Sermons & Devotional Messages    

Search me, O Lord...

by Dr. Ray Stamps

  Testing my Mind and Thoughts

  Testing my Tongue and Words

  Testing my Deeds and Actions

  Testing the Feeding of my Soul

  Confession and Repentance

 

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves."   2 Corinthians 13:5

 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;  Try me... and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23

Testing my Mind and Thoughts

How have my thoughts glorified You, My Lord and My God?

"Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor 10:31

Or have my thoughts been swallowed up with "me" - and self-seeking?

"...if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." James 3:14

Did I seek to see You, My Lord, in all the events of my day, or did I have only eyes for myself and my desires?

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Col 3:17

Did I offer up thanksgiving in everything?

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thes 5:16

When I beheld others, did I look only to their external appearance or did I seek to see, most of all, their hearts and the needs of their souls?

"From now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer." 2 Cor 5:16

Did I seek to love and bless the people God put in my life today -- including those who mock or despise me?

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
    "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.'
    "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 
Romans 12:14-21

Was there a melody of delight in my heart for You today? Was I most satisfied in You, my God?

"...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father...."  Eph 5:18

Where was my treasure today? How did my heart pursue my treasure?

"...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:20-21

What thoughts did I entertain and dwell upon which were unworthy of my Lord?

"Do not be 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." Rom 12:2

Did I envy? Covet? Lust? Dream selfish and worldly dreams with no accountability to God?

"...whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matt 5:28

"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war." James 4:1

Am I allowing my heart to become hardened toward my Lord?  Toward others? Am I allowing bitterness to have a place in my heart?

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Heb 3:12-13

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears." Heb 12:14-17

Have I been judgmental of others in my heart, perhaps just to put them down to make myself feel more superior?

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Matt 7:1-5

Have I allowed apathy, indolence, disappointment or despair to have their way with me?

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."  2 Cor 4:7-11

Did I show respect and honor for God's different authorities in my life?

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." Romans 13:1

What opportunities to glorify my sovereign Lord and King did I seize or lose?

"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever." 1 Pet 4:11

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Col 4:6

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matt 5:16


Testing my Tongue and Words

How have I spoken to others today?

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Col 4:6

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Eph 4:29

Did I speak "the truth in love"?

"...that we should no longer be rchildren, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine... but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the thead—Christ..." Eph 4:14-15

Did I seek to love them in Christ and bless them?

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another..." Rom 12:10

What words have I spoken to specifically glorify Jesus Christ, my Lord?

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Rev 12:11

What words have I spoken devoid of faith and reflecting only my fleshly nature?

"...no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:8

Did I speak words that were evil? Words of anger? Words of bitterness, impatience or unforgiveness? Graceless words? Curses? Impure or lying words?

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Eph 4:31

"...be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Eph 4:23

"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." Eph 5:3-4

"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret." Eph 5:11

"But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him...." Col 3:8-10

Did I offer a word of witness when presented with an opportunity?

"...sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." 1 Pet 3:15
 

Did I speak without thinking of how my words would sound or be received? Were my words thoughtless, careless, even harsh? Did I speak them to make me feel better, not caring what their impact would be?

Did I speak words of arrogance and pride or did I serve others with my words, seeking to edify them? Were they words that I would want spoken to me?

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Phil 2:3-4

"Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matt 7:12

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Eph 4:29

Were my words filled with myself or with Christ?

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Phil 1:21

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Gal 2:20

Did I listen before I spoke or did I hastily and foolishly speak without due thought or restraint?

"let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak..." Jam 1:19

"He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him." Prov 18:13

"Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Prov 29:20

Were my words argumentative? Or were they gentle, forbearing, humble and gracious to others?

"...pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." 2 Tim 2:22

Were my words true?  Or were they twisted, tainted, or colored to avoid speaking the truth?

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31

"Therefore putting away lying, 'let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another." Eph 4:25

Did my words assume responsibility for my actions? Or did I justify and defend myself -- or blame someone else?

"For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load." Gal 6:3

"...the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...." Rom 1:18

Did I speak evil of others, defaming or dishonoring them, spreading rumors, even slandering or gossiping about them?

"For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" 2 Timothy 3:2

"And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not." 1 Tim 5:13

Did I deny myself with my words to exalt Christ and His work?

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Col 3:17

Testing my Deeds and Actions

Were my deeds and actions done for the gory of God and His Christ? Or were they for my own satisfaction?

"I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God...." 1 Pet 2:11-12

"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles...." 1 Pet 4:1

"For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." 1 Cor 6:20

Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation...." James 1:9

Did God use my actions to bless others and portray the love of Christ in me?

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." Gal 5:6

"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only  do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” Gal 5:13

Did I act wisely with prudence and integrity in all that I did?

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8

"...let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." Matt 5:37

Was I a good steward of the last 24 hours of the time which my Lord entrusted to me?

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb 10:23-25

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Eph 5:15

Did I act with the gentleness, patience, and compassion of Christ? Or were my own expectations and desires the main motives behind my actions?

"I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus."  Philip 2:20

"...as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Col 3:12

Did I act vengefully toward someone today? Did I seek revenge in my actions , actively or passively, explicitly or implicitly?

"Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Rom 12:19

Have I judged someone else today, being critical of someone else, usurping the authority which belongs to God alone, or without applying the same measure of judgment upon myself? Would I want someone else to judge me in that same fashion?

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Matt 7:1-5

"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.... To his own master he stands or falls.... For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s." Rom 14:1-8

"...it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ... Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God." 1 Cor 4:2-5

Did I act in ways that conveyed the forgiveness, love and multitude of grace which I have received from my Lord? Were my acts motivated and representative of my gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord for His grace to me?

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Eph 4:32

Did God use my actions to bless others and portray the love of Christ in me?

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting,which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." Eph 5:3

"...giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God." Eph 5:20

“'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?'

     "Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ... 

     "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.  'So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” Matt 18:21-24, 32-35
 

"if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. " Matt 18:15

Did I go to the person who offended me -- or who I offended -- and seek reconciliation and forgiveness? Did I fail to make restitution?

"if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Matt 5:23

"Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.' And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house....” Luke 19:8-9

What good works did I show a zeal for today? What act have I performed today that was truly and purely for the good and blessing of someone else, without a trace of self-serving?

"looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." Titus 2:13

"...be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work....  This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works." Titus 3:1, 8

"...And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.... Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." 1 Cor 13:1

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." John 15:12

Did I deny myself so that I might lift up Christ in concrete, real actions toward others? Heave I purposed today to serve the needs of others for the glory of Christ?

"For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s." Rom 14:7-8

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22

"If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:15-17

"...submitting to one another in the fear of God." Eph 5:21

"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”  Gal 5:13-14


Testing the Care and Feeding of my Soul

Did I joyfully pray today?

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:4

Did I pray spontaneous prayers throughout the day? Did I have a concentrated time of prayer before and with my Lord? Was my prayer time a "sweet hour of prayer"? Did I enter into His presence? Or was He "far off"?

"One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek:
That I may fdwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."
Psalm 27:4

Were my prayers filled with praise and thanksgiving with my petitions?

"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us..."  Col 4:2

"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever!" Rom 11:36

Did I  pray  for my family today?

"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Tim 5:8

"...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." Eph 6:18

Did I spend time in His Word today? Was it truly "bread from heaven" for my soul? Did God's Word wash me and renew me? Did His Word draw me into the presence of my Lord? Did I memorize any part of His Word today? Is it hidden in my heart? Can I speak them to the Lord right now? Did His Word instruct me or correct me or equip me for good works?

"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”  Matt 4:4

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col 3:16

"...that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Eph 5:26

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..." Eph 6:17

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Tim 3:16

Did I minister God's Word to my family today?

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." Exo 20:12

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deut 6:5

"So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies...." Eph 5:28

"do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." Eph 6:4

Did I  fellowship with other Christians today?  Did I receive their ministry to me? Did I offer my ministry to them? Was I encouraging them form God's Word? Did I pray for them? Did I faithfully and joyously meet with the saints for worship this week?

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."  Heb 10:23

"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever." 1 Pet 4:11

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all...."  1 Cor 12:7

"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." Eph 6:18

Did I  exercise my spiritual gift today in actual ministry to others?  Did others minister to me in their giftedness? Did I thank God for their ministry?

"to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Eph 4:7

"...speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Eph 4:15

Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation...." James 1:9

"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever." 1 Pet 4:11

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.... Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." Rom 12:6, 10-13

Did I  exercise my trust in God today?  Did my faith grow?  Or did I fail to trust God with my needs?

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1

"Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matt 6:30

"...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus...." Heb 12:1

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26

Did I  suffer with Christ today? Did I bear my cross for His glory?  Did I deny myself concretely for Him?

"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me." Phil 1:27-30

"...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,"
Phil 3:10

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing...." Matt 5:10-12

"My brethren, count it all joy cwhen you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

Did I  experience and recognize the grace of God poured out upon me today? Did I thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness to me?  Have I pleaded 'to know him the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" more and more today? Have I cried out to God for more grace ?

"He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor 12:9-10

"I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philip 4:11

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory!"  Eph 3:20

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ... If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matt 7:7-11

"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Heb 4:14

Confession and Repentance

Have I clearly acknowledged my specific sins today?

"Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God, and have scattered your charms to alien deities.... and you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord." Jer 3:13

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me... I acknowledged my sin to You... and You forgave the iniquity of my sin." Psalm 32:3

Have I recommitted my wholehearted obedience to the Lordship of Christ by a renewed purpose and focus and specific actions, the fruit of my repentance?

"He said to the multitudes... 'Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.... And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.'
    So the people asked him, saying, 'What shall we do then?'
    He answered and said to them, 'He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.'
   Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, 'Teacher, what shall we do?'
   He said to them, 'Collect no more than what is appointed for you.'
   Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, 'And what shall we do?'
   He said to them, 'Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.'”
Luke 3:7-14

"Not that I have already  attained,  or am already  perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,  forgetting those things which are behind and  reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of  the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:12

"God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
     For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it.... For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. "
2 Cor 7:6-12

Have I received, in faith based on His promise, the forgiveness of my sins?

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"These things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins...." 1 John 2:1-2

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Rom 8:1

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,  by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together... but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb 10:19-25

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit." Psalm 32:1

"...they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Rev 12:11

"...this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jer 31:33-35


"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. "  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Home | Preparing for Victory | Today's News | Armor of God