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As Christians, we often fail to realize it when we are allowing the culture to shape our testimony when it should be the other way around. Being conformed to the world is easy, because it's a passive avenue to "go along, to get along". But honoring Christ takes active obedience through the power of the Spirit as your mind is transformed by the Word of God. This why it's vitally important how to prayer concern your circumstances based on biblical principles and standards.
As Christians, we have been given the Holy Spirit who wages war against our flesh “to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” Galatians 5:17 (NKJV). Believers must not allow the flesh to control their actions, behaviors or conversations, or continue to waste away their days doing things that don’t bring any profit to your spiritual man nor glory to the Kingdom of God. The best thing to do is learn how to put confidence and trust in God’s Word, it can produce a fruitful and productive change in your personal and spiritual life.
This challenge will help you show the greatest revealer of your heart, which oftentimes perceives from your callous communication and harsh speech, the words you say without giving any thought to the emotional or mental damage to others. It can even include the words you type online, if you only knew the pain that one slanderous word can cause. If you only knew what trials people are already facing before you start verbally tearing them down, you would think twice about spewing venomous words from uncontrolled tongue or online. As believers, we should always try to use your words to heal and strengthen; and not to tear down. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV).
We are wise to guard ourselves from the temptation to misuse the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus, the one who saves His people from their sins, denotes all the power of the mighty Creator Himself. Jesus gives believers the authority to serve, work, and pray in His name when we do so believing in Jesus’ saving power and desiring God’s will. “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25–26 (NKJV).
It requires faith to believe in the power of Jesus’ name. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV). The Word of God says, without faith, His name will not be powerful. But, with faith, the name of Jesus is the most powerful name there is. And his name through faith has made or given men strength the tests and trials in this life. “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” Acts 3:16 (KJV)
Our Heavenly Father understanding the power of names carefully chose the name of Jesus to reflect His purpose while on earth and after resurrection. The name of means saviour: (1) Deliverance from sin and its consequences. (2) Preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss. “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” John 14:14 (NKJV).
Therefore, there is no deliverance from sin and its consequences nor preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss except through the name of Jesus. We are instructed in the Bible to pray in the name of Jesus and with His authority. “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” John 16:23–24 (NKJV).
The saving, healing, protecting, justifying, redeeming power of God resides in the Person of Christ, and Jesus is His name. And how did the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent Creator of the universe choose to wield His power? Through His Son, born in humble circumstances—a baby with all the power of the King. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” Luke 2:11–12 (NKJV). Jesus laid down His life to save sinners, and He exercised His authority to raise it up again so that any who call on His name in faith can receive forgiveness of sins and salvation for all eternity. That is the resurrection power of the Savior—He alone is the force behind His name. “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father” John 10:18 (NKJV).
It is in Jesus’ name that God instructs us to pray. Believers are invited to pray in Jesus’ name with an expectation that God answers prayers. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you [a]ask anything in My name, I will do it” John 14:13–14 (NKJV). Praying in Jesus’ name means praying with His authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers because we come by faith in the name of His Son, Jesus. Praying in Jesus’ name means praying in line with Jesus’ character and His will. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” Luke 10:19 (NKJV).
True believers refuse to grow bitter or let the spirit of jealousy rule their hearts, and lives. They refuse to grow bitter because of the success and prosperity of others. They remain fully aware how to guard theirs hearts, mind and spirit against the spirit of jealousy. Because, this bitter jealousy will lead to selfish ambition and ultimately toward destruction. It will led you to despising those who have a “better” life than you. You’ll find yourself questioning God’s goodness. Meanwhile, you will be missing the story that God is writing for your greatness right before your eyes. You must not allow or permit jealousy to cloud your view of God's goodness, grace and mercy on your life. Keep in mind that God is writing a great and wonderful story just for you, just learn how to rejoice through the process.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him” John 14:6–7 (NKJV).
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