What the Bible Says to the Believer

By Leadership Ministries Worldwide

The Believer's Personal Handbook offers biblical insights into life's toughest questions. As you walk in your faith, it will soon become a trusted tool in helping you understand God's Word and purpose for your life.

Topics:

•  What happens when you receive Christ
•  Your daily relationship with God

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leadership Ministries Worldwide
• Release date: Dec 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781574074260

Book preview

Dedicated

To all the believers of the world

who need and want a closer

walk with the Lord day by day

Updated edition, Copyright ©2018 by Alpha-Omega Ministries, Inc.

Published by Leadership Ministries Worldwide

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publishers.

Scripture references are from the following sources:

The Amplified Bible, Old Testament (AMP) © 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament © 1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)® ©1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV) © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain.

The New American Standard Bible® (NASB) ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

The New King James Version (NKJV) © 1979, 1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All other Bible study aids, references, indexes, reference materials, Copyright © 1991 by Alpha-Omega Ministries, Inc.

Please address all requests for information or permission to:

Leadership Ministries Worldwide

1928 Central Avenue

Chattanooga, TN 37408

Ph.# [phone] FAX [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

http://www.lmw.org

International Standard Book Number

Printed in the United States of America

4  5  6  7                      18

Dear Friend,

Three vivid images are repeatedly stamped upon the lives of believers throughout God’s Holy Word. God uses these three images to illustrate the life and work of the believer.

•You are a soldier —a warrior in the army of the Lord.

•You are an athlete —a runner in a marathon of eternal significance.

•You are a farmer —a laborer in the Lord’s fields and vineyards, the communities and nations of the world.

When you receive Christ, you begin a new life—a life that God promises will be filled with assurance, purpose, and a lasting sense of fulfillment. But do not be deceived: living for Christ is not an easy life. Using the three comparisons above, Paul, the aged and seasoned Apostle, emphasized this fact to Timothy:

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops (2 Ti. 2:3-6 NASB).

Note four truths:

•You will face hardship in life, sometimes great adversity (v.3).

•Unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ is vital (vv.3-4).

•Strict discipline is essential for victory (v.5).

•Hard work and perseverance are the keys to a victorious and fruitful life (v.6).

Think for a moment! As you walk through the next few hours, some disturbing problem, trial, or temptation will confront you. Needs that require a decision and unforeseen circumstances are always confronting us. When such happens, to whom can you turn for help? Where can you go for answers to the questions that frequently flood your mind? The answer is obvious: you need to turn to God and His Word, the Holy Bible.

As a true believer, you are God’s dear child, adopted as His son or daughter. Just as any caring father would do, God keeps a protective watch over you, looking after and taking care of you. God knows every throb of your heart…

•every joy, pleasure, ache, burden, tear, and care you feel

•every duty and demand you face

•every moment of stress, pressure, worry, disappointment, discouragement, depression, and grief you feel

•every failure and shortcoming of your life

•every desire, ambition, and hope you have

•every sickness and pain you suffer—whether mild or severe

•every act of criticism, slander, opposition, or persecution launched against you

No matter what you experience, God knows. He knows all about you. But even more important, God wants to help you. He wants to give you the exact provision you need so you can live victoriously. He longs to fill you with the fullness of His wisdom, presence, and power. This is what the Believer’s Personal Handbook is all about. This is…

•what God has to say to you as a believer

The major verses and subjects in the Bible that speak directly to the believer are here in this book. They are all organized and arranged according to the crucial areas of the Christian life. This is…

•the Christian soldier’s combat manual

•the Christian runner’s training guide and rulebook

•the Christian laborer’s strength and inspiration to keep on toiling

What the Bible Says to the Believer is the very resource every believer needs. This is your very own Personal Handbook, a tool that gives you God’s answers to the questions and concerns, the longings and needs of your life. This is not a book just to read through and then place on a shelf; it is your Personal Handbook. It is designed to be a lifelong resource that you keep at hand and regularly consult.

