Isaiah 41:10

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

As I was reading this morning about the armor of GOD I turned back to Isaiah and saw this. It reminded me that as we go out today that we are definitely living in an evil day. There are all kinds of things waiting to distract us...get us off course...and bring us down. But we have hope because we are in CHRIST. We get up...put on our armor...and go out with victory in our hearts and souls! We have nothing to be afraid of because our LORD is with us. HE gives us unimaginable strength all we have to do is to take hold of it...take hold of HIS hand! Regardless of what you face today don't get discouraged. GOD is beside you all the way!

Deuteronomy 31:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Put On The Armor

Ephesians 6:10-18

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁰ In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

¹¹ Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

¹² For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

¹³ Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

¹⁴ Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

¹⁵ And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

¹⁶ Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

¹⁸ Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

Tonight I talked with someone who reminded  how much we need to put on the whole armor of GOD everyday. We basically are in a battlefield as soon as we open our eyes in the morning. Satan is right there waiting for us so he can start with his attack. The only way to win is by being prepared...have a plan and stick to it. The best thing we can do is to start our day off with reading the WORD and talking to the LORD. 

When I looked this up to read it tonight I could hardly get past verse 10. Be strong can be translated as..."be made strong".  Right there that tells you that "you" can't do it by yourself. Only the LORD can make you strong. Without HIM, and the help HE gives, we are nothing. Without HIM I am weak.

As Christians the armor of GOD is what protects us from the evil one. I need this protection daily and so do you. 

As I have told you...recently I have been failing big time. I haven't been reading the WORD or praying as much as I should. Because of that I have been a mess. Satan has come in and repeatedly filled my mind with lies. He is so good at it that for awhile I didn't even recognize the fact that it was him and that I was falling into his trap...his bed of lies. I was going down that long dark tunnel of despair that I have went down way too many times. Isn't it something how satan can twist your thoughts around until you don't even realize that it's him messing with you?! Thinking about it now I just get mad about all the days I have wasted listening to the evil one. I know now that all I have to do is ask the LORD to forgive me...and HE will...and then start again. Every day is a new day for us to begin again. 

Lamentations 3:22-23

²² It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

²³ They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.

It is said that with everything you go through there is something to be learned. Well...I have definitely learned some things. One thing is...

Know who's voice you're listening to. If you are staying strong in the LORD by reading HIS WORD everyday...talking to HIM and listening to what HE has to say...you will know when it's not the LORD speaking! I only want to listen to the LORD! 

I hope what I have written has made sense. The main thing I needed to get across to you tonight is about the armor of GOD. Put it on everyday so you will be protected! don't give satan even a crack to get through. Be fully covered!

As for me...my plan is to do this daily. I know that the evil one will continue to attack and it will probably be even more fierce the next time. None of us can afford to lose in the battle that he wages. Stay strong. Keep up the fight. Read the WORD and pray...not only for your self but for other Christians. We all need all the support we can get. Don't try to fight your battle alone.

Still learning....

 

 

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Battles...trials...hard times...there can be many things in our life that fit into those categories. Lets just face it...life can be quite difficult at times! It seems that we go along, from day to day, and everything is good. Then one day we wake up and...things as you knew them went downhill so fast you didn't even have time to catch your breath. You are in the midst of something life changing. You pray and pray about things but GOD doesn't seem to be answering...at least in the way that "you" want HIM too! Why do you think that is? Well...

We have to remember that the LORD loves us. HE doesn't always "fix" all of our situations the way we want HIM to or in the time we want HIM to. Sometimes there are things HE wants to show us...teach us. The LORD wants us to grow in HIM. Without the trials...whatever they may be...we just go on living our life and don't think we need to change. Ohhh...but how we do need to change!

Sometimes we become okay with how things are. We know we are a Christian but we have slacked off in the things we know we should be doing. Here is a little transparency about myself...and you know I don't like letting people see the real me...but I do need to share...

I used to love to read and study my bible. Actually couldn't wait to get the chance to really take time to learn! But over the last months I just really have been losing the desire to do this. There were times that I enjoyed it but for the most part it has been as if nothing makes sense to me anymore. I read and it's like my brain...but mostly my heart...is just not getting it! The worst thing of all though is that I have lost that feeling of expectation and excitement. I always loved how I felt when I read and studied...the excitement that the LORD placed in my heart...and just way down deep within my soul! It's just been gone. This has greatly affected every aspect of my life. It has affected my relationships...with the LORD...with friends...with family...and it has affected even my writing in this blog. I could say that it is the fault of the trials and battles that have done this but it's not. It's how I have reacted to those trials and battles...and how I have let them change me instead of letting GOD have control and change me through them.

