THE 1st of OCTOBER
IN JESUS WE MAY REIGN IN LIFE
- For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. - Romans 5:17
This verse is just another confirmation of the opposite effect of Adam’s sin to Christ’s atonement. Adam’s sin, canceled the leadership of life over the earth, as he chose to obey Satan instead of God. Darkness took over the light and death took the place of life. Adam and Eve had no children before the fall, but since then, every single child has been born in sin under the reign of death. That is why we need to be born-again in Jesus, to be saved and have eternal life.
If the death which comes from disobedience has such power, how much greater must be the power of life that comes as a result of Jesus’ obedience to the Father when He died in our place? Father God resurrected Jesus and only in Him can we have true life. Jesus gave us the “abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness.” We need to be aware that we have received an abundant measure of God’s love, manifested in His unmerited favor and gift of righteousness, which Jesus purchased for us at the cross. In Jesus we can “reign in life,” living a more excellent and nobler life than the one that Adam had before he fell into sin and lost. To reign in life means to trust God completely, live victoriously and shine for Jesus.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus, for making a way for me to live as a victor, being the head and not the tail, always above and not beneath. Please help me Lord, to never follow the path that leads to death, but to always remember that the grace and righteousness I received from You are more than enough for me to be able to live right and reign in life. You deserve all the glory and honor for who You are and all You did and purchased for me at the cross. Glory and praises to Your holy Name, for ever and ever, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 2nd of OCTOBER
TRUE FREEDOM IS HAVING JESUS’ PEACE, JOY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
- Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. - Romans 14:16-19
Even the most common decisions about what we eat and drink can cause so much harm to our health and to other people’s feelings or future choices too. If we recognize that God’s kingdom is about peace and joy and that food choices are secondary, we please God and are approved of by men. We are called to enthusiastically seek the things which lead to spiritual growth, bring peace and edify us and others. Peace, joy and righteousness are everlasting values and are much more rewarding than indulging ourselves with the kinds of food and drink that may hurt others.
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father thank You so much for the joy, peace and righteousness that I find in You. Please help me to always value them more than any pleasure that might come from indulging myself with any food or drink. The spiritual food that You offer me on a daily basis is much more rewarding and satisfying to my soul than anything else. Please help me to live in obedience to You self-disciplining my desires, so that no one would have reasons to speak evil about my doings in my daily walk with You. Thank You Lord for giving me all the guidance and strength I need to live right, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 3rd of OCTOBER
WE REAP WHATEVER WE SOW
- Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. - Proverbs 17:13
We have all had to deal with mean people that no matter how hard we tried to treat them right, they still hurt us in the end. God is just and He blesses those who love and obey Him in treating other people right. Every evil work and sin empowers the devil to hurt those who commit them, unless they sincerely repent. The Lord wants what is best for us, but we will all reap what we sow. If we obey God, we reap blessings, but if we treat others wrong, sinning and not repenting, we reap what is evil.
No one can do wrong things and expect to have good results, especially if they do wrong to those who help and treat them right. It may seem that the ones who treat us wrong, after we blessed them, are happy, have success and God is with them. But the Bible says that except they truly repent and change, “evil will not depart from their house.”
David says in Psalm 109 that his enemies were repaying him evil for good, but he chose to pray for God to revenge him. There are many verses in God’s Word that teach us not to return evil for good, but to treat people right, be good and love one another, so that God may bless us too. Love and goodness are always the most beneficial in the long term.
Suggested prayer: Father God, thank You so very much for Your Word. There I can find all the wisdom I need and it teaches me how to handle every bad situation and how I can keep my heart pure. Please strengthen me when things go wrong and those that I blessed turn their back on me or even hurt me. Help me to continue to love them and know that vengeance is Yours. Please help them to truly repent, start to live right for You and stop hurting me and others. Dear Lord, please comfort my heart and help me heal, through the Holy Spirit so that I may please You and keep the right attitude, no matter what I have to go through, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 4th of OCTOBER
IT IS EASIER TO AVOID A STRIFE THAN TO STOP IT
- The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. - Proverbs 17:1
When we start to argue with someone, we may not have much to say at first, but as the disagreement develops, we may say hurtful things that later we may wish we had never said. Our human nature is very good at arguing, putting itself first, blaming others for everything that goes wrong and handling things in very selfish ways. Then, there is the evil one who never misses an opportunity to bring division and destroy relationships. He tries his best to put more bad words in our mouths and keep the arguments going.
