One Thing Remains

                               
                           

  I know that days can be super hard sometimes. I know what it's like to be in a place where things just seem so overwhelming it's hard to even think much less be able to pray. I've had times in my life where I could say that I have experienced what it feels like to be crushed in Spirit. I have dealt with fear, anger, fits of rage, bitterness, resentment, and have struggled with unforgiveness. Everyone has some hard challenges to face throughout their lives. But throughout all of our struggles, hardships, challenges, sorrows, defeats, anxieties, fears, depression, One thing remains. 

   Yesterday I got to be a part of something amazing. A local church called Conduit is doing an outreach ministry this coming Saturday for the people in their community. They have pulled together resources and put together over 800 backpacks full of school supplies for the kids in a couple of the lower income school districts. They are also preparing 1000 chicken bbq dinners for area families. The Pastor of the church said to me that their agenda is "love". 

    Yesterday, volunteers came and before we got started everyone laid their hands on another person and a box of items that were going to be added to a backpack and 3 men covered the event in prayer. Then we made an assembly line, passed the bags down and each person added a different school supply. My daughter and I were at the end of the line, I added a highlighter she zipped the bag shut. There was man who took the completed bags and set them on another table, and as he grabbed each bag I heard him pray "Lord bless the child who receives this backpack."  Another guy started singing the B I B L E very enthusiastically. Everyone was smiling and in excited anticipation for this event. 200 bags were completed in like 30 min! What a great feeling it is to be a part of something bigger than ourselves! Sharing God's love with others in big ways and small ways.. It is good for the soul, no doubt! 

  I was doing my quite time this morning and so much seems to keep pointing to love. Starting with Christ's love. Then, as he pours His love into our lives and calls us to love others we ourselves become conduits. A way for His everflowing, self sacrificial, and unconditional love to reach the masses.  We love because He first loved us! The scripture references I had for today were John3:16, 1Corinthians13, 1Peter4:8. 

  So in your challenges, fears, struggles, depression... when all seems overwhelming, hopeless, lost.., take heart in knowing that one thing remains. You are dearly loved with an abundant, never ending, source of love. And He will give you all the love you need to keep loving even the most challenging people in your life. Whether it be your spouse, coworkers, family members, strangers (that can't drive), even your enemy. Always remember for God so loved the world, that He sacrificed His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have life everlasting! All is never lost! Let us become saturated by this love, and let us stomp out the darkness of this world and completely thwart the schemes of the enemy in our own lives and in the lives of others by the one thing that will always remain, the Love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Receive it and pour it out:)!

Father,

 I pray that You will give us a better understanding of how great Your love for us truly is. Please allow us to feel your love for us and know that every detail of our lives matters to You. Help us to know and understand that You are wise, and that Your ways are perfect. Please restore to us Your perfect peace as we trust in You. God, enable us to receive Your love. We can not love others if we are not able to be loved ourselves. Help us to see ourselves the way the way that You see us, and to see others the way You see them. God please help us to be willing, living, conduits for Your love to flow through into the lives of others. May the enemy of our souls continue to be cast down by love. Starting with the Love You poured out for us on the cross Lord. May Your love reach the masses through us Father. When all else fails we know by Your Word that Your love never will. And Your word also promises that nothing in all creation can separate us from Your love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank You for these life giving Truths! We praise Your Holy name O Lord. And as we allow You to fill us with your love and as we love others may You alone be glorified. Thank You Jesus, for the eternal hope that we have in the One thing that will always remain. Your Love.

In Jesus name, Amen

As you listen to this song allow your Heavenly Father to encompass you with His great love for you and be encouraged. Seek the opportunity to share His love with someone else today:)  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-XAIkFOWeg

Shalom

Brighter days ahead!

                 

