Faith Level

"Our FAITH level is determined by our WORD level."

I was scanning the radio and  heard this Monday while driving in the truck on the way home from a very blessed weekend in TX.  How very true this is!  I didn't catch who said it though, but it goes along the same lines as this Bible verse:

Romans 10:17 (King James Version)

17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

This reminds me of one of my favorite sermons I heard our Pastor at home teach many years ago.  (I'm sure I've shared this before, but it is one of my favorites, and this is my blog.  :P)

I was in the nursery tending to the babies on a Wednesday night.  Dh was in Brenham painting his mom and dad's country house.  When we worked in the nursery we would get a copy of the sermon.  I got my copy, and then the kids and I were going to drive up to see dh.  (Brenham was about an hour and a half from our house)  As I was driving, I listened to the tape.  (ah yeah, cassette tape, it was the 90's-lol) 

Pastor was saying that sometimes we need to audibly hear the WORD of GOD to get it into our spirit.  He said sometimes you have to speak the WORD of GOD out loud so that your physical ear hears it, then it can get into your spirit man. 

I had to listen to the tape over and over again.  Then it all clicked!  (love when GOD does that)  We have to stay focused on the WORD!  Sometimes we have to hear it, read it out loud so our spirit man can absorb it. 

Now I realize this isn't what this quote was saying, but it reminded me of this story.  Our faith level can only increase as our WORD level increases.  Remember that saying?  "Garbage in, Garbage out"  Well that's the same thing as the WORD-if we intake the WORD of GOD, what comes out?  The WORD of GOD-FAITH! 

I have to admit, I haven't been diligent lately about the WORD of GOD...as probably seen in my posts of late.  My apologies to you the reader and to my FATHER. 

Blessings until next time!

Thank Goodness!

Yesterday, I was telling my dd about a friend's clean bill of health.  Our friend had received some disturbing news about her health.  After a series of testing, etc., she received a good report and all came out fine. 

My daughter exclaimed, "Thank Goodness!" 

 Where I promptly said, "No, Thank GOD!" 

 She said,  "Isn't HE GOODNESS?"   

WHOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA, NELLIE!!!!!  Revelation! 

With tears in my eyes, I replied, "Yes, HE is!!!  People that don't even believe in GOD our thanking HIM when they say thank goodness.  I feel a blog post coming on!"  :D

So now the interesting thing will be to listen and hear how many people are actually thanking GOD without realizing it. 

And Yes, GOD is GOODNESS.  There is NOTHING but GOODNESS in HIM.  People always want to revert back to the days of Noah and the Old Testament and say things like, "GOD is a destroyer, and I can't worship a God that destroys the earth." blah blah blah...

Honey, let me tell you something... that was the OLD TESTAMENT, when JESUS came all that changed. GOD doesn't destroy anything anymore.  HE may allow things to happen because of sin, BUT HE doesn't do it anymore.  Besides, If you can't serve the ONE, TRUE, LIVING GOD who or what are you going to worship?  Some tree?  They can't save your soul and spirit. Only the ONE, TRUE, LIVING GOD can through HIS son JESUS CHRIST!

Blessings until next time!

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 (King James Version)

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Notice that the verse says fruit and not fruits?  Many people will say fruits, but this is incorrect.  As a Believer, we should be walking in the fruit of the Spirit.  The fruit is all of the above-love, joy, peace, longsufferering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. 

As I was thinking about this verse, and how to explain this, the LORD gave me this example.
It's like a tv dinner....when you buy a tv dinner perhaps you bought a chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn.  The meal, all the food comes in one neat little tray, you don't have to buy the chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn separate.  It's all in one package.  Well that's how the fruit of the Spirit is. You get it all in one neat little package.  Love isn't separated from joy, joy isn't separated from peace, etc and so on. 

Many people try to separate them. You can't! It's a one package deal.  When we become believers in CHRIST, we get the whole tv dinner.  :D  Sometimes the meat gets hot before the mashed potatoes, so we stir them up a little-well that's what we have to do in the spirit-stir ourselves up!  Get yourself hot, we want to be on fire for GOD!
Blessings until next time!

Miscellaneous...

I thought I'd give an update...

• Insurance-got an extention (well I had already shared that)
• DISH network-turns out dh and I did remember we leased the first receiver, so we apologized for the confusion and will be sending it to them.
• UPS store-went for a refund, they won't grant one, contacted my bank since I used Visa debit, (my dh said I should) they can't refund, but suggested I contact UPS headquarters (which I planned on doing before contacting the bank), so I'm in the process of doing that.

