God is Good, even when we can’t see it!

God is Good, even when we can’t see it!

Mar 22, 2023 | Grow, LifeChange articles

You might not have known it, but you were born into a battle. The history of this battle goes all the way back … to the Beginning.

In the beginning, when God made the world, everything was good. There was no sadness, no hardship, no pain, no death. Adam and Eve felt God’s love and peace and they lived in it. God was close and they knew it. It was an amazing and beautiful place to live.

God’s creation was good because He is good. That’s the most foundational and most important truth in the universe.

But God has an Enemy—Satan. Satan hates God, and he doesn’t want anyone to know God or love God. He’s out to slander God’s character and reputation. So, soon after creation, Satan entered into Eden in the form of a serpent, and he caused Adam and Eve to question God’s heart behind the one rule God had given them. Satan cast a shadow of doubt on God’s goodness. Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan, they disobeyed God, and the whole world fell under a curse of death and under the authority of Satan’s kingdom of darkness.

While creation resounded with the foundational truth of the universe—“God is good”—Satan slyly challenged, “Is He really?”

This is the same debate that you will have in your heart and mind. It’s the main way this cosmic battle shows itself in your life.

“God is good.”

“Is He really?”

You, as a Jesus-follower, will have to fight to defend God to yourself. No matter what you’re facing in your life, the truth will always be this: “God is good.” Scripture tells us that God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). That means that God can never be evil or bad; that’s an impossibility for Him. Sometimes that will be hard to believe because you live in a broken world where hard stuff happens and because you have an Enemy who will urge you to believe that God isn’t good. 

Despite your circumstances, though, choose to trust God’s good heart. Believe His goodness. Defend His character in your mind and heart when doubts come. When times get tough, the “evidence” of your life will seem to point to the lie that God isn’t good. But that’s not what’s real. If you could see what was really going on, you’d see God right there with you, in the battle with you, fighting for you, working for good. Believe the truth, even if you can’t see it.

“God, are You here?” “God, have You abandoned me?” “God, are You keeping me from something good?” “God, do You care about me?” “God, do You really love me?” No matter the questions your heart is asking, trust the truth that God is good. Because on the other side of every battle, and at the end of your life, you will be able to see and declare the answer that has always been true:

“God is good.”

“Is He really?”

“Yes, He is.”

Set Your Heart

Set Your Heart

Nov 7, 2022 | Grow, Grow - Chris Tiegreen, LifeChange articles

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Colossians 3:1

IN WORD

Perspective is a funny thing. Everyone has one, but few of us are conscious of the specifics and limitations of our own. We notice how easily the perspectives of others are skewed, but we live from ours quite naturally. It shapes everything we think, say, and do.

If a perspective can be that influential in our lives, we certainly want the best one. We want right instead of wrong, broad instead of narrow, helpful instead of harmful. In other words, we want something beyond our finite, faulty point of view. We want to see from a much higher vantage point and aim for much higher goals. We want to live from a better, truer, higher, deeper realm.

We can. As citizens of the realm of God, we are called to invest our hearts fully in His Kingdom. Everything in us—emotions, thought, attitudes, perspectives, everything—is meant to thrive in the environment of heaven rather than falter in the environment of a broken world. We are to see all of life as though we are living above, with Jesus on the throne. Instead of seeing the worst in people, we see who they are (or can be) in Christ. Instead of seeing problems, we see solutions. Instead of lamenting losses, we leverage them for gain. We are seated with Christ on the throne (Ephesians 2:6). We might as well live as if it’s true.

IN DEED

Like all human beings, you have been well-trained to live from a thoroughly human point of view. The fact that Christ is in you by faith gives you the opportunity to rise to a new perspective. You don’t have to live from a place of futility, defeat, and lamentation; you can have God’s perspective. But only if you invest your heart in whatever is above, where Jesus is, in the realm of God. You can no longer afford to set your heart on pain and brokenness, or even on any goals less than eternal, beautiful, and good. An entirely new realm is offered to you. Live in it fully.

Taken from The One Year Heaven on Earth Devotional by Chris Tiegreen available here on the Walk Thru the Bible online store.

