No Stinkin Thinkin

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 29th, 2009
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Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue….


What if I told you that the source of most of your problems could be found within you—from the neck up?
You’ll find it in the thoughts that come from your mind and the words that come out of your mouth. We must realize and understand the power carried by our thoughts and words.
They’re so powerful that they can bring either blessings or curses into our lives, depending on their nature.
Our thoughts and words are like the rudder of a ship—they may seem small, but they affect the very direction of our lives. Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue….
Many years ago my life was in a state of chaos because of years of wrong thinking and speaking.
I had encountered so many disappointments because of all the devastating things that had happened to me.
I was afraid to believe that anything good might happen. In fact, my philosophy of life was,
“If you keep your expectations low, you’ll never be disappointed.” Over the years I became very cynical and negative.
I often said that if I had two positive thoughts in a row, my mind would’ve gotten a cramp.
My thoughts were negative, which caused my words to be negative…which all reflected poorly on my life.
Finally, I decided to change my ways and stop talking so negatively.
After a while I realized that I needed to do more than just not talk negatively.
Cutting out the negative wasn’t enough; I had to begin to think and talk positively! For example, a person sneezes and says, “Oh, I’m probably getting the flu.”
Or someone hears a rumor that the company he works for is going to lay off some employees, so he thinks,
That’s the story of my life. Every time things start to go well, something always happens.
Then he says, “I’ll probably lose my job.” These types of negative statements seem to come so naturally to all of us.
We need to discipline ourselves to be more positive—it’s not so easy! When we react negatively, we allow fear to take over our thinking.
We begin to dwell on things that haven’t even happened and may not happen.
Our negative thoughts cause us to speak the words that’ll shape our future. We’re constantly tempted to think wrong thoughts, but we don’t have to accept them!
We have a choice!
We need to purposely choose right thinking and speaking.
In the Bible, Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue….
We must choose life generating thoughts. When we do, positive, powerful, life-giving words will naturally follow.
I think some people try to control their mouths but do nothing about their thoughts.
That’s like pulling off the top of a weed—unless the root is dug up, the weed always comes back.
You’ll never control your mouth unless you first learn to control your mind. Believing is the first important step to switching our thinking from being negative to positive.
Remember, what’s in our hearts and minds will come out of our mouths.
If our soul (mind, will and emotions) is full of negative things, we’ll find those things coming our way.
On the other hand, when we hear, read, think and talk about God, the Truth
and more positive things, we’ll find that those good things will come our way.

The choice is ours!
May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpcxxIBUIzo&feature=related

God Has a Lifetime Heart-Warranty

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 28th, 2009
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God Has a Lifetime Heart-Warranty

1Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.”

We’ve had workers in our house hammering, banging, scraping, and fixing things for the past two years.
It’s been so noisy! I’ve really missed having my home office to myself and being able to leave when I need to.In the midst of the clamoring and interruptions, I’ve been telling myself to be thankful.
This morning while I was running, I asked God to help me have a good attitude about all the interruptions.
I knew it would help if I had a grateful heart, so I decided to thank God.I thanked Him for helping us notice the leaking toilet the gap behind our counter tops, the leaky faucet in the bathroom, the loose carpet, and creaking floors.
I was especially grateful that He helped me see the hairline fractures in our bathroom, kitchen and laundry room tile, which I almost missed.
My prayers transitioned from my house to my heart as I asked God to show me areas of my life that needed repair.
He reminded me of hurt feelings from a difficult conversation, disappointment and broken trust from my sister’s disobedience,
grief for a friend whose husband committed adultery and deep concern for another friend with cancer. I hadn’t realized all that was bothering me.
Walking through each room in my heart, God showed me that I had my own brokenness to address.
But He also reminded me that like my home-warranty, Christ has promised me a lifetime heart-warranty with unlimited repairs.
As I let that truth sink into my broken places, His comfort came. His Spirit ministered to mine as I exposed my hurts to Him.
I remembered Jesus’ promise to bind up the brokenhearted as I held up my heart and all that is in need of repair.
I finished my run and headed back to the house soon to be filled with repairmen.
Just before I got home, I smiled towards Heaven and thanked God for setting His seal of ownership on me, His lifetime heart-warranty, guaranteeing what is to come.
Each day, Jesus invites us to come to His throne of grace with confidence and ask Him to repair whatever is broken in our lives.
We don't have to wait for a scheduled walk-through. We don't have to make a list and coordinate any appointments, or even be at home for Him to do the work.
We can come to Him with full assurance knowing that He's available right now. Right where we are. With mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.
May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9P1wdJqGdA&feature=related

Life is no fun when we are controlled by feelings.!

