God wants you to know that He hates sin. To Him, sin is disgusting and detestable. It doesn't matter what kind of sin it is, lying, hating, gossiping, murdering, lusting, etc., it's all the same to Him, disgusting. He also, wants you to know that everyone of us is born into sin. We have ALL sinned and come short of the glory of God, therefore, we all deserved Hell. God wants you to know that Hell is real and it is worse than your worst nightmare. Not only is it excruciating, and terrifying beyond description, it is forever, there is NO HOPE. He wants you to know that He doesn't want you to go there. But the punishment for sin is Hell, there is no getting around it. God is Holy and pure, He cannot dwell in the presence of sin. God wants you to know, that He left the beauty and safety of Heaven to come to earth. He wants you to know that Heaven is real and that He loves you sooooooo much that He lived a sinless life on earth so that He could TAKE the punishment that you deserve. He took your punishment on the cross and in Hell. He who knew no sin became sin that you might live. GOD became sin so that you could become righteous! Now that is true love. God wants you to know that this gift isn't automatic, it has to be received. Salvation is a free gift, but it cost God a terrible price. God wants you to know you are worth it. God wants you to take His free gift today. Just tell Him that you accept the punishment that He took for you. Ask Him to forgive your sins and tell Him He is the Lord of your life and that you will follow Him. Now let Him lead you to a Bible believing church and begin to follow Him! If you prayed this prayer and meant it, you are now saved!
A couple weeks ago, my husband Danny had a wreck where he rolled his truck. One minute he was driving down the road, two deer jumped out in front of his truck, he jerked the wheel to avoid them and flipped the truck,and the next minute he was upside down on the side of the road. When I saw the truck, I just started crying because I knew that he could have died and that God protected him. What I am trying to say is, one minute he was alive and the next he could have easily been dead. Once you are dead, you are in your eternity, Heaven or Hell, there are no second chances. You no longer have the ability to choose Christ. You could be going about your business, totally unaware, and the next second you could be facing your eternal dwelling. Do you know where you would go if you died today? You can know. You can have peace. If you are unsure of Christ, ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He will. He did for me. Isn't it worth it, to have the peace of knowing where you will spend eternity?
I also want you to know, that when I say I am a Christian, that doesn't mean I am saying I am better than you or that I am perfect. We all start out as sinners in need of Jesus. I have made so many mistakes, even as a Christian, I have drug His precious Holy name through the mud. Yet still He loves me, still He gives me grace. I don't deserve it and neither do you, but still He gives it because He loves us. My relationship with Christ is not about rules and regulations, it is about love. I love Him because He first loved me and gave His life for me. Now He is transforming me into His image one day at a time. What is different about my life now? Now I have hope. I have peace. I have a best friend who dwells in me and will never leave me nor forsake me. I have an anchor. I have a rock. I am never lonely because I am never alone. I can sleep at night because I know where I will go when I die and because I know that I have someone working on my behalf in every situation of my life. I can't imagine life without God. I can't imagine life without hope. God is everything to me and He wants, He longs, to be everything to you.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
We want to be world changers, we want to minister for Jesus, we want revival in America, in our church and in our families. For these things to happen, it all starts in the secret place. It starts with men and women who are committed to spending quality time with the Lord. It starts with those who will make their time with the Lord first priority and let nothing stop them from having this time alone with Him. For it is these times that transform us into His image, that root us and ground us in Christ, that give us strength for the storms, that give us wisdom for every situation. It is these times that we receive the anointing from the Lord that destroys yokes and removes burdens.
In the scriptures we see Jesus often going to the lonely places to commune with His Father. Jesus sets the example for us in everything.
Too often we see Christian leaders who burn out or who fall into sin. I believe this is almost always because of a lack of quality time with the Lord. This time is the only thing that can provide the needed refilling and refreshing of the spirit.
I want to be a world changer, I want to fulfill God's calling for my life, so my first priority has to be spending time with God, in prayer and in the Word! Lord, I pray, above all that you will cause me to be faithful in prayer and time with You, in your Word so I can be the best wife, mother, friend, family member, servant of God that I can possibly be. In Jesus name, Amen!
In the scriptures we see Jesus often going to the lonely places to commune with His Father. Jesus sets the example for us in everything.
Too often we see Christian leaders who burn out or who fall into sin. I believe this is almost always because of a lack of quality time with the Lord. This time is the only thing that can provide the needed refilling and refreshing of the spirit.
I want to be a world changer, I want to fulfill God's calling for my life, so my first priority has to be spending time with God, in prayer and in the Word! Lord, I pray, above all that you will cause me to be faithful in prayer and time with You, in your Word so I can be the best wife, mother, friend, family member, servant of God that I can possibly be. In Jesus name, Amen!
Well, in the last post, I was very open and very vulnerable. God brought me through a very hard time in my life. I have considered deleting that post but I really think God wants me to leave it because perhaps it will help somebody else.
I think we all have those times in our lives when we are just overwhelmed. It is very healing and good to hear how God moved in someone else's life when we are facing that kind of thing ourselves. So be it, I'll leave the post. Now on to new things! What's next God?
I think we all have those times in our lives when we are just overwhelmed. It is very healing and good to hear how God moved in someone else's life when we are facing that kind of thing ourselves. So be it, I'll leave the post. Now on to new things! What's next God?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Beauty for Ashes
I have been so sick... so broken. So deep in depression, discouragement, fear, shame, guilt over my failures, rejection... so unable to function.
BUT GOD, you stepped in, took my hand, and said, "Come on daughter, let me show you what you can do, what you can be, in Me. Come on, it's OK, we will take it one step at a time. Don't be afraid, I will never let go of your hand. I will give you My strength. You are safe with Me. There is a life awaiting you, even more abundant than you can imagine. I won't give up on you. I Am your Daddy. I am a good Daddy. You can trust Me. I know you lost your joy for awhile there. You even wondered about your reason for living. This was all so that you could find your reason for living again, in Me. You live because I MADE YOU. I WANT YOU. I LOVE YOU. You are my greatest treasure. You are my child, my wife, my friend. YOU BELONG TO ME. This is why you live."
Thank you God for showing me what I can be. Thank you for healing me. For taking all that fear, shame, depression, discouragement, and rejection and giving me beauty for ashes. How can I ever thank you enough? Thank you for showing me what I mean to you. That fact that you went to the cross should have been enough for me to know how much I meant to you... but I just needed to hear you say it.
I am sharing this because God wanted me too. Because you may need to hear it as much as I did.
BUT GOD, you stepped in, took my hand, and said, "Come on daughter, let me show you what you can do, what you can be, in Me. Come on, it's OK, we will take it one step at a time. Don't be afraid, I will never let go of your hand. I will give you My strength. You are safe with Me. There is a life awaiting you, even more abundant than you can imagine. I won't give up on you. I Am your Daddy. I am a good Daddy. You can trust Me. I know you lost your joy for awhile there. You even wondered about your reason for living. This was all so that you could find your reason for living again, in Me. You live because I MADE YOU. I WANT YOU. I LOVE YOU. You are my greatest treasure. You are my child, my wife, my friend. YOU BELONG TO ME. This is why you live."
Thank you God for showing me what I can be. Thank you for healing me. For taking all that fear, shame, depression, discouragement, and rejection and giving me beauty for ashes. How can I ever thank you enough? Thank you for showing me what I mean to you. That fact that you went to the cross should have been enough for me to know how much I meant to you... but I just needed to hear you say it.
I am sharing this because God wanted me too. Because you may need to hear it as much as I did.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Blessings and Curses
Deuteronomy chapter 28 talks about what things God considers "blessings" and what things He considers "curses".
Included in the blessing are things like abundant prosperity, provision, and protection. Included in the curses are things like poverty, lack, and disease.
Wow, never once does God say that a sickness is a blessing or that He will give us poverty to teach us something.
