Friday, November 30, 2012

I dedicate this post to my Dad who passed away seven years ago today. Gone but not forgotten. I am blessed to know He is with my Lord in heaven and reunited with the love of his life, my Mom. Death of a loved one is something we all will face, we are never ready and it is never easy. By the power of the living God I can be assured that I will one day see my Dad again. Our bodies will be restored and it will be pure bliss. Until we see each other again Dad, I thank you for being one of my guardian angels here on earth. I love you and miss you both more than I ever thought possible. 

Luke 23:42-43

New International Version 

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.^[a]”
⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23

This verse speaks to me when I find myself in that peaceful place with the Lord where I know in my heart He has everything under control and that everything will work out for our good. We gave up the right to control our own life when we gave it to the Lord.  We are to desire nothing more than His will for our lives. We are to love Him more than anyone or anything on this earth. We are to be ready, willing and able to lay down whatever it is He asks of us and follow Him. We are to preach the gospel and spread His name to all the lost. We are to love others, pray for our enemies and give of ourselves. We are to be in His image and desire what He desires. It is no longer about what we want. Now of course the Lord doesn't oppose on our will, if He did it wouldn't be free so true faith keeps us wanting nothing more than Him. My prayer today for all of His children is that we all find our gratitude in Him and our satisfaction in Him. That we need nothing more than knowing He is our Lord and Savior and we can rest in that. Have a wonderful day in God. 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid". John 14:27

Our faith will dispel fear and worry. Be not afraid but instead declare victory in Christ Jesus.  The more you read on who your Lord and Savior is, the more educated you will become on the power you have by believing in Him. Your current situation may have you on edge or afraid of the unknown, but He is our tomorrow and try to remember this snippet: when we fear, draw near. We must be strong in our belief that we serve a mighty God and nothing is impossible for Him. He tells us not to worry about what we will drink. eat or wear so that tells me He takes care of all things for us. I believe we need to stay in His word, live in His will and  obey His voice and we are sealed. Bumps will always be on our road, it is the way it is for us in this life but if we just rejoice in Him and praise Him for all He has done, all He has promised, and all He will still do, we win. If I may quote my late father in law, whom I never had the privilege to meet but will in heaven someday, when he was dying of lung cancer at 49 years old. He said, "If I am healed, I win, if I die and go with my Father in heaven, I win". What a wonderful testimony of faith. And that is how I choose to think too. Whatever it is God has in store for me, I win. If it is not what I prayed for but instead what He wants for me, I win and if He answers my prayers according to my desire, I win. So learn to rid yourself of all "stinkin thinkin" and instead focus on the One and Only God the Father. Be not afraid but instead live in peace and victory. It is our reward and it is the only way to live. Be at peace today!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

"God's plan for my life far exceeds life's circumstances". - Unknown 

I posted that to my FB wall and I love that.  How often do we get downtrodden over our current situation and lose sight of God's big picture for our life?  Yet it is hard not to get upset when you are experiencing a difficult time, whether it be grief, financial crisis or a relationship matter. We are not robots, we are human beings created by Christ to love and feel.  Yet we are told to not allow our feelings to dictate our thoughts for they will get us off track. As hard as it is sometimes, what I do when I am feeling down or overwhelmed, is I praise the Lord out loud. I will walk through my home telling myself I am a victor, not a victim, the head not the tail. I have victory through Christ Jesus and I am covered by the blood of the Lamb. It calms my spirit and it moves the hands of God. It is great if you could connect with someone as your prayer partner. If you are truly private or alone, go onto one of the ministry websites and submit your prayer request there. I do that with Joyce Meyer's site and I know she has prayer warriors praying for me. There is power in prayer so never be shy to ask for one's prayers. Having done all, stand in your faith. Be bold in your victory and keep your eyes fixed on God. Do not allow your current circumstances defeat you. They are temporary and do not define your tomorrow. There is victory in the blood that was shed for us on the cross. We need to remind ourselves who we are in Christ and live our lives that way. Have your attitude, response and motive be pure in spirit and His power will work in your life. My prayer for you and me today is that we are reminded of the cross and how deep His love is for us. God sacrificed His only Son for you and for me so let us remember that and not allow anyone to discourage you and distract you from receiving all that God has planned for you. Be blessed today with God's favor, wisdom and joy in your life. 

