Dwelling in Unity Brings Many Benefits!

Unity brings a deeper anointing and greater blessings!

Psalm 133:1-3
¹ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
² It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body].
³ It is like the dew of [lofty] Mount Hermon and the dew that comes on the hills of Zion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly].

Unity brings you into deeper depths of God’s glory!

John 17:22-24
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Unity brings you into a closer walk with the Lord!

Romans 15:5-6
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Unity brings the power of agreement!

1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Unity makes us a team that looks out for one another, not opponents!

1 Corinthians 12:12-26
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Unity brings peace!

Ephesians 4:1-3
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Unity brings encouragement to one another and brings us into higher levels of understanding of the things of God we didn’t understand before!

Colossians 2:2
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

Unity deepens your love walk!

Colossians 3:13-14
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity!

Talk to the Hand Because the Ears Aren't Listening!

I have to admit I am pretty shocked by what God is having me write on today. I am not a theologian and I have never claimed to be! This is an area that is so out of my comfort zone that there is no doubt in my mind God is writing this one! I want to talk to you today about “Whom do you seek”. Are we seeking God or power? Are we seeking God or a name and using Him as a platform? Are we seeking God or material gain? Let us get right in to this subject of seeking the wrong things and the consequences of what is, in all truth, idolatry.

⁷ So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. James 4:7

I have never been a “devil chaser”. Years ago it was very popular in some Christian circles to supposedly find demons in lamps, cups, bushes, etc.. You name it, they thought the devil and his demons were living there and they were going after him! Friend, you don’t have to go looking for the devil! You are not SUPPOSED to go looking for the devil and his demons. He will show up all on his own and you will know it when he does! God didn’t say seek demons He said to seek HIM! During this time I would get so aggravated with Christians who, at one time, had been so anointed and loved God. They were focused on His goodness as they should have been! These same people got in with immature Christians and began to do crazy things! I know one woman whose life just seemed to be falling apart. Her husband divorced her, her thriving business began to fail, etc.. It was truly sad! I think this woman had a mental breakdown of some sort. Months prior to any of this she had begun attending a “Bible study” where demonic activity and the seeking of power to cast them out was what the main focus was. They weren’t seeking God at all. They were seeking God’s hand, not God’s heart! She began to have bizarre behavior! I won’t go into all of it, but one of the things she did was to throw all of her jewelry into a river. One of the other ladies attending these meetings told her that if she had on a piece of jewelry and an ungodly person had on an identical piece of jewelry she would be in covenant with them and the demons that affected them would in turn attack her. She then took her jewelry and threw it over a bridge. Now folks, this is just plain ridiculous! For one thing this is in NO WAY Biblical! You cannot find one instance of such silliness! What had happened? In seeking the wrong thing, she got to the point she no longer walked in wisdom and no longer heard from God nor could she rightly divide the word of truth accurately. It matters who you are with and who you listen to! Slowly but surely the enemy led her right into idolatry. She idolized “power” over God, Himself. Do you remember the seven sons of Sceva? He was a Jewish priest. His sons had seen the mighty acts done by Paul who was anointed and led by the Holy Spirit. They decided to “play” church with a demon possessed man. Let us look at the Biblical account of what happened to these guys.

Acts 19:11-16 Amplified Bible
¹¹ And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
¹² So that handkerchiefs or towels or aprons which had touched his skin were carried away and put upon the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
¹³ Then some of the traveling Jewish exorcists (men who adjure evil spirits) also undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, I solemnly implore and charge you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches!
¹⁴ Seven sons of a certain Jewish chief priest named Sceva were doing this.
¹⁵ But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know ^[b]about, but who are you?
¹⁶ Then the man in whom the evil spirit dwelt leaped upon them, mastering ^[c]two of them, and was so violent against them that they dashed out of that house [in fear], stripped naked and wounded.

What happened? They were playing with something they had no business playing with and it got them into more than they could handle! Notice they admitted they didn’t know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. They talked about “Jesus Whom Paul” knew! This is not something to delve into out of curiousity! It isn’t something to delve into for any reason! The Bible also says when the disciples themselves came back to Jesus and were so excited because even demons had to obey them in the name of Jesus, Jesus Himself corrected their focus. He said in Luke 10:20 KJV ”²⁰ Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Where was their excitement and rejoicing to be? In the fact they were going to heaven! It was to be on God and God alone!!

Do I believe there are demons? YES! I know there are!! One day as I attended a Bible study at my church, we were all gathered in a prayer line. We were praying for one another and the lady facilitating the study was praying for us individually. I had never in my life seen nor heard a demon and I didn’t want to! There was a lady standing beside me that had mental issues. We all knew she did because they were very apparent. We loved the lady and knew this dear woman needed to feel the love and acceptance we had for her. She had been a brilliant chemist. She had her PhD in Chemistry. She had been very successful in her field! One day this lady seemed to literally lose her mind. She was institutionalized and when released had to live with her mother. Her children would not go near her and her husband could not handle the mental instability and divorced her. She had lost everything! She could not work because, even though she was no longer institutionalized, she was still very disturbed. As I stood in this line next to this lady, the facilitator went and began to pray for her. Suddenly, I began to hear a gutteral sound coming from this woman’s throat. She began to talk in a voice that was similar to a growl. It was inhuman and you could tell it. Now before I would have thought I would have “made a door where there wasn’t one” to get away from such a thing! I thought I would be petrified!! But, instead of fear I felt the peace of God come over me and I stood right where I was. I knew I had authority over satan and he could in no way harm me! The facilitator took authority over this demon and told it to “hush” in the name of Jesus. It did!!! She told the lady how much we loved HER! After this, I didn’t go looking for this lady to see what would happen next. I didn’t focus on books that talked about demonic activity. When it was all said and done nobody even mentioned it! The lady continued to come and we continued to worship God and study the word as the Holy Spirit led.

