tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43427717996023775872024-02-19T23:54:11.113-08:00Moments In His PresenceYolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-8120484887270460962012-07-11T09:40:00.000-07:002012-07-11T09:40:43.964-07:00God Hates Hands that Murder the InnocentProverbs 6:16-19 MESSAGE BIBLE "Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family." <br />
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God's greatest desire for His children is that we live a life of peace. That is the original setting that He provided for us in Garden of Eden. Peace and harmony are two words that describes the best life. However, because of sin, conflict does arise from time to time. Unsolved conflict leads to bitterness, strife, and unforgiveness. Unfortunately there are times when we simply refuse to let it go and the result ends in the death of one by the hand of another. God does not like it. It breaks His heart. As a matter of fact Proverbs 6 tells us he hates it! Bitterness, strife, and unforgiveness are works of the flesh and they lead us to destruction. <br />
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God's Word teaches us that when we are offended by a brother or sister to go to them and make amends. In doing so we keep that issue from creating layers of anger in our heart. We must learn to release our offenders quickly. Quick release does not give the enemy an opportunity to start speaking to us and strategically helping us plan a method of getting back at our offender. Quick release allows our hearts to forgive and through prayer we can move beyond our anger into a place of forgiveness. <br />
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Today, if someone has hurt or offended you. Let it GO! If possible go to them and talk it over with them so that you can release it. If it is not in either yours or their best interest to discuss it give it to God in prayer and through the power of the Holy Spirit release your offender so that you no longer will be held prisoner. <br />
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One final note: We must be cautious not to murder others with our tongues. Sometimes our mouth can be just as deadly as our hands. <br />Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-70845360316961909742012-07-03T05:45:00.000-07:002012-07-03T05:45:35.103-07:00God Hates a Lying TongueProverbs 6:16-19 MESSAGE BIBLE "Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family." <br />
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Today's material comes from <a href="http://www.bible.com/">http://www.bible.com/</a>.<br />
It was so good I just reposted it here. <br />
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<span style="color: black;">There is a plague that is grieving the heart of God because it is preventable and can be stopped. It has spread among all churches and is particularly rampant in society. Even God’s ministers are not immune and many of them are infected with it. </span><span style="color: black;">What is this evil plague? You may be surprised as it appears rather harmless at first glance. It is now so commonplace that people are deceived into just accepting it as normal, instead of recognizing and resisting it. This epidemic is the practice of lying and dishonesty. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">What does the Bible say about lying? A lying tongue is not only something God hates, it is also something that is an abomination to Him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b>Proverbs 6:16-19 </b>says,<b> "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">EXAMPLES OF DISHONESTY</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As the moral climate of our society has been deteriorating, lying has become a major problem. The business world is particularly plagued by this problem--men’s dishonesty with each other, meetings "forgotten", company theft, promises not kept, contracts broken, etc. Lawyers have increased in numbers over the last decade, mainly because of irresponsibility and broken contracts among men due to lying. A news organization recently did a survey here in America and asked people several questions to determine the percentage of people who lied or were dishonest about things. Some of the questions were:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Do you cheat on your Income Tax Return?<br />Do you compliment people when you really don’t mean it?<br />Do you tell your spouse to tell callers you are not at home when you are there?<br />Do you tell "little white lies" if it will keep you out of trouble?<br />Do you tell creditors that "the check is in the mail" when you have not yet mailed it?<br />Do you exaggerate in repeating things you have heard?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The results of this survey determined that nearly 80% of Americans are not truthful under certain circumstances. This is understandable when we look at the morals of our society but what about Christians? Have they fallen into the habit of lying also? Also, what constitutes a lie according to the Bible? Anything that is not the truth is a lie and God’s Word the Bible tells us what is truth. The Bible is the standard or measuring rod we must use in determining truth. Sadly, Christians are also succumbing to this epidemic of lying. Lying to each other has now become so commonplace, Christians too, have become liars. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black;">THE FATHER OF LIES</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Have you been lied to lately? Was it another Christian that lied to you? A minister perhaps? Each of us have had our trust in people undermined, or in some cases even destroyed because of lies. We would all agree that lying is an ugly evil. <em>The Bible tells us that lying began with the devil and that he is the father of lies.</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b>John 8:43-47 </b>says, <b>"Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The Bible is filled with admonitions against being dishonest and lying. One of the Ten Commandments<b> </b>states:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." Exodus 20:16 </span></b><span style="color: black;">Before we point our finger at another for being a liar that we feel God needs to deal with, let us examine our own lives to see if we are infected with the same disease. What kind of witness are we to those around us? Are we deceived and have we become liars ourselves? Let us first give a definition as to what a lie is according to Webster’s dictionary:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">1.) To make a statement that one knows is false, especially with the intent to deceive.<br />2.) To give a false impression or action or false statement, especially with the intent to deceive.<br />3.) To make a false statement in order to evade the truth</span><span style="color: black;"><b>.</b>4.) The invention of a false story or excuse in order to deceive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Perhaps for a Christian, a Biblical definition of lying could be summed up in this statement:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i> Any time our word does not agree with God’s Word</i><b>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In <b>Numbers 23:19</b> the Bible says, <b>"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and</b> <strong>shall</strong> <b>he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" </b></span><span style="color: black;">When we do not keep our word we are guilty of lying. Over the last year I have lost track of the number of times Christians have failed to keep their word to me. I am not angry or resentful or bitter over this, as the Lord has worked those attitudes out of my life. I have learned to take every offense to Him in prayer and He then removes any personal ill I might have and He gives me a forgiving and gracious attitude toward others.<b> </b>However, since I began to notice how many of God’s people were not keeping their word, I received a prayer burden of intercession for this evil to be removed from God’s people. </span><span style="color: black;">I first began praying about my own life and asked God to expose any areas where I might be guilty of this sin. I have tried to obey <b>Romans 12:17-21</b> which says, <b>"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Most of the time I would just forgive these lying offences and would just pray for them and try to <b>"live peaceably with all men." </b>However, in prayer, the Lord spoke to my heart that I must go one step further and <b>"speak the truth in love"</b> to my brothers and sisters if I truly loved them. </span><span style="color: black;"><b>Ephesians 4:15-16</b> says, <b>"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." </b></span><span style="color: black;">If we, as the body of Christ, are to mature and grow up we must conform to the truth which is Jesus. The devil is behind every lie and as Christians we are admonished not to lie to one another. </span><span style="color: black;"><b>Colossians 3:9-10</b> says,<b> "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." </b></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black;">TWO ROOTS OF DISHONESTY</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The two main reasons we lie are usually rooted in either fear or pride. Fear is the first reason. We are afraid of the consequences if we tell the truth. Yielding to fear shows a lack of trust in God to take care of the situation. If we yield to God and do it His way He will usually give us favor with those that we fear. The other reason is pride. We are prideful and concerned about what men will think of us (desiring man’s approval instead of God’s approval.) </span><span style="color: black;">Jesus always kept His Word. God still keeps His Word and is faithful to keep every promise He makes in the Bible. That is why He is reliable and we can trust Him. We are called to be like Him. The Bible says that out of a man’s mouth proceeds what is in His heart. If we tell lies or fib then it means that we need a heart cleansing. </span><span style="color: black;"><b>Matthew 15:18-20a</b> says, <b>"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man..." </b></span><span style="color: black;">We need to ask God to cleanse our hearts and begin reading and studying the Bible so that His Word resides in our hearts. As we keep His Word and water it with prayer it will produce good fruit in our lives. Lying is not only speaking an untruth; another form of lying is not keeping our word to others. </span><span style="color: black;"><b>Luke 8:15</b> says, <b>"But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."</b>"</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">LITTLE "WHITE" LIES</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Let us look at some specific ways the devil gets us to lie. We will expose some of his devices. These sorts of lies are being practiced by many Christians. Now remember, we are guilty of lying when we do not keep our word. Even if these sorts of lies seem harmless and don't appear to really hurt anyone else, they are harmful to our own souls. The more we practice telling untruths of any kind, the duller our conscience becomes. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">1.)<i> "I will call you back tomorrow."</i> (This excuse is often used with a deliberate intent to deceive. The person does not call back at the appointed time and will call back at a much later date with excuses of why they were unable to call which usually goes something like: <i>"I just was so busy, I meant to call , but did not get around to it."</i> We all have been guilty of this, but we need to realize when we say we will do something we need to keep our word. We do understand there are legitimate reasons that make it impossible at times to keep our word. This is not the case we are referring to here. It would be better to not make this promise or to say, <i>"I will <u>try</u> to call you back tomorrow."</i>)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">2.) <i>"I will be happy to do that for you." </i>(Whatever promise was made, it was not kept and their word about the matter causes them not to be trusted. The Holy Spirit is trying to purge this lack from His people and is using a group of men known as <i>"Promise Keepers" </i>to help restore trustworthiness back in the heads of families by stressing that they need to keep their promises.) </span><span style="color: black;">We could list numerous examples but these two cover a lot of territory; any time we say the words<i> "I will" </i>we need to be responsible to do it. We all, on occasion, fail to do the things we have good intentions of doing or we are hindered in some way and can’t do them. However, if we are unable to keep an appointment we should be thoughtful enough to call and cancel, or tell of our delayed arrival. We are living in an age when there are so many uncaring attitudes expressed. As Christians, we can be good witnesses by being different. </span><span style="color: black;">One of the biggest faults of many Christians, and our society as well, is that we tend to over-commit and then we are unable to keep our word. It is disheartening to see this shift prevalent in businesses. They commit to the jobs, then, are not able to produce them on time and thus the standard for business practices is shifting to not expecting them on time. Business people must now factor in lengthy time delays just to compensate for people’s lack of business ethics. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">People that tend to over-commit sometimes have a pride problem and are people pleasers. They want people to like them so they offer to do things for them, and because they are unable to keep their promises to all they end up not being able to keep their word; thus they are dishonest. In business it is usually greed that tends to cause them to over-commit. They want more business and more money, even when they must work from a backlog that was promised timely.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As Christians we need to ask the Lord to forgive us if we are guilty of lying or deceit. It is a very serious matter with God when we lie. (We can read of the incident of Ananias and Sapphira in <b>Acts chapter 5 </b>in the Bible. They both fell dead when they lied to the Holy Spirit.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The Bible also lists this sin of lying as one that can lead us to hell along with some other grievous ones.<b>Revelation 21:7-8</b> says, <b>"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and<i> all liars,</i> shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."</b>"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We can be overcomers through the power of the Holy Spirit as we seek to be like Jesus. We not only do not want to lie, but we also want to keep our word so that people know we are honest and trustworthy. As Christians, we want to represent our Father well in this life and be honest and free from fabrication and fibbing. </span></div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-45594767806457683132012-07-02T06:01:00.001-07:002012-07-02T06:06:27.503-07:00The Things That God HatesProverbs 6:16-19 MESSAGE BIBLE
"Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family."
