The Raw Truth- 2013

I get asked by woman about various marital and relationship questions and how to handle certain situations that crop up. Within the last several years of counseling, interviewing, and consulting women on various topics there is one topic that seems to be cropping up more and more so I decided to discuss this today- "Why doesn't my husband show me love and affection and why do I feel so unloved"?
Let me begin by saying I have been there and know how you feel, however I no longer feel that way anymore. So what changed you ask? Actually I changed! I know you might already be thinking "why should I change? Why can't he change?" Let me explain, but first a little background-
I grew up in a very loving, close-knit family. There was never a day that went by that I was not told    "I love you". My family believed in hugs and being compassionate and sensitive to other people's feelings. To this day I have instilled these values on my own children and now as they have grown I have seen them be compassionate and loving to others.
When I met my husband he was very laid back and easy going. He worked hard and often worked 6-7 days a week at his job often 12+ hours a day, so when he got a day off he was thankful and we planned outings alot. He was always surprising me with gifts all the time which I never expected and that was one of the ways he showed love. It wasn't about the money and so when we married,  close to 20 plus years,  it took me some adjusting to being showered with surprise gifts and I quickly learned that was his main way to express his love. He also would call, leave me messages at work on my cell phone just to say hello and he loved me. He knew I appreciated and never expected gifts for what meant the most was his calls and messages and looking forward to spending time with him is what mattered to me.
My husband decided into our 4th year of marriage to start his own company and we prayed about if for our son was 3 years old and we would be losing 401k, insurance benefits, etc. if he decided to quit his job of 10 years and start out as a new business owner. We prayed and God showed us the answer and so my husband has been self employed the last 16 years and God has blessed us by allowing us to help a lot of great people. Many people seem to think being self employed is glamorous, well let me tell you it is not. Alot of stress comes with being self employed and it is not a 8am to 5pm job! It causes you to age and alot of grey hairs! So why am I telling you all of this? So you can understand some background to get the ultimate message.
As my husband'a business grew, he no longer was the calm and easy going hubby.
He became stressed, short-tempered and the work didn't stop at 5pm and he often had little sleep. He stayed tired and the boys and I supported him and helped him as much as we could in the business. No longer was I hearing from my husband during the day- no calls, texts, etc. I missed that.  As the years went by I noticed my husband spent more time in his office than with me and the boys. He was continuously on the phone with friends, customers, etc and somedays we would just beg him to sit down and spend time with us, even if it meant going out to eat where we could all sit down together. In the past couple of years i began to feel sad and lonely for I missed my husband. We could be under the same roof and still in the same house and the boys and I would talk, watch movies and have fun, all while my husband would be on his computer or watching certain tv shows he liked at night down stairs. I felt sad, I didn't care that he had not surprised me with messages, calls or gifts anymore, I just missed my husband and felt alone and unloved. I thought I had become unlovable. My self esteem was going down and when I tried talking to my husband about it, he was either too busy or said he just needed more sleep. When he came home everyday he would go straight into his office and then eat supper an go outside and stay on the phone for sometimes hours while I spent time with the boys- they are grown now and I know they don't want mom hanging out with them all the time!
I felt my sadness start to go into depression and I prayed that God would mend my sad and broken heart as my husband would get angry very quickly now and was not the laid back man I married. There would be times his words were harsh and would cut like a knife and all his main focus was to make more money. I worked and I also supported him in his business but I prayed, "God I'm so tired of walking on eggshells and feel so lonely, please help change him."
There was a change that happened but it was not to him, but God changed me. As I walked closer to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and stayed in His Word, I saw that I was not sad and lonely anymore for what I was looking for in my husband, only Jesus could give me. Jesus satisfied my heart and soul and I grew leaps and bounds in the Lord. No longer were the days of me being sad and wondering why I was ignored or not good enough. God changed me and one night God revealed something so special to my heart. He said, "Step out of the way and put all your trust in me and I will make all things new. You have stood in my way and tried to do things on your on and if you would step aside please and get out of my way , I can then work on your husband's heart."
I realized then I had to change first and strengthen my walk with Christ even more and once I was in alignment with Christ, I had to obey and step aside and quit covering for my husband and allow God to teach him and to work with him.
It wasn't long after that when my husband collapsed on the job and was rushed to the ER and had developed a condition that requires him to take medication the rest of his life for his body to function properly. It was a wake-up call from God and he knew then life was too precious to take for granted.
The road may not always be easy but his walk with God has strengthened and he is more away today how precious life is. No I don't miss the surprise gifts, those days are gone and I know he is busy and understand when he doesn't call or text me for I am happy to know that God is my strength and my hope is in HIM and not man. Since my husband's near brush with death he realized that life is too short to focus on money 24/7.
God changed his heart and temper but it took me changing first.

