Sword Fighting

Psalm 45:3-4
3 O warrior, strap your sword to your side
with your splendor and majesty.
4 Ride on victoriously in your majesty
for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness.
Let your right hand teach you awe-inspiring things.

God has soooo many awe-inspiring things to show us in life. We are blessed to be able to ride in the presence of His Majesty victoriously. However in order for us to fully receive those blessings and those awe-inspiring things, we need to live truthful, humble, and righteous lifestyles. In order to do this we need to know how. The best way to learn how to live a right life with Christ is to read His word. By strapping ourselves with the word of God and taking up the Sword of Truth we can separate truth from lies. Satan is always trying to trick us into thinking a certain way or believing in something that is not of God. Sometime Satan even uses our friends or loved ones to get us to question God's will. Well, it is much easier to discern what awe-inspiring things God has for your life when you stay in His word.

Today I had a pretty rough day I was faced with some choices to make about how I would respond to stressful things. I had the opportunity to have a very negative attitude. However, I know the bible tells us to be humble and live righteously. I prayed to God and asked my boyfriend to pray for me as well. I really needed help from God to get through my day. He got me through I was able to act the right way and not let my feelings control what attitude I took. I was allowing God to control my attitude instead. Being in God's word is INCREDIBLY important. I call myself a Christ follower and I need to show people that I know what choices to make. My actions reflect the King of kings that is seated on the throne of my heart. In ALL things I need to honor Him. That is why I have my sword.

You can know your word too! Start by memorizing some key scriptures. I hope this blog will help you to have your sword ready as well!

Keep Fighting!

Micah 6:8
You mortals, the LORD has told you what is good. This is what the LORD requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God.

Keep in His Step

Psalm 45:2
You are fairer than the children of men; graciousness is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.

A friend of mine posted a scripture today about the beatitudes. When we read the beatitudes we forget that everything being described was what Christ Himself practiced. When we say we are followers of Christ we say that we are willing to live life after Him. Practicing the virtues that Christ possessed only helps you. The more we learn about Christ the more we get to learn about His ways. The more we learn about His ways the more likely we are to start acting like Him. The more we learn about God the more godly we become. That is why it important to read God's word and put His word into practice. Let's practice today and remember that we want to be like Christ and keep in His step.

Galations 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

The Power of Praise

Psalm 45:1
Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the King, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.

Have you ever had so much praise in your heart that it was just welling up inside and overflowing? Well David did and there have been times when a lot of people have. It's incredible listening to a praise and worship song and realizing someone wrote those words to honor and glorify God. What is your favorite worship song? Think about how meaningful the words are. God's words are far more precious than our words can ever be. However, He delights when we praise Him. In fact, our praise is our offering and God loves an offering. Our praise to Him is like a nice juicy steak being roasted on a fire... as we pour out what is inside of us the aroma goes up to God's nostrils and He loves it so much. It pleases Him greatly. I want to encourage you that if God has given you the gift of words... use them. If God has given you a passion for writing poetry and music whatever He gave you a passion for... do it for Him!

A couple years ago I was prophecized over at a campus ministry. The message from God for me was to keep writing songs and poems but that I was never to sing them to people. I didn't quite understand this. Now I do as I'm older. They are to glorify and honor Him and He wants it to be like a personal love letter that shouldn't be shared because it is just "that" intimate. There is no fear of others and what they will think... it is just a personal thing for God. Occasionally I publish some of my poems but I only publish ones that I believe will help people through some difficult times. I do that also to honor God.

There is this man who plays the saxaphone at my church and sometimes the Holy Spirit annoints him so much he will just go at it. It is amazing to watch and honestly I doubt that he realizes anyone is watching him. It is such a blessing to see him give his all his gift to God and hear how wonderful it is. Sometimes if I close my eyes and just listen and let the Holy Spirit move through me... I hear it close to as beautifully as God hears it and it overwhelms me.

