Love Loves - July 11, 2006

Good Morning!

When I was younger I use to say that I needed to be on my own island..................far far away from other people When people irritate me I say "Absolutely Irritating", because people tend to irritate me. I have very low tolerance for stupidity and inconsiderateness, and it seems that those type of people are around me everywhere that I go. But the Lord is dealing with me on that. I asked Him to help me to deal with people. Now, this is not to say that I'm going to let people treat me any kind of way or say anything they want o me . My mother didn't raise a wimp or a whipping post, and Jesus took everything that we could and would ever go through upon Himself on the cross so that I wouldn't have to. We don't have to take people being rude to us. But there's a right way of going about not taking people "crap". I, myself, don't often use this method, but I know how to do it right. My mother always told me to just pray and "kill them with kindness" - even though i wanted to kill them with something else, but that's not the God way to do things. But we must show mercy to others - if you sow mercy; you'll reap mercy. You reap what you sow (Galation 6:6-8). I know this. This I must learn. It's alittle bit easier for me to sow mercy to people that don't do stupid stuff, but we should also show mercy to them as well. Keep praying for me, I haven't gotten there yet, but I'm much much closer than when I first began. When we sow mercy it is an act of love. When a love one gets into trouble, and you show mercy towards them, pick them up and cover them in the name of Jesus, it is an act of love. We must learn to love one another just like that. No one is perfect, and love covers a multitude of sins (I Peter 4:7-9, Prov. 10:12)

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!!!

Wealth vs. Relationship with God

Hello:

I know that you are enjoying this holiday season. It's a time to reflect and think about those special someones in our life. Most important is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savor, Jesus Christ - He is the reason for the season. It's sad to say that this is the only time that He is thought of or sought after by some people. Their is better spent by seeking after the things of this world.

Luke 12:21 tells us that the foolish store up earthy wealth (things/money), but do not have a relationship with God. To some having a relationship with God is the furthest thing from their mind. We as children of the Most High God are not foolish; we understand that the things of this world are temporal (subject to change), and do not last forever. We know that we are only "visitors"; we are "aliens" - we are not of this world. And no, I haven't been watching too many sci-fi flicks; and no, I haven't lost my mind. As children of God, we do not belong to this world; we belong to God. Wealth can't give you happiness; it can't give you love or companionship; it can't heal you; it can't deliver you from all destruction; it can't protect you; it can't save your loved ones; nor can it give you true peace of mind. Having a relationship with God can truly provide all these things. And no, God doesn't want His children to be broke, busted and disgusted. There's a misconception that the children of God should be poor. Well not the God that I serve. Who wants to serve a god that can't provide for them or give them the desires of their heart? Not me! Count me out! Our God wants us to be successful. The Word of God tells us that everything we set our hands to will prosper. He wants us to be prosperous. He wants us to prosper and be in health even as our souls prosper. This is the Word of God not something that I made up. Having a relationship with God helps our souls to prosper; so as our soul prosper from having a relationship with God; we to will prosper and even be in health. God can and will give us all these things and the wealth too. But we must seek Him, His kingdom, a relationship with Him first and ALL these things and so much more will be added unto us. He's not asking for a limb or for you to give up your first born. He's asking for you to fellowship with Him. Fellowship with God is not a bad thing. Spending time with God lifts you up when you are down, provides a shoulder to cry on and gives answer and/or solutions to your problems or He's there just to listen. And if we'll listen, we will hear Him speaking to us. If we will just take the time to read His Word, the answer to our who, what, when, where and how are written there in. But we have to have that relationship with God to hear Him, and to know where to look for that which we need. Earthly wealth can not provide these things. Yes, it can buy you a big house, fancy cars, and many even "friends". But it will never or could ever compare with having a true relationship with the Father God not ever not no how. The wealth of this world can not pay your way into heaven. How are you going to try to give earthly wealth to a God whose very roads are paved with God; who owns all the cattle on a those hills; who can provide all of His children all of their needs; whose very name is El Shaddai (The God who is more than enough) and Jehovah Jirah (The God who provides). No my friend, the wealth of this world can never compare with a true relationship with God no way now how!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

Press In, Press On & Press Through - 10/10/07

The Lord is great and greatly to be praise!

Have you ever had the "blahs"; where you just don't feel like doing anything? All you want to do is those things that you have to do to live/survive; anything more than that is a chore; it is draining - you don't want to talk or do anything; I mean absolutely nothing.

I've been like that this week. Maybe I just need a break I thought. I'll tell it on myself - I haven't been reading or praying or studying that much all this week. I'm not depressed or anything - just BLAH. I'm sitting here tonight , and I thought 'Now, how are you going to "encourage" people in the Lord when you're not putting yourself in a position to hear what the Lord would say?' OUCH! I thought 'Hey, I have some things that I want God to do on my behalf on my family's behalf. Just when God is about to open the door we may feel faint and want to give up and give in. We don't want to press in, press on and press through . We've become weary, and in our being weary we sometimes stop doing the very thing that will give us hope, joy, strength - the victory! I thank God that I've realized that this is what's going on. I know that the Lord is about to bring forth the answers to my prayers and open doors that no man can shut. As a matter of fact, my prayers I prayed are already answered in Jesus' name, and doors already stand wide open! I got on knees tonight and asked the Lord to forgive me of my laziness. I asked the Holy Spirit to forgive me for not praying when reminded to pray. The Lord is always speaking, but are we always listening or in a place to listen? The Holy Spirit is here to lead, guide us and to bring back unto our remembrance of everything the Lord has promised and spoken to us (in written or audible word).

I don't know about you, but I can tell when I haven't been praying or studying. Now, I know this may come as a shock to you, but...........I'm not perfect! I have done things, and said things that would shock you. During those times of blah-dom, the enemy tried to throw those things back up in my face. He (the enemy) may even use others to bring up that "old man/woman" you "use to" be. I had enough of God on the inside of me to know - yes, I had done some bad/maybe even unbelievable things, but it doesn't change the fact that Jesus still loves me. All those things are under the Blood of Jesus; Jesus forgave me when I asked for forgiveness an my slate has been wiped clean. When we don't stay prayed up and built up in our most holy faith in the Lord, the enemy will try to keep us down, to try to keep us from pressing in, pressing on and pressing through in Jesus' name. But you keep on keeping on in the Lord! He can and will forgive you, and bring you to your rightful place in victory in Jesus' name!