We are told in the word to bind evil and loose good! We are told to put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to withstand the “wiles” of the devil. We are told to fight the good fight of faith! Notice in all of these things, our concentration is GOD and obeying what HE is saying! When the enemy shows up, tell him to hush in the name of Jesus! Do as Jesus did in the wilderness when the devil came to tempt Him. Jesus simply spoke the word and told the devil to “get thee behind Me”. In other words, get out of His sight! The Bible tells us Jesus went into the wilderness to fast and pray, not to argue or “reason” with or research the devil’s tactics! There was a saying years ago that said, “Talk to the hand because the ears aren’t listening!” I love that! Shut the enemies voice up by SUBMITTING TO GOD! How do you submit to God? You know what HE is saying and you are doing it. You are seeking Him first and His righteousness (God’s way of doing and being)!
I don’t know who this is for today, but I feel the Lord giving you a warning! Not that God is going to no longer love you, by any means! But God wants someone to know don’t “witch hunt” so to speak! You are getting off from the truth and putting your focus far too much on what satan is doing! You are walking away from the direction God had you in and you are following after things He literally disapproves of! If you are putting what people you admire and what they think above what God says, you are in idolatry, I promise you! If you are seeking power, you are in idolatry! ANYTHING OR ANYONE who is pointed to and gains your attention more than God is an idol! Heed what God is saying, dear reader. Now is the time to turn this thing around! Grace is being extended to you and it is not too late! Yes, pray and worship God and when the enemy and all of his foul deeds show themselves, rebuke him, but keep God in FRONT of you and satan BEHIND YOU! You cannot concentrate on what is behind you…your concentration is always on what you put before you! Stay in balance in all things!

Thank you for stopping by, dear reader. I hope this has helped clarify some questions you may have been having! See you next time!

Healed and Whole...God Promises It!

3He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. ⁴ Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows^[a] that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! ⁵ But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:3-5
Psalm 103:1-5 NIV
¹ Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
² Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
³ He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
⁴ He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
⁵ He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Psalm 16:8-11 Ampilified Bible
⁸ I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety,
¹⁰ For You will not abandon me to Sheol (the place of the dead), neither will You suffer Your holy one [Holy One] to see corruption.
¹¹ You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Stuffed Pears

I decided to mix things up a bit and give you all a recipe my grandmother always made for Sunday dinner when I was a little girl. I saw this on another site and it took me back in time. Today my daughter is blogging with me as a guest. She is my super-duper photographer! I hope you enjoy this timeless classic. There is a twist to this recipe. If you don’t like mayonnaise, you can use cream cheese and crushed pineapple (drained) for the filling. Here we go!


Step 1: You can either use canned pears in heavy syrup or pear preserves. I used a can of pears in the syrup. Lift it out with a fork. Make sure the pear is drained well of the syrup. You can place it on a lettuce leaf if you would like as decoration.

Step 2: Stuff pear with Miracle Whip! DO NOT use real mayonnaise!! It just is not nearly as good!!


Step 3: Add mild cheddar cheese (grated).

Voila! You are done! This is quick, easy, and sure to please on any dinner table or for a church supper. Enjoy!!

Maw's Gravy Train Recipe

This is a “secret” recipe my grandmother created and passed on to me. We used to always laugh because you would think her recipes were FBI secrets locked away in a concrete vault somewhere! I know if she could tell me from Heaven she would say, “I was so silly to not share! I know better now…share away, Baby!” So I am! This recipe is called ”Gravy Train” because when I was a little girl there was a dog food commercial that had a little puppy driving a covered wagon and he would drive it straight to the cabinet “Gravy Train” was kept in. It was called this because it had gravy with the meat. I began to call it “Gravy Train” because of all the gravy with the new potatoes and it just stuck. Here we go!


Step 1: Boil until tender in salted water new potatoes (red potatoes). Pour off all but about one fourth of the hot water.


Step 2: Add 3 Tablespoons of butter or margarine…remember I am from Texas y’all…we do everything big!


Step 3: Stir melting butter until completely dissolved!


Step 4: Using “All Purpose Flour” you will begin to make the gravy. This is where it gets a little dicey, but it is worth it!


Step 4, part 2: Add 2- 3 heaping Tablespoons of flour to a cup.


Step 5: Add approximately one fourth cup milk.


Step 6: Whisk gravy until smooth. You may have to add more milk or flour. You want it to be soupy but not watery!!


Step 7: Add flour mixture to potatoes and stir over medium heat continuously. Gravy will begin to thicken. Don’t lose heart at first…it will be very watery, but it will eventually thicken! After it thickens, taste to see if salt is needed. You may add pepper if you like, too!


Voila! Plate and serve. As you can see, I serve mine with meatloaf and purple hull peas. Yummo!! Enjoy!

What Does GOD Say About Homosexuality?

I have always heard, when you want to know the truth, GO TO THE SOURCE! I decided to let the Bible do the talking for me! This is what GOD says about homosexuality or gays and lesbians. I think it is a timely piece!

⁹ Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, ¹⁰ or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Leviticus 18:22 (KJV): “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind it is abomination.”
Genesis 13:13: “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”
Leviticus 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” (AIDS)
Romans 1:24-32 ”24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them”

GOD LOVES ALL HOMOSEXUALS, BUT HE HATES THEIR ACTIONS BECAUSE IT IS SIN!!!