God Will Equip Who He has Called

So God called you for a purpose- ministry, helping the homeless, music ministry, missionary, hospice volunteer, helping lead many souls to Christ. You wonder how God can use you? You may not even know how to start and what you can do. Sometimes it is just being there for others-
God has put many ministering angels along your journey in life. Allow me to tell you about one that came into my son's life a week ago:
My oldest son has suffered from depression and alcoholism. He is an alcoholic and attempted to end his life by hanging himself 3 weeks ago. My earthly father felt the promoting of the Holy Spirit to go outside and check on him, find him hanging from the rafters of the garage and lifeless. He cut him down, got the noose from around his next and starting working to revive him and praying over him. He had no pulse and he kept on and finally my son started the gasp and breathe. This was the 4th time God spared his life. My son had relapsed from  30 days in rehab and had been sober for 70 days. He was heavily in the occult and the demons had him strongly. It was spiritual warfare and they wanted him dead and God said no! As he was put into the hospital for involuntary commitment, he was sent to a state hospital and there he got down on his knees and asked Jesus to save him. He knew his life had a purpose and at 26 years old he knew he could not continue the road he was on for it was torment daily and he couldn't sleep due to the demons that tormented him. I could not see him but for an hour a week and each time for visitation, it was required all visitors be there for 2 hours to take a mandatory class prior to the hour visitation. Sadly out of hundreds of patients only 2 visitors came to see a patient, I included. Very sad for it was coming upon Easter and many patients looked out of the windows through the bars to see if anyone would come visit them.
One man I had never met showed up for Easter to visit the son of one of his friends that could not be there and since it was Easter, this man came to visit seine he never met and to minister to him and encourage and lead him down the path to Jesus. This my friends, takes a sacrifice to give your to give up your Easter Day to spend it with someone you don't know but care enough about the persons heart and soul to be there. This man also not only ministered to this young man he came to see but also to my oldest son. That my friends is a servant's heart!
God sends the people we need at the right time to help us. God has placed you here for a purpose. Ask God to help you fulfill your purpose and He will. God is looking for men and women that He can use to reach others.

Wave of Humility

It has been a long time since I posted and it has been a Christian battlefield out here and not a Christian playground. I've seen many be led astray and in the clutches of the enemy. Heartbreak, pain, addiction, arrogance, greed and manipulation and people blaspheming our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Much wisdom and discernment have I received from our Father and one prophecy He spoke very strongly to me the other night was this:
"I am going to send a wave of humility to blow across this nation for many eyes will be opened and some will even still reject me, but continue moving forward for I will stir the hearts of the greedy and arrogant that believe their possessions are their own god and they will see I am the Lord thy God."

As I write this I wanted to let people know that God may be ministering to you through other people. Just listen and be mindful of God's Word and hid it in your heart everyday. Remember to look at the fruits that one produces. Ask God to give you wisdom, knowledge and strength.

Allow God to breathe into you and restore your heart and soul. There is nothing so bad that can separate you from God's love. It's not too late today to give your life to Christ.

Merry Christmas! The reason for the season- Jeaus Christ! From the manger to the cross to the empty tomb! Let us never forget it's not about the presents, the money people spend to impress people, it's all about the birth of our Lord and Savior- Jesus Christ.

It's been a year since I've posted and God has worked in miraculous ways. God has allowed many assignments this year. Many assignments- many posts to come

Why Does This Keep Happening To Me?

A simple question one may ask, so it there a simple answer? Well, that will depend on you, or the person that keeps asking the question. Let's dig deeper to get to the root of why and what's happening.

First off let me paint you the picture. You may see yourself in this picture or you may see a friend, spouse or relative in this situation-  the person goes to church listens to a short 15 minute sermon, prays everyday and believes and loves God. God has blessed the person and they are good-hearted and loyal to people. They believe they are as close to God as they can get. Well, when crisis hits this person, whether physically or financially, they don't understand it, and only when the situations turns dire, only then do they make it a priority to earnestly seek Gods presence, guidance and peace. Once they get rooted in Gods Word and truly begin to obey and listen to God, is when God allows their situation and crisis to flip in their favor. They now are seeing manifestations if their obedience to God and see how God delivered them. They have a praise in their heart, and a peace that only God can give. But wait, do they stay that way? I wish I could say yes, but unfortunately as the days go by they soon have things in their favor and they are back on top again and begin to slide back to their old ways. They begin to not pray as long, not read Gods Word as long and just are so busy now. Their peace and contentment they knew now is filled with stress and negativity. Their attitude changes and they seem to forgot the happiness and peace they had when they were fully obedient to God.
Then it happens....crisis hits again, and again and their negativity is getting the best of them. Then here comes the question-  "Why does this keep happening to me?"  I can tell you why, and it's only because God had to teach me this lesson so I wouldn't have to keep going around and around the mountain, time and time again. You see God sees our potential for His Kingdom. He wants to bless us and raise us up for Him, but if we are only truly obedient to Him when crisis hits and we are down in the valley, but forget Him when we are on the mountain top, we will continue this lesson until we pass. Until God knows we will obediently follow and seek Him in the good times also and not just the bad times. He wants full obedience to Him, a commitment to Him and to pass this test to be brought up higher by God, we must listen and obey. Continually seeking Him in and out of the valley by devoting time in prayer, and in His Word daily and a true loving obedient heart that seeks to do God's Will will be the answer to "pass our test". You see God wants a deep, soulful relationship with us, He loves us and wants to add to us and give us His strength and power to overcome any situation, but we have to be willing to put in the time to God daily. Only through diligent prayer, reading and meditating on His Word and a righteous heart that is eager to seek God and hear His voice daily, will we have true long lasting peace that surpasses any situation.
So see if you continue having situations or crisis hit you and you don't understand why, evaluate your life and how you are spending each day. Are you only devoted to God when things get bad and hard and that's when you need Him to bail you out?  Only to slack off when things are going good and you feel you can handle things yourself? Are you seeing negativity and complaints come into your daily speech patterns? If yes, then that is your answer to why situations and crisis keep happening to you, because you deserted God when things God better. You will continue going through these situations if you haven't learned the lesson. God wants a full time devoted relationship from you, not part time!

Have You Ever Felt Unwanted & Rejected?

There have been many a time that you may have felt not wanted or rejected? I use to feel this way a lot and felt like no one cared. Before I devoted my life, heart and soul to God, I felt alone, sad, rejected and not wanted. Always feeling I was not good enough, was pushed to the side and looked down on.
Recently my son made a trip half way across the U.S. And spent many a night sleeping on a hard area of concrete in a garage with no heat, and was alone many nights. He was shuffled from Louisiana to Texas and back to Louisiana until he could get enough money saved up to buy a bus ticket to get back home. He felt and experienced homelessness, hunger and rejection. He spent many nights in a drunken stupor from hurt, pain and wanting to be loved. He learned how to survive. He learned appreciation of the basic necessities.
He made his way from Ruston, La., to Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and more to get home. He has seen and experienced having much and having nothing. The worst feeling was the feeling of rejection that he never thought he would have to experience.
His experience reminds me of
The Prodigal Son in the Bible.  Many in our family said don't take him back, but he would be left to die. It was my husband that said, "I know how it feels to be rejected and lonely and no one is willing to help him and he will be dead if left with no one and no where to go". We wanted to help our son not only mentally, physically but spiritually and are currently helping him on all 3 levels. Once my sons relationship with Jesus Christ is restored, he will truly feel the love of Christ and rejection will be no more!
No resources were willing to help us or couldn't help us. Lots offered advice but no one would follow through so my husband and I knew if he was to be helped and survive, it would be through God and us. When it comes down to it, people are scared and fear is from the devil, not God. Experiences like this show us it is ultimately up to us and God to help. God can and will replace rejection with restoration, hurt with hope, pain with peace, and loss with love.

Be Blessed!

Who Will Be There for You?

In the past 10 years, God has shown me, during the hardest times in my life, "Who" will truly be there for you. Usually trials and tribulation will build character and strength during the process. However, trials and tribulations can also show you a person's true character. It can be hurtful when you truly believe folks are genuine in their care and support, but when the rubber meets the road, they back away, judge you and try to deceive you. There will be also people who will act genuinely concerned about you but their only intention is to gossip about you. God will give you discernment and "show" you a person's true intentions and motives. It may hurt and sting, especially if you are like me and try to see the good and potential in everyone. Just be prepared for if you kindly pull away from folks that are like this, be prepared! They will become mad and upset with you and your name will fill their conversations.
It's ok, for God will handle them and He will comfort you and give you strength you need. No matter who hurts you, bails out on you, or criticizes and judges you, always know the one that you can trust that will be there regardless is Jesus Christ. He will never leave you or bail out on you when times get tough. He will give you strength to go on and when everyone else runs out, He will be the one left standing there holding your hand!

Don't be Ignorant! A Warning from over 2,000 years ago!

Don't be ignorant! Yes, Paul warned believers in God's Word over 2,000 years ago, not to be ignorant concerning the Word of God. If you don't know your rights as a child of God, how can you defend yourself?  Many times after we have been knocked down for the umpteenth time, had to dust ourselves off, and stand back on our feet, we repeat the same question, "How did that happen?"
"Where did that come from?"  "Why does the same thing keep happening to me?" So, what is the lesson we are not learning that causes us to keep repeating the same cycle over and over?
Well, first of all we need to open God's Word and read Ephesians 6:10-13
Next, recognize your enemy! Put on the whole armor of God and stop sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. We see then that it is NOT humans we are fighting- it's the devil himself and all his henchmen!  Study James 4:7 and then go read 2Timothy 2:15 you see when we are grounded in God's Word, and when we find ourselves in battle with the enemy, we will not be ignorant of the devices he uses to make us stumble and fall! We will know what we are dealing with and be equipped through God's instructions through God's Word how to gain authority and victory! You must know God's Word, for every answer is given to us in the Holy Bible. The Word of God is the cornerstone of our faith and will educate us so that we are not ignorant to the enemies ways and we will be victorious and not continue to be knocked down over and over!
You can see the power God has given to us when we let our faith rise, through the hearing and studying of God's Word!