Because of the things that GOD allows into our life we can either choose to grow and become closer to HIM...or gradually pull away and let the evil one have a little more control over us each day. Sometimes we don't even realize that is what we are doing. Satan is subtle and will work his way in a little at a time. A little thought of discouragement here...a little nudge of despair there...until he has you in what I will call...the doldrums!

Doldrums definition ~ black mood...gloom...indifference...disinterest...flatness...unconcern...lack of interest...depression.

Quite a list isn't it? But that's what happens. All of those things...feelings...start happening to us and we have to make a choice. Either we decide that we will go on living...not really much of a life...in this state or we choose to let GOD take total control of the situations in our life that brought us to this point. Whatever those things are in your life they are small in comparison to the things GOD has for you. Even if HE chooses to not change what's going on HE will change how you accept them and how they affect you.

Will you draw closer to the LORD through the times in your life that are hard? You can only win by doing this!

Or will you gradually pull away and let the evil one win out? We all have to make this choice for ourselves.

1 Peter 5:7-10

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁷ Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

⁸ Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

⁹ Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.

¹⁰ And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Amplified Bible (AMP)

³ Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].

Ezekiel 36:26

Tonight I went to my Life Group and it was good. What we study about from the Bible is great. I learn a lot by just listening to what everyone has to say. But tonight there is a whole new thought process happening for me. What seems to be jumping out at me isn't the scriptures that we read and talked about, it's the Life Group itself. The definition I have heard for Life Group is...doing life together. I have never "done life together" very well. But God is using the people in this group and I feel myself changing a little more each week. The Lord is changing my thoughts...and most of all...my heart. When I am there I feel love...comfort...peace...joy...and most of all...safety.

This scripture just came to mind...

Ezekiel 36:26

²⁶ And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

God not only gives us a new and clean heart when we become Christians but, He continues to transform us as long as we are pressing into Him and accept the work He is doing in us. God wants to heal us and change us so we can receive all He has for us.

My study Bible says...Why try to patch up your old life when you can have a new one.

It's hard for me to believe but...God really is changing my heart. I'm finding that God is breaking down the walls...fortress...that I have built to keep most people out. He is an amazing God that does amazing things! I am thankful and

still learning

The Lord Gives Strength

It seems that recently my fear has been greater than my faith. I'm not happy with myself about this. I know that when things happen in our life we don't have to deal with them on our own. We have a Lord that loves us and is there to help us with all of the trials we go through. It doesn't matter what they are...God is bigger than any thing we face. In my heart I know this. In my head...well...sometimes my heart and my head don't connect. I'm finding that sometimes I have a hard time seeing beyond the here and now, meaning...what/how I feel and what I hear...are different than what I know in my heart. Fear is not from God!

We have to be careful to not listen to...take to heart...all that we are told by the outside world. We need to listen to...take to heart and believe...the things we are told that are from the Lord. We need to have the faith to believe in all we know to be true. All that we read in the Word. All that we have been told and taught from God fearing, faithful people. Faith...not fear. We live by faith in God not by faith in people.

There is one here on earth that has a job to do...fill us with fear and make us doubt what we know to be true. His name is satan. Satan comes to steal...kill...and destroy. He is fighting to get us back everyday. We don't have to let him win.

I told someone...that I trust...I was scared. I hate telling anyone that. For me...being tough has always been what I was about. I know that is not the right way to be. Lately...God has been showing me...more and more....I am not so tough. In my past I had to be...now I don't. I asked this person to pray for me and this is the prayer they e-mailed me...

First to satan say...I curse you satan, you have no control or power over me, I will not give into your lies.

Then pray this...

Father GOD, I know I am YOUR daughter, I belong to YOU.  YOU gave YOUR only begotten SON JESUS to be beaten almost beyond recognition for my healing and JESUS died on the cross for my salvation.  I pray in JESUS' NAME that you would touch my body, I claim my healing, and I thank YOU for what YOU are doing right now.  I plead the BLOOD of JESUS over me right now.  I pray for rest for my body tonight.  I will give YOU all the praise and the glory for what YOU have done tonight.  The desire of my heart is to honor you and be a testimony of YOUR grace and mercy.  I love YOU LORD, In JESUS NAME I pray, Amen and Amen!!