As Solomon had said, it is wiser to abandon the quarrel before it starts and the tempers of those involved get out of hand. The comparison with the water that is held up by a dam, is very suggestive; if we give the water a small break, it will trickle at first, but then it will gush out and destroy the dam. The same thing happens with the replies of those in a quarrel. The words, once said, cannot be taken back and can cause deep hurt. Many relationships have been destroyed because the two went on and on with strife, hurting each other.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord for the warnings from Your Word. You are the God of peace, unity and love. Your Word teaches us to continually pursue peace with all people and holiness if we want to see You. Please help me to choose my battles and not fight when You do not want me to hold my ground. I love to have peace and joy, so please help me to stop any contention before the quarrel starts and ruins my peace. Thank You Lord for the Holy Spirit, my Helper and Counselor, that teaches me how to behave so that His fruit of peace, joy, love, self-control and patience can be manifested in my life more and more. Thank You Lord God, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 5th of OCTOBER
JOY IS THE BEST MEDICINE
- A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. - Proverbs 17:22
Because God created us for love and happiness, a happy heart is good medicine for the one who has it. When we rejoice our brains send the right messages to all the organs in our bodies, causing everything to function right. When we are joyful we handle bad situations better. Because optimists see everything through “rose colored glasses” they overcome hardships much better than pessimists. Some of us can easily talk ourselves into being unhappy, discouraged and even fearful, while others have an easy-going attitude about life and they find something good in every bad situation. For pessimists, it takes more work and determination to have a joyful heart and to hope for the best, no matter what. But it is in our best interest to do it. Even doctors testify that for the patients who have happy hearts and positive attitudes about their conditions, they heal much faster than those with negative attitudes.
Science proves that bad, toxic thoughts result in negative emotions which produce unhealthy chemicals that are poisonous for the body and may cause different sicknesses. We can be happier if we pay attention to the thoughts we think and replace the evil ones with the truth of God’s Word. By developing the habit of asking the Holy Spirit to help us keep our peace and joy, we can be healthier than if we are sad and unhappy most of the time.
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, You created me in such a marvelous way. Please help me choose to fight against depression and bad emotions, in order to have a happy heart, a healthier body and more peace. Lord please help me identify every thought that is not from You and which may bring me down. Help me fight against every negative thought and emotion, so that I can keep my health and live a better life. Thank You Lord for the comfort of the Holy Spirit and for the power of prayer and worship that also help me overcome sadness and depression. Glory and honor to Your holy Name dear Jesus, for all that I am and have in You, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 6th of OCTOBER
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORDS WE SPEAK
- He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. - Proverbs 17:27-28
Knowledge is a powerful tool that can be very beneficial, when used correctly. Just knowing what is good and pleases God is not enough, we must also live accordingly. Knowledge can produce results only when we act upon it. The more we study and understand God’s Word, the better can we behave and the more self-control we have including in our speech. So many times we regret that we did not keep our mouths shut or that we said too much. We can avoid regrets if we learn to ask the Holy Spirit to teach us what, when and how much to say.
Based on the way we talk we can be considered educated, sensitive, wise and calm or foolish, arrogant, rude and with little or ill mannered. The less we talk, the less we err. By being careful with our words, it is easier to avoid arguments, bragging, gossiping or saying things we may later regret. When we do not know much about the conversation’s subject it is better to be quiet, than to say something stupid. Even a fool may seem prudent, discreet and a person of understanding when they keep their mouth shut.
Suggested prayer: Father God, thank You for the wisdom You have given me and for Your constant provision. Please help me to grow in the knowledge of Your Word and give me more of Your wisdom so that I will think, feel and act to please You. Please teach me what to say and what to not say, so that I will be a prudent, pleasant person with a pure heart, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 7th of OCTOBER
THE NAME OF THE LORD
- The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. - Proverbs 18:10
The Name of Jesus is full of power and the safest place for us. We can find refuge in our Lord’s Name, when we proclaim it in faith. In Exodus 34:6b the Lord had told to Moses about His attributes which show the meaning of His Name “‘the Lord God, (is) merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.’” We can truly count on God’s mercy, love, goodness and on the truth that He will never leave or forsake us, but will always take care of us and change every bad situation into something good for us.
As long as we live in obedience to the Lord, we are safely in His tower that is set on high, far above evil. What is really important to us? Are we truly sold out to God? Do we care more about pleasing Him or following the lusts of our carnal nature? If we care more about fulfilling God’s will, the devil cannot do much against us, as our hearts are set on the things of heaven and not of the earth and we are secure in our Lord. When prayer becomes essential to us and we pray for all we do or need, replacing our worries and vain thoughts with prayers, thanksgiving and praises to our Lord, we position ourselves under the power of Jesus’ Name, always being armed and ready to fight the good fight of faith.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord for making the power of Your Name available to me. You are Almighty and there is nothing impossible for You. No matter what I am going through, I can call on Your Name and run into the safety of Your presence. You are my rock and my shelter, I can always count on Your love, kindness, mercy and grace. By trusting You and proclaiming Your Name, I can rise above all trouble or danger that comes my way. There is no safer place than in Your arms heavenly Father and no one can love me more than You do. Glory and honor to Your holy Name for ever and ever, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit..
THE 8th of OCTOBER
JESUS CHRIST IS THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE
- “This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” - Acts 4:11-12
Apostle’s Peter speech in front of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish High Court) was full of the power of the Holy Spirit. Because Peter had surrendered it all to His Lord and He knew whom He served was full of courage and was able to make it very clear that Jesus is the Mesiah and there is no other. Even if he was their prisoner, Peter was bold enough to emphasis the truth and tell the High Court that the One whom they rejected, “has become the chief cornerstone,” holding in place the perfect salvation plan of Father God.
