DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY – A BALANCED POSITIVE CONFESSION!

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile-driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time -- a tremendous whack! - Winston Churchill.

You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. - Psalm 23:1. CEV

A city in the Netherlands had a problem with litter. The sanitation department tried doubling the littering fine and even increasing the number of litter agents who patrolled the area, but to no avail. Then someone suggested that instead of punishing those who littered, they could reward people who put garbage in trash cans. A plan to devise a trash can that could dispense coins when litter was inserted was rejected as too expensive.

But it led to another idea: the sanitation department developed a trash can that played a recording of a joke when refuse was deposited! Different cans played different kinds of jokes, and the recordings were changed every two weeks. Citizens went out of their way to put garbage in trash cans, and the streets were clean again. - Discipleship Journal.

Lately, I have read so many articles concerning the positive confession doctrine, and I would have to agree that most of these preachers are in the extreme, and that many of them are preaching outright heresy. The problem is that there is a balanced positive confession; the Bible is full of them. But the enemy uses these preachers to distort the truth, and so lead many astray.

Another problem is that we pay far too much attention to these people, let God deal with them! If Christians are easily fooled by this stuff, then they have a problem in their relationship with Christ, and they do not know the Word. Did Jesus not say that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth?

The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn't speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen. - John 16:13.

The enemy will distract us by listening, or reading about these extremists, that we miss the true positive message that God has blessed us with;

We are bought out of darkness into light. We, who have faith in Christ, come to life… I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life. - John 5:24.

We are brought to faith by the strength of Jesus alone, not by our own efforts… You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. - Eph 2:8-9.

Not by our own goodness… Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. - Phil 3:8-9.

But by His wonderful love and kindness… But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God's wonderful kindness is what saves you. - Eph 2:4..

Our inheritance is abundant and secure, because He came to give forgiveness… He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. - Luke 24:46-47.

In a dream, Martin Luther found himself being attacked by Satan. The devil unrolled a long scroll containing a list of Luther's sins, and held it before him. On reaching the end of the scroll Luther asked the devil, "Is that all?" "No," came the reply, and a second scroll was thrust in front of him. Then, after a second came a third. But now the devil had no more. "You've forgotten something," Luther exclaimed triumphantly. "Quickly write on each of them, 'The blood of Jesus Christ God's son cleanses us from all sins.'" - K. Koch.

You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD. - Psalm 23. (A psalm by David).

This is what I call BALANCED POSITIVE CONFESSION, and I firmly believe we need to let this positive confession be on our lips constantly, and not allow the enemy to distract us from God's truth!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to speak your word of truth positively and balanced. Help me not to be distracted by the enemy, and by those who make profit from your word. I ask this in the wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen.

Be Encouraged!
GBYAY