Refer to your Handbook often and do exactly what God says, and the merciful Lord will meet your every need and bless you beyond all imagination…

•when you long to please and live for God

•when you face problems, trials, or temptations

•when you need God’s very special guidance and encouragement

As you begin this book, please pray with us that God will use The Believer’s Personal Handbook to equip, arouse, and encourage Christians across the globe. It is the mission of Leadership Ministries Worldwide to translate What the Bible Says to the Believer into the world’s languages and to place it in the hands of believers everywhere. May the Lord richly bless you and your dear family as you walk with Him faithfully day by day.

With the very warmest regards, we are,

LEADERSHIP MINISTRIES WORLDWIDE

Contents

1. What Happens When You Receive Christ

2. What Your Daily Relationship with God Should Be

3. What Your Relationship with Others Should Be

A. You and Your Family

B. You and Your Neighbor

C. You and Other Believers

D. You and Your Enemies: Those Who Oppose and Persecute You

4. What Your Daily Behavior Should Be

A. You and God’s Ageless Commandments

B. You and Your Daily Walk

C. You and the World

D. You and Questionable Functions and Behavior

E. You and Your Work (or Employment)

5. What God Expects of You

A. You and the Holy Spirit

B. You and Your Study of God’s Holy Word

C. You and Prayer

D. You and Your Faith

E. You and the Control of Your Mind

F. You and God’s Demand for Holiness

G. You and Your Obedience to God

H. You and God’s Power

I. You and Your Testimony or Witness

J. You and Serving Others

K. You and Your Joy

L. You and Humility or Unselfishness

M. You and Your Faithfulness

N. You and Your Physical Body

O. You and God’s Discipline or Correction

P. You and Money

Q. You and Your Civic Duty

R. You and Forgiveness of Others

6. What You Must Do to Overcome Temptation and Sin

7. What You Must Do to Rise Above Trials and Suffering

A. You and the Trials of Life

B. You and Persecution

8. What Your Duty Is to the Church

A. Your Duty to Understand Who and What the Church Is

B. Your Duty to Be Faithful to the Church

C. Your Duty in Church Discipline

D. Your Duty to Support Your Minister

E. Your Duty Regarding False Teaching

9. What You Should Know and Do in Light of Christ’s Return

10. What Your Future Holds as a Believer—Your Death and Rewards

11. What You Need Day by Day—God’s Promises and Guidance

CHAPTER 1

What Happens When You Receive Christ

Contents

1. You Are Saved—Set Free from Sin and Death and Given Eternal Life.

2. You Are Given a New Life—a New Beginning, a New Start.

3. You Are Adopted As a Child—a Son or Daughter—of God.

4. You Receive God’s Spirit: Your Body Actually Becomes the Temple of God’s Spirit.

5. You Are Given a Sense of Permanent Peace and Rest.

6. You Are Given the Power to Live Victoriously Over the World Day by Day.

7. You Are Given Wisdom to Know How to Live and What to Do.

8. You Are Given Access—an Open Door—into the Very Presence of God: The Wonderful Privilege of Prayer.

9. You Are Given a Spiritual Gift by God.

10. You Are Given the Great Hope of Christ’s Return to Comfort, Encourage, and Sustain You.

11. You Become a Citizen of God’s Chosen Race and Nation.

12. You Are Given God’s Full Provision—Given Everything You Will Ever Need.

13. You Are Given God’s Guidance As You Walk Day by Day.

CHAPTER 1

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU RECEIVE CHRIST

1. You Are Saved—Set Free from Sin and Death and Given Eternal Life .

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) (Ep.2:1-5, NLT).

What was your life like before you received Christ? When God looked down upon you, what did He see?

a. Before conversion , you lived a life that was separated from God, lived as though you were dead toward God. Note the words in the above Scripture, you were dead (v.1). How can you be living and yet be dead? To answer this question, you need to understand that death, in Biblical terms, means separation . It never means extinction, annihilation, non-existence, or inactivity. Death simply means that a person is either separated from his body or from God or from both. Holy Scripture speaks of three deaths:

•Physical death : the separation of your spirit from your body. This is what commonly comes to mind when speaking of death. It is when life departs from your body on this earth and you are buried.

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (He.9:27, NIV).

