“And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 1:19-20 NIV)

The Gospel came with power

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thess. 1:5)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 KJV)

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

That power works in you!

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

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29)

“Behold, 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)

Therefore…

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10)

Quote:

“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” - A. W. Tozer

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“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22 NIV)

An agreed prayer in faith

“When Hudson Taylor was sailing to China to begin his missionary work, his ship was in great danger. The wind had died, and the current was carrying them toward sunken reefs which were close to islands inhabited by cannibals—so close they could see them building fires on the shore. Everything they tried was to no avail. In his journal Taylor recorded what happened next: The Captain said to me, “Well, we have done everything that can be done.” A thought occurred to me, and I replied, “No, there is one thing we have not done yet.” “What is that?” he queried. “Four of us on board are Christians. Let us each retire to his own cabin, and in agreed prayer ask the Lord to give us immediately a breeze.”

Taylor prayed briefly and then, certain that the answer was coming, went up on the deck and asked the first officer to let down the sails. “What would be the good of that?” he answered roughly. I told him we had been asking a wind from God; that it was coming immediately.Within minutes the wind did began to blow, and it carried them safely past the reefs. Taylor wrote: Thus God encouraged me ere landing on China’s shores to bring every variety of need to Him in prayer, and to expect that He would honour the name of the Lord Jesus and give the help each emergency required.

Knowing that our prayers touch the heart of our loving Father in Heaven and that He can meet any need, we should be confident that He will hear and answer when we cry out to Him.” - Source: The Works of J. Hudson Taylor, Hudson Taylor

If His Words abide in you

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

He chose you to bear fruit

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” (John 15:16)

The Father will give it

“In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:23-24 NASB)

Therefore…

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  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 11:9-13)

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“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.” (Rom. 25:13 NIV)

There are at least four things you should notice in the above passage:

1.     Who? “The God of Hope.”

2.     What? “He fills you with all joy and peace.”

3.     When? “As you trust in Him.”

4.     Results. You overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Therefore…

He fills you to overflowing! In other words, when you place your trust in God, He then fills you with so much joy and peace that it simply overflows from you by the Holy Spirit’s power!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Rom. 15:13 ESV)

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38 ESV)

“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV)

How do you know if you are being wise according to God’s standards? This verse gives the answer.

It must be pure

Pure is defined as not mixed or adulterated. Having no moral failing or guilt. To be virtuous, ethical, good, righteous, honorable, reputable, wholesome, clean, honest, upright, upstanding, exemplary, irreproachable; decent, worthy, noble, blameless, guiltless, spotless, unsullied, uncorrupt.

It must be peace-loving

Peace-loving is defined as appeasing, peaceful, amicable, calm, conciliatory, diplomatic, friendly, gentle, neutral, peaceable, peacemaking, quiet, tranquil, untroubled.

It must be considerate

Considerate is defined as careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others. It’s attentive, thoughtful, solicitous, mindful, heedful; obliging, accommodating, helpful, cooperative, patient; kind, unselfish, compassionate, sympathetic, caring, charitable, altruistic, generous; polite, sensitive, tactful.

It is submissive

Submissive is defined as ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive. It is compliant, yielding, acquiescent, unassertive, passive, obedient, biddable, dutiful, docile, pliant.

It is full of mercy

Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. Mercy demonstrates leniency, clemency, compassion, grace, pity, charity, forgiveness, forbearance, soft-heartedness, tenderheartedness, kindness, sympathy.

Full of good fruit

Good fruit is defined as that which is produced by the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22 ESV)

 It must be impartial

Impartial is defined as treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just. To be impartial means to be unbiased, unprejudiced, neutral, nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory, fair, fair-minded, just; without favoritism.

It must be sincere

Sincere is defined as free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings. To be heartfelt, wholehearted, profound, deep; not dishonest or hypocritical.

Wisdom is the principle thing!

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Prov. 4:7)

Need God’s kind of wisdom? Ask God for it!

“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)

“So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to — the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.” (Eph. 4:22-24 NIV)

God grows us one step at a time

Even though God could work a miracle and change us quickly, He usually works with us slowly and changes us gradually, a little bit at a time. That’s how Jesus worked in developing the lives of His disciples and that’s how God allowed the Israelites to take over the Promised Land “little by little” so they wouldn’t be overwhelmed (Deut. 7:22).

