Defy the odds/Don’t be a statistic
Vs. 2 says, “And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
We can be transformed by the renewing of our mind! Isn’t that great? You may ask, how do I accomplish that feat? How do I renew my mind? One way would be found in Philippians 4:8,9 where it says “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be anything praiseworthy, meditate (think) on those things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me (the apostle Paul is writing this) these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Back in Romans 12, verse 9 says “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” And in verse 21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
One more piece of advice from Paul is found in Ephesians chapter 6 verses10-18 “Ephesians 6:10-18 (New Living Translation)
The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[d]
James says that friendship with the world is enmity with God. If you and I are not careful whom we hang out with it can be to our detriment. It can drag us down. Do not partake of other men’s sin.
Read the 4th. Chapter of James. Defy the odds and don’t be a statistic. I need this as much as anyone else does. We can be over comers. In Christ…we need to lift each other up in prayer. We can’t do this in our own strength and Paul says it there in Ephesians that I just quoted; this time from the King James “ Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might,,,put on the whole armor of God.”….that is the only way we can do it…in Christ. Prayer, studying His Word and regularly fellowshipping with other Christians is how you accomplish all this.
posted by Randall | 8:16 a.m.
2 Comments:
Hi Randall,
We can be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
That is something that we all have to remember .It is in our minds that the devil can readly get at us,so it is were we have to be strong.
Our minds like our bodies belongs to God and it is up to us to keep
them free from the garbage that is trying to distract us.
I know that I do not want to be one of the statistic,but one that defy the odds.
Once again you have the right word at the right time,thank you.
C.M.
Well Randall how do I comment on this bog. After reading it over and over I has decided not to make a personal comment, instead I picked some verses from the bible.
[ # 1] 1st Thessalonians 4...1to 8
1 Thessalonians 4 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
1 Thessalonians 4
Living to Please God
1Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
[# 2] 2 Timothy…1 to 9
2 Timothy 3 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
2 Timothy 3
Godlessness in the Last Days
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
[# 3] James…4.7 to 13
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11Brothers do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
[# 4] Romans…4...7& 8
7"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."[b]
Although we try to be Christ like, we are still only human and we still sin, and we must all remember that all sin is the same in God’s eyes, so remember my sin is no worse than yours in God’s eyes, so let’s not judge each other.
Coffee
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