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All that is good originates and flows from God, including His divine law. The 10 Commandments are a pivotal focus within the framework of all of God’s teachings.

In God’s infinite goodness He shares with us generously. His plans for us are far better than we could ever imagine, and they extend far past this temporary human existence into an eternity of pleasure.

While some in the non-Judeo-Christian community object to the 10 Commandments and seek to remove their credibility and presence in government, they have a long and honored legacy in many countries of the world. And many who believe in the God of the Jewish-Christian Holy Scriptures embrace them as holy and good and as God breathed.

The fullness of God’s gifts to mankind are yet untold. For one thing, God altered His eternal future existence to include those of us who will come to love Him and live in harmony with His will. That story is the beautiful story of God’s salvation that He is carefully working out, step-by-step, and revealing Himself and His salvation point-by-point as His plan proceeds.

As part of the glorious system (process, procedures) God set up to bring about the necessary features that He requires to create our pleasant future eternity with Him, God provided man with the 10 Commandments.

For God’s plan for mankind, it was absolutely essential that He would communicate these commandments. God is All-powerful and All-Wise. He is fully committed to order and protecting what He creates. Whenever God creates, He sets boundaries, rulers, guidelines, and laws into motion to regulate, to maintain, and to protect what He designs and creates. He is the Law Giver, not just to mankind, but to all His creation in eternity past, present, and future.

Consider how inanimate creations are easily in harmony with God. They do not disobey, because they cannot disobey. Little atoms and molecules and various energy forms scurry about, responding to the sound of the Creator’s voice, “Let there be….”

Only with beings created with “will” does the possibility exist where laws can be disobeyed or broken and exert a penalty. Beings with “will” are subject to a very special situation. They are required to submit to the will of their Creator. They are REQUIRED to choose. When a being of will disobeys God’s law, it is called SIN!

Thankfully, God truly is God the Creator, and He is completely good, loving and merciful. He understands the circumstances and challenges in what He created (and is further creating) when He gave “will” to angels and to mankind.

In essence, the law of God reveals much about the organized, protective nature of God. The law of God reveals issues of His will. And, the law of God is a very broad topic.

One of the key aspects in God’s plan for mankind is the giving of His 10 Commandments. The 10 Commandments were given to mankind (Adam). They are wise and wonderful. Followed judiciously, they bring about tremendous blessings. But, mankind has a difficult time with keeping the 10 Commandments.

The creative genius and power of the holy, righteous, generous God has provided temporary life (the human existence), “will,” time, space, and purposeful communication of His 10 Commandments.

The law of God is a perfect (complete, flawless) system. And, the 10 Commandments are crucial, fundamental and vital to God’s working with mankind. The Holy Scriptures are full of the law of God, which is more extensive than the 10 Commandments. But, the 10 Commandments have played a central role in His plan.

Exodus 20:1. I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. 5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

What a different array of circumstances would exist in a society that fully kept any one of them. For example, if the law of not lying was followed by 100% of the members of a society, just think what could happen.

Yes, each of the 10 Commandments is an influential spiritual and physical power valuable to any human society all by itself, having a profound effect on relationships. Yet, the 10 Commandments are a whole law. They are unified. In essence, breaking one of them is breaking all of them because they are unified.

On this little blue and green planet earth, serving as a womb where God is developing His masterpiece of creation, God has placed mankind. The process He has devised was calculated and the outcome is known. God’s has spoken, and His Word never returns to Him void. God knows exactly where to tweak the system. Most will be saved. All who want to be saved will be. And, saved in this context means having the desire and the opportunity to live with God forever on His terms.

Through this set-up, God has revealed several precious aspects of Himself, apparently unknown to the angels in ages past. He has revealed mercy that rejoices against judgment. He has revealed His incredible willingness to suffer and sacrifice. He has revealed his courage, His firm faithfulness and perseverance in the face of what seems impossible to some. He gives us every good gift. God loves what He has created. He loves humanity. He wants us to live forever with Him, and He has set in motion His incredible plan of salvation. He has given us His one-of-a-kind Son in what must be the most valuable legal settlement that has ever existed. AWESOME!

