JESUS IN ME 100%

I've been reading this book called "God Wrestling" and it's an amazing insight to our 'self' personalities......it has shown me that I'm far too sensitive and care way too much about the cares of this life......worry too much, all the things that Jesus says will "choke out the Word" and last night I prayed (not that I haven't done that a zillion times about it), but it seemed that he was showing me that I have to die.....self has to die....stop being worried about everyone....stop trying to be their everything......stop interfering (but by intercession only- and even that through the eyes of Jesus and His love for them),

Stop 'fretting' about everything.

All this worry and fear, anxiety and being overly-sensitive to everything is killing my body and soul and mind!

Anyway, along about 12:30-0200 in the morning, I said, "okay Lord, I want you to not just be WITH me, I want you to not just be 3/4 in me or 95% in me, I want You to LIVE through me, in me, above me, before me, behind me......Christ IN me and not I that live but Him through me 100%.

It's strange how we can pray so much, read His Word so much, hunger and thirst after righteousness so much, be in a constant state of prayer and still be so filled with 'self'.......and even though I pray, "not my will, but Thine, be done.....and I mean it with all my heart-the problem is it's always what I 'think' is what God should or needs to do. Not consciously, of course (well maybe sometimes!), but I have to start to live my life strictly for what God wants to do....when, where, how, why......and it has to be all about Him and how He sees the plan.

Somehow, I have to surrender Sue's Self completely.......more than ever before! I suppose I have to begin to just see everyone through His eyes and how much He loves them to be able to really let go of it. My only 'job' now has to be prayer........His will be done, His Kingdom come.

Also the book talks about praying for the peace of Jerusalem....well, you know already that the Jews have been my ministry of love for God and His chosen people. My friend, Avi Snyder, the European Director for Jews for Jesus, has helped me a lot in seeing why and how we pray for that peace....we pray that they will come to KNOW the PRINCE of PEACE-there IS no other Peace for them or anyone else!

In praying for the Jews and all of Israel to come to know the true God, Jesus the Messiah, and for the world to know Him, we WILL be ushering in the Kingdom for Jesus' return! The Bible verse that says (Avi explained this to me according to Jewish and Hebrew tradition)...the verse that says Jesus said, "You will not see me, henceforth, until you can say, 'blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." means;

that in Jewish tradition at a wedding, they always say this when the bridegroom appears at his wedding! and that means that when we SEE who Jesus really is (including Jews or any who doesn't know who He is), then we can say, "blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD" The Bridegroom!

It all fits so amazingly well, and I'm so excited....I just want to be ready and pleasing to Him when he comes...not to be one that will hear Him say (because of my allowing the cares of this world to choke Him out, when I LOVE HIM so much!!!), "depart from me, I never knew you!"

I know that the saying goes, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions' and I don't want all my love and efforts to be just good intentions....I want them to be GOD intentions!

I want people to SEE JESUS IN ME!

"Do You WANT To Be Healed?"

  I remember Jesus asking someone, "do you WANT to be healed?" (Read John 5:6)

Some people are SO used to their failures, loneliness, misery, sadness, depression, dysfunction, etc. that they are actually comfortable IN their misery!

How sad to feel like such a failure that it's ALL you ever expect....all you ever think you're worthy of.....all you know....all that people expect FROM you!!!

How terribly sad!

"Expect a Miracle! Expect GREAT things!

 Expect Positive Outcomes!

 God is the Giver of Abundant Life....Expect it!

 Fill your heart and mind with it; THINK It!

 Speak it.... and you'll draw goodness like a bear is drawn to honey!"

LCSW

God is Love!

Hold Fast To Love That Is Faithful and Enduring!

There is no greater love than the love that holds on-

 where there seems nothing left to hold onto.