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

A Day at the Fair

Hello All:
It's fair time, and my husband and I took our nine month daughter, Angelina, to her first fair. We didn't get a chance to ride any of the rides, but we enjoyed the food, shows and animal scenery. The most enjoyable thing for me was seeing the look on my daughter's face as we went through the fair zoo. As I looked at her, I wondered what she was thinking and feeling when she looked at these creatures she'd never seen before. I think the zebra was her favorite. she was so fascinated by it! Now, I've been to the zoo before and seen zebra, and viewed them on the television, so it didn't fade me at all. As Angelina looked at the zebra, her eyes got big and bright seeing it for the first time.

When I got home, I thought about this again, and thought about how when I first got saved and experience Jesus, I was so touched - I wanted to learn, see and experience more. The eye's of my understanding was just like my daughter - big and bright. When we first believed, our vision for the knowledge of Jesus was wide-eyed and bright, but just like this physical realm - our eyes sight becomes dim; we can allow our spiritual eye sight to become dim. We become too lax in our salvation walk. We have gotten too "use to" things being the way they are - we don't strive for that perfecting of our faith in Jesus. The newness, the excitement, the joy of our salvation has worn off, and we don't see or experience Jesus the way we once did. We don't yearn or desire to know Him when we first begun this walk.

Now, I won't go as far as to say that Angelina saw how awesome God is through the creation of beautiful animals as the zebra, giraffe or camel she'd seen, but these animals do show God's awesomeness. There are so many thing in this earth that display God glorious awesomeness, but we've gotten so use to seeing and experiencing them that we've lost/have become so lax as to not realize it. Ask God to restore your newness, your joy, your zeal. This is not the time to become lax in your walk with God. Now is the time to be fully armed having girded your loins with the truths of God's Word for it is the only thing that will sustain you in the day of evil.

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!

God Knows Your Beginning & End - October 18th

God is good all the time!

Don't you think it's awesome that God knows how many hairs are upon your head? Just think about it (unless you don't have any - LOL). It is awesome that God knows your beginning and your end. He knows the thoughts He has towards you; they are thought of good and not of evil to give you a hope, a future, and expected end. Hmmm...........an expected end??? When we "expect" something, we "look to" the occurrence or appearance of something. We as children of God should "look to" or expect good things to come to us and happen to us. God desires for our beginning to our end to be good. But there's something called "free will" - our ability to make a choice.

Our lives are full of choices 'Do I go to church this Sunday or not?' or 'Do I cook tonight or eat out?' Everything is a choice. In our beginning, we should make the choice to do good and follow God. For the Lord is our Sheppard, we shall not want..............He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. Not path but paths. More than one, plural paths. The path of being a good, whole, healthy person; the path of being a good friend; the path of being a good wife/husband mother/father; the path of a good career (good employer/employee).....you follow. When we make the choice in the beginning to do good or do things God's way, it will make our paths smooth toward our good ending.

Now we know that on the path to God's house there's a big bad devil that will use family, friends, situations and circumstances to influence us to take the wrong path in life. But we serve a God that is bigger and badder that the devil. Even if we should choose the wrong path, God can turn what the devil meant for our harm around for our good when we turn and repent! When we make mistakes and wonder 'How in the world did I get here?', remember God knows your beginning and your end. He knew that you were gonna make that choice even before you made it. God's knows where you are; He can see you. Might wonder why didn't say anything or try to stop you. Well were you listening or were you so wrapped up in what was going on around you? He will hear you when you cry out to Him, but take the time to listen for the answer to our cry/prayer. He has sent the Comforter, a helper, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. God loves you, and desires that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. Remember to choose godly and wisely for it shapes/determines the paths to your beginning and your end.

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

God, My Deliverer - October 18th

Praise the Lord!

How powerful is your God? How awesome do you think your God is? Is your God on your side? Are you on God's side? These are questions to think on.

All of us have troubles or hard times. None of us are exempt form this. The Word of God says that He has come that we might have peace, in this world we will have tribulations (trials, hardships, situations), but we are to be of good cheer; for He has overcome the world (and will help us do the same). God loves us whether we make the right decision(s) or the wrong one(s). Romans 8 tells us that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God - whether we have calamity or trials - nothing can separate us from His love. Now if we make the wrong decision, it does not exempt us from reaping the outcome of our wrong decision. But God will love us through it and can deliver us from it. That's the why I asked if you were on God's side. If you decide to steal, and God's Word says though shalt not steal, then you're not on God's side, and you'll reap the outcome (jail/worse) of that wrong decision - making decisions contrary to God's Word. When we make wrong decisions, God is faithful and just to forgive us of those sins. Take the time to seek God when you're going through a trial. Compare your decision up against the Word of God. The enemy will try to present an idea that sounds good "Godlike", but when you take the time to compare it to the Word of God, you will began to see that it's not right. I do believe that when we take the time to seek God concerning our situation/trial He will make it plan and clear as to what it is we need to do. And if for some reason you still don't know which way to go, ask someone to pray and agree with you; bounce your situation off of someone else - not don't just do this with just anyone; make sure this person knows the Word of God. Make sure it's someone that can build you up in your most holy faith in God; someone that will remind you that God is for you, and that He is awesome and has the power to meet your need(s), and that He can deliver you out of every trial and situation.

Remember there is nothing too hard for God. There is no situation or trial too difficult for Him to tackle. There is no sickness or disease too strange or rare that He can't heal. There is no sin so great that He can't deliver you from , and can't forgive you of. That's how awesome an powerful our God is! When you see the manifestation of His awesome power, remember to say "God did it!"

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

Trust & Obey

Good Morning!