If sickness and poverty were given to us by God to teach us things wouldn't most of the world be wise by now?
In Galatians it says the Christ has redeemed us from the curse by being made a curse for us so that the blessings of Abraham may come upon us!
This shows us what God's perfect will is. It is so important to know what God's perfect will is in order for our prayers to be heard and answered and for us to have victory in our lives.
The garden of Eden is the picture of God's perfect will for man! Man messed it up by sinning and brought the curse upon himself but God fixed it by sending Jesus to redeem us from this curse! Hallelujah!
Just because something is God's will doesn't mean we will automatically walk in it. Do good Christian people get sick and suffer poverty and lack? Yes, it happens all the time because of bad decisions or simply lack of knowledge. It's not about placing blame... it's about learning the truth and learning to walk in it!
I am so glad God is revealing these things to me so I can begin to walk in them and receive all the BLESSING that He has intended for me!
A side note, yes God can bring good out of sickness or lack. He can and will take what the devil meant for his good and turn it around for our good! He is so good like that! But the point is, He doesn't give us sickness or tragedy to teach us things! It hurts Him so when we blame Him for things like that.
God came to give us life and life more abundantly! Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Light!
Learning God's perfect will is the starting point to receiving and walking in all that He has for us! Ask Him to reveal it to you, ask Him to show you truth! Ask and you shall receive!
Included in the blessing are things like abundant prosperity, provision, and protection. Included in the curses are things like poverty, lack, and disease.
Wow, never once does God say that a sickness is a blessing or that He will give us poverty to teach us something.
If sickness and poverty were given to us by God to teach us things wouldn't most of the world be wise by now?
In Galatians it says the Christ has redeemed us from the curse by being made a curse for us so that the blessings of Abraham may come upon us!
This shows us what God's perfect will is. It is so important to know what God's perfect will is in order for our prayers to be heard and answered and for us to have victory in our lives.
The garden of Eden is the picture of God's perfect will for man! Man messed it up by sinning and brought the curse upon himself but God fixed it by sending Jesus to redeem us from this curse! Hallelujah!
Just because something is God's will doesn't mean we will automatically walk in it. Do good Christian people get sick and suffer poverty and lack? Yes, it happens all the time because of bad decisions or simply lack of knowledge. It's not about placing blame... it's about learning the truth and learning to walk in it!
I am so glad God is revealing these things to me so I can begin to walk in them and receive all the BLESSING that He has intended for me!
A side note, yes God can bring good out of sickness or lack. He can and will take what the devil meant for his good and turn it around for our good! He is so good like that! But the point is, He doesn't give us sickness or tragedy to teach us things! It hurts Him so when we blame Him for things like that.
God came to give us life and life more abundantly! Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Light!
Learning God's perfect will is the starting point to receiving and walking in all that He has for us! Ask Him to reveal it to you, ask Him to show you truth! Ask and you shall receive!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Faith Works by Love, A Life Changing Revelation!
A man of God had a vision, in his vision, God showed him a man trying to hang some huge heavy curtains on a big wall. He was having a miserable time of it. He'd hang one panel, then run over and grab another; but before he could get the second one hung, the first one would fall down on him. He'd put the second one up, turn around to get the first one, and the one he'd just hung would tumble down on him.
The harder he worked, the more tangled in those curtains he became. It was like a comedy routine. "Look at that guy!" I said.
As I chuckled at his predicament, I noticed something. Each curtain had a name on it. One curtain was "faith". Another was "righteousness". Others included "healing" "prosperity" and "the gifts of the Spirit." After struggling awhile, the job finally got the best of that poor fellow and he collapsed in a pile of curtains on the floor. Then the Lord drew me in, and I heard the cry of the man's heart. It was anything but funny. "What's wrong with my faith?" he cried. "I believe in faith, but I'm sick. I believe in prosperity and I can't pay my bills." I knew how he felt. I could remember times when I cried the same way.
Suddenly, my vision zoomed in on the pile of curtains and I saw little snakes slithering in and out of it. They were biting the man and nipping at his heels. That made me mad. "Hey, those are the gifts of God!" I said. "What are devils doing in them?"
At that moment, The LORD drew my attention to the corner of the room. There, I saw a massive rod. It was so big, it looked like part of a bridge, and it was solid gold. Written on the side of it was Matthew 22:37-40:
Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all they mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
When I saw that rod, I heard the voice of the LORD. He was shouting, Hang the rod, not the curtains! The curtains are fastened to the rod!
When I (Kristi) read this story, it hit me HARD. I was that man. For so many years, I have been that man... so frustrated, so tired... from years of struggling to hang those curtains. This story changed my life! Finally, I understand the missing piece! Not that I didn't know to walk in love, but I didn't realize the importance of always walking in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 kind of love! Just a week before I read this story, God had prompted me to memorize the definition of love in 1 Corinthians. Soon after that I was tested in my love walk... sorry to say, I failed miserably. And I knew it too. The saddest place to be is out of the will of God and knowing it!
Since reading this, I have been meditating on 1 Corinthians chapter 13's definition of love. I have written it down, spoken it out loud, and God has brought it too my mind every time I need it. Oh, I've had to repent many times but I am getting the hang of it! I am already having break through in my life. I am so excited to walk this out with Jesus!
You see, the Word says, Faith works by love and the promises of God are activated by faith. There is no other way to have answered prayer friends. Without faith, there is no victory, no answered prayer... without love, there will be no faith because faith works by love.
This story came from Kenneth Copeland and he said, "Faith works by love like a car works by gas. No gas, no go. No love, no faith. No faith, no receiving!"
I am soooooo excited to make love my way of life!
The harder he worked, the more tangled in those curtains he became. It was like a comedy routine. "Look at that guy!" I said.
As I chuckled at his predicament, I noticed something. Each curtain had a name on it. One curtain was "faith". Another was "righteousness". Others included "healing" "prosperity" and "the gifts of the Spirit." After struggling awhile, the job finally got the best of that poor fellow and he collapsed in a pile of curtains on the floor. Then the Lord drew me in, and I heard the cry of the man's heart. It was anything but funny. "What's wrong with my faith?" he cried. "I believe in faith, but I'm sick. I believe in prosperity and I can't pay my bills." I knew how he felt. I could remember times when I cried the same way.
Suddenly, my vision zoomed in on the pile of curtains and I saw little snakes slithering in and out of it. They were biting the man and nipping at his heels. That made me mad. "Hey, those are the gifts of God!" I said. "What are devils doing in them?"
At that moment, The LORD drew my attention to the corner of the room. There, I saw a massive rod. It was so big, it looked like part of a bridge, and it was solid gold. Written on the side of it was Matthew 22:37-40:
Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all they mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
When I saw that rod, I heard the voice of the LORD. He was shouting, Hang the rod, not the curtains! The curtains are fastened to the rod!
When I (Kristi) read this story, it hit me HARD. I was that man. For so many years, I have been that man... so frustrated, so tired... from years of struggling to hang those curtains. This story changed my life! Finally, I understand the missing piece! Not that I didn't know to walk in love, but I didn't realize the importance of always walking in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 kind of love! Just a week before I read this story, God had prompted me to memorize the definition of love in 1 Corinthians. Soon after that I was tested in my love walk... sorry to say, I failed miserably. And I knew it too. The saddest place to be is out of the will of God and knowing it!
Since reading this, I have been meditating on 1 Corinthians chapter 13's definition of love. I have written it down, spoken it out loud, and God has brought it too my mind every time I need it. Oh, I've had to repent many times but I am getting the hang of it! I am already having break through in my life. I am so excited to walk this out with Jesus!
You see, the Word says, Faith works by love and the promises of God are activated by faith. There is no other way to have answered prayer friends. Without faith, there is no victory, no answered prayer... without love, there will be no faith because faith works by love.
This story came from Kenneth Copeland and he said, "Faith works by love like a car works by gas. No gas, no go. No love, no faith. No faith, no receiving!"