There is only One who can bring us to heaven, and that is Jesus Christ, the true Mesiah. Only in Jesus “we must be saved.” There is no other way and no other option. Jesus died in our place, paying for the sins of mankind and only by accepting His sacrifice can we be forgiven. The Name of Jesus Christ is the source of deliverance and salvation for all who believe in Him, repent of sins and follow Him wholehearted. The Name of Jesus is given to people, from all nations as the only way to be saved and spared from the wrath of God caused by their sin.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Father God for the perfect salvation plan, in Jesus Christ. In Him alone I can make it to heaven and be spared from Your wrath. Thank You Jesus, for being the chief cornerstone, holding together the salvation plan and that You forgave my sins through Your sacrifice. Please help me to remain true to You, have boldness to defend my faith in You and live in such a way that those around me to know that I am Yours and I glorify You in all I do. Thank You for the tremendous power that is in Your Name, every time I proclaim it in faith. Glory and praises to Your holy Name for ever and ever, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 9th of OCTOBER
SHOULD WE OVERLOOK THE TRANSGRESSIONS OF OTHERS?
- The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression. - Proverbs 19:11
If we have integrity, good sense and discretion, we can keep our calm and be slow to anger. Anger is usually the fruit of “having to have it our way” and we may lose temper when people do it their way. The less selfish we are, the more tolerant we can be with the errors of those around us which in turn helps us to keep our calm and peace.
It is an honor to overlook offenses and the unintentional wrongs others do to us. It is so much easier to be tolerant and forgive other people’s mistakes, when we realize that we might do the same or even worse if we were in their place. But whenever people hurt us intentionally and plan things against us, we better pray for God’s wisdom about how to protect ourselves without sinning. Vengeance belongs to God and we are urged not to seek it or allow resentments to build up. We can continue to obey God and love people, even when it is for our best to avoid their presence and stop allowing them to walk all over us.
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me never forget that vengeance is Yours and You reward people’s works, good or bad. Please help me to have integrity and to control my emotions and not allow anger to control me. Please help me to be more tolerant with other people’s mistakes, knowing that I do not always act perfect towards others either. Help me not to get offended, but to show them love and mercy. When people intentionally hurt me, please show me what my next step should be towards them and help me to follow Your advice. Thank You Lord for everything, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
The 10th of OCTOBER
THE FEAR OF THE LORD
- The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil. - Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the Lord is not terror, but respect, honor and obedience to God’s commandments. This is the only fear a Christian should have. It is a healthy fear that keeps us from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh and urges us to live to please God. The more we do so, the happier and more satisfied we are. The fulfilled blessed life is the life lived for the Lord, following His leadership. In our limitations, we may make one mistake after another, but whenever we choose to depend on the Lord we make the right decisions, that lead to an abundant, blessed life.
God’s Word promises us a happy life as a reward for fulfilling His will and a perfect eternal life in heaven, where Jesus went to prepare a place for us. This does not mean that the devil does not try to come against us, but that we have authority in Jesus’ Name to resist the enemy and our Lord always provides the right help, whenever we need it. It is true that when we sin, we give the devil the right to hurt us, but even then, if we truly repent, the Lord forgives us and the enemy loses the right to attack us. We may have peace and “abide in the satisfaction” that evil cannot destroy us.
Suggested prayer: Father God, please help me to always have a healthy fear of You and give me the strength to never choose to sin, no matter the situation. Lord please help me to keep Your commandments, follow Your directions and live to please You on a daily basis. Please help me to quickly repent when I sin and to identify the lies of the enemy and resist them in Jesus’ Name. Thank You Father for all Your great promises in this life and for eternity and please help me utilize them, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 11TH OF OCTOBER
GOD’S WORD IS PURE AND TRUSTWORTHY
- Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. - Proverbs 30:5
Throughout mankind’s history, every word of God is tested and refined, like silver, in the furnace of experience. This is also stated in Psalms 18:30, “as for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” God’s Word is truly blameless, it is the pure truth, perfect and faultless.
We can trust every word from the Bible, taken in context and in accordance with the rest of God’s Word. To be sure that our beliefs are correct, we need to check them with what the Bible says on every matter. The “rhema” word is the Word of God that the Holy Spirit reveals to our spirit, which becomes the living word that delivers and changes us. The “rhema” word is defined as “a specific word from the Lord that applies that specific Scripture to us individually.” The “logos,” or the written Word of God is for the reader like “a well of water,” and the “rhema” is like “a bucket of water from that well.” Once the Holy Spirit reveals to our spirits the true meaning of what we study from God’s Word, it becomes a protective shield for us, that we may trust fully, no matter what.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Father God for the Holy Spirit and for all the revelation of Your Word that I receive from Him. In Your Word I find all the wisdom, power, advice and truth I need. Please help me to study, memorize and gather the Scriptures in my heart, so that the Holy Spirit will remind and reveal Your Word to me in times of need. Your ways are perfect dear Lord and Your Word is true, proven and tested again and again, through all the prophecies that were fulfilled and even through what science has discovered. I can trust it and rely on Your Word at all times. Thank You with all my heart for Your Word and for the help of the Holy Spirit to understand it fully, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 12TH OF OCTOBER
GOD’S REWARDS ARE JUST
- Who (God) “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, - Romans 2:6-8
God is love, but He is just too. He never forces anyone to spend eternity in heaven against their will. We cannot choose to live like hell, be Christians in name only and expect to go to heaven when we leave this earth. God will reward each person according to what they have in their hearts, how they live and whom they obey. The Lord will give the gift of eternal life in heaven, to every person who sincerely loves Him and seeks heavenly glory, honor and everlasting life, by persistence in staying true to their faith complete with good works.
