Shoot For The Moon & You Will Succeed

Shoot for the MOON,

        Even if you miss,

                You'll land among the STARS!!! - Les Brown

                        Therefore, you still succeeded,

                                In advancing yourself from where you were,

                                        To where you are NOW!

So, SHOOT & GO!  NOW!!!

Canny Events

 

Coincidence... or Providence.... 

Anything new under the sun?

I came across this excellent documentation from AmazingFacts.org

AN AMAZING FACT:  Have you ever noticed some uncanny similarities between Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy?

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.	John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Lincoln was elected President in 1860.	Kennedy was elected President in 1960
Lincoln’s wife lost a child while living in the White House.	Kennedy’s wife lost a child while living in the White House.
Lincoln had a secretary named Kennedy who urged him not to go to the theater.	Kennedy had a secretary named Lincoln who urged him not to go to Dallas.
Lincoln was shot in the back of the head in the presence of his wife.	Kennedy was shot in the back of the head in the presence of his wife.
Lincoln was shot in the Ford’s Theatre.	Kennedy was shot in a Lincoln made by Ford.
The name Lincoln contains seven letters.	The name Kennedy contains seven letters.
Lincoln was killed on a Friday and assassinated by a Southerner.	Kennedy was killed on a Friday and assassinated by a Southerner.
Lincoln’s assassin was known by three names, John Wilkes Booth, comprised of fifteen letters.	Kennedy’s assassin was known by three names, Lee Harvey Oswald, comprised of fifteen letters.
Booth shot Lincoln in a theater and fled to a warehouse.	Oswald shot Kennedy from a warehouse and fled to a theater.
Booth was killed before being brought to trial.	Oswald was killed before being brought to trial.
Lincoln’s successor was Andrew Johnson, born in 1808.	Kennedy’s successor was Lyndon Johnson, born in 1908.

 

Are these coincidences? Probably, but did you know that the Bible teaches that history does have a tendency to repeat itself? Solomon once wrote, “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, ‘See, this is new’? It has already been in ancient times before us” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10).

KEY BIBLE TEXTS

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

Covid-19 spiritual attack part 2

Covid-19 spiritual attack - Part 2

                             

As I studied about the armor of God and fighting the spiritual battle against covid-19, I found some wonderful answers online that gives a wonderful visual to the readers from different authors, one being GCU weekly devotionals, Christianity.com, and more. In this armor, Paul uses the description of the parts of a Roman soldier's clothing.

Belt of Truth - buckled around the waist or fastened. These belts were thick and sturdy like a weightlifter's belt. The rest of the soldier's armor connected to this belt. For the Christian, truth is to be securely connected to us. Truth is the accurate information regarding God and the good news of Jesus. Truth binds together everything else we believe. Without unifying truth, we just have disjointed, disconnected pieces.

Breastplate of Righteousness is held in place by the belt along with the scabbard to hold the sword. The Roman breastplate would be made from bronze or chain mail and cover the vital body parts (heart, lungs, & stomach). Righteousness, or doing what is right, is essential to protecting the life of the believer through spiritual battle. The breastplate is a primary means of identification: Likewise, a Christian's behavior is meant to identify them to the world and other believers, as a follow of Christ. To be righteous means to obey God's commandments and to live in a way that is honorable to him. Psalm 106:3 relates to that.

Feet shod with the Gospel of Peace is standing firm with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. So, we must stand firm in our faith of the good news Gospel of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us so that we can be saved, which brings peace in the midst of storms. Our feet our fitted with these shoes of faith because we are called to go and share that good news with others so the shoes allow us to share it successfully while protecting our feet from the dangers of the path.

Shield of Faith. Take this up to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The shield is a form of protection. It was worn strapped to the arm and at any time could be held up to deflect attacks and also to be used offensively in knocking over enemies with force. This is calling for faith, a belief that God created you and the whole world and sent Jesus Christ, His son, to die in your place for your sins that made you worthy of death. Jesus did this so that we might have eternal life. Having faith influences the way we choose to live and also can guard us during trials. It protects us from doubt, unbelief, wavering, fear, illness, and the like. We can stand firm in knowing what we believe, why we believe it, and in Whom we believe.

