WALKING WITH GOD!

In Romans 8 Paul illustrates the difference between walking in the spirit opposed to walking in the flesh. The term "walk" had a much more significant meaning than a person just walking. The term was used to describe a lifestyle. Walking in the flesh is merely identifying one living a sinful or worldly lifestyle. When we walk in the Spirit, we are than living a lifestyle that is centered around God and His infinite will. Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the SpiritRomans 8:6-8 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.What makes us a child of God? Through scripture I have come to believe that we must have a converted mind and spirit to become a child of God. Converting our sinful nature to a life of holiness and a Christ like manner. Now this does in no way apply that Christians are infallible or without fault. If this were the case there would be no need for a Savior. The truth is we do need a Savior, God alone can save us from ourselves. We are born with a fleshly or worldly nature, only through Christ can we resist the temptation on sin and live a righteous life. Romans 8:16-17 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.We are protected heirs of Christ, and we must know how to sustain or keep such an inheritance. The "Once saved, always saved" method of believing is not biblical. However, repenting daily and praying in the Spirit will help eliminate distractions that pollute our minds and spirits. Staying focused on God and our walk with Him will only bring peace and happiness to our lives. Remember, the mind is Satan's playground. 1Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. John 8:32, Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The way you think widely depends upon your level of happiness, peace, freedom, victory and strength. Now there are times when God will allow certain obstacles to take place in our lives. These obstacles are not allowed to destroy us but to build us up in faith, confidence and wisdom. Proverbs 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Even Paul prayed for the removal of a hindrance from his life, but God did not take away that burden away immediately. God wanted Paul to learn a valuable lesson first. Our walk with God should be a progressive process. There will be ups and downs, days when you feel you have taken a faithful leap of progression and other days when you feel you may have taken a few steps or even a mile backwards. The most important lesson to be obtained.....be determined to never give up, never quit the path you've been allowed to walk! Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

POWER & STRENGTH IN THE LORD!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippians 4:13  What is the true meaning of this verse and what benefits can it bring to us if we remind ourselves of Gods' strength daily? The word of God is filled with encouragement that gives strength and power to all who believe and receive it! Satan fights against us by attacking our mind, but if one fills their mind with scriptures of God given hope, strength and power the devil is powerless in his efforts to make us feel inadequate and defeated. These thoughts and feelings are directly from the enemy to keep us bound and unable to be a productive vessel for the Lord. Paul was explaining in this passage that he knew God could change his circumstances. Often though, it is us that God desires to change rather than the circumstance. God wants to remove all doubt and fear from us, he does this by changing the way we think and react to situations in our lives. Molding us into His likeness, giving us confidence and teaching us to depend on Him for answers. Once we acknowledge Him all we do and through every circumstance we can have assured peace that the Lord will give us strength to see us through! We are totally inadequate by ourselves, but through the Lord we are made adequate enough to conquer and accomplish what we set out to do. John 15:4-5 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." The Lord empowers us to do His will and what ever purpose and plan He has for us to fulfill! I am so thankful for a life filled with victory, He is limitless and we are more than conquerors through Him! "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." Romans 8:37 NLT

HE IS RISEN AND ALIVE!

A man was walking down a street when he noticed in a store window a beautiful
painting of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He stood there gazing at the picture for the longest than
realized that a little boy was standing beside him. He patted the little boy on the head and said, "Son, what
does that mean?" The little boy said, "Doncha know? That there man is Jesus, an' the woman that's crying
is His mother, an' them others is Roman soldiers. They killed Him." The man smiled and then started walking
away. In a few moments he heard someone running, turned and saw that it was the little boy. He came
running up to the man, out of breath, and said, "Mister, mister, I forgot to tell you that he didn't
stay dead."
2 Timothy 2:8, "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according
to my gospel."

Isn't it awesome to know that our God is ALIVE! Death couldn't even conquer our Savior!

The Resurrection:

Mark 16
1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. 9When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 12Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 14Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
God's word makes it very clear the certainty of Jesus' resurrection. The angel was given a mission to roll the stone from the tomb not to let Christ out but this act was done to allow His followers in to see He was risen and alive. Jesus had told His desciples that He would die on the cross but would surely rise again. Even though the Lord had prepared them for this, they still didn't totally understand it until they witnessed this awesome confirmation. Remember they fled the tomb quickly, trembling and amazed!  1Timothy 4:10 "and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe." Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Praise the Lord, aren't you too thankful to know the Lord, and know He is real and alive today! What a blessing it is to feel His prescence within us, leading and guiding us through our lives. His loving kindness never fails us and without Him we surely would be lost forever. But we shall inherit the most outstanding reward in the end, we will spend an eternity with Him in Heaven. Such greatness our future's hold in Him!

REMEMBERED AS A LIFE DEVOTED TO CHRIST!

A Woman Anoints Jesus with Perfume

MATTHEW 26:6-13 (NLT)
Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume, and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste of money," they said. "She could have sold it for a fortune and given the money to the poor."
But Jesus replied, "Why berate her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory."
 Mary of Bethany demonstrated her understanding of what was about to take place with Jesus. She probably understood this better than the disciples themselves at that moment, after all they were offended by this wasteful act. In reality she was giving to him her most precious earthy valuable as her gift fit only for a King! In those days expensive perfume would cost approximately one years earnings. Jesus excepted her gift, her gift was set apart from others, distinguished, and done out of honor and love. Our good works towards others do not go unnoticed by Christ. In fact the good works we do through the love of Christ should set us apart in a way that exemplifies Christ like character and glorifies Him. Just as Jesus assuredly wanted this woman remembered for her good deed, so will we also be remembered for our deeds or works and the love and compassion we've shown to those around us! Titus 3:8-11 "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profetable to men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. 
Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

THE HOUSE I'VE BUILT THROUGH HIM!