I am soooooo excited to make love my way of life!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
All I need is God
This is what God has been saying to me A LOT lately, "All you need is Me, and when all you need is Me, you are free."
What exactly are we free from? Fear. Fear of not having enough. Fear of being alone. Fear of being sick and in pain.
You see, God wants to be everything to us. He will be everything we allow Him to be in our lives. He is our security, our healer, our best and closest friend, our provider, our EVERYTHING.
We don't have to rely on people for security, self-confidence, happiness, or love. We don't have to manipulate or control people. We don't have to pressure them to be a certain way.
Our only job is to love and serve God, and to love and bless others. We need to concern ourselves with loving God and others and not whether they love or even like us. When we are loving God and loving others through His love, God takes care of the rest. Many times He will use people to answer our prayers, to provide the love we crave, but no one person can be everything we need them to be all the time. All people are human and will fail us sometimes. Only God can be counted on to be everything we need every time we need Him.
So set some people free today. Set them free to be themselves, not to always have to meet your expectations in order to earn your love. And set yourself free. Put all your trust and expectations on God and let Him be your everything.
All I need is God. And when all I need is God, I AM FREE!
What exactly are we free from? Fear. Fear of not having enough. Fear of being alone. Fear of being sick and in pain.
You see, God wants to be everything to us. He will be everything we allow Him to be in our lives. He is our security, our healer, our best and closest friend, our provider, our EVERYTHING.
We don't have to rely on people for security, self-confidence, happiness, or love. We don't have to manipulate or control people. We don't have to pressure them to be a certain way.
Our only job is to love and serve God, and to love and bless others. We need to concern ourselves with loving God and others and not whether they love or even like us. When we are loving God and loving others through His love, God takes care of the rest. Many times He will use people to answer our prayers, to provide the love we crave, but no one person can be everything we need them to be all the time. All people are human and will fail us sometimes. Only God can be counted on to be everything we need every time we need Him.
So set some people free today. Set them free to be themselves, not to always have to meet your expectations in order to earn your love. And set yourself free. Put all your trust and expectations on God and let Him be your everything.
All I need is God. And when all I need is God, I AM FREE!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Just exactly "how" do I spend time with God?
In my last post, I described how daily time with God is a life or death matter. If you haven't read that post yet take a minute and read it. I also told about how I am a "need to know exactly how to do it" kind of person. During my prayer time today, God led me to write this post about how to spend time with Him. I love to spend time with God and will spend anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours at a time praying. I have had people ask me, "How in the world do you pray for that long? Don't you run out of things to say?" That's a good question, and I think there are some people who are just wondering exactly "how" to spend time with God.
First, I want to say that there is no exact way that is right or wrong, but there are some things that God has shown us in His word that are effective and pleasing to God. Each one of us has our own individual relationship with God, therefore, each person will have their own unique way of spending time with God. Just as we have different relationships with our spouses, we each have different ways of relating to our creator.
The Bible does say, however, that we enter God's gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. This is showing us the way into the throne room.
I usually begin by thanking God, then asking Him to show me any sin in my life and asking for forgiveness. Then I thank Him some more. I like to put on praise music and just spend some time telling Him how great He is, how much I love Him and how much He means to me. For me, praise is a huge part of my prayer time. Just listening to the songs, singing along with them at times and getting my focus on God is the main way I pray.
Next, I usually lay down all my cares. I give them to God. Many times I write them in my prayer journal or just tell God about them. I ask Him to just take these things and take care of them. Then I don't worry about them anymore, because I trust Him to take care of them!
In the last couple of years I have started a prayer journal. I write out my prayer requests and cares. It really helps me to release them. My favorite thing about the prayer journal is that every time I come into God's presence, He speaks to me and I just write down what He is saying. The words literally come from my innermost being (where God resides) and just pour out onto the paper. These words mean so much to me. They are my life instructions. I often go back and reread them. Many times God will have me share them with somebody who may need that word as well. This is something we can all do! God will speak to anyone who asks!
Every prayer time is different, because my relationship with God is alive and real. Sometimes, I will just sit in silence and allow His presence to surround me. Sometimes, I praise Him the whole time. More often, it's praise and then writing, more praise and petitioning Him. I write down all the people that I am interceding for and ask God to work in their lives.
Because I am baptized in the Holy Spirit I pray a lot in tongues. This allows God to pray through me things that I would not know to pray on my own. I hear from Him so much more clearly when I am praying in tongues.
The book of Acts talks a lot about praying in tongues and how once people were saved they then sought after the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Yes, at salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us but the Word of God shows that there is a second and subsequent experience to seek after. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit we receive power to witness, to speak in tongues, and even to understand the things of God more clearly. When I got baptized in the Holy Spirit I was so surprised and amazed. I felt God's presence so much more, I understood more, I had so much joy, the world seemed brighter, the grass greener etc. I know it may sound corny but I am only telling the truth. It's awesome for God to be able to pray through me in tongues, I always have a way to pray. It's very simple to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, it's only a matter of asking for it.
Many times, I also read the Bible during my prayer time. I love the revelation God gives me during these times. So, you see, prayer is not just us talking to God, prayer is a conversation. It's us talking but also, letting God talk and us listening. And God will speak, if you want to hear from Him, He will speak to you! It's so important, though, when seeking to hear from God, that we stay grounded in the Word of God. We have to be reading the Word, hearing the Word, and meditating on the Word for us to hear accurately from God. Otherwise, satan will just use our ignorance for an excuse and we will get flaky, thinking that God has said things to us that He really didn't and that are not even Biblical.
Spend some time with God today! You can start out by just putting on a praise song that really ministers to you and telling God how much you love Him. It's not always easy to press in, to lay aside our cares, but it's always worth it!
First, I want to say that there is no exact way that is right or wrong, but there are some things that God has shown us in His word that are effective and pleasing to God. Each one of us has our own individual relationship with God, therefore, each person will have their own unique way of spending time with God. Just as we have different relationships with our spouses, we each have different ways of relating to our creator.
The Bible does say, however, that we enter God's gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. This is showing us the way into the throne room.
I usually begin by thanking God, then asking Him to show me any sin in my life and asking for forgiveness. Then I thank Him some more. I like to put on praise music and just spend some time telling Him how great He is, how much I love Him and how much He means to me. For me, praise is a huge part of my prayer time. Just listening to the songs, singing along with them at times and getting my focus on God is the main way I pray.
Next, I usually lay down all my cares. I give them to God. Many times I write them in my prayer journal or just tell God about them. I ask Him to just take these things and take care of them. Then I don't worry about them anymore, because I trust Him to take care of them!
In the last couple of years I have started a prayer journal. I write out my prayer requests and cares. It really helps me to release them. My favorite thing about the prayer journal is that every time I come into God's presence, He speaks to me and I just write down what He is saying. The words literally come from my innermost being (where God resides) and just pour out onto the paper. These words mean so much to me. They are my life instructions. I often go back and reread them. Many times God will have me share them with somebody who may need that word as well. This is something we can all do! God will speak to anyone who asks!
Every prayer time is different, because my relationship with God is alive and real. Sometimes, I will just sit in silence and allow His presence to surround me. Sometimes, I praise Him the whole time. More often, it's praise and then writing, more praise and petitioning Him. I write down all the people that I am interceding for and ask God to work in their lives.
Because I am baptized in the Holy Spirit I pray a lot in tongues. This allows God to pray through me things that I would not know to pray on my own. I hear from Him so much more clearly when I am praying in tongues.
The book of Acts talks a lot about praying in tongues and how once people were saved they then sought after the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Yes, at salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us but the Word of God shows that there is a second and subsequent experience to seek after. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit we receive power to witness, to speak in tongues, and even to understand the things of God more clearly. When I got baptized in the Holy Spirit I was so surprised and amazed. I felt God's presence so much more, I understood more, I had so much joy, the world seemed brighter, the grass greener etc. I know it may sound corny but I am only telling the truth. It's awesome for God to be able to pray through me in tongues, I always have a way to pray. It's very simple to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, it's only a matter of asking for it.