Helmet of Salvation serves to protect the head, which if the attack is successful, it can cause death. To receive salvation is to be delivered from our sins and the harmful consequences that comes along with them. Jesus paid the price so that we don't have to. We receive salvation by confessing our sins and believing in God's Son, the living Word. The brain is in our heads and the main headquarters of every thought, actions, words, decision making, behavior, etc... What we believe, we will do. When we put on the helmet of salvation, we can avoid sinful thoughts and understand what is the good and true and perfect will of God. The enemy, satan and his fallen angels, also known as demons, will at one time of another plant evil or bad thoughts in your mind. But, when we have on the helmet of salvation, we are reinforcing our thoughts with God and are able to acknowledge where those thoughts came from and know good from evil and cast those thoughts far from us.

Sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God... the Bible! It is so important for us to daily read God's word, study diligently, and live it out in our lives so that it becomes a part of us. We must purposefully remember scripture so that it is in our computers called the mind so that when things happen, we are able, like a computer, to search for the Word of God that fits for that moment in time. The sword of the Spirit is an offensive and defensive weapon against enemies in that is can protect us from lies of the enemy and can counter attack as well. When it is sharp, it can cut through anything. The sword of the spirit (the Word of God) is powerful only if we actually use it. Through God's word, we can distinguish between right and wrong. Therefore, we are able to strive to live in a way that is free from sin and that pleases God. It is our greatest weapon. If we don't know God's word, we will struggle to fight the enemy in our own strength and probably will fail miserably many times. But, if we seek God's word and abide (live) by it, we will be blessed. This is a part of sharing God's Word with others. When we do that, we are taking up our swords and fighting against the enemy, not just for our survival, but for the survival of others.

Prayer, perseverance, and intercession. Praying in the Spirit is prayer with divine help. It is trusting in faith and relying on God to hear, understand, and act. It is a gift received through faith in Christ Jesus. The bible tells us to do it in perseverance and intercession. So, we are constantly seeking communion with God and listening for His leading and answers as well. It is praying (interceding) for others as well and not just yourself. So, it is a self-less exercise of your faith and your relationship with God. Just as a soldier will defend the weak, so you do the same by intercessory prayer for others.

Ok, so the soldier's tools includes a belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. In parallel, the Christian's implements are truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, as well as prayer, perseverance, and intercession. Just as a soldier's equipment is designed for their earthly battle, a Christian's equipment is meant for spiritual warfare.

So does this mean that I will not get the covid-19/coronavirus because I'm a Christian? Absolutely not, NO, NO, No, it does not mean that! Anyone can be infected with it, including Christians! So, do what you can to protect yourself, your family, and friends. It means that even if you do get infected with covid-19/coronavirus, you will have what you need to deal with the attack on you spiritually while you are fighting for the physical victory as well.

So, put on your whole armor of God today!

Covid-19 as a Spiritual Attack

Covid-19 - As A Spiritual Attack? – Part 1

My husband and I are bible workers. However, due to covid-19, the in-home bible studies have ceased and we've gone to zoom or Whatsapp to do video studies. However, one student who was newly baptized and is a babe in Christ decided to postpone the studies since he didn't care for the lessons online or via apps and wanted live face-to-face studies. Since it has now been a few months that covid-19 has reared its ugly head, my husband and I began doing the in-home bible studies again with a new student yesterday. Since we did that one, yesterday evening after the study, I told my husband that I think we should contact the other student who wanted live face-to-face studies to resume them. Today, as I was going about my day-to-day routines with work and life, I got a call from a friend who informed me that that same bible study recipient has just been diagnosed with having been infected with covid-19. I really couldn't believe my ears because we just spoke about him yesterday and was going to contact him today.

So often when we are trying to do God's will and follow His path in our lives, satan likes to throw wrenches in the works to stop our gears from continuing and to stop us in our tracks. he likes to discourage those who are reaching out to God and are depending on God to keep on the strait and narrow path. When we come to the Lord, it is a profession of faith that we are saying that we depend wholly upon God and surrender all to Him. We are saying that we are giving our all for His work and sacrifice for His kingdom as Christ had sacrificed all as our example.

