I am so excited about 2013! I believe God is going to do some amazing things in my life. I can't really explain how I feel right now. It is like an overwhelming sense of peace! I am believing that I will walk out of 2013 with no debt and overwhelming blessings from the Lord! I will blog about my journey through 2013!
Thanks for reading!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
"Remembering What God Has Done"
I wanted to share a devotional from Jentezen Franklin that I read
this morning. It is pretty cool that just last night at church we were
talking about Remembering what God has done in our lives. This
devotional was on the same thing.
Spiritual Landmark
Thus far hath the Lord helped us.
1 Samuel 7:12
It's a good idea to establish some spiritual landmarks, reminding us of the times God intervened on our behalf. Without them we quickly forget, lose our bearings, or claim credit for things we'd nothing to do with.
When God miraculously opened the Jordan River for the Israelite's to pass over, He knew something they didn't---that soon they'd come up against Jericho, their biggest battle. That's when they'd need reminders and a reference point. So He told them to collect 12 stones from the Jordan and build a memorial. This would act as a reminder of His past faithfulness. God was saying, "When you can't cope with the future, check with the past. My goodness will stand inventory." Samuel did the same after Israel defeated the Philistines. He too a stone and named it Ebenezer saying, "Thus far hath the Lord helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12).
Think of some of the spiritual landmarks in your life "thus far." Like the day you met Jesus; or specific instances when He guided you; or doors opened that you thought we permanently shut; or scrapes He brought you through. Go ahead, establish some spiritual landmarks by keeping a record of these events! They're important, because whenever you're struggling, they'll remind you of how God has cared for you. They'll help you to see His past goodness, even when you weren't aware of it. They'll give you a sense of gratitude for yesterday's blessings, and the confidence to face whatever tomorrow brings!
Jentezen Franklin (Connect with God Devotional) December 6th
I thought this was really awesome since we were just talking about this last night! I love how God works!
Spiritual Landmark
Thus far hath the Lord helped us.
1 Samuel 7:12
It's a good idea to establish some spiritual landmarks, reminding us of the times God intervened on our behalf. Without them we quickly forget, lose our bearings, or claim credit for things we'd nothing to do with.
When God miraculously opened the Jordan River for the Israelite's to pass over, He knew something they didn't---that soon they'd come up against Jericho, their biggest battle. That's when they'd need reminders and a reference point. So He told them to collect 12 stones from the Jordan and build a memorial. This would act as a reminder of His past faithfulness. God was saying, "When you can't cope with the future, check with the past. My goodness will stand inventory." Samuel did the same after Israel defeated the Philistines. He too a stone and named it Ebenezer saying, "Thus far hath the Lord helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12).
Think of some of the spiritual landmarks in your life "thus far." Like the day you met Jesus; or specific instances when He guided you; or doors opened that you thought we permanently shut; or scrapes He brought you through. Go ahead, establish some spiritual landmarks by keeping a record of these events! They're important, because whenever you're struggling, they'll remind you of how God has cared for you. They'll help you to see His past goodness, even when you weren't aware of it. They'll give you a sense of gratitude for yesterday's blessings, and the confidence to face whatever tomorrow brings!
Jentezen Franklin (Connect with God Devotional) December 6th
I thought this was really awesome since we were just talking about this last night! I love how God works!
Healing is HIS WILL!
Do You believe God can heal you?
Do you believe that you can live in Divine Health?
I personally believe that God can heal us and give us divine health. One of my favorite verses is Exodus 23:25 which says, "You shall serve the Lord your God; He shall bless your bread and water, and I will take sickness from your midst." So not only is He healing us, he is also taking sickness away for good if we believe.
I am not just talking about physical health. God can heal us spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. He can free us from those things that were spoken to us that hurt us. He can heal us from a broken heart, from anxiety or wrong thoughts, and of course he can heal us from a disease or physical hurt. Nothing is to big or small for God.
The first thing I want to say to you is that it ISGod's will to heal you. He never said if I feel like it I will heal you. No, He said "By His stripes you are healed" and "I make sickness pass away from you!" The problem has never been if is is His will; the problem has always lied with us. We don't have faith that He can heal us or we are so focused on our problems and symptoms that we miss what He is saying. We need to start focusing on His Word and what it says. So stop praying "If it is His will" just stand on what the word says. Say "I am healed by His stripes." Every time you find yourself thinking about the symptoms say again that "By His stripes I am Healed." The devil is bound when we stand on the word! James 4:7 says, "So be subject to God. Resist the Devil [Stand firm against him], and he will flee from you." Now that is a promise!