On the other hand, those who have selfish ambitions, seeking to accomplish their own plans, lusts and desires, who obey unrighteousness and not the truth, if they will not repent and change, will have to face God’s indignation and wrath. If we are not on the narrow path, we better check our lives while we still have time to repent, renounce evil, ask God to forgive our sins and start to live right for Him. For more on this subject you may read the article: “Return to the Lord.”
Suggested prayer: Father God, You are love but You are just at the same time. Please help me never forget that in Your justice, You reward my works accordingly to what they are and to what was in my heart while doing them. Please help me to follow Jesus’ example in all I do, to seek righteousness, honor, glory and always keep heaven as my goal. Please help me to obey Your Word and fulfill Your will, every day of my life, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 13TH OF OCTOBER
SALVATION IS POSSIBLE ONLY BY GOD’S GRACE, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, - Romans 3:23-24
Every single human being has sinned and is continually deficient of God’s glory. Before Jesus’ sacrifice, during the Old Covenant, men could become righteous only by their own works, by keeping the Mosaic Law, but the Bible says that no one could do it, except Jesus Christ. No one could keep the whole Law or be justified in their own strength. If we could save ourselves, Jesus would not have had to die in our place, paying for our sins.
But we are no more under the Law, but under grace, since Jesus Christ died in our place. We are redeemed and can make heaven by receiving the undeserved gift of grace. Only if we receive Jesus as Lord and follow Him wholeheartedly, can we be declared free of the guilt of sin, become acceptable to God and make it to heaven.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for redeeming me, by paying for my sins with Your life. I am so blessed to be Your child! Please help me to live right for You, to pursue righteousness and holiness and obey Your will. I need the strength of the Holy Spirit all the time and I thank You so much for His help to please You and live for Your glory, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 14TH OF OCTOBER
THE BLESSING OF BEING FORGIVEN
- Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” - Romans 4:6-8
The Holy Spirit led David many times into God’s truth, which was not common for those days. He was a true worshiper, a man after God’s heart and the Lord blessed him with deep knowledge. Even if David lived while salvation was possible only by fulfilling the Law, God showed him that by faith He could forgive sins, even if they were just covered and not removed, as Jesus did not die yet on the cross to pay for all the sins of mankind. David wrote that blessed and happy were those that God has accepted as righteous, without regard to any former good works done by them.
The apostle Paul used the example of Abraham and David to prove how blessed we are to be under grace, as all it takes to have our sins forgiven and removed is to repent and have faith in Jesus. They were justified by their faith in God, not by being perfect, totally obedient, sinless people. We should be much happier, knowing that because of Jesus, the sins of all of us who truly follow Him, are not only covered, but are forgotten, removed and will never be imputed unto us. The punishment for our sins is already paid by Jesus, so that we may never die but inherit eternal life!
Suggested prayer: Oh Lord, what a blessing it is to be forgiven by Your grace and receive Your unmerited favor. You did not only cover my sins, but through Jesus’ sacrifice, You removed them forever. Jesus died so that I may live. Please help me Lord to obey You and enjoy the abundant life Jesus came to offer me. Thank You so much that You will be not imputing my sin on Judgment Day, as Jesus already paid its penalty. Father God, please help me to live right for You all the days of my life and end my journey on this earth in Your loving arms, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 15TH OF OCTOBER
THE PROMISE OF SALVATION IS FOR US ALL: JEWS AND GENTILES
- Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, 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 - Romans 4:16
Salvation’s promise is guaranteed to all Abraham’s descendants, as an act of grace, not only to the Jewish believers who keep the Law, but also to Gentile believers, who share Abraham’s faith, as he is the spiritual father of all of us. Since Genesis 12:3, long before the Mosaic Law, we read that God promised Abraham that all the families of the earth were to be blessed in him and this promise was pointing at Jesus Christ. The Lord honors faith and big faith honors the Lord. God decided that only by faith can we receive His grace to be saved.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Father for the gift of salvation, that I receive by faith. Thank You Holy Spirit for convincing me of sin and the need to be saved. Thank You Lord for adopting me into Your family, and for making me Your child. Please help me grow in faith so that I may honor and glorify You through my life, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 16TH OF OCTOBER
FAITH OR DOUBT?
- He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. - Romans 4:20-21
While waiting on God to answer our prayers, our carnal nature is tempted to doubt God’s promises. If we allow the doubtful thoughts to develop, we start to believe them, canceling out faith and we end up receiving nothing. The more often this happens, the harder it is to have faith in future situations.