This week I'd like to focus on each of these issues. I really strive to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Therefore it is important to me to make sure that anything that is not pleasing to Him is not displayed in my life. As I look deeper into each of these things that God hates I welcome you to look with me and to share the thoughts God illuminates to your understanding. Iron sharpens iron so I welcome your wisdom.
The first thing listed in this proverb that God hates is "eyes that are arrogant." The KJV calls it a "proud look." The ESV calls it "haughty eyes." Many times we look outside ourselves to find our dislikes. I have come to understand that God's Word is first my own mirror. It is this mirror of the Word that helps me to become a better Christian, sister, wife and friend. So as we look deeply into ourselves we must not be in denial. Denial keeps us bound. God's Word will set us free from ourselves if we allow God to let us see ourselves as He sees us. As we study God's Word today I am not focusing on whether you have arrogant eyes but rather myself. I must be very sure that Yolanda is not in denial and habors a sin that God hates. Let's open in prayer.
Good morning Father. I come to you this morning seeking your wisdom and embracing your love. God I need your understanding this morning concerning the sin of arrogant eyes that you hate. Please illuminate your desires to my heart Lord and I will embrace them in my life. In Jesus name I pray....Amen.
Selfish Pride is the foundation of haughtiness, conceitedness, and a proud look. There are seven things that God hates, and pride is at the foundation, because it is at the bottom of much sin. Eyes that are arrogant, a proud look, and haughty eyes can all be defined as pride. The Bible repeatedly warns us against pride and arrogance. Pride causes us to rely on our own ability and strength rather than trusting God. The center of the word P R I D E is the letter I. When I become the center of all my thoughts I have just gotten out of alignment with the will of God. Pride is sin and sin is not pleasing to God. God desires that His children are humble.
Pride can be defined as "excessive confidence or glorification in one's self or possessions." Pride is the opposite of Godly humility. It inevitably leads to disregard, disrespect and disobedience to God. After all self-centered pride is primarily what transformed the once-righteous Lucifer into the wicked Satan after he became too impressed with himself: "I will make myself like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:14 RSV). "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18 RSV).
Selfish pride is sin:
"Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate." (Proverbs 8:13 RSV)
"For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride" (Psalm 59:12 RSV)
"For the wicked boasts of the desires of his heart, and the man greedy for gain curses and renounces The Lord. In the pride of his countenance the wicked does not seek Him" (Psalm 10:3-4 RSV)
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2 RSV)
God will humble those who don't humble themselves:
"And if in spite of this you will not hearken to me, then I will chastise you again sevenfold for your sins, and I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like brass; and your strength shall be spent in vain, for your land shall not yield its increase, and the trees of the land shall not yield their fruit. Then if you walk contrary to me, and will not hearken to me, I will bring more plagues upon you, sevenfold as many as your sins." (Leviticus 26:18-21 RSV)
"The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the pride of men shall be humbled; and The Lord alone will be exalted in that day." (Isaiah 2:11 RSV)
"A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor" (Proverbs 29:23 RSV).
Jesus lived a life of humility. I am reminded of the sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary for us even while we were sinners He died for us. Jesus is our model. He lived a holy and righteous life that we may follow his lead. If we find that selfish pride is an issue for us we must repent of this sin and ask God to forgive us. He is willing and just to forgive us of our sin.Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-29545102625868912882012-06-29T08:09:00.000-07:002012-06-29T08:09:08.370-07:00The Importance of WisdomProverbs 1:5-7
"Let the wise hear and increase in learning and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear ofthe Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Knowledge is good, but there is a huge difference between "knowledge" and "wisdom." Knowledge is having the facts but it takes wisdom to apply those facts to our lives. Having knowledge without wisdom is useless. It is imperative that our knowledge grows legs and become active in our lives. James 1:22 tells us "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.
God wants to bless us greatly but often times our lives are so wayward that we are not mature enough to handle the blessings He desires to give us. We attend church on Sunday but for many of us it's just a tradition that we follow. We believe in prayer yet we rarely pray unless there is an emergency and we feel that our needs are priority over the needs of our neighbor. We read our Bibles but attach no meaning for our own personal lives. Therefore we have some Bible facts tucked away yet our lives are a mess. Messy lives are a direct result of a lack of wisdom.
Our church attendance should be seen as an opportunity to gain new wisdom for our own personal living. We should go with the intention that today God will let me look in the mirror and see something in me that He wants to refine and purify. We should desire to attend Bible Study and Sunday School because those are the places that we can discuss and ask questions (gain understanding). Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron shapeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." When we study together God has a way of taking our biblical learning and our life experiences and teaching us how to make wiser decisions for His glory. I need to be sharper and a great way for me to do that is in a learning community. When Christian friends share their experiences and learning and I share we begin to sharpen the areas of our thinking to do and not to do some things because they do or do not please God. Wisdom helps us to seek the heart of God and His desires become our desires.
Prayer is a powerful privelige that our Father has given to His children to stay connected to Him. Prayer builds our relationship with our Father. The more wisdom we gain the greater our need to talk to our counselor. We quickly realize how little we know in His presence. God has new things daily that He will illuminate to us just in conversation. Just like we feel the need to hear from our spouse, children, and family so longs God to hear from His sons and daughters and to tell them things that will make life meaningful and full. We need the assurance from our Father that in the midst of what things look like He still has us covered under the blood of Jesus. 1st Thessalonians 5:17 says to "Pray without ceasing." Even in the midst of work and life we still should be praying and connecting with the Father. Just like we freak out when our utilities go out and our homes are without power we should beccome just as concerned when our lives have been disconnected from our Father who is our spiritual power source. Prayer keeps us connected!
I have comes to realize that my Bible is my roadmap. Every place I need to go in life it will direct me wisely. Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." God's desire is that we make wise choices in our lives so that others may see wisdom. If we live wisely and others see how He blesses our wise living they may want to reap the same kind of benefits and be drawn to Christ.
Wisdom and fear of the Lord makes us have attitudes of gratitude because we are thankful to God, His Word, and His Son who died that we might live. Our character represents that of the life that Christ lived. Don't you want to live so that others may say, "I'm following you as you follow Chist?" That is my hearts desire. If so our attitudes, character, and language must be decent and in order and does not represent that of fools. In doing so our witness for Christ is pure and has not been perverted.
The only prescription I have found for wisdom to stay in God's Word (read or listen to your Bible audio), stay on your knees (pray), and learn in community (attend worship & studies). May God's blessings of wisdom be upon you!Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-55399135477608764202012-03-19T10:12:00.000-07:002012-03-19T10:12:13.672-07:00We Have An EnemyI never have a desire to boost Satan in any way but the reality for the Christian is that he is our enemy, He hates us for the mere fact that we absolutely beyond a shadow of a doubt love God the Father, His Son Jesus, and the precious Holy Spirit that we carry within us daily. It is for that reason that he has a desire to take us out. John 10:10 ESV tells us "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Jesus died at Calvary that we might have life and to have it in abundance. That's exciting to me because whatever the enemy might have planned for me the blood of Jesus covered up Satan's plan that I might have the abundant life that Christ died for in my stead. Wow! I know that Satan has some messed up stuff planned for me because 1st Peter 5:8 ESV tells me "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." He's looking for someone to take out and he does not care who you are. The more you love God the better you are for him to take out. Therefore, I have come to understand that some obstacles that we go through are simply because of who we are in Christ Jesus. Sometiemes our struggles are because of things that we have done so we must assess ourselves before laying the blame. <br />
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I used to think I was the only one that the devil tried to mess with but I have come to find out if you love God attacks will come. Actually, this a good tool to measure if you are headed in the right direction. My husband used an illustration in a sermon not long ago and he said if you and Satan are headed in the same direction you will not run into each other but if you are headed in opposite directions eventually you will collide. This is definitely true. I recently heard an interview that Martha Munizzi gave. She said that when God used her the greatest that Satan attacked her the most and made her feel so bad that she would go to bed and curl up in a fetal position and feel so defeated. That is the way he wants us to feel and I to have felt this way but we must remember he is a liar and because he is on his way to hell he wants to distract our glory for God. <br />
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During my recent situation I had my own battles with the devil. It began when I had to complete my preoperative testing. I had to complete the routine bloodwork, EKG, and chest x-ray. I went to my primary care doctor after the testing to get the results of my yearly bloodwork and he had a very concerned sound in his voice. He said "we have a few things we need to talk about." Ok........what could be wrong with my bloodwork. I had been fasting for 21 days and eating only fruits, vegetables, and grains so this should have been some of my better bloodwork. It was not my bloodwork at all. It was all great. However, he had gotten a call from the cardiologist concerning my EKG. I took a deep breath and said with a smile ok what is going on? I have to have clearance before my surgery. He continued by telling me that my EKG was abnormal and I needed to go to The Heart Center to see a cardiologist and to get some cardiac testing. <br />
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Satan had attacked my mind concerning my heart since I was a young child. I had alway been concerned about dying of a heart attack because everyone of my dad's siblings that are deceased as well as his father died of a massive heart attack. I have even had a first cousin to die of a massive heart attack at a young age. Also, each of his living siblings have severe heart problems with the exception of one. The pattern of their lives are everything is fine and boom.....dead. I'm sure there were warning signs they ignored but I can't prove that. My father was the exception. He had a very strong heart and died of cancer. <br />
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I had no signs of heart problems and now an abnormal EKG. My honest first thought was devil you just won't give up. I was not worried or saddened but I wanted to kick the devil in the face because I knew this was another one of his tactics. My husband was a bit disturbed but I had to remind him that we are no different than anyone else. It's life and we are living it. Thank God one day He gave me a Word that changed my life concerning the troubles we may encounter. He asked me the question, "Can I Trust You With Trouble?" My answer was YES! See we must remember that if we say we love and trust God and trouble comes along and we fall apart and act so defeated what does that say about the greatness of our God? What is the sinner to think? If He's so great why are you so defeated so I have learned that my greatest obstacles are my best times to give God glory because it is He that is going through with me. I am not alone and those around me need to see that I trust Him even when I am going through the most devastating times in my life. I don't know a lot but I do know that God loves me and He is always with me. <br />
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I go to see the cardiologistand they take another EKG in the office and he tells me my heart is fine. :) Hahahaha Devil! I asked him what was the previous problem with the EKG. He said the technician placed the leads in the wrong locations. However, since you are here we will do some cardiac testing to make sure everything is fine. Usually, the testing is a two or three day process but God is so gracious. The scheduler that I was assigned was one of our Walnut Grove parents and she blessed me on that day. I told her I was off only that day and had meetings scheduled the next day. She very kindly made some calls to her friends upstairs and got all my test scheduled for that day. Only God can get you royal treatment like that. She didn't owe me any favors but God put her in a position to bless me and she did. As I tear up right now, I'm just grateful that God loves me so and I just want to make Him the proudest dad. <br />
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I completed the treadmill test, pictures of my heart by laying still in a tunnel for about 20 minutes, and an ultrasound of my heart. I survived them all with no problems. Yes, big girls can survive a treadmill. :) The result of all the testing was that my heart was healthy and I was cleared for surgery. What a mighty God we serve. I don't know if God and Satan had a conversation about me like they did Job, but if they did I all I can say is wow! Now, on the other side of this I can see that what Satan meant for evil God turned it around for my good. I no longer have to be defeated in my mind concerning my heart. I now know it is healthy and it is my job to keep it that way by eating a healthy diet and getting the proper exercise. <br />
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Oh, I didn't mean to leave you hanging in the air on yesterday concerning my diagnosis. The praise report concerning my hystercetomy is that there was <strong>No Cancer Present</strong>! I give glory to God for that. I am mindful to pray for others who did not get that report. I am mindful to pray for the young mommy that I sat next to in the doctors office who just had a baby and is having to go through chemo. I am mindful of the business woman who comes to get treatments between meetings. I am mindful of the child that can't play in the neighborhood with the other kids because of the disease he or she carries in their body. I think there are times God places us in these places to see the faces of those we are to be intercessors for and I'm more than glad to do it. So as you go along your day today please intercede for the mother, father, child, grandmother, and grandfather that you have never seen the face of but needs prayer. We don't have to see a face or know a name to pray for the masses that need to be healed. Most of all don't forget to pray for those who are sin sick and need to be saved. May God bless you as you pray for others this day. I love you all.Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-84169312665031347302012-03-18T15:29:00.000-07:002012-03-18T15:29:48.052-07:00Let the Healing BeginThe first few days I was home I felt great. My mom is a nurse so I had my own private one. She made sure in between meds via the phone that I was breathing deeply on my triflow, coughing until it hurt, and walking several laps around the house. On the third and fourth day I was feeling the effects of a not so happy tummy and a fever that came in the evening. I could not seem to get warm and lived between a blanket and laps around the house. My poor husband worked himself to a frazzle taking care of me and would absolutely fall out at night. <br />
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Getting out of bed was a chore since I was getting up every couple of hours and I was afraid I was going to rip wide open. Also, I am a belly sleeper and sleeping on my side was yucky! Every little thing I did pulled on my tummy muscles. I could not believe I had been using my tummy muscles all this time to blow my nose. It was crazy! <br />