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

I found a book for those who are struggling with homosexuality that will really help you! It is “An Affair of the Mind” written by Laurie Hall and published by “Focus on the Family”. There is hope and complete deliverance for all who want it!

*Text taken from Bible.com

"A Word Spoken In Due Season, How Good It Is!"

“A man has joy by the answer of his mouth; And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Proverbs 15:23 The Spirit Filled Life Bible

You all know by now, I have no problem with bearing my heart and soul! To me this is the highest form of honesty. I am not here to impress anyone, I am here to obey God. If He says, “Bear your heart” I bear my heart! I think it is so important for people to know, no matter how much word you know, how much you have seen, or how much you pray and know the heart of the Father, you are still human and still feel. That it is not a sin or from a sin you go through trying times and need the help of brothers and sisters in the faith of Jesus Christ! There is a scripture the Lord brings to my mind over and over and it has kept me anchored. The scripture is Isaiah 53:3 which says, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief….” He understands exactly how we feel, because He felt it Himself! Was Jesus less Godly because He felt hurt, pain, and sorrow…ABSOLUTELY NOT! He knew we would encounter times like this or He would not have died feeling abandoned, forsaken, and with feelings of sorrow. He understands and has compassion on us at this time, just as He does when we are living in “all is going great” times!

I received a letter today from a lady that just started going to our church. She reminded me of this scripture. She had no idea the Lord had been speaking it to me for days. In her letter, which I will share as she wrote it because I don’t think I can do it justice by relating it in my own words, it says almost word for word what God began to speak to me when I went to bed last night. The letter is as follows:

Praying for you my dear new friend. Praying also for your mom. Went to church with her as a girl. Remember Jesus had a mom. He loved and cared for her. He saw the heartbreak in her eyes and in her heart as she watched him go through so much pain on this earth. He sees and feels your pain, too for your mom. He will take care of her and you. Sometimes these “divine interruptions” in our lives are “divine appointments”.

You see God already used it in your writings. You bore your soul and heart about how you felt. That’s a testimony to all of us that we don’t always have to have it all together as we think we do! And its ok at times to be really needy in these situations. And God understands and is concerned about what concerns us.

You blessed me in sharing! God’s got this!!! Love ya sister!

This takes us back to the picture that I have posted at the beginning of this blog….”The highest form of wisdom is kindness”. As I look at this letter, and I think of the phone call I got from a friend and her husband yesterday (it was their anniversary and they came to cheer me up, instead of celebrating it) I hear the Lord say, “These are the ones I have sent to be your TRUE friends to uphold you during this time, just as John stayed with Jesus until the end!” We wonder where our “angels” are during hard times….they are all around us. Be careful you do not miss them! Look past age differences, things you think you don’t have in common, etc. and remember the ones who came running with words of encouragement and dropped all to comfort you! These are your friends that sticketh closer than a brother! Praise God for them…they are your gift from Him! There are others that are praying, acknowledging what you are going through, through letters and postings on Facebook, and phone calls. I am so grateful to them and for all!! Thank God for nonjudgemental people and those who truly do as it says in Galatians 6: 2-3 : “² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ³ If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. ” What is the law of Christ? It is love!

Blessings to you, precious reader! God is good and He has ALL! He will change and rearrange what you cannot. He gives us wisdom to know what we can do, and to know what only HE can do! I am finding this is the beginning of peace and rest.

My Physical Body Shall Dwell In Safety!

                                         Picture by: ”Oh So ShAbBy” By Debbie Reynolds

Psalm 16:15-11 Amplified Bible
⁵ The Lord is my chosen and assigned portion, my cup; You hold and maintain my lot.
⁶ The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good heritage.
⁷ I will bless the Lord, Who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
⁸ I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety,
¹⁰ For You will not abandon me to Sheol (the place of the dead), neither will You suffer Your holy one [Holy One] to see corruption.
¹¹ You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

God Lightens The Load!

This one I have to pour my heart out on! My mother went back into atrial fiberlation just hours after she was cardioverted, according to her doctor. I have watched her get thinner and thinner. I have watched her struggle to breathe. I am exhausted and on edge! I have dealt with nasty people and people who don’t mean to be inconsiderate, but right now they are getting one side of me…the tired side! I can tell I am not myself and I know I need to get grounded again! I don’t like myself like this. Oh, how I would love to say, “I am “Spiritual Superwoman!!” but I am not.

I need a couple of days to pray, read my Bible and hear my Father God’s heartbeat, because I am sitting on His lap in His presence. My world as I know it has stopped. I want to feel my Gracie beside me, shed a few tears to relieve the pressure and drink one cup of my coffee with two marshmallows. More than anything, I want to see my mother with a normal sinus rhythm, able to breath, and with me! I want to see her fulfill her destiny. I want to see her strong again, teaching the word as she dreams of doing! I want to see her in her “schedule” of getting her hair done, taking the puppy to the groomer, going to prayer meeting on Wednesday and Friday, getting her nails done, and thriving! I want to hear her tell me what God has revealed to her, and hear her unending wisdom. I just want my mother!!!

All will be as God has said I know, but I have to remember it is okay to let God carry this for me. That it is okay to rest in His presence and it is just what the “great physician” has ordered! God has never let me down and I know He won’t this time either, but for now I have to put this load down and exchange it for “His yoke” which is light and easy to bear!

Can Anything Seperate Us From The Love of God?

