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Our Daily Bread

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other...” Galatians 5:17 (KJV) We've talked about trials. We've talked about tribulation. We've talked about trusting God and maintaining a Christlike attitude when life becomes difficult. But what happens when you know all of that... and you still fail? You lose your temper. You become frustrated. You complain. You say something you shouldn't have said. You fall back into the same attitude you promised yourself you weren't going to have anymore. And perhaps the most frustrating part is: You genuinely didn't want to respond that way. Something inside you desired to respond differently. Paul describes a real conflict in Galatians 5. There is a battle between the flesh and the Spirit. And understanding that battle helps us understand why the Christian life cannot be lived successfully through human determination alone. There Is a Ba...
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When the World Gives You Trouble

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (KJV) Jesus never promised His followers an easy life. He never said that following Him would eliminate disappointment. He never promised that people wouldn't hurt us, finances would always work out, relationships would never become difficult, or painful seasons wouldn't come. In fact, Jesus told His disciples exactly the opposite: “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” Not might. Shall. Trouble is part of living in a fallen world. But thankfully, Jesus didn't end the sentence there. He continued: “But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” That's where Christian hope begins. Jesus Didn't Hide the Reality of Suffering Sometimes we mistakenly believe that if we're walking closely enough with God, everything should start becoming easier. But Scripture doesn't teach ...
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Be Still and Know That I Am God

“Be still, and know that I am God...” Psalm 46:10 (KJV) What if some of the exhaustion you're carrying isn't simply because you're doing too much? What if you're exhausted because you're trying to control too much? You're trying to figure out what will happen. You're replaying conversations. You're imagining every possible outcome. You're trying to change someone. You're trying to force something to work. You're trying to prevent something from going wrong. You've prayed about it but after praying, you picked the burden right back up. And into all that noise, Psalm 46 gives us a simple command: “Be still.” Psalm 46 Isn't Taking Place in a Peaceful Setting We often picture Psalm 46:10 against a peaceful background: still water, mountains, silence, and solitude. But read the entire Psalm. The circumstances are anything but peaceful. “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be ...
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Ask, Seek, Knock

“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 (KJV) It is possible to do many things that look spiritual on the outside. You can attend church. You can read your Bible. You can give generously. You can serve people in need. You can know Christian language and participate in Christian activities. Yet Hebrews 11:6 gives us a sobering truth: “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” That doesn't mean church attendance, generosity, Bible reading, or serving others are unimportant. Scripture commands and encourages these things. But outward religious activity without genuine faith cannot make us right with God. The Christian life begins, and continues, by faith. What Does It Mean to Have Faith? Biblical faith is more than simply believing that God exists. James tells us: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devil...
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Put On the Whole Armor of God

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 (KJV) When spiritual battles come, especially during our weakest moments, it's easy to forget what God has already given us. We return to fear. We react emotionally. We try to fight everything in our own strength. We become offended. We begin questioning people around us. But Paul doesn't tell believers to defeat the enemy through their own strength. He begins by saying: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 (KJV) That's where spiritual warfare begins. Not with how strong you are, but with how strong He is. Then Paul says: Put on the whole armor of God. Not part of it. The whole armor. The Belt of Truth,  What Are You Believing? “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth...” Ephesians 6:14 (KJV) Truth holds everything together. That's why lies are so dangerous. The e...
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