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The second week,on Friday night, I noticed that my incision was oozing between my staples. That didn't bother me I felt like it must have been something that needed to come out. I just started placing gauze and bandages over it to keep it sterile. On Saturday night a stream of something started to ooze and I started to become very concerned. At 11:00 P.M. I did not want to alarm my mom who would have gone willd. Tim convinced me to contact my recovery nurse who had been checking on me and she suggested I called the doctor just for safety purposes. I really didn't want to go to the E.R. because the next day was Sunday and I didn't want Tim to have to miss church or be up all night and then have to preach. So, I called the doctor who was so sleepy it was not a big deal to him. He told me just to watch it and if it was still draining a lot on Sunday to call him. I changed dressings about once every hour and was exhausted the next morning. <br />
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At 4:00 A.M. Sunday morning Tim makes trip to get more bandages and gauze. I had used a box of 25 overnight and feared I would not have enough until he returned from church. He returned with lots of bandages and concern about leaving me. I assured him I would be ok. I ended up telling mom what was going on only to be sent my little brother to baby sit me. LOL! He was so sleepy I watched him sleep. <br />
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God moved that morning that let Tim and I both know everything was going to be ok and he was free to go and preach. I lay in bed very drowsy as he got ready for church. A sermon came over the television entitled "The Woman With the Issue of Blood." Through that message God gave my husband and I both a peace. He prayed with me, we chatted about the message, he went to church, and I had no more oozing to the extreme measure. Look at God! <br />
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The next Tuesday I had a doctors appointment. I had developed a siroma which is a pocket of fluid that didn't absorb which is quite common during abdominal surgery. That is the main reason the doctor didn't want to cut me because he said that often happens whereas that is not something that usually occurs with the laproscopic procedure. He informed me that he had to cut me because my uterus was the size of a large cantelope and weighed two pounds. The normal size is the size of ones fist. That day the nurse opened my incision and literally squeezed the extra juices out of me. Thank God I didn't feel a thing because I was still numb around my incision. Then, she packed my open wound with saline and gauze. She told Tim to watch her and he could do it when we got home. He felt very uncomfortable so we opted to get a home health nurse. <br />
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Much to my surprise insurance only paid for 3 days of services. On the day of the tornados the nurse was caught between storms and could not make it. I knew Tim was not quite ready to take on such a big task. I prayed about it and asked God to work it out. The next morning after the first round of storms mom called and said she would come to take care of my incision. God is just AWESOME like that! Mom used to work the surgical floor at Huntsville Hospital. She came to fill me in. Hahaha (literally)! Two days later the home health nurse returned to train and watch Tim to make sure he could fulfill the task. He was great! He has been stuffing me like a build-a-bear every since. My incision is almost closed and I'm feeling stronger each day. I am hoping to be able to do a few more things like picking up more than five pounds and lotioning my own feet after my next appointment on Tuesday. <br />
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I am blessed to have a marvelous husband who took on many task like cooking and caring for a patient. He has never once complained and even told me when I am well he will do more chores than before to help me out. This journey that we have been on has taught me to be still and know that He is God and there is none like Him. I knew it before but now I really know it. We never know what for better or for worse will be but we vowed to be there through it all. I'm thankful that even through the uncomfortable spots my partner never left me in the fire (Fireproof). He stood strong for me even when he was feeling weak. Finally, I have learned that God has purpose in everything that He allows to occur in our lives. Don't question....... just know that "All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." I don't know what is written in the next chapter of my life but I do know that I've been blessed to be a blessing and I'm annointed for such a times as this. I know God has healed me because there is a great assignment on my life that I needed to be whole to fulfil. <br />
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Thanks you for all the prayers, visits, flowers, gifts, cards, messages, meals, money and time that you gave to us during this time of healing. Each one was greatly appreciated and we love each one of you! Remember whatever you are experiencing you can heal from it but you absolutely must trust God! Phillipians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-52696020415430314812012-03-18T13:59:00.000-07:002012-03-18T13:59:06.230-07:00There is Nobody GreaterI have been on a journey for the past few months and I finally am well enough to journel about it. I am reminded of the song entitled "Nobody Greater by Vashawn Mitchell." This song has become somewhat an anthem for my life. I am a witness that with all the people that are on the earth there is NOBODY GREATER than my Heavenly Father. The lyrics are as follows:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <em>[Verse 1:]</em>I climbed up to the highest mountain<br />
Looked all around, couldn't find nobody<br />
Went down into the deepest valley<br />
Looked all around down there, couldn't find nobody<br />
I went across the deep blue sea<br />
Couldn't find one to compare... to Your grace, Your love, Your mercy<br />
Nobody greater, nobody greater than You<br />
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<i>[Chorus:]</i><br />
Searched all over, couldn't find nobody<br />
I looked high and low, still couldn't find nobody<br />
Nobody greater, nobody greater no, nobody greater than You<br />
Searched all over, couldn't find nobody<br />
I looked high and low, still couldn't find nobody<br />
Nobody greater, nobody greater, nobody greater than You<br />
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<i>[Verse 2:]</i><br />
Nobody can heal, like you can<br />
Oh Most Holy One, You are the Great I Am<br />
Awesome in all Your ways and mighty is Your hand<br />
You are He who carried out redemption's plan<br />
You are He who carried out redemption's plan</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you have never heard this song I admonish you to go to you tube and listen to it. It is life changing. For the past eight years my doctor has been completing routine testing on my female organs monitoring a condition I had called endometrial hyperplasia. Endometrial Hyperplasia is a thickening of the lining of the uterus. In the month of November following a D&C my doctor informed me that my cells were now changing and surgery was needed. He assured me that I didn't have cancer but that if we didn't act appropriately the cells would turn cancerous. I was prepared to go to surgery in December but things didn't work out that way and I am so glad. God is a master planner! I was trying to figure things out but He had already worked them out for my good. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To my suprise my doctor referred me to an Oncology Gynocologist. This as the enemy would have it startled me a bit because he (my doctor) made a big deal about the fact that there was no cancer present. If that is the case, why is he referring me to an oncologist? I found myself heading to a doctors appointment in the very location I had to take my father just a few years ago for chemotherapy and he is no longer with me. Yet, I decided I had to put my big girl smile on and do what was needed to be done. I entered the oncologist's office in early December spent 3 hours there and left knowing that the surgery would be on February 15th, there was a 56% chance cancer could be present, I would have laproscopic robotic surgery but they may also have to cut me, they would check my lymph nodes during surgery and if cancer was present he would remove them, I would begin chemo and radiation soon after and depending on how I was feeling I would be out of work approximately two to six weeks. Whew! Thank God He had prepared me to know that there is Nobody Greater and He has my whole life planned out. All I have to do is trust in Him! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Needless to say, I was not fearful and actually excited about the surgery because God let me know in my spirit that everything was going to be all right. Is that saying that everything would go well? Is that saying that I would not die on the table or have complications? No! It's saying that I had decided that whatever God wants to do with my life He can. It is His! I gave it to Him to do what He wills to do with it and whatever state I am in I am at peace. (Thank you Lord for your delivering power!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">February 15th arrived and my loving husband and mother were right by my side. Mom brought the prayer team (her pastor and his wife) and we shared a joyous time while I awaited my opportunity. Mom's pastor even commented that I needed to get off that bed and go home there was nothing wrong with me. That is just a testimony of how good and marvelous my God is. We can be falling apart but there is a peace that can't be explained. I don't know about you but I love him more today than I did on yesterday. He gets sweeter! My scheduled time of slicing was 1:00 P.M. but that didn't happen. The surgery took place finally and I awoke to a nice little pain pump in my hand and a cozy hospital room around 10:30 P.M. I justed wanted them to let me sleep. Tim spent the night watching me from a very uncomfortable seat and he sent mom home which I later found she wasn't too happy about. :) After I realized I wasn't in pain I layed the pump aside and napped in between the nurse and tech visits. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning the doctor arrived and said he planned to fast track me and send me home that day. I didn't even spend 24 hours in the hospital and they are sending me home. That's what I call drive by surgery. I walked although I was very dizzy from the meds, I tinkled, and I went home with 21 staples, a toy to blow on, and a smile. </div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-17616114173034353342012-03-11T12:37:00.000-07:002012-03-11T12:37:21.438-07:00Faith Produces Miracles - Part 4<div style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">Let’s look at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">1<sup>st</sup> Kings 17:15-16<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlikely Abundance</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">This woman must have recognized that Elijah was trustworthy and not ordinary. She’s in the presence of a man that is so blessed by God that He sends him carryout twice a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She must have seen blessing all over him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her hopeless situation, her faith produced her miracle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">She prepared the cake, and Elijah sat down to eat it -- there was enough to go around for all three of them. The next day she looked and there was a little more cornmeal in her bowl. And there was a little more oil. She thought she remembered using it all up, but now there’s more. So she uses it and makes another little cake, and the three of them eat it. And day by day by day, God continued to provide for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">For over two years, Elijah, the widow, and her son were fed on a faith produced miracle. When everyone around them was struggling to get by, they had their needs met by God. It wasn’t a feast, it wasn’t steak and potatoes, but it is was food, and God was providing. God has a marvelous way of taking care of us. Sometimes God uses miraculous ways, and sometimes not. But he has always taken care of his people. Paul said it best in Philippians 4:19, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus." </span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">It is our faith that produces miracles in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has unlikely sources, unlikely people, and unlikely abundance waiting to bless us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah had to follow God’s step by step process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to: </span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"> <strong>A. Tell the truth<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong> B. Hear God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>C. Obey God</strong></span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong> D. Move with Go</strong></span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: red;"> then he & others were</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong> E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sustained by God</strong></span></span></div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-67626870433269238472012-03-11T11:55:00.000-07:002012-03-11T11:55:48.922-07:00Faith Produces Miracles - Part 3<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">Let’s look at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: red;">1<sup>st</sup> Kings 17:8-14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<div align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlikely People</span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Faith Produces Miracles! </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Like a faithful servant Elijah does exactly what God has told him to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He makes the dangerous journey to Zarephath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">When he got there, he did not find a scene of comfort or abundance. The first widow he saw was on the brink of starvation. But he knew what God had said to him–the widow had been assigned to sustain him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever heard the voice of the Lord and obeyed exactly what He said to do, but it seemed like you must have missed what God said, because what you found yourself in the midst of did not seem like a blessed place?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s where Elijah finds himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leaves a dry place expecting to find blessing and ends up in another dry place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Hmmm! </span></span>"By the way, Elijah, I’ve arranged room and board for you. I’ve picked out a poor woman who is about to starve to death. She’ll take care of you." If Zarephath didn’t make sense, that made even less sense.</span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">Paul said in 1<sup>st</sup> Corinthians 1:27 “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God always wants us to keep on the forefront of our minds that without Him we can do nothing. But, through Christ we can do all things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, it does not make since to our natural minds that God would send Elijah to be sustained by a starving widow who is preparing her last meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we can’t possibly process within our finite minds such a mighty and infinite God. </span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">As Elijah approaches the city gates, he finds this woman gathering sticks. As she explains, she is going to gather a couple of sticks and cook her last meal, and then she and her son will die. </span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">Elijah does what seems to be a very cruel thing. He says to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.” You take your very last bit of food, give it to me, then you can have what’s left over.<br />