When I heard of this attack on my Christian brother, my first thought was of unbelief and expressed as “What!” Then, my 2^nd thought was to realize that this is a spiritual attack on my brother's physical body to distract him, to discourage him, to destroy him so that he will want to give up on God. This man is a peaceful, kind man and a loving single father of several girls. He has a lot of burdens to bear and responsibilities to deal with. So, when satan attacks his body, it prevents him from being able to work and support his children. It also leaves him concerns for his children's health in hopes that they are not infected with the covid-19 as well. It leaves concern for his physical well-being and effects him mentally and emotionally as well as financially. satan knows how to cover it all with all out assaults and attacks on us. But, God...! But, God...! and again I say... But, God has victory over every trick from the trickster, the devil. He is victorious and has given us power to also be victorious in Him.

So, what can we do when satan attacks us spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, etc... The first thing we can do is to be prepared. You see, many people don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan, So, they are caught off guard and unprepared. So, before the attacks come, we must daily put on the whole armor of God. In the Bible, Ephesians 6:11-18 says “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

As I studied this I found some wonderful answers online that gives a wonderful visual to the readers from different authors, one being GCU weekly devotionals, Christianity.com, and more. In this armor, Paul uses the description of the parts of a Roman soldier's clothing.

Stay tuned with me next time as I share each article of clothing, what it is, what it is used for, and how it can help in our current times.

Once again, choose Living Victoriously!

Muscle Rub ToothPaste !! ???

Have you ever had the amazing sensation after brushing your teeth with Muscle Rub Pain Relieving Cream?  Well, I have.  I had the un-pleasure of doing so while on my 3rd year wedding anniversary with my husband.  Our individual toiletries bag was packed and waking up one morning in the hotel, I went into the bathroom to brush and dug out... you guessed it... the Muscle Rub pain relieving cream instead of the toothpaste.  Now, it says that it suppose to give hours of relief from minor arthritis, backache, muscle & joint pain.  If used as it is suppose to be used, it works well.  However, I don't think you are suppose to ingest it, let alone brush with it.  Well, not realizing that I picked up the wrong tube, I proceeded to squeeze the white pasty substance on my toothbrush.  It was bright white and went on smoothly.  I put the brush covered with the substance to my mouth and began brushing.  I didn't notice anything at first.  Then I realized that I wasn't tasting a minty taste and thought... that's odd.  I continued brushing.  Then I realized that I'm tasting something that I just can't identify what it is... that's really odd, what's wrong with my taste buds.  The taste stayed as a bland, but nasty, unable to identify taste.  However, then I began feeling some weird sensations in my mouth faintly at first.  I continue brushing and just pass it off as me being weird this morning.  Then, sensations of slight burning around my gum line and my lips with a refreshing menthol effect began happening.  I pause and think... ok what is going on.  Now the refreshing menthol effect is getting stronger... I begin realizing that something is wrong.  So, then I looked at the tube on the counter and realized what it was.  It was the Muscle Rub pain relieving cream.  The problem is, I didn't need this for my mouth since my mouth didn't have minor arthritis, backache, muscle & joint pain in it... except for a little tmj.  So, I began rinsing... the problem is now the refreshing menthol effect has become overwhelming and the gums continue burning.  I began squealing as I'm brushing with water and rinsing my mouth.  It all doesn't want to come out at one time.  So, I keep rinsing... and squealing.  My husband comes to see what is wrong.  I talk through the weird sensations of my mouth and tell him what happened.  He tries to stifle a grin.  Since he is trying to laugh, I proceed to try to kiss him to share the sensation and he pulls back quickly.  I finish rinsing, but the burning and menthol sensation continues to last.  I finally get to share a kiss with my husband about an hour later and then his mouth begins to burn a bit as well for about an hour.  The burning and menthol sensations in my mouth continues for hours.  My teeth felt very clean after brushing with real toothpaste!  My tongue felt a bit numb.  The fire in my gums finally died down.

You know, after I experienced this, I said to myself... "there has to be a lesson in this for me... aside from watch what you are doing".  The lesson I learned is a spiritual lesson.

Spiritual Lesson:

The tooth paste and water is the promised cleanser - Jesus Christ
The Muscle Rub pain relieving cream is any substitute could be good or bad.

