Stop Owning Things that do not Line Up with the Word of God

Praise the Lord!

We as children of God, as the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus have the ultimate weapon – The Word of God! It is so important that we study the Word of God in these last days. The enemy is roaming around seeking those he can devour. He desires to get your eyes off the prize which we will receive when Jesus comes back for His own. Now is not the time to fall to the wayside or let the cares of this world cause us to give up, cave in and quit! It’s time to pick up the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and began to wield that sword skillfully in the name of Jesus, and that ‘ol slew-footed devil will cease in his maneuvers and stop in his operations against us. It’s time that we stop buying the lies of enemy. God is for us; therefore, who can SUCCESSFULLY be against us. It may come, but it can’t succeed in Jesus’ name. Whose report will you believe?? I, Shan, will believe the report of the Lord.

Saints of God, we’ve been deceived by the devil too long. We’ve owned things God has not ordained for His children. I’ve recently, like today, had a situation to come up, not gonna go into details, and the devil thought he had won. But praise be unto God who causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:14). This situation hit me on a “blind-side”, that’s why I've gotten new review mirrors, and almost caused me to wrecked. I almost forgot that I wasn’t driving anyway. My Father God who art in Heaven, whom I lean on, rely on, and confidently trust in was at the wheel – causing my spirit to “right” itself in the lane/path in which He has called me. Come to think of it, as I write, I didn’t put on my armor today; I had been in a rush to do my part of the agreement and didn’t put on my armor to withstand the wiles/tricks of the enemy (Ephesians 6:10). I allowed myself to be unprotected and distracted. This is why I always ask you ‘Did you put your armor on today?’ I guess I should have been asking myself that very thing this morning. But as I always say, I am not perfect, but I strive towards the perfection in God through Christ Jesus. But the devil tried to sell me some “gold-plated” quarters saying they are U. S. Mint. He tried to convince me that I didn’t hear from God. Now, I knew this was a lie when I first heard this, but I was blinded by anger and had let it get the best of me. The Word of God says he that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit has to say (Revelations 2:17). Not only do I have two (2) perfectly working physical ears, but I have “spiritual” ears anointed to hear that which the Spirit is saying. I got in there and began to pray in the Spirit asking the Lord to take up my cause (Jeremiah 20:12). Vengeance is the Lord, and He will repay (Romans 12:19). I know MY Father’s voice, and a voice of a stranger I DO NOT FOLLOW (John 10:4, 5). This is one of the reasons we, Christians, need to know the Word of God for ourselves. The devil tried to get me to own “spiritual deafness”, but he is a liar and the truth is not in him. He is the defeated foe where the Pirozzi’s are concerned. I WIN! He loses! He thought he was going to shut up the valves of the living water that flows within my spirit! That which the enemy has meant for my harm, MY God has turned it around for MY good! I WIN! He loses!

The same thing goes with our healing. So many times we own our sickness. We say more of our symptoms than we do The Word of God. Again I ask you ‘Whose report will you believe’? I mean we will own the flu/cold like it’s a valuable item we’ve purchased (ouch hallelujah). But no more! By the stripes of Jesus we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). 1 Peter 2:24 says we were healed, because Jesus has already paid the price for our healing. He bore every sickness, disease that we could ever have upon Himself. That’s how much He loves us. Ephesians 1:20-21 says He, Jesus, is seated at the right hand of the Father far above all the power of the enemy, and every name that is name, He, Jesus, has put under His feet. Every name that is name (cancer, flu, common cold, headache – you name it) has to bow down to the name of Jesus. Jesus paid the price for any sickness and disease which means that you don’t own it! You didn't pay for it; it’s not yours. So give it up and give it to God!

Stop owning fear men and women of God! God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, and of power and a sound mind. Stop allowing fear to come in; it hinders you from hearing from God. Since God did not “give” you a spirit of fear; it’s not yours! Stop owning it! If He, God, gave it to you, then it would be yours, but since the scripture specially stated the He did not give you, then it’s not yours. So let go and let God!

Saints (not New Orleans), there are so many things we own that God never intended for us to have. The Word of God tells me that His people are destroyed/that they perish for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). We as “Christians” allow the “Father of lies” to sell us garbage, and as a result we lose heart, cave in and give up. But no more! We take on sickness and disease like we have to paid the price for it, and some of us die due to it, and Jesus has already died for us. We own fear, letting it torment, causing us to lose sleep and to be stressed out. All this can cause us serious illnesses, and can even kill us – this is not the will of the Father – But God! Get in God’s Word and see what He has said concerning your situation. There is a “word” in God’s Word for everything we can ever go through, but we perish, we are destroyed in some areas of our lives because we do not have knowledge of His Word. Today, stop owning things that do not line with His Word.

Remember, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalms 30:5) if we will hold on and don’t let go of the knowledge that is in God’s Word. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Always continue to fight the good fight of faith (1Timothy 6:12). Keep faith in God’s Word (2 Timothy 4:7) Remember there's a sinner's prayer on this site. If you have back-slid or haven't tasted and seen that the Lord is Good, say this prayer. You don't have to be in a church building to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. There is a moment that will happen, and it will happen in a twinkling of an eye (as fast as you can blink), and those who have confessed Jesus as Lord and have walked according to the Word of God will be raptured up to be with Him forever and ever. Yes, it sounds too fantastical to be real, but don't take the chance that it's not and be left behind. So don't put this off. No one knows the hour or the day when this will take place, but it is for us to be ready when it's time to go. The first step is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you say this prayer, contact me; let me welcome you and personally encouraged you in your new life with Jesus! .

Did you put your armor on???

Be Encouraged Today!

P. S. Thanks Chris!

Things I am Thankful For

Yes we are going to do the obvious for the holiday season. I’m talking being thankful. Yes, we should be thankful every day, but this is a special day set aside jus for this; that’s why it’s called Thanksgiving – just kidding. It is a time where many people take the time to reflect on things they really are thankful for. I personally have so many things to be thankful for, and I’ll share some with you. These are not in any particular order, but as I think about them.

I’m thankful for God sending His Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. I’m thankful for His mercies that are new every morning towards me and my family, and for His grace that is sufficient for us. I’m thankful for God’s love towards me, for loving me when I wasn’t doing His Word, for His mercies – giving me a second chance.

I’m thankful for God’s Word; His Word is the only truth in my life. I choose each day to live by the truths of His Word and only His Word. His Word says:

I am the redeemed of the Lord, and I say so!

I am healed in Jesus name (By the stripes of Jesus). Healing is the children’s bread, and I am a child of God! NO plague comes near the Pirozzi’s dwelling.
I’m the righteousness in God through Christ Jesus.

That my guarding angels are encamped around me to protect me in all my ways; they hold me up with their hands least I dash my foot against a stone.

Only with my eyes shall I behold and see the reward of the wicked – I’m a spectator not a participator of the things going on in this world; I am inaccessible in Jesus name because I dwell in the secret place of the Most High God!

There is nothing that can separate me from the Love of God.

I have the authority over every thing that creeps on this earth, to call those things to be not as though they are. Whatever I bind on earth is bound in Heaven; whatever I loose on earth is loosed in Heaven!

The greater one lives on the inside of me and He is greater than the devil in this world.

God is for me and my family, and nothing and no one can successfully be against us. God is on the Pirozzi’s side; we do not fear anything!

I am not ignorant of the enemy’s devices; that which the enemy has meant for my harm God has already turned it around for my good!

I have eyes to see and ears to hear that which the Holy Spirit would have me see and hear this day. I know the voice of my Father, and a voice of a stranger I do not follow.

