Look Up for the Battle is Truly the Lord's

I've always heard "God gives His hardest battles to His strongest warriors".  I believe that is true.  I'm sure that some of those warriors would not agree.  In fact I don't think those warriors felt like they were strong at all.

Let me back up and explain something first, actually a couple of things:

#1  Not every battle we face is because of God or because of our faith.  We bring some of our battles on ourselves.  i.e. bad choices, bad company, rebellion, neglect are just a few of the things that can get us into trouble.

#2  Our sole purpose on this earth is not to grow rich, grow famous, get married, have kids, have a career, etc.  Whatever prosperity we have is solely blessings from God, not what we deserve.  Our purpose is to bring honor and glory to God, our creator.
Shock!!!...  Do they tell you that in church.  Probably not.  Modern day churches preach as if God owes us something, when in fact it is just the opposite. We owe God EVERYTHING, literally.

Let's take a look back in history at some of God's warriors.  (These aren't in any particular order or if they happen to be it is purely accidental.  I am just listing them as they come to mind.)  

First, Job, he was a man dearly loved by God.  Did he do anything to cause the battles he endured?  One thing, he loved God.  He believed God.  His battles drew him even closer to God.  No matter what happened, he would not turn on God.  In fact, he said in Job 19:25-26, "As for me, I know my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on this earth.  Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God."

Can you imagine?  Job lost his children, all his livestock, his home, everything dear to him.  He had boils covering his body and yet HE DID NOT DENY GOD.
People tried to get him to admit he had done something to cause the curses that came on him.  They thought surely he had to have done something.  Job knew he hadn't but he knew God and he believed God.  He was a warrior, chosen by God.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace, DID NOT DOUBT GOD.  They told the king even if God did not save them, He was still God and they would not bow to another.    Daniel 3:16-18, 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18“But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

God's only son, Jesus, chosen by God Himself to be the one to die on the cross for us.  

Every instance of every warrior, their faith did not waiver.  When little David went up against the giant Goliath, he trusted God.  When Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, he trusted God.

That is why God gives His toughest battles to His strongest warriors because through the battle their faith remains.  There may be  lapses of weakness but their faith does not waiver.

The war is not against death, infirmities, cancer, aids, autism, etc.  The war is against the powers of darkness that would separate us from God if they could.   To name a few: the parents who have lost a child to sickness, disease or accident, keeping the faith that God will reunite them someday.  The person who has fought cancer or has a family member or loved one that fought or is fighting cancer, keeping the faith that if not cured in this life, they will be cured in eternity.  The person who stares down the barrel of a gun being told to deny God, that says, I will not deny my God even in the face of death.  The missionaries over seas who are killed, beheaded etc for their faith in God.   I doubt any of these warriors would tell you they were strong.  I am sure most of them would have said they could never make it through something like that.  But they have.  How do they fight?  What keeps them going?  God.  Their faith in God, their insistence that God will get the glory regardless, their belief that no matter what happens,  God is still God.

The next time you face a battle, remember that even when things are hardest God is right there with you.  

Philipians 4:13 says, " 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Not some things, but all things.  God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  

I wish I could say the battles would be easy but if they were we wouldn't lean so much on God and we would lean too much on ourselves.  What I can say, with certainty, is that God will never leave you or forsake you.  God does not lie, what He says in His word He means.

Ending with this:  Ephesians 6:10-17, " 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

How did they all fight those battles, look up!

God bless.

Right Where You Left Him

Do you ever get surprised when you look at something you work with (maybe something you really love), and find out you haven't touched it in weeks, months or maybe a year or years?  I do this all the time and I just did it again with my blog.  I realized it's been almost a year since I've written anything (here).  I still write, just hasn't been a blog.  A comment here, a status there, etc.  You get the drift?  As usual when I get to pondering I relate my musings to my walk with God.
Do you find yourself doing God the same way?  You talk to Him constantly, read your Bible, pray faithfully and then it seems like all of a sudden you realize you haven't prayed in a while, you haven't read your Bible in a while.  When was the last time?  Surely it was yesterday?  No, not yesterday I was gone all day yesterday.  Maybe it was Saturday?  No not Saturday, I had company all day.  Friday?  No, went shopping Friday and fell into bed when I got home.  Sound familiar?
You know the amazing thing?  God is faithful.  He is always there, when YOU return.  He never goes anywhere.  He never forgets you and never leaves you.  God is still on the throne and still right there with you even when you forget Him.
Maybe it's been a while since you've talked to God.  Maybe it's an accident or maybe you feel like you have done something so bad that He doesn't want to talk to you.  Whatever the reason, know this one thing...He is waiting right where you left Him.  Nothing you can do can separate you from the love of God, His word says that.  Just remember you can walk away from Him and one day eternity WILL separate you.  Have a talk with Him tonight, make sure everything is okay.  He loves you and He is waiting to talk to you.

