Being In Position For God To Bless Us.........

“We need to learn to enjoy where we are while we are on our way to where we are going.” ~Joyce Meyer~ How do we do that? Pastor Jeff’s sermon series “Patience with God” has caused me to start praying about that very thing. Here’s what I’ve come up with. In my humble opinion…

I Peter 5:6 Amp “Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,”

A humble person will not display an impatient attitude with their circumstances. A prideful person thinks so highly of himself; he can’t be inconvenienced, therefore, can’t wait patiently. This often comes with maturity. We learn to humble ourselves as we grow up spiritually and in years. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. We can draw on that fruit instead of the deeds of the flesh like the devil wants us to.

The phrase “lower yourselves in your own estimation” doesn’t mean to think badly of yourselves. It simply means “don’t think you can solve all your problems on your own.” Instead of pridefully taking matters into our own hands, we need to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand trusting Him to know when the time is right. Only God has the answer to our circumstances.

Colossians 3:12 Amp “Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].”

This verse tells me how I am to behave in all kinds of situations. This is the perfect definition of patience; which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper. It is also humility. The complete opposite of being prideful. This is a high standard and who hasn’t fallen short of it? Thank you, Father God, that we can come to you and receive forgiveness through your Son. We can repent and start over. Each day is a new start. Hallelujah!

Pastor Jeff said we may not like our circumstances in life right now. It’s not where we planned it to be. It is at these moments in time we need to pause and be conscious of what it is that God is trying to work in us through these circumstances. He didn’t put it on us. We should always remind ourselves that most of our problems are from choices we made. We thought we were smart enough to do things without asking Him for guidance.

“God created us to be worshipers, but sin draws us into everything else but worship.” ~AW Tozer~ Our authority in Christ comes out of our relationship with God. A close intimate personal relationship with Him. That is what He is waiting on. He wants us to walk hand in hand with Him daily. He wants us to be so attuned to Him that the things of the world no longer have an attraction for us. That’s when God moves on our behalf, and if it’s not quick? Being in His presence is so awesome that takes away the frustration!

Hope you all have a wonderful season of celebrating the birth of the One who made our walk with God possible.

God Bless!!

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. Psalm 42:11 MSG

Listening to all of my Pastors' sermons lately, I wanted to share the following thoughts about waiting on answers to prayer, patience with God, and being delivered from the dump; about praising the Lord during those times it’s the hardest to praise Him. We have to make a decision to worship our Father God no matter what our circumstances look like. It is a quality decision we make; not feelings we go by.

Psalm 42:11 “But, O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!”

The soul is our mind, will, and emotions. We need to get them to line up with what the Word of God says about our situation. EXPECT God to act on our behalf and know that we have plenty of reason to praise Him. Think of what He has done for us already, and what He will manifest on our behalf in the future. We believe from the standpoint of the cross and the finished work of Jesus Christ. We aren’t trying to grasp something that’s unattainable. This is in God’s Will if it’s in God’s Word. It was completed for us over two thousand years ago. Find out what the Word of God says about your circumstances, and stand on the Word.

I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. (Psalm 138:2, NLT).

Pause and think of what that verse is saying. His promises are backed by all the honor of His Name. When the Lord our God promises to do something they are backed up by His Name. If the Holy Spirit quickens a promise in the Word of God to you, it will come to pass. Let’s learn to praise and worship Him while we wait.

• When we are discouraged, praise and worship reminds us that there is hope, peace, and rest in God.
• When we are afraid, praise and worship reminds us that no matter what happens God is there for us.
• When we are lost, praise and worship reminds us that God provided the way, the truth, and the light.
• When we are confused, praise and worship reminds us that Heaven is not in a panic over what’s happening.
• When we are sick, praise and worship reminds us that Jesus paid it all that we may walk in health.

Love the Message version of Psalm 42:11 it says: “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.”

Pastor Jacob taught we have been redeemed from the “garbage dumps”! We get into the Word (Jesus is the Living Word), it comes alive in our spirit man, and produces the Kingdom of God in our lives. We have the nine fruit of the Spirit in our spirit man when we are born again. (As he said it is a mystery.) We have righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. May these all be yours in abundance during your season of waiting on God

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.Psalm 86:11 NIV

I started out with saying there are five things reverential fear produces in our lives as we sit at the feet of our Lord.  Here are the last two points and the final post. You can go to http://myvictorylife.tv/sherman/  to see where this three part blog has been posted.  It is my church's website. 

 4. He gives us strength and victory.

 Psalm 33:17- 20 Amp

 17) A horse is devoid of value for victory; neither does he deliver any by his great power. 18.) Behold, the Lord’s eye is upon those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe], who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness, 19) To deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20) Our inner selves wait [earnestly] for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield.

 Verse 22 says: Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.

 We can do nothing in our own strength. Only from God comes the strength and empowerment to do the tasks He has called us to perform in this life. Sometimes we get so busy “doing” that we forget to sit at the feet of Jesus. When we wait upon the Lord we regain strength and energy to do what He’s called us to do. He may speak to us in that small still voice and give us different direction. Only by being in His presence can we wait and see what He has for us. He is our help and shield in times of trouble. We can rest knowing His eye is upon us (vs 18).

 5. He gives us our desires and confirms His Word to us.

 Psalm 119:38 Amp

 Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant, which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You.

 Psalm 145:19 Amp

 He will fulfill the desires of those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them.

 Our Father God is faithful to us. He will fulfill the desires of our heart as we reverently fear and worship Him. He puts the desire in our heart as we are in His presence. Then He will manifest the desire in our lives. We do our part by slowing down and getting in His presence. He will be faithful and do His part.

 We can not put Him in a box. This is not a teaching of how-to’s. Our Father God is so very awesome. He wants us to come to His throne room and spend time with Him, because in His presence is fullness of joy. 

 There is one other scripture I want to share. It is found in Psalm 86: 11-12 Amp

 11) Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name. 12) I will confess and praise You, O Lord my God, with my whole (united) heart; and I will glorify Your name forevermore.

