Thursday, July 30, 2009

I GIVE YOU MY LIFE

Father God I come to You
I give to You my life
You're all that I will ever need
to keep me from all strife

You've helped me now to cope
time and time again
With memories that have haunted me
almost since my life began

I can't make it one day without You
I'm just to weak to stand
On my own I'm really nothing
You always need to hold my hand

You've walked me through the valleys
so dark I couldn't see
Even though I still would stumble
you stayed right there with me

Lord You made my life worth living
I never could go back
To where I once was headed
it was a downward path

I received a new beginning
it started on that day
You came and gave me life
in a new and powerful way

Thank You Lord for saving me
and showing me Your grace
I found in You unfailing love
that no one can erase

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

JAMES 1:2-4

I turned on the T.V. for a few minutes this evening and almost immediately this thought was running through my head. "God is going to knock down the barriers." I don't know when and I don't know how...but HE'S going to do it. Then I got up to write it down because I knew that it was to be something I needed to blog about. So...the T.V. is back off. I'm not sure what the Lord wants me to write, but when HE tells you to do something like this you have to be ready. So....here goes!

It seems that for a while now things on the "GOD" side of my life haven't been quite right. I really haven't been able to decide what the problem is, I just have known that something was off. GOD was continuing to give me things to write but still it has seemed something was wrong. Last night after writing my first post, of this new venture, I realized a few things. I wasn't studying in my Bible to the extent that I normally do. I was still reading it but not for as long and I had stopped looking up and studying different subjects. It was as if the drive I had to do those things had suddenly left me. I always just loved doing that. I normally like to read about different things in the Bible, look up as much as I can find, and ask questions about the things I don't understand. Well....I just wasn't into it. After finally getting my head straight again, late last night I picked up my Bible and started reading. I was just flipping the pages trying to find some where to stop when I landed on James chapter 1 verses 2-4.

James 1:2-4 (New International Version)Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The words that jumped out at me were "mature and complete". Since I know what my blog is now going to be about, I wasn't surprised. The study Bible I have been using lately is Life Application NIV Study Bible.

This is some of what it has to say about those verses:

We can't really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. GOD wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Be patient. GOD will not leave you alone with your problems; HE will stay close and help you grow.

WOW!!! Was GOD speaking to me or what?? I have been under a lot of pressure to just give up and have a few drinks. I didn't do that but I was complaining and....I was "NOT" joyful about it at all. I'm not really sure what that says about my character but I do know that there is a lot of growth that needs to happen. GOD and I have a lot of work to do! One good thing about all of this is....I really enjoyed studying my Bible again last night. For the first time in a couple of weeks I can truly say, "The excitement is back!" In one of my last blogs I wrote about, "gut wrenching passion"....I feel it again! Thank YOU LORD!!

Through my Bible, God led me to many more verses pertaining to growth and growing closer to HIM and becoming more like HIM. I will be using those verses as I write more posts in this blog. As I said at the start of this post...There are going to be barriers knocked down. That statement makes me a little nervous but....at the same time....it's kind of exciting. I have no idea what GOD is planning to do in my life, but it seems that if you read this....you will find out almost as quickly as I do.

There's a song that Karen Peck and New River sing called...Journey Of Joy. I believe this is going to be quite the journey I'm going on. Along the way I'm going to try to remember to always keep the right attitude and the JOY. So...I think I'm ready for the ride!!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

MY FIRST ROAD BLOCK

When GOD first let me know that HE wanted me to change what I write about in my blog, I was pretty happy. NO more stories about me! Then I was stunned. The subject will be, The Road To Maturity. Better still was the fact that it was "MY" road to maturity. My thought was...Well, okay. Then my thoughts were...That could be a little bit intimidating. How do you write about The Road To Maturity? The answer was...Write about things that happen on a day to day basis and how you handle them...With ME or without ME. And then I thought...Do I really want to? Everyone that reads this knows how much I messed up the first "many" years of my life and now I have to let everyone in on...how I mess up everyday, "these years of my life"? That all seemed a little unnerving to me. But...I have learned in the past to go with it and see what happens. So I'm thinking that this will all be good and I will learn from it. I still wasn't sure how I was going to start but before I knew it things were starting to fall into place. I just happened to read some devotionals and they were about growing and maturing in your walk with the LORD. Then as I was leaving the bookstore I saw a book on the "new books" shelf, from an author I like and found it was about the same thing. So, I bought it. However, I was still questioning how I was going to do this and what I was going to write. Well...it didn't take long for my first lesson in maturing to start.