I really am enjoying being here in KS.  It really is lovely.  Not what I would picture KS to be like.  Hilly, green...I've always expected it to be flat and lots of wheat fields.  I guess, from what I've been told, the west side of the state is like that, but the east side by MO is what we are seeing.  The temps have been lovely too...mid 70's!  So nice, after our negative temps this past winter in ND.  :D

The past couple of days I've had some very thought provoking devotions...maybe spirit provoking would be a better word?  Anyhow, yesterday's was on pleading the blood.  There was a discussion about this about a year ago on a homeschool site I visit. I searched to find the discussion and thought about bringing it back up, but then I sometimes think, Why bother?  Most people don't have spiritual ears of understanding anyhow.

Oh, back to the devotion...Kenneth Copeland  was saying when he first became a christian he didn't understand what pleading the blood was about, but when he finally realized....(this is where the woe, watch out part comes in-lol)

"The devil has to respect the blood. When you say, 'I plead the blood of Jesus in this situation,' that's the blood by which the covenant was ratified, and the devil can't touch it. There's protection in the blood. There's deliverance in the blood.

When you plead the blood, you have laid down your case and put your entire confidence on and oath that is coventant-sworn by Amighty God. 

When Jesus took the Communion cup in the upper room, He said, 'Take this and drink it. This is the New Covenant in My blood, ratified for you.'

That blood guarantees certain things.  It guarantees that every word in the written Word of God is a blood-sworn oath.  That blood-sworn oath is an anchor to your soul. It become an inner strength on the inside of you.  God is your Father and Jesus is your blood brother. Everything that's His is yours and everything that's yours is His.

To be afraid to act or speak before you can see or feel something is to doubt God's sworn oath, the name of Jesus, and the blood of the Lamb.

Jesus' blood shed for you obliterate your sin on the cross.  When you received Jesus as your Lord, you took your place in your part of the New Covenant and you activated your freedom.  And every time you repent of sin, it is destroyed forever and you are cleansed of its effect. That's why you can walk free of condemnation. 

If the devil acuses you, don't walk in guilt. Guilt isn't yours. You've been given freedom.  When you feel like you're in front of a judge and he asks, 'How do you plead?' say, ' I plead the bood!  I'm innocent of that.'

'Case dismissed--lack of evidence!'" ~Kenneth Copeland, Pursuit of His Presence

I thought, you know, I'm not sure I knew why we pleaded the blood, I knew it was power, but I think reading this answers many questions that I had and now I know how to answer those when people ask.  (Also, for further reading to understand more, Hebrews 9:11- 10:23 was recommended.  I recommend it too. It helps to explain and gives more understanding.)

Today's devotion is Live a Holy Life.  I really needed to hear this one today.  I've been struggling lately with remembering my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit!  I'll try to share this one tomorrow, since this post is getting too long!

Blessings until next time!

Nothing more than feelings

This morning I was reading my devotion for the day ("Pursuit of His Presence"-Kenneth & Gloria Copeland) and it went along with my blog post from yesterday.  Brother Copeland was talking about healing.  He was talking about just recently it was just as tough to get people saved as it is to get them healed today.  He said people like Dwight L. Moody came along and changed that.  He said people would walk into church service and someone asked you if you were saved and you said no, would happen if everyone picked up on the truth about healing in ththey would grab you and say, "JESUS died for your sins, man! Trust HIM, receive HIM as your LORD and HE'LL save you right now!" 

Brother Copeland then questioned, "Now what do you think would happen if everyone picked up on the truth about healing in the  same way?"

His reply was, "I can tell you what would happen. Healing would become as easily received as the new birth, and we'd wonder why we had so much trouble with it for so long!"

Now here's the part I liked the most in the devotion this morning:

"What's more, in that environment, if someone prayed for healing and then said, 'I don't think I got anything, I don't feel any better.' do you know what they'd be told?  The same thing people are told today when they doubt their salvation because they don't 'feel' saved.  Some mature believer would pull them aside and say, 'Now listen here, You can't go by feelings. You have to do this by faith. If you wait until you feel something to believe you're saved (or healed), you'll never be able to receive."

That goes for anything in our walk with the LORD.  We must have faith.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (Hebrews 11:1)

 Did you hear yourself say that?  The substance of things hoped for!  The evidence of things not seen.

We don't see them always immediately, but we press in on the WORD of GOD and keep hoping for those things not seen! 

Blessings until next time!

I've got to be honest...