In each one of us is an area in our being where only God is meant to dwell.  When we don't want God there in complete control, we try to fill that area with a substitute.  Now, the substitute in and of itself may not be bad.  It could be many good things. But, when we try to put it in place of God, it is being used in the wrong way and has now become our God.  We try to fill that area with anything and everything that we can because it is a hole and is empty without Jesus, but it must be filled.  We use the Muscle Rub (substitute) thinking that it will take away our pain and make us feel better.  Muscle Rub, when used correctly, can help take away pain.  However, when use incorrectly can cause a miserable situation.  In the same way, we will do things to fill the void with the wrong things that will put us in a miserable situation.  Then we burn and hurt and try to pull others into our misery because misery loves company.  Others will laugh at our situation and don't want to help us or share in our pain.  But, Jesus did just that.  He helped us and shared in our pain, more pain than we even experienced.  He took our pain so that we wouldn't have to experience it.  He took death away from us.  When we use substitutes to cover our sin & wrong doing, the results of what we have done will become overwhelming to the point that we can't stand it any longer and is seeking anything and everything to try to relieve the discomfort.  Sometimes we seek love to relieve the discomfort, or alcohol, or drugs, ets...  However, there is only one solution to that discomfort just as there was only one solution to the mouth situation.  I had to re-brush with the correct substance and rinse and rinse and rinse and rinse thoroughly.  In the same way, we have to go to Christ and confess our sin and mistakes and mess-ups, repent from it, Make it right to the best of our ability and claim his blood to wash away the mess. Muscle Rub is a poison to ingest, but the water rinses it away.  In the same way, sin is a poison and promises death, but Jesus took the death on Himself and washed our sin away.

Now, even when we've been cleansed by Christs blood, it doesn't mean that we are perfect and the mess that we did is not made perfect all of a sudden.  It will have results from our actions.  So, we may still have some things that we need to brush away, but that will still effect us for a little while... but we keep claiming Christ again and again and again thoroughly until Christ and only Christ.  The power of Christ cleanses and rinses away all sin.  He also continues to change you so that even if you are still having the temptation of sin that keeps burning overwhelmingly in you, it tempts you less and less as time goes by as you keep rinsing with Christ.  Less and less things become a temptation to you as Christ in you becomes more and more.  That can only happen when we claim the cleansing blood of Christ to cleanse and rinse all sin and wrong doing away from us.  Nothing can substitute that.  Only Christ & His blood can do that!  No other.

So, what do you choose today?  Do you choose a substitute or do you choose Jesus Christ?

Choose today to set your mind to Living Victoriously in Christ!

Successful Schooling From A to Z

I came across a paper that was provided by the Oregon Education Association as I was cleaning out a box from long ago.  I had it from when my children were in school.  Doing some of these opened conversations up with my children that helped to guide them... and me... in our relationship.  These also will help to increase your relationship with them as well, while helping them with their schooling.  You see, kids go through a lot!  We may not see it and may say, "What could they be going through, they are kids and have no bills or responsibilities."  However, I repeat... Kids Go Through A Lot!  They are going through growing pains... sometimes literally.  They are struggling to fit in.  They are trying to see what kind of person they want to be.  They are learning about God and what is right and wrong.  They are trying to do well at school and fulfill all of those responsibilities that eventually will get them into a good college... hopefully with scholarship.  They are trying to fulfill the responsibilities at home and don't forget about the responsibilities with their friends.  They are pulled in many directions and sometimes feel like they are being pulled apart and just don't know what to do or what choice to make.  Sometimes, they know what choice to make, but it is not one that would be a comfortable decision for them. because of the repercussions of that decision.  They struggle, just as you do, but just in their own ways.  

Well, as parents and educators, we need to be to help them in their struggle.  To help them to find the solutions to their every day problems.  They need encouragement and self-esteem.  They need to know that you are not trying to possess, control, and obsess, but that you care and respect them.  Yes, respect them!  They are God's creation as well.  They deserve respect as much as you do.  Besides, if you are not showing them respect and being that example, how will they learn to respect.  They need to know that they have your support and that you love them know matter what.  So, here is the list from A to Z in how to help your child/student with successful schooling.

Ask your child about the school day.

Begin your child's day with a nourishing breakfast.

Congratulate your child for doing well.

Discuss homework with your child.

Encourage your child to read.

Find a quiet place for your child to study.

Give your child responsibility.

Help your child build self-esteem.

Include your child in making simple family decisions.

Join a library and read with your child.

Keep your child on a schedule that includes exercise and sleep.

Limit television by selecting programs with your child. (Limit other digital/computerized items too)

Make the time you spend with your child special. (You have to actually spend time with the child)

Notice and discuss changes in your child's behavior.

Offer to help your child organize school papers.

Provide your child with good role models. (You must be the 1^st good role model)

Question the activities your child shares with friends.