I hate to admit it but it seems that I don't learn well the first time I go through something, or even the second, third or fourth time. From the first of my blog you know that I have had some problems with a few addictions in my life. One of them was drinking. Years ago I gave it up, but on occasion when problems would arise in my life I would go back to it. Then after becoming a Christian it was odd to me but I really wanted to drink more that I had in a long time. I found out that it was satan tempting me to try to get me back. Through many struggles with that it finally got to where I didn't want it anymore. I was ecstatic about that! Well, as it turned out satan still liked to tempt me from time to time but I never went back and I thought, for months now, that I was free and clear. GOD had finally taken away all desire for it, and no matter what, I could not be tempted with that. That was a mistake. You can always be tempted, it's how you handle it that matters. That's where the first entry in my "Road To Maturity" blog comes from.

Life was rough for a few days. I couldn't believe that all the same feelings were back. It seems that this one temptation caused some of the other issues to come back that I have struggled with. I was not happy and I was not handling it in a "mature" Christian way. I was reading my Bible less and less, until for a couple of days I didn't read it at all. How does that help any situation? It doesn't. I just went further down. All I could think of was that all of this wasn't fair, and how could GOD be telling me He wanted me to write about my journey of growing closer to HIM,and maturing, when I couldn't even get over this. It seemed to me that I was failing and going backwards faster than ever before. Well, then I turned on the tv and there was a message about..."You used to have it but you have lost it." And...that's how I was feeling. I thought...Maybe I wasn't really a Christian after all. I had been getting closer to GOD but now it just seemed as if I was headed right back to where I started. Then it was pointed out to me that this was the devil because he didn't want me to do, what GOD wanted me to do. Really I already knew this but sometimes I don't look at the big picture. I just go on what is happening to me at the moment. Not really very mature thinking. It never hurts to be reminded about all of this. I think that's one reason why I have to write these things.

GOD is showing me that if I want to "really" grow, and become more mature, I have a lot more changing to do. After listening, and reading, both of these things I started feeling better about it all and read my bible and said a short prayer. I know that GOD doesn't tempt you but I think HE may have let me struggle with this so I could remember where HE brought me from, and where it is I want to go with HIM. Maybe, HE waits for us to calm down and talk to HIM before doing something to help us out. I'm not sure. We are the ones in charge of how we handle temptations. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be tempted again. If not with this, something else. I'm also thinking that it's a good bet I will get off course again and flounder a bit. Until I get to Heaven I will never be "fully mature" but I will grow more and become closer to the way GOD wants me to be. For me, this journey seems to be pretty rocky at times. I don't always do the right thing or think the right things. But, there is one thing I'm sure of. From time to time I will have setbacks, I may fall, but I will never go back to the person I used to be. I will do my best to continue to grow and mature and pursue the life that GOD has for me.

One thing I know I have to figure out how to do is...To always be anchored to the power of the cross. Always stay anchored to JESUS, keep my eyes on HIM. Things are going to happen in life and I need to always remember to turn to HIM first and not to the things of this world. I can't rely on myself to stand firm because there are times I'm not really very good at that. I tend to drift. I have to always turn to the LORD and serve HIM with my whole heart. HE is all that matters in this life.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (New Living Translation)

13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

James 1:14 (New Living Translation)

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.


Hebrews 4:16 (New Living Translation)

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

James 1:2-3 (New Living Translation) 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Psalm 43:4 (New Living Translation)

4 There I will go to the altar of God,
to God—the source of all my joy.
I will praise you with my harp,
O God, my God!

Psalm 63:1 (New Living Translation)1 O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.