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 27th, 2009
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Life is no fun when we are controlled by feelings.!

Hebrews 6:12 “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through Faith and Patience inherit the promises”


The daily ups and downs of our emotions are one of the major struggles we have with our relationships.
Instead of riding the emotional roller coaster, we need to become stable, solid, steadfast, persevering and determined people.
If we continue to let our emotions rule over us, there’s no way we’ll ever be the person we were meant to be.
Of course, none of us will ever be totally rid of emotions, but we must learn to manage and control them—not let them control us. Life is no fun when we are controlled by feelings. Feelings change from day to day, hour to hour, even moment to moment.
Not only do they change, they lie. For example, you may be in a crowd of people and feel that everybody is talking about you,
but that doesn’t mean they are. You may feel that nobody understands you,
but that doesn’t mean they don’t.
You may feel you are misunderstood, unappreciated or even mistreated, but that doesn’t mean it is true.
If we want to be mature, disciplined people, we must be determined not to walk according to what we feel in our flesh. People often ask me, “How can I know for sure whether I’m walking in the truth or walking according to my feelings and emotions?”
I believe the answer is found in patience.
Emotions urge us toward haste, telling us that we must do something and do it right now!
But godly wisdom tells us to wait until we have a clear picture of what it is we are to do and when we are to do it.
We need to be able to back off and view our situation from God’s perspective.
We need to make decisions based on what we know rather than on what we feel. Let me give you an example from my own life.
One time I had saved up money to go to a craft show.
I wanted to buy a nice blanket one that was of good quality also that it wouldn’t change colors when washing it.
As My precious Husband in the Lord went with me on this venture, I wanted his input.
As we looked at the blankets, we discovered that some were very high priced at one vendor.
However the other vendor would not reduced his prices down.
It seemed to be just what I was looking for and would fit my new bed perfectly.
Not only that, So my emotions said, “Yes! That’s exactly what I want!”
I applied wisdom and decided to wait. The spread—which really wasn’t the quality I wanted—would have taken all of my savings
So I decided that the best thing was to keep my money and wait until I was sure of what I wanted most.
Usually the wisest course is, when in doubt, don’t! When faced with any difficult decision, wait until you have a clear answer before taking a step that you may regret.
Emotions are wonderful, but they must not be allowed to take precedence over wisdom and knowledge.
Remember—control your emotions instead of letting them control you.

The very next year, I did get the greatest deal on the same blanket for half the cost!
Being Patient and Content to wait upon the Lord was hard to my Flesh…
However I knew whatever he heard my desire, and through Faith.
One day that beautiful blanket would be on my bed.
Thanks to all my precious Spiritual girlfriends….the next year
We were content in the Lord….
And The Bedspread Looks Beautiful on the bed!

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!

:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1j8JYWQW90&feature=related

What A Great Trade!

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 19th, 2009
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What A Great Trade!

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”



