I read this post on the homeschooling message board at sparkpeople.com. I was really blessed by it, and thought I should share it. God bless you!!

PRAYING AND LOVING THESE CHILDREN

I want to share with the precious ladies in this group how the Lord has been leading me for the last several weeks. I was having a hard time. My oldest daughter (16) just had a pretty extensive knee surgery, far more than we imagined. Our youngest (2) is going through a lot of behaviour changes and having difficulty sleeping, obeying, responding, etc. My other two children are just fine, but the weeks were very hard and my frustration with my son in particular was growing with each passing day. I would wake up more exhausted when I went to bed because he kept getting up at night. Crying, fussing, wandering the house, whatever. I have been very consistent with the discipline of my children and I was searching and praying or answers, solutions and quick fixes. The Lord had something else in mind for me.

One night at 1:30 AM when he was up crying, rather than just sending him back to his bed, I went to his room and just rocked him and held him. As I looked in his sweet little face, I realized that I was putting my desire for a full night of sleep ahead of my precious son. I looked him in the face and told that little baby, "I will stay here and rock you all night if it helps you feel better. I love you more than I love a full night of sleep."
I rocked him for over an hour. As I sat and prayed about this child and my own selfish behavior, I was reminded of another home school family who just lost their own precious son (18) to cancer. I know his mother would gladly give up her nights of sleep for every night if she had the chance to hold her son again. I had to repent to my son and to the Lord.

The next day, when I called his name he ran the other way. Instead of being frustrated, I did the right thing. I got up and went to him and reminded him that when I call his name, he was to come to mommy right away. As I did it, I said in my mind, "I love you more than I love sitting in my chair," and I prayed for the Lord to make it so. He did.

Today when I was visiting at another mom's house, he ran from me in the opposite direction, and headed around the house. I had to stop my conversation to go fetch and correct him, but the whole way, I could hear the Lord saying: "You love him more than what these other mom's think, more than you love standing here and chatting, and more than having your dream of a perfectly well behaved child. "

Throughout my days I have been examining my own heart and all the little annoyances have faded as I look at each one and remind myself that I love the LORD more than I love a perfect house, a perfect car, all the laundry folded, the perfect hot meal on glass dishes on a set table. I can put those things aside temporarily to pursue my savior in prayer and Bible reading. Also, I love these four children more than I love the dream of perfectly behaved children who never interrupt adults, make messes, argue with siblings, or embarrass me from time to time. Praise God, I really do love them more.

I know some of you struggle with some of the daily tasks of motherhood and home-schooling. I know children can be frustrating and tiring, but I pray that my struggle will help one of you look at your precious children and husband, and instead of comparing them to your ideal vision, the Lord will give you a heart to say...."I love you more than this."

May god richly bless your home school families,

Malia

Some of us have a fear of flying. I never thought I did until a few years ago when I broke down in tears as I got onto a plane set for Arizona. (This was in '98 before 9/11 so all the added fears of today weren't even present then). So, there I was crying and bawling, and to add to all that, there was turbulence on the plane. The hostess said to me in a loud voice so everyone could hear, "Oh it's alright. We're not going to die!" That didn't make me feel better. Who knows if I will ever fly on a plane again (ESPECIALLY these days)!

So many times, we are sitting in the planes of our lives crying and bawling because we don't know what to expect. We are so seized with fear that we forget to remember that the pilot knows what he is doing. I suppose if I KNEW the pilot, I would have been more assured. I know I definitely would have felt safer if I knew it was my Great-Uncle Jim flying the plane. (He has his own plane and I went for a ride in it when I was very little).

WE are not the pilots of our lives. If we were to fly our own plane, we would crash and burn for sure! (I know I would!) That is why JESUS is MY pilot. He's NOT my co-pilot, like so many bumper stickers say. He IS the pilot! HE is driving. HE is in control. I am the one sitting beside Him for the ride. HE is the one leading me. But, of course, there are times where we start getting comfortable and think, "Ok, I can take it from here." So, being the gentleman that He is, Jesus doesn't force us to give Him control. We all have our own free-wills. So, He lets us do "our thing" and then when we freak out and call to Him for help, he sets us on a straight course again.

I'm learning just how much easier it is when I quit thinking so much and just let Jesus drive. (Jesus take the wheel.....take it from my hands.....'cause I can't do this on my own.......). Who needs control anyways? That just stresses you out even more!! Let Jesus take care of it for you!! Doesn't it make sense to trust the expert? He already knows where you are going; even if you don't. He's the one that made you and knows where your destination lies. Trying to find it on our own will be like driving in a fog.

Praise the Lord that HE is in control!! Even if I never get on a plane again, I will still be flying high with Jesus in my life!! I pray you will be too! God bless all who read this!

(I know what you're thinking! "Oh, the return of the blabbermouth long blogs!" LOL Well, if you don't want to read, I'll understand. This is just an entry from my weight-loss blog on sparkpeople.com that I thought I would share because it says where I am at and where I am going in my life. So, if you care to know all my juicy details, read on. If not, God bless you anyways! May He have all the glory!)

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Today didn't start off as great as I had hoped, but it got better. God always has a way of turning it around when I start off on the wrong foot. I won't go into all the details, but just listening to God, praising Him, and setting my  mind on Him makes all the difference.

I am so glad that He is always there to keep pushing me forward. Just like in "Facing the Giants," I am doing the death crawl blindfolded. I don't really know where I am going, but the "coach" is there to lead me. I can't see the end result, but He is my guide. He keeps telling me, "Don't quit! Don't quit!! Keep going! Just a few more steps!!" When I think of that, I can do anything!! I got through a workout I didn't want to do today, and even took a walk later on with my husband and kids. That's the leadership and motivation from my Father; my shepherd, who is leading His lamb.

Yesterday, when I wrote my blog, it wasn't about beating myself up or saying that I couldn't make mistakes. My blog was about confession, repentance, and accountability. I am not going to justify my bad behavior and excuse my overindulgence when I TRULY knew beforehand what I would be faced with and had the ability to overcome it. I ate just be eating, and I didn't even care. I ate fast at times, and I kept snacking without even considering writing down what I was eating to record later.  Who knows how much I really ate.

If we don't take responsibility and REALLY take a look at what we are doing, we will NEVER have lasting change!! Saying, "it's ok to celebrate and have an indulgence here and there" is the very thinking that got us to this predicament in the first place. I'm not saying that we can't eat what we want here and there. I know quite well that being restrictive and legalistic will REALLY trip you up. I don't restrict myself in that way and I do allow for wiggle room. But, yesterday, it was more than wiggle room. I just barreled myself over and totally disregarded every precaution. I didn't take "just" a serving size to be content with. I went beyond that and decided that the short term gratification was better than the end result.