Joshua 24:14 (New Living Translation)

14 “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

A RE-CREATED REFORMED REBEL

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New Living Translation)

17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

In my study Bible one of the things it says about this verse is....Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated-we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ. At conversion we are not merely turning over a new leaf, we are beginning a new life under a new Master.
As printed in the Life Application Study Bible NIV

I have been reading in 1 & 2 Corinthians a lot recently. When I read this last night I really noticed what was written about the verse. We are not the same anymore. We are not "reformed" but re-created. I have always considered myself reformed mainly because I was always known as a rebel by all my friends. I think I like the definition, re-created, much better. What I finally got out of that when reading it this time is...I am a new creation. I have not just had a makeover, GOD has totally changed who I am. That is exciting! That's what HE does for everyone who comes to HIM and asks JESUS into their hearts. There is still a lot HE needs to work on in me, and a lot I need to do, but there is no going back. Since becoming a Christian my life has taken a lot of twists and turns. Some were easy and still others were hard. Life as a Christian is sometimes still a challenge for me. Sometimes I find myself "still" being tempted by things of my past. When that happens it really rocks me. What I have learned from that happening is...satan wants to do all he can to keep Christians from serving GOD and telling others about HIS grace and mercy. He is trying to make you fail. For me it just proves, all the more, how much JESUS loves me...and how much I love and want to serve HIM. Yes, it's true that when it happens it always surprises me and messes me up for a couple of days. The good thing is, when it's over I am stronger than before. So...with all of that said I am making some changes.

My blog will be changing. For a few weeks now I have felt that what I have been writing about was going to come to an end. This will be my last entry as a "Reformed Rebel". As a "Reformed Rebel" I mainly wrote about my past life and all the things that made me what I used to be. It has been a real growing experience for me. Talking is hard for me and talking about myself is one of the harder things I have had to learn to do. At the same time it has been healing in many ways. I believe that was one of the purposes for the blog.

I'm not completely sure what I will be writing about now. I know the basics won't change because my life now is about serving GOD. The only thing HE has really spoken to me is that I need to focus more on "HIM" and what HE is doing. There may still be references to my old life but as far as I know right now, no more past life stories. I think it may be more of what's happening now and how HE is working...more of a day to day thing. HE has been allowing me to write poems recently and I think that will continue. It will still be called...Chelles Blog...Rebel for GOD, because I still will be. You will still use the same address to get to it. The difference is that my focus will change and I will not think of myself as reformed anymore. I will think of myself as "re-created"...a new person in CHRIST.

My prayer is that in some way GOD was able to speak to you by something that you read.

So...until I start again, thanks for reading. Check back soon...When the LORD gives me something new to write it will be posted.

GOD bless all of you!!!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

YOU MUST CALL

Every now and then
we come to a place
lots of twists and turns
in our road we must face

We never do know
what tomorrow may hold
The trail is different
for all we are told

At times there are trials
seems to much to bear
You feel all alone
like no one is there

You cry out to God
tell Him it's unfair
Does He even hear you
or really even care

Your sure that He's left you
there seems such a hole
How will you find Him
You don't even know

You've read in the Bible
you're never alone
So why does your heart hurt
why do you groan

Everyone always says
you shouldn't doubt
God's always there
don't let the devil win out

So you pick up your Bible
read Psalm twenty three
When you walk through the valley
by your side He will be

The dark starts to lift
the pain starts to dull
Oh why don't you remember
on His name you must call

Saturday, July 18, 2009

PASSION FOR GOD

I was at work Friday morning, having coffee, listening to music, and actually keying reports into my computer, when all of a sudden I have the thought that...God needs to be the priority in all Christians lives and that's not how it always is. My next thought was...Where did that come from? It only took me a second to realize that I was supposed to write about that. So, here I am at work and I'm jotting down thoughts as I get them. This happens off and on all day and I know I need to remember them for later. When these "thoughts from GOD" start, that's what I call them, it usually catches me a bit off guard. I finished my day at work, went home, sat down to write and nothing made sense to me. I looked at my notes and couldn't put it together...my mind was blank. I'm thinking that I was wrong and I wasn't supposed to write about that. Then around 11pm Friday night I turned the t.v. on and it started happening again. The difference was, my computer was close so I started typing in sentences as they came to me.I'm sure your just on the edge of your seat waiting to read it so...