Have you ever prayed for something, standing of God's Word, and seen the manifestation of your prayer? Life is good, things are going the way they should only to have that thing try to rise up again. You do understand that once you've prayed, believed and received your "thing" that you still have to fight the good fight of faith and continue to speak God's Word over the situation. Just like an alcoholic that seeks helps, go through the necessary steps, and recovers from alcoholism - everyday that person has to fight the temptation to drink to remain set free. Or like someone that has been diagnosed with cancer, they pray and go through the necessary treatment, God delivers them from cancer; this person has to continue to stand on God's Word concerning their healing. When you're praying and standing for your thing, you have to trust that God can perform His Word and that He will perform it for you. Once He has performed His Word that you've prayed, stood on and trusted, make sure you check yourself to see that you are in obedience with God's Word - as a matter of fact to might want to check this first before you pray. That's how some of us are; we want God to perform His part of the covenant, and for us to have to do nothing. NO! We must not only trust His Word, but we must keep His commandments and be in obedience with His Word.

Now, I've prayed, pastor has prayed, the church has prayed for my daughter's healing for her skin. Now as far as I'm concerned she is the healed. I'll not be moved by what I see, how she feels or how she sounds. God's Word says that she is the healed, and she is in Jesus' Name. Every now-and-then it tries to rear its ugly head. I tell each time that it does I get so mad! I know that God didn't give me this "umph" or "salt" or "attitude" or this "boldness" for nothing. He gave it to me to stand up against the enemy in the day of evil. Before, I use to fret, worry and be in fear. But no more! God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love and of power and a sound mind. I have the mind of Christ! I fight the good fight of faith in this! I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! The devil is a liar and the defeat foe as far as my daughter's skin is concerned. The Lord has, not going to, but has already healed her in Jesus' Name. Healing is the children bread. I have authority over her skin, and I call it healed in Jesus' Name! Now I know what my mom meant when she said 'Don't mess with my children, my momma or my money!' Those are things you'll fight for (spiritually; don't go beaten people up.) But you'll get on your face and cry out to God! My daughter is whole in Jesus' Name! She walks, lives, breathes and move in divine health that Jesus has ALREADY paid the price for. See the devil has messed with my MY BABY, and he has pissed me off which means I'm gonna pray even hard, prophecy even louder, and encouraged others ever stronger in the Lord. Devil, don't mess with me! ....................Excuse me, just had to get alittle "holy indignation" out! But we have to get like sometime with devil. But know what, as Brother Mark use to say, 'I'll trust and obey for there's no other way'. If you ask anything of God, the only way you'll be able to get it is by trusting and obeying His Word!

Did you put on your armor today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!

I'm A Tither! How 'bout You?

Hello & Praise the Lord!

The Lord is faithful to His promises, and I will praise and serve Him all the days of my life. I know the Word of God, and it is ever near me even in my mouth. I know that the Word works, because I work the Word. I speak the Word of God over my life, my husband's life, my children's lives, and our situations. Recently the the devil thought he was doing something by messing with our finances. But he is a liar and the defeated for in our lives. The Lord has given me authority over the devil and all the dark wicked forces of the enemy. He also gave me authority over our fiances.

One morning Aaron woke up and said "Baby, I'm gonna have to take your car because my car won't start. Call the repair man to have it looked at". I did not get upset; I did not fret! The first thing I thought was I"M A TITHER! And to back up the story for a second, the week before I had asked my pastor, who is also my mother, should I the tithe since I'm not working right now? There had been a discussion about our money, and at the present time I'm not working. I am very thankful to God and grateful to my husband that I am able to stay at home. Anyway, I had peace in my spirit about paying my tithe, and now the following week, the car want to not work. I began to speak God's Word by saying 'Father, I have been faithful by honoring you with the tithe. Not only did you say that you would open of the window of heaven and pour me out a blessing that I have not room enough to receive, but you also said that you will rebuke the devourer for my sake. Right now the devil is trying to devourer our finances. I thank you Father that you have given me authority over the devil and my finances, and I choose to exercise my God-given authority right now.' I commanded that the devil cease in His maneuver and stop in his operations where my finances are concerned. I said I gonna call the repair guy and thanked and praise God for my good report. Well, I call the repair guy; he came to the house to look at the car. He looked at the car and said that it was just the theft system; it had been activated and needed to be reset. Something minor. He reset the car's theft system. I asked what did I owe him, and he said I owed him nothing! It's just the favor of God. I keep His commandments, and the Lord has given me favor with Himself and with man. And that's how you work the Word. If you will work it, it will for you!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged today!!!

Get in Agreement with God's Word - October 2nd & 3rd

Praise the Lord!

God is good and worthy of our praise. Well if you are reading this, then you are alive and well. And if you aren't well, and you're the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, then you can be! Healing is the children's bread, and it's already ours.

What is agreement?? I believe that it's a common ground of mutual understanding and belief. When you agree with someone, you come together on one accord, seeking and believing for the same answer/results. When I agree with someone/something, it has to be positive, beneficial and/or good for all involved. God's Word is positive; it is beneficial (to our spirit, soul and body), and it is good for all that are involved. Our healing is positive and beneficial because it keeps us alive, able to enjoy and do things necessary to live and keeps our wealth in our pockets. It is good for all involved because it keeps our loved ones from grief and sadness. I've said it before - Watch what you are saying. If what you are saying is not positive, beneficial or good for all involved, then STOP SAYING IT! Choose your words wisely for they give life or death to your situation(s). If you are always bad-mouthing your husband, you are speaking death (divorce) to your marriage. If you are saying that your children are disobedient and will never amount to anything, you are speaking death - a curse over your children. And might be thinking 'I would never curse my children' or 'Or but I love my husband and don't want to get a divorce'. But when you say things that are contrary to what the Word says, your are speaking death, a curse over that situation. The Word of God tells me that my husband love me like Christ loves the church (I am personalizing scripture); my children honor me and my husband and desire to be obedient to us so that they may live long on this earth. It is by our word that we are justified or condemned. God's Word says that we are healed, prosperous, happy, successful, blessed to be a blessing! His Word says that we can have husbands/wives that loves, build-up and encourages us. Children that loves us, obedient and healthy. These are all good things. Why Oh Why would you not be in agreement with these things. These things are positive, beneficial and good for all that are involved. God wants you to be happy! If you are happy, then you can have a positive outlook on life. Even if something should go wrong, if you are happy, you can somehow find the good or have a positive attitude about it. Being happy is good for you health - laughter is medicine to our souls. When you are happy, then everyone around you can be happy! When I am happy, my husband can enjoy his day and vise versa. You see how being in agreement with God's is good for you. And if you're just looking for misery, doom and gloom, then continue to say things contrary to God's Word. Remember you shall have what you say! Today life and death has been set before you; choose life so that you may live!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!