I don't pop out of bed every morning ready to take on satan.  This morning I woke up, after a very long night of very little sleep, thinking to myself, "LORD, help me with my unbelief." 

It's not easy to always be full of faith and encouraging words.  I have to remind myself daily, sometimes hourly, sometimes minute to minute, when satan tries to come against me. 

I think that's what people don't understand.  It's something you have to do.  When the enemy tries to place doubt in you, you have to stand against it.  You have to say No, satan, the WORD of GOD says....

That is why it is so important that we know the WORD of GOD!  Remember even JESUS was tempted by satan, and had to tell him what the WORD said.  (you can read it in Matthew 4: 1-11)

According to II Corinthians 10:5, we are to...
 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

I'm not going to lie, it's not always easy. Therefore it's important for us to know the WORD of GOD, meditate on it and pray for our unbelief...which is where I'm at today.  I'd appreciate your prayers also.

Blessings until next time!

A little nugget

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,

we will also live with him;

if we endure,

we will also reign with him.

If we disown him,

he will also disown us;

if we are faithless,

he will remain faithful,

for he cannot disown himself." II Timothy 2:13 NIV

 

I love this!  I was reading my devotion this morning, and the context was over II Timothy 2:1-7.  It was talking about that we will endure hard times as a soldier of the LORD.  Like usual, I continued to read instead of stop where the devotion says to stop, and I got that little nugget. How beautiful is the WORD of GOD!  What a lovely piece of encouragement! 

 

Blessings until next time!

 

Developing the mind of Christ

How do we develop the mind of Christ?  Actually I think it's pretty simple.  I think the problem is we are humans tend to get in the flesh, and not remain in the spirit.  (What do I mean by that...we tend to do what the flesh desires instead of doing what our spirit tells us.)

Here's how I've learned:

• Read the WORD.
• Meditate on the WORD...some people get freaked out by the word meditate. It simply means to think about, to ponder.
• Realize you are developing the mind of CHRIST.  (this being a key point)
• Memorize, learn key verses for every situation
• Develop faith...remember faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD of GOD...sometimes your flesh, your physical ear must hear the WORD of GOD out loud to go into your spirit man, and get in deep inside you!

Learning to get the mind of CHRIST, I believe, is a key element in our walk with the LORD.  Without it, I would still be in doubt, insecurity, lack-physically, financially, spiritually, and mentally. 

I Corinthians 2:6-16
6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Blessings!

The Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics start tonight! Yay! I love the winter Olympics! I love them more than the summer Olympics! (funny how I'm sick of snow though...lol)

As I think of the goal of winning the gold, I'm reminded of a few verses:

1 Corinthians 9:24 (King James Version)

24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

2 Timothy 4:7 (King James Version)

7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (King James Version)

1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We as Christians are like the Olympian going after the gold! We can do it, if we keep our eyes on the prize!

Blessings!

Will ya join me?

I have awesome news to share!

This is a very cool story! 

Dh got a call last week.  Someone was interested in leasing the house.  Maybe 3 years.  Cool.

Next day, dh gets a call, someone is interested in buying the house. Cool too.

But what to do?  what to do?  ever been there?  I asked  my friends for prayers that we would make a GODLY decision and that we would have peace that passes all understanding for our decision.

We spoke to a few friends in a short amount of time, trying to weigh the options too.

Ordinarily the idea of selling would be the way to go-right?  But not necessarily in our case.  The house was on a quick sale.  We would lose our equity in the house.  We would get a mark against dh's credit and have to file a 1099?(that might not be the right form, but some tax form) for tax purposes...not to mention the fact that why would the LORD allow the house to sit there for so long empty?  Did he want us to keep it?  We hadn't been able to make payments in a long time because of our finances.  We had been in touch with the bank all along and they were so gracious to us, and willing to work with us....but in actuality...that was GOD's supernatural favor on us.  :D For some reason in the back of my mind for quite sometime, I felt like we were suppose to keep it-so did the rest of the family....but we couldn't explain why. 

Leasing means we could keep the house, maybe sell it later and get more out of it, if the housing market goes up again.  We would be able to catch up on payments.  The bank is willing to tack on what is owed to  the end of the note and refinance according to dh's salary now. 

So we are praying and our friends are praying.  LORD show us what to do...give us peace and may our decision glorify YOU. 

Dh  finds out the leaser is a pastor.  He's married with a daughter.  They've been living in an RV for 4 years!  (how GOD is that?)  Dh calls their church to find out what kind of church...turns out they are like faith as us...HOLY GHOST FILLED!  WOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!

