Hi......
Hope you are coping well with the increased lockdown. If you would appreciate any assistance or prayer, please do contact me at holts@bigpond.com or 0419 248 724.
This week's inclusions are ' He's Working All Things Out For Your Good'
(used with permission from The Word for Today, published by Vision Christian Media) and 'Who I Am In Christ' (taken from 'Victory Over Darkness' by Neil T. Anderson) which follows up on last Sunday's Worship Service message.
Trust these articles bring you great encouragement, and you are able to share them with others in your life.
Many blessings
Ken
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.’ Romans 8:28 NIV
Paul begins this verse by saying: ‘And we know.’ There are so many things in life we don’t know. We don’t know if the economy will dip or how our kids will turn out. We don’t even ‘know what we ought to pray for.’ (Romans 8:26 NIV) But we can ‘know’ these four things:
(1) ‘God works.’ Even though you can’t see Him, He’s busy behind the scenes. He hasn’t checked out or moved on. He’s ceaseless, tireless, and He never stops working.
(2) ‘God works for the good.’ Not for our comfort, pleasure, or entertainment, but for our ultimate good. But then again, He is the ultimate good, so would you expect anything less?
(3) ‘God works for the good of those who love Him.’ Behold the benefit of a loving God! Make His story your story, and your story takes on a happy ending. Guaranteed!
(4) God works ‘in all things’. God works, not just in a few things, or the good things, or the best things, or the easy things. He works in ‘all things’. And He doesn’t make the plan up as He goes along.
The Bible says, ‘In Him we were also chosen… according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.’ (Ephesians 1:11 NIV) And the best part is—God’s plan includes you! So stop fretting, stressing out, and losing sleep. Turn it over to God and believe that He’s working ‘all things’ out for your good and His glory.
WHO I AM IN CHRIST
I AM ACCEPTED
I am a child of God. John 1:12
I am Christ’s friend. John 15:15
I have been justified. Romans 5:1
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17
I have been bought with a price. I belong to God. 1 Corinthians 6:20
I am a member of Christ’s body. 1 Corinthians 12:27
I am holy in Christ. Ephesians 1:1
I have been adopted as God’s child. Ephesians 1:5
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:18
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. Colossians 1:14
I am complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10
I AM SECURE
I am free from condemnation. Romans 8:1-2
I am assured all things work together for good. Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemning charges against me. Romans 8:31-34
I cannot be separated from the love of God. Romans 8:35-39
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
I am confident that the good work God began in me will be perfected. Philippians 1:6
I am a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20
I am hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love & a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
I can find grace and mercy in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. 1 John 5:18
I AM SIGNIFICANT
I am the salt and light of the earth. Matthew 5:13-14
I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life. John 15:1,5
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. John 15:16
I am a personal witness of Christ. Acts 1:8
I am God’s temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16
I am a minister of reconciliation for God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
I am God’s coworker. 2 Corinthians 6:1
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. Ephesians 2:6
I am God’s workmanship. Ephesians 2:10
I may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Because you are alive in Christ, every one of these characteristics is completely true of you, and
you can do nothing to make them more true. You can, however, make these traits more
meaningful and productive in your life by simply choosing to believe what God has said about
you. You will not be prideful if you do, but you may be defeated if you don’t.
One of the greatest ways to help yourself grow into maturity in Christ is to continually remind
yourself who you are in Him. Read the list aloud once or twice a day for a week or two. Read it
aloud when you think Satan is trying to deceive you into believing you are a worthless failure.
Who you are in Christ is a priceless and eternal treasure! May you grow in believing it more and
more!
Taken from Victory over the Darkness by Neil Anderson, page 38-39, 53.