G. W. C Thomas

---

SHOCKING VIDEO of ABUSE in The "church"

 If you're aware of such cover-ups, you could contact this news agancy!
PROTECT our YOUTH!



http://abcnews.go.com/Health/independent-fundamental-baptist-discipline-call-tough-love-abuse/story?id=13310172#.Tus8LdT2ZiR

Love God, Love People: Serve God, Serve People!

You can do everything else right as a parent,

 but if you don't begin with loving God, you're going to fail.

Alvin Vander Griend

Love God-Serve God

Teach your children to love and serve God-

By faithful example!

Sue C. Weaver

Awesome God!

Nothing is too big for our awesome God-
To forgive-
Or to to do!

His love is unconditional-
and His mercy is new every morning!

He weeps when you are away from Him-
And He rejoices when you return-

No matter where you've been-
No matter what you've done-

He loves you-
He forgives you-

He misses you-
And He wants you back in His arms!
LSCW

He Was Tempted As We Are, Yet He Did Not Yield

You are not tempted because you are evil; you are tempted because you are human.

Fulton J. Sheen

Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall.

  Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day.

  Anyone can live sweetly patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down.

  And this is all that life really means.

Robert Louis Stevenson

"All of life comes down to just one thing-

To know YOU, oh Jesus! And make You known!"

International World Changers

Song of worship at service in Guayaquil, Ecuador

-by Sue

Give Thanks To The Lord

Good Morning and Thank You!
                   by Sue C. Weaver

As I awaken each morning-
I thank You for this day,
You wrap your arms around me-
and hold me as I pray.

I thank You Lord for everything-
Your Word has shown to me,
Your love and mercy are new today,
Your faithfulness is plain to see.

You created man to love you-
and that's what I long to do,
stay forever in Your arms,
to worship and honor You!

I thank You for every blessing-
for family, church, and friends,
for home and food and work to do,
and love that never ends.

I thank You Lord for trials-
and tests that make me strong,
for purification in the fire,
for choosing right over what is wrong.

I thank You for the Living Word-
the Word that became a man,
Who came to die upon a cross,
the bridge between us and God did span.

I thank You for the Holy Spirit-
You sent to be our comfort and our guide,
To lead us into every truth-
forever in our hearts abide.

Thank You for the cross, dear Lord-
for forgivness and Your grace,
for salvation by Your own shed blood,
We will one day see Your loving face.

Thank You For Your Great and Awesome Love
( an impromptu prayer of Thanksgiving on November 24th, 2011)

Now This is Positive Thinking!!

The army of Israel looked at Goliath
through the eyes of man and said he’s too big
to beat.
 David looked at him through the eyes
of God and said he’s too big to miss.

WALLY CARTE
Taken from "This Day's Thought"

Let Us Choose Our Daily Words Wisely!

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:25-29

I just read this with meaning that I'd not noticed before....the word CORRUPT- we always THINK of it as only foul or inappropriate language- BUT CORRUPT can be EVERYTHING that cuts down, demeans, destroys, or harms another...in other words; anything that can cause someone to become discouraged, feel hopeless, helpless, unfit, loss of strength, or loss of self esteem......how often words harm the very ones we love!

Let NO CORRUPT words come from you...speak words of love and encouragement ALWAYS!

What we SAY and DO-absolutely WILL come back to us at some point, won't it?
"You may eat your words tomorrow-
Let them be sweet today!"

What Does Love Look Like?

Love looks like a tender smile-
when someone is sad,
Love looks like a gentle touch-
that will calm a fearful child.

Love looks like understanding-
when your teen can't understand Algebra,
Love looks like patience-
when confronted with disobedience.

Love looks like listening-
to not only what your child says,
but looks closely at the meaning beneath-
the one that's not being spoken aloud.

Love looks like forgiveness-
when someone does something wrong,
and Love looks like loving them anyway-
realizing that we, too have been forgiven.

Love looks like tears of joy-
as we watch our loved one respond in kind,
Love looks like kindness-
even when we've been hurt.