Matthew 6:²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

Matthew 6:³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Ephesians 4:26-27

²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold."

How often do you go to sleep angry at someone? God instructs us not to therefore we all should learn from that. Our own ways many times are led by emotions and feelings and too often when we allow ourselves to be controlled by them, we end up in regret. And regret is often times a result of first being angry. So pray for the Lord to soften you when you are upset at someone/something. We all can learn from the Lord for His words are true and meant for us to live by. I am ashamed to admit when I get angry I get mad and say and think things. And then find myself repenting to God for forgiveness for I did not mean what I said. Being angry opens up the door for the enemy to get in and he lives to destroy our homes, lives and relationships. We must combat his evil ways with goodness. Say you are sorry to someone you hurt. Forgive those that trespassed against you. And live in peace and harmony at all costs. Guard your heart and mind against his evil doings and don't give him an inch in your life. If you are reading these words and you are holding a grudge against someone, make this the day you let it go. Forgive and move forward. Live to please God, not man, not yourself and your life will grow in His image and not your own. 

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Don’t try to change people. It won’t work, and they will end up resenting you. Only God can change people! -

Joyce Meyer

Very wise words.  I learned not to ask God to change anyone but instead to change me.  And He did.  I used to have a very hard heart, easy to anger and slow to forgive.  It was easier for me to wipe my hands clean of a person and discard them like trash than stick it out and learn how to overcome uncomfortable situations.  I used to be proud I was like my Dad in that way but years later when I received Christ into my heart I learned that God wanted me to love all people, enemies and strangers alike, like He loved me. I was disheartened to see that all those years I walked away from people and never looked back was the wrong thing to do.  Broken relationships and countless friendships.  All I try to do now is really work on relationships and try to see the good in people and not dwell on the things that annoy me, like I so easily did before.  And it is actually interesting because you will see how much you have changed and sometimes how far you progressed to look and see that the other person has not changed at all. That is when I lift them up to the Lord and pray for them. I ask the Lord to open their eyes and soften their hearts because no one can convict one's heart like He can. So when you find yourself frustrated with your spouse or child, sibling or friend, ask the Lord to change you...your mindset, your words, your heart, your attitude and see what miraculous work He will do. Sometimes the problem is you and not the other person. We have to keep our hearts humble and not defensive, we must be prepared to change and learn to be sensitive to others. I promise you, I speak from experience. So ask the Lord to touch your heart and heal your hurt or anger towards someone/others and allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in your life and may you embrace the healing.  God knows our true heart, motive and intent on all things...He is just waiting for you.....be blessed on your new journey. You will be so happy you did this for yourself. 

John 13:34-3

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Why Jesus? http://youtu.be/j_wiDGD-a-U

Saturday, November 24, 2012

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

Psalm 34:8

Friday, November 23, 2012

Got 

God?

Romans 10:9

Thursday, November 22, 2012 Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for my life.  Thank you for saving me from myself and preparing me a place in heaven.  I give you this Thanksgiving day and I ask that it be a peaceful and joyous day.  I am thankful for You and I am thankful for all that you have blessed us with. We pray that on this wonderful day, You receive all the glory and honor. This day for me is not about football or having a day off but instead gratitude, love, family and fellowship. I ask that we are nourished by the food today and that our home will be a place for all to come and renew their spirit. I ask that my Mom be a special angel today to help me in the kitchen so everything comes together perfectly, just like hers did all the years she hosted. And may You be glorified today. I love You Lord. AMEN.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012 Love Letter to Jesus

Ephesians 5:20

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James 1:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

All glory and honor goes to my Father in heaven for He is worthy to be praised. I bow down at Your feet, Lord, for I am grateful for my life. You have blessed me beyond measure and have granted my heart's desires. You are able to turn my mourning into dancing and my tears into laughter by Your hand and I am thankful for YOU this holiday season. Everyone will go around their Thanksgiving tables and recite their gratitude for blessings and although it is a lovely sentiment, all I am grateful for is You. You are the center of my life, home and marriage and nothing matters more. Every perfect gift comes from above and I humbly give thanks. I love you more....