^"31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He 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? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. 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. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[j]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither 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."
Romans 8:31-38 NIV

Are You a Character or Do You HAVE Character?

This week while my mother was being cardioverted or “shocked” back into a normal sinus rhythm, there was a woman that came to visit her. She is a person that, at first, she seems so nice! There will be years you haven’t seen her and when you do she is so sweet you think, “Wow, why did I ever lose touch with her?” She says all the right things, does all the right things–at first! Then after some time around her, you have what I call a “Ohhhhh, yeah!” moment.

It doesn’t take long to see what is at the root of someone. Usually you can tell by what reaction people give while they are mad. You can tell a great deal by the things they say. I have heard the true test of character can be seen when someone gets angry because people tend to let it “fly” then. If you are really as “spiritual” as you are trying to let the pastor, or someone else you want to impress think you are, then no matter how pressured you are, you’re character will remain intact. If you are just trying to impress, it won’t be long you will start to resemble a boil. The more you are pressed, the more gunk comes out of you (forgive my frankness here). You can quote scripture one moment, and then get into the flesh full force if you have not allowed God to develop His character in you!

There is a scripture in the Bible that tells how to deal with people like this. It is in Proverbs 22:24 “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered.” I had a pastor preach on this one time. He said people who anger quickly bring strife into the atmosphere and then all manner of evil can take place. He said how important it is to stay away from people who are given to temper, because it will “infect you”. Now, this is a phrase that caught my attention! To “infect” someone, is to give someone a virus or disease that can make them sick and, depending on what the disease is, can even kill them! We all get angry from time to time, but when that anger is a part of someone’s personality and you continue to subject yourself to it, it will become a part of yours as well. Anger separates and divides. The Bible tells us it does not promote the “righteousness of God”, which is doing things which means “God’s way to of doing and being”. If it isn’t promoting righteousness, it is promoting sin! It brings contention to the physical body and the body of Christ as well. The Bible says it is better to be alone with a dinner of herbs than in a mansion and a dinner of steak where there is contention! According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary contention is heated disagreement. Here are some scriptures on a contentious spirit: According to Proverbs 6:12-19 it says, “¹² A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, ¹³ who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, ¹⁴ who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict. ¹⁵ Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.¹⁶There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: ¹⁷ haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸ a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, ¹⁹ a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. NIV
”We find in Proverbs 15:18a that “A wrathful man stirs up strife.”
In Proverbs 16:28a we are told “A froward man sows strife.”
Proverbs 22:10 says “Cast out the scorner, and contentions shall go out; yes, strife and reproach shall cease.”
Proverbs 26:20 tells us a “talebearer” causes strife.
Proverbs 28:25a says a proud-hearted person stirs up strife.
Proverbs 29:22a says an angry man stirs up strife.”
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4801079
In other words a person of contention has not built Godly character….they are just a character period! Stay away from them!

Character bears up under pressure! Character often times is BUILT by pressure! Characters cause strife and contention during times of pressure and usually times of peace as well!! These people are to be loved, but loved from AFAR at all cost! Remember bad company corrupts good character, according to the word! It will actually bring you to demise if you are not obedient to who God says to associate with and who to NOT associate with! According to Proverbs 27:16-17
¹⁶ Whoever attempts to restrain [a contentious woman] might as well try to stop the wind—his right hand encounters oil [and she slips through his fingers].
¹⁷ Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].
Isn’t it funny that this proverb starts out about a contentious spirit and leads into a friend can make you stronger or more enraged? Stay with Godly people who are full of the God’s character, my precious reader! Not with people who want to control and have a fit if you don’t let them! They are poison! You are to be full of life! Stay with “life giving” sources!

Thank you for stopping by, dear reader! I will see you soon!

Pacing From the Top!

“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him.” Psalm 91:15 KJV

Today, I went to see my mother in the hospital. She is so much better and I want to thank you all for your prayers!! I KNOW they are making a difference in my mother’s prognosis and they are KEEPING her! Glory to God!

Tonight, when her cardiologist walked in, he began to explain to her the heart beats from the top down and her heart had only been beating on the bottom. The top had been in a “flutter”, so to speak. I had told a friend about this earlier and she said, “What did you say? The heart beats from the top?? I hear a blog in that!” Was she ever right! I began to think about this. We get our life from our hearts beating and beating in sync as it should. If our hearts don’t beat from the top and then downward, it throws the electrical impulse of our hearts off. The heart begins to have to compensate and eventually it wears out. When the heart wears out, as we all know, the rest of the body cannot live. The doctor literally said, “The heart paces from the top.” I told him I was going to write on this and as I asked my question he said, “I see where this is going.” I had to laugh! I don’t know if he is a Christian or not but I was excited that he “got it”!

This is how we “pace” ourselves. We pace from the top. We get our impulses from God and we follow the path where those “impulses” take us. If we get out of sync and try to “beat” from the bottom, or with our own strength and ideas, it is strenuous work and we wear out, just like the heart does!

This is why prayer is so important. Our verse says when we call to Him, He definitely answers us! It is so necessary to stay on the right path. We can’t get our “impulses” from God if we aren’t creating a communication path. We talk to Him and listen and as we do, He answers and guides our paths! The human body is amazing. It is amazing the physical reflects the things of the spirit. No wonder He tells us to pray without ceasing. How much could we avoid and how much could we walk in the fulness of the blessing if we would just pray, get our impulses from God and follow them? No wonder He says Jesus is the head of the church! Jesus is our head and we are the body that thrives from a personal relationship with Him. Again, science proves God is real and He knows exactly what He is doing before we even have a clue it exist! Isn’t it wonderful that God is truly and ultimately in control? Remember, we are “pacing from the top”!