This is just some of the Word of God that I am thankful for. Of course, I am thankful for ALL of it, but I’m not typing the entire Bible here. But I am also thankful for my family. I am thankful for God giving me a husband that loves me, and thinks I’m hot even when I don’t feel or think I look hot! I’m thankful for a husband that can put up with me and still love me, for a husband that desires to see me happy all the time, that dwells with me according to knowledge.

I am thankful for obedient, respectful children, children that are a joy to be around not only for my husband and me, but for everyone they come in contact with. I am thankful for happy, healthy and whole children, for children that love instruction.

I am thankful for a mother that loves me in spite of my shortcomings, and is always there to encourage me. I am thankful for my sisters who are always there for me, and for a brother that has always and will always be there for me (even helped put me through college).

I am thankful for my friends who have stuck by my side no matter what. I truly believe that people that come into our lives are there for a reason, some for a season and some are lifelong friends. I am thankful for all that have crossed my path. Each has taught me something about myself; each has caused me to grow and mature and to think about others and their feelings rather than just about myself – for that I am grateful, thankful! There is so much as I just sit here and think about my life. God has truly been good to me and my family. When we were jobless, He never let poverty and lack come near our door - I am so thankful for that! He never left us nor forsaked us; He was with us even during this "down time". He, God, is faithful that promise. He promised us in His Word that He would supply ALL of our needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. He even gave us desires of our hearts during this time. We are truly blessed of the Lord! The blessing of the Lord makes us, Pirozzi's, rich in every area of our lives, and it added no sorrow.

I am truly grateful, thankful that I am the victor, and the devil loses! I win in Jesus name!

I hope that you thank the Lord everyday for the things that you are truly thankful.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Be blessed of the Lord!

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

Allowing God's Correction and Discipline

Hello All:

Today we are going to talk about an “unpopular” topic – correction, discipline. Though it is unpopular and unpleasant, it is good for us and needs to be discussed. Who wants to get disciplined? My mom disciplined me, and I turned out pretty good. I didn’t like it or appreciated at the time, but looking at it now, I do. There’s no telling what or who I would be if she hadn’t. She made us walk the line; she didn’t play with us. Yes, she was our friend, but she was momma first, and we were going to obey and respect her, and we did and still do. When we did things wrong or not according to the rules of our household, we were corrected and sometimes disciplined. We truly did learn obedience by the things we suffered (Hebrews 5:8 – smile). Yes it would be good to be able to do just do whatever you wanted, but everything that is good to us or makes us feel good, is not always good for us. Sometimes we need to be told/corrected that these things that make us feel good are not good for us. These are things that we usually enjoy or not so easily willing to give up doing.

Correction and/or discipline allows us to grow and mature, and allowing God’s correction and/or discipline in our lives helps us grow and mature in Him, spiritually. With my mother’s love, correction and discipline, I was able to grow and mature into the adult you see today (Please be patient with me, God is not through with me yet). Correction and discipline by God also allows the following:

· You to “fix” or “change” things not pleasing in the sight God on this side before Jesus returns
· You to have right standing with God
· You to have peace in every area of your lives

Allowing God to “fix” or “change” the things not pleasing in His sight gives us an opportunity to get things right with Him before Jesus returns. The truth is, if you’re sinning (doing things not pleasing in God’s sight); you’re going to go to hell. There’s really no way to “sugar-code” it. It goes for all of us. But loves us, and He wants all of us to come to be with Him, but you have to be willing to be discipline or corrected in those areas that don’t line up with His word. Proverbs 10:17 (MSG) states:

The road to life is a disciplined life; ignore correction and you're lost for good.

Salvation in God is a process. You do not ask Jesus to be Lord over your life, and the next second everything is wonderful; yes, you are a new creation in Christ Jesus, but you have to walk this thing out. Every day you have to make the choice to live your life for Christ, to do the things we are instructed to do in His Word. It’s your choice! You make the choice to obey God’s Word or to do whatever you want, the way you want. But know this; if you choose the later, you will eat the fruit it produces (you’ll have to deal with the results of your choice!) If you choose to reject the correction of God in your life, choose to ignore God, you will have to deal with the consequences. Proverbs 29:1 (MSG) clearly explains this:

For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, there’ll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it'll be too late to help them.

Don’t let this be you! Don’t let life get to the edge of destruction due to your ignoring God’s correction. Don’t let Jesus return; then it will be too late to help you. You ever hear the expression “I’ve got my ticket to Heaven”? Make sure you have your ticket to Heaven. You are the only one that can obtain your ticket into Heaven. Allow God’s correction so you can stay in His will, His Word!

Allowing discipline and/or correction from God helps us maintain our righteousness in Christ Jesus. Righteousness is our right standing with God, our keeping God’s commandment, doing the Word of God; this is what makes us the righteousness in God through Christ Jesus. When God corrects us, it allows us the chance to look at what we are doing (that which is not pleasing in His sight), repent of it, and put it under the Blood of Jesus. Romans 2:13 (MSG) states:

13If you sin without knowing what you're doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you're doing, that's a different story entirely. Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.

This is talking about the written Word of God and that which He speaks to us corporately or individually.

Proverbs 11:5 (NIV) states:

The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

What makes us blameless? Our doing the Word of God makes us blameless. If you’re following the “rules” (all the rules/commandments), then you can’t get “blamed” or “in trouble” for doing anything wrong (things that do not line up with the Word of God), because you doing what you’re supposed to do. The wicked, those who ignore the correction of God, will be brought down by their own wickedness. Get in God’s Word; stay in His Word so that you may observe to do all that is written in it! How can you keep God’s commandments, how can you do His Word if you don’t know what it says?

Allowing God to discipline and/or correct us, maintaining our righteousness in Him through Christ Jesus, gives us the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. Let me show you some of the Word of God that demonstrates this:

Psalms 34:15-19 (NIV) - 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

Psalms 37:39 - 39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Proverbs 3:33 - 33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

Proverbs 10:3, 6 - 3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:25 - 25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

Proverbs 10:29 - 29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

Proverbs 12:21 - 21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

(Yeah, Proverbs is my favor book in the Bible)

God is the righteous ever present help in our time of need. There is nothing we go through that He can’t deliver us from or bring us through. He can and will do that which seems impossible. Because we belong to God, and we keep all of His commandments, all we have to do is cry out to Him, He hears us and deliver us. This in itself gives me peace, and causes me to rest in Him. Isaiah 32:17 states:

17And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.

Our righteousness in God through Christ Jesus produces peace (internal and external – meaning He will give us peace within ourselves as well as our surroundings). The result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever (meaning that it produces quietness in that there’s no weeping, no arguing, just quiet – no worry, no loud thoughts in your head – just peace). Peace comes when we have confidence in God’s ability to perform His Word. When you have confidence that God will supply ALL of your needs, then when there’s no job you can rest in God knowing He will provide THE job for you right when you need it. When sickness tries to attach itself to you or a loved one, you’ll speak with boldness/confidence “By the stripes of Jesus be healed”. We don’t have to wonder if God will do it; we KNOW that He will.

True discipline and correction comes from the Word of God (written and spoken). Second Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP) sums it up best; it states:

16Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), 17So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Allow God to correct you; let Him finish the good work He has begun in you!

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

All scriptures used from www.biblegateway.com

How important is it for you to make it to Heaven?

Hello!

