and release its power in my life!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that God’s Word is a mighty and sharp two-edged sword that releases His power when I speak it out of my mouth. I read the Word; I take it deeply into my heart; and then I release its power from my mouth to thwart the enemy’s strategies and bring victory into every situation I’m facing today! 

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Can you remember a time when a specific scripture suddenly sprang up from down deep inside you, causing you to feel super-charged and empowered by God’s Spirit?

2. When God speaks to you, do you first meditate on that rhema word and then let it come out of your mouth, or do you forget to speak that quickened word out loud and thus fail to release its power?

3. According to what you read today, what happens when you and God begin to speak the same thing?

…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
— John 14:27

I’ll never forget the day waves of panic rolled through me as we were reconstructing a big building as a permanent home for our church in Moscow. Paying for the building had itself already required the most miraculous level of faith I had ever experienced. When we started the project, we estimated what it would cost to reconstruct the facility. However, we didn’t know in the beginning of the process that the floors and columns of the entire building would have to be reinforced to hold the weight of the balcony we were adding to the building.

When I learned of the additional costs associated with reinforcing the floors and columns, a sense of panic surged through my whole being. Alarm, dread, horror — all these words could describe the emotions that tried to grip my soul. Within seconds, I felt cold sweat and heat simultaneously flushing across my face, neck, ears, and upper chest. It felt like I had to somehow get hold of myself or I would fall to pieces.

There was one thing I knew in that moment: allowing panic to get hold of me was not going to change the situation! So I politely excused myself from the meeting where the facts and figures were being presented to me, and I took a walk by myself to catch my breath and bring my soul into submission before fearful emotions could wreak havoc with my peace.

As we proceeded to move forward on that building project, I had to face those same tumultuous emotions more than once. Taking a walk by myself to bring my soul into submission became a very familiar practice en route to completing that project. During those times, I learned to turn to Jesus’ words in John 14:27, where He said, “…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” These words proved to be of great comfort to me in those times when my soul was tempted to give way to fear and trepidation.

As I’m sure you personally know, there is perhaps nothing more tormenting than to go through your daily life with a troubled heart. It can make you wallow in tumultuous feelings of worry, inadequacy, or regret. It can tear you up emotionally and steal your joy. And when fear is added to the mix, it can escalate your troubled state to an even higher level of anxiety. That’s why it’s so important that you take Jesus’ words deep into your heart that you do not ever have to live with a troubled and fearful heart.

Jesus said, “…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The word “troubled” is the Greek word taresso, which is used in various places in the New Testament to mean to shake, to trouble, to disquiet, to unsettle, to perplex, to cause anxiety, or even to cause feelings of grief. It is the picture of someone feeling inwardly shaken, unsettled, confused, and upset. If you’ve felt that way, you know exactly I mean!

Often when these troubling emotions begin to work in the soul, they open the door to other negative emotions and eventually pull you over into the realm of fear. That’s why it is so important to bring the soul into submission before this happens. This is precisely why Jesus continued to say, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The word “afraid” is from the word deilos, and depicts a gripping fear or dread that produces a shrinking back or cowardice. In essence, it saps your ability to look at the problem head-on and causes you to retreat into your own mode of self-preservation — which, in effect, is cowardice or the lack of courage to face what is before you.

This word deilos is the same Greek word that Paul used in Second Timothy 1:7 when he told Timothy, “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Timothy was facing real problems at the time Paul wrote this verse to him. His problems were not imaginary. Nevertheless, Paul didn’t want Timothy’s emotions to be in bondage to a spirit of fear that would turn him into a coward. Shrinking back from reality wouldn’t help the younger minister or anyone else involved in the situation. So Paul told Timothy that his being subject to a sense of fear or panic was not the will of God, for the Lord had given him spiritual equipment of an entirely different nature — a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind!

With this in mind, look again at the words of Jesus in John 14:27, which can convey this idea:

“Don’t let your heart be torn up by things that unsettle you, neither let it be taken with fear that causes you to shrink back into cowardice.”