True worship is beautiful. Give your all to Him and let Him flow through you today. Don't care about the crowd.

Psalm 50:3
But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.

Are You a Martha or a Mary?

Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

In this season when we entertain family and friends it is very easy to get caught up in preparing things and doing a lot of busy work. Sometimes we may even accidentally ignore our guests while we clean up or cook. There are just sometimes when we need to take a break from our responsibility and get into God's presence. Have you ever had one of those days where you felt like you were on fast forward. You may not remember the last time you got to sit down? Well, this story can help you. God doesn't want us to get so busy that we don't have enough time for Him. He will take care of things also. God will help you get those dishes done! You just need to trust Him! Be still and know He is God. Realize what is really important in life. See God through things. Remember God "never" gives you more than you can handle.

Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.

A Sure Sign

Psalm 121: 7-8
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

A couple months ago I was down in North Carolina visiting family for my dad and my aunt's birthday. We had an amazing time but half way down we were faced with a problem. The ABS, cruise control, and several other things in the Jeep started malfunctioning. My dad was "not" happy. Sometimes when my dad gets upset about things not only does his "spirit" get heavy but his foot does also. Well, we were going down a hill and my dad stepped on his breaks. On the sides of the road were ditches. The tires screeched and the car skidded fast. I was grabbing onto anything I could for dear life. We just stopped right in front of a sign. A sign that said "Jesus Saves". WOW was my family thankful for that reminder. Even when we are foolish and maybe even get an attitude with God He still rescues us He still watches over us and keeps us safe. He loved us so much He sent His Son to die for us. If He loved us that much why wouldn't you expect Him to do "anything" to keep you safe. This is "your" sign and it's a big one. God loves you! He wants to show you He can keep you safe. No matter what way your foot slips He will keep you from falling if you just lean on Him.

Psalm 66:9
Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

Feeling Burnt?

Psalm 121
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

God is our protector. Think about a hot summer day when you went to the beach. What did you need? Did you need sunscreen? I wear this big pink hat with a big white flower on it. It's sort of become a trademark where I used to work. However, I don't wear it to look cute or goofy. I wear it because if I don't I get fried by the overwhelming rays of the sun. Well, sometimes things in life can be a bit overwhelming also. God is there with his hand shading us and protecting us. He's making sure no harm comes to us so we can rest assured and put our hope and trust in Him. If you are like me and can only use sunblock that is for babies because you are very sensitive... rest assure God knows exactly how sensitive you are because He created you. He made you the way you are and He will not let harm come to something He created with a purpose.

How can we make sure we are protected so we don't "burn"? Well, study God's word. No I mean really study it don't just read it... breathe live eat it. Also make sure you pray. Pray in tongues! Keep praying until something amazing happens. AND HAVE FAITH! Even when things happen that you didn't expect. God DOES have a plan for everything you may not see it right away but it's there. Trust Him and know that you are protected and able to go out there and start shimmering and showing people His love.

Psalm 18:2
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

He's Watching You

Psalm 121
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

God never sleeps... even when we sleep He watches over us. He never shuts His eyes or turns His back on us. Perhaps that might seem a bit creepy to you. Perhaps you would like a little privacy now and then. Well, what would you do that you wouldn't do in the open. When I think about my life being an "open book" I think well I need the accountability. If I live my life like someone is watching I know to stay out of trouble. It's when we try to hide ourselves and our actions that we get into trouble. We need to keep in the light and not stumble in the darkness. When we keep things where people can see them we have nothing to be ashamed of. No one can hold false things against us because there is always someone who is a witness. God is your witness all the time He sees what you do. Someday we will be accountable for our actions. Will God like how we lived our lives?

Think about it... is there anything today that you need to confess something maybe you do not want God or others to see? All it takes is repentance. When I repented things I kept in the dark I felt so free and light afterward. Don't stay stumbling pick yourself up and follow Him.

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.