Please open your Bible and read Hebrews 7:23-28

God has given us definite assurance about our eternal adoption into His family, so it is important to guard against whatever challenges our position in Christ.

Sin, like static over a phone line, causes breaks in the connection between us and God. When we feel estranged from God, perhaps because of lingering sinful habits or an unreleased attitude of unforgiveness, doubts about our salvation can creep in.

A legalistic attitude may agree that salvation is through Christ alone but then imposes man-made rules and regulations to prove who’s a “real” Christian and who isn’t. We rarely measure up to other people’s standards, so doubts may roll in about our identity in Christ.

An overemphasis on feelings can lead to relying on temporary emotions rather than the unchanging Word of God. Because the Lord created our hearts to play a crucial role in our relationship with Him, we must constantly commit our emotions to Him.

The Accuser, who indicts us “day and night” (Revelation 12:10), will remind us of our past, people we’ve hurt, or the shamefulness of our sins and blunders. The Father of Lies will do anything to discourage us into doubting who we are in Christ. He wants our eyes focused on our failures, not on Jesus’ redemptive work.

Doubting the truth of Scripture can cause us to mistrust our position in Christ. Believe what God says about Himself and about us. More than simply by mental assent, we must commit ourselves to His trustworthiness.

Question: What situations cause you the most doubt? How do you choose to deal with these situations?

About the Author:  Dr. Charles Stanley

Are you tired of living a defeated Christian life? Tell us about it.

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EST.

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

Step 2    Keep short accounts

The simple truth of the Word of God says “do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26). This is so profoundly elementary that we often miss it. Seeds of irritations and annoyances, not dealt with on a daily basis, grow in our hearts. When they are not dealt with as soon as we recognize them, they take root. Each subsequent encounter with that same irritation, which will always be linked to some person, will cause that root to dig just a little deeper. The deeper it goes the more bitter it gets.

Scripture tells us “a root of bitterness springs up and defiles many” (Hebrews 12:15).  When it finally spills out it hurts those around.  Proverbs 4:23 tells us “above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life”. It is the very source of all we are. What is in our heart spills out the mouth (Matthew 12:34). It is by our very words that we often grieve the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:29&30). The trademark of love that identified us as His disciples vanishes and the world looking on can see no difference in us.

Guard your heart. Take stock every day. Keep short accounts for your own heart’s sake. If the root is only just beginning in your own heart and still undetected by others, go to God and ask for it’s removal. You know when it’s there. Ask for grace to be poured out in your heart so that you will have all the grace you need to deal with that particular situation and person.

2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things and at all times having all that you need you will abound in every good work.” If the root has already spilled out and hurt others go and confess to them. Even if they do not receive you or do not own their part of the conflict, keep your own heart guarded and clean. You are ever only responsible for one heart…your own!  Unresolved conflict in the heart of another is God’s job to deal with.

The presence of God in a person’s life, and the truth allowed in the inner part, will be evident in the fruit of our lives. Watch the fruit in your own life and in the lives of others. The fruit always gives us away (Matthew 7:20). If you have owned your part in a conflict and others refuse to do the same, give them grace, pray for them, and, if necessary, distance yourself from the overflow of their bitter root until they allow God to do healing in their heart.

Always be alert to the seeds you allow in your heart. They eventually produce fruit of one kind or another. List the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness/humility, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

Ask yourself the simple question:

“What fruit of the Spirit is in short supply in my life right now?”

Then take an honest look at the seeds that may have begun to take root in your heart and deal honestly with them.

Questions: What fruit of the Spirit is in short supply in your life right now? Do you struggle with seeds of irritations and annoyances that you have not dealt with? Has a root of bitterness started to grow in your heart?

About the Author Gail Rodgers

Spirituality is a popular subject these days. Whole stores are filled with books and various gadgets that are sold to help one get in touch spiritually. There is just so much out there and at times one can feel confused about it all.

In these days of growing awareness in the spiritual and the supernatural, God gives us guidance as to what to watch for. He tells us how to grow in our spiritual life without confusion. He spells it out for us quite simply:

“Grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18, NIV).

True spirituality moves you toward knowledge of Jesus as the Influencer of your heart. If something or someone other than Jesus takes front and center stage in your search for spirituality, be on guard. Guard your heart from merely knowledge of religious facts or focusing on special powers or energy. True spirituality is allowing Jesus’ influence on your heart to reflect change in the way you handle yourself. It is His power at work in you.

If you desire to develop spiritually, allow Jesus to influence your heart and your choices in a greater way today. Allow His influence to cause you to turn from the choices that exclude Him, and to accept His forgiveness. Ask for His wisdom to help you determine if a particular activity or source of information will increase your understanding of how Jesus can influence your heart and your life. Anything less is a cheap counterfeit.