Let us make no fatal error here! God is not mocked. He created law. And, real law ALWAYS has a penalty for being broken. When Adam and Eve sinned, God did not suspend the requirements of His law, but He did make arrangements for a full and perfect payment for the penalties of that broken law.

Yet, while God is truly merciful and generous towards mankind, let US not be FOOLS. Realize to the deepest degree possible that God Himself is NO FOOL. God will save no human whom He cannot and does not rule!

There are many arrogant men and women today who are quick to point out how smart they are. They proudly announce they have the intelligence to create commonsense laws like the 10 Commandments! They claim they have no need of a Creator God who would legislate laws for them. Some boldly claim that the 10 Commandments are JUST creations of men. But, the 10 Commandments are NOT one of man’s inventions. Yes, many men are intelligent enough to figure out societies must have law and order to exist. They even can “discover” that lying, stealing, and murder do not encourage long-lived, healthy, or happy societies. But, men are shortsighted, so without submission to God, they will surely be short-lived as well.

While it may be true that some men can figure out by experimentation that certain behaviors undermine a society, those who can even legislate good laws are partial, unjust or just plain inept at appropriate enforcement. Whatever system of rule that man can devise to govern by their own laws, another human can devise a way to get around it.

Yes, it is true that men know murder undermines a society, but they do not enforce their “no murder” laws appropriately. Of course, they may enforce “no murder” sometimes, when it suits their purpose, but at other times, governing bodies actually encourage “murder.” Sometimes, it is called war! Some societies have legalized the murder of unborn children (renaming the act “abortion of a fetus,” and defending the right to choose). Some societies have legalized killing the elderly (renaming it euthanasia or mercy killings).

It is truly foolish to deny the LAWGIVER (James 4:12 There is one lawgiver….) ! God created mankind and gave LAW to them. He communicated His expectations to man in many different ways.

For those of us who take the Genesis creation account seriously, mankind’s history on this earth about 6000 years old when God created Adam and Eve who then produced children. All of us are children of Adam.

God gave LAW to Adam and Eve. God educated them on what He expected, on what was acceptable and what was not! Later, God communicated His will to others. God provided enough of His LAW to mankind that Noah, as seven others before him, preached righteousness, telling mankind what God expected prior to judgment. The world of Noah’s time had ample warning of consequences of sin prior to the flood.

Later, God dealt with Abraham, calling him faithful regarding obedience to Him. He knew God’s LAW. He kept God’s commandments.

Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Notice in this description of Abraham’s obedience that God’s Word differentiates between direct words of God (His “voice”), His “charge,” His “commandments,” His “statutes,” and His “laws.”

And, God expects the same obedience of us when He reveals His will, His love, His law, His commandments, and Himself. Through God’s great plan of salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, the only human who lived completely without sinning, we have access to all of God’s benefits, including the desire and ability (by His Holy Spirit) to love and follow His law.

The law of God is referred to as being PERFECT (ideal, faultless, complete, precise).

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

God is a great KING! He is the Sovereign God! We can know the God Who rules His creation with law based on His nature of love. And, we know the only wise God.

If you would like encouragement and further details on knowing and serving the God Who made you and loves you, please contact us.

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Coming out of sin or being delivered out of sin is great. Is this enough in and of itself to please God?

There has to be more. God does His part, and we must also do out part. Our part is allowing God to deliver us out and then we must replace the sin, the evil, with good! And, this is done only through faith and the righteousness of our Savior.

We find this principle of replacing evil with good in various places in scripture. Let’s turn to Matthew 12.

Matthew 12:43-45 (43) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. (44) Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. (45) Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

A parallel account is found in Luke 11:24-26.

Luke 11:24-26 (24) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. (25) And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. (26) Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

In this account, we see an empty space that had been swept and garnished. The evil was removed from this person’s life; but he did not replace the evil with good!

In the original Exodus from Egypt which is used as a type of sin, or evil, God’s Plan was not to only remove the Israelites from sin, which He did; it was also to bring them into His Promised Land! It was a land flowing with milk and honey. God was replacing the evil with good in the lives of His people!!

So we are to do the same in our lives. How do we accomplish this process of replacement in our lives?

