Attacks on every hand!

As we celebrate Memorial Day and remember the military men and women who died for our freedom, I honor them and am truly grateful. Their enemies attacked and for whatever reason, they died, but for a good cause. When I hear of friendly fire, or stupid mistakes made by the soldiers or their leaders, I am sickened to hear of soldier's deaths as a result. Why is it that so many Christians today are being attacked like I've never seen before? Many times I hear of their fall and am sickened. We are in a spiritual war and God promises in His Word that we will ultimately win, but the battle at hand is heated and many Chrisitians are being attacked with sickness, calamity, divorce, and temptation beyond their overcoming. The devil and his cohorts are bringing many down to despair and sometimes death (spiritual and or physical). He works to discredit God's character and the validity of His Word. It's especially hard when it happens to those we know personally. Hope and faith are being attacked. It seems unfair because it happens to really wonderful and amazing people. There may be some of you who disagree with me, but there are reasons why the enemy of our soul has power over Christians although God's word tells us He has no power over us>(My next blog will cover our power in Christ). Here are a few Biblical reasons that reveal HOW the enemy takes every opportunity to bring God's people down: #1. Ignorance-My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Hosea 4:6 (*a study on Godly knowledge is highly recommended). For example, I was unpacking a new flag that I bought and I couldn't see how to attach it to the pole. The screws that were needed were transparent and had I not gone back to the instructions, I wouldn't have known that all of the parts were there. The flag kit would have appeared to be missing something, making the statement that all of the parts were included, appear to be untrue. This happens to Christians when they don't know that God has given us everything we need to be blessed and victorious in this life. It's in His word! #2. Imperfect faith-our faith will not be perfect until we are with Him in Heaven. At times we may not have faith for a victory. We must admit this. God's word is perfect. His promises are true. That is why we don't recieve all that He has promised us. His word says that with faith in God, we can receive anything from Him>Jesus said, "do not doubt...have faith...and you will receive..."a doubtful man doesn't receive anything from the Lord (Matt 21:21-22). We must encourage one another to have faith in God! Faith in God comes from intimacy with Him and hearing His voice regarding your battle. #3. Fear-God has not given us a spirit of fear, BUT POWER... When the Holy Spirit comes in us, He brings power. If one doesn't know that they have powerful weapons, they won't be using them in a battle. I've heard how many of our soldiers in Iraq were lacking the weapons they needed to fight with. It was sickening to hear of their demise>Our weapons are powerful, use them! (2 Cor. 10:3-5) #4- Disobedience-(intentional or not) an act of disobedience can get us out of the glory and into the pit! Initially yielding to the Lord's will for our life is key. He is our Commander in Chief. Walking in the Spirit and being sensitive to His leading daily is our insurance. He protects us and leads us into all truth and into victory for His glory! In conclusion, the A. Paul gives us some advice for victory in this battle (1 Tim. 6:1-21 *Please read)>flee pride, lust, greed, conceit, strife, envy, and jealousy. Instead, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness of heart. Fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life. We are victorious through HIM!

Why should I feel discouraged?

"Why should I feel discouraged?" This is a line from an old hymn that I love. Within this song are some keys to beating discouragement. We should apply these keys to our life when needed because discouragement has the power to destroy us! First of all, discouragement can easily lead to depression, which can lead to the lack of faith for a situation, that will put us on the path to hopelessness. I don't naturally get discouraged. I have a type A or an upbeat personality and rarely get down. But I do "get down" occasionally as everyone does. I know alot of people that have to deal with the "blues" quiet often. Sometimes it's physical, hormonal, chemical, demonic. But it is used by the devil, the enemy of our souls, to steal from us our joy, which is our strength>(Neh. 8:10). Without strength we are no longer able to withstand spiritual attacks. Don't you think we ought to put discouragement out of our life? The enemy uses discouragement to diminish our hope. He then goes on to steal our faith, and without faith, we are separated from God and therefore have no hope!>(Gal 2; Heb 10, 11; 1 Jn 5; Rom 4, 5; etc.) At the point of discouragement, we must brace ourselve up for a battle>(1 Pet 1:13). We then need to muster up the strength that we have and proceed to resist the devil>(James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9). We fight the fight of faith>(1 Tim 6:12). And WE WIN! Here is this song: Verse 1-"Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely? And long for heaven's home. When Jesus is my portion>Heb. trans.-inheritance; belongeth to. My constant friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me. Vs 2-Let not your heart be troubled. His tender word I hear. And resting on His goodness, I loose my doubts and fears. Tho' by the path He leadeth. But one step I may see. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Vs 3-Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise. When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies. I draw the closer to Him. From care He sets me free. His eye is on the sparrow, and He watches over me." The keys to remember: *Jesus is our portion (Ps 16:;5; 73:26; 119:57) ; *He is a constant friend as we listen to His tender words>(Jn 15:14-15); *Rest on His goodness>( Heb 4); *Draw close to Him>(James 4:8). The Lord expects us to take responsibility for our freedom from discouragement. He has made the way! Praise God for His loving watchful eyes and for all that He has done for us!