I take every experience as a learning experience, and it was. I came to my knees today and felt truly sorry for what I did; among other things. Being broken and humble in the Lord's presence is what is getting me ANYWHERE to begin with, and if I just casually let something like what happened yesterday roll off my back as nothing, then I just don't get it. That is the BIGGEST problem with Christians today, and I am no exception. Sometimes, we just don't get that sin truly breaks the Lord's heart, and it should break ours as well. The fact that we have sinned against someone so holy, so perfect, so faithful, and so loving; someone who always has our best interest at heart, but we ignore Him because of our own lusts and selfishness. That is what I DID and that is the unvarnished truth of it. Anyone who sugarcoats it is missing the point. It's the very thing Satan always tries to tell us about sin, "Oh, it isn't so bad. Don't worry about it."

Today, I had a piece of cake, but it was SMALL, and I didn't eat all the frosting. I recorded all my food today and was within a good range today. I think I finished out at 1300 calories or so, plus had a couple HOURS of exercise. Now THAT is celebrating without overindulging! The greatest moments I take joy in and celebrate have NOTHING to do with food, but with God, and with PEOPLE and the very events that are being celebrated. Eating or not eating cake,  isn't the focal point of the celebration anyways. That's another thing that gets in the way of things. People tend to connect celebrations with food as if they are one and it's not. You can celebrate and reward yourself WITHOUT food. And, the BEST reward and the BEST nourishment is the reward I get when I am with the Lord. That is why I must always be self-aware; and I know I won't always do right. I'm just saying that when I DO do the wrong thing, I need to acknowledge it. That was the whole purpose of yesterday. 

Friends, I write these blogs to fellowship and to learn and to support each other. So many people have told me how well I have been doing, (and I have been). I just wanted to be honest about my weak areas so people do not think that I don't have bad days and start being comparative or anything. I am not trying to say that I am inspiring all these me wannabes or anything. No, not at all! I wouldn't want anyone to imitate me, glorify, or idolize me. It is CHRIST IN ME and He deserves ALL THE CREDIT AND I MEAN THAT! (Even when people say, "well, yeah, but you did it too." No, CHRIST did it, because I CAN'T do it on my own strength and willpower).

I just wanted to show the whole side of things, so that we could all get over the core issues of being overweight, together. THIS is the core issue: we want what we want when we want it. To me, my fat is an outward sign of my disobedience and showing others, publicly, what my idol is/was. It displays a lack of discipline, self-control, and respect for the body that God made for us (and the temple HE dwells in). My God deserves better than that!!! I am laying down my pride and selfishness and asking God to help me examine that heart of mine behind every food choice; or any life choice. As I lose weight, it will reflect the changes God is making in me and that I am disciplined, self-controlled, obedient, and respectful of God's authority.

That BONDAGE OF FAT is being broken. He has already forgiven me for getting to this point, and he is stripping away all those layers to reveal the beautiful me; inside and out. Pretty soon, the physical change will match the inner change and there will be no remnant left that resembles that old self any longer!! And, if my outside doesn't change, well, that will be saying something about my insides now won't it? ;) That's an easy gauge of the condition of your heart, when you see the fruits in your physical self, and in the environment around you. If you want to gauge your progress, don't just look at the scale; look at your heart and your home.

I'm liking what I am seeing..........and I'm not talking particularly about my body either. This body will pass away, eventually, and no one will remember my hard work of what I did for me, but what I did for others. The only thing that will be remembered is my legacy, and that is worth MORE than any number on the scale, any favorite food, or any number of minutes I worked out!! I don't care whether or not I'm remembered for my body, I want to be remember for my FAITH and the fact that I lost weight, or did a good job of raising my kids, or whatever, because of what JESUS did!!! THAT is what inspires! THAT is what lasts!! MAY HE HAVE ALL THE GLORY!!! AMEN!!!!! 

This message is from the American Family Association. I thought that this was very important to make people aware of, in case you didn't know. God bless you for taking action!:



State police take children from parents. Their crime? They were home schooling their daughter.

Please stand for the God-given right of these parents to freely educate their children as their conscience dictates.


This letter is slightly longer than what I usually write. But I beg you to please read all of it.

How would you feel if a group of 15 fully armed police officers walked into your home, grabbed your 15-year-old daughter, and left without telling you where they were taking her? Not only that, but you soon found out that your daughter was being arrested because she was being home schooled, and she would not be allowed to come home until she was placed in a public school!

This is already a reality for some families —not in America— but in Germany. Melissa Busekros of Erlangen, Bavaria, was taken from her parents, Hubert and Gudrun Busekros. Why worry about this if it isn't in America? Because America is becoming like Europe more and more. Not only that, but here are two families who have nearly no hope that the government will listen to them. I don't like saying this because it seems so extreme, but if we continue on the way we are going this will be happening in America, unless we work to stop it now.

Using the same law, police recently took five "well-educated" children from their parents for the same reason. Police took into legal custody Rosine, Jotham, Kurt-Simon, Lovis and Ernst Brause, the children of Bert and Kathrin Brause. The state will not allow Bert and Kathrin to regain custody of their children unless they agree to place them in a public school.

The judge concluded that the children were well-educated but accused the parents of failing to provide their children with an education in a public school. The judge noted that one of the daughters expressed the same opinions as her father, stating that they have not had the chance to develop "independent personalities!"

Please take the following quote in context. I'm not trying to be an extremist, but a realist. One of the first acts by Adolf Hitler when he gained power in Germany was to create the governmental Ministry of Education and give it control of all schools and school-related issues. In 1937, Hitler said: "This Reich stands, and it is building itself up for the future, upon its youth. And this Reich will give its youth to no one, but will itself take youth and give to youth its (the state's) own education and its own upbringing."

Take Action! Please send the e-mail to German officials who have the ability to right this wrong. Your email will be sent to Germany's president and key decision making officials. It will include your name and email address only. (Go to http://www.afa.net/ to do so).

Like most holidays, this world has turned St. Patrick's Day into yet another occasion for self-indulgence and their own personal fun. The meaning has gotten pushed aside and, rather, forgotten. Even the very name of today has been drug through the mud! It's "St. Patty's Day," or "Shamrock Day" or whatever you want to call it.