Before I started writing this blog, maybe a year ago, I would get this strange feeling inside and I couldn't figure out what it was. It was kind of like when you know something exciting is about to happen but you don't know exactly when. Or, when you are on a big roller coaster making your way to the top of the rail, your car is almost there and everyone in front of you is starting to scream and yell as they go down the other side. Then as you crest the top and your car starts down you get that immense adrenaline rush. That's what you ride the roller coasters for. The RUSH!!! That is what I was equating the feeling to that I was having all the time. When the feeling wasn't there I missed it. It was like something was wrong. I would pray and ask GOD to let me feel it again. When I finally figured out what it was I knew why I missed it...it was a Passion for GOD. A passion to do the things that I was put here to do. Not just get up and go to work everyday and lead a normal "HO HUM" life. No, get up everyday and lead a life that is pleasing to GOD. A life that is filled with not just a little "Pollyanna passion" for GOD, but one that is filled with a "Gut Wrenching" passion for GOD. If we have that kind of passion for HIM, we will make the most of every opportunity we have to tell people about JESUS. We will even try to make those opportunities happen. What really matters in life is...you love the LORD, serve HIM, love others, and if they don't know Jesus help them to find HIM. We are also supposed to help other Christians to stay strong and live for GOD. Encourage each other so that none fall away. Life is hard and everyone needs each other.

The LORD is always working in us, changing us to be who HE wants us to be. At times we get so comfortable in what we are doing that HE shakes us up a bit. HE might want us to change things. If we aren't staying close to HIM, and making HIM the LORD of our lives, we might not know HE wants us to change and do things differently. We think we are defined by what we do...that's not it. As Christians we are defined by what GOD does through us. We have to always be listening for HIS voice. When it comes down to it...it's just you and the FATHER! HE wants to be the priority in our lives. HE wants to be first. Don't make HIM have to get your attention. You probably won't like it.

If you don't have a passion for GOD, and the things of GOD, you need to pray that HE will give you that passion. The "Gut Wrenching" kind. Then...Get out there and talk to people. Your friends, neighbors, co-workers...anyone that will listen. It's not always as hard as you think it will be. The HOLY SPIRIT will give you the right things to say at the right time. However, it is important that you read and study GOD's word and talk to HIM a lot. Then you will know when HE speaks to you and it will be easier to know what HE wants you to do.

I don't always get all of this right. There are times when I'm not real good at listening and then following through with what HE tells me. I'm not a writer and probably wouldn't ever be able to write anything worth reading. When I try to write something on my own the screen stays blank. It's only with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT, and what HE speaks to me, that I write anything at all. All I know is...I'm to share this with you.

Once we became a Christian we were made new. We are brand new people with a new life. God offers that same newness to everyone. But, someone has to tell them about it. Someone has to show them HIS love so they will want to have new life. That someone is everyone of us. GOD offered HIS salvation to us and to all people everywhere.

2 Timothy 2:2 (New Living Translation)

2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.


Acts 1:8 (New Living Translation)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”


Hebrews 13:6 (New Living Translation)

6 So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!


Acts 26:22-23 (New Living Translation)

22 But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen—23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”


Matthew 5:6 (New International Version)

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be filled.


Acts 17:10-12 (New Living Translation)

10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
Hebrews 3:12-14 (New International Version)

12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.


1 Thessalonians 5:17 (New Living Translation)

17 Never stop praying.


Ephesians 6:18 (New Living Translation)

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.a]">[a]



Wednesday, July 15, 2009

BAD CHOICES

We have all made bad choices in our lives, things we wish we could undo. Unfortunately, most of the time, we can't. If your not a christian you might live for years with pain, guilt, and regrets. I know I did. We do lots of things to cover up how we feel because of our past. The problem is, doing those things just causes more pain. You'll become sick, fearful, unlovable...there's a whole list of things that can happen when you live with so much pain from the past. You find that after awhile you just can't deal with it any longer and you might even become suicidal. Eventually you come to realize that either you have to get over it or you have to find something that will change how you feel about your past forever. From my own experiences I can tell you that to "just get over it" usually doesn't happen. Sure, you can stuff it all inside, but at some point you will lose it. There is only one sure fix for your problems. JESUS!!

JESUS can help you "get over" all the negative things from your past. He might do it all at once and He might not. For me it's been almost two years and there is still work to do. He works in different ways with everyone. This blog is one of the ways He works with me. He gives me things and I write them. Sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's painful. We all have different personalities and different pasts. Jesus does what is best for you. He knows you better than you know yourself. Let Him do whatever it is that you need. You might not always understand what He's doing but, if you do what He says, it will be okay.

