tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28913817025551533842024-03-05T14:27:14.964-06:00Word Based LivingBringing the Word Alive in our Everyday Life!Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-53456641390907752492018-04-19T09:40:00.003-05:002018-04-19T09:40:56.467-05:00TRUST THE DRIVER!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJikPSCmJ_KzAgbpX1ihtjh2gjwXKO8AIAKQUQEXiZWxkI34dIcTQYsgCGeQDXVFnq6QPLSPhcbmIrxPlJPiNyOs7p0iSFlNi2H7IyUFMde3TlO-DruR3ZlFxq6yynMkT8t_3a2peFtk8/s1600/driver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJikPSCmJ_KzAgbpX1ihtjh2gjwXKO8AIAKQUQEXiZWxkI34dIcTQYsgCGeQDXVFnq6QPLSPhcbmIrxPlJPiNyOs7p0iSFlNi2H7IyUFMde3TlO-DruR3ZlFxq6yynMkT8t_3a2peFtk8/s320/driver.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Have you ever visited a place
where you were unfamiliar with the surroundings? Maybe you were visiting someone
in another city or state and decided to go out for dinner or some other activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can think of a time when I took a weekend
getaway to visit my sister in a different city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had various plans for our girls’ weekend, so I immediately parked my
car so that I could ride with her. Why? Because she was familiar with the area
and knew how to get us to all the places we wanted to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about that as it relates to our
relationship with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times,
we find ourselves striving to reach a destination on our own instead of trusting
the One who mapped out where we are headed and knows how to get us there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the Scripture in Isaiah 46:10 which
says that God declares the end from the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our view is always limited, but God has the
full perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we would simply trust
Him, He will direct us in every situation we face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very easy to relax when you know the person
who is driving knows where he or she is going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God is our all-knowing Father, and He has promised to lead us, but it
requires us to relinquish control. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are admonished to, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and
lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He
shall direct your paths.”</i> This means we must give Him permission because He
will not take the wheel from us. I often declare these verses as it relates to
direction for my life, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“God understands
the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the
earth and sees everything under the heavens.”</i> (Job 28:23-24, NIV) In other
words, God knows where I’m going, and He knows how to get me there. If you need
direction in your life for any reason, I encourage you to move out of the
driver’s seat and trust the One who already knows the way!<br />
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Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-21581997933343372522018-04-14T12:52:00.002-05:002018-04-14T12:52:36.137-05:00SURRENDER<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQU-vriwvhcAcN5oXy14Tw3lyK58rq_YZFhSJNCRdw5u-ze5xCLXU3LvElaNwDPHM2kvVZ3RexlIYQe-7pkrrMCGfPzaOMezkUVSM6mBIn5zzXMPfNHY0w_7r1u85QrKr9jvZCdoEMeg/s1600/surrender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQU-vriwvhcAcN5oXy14Tw3lyK58rq_YZFhSJNCRdw5u-ze5xCLXU3LvElaNwDPHM2kvVZ3RexlIYQe-7pkrrMCGfPzaOMezkUVSM6mBIn5zzXMPfNHY0w_7r1u85QrKr9jvZCdoEMeg/s200/surrender.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Next week we will host a Women’s Conference at our church
with the theme, “Surrender.” I have been
prayerfully focusing on what this truly means in my own life. The first thing
that comes to my mind is that surrender must be done willingly. Some of the
definitions for surrender are as follows:
to relinquish, to give in, give (oneself) up, yield, submit, to abandon
oneself entirely to. The last definition
is the one that caught my attention. I believe that God is calling for TOTAL
surrender and not just the parts that are easy for us to give up. Jesus is our greatest example of
surrender. Let’s take a look at the
prayer he prayed in Luke 22:41-42: <i>And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and
prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless,
not my will, but Yours, be done.”</i> Despite
the agony he was experiencing, he was willing to surrender to the will of his
Father undeterred by the discomfort of the flesh. There are things that God is calling for many
of us to do that will not be comfortable for us. That is when we have to decide
if we trust God enough to fully surrender to his plan for our life. Trust is
key because it is not easy to surrender to someone you do not trust. We have to
reach a place where we know without hesitation that God loves us and that he
always has our best interest at heart.
When that happens, trust comes easily. I believe that God is going to
show us places in our lives that are not fully surrendered or submitted to
him. In James 4:7, it says, <i>“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil
and he will flee from you.”</i> Maybe you have been doing the second part of
this verse and wondering why the devil is not fleeing. Don’t skip past the first part! Many times,
surrender is viewed in a negative context as if you are losing or giving up. Surrender is about giving up to a purpose
higher than your own so that his perfect will can be done. When we truly
surrender to God, we put our own desires, plans, ideas, opinions, etc., aside
and allow God to replace these things with what He wants to be there instead. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the things that makes it hard for me to surrender
at times is when I don’t know all the details!
However, I am learning to say, “Lord, I don’t know what you’re doing,
and I don’t understand what’s happening or why, but I trust you.” When the angel appeared to Mary to announce
God’s plan for her to carry the Savior, she questioned how the plan would
happen. Though the angel explained that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her,
that was all the explanation she received.
I love Mary’s response in Luke 1:38, <i>“Behold
the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”</i> That is what surrender is all about. It is
determining that whatever God is saying is what we want. I recall a time a few years
ago when I felt that there were some things God wanted to do in my life, yet I
had no idea what they were/are. However,
there was a yearning in my heart for whatever God wants for me, so I said,
“God, I’m giving you an unconditional yes.”
That was scary because I did not know what that meant then, (and still
don’t fully know everything that will entail), but I know I can trust him. What I was telling God was I trust him enough
to say yes even before I know what he will ask. Occasionally, something will
come up and I have to decide if it’s something I should do, and I will hear the
gentle reminder in my spirit, “This is one of those things you said yes
to!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Surrender is a choice and not something that is imposed
on us. It has to be a heart thing and not just an act. Isaiah 1:19 talks about being willing <u>and </u>obedient.
I’m sure we can all recall times when we have been obedient to do something
when we really didn’t want to do it. When we surrender, it is about changing
our “want to” because we can go through the motions of obedience and not be
fully surrendered. True surrender is about releasing control and letting God be
fully in charge. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Before I end, I want to point out that surrender is not a
one-time thing. There are times
when there are major things that God may be requiring us to surrender, and other times when surrender can happen in the seemingly small things or simply in our daily routine. There is always purpose in surrender, so be sensitive to what he is
leading you to do, large or small.</div>
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Take some time to quiet your spirit to hear what God is
speaking to you personally. Is there something he needs you to let go? Is
there something he wants you to do?