There are so many things in our lives that we deem important. It was important for me to make good grades when I was in school; so I devoted time and effort in my studies, meeting with teachers and professors for additional questions and/or ways to increase my grade. I did all that I knew to increase my chances of having the best grade if not the highest because it was important to me. In both of my pregnancies, it was important to me to have good easy pregnancies, births and healthy children, and I did. I did all my physician instructed me to do. I searched the web for articles and tips to have healthy pregnancies and births (understand all this was done in addition to prayer). Even with my marriage, in addition to prayer, I began to get spiritual books about being a wife/woman God called me to be – it was and is important to me. All I knew about being a wife was what I’d seen others do, and TV (which is not a good model);I’d never been a wife; I wanted to be a wife that God called me to be. Because these things were and are important to me, I did not leave them chance. I got in there, and I studied, developed relationships with teachers/professors, listened to my physician and obeyed, sought out additional ways to have healthy successful pregnancies, birth and children, ways to better myself as a wife. We all have things in our lives that we put a high level of importance. But how important is it for you to make it to Heaven? How often do you think about Jesus’ return? What are you doing to prepare for the return of our Lord Jesus? Do you truly believe that He is coming again? If so, are you ready to go be with Him? If Jesus were to come back as you read this sentence, are you ready? Only you can answer these questions. Only YOU!

Let’s talk about how often we, you think about Jesus’ return. Now there was a point in my life where I did not want to think about this AT ALL. I was not in the will of God nor was I doing things that were pleasing in His sight. You know I’ll tell it on myself first. No, I am not perfect. But when you know better you do better; and that I am. But thank God that I’ve been delivered O Praise the Lord. But I did not want to think about Jesus’ return – I was not ready! Though I went to church, I was not living fully according to God’s will, His Word. I know I’m not the only one who has dealt with this or is dealing with this. But the good thing is that you still have time to get it right on this side – before Jesus returns! The Word of God tell us to consider Jesus:
1SO THEN, brethren, consecrated and set apart for God, who share in the heavenly calling, [thoughtfully and attentively] consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest Whom we confessed [as ours when we embraced the Christian faith]. Hebrews 3:1 (AMP). It tells us, we who are consecrated and set apart for God, to “thoughtfully and attentively” consider Jesus – not only who He is and what He has done and is doing, but about what He will do. He will and is coming back. We don’t just consider some, but ALL. We are to press forward to the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14 – AMP). The Word of God tells us, instructs us in Philippians 4:8 (AMP):

8For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

I think that Jesus and His return are all these things, and we need to think on, weigh, and take account of Him and His soon approaching return. We need to fix our mind on it! I think if we do this, it will help us stay on the path He has ordained for all our lives.

When you/we began to think about Jesus coming again, it should prompt us to prepare for His return. What are you doing to prepare for His return? Are you reading God’s Word or you praying? Better yet, are you doing the Word of God. I hope that you are. I ask the Holy Spirit to stay on me all the time. I love the Lord’s correction in my life; I ask for correction. It’s important for me to be in His will. I make sure that I read His Word and pray. I’ve set “rules” for myself. For example, I don’t watch TV or get on the internet unless I have prayed (now, I will look at the weather if the kids and I have to get out early in the morning, but I don’t watch the entire program). I’ll pray in the spirit while I do housework. I make the decision everyday to give God some time, just He and I. It helps me to maintain my relationship with Him; it’s important to me. I have to have a relationship with the Lord; my very life depends on it – my salvation depends on it – eternal destination depends on it. But during my time with God, I, every now-and-then, take a self-evaluation of myself. In Haggai chapter 1, it tells us to take a good, hard look at our lives, for us to think it over. And why? Because while we run around caught up with taking care of our own house (our own thing), God’s house is in ruins. Now this is a message that the prophet Haggai had given to King Darius, but God is telling us this as well; it’s put in the Bible so that we don’t make the same mistake; for us to remember. This is why it is important for you to take a self-evaluation of yourself, and be honest. Take that self-evaluation to make sure you are on the right path, in God’s Will, that will prepare you for Jesus’ return. Take care of His House and His business. Whatever you believe God is telling you to do you do it. This is why I do this blog. I want to do my part in getting the gospel out to all who will receive it. I want to do my part in building and taking care of God’s House, the church, His people – not so people can look at me; I could care less. I’m a vessel that is used by God. I asked God to use me, and I am allowing Him to use me. There is nothing in and of myself, but God in me – not my words, but His.

Because you’ve now decided to consider (think) about Jesus and His soon approaching return, you have determined your actions, and those actions are mentioned in Proverbs 4:23
23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

1 Peter 1:13-25 talks about our future in God, and it states:

13-16So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy." 17You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.
18-21Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.
22-25Now that you've cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! That's why the prophet said, The old life is a grass life, its beauty as short-lived as wildflowers; Grass dries up, flowers droop, God's Word goes on and on forever. This is the Word that conceived the new life in you.

This says it all. But I will say this, if you are reading this blog, then you know better. DO IT – DO BETTER – DO GOD’S WORD!

I hope for your sake that you truly believe that Jesus is coming again. It may be sooner than you think! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – whether you believe it or not, Jesus is coming! How important is it for you to make it to Heaven? Make the decision to give thought to Him and His return. Start preparing for His return while there is time to get it right on this side – before He comes, and it’s too late. I really don’t know what more to say to you. I pray God that as you read this that it pricked your heart, and you decided to seriously walk with the Father. Jesus is coming! He is coming! Prepare now! This is not to scare you, but to warn in love. You’ll not be able to say that you didn’t know when you stand before Him. Be ye therefore warned, in love!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!

Scriptures for www.biblegateway.com

When Jesus Returns, What state/condition will you be in?

Hello All:

I will start this one off with a scripture; it is talking about the second coming of Christ. Believe it or not, we are living in the last days. And believe it not, Jesus is coming again and sooner than we all think. Get it right on this side while He can still be found. I know you’re saying we’ve heard this from you before. I’m gonna keep reminding you every now and then until you get; until He returns, and I go to be with Him and can no longer write.

36"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:36-39 New International Version)

Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing with marrying, marriage, eating and drinking. I’m married; marriage is good. But all too often we allow things to consume our time; we put the things of God on the “back burner” when we should be putting Him first. Now is not the time to have things consume us taking up all our time. Now, if you are getting married or planning on getting married, GREAT! Congratulation! But don’t leave God out. Don’t forget to pray, to study His Word, to pay your tithe or forget to do things He has instructed you to do. To many times we allow things that are harmless to take precedent over God. We’d rather hang out with friends than get before the Lord and pray or we’d rather rest or maybe our favorite show is on and God puts a scripture in our heart or wants us to come away and pray (ouch hallelujah!). The people in Noah’s day are just like us; we are busy doing our “own thing” or the things that make us happy. But while we are doing these things that are harmless, they’re not bad things, what if Jesus comes back? We see in the Word of God above that we, nor the angels, nor the Son knows the day or the hour of the coming of the Son of Man, Jesus.

