A Clean Conscience

Acts 23:1. And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. . . . . Acts 26:16. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Whether we realize it or not, we program our conscience every day. Our choice of friends, our culture --- movies, television, music, the church and the Word of God.

What can we do to keep our conscience good, clean, pure, and functioning? To re-sharpen our conscience, God has given us His written Word, the Bible, and if a believer, the Holy Spirit will  coach and guide us. If we have a bad conscience because of sin, confess and repent them to Jesus. He will forgive you.

The Lord doesn’t want our conscience to be desensitized and defiled. He  can cleanse a bad conscience with confession and repentance.

Thank God for your conscience. Make the most of this God given gift. Instead of letting your conscience be your guide, make sure your conscience is your God.

Steadfast --- Unmovable --- Abounding

1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

I can assure you that standing up for Jesus isn’t popular. The world doesn’t like it when we refuse to conform to their wishes.

Abounding in the work of the Lord requires much more than attending church on Sunday or reading the Bible every day. It’s being  consumed with the Lord. It’s being on fire for Him and  going overboard in service to Him.

Those who abound in the work of the Lord will enjoy His peace and contentment. Your efforts are not in vain. Never.

The Depth And Riches of God

Romans 11:33,36  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! . . . For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

A lot of people are looking for direction in their lives, but sadly, few ever look to the source of real truth and wisdom-- our Creator.

In our flesh we are prone to pride and self-reliance. In reality all that we have or ever hope to have is of the Lord--- our health, our job that provides for our families, our homes, food, the sun we see and the breath we breathe. It  all comes by and through the Lord.

We will never face anything that He doesn’t understand. Praise his Name.

The Grace And Truth Of My Lord

John 1:1,14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

I never got to see the Man who died for my sins as did the Apostle John who wrote about Him.  I never had the privilege to hear Him preach with authority. I wasn’t there as He met the needs of countless souls.  I wasn’t in the boat as He stood and said, “Peace, Be still.”

But  I did see the hill called Calvary through eyes of faith. I’ve heard the living Word speak through the written Word, and  I’ve experienced His power in my life when facing a storm.

 I may have never seen Jesus in the flesh, but I’ve seen Him countless times by faith. Each time I am amazed at the grace and truth of my Lord.

Had He Not Risen

Jesus came to earth so He could die for the sins of humanity. Had He not suffered the wretched  death of the cross there would have been no payment for sin.

Had He not risen from the grave, He would’ve been like all other men. His resurrection sets Him apart from all who came before Him. His resurrection is the source and assurance of our hope. Because He lives, those who belong to Him are promised life eternal.

Matthew 28:6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

I rejoice in the day I encountered the risen Lord. I didn’t see Him in bodily form, but I met Him through the Spirit.. I wasn’t looking for Him, but He came seeking for me. He spoke to my heart, revealing my need, and saved me by His marvelous grace!

The Battle -- The Armor

Ephesians 6:10-11-12  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places .

Believers need to be aware that there’s a spiritual battle going on and that Satan is our adversary. One of his most clever tricks is making people believe that he is not real and  there’s no battle.

Satan hates Christians and wants to destroy those who are spiritual. He tempts us and tricks us with lies. His plan is to show that good is bad and bad is good.

We know that God will be the victor in the end and we can have victory now in Christ Jesus. But we must put on the whole armor of God to fight the battle. Here’s the armor:

Ephesians 6:14-18 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The Christian Life

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The secret to living the Christian life, enjoying victory over your impulsive sins, and seeing your strongholds brought down is this: you can't do it.

You have to surrender to God's will, to have absolute confidence in His plan for your life and His promises. That’s faith.  It’s then that you  enjoy the victory that only He can give.

Trust God and  see  what He can bring to pass in a life that is wholly dedicated to Him.