A Woman of God..... (11.9.18)

Good Morning Faith Family,
I took this post from the internet and I just wanted to share this.
This is beautifully written and very true....
  -  Marilyn

Godly women don't have to advertise.
They can just be themselves.
Their trust is in the Lord.

The anointing makes them beautiful. It attracts and demands attention and respect, all on it's own. It will catch the eye of any man who can recognize the true spirit of GOD.

It is rare for a man to come at her disrespectfully because the GOD in her radiates like the bright sun. It says 'I am a woman of GOD. A princess. A daughter of the King of kings.'

Her very presence and spirit demands the best and nothing less.

She is not desperate for anything, and her emotions are checked by the Holy Spirit. Her heart is in the hands of GOD, and GOD will not give it to a man who is unworthy of his daughters love.

Remember the Things that God has Done.... And Believe Again (11.8.18)

My Child,

You ask why circumstances don't change, why you are enduring the trials that have come upon you. I have given you instructions by My Word, you hear My Voice, and yet you doubt. Things won't change as long as you continue to waver in your faith. In order for you to receive the desires I have for you AND the desires of your heart, you must let go of your fears and doubts, and believe again.

Remember sometime ago you were praying to Me that I move that problem out of your way? Remember how quickly I answered you. My child, it is time you remember and believe again. Recall My Word: Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world!  Therefore, stand tall, put on My Armor and withstand the enemy who is trying to steal your future in Me.  Speak My Word! Believe again, and do not ever stop believing in Me.

You WILL receive that which you have asked for.

Yes, I Am able. 

Yes, I Can do all things and I Choose to do
     those things through you. 

Therefore, do not bind and limit Me with your idle words of doubt.  Believe and allow Me to do My Will in your life. I want to do exceeding abundantly things in your life; however, in order for Me to do My Part, you must do your part.  

So, believe in Me again, and My Power
     will flow through you. 
Believe again and see My Glory, the glory
     of the Lord your God, move upon
     your situation.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD
Isaiah 65:24 - And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

James 1:6-7 - But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that watereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.

Ephesians 3:20 - Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

1 John 4:4 - Ye are of GOD, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

You are Going in the Right Direction. Stay on the Right Path & Continue to Listen to God's Voice. (11.7.18)

My Child,
Yes, you are going in the right direction.

Now, do not try to get ahead of Me; and do not allow your flesh to cause you to say, “I got this now.”  

For it’s when you step out of the Spirit, and into the flesh, that you will lose your place and have to start over again.

If you continue to listen to My Voice, and be obedient to My Directions, you will stay on the path that I Have laid out for you. And as you journey down this path, do not be surprised when temptation comes to distract you from reaching your destiny.

You have come too far to allow anything
     to hinder you.
Therefore, keep your eyes on Me, and off of
     the worldly things that would pull you
     away from Me.

I Am taking you down this path to increase your wisdom, and to strengthen you; so that you will be able to resist the enemy when he comes against you. 

It is My Desire to strengthen you
     by My Holy Spirit.  

Stay on this path, carry My Message and "be a blessing" to those who are troubled in their spirit and want to give up. 

I Want you to remind them that I Am real; and through this journey, you will show them how you overcame.

Stay on the right path, and you will
     be an inspiration to others. 

Ask Me, "day by day" and "moment by moment," if need be, what to do.

I Am here for you.
I Am sending One whose assignment is to bless
     you and walk close by your side.
I Have given you the wisdom to follow the path
      laid out before you, so stay on the right path.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Psalm 16:11 - Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 25:4-5 - Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the GOD of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day

Proverbs 4:14 - Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Isaiah 30:21 - And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Nehemiah's Strategy - Prayer & Action (11.6.18)

The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the GOD of heaven, and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it’ - Nehemiah 2:4-5

Faith Believers,
Nehemiah knew that he was the man whom GOD expected to rebuild the city of Jerusalem.

His strategy was prayer.

He first asked GOD to prepare the way for him to receive favor from the king. But then, he knew that he must ask the king for his help. Having confidence in the Lord’s plan and provision, he did just that - even though he was afraid. How many of us pray, but then don’t continue on in faith; to be the answer to our own prayers? Do you wonder how many prayers GOD might have answered differently, if we had just been obedient in our actions?

Sometimes GOD desires and requires the next step beyond obedience to intercede … the obedience to act on behalf of the person or situation for whom, or for which, we are interceding.

Nehemiah prayed a prayer to GOD, just before responding to the king’s question, “What is it you want?” (Nehemiah 2:4-5). He utilized the strategy of prayer for preparation, and also to gain the wisdom to speak the words GOD wanted him to say: Then I prayed to the GOD of heaven, and I answered the king. Jesus tells us not to fear when we stand before kings and authorities on His behalf for He will give us the words to say. (Luke 21:12-15).

Nehemiah experienced this same promise from GOD.

~ Prayer ~
Our Father in Heaven,

Create in me the faithful heart of Nehemiah so that I am not afraid to be the answer to the prayers I pray. 

Help me to prepare the ground in prayer and ask for Your Wisdom in every situation, so that I will be confident in Your plans and provision. 

