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!!!