•Spiritual death : the separation of your spirit from God while you are still living on earth. This is the natural state of people who have not received Christ. People can even be religious and still be spiritually separated from God; they are dead toward God.

But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives (1 Ti.5:6, NKJV).

•Eternal death : the separation of a person from God’s presence forever. This is the second death, the conscious, eternal separation from God that continues beyond the death of the body.

The Lord Jesus [will be] revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power (2 Th.1:7-9, NIV).

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" (Re.21:8, NIV).

b. Before conversion , you lived a life in disobedience and sins (Ep.2:1-3). Note that it is disobedience and sins that separate you from God. To disobey means to turn aside or wander away from God and His Holy Word.

To sin means to miss the mark. It is what is meant by coming short of the glory of God, short of His perfection and righteousness (Ro.3:23). God is perfect, but you are imperfect. You sin; you miss the mark. You may be respectable, but you are imperfect. You are never all that you should be.

Before conversion, you lived just like the disobedient of the world (v.3). You followed the desires and passions of your flesh, gratified the longings and cravings of your sinful nature. Therefore, you were destined to face the wrath of God, doomed to eternal separation from Him.

c. When you are converted , you are redeemed and forgiven your sins through the death of Jesus Christ. To redeem means to deliver, buy back, or set free by paying a ransom. For example, a prisoner of war or a kidnap victim is ransomed or redeemed—saved from the threat of death. In every case, the person is powerless to free himself. He cannot make the payment demanded to liberate himself from his bondage or fate. Someone else has to pay the ransom to redeem him.

When God redeems you, the most wonderful thing happens: your sins are forgiven. The word forgive means to pardon, to release, to let go. Your sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ. How? Jesus died for you. He took the penalty of your sins and bore the punishment Himself. Consequently, your sins are removed—washed away, erased—forgiven forever.

d. Now, you claim to be converted—saved from sin and death and given life through Jesus Christ. There is no question, if you have truly trusted Christ as your Savior and Lord, God will give you a full and satisfying life, both now and for all eternity. This is His wonderful promise. In light of this, you should always remember how God saved you: through the death of His Son:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Ro.5:8, NKJV).

When Christ died on the cross, He died for you. He was bearing the penalty and punishment of sin for you. He was dying in your place—as your substitute—so that you would never have to face eternal death. Remember…

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (Jn.3:16, NASB).

What you must do is make sure—absolutely sure—that your faith in Christ is genuine, the right kind of faith. The right kind of faith is known as a saving faith. But how can you know whether or not you have saving faith? One way to measure is to know what saving faith is not:

•Saving faith is not just believing the fact that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

•Saving faith is not just believing history, that Jesus Christ lived upon earth as the Savior just as George Washington lived upon earth as the President of the United States.

•Saving faith is not just believing the words and claims of Jesus Christ in the same way that a person would believe the words of George Washington.

•Saving faith is not head knowledge, not just a mental conviction or intellectual commitment to Christ.

The right kind of faith, saving faith, is two things. First, saving faith is believing in Jesus Christ, believing in who and what He is, that He is truly the Son of God, the Savior and Lord of life. It is believing that Christ died in your place—for your sins—on the cross, and rose again (1 Co.15:3-4). It is fully trusting Him and His sacrificial death as payment for your sins. You must confess or acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and turn your life over to live for Him.

That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Ro.10:9, NIV; see Ac.16:31).

Second, saving faith is the surrender of your life to Jesus Christ. It is the surrender to live for Christ—to obey Him and to live righteously as you walk through life day by day. Anything less is not true saving faith. True saving faith is obedience to God’s Holy Word.

And having been perfected, He became the author [source] of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (He.5:9, NKJV).

As a professing believer, you must make absolutely sure that your belief in Christ is genuine and wholehearted, that you have a true saving faith, a faith that obeys God. If you do not know Christ personally and intimately, you will come up short.

If you sense that you do not have a true saving faith, just call upon the name of the Lord to save you and He will. He cares for you this much. No matter what you have done or how unworthy you feel, if you ask Him to forgive your sins and to save you from eternal death, He will. And the life that He gives you will be both abundant and eternal.

For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Ro.10:13, NKJV).

2. You Are Given a New Life—a New Beginning, a New Start .

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Co.5:17, NKJV).

