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?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
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!
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