Did you know that God wants to make a trade with you? He has a standing offer every minute of every day, and it’s amazing how few of us actually take Him up on it.
He wants you to give Him all your cares, problems and failures. In return He’ll give you His peace and joy. On top of that, He promises to protect and take care of you. God really does want to take care of us, but in order to let Him, we’ve got to stop trying to take care of ourselves and worrying about every little thing we can’t control.
Many people would like for God to take care of them, but they insist on worrying or trying to figure out an answer on their own, instead of waiting for God’s direction. They wallow around in puddles of their own worry, wondering why God doesn’t give them peace. God will give us peace, but we must first give Him our worries. We give God our worries by trusting that He can and will take care of us. By trusting God, we’re able to rest in Him, knowing that He has the situation well under control.
Worry, on the other hand, is the opposite of trust. Worry steals our peace, wears us out physically, and can even make us sick. If we’re worrying, we’re not fully trusting God, and we’ll never be able to experience His peace. What a great trade! We give God our worry, and He gives us His peace.
We give Him all our cares and concerns, and He gives us His protection, stability and joy. That’s the privilege of being cared for by Him. Because He cares for us, He wants us to live in peace and not all tied up in knots of worry.
He has ways of guiding us toward peace if we’re alert enough to sense His direction. Imagine that you’re driving down a road. Along the way there are signs that provide direction or give warning.
If you pay attention to the signs and follow their instructions, you will safely reach your destination. In the same way, on the road of life there are spiritual signs along the way.
In order to stay under God’s protection, you must obey these signs that tell you to trust Him and not worry.
Don’t be afraid; have courage.
If you’ll pay attention to these signs, you’ll find it’s easy to stay on course.
You’ll experience the protection, peace and joy that only God can provide. However, if you fail to heed the signs, you may notice that the road seems a little bumpier than usual, and you aren’t as confident in your ability as you once were.
You may become anxious about the unknown things waiting around the corner, and even veer off the road. Anxiety is like putting on a heavy coat on a hot summer day. It weighs you down.
It’s difficult to move and stifling to wear. According to Webster’s Dictionary, anxiety is “a state of being uneasy, apprehensive, or worried….
” Sometimes this uneasiness is really vague—something we just can’t put our finger on. All we know is that we’re uneasy. You and I don’t need to be anxious about tomorrow when we have all we can handle today.
Even if we manage to solve all our problems today, we’ll just have more to deal with tomorrow…and more the next day. Why waste time worrying when it’s not going to solve anything?
Why be anxious about yesterday, which is gone, or tomorrow, which hasn’t arrived yet?
Trade in your worries today for God’s peace.

Remember, everything’s going to be all right.
May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djmV2PaEavU&feature=related

I Am Not Lonely I have Jesus

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 18th, 2009
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I Am Not Lonely I have Jesus

John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”


A major problem facing many people today is loneliness. As I pray daily for prayer requests sent to me, I see an increasing number of people requesting help and guidance on handling loneliness in their lives. In the Bible God tells us we are not alone. He wants to deliver, comfort and heal us.

But when people encounter painful losses in their lives, sadly, many never get over them. Sometimes when sudden tragedy occurs, the hurt seems unbearable. Without help, a sense of loneliness can actually settle on a person or family like a cloud, and it doesn't seem to go away. There are many causes of loneliness, but many people don't realize that they don't have to live with it. They can confront it and deal with it.

Loneliness often manifests as an inner ache, a vacuum, or a craving for affection. Its side effects include feelings of emptiness, uselessness or purposelessness. Are you alone (independent, solitary, on your own)? Or, are you lonely (desolate, deserted, dejected due to a lack of companionship)? There is a very real difference. It’s important to realize that just because you are alone, it doesn't mean you must be lonely or lonesome. While it may not always be possible to avoid being alone, there are always answers to loneliness.

Many times loneliness results from a trauma or crisis due to the death of a loved one, a divorce, or separation. When something happens that makes us realize that things are never going to be the way they once were, it often creates crisis or trauma in our lives, which can lead to a sense of loneliness and despair. Like a healing wound, the pain may be felt for a long time, but complete recovery requires daily improvement. When a physical wound refuses to heal, it indicates there’s an infection that must be dealt with.

I believe the same is true of emotional wounds: the emotional part of us should heal just like the physical part of us. God gave us emotions just as He gave us physical bodies. He has provided for our emotional restoration in Him just as He has provided for it physically. While it is true that you may always miss the person or the thing that was lost, it doesn’t mean that you must suffer permanent loneliness.

Give it to Him, pray for restoration in this area.
But most of all get out …get involved and…and set yourself free.
Repeat
I am not lonely I have My Father Jesus
Who is with me always….

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPfTrVl_pzA&feature=related

In God’s Words

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 14th, 2009
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In God’s Words


What does God promise his people? Relief from all troubles in the next world, relief from some troubles in this life. Faithful people throughout the centuries witness to dramatic deliverances from sickness, from financial woes, from all manner of troubles. Flesh-and-blood human beings have testified to miracles. They happen.