      Question. Have you ever had days where you just feel defeated? Curtains pulled, lights are off. You feel down, oppressed. You seem to have a loss of hope. Your vision is dimmed. You feel depressed and alone, unloved. Everything seems dark and you just have an all around sense of heaviness. I'm pretty sure that everyone has experienced days like this. Some, unfortunately, have these kinds of days more often than not. Woah, I just reread what I typed and it's like I am supposed to offer some kind of new drug or 5 step program right about now. Well... Nope:) The other day a song popped into my head. It was a song that I used to sing when I was very young. It goes like this, "Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, lift up your voice to God. Praise in the Spirit and with understanding oh magnify the Lord". After singing it through once I thought, "garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness?" That has to be a Bible verse. I looked it up and sure enough, Isaiah61:3 says, "and to console those who mourn in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." How beautiful I thought! but, what does it mean?! In my research I was blown away! This spirit of heaviness is not a mans own spirit and it is not a spirit from God, nor could it be. It is a demonic spirit. (note; for all the Christians out there who don't think or acknowledge that spiritual warfare is real or is going on all around us, all of the time, every day, please read and ponder Eph 6:10-18, 1Peter 5:8-9, and John 10:10. awareness, i feel, is about 3/4ths of the battle). So, this demonic spirit of heaviness can come over us and seriously oppress us or it can linger like a dark cloud over certain places or even large areas. Just an all over sense of darkness or despair. It's mission is to cause us to isolate and like I said before, rob us of our hope, and joy in believing. How do we combat this spirit of heaviness? Well, Isaiah says we put on a garment of praise! We praise our God for Who He is and for His constant provision! We praise Him for our children! We praise Him for the beauty of nature, and for air that we breath, for every heartbeat, for the water we drink and the food that we eat! We praise His glorious name for we are fearfully and wonderfully made! We praise Him for the mercy and grace He pours down upon us daily, For His Word, His constant forgiveness, His unending faithfulness and His unconditional love! The spirit of heaviness can not remain! Our praises and adoration of our Lord snuff out that evil spirit and it is replaced with a renewed lightness. Our hope is restored as well as our joy. We can again see and feel how much He loves us! Oh how Satan doesn't want us to be aware of this. What victory comes through the worshiping and praising of our Heavenly Father! So, keep this in mind the next time you feel alone, dark, depressed, hopeless, oppressed and unloved. Turn on your favorite praise music, loudly, or just sing without music. Don't worry, He loves your voice! Lift your hands to your Creator and praise Him for the breath of life that you have been given and for the gift of salvation that comes through His only Son, Jesus Christ (John14:6) that He sent to die for you because He loves you so much! Do not let the spirit of heaviness rule another day of your life. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

  I heard once, "demons are like germs. you know they are there but you just take the necessary precautions. keep your hands clean etc..." We should not be consumed by them but we do need to be aware of them and their eagerness to spiritually paralyze us. Pick up your sword (bible) Know the Truth and cling to His promises. Jesus already had victory over death and darkness and we as Christians also have that victory through Him! So PRAISE!

Minute by Minute Victory

                      

            The Lord confirmed this to me and I am pumped so I have to share! There is a particular area of weakness in my life where I feel as though I am defeated over and over again. It has become so frustrating because I have not been able to attain victory in this area. It is discouraging because I have had victory in what I would consider "bigger" areas, so I wouldn't think that it should be so hard to have victory in this certain area. Well, I finally figured out that I need to start by having victory in this area minute by minute. Second by second if need be:) You are thinking, um not rocket science. I know, but it totally just struck me (my eyes were opened) that I need to focus on attaining minute by minute victory in this area, totally depending on Christ's strength and guidance, first. Attaining minute by minute victory will lead to victory day by day, week by week, month by month and so on until I have achieved ultimate victory. James4:7"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." I am hopeful! Satan loves to get us into the mindset of being complete failures, and he loves to keep us stuck in a rut of repetitive failure through our areas of weakness. His main objective is that we stop even trying to overcome. His desire is that we will get caught up continuing to struggle, and that we will become consumed by feelings of defeat causing us to be bound by discouragement. Our witness will be hindered, as well as our productivity in ministry. Satan wants to steal our joy and rob us of our hope. He wants us spiritually stagnant, depressed, guilt filled, and defeated. John 10:10 says "The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. So, striving for minute by minute victory through Christ is truly hopeful! We must stay determined to continue the battle for victory in our areas of weakness minute by minute until the devil flees from us and we attain that ultimate victory! Praise God for His constant grace and mercy that He rains (pours) down upon us daily and the victory that we ultimately have through Christ Jesus our Lord! 
"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 7:24-25

Wellness

                       

      Wellness. Is it a state of mind? Does it come through positive thinking? Is it found in clean eating? Is it found in taking essential vitamins and minerals? Is it found in a vegetarian or vegan diet? Is it found in being a "spiritual" person? Is it found in weekly/daily trips to the gym? Is it found in taking yoga classes? Is it found spending time outdoors, hiking, fishing, biking, camping, running or walking? Is it found in taking retreats to peaceful and beautiful, breathtaking settings? Is it found in monthly/weekly trips to day spas, health food stores, or even the local farmers market? Does it come with financial security and prosperity?