So, when we realize that we have doubtful thoughts, we need to start proclaiming and standing on God’s promises for our prayer request. In order to receive something from God, it has to be His will. We know that what we ask for is God’s will, if we find it in the Bible in more than one verse or section of verses which apply to our need, in the context they are written. Doubt attacks all of us, but the sooner we reject it and stand on God’s promises, the more we build up our faith and we will receive what we are praying for. As Abraham did not accept any doubt, but continued to believe. He strengthened his faith by being fully convinced that God was able to keep His word and to accomplish His promises. As a result, Abraham became the father of the promised son when he was 100 years old through his wife Sarah, who became a mother for the first time when she was 90 years old.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Father God, for all the promises from Your Word. Holy Spirit, please help me find the right Bible verses to support my needs in prayer and show me God’s will for every matter. Also, please help me grow in faith and not allow any unbelief to grow in my heart, so that I will pray correctly and receive what I pray for. Dear Lord please help me remain in You and Your Word to remain in me so that I may receive whatever I ask in Jesus' Name. Glory and honor to Your holy Name, for ever and ever, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 17TH OF OCTOBER
WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH
- Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: - Romans 5:1
Sin caused a wall of separation between God and mankind. Since the fall, mankind started to be led by the carnal nature instead of the spirit, as God originally created us to be led by. Jesus came to bring us back to the state of being in harmony with God and when we become born-again we come back to being led by the Holy Spirit, now united with our spirit. The word used in the original Greek for peace is “eirḗnē” and it means “to join, tie together into a whole as when all essential parts are joined together; peace which is God’s gift of wholeness” (according to “HELPS Word-Studies”).
By faith in Jesus we are acquitted of sin and declared blameless before God. This brings peace between us and God and we can always rejoice in our reconciliation with Him. Nothing is more important in our existence than to be back into loving unity and peace with God. The main purpose of our life on earth is to get right with God, enjoy life in relationship with Jesus and be an influence in as many lives as possible to help them do the same.
Suggested prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me Your peace that made me whole. Because I know I am saved, I have peace about everything, including leaving this earth. Thank You Jesus for making possible my unity with Father God, and for making me whole again since You became my Lord and live in my heart. Father please help me enjoy the life You have giving me, by being in harmony with You and being a good witness to those who need to be saved, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 18TH OF OCTOBER
TO REJOICE IN THE LORD IS A CHOICE
- Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be on the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no food; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! - Habakkuk 3:17-18
Most of us cannot truly relate to what Habakkuk wrote in the above verses. Translated into today's language this might be said: even if I lose my job and there will not be many jobs available, the economy fails, the stock market collapses, calamities destroy the crops, the price of food, oil and inflation goes through the roof, I will continue to choose to rejoice in the Lord.
We choose how we respond to what happens to us. We cannot control lives circumstances, but we can control the way we respond to them. When we realize how loving, merciful and compassionate God is, we can trust that He will take care of us no matter what happens with the economy or what other people do. It takes desire and determination to keep the right attitude, but we can do it, because the Bible says we can, and God’s Word never lies. The Holy Spirit is always ready to help those of us who call on Him, to strengthen and help us rejoice. The more we choose to praise the Lord, the more we rejoice in Him and the easier it is to grow in faith for our victory and salvation!
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, You are so loving and merciful, and even if the whole world falls apart around me, I will not fear. Please help me never forget that You will see me through every hardship, like You always have. You never change, You always remain the same. I am so blessed to know that You are Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides and You never leave me or forsake me. Please help me to trust You no matter what, to be able to praise You even when things are hard and to be able to rejoice in You at all times, thinking of what Jesus has prepared for me in heaven for all eternity, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 19TH OF OCTOBER
NOTHING CAN DESTROY GOD’S CHILDREN
- We are pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Life is not easy for anyone. We all have our own battles and share of suffering. The apostle Paul suffered more than all the other apostles, but he chose to see the bright side of every bad situation and not lose faith. Paul’s strength while being persecuted for his faith, came from knowing how much God loved him and how much Jesus had to suffer for our salvation. You might say that you are not Paul. That is true and neither am I. But the principle is the same. We all suffer, even if we do not like it or ask for it, but we choose the way we respond to it. The only way to remain faithful is by choosing to look at Jesus and see the bright side of everything. The Lord never lets us go through something we cannot handle or conquer through Him.
As long as we remain in Jesus, no pressure can truly crush us; nothing can get us so confused that we would despair; no matter how bad the persecutions are, God never leaves us alone and even if we are struck down, we are never destroyed. Jesus said, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Even if our persecutor kills us, that is a blessing for God’s children, because in an instant we will be with Jesus in heaven. There is nothing we should fear, except disobeying God.
Suggested prayer: Father God, thank You for all the blessings You have brought in my life, through Your Son. In Jesus I have found true peace, joy and the strength to overcome hardships. Thank You for the help and counsel of the Holy Spirit and please help me to hear You more clearly and follow Your advice. Dear Lord, please help me to keep a grateful heart and never forget that as long as I remain in You and You in me, I can face all pressure, hardships, persecutions and attacks, without fear, confusion, despair or being destroyed. Thank You Father for everything, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 20TH OF OCTOBER
CAN WE HAVE A JOYFUL ATTITUDE IN TRIBULATIONS?