How well Jesus understands what you and I are facing! We were not created to be torn up in our emotions! That’s why we must quickly learn to grab hold of our emotions and tell ourselves, I wasn’t made for this! I refuse to allow this sense of panic and fear to get hold of me! Jesus is Lord over every situation I commit to Him, and that includes the one I’m looking at right now!

In moments when fear has tried to grip me, and I admit it has happened multiple times over the years, I’ve learned to run to John 14:27 and to rehearse the words of Jesus to myself over and over again. Jesus knows us. He knew what we’d be facing in life, so He instructed us in advance on how to deal with it!

Allowing yourself to stay in a state of feeling troubled, upset, and fearful won’t help you in life. In fact, it will hinder you in running the race God has set before you! So take Jesus’ words very seriously and refuse to let your heart be troubled. Jesus wouldn’t tell you to do something you couldn’t do, so you can know that you are well able to make that choice!

Don’t allow yourself to yield to fear in any form. You have the spirit of power and love and a sound mind working in you. That means you are well able to grab hold of any negative emotions and pull them in line with God’s Word, even in a situation that challenges you to the core. You can just settle it for yourself today: You are not of those who shrink back (see Hebrews 10:39). No, you’re among those who bring their souls into submission to God’s Word and live as overcomers in this life!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I acknowledge that I’ve allowed myself to get into a troubled state of heart and soul. Circumstances have left me feeling shaken and upset, and I haven’t dealt with those feelings according to the Word. As a result, a door was opened to a spirit of fear that is now trying to call the shots in my life. I repent, because it is sin for me not to trust You, and I ask You to please forgive me for allowing these negative emotions to find a place to take up residence in my life. So now I open my heart for the Holy Spirit to infuse me with the power I need to take authority over the spirit of fear and tell it to leave me once and for all.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that my heart, mind, and emotions are not made to be a refuge for fear and intimidation to take up residence in me and torment me. I refuse to nurse these negative emotions any longer or to let them operate inside my soul! I have tolerated fear too long! I refuse to retreat into a toxic state of isolation and self-preservation. God has too many things for me to do in this life to waste a moment in torment and fear, so I’m moving forward by faith to defeat the enemy’s strategy against me today. I do it in the power of the Holy Spirit and with the name of Jesus!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of an experience when a spirit of fear tried to grab hold of you? What did you do to break its grip on your soul?
2. If you had a friend who was being torn up emotionally and mentally by a spirit of fear, what would you advise that friend to do? Have you taken this advice for yourself?
3. Do you know someone who is dealing with a troubled heart or being tormented by thoughts of fear right now? What should you do to help that person get victory over that situation?

Effective Spiritual Weapons Require Effective Spiritual Strategies

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
— 2 Corinthians 10:4

In this powerful verse, Paul speaks to us about the subject of spiritual warfare. In fact, this is one of the foundational verses on this subject, so it is vital to understand what Paul is talking about. Today I want to especially draw your attention to three words in this power-packed scripture. Pay special attention to the words weapons, warfare, and carnal.

First, Paul tells us that we have “weapons.” These spiritual armaments have been provided by God and are at our disposal. They are both offensive and defensive weapons and can be found in Ephesians 6:13-18, where Paul lists them one by one and explains what each piece represents.

Second, Paul uses the word “warfare.” The word “warfare” is taken from the word stratos. By choosing to use this word, the Holy Spirit alerts us to some very important facts about spiritual warfare.

The word stratos is where we derive the word strategy. This informs us that spiritual warfare does not occur accidentally but is something that is strategically planned. Just as any army plans its line of attack before a battle begins, the devil plans a line of attack, decides which methods he will use, and chooses the approach he wants to take as he cautiously charts a well-thought-out assault.

But the word stratos doesn’t just describe the devil’s strategies. It also tells us that if we will listen to the Holy Spirit, He will give us a strategy that is superior to any schemes of the devil. The devil is not the only one with a strategy. The Holy Spirit always holds the key to every victory, and He wants to provide us with a divinely-inspired strategy that will render null and void the works of the devil every time!