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That seems cruel. And yet Elijah is acting according to the Word of God. God told him to go up to Zarephath and said, "A widow there will provide for you." He didn’t say, "A widow there will allow you to starve, and she will starve along with you." God promised to meet Elijah’s needs, so that’s why Elijah makes this request of the widow, because he is confident that God is going to meet her needs and his. </span></span></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">God isn’t going to allow her to starve. He’s promised to sustain them. Now, you have to understand what this woman had. (She appears to be a young woman. She had just one child, and the child was very small. She must have had a very tragic life and had lost her husband at an early age). She was down to one bowl of cornmeal. She also had a little vial that contained oil, and she was going to prepare a little pancake out of the oil and cornmeal, cook it, eat it, and then die. She had just enough to prepare one little cake. Once she pours out the oil, there will be nothing left. That was her plan. That wasn’t God’s plan.</span></span></div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-70618015192414158082012-02-27T10:36:00.000-08:002012-02-27T10:36:30.403-08:00Pulling Together<a href="http://www.pullingtogethermovie.com/#.T0vNDEwf4AQ.blogger">Pulling Together</a>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-59261567713419500552012-02-07T06:06:00.000-08:002012-02-07T06:06:48.966-08:00Faith Produces Miracles - Part 2<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">Read 1Kings 17:1-3</span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">When the Lord gives His prophets a true word there will always be those who resist truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of their lack of salvation or spiritual immaturity they will become angered at the one who is the deliverer of truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what happened here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Northern Kingdom of Israel had no faithful kings to lead them in the ways of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all were wicked, and lead the people into worshiping heathen gods. Many of the priest appointed by Israel’s kings were corrupt and ineffective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The folks you are suppose to look to for spiritual guidance are corrupt & ineffective. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That tells me we must be careful in who we follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wants us to use some discernment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discernment is our Holy Ghost radar that lets us know in our knower that something or someone is righteous or unholy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s that keen awareness that God gives his children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be aware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t put your blinders on and let stuff go that doesn’t sound, look, or act right just because it’s at church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Devil goes to church too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s where he gets some of his best recruits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get sucked into TV ministries & these pop up ministries that many are quickly drawn into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You better check to see if it’s God or Satan that they are following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Measure the ministry by the Word of God. </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">Elijah was one of the first in a long line of prophets God sent to Israel and Judah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God sent Elijah to King Ahab to tell him that Israel was going to be punished because of its great wickedness. There are always consequences for our actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always! But God is such a loving God that even in the midst of our wrong He’ll send us a strong word of warning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You better listen to what God is telling you.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: purple;">Ahab was wicked and he was married to the wicked Jezebel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what the Bible says about King Ahab in <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">1<sup>st</sup> Kings 16:30-33 (KJV)</span></span> (turn with me back one page)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin: auto 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: purple;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>30</sup>And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. <sup>31</sup>And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. <sup>32</sup>And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. <sup>33</sup>And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></h3><h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin: auto 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baal was believed to be the god who brought rain and bountiful harvest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the influence of Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel, Israel had started worshipping Baal, Ashteroth, and other idol gods. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when Elijah came into the presence of this Baal-worshiping king and told him there would be no rain for many years, Ahab was shocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahab & Jezebel thought they were in charge of things and they didn’t take too kindly to Elijah’s words. Ahab was known to be powerful, but Elijah told him about “One” who had far greater power than himself, his priest, or the gods they worshiped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></h3><h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin: auto 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: purple;">God chose to stop the rains from falling, as punishment for their wicked ways. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For three and a half years, it didn’t rain. Imagine no rain for 3 ½ years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They would not get a drop.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why we need to be so careful when it rains for more than an hour and we start saying things like I sure wish this rain would stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to cut my grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be careful you might just get what you asked for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My advice is to leave the weather to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows when we need rain and when it needs to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></h3><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">I’m sure they probably dismissed Elijah’s prophecy at first but as time went by and they had no rain, they remembered the words of Elijah and their anger kindled against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, God always has a protection system for His children.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>God protected Elijah by sending him to the Cherith Brook near Jordan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">Speak this boldly in the atmosphere</span></span></i></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="color: magenta;">My faith can produce the miracle I need!</span></strong></span></i></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">Let’s look at: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">1<sup>st</sup> Kings 17:4-7.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><h3 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: auto 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: purple;"><strong>I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlikely Sources</strong></span></span></h3><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">Elijah has earnestly prayed that the rains would not fall and God answered his prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now we see that God has sent Elijah to hide by the brook Cherith as a place of refuge from Ahab & Jezebel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This journey we are on for Jesus is not for the stationary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah knew that Israel needed a reality check on their behavior towards God, God answered, and now he’s on the run for his life,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from a wicked king and his wife Jezebel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah, the prophet of God, who is obeying his Father, had to leave his place of comfort to go and lay low in isolation in the woods because the bad guys are after him for telling them the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">God does not have to tell Elijah 3 times nor does he have to send several people to confirm His words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God tells Elijah in verse 3 to “get thee hence” and in verse 5 it says, “So he went and did according to unto the word of the Lord.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah knows the voice of God and he quickly by faith obeys his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah doesn’t ask how he’s going to get food or what he’s supposed to do when he gets there. He hears and he faithfully obeys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">(Proverbs 3:5, 6) says "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quit staying up all night long worry about things and obey the voice of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just said in Proverbs to trust in Him and quit trying to figure things out with your little empty mind, recognize Him, and He’ll give you a step by step process to what you need to do next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah did that and look at what peace he’s in when hostility was all around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">God’s has ravens (unclean birds /unlikely sources) bringing Elijah (food) meat & bread in the morning and meat & bread in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at God! He has his own delivery service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah had all the drink he needed right there at the brook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And look he’s satisfied with the provisions that God is making for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me God won’t supply your needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quit trying to figure it out, God’s already worked it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just pray, have faith, obey and (get satisfied) with God’s provision. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">Tell your neighbor don’t get comfortable. Once God has blessed us he usually sends us out to be a blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah has been bountifully blessed at the Kerith Brook & I’m sure he’s gotten real used to being pampered & protected by God but God has work for Elijah to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, he dries up that situation so he has to move to a new place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a word for somebody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been getting upset because it looks like things are not going well where you are but I believe that God will dry up your current situation so you have to transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See we get comfortable when things are good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at your greatest level of comfort ………….God says move!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">So the word of the Lord came to Elijah. And it must have sounded like one of those good news/bad news jokes. "The good news, Elijah, is that you get to leave Kerith. The bad news is I want you to go to Zarephath." Zarephath? Isn’t that just like God to send us to minister in a place where our enemy used to hang out? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: purple;">From the brook Kerith, east of the Jordan, all the way to Sidon, was a long walk. Worse yet, Sidon was Gentile, and the home territory of Jezebel, who wanted Elijah’s head.</span></span> God sends Elijah straight to Jezebel’s old stomping ground. </span></span></div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-25534870812390127172012-02-04T04:53:00.000-08:002012-02-04T04:53:35.693-08:00Faith Produces Miracles - Part I<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have an ultimate desire to please Almighty God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you ever just wake up in the morning and think, God, today I want to please you in everything I say and in everything I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, according to this passage of scripture if you need a miracle in your life you must have faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith produces miracles!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">We are living in an economically unstable time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jobs are being lost, wages & hours are being cut, homes are being foreclosed, and prices are skyrocketing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks are worried to death about what’s going to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crime is on the rise, drug usage is on the rise, solicitation is on the rise and church attendance is way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan has been very effective in his job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hearts of mankind are being so enwrapped by him that young folks are dropping dead due to stress and anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">But in the midst of so much negativity and pain I have some good news. Your faith in God can produce a miracle in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The body of Christ does not have time to be distracted by what things look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is our greatest time in history to be about our Father’s business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s opening doors of ministry like never before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s church is not a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has need of workers in every area that He lets your foot tread upon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time to get some God knowledge in your head and some boldness in your spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible says this race is not given to the swift nor the strong but the one that endures to the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone reading right now is ready to give up and call it quit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I speak to you by the power of the Holy Spirit now is the time to get so hungry & thirsty for God that you chase after Him to be fed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start chasing after God and see what happens!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;">So many times we ask God for something and we say that we are praying & praying and he never answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well first of all God always answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is we get so caught up in the way that we expect to get His answer that we miss it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time we quit praying our will and really start praying God’s will for our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quit expecting God to send you checks in the mail and lump sum increases in your bank account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong He’s God and He can do all that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you asked Him to meet your financial needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a sister & the brother to give you some vegetables from their garden, a friend treated you to lunch and somebody anonymously cut your grass for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just blessed you with a $100 package but because he didn’t send it to you in cash your crying out saying, Lord when are you going answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He already did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="color: black;">When Peter walked on water, he did so not through his own faith, but by looking to Jesus. When he was focused on Jesus, he transcended natural laws and walked on the turbulent waters despite the huge waves. However, the moment he stopped looking to Jesus, and focused on the ‘terrifying’ waves instead, he immediately sank. But were the waves any larger or more dangerous than those during the brief moment when he walked on water? Of course not! The only difference is that when he stopped looking to Jesus, and focused on his ‘problem’ instead, he in effect relinquished the power he had in Jesus, and allowed his surroundings to affect him. Always remember, Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith, and He ALWAYS has the first and last word in every situation. By looking to Him, we allow Him to work in our lives, and our faith grows. </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We can actually say we have faith when we are not moved by our circumstances or the way thing look all around us and we rest in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bills and no money, rest in Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Health issues and loads of medication, rest in Jesus! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks in your house acting like heathens, rest in Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tossing & toiling all night long, rest in Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">When we</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">rest in Jesus, we are telling Him that we trust Him, and believe that He’s already worked it out. Instead of constantly worrying and fretting about that which we can do nothing about, we need to start praising like David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want”. There is nothing we need that God cannot provide! Everything we could possibly need, He has an abundance of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question is can you handle the blessings of God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Hmmm....Let that marinate. </span>Stop running away from Him until you need something but rather cling tightly to Him at all times.