GROWTH

I CANNOT STAY WHERE I AM AND GO WITH GOD.

ARMOR OF GOD - PAUL'S INSTRUCTIONS

  FINALLY, BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. 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 6:0-18

PENTECOST SUNDAY - MAY 24TH 2015

Pentecost -- In many ways, is the birth of the church.

Before the events of the first Pentecost which came a few weeks after Jesus's death, and resurrection, there were followers of Jesus, but no movement that could be meaningfully called "The Church." Thus, from a historical point of view, Pentecost is the day on which the church was started.


Pentecost is a translation of the Greek word which means "fifty." Christians got the phrase from a Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Weeks in which people count seven weeks, or fifty days, from the end of Passover to the beginning of the next holiday.

The day became significant for Christians because seven weeks after the resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon his first followers, thus empowering them for their mission and gathering them together as a church.

On the Old Testament day of Pentecost, Israel received the Law; on the New Testament day of Pentecost, the church received the Holy Spirit.

"Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sate upon each of them. And they were all filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (ACTS 2:1-4).

TEST/TRY THE SPIRITS

What does it mean to test/try the spirits?

It is my opinion that this question came to me because I need to know the answer. So, here's what I think...

"Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God."

1 John 4:1

* Test the message that people or spirits proclaim.

* Most importantly when a person or spirit is claiming to speak for God.

* The reason to test the spirits is to see if it is truly from God or if it is a lie from Satan and his servants.

* The way to test is to compare what is being taught with the clear teaching of the Bible. The Bible alone is the Word of God.

* One must know how to examine the Scriptures instead of accepting every teaching.

Twilight Zone

TWILIGHT ZONE

(February 2014)

Today was really weird. I can't really explain how I've been feeling except that I have been overcome with emotion. It actually started yesterday but it was even more prevalent today. I felt like I just needed God. Very overwhelming; because I didn't really know what to call the emotion or what to do with it. It was as if the atmosphere within me had changed. I almost just wanted to be alone and cry out to God, though it wasn't a sad feeling. More like needing to be nearer.

I have decided to spend my quiet time with God in my bedroom. There are too many distractions when I sit and read/study at my dining room table. I figure this way I can really have more "quiet time" and not be distracted by my household noises (TV, conversations, etc.). So, if I want to cry or praise the lord, I can do it without the presence of others.

I don't want to get too overwhelmed or too emotional but there is so much about God that I want to learn that I just want to constantly take in all He has to offer in His Word. I just feel like I don't want to be so focused on learning so much at one time that I'm not truly focused and retaining the information and learning what it is God wants to teach me. 

I want to work on being a better person every day. Being better to me means learning to live by the principles of God and learning to hear from Him and obey His Word in all things. I want a more intimate relationship with God. I want to walk in the purpose God has made me for. I don't really have a clue what that is right now. It could be something He has already giving me responsibility for, like being a mother or a wife, or it could be something He is still preparing me for. Whatever it is I want to do it with the love and direction of God.

HOW DO YOU KNOW GOD LOVES YOU?

Without trying to be "politically correct"...

I know God loves me because He has shown me His love by protecting me physically, protecting my mind, and showing me a better life than I knew before i knew Him. He has given me grace and shown me so much mercy. He has blessed my life. He talks with me and allows me to feel His presence.

IF YOU FEEL WEAK, LIMITED, ORDINARY, YOU ARE THE BEST MATERIAL THROUGH WHICH GOD CAN WORK.


~DON'T MEASURE YOUR LIFE BY THE WORLD'S STANDARDS. AN ORDINARY PERSON IS WHO GOD MOST LIKES TO USE.