The home should provide more than a safe haven for the ones who reside with in it. It should provide living examples of true Christianity. The dwellers within our home are not perfect but we are blessed and striving daily to be more and more like Christ! It is a parents responsibility and honor to raise their children up in the will of the Lord! "Train a child up in the way he should go; and even when he is old he shall not depart from it."(Proverbs 22:6) Teaching them from an early age to talk to God about everything. One example of this I have incorporated into our daily routine, my older daughters are now driving and before either of them leave home we hold hands and pray God keeps them safe by placing a hedge of protection over them and gives them the strength to do His will in all they do. One of the difficulties of parenting is the reality that you can't protect your children from every harmful circumstance they may encounter. We have to put our trust in the one who controls all and know that He is our Provider and Protector, and He desires for us to put our trust in Him. He has never failed us nor forgotten us, scripture reminds us of this in Joshua 1:5 "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." It's important that we teach children to rely on Christ and to put their trust in Him.  The most effective way for them to grasp the true importance and meaning of this is to lead by example. Praying and reading the word together as a family is very beneficial because it strengthens the family and creates a supernatural bond given by the Lord! 
Psalm 127:1 "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." 
 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”(Genesis 18:19)
"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”(Matthew 18:19-20)
As a wife and mother, over the years I have worked fervently, taking on the holy task to build a house that would honor the Lord.  Laying a foundation that I have built within my children based on the solid truth of God's word. So my children will also become builders of their own homes, sowing seeds for generations to come!  God bless!

THE DIFFERENCE IN ME!

Just what privelages have we inherited as children of the most high, the king of kings, our Christ in majesty and ruler over our universe?  The Bible teaches that the wisdom of the Lord is far better than fine rubies or all the riches of this earth.  We have a uniqueness in Him, for we are called to be a peculiar people.  I want others to see and know the difference the Lord has made in me!
  "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;" (1 Peter 2:9). 
We must embrace the difference Jesus has made in each of our lives, because of this difference we are changed and made new.  Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  I want to tell the world all that the Lord has done for me, His mercy and goodness is greater than anything I could ever hope for or imagine for myself.  I am not worthy but am eternally grateful for the Lord, He has given me attributes that represent Him, and I desire more than anything to spend my life pleasing and representing Him well.  "And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;" (Leviticus 10:10).  This difference was in no way intended to give us a haughty attitude but a difference in spirit that shows characteristics and likeness of God.  Sharing God's love to everyone in hope that they too will find the same truth and mercy in Him that we have found.  "And of some have compassion, making a difference: (Jude 1:22).  "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Psalm 86:15  Forever be blessed and remember the One who is the provider of such blessings!  To Him we give all our praise and we worship Him with our whole heart all the days of our lives!  Psalm 30:12 "To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."

KEEPING THE FAITH TO FINISH THE RACE!

"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." Ecclesiastes 9:11
  Ok....I have to admit when I seen this picture all I could think was "racers start you engines"!  It reminded me of how energized and driven with excitement we all are when we first become saved.  Don't you remember the excitement you felt when you first were baptised in His name, or the first time you received the holy ghost?  It's an overwhelming feeling of joy and peace that only comes from the Lord, and once you've received His spirit you want nothing more than to share it with the world.  Where once doubt and confusion layed you are filled with new hope, certainty and enlightened with a new planned path! You feel as though the only way to exclaim such fulfillment would be to shout it from a mountain top! It is imparative to our spiritual walk that we keep that momentum and drive along with a steady pace as the Lord directs us along our path!
  Well as I layed in bed tonight my mind kept pondering how and when the Lord inspired me to create "Women of Praise", and the many topics and devotions that we've endeavored over the past year.  At first I had created a blog where I could journal life with my kids and share photos with all my family and friends, great idea right!  Well the Lord spoke to me after creating this family photo blog, and told me I was to use my blog for Him!  My first response was there had to be a mistake, "me Lord"??? Surely I misinterpreted what the Lord had asked of me, who would want to read anything I wrote? Quickly the Lord reminded me this was not my blog but His, and my place in this was to be a willing and obedient vessel! "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3  The success has been completely dependant on the Lord, I have prayed much through this year for His guidance and annointing. He has faithfully revealed to me in scripture and in spirit what was to be written in this blog, and I am thankful to be used by Him. I had planned to blog again on the 27th of this month which will mark the one year anniversary of "Women of Praise", but the Lord lovingly impressed me to get out of bed and write tonight!  Over the course of a year we have induldged in a list of topics such as: grace, faith, hope, unfailing love, unmeasurable mercy, godly character and spiritual warfare to name a few.  This spiritual race is not ending but continuing on until we reach that finish line that lies ahead! I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7  It is so important that we finish the race the Lord has set before us, this race against time. This is not a time to give up, this is a time to encourage and be encouraged!  "So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you." Revelations 3:3  God never promised us our time here on earth would be easy, but He did promise an escape from our troubles through Him. "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present your faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude v 24). "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4).  He will always deliver, and His promises are never broken. He has promised a life of eternity and blessings for His people, so hold on, be strong and keep the faith until we finish this race!  "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand"(Revelation 1:3).