</span></span></div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-36522407334629867102011-11-23T08:58:00.000-08:002011-11-23T08:58:59.577-08:00Are You Having An Affair?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Scripture: <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Exodus 20: 3-6</strong></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The term infidelity simply means unfaithfulness or disloyalty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The terms cheating, fling, and affair are often used interchangeably to soften the blow of the harshness of the term infidelity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often hear these terms referenced about a cheating husband or a cheating wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to shed light on infidelity to your Creator, Provider, Care Giver, and Most Awesome Lover that you will ever have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to share with you about the affair you are having against God. </span></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Our God is a Jealous God and He expects faithfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faithfulness not only in our heart but also in our actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants love and obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not take well to a cheating heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as we do not take well to a cheating spouse, God does not take well to a cheating heart either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as we are not able to accept infidelity in a cheating spouse, He does not accept infidelity in us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">God does not take well when we start listening to Satan (God's & our enemy), inclining our ear and heart toward Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as a person becomes upset and jealous when his spouse shows signs of unfaithfulness and starts flirting with other people even so God becomes upset and jealous when we show signs of unfaithfulness and start flirting with Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God represents goodness and right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever we start considering wrong, we are really listening to the voice of the enemy, Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we turn to God, when we commit ourselves to him, we become married to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enter into a marriage contract with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Engaging in sin after this is and act of unfaithfulness and infidelity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God created us to do good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made us with the intention that we would follow His ways of goodness, love, right, and honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the way God created or designed us to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To go the way of evil is against our basic nature and design == and it is disloyalty to God who made us and loves us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan is a liar who is continually trying to deceive and divert us from God’s way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a tempter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would try to get us to believe that his way is better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tries to get us to question God’s way and to doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Satan has for you is Hell a place of eternal torment and suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Satan only has four tricks that he uses on us repeatedly if we allow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span> </div><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">(1) </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="color: black;">He wants to distract you</span></strong></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to get your attention focused on the w</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">rong thing so that he can make you doubt God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants you to </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">magnify your problems rather than magnifying our awesome God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">(2) </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>He wants to deceive you</strong></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants you to believe that what God says </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">about you isn’t true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God created you to be the head and not the tail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He created you to be above and not beneath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God says you are more than a conqueror. God created you to be a thermostat and not a thermometer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A thermometer changes with the temperature but a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thermostat regulates the environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God created you to be like Him<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not like Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">(3) </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>He wants to divert your attention away from God</strong></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan wants to lure </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">you away from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He makes the wrong things seem attractive so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you will want them more than the things of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Satan wants to </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>distract</strong></span> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">you but Jesus wants to<strong> </strong></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>attract</strong></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell is not a place for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus died on Calvary that you might be set free from the bondage of Hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say might because it’s your choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to choose heaven but I promise you there is nothing in Hell you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I’ll give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Satan wants to </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>deceive</strong></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> but Christ wants you to </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>believe</strong></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe in your heart that Christ loves you so much that He died that you might live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe that He is your bridge over the troubled waters of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe that Jesus shed His blood that we may live eternally in Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe according to Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Jesus from the dead thou shalt be saved.”</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> Right now Satan wants to<span style="color: black;"><strong> </strong></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>divert</strong></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> your attention away from what I am saying because he does not want you to be free of the grips of Hell. But God has a purpose and a plan for your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants you to be </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="color: black;">converted</span></strong></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Shruti; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> not tomorrow, not next month, not next year, but today is the day of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow is not promised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God says, “I love you and I want you to know what true love feels like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan is an imposter and he’s and unfaithful and dirty lover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God's love is unconditional!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"></div></span>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-35733259262402183662011-10-18T15:53:00.000-07:002011-10-18T15:53:40.482-07:00Got Protection:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18 </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">The Sheild of Faith</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians 6:16 Above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>The Shield of Faith</strong> by Allan Quak </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Scripture Readings:-2 Corinthians 13:1-10; Ephesians 6:10-18<br />
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When it comes to the demonic, many in our culture take one of two extreme approaches. Some believe demons are nothing but a myth – the product of over-superstitious medieval minds. Others see demons and devils at every turn. Diseases are caused by demon possession. Desires such as greed, envy, lust are produced by demons. Whole towns and even whole geological areas are under the influence of demons, devils and beings from the underworld. These are the extreme ends of the views which can be taken on the issue.<br />
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So, as we think about our position, how should we assess devils, demons and spiritual forces?<br />
• Are we to be like the 5yr old child who, after telling a blatant lie said, "The devil made me do it."?<br />
• Are we to take the attitude of modern `logical scientists’ who say these creatures cannot possibly exist?<br />
• Should we be more wary of Satan’s craft, taking Scriptures evidence which show him to be quite powerful?<br />
• Should we see Satan’s influence at every turn?<br />
How should the body of Christ appraise the evil one? I ask these questions because our text makes it clear that we are in the firing line of flaming arrows which comes form the evil one. It is an attack directed personally at each one of us. And we need to know how to defend ourselves against them.<br />
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The best place to start defending ourselves is to know the nature of the attack and how it was defended. What are these fiery arrows that are coming our way? One thing we have come to understand well as we have made our way through these verses is that Paul has been basing his descriptions of the spiritual armour on the armour of a real Roman soldier.<br />
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In the days of Paul a formidable weapon was the flaming arrow. This arrow had a heavy iron tip which was dipped into pitch and set alight. Even the speed of the arrow in the air wouldn’t extinguish the flame – it was a deadly flaming missile. These arrows would cause panic within the opposing ranks, especially when they embedded themselves into shields and began to cause the shield to burn. A frightened soldier would throw down his burning shield leaving himself, and those around him, unprotected from arrows and spears. You can imagine the result.<br />
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Such a deadly weapon needed a formidable defence; and this is where our shield comes in. This is a big shield. It was 1.6m high and 80cm wide. It was made of 3 layers of wood, with linen sandwiched between each layer. It also had an outer layer of leather or animal hide. To hold it all together there was a bronze strip was wrapped around the whole edge. If it was hit by a flaming arrow this shield would still burn. So, before they went into battle, the soldiers would soak the shields in water. The wet linen and leather would stop the shield from igniting, even when there was a flaming arrow embedded into it.<br />
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That’s the battle scene Paul has in mind when he says to us “take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one”. But let us not forget Paul primarily has in mind a spiritual battle. A spiritual shield. Spiritual flaming arrows. What strategy of Satan are we being called to defend ourselves against? What are Satan’s flaming arrows?<br />
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In a nutshell the flaming arrows of the evil one are any spiritual struggles which cause us to be hesitant in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Flaming arrows are spiritual devises Satan uses to make us question our faithfulness to Christ.<br />
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How do we discover these flaming arrows? Earlier we read 2 Corinthians 13:5<br />
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”<br />
Test yourself. See if Christ is in you. Be honest about the way you are seeking to be a servant of God. Be honest in an appraisal of your Christ-likeness.<br />
<br />
If we are going to find these flaming arrows in our lives we need to be willing to go through this self-interrogation. And it is an interrogation that is guaranteed to expose some shocking truths about our walk with Jesus.<br />
• How does my life compare with the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5?<br />
• Is the description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 a description of my love?<br />
• Are the beatitudes of Matthew 5 attitudes I reflect?<br />
• In what way are the ten commandments reproduced in my life?<br />
• Am I following the footsteps of Jesus?<br />
• Do I look like a citizen of heaven?<br />
• Would God’s treasured possession act as I do?<br />
<br />
To find the flaming arrows all we need to do is turn to any page of Scripture with the purpose of asking, "How does my life reflect this truth?". And there will be times when we find ourselves wanting. We will discover the evil one is firing flaming arrows at our souls. Arrows designed to wear-down and destroy our relationship with Jesus Christ. Arrows which cause us to panic, throwing away the best protection we have. When we take the time to stop and review our walk before the Lord there can be no denying the realities of life:- we are under a fiery attack.<br />
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Sin is difficult to overcome. Sin still has a disastrous effect on our relationship with Jesus. Sin is a potentially overwhelming force. And all of these truths can wear us down and cause us to doubt our ability to stand - until we come back to the basic Gospel message. “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him”. God’s people are under a fiery attack but in Jesus we can have a faithful life.<br />
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The reason we can have a faithful life is because the One who provides the shield is faithful. God is faithful, even when we prove ourselves to be totally unfaithful.<br />
• God sent His Son to make us eligible for the gift of eternal life.<br />
• God punished our sins in Christ so that we could be holy in His sight.<br />
• God accepts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as sufficient to cover our lack of obedience and we are made to be children of the Almighty.<br />
• God brought us into a relationship with Himself which can never be broken.<br />
When it comes to protecting us as His children God has done everything. Psalm 91:4 puts it this way:-<br />
“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart”.<br />
The Father indeed is our shield. He protects us from the assaults of the evil one. It has always been that way.<br />
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When we are the objects of such protection we do not need anything else. When our faith is shattered. When situations arise which cause us to question our integrity. When it seems that we have been targeted and struck by the flaming arrows of the evil one. When these and many other things start to happen we do not need to start panicking. Instead we just need to have faith in the shield of God. Trusting that our eternal life is not dependant or hindered by the way we perform on this earth. Trusting that our place in heaven is secure, even when we mess up life.<br />
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Once Jesus is your shield you have a 100% assurance that you are covered with the feathery wings of the Father. Gathered. Loved. Protected. Adored. The precious possession of One who snatched you out of the clutches of evil and presented you with eternal life before the throne of God. That is who you are when you confess Jesus as Lord. God has designed such a unity between you and Jesus Christ that, even when your actions are nothing short of disgraceful, Jesus doesn’t let you go. The shield of faith stands firm – firm on the foundation of the everlasting love of Christ. And since that is the case, the flames of the fiery arrows which have been directed at you can be extinguished.<br />