Love looks like discipline-
with a firm yet gentle word,
love looks like the nudge of the hand of discipline-
that is never used for pain, but gentle guidance., to show the way.

Love looks like a kiss-
planted on a face upturned,
Love looks like lifting one up-
during any kind of pain or sorrow.

Love looks like-
thinking before we speak,
words are either sweet, to build up
or they may kill the spirit from within and tear down.

Love looks like patting the hand, or a hug-
and encouraging words,
Love looks like speaking blessings-
and never curses or words of destruction.

Love looks like a cross-
with blood trickling down to the ground,
Love looks like Jesus-
Who died because of His great love for YOU.

Love looks like eternity with God in Christ Jesus-
Love looks like obedience,
and love looks like becoming the image of Christ-
Love is loving others as yourself.....Christ died for you-love yourself or you can't love others!

Thinking About Thinking

King Solomon said in Proverbs 23:7
"As a man thinks-so he IS."
I recently did an article on Daily Words about what King Solomon said and our service on Sunday morning regarding creating our "outer kingdom through our inner kingdom's thoughts.....we ARE what we THINK!
The Bible says so, therefore, it's undeniable...irrefutable, and absolutely true.
Give it a good old college try!
I challenge you! Not for an hour or a week, but for a couple of months at least...at least!
Surely we can think on the good, true, lovely, best for two or three months consistently!
Surely we can see, speak, and encourage, focus on the best. Surely we can think-all things work together for good for those who love God, and are called to His purpose (His purpose is to give you hope and a future, to prosper you and not harm you...Jeremiah 29:11)
His plans for your children is the same as yours should be-to give them HOPE and a future, to prosper them and to not harm them. ( NOT harm spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, verbally or physically)
I digress, however;
Thinking about thinking-
The dictionary gives more definitions of the word "think"  and how it's used than I've seen on any definition!
Think: to ponder, to reason, to think out rationally, to consider choices, make rational decisions, to consider (whether true or not) to devise or contrive, and on and on it goes.
We create scenarios in our Mind (SOUL) based on what we hear every day, what we see, and what we are told....our environment CAN and WILL lead us to either negative thinking or positive thinking.
Either we fill our thoughts with good or evil......IF we hear negative, bad all the time our thinking becomes filled with mis-trust, doubts, fears, anger, rage, criticism, rebellion.....all that can destroy us from within!
If we are told that we're worthless-we'll most likely become worthless.
We simply must "think on these things-if there be ANY good-think on this".
When a child disobeys they are NOT bad and should NEVER be told so, they are most likely just reacting to what they see others do or say in front of them.
Children and teens, especially, are like sponges who absorb their environment, soak it up, and spit it back out when 'squeezed'.
IF you want them to spit out good-you have to fill them up with good...they have to see it, hear it, watch it lived out in front of them.....they must be taught that they are loved unconditionally by God and mom and dad. (This NOT by words only-which are meaningless without SHOWING-not just telling!)
They must be treated with dignity, respect, trust, encouragement, uplifted, and most of all to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will be there for them no matter what. That you love them no matter what they do or say.
The only way to make them believe it is to THINK with the MIND of Christ yourself.....if you THINK them to be worthwhile-they will be worthwhile...and God loved you as a sinner (while we were yet sinners Christ DIED for us!), so no matter what your child does......love him or her the way Christ does.
Fill your own thinking the way you want your children to think-Godly thinking-
If your thoughts don't pass the "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God" test....get rid of it! (Ephesians 4:30)
Don't THINK it, don't SPEAK it, don't dwell on it....keep your mind clean and your heart will be clean, and therefore your BEHAVIOR will be right-

The power of life and death are in the tongue and it begins in the THINKING!
From the mind (soul) to the heart-
from the heart to the mouth-
from the mouth to the very SOUL of the hearer!!!!

