Some will become followers of Jesus!

“When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, ‘We want to hear you again on this subject.’ At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed.” (Acts 17:32-34)

Idols were everywhere!

The Apostle Paul was troubled by all the idols he saw around Athens when he visiting that city, so he spoke to them about who the real God is. He told them about Jesus, and when he got to the part about God raising Him from the dead, there were three distinct reactions.

  1. Some sneered.

  2. Others said, “we want to hear you again on this subject.”

  3. Some of them became followers.

This is typical when you share your faith with others. Some will sneer, some will be positive, but put it off, and some will believe. And, it’s worth it! God can and will change lives and it’s wonderful to be used by Him to reach others with the good news!

 Here’s what the Bible says about sharing your faith

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’” (Mark 16:15)

Therefore…

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Tim. 4:2)

“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.” (Psalms 96:3)

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Mercy and Grace at the right time!

“We may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16b)

Grace and Mercy to you from God!

  • Grace means to get something that you do not deserve; unmerited favor.

  • Mercy means you do not get a punishment that you deserve instead you receive; compassion and forbearance.

God is abundant in grace and mercy!

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

His greatest act of grace is the gift of salvation available for all people through faith in Jesus

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”  (Eph.:8-9)

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 3:23)

When the gift of salvation is accepted, eternal life is promised to the recipient

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved.”  (Eph. 2:4)

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God commendeth His love to us!

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

Never attack the person you disagree with personally!

It really bothers me to see people who claim to be followers of Christ viciously attacking other believers who they disagree with. This is rampant on social media sites. Yes, false doctrines and false teachings should always be exposed, but never in an attacking, non-loving way. Never attack the person you disagree with personally! Too often, religious people resort to personal criticism, gossip, lies, and accusations. By doing this, they become no better than the lost people out in the world.

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)

“But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” (Gal. 5:15)

Love others the way God loves you!

How has He loved us? He loved us while we were “yet sinners,” before we accepted and received his gift of salvation. (Rom. 5:8)

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)

Therefore…

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

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You may abound in every good work!

“May abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8b)

The key to being successful in life is being able to make the right decisions in what you do. And, that is possible because you have the mind of Christ. 

“But we have the mind of Christ.” (2 Cor 2:16b). 

God gives you wisdom, just ask

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5). 

This means you are able, through God’s involvement in your decision making, abound in every good work!

A wonderful Back-up plan

If for some reason you make a mistake, similarly to a GPS system, God can fix it for you. He will “recalculate” for you and get you pointed back towards the right direction.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”  (Prov. 16:9)

Therefore…

“In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:6)

Mike Frenchbible promises, abound in good work, abounding in god
Let us do good to all people!

“Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal. 6:9b)

As opportunities to serve others come your way, don’t get tired of doing good deeds and helping them because eventually it will pay off! And, this is especially true for fellow Christians. Christians are fellow family members and should take care of one another. 

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Heb. 6:10)

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Therefore…

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (2 Peter 4:10)

Mike Frenchbible promises, serve one another, do good, serve others, serve god, help others
God searches your heart and tests your mind

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jer. 17:10 ESV)

God knows and searches all hearts

“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom. 8:27 ESV)

The heart is deceitful above all things

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9 ESV)

“…the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” (1 Chron. 28:9 ESV)

Above all guard your heart!

”Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Prov 4:23 NIV)

Use God’s living Word to search your thoughts and intentions

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12 ESV)

He helps you in your weakness

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom. 8:26 ESV)

Therefore…

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” (Prov. 30:8 ESV)

Mike French
Jesus has overcome the world!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

It is difficult to escape all the negative and scary news stories hitting us from every possible direction! It’s all over the newspapers. It’s blasted from radio and TV. And it’s exploding all over the various forms of social-media. To listen to it you would think the world is completely falling apart at its seams, is under severe attack by radical extremists of every ilk (political and many other kinds), and that everything decent we hold dear is now turned upside down. What used to be called good is now being called bad and what used to be called bad is now being called good. It makes you want to run and hide from it all!