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Have there been times, now or in the past, when you feel yourself being crushed by the guilt of your own short-comings? It may come because of a sin you repeat, or because you see no growth in your faith, or because your unsure of Christ grip on you. There are times when we can make ourselves feel so guilty but Christ says "stop it". Hold up the shield and look at the reality. A child of God does not have to feel that way. Christianity is not about meeting a certain standard - it is all about having faith in a living Saviour. Yes we must strive to be like Christ. Jesus gives us certain characteristics. Jesus makes us conform to His likeness. Jesus calls us to follow. But all along grace is still the priority of the day; grace which means God looks at you through the eyes of Jesus Christ. This flame of self-imposed guilt can be extinguished through Christ.<br />
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Maybe there have been times now or in the past when you feel that life is too difficult to bear. Or the traumas of this life are just too much? Perhaps you are having trouble coming to terms with the death of a loved one. Perhaps you falter under financial burdens. Perhaps your marriage is going through a straining time. Perhaps you have been through a time of watching children turn from the Lord. In the face of such trauma Jesus says "Hold up the shield and stop to look at the reality". Will Christ give us situations which are designed to tear us away from Him? Never. Will the Lord make us go through hardship so He can have pleasure in our pain? Of course not. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that “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”. When the shield is in place this flaming arrow of doubt can be extinguished.<br />
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Maybe there are those here today who thin they don’t need Jesus. They have a faith which is non-existent. They have a sense where following God is just too much hassle. They think they can get through this life on their own, thank you very much, without Jesus. You also need a shield – but the reality is that you are running around unprotected in a spiritual battle-field. You think you are doing fine on your own, but you are not. You see anyone who moves through this life without the protection of Christ is an open target for the flaming arrows of the evil one.<br />
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If you’re sitting here today thinking, "I don’t need God", let me urge you to think again and look to the cross of Christ in humility and repentance and seek life. Seek the face of the Lord for Jesus has the only Name that can save. Seek Christ knowing there is no-one who is so sinful that Jesus will say to them, “You have been too sinful”. Accept the only hope you have - the hope of God being willing to take your sin to the cross and to die for it. Until that time Satan continues to shoot fatal flaming arrows at your soul.<br />
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Congregation the shield of faith will extinguish any flaming arrow. As bearers of the shield we can know that temptations will never stop being a part of our life. But we can also be certain that these temptations do not have to rule our response to God. When we trust in the saving work of Jesus Christ we can stand secure in Christ every time the evil one tries to make us hesitant in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We can stand secure even when we do fall, knowing that the faithfulness of our Lord will rescue us again and again. As warriors in the battlefield we have a piece of armour which secures us in the thrust for glory.<br />
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Which means we have text which is full of irony. The evil one fires his flaming arrows at our soul, hoping to bring us down. But our Lord can take these arrows and use them – use them to make us more prepared as soldiers in the army of God. God uses such things to help us to be better equipped to fight future spiritual battles. Indeed there is a passage in 1 Peter 1:6-7 reminds us of this glorious truth.<br />
“Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed”.<br />
What a great God we have. He takes the best attacks of the evil one and uses them to make us holy. Even when an arrow embeds itself it the shield we do not need to panic. Being saturated with Christ means the flame will be extinguished – becoming harmless to our eternal life.<br />
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So, what should we think about Satan and those who are against us? Satan is on the attack but he is not that powerful. Evil is a reality, and even a threat, but it doesn’t have to make us anxious or cause us undue alarm. The ability of the evil one is very limited. The battle is Christ’s and the victory is Christ’s. Sin and evil have been defeated.<br />
We have – <br />
We can – <br />
We will – <br />
- be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. The shield of faith will not let us down because the shield of faith stands secure on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.</span></span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div></div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-66197686096969126002011-10-06T17:33:00.000-07:002011-10-06T17:33:54.675-07:00Dressing Up<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18</span></div></span></span><div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">Breastplate of Righteousness</span></span></u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"> -</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">We must be very careful to guard our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wants us to do what is right and good. Satan won't be able to take hold of us and sneak us into his ways if we take hold of righteousness. We are properly dressed when the Righteousness of Jesus Christ resides within us. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No Roman soldier would go into battle without his breastplate--a tough sleeveless piece of armor that covered everything apart from his head and limbs. It was often made of leather or heavy linen, onto which were sewn overlapping pieces of metal molded or hammered to conform to the body. The purpose of that piece of armor is obvious--to protect one's heart, lungs, intestines, and other vital organs. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The mind and the emotions are the two areas where Satan most fiercely attacks believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to cloud our minds with false doctrine, false principles, and false information to mislead and confuse us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also wants to confuse our emotions and thereby pervert our affection, morals, loyalties, goals, and commitments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He desires to snatch the Word of God from our minds and replace it with his own wicked ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seeks to undermine pure living and replace it with immorality, greed, envy, hate, and every other deception. He wants us to laugh at sin rather than mourn over it, and to rationalize it rather than confess it and bring it to the Lord for forgiveness. He seduces us to become so accustomed to sin in us and around us that it no longer disturbs us. Our protection against such attacks is the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness is to be taken and wrapped around our whole being. </span></div><div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;">Read vs. 15</span> – </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”</i></span></div><div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace</span> </span></u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">We should be ready to go wherever God sends us to tell the Good News of God's amazing love for us. This gives us inner peace and happiness. It will help us to be sure footed for going forward into battle and supported with the message of the scriptures. We can stand firm while having inner peace with the knowledge of God's Word. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since the average ancient soldier marched on rough, hot roads, climbed over jagged rocks, trampled over thorns, and waded through streambeds of jagged stones, his feet needed much protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A soldier whose feet were blistered, cut, or swollen could not fight well and often was not able to stand up--a perilous situation in battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shoes of Roman soldiers were usually impregnated with bits of metal or nails to give him greater traction as he climbed a slippery hill, and greater stability as he fought. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Christian's spiritual footwear is equally important in his warfare against the schemes of the devil. If we have carefully girded his loins with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness, but do not properly shod our feet with the "preparation of the gospel of peace", we are destined to stumble, fall, and suffer many defeats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are not saved today you are helpless, ungodly, sinful, and an enemy of God according to Romans 5:6-10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The saved person, on the other hand, is reconciled to God through faith in His Son according to Romans 5:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The gospel of peace is the marvelous truth that in Christ we are now at peace with God and are one with Him. Therefore, when our feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, we stand in the confidence of God's love for us, His union with us, and His commitment to fight for us. The believer who stands in the Lord's power need not fear any enemy--even Satan himself. When he comes to attack us, our feet are rooted firmly on the solid ground of the gospel of peace, through which God changed from our enemy to our defender. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Until tomorrow......</span></div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-36264346116331954742011-10-05T19:16:00.000-07:002011-10-05T19:16:37.644-07:00God’s Armor<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18</span></div><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">God knows that the battle with our enemy is a constant one…and that we live in the enemy</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">’</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">s territory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we are also provided with spiritual weapons to effectively fight “against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soldiers fighting right now would never think of going to war without the proper uniform and necessary weapons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we tend to forget that we are in an ongoing war. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often when talking about “spiritual warfare,” we turn our heads and pretend that only happens to other people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it seems the more we try to do God</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">’</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">s will…love others…and share His Gospel…the greater the heat of the battle that we are in. Now if this all sound foreign to you it just might be that you’re on the enemies side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re not constantly in a spiritual battle you just might ought to check yourself because you just might not be fighting on the Lord’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for those on the Lord’s side you’ll find yourselves as targets of the enemy</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">’</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">s hatred and constant attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like good soldiers we must be prepared, strong, and dressed for battle. God has given us the spiritual armor we need, both defensive and offensive. Let</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">’</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">s take a look at our gospel uniform! </span></div><div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Read vs. 14a – </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth”</i></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Belt of Truth</span></u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> - </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">God wants us to tie the belt of truth around us tight. The gospel is the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God loves us and Jesus Christ died for our sins. That is the truth! It will hold you up and keep you strong like a belt would hold up a pair of pants. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Roman soldier wore a tunic, an outer garment that served as his primary clothing. It was usually made of a large, square piece of material with holes cut out for the head and arms. It draped loosely over most of the soldier's body. Since the majority of ancient combat was hand-to-hand, a loose tunic was a potential hindrance and even a danger. Before a battle it was therefore carefully cinched up between the soldier's legs and tucked into the heavy leather belt. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">That belt demonstrates the believer's readiness for war and stands for truth. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Truth is the foundation on which everything is built. If you don’t know what is true, you cannot avoid deception and will fall to the ‘wiles’ or deception of the devil. There are not multiple truths. The Bible expressly rules out anything but itself and God’s truth. This belt is what holds all things together. Everything in our spiritual life is fastened and held in place by truth. Without a solid understanding of truth, all of our defenses are compromised. Tomorrow we will add more pieces to our uniform?</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"></div></span>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-78659246791288494522011-10-04T15:21:00.000-07:002011-10-04T15:21:18.693-07:00Are You Equipped For Battle?<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">2nd Timothy 2:3-4: NIV says, “<span style="color: black;">Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer</span>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>You cannot be a soldier of Christ and abandon Him and entangle yourself in the world</strong>. Strength comes from God and we must abide in Christ to live in his strength. The Bible says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”(1 Corinthians 10:12) Your strength will only stand as long as your opposition is weak or temptation is small. When the battle rages, those who stand on the rock of Christ have the power to stand even when their own strength fails.</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="sermontext" style="line-height: 150%; margin: auto 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before we can accurately understand Satan’s power, we have to look at his limitations. Many people view Satan as being the evil opposite of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan will <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>never </u></b>be on the same level with God. Satan once known as Lucifer which means “Morning Star” is no longer the shining angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of Isaiah 14:12-13 he is now merely a fallen angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has to have clearance from God before he can do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ALL POWER belongs to God. </span></div><div class="sermontext" style="line-height: 150%; margin: auto 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Satan also knows his time is limited. Satan and those who fell with him know that there is an appointed time and they have a limit to what they can do and a short time in which to do it. Satan may hate God, but he also knows God has boundaries he absolutely cannot cross. Satan is never referred to as having power in the Bible beyond the ability to deceive those who are willing to believe his lies and the limited power to perform a specific task that he has permission from God to do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Now that we have looked at the limitations of Satan, lets look at his power. To understand Satan’s powers, let’s take a closer look at Ephesians 6:11-12. We are told to defend ourselves with God’s armor and stand by God’s strength so that we can ‘stand against the wiles of the devil’. The definition of ‘wiles’ is cunning arts, deceit and trickery. It is very important that we grasp this principle. Deceit, seduction and lies are the powers of Satan. No more, no less. Satan does not have the power to physically harm you, force you to act nor does he wield any power over you. Satan is a caged lion that seeks to devour. To seek means to search.