Lord God,
Give me words of Life-not destruction.
May I speak encouragement-
never defeat.
May I show my love-
not just tell.
May I persevere-
to teach those young ones how,
by my actions.
Give me strength-
to speak blessings, not curses.
Fill my soul (mind) with your truth and love-
that it may shine forth to light the path-
for those who see, hear, and think!

As A Man Thinks-So He Is!! (King Solomon)

A recent sermon by Pastor Dave is one that can help us to begin thinking our futures into reality, and it IS Biblical....I find myself (and I have always considered myself to be very positive.....to the point that growing up my family and friends even considered me a bit naïve about many things), but as I grew older and perhaps more 'jaded' or experienced, I began to think somewhat more in the negative....I suppose life can do that to us-with all the struggles and things happening around us.....but I WANT to get back into my childhood mode of thinking, having the faith of a child-like I used to do- and just speaking good things-"choose blessings!" God says to His people.

The attitude of the mind determines the heart and thus the heart, the spoken word and the spoken word-our reality.....it's what we create for ourselves and like Jesus said, 'The kingdom of God in WITHIN", (even now!!) if our inner Kingdom is negative and thoughts dominate us that are negative-our Outer Kingdom will also be negative: "As a man thinks, so he IS (or becomes) This is POWERFUL!

Especially when we KNOW that through the spoken Word-God spoke all things into BEING!

And "there is power of life and death in the tongue" we all know, but the tongue gets it's words from the thinking we dwell on that goes into the heart (out of the overflow of the heart (from the MIND) the mouth speaks....it all fits together so perfectly!!

Mind (soul) to heart to words to reality.

....and it's 'stuff' we have all heard before, we just have a terrible time trying to live it out....BUT if we can only realize that we are living out our thoughts anyway and we find ourselves struggling with forces we THINK are beyond our control.....but they are NOT-we have the Power over them by way of replacing our thoughts of fear, anxiety, negative 'scenarios' and drama in our heads with great dramas, great outcomes, great peace, love and joy, perseverance-all that we need to live a conquered life...we already HAVE the victory.....then what's stopping us from SEEING the victory?

Our "stinking thinking!"

I need a DAILY reminder of how I will live out my thought life-whether good or bad....and it MUST be the good!!! (if there be any good-THINK on these things!)

Meditate on God's Word.

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and The Life!"

Out of HIM will come springs of living water-water for the soul (MIND).

He is the Bread of Life.....FEED on His Word-

His WORDS are Truth and Life!

Fill your mind with His Words-the Holy Bible......feed your mind (soul) with good, positive, clean, healthy, life-giving words and those thoughts WILL reflect in the outcome of YOUR life, the life of your children, spouse, friends, family, and everyone you meet!

Go with God.....choose words of life....THINK words of life-encouragement and exhortation and see the victory live out from within you!

( everything I write comes from my heart and MY desire to live out these words and thoughts!!)

In Jesus Christ,

I greet you in love!

Sue

Time Alone With Father God

Time alone with GOD!

 What an awesome thought.....

GOD! Talk, cry, pray, visit together, friend and friend, trusting, sharing feelings,

 listening patiently as He speaks through His Word,

 into your heart, mind and spirit!

May you have some very special alone time today-

 with your loving, loving Father!

Study To Show Thyself (II Timothy 2:15)

    

The Bible as a book stands alone. There never was, nor ever will be, another like it. As there is but one sun to enlighten the world naturally, so there is but one Book to enlighten the world spiritually. May that Book become to each of us the man of our counsel, the guide of our journey, the inspiration of our thought, and our support and comfort in life and in death.

Thomas Galloway

How very true those words!

When we pray and ask God to show us His truths,

When we OBEY His commands,

He reveals Himself

with each act of obedience!

How many times I have obeyed-

not really thinking I was wrong in an issue-

yet going in obedience to God's Word-

"if your brother has anything against you-

leave your gift on the alter.

GO, make things right with your brother" (paraphrased by Sue)

(YOU GO!)

return to the alter...." and God will reveal Himself to you.