Before Jesus can start to help you, you have to turn your life over to Him. If you haven't done that, do it now so He can begin to set you free and heal you of your pain. Just pray and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. Then live for Him. Talk to Him and read His word all the time. Find a church where there are other Christians that can pray with and for you. Jesus will give you peace like you have never known.

John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

John3:16
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

After the Lord changes your heart let Him renew your mind. He will give you good thoughts and start the healing process. If there are some of you reading this that can relate to this poem, ask Jesus to help you with the pain. He's the only one that can. The Lord gave me this poem so you can see that we all have pain from our past. Just remember, He will forgive you of anything you have done.


IN HIS ARMS

Sometimes in our lives
it all just goes wrong
We make bad decisions
and try to hold on

We live with the secrets
pain and guilt too
Lots of regrets
of one we never knew

We heard all the stories
of the others who failed
Somehow we just never thought
about the life we held

We shouldn't have listened
to the voice that we knew
Should have been strong
and just seen it through

We tried to find answers
to the questions we had
But the life that we lived
just grew more and more sad

We thought we wouldn't make it
so there was nothing else to do
Just go ahead with it
and get over your blues

When it was all over
we had nothing left to lose
Just the pictures in our minds
of the one who never grew

We never did question
what happened that day
Just went further apart
was the price that we paid

Life came undone
on that fateful morn
We were never the same
everything was just torn

Through all of the pain
of a life we once knew
We were all alone
that's what we chose to do

How could we fix it
we didn't know
You go on with your lives
hope it doesn't show

You know that's not working
look for something new
There's just nothing there
what can you do

So what is the answer
to help you find peace
You must find the Savior
and give Him your grief

He knows we're not perfect
not even close
He's waiting to give you
the love you need most

Jesus will be there
if you ask Him too
Then someday you will see
the soul you never knew

Monday, July 13, 2009

STAY STRONG

Temptation is a word that I have come to really dislike. The bible tells us that temptation is something satan uses against us to cause us to fall back into sin. You will find some good verses about it in the first chapter of James.

James 1:13-15 (New Living Translation) 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

What do you do when you find yourself being tempted? Do you sit and listen to satan and his lies? Or do you think...I can handle this, it won't effect me. Or maybe you tell satan...BACK OFF! I'm not going to listen to you. You tell him you are a chld of GOD and you won't let him win. Turn your back on him and the temptation. Then...you pray, ask the LORD for help and read your bible. That's what you need to do. Stay Strong!!

1 Peter 5:8-9 (New Living Translation)

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.


The truth is...we don't always do that. We get a bit careless sometimes thinking that everything is good. Sometimes satan leaves us alone for awhile and we become lax in our defenses. Then, just when we think we have it all under control, he's in our face with it! IT being whatever our biggest weakness is. Satan knows it as well as you do and he's not afraid to use it against you. I have had a lot of experience with temptation as I'm sure everyone has. Satan is the master when it comes to throwing temptations in our path. He will use anything he can to get us to fall back into our old life styles. Lately, I have had some real issues with temptation. I don't like to admit it, but I really gave some thought to letting satan win. If you don't immediately ask GOD for help, and really pray and read the word, you could lose the battle. Satan will use all kinds of things against you, anything at all to put a seed of doubt in your mind. Then once those doubts are in place, and your feeling alone, he starts putting thoughts in your head. He'll tell you to go ahead and give in. Just one time isn't going to hurt anything. You'll be okay. He lies! One time might not send you to hell, but it will put you back on the path JESUS saved you from. If you go there once, who's to say you won't go there again. You have to be strong and not listen. You have to pray and reach out for JESUS. For me, the longer I wait to do that, the worse it gets. I wait because I listen to what satan is telling me instead of telling him to get away from me. Then after I listen for awhile I start to believe it. Then it's like a downward spiral. What we all have to remember to do is...

James 4:7-8 (New Living Translation)

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.


