Merry Late Christmas from the Anderson Family :)

I don't know about you guys, but Christmas this year snuck up on me! I could not believe that it has come and gone.

Christmas Eve I worked and God helped me through it all. It was quite busy, but there was peace among us all. After work I had a power sleep before we headed over to my Aunts house where our WHOLE family gather each year. 8*) It was nice to see Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandma.

After stuffing our faces 8-) (hehehe) and visiting we made our way home to pray and opened one present. :):):):) That was a delight! I opened my fathers present for me which was a gloriously beautiful necklace. I cannot describe it anymore that I already have, but I was extremely grateful for it. Thanks pappy 8*D

Christmas day 8-D8-D8-D8-D8-D8-D We had a WONDERFUL brunch that my younger sister prepared for us and then the presents. This years gifts were wonderful...I got not what I wanted, but what I needed and I loved it :)  

God Blessed my beyond words this year! He has brought me through many trials, worked in and out of me many things and He has given me promises that I hold on to! There were wise men who travelled to bring three gifts to Jesus: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. I want these three to be worked into me! Gold speaks of Divine nature, Frankincense speaks of faith and Myrrh of meekness.

Another Christmas has gone by, another year coming to an end and a new year approaching. My question for you is: What are you doing? Do you have God in your heart? If so, is He alive and real in you/to you?

I ask myself these questions too and I hope that we all will be honest with ourselves. God is life and if you have that life in you are you feeding that life? He wants to know you and you Him in a deeper and greater way. So get going! 8*D 

~ God Bless! 

Fathers Provision

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor

reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father

feeds them."

~  Matthew 6:26



As you read this verse you will quickly realize it is not a very well known verse. Looking at this verse, the point may be apparent to many who read it, but I hope that as we read it God may speak something specific to you through this verse.

The main points are: the birds, sowing and reaping, and the provision of the Heavenly Father.

Man is constantly sowing and reaping something everyday. If you are not familiar with the term "reap what you sow" then it means this: if one sows they are investing in something that they think will later on have a reward worth it all. Reaping is the result of your investment [sowing].

     Example:

If a farmer sows [invests] much of his time into planting a good amount of his crop, then later on when the harvest time has come, he will reap [the result] a great reward- much food to either sell or feed his family.

So, back to 'Man is constantly sowing and reaping something each day.' If you sowed bad habits when you were younger, later on in life you shall eventually reap the consequence's. Sadly when one realizes and wants to change they are older and find it much harder to break those habits that they invested in for years and years. My point here is: we invest so much time into things, but do we invest enough time into thinking about what is the wiser choice? We have a Creator...are we investing time into our relationship with Him?

God provides for these birds, as this verse clearly states, so why wouldn't He provide for man? The answer is He does provide! He is our Jehovah-Jireh! Do we invest enough time into recognizing this? Invest in the right things and with the right reasons. 

God is our provider invest your time into Him and your relationship with Him and you shall reap a reward that is greater then anything reward this world offers can be! Why? Because His is a reward that is everlasting!

May we seek to know our Jehovah-Jireh "The Lord will Provide"!

God Bless!

Luke 11:33-34

"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness."

I picked these verses because it is this time of year :-) I'm sure that most of us have heard the 'Jesus Birth' and also the 'Three Wise Men'. These two have to do with light! Jesus is the light of the world! [Matthew 5:14] and also the Three Wise men followed a star that was so bright. That leads me to the question that I want to ask you. What light are you following?

In this world there are many lights. There are two specific ones that I want to touch: the light of the world and the light in the world.

The First Light: 'Light of the world'

"The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light..."

As I already stated earlier Jesus is the light of the world. He was sent here to be the light by living a live of man. He was the light, or in other words, mans example. He walked this earth going through the trials and joys as man goes through. He walked each day teaching man what we are to do when we are in a situation. He knew His purpose and He submitted to His Heavenly Father! He could of hated His Heavenly Father for giving Him such a purpose, He could of given into the fame and misuse His power. Instead, He chose to be that light His Father asked Him to be. That is the light I want to be following. It is a light that is bright, one that I want dwelling in me, and one that I never want to be ashamed of nor hide! This light is one that burns in you and God uses it to move to specific areas in your heart that have been in darkness for too long. He uses that light to open your eyes to something new.

I like to sing one of the songs that my sister, Leah J. Anderson, wrote:

One burning desire to be more like you,
How long Oh Lord, til I awake in your likeness?
Empty me of every hindrance

Fill me, with more of your Spirit,
Lord, I surrender all my will,
Let your hand come touch my heart once again,
Conform me Lord to your plan

I don't want to be the same
Change me in your presence day by day

This song, to me, has the perfect words for what I want to say about the first light. God gave her these words and they exactly what I wanted to end with on this first light!

The second Light: 'Light in the world'

"...but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness"

This light is a temporary light, one that can be put out. This is the light that everyone can see and is attracted to. It shows you all the riches and glories of treasures that seem desirous. It closes our opened eyes and makes us blind! The enemy uses this to take our focus off the true light and once our focus is off the true light our attitude begins to change towards that everlasting light. We become ashamed of it and we then 'put it in a secret place' so that no one can see it!

This light will give us a false vision! It will show us only one half and that half is the glory's of the treasures in this world. It will not show us what the consequence of it all is!

In conclusion, I have told to you that there are two lights and what the two lights really are, now I want you to really think about what light you really are following (and please be honest it's only between you and God)? I would encourage you to follow the true light. To take your candle and go light your world!

~ God Bless!

Ways & Thoughts

I think that learning Gods ways is never ending. Our minds are so limited, but Gods mind is so wide and incomprehensible. His ways, in a situation, can be completely different then ours. Why is this true? It is because God can see the whole picture and He knows where each path will lead us. He has walked the path and understands, whether we believe it or not, He really does!

We go through many trials day by day and our minds some how think 'God will make everything alright' and He will, but what we lack to realize is the 'how' He makes everything alright. Sometimes we need to go down into the lower parts of the valley before we can rise up in victory. We always pray that God would take us out of the darkness, but really we should be praying and asking God either for His strength to make it through or asking Him what we should be praying for. He has a purpose for everything and usually we learn our most meaningful and cherished lessons in the deep, dark valleys.