SEVEN STEPS TO ESCAPE TEMPTATION

SEVEN STEPS TO ESCAPE TEMPTATION

Sep 23, 2022 | 40 Days of Prayer, Grow, LifeChange articles

40 Days of Prayer
This prayer resource is one of many powerful tools in 40 Days of Prayer.

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ENGLISH: Prayer resources

SEVEN STEPS TO ESCAPE TEMPTATION

The temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 (NLT)

It is not a sin to be tempted. The Bible says Jesus was tempted just like we are, but he never sinned. God will never get angry with you when you are tempted. He wants to show you a way out. Here are seven biblical steps that will help you escape temptation.

Step 1: Get into the Word.

When Jesus was tempted, his only defense was the Word of God. He said, “It is written… It is written… It is written.” You cannot say, “It is written,” if you don’t know what is written.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
PSALM 119:11 (NIV)

 

Step 2: Identify your vulnerabilities.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
MATTHEW 26:41 (NIV)

Notice that Jesus said it’s not enough just to pray. You also have to watch. Be on your guard. Ask yourself these questions:

When am I most tempted?
What day of the week? What time of day?

Where am I most tempted?
At work? At a friend’s house? At the mall? At a sports bar? Perhaps it’s in the kitchen or in front of the computer. You need to be honest with yourself and admit your area of vulnerability.

Who is with me when I’m most tempted?
Am I most tempted when I’m alone? When I’m with friends who lead me in the wrong direction? When I’m with a crowd of strangers and I think nobody would know me?

How do I feel before I’m tempted?
What is the emotional trigger? Is it frustration, exhaustion, anger, stress? Is it boredom or restlessness? Is it loneliness or self-pity?”

 

Step 3: Plan what you’re not going to do.

Plan carefully what you do… Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don’t go one step off the right way.
PROVERBS 4:26-27 (GNT)

Plan in advance to stay away from people, places, or circumstances that cause you to be vulnerable to temptation. If you don’t want to get stung, stay away from the bees. Plan what you’re not going to do, and then stick to your plan.

 

Step 4: Guard your heart.

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
JAMES 1:14 (NLT)

Temptation is an inside job. The Devil can’t make you do anything. He can try to lure you into temptation, but your actions come from your own decisions, and your decisions reflect the condition of your heart.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
PROVERBS 4:23 (NLT)

 

Step 5: Pray for deliverance.

The prayer of deliverance can be boiled down to just one word: Help! When your back is against the wall, when you’re in over your head, when it seems everything and everyone is conspiring for your downfall, pray the prayer of deliverance. Call out to God for help.

God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 (NLT)

 

Step 6: Refocus your attention.

Whatever gets your attention gets you. The battle for sin always starts in your mind. The only way to win that battle and escape temptation is to change your focus and think about something else.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
ROMANS 12:2 (NIV)

 

Step 7: Find a friend.

You need a spiritual partner to live a spiritual life. If you had a trusted friend to whom you could confess your temptations, you would have fewer sins to confess to God. If you want to have that kind of friend, you must be that kind of friend.

Two are better than one because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up.
ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10 (GNT/GW)

More resources are waiting for you in 40 Days of Prayer.

AFRIKAANS: Gebedshulpbronne

SEWE STAPPE OM VERSOEKING VRY TE SPRING

Geen versoeking wat meer is as wat ’n mens kan weerstaan, het julle oorval nie. God is getrou. Hy sal nie toelaat dat julle bo julle kragte versoek word nie; as die versoeking kom, sal Hy ook die uitkoms gee, sodat julle dit kan weerstaan.
1 KORINTIËRS 10:13″

Dit is nie ‘n sonde om versoek te word nie. Die Bybel sê dat Jesus versoek is, net soos ons ook, maar Hy het nooit gesondig nie. God sal nooit kwaad word vir ons wanneer ons versoek word nie. Hy wil vir ons ‘n uitweg wys. Hier is sewe Bybelse stappe wat jou sal help om versoeking vry te spring.

 

Stap 1: Ken en gebruik die Woord

Toe Jesus versoek is, was Sy enigste verdediging die Woord van God. Hy het gesê: “Daar staan geskrywe… Daar staan geskrywe… Daar staan geskrywe”. Jy kan nie sê,”Daar staan geskrywe,” as jy nie weet wat daar geskryf is nie.