 My prayer for myself and everyone reading this is that we have a united heart to reverently fear and worship the Lord. I pray that we are not lukewarm Christians. May we not let the things of this world steal into our hearts, and take away from the pure love, reverence, and awe we have for our Father God. May we have the love for Him that we had when we were first saved and delivered from darkness into His glorious light. Amen.

Reverential Fear of the Lord- Five things "reverential fear" produces in our lives as we sit at the feet of our Lord...Part II

Continued...

2. Consecration from sin; we depart from and avoid evil.

II Corinthians 7:1 Amp

THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.

Proverbs 16:6 Amp

By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God—not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil.

As we have been in God’s presence, and His glory is in us and on us the desire to sin leaves. We don't have the desire to live the way we did any longer. God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is so complete for us to walk in this world. The Father had the plan of redemption. The Son carried out the plan so that we can walk victorious in this world. The Holy Spirit is here daily for you and I to call upon. He lives inside us and is called alongside. He’s our comforter, our teacher, our helper, and our guide. He is the one that will usher us into the presence of Jesus who is seated at the right hand of our Father God. Hallelujah!

3. Revelation knowledge and wisdom

Psalm 25:12-14 Amp

Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose 13) He himself shall dwell at ease, and his offspring shall inherit the land. 14) The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship]of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.

He wants to give us revelation knowledge of His Word. When it is a living word from God then it produces life in us! We are changed and the people around us will notice it and ask us what is different about you? We are able to share what the Lord is doing in our hearts with others, because we are spending time with Him.

Reverential Fear of the Lord- Five things "reverential fear" produces in our lives as we sit at the feet of our Lord.- Part I

I believe the awe of our Father God produces such a reverential fear of the Lord in our hearts that as we humble ourselves to Him and seek His presence continually, He will give us the wisdom we need for the trials of this life. This is something that we must do diligently. It takes discipline to get alone with our Father God. For us to sit before Him and wait for His voice to speak to us is a difficult task for most people. This is something we must do, however, to be transformed into the image of His Son.

Five things reverential fear produces in our lives as we sit at the feet of our Lord.

1. Peace in our hearts and lives.

Acts 9 :31 Amp   

So the church throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was edified [growing in wisdom, virtue, and piety] and walking in the respect and reverential fear of the Lord and in the consolation and exhortation of the Holy Spirit, continued to increase and was multiplied.


Proverbs 85:8-9 ESV
I will listen to you, Lord God, because you promise peace
to those who are faithful and no longer foolish. You are ready to rescue everyone who worships you, so that you will live with us in all of your glory.

The Lord will give us peace of mind and peace in our homes when we have been in His presence. The things of this world won’t seem so important to us any longer. He will live with us in all His glory!
 

Vines dictionary definition of fear in Acts 9:31 (and most verses used) is phobos. It means reverential fear of God as a controlling motive of the life in matters spiritual and moral, not a mere fear of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him, a fear which banishes the terror that shrinks from His presence.

(Vines) A comprehensive phrase: The reverential fear of God will inspire a constant carefulness in dealing with others in His fear.
 

*This is the first of the five things the reverential fear of the Lord produces in our lives.  Stay tune for the other four things!  You can also find these posted at this website:  (you may need to copy and paste into the browser)

http://myvictorylife.tv/sherman/

 

Therefore thus says the Lord: "If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. Jeremiah 15:19 ESV

The Holy Spirit quickened this verse to me after the worthless words coming out of my mouth.  Murmuring and complaining. Words that don't profit.  Oh Lord, please forgive me and let me remember this before I open my mouth again!  You are telling me in the last verses of Jeremiah 15:19-21 the spiritual forces that are fighting against me. You have delivered me out of their hand.  But I must return. Again. You will restore me. Again. If I utter what is precious and not what is worthless.  Thank you, Lord for your forgiveness and your grace and mercy!

Oh, how many times have I had to guard my thoughts and my mind against the snares of the enemy!  He comes in like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  What a liar he is and a deceiver!  Thank you sweet Lord for your light that shines in darkness. Thank you for showing us when we are walking a path that leads to destruction.

Jeremiah 15:19-21 ESV:

Therefore thus says the Lord:
"If you return, I will restore you,
and you shall stand before me.
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
you shall be as my mouth.
They shall turn to you,
but you shall not turn to them.
And I will make you to this people
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you,
but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you
to save you and deliver you,
declares the Lord.I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless." 

The words of my mouth is so important to what is being sown in my life.  Father God I ask you to help me be very aware of this on a daily basis.  Forgive me and I pluck up the seeds that have been sown and in the mighty Name of Jesus plant a new field of seeds.  Thank you, Father that you help me be aware of what is being said minute by minute, hour by hour. 


The devil is just waiting to see what kind of ground we will give him with the words of our mouths.  I can now just laugh out loud at the devil, because he's the loser not me!!  The Holy Spirit is my teacher and my comforter.  He has shown me where I've gotten off track.  Father God has corrected me and I repent and ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus.

 Philippians 2:14-16 says,"Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."  NIV

This was written in about 10 minutes.  When the Holy Spirit does the writing it is good.  It was about midnight and I woke up this morning and corrected a couple of things.  This is how I like to write.  Have a blessed day my friends.  Let the words of your mouth be a blessing to others.  Love you!

“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:5 (TNIV)

Those that look to our Father God's face are never put to shame.  If I seek His presence in every circumstance and His wisdom for every need I will never be covered with shame. That is an awesome promise.

There are times we will stumble and fall.  There will be time we feel "shame" perhaps for something we did or even thought, but we will never, ever be covered in shame, if we do what the rest of Psalm 34 says to do.  It seems to be self-explanatory to me.  How about you?

Psalm 34-TNIV

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.

2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed are those who take refuge in him.

9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.

14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers them from them all;

20 he protects all their bones,
not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord redeems his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. 

Well, I think the writer of this Psalm says it extremely well!  The Holy Spirit has been telling me lately to get into the Word and meditate upon it!  This is where He lives and breathes.  This is His thoughts and life to us!  If we will live in HIM, we will NEVER be ashamed, because Jesus already bore that for us on the cross. It is finished. 

And......