Remember, surrendering to God is not about what you lose, it’s what you
gain by allowing him to do in and through you what he wills. Trust him with the details and watch what is
birthed through your willingness to totally surrender. </div>
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Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-75713190249492164442018-04-11T10:34:00.003-05:002020-09-13T18:19:53.748-05:00BE DETERMINED<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCHYzvDuw3ktjImp4ZGufROGwW8jUyqoI9OUsacHBvWSabNol_ywBPFuugup55RiDWuN5gRZCCX5bMhGtUdLnTOXy8OEApkq7sH0LE8c-tzxjMMqmm5P3nq4o5REzJ7CoELvhXtVQ4GU/s1600/determined.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCHYzvDuw3ktjImp4ZGufROGwW8jUyqoI9OUsacHBvWSabNol_ywBPFuugup55RiDWuN5gRZCCX5bMhGtUdLnTOXy8OEApkq7sH0LE8c-tzxjMMqmm5P3nq4o5REzJ7CoELvhXtVQ4GU/s1600/determined.jpg" /></a></div>
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I have not
blogged in a while, but I wanted to share a lesson that I prepared for a
women’s bible study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Determination is defined as a fixed purpose or intention; firmness of
purpose, or perseverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many
people in the Bible who exhibited this important quality, and I would like to
take a look at three of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The first one
is the lady with the issue of blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
story is found in Mark 5:25-32.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
no-named lady was in a desperate situation, and oftentimes, desperation breeds
determination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had an issue of blood
for twelve years, she had spent all of her money on doctors, and instead of
being healed, she had gotten worse. She made up her mind that she would touch
the hem of Jesus’ robe and receive her healing. However, in order to accomplish this, she had
a couple of very real hindrances to face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had to break the law that was forbidding
her from touching another person because she was considered unclean (Leviticus
15:25-27).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to that, she had
to press her way through a crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
would have been easy for her to give up after so many years of disappointment,
but she was determined that she would not give up until she touched Jesus!<o:p></o:p></div>
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What can we
learn about determination from her story? First, don’t let what happened in the
past stop you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because it didn’t
work before doesn’t mean it won’t work now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That reminds me of the story in I Kings 18:41-45 when Elijah spoke to
his servant to go up and look because he had declared to Ahab that there was a
sound of an abundance of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
servant looked six times and kept returning and saying, “there is
nothing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on the seventh time, he
came back and said he saw a cloud like a man’s hand and then the rain
came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The servant could have gotten
frustrated with going up doing the same thing with no change, but he was
persistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the way we must be
even when it seems like there is no breakthrough on the horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second thing we can learn from this lady
is not to let present conditions hold us back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The next person
I want to look at who demonstrated determination is blind Bartimaeus in Mark
10:46-52.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bartimaeus heard that Jesus
was passing by, and he began to cry out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though the crowd told him to be quiet, he cried out even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t let them hinder what he was
determined to receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus called
him, the act of throwing aside his beggar’s garment showed how determined he
was to be healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That act showed that
he confidently believed he would no longer need to sit on it and be dependent
on others as a blind man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can we learn from his story? Number one, don’t let what people say stop you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may not make sense to them what God is
telling you to do, but that doesn’t matter when you’ve heard from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, when you are determined, you
prepare to accommodate what you are believing for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like Bartimaeus made preparation for
what he was believing for, what do you need to cast off (or take) on to prepare
for what you are believing God to do?<o:p></o:p></div>
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The last person
we will look at is the paralytic in Mark 2:1-5. I actually want to focus on
the actions of his friends. They were so determined to get him to Jesus that
they didn’t let the fact that they couldn’t get near Jesus stop them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They uncovered the roof and let him down
where Jesus was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want people with this
kind of determination around my life who won’t take no for an answer and won’t
give up when the answer doesn’t come easily. What can we learn about determination
from this story? Don’t let limitations stop you, and don’t let what appears to
be an impossibility cause you to give up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope that
these examples from the Bible encourage you to press in and be determined to
receive all that God has for you!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<br />Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-45033265975255278142017-08-27T21:41:00.001-05:002017-08-27T22:19:32.944-05:00Embracing 50!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93e6EUM3j4RV1hM5S02SDMMnm0IBnE9gZnaYGTAZzvyo0q-MvHxle6C8KcX733VIpQnBORBSll9Ge2tLx0UVBRkj6TQr5orapORRfH9tLJURd6x0D2Zld11AAA-PqA4zM_qUpvWkIIkI/s1600/50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93e6EUM3j4RV1hM5S02SDMMnm0IBnE9gZnaYGTAZzvyo0q-MvHxle6C8KcX733VIpQnBORBSll9Ge2tLx0UVBRkj6TQr5orapORRfH9tLJURd6x0D2Zld11AAA-PqA4zM_qUpvWkIIkI/s200/50.jpg" width="172" /></a></div>
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This time 50
years ago, my mom was nearing the end of 48 hours of labor. Her water broke on a Friday, and I was not
born until Sunday! When I reminded her
today of my grand entrance, she said, “It was pain, but once it was over, it
was a blessing! Love my mom. As I reflect on turning the big 5-0 tomorrow,
I thought of how blessed my life has been. Of course, having lived half a
century, I have had my share of bad days and disappointments. However, I choose to focus on the good
because it far outweighs the bad. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The number 50
symbolizes deliverance or freedom from a burden.
God commanded Israel that every 50<sup>th</sup> year should be declared
a year of Jubilee. During the Jubilee year,
all debts were settled in favor of the debtor, and inheritances were returned
to their rightful owners. With that in
mind, I am proclaiming my Jubilee year and believing God that the latter half
of my life will be even better than the first.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It may seem a
bit strange for me to share my age. I will admit that the welcome packet from
AARP was quite annoying! Many women choose to reach an age and hold steady
every year after that. You might hear, “I’m
39 and holding” or something similar! I
just made the decision to embrace where God has blessed me to be. Many don’t live to see it. I am counting the
many blessings in my life including a wonderful husband and family and so much
more. This blog would be too long to
read if I start naming it all. I’m most thankful for that moment nearly 30
years ago when I made the best decision of all to surrender my life to the
Lord.</div>
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So, as I
prepare to celebrate turning 50, I do so with a thankful heart for all that God
has done for me. I also do so with great
expectation for what God has in store.<o:p></o:p></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-84456515961909769542017-04-15T12:00:00.002-05:002017-04-15T12:00:18.600-05:00BETWEEN GOOD FRIDAY AND RESURRECTION SUNDAY!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDiyXs_tftWQXbTaFdEsOeoxIyzD-p3kYCrIDmh-RmKX1Z8cX6wQmOmAlFbKBWQbruAden0D02LAL1deyOqCKdZfyQ2s5rPPXvMA7lv2_dPltpyT_Xh3WRZDmup2UuWfOQpNA15wBc1s/s1600/TOMB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDiyXs_tftWQXbTaFdEsOeoxIyzD-p3kYCrIDmh-RmKX1Z8cX6wQmOmAlFbKBWQbruAden0D02LAL1deyOqCKdZfyQ2s5rPPXvMA7lv2_dPltpyT_Xh3WRZDmup2UuWfOQpNA15wBc1s/s1600/TOMB.jpeg" /></a>As I sit here on the day between Good Friday and Resurrection
Sunday, I think about what must have been going through the mind of Jesus’
executioners. They no doubt thought they had accomplished their goal to kill
him. When the stone was placed over the
tomb, they knew his fate was finally sealed. But that was not how the story
would end! When the ground began to
shake and the stone was rolled away, it was clear that Jesus was not where they
left him. </div>
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It dawned on me that this is how things sometime appear in our
life. It looks like the enemy has got
the best of us, and God’s plan will not come forth. However, we have to remember what God said
and trust him that no matter what happens that looks contrary to God’s
destiny for our life, the story does not end there. Never forget in the dark times what God told
you when the sun was shining. When things
seem to be at a stand-still and all around is quiet, remind yourself of that
period between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday when defeat seemed obvious
and hope appeared to be lost. God’s plan was still in motion even though there
was no evidence that anything was happening. Even when you can’t see or hear
what God is doing, let him finish your story.
He always wins. Sunday is coming!<br />
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-83917150714575173192017-04-10T15:36:00.005-05:002017-04-10T15:40:57.956-05:00DON'T VOID THE WARRANTY!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWmTZhAVx4zAA3PipbGKYRlBRgYUCKkyLgxSm9bSwlCzZjTg_AxLOI9tabXUbFimkTbkj7yOF4giLOlkV6cvGV8dZTzIhGgjc20Xi0sglU5w5RxWsIbryfHss81WU3BJax694RT0NA48/s1600/foundation-warranty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWmTZhAVx4zAA3PipbGKYRlBRgYUCKkyLgxSm9bSwlCzZjTg_AxLOI9tabXUbFimkTbkj7yOF4giLOlkV6cvGV8dZTzIhGgjc20Xi0sglU5w5RxWsIbryfHss81WU3BJax694RT0NA48/s200/foundation-warranty.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
When you have a manufacturer’s warranty, the condition
usually applies that if you try to fix a problem yourself instead of sending it
to the manufacturer, it voids the warranty.
For example, I have a diamond bond on my wedding ring that requires me
to take it back in April and October to the jewelry store where it was
originally purchased so that it can be inspected. If I fail to do that or take it to another
jewelry store to have a repair or other service done, it voids the warranty for
the ring, and they will no longer cover the diamond.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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As Christians, our manufacturer (God) has put His “warranty”
in the Word of God. Don’t void the warranty by taking matters into your own
hands. Give every problem and concern to
Him immediately and let Him fix it. If we
choose to do things in our own strength, God will allow it, but He desires that
we come to Him and trust Him to move on our behalf. Don’t take actions on your
own and then say, “I’ve tried everything else, so all I can do is trust God now.”