The Old Testament is filled with examples of divinely-inspired strategies. Consider the case of Joshua and the children of Israel as they stood before the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27). What strategy did the Lord give them? They were to walk around the walls of Jericho once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. Then after the seventh time around the wall on the last day, they were to blow trumpets made of rams’ horns. None of this sounded “reasonable” to the natural mind, but the effects of that God-given strategy are still renowned today!

Or consider the time Jehoshaphat sent out a praise team before the army to sing and to worship the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:20-25). What army would send singers and musicians to the frontlines of battle in front of its armed soldiers? Yet as they sang praises to God and played their instruments, the Lord supernaturally set ambushments and the enemies were smitten.

That day the children of Israel walked away from the battle without losing a single fighter. Not only that, but they were also weighed down with gold, silver, jewels, and other riches in abundance! There was so much plunder that it took them three days to gather it! How did they win this famous battle? They received a strategy from the Lord and then followed it accurately. The results of that strategy are legendary.

In both of these cases, the line of attack made no sense to the natural mind, but it released so much power that it completely crushed the foe. So don’t be surprised if the Holy Spirit gives you a strategy that doesn’t make sense when you first hear it! Remember, He operates on a higher level than you, and He knows what you don’t know. Therefore, He may tell you to do something that seems odd to you at first. But you can be sure that Spirit-inspired strategies always work!

Imagine an army that is fully equipped with weapons of warfare but has no strategy about how to use those weapons against the enemy. Even with all those weapons and artillery at their disposal, an army in this condition would utterly fail.

Likewise, although it’s crucial that you put on the whole armor of God, that’s just the first step. You must then have a strategy on how to use those weapons and how to attack! Until you receive a strategy from the Lord on how to use your spiritual weapons, they will be of little help in driving back the forces of hell that have come against you.

This leads to the word “carnal.” In Greek, this word is sarkos, which describes anything that is of the flesh, fleshly made, or fleshly conjured up or anything that is natural or of an unspiritual nature. Paul uses this word when he writes, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal….”

In effect, Paul is saying, “Don’t look to your flesh for the weapons or strategies I’m describing to you because they do not arise out of natural talent, mental exercises, or human efforts. These are spiritual weapons and spiritual strategies, and they come from the spiritual realm.”

When you put all these Greek words together, Second Corinthians 10:4 carries this idea:

“Our God-given weapons are to be used in connection with a divine strategy. But don’t look to the flesh to find that strategy, for the battle plan you need is not going to arise out of your own natural talent, mental exercises, or human effort.”

If you want to receive the strategy needed to assure your victory, you must turn your attention to the realm of the Spirit, for it is from this realm that you will hear from God. You must spend time praying in the Spirit and reading the Word. By yourself, you will never conceive a plan that will deliver you.

Just as spiritual weapons come from God, so do spiritual strategies. So use your head as much as you can, and think through every step. But as you seek God, stay open for Him to graciously give you a supernatural strategy for destroying the work of the devil. And don’t be surprised if God tells you to do something that seems a little odd. Since the beginning of time, God has been giving effective strategies that seem strange to the mind of man!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I know that today I’m going to need a supernatural strategy to do what I need to do. My own natural mind is working all the time to come up with solutions. I’m doing the best I can do, but now I need extra help. I need a divine strategy — a divine idea so powerful and effective that no force will be able to resist it! I know that these kinds of strategies are imparted by the Holy Spirit, so right now I open my heart wide to Him. Holy Spirit, I ask You to drop a supernatural idea into my spirit and soul. Please help me to properly discern it, understand it, and then follow through with obedience.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I declare by faith that the Holy Spirit gives me the strategies and ideas I need. I am willing and ready to do whatever He tells me to do. The Spirit of God was sent into this world to be my Helper and my Guide, and I know I can fully rely on Him. I must have His direction, or I won’t know what to do. So today He will speak to my heart; I will perceive what He tells me to do; and then I will obediently carry out His good plan for me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Has the Holy Spirit ever told you to do something that seemed odd to your natural mind but resulted in His power being mightily demonstrated in a situation?

2. Have you found that your natural talent, mental reasonings, and human effort are helpless to win the battles you are facing today?