When you find yourself or another friend in a trial try and practice taking it to God. Asking Him what He wants to manifest in you and/or out of you.

I live each day struggling and I want to get to the place where my ways are made into Gods ways and my thoughts into His thoughts.

~ God Bless!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE ANDERSON FAMILY

~ Happy Thanksgiving ~



Today is one of my favorite holidays and yet it is a Holiday that is so very ignored :(

Thanksgiving is a day where one can truly sit back, if they want to of course, and look at what their life has been. Now, here's the part that I like: if I, looking back, see that when a situation comes up and I mostly think the negative, I realize that I have been looking at life in the wrong eyes. God's eyes are the ones I want to be looking through! It is an opportunity to get back on the right path in this area!

This year, for me, went by fast, but God accomplished A LOT in this quick year. He brought me through so many things, opened my eyes to things that He wants to deal with, opened my mind to a different way of thinking in situations...I really could keep going. I could cry the tears of joy because God is good ALL the time. These words really mean nothing until God brings you through situations where at the end those words are flowing out of your mouth! One can tell themselves 'God is good all the time', but one should ask God to bring them to the place where they truly believe it.

I want: thankfulness to be manifested in me everyday! I want to get to the place where God can use me to show others true deep thankfulness and to work it into their hearts. I thank God for those who tend to make things difficult because I know that God has brought them into my life to show me something. Weither it be a lesson to learn, an area to be strenghtened or an area that needs to be removed. God can use anyone and I want to be used by God in a way where He is pleased with me!



It is hard to always be thankful in America because everything is at our reach. We are able to borrow money so that we can get what we want. We keep borrowing and borrowing and we get into so much debt that we work our whole life trying to pay it off and somethings leave the debt and our kids have to pay it off. What do we see in these products that causes us to desire them so much? I know not. We have SO much...we want a cookie right now just go to the store and buy one. Want a meal without making it? God to fast food or restaurants. Want clothes? Go to the mall and buy the newest fashionable apparel. Want water? go to the sink. Shower everyday, open your fridge to food, watch TV, surf the net, heat your food in a microwave, want to talk to your friend about gossip use your cell, want milk go to your fridge. The list really goes on. I have taken multiple trips out of the country and these are only a few of my observations! I honestly dread coming back to America because our attitude and mind set stinks! We are so unthankful of how much God has blessed this land.

When I see someone at my work who does a no call no show or shows up late I want to ask them why? Aren't they grateful for their job? I know it isn't going to be their career for life, but go to a third world country and you can find people who work and work hard and for what? They only will get paid two weeks out of the month and maybe $100.00. We get so mad when people from another land comes over here and they get jobs. Why do you think employers sometimes hires them over Americans? Maybe it's because they see that they will be committed, work hard, and be thankful for what they shall receive. My concluding thought in this is: I love thanksgiving and I pray God will manifest a deep thankfulness into my heart and not let the bad attitudes of others rube onto me!

I am so thankful for my family and the Peace that God has brought into this home!

Please feel free to share you thoughts and what you are thankful for :)

Have a Wonderful & Blessed Thanksgiving!

Proverbs 17:1

"Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife."

"Better is a dry morsel"  what does this mean?
"Morsel" means - a small amount of anything.

"...and quietness therewith..."
"Quietness" is a state of peace and "therewith" means immediately after.

"..than an house full of sacrifices with strife."
Sacrifices involve a great lose of something precious to you and strife is the lack of harmony.

Putting these three broken parts together:
"It is better to have a small amount of anything, for immediately after there shall be the state of peace, than an house full of great loses with little harmony"

Thoughts

I. What are Mans thoughts? ( Mt 15:19)
A. Prosperity
- We look at a situation and we tend to see ways that benefit ourselves. At times this is healthy, but if we don’t set boundaries, our minds will explore and feed on prosperity.

Psalm 10:4 “The wicked, through pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all
his thoughts because that means there must be a death to them and life to Him."

- Prosperity is dangerous and can take over us if we are not careful. God wants us to be prosperous in Him and not this world. His treasure is greater and longer lasting then all the money in this world!”

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

- Ex: When Eve was in the garden. She looked at the fruit and saw prosperity and her mind changed. It stepped out into dangerous territory. The enemy had an open door, with no boundaries blocking him.


B. Vain and Prideful
Psalms 94:11 “The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.”

- Pride and vanity is apart of our old man. We feed it by asking others questions about ourselves to get the answer we want to hear. It feeds it and after a time it grows like weeds. They say it in there mind and begin to shut correction or other peoples opinions away. They are set there thoughts on themselves and shut everything that contradicts it away. This opens up a door to the enemy. Once he has fed you pride and you liked it, he is now able to feed you words that lift yourself up and shuts God out.


C. Prone to wander
- Each mind thinks differently and it likes to wander. The mind tends to wander and we catch ourselves. We want to make sure that when we find our minds wandering we stop it and put our shield up. If you listen you will eventually believe and find it attractive. You are walking towards evil which is against God.

* Again Eve as an example: She listened and what was being said eventually became attractive to her. She did have her shield up, but she continued to listen and confusion came over her mind. She eventually gave into the temptation.

- The wandering mind attracts the enemy. This opens up a door for the enemy to plant confusion in your mind. God’s thoughts are pure so you are rejecting the pure mind when you wander.


II. What are God’s thoughts? - Ph 4:8
A. Pure

B. Discerning
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

C. Righteous
Proverbs 12:5 “The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. ”
D. About us

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ”

- His thoughts are for His people. He wants to give us an expected end, an end that He has planned before the earth was ever made. He wants to prosper us in Him! His thoughts are what can help us to fulfill our goal of becoming more Christ-like Christians.

III. What is the importance of having Godly thoughts?
A. How do we maintain pure and true thoughts? By continually reading God’s word and feeding on it. You will begin to learn God’s thoughts and begin thinking the same.

B. As we become more mature the discernment of other peoples thoughts grows. As we ask God, He can reveal to us the true meaning of their thoughts.

C. We want to have the righteous thoughts. This is important especially during a time like the present. We want to make sure that we are taking the righteous counsels so that we do not listen and believe deceit.