God's Ways are NOT Our Ways

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
How true that is! Of one thing I am certain, God cannot lie!  When He said in Jeremiah 29:11, (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11, (KJV) 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.
One thing is definite, He is for us not against us and He is faithful to those who are faithful to Him.  I have come from court this morning from a divorce that I did not want but I came out with the outlook that God has plans for me, plans that I might prosper and that through Him I do have hope for the future.  I truly have cast all my cares on Him because I know He cares for me and I am truly thankful to have Him as the author of my life.  Without Him I am nothing.  As my tears fell this morning, I was surrounded by others God has placed in my life that truly care and I saw His blessings.  Then I got home and the first thing I saw on facebook is this note that I am sharing below.  I love the way God works in and around and through me and others and the way He shares confirmation with me in the smallest of ways.  I love you Lord!  You ARE worthy to be praised!  
Enjoy this and I hope it gives you who read it comfort as it did me.  It is written by Sarah Misch and her page is Sisters in Christ (Women's fellowship).  I pray she doesn't mind me sharing and I give her and God full credit as well as thanks for uplifting me in a very trying time.
GOD HEARS (by Sarah Misch)  If you have facebook you should be able to click the title and read the actual note.

God Hears

by Sisters In Christ (Women's Fellowship) on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 11:39am

I know there is times when we wonder if He is listening. I think many times we know the scriptures in our head, but it hasn't got to our hearts yet. Or, maybe sometimes we know He hears, but wonder what will come of our prayers, our cries, our tears. Am I, this one insignificant person in the grand scheme of this universe, going to be important enough for God to not only hear but also act? Will I get an answer, will I see a miracle when so many are far worse off than me? I wonder how often everyday around this world these thought are spoken in people's hearts. 

Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

God not only hears and sees your cries, but He keeps records of your heartbreaks and collects your tears. That is a love beyond my imagination. We can not limit God in His abilities based on our human understanding of things. He is fully capable of loving each and every person on this earth with the greatness and fullness of His love. 

Isaiah 65:24 I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

Psalm 91:15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

I'm so excited I could break into laughter right now. God already knows before you asked Him! He already answered before you started praying! He already has went ahead of you to start working it all out! In Psalm it didn't say He might answer, it said He "will" answer. Lets fully understand the last part of that scripture though. He didn't say He would not ever let you go through troubled times. He said He'd be there. Right there with you, and what is He doing there - rescuing and honoring. He's going ahead of you, leading you through it all (if you will listen), and when it is over you are honored. You will have been strengthened in spirit, emotionally, and physically.

God does hear, and He does answer. You just have to trust Him, wait and listen. What we must remember though is to make sure what we are asking for is in accordance to His will. His will is shown throughout the scriptures. In reading them you will know how to pray.

1 John 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.

John 15:7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.

God bless you, sisters.

Sarah Misch

Thank you Sarah, thank you God and thank you all who have lifted me up in prayer and love.
God bless
tawanab

Sticks and Stones

Psalm 139:14

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Do you ever find yourself weighed down by what others say or have said about you?  Who isn't?  Even the strongest among us can be disheartened by an accusation or a careless word.  It can come from anywhere, a loved one, a co-worker, even a total stranger.  Ever been cut off in traffic only to be cursed at or improperly gestured at as if YOU were the problem.  Ever let that set the course for your whole day? 
"I am wonderfully made, beautifully designed, magnificently engineered, created by God, strong and powerful! I am built Lord tough!" 

