March 26, 2010 New Go with God
We have the most adorable little lady who works as our office cleaning lady. She is so peppy and happy all the time. Maria has a great spirit and always tells me Vaya Con Dios when I leave the office. As I left last night, I realized that she was right. Living in a world where the enemy if constantly trying to destroy the people of God, we need to ensure that we are Go with God everywhere we go.
When I think about the number of times God had to block a bullet from going through my window or a car from running me over or a mugger from attacking me, I just cant help but to praise God for his faithfulness. If God were to open our eyes to see what the enemy has been throwing our way, WE’D ALL BE IN THE PSYCH WARD. The enemy has designated legions of demonic angels to attack us. He wants us dead or hell-bound (which to me is a dead-man walking).
We must always be in prayer for ourselves, our children, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, EVERYONE. The Bible tells us to Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour – 1 Peter 5:8 When challenges come into your life, you need to recognize that there are demons in action. It’s not your husband that’s getting on your last nerve, it’s the enemy using him to get to you. That child isn’t a demon, there is a demonic angel trying to get into your family. It is time for us to call upon Jesus and invite the Spirit of God to walk with us and to place a hedge of protection around our families.
We cannot protect ourselves. Leave it up to us, we’d all be six-feet under. It is only through God that our families can be saved from the plots of the enemy. This devotion isn’t written to scare anyone, but my sincere hope is that we would wake-up and realize that we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places – Ephesians 6:12 (NLT).
Memory Text:
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. – Ephesians 6:11-18 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for placing a hedge of protection around my family, my loved ones and me. Teach me to put on your whole armor in order to defeat the enemy’s plots against me. I place my trust in you and I thank you in advance for my victories.
Tags: demons, ephesians 6, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, principalities
March 25, 2010 What’s on your door?
One Saturday morning as we were headed to a Women’s Day of Prayer program @ Hebron, we passed a brownstone that had enough signs to draw anyone’s attention. “Keep Off!”, “No Solicitation!”, “Curb your dog!”, “No Trespassing!” and it ended with a handwritten note posted to the gate. I remember telling hubby, Could this house have anymore signs on it?
As we walked towards the church, I thought about how much care this owner put into protecting their property. (Yes, I know..it looks more like paranoia, but for this devotion we will chuck it up to care.) They wanted to ensure no one would desecrate what they held so dear. The day went on and I noticed the amount of “No Trespassing” signs that were hanging on properties around the city.
One Sunday Morning, a particular sign that I see all the time caught my attention. “Private Property“. A piece of barren land was barricaded with that sign all around it. Immediately I started to think, why aren’t we as protective about our temples? I am not talking about the four walls of the church. I am talking about our bodies. When we invite Jesus to come into our lives, he resides within our hearts. He lives within our body. This body that we have is God’s temple. Yet, we desecrate it on a daily basis.
We wear things we have no business wearing, we eat what we know we should not be eating and we drink things that should not even touch our lips. We are God’s chosen generation, a royal priesthood, but we do not care for ourselves as we ought to. As Christians, we too need to put a sign on our temples that say No Trespassing, Private Property. Our temples should belong to God alone and we ought to be walking billboards of God’s love. When others see us, “Christian” should be their first sign that they see.
With so may fashion designers and music artists inticing us to be free billboards of their brands, we need to pay even closer attention to what we are putting on God’s temple. We can’t praise him and wear “skulls” all over our bodies (Can you tell I dislike that style?). The only thing we should “rep” (as my youngsters would say) is Jesus. So the next time you walk into a store whether for you or your children, remember whose you are and who gave those little bundles to you. Now, choose accordingly.
Remember, God paid a hefty price for you. So, who are you “reppin”?
Memory Text
Do you not know that byour body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that cyou are not your own? For ayou have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in byour body. – 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20
Prayer Prompt
Dear Lord,
Thank you for reminding me that I am your private property. Teach me to represent you well in all things.
Tags: christian fashion, ed hardy, our bodies are God's temple
- Leave a comment
- Posted under Christian Character, Christian Life
March 24, 2010 I am so MAD at YOU
Easter is coming and as churches prepare for the big day and Christians around the world partake in lent, I find myself a wee bit frustrated. Though I am suppose to be reflecting on the great sacrifice Jesus made for me, I AM MAD @ God. GASP, did she just say that? Isn’t that a sin? Yes, I am not too pleased with God this morning. It happens whenever I am faced with so many trials that I almost feel like I can no longer breathe. (can you relate?)
As I write this devotional, I have so many matters and issues to deal with that my mind feels like it is on a merry go round. In the midst of my storm, I ask God Why? Where are you? and When will you deliver me? It’s extremely difficult to stay positive sometimes when life keeps hitting you with a ton of bricks. But as I reflect on my situation, I am taken to the Garden of Gethsemane. Here I witness the agony felt by Jesus. He pleads with God for deliverance but then says something that hits home for me.
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. – Luke 22:42
Our lives should always revolve around the will of God. No matter how rough the situations may appear. No matter how burdensome they may feel, we must remain in line with the will of God. He sees the bigger picture and is guiding us accordingly. Sometimes his will for us at the moment just won’t make any human sense. We must remember that our human sense is common sense and we serve a God who is not common. He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. There is nothing common about him. Therefore, his ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. We can not even begin to understand the things God is protecting us from or preparing us for.
Because we do not know what our future holds, we must develop a level of faith that will follow his will even when it feels like we are headed the wrong way. He knows where he is leading us and when we get there we will understand the journey. Jesus went through the agony. Jesus was led to Calvary. Jesus was hung on a tree. BUT, today Jesus is seated on the right hand of God in honor and glory.
We too can make it but we must first decide to follow the plan he has laid out for us. It feels crazy but it is for our good. It seems backward but it will take us forward. So, yes I was mad @ God this morning but Jesus reminded me that he too suffered even worse hardships but God was faithful. Now, my anger has been replaced with worship because I know God is faithful and that where I am now is but for a minute. He will answer my prayers when the appointed time has come. In the meantime, I will praise him in advance.
Memory Text:
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name – 1 Peter 4:12-14, 16
Prayer Prompt:
Dear Lord,
Forgive me for my human faults. Help me to understand that you know what is best for me and have a plan for my life. Teach me how to be patient in tribulation knowing that you will never steer me wrong..
We are proud participants of:
Tags: easter, Faith, garden of gethsemane, mad at God, walk with him wednesdays
- 4 comments
- Posted under Christian Character, Christian Life, Walk with Him Wednesday