- Prophecy at convention: Many will hear and believe lies! God is warning us and we need to make sure that we are protecting our thoughts. Being careful of the opinions we make during our trials. Our thoughts, during trials, are when the enemy likes to deceive us. We, at times, are weaker during the trials and he likes to bring us down lower and lower by feed us lies. Feed on the word and it puts death to the deceit!

D. The thoughts of iniquity lead down to destruction and the destruction of others around them.

- This is why, when we have friends or family who are walking down this path, we must be careful and have a certain distance from them and maintain that distance. They are walking down a path that can destroy what God has done in your life if you continue to fellowship with them. It can be a slow process, but you must distance yourself from them. It may be hard and we all don’t want to see them go to hell, but if you continue to walk with them you will most likely steer down that road. Why do I say that, because Satan can now use them to poison your mind and put bitterness or offense into your mind.

IV. What are keys to having Godly thoughts?
A. Having boundaries and staying within them.

B. Feeding continuously on the word of the Lord

C. Continually praying that God would cleanse your mind and give to you pure and clear thoughts!

Proverbs 15:26 “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. ”

- Everyone has thoughts and whenever we have an opportunity to share them, we do. God wants our thoughts to be pure so that when we speak them they may be pleasant to his ears.

- This is something the enemy tends to get us all. That something is called fear of man! We have thoughts, but that fear seems to be so powerful at times. When one is put in that situation he should tell himself “Do I want to offend my Heavenly Father to please man, or do I want to please God even though I know it might offend man?”

Sacrifice

This is a word that when heard sends shivers down ones spin. No one really likes to sacrifice and it is actually sad. In today's time our views of value/or worth of things has taken a turn for the bad. Adults would call off work to play video games, stay home on Sundays to watch the football game, or go to the bar instead of staying home and being a parent to their kid(s). Not many take the sacrifice of staying home with their kids and having family nights, or waking up before noon on Sundays to go to church, or even going to work: on time and without a hang over.

We rather stay up til two o'clock in the morning watching TV, playing video games, or getting drunk when we know we have to go to work the next day. We are so willing to make time for that TV or those video games, but not for our kids or for spouse. We have been given time and we just waste in on the mall, video games, technology that we'll only use until something newer comes out, then we'll buy that one.

Christ desires a relationship with us and in order to strengthen it sacrifices must occur. Getting up earlier to meditate on His word, ending your days activities a little earlier so that you can sit down and pray in the secret or with your family, or even teaching your kids about that Christ you believe in. Sacrifices are seen in Gods eyes and He will reward you for those sacrifices. Sacrifices are hard to do and it must start out little by little and day by day, but eventually that sacrifice eventually no longer become a sacrifice, but a necessity.

I hear continuously from Christians that they long for revival, but you know what when revival comes we must be equipped and in order to be equipped we must have those sacrifices. When revival comes, Christ will need those wise stewards all over the nations. All those who sacrificed little by little and dug those ditches. The parable in the Bible where there was drought and one day the people were told to dig ditches because water will come. Some sacrificed a lot and others just a little and some not at all. The next day water came and those who obeyed and sacrificed their time to dig their ditch received much water. Revival is like that water. When it comes those who sacrificed shall be used by God. There will be people who will want to be used, but will realized they didn't sacrifice time for God to manifest His gifts in them.

Sacrifice is so very important especially now! Sacrifice your time, dig your ditches and when the reward comes it will be great and worth it all.

God Bless!

SUNDAY SPECIAL: Change Me Into Your Presence

Jesus I Come - Shelly Moore Band

Psalms 91:1-4

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."

                                                                                                           Psalm 91:1-4

These verses are highlighted in my Bible. I have been meditating on the book of Proverbs, but this morning I opened to this Psalms and it caught my eye. Next to these highlighted verses was, "Preservation depends on your relationship with your Lord." That really really spoke to me and brought such a joy and hope in my heart this morning. The enemy loves to attack us through our mind/thoughts. He tells us one thing and adds lies it. Lately he was putting thoughts of the future into my head and SO many worries. After reading these verses I began to laugh at myself because I realized that right now my focus is to be on my relationship with Christ. If I worry about that I don't need to worry about anything else. Victory is won when the battle is placed into Gods hands.

Now is the time in which we need to invest! We pray 'Lord bring revival', but you know when revival comes He needs people who are equipped to feed the hungry souls. There will not be the free time of studying like we have now! Worry about right now and taking all the advantage you can in moving closer to God.

The best kind of teacher is the one who has lived through it and understands the situation(s). We want to allow God to put us through situations that will equip us and prepare us for the people He will send us to. There is so much to be done in my life, but I remind myself that I need to leave that up to God. I think about it and I feel like I am trapped. God deals with us in His PERFECT timing! Believe it and walk with Him. Draw nearer to him! He is not a condemning God, but one who longs to be that friend who will help you to overcome trial by trial.

I say it again, Invest now! Invest in your relationship with God and He shall preserve you in the times that we need to be preserved. Don't spend your time worrying, but investing!

God Bless

Days which make our lifes History

As humans we live each day and each day we give a label and put it into categories. We have: bad days, glorious days, days that seem to have no meaning, and valuable days.

When it's been a bad day we tend to wish it over, but we also tend to look back. All we can see are things we wish we could take back, all our mistakes. We think about things we'd rather forget. In this category we really can learn things. If we look at them and see that it really was a day that brought something in me to the surface, then maybe we can use it to our advantage. Look at what problem(s) came up and try to allow your eyes to be opened. God created us in His image, but it is our sinful nature that causes ugly to come in. On those 'bad days' may it's really God putting you through a trial to open your eyes to what He would like to deal in you? We have so many flaws, but if we look at them in whole we will only become overwhelmed and give up! These 'bad days' are more like God saying "Okay my beloved this is what I want to work out of you!" So, when it's been a bad day and you're looking back don't think of all your regrets because that was history and you cannot change it, but look back and see what can be change so when it comes around again you may be prepared!

Glorious days are days we all would love to have everyday! I think about those days and I thank God for them. For me these are days that God puts us through to help us to know that He isn't condemning us! He wants His people to be joyful. The joy of the Lord is after all our strength. Glorious days are when we are at the mountain top rejoicing with loud voices. When we go through these days we are being strengthened and energize for the days to come where we shall need it!