So, what IS St. Patrick's Day and WHO is St. Patrick? Well, in short, he was a boy kidnapped from his home and taken to Ireland where the society was pagan. After a time there, he escaped and came home. He grew up into a great man of the Lord, and then came back to Ireland to preach the gospel to the pagans. He even used a shamrock to illustrate the trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (One God: Three Persons). Today is a day to celebrate salvation; especially for those people who had been drawn out of darkness and into the light of Christ!! Praise God that St. Patrick cared enough to preach the Word of the Lord to the people of Ireland! Now THAT is worth celebrating (and NOT with green beer, blarney stones, and leprachauns either!)

Don't let society taint the meaning for you! Celebrate this day by giving thanks to God and rejoicing in your salvation!! Read the brief history of St. Patrick at the link provided, http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89 and watch the cute and endearing clip about St. Patrick, as told by "Veggie Tales" (which is where I first heard the story of St. Patrick) by clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UociNQHztiY Have a blessed day in the Lord!! PRAISE GOD FOR OUR SALVATION!!

Here's something one of my friends forwarded to me today about that ugly word: pride. This helps clarify and redefine it. I thought it was worth sharing. Do you fall into any of these categories? God sure has been working on me with it. I had some pride issues I hadn't known was really pride until these recent weeks in getting closer to Him in prayer.

PRIDE ATTITUDE

Here is a list of attitudes with their roots in pride. Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any of these attitudes lurking. When He reveals one repent quickly.

Condescending Attitudes towards others in the Body: We are to esteem others as higher than ourselves. If we catch ourselves thinking of another as less than ourselves in any way, especially in regards to spiritual gifting, understanding, etc. we must repent quickly.

Independent Attitude: We are to be united in heart as one, although we may all have different functions. If we ever feel like "we just want to do our own thing" we are forgetting the fuller purpose of the Kingdom, which is to embrace the whole body of Christ.

Self-Glory: Although it is good for us to enjoy the workings, dealings, gifting and blessings that the hand of the Lord brings, we must be careful not to think that it is because of our own greatness. All things are given to us as a gift of grace (underserved; unmerited favor). All the delight in these blessings must be returned to Him. We can never glory in our own righteousness; it is as filthy rags.

Self-Confidence: When we begin to feel a confidence in our own abilities to produce the anointing and the fruit of the Kingdom, we must be alert to the tempter.

Lack of Time in His Presence: Often times this is a sign of pride and self-reliance. It may indicate that we have become self sufficient with self-rule. We no longer regard as all we need and all we have flow from His Presence and Counsel. This is dangerous because it can produce a mindset of "self rule" that subsequently asks God to bless and serve what man has initiated.

Critical and Condemning Attitudes and Thoughts: The heart of a "critic or accuser" is postured above others. The heart of our Savior is postured in servant hood.

Boasting Over Achievements and Revelation: Often times this is not an outward action but an inward attitude. (Note: this is of the sin nature, not the "boasting in the Lord" as Scripture speaks of).

Dishonor of Authority: We are to esteem and honor those in authority (even if they are NOT under Holy Spirit control, i.e. David's attitude towards Saul). Attitudes of dishonor towards leaders often indicate pride in the heart.

Desiring to be served: Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. This is the posture of humility.

Desire of Reputation: Jesus was a man of no reputation in heart. He emptied Himself. If we have inner desires to be esteemed by others, we need to be watchful. Pride could be lurking.

Desiring to Control Others: Use of a position of authority or gift to fulfill selfish ambition and vision.

The only way we can effectively counter attack this assault is to live in humility. James 4:10 says," Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up." Notice it says, "humble yourselves", this is something we choose to do daily and in every moment we feel the attack of pride. Choose to go low, take the position of Jesus found in Philippians 2.

I have read Chapter 2 of the Bondage Breaker book. I wrote a lot about it last time, but I won't keep on doing so. This is a book one should really read for oneself. So, if you are looking for freedom and peace in your life, it's worthwhile to read this book for yourself. However, I will highlight main points of the chapters.

Chapter 2 has to do with the spiritual world. Unlike the Eastern world, here in the west, we don't think about the spiritual world much (other than New Age occultic garbage). We think of things in two tiers: The transcendent world of God and Spiritual forces (the upper tier) and the Empirical World of the Senses. Inbetween, we have this "excluded middle" as if there were separation between the two.

In all realtiy, however, there is no excluded middle because the spiritual world is here all around us. The spirits of the kingdom of darkness can even affect us physically, as well as mentally and spiritually. Neil Anderson talks about a woman with MS that was healed after he had prayed with her to receive her freedom. Just like the woman in the Bible who could "straighten up" when Jesus set her free of her infirmity, so we can also straighten up when we are loosed of evil forces who "cripple" us.

So many are spiritual without being connected to God. We are selfish and try to attain "oneness" in our own body by evil means, even if we don't realize it's evil and occultic. "The diabolical idea that people are their own gods is the heartbeat of this fallen world and the primary link in the chain of spiritual bondage to the kingdom of darkness." We can NEVER be our own God. We don't have the characteristics or attributes to do it. "There is only one infinite Creatore, and all the rest is finite creation." Adam wasn't alive until God breathed life into Him. Indeed, apart from God, he could do NOTHING. Neither can we.

"Self-sufficiency is the number-one dam that is holding back the rivers of revival. We are trying to do God's work in our way with our resources, and we can't." (Boy does that speak to me! Lord, forgive me for doing things my own way and interferring in situations where I shouldn't have!) The "me, me me, I'll do it my own way" REALLY screws things up... no matter what area of life you are talking about.

So, we must do what Jesus told us to do: Deny ourselves (meaning, deny self-rule and allow ourselves to be controlled by God) and take up our cross (pick up CHRIST'S CROSS and acknowledge every day that we belong to God) and to follow Him.

We must "sacrifice the lower life to gain the higher life." "Shoot for this world and that's all you'll get, and eventually you will lose even that. But shoot for the next world, and God will throw in the benefits of knowing Him now."

"Sacrifice the pleasure of things to gain the pleasure of life," and "sacrifice the temporal to gan the eternal." God doesn't give rules to restrict, but to protect. He doesn't try to "spoil" our fun. He created us to have a fulfilling and wonderful life, and having instructions in place gives us that life. HE IS the "giver of life." Where would we be without instruction and rules? No rules equals a BIG MESS!

"Satan's ultimate lie is that you are capable of being the god of your own life--and his ultimate bondage is the attempt to live as though his lie were truth.......the message of this fallen world is to inflate the ego while denying God the opportunity to take His rightful place as Lord. Satan couldn't be more pleased--that was his plan from the beginning."

The Lord has been teaching me MANY things lately. So much that it is impossible to write it all down and explain it all. That is some of the very reason why I am composing this blog; to tell all of you that I may be writing little (if anything) for a while.