Discernment- Why is it important?

It's been a while since I've been on; God has had me in training, yes training. I wasn't sure for a while what it was I was being prepared for, but each day God is revealing more and more and is preparing many of  His children for what is on the horizon!
God is opening eyes, eyes that were blind to what was taking place around them. God is giving discernment to His children that diligently seek Him and walk in obedience to Him. You see discernment may not come as a lightning bolt from the sky, but can be as subtle as having a gut feeling that "something just isn't right". Never dismiss that feeling for God is revealing much for your protection.
Discernment is vital in this day and time for if you don't know what your dealing with and who or what it is, or the motives behind it, you can fall into a negative whirlwind that the enemy has placed in your path to make you stumble and hold you back from where you need to be.  Remember God's Word says, "My people perish for their lack of knowledge".  God will give you discernment, but you have to ask, God will give you discernment in any situation. You see the enemy works in secret, sneaking around, causing chaos,  confusion, planting evil, causing discord, hate, bitterness, and tearing relationships up and even sickness! You see satan and all his henchmen will try to stay hidden and will work through and use any willing person to do their dirty work.
In these days and times satan knows his days are numbered and he is unleashing demons everywhere to take people down and trip up as many of Gods children as he can, but know with the discernment that God gives us and the knowledge that God provides, we can avoid the fiery darts sent our way. Stay in Gods Word and in prayer, ask God to give you discernment and He will help you, have faith my friends and watch how God will work in your life!

Watch Your Step

I learned a valuable lesson last year and wanted to share it with you. I know women are more liberated and independent, but when you marry and join together with your spouse before God, we have to remember not to "over-step" our boundary that God has placed for us. For God to help your husband be the man he needs to be to lead and direct the family, we have to trust him and have faith in him while God is working with him each day. We all  continue to grow in our walk with God each day as we strive to learn and be more like Christ as we study God's Word and meet with Him in prayer. 
As God continues to work in us, we, as women, don't want to reverse the roles that God set for us, meaning the husband is to be the leader and take responsibility for protecting his family and stand up for the family. God places alot of responsibility on men as leaders of the house. They are to walk with God in counsel and allow God to lead them. Now I learned a huge lesson about this when I overstepped my boundary and decided my husband wasn't doing enough to protect and lead, so I stepped into his place and took it upon myself to handle- major mistake!! I had been having issues with my car and took it to a local dealership and after 3-4 trips back into the service department for the same thing just to be told I would have to miss more work to be back to pick up the car,etc. I felt inconvenienced for having to take off work early to turn in a rental car and get my car all before they closed just to be stuck with the same problem and couldn't drive the car fr and knowing they closed I was having to bring the car at back the next morning! After the 3rd time this happened, I was losing patience and knew I could not continue to miss work over this same problem that never seemed to get fixed! I told my husband that I was going to speak to the service manager and I was mad! For me, I don't get mad hardly ever and I was furious and felt like my husband wasn't doing enough to get the job done and let them know they need to get it corrected now! I felt the Holy Spirit convicting me not to act, but the more I kept thinking of how they people at the service department just were not listening to my husband, the madder I got! Maybe he was not being stern enough? I felt that nudge again from the Holy Spirit not to act on my thoughts, even though I knew better than to dismiss the Holy Spirit's nudges, I thought well I have to handle this. So, I put on my cowgirl boots (which are my favorite and I guess made me think I was stronger lol), I marched right in that service dept., motioned to my 6ft 4" husband to stand back and sit down for I was "handling" this!! Well I made quite a stir and was highly upset and walked out and the whole way home I blasted my husband for not standing up and letting them run over him! He sat there and didn't say a word, which was uncommon! My teenage sons sat there wondering what just happened to mom, she hardly ever gets mad!
Needless to say, God was NOT happy with my actions and I couldn't sleep that night and noticed my hip was really hurting and I was up and down all night and my hip joint felt like a drill was grinding down into the bone all night and into the next day. I was in tears the next day at work because the pain was excruciating and I have a high pain tolerance so for me to be in tears I was in a lot of pain! What I didn't realize was God was teaching me a valuable lesson. It was later that day that a Pastor that mentors me a lot in the ministry and is also a prophet of God stopped by and noticed I was in pain and asked what was going on and what boundaries I had crossed? Huh? What did he mean? As I told him about my car and how mad I was and I just "had to handle the situation" to get results, he stopped me right there and said, "You are in pain because you stepped out into a place you shouldn't have, you are hurting in the hip because that is the pivot area used when we step out and you have stepped where you shouldn't have, do you realize you have just crushed your husband?"  Woah!!  I felt Gods conviction and I "saw" what I did! In my actions, I literally told my husband he wasn't good enough to lead the family and I didn't trust him, which can tear a man down hard! When my Pastor friend, who was sent by God to stop by on that exact day, showed me what I had done, I immediately asked God to forgive me and then headed to see my husband and I sincerely apologized and told him how I had wronged him and I owed my teenage children an apology that knew what I did along with apologizing I the service department! I had to make this right, God showed me I have to be watchful and careful never to do this ever again. It crushed me to think I had publicly humiliated my husband and God for that matter! I mean for gosh sakes, I'm an ordained minister of God, I am so ashamed!!  
What happened next was quite amazing- I was still in pain with my hip, it had eased up some but not fully. After I apologized to the service department and manager and my husband, I was driving the rental car and by the time I drove home to the country I realized my hip quit hurting! I was pain free!! Yes it's true! God allowed to pain to go away. God taught me a valuable lesson that day that there are certain boundaries I am not to step across!! I learned that for God to lead and guide my husband and teach him to stand up and handle issues like this, I had to not get in Gods way! There may be times when God will nudge you and let you know when you need to stand up for various issues for your family, when per say your spouse or boyfriend is not able to be there or is out of town, etc. Always follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit, don't do like I did and step out on your own and fail to listen to God because only pain and hurt will come about when you do not heed Gods warning! Take it from me, when the Holy Spirit nudges you NOT to act, please listen and stand still!