John 1:14 NIV

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  I thank you Jesus for your grace and truth that has set me free!

Another favorite verse that I keep meditating on is Psalm 119:32 (TNIV)  "I run in the paths of your commands, for you have set my heart free."   I continue to come back to this verse!  How wonderful it is to run (not sedately walk) freely in the Word of God!!! Woot! Woot!  Joyously free to meditate and walk in love toward one another. Set free to do what He commands us to do in the Kingdom.   Let's don't get too comfortable in our Church groups and Christian groups.  Let's be fisher of men as we were commanded!  WE are those nets He wants to use to bring in the unsaved into The Kingdom of God....Sooo make some adjustments and cast on the other side of the boat when He tells you to! ;) 

John 21:6 NIV

"He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."

Psalm 103:1-5, "O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing! He forgives your sins-every one. He heals your diseases-every one. He redeems you from hell-saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy-a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness-beauty eternal. He renews your youth-you're always young in his presence."(MSG)

The week of Jubilee marks the end of a year at our Church. It is an awesome week of speakers that bring a message that the Holy Spirit has placed in their hearts to share.  There was a Woman's Meeting on Monday/Tuesday then on Thursday/Friday a Leadership Conference.  This week has been wonderfully full of His blessings to all who attended.  It was physically tiring but so very rewarding!!

Tuesday's meeting ended in praising the Lord, and Barbara Murrell had us all join hands as we sang a song of praise to our Lord.  There was a phrase in this song, "Name above all names" that we sang over again and again.  As we did the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said this:  I have healed you from everything the doctors have diagnosed or spoken over you.  Every name on the list you carry with you to make it easier for the specialists you go see in Dallas. (Or in case of an emergency.)  I have healed you so walk in it!  I received that healing with tears running down my face and my heart racing on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.  I had already done so for some things.  But this was for ALL things!!! So begins the walking it out!

I've already started a process of not taking some of the medication and get to tell one specialist next Thursday.  It suppresses my immune system.  If I even have a simple cold, I should not take the weekly medication, because it could turn into pneumonia.  This is not a medication I want to take for the rest of my life!  I've been assured that there will be no reaction from the enemy regarding symptoms from my not taking this medication!  (Having to do with hearing loss.)  Thank you, Jesus!  Walking it out by faith...Amen!  By His stripes I am healed!   1Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5, and 3 John 1:2.

God bless.

" I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:32 TNIV

I absolutely love this verse. It describes what my Father God has done in my heart.  I want to  "run in the path of His commands"  because my heart has been set free from so much!  It astonishes me every time I think about what God has done for me.  He has set me free from so much bondage.  It's  amazing how much I've forgotten about!  I'm a new creation, old things have passed away I have been born again. (Remember that song from the 70-80's?  I was redeemed, set free, and delivered in 1977.)

This week has been the week of Jubilee at our church an end of a year. We've had 4 speakers thus far. Each one so very different. Plus we've had two days of Women's Ministry. Whew!  The Holy Spirit has ministered to my heart in such a special way.  What will be shaken is being shaken loose until all that's left belongs to God's Kingdom.

Hebrews 12: TNIV

27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
29 for our “God is a consuming fire."

I thank my Father God that he is a loving God.  He is merciful and just to us who believe in Him.  But He is shaking all the stuff that isn't of His Kingdom out of our lives.  So don't be so quick to rebuke the devil...it may be God dealing with you.  He has shown me some things to act upon..So I'll be running in the paths of His commands, so my heart will remain free!!  How about you?

Romans 15:13 ESV

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Amen- So be it!

Blessings to you and yours.

"They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; " Revelations 12:11

This is a follow up to the previous post regarding being set free from vertigo.  This goes further than being set free and healed from the "dreaded" vertigo.  I was also set free from a spirit of fear and confusion. When the Lord does something He does it in a big way!  The enemy of our soul knows our Father wants us to walk in divine health and freedom in all areas, so he will lie to us and do everything he can to keep us from living free.

Every time God wants to do something in our life demons, principalities of darkness, satan's minions will come against us and lie to us.  "You can't do that",  "The last time you tried that remember what happened?", "Meniere's was just in remission it's not healed see you have vertigo, roaring in the ears, and see how tired you are?  Etc, etc, etc!"  If you dwell on these thoughts instead of what God's Word says about them and don't speak out loud what God says about them you will be passively in agreement with the devil. We must aggressively bind the enemy off our minds!  And quote the word of God over it. 

Joshua 1:
7 "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."   Joshua goes on to tell the people they are going to cross the Jordan to possess the land the Lord their God has given them. (vs 11)

We have the New Covenant to meditate on day and night.  Our Lord lives within us and He will never leave us or forsake us.  We still have to keep our gaze straight on Him and not let it turn to the right or the left. There are too many distractions that the enemy will try to get our attention off our divine walk with the Lord. Whatever we need to go in and possess our land is given to us through the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us.  We have inherited the Kingdom of God and there are "squatters" on our land that need to be dispossessed!  We own the land and need to go in and kick them out with the authority that Jesus has given us.  

This goes into every area of our lives not just healing. When God has called us to step up and do something, fear will come against us. But if we go ahead and do it praying through the fear...even if it's done with fear and trembling at first, we win a victory over the enemy.  It may be a very small beginning or small step of faith.  If we open up ourselves to obey Jesus and humble ourselves to do what He has called us to do, our faith will be built by how God will answer the prayer and the fear will leave as we keep going forward.  The enemy will  hit us with that spirit of fear to try and keep us from doing anything that will give glory to God. We have to keep on praying and resisting the lies against our minds and believing God.

I have been healed from vertigo and will never have it again!  Every time I have told people that when asked how I am feeling, I feel the strength flow into my body.  Now for the next step in possessing the land of my inheritance...listening to the Holy Spirit on how to proceed.  All the symptoms  in my body must go.  My body must function the way God created it to function.  The "squatters" must leave and some have been there a long time. They have dug in, but I have inherited the land from my Father God.  So, they have no choice but to leave in the name of Jesus.  The name that is above every name that can be named.  Hallelujah!  The giants are as grasshoppers! 


