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May 28

The Holy Spirit Is Always Available

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IF YOU THEN, THOUGH YOU ARE EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO YOUR CHILDREN, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM
(Luke 11:13).

I bless you to receive the Gift your Father in Heaven wants to give you, today—the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO IS IN YOU, WHOM YOU HAVE RECEIVED FROM GOD? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN
(1 Corinthians 6:19).

Celebrate that your Father’s Gift, the Holy Spirit, came to reside in you.  The Holy Spirit, the Counselor, who will teach you all things, came to make His home in you, so He may be available, all the time, to supply everything you need for life and holiness!

After you have received God’s Gift to you, you do not need to summon God out of Heaven to come and help you in your state of hopelessness.  You do not need to fetch the Light to come and shine on your darkness.  You do not need to call God into action to bring Truth into your deceptive mind.

All you need to do is enter into the Truth that is in the Spirit of Truth…who abides in you.  All you need to do is expose your darkness to the Light of the Holy Spirit…who is in you.  All you need to do is embrace the Hope that is available through the Holy Spirit…in you. You will never be alone, again, to face life on your own.

AND I WILL ASK THE FATHER, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COUNSELOR TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER
(John 14:16).

What is it that you need today: is it Hope…is it Peace…is it Comfort?

Receive what you need from your Father’s Gift—the Holy Spirit.  Then, draw from the Love God pours into your heart through the Holy Spirit.  Embrace the Truth the Holy Spirit provides.  Harvest the Counsel of the Counselor, who comes from God.  Come into the Hope the Holy Spirit supplies…in you.

PRAYER: Thank you, Most High, for Your Gift, the Holy Spirit, who came to provide everything I need for life and godliness, in me. I come to receive Your Gift of Righteousness, Joy, and Peace, today, so I may have a Counselor to be with me forever.

Maintain an Awareness

When you pray and lay your problem before God, give Him the freedom to answer you in any way He wants to, according to His great Mercy and Grace. Push your own preconceived answers aside. Then, HIS Answer will enter your mind and heart.

The Two Counsels

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May 27

Your Father’s Gift to You

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IF YOU THEN, THOUGH YOU ARE EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO YOUR CHILDREN, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM
(Luke 11:13)!

Be encouraged by the extraordinary Gift you have received from your Father in Heaven—the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU; AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
(Acts 1:8).

Precious One, take notice that the Holy Spirit gives birth to Power—a Power that can do immeasurably more than you can ever ask or imagine.  But you have an obligation—to stop living by your own human strength; but instead, to invite the Power of the Holy Spirit to live in you and through you.

AND HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT US, BECAUSE GOD HAS POURED OUT HIS LOVE INTO OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM HE HAS GIVEN US
(Romans 5:5).

Beloved, know that I, your Everlasting Father, have made My Love available to you through My Gift, the Holy Spirit.  But you have an obligation—to stop living by the limited love that resides in your own self-nature; but instead, to invite the endless Love of the Holy Spirit to love through you.

FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT A MATTER OF EATING AND DRINKING, BUT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Romans 14:17).

Beautiful Child, understand that the Holy Spirit, My Gift to you, can furnish you with Righteousness, Peace, and Joy.  But you have an obligation—to stop harboring doom, dread, and despair in your heart; but instead, allow these abominations to be exchanged for the Righteousness, Peace, and Joy of the Holy Spirit.

YOU STIFF-NECKED PEOPLE, WITH UNCIRCUMCISED HEARTS AND EARS! YOU ARE JUST LIKE YOUR FATHERS: YOU ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Acts 7:51).

Are you trying to love someone with your own limited love? Are you striving to be the best person you can possibly be? Are you trying to acquire peace for your anxiety? Are you resisting the Holy Spirit?

Realize that the peace that resides in your own self-nature does not measure up.  Your righteousness is not valid.  Your truth is counterfeit.  Your love falls short.  Ask your Father for His Gift—the Holy Spirit—and all these qualities will be poured directly into your heart.

PRAYER: Perfect Father, You said I should ask for Your Gift, the Holy Spirit. So, today, I ask for Him. Please anoint me with Your Gift of Power, Love, Peace, and Joy.

Maintain an Awareness

Obedient surrender consists of three steps: EMBRACING, EXPOSING, and giving permission to be EXCHANGED.

The Two Counsels

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May 26

Joy through the Holy Spirit

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There is something in this life we all desire more than anything.  We all desire JOY!

There is something, or rather Someone in my life that brings me tremendous JOY.  It is TRUTH.  Nothing brings me more JOY than receiving the TRUTH—TRUTH through the SPIRIT OF TRUTH.

BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH. HE WILL NOT SPEAK ON HIS OWN; HE WILL SPEAK ONLY WHAT HE HEARS, AND HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT IS YET TO COME
(John 16:13).

Nothing makes me as sad…as miserable…as joyless as living in deception, believing the lies of the father-of-lies—beliefs of doom, dread, and despair. During times like these I feel insignificant, that I do not count, and that I am not special.

FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT A MATTER OF EATING AND DRINKING, BUT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Romans 14:17).

I bless you to know that you are dependent on the SPIRIT OF TRUTH to receive TRUTH…and TRUTH will produce JOY.  TRUTH is not an attribute of human nature.  TRUTH is a Gift from the SPIRIT OF TRUTH.  Without it, you live in deception.  Without it, the father-of-lies reigns in your life.  Without it, there is no JOY.

BUT STEPHEN, FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN AND SAW THE GLORY OF GOD, AND JESUS STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD
(Acts 7:55).

 Like Stephen, may you be filled with the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, so you may see the glory of God in your life, instead of doom, dread, and despair. May you receive JOY!

The Apostle Paul proclaimed, “I HAVE NO GREATER JOY THAN TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN WALK IN TRUTH”
(3 John 1:4).

Are you sad…miserable…joyless?

You need Truth for the beliefs of doom, dread, and despair you are carrying in your heart—Truth that comes from the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for Your GIFT—the Holy Spirit—that leads us out of the negative, destructive beliefs of doom, dread, and despair into all Truth. I desire to walk in the Truth of Your Spirit, so I may have the Joy of the Holy Spirit in my heart.

Maintain an Awareness

There is someone who came to bring Heaven to earth, into your troubled heart, into your dark mind, into your dead spirit, into your disease-ridden body, and into your broken life. His name is Jesus Christ, the Perfect Father’s Son.

The Two Counsels

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May 19

Be Patient…Joyful…Faithful

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BE…PATIENT IN AFFLICTION
(Romans 12:12).

I bless you to be patient in affliction…adversity…distress.  Wait patiently for God to deliver you from your torment.  Do not become impatient and turn to evil, harmful ways, or destruction, for “those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction” (Job 36:15).

BE…FAITHFUL IN PRAYER
(Romans 12:12).

I bless you to be faithful in prayer, during your affliction.  Call upon the God of all Comfort instead of wallowing in your sadness.  Appeal to the God who takes care of your yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows, instead of drowning in anxiety.  Cry out to the God whose Power is sufficient, instead of being destroyed by your own weakness.  When you feel faint, whisper these words, in faith: “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice” (Psalm 55:17).

BE JOYFUL IN HOPE
(Romans 12:12).

I bless you to be joyful in Hope, because Hope will not disappoint you.  Expect God’s Answer with confidence.  Await God’s Solution with anticipation.  Look forward to God’s Provision with gladness.  Therefore, “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

THEN YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU
(Matthew 6:6).

How do you respond to affliction…adversity…distress? Are you patient, waiting for God to speak to you and deliver you? Are you faithful in prayer, believing that God hears your voice? Are you joyful in Hope, trusting that God will do what He promised?

When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He was perfectly patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, and joyful in Hope. God sent the Spirit of Jesus to live in your heart. Let Him teach you these virtues from the inside out.

PRAYER: Thank you, Perfect Father, that You sent the Spirit of Your Son into my heart to teach me to be patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, and joyful in Hope.  How good to know that I do not have to master these skills by my own strength, but that I can allow You to live these qualities in me and through me.

Maintain an Awareness

And after we have sucked others empty and they have nothing more to give, we turn to distraction and destruction to ease the excruciating pain that oozes from our hearts…because we still believe we do not matter.

The Two Counsels

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May 14

To See Face to Face

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WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME. NOW WE SEE BUT A POOR REFLECTION AS IN A MIRROR; THEN WE SHALL SEE FACE TO FACE. NOW I KNOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, EVEN AS I AM FULLY KNOWN
(1 Corinthians 13:11-12).

For a long time in my life, I carried the belief around in my mind that I did not matter.  When things would go wrong in my life, hopelessness and sadness would enter my heart, causing me to say out-loud, “It does not matter, because I do not matter.”

HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, NOT HOLDING TO THE TRUTH, FOR THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. WHEN HE LIES, HE SPEAKS HIS NATIVE LANGUAGE, FOR HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES
(John 8:44).

One day, I followed the emotion of sadness that accompanied the belief that I did not matter and traced it back to a childhood memory.  I was six years old and awakened one night by loud laughter, coming from the kitchen.  I got out of bed to see what was going on and found my sister talking and laughing loudly with the rest of the family.  I asked her to be quiet so I could sleep, but she ignored me.  Right at that moment, I adopted the false childhood conclusion from the father-of-lies: “I do not matter.” And that interpretation carried over into my adulthood, causing me to think like a child and talk like a child.

WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH
(John 16:13).

Tired of feeling that I do not matter, I finally confronted this painful belief and surrendered it to the Spirit of Truth.  Then, God’s Spirit showed me the Truth: how much my sister loved me…that I was her best friend…that I still am loved by her and am very special to her, even though she is now in Heaven.  From then on, the false childhood conclusion “I do not matter” disappeared from my life.

What childhood conclusion has been causing you to think like a child and talk like a child? Do you still remember the original memory where you adopted this belief from the father-of-lies?

Do you want to stop thinking like a child and start reasoning like an adult? This will only happen when your childhood conclusions change. Therefore, surrender the childhood conclusion that are causing you to think like a child to the Lord Jesus. Then, when you fully know the Truth, you will start to reason like an adult.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I lay my childhood conclusions at Your feet in exchange for Your Truth.

Maintain an Awareness

Discipline yourself to get Understanding.

The Two Counsels

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Hopeless Sad Worthless

May 12

Light in Your Darkness

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Over the years, I have experienced intense darkness in my life: severe sadness…deep despair…piercing pain.  During times like these, I would try to shine some light onto my darkness and strive to get rid of the fear…the rejection…the unworthiness, but to no avail.  The darkness prevailed.  No amount of light I shone on it would make a difference.

WHOSE MINDS THE GOD OF THIS AGE HAS BLINDED, WHO DO NOT BELIEVE, LEST THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD, SHOULD SHINE ON THEM
(2 Corinthians 4:4).

For the longest time, I never knew there was a different Light available for my darkness. You see, the father-of-lies had blinded our minds for fear that we would find out about the Glory of Christ that is able to shine on our darkness…and turn on the Light inside us.

BUT THE MINISTRY JESUS HAS RECEIVED IS AS SUPERIOR TO THEIRS AS THE COVENANT OF WHICH HE IS MEDIATOR IS SUPERIOR TO THE OLD ONE, AND IT IS FOUNDED ON BETTER PROMISES
(Hebrews 8:6).

The ministry of the Glory of Jesus is superior to anything you and I will ever come across.  It is the only ministry that has the Power to remove my and your darkness…and replace it with Light.

THE MYSTERY THAT HAS BEEN KEPT HIDDEN FOR AGES AND GENERATIONS, BUT IS NOW DISCLOSED TO THE SAINTS. TO THEM GOD HAS CHOSEN TO MAKE KNOWN AMONG THE GENTILES THE GLORIOUS RICHES OF THIS MYSTERY, WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY
(Colossians 1:26-27).

Finally, the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages was disclosed to my heart—“Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.” The Light of Christ’s Glory has canceled the darkness of depression and despair in my mind and in my heart, in exchange for His Light of Love, Truth, and Hope, in me.  This is still an ongoing process, every day.  Whenever darkness enters my mind and heart, I surrender it to the Light of Christ’s Glory…and watch the darkness driven out by His Light.

What name would you give the darkness that prevails in your life: depression…despair…doom?

I bless you to stop striving to drive out your own darkness. Instead, turn to Jesus—your Hope of Glory! Ask Him to turn His Light on in your darkness. You will experience a miracle.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are my Hope of Glory. Your ministry of Glory is superior to everything and everyone. I invite You to shine Your Glory on the darkness in my heart, so the Light may turn on. Hallowed be Your Name!

Maintain an Awareness

Each time we hear from God, we are changed…or rather EXCHANGED, for the Words He speaks are Spirit and are Life.

The Two Counsels
May 09

Everything That Hinders

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FOR WE WHO ARE ALIVE ARE ALWAYS BEING GIVEN OVER TO DEATH FOR JESUS’ SAKE, SO THAT HIS LIFE MAY BE REVEALED IN OUR MORTAL BODY
(2 Corinthians 4:11).

I have realized recently how many times a day Self, the OLD ME character the father-of-lies has shaped in me, needs to be given over to death, so that the Life of Jesus might be revealed through my actions and reactions.

There are so many opportunities in my daily life where I have a choice to give Self over to death, for Jesus’ sake.  There are the times when my Self feels threatened by other people’s successes.  There are the times when my OLD ME character feels attacked by other people’s selfishness.  There are the times when I feel discouraged, alone, and afraid. The sin that lives in Self so easily hinders and entangles.