Turning From Sin - September 24th

Praise God!

There is now no condemnation to sin to those who belong to Christ Jesus, and we belong to Christ Jesus. Aren't you glad this day that you belong to Him, and He belongs to you. He is everywhere that we go; He never leaves us or forsake us.

Sin is a stronghold in our lives that does not line up with the Word of God. If you're not sure if something you're doing is sin, then compare it with the Word of God. If what you're doing is opposite of God's Word, then it must be sin. And for those who know to good/or do what's right and does it not, it is sin. And don't think for one second that because you go to church every time the doors are opened, you're reading your Bible everyday, or doing good deeds/works that you are saved if you are sinning in an area of your life. Now God is faithful to forgive us of those sins when we repent and TURN from them. See some of us think that 'Ok, I sin but I'll just repent of the sin when I'm finish doing what I'm doing wrong'. We as believers do not habitually sin. True repentance is when you ask God for forgiveness and purpose in your heart that you will not do that again - you get to the point where you hate the sin; it's no longer a desire for you to engage in the act of that sin. Sin can destroy you; it leads you down a path of destruction. God can not and will not look upon our sin. Vise Versa, if you are sinning and truly repent of your sin it won't destroy you. Turning from sin is part of that salvation process we talked about before. When you accept Jesus Christ of Lord and Savior of your life, the things you use to do don't just disappear. It's a battle that you can and will win with God's help. Resist the devil (temptation), and it will flee from you. God loves you; use His Word to help you to turn from the sin in your life. He wants you to succeed in this faith walk, and with His help you can.

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged today!

Being Born Again - September 19th

Hello:

I am trying to stay faithful to bring you encouragement through the Word of God. I have been writing at night so that I can type on the weekend or throughout the week when I have time. God is always speaking, and I am trying or rather I will be obedient to do His Word. But I thank God that I have chosen to serve Him because is He is so faithful. He understands that we are not perfect, but we should always shrive for that perfection.

I know that I spoken on this topic before, but I think that we should always keep this ever before I our eyes. We are born again. What does being born again mean? It means that we have been saved by grace through faith. In standard terms, we believed in our hearts and confessed with our mouths that Jesus is Lord; and He died on the cross for our sins and is now seated at the right hand of the Father God ever making intercession for us. This is the only way to truly be born again/saved. But we must understand that all the wrong things we once did don't automatically stop or go away. The faith walk/salvation/born again is a process. We don't get it right the first day, week, month or maybe even a year. Some things take a while to work out of lives. That's why it's important that we renew our mind with the Word of God (to His way of doing and being). Get in the Word of God - I've said it before. Not only does this helps us renew our minds to the things of God, but it is also part of that fellowship God wants to have and needs to have with us. It also helps us to pray God's Word concerning situations that go on in our lives. Getting in God's Word helps us to make the right choices, and live healthy prosperous lives. It helps us to know the voice of God so that we can follow Him.

So if you have made the decision to follow Jesus, and feel that you can't walk this faith born again walk - don't give up. Jesus loves you, and He died for you so that you can be free from sin, sickness and disease. He knows that there are things in your life that are going to take time to walk/work out. Sticking with God and staying in His Word will help you stay on the course! Talk to God; He is always listening!

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!!!

A Revelation of God's Word -September 26th

Hello & Praise the Lord:

Have you ever read a scripture before, like a thousand times, and one day you read it, and it seems as though a light switch came on? Well that happened today.

I was reading Philipians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. Sounds simple enough. This is what I love about God's Word - it gives you the instruction on how to do His Word plain and simple. But for some strange reason we sometimes just can't get it right. Now the scripture says not to be careful/anxious/worry for nothing. Let's stop here. Here is where I think we miss it. We have the praying and thanksgiving part down pack, but it's the first part of the scripture that I think we have a problem with. We know we have a need - it stares us in the face day in and day out. It's like it taunts us a times or all of the time. We're constantly thinking/worrying about it or anxious of how and when God is going or if God can do it for us.

Here's the thing - before we take our need to God, we must seek God's Word and get that Word in heart ( know it in your knower) that God can and will do it for you. Once you have done this, you can easily dismiss (by speaking God's Word) any worry or anxiety that may arise. You will then be able to pray, believe and receive those things that you have requested of the Lord. When you cook, you turn the oven on and put your food in it. You don't worry if the oven will cook your food or how it's going to cook it. You trust that when the oven is on, and the food is in it that it will cook your food. You don't keep going back to see if the oven is cooking your food. This is an inanimate object. The God that we serve is an knowing and all powerful being. You know that He can and will do the impossible in your life. You wake up every morning and you are breathing if you are reading this. Roll all of your cares on the Lord for He cares for you. When you go into the prayer confident that God can and will perform His Word that you are praying concerning your situation, that's your faith in operation - it's our faith that moves God. And if you haven't gotten to the place where you can believe God's Word concerning your situation, then being to meditate on that Word everyday. Get it down in your spirit; continue to speak it over your life. Don't give up on the Word of God. God and His Word are one; you can't separate them. Continue to speak God's Word concerning your situation; have some to agree with you, but you have to be speaking the Word for yourself while the other person is agreeing with you. Don't worry or speak doubt or anything that negates what God's Word says about your situation. Get that Word in your spirit and bring your request unto God. He can and will perform His Word just trust in Him and believe!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!

Let Faith Come Alive In You

Hello:

I am so glad that God's mercy is new every morning towards me and my family, and His grace is sufficient for us. I am so glad that I belong to Him, and He belongs to me. That is a great feeling to know.

Let Faith come alive in you. Now how exactly does that happen????? It comes alive in us when we apply the scripture(s) to our lives. The reason that faith comes alive when we apply the scripture(s) to our lives is that whatever scripture you are standing on for your situation, you have to believe that you receive the thing you are hoping for which is the evidence of the thing that's not visible yet (Hebrew 11:1). When you believe a thing is true, it becomes real to you; it becomes a part of your life, your thinking - a part of your way of being and doing.

