Stand....and then keep standing..
     If you're gonna live for Christ you have to take the good, the bad and the ugly at times.  It's not a picture perfect rose garden free of thorns.   The enemy will try to trip you up when it seems that all is fine and dandy.  You see our enemy, the devil, is walking to and fro seeking whom he may devour, he's trying to steal, kill and destroy us.  He wants to see if we are gonna be able to withstand what he dishes out.  You just have to stand your ground and let him know that you have been given more, say it...MORE....authority than he has.  He roars, he calls names, he laughs at you, he brings your past back up as a movie screen sometimes, but you have to be strong, immovable and grounded so that he can't tear you down.   The Bible tells us to Stand therefore with our loins gird about with the gospel of truth.....that means you must quote the WORD to him.  Memorize the scriptures like Jesus did when He was being tempted by the devil.  Jesus had been fasting and no doubt was probably hungry, but when He spoke the word to him, Satan had to flee.  So when he tries to come against you with his bag of garbage just stand still, don't let him move you or shake you.  You are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ.  Satan is the loser and you are the winner.  

God's love is amazing.  His love and compassion for us is endless and His love never fails.  John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, would not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE.  That's life forever, beyond the grave, abundant life to the full!    Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice and shed his innocent blood so that we could live free from sin and sickness, diseases and poverty and so much more.  He died in our place.  He became the ultimate sacrifice for sin, but yet He knew no sin.   Do you know anybody that would lay down their life for you so willingly like that?   As I was ministering today in song, I saw the blood flowing down from the cross from our Savior.....He bled and died in my(your) place and His blood covers me(you).  There must be cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ in order for you to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Under no other name is there forgiveness of sin...............only by the blood of Jesus.

What can wash away my sin...........nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again......nothing but the blood of Jesus

Oh, precious is the flow................that makes me white as snow...
No other fount I know..................nothing but the blood of Jesus!

We need the presence of God more in our lives today than ever before.  There are so many that are hurting and drowning in depression, doubt and confusion.   Jesus came to give us life, to give us His love and forgiveness, healing and deliverance.  There is hope is Him and only in Him.  More than the air I breathe and the song I sing, I need Him more today than ever before.   Enjoy the video from one of my favorite singers....Kim Walker.

Faith is.........

Hold on tightly and don't let go, the one holding you will never let you go.   Jesus Saves 

Make a Joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!  Psalm 98:4

You know if there one thing that is certain...it's that God's love never changes and never fades away.  Even though sometimes you may feel that you've messed up and it seems that a truck load of trouble comes your way, God is always there in the midst of all the turmoil.   Look, we don't always get it right, we don't always feel saved or even filled with the power of the Holy Ghost!   But we are, I am.  The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus said I have come that you can have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, til it overflows) John 10:10.  God is a God, the Only True God,  of goodness, but He is also a God of justice and righteousness.   We are not wrestling against one another in this world, but we are wrestling with the spirits of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).   I am the mother of two teenagers......whewwww....is that hard sometimes.   One of which is disabled and non verbal so he doesn't give me much trouble, but the girl, oh how I love her, puts me through tremendous stress sometimes!   But I have to remember that the sinful nature that they are born with is what I'm dealing with.  We have to be strict and stand our ground on how we raise them, shape them and mold them into the image that God would have them to be.  Does that mean that our family is perfect and exempt from trouble??  No way Hosea!   But praise God, His love never changes, He is always there and He knows just how to handle things if, and I said If, we trust Him.  

Prayer:   Father, I thank you today that you love me and care for me.  When it seems that I feel less than qualified, you reassure me that You have it all under control and that I am more than a conqueror.   I am an overcomer, I am victorious, I am prosperous, I am a Great mother, a Loving wife and that you have all the confidence in me that I need.  If God be for me, who can be against me.  Thank you for trusting me with this great position as a pastor's wife and a Mom.  

Moms....you are a blessing and you are doing a great job in raising your kids.  Don't let the devil feed your mind with any less than that.  He only brings thoughts to torment you and bring you down. 

Dads... we couldn't do anything without your love and your protection.

Teens..... you will make it, these years are tough, and you must remain faithful and strong in the face of adversity.  We love you and we know you will turn out great! 

Jesus..... we will always, always be grateful for your loving kindness, for it is truly better than life.