When you sincerely receive Christ as your Savior, you are actually born again. God gives you a new nature and makes you a new creation, a new person. Note the verse above:

a. What does it mean to become a new creation? It means that you actually become a new person: your whole being, nature, life, and behavior change.

•Although you were once dead to God, as a new person you become alive to God.

•Although you once had no relationship with God, as a new person you are given a special, personal relationship with God.

•Although you once were living in sin, as a new person you now live in righteousness and holiness.

•Although you once had to face eternal death, as a new person you have the assurance of eternal life. When the time for death comes, you will be immediately transferred into heaven, into the very presence of God Himself.

•Although you were once doomed to judgment and eternal separation from God, as a new person you are destined to live eternally in the presence of God.

b. How do you become a new creation? Note the words of verse 17: "If anyone is in Christ , he is a new person." It is being in Christ that makes you a new creature, a new creation. When you truly believe in Christ , God counts and credits you as being in Christ. You become identified with Him; that is, you are counted and considered to be in Christ.

To be in Christ also means that you walk and live in Christ day by day. In other words, you do not walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Ro.8:1, 4, KJV). It means that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, [you] should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Tit.2:12, KJV). It means that you bear the fruit of the Spirit (Ga.5:22-23). It means that you abide in Christ, that you become as connected and attached to Christ…

•as parts of the body are connected to each other (1 Co.12:12-27)

•as the branch is attached to the vine (Jn.15:4-7)

From this, it is evident that once you are in Christ, you are a new creation, a new person. Christ makes it possible for you to begin life all over again, to get a brand new start, a new beginning (Ep.4:22-24; Col.3:9-10).

3. You Are Adopted As a Child—a Son or Daughter—of God .

But as many as received him [Christ], to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (Jn.1:12, KJV).

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! (Ga.4:4-6, NASB).

When you receive Christ into your life as Savior and Lord, Christ gives you the power and the right to become something you were not before: a child of God. You are adopted as a son or daughter into the family of God. The picture of adoption is a beautiful portrayal of what God does for you as a believer. When a child was adopted in the ancient worlds of Greece and Rome, three legal steps were taken:

a. The adopted child was adopted permanently. The child could not be adopted today and disinherited tomorrow. Rather, he or she became a son or daughter of the new father forever.

Likewise, your adoption by God establishes a new relationship between you and God forever—that of a father and child (Ro.8:15-16). As a son or daughter of God, you actually have a living relationship with Him, a moment-by-moment access into His very presence (Ro.8:14, 16; Ga.4:6).

b. The adopted child immediately gained all the rights of legitimate children in the family. Your adoption by God also gives you all the rights and privileges of a genuine child of God (Ro.8:16-17; 1 Jn.3:1-2).

c. The adopted child completely lost all rights in his or her former family. The adopted child was looked upon as a new person—so new that old debts and obligations connected with the former family were cancelled out and abolished as if they never existed.

When you are adopted by God, you become a member of His dear family. You receive a very special relationship with other sons and daughters of God—a family relationship that binds you with other believers in an unparalleled spiritual union (Ac.2:42; Ep.2:11-22; 3:6; 4:4-6, 17-19; 1 Jn.1:3).

In addition, your adoption by God makes you a new person. Once God adopts you, you are taken out from under the authority and power of the world and its sin. You are placed as a son or daughter into the family of God and under His authority. Your old life with its debt of sin, which is death, is cancelled and wiped out (2 Co.5:17; Ga.3:23-27; Ep.4:22-24; 2 Pe.1:4).

Your adoption as a son or daughter of God will be totally fulfilled when Jesus Christ returns to establish God’s kingdom on earth (Ro.8:19; Ep.1:14; 1 Th.4:14-17; 1 Jn.3:2). And the joy of your adoption will be shared by all creation on a cosmic scale (Ro.8:21). The day is coming when God will create a new heavens and earth—a perfect universe and environment—for you and the rest of His dear, holy family (2 Pe.3:10-14; Re.21:1-7).

4. You Receive God’s Spirit: Your Body Actually Becomes the Temple of God’s Spirit .

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you (Jn.14:16-17, NIV).

