We're His Kids

Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:6,7

No longer live as a defeated Christian. Stop hating yourself because of what you've done in the past. Choose to forgive yourself, accept God's forgiveness, and let yourself off the hook.

The important thing is to try to be like Jesus in our attitudes and behaviors and the more our lives are transformed the more everything else begins to fall into place. We need to remember to seek God. To become like Him we must learn to walk with faith accepting the authority that we have as children of the most high God. If we walk defeated, then we are not walking in faith, and then we can't live in the fullness of the blessing in our lives.

… I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10

You are special, you are wanted, you are loved, you are accepted, you are the home of the living God.

Father God, You're the best father we could ever hope for, thank You that You call us Your own. Help us to believe and be free ... for we are NO LONGER products of our past. Help us to move forward from here. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Down, But Never Out

From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me - let Israel now say - from my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but THEY HAVE NEVER been able to finish me off. Psalm 129:1,2

Has there ever been a people so despised as Israel and the Jews? Despite persecution and numerous attempts at annihilation, the ancient people of God have endured.

Why? Because God keeps His promises.

In a similar way, the church has been a lightning rod for hatred for over two thousand years. Evil rulers (spurred on by the evil one) have attempted to rid the earth of the Word of God and the followers of Jesus - but without success.

Why? Because God is faithful.

Jesus assured us that all the powers of hell cannot stop the church in Matthew 16:18 - On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

We’ve probably all been knocked to the ground - many times, but we will never be permanently grounded. Through all the trials, struggles and failures God always through Christ will give us the strength to get up and get back in the race.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed or distressed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are persecuted and hunted down, but never forsaken or abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8,9

The scriptures above express the fact that though we face troubles, it is our outward circumstances that are effected. We don't have to let those circumstances change us inwardly or take away God's promises to us and the comfort that we have from within knowing we are His. When faced with defeat, we CAN have the inner strength through Christ to turn failure into victory. Through Christ we CAN keep going.

Proverbs 24:16 says, A righteous man may fall seven times but he will get back up again.

This tells us that no matter how many times we get knocked down, we CAN get back up again. The mere effort of us trying to get up, to keep going ... gets God's attention. In our weakest moments God's strength is made perfect and because of this promise, God ALWAYS shows up in our weakest moments. To help, hold, nurture and guide till we're up on our feet and stable and strong again.

Be determined. Say aloud, 'I will NEVER stay down. I will ALWAYS get back up. I'll NEVER, EVER give in!'

We believers may be down at times, but we are NEVER out.

Father, despite hard times and attacks coming against us, our families, our country, our beliefs and the church, be with us. Keep us. Give us peace despite the fact that the world as we know it is ending and things are going to be a whole lot different very soon. Help us to not get caught up in arguments and distractions and even if our 'rights' are stripped away from us, help us to continue to be faithful, try to live right, and share You with whomever will listen. Cause Your people to listen. Protect Jerusalem and may there be peace within its borders. May Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Hurry and come get us Jesus, and help us to be ready. In Jesus' name, amen.

What in the World is Going On?

But my eyes are fixed on You, Sovereign Lord; in You I take refuge - do not give me over to death. Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety. Psalm 141:8-10

We’re not always rejected and attacked because of wrong we’ve done. Sometimes, it’s because we’re doing right.

The enemy is throwing road blocks at us, trying to trip us up … so we’ll think that trying to do the right thing is too much trouble and not worth it. You may even hear doubting voices in your head like, 'What's the use in changing if no one notices and they still treat me as if I were still the old me?'

The enemy wants us to get discouraged and give up and ease back into our old ways and lifestyle. He will even throw people, especially those we want love and acceptance from the most, at us with hurtful things like still judging us for our past and bringing those things up over and over because they haven't forgiven us or don't really want us to succeed. Sad to say, some people in our lives are just waiting for us to mess up so that they can say, 'See, you really haven't changed after all.' We have to remember that it's not really them saying those things, it's the enemy working through them.