Meaningless days might be the hardest days really. Days, from a mortals eye, that do not show meaning causes frustration. We always are wanting to know everything! No one ever likes being out of the loop and so when we are in one of those days where we seem 'out of the loop' we get discouraged. The enemy loves these days because he can use it to put Gods people into snares where it will be very long and difficult to get out. He feeds us lies and our mind is in a state where we cannot seem to explain it, but we just believe those lies. That sets us down a path that we do not want to be on. Meaningless days are days where we may not understand the reason nor see it now, but in years to come God taps us on the shoulder and says 'you see I brought you through that situation so that you would be prepared/equipped for this greater one!' Everything has a meaning, just for some things the meaning is obvious/immediate and others it takes time to understand it.

Lastly, Valuable days! These days are my favor it (when they are over with ;)) These are days where God teaches us the most meaningful lessons that makes us who we are. Where God humbles His people, takes them down so low. In those low areas He walks us through and teaches us what we need to learn. Everyone goes through these, but I truly believe that it is the leadership who end up going through these days. Like King David, who was a shepherd. He was put down low with the sheep. He learned to how to properly handle his flock and protect them. He learned his greatest lesson when he was in the low area. Then, when it was Gods perfect timing, he raised him up to be King. When he rose he was already equipped for the task. The same applied with Moses. I'm sure we all know the story. He was put among the people and learned from them. He was hidden, but when it was God's perfect timing He raised him up and he led the Children of Israel out of Egypt.

I was thinking about 'days' today and wanted to share that each day is special. I hope that when we wake up we can thank God for what He will do and at the end thank Him for what He has brought us through.

God Bless

Today made history for me!

Today was a day that made history for me. I woke up and got ready for work. As the day rolled on I thought that tasks were getting accomplished and everyone was getting things done (of course there were a couple of side frustrations). At the end of my shift things took a dramatic turn.

This is the part that really made this day history for me. God opened my eyes to an area in my life that He wanted to deal with. It was extremely hard and painful to realize, but it sort of brought a joy in my heart. I want my Savior to look upon me and be pleasing in His eyes. What was revealed to me was, that I had a certain pride inside my heart that I did not think was bad. My eyes were opened to what others thought about me. My pride was feeding on the hurt of others.

Words are strong and powerful and I tend to underestimate that power. God does not take delight in hurtful words. I thought about it for the rest of the day and while I was reading Proverbs 15 God continually spoke to me. This proverb talks about the tongue.

Proverbs 15:1-7

"A soft answer turneth away wrath [anger]: but grievous [harsh] words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so."

As I began thinking about these verses and applying them to me, tears came down my face. I do not want to have a mouth that speaks foolish things. One doesn't want to keep things inside, but I realize I need to learn to take my thoughts, frustrations, and angers to God in prayer. Not to go around and spread these foolish words. That is how people make enemy's.

This is something that I have observed over the few years that I have been working. People tell you their opinions and one allows those opinion(s) to conform his mind. It changes ones thoughts and he doesn't stop to think and ask himself 'they may believe that, but do I?' A persons natural response to jump that step and say 'yes I believe that too?'. If only one would stop himself and think about (it with the right mind set). Not drawing to conclusions about one another when that person(s) is in the wrong state of mind. When the mind is full of anger it tend to make wrong opinions/conclusions about each the surrounding people.

Today made history for me and I hope that this is the first step to a change in my life. I want my lips to be pure and an example to all who hear me. I am constantly reminded that people see and hear what I do and I want them to see Christ in me. Me walking with Christ and not me dragging Christ in the dirt! So many lives depend on what I do and as a leader I want to get through this trial and help others when they get to this path.

Please realize that this is true! As Christians, we are to be Christ-like and we want that Christ-like image flowing out of us. So many lives depend on what we do, ask God for strength to continue on!

Amen

How Could I Ever Say Thank You

The Gift of Family

Some people are born into wonderful families.

Others have to find or create them.
Being a member of a family is a priceless membership
that we pay nothing for but love.


- Jim Stovall

The Gift of Friends

It is a wealthy person, indeed,

who calculates riches not in gold
but in friends.


- Jim Stovall

The Gift of Work

He who loves his work never labors.

- Jim Stovall

In the Beginning

A journey may be long or short, but it must start at the very spot one finds oneself.


- Jim Stovall

Armour

The Lord has promised
A land of good things 

I will press in

And they'll be mine

I'll have His power

I'll have His glory

And in His kingdom

I will shine

With the high praises 

Of God in my mouth

And a two-edged

sword In my hand

I will march right up

To the victor's side

Right into Canaan land

Put on your armor ye sons of Zion

Put on your armor and go to war

We'll win the battle

With great rejoicing

And praise His name forevermore

Ephesians 6:11-18


"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"

[King James Version]

要穿好上帝所賜給的全副武裝，以便抵擋魔鬼的詭計。 因為我們鬥爭的對象不是有血有肉的人，而是宇宙間執政和掌權的惡魔，操縱這世界的黑暗勢力，以及天界的邪靈 所以你們要穿上上帝所賜給的全副武裝，以便邪惡的日子來臨的時候，能夠抵擋仇敵，並且在獲得全勝之後，仍然屹立不動。 你們要用真理當皮帶束在腰間，用正直當護胸甲遮住胸膛， 用平安的福音當預備走路的鞋子穿在腳上，好好地站穩。此外，你們還要用信心當盾牌，抵擋、撲滅惡魔射來的帶著火焰的利箭；用救恩當頭盔，戴在頭上；用聖靈使你們想起的上帝的話語當寶劍，握在手裡；藉著聖靈隨時多方禱告、祈求。也要警醒，不停地為所有的信徒祈禱。

[Jian Ming Sheng Jing Version]

"Revestíos con toda la armadura de Dios para que podáis estar firmes contra las insidias del diablo. Porque nuestra lucha no es contra sangre y carne, sino contra principados, contra potestades, contra los poderes de este mundo de tinieblas, contra las huestes espirituales de maldad en las regiones celestiales. Por tanto, tomad toda la armadura de Dios, para que podáis resistir en el día malo, y habiéndolo hecho todo, estar firmes. Estad, pues, firmes, CEÑIDA VUESTRA CINTURA CON LA VERDAD, REVESTIDOS CON LA CORAZA DE LA JUSTICIA, y calzados LOS PIES CON EL APRESTO DEL EVANGELIO DE LA PAZ; en todo, tomando el escudo de la fe con el que podréis apagar todos los dardos encendidos del maligno. Tomad también el YELMO DE LA SALVACION, y la espada del Espíritu que es la palabra de Dios. Con toda oración y súplica orad en todo tiempo en el Espíritu, y así, velad con toda perseverancia y súplica por todos los santos;"