But not always. Sometimes we aren't relieved by God. Sometimes we merely endure. This isn't such a bad thing. We are never nearer to God than when we are troubled. In times of comfort and ease we forget him. In the worst of times, we suddenly remember, "Ah, what if I asked God for help?" Sometimes the answer is the help we pray for. Sometimes the answer is "Lean on me, and you will survive and thrive." We wake up with the same problems the same worries and then one day they are gone,
Who does this? Nothing But Our Precious Savior
SO today God Told me Let me speak to them that suffer.

In God’s Words

Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Psalm 73:25-26
Remember your promise to me, for it is my only hope.
Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.
Psalm 119:50
The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-4
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2
Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit.
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!

Joy Will Come In The Morning

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIg6RIbLz1c&feature=PlayList&p=9CBF55804326421D&index=0&playnext=1

Which would you prefer?

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 12th, 2009
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Which would you prefer?

James 3:16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”

If you grew up in the church or have been a believer for many years, it's worth looking carefully at the prodigal son's older brother (Luke 15:25). He's one of the most intriguing characters in all of Jesus' parables—a case study in what can happen to people who have been around religion for a long time.
In contrast to the father, who shows nothing but mercy to his long-lost son who has finally come home, the older brother sneers at the joy and celebration heaped on his brother. He is not merely jealous, but outraged at what he perceives as injustice. How could the father kill the fatted calf just because his wayward, ne'er-do-well son had come back, while seeming to neglect the faithful, diligent loyalty of his other son (Luke 15:29–30)?
That was the attitude of the Pharisees who were among those listening to this story (Luke 15:2–3). And in a larger sense, it would become the attitude of Jews in general as the gospel spread to the Gentiles (for example, Acts 11:1–3). How could Jesus be so friendly toward known sinners, such as the tax gatherers, and so distant from people like the Pharisees who carefully practiced the finer points of the Law? How could God be compassionate toward Gentiles, while the Jews, who had been His people for generations, were passed by?
Have you ever felt that way when someone came into the faith? Have you ever felt that more attention is paid to new converts than to those who have followed biblical teaching all their lives? If so, Jesus' parable contains a comfort and a challenge. The comfort is that God never forgets who His children are and has great treasures stored up for them (Luke 15:31). The challenge is to maintain a proper perspective—the perspective of compassion and mercy that is at the heart of the Father (15:32).
Being a responsible employee and a person of character will not always make you popular with co workers. Sometimes people who have little integrity themselves mock those who do. They may even try to trip you up if you are conscientious, setting you up for failure and throwing obstacles in your way. And should you receive praise and preferment because of your reputation and character, they may even launch a jealous campaign to “knock you off your high horse”. as they see it.
That was what happened to Daniel. Daniel's proven history of integrity and leadership resulted in his advancement when his “company,” the kingdom of Babylon, changed “owners” (Dan. 5:30–6:3). As a result, his rivals plotted against him (Dan. 6:4). But the only “dirt” they could find was that he was too faithful to God (Dan. 6:5)!
Could your co workers charge you with being too faithful to God where you work? Is your reputation above reproach? Or are your character and track record so bad that they would bring shame on the name of Christ if people knew you were a Christian? Integrity may incite some people to jealousy, but hypocrisy incites them to scorn and unbelief.
Which would you prefer?

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31D2g7t5Bjs

How To Fight Back Loneliness

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 11th, 2009
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How To Fight Back Loneliness

Psalms 46:1
"He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds."

Attaining the Christian living of peace is a challenging and yet inescapable spiritual step in life. There are at least four steps in attaining this peace – a coherent peace which is experienced internally as well as observed externally.

Peace with God- First, there is a need to establish peace with God. Bringing this about requires for us to believe, understand, and trust God’s presence in our life. It means that we need to recognize that God is with us, and that God wants the best or us – He is the Compassionate Father. A belief short of this does not allow us to have inner peace, no matter how hard we try to look at peace externally. We also need to trust that not only can God guide and strengthen our life, but those around us, and in fact the whole of humanity. This is a big order – to trust God in all aspects of our life. Yet, once we attain this level of trust in God, it is then that we realize that there is order to our life and society, that the world is not that chaotic after all, and that all experiences turn out for the best for us as St. Paul asserts.