Oh, and with the car, it still was not fixed, so I stayed home and allowed my husband to go and "handle it" for he was the man of the family and I learned my lesson! Let's just say since I learned my lesson and did not step out, my husband handled things perfectly and the owner of the dealership repaired several things with the car free of charge!

Be Blessed!

 

CAUTION: WATCH HOW YOU HANDLE GOD'S PEOPLE

CAUTION:  WATCH HOW YOU HANDLE GOD'S PEOPLE

What does this mean? Well as I grew in my walk with Christ I learned exactly what this means. You will find reading in 6th chapter of 1 Corinthians, verses 19-20, that Paul has quite a bit to say to us about HOW we should handle each other. Yes, this even means husbands and wives that are saved, along with brothers and sisters in Christ. If you are arrogant, judgement minded, accusing, greedy, short-tempered, lying, jealous, deceitful, harsh, etc. toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, you need to heed this warning!

Sinning Against Christ
 
To sin against the people of God is to sin against Jesus Himself. Why? For a few reasons. First, because all sin is ultimately against God. After all, if you steal a man’s car, although you are taking something that does belong to him, you are not ultimately breaking that man’s law; you are breaking God’s law. Sins specifically against the people of God are ultimately against Jesus because God’s people are God’s possession.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20. (You are not your own, for you were bought at a price!)
 

Jesus died for you, you are God’s property. Jesus gave His life to purchase you, therefore you are His. To sin against the people of God, then, is to sin against God Himself because the people of God are His goods. 

For people to selfishly and arrogantly wound, hurt, betray, accuse or even attack one of God's children, it would be as if they did so to God.  To sin against the people of God, is to sin against Jesus Himself,  because Jesus is one with His people (see John 15:5-7; 1 John 3:24; 4:13-16). 

This is why Jesus is referred to as the head of the church and we as His body  (Ephesians 5:22-33). This reality is most clearly evident in Acts 9:1-6.    Jesus is, after all, one with His people. To persecute them is to persecute Him. 

Let me put it this way; how you treat the people of God is how you treat God Himself. I don’t have to ask you whether you love Jesus or not, I just need to see how you handle His people. I don’t need to ask you whether you are passionate for God, I just need to observe how passionately you serve and love His people. He is one with those He came to save.

Every brother and sister in Christ need to watch how they handle each other for it will ultimately affect their spiritual well-being. If you sin against a brother or sister in Christ you need to repent before God and make it right. If your brother or sister in Christ knows you have hurt them, you should make it right in their eyes and in the eyes of God. This could even mean husband and wife, example would be if the husband falsely accuses his wife of something, even when his wife has done no wrong and has not sinned at all but is being accused falsely by her husband, then that is saying that the husband is not handling his wife properly as she is Christ's property and he is essentially accusing Christ falsely! Instead of the husband praying and asking God to give him discernment, he is taking it upon himself to pass judgement and ultimately this is as if he is judging Christ! God will not tolerate this nor sit by and watch this continue to happen without conviction and/or chastisement.

The Worth of God’s People

All of us need to understand when you are harming a brother or sister in Christ, you are messing with God’s valuable possessions. If God were to place a price tag on each of His children, he would not have different prices on the value of His people.
The price tag would read, “Invaluable: Bought with the blood of Jesus”. In the same way, you do not carelessly handle the people of God, regardless of where they are at theologically. Why?   Because they are invaluable. It is sad and embarrassing that we are more careful with our money,cars, material possessions and houses, than we are with God’s blood-bought children!

Your brothers and sisters in Christ were bought with the blood of Jesus. He spilled His blood to purchase people for God from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9-10).

 In this scripture Paul contrasts the spilled blood of Christ with the most valuable things on this earth. God hasn’t redeemed us with cheap precious coins. No, He redeemed us, purchased us, with the infinitely valuable blood of Jesus.

