All Addictions
S
ALVATION
The most important question any of ever face is, What will you do with Jesus? Our eternal salvation depends upon the answer we give. The following are a few things concerning salvation that needs to be realized and done.
- Realize that all have sinned and need a Savior. "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8)
- Repent of sin. "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19).
- Confess your sins to God. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:19). "With the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10).
- Forsake sin. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord...for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7).
- Believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
- Receive Christ into your heart by faith. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12)
- Proclaim Jesus as Lord. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:9; 13)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47)
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6)
"Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:30-31)
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23)
"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Hebrews 10:17)
"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7)
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
SINNER'S PRAYER
UNSAVED LOVED ONES
Unsaved loved ones are of great concern to many Christians. As we pray for these individuals we hold dear, we must pray in faith knowing that God loves them and wants to save them even more than we do. We must commit them to God in faith.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6)
"If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 18:19)
"For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37)
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:31)
"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives" (1 Peter 3:1)
PERSONAL PROBLEMS
Regardless of the circumstances that develop or the reason for them, God can work in our time of need for the good if we truly love and trust Him. (Romans 8:28) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
God can and will help us with the burdens of today. We are not to think about (why burden yourselves with things that have not yet come) tomorrow's problems and borrow those difficulties. (Matthew 6:34) "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Do not concentrate on the problem. Look up and away from it. God is bigger than any of our problems. He can and will easily help us solve them as he stilled the storm for the disciples. A solution will become clear as we pray and believe God and exercise faith.
Scriptures For Personal Problems
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19)
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." (Psalm 55:22)
"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Psalm 118:6)
"The way of the Lord is strength to the upright." (Proverbs 10:29)
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." (Isaiah 40:29)
"I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." (Isaiah 41:13)
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." (Jeremiah 33:3)
"The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits." (Daniel 11:32)
"Let the weak say, I am strong." (Joel 3:10)
"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hind's feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine
high places." (Habakkuk 3:19)
"What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24)
"Behold, I give unto you power....over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
(Luke 10:19)
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or femine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through
him that loved us." (Romans 8:35-37)
"There hath no temptation (problem) taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not
suffer you to be tempted (tested) above that ye are able; but will wish the temptation (problem) also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)
"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:5-6)
DISCOURAGEMENT
Encouragement comes as we trust a loving, forgiving, all-wise Father. He will give us courage and strength. If you are discouraged you must realize that you can rest in God and trust Him. He will fortify and strengthen. God can and will help solve our problems.
Scriptures On Discouragement
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage." (Joshua 1:5-6)
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God." (Psalm 42:11)
"I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place." (Psalm 118:5)
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)
"(Cast) down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and (bring)
into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall kepp your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised) (Hebrews 10:23)
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (Hebrews 10:35-36)
"(Cast) all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
God wants to and can bless us and meet our needs. Some people feel that if a person is to be spiritual he has to be poor. Others present the idea that if one is spiritual he will be rich. Neither extreme is true in every case. The promises of God are for every need to be met and for individuals to prosper and be blessed in the Lord. Some persons are entrusted with great resources as they serve the Lord. The Bible contains many suggestions regarding poverty, riches, giving, prosperity, abundance, and finances.
Scriptures Concerning Financial Matters
(DO Not Ignore The Instructions)
"Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored."
(Proverbs 13:18)
(Be Industrious)
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." (Proverbs 20:4)
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread." (Proverbs 20:13)
(God Will Provide)
"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
(Psalm 37:25)
"My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippian 4:19)
(Seek God and He Will Bless You)
"Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land." (Psalm 37:34)
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto thee."
(Matthew 6:33)
(God Wants To Prosper Us)
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Joshua 1:8)
"Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper." (2 Chronicles 20:20)
"If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures." (Job 36:11)
"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalm 1:3)
"Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant." (Psalm 35:27)
"I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous." (Isaiah 48:15)
"The theif cometh not, but for to steal, and not to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 1:2)
(Give and It Shall Be Given Unto You)
"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that witholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." (Proverbs 11:24)
"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."
(Proverbs 19:17)
"He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse." (Proverbs 28:27)
"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." (Ecclesiastes 11:1)
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38)
"I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
FEAR
Fear has devastating results. It can virtually paralyze an individual and make him helpless. It stops the flow of God's power. Fear is wrong believing. Dependence on God and the right relationship with Him and the daily practice of faith will overcome fear. Sometimes a spirit of fear can oppress an individual. We are told in Ephesians 6:12 "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." In 2 Timothy 1:7 we read that
"God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind." Fear is referred to as a spirit. It is a spiritual power and force that we need to bind and command away in the name of Jesus (Matthew 18:18). We can take authority over spiritual forces and be delivered and set free from the oppressive powers of the enemy. Believing and trusting in the Lord will calm the spirit and relax us. We are told to rest in the Lord. References are made to fearing God, but this is a different kind of fear. It is a revential trust and awe of a Holy God with whom we can commune personally through Jesus Christ. In Him we can have peace and rest and not fear.
Scriptures On Fear
(Overcome Fear by Seeking God)
"I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)
"Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." (Proverbs 1:33)
(Overcome Fear With Positive Faith)
"Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)
"Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you."
(Isaiah 35:3-4)
(Fear Is Not From God)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of the power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
(Fear Brings Bondage)
"The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." (Job 3:25)
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." (Proverbs 29:25)
(God Delivers Us From Fear)
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)
"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day." (Psalm 91:4-5)
"Fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
(We Are Commanded Not To Fear)
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)
"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." (Isaiah 51:7)
ALCOHOL
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE ALCOHOLIC
God's power is sufficient to set you free from alcohol. His grace is sufficent and His strength is available in our weakness. God is His infinite and mercy desires to work redemptively in every life. A person can become a new creature in Christ (2 Corithians 5:17) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new." Victory is ours through Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:57) "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ". God will take control as a person turns over the problems that he has in his life to Him. God's power can be experienced in place of man's weakness. God is here to meet your present need. Forget about the past and do not worry about the future, but trust God for right now and each step of the way. He will help you and guide you.
Scriptures for the Alcoholic
"I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer" (Psalms 40:17)
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalms 46:1)
"He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer." (Psalms 102:17)
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1)
"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." (Proverbs 23:29-32)
"It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted." (Proverbs 31:4-5)
"Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!" (Isaiah 5:11)
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.." (Isaiah 40:31)
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)
"Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!" (Habakkuk 2:15)
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22
"It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." (Romans 14:21)
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" (Ephesians 5:18)
"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
BACKSLIDING
Words of Encouragement
When a person is convicted of failing the Lord and backsliding, he may easily have a sense of severe guilt and condemnation. The Sirit of God moves to convict him of sin, but Satan comes to cause a depressing condemnation and sometimes an individual may feel there is no hope. God in His love and mercy wants to forgive. As the people were told in Hosea 14:4, He will heal their backsliding. As one repents of his sins, God forgives. When God forgives, He forgets and puts those sins under the blood of Jesus and completely away from Him. You must accept this forgiveness and also forgive yourself. The joy and blessings of fellowship with the Lord that have been hindered because of sin can be restored.
Scriptures on Backsliding
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me....Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation" Psalms 51:10;12)
(We suggest that you read the entire book of Psalms)
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7)
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely" (Hosea 14:4)
"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
GRIEF
One of the main causes for severe grief is the death of a loved one. This is a time of loneliness. In times like these we must not question God but place utmost confidence in Him. Tragedy must not be blamed on God; rather, Satan comes to kill, steal, destroy, and take away. Regardless of how bad the circumstances are, God can work redemptively in the situation. His grace is sufficient for us. We may walk through a very deep valley, but we cannot look back. We must press forward and move ahead, and we can come to new mountaintop experiences of God's blessings and experience His glory in new ways. We must trust the Lord completely and commit our futures to Him. He will soothe the heart that is mourning and give comfort. We must learn to continually believe God in the midst of any discouragement, and the peace of His Spirit will overcome that lonliness in which we may be engulfed. God will give us strength and peace. If a person continues in a grief-stricken state of mind, it can sometimes open the way for oppressive forces to put a person in real bondage. Just as in 2 Timothy 1:7 fear is referred to as a spirit, spiritual forces can oppress one with a spirit of grief. This type of oppression needs to be rebuked in the same way as the spirit of fear and these forces bound and commanded away from an individual. God wants us to have His comfort and to walk in His joy and peace.