3. God is ready to give you the battle plan you need to have victory in your life. Are you willing to spend the time in prayer that is required for you to receive that plan?

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
— Colossians 3:2

When Denise and I attended the annual International Antique Exposition in Moscow, I was stunned by the vast amount of wealth that was on display. There were acres and acres of antique furniture, bronze and marble sculptures, marvelous gold-gilded clocks veneered in rich malachite, jewelry, paintings by world-class artists, and rare porcelain objects of all shapes and sizes. Denise and I walked down row after row and floor after floor of what seemed like an endless tour of rare treasures that were available for those with enough cash to purchase them. The brand-new, sparkling white Rolls Royce that sat at the main entry should have signaled what lay before us — but the extensive number of treasures on exhibition was simply more than we could have ever anticipated.

What was equally amazing was the number of people who seemed to have sufficient resources to take some of those treasures home with them. I stood back and watched the potential buyers in amazement. It was obvious that many of them were of the richer Russian upper class and knew what they were looking for and were obviously experts on the subject of rare art and treasures as they negotiated their purchases. It seemed like Denise and I were the only ones there just to roam as onlookers and enjoy an afternoon outing. But even though these objects were beyond our financial reach and we had no need of them, I could feel their lure reaching out to grab hold of me.

After strolling through acres of treasures, Denise and I took a seat on a padded bench to give our feet a break from the hard surface of the exhibition hall. As we sat there, I realized that I had pondered on these material objects too long. So I began to reflect on eternal treasures instead — those things that are in Heaven and that never fade with the passing of time. Specifically, my mind went to Colossians 3:1 and 2, which says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Based on this scriptural command, I knew it was time for me to make a deliberate decision to refocus my mind on eternal things.

We finished our afternoon stroll and returned home, where I opened my Greek New Testament to look up this passage in Colossians 3. When I turned to these verses in the Greek text, I discovered that the word “seek” in verse 1 is the Greek word zeteo. This word means to earnestly seek. It doesn’t depict a casual seeker, but rather one who makes an earnest inquiry for something so intense that it causes one to put his whole effort forward in search of it. So when Paul told us to “seek” those things that are above — namely, the things where Christ is — he was urging us to put forward our most earnest efforts. This is precisely what I had chosen to do that afternoon at the exhibition! I had chosen to refocus my thoughts from those material objects and to put my mind on “things above.”

Then in verse 2, Paul wrote, “Set your affection on things above.…” The words “set your affection” are a very poor translation of the Greek text, where Paul used the word phroneo. This word is derived from the Greek word phren — a word that describes one’s mind or intellect. As Paul used this word in Colossians 3:2, it could be interpreted as to focus one’s thoughts. Thus, it could be translated, “Fix your thoughts on things above…”; “Make the decision to focus on things above…”; or “Deliberately think on things above.…” It depicts a choice or a decision made with a person’s mind that is independent of his or her emotions.

Paul then plainly told us again that we are to put our focus on “…things above, not on things on the earth.” In Greek, the words “things above” is ta ano. In this case, ta means things, as in many things, and the Greek word ano means above, as opposed to the many things that are below. What multitude of things do you and I possess that are “above”? Well, from verse 1, we know first of all that Christ Himself is above, seated at the right hand of the Father. And as we focus our thoughts on Jesus, we are putting ourselves in remembrance of all He has provided for us in Him. Of course, there is a rich inheritance of blessings He has supplied for us to enjoy in this life on the earth, but Paul says there are many things above that we are to set our attention on! Today I want us to focus on this question: What are some of the “things above” we should set our thoughts on that will be ours to enjoy once we get to Heaven?

• A reunion with our family members, friends, and acquaintances who have preceded us (see Hebrews 12:1)
• Rewards earned as a result of our obedience (see 1 Corinthians 3:8; Revelation 22:12)
• No more tears, no death, no pain, no sickness, no past, no curse, no darkness, no night (see Revelation 21:4, 21:25; 22:3,5)
• Eternal life (see Romans 2:7)

There are so many eternal treasures that have been laid up for us in Jesus Christ that it is impossible to compile a complete list. Truly, piles upon piles of divine blessings and rewards “above” await us. There just isn’t enough time or space for any of us to make a list that encompasses all God has freely bestowed upon us through His Son Jesus!

