“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  (Romans 12:1-2 KJV)

Constantly make adjustments

The problem with “living sacrifices” is they keep crawling off the altar! In other words, to be a living sacrifice you must continually work at getting back into the “living sacrifice” position, which is to constantly make adjustments to your attitude and your own way of thinking about things, by continually putting yourself back where you are allowing yourself to be used by God; By giving him “your reasonable service”, always adjusting your thinking to His thinking, and always bringing your life and will into alignment with what His Word says!

Necessary course corrections 

I remember hearing a story a few years ago describing the first astronaut’s trip to the moon. Apparently, they were just shot upwards towards the moon’s general direction, and then they had to continually make necessary course adjustments along the way to make it possible for them to finally arrive there. They said the trip was very zig-zaggy. In the same way, we must continually make necessary adjustments in our faith journey, and, we will eventually arrive where we need to be!

The great news is that it will change your life when you do!

When you take His Word, what God says about anything, then apply your faith to it, and adjust your own thinking to conform instead to His thinking, you are able to then transform your mind! Your thinking will become like His, and through your new way of thinking, you will come to realize, understand, and even prove, God’s good and perfect will for your life! This is why it’s so very important to work hard at changing the way you think! Again, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” It will transform your life!

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“This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NLT)

In my early years, I was a nightclub performer

My nights were filled with loud music, smoke filled rooms, alcohol and much of the negatives that went along with the lifestyle. Because I got so many free drinks while playing music, I drank too much and eventually developed a chemical dependency. I became an alcoholic! My life was a mess! It was only through the grace of God that I “accidentally” discovered the answer one evening. While partying and drinking with some friends I found a small gospel pamphlet in a glove compartment while looking for matches to light a cigarette. The words in the little booklet explained how Jesus had died for our sins and it explained how to pray a simple prayer of faith to receive Jesus. And I did. And it worked!

My life was instantly and dramatically changed!

I eventually went into full time ministry, began attending Bible college, married a Christian woman, and started a family.

Several years later we were on vacation in Los Angeles and I decided to stop and visit a former nightclub friend who was still in the business. I was hoping that I might get an opportunity to share Christ with them.

They were very happy to see me and invited us to go see them perform that evening, which happened to be the very nightclub where I had last performed!

I did not want to go! But, I didn’t want to sound rude

So, instead of turning them down flat when they invited us, I turned to my beautiful wife, Susan, and said “what do you want to do, honey?”, believing sincerely that she would say “no” because she had never been inside any place that served liquor.

To my complete shock, she said, “Okay, dear, whatever you want to do.”

I was flabbergasted but tried not to show it! They insisted that we ride with them because it “made sense to take just one car”. But, it also meant that we would be stuck in a nightclub for the entire evening!

My fears were realized! 

When we arrived at the club, it was exactly how I remembered and feared it would be! Loud music, “colorful” language, smoke-filled room, dancing and booze!

I was numb and didn’t know what to do 

As the evening went by, I sat there feeling completely defeated! Everything that I had left behind was once again all around me! And, I had brought my young, innocent, wife into it! I felt terrible!

 I wanted Susan to forgive me!

About halfway through the terrible evening, I leaned over and spoke softly into Susan’s ear. I said, “Honey, can you ever forgive me for bringing you to a place like this?” And, she replied just loud enough for only me to hear what she said, “Have you forgotten who we are in Jesus?”

Gentle words made a powerful difference!

I had forgotten! But now her gentle words had reminded me of God’s promise, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NLT).”

Suddenly I felt different

I felt a renewed confidence. It didn’t matter where we found ourselves to be that evening, the promise of God’s presence, and “who we are in Jesus”, was true! And as soon as I realized that truth, everything changed for me for the rest of the evening! Even though everything around us remained exactly the same, it was no longer a problem.

I felt empowered!

In fact, I was now able to share freely with people around me about my changed life, how it had happened, about Jesus, and what I was now doing in ministry among youth! The rest of the evening turned into a wonderful, unexpected, sharing opportunity! And all because I was reminded of God’s wonderful promise, “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go”.