- And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. - Romans 5:3-4
We, as Christians are not to glory proudly, or to exalt with joy, only when we will make it to heaven, but also while we live here, on earth. The Greek word, “kauchaomai,” means more than just glory, it means “to boast or glory (exult) proudly,” according to “Strong’s Concordance.” This sounds okay, until we read that we are to have a joyful attitude in tribulations. Worrying and fearing never solved any of our problems, they just made them worse. But if we choose to do what the Lord teaches us in His Word, we may enjoy our lives more every day.
Whenever we need to decide what to do while going through hardships, distress or troubles is not hard to realize that it is way better to find joy in the fact that we may learn something new while going through tribulations and we can change becoming more patient. The more endurance we have, it takes longer to get offended or lose temper and our character changes for the good. The more spiritual maturity we have, the calmer our attitude is and the better we treat others and even ourselves. All these will result in greater hope for the future and in having a confident assurance of our eternal salvation.
Suggested prayer: Father God, please help me choose to see the good in every trial and be able to find joy in You while going through tribulations. I need Your help to keep the right attitude, when I am pressed so that I may become more patient. Please help me to develop perseverance and a strong, beautiful character that pleases You. Thank You Lord that as my spiritual maturity grows, the more hope I have and the more secure my salvation is, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 21st OF OCTOBER
IN JESUS OUR HOPE IS SECURE
- Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. - Romans 5:5-6
We live by faith and not by sight. We believe in Jesus, without seeing Him. We have a real, true, strong hope that we are saved, based on God’s love. His love was poured in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us since we came to Jesus. Our Lord’s love has caused us to change and become better persons, proving that Jesus is our Lord.
People are always on Jesus' mind. He wants us all to be saved and on the cross He accomplished all needed for our salvation. Jesus died in our place, two thousands years ago, at the right time decided by Father God. Before being born-again, we were all helpless and could do nothing to save ourselves. No human being, ever deserved to be saved, but Jesus still offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Now Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand, praying for us, and He also lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so blessed to be Your child. Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit with all His fruit, including love. Thank You Lord Jesus for dying in my place, paying for my sins so that I may live. I did not earn my salvation, I received it by Your amazing grace and I can never thank You enough for all You have done for me! I was just a sinner, without any chance to save myself when You touched my heart and transformed my life. Glory and honor to Your holy Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 22nd OF OCTOBER
JESUS’ SACRIFICE PROVES GOD’S LOVE FOR US
- But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. - Romans 5:8-9
The Holy Spirit led the apostle Paul to emphasize again and again how much God loves us. In Jesus’ sacrifice we clearly see the love of Father God and of His Son, as both went through so much suffering for us. The previous verse says that someone might die for a good man, who is honorable, selfless, worthy and only did good works. But none of us were like that, proving even more how extraordinary it is that Jesus died for us, while we were just sinners, no matter how big or small.
None of us had to first become sinless and perfect to be able to follow Jesus. Once Jesus became our Lord, we were born-again through the Holy Spirit and started to change for the better, desiring to live to please God. We all have been declared free of the guilt of sin, as Jesus’ blood has cleansed and justified us. Because Jesus removed our sins, we are saved from the wrath of God that will come upon those who reject Jesus.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for the power of Your blood that washed away my sins. You shed Your blood once for all the sins of the past, present and future, and it will never lose its power to remove the sins of those who truly repent and ask forgiveness. I could never be sinless, without You and I cannot ever thank You enough for loving and saving me. Glory and honor to Your holy Name, for ever and ever, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 23rd OF OCTOBER
JESUS has RECONCILED US TO FATHER GOD
- For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. - Romans 5:10-11
Through Jesus we are reconciled to God, into a state of fellowship and pure union with Him. While living in sin, we were at war with God. This proves God’s amazing love and grace, as He gave His Son to die for the salvation of His enemies. And He did not stop at just sparing us from eternal damnation, but He adopted us into His family and made us His children! If He loved us that much we can be sure that while being His, He will help us even more to remain on the narrow path, that leads to heaven.
And the good news does not end here. By following Jesus we can rejoice in God’s love. Through Jesus we received reconciliation with God and in Him we can find the fullness of love, hope, joy and peace.
Suggested prayer: How amazing it is all You did for me dear Lord. Thank You Jesus for reconciling me to Father God and for bringing me back into fellowship with Him. You prepared fullness of joy, peace and love for me. Please help me seek, find and grasp all that You have for me, so that I will always have firm faith in You and never doubt my salvation. Please help me through the Holy Spirit to quickly repent when I sin and to choose to do what pleases God, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 24TH OF OCTOBER
THE LAW AND THE GRACE OF GOD
- Moreover the Law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 5:20-21
The Law was given so that it would increase and expand the awareness of the offense, by defining and revealing sin. The benefits that mankind has receive through Jesus’ sacrifice are much greater than what we lost through Adam’s sin. Every man is a sinner against God, condemned by the Law and needs forgiveness. For every sin we need the amazing gift of God’s grace to be forgiven and have it removed forever.