That’s why “things below,” or on the earth, are low-level compared to the treasure trove of “things above” that God has provided us. When we are tempted to feel that we aren’t blessed or that we’ve suffered too much or that we lack what others possess, it’s time for us to obey Paul’s command to refocus our attention on eternal things and not on things on the earth. The word “on” in Greek is epi, which depicts something that is just sitting “on” the earth and is therefore movable and temporary, such as antiques and heirlooms that are passed from one generation to the next. No one takes these things with them when they die because they are all earth-connected.

With this in mind, Colossians 3:1,2 could be paraphrased:

“Since then you are raised together with Christ, earnestly and intensely seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Focus your mind on the many things that are above, and don’t get stuck in low-level thinking about temporary things here on the earth.”

Today I want to encourage you to refocus your thoughts — and not to depend on your emotions to do it. Your emotions aren’t needed for what I’m describing. Whether or not you feel like it, deliberately put your mind on things above — on all that God has prepared for you to share with Him in the eternity to come! If needed, go ahead and make a list. Do whatever you must do, but move your thoughts from low-level thinking to high-level thinking, and focus on those things above that really matter.

You really are the one who decides what you set your thoughts on. It’s up to you to maintain your focus on Jesus and the “things above” that He has waiting for you to enjoy. So today and every day, no matter what’s going on around you, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and your heart open to receive the victory and blessing He’s provided for you, both in this life and in the life to come!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for the many blessings laid up for me in Christ to partake of here on this earth. And many more blessings and rewards are waiting for me when I reach Heaven. Please forgive me for getting stuck in low-level thinking about all the things it seems I lack right now. Instead of focusing on what I don’t have right now here on earth, please help me reset my thoughts and begin focusing on things above.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that Heaven is loaded with spiritual blessings and treasures that are waiting for me! Only that which pertains to eternal life awaits me! There will be no more tears, sickness, pain, or death. So I choose to refocus my thoughts and I declare that I will not dwell on low-level thinking about the earthly possessions I do not have. And I will receive by faith and enjoy all the blessings God has for me here on earth as well. These are all just a taste of the treasure trove of blessings that are waiting for me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of some awards that await you in Heaven because of your obedience to do what God has asked you to do here on earth? Why not encourage yourself by making a list?
2. You will see again one day your loved ones, who preceded you to Heaven. In what way does that thought encourage you?
3. What treasures are yours as a child of God in this life? I encourage you to make a list, and then begin today to claim those treasures as yours in the Name of Jesus!

How Do You Make A Dead Man See?

And when he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin….
— John 16:8

Do you remember times as a child when you did something wrong and thought no one was watching — but then you got caught? Do you remember how it felt to realize that someone had been watching you all along? What horror and dread to be caught in the middle of the act!

You couldn’t lie your way out of such a situation, especially when someone was watching you the whole time. You were unmistakably guilty and couldn’t escape facing your sin. Can you remember what it was like to feel so exposed?

This is what a sinner feels like the first time the Holy Spirit convicts him of sin. Before that happens, it is amazing how long that same sinner can live without conviction or sorrow for his behavior, almost numb to any sense of the wrongness of his actions.

The Bible says that sin makes people hardhearted, spiritually blind, and past feeling (Ephesians 4:18,19). Add this to the fact that they are spiritually dead and therefore unable to respond to God, and you will better understand why lost people can do what they do over and over again.

But all these factors change instantaneously when the Holy Spirit touches the human soul and exposes its sinful condition. A sinner feels exposed, naked, embarrassed, and confronted when the Holy Spirit wakes him up to his real spiritual condition.

In John 16:8, Jesus spoke of this exposing work of the Holy Spirit. He told the disciples, “And when he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin.…”

Notice that Jesus said the Holy Spirit would reprove the world of sin. The word “reprove” is the Greek word elegcho. It means to expose, to convict, or to cross-examine for the purpose of conviction, as when convicting a lawbreaker in a court of law. In this case, it is the image of a lawyer who brings forth evidence that is indisputable and undeniable. The accused person’s actions are irrefutably brought to light and, as a result, the offender is exposed and convicted.