The second thing is that your words are SO powerful! If we walk around saying how sick we are or how you are going to get a certain disease then we are opening the door for the devil. In Proverbs 18:21 it says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it." So what are you saying today? Are you speaking life or death? Don't walk around saying that you are going to get sick. Stay in the word and speak it over yourself and your family. Don't open the door for the devil to come in. Sometimes it is so hard to watch our words but that is why He said be slow to speak and quick to listen. James 1:19 says, "Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry."
Speak as if you have already received your healing. When you ask God for healing you need to speak as though you have already received your healing even if you don't feel it yet. This can be on of the hardest things to do because we are so focused on our symptoms. Romans 4:17 say, "As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed." This to me is one of the most important things. Always keep the Word in your mouth and on your heart. Proverbs 4:20-23 tells us about this. "My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.22 For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 20:23.
I truly believe that we can be healthy all the days of our lives if we keep the focus on Him. I also believe that if you are sick He can heal you if you want it. Remember it all starts with us!
I will leave you with several verses that will encourage you in knowing that God wants to see us well. Some of them are directed towards spiritual and emotional and other are directed towards mental and physical healing. Please take the time to dive deeper into His word so you can see your Healing manifested.
~Dallas~
Hebrews 13:8, James 4:7, Psalm 30:2, Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm 118:17, Psalm 147:3, Proverbs 4:20-22, Isaiah 58:8, Jeremiah 17:14, Jeremiah 30:17, James 5:14-15, 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:4-5, 3 John 2, Exodus 23:25, Exodus 15:26, Romans 4:17, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Mark 11:23-24, Malachi 3:6, Matthew 16:19, Isaiah 26:3
Do you believe that you can live in Divine Health?
I personally believe that God can heal us and give us divine health. One of my favorite verses is Exodus 23:25 which says, "You shall serve the Lord your God; He shall bless your bread and water, and I will take sickness from your midst." So not only is He healing us, he is also taking sickness away for good if we believe.
I am not just talking about physical health. God can heal us spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. He can free us from those things that were spoken to us that hurt us. He can heal us from a broken heart, from anxiety or wrong thoughts, and of course he can heal us from a disease or physical hurt. Nothing is to big or small for God.
The first thing I want to say to you is that it ISGod's will to heal you. He never said if I feel like it I will heal you. No, He said "By His stripes you are healed" and "I make sickness pass away from you!" The problem has never been if is is His will; the problem has always lied with us. We don't have faith that He can heal us or we are so focused on our problems and symptoms that we miss what He is saying. We need to start focusing on His Word and what it says. So stop praying "If it is His will" just stand on what the word says. Say "I am healed by His stripes." Every time you find yourself thinking about the symptoms say again that "By His stripes I am Healed." The devil is bound when we stand on the word! James 4:7 says, "So be subject to God. Resist the Devil [Stand firm against him], and he will flee from you." Now that is a promise!
The second thing is that your words are SO powerful! If we walk around saying how sick we are or how you are going to get a certain disease then we are opening the door for the devil. In Proverbs 18:21 it says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it." So what are you saying today? Are you speaking life or death? Don't walk around saying that you are going to get sick. Stay in the word and speak it over yourself and your family. Don't open the door for the devil to come in. Sometimes it is so hard to watch our words but that is why He said be slow to speak and quick to listen. James 1:19 says, "Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry."
Speak as if you have already received your healing. When you ask God for healing you need to speak as though you have already received your healing even if you don't feel it yet. This can be on of the hardest things to do because we are so focused on our symptoms. Romans 4:17 say, "As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed." This to me is one of the most important things. Always keep the Word in your mouth and on your heart. Proverbs 4:20-23 tells us about this. "My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.22 For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 20:23.
I truly believe that we can be healthy all the days of our lives if we keep the focus on Him. I also believe that if you are sick He can heal you if you want it. Remember it all starts with us!
I will leave you with several verses that will encourage you in knowing that God wants to see us well. Some of them are directed towards spiritual and emotional and other are directed towards mental and physical healing. Please take the time to dive deeper into His word so you can see your Healing manifested.