If you completely put your trust in JESUS, HE won't let you down. GOD cares more about you than anyone does. HE cares about every fear, anxiety or concern you will ever have. JESUS is waiting for you to bring them all to HIM. With HIS help we can defeat the devils schemes. JESUS has already paid the price for our victory over the devil when He died on the cross for us. This warfare that we are engaged in is somtimes really tough. What we need to do to win is to put on the Armor of GOD.


Ephesians 6:10-18 (New Living Translation)

The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

STAY STRONG and help your sisters and brothers in CHRIST to stay strong.













Sunday, July 12, 2009

FREEDOM WITHIN

Do you have the courage
it will take you to win
When you feel the dagger
slice through you again

You remember it well
it has been gone a long time
Still you know it is real
you must fight for your life

The pain that is inside
you know all to well
You need to get help
but who can you tell

There are people all around you
yet they never can see
The pain that is in you
when you just can't get it to leave

It seems this temptation
will never come to an end
Will he ever let you rest
NO you must fight to win

How can you do it
you ask one more time
Is there anyone out there
or are they just blind

You put on the good face
they all know it well
Did you ever stop to think
they really can't tell

Then your ready to give up
you cannot fight anymore
Oh what will you do
it's right there at your door

But wait, did you hear that
it's a voice that you know
Do you feel the calm
that brings peace to your soul

You know it is Jesus
you feel strength seeping in
He helps you hang on
you feel His spirit again

He comes in like a warrior
and helps you to stand
Says I will always be there
if you will just hold my hand

I have carried you before
and will do it again
I will always Love you
will help you to win

So what should you do
when satan walks in
Just reach out for Jesus
He will give you freedom within

Saturday, July 4, 2009

THE WAY OUT

Most of the poems I write come out of my personal experiences. The Lord gave me the poem "PAIN" because sometimes we forget that we need to call on HIM when things aren't going well for us. We could be having problems in our personal life or just letting family and friends problems get to us. What ever the case is, we need to remember that HE has it all under HIS control. Jesus is always there for us and is just waiting for us to bring our cares to HIM.

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."


When you don't take all your cares to the LORD you are just cheating yourself. You are missing out on everything that HE longs to do for you. JESUS wants to come in and take away every bit of pain that you are feeling.

There have been times in my life, when I have sunk so far down, that I didn't think I would make it. Like the poem says, my thoughts were dark and all scrambled. Before giving my life to Christ it was hard to find my way back out. To be honest, there have been times since then that I have found myself starting to go down that same dark path again. But...once you know HIM you "know" that you have a way out. If JESUS lives in you HE will always be there. You know beyond the shadow of any doubt, that as soon as you ask HIM, HE will come and help you to find your way back to the light. What you have to remember is...when things in your life start to go bad, call on the name of JESUS. Pray and ask for HIS help. Don't let yourself go so far that you feel helpless.

JESUS loves us more than we can ever imagine. He wants to give us rest and peace. No one else in your life can do that for you. Pray and read HIS word as often as you can. There's an old song that says...We've got a great big wonderful GOD...and we do. He's big enough to take care of everyone of our problems if we just ask HIM to. HE can take care of your's and HE can take care of mine, all at the same time. Let HIM. Get as close to HIM as you can. There is a great verse that says...

James 4:8 (New Living Translation)8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.


If you do what that verse says, and live for GOD and not for yourself, HE will help you in all of your struggles.

PAIN

You feel it in your head first
then your body starts to hurt
Your thoughts are all dark
and you want it to stop

Your mind starts to waver
the thoughts are all crossed
You wonder what's wrong
and you just feel so lost

You think it's all hopeless
life will soon come to an end
You wonder why it started
all over again

Your alone in your pain
life seems so unfair
You know that there's no one
who really cares

You can't seem to function
the thoughts are all mingled
You cry out for help
but no one's there

You think you won't make it
can't get up one more time
Your body is failing you
and your mind you can't find

You hear a voice from inside you
so soft and serene
You can barely make it out
but it's peaceful it seems

You've heard it before
a voice that can't be mistaken
You're troubles will lighten
if only you listen

Your burdens I'll bear
when you ask me to come
Your mind I will clear
when you call on my Son

You've been here before
should have learned then
You're troubles will vanish
when I am asked to come in

You're mind is better now
the suns begun to shine
You just have to remember
to talk to Me all the time

You know that I love you
I'll always be there
You're never alone
always in MY care