Satan is good at what he does, after all he's had thousands of years to practice.  He knows just what it takes to try and steal our joy!!  The first thing he wants to do is break our spirit, do something to cause us to take our eyes off God even if only for a moment, so he can kick us while we are down.
The next time satan uses someone to bring you down, remember what God says about you.  Keep in mind that being human you are going to make mistakes, you might get angry, you might get down but don't let careless hurtful words or deeds destroy your joy.  Remember your joy, (and strength) comes from the Lord-NOT people.  Remember you are wonderfully and fearfully made.  You were created in God's image.

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.

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

Remember the old children's line:  "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."

We all know unfortunately, words can hurt but they don't have to.  If we keep our focus on God and remember that no matter what satan may bring against us, no matter what people say about us, no matter what lies are told on us, we are "more than conquerors".  We are wonderfully created, a chosen people, God's beloved.  What people say only matters if we react or respond... 

Romans 8:38-39

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
The next time someone hurts you with words, look up and thank God that it was you and some one else was spared :)  Nothing can take the sting out of someone like thanking God for them anyway, blessing them, praying for them. 

Luke 6:28

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which spitefully use you.

And remember, this is how very much God loves you:

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
God loves us so much He sent Jesus, that means we are very special to Him so no matter what lies satan tells us we have the word of God to stand on and God Himself to comfort us along with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Man does not give us our joy, let's not let careless words or deeds steal it away.
A dear friend and sister in Christ posted this on my comments in facebook and feel like it just confirms what God gave me above so I want to share it with you all.  (God bless you Sis. Cathy for listening and obeying the Lord and being such a wonderful sister and friend in Jesus).
Cathy P:  I might have done what you said I did, but I am not who you say I am! I am still on the potters' wheel being molded and shaped in His image.And I have God's grace and mercy when ever I reach out and ask. If we could only forgive ourselves as GOD has already forgiven us, cast our misgivings into the lake of fire. It is our doing to keep digging up the past. Put away the shovel and move on. Be proud of who you are in Jesus.God bless.
His servant
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem 

God said it, not me!

God is so awesome. This is the way the Lord spoke to me and wanted this delivered. Help me Lord as I try to deliver this the way you gave it to me. In Jesus name.

Galations 6:4-6 But let every man prove his own work, and then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

Galations 5:13-14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty, only use NOT liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.

Galations 6:1 Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the Spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:4-6 But let every man prove his own work, and then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:16 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22-25 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:10 10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

Galatians 6:4-6 But let every man prove his own work, and then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

The word of God speaks for God. When I write what the Lord gives me, it is written out to help me and others understand. This may be an odd blog because it uses nothing but scripture but this is the way the Lord gave it to me and I've learned never to question Him. If only one person reads this and "gets" it, it will have served it's purpose.

To be morally right by living and following God's commandments will make us a better person but it won't save us. We are saved by grace and that by faith in Jesus Christ. He did not take away the law, He added to it. Love the Lord thy God and thy neighbor as thyself were His instructions to us. None of us can get to the Kingdom of God by hanging on to our pastor's coat tails or momma's or daddy's. At the same time we can't drag anyone into the Kingdom, as it says, every man (everyone) shall bear their own burden. Meaning we all have to stand before God for ourselves. We are to lift each other up, love our neighbors as Christ loves us. My my my, thank You Lord. I love you, thank you for Jesus.

Galatians 6:4-6 But let every man prove his own work, and then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

Be sure and drop by my friend Joseph's page, Serious things for more on how God speaks to us.

God bless

His servant

To Sin or Not to Sin, Is that the question

If God loves to forgive, why not give Him more to forgive? If forgiveness is guaranteed, do we have the freedom to sin as much as we want? Paul's answer in Romans is a very forceful NO!

Romans 6:1-2, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.