    The world would be inclined to answer yes and yes to these questions. To tell people that these things are not what brings true wellness to one's life would be totally against what society now teaches and pushes. These things are things that can indeed help to aid in health and in lowering stress levels. Proper diet management can definitely affect energy and vitality. Exercise can positively affect health and longevity. But do they bring to our lives true "Wellness"? Magazines that push the "wellness" agenda in whatever ways (new and old) definitely grab our attention! I ask the question; What is wellness? Charles B. Corbin of Arizona State University gives this definition of wellness: “Wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life and a sense of well-being.” It pretty much goes without saying that the desire of all humanity would be to achieve wellness, mental and physical. To achieve wellness people try to be and live "well" in the ways stated above... Such things might be good and have positive results in and of themselves however they can only benefit one's life temporarily at best. Once one has ceased to partake, or is unable to continue such a lifestyle, or has come into financial ruin, or has become ill, or has suffered a great loss we see that these "beneficial things" mentioned above are just a means to try and be well for as long as humanly possible. They by no means keep one well nor can they guarantee one "wellness".

    Many people today are suffering and are not able to maintain the lifestyle needed to be able to attain the supposed "wellness" that this world offers. What then? Would we say they just need to meditate more on "feeling well" or that they need to rise above their situation and claim wellness until it becomes so? There is absolutely nothing wrong with positive thinking however to think that this alone can bring one true wellness is futile. Our minds are not strong enough in and of themselves to keep us well. There are also many people today who are able to, and do, maintain the lifestyle needed to be able to attain supposed wellness, yet would not honestly be able to consider themselves truly well as the benefits last only as long as the lifestyle, if that. Nothing that this world has to offer can bring true lasting, enduring wellness. What happens if we have a shortage of our food supply? What happens if our economy seriously collapses? What happens if we become sick? What happens if we haven't got the money to buy the nutritional supplements that we need not to mention the organic "clean" food? What happens if we lose everything? How then can we be Well?

John10:10 Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full"

Hebrews4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one Who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin."

1Timothy1:15-16 "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst. But for the very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life."

2Thessalonians3:3 "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."

Colossians1:15-20 "He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created; things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in Heaven, by making peace through His blood on the cross."

Philippians4:11-13 "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him Who gives me strength."

1Peter3:24 "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been (spiritually) healed."

Isaiah26:3 "You will keep at perfect peace who's mind is steadfast because he trusts in You."

Isaiah41:13 "For I Am the Lord your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Psalm34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Romans6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Philippians3:20 "But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. "

1Corinthians15:55-58 "Death has been swallowed up in victory, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law, But thanks be to God! He has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

2Corinthians5:8 "We live by faith and not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

Psalm116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."

Philippians1:20 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Psalm34:9 "Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing."

Isaiah54:10 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you."

Philippians4:7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Psalm31:14-15 "But I trust in You, O, Lord. I say, "You are my God, my times are in Your hands."

Psalm55:22 "Cast all your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."

Romans10:9 "If you confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Acts4:10-12 "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified but Whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is the "Stone the builders rejected, which has become the capstone." Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

    So this is the conclusion of the matter. True Wellness is a matter of the state of one's soul. We are not promised health and well being here on earth, however, If our souls are secured in Christ then no matter what we face here in this world, even unto death, we are Well. In John16:33 Jesus says "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Even death is by no means a void of wellness when our souls are bound to Jesus. When things are taken from us such as security, loved ones, homes, health,... if we have given our souls to Christ, we have the means to maintain a constant state of wellness. Our wellness does not depend on the things of this world. Our wellness depends on whether or not we have taken a drink of the Living Water, Who is Christ. He promises much more than any fountain of youth! And in Him we do not need to be shaken by the uncertainties of this world. He is a constant everflowing source and supplies for our every need! He is faithful! And rest assured, He promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us. In 3John2 the Apostle John writes "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." He knew that true health and wellness starts at the soul. I am not saying that a healthy diet, exercise, nutritional supplements, a day at the spa, a retreat, or spending time outdoors is pointless! Not at all! We are all called to take care of our bodies (temples) as an act of stewardship. It's just that these things are only as good for as long as our bodies endure. They are no guarantee to maintain a person's wellness. Jesus says, (speaking to the woman at the well) in John4:14 "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." He also says in John6:35 "I Am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and He who believes in Me will never be thirsty."

