Daily Devotional

COME CLOSER TO HIS FIRE

April 8

hild of God here are some of the things that weaken the faith of the believer in Christ and some of those which make you strong. First, you must understand that all of life is a matter of strength and weakness. To the strong in the Lord belongs continual victory no matter how severe the test of Satan. To the strong in the Lord is added wisdom, knowledge to escape hell's worst arrows and to pass the tests of spiritual maturity. Do you want to be among the strong? Look at the things in the lives of Christians that weaken them: 1) A subtle, evil persecution of other Christians through attitudes and cutting remarks. That's right beloved, as you cut and slash at those that you love and at those that have been given you as gifts from God, you "sow" cutting and slashing, and guess what you reap? You guessed it! What do you do? You sincerely admit that you are in sin and need confession and repentance of that sin! Do it in Jesus' name from the bottom of your heart. Ask your Father why you treat others this way. Get to the root with the help of the Holy Spirit. Free yourself through prayer and petitions before God. You will never go anywhere with God in your personal spiritual life with these hidden roots of sin. 2) Selfishness when it comes to material things. If you are stingy with God, He will be stingy with you! (Again, you reap what you sow, Galatians 6:7 NKJV). Repent immediately and cast away from you the idolatry of things. This idolatry weakens your faith because it is one of the things that drive you away from the person of the unselfish Christ. It is much like a camp fire. The closer you get to the fire, the warmer you become. The further you go away, the colder. Therefore, in the presence up close to God is your greatest strength to walk in peace, grace and liberty in the Holy Spirit of God. What will it be? What makes you strong? 3) Sharing your heart and personal goods with those in physical, spiritual and emotional need. As you share freely (if you have a hard time repent and ask God to help you), the Holy Spirit will let you reap strength and grace in those three areas yourself. You will eventually grow to love giving of your heart and life for others. This is the very essence of the Lord Jesus and the reason for which He came into the world--- to give himself)! Refuse to listen to negative reports and gossip from others about other Christians. Wow! Somehow Christians delight sometimes (along with the worldly lost people) in the downfall and weakness of other Christians. To fight this problem, speak lovingly and uplift with words of blessing and encouragement other Christians. These are only a few of the things that you can do to strengthen yourself in the Lord your God.

Prayer

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Father, I am so glad that you give me the gift of the mind of Christ. I want to know Him, love Him, serve Him, and believe in Him for all my strength and blessings in life. I receive correction and peace from heaven in Jesus' name, amen!