This tells us that by the time the Holy Spirit is finished dealing with a lost, sinful soul, the   unsaved person will feel exposed and convicted. As the Holy Spirit enables him to hear the Word of God for the first time, that Word is so razor sharp that it penetrates his soul until he feels as if he has been cross-examined on a witness stand. Finally, the court is adjourned, the verdict is announced, and he is declared guilty.

John 16:8 expresses this idea about the “convicting” work of the Holy Spirit:

“But when He [the Holy Spirit] is come, He will present such convincing evidence about the world’s sin that the entire world will stand guilty and convicted — so exposed that they will feel they have nowhere to hide from the facts.…”

A major part of the work of the Holy Spirit is to convict sinners of their lost condition. The whole world stands guilty before God (Romans 3:19), but until the Holy Spirit does His convicting work, the world doesn’t realize it is guilty. That is why this special “convicting” work of the Spirit is so essential. Without it, mankind would remain comfortable in his sin — but as the Holy Spirit convicts, man becomes aware of his sinful condition and his need for God.

Jesus taught, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him…” (John 6:44). No one argues that God draws us to Him through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus reminded us of this when He said, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin…” (John 16:8). It is just a fact that without the work of the Holy Spirit to expose our sinful condition, we would still be in darkness today, eternally lost and without God.

Let me give you an example of what I am talking about. Have you ever tried to share Christ with family members or friends and felt as if you were “hitting a brick wall”? You shared, talked, and pled with them to receive Christ; yet it seemed like they just couldn’t hear what you were saying. Even though they knew they were sinners, they didn’t seem to be convicted by this knowledge. Ignoring that horrible fact, they pressed on as though they were numb to or ignorant of the degree of spiritual decay in their lives.

The Bible says that the lost person is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). How can you make a dead man see or feel? How can you convince a dead man that he needs to change? It is impossible for a dead man to respond because dead people don’t feel anything. They especially don’t feel the conviction of sin. It requires a special, supernatural work of the Holy Spirit to rouse the human consciousness to its sinful condition.

Thanks to the Holy Spirit’s call that touched our souls, we were awakened to our sinfulness. Once we were brought to this horrible place of undeniable conviction where we recognized that we were sinners, the Holy Spirit then beckoned us to come to Jesus. At that divine moment, our souls heard Him say, “…Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14).

As you begin to share Christ with your family and friends, first stop and ask the Holy Spirit to go before you, to touch their hearts, and to open their eyes and ears to the truth so they might be supernaturally roused from the spiritual deadness that clutches their lives. Let the Holy Spirit be your Partner, for without His help, a sinner is unable to see the truth. But when the Holy Spirit’s convicting work begins, the sinner’s eyes are opened to his true spiritual condition, and he realizes that there is no escape from the facts. The only answer for a sinner in this case is to come to Jesus!

There is no greater miracle than a sinner who sees the light for the first time and then receives Jesus Christ as the Lord of his life. And there is no greater blessing than to know that, with the help of the Holy Spirit’s convicting power, you helped a dead man see!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, thank You for the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, for it was this act of the Spirit that first brought me to the place of my salvation. When I do wrong and the Holy Spirit convicts me of what I have done, help me be sensitive enough to recognize that He is pricking my heart to get my attention. Help me slow down to see what He is wanting to show me and to take the necessary time to properly repent and deal with the issues He is wanting me to change.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am sensitive to the Holy Spirit and live a life that pleases Him. But when I fail to do what is right, I am sensitive to His voice and quickly repent for the wrong I have done. My heart’s desire is to please Him, and I will do everything I can to live a life that honors His Presence inside me

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. How has the convicting power of the Holy Spirit transformed you since you first received Jesus as Lord?

2. Who are five people you can ask the Holy Spirit to touch today with His convicting power of repentance and salvation?

3. Have you thanked the Lord recently for the Holy Spirit’s work in your heart to convict you of sin and keep you pure and powerful for the Lord’s use?