Lord I want to see you! I want to be obedient to your precious Word-

To do that.....I must first know your Word!

Smile! God Loves You!

“ Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be. ”

— Abraham Lincoln

A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

         -Proverbs 17:22


.. I I PeterIIIIII
I

.Though you have  not seen him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
       -I Peter 1:8

This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
       -Joshua 1:9

 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."  Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
       -Psalm 91:1-3

I can only imagine His great love, mercy, and forgiveness!
Thank You, Father.......my Father and my God!

Eve: Paradise Fallen

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had the perfect life, opportunities to live in paradise on earth, walk with the very God of all creation, and never have to worry or struggle.


However, given another great gift-that of freedom of choice- paradise would soon be filled with sin.


The serpent knew exactly how to tempt: the lust of the eye, the desires of the heart, and the yearning for more knowledge....how to be like God...she thought!


When Satan slithered his way into Eve's presence, she had no reason to be afraid....not yet!
Satan said to her, "Did God REALLY say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?.....
You will not certainly die....for God knows that when you eat of the fruit of the tree, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

 Eve certainly learned the hard way-one of the worst possible for a mother-
about good and evil. She already knew the good before the temptation and fall by disobedience;

Her firstborn son was a murderer and her second, his victim. What a terrible way to have your eyes opened to good and evil! Then her firstborn was sent far away, and she and her husband made to leave their beautiful, once perfect home.

 Eve listened to the deceiver and liar and the most crafty of all creatures. Immediately she gave of the fruit to Adam and he ate as well.


Now an interesting thing comes to mind. God rebuked Satan FIRST, Eve second, and lastly Adam.
I think this is significant. ( Temptation comes first, Thinking about yielding to it comes next, and the actual sin is acted upon...or not)

Eve looked at the beautiful delicious-looking fruit...oh how pleasing it appeard to the eye! She couldn't have been 'hungry' with all the fruits of the garden......but it WAS forbidden!


Satan was the crafty deceiver, Eve was the target, but Adam, as the spiritual leader, took the bait....he listened to his wife rather than God. HE was the one God told to not eat of the tree! (Genesis 2:17)


The Bible also says sin came into the world through one man, Adam, (Adam was held accountable first and then Eve, as his wife). Now sin is inherent in all of us.
Christ came to offer  redemption.


As the spiritual leader of the family we should love, honor, and greatly respect husband and father.


The mother has a powerful role in the family dynamics and one never to be under estimated! Women have the ability to discern and are sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and can make or break a family with her own hands and words.


The fact that Eve could so easily lead Adam to partake of something that God Himself had told him specifically NOT to do....he did for Eve!


Satan KNEW that. What would have happened if he'd worked his craft by way of Adam?
I'm not saying women are the weaker gender.....in fact I'm saying the exact opposite- women have the ability to stand behind the spiritual leader and be a virtual "powerhouse" when working as God intended....to be a helpmate. She can also be a device of Satan and the devil knew it.


If Satan can know that women have that kind of 'power' we women had BEST BE AWARE as well!
"Be sober, be vigilant;  For your adversary, the devil, as a ROARING Lion, walks about SEEKING whom he may DEVOUR!" (I Peter 5:8)


And he will most likely try using the wife and mother FIRST!
BUT guess what......God won!
Let Christ reign in your heart.....listen to Him....God says " Listen to Him!" (Mark 9:7)
Be the woman God created you to be. Pray every day. Read His Word every day-how else can you know Him? He reveals Himself and His plans for us in His Daily Word...the Bible.

EXPECTING TO SEE JESUS-by Anne Graham Lotz

I am now reading my new copy of "Expecting To See Jesus" by author Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of Dr. Billy and Ruth Graham. ( WWW.ANNEGRAHAMLOTZ.COM )
On page 87 I stopped to write on the first page, what I'm thinking as I read this amazing book.