Father God, there is so much out there today on spirituality. Please help me to grow in my knowledge of Jesus and His strength in my life as my Savior. Help me to grow in allowing Your influence upon my heart in such a way that it changes how I live. Forgive me for the times when I have focused on spirituality that was not centered on Jesus. Help me to be discerning and wise as I grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. In His strong name I pray, amen.

Questions: How will you allow Jesus to influence your heart and your choices in a greater way today? Do you know what it means to live a spirit-filled life? Let’s talk about it.

About the Author Gail Rodgers

The concept of fasting has been one that I have rolled over in my mind many times and tried to grasp from many angles. Is it about physically afflicting ourselves in an attempt to show God we are really serious about something? Or maybe to twist His arm and force His hand, implying that we have done this thing so now He owes us? I keep thinking there has to be a lot more that can be understood about this powerful spiritual weapon.

While I still feel like I am a long way from fully grasping the extensiveness and power of fasting, there are a few things that are becoming clearer to me. I am starting to see the greater value in this is not in what I am giving up (food or what ever it may be), but rather it is in what I am investing.

Investment costs something. For me it has become a time to get “eyeball to eyeball” with my heavenly Father, to put aside extra time to listen, learn, ask questions, seek answers, to allow Him to shine His light on areas of my life that need to be cleaned up. It goes beyond laying down something tangible, to actually laying down “me” – my time and my agenda in order to more clearly see Him.

Oh I still find value in voluntarily abstaining from food or other things, as it helps to keep me mindful of my commitment to seek the Lord in a very deep way for a period of time.  But it is not in itself the main thing. It is my experience that this kind of investment pays huge dividends in my relationship with my loving Savior, as I see both Him and myself more clearly.

“Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you: The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am’” (Isaiah 58:8-9, NKJV).

Questions: What does the word “fasting” mean to you? Take some time this weekend to do some research on fasting.

About the Author Emmie Stanley

Susan was feeling frayed around the edges. She felt irritated within herself and couldn’t put her finger on anything. Sighing, she finished folding the last load of laundry so there would be clean clothes for the kids in the morning. “O Lord…” she silently prayed, not really knowing what else to say. She was grateful for bedtime.

As busy women who juggle a lot we often don’t have time to contemplate what is going on within us. Yet God tells us to pay attention to what is happening in our spirits. He tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the well spring of life” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV).

Just how do you do that on a busy day as life hurries on? How do you guard your heart with so much coming at you from all directions? God’s Word actually spells out some specific steps. It tells us that God’s peace will actually guard our hearts and our minds, giving us stability and calmness if we take a few simple steps.

•    Pay attention to what is causing you to feel anxious in your thoughts. What brought that tension to your shoulders?
•    Tell God about it. Talk to Him as you would to your best friend.
•    Make an actual request to Him for His help, strength, wisdom or insight.
•    Don’t stop there. Find something to thank Him for.

You will begin to experience God bringing His own peace and calm to your heart and mind.

Here’s His promise…
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 6 & 7, NIV)

Pay attention to anxiety creeping into your soul. Use God’s formula and as you do you will experience a calmness in your heart and in your mind that goes beyond understanding. It is the hand of your Heavenly Father steadying you. You can lean there.

Think it through…
What brought your tension on? Explain it to God. Write out what you are asking God for. Add three things to thank Him for. Proclaim His praise out loud.

Pray it in…
Father God, I am so thankful for Your understanding care to me. Today when anxiety steals into my heart remind me to pay attention and to talk to You about it. Guard my heart and my mind today with Your amazing peace. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Work it out…
Take time to identify any anxiety that steals into your heart throughout the day.  Consciously guard your heart. Pay attention to what robs the peace from your heart. Ask God to help you guard your heart and mind.

Questions: How do you guard your heart? How does anxiety creep into your soul? Take some time to thank God for all He has done for you.

About the Author Gail Rodgers

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

We are all too familiar with the word ‘battle’ in our world today.  In our own individual lives, for those who have faith in Jesus Christ, we deal with spiritual battles with being tested and tempted. This is a fact.

However, we are Victors with a capital V.  As I have been reading through the book of Colossians I came across one of my life verses.  Look at God’s promise and guarantee to us.  “God rescued us from the dark power of satan and brought us into the kingdom of His dear Son, who forgives our sins and sets us free” (1:13).

I am so encouraged and awestruck at the lives of people who walked our path recorded in the pages of Scriptures.   Remember Job who walked through such a valley of destruction, or King David who had to hide in caves like an animal being hunted?  There was Naomi who lost not only her husband but two sons and had to return empty handed to her homeland.  Paul was beaten and imprisoned for sharing Christ, and Joseph faced the dirty walls of a pit thrown in by jealous brothers.   Yet, God shared about these people to show us that they not only were Victors, but so are we.