[La Biblia de las Americas Version]

 

要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。 因我们并不是与属血气的争战（原文作摔跤；下同），乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。 所以，要拿起神所赐的全副军装，好在磨难的日子抵挡仇敌，并且成就了一切，还能站立得住。 所以要站稳了，用真理当作带子束腰，用公义当作护心镜遮胸， 又用平安的福音当作预备走路的鞋穿在脚上。此外，又拿著信德当作藤牌，可以灭尽那恶者一切的火箭； 并戴上救恩的头盔，拿著圣灵的宝剑，就是神的道； 靠著圣灵，随时多方祷告祈求；并要在此警醒不倦，为众圣徒祈求，

[Chinese Union Simplified Version]

Beauty of Brokenness

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Phillipians 2:14-16

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life . . .”

凡所行的，都不要发怨言，起争论， 使你们无可指摘，诚实无伪，在这弯曲悖谬的世代作神无瑕疵的儿女。你们显在这世代中，好像明光照耀， 将生命的道表明出来，叫我在基督的日子好夸我没有空跑，也没有徒劳。

Quotes about life to inspire and to uplift your soul. Inspirational quotes. Thoughts about God

Quotes about life to inspire and to uplift your soul. Inspirational quotes. Thoughts about God:

HEART

The best and most beautiful things in this world
cannot be seen or even heard,
but must be felt with the heart.




- Helen Keller"

Burning Desire in me Right Now!

Right now am life goes by: day by day, hour by hour this desire keeps burning deep and strongly inside of me. I want to hear His voice, to see His face! To look upon that face, even if what He may say to me might hurt, I want to hear Him. I want to be beautiful in His when I see Him at the end! It burns harder and harder in me. I want to see those near pierced hands, that face of love, joy, peace, etc., those feet. I hope to write one day that I heard His voice/I has Him.

First shift...here I am

Today is the first day of me on first shift. I must say it was greater then I thought, but of course I have no doubt that it was Gods will. His grace was most definitely there and sufficient for me. I will say this transition was hard for me, but you know what obedience has become so real to me. It is important and we all take it for granted. Sacrifices were involved in this transition, but once again it was God's will and I obey it. I am trusting God right now, but I hope that one day the understanding will come.

God always holds me near! I know He will not lead me to this path and leave me. Whether you believe it or have experienced it, it's true. God wants to hold you near to Him, protect you, lead you, guide you. We must trust and obey Him!

Short letter from God

You're my beloved and I love you. Take delight in doing my will (Psalm 40:8). I want you to enter into the Holy of Holies. Draw nearer to me and I shall draw nearer to you (James 4:8). I love you, you are my beloved and I will never leave you nor forsake you. I have given to you an Armour, use it to defeat the enemy. I told you there will be lies and many shall believe them. Learn to use the Armour and find delight in fulfilling my will for you. I shall comfort you when you become overwhelmed (Isaiah 66:13), but please I ask that you love my word and know my voice (John 10:27). Be careful of the opinions you make especially when you are in trials. I love you and have a plan for you, not to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11). Please do not believe that I want to harm you! You are my creation, created in my image (Genesis 1:27).



I love you!

Psalm 40:8

"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."

As Christians, do we always delight to do God's will? Where we are in life: work, house, etc...do you take delight in doing it? God's will is purposeful and we as Christians must make sure that we fulfill that will!

God knows our strengths and weaknesses and He wants to strengthen our strengths and cause our weaknesses to disappear. God has a plan for our life and so many lives depend on us following that plan to the end. Think of it in the battle realm, God has ordained you to a certain post and you must stay there! If you are not there standing your ground  then that leaves a breach for the enemy to come in and the walls will come down. The enemy likes to speak lies to us which is why we must know our Shepherds voice. The enemy speaks words like, "why are you here?" "you can be somewhere else making more money?" "why don't you just run away?" and he tries to get us to leave our post. Take delight to do God's will...if you don't then tell God. "Lord is this your will? if it is then cause me to take delight in it!" If you know that you are doing God's will, then use your shield of faith and when the enemy comes in to speak poison into your mind put that shield up and say "No, I won't listen to you for I know that this is what God said and what He wants me to do right now!"

That was Eves folly...she listened, she did not put her shield of faith up, but she listened to the voice of lies! We have an Armour that is of God and we must use it!

"I delight to do thy will..." if you don't take delight in doing God's will then don't ignore, but take it to God in prayer! He does not ignore you...He sees you are struggling, but He wants you to draw nearer to you. James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..."

I say it again, if you aren't taking delight in doing God's will, then Please don't just ignore it! Seek out why you aren't finding delight!

Gods way...Trust and Obey

You wanna know something that God has been speaking to me lately? Well I'll tell ya.

His way's aren't always understandable to the mortal eyes, but you know what if you are a Christian you must trust and obey. Know that the understanding will come later. It is hard, trust me I know because God is putting me through this trial. I am trusting in Him even though there is humiliation and change in my life that is difficult right now, but I am trusting Him and being careful of the opinions I make. I don't really understand right now, but I am walking the path and obeying my Heaven and earthly Father and one day I am sure God will give me the understanding of why He put me through this trial.

So, my word of encouragement for you is that if you believe in the Lord and you are going through trial after trial that is extremely difficult and/or humiliating plus you don't quite understand. Trust and obey! God doesn't try to confess us and laugh at us because we don't understand; He wants us to understand and if we continue to press in...one day understand still come!

Witness For the Word: Leah Joy writes her first song...

Witness For the Word: Leah Joy writes her first song...: "When we were returning from Niagara Falls on Elizabeth's 21st birhtday; Liz was driving, I was chattering away with her in the front and Lea..."

You are the one that we praise!
You are the one we adore!
You give us healing and grace our
hearts always hunger for!