When we attain this trust in God, it is then that instead of sensing that God is punishing us, we realize that He loves us and is guiding us. No longer do we constantly need others’ affirmation that God loves us.

The peace we sense when this takes place cannot be described by words.
Peace with Oneself- Second, when we sense this peace with God, gradually our inner life starts becoming orderly as well.

I learned if I did not like myself how could I have peace with God. We no longer sense that we are persecuted or that we are born losers. Instead, we have a sense that we belong – belong to God, belong to life, and in turn life belongs to us.

This is a tremendously uplifting experience: To be at peace with oneself. This does not mean we like everything about us, nor does it mean that we become content with our shortcomings and stop growing in life. Instead, it means that we learn to see ourselves objectively, as we are, neither exaggerating our capabilities or shortcomings, nor downplaying them.

Instead, looking at ourselves directly and facing up to who we are – for better and for worse.
Peace with Others- Third, when we can trust God and our own person, then and only then are we ready to trust others. We do not know how others will respond to us, but we know how we can respond to them . . . or at least have a better grasp of our response. Yet, our response to others depends very much on our trust of God and our trust of our very own person.

Therefore, when we trust God and our own person, we feel more at ease when we converse and dialogue with others because; we can handle and respond appropriately to whatever expression or action others convey to us.

Our person, emotions, and thinking is not continuously “jerked” from one direction to another. We do not feel as though our feelings and moods are riding on a roller coaster. Consequently, relating to others becomes more inviting and enjoyable, instead of stressful, chaotic, and full of anxiety.
Peace leading to Happiness- In summation then, the sense of peace is instilled within us because we know that God is protecting and guiding us. We are also aware of our strengths and vulnerabilities and therefore are at peace because we know how we will respond to situations. Finally, we gain a sense of peace because we know that we can face any person and relationship knowing that the best for us and for all will come forth from it.

When we have such peace within us, no matter how frightening or violent the world maybe around us, we are still able to maintain that sense of peace. With this sense of peace within us, we can also begin to see joy and happiness in life because arguments are defused, frustrations are minimized, and hurtful feelings and statements are healed.

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td1xsuXjVHg&feature=related

What Does God Say About Promises

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 8th, 2009
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Numbers 30:2 If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.



God said, "Abraham!" "Yes?" answered Abraham. "I'm listening." He said, "Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I'll point out to you." … Abraham told his two young servants, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I are going over there to worship; then we'll come back to you." Genesis 22:1-5 M

As a mother who gave her son away, this is the passage of the Bible that I have always claimed as my own. Who else on this earth can better understand what Abraham was feeling than us? We have been at that place and have chosen a different life where we then became unable to have children. To this day, I get emotional thinking about what God asked Abraham to do. I am also awed by the faith Abraham had to have in order to follow God’s direction to the letter.
Notice what Abraham says to the servants. He says that he and the boy are going to worship and then we will come back. God had asked him to sacrifice his one and only son, yet Abraham’s faith was so big that he was sure his son would be returning with him.

When I signed those papers and released my son into the care of another, it was this passage. I had no promise that I would ever see him again. I had no idea what the days ahead would hold. I just did it. In the same way, the Bible says nothing of Abraham’s state of mind. We don’t hear him complaining. We don’t even see him hesitating. What we see is him snapping to attention and doing exactly what God has asked of him. God doesn’t intervene until that last possible moment. God wanted to know if Abraham was really going to follow through. The Bible says ‘… he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.’ That is when God stopped him, at the last possible second.

It’s interesting that God chooses Abraham instead of Isaac’s mother. Obviously, God is preparing him for a higher calling. As a result of meeting this challenge with obedience, God promises to make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. This is a promise that God fulfills throughout the rest of the Bible.

Are you willing to trust God no matter what he asks you to do?

Are you willing to follow him despite obstacles and difficulties?

Take a minute and reflect on your relationship with God.

Are You able to Keep the Promises You Make To Others?

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!: Unbelievable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et-4WksmFkk

Please Sanctify My Mouth With Your Holy Scriptures and Empower Me To Overcome My enemy

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 7th, 2009
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Please Sanctify My Mouth With Your Holy Scriptures and Empower Me To Overcome My enemy.

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do everything written in it" (Joshua 1:8).