Many times, I also read the Bible during my prayer time. I love the revelation God gives me during these times. So, you see, prayer is not just us talking to God, prayer is a conversation. It's us talking but also, letting God talk and us listening. And God will speak, if you want to hear from Him, He will speak to you! It's so important, though, when seeking to hear from God, that we stay grounded in the Word of God. We have to be reading the Word, hearing the Word, and meditating on the Word for us to hear accurately from God. Otherwise, satan will just use our ignorance for an excuse and we will get flaky, thinking that God has said things to us that He really didn't and that are not even Biblical.
Spend some time with God today! You can start out by just putting on a praise song that really ministers to you and telling God how much you love Him. It's not always easy to press in, to lay aside our cares, but it's always worth it!
Friday, June 10, 2011
A Life or Death Matter
Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and THEN all these things will be added unto you.
In other words, when we put God first everything else falls into place. I can't think of anything more important in living a victorious Christian life than putting God first.
Daily time with God is essential.
Do you ever wonder why you are having a hard time getting answered prayer or walking in peace, love, and joy? Do you wonder why you are constantly battling? There is a rest for the people of God and this rest is found in His presence.
We don't spend time with God to "earn" his blessings or our salvation or anything else. We spend time with God to be shaped into His image. We spend time with God to be healed, restored, renewed, empowered. We spend time with God because we love Him and we want to be with Him.
All our answers are found in His presence. All of them. All of them. Everything that pertains to life and Godliness is found in Him.
In John chapter 15 Jesus describes how He is the vine and we are the branches. In order to live, in order to produce fruit, we must remain in the vine! Apart from Him we can do no good works!
I've always been a "need to know exactly "how" to do it" kind of person. When I am learning the things of God, I always want to know exactly how to do it. For example, people would say, "you must remain in the vine." Ok, I would think, HOW do you remain in the vine? I like concrete specific examples (thanks to my high school English teacher).
We remain in the vine by spending time with God everyday, by making time with Him our priority. We don't schedule our time with God around our day, we schedule our day around our time with God.
Throughout the day, we remain in the vine by continually being aware of His presence. We meditate scripture, we listen to worship music, we walk in joy and love. The Bible says that when we walk in love, we are walking in Him!
Do I ever mess up? Yes! I get distracted, I lose my way sometimes. When I notice things are not right in my heart, I realize, I've been neglecting my FIRST priority and God so graciously and lovingly reminds me to come back to Him, to put Him first once again.
If there is any lesson I've learned of life or death importance, it is this one. Where there is God, there is life! Time with God is a life or death matter... literally!
In other words, when we put God first everything else falls into place. I can't think of anything more important in living a victorious Christian life than putting God first.
Daily time with God is essential.
Do you ever wonder why you are having a hard time getting answered prayer or walking in peace, love, and joy? Do you wonder why you are constantly battling? There is a rest for the people of God and this rest is found in His presence.
We don't spend time with God to "earn" his blessings or our salvation or anything else. We spend time with God to be shaped into His image. We spend time with God to be healed, restored, renewed, empowered. We spend time with God because we love Him and we want to be with Him.
All our answers are found in His presence. All of them. All of them. Everything that pertains to life and Godliness is found in Him.
In John chapter 15 Jesus describes how He is the vine and we are the branches. In order to live, in order to produce fruit, we must remain in the vine! Apart from Him we can do no good works!
I've always been a "need to know exactly "how" to do it" kind of person. When I am learning the things of God, I always want to know exactly how to do it. For example, people would say, "you must remain in the vine." Ok, I would think, HOW do you remain in the vine? I like concrete specific examples (thanks to my high school English teacher).
We remain in the vine by spending time with God everyday, by making time with Him our priority. We don't schedule our time with God around our day, we schedule our day around our time with God.
Throughout the day, we remain in the vine by continually being aware of His presence. We meditate scripture, we listen to worship music, we walk in joy and love. The Bible says that when we walk in love, we are walking in Him!
Do I ever mess up? Yes! I get distracted, I lose my way sometimes. When I notice things are not right in my heart, I realize, I've been neglecting my FIRST priority and God so graciously and lovingly reminds me to come back to Him, to put Him first once again.
If there is any lesson I've learned of life or death importance, it is this one. Where there is God, there is life! Time with God is a life or death matter... literally!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
I Dare You!
The church in America today, with all it's "good intentions" has done much to destroy the basic principles of Christianity, to create a wimpy church, a church without power. The simple but powerful principle of faith has been destroyed. No longer are we taught to believe and act on the promises of God. Instead we are taught that God has us like puppets on a string, micromanaging every detail of life on this planet, and that He is arbitrarily handing out or withdrawing His blessings based on His whims. When in fact, God's promises are meant for "whosoever" will believe and receive them!
The true gospel is a gospel of power! We, as God's representatives on this earth, have been given authority to change circumstances on this earth through our prayers and our faith.
Much of the church does not want to accept the full truth of the gospel... Why, I wonder? Could it be that the true gospel requires too much of us? We may have to give up the American dream in order to live God's dream? We may have to sacrifice, to live a life apart, to give up our own hopes and desires and be fully consumed by God's desires.
The true gospel, requires a laying down of our own lives, a dying to ourselves, so to speak. But the glorious truth is that once we do this, and it is not easy, we gain back so much more than we lost. His desires become our desires, His will becomes our will.
America's wimpy gospel says, it is a blessing to be poor. It says, sometimes it is God's will for us to be sick to teach us something. Though we believe it is God's will for a person to be sick we still pray and pray for God to heal them while seeking all help possible from doctors. If it's God's will why not let them stay sick? The church in America says that all that is happening around us must be God's will, all the while thinking if we get enough education we can fix everything. We pursue the American dream. We teach our children, that they must educate themselves so they can get high paying jobs and own lots of stuff and then they are successful.
The true gospel of Jesus Christ says that God desires above all things that we prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers. If we are healthy and prosperous, we then can reach out to a dying world. We can be helpful and relevant to the hurting. The true gospel says that, "By Jesus's stripes we were healed!" This means we received our healing at the cross! We just have to walk in what God has already given us.
Sometimes people ask me, What good is praying when God will just do whatever He wants anyway? With this kind of view, it is true, there is no use in praying. If we don't believe God heals today, that it is His will to heal, then why pray for healing? It's a waste of our time and God's. If we believe it is God's will to keep us sick to teach us something then why waste our time praying for healing?
It is so exciting when we get the revelation that God's Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Word of God was not just written for "back then", the Word is written for such a day as TODAY! It is relevant today. His promises are as fresh and good now as they ever were.
If the gospel was only preached for salvation, it would be worth it. Avoiding hell, spending eternity in Heaven, is the greatest treasure that God gave us in the gospel. Much of the church in America really only sees the gospel as a means to avoid hell. And if that was all it was, that would be OK. Still completely worth being Christians. But the gospel is so so much more. God is so big. He is so powerful. He is EXCITING, not boring! In the gospel God offers us so much more than we know, so much more than we are willing to receive... Personally, I think the God so many people serve is just plain wimpy and boring... He is in a little tiny box that they create.
I DARE you today, take God out of the box. Read the Word, believe the Word, let your life and your beliefs be established on the Word. Put the Word above the World. Find out what God promises you and take Him up on it. Come to the banqueting table. It has been laid out for you. Take and eat of all that is good. God will never force you to come. He will never force you to partake. If you choose not to believe or receive what He offers, He will be sad, but He will not shove it down your throat. God is a gentleman!
There are lots of good Christians out there who are on their way to Heaven, they are dearly loved by God, yet their prayers go unanswered. Why, you ask? It's not a matter of God loving them any less. It's not a matter of Him arbitrarily choosing to answer some and not others... it's a matter of FAITH! The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. It says, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The Bible says that he who doubts is like a boat tossed about on the waves! He is a rewarder of those who believe and who diligently seek Him!