"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

Amen- so be it.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor10:4-5)

For the first time in over two years the enemy attacked my physical body with vertigo. A symptom of the old diagnosis of Meniere's.  For eight days I had to take medication for these symptoms to enable me to function.  I was binding the enemy.  Telling him he was a liar. I am healed by the stripes of Jesus. Standing on the Word of God. Doing the right things. BUT in my heart there was fear this would go on for weeks as it had done it the past.  If you have never had disabling vertigo....the kind that is room spinning, throwing your toenails up, and hanging on for dear life kind of vertigo you won't understand what I mean.  Also, the roaring of a freight train in your ear and not being able to hear.

We had obligations over Mother's Day weekend and it is a five hour drive. God in His mercy helped me do well on the drive.....medicated.  The medication had me so drugged that I had to repent for not confessing His Word the way I should have around the family. (They don't believe the way we do about spiritual warfare and confession.)  Everyone could see I was "off" with the way I had to take medication and lay down.  My brother-in-law is a doctor so I spoke my symptoms to the doctor in the family. (As those closest to me know, I don't suffer quietly in the natural.) Instead of keeping quiet, praying, and speaking the solutions to the situation.  I am healed by the stripes Jesus bore on the cross for me. (I am redeemed from the curse of the law. (read Deuteronomy 28) In Gal.3:13 it says,  "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"   When I got home Sunday I renewed my battle and confession.

The Holy Spirit also gave me a scripture in Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that." MSG  and the  NIV says  "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." ANY kind of fear is disabling.  It binds the hands of God and His ministering angels to go to work on our behalf. He gave us authority over the power of the enemy.  He has the power we don't, but we have the authority!  We have to take up that authority and start walking in it....not in our own power in the one that lives within us.


Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of 2 Cor. 10:4-5 (above title). AND 2 Timothy 1:7  "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  I looked at that in all the versions but I just love the way it is in King James.  When I realized that there was a spirit of fear attacking me...I just started laughing. (A few years back the devil tried this and I thought I was literally losing my mind! So this was not going to work!)  God has given me a SOUND mind.  I have His power living inside me through what Jesus Christ did on the cross for ME.  The Love of God is unconditional and unmeasurable!  Every time now that thoughts come against me that is against what His word says about the situation I will NOT believe it and quickly let it be known with my MOUTH!

I've been symptom free since Tuesday.  My husband drove me to Frisco due to obligations I had to keep children for several days, and I did take 1/2 the dosage of medication early Wednesday morning for the drive down, but nothing since.  I am singing the praises of my Lord.   He is so very faithful to us.  He keeps His covenant with us and it is for all eternity!

Jeremiah 17:5 says:

This is what the Lord says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord."  

I believe God has given us doctors and medication to treat symptoms. But we must trust in Him and His Covenant for total health and healing.  We can't forget where our redemption comes from.

Isaiah 58:11 says:

The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

Amen, so be it.  Be blessed dear friends that read my blog. It's from my heart.

He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my Fathers; you have given me power, you have made known to me what we asked of you....Daniel 2:21b-23a

There have been countless times I've asked God to shine His light on a situation in my children's life as they were growing up. He has never failed to answer.  It's been amazing.  We have the privilege to come boldly to His throne room to receive mercy and grace in our time of need.  He gave it freely with wisdom we needed  and the light to walk in the dark areas.

Sometimes what the light exposed wasn't a pleasant thing.  Just as what the light exposes in the dark areas of my heart is not pleasant.  But when we prayed and honestly confronted it the way God told us to, there was godly sorrow and repentance on the kids part and often by us.  That's what we as parent's want and that's what our father God wants.

Lord shine your light on my heart and show me anything hidden in darkness that is not pleasing to you.   Your word says you oppose the proud but give grace to the humble.  I humble myself to you O Lord. For you alone are worthy!  Thank you for what you are doing in my heart and my life.  Each and every day is new and exciting!

Amen-So Be It!

'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.'Jeremiah 33:3 Msg

Resolving to not walk as the world walks, to be different so others  notice it and ask, 'what is it about you?'  Then to tell them of the hope that lives within me. The culture we live in is so easy to fall into, if we don't put up a guard to our heart and mind.  We are in this world but not of it, if we have Christ living in us.

There are so many things to entice and draw us away from the Christian life: advertizements/billboards, TV, magazines, radio, etc.  The word "resolve" keeps coming up in conversations, bible studies, and from our pastor. Webster's definition of resolve 1) to reach a firm decision about 2) fixity of purpose.  Guess the Holy Spirit is trying to get my attention, because every time I hear that word something inside me leaps.  I believe we must resolve to be fixed on the author and finisher of our faith.(Hebrews 12:2)  During these times on this earth He is doing a work in the hearts of His believers and wants us to walk in purity of heart before Him.

1 John 5: 4-5 MSG  says, "Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God."  Makes it sound very simple.  It is a daily walk with me humbling myself, my wants, my desires to do what I want and asking Him what does He want me to do this day?  We may not do it at first, but the One that lives inside us will never give up "wooing" us to that calling to walk higher with Him.


In Ephesians 6:10-18 it speaks of our spiritual warfare and our weapons. Verse 12 says, "This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the devil and all his angels." (MSG) We are to put on the different pieces of God's armor in order to do warfare against the enemy of our soul.  He gives his angels assignments to destroy God's children.  He hates God.  We are the body of Christ on this earth that he takes aim against.  God delegated His authority to us and the devil hates it. (God's power/man's authority.)  


In years past some of  the choices I made were not good. AND I am talking about since becoming a Christian.  In some cases, we have had to reap a harvest, and in other cases God plucked the weeds up in His divine mercy.   All of them are engraved upon my heart so that I won't make those choices again.  I resolve to make Godly choices.  The kind that set me apart from the worldly culture we live in called America.  

"Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." Matthew 6:33 MSG

My prayer is that God shines His light on any darkness in my heart and He shows me how to walk in this world.


That's it, be blessed.