It is not easy to understand all that God allows us to endure.  In fact, there have been many times I can’t comprehend that a loving God would allow Satan to test me and try me. The question is why not?  What makes me exempt from satan’s arrows?   God is in control and knows what we will and can endure.  We have to be on guard.  We also have to look at our personal lives and make sure that the choices we are making are ones that God would be pleased with.  Anger can cause huge ramifications on our path.  A lie can change the course of something special, and gossip can hurt people beyond our own human comprehension.  We are tempted and tested but God has given us choices to make so let us choose wisely.   Peter says in his book, “Be on your guard and stay awake.  Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.  But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith.”

1) God’s Guard
I spend many summer weekends swimming in the waves.  If I am not on guard, those huge waves can overtake me and then I am in trouble.  That is what it is like as a Christ-follower.  We have to be ever mindful to be on guard for things that set us apart from Christ.  Some things are very easy to detect but others are so slight.  Stand firm and stand on guard.  We are in God’s Army and on His Watch.

2) God’s Resources
After taking your stand to be on guard, then ask God for His help, the Ultimate Resource. He has given us special amour to wear.   Colossians continues on by saying, “We always pray that God will show you everything he wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives.  ….His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything…“ God is at our disposal to hear our cry for help.  The lines of communication are always open.  God will give us His wisdom and His understanding.  His Holy Spirit gives this freely to His soldiers.    When we ask, God will help us walk this journey to endure the battle.  There is a worship chorus that says “the battle belongs to the Lord”.  So get your amour on and let God fight for you!

3) God’s Joy
I could never understand that in the middle of the tunnel of oppression, we can rejoice.  Take the time to praise God and take the time to rejoice in your heritage of God’s own.  Take the time so that despite the feeling of the pressing battle, God is standing in the balance protecting us and cheering us on.   The portion in Colossians 1 says “…and you will be truly happy, and ….who forgives our sins and sets us free”!

Remember we are Victors, a royal priesthood chosen by Almighty God Himself.  Let Him protect you from the strongholds that bind you. Keep your decisions and attitudes in check as you allow God to fight for you.

Let’s not run ahead but be ever mindful of the responsibility we have.  We are not without battles but we are Victors and we are truly free!

Father God, we thank you that You give us Your amour, and Your protection.  Thank you that You go to battle for me and because of the work of Jesus’ death, I am a Victor.  Give us strength to move forward in Your strength.  In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Questions: What strongholds are you facing today? What are your next steps? Take time to praise the God who fights your battles.

About the Author Linda Goodhand Rodgers

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Life Together: Authentic Friendships, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things”  (Philippians 4:8).

“Speed Kills.” Or so says the billboard to encourage drivers to slow down. Thousand are killed every year on the nation’s highways due to excessive speed. But as I drove along and thought about the billboard message, I thought how speed can kill the body, but slowness can kill the soul.

Perhaps there is no more dangerous time for our spiritual life than when our brain is coasting, idling or in neutral. It is like going to sleep at night with the door unlocked. There is no telling what will sneak in and harm us.

Our most vulnerable moments are the unguarded ones, not the ones where we are focused on a mission and going ninety miles an hour with gusts to a hundred and twenty. What I think about in my unguarded moments reflects what my mind dwells upon and ultimately decides what kind of person I become.

I need to discipline and exercise my mind just as I do my body. If I fill my body with garbage then it turns to garbage. My mind is no different. What I dwell on in those neutral moments is a good gauge of what is in my heart. I need to be cautious and what I allow in my mind. The best way to exercise and guard my mind is to contemplate those things that are pure, lovely and of good repute.

I should not allow the world to fill my mind with ungodly thinking and focusing on the “things” of this world. The best way to keep the evil one and his devices from entering my mind is to guard its door with scripture and prayer and by focusing on that which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely and good.

The things I allow my mind to focus on will determine the way I live and if I focus on the evils and temptations of this world, I take down my guard and can be led into sin like a sheep to slaughter. If I fill my mind with the things of Christ, then I will become Christ like and if I fill my mind with the evils of this world then I become like the rest of the world.

Beware of neutral…. It’s a killer!

Lord, I know that whatever I fill my mind with is a matter of choice, my choice.  Please help me to be aware of those times when I am vulnerable and help me to guard my mind. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Questions: What do you think about in your unguarded moments? How can you guard your mind and keep it alert and ready for action?

About the Author John Grant

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Danger of Being in Neutral, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog