Day #55

Your love never fails

It never gives up

It never runs out on me

Thank You God!

Try the A-C-T-S approach to praying that we learned last week.  BTW- this is not the only way to pray… just one way.

A-Adoration

C-Confession

T-Thanks

S-Supplication (Praying for others specifically)

Do you remember the conflicts that were mentioned from last weeks lessons?

3 conflicts that we have been learning:

1.    The world is against God

2.    The flesh is against the Holy Spirit

3.    The devil is against Jesus

NOTE: Always remember the following.  Jesus DID WIN the battle against Satan when He died on the cross, which allowed God’s creation to be reconciled to Him if they chose to believe and follow.  However, Satan’s desire is to deceive the lost from ever coming to Christ and to deceive Christians from ever becoming effective for spreading the GOSPEL (story of Jesus).

During times of testing we need to…

1.    Submit to God (v. 7)

2.    Draw near to God (v. 8)

3.    Humble ourselves before God (v. 9-10)

Please read James 4:9-10.

What is the last of the 3 ways to overcome in times of testing?  Yes!  Humble yourself before God.

QUESTION:  Is it possible to submit to GOD (get into proper rank) outwardly, and yet not be humbled inwardly?  In other words, can you physically obey and not feel like doing it at the same time?  YES!!  It happens a lot for us, doesn’t it?  This is PRIDE in the heart of a believer.

Please read Proverbs 6:16-17.

What 7 things does the Lord hate?  Take note of what thing is listed first.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

PRIDE is listed at the very beginning of Proverbs 6:16-17.  God hates the sin of pride.  He will discipline the proud believer consistently until he is humbled.  God disciplines those that He loves.

Please read James 4:9-10 one more time.

Wonder why God would want mourning instead of laughter and gloom instead of joy?  Seems strange doesn’t it.  Well, this is a message to the pride in a believer. 

Sometimes we treat our sin too lightly.  We sin, and then we reluctantly do as we ought to… we apologize or go make right the wrong, but inside there is no humility… no sense of brokenness.  Sometimes we spew out the apology in anger.  Sometimes we make excuses for what we do.  Sometimes we laugh about the sin and use phrases like “the devil made me do it,” “my bad,” or “oh, well.”  We tend to treat the sin too lightly.

The mark of true humility is facing the seriousness of sin and disobedience.  Read Psalm 51:17.

To pray for humility is a dangerous thing, for the Lord will answer with situation after situation to teach us humility.  Wouldn’t it be far better to respectfully fear HOLY GOD’s power in this very thing, and simply go ahead and humble yourself, confess your sins, weep over them, and turn from them?  Can we humble ourselves?  YES!!!!!

Read…

Isaiah 66:2

Psalm 34:18

SUBMIT to God (v.7)

DRAW NEAR to God (v.8)

HUMBLE YOURSELF before God (v.9-10)

If we obey these instructions, God will draw near, cleanse us, forgive us; and the wars within us will cease.  We won’t be at war with God because we won’t be at war with ourselves.  This also means we won’t be at war with other people. 

Read Isaiah 32:17 and Isaiah 9:6.

TARGET of the DAY

Pray