This has been my prayer all along, LORD send someone that feels YOUR presence and peace in the house. I told dh, "I bet the reason they want to lease the house is because they feel the presence and peace of GOD in that house."

DH asked our realtor if he can talk with the possible leaser.  Sure.  Dh and the pastor hit it off.  Dh asks the pastor, "What made you decide on this house?"  The pastor said they had prayed all along and asked that they would know which house by the peace and presence of GOD and when they went into our house, they felt the unsurmountable peace of GOD there.  :D 

On top of that, the pastor said to dh, something like, "I know I don't know you, but the LORD has pressed on my heart to tell you this.  GOD is getting ready to bless you more than you can imagine!"

So I guess you can tell what our decision was?  The leasers moved in this weekend.  They hope to buy it down the road.  (not sure why they didn't now...maybe GOD has another plan.)

The bank is going to refinance still and tack on what we missed to the end of the loan.

Will you all join me in giving praise to GOD for HIS supernatural provision? 

Blessings until next time!

JESUS, YA got mail!

Today dh got paid...which means I get to deal with bills. YUCK!  It's so not fun dealing with bills, when the finances aren't there.  Last week we were even in the negative. (keep reading...this actually turns out good-lol)

 The other day my dd reminded me of something we've heard Jesse DuPlantis say.  When the bills come in, he holds them up and says, "JESUS, YA got mail!"  LOL....as funny as that sounds, if we are a child of the KING, he's right. 

Today, while chatting with my url friend, Heather, I was telling her I was paying bills.  I told her that story.  She laughed.  We continued to chat, and then I said, "Well I need to go be JESUS' accountant."  Just then....REVELATION hit!!!!  Don't ya love when that happens????

I am JESUS' accountant...YEP, I am!  AND I should be HONORED! 

So, as I was figuring out the bills, etc., I don't know how, (well I do know how, supernatural increase, because of faith and trusting) but I know it happened, we have more than we should.  I had to balance the checkbook like 4 times, just to make sure.  :)  It's amazing how attitude is a huge part of HIS supernatural increase!!!  So between realizing I'm JESUS' accountant and that I need to have cheerful endurance....um things are changing!  PTL!!!  (I'm sure it's also having great friends praying too.  Thank you!)

Now aren't you glad you kept reading????  LOL!
Blessings until next time!

Food for thought Part 6

So in closing, I say stay prayed up, be thankful for what He has done and don’t get comfy. What I said above does not mean you will be perfect. What it means is that being human, you and I will (until we are made whole), make mistakes. It is a juncture that “Fear God” comes into play. For years I always thought that that meant if God got peeved that he was going to kill us all. Not the case. In reality “Fear God” means to reverence him. He knows that we are going to fail. He should he created us, so with that in mind, the reverence comes by way of knowing what “He” is capable of doing, and knowing that when we fail, we can come to him for forgiveness, hoping that some day we will no longer fall into that thing that so easily besets us. This gives a whole new meaning to “Love God hate sin”. Instead of just going through the motions we really mean it. Funny thing is that God is the only one that can decipher the true heart from the one that is just playing games. I have known many “arm chair “people that play church. I am saddened that they do what they do, because their actions affect not only themselves but others around them. The picture they paint gives some the ability to hate Christ even more because for most of the lost, the only Christ they see is what we show as Christians. All I can do is pray for them and if I find I am at fault, I ask God to forgive me in my follies and to help me to not do the things that cause me to fail (SIN) But to do the things I am supposed to do. Doesn’t mean I will but I know the struggle, and hope that “Plan A” would complete itself in me some day. Thank you Jesus.
Henry Santana Jr.

Food for thought Part 5

Remember I said that I would discuss the word “dynamis” later, this is why I waited. Read below.

Eph 6: 19
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

This my friends is part of the armour that has been least used and most controversial. Without communication, we cannot know what the Father wants, and more importantly cannot know where the direction of attack is coming from. Over the years I have heard many excuses as to what Paul was talking about when he spoke here of the word Utterance. The list goes from foreign language to speaking in an unknown tongue. I know what you are thinking and you are sort of right, but before you close this page out please allow me to explain a few things about this.

In the book of Romans Paul teaches about the “Power” of God. These Scriptures speak of the same word in Acts 1:8, 4:33, Rom 1:16, for Just a few. This word “Power,” used here is the word “dynamis” where we get our English word today being Dynamic. This word also has a duel meaning and in this text, is used both ways, from the excitement or enthusiasm of the situation, to the core structure of the science that it defines. The reality if you will.

