"You adversary is real"

The devil is real and he is constantly trying to steal, kill, and destroy everything in the life of Christians (John 10:10). When do not give in to his attacks out right he uses deception to creep in and attack us. He tells us lies that are close enough to the truth that we believe it and start to stray away from the truth. He destroys our fellowship with other believers by reminding of us their past, present, and possible future offenses which causes arguments and stirs up strife. He is the root cause of every source of evil there is. He condemns when we fall and tells us that we are horrible people, we lose all hope, and think God can't love or use someone like me. He tries to scar us away when we are close to doing, accomplishing or getting what Has for us through thoughts of doubt, reminders of past failures, and throwing obstacles in our way. 

BUT if we spend time in the Word and remain faithful in prayer we will be sensitive to God's Spirit and have enough discernment to see through his schemes and recognize when it is spiritual warfare. We will be able to spot heresy when we hear it as opposed to believing it. We will walk with grace toward one another, forgiving one another, and reconciling with one another after an offense has accrued. Instead of falling into condemnations when we sin we will be convicted of our sin and turn away from as opposed to wallowing in it. Instead of being scared of the obstacles that stands in our way, we will see the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) but we will not fear because we know that the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) protects us and we can boldly go forward and do what God has called us to do.

Recognize the enemy for who he is and who he is not, but also recognize God for who He truly is. Because of Christ we are not defeated, destroyed, or in despair (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) . Because of Christ we have true life (John 10:10), we have peace (John 14:27), and we have JOY (Jon 17:13)! but you will not know these things if you do not spend time reading and applying God's Word to your life (Psalm 119:15) as well as spending more time listening to God through prayer as opposed to dominating the conversation, be still and let him search your heart so you can grow (Psalms 139:23) Spending time with the Lord brings about a great results but neglecting to do so bring about unwanted consequences.

"In His JOY!"

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When we refuse to wait on God we become desperate for relief (desperate people do desperate things and always get poor results) But when we put our trust in God and wait on Him, He orders our steps and gives us the strength to endure while we wait. And the Lord never disappoints those who wait on Him.
Isaiah 40:28-31, Habakkuk 2:3, Psalms 27:14, 37:7-9,34

"In His JOY!"

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"Kids will have questions, Will you have answers?"

The Word tells us in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." As parents we are responsible o teach our children the ways of the Lord and to live a life the pleases Him (Deuteronomy 6:7). Essentially we are making disciples for Christ in our families(Matthew 28:18-20). The hope is our children will grow in the ways of the Lord.

After reading this scripture and understanding that if I train my child correctly they will learn the ways of Christ and bring honor to His Name. But as of late this scripture has made think of how I am living my life, if I train my child to follow Christ when they come of age and understand His Word better will my life match God's Word or will I look like a hypocrite to them?

If I teach and train my child to act in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control am I living that life. Or am I opposed to live a life to please Jesus because the word like sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies are a better description of who I am. I am an example of what it means to follow God's Spirit or am I an example of what it means to follow the devil (Galatians 5:16-26).

These are real life questions that as parents we will have to answer when the time comes. I am not preaching perfection but I am preaching transforming our ways under the Grace of God and by the Strength of His Spirit (Romans 12:2). We can easily dismiss this or pawn it off or we can act as responsible parents and live a life the pleases Jesus in every circumstance and every situation.

When your son asks you "Daddy how did you deal with lust? Did you fight against it or did you give in and say "I am just a man?" Or when your daughter ask, "Mommy how did you submit to you Daddy as the Word tells wives to, did you let him be the spiritual leader, did you encourage him, respect him, or did you stifle his leadership?" When kids asks, "How come you and Uncle Mike don't talk any more, why do you always mock people at church, why Daddy...Why Mommy?" Listen the list can go on and on but if we are truly training our children to follow Jesus we will have answer these tough questions and we can either try to justify our actions or we can humbly admit we wanted to gratify our selfishness as opposed to living for Jesus.

I am not saying we all go back to our parents to question them but I am saying if we call ourselves Christians and we are teaching our children the ways of the Lord, we must look at our own lives in every situation and ask "Our my actions/reactions pleasing to Jesus." Instead of trying to prove our actions as acceptable let's live like people who are dead to sin and alive to Christ (Romans 6:11).

I challenge you as a parent to live a life that reflects Christ and not a life the reflects your opinions because your kids are watching. Stay focused, you can do this!

"In His JOY!"

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http://consumedbyjoy.blogspot.com/

"Pray about it"

We pray in all circumstances, situations, and decisions. God does not want us to act as people filled with worry, fret, and fear over the impending decisions of life. When we worry we take the focus off God and place it on ourselves. Because we fear that we will make the wrong decision, the situation will turn out horrible, or the circumstance will take a turn for the worse. But prayer places our trust back in the hands of God knowing the whatever the outcome of the circumstance, situation, or decision God will receive the glory. 

We pray before we do anything because we are not seeking to do our will but seeking the Will of the Father (Matthew 6:10). Every decision should start with prayer because we are waiting for God's Spirit to give us guidance on what we are to do. He will direct us on how to handle a particular situation in a way that will bring God Glory. He will keep us content in Christ regardless of our current circumstances.

Prayer should lead us to give thanks to the Lord for His Goodness, Kindness, and Mercy towards us. Thanksgiving acknowledges that regardless of the outcome our God will get the glory. Thanksgiving replaces our complaints with praise and changes our despair to hope.

