Editors Note – Caris Ministries has graciously allowed us to share some of their articles on our site. Check them out in the links at the bottom for more.
Without God’s grace empowering you, you would never be able to do what pleases Him (Phi. 2:13). Yet because of His grace, you have power to do more than you probably realize. In fact, you may be waiting for God to do something for you that He expects you to begin doing for yourself. Once you act empowered by His grace, He meets you at your moment of faith and does what you cannot do. Begin today.
1. Rouse yourself
“And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines. And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.” 2Sa. 5:24-25 ESV
2. Build yourself up in your faith
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,” Jude 1:20 ESV
3. Strengthen yourself in the Lord
“And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” 1Sa. 30:6 ESV
4. Humble yourself
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,” 1Pe. 5:6 ESV (Dan. 10:12, Jam. 4:10)
5. Delight yourself in the Lord
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psa. 37:4 ESV
6. Commit your way to the Lord
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” Psa. 37:5-6 ESV
7. Train yourself for godliness
“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1Ti. 4:7-8 ESV (1Ti. 4:13; 1Ti. 4:16)
8. Make yourself ready (Clothe yourself in righteousness)
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” Rev. 19:7-8 ESV (Rev. 3:18)
9. Keep yourself in the love of God
“keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” Jude 1:21 ESV