Defeating Strongholds

Mar29

This week’s message is very simple. I truly believe that God’s word is final and it never returns void. (Isaiah 55:11) Which basically means that when you speak God’s word over your life, it will accomplish everything that it says.

Now on the flip side of things, I also believe that the devil wants to keep us in strongholds. Whether it is a bad doctor’s report, loss of a job, poverty, depression, addictions or anything in between. He wants us to remain in the chains of bondage.

Well, today we are going to break those strongholds for good! For, It is written, “when two or more agree, it will be done.” (Matthew 18:19) God’s word is final so let’s agree today. Repeat after me…

Father, today, I stand in agreement that Your word is above all else. It doesn’t matter what is going on in my life. It doesn’t matter what things look like or what people think about me. Lord, today I declare that every stronghold in my life, my family’s life and my friend’s lives are broken today. I believe and receive Your completeness and Your wholeness; physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually; in every area of our lives. In Jesus’ mighty name. Praise the Lord. Amen.

Today, is a new day!

Rejoice, for we serve a BIG GOD!

Nothing is impossible for Him! (Luke 1:37)

BELIEVE AND RECEIVE!

DO YOU KNOW YOUR WORTH?

Mar28

God has really placed on my heart to share something with you that very few people know. As hard as it is, I know the importance of what I’m about to discuss and we are all at a very critical point in life. Many of you have been fighting and wrestling with your own self-worth. In doing so, you tend to look back over the course of the years and see all the pain, the loss, and the suffering but not your true worth. Let me explain…

As a child, I was physically abused. It led me to feel worthless and unloved. For so many years, I wrestled with the pain and suffering in a very quiet, lonely manner. In protection of my family, no one was aware of the situation. So I continued to deeply hurt all by myself, weeping silently while the shame and guilt consumed me.

For years afterwards, I felt like I didn’t deserve happiness. So, I dated all the wrong guys, lived well below my talents, lived rebelliously; and quite frankly, just never believed that I could be someone lovable or better than what I was living.

Needless to say, I lived a very self-defeating lifestyle and learned how to push away others when they showed me what real love was. I simply couldn’t understand why they cared about me. I was so broken; I allowed people to hurt me and, in turn, I hurt others as well. Until God showed me differently and I learned what I’m telling you today!

For those of you who have been hurt, abused, shamed or felt neglected and lost…I HAVE GREAT NEWS!

YOU HAVE AN INCREDIBLE WORTH TO GOD AND YOU DESERVE HIS BEST!

Throughout the Bible, God used murderers, prostitutes and very evil men to show His amazing glory. So, no matter what has happened to you in life, no matter what people have said about you, no matter what you think of yourself…God sees someone beautiful and blessed.

So today, I ask you to release all the pain, hurt, anger, frustration and suffering of the past years and look forward to your amazing future that God has for you. (Philippians 3:13-14) Ask Him to restore all that you have lost. (Joel 2:25) Ask Him to fill you with His incredible love. (Ephesians 3:19)

You are a one-of-a-kind. So, be brave and bold; walking out in faith to the most amazing journey of your life. With God, all things are possible (Mark 10:27). So, let go and be truly free! Give Him your cares, worries and doubts. (1 Peter 5:7) Watch Him bring you the most amazing and wonderful life He has specifically, in store, for you! His amazing grace is upon you and 2025 is going to be your best year ever! Believe it and Receive it! It is your time to shine!

Spring Fever

Mar27

I know, I know…way to early for Spring cleaning. That’s what I thought too. However, after writing the last few postings, I started to feel very weighed down in life. It encompassed every area; physically, mentally, and spiritually. I couldn’t understand what was going on and why I was being attacked so heavily.

If you have ever been in a deep spiritual battle, you know how difficult it can be to keep your mind focused in prayer. You will start off well and then find that your mind sways to different topics or you’ll start thinking about what you need to accomplish for the day; and so forth.

Well, that is exactly what happened to me. While I was seeking God’s guidance over the situation, He gave me a completely different answer than what I might expect. I sure wasn’t ready for what God had in mind.

He asked me to go on a cleansing frenzy. He showed me that while I was re-focusing my thought life, I also needed to cleanse my surroundings. The next thing I knew, I was trying on every piece of clothing, every pair of shoes and every coat I owned. Whatever didn’t fit, ended up going BYE BYE!

And, THAT’S WHEN IT HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS!

With all the difficulties we face in our lives, we tend to hold onto stuff. It’s kind of like a security blanket that is attached with so many emotions. God showed me that it was time to not just let go of the past mentally, but, also physically. Now, before I go any further…I had cleaned out before but this was the biggest undertaking I ever encountered. Not only did I go through my clothes, shoes, and coats; I also went through my purses, magazines, papers, books, knick knacks, pictures, and furnishings. Basically, everything I owned. GOD WAS ASKING FOR A TOTAL MAKEOVER!

I couldn’t understand why God felt this was so important. But, what He showed me was that all these “things” were weighing me down heavily and it was time to let go of it all. Now, let me just say, it was not easy by no means. There were things that I was emotionally attached to, things that I wanted to keep.

But, guess what? God had other plans. Let’s just say that Proverbs 3:5 continuously played in my mind…“trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.

Basically, what God is saying to us all is that He has a specific purpose for everyone of us this year. I don’t completely understand the logic nor will I pretend to. However, I do know that if God should ask you to let go of some things that are no longer serving you, please do it without hesitation. Because I can tell you that it is worth it in the end.

For what I found was that the more I let go, the lighter I felt. I found a youthful, pep in my step. Yet, even a deeper outcome sprang forth…my personal relationship with God was magnified tremendously.

So, JUMP FOR JOY for all things are new! I pray that God will open your eyes to what might be holding you back. For this is a new year with new opportunities. EMBRACE THE NEW! (See Philippians 3:13) God Bless!

No Room For Guilt and Condemnation

Mar26

Have you ever noticed that as you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your past has its way to remind you of your ugly ol’ self? It seems like every time you take a step forward in faith, you get bombarded by negative thoughts or people trying to remind you of who you used to be; trying to make you feel guilty, condemned or like a hypocrite.

Your past is just that…your past. It does not define who you are now in Christ. You are a new creation and the old has been released (2 Cor. 5:17). So, let go of your past and let God continue working within you; creating the beautiful person you are meant to be. For who He sets FREE is FREE INDEED! (John 8:36)

Jesus was the only person, who walked on this earth, that was perfect. We all fall short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23) However, through Jesus, our future is very different. He already paid for every one of our sins (past, present and future). So, when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; you were washed as white as snow, your sins were forgiven and God no longer remembers them. (Romans 8:1-39)

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Whatever you do, do not allow yourself to be pulled into feeling guilty nor to respond to the negativity. For God is your vindicator (Romans 12:19). So, let go of any guilt, condemnation, pain, anger or sorrow and ask God to send His love towards that person or thing that is causing the unnecessary emotion. Place it in God’s hands and feel the weight of the world lift off your shoulders.

Just remember that God never calls the qualified, but, makes us all qualified through Jesus. So, fly like an eagle and soar to your new heights for there is no room for guilt or condemnation. Christ wiped your slate clean! You are a NEW CREATION in Christ so be bold, brave and beautiful in all that He calls you to do! Thank God for His new beginnings, Praise His Name and grasp your FABULOUS FUTURE; for the best is yet to come!