The Word of God tells us over and over that Christ is coming back. Take a look:

13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 (New International Version)

Jesus Is Coming

7"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." Revelation 22:7 (New International Version)

10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take our crown. 12Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. Revelation 3:10-12 (New International Version)

Some of you might be thinking “I’ve heard this all before, and we are still here, and if this really true, when will it be?” Matthew 24 talks of the signs of the times, and I believe that before there were only a couple of the sign, but look again all are happening together at the same time; but wait, this is only the beginning. God has warned us, in His Word, to be watchful. He’s given examples and stories (parables). Have you heard of the saying “Better safe than sorry”. Would you take the chance thinking that all this is not true, live anyway you want, and it happens – Jesus Returns! Would you take that chance? Can I tell you when He’s coming, No! Do I believe that He’s coming back? Yes. I want to be ready at all times. I have settled it – I will do all that I need to do to be ready. I don’t care if it’s not tomorrow, or next week, or next month, or next, or ten years from now; I will be READY! It’s not like living your life for Christ is bad or hard. I think I have a better quality of life because I choose to serve Christ and only Him completely; I’m a little nicer too (wink). So many times we try to have one foot in the Kingdom of God and the other in the world, but it can’t work like that. Take a look……

Watchfulness

35"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. 39But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:35-40 (New International Version)

1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25:1-13 (New International Version)

1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 2 Peter 3:10 tells us that the Lord Jesus will come like a thief in the night. We are to be ready at all times. We should make sure that we have enough oil for ourselves. No one can get you to Heaven, but YOU! Momma and Daddy can’t pray you into Heaven. You can’t get into Heaven on your spouse’s oil; it has to be the oil that you’ve acquired on your own. You can’t work your way into Heaven. We all have to make the choice to serve and live our lives for Him. We have to choose to give God the level of importance that He deserves and that we want Him to give to us. He tells us over and over again, but do we heed His words? Don’t take my word or anyone else’s word; you search the scriptures for yourself – you get your own oil. You study to show yourself approved. 2 Timothy 2:15-19 (New International Version) states:
15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his,"[a] and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.

So I ask – How will Jesus find you when He returns? Will He find you faithful to His Word or will find you like those mentioned in Timothy 3:1-5 (New International Version)
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. Now I know you’re thinking “The world has always been like this.” True, true, but it has gotten to this extreme level that it is now; just take a look around you. When Jesus returns will he find you in one of these conditions? Are you allowing any of these to operate in your life? Have you become a Christian mentioned in Revelation 3:15-16 (New International Version): 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Luke chapter 18 asks when the Son of Man, Jesus, comes will He find faith here on this earth? When Jesus comes will He find you doing everything else or will He find you faithful to His Word? Hebrews 10:35-38 states:
35Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward.
36For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and [a]carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.
37For still a little while (a very little while), and the Coming One will come and He will not delay.
38But the just shall live by faith [My righteous servant shall live [b]by his conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, and holy fervor born of faith and conjoined with it]; and if he draws back and shrinks in fear, My soul has no delight or pleasure in him. When Jesus comes will He have delight and be pleased with you? Will you be patient and endure so you can perform and FULLY accomplish the will of God? Jesus is coming………… Will He say “Well done thy good and faithful servant; enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? Our confession should be as it is in Galatians 2:20-21, 20I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
21[Therefore, I do not treat God's gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God. For if justification (righteousness, acquittal from guilt) comes through [observing the ritual of] the Law, then Christ (the Messiah) died groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain. [His death was then wholly superfluous.]

Some of us think we are ok. We go to church every time the doors are opened, we pray, we live at peace with man as much as we can; yet we only have form of godliness that’s not the real thing. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (New International Version): 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

Don’t be like the Pharisees in Luke18:9-14: 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about[a] himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

I know that I have given a lot of scriptures here, but I wanted you to see what the Word of God says; these are not my words but the Word of the Lord. Take the time and take out that Bible, blow the dust off if needed, but get in God’s Word. Get that oil for yourself. How many times does He have to say that He’s coming back before you will prepare yourself? See that no one deceives you. Jesus is coming back, and He’s coming back for those who look like Him; those who have remain faithful to His Word. What state/what condition will He find you? Salvation is available now – grab hold of it, take it to heart. Choose life so that you may live and have a place with Him for all eternity.

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!!

All scripture used from http://www.biblegateway.com/

Troubles..........No Problem

Hello:

There was a time when I wished that life would smooth and easy, free from pain, sickness, and sorrows – free from troubles. I always thought “If I could live on my own personal island, just for me, life would be as it should. I look at my kids and wish they’d never know a day of pain, sickness or lack. Children should be free to run, skip, jump, and play without “bad stuff”. I use to say “I’m never having children. Why would I want to bring a living person into this world?” The world is not always fair, kind or without heartbreak or hardships. When I was growing up, the older people would say “If you haven’t been through anything, just live awhile”. I didn’t know what they were talking about then, but now that I’m grown, have my own husband, children – my own life – I get it! Even the Bible tells us that we, Christians/believers - will have troubles. All people will have problems; we are not exempt. Matthew 5:45 says that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. When trouble use to come, I would throw the biggest “pitty party” – oh woe is me. I’m sure none of you have thrown this type of party. I hated to go through anything. I mean, I’m a pretty good person. I try to live at peace with every man as much as I can. I try my best to be kind, to have good things to say. Yet; I still had troubles. I still went through things (some I know was my own doing, but some I just couldn’t understand “WHY ME!”)

I thank God for His Word, His grace and His mercy. I thank God that His mercies are new every morning towards me (Lamentations 3:22-24). I thank God that His has graced me during the times I strayed away, saying and doing things that were not pleasing in His sight. But I am so very thankful for His Word; I’m thankful that the eyes of my understanding have been enlighten to His Word, and the more I hear His Word the more I increase in the learning/understanding of His Word. I’ve learned and understand that there isn’t anything I will ever go through that is bigger than my Father God. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in this world. I GET IT! I know and understand that God is for me, Shan, and NOTHING and NO ONE can or will ever be successful against me. Isaiah 54:17 says ‘No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgment I shall condemn. This is my heritage as a servant of the LORD, and my righteousness is of the Lord, says the LORD’. Now, it did not say that the weapon would not form or that troubles would not come, but it is saying that the weapon formed will not prosper; it will not accomplish that which it was sent to do. But you’ve got to know the Word of God. We’ve been deceived by the devil too long. God has given us a powerful weapon to stand up to anything the devil might bring up. He has given us His Word! My pastor (who is also my mother) reminded us that it’s not enough to just say the Word of God. Joshua 1:8 states ‘Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful’. Meditating on God’s Word allows our faith to gain strength so that when we speak/confess it out of our mouths, it will have the impact and gain the result of God’s Word spoken. Example, you meditate on a healing scripture because your faith is not quite developed in this area; so you meditate on by the striped of Jesus I am healed. Your meditation on that healing scripture allows you to strengthen you faith in that which the scripture is suppose to bring about (healing), you gain an understanding of what it should do, and you gain strength in the confidence that God can bring about the results of healing from the faith in the words that was meditated and confessed. You follow? Meditate of God’s Word, get it into your spirit (gaining understanding and strengthen your confidence in God's ability to perform His Word), and release that faith in the confessed Word of God.

Only a few of you may know the “troubles” that have tried to prosper in my life (my family’s life). We had been jobless since November ’08 –yes ’08. Now if this had happened to me about seven (7) years ago, I would be throwing one of those “pitty parties” I told you about. But before all this happened, I had been tithing, meditating and confessing scriptures of prosperity – God is my provider, He is a God that is more than enough for me and my family, He supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, He is my shepherd – I want for nothing, I look unto the hills which comes my help – my help comes from the Lord the maker of Heaven and Earth. I could go on and on of what I confess. I bound up lack and poverty – all of this I’d made a part of my daily confession not knowing what was ahead, BUT God did. With this happening, I had a choice to make – either I could through the pitty party of a lifetime – dwelling on the negative, allowing doubt to come in, just let the devil eat my lunch OR I could draw my Sword of Spirit, God’s Word, keeping my eyes on Him standing firm on His Word to see the salvation of the Lord. Of course I chose the latter. I’ve been here before, and I have learned to trust God. I tell you the Lord God Almighty kept my family. I mean we did not miss a beat. We were still eating and buying the same foods. We were able to buy us things we wanted, able to buy the kids toys and clothes (not cheap stuff either). We, well Aaron and Angie, still went to the movies when they wanted; we still ate out (not as much, but when we wanted). The Lord is awesome, and he is worthy of MY praise, and I give it to Him every time I think of His goodness. He is the reason for my praise, He is the reason that I sing, shout and dance! The devil is a liar and a defeated foe where the Pirozzi’s are concerned. He, the devil, is the losers, and we are the victor! We win – he loses in Jesus Name. I said, I win, I win, I win! Glory…….Hallelujah!

