God Has Given Us Everything We Need

By His divine power, God has already given us everything we need for living a godly life.

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. ” (2 Peter 1:3)

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” (Psalm 138:2)

Whether you realize it or not: God has already given you everything you need to live the life He’s called you to.  You don’t need to feel stressed out, worried or afraid. You don’t have to wonder if you are ‘good enough’ to receive from God because God’s blessing has nothing to do with your performance.  He has already blessed you and given you everything you need by His divine power!

The next time you start thinking “I can’t…”, or “I don’t have what it takes…”, attack those negative thoughts with the truth by declaring, “According to His will, God can give me what it takes; my faith will enable me; and I am equipped by His divine power at work in me!”

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing [which includes fears, depression, etc.] that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

You say:       I’m always worried and frustrated.
God says:    “Cast all your cares on Me.”  (I Peter 5:7)

You say:        I don’t know what to do.
God says:     “And I will direct your steps.”  (Pro 3:6)

You say:        I don’t have enough faith.
God says:    “I have given everyone a measure of faith.”  (Rom 12:3)

You say:        I’m too tired.
God says:    “I will give you rest.”  (Matt 11:28-30)

You say:        I can’t do it.
God says:    “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” (Phil 4:13)

You say:        I can’t make ends meet.
God says:    “I will supply all your needs.”  (Phil 4:19)

You say:        I can’t handle this.
God says:     “Cast your cares on Me and I will sustain you.”  (Psa 55:22)

You say:        I can’t go on.
God says:     “My grace is sufficient for you.”  (2 Cor 12:9)

You say:        I’m exhausted.
God says:     “Those who wait on Me shall renew their strength.”  (Isa 40:31)

You say:        I’m all alone.
God says:     “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Heb 13:5)

You say:        I am not able.
God says:     “I am able.” (2 Cor 9:8)

You say:        I’m not smart enough.
God says:     “If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask Me for it.”  (James 1:5)

You say:        It’s impossible.
God says:     “What is impossible with men is possible with Me.”  (Luke 18:27)

You say:        I am afraid.
God says:     “I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
(2 Tim 1:7)

You say:       It’s not worth it.
God says:     “You will reap a harvest if you do not give up.”  (Gal 6:9)

You say:        I can’t forgive myself.
God says:     “In Christ, I forgave you.”  (Eph 4:32)

You say:       Nobody loves me.
God says:     “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”  (Jer 31.3)

“Heal me O Lord and I shall be healed, save me and I shall be healed.”  (Jer 17.14)

 

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How to Discern, Test and Judge Rightly

In running a web site with over 900+ articles, thousands of hits per month from all over the world, and hundreds of e-mails per week, I have come to realize, with time, that there is a terrible problem in Christendom today. The problem stems from an existential subjective view of the world that has filtered into the church from secular society, but also from the teachings of heretical wolves who have taught an entire generation of churchgoers completely unbiblical methods of discernment or to get rid of any discernment altogether.

Let me start out this chapter by telling you what methods are being used for “discernment” today that don’t have biblical support, then I will move on to the ways in which the Bible does tell us to test teaching, prophecy and actions.

The following criteria are what many people who call themselves Christians are using to test reality and truth today:

(1) Experiences, manifestations

(2) Feelings, emotions

(3) Numbers of followers

(4) Numbers of people who claim to be saved

(5) The size of a church or movement

(6) Signs and wonders, purported miracles (whether real or false)

(7) Subjective testimonies

(8) Hearsay and rumors

(9) How successful and rich a teacher is

(10) If a person speaks with authority

(11) The atmosphere of a meeting

None of the above criteria being used by many churchgoers today are cited in the Bible as ways we are to test, discern and judge rightly.

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