Thank you for stopping by, my precious reader! I appreciate you! See you soon!

Thank God For The Blood Of Jesus!

Today when I awoke the Lord immediately came to my mind with a praise song. One after the other began to roll over in my mind. I felt the joy of the Lord descend on me and praise was easy! As I praised I began to hear the Lord tell me to plead the blood of Jesus over my family today. Today I was to go with my mother who they suspected was in heart failure to see her cardiologist. I had and have perfect peace over this.

When we went, we had to wait forever it seemed on the results. The report was she had to go into the hospital right then and be cardioverted or as most of us know it as ”shocked” back into a normal sinus rhythm. Her heart had been in atrial fiberlation for so long that it has begun to weaken it and it had caused it to enlarge. She has been cardioverted before and all went well. Today, in my mind, would be no different. The Lord just kept speaking to me, “No matter what you see or hear, stay with your confession all is well and remember you walk by faith not by sight.” I had no idea just how much that instruction would have to be put to use today. A dear friend of my mother’s and a member of her prayer group came. She had no idea God had spoken this to me and as she was there she began to tell of a speaker who had spoken on the Shunammite woman in the Bible. Her son lay dead in her house. She saw the prophet, Elijah, afar off. He yelled to her, “How goes it?” All she would say was, “All is well!” She had laid the young man on the prophet’s bed and when he got to the house, he raised the boy back to life through faith in God.

Today as they took my mother back, I called out to her I loved her. Then, I began to feel an anxiousness. I thought that was so odd, since all day I had felt such peace. I had sung in my head all day long about the blood of Jesus. One song after the other came up in my mind and rolled over and over. I sang them silently (y’all know how horrible I sing!). They brought a comfort from something I didn’t know was going to happen. In fact two events happened that God was preparing me for!

There was a stirring in the hallway. I have been granted almost full access to this area of the hospital because my father was Director of Cardiology for many years. I got up out of the recovery area and I could see grave concern on my father’s face and the doctor was talking to him and several nurses. As I walked up, it was explained to me the first time she only converted to normal sinus rhythm for seconds and went right back into atrial fiberlation. The doctor was worried and told me so. He would try again in a few minutes. I called my husband to pray. I began to feel the anxiety mounting. In the middle of all of this, I get a phone call from my daughter. She was crying. She had been one car away from a serious accident that happened right in front of her and missed her by feet! I knew then why those songs about the blood, God directing me to plead the blood of Jesus over my family and myself was to keep us all safe from the snares of the enemy! I would love to say I was cool, calm and collected, but I cannot and tell the truth. All I could do was pray, agree with what I knew the word says, and thank God over and over for that precious blood the devil cannot cross and do permanent damage us!

I remember a quote by Joyce Meyer that says something like this, “God didn’t say sweat not, tremble not, He said fear not!” Fear did try to grip me and I had to fight it. What was even harder is people come to you with good intentions, but they begin to try to tell you how to handle things. You are your own person. Some people need silence to think about God and His word. Others need to talk it out. Others need to be surrounded by people. I am the first group. I need silence to think through it, listen to God’s voice who can comfort me like no other. I don’t need Job’s accusers or people who want to tell me how I should react! If that is right for you that is fine, but I am not you and you are not me! We need to let people be people and let them be who God made them to be. It isn’t fair to require otherwise. Sometimes the best thing you can do is put your arm around someone and say, “I understand! Just know I am praying!” That is plenty and it gets the point across.

God also reminded me of something He told me recently. He said, “If you can worry continually, you can pray continually. It is a matter of what you focus on!” Prayer gets you much better results than worry! Thank God for prayer and that the prayers of a righteous man or woman availeth much and are powerful in the making!

I praise God He brought my mother’s heart into normal sinus rhythm! I ask you, my dear readers, to please pray for her that it stays that way! I praise God my daughter is safe! I praise God for the blood of Jesus!! I praise God for the Holy Spirit that tells us how we need to pray!!

Thank you for stopping by, dear reader! I will see you soon!

I Have a Made Up Mind!



Country church photo by Debbie Reynolds (Not the movie star).

I go to a church that is in another town. Some may call it a country town because it is small and quaint. It has a population of under 300. On Sunday mornings we have in attendance at our church around 150-170 people. Even though the town may be small, God always shows up at our church in a big way!

Today my pastor spoke on having a made up mind in following Jesus. He spoke on how Paul was taken by Nero from Spain back to Rome just to be killed. At Paul’s last “trial” not one person showed up to speak on his behalf. After all he had done for so many, no one attended to help him. He speaks in 2 Timothy 4:16-18 about how he felt so alone, but was encouraged because he always had Jesus! Little did Paul know, but while imprisoned, he had written two-thirds of the New Testament inspired by the Holy Spirit! Paul did not know that his letters to the church and the God breathed scriptures that would become the Holy Bible itself would be quoted, preached from, prayed out, and stood upon for the next 2000 years! Even in Paul’s time of feeling so alone, he had a made up mind and knew Jesus was with him! Not until he got to Heaven did he know the impact he would have for God upon the church.

