Don't Blame God!!!

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.   And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To him be the power for ever and ever.  Amen.  I Peter 5:6-11

Unfortunately, we live in a world that is not perfect.  A world that will shower us with hurt and pain.  In I Peter 4:12, it says, "Dear friend, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you."  Suffering is a normal part of life because the devil is prowling around trying to destroy God's children.  The devil wants us to fail, but God wants us to succeed.  Don't give into the devil's schemes.  Stand firm, hold on to God.  Trust Him, and He will deliver you.  In verse eleven above, it says that after we have suffered a little while, God, Himself, will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  Don't give in to weakness, and don't blame God.  This is what the devil wants you to do.  James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  God wants what is best for you, so don't give in to the devil's lies and believe that God has brought bad on you.  God brings good, and He WILL deliver you!!!!!

Whatever trial you are facing today, know that God loves you and He will deliver you!  We serve an awesome God!!!  A loving God!!!!  Trust in Him!  I Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  Let's join together in prayer and give it all to God!

Dear God,  Your Word says in Philippians 4:6-7 to not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  We do this is Jesus name!  We give you all the praise, glory for the victory!  In Jesus name, Amen!!

Be Still Before the Lord!

For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.  Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.  I John 3:19b-22

God wants to shower each one of us with His blessings, however He ask one thing in return.  He wants us to walk in obedience to Him.  Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Beautiful words of Jesus!  All we have to do is keep our eyes and hearts focused on Him!  This should be an easy task for us do with all God does for us.  Unfortunately, we have an enemy, the devil who prowls around looking for someone to devour constantly (I Peter 5:8).  He wants to confuse us and keep us distracted from the things of God.  Be still before God day!  Seek His face!  Spend time with Him in worship and praise!  You won't regret it!  Do it not because of what He can do for you, but do it because of who He is!  You will be blessed more that words can be expressed!

Have a fabulous day with Him!

Dear God, clear our hearts and minds so that we can hear Your voice, feel Your presence, and enjoy You today!  We love You with all of our hearts!  In Jesus name, Amen!!!

Lean Upon Jesus!

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:14-16.  

We should never feel ashamed or afraid to approach the Throne of Grace in prayer.  God wants us to come to Him.  He wants us to seek Him in all things!  We are so blessed to have the opportunity to ask Him for help.

Further, it is a tremendous blessing that God sent His son to this earth just for me and you!  Jesus suffered so much just so you and I could be forgiven and live in eternity with Him.  Therefore, trust Him with all of your heart!  He understands!  He's been there!  He knows how you are feeling, and He wants to heal and restore your life!  Turn to Him!  God is the only One that can bring about the healing that you are seeking!  "Yes, in this world you will have trouble, but take heart, for I have come to overcome the world."  Powerful words of Jesus spoken in John 16:33.

We all have weakness, but with the help of Jesus, we can be restored and turn from the sin that keeps us entangled.  The devil wants to remind you of your weaknesses, but God wants to remind you of your strengths.  What a mighty God we serve!!!

Dear God, touch each one of us today!  Speak to our hearts!  Lead us in the way we should go!  Help us to keep our eyes focused on you!  In Jesus name, Amen!

What Do Your Thoughts Stayed Focused On?

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33

Many times we travel through life wishing we had things that we don't, or wanting what others have.  However, instead of focusing on material possessions, we need to turn our focus to God.  The Word of God says, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2, NIV)".  Where are thoughts spending their most time on - things of God or earthly things.

James further goes on to say in chapter 4, verses 2-3, "You want something but don't get it.  You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.  You quarrel and fight.  You do not have, because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."  Wow!  James didn't sugar coat his message here, and neither should we.  If your life is not heading in the direction you think it should be, stand firm, and seek God with all of your heart.  There are so many things that we want, but the most important part of our life we need, we neglect - our relationship with God.

Let's rend our hearts, repent and surrender our all to God today!   You can never go wrong with God leading your every step!

Have a blessed day!

God Always Has a Purpose!

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."  John 9:1-3


Often times, we trudge through life wondering why things are happening to us and around us, just like the disciples did years ago.  Though we cannot explain many things that happen, we need to realize that God allows things to happen so that He can complete His work.  For instance, God did not bring my abuse into my life, the devil did.  However, God turned what the enemy meant for bad and turned it to good.  My past happened so that God could use me to help free others through the power of my Heavenly Father.  God knew that I would be an overcomer through Him, and that I would commit my life to helping others before I was even born.

Search deep within your hearts today, seek God with all of your hearts, and ask what your God given purpose is during your time on this earth.  You were not born by error.  God has a plan for you.  God has a victorious path for you.  Be still before Him today and allow Him to shower you with His presence.

Dear God, in Jesus name, I pray that you touch each one of my sisters in Jesus name.  I pray, in Jesus name that you take the bad from their past and turn it to good.  Help them to live in the now and in Your power, to allow You to lead their every step.  Dear God, in Jesus name, I pray that You deliver them from past hurt, pain, and in, so that they can fulfill Your calling on their lives.  In Jesus name, Amen!!!

Live in the Now!!!!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:1

Put the devil in his place!  You are a child of the King!!!  Stand in authority through the name of Jesus and take back what the devil has stolen from you and choose to live in victory!!!!

Forgiveness is Always the Key!

              Research has shown that 35% of women have reported emotional spousal abuse with 72% of them reporting that the emotional abuse affected them worse than the physical abuse.  Spousal abuse has been divided into seven categories – criticizing, ridiculing, jealous control, purposeful ignoring, threats of abandonment, threats of harm, and damage to personal property.  The long term psychological symptoms that affect women are depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress syndrome, low self-esteem, learned helplessness, and resentment of the abuser (Reed & Enright, 2006). 
              It is time to regain control of your life, and it begins with forgiving those who have hurt or wounded you.  When we hold on to unforgiveness, we allow resentment and bitterness to grow so thick that it controls every aspect of our life - our relationships with others, our health, our attitudes, and our overall well-being.
              When you forgive others, you are not agreeing with their wrong, condoning what they did, making excuses for them or have to reconcile a relationship with them.  On the contrary, you are taking back control of your life and setting yourself free.  Trust me, as you begin to forgive others, a freedom that cannot be explained begins to flow throughout your body.  It is amazing, priceless and of God!  God wants you to be free!  Join with me today in prayer to begin your freedom!
              Dear God, in Jesus name, we come before you with humble hearts, knowing that You are the only One that can truly set us free.  We ask forgiveness for holding unforgiveness towards others!  Dear God, with Your help, I forgive all of those who have hurt or wounded me (Name them one by one and say, "I forgive, ____________, in Jesus Name.). We give You all the praise and glory in Jesus Name, Amen!


Reference

Reed, G. L., & Enright, R. D. (2006). The effects of forgiveness therapy on depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress for women after spousal emotional abuse. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(5), 920-929. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.74.5.920