Become What You Believe Today's lesson of encouragement has been on my heart for about a week now. Its birth came from a comment that I heard come from the mouth of a college student that I care very much for. Even though the words were from a college student, many other people of all ages say somewhat the same type of things from time to time. I, too, battle with the same demon at times. The comment was, "I'm not smart enough to handle the task." Do you know who audibly heard this comment at the same moment that the student spoke it? (You probably thought I was going to say "God" right here, and I would go off in this direction for my lesson.) No, not God, even though He was a little disappointed in the comment. The person that audibly heard it was the very student that spoke it. At that very moment, this person's brain heard, "I'm not smart enough." Did you know that our own words are just as (or more) damaging to us than if someone else had said the same thing to us? We place limits on ourselves much more than any other barrier that keeps us from living out our full potential. In the Book of Ephesians chapter 1 verse 3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." As a believer in Jesus Christ, you have received a deposit into your account. The deposit came from Yahweh Jireh, "the Lord Will Provide", from heaven. The deposit is "every spiritual blessing in Christ." Notice that the verse is in past tense. It's Already Been Done! I want to encourage you today to look into your personal account for this deposit. If one evening your father deposited a large sum of money into your checking account just because he loved you, then it would be a shame to go for years never looking at your balance. Day to day, you just keep telling yourself, "I'm poor. I wish I could afford to look a little nicer so I could get ahead." You never think to look at your balance because you keep telling yourself that you're poor. But, as your father was making his large deposit years ago, he was thinking, "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you." (Jeremiah 29:11) I'm here to tell you that a deposit has been made into you. You have the spiritual blessings to achieve the destiny that God has planned for you. Following His will for your life will place you in a much better career and loving family environment than you can imagine for yourself. A large part of His will is for you to have faith. Have faith that the deposit has been made in you. Have faith that you "can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13) To me, the words "can do everything", cover pretty much anything that you may be attempting in God's will for your life. Negative words to yourself and about yourself are never good. This is a way that I believe that Satan tries to keep us from fulfilling God's perfect plan for our lives. From this day forward I want you to think about this each time you say something or think something negative about yourself. Each time you think or hear yourself saying something negative about yourself, I want you to immediately think that the thought came from Satan. Perhaps if you think this, you will eventually stop being negative to yourself. (I know that you don't want Satan determining who your are.) The title of this lesson is "Become What You Believe." These are POWERFUL words! Do you think that I came up with these words to inspire you? I want you to be inspired, but these are the words of Jesus. The words come from the Book of Matthew chapter 9 starting in verse 27. Two blind men had been following Jesus calling out to Him, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' "Yes, Lord,' they replied." Then Jesus said; "According to your faith be it unto you." King James Version "Let it be done for you according to your faith." Holman Christian Bible "Because of your faith, it will happen." New Living Translation "Let it happen, then, just as you believe." Good News Translation "It shall be done to you according to your faith." The NAS Strong's Version And my favorite translation of this verse, "Become what you believe." The Message This is A Good Word! Read through all six translations again. Each one has a different and very special meaning. Each one addresses what you believe in your heart. You will become what you believe in your heart. I want to encourage you to believe that you are here for a purpose. God has great plans for you. Believe what the Bible says about you in Romans 8: 37, "... in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Believe that you are a conqueror. Believe that you can pass that tough college course. Believe that you can get that job that will make you happy. Believe that your marriage can be repaired and blessed. Believe that you can speak well as a public speaker. (That's for me.) Believe that you can overcome that illness or disease. Believe that God loves you and desires to take a daily role in your life. Amen! Robby |
01/22/05 |
Archived Hits |