~Dallas~
Hebrews 13:8, James 4:7, Psalm 30:2, Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm 118:17, Psalm 147:3, Proverbs 4:20-22, Isaiah 58:8, Jeremiah 17:14, Jeremiah 30:17, James 5:14-15, 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:4-5, 3 John 2, Exodus 23:25, Exodus 15:26, Romans 4:17, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Mark 11:23-24, Malachi 3:6, Matthew 16:19, Isaiah 26:3
What Kind of Life Do You Chose?
Do you chose to live a life always wanting more things or what we call the "American Dream?" Should that really be our dream?
Are we all working for that next new car, the biggest house, or the next greatest gadget? Is that really what we should be working towards?
God doesn't want us enslaved to this world. Romans 13:8 says, "Keep out of debt and owe no man anything." So by living the "American Dream" are we constantly in debt?Do we believe we have to be in debt to have a house or a car? Do You believe God can give you those things?
Sometimes I think we cut God's arm short because we can't see how God can give us a house or a car. Our brains can't fathom how we could be given something worth so much money. I do believe that God can give me those things. Like you it is hard for me to wrap my mind around how He could do those things but I don't have to understand. I don't have to know the how or the when, I just have to have faith that they will come.
You see the devil wants us to believe the lie that we must borrow money to have anything. That is what the devil does, he lies. I chose to no longer believe this lie. I don't want to be enslaved to this world any longer. I want to be able to enjoy life the way God intended for me to have. I want to be able to spend time with my family and go places without having to worry about having a mountain of bills. God wants us to have an abundant life. "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill, and destroy. I came that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance[to the full, till it overflows]." (John 10:10 AMP)
Obviously prosperity doesn't happen overnight but there are seven steps from the article "True Prosperity" by Gloria Copeland that will get you on the right track. Here is the link: http://www.kcm.org/real-help/article/true-prosperity . I would strongly suggest that you read this article. It was so enlightening to me! I want to share a few things that I took away from this article that has really helped me understand this subject better and make me want to learn more.
The first thing that really got me thinking was that I have to be walking in the ways of God to be able to prosper. Not just in tithing but in every area of my life. John 8:31-32 says, " If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." (AMP) This verse takes on a whole new meaning in this subject. If we walk in what God says then we will have freedom. Not just freedom from poverty but freedom from sickness and freedom in every area of your life. If we walk in obedience to God then we can have the blessing that are outlined in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. "If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
Are we all working for that next new car, the biggest house, or the next greatest gadget? Is that really what we should be working towards?
God doesn't want us enslaved to this world. Romans 13:8 says, "Keep out of debt and owe no man anything." So by living the "American Dream" are we constantly in debt?Do we believe we have to be in debt to have a house or a car? Do You believe God can give you those things?
Sometimes I think we cut God's arm short because we can't see how God can give us a house or a car. Our brains can't fathom how we could be given something worth so much money. I do believe that God can give me those things. Like you it is hard for me to wrap my mind around how He could do those things but I don't have to understand. I don't have to know the how or the when, I just have to have faith that they will come.
You see the devil wants us to believe the lie that we must borrow money to have anything. That is what the devil does, he lies. I chose to no longer believe this lie. I don't want to be enslaved to this world any longer. I want to be able to enjoy life the way God intended for me to have. I want to be able to spend time with my family and go places without having to worry about having a mountain of bills. God wants us to have an abundant life. "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill, and destroy. I came that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance[to the full, till it overflows]." (John 10:10 AMP)
Obviously prosperity doesn't happen overnight but there are seven steps from the article "True Prosperity" by Gloria Copeland that will get you on the right track. Here is the link: http://www.kcm.org/real-help/article/true-prosperity . I would strongly suggest that you read this article. It was so enlightening to me! I want to share a few things that I took away from this article that has really helped me understand this subject better and make me want to learn more.
The first thing that really got me thinking was that I have to be walking in the ways of God to be able to prosper. Not just in tithing but in every area of my life. John 8:31-32 says, " If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." (AMP) This verse takes on a whole new meaning in this subject. If we walk in what God says then we will have freedom. Not just freedom from poverty but freedom from sickness and freedom in every area of your life. If we walk in obedience to God then we can have the blessing that are outlined in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. "If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.
3 Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field.
4 Blessed
shall be the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground and the
fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your
flock.
5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading trough.
6 Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out.
7 The
Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated
before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee
before you seven ways.
