Blessed When Insulted?

Blessed when I'm insulted, persecuted and falsely accused? Now that's something to think about.

Hope in Sorrow

I love how the Lord is right there when you need direction, protection and help.
The night before I made this video I was sobbing for hours, crying out to the Lord. Watch and see how awesome He is.

Judge - Who Me??!!

This is amazing!
So awesome!
So true!
Oh my gosh......right on!!!!!!!  

Close Your Eyes and Let God Touch You

"You change worthless into precious....."

What a beautiful song, close your eyes, lift your hands and worship the Father as you listen to the words of truth.

He changed me!

I have been struggling this week and I have felt anger rise up in me at God and at myself. So I began to repent and get quiet before the Lord and see what the heck this was all about.

I have had great victory over anxiety/panic attacks, however I am not walking in the complete victory the Lord says I have. I began to search God’s word and ask why that is.

I believe the first reason is

…..I have not learned to let my fleshy response to certain situations be renewed.

What do I mean by that? When someone spoke words of failure over me as a child/young adult – I accepted it and it began to give me a fleshly emotional feeling. When I saw this person I would hang my head and then I began to believe it and expect it from others. My mind has control over my body therefore the feelings I would have would range from headaches to extreme tiredness to anxiety attacks FEAR.

Then the self talk would come in and make it worse. If I made a small mistake, let’s say I put a cup of milk too close to the edge of the counter and it falls and spills – you stupid….they are right….you can’t do anything right…you are worthless, look at this mess and it’s all your fault.

Here goes my body that sinking feeling, tired, want to run and hide, sick to stomach….

BUT what I heard and what I was telling myself was not true.

Yes, it was a mistake to sit the cup there but it wasn’t because I’m stupid or worthless. It was because I was in a hurry I wasn’t paying attention – that is something you learn to do, you realize that doesn’t work and you correct it the next time.

I cringe when I hear parents tell their children how stupid they are when they spill their milk. I’m sure they have no idea how much damage they are doing to that young spirit.

I believe because of my past it helped me to bite my tongue (no I was not perfect at this) and tell my daughters it’s okay, it can be cleaned up but to be careful next time, make sure you put the cup back further next time.

I believe our Father God does the same thing for us as we grow in our faith. When we sin He doesn’t tell us – hey stupid!!  He reminds us of His word, His love and that He is waiting for us to repent, receive forgiveness and move forward, walking away from the sin.

And the second thing

  Obedience – ouch, yep I was not being obedient. God does not tell me to be obedient in the big things only He tells me to be obedient period. And I see where I have been resisting Him – are you ready……I’ve been resisting Him in one area for a little over a year! Yikes

Does God still love me? Yep

Am I still saved? Yep

Is He still blessing me? Yep

But you know what – there are consequences in disobedience and therefore I’m not getting the full blessing He wants to give me.

So what am I going to do?

Repent, renew my mind in the Word of God, watch what I’m thinking and speaking and obey – move forward and do what He has told me to do. If He calls me to do it then I can do it – by His power!

Laziness, fear, self-condemnation, and the effects on my body from these things, are all lies of the devil.

So I Submit to God and resist the devil – devil, you have to flee!!!!!

In the name of Jesus!

Now I am off to do one of the things I know the Lord wants me to do – it is for His kingdom, His children. I even have a smile on my face as I take another step of faith. 

Salsa Recipe

Here is a recipe I will def be trying! We have tomatoes and hot peppers in our garden this year just for Salsa making !!

Fire-Roasted Salsa

From EatingWell

About 2 cups

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large ripe tomatoes (see Canned-tomato Variation)
• 1 large jalapeño pepper
• 2 small cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2-1 teaspoon salt

PREPARATION

1. Preheat grill to high (or preheat broiler).
2. Grill tomatoes and jalapeño, turning frequently, until charred, 10 minutes for the tomatoes, about 5 minutes for the jalapeño. (To broil, place on a baking sheet and broil about 4 inches from the heat, turning once or twice, until charred, 8 to 10 minutes total.)
3. When cool enough to handle, core the tomatoes and remove the stem from the jalapeño. Place in a food processor along with garlic; pulse to form a chunky mixture. Season with salt to taste.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

• Canned-tomato Variation: No fresh tomatoes? Drain two 14-ounce cans of fire-roasted tomatoes. Roast jalapeño in a small dry skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until soft and blackened in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. Pulse the drained tomatoes, jalapeño and garlic in a food processor until chunky.

NUTRITION

Per 1/4-cup serving: 10 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrates; 0 gadded sugars; 0 g protein; 1 g fiber; 148 mg sodium; 115 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (16% daily value).

Carbohydrate Servings: 0

Visit www.eatingwell.com for more recipes

Do you have a favorite Salsa Recipe? 

Exciting Times

Exciting Times!

Since I've opened my heart up to the Lord and really began to listen to Him. 

Since I've opened my Bible and read His Word with purpose.

Since I've take the time to check the Greek or Hebrew meaning of some words.......