Diligence Is Required For Success in God

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
— Hebrews 11:6

Some people are just lazy, which is why they never see anything accomplished with their lives. They blame their lack of success on this, that, and everything but themselves. But God is no respecter of persons. What He does for one, He will do for all. The key factors that make the difference are not about God, but about a person’s level of determination and his or her willingness to do whatever is necessary to achieve a goal.

It may be a hard fact to face, but ultimately we are all responsible for our success or our lack of success. We all possess the same promises, the same faith, the same power, the same Spirit, and the same Jesus who sits at the right hand of God to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). The main thing that determines who succeeds and who doesn’t succeed is attitude.

You have to want success in order to get it. It doesn’t float on clouds, and it takes hard work to achieve it. Because most people are willing to do only average work, they reap average results. To achieve super results, one must do super work, be deeply committed to the task, and be willing to do whatever is necessary to realize goals and aspirations.

Hebrews 11:6 says that God “…is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” According to this verse, even God rewards diligence. In fact, He only rewards those who diligently seek Him, which means people with a lazy, lethargic, do-nothing, “take-it-easy” attitude will never be greatly rewarded by the Lord. This verse says that God rewards the diligent seeker.

Diligence is required for any success. The phrase “diligently seek” in Hebrews 11:6 is taken from the Greek word ekzeteo, and it carries an entire range of power-packed meanings. It means to zealously seek for something with all of one’s heart, strength, and might. It presents the picture of one who seeks something so passionately and determinedly that he literally exhausts all his power in his search.

Because the word ekzeteo portrays such an earnest effort, the idea of being hard-working, attentive, busy, constant, and persistent in one’s devotion to what he or she is doing is also included.

This tells us that Hebrews 11:6 means:

“God is a rewarder of those who put all their heart, strength, and might into seeking Him. Those who are so committed in their search that they are willing to exhaust all their natural powers in their search for Him — they are the ones who will find what they are seeking!”

You see, you have to be diligent to be rewarded by God, so it should be no surprise that diligence is going to be required in order for you to succeed in every sphere of life. It’s just a fact that a lazy, neglectful attitude will never get you where you need to go. If you take your life assignment lightly — if you approach it with a casual, easygoing, take-it-easy, relaxed attitude — you’ll never go far in the fulfillment of your call or dream. Live like a slug, and you’ll eat dirt the rest of your life!

If you’re serious about succeeding in life, you’ll have to adjust your level of commitment and give your full attention to what God has called you to do. Diligence cannot be a sideline issue. Your assigned task must have your full consideration, your undivided attention, and your mental and spiritual concentration. You must immerse yourself in faith, prayer, and meditation regarding God’s call on your life. Distractions are not allowed.

It takes hard work to achieve any goal, and complaining about that hard work won’t make it any easier. So be constant in your commitment. Refuse to relent! Stay stubborn and unbending even in the face of opposition until your objective is achieved. Your consistency and determination will push the powers of hell aside and obtain the victory you desire!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I ask You to please help me become more serious as I adjust my level of commitment to a higher level. Help me give full attention to what You have called me to do. I realize that diligence cannot be a sideline issue in my life. In order for me to succeed at what You have asked me to do, I must give it my full consideration, my undivided attention, and my mental and spiritual concentration. But I can only keep pressing toward this higher level of commitment if I have the divine energy of the Holy Spirit propelling me forward. As I reach upward to become all that You want me to be, I ask You for divine assistance.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I agree that God is no respecter of persons. What He does for one, He will do for all. Every believer possesses the same promises, the same faith, the same power, the same Spirit, and the same Jesus who sits at the right hand of God to make intercession for us. These promises belong to me today! Because I choose to put my whole heart into my assigned task and to do more than average work, I know I will reap more than average results! I am deeply committed to the task and willing to do whatever is necessary to realize the goals and aspirations God has given to me.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Do you believe you are diligently seeking after the Lord in a way that will bring success into every realm of your life?

2. As you honestly evaluate your life, what areas in your life need more diligence? Write them down and make them a matter of prayer.

3. Would other people say that you are determined and committed or that you only give half your heart to the projects assigned to you?