First I talked to satan and then I prayed to God...I believe they both heard me. The things that were happening got better and the fear is gone. I know that God answers prayer. God tells us in His Word that He will never leave us...even when we don't feel Him He is there.

Hebrews 13:5b

God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

God promises us that we will never be alone. 

There are many scriptures that have come to my mind while I was writing this. Here are some of them...

Philippians 4:6-9

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 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.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

John 10:10

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

As I sit down to finish this post I have to remind myself to keep thinking about things above...not the things I am feeling. Satan wants me to have a bad day and night. The Lord wants me to keep pushing forward and thinking of Him.

Colossians 3:2

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Psalm 29:11

The Lord gives his people strength.
    The Lord blesses them with peace.

He's Always There

Dear God you know when we've had 'bout enough

our minds can't deal anymore

We stammer and stumble and fall on our face

and then we ask please come take us out of the race

Your answer to us comes as no big surprise

child you know I will help you this won't be your demise
Why do you worry oh why do you fret
you know that I...the Lord...have never left you yet

Austins Bridge - Oh How Marvelous

Be Open Eyed!

Today, in the quietness of the morning, the unrest that has been in my soul is finally making sense. It's been there for a while now and I haven't been able to really get on top of it. This last week though it is becoming clearer and clearer to me why. There is a verse in Gods Word that has continually been coming to my mind...

James 5:8 NKJ

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Being sober means to be calm...controlled...have a clear mind. When we are dealing with the devil, and the things of this life, those are very important strengths to have. So many times people tell us things...remind us of how life really is...and that spins us out of control. Then the devil comes in...poking and jabbing...reminding us of everything negative that people keep speaking into our lives.

I have been told many times that even though what these people are saying to me/us are truths and make sense...they are not the ones in control of my/our situations or my/our lives. GOD is the one who is ultimately in control. HE is the one that has the final say on everything that concerns us. If we know HIM, and walk with HIM, we don't need to fear what everyone is saying. These are the truths that I am choosing to listen to today. 

To be vigilant means to be alert...on guard...open eyed...awake! Where I live there are many Canadian Honkers...geese. They are everywhere! There are usually a group of them together and most always at least two. If you observe them you will notice that there is at least one sentry watching while the others are eating or sleeping. The larger the group, the more sentries there are. The sentry is on guard and watching...open eyed...all the time. Why? Because they have adversaries. Animals...and people...that are waiting for a chance to attack them...devour them! Just like the devil and all his low-level devils that help him. Their purpose is to attack us and bring us down. Satan will attack our minds...health...family...friends...whatever he can to bring us down and stop us from being productive and living the life that the LORD has planned for us! If we don't stay open eyed and on guard we give the devil a chance to sneak in and devour us! 

A couple of nights ago I wasn't feeling real well so my mind was going places that I try not to think about. So I turned on some worship music and went to bed to listen. I just started to talk to the LORD and He responded to me with this...

When your Faith is lacking...Fear starts attacking!!

I know it was the LORD telling me this. HE wanted me to know that I need to believe that HE is in control of everything and I just need to have Faith. The kind of Faith that stays firm and strong. The kind of Faith that moves mountains in my life and other peoples lives. I have been letting Fear creep in until it is getting a stronger hold on me daily. Fear has no place in my life...or yours...if we are believing and trusting in the LORD. 

There is an acronym I came across for Faith last night...

F-fear

A-ain't

I-in

T-this

H-house

The Fear acronym I like is...

F-False

E-Evidence

A-Appearing

R-Real

This morning I looked up the rest of the passage from 1 Peter...

1 Peter 5:8-11 NLT

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

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.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.

I/we need to be strong in what we believe. Not just say it so others will think we have it all together. In fact, when we don't have it all together, we should let our Christian friends know so they can pray for us. They in fact are our family...in Christ...and help us and hold us up during times that are hard for us. I have been learning this...experiencing this...many times recently. I am thankful for these people GOD has placed in my life. Some I see and talk to...others I know through this cyber world. But all...the LORD has placed in my life for a reason.

Stay strong and let Faith rule in your life...not Fear.

Ephesians 6:10-14 NKJ

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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.

There Is Only One Thing

Have you ever thought about how it would have been back in Jesus' day to sit and talk with Him face to face? Many people had the privilege of being able to do that. The story that comes to my mind tonight is the one about Martha and Mary...