God has been doing amazing things in my life.

Have I had to make changes

you betcha!

Did it hurt?

sometimes

Worth it?

for sure!!!!

Once I stopped 'attending' church and became part of the church, which is the body (people) not the building.....

POWER HOPE HEALING PROTECTION

and more

came in!

God's Word is true.

"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

I Want my Behavior to be a Credit to my Father's Name

Ephesians 4:1-2

1)   I am bound to the Lord, He is my Father and I desire to lead a life worthy of the divine calling He has placed on my life. I want my behavior to be a credit to my Father’s Name.

2)   I want to live in humility and not pride (Proverbs  8:13; 11:2; 16:8), so other will know it is by His strength, His blessings, His guidance that things are accomplished in my life. It is by His power that I have victory over the tests that come my way. (I John 5:4; I Corinthians 15:57) I want to be meek, not self-centered. To reach out to my brothers and sisters in Christ and have patience with them because I love them as Christ loves them. (I John 4:16)  We are called to encourage, correct, build one another up, etc. (I Thessalonians 5:11-18)

 

I realize there is only one way I will be able to accomplish all that’s in those 2 verses (it’s Christena’s version by the way). It will require me to be in God’s Word daily, to not just read His Word but to ask Him for wisdom, a revelation of what it means and how to apply it to my life today. To not become so busy that I don’t hear Him when He speaks. He does speak today. I can’t tell you how many times I have followed through and found out it was at the right time for someone to receive a phone call or a card in the mail, a visit, flowers, a hug and sometimes a prayer of protection.

It requires me to take my thoughts captive, to stay focused on today and my future and not keep looking back at my past. When I look back at my past it causes me to stumble (I can’t walk forward while I’m looking behind me—I fall every time!) and to use excuses as to why I sinned. That’s not who I am anymore. I’m a new creation! God has a hope and a future for me and now I have to choose to obey His Word or disobey and face the consequences. I choose to let go of my past and walk in a way that will bring abundant life, a way that will help others.

I’m thankful to God for all He has cleansed me from and for His patience. I need to remember He will do this for everyone – the sleepy Christian who is full of pride and wants a position to honor themselves; the drunk at the local bar; the prostitute on the corner; the spouse that cheated; the liar and the list goes on. GOD LOVES ALL OF HIS CHILDREN AND WANTS NONE TO PERISH. HE STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCKS. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, IT REQUIRES ACTION ON OUR PARTS – FROM THE TIME WE OPEN THE DOOR AND ACCEPT HIM, ALLOWING HIM TO COME IN – TO THE TIME WE GO HOME TO BE WITH HIM FOR ETERNITY. I Timothy 2:3-4; Revelation 3:20)

Again, it points back to knowing His Word, knowing God and that takes time.  So if you are a new Christian, a child of God – don’t be discouraged. Make sure you attend a church that teaches ALL of God’s Word. A church that truly hungers and thirsts to know all there is to know about God and His ways; how we are to live in this world, giving glory, honor and praise to Him.

Get involved in a Bible Study, find others to hang around with that are hungry and thirsty for God. Allow yourself to be corrected and loved on, encouraged and called upon to advance in the Kingdom building. And as you learn to hear the Shepherds voice, you will begin to help others in the correction, loving, encouraging area. We are branches on the Vine, we need each other with all our differences. I believe that is why the greatest commandment is to love one another. Where there is love (not worldly love) it covers a multitude of sins, there is forgiveness and a true desire to see the person set free from bondage's, lies, and pain; a real desire to see the person have victory in their lives.

All this comes from having a relationship not a ‘religion’ with Jesus Christ. If you haven’t accepted the Lord as your Savior yet, close your eyes, bow down OR stand and raise your hands, eyes to heaven and say a prayer (prayer is a conversation with God, don’t make it complicated) Here’s one you can read if you want. Just pour your heart out to Him, for He cares for you!

You can pray --  Father, I come before you and confess my sins, my selfish ways and I’m so tired. Your word in Romans 10:13 says ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’, and I’m calling on you now. Forgive me of my sins and guide me in the way of life, Your life.  I accept you as my Lord and Savior and I desire to understand Your word. Thank You for forgiving me. Thank You that You are true to Your Word and You will guide me and I will know my Shepherds voice. I praise You Father, for Your love and I accept Your forgiveness and Your love.

In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen

Good place to start reading is the book of John.

 I personally believe in baptism – immersion. It is an outward expression of obedience. Jesus was baptized.

Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Titus 3:3-7   whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

And I believe eternal life begins the moment you accept Christ into your life, it’s not ‘fire insurance’. You receive all He promises today, heaven on earth. Why else would he instruct them to pray – ‘your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’.  Matthew 6:10

If you need help in finding a church or just want to tell someone you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, please email lifechurchandtraining@yahoo.com and we will be in touch with you, celebrating with you!

Another Class on Prayer

We had a time of rejoicing over answered prayer and this was our 3rd time meeting - can't wait to see what else the Lord will do!!