The great life “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled…” (John 14:27). Whenever we experience something difficult in our personal life, we are tempted to blame God. But we are the ones in the wrong, not God. Blaming God is evidence that we are refusing to let go of some disobedience somewhere..

Personality “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22). Personality is the unique, limitless part of our life that makes us distinct from everyone else. It is too vast for us even to comprehend. An island in the sea may be just the top of a large mountain, and our personality is like that island. We don’t know the great depths of our being, therefore we..

Individuality “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself …’” (Matthew 16:24). Individuality is the hard outer layer surrounding the inner spiritual life. Individuality shoves others aside, separating and isolating people. We see it as the primary characteristics of a child, and rightly so. When we confuse individuality with..

Christian perfection “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfect…” (Philippians 3:12). It is a trap to presume that God wants to make us perfect specimens of what He can do-God’s purpose is to make us one with Himself. The emphasis of holiness movements tends to be that God is producing specimens of holiness to put in His museum. If you accept this concept..

“My rainbow in the cloud” “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth” (Genesis 9:13). It is the will of God that human beings should get into a right-standing relationship with Him, and His covenants are designed for this purpose. Why doesn’t God save me? He has accomplished and provided for my salvation, but ..

The law of opposition “To him who overcomes…” (Revelation 2:7). Life without war is impossible in the natural or the supernatural realm. It is a fact that there is a continuing struggle in the physical, mental, moral, and spiritual areas of life. Health is the balance between the physical parts of my body and all the things and forces surrounding me. To maintain good heal..

“Not by might nor by power? “My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power…” (1 Corinthians 2:4). If in preaching the gospel you substitute your knowledge of the way of salvation for confidence in the power of the gospel, you hinder people from getting to reality. Take care to see while you pro..

Direction of focus “Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of theirs masters …, so our eyes look to the Lord our God …” (Psalm 123:2). This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God r..

“By the Grace of God I am what I am” “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain …” (1 Corinthians 15:10). The way we continually talk about our own inabilities is an insult to our Creator. To complain over our incompetence is to accuse God falsely of having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining from God’s perspective those..

Taking possession of our own soul “By your patience possess your souls” (Luke 21:19). When a person is born again, there is a period of time when he does not have the same vitality in his thinking or reasoning that he previously had. We must learn to express this new life within us, which comes by forming the mind of Christ (see Philippians 2:5). Luke 21:19 means that we ta..