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“If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:4-5 NKJV)

Don’t make it too difficult!

People sometimes tell me that they can’t understand the Bible so they don’t read it. I tell them that they are making it too hard. They should just read it a little at a time and then think about what they have read. It helps, too, to ask God for wisdom and understanding as they read.

My brother, David, loved to search for hidden treasure. He had a great metal detector that he used to comb parks and beaches. His metal detector could detect certain kinds of metals buried at different depths of the ground. When he found something, (the detector would beep) he would dig to get it.

Search for hidden treasure!

In a similar way, the Bible says to search the scripture like searching for hidden treasure, then “you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God” (Wow, what a huge promise!) I look for some specific things when I read the Bible such as: sins to forsake, promises to claim, examples to follow, commands to obey, and stumbling blocks or errors to avoid. When reading a passage of Scripture I don’t find all of these things in every verse I read but I always find some of these things. It’s fun and rewarding to search for them, to find them, and then to apply them personally. 

Put on your “spiritual glasses”

I use a simple Bible study method that helps me “search for hidden treasure” while reading the Bible. In each verse or passage that I read I “put on my spiritual “specs” (glasses) and I then look for these specific things.

SPECS

• S – Sins to forsake.

• P – Promises to claim

• E – Examples to follow  

• C – Commands to obey

• S – Stumbling blocks or errors to avoid.

This is how I am able to find so many exciting promises in the Bible!

Therefore…

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;” (Heb. 10:23)

“so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb. 6:12)

“For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,” (Rom. 4:16)

“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” (Acts 2:39)

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“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

You cannot please Him unless you believe this!

The wonderful promise here is that God rewards you for simply believing that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. God says this is a part of faith and that you cannot please him unless you believe this. It’s amazing how many people choke on this promise because they think of themselves negatively and don’t think that they deserve to be rewarded by God.

It’s about God’s unmerited favor!

But notice that grace is never about being deserving. It’s about God’s unmerited favor towards his children. And, just think about it for a moment from the standpoint of being a parent. We love to give to our children because we love them. Not because they are deserving.

Therefore…

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” (Prov. 3:1-4 ESV)

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17 ESV)

“For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12 ESV) 

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 ESV)

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“A merry heart does good like medicine.” (Prov. 17:22 NKJV)

It does a body good! 

A medical report I heard about recently said that depression actually suppresses the immune system and makes a person sick! So depression is a dangerous thing to allow into your life! DON’T ALLOW IT! It’s destructive! It’s satanic. It’s not from God! But, the good news is that a “merry heart is like medicine” and does a body good!

Here’s what I do!

Whenever I feel any kind of “heaviness or depressiveness” trying to attack me, I use that feeling as a trigger (a reminder) to praise God! The Bible says that “God inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3). When you praise him, He enters into your situation and that solves the depression problem! In another place in the Bible, Is. 61:3, we’re again told to put on a “garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness.” And it absolutely works to destroy the enemy’s depression attack! It’s impossible to have any kind of depression and also to have God in the same place! It’s a powerful truth and a wonderful promise that works every time!

Therefore…

 “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1 KJV).

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 NIV)

Many times in Scripture we are commanded to not be anxious about anything. Why would God ever command us to do anything that we could not control?

God enables you to do it!

I am also reminded of other promises such as “when we are weak, he is strong” (2nd Cor. 12:10), and his strength is made perfect in our weakness” (2nd Cor. 12:9), and even “I can do all things through Christ Jesus which strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13), In other words, God sends his help and strength to enable you to accomplish what he commands you to do!

This promise comes with instructions!

And, as many times you see in the Word of God, instructions are included along with the commands and promises. And, that is true here with this command to not be anxious about anything. “By prayer (speak to God about it) and petition (ask God for help about it) with thanksgiving (Thank God for the answer for it) present your requests to God (anything and everything about it, put in the form of direct requests to God about it). And, with this promise, God tells you what will happen if you follow and do the simple instructions in the verse, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Fear is not from God!