You can quote and confess a scripture, but if you do not believe or continue to doubt that God can and will perform that Word for you, then you hindering your answer from coming forth. If your faith is not that strong, you can have someone agree with you, but you have got the stand for your own thing. When you read the Word of God, Believe that Word that you read. And if you are having a hard time understanding or believing, ask the Lord to help thine unbelief. We have the great counselor here with us. who is the Holy Spirit. He teaches and lead us in all truth. Remember to continue to fight the good fight of faith. Staying in the Word of the Lord is the way to keep your faith built up in the Lord. Just as you eat food everyday to keep yourself strong; you should also feed your spiritual man everyday (the Word of God) to keep yourself strong in the Lord.

I hope that even though you haven't heard from me in a while that you have continued to put on the whole armor of God. Did you put your on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

Come As A Child

Hello:

Long time no write! Motherhood certainty keeps one busy that's for sure. But I wouldn't change it for nothing of this world. It is by far the best and most important job I will ever have. I am still here, not so much everyday or week, but I promise to visit and write every month. I do want to encourage everyone to write comments or questions if you want to or have the chance.

The day before yesterday my mother and I were playing with my five (5) month old daughter, Angelina, and we both recognized how trusting she was with us. Now, my mother has this beautiful hunter green marble flooring in her living room, and it does not provide padding if one should fall. But Angelina is not worried about the floor; she doesn't have a care in this world. She doesn't worry about where her next meal will come from or if she will have shelter. She expects when she cries (that's how she communicates) that her need (whether hunger, diaper change or affection) will be granted. Well, God wants us to be just like that with Him. He wants us to come to Him as a child would. If you tell your child that you will take him/her to the amusement park this weekend, they believe that you are going to take them. They don't worry and say 'Did momma really mean she's gonna take us to the amusement park or was that just a good thing to say to keep me happy??' No, children believe and the receive that you will take them to the amusement park this weekend. They begin to mediate on what rides and games they will play. They begin to speak out of their mouths, by telling their friends, that they are going to the amusement park. They have settle it that what momma has said is true. The child has his/her expectation (faith) that you will come through for them. As a matter of fact when you told the child the events of the weekend, they received it then! But somewhere along the way we grew up........We got alittle wiser of the world and began to have ideas of our own. Ways to do things our way to get the results we want. Somehow along the way of growing up we stop trusting. We began to trust only that which we can see, feel, taste, touch and hear. If it's not tangible, our mind couldn't fully grasp or trust it. Somewhere along the line we decided that in some things we can do it ourselves without God's help. But we should acknowledge God in all our ways; this is the world of the Lord. We need to get back to that child like faith in God. That if He said, He will do. There's nothing anyone or anything that could happen to make me believe differently. When we pray to God, we must settle it without a shadow of doubt that He can and will do it for us. There are things that I've prayed for and have seen God come through for me. I walked those things out. I came through victorious! But there are some things that go on that I have to ask God to help my unbelief. It's not that I don't think God can it! It's just that the situation or circumstance seems to big for me, and I've got to constantly keep the Word of God before me. There tried to be a problem with Angelina's skin, and this is an area of life that I haven't dealt with. Yes, I've prayed and agreed with others for their children and seen them recover, but this is my child. This problem was staring me in the face 24 hours day literally. Fear tried to take over. I would pray and when words would fail me I would pray in the spirit. I was constantly telling God that I know that His Word is truth, and it's the only truth that's in my life. I was saying by the stripes of Jesus Angelina was healed. I asked the Lord to help me; I told Him 'Lord, you know I know and believe your Word. I am asking you to do it right now for me. I don't know what do, but I choose to believe that you have come through for my daughter'. And he did. Sometime things we go through are so near and seem to over tower us, but greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We have got to meditate on God's Word.............get down in our spirit. Humble yourself and come to Him like a child - "I can't do it without you Lord." I will always encouraged you to get in God's Word; get in your spirit. Things might be going well now, but as my mom says, 'Live alittle longer.' When the storm comes, you'll have the Word on the inside of you to tear down the forces of the enemy with the Sword of the Spirit which is God's Word.

Did you put your armor of today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

Shan!

Old Writings

Good Morning:

Continue to give thanks unto the Lord, for He is great and great are His works. There's a author out with a book entitled "God is not Great....How religion poisons everything". Boy, do we need to get on the good foot. The enemy is getting bolder because he knows that His time is running out. Just want to let you know that I will be putting some of my old writings on the blog. If some had touched your spirit in the past, then they will be on the blog for you to refer back to. Here's one now...................

Repeat After me and say it with attitude:

My life just keeps getting better and better. Blessing are over taking me more and more. My bills are paid, and my body is healed. And the best is yet to come.

Take it by force, and sometimes we just have to get an attitude with the devil, and let him know that he is the defeated foe and he will rule NO MORE in our lives. There was a Word of God that was preached talking about putting on the whole armor of God. We are in a war zone, and we go out onto the battle without our armor on each day (I too was guilty, but no more). This is why the devil is able to attach us as he does. Put on the helmet of His Salvation for you have been saved because you confessed and believed in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and He is now seated at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for you; put on the breast plate of righteousness for you are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus; knowing that God's Word is the only truth that's in your life, and you gird the loins of your soul, heart and spirit with God's Truth; having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; having the shield of faith that quenches every fiery dart of the enemy; and having the Sword of the Spirit which is God's Word - welding that mighty Sword (Word) every time the enemy says something contrary to what God's Word says that you are, what you can have, and you can do.

When we don't have the armor of the Lord everyday, we get hit by the enemy even to point of giving up (death). YOU HAVE NO ARMOR ON TO PROTECT YOU!!!! And you wonder why things are going on in your life. It's because there's no shield to hide behind or a sword to defend yourself with. Put on your armor EVERYDAY!