The other day I felt my Self cancelled by someone’s selfish remarks. When I took the pain of feeling annulled and deleted to the Lord Jesus, He answered, “But your Self DOES need to be cancelled, so that I may live in you. Stop defending your Self…and let it die.”

LET US THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS
AND THE SIN THAT SO EASILY ENTANGLES,
AND LET US RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE THE RACE MARKED OUT FOR US
(Hebrews 12:1).

I bless you to throw off everything that hinders the Life of the Lord Jesus being revealed in your actions and reactions, even if it means that your Self gets knocked off its throne.

What will it take for you to stop defending your OLD ME…and let it die? Are you willing to allow the Lord Jesus to use another person’s selfishness to delete, annul, or cancel your Self?

Know that the only way to give Self over to death is to give Self over to JESUS, every day, a hundred times a day, whenever it is provoked.  JESUS IS YOUR SAVIOR.  All authority has been given to Him.  He is the only one who has the power to tie the noose around Self and its sinful habits and patterns.  Since there is only space for one or the other in your body, will you allow Jesus to get rid of Self and put HIMSELF in its place?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, let me run with perseverance the race marked out for me. Help me to realize that each person’s race is customized and that I cannot run another person’s race for her/him and that another person cannot run my race for me. I surrender my Self to You—the OLD ME with its sin that so often hinders and entangles. Knock it off its throne, Lord God, and take Your rightful place on the throne in my heart.

Maintain an Awareness

When your heart hurts, both the Lord Jesus and the father-of-lies stand ready to lead you out of that pain to a solution.

The Two Counsels
May 08

Cut the Ropes that Hold Your Life Patterns

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SO THE SOLDIERS CUT THE ROPES THAT HELD THE LIFEBOAT AND LET IT FALL AWAY
(Acts 27:32).

I bless you today to consider cutting the ropes that are holding your lifeboat of sinful defense mechanisms afloat…and let it fall away.

Cut the ropes that are keeping your sinful Self alive.  Know that Self loves to sulk, spending time in dejection and hopelessness when things don’t go its way.  Self is not self-controlled, but often surrenders to uncontrolled anger and rage when it is provoked.  Self reacts to its deceitful desires with patterns of over-indulgence, mind-reading, and forsaking its tasks whenever it is aroused. Self has gone astray, heeding the lies of the father-of-lies.

HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS; BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED. FOR YOU WERE LIKE SHEEP GOING ASTRAY, BUT NOW YOU HAVE RETURNED TO THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF YOUR SOULS
(1 Peter 2:24-25).

Do not keep your sinful Self with its deceitful desires alive, but return to the Overseer of your soul.  The Lord Jesus bore your sins on the cross, so you might die to Self’s sinful defense mechanisms, and allow the Righteousness of Jesus to live through you.

THEREFORE, RID YOURSELVES OF ALL MALICE AND ALL DECEIT, HYPOCRISY, ENVY, AND SLANDER OF EVERY KIND. LIKE NEWBORN BABIES, CRAVE PURE SPIRITUAL MILK, SO THAT BY IT YOU MAY GROW UP IN YOUR SALVATION, NOW THAT YOU HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GOOD
(1 Peter 2:1-3).

Therefore, allow the Lord Jesus to rid you of your sinful Self, who is full of malice and deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that your Perfect Father has sent the Lord Jesus to become your Righteousness in place of your Self.

What does your sinful Self look like? Which sinful defense mechanisms are keeping your sinful Self alive?

What will it take for you to cut the ropes—the sinful defense mechanisms —that are keeping your sinful Self alive? The Lord Jesus is waiting to give His Life of Righteousness to you in the place of Self. When will you accept His offer?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, bring me to the place where I will cut the ropes that are keeping my sinful Self alive. I long for You to fully live in my heart, in the place of my Self, so that I may grow up in my salvation.

Maintain an Awareness

Discipline, the training to enter God’s Holiness, cannot be exercised AFTER we have already entered a route of escape to resort to a sinful solution.

The Two Counsels
May 04

Restore with Gentleness

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BROTHERS, IF SOMEONE IS CAUGHT IN A SIN, YOU WHO ARE SPIRITUAL SHOULD RESTORE HIM GENTLY. BUT WATCH YOURSELF, OR YOU ALSO MAY BE TEMPTED
(Galatians 6:1).

I bless you with a special anointing to restore…to restore with gentleness.

I encourage you to think of someone you know who is weary and weak—someone who might be trapped in the lies of the father-of-lies.  Take note that you can be of great help and comfort to your friend by being willing to restore him…gently.

Understand that when someone is trapped in a lie, he might behave irrationally.  He might express anger.  He might show jealousy.  He might breathe animosity.  However, regardless of the behavior he displays on the outside, deep in his heart he feels hopeless…helpless…powerless.  Therefore, he hungers for Love—God’s Love.  He hungers for God’s Hope, God’s Truth, and God’s Peace.