Save yourself the stress, worry, etc., and look to Him first, not after working
your plan and coming up empty. We must
remind ourselves that no matter how much we think we know as it relates to our
problems, God always knows best!<o:p></o:p></div>
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What makes our “warranty” even better than a manufacturer is that there is no expiration date. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever! (Isaiah 40:8)<o:p></o:p></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-12766176062598374842017-04-10T15:24:00.002-05:002017-04-10T15:41:13.444-05:00USER-FRIENDLY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrcQzTiJdAYlZrq2e8caenbIyqyTaUBh1ixVtt07LDmNMi8FJ2VFWWFVQkL7C-PopDBtb4ZZisAH_iZjoCEN5qn5dObbXzgPf1jqfXoCWGSTKCnUZDQxn_AECINauYpjrm7Qj68bVUJ0/s1600/user-friendly2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrcQzTiJdAYlZrq2e8caenbIyqyTaUBh1ixVtt07LDmNMi8FJ2VFWWFVQkL7C-PopDBtb4ZZisAH_iZjoCEN5qn5dObbXzgPf1jqfXoCWGSTKCnUZDQxn_AECINauYpjrm7Qj68bVUJ0/s200/user-friendly2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I heard these words in my spirit this morning, "Be user-friendly." When something is user-friendly, it is easy to use and understand. God wants us to be people who are easy for HIM to use without bad attitudes, wrong motives, stubbornness, rebellion, etc. We have to be pliable in his hands. He is the potter; we are the clay. Even as it relates to working with and for others, we have to keep in mind who we are working for. Colossians 3:23-24 states, “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.” (AMP)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Allow the potter to have his way in your life. Be user-friendly!</span></div>
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Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-43347219938905593452017-01-04T12:23:00.000-06:002017-01-04T12:23:22.410-06:00Words for 2017<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyXFUkCa8PU3VlxMcJKgoVVQCCHx85aOSubx0YNo993MNuycJeQCypemRGjCRhqvam2ip3t-5FpyqvygQeTZBVI0ALhH-W_V0zADkAc1y5RUKxoEVFdQnW59HWjIk-BvF4pf5b9Baq0A/s1600/open+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyXFUkCa8PU3VlxMcJKgoVVQCCHx85aOSubx0YNo993MNuycJeQCypemRGjCRhqvam2ip3t-5FpyqvygQeTZBVI0ALhH-W_V0zADkAc1y5RUKxoEVFdQnW59HWjIk-BvF4pf5b9Baq0A/s200/open+door.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Happy New Year! </b>I am very excited about what God has in store for 2017! Throughout the month of December, the Lord shared several things with me as it relates to the coming year. I am a person who truly values everything God speaks to me even if it's a word or simple phrase. Listed below, I share the things God gave me for the new year.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Words for 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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On December 12, 2016, God gave me the word, “2017 will be
the year of the open door.” On 12/31/16,
one of the prophets at our church (Kevin Leal) confirmed this word as God had
given him the same thing. I heard the Lord say this is the year to knock and the door will be open. </div>
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On December 18, 2016, the Lord dropped this simple phrase
in my spirit during prayer, “About this time next year.” Later on December 22, 2016, he explained that
“about this time” doesn’t mean it won’t happen until next year but that we will
look back and say, “I remember this time last year, and oh what a change has
come!”</div>
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December 23, 2016:
Isaiah 55:12 – For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with
peace. This is how you are leaving 2016.</div>
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December 31, 2016: God is going to move immediately in
2017. Expect it. (Earlier in the month, I
was driving behind several cards whose driver did not use a turn signal. After it kept occurring, God spoke to me
through it and said, “I am about to move suddenly and unexpectedly and will
turn things around quickly!)</div>
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December 31, 2016: Drying tears in 2017. Don’t expect to
cry this year like you did last year. I
am turning tears of sorrow into tears of joy.<br />
<!--[endif]--></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">I'm encouraging each of you to make a list of all
the things you want to see happen in 2017 and live each day in expectancy!<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-74304978507794500012016-03-04T14:43:00.000-06:002018-03-07T11:35:02.319-06:00RECEIVE YOUR GIFT!<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Do
not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you
the kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Luke 12:32 </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyQCgJV_V85DGDTdOwc-ir1M7k-QziBKuY4xFBUOlnS2L8bpGq1p2kcx5PTxGQ5UplTYD6aFPS5J7sePKnR9q2IqXTvof30b9Dh97TSd_Iwsk99PxFT9hU_X3yiT1RL3_0RVlDpfUzkI/s1600/Gift-Giving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyQCgJV_V85DGDTdOwc-ir1M7k-QziBKuY4xFBUOlnS2L8bpGq1p2kcx5PTxGQ5UplTYD6aFPS5J7sePKnR9q2IqXTvof30b9Dh97TSd_Iwsk99PxFT9hU_X3yiT1RL3_0RVlDpfUzkI/s200/Gift-Giving.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We celebrated our daughter
Alicia’s birthday last month. The month before her birthday, Alicia’s car
required a major repair that ended up being very costly for us. As her birthday approached, she came and
told me that she didn’t want us to get her anything for her birthday because we
had already paid so much for the car repair. One of our traditions is
opening gifts first thing on birthday mornings. When she opened our card, she
immediately said, “Mom, you weren’t supposed to give me anything!” I smiled and
simply said, “I couldn’t help it!” The moment
I said that, it hit me that God feels the same way about me and you. He can’t help wanting to bless us because it
gives him great pleasure to do so in the same way that I got pleasure from
blessing my daughter. It didn’t matter
what I had already done for her or even the mistakes she had made in the past. My heart was to bless her simply because I love her. If you are a parent, you
can surely relate to what I am saying.
However, sometimes, we forget that God is our Father, and He is no
different. In fact, the Word states, “<i>If you then, being evil, know how to give</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in
heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11) </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Sometimes we don’t receive all that God has for us
because we feel we are undeserving for whatever reason. Or maybe we feel that he has already done so
much that we shouldn’t expect more. We have to remind ourselves that God takes
pleasure in blessing us. So let go of everything that hinders you from
receiving from God, and give him some pleasure by simply receiving!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Psalm 35:27 Let
them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say
continually, “Let the</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the
prosperity of His servant.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
Check out my Facebook page at <a href="https://m.facebook.com/wordbasedliving?ref=bookmarks">https://facebook.com/wordbasedliving</a></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-41864321003472484582015-12-30T21:01:00.002-06:002015-12-31T15:21:45.597-06:00Words for 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazQZxGYM1oiBU-z5s16v1p9Srk2afNGttLxVYQ8IBsNk2sqJ2WxwuEKaxPuB5pFZRrM9zVTSAQMhJJcr1jEuhgQ142qRD-72rGYpJqJv2_6dpDodjZjq1wx9iLUJjYa1oLdBTs0jQq4E/s1600/leap+year.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazQZxGYM1oiBU-z5s16v1p9Srk2afNGttLxVYQ8IBsNk2sqJ2WxwuEKaxPuB5pFZRrM9zVTSAQMhJJcr1jEuhgQ142qRD-72rGYpJqJv2_6dpDodjZjq1wx9iLUJjYa1oLdBTs0jQq4E/s1600/leap+year.jpeg" /></a></div>
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As we get ready to start 2016, I
wanted to share some words that I feel God is saying for the New Year. This coming year is what is known as a “leap
year.” As I was thinking about that
fact, God said this is prophetic because we will leap over things this year
that would have tripped us up. This is a
year of acceleration. What would have
taken a year to happen, will take a month.
What would have taken days to heal or recover will be done in an
instant. This will be an Amos 9:13 year<i>: “Behold, the days are coming,” says the
Lord, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes
him who sows seed…</i>” The Message
Bible states it this way<i>, “Yes indeed, it
won’t be long now.” God’s Decree. “Things
are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of
the other. You won’t be able to keep
up. Everything will be happening at once—and
everywhere you look, blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll
make everything right again for my people Israel.”</i> (December was a prelude to this!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Isaiah 65:24 “It shall come to
pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking I
will hear."</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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God is healing broken places and
mending wounds. Wounds that have
continued to “bleed” will stop, and you will be healed because I am binding up
the wounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It will be a year of God’s Grace.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Don’t go into 2016 disconnected…disconnected
from the people you’re supposed to be connected to, the places where you’re
supposed to be connected and the purposes of God for your life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Don’t let any lingering issues
from 2015 carryover into 2016. Release
them and let them go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Expect Nahum 1:9 healings this
year<i>.
