Thought 241: Porn from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 241

Porn

  I have read many articles and testimonies from boys and men that have battled with this ugly monster. But let me assure you, most of the things that I have learned; any wisdom that my soul might now cling to, has come from using the gifts of my ears and eyes to listen and to read and using my mind to muse over something and consider the matter. God is the only way out of an addiction to pornography.

 God accepts me despite my failures and despite all my sins and all my miserable shortcomings. If He can accept me, one of the worst sinners, then He can accept you as well.

 If you struggle with the sin of pornography, first recognize that you cannot be free in your own strength, but the Lord’s Spirit in you can give you the power to become free. Believe—have faith—that the Lord will free you from this. It is not His will for you to stay in sin and if you are willing He will delight in helping you out.

 Read these Scriptures and stand on their promises—memorize them, know them, quote them when temptation comes: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Ephesians 5:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Psalm 24:3-4, James 1:12-16, Psalm 119:9-11, Philippians 4:13, James 4:7-8, Matthew 1:21,   Hebrews 2:17-18, 1 John 2:14, Psalm 101, Job 31:1, 2 Timothy 2:20-21, 1 Cor. 10:13

Thought 201: Follow HIS Leading from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 201

Follow HIS Leading

 Read Mark 6:1-6

     IF God leads you to do something great for Him, your close family and friends might reject you. But will you still obey God, even if your loved ones spurn and reject you?

Do you know why you should stand for God?

Jesus was rejected by His own home town. He was as the prophet without honor. What does this mean to you?

Thought 198: Praise from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 198

Praise

 “O God, whom I praise…”  Psalm 109:1 NIV1984

Quick Fact

Ø Based on www.scripturektext.com the word praise occurs 594 times in the Bible.

     God desires our praise, but praise isn’t just worshiping or singing to Him. God is praised when we pay the tithe that He commanded us to pay. God is praised when we are obedient. God is praised when we proclaim His name as the source of our strength, our comfort, and our strong tower.

Praise an action not a feeling. Praise is a choice. Keep these two in mind as you read.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”   John 21:15-22 NIV1984

     From this passage we see the same principle reflected above about praise. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him and two times Peter responded that he loved the Lord as a friend, but the  last time Peter responded that he loved the Lord undeservedly. What came to mind as I was writing this is that Jesus was trying to get Peter to make a choice to love Him. The love Jesus wants is our choice to love Him, He isn’t trying to force love on us. It is the same with praise. We should love God unreservedly and should praise Him, both are a choice.

Worship the Lord. Praise Him. Love Him.

Thougt 190: Are you crazed by "love" from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

                                                                Thought 190

Are you crazed by “love”

What is “love"? It is that gushy, bubbly, suspenseful feeling that you get when you are around someone that you are attracted to…right? Wrong. You see, in our culture, and in past times, men and women have accepted this common lie. Even Solomon and David seem to have been ensnared,  just look at all those wives; many men have fallen prey to a pretty face or a “hot” body. But the book of Proverbs teaches us differently…

God’s Word applies to every area of our lives, but sometimes we have to do a lot of prayer, Bible reading, and study before we know what to do. God does not always just tell us what to do, but rest assured that His Word is TRUE and HE wants you to have a personal relationship with Him.

Examine your soul, motives, and your past…pray about, and do some Bible study, on how God wants you to approach romance, whether you are married or single. I believe the Lord’s Word has something fresh for all of us—it may be a reminder or something new.

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book series: Thoughts

Thought 145

“And the two shall become one FLESH….”

      God moves on to tell us in the first few chapters of Genesis that the reason for a guy and gal have to leave their mom and dad is marriage (Genesis 2:24). They leave so that they can become one flesh; and the two becoming one flesh is much deeper than the physical closeness of sex that some interpret it to mean. Instead, it is a spiritual bond, one where two individuals become one that is personified in two bodies. This one fact explains why divorce and losing a spouse is so devastating—they lost a part of themselves, not just a person they knew.   . . . what God has joined, let no man separate.

      When two people (a man and a woman and only a man and a woman) become one flesh, something happens to the one that has now been formed. Men become husbands, fathers, and providers. While women transition into wives, mothers, helpmeets, and nurture. Today, contemplate why God created the two to become one and how their new oneness is more balanced than their individuality.