Such an attitude, deciding ahead of time to take advantage of God shows that we do not truly understand the seriousness of sin. Jesus paid for our sins with His very life so we could be forgiven. The availability of God's mercy and forgiveness must not become an excuse for careless living and moral laxness. In other words, we cannot deliberately do something we know is wrong and justify our fleshly wants and desires by saying, "it will be all right, God will forgive us for doing this because we want it so badly"!! And woe be to us if we cause another to sin also!! This goes back to a previous blog about the choices we make. If we choose to sin, we may not even believe anyone else is going to get hurt, or worse yet, we think it is okay if only one or two people get hurt! The choices we make ultimately affect more than us whether we think they do or not. The devil would have us think we are not hurting anyone but ourselves but just by our very witness to others we could be causing hurt, confusion, anger, anxiety. What if someone turns completely away from God just because they observed our behavior. God forbid!

God is holy and He WILL NOT be associated with sin. If your desires are contrary to any of God's laws-He is not in it. Again, God will NOT arrange anything for us that is contrary to His word. Therefore, if it isn't God, we must conclude it is satan once again trying to make a wrong look right. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

We can try to rationalize sin any way we want to but sin is still sin. In these last days even many preachers and pastors will be led astray. Many of those will lead others astray. 1 John 2:3-4 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

1 Peter 5:8-10 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

We have assurance in God's word that He will deliver us from temptation, He will always provide a way of escape, it is, however, up to us to take that way and follow Him instead of our own fleshly desires. Do we want the world? Do we want God's permissable will? Or, do we want to walk in God's perfect will? Are we truly seeking His will or only our own? Those are the questions.

We are ALL called of God, teachers, preachers, singers, visiting the orphans and widows, cleaning the church, sharing the gospel in the grocery store, etc. all is a calling. We all have a responsibility to make sure we do not use our calling nor our gifts for personal gain. 1 Peter 5:2 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Our calling and our gifts from God are to edify Him and for the betterment of others, not to tear anyone down or justify our own desires. Ephesians 4:1-6 1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 1:4 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Clearly to sin or not to sin is NOT the question.

Until next time,

His servant, tawanab

Pray for peace in Jerusalem

Look What the Lord Has Done

Look what the Lord has done.

Look what the Lord has done.

He healed my body, He touched my mind,

He saved me just in time.

I'm gonna praise His name,

His name is just the same.

I'm gonna praise Him,

look what the Lord has done.

That is one of my favorite praise and worship songs, of course just like Bible verses, I have many favorites.

What has the Lord done for you today? If you are reading this, you can say He has given you the precious breath of life another day! Praise God.

He gave you today but what you do with today is up to you. God gave you freewill and a choice. He gave you breath, He gave you life. The rest of the day's choices are up to you, beginning with choosing to get out of bed or just lay there. The Bible says to choose "this day" whom you will serve. Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

As for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord.

Look what the Lord has done. Have you asked God for healing, finances, maybe just some peace in your day? Did you pray believing? Did you praise Him immediately after for answering your prayers? Or, did you first check the symptoms to see if He had?

Let me stray a bit to say (again) as I've said before in my blogs. God is speaking to me and I've asked myself all the same questions that I write in my blogs. I am never attacking anyone with what I write.

Unfortunately, not to long ago my answer to those questions were yes, no and yes.

I prayed (yes), I did not praise God immediately after (no), and I immediately checked to "see" if God had answered my prayers (no).

But... I'm learning!!! I'm learning to put ALL my faith in God. That means that now I go to Him in prayer (yes), I praise Him for His grace and Mercy first, (which by the way are free), (yes), and His answer to my prayers, and I no longer look immediately at the circumstances to see if He has answered me, because I know He will, (yes). I know that God in His infinite wisdom is going to answer my prayers, not in my time but in His time. He tells me in His word "anything" I ask, 1 John 5:14-15, 14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

If I pray for healing, I believe He has healed me. If I don't see the results immediately I don't look to see, I continue to praise Him for what He is going to do.

We can choose to hang on to our sickness and problems and NOT claim healing or we can "pick up our bed and walk". Look what the Lord has done!

I recently read a wonderful book with all you need to know about healing and praying God's will. It's called the Bible. I have never enjoyed reading any other book as much as that one since I prayed for God to reveal His word to me! God gives us so much and every promise He has made He has to keep because He cannot lie.

I read another book on healing and something the author said in the book caught my attention. She said, "When god heals you, you can't keep your handicap sign". I love that. Who would want to??? So many times we pray for healing or ask others to pray for healing for us and then we don't accept it. We just go on complaining and showing our lack of faith. We choose to lay in bed instead of picking it up.