“…he will make an utter end of it.
Affliction will not rise up a second time.</i>” No more recurring issues. God is healing once and for all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I pray that each of you have a
blessed New Year and leap into 2016 with great expectations about what God has
in store for you!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Check out my Facebook Page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wordbasedliving/">https://www.facebook.com/wordbasedliving/</a></div>
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Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-28031300401640682062015-08-22T21:28:00.000-05:002015-08-23T06:50:34.703-05:00WHAT IS YOUR FILTER?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5n9WwBpYJbD3lnBvVa6CQd_XtfYcxj4wbjdZJAcrNCqXgh1OhQbL1IWDzpU1RCELiJcRneP-Ji7mUbwk0BpOSWVhcaiLJlMK5IrRrX9KlKYqXFAM-1idmbG3xhNdhah5C4j6PyM8cCw/s1600/filter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5n9WwBpYJbD3lnBvVa6CQd_XtfYcxj4wbjdZJAcrNCqXgh1OhQbL1IWDzpU1RCELiJcRneP-Ji7mUbwk0BpOSWVhcaiLJlMK5IrRrX9KlKYqXFAM-1idmbG3xhNdhah5C4j6PyM8cCw/s200/filter.png" width="121" /></a></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When
you hear the word “filter” many things probably come to mind.
There are filters for the car, the air conditioner, water, etc. By
definition, the word filter means to pass something through
a device to remove unwanted material. For the purpose of
this blog, I want to focus on another type of filter---the Word of
God. There are so many filters that we pass information through as
we deal with issues in our life. There is the filter of our
upbringing, our culture, educational background, past experiences,
etc. We reach conclusions based upon how we filter the things we
face. If we filter information the wrong way, the outcome will also
be wrong. Try filtering your air conditioner or water through a
dirty filter and see what you get. The same thing happens when we don't filter things appropriately through the Word of God. There are many issues that
arise seeking our response including political opinions, social media
frenzies, cultural changes and more. The goal is to filter the
information through the Word so that any ungodly material is removed. It is easy
to respond based on our own opinion, wisdom, experience, what others
are spouting, etc. However, instead of being quick to respond, we
must embrace the challenge to be slow to speak (or post!) and ask the
question, “What does the Word of God say about this?” That takes
away the conflict, the mystery and even the heated debates. The Word of God will direct us in everything that we
face and provide an answer for every question. In order for the Word to accomplish this, we must
plant it in our hearts and allow it to be the final
authority in every situation. Psalm 119:130 declares, “The entrance
of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” The spirit of compromise is
so prevalent today that it is very easy to get caught up in the flow of
the world. That is why in these days of worldviews
filled with darkness, we must allow the Word of God to shine the
light and guide us to Godly answers and solutions. The Word is our filter.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
<br />
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Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-48070356005504706762015-01-01T23:04:00.000-06:002015-02-06T20:33:23.392-06:00WORDS FOR 2015<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCxnqIbC_vq0JiENkUC5n2D63yvzm08lEh222Ib5CwTSyIOdTDYnnZN7OIVoNd-w__0UXqQL5mI5x4J9Eqsfqp6l8KzEpnjgGYqKaG7ryESHbHsS2QiGIoF-j-5tWUURi01aO3CHjJjQ/s1600/2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCxnqIbC_vq0JiENkUC5n2D63yvzm08lEh222Ib5CwTSyIOdTDYnnZN7OIVoNd-w__0UXqQL5mI5x4J9Eqsfqp6l8KzEpnjgGYqKaG7ryESHbHsS2QiGIoF-j-5tWUURi01aO3CHjJjQ/s1600/2015.jpg" /></a>As we enter a new year, I
wanted to share a few words that God has given me for 2015.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Many who have sown in
tears in 2014 are about to reap a harvest of joy in 2015. You
haven't seen anything yet! Theme song for the year will be, “Every
time I turn around he keeps making a way!”</div>
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<br /></div>
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This year, as you are
faced with issues, assignments, etc., before you do anything, factor
God into the equation. I call it the God factor. In Acts 10:38 it
states, “How God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power
and he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by
the devil, <b>for God was with him</b>.” Don't focus on your
limitations, focus on the greater one on the inside of you. (As God
said in Joshua 1:9 he says to us today: “...do not be afraid, nor
dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Philippians 4:13 – I
can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me</div>
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Zechariah 4:6 – Not by
might, nor my power, but by my spirit says the Lord of hosts.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is a year to get in
position and listen intently to the voice of God. It will be
extremely important to be where God wants you to be and keep your ear
tuned to His voice. If you're out of place, you'll miss vital
instructions. Make time to abide in His presence regularly. Don't
allow distractions to keep you away from His presence. It is a year
to fully align with God's plan for your life. If you see that there
are areas that are not aligned, correct them immediately. As you
align with His presence, He will give you the direction, protection
and provision that you need. (See St John 15: 1-7)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A year to draw closer to
Him by feeding on His Word and spending time in prayer like never
before. A spirit of deception has been released, and it is extremely
subtle. Therefore, to stay in truth, stay in His presence.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The worlds were framed by
the Word of God. In the same manner, our words have creative power.
Be mindful to speak right words out of your mouth this year over your
life.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hebrews 11:3 – By faith
we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that
the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs 18:21 – Death
and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will
eat its fruit.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Isaiah 57:19 – I create
the fruit of the lips.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Job 22:28 – You will
decree a thing, and it will be established for you.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Matthew 12:37 – For by
your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be
condemned.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Don't allow anything to
shake or rattle you this year. Instead, roll every care and concern
immediately over on the Lord and keep rolling!! As you cast your
cares, you will continue to move and not get stuck where you are and
lose traction.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I pray these words
encourage you. I look forward to sharing His Word with you this
year!</div>
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Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-57304811414664205572014-09-14T19:39:00.000-05:002014-09-14T19:39:16.821-05:00THAT'S NONE OF MY BUSINESS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19KOta649v1jnsWT8PFzUXkwbevvM_QdmQ5BtCJXG1z_YzG9tkSl3j0-5M9aiszCMcZNaWMTKesUEL1x1zEq_bv10N4HRlH1UJds7yaROQWcKCBf8RJh5ykoB2j5bTeL-Fmu0CfWxkeI/s1600/Kermit+-+Business.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19KOta649v1jnsWT8PFzUXkwbevvM_QdmQ5BtCJXG1z_YzG9tkSl3j0-5M9aiszCMcZNaWMTKesUEL1x1zEq_bv10N4HRlH1UJds7yaROQWcKCBf8RJh5ykoB2j5bTeL-Fmu0CfWxkeI/s1600/Kermit+-+Business.jpg" height="192" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have been noticing the
Kermit memes that have been making the rounds on social media. The
Kermit meme features shots of Kermit the Frog typically sipping tea
and calling out individuals in a passive-aggressive manner. I
actually didn't even know what a meme was so I had to look it up!
It's a sarcastic expression used as a post script to an insult or
disrespectful remark. They usually poke fun at a range of
questionable behaviors. As I was reading a few of these, it hit me
that the devil uses this tactic so often. He likes to taunt us where
the promises of God are concerned to cause us to doubt whether the
Word will work or get us to figure out how it will come to pass
specifically. It goes something like this:</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
God says He will supply
all of your needs...the devils asks, “How are your bills going to
be paid?”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
God says you are healed
by His stripes...the devil asks, “How is your healing going to
manifest?”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
God says He has given you
peace...the devil asks, “How are you going to figure this out?”</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When the devil comes to
question how God is going to bring the Word of God to pass in our
life, we have to be like Kermit and say, “That's none of my
business!” But this is not just some sarcastic statement for us.