God doesn't want me to "explain it all." Like in the movie "Facing the Giants" I must do my best, but leave the results up to God. I think I have been trying to hard in many areas, have struggled with legalism, and have not seen the harvest of Spiritual fruit because I have not been soley content with just being a "sower." Maybe sometimes I will see the yields, and sometimes I won't. I must allow God to be the harvester. He will produce the results.

Therefore, He wants to teach me to use my gifts the way they should be used, and used according to HIS instruction, not my own over-eagerness to share all that I am learning. It's not beneficial to everyone, because everyone is in their own season. Less is more. I must learn to be simple and concise so God can speak to the people that see/hear the meaning He wishes for them to get out of it, and not the meaning that it has soley meant for me.

I am reading the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. I was never quite sure how I felt about it before, but it IS good and beneficial. He speaks as though Jesus did, in stories, parables, and metaphors. So simple, but profound, are the truths you read in these books. I just finished the first book: "The Magician's Nephew." I was quite astounded by how much God spoke to me through this, which drew me to some of these conclusions I am writing about.

I will leave now with these final words that come from the latter part of "The Magician's Nephew." Aslan, the lion, had asked they boy (Digory) to plant a tree in Narnia to keep the witch away for a season. The boy did so, but not before wrestling the temptation from the witch to eat the fruit (apple), that would become the tree, for himself (or give it to his dying mother to save her). The witch, herself, had eaten of the fruit, and the children didn't know how the tree that bore that fruit would then keep her away. Here is what Aslan said:

"Child," he replied, "that is why all the rest are now a horror to her. That is what happnes to those who pluck and eat fruits at the wrong time and in the wrong way. The fruit is good, but they loathe it ever after."

"Oh I see," said Polly. "And I suppose because she took it in the wrong way it won't work for her. I mean it won't make her always young and all that?"

"Alas," said Aslan, shaking his head. "It will. Things always work according to their nature. She has won her heart's desire; she has unwearying strength and endless days like a goddess. but length of days with an evil heart is only length of misery and already she begins to know it. All get what they want; they do not always like it."

"I--I nearly ate one myself, Aslan," said Digory. "Would I--"

"You would, child," said Aslan. "For the fruit always works--it must work--but it does not work happily for any who pluck it at their own will. If any Narnian, unbidden, had stolen an apple and planted it here to protect Narnia, it would have protected Narnia. But it would have done so by making Narnia into another strong and cruel empire like Charn, not the kindly land I mean it to be."

"......What I give you now will bring joy....."

I pray that God, and all who read this, will forgive me for plucking off fruit to give to you in the wrong season (if I have done so). I do not wish you to detest the Lord's fruit because I tried to help you digest something you were not yet ready for. Some truths are hard to partake right away, and sometimes, I speak of these truths and elaborate too deeply and turn people away from that fruit. For this I am so deeply and mournfully sorry.

I pray my sin does not turn you from His fruit. That is why I must not write much, or anything, at all for a time. I must be led by the Lord and write only what He means to say, so that all may have benefit in the form it was meant to help them. Forgive me, my brothers and sisters. I love you too much to make you detest the goodness of God's fruit. Therefore, I will seek the Lord and ask Him to show me how to have the self-control and discernment to use my gifts properly.

Once again, forgive me. No matter what I have done, know that God LOVES YOU IMMENSELY!! Let not the fruit you receive be my own fruit, but God's fruit. The Lord is good, and the taste of His fruit IS good. Forgive me if I have ever left a sour taste in your mouths and prevented you from desiring God's fruit of the Spirit.

Well, today, I'm reading in Hosea 3. This 40 days of prayer has been great. It's amazing and I am learning and growing so much! THANK YOU JESUS!

Hosea 3

1Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

2So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for a homer of barley, and a half homer of barley:

3And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

4For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:

5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

"Read Hosea 3:1, 5. Think of specific times Jesus has come to you in love even though you had run from Him. Thank Him for His faithfulness.

Read Hosea 3:1, 5 Ask the Spirit to reveal, convict and break your heart in anyway you are turning from the Father right now and seeking other lovers. May the realization of how much we are breaking the Father's heart cause us to tremble before Him."

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. No matter how many times I have grieved your heart, you have still loved me. Your blood was the price. It is what was used to purchase me and buy me back from sin and death. You have rescued and redeemed me from great suffering and certain doom. Thank You Jesus! I am so grateful and thankful that you have done this for me. Thank you for pursuing me and loving me that much! Forgive me for the times I have built a wall to shut You out, or turned away. Forgive me for not always allowing You to love me the way You want to love me. Forgive me for not always honoring Your love.

Lord, if there be anything that I am doing now in denying Your love and power, please show me. I lay it all down at Your feet. Lord, You are my God. You are my Savior. May I never have any gods before You. You are number one. Lord, show me how to pray. Show me how to trust in You completely and constantly.

Thank You for your love. Thank You for drawing me and opening my eyes to that which You want me to know. Thank You.

May we all have open hearts. May we all allow You to draw us to Yourself. May we be broken and open. May You cleanse our sins and heal our wounds. Restore us. May we accept the price You paid for us, and go with You and remain with You. Amen.

*This is from yesterday....though I am just now posting it.*

"Read Hosea 2

ADORATION: Read Hosea 2:14-20 Despite Israel's continued flagrant harlotry listen to the Father's heart. These are our promises too, listen to the Father's heart for you and draw near to Him.

CONFESSION: Read Hosea 2:13. Baal means possessor, owner. What things in your life possess or own you? What other lovers have caused you to forget the Lord. Lay these before the Lord in repentance."

Repentance brings restoration, hope, and blessings. Praise God that You always love and forgive us; redeeming us from our sin.

My own "lovers" have been ones I didn't even realize or expect. Just discovering how sleep and laziness (and procrastination) affects me and God has been an eye opener. I also see how I've tried so hard to be "perfect" sometimes and have struggled with legalism. But now, I renounce it in Jesus name. You have saved me and I am not under the law, but under grace. Thank You SO MUCH! Forgive me for my faults and continue to help me change.

Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Thank You for Your Word and Your promises Strengthen me. Equip me. May I rely on You as my source for everything. You are all I need. You are everything I need You to be.

Lord, redeem us. Show us how detestable our betrayals are and bring us back to You. Let us not continue in our bondage to sin, but accept the freedom that is in You and Your truth! AMEN!

"We have been on the honeymoon, the time when we experience great joy and pleasure in our Loved One. We believe we could never betray so awesome a Love. However our selfishness and pride begin to set in.