HE GIVES STRENGTH TO THE WEARY AND INCREASES THE POWER OF THE WEAK
(Isaiah 40:29).

Grasp that often, when someone is lying with his face in the dust, he is not able to reach God’s outstretched hand of Love, Hope, and Truth.  Recognize that the heavy burden of hopelessness, helplessness, and powerlessness paralyzes a person and can prevent him from looking up into God’s face. Sometimes, a person might need someone to pick him up. Are you willing to extend your hand…and your heart?

ARISE [FROM THE DEPRESSION AND PROSTRATION IN WHICH CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE KEPT YOU—RISE TO A NEW LIFE]! SHINE (BE RADIANT WITH THE GLORY OF THE LORD), FOR YOUR LIGHT HAS COME, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAS RISEN UPON YOU!
(Isaiah 60:1).

Do you know of someone who is lying face down in the dust, feeling hopeless, helpless, and powerless under the lies of the father-of-lies?

Stoop down with gentleness and pick your friend up.  Do not condemn, criticize, or control.  These are sinful behavior patterns that only ease your own pain.  Instead, encourage, bless, and understand. Then, you will witness a miracle. You will see your friend arise from the prostration in which circumstances have kept him…to take God’s Hand.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, fill my heart with Your Gentleness, Your Kindness, and Your Understanding.  Fill my heart with Your Nature, so I may restore those who have fallen face down into the dust. Help me to only see the other person’s pain and not react to my own. Work Your Righteousness in me, so I may restore others with blessings and understanding instead of criticism, condemnation, and control.

Maintain an Awareness

Our relationship with God is not just one-sided—us praying to God. When we pray, God also needs to talk to us…and He WANTS to.

The Two Counsels
April 27

The Birth of Sin

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WHEN TEMPTED, NO ONE SHOULD SAY, ‘GOD IS TEMPTING ME.’ FOR GOD CANNOT BE TEMPTED BY EVIL, NOR DOES HE TEMPT ANYONE
(James 1:13).

 God does not tempt you.  Your temptations are not coming from God.  They have another origin.

BUT EACH ONE IS TEMPTED WHEN, BY HIS OWN EVIL DESIRE, HE IS DRAGGED AWAY AND ENTICED
(James 1:14).

I bless you to understand that, today, you are being tempted by the same shame—I fall short—that the father-of-lies had embedded in your mind, since childhood.  Grasp that, presently, you are being tempted by the same condemnation—I am bad—that the father-of-lies had infused in your mind as a child.  Know that, every day, you are being tempted by the same abandonment and rejection—I have been pushed aside—that the father-of-lies had lodged in your mind, in the past.

Realize that the father-of-lies tempts you, over and over, with these same painful childhood conclusions, so he could lure you into his sinful solutions: to hide from the shame, run from the condemnation, and blame others for abandoning and rejecting you.

THEN, AFTER DESIRE HAS CONCEIVED, IT GIVES BIRTH TO SIN; AND SIN, WHEN IT IS FULL-GROWN, GIVES BIRTH TO DEATH
(James 1:15).

Capture that if you accept and believe the painful beliefs of shame, condemnation, rejection, and abandonment that the father-of-lies had injected in your mind, as a child, you will be tempted to react to these beliefs and give birth to sin.  And after you have followed the father-of-lies into the sinful solutions that cover the pain of these negative childhood beliefs, sin will give birth to death, every day of your life, here on earth.

BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO PERSEVERES UNDER TRIAL, BECAUSE WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE THAT GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM
(James 1:12).

Have you ever wondered why you run to harmful habits? What negative childhood beliefs sit underneath the pain that drives you to hurt yourself or others? Why do you believe these beliefs? Did you know that they come from the father-of-lies, and are meant to draw you into his sinful solutions?

You have a choice: to accept your negative childhood conclusions as the truth and run to sinful solutions to still the pain they cause you…or to yield them to God’s Truth and be delivered from them. Thus, when you have stood the test, you will receive Life…every day, here on this earth.

PRAYER: Lord God, I come to You to receive the crown of Life which You have promised to those who persevere under trial—to those who do not follow the father-of-lies into sinful solutions to cover their pain of shame, abandonment, rejection, and condemnation.

Maintain an Awareness

How much of our misbehavior sprouts from trying to PROVE that we are acceptable, worthy, loved, and wanted, because the OLD MAN character, conveniently formed in us by the father-of-lies, christened us unacceptable, unworthy, unloved, and unwanted?

The Two Counsels