My pastor told the story of William and Catherine Booth. They are the founders of “The Salvation Army”. Each night they would go into the “red-light” district of town and minister to the prostitutes and drunkards that were there. Each night they would be mocked and ridiculed. They did not let that stop them! They made up their minds they would continue to go because God had called them to do it. One night a prostitute came to the Lord, then another and another. The drunkards began to listen and they came, little by little, wanting to hear the Gospel and accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior! On one particular night, a man stepped up to William Booth and spat in his face. The spittle went from the corner of his eye and rolled down to the top of his mustache. One of his “lieutenants” quickly stepped forward with his handkerchief to wipe it from his face. He stopped him and said, “Do not wipe off the medal of honor God has given me!” It is highly likely none of us have been spat upon or slapped for the sake of the Gospel. We have probably suffered some ridicule, but certainly not to the point of being beaten, nails being plunged into our hands and being hung on a cross! Thank God for the fortitude Jesus had to die for us and for the determination in Christ William Booth had to persevere.

Many Christians today derail over something like some small offense or imagined offense or an immature Christian’s childish behavior. Most of those times it is just before a victorious breakthrough in their lives. You see, the devil doesn’t come to discourage you for no reason. He comes so that you will get offended, hurt, or mad just before your promise is about to manifest so he can keep you from seeing it come to fruition. God knew when He called you and gave you the vision He set before you the hardships and battles you would face. He knew He could trust you with it or He would not have called you. God trusts us with what is precious to Him! That within itself is an honor!!

There is an old hymn that says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus…No turning back, no turning back.” You have to make up your mind you are going forward with God no matter what! You have it settled and determined in your heart you won’t turn back.

I have a made up mind. I am going on with Jesus no matter what! I have found through my family, church family, blogging community, and my precious readers I am far from alone!! You are not alone, either! Even though the enemy may want us to think and feel we are, let us be like Paul and remember, we ALWAYS have Jesus! Have a made up mind nothing will stop you in your service or your love for others through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Blessings to you, my precious reader! I will see you next time!

God Did Not Raise You Up To Be A Fool!

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. Proverbs 26:11 NIV


I have seen lately things that have grieved my spirit. People who once were ministers of the Gospel posting their children who just turned 21 having their first beer (legally) and they bought it for them. You may say, “Well, there is nothing wrong with drinking….the Bible says be not drunk with wine which is excess. He didn’t say it was a sin to have it.” I am just quoting what I have actually heard. But, let me ask something. Just because you may be able to handle something that isn’t in “excess”, does that mean the person you are introducing into that world will be able to be to handle it without “excess”? You can guess but do you actually know?? I heard Joyce Meyer say once that she and Dave used to have wine. God convicted them because it could be a downfall to one of lesser maturity.
You and I are responsible before God and before our families and others, especially if you are carrying the title of minister or have told people you are called to formal ministry, to never be a downfall to another. The Bible says it would be better that a millstone be tied around ones neck and be thrown into the sea, than to cause an immature believer to stumble! Paul pulled no punches either on this subject. He writes in 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” A minister, and when we are born again we all are called to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but I am talking about people who go by the “title” of minister and those who tell people they are called to the “title” of minister, are supposed to be the highest example of Jesus! I am not saying you must be perfect, but you must strive to not be a downfall to others!

I see former ministers, and maybe this is why they are “former”, posting pictures where they should be embarrassed by what is lacking on their physical bodies, to “show off” their workout. Comments about their wives that should be left to the privacy of a marriage relationship! Their wives talking about the wine they drink and the more they plan on drinking, as though drunkenness is something to be admired and “fun”! They talk like, act like, and think like the world when we are all called to be salt and “set apart” from worldly ways! Christians “hooking up” with men and women who they are unequally yoked to. And then they marry them and wonder why and how their lives turned into a living hell, so to speak. Paul writes a warning about this in 1 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” International Standard Version (©2008)

We will ALL give an account for our actions! Christians as well as unbelievers! The Bible also warns us that once our minds have been renewed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and, if those whose minds have go back into the world, there is no higher or greater hope. You had it all when you were serving Jesus! You could have had even more if you had continued to serve Him without compromise. Once a house has been swept clean the enemy does come back to see if it is occupied by Jesus. If he finds it empty, the Bible tells us, the state of that person will be seven times worse than what their original state had been! I had an uncle who was a pastor and minister and he always said, “You may be playing for fun, but the devil is playing for keeps!” Is it worth it??? Sin is fun for a season, but when that season is over the consequences can last a LIFE TIME! Go into the prisons and ask murderers, extortionist, embezzlers, etc. if it was worth the consequences! They will tell you NO in a heartbeat and have probably appealed their cases over and over to get out of that prison!! There are mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual prisons, too! You may not end up in a literal penitentiary, but a mental and emotional prison is just as punishing, if not more so. A physical prisoner can get saved and set free and have peace in their minds at least.

   The Bible says in the last days even some of the VERY ELECT will be deceived. Don’t fall into that category! You have not been raised up out of the ashes by God to act as a fool!!! You know not what you lose! Sin will take you further than you want to go and will keep you longer than you want to stay! God will never withhold good from them who seek HIM! Proverbs says WISDOM CRIES OUT! It yells, “NO! DON’T GO THAT WAY!!” But, a fool will not listen. What is sad is one day, if you continue in that way instead of God’s way, the consequences of that behavior will not be silenced and you will not be able to drown them out! Wake up while there is still a chance and time!!

He is Our Shelter!

Psalm 91:1-16 Amplified Bible….

^“1 He who ^[a]dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
² I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
³ For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.
⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,
⁶ Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.
⁸ Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.
⁹ Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,
¹⁰ There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.
¹¹ For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].
¹² They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.
¹⁴ Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].
¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.”

God Has Given You Authority!