Why Jesus? http://youtu.be/j_wiDGD-a-U

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 Keep the Faith!

Galatians 6:9

⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Hold on to God and never give up. Even when things seem to be at a stand still we must keep the faith. The saying,"God's delays are not God's denials", reminds me that when God seems silent, He is working everything out for my good. I have seen the power of God and I believe in what I cannot see therefore I can honestly say my faith keeps me strong. I can not do this life without a relationship with Jesus Christ. After the loss of my Mom earlier this year and the struggles my husband and I face as a Christian couple trying to live in a secular world, I need the Lord. I don't know how anyone does it without Him. He is my rock eternal and I stand on every single word He has ever spoken. I know that if God is for me, who on earth could be against me? This world may try to get us down and get us to give up, but with God, I know we will soar like an eagle and He will renew our strength.  I know He hears my prayers and He will answer them according to His will for my life. I try to live each day receiving His tender mercies and provisions for my life. I try not to think/worry about tomorrow and dwell on what I do not have but instead look to what I do have and reflect on all God has done for me. I know that His timing is perfect and whatever it is I ask for, if I pray and believe to receive and pray myself through it with reverence and fervor, He will answer me. And He will answer you so don't give up; don't lose heart for He tells us in Galatians 6:9 we will reap all His goodness. So stay strong for He loves you and has great plans for you and has great plans for me.  KEEP THE FAITH!

Monday, November 19, 2012 Do You Know How to Pray?

Romans 8:26-27

New International Version (NIV)

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Straight from my bible's life application: "as a believer, you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems. Even when you don't know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers...ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you "in accordance with God's will". Then, when you bring your requests to God, trust that He will always do what is best."  I find it very common when I speak with others, that many tell me they don't know how to pray or what to say. I always try to reassure them by telling them that the Lord knows our words before we ever speak them, He hears our cries before we ever shed them therefore there are "no wrong words". He will guide you and help you, just like the bible tells us. Now we have to be mindful that all prayer requests must align with His Word or you will be asking in vain. As it clearly says the Holy Spirit will intercede according to His will, not ours. We pray and ask for things all the time that are not of God or lined with His will and then when the prayer goes unanswered we get mad at God. Instead of taking accountability,we shift the blame. I have been blessed in the past to hear the Lord's voice actually correct my prayer words. He went as far as to instruct me on what to say and when I obeyed and recited His prayer, He answered it. For others...praying intimidates them. I used to not want to pray out loud and had to ask the Lord for boldness and you know what? I can now pray for others and I may not speak as eloquently as the next but like my Father tells me in His Word, He gives me the words to speak and guides me through my prayers. I was once thrown very off guard when someone asked me to pray out loud for them and I just felt the power of the Holy Spirit take over and without hesitation or fear, I prayed and words came out and I had no idea what I was saying. After I asked my husband if I was okay and he told me I prayed beautifully and that shows the power of God. So you be bold in your prayer life. Just know that He loves you and loves to hear from you. And He will always intercede on your behalf because you are special. Have a blessed Monday!

Sunday, November 18, 2012 Do You Believe in Luck?

"The lot is cast into the lap but its every decision is from the Lord".