Oh. My. Gosh!
 I wrote:
"LORD,
If I could afford it, I'd give a copy of this book to everyone I know and literally BEG or BRIBE them to read it!"


Anne does a marvelous job of 'telling it like it is' in the spirit of the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, she tells of how we teach to 'them' and 'those' and 'others' but when confronted with The Eyes of Our Heart opened to God's HOLINESS, PURITY, and TRUTH, we must declare, as Isaiah did, that "Woe is me! I am undone! I am a man (or woman) of unclean lips!"
In the presence of a most holy, just, pure, and righteous God, we are all unclean....and as we see Him as He truly is, in His holiness, His splendor, the God of all creation, the Light of the world, the Redeemer, the Savior, Lifted up and high on His throne, with His glory filling the sanctuary.....how could we see ourselves other than in the true light of the sinners we are, but for the grace of God?
Anne's goal is to see us all have such a personal relationship with Jesus that we will see the vision of WHO HE really is......everyone who's ever had such a vision is forever changed, from the prophets of old, the New Testament Disciples such as Paul the Apostle, Peter, and Mary of Magdala, to the modern day Christians....all who've experienced a true vision of Jesus are never the same!
Give Me Jesus!
On a scale of one to ten.....definitely a ten!

Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you.

Thank God for everlasting love, and for His mercy and grace, and forgiveness of our sin through Jesus Christ!

The Judge Is At The Door!

Therefore, any one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. Romans 2:1

"Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look--the Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:9

It's so easy to see the speck in another's eye, but to see the huge beam in one's own eye is so very difficult!
  ("Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?") Matthew 7:3

I wonder at how we can even see anything in someone else's eye when we have such a beam! How can we judge another?
When we do judge another....do we not understand that we are BEING judged in like manner....by the one and ONLY TRUE Judge, the One Who will judge the world?
God's Word says that as you 'mete' out it will BE 'meted' out back to you. I once heard a story of a man who sold his merchandise at a market. He would also purchase his bread at that same market.
He discovered that his bread weighed less than it was supposed to weigh, so he confronted the manager about this indiscrepancy......the manager replied, "I weigh my bread by the same measurement you weigh your merchandise."
He was meting out the measurement in the same way it was meted out to him......justice.
God will do this as well. He will judge us according to how we judge others....it would seem expediant that we use proper retsraint in judging others.....do unto others as you would have them do unto you.....better yet- do unto others as you would want God to do unto you! Because He will.
(Matthew 7:12)
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Where do I come up with my ideas for what I write? From the understanding that we are ALL capable of being like Hitler, himself........BUT for the grace of God, and the forgiveness through Jesus, the Messiah......when I look into my heart and see the possibilities of what sin is like, when it rules the heart, mind, and soul of a person.....I think as Isaiah did; "I am a man (woman) of unclean lips......or rather heart-without the touch of cleansing fire from the Holy Spirit...we are all people most lost!

Joyce Meyer

You know, I just love Joyce Meyer. She says things in such a simple-down-to-earth way. She also 'cuts to the chase' in her book "Starting Your Day Right."
I have taken this little devotional book with me everywhere I've been since I purchased it in 2003 or 2004......not sure about the date, but I do know that it's been to China, Thailand, Taiwan, Poland, Hungary, Ecuador, Lithuania, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Japan, and of course the good old U.S.A.
I've read it day-by-day and been encouraged by her daily scriptures, personal words of encouragement, prayers, and insights.
Each morning I read Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest", "Daily Bread", and "Starting Your Day Right" by Joyce Meyer, and of course the Holy Bible....God's own Word for me.
They all give me a lot to ponder, they all seem to have a special message for the reader-yet Joyce Meyer speaks to the heart of women.
She understands the daily struggles of the 'average' woman-old or young. I am not into being concerned with a 'special doctrine, teaching, or belief' I am only concerned with what the Bible says.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I have examined the Bible-for many years actually looking for any contradictions!!!
I have to honestly say "I FOUND NONE!"
IF you THINK you have found one-maybe you are not being led by the Holy Spirit. I know from personal experience that if you ask God to show you what each scripture means and study with the clear intent of seeking the TRUTH-you WILL find it!
I would challenge anyone......atheist, sceptic, confused......anyone to ask God for guidance-seek the truth and HE will reveal it to you.
Reading wonderful and encouraging devotionals are helpful in whetting your 'spiritual appetite' but we need so much more....we need God's Word to live the abundant life.......when I say abundant-I'm NOT talking fleshly desires-I'm talking 'spiritual abundance'
There are no riches on earth to compare with the riches of God's love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness!
Start your day right....go to God in humble adoration, thanksgiving, and praise....and love Him, seek Him with all your heart and you WILL find Him-He Is Nigh....The Word Is Nigh!