It really is none of our business. Our part is to pray. The answer
is God's part. Philippians 4:6-7 states, <i>“Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace
of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.”</i> Once we cast our cares or concerns
over to the Lord (1 Peter 5:7), there is no striving on our part to
make things happen. Our duty is to leave the method of how the
prayer will be answered up to Him. Hebrews 4:9-10 states, <i>“There
remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has
entered His rest has himself ceased from his own works as God did
from His.”</i> The key point in this verse is that we have to
cease from our own works, plans, etc., and trust God to honor his
Word in our life. So when the enemy comes to get you stressed over
how God is going to do something that you have prayed about, pick up
your tea (or coffee) cup, sit back, relax and tell him, “God's got
this...so that's none of my business!”</div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-78393314661774990642014-08-05T11:17:00.001-05:002018-05-25T05:55:55.340-05:00KEEP MOVING<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84IPxg-5YGRxPo9erRpXUfr8F5WC5L_8gQoh3yydC9USjLzKmWY0rUVE1KUKyXIzzUVyM2cBvEWIOtv_fsQRYheSnbLqYF-mehf6CMwGwIlIJpDIW_wfQ8-9TfUsbPXW7YXO4OHZa_ug/s1600/keep-moving.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84IPxg-5YGRxPo9erRpXUfr8F5WC5L_8gQoh3yydC9USjLzKmWY0rUVE1KUKyXIzzUVyM2cBvEWIOtv_fsQRYheSnbLqYF-mehf6CMwGwIlIJpDIW_wfQ8-9TfUsbPXW7YXO4OHZa_ug/s1600/keep-moving.jpeg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I have not blogged in quite a while. Many topics have come to mind, but
the burning desire to write did not come along with them! Lately, a subject has been stirring in my
spirit that I feel led to share. I don't
know about you, but I have been in a season of change, transition and
regrouping in many areas of my life. Seasons like this can be so uncomfortable that the tendency is to simply
stop. That's the easy way out and the
option the enemy loves to entice us with.
As I was driving home from work last week, the Lord gave me some insight
that encouraged me and reminded me to press on even through the storms of
life. I was on the interstate headed
home when all of sudden I ran into a terrible rain storm. It was one of those where visibility became
extremely limited as the rain was beating against the windshield. I initially considered pulling over since I
was already traveling at a snail's pace with my emergency blinkers
flashing. Before pulling over, I called
home to let my family know what was going on and find out what the weather was
like there. When my daughter answered, I
asked about the weather and her response was, “It’s all clear here.” After hearing that report, I felt a new
desire to keep driving now that I knew what was up ahead. As I continued to drive, the weather subsided
the closer I got to our house, and by the time I arrived, the weather was perfectly
clear. That's when God spoke to me. He said that we do the same thing in our
spiritual walk. When we face storms in
life, we often take what appears to be the easy way out and pull over and get
out of the race. However, if we simply
keep moving, we will ride out the storm until we arrive at the destination he
has for us. If I had stopped on the
interstate, I would have prolonged the time I had to deal with the downpour and
delayed my arrival to clear weather. I know how hard it is to survive what I
have termed the “gut punches” of life---those things that come against us
unexpectedly to knock the spiritual wind out of us. What God was saying to me was that we cannot
allow those things to stop us. Just like
when I kept driving through the storm, we have to keep pressing through hard
places that come against us to cause us to give up. I've actually had moments
when I have said out loud, “I give up!” (As my pastor would often say, “Maybe
you’re more spiritual than I am and never had moments like that!”) Thank God I
was able to shake off the despair and not camp out in that place. Instead of
focusing on current circumstances that may be disappointing, frustrating, hurtful,
etc., we have to remain focused on the promises of God concerning what's ahead.
I want to encourage those who have been bombarded with the storms of life to keep
moving and don't give up. After all,
it's hard to hit a moving target!
Remember, all is clear up ahead.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Philippians 3:13-1<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NKJV-29435"></a>4 Brethren, I do
not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NKJV-29436"></a> <sup>14</sup> I press toward the goal for the prize of
the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-12098760645064662762014-04-18T13:25:00.002-05:002020-09-13T18:22:41.991-05:00God's GPS<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU2ligjuHwUEZjD_77suiyOecxXgjFnJnW6mijsMR1OpvJTzu9z01-v-mDEt4Zu4V646SHd5ZP2HrkDQQoWQ27ySM4_yIakGQH12SlksHV5bnThcnDtbQApGbZUI1EVyPN93ttkFIs3k/s1600/Car-GPS.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU2ligjuHwUEZjD_77suiyOecxXgjFnJnW6mijsMR1OpvJTzu9z01-v-mDEt4Zu4V646SHd5ZP2HrkDQQoWQ27ySM4_yIakGQH12SlksHV5bnThcnDtbQApGbZUI1EVyPN93ttkFIs3k/s1600/Car-GPS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In my last blog, I mentioned that I would be
exploring the topic that I am calling, “God’s GPS.” I have had many issues arise lately related to the subject of direction. As Christians, we don’t have to wander
aimlessly through life because God desires to direct us according to His
will. I am using the GPS as an
analogy. We use a GPS to provide
directions when we are traveling to unfamiliar locations. The Global Positioning System tells us where
we are, where we are going, the best way to get there and when we can expect to
arrive. I would like to change the
letters for our purposes to stand for God’s Protective System. This system assures us of <b>G</b>race, <b>P</b>rotection and <b>S</b>ustenance
because there is always protection and provision in the will of God. It is easy to take a course of action or make
a decision based on what we feel is right or based on current circumstances. However, just because it <i>looks</i> right or <i>feels</i>
right doesn’t always mean that it <i>is</i>
right. Proverbs 14:12 states,<i> “There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of death.”</i> I've learned to say to God, “I don’t want the way that <b>seems</b> right; I want the way that <b>is</b> right.” <span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In
order for the GPS to get us to our destination, we have to enter the address
for where we are going. In our analogy, the GPS is activated as we follow the
instruction in Proverbs 3:5-6, <i>“</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge
Him, and He shall direct your paths.” </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">This means that we lay aside our
pre-conceived ideas and plans and allow God to lead us. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One thing I
love about using a GPS is that it re-routes me when I get off track. After a wrong turn, the voice immediately
comes on and says, “re-routing.” Oh how
I appreciate the “re-routings” of God.
At first, I may not be happy about them when I am heading in a direction that I
believe is right. Nevertheless, when I obey His leading, I end up exactly where He
wants me to be while avoiding the consequences of a bad decision. To
give you a practical example of how this works, I’ll share something from my
own life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Several
years ago, I was believing God for a job. I had a list of things that I needed related to the job, including pay
range. I interviewed for a job that fit all of my qualifications. The first interview went well, and I was called
back for a second interview. I was then
asked to come back so that they could obtain necessary information for a
background check. At this point, I just
knew this was my job! A few days later,
I received a letter in the mail that I did not get the job. I was extremely disappointed. (If you
remember the episode in the sitcom <i>Good Times</i> when <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:state> was trying to cope after James’
funeral, you will get an idea of my reaction.