Proverbs 16:33

Why do people use the phrase "good luck to you" when luck has nothing to do with the life of a believer?  I can see someone who believes in luck, chance and fate saying it but I cannot grasp when a fellow child of God will say, "we were lucky today". Huh? To credit luck means you are discrediting God.  He works all things together, whether they be big or small, God is in control.  I believe we can throw ourselves off of God's narrow path of His will for our lives but I do not believe luck is anywhere in play.  I give all glory and honor to God when I get that very first parking spot at the store during a massive down pour for that is His favor for me, not luck. The bible references many times in many circumstances how God is sovereign over all. I was at the paint store the other day buying paints and supplies when the manager told the cashier to ring me up as a preferred customer to save me a couple dollars. I was so grateful I said, "praise God". He smiled and watched the young man total me up and said," oh we can do better than that, we just ended a sale 6 days ago where everything was 40% off so let's do that for you". Now you tell me was that pure luck? I don't believe so. I believe that was the Lord moving through that man who was a total stranger and used Him to bless me. Listen, when we obey God and His laws, when we tithe our earnings to Him when we are struggling to pay our mortgage, when we serve in our church after working our own 40 hour+ work week, He honors us. He blesses us and He "rewards" us. I give all glory, honor and praise to our Almighty Father. So I challenge you the next time someone mentions luck in any form, politely and respectfully correct them by giving God all the glory for any event of life; no matter how small (Matthew 10:29-31) or how large (Daniel 4:35; Proverbs 21:1), God is sovereign over all (Ephesians 1:11; Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:9-10), and thus nothing is merely the matter of chance.

Romans 8:28-30 What does luck have to do with it?

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 

Luke 6:38

The Lord blesses us that we can bless others.  It feels so good to give and help another in their time of need. Especially this week with Thanksgiving. There are so many families that will do without because they just cannot afford such an extravagant meal. If we all pledged ourselves to one family this week, think of all the people we could spread God's message to. Call upon the Lord and ask Him to reveal a family to you that you can help.  Clean out your fridge and pantry and bag up some groceries and help feed a family. The seeds you will sow will manifest not only in their life but also in your own.  You can never out give God and when we give to His children, we give to Him for what we do for them, we are doing for Him.  We must stop giving from our excess and start giving from our own need. The bible tells us  that when we give, it will be given to us. Have you ever been in need? Was someone there to give you a helping hand? I have struggled and have hit tough times and let me tell you when someone offers of themselves to you to lend an ear, a dollar or a prayer, it encourages you and gives you hope in your moment of despair. So I pray that this message convicts your heart to do right and be a soldier for God. Glorify Him as you go out and be the light in someone's dark world. And have a safe and peaceful and thankful holiday season. God is so good. 

Friday, November 16, 2012

Psalm 37:4-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ 

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ 

Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

"if God is all you have, you have all you need". John 14:8. 

Let your words breathe life not death.  What we say is all heard by the Lord and the enemy. When we murmur and grumble and complain, we give the enemy first hand information or "ammo" as I call it. Why would you speak your fears out loud? Your frustrations? We are human beings and we all have emotions and get angry but we must learn to keep them to ourselves. We all can find something to complain about each and every day. We could. But it goes a little further than someone just being positive or negative. We as children of God do not have that choice to be negative. We must exemplify the power and hope in Jesus, not man. Therefore we don't have the luxury of spewing garbage from our mouths around our co-workers, friends, spouses, siblings, children..no one and especially not God. He knows our limits, He knows our frustrations but it is simply not respectful to voice our dissatisfaction among st all of our blessings. The good outweighs the bad and if God is all you have, you have all you need. John 14:8. God will always honor your stance and devotion to Him. So as we walk through this life filled with filth, sin and vile let us continue to be the salt and the light for others so they  will come to know the loving and faithful Christ Jesus. For that is what we are all here for. Honor Him today and allow others to see His grace through you. 