The Word of God tells us to count it all joy when we go through test and trials. I no longer do I see troubles as yet another trial, or battle to fight. I now look at it as an opportunity to increase my faith in my God, my trust in Him. I see it as an opportunity for God to show up and show out on my behalf. I look at it as an opportunity for God to show Himself real to me and my family, and for me to see and know that He is the God His Word says that He is, and that He can do the things His Word says He can do. Not only for us see, but for those around us to see just how GOOD our GOD is. They’ll begin to look at me and my family and begin to think “Well what are they doing? They look as if things (troubles) don’t bother them.” And I’ll say “It’s nothing of me or any member of my family, but it is the God that we serve. He is an AWESOME GOD!” Do I love having troubles? No, I wish they wouldn’t come at all. Do I seek for troubles? No! But because I know that they will come, I look unto the hills which cometh my help; my help cometh from the Lord God Almighty, the maker of Heaven and of Earth. I am no longer afraid when troubles come my way; I stand firm in the confidence of MY God! My God is able to do the impossible – there is nothing He can’t do. My God is able to see me through. He is a good Father that gives good gift unto His children, and I am a child of God – a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. I am the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. I know WHO I am and WHO I belong too. My Father God owns all the cattle on a thousand hill (Psalms 50:10); His streets are paved with gold (Revelation 21:21). There is nothing he can’t give me or do for me. So now I say “Troubles……………. No Problem!” I feel “the preach” coming on, but I’ll stop right here. Glorrrrrryyyyy…….Hallelujah……, I told the devil about messing with me and mine. He better back up off of us……….. Be blessed of the Lord God Almighty this day in Jesus’ Name……. And everybody say………….AMEN! Let me go…………..

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!

Dance, Dance Dance!

Hey There!

I tell you the Lord is good and worthy of our praises. I tell you the enemy is roaming about seeking whom he can devourer. He is throwing everything and anything he can at us using everyone and anyone he can to get us off of what God has for us, and off of what God has called us to do. But we WIN, and you have to know that you WIN! But when the enemy throws things at me, not only do I pray and bring things in line with God's Word (now, I don't always do this, but I'm am doing this in Jesus' Name), but I dance in the Lord every time I have an opportunity to do so.

The enemy tries to attack me every Sunday. I do not like being late. Almost every Sunday we are just making it on time. It use to hinder me from hearing and enjoying church. I love church, and I'd like to enjoy it when I attend. But it seemed like every Sunday morning something would happen right before church, and it use to steal my joy. Until one Sunday, I heard the Lord say "Just dance". It started out as a little side-to-side step; before song service was over, I was twirling and jumping. And now every time I'm at church I make it a part of my praise and worship to dance before the Lord.

When I dance before the Lord, anything that had been going on before church just melted away to nothing. My whole focus was on worshipping and praising the Lord. Talking about shaking off some heavy bands. I've always loved to dance even when I was in the world; I just dance for the Lord now (and goofy dancing with my 2 yr old daughter). Jeremiah 31:12:14 states :

12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD— the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. 13 Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. 14 I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty,"declares the LORD.

When we dance before Him, He will turn our mourning into gladness. He will give us comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Oh how blessed we are to serve such an awesome God. When things are going on all around you, yes pray, but also dance. In that same chapter in Jeremiah 31 verses 3,4 states:

3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, [a] saying:"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. 4 I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.

Now God is no respecter of persons, if He did for the Israelites, He'll do it for us too. This means that He will build us up again when circumstances and situations have brought us down, and again we will take up the tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful. Our dancing before the Lord can cause the Spirit of God to fall in our lives; all around. It can break/destroy yokes we've allowed to be around our necks, hindering us from running the race before us successfully, from being all we can be in Christ Jesus

Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there's a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Now is the time to dance. Now is the time to put the devil back under our feet, and dance, dance dance!

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!

GO TO CHURCH!!!!

Hello:

I’ve been studying on going to church, the church family and how we should behave. If you look at your life and those who are around you, our lives and theirs should be ever changing ever increasing in Christ. But for some of us, life remains the same; we reach a level of maturity in Christ, and we go no further. For some, life hasn’t changed since we said the sinner’s prayer. This should not be so. We need to go to church faithfully, become a united body in Christ Jesus (not different churches or denominations) and we should behave like the one we belong to; we are the King’s kids.

I love how the Bible is so simple; easy for everyone to understand. The Word of God tells us in Hebrews 10:25 (AMP) - Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching. The day that is spoken of here is the return of Jesus. Each day that passes is another day closer to His return. I am urging you, warning you today TO GO TO CHURCH! It’s important that we are with other believers (people of like faith). Every day we go out into the world, we see and hear how they live and act much more than we see and hear of the things of God (ouch Hallelujah). What or who has greater influence in our lives? Proverbs 13:20 (MSG) – Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces. I Corinthians 15:33 says - Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character. I’m not saying you can’t be around unsaved people. Who else is going to minister to them? What I am saying is if you hang around, or have before your eyes more of the world, then that will be the greater influence in your life. But if we come together with those who are like-minded in Christ, we can encourage and build each other in the Lord. And really we do need to spend more time in the church now than ever before. We need to be around the people of God just as much as we are around the people of this world. But who is willing to make such a sacrifice? It’s not like we’d have to give our very life……. When we go to church not only are we encouraged by the Word of God being brought forth, but we get encouragement from each other. Hebrews 3:13 states - But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Galatians 6:2 states - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We, of Christian faith, need to be unified as church members and amongst other believers belonging to others churches. But we have allowed denomination, theology, ideology to separate God’s Body, and it shouldn’t be this way. No denomination is better than the other. Now I do hope that all denominations using the Bible as their main teaching source are teaching the WHOLE TRUTH of the Bible, God’s Word. There should be no omitting or adding to the Word of God. And if we are using the same book, then we should be saying, teaching and or preaching the SAME thing. I live in the “small City of Minden”, and there is like a church on almost every corner. I remember thinking “Why do we need all these churches?” In I Corinthians 1:10, Paul is talking about this very thing, division: I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. Philipians 2:1-4 says that we should be like-minded people serving in love; then it says to do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit: If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. It has been said, true or not I don’t know, that there are some ministers that will not come and preach the “Good News” unless they can get “X” amount of dollars. NO! This is not to say that we do not take care of our ministers, but ministers “whoo-hoo” you don’t do it for the money. If you’re doing it for the money, you’re in the wrong business. You do it because you have a heart/love for God’s Word and a deep desire to see lives changed and souls won.

And guess what……………It’s not only the minister who needs to check themselves; the “lay-people” (people who sit on the pews) need to check themselves too. Romans 12:16-18 tell us to be like-minded as well, and goes on to tell us to live at peace with all men as much as you can:
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
The forming of clicks, back-biting, gossiping, sowing discord within the fold is not what this is talking about. Romans 15:5-6 tells us yet again to be like-minded and it says to do it in accordance with Christ Jesus. If we are reading from the same the book, we should be able to walk together like-minded………….unless some don’t agree with what is written in the book, The Bible.

