faith
Spiritual Warfare Venting and My Experience
A Little Spiritual Warfare Venting and Rambling for today…
What the Enemy Intends for Bad – God Will Work for Good!
First, I want to apologize to you for the website being down for almost three days.
My web host provider had some unexpected issues over the weekend that took my site down and it just went live again mid-day today! I’m thankful God answered my prayer and the site is back up without errors.
It definitely gave me practice with patience, overcoming frustration, etc.!
It also had me thinking about spiritual warfare and reflecting back on things in life. You know, I’m finally getting old enough, and wise enough, to realize things aren’t just coincidence. And that the enemy of this world is up to more than we realize…
I started thinking about my site going down and how it not only was in the group that went down, but it was the last one to get back up and running. I’ve had many other sites over the years, either personally or that I’ve managed for others. Never have I experienced this type of down time.
Yet none of the other sites were related to spiritual matters and encouraging people to keep God first in life.
As I reflected back, it is clear that the times in my life that I’ve had the most attacks and trials were either times that I clearly chose to walk away from God, and do my own thing, or times when I decided to step out in a significant way for the Lord.
When I chose to do my own thing in the past, and disobey God, it is understandable that I was going to have to face the consequences of those wrong choices.
However, it used to appear like bad timing when trouble would bombard me during the times I was trying to do the right thing.
For instance, when I purposed to start attending church regularly – BAMM – attacks! When I bought a new Bible and study materials to get into the Word – BAMM – attacks! When I got myself and my girls involved in a good church and started volunteering – BAMM – attacks!
Earlier this year, when I decided to finally move forward and put this site up, I was at first constantly amazed at how so many details easily fell into place and worked out. I thank God often for the provision and ability He continues to give me to be able to do this.
Yet there is, once again, clearly this battle going on at the same time…
On one hand, I know God is helping me and guiding me and adjusting me as I go. However, on the other hand, I am again battling attacks. I seem to have gotten a whole whammy of them since I started this site. Physical attacks against my health, mental attacks against my thoughts, and also attacks against my finances and relationships.
They left me doubting if I should be doing this and I did and continue to keep praying for wisdom and guidance. Everything in me keeps saying move forward.
Well anyway – today I started to get mad, thinking about the enemy attacking me (and I also know of a few others personally under attack for stepping out in a significant way to serve God). I feel like battle on!
God is on my side, how can I lose? What the devil intends for bad, my God will work to good!
I serve a really Good God, and a really Big God! And He has helped me overcome the attacks of the enemy. My health and thought life is better … and my relationships are better … and God gave me some ideas and the energy lately to start implementing them that will improve my finances.
Plus on top of it all, with each attack the enemy has thrown at me… I’ve not only come through, but I’ve come through stronger, wiser, and learning how to use the Word of God to lessen the impact of the attacks. I’ve experienced to a greater degree the importance of not living with doubt and fear, but remaining confident and living by faith.
I refuse to let the enemy steal my joy!
My main web site (and others) went down for almost three days – and No – I was not happy about it, but the funny thing is – I didn’t get emotionally upset. I knew that God was going to take care of things and I was able to maintain a peace in the midst of this little storm of life.
I did get mad at the devil though and it has spurred me to write a few articles on spiritual warfare.
Okay – I’m done venting and rambling on… and I’ll end now with this:
“The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.”
– Hebrews 4:12“The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.”
– 2 Thessalonians 3:3“Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place.”
– 2 Corinthians 2:14“May the God of peace make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
– Hebrews 13:21
May you walk close to God and your life be filled with growing prosperity!
God bless you & keep you –
Brenda
P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, or suggestions on the subject…
Funny How People Are Video
Funny How People Are Video
“Funny” Video by Evangelist Daniele Luciano Moskal
A great reminder of the importance of self-examination and living a committed life to the One who saved us!
Our faith needs to be in the Word of God, not in the things of the world. God needs to always be first in our life and then He’ll help us with all the other life stuff.
On that same note – I want to share a quote from a friend in regards to this same subject and relationships . . . who stated it right on . . .
“Most people are not sold out for Jesus, so they never sell out to “each other”. I guess what I mean is “commitment”. There seems to be a lack of that out there these days. If one doesn’t know how to fully commit to Jesus, then they don’t understand how they need to commit to that other person. So it seems like just as many Christian marriages and relationships fail as in the world.”
May we keep our hearts open to let the Living God continue to work in our lives!
God bless you,
Brenda
P.S. I’d love to hear your comments…
Quote by President Ronald Reagan
Quote by President Ronald Reagan
Encouraging Quote by a Great American Leader: Ronald Reagan
I ran across the following quote yesterday by Ronald Reagan. And also the one after, which is by his daughter Patti Davis.
Seeing others live their lives with such a resolve to love God, and keep in a close committed relationship with Him, always encourages my faith walk.
It’s interesting to see how they also seem to have such a peace even through the storms of life.
No one can take away our relationship with God. Only we as individuals can decide if we will walk with Him or not, and if so, how close . . .
