#ScriptureReflection - Philippians 2:1-5 (8.1.22)

¹  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

²  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

³  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

⁴  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

⁵  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Source: KJV (King James Version)

August 2022 Cover Photo (8.1.22)

 

#ScriptureReflection - Colossians 3:1-17 (7.31.22)

 IV. The Ideal Christian Life in the World

Mystical Death and Resurrection.
¹  If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²  Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. ³  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴  When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Renunciation of Vice.
⁵  Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.  ⁶  Because of these the wrath of God is coming [upon the disobedient]. ⁷  By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. ⁸  But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. ⁹  Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices ¹⁰  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. ¹¹  Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.

¹²  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, ¹³  bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. ¹⁴  And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. ¹⁵  And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷  And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)     

Exceedingly Abundantly (7.30.22)

 

My Child,
Do not lie buried beneath your circumstances, anymore.

I Want you to STAND on top of your circumstances and SHOUT OUT, “I will overcome for My God is able to give Me much more than this.”  To be clear, it is not your strength that will enable you to stand, it will be Mine.

We are covenant partners.
I Will supply the strength you need.

In My Name, and in the Mighty Name of My Son, the impossible will be done. It does not matter what you are going through right now, this is not the end of you. Say it with Me, “This is not the end of me.”

Do not worry about the things you see with your eyes.
Do not worry about the things coming against you.
Do not worry about perceived "limitations or challenges."
And do not worry, nor entertain (listen to), the opinions and commentary others.

Trust completely in Me.  Listen to what I Say, for I Have the final Word.  And believe that I Am able to give you much more than this.
 
Go ahead. 
Lean on Me for strength. 
Let Me do what you cannot do. 

Try Me and see if I Won’t prove Myself to you.
For I Will put your feet on a steady path.

No matter what your situation dictates right now, I Want you to know that I Have life more abundantly planned for you.

Shake off those grave clothes and the things that weigh you down, for I Am more than able, capable and willing to bring restoration to your life.

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word
John 10:10 - The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

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,

#ScriptureReflection - John 1:1-13 (7.29.22)

 The Word Became Flesh

¹  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²  He was with God in the beginning. ³  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

 ⁴  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

⁵  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶  There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

⁹  The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

¹²  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Source: NIV (New International Version)    

How Can We Walk, Humbly, Before Our God? (7.28.22)

Sisters & Brothers,
GOD's Word tells us that GOD opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble - James 4:6.

Reflecting on this passage, begs the question - how can we walk, in humility, before our GOD?  We must recognize that humility puts us in a position to be able to receive from the Lord. And I think that we can all agree that we all need a fresh anointing from GOD, so we can hear His Voice; instead of all the noise and outside confusion going on around us.  We live in a society where many have an “I'll do it myself” mentality. However, there always comes a time when “self” just can't do it anymore.  Eventually, we realize we are not in control, we cannot "do it ourselves," we are not "GOD," and that we are in desperate need of His Power and His Might.

Fasting and prayer will help. Fasting helps us to focus on GOD, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Going without food for a period of time helps us to spiritually connect directly to our Father, as our bodies are cleansed from all distractions. There are many examples in the Bible that reiterate the notion that "fasting and prayer" are very effective tools.  Not only against our own fleshy desires, but also the works of the enemy. Fasting and prayer also allows us to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus.

 ~ Marilyn  

~ Let us Pray ~
Heavenly Father,

Please give me the strength to fast and pray, so that I can develop a deep, loving relationship with You.

Teach me to overcome my flesh and all that distracts me.
Help me to make fasting a part of my worship to You. 

I want to become completely dependent on You for all things, and in all things, Father GOD.

In the Name of Your Son, Jesus I pray,
Amen

#ScriptureReflection - Matthew 13:16-17 (7.27.22)

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Blessed are your eyes, because they see,
and your ears, because they hear.

Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people
longed to see what you see but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

#ScriptureReflection - Esther 7:7-10 (7.26.22)

 ⁷  The king left the banquet in anger and went into the garden of the palace, but Haman stayed to beg Queen Esther for his life, since he saw that the king had decided on his doom. ⁸  When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman had thrown himself on the couch on which Esther was reclining; and the king exclaimed, “Will he also violate the queen while she is with me in my own house!” Scarcely had the king spoken when the face of Haman was covered over.

Punishment of Haman.

⁹  Harbona, one of the eunuchs who attended the king, said, “At the house of Haman stands a stake fifty cubits high. Haman made it for Mordecai, who gave the report that benefited the king.” The king answered, “Impale him on it.” ¹⁰ So they impaled Haman on the stake he had set up for Mordecai, and the anger of the king abated.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition) 

God Is Doing Something New. Think About It. Think About It..... (7.25.22)

My Child,
I Want you to be prepared to move as My Holy Spirit leads.

Do not become so complacent that you do not want to accept the changes that I Am making in your life. 

For some of you, the enemy will attempt to use this against you; and it will hinder your walk with Me. Refuse to allow the enemy to paralyze you with anything.  he has not stopped you from moving forward; it is only a delay. And if you look closely, it is only in certain areas of your life; which I Have allowed. Think about it.
 
the enemy has no authority.  Think about it.

My Son said in John 14:12 - .... whoever believes in my will also do the works that I do; and greater works that these.  Think about it.  

For some of you, all this has left you uncertain about so many things; and now, the fear of making the wrong choices has hindered and crippled your faith in Me.

For others of you, you are strengthened in your faith in Me.  You know that I Am the Author and Finisher.  And you are keeping yourself encouraged, seeking Me, talking to Me first, refusing to be defeated.

I Say to all of My Children, this day, be not dismayed; there are other things you need to move ahead with. I Do not want you to try to force anything open. Seek My Wisdom and My Guidance in everything you do.

Do not become so obsessed with what seems to be blocked, that you miss the new thing that I Am Doing in your life.

Yes, I Am doing something new.   Think about it.
 
I Want you to stop thinking negatively and stop allowing your mind, the opinions of others, and sometimes (but often not) - the enemy - to control your thoughts. When you allow all of these other influences to control your thinking (yourself, others, occasionally the enemy - who by the way should have NO authority or representation in your life, mind or words) then you are not trusting Me; and it only reinforces alternative "false control constructs" over your life.  And that has, for some of you (not all of you) gone on for far too long.  That mindset and those habits must stop. Do not allow these outside, worldly things to get into your mind anymore.   Rise up and rebuke ALL OF IT, in MY NAME! From this moment on, I Want you to only #speakLife, to focus on Me and to focus on how amazing I Made You.  Stop uttering discouraging words, participating in low-level conversations or allowing yourself to "operate below capacity;" things and habits and words that so easily come to mind or command your actions.

  
I Know that for some of you, frustrations and trials have left some of you weary.  That, for some of you, discouragement has crept in overnight. However, now is the time for you to hunger and thirst for more of Me; like never before.  Think about it.  

You must enter into spiritual warfare, to break hindrances and destroy strongholds.

Seek My Face.
Confess every sin.
Even sins of doubt, fear, and anxiety.

Do these things. 
And I Will hear from Heaven.
In order to lift you out (and over)
     every obstacle.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
 

Isaiah 43:18-19 - Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

#ScriptureReflection - Esther 7:1-6 (7.24.22)

 ¹  So the king and Haman went to the banquet with Queen Esther. ²  Again, on this second day, as they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Whatever you ask, Queen Esther, shall be granted you. Whatever request you make, even for half the kingdom, shall be honored.” ³  Queen Esther replied: “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, I ask that my life be spared, and I beg that you spare the lives of my people. ⁴  For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated. If we were only to be sold into slavery I would remain silent, for then our distress would not have been worth troubling the king.” ⁵  King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who and where is the man who has dared to do this?” ⁶  Esther replied, “The enemy oppressing us is this wicked Haman.” At this, Haman was seized with dread of the king and queen.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)