Father of Lies

Satan is the Father of lies. What makes him so good at lieing? At convincing others so easily of his lies? It is because he knows the truth and he believes that the promises of God are true. He tries to come in and twist the truth around say some of the truth, but add some lies to it to lead us astray. He believes very much in the promises that God gives to us, even more then the believers themself. Satan wants to come in and hinder these promises.

In the end times the father of lies will speak and people, even believers, will believe these lies. This puts a fear in me because I do not want to be that fool. This father of lies is doing his work even now. He speaks lies to us that will convince us and then as humans we do the self destruction. He whispers something false to us and once we dwell upon in and start to believe it, then he lets go and we shut down.

God comes and speaks to us and then Satan comes in and tells us lies. 'Did God really say that?', 'Why would God need you to fulfill tha?' and we #1 listen, #2 dwell among it, #3 then we begin to believe it! In Proverbs 4:15 that you should: 'Avoid it!!, Pass not by it!!!, Turn from it!!!, and Pass away!!! This was Eves problem. She hear the serpant, but she did not avoid him, she listened and when she heard the lies she did not turn from it, but she continued to listen until she believed those lies. She saw the tree and it became good in her sight and she took the fruit and she ate of it.

It is important, especially in a time like this, to obey Proverbs 4:15! To put yourself under stable authority and to listen and obey that authority(s)! It will do you know good if you do not obey! [also, you must seek God for that authority! you cannot just pick the authority because you will pick someone in whom you know will tell you what you want to hear and do!]

Avoid it, Pass not by it, Turn from it, and pass away!

Never Under Estimate the Power of your Actions!

A quote that God continually spoke to me my senior year was this, "Never under estimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can chang a person's life. No matterwho that person may be, God puts us all in each other's lives to IMPACT one another in some way. Actions speak way louder then words."

This message has been proven to be so true. People at my work know that I am a Christian and they see my actions. Now sometimes it is hard because people think Christians show be a list of things, but it isn't that way. If you are a born again Christian; then you strive to make sure that GOD screams out of everything you do. My senior year is over, thank God, and you know this quote was really hard for me. Every day wasn't a new joy, but a continuance of yesterdays drama and frustration. People wouldn' forgive and forget. They would hold on and which really tries the attitude of those who have forgiven and are trying to forget.

People see us (Christians) and you know what it's true. So many lives depend on what we do, upon us fulfilling the Call God has upon our life! Which is always why we must be continually crying out to God for continual patience and strength. Ask Him to put a song in your heart or if you don't like to hear yourself sing ask Him to put a message or a prayer in your heart. 'When you're about to give up, remember what made you hold on for so long' in other words, when you feel like you have no more strength remember the source of all your strength(s) in the past an cry out to Him! He will never leave you nor forsake you so don't leave Him. Don't allow yourself to listen to the Father of lies because guess what GOD CARES! He always has and He will continue to do so! He loves you!

So remember that your actions are being watched, the heavens are recording them. Do not underestimate the power your actions possess!

Your Creator

Remember your Creator! Put Him first!!!

Read Gods Word...it is important in your walk with God. Of course it isn't good enough to be able to quote scripture, but God did give it to us to bring comfort, to continually come back to the True source of truth and walk in it! Also, (Jeremiah 4:4) By the knife [sword of the Word] can we have the old nature cut away. If we live in Christ we must have a death to the "old man" [old nature/habits] and bring life to the "new man". We feed life to the "new man" by reading His word and walking in the light! We feed the "old nature" by allowing the life in the "new man" to die away and also through continual disobedience. DON'T ALLOW IT!

He created the Heavens and the earth and He wants us to enter into the fullest that He has ordained for us! God gave us His word and we should use it! Know your creator, love your creator, and walk with Him all the days of your Life! When you are suffering He understands because He suffered for more then us. Know that through that suffering the end will be worth it all.  The beginning does not matter, the middle does not matter, the end does! Make it right with God...HE is merciful and wants to see us make it! Remember your Creator! Put Him first!

Heart

Time hardens your heart and it is so very important to seek the Lord when you are young! Life hardens your heart unless you have Christ in you and you are allowing Him to continually melt/mold your heart!

Obedience

Obedience is something that we are always learning!

Second time in San Jose/Shirjoles Costa Rica 2009

Well this second time around most of the team members are the same. We are talked and agreed that traveling down to Costa Rica felt like it was a continuation of the year before. This feeling was so real...it felt like we went to America for a week vacation and now we're returning to finish our work. Praise the Lord for giving us that attitude. Our team name this year is "The Servants of Christ" and not to boast, but I believe we all came with a servants heart. We were all determined to finish the work in which we start the year before. We, for the most part, did accomplish everything. Again, Praise the Lord!

It was great to see God touching the new people (in the church and on the team). It did bring some sorrow to our hearts when we quickly realized who all became offended or bitter and left the church. Seeing God minister to them and bring their siblings to Christ and then returning and see that they didn't really receive the message. Always brings sorrow to ones heart.


I went house visiting the second day and that was very nice. We went to a ladys house and her daughter was there, she was about my age. God put that girl on my heart and I think about her often. I really felt that as she was sharing with us some of her struggles that God wanted to steep his comfort over her. To help her through these things and that she needed to put her trust in Him and rejoice. I pray God really touches her heart in a way that catches her eyes and that they may be fixed upon Him!


Again, the last three or four days we stayed in the city and had our fun as a team. Last year we did not have the time to walk around the city and shop, but this year we did :) We didn't get to go deep into the city because it was dark and that's not the greatest time to see the city or shop. So we waited and went shopping the next day. I must say that this year was better then last year, hotel wise. Last year our reservations were mysteriously erased and the hotel lied and said that there were no more rooms, but there were and he eventually gave them to us. We ordered Dominos pizza and that was nice, but this year. WOW :) now we actually had our rooms and they were NICE :) and we at upstairs on the absolute top. It had glass windows all around so we had the most beautiful view of the city and the food was fantastic!


