"No Shortage of Mockers"

"Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that sinful nature will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."  Galatians 6:7-8.

It is no surprise that we are living in days of confusion and deception.  When good things are called evil, and awful things are labeled "good" it is a clear indication of danger ahead!  How long must God endure such unthinkable levels of mockery against holiness, righteousness and the people of faith in our modern society.  Often, my heart aches for the lost souls who repeatedly wage battle against religious freedom and anything or anyone who preaches the true gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Bible says clearly, that we should know the truth and the truth shall make us free.  Yet, for so many, truth is just relative.  In fact, it is simply anything that can be intellectually taught by someone who looks knowledgeable and articulates with passion and purpose.  Truth has been taken captive, and altered if not watered down completely by the minds of young and old alike.  God's Word is Truth.  But let not any man or woman promote this hate speech or intolerance, as they say.  There are no shortage of mockers out there, no shortage of people who absolutely hate what God stands for and the truth that the Gospel of Jesus Christ represents.

Maybe there will come a time when there is a holy unity among God's people when it comes to advancing the message of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom principles.  Until then, we will undoubtedly face obstacles and absolute ridicule from people inside and outside of the church.  When Ananias and Sapphira lied to God and Peter, they were both struck dead.  (Acts 5:1-11)  When Lot's wife disobeyed and turned back to gaze upon the city, she was turned to a pillar of salt. (Gen. 19:26)  When the crowds jeered and mocked Noah as he was constructing the ark of safety, they were closing their opportunity to live through the great flood and missed their chance of survival. All were drowned. (Gen. 6-9)... There are many more stories in the Bible of mockers ultimately facing their final destiny.  Do not be alarmed or frightened by the intimidation tactics and evil schemes of mockers. Some are unaware of the damage they do, while others are very purposeful and strategic in their wicked ways.  As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we are to be ever vigilant and wise in dealing with every person we minister to.  Some are truly sent to us by God for deliverance and healing, while others are sharpened tools in the clutches of the enemy to bring destruction and chaos into the camp.  If you have studied scripture and biblical history at all, you would agree that this is nothing new.

As we enter into a new year, I am anticipating the Glory of God to be intensifying and increasing among the people of God worldwide.  Just as when Solomon finished praying as he was dedicating the temple,  a sudden fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. (II Chron. 7:1) It's such an amazing story, that even the priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it.  When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, "He is good; his love endures forever." (II Chron.7:2-3)

Are you ready for moments like this?  I want to encourage you to believe God at His word and to press through past the mockers and insults.  Lets find truth and joy on our journey with Him. The Lord is Good and His Love endures forever.  Happy New Year!  The best is yet to come.

"Taking back what belongs to you!"

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Did you know that self pity is a sin?  Yes, it is a self-destructive attitude that paralyzes and prevents us from making any progress in life.  It may feel good temporarily, but it is actually debilitating.  Do you know anyone who is miserable, and they seem to not be satisfied until you are miserable too?  Don't open the door to self pity and misery mindedness, if you want to be filled with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!  Light and dark cannot coexist.  So many people waste so much of their life feeling sorry for themselves.  They are not happy with their life, and they think its up to somebody else to make them happy.  Well, the bad news is, nobody can ever fill the emptiness or void you have and the only one who can do something about your unhappiness is you!  The good news is that you already have everything you need to do something about it right now.  God is available 24/7 and his phone is never busy!  You can call on Him, and He will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you know not.  I love what the Bible says about trusting in the Lord...It describes our walk with God as that of an eagle soaring high in the sky.  As we hope and trust and develop our faith in Jesus Christ, the Living God, we will be strengthened, made whole, and eventually rise to our full potential in life.   If you love adventure, this is it!  Life with a Heavenly minded purpose, has eternal and daily benefits... most of all it is the greatest adventure of all. 