http://youtu.be/j_wiDGD-a-U

Wednesday, November 14,2012

Dear Lord, 

I come to you today  with a heavy heart. I know Your word tells me not to lean on my own understanding but to trust You enough to know You have things under control.  I just feel like so many of Your children are suffering with depression, financial struggles, loneliness, unemployment, and so much sadness that it is breaking my heart. I lift us all up to You and I ask that You grant us Your enormous favor today. Grant us peace and joy that surpasses all logic. You tell us when we delight ourselves in You that You will grant our heart's desires and so I am asking that You grant ours. That today we feel Your presence and a receive a touch from heaven. There are days when I am strong and days when I am weak and I draw all my strength from You so that I can be strong for others. Help strengthen me today as I come broken down and weary. It is hard to encourage others every second of the day when I feel scared myself. But You are my Rock eternal and I know I can do all things through You so heal me today, strengthen me today and speak not only to me but to all Your children today who need that special Word and touch those today that need to know You are near. I love You, I thank You, I give all glory and honor to You today for allowing me to come into Your presence. Thank You Lord for answering my prayers. 

Love, Cynthia

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

Matthew 7:13-14

There is hope and a future with Christ Jesus.  What a wonderful promise all of God's children can hold on to.  Whenever I grow weary or need a word of encouragement I read Jeremiah 29:11 for it tells me my God has great plans for me. I know my walk with Him is not the easiest road traveled but the path through the narrow gate is the only choice for me. I have lived life my way doing what I wanted and I can honestly say the result was destructive. You may think you are "getting away" with things but a life of free will that is filled with sin is lonely. Words that were spoken by the Lord many many years ago and then recounted later in the greatest Book ever written prove to be prophetic for He knew His children would need His wisdom and counsel. Whatever it is you face today, just know the Lord is with you. You may not see the light at this moment but I know He will fulfill His purpose for you and for me by His grace for His glory. So trust Him today and hold on to His words.  Let them bring you comfort and strength and most of all hope. 

"And Lord may these words written today bring all of your children comfort and encouragement. Life is so hard and I cannot imagine doing it without You in the center of it. May we all draw closer to You and allow ourselves to replenish and renew our spirits during these difficult times. We love You and trust You and we vow to continue to pray ourselves through this storm for we know You hold a beautiful rainbow of life for those that believe. Show kindness and mercy to us today Lord and it is in Your name I ask these things. Amen."

Monday, November 12, 2012

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

I have to assume that this scripture over time is what turned into the "saying" God will only give you what you can handle. But did you know that well known quote is not a even bible verse nor does anything like it appear in text in the bible? Yet why does everyone claim it, repeat it and meditate on it? If you truly break it down, it does not make sense because the Lord wants us to always need Him and depend on Him. If we were given a maximum amount of what we could handle then we would not need to rely on Him but only on our strength. Do you really believe that a loss of a child is something within the realm of what a mother "could handle"? What mother would ever be able to handle that? Our faith is what strengthens us and gives us the resolve to live and not die in times of great tragedy and sorrow. Who is ever ready to lose a loved one, yet we all must face that time in our lives. No one is exempt.  But being tempted is not the same as being able to withstand something. So I thought it was worth passing on because I even thought it was scriptural and would even go as far as to declare it during my prayer time. The truth is the Lord wants us to know that in life when we are tempted and tried, He will always provide a way out for us. These are biblical truths to encourage you during difficult times. Doubting is not a sin. The Lord knows we all struggle with "Why me?" and "How much can one person take?" so simply trust Him and love Him and hold on to Him during all times. And always remember...

I know that God will work all things together for our good and His purpose.

I know that no temptation is bigger than God.

I know that He is loving and our refuge.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