Replace the punch bowl with a dozen eggs, remove the profanity, and
you’ll get the picture!) Sometime after that ordeal, I was informed about
another job in a field I had never heard of. I applied, interviewed and was offered the job. The only hitch was that it did not quite meet
the pay qualifications that I needed. However, the Holy Spirit directed me to take the position and told me that there
was more to it than I could see. I had
no idea what that meant, but I followed His direction. A little over a month later, an unexpected 6%
increase was given across the board. Additionally, the next year, I received a
job reclassification and a substantial raise. I knew none of this when I accepted the job, but God did. This happened
because as I was headed down a road that was not God’s best for me, He
re-routed me to my current position. Now
I can look back and be grateful for the divine “re-routing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is
just one of many examples that I can share about how God has intervened and led
me in various instances in my life. I
encourage you to allow God to speak to your heart about every decision you are
facing no matter how large or small it may be. In Job 23:10, it states that He knows the way
that we take. That means that He not only sees where we are; He knows the final destination, and He has the plan to get us there. His GPS is 100% accurate, so activate it
today and get His direction for your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Please feel
free to share your experiences with following God’s GPS in the comments or on the
Facebook Page!</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wordbasedliving?ref=hl">https://www.facebook.com/wordbasedliving</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-76263126710874110592014-03-31T04:56:00.000-05:002014-03-31T04:56:51.462-05:00Father to the Fatherless<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKDREpaerGMWwFjfYbMW1A9dSmDWof06yR9aY4NoNz7o-iNO93CLtcR8MoU5KplDEGqvSuWEJxUbduv0-hIUYf7qG3bavDKL89AWwrHLHnSdKLTkZmogPvhw4sMp0ThiA46Qm_0nsu-g/s1600/dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKDREpaerGMWwFjfYbMW1A9dSmDWof06yR9aY4NoNz7o-iNO93CLtcR8MoU5KplDEGqvSuWEJxUbduv0-hIUYf7qG3bavDKL89AWwrHLHnSdKLTkZmogPvhw4sMp0ThiA46Qm_0nsu-g/s1600/dad.jpg" height="200" width="137" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">For some reason, I have a knack for remembering
dates and numbers. For example, I can
remember the phone number we had when I was growing up at home…as well as the
phone number for our neighbors who lived down the street! I also still remember birthdays and
anniversaries for people I haven’t talked to in years. Well, today is one of those dates that I
always remember. It is the date my
father was killed in a car accident 41 years ago. It was the day life suddenly changed for my
mom, sister and me. I’m sure it was not
what my mom imagined for her life when they married almost 7 years before that
day. Looking back, I realize that it
could have been an event that set my family on a course that would greatly
impact our identity since my father was no longer there. In some ways we were
impacted. However, what I focus on today
is the redeeming power of God. He did
not leave us alone on March 31,1973. God provided for us through the years, and we never went without. We had
tremendous support from our extended families on both sides. My sister and I were even
blessed to graduate from college despite the fact that we did not have the
funds to do so. God has been there all along and has given us His
identity. The three of us are serving
God and happily married, and my sister and I now have families of our own. Yes, we missed a lot not growing up with our
father in the home, but we found God to be the Father to the fatherless! Our
path was certainly not one that we would have chosen, but I don’t reflect with
regret. I rejoice in God’s power to see us through and establish his glorious
plan in our lives despite the path we had to take to get to where we are now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I encourage those of you who may have
experienced an unexpected event in your life or those who feel that you are “off
course” to trust God to manifest his plan and purpose in your life in spite of
where you are right now.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Stay tuned for
future blogs as I explore the topic, “God’s GPS.”</span></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-59552921565426089832014-03-13T14:11:00.002-05:002014-03-13T14:19:23.151-05:00Spiritual Pampering<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZLt2S0EFpBvpp0gCY_w7jBNmcnmwpMWujMSgQjiJAzXh0U2IacYtbbFRLEfuLXfR7kKCzT7sge7K-SJBUqYnyeh2fZSfV9wJKNt7z4xLBr9qI-1LNc5_Yd-SCY3PJb34z0SDQxyqA30/s1600/pamper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZLt2S0EFpBvpp0gCY_w7jBNmcnmwpMWujMSgQjiJAzXh0U2IacYtbbFRLEfuLXfR7kKCzT7sge7K-SJBUqYnyeh2fZSfV9wJKNt7z4xLBr9qI-1LNc5_Yd-SCY3PJb34z0SDQxyqA30/s1600/pamper.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">We are getting ready for our annual women’s
conference at my church this weekend. We have women from various states and even
other countries who come to experience the presence of God. Our Priceless Conference Team works hard to create
an environment where women can come and be encouraged, transformed, and even be
pampered while they are here. We have anointed speakers who bring a fresh word to us each year. We have a huge welcome team to greet
our guests and make them feel comfortable. There are awesome giveaways each service to
make the women feel special and a fabulous party at the end of the conference
with food, music, fun, and other surprises. Just as we need pampering in the natural, there
is also a need for spiritual pampering. By the way, this is for men as well!
God wants to pamper us by…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Letting us know who we are in Christ</span></u></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>2 Corinthians 5:21</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">For He made Him who
knew no sin<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to be<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>sin for us, that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;"><i><b>Ephesians 2:10</b> For we
are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand that we should walk in them.</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Letting us know the benefits we have as his daughters/sons</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Psalm 103:1-5</b> </span><span class="textps-103-1"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Bless the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-103-1"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">, O my soul;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
<span class="textps-103-1"><span style="background: white;">And all that is within
me,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="textps-103-1"><span style="background: white;">bless</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="textps-103-1"><span style="background: white;">His holy name!</span></span><br />
</span><span class="textps-103-2"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;">2 </span></sup></b></span><span class="textps-103-2"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Bless the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-103-2"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">, O my soul,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
<span class="textps-103-2"><span style="background: white;">And forget not all His
benefits:</span></span><br />
</span><span class="textps-103-3"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;">3 </span></sup></b></span><span class="textps-103-3"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Who forgives all your iniquities,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
<span class="textps-103-3"><span style="background: white;">Who heals all your
diseases,</span></span><br />
</span><span class="textps-103-4"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;">4 </span></sup></b></span><span class="textps-103-4"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Who redeems your life from destruction,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
<span class="textps-103-4"><span style="background: white;">Who crowns you with
loving kindness and tender mercies,</span></span><br />
</span><span class="textps-103-5"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;">5 </span></sup></b></span><span class="textps-103-5"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Who satisfies your mouth with good</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;"> </span></span><span class="textps-103-5"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">things,</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><br />
<span class="textps-103-5"><span style="background: white;">So that</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span></i><span class="textps-103-5"><span style="background: white;"><i>your youth is renewed like
the eagle’s.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span class="textps-103-5"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;"><b>St John 10:10</b> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">The thief does not
come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may
have life, and that they may have<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>it<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>more abundantly.</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <b> </b></span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allowing us to experience the unconditional love he has for us</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Romans 5:8</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">But God demonstrates
His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;"><b>Ephesians 2:4-5</b> <span class="texteph-2-4">But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with
which He loved us,</span></span><span class="texteph-2-5"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;">5 </span></sup></b></span><span class="texteph-2-5"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">even
when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace
you have been saved)...</span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Showing us the awesome plan he has for our lives</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Jeremiah 29:11</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">For I know the
thoughts that I think toward you, says the<span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"> Lord</span></span>, thoughts of peace and not
of evil, to give you a future and a hope.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Psalm 139:15-16 <span class="textps-139-15">My frame was not hidden from You, w</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="textps-139-15"><span style="background: white;">hen I was made in
secret, a</span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="textps-139-15"><span style="background: white;">nd</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="textps-139-15"><span style="background: white;">skillfully wrought in the
lowest parts of the earth.</span></span></span></i><i><span class="textps-139-16"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="textps-139-16"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="textps-139-16"><span style="background: white;">And in Your book they
all were written,t</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="textps-139-16"><span style="background: white;">he days fashioned for
me,w</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="textps-139-16"><span style="background: white;">hen</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="textps-139-16"><span style="background: white;">as yet there were</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="textps-139-16"><span style="background: white;">none of them.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <b> </b></span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Showing us how much he wants to bless us</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Luke 12:32</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Do not fear, little
flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Psalm 35:27 </b></span><span class="textps-35-27"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Let them shout for joy
and be glad,w</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="textps-35-27"><span style="background: white;">ho favor my righteous
cause; </span></span><span class="textps-35-27"><span style="background: white;">and let them say