Enjoy & be Encouraged by these Quotes:
“I’ve always believed that we were, each of us, put here for a reason; that there is a plan, somehow a divine plan for all of us. In an effort to embrace that plan, we are blessed with the special gift of prayer, the happiness and solace to be gained by talking to the Lord. It is our hopes and our aspirations, our sorrows and fears, our deep remorse and renewed resolve, our thanks and joyful praise, and most especially our love, all turned toward a loving God. Many of us have been taught to pray by people we love. In my case, it was my mother. I learned quite literally at her knee. My mother gave me a great deal, but nothing she gave me was more important than that. She was my inspiration and provided me with a very real deep faith.” — Ronald Reagan
“My father (Ronald Reagan), told me as a child that there was a Father in Heaven, and I didn’t have to stand on my toes to touch Him.” — Patti Davis
Have a blessed day!
Brenda
P.S. Image credit courtesy Ronald Reagan Library.
How to Improve Your Self-Image with 10 Powerful Affirmations!
How to Improve Your Self-Image with 10 Powerful Affirmations!
10 Powerful Christian Affirmations to Boost Your Self-Image!
How’s your self-image these days? Do you lack self-confidence to accomplish things? Do you feel timid, fearful, and overwhelmingly anxious?
If any of these ring true, I want you to know, you can begin to change things starting today.
By giving yourself daily affirmation treatments, you’ll strengthen your faith, which is the greatest and most necessary of all human traits.
Start a daily routine of self-treatments with affirmations. Get by yourself and be sure to talk to yourself in a firm, decided tone of voice, just as if you were speaking to someone else you truly care about. Personalize your affirmations and address yourself by name.
Boost Your Self-Image with these 10 Daily Powerful Affirmations:
- I am a child of God and He created me for success.
- I am a new creation in Christ Jesus.
- I prosper in God’s good plan for my life.
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- I commit my ways to the Lord and trust in Him with all my heart.
- I have the mind of Christ.
- I have the ability to do what my Creator sent me here to do.
- I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
- I have a spirit of power, and love, and a sound mind.
- I am blessed with the favor of God and everything I put my hand to prospers.
Kick your self-confidence into high gear. God did not create you for failure. You should be unsatisfied to go about all sad and pathetic looking as if you don’t have the ability to do what the Almighty Creator sent you here to do.
Why not stand strong like a conqueror? Help plant the image of God in your heart with these powerful, transforming affirmations. Honor God by being the magnificent success He intended you to be.
May you experience growing prosperity and be blessed to be a blessing!
Soar higher,
Brenda
P.S. Image credits go to: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/marcos_bh
Abundance – God Says Your Cup Runs Over! What Do You Say?
Abundance – God Says Your Cup Runs Over! What Do You Say?
Put Your Trust In God and Speak His Truth Over Your Life!
This post is inspired by a recent sermon my pastor gave on the importance of having our words, and what we speak and say about ourselves and our lives . . . to have it match up with what the Word of God says. God keeps His Word. When we speak His Word we can trust that it will not return void!
Abundance is clearly made available for those who put their trust in God. Have you put your trust in God, but still find yourself confused and asking for the directions to abundance?
Let me get right to the point: Having what God says you have, requires SAYING what God says you have!
Are you with me still?
Consider Psalm 23, which is a well know chapter from the Bible. Often used at funerals, but is actually very powerful for daily living. It reminds us of the amazing provision of God. When God is our shepherd there is No want.
Keep in mind, as with all relationships, there is action required by both parties. God leads us to still waters. However, it is up to us to drink. The Lord is the master at restoring our soul, which is our mind. And He does just that when we put our trust in Him. When the storms of life come our way we do not fear, because He is with us. Why is He with us comforting us? Because, we do our part and put our trust in Him.
God says your cup abundantly runs over. What do you say?
If God’s Word says your cup runs over, then that should be the same thing you are thinking and speaking. We too often have an empty cup mentality. But remember, as a man thinks in his heart so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)
God continues to do His part, and you need to continue to do your part. Keep your thoughts and words lined up with His Word. He prepares a table for you, but it is up to you to eat!
There is a section in Psalm 36 that talks about how the children of God are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of His house. He gives them drink from the rivers of His pleasures. That with Him is the fountain of life.
God wants you to have overflow in your life so that you can be blessed to be a blessing. If you only have enough to meet your needs, or not even that, then you aren’t able to help others.
One of the names of God is El-Shaddai. This means the God of more than enough, the all sufficient one. God can turn your ‘not enough’ into ‘more than enough’.
So the question is: Who is your trust in? Make sure it is in the living, one, true God. Put your faith in Him and use your faith to see your abundance in the spirit until it is manifested in the natural. Say what God says and let your cup run over for a life of supernatural abundance.
A prayer for you today before you go:
“Lord God, I thank you, that you are able to turn my not enough into more than enough. You are my Shepherd and I shall not want or be in need in any area because you are overflowing my life with supernatural blessings like I have never experienced before. I receive Your anointing, Your help, upon my life, my family, business and career. I thank you that my life is overflowing so that I may be a blessing to others and glorify You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
May you experience God’s abundant overflow and growing prosperity in your life!