Breaking Down Strongholds!

A STRONGHOLD is defined by Webster Dictionary as a fortified place. One of the earliest definitions means a STRONGHOLD can be a "Refuge"


Do we find refuge in the fortresses built up in our minds? Of course! Biblically speaking a stronghold is exactly that!
We allow Satan to use both ourselves and others to 'plant seeds' in our mind and as we cultivate, tend, water, think on, and nourish these negative ideas....they become spiritual strongholds that we just can't seem to be rid of!


No one can seem to penetrate these invasive and destructive thoughts and ideas. We build even more walls until one day we have a monstrous fortress surrounding our character until we no longer have a real say in our lives. We aren't the person we used to be at all. We have become such an integral part of the lies Satan has been feeding us that we can't even see that we have changed, and God is no longer our God, but the stronghold has become our god.


These thought patterns become behavioral patterns before you are aware of what has happened to you. You face anyone who sees the change in you and all of a sudden they are the enemy....you no longer want them in your life because they no longer "understand you". So you build yet more of the same wrong- thinking around yourself. You reject those who see your walls and you push them away! How dare you want me to tear down this, my fortress?


These strongholds can be in the form of greed, lust, ungodly thoughts, selfishness, lying, lack of faith in God and others who love you, deceit, disrespect, disobedience, and fantasies that may either be adulterous, or become so in reality, and as these thoughts are cultivated in the mind, they are more likely to be acted upon in reality......we often allow our thoughts to MOLD our character and behavior......be CAREFUL what you permit Satan to plant in your mind......your mind is where most of your battles lie!


You know the right choices to make, yet you make all the wrong and usually self-destructive choices. Paul mentioned this in Romans 7:15 shown below.


I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.


So many times others can SEE a Stronghold in you, but you can't see it at all. When someone tries to show you that you're under the power of a spiritual stronghold or power of darkness, you become angry....often like a drug addict who does not want his 'source' destroyed!
Strongholds can usually be identified by their destructive habitual behaviors. When you know that what you're doing is creating a dangerous environment for yourself and those you love, and you can't seem to stop the behavior....knowing how destructive it has become-CONSIDER that you may be under the influence of a Satanic Stronghold!


There is HOPE, however, for these strongholds to come down!
II Corinthians 10:4 is how we accomplish this.
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."


God's WORD is a two-edged SWORD! Know His Word. Test yourself to see that you are IN the FAITH!
II Corinthians 13:5
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?"
Before ANY Stronghold can come down...you must admit that there IS a problem! Ask God to Reveal to you anything that is CONTRARY to HIS plan for YOUR life, that is taking root within your heart! You most assuredly will know it!

II Corinthians 10:5

King James Bible
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"


He will remove all strongholds....but first there must be complete surrender to HIM and HIS plan for your life......GOD is GOOD!

Nahum 1:7
"Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and HE knows them that trust in him."

Now-THIS is a STRONGHOLD you CAN BELIEVE IN!!!