"Vengeance is mine; I will repay", says the Lord. Roman 12:19

Leave it to God for He will take care of it. It is never defendable to have an unforgivable heart. We gave up our right to unforgiving when we gave our heart to God for He came to live in us and He has become our life. Unwilling to forgive does not fit with being a follower of Jesus. It is not Godly. When we don't forgive it can plant a root in us that grows. It is destructive. It is a spirit of rebellion against God. Matthew 6 tells us that when you forgive others for their transgressions against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you; if you do not forgive others for their transgressions, your Heavenly Father will not forgive you. Forgiving someone frees you. When someone wrongs you, you must forgive. You cannot be right with God and have anger, resentment, and unforgiveness in your hearts. Our fellowship with God will be broken. We must deal with it or we suffer the consequences. It is vital and it is a command. How sad when people will exclaim, " I will never forgive you for this." The Lord tell us to forgive seventy times seven. It does not mean after that many times we can hold a grudge, the true meaning is it is the number of completion,which means we keep on forgiving. There is never a point we stop forgiving. These words are from Charles Stanley's sermon this week and I typed as he spoke because they are worth repeating. So many people hold on to the past and grow bitter in their anger for what others have done to them and those "people" are off living their lives without a care in the world. Holding on hurts no one but you so let go, forgive and give it to God. Never seek revenge for the Lord our God sees what they have done and He will take care of the situation. Try doing what I do.... When someone hurts or betrays me, I pray for them and then I ask the Lord to forgive them for they do not know what they do. I feel better, I feel free and I know then God will handle them. If someone does you wrong, believe me when I tell you the Lord will deal with that person. The wrath of God is real and when His children are hurt for no good reason, He is none too pleased. That is why He tells us to walk away and give it to Him.  If you are dealing with any kind of betrayal or resentment or hatred in your heart, the Lord is speaking to you today. He wants you to deal with it and lay it down for it is controlling you and stunting you from growing in the Spirit. So I encourage you to seek Him on this matter and trust Him enough to let go. I will hold you up in prayer for the strength to obey and do as He says...you won't regret it. Be blessed in Him today.  

Saturday, November 10, 2012

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10

Fear is not of God.  It is an emotion that comes from the enemy to prevent you from your full potential in Christ.  Plain and simple.  The Lord tells us to "fear not" 365 times in His Word. Did you know that? It is there to remind us for each and every day of the year to trust Him, because He knew how stifling and altering fear can be.  It can keep you from giving and receiving blessings and I have seen so many not take it seriously. The Lord does not want us to be anxious, He does not want us to worry, nor fear. I hear people voice all the time their fears out loud and I want to scream, "Stop giving the enemy a foothold on your life. He cannot read your mind but he will use what you verbalize." NEVER EVER voice out loud what you fear. We have power to resist the devil. "Do not give a foothold" emphasizes that this is something within our power to control. The devil can only come as close as we allow him. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" James 4:7. Though powerful and cunning, the devil can never control our will or force disobedience. Yet active resistance is essential! Satan is not one to lay down his arms and take mercy on us out of pity or generosity. He only flees from those who have the courage and faith to resist him and turn to God's promise and power. Therefore be strong in faith and be courageous in battle. Obey the Word of the Lord and be not afraid. If you are a worry wart and fear everything/one, give it to Him right now and ask Him to remove this emotion from you. You will not believe the change you will see in your life and to those around you. You will view everything differently and in turn you will become stronger in Christ. So be the head, not the tail and walk in victory for you are victorious in Him. 

Friday, November 9, 2012

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". Thessalonians 5:18

It is hard sometimes to stay positive in a negative world.  Hard to always be so confident in ourselves when society tells us that we are not good enough, smart enough, thin enough, rich enough....but our worth is in Christ Jesus and He is the only One we should look to for all acceptance and value and purpose. Do not rely on yourself or man to make you happy, keep your eyes on the Lord.  When we can do that, we then are able to be thankful in all situations, good and bad. Stress is a part of everyone's life...I am told more people are treated for stress related anxieties than any other. Your job, relationships, finances can all create added pressures onto your already fragile self but take heed. The Lord loves you, He will provide for you and protect you in all ways.  You are living in His perfect will for your life therefore these bumps in the road have been ordained and planned so take them one at a time. Do not be mad at God or anxious for anything for He is with you, behind you and in front of you. This is the path He has chosen for you and He will sustain you through the valley and the peak. Take heart. Today is a great day because He lives and because He lives, you can face whatever it is that comes at you. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. So trust, believe and have faith today and above all else, be thankful for all you have been given. He loves you and wants you to be joyful in Him,every single day. Amen?Amen!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Prayer is the Key to Heaven but Faith unlocks the Door. - Unknown