Respect your children's right to have their own opinions.

Share an interest or hobby with your child.

Take time to listen to your child.

Urge your child to say “NO” to drugs, alcohol, and smoking.

Visit places of interest with your child.

Work with your child to set up rules of behavior.

Xerox and save records or articles that benefit your child. (Read over them together/answer questions.)

Yield results by encouraging your child to do better.

Zip through these activities on a regular basis.

I hope you utilize some of this in your every day living to change your state of mind, as well as your children's and/or students.  I hope that you reap a great harvest that is fruitful & blessed so that you may be Living Victoriously!

  

LIVE ON PURPOSE!

God's Bible Promises

I have been writing about blessings for the past few posts.  However, last week I came across an excellent source of Bible Promises.  These are promises that we can also bless others with or claim for ourselves to change our mindset... or way of thinking.  I didn't write them.  I found it on my cell phone while looking up additional blessings to bestow upon my wonderful husband.  It is provided through Bible Study Tools.  I hope you will use them because they are a great way to overcome obstacles in life!

Bible Verses on God's Promises

God's Word is filled with promises from our Creator to provide and deliver. The Bible is the ultimate source for truth and God is faithful to fulfill all his promises. As your read these Bible verses about the promises of God, claim them over your life! Freedom from addictions, deliverance from sin and evil, financial provision, hope for lost and hurting family and friends, overcoming depression, recovering a marriage, good health, healing, being free from fear and anxiety, strength, and many more are the blessings and gifts that God promises to provide for those who believe in him.

Memorize the following Scriptures that promise to overcome what you are facing today. Pray over them and speak them out loud and you will being to see God move in your life for his glory and your good!

Exodus 14:14 - The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Exodus 20:12 - Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Isaiah 40:29 - He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:31 - but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13 - For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 54:10 - Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me, declares the LORD.

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 4:7 - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Deuteronomy 31:8 - The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 8:36 - So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Malachi 3:10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Now, go and start claiming these bible promises to start

living a more victorious life today!

Blessings! Part 2

I enjoyed sharing the last set of blessings that I came across in the first "Blessing" blog.  Previously, I mentioned the importance of blessing your husband, wife, and/or children each morning as a positive affirmation for them to strengthen them in their walk with the Lord and also to set the Lord's blessings upon them by speaking it into their existence.

This morning, as I was doing my devotions in dealing with unity, I came across additional excellent blessings that I just had to write down to prepare to bless over my husband this week.  I wanted to share this with you as well.  In blessing those we love, we are praying over them, utilizing Christ's name and the promises in the Bible to speak good things in their life.  Sometimes, to just hear someone blessing you helps you to know that you have someone who is a part of your support system, in that they are wanting what is good in your life.  When you have someone bless you, it helps you to know that they care about you, your life, and what you are going through and that they desire better for you.  It causes a closer unity and a tighter knit.  When you are blessing them in Christ's name, you are praying over them.

As my husband and I was at a couple's retreat for the day, we were sharing things in our lives and the effects that they have on us.  My husband shared the fact that I bless him every single morning, after we have already prayed together, as he is heading out the door.  He says that he looks forward to those blessings now, that it makes a difference in his life for the better.  I love my husband dearly and praise God every morning for the gift of my husband and who he is in the Lord.  So, I do pray over him, but I also speak blessings over him that I expect will be fulfilled by God since they are in His word and are promises in the Bible.  God cannot lie.

The devil is a deceiver, a liar, and loves causing divisions in families.  This is a way that the family can bless one another instead of being used by the devil in cursing one another.  It is a way that can help bring more unity to the family because as you speak the blessings over your loves ones, it is causing a closer knit in your heart for that person as well.  It not only changes the atmosphere around you, but it changes the atmosphere inside of you, in your mind and in your heart and in your spirit.  Below are the new set of blessings for you to pray over your loved ones.  I've changed it only to make it as if you are saying it to the person directly.

List of Blessings:

*  Ps. 112:2A - May your descendants be powerful in the land.

*  Ps. 112:2B - May your generation of the upright be blessed.

*  Ps. 112:3A - May wealth and riches be in your house.

*  Ps. 112:3B - May your righteousness endure forever.  (We are made righteous in Christ)

*  Ps. 112:5    - May good will come to you who lends generously & conducts business fairly.

*  Ps. 112:6A - May you never be shaken.

