While the tendency is to look at things outside of ourselves in this spiritual war, we certainly do not want to forget that sometimes we are our own worst enemy. All sin springs from our own minds.

Temptations will come to us almost entirely through our minds – although some external influences can be very strong. Getting victory demands that we watch our selves first and how we “watch” for the devices of the enemy.

One important way to get victory is to start the day right. Doing so does not wait until you have had a cup of coffee or read your Bible. It starts before that. Most likely, your thoughts are already on what you intend to do through the day before you get out of bed.

This focus on your duties of the day can provide a sufficient distraction to get your mind off of God and His will for you. Instead of this habit, talk to God in your first waking moments – before your feet touch the floor – and give the day to Him and make yourself available to do His bidding. He may have you witness to someone at work or someone who crosses your path throughout the day.

Instead of giving God part of a day – after you made your own plans – why not serve Him the whole day? It will require getting in your Bible at the start of the day and getting in some prayer, too.

Are you ready for a better victory in your “good warfare”?

An often-forgotten commandment today is the one that says that children are to honor their father and their mother. Though it seems to be rare among young people not raised in church in America, parents are often highly respected in other cultures.

Most churches will honor fathers today in some way. Children need godly fathers, and it is sad that many homes do not have a father present.

Fathers need to take time with their children to help them develop a right perspective on life and to teach them how to be a man. Fathers can also teach their children a good work ethic, honesty, and character.

Above all, fathers need to take their children to church (not just send them) so that they learn the importance of church and how to obey God. Of course, they will also learn how to be saved and serve God.

Fathers who are faithful to God, the church, and your family – we honor you today. Love your wife – so your children can also see the importance of that and love them and spend time with them.

God lays the importance of raising godly children on the fathers, according to Psalm 78: 4-7 “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.”

Paul declares further what is needed to be a “living sacrifice.” It requires being different from the world from which we have been redeemed.

The world has many habits, practices, sins, customs, lusts, and more that the believer in Christ should avoid. The life God wants us to live is found in His Word.

The secret to being “transformed” so that acceptable service can be performed is through the “renewing of the mind.” This takes place by spending much time in the Word and prayer, and fellowshipping with other godly believers. It is the Holy Spirit Who works through the Bible.

The blessing of such a transformation is that as it takes place, the believer will see that His will for you is truly “good, and acceptable, and perfect.” In other words – it is the best life that you could possibly have, and it is one without regrets.

An abundance of rewards also await those who are His servants. They will be given out after the Rapture – which could take place any day now.

Will you live for yourself, or seek to be the “transformed” “living sacrifice” God can use for His glory?

Yesterday, it was seen from this same verse that Christians are to be a “living sacrifice” to God. We are to let Him direct our lives in every way.

The rest of that same verse gives us some further insights into what it means to be that “living sacrifice.” The words “holy” and “acceptable unto God” are added.

The word “holy” emphasizes that we should seek to be separated from sin to God. The word implies that we are to avoid sin completely so that we may be God’s servant – a clean vessel ready to be used by Him. Romans 6:6 tells us: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

The words “acceptable unto God” means that we must know what God expects of us. It can only be learned by having a good understanding of the Bible. It requires daily reading, studying, and meditating on His Word so that we can remember what He teaches.

Obedience is also required. We can only be obedient if we fulfill His Word without changing it to suit our liking. When He says we should go to church – it means go to church regularly. When He says we should tithe – that is what it means.

Only simple obedience can make us “acceptable unto God.” He means what He says. Anything less is not sacrificial, neither does it meet the requirements for being “holy.” Remember that a “living sacrifice” has no will of its own.

Are you living a holy life that is “acceptable unto God?”

As you read the Scriptures, you will occasionally come across verses and statements such as the one above. Although it is not often taught, it still is a valid New Testament principle for today.

The Apostle Paul beseeches (asks) the readers of this letter, because of the mercy that God has shown to you through Christ, to willingly yield yourself to Him to accomplish the will of God through you. Believers are to offer their bodies to His service and not do what they want with their lives.

To present your body to God means that you must tell God that you are ready to do what He wants every day from now on. You must be willing to live for His glory and not your own. Because of our sinful nature which we will continue to have until we die, this dedication to His service needs to be done daily.

The words “living sacrifice” means that there is no going back on your word. An animal to be offered as a sacrifice in Bible times had no future plans or goals – others made those decisions for it.

Although God will never force you to obey Him, you will find your life more pleasant and blessed if you keep on following Him and His Word. To be faithful, you will need to spend considerable time in the Word every day and in prayer. It is how you learn His will and get power for service. Attendance and service in a local church is also expected.

Are you a “living sacrifice” for the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, will you yield to His will today?

In the first chapter of the Psalms, God, through David, reveals the kind of person He wants to bless. These blessings are not necessarily earthly or material blessings.

The word “bless” means happy. It is not necessarily the smart person, the handsome or beautiful person, and it is not the charismatic individual.

Instead, the brief chapter reveals that, first, there are some things the blessed person does not do. He or she does not hang out with people who God disapproves of. These people are put into three categories: the “ungodly,” the “sinners,” and the “scornful.” Each of them follows their own desires and plans – none of which God can approve of.