Dear Lord, reveal yourself to us! Give us revelation of your promises and help us to increase our faith by using it. Give us revelation each and everyday of our lives, for every situation that we have!
The true gospel is a gospel of power! We, as God's representatives on this earth, have been given authority to change circumstances on this earth through our prayers and our faith.
Much of the church does not want to accept the full truth of the gospel... Why, I wonder? Could it be that the true gospel requires too much of us? We may have to give up the American dream in order to live God's dream? We may have to sacrifice, to live a life apart, to give up our own hopes and desires and be fully consumed by God's desires.
The true gospel, requires a laying down of our own lives, a dying to ourselves, so to speak. But the glorious truth is that once we do this, and it is not easy, we gain back so much more than we lost. His desires become our desires, His will becomes our will.
America's wimpy gospel says, it is a blessing to be poor. It says, sometimes it is God's will for us to be sick to teach us something. Though we believe it is God's will for a person to be sick we still pray and pray for God to heal them while seeking all help possible from doctors. If it's God's will why not let them stay sick? The church in America says that all that is happening around us must be God's will, all the while thinking if we get enough education we can fix everything. We pursue the American dream. We teach our children, that they must educate themselves so they can get high paying jobs and own lots of stuff and then they are successful.
The true gospel of Jesus Christ says that God desires above all things that we prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers. If we are healthy and prosperous, we then can reach out to a dying world. We can be helpful and relevant to the hurting. The true gospel says that, "By Jesus's stripes we were healed!" This means we received our healing at the cross! We just have to walk in what God has already given us.
Sometimes people ask me, What good is praying when God will just do whatever He wants anyway? With this kind of view, it is true, there is no use in praying. If we don't believe God heals today, that it is His will to heal, then why pray for healing? It's a waste of our time and God's. If we believe it is God's will to keep us sick to teach us something then why waste our time praying for healing?
It is so exciting when we get the revelation that God's Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Word of God was not just written for "back then", the Word is written for such a day as TODAY! It is relevant today. His promises are as fresh and good now as they ever were.
If the gospel was only preached for salvation, it would be worth it. Avoiding hell, spending eternity in Heaven, is the greatest treasure that God gave us in the gospel. Much of the church in America really only sees the gospel as a means to avoid hell. And if that was all it was, that would be OK. Still completely worth being Christians. But the gospel is so so much more. God is so big. He is so powerful. He is EXCITING, not boring! In the gospel God offers us so much more than we know, so much more than we are willing to receive... Personally, I think the God so many people serve is just plain wimpy and boring... He is in a little tiny box that they create.
I DARE you today, take God out of the box. Read the Word, believe the Word, let your life and your beliefs be established on the Word. Put the Word above the World. Find out what God promises you and take Him up on it. Come to the banqueting table. It has been laid out for you. Take and eat of all that is good. God will never force you to come. He will never force you to partake. If you choose not to believe or receive what He offers, He will be sad, but He will not shove it down your throat. God is a gentleman!
There are lots of good Christians out there who are on their way to Heaven, they are dearly loved by God, yet their prayers go unanswered. Why, you ask? It's not a matter of God loving them any less. It's not a matter of Him arbitrarily choosing to answer some and not others... it's a matter of FAITH! The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. It says, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The Bible says that he who doubts is like a boat tossed about on the waves! He is a rewarder of those who believe and who diligently seek Him!
Dear Lord, reveal yourself to us! Give us revelation of your promises and help us to increase our faith by using it. Give us revelation each and everyday of our lives, for every situation that we have!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Think on Purpose!
We must think on purpose! This is a powerful and life changing practice, if we can get a hold of it!
We must choose what we think and meditate on and not let just any old thought roll around in our minds.
One good way to "think on purpose" is to come up with a list of thoughts that will empower you and minister life to your body. We all have areas we need to grow in and habits we need to change so we can include thoughts that will help us to be over comers. Remember, it says in Proverbs, "As a man thinks in His heart, so is He." We can literally bring things to pass in our lives by meditating on them long enough that we believe them. This can be for our good or for our harm. If we are meditating the thought, I am always so tired, I don't feel good, then we will believe that and we will probably not we able to get much done. On the other hand, if we meditate the thought, I am strong and healthy, all my strength comes from God, I can do anything I need to do in this life, through Christ, then we will been to feel energized and believe that we can accomplish much more than we thought we could!
In Philippians 4:8 the Bible even tell us what to think about!
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things!
I have a list of power thoughts that I regularly think. When I find myself thinking anything negative or destructive, I immediately replace that thought with a power thought! I have asked God to quickly bring it to my attention when I am thinking negatively and He is faithful to do it! I want to share with you some of my power thoughts. I have gotten some of them from the book by Joyce Meyer called Power Thoughts which I HIGHLY recommend (I also very highly recommend her book, Battlefield of the Mind). Some of them I have tailored to meet my individual needs and some I have come up with on my own. I encourage you to make your own list to help you with your particular weaknesses. And don't forget to ask God for help!
Here are some on my list:
1. I hear God's voice and quickly obey!
2. All my strength and provision come from God!
3. God is my only source!
4. God loves me unconditionally!
5. I love to exercise, I have lots of energy.
6. I can do anything I need to do in this life through Christ!
7. I will not live in fear!
8. I am bold as a lion!
9. I am bold and confident because I know that God is always with me!
10. I am difficult to offend. I forgive easily and quickly!
I have many more, this is just an example. So, choose to think on purpose today! Remember it takes time to change old mindsets. This will happen gradually over time as we continue to renew our minds! It's a daily battle, so be strong and courageous and NEVER GIVE UP!
We must choose what we think and meditate on and not let just any old thought roll around in our minds.
One good way to "think on purpose" is to come up with a list of thoughts that will empower you and minister life to your body. We all have areas we need to grow in and habits we need to change so we can include thoughts that will help us to be over comers. Remember, it says in Proverbs, "As a man thinks in His heart, so is He." We can literally bring things to pass in our lives by meditating on them long enough that we believe them. This can be for our good or for our harm. If we are meditating the thought, I am always so tired, I don't feel good, then we will believe that and we will probably not we able to get much done. On the other hand, if we meditate the thought, I am strong and healthy, all my strength comes from God, I can do anything I need to do in this life, through Christ, then we will been to feel energized and believe that we can accomplish much more than we thought we could!
In Philippians 4:8 the Bible even tell us what to think about!
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things!
I have a list of power thoughts that I regularly think. When I find myself thinking anything negative or destructive, I immediately replace that thought with a power thought! I have asked God to quickly bring it to my attention when I am thinking negatively and He is faithful to do it! I want to share with you some of my power thoughts. I have gotten some of them from the book by Joyce Meyer called Power Thoughts which I HIGHLY recommend (I also very highly recommend her book, Battlefield of the Mind). Some of them I have tailored to meet my individual needs and some I have come up with on my own. I encourage you to make your own list to help you with your particular weaknesses. And don't forget to ask God for help!
Here are some on my list:
1. I hear God's voice and quickly obey!
2. All my strength and provision come from God!
3. God is my only source!
4. God loves me unconditionally!
5. I love to exercise, I have lots of energy.
6. I can do anything I need to do in this life through Christ!
7. I will not live in fear!
8. I am bold as a lion!
9. I am bold and confident because I know that God is always with me!
10. I am difficult to offend. I forgive easily and quickly!
I have many more, this is just an example. So, choose to think on purpose today! Remember it takes time to change old mindsets. This will happen gradually over time as we continue to renew our minds! It's a daily battle, so be strong and courageous and NEVER GIVE UP!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Who is Playing on the playground of your Mind?
God put this message on my heart a few days ago.