A vital element in learning to walk by faith and obedience is learning to talk by faith and obedience. Both the Bible and personal experience teach us that human words possess much power. In fact, James 3:4 compares the tongue to the small rudder with the power to steer a large ship. James 3:6 compares the tongue to a fire that can corrupt and set aflame the whole person. Our words are potent no matter how we use them, but what would happen if we allowed God to take hold of them?

I'd like to suggest to you that we have no greater built-in vessel for the external expression of divine power than our mouths. Perhaps that's why Satan will do anything he can to set the tongue aflame with the fire of hell (James 3:6). He knows who holds the tongue can often hold the whole man. The tongues of God's people are meant to be set ablaze by the holy fire of heaven, accomplishing and achieving that which glorifies God. James 3:2 suggests that a chief sign of Christian maturity is a tamed tongue. Of this I'm certain: a sanctified mouth is too unnatural to ever be coincidental. If we want it, we're going to have to pursue it regularly and cooperate with God to receive it.

One primary way God sanctifies our tongues is to put His Word on it. The first strategy God gave Joshua for living victoriously and successfully in the Promised Land holds great significance. Before God told Joshua to meditate on His Word and live by its precepts, He issued this command: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth," (Joshua 1:8). What did God mean? Keep My Word on the tip of your tongue!

In the Old Testament the practice of meditation did not involve the thought life alone. It involved the mouth. In fact, some of the English meanings of the Hebrew word for meditation are "to murmur, mutter, speak, whisper." One definition adds that meditation "denotes a variety of utterances."* To the ancient Hebrew mind, a vital part of meditation was repeating a precept or a particular phrase of Scripture with the tongue and actually talking it over, even with oneself, while reflecting and thinking on it.

Having God's Word ready on the tip of our tongues is like having a loaded shotgun on our walks to and through our Promised Lands. As long as we're armed, we can walk leisurely and peacefully because at a moment's threat, we are loaded and ready to shoot the head off that "ancient serpent called the devil" (Rev. 12:9). Think of the head representing authority. A stronghold is any way the devil tries to presume authority in our lives. If we belong to Christ, Satan has no right to exercise authority over us, but he hopes we're too ignorant regarding Scripture to know it. In the wilderness of temptation, Christ set an example of responding with the Word of God when under satanic assault. Knowing and claiming God's Word when attacked blows the head off enemy forces.

My God, Your words possess omnipotent achieving and accomplishing power.
Thank You for allowing me to have them on the tip of my tongue.
Please sanctify my mouth with Your holy Scriptures and empower me to overcome my enemy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!: Unbelievable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpKWuriR6FU

We can Never Run Out Of Love-No Matter How Much We Give Away

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 6th, 2009
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We can Never Run Out Of Love-No Matter How Much We Give Away

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in Him. 1 John 2:10

Loving and being loved are what make our lives worth living.
Many people experience times in their lives when they feel unloved.
During these times it’s easy to dwell on those negative thoughts, but allowing it to continue leads to unhappiness and depression. Love is the energy of life. It is what motivates people to get up each day and keep going.
Love gives life purpose and meaning. Everywhere you look you see people searching for love…but they’re looking in the wrong places.
God is love, and they will never find what they’re looking for until they find Him. People look for fulfillment in life in different ways. These ways may seem good at first, but eventually the unsuccessful search will leave them feeling frustrated, disappointed and empty. The only way they can find the true fulfillment they are so desperately seeking is to choose to
walk in love—to actually put love into action by reaching out and loving others. As soon as I made a commitment to God,
I began to hear people talk about the importance of loving others.
Since I wanted to live my life according to the Bible, I wanted to walk in love, but I just couldn’t. I had the urge…but no power to follow through.
I always made elaborate plans but couldn’t carry them out. Unfulfilled desire is often frustrating. I felt very frustrated and wondered what was wrong with me.
I was impatient with people. I was legalistic, harsh, judgmental, rude, selfish and unforgiving—and that is only the beginning of the list.
The harder I tried to walk in love, the worse I became. I began to understand that I could not love others because I had never received God’s love for me.
I knew in my head that the Bible said God loved me, but I didn’t feel His love in my heart.
I wondered how God could love us as imperfect as we are. God loves us because He wants to—it pleases Him. God loves us because it’s His nature to love, and He will always love us.
He doesn’t always love everything we do, but He does love us. God’s love is unconditional.
In fact, there’s nothing we can do to ever escape His love.
God’s love is the power that forgives our sins, heals our emotional wounds, and mends our broken hearts. Over time I came to realize that I am deeply loved by God simply for who I am, not because of any work I could do for Him.
I could finally quit trying to earn His love by doing things I thought would make me more worthy of His love. Once I began receiving God’s awesome, unconditional love, I was able to start loving Him in return and reach out to others more freely in love.
Because God’s never-ending love was in me, I could give it to others without fear of ever running out. Everyone in the world wants to be loved and accepted. And the love of God—that wonderful gift He freely gives us—satisfies that need.
His love flows to us, and then it should flow through us to other people. Now I see myself as a container full of blessings.
I want to be the type of person who can pour out God’s love into the lives of the people around me.
I’ve found that I’m always happier when I choose to make others happy. In the Bible, God calls Christians the salt of the earth
(see Matthew 5:13). He expects us to “season” the lives of those around us.
All of life is tasteless without love. Love is the salt, the energy of life, and the reason to get up every morning. Every day can be exciting if we see ourselves as God’s secret agents, waiting to sprinkle a little salt on all the lives we encounter.
Now I don’t mean we go around with a salt shaker in our hand , but in our hearts…
We know that because we are deeply loved by God,
we can never run out of love—no matter how much we give away.
May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!: Unbelievable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s2wCVcmYOU&feature=related