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." Psalm 63:3,5 NIV

The "Living Beyond Yourself" Bible Study by Beth Moore is coming to an end.  The last fruit, self control, was awesome.  This study has truly produced much fruit in my heart.  I am very excited about what is going on in my walk with the Lord.  We will be watching some teaching sessions called "The Inheritance" by Beth. These are not a bible study with lessons but have a booklet with notes to take during the session.  I started a bible study on the book of Daniel with a group of friends.  It has been incredible thus far.  I'm actually playing catch up, and looking forward to the sessions each Thursday.  I've become so hungry for the word of God and know this is the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart.  He is truly doing a new thing.

One thing I've noticed since being in these bible studies is I haven't been watching TV at night.  J.T. doesn't really care about television at all.  He is on the computer.  That works out great and our house is blessedly quiet without the noise of the television. Working on getting some Christian music so I can sing along when everyone is at work.

The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about the lack of self control in these areas this week.  Every week He spoke about something to me. Gentleness had to do with submitting to him and I've included this in this post.

•  Start the day off with the Lord by rising early in the morning. (In order to do this must go to bed earlier.)
• Put a watch on my mouth.  What goes out of it and what goes in it would be pleasing to the Lord. Too much information is inappropriate and doesn't glorify Him. (Bottom line it.) "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." (Proverbs 17:27-28)
• Eating at certain times of the day, even when I am not hungry. This is a cultural thing. "I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but I will not be mastered by anything."(I Cor. 6:12)
• The difference in wanting something and needing something.  Using wisdom in buying things.  In other words, don't spend money if don't need to.  (Matt. 6:32-34)
• Work on being a better housewife. Cooking, cleaning, organizing,serving family etc. ( Pro 31)
• Continue to limit the television time and spend that time with the Lord.   "My eyes are ever on the Lord,for only he will release my feet from the snare." (Ps 25:15)

I had to go get my glasses adjusted the other day. It was 2pm and I had not eaten all day so was looking for a place to grab a bite.  Then I realized that I wasn't even hungry!   I was going to spend money on food that I didn't even need.  Why?  Just because it was past time for me to eat!?  The Holy Spirit stopped me short and impressed upon me how many times have you spent money on food in the fast food chains when you really weren't that hungry? Not being a good steward of money.

In a nutshell I think what I am suppose to do is:  Rid me of self.  Humble myself before the Lord.  Seek Him on a daily basis.  Seek Him early in the morning.  Listen to what He has to say to me.  Repent of my sin and be cleansed, yield to Him and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then comes the fruit of the spirit.

Lord I pray:

• to Love
• to experience Joy
• to know Peace
• to express Patience
• to possess Kindness
• to respond in Goodness
• to be Faithful, Gentle and Submissive to His Will, restrained and under control. (Beth Moore)

This is a  prayer that I choose to pray on a daily basis.  Since starting the book of Daniel study, God's worked together with the fruit study and I am sooooo excited! Just like Daniel proved his God was the only one true God to the kings and the people while he was taken captive, so can we while we are in this world but not of this world. His way is the only way to live.  There is no turning back to Egypt so to speak.....

We are chosen to live in "Babylon" even as Daniel and his three friends were.  America is our "Babylon" and the philosophy is not so very different in many ways. We are a people that have everything at their fingertips.  We can have immediate gratification.  My point is this:  We as Christians are sent to America by the Lord, we are to be like Daniel and his three friends here. Standing up for our God.  Doing what is right consistently in His sight. (This is true, of course, wherever we live as my missionaries friends are doing.)  We are captives to America (just like Daniel) until Jesus returns, or He moves us to another country.  My brain is being stretched in this study of Daniel, because of the prophecies and we have only just begun!

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. " (John 17:16-18)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." -Isaiah 43:18-19

It seems like I've been stumbling a long here lately thinking I am heading in the right direction only to come to a stop and then start in another direction.  Finally I am stopping and sitting before the Lord and asking for direction.  About time, huh?  I've been eager to help at church. There was direction from the Lord to work in one area. Therefore, thought I was suppose to do something else, but not having much peace doing that.  So, guess what?  I get to humble myself and go disengage myself from the situation.   Have you ever done that?  Get excited about what the Lord is doing and just take the ball and run with it when He really wanted you to take it one step at a time asking Him for direction each step?  Just be still and rest in Him instead of running around trying to meet a need?  We are studying the fruit of faithfulness this week!  Humiliating to say the least.

 Our "Living Beyond Yourself" Bible Study last week was on goodness and kindness.  Beth Moore said, "We have a need to be of benefit to others."  I like to think that is what motivated some of the choices I've made lately.   The kindness of God is His tender loving kindness toward me no matter what I do.  As a nurturing Father, He will always show His love to me.  His goodness toward me will also discipline, train, correct, and rebuke me through the Word of God and when necessary other brothers and sisters in the Lord.  We sometimes will be called upon to correct someone for their good in a spirit of kindness and gentleness.  If you've walked with the Lord very long, you've had occasion to do this and have this done to you.  It isn't pleasant on either end.  Hebrews 12:11 says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

This week I've been doing the lessons on the fruit of faithfulness.  God's faithfulness is something that is understood by me.  He has been so very faithful and good to me that it is something I never question.  God is faithful, period.  He is faithful to keep His promises to me.  He does not lie nor change His mind. (Numbers 23:19)  It is my faithfulness to Him that comes into question.  If I am filled with the Holy Spirit, the fruit of 'faithfulness' will grow in my life.

Hebrews 11:6 says,  "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."   This is after the verses talking about Enoch.  Gen. 5:24 says, "Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."   This really caught my attention.  There isn't much said about Enoch.  He was the father of Methuselah and lived to be 300.  The King James Version says...."And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."   Wow, God really rewarded Enoch!  Enoch believed He existed because he walked with God.  My heart's desire is to walk with God so closely that I know what He wants me to do in any given situation. 

Okay, I believe God exists!  That part is easy for me because of who He is in my life. Now I must earnestly seek Him on a daily basis. I looked up the word earnest in the Webster's dictionary.  It means: 1) A serious and intent mental state. 2) a. Characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind. b. Grave. Important. This is grave.  It should be my number one priority!  I have found that as I get my priorities in line everything else lines up.