Lost....

I am going to launch out and say something that might be taken offensively by some. I don't want to offend anyone, but the scriptures I'm going to share might offend you! I have noticed a trend lately that grieves me to the core of my heart and I believe grieves God also. It is the fact that so many are calling themselves Christians, and yet don't bear the fruit or the evidence of the Holy Spirit in their life. I'm not talking about a spiritually immature Chrisitian, but about those who are "running" after the things of this world instead of after God. Oh, they may go to church, and sing. They may even lift their hands in praise, and say an amen or two. But the book of Jude says that these people come into the body of Christ and corrupt it. They are deluded and are like clouds without rain, wild waves, hidden reefs, and damned to the gloom of eternal darkness forever. In Matt 16 Jesus warns of the "leaven of the Pharisees">the religious hypocrits of the day. This is the person who appears to be religious and yet their heart is far from God and they do not exhibit godly character. They continually exhibit worldliness and lack of Christian love. They are self-willed and bent on living for this temporal life. Jesus said that in order to be His disciple we must deny ourself, follow Him, and conform wholly to His example in living and also in dying if need be. It really hurts me for these people because they will someday wake up and realize that their life was for naught. It hurts me because I know God loves them so much, and yet they insist on going their own way, down a path of what appears to be spiritually security and yet it is the path to hell. I believe Jesus wants us to always love others, but I challenge you to first evaluate yourself with these things: 1. Do I love God more than anything? 2. Do I desire to do His will above all else? 3. Do I yield to God's love and the fruit of the Holy Spirit or do I preserve myself and not repent to others. 4. Do I murmer and complain or am I grateful and humble? 5. Do I live a "Christ-like life and exhibit a life of holiness? These are some clear ways to determine if we are on the right track. When in a situation where we witness a "cloud without water" or a "wild wave" type of person, here are some pointers on how I believe Jesus wants us to deal with it. 1. Pray for that person. 2. Always be merciful and caring, yet without compromise. 3. Speak the truth in love boldly regarding their sinfulness, as the Lord leads. 4. Don't fellowship with them or spend "quality" time with them because it is better to spend some time with an unbeliever and try to win them to the Lord. Years ago, someone I know and am very close to, was obviously a hypocrit. She was claiming to be saved. She was a Founder's member of the 700 Club (sent $1000.00 a month as an offering to CBN), read and studied the Bible every day and yet was an alcoholic, a bartender, and her boyfriend was married to another woman!! Come on...what's wrong with this picture??? Whenever I got the chance, I challenged her with the gospel truths regarding her lifestyle. She knew that I loved her, and after a year or two, she committed her whole life to the Lord. She really changed. She became totally focused on finding God's plan for her life, and has a ministry today! I know that my constant love with speaking the truth helped her. I would tell her that she can't call herself a Christian and live like she was. By God's grace she finally understood that. She also attributes watching Joyce Meyer and Kenneth Copeland's show helpful too! Thank the Lord for His mercy, love, and preachers!! We need to preach the truth and challenge others to "live up" to the title so that the Word of God is not blasphemed>Titus 2. Thank you for your faithfulness! Thank you for your pure and dedicated life. Stay close to Him, reach out in love, and preach the Word!