The Bible talks about it

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Tim. 3:1).  It tells how everything will go from bad to worse and from much of what we are observing all around us, it certainly looks that way.

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:12-15)

And, Jesus had this to say about the last days!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” (John 26:33)

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)

Therefore…

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

“Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3 ESV)

“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13 ESV)

“…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12 KJV)

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Take up the shield of faith!

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Eph. 6:16  NIV)

All of us get under attack from the enemy from time to time. It is just a part of living in the world. It can come in the form of fear, worry, strong temptation, oppression, depression or as an all-out anxiety attack. But, you don’t have to put up with any of it!

The Bible says the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8). It tells us to “be alert and sober minded.” The next verse says, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” (Eph. 5:9)

When any of these evil attacks happen to you, recognize them for what they are, “flaming arrows from the evil one.” Then, “take up the shield of faith” (use the Word of God) and then extinguish them!

Here’s what the Word of God says

  • “We wrestle not against flesh and blood.” The enemy is the devil and he attacks our minds (our thoughts). “For 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.”  (Eph. 6:12)

  • Our fight is a spiritual one and must be fought with spiritual weapons. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2 Cor. 10:4-5 NKJV)

  • God is in you and He is greater than Satan and his demonic forces! “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

  • God won’t allow the devil to attack you beyond what you can withstand. “There is no temptation (tests and trials brought by Satan) that can come upon you but such as is common to man (things in this natural, carnal world): but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted (attacked by Satan with testing and trials) beyond what you can handle; but will with the temptation (at the same time) also make a way to escape, that you may be able to have victory over it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

  • God gives you power against the enemy. “Look, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19) When the devil attacks you, do the following. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you….come close to God, and He will come close to you.” (James 4:7-8)

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Confessing God’s Word from the heart

“Out of a man’s heart does he speak.” (Matt. 15:18) 

I have a friend who hates very strongly anything that resembles the doctrine of “name it and claim it.” He calls it, “blab it and grab it.” And, yes, there has been a lot of abuse in this area among the body of believers.

Confession of God’s Word is different! 

There is much value to be gained from the positive confession of God’s Word. It has the power to reinforce His Word in your mind, and even to increase your faith! A simple definition of faith is this: Faith appropriates what God has already supplied in the spirit world. You align your way of thinking to God’s way of thinking until your way of thinking becomes like His way of thinking. Then, you will have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16)

What you say is from the heart!

Jesus said: “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” (Luke 6:45)

As a follower of Jesus, you have a lot of positive confessions to boldly declare! Confess the following out loud to yourself!

MY POSITIVE CONFESSIONS

By faith…

  • I confess: That the devil has no control over my life, for “Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

  • I confess: That I have victory, for “God always causeth me to triumph in Christ Jesus.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

  • I confess: That I am free from bondage, for “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

  • I confess: That I have wisdom, for “Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

  • I confess: “I can” for “I can do all things through Christ Jesus which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

  • I confess: That I have faith, for “God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

  • I confess: I have no lack, for “My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

  • I confess: That I will not fear, for “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

  • I confess: That I have strength, for “The Lord is the strength of my life.” (Psalm 27:1). “The people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)

  • I confess: That I am well, for “With His stripes I am healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus, “Himself took my infirmities and bare my sickness.” (Matthew 8:17)

  • I confess: That I won’t dwell on worries and frustrations, for I am “Casting all my cares upon Him, who cares for me.” (1 Peter 5:7). In Christ I am “care-free.”

  • I confess: That I am free from condemnation, for “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). I am in Christ; therefore, I am free from condemnation.

  • I confess: That I am free from loneliness, for Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20). “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

  • I confess: That I am free from curses or bad luck, for “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

  • I confess: That I am free from discontent because “I have learned, in whatsoever state (circumstances) I am, therein to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

  • I confess: That I am now righteous in God’s sight, because “He has made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Therefore…

“A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Prov. 18:20-21)

Mike Frenchbible promises, confessing god’s word, faith