Over the next several days we will spend time in the book of Hosea. Kay Arthur in her introduction to the book of Hosea in the NAS Inductive Study Bible says this about Hosea, "God had entered into a covenant with Israel. Yet….Israel continued to play the harlot. God begged her to return to Him, but she would not listen. God's heart hurt. If only Israel could understand, if only she could see what she was doing to the One who had betrothed her to Himself. If only she could see what her infidelity was doing to her children!" The Father calls Hosea to go and marry a prostitute and have children as a living example of Israel's relationship to Him.

As you read Hosea think of the church today as we compare to Israel. Listen for the Father's broken but holy heart. Even as the Father brings judgment on His people the goal is not simply punishment but that they would yet turn back to Him in the midst of their suffering. As you read don't get bogged down in what you don't understand but meditate on the words that grip your heart. If you don't want to read the whole chapter I will highlight verses for meditation. Persevere-these are hard words but we need to be broken over our sin and sorry that we grieve the heart of our Father and of our groom Jesus.

Hosea 1

1The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

2The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

3So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

4And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

5And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel, in the valley of Jezreel.

6And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.

7But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

8Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.

9Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.

10Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

11Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel. 

Read Hosea 1:10 What does it mean to be a son (daughter) of the living God? What benefits, blessings are yours? Worship the Father for this favored position you have. Worship Jesus that He made this position possible.

Hosea is to name his children Jezreel-God sows judgment; Lo-ruhamah-She has not obtained compassion; Lo-ammi-not my people. Consider if the Father named you these names because of your sin against him."

I am honored and overjoyed to be a child of God. That even though I have sinned, and grieved His heart, He still loves me and desires reconciliation. Even though we have caused Him much pain and anger, He still love us. Though this nation, and this world, has caused Him to withdraw His presence because we have not honored and obeyed Him, we can STILL cry out to Him and ask Him to forgive our wickedness. There is still hope. We can still repent and ask Him to forgive our transgressions. He will cleanse us of our impurities and make us new again.

I know I don't deserve your immense mercy and grace. I know there have been times where those shameful names were my own. I have not deserved your mercy or to be called a child of God. Forgive me for the times I have tarnished Your name. Lord, I only want to bring honor and glory to Your name. I'm sorry for the times where my thoughts, words, and actions have brought you disgrace. Dear Lord, please forgive me. I am SO VERY SORRY!

Thank you for forgiving me, even though I have done grievous things to You. I can't even fathom how great Your faithfulness and forgiveness is. It astounds me that You are so gracious and loving that You would forgive me regardless of the countless times I have sinned against You. Lord, I am so sorry. Please, forgive me. Thank You for being so merciful and loving. Thank You for taking me back time and time again.

Lord, I pray that we all humble ourselves and become grieved over our sins. That we would see how much it hurts You, and ourselves, when we behave in a way so vile. May we understand that our actions as children, hurts You, our Father, when we behave so wrongly and so ungratefully. You, who bestows so much love and gifts on us, have been unappreciated and mocked by our detestable and selfish behavior. Dear Lord, please forgive us!! Discipline us and bring us back to You! Like a child who shows remorse for their wrongdoings, and like the parent who forgives their little child for their mistakes, let it be with You and us. May we strive to please You, our Father, and may we seek Your forgiveness, mercy, and grace, when we have disobeyed You. Lord, my kids do things to disappoint me too, and I wonder why they can't "just listen to me." Lord, I am the same way with You, sometimes. I forgive my children, and You forgive me. Thank You so much for that. Forgive us all, and restore us. Amen.

Here is day 10 of 40 days of prayer. Here is what Kim wrote for today:

"Not only do we need to begin thinking and looking like a bride but we need to develop a bridal language- an intimate language with our Groom. Remember no one can duplicate your love for Jesus. It is unique to you.

Song of Solomon 1:3-4

3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

 4Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

 Ephesians 5:19-21

19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Say these words to Jesus-Your love is better than_____________________

Your name is like___________________________

Draw me after you and let's go________________________

Sing your own song from your heart to Jesus.

Ephesians 5:29-32

29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Consider even the words you speak and the thoughts you think to others as being part of your bridal language. Ask the Spirit to bring to mind anyone you need to apologize to for the words you have spoken or thought against them. Go and ask for forgiveness."

Dear Lord, Your love is better than anything. Your love is better than silver, gold, or any kind of material wealth. It is so great that no price can equal the endless love that You have. Your name is like sweet perfume. It is music to my ears and the song of my heart. You are the sweetest name I know. Draw me to You and help me to be still and quiet in Your presence. Help me to know You and hear You.

My song is this: that I may love You more. That I would be transformed by Your love and that the love that I feel will reflect Yours. I am one with You. I shall love you, myself, and others.

Lord, forgive me for the times I have not loved as I should. Forgive me for not being patient with others. Forgive me for my thoughts, words, and actions that were of the flesh and not of You. Give me peace and calmness so that I will be slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to anger. May Your love reign in my heart.

Thank You for loving me and being there for me. I can always count on You. Always. Even if I had nothing else, I would still have You. Lord, this song comes to mind:

"All of You is more than enough for all of me. For every thirst and every need; You satisfy me with Your love and all I have in You is more than enough."

Lord, I pray we all learn to be content in Your love. That you will be more than enough to satisfy our greatest desires and needs. May we find TRUE JOY in the GREATNESS of YOUR LOVE! AMEN!

You have GOT to read this blog!!!!!!! This is from my friend Heather, who is reading the book "Woman, thou art loosed," by T.D. Jakes. PLEASE READ IT!!! HANG ON EVERY WORD!! (It can be applied to guys as well as girls...) ;) BE BLESSED!

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=19142725&blogID=238140977&Mytoken=409E4636-0349-4282-8DF61D0F12883DF96908987

Here's what Kim wrote for day 9 of 40 days of prayer:

"In the time of waiting the bride would work on making herself as beautiful as she could be to meet her groom. Many times the bride would have saved her money to purchase expensive make up. This is the time she would learn how to apply it. In Esther 2:2 we see that she spent 12 months soaking in oils of myrrh and 6 months with spices and cosmetics to beautify herself to meet the king. Have you ever been to a wedding where the Bride showed up in her pajamas looking like she had just jumped out of bed? No brides spend a lot of time and money making sure they are as beautiful as they can be. This is the role of the Holy Spirit in our life. It is His job to make us over so we can stand in all our glory to meet our King.

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Exodus 30:31-37

31And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.

 32Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.

 33Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.

 34And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:

 35And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:

 36And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

 37And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.

Thank the Holy Spirit for His role in making you shine for your King, in removing spots and wrinkles, in making you smell good!