The value of the blood of Jesus-  
those for whom Christ died Jesus, being equal with the Father, became a man and died a gruesome, painful, and shameful death on a cross. He bore the infinite wrath of God. All of the righteous anger and holy indignation of God the Father was pointed at the sinless Jesus who hung on the cross for you and I. Jesus took the full penalty of our sin. Do you get it?  

Jesus gave His life under the full strength of God’s wrath for all! Jesus died for your brothers and sisters too—He gave His all. This is embarrassing isn’t it? We cling to and hold on to our accusations, gossiping, bickering, and jealousy at the expense of the spiritual well-being of our brothers and sisters in Christ when Jesus endured the shame and pain of the cross and infinite wrath of God as an innocent sufferer for their salvation.

This is a powerful topic that many never really think about and it is a valuable topic to God, for we need to remember the value of the blood of Jesus and Handle all of God's People with Caution.

Be Blessed!

THE BATTLE IS REAL-DONT BE A CASUALTY

The battle is real! There are many casualties because many refuse to put on their "armor of God". My people perish for LACK of knowledge don't be one of them.
 Anyone that watched the Bible TV Series, or reads the Bible knows we are in a constant spiritual war. Just as God told us in His Word, the times have gotten worse and as the enemy satan knows his days are limited, he is ramping up the heat on Gods people, realize this and know it is spiritual warfare. For temptation and distraction are the two "front line" strategies employed by the enemy. If either of them work, he then attempts to release condemnation and fear over you and suggests that you are not worth the finished work of the cross or the gifts God has placed in you. But our enemy is the father of LIES...you are worth every stripe Jesus took, every drop of blood He shed, and are worthy to be used by God...because God Himself said so. Live life strong and courageous for God, just as he spared the 3 in the fire and Daniel from the lions den, God will spare you too and give you peace in the midst of the storm!

The Touch of The Master's Hand

There are many times we feel weak, some days we might even feel as if we cannot go on. We wonder why there is so much chaos going on around us. It can be difficult to concentrate, when there is so much pulling at us each and every day. Some days you may feel used, other days abused. There may be times when no one believes in you and you are starting to doubt yourself. Some days may be painful and hard to fight back the tears. Other days you don't have the strength to fight. You have been accused, beaten down and wonder if God even notices what is happening.

You search for your purpose and are unsure what and why you are even going through the obstacles you face each day. You say a quick prayer to God every morning and every night, shouldn't that be sufficient for God to make everything right in your life?

If any of the above sounds like your life and you can identify with it, please know God desperately seeks you! However, you do not give Him the time He needs to speak to your heart. You quickly throw up prayers, failing to spend real time with God and make Him your priority each day. Many times the only way God can get your attention is to bring you to a standstill so you can be quiet and listen. God is not santa clause and cannot be treated as a Wish list provider. God will move whomever and whatever out of the way for you to focus your eyes upon Him. He loves you more than you will ever comprehend and He sees you struggling, but you will not surrender all the "things" in your way to spend time in His Word and in prayer. He wants to help you and He can, but due to free choice He will not make you spend time with Him, you have to be willing to want a deep, unshakeable, relationship with God and make Him the priority in your life. He sees your tears, He counts them and if anyone feels used, abused, and unloved, it is Him. 

God is reaching down His hand to you, take a hold of The Master's Hand! The same nail-scarred hand that loved you so much to die for you. One touch of the Master's Hand and you will never be the same. Ask Him today to forgive you for not making Him a priority in your life and surrender all the pain, heartache, obstacles, tears, and situations you cannot handle. He is just and loves you so much, He will help you.

Allot time each day in the morning and evening to spend time in God's Word and in prayer with Him. Don't say "I just have a busy schedule and don't have time", well He had time to wake you up this morning didn't He? And know this anytime spent in Gods Word and in prayer with Him, will leave you energized and you will feel good, for when you experience the Touch of the Master's Hand, you will never be the same again.

Be Blessed!

 

This sums up exactly how I feel about my Heavenly Father: 

 

Waiting - William McDowell

Someone Loves You Enough To Die For You

Someone Loves You Enough To Die For You-

Can you ever think of anyone that would die for you? I mean actually be tortured, beaten,and continued to be tortured for hours on end with their flesh being ripped and torn from their body, their hands tied, their face slapped, thorns embedded deeply into their head,and they took your place so you would not have to endure their pain and suffering. They died a horrendous death and they paid the price for you to spare your life and allow you to live. How many would really go through that for you? Chances are halfway through the horrible torture they would give up and say I cannot do this anymore, the pain is more than I can handle and I cannot go on.

Many may say that they would, but would they really?  Not being disrespectful, for I love my husband, but even my husband would not die for me. But I know the one who did die for me and He died for you also- Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Like a lamb being led to the slaughter, Christ took our place and HE DID NOT HAVE TOO!  He loved us so much that He, living a sinless life and being the Son of God, came to earth to restore our relationship with God. Christ chose to become a living sacrifice for our sins so that we may be saved and live with Him forever. Christ could have called thousands of angels to stop this,even could have spoken a word and all would be stopped, but He endured every beating, tortured for hours for all He could see was you and I and He loved us so much that He became the sacrifice so He became our sin and chose to do His Father's will so that we may spend eternity with Him forever.