Have you put on your armor today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

Shan

Calling Things to be Not as Though They Are

Praise the Lord:

I want to encourage you today to continue to fight the good fight of faith. No matter how the storm(s) rage around you, continue to stand on the Word of the Lord. He is faithful that promises, and He is no respecters of person - meaning if He did for one He can and will do it for you. We have really got to get on the good foot here. If we don't, we will be defeated when we're suppose to be victorious. For far to long, we have been saying things that are contrary to what the Word of God says. Yes it might "look like" it's going on, but that's not what the Word of God says. We can call those things to be not as though they are. My daughter is only 4 months old, and I pray that she is an obedient and respectful child. I have learn to confess things that I want to be in my life. I pray that as for me and my household we will serve the Lord; if one in the household be saved, then rest can be saved. We can stand up against the enemy and win. Don't say that you can't make it. Don't say that you are going under. Don't say 'I'm so broke'. Remember that your words have life, and that the Word tells us that we shall have what we say. If you say things that are good, then you will have those good things. If you say things contrary to the Word of God, then you will have those things. Just as God spoke the Words "Light be", light came. We have that same that same authority to speak things in our lives and for them to come forth. I do believe that we will get to a place where we will be able to speak things and see them manifested quickly in the land of the living. But I think we have to truly settle it that God can and will do it for us. We have to get to a place where we are fully persuaded that He is who His Word says that He is, and that He can do those things His Word says He can do. Get in God's Word and see Him show up and show out on your behalf.

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!!

Worry about Nothing, Instead Pray about Everything

Hello:

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. I thank God that He never leaves me nor forsakes; He's with me everywhere that I go. Friends and family members come and go, but He is always with me. I am never alone because I know the Lord Jesus, and He lives in me. Philipians 4:6 states for us not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything. When trials and tribulations come your way, who do you turn to first? Is it the loan company, a friend or family or do you seek the Lord? Do you pray first or do you go to someone else to pray for your thing for you? Does He not supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Is He not your only source? I think we at times allow the things that go on around us create a panic because we are not rooted and grounded in the Word of God as well as we think we are. I also think that we don't confess the Word over our lives and situations as often as we should. We turn to the Word of God when all else has failed, when we should turn to Him when the situation arises or even before then. We should be binding up things that are not of God everyday, even if that thing isn't going on at present. I bind up strife in my house and loose love, joy, peace and patience. I bind up accidents freak and alike within a 100 mile radius of my family's comings and goings, and loose God's protection. The Word of God tells us that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth is loose in heaven. We have authority over Satan and all his cohorts (demons & evil spirits). If you are worried about your child getting in to trouble at home and/or at school, you have authority to bind up disobedience and loose obedience in your child's life. If your husband isn't acting right, the Word of God tells me that the heart of the king (your husband) is in the hand of the Lord, and He can turn as He wants. The Word also says that the husband is to dwell with his wife according to knowledge. You can pray that your husband dwells with you according to knowledge - that your husband knows you and those things that you don't like he'll not do. Now, we women are to dwell with our husbands as well according to knowledge. This is why I will continue to tell you to read and study the Word of God. Get it rooted and grounded in your spirit. So don't let the enemy workup worry in you; instead, pray about those things that concern you. Even the smallest thing that is important you is important to God. He desires to see you happy in every area of your life. So begin to pray about things, bind those things up that you don't want in your life, in your child's life. Begin to take authority that is yours as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus..

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!!

Shan

Letting Go of the Past

Good Morning:

I just want to say that I am victorious in God through Christ Jesus, and the devil a liar and a defeated foe. Ok, have you ever ministered to someone about Jesus, and they say 'Well, when I get things right in my life, I will come on into the church.....' I have heard this so many times. And what they fail to understand it that it is not up to us to get ourself right before we come into church. God will do the work in you. And no "Poof" or "Presto" and everything that was bad in your life goes away. Salvation is a process. When you and God get one thing in your life on track, trust me, He will start on another area in your life. And just because you still have some things that you are dealing with that are not God like, He still loves you. Aren't you glad that you have "right standing" with God - because you have been made the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. You can now go boldly into the throne room of the Most High God and make your request known unto Him- you can ask Him for forgiveness. I have to have these visit with the Lord daily. And I will continually have to have these visits with Him as long as I'm on this earth. But you know what, God loves when we come talk to Him even if it's something we need to get out of our lives. As a matter of fact, that is exactly what He wants us to do. He wants, can and will help us with those areas of our lives that are not pleasing to Him. He loves us that much. He loves us unconditionally. But His Word says that those He loves He will discipline too (Prov 3:12). God wants us to get it right. He doesn't want us to continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. We as children of God are not perfect, but we do not habitually sin either. To those who know to do right and does it not sin against God and Him alone. Just as you wouldn't want your child(ren) to curse (I pray you are correcting if they should), you correct or you discipline them for doing something bad. And what God does is that He takes His hands off of us. God can not look upon our sin. This is why it is so important that we repent daily. I've been in a place where the Lord did not have His hand of protection upon me, and trust me you do not want to go there. Remember, repenting is part of that fellowship God wants so badly to have with each and everyone of us.

Remember to watch what you are saying concerning your situation. Your words have power to kill or give life to your situation. Begin to say what God's Word says concerning your situation, and not what you see, hear or feel.

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

God's Reward for Righteous Living

Good Morning:

It's been some time since I've written to you last, but know that God is still on the throne and is still in the business of performing miracles. He has all the answers to your concerning questions. He is the only one that can supply our every need. Settle it today that God is your only source. Your job is not your source, your husband or wife is not your source. God is our source for everything that we will ever need or want. Not only for monetary needs, but for love and hope, for sucess (career/relationships) and for health. These are some of the rewards we receive as children of God that live righteous lives. I've said it before and I will continue to say it. Maintain your relationship with the Father. Read and study His Word; pray and talk with Him everyday. When hard times come, and they will come, you will be able to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might if you continue in the things of God. You will be able to pull the Word of God out of your spirit and stand against your situation, and remember to put the devil under your feet were he belongs. We as the righteousness of God dwell in the secret place of the Most High - we abide in the shadow of the Almighty. When trials come, we can seek refuge under the His wings. But you wouldn't know or think to pray this if you don't know His Word. We as the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus have "right standing with God; we can boldly enter the throne room of the Most High and make our request known. Because we are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus no weapon formed against us shall prosper; we have faith a big as a mustard seed which allows us to pull those things in which we need for ourselves, family/friends and others. There are so many advantages/rewards for our righteous living; we can save (besides our own) lives from the pits of hell; we have authority over the enemy; we can have healing, prosperity (social, financial & physical); we can call those things to be not as though they are; we can have joy, peace and happiness.

Don't give up on the things of God. He is who He says He is. He can do the things that says He can do. He loves you and wants the best for you. Continue in the things of God and see Him come through for you.