When we go to the Lord in prayer and give Him the praise we are overcome with an unshakable peace. God's Peace captivates our hearts and causes our worries to end. Even if our circumstances have not changed, our situation continues to persists, and we still do not know what to do God's Peace is His Spirit giving us the assurance that we are not forgotten or forsaken. But if do not go to Lord in prayer we will never experience His unfathomable peace. So whatever decision you must make, whatever your circumstance are, and whatever situation you are in take to the Lord in prayer and give Him the praise.

Philippians 4:6-7


"In His JOY!"

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"Loser's Always Win"

We have to be willing to lose all things for the sake of Christ instead of holding on to them for the sake of ourselves. There should be nothing that we are not willing to lose for the sake of Christ. We try so desperately to hold on to to people, places, and things for our sake that we can are unable to receive the blessings that God has in-store for us when we walk in obedience to His Word.

We hold onto the bitterness of a ruined relationship for our sake but if we let go for the sake of Christ we will see how Christ can restore what was lost (Luke 15:11-32). We hold on to a toxic relationship (because we love how it makes us feel) for our sake but if we let it go for the sake a Christ He will fill the void with a relationship that brings Him glory for our good(Proverbs 27:17, Hebrews 10:24-25). We hold on to the guilt of past failures for our sake but if we let it go for Christ sake we will find that as Christians we walk in freedom and not condemnation (Romans 8:1-2). We hold on to the lies of the world keep us in bondage but if we let it go for Christ sake we will experience freedom (John 8:31-32). We hold on to worry and fear but if we let go for Christ sake we will enjoy His Peace in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:6-7). We hold onto our wisdom or the advice of others (which leads to our shame) for our sake but if we let go for Christ sake we will find that His Wisdom always leads to His Glory (Proverbs 3:5-8, James 1:8-5). We hold on to the pain a trial brings for our sake but if we let go for the sake of Christ we will learn to count it all JOY! and see how God is building us up and not tearing us apart (James 1:1-4). We hold on to a 10 year feud for our sake but if we are willing to let go for the sake of Christ we will find that there is more victory in mercy then there is in vindication (Romans 12:17-21). We hold onto trying to find an intimate relationship for our sake but if we are willing to let go for the sake of Christ, He will show us why He is the Ultimate Matchmaker (Proverbs 18:22, 19:14). We hold onto the "American Dream" for our sake but if we are willing to let go for the sake of Christ we find that "God's Dream" satisfies completely (Matthew 6:19-34).

The longer we hold on to our life the longer the more of it we lose. But when we let go of our lives and give Christ complete autonomy to do as He Wills in our lives we will find out that Christians losers always win because God completely satisfies. Stay focused you can do this!

Matthew 16:24-26

"In His JOY!"

Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable.

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"You TOOL!"

Some of us are waiting for our "season" or our "breakthrough" but consider this, you could be the tool God wants to use to give someone else a "breakthrough" in their lives. Instead of looking to where you want God to take you ask God how He can use you to get some else to where they need to be. Be a "tool" in God Hands.
#Itsnotallaboutyou #blessed2bless

Jeremiah 29:7, Philippians 2:4
"In His JOY!"

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"Ballad of a Stingy Christian"

The more and more I try to hold on the more I lose my grip. The more I try to hold on the more strength I lose and the more rest escapes. The tighter I hold on, the more I compromise to strengthen my grip. The more I tell myself "If you let go of this thing it will fall apart, no one will be able to fix it!" the more I watch it fall apart. Tears burst out my eyes like a failed damn, my sanity leaves me, sweat pours over me like a shower because I am losing my grip. I cry out to God,"How can you let this happen don't you see what's going on!? My world is shredding at the seams. Why won't you help?". God simply replies,"Let go, I can handle it". I yell,"No you can't, only I can. Only I can fix this broken family, only I can save this horrid world, only I can heal the pain I feel, end the addictions I face, and save the marriage that's lost." God says,"Any solution you find will only be temporary. You are here on this Earth for a moment and then you disappear like the snow of winters past, gone and soon to be replaced by another. The more you try to save it the more you will lose it. But I AM, the Eternal One, First and Last, Beginning and End. There is none like me nor will there ever be. What I decree will stand forever. What I build will never fall. I do not weaken or falter in strength. But as long as you hold on to it the more of it you will lose. But when you give it to me I will never lose it. Do you trust me?" I said, "Yes I do, but...." God stopped me and said,"No buts, if you desire to save your life you will lose it but if you're willing to lose it for my sake and give me control you will find something far better. You will find My JOY, My Peace, My Gift of Life, My Comfort, and My Strength. I will give you all of this in place of what you lose.". I said, "Lord how much of my life do you want?" The Lord said,"I want it all! I want your worry over your marriage, your future fears for your children, your plans, your money woes, your will, your addictions and hang ups, I want all of you, let me have it all." I relented and said,"Take it Lord, take all of me and leave only you!" As I let go of my grip my tears were replaced with His JOY! My agony was overcome by His Unfathomable Peace, My weakened body was renewed with His Strength. My worries were replaced by trust in Him. My focus shifted from my problems to His Will. The person who I was no longer existed, I was made new. I saw as He saw, I loved as He loved, and all I wanted was to please Him. I wondered what took me so long to let go. Why did waste so much time? But I understood, my stingy pride lies to me. It beckons me to never let go because when I humble myself to God I kill my pride. I can see my pride for the liar it is and I now see how my adversary has used it against me. Now I know that fight I my must face daily. But this is I fight I will win through humility because I choose to lose my life knowing God has already won mine!
Matthew 16:24-25, 1 Peter 5:6-11, Isaiah 40:28-31, 61:1-3

"In His JOY!"

Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be accountable.

http://consumedbyjoy.blogspot.com/