continually </span></span><span class="textps-35-27"><span style="background: white;">“Let the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="textps-35-27"><span style="background: white;">be magnified, </span></span><span class="textps-35-27"><span style="background: white;">who has pleasure in the
prosperity of His servant."</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Showing us our true value</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Matthew 6:26</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Look at the birds of
the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Zechariah 2:8</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">For thus says the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to
the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His
eye.</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <b><u>Teaching us the power of his grace</u></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Romans 5:20 </b></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">Moreover the law
entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded
much more,</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Ephesians 2:8</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">For by grace you have
been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>it is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the gift of God,</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Giving us total freedom so that all bondage is broken</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>St John</b></span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b> 8:32</b>
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">And
you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Nahum 1:9</b> </span><span class="textnah-1-9"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">What do you conspire
against the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textnah-1-9"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">? </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="textnah-1-9"><span style="background: white;">He will make an utter
end</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="textnah-1-9"><span style="background: white;">of it. </span></span><span class="textnah-1-9"><span style="background: white;">Affliction will not rise
up a second time.</span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teaching us how to receive his forgiveness and mercy</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>1 John 1:9</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Hebrews 8:12</b> </span><span class="oblique"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">For I will be merciful
to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span class="oblique"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;">I will remember no
more.</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teaching us how to walk in the Spirit and be led by him</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><b>Romans 8:14</b> For as many as are led by the Spirit
of God, these are sons of God.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<i><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>St John</b></span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b> 10:3-4</b> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>To him the doorkeeper opens, and the
sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them
out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and
the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">I hope that
you will take time to meditate on these Scripture references and allow the Holy Spirit to minister
to you even more. These are just a snapshot of the
heart of God for your life. Go ahead, pamper yourself!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more
information about the women’s conference at Jubilee International Ministries,
you may check out our website at <a href="http://www.pricelessconference.com/">www.pricelessconference.com</a>. </span></i></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-4116285100928338642014-03-05T19:34:00.000-06:002014-03-05T19:34:07.518-06:00Are You Listening?<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday as I was leaving my
office for the grocery store, I felt in my spirit that I should not go. It really wasn’t anything dramatic like a
sound from heaven or a bright light shinning into the car. I just had the slightest impression that it
was not something I needed to do. My routine every other week is grocery
shopping during lunch for all of my non-perishables and then finishing up with
the perishables on the way home. I know,
it sounds a bit much, but I like for the stop on the way home to be quick and
easy! So when I initially felt led not
to go, it would have been easy to shrug it off in order to follow my
pre-planned schedule. I have no idea why I wasn’t supposed to go and probably will never know. Maybe He was
diverting me from an accident, or maybe He just wanted me to obey Him because He
said so. All I know is that I had to change my plan. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
But I have to admit, it doesn’t
always flow that perfectly. Last night as
I was getting ready to check my work email to see if there was a response to an
email I sent earlier that day, I felt that I
should not check it because there would be something I would see that I didn’t
need to deal with at that moment. But I
decided to take a quick look anyway. Sure
enough, there was an email with something aggravating that I had no grace to
deal with that time of night! Had I
obeyed the prompting, I never would have had it crowding my thoughts. God cares
about even the details of our life. He
knows that it is hard for me to start something and not finish it, so he was
trying to keep me from bringing unnecessary stress into my relaxation time. By His
grace, I was able to shut it out of my mind so that I could deal with it today.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Being led by God’s Spirit is
so important. These events reminded me of the story in 1 Kings 19:11-12 where
Elijah was listening for direction from God. “<i>Then He
said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed
by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in
pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the
wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not
in the earthquake;<sup> 12</sup> and after the earthquake a fire,
but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small
voice.”</i> Many times we miss God listening
for the spectacular. I can’t say that I’ve
ever heard the audible voice of God. The
usual way we are led is by an inward witness in our spirit. I like to call it an impression. The events yesterday were not major life
events, but I believe “practice runs” like these are exercises to keep us in tune to
hearing His voice. I’m thankful that He gives me opportunities to sharpen my sensitivity.
God is always speaking. We just
have to make the decision to listen to what He is saying…and obey!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXUD5Ha49CMpmrtPLNUcZ8TqunAExNhrdRJntmkxL4SzSkkWFvUS92kYJ74ZjiIqZiNyIUEo7JcMk2sEW8swMzidgeCN0p_odTtAODZY231M5YFWsWiN1vwLP3wdXOaJdi1S7vl4csmk/s1600/listen-to-god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXUD5Ha49CMpmrtPLNUcZ8TqunAExNhrdRJntmkxL4SzSkkWFvUS92kYJ74ZjiIqZiNyIUEo7JcMk2sEW8swMzidgeCN0p_odTtAODZY231M5YFWsWiN1vwLP3wdXOaJdi1S7vl4csmk/s1600/listen-to-god.jpg" height="200" width="165" /></a></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-8258040834779831302014-02-23T12:49:00.001-06:002014-02-23T12:49:25.709-06:00What Do You Think?<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thoughts
are very important. The following well-known quote makes this point very well:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHB_wjEqct-44t9x-N_isf_Nce8lV3Np8j2lfi7zcBCJQoPYs7FqBjpbXo7rHELL12mDP39HjccvE3dww5w444b1yzjNb1wfFSKrXAvbhKr1g9oGQx6wW2z-Yy7CMEiI-Orys7HdttXA/s1600/000826280_iconv.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHB_wjEqct-44t9x-N_isf_Nce8lV3Np8j2lfi7zcBCJQoPYs7FqBjpbXo7rHELL12mDP39HjccvE3dww5w444b1yzjNb1wfFSKrXAvbhKr1g9oGQx6wW2z-Yy7CMEiI-Orys7HdttXA/s1600/000826280_iconv.jpeg" height="110" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Watch your thoughts, for they become words.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Watch your words, for they become actions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Watch your actions, for they become habits.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Watch your habits, for they become your
character.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Watch your character, for it becomes your
destiny.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">What we think, we become.</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">There is a direct connection between our words
and our destiny. Throughout the Word of
God, we find instructions regarding our thought life. Invariably, when we are experiencing a lack
of peace, it is because we have been focusing our attention on negativity. Philippians 4:8 gives us the recipe for
maintaining a peaceful thought life, “<i>Finally,
brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> noble, whatever things are just, whatever
things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue
and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">No matter what is going on
in our lives, there is no productivity in dwelling on it and allowing our
spirits to become heavy and distracted.
Isaiah 26:3 tells us that God will keep us in perfect peace as our minds
are stayed on Him, not our problems. Instead of continually thinking on our
problems, we must follow the instructions in Philippians 4:8 and use that as a
filter for every thought that comes to our mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as we think in our
heart, so are we. That is confirmation
that our thoughts really do impact our destiny.
What is important to realize is that we have authority over our thoughts. Just because thoughts come doesn’t mean we
have to entertain them or act upon them.
2 Corinthians 10:5 states, <i>“Casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ.” (KJV)</i> We do this by
speaking the Word of God. When thoughts
enter our mind that do not line up with the will of God, we speak the Word in
response. I love the example that I have
heard used to illustrate this point. The
speaker tells the audience to start counting to 10 or some other number in
their head. At some point he tells them
to speak their name out loud. He then shows
them that their thoughts had to stop once their mouth spoke. In the same manner, we interrupt negative thoughts
by speaking the Word. There have been
times when the assault against my mind has been so severe that I have stopped whatever I was doing and said out loud, “Shut up Satan, those are not
my thoughts!” Then I would speak words
that countered the negative thoughts. We have to do whatever it takes to keep our thoughts in line with the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What thoughts have you been thinking that have
brought on stress, worry, insecurity, etc., in your life? Maybe you felt
heaviness in your spirit and you didn't know why. Check the thought traffic that has been
allowed to roam freely in your head. The
more we dwell on wrong thoughts, the greater the likelihood that we will speak
negatively and put those thoughts into action.
Take a thought assessment this week. Make a commitment to watch what you
think and focus on changing any unhealthy thought patterns. All it takes is a quality decision. Change your thoughts…change your life!<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-87530662790424974962014-02-08T16:20:00.000-06:002014-02-08T16:20:37.612-06:00NEW AND IMPROVED!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHox7uyhAjhwAyNbJxx_kfwifN9fMGUQkSkyWSzq5TlZ9sv3HrW_8KV_9hL0FXYbaepNV1Fr0yMEUbF67OVyQYCpRaJiulAPAGYKIEm8TdpN8xSMuGNom4IK8_bFFIT9St5IjT29BjpkM/s1600/new+creature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHox7uyhAjhwAyNbJxx_kfwifN9fMGUQkSkyWSzq5TlZ9sv3HrW_8KV_9hL0FXYbaepNV1Fr0yMEUbF67OVyQYCpRaJiulAPAGYKIEm8TdpN8xSMuGNom4IK8_bFFIT9St5IjT29BjpkM/s1600/new+creature.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This
week I have been meditating on 2 Corinthians 5:17, <i>“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”</i>
I especially like the way this reads in the Amplified Version: <i>“Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in
Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old
[previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and<span style="text-align: start;"> new has come!”