Exodus 30:31-37 describes the process of making a holy anointing oil which was to be used only for the Lord. Making this holy perfume involved the work of a perfumer who was skilled in this process. The process of making the perfume involved salting, purifying and holiness. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives-to make us a sweet aroma to our King.

Salted- to be beat into small pieces. We must be broken of ourselves.

Pure-to be of one substance, singleminded. Repent of doublemindedness.

Holy-set apart to Jesus. Ask the Spirit to begin the work of making perfume of your life."

I like today's entry, and thinking of ourselves as something sweet and fragrant; a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord and something that attracts others to Him. Lord, thanks you for beautifying me in Your grace. Thank you for for purifying me and making me clean in Your eyes. I hope I can be sweetly savored and that I would be a delight to You.

Yes, Lord, make me sweet and fragrant. May I have Your desirable aroma so that others may see You in me and desire You. Cleanse me of the things that make my life "stink."

Thank you for all You do. I am just in awe of every promise that You make to us, and all You do to make our lives richer. In You, I have it all. Thank you!

I pray we all desire to have that godly aroma so that we can attract others to Your presence. Amen!

Here's today's entry for 40 days of prayer:

"The bride and groom would experience a time of separation before the wedding ceremony and the time they would live together as husband and wife. Before the groom would leave he would give gifts to the bride to show his love for her and to help her remember him while they were separated. These gifts also helped prepare the bride for her wedding day and the marriage relationship with her groom. Jesus has given us the gift of His Holy Spirit to show us His love for us, to help us remember Him, and to help us become a bride ready for Him.

Ephesians 5:26-27That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Express your adoration to Jesus for the gift of his Holy Spirit.

In this waiting period the bride would participate in a mikreh-a cleansing bath. In the same way the Holy Spirit washes us with the Word of God that we might become spotless and clean, a Bride ready to meet her Groom. Ask the Holy Spirit to begin using the word of God to cleanse the thoughts and intentions of your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring the word of God alive in you. Submit to His authority in your life."

It just amazes me! God gives and gives and gives! He gives us so MANY things! He gives us salvation and forgiveness; he cleanses us and gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us; AND He gives us our own specialized and unique gifts of talent to use for Him! He is ALL ABOUT LOVE AND GIVING! Even when he "takes" our sins away, He is still giving us something! Lord, You are so wonderful and generous!

Lord, continue to purg me of slothful inactivity. Control me and drive me. May I see the faith of others and learn from their faith. May I be inspired by my other brothers and sisters in Christ who are walking in the light. Cleanse me and make me into what you want me to be.

I thank you for bringing me to this place. Continue breaking me. Thank you for continuing to open my eyes in new ways and in all situations. Let obedience be the fruit that stems from the wisdom and insight you give me.

Lord, give us all a heart for You. May we all use our gifts for YOUR glory, as we wait on You. Prepare Your church. Help us to surrender and sit at Your feet. Humble us and break us. May we seek You and not become confident in our own perceived righteousness. Let us have repentant hearts and lay down our pride. Amen.

(For some reaon, I wouldn't let me post "prohibited language" in my title. I don't know what it bad about saying "The Bondage Breake." That is what the book is called).

Yes, I know that this is the third blog today (I know it's long, but TRUST ME; it's beneficial!). I don't know who all reads, but I pray that we may all journey together. I am learning so much, and I am sharing my growth with others so that we can all benefit together. I love Jesus and I don't want to hold it in. People benefit from the progress of others. People get inspired when they see that things they thought impossible really can be done. I'm telling you, God is doing a lot of "impossible" things with me. I am at a place in my walk that I didn't think I could ever be in. I didn't know how, or if, I would have the same (or even greater) fire that I had in High School. But, now I know I can and am. Don't ever let Satan deceive you into thinking that you can't grow!!! Bloom, people, BLOOM!!! Let God's rain shower you with His presence and cause you to flourish!

Anyways, our small group is starting to read, "The Bondage Breaker" by Neil T. Anderson. I encourage everyone to read it. I have only read the first chapter so far, but I am REALLY encouraged and enthralled! I'll tell you one thing, the kingdom of darkness does NOT want you to read this book. They will do everything they can to keep you from it, because it reveals the TRUTH of their LIES and the way Satan and his demons operate to bring us down.

So, if you want to know how to gain victory over the evil spirits in this world that tempt and torment us all, READ THIS BOOK or at least read the things that I will write about it as a starting point. There is SO MUCH to take in that I don't know if I can share it all with you without plagiarizing the book itself. So, please read it if you can.

Neil T. Anderson starts off by talking about how he was speaking at a conference, and a woman there was just broken down and crying and crying because someone finally understood what she was going through. Apparently, she has been tortured for years and couldn't get free. When she was small, she received her "spirit guides" through her grandmother who was a witch. They were always telling her what to do and say and she was in constant turmoil from their "guidance."

She did everything she could to be free from them. She tried strict discipline on herself, and she even accepted Christ, but was still never really free. She had no idea how to be free and felt that she couldn't tell anyone about it. She even joined the Marines to help her discipline herself, but just couldn't withstand it in the long run and left with a medical discharge.

When she heard Mr. Anderson speak about deceiving spirits, she felt like she finally found the answer, and that someone understood. She met with Mr. Anderson, and she finally got free!!

God wants us all to be free. He wants us to grow in Him. We should all be able to say that we are growing, and that each day, month, year, of our Christian walk was better than the last and that we love Him even more than ever. If that isn't true about ourselves, then we aren't growing.

Our growth is stunted when we can't receive Biblical instruction because of our own unresolved conflicts. What we need to do is resolve those issues and break free of them so we can move on in our walk.

Before meeting Christ, we are slaves to sin. Now, because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross, the bondage has been broken. Jesus conquered it for us. Satan no longer has ownership or authority, because the blood of Jesus broke that stronghold! Satan knows he is defeated, but he still lies and does all he can to keep us from realizing that. He drags up our past and tries to make us believe we can never be better and can never be free; that we are always going to fail and we are forever doomed.

All of that is UNTRUE!! That is why we stay in bondage. If we believe the crap that Satan wants us to believe, we won't know the truth and won't be free. But Jesus said in John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Of course, we won't mature in our faith overnight. Maturity takes time, and even though God frees us when we discover His truth, it takes the renewing of our mind DAILY to keep continuing in our growth in the knowledge of truth. Satan will still come against us and try to lie to us.

We don't need to become children of God; we already are His children. We need to be children of God who become more and more like Jesus. We don't have to live in bondage. We don't have to accept spiritual darkness and the torment of evil spirits on our mind and lives. WE CAN BE FREE!