May I continually act in obedience, even if it might mean stretching my experience to trust that You will give me words to say in uncertain situations. 

In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen

 

 

No More Negative Thoughts (11.5.18)

My Child,
Why have you allowed negative thoughts to overtake you? 
Now depression has come upon you and clouded your mind.

It didn’t attack you overnight. 

It came upon you slowly, when you took your eyes off My Word, and began to worry about your circumstances.  Now, it’s lingering longer than you thought it would.  You’ve tried to resist it, but it keeps creeping back in.  Why?  Because you’re thinking that I Won’t fulfill My Promises to you. 

You know that’s not true.
I Always honor My Word.

The only way to break this negative spirit is to pray and focus on My Goodness, not on your circumstances. Yes, focus on My Goodness, and not what the enemy is trying to do.  Then, and only then will you see a change of perspective in your life. 

Your focus has been on the future and what it may bring. 

Why are you worried about that?
I Hold your future in My Hands. 

With your mind so focused on what you want Me to do for you, you have forgotten about all the beautiful things that I have already done in your life???

Start now.
Take a stand
     and allow Me to retrain your thinking. 

Work with Me by staying in My Word; as I renew and transform your mind.  Start thinking and meditating on the good things that have happened in your life.  Look for the small, even tiny seemingly insignificant things and be grateful; then walk in this gratefulness and be filled with thanksgiving for the Blessed Life I have given you.
 

Count your blessings and know that there is nothing impossible for Me.

Then I want you to rise up, suit up in My Son's Name and move through the smoke screen that satan has thrown up in your path. 

And you shall see My Word blow the enemy away, and bring light into your darkest night. 

Now, NO MORE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS.

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Isaiah 55:11 -  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Matthew 6:34  - Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of GOD.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things

 

 

#ScriptureReflection - Judges 7 (11.4.18)

Gideon Defeats the Midianites

7 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. ² The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ ³ Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

⁴ But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”

⁵ So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” ⁶ Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

⁷ The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” ⁸ So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. ⁹ During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. ¹⁰ If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah ¹¹ and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. ¹² The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.

¹³ Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”

¹⁴ His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”

¹⁵ When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” ¹⁶ Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

¹⁷ “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. ¹⁸ When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”

¹⁹ Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. ²⁰ The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” ²¹ While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

²² When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. ²³ Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. ²⁴ Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.”

So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. ²⁵ They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

#ScriptureReflection - Wisdom 1 & 2 (NABRE) - (11.3.18)

I. The Reward of Righteousness

- Chapter 1 -

Exhortation to Righteousness, the Key to Life

¹ Love righteousness, you who judge the earth;
    think of the Lord in goodness,
    and seek him in integrity of heart;
² Because he is found by those who do not test him,
    and manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.
³ For perverse counsels separate people from God,
    and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy;
⁴ Because into a soul that plots evil wisdom does not enter,
    nor does she dwell in a body under debt of sin.
⁵ For the holy spirit of discipline flees deceit
    and withdraws from senseless counsels
    and is rebuked when unrighteousness occurs.

⁶ For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
    yet she does not acquit blasphemous lips;
Because God is the witness of the inmost self
    and the sure observer of the heart
    and the listener to the tongue.
⁷ For the spirit of the Lord fills the world,
    is all-embracing, and knows whatever is said.
⁸ Therefore those who utter wicked things will not go unnoticed,
    nor will chastising condemnation pass them by.
⁹ For the devices of the wicked shall be scrutinized,
    and the sound of their words shall reach the Lord,
    for the chastisement of their transgressions;
¹⁰ Because a jealous ear hearkens to everything,
    and discordant grumblings are not secret.
¹¹ Therefore guard against profitless grumbling,
    and from calumny withhold your tongues;
For a stealthy utterance will not go unpunished,
    and a lying mouth destroys the soul.

¹² Do not court death by your erring way of life,
    nor draw to yourselves destruction by the works of your hands.
¹³ Because God did not make death,
    nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.
¹⁴ For he fashioned all things that they might have being,
    and the creatures of the world are wholesome;
There is not a destructive drug among them
    nor any domain of Hades on earth,
¹⁵ For righteousness is undying

The Wicked Reject Immortality and Righteousness Alike

¹⁶ It was the wicked who with hands and words invited death,
    considered it a friend, and pined for it,
    and made a covenant with it,
Because they deserve to be allied with it.

- Chapter 2 -

¹     For, not thinking rightly, they said among themselves:
“Brief and troubled is our lifetime;
    there is no remedy for our dying,
    nor is anyone known to have come back from Hades.
² For by mere chance were we born,
    and hereafter we shall be as though we had not been;
Because the breath in our nostrils is smoke,
    and reason a spark from the beating of our hearts,
³ And when this is quenched, our body will be ashes
    and our spirit will be poured abroad like empty air.
⁴ Even our name will be forgotten in time,
    and no one will recall our deeds.
So our life will pass away like the traces of a cloud,
    and will be dispersed like a mist
Pursued by the sun’s rays
    and overpowered by its heat.
⁵ For our lifetime is the passing of a shadow;
    and our dying cannot be deferred
    because it is fixed with a seal; and no one returns.
⁶ Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are here,
    and make use of creation with youthful zest.
⁷ Let us have our fill of costly wine and perfumes,
    and let no springtime blossom pass us by;
⁸     let us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither.
⁹ Let no meadow be free from our wantonness;
    everywhere let us leave tokens of our merriment,
    for this is our portion, and this our lot.
¹⁰ Let us oppress the righteous poor;
    let us neither spare the widow
    nor revere the aged for hair grown white with time.
¹¹ But let our strength be our norm of righteousness;
    for weakness proves itself useless.