Did you put on your armor today???

Be encouraged today!!!!!

Fear Has Torment

Hello:

I know I've been missing in action lately, but as most of you know, I have a brand new beautiful baby girl. We have just about gotten the routine down, but some days are hit and miss. Being a new mother is wonderful, but as my mother says "Babies are W-O-R-K", and they are. But in this new role, worry and fear have tried to take hold of me.

The word of God tells me that 'God has not given me a spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a sound mind. This fear that something was going to happen to my child tried to take a strong grip of my mind. I couldn't really sleep because I was constantly looking to make sure that she was still breathing. And you might be saying 'You a new mom and every new mom goes throught that'. But every new mom is not a child of God. I know what the Word of God says. I know that I have the authority to bind up any and everything that is not of God, but for some reason I was not able to speak the Word of God - and I know the Word of God. But the enemy knew this fear, and I would wake up time and time again to see if my baby was breathing. And yes, I plead the Blood of Jesus over her life, and commanded her guardian angels to protect her everywhere and from everything. I spoke over her that she lives, breathes and moves in divine health that her Father God has given her. I got the prayer warriors at my home church to agree with me concerning this matter, and that very day I took charge over that fear. I commanded it to leave me and my household. I do not have a spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a sound mind. The devil has no dominion nor any authority over me. I rebuke satan in the name of the Lord. And every since then, if the fear tried to come, I immediately speak the Word of the Almighty God above and pray in the spirit. The devil thought he was gonna have me on the run but not today nor the next. Speak the Word of God concerning your situation. Just because the doctor says it doesn't look good, that's not what the Word of God says. Just because it doesn't look like somethings not going to happen or come through for you, that is not what God Word says - He gives us the desires of our hearts, and ALL things are possible to those who can believe. The key here is that you have to truely believe what God's Word says that you are, what you can have and what you can do. You can do all things through Christ which strengthen you. You are more than a conqueror in God through Christ Jesus. Because God is for YOU no one or nothing can sucessfully be against. Jesus is for YOU! Believe it! Claim it! Lay Hold of it today! He loves You! And the devil is a liar and a defeated foe! Don't let the enemy frighten, don't let him "punk you out". The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy that which God has placed on the inside of you. The devil will have you so stressed out and in fear that you forget who you are in Christ Jesus. I am here today to tell you and encourage you to get up out of that fear because the Greater One lives on the inside of you. You are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might - Believe it this day!

Did you put your armor of today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!

God looks at the Inner Man

Good Afternoon:

I just want to take time out this day to thank God for the wonderful gift that my husband and I are about to receive. At my doctor's appt. yesterday, I was notified that we will be inducing to birth our first child, Angelina. I can't tell how happy we both are. Children are a blessing, and she will no doubt be a very wonderful blessing to us.

Well, we are all saved, sanctified and set apart for the glory of God this day. I know that you are continuing in your new found walk and relationship with your Lord, Jesus Christ. Because we have been bought with life so precious, we know that God loves us - He loves us unconditionally. I Samuel 16: 7 that the Lord doesn't make decisions the way the we do. People judge by the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person heart - their thoughts and intentions. God knows that when you said the sinner's prayer that you were sincere in your asking Him to be Lord over/in your life. You now belong to Him. God doesn't look at the color of your skin, how tall you are or whether we are fat or skinny. He loves us just the way we are today. You might say 'Hey, I got some things in my life that are not right in my life; surely the Lord couldn't love me'. Oh but He does! He knew when you ask Him to be Lord of life that you had some things going on in your life. He knows that some of these things are not going to go away over or in a week or month. This walk that we walk, our salvation, is a process. We will always have things that we will have to deal with. Once we deal with one area of our life, God will have us deal with another. Though we might never reach perfection here on earth, we must strive to more like Him. Now that you belong to Him, you can ask for forgiveness and it shall be granted unto you. You can boldly enter the throne room and take that "thing" and lay it at the alter. We as His children can roll all of our cares over on Him for He cares for us. God loves each and everyone of us, and He is glad that we have made the choice to make Him Lord!

Did you put your armor on today!

Be Encouraged Today!!!

Putting on the Armor of the Lord

Good Morning!

The Lord is great and greatly to be praised! Don't forget to praise the Lord today for He alone is worthy of our praise.

I want to talk about putting on the whole armor of the Lord today. I know we've talked about this before, but I want to revisit this. I want to make sure that this is something you're doing everyday. I want this to be like getting up in the morning and brushing your teeth (hopefully this is something you're doing every morning). This should be an everyday thing. We need to be protected from the tricks of the enemy. Especially since we've rededicated ourselves to the Lord, and you've probably shared that with someone else - you have to understand that the devil is not happy about this. The Bible tells us that the devil comes immediately to steal, kill and destroy. He does not want you to have a relationship with the Father. He wants you to continue as you were; he wants you to think that everything is "ok". But we as children of the Most High God will not be ignorant of the enemies devices. I Peter 5:8,9 reads 'Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.

Ephesian 6:10-18 is where we find our weapons that the Lord has given us. It reads:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints praying for all the saint.

I've pray this everyday. I don't pray it in the order above, but this is how I pray. The Bible tells us to be specific in those things we pray for.

Father, I thank you for the weapons you've given me to fight against the wilds, the tricks of the enemy this day, today. I thank you and praise you for my helmet of salvation, for I am saved because I confessed with my mouth and believed in my heart that Jesus died for my sins, and was arisen on that third and glorious day. He is now seated at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for me - thank you Jesus for praying for me. I thank you Father for my breastplate of righteousness for I am the righteousness in God through Christ Jesus. And because I am the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, I can boldly enter the throne room of God and make my request known. Lord, I thank you and praise you for your Word, for your Word is the only truth that's in my life. And I gird my loins - the loins of my heart, my soul and my spirit about with that truth. I thank you and praise that my feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace - every situation, every circumstance that I'll have to go through this day, today, I'll walk in it in peace; the peace that surpasses all understanding; the peace that only you can give. Lord, I thank you and praise you for my Shield of Faith that quenches every fiery dart of the enemy, and that covers me from the tip of my toes to all the way over my head, and as far wide as I am. I thank you Father that I have big faith; I have strong faith to bring in that which I need for me, my family and for others. I have Noah like faith; I have Abraham like faith; I have Moses like faith. I have faith enough even when the situation seems to be hopeless. Lord, I thank you and I praise you for my Sword of the Spirit which is your Word. Every time the devil tries to raise his head up and say anything contrary of who you Word says that I am, what I can do, and I what I can have; I begin to wield that mighty sword by speaking your Word. And the devil has to stop in his operations and cease in his maneuvers against me in the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