Here are the common misconceptions that Neil T. Anderson lists about bondage. These are the lies that keep people from being free.

1. Demons were active when Christ was on earth, but their activity has subsided.

2. What the early church called demonic activity we now understand to be mental illness.

3. Some problems are psychological and some are spiritual.

4. Christians cannot be affected by demons.

5. Demonic influence is only evident in extreme or violent behaviior and gross sin.

6. Freedom from spiritual bondage is the result of a power encounter with demonic forces.

So, let's think about those lies for a minute. How about lie number one? Do we really think that demons aren't active now like they were back in the Bible? My goodness! That's the biggest lie of all! Think of how much power Satan has when he can convince the world that he doesn't exist! People, the first step to being free is acknowledging the problem. If we deny that evil isn't influencing us, or that devils and demons don't exist, what hope do we have of conquering them? So, not only do we STILL have evil forces at work and demons deceiving us today, but they are more deceptive than ever! They infiltrate even more areas of our lives; especially in a day with so much technology and methods of influence. And, this "new age" mentality gives the dark forces even more power. Of course, "new age" isn't anything new, just giving old things different names. Today, mediums, fortune tellers, and wiches are "spirit guides" and Harry Potter and all sorts of evil things mask as something good. The Bible says to have NOTHING TO DO WITH THESE OCCULTIC ACTIVITIES!!  There is no such thing as a good wizard! IT IS A LIE, PEOPLE!!!!!!! Witchcraft is a product of the sinful nature and the Lord detests it (Galatians 5:19-21). Why call on the power of demons when you can call on the infinite and superior power of GOD?!!! At least back then, people acknowledged demonic influence. Today, many people dabble in it without even realizing how evil it is, because it is promoted as good. Woe to those that call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. (Isaiah 5:20) (ARE YOU LISTENING HOLLYWOOD/WASHINGTON/MEDIA?)

The second misconception is that we look at the things that happened in the Bible compared to today, and think that people with "voices" in their heads, or some kind of tortuous issue, is nothing but mental illness that can be treated with medication. I am not a pill pusher. I avoid medications at all costs (but that's another subject). I think that medication should always be a last resort. Mental illnesses, like Mr. Anderson says, are "merely labels classifying symptoms. But what or who is causing the symptoms? Is the cause spiritual, psychological, hormonal, or a neurological chemical imbalance? Certainly all these options must be explored. But what if no physical or psychological cause is found?"

This is where "modern medicine" fails us. We don't look at all the possible causes of illness; especially when it affects the mind. Many doctors are so enlightened by their perceived knowledge that they don't consider the prospect of a person being affected by the spiritual world of darkness and evil. Therefore, the treatment for their illness will never be complete, unless the bondage is broken. Mr. Anderson says this about depression: "Depression is a body, soul, and spirit problem that requires a balanced body, soul, and spirit answer." You can't just treat one aspect of the problem and expect healing. Yes, maybe some people do have a "chemical imbalance." I know people that do, but I was also in that position, at one time. I don't believe my problem was solely of that nature. How many people are "cured" by drugs that cure mental illness. NONE. They have to take it forever to control the SYMPTOMS. Why not just treat the cause? That's what I did, and I no longer take medications (but, like I said, that is a whole different story, it's different for everyone). I enlist GOD to combat the negative attacks on my mind and soul.

The third lie is along the same lines as the first. Most people separate psychological and spiritual issues when in all actuality, all problems are psychological, because your mind and emotions are always involved. Also, all problems are spiritual, because God is always there, and there is no time where He is not present. The kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness are always battling, which is why we must always wear the armor of God. It's never safe to take it off. We will always be battling.

The fourth big lie is that we think because we are Christians, we cannot be affected by demons. Does that really make sense? Do we REALLY think that because we are Christians we won't be tempted and that evil will not be at work trying to get us to stray away from God? Satan fights all the harder against Christians because we are his number one enemy. If we are not affected by evil and by Satan, why are we supposed to arm and protect ourselves with the armor of God when the enemy shoots those fiery darts at us? We are always going to be a target.

The fifth lie is that demonic influence is only apparent in extremely violent behavior or gross sin. We all look at child molesters, murders, and people like that and think, "Man, they are demon possessed." Yes, there are a lot of sick people under the influence of Satan, and they do horrible unspeakable acts. However, there is demonic activity going on even in less extreme degrees. Satan is always going to deceive and scheme against us. Just because we aren't violent murders or Satan worshipers doesn't mean that we aren't being deceived. Personally, I had struggled for a long time with feeling "good enough" and with prayer too. It wasn't until here recently that I finally stopped believing those nagging lies in my head about, "You're not doing it right. You just can't pray. What right do you have to talk? You're a hypocrite. How can you help anyone when you screw up so much?" Is that not a demonic influence? Wasn't Satan trying his hardest to keep me from being the person in Christ I was meant to be by getting me to feel that I was inadequate? I'll tell you what, once I really started praying and accepting that God wanted to use me no matter what, that's when I was able to shut down those lies. I also had people that prayed over me, and I felt the release of condemnation that the enemy was using against me. He is the accuser of the brethren, people. He is going to do all he can to remind us of past sins and how "bad" we are and that God doesn't want us. But, we HAVE to remind ourselves of the truth in God's Word; which is one of the tools of the armor of God. That is what we will use to fight these evil forces. God DOES want us and DOES love us!! DON'T believe otherwise!

The last misconception is that freedom from spiritual bondage is the result of a power encounter with demonic forces. Mr. Anderson puts it this way: "Freedom from spiritual conflicts and bondage is not a power encounter; it's a truth encounter. Satan is a deceiver, and he will work undercover at all costs. But the truth of God's Word exposes him and his lie. His demons are like cockroaches that scurry for the shadows when the light comes on. Satan's power is in the lie, and when his lie is exposed by the truth, his plans are foiled."

Mr. Anderson then tells a story about how, when he was a boy, he was scared of a little yappy dog at his neighbor's farm. The dog would always bark and yap at you, and of course, his dad and brother just shooed him away and stood their ground. However, Mr. Anderson would always run away, and the dog would chase him. He would then jump into the back of a pick-up truck to escape the mutt while the dog barked and yapped at him from the ground.

This illustrates how we give our power away to even the tiniest most insignificant things. Satan can't control you unless you let him. He is nothing but a little yappy dog. Don't let him force you into that pick-up truck! Satan has no power to put us in that truck; WE put ourselves there by believing the LIE that he has more power than what he has. We need to do what Mr. Anderson did. He got down from the truck, kicked a stone at the dumb dog, and the dog ran away and left him alone. Take control over your fears and the lies! Throw rocks of truth at Satan, and he will flee! Memorize the truth of God's word, and you can stand fearlessly in the face of evil. Know and choose the truth!

