“Time is short. My King is coming soon. Because eternity matters, I will give Him my all. No regrets. No excuses. Holding nothing back. With His help and by His power, I will leave no words unsaid, no deeds undone, no hope unshared.My faith moves mountains. My prayers calm storms. My words give life. My hands bring healing. My feet deliver the good news that Christ is risen and He is coming again. God’s word is a lamp directing my steps. His Spirit is my power. When I’m weak, He makes me strong. Because Christ is coming, I will not back down, sell out, or be pushed around. My life is too valuable, my calling too great, my God too good to waste my life on things that don’t last. I am empowered by God’s spirit, trained by His Word, tried by fire. My name is written in His book. My life belongs to Him. Because my life is not my own and Earth is not my home, I will live for the glory of God and not for the applause of people. I am strong in the Lord and His mighty power to do his will on earth as it is in heaven. Because Christ lives in me, trials will not stop me. People cannot break me. Money cannot buy me. Haters cannot silence me. Demons cannot defeat me. Time is short. My King is coming soon. Because eternity matters, I will give Him my all. No regrets. No excuses. Holding nothing back. With His help and by His power, I will leave no words unsaid, no deeds undone, no hope unshared because my King is coming soon.”
Craig Groeschel, Life Church (2018)
As my friend Gina said during a Many Faces of Love event this past weekend, “Glory is at stake here!” Let’s answer the battle cry ladies, get us some Holy Boldness and be part of revival in this Nation!
God’s word, the Bible, provides believers guidance on how to live as light in the world. This is where it becomes challenging to be obedient. The first part of this same chapter provides specific instruction on how to live. “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just a Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person – such a person is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Eph 5:1-5 NIV)
Here’s the beautiful part – The Son of God died on the cross that we might be redeemed, forgiven and made pure. So pray, ask for forgiveness on all occasions and give thanks for His mercy, so you can live in the light of the Son.As we prepare to celebrate the founding of America’s Independence, remember our nations history and Godly foundation and principles. Our founding father’s sought independence from British rule. The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted on July 4, 1776. Isn’t it ironic that today, England has sought independence from the European Union (EU). What is going on in the heavenly realm? As crazy as our world seems today, we can trust that God is still on the throne and His will, will be done! Amen!
The bible is full of prophesy about all times, today and tomorrow. All the things happening in our world today are no surprise to God. I don’t know about you, but that gives me great peace. Will there be persecution? Yes…read Luke 21! “You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends…(Luke 21:16 NIV). There is no substitute for reading God’s word. So, celebrate our freedom. I encourage you to spend this week, praying for our nation, our families, our friends and read God’s word.
Last week, I could feel the oppression of Satan trying to attack women who were planning to attend a Many Faces of Love workshop. Then, I received an email from a blog I follow, Kingdom Revelation, by Holly Watson, which started out “While in prayer a few days ago I began to sense a strong spirit of witchcraft maneuvering it’s way through the Body of Christ. I hadn’t identified this particular day as being different from any other day when spending time in prayer with God, yet as I entered into intercession on behalf of the Body of Christ, I began to sense a heavy weight and groaning in my spirit. Strong feelings of fatigue began to weigh me down. I had difficulty concentrating. Confusion tried to overcome me and temptations of giving up began to overwhelm me. I immediately asked the Lord, ‘Lord what are you showing me?’ And I heard the Holy Spirit say, There’s a spirit of witchcraft targeting the Body of Christ”
Wow! That’s what I was feeling for other women. I went to the workshop and brought up the topic. Sure enough, more than half the women, in amazement, acknowledged they had been fighting spiritual battles the past week, leading up to the workshop.
See the contrast? The enemy is real! Even the Lord acknowledges him. But also know that the Lord sent Jesus so that all who believe in Him and acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross and ask that their sins be forgiven, will have LIFE, eternal life. Believers have victory over Satan. We live in a fallen world, with Satan prowling around, but we have been covered by the blood of Jesus! Don’t ever forget that truth. You can claim victory in the fact that as a child of God, you can stand in victory over anything that opposes you. Call on the name of Jesus and He will make a way out for you. It may not look like what our minds think it should look like, but He is faithful. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
I encourage you to read, and perhaps memorize, Ephesians 6:10-18 “The Armor of God”. I personally use this passage in prayer almost every day.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In additional to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sward of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (NIV)(Part 2)
Take heart dear friends, the desert experience may be for your protection! Have you ever asked God to wrap His loving arms around you during difficult times? God often uses this time to draw you nearer to Him. While it may seem like a season of less comfort, lean in to our Father and depend on Him. It may, in fact, be the place of great safety for a time. The Lord does not promise us an easy path. After all, we live in a fallen world. But believers can claim peace and confidence in the midst of difficulties. In those desert experiences, our God is faithful and will provide and protect us, whether you feel his guidance and presence or not, you must trust that He Is With You. Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. (Isa 33:16-17).
I would encourage you to read Psalms when experiencing time in the desert or in times of suffering. David frequently pleas for a touch from God to help him during his time of need, but notice, he always praises God, with the faith of deliverance and with the hope that God is with him. Take a look at Psalm 34 and be encouraged my friends.
Focus on the power and character of God, rather than allowing the schemes of Satan to grip you. God’s eternal purposes overrule the agenda of Satan. God Never Fails!
(Part 1) Do you go about your day, your week, even your month and find yourself questioning everything…”Hello Lord? Where are you? I’m praying faithfully but I’m not hearing anything? Are you there?” Take heart sister, we all go through those seasons.
First and foremost, search your heart. If you are convicted of any sin in your life, repent and ask God to forgive you of your sin. He is faithful and will forgive your sin. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:12 NIV). Then, being fully restored in your relationship with Jesus, seek Him.
It’s rare for most people to audibly hear God speak to them, but as you spend more time with God you will begin to trust that “still small voice”, knowing it’s a prompting from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, God will use others to speak a word to you. You will recognize it for two reasons, it confirms something you already know and, most importantly, it lines up with scripture. But the most frequent way God speaks to us is through His love letters to us, the Bible. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27 NIV).
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Mat. 7:7 NIV). God will reveal himself to those who humbly seek Him. You have to remember, His ways are not our ways and we should always seek His perfect will for our lives. Sometimes that means, His answer, or you not hearing means…No. But trust that He has your best interest at heart.
How much time are spending in His Word? You will be amazed as you study the Bible how often God will speak to you through His word. If you desire a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior, spend more time reading the Bible. Sounds simple, doesn’t it! But that’s the beautiful part, loving God and seeking God is simple, but it’s not easy. Be faithful.
– Sandy Minardi