Author: Bob Nichols

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God Loves You!

“Even thought you’ve missed it, God still loves you.”

4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7

We don’t walk perfectly, but God’s love isn’t based on our actions. He loved us before we existed, sending Jesus to die for our sins even knowing what people would do. God acted in faith that we’d join His family, focusing on our hearts. Our restoration is guaranteed by Jesus’ sacrifice. No matter what your past includes, the Blood of Jesus has covered it so that even God doesn’t see that anymore. He looks at you and just sees Jesus.

Victory Action

Today, by faith, I will walk free from my past. I will set my heart to seek God and become more like Him through spending time in His presence and His Word. I will look forward with hope and live in peace with God because of the blood.

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Forgiveness

“When God forgives, He forgets.”

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 8:12

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12

  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25

You cannot sin so much as God can forgive. If it comes to a pitched battle between sin and grace, you shall not be so bad as God shall be good. I will prove it to you. You can only sin as a man, but God can forgive as a God. You sin as a finite creature, but the Lord forgives as the infinite Creator. – Charles Spurgeon – 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. – Ephesians 1:7

  Victory Decision 

I acknowledge what God’s Word says about me is true! I declare that ALL my sins are forgiven and I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I will not dwell on my past. I will meditate on the blood of Jesus and receive everything He died for me to have.

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Conversation with God

“If Jesus needed to pray, I need to pray.”

Jesus was given to us by God to not only be our salvation, but to also be our example of a the life that God wants us to live. Pray is a key part of that life. Prayer at it most basic level is communication with God and Him communicating with us. Jesus knew it was important to spend time in communion with His Father.

 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Matthew 14:23

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. Matthew 26:36

Jesus spoke about prayer to His disciples and to those who listened to His teaching. His parables included references to prayer.

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Luke 18:1

Paul continued the teaching showing us that we should always be in prayer and that there are different kinds of prayer.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Clearly prayer is important to God and should be important to us.

Victory Action

Today I set aside time to spend with God in prayer. I will have a conversation (talk AND listen) with my Father in Heaven. I will also be aware of His presence and fellowship with Him throughout the day.

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Count the Cost

“Finishing is more important than starting.”

 

28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  29Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,  30Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Luke 14:28-30

6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 1:6

 

Victory Action

I will “count the cost” and make a firm commitment before starting a project, and work diligently unto the Lord while allowing Him to work in me until its completion.

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Faith Without Works is Dead

“God does not bless laziness.  God rewards diligence.”

 

14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?  15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:14-17

 Victory Action

I will do all I can do in the natural and yet choose to believe God’s Word over every circumstance.

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Sign the Check

“Jesus has given us a blank check.  All we need to do is sign it.”

 

23And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.  24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:23-24

  Victory Action

I don’t have to live on “Poverty Lane” or “Barely Get By Street.”  When I want something in line with God’s Word I’ll sign my “blank check” on “Abundant Blessing Blvd.” by asking the Father in Jesus’ name.

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No Replacement for Basics

“Nothing takes the place of prayer and eye contact with your Bible.”

 

9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. –Psalm 119:9-10

 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. –Psalm 119:105

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. – Psalm 5:3

We have so much information available to us today! You can watch, listen to and read about the Word of God. But the thing about relationship is spending time with the author of the book. The best way to do that is to read your Bible for yourself and spend time in prayer communicating with God and letting Him communicate with you. There is a reason it is called a PERSONAL relationship. Books, discussions with other believers, and listening to others teach and preach are all beneficial to spiritual growth.  However, the depth of your personal relationship with God depends on the time you spend regularly with Him in prayer and in His Word.

Victory Action

I will set aside time every day to spend time in the Bible and prayer to grow my personal relationship with God.

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Just Be Faithful

“Regardless of talents, anyone can be faithful.”

There is an old saying, “Dress thyself and show up!” Those words describe how easy it is to be faithful. Faithfulness is not based on skills. Even the most skilled person can be lazy. So it is not about skill set – it is about action. It is a heart thing. It is doing what you know to do with a desire for excellence. It is about consistency. It is about being the person that God can use and promote.

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another. – Psalm 75:6-7

Faithfulness gives God something to work with!

So the LORD your God will make you abound in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your land. Indeed, the LORD will again delight in your goodness, as He delighted in that of your fathers. – Deuteronomy 30:9

Our faithfulness to use our gifts and talents will cause God’s faithfulness to be seen in our lives.

Victory Action

God’s promotion is based on faithfulness, not on how many talents I have.  I will use what I have faithfully.

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Only God

“Don’t expect your companion (or anyone else) to be what only God can be to you.”

 

 21Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.  22Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:21-22

 

Victory Action

There is a certain quality of relationship that I can experience only with God, so I will expect Him, and not others, to meet the kind of need that only He can fulfill.