Gregory E. Lang's Blog, page 4

Acknowledge Your Weaknesses

The body is weak; guard against its temptation with prayer, relying on Christ’s strength and giving to him praise for his power. Christ not only strengthens you, but even in your weakness and imperfection, continues to love you as you rely more heavily on him. With your confession you will grow strong. Acknowledge your weaknesses.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. Romans 8:26

So that I would not become too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me, a painful physical problem was given to me. This problem was a messenger from Satan, sent to beat me and keep me from being too proud. I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. But he said to me, My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you. So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me. For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10,

We all make many mistakes. If people never said anything wrong, they would be perfect and able to control their entire selves, too. James 3:2

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Forgive Yourself, Too

Is your standard higher than Christ’s? You, forgiven through him, are made righteous before God and cannot be under condemnation, even of your own judgment. With your faith in Him he has forgiven you, so forgive yourself so that his grace may be glorified and his good name proclaimed for all to hear.

Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38 (NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

I will forgive them for the wicked things they did, and I will not remember their sins anymore. Hebrews 8:12

This is the way we know that we belong to the way of truth. When our hearts make us feel guilty, we can still have peace before God. God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. My dear friends, if our hearts do not make us feel guilty, we can come without fear into God’s presence. And God gives us what we ask for because we obey God’s commands and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:19-22

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Forgive All Wrongs

You cannot be forgiven without also being one who can forgive. Our Lord makes it a condition of our obtaining forgiveness, that we shall have a merciful, forgiving spirit. You are to forgive others for their wrongs in the same way that God forgives yours; mercy shall not be refused if someone comes to you in the spirit of sincere repentance. Forgive all wrongs.

Yes, if you forgive others for their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you for your sins. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

When you are praying, if you are angry with someone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins. Mark 11:25

Don’t judge other people, and you will not be judged. Don’t accuse others of being guilty, and you will not be accused of being guilty. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

But now you should forgive him and comfort him to keep him from having too much sadness and giving up completely. So I beg you to show that you love him. 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32

Get along with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Forgive All Wrongs appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Ask For Forgiveness

If we confess our sins the Lord will be faithful to his promise of mercy, and just in requiring us to have the atonement of Christ, to forgive us for our sins. We all need healing of our sins. Confess your faults as a demonstration of repentance. Repentance is not sorrow, but the fruit of sorrow; repentance is an internal change resulting, not from remorse, but from conviction of sin and sincere sorrow for it. Not one is without sin; our mistakes are many. Confess your sins to God and man so that you might be cleansed, forgiven and healed. Ask for forgiveness.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen. James 5:16

Peter said to them, Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

So you must change your hearts and lives! Come back to God, and he will forgive your sins. Then the Lord will send the time of rest. Acts 3:19

If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done. 1 John 1:8-9

I correct and punish those whom I love. So be eager to do right, and change your hearts and lives.  Revelation 3:19

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Live In Peace

You are called to be a peacemaker. If you are filled with the love of peace it must reign in your heart, and then rule in your deeds. There must be no disagreement, separation, or rebellion between you and your neighbors, for without peace no one will see the Lord. Live in peace so that through you others may see God at work. Live in peace.

Do your best to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

So let us try to do what makes peace and helps one another. Romans 14:19

Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Try to live in peace with all people, and try to live free from sin. Anyone whose life is not holy will never see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

The Scripture says, A person must do these things to enjoy life and have many happy days. He must not say evil things, and he must not tell lies. He must stop doing evil and do good. He must look for peace and work for it. 1 Peter 3:10-11

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Live In Peace appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Swallow Your Pride

Although he was from most high, Jesus spent time with the lowest of the low, showing that his mercy and grace are for all. Let there be harmony and a spirit of agreement wherever you go, for the way to secure grace more abundantly is to be humble before the Lord. Be humble with others, just as Jesus is with you. Swallow your pride.

Live in peace with each other. Do not be proud, but make friends with those who seem unimportant. Do not think how smart you are. Romans 12:16

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4

When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Philippians 2:3

But God gives us even more grace, as the Scripture says, God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

This person is full of pride and understands nothing, but is sick with a love for arguing and fighting about words. This brings jealousy, fighting, speaking against others, evil mistrust. 1 Timothy 6:4

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Swallow Your Pride appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Refrain From Revenge

Justice belongs only to the sovereign Lord. Do not make it your business to judge and avenge, for as you judge, you too will be judged. Rid yourself of a wrathful mind. If it is possible, as far as you have any say or influence in the matter, live at peace with everyone. Refrain from revenge.

If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do your best to live in peace with everyone. My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: “I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19

Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

We know that God said, I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them. And he also said, The Lord will judge his people.  Hebrews 10:30

Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Refrain From Revenge appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Share Your Blessings

The Lord gave himself for you, what shall you give for him? All that you have is not your own, but was provided to you by God. Make the needs of others your own and help them, giving freely and cheerfully in order to be blessed. Share what he has given you and in the process please and honor him who has made you rich in Heaven. Giving for God’s purposes are indeed sacrifices that please him. Share your blessings.

John answered, If you have two shirts, share with the person who does not have one. If you have food, share that also. Luke 3:11

You are rich in everything – in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you learned from us. In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving. I am not commanding you to give. But I want to see if your love is true by comparing you with others that really want to help. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that Christ was rich, but for you he became poor so that by his becoming poor you might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

Tell the rich people to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. 1 Timothy 6:18

Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God. Hebrews 13:16

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Share Your Blessings appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Share Your Blessings

The Lord gave himself for you, what shall you give for him? All that you have is not your own, but was provided to you by God. Make the needs of others your own and help them, giving freely and cheerfully in order to be blessed. Share what he has given you and in the process please and honor him who has made you rich in Heaven. Giving for God’s purposes are indeed sacrifices that please him. Share your blessings.

John answered, If you have two shirts, share with the person who does not have one. If you have food, share that also. Luke 3:11

You are rich in everything – in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you learned from us. In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving. I am not commanding you to give. But I want to see if your love is true by comparing you with others that really want to help. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that Christ was rich, but for you he became poor so that by his becoming poor you might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

Tell the rich people to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. 1 Timothy 6:18

Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God. Hebrews 13:16

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Share Your Blessings appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Do Your Best

In all that you do you are a representative of Christ, therefore in whatever you do, do it will all your heart to honor Christ and his message. To this end, spare no time, self-denial or effort, for it pleases the Lord when you do your deeds often and well. If you render good service anywhere to anyone, the Lord will see that you are rewarded. Do your best.

You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Do your work with enthusiasm. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not as if you were serving only men and women. Ephesians 6:7

In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Colossians 3:23

Make every effort to give yourself to God as the kind of person he will accept. Be a worker who is not ashamed and who uses the true teaching in the right way. 2 Timothy 2:15

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Do Your Best appeared first on Gregoryelang.