Who are you letting play on the playground of your mind? Is satan allowed to play there as he wills or do you keep the playground reserved for the Holy Spirit only?
You see, sometimes we think that we have to think about whatever thoughts happen to come in our minds. But that is untrue! We have control over our minds and our thoughts. Satan can and will drop thoughts in our minds as he wills but it is our responsibility and choice to whether to "take" a thought by continuing to think about it or by saying it out loud. The Bible says that we must cast down vain imaginations and every thought that exalts itself against God.
We have to think about what we think about. Do you dwell on self-defeating thoughts like, "I'm no good. I'm too fat. Nobody likes me. I can never do anything right, or this is just too hard."? If so, you are letting satan come over to play on the playground of your mind!
I encourage you today to start recognizing when you have a wrong thought and decide to cast it down and replace it with another thought.
I am reading a book by Joyce Meyer called, Power thoughts. She recommends meditating on one power thought per week to retrain your mind to minister life to your body instead of death. When we think on self-defeating thoughts we are actually ministering death to ourselves. But when we think on truth and encouraging thoughts we are ministering life to ourselves.
Her first power thought is, I can do everything I need to do in this life, through Christ. This is based on Philippians 4:13.
Scriptures are perfect things to meditate on. Also, things like, "God loves me! I am accepted in the beloved."
I will probably write a part two for this post soon. For today, start recognizing when you think a negative thought and REPLACE it with a positive one! I will be meditating on, I can do everything I need to do in this life through Christ! Won't you join me?
Who are you letting play on the playground of your mind? Is satan allowed to play there as he wills or do you keep the playground reserved for the Holy Spirit only?
You see, sometimes we think that we have to think about whatever thoughts happen to come in our minds. But that is untrue! We have control over our minds and our thoughts. Satan can and will drop thoughts in our minds as he wills but it is our responsibility and choice to whether to "take" a thought by continuing to think about it or by saying it out loud. The Bible says that we must cast down vain imaginations and every thought that exalts itself against God.
We have to think about what we think about. Do you dwell on self-defeating thoughts like, "I'm no good. I'm too fat. Nobody likes me. I can never do anything right, or this is just too hard."? If so, you are letting satan come over to play on the playground of your mind!
I encourage you today to start recognizing when you have a wrong thought and decide to cast it down and replace it with another thought.
I am reading a book by Joyce Meyer called, Power thoughts. She recommends meditating on one power thought per week to retrain your mind to minister life to your body instead of death. When we think on self-defeating thoughts we are actually ministering death to ourselves. But when we think on truth and encouraging thoughts we are ministering life to ourselves.
Her first power thought is, I can do everything I need to do in this life, through Christ. This is based on Philippians 4:13.
Scriptures are perfect things to meditate on. Also, things like, "God loves me! I am accepted in the beloved."
I will probably write a part two for this post soon. For today, start recognizing when you think a negative thought and REPLACE it with a positive one! I will be meditating on, I can do everything I need to do in this life through Christ! Won't you join me?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Increasing Faith
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6
James 1:6-8 says, But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like the wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man shall not think he shall receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.
Trust or faith in God is the key to having our prayers answered. But how do we trust in God when we have never or seldom experienced His answers to our prayers? How can we trust Him if we do not know Him or have not experienced His goodness?
The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. It also says that we have all been given a measure of faith. Basically, this measure is in seed form. In order for our faith to grow, we must be hearing the word of God and continually bathing our minds in it. Since our mind was not automatically made new when we accepted Christ, the word of God says that we must continually renew our mind. The way to renew our mind is by hearing the word of God. We must read it, hear it, learn it, and meditate on it.
God has given us many promises in His word. But how will we know what He has promised us if we don't study His word to find out?
Once we know what God has promised us, this will increase our faith, then we can pray in faith believing and have our prayers answered!
Just as we can't know what an orange tastes like unless we peel and eat it, we cannot know the goodness of God until we have experienced it!
Every answer, to every problem can be found in the word of God. The Bible says, Blessed are those who walk not in the council of the ungodly. The world does not hold the answers my friend! Run to God first! Let Him show you how good He is.
I really love the story in Mark chapter 9 where the father of a child who had an evil spirit came to Jesus for help. And Jesus said, "IF THOU CAN BELIEVE, all things are possible to him who believes." And then the man says, "I believe, help thou my unbelief!"
I love this story, I love it, love it, love it! First of all, because Jesus says, ALL things are possible if we can just believe. And secondly because the man feels the same way I feel so often! He has faith, but he prays for more faith.
And Jesus is so good, He meets him right where he is and heals his son.
Go Jesus! You are so good!
Another way to increase our faith is to ask for it, just as this man did.
God is good! He longs to show you how good He is. Put your faith in Him and let Him show you!
The things of this world will pass away, but the word of God stands forever.
James 1:6-8 says, But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like the wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man shall not think he shall receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.
Trust or faith in God is the key to having our prayers answered. But how do we trust in God when we have never or seldom experienced His answers to our prayers? How can we trust Him if we do not know Him or have not experienced His goodness?
The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. It also says that we have all been given a measure of faith. Basically, this measure is in seed form. In order for our faith to grow, we must be hearing the word of God and continually bathing our minds in it. Since our mind was not automatically made new when we accepted Christ, the word of God says that we must continually renew our mind. The way to renew our mind is by hearing the word of God. We must read it, hear it, learn it, and meditate on it.
God has given us many promises in His word. But how will we know what He has promised us if we don't study His word to find out?
Once we know what God has promised us, this will increase our faith, then we can pray in faith believing and have our prayers answered!
Just as we can't know what an orange tastes like unless we peel and eat it, we cannot know the goodness of God until we have experienced it!
Every answer, to every problem can be found in the word of God. The Bible says, Blessed are those who walk not in the council of the ungodly. The world does not hold the answers my friend! Run to God first! Let Him show you how good He is.
I really love the story in Mark chapter 9 where the father of a child who had an evil spirit came to Jesus for help. And Jesus said, "IF THOU CAN BELIEVE, all things are possible to him who believes." And then the man says, "I believe, help thou my unbelief!"
I love this story, I love it, love it, love it! First of all, because Jesus says, ALL things are possible if we can just believe. And secondly because the man feels the same way I feel so often! He has faith, but he prays for more faith.
And Jesus is so good, He meets him right where he is and heals his son.
Go Jesus! You are so good!
Another way to increase our faith is to ask for it, just as this man did.
God is good! He longs to show you how good He is. Put your faith in Him and let Him show you!
The things of this world will pass away, but the word of God stands forever.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Is it God's Will For Someone to be Sick or to Die Young?
There is a widespread belief among the body of Christ that it is sometimes God's will for a person to be sick and suffer or for a person to die before they have reached old age.
I challenge this belief. I do not find this to be true in the Word of God. God has come that we may have life and life more abundantly! Every good and perfect gift comes down from God, the father of light!
The Bible says the prayer of faith will heal the sick and that by Jesus stripes we are healed. Jesus paid for our healing at the time of the cross. He does not desire us to be sick and therefore suffer in vain.
You see, from the time we are born we are taught certain things and certain ways of thinking. These things come from our parents, teachers and society. Once we have developed a certain way of thinking it can be difficult to change this. But I challenge you today, to dig into the Word of God and learn the truth for yourself. The Bible is the only standard of truth that we have in this world, therefore, to know the truth, we must find it there.
The Bible says, to be transformed by the continual renewing of our minds. We must always be reading the Word of God, meditating on it, and hearing it for our minds to be transformed to God's way of thinking.
God has so many exciting truth's and treasure's to show us, if only we will seek after them. The Bible says that in the last days people will have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. How sad, to have to truth and the power of God within reach but to deny it. Don't let anyone else tell you what to believe, not even me, please! Let God show you in His Word!