Now, I’ve said it before that over 57% of evangelical Christians believe that there are other ways to get to Heaven other than through Christ Jesus – WRONG! We have to believe and accept the WHOLE truth and nothing but the truth of God’s Word. I believe this is one of the reasons there are so many churches. Someone didn’t believe or didn’t like the truth being brought forth because it didn’t suit their lifestyle or thought a part of God’s Word was “too extreme” “too hard” or just not worth doing. So they broke off from the pack to start their own group. The Bible, the Word of God, tells us many times to like-minded, and when the Body of Christ is like-minded it causes unity within the body while allowing the Spirit to flow easily and smoothly.
We’ve all heard and read I Corinthians 12:12-26, that we are many members of one body. It is true… the left foot can’t go left and the right foot goes right, very far, unless something really bad happens……………….. We have to be united, going the same direction, on the same page, in agreement.

We as Christians need to love one another and act like we’re the King’s kid. We go to church yet we look down on our brothers and sisters in Christ. Galatians 6:10 - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. I Timothy 5:12 tells us how we should treat of fellow church members - Don't be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers. Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters. We don’t respect each other as we should. Pastor reminded us that our faith work by love. If we do not love each other the way God wants us to, then how can our faith bring in those things we request of the Lord? This is yet another reason to check ourselves every now and then especially if your prayers aren’t being answered. Just a little something to think about.

GO TO CHURCH! Go faithfully taking heed to the Word of God being brought forth. Don’t forsake the assembling of yourselves least you see the day of the Lord’s return approaching. Read the Word of God so that we can be united, like-minded in the Word of God. Love one another; respect each other as we are instructed to do. God is love, and we should strive to be more like Him each and every day. It can all be accomplished when we GO TO CHURCH!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

Don't Be A Spiritual Drop-Out

Hello All:

Today I want to talk to you about being a spiritual “drop-out”. I know none of you are “drop-outs” because you are still following the Lord Jesus. I was reading in John 6:60-69, here Jesus was speaking in the synagogue about communion, saying drink my blood and eat my flesh. This was a little hard for some of the disciples to swallow (no pun intended). As a result, some disciples went home and walked with Jesus no more. We are going to look at some things that could cause one to become a spiritual drop-out (dropping out of the walk with Christ). In noticing these things we can keep ourselves in the race as well as others.

The Word of God asks us in Galatians 5:7 you ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth of God’s Word? The Word of God also tells us to set aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. The following are just some of the things that can hinder you from running the race/life as God wants us to (causing spiritual drop-outs):

Sin
Fear
Other (What others say and think of us)
Lack of Understanding
Laziness

What is sin? Sin is an offence or revolt against God; deliberate (things done with full conscious of effect) defiance. Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. Sin hinders our race in that it separates us from God. God cannot look upon our sin(s). We as Christians should and we do not habitually sin. We do not practice sin or make it customary (commonly practiced or used). Sin should bring guilt and repentance. I’m not talking about telling God “I’m sorry” and go back and do it (the same sin) again. True repentance means you turn away from it and do not go do it again. If you sin, don’t wallow in it and beat yourself up about it. Get on your knees and ask God for forgiveness. Now I will say this, don’t get on your knees knowing full well that you’re going to do “the sin” again. You can’t fool God! You probably can fool people, but not God. I Chronicles 28:9 say the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. God knows if you intend on committing “the sin” again. I was told that homosexuals that go to church defend their “lifestyle” by “repenting” of the sexual act each time they do the “deed”. This is what I meant by habitually sinning and making a sin a customary (commonly practiced/used) act. Christians DO NOT do this!!! He who knows to do right and does it not – it is sins! If you know that which you are doing is not right, it’s not pleasing in God’s sight, then it is SIN! Repent NOW! If the sin in your life is a “stronghold”, then ask God to help you with it, and He will. Remember that God knows your heart, and He knows if you truly want to stop what you’re doing.

Fear! Fear can hinder our race with God. Fear has torment. Fear can cause you to backup and quit. Fear that we aren’t good enough for God to love us. Some people fear that they are not worthy of God’s love, and they allow the enemy to fool them into living any kind of way because they believe they can’t stop sinning. But God so loved the world that He gave His only son for you and me. Romans 8:31-39 says:

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Maybe you fear people. Psalms 118:6-9 says:

6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? 7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. 8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Or maybe you fear God want answer your prayers or supply your needs. God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly; above all we can ask or think. He supplies ALL our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Settle it right now that God is who He says He is, and He can do what His Word says He can do. If you have any other fears, then remember II Timothy 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, and of power, and of a sound mind. He has given us the spirit of timidity, or hatred, of weakness and of insanity. And God did not give us a spirit of fear, then who did? Fear comes from the enemy (devil). He uses fear to keep us from God, in a place God did not ordain for us, and to keep the promises of God from manifesting in our lives. Don’t let the devil fool in any area of your life. Don’t buy into the fears he uses to keep you out of the race causing you to drop-out.

Sometime we allow others to hinder our race; our walk with God. Don’t let what others think or say about you stop you from walking with God. Don’t allow them to cause you to become a spiritual drop-out. My mom always said that people are going to think and say what they want about you no matter what you do or say. Don’t be worried about what others think or say about. The Word of God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He knows the thoughts and plans He have for us; they are thoughts of peace/good, not of evil, to give you an expected end. His Word says that you are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus, that you are the righteousness in through Christ Jesus. Thanks be unto to God who has given us victory through Christ Jesus. We WIN in Jesus’ name. Stop listening to what others say who you are, what you can do, and what you can have. Search and see what God’s Word says who you are, what you can do and have. If what others think or say about you doesn’t line up with what God’s Word says, then don’t receive it; return it back to the sender.

A lack of understanding of God’s Word can also hinder our race. As mentioned before in John 6:60-69, disciples did not understanding the words Jesus spoke; and as a result, they stop following Him. Ephesians 1:17-19 states:

17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

We should pray this over ourselves and unsaved loved ones; that the eyes of their understanding are opened. In those areas where your eyes have been enlightened, you can help others so that they may see.

Now sometimes a lack of understanding comes because the whole truth of God’s Word is not being taught. This allows for confusion to come in, and if it’s not the whole truth, then it’s a lie. We know who the “Father of Lies” is – it’s the devil. Galatians 1:6-8 says

6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

You bring your Bible to church and read His Word to see that the truth is being brought forth by the ministers. You search God’s Word to see what it has to say for yourself; don’t just trust my words or anyone else’s.

Last but not least, I’m sure we’ve all dealt with this one to some degree, laziness (lax in the Lord's work). Being a mother doesn’t allow me that luxury of being lax anymore. Those who know me when I was younger know that I use to love to sleep. I would get upset if anyone interrupted my sleep too. Sleep came before just about everything else back then. Now, I did do my schoolwork and chores around the house, but after that all I wanted to do was watch TV or have it watch me (at this stage I wasn't one for "hanging out"; I'd much rather read a book).
Now, I love the book of Proverbs (though it steps on ones toes), and in the 26th chapter verse 14 says:

Just as a door turns on its hinges, so a lazybones turns back over in bed

Boy did that hit home……….hard. Proverbs 6:10, 11 states:

You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!

