Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Stay Alert!!









Sometimes it is so easy to get distracted for a brief moment by the smallest thing. And a brief moment is all the devil needs to catch us off guard. All the devil needs is an inch so he can take a mile. That's why it's very imperative to, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour," (1 Peter 5:8).



Lions hunt for their food by waiting for the right time when their prey has its guard down, alone, and is very vulnerable. Just like the lion, the devil will sneak attack us when we least expect it and during our lowest, darkest hour. The devil does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (See John 10:10).




Do not allow your circumstances, the devil's evil schemes, and/or even the pressures of the world to lose control or lose your faith.





If anything, please make sure you.....
 
 
Stay clothed in the full armor of God,
Arm yourself with the word of God,
Be Sober,
Be vigilant,
Resist the devil,
and
 Stand your ground in the name of Jesus!!!







 
 
 










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Monday, January 14, 2013

Are You Dress For Battle?





For about two weeks, people (including me) have been expressing their excitement for the new year. Some of us have high expectations as well as dreams/visions before the Lord. But, how many of you know, that the devil is not going to allow us to go forth on our future endeavors without a fight?


With that being said, when the devil tries to attack, we have to make sure we are dress for battle.  We must be prepared, armed, and ready to fire. Hence the whole armor of God......


"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—," (Ephesians 6:10-18). 






The armor of God helps us stand against every evil scheme of the devil. The devil will push. However, with the armor of God, he will not be able to knock us down for the count.


We should put on the whole armor of God everyday, because we never know the day or the hour when the devil and all his satanic forces are going to attack. You must be prepared and alert for all those sneak attacks.


Again, I ask you.......ARE YOU DRESS FOR BATTLE?!?


If not, it's time to suit up and take a stand by faith and in the name of Jesus!!!







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Saturday, January 12, 2013

New Year New You Inspirations






Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!
- William Arthur Ward





Christ said that what he does, you too shall do and even greater.

~John 14;12~














I never said I wanted to be the Best. Because I always new I was already the Greatest.

Uniquely woven in to a true masterpiece by the perfect hands of our Creator.

~Victoria Grant~














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Friday, January 11, 2013

A New You.........Straight Ahead



Although I am excited about the new year, a new attitude, a new walk, a new talk and becoming a new creature in Christ, I do know that it's not going to be easy. But, by faith, I know God will guide, instruct, and direct me along the way.



In addition to that, I know this "new me" won't happen with a wave of a magic wand and a few choice words.....Bibiddy Bobbadi Boo....Shazam......Abracadabra...(I think you get the picture.)



I am, however, I am going to hold fast the confession of my hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). And I will trust in the LORD with all my heart, And lean not on my own understanding; In all my ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct my paths (Proverb 3:5-6).






prov3_5_6_one





In one area or another, we all need help on improving. That's why it is important spend time with God on a daily basis. You can start by finding a daily bible reading plan that is right for you. I recommend YouVersion.com. They have several reading plans to choose from, but don't be overwhelm. Just decide where you want to start. I chose Joyce Meyer's Battlefield in the Mind Devotional.




So, if you part of your great works for 2013 include working on and becoming a new you, then make a commitment to God to do so.








praying-hands Prov 16_3










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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Thoughtfully Yours



I am very much excited about the new year. I cannot wait to see what God has in stored for you and me. No matter how crazy and discouraging circumstances may appear, I know that God has a plan for me. However, I must be careful not to allow my thoughts to say otherwise. With that being said, we cannot or should not entertain thoughts not of God.




"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he," (Proverb 23:7)





Many times you might have heard the saying..."You are what you eat." Well, the same principle can very well apply to what and how we think. You are what you think. If you are always thinking negative thoughts, then you will become a negative person. But, if you are always thinking happy and positive thoughts, then you will most likely become a happy and positive person.


If you are not quite sure about the things you should be meditating on, let the bible be your guide.






praying phil 4_8





In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us the kind of things we should think about. Renewing our mindset and making a conscious decision to meditate on clean and uplifting thoughts show that we are maturing in our Christian walk.