I want God to say to me when I do get to Heaven "Well done thou good and faithful servant."  Enoch accomplished what he was called to do on this earth and God took him.  I haven't accomplished what I've been called to do because I'm still here.  I want to know 1) what that is and 2) get it done before I leave this earth.  So, for me personally, I am going to earnestly seek Him, walk with Him, and do what He tells me to do while I am on this earth.  I will make mistakes. Thank you, Lord, for your goodness and mercy to me. He has already forgiven me for them!!  He knows ahead of time the temptations, failures, and successes.  The choices I've made and will make-- good and bad.  He knows it all.  Praying for better decisions in the future, because I'm earnestly seeking the Father's will for my daily walk. He is my number one priority!  

I hope I can also say:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."  2 Timothy 4:7-8

Grace and peace to you and yours.

“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please Him and be truly holy” (Ephesians 4:22-23).

Patience is the fruit of the spirit we were studying this past week. I have spent most of the weekend on my face before the Lord.  A most humbling experience and one of repentance. The Holy Spirit is helping me get rid of the junk in my heart one step at a time.  I love and hate it. Discipline is not pleasant for the moment, but it does produce peace.  So very thankful that I am a daughter of God and He loves me!

In the previous post I had said my wallet was stolen.  Imagine my joy and chagrin when a lady from the Subway in Durant called me to say they had found my wallet!  Isn't it funny how God takes care of foolish people?  I was even more confused by the circumstances surrounding when the wallet was found. Confusion is a work of the enemy and I have had to repent of so many things this week! Where there is confusion there is every evil work.  The Lord has shown me my heart and it wasn't a pretty sight.  Thank you, Father God, for Your forgiveness, grace, patience,and mercy toward me.  It is new every morning...I should say every moment!  :)

I decided to stop working with the kids. My back and neck are hurting too badly to work at this time.  It is sad because my heart is toward the kiddos.  Love them very much.  Will miss them all and the people at work.  There are times and seasons in our lives and we do have "teachable moments".   If we humble ourselves, learn from each experience and trust that we were there for a reason. I believe God's in control of everything and everybody that comes across my path no matter how short the time may be.

Patience.  Boy, have I failed in showing this fruit today. Only by God's grace does it manifest in my heart!  My husband went to Walmart twice this weekend to pick up a Rx for me.  It was wrong both times. Even after we asked it to be corrected.  This seems to be a continuous thorn in the side for me.  I've requested "automatic updates" on a couple of my prescriptions.  Somehow, that doesn't happen.  The doctor offices never gets the faxes when I need refills.  One thing after another.   (The Holy Spirit is testing me to see if I will walk in love toward Walmart Pharmacy.)  However, they are the cheapest in town!!  We save a bunch of money.  So, I am going to pray through and quit letting this get to me, in the Name of Jesus.  He is a God of grace and mercy and this can happen!

The Hebrew word for patience in Galatians 5:22 is makrothumia and it means "long-suffering toward others inspired by mercy".  The opposite meaning word is krino which means "to pass judgment upon, condemn, take vengeance on".   The lesson that had me on my face before God was this one.  She was telling how Jesus often taught on opposites.  It is on forgiveness and not judging one another because that which we judge in another we do ourselves.  She used scripture after scripture and the Holy Spirit really ministered to me.

One scripture that stood out to me was in 2 Samuel 24:14 "I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands."  The question was:  What was David's attitude toward judgment after he sinned? Answer:  He wanted God's judgment (he was given 3 choices of punishment in vs 13), because he knew His mercy is always great toward him, but that man would be unmerciful.  How true.  The Lord's mercy is new every morning and I am so very thankful that I have received it abundantly on a daily basis!

This verse wasn't in the Bible Study but it has always stayed with me....  it is in James 2:13.   " Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment."  Whew!  Lord, I want to walk in mercy and Your grace.  Help me to do this on a daily basis by your fruit of the spirit growing in my spirit man.  I must be filled with the Holy Spirit to do this.  Prayed up and my mind focused on Him.

The thing is  I had just gotten up off the floor, so to speak about another issue when the Walmart thing came about.  Back down on the floor again.  Isn't God good?  Hahahaha.  Oh yeah. I know He will continue to show me wonderful and not so wonderful things.  Some will be humbling but they will produce a harvest of love, joy, peace, patience.... and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit.

Next week's lesson is kindness and goodness....looking forward to it.  I hope it won't be as rough as this week has been!  I think....:)

God Bless each of you that take the time to read this.

Debbie

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

God is my peace in every situation so long as I keep my focus on Him.  Why do we let ourselves get caught up in the circumstances that surround us?  It has been hard the past six weeks.  Don't know what or why the confusion, hostility, and rejection has hit so hard.  Every week I have been able to draw upon that week's lesson in the Women's Bible Study. (It seems as though things happen just so I can use the fruit we are studying!)  This week it was on peace.  I truly needed His peace to sustain me through the circumstances I found myself going through.

My wallet was stolen. My back & neck were hurting badly.  It seemed the enemy was coming at me to steal my peace, my finances, and my health. BUT God is still in control.  What the enemy has meant for evil, God will turn it around for His glory.  I have seen that happen again and again in my life.  So, I have not lost my joy or my peace that passes all understanding!

Brother Duane taught on discerning the body of Christ and it was awesome.  He made a comment that really blessed me.  When we are persecuted Christ takes it personally.  Isn't that good?  I don't have to worry about any of this "stuff" that is happening around me.  Christ is taking care of it for me.  He knows all about it.  As long as I humble myself to Him, and I discern the body of Christ, honor them the way he commanded me to, he will take care of the situations for me.  Thank you, Lord Jesus.

We started this study in January and so far we have studied love, joy and peace. Next week we study patience. Hupomone is "perseverance, endurance, and bearing up under difficult things or circumstances inspired by a beneficial expectation."  Oh boy!  Appreciate your prayers!

God Bless you and yours.

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." Philemon 7

Isn't that a wonderful verse?  I would love that to be said about me wouldn't you?  The love we show refreshes and gives joy and encouragement to others.  When we meet with fellow believers we should be a joy to each other.  Isn't it refreshing to be around joyful people?  Below are a few scriptures that I'd like to share.