Scriptures on Grief
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)
"Neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)
"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." (Psalms 32:11)
"The righteous is taken away from the evil to come." (Isaiah 57:1)
"As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you" (Isaiah 66:13)
"Let thy widows trust in me." (Jeremiah 49:11)
"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20)
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)
"Willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)
"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10)
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." (Philippians 4:4)
"I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." ( 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
GUIDANCE
God will direct our lives. He will lead us. This applies in both major and minor life decisions. God tells us that we can come to Him with every choice that is ours and let our requests be made known (Philippians 4:6-7) "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." God knows what is best for us. We cannot always rely on our own understanding. The Spirit of God will gently lead us. If we feel a coercion or undue preasure in some area, it is wise to wait on the Lord. He will prepare the way and open the doors. Of course we can be hindered by Satan in doing God's will, and we need to recognize that and take authority and dominion over the forces of the enemy. We know that the Lord will lead and work things out as we trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6) "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Scriptures on Guidance
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant" (Psalms 25:14)
"Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies." (Psalms 27:11)
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." (Psalms 32:8)
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalms 37:5)
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Psalms 37:23)
"He led them on safely, so that they feared not" (Psalms 78:53)
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight." (Isaiah 42:16)
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:13-15)
GUILT
Many sincere Christians are carrying a very heavy burden of guilt for past sins. Satan wants to keep a person condemned. Often individuals need help in understanding that God has forgiven their past sins and that He cleanses from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." When God forgives our sins He removes then as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalms 103:12) "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." Satan wants people to continue to remember their shortcomings and to dwell upon them; because when they do this, they cannot move forward for God. It is sometimes difficult for people to fully accept and understand that God has forgiven. Also there are times when an individual may have difficulty forgiving himself. Forgiveness must be received and the sin put in the past and forgotten.
GUILT and FORGIVENESS
Because God has forgiven us, we do not have to carry a burden of guilt. But dealing with the area of being forgiven we need to consider forgiveness from another point of view also. We need to forgive others in order to receive forgiveness. Jesus said in teaching His disciples to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12).
Scriptures on Guilt
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalms 103:12)
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
"I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31:34)
"He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
"Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:12)
"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Scriptures on Forgiveness
"If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Matthew 5:23-24)
"If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15)
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22)
"Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32)
"You, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:13)
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:12-13)
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:16-17)
DIVINE HEALING
Healing is from God. The body is endowed with certain properties that causes healing. There are times when practical measures and helps are needed to enable the body to experience well-being. There are also miraculous healings in which the power of God is experienced. In the atoning work of Jesus physical healing is provided (1 Peter 2:24) "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.". as well as salvation for our souls. When Jesus was here on earth He often healed people. On several occasions He asked them if they believed. There were occasions when the individual said, "Yes, Lord"; and He responded by saying, "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:27-29). Jesus went about in the power of the Holy Ghost "doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil" (Acts 10:38). Jesus told His disciples and followers that they could do even greater things as signs would follow (Mark 16:17-18) "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." We can believe God for healing that comes about as process, but also for healing that is miraculous and instantaneous. Many people have experienced the reality of this. Have faith in God. He has complete authority over sickness and disease, and as we release our faith we can receive healing power from God. Jesus often said "Thy faith hath made thee whole" (see Mark 5:34; 10:52; Luke 17:19).
Scriptures on Healing
"If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26)
"Ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." (Exodus 23:25)
"Bless the Lord...who healeth all thy diseases" (Psalms 103:2-3)
"He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalms 107:20)
"He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
"I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after." (Jeremiah 30:17)
"Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth." (Jeremiah 33:6)
"Unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." (Malachi 4:2)
"When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17)
"When he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." (Matthew 10:1)
"Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14)
"They went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." (Mark 6:12-13)
"They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:18)
"There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one." (Acts 5:16)
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10:38)
"The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:14-15)
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 1:2)
MARRIAGE PROBLEMS
The scriptures speak of the wife as being in submission to the husband. He is to exercise a position of spiritual leadership. However, if the husband is unsaved and highly motivated by Satan, there come times when natural roles cannot be followed. A godly wife may live in submission to her unsaved husband, but at some point she have to say no to his way of life. If the husband asks his wife to go with him and commit armed robbery, she must refuse, because such an act is a crime agaist God's higher law. We are to love and obey Him above all others. It is not always easy to know where to draw the line, but lines have to be drawn at some point.