Back tracking I forgot that both last year and this year we stayed in another hotel prior to this one. It was exotic and I really liked it. The second year they had made some changes and it was still exotic and better looking :) The second time all the girls and women were able to stay in a house, which I really liked that too :) Which brings to my memory that while we were in the jungle the guys decided to put frogs in the girls cabin...which none of us knew about until the next day because one of the girls woke up and saw them and removed them from our room before anyone woke up. heheh
This year was wonderful and I am sad to think that it might be a while before I will go back :(

First time to Costa Rica...First time out of the Country 2008

The first time out of the Country (besides Canada). It is pretty wild, but i'm liking it. I was used by God to help the Sharp Family. I was put out of my comfort zone, which all need to be once in awhile, and it really opened my eyes. People always tell you things and you don't really believe them because we have it so good, everyone else should be having it 'so good'. It was wonderful to minister to the people there and help the Sharps out. We were able to live our lives there and show the people down there that there are people who have the same vision as Pastor Curtis and Sister Cathy.


It was wonderful to see new senary as well. I love the jungle areas and it was quite a treat to be able to stay in the jungle for a week. While we were there we helped make improvements on the Sharps house and some odd jobs on the other buildings on campus. The ladys were able to go house visiting for the first three or four days and that was a joy to go around the village and visit the people on a one on one basis. It was rough the first time because we all are new and haven't quite jumped into the 'i'm in a different country' mode. The next couple of days we helped out with VBS and that was also a blast and a step out of my comfort zone. Here we are ministering to the youth who don't really understand nor speak our language, but we are allowing God to still use us. That was such a blast and a wonderful experience. I believe it helped those who are called to another land to get a sneak peak at what might be one day what they will be doing for the Lord. Who knows?


After the week was up we packed our bags and headed into the city. We still have two or three days left and so we have a blast as a team :) We go zip lining over a jungle and river, boating and see Costa Rica crocs, water rafting, and a couple other things. It was such a blast as a team. We had some time to relax in the hotel and talk amongst each other about what the Lord spoke to us during that week in the jungle. It was wonderful that our team was able to work with such unity and no complaints :) God is so Good and I hope that this will be the first of many more missions trips!

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Clouds...does anyone take time out of their EXTREMELY busy day and just look up/out at the sky? God has blessed us SO much and yet we do not even take the time to look at what is FREE! The sky, the grass, the water, and the seasons smells all so wonderful and free and yet we ignore it.

Which brings me to a saying that recently has spoken to me. "If one is not content/satisified with what they already have; then they shall not be content/satisfied with what they want!" We have SO much and yet we don't seem to widen our thoughts of gratitude towards it. We have green grass, clean water, beautiful sky, and fresh air and yet we take it forgranted. We don't widen our mind: there are places on earth without grass, clean water is a rarity, and the sky which may be empty or contantly full of raining clouds. What God has blessed us we, we seem to push aside. We seek for something "greater" and yet we blind ourself to the reality. The reality of it will only last a time, as year past things become upgraded. It catches your eye and makes you want it.

People say they need to try things just so they can say that they tried it, but this is very dangerous! Yes, I do think that people should try things, but to an extent!!!! People try dangerous things like drugs or clubs and they walk right into a snare and they find they cannot get out of it. Some things are better left a mystery in our eyes! Satan (god of the world) makes his temptations sound so glorious, but he only shows you one side! He does not show the ending the results. Commercials advertise beer and shows the glorys, but not the ending...waking up with a horrible headache, the addiction, or the waking up in your own vomit. Things are temporary and I think we need must think about if it is worth it?

In conclusion to my thoughts, we have become a fast paise world and we should stop and take time to realize if what we are investing in and if it is worth it?

Something I learned by traveling a lot

You know it isn't until one leaves their country and returns that they realize how their people treat each other. I have been leaving traveling out of the country for about three years and every time I return I find myself being ashamed of the people who call themselves Americans.

We have been stuck in turbo mode and no one seems to take the time to care for someone besides themself! It sickens me when I go to ask for help and I get rude replies. No one even looks the other person in the eye as they pass by, nor say hello. Why is this???? Well I can tell you why. It's because of a stupid little device that is meant for good, but is OVERUSED!!! The cellphone!

Everywhere you go in America the number one thing you will find is cellphones. It sickens me when I see six year old kids with $80 cellphones. What ever happened to earning responsibility? Parents just give to their kids whatever they want...maybe if the parents took their kids phones and internet privileges and cut it in half they might see a difference in their kids.

What ever happened to kids playing out of the streets? or Adventure? Technology is a great thing, but people are over using it and now it is making us forget what really matters. People date and break up online, people do discusting things on their phones/internet. Do you really know what is going on? I'm thinking you don't know. This generation has learned deception and mastered too well.

I don't know who may read this blog nor what you think, but I am absolutely discussed and I pray that God will do a MIGHTY work in America...open our eyes to what generation after generation closed theirs to!

Dumbfounded right now

The title of my blog is exactly how I feel right now. My mind is running through all the things I would love to share and yet my fingers cannot keep up 8'D Well, I guess it would be best to start from the beginning.


I already shared with you all that I went on a mission trip to Guatemala and how God use me to minister there. The day before departure God gave me a word through the man who allowed us to speak at the orphanage. God spoke that a great anointing would flow upon me in a way I've ever felt before. This brought me to tears because the presence of God was so strong at that orphanage. I asked God to bring it to our Church in Pennsylvania. I am believing that God will do that and more. He is wonderful that way :)


Traveling back home I sat next to an elderly lady and we talked. The feeling of sharing Gods work in my life with her was beyond breathtaking.


This one is small, but yet it gave me a chuckly because God does have a sense of humor :) I was standing in line, at the airport, getting ready to order some Chinese food. O wanted it to go so I could it in my gate area. I listened to the lay who was orderingbefore me and it was funny the woman who was servig her asked er f it was for here or to go. Just as Iwas wondering if they had to go boxes God was able to answer that question. I'm not sure how many of you will get a kick out of that one, but you know whenyou are returning to America there isn't much time to laught! -_-


I seek to Glorify my Lord in the big and especially the little. As you praise Him in the little, it will give you a strength that is necessary!

This is Mickey Mae saying, 'Peace out!'
8^)

Being used on the Mission Field

I believe in a God who is so immacluate! I went on a missions trip to Guatemala for ten days with my father. God used me in ways I never thought would happen. I knew they could happen, but did not expect it to happen and in such a way. He has given me multiple opportunities to speak. I tell you what, if you have never gone on a mission trip. Pray about it and ask God if He would have you to go!!!!