Nehemiah 8:10b   "....the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Are you tired or depressed about something?  The joy of the Lord is your strength!  I have prayed this verse many, many times and God has been faithful to bring me out of depression.)

Psalm 16:11   "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."   Also in John 15:11 it says, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."   How  wonderful to know that Jesus joys in us!  He has made my joy complete.  If I get in His presence, He will fill me with joy.  Praise God.

The Joy of restoration.  I have been restored to joy in my life numerous times and it always is such a wondrous thing to me.  God is so very faithful to us. 

Jeremiah 31:13
"Then young women will dance and be glad,
young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."  

That is one of my all time favorite verses.   What a wonderful promise!  The Holy Spirit has comforted me and given me joy instead of sorrow and turned my mourning into gladness many times in the thirty five years since I've accept the Lord.  He is so faithful to do that!

Joy comes from inside us and we can draw upon it no matter what is happening outwardly.  Happiness has to do with outward circumstances. We as Christians have the fruit of the Spirit growing in us daily as we abide in Christ, remain in Him.  He has made our joy complete. 

This next verse is Psalms 43:3-4.

"Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.  Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight"

I feel joy in the presence of my God.  He loves me so much and wants me to have the best.  He is ready to answer my prayers and I have favor with Him.  What more can we ask?  We just need to enter into the presence of God daily for our needs to be met.

There are so many other verses about joy.  Paul called his brothers his "crown" and "joy" in Philippians 4:1.  When we gather together we should be a joy to each other. The joy in us should be so very evident that it overflows to others.  That is why it is so important not to be isolated or separated from the body of Christ. 

The last thing I want to say about joy is how are we different from the world if they can't see the joy we have as Christians?  They should be able to see us and say I want what she has.  We should be able to answer them when they say to us what is different about you? (I Peter 3:15) No, I'm not drinking wine (or other alcoholic drinks).   I have something else.   Let me tell you about it.

There is one thing that spoke to me as I was studying this week's lesson.  She said how boring and mediocre our lives would be if we were surrounded only by persons we felt comfortable with.  She challenged us to branch out and make friends and relationships with people of different backgrounds and economic persuasions, even denominations.   They will become your joy.  Who do you hang out with?

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Ps.91: 11-12

We have been snowed in this week.  My husband, son and I have not been out of the house because we are showing wisdom not driving the icy roads.  We have had the opportunity to walk in love.  We have had the opportunity to walk as "mere men"..as it says in I Corinthians 3:4 due to the close quarters.  I believe we've walked in love the majority of the time.

I missed the Bible study this week because it was the 5th Monday and they went to a lady's house.  Another lady and I didn't get the message.  On the way to the church I side swiped a pickup I didn't see parked on the side of the road.  Didn't hurt his pickup much, but I don't have a side mirror anymore.  The young man was very nice.  He didn't file with my insurance and is going to go the salvage yard to see if he can get the tail light fixed.  Another chance to praise the Lord in spite of the situation.  My husband was really happy with me--not.  This was before the snow and icy roads.  Do you think it's a good thing I don't drive when it's bad road conditions?  I don't know where that pickup came from.  My husband thinks I need to have those things that they have around bumper cars put around the outside of my car.  I love my husband and praise God, he still loves me!

At work there is this telephone pole in the parking lot that is RIGHT there. I mean you can not miss it.  I parked in front of it KNOWING I would need to  be careful backing out.  At the end of the day I backed out and hit it.  There is this little ding in the middle of my new bumper.  I say new bumper, because at the end of September I wrecked my car and did over $5,000 worth of damage.  So, now you know why J.T.  wants me to drive a "bumper-car" type car.  He really would like to take me off the roads.  Oh, I forgot the Costco accident. I was backing out of the parking space and hit the gentleman's car that was leaving about the same time. No damage to my car, but his had some on his back quarter panel. That is four accidents in the past four months. Thank the Lord no one hurt. (Two filed on insurance.) That is a record!

I told J.T. it's because of the words he, Sam, and my daughter have spoken over me.  They have gotten in agreement and it's come to pass!  It is true that if two or more agree upon anything it shall be done.  So now I have to break the power of the agreement and really get my act together.  This is really embarrassing.  I'm only 58 yrs old and if it keeps up they will take the keys away.  I am too busy not to be able to drive.  I go to doctors appointments in Dallas all the time and haven't had an accident. (Have avoided several.) Drive very defensively there!  Focus. That is the key!  Right?  AND praying for God's angels to protect me, my car, and everyone in my path.

4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Ps 25:4-5 NIV

Show me your ways Oh Lord.  Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truths.  How I need to remember that on a minute by minute, hour by hour basis.  Have you noticed that when you step out in faith to do something that you will be tested?   If you haven't noticed that, then you haven't stepped out in faith.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV) That is what we are studying about in our Bible Study at the church.  "Living Beyond Yourself" by Beth Moore.  We  have just started the foundation really.  This past week has been on love.  The foundational fruit of the Spirit.

My pastor has been teaching on righteousness and holiness.  One of the things he said has really stuck with me.  "It is possible to have holiness and not have love, but is impossible to love and not have holiness."   If you have love, you won't hurt your friend.   Love fulfills the law.  1) Love God, and 2)  Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Romans 13:8-10)  

This week I really needed to be at the Bible Study to hear what Beth Moore had to say to start out the week of the teaching.  We do five lessons on our own throughout the week.  I had to be at a staff meeting at work and missed the meeting.  (Unfortunately, I will be missing it once a month because these are mandatory.)  The Holy Spirit lives in me, and the fruit of the Spirit is already growing in me.  So, if I walk by the Spirit then I won't fulfill the deeds of the flesh, right?  Ha, it's so easy to write that!

There are times my sense of humor gets me in trouble.  The source of my biggest problem is normally my mouth.  That is what I have to put a watch guard upon.  Being in a new situation meeting people that don't know me and I don't know them.  We will get to know each other as time goes on so all is well.