There are also a limit to the cruelty and inhumanity to which individuals can submit. Sometimes it is a submitting to demonic forces. The grace and wisdom God will give (James 1:5) "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." are often needed in helping an individual through these problems. God's will is for marriage to be a wonderful relationship. There are unequally yoked situations which have developed since marriage due to the commitment of one marital partner to Christ. Problems develop, but we need to keep trusting and believing Him.
"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." (Psalms 27:14)
"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." (Psalms 147:3)
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church" (Ephesians 5:22-23)
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it...So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:" (Ephesians 5:25; 28-29)
"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." (Ephesians 5:33)
"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." (1 Peter 3:7)
SMOKING
Smoking is a bad habit. It binds it's victims. It is detrimental to health. It defiles the body which is God's temple. It is an expensive habit. It is something that people need to be delivered from. Take a definite stand against smoking and get into God's Word daily to be built up and strengthened. Spend time in prayer each day, and victory will be yours over this and other bad habits. You can believe God for Victory.
Scriptures on Smoking
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)
"Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:20)
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1)
SUICIDE
It had been reported that over twenty-five thousands people take their lives annually in America alone. Untold thousands of other individuals probably attemt it. When someone threatens to take his own life he is usually seeking help and looking for an understanding heart. An individual may feel he has nothing to live for and say so, and yet subconsciously want to be persuaded that he does have something to live for. A person may feel that no one cares but he wants to hear that someone does.
We know God cares, and the Lord is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Instead of a person throwing his life away, suggest that he give it away to God. In giving his life to God he will come into full realization and fulfillment. God loves everyone and cares for us.
Satan is out to kill and destroy (John 10:10). This is another area in which spiritual forces come in a very oppressive way sometimes to destroy individuals (Ephesians 6:12). There are times when a specific spiritual power is at work and needs to be bound and cast away, because it is seeking to cause the individual to destroy himself. We take authority and dominion over spiritual forces of that kind by exercising our rights and privileges as God's children and using the name of Jesus and His power against them.
Scriptures For Those Threatening Suicide
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalms 46:1)
"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37)
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10)
"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
"My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19)
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25)
"Cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7)
TENSION
Conflicts and preasures of the world can bring about tension. Tension, an evidence of a lack of trust in an all-powerful God, restricts our creative powers and is harmful to health.God's Word contains exhortations for us to rest and trust in Him. As we release worrisome matters to the Lord, He can begin to work in the situations. Sometimes even in the midst of difficulties, if we can praise Him it will release His blessings and power and our own tension.
Believe God and start thanking Him for His love, grace, and help. God in His love is wanting to bless us as we rest in Him.
There needs to be discipline and focusing of attention on the things of God. The mind must be disciplined to avoid conflict and stress. These things drain one of energy. Thinking on the things of God can renew our strength (Isaiah 40:28-31) "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Scriptures for Tension
"My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest" (Exodus 33:14)
"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27)
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalms 27:1)
"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord" (Psalms 27:13-14)
"The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace" Psalms 29:11)
"Fret not thyself...Trust in the Lord...Commit thy way unto the Lord...Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass" (Psalms 37:1-7)
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation" (Isaiah 12:2)
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31)
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)
"In him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28)
"Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2)
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5)
"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" (Philippians 4:6-7)
The Bottom Line:These Words are that "Water Of Life" unto You Just as Jesus Christ is stting right next to You right now whispering every thing in Your ears and heart today. It's the "Living Testimony that's been commissioned simply because He's the Author and it's only Him that absolutely quenches everyones thirst in one's own soulas a desire that only He shall lift before each of us daily. Take heeds unto Jesus Christ in His abundence of Grace and mercy . Allow His blood wash you that goes down very deeply unto your soul, mind, body in giving place to a brand new YOU! He's The Alpha & Omega in His Sovereign God that lives forever more. catcmo2006
posted by Anonymous @ 7:23 AM