I was reading in Acts 3:19, about the lame man that laid outside the temple gates asking for alms.

Peter and John commanded him "in the name of Jesus", "to get up and walk and he did, praising God for his healing! Not only that, the Bible says he leaped up. He had a choice. Beggars can't be choosers but God gives us the right to choose. Laying outside the temple begging for alms, its an uncommon word to us. He didn't worry about what he would do next or how he would live. He just KNEW he was healed. He leaped up and praised God. Look what the Lord has done.

Father, God help me to walk in Your perfect will. Help me always when I pray to leap up accepting Your blessings and my healing from You. I give you praise, honor and glory right now Father for what You have done. Touch my life today, heal me from the inside out Lord. I have a special hurt in my life that only You can heal right now Lord God, You know what it is. Heal and cleanse my heart first, help me to live and love as You do. Keep me in Your perfect will and sustain me, lead and guide me today.

Father, I ask for those reading this today that You would heal them, whatever the problem God, You know what it is. Help them to see You instead of the mountain they are facing. You are bigger than any mountain. Heal them and help them to see that You are the Great Physician, nothing is to big or too small for You. Help them Lord to grow in faith so they can learn to depend on You. Touch them in a mighty way Father so they have no doubt their healing and answered prayers come from You. In Jesus name I ask and pray. Lord again I give You all the praise, honor and glory knowing that whatever we ask in Jesus name, believing and having faith in You, You are faithful and just to answer our prayers. I love you Lord and I praise You. In the name of Jesus. Amen

Now, "Look what the Lord has done." Take up your bed in the name of Jesus, you are healed!!

God bless

tawanab

Closer than a brother

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
The Lord spoke to me strongly about this today and I know I needed to hear it, however, He said there is someone else that needs to know it too. Maybe someone that knew it and has forgotten, I don't know, it is only up to me to obey the Lord. I pray this speaks to you as it did to me.
This is what the Lord said:
I know you are lonely, I know you are searching for something - someone. I am here. Seek me.
I AM the friend that sticks closer than a brother. I have given you those I wish you to have in your life for now, but you need to seek Me. It's really just you and I. Put your trust in Me, and see if I am not all you need. Lean on Me. I will fill every empty space in your heart and in your life. You will not find what you seek until our relationship is set in stone. Others have hurt you, you have hurt others. This cycle needs to stop, it cannot continue, I will not allow it. Come to Me now, open your heart to Me. Let Me work through you - get out of yourself and out of My way. Make My will your will in every aspect of your life, not just some. I see you still hanging on to some of your own old ways with one hand while trying to grasp Me with the other. I tell you again you cannot serve two masters, you are seeking things that are outside My will and not of Me, but you already know this. Let go - let Me have your whole heart, commit everything to Me and see if I will not fill every empty void in your life. You cannot love because you are trying to love in the physical. Give Me your heart so you can love in the spiritual. I did not put you here to judge and walk away because you are disillusioned with people. They are My responsibility, do what I tell you, pray and love. I say to you, pray for My will in ALL areas. Pray for the mind of Christ, pray for the heart of Christ, pray for the Holy Spirit. Then and only then can you love like I do, then and only then will your heart be repaired. Then and only then can you truly appreciate every single person I put in your path. Nothing happens by chance. I am NOT a God of chance but I am THE God of second chances and third chances and more. Cleanse your heart, give it to Me totally so I may fill it. Get rid of all those things whether spiritual or physical that come between you and I so that I can show you ALL I have in store for you.
Know My ways and walk in them. Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people: and walk you in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well to you.
I have given you Godly people in your life, cling to me, cling to them until you are truly prepared to go out again and share the annointing I have placed on you. You have much still to learn, learn from me. I love you my child, my heart is crying out to you, accept what I have to offer.

Did I Say That?

Did you ever try to talk to someone and give them encouragement only to end up saying some things that you really did not intend to say? Unfortunately I have. I end up letting "my thoughts" come out instead of what the Lord has directed me to say. James 3:10, out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not to be so.

