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Tuesday, January 15, 2013 -- What Keeps Me In Bondage (1)

Tuesday January 15, 2013


The ultimate lie of Satan is to get us to believe that we are God.  In fact, we are neither the master of our fate nor the captain of our soul.  God is in charge and He invites us to live in relationship with Him.  If we are not serving the true God, then we are serving another god who deceives us into thinking that we are serving ourselves.  Indulging our fleshly appetites doesn't satisfy them.  It only creates a greater dependency and craving.  Only those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied.  Those who find their identity, significance, and security in Christ will experience real life now and forever. 

“Blessed are those who are spiritually needy. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are those who are sad. They will be comforted. Blessed are those who are free of pride. They will be given the earth. Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right. They will be filled.  (Matthew 5:3-6 NIRV)


 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?  (Matthew 16:24-26 NLT)

To win the spiritual battle we must be under God's authority.  Only then can we resist the temptations of the devil.  Trying to resist the devil without first submitting to God will wear us out and break us down.  Submitting to God without resisting the devil will have the same effect.  We must first submit to God, and then resist the devil.  God's promise is that these two things, done in this order will have the result of the devil fleeing from us.

God treats us with even greater kindness, just as the Scriptures say, “God opposes everyone who is proud, but he is kind to everyone who is humble.” Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you.  Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can’t make up your mind.  Be sad and sorry and weep. Stop laughing and start crying. Be gloomy instead of glad. Be humble in the Lord’s presence, and he will honor you. (James 4:6-10 CEV)

Audio for Tuesday, January 15, 2013 -- What Keeps Me In Bondage (1)

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