Thursday, September 27, 2007

Spiritual Strength

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4

A key area in prayer for me is to respond in praise when I encounter problems. I want to look to God for the answer, complaining doesn't accomplish anything.

Rejoicing is a key to victory in spiritual war. I want to use prayer to prepare myself. Areas of defeat or inaction may be strongholds in my life.

"Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house." Matthew 12:29

The strong man has to be bound to plunder his house. How do we bind the strong man?

Jesus cast out demons by the Spirit of God (Matt. 12:28), THEN the kingdom of God has come upon you. I am not saying all problems are demons. I feel the answer to our problems is not trying in our own efforts to solve the problem, but to solve the problem with God's help.

Some problems are solved simply. Other problems are chronic and need wisdom to overcome. These problems are solved spiritually by binding the strong man. How do we bind?

Binding comes by the Spirit of God. Jesus cast out demons by the Spirit of God. He didn't do it by Himself. So why am I trying to solve problems by myself? What allows the Spirit to flow through me so that I can bind?

Isaiah 30:15 "In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing,"

Spiritual strength comes from God's Spirit.

Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. Zech 4:6

The steps to having the Spirit of God in my life are: 1) repentance; 2) rest; 3) quietness; 4) trust.


1) I repent of trying to solve the problems myself. I want to look to God for help in solving problems.


2) Rest - I have in the past tried to rest by serving and obeying. I will stop from my work and rest.


3) Quietness - Quietness allows me to still myself and listen. I will read the Bible and listen to God as He shows me the answers to the problems that I face. I will watch for God to make His wisdom known.


4) Trust - I will trust God to keep His word to me. I will walk in faith/obedience as God directs.

Jer 1:12

Isa 55:10,11

Rom 4:20,21

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Power in Jesus

It is not what you are supposed to do but who you are
in Jesus that makes a difference.

When you know who you are in Jesus then you can obey
in faith.

Meditate, ponder, consider who you are in Jesus. This
will put you in the place for God to empower you.

Knowing what you are supposed to do won't empower you.