Sometimes, it can be hard to believe that it is not God's will for us to suffer when we see so many good Godly people, even babies, suffer and die. But just because it happened does not negate the truth of God's Word. God's promises are activated by faith! We cannot pray for someones healing and then turn around and say with our mouth that they are never going to get healed or that they are probably going to die! We have to speak what we believe otherwise we negate our prayers! We say with our mouth, "I believe so and so is healed in Jesus name. I believe, even if I can't see it, that God's healing power is working in them right now."
So, I encourage you to seek out the truth. Ask God to show you the truth. Search His Word for yourself! Put this search as first priority in your life, it really is a matter of life and death!
I challenge this belief. I do not find this to be true in the Word of God. God has come that we may have life and life more abundantly! Every good and perfect gift comes down from God, the father of light!
The Bible says the prayer of faith will heal the sick and that by Jesus stripes we are healed. Jesus paid for our healing at the time of the cross. He does not desire us to be sick and therefore suffer in vain.
You see, from the time we are born we are taught certain things and certain ways of thinking. These things come from our parents, teachers and society. Once we have developed a certain way of thinking it can be difficult to change this. But I challenge you today, to dig into the Word of God and learn the truth for yourself. The Bible is the only standard of truth that we have in this world, therefore, to know the truth, we must find it there.
The Bible says, to be transformed by the continual renewing of our minds. We must always be reading the Word of God, meditating on it, and hearing it for our minds to be transformed to God's way of thinking.
God has so many exciting truth's and treasure's to show us, if only we will seek after them. The Bible says that in the last days people will have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. How sad, to have to truth and the power of God within reach but to deny it. Don't let anyone else tell you what to believe, not even me, please! Let God show you in His Word!
Sometimes, it can be hard to believe that it is not God's will for us to suffer when we see so many good Godly people, even babies, suffer and die. But just because it happened does not negate the truth of God's Word. God's promises are activated by faith! We cannot pray for someones healing and then turn around and say with our mouth that they are never going to get healed or that they are probably going to die! We have to speak what we believe otherwise we negate our prayers! We say with our mouth, "I believe so and so is healed in Jesus name. I believe, even if I can't see it, that God's healing power is working in them right now."
So, I encourage you to seek out the truth. Ask God to show you the truth. Search His Word for yourself! Put this search as first priority in your life, it really is a matter of life and death!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Angels
When I was praying about this post, God told me to talk about angels today.
There are some common misconceptions about angels. Now we know from scripture that there are many types of angels in Heaven and many are described as having wings. But we know that when angels have appeared to people they are usually male and have no wings. I only know of two angels that are called by name in the Bible and they are Michael and Gabriel.
The classes of angels are archangel (Jude 9, 1 Thess. 4:16), seraphs (Isaiah 6:2), cherubim (Eze 10:1-3), angels with authority and dominion and ministering spirits.
I've heard many people talk of having lost a loved one and saying that now this person is an angel in heaven watching over them. This is incorrect. Humans and angels are completely different beings. Humans never become angels!
For humans were created in the image of God!
Angels were created to worship God and all angels were created good. But when satan fell from heaven, we know that numerous angels followed him and we know these angels as demons today. They are now completely evil.
Most angels are still good and going about their duties of praising God. Some are sent to help humans. Psalms 91 is an example. They carry out many different duties for God, all of them serving God and many assisting humans. They are seen in the Bible doing such things as bringing warnings, and protecting people. But angels are not human and never will be. Angels never die and they never marry and are NOT to be worshipped! Colossians 2:18
If you have any questions about what I have said feel free to email or facebook me! kristilinn36@yahoo.com
I encourage you to do a study of your own through scripture! There is much to learn about angels and their functions.
There are some common misconceptions about angels. Now we know from scripture that there are many types of angels in Heaven and many are described as having wings. But we know that when angels have appeared to people they are usually male and have no wings. I only know of two angels that are called by name in the Bible and they are Michael and Gabriel.
The classes of angels are archangel (Jude 9, 1 Thess. 4:16), seraphs (Isaiah 6:2), cherubim (Eze 10:1-3), angels with authority and dominion and ministering spirits.
I've heard many people talk of having lost a loved one and saying that now this person is an angel in heaven watching over them. This is incorrect. Humans and angels are completely different beings. Humans never become angels!
For humans were created in the image of God!
Angels were created to worship God and all angels were created good. But when satan fell from heaven, we know that numerous angels followed him and we know these angels as demons today. They are now completely evil.
Most angels are still good and going about their duties of praising God. Some are sent to help humans. Psalms 91 is an example. They carry out many different duties for God, all of them serving God and many assisting humans. They are seen in the Bible doing such things as bringing warnings, and protecting people. But angels are not human and never will be. Angels never die and they never marry and are NOT to be worshipped! Colossians 2:18
If you have any questions about what I have said feel free to email or facebook me! kristilinn36@yahoo.com
I encourage you to do a study of your own through scripture! There is much to learn about angels and their functions.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Hearing God's voice
John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of My hand.
God has been showing me that in this day and age two things are of vital importance. This is what you need to know, to have victory in these times that we are living in. We must be able to hear God's voice and to be obedient.
So many times we think that we would never be able to hear God's voice, that is only for preachers! But the truth is, all of us who are God's children can and should hear His voice. He wants to talk to us, to lead and guide us, and to tell us of His great love for us.
In these times when things are unsure and danger lurks all around, we can know that God will lead us, and give us His divine protection.
What are some things that block the voice of God? Distractions, television, computer, fear, worry, unbelief, and being too busy. The Bible says to, "Be still and know that He is God." We have to be still sometimes. We have to work on and ask God to help us to be still on the inside ALL the time so we can hear when God speaks.
This is something I've been working on lately. Just turning off the t.v., getting off facebook, just being still. Being present for God and the people in my life. I don't always have to be doing something or be entertained. I can just be still. We have to make it a priority to have some alone time with God on a regular basis. Just to sit and praise, or pray, or read the Word. These are the times God speaks the most, in the quiet.
If you have doubt that you can hear God's voice, have faith! Say to yourself, "Because I am God's sheep, I CAN hear His voice!" Say it often, it will get down inside of you and you will begin to know it's true!
Other helpful hints for hearing God's voice - read the Word often and memorize it, God will use it to speak to you, listen to preaching tapes, go to church, fellowship with the people of God, and immerse yourself in praise music. God speaks to us in many ways and through many means. I find that He speaks to me mostly in a still quiet voice. I will have an impression in my spirit or just a strong knowing that He spoke. Also, it is very important that when you think you heard God speak that it absolutely must line up with the Word of God. God will never ever say anything to you that doesn't line up with His Word!
Something else that God has been telling me is that if we can't obey Him in the small things, we will never obey Him in the big things. This is another thing I am working on! I want to hear and obey quickly, even when it is inconvenient or seems frightening. Everything God asks us to do is for our good!
So remember, when you are feeling afraid, when you just don't know what to do, you can always count on God's leading! You can rest in that and have peace.
Practice hearing God's voice and quickly obeying!
God has been showing me that in this day and age two things are of vital importance. This is what you need to know, to have victory in these times that we are living in. We must be able to hear God's voice and to be obedient.
So many times we think that we would never be able to hear God's voice, that is only for preachers! But the truth is, all of us who are God's children can and should hear His voice. He wants to talk to us, to lead and guide us, and to tell us of His great love for us.
In these times when things are unsure and danger lurks all around, we can know that God will lead us, and give us His divine protection.
What are some things that block the voice of God? Distractions, television, computer, fear, worry, unbelief, and being too busy. The Bible says to, "Be still and know that He is God." We have to be still sometimes. We have to work on and ask God to help us to be still on the inside ALL the time so we can hear when God speaks.
This is something I've been working on lately. Just turning off the t.v., getting off facebook, just being still. Being present for God and the people in my life. I don't always have to be doing something or be entertained. I can just be still. We have to make it a priority to have some alone time with God on a regular basis. Just to sit and praise, or pray, or read the Word. These are the times God speaks the most, in the quiet.