For years, even though I never served, I have enjoyed the conversations with those that have served in the military. One of the things that I have learned, is the order and structure that the military uses for combat. A part of a soldiers training is that they use coded messages during battle. During a fire fight, if the enemy has moved positions, an order to shift fire is given. Two things take place at this point. The battle perimeter has changed as does the direction of fire, and the soldier is made aware of the enemies’ position. If a soldier does not hear the order, he stands a chance of killing one of his own, (the term used is Friendly fire), or worse he is flanked by the enemy and his line of defense is compromised. The same is for a Christian. When we pray, we are in communication with the Heavenly Father, but there are times he needs to give “special orders” that only you should be made aware of. This is where praying in the spirit comes in. Remember when I said there is a structure and way about God that does not change, this is part of that structure. Unfortunately over the years, a miss teaching or half truth, (BTW a half truth is a lie) has been slammed into the church. Trust me I have heard it all from every denomination, but I am convinced that as I dig deeper into the word, I find that praying in the spirit is a viable part of a Christians walk. For myself, I have had more prayers answered, more blessings bestowed, and more “Supernatural interventions” than I will ever know. The sadness that I have is that (because of not knowing what I know now), I have wounded or even destroyed some of my fellow brethren because I was not in tune to the coded messages that God was trying to send me. You may think it to be weird or from the devil, but the scriptures (Jesus statement) say a “house divided cannot stand”. And if this was of Satan then why did I get the “Supernatural Intervention”. Every time I have a need, I will get an answer by praying in the spirit. Sometimes it is the most unique answer that gives me victory. Sometimes I hear that “My Grace is sufficient”. It may not be the answer I wanted but that is why He is God and I am not. Another reason I know this is from God, is because the enemy hates to see Gods children prosper and be in health. He Satan will never help us get to health and prosperity. That too is another “Rule” that will not change. He was accursed forever. Think about it. Satans deployment is to “kill Steal and destroy” not to bless and prosper. What is also humbling to me is the anointing that flows with the prayer language. I have seen things and have been part of things that would rattle the “arm chair” Christians life. Are you going to die and go to hell if you don’t speak in tongues? No. Did this thing die with the saints of old? No. Should this be a part of a Christian’s life, I certainly think so because it is a covenant between you and the Holy Spirit, but that is your choice. Can God still use you? Yes. The question I would ask is to what degree, will He be able to use you. Do signs and wonders follow you as the word teaches or is there a blank on that page of your life? When hands are laid, do the sick recover? As a Christian, I choose not to compromise the work of God in my life. By not wearing the “Whole armour of God”, I allow myself the chance for disaster that I know is displeasing to God. In doing so, this becomes one of those perplexing things of a Christians life that has chosen to “walk in righteousness” It is our choice to wear what we wear, and what we leave off. I have learned when I get beat up by the enemy, I forgot one or more parts of my armour. I made the choice and suffered the concequnce.

Food for thought Part 4

Working all over the country I have met more than my share of what I call “arm chair” Christians. They quote scripture, go to church, and do everything on the surface that looks right. They pray those “King James” prayers that sound like this “ Oh Lordeth blessedeth beith thy nameth” until the winds of change blow in. Then boom ,they get a disease that is life threatening, finances go to the birds, you know what I mean, and then their prayers sound like this “ GOOOOOOOOOD--- WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME”.

This is all too common. When I stated earlier that my armour was on wrong, really what I was saying was that the foundation to do battle was wrong. Just like the “arm chair” Christian. I had what I needed to go into battle, but I wore it incorrectly, with the breastplate tucked into my pants. My pant legs thrown over my boots, (In my defense I am from Texas), causing my feet to get blisters, that blasted breastplate dug into my belly, I was miserable. I also began to hate the very thing that was made to protect me. With failure after failure, it took my ability to stand away as well.

This is how the battle armour can hurt you. The worst part of this uncomfortable battle armour, is that you want to sit down. Sitting down is no different than becoming complacent. Being complacent causes a person to get lazy. Getting lazy (well you get the picture). The problem with sitting while wearing the armour is that you can’t. This armour is designed to be worn standing up. To sit down you must remove pieces of your armour, (more than likely the breastplate) to become comfortable. When your armour is removed it is the state of complacency. (53rd state near Hawaii) I know a bad joke. Joking aside no armour means no protection; no protection will end in failure. Also without the foundation of the armour, the other 3 pieces are useless. I bet you thought I forgot didn’t you.