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body (1 Co.6:19-20, NIV).

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, God sends the Holy Spirit to live within you. He is your Comforter, Helper, Counselor, and Advocate. As you walk faithfully in Christ day by day, the Holy Spirit…

•will fellowship and commune with you, pray & focus your thoughts on the Lord

•will stir you to become more and more conformed to the image of Christ

Note exactly what Scripture says (1 Co.6:19-20): as a true believer, your body actually becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. The word body is singular; each believer is a temple of the Spirit of God. Note three facts:

a. The Holy Spirit literally dwells within your body.

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people (2 Co.6:16, NIV).

b. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God. You do not receive the Holy Spirit by working for God. You receive the Spirit of God as a gift from Him.

Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ac.2:38, NASB).

c. God lays claim to your body. You no longer own your body, not any more. As the Scripture says, Jesus Christ bought your body (1 Co.6:19-20). The idea is that Jesus Christ bought you in the marketplace of slavery. He paid the ransom for you. He bought you out of your enslavement to sin, death, and hell.

Christ’s death met all the demands of God’s perfect justice. God’s justice was completely satisfied when Jesus Christ took your sin upon Himself, died for you, and suffered the hell of separation from God for you. Therefore, you are set free, liberated from sin, death, and hell. You are now free to live righteously and eternally in God’s presence—all because Jesus Christ paid the price for you. He paid your ransom. Once you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord, your body belongs to God. For this reason, you are to…

•glorify God in your body by obeying God’s holy commandments—living thoughtfully, righteously, and godly in this present world (Tit.2:11-14).

•glorify God in your spirit by worshipping Him through prayer and praise as you walk throughout each day (Lu.9:23; 18:1; Jn.4:24; Ep.5:20; 6:18; Ph.4:4; 1 Th.4:16-17; Ps.29:2; 98:1).

5. You Are Given a Sense of Permanent Peace and Rest .

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (Jn.14:27, NKJV).

Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light (Mt.11:28-30, NLT).

To be at peace means to be calm, tranquil, secure, in harmony with others. It is used here to convey that a person is bound, woven, and joined together with God and others in a state of serenity and unity.

The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. It means freedom from trouble. Even more, it means experiencing the greatest good, enjoying the very best, possessing all the inner worth possible. It means wholeness and soundness. It means prosperity, in the widest sense, especially the spiritual prosperity of having a soul that blossoms and flourishes.

a. There is the peace of the world (Jn.14:27). This is a peace of escapism, of avoiding trouble, of refusing to face facts, or an outright denial of problems. It is a peace that is sought through physical pleasure, self-indulgence, acquiring worldly possessions, positive thinking, or any number of other outlets.

b. There is the peace of Christ and of God . This is, first, an inner peace, a peace deep within. It is a tranquility of mind, a composure, a peace that is calm in the face of difficult circumstances and situations. It is more than just a feeling or an attitude of self-control. It is a deep-seated, unwavering consciousness of God’s presence and protection.

Second, God’s peace is a conquering peace. It is a peace that is independent of conditions and environment. No sorrow, no danger, no suffering, no experience can take away the conquering peace of God.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (Jn.16:33, NKJV).

Third, God’s peace is the peace of assurance. It is the peace of unquestionable confidence, the peace with a sure knowledge that one’s life is in the hands of God and that all things will work out for good to all who truly love God.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Ro.8:28, KJV).

c. How do you secure the peace of Christ and of God? Scripture says you must do six things:

•You secure peace by believing in Christ and by being justified—counted righteous—before God.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Ro.5:1, KJV).

•You secure peace by loving God’s Word.

Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble (Ps. 119:165, NASB).

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (Jn.16:33, NKJV).

•You secure peace by praying about everything.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Ph.4:6-7, NIV).

•You secure peace by being spiritually minded.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Ro.8:6, KJV).

•You secure peace by keeping your mind upon God.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed [kept] on You, Because he trusts in You (Is.26:3, NKJV).

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things (Ph. 4:8, NKJV).

•You secure peace by keeping God’s commandments.

"If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being [peace] would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea (Is.48:18, NASB).

