Category: Truth

How We War

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“We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

We are not breezing through this life without trouble. But we have help. We aren’t doing it on our own strength. But the enemy is trying to feed us lies and we can also feed ourselves lies. We need to be constantly flooding our lives with the truth of God so we are prepared when lies come into our heads we will know in our hearts about what God says and recognize the lies for what they are. God always says good things to us about who we are in him. We also need the weapons we have been given at the ready. So we can be strong and ready to stand strong against these lies. Every thought needs to be processed. Is it something God has said and lines up with his truths or should we take it captive as the lie it is. Don’t let business or not feeling well keep you from being prepared and alert. Satan loves to distract us getting our minds on so many other things. I’m sure you’re just like me and when you try to pray your mind keeps wandering to other people or problems. It is not just us but something is trying to distract you. Red Flag! Fight with authority because you don’t just need to put up with it. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Not today Satan.’ Well you can command him to stop in Jesus name. Because when you’re prepared you can stop him in his tracks. Then focus on how much good God has for you and move on. So don’t let the tools God has given you sit on the shelf collecting dust, use them.

Faithful God

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“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9

God is definitely very faithful and loving. He also never says anything he doesn’t mean. He takes promises and covenants very seriously and it doesn’t matter how long it takes to fulfill them but he always comes through. He made promises to Abraham and Sarah, to their children. To Joseph and Daniel. To Mary and Joseph. The list goes on and on. It may have seemed impossible at times but nothing is impossible for God. He is all powerful and he knows the beginning from the end and his will, will be done. He foretold the birth of his beloved son Jesus and it came about just as he said. And many other prophecies and even Jesus told of his death and resurrection . If he was raised from the dead then we can be certain that one day we will also be raised to live with him forever in eternity. So many promises that make this life very exciting. The Israelites even grumbled and complained basically telling God that he wasn’t able to come through for them so God promised them that they wouldn’t see the promised land and they didn’t. He warned the Israelites about going into exile and they did. He is always speaking truth and truth will prevail. The greatest truth was that he would send deliverance for to sin that Adam and Eve committed by eating the forbidden fruit and he did and that shows how much he loves us.

Fruit

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“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2

We are meant to bear fruit as Christian’s and we need that fruit to help us grow and to impact the lives that are around us. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness… We are God’s kids and people around us should know that and we should be more like him. So the first thing we need to do is stay in God and God in us. He will give us the wisdom and strength we need to do what we need to do, He is continuing to perfect us and doesn’t want to see us stay the same. So he will prune us and yes we may not like it but it is making us better. And our fruit will be lusher and juicier. The people around you need to see us growing and our behaviors improving. It’s that little thing we call our light shining brighter and brighter. We are changing from glory to glory. When I was younger I didn’t see the need for fruit but I am so different now, night and day different. I can see that the pruning is working in my life.,

Fruits in Your Life

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

God loves us so much but he also wants to see us grow. He wants to see us more like himself. Seeing fruit in our lives. What are the fruits we should grow in? Love, joy, peace, forbearance, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Do we have love for others, even those that may not be easy to love. Do we put others before ourselves? Do we try to help those in need. Do we share Jesus with others so they can get to know him also. Do we have joy, because why would someone want Jesus if he doesn’t make us a better person. The kind of joy that helps us stand strong even when we may be going through hardships. Peace is a calm that helps you when others may not be treating you fairly or kindly. When someone yells at you, you don’t yell back but show compassion. Do you have patience when someone is trying to explain their problems and take those problems personally thinking with compassion and not impatience. A hard one is when someone is mentally challenged and can’t help themselves do you still respect them and treat them kindly. Not saying things about their difficulties. Being good to them when they do things that might irritate you, Helping them do things. Kindness is showing great affection for others or favor. Making someone feel special and dearly loved. We are all dearly loved by the Father and everyone deserves to be loved. Do we go out of our way to make their day better. Do we put others above ourselves making them feel important. Do you do what you say you will do. Do you have integrity. If you promise to be there are you there. Or do you make lots of excuses to get out of things. Do you take others feelings into consideration before you speak. Even when they may not care what you feel, Be nice anyway. Self control is such a big one. Nowadays people don’t see a need to have self control but they say and do whatever they want. Even if it’s not good for them or those around them. Are Jesus ways becoming our ways?

Our Own Way

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“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 1::17

Think of Jesus hanging on the cross willingly in pain and suffering emotionally and physically. Look into his eyes full of compassion. And consider that he was doing it for you.Think of all your mistakes and failures that he is carrying. They are all gone, totally wiped away with his selfless act. We need to think about everything we do because he is paying for them. Or better yet consider the day we stand at the judgment seat of Christ and explain our actions as we stare into his eyes. That careless word spoken, the anger and unforgiving attitude we carried, thinking about ourselves first. They may not be big mistakes but we will feel shame and remorse. We’ll wish we acted differently and could change things. Times we’ve hurt those we loved as well as those who did worse to us. But all our poor choices will hurt while we look on his face. Yes he has forgiven us and yes we still get to heaven but I don’t want regrets. I still can’t thank him near enough for all he has done. Every time I say thank you I feel like it will never be enough. But I just want to say thank you more often. It is never wasted time.