THE SECRET PLACE

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 5th, 2009
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THE SECRET PLACE

Psalm 91 (The Message)
“You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, say this: "GOD, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm not afraid”

One of my favorite promises from God is found in Psalm 91. It's His promise of safety and protection when we live in His presence and make Him a priority in our lives. Some translations call it the Secret Place. Have you ever thought about why it's called the Secret Place? If you are in a secret place, that means you are hidden. The enemy can't touch you because he can't find you! You are covered–you are protected–you are safe; hidden in the palm of Almighty God!
I encourage you today, no matter what may be happening around you, no matter what you may hear, or what you may see on the news, determine to dwell in the secret place of His presence. You can come into His presence anytime, from anywhere.

Just simply open your heart and give Him thanks and praise; magnify Him as Lord over life.
That's right–He rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you– under them you're perfectly safe; His arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing–not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because GOD's your refuge, the High God your very own home, evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door.
He ordered His angels to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling
. You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says GOD, "I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust Me.
Call Me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation.

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!: Unbelievable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkWiZJe8Xxs

Clean It Up… And Do it now!

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 4th, 2009
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Clean It Up… And Do it now!

If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36, NKJ)

God wants you and me to live in freedom. In the Bible, He says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. That means you don't have to live worried, depressed, or burdened down by the pressures of life. You don't have to live in condemnation or frustration because God has made a way for you to live light, happy, and free. Now is the time to embrace the joy, the peace, the grace, the wisdom, the provision–everything God has for us!

There's a scripture in the Bible that says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there’s liberty." Liberty simply means freedom. It's living without limitations. As a believer in Jesus, God's Spirit lives on the inside of you which means that His liberty is on the inside of you. No matter what limitations you may see in the natural, with God you are not limited; you are not hindered because with Him all things are possible! Take hold of that liberty by faith today and declare, "I am free! Sickness and disease have no hold on me…poverty and lack have no hold on me…worry and anxiety have no hold on me because whom the Son sets free is free indeed!"

The trick of the enemy is to tell you, "Do it tomorrow. You can do it some other time. Do it after you get out of college. These are your party years; do it later."
Don't believe those lies. The Scripture says, "Today is the day of salvation." Today is the day we need to make positive changes in our lives. God is a God of the now, and whatever area He may be dealing with you in, start to do it now. That's the only way you're going to experience His abundant life.
You may wonder why you're not happy and fulfilled. Maybe it is because you're not doing what you know you should be doing. You keep pushing down what God is bringing up.
Understand, God will not force us to live happily. He's given you free will. Every day, you must choose to listen to your conscience, to be good to people, to resist temptation. It's an ongoing process. Human nature always wants to put it off. Do it later.

