SUNDAY 9/15/13 - Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional - A Willingness to Change
Deuteronomy 30:19
19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
I started smoking when I was nine years old. I liked it because it relaxed me, and for a long time, I didn't want to quit. By the time I knew I should quit, I didn't want to because I thought I'd put on weight. That was my excuse for years. Then I got into this cycle where I would quit and start again, quit and start again.
But I reached my crisis point when I wanted to smoke so much I started sneaking out during church to lie down in the seat of my car and smoke. That's when I knew I had to make a change.
There usually comes a crisis point before a lot of us are willing to change. For example, sometimes it takes a heart attack for a person to start eating right. But you don't have to wait for your crisis point. You can just bite the bullet and say, "That's it. I'm done with this."
The Bible says that we can "choose life." God has provided you with the support and ability to change, but you have to be willing to, otherwise your crisis point will hit you hard and fast. It's so much easier to "choose life" before you reach that point.
Don't be afraid to be a little uncomfortable for awhile. I finally achieved freedom from smoking, and it wasn't easy...but I didn't have to do it alone.
If you think you're not ready to change, just take it to God and say, "Help me, help me, help me."
I'm telling you that with the help of God and a decision on your part to "choose life," you can truly, permanently change for the better.
Prayer Starter: God, You have given me a choice, and I choose life! I know change is hard, but I ask You to help me. With Your help and my willingness to change, I know I can overcome any obstacle.
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If you just started reading the Bible and have not yet asked Jesus into your heart to become your Lord and Savior, all you have to do is:
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
B - BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS GOD'S SON AND EXCEPT GOD'S GIFT OF FORGIVENESS FROM SIN
Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household"
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me
."
Ephesians 2:8-9 ....8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
C - CONFESS YOUR FAITH IN JESUS
CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD
Roman 10:9-10, 13
9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart the God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
If your are ready to ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, you can pray a simple prayer like this to God.
Dear God,
I know I have sinned and my sin separates me from You. I am sorry for my sin. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me so my sin can be forgiven. I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. God please forgive me. I ask Jesus to come into my life and be my Savior and Lord. I will obey You and live for You the rest of my life, Thank You in Jesus' name I Pray. Amen
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