Arise & Shine For Jesus Ministry
The Waste Places Shall Be Restored,Isaiah 58:12
Now What? Day 5 - How Can I Be A Strong Christian
Today's Bible Reading: John 13, 14, and 15
As a Christian, you need strength for two reasons:
(1) To live an overcoming life; and
(2) To serve the Lord.
You may feel inadequate. Good! You must feel your need before the Lord can help you.
POWER FOR OVERCOMING
The first time you fail, you can expect the devil to tell you, "It's no use. You can't live the Christian life. You might as well give up." This is one of Satan's favorite tactics.
But Seek Ye First, The Kingdom of God, Matthew 6:33
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You may even feel defeated because you were tempted--even though you didn't yield. Remember this: temptation is not sin. Even Jesus was tempted.
KNOW YOUR WEAK POINTS
You have read, or will read, about Peter today. When the apostle learned Jesus would be betrayed, he boldly said he was willing to die for the Lord. But before the night was over he had denied the Lord three times. If you have trouble with temper or some other human weakness, be on guard.
COOPERATE WITH GOD
Rely on Jesus to help you overcome. A little girl said, "Jesus is stronger than the devil, so when the devil comes to the door of my heart, I send Jesus, and when the devil sees Jesus, he goes away."
Christ lives in your heart through His Holy Spirit, who is called "the Comforter,' meaning "one called alongside to help." He will develop in you the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) which together are the character of Christ. (Remember, in chapter 4, I mentioned God's purpose is to make you like Christ.)Try to underlining in John 14 and 16 the things which Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would do.
An obedient attitude will help. Obey the Lord when He suggests something to you. Listen to the pastor and other mature Christians. They've been over the road; they can help you.
CULTIVATE A SENSE OF THE LORD'S PRESENCE
This is part of the abiding Jesus mentions in Chapter 15. Let your thoughts go out toward Him throughout the day.
DON'T GET DISCOURAGED
You don't need to give up, and you shouldn't. A baby starting to walk often falls, but it mustn't give up. Simply come to the Lord as you did the first time, ask Him in sincerity to forgive you, and go on.
POWER FOR SERVICE
The Holy Spirit has a work to do for you, after salvation and different from it. It is called the baptism in the Holy Spirit and is the same experience we read about in Acts 2. Before HE went away, Jesus told His disciples He would receive power to witness unto Him. This happened on the Day of Pentecost and changed the lives of all who received. Ask your pastor to tell you more about this.
JESUS is THE BAPTIZER
How do you receive? The simplest way to put it I can think of it is to tell you to get just as close to Jesus as you can. Move toward Him in worship and praise. Then yield completely to Him. Your experience will be just like that on the Day of Pentecost.
THE BAPTISM IN THE BEGINNING
Sad to say, some stand still spiritually after they have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. This should not be. It should be the beginning of a wonderful new kind of life. Through you God can work supernaturally.
STAY SPIRIT-FILLED
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a once-for-all experience. As you continue to stay close to the Lord in prayer and reading His Word, you will receive from Him more and more of His life and blessing.
Bible Study For Today
John 13:34,35, What was Jesus new commandment?
John 14:6, What is the only way to come to God?
John 14:13-14, What is the secret of receiving answers to our prayers?
John 14:15, How do we show our love for Jesus?
John 14:27, What has Jesus promised to give us?
John 15:5, Who is the vine, and who are the branches?
John 15:18,19, What attitude can we expect from the world (unbelievers)?
GOOD VERSES TO MEMORIZE:
John 13:35
John 14:6
John 14:14
John 14:27
John 15:5
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Isaiah 60:1, Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