I will admit, (not proud of it), that I talk to much sometimes. When I get to talking I don't stop to "hear" what I'm saying, then later when I reflect back on the conversation I have to ask myself, "did I say that?" The words we speak can never be taken back, they vanish like vapour from the air but the scars they leave remains forever.

The Bible tells us that we speak life and death with our tongues Proverbs 18:21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

We are human and our lives do get busy but we constantly have to be on guard. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against each other. Idle words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. I can't be careless with my words, thinking I can apologize later because the damage is already done and the scars remain forever. Before you speak, remember that words are like fire - you cannot control nor reverse the damage they do.

The tongue gives us a picture of our basic human nature, of our hearts. What we see, what we listen to, what we participate in goes into our hearts and comes out our mouths. James 3:8, but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (God can tame it). James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We also need to remember that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles us, it is what comes out of our mouths that defiles us. (Matthew 15:10). It is for this reason that we should all kneel and pray at the beginning of every day for God to help us guard our tongues and help us to speak life instead of cursing, it will make us more accountable for ourselves during the day. Proverbs 16:23, The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth and addeth learning to his lips. When we pray, we also need to pray for wisdom and knowledge. We cannot do anything of and by ourselves but God can accomplish all things that includes bridling our tongues.

Lord, help me today to keep watch diligently over my mouth. Create in me a pure heart so that I think before I speak and even when I don't nothing will come out that does not praise and edify. Help my words to be soothing and comforting to those who need it, not a sharp knife that cuts to the bone (soul) and leaves scars. Create in me a pure spirit to walk in your way, saying only what You would have me say. Help me not to participate in idle conversations, gossip and backbiting. Remind me that I am no better than anyone else and in talking about them, condemning them, judging them, I am bringing that judgement down on myself. Help me to lovingly steer the conversation away from gossip and backbiting and on to something good, wholesome and edifying. Live through me Lord, speak through me. Help me to remember your instructions and my parents teaching that "if I can't say anything good, not to say anything at all". Your word says "out of the same mouth proceeds blessings and cursings, let everything I say be blessings and praises to you for without you - I am nothing. Thank you Lord for your Grace and Mercy. In Jesus name, Amen.

I hope that what I've written has been encouraging and want to leave you with this:

Phillipians 4:7-9, And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

God bless

pray for the peace of Israel

in love, tawanab

If I say I love you....

John 4:20-21..20) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21) And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

It is easy to say we love God when it doesn't cost us anything more than weekly attendance in church. The real test is how we treat the people in front of us--our family, fellow believers, our neighbors. We cannot fully love God while neglecting to love those created in His image.

Love is a choice - an action.

John said "God is love" NOT "love is God". The world has turned the word love into a selfish and shallow word. The world thinks love is what makes you feel good and is willing to sacrifice even their own moral principles and those of others to obtain such love. That is selfishness, not real love!! Jesus is our example of real love. Read 1 Chorinthians 13:4-7.

Our society confuses love with lust. Unlike lust, God's kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is totally unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is possible only if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts so that we can give love while expecting nothing in return. Thus, the closer we come to Christ the more love we will show to others. Jesus is our example of real love. God is the source of our love, He loved us enough to sacrifice everything for us. He sees inside our hearts and loves us anyway. This is the way we should love. If God who created us can love us through (inspite of) our sins, who are we not to love one another "inspite of" our differences, "inspite of" what we perceive their actions or words to show us about them.

I've heard people say they've "tried" to love so and so but they just can't because they act like hypocrites or they lie or they don't do this or don't do that. It isn't up to us to judge. God doesn't instruct us to judge, in fact, He instructs us to "judge not". Luke 6:37, Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven. God instructs us to love, He gave His only son, the supreme sacrifice to die for those very sins in all of us that we so easily point out in others but don't see in ourselves. Luke 6: 41, And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? When Jesus died on the cross, He didn't say, "this is for Matthew, Mark, and Luke but not for John, Peter and Tawana", He died for ALL, so that we ALL could be forgiven. Remember His words in John 13:34, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Love is a choice - Christ "chose" to love us.

How well do you display your love for God in the choices you make and the actions you take?

1 John 4:16-17 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world.

Thank you

pray for the peace of Israel

God bless

TawanaB