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan goes about looking for a weakness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks for an entrance to entangle us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can only devour those he can convince to come into his territory by submitting to him. There is no such thing as ‘the devil made me do it’. Satan and demonic forces only have the power that God allows to them or that a man or woman submits to them. That is why Satan is the master of lies. We are deceived into unknowingly submitting our desires to Satan in hopes of having our selfish desires met. That is why we should seek the wisdom in the children’s song oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little ears what you hear, oh be careful little hands what you touch, oh be careful little nose what you smell, oh be careful little tongue what you say, for the Father is looking down with love but the devil has a trap that he wants to entangle us in if we take our focus off Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="sermontext" style="line-height: 150%; margin: auto 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Verse 12 says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against powers, rulers, darkness, and spiritual wickedness”. Those who are not “flesh and blood” are demons over which Satan has control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are saved and join Christ Church (the body of Christ) they become our enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their job is to turn away from Christ and back to sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We already have the victory because of the war Christ won at Calvery, but we still must battle against the enemy until Christ comes again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t forget that we are the temple of God. We indeed are in a spiritual war and are called and equipped to stand against an enemy we cannot see. The war may be between heaven and the forces of hell, but it is played out in the lives of each individual man and woman. Throughout scripture we are warned over and over to both equip ourselves for the battle and to not be ignorant of Satan’s schemes. The power of Satan is his ability to convince us to act contrary to God’s will. If you can recognize his deceptions and choose to surrender yourselves to God, Satan’s powers are completely deflated. </span></div><div class="sermontext" style="line-height: 150%; margin: auto 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Verse 13 says to take up the whole armor of God. God does not give us a pick-and-choose relationship with Him where we can pick what we like about being a Christian and leave what we don’t like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives us a choice of a lifestyle according to His will. We cannot arm ourselves for this warfare with a weak, half-armed defense. Satan knows our weaknesses and anyone who does not follow God will suffer the loss. </span></div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-24539767111423053582011-10-04T15:01:00.000-07:002011-10-04T15:01:37.688-07:00Caution<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The book of Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrote this book to the believers in Ephesus to strengthen their faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church, being the body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike many of Paul’s letters written to various churches this letter was not to confront any problems that he had heard about or to solve a conflict among the believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet this letter was written to the believers to encourage the saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul had spent over three years with the believers at Ephesus, teaching them by example and crying out to the Lord for their needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus this church was very near and dear to Paul’s heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul met with the elders of the church for the last time at Miletus (Acts 20:17-38).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at this meeting that Paul and the elders were filled with great sadness because Paul was leaving them for the last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before leaving Paul warned them to nourish the believers with God’s truth and to exemplify God’s truth in their own lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also warned them that there would be those who would try and come in and teach untruths and there would even be those that would come from among them that would speak perverse things to make their own disciples, but in spite of all they were to remain loyal to God’s Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Lets begin by looking at Ephesians 6:10-13:<br />
<br />
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.<br />
11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.<br />
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.<br />
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><div style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Verse 10-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might”. The word in which we get ‘be strong’ literally means to receive strength. It is not our strength that equips us to stand; it is God’s strength within us when we submit to God. That is why James 4:7-8 tells us that the power of resisting is found through submitting to God. The Devil does not flee from our power, but from God’s power within us that overcomes him. We have the promise that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Resisting the Devil is no longer measured by our strength, but the strength of God who draws us out of temptation. To make sure we don’t miss the point, James 4:8 concludes with the instruction to “cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded”. To be double-minded means to have a divided interest. Those who are divided between living for Christ and living for the world (Satan) will <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>never </u></b>experience the power of God in their lives until they allow God to cleanse, purify, and renew them with a Christ-centered focus. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div></span>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-39171941291214174242011-09-27T18:39:00.000-07:002011-09-27T18:39:07.228-07:00FAITH MEANS THAT WE ARE WILLING TO STEP OUT<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">(Read Joshua 3:5-8 NKJ)</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you. (6) Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the Ark of the Covenant and cross over before the people.” So they took up the “Ark of the Covenant” and went before the people. (7) And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. (8) You shall command the priests who bear the “Ark of the Covenant”, saying, ‘When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.’” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Sometimes we just have to step outside of our comfort zone to truly express our faith. Complacency is not an act of faith. Faith was first demanded of Joshua. Joshua’s faith is seen in the fact that he tells the people to prepare themselves because “tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Joshua himself did not know specifically how God was going to get them across, but he believed that the Lord would make it possible for them to cross the river. The specifics had not yet been revealed, yet Joshua believed that God would give those instructions when they were needed. But the promise that God would work miraculously was contingent on the people’s willingness to consecrate or dedicate them selves.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
Joshua’s faith was based not only on God’s direct statements to him personally but upon previous experience. Some people even Christian’s think that faith is a “leap into the darkness.” But that is not true. The Christian faith is based on a reliable and trustworthy message. There is more historical proof to trust the Bible and what it says than most other historical records. Joshua’s faith was based not only on God’s direct statement to him personally but upon previous experience of his having parted the Red Sea.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
We must remember that most of the children of Israel who faced this present crisis represented a new generation. They had not witnessed the parting of the Red Sea or were too young to remember it clearly. Most of this new generation had only heard reports of what God had done. They had not experienced it personally. Tune your ear to those who are willing to share the blessings God has done in their lives and do not doubt that what He's done for others He's certainly willing and able to do the same for you. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div></span>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-68686202107982915672011-09-25T19:13:00.000-07:002011-09-25T19:13:10.172-07:00SOMETIMES GOD CHOOSES TO WORK IN NEW WAYS<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Read Joshua 3: 2b-4 NKJ)</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">When it was time to go, God gave the Israelites some specific instructions, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">“So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; (3) and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. (4) Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.” </span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
Previously God had used “the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night” as symbols of His leading, His presence and protection. Now God has chosen to lead the people in a new way, by the “Ark of the Covenant.” Now the ark symbolized the presence and power of God with His people.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
The presence of the <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Ark</place></state> represented the person and promises of God. Having it lead the way, pointed to the fact that as the people of Israel set out to cross the Jordan, invade and possess the land, they must do so not in their own strength, but in God’s. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was God Himself who was going before them as their source of victory.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
When we face times of crisis or when we need direction in our lives, we need to learn to be sensitive to the leading of the Lord. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When God is at work among us and around us we cannot help but expect to hear the call to go forward. When God is at work, we are sometimes moved right out of our comfort zones into the path of new opportunities. Many times our raging <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jordan</place></country-region> appears to be un-crossable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever noticed what is written on your rear view mirror?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” Our blessing is sometimes closer than it appears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have faith, sometimes what looks like a barrier is our river of opportunity. God is waiting for you and I to step out and get our feet wet in faith, believing that His power will anoint us for the task and carry us through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></span>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-79541193682385827542011-09-23T16:40:00.000-07:002011-09-23T16:40:01.367-07:00Expect Delays<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">FAITH SOMETIMES REQUIRE US TO WAIT</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> <br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Read Joshua 3:1-2a NKJ)</i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">“Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. (2) So it was, after three days,</span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
The spies had returned from <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jericho</place></city> and given a favorable report. Joshua orders the Israelites to move to the edge of the <place w:st="on">Jordan River</place> and wait for further instructions. The Israelites were to wait when waiting was difficult. Those three days of waiting at the <place w:st="on">Jordan River</place> were days of preparation for crossing it. The issue of waiting is seen in the first phrase of verse two, “So it was, after three days.” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As they waited they no doubt became increasingly aware that crossing the <place w:st="on">Jordan River</place> was impossible. The <place w:st="on">Jordan River</place> was about 100 ft. wide and 150 feet deep most of the year, but during the spring it was usually at flood stage, and as the Children of Israel stood at the rivers edge, they faced a river that was up to a mile wide. As they faced the difficulties, there had to be many conflicting suggestions being offered. Some of them no doubt were saying, “Let’s go back!” Some were saying, “Hey it looks pretty good on this side of the river to me.” Some no doubt examined the various ways of crossing the river. They could not swim across. They couldn’t build enough rafts or boats to transport over a million people. They did not have time to build a bridge. There was only one way around their problem and that was to go through the <place w:st="on">Jordan River</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Israelites faced what might have seemed to some hopeless, but I have two words I want you to say with me “But God.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Although they faced tremendous difficulties they knew that God would show his power. It is never about what we can do, it is always about what the Lord is able to do. The apostle Paul says in Ephesians (3:20) ”Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
Have you ever seen those flashing electronic signs on the highway which say, “Expect Delays!” When we see them we become frustrated, holler out “Oh shoot” (or at least that’s what I hope you say), and maybe even hit our steering wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we walk out this journey I say to you “Expect Delays!” But always keep in mind delay is not a prerequisite for denial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is working things out for you.</span></div></span>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-1488246960008951622011-09-21T14:58:00.000-07:002011-09-21T14:58:50.481-07:00Do You Really Believe?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #333399; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">In a courtroom, evidence is what can be proven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lawyer must provide the facts that are visible for the jury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, evidence only involves things that can be seen or demonstrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may ask, “How then can faith involve evidence that is invisible --- that which is not seen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The promises of God are evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If God promised to do something, it is impossible for Him not to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hebrews 6:18 says, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This verse tells us that God has two unchangeable realities:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God embodies truth, is truth, and therefore cannot lie. Because God is truth you don’t need to wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can be secure in any promise that He gives us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t even have to worry about whether He will change His plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This assurance gives us the courage and belief that if God said it, I believe it and I’m gonna take Him at his word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is with great confidence that I believe if God did it for me in time past, He’ll do it for me in my future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333399; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">Do you have that precious assurance that God will never leave nor forsake you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you really believe God is working things out for your good even though it seems you’re being attacked on every hand?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you really have faith?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #333399; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">If we have faith that God answers prayer, His promises are our is our evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we have faith that God hears prayer it is because of the promises of 1<sup>st</sup> John 5:14 “And this is the confidence we have in Him that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we have faith that God answers prayer, we believe it because of God’s promise in James 5:16 “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew 7:7-8 declares, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh recieveth and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we have faith to be healed it is because of God’s promise in James 5:15 which says, “The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.” If I believe God for my finances His promises tell me in Matthew 6:33 that if I seek Him first, and His righteousness, He would take care of my lack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I believe that I am saved it is because John <time hour="15" minute="15" w:st="on">3:15</time> declares “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I believe the Holy Spirit was sent to comfort me, it is because Jesus says in John 16:7 “but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that Jesus is coming back for His Church because He tells us in John 14:2-3, “I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that right now Jesus is making intercession for me at the right hand side of His Father because Romans 8:27 says, “And He that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit; because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the Will of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-36796945865901283602011-09-19T16:19:00.000-07:002011-09-19T16:19:28.973-07:00Babes Have Trouble Staying Clean<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">Scripture: Ephesians 4: 14-15</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Children simply cannot stay clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can give them a bath and dress them all cute but before you know it they are all messed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll spill juice, play in the toilet, find markers to write on themselves with, and even play in the flower pots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children just love to be in a mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some saints find cleanliness to be difficult as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you walk a straight and clean path for the Lord or do you find yourself playing in the toilet of sin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not pretend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know what sin is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, “Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most Christians don’t spend one tenth of their time reading their Bibles as they do watching television or listening to music that’s not labeled Christian or gospel music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder you can’t stay clean, you’re not using any cleanser!