If you could realize for just a second what Jesus saved us from, you would spend every second living for Him. Each one of us are spared eternity in hell when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, a Risen Savior that sits on the right hand of God.  

None of us are here by mistake, each one of us are purposely made and Christ loves each and every one of us. There is no sin too big for God, He washes away them all and once you accept Christ into your heart and life, you will realize your valuable purpose here and God will open doors that were always closed before, He will bless you beyond compare.You are never alone, you will have a new found hope that no drug, alcohol, or person could every give to you.

How does a person ask God into their heart? By going to God in prayer and asking Him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart for you know He was born, died for your sins and arose again so that you may have everlasting salvation. No fancy words needed just a genuine heart that wants Christ to be their Savior forever. I promise, your life will never be the same and His love will surround you and you will realize just how much He loved you to die for you!

   

Making Choices.............

CHOICES.............

Everyday we make choices and do not even realize how many we make every day. From choosing the clothes we will wear, to what we want for breakfast, to what type of coffee or juice we want, it is all about making choices. Some choices may seem insignificant to us as we are so use to making them daily and don't think twice about it, then there are choices that baffle us.  Many times we seek other opinions and put hope in them to give us an answer, knowing we are seeking their approval also. Choices can be tough and often painful and should not be decided without direction from the one that truly will guide and lead us and knows our future- Our Heavenly Father!
Twenty-one years ago, I remember so clearly the day I asked my Heavenly Father for something materialistic and I sought His approval and blessing, but then didn't like it too much when His answer was No and to wait. Well, if I would have listened I would have been spared alot of heartache and expense!  I continued on to go purchase this large item I wanted in spite of the Lord telling me No and to Wait!  Here is what happened:   On the way to buy this "materialistic item", a cop shows up out of "nowhere" and gives us a ticket for going 3 miles OVER the speed limit- GOD WARNING ME TO STOP, then when we almost go there- flat tire! I thought, "Seriously?" this is crazy!- GOD WARNING ME TO STOP AGAIN!  Selfishly, I still refused to listen and continued on my way with a spare tire put on, after making my purchase, my credit card declined to take the full purchase- GOD WARNING ME AGAIN FOR THE 3rd TIME!!  Still not heeding Gods warning I continue to break up the purchase price and put it onto 2 of my credit cards, purchase finally went through and I was on my way home and waiting for the delivery truck to bring my expensive purchase! Needless to say because I did not heed God's warning, I only got to use my purchase 1 time and had to sell it for lack of room, for I found out the next week I would be needing room for a Nursery for my son. 
It was a costly mistake that God tried to warn me about and it took me months to sell!  God tried to get my attention, not once but 3 times! I should have choose to listen to God, but was selfish and it caused me huge heartache and pain from making the bad choice to not listen to God.  
Since then, I consult God on ALL my choices, no matter how big, small or indifferent they may be! I learned that God did not "have" to warn me but He loved me so much He did not want to see me struggle through the pain and heartache and He was trying to direct me for He knew my future.
When we do not heed God's message to us, we will end up failing and making a mess of our lives. Also, watch when you are being pressured or pushed by people to make a decision before God has given you an answer. Making a rash impromptu choice can be a disaster when you are being pressured by others. God will give you an answer and it will be the one that brings you happiness, joy and peace. Not saying that it is wrong to consult others to ask their opinion, just know it is God you need to consult, for His answer is the best choice you will ever make.
The next time you need to make a choice about a matter in life, consult the ONE that KNOWS and SEES the future!
Be Blessed!

 

 