"We should choose our thoughts carefully. We can think about what is wrong with our lives or about what is right with them. We can think about what is wrong with all the people we are in relationship with or we can see the good and meditate on that. The Bible teaches us to always believe the best. When we do that, it makes our own lives happier and more peaceful." - Joyce Meyer Battlefield of the Mind Devotional




Every now and then, you may have to engage in battle inside your mind. However, by the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus, you can overcome and win the battle. You just have to practice focusing your thoughts on God's word and all He has pronised. As a result, His peace will be with you, (Philippians 4:9).








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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

A Renewing of the Mind










Part of becoming a new creation in Christ Jesus, is changing your attitude and the way you think. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God can transform your thinking process by renewing your mind. This where you need not pattern your self after how the world views people, circumstances, etc.












I love the study note for Romans 12:2 in my Spirit-Filled Study Bible.



"The "mind" constitutes  the intellect or understanding, but also includes all that is described in the word "mind-set," that is, the feelings and the will.  Being "transformed" by the renewal of the mind indicates a literal "change in the form or formulas of thought or being."





Make a decision to commit your mind to the ideals of the Kingdom of God. By deciding not to live according to the ways of the world, you are allowing God, His word, to transform your mind.





Heavenly Father, my prayer is not to conform to this world. Transform me by renewing my mind each day. Because of Your Son, my Savior, I have a new attitude, a new perspective, and a new way of thinking. Thank you Father. This day I committ my mind to all ideals to the Kingdom of God. I pray this prayer in Jesus' name. Amen.






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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Doing New Things



lightspace Isaiah 43-18



Not only is this one of my favorite scriptures in the bible, but it's one of my life lines. In order to spring forth into new things God has planned, you have to be able to let go of the old. Many people cannot see the future because they are so busy looking back with either regrets, past relationships, or people you have done them wrong.



"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved," (Matthew 9:17).



New and old are like oil and water; They don't mix.  God is not going to make you change for the better. It's a free will choice. God is ready to do something new in each and everyone of us. However, we must be willing to let go of the old things, old habits, an old attitude, grab hold of what's new, and never look back.






earth Isaiah 43_18






Heavenly Father, help me to let go of the past and not dwell on the former things in life; So that you can instill the newness in my spirit. I pray this prayer in Jesus' name....Amen.










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Monday, January 7, 2013

A New You




I pray and hope everyone's new year is off to a good start. It's been a while since my last post. Sometimes, I never intend to take an unscheduled sabbatical from blogging, but it is what it is. One thing I like about blogging, you come back to it anytime and catch up. Needless to say, I did not make any resolutions in regards to blogging. However, I'm just going to take it one step at a time and follow where leads.


On another note.....



The new year is when some (if not most) people try to reinvent themselves.
---> a new diet or exercise regimen
---> maybe to be more organize
---> be more positive
---> build new relationships and let go of the old ones
---> a new outlook on life


For others, without making any resolutions, a new year means an opportunity for a fresh start. Goodbye to the old; And hello to the new.









2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds me that in Christ Jesus I am a brand new person. The old Toia no longer resides in my heart. In Christ Jesus, you can have a new way of thinking, a new perspective, a new attitude, a new talk, a new walk, etc.


All the new year's resolutions in the world are not nearly enough to make you the new and improved person you so desired to be. You need help. And that help comes from the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus. Only Jesus can make you new.

Please keep in mind that this "new you" doesn't happen overnight. It's a continuing process. Well, I am still a work in progress, but I am not where I was a year ago. A new you doesn't mean a perfect you. A new you is becoming the person God has purposed and designed for you to be.


So don't fret. Jesus will give you the necessary tools you need to become a better you through prayer, reading the bible, fellowshipping with other Christians, and etc. He will never leave you. He will always be there helping and guiding you along the way.



Heavenly Father, I give myself to You to change from old to new. I want to be the person you have designed for me to be. Thank you.....in the name of Jesus I pray....Amen.






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