8 The
Lord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse and in all
that you undertake. And He will bless you in the land which the Lord
your God gives you.
9 The
Lord will establish you as a people holy to Himself, as He has sworn to
you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His
ways.
10 And
all people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name [and
in the presence of] the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you.
11 And
the Lord shall make you have a surplus of prosperity, through the fruit
of your body, of your livestock, and of your ground, in the land which
the Lord swore to your fathers to give you.
12 The
Lord shall open to you His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain
of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands; and
you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
13 And
the Lord shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be
above only, and you shall not be beneath, if you heed the commandments
of the Lord your God which I command you this day and are watchful to do
them.
14 And
you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this
day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve
them.
How awesome is that! So I want to stay in the Word and learn so I can be living in obedience to God!
Psalm 25:12-13 says, "Who
is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He
teach in the way that he should choose. He himself shall dwell at ease,
and his offspring shall inherit the land." So as long as we are
worshiping and seeking the Lord He will guide our life and help us make
the right choices. I believe He wants me to stay out of debt. I can
only do that by trusting Him. I believe He wants us all to stay out of
debt just like it says in Romans 13:8. He wouldn't go against His Word.
The second thing I got from this article is that I need to find the promises in the word and meditate on them all the time. "
My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them
not depart from your sight; keep them in the center for your heart, for
they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their
flesh. Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that
you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:20-23,
AMP) So if I am constantly meditating on the promise then that will leave no opportunity for the devil to have a word.
I
also liked the part about being faithful on everything you do. Make
sure that everything you do is always done unto Christ. Your not living
by what others think, you are living for God! I learned this when I
worked at Home Depot. There were many people there that weren't very
nice and I dreaded going to work. I learned through those experiences
that I am not going to focus on what they think of me but focus on what
God thinks of me. I tried to make sure that I was always treated them
with love and did everything that would please God!
Pastor
has talked about giving your first fruits and I believe it must be done
to prosper not only financially but spiritually. I always give God my
first moments of the day. On days that I don't I can most definitely
tell a difference. I personally am still learning to be faithful in
tithing. I have to realize that the money I have is not mine. The Lord
have it to me. Really this goes for anything. He gave us the house we
live in, the car we drive, our friends. They are all gifts from God. He
entrusts us with them. I think that God can only give you more if you
learn how to be diligent with what He has already given you. (Also
something Pastor talked about) I also realize that I can't just tithe
because I know it is right, I have to do it with the right heart. "And
now, behold, I bring the first-fruits of the ground which You, O Lord,
have given me. And you shall set it down before the Lord your God and
worship before the Lord your God. And you and the Levite and the
stranger and the sojourner among you shall rejoice in all the good which
the Lord your God has given you and your household." (Deuteronomy
26:10-11, AMP) Tithing with the right heart is not always easy
but we must remember that it is not our money anyways. I also believe
that we can't just stop at 10% we must give more when God lays it on our
heart to do so. Sometimes that may mean giving of our time but
sometimes it will mean giving our money. "Give, and [gifts] will
be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and
running over, will they pour into the bosom. For with the measure you
deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others],
it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38, AMP) This verse tells us exactly what we must do.
Again,
I really think it is important to believe what the word says and to
speak it! You will never see anything come to pass if you don't believe
and you speak the opposite of what the Word says. So don't say you're
poor, say you're rich because that is what God says! You words are very
powerful. "Death and life are in the power of tongue, and they
who indulge in it shall eat of the fruit of it [for death or life]."
(Proverbs 18:21, AMP) So even if you can't see it, speak it!
This really goes for everything. If you are sick, continually keep the
the words of health on your tongue and don't say anything against the
promise.
So
what do you choose? I choose a life of abundance. A life where God is in
control. I know it won't always be easy bu I believe God can give me
everything I need and the desires of my heart in His timing. I hope this
gives you something to think about like it did me. I encourage you to
go read the article by Gloria Copeland. Here is the link again:
http://www.kcm.org/real-help/article/true-prosperity .
~Thanks for Reading~
New Blog
So I decided to switch to blogger instead of tumblr. I will do a series of posts transferring over some of my recent posts from tumblr.
This will be a blog about my life and how God shows me things all the time. I will post things about what God shows me and how it has changed my life! Hope you enjoy!
This will be a blog about my life and how God shows me things all the time. I will post things about what God shows me and how it has changed my life! Hope you enjoy!
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