It says we’ll look forward to a “dirt-poor” life; poverty will be our permanent houseguest if we are lazy. Who wants to live in poverty??? Not me! Being lazy will cause you to lack in the things God wants you to have. It causes you to be less than who and what you are called to be in Christ Jesus. Jeremiah 48:10 says that a curse on him who is lax in doing the Lord’s work. If you are being lazy in what the Lord has asked of you, then there’s a curse on your life. If you wonder why things are going bad in your life, then check it out (life) and see if you’re doing the work of the Lord. And in doing the work of the Lord, you have to know the Word of the Lord. So stop being lazy and pick up that Bible and learn the Word of the Lord so that you can do His work.

These are just some of the things that can hinder our walk with God and cause us to be spiritual drop-outs. If you’re feeling like you can’t go on in God because of sin in your life, ask God to forgive you (repent). If you have allowed fear to come in, remember that God has not given you a spirit of fear; that fear comes from the enemy not from God. Don’t allow what others think and/or say about you cause to draw back from God. Remember God is on your side; what can man do to you? Nothing! If you lack understanding of God’s Word seek out someone that has knowledge that can impart understanding of His Word to you. You can also ask God to give you understanding for it is a gift that He will freely give to you if you ask. We have not because we ask not. And don’t be lazy. Get about the things of God. Don’t allow a curse to come upon you because you have become lax at His work. Don’t allow the enemy to use these are any other tactics to cause to drop out of this race.

Did you put your armor on today????

Be Encouraged Today!!!!

Our Children's Learning

Good Morning All:

We as Christians have God’s Word to apply in our lives and our children’s lives. God has given us the authority to call things to be not as though they are. We can speak a thing (good or bad) and have it manifested here in the land of the living (you shall have what you say). I know many of you have children that are returning to school or have already returned to school, so I’ve searched the scriptures to see what the Word has to say about our children’s learning, and I’m doing this for my children too. I know they have awhile before they go to school, but now is the time to speak in and over your child(ren) as far as his/her learning is concerned. We speak healing over ourselves before we get sick (if you are not speaking healing scriptures over you and your family, then start doing it EVERYDAY!); likewise, we should speak over our children concerning their learning before the return or go to school.

I have some scriptures here (something I usually don’t do because you need to seek and read God’s Word for yourself). But don’t take my Word for it, check up on me. Yes, these are God’s Word pertaining to learning, knowledge of His Word and His Kingdom (please, speak these to over your children as far as the spiritual side), but God has given us His Word to speak in every area of our lives; this includes our child(ren) learning. God has given us the authority to bind and loose things here on this earth, and they will be bound and loosed in Heaven. We can bind up the lack of wisdom (knowledge) and/or understanding in our and our children's lives, and loose supernatual understanding and wisdom in our lives (pray that things supernaturally comes easy to us). I think it was Creflo that said that God puts His "super" on our "natural", and that how we get more of what we are needing. God’s Word is to build us up in our most holy faith in Him; build up our spirit-man; and the same can be applied to our everyday lives. As a matter fact, this is exactly what He wants us to do. He wants us to take His Word and apply it to every area of our lives; not what the world applies to their lives. God’s Word should be the only truth in our lives as Christians, and we should and we are, in Jesus’ name, living by every truth that proceeds out of the mouth of God, His Word, the Bible. Shall we proceed………………………………………………..

(Please put your name or child(ren)’s name in where my children names are.

First in James 1:5-6, God tells us that he (you and me) who lacks wisdom (knowledge) should ask of the Lord who gives to all men liberally (freely) without reproach, and it shall be given unto him. Keep up with me. If your child(ren) doesn’t understand what is being taught in church or school, encourage them to ask God for understanding. Those things that are important to us are important to God. If there is something that important for us to learn, then He will do it for us.

Proverbs 1:5 – Angie and Dorrien hear (the Word of God/school lesson), and the increase in their learning. The more our children hear the Word of God or their school lesson, the more they will increase in their learning of what is being heard.

Proverbs 15:33 – Angie and Dorrien fear the Lord for this is the instruction of wisdom (knowledge).

Psalms 111:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (knowledge), and Angie and Dorrien fear the Lord their God. A good understanding Angie and Dorrien have to do all the commandments of the Lord as well as their school lessons. A lot of us have gotten away from fearing God, and do not teach our children to fear the Lord; therefore, we are not teaching them to have wisdom (and we wonder why they do the things they do). If we teach our children to fear (reverence) the Lord, then they will be less likely to do the things that are not pleasing in His sight.

Psalms 119:73 – Lord, your hands have made and fashioned Angie and Dorrien; you’ve given them understanding (of God’s Word and school lessons) that they may learn your commandments as well as their school lessons. The Lord formed/made our children, and He has given unto them the gift of understanding and wisdom.

Proverbs 16:21 – Angie and Dorrien are wise in heart and are called prudent (wise in practical matters), and my sweetness of the lips increases their learning. If you are not helping your child(ren) with their school work, then you need to start. Don’t just leave it up the school; get involved. Be patient and speak “sweetly” to them even if they don’t get it (I am so speaking to myself). Remember we had to be taught these things too, and someone was patient with us until we got it. Eventhough they were taught a lesson at school, you can take the one-on-one time to explain it them again and in detail. Everybody doesn’t understand/get it right away, but they can with time and patient. Just like with faith, it comes by hearing, and hearing, and hearing the Word of God (the word “and” here is continual). Remember, the more they hear, the more they will increase in their learning.

Proverbs 10:7 – The memory of the just is blessed, and Angie and Dorrien are the just in Jesus’ name. Those things that are taught in church and in school they shall retain because their memory is blessed of the Lord.

Proverbs 19:27 – Angie and Dorrien listen to instruction, and they will not stray from words of knowledge (they listen and do not stray from God’s Word of wisdom, and knowledge being brought forth in their classrooms).

Genesis 39:2-3 - And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. Lord just like with Joseph, you are with Angie and Dorrien; they are successful. Everyone will see that the Lord God is with them, and that they Lord makes all that they set their hands to do to prosper. The Lord is no respector of persons (if He did it for Joseph, He can and will do it for you).

Romans 8:37 – Nay in all these things, Angie and Dorrien are more than conquerors through Him that loves them. They are more than conquerors in every area of their lives including their school lessons.

Philipians 4:13 – Angie and Dorrien can do all things through Christ Jesus which strengthens them. Lord, I thank you that they see, hear and understand what is being taught (whether church or school lessons) and they can do and apply it in their lives.

Proverbs 18:24 – A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Angie and Dorrien first show themselves friendly so that they may be befriended. All kids want to have friends, and it's important that they know that they have to show themselves friendly first.

These are some of the scripture, the Word of God, which you can speak over yourself and your children in any area of your lives. God is faithful and just to perform His Word. So speak His Word over, in and around your family. His Word works if you work it. Please feel free to share comments of what you speak/pray over your children as far as their learning (whether God’s Word or school lesson).

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!

The Things We Love

Hello, Hello:

Praise the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. Praise the Lord! I am so glad that with all this so called “economic hard-times” (I don’t know about you, but only with my eyes will behold and see the reward of the wicked, which means that I am a spectator only not a participator) that I serve a God that supplies all my needs according to His riches (not mine) that I shall not want for anything. He is my only source. I look unto the hills which cometh my help; my help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth. He owns all the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps 50:11); His streets are paved with gold. He has made me and my family more than conquerors in Him through Christ Jesus. There is nothing He can’t and won’t do for me. But this is not what I want to talk about…………

I want to talk about how we put forth a good effort and a lot of time for the things we truly love, the things we deem important. I was doing a learning activity with my daughter, and I was so proud of her that I became teary-eyed; I felt such love for her. My children’s education of the Word of God and school work is very important to me. I hate to say it but I put more time and effort in teaching my daughter her ABCs and 123s much more than the Word of God. It’s not that I don’t love God or want my children to love and live for Him; it’s that I want so much for her to know her ABCs and 123s before she goes to school. I want her and my son to excel in their school work, but I should and do want them to excel even more in the things of God (when you know better, you do better, and I am doing better). I do try my best t live upright before my children (family). I have made it a habit to pray for every boo-boo. I read them Bible stories too. But I don’t do these nearly as much as their school lesson.

