Living Life for Christ Alone

"Where do wars and fights come from among you?" (James 4:1) Have you ever paused to wonder why fights happen?  When I say fighting, yes, I could be talking about actual wars happening. I could also be referring to the battles we fight within our own country- political, social, and so on.  I could be talking about the rifts that happen interdenominationally, or even within a single church.  But I'm sure we all know that fighting happens a lot closer to home than that.  How about the "disagreements" (er, arguments) that happen within families: among siblings, spouses, parents and teens, etc.? There is something almost thrilling about joining in a good argument, would you agree? I've gotten caught up in some of them myself. It's almost addicting to fight for that last word.  But usually, whoever had the last word was the one who inflicted the most pain.  And whenever that last word is followed by silence, you can be sure that it will take a lot of work to ...

For a long time, I struggled with the voice of condemnation. I desperately wanted to please God, but never felt like I could do enough to please Him. The voice of accusation and condemnation would speak, and I would fall into the trap of introspection.  To this day, there are still times when I fall for that voice. But God has been over the years teaching me to recognize when He is convicting and when the enemy, the accuser, is condemning. Because there is a difference. They are not the same. Characteristics of the Accuser’s voice: 1. When Satan comes, he tempts us to despair of our relationship with God. He takes his accusations and puts them between us and God, tempting us to believe that whatever we have done or have failed to do has become a reason for God not to want us anymore. He lies to us and says that our sin has separated us from the love of God. Have you ever felt driven away from God because of guilt and shame? That is not God doing that. God...

"Christ is all; and in all." (Colossians 3:11) Christian... Don't look for identity in what you do or who people say you are. Christ has made you a child of God! Don't seek protection in people you have in your life. Christ has made God to be your Protector in every situation. Don't look for acceptance from friends or people you respect. Christ has made you acceptable to God. Don't search for fulfillment in friendships. Christ has already said that you are His friend, and who could be a better friend than Jesus? Leave off the search for love in a boyfriend or girlfriend. Christ has made you complete in Himself! Never give in to the idea that you are as secure as the people and friends make you to be. Christ has given you eternal security in Himself! Don't seek to ease the guilt that comes when you fail by running to temporary pleasures! Christ has forgiven you once for all! You are washed in the blood and that never will need to be repeate...