IN THESE TIMES

 In These Times
 
Many of us that are brothers and sisters in Christ know that the kingdom of God is at hand. We do not know the time or place and that is why Christ told us to be ready and also to be busy doing His Father's work. As the time seems to grow closer with passing months and years, we see the world grow darker around us, for the enemy is ramping up his attacks on God's people. The enemy know his time is limited.  Because of this, it will be the time of the greatest darkness for those who do not love God, but the time of the greatest glory for those who do. You see those who do not have true faith anchored in Christ Jesus will think negatively and will begin overtaken by fear. However, for those of us who have faith and are led by faith in Jesus Christ, will be given peace, understanding and courage. During this time, we should see this as one of the greatest opportunities of all, when our positive choices will do far greater good. Even a small decision to do what is right in the sight of the Lord could spark a great revival. A subtle turning in the direction toward the Lord can become a huge opportunity to witness and add lost souls into the kingdom of God, that is what this nation needs- to turn to God! But, to those that refuse Christ, there will be magnified consequences to their evil choices. God's people will come out from the world and be separated. 
Think about Isaiah 60, think about "Harvest is plenty but the workers are few". You see the harvest is when all of the seeds, both the wheat and the tares, come to full maturity. This is why we see in Isaiah 60 that when darkness is covering the earth and deep darkness the people, the glory of the Lord will be revealed in His people.  We are entering the ultimate battle between light and darkness, between good and evil. After this conflict, ALL will be able to see clearly what both good and evil are. Now we are in a time when many are calling good evil and evil good, honoring the dishonorable and dishonoring the honorable, but this WILL CHANGE. This is the time of EXPOSING!  This is only exposing the wheat from the tares. As we see in the Gospels, the tares are the first to be plucked out of the earth, and that time is coming. And as unsure and uncertain you may be right now reading this, please know that ultimately,  LIGHT WILL OVERCOME DARKNESS!  PRAISE GOD!    In Isaiah 60:3, we see that the result of this clash between light and darkness will be that the whole world will come to the light.  Light is going to prevail, regardless of what it may look like for a time. Now is the time to show and tell others to choose the light, so that we will walk in the way of the light. Now is the time to let our light shine boldly. SHINE ON!
     Those who do not speak according to the Word of God do not have the light, and they are not of the light but are in darkness. Now is the time when people will be determining who they will follow, and this will determine where they will spend eternity.  Now is the greatest opportunity given to us to minister to the lost and we need to walk with God, talk with God, be in His will, stand up for His Word and His truth, and to preach the Word of God! The fruit of the Spirit will be magnified during this time.
     I have seen many of God's people moved and shifted around to different areas and places in there walk with God and more so in these latter days. I truly feel the Holy Spirit is calling us into position to prepare us for what we need to know during this time. I have talked with several Pastors that feel there is going to be a great wave of the Holy Spirit move across area of the entire earth and feel it is very crucial for every individual to be in God's will and be where He called them to be and do. Only those who follow Him, obeying Him as Lord, will be in the right place at the right time to receive what is promised. God fulfills everyone of His Promises! 
         We must seek God and seek the kingdom of Heaven. The treasure of the world of a single grain of sand, but the treasures of Heaven are the true riches!  Spend time with God, find a quiet place so you can hear Him, ask Him to help you see things as He does, ask Him to help you every step of your day. So many promises and blessings are never received and are missed by so many because they are too busy with everyday life. Few are able to pull themselves away from the functions and chaos of their lives to climb up to a place of vision where they can see with His eyes and hear with His ears!
To discern the purposes of the Lord, they have to be our main focus. We must truly “seek first the kingdom” in order to see its coming. After the apostles had been beaten and threatened for doing what they were called to do, they went out rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the sake of the Lord. They understood the true riches of the kingdom! No grain of sand earthly treasures! Seek and Do God's will, set your mind on the kingdom of God. Preach His Word, share your testimony of faith and you will have favor of the Lord!  The favor of the Lord that we have experienced has already been much more than I could have ever dreamed, and much more of His favor is coming. His generosity knows no bounds, and He rewards many times over what we ever deserve. Now hold on to His promises, seek Him will all your heart and walk with God!
God Bless!

Wisdom for the Day

Can A Mother Die From A Broken Heart?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2062743/Women-times-likely-suffer-broken-heart-syndrome-men.html
Interesting Article; Women are known to be more emotional and when it comes to their children or spouse the heartbreak can be a killer. 

How Many Times Can a Heart Be Broken?  How many band-aids do you have on your heart trying to hold the pieces together?  What about a Mother? 
The worst broken heart is one of a mother. The pain is  a dagger in your heart twisting, you can't breathe, you can't think, you can't concentrate at all. The sadness consumes you and falls over you like a 10 foot wave in the ocean, but only not fresh water, but volcanic lava. It hurts so bad it takes your breathe away. It kicks you in the stomach and there you were bent over, not breathing, your heart pumping and pumping all the blood and love you have.You feel like you are dying inside and your heart is breaking into a million little pieces and even though your heart already had numerous band-aids in it holding it together, this time it's different for the damage you feel is much too severe to be patched together.  The wound is too deep. You cry out gasping through the tears, "God, please help me for I need this dagger to stop twisting",  I feel as if it's becoming a sword to put me in the ground. It's a pain no other could understand except for a Mom.
 A mother's heart is broken, the mother cries out to God for the tears will not stop, my eyes are swollen and my head pounds, I hurt all over and my strength is failing. Heal me Lord,  you know the heartache and pain  am feeling.  Just weeks ago there was joy for my child followed you and obeyed you, You spared his life and 8 weeks later he is choosing to make choices of the world that caused him to nearly lose his life to begin with.  Lord, I cannot walk this alone and I am so tired and need you to heal me, hold me and carry me for my strength is going quickly and the misery and hurt I feel in my heart I cannot take.
For you Lord, is my only trust and hope.  

Yes I believe the heart break of a mother is not like just any heart ache, but the worst type of all.  I know this all too well and have several scars on my heart from God putting my broken heart back together so many times.  As I type through tears the only advice I can tell any mother that is going through the same, is to cry out to Jesus, for when a child of God hurts, He feels it.  Only God can take the broken pieces of your heart and make it whole again.