Through the lens of "faith" established in the power of the Holy Spirit and the refreshing meditation of the Holy Word of God, our life is meant to be powerful, exciting, victorious and joyful.  We need to choose carefully what we allow our eyes to read, our ears to hear and our minds to accept.  This present day culture we are living in, wants to distract us completely away from Kingdom Living.  However, this is no surprise to Almighty God!  Thats why He has already provided a way for us to live free from despair, self pity and depressing attitudes.  Why don't more of us realize that we are just wasting our time when we gratify our flesh and its self driven nature.  Spend time building up your inner man or inner woman, and find out who you are in Christ.  Then, start taking it to the next level by speaking God's Word over every temptation, over every problem and learn how to get the victory in Christ through small baby steps.  We all have to learn to be content.  It is the base human nature to always want more and more, and never be satisfied.  But the Bible clearly states that contentment with God, is great gain. (I Tim. 6:6-10)  Finding satisfaction and fulfillment in Christ is the first step in gaining the victory over self pity.  You will learn how to see your life and yourself as God sees you.  You are Loved, you are healed, you are an overcomer, and you can be content no matter what your circumstance! 

"Adventure....going through the tough times in life and rising above it all."  Let the adventure of your life begin today.  After all,  you are the only one who can allow God to remove the roadblocks of self pity, and its time! Time to move out of pitiful and into powerful. (Gal. 2:20)  Why not take back what belongs to you, and start living the great adventure of God's amazing grace today!

"Completely Covered"

"Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord."  Psalm 139:4

God cares for His people!  There are so many blessed assurances throughout the scriptures that emphasize God's favor being poured out upon us daily.  What a good and loving heavenly Father He is!  Where can we go from His Spirit and where can we flee from His presence?  Oh Lord, you have searched us and you know us.  You know when we sit and when we rise, you perceive our thoughts from afar.  You, Oh God, are familiar with all of our ways! (Psalm 139:1-3)

It is comforting to understand the promises given to us in God's word.  When life's trials come fast and furious, we can be still and know that He alone is God.  (Psalm 46:10)  Our confidence in the Lord is built throughout the tough times in life, when we allow Him to speak "life" into our bad situations.  Not long ago, as my husband and I were ministering and sharing the good news of the life, death and resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were also experiencing one of the most difficult financial challenges we had ever faced.  The weight and burden of a huge financial loss had taken its toll on us and our family.  It seemed as though we were never going to recover from such a devastating situation.  By God's grace and total empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we were able to climb out of that "dark hole" and slowly rebuild what was lost.  It felt like we had gotten a few battle scars in that season, but looking back, I can affirm that God was building something "in us" that was much more significant than what we thought we had learned.

Throughout that very strenuous, and difficult training period, we both as husband and wife, learned to lean upon the wisdom and strength of the Lord when there was absolutely no solution or way out.  We had to go through!  And thank God, we came through stronger than before.  It didn't mean that we endured some degree of pain, suffering and heartbreak, but the situation did prove to put us on a new level of faith that we hadn't seen before.  We had learned how important it is to keep proclaiming God's word over every situation and to never stop believing in His Goodness and Mercy, even in the middle of our greatest tests!  God cares for His people, He provides a way when there seems to be no way, and He is our greatest friend when we are left alone.   I am often reminded of the vivid picture of Jesus being the "Good Shepherd."  We all like sheep have gone astray at times, going our own way and missing it!  But, God, in His great mercy has always been there whether we found Him or not.  He was searching our heart, knowing our anxious thoughts, testing us and waiting for us to come home.  Just like a good shepherd who knows all of his sheep.  If one has wandered off, he will be the one that goes out to find him.  So it is with our precious Lord Jesus Christ,  in that while we were yet sinners, He died for us.  Making a way to bring us home and redeem us from our wicked ways!  He is our Good Shepherd and He is not willing that any should perish, but that all would have life and life more abundantly.

I declare over you today, that if you have wandered away from the loving care of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you will find your way home.  His loving arms are waiting to receive you back and forgive you and bless you with a fresh start.  Sometimes it is harder to forgive ourselves for the bad choices we have made, and we think somehow that God would never forgive us.  But, once again, I want to remind you that He is our Father, and a good Father's Love is unconditional, strong and forever.  He will never give up on you, so what are you waiting for!  God's got you covered.

Today's prayer confession:  "Dear Lord Jesus,  thank you that you are always ready and able to take care of me and to forgive my sins when I have failed you.   I am comforted to know that you hem me in- behind and before and you are my Good Shepherd.  Please help me to turn from my own ways and to follow you with a heart full of devotion and commitment.  I know this is my season of healing and new beginnings, and I am coming home to you today!  I love you Lord, and my hope and trust are now upon you and your plans for my life.  Today is my new beginning and my day of restoration.  What the enemy has stolen from me in my times of disobedience, I know that you will repay.  You alone are my strength and my song. In Jesus Name, amen."