Saturday, January 26, 2013

What are we really up against?? Written By: Katie Presser


Ephesians 6:10-13, Eph. 1:15-22
What she said hurt me....., why would he do that...., why did this happen? what did i do wrong?
Questions you ever have? Well, I have! Whether it is personal or what you have seen or heard on the news or in the newspaper or even on facebook. Ever wonder why some people do things of evil? Why your friend turned on you, or a coworker is just down right hateful to you especially when you try to show love or speak of your God? Do you wonder? I do. It hurts me to be treated harshly, or not listened to or to see others suffering. Why? How? Where do things of this world come from?
Lately this keeps coming to my mind over and over. Until, I sat down and study this, it would not ease up. This is what I was reminded of, Ephesians 6:10-13 and Ephesians 1:15-22.
So, lets just give these verses some of our attention for awhile and just see what God has in store for us, I know I have found a peace after studying this and I know there has to be others out there that ask the same questions I have been.
Epshesian 6:10-13 (NKJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ok, so what are we up against? Principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, yes Satan! This is the answer to all those questions. This is the evil force that is out to not only destroy God's Church, but to destroy each individual who seeks after the will of God. This evil finds its way thru human flesh that allows him (satan) the use of there own personal bodies to hurt others. Yes, from the whispering words of the coworkers to news reporting that we have lost prayer in school, the ten commandments being taken from a court house, o sisters I could go on and on with how the devil has been allowed to work in this world! But the point of this is, yes sister that's right, it is satan that we are up against, not the flesh and blood that stands before us!
So, what are we to do when this hurts our soul, when it angers mus or we feel confused?
We must first know, we are not against the flesh and blood, but the darkness that is ruling it. Second, know who has overcome that darkness.....
Ephesians 1: 20-21(NKJV) 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Third, He tells up to put on the Armour of God!
Ephesians 6:13-18(NKJV) 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
To protect ourselves of these evil, hurtful ways of satan. Yes, God has told us away, cause He knew we would face these things and being the loving God He is, He has gave us away to have comfort!
I am to put my Armour on EVERY DAY!
My Breastplate- Righteousness, know God loves me and I have been forgiven. I am His. My heart belongs to Him, don't let satan get to your heart, remind him(satan) every day that you are Gods and you are going to live for Him!
My Footgear- I am to spread Gods word and love even when satan trys to put doubt and fear into my mind. I am to walk for God every day and every where I may be,(that means even at work not just at church). Don't let the things of this world stand in your way, step over them with the footgear of Jesus! Keep on walkin'!
My Shield- Faith- remember Jesus has already won the battle. Seek Gods Way in every situation and rest assured that Gods will, will be done! Keep a Focus on Him. Sister surround yourself in His word!
My Helmet- Salvation- do not let satan bring doubt to your mind. Cherish that moment in your heart of when you let the holy spirit in and you let God change your life at that very moment. Know that he(satan) can not pluck you out of Gods hand (John 10:29).Sister, when you feel that doubt entering in, call upon His name, JESUS!
Sword- B I B L E, yes that's the book for me! Need I say more!!! Read it, study it, seek Gods word in every emotion you have,every situation you face, every tribulation that does and will rise in your life, be able to stand against the temptation, doubt, tribulations, false prophets. Yes sister, you will face these things. Yes sister, rest assured God knew that then and now and He has provided away for us in this world! Seek Him, Hunger for Him, Trust in Him, and Talk to Him!
Colossians 2:15(NKJV) Having disarmed principalities and powers. He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Yes Sister Jesus has Won the battle, so when you are up against these things remember where they came from, make sure you are wearing your Armour and know Christ has Won!



Written by a very dear friend of mine!!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then asked. "What's the point,grandmother?"

Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Read and write, NOT!!!

So I have discovered.... I enjoy reading blogs WAYYYY more than I do writing them!