Bottom line is that we have the victory already; we just need to claim it. Satan was defeated by Jesus' death on the cross, and he knows it. All we need to do is stand in that truth. Believe in the fact that we have already won because Jesus' won it for us! Isn't that great?!! WE HAVE THE VICTORY!! PRAISE THE LORD!! NOW……… BELIEVE IT!!! CLAIM IT IN EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE AND DON'T LET YOURSELF BE LIED TO AND CONTROLLED BY EVIL ANYMORE!!! GOD BLESS ALL WHO READ THIS!

Ok, here is today's post for 40 days of prayer. If you haven't already, you can find the guide on the prayer warriors page of our church: www.myspace.com/life_churchpw Follow along, pray, and watch your life be transformed! :) Here's what Kim wrote: 

"The young woman would now wear a veil whenever she went out in public. This veil was a proclamation to others that she was off limits. She had been bought with a price. In his book the God Chasers, Tommy Tenney says, "God is looking for a Bride not just a girlfriend for His Son."

Matthew 13: 44-45

 44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

Meditate on Jesus being the hidden treasure and the precious pearl worth giving up all just to have.

Ephesians 5: 31.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This gives us a picture of our veil of betrothal. We are to LEAVE- our past, that which is familiar, abandon and forsake all other affections, alliances, affiliations that interfere with loyalty to Jesus. We are to CLEAVE to Jesus. We are to be cemented, glued to Jesus. He is our precious pearl worth giving up all just to have. Are we committed to Jesus or just dating Him along with other potential lovers? We are to be WEAVED to Christ. Our life is to become one with Christ. We are dead to ourselves but alive to Christ. Consider your life. Does it say to the world you are off limits? Does your life give testimony to faithfulness and purity to Jesus?"

AMEN!! To have a loving Savior that wonderful is definitely worth it all! He is the precious pearl to me. He bought me, so I will be sold out for Him.

I pray that I reflect to others that I am married to Christ. I will not be bought out by the world. I will not forsake my marriage to Christ and "cheat" on Him. I will not be seduced by the world.

I thank you, Lord, for purchasing me. I want to have that symbolic veil around me, so taht all my know that I belong to You.

I pray that we all become joined to you. I pray that we will all be sold out for you and not be bought out by the world.

At church, I watched as I heard the testimonies of those getting baptized today. I listened as one of them talked about how Jesus loved us so much that He died for people, and their sins, even before they were born. Yet, He knew us. He has always known and loved us. Isn't that amazing that He died for people who had yet to even be born? He died for ME and He died for YOU even before we were conceived into this world!! THAT IS REALLY SOME KIND OF LOVE!!

It just blessed me so much to watch people getting baptized and commiting their lives to You. I was in such awe of how you drew them from their personal darkness and sin and into Your light. May we all seek You. You are the light that shines in on the darkness. You draw us out and save us. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! AMEN!

This was supposed to be part of Day 4 of 40 days of prayer. It wasn't on the paper study guide I was given, so I missed out on this originally. But, this was suppoed to be part of Day 4, so I thought I would go back and post this part because it is REALLY good.

James 1:19-27

19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 3:14-18

 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James 5:16

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

"Hold the mirror to your heart. Do today what the Word says. Confessing our sins to one another brings healing to our lives. There is power in confession. Sin loses its grip on us and the enemy can no longer keep us isolated from each other because of hiding our sin. Ask the Father to bring to your mind someone you can begin confessing your sin to."

Such a powerful entry! I'm glad I came back to it. Yeah, there's an old saying that we are given one mouth and two ears for a reason: so we can listen twice as much as we talk. That sure is what God is trying to say here.

He also wants us to be slow to anger. Anger isn't always bad, especially when it's righteous anger (like anger against the decline in morality, the atrocities of abortion, or how upset we feel when someone ruins their lives with stupid choices). It's HOW we act in our anger that has to be closely watched. We need to be led and controlled by the Spirit and have the mind of Christ; discerning our reactions.

We need to cast out the ugliness in our hearts and "engraft" God's Word. It truly does save our souls, and it guides us on the righteous path.

We need to really take in the Word of God and be "doers," not just "hearers." What good is faith without action? If we don't watch our words and actions and strive for righteousness, what faith do we really have? How will we be empowered and blessed by God if we don't truly act on the words of God that we digest?

The wisdom of God will break through the envy and strife. If we are holding onto those things in our hearts, we need to confess it and lay it down. God will then break through that confusion and give us his pure wisdom; full of peace and gentleness and all the fruits of the Spirit. We will have peace when we make peace with others and ourselves.

Confession is good for the soul. May we all be able to confess and pray for each other and lift up our needs to the Lord for healing. May the bonds of sin be broken and let freedom abound in knowing the truth of God's Word! AMEN!

Here's today's 40 days of prayer. Here is the entry that Kim wrote:

"When the bride price was presented to the young woman a cup of wine was poured and sat before her. If the bride price was accepted the young woman would drink from the cup indicating her acceptance of the proposal. It was at this time they were betrothed, legally married yet without the physical consummation.

There is a point in our lives when we must decide if we accept Christ's offer to us. Will we accept His betrothal? Communion gives us a picture of this. Each time we drink of the cup we are proclaiming " I do". I do commit myself to you. I am your betrothed. Consider all Jesus is offering you and recommit yourself to Him again. As a symbolic act set a cup of drink before you, think of this as your cup of acceptance. Imagine Jesus putting this cup before you. Consider His proposal and the ramifications of your acceptance. When ready drink from the cup proclaiming in your heart "I do" I do betroth myself to you Jesus."

Revelation 2:4-5

4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

 5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

I accept. I commit. You are mine and I am yours. Your price that you paid for me is more than enough. You bless me and love me even more than what I deserve. I know You honor Your vows and promises to me. I hope I can also be faithful and true to you.

May I always remember you as my first and only true love. May I honor my commitment to you. May I treasure these times of seeking you and loving you. If I should stumble, I pray I will remember my heart for you, ask you for your forgiveness, and repent. I don't want you to withdraw your light and presence. Please rescue me. I need you here. If there is something that i Need to repent and give up; show me.

Thank you for loving me and desiring me; for pursuing me and drawing me to yourself. May I stay forever in your arms. Deliver me from evil and protect me. Help me to always be secure in your love and remember Romans 8:1 (There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit).Thank you so much for being what you are!

Give us all a heart for you. I pray that we would all accept your betrothal and consent to a commited relationship with you. Amen.