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A Choice to Believe God
Copyright (c) 2007-2023 Joyce C. Lock
It was beyond thrilling once I realized the Bible was a How-to Book; a list of Master's tools for overcoming whatever we face in the world.
I would see all kinds of wonderful instruction and promises, then look around and not see such faith in others. It is as if people believe Jesus died on the cross and, then, lied about all the rest.
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable," I Co. 15:19. And, if we are miserable, we just might have a contracted a contagious disease called Stinkin' Thinkin'.
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," Pr. 23:7. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to grow toward protecting ourselves from the lies of Satan.
Only two options are available for which to place our faith: (1.) to believe God, or (2.) to call Him a liar, (1.) to give glory to God by recognizing Him for who He is and who He said He would be, for and through us, or (2.) to give credit to Satan by focusing on all that is wrong with us and the world.
Of course, one could choose to place themselves on God's throne; thinking they have no need of Him. Our choice determines to whom we give power; to which presence we will dwell in. And, we know that Satan both promotes pride and accuses the brethren.
So, the next time a negative thought comes your way, before you open your mouth, stop to think. Just who are you representing, anyway?
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Satan is like a roaring lion, all he does is roar. We either give him power to devour us, or we choose to believe God. It is impossible to fall or fail following the instruction God speaks to us, as Satan can not defeat God. Being that nothing is too hard for God, rejoice even before He brings it to pass (Ro. 4:17).
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Only God knows how to defeat Satan and where he'll be lurking next (Pr. 14:12). So, it is most advisable to get one's instruction and faith from the words God speaks to you (Jb. 23:12).
Be careful for nothing ...
"But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost," Mk. 13:11.
but in every thing by prayer ...
Pray in the Holy Ghost by laying your hands on the word of God, comparing scripture with scripture; rightly dividing the words of truth ... because they are spiritually discerned (I Co. 2:14).
and supplication ...
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find knock, and it shall be opened unto you," Mt. 7:7.
with thanksgiving ...
Strait is the gate ... "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving ..." Ps. 100:4.
let your requests be made known unto God.
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," Mt. 6:10.
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Ph. 4:6-7
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Ph. 4:8-9
Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, columnist, and Senior Writer for the Storytime Tapestry Newsletter. Her latest adventures include her new website Glimpses of God http://iam.homewithGod.com/glimpsesofgod/ unveiling mysteries via scriptural methods of Bible study. Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other. This article distribution was sponsored by: http://thephantomwriters.com
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Top-Level Category: Religion Articles
10 Most Recent Articles Written by Joyce C. Lock
Just Think
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2009-04-30 |
Word Count: 702 |
Page Views: 4132
| Votes: 9 |
Rating: 2.33
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Distributed: 2009-04-28 |
Word Count: 333 |
Page Views: 4319
| Votes: 7 |
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Distributed: 2009-04-22 |
Word Count: 1799 |
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Distributed: 2009-04-21 |
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The Abbreviated Christmas - XMAS -
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2007-11-13 |
Word Count: 169 |
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| Votes: 6 |
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If you are like me you may not care to consider Wikipedia's
explanation. But, if spelling 'Christmas' as 'xmas' is your
preference, you might appreciate knowing how the 'X' in
'xmas' began.
Legalism
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2007-09-07 |
Word Count: 252 |
Page Views: 4633
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 0.71
Within Christian circles is known the term 'legalism'. We know
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A Way to Escape
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2007-09-06 |
Word Count: 322 |
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Have you ever found yourself in a position where, if you just
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One Day at A Time
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2007-09-06 |
Word Count: 140 |
Page Views: 4264
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 1.57
If just for today, Lord, I'll keep my eyes and heart in tune to
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Word Count: 702 |
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Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2009-04-29 |
Word Count: 538 |
Page Views: 4123
| Votes: 7 |
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song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will
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Word Count: 1799 |
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Word Count: 1968 |
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The cross has broad significance as a marker of not only
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Ties that Bind
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
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When growing up, if there was a sibling dispute, mom had the
perfect solution. She would refuse to choose. Instead, mom
would bang our heads together. She'd say that it takes two to
fight ~ so we both got it. Now, that really hurt! But, it
worked, every time. We'd hush, immediately. Though we didn't
like it, we didn't dare say another word.
Leaving Your Financial Wilderness
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2007-04-05 |
Word Count: 419 |
Page Views: 4208
| Votes: 10 |
Rating: 3.00
One's instinct to survive goes against giving all, as if we'd
lose all that's left. And, whatever we think we possess is just
a figment of our imagination. Yet, we cling to it for dear life.
Spirituality
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Distributed: 2007-03-26 |
Word Count: 760 |
Page Views: 4187
| Votes: 19 |
Rating: 2.89
Spirituality has always been a very sensitive topic. To many, it
is a never ending discussion which can lead to arguments and
debates that can jump from topic to topic. For others, it is a
topic that should be left well enough, alone. I personally find
the topic to not only be interesting, but also very important.
Humbleness: Should It Be Humiliating?
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Word Count: 731 |
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| Votes: 18 |
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In this day and time, it almost seems as if kindness, politeness,
consideration, and most of the lessons we were taught as children
were tossed out of the window one day and replaced with a new set
of rules. Could it simply be that children these days are born
with a defect, lacking self-control? Or are they just not being
taught the way they should be taught; parents blaming modern day
hardships and circumstances? It is true that the children being
raised today will determine the shape of our future, but in the
meantime, whose example are they following?
Fruit Inspection
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2007-03-17 |
Word Count: 268 |
Page Views: 4979
| Votes: 15 |
Rating: 2.87
If we believe we are called to be Fruit Inspectors, then might we
also have been watching for imperfection in Jesus, in His day,
too?
Checking Our Foundation
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2007-02-06 |
Word Count: 1502 |
Page Views: 4535
| Votes: 9 |
Rating: 2.78
When we seek to know about God instead of knowing Him, our
knowledge will never be complete.
God is Not Mocked
Written by: Joyce C. Lock |
Distributed: 2007-03-27 |
Word Count: 395 |
Page Views: 4947
| Votes: 16 |
Rating: 2.69
How many times have we had the urge to Lord it over someone
fallen; to look at them in disgust, to shun their very presence,
to talk behind their back, to refuse their service, to forget all
the good they've done, to spit in their face and kick them when
their down?
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