God wants us to move forward, continue to grow, continue to do what’s right … and trust that He will defeat our enemies and stop the attacks and that it will make us stronger and encourage us to continue to keep moving forward in the right direction.

We need to change for the better whether others believe that we are or not. Whether they see that we are or not. We are to seek God's approval. Do it for you ... and Him. If someone really wants to be a part of our lives they'll come around eventually. Sometimes we just need to regain the trust of those in whom we've lost it. And that can take time. In the meanwhile, they're missing out on the new, improved us.

Yep, you might actually be doing something right, how cool is that?

Let the attacks cause you to be more determined, not cower back and withdraw.

Don’t you dare let the enemy win.

Father, mold us into Your image. Help us not to fear, for You WILL walk us through the process. I pray that our enemies will fall in the very traps that they have laid for us. Help us to continue on, unscathed and unharmed. Help us to be determined to win the race. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Is it in Vain?

Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

Weeping may remain for a night, but joy REALLY IS going to come in the morning.

Good will come from that trial somehow, because … what you've been through not only strengthens you ... the pain YOU'VE been through gives you a message to bring hope to OTHERS and helps bring them through, too. 

If God brings you to it, He believes you are strong enough to handle it and He WILL bring you through it. Whatever it is that you ‘think’ is going to break you, it’s NOT. You won’t even smell like smoke. God’s will WILL be accomplished through whatever He’s allowed in your life. 

YES - you DO make a difference.

NO - what you are going through IS NOT in vain.

Father, give us faith and endurance to wait upon You to come in like a knight in shining armor and save us. Help us to trust Your timing. Bring us through our trials and circumstances successfully and unscathed. Give us words and encouragement to help us in our journey and then bring fellow warriors into our lives that we can share the words you gave us with them. Let what we go through to not be in vain. In Jesus' name, amen.


 

Hindrance to Your Destiny?

 
So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' Hebrews 13:6

Worrying and angered at those who try to steal your thunder, use you, try to force themselves on you, pick on you and/or speak lies behind your back? Wondering if your reputation is going to be tainted and stop you from God's best? Wondering if people will reject you because of it?

I don't know about you, but I've been lied to, lied about, made fun of, harassed, stalked, beaten, and pushed around. Words are sharp and they hurt. People can be SO cruel. The enemy really works overtime trying to make sure God's will doesn't come to pass in our lives. BUT GOD is our defender and will only allow people to hurt us and take advantage of us for so long, before He comes on the scene and says, 'that's enough, that's My child' and stops it.  What God has destined ... NO demon or devil in hell or on earth, NO person, NO circumstance ... can stop.

No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

We're not built to handle it all, it's ok to break down and cry before the Lord and allow Him to bring refreshment. Tell Him what's weighing heavy on your heart. Tell Him who's hurt you. Give it all to Him. Sow those seeds of offense and allow Him to bring better into your life. There's NOTHING like the presence of Jesus to wash away the hurts and pains that people and life have inflicted on us. You may not have the approval of who you think you need it from, but God approves of you and will give you what you really need, not what you think you need.

Quit stressin' over things that the Lord has already told you He would take care of. EXPECT God's blessings. Trust God to protect your reputation. God promised He's our vindicator, EXPECT Him to defend you. God is always there for you --- He is your hope --- He is all you need. And hope maketh not ashamed, i.e. if we put our hope in God, He WON'T disappoint us.

God loves you too much to put you in a position you aren't ready for. He wants to build your character before He brings you to the next level. There will be tests and trials and most won't be fun at all, in fact they'll hurt, a lot. Rejection, betrayal, gossip, abuse, being left out, feeling all alone - they're all part of the plan the enemy's made to cause you to withdraw and stop moving forward. God's using those same things to mold you to be more like Him. Be willing to go through the process. Advance. It's SO worth it.
 