With a solid foundation to go into battle, the soldier would then put on his brain bucket, Grab his sword and shield and look for nothing less than victory because of the confidence that he had in what he wore. It is the same for you and I. The sword is used to be a threat, not a device used to help protect a uncovered part of the body. The shield was the only part of the armour that was to be used in a defensive posture, and the helmet to protect the head from flying objects.

When David had observed the Philistine, (while giving his brothers food), he saw a giant. The only trouble that the giant had was that he wore his armour wrong. With a battle plan set, David chose the only weapon that he could use to defeat his foe. A simple sling and stone. Knowing that the giant had removed his helmet, the weakness was exploited and David was given victory. After killing Goliath with the stone, David then took Goliaths sword and beheaded him. This should also be a lesson to us. The enemy knows the weaknesses, and sometimes the most simple mistake on our part can become devastating. Satan will exploit every piece of our armour, and if he finds a weakness will attack, and if our armour is off he will use it against us. For the Christians, the example of the soldier and his armour that Paul wrote, would be to storm head on into battle against the enemy. Move forward, using the five of the six pieces of armour for offensive force, having the knowledge that we have the victory because of Jesus. God never intended for us to sit around, He gave us the ability to have life and with more abundance. Defeat should not be in our vocabulary. I realize that we do fail but remember the word and how things spoken come to existence, the less advantage we give to the enemy the better.

Food for Thought Part 3

Keep in mind, the things that I am about to share, are only a portion of a teaching that has aided me to gain a walk with God that is victorious.

In Ephesians Paul teaches about wearing the armour of God, and for the most part we all can pretty much quote the Verses below.

Eph 6:10 – Eph 6:18
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

When read, we find that there are 6 main elements that the armour covers. In full dress, If we were to see a picture of a Roman Soldier, we would know what Paul was looking at when he put these words into his letter. Each piece covering the other, to protect the soldier within. It is the same for the Christian, except we need to wear a spiritual armour. Next, notice the order to which Paul speaks of when he describes how we are to wear the armour. This is one of those “Rules” again that can be applied to our lives. If the armour was placed on out of sequence, the pieces would not overlap like they should, making it difficult for the soldier to walk. The same is for us. The more revealing issue is that in some cases the armour would become an instrument against the soldier’s body, that would cause injuries that would take time to heal. These are illustrations that I hope can be understood, so that you don’t make the same mistake I did and blame God when it really wasn’t his fault. My armour was on wrong and it hurt me rather than being a tool to help me. This why it is necessary to keep things in order.

Remember rules of God do not deviate nor does the order to which He laid them out. He made them, so it is to our best interest to learn to follow them.

Now to get us dressed for battle. First we have to put on the protection for our loin. This is a covering or pair of steel meshed pants that protects us from our ankles to our waist, or our lower extremities.

Note, Isn’t it funny how satan loves to get a cheap shot in. He is the master of the “ Low Blow”. The next piece to be placed is the breast plate, which covers the “Vital organs” of the chest. Notice that it will overlap the loin protection. Then we step into the boots, which overlap the loin protection as well. At this point, we are now ready for battle.
Blessings until next time!

Food for thought Part 2

This is part 2 continued from yesterday, that my dh wrote to explain the armor of GOD.

In Genesis the word said “God said”. And it came to pass. This is one of many important “Rules” of God that need to be learned. I will be speaking of more “Rules” during this teaching. If you read the word, you will find that throughout the scriptures that when someone “of God” spoke, or said something, that it came to pass. Hannah went to the priest Eli, for a son. She 1st made a commitment to God, then asked for her desire. Eli spoke and Samuel was conceived. Was it an accident this took place, no, It was word becoming flesh. See the picture starting to develop. We need to recognize that our words have power. This word “Power” has many meanings, but for this discussion, I would like to focus on one meaning in particular, and that definition in the Greek is dynamis. I will deal more on this later.