The reign of sin brings death and eternal damnation. But the unmerited favor of God, that we have received through Jesus Christ, brings freedom from sin and the power of death, for all who live under His lordship. After we received Jesus in our hearts, we also received His righteousness and entered under the reign of grace, which leads us to eternal life, that we can only have in Jesus.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Father God for Jesus, Who have acquired for us more privileges than what Adam lost for us through sin. What a huge blessing it is to be Yours! In You I received all I need for a blessed life here and for all eternity. Thank You for Your righteousness and please help me to live in obedience to Your Word and to follow You wholeheartedly. Glory and honor to Your holy Name, now and for ever, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 25TH OF OCTOBER
IN JESUS WE DIED TO SIN, TO LIVE FOR GOD
- What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? - Romans 6:1-3
Of course we cannot continue to live in sin, loving it more than we love Jesus and be right with Him at the same time. It amazes me to hear that people who live in perpetual sin, consider themselves Christians and are sure they are saved. Why would someone want to continue to live in sin, once they know that sin hurts God and empowers the devil? God’s Word is the truth and it says that once we asked Jesus to become our Lord, we died to sin. That means that we can sin less and less. When we are sincere and truly want to stop sinning, the Lord helps us to change and live a better life. In the Bible we can find the truth about everything we struggle with and by repeating the truth of God’s Word, we can demolish the strongholds that sin built up in our minds to keep us in bondage, and replace them with God’s truth.
It would be helpful for all of us to ask ourselves if we are truly born again and we are truly dead to sin. As long as we live in these bodies we have a carnal nature, but if we are truly born again, our godly spirits should be ruling over the sinful nature. Jesus died for real on the cross, and His death is the only payment that our Heavenly Father accepts for the sins of all people. The baptism “in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19b), is the baptism into Jesus' death, through which the Lord canceled the reign of sin over our lives and bringing us into true freedom found in our new life in Christ Jesus.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Father God for giving me Your unmerited favor that saved me! Lord please help me daily to crucify my flesh, to be truly dead to sin and live to please You. The more free I am of sin, the happier my life is. Please search my heart and show me what else I need to change or renounce to. Please show me the right Scriptures, that reveal the truth about the issues I have and help me to demolish the lies and replace them with Your truth. Please help me to remain in Jesus and do everything for His glory, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 26TH OF OCTOBER
THE COVENANT WITH JESUS THROUGH WATER BAPTISM
- Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection - Romans 6:4-5
Those of us who were baptized, have been "buried with Jesus." Our old self, our past actions and sins died and “lost their hold” over us. Also, as we were raised up from the waters of baptism, we were raised up clean and righteous. Could baptismal water have so much power? Water baptism without a sincere faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God cannot and will not save anyone. Only faith in Jesus followed by the baptism saves us. The Lord says that “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16a). True baptism, as the Lord commands us to do, is the symbol of dying to self and being raised clean to live the sincere, new life in Jesus as we truly repented and give our selves to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
It is a fact that if we sincerely asked Jesus to be our Lord, we died with Him in the water baptism. And if we truly died with Him, we were also resurrected by the same power who resurrected Him, the Holy Spirit. We are alive in Christ and we can say as Paul said: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). For more details you may read the article “Baptism by Water.”
Suggested prayer: My Lord, You suffered so much when You died in my place, and through You I died to self too, since I believed in You, asked You to be my Lord and I was baptized in Your Name. Words cannot express my gratitude for all You did for me! Father, please help me to not allow my carnal nature to rule again, to obey it in its lusts, but to crucify it daily, as I follow Your guidance in all I do. Because I died with Jesus, I also want to live with Jesus and fulfill Your plan for my life. Honor and glory to Your holy Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 27TH OF OCTOBER
THROUGH CHRIST WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM THE POWER OF SIN
- Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. - Romans 6:6-7
The Greek word used for “freed” is “dikaióō” meaning that the believer is "made righteous, justified by the Lord, cleared of all charges (punishment) related to their sins,” according to “HELPS Word-studies.” Paul is not saying that the Christian is now perfect or sinless, but that sin has lost its lordship over him, just as the slave owner loses their rights over a dead slave. The deeper we get this truth, the harder we will give in to being tempted by sin.
When we became born-again only our spirit was made anew by the Holy Spirit, through the seed of God's Word, while our body and soul remained the same. It is up to us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, changing our ways of thinking. We need to change the old, worldly ways of thinking, with the godly mindset. In the beginning of our walk with God, it was not easy to fight against sin because we still had the same mindset, the same patterns of thinking and acting as we did before we were saved. Father God sent the Holy Spirit to help us, because we cannot change in our own strength. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Guide and Teacher who leads us into all truth and helps us live the victorious life.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus, for setting me free from the power of sin and making me righteous. Thank You Lord for Your Word that is the truth which changes and renews my mind. Please help me to continue to remove the worldly ways of thinking and replace them with Your truth and principles. Please guide me through the Holy Spirit into all truth and help me walk on the narrow path that leads to heaven, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 28TH OF OCTOBER
LET US NEVER FORGET THAT IN JESUS WE ARE DEAD TO SIN
- For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. - Romans 6:10-12
Glory to Jesus Christ our Lord! His sacrifice was enough to pay for all past, present and future sins of all people in full. Our Lord did His part for our salvation. Once we truly understand that we are forgiven, it is up to us to know that we are dead to sin and alive to Christ and that we should live for God and not for sin. We are to choose what we are using our bodies and souls for.
