Agreeing with God

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)

Do you agree with God? This may seem funny to say, but each of us comes to Christ with a different perception of God, perhaps even a negative one. 

Subsequently, our thoughts about what we think about God and what He thinks of us is reflected in our lives to others. If we believe God is out to get us, we will think this about people in general too. We might even have a judgmental attitude toward them. 

However, in order to be effective conduits of God's love and grace, we need to agree with His TRUE nature! Through this process of understanding what God thinks about us and agreeing with Him, we might discover that we've been agreeing with the enemy for way too long. 

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:7 & 8) 

Here are some things the enemy might have us believe, either through circumstances or through negative things people have done or said to us in our past:

• We are insignificant
• No one loves/cares for us 
• We do not have a purpose 
• There is not a reason for our existence 
• We have to do something to earn God's love/approval

Conversely, all of the above are the exact OPPOSITE of how God wants us to believe! 

Let us make sure we have aligned ourselves with God's thoughts for us, for our past, present, and future. Our God is love - and we need to agree with Him!

The Washing of the Word

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light unto my path." -Psalm 119:105

"I don't know how people do it," said my friend. "I don't know how people do it without the word of God to sustain them. It's my lifeline."

My friend had recently taken on a job in a large firm where the work was very grueling. The long hours and work with no breaks was definitely challenging, and I knew she had sacrificed a lot in her personal life for her career. No matter, she knew it was just for a season, but during this season of "intense training" and limited friend and family time she knew she needed the word of God more than ever to sustain her.

In general, we tend to have a limited dependency on the Word. We may read it when we're bored or when we need a small pick me up. Others of us are more diligent to read the Bible every day. But, when our reading is nothing more than head knowledge, our spirits aren't fed and we can tend to get frustrated and discouraged. Sometimes we read the Bible as a religious ritual, instead of asking for a  'rhema' word - what could God be saying to me today that helps me fulfill His plans and purposes for my life NOW?  In order to prepare her heart to receive from God, another friend of mine would worship before reading. She experienced a lot more out of reading scripture than if she hadn't.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.  In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." -John 1:1-4
 
So why should we read God's word?   Reading God's word is so important to us as Christians. It brings light to old mindsets and healing to our hearts. It's like saltwater on a wound, cleansing our hearts from the dirt and dust of the world.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." -1 Timothy 16 & 17

How often do you read the Bible? Make it a regular practice - you will notice positive changes in your life!