When I am driving and I see a police car, the first thing I do is  check the speed I am going and my eyes automatically doublecheck my tags and inspection sticker just to be sure I am within the confines of the law! Even knowing I am not breaking any laws I am still fully aware of what that car and the man or woman behind that badge represents. I know if I am not within the confines of the law, what the consequences can be. The badge represents authority! They have the authority to tell me, and any number of people, to stop, when to go, to detour me to a safer route, etc.. I don’t argue. I do what I am told to do. Why? Because they have an authority I don’t have! I also don’t think I would like closed in, locked down living quarters with a room mate  whose nickname may be ”Killer”!!

When Jesus was about to ascend into Heaven He told His disciples in John 14:12-14 NIV “¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. He also says in Luke 10:19 “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Jesus had given them power while He was with them on the earth, but also said even greater things would be accomplished (as in magnitude) with the authority of His name after He had gone back to Heaven.

Not long ago while I was at church my pastor asked us all to just worship and wait on the direction of the Lord. As we were standing, the Lord began to speak to me. He said, “I never expected my people to just accept whatever came down the pike! That is why I have given them authority over the devil! If I had wanted you to just accept everything that came your way, I would not have given you the authority to stop and thwart the devil’s tactics against you.” Why would Jesus die not only for your sins but for the healing of sickness and disease and for your peace if God wanted you or anyone else to “learn” something from illness or anything else that could be harmful to you. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and the Bible is our textbook, if you will. If God was putting something “on you” to teach you a lesson or because He thought your life getting a little harder would be a great help in some way to you, then why would He sacrifice Jesus so that you could be delivered, set free, and healed? The Bible says it is satan that comes seeking who he can steal, kill and destroy! God doesn’t work against His word…He stands by it to perform it! God gets so much blame for what the enemy does. God can never do evil! He says His people perish for the lack of knowledge! If you don’t know what you have you will never be able to take your place, which is ruling and reigning in the spirit on the earth. You will find yourself always sick and tired of being sick and tired!

The enemy is no gentleman! He will go as far as someone will let him. If they don’t know God’s will and the rights they have as a Christian, then they will never live the life Jesus died to give them! I heard someone say recently, “Well, God knows what I can handle.” He sure does!! He knows you can handle that two-edged sword called the Bible and you can handle and hold up the shield of faith!! Adam gave the authority God gave him in the Garden of Eden to satan by sinning against God. Jesus came as the “last Adam” to get that authority back for us through His death, burial and resurrection! He went and got the keys to death, hell and the grave. He stripped satan of his power to permanently harm us as it says in Colossians 2:15 “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” I love that! Jesus made the devil a laughingstock!! Who has the power and authority? We do through the name of Jesus, because He took back what the devil stole from Adam and gave it back to us! I like what someone said one time, “If that doesn’t light your fire your wood is wet!”

Satan knows that we have that authority and the Bible says that even the demons tremble at the mention of Jesus’ name! That is the reason we can rebuke the devil at his “onset” and he HAS to flee. He has no choice in the matter! Praise God, our Heavenly Father thought of everything! Remember what is rightfully yours, dear reader! God only has His best in mind for you. If it isn’t in line with what the word says you can and do have, speak the word, praise God and take back what is yours in the name of Jesus! It is there for you to use!!

Blessings to you, dear reader! I will see you soon!

A Child's Actual Answer to The Question... "What is Love?"

“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate” –Nikka, age 6


I found this quote on Pinterest. There were many more responses from this “survey” but this one hit me between the eyes! What insight from such a young child! Many adults ten times her age have yet to figure that one out. It made me think of the scripture that says, ”But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44 KJV

This would be a great goal for life, not just a day! I think Nikka knows exactly what she is talking about. What is the saying? ” Out of the mouths of babes comes great wisdom”? That is this quote in action!! No wonder Jesus said in order for us to receive anything from Him we would have to become as little children. If you notice, children will get mad for a moment. They want to take “their toys and go home”, but it isn’t long until they are best friends, again.

When I was a little girl, I had a cousin that I adored! As much as I adored her she could aggravate me, too! I am sure she could say the same of me!! When my mother would tell me we were going to her house or she was coming to mine I would get so excited. We could play for hours and hours, but at some point one would get “put out” with the other one. We would always run and tell what the other had done that seemed so horrible at the time! Our mothers would always say, “Well, just ignore it.” That never satisfied us so we would always threaten to take our toys and not ever come back! It wouldn’t be ten minutes until we would look at each other and act as though nothing had ever happened and play again. When it would come time to leave we would beg and cry to be allowed to spend the night with one another. We were the best of friends again. Our mothers would say, “I thought you two were tired of each other.” Our response was always the same…”Oh, that was a long time ago!” It may have only been 30 minutes! As adults we should be the same way. As soon as something happens that isn’t to our “liking” instead of letting it “get under our skin” we should be quick to forgive and let it go. Love always opens the door to blessing and anger always stops it up! When we sense our anointing and peace isn’t flowing as it has been, we should be quick to do a check of our love walk! That is almost one hundred per cent of the time where the flow gets stopped up. It is so easy for offense and hurt to creep in. The devil loves it! It gets us out of unity which creates a wide open door for him to create havoc!

