So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NLT) Do you ever get down on yourself for what you seem to keep doing wrong? Maybe you feel like you’ll never measure up to some sort of impossible standard. It may be a self-imposed standard or one you feel has been forced upon you. Either way, focusing on this unrealistic set of expectations and your failure to meet them isn’t helping you. First of all, focusing on everything you’re doing wrong doesn’t help you to do right. Christians often think that beating themselves up for their wrong-doing helps prevent them from doing it again. But it’s simply not true. In fact, focusing on what not to do only makes …

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT) Do you keep attracting what you don’t want in life? You hold beliefs deep inside you that influence how you feel about yourself and what you think you’re capable of doing in life. If certain negative circumstances seem to follow you wherever you go, it may be time to plant some new heart beliefs. I’m not saying that every negative circumstance that happens to you is a result of your beliefs. Some things just happen in this imperfect world. But… if …

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV) When God made Adam and Eve, He made them in His likeness and image, which means they were like Him. They were His kids. But Eve was deceived into thinking something else. The devil wanted Eve to think she lacked something that could only be found by disobeying God. First he questioned her, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1, NLT). Eve clarified that there was only one tree they were not to eat because that fruit would cause them to die. …

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it… For only we who believe can enter his rest. Hebrews 4:1,3 (NLT) What is God’s rest? And what prevents some from experiencing it? The more we grasp that our salvation through Jesus is a gift, the more we experience God’s rest. Jesus’ sacrifice has freed us from trying to earn our salvation through works. Think about it—trying to “be better” on our own can feel futile. Continually striving to defeat harmful habits or attain inner peace by our own strength is exhausting. In fact, it makes our hearts sick (Proverbs 13:12)! We are all works in progress, but there is freedom …

Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2 (NLT) Many born-again believers experience an inner struggle even with Jesus in their spirit. Why? It happens when our hearts and minds aren’t being renewed to align with our new, Christ-filled spirit. Look at it this way. Let’s say you decided to purchase a huge company. It comes with thousands of employees and old policies and procedures. As the new owner, can you move that company in a new direction? Yes! However, your first job will be to win over all the employees to the new way you want things done. Why? Because all the employees are trained with …