Aan u beloftes hou ek vas, dit weerhou my van sonde teen U.
PSALM 119:11

 

Stap 2: Identifiseer jou swakhede

“Waak en bid, sodat julle nie in versoeking kom nie. Die gees is gewillig, maar die vlees is swak.”
MATTEUS 26:41

Let daarop dat Jesus gesê het dit is nie genoeg om net te bid nie. Jy moet ook waak. Wees op jou hoede. Vra jouself die volgende vrae:

Wanneer word ek die meeste versoek?
Watter dag van die week? Watter tyd van die dag?

Waar kom ek die meeste in die versoeking?
By die werk? By ‘n vriend se huis? By die winkelsentrum? By ‘n sportkroeg? Miskien is dit in die kombuis of voor die rekenaar. Jy moet eerlik wees met jouself en die aard van jou swakheid en kwesbaarheid erken.

Wie is by my wanneer ek die meeste versoek word?
Kom ek meesal in die versoeking wanneer ek alleen is? Of wanneer ek saam met vriende is wat my in die verkeerde rigting lei? As ek tussen ‘n menigte vreemdelinge is en ek dink niemand sal my ken nie?

Hoe voel ek voordat ek versoek word?
Wat is die emosionele sneller? Is dit frustrasie, uitputting, woede, stres? Is dit verveeldheid of rusteloosheid? Is dit eensaamheid of selfbejammering?

 

Stap 3: Beplan vooraf wat jy NIE gaan doen NIE

Baken jou koers af, dan sal jy seker wees van elke tree. Moenie links of regs wegdraai nie, weerhou jou van die verkeerde koers.
SPREUKE 4:26-27

Beplan vooraf om weg te bly van mense, plekke of omstandighede wat veroorsaak dat jy kwesbaar is vir versoeking. As jy nie gesteek wil word nie, bly weg van die bye. Beplan wat jy nie gaan doen nie, en hou dan by jou plan.

 

Stap 4: Bewaak jou hart

Maar ’n mens word verlei deur sy eie begeertes wat hom aanlok en saamsleep.
JAKOBUS 1:14

Verleiding is ‘n gewetensaak in jou binneste. Die Duiwel kan jou niks laat doen nie. Hy kan probeer om jou in versoeking te lei, maar jou reaksie en optrede kom uit jou eie besluite, en jou besluite weerspieël die toestand van jou hart.

Wees veral versigtig met wat in jou hart omgaan, want dit bepaal jou hele lewe.
SPREUKE 4:23

 

Stap 5: Bid vir verlossing

Die gebed van verlossing kom neer op net een woord: Help! Wanneer jou rug teen die muur is, as jy tot oor jou kop in die moeilikheid is, as dit lyk of alles en almal saamspan om jou ondergang te bewerkstellig, bid dan die Gebed van Verlossing. Roep na God om hulp.

Geen versoeking wat meer is as wat ’n mens kan weerstaan, het julle oorval nie. God is getrou. Hy sal nie toelaat dat julle bo julle kragte versoek word nie; as die versoeking kom, sal Hy ook die uitkoms gee, sodat julle dit kan weerstaan.
1 KORINTIËRS 10:13

 

Stap 6: Herfokus jou aandag

Wat ookal jou aandag trek, trek jou. Die stryd teen die sonde begin altyd in jou gedagtes. Die enigste manier om daardie stryd te wen en die versoeking te ontsnap, is om jou fokus te verander en oor iets anders te dink.

Julle moenie aan hierdie sondige wêreld gelyk word nie, maar laat God julle verander deur julle denke te vernuwe. Dan sal julle ook kan onderskei wat die wil van God is, wat vir Hom goed en aanneemlik en volmaak is.
ROMEINE 12:2

 

Stap 7: Kry ‘n vriend

Jy benodig ‘n geestelike maat om ‘n geestelike lewe te lei. As jy ‘n betroubare vriend gehad het aan wie jy jou versoekings kon bely, sou jy minder sondes hê om aan God te bely. As jy daardie soort vriend wil hê, moet jy ook daardie soort vriend wees.

Twee vaar beter as een. Hulle inspanning kom tot iets. As die een val, kan die ander hom ophelp. Maar as een val wat alleen is, is daar niemand om hom op te help nie.
PREDIKER 4:9-10

Verdere hulpbronne wag vir jou in 40 Dae van Gebed.