Both negative and positive habits develop slowly over time

You don’t get out of shape instantly, physically or mentally, and you don’t get into good shape instantly either. I realized this fact when my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and must lose weight. It had taken me a long time to gain the weight and to lose it would also take time. So, I developed a plan that took a year and a half to lose 60 lbs. It was slow and the changes were in small increments. But I accomplished it.

Good character habits take time to develop

To develop the habits of Christ like character you must practice them over a longtime. Your character is the sum-total of your habits. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind. Your habits define your character. There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.” (1 Tim. 4:15)

Therefore…

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Heb. 12:1 ESV)

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chron. 16:11 ESV)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6 ESV)

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

The heart is regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions.

In both the Old Testament and the New Testament the word “heart” is used to refer to the whole of the innermost part of the human, NOT merely the emotions. The heart regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions, especially love or compassion.

The Biblical word “heart,” is the inner aspect of a man, made of three parts: mind, will, and emotions.

Everything you do flows from your heart

Believers are instructed to, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” (Proverbs 4:23–26 NIV)

Guarding your heart

When Solomon, who wrote this passage, refers to guarding the heart, he really means the inner core of a person, the thoughts, feelings, desires, will, and choices that make that person who he/she is. The Bible tells us that our thoughts often dictate who we become (Proverbs 23:7; 27:19). The mind of a man reflects who he really is, not simply his actions or words. That is why God examines the heart of a man, not simply his outward appearance and what he appears to be (1 Samuel 16:7).

“For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.” (Psalm 37:28a)

I hear fellow Christians continue to pray something like, “Lord, go with us today,” even though He says clearly in His Word that he is always present with you, and that He will never leave or forsake you. Instead, I believe you should pray something like, “Thank you, Lord, for being always with me!”

Here are ten verses from God’s Word about His faithfulness to be always with you:

1) “‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.'”  (Deut. 31:6)

2) “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8)

3) “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)

4) “May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may He never leave us nor forsake us.” (1 Kings 8:57)

5) “David also said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.'” (1 Chronicles 28:20)

6) “For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.” (Psalm 37:28)

7) “For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.” (Psalm 94:14)

8) “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 41:17)

9) “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)

10) “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

Therefore…

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16-23)

When you pray to receive Jesus, He comes to live inside of you. Everywhere you go, He is ever-present with you. That is a wonderful promise that should bring you great assurance and comfort.

“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15 NIV)

Compassion: concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. It is pity, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, care, sensitivity, warmth, love, tenderness, mercy, leniency, tolerance, kindness, and charity.

Five important things 

It’s amazing to me how many people perceive God as angry and disconnected from humanity. Nothing could be further from the truth! According to the above verse you learn five important things about Him. 1) He is compassionate, 2) He is gracious, 3) He is slow to anger, 4) He is abounding in love and 5) He is abounding in faithfulness!

Now, that is the God I know and serve!

Therefore…

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” (Isa. 30:18 ESV)

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” (Col. 3:12 ESV)

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32 ESV)

Quotes:

“Remember that even Jesus' most scathing denunciation - a blistering diatribe against the religious leaders of Jerusalem in Matthew 23 - ends with Christ weeping over Jerusalem. Compassion colored everything He did.” - John MacArthur

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.” - George Washington Carver

“To keep the Golden Rule we must put ourselves in other people's places, but to do that consists in and depends upon picturing ourselves in their places.” - Harry Emerson Fosdick

“God is an ever-present help in the time of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV)

He’s always with you! 

God is always present whether you see Him or not! The verse above says that He is “ever-present.” No matter where you go, He is there with you. And no matter what you find yourself going through, He is aware of it. So, do not fear! Claim this promise and go to Him immediately whenever anything happens. He will strengthen and help you!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

And, it’s because of God’s wonderful love for you! The following verses say it best

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?  Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.  Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39 NLT)

Therefore…

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV)

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” (Psalm 73:28 ESV)

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11 ESV)

 Quotes:

“The most holy and necessary practice in our spiritual life is the presence of God. That means finding constant pleasure in His divine company, speaking humbly and lovingly with him in all seasons, at every moment, without limiting the conversation in any way.” - Brother Lawrence

“We (Christians) are always in the presence of God. There is never a non-sacred moment! His presence never diminishes. Our awareness of His presence may falter, but the reality of His presence never changes.” - Max Lucado

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” - C. S. Lewis