    If you long for true wellness, come to the cistern of Living Water and be filled! He will fill you through His Word of Truth (the Bible). It is never to late to achieve true wellness as long as your still breathing! The search is over, the secret of wellness and well-being are found in Christ alone! Entrust to Him your soul, and He will sustain you through your circumstance, your doubt, your fear, your hardship, your sickness, and all uncertainty, and ultimately in His perfect timing He will guide you safely home into His loving arms where He will give you a white stone with a new name written on it, "only known to him who receives it". Jesus is the ONLY means to true, everlasting, unfailing, wellness. I beseech you my friend, turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and Be Well!

-Shalom to you through Christ alone!

Shalom is more than just simply peace; it is a complete peace. It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony.

**(Recommended reading: Ecclesiastes and John)**

Do you see what He sees?

       
 
  I have just come to realize how awesome, powerful and life giving it is to pray scripture over your spouse, your children, your family, and yourself. I was recently challenged to come up with a "faith vision" for myself and my spouse. You ask God to illuminate or bring to mind scripture that He intends for your life. Ask Him how He sees you. What does He want for you and from you. (Same thing goes as you look for verses to pray over your spouse/family). As I was searching through scripture and finding verses that stood out to me that I wholeheartedly desired for God to bring to pass in my life, I found that I couldn't limit it to just one verse. Note: Even one verse would be a powerful start. Then add more as they come. I desire to be the woman, (wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, stranger) that He calls me to be with everything that I am. Which is nothing without Him, just to throw that out there. There are so many verses! There is so much life! So much health! So much nourishment! So much sustainment! So much guidance, comfort, reassurance and wellness! The scripture of His word has everything that we need to know, to be at peace and hopeful. His scripture makes it so that we might never go another day feeling unloved or alone. So, I wanted to share with you my "Faith vision." Some might consider it a mission statement. I consider it a scriptural prayer that I need to cover myself with every day. Because it is only by His will and strength and direction that I could ever be able to be or do anything right in His eyes, with lasting benefits, for the good of the kingdom.

My 'faith vision' prayer:

  Father, Lord, Help me not to let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen. Help me to be a wise woman who builds her house and does not tear it down with her own hands. Help me to be like a fruitful vine in my home. Help me to keep my ways pure by living according to your Word. Help me to hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Help me to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let me run with perseverance the race marked out for me. Let me fix my eyes on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of my faith. Help me to beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Help me to always trust in the Lord and put my confidence in Him so that I will be like a tree planted by water, that sends out it's roots by the stream, it does not fear when heat comes, it's leaves are always green, it has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. I pray that streams of Living Water will flow from within me. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen

   That is my faith vision so far and I will add more scripture as God brings it. I challenge you to ask God to help you make a faith vision as well. Something life giving that you can pray over yourself and it can help to hold you accountable. You have something personally, to you from God, to strive for and cling to. I heard that people who wrote down their goals were more apt to keep them as opposed to those who just say that they are going to do something. So I pray that you are inspired to write one for yourself and one to pray over your spouse and family as well. Allow the Holy Spirit to do a mighty work in you. What a powerful thing it is to pray God's Word and to use His Word as a desired standard for your life. May you be blessed!



Scripture used: Ephesians4:29, Proverbs14:1, Psalm128:3, Psalm119:9,11, Hebrews12:1,2, Jeremiah17:7,8, John7:38

Proverbs3:5,6

                      

       Hello my friends and fam! Wow! I can't believe that I actually got this set up. Miracles do happen! Some have told me that I should start a blog and I would just think to myself, probably not. I think that I was just intimidated at the thought. Well, I have decided to try it out and see how it goes. I want to start off by saying I love Jesus and I am so thankful for being given the opportunity to live for Him while I'm here on this earth. What a blessing! It's all about knowing Him more through His word, and figuring out what His will is for my life through His word. Waking up each new day willing to trust and obey. It's amazing to me that the song Trust and Obey is the song I would request to be sung "every" Sunday night at church when I was young. Page number #55 I think. I find it ironic that back then it was just a song I thought was fun to sing, I knew all the words and would sing them... loudly. Now I am realizing that if only I would have truly understood what that song meant earlier, I would have spared my Lord, myself and my family much grief. I personally feel that particular song should be every Christians life moto. Praise the Lord for bringing me to a deeper understanding of the vital importance of trusting and obeying! (Isaiah26:3, 1John5:3). I am excited to be able to share with you what the Lord shows me and I would love your feedback and thoughts. May the Lord's peace be upon you all.