Responding to Life

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“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” James 5:13

There is a response for everything that God is looking for. If you have problems do you dwell on them and complain? Well they won’t get better if you complain, actually that’s telling God you aren’t talking care of me and you could do better. They don’t get better till you ask the one who knows how to change things and enjoys to. There are so many answers to prayer in the Bible, I always complained about things I had no control over. Saying things like, it’s not you God it’s them. Because I didn’t like the food that was prepared for me I would complain to anyone but God because how could he do anything about their menus. Well someone preached on complaining once and I felt convicted so my New Year’s resolution was to bite my tongue if I started to complain. Either pray or just don’t eat it and eat food I bought for backup. But I also thanked God for anything good I did have to eat. God gave mana and quail to the Israelites now I have restaurant quality food and plenty of it, I learned to dwell on the Lord and his goodness. Thankful, grateful people are happy people so I stop and say thank you for everything I can think of. Especially people in my life because people are what makes life worth living. I always wake to a praise song stuck in my head but that’s good because I can never say thank you enough for all God has done. I love to listen to praise music it lifts me up. Miriam sang praise when God parted the Red Sea, We are to rejoice always. God didn’t say that just once but many times because the joy of the Lord gives me strength and boy do I need it. The stories in the Bible aren’t just to fill a book they teach us Gods ways, Many miracles come from saying not today Satan, We don’t have to take it as Gods children, Just ask.because God can!

Yes Or No

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“do not swear-not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No”. Otherwise you will be condemned.” James 5:13

Have you ever known someone who just says whatever comes out of their mouths without thinking first. Sometimes in a nursing home people just say things and they are angry, hurting and disrespectful. They may not realize that words are very damaging and can bring death. They can be upset because they think someone isn’t being fair but many times there are laws or rules that have to be followed for the safety and wellbeing of them and of others. There are over 100 people living in this home and some have mental deficits to consider but have you ever really thought that you would be condemned for what you say? I know I don’t want to hurt someone else and especially have God condemn me for something I say. I can realize that foul language and cussing are wrong and offensive to others and to God and yes we should watch what we say. God is my boss and I am his servant and I want to make him proud and pleased with me. Have you ever started to say something and just felt that you shouldn’t say anything. Or maybe you think something is funny and it might offend the other person or maybe they say something that hurts you and they don’t realize it. Because they were raised differently. Tell the truth yes or no sometimes it’s as simple as that. A person who uses few words can be thought of as wise but someone who uses many words can look like a fool. Taming the tongue is not easy and for non Christian’s it isn’t normal. Or even considered necessary but it is God’s way. He loves everyone and does know that your words do affect what they think. Someone may say or do something that you don’t agree with but don’t judge them because we don’t agree with everything everyone does. Nobody is perfect even me and I try to be. By using God’s wisdom we can be better. So think before you speak.

Courageous

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‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Do you know who you are? When we are called we are given the authority to do everything we need to do. The highest King in any land has gone before me and given me the authority to represent him. Just like any king who delegate’s authority it’s as if the king himself is going. It’s as if he stamped a document with his ring and sent it with you to do whatever he commands. Legal and binding. If a king sent his son to do something people would jump to do his bidding. Well as a child of Gòd you are his son or daughter, He has commanded us to be strong and courageous because as his child it’s like God is going. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is living within us and all the power,wisdom and strength with authority is with us so we do have everything we need. We have already won because he always wins. We might need to muster the strength in our minds because our minds are battle fields but we’ve already won the war. You may think you can’t but you have overcome by the blood flowing through your veins that says, it is done. My Father says so! He doesn’t lie, As a soldier in the military your commanding officer is who you report to. If he says jump, you say, yes sir how high sir. You don’t think on your own, you just obey. Can you think of anyone who outranks God? We’ve been commanded to go make disciples of all nations and be strong and courageous while doing it because I am with you and I will tell you what to say. Any questions? You’ve been given the authority and the strength to use it so what are you waiting for?

Finishing The Race

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“However, I consider my life nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

I’m am retired and living in a nursing home. But I do have a job. My boss is God and he is a good boss and there are many fringe benefits. The most important task is to tell others of this great news and to be Jesus here in the dark world. Your actions speak a lot louder than you do. I know I speak softly and many people have a hard time hearing and understanding me. I wish I could speak to more people but I can write. I currently write a blog of Christian encouragement and send out devotions to several people because I can’t keep quiet about the amazing God I serve. My life really doesn’t matter that much anymore and my problems are just temporary and not worth complaining about. I want to speak positively to whoever I can speak to. I also wish to keep my focus on all God is doing in my life. So much is happening behind the scenes in the spiritual realm that should not be missed. Another big task is to love others with the love of Jesus. He not only loved those around him he was willing to die so they wouldn’t have to and God has forgiven them of everything if they believe in his precious son. When you are a child of God you couldn’t have a better Father. He blesses the sinner as well as his own kids. But he loves to spoil his own children best. Always making sure they have everything they need. Like wisdom, strength, and joy unspeakable. So we can do the job he has given us the best we possibly can. And bring many more brothers and sisters into our amazing family.

Amazing God

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“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2

God is simply amazing. The more I get to know him the more I am overwhelmed with his awesome power. There is nothing he can’t do or overcome. He is already there where my mind just can’t fathom his ways. I think, “Now what are you going to do?” And you know what? He amazes me once again. His ways are perfect and he knows what is best for everyone involved. Just their specific needs. I went through most of my life just knowing about him but not really knowing him personally and boy I missed out on so much. It was only after I almost died from a massive stroke that I really wanted to know more. Most of my life I believed the God of the bible existed but I didn’t know that much and just lived my life. Not the life he had for me. What a wasted life. I really had to think about what I believed. Really analyzing what that meant. Reading the words of the Bible from cover to cover and pondering each detail and it just blew me away. I knew the stories but the feasibility of the stories was awesome. And I couldn’t get enough. I didn’t want to miss out anymore and wanted no regrets from 2013 on. I drew a line in the sand, so to speak, no going back for me. There is Nothing impossible for God and nothing impossible for me if I just believe it. WOW that is amazing and I will never underestimate God again. I can now see through the eyes of faith but I’ll admit that there were trials getting there, but it was worth it all the way. God is definitely the rock on which I stand. It is a sure and solid foundation and I don’t want to be anywhere else.