*  Ps. 112:6B - May you be a righteous man (woman) who will be remembered forever.

*  Ps. 112:7A - May you not fear bad news.

*  Ps. 112:7B - May your heart be confident, trusting in the Lord.

*  Ps. 112:8    - May your heart be assured; that you will not fear.  

                         So, in the end you will look in triumph on your enemies.

*  Ps. 112:9A  - May you distribute freely to the poor; May your righteousness endure forever.  

*  Ps. 112:9B  - May your horn (a symbol of strength, power, & dignity) be exalted in honor.

*  Isa. 11:2A   - May the Spirit of the Lord rest on you.

*  Isa. 11:2B   - May a Spirit of wisdom & understanding, a Spirit of counsel & strength, 

                          a Spirit of knowledge & of the fear of the Lord rest on you.

I pray that the Lord may bless you abundantly above all that you can ask or even imagine in this upcoming new year as you walk with Him and seek His face continually.

Be Blessed my friends, Be Blessed!

Coincidence... or Providence.... 

Anything new under the sun?

I came across this excellent information from AmazingFacts.org.  I thought it was rather exceptional to say the least!

AN AMAZING FACT:  Have you ever noticed some uncanny similarities between Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy?

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.	John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Lincoln was elected President in 1860.	Kennedy was elected President in 1960
Lincoln’s wife lost a child while living in the White House.	Kennedy’s wife lost a child while living in the White House.
Lincoln had a secretary named Kennedy who urged him not to go to the theater.	Kennedy had a secretary named Lincoln who urged him not to go to Dallas.
Lincoln was shot in the back of the head in the presence of his wife.	Kennedy was shot in the back of the head in the presence of his wife.
Lincoln was shot in the Ford’s Theatre.	Kennedy was shot in a Lincoln made by Ford.
The name Lincoln contains seven letters.	The name Kennedy contains seven letters.
Lincoln was killed on a Friday and assassinated by a Southerner.	Kennedy was killed on a Friday and assassinated by a Southerner.
Lincoln’s assassin was known by three names, John Wilkes Booth, comprised of fifteen letters.	Kennedy’s assassin was known by three names, Lee Harvey Oswald, comprised of fifteen letters.
Booth shot Lincoln in a theater and fled to a warehouse.	Oswald shot Kennedy from a warehouse and fled to a theater.
Booth was killed before being brought to trial.	Oswald was killed before being brought to trial.
Lincoln’s successor was Andrew Johnson, born in 1808.	Kennedy’s successor was Lyndon Johnson, born in 1908.

Are these coincidences? Probably, but did you know that the Bible teaches that history does have a tendency to repeat itself? Solomon once wrote, “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, ‘See, this is new’? It has already been in ancient times before us” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10).

KEY BIBLE TEXTS

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

Step Out Of The Boat!

I came across a great morning devotion by Joyce Meyer. It really impressed me because it is challenging me to 'step out of the boat and into the water'. It is challenging me to not be stagnant where I had been but to conquer whatever is in my way so that I move on. So, I challenge you today... is there something that prevents you from moving forward or going on or succeeding or getting through or holding you back... Step out of the boat. I want to share it with you all.

Daily Devotional Oct 10 2018
Posted on October 10, 2018 by Joyce_Meyer

It’s Your Time
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
—Matthew 14:30

The boat of my past that I needed to step out of was the childhood sexual abuse I suffered. I felt as though my dad stole my childhood, and I was so mistreated. I was bitter about the people who should have helped me and didn’t, and then there were the “could haves” and “would haves” and “wish I had.”

In my 30s, I was still taking it out on everybody who had anything to do with it. I didn’t trust men and had a chip on my shoulder. I was miserable, but I sat in the boat.

I remember how afraid I was when God told me that I was going to have to confront my dad about the sexual abuse of my childhood, because I was petrified of my father. The fear was rooted so deeply in me, even after I had been away from it for years. Whenever I would be around him or anyone who had a personality like his, I would feel the knot of fear come up in my gut.

Finally, God got in my face and said, “Look, you can be pitiful or you can be powerful.” Jesus was walking by my boat, and it was time to walk on water.

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You that You won’t let me sink when I step out in obedience and deal with issues in my life. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I want to repeat that Amen, which basically means 'so be it'... or I agree and will do it!  How about you?  Are you willing to step out of the boat?  Just do it?!