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Ph.4:9, NASB).

d. The subject of peace is often divided into three categories: (1) peace with God , which is secured through salvation (Ro.5:1; Ep.2:14-17); (2) the peace of God , which is the very peace of God Himself and that points to God as the source of peace (Lu.7:50; Ph.4:6-7); and (3) peace from God , the peace that God gives to dwell in your heart as you walk faithfully in Him day by day (Ro.1:7; 1 Co.1:3).

e. Now, note a most wonderful fact: in addition to the peace that God gives, Christ also promises to give you a deep sense of permanent rest —a rest of soul that passes all understanding (Ph.4:6-7). When you are laboring and weighed down with heavy burdens, exhausted, despairing, and ready to collapse, Christ promises to give you rest of soul.

Rest is available, but you have to come to Christ in order to receive it. Christ’s rest is three things:

•It is a rest of refreshment : a rest of refreshing your body, mind, and spirit.

•It is a rest of purpose : a rest that settles or equips you for life, that infuses you with true purpose, meaning, and significance.

•It is a rest of encouragement and motivation : a rest that stirs you to live and undertake your God-given task with enthusiasm, vigor, and endurance.

Return to your rest, O my soul, For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you (Ps.116:7, NASB).

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it (He.4:1, KJV).

6. You Are Given the Power to Live Victoriously Over the World Day by Day .

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 Jn.5:4-5, NIV).

These two verses are a great passage of Scripture, verses that should be memorized by every believer. Note that the same point is being made in every statement. A striking emphasis! Thus, the message needs to be both understood and heeded.

•The person who is born of God overcomes the world.

•The victory gained over the world comes through a person’s faith in Christ.

•The person who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is the one who wins the battle over the world.

Who is the person truly born of God? The person who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The world is overcome by faith. Victory is gained over the world by faith in Jesus Christ, by believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

The one thing that we all need is victory over the world. The world is full of…

Then there is the most fatal blow of all: corruption and death. Without exception, we are all corrupt and we all die. Therefore, the one thing we need above all else is victory over the world’s corruption and death.

How, then, can you overcome the world? By believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. When you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God gives you a new heart. You are born of God—spiritually born. It is your faith, your belief, that overcomes the world. What does this mean? It means that you trust God, and when you truly trust Him…

•God will give you victory and enable you to rise above all the trials and temptations of life.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen (2 Ti.4:18, NIV; see 1 Co.10:13).

•God will give you victory over all the evil forces and overwhelming obstacles in this life.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ro.8:35, 37-39, KJV; see Is.41:10).

•God will give you victory over sin.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Co.10:13, ESV).

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed (1 Pe.2:24, ESV).

•God will give you victory over death.

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (Jn.5:24, NIV).

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying (He.2:14-15, NLT).

•God will give you victory over the coming condemnation and judgment.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Ro.5:8-10, NASB; see Jn.3:16-18).

•God will give you victory over fear and despair and fill you with love, joy, and peace.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Ga.5:22-23, NASB).

•God will give you victory over Satan and all other spiritual forces.

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Ep.6:11-13, NIV).

7. You Are Given Wisdom to Know How to Live and What to Do .

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (Jas.1:5, NKJV).

Sometimes you face difficulties or trials that puzzle you. You simply do not know what to do or how to resolve the problems. You need wisdom, a very special wisdom, to handle the situations.

Once you receive Christ, you are given one of the most amazing resources imaginable: God’s very own presence and wisdom. If you lack wisdom—if you do not know what to do or how to handle a difficulty or trial—ask God. You are His child, His son or daughter, and He cares for you. He wants to help you through all the difficult situations that confront you. In fact, God invites you to come to Him to ask for wisdom. And when you sincerely ask, He will fulfill these three wonderful promises:

•He will give you wisdom.

•He will give you a liberal amount, an abundance of wisdom.

•He will not reproach or rebuke you—not scold you—for not knowing how to handle the trial or temptation. The idea is that God will not even question you for lacking wisdom or for not knowing what to do.

God is your Father and He wants to meet your every need. Simply ask Him and He will hear your request and your cry; He will give you the wisdom to conquer the difficulties and problems, the trials and temptations of life.