We need to realize sin begins in the mind, in our thought processes. Let’s see this point in James.

James 1:14-15 (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

This is stating the process of sin! How are we to control this; keeping it from happening?

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We are to bring every thought into captivity. We have been in captivity to sin partly because of our thoughts. So it follows, since sin begins in the thinking, and we are to bring every thought into captivity, then it logically follows, we are to be replacing our evil thoughts with good thoughts, where it all begins!

And God is so loving and merciful, He has even told us how to do this; by telling us what to think about.

Philippians 4:4-9, 13 (4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 2:5 tells us to let this mind be in you which is in Christ Jesus!

Where does this begin! It begins with, Think on these things!

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The Word of God exhorts God’s people to pray for those in authority. And, on this historical occasion when Barack Obama is put into the office of President of the United States of America, God’s exhortation appears even more imperative for us.

Let us pray for ALL in authority over us. And, let us pay close attention to what we are specifically told to pray for:

1Timothy 2:1-3 (1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Notice in the middle of verse 2, God says to pray for them that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Of course, we can pray for God to bless those in authority in many other ways, also.

We may ask God to grant them good health, to give them special help to rule by excellent and righteous example, and that God will also grant them special wisdom and understanding of the “right” things to do. We may even ask that God will show them His way of life and
call them to salvation.

God can and will inspire us to pray for them in ways that please God. Let us be faithful to do as God instructs us. We are living in momentous and extraordinary times. Surely, we all are becoming more and more aware of this. May God reveal His will to us.

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“Evil speaking” is often thought of as lying about someone or slandering him. It may be gossip. But, it may be as simple as telling someone’s fault or speaking anything unkind to a person or about a person who is not present. When the person is not present, it is like biting someone’s back (backbiting). They can’t see who is biting. “Evil speaking” can even be the truth when it is told with some feeling of malice or lack of caring how the statements will be taken by those who hear.

So, to be a good neighbor we will avoid “evil speaking” of one another. Are we concerned about our own good name? Then, are we just as concerned about the good name of our neighbor? We will be just as concerned when we are loving our neighbor as ourselves.

God’s Word shows He counts “evil speaking” the same as being a judge.

James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Are God’s people the apple of His eye? Yes! Zechariah 2:7-8 tells us that whosoever touches His people touches the apple of His eye. Then, how much trouble do we bring upon ourselves when we speak ill of them?

Zechariah 2:7-8 (7) Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. (8) For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Who shall dwell on God’s holy hill? Of course, all Christians would say they want to live an everlasting life with God on His holy hill. Psalm 15:1-3 tells us that those who dwell there will not slander their neighbor.

Psalm 15:1-3 (1) Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? (2) He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (3) He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

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If someone asked you if you knew the real purpose of life, could you answer them? Do you really know and know that you know the real purpose of life?

Before we proceed any further, let me offer the answer. The purpose for human life is that God is literally reproducing Himself through man! God created man to be His sons in His Family!

We have been destined to become literal sons of the literal family of God! Not many people on this tiny blue earth know, nor understand this answer!

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Since Jesus, and we who are converted have the same Father (God), He is “not ashamed” to call us brothers.

Hebrews 2:11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Is this saying we will be like Jesus Christ? Yes! We will be His brothers like brothers and sisters.

Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

We will be like Him (Jesus). We will not be like the angels or any other being of inferior
type.

Hebrews 2:5-11 (5) For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (6) But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? (7) Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: (8) Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. (9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (10) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (11) For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

We will be the literal sons of God and part of His Family. Therefore, since God is a Family name we will be members of this Family.

Here are some key verses.

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

We can also see that the Father and Son have a literal family relationship. Let’s go to Matthew 3.

Matthew 3:17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

We can also see that this relationship is not limited to Jesus and the Father. It is also extended to include us.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 8:15-16 (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

It becomes very clear that our destiny, yes, our destiny is to be spiritual sons of God!

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

We can see that our physical bodies will be changed from this fleshly body to become a glorious spiritual body like Jesus Christ!

Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body ,that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

It should be plain that we will look like Jesus.