Martha, being distracted by everything she felt she had to do, didn't have time to sit and listen to Jesus. But Mary only had one thing on her mind...to sit at Jesus feet and take in everything He had to say. She was a friend of Jesus so she felt comfortable being close to Him and learning from Him. And Jesus...He was good with it. He knew how important it was for Mary to sit and listen. In fact, Jesus said that what Mary was doing was the one thing she should be concerned with.

Luke 10:38-42

³⁸ As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I believe that Jesus has been saying to me...just like He said to Martha..."There is only one thing worth being concerned about." My relationship with Him...

Lately, I have been thinking about my relationship with Jesus a lot. The one way I have found to improve it is by taking time out, everyday, to just be in His presence. Sit at the feet of Jesus and wait. Read his word...worship Him...praise Him...and be still before Him. I believe if I do my part...He will do His.

How about you? How is your relationship with Jesus? It's something we all need to think about. 

still learning...



  

 

Keep Holding To His Hand

On the way to work this morning I heard a song called...I'm Not Giving Up.
Here is the chorus...

Well, I’m not giving up. No, I’m not turning 'round

By the grace of God, I’ll win a shining crown someday

I’ll keep holding on to that nail-scarred hand

I’m not giving up. No, I’ll keep going on

There is much more to the song but this was what I needed to hear. It reminded me how Jesus reached down one day...grabbed me...and pulled me out of the dark place where I was. Jesus reached down with that nail scarred hand...got a hold of me...and hasn't let go since! Not only does Jesus have me but He has everything in my life under His control. He's got me...my cares and concerns...He's got it all! So...just like the song says...I'll keep holding on!

If I have learned one thing it's this...

The Lord is my strength and refuge. Without Him I'm nothing...I don't have a chance. With Him...I'm everything! I have all that I need. Yesterday...and again this morning I read my calendar that sits on my desk. This is what it said...

Even though you may have things come against you, remember that I...GOD...am for you. When you come to me in prayer I will open the gates of heaven and provide you with everything you need.

WOW...isn't that cool! That's like an open invitation waiting for us to accept.

When life happens...and the devil tries to knock us out...we need to remember that all we need to do is call on The Lord. Don't let those things get a "way down deep" hold on you. Break free and reach up for His nail scarred hand...He's always reaching down to you. Jesus is what we need in those times. With Him we can be strong because we know...He's got us!

Deuteronomy 31:6

⁶ So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Hebrews 10:23

²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

I believe that everything I go through has a purpose and a lesson for me...from God. He might not cause the things but He teaches me, and helps me, to come out of it on the other side closer to Him because of it.

What I can say to you is this...

Keep holding on to the Lord. Stay close to Him because when you start to drift things look a whole lot worse.

Here is a little story about this post...

This morning before I left I received an e-mail. I read it a couple of times and then left for work. I quickly jotted down what the Lord impressed on me to write today and then thought...Wow, that reminds me of the e-mail. So...I reread my e-mail. To me the song I heard...and what the Lord has put in me to write today...is confirmation that what I was told is from the Lord. The e-mail also contained a song...

I believe the answer's on the way, I believe the LORD has heard me pray: "Cast not away your confidence" saith the LORD our GOD.  Now by faith in HIM alone I stand, firmly held by HIS almighty hand, fully trusting in HIS promise, Praise the LORD.

I don't believe in coincidence. I do believe that God is awesome! Whatever the answer is God is in control.

Still learning...





 

Be Still Before Him

Psalm 46:10a

Be still and know that I am God. 

When it feels like everything in your life is in total chaos what's the best thing you can do? Sit and be still in His presence. If you will do this, His peace will come and overtake all the turmoil you are feeling inside. I find that it usually doesn't happen right away. There has to be a little effort put forth on my part. Sometimes I read my bible...other times I turn on some quiet worship music...turn out the lights...and quietly wait. Whatever works for you...Do it. God.Is.Faithful and will meet you where ever you are! We might think that He has forgotten about us...or doesn't care that we are going through hard or hurtful things. He does care. The Lord cares about everything...big or small...that we are going through. He loves us.

Isaiah 49:16a

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

This verse doesn't just say He is holding us in His hands...No...it says engraved!

When people in your life make you feel like you don't matter...

When sickness hits you...

When life just simply seems unfair...

God is still there just like He was before. You will always matter to Him and He will always love you!

I encourage you to just simply...

Be still before Him.