Our faith in the Lord is what unlocks His power in our lives. It is our true belief in what we cannot see. It seems simple and yet so many believers know God is God but their lives do not reflect a deep faithful life. Rest is our weapon for spiritual warfare.  Peace that surpasses all understanding is the result of knowing that God is in control and the knowledge that when we ask, knock and seek, He will answer our prayers. Spiritual maturity comes as we grow in our learning of the Lord and in our trials that we face.  If you struggle with trusting God enough to be still in Him and allow Him to work all things according to His purpose for your life, not what you want for yourself, than use this as your opportunity to renew all faith in Him. Letting go of yourself, letting go of all control.  He promises to take on full responsibility for us when we submit full obedience to Him.  Stop trying to place your spiritual peg in a secular hole. It will never fit just right for there is only one way to heaven and that is through Christ Jesus. Nothing you can do or say can earn your way to heaven. The only perfection we will ever achieve is through our relationship with Him. He is all knowing; all just; all good. We are sinners of our own flesh living in a very secular world.  That is why we need a relationship with a Savior who brings life, belief, peace and the blessed assurance that we are on the narrow path of righteousness. And through this love, we will gain the truth in knowing not that God can, but that He will. 

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8

The day after a presidential election is either a victory for you or a defeat. In America we rely on the people to decide who will be the leader appointed to run our country. And with results as close as ours was, the fact will remain that it will leave the country divided. But I choose to remain hopeful and victorious because my Lord is still on the throne and He is my leader, yesterday, today and forever. We don't need to appoint a new leader every four years for He is in control of our lives for eternity. The president is just temporal.  The Lord allows things to happen and it is all part of His plan so instead of being mad or upset your "choice" did not win, be grateful that Jesus is our King. After all, who do you go to for counsel when things are going on in your life? Do you rely on the president? Do you have his attention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year? Did He sacrifice His child's life so that you could have yours? Can he forgive you for your sins? I mean let's keep this in perspective. Rely on God for your future, for your children's future, for your careers and jobs, for your finances. Obey His law and all things will work together for your good. Don't listen to what the social media is saying. Don't get caught up in the aftermath of the election and go into a tailspin of panic over the economy or health care. I give my life to the Lord everyday and I ask Him to provide for me each and every day. I cannot control tomorrow and I cannot hold on to yesterday, all I can do is embrace the gift of my life today and rejoice in it for my Lord made it and I am going to give glory and honor to Him today. I pray for each and every one of you who has come to read these words . May we all be united in the One truth-that God is in control and we are to place all our confidence in Him, not man. So pray for your country, pray for your president and be graceful in all your say and do. There is victory today for all of us in Christ Jesus. 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 Election Day

No matter who is president, 

Jesus is King.

Why Jesus? Take this minute for yourself and hear why Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_wiDGD-a-U&feature=youtu.be

Monday, November 5, 2012

For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

God will make a way when there seems to be no way.  He is a faithful and just God.  Nothing is impossible for Him. Our faith moves our Lord's hands and right now where you are, give to Him that "mountain" in your life. Ask Him to remove all obstacles in your way.  I trust Him because I know what He says is true. He promises us life and in abundance when we believe. When we honor Him with our tithes and obedience the bible tells us He takes full responsibility for us.What a mighty God we serve. When you feel weak, draw strength from Him and allow the Holy Spirit to work in all areas of your life. Where this is sin, remove it. Where there are people who are not good for your walk, cast them out.  When you feel empty, allow Him to replenish your heart and soul. He is everything you will ever need and He is everything you have been searching for. 

"I thank you Lord for your faithfulness and truth. I ask that you protect your children on earth as we all walk through times of uncertainty and unknown futures. May we all be reminded that tomorrow may be election day and we may be appointing a new president but the fact remains that you are Our King and nothing is impossible for our economy, our jobs, our homes, our families. And may we vote according to your biblical truths and know You hold all authority, yesterday,today and forever. Amen".