If you have doubt that you can hear God's voice, have faith! Say to yourself, "Because I am God's sheep, I CAN hear His voice!" Say it often, it will get down inside of you and you will begin to know it's true!
Other helpful hints for hearing God's voice - read the Word often and memorize it, God will use it to speak to you, listen to preaching tapes, go to church, fellowship with the people of God, and immerse yourself in praise music. God speaks to us in many ways and through many means. I find that He speaks to me mostly in a still quiet voice. I will have an impression in my spirit or just a strong knowing that He spoke. Also, it is very important that when you think you heard God speak that it absolutely must line up with the Word of God. God will never ever say anything to you that doesn't line up with His Word!
Something else that God has been telling me is that if we can't obey Him in the small things, we will never obey Him in the big things. This is another thing I am working on! I want to hear and obey quickly, even when it is inconvenient or seems frightening. Everything God asks us to do is for our good!
So remember, when you are feeling afraid, when you just don't know what to do, you can always count on God's leading! You can rest in that and have peace.
Practice hearing God's voice and quickly obeying!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Come Away with Me
Here is a word the Lord gave me this morning:
Come away with Me often! You will find Me in the quiet, whether it is in the inner you or in the inner rooms. Come away with Me and I will speak. I will tell you things that you know not of. Not many realize how I long for sweet communion with you.
Put away distractions. None of them can compare to my love for you. None of them can compare to my presence and the treasures you will find there.
You can trust in My love. You can dwell in My secret place. In this place the minor irritations of life will have no effect on you.
Come away with Me often! You will find Me in the quiet, whether it is in the inner you or in the inner rooms. Come away with Me and I will speak. I will tell you things that you know not of. Not many realize how I long for sweet communion with you.
Put away distractions. None of them can compare to my love for you. None of them can compare to my presence and the treasures you will find there.
You can trust in My love. You can dwell in My secret place. In this place the minor irritations of life will have no effect on you.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Guard Your Heart
This is a word that God gave me for us today:
Focus on Me. Keep your focus on Me, not your problems, and not even their answers. Just Me. Keep your eyes on Me and the things of this world will grow strangely dim. Keep your eyes on Me and you will grow to be like Me!
You don't have to have the strength to accomplish all the things I've called you to do for My strength is made perfect in your weakness. Just be. Be who I've called you to be. Be present for the people I've put in your life.
Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life. Too often you haven't paid heed to this scripture like you should! Do what it takes to guard your heart and the hearts of those you are responsible for.
More than ever watch your words. Life and death IS in the power of the tongue. Just as my words framed the world, your words frame your world! Speak only wholesome things. Speak only words of faith. Let no negative talk come out of your mouth but only what is useful for building others up! Let my words dwell in your richly and come out of your mouth!
Focus on Me. Keep your focus on Me, not your problems, and not even their answers. Just Me. Keep your eyes on Me and the things of this world will grow strangely dim. Keep your eyes on Me and you will grow to be like Me!
You don't have to have the strength to accomplish all the things I've called you to do for My strength is made perfect in your weakness. Just be. Be who I've called you to be. Be present for the people I've put in your life.
Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life. Too often you haven't paid heed to this scripture like you should! Do what it takes to guard your heart and the hearts of those you are responsible for.
More than ever watch your words. Life and death IS in the power of the tongue. Just as my words framed the world, your words frame your world! Speak only wholesome things. Speak only words of faith. Let no negative talk come out of your mouth but only what is useful for building others up! Let my words dwell in your richly and come out of your mouth!
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Great Way Maker
Isaiah 43:18,19 says:
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 desert!
There are many things we can get out of this verse but the one that is on my heart today is where it says, I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert!
You see many times throughout my life, God has told me that He will make a way where there seems to be no way! And He has!
This is my constant prayer, that God will make a way where there seems to be no way.
Do you have a situation that seems impossible? GOOD! Because God works BEST in impossible situations! Why? Because when no one else can do it but God, then He gets all the glory, which He deserves! When we pray and ask God for an answer, we absolutely cannot look at the circumstances. Remember the verse that says, Focus not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen, for what is seen is TEMPORAL what is unseen is ETERNAL? God is telling us not to focus on what we see. Circumstances can change in one moments time, even ones that seem impossible!
Keep your eyes on Jesus instead of the problem and your breakthrough is on it's way! Don't even focus so much on the answer to your problem (because that is still keeping your eyes on the problem) just focus on Jesus, the great and awesome WAY MAKER!!!
Thank Him today that He is your way maker!
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 desert!
There are many things we can get out of this verse but the one that is on my heart today is where it says, I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert!
You see many times throughout my life, God has told me that He will make a way where there seems to be no way! And He has!
This is my constant prayer, that God will make a way where there seems to be no way.
Do you have a situation that seems impossible? GOOD! Because God works BEST in impossible situations! Why? Because when no one else can do it but God, then He gets all the glory, which He deserves! When we pray and ask God for an answer, we absolutely cannot look at the circumstances. Remember the verse that says, Focus not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen, for what is seen is TEMPORAL what is unseen is ETERNAL? God is telling us not to focus on what we see. Circumstances can change in one moments time, even ones that seem impossible!
Keep your eyes on Jesus instead of the problem and your breakthrough is on it's way! Don't even focus so much on the answer to your problem (because that is still keeping your eyes on the problem) just focus on Jesus, the great and awesome WAY MAKER!!!
Thank Him today that He is your way maker!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Trust in Jesus
Psalm 34:8 says, "O, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"
How can we know that an orange is good, if we never take a bite, chew it up and swallow it? How can we say, I don't like oranges, if we have never tried one?
It's the same way with God and ALL of His blessings. We never know until we experience Him how wonderful He is.
I love the saying I heard, "A man with an experience is NEVER at the mercy of a man with an opinion." That is great to me because I have experienced God. I have experienced His goodness, His salvation, His healing, His provision. I've had answered prayer (everyday of my life. every. single. day.) I've heard His voice. I've felt His presence. And let me tell you, there is nothing like it. Nothing on earth is like it. Nothing. When you have experienced God's presence, all you want is more. Nothing else will satisfy. I've had healing miracles, I've seen healing miracles. I know people who's lives were transformed by Him when nothing else worked. Mine was. When you've experienced these things, when you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt they are true, then all you want is for everyone you meet to have this too. You long for your loved ones to experience Him. You long for your friends and the strangers on the street to experience Him.
You can, you know. He wants you to. He invites you to come. There is nothing you have done that He will not forgive if you ask. All of His promises are for all of mankind. Anyone who will ask.
It's so sweet to trust in Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, how I love thee, Oh I love thee more and more.
O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are all those that put their trust in Him!
How can we know that an orange is good, if we never take a bite, chew it up and swallow it? How can we say, I don't like oranges, if we have never tried one?
It's the same way with God and ALL of His blessings. We never know until we experience Him how wonderful He is.
I love the saying I heard, "A man with an experience is NEVER at the mercy of a man with an opinion." That is great to me because I have experienced God. I have experienced His goodness, His salvation, His healing, His provision. I've had answered prayer (everyday of my life. every. single. day.) I've heard His voice. I've felt His presence. And let me tell you, there is nothing like it. Nothing on earth is like it. Nothing. When you have experienced God's presence, all you want is more. Nothing else will satisfy. I've had healing miracles, I've seen healing miracles. I know people who's lives were transformed by Him when nothing else worked. Mine was. When you've experienced these things, when you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt they are true, then all you want is for everyone you meet to have this too. You long for your loved ones to experience Him. You long for your friends and the strangers on the street to experience Him.
You can, you know. He wants you to. He invites you to come. There is nothing you have done that He will not forgive if you ask. All of His promises are for all of mankind. Anyone who will ask.
It's so sweet to trust in Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, how I love thee, Oh I love thee more and more.
O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are all those that put their trust in Him!
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