In the Old Testament book of Haggai, God had spoken to His people about building the temple. But the people said, "The time has not yet come for the Lord's house to be rebuilt." They were saying, "We'll do it later, God. We're just too busy."

I don't believe they planned on putting it off for 16 years, but it kept getting easier to delay. "Well, this is not a good year, it's not convenient." The next year rolled around. "No, let's not do it this year; I've got too much going on."

That's what we do many times: "We'll take care of it next month, but not right now." Next month rolls around, and we say, "Oh, God, I'm going to deal with that, but let me do it a little bit later." Before we know it, we have put something off for a year, five years, even ten years. These people put it off for 16 years.

Notice what happens when we procrastinate. The prophet Haggai lamented, "You need to consider your ways. You have sown much, but you have reaped little. You have earned your wages, but you're putting them in a bag with holes in it."

If you're not happy today, and you're working all the time, but you can't seem to get ahead, you need to consider your ways. When we put off what we know we should be doing, it's like we're trying to fill up a bag that has holes in it. The point of this story is: Start doing what God tells you to do right now.

Don't make excuses. Don't look for a more convenient time. Just do it.
Remember, good intentions are not the same as obedience. If God is speaking to you about areas you've been putting off, don't regard that as condemnation. God is trying to take you to a higher level. If you'll do your part and be quick to obey, you won't fall into the procrastination trap; you won't place your treasure in a bag with holes in it. God wants to do His part; it's time for you to do yours.

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie

Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!: Unbelievable
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z5cgajl1Kg&feature=related

Come In with The Fullness Of The Holy Spirit

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 1st 2009
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Come In with The Fullness Of The Holy Spirit

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).

You and I need nothing on this earth like more of the Holy Spirit.
Do we need to love an unlovely person?
Do we need extra patience? Could we use a little peace in the midst of chaos?
Do we need to show an extra measure of kindness?
Could anyone stand a little more faithfulness to God? Could anyone use a strong does of self-discipline?
How about a heaping soulful of joy?
Take a look at Galatians 5:22-23. They all come with the fullness of the Holy Spirit!
You see, we don’t just need more patience. We need more of the Holy Spirit filling us and anointing us!
I realize the Holy Spirit is a person. When He comes into a believer’s life at salvation,
He moves in personally.
We believers have the Spirit, but the infinite Spirit of God continues to pour Himself into our lives.
Any given day I may enjoy a greater portion of His Spirit from on high.
Does anyone need deep insight from God’s Word? An added measure of understanding?
Anyone need the eyes of your heart enlightened to know the hope of our calling?
Does anyone want to fulfill God’s eternal purposes for our lives,
and think with the mind of Christ instead of the misleading mind of mortal flesh?
All of these come with “more” of the Holy Spirit! (See 1 Corinthians 2.)
Child of God, don’t just absorb this truth!
Get up and celebrate it! God gives His Spirit without measure!
He has all that you need. Or more properly stated, He is that all that you need.
Our fulfillment and greatest joy are in the flooding of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives.
He is how we understand God’s Word and will for our lives!
Here’s a good one: Could anyone use a sharper memory?
Take a look at John 14:26. “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send you in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
The Holy Spirit is the blessed Reminder.
Have you ever noticed we have a very sharp memory about destructive things,
but a far duller memory over instructive things? We need more of the Holy Spirit!
Recently I had to memorize lines for a Bible Study group at our church.
I had never done anything like that, and I was a nervous wreck.
Because I knew John 14:26, instead of just asking God to help me with my lines,
I asked Him to fill me with more of His Holy Spirit so the blessed Reminder would manifest Himself to me—and He did!
He is your key to memorizing Scripture or retaining anything biblical.

Take Him up on it!
What do you need most from the Holy Spirit?
Are you actively praying for more of Him toward that end?
Luke 11:13 implies that if we want the Holy Spirit to invade more and more of our lives, God wants us to ask Him for it!
So Pray with me…
Holy Spirit, I do need more of you in my life.
Please invade every part of me with ever-increasing measure.
Energize my speech, thought patterns, and actions.
Please show me where I’m quenching Your Spirit and hindering Your work.
Remind me to pray for more and more of You.
In Jesus Precious Name, Amen.

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!: Unbelievable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sPhpXO9sqc