We are in a war, and everyday we fight battles! The enemy wishes to destroy you, but we have the protection of the Lord; He has given us weapons to stand against the enemy. Use these weapons; print the prayer out and pray it everyday as you would brush your teeth everyday! We are constantly being attacked and hit my the devil because we do not have our armor. Don't you know that the you have the helmet of salvation to protect you from the negative thoughts that will try to depress you. Put on you your helmet so that you want be hit by this. You helmet and your breastplate should remind you who you are and to whom you belong. But if you don't have these things on to remind you, are bombarded depression, oppression and fear. Once you know whose you are, you can walk in peace because you remembered to shod you feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Don't you see how important this is??? Everyday you must do this, and everyday I will ask have you put this armor on.

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

The Reason for Salvation

Good Morning:

I am here to tell you this morning that God's Word is true. Things, situations and people will pass away, but God's Word will never pass away. It is the same today as it was yesterday just as He is.

I don't want to get off of salvation just yet. And I know what you must be saying 'I've heard this a thousand times; I've said the sinners prayer; I go to church and I pay my tithe.' These are things that we all should be doing. But I want to show you in the Word of God where it's says that unless you are born again, received Jesus as Lord, that you can never see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). I also want to give you some scriptures to prepare you for when others would questions your christianity, your salvation. There are maybe friends and relatives that know the "old man" and do not realize that you have been "made new" in Christ Jesus. Not that you should argue with anyone, but we all should know what the Word says concerning our salvation - how else would we be able to show others the way. I think we need to be able to back up what we say by the Word of the Lord. It may be that you have heard these scriptures all your life, but never knew where they were - never taking the time out to search the scriptures. We have got to know the Word of God. I will continue to mention this. We have not because we ask not, and I believe that the reason we don't always ask is because we don't know what lines up with the Word of God - if it is the Will of the Father. By knowing His Word, we can confidently and boldly ask Him anything.

Jesus came to save the world - this is mentioned several times throughout the Bible (John 12:47 & I Timothy 1) Jesus came into the world to save the sinner. This was each of us at one time, but God through His mercy, grace and love gave us that greatest gift of all. I Timothy 2:4-6 reads 'God wants everyone to be saved an understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This everyone includes you and me, and our loved ones. I know you took the time to say the sinners prayer, and now there is no doubt concerning your salvation. It is important to know that there is only one way to be born again and that's through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-10 reads 'Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. You use to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature and we were under God's anger just like everyone. But God, is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with Him in the heavenly realms - all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as example of the incredible wealth of His favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.' So it's not some special deed that you have to do to receive the salvation of Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe.

Acts 12 talks about the jailer of Paul and Silas. Paul and Silas were praying when a great earthquake came, and all the prisoners' cell doors where opened. The jailer was about to take his life because he thought the prisoner's had exscaped. The jailer asked "How can I be saved?" Paul responded by saying believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. When you said the sinners prayer, I know that you believed with your whole heart that Jesus really did die for your sins, and that He is not still in some tomb, but was raised on that third day and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. It isn't enough to have just said the sinners prayer, but you must also believe these things. The Word says to hold fast to the confession of your faith. You've confessed that Jesus is your Lord - now hold on tight to that confession and don't let the devil or anyone else tell you that you are not saved. You have been redeemed from the curse of the law - you are now the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. You have been given authority over sickness and dealth (Jesus took the keys when He went to hell). You have authority over the situations in your life - begin to speak the Word of the Most High God over them. You now have right standing with the Father because you now belong to Him. Walk like it, Talk like it & Live like it!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!

God's Greatest Gift

Good Morning:

God is good and He is good all of the time. He is so good that He has given us the greatest gift of all, His son Jesus. The Word of God tells me in John 3: 16 that God so loved the world that He gave His only son, so that everyone that believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. He wants us to live in eternity with Him, and that we shall do.

This is what is on my heart this day. This is a new day, a new year for new beginnings. And I think that we should start it off right by putting our lives under the Blood of Jesus. I not going take for granted that we are all saved and covered by the Blood of the Lamb. But what I want to do today is for us to say the sinners prayer. This way there are no if's, and's or buts - no doubts - concerning our salvation with our Lord Jesus Christ. I want you to say, speak it loud enough for you to hear it, this prayer of salvation. There maybe some that don't know Jesus as Lord or may have loved ones that don't know Him. Or maybe you know Him, but have gotten out of His Will for your life and need to rededicate your life back unto Him. Jesus loves each and everyone of us today. Let us pray!

Heavenly Father:

I come to you this day acknowledging that I am a sinner, and have sinned against you and you alone. I ask that you forgive me of my sins; those things that are known and unknown; those things that have been done in deed, word or thought. I ask you right now to come into my heart. I confess right now that Jesus is Lord, and die for my sins. I believe that God raised Him from the dead, and He, Jesus, is now sitting at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for me. I thank you Lord right now for being Lord of my life, and that I now have right standing with you, in Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

This is not something that I made up or something that I heard someone say that sounded good. But this is what the Word of God says in the Bible. Romans 10:9,10 tells that by confessing with our mouth (speaking it aloud), and believing in our heart that Jesus die for us, and that God raised Him on that third, wonderful and glorious day that we can be saved (paraphrasing). It also Romans 5:6-11 says 'You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

This is the very Word of God. Go and seek out this Word for yourself. Mark it in your Bible. Let it be the words that you pray when you're praying for that unsaved husband, wife, child or friend - that they may be reconciled back unto Christ. And if they don't believe you, then here is the very Word of God that says how they can be saved. Remember that when you pray, pray the Word of God. He is faithful that promises, but you have to know what those promises - and to know those promises, we have to know the Word of God.

Did you put your armor on today???? (We will revisit this very soon)

Be Encouraged Today!