1 John 3:1-2 (1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

The fact that we believe and teach that God is reproducing Himself so we will become literal sons and daughters as members of the Family of God should not seem strange to those who read and study the Word of God. Jesus told the Jews that all people have the potential to become a member of the God Family. Let’s go John 10.

John 10:29-39 (29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. (30) I and my Father are one. (31) Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. (32) Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? (33) The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (34) Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? (35) If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; (36) Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (37) If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. (38) But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. (39) Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand.

They did not believe nor accept this truth at the time of Jesus Christ, and most people do not believe nor accept this truth today.

In Psalm 8:4, King David asked an important question. Do you know the answer?

Psalm 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

God has this awesome plan of salvation for all mankind. God created us to become literal, spiritual DNA sons in His literal Family!

What is man? Potential sons in the Family of God!

I am sure you agree with me in praying, Thy Kingdom Come! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

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Proverbs 26:4-5 (4) Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. (5) Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

The Bible does not contradict itself. These two verses do not contradict each other, but, rather, they complement each other. Let‘s see the circumstances when to use these verses.

Verse 4 states, answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. To answer the fool’s question or statement, you would be lowering yourself to his level. This could end up in a pointless argument.

In Luke 20:1-8 we can read an example where Jesus was asked by whose authority He did certain things. The Pharisees were not trying to learn anything. Jesus did not answer their question. Because He did not want to be like them, a fool. So, He asked them a question which they could not answer without condemning themselves. Therefore, since the Pharisees could not answer His question, the discussion was dropped.

Verse 5 states, answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. There are times to answer a fool by a foolish answer. This would show just how ridiculous the fools question or statement is. In other words, he would be shown to be wise in his own conceit. 2 Corinthians 11:23 shows an example for us.

2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

There were some men in Corinth who were claiming to be true apostles, but they were not apostles.

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

Remaining silent would have given a kind of approval of these men, even though there were actually leading the Church astray. They would have appeared wise in their own conceit. Therefore in Verse 23 Paul said, Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool.) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths ofts.

Paul was exposing these men for what they were by answering their false claims so they would not appear wise.

These scriptures are not contradictory. They are two different ways of answering questions and statements of fools. Wisdom is needed to know when and how to apply the principles of these verses. And, wisdom comes from God.

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According to Revelation 20:6, God’s children will reign with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

We can learn and prepare to rule as kings by examining some of the things we have in common with the Old Testament kings.

(1) They were anointed…set apart, and we, too, have been anointed…set apart for the eventual purpose of living forever and ruling with Jesus Christ. After our baptism, we received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. This is how God provided us with the power to
overcome and grow in grace and knowledge. This is how God provided us with the seed of His divine nature that must grow and produce fruit. This is how God provided us with the mind of Christ. We need all of these to rule with Christ.

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in your which was also in Christ Jesus.

(2) The ancient kings of Israel were clothed in kingly clothing, We need to be clothed with the same righteousness as Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. Our “righteous” attire will be obvious to others who see our choices, our actions, and our mannerism reflecting the
beauty of God’s way of life.

Isaiah 61:10 …for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness….

(3) Israel’s kings were to be educated in the law of God. They were to write out a copy of the law of God and read out of their copy every day. All of their judgments and decisions were to flow from this law

Deuteronomy 17:18-19 (18) And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, aut of that which is before the priests the Levites: (19) And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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(1) Even though we all will have trials, God desires that we always stay in a positive, thankful attitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2) When we are tempted or discouraged, we are to put on the opposite thought because this will push the wrong ones out. We overcome evil with good. Here is a procedure you may find helpful.

(A) Pray over the issues, asking God to set you free.

(B) Open your Bible and read. The book of Psalms contains many positive teachings on overcoming temptation and discouragement.

(C) Choose to think on positive things.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsover things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.

(D) Set your mind on things above. Set it, and do not let it move away.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

(3) Make it a goal to bring every thought under control.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

(4) Stay alert and vigilant. Do not give into Satan’s negative broadcasts.

1 Peter 5: 8-9 (8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the
world.

(5) Rule your spirit and attitude.

Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

(6) Spend time with positive people. Avoid those who always complain, criticize, or are ungrateful and unthankful. Enjoy the company of those who will speak of God’s goodness and His glory.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.