The blessed person does not associate closely with any of these people. Their advice and “wisdom” are contrary to God and His Word. It is because they are not enlightened by God and do not understand the Bible or the way of the Holy Spirit.

When the believer needs direction and advice, they need to go to the Bible for it or to a Pastor – if they really want to be one of those people who God blesses. God has given us Divine advice and guidance for every situation we will face in life. There are plenty of people online or on TV, etc., who want to give their advice, but it will not help you to draw close to God or live victoriously for God.

Proverbs 19:27 tells us: “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” This means do not even listen to advice or counsel that comes from people who do not know God.

If you want to be blessed by God, it becomes necessary to spend time in the Word every day to know what our Lord says about the things we face daily. When you do, you will learn the way He wants you to live for Him.

Do you want to become that person God wants to bless? Are you in the Word every day and in church where the Word is taught regularly?

In these verses about running a race for the Lord, Paul lets it be known that he does not live his Christian life to practice. He consistently makes every step count.

He was serious about living for the Lord and he did it every day. His life was not lived haphazardly or carelessly. He intended to win his race and be his best for Christ. He faithfully held “forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (Philippians 2:16).

In order to run faithfully every day, he needed to discipline his body. He determined that his body would not tell him what to do, but his mind would – guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word. An Olympic runner does the same. Getting careless with self-discipline could cost you the prize. It could cost you the crown you would like to have in glory. We must bring our bodies into subjection – and our thoughts – with His help.

In II Timothy 4:7,8, Paul declares near the end of his life – under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that he won the prize. He says: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

If rewards for faithful service are to be won, Christian, you need to be busy doing His will now. There is no time to lose. We need to run our race for the Lord, and with His help – today. Remember that rewards for past service can be lost and given to someone more faithful: “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (II John 8).

It would be a shame to lose what rewards were already gained by growing lax in our love and service for Christ as we get nearer to His coming. Will you be counted faithful when He comes to take us home to be with Him?

In these two verses, Paul compares the Christian life to a race. In a race, he says, everyone runs, but only one is going to receive the prize.

This fact makes the competition more interesting. If you are going to run, it is not worth it unless you are serious about trying to win. As Christians, we know that there are rewards in Heaven that will be given for faithfulness and doing our best. Potential winners have no time for being lazy or daydreaming. Instead, they need to be focused on the goal and putting forth a lot of effort to achieve it.

Paul urges every believer to run like you mean it – like you really want to win the prize from the Lord. After all, we are not running for a crown that only lasts for a little while, which was the case of Olympic runners in Paul’s day. The believer’s crown is incorruptible and eternal.

Runners who want to go for the prize will also pay a price to do it. They seek to be “temperate in all things.” It means that their running becomes the most important thing to them. They restrict their diet, get a good night’s sleep, and practice most every day.

This brings us to the question of how well are you running (serving) the Lord? Could you be doing better? or more? Are you doing the will of God for your life?

There are many kinds of mothers in the world. They come in many sizes, various conditions of health, different styles of dress, education levels, beauty, and income levels. Whatever the differences are, every one of us has a mother – though some may not know who their mother is.

The above verse reveals that King Lemuel’s (another name for Solomon) mother taught him much. She not only gave him instruction on how to live right, but she also set a strong example of what a godly woman should be.

She follows her instruction of her son concerning where to concentrate his energies – not on women or wine – and then follows this with instructing him as king to judge the people righteously. This is followed by instruction on how to find a good and godly wife (remember that Solomon ended up with 700 wives) – which he did not follow (which later led to his spiritual downfall).

It is quite probable that this was written by Solomon’s mother – Bathsheba. She was a woman who was wise and godly. She understood what was most important, and it can be believed that she also taught her son to worship and serve God.

Today, when mothers ensure that their children are in church regularly and teach them the Bible and how to live by their example, the chapter closes with this thought in verse 30: “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”

Thank God for His faithfulness and willingness to help women raise their children for Him. His grace continues to be sufficient in every way. Mother’s, we honor you today and thank you for your lessons taught.

When Abraham’s and Lot’s cattle became too many for them to live together, Abraham gave Lot the first choice of the direction he wanted to go. Lot looked toward the greener grass of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abraham looked to God for guidance and He revealed that all the land around him would one day be his – and his ancestors. Abraham was looking to God for direction and God blessed him.

Lot had little spiritual insight and soon lost all he had except for his two daughters. He left Sodom later only with the clothes on his back, his wife and two daughters. As they left the city, his wife turned back and turned into a pillar of salt.

Abraham was not looking just for greener grass, but for a city whose Maker and builder is God. This is where our eyes need to be. He often built altars and worshipped God frequently.

People without Christ in their lives, as well as Christians not serving God, will also find that one day they will lose all the material possessions they ever had. Believers cannot lose salvation, but many will not have any rewards – and probably not a mansion, either.

The Bible tells us not to be a friend of the world (I Jn. 2:15), but to seek first the kingdom of God – like Abraham. Because he did, God richly blessed him.