8. You Are Given Access—an Open Door—into the Very Presence of God: The Wonderful Privilege of Prayer .

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Ro.5:1-2, NKJV).

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (He.4:16, NKJV).

When you truly accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you are immediately given access into the presence of God Himself. It is Christ alone who gives you this access. Christ actually brings you to God—introduces and presents you to His Father. And He negotiates peace between you and God. Through His blood on the cross, Christ justifies you. He makes it possible for God to count you righteous and acceptable to Him. As a result, you can approach and talk to God at any time in any place. And whatever you ask of the Father in Jesus’ Name, He will give it to you (Jn.16:24). God will answer your prayer either by granting or not granting your request. Sometimes God simply says, No, and expects you to trust Him. God will always do what is most beneficial for you and others. (See Chapter 5, Section C, pts.1-5, pp.182-192, for more discussion on prayer.)

9. You Are Given a Spiritual Gift by God .

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully (Ro.12:6-8, NIV).

Once you receive Christ, God gives you a very special gift or ability. Note that the gift or ability is from God. You could not attain or secure it by yourself. It is a spiritual gift; that is, it is given by the Spirit of God for spiritual purposes. It is given so that you can fulfill your task on earth. This is part of your heritage in Christ, the glorious privilege…

•of being given a very special task on earth

•of being given purpose, meaning, and significance in life

•of being given a special gift or ability to fulfill your task on earth

What are the gifts? Several are singled out in the above passage. But the point is this: identify your gift(s) and abilities and be faithful in using them. (See 1 Co.12:1-31; 13:1-3; Ep.4:7-16 for additional gifts bestowed upon the believer.)

a. There is the gift of prophecy . In the Old Testament, the gift of prophecy was the gift to proclaim and explain the will of God. The proclamation dealt with past, present, and future events. However, in the New Testament, the gift of prophecy changes dramatically. The prophet is seldom seen predicting the future. Instead, he is seen proclaiming what has taken place in the past and what has been revealed by Christ concerning future events. The prophet’s function is to edify, exhort, and comfort. He or she is the person who proclaims and explains the Word of God…

•the living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself

•the written Word, the Holy Scripture

Having said this, it should be noted that prophecy is the gift of speaking under the anointing of God’s Spirit. It includes both prediction and proclamation, and neither one should be minimized, despite the abuse of the gift by some. And there is no question: the gift to predict events has been abused to the point of the ridiculous. However, the abuse of a gift does not eliminate the gift: the Spirit of God does sometimes give believers a glimpse into coming events in order to prepare and strengthen them to face the future.

However, the major function of prophecy is clearly stated by Scripture, and the truth should be learned by all believers:

But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them (1 Co.14:3, NLT).

b. There is the gift of serving or ministering to others. This is the very practical ability to help others—to assist them in such a way that they are built up and truly strengthened. Most of us know a few people who are always willing to help others when help is needed and who are unusually gifted to do so. All of us can help, and all of us can develop our willingness and ability to help, but there are some believers who are especially skilled in ministering to others.

c. There is the gift of teaching . Teaching is the ability to explain and to ground people in the truth. The Word of God not only needs to be proclaimed by the prophet (preachers, ministers) but also explained by the teacher. People must be rooted in all the truths of God’s Word day by day, week by week, and year by year. This is the teacher’s task.

d. There is the gift of exhortation or encouragement . This is the very special ability to comfort, warn, and motivate people. The dominant factor would be the motivation and encouragement of people, the ability to stir people to make a decision for Christ and to grow in Him. It is the gift that arouses people to get up and get busy fulfilling their task for the Lord.

e. There is the gift of giving . This simply means the giving of your earthly possessions such as money, clothing, and food. In listing this particular gift, Scripture adds a point: it tells how you are to give. You are to give liberally and generously. The point is this: God gives some persons the special gift to make money in order to have plenty to help others and to spread the gospel around the world (Ep.4:28).

f. There is the gift of leadership . This person is to lead with diligence , which means with careful thought, zeal, desire, and concentrated attention. There is no room for laziness, complacency, or irresponsibility. Leaders are the ones who are to blaze the path for other believers, and they are to do it with fervency, hard work, and iron determination.

g. There is the gift of mercy or kindness . This is a person who is full of forgiveness and compassion for others. Note that the merciful person is to show mercy with a cheerful or joyful heart. The person with the gift of mercy…

•does not forgive grudgingly

•does not hesitate in forgiving others

•does not show mercy in an annoyed spirit

•does not show mercy in a spirit of criticism or rebuke toward the person who needs help. (This often happens when a person is suffering adversity because of unemployment, lack of education, or some other unfortunate circumstance.)

