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 

Going to the enemies camp

I've been struggling lately with a lot of things. Trying to take my own advice and give everything over to God but being human still can't quit thinking about it. Monumental changes are going on in my life and that is never easy. Alot of them, I don't like and some of them hurt so bad they are tearing me apart inside, however, I do know that God has it all in control. Something my younger daughter said one day came back to me, "if you are going to pray, don't worry and if you are going to worry, don't pray". I'm the mom, wish I had said that lol.
The enemy is very good at what he does, he has to be because he wants to win, even though he knows he isn't going to. He might win some little battles individually at times but he is destined to lose the war. He knows this, but the final outcome isn't as important to him I guess as the destruction he can do in the meantime. Every trial, every temptation we face that we don't turn over to God, satan smiles over. He scores a victory.
Yesterday was a particularly bad day for me, I cried about everything, I whined to God, I talked to God, I even ask Him why a few times because that is the relationship I have with Him and I'm so thankful for that. I can talk to Him about anything and I can tell Him how I feel and He understands me, He already knows without my telling Him.
The first song they sang at church yesterday went like this, "I went to the enemies camp and I took back what he stole from me , took back what he stole from me, took back what he stole from me. I went to the enemies camp and I took back what he stole from me, now he's under my feet, under my feet, thank God he's under my feet." Wow, did my light bulb go off. I realized that he has stolen and is still trying to steal things from me and I put him on notice yesterday. I went to his camp and I'm taking back what he stole from me!!! He knows what it is, God most assuredly knows what it is and I now realize what it is that is going on. The sermon yesterday was around the woman in the bible who KNEW that if she could just get to Jesus, just touch the hem of his robe that she would be healed. Faith. This is just another one of the enemies feeble attempts to take my mind off God and to weaken my faith. It's not the circumstance or what is going on that is important to him, its just a means to an end for him. When I questioned God and cried to Him yesterday, He took me to the book of Job. (I love how He does that, talks to me through His word). Now what I read probably wasn't as much of a lesson as just the fact that He took me there. Job was a man of God, certainly strong in his walk with the Lord, yet he suffered trials that would put most of us in the ground. Through it all, his faith never wavered. I'm not Job, not anywhere close, so who am I? I'm a child that God loves just as much anyway but I'm not better than Job, I should be thankful and realize that things can always be worse. It was also a gentle reminder that He will take care of things, He will not put more on us than we can bear and in the end no matter what the trial, we will come out as conquerors. Through just that small thing He gave me peace. I do serve a God that is in control. I serve a loving God who chastises when He has to like a good parent but always looks out for me, has my best interest at heart and takes care of me.

No matter how bad things may look, try getting "out" of the circumstances and "in step with God". No matter how bad things might look right now God can turn any situation around. Use whatever you are going through to bring you closer to God not further away. God still loves you, He is still in control. Make Him the center of your life and while life might not be easy your focus won't be on trials.
This was my word from the Lord today and I'd like to share it with you, its an excerpt from an email I get called "What the Lord is Saying Today".

There will always be things that confront you and try to pull you down. This is your enemies plan and purpose. Get your learning cap on and take your dunce hat off. Get off the stool in the corner. You are not a victim. You are an overcomer. I have called you to walk higher. Walk the high road. I have called you to walk in peace and joy wherever you are. I will bring you through. You walk in victory.

And these verses:
James 1:2-6

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

You are fully armed, now go to enemies camp and take back what he stole from you. We are more than conquerors.
God bless
Tawana B
pray for the peace of Israel