God bless you,
Brenda
Do You Want to Stop Fear and Boost Your Self-Esteem?
Do You Want to Stop Fear and Boost Your Self-Esteem?
Discover How to Put a Stop to Fear and Bring Out the Real You with a Boost to Your Self-Confidence!
Self-esteem is such a powerful, driving force in our lives. The image we have of ourselves; be it good or bad, is going to keep us in failure or move us to success. Another powerful force to take note of is fear. It is a negative one that will rob us of our confidence.
How can you even begin to be confident when fear makes you anxious, stressed, worried, depressed, and unsure of yourself?
Fear is a great handicap that hinders your self-esteem because it only allows you to see the negative side of things. It will paralyze you from moving forward.
Jesus even told us over and over not to be afraid. He helped reveal to us that fear will produce what we fear.
Are you with me? Do you understand the importance of putting a stop to fear? You need to learn to nip fear in the bud daily. Become conscious of fearful thoughts quickly!
Fear drives Failure and Faith drives Confidence.
Victory over fear is required if you want to boost your self-esteem. Mastery of the thoughts and the words you speak will help give you victory. Memorize some positive affirmations to use as replacements for fearful thoughts that try to attack your mind.
Put a stop to the cycle of fear by standing on the Word of God and replacing fear with faith. Faith is evidence of your trust in God. God’s Word frees you from fear.
Some Affirmation Examples to Help Replace Fear with Faith and Confidence:
- God has not given me the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and of a sound mind.
(2 Timothy 1:7) - The peace of God keeps my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
- My confidence is in the Lord and I will not be afraid. (Proverbs 3:25-26)
No doubt about it; there is no limit to what you can do in holding fast to self-confident and courageous thoughts. We fail only when we lose faith in our God given ability to abound in life. It is through faith we touch the very source of life and gain the strength to live successful. Replace the fear in your life with faith filled words and give a big boost to your self-esteem.
May your confidence soar higher and your life abound with growing prosperity!
God bless you,
Brenda
No Secret – Fear Will Rob You of Your Prosperity!
No Secret – Fear Will Rob You of Your Prosperity!
Get Victory Over Fear and Step Into Your God Given Ability to Attract Abundance!
Fear of failure 
is a common enemy to your prosperity. How can you even begin to prosper when fear makes you anxious, stressed, worried, depressed, and unsure of yourself?
When fear is in charge, it’s all that you can do to make it through the day, let alone even think about the first step needed to prosper.
If you struggle with fear, guess what? You are not alone.
Much is taught on fear, because it is a battle for many.
Fear Sets Failure in Motion
Fear is a negative force that attracts to you that very thing you fear. Jesus told us over and over things like; fear not, be not afraid, don’t be anxious. He wasn’t just saying these things to hear Himself talk! He was revealing the important fact that, fear will produce what you fear.
Hopefully by now you understand that when you fear, you set in motion the formula for failure. Fear is evidence of unbelief and it will paralyze you from moving forward.
Mastery of the thoughts and the words we speak will help give us victory. And victory over fear is required if we want to prosper.
Faith Sets Prosperity in Motion
But how do you go about that?
Put a stop to the cycle of fear by standing on the Word of God and replacing fear with faith. God’s Word frees you from fear. Faith is evidence of your trust in God.
Start resisting fear and begin attracting the prosperity you desire in your life by speaking faith verses such as these:
“God has not given me the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and of a sound mind.”
– 2 Timothy 1:7“Whoever harkens unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
– Proverbs 1:33
No doubt about it: The timid, fearful, questioning of ‘What if I should fail?’ attitude has ruined more careers than anything else.
On the other hand, there is no limit to what you can do in holding fast to your self-confident and courageous thoughts. We fail only when we lose faith in our God given ability to abound in life. It is through faith we touch the very source of life and gain the strength to grab hold of our prosperity.
May you boldly move forward in life and continue to experience growing prosperity!
God bless you,
Brenda
Faith in the Blood of Jesus
Faith in the Blood of Jesus Video
There is Power in the Blood
“Faith in His blood is the power and the vehicle that launches the believer into the very presence of God.” Mark Hankins
I ran across this old song the other day and wanted to share.
“There is not one thing in me that the Blood doesn’t cleanse.” Smith Wigglesworth
“…The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin, 1 John 1:7. The blood in your body circulates from head to toe every 23 seconds. The blood carries life itself. It carries in the nutrients you need to live and it also carries out the garbage. The blood of Jesus circulates throughout the Body of Christ. We need one another. We need to be assembled together and we need to fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). There is some assembly required. I feel sorry for people who think they can make it on their own. We need other strong believers to fellowship with around the Word of God. Then the blood of Jesus circulates and takes care of life and health for us.” Excerpt from Mark Hankins book Taking Your Place In Christ.
The subheading of his book is Understanding Your Identity & Inheritance In Him. I’ve been studying a lot of Mark Hankins teachings since his recent visit to our church a few weeks ago. He has a great way of mixing humor with his messages that are really powerful! I highly recommend checking out his resources…
God bless you,
Brenda