¹² Let us lie in wait for the righteous one, because he is annoying to us;
    he opposes our actions,
Reproaches us for transgressions of the law
    and charges us with violations of our training.
¹³ He professes to have knowledge of God
    and styles himself a child of the Lord.
¹⁴ To us he is the censure of our thoughts;
    merely to see him is a hardship for us,
¹⁵ Because his life is not like that of others,
    and different are his ways.
¹⁶ He judges us debased;
    he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure.
He calls blest the destiny of the righteous
    and boasts that God is his Father.

¹⁷ Let us see whether his words be true;
    let us find out what will happen to him in the end.
¹⁸ For if the righteous one is the son of God, God will help him
    and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
¹⁹ With violence and torture let us put him to the test
    that we may have proof of his gentleness
    and try his patience.
²⁰ Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
    for according to his own words, God will take care of him.”

²¹ These were their thoughts, but they erred;
    for their wickedness blinded them,
²² And they did not know the hidden counsels of God;
    neither did they count on a recompense for holiness
    nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.
²³ For God formed us to be imperishable;
    the image of his own nature he made us.
²⁴ But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
    and they who are allied with him experience it.

KEEP GOING!!! Your Work, Efforts & Tears are not in Vain (11.2.18)

My Child,
I know the ground you’ve been working on has been dry. 
Now you are feeling like your work has been in vain,
     and that you aren’t getting anywhere. 

Keep going!

No matter that it may feel like you’ve been working the same spot over and over, with nothing to show for it.

You are working by faith, not by sight. 
Keep going!

Please know that I Am right there with you, and none of your work has been in vain.  I Never left your side.  Even though, at times, you may not feel My Presence, stay faithful to your calling. 

I Am with you.

Do not stop, keep your hand to the task
     I have given you. 

What you cannot see is that I have been loosening
     the ground, from deep within. 
What you cannot see are the stumbling blocks that I
     moved out of your way to prevent you from falling. 
What you cannot see are the blessings that are about to
     unfold because of your obedience. 

Be steadfast and keep working for Me. 
Keep trusting in Me, and...
Keep going!

Keep going in faith; and push doubt and unbelief out of your way. 

Those tears you cried were not wasted. 
I Used them to water the seeds you planted. 

Trust and believe that the rain is coming and that those seeds will soon blossom. I Am The One who brings about the rain.  Blessed is the man that endureth hard times and temptation; for when it is over you shall receive the crown of life.

Just keep going and keep your hand to the task.

Just keep trusting in My Power and press forward in My Love, and soon you will look up and see a beautiful land blossoming before you. 

I Have you in My Hand. 
My Blessings are upon you. 

And I Want you to know that the work you are doing is not in vain. I Am The One who makes everything come together, and it is coming together so… 

KEEP GOING!

 

 

 

 

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Luke 9:62 - And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Colossians 3:23-24 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

James 1:12  - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

Stand Strong in God & Shake Yourself Loose. Fear Not. Be Dismayed No Longer... (11.1.18)

My Child,

I See those things that are looming before you.
I Know you are doing your best to be strong,
     but you feel weak and unable to cope,
     and now your heart is troubled. 

Please don’t become overwhelmed by the circumstances.
Fear not, nor be dismayed any longer.

I Am your strength, and I Will help you to overcome.
Stand strong in Me, the Lord your God,
     and shake thyself loose.

Yes, shake yourself loose, and stop allowing thoughts of defeat to hinder you from hearing My Voice. Stop allowing the cares of the world to pull you away from Me. 

 

Meditate on My Word, and you will find the answers you seek.

Fill your mind and spirit with My Word.  This action will silence the voice of the enemy. And stop stressing over whether I Will complete the work I started in you. I do not take back My Promises. My Promises are 'Yes and Amen,' and the good work I Have begun in you - I Will bring it to perfection.

You have been redeemed and set apart for My Kingdom.
Believe this and let nothing take it away from you.
Go forth in the strength, which I Have provided.
Have faith and trust in Me, and I Will cause you
      not only to endure; I Will cause you to succeed.

Now, shake yourself loose from the grips of the enemy, and recognize that with Me, nothing is impossible.

I Am your strength.
I Am your peace in the midst of storms.
All you must do is shake yourself loose.

And trust Me.

 

 
 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Deuteronomy 31:8 - And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Isaiah 52:2 - Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 11:29 - For the gifts and calling of GOD are without repentance.

Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

 

 

November Cover Photo (2018)