Finally, remember that anxiety is fear and fear is not from God! (2 Tim. 1:7), It is an attack against you from the devil. But, God promises to “guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus!” The battle is fought and won in your mind and it’s wonderful to know that He has you covered!

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“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Eph. 3:20 NKJV)

I don’t always remember

I don’t know about you, but when I think about it, I can “think” about a lot of things that I could actually “ask” for. But, truthfully, I don’t always remember to “think” or to “ask” for any stuff. And, quite frankly, I no longer EVER ask God for anything that I “need” because it isn’t necessary for me to do so. Why should I ask Him for something that He has clearly promised to take care of already?

He SHALL supply ALL your need!

It says very plainly in God’s Word, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 NKJV) It doesn’t say He “maybe shall supply my need”. Or, if He does “it will be determined by the state of the economy”, or, “according to the prime lending rate!” He said he SHALL supply it, So, it is unnecessary for me to ask for what he has clearly promised me in His Word. So, again, I never ask him to supply my need. Instead, I thank Him for supplying them! (And, of course, he ALWAYS does!) I am very grateful that I never need to worry about these things!

So, what then do I ask Him for you may wonder?

I ask him for things that I WANT! Jesus said that we should come to God just like little children do (Matt. 18:3). If you have children you will notice that they don’t normally ask you for a “need” because they rightfully know that you, as their parent, will take care of it for them. In fact, they never seem to give “needs” a thought. But, they sure don’t hesitate for a moment to ask you for things that they “want”! And, when they have a good attitude, you love to bless them with what they ask for. Most parents do!

According to the power that works within us!

Now, I really love the last part of the promise that says that he gives “above all that we could ask or think according to the power that works within us!” Wow!! When you think of all that implies! God has given us much power, and it is within us, to do what we need to do! In fact, brace yourself for this, “the same power that raised Christ from the dead, is within you!” (Rom. 8:11). Knowing and believing this fact should be a great encouragement and faith builder for you! And nothing is then impossible for you!

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“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom.8:32 NIV)

The highest price paid

What God has made available for us for free wasn’t free for Him! In fact the price paid was the highest amount ever paid for anything that was ever purchased throughout all of history, and it is impossible for that fact to ever change, because the price that was paid was the precious blood of God’s only Son, Jesus! (Eph. 1:3-8)

Don’t waste it!

It is absolutely insane NOT to put to use that which was so highly paid for on your behalf!

What did it buy for you?

• You are God’s child (John 1:12) and Jesus’s sibling! It paid for you to be adopted into God’s family! You are now an heir to God! (Rom. 8:17).

• Instant access to God! You now can come boldly to God (your father) at any time of need! (Heb. 4:16-18).

• All ‘things’ belong to you! Because of what God has done, you have received ‘all things’ from Him! Everything that belongs to Him, also belongs to you! (Rom 8:32)

• All your needs are met! Every possible need you could EVER imagine is supplied somewhere in the Word of God in the form of Promises! (2 Peter 1:4 & 2 Cor. 1:20).

You just have to find them (search them out), mix faith with them (Heb. 4:2), and they are yours! 

Therefore…

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:”For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughter”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38-39)

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“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good;blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalms 34:4-8 NIV)

With great confidence!

I love the fact that we serve a personal and powerful God who we can approach with great confidence knowing that He hears us, answers us, and does something about what we ask! And I love that he frees me from ALL my fears and ALL my troubles.

Negative Feelings

As I was thinking about the part of this verse referring to “all of my fears,” I noticed that it was plural and not singular, meaning more than one fear was being talked about here. He didn’t explain what each fear was, but it was definitely more than one. Usually fearful people are fearful in many areas at the same time. Fear is really just negative feelings, and you can actually do something about your fearful feelings when you understand it is something you have the power to control. 

Recognize and take control!

The first step to overcoming a negative feeling is to recognize it and then take control of it. (Fear, anger, or some other negative thing). A helpful principle to understand: “A feeling named is a feeling tamed!” Explanation: An unidentified feeling can take control of you. But, you can take control of a named feeling once you have recognized it and then take control of it. Then ask God to help you knowing that He can and He will.

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