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">I reflected on the fact that we are not
refurbished. When I think of something being refurbished, I think of an item
that was old, damaged, broken or no longer functional being restored to useful
condition. With the right skills, knowledge, or creativity, some things can be
made to look brand new.Take computers for instance. You can purchase one that
is sold as refurbished. This means that it was originally purchased and later
returned. Once returned, it was sent for repairs where it could be restored to
like-new condition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">While I
have no problem purchasing something that has been refurbished, that is not the
case with our redemption. God did not take the mess we were in and renovate and
restore us to like-new condition. We were re-created and given new life! Therefore
when the devil comes to condemn us and remind us of our past, we simply inform
him that the person he is referring to is dead. Our old man was crucified with
Jesus (Romans 6:6). As stated in Romans 8:1, <i>“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ
Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”</i>
Some may say, “I know I was a new creature when I was born again, but I've messed up since then.” That’s the beauty of the grace of God. 1 John 1:9 says, <i>“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.”</i> No matter what we
have done or will do, when we go to God in true repentance, he wipes our slate
clean and doesn’t even remember our sins (Hebrews 8:12). If God doesn’t remember
them, why should we once we are forgiven?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In
Revelation 12:10, the devil is referred to as the “accuser of the
brethren.” That is his mode of operation.
Our defense against this tactic of the enemy is the Word of God. When he assaults us with flashbacks of our
past, we assault him with, “It is written…”! That is why it is important for us
to know who we are in Christ. We are not second rate, low quality refurbishments.
We are new creations who have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2
Corinthians 5:21).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I enjoy looking at renovation projects such as old houses that have been
restored and upgraded. I love to watch the Extreme Makeover shows to see
projects like this unfold. The best episodes are when they bring in the
bulldozers to tear down the house completely and build a new house from the
ground. That’s the kind of work that was done is us. Our spiritual “house” was
not simply remodeled; we were made brand new. We experienced the first “extreme
makeover.” Give thanks to God today for
the new and improved you!</span></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-45676619670281014772014-02-02T17:02:00.001-06:002014-02-02T17:08:53.997-06:00The Curse of Perfectionism<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdV4RukvBiKWGSdwwax-kWK137tTXawtBicFoWhCZJtX_hMnW-9X6sOorWdTdkLnY3CTJsmAAVF2UGnNnWPzyL3HGg1qsyw1J83uWhvJpZHudpm4A0Jwpy-6jF8VuEe8Md3RfVeyJxPM/s1600/Perfect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdV4RukvBiKWGSdwwax-kWK137tTXawtBicFoWhCZJtX_hMnW-9X6sOorWdTdkLnY3CTJsmAAVF2UGnNnWPzyL3HGg1qsyw1J83uWhvJpZHudpm4A0Jwpy-6jF8VuEe8Md3RfVeyJxPM/s1600/Perfect.jpg" height="168" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, maybe that title is a bit strong, but
being a perfectionist can be down right debilitating. The quest for perfection
can cause us to do nothing for fear that we can't do it "just right."
Then there are times when we decide to step out and do something and end up
struck by the "paralysis of analysis." I am learning day by day that
the key to overcoming these stifling scenarios is to just do it! Notice I said
learning, not learned. I have not arrived, but at least I'm on my way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3514" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3507" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take this blog, for instance. I came up with one
excuse after another as to why I shouldn't or couldn't do it. "What if I
make mistakes?" (Huge deal for the editor in me!) "What if no one
reads it." "You don't know how to do this." On and on the doubts
flooded my mind. Freedom and release came from the Word of God. One verse
stands out from Ecclesiastes 11:4,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"He
who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not
reap."</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>In other words,
if we look at what we see (or go by what we feel), we may never do anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3507" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3518" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With regard to doing it perfectly, that's an
unattainable goal to start with because Jesus is the only one who has arrived!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3518" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3519" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">One key to freedom in this area is being free
from people-pleasing. Our utmost desire always has to be to please God and Him
only. If anyone else is pleased in the process, that's a bonus.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Colossians<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">3:23-24 states,</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><i style="background-color: white;">"And whatever you do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will
receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."</i><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3519" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3520" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This can certainly present a challenge in our
social media focused society. Everybody wants to be friended, liked, followed
or tagged. There is nothing wrong with any of these things as long as they do
not become our motivation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3520" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3520" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The bottom line is to follow the leading of the
Holy Spirit. Where He guides, He always provides the provision, grace and</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">enablement<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">for us. It's not about perfection;
it's actually about trusting God. We're clay in the hands of the potter and He
is the perfect sculptor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391365891867_3520" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So break the curse of perfectionism and just step out and do it!</span>Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-85645863193188179632014-01-30T16:31:00.000-06:002014-01-31T09:17:02.697-06:00What is the State of Your Union?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As many were anticipating the recent State of the Union Address, the following phrase came to me: "What is the state of your union?" In other words, "How is your union with the Father?" The Scripture that comes to mind is St John 15:1-7: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text John-15-1">“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. </span><span class="text John-15-2" id="en-NKJV-26702"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">2 </span><span class="woj">Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;</span><span class="woj">and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.</span> </span><span class="text John-15-3" id="en-NKJV-26703"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">3 </span><span class="woj">You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.</span> </span><span class="text John-15-4" id="en-NKJV-26704"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">4 </span><span class="woj">Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. </span></span></i><i><span class="text John-15-5" id="en-NKJV-26705"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">5 </span><span class="woj">“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.</span> </span><span class="text John-15-6" id="en-NKJV-26706"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">6 </span><span class="woj">If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. </span></span><span class="text John-15-7" id="en-NKJV-26707"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">7 </span><span class="woj">If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will<b> </b></span><span class="woj">ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text John-15-7"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This passage uses the analogy of vines and branches to represent our connection to Jesus. The key point is that as branches, we cannot survive if we are not connected to Jesus, the vine. We are admonished to abide in Jesus. To abide means to stay, remain or continue. It's not a place we visit temporarily. It is a place of permanent residency. Without a living connection to God, our lives are fruitless. How do we connect to Him? Reading and studying His Word and fellowshipping with Him in prayer are ways this can be accomplished. Our connection with Him has to be our #1 priority because it is out of that vital connection that the other areas of our life are guided. We cannot expect to experience true success in the kingdom outside of our union with the Father. Notice I said kingdom success. Many times, the world gives a semblance of success, but those things are not eternal. Our lives must be built on that which will last for eternity. So ask yourself if your union with God is where it needs to be. If it isn't, no worries or condemnation. All it takes is a quality decision to re-focus your attention to put the things of God first place in your life. Open up the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to bring the Word alive to you. Talk </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to God from your heart in prayer and allow Him to speak back to you. Spend time worshipping and praising God.These are ways we maintain that living connection. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we do this, it allows our desires to align with His desires for our life. When that happens, we hear God's heart for us, and our asking will line up with what He desires for our life. That is why St. John 15:7 says that as we abide in Him, we will ask what we will and it will be done. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our union with God is vitally important. Take time today to assess the state of your union!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
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Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891381702555153384.post-47699707059520282772014-01-29T22:53:00.000-06:002014-01-31T09:22:29.630-06:00My Blogging Debut!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have tossed around the idea of starting a blog for quite a while. I'm a person who takes the Scripture in Luke 14:28-30 quite literally: <i><b>"</b><span class="text Luke-14-28" id="en-NKJV-25582" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it</span></span><span class="text Luke-14-29" id="en-NKJV-25583" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="woj">lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,</span> </span></i><span class="text Luke-14-30" id="en-NKJV-25584" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"><i> </i></span><span class="woj"><i>saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish?' "</i> I believe strongly in counting up the cost of an endeavor before proceeding because I do not like starting something that I cannot maintain or finish. God really dealt with my heart concerning it, and I got the "green light" to proceed! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-14-30" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">The inclement winter weather we have experienced here in Florida this week was a huge catalyst since I have been off work and confined to the house. So I figured this down time was the perfect time to launch a blog! It is my hope that your life will be blessed as you follow my blog. I'm not making a commitment to myself on how often I will blog. I'll trust the Holy Spirit's leading. His timing is always perfect.</span></span></span></div>
Word Based Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15290293018076199435noreply@blogger.com6