You are RELEASED from having to please everybody ... because you CAN'T. You are RELEASED from having to be Ms. or Mr. perfect ... because you CAN'T. Relax. Be yourself. Don't back down, stand your ground. Keep doing what you believe to be right. Whether others approve or understand or not. God knows how to 'fix' peoples little red wagon when they get in the way of our destiny. 

Those who BELIEVE and EXPECT the good plans God has for them are the ones that SEE them. Wait for it.

Hindrance to your destiny? Nope, I don't think so. More like a springboard to propel you forward.

Father, I pray for all who feel weary. Help us not to give up. Give us courage and faith to continue on. You, Lord God are faithful. Help us to press thru to victory. Remove any hindrances that are in the way of our destiny. Defend us. Protect our reputations. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

Encourage Us, Lord

 

But You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Psalm 3:3
 
Psalm 3 was written by David. He was complaining to God about his enemies surrounding him. There were many reasons for David to be downcast and discouraged. He was on the run from his son, Absalom. He had previously been given the lowest of jobs of tending the sheep. How ironic that he was considered the 'black sheep' of the family. David's brothers made fun of him and rejected him. When Samuel went looking for the next king of Israel, His father didn't even acknowledge him as being one of his sons, until Samuel asked if he had another son. He was previously on the run from Saul, who wanted him dead. As David confided and poured out his heart to God, he found confidence in Him and God restored him to the state from which his enemies had cast him down.
 
Maybe you're overwhelmed about some things and have been walking around with your head down. Whatever reason the enemy has given for you to hold your head down, I want you to know that the Lord has given you protection, bestowed glory upon you, and will lift up your head above every situation that may come to trouble you or attach itself to you ... as you look to Him.
 
You're made strong by the difficulties you FACE, not by those you EVADE. The challenges being handed to you are pushing you into your destiny.
 
Come again to the place of safety, all you prisoners, for there’s yet hope. I promise right now, I will repay you two mercies for each of your woes. Zechariah 9:12

There's a purpose for that pain, just like it was for David's (he became king of Israel) so lift up your head and trust God to show you the way to victory and to give you courage you need along the way.

Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17 
 
If you're getting fought, it's because you're a threat. The enemy would like nothing more than to steal, kill and destroy. But God says in Psalm 105:15 -  Do not touch My chosen people and do not hurt My prophets. In other words, the enemy has NO power over you. 

God is the One who will hold your head high when the winds, rain and stormy seas are raging. Will you allow Christ to lift your head today? Look to Him and He will, for the battle isn't ours, but God's.

Father, give us grace to stay strong amidst adversity. Thank You for the good plan that You have for each of us. Encourage us to keep going and not give up, for You're our greatest encourager. In Jesus’ name, amen.
 
 
 
see related blogs of mine: Encourage Yourself in the Lord
                                          It's His Fight

I Remember You

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

 

Today is Memorial Day. It’s a day set aside for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

 

My heart is grieved at the direction this country is headed. Our men and women fought, shed blood, and gave their lives standing up for our country, our families, our freedom, our beliefs … they left everything that they knew behind and headed out into the unknown, cold, scary world … and to know that all that is now being made a joke and it seems that no one cares or understands. Our freedom that our military suffered and gave their lives for is just being taken away from us like candy from a baby. We’re now listed as terrorists. Benefits are being taken away from those who are still alive. Those still serving are now being told they have to be willing to fight our own service men and women, I guess to defend the ‘outsiders’ rights. So sad what we’ve become.

 

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day. 

 

To those who lost their lives, and to those who are still living … I will have you know service man/woman … you ARE NOT forgotten. You are a hero in my eyes. I honor you. I pray for you and your families. I thank God for you.

I remember you ... and I thank you.

Father, I thank You for those who have served in the military and have defended us to the end, even to the point of death. Be with their families, bring comfort and healing. Be also with those who are alive and are or have served in the armed forces. Protect, give peace, bring healing, give grace and provide for them and their families. In Jesus’ name, amen.