Like many, I find it is always a challenge to walk with God. To please him, even more difficult. What most people want is an easy chair to sit in while God does the rest. Well that is not the case. That is a comfort zone that can collapse at any time. To walk with God means (I hate to say it) that life will change daily with your faith, and that with this walk, you will live on the edge, no more comfort zone. For years I was taught that if you walked with God, that there would be an increase to your faith and a resting time on a plateau, but what I have found is that there are “Rules” that govern the earth and the heavens. One of those rules is that, God made them we didn’t. Another “Rule” is there is a precise order or sequence; a structure if you will that repeats itself over and over that God or his word will not deviate from. And the most important “Rule” is that, God is God and I am not. With that in mind, I found that what I had been taught about increase to plateau was a half truth. As I have grown to know God, I have found that He is an ever increasing God. He never stops to walk on a level plane. As I applied this to my life, I began to increase with him, meaning yesterday’s faith will not help me today, nor will today’s faith help me tomorrow. This is why we need to stay focused on where we are today, walking on an ever increase with him. Anything else brings worry, which is a seed to Fear, which is a bastardized faith. Just ask “Job”, in his words, “The thing I feared the most has come upon me” he lost everything because of his fear. He had been speaking death in his prayers (not realizing it), Satan attacked, and he got what he asked for. By staying focused on the “NOW”, we will find that the winds of change always blow. When we are faced with the trial, if we have walked with Christ, we will find ourselves on the top of the mountain. Then we can say “Mountain be thou removed”, because the mountain is under our feet where it belongs.

When I faultered, it was because of the increase to plateau teaching. Somewhere along the way I would let go of Gods hand and when the trial came I was looking up at the mountain with no way to “make it move”. Faith is for today, and should ever increase. Which brings me to the heart of the teaching.

Blessings until next time!

Food for Thought Part 1

One day, after fellowshipping with some local folks here in ND, dh shared with me some of the things he shared with the gentleman (husband, dad). Dh was sharing with him the armor of GOD (see Ephesians 6:10-17) I found the discussion fascinating and asked dh to write it down. Dh felt lead to write this instead. I'm going to be sharing it this week with you all. It's long, so I've chosen to break it up into parts.

My wife asked me to share a bit about the armour of God from Eph chapter 6, but because of the complexity of the passage, I cannot just deal with a portion of the teaching without a greater foundation to explain, so I wrote this below in hopes of explaining my reasons for a not so short of an explanation.

Food for thought….
I call it “Plan A”. “Making sure your right with God and are pleasing to Him.” For me, this has become most important. I find God tends to do favors in the supernatural for those that honor him, when the rest are left sitting on their thumbs. Case in point, take “Elijah”. (1st Kg 17). Elijah has just challenged the (Wicked) King Ahab, cursed the land for no rain which means no water, (stuck his neck out to obey God) has every one and their uncle after him, and God directs him to go to the brook. He is told by God that there, He will be protected and will eat and drink. Supernatural Intervention. The land, for the next 3 1/2 years will be in drought, the King will rage, the land will suffer, but the man that honored God will have plenty. Sure you say, that was easy for him, he had a different faith, but we live in a different time. True, we do live in a different time but it takes the same faith, in the same God, which is the start of “Plan A”. We cannot please God without Faith.

Over the years I have known many people that have needed Supernatural Intervention, me included. I did not receive what I had asked for, nor did they. Does this mean that God has changed, the answer is no. I have come to the understanding and conclusion, that “Plan A” was not in affect. I may have been a Christian, but did not carry the tools needed to “Stand” against the enemy. The biggest enemy I found was me, and the words that I used. Open mouth speak disaster. I got what I asked for, disaster.

Blessings until next time!

Oh also, please be in prayer and fast for Mike. Mike is my URL Susan's, from the THL, husband. Mike had brain surgery a couple weeks ago. This is the latest report from Susan. "Bobbi he is very sick.I know God has a plan and though i am scaried they say i will be a single mom soon but i know not until ther good lord says come home my son."

You, those who read my blog, know how I feel about GOD's healing. It's time to step it up a notch people. We need to seriously be interceding on behalf of fellow believers and the lost. We need to show the devil we mean business and also petition GOD. If fasting isn't necessary, then why did JESUS do it? I urge you and encourage you to just skip on meal today, on behalf of Mike, and take that time and read GOD's Word and pray.
Thank you!

I DON'T NEED a BAND-AID!!!

Have you ever noticed how people (the body of Christ) are looking for a band-aid instead of the solution?

Instead of proclaiming the WORD of GOD over a situation, they will whine and cry until GOD does something...to ease the pain. All they are asking GOD for is a band-aid, not the solution!

What are we to do when we get sick?
What are we to do when we lack financially?
What are we to do when we get lonely?
What are we to do when the enemy attacks us or allows others to attack us?

We are suppose to go to the solution, not ask GOD for a band-aid!!!
What is the solution? GOD's WORD. It's true, it's living, it's our hope! We can find any answer to any problem in there (except maybe the answer to your kid's algebra problem....lol :P) Go find the verses for your problem, meditate on them, read them, pray them.

Know what else is part of the solution? (I've known this part, but really starting to put it into practice lately.) FASTING.