Sunday, November 3, 2012

Why Jesus? Take this minute for yourself and hear why Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_wiDGD-a-U&feature=youtu.be

Saturday, November 3, 2012

So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. 

Zechariah 4:6

When evil is present , my husband and I have will get a really deep dark pit in our stomachs and we know that something or someone is not of God.  We cannot always explain why we don't want to go somewhere or be near someone but we follow the spirit of the Lord and His leading. When this happens we call upon the name of the Lord Jesus and we bind satan and his servants and effects, by the blood of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. We have the blessed assurance by the authority of the name of Jesus.  Always be on guard because the enemy will attack when there is a physical need such as hunger, isolation and weariness. Remember Elijah was attacked when he isolated himself in the dessert and let's not forget when the Lord was alone in the dessert for 40 days and 40 nights. He was weary, he was hungry and He was tempted by satan repeatedly. What I have learned is that we as Christians must call upon the Lord all the time to help us with the world that we live in, with the flesh that we are encased in and with the enemy we are constantly dealing with. And let us not forget what the Lord promises us, "In this life, there is trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world" and through Him, so can we. 

"I  have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you". Luke 10:19

Friday, November 2, 2012

^{Matthew 6:2-4
2} “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Luke 6:35
³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Offer of one self because you can, not because you expect anything in return.  I know people that will lend money only to certain individuals. They dub them "guarantee pays". Or they give of their excess,not of their own need. I am telling you when you give of yourself to another brother or sister in need, you will be enrichly blessed. Your heart will be so joyful and your spirit will be at such peace and rest. Have you ever struggled with whether or not to help someone and you end up not and then you are riddled with guilt or regret? That is because your spirit is restless as a result of not obeying God's Word which is to love one another and do good for one another. In this time of struggle for so many due to the recent storms here on the East coast, I offer up the best advice I can , which is to help. Don't wait for someone to tell you they are hungry, or broke, or without power or clean clothes....just get out there and make a donation, drop off groceries or clean clothes/towels. Don't hesitate to bless...never. We are to live our lives giving glory and honor to the Lord. We must live everyday wanting His grace to shine upon us so that others can see Him through us. Therefore do not be of this world, which is of a selfish mindset. Make a difference. Give when you don't have it. Love when it hurts. Forgive when it makes no sense. Be as God is-all love, all compassion. Meditate on the scriptures I wrote out above for they are always laid on my heart by God. So this is His message ... He wants you to love His children and pray for your enemies. And make a difference in someone's life today. 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

Ephesians 54:17

This is the most powerful prayer I can share with you. In fact I share this whenever I am talking with a brother or sister in Christ.  We are caught in the middle of a very true and very real spiritual warfare of angels and demons; good vs. evil spirits. And we need to arm ourselves, our homes, our families against this war. I must pray this prayer more than any other for it is so powerful and what happens is the fiery darts of evil that are aimed at you, end up turning around and going back where they came from. I loosely call it "the spiritual boomerang". I have seen the power of God in my life with this endless times. So many people in life are filled with jealousy, envy, hatred, lust, greed, anger (all spirits of the evil one ) that they act on them and that is when we can be attacked. But all children of God must be prepared for this battle at all times. Guard your hearts, minds and souls. Cast out anything that is not of God out of your house. Be careful who enters your home but do not live in fear or paranoia. We are to love our enemies and be not afraid for the battle is the Lord's and He will protect you. Because I know He will reveal to me and unmask man's hearts, I wait upon Him and heed His warning when He shows me something about someone. It is His way of protecting me so I try to remain deep rooted in His spirit. That is how we fight-with pure faith and trust in the Lord. So arm yourself today in prayer and allow the Lord to fight on your behalf. When we place this demand on Him, we allow Him to be God and that pleases Him. So walk in victory and peace and delight yourself in the Lord today and let God be God.