You, too, must show mercy with a cheerful and joyful heart, doing all you can to lift up a person needing mercy, kindness, or compassion.

10. You Are Given the Great Hope of Christ’s Return to Comfort, Encourage, and Sustain You .

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Th.4:16-18, NKJV).

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (Jn.14:2-3, NKJV).

(See ch.9, pt.2, pp.378-381 for discussion.)

11. You Become a Citizen of God’s Chosen Race and Nation .

But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, A holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pe.2:9, NASB)

Once you believe in God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, you become very special to God. In fact, you are so special to God that He does four wonderful things for you.

a. You become a citizen of God’s chosen or elect race of people. The idea is that of a new species that differs entirely from the other races upon earth. How? How can it be that believers from China, Russia, Asia, Africa, India, Europe, the Americas, the Islands, Canada, and all the other nations of the world form a new race of people? By the Spirit of God.

The Spirit of God is changing people inwardly, not outwardly. He is not changing facial features or skin color. These mean little; they are only superficial differences that change, age, perish, and decay ever so rapidly. God is changing people within their hearts and minds, changing their lives where it really matters. God is implanting His divine nature within believers. When you believe in Jesus Christ, God’s divine nature is immediately implanted into your heart and life (2 Pe.1:4).

•You are born again .

Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God (Jn.3:3, NLT; see Jn.3:5-6; 1 Pe.1:23; 1 Jn.5:1).

•You receive a renewed mind .

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Ro.12:2, NKJV; see Ro.8:5).

•You become a new creature , a person with a new nature .

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Co.5:17, KJV; Ep.4:24; Col.3:10).

•You receive a new spirit .

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him (Ro.8:9, NASB).

b. You become a royal priest . To people who have never given their lives to Christ, God seems far away, off in outer space somewhere. In their minds, God does not seem that concerned with human life. They have no personal relationship or fellowship with God. An individual who has a daily relationship with God, who praises God and brings his or her needs to God, knows that God will meet those needs. But all this is missing with people who have never personally committed their lives to Christ. Without Jesus Christ, a person has no access or closeness to God. This is the reason people have often felt the need to have priests who would dedicate their lives professionally to God’ and would carry their needs before God for them.

But this is the glorious message of the gospel: when you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, God makes you a royal priest. He gives you open access into His presence forever and ever. You can actually approach God at any time!

Several questions should be asked at this point: Do you actually walk and live in the presence of God like a royal priest? Do you know what it is to have unbroken communion with God? To be praying always? If not, may God convict your heart and stir you to recommit your life to prayer and to seeking unbroken communion and fellowship with Him all throughout the day.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Th.5:16-18, KJV).

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Th.5:16-18, NLT).

c. You become a citizen of God’s holy nation . This is a very meaningful title for believers. Just think about it: God is building a new nation of people. He is drawing people from all over the world, people from all the nations of the world, and creating a new nation, the holy nation of God. Remember: the word holy means separated, set apart, and different. God will take any person who is willing to separate from the sin and evil of this world and make that person a citizen of His holy nation. This means that when you trusted Christ as your Savior, you immediately became a citizen of God’s holy nation. Now, you are…

•to serve the Sovereign Head of God’s nation, God Himself

•to obey the laws of God’s nation

•to follow the customs and lifestyle of God’s nation

•to defend and speak up for the nation of God

And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel" (Ex.19:6, NASB).

d. You become God’s very own possession . This is a precious thought: that God makes you one of His very own people, a special possession of His. Possession has the idea of value, of worth and significance. You are more precious to God than all the priceless gems and treasures of the world. Possession also has the