LOVE IS:

What is Love?
The "Love Chapter" of I Corinthians is chapter 13. Actually, the entire Bible is filled with God's love for us. Song of Solomon is said to represent the Love Christ has for the Church; His body of believers. I believe it to be true because His love for us is so great that He willingly died for us....for our redemption from sin that came to every person ever born, because of the fall of man through disobedience to God's very first instruction for Adam and Eve.
Yet, although they disobeyed God, He loved them and so He had a plan for our forgiveness and our redemption through Christ.
Love is not something you just toss aside and disrespect. Love is not something you should take lightly. Love is a free gift and should be treated with the UTMOST respect. Love can't be bought nor sold. Paul speaks of love in this way:
Love suffers long-that means it endures many trials, tests, and hardships and comes up stronger than ever before!
Love is kind- That means it speaks gently, even if firmly. It stands in another's shoes and feels their pain!
Love is not envious-That means it does not resent another person having or being something we wish we could have or be!
Love is not puffed up-That means it is not filled with false pride in self, nor glorifies oneself!
Love does not behave itself unseemly-That means love behaves in a respectful, loving manner to others, at all times!
Love seeks not her own-That means love is NOT selfish, but seeks the benefit of others first-preferring one another over ones self!
Love is not easily provoked-That means love is very patient, listening to another rather than thinking about what will be said next!
Love thinketh no evil-That means love thinks on the good of another, gives the benefit of the doubt-FIRST!
Love rejoices not in iniquity-That means love is not happy when another suffers for any reason!
Love rejoices in the truth-That means that love rejoices when another is saved, honest, love tells the TRUTH, love does not lie or tattle, talebear, or gossip!
Love bears all things-That means love is strong, it can stand strong in the face of trials and tests, listens patiently, prays for one another, supports and exhorts, encourages, and gives Christ-like support!
Love believs all things-That means that love believes in Loving God, Loving People, love believes Truth, love seeks truth, love believes in what is good, love bears one another's burdens, receives one another in love, faith, and truth in Christ Jesus!
Love hopes all things-That means love never gives up or quits! Hope is what we know to be true, we may see it but not now, but soon we know that our hope is a reality...so love never quits!
Love endures all things-That means that love will never die, it is like God's love for us-unconditional, enduring, never failing, always quick to forgive, never holding a grudge, returning good for evil, always abiding!
What is love?
God is LOVE......oh to be LIKE HIM.....that is LOVE!
Only through Jesus Christ can we ever be like HIM
Love the Lord thy God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself!

Taking the Mystery Out of Knowing God's Will

Taking the Mystery Out of Knowing God's Will

EXCELLENT Video by John Mac Arthur

He's one of my all-time favorites and this is a wonderful example of his down-to-earth and Biblical teaching.

The will of God IS NO MYSTERY!

St. Johns, Michigan



Hardware Store: I like the detail on the building, of course!

We simply HAD to stop for an Ice Cream at
Shaggie's.......mmmmm!

More beautiful architecture along the main shopping street
St. Johns, Michigan

Mint Farms on Francis Road near St Johns, Michigan
Mint covers the ground as far as one can see and the fragrance is heavenly!
Each year St. Johns has it's MINT FESTIVAL.....maybe you will attend next year
You'll be glad!

Town Square in St. Johns, Michigan
I enjoyed the music as we walked along the town's main shop area.

St. Johns is beautifully decorated with
flowers and many tables and benches placed throughout the area- to rest
as you enjoy the view or just 'people watch'

The Town Clock in St. Johns, Michigan
Taken in August: the weather was perfect!

St. Johns has several beautiful churches and since I absolutely LOVE architecture,
 this was one of my many photos
of the local churches

Okay, I couldn't resist another church....I have pictures of churches ALL
over the globe!

The clock in the town square
in St. Johns, Michigan
This small town is well worth seeing!

Lovely Gazebo near the old train station
which is now  the Rotary Park

Just one of the dozens of grand old homes found in
St. Johns, Michigan
I believe I took about 131 pictures of this gorgeous
little town!