It‘s the same with our lives as Christians young people and adults. We put so much emphasis/importance on our careers, houses, cars, family and friends, and there’s nothing wrong with us making these things important, but they can’t be more important that God. If we love mother, father, brother, sister, children and/or careers more than God, then we are not worthy of the Kingdom of God. We as Christians are to seek first (1st) the Kingdom of God, not our children’s learning lessons, a spouse, house, cars or careers. God said seek His kingdom first and all these things will be added unto you. So many times we get his backwards; I too have been guilty of this. We need Him/His Word more than anything in this world. You might say ‘I need my job more’, but your job can be gone tomorrow. God will always be there for us. He never leaves us nor does He forsake us. Your spouse, kids, family and friends can leave you, but God will always be there. It is so important, especially in these days that we seek the Kingdom of God, God’s Word, like never before. Pastor reminded us today of God’s Word where it says that there will be a famine for the Word of God. Everyone has to seek the Kingdom for themselves; they have to get enough oil for their own lamps. We have to make sure that we get enough of God’s Word everyday to build up our faith; we have to speak it in and over our lives and get it in our spirit. Our faith is in the Word of God (God and His Word are one and the same). How can you have faith in something you don’t know? If we love God the way we say we do, then we will keep all of His commandments. We need to get our priorities straight. If we truly love Him, we should give Him/His Word the level of importance in our lives; and if you don’t know which level it is, it’s the top, number 1 (#1)…………..numeral Uno – get it!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!

Hell is Hot - And I Don't Want To Go!

Hello All:

I know you all are reading this title and are thinking where is she going with this. Well I know none of you need reminding that there is a hell, and I know that you are doing all you know to do in Christ Jesus to make it to Heaven, but please read on…………….

We as Christians know that there is a Heaven and a Hell; and one day, whether you pass on or you’re around for the rapture, you’re going to one of the two (2) places; and no you don’t get to tour each to see which one you would like to spend eternity – you make the choice. Only you can get you to Heaven or to Hell; no one can pray you into Heaven. You have to make the choice to accept Jesus as Lord, and He will become your Savior. The Word of God tells us that life and death has been set before us – blessing and cursing. (Hint: choose LIFE).

There are a few things that could or rather should motivate you to live your life for Christ so that you may go to be with Him in Heaven. And yes, Christ is the ONLY WAY! Anywho, some things that can motivate you to live for Christ are as follow; but not limited to:

Desire to go to Heaven
Healing
Better Quality of Life
To save ones marriage
To have heart’s desire
Have your needs supplied

Here’s another motivation to live your life for Christ – HELL IS HOT!!!!! Though this was one of my main motivations in the beginning, I have matured and want to live my life for Christ because He loves me; He loved me so much that He gave His life to save mine.

Right now we are renting the home we are living in, and the landlord had come to do a routine maintenance of the heating and cooling unit. Well, he left and all was fine (oh yeah, you know where I’m going with this). All of the sudden, it began to get hot in the house (those who know me know that I can’t stand to be hot). The thermostat hit 79 degrees to 81; all the way up to 85 degrees in the house with the A/C running. I could not stand it!! Yes, we got it fixed, but I thought to myself ‘Man, if you can’t take this little heat, you better make sure you don’t go to Hell’. The Lord always has something funny like to say to me; I guess He knows that it will get my attention. Thus this blog post was born!

The Book of Revelations calls Hell “The Lake of Fire”. I don’t know about you, but that sounds really, really, really HOT! Matthew 13:37-42 talks about the world being a field; the good seeds are of the Kingdom of God; the weeds are the sons of the evil one (devil). It says that the weeds (sinners) will be pulled up and burned in the fire; they will be thrown into the “fiery furnace” where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Now correct me if I’m wrong, but fiery furnace sound a little on the hot side to me; it’s not a place where I would want to go. Weeping and gnashing of teeth doesn’t sound appealing either. The road to Hell is broad, and many will take this path; and this path leads to destruction. Destruction is not part of my life’s plan so I’m going to try to stay off that path (You see, the Word of God clearly states what we should do. It tells which side we should be on; unless you like the idea of being thrown into a fiery furnace, lake of fire or perhaps you were sold on the destruction part.) I think I’m gonna stick with blessing and life. I’m gonna strive for the goal in Christ, because I can’t take this little heat we have here on earth. I am much too delicate for the “HOT of HELL”.

So choose Christ even if it starts out for the cool of Heaven (smile).

Did you put your armor today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!

Christian's Don't Get A Day Off!!!

Hello All:

I know that you all are blessed of the Lord and cannot be cursed. Keep standing firm on the Word of God and see the Salvation of the Lord. I thank God that He is ever ready to listen to us, guide, deliver, and protect us. God has never taken any time off; He doesn’t slumber nor does He sleeps. Being a mother of two (2) means that I don’t get a day off from being mommy, but my husband is there to lend a helping hand, relieving me now and then; but every day, all day, I’m mommy! I can’t wake up and say ‘I think I’ll just be Shan today; no mommy duties for me today’.

The same is true about the Christian. You can’t be a Christian one day, and the next you’re living the way the world does. If you’re doing that, then chances are you are “lukewarm”; in which case, God is going to spit you out of His mouth (not my words, but God’s – harsh). Christians don’t get a day off. Every morning you wake up, you make a choice to be Christ-like; you know, a Christian. You live at peace with every man as much as you can (the rest, ask the Holy Spirit to help you), you pray and confess God’s Word, read God’s Word, etc. You know..... do the things that Christians do.................

As a mommy, I never get to take that hat or title off; it’s with me everywhere that I go. But I’m proud to be a mommy, and I’m proud to be Christ-like, a Christian. I won’t and I don’t hind my light as a Christian under a bushel; I let my light so shine for the entire world to see. And in those areas that God is still dealing with me on, I ask the helper, the Holy Spirit, to help me where I haven’t grown/matured yet in Christ (those areas where I don't always do What Jesus Would Do (WJWD). I know you look at me and say ‘Surely she’s perfect’, but no, I have areas that God is still working in me. I’m not perfect, but I do strive towards perfection in Christ Jesus. He’s working in me every day; he’s given me a desire to keep all of His commandments and power to do that which is pleasing in His sight (this is the Word of God, and I confess this over me and my family everyday).

I know that some situations, circumstances, tests and trials can make you want to back-up, cave-in and give-up. I tell you as a mommy that potty training can be frustrating; but when my two and a half (2 ½) year old is not cooperative; I don’t say “That’s it! I quit!” I may feel like saying that, but I don’t. My mom always says “Don’t let your set-backs set you back”. What?! When my daughter sets on the potty good two (2) days in a row, and the third (3rd) she decides she’s not going to sit on the potty, I’m not going to let that one day set me back (I’m not going to let that stop me from potty training her); I’m going to keep putting her on the potty. And she is potty trained in Jesus' name.

So don’t let the things that are going on around you stop you from making a quality decision to be Christ-like each and every day. Make an honest decision to do as Christ would do. Keep striving to be the best Christian you can be, and ask God to help you with the rest (He likes it when we're honest with Him; it's not like He doesn't already know anyway). Get up and make the choice to be Christ-like every day.

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!