Mar
02
2010
Occasionally I pass along relevant devotions that I receive. Below are a few lines from tow of David Wilkerson Today devotions on “The Danger of Guilt.”
Day One
“Guilt can eat away at the spiritual vitality of a Christian like a raging cancer. It causes a person to lose control of life; it leads to a desire to quit or retire from spiritual activity; and, finally, it brings on physical pain and disease. Like cancer, guilt feeds upon itself until all spiritual life is gone, and the end result is weakness and a sense of shame and failure.”
Read this brief devotion about guilt and the importance of the spiritual exercise of forgiveness. David Wilkerson Today – March 2, 2010
Day Two
“Lay down your guilt, my friend. You don’t need to carry that load another minute. Open up the doors and windows of your heart, and let God’s love in. He forgives you—over and over again! He will give you the power to see your struggle through to victory. If you ask—if you repent—you are forgiven! Accept it—now!”
Read this second brief devotion online – David Wilkinson Today – March 3, 2010
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9
Have a terrific day!
Resources Related to Guilt
Article – Forgiveness: A Spiritual Exercise for a Healthier Life
Nov
03
2009
When I first saw this painting, it really got my attention… especially the nature of the corpse on the ground. My heart sank for a moment as I reflected on the souls of people that have not experienced God’s grace as a result of accepting his love. This picture inspired this blog post.
A War for Our Souls
There is a war going on for the souls of so many, many people. The evil one, or Satan, represented by a demon in the picture above, wants us all to spend eternity in hell and he wants our life on this earth to be a ‘living hell.’ God, on the other hand, represented by the angel, wants us all to live a full and rewarding life and to be with him in heaven for eternity after we leave this earth. In the painting, God is watching over the battle that is taking place daily in our lives.
This is a life-long, prolonged war that we are in with the devil, not a short-term battle like those fought between opposing forces of two armies that last a period of hours or several days.
Be assured that Satan is roaming around throughout our entire lifetime looking to take us down. Scripture tells us that ‘our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ (1 Peter 5:8) We are also told that he deceives and leads the whole world astray in Revelation 12:9.
If we get caught up in listening to and believing the lies of Satan, it can take away the identity that God wants us to have in his Son, Jesus. We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that we are a new person when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Satan wants us to believe otherwise. He wants us to develop thinking patterns that reinforce his lies and to have low self esteem that results from those lies.
How to Engage in the War
The good thing is that the Bible instructs us on methods to engage in the war with Satan. One of 18 ‘Spiritual Exercises’ I’ve identified is that of Thinking Spiritual Thoughts. The Apostle Paul provides us guidance about what our thinking ought to be like on a daily basis.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
We are told in Ephesians 6:14 to “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth.” When we put on the belt of truth we are reminding ourselves of the truths of God found in the Holy Bible. The more we can fix our minds on these truths, day in and day out, the more we will be successful in repelling the lies that Satan sends our way.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12
Our Reward – Full Salvation
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls…. therefore, prepare your minds for action.” (my italics) 1 Peter 1:8-9, 13
God wants you and me to not only live eternally with him but to experience a full and complete life when we are are this side of heaven!
To receive God’s full salvation… the full and complete wholeness that he wants you to experience, including a life of living well, you must guard against the lies of Satan and think on the truths found in God’s Word – the Holy Bible.
Questions to Reflect Upon:
Do you make a practice of monitoring your thinking patterns and are they in line with God’s guidance found in Philippians 4:8
Do you know what God says about you as his child and as a new creation once you’ve received his love by accepting Jesus as your Savior?
Where is your soul headed after you die on earth?
Additional Reading on the War for Our Souls
Article – Thinking Spiritual Thoughts – Renewing Your Mind
Read more about The Armor of God.
Blog Post – The Value of Speaking Positive Affirmations
An Invitation to Join God’s Family
May
30
2008
Do you struggle with past hurts? Is your body in a constant state of inner tension and stress? Are you battling an addiction of some sort? Do you eat 
emotionally? Is there some other thinking pattern or behavioral pattern that keeps you from feeling totally at peace and free? If this is the case, your emotional and physical health is likely to be suffering.
The New International version of 1 Timothy 2:6 says that Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all men.” The Greek word for ransom is antilytron which means a purchase price for liberation from oppression. All of us have probably felt oppressed at some time or other in our lives. Life is hard and many of us have experienced circumstances that have resulted in us feeling burdened, abused or that we’ve been taken advantage of. If we keep this attitude over a period of time, it can’t help but affect our emotional, spiritual and physical health. How can we move past this oppressed state?
God has provided a way. He can free you from anything that keeps you from experiencing a flourishing and whole life. God loves you so much that He sent his son Jesus to die for all your past and future sins so that you can have an abundant and eternal life. This week’s scripture says, “For he (God) wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Jesus Christ. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.”
God’s done His part. Our part is to believe this deep in our heart. Then we have to claim this truth and get it into our spirit. The evil one, Satan, would like us to hold on to these past hurts and thoughts and keep this oppressed state of mind. This will keep us from feeling free. That’s not the way it has to be and it’s not what God wants.
Get to know God in a personal way, and His truth will set you free. John 8:32 says “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Once you are totally free from oppression, aspects of your emotional health will likely be positively affected. This could bring about improvements in your physical health.
The choice is yours. Will you accept the total freedom and the abundant life that Jesus provides?