Notice the Bible calls satan a thief. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” A burglar doesn’t come to your house, knocks on your door and then ask if it is okay to rob you! He finds a place in your home that is not secured well and is easy to get into and creeps in! He comes usually when you are asleep or gone. He comes at a time that you are not mindful of your home and possessions. He comes silently to steal away your valuables and then when you awaken or come home you realize the loss you have fallen victim to. That is how satan does with offense and bitterness! He often comes in when we aren’t even aware of what he is doing and gets us upset about something. Before long we begin to notice we aren’t as peaceful as we once were. We aren’t flowing in the gifts as we once were. That is when you have to do a “check up from the neck up”! It is time to forgive and upset the devil instead of him upsetting you! Do something good for that person(s)! Sow a blessing and you will reap a blessing! You will feel better and your peace and anointing will return in the process! Don’t worry about their response…God will hold them responsible for their reaction, just as we will be held responsible for ours! You sowed kindness and God will repay you for it!

May God’s richest blessings be yours, dear reader! I will see you soon!

Are You Operating in Discernment or Judgement?

⁴ Now he had to go through Samaria. ⁵ So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶ Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
⁷ When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” ⁸ (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.^[a])
¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
¹¹ “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
¹⁵ The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
¹⁶ He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
¹⁷ “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. ¹⁸ The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
¹⁹ “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet….
²⁸ Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ²⁹ “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” ³⁰ They came out of the town and made their way toward him. John 4:4-18, 28-39 NIV

There is an easy way to know if we are walking in discernment or just being critical or judgemental. Here we find a woman drawing water from the well. She had never met Jesus before and He had never seen her before, yet He knew ALL of her past. Notice Jesus didn’t despise her for it. His reaction was to offer salvation, which is referred to as “living water”. He didn’t tell her everything that was wrong with her and if she had made other choices she would have saved herself a lot of grief, as true as that may be. He didn’t turn His back on her and call her unclean and would have nothing to do with her. He didn’t react to her with anything but love when He could have pronounced judgement! Instead, He offered love and salvation.

If you are born again, this very nature of Jesus, is in you! We can live out of our emotions which can be full of anger, haughtiness, and criticism, which is the “fleshy” man or we can live out of our renewed spirits. You know which one you are operating in by who you are acting like. Are you acting like the rest of the world or are you operating in love like Jesus did to this woman? Are you offering salvation or are you condemning? Are you offering love or do your thoughts leave you despising someone? If you see something wrong in someone and you are offering prayer, true concern, praying that someone realizes the love of God and the error of their ways you are walking in discernment. If you are angry and want someone to “get all that is coming to them”, you are walking in judgement!
I love the last verse listed where it says she went and told the people about Jesus and how He had told her everything about her life. Notice this woman didn’t run home with her head hung in shame. She went into town and witnessed to others what He had done and that He was the Messiah and those in turn were drawn to Him! Judgement will always bring shame and ostricizing! Shame will always run from God (remember Adam and Eve hiding themselves due to the shame of their disobedience?). Discernment will draw people into relationship with our Lord and with the church!

Ask yourself today, how am I acting toward a person that bothers me and why? Am I drawing them to living water or is the way I am treating that person pushing them further into sin and away from the light that is within me, which is Jesus Christ? You will then know if it is discernment or judgement you are flowing in. Purpose to love and be all Jesus has called YOU to be, which is a light to a darkened world!

Thank you for stopping by, dear reader! I will see you soon!

Get Off the Worry Go Round...Again!

You know I write for myself and share with you, just in case you go through or face some things like I do. I almost didn’t blog this today because it seems I tend to major on it. Maybe that is all in my mind, but when God deals with me about something that is what you are going to see. I love the scripture, ” Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6 KJV I love this scripture because it reminds me yet again there is nothing too hard for God so why should I worry about it if I am trusting Him with it. Supplication in the Bible means “to pray”. It isn’t complicated. It is so simple, just as all the word of God is. We are the ones who make it hard! I love what Kenneth Hagin, Sr. wrote in his “Bible Prayer Study Course” about supplication. He states, “Intercession and supplication in the Spirit doesn’t just belong to the preacher. It belongs to all of us. It is for each one of us. Thank God for the results that could be accomplished, but can you see the results that could be accomplished if there were more of us praying that way?” Instead of worrying, talking the problem, thinking only someone else can pray you out of a mess, what would happen if we prayed it out, believed the word, and thanked God for the outcome?

I remember after 9/11, the horrific tragedy that happened in America that took so many innocent lives! Terrorism was at a level such as we had never known. There was a study that was done a few months after that tragedy that showed anti-depressants and tranquilizers were being prescribed at three times the amount they had been before that horrible and tragic day. Why? Because people were worried and frightened! Now, I am not against doctors or medicine! I am simply saying people didn’t know where to turn or what to expect and they felt tremendous anxiety just going about their daily lives! God is your help! How much peace do we forfeit when we could simply say, “God, I cast this care on you and I know you are taking care of it for me and You will show me what to do when and if the time comes!” Have you ever noticed that most battles in the Bible God’s people never had to lift a finger to fight? Why? Because God fought the battle for them!! Glory to God, they were the victors every time!

Today we all face things we don’t have answers to, but we know the One who has the answers! In 1 Peter 5:7 it says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” This doesn’t just mean He loves you, it means He is going to take care of that care FOR you! The Bible also says He will PERFECT ALL THINGS concerning me! In all of my ways He causes me to triumph! You know some things just bear repeating! Even Paul said in one place he had said some things before and it didn’t bother him to repeat them because they needed to be heard again.

I love the quote I found by Abraham Lincoln. He was such a wise man! If you will notice much of what he says in the quote is just simple living advice in a fast paced world! God’s word is practical, too. We live today and leave tomorrow to tomorrow. God will be there then, too!

Blessings, precious reader! I will see you soon!!

God is a Very Present Help in the Time of Trouble

Psalm 46

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

² Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

³ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

⁴ There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

⁶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

⁹ He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."