Speak Up

Aug9

I don’t know about you, but, I have found myself bombarded with negative thoughts lately. One minute I’m working happily on a project and the next, my mind is a whirlwind of non-related thoughts that leave me stressed, fearful, and frustrated. It has been a real struggle to say the least. There is no doubt in my mind, that we are all finding ourselves in a major mental battle right now.

It is so important for us to realize that there is a spiritual battle that is taking place. If we allow the negative thoughts into our mind, then Satan and his cronies can build a stronghold that can intensify. Satan’s time is very short and he is doing everything in his power to make you change course and give up. The Apostle Paul told us how cunning the serpent (Satan) really is and why he attacks our thoughts.

2 Corinthians 11:3

“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Well, we can not allow that to happen. We need to continuously fight the good fight of faith. (1 Tim. 6:12) So, what should we do?

James 4:7

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

When negative thoughts come streaming into your mind, the best thing you can do is stop and speak up. If the devil is trying to make you feel guilty, quickly say “No, I am made righteous in the name of Jesus and my sins have been forgiven.” (Acts 10:43) Or maybe he is trying to make you feel fearful because your bills are coming due and there simply isn’t enough to pay them….then, say out loud, “God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 4:19)

Tongue and Mouth

God has given us the truth in scripture. No matter what Satan throws at you, you have the ability to stop it in its tracks. Speak the word and Satan will flee for God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. (II Tim. 1:7)

The Healing Power

Jul19

This past week, I found myself surrounded in doctors when my mom was rushed to the hospital. We had no idea what was happening and soon found out that it was very serious. As more and more tests were taken, fear tried to persuade me that she wasn’t going to make it. I had a choice to make; either give into the fear or start pleading the blood.

In order for me to take control of the feelings pressuring me to make the wrong choices, I sent a Prayer Call to all of our family and friends on Facebook. I needed help and in a BIG WAY! As soon as I hit the enter button, I immediately felt the weight of the world lift off my shoulders.

Right before mom went into surgery, we prayed to the Great Physician; knowing that God is our healer and protector in all situations. The surgery went well, however, mom had an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. She found herself unable to breathe and shivering non-stop. This was not a normal reaction and we came very close to losing her. Now, during this time, I could have panicked. I could have given up. Heck, I could have even started yelling at God. But, something very different happened instead.

While I’m watching the hospital staff do everything they could to save mom, I found myself speaking in tongues. I just opened my mouth and uttered whatever it was the Holy Spirit knew I needed. The more I spoke, the worse mom got. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks…THE DEVIL IS A LIAR, don’t believe what you see.

Fervently, I kept praying in tongues asking the Holy Spirit to take over the situation because I had no clue what was going on, nor what mom needed. All of a sudden, mom was breathing and calming down. It was like the angels surrounded her in God’s amazing healing power. Within 24 hours, she did a miraculous 360 degree turnaround. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever encountered.

1 Corinthians 14:2 “For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit.”

Miracles do still happen! And I’m here today to tell you that no matter what you encounter and no matter what you see, God is still in the miracle business. He is still intervening in ways we can’t comprehend.

So, the next time you find yourself under fire and nothing appears to be going right, speak in tongues and watch God’s healing power come to life in your situation. For He truly is a Loving, Protecting, and Caring Father!

Setup NOT Setback

Jul12

One of the greatest stories ever told in the Bible is about the young man, Joseph. God gave him a dream. However, he wasn’t given the “how” or “when” of the dream.

Joseph’s life was a whirlwind of events. He was his father’s favorite son. Unfortunately, it lead to his brothers’ jealousy. I’m sure Joseph didn’t realize that this jealousy would lead to being thrown into a pit, sold into slavery nor could he have ever imagined that he would be placed into jail for something he didn’t commit.

Think what must have ran through his mind. He must have wondered why are all these bad things happening to him. Here he was a young man that received an incredible dream. You can only imagine his excitement. I’m sure he had no idea that he would hit every brick wall imaginable. Nor, did he have any idea that he was going to become one of the most powerful and influential men to ever live.

So, what was his response to all the “so called” setbacks? He trusted God. No matter how bad things got or how many setbacks he encountered, he trusted God. As Joseph said in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.“

We can learn so much from Joseph’s story. No matter what adversity you encounter, know that God is setting you up for something more incredible than you could ever imagine. Also remember, the closer you get to your miracle, the worse things seem to become. But, there is no need to fear for we might not know the “how” or “when”; but we can be absolutely certain that our FUTURE IS GOING TO BE BETTER THAN WE COULD EVER DREAMED!

SIDE NOTE:

Over the past few weeks, I have shared some song links to help you stay motivated through difficult times. Here is another wonderful tune that I hope helps you stand strong when everything seems to be going haywire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3b2jw1rjBc

Bye Bye Struggles

Jun22

As we go through our daily lives, we tend to look at what “WE” should do. I should do this…I should do that. I should pray more. I should tithe more. I should read the Bible more. I should have helped more. I shouldn’t have watched that show. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I shouldn’t have had that nasty thought. And so on, and so on, and so on.

Satan loves to keep us in this type of mindset. Every time something goes wrong, he loves to make us look at what we should or should not have done. Making us feel bad, stressed, or worried.

However, what we need to realize is that God does not see us when He looks from Heaven. He sees Jesus. I John 4:17 “…because as He is, so are we in this world.”

When you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, you accepted Jesus as your substitute. It is no longer YOUR effort but HIS. God wants you to understand that you are IN CHRIST JESUS! That means every single time you see yourself lacking, look to Jesus and His finished work.

We can’t earn God’s love or blessings…we already have them. We can not do more because Jesus already did. Everything that comes against us, Jesus already conquered. All we need to do is rest in His finished work because Jesus lives within us.

When a sickness is attacking you, See Jesus.
When your finances are depleting, See Jesus.
When you are struggling with addictions, See Jesus.
When you need a miraculous solution, See Jesus.

So, let’s stop struggling and blaming ourselves today. Instead, let’s be more like David in the Psalms when He prayed “Look upon your anointed one (Jesus) and bless me”. It is by embracing Jesus and resting in His finished work, our answers lie. You may not be able to see or touch your solution yet. But, HE is your answer. Nothing that comes against you will prosper.

Greater is He