A note for all who believe in God...if you are limiting God STOP IT!!!! It isn´t a secret...whenever you start ANYTHING new and out of your box that is called BEING STRETCHED and you know what it is scarey in the beginning, but as you continue on IT IS SO AMAZING. So I want to encourage you...if you are hearing God and He is asking/commanding you to do something, then DO IT!!!! There is Grace for everything. So STOP limiting Him and step out of your box.
I have gone, two years in a row, to Costa Rica with my church team. That was amazing too! As a team we were able to help out the missionaries in ways we didn´t even realize. We were able to show to the people who attend the Bible School or go to the church that there are people all around the world with the same vision and desires.

Back to Guatemala, we arrived late Friday night. Saturday afternoon God gave me the opportunity to share with the youth. It was really nice to be able to share with them, but I have observed that it seems harder to speak to the youth. You have a message and you want to make sure that they are understanding the importance of it, but they don´t show anything. So, even though it was difficult not knowing if they even received the message, I was happy that God used me. :-)

Throughout the week I spoke at a ladys breakfast and God really seemed to speak to them. I had two of the ladys ask me for my notes and another woman said that she could see Gods annointing flowing out of me. Praise the Lord for that! At the end of the week we went to the Molina´s Orphanage. That was an experience I hope to never forget. The worship was so amazing <3 One of the prophecys was to ask for more of His presences. That stopped me dead in my tracks because the presences of God was strong then I think I have ever known and for Him to say "Ask for more" that is amazing.

My time in Guatemala was beyond words! I have told you only a portion and I know that God has done something to me and I hope that He will continue to do His work in me!!!!

Desires

Strongs: Of uncertain derivation; to ask (in generally): - ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.

Encarta: Wish for something, request something, craving, something wished for.

We are creatures of desires. Mankind does good or he does evil based largely on his desires

1.) Why should we be careful with our desires?

           a. Yes, it is so easy for us to feed our desires, and whatever we desire will take us

                down certain roads.

                      i. If we desire for things of the world then we will go down that road, but if we feed
                          desires of God then we will walk down the Godly road.

           b. As humans it is part of our nature to sometimes dwell upon things. Satan finds those

                people who beat themselves up and so he tempts them and then they begin to beat
                themselves up for it and they dwell upon it and get themselves into a knot. We must go
               back to the beginning and realize he was the one who tempted us, but we dwelled
               upon it.

                      i. God is not a condemning God as Pastor Frank said last week. He wants us to
                             stand up and brush the dust off and move on. Live and learn!

            “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”

                      - Proverbs 4:14-15

                   i. Avoid it: intentionally stay away from evil

                   ii. Pass not by it: plan to take a different route

                   iii. Turn from it: when you see it, turn away
                         (“thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil”)

                   iv. Pass away: let it always be behind you, in other words put distance
                            between you and it.

In other words, it all begins in the mind (the gates for the mind)

      "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, or of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

                   -Phillipines 4:8  

Who/what should our desires be focused around? Why?

         a. The “who” is God! If we plan to hit the high mark of the high calling we must look to
                the one who hit that mark. Have the desire to be like Him and to please Him.

                     i. When you see two children playing together generally they have fun when the like
                           to do the same thing. When we have a relationship with God we must make
                           sure that we like to do the same things as Him. We are following Him, He is
                           the leader, and so we must make sure that we are

          b. What? This discipline takes sanctification of spirit which comes from meeting with God
                     through

                    i. Prayer: strong crying

         "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayerse and supplications with strong

crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;"

                           - Hebrews 5:7

                     ii. Study of God’s Word: By the washing of water by the Word (Eph 5.) You are
                           clean by the Word I have spoken (John.) By the renewing of the mind
                           (Rom 12:2, Titus 3:5, and Isaiah Butter and honey-chose good refuse evil.)

                     iii. Actions:

                     iv. Mortification: of the flesh

                              "Mortify therefore your members which ae upon the earth; fornication,
                                  uncleanness, inordinate, affection, evil concupiscence, and
                                 covetousness, which is idolatry:" 

                          - Colossians 3:5

                     v. Sanctification: from the world

                              "And be not conformed to this orld: but be ye transformed by the
                                    renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
                                    and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

                          - Romans 12:2 (Jesus prayer)

                     vi. Putting on the Armour: standing against the devil

                              "Put on the whole armour of Gd, that ye may be able to stand against the
                                 wiles of the devil...Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
                                 that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
                                  to stand."

                          - Ephesians 6:11,13

                     vii. Deliverance: sometimes the things one suffers, a particular weakness or an
                             area that cannot be overcome, are because of a curse handed down
                             generationally (this is more common than you might think!)

When does one know that their desires are now sins?

          - When the enemy (Satan) temps us with desires (ex. Sex, disobedience, relationships,
                   etc...) we must try our hardest to put them to death. In the Bill Wise
                    “3o minutes in Hell” he tells us how the that the strength of the enemy is
                    1000 times stronger than us. Sometimes we take those desire and try to kill
                   them our self, but we need to realize that we only have the power to
                   decide and give not destroy. God is the only one powerful enough to defeat
                   the enemy and we must give it to Him.

What should one do with their desires?

          - We have a certain knowledge of what are good and what are bad desires.

       When we know we have bad desires we must be careful and quick to get rid of them because if we dwell and feed upon them then it becomes a sin.

§ Bad desires:

* Anger (a strong feeling of grievance and displeasure)

* Disobedience (refusal to abide by the rules/laws)

* Idolatry (excessive admiration or love shown for somebody or something)

* Covetousness (long for somebody else’s property)

* Fornication (consenting sex involving somebody unmarried)

* Uncleanness (unchaste, religiously or ritually impure)

* Inordinate affection (excessive/unrestrained feelings)

* Evil concupiscence (wrong/bad lust or strong desire)

Why should our desires for God be strong?

       Eve in the garden: Her desires were tried. When she was tempted to eat from the forbidden tree her desires were tried. She listened and as she listened her desire for power was planted and watered and she gave into it.

       Eve had an evil concupiscence for that greater power, and she did not put to death that desire she fed it. That I believe is one of our generational curses. What we are given does not really matter, but more of what we do with it! We are given curses do we put them to death and receive something greater, or will we keep them and pass them on stronger?