If we continue to live in sin, we continue to serve the devil, but if we live according to God's leadership and His biblical principles, we serve God and bring glory to His Holy Name. It is up to us to choose continuously to live right and produce the good fruit of righteousness. We have to choose to fight against temptations, asking the Holy Spirit to help us to not sin. God does not force us to make the right decisions, and that is why we need to “not let sin reign in our mortal bodies.” When we obey our carnal nature’s lusts, sin is our lord and not Jesus.
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for sending Your Son to die for all sins, once and for all. Because Jesus died in my place, I may live for You and receive all the spiritual blessings You have prepared for me in the heavenly places. Please help me to never forget that in Jesus, I am dead to sin and alive to You. Please help me not to follow the lusts of my flesh, fall into temptation and allow sin to be my lord instead of Jesus. Glory and honor to Your holy Name, Lord Jesus, for all eternity, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 29TH OF OCTOBER
HOW WE LIVE SHOWS WHO’S OUR LORD
- And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. - Romans 6:13-14
We choose who we serve and what we are using our bodies for. We better never forget that God knows it all and we have to live right as unto Him, to not obey our carnal nature’s lusts or what pleases other people. As long as we know that we are saved and forgiven by God's grace and not by our own efforts, sin does not have dominion over us.
If we love Jesus with all our hearts, we are willing to live to please Him and Father God. The sacrifice and suffering of Jesus Christ from the cross, shows how great His love is for us. As we understand how much God loves us, we receive more and more of His love and love Him more and more. While our love for Jesus increases, our desire to sin decreases.
The devil tries to trick us into believing that we cannot ever stop committing certain sins from our past. But this is just a lie. The Bible says that we are freed from the power of all sin and we can choose to do what is right. It is not that we become perfect and never accidentally sin, but we can choose to stop living in perpetual, deliberate sin.
Suggested prayer: How perfect is Your salvation plan, dear Lord. You did all You had to do and now it is my turn to choose to please You and to not sin. The reward of peace, joy, love and blessing that I receive from You by living right cannot even be compared to anything that any sin may offer. The price of sin is huge and it can cost me forever. Lord please help me to always make the right choices that empower You to bless me. Please help me to never choose to sin and empower the devil to destroy me. Please help me to keep Jesus as my Lord forever and never let sin gain dominion over me again, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 30TH OF OCTOBER
BEING SLAVE TO JESUS IS TRUE FREEDOM
- But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. - Romans 6:17-18
Slaves have to obey their masters, as they are literally owned by them and have no rights, just duties. Since we chose Jesus to be our Lord, we belong to Him as He redeemed us with His blood. Because we do not belong to ourselves anymore, we should follow His leadership and do His will. We cannot continue to obey the lusts and desires of our flesh, as we did while being sinners.
As Christians, we are followers of Jesus Christ, so we have to obey our Lord. Our true master is the one whom we listen to. Only when we surrender it all to God, do we renounce our “ownership rights” choosing allegiance and obedience to the Holy Spirit, can we become holy. Why? Because as we read above, “we are slaves to whom we obey.” No one is their own master, this is just the devil’s lie, to keep people from becoming Christians. We either follow Jesus and He is our true Lord, or we follow the lusts of our flesh and obey the enemy.
Suggested prayer: Father God, thank You so very much for setting me free from the power of sin, through Your Son’s sacrifice. Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Lord and for making me righteous. Please help me to live right for You, to never go back under the dominion of sin, but to remain true to You, living to please You. By being Your child, I found the best life possible with true freedom, peace and joy, that will never come to an end, but will become perfect forever in heaven. Thank You for everything, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 31ST OF OCTOBER
BY FAITH IN JESUS WE CAN CHOOSE NOT TO FEAR
- “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” - John 14:21
Jesus said these words the night before He was arrested to be crucified. He was preparing the disciples’ hearts for what was to come. The disciples’ greatest crisis was about to happen and if they would have truly understood what the Lord had told them, they could have avoided much fear, grief, pain and despair. The Lord never asks something of us that we cannot do. If He said that we are able to keep our hearts from being troubled, it means that we can do it. Jesus has even told us how. We can prevent our hearts from being afraid and not lose our peace when we have faith and trust in God knowing that He is with us no matter what.
We can choose to keep our calm and peace in the midst of trials, if we remember that we have the Lord’s peace living in us, as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. There are many situations in life that can upset and aggravate us but what good ever comes from allowing them to steal our peace? Losing our temper usually increases our trouble, causes us to sin and often results in us saying or doing things that cannot be taken back. The enemy wants us to believe that we cannot control our temper, but we do ourselves a big favor when we restrain our emotions. For example, many times people are having disagreements and the phone rings, or someone comes in the room and all of a sudden both sides can act nice. Some of us may need more help from God and work harder to control our temper than others, but it can be done. A life lived without strife is so much better, more enjoyable and pleases God.
Suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, please help me let Your perfect peace calm me down in every circumstance and give me the courage and strength I need to handle everything correctly. Please always remind me that with the help of the Holy Spirit I can control my emotions and hold my peace. Help me find the best way out from what is not going right, keep my heart pure and have the right attitude. Thank You Lord for providing all the tools and weapons I need to fight the good fight of faith and win every battle in Your Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.