I feel really blessed to work for my church and know that the Holy Spirit led me there. I was headed for a different place to put in my application.  The words I had said to my son came back to me, "Keep an open heart to a different direction,"   Well, now doesn't the Holy Spirit have a sense of humor? (This was after he was talking to someone at VLC about a job.) So, I called VLA thinking "Substitute Teacher" maybe. (I had done that when the kids were in school.) But Frieda told me they have in-house subs now.  However, they need help at the day care center and gave me the telephone number.  I thought to myself I can't lift babies!   Again, "Keep an open heart".  I called the number and was told they were hiring and went in immediately. Huh, must of had favor because I got hired.

I believe the Holy Spirit sent me there for more than one reason.  One of those reasons is prayer.  Prayer for the children and prayer for the employees/staff.  We all need prayer.  I hope someone is praying for me! The children are a blessing and so are the teachers and staff.  My pastors' (have two-Brother Jeff &  Brother Duane) daughters work there. There are young ladies working there that have gone or are going to VLA that know my son and my niece.   The director's son graduated with mine.  I've known her for years.  Her mother worked with my husband, Larry.  He has gone on to heaven, but he loved working with her.

Saying all of that to say this:  You may think you know someone, but you don't know them until you have walked with them awhile on a daily basis.  This is what God is saying to me.  I need to work as unto Him, and submit to those in authority over me.  Pray for those that are teachers of those little children. Pray for those who are in authority over you. The parents send their children to VLCDC for various reasons. One of them may be because it is part of Victory Life Church.  Another reason may be because it is the largest childcare in town. Whatever the reason, I pray that we, the staff of VLCDC, represent VLC and God with integrity as a Christian childcare facility.  That we walk in the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  The foundation being LOVE.  I am going to be repetitive and end this post with Galations 5:22-23 NIV.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control against such things there is no law."

God bless you and keep you.

24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? 25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. The Solution Is Life on God’s Terms. Romans 7:24-25 MSG

Doing what you know is right.  Having the best intentions, but messing up anyway. Totally surprised?  I was as soon as it happened.  It wasn't something that was harmful to anyone else, but it was to my spirit man. Thing is He knew I was going to stumble before it even happened. (Or at least that the choice to do so was there.)

In our Bible Study "Living Beyond Ourselves"  we learned some new Greek words. The first one is Pathos, the force or impulse of mood, emotion, feeling or  affection.  The second is Epithymia meaning the unleashing and directing of it toward certain objects. The third one is Horme.  It means an impulse or urge. It connotes the idea of suddenness.  This thing that I did was the third.  It was an impulse and I acted upon it.  Do you ever do that?  No one knew about it.  It wasn't harmful to anyone. I knew immediately that it was something I shouldn't have done.

Thing is I had prayed up, praised the Lord, spent time with Him that morning and everything!  What happened?  That was my question to the Lord.  Why did I slip up?  He did supply the answer.  I hadn't put on the armor of God.  We are fighting a battle and it isn't against flesh and blood.  It is against principalities and powers of darkness.  There are times it is just our flesh.  In this instance there was a spiritual entity that should have been bound.  The next time that I was in that situation that spirit was bound and things went differently.

God is faithful to shine His light on the darkness and show us what is wrong in situations that we find ourselves.  I was truly baffled by my action.  No one else was aware of anything, but I was.  While I was studying for the Bible Study, the sweet Holy Spirit showed me exactly what was going on.  One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is as Counselor and He definitely counseled me how to avoid this in the future.  There will always be pitfalls to avoid.   We will fall and sin.  If we can learn, confess, forgive ourselves, receive forgiveness from God and go forward that is what the Christian walk is all about.

(1) With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud.(2) A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2 MSG)  These verses finish up what my verses are saying in the last of chapter 7 of Romans.  Praise God!

May God shine His light upon the dark areas of our hearts so that we can walk in the light of His Word.  Victoriously walking in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control against such things there is no law.

"And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." Isaiah 32:17-18

These are such wonderful scriptures.  My pastor is teaching a series on the effects of righteousness.  It is not our righteousness, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ living in us.  This is actually the second portion of the series on righteous.  J.T. and I are so very blessed to have such an anointed teacher of the Word of God for a Pastor.  Every week it is coming more real in my heart.  

Our  identification with Christ breaks the dominion of sin in our lives. (Galatians 2:20)   I Corinthians 6:10 says that all things may be lawful, but not all things are expedient (helpful).  We are not to be enslaved by anything.  There are times that I feel like food has dominion over me!   If I don't eat at a certain time, my body is telling me about it!  This is something that I'll be working on this year.  Getting my body under control of the Holy Spirit.  The more I renew my mind with the Word of God, I believe that I will control my body instead of it controlling me.

 I am in a Bible Study at my Church.  Beth Moore's "Living Beyond Yourself".  It explores the Fruit of the Spirit.  This is the first week of lessons and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.  This is the first step of getting into the Word of God and studying to renew my mind.  I will also enjoy getting to know the group of women at church each Monday night.

I have started this year out being led by the Holy Spirit in the area of how to help in the ministries at church.  I am very excited about what He is doing in my heart and life.  Our church is starting a Bus Ministry. They will start with just one Sunday evening a month (5 to 6 pm).  I plan on helping.  Larry and I did that in the 80's and God blessed us tremendously.  The kids were such a blessing.  I've seen some of them in churches in the community, in work places and even one having a baby the same time I had Samuel!  This is something I am really looking forward to.  I volunteered to be a bus monitor and the Community Ministry.  They have one bus at this time and one certain area to start. 

Another thing I've started is a part time job at Victory Life Child Development Center in Durant.  I will be working with the preschool age children.  So far it has been a blast.  In May there is a lady that will be on maternity leave (she's due at the end of July) and I will teach the 4 yr old class.   The most I will work is 24 hours per week so this isn't a full time job.  I've always loved working with children.  They are so much fun and the preschoolers are the perfect age!

So, God's doing a "new thing" in my life.  He is getting me out of my comfort zone.  I think He wants us to stretch ourselves and trust Him on a daily basis. I'm excited about it.  2011 is going to be the best year yet!  God's peace be upon you and yours this year.

  God Bless.