I've been reading Jentzen Franklin's book "fasting" again. Here are some quotes I find noteworthy:

"What if GOD were hungry and all we feed HIM is our same dull religious routines day after day? Just like ending up with meat loaf on the table night after night, I can just hear our HEAVENLY FATHER sighing, 'Religion again?'"

"We can become overly nourished on a hefty diet of church programs and activities, religious structure, and traditions of men and yet be severely undernourished when it comes to the deeper things of GOD"

"Faith is progressive. Faith never gets in a bad situation and says, 'I'm just going to sit here and die. It's over.' Faith never stands in the desert, having a pity party with everything drying up around it. You walk by faith. You don’t stand still, drowning in your misery. When you get into the wilderness, you keep walking; you keep going forward even if you are only an inch of progress with each step. When you get into battles, you keep saying, 'I will move forward.'"

I want the deeper things of GOD, I don't want to settle for a band-aid. I don't want just a sickness to go away. I don't want to be sick anymore EVER!
I don't want just enough to scrape by, I want my to be debt free!

How can we get into the deeper things of GOD if we're not willing to do what HE's called us to do? I want that faith, I want to inch forward if that's all I can do to go forward! I'm not standing still! I'm not taking the religious mumbo jumbo anymore! I'm standing on the WORD of GOD. I choose to go forward and not retreat! How about you? What are you going to do today? For that matter, from here on out?

I encourage you to read "fasting" by Jentzen Franklin. But mostly, I encourage you to dig deeper into the things of GOD-HIS WORD. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

Blessings until next time!

3 days in a row...house cleaning

For the past 3 days I've woke up around 4-4:30 am. Anyone that knows me, knows I don't do mornings well. I've gotten better over the years, and can tolerate them, and even enjoy them most of the time.

It's been interesting, because I've woke up singing praises to the LORD or praying. This morning I woke up singing, and then I started praying, and then I was reminded of one of my favorite sayings. "If you come to see my house, please make an appointment, If you've come to see me come on in." I started thinking what on earth am I thinking this at this time of the morning???

The LORD spoke gently to my heart. (I love when HE does that) HE said, "Many people try to make appointments with me to get saved. They plan on inviting me in when their heart is clean and pure. Other people let me in with their hearts just as they are." Hmmmmmmmm, I wonder why I've always liked that saying? I never looked at it as a spiritual cleaning. How true that is! So many times people think they don't need GOD to come in until they get everything in order (as if that will ever happen!!!) They try to be a better person first. They try to do all the right things, and change in their own power. I have news for you, that doesn't work!!!

The LORD said, in Matthew 11:28-30:
28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light

Praise GOD for HIS salvation! Praise GOD that we don't have to carry the burden ourselves or try to change in our own power! I'm so thankful for HIS salvation! I'm so thankful that HIS mercies are new everyday! I'm so thankful that we can go to HIM and ask for forgiveness and HE is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank YOU, LORD!!!

If you are struggling with your walk with the LORD, I urge you to go to HIM today, and ask HIM to help you. Ask HIM in. We don't have to have everything in order and perfect before HE comes over. HE can make it perfect, without our help (other than just our asking).

Blessings until next time!

Interesting Quote

"The mere absence of war is not peace." - John F. Kennedy

How come people don't get that? We won't ever have peace? EVEN if we end the war over in Iraq and any other wars around the world ceased, we still wouldn't have peace!

Why/How can you say that, you maybe asking yourself? (Hopefully you already know the answer...)
The answer is quite simple...
We are a fallen people. It all goes back to the Garden of Eden when sin entered the earth. It's not difficult. We are selfish and uncaring without a new mindset, without being born again! There is NO PEACE without JESUS!

If you don't know JESUS and think you have peace, it's not genuine. One day there will be something to shake your very foundation and you'll see that you don't have true peace. I know, I've been there. I encouarge you today to ask JESUS to be the LORD of your life and have everlasting peace. It's as simple as admitting you're a sinner, asking for forgiveness with the words of your mouth and believing in your heart and making it permanent change to want to serve HIM daily. Yeah, you'll still make mistakes...being a Christian doesn't mean you are perfect, it means you are forgiven and have a relationship with the Creator of the universe. It means expecting those things which are not as though they are-healing, prosperity, peace, love, joy, happiness. It doesnt' happen over night, but as you grow in Christ, You'll see the changes, people around you will see the changes, and the best part is that one day when you die off this earth, you have an eternal home in Heaven.

Blessings until next time!