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get saved for real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clean up with God’s Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood of Jesus will wash you whiter than snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The story is told of a little girl whose mom put her to bed one night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got in bed and her momma went about completing her chores for the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 30 minutes later momma heard a big thump on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew exactly what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl had fallen out of the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Momma quickly went to check on her child only to find her sitting in the middle of the floor with a confused look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Momma did as momma’s so often do, grabbed her child and said, “Honey what happened?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl replied, “I guess I stayed too close to where I got in.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spiritual babes often stay to close to where they got in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You know you have become mature in Christ when you no longer are tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not easily deceived by those who speak with pretty words that hold no truth. Mature saints are able to love their brothers and sisters in spite of their shortcomings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we become mature in Christ we no longer need a bottle but we have cut some teeth and we can eat meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mature saints grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mature saints aren’t disillusioned by the things others do but rather they are focused on Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Mature saints are patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have learned to wait on the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mature saints have sought out the gifts that God has blessed them with to edify mankind and to bring glory to the name of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mature saints have learned to be satisfied no matter what their present condition. Mature saint do all things without murmuring and disputing. Mature saints walk in the spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mature saints are able to teach rather than needing to be taught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mature saints meditate on the Word day and night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mature saints pray without ceasing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mature saints are confident that He which hath begun a good work in them will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saints we shouldn’t be wearing diapers and pull ups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has designed us to wear His armor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Long ago Jesus Himself was born as a baby in Bethlehem to a young yet mature young virgin named Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Mary had to endure persecution from the community, she was willing to grow up and be a servant of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph as a good earthly father does, showed Jesus how to be a skilled carpenter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one day Jesus felt the pull of His true purpose tugging at Him and He had to grow up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and I needed a Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed a bridge over the troubled waters of sin to connect us back to God and Jesus is that bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the age of 12 years old he announced to Joseph and Mary, “I must be about my Father’s business.” When are you going to make that announcement?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph might have thought Jesus meant the business of carpentry but His mission was not limited to wood and nails although His final destiny included wood and nails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, taught about His Father, saved sinners, raised the dead and headed towards Golgotha’s hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was persecuted, beaten, and scraficed His very own life so we could remain immature children?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we could have a mature role model to pattern our lives after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Jesus who showed us how to live and the rewards that are awaiting us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, my Savior hung, bled, and died for you and me, that’s maturity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did he die but he was buried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the third day He got up with all power in His hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is that same power that will give you the strength to say no more baba, no more diapers I’m gonna grow up and be mature in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></span></span>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-70579990382887740712011-09-17T08:27:00.000-07:002011-09-17T08:27:41.142-07:00Are You Easily Offended & Never Satified?<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scripture: Ephesians 4: 14-15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div align="center" class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: #5f497a; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;">Children enjoy being the center of attention and are easily offended</span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f497a; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;">.</span></i></b></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Children find delight in being the center of attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone else is receiving the attention, a baby will do, say, or scream at the top of his or her lungs to put him or herself in the spotlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children are very sensitive and easily hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wear their feelings on their sleeves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When things don’t go their way they whine, cry, pout, and sulk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They haven’t learned to endure afflictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they only know to get offended when trouble comes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you get offended when someone sits in your spot, sings your song, turn down your suggestion, doesn’t praise you enough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so your might be spiritually immature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Many spiritual babes are like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than waiting and allowing God to exalt them they speak up, step out, act up, or show out in an effort to draw attention to them self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve all seen the kid in the store that screams to the top of his or her lungs in the middle of the store because mommy won’t buy them what they want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That child figures if he or she can embarrass mommy she’ll get them they want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often times they’ll buy it just to shut them up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t push for attention wait on the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Children have very little knowledge and understanding.</span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Babies have very little knowledge and understanding, so they will drink poison, eat bugs, play in the street, and even jump into water over their heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t have a clear understanding about danger, so they rely on others to teach them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1<sup>st</sup> Peter 2:2 says, “<span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;">As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby</span>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Healthy children yearn to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we see our need for God’s Word and begin to find nourishment therein, our spiritual appetite will increase and we will start to mature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are shallow in our knowledge of the scriptures, then we are more than likely to be as shallow in applying the scriptures in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way you can be obeying the Bible if you are not reading it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not reading God’s Word, not attending Sunday school, Bible Study, prayer meeting, and not attending worship on a regular basis makes you a spiritual baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div align="center" class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #5f497a; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Children are never satisfied.</span></span></u></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A baby never ceases to whimper and cry for things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cry when their hungry. They cry when their tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cry when their wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cry when they need attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cry when their hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cry when their cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cry when they hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cry about everything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many saints of God are just like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They whimper and whine about everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The preacher preaches too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t shake my hand today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t even speak to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He talked about me in the sermon today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brother so and so didn’t ask me to be on his committee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First lady acted like she didn’t even see me but she sure spoke to so and so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister so and so tried to get a dress just like mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who told her to put new flowers in the bathroom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t tell me we were meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not putting my tithe in an envelope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nobody’s business how much money I’m putting in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t afford to be giving those special offerings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do we always have chicken on the menu?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why can’t we have pork chops or meatloaf sometimes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whah, whah, whah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Churches are filled with this kind of never ending murmuring and complaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the mature saints are praying, studying, and winning souls the babies are being Satan’s device to hinder ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a grip and grow up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I have a few more points to share so look for them on Monday. Go to church tomorrow and be blessed. :)</span></span></span></div></span></span>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342771799602377587.post-66702703035604965902011-09-16T16:23:00.000-07:002011-09-16T16:23:30.066-07:00No More Baba<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scripture: Ephesians 4: 14-15 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div align="center" class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: #5f497a; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">You may be a babe if you aren’t able to make wise decisions.</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Babes in Christ always needs someone else to approve the decisions they are making because they don’t feel capable of doing so themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Babes in Christ usually latch on to someone they believe is a mature saint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However because they are not able to make wise decisions about who is mature and who isn’t, they usually attach themselves to someone who is also immature but has just been in church a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why is important that those of us who have not matured become mature so that we can be those spiritual mothers and fathers that the church so desperately needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to the day when you could look to the deacon’s for Godly men that lived by example and precept?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to the day when you could look to the elderly ladies and find wise women of God who didn’t mind telling you to pull your dress tail down and who would throw a coat around you if you were showing too much skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time to grow up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #5f497a; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">You might be a spiritual babe if you are unable to communicate feelings and fuss and complain about any and every thing.</span></span></u></b></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Left to themselves, young children will slap, pull hair, bite, kick, scream, punch and argue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They haven’t really learned that they are not enemies with each other, so they live as though they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="Level1" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -1.0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As Christians our enemies are the world, our flesh, and Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other Christians (real born again baptized believers) are not our enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul points out envy, strife, and division as characteristics of babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, our churches are filled with Christians who see nothing better to do than fuss and fight with other church members about things that have nothing to do with building the kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we start pitching fits with other saints we should ask ourselves, “Is this something that Jesus would be upset about?” Does this have any impact on my spiritual growth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it isn’t grow up and let it go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re supposed to be the body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have one purpose on this earth and that is to carry out the assignment outlined in Matthew 28:19-20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re supposed to be going therefore, teaching all nations, then baptizing them and teaching them to follow the commands of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would want to learn from us when we act like we don’t know anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our churches look like play pens with a bunch of kids pitching tantrums over petty religious things while the world is on its way to hell!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time to pull the pacifiers out of our mouths, put the baba’s down and get out on the real battlefield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div></span>Yolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13310647278651464002noreply@blogger.com0