Let's Get Ready To Rumble!

I can hear the famous announcer in the ring now yelling those famous words; "Let's get ready to rumble!" I know I've been in a fight with an unseen apponent.  So picture if you will a boxing match ring with people all around the outside seats.  I am in one corner and noone is in the other. The bell rings and I head to the center and start swinging at the air with my sword, the word of God, instead of boxing gloves. I keep getting hit though by an unseen apponent.   I am hit to the ground, the referee starts counting, it looks like I am TKO'd, but wait God says to me, "get up! You can do this with Me. You don't have to fight alone!" So I get up and win this battle.
Just recently I have felt knocked down. I had the wind knocked out of me when a very close friend thought the worst of me. I was hurt, shocked, and ready to call it quits on my calling from God.  However, I realized where I made a mistake in a decision I made and decided to get up for another try.
I may not be the smartest fighter in the ring, but I don't have to be. I just need to learn from my mistakes as I make them.
It doesn't matter how many times I fall down at the count, it matters how many times I get back up.
-we don't fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities,  against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual ghost of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengths me.
So just for today, I am getting back in the fight for Jesus' kingdom.

~ Be encouraged, I am!

Eph 6:12; Phil 4:13

In Everything!

There are those that struggle with these holiday times; such as myself. This poem helped me and if you are struggling maybe it will help you too.

In Everything

Sometimes I don’t feel thankful

For things You send my way

For all the pain and trouble 

That crossed my path today.

Sometimes I’m not so grateful

When sorrow fills my cup

When all my hopes and blessings

Feel totally used up.

When friendships fade

Promises break

And treasures disappear

When all the trials around me

Fill my heart with fear.

But in everything 

I will give thanks

For this I know is true

That all these trials and troubles, Lord,

They bring me close to you.

-Jackson Monroe-

Making a gratitude list helps in this time of year because it has helped me. 

Gratitude list:

1) The roof over my head

2) The clothes on my back

3) My eyesight 

4) Working fingers, toes, knees, feet, and hands

5) Hearing

6) Dog Sadie Mae

7) Able to work in God's ministries as I am

8) Food 

9) flushing toilets

10) pillow and  blankets

Now you use these items or make your own and start at scratch. 

Shout! Really, Come On!

How many times have you shouted at someone across the parking lot? Have you shouted at your kids or other family member?
When was the last time you shouted to the Lord? I had not attended a worship service in over a month. This one particular Sunday, I woke up early to talk the Lord over a cup of hot coffee. As I was sitting in bed waiting for Him to talk to me, I heard; "Get up and go to church." Like a child I whined at His comment, "But I don't want to." He said, "Go to church to praise me for I am the reason you should go." Well I pulled myself out of bed and into the hot shower. As I began to get dressed, I decided to go to church and have a date with Jesus.  Here we go.
I was welcomed by my fellow brothers and sisters. It was like having a family reunion. The greetings were warm and inviting because when they said they missed me and were glad to see me, I felt their genuine love. The hugs were warm and inviting like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold windy day. It really melted my heart and overwhelmed me with a blessing from heaven.
The teaching was on praising God. Psalm 100:1 "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!"
Our pastor instructed us to do him a favor by standing up. He divided the church into five sections, next he instructed us that as he pointed to each section we were to shout to the Lord "Praise the Lord!" We went the first round and everyone in the congregation seemed a little uncomfortable as the shouts were not as loud as they could have been.
So, our pastor instructed us to try again. The next time around we were to raise our hands, shout, and shout loud. This time, he pointed in random rounds and the shouts and praises got louder and stronger. When the section was weak, he let us know it with love. It was exhilarating, refreshing, and cheerful.
Isn't that how church services are supposed to be though?
Most of us on Sunday mornings dread getting out of bed because it's our one day off. We go to church because it is in our routine. But God is so extra-ordinary, worthy to be praised, worth us SHOUTING His name. Yet, we are too good to do it.
There are many reasons why we should "Shout to the Lord!"  His name is above ALL names, He provides for our every need, He leads us into peace, He guides us to make right decisions, He keeps us from harm when we don't even know it, and He died for us so we would escape the claws of sin and death.
Singing a hymn gives Him praise, turning on your radio (91.3 Hope FM) and singing praise and worship songs to Him about Him must please His heart. He wants to hear from you and me through our prayers and praise.
So as you are driving along in your car, vacuuming for the tenth time, or working long hours, take time to shout to the Lord praises for ALL He has done for you. This is the time of season for us to reflect on what we are thankful for, so take time to thank the One that has given you All that you have.

~Be encouraged by knowing there are those on the street that do not have what you have; be thankful for the small things as well. 

Bah Humbug! ~ What Is The Meaning of This Season?

I must be getting older because I am becoming the Ebenezer Scrooge of my life. Although I am not greedy, white knuckled, or angry with the world I am not looking forward to this season of having a happy face when I am not feeling happy. It may be that I am getting older, the hormones might be shifting, and life just is not as it use to be.  Soon families will gather together as a family reunion. Songs will be sung, hot chocolates and home baked goodies made while the kids are playing, the men are watching television and the ladies are in the kitchen busy or out shopping.
My heart is crying over to the ones that don't have anyone. The elders of the church  that families are no longer near, the widowed wife and orphaned children, the homeless and poor that are trying their best to put a smile on their face and push through their pain.
I've often tried to make new traditions and stick to them yet that has not happened. I've tried to say that decorating the house isn't as important as the true meaning of the holidays.
I know people that concentrate more on the commercial side of the holidays and others that want to take Christmas out of the world. What a struggle!
This is not a surprise to God, just us. Now, go and make the best of it!
"Make the best of it?" That is difficult to do when we live in a world that is all about "ME."
It is difficult too when your family doesn't want to include you in their festivities and you don't want to impose on other's family time. I am truly trying to find the happy medium as my heart struggles with the insanity.
Perhaps it is a need to get back to the basics and ask "what does this season mean to me?" or "What does this season mean to you?"
I know that my Lord's purpose was to live and die for me and you. I know that the story of Mary and Joseph was a great provision for what faith can do. I know that we should always give good will towards men, not just during this season. I know that Emmanuel came as a reminder that no one is alone.
It is easy to say what this season is not about, but why ponder on the negative? I can say that I am grateful to see families lives change for the better. I pray that they take this season and truly celebrate it with joy and laughter through tears for the greatness done in their lives.

So just for today, my 'Bah humbug!" attitude is altering to "God Bless Us Everyone!"

~Be encouraged to make good memories that will last a life time and record them so they become your treasures!

Ready to Call It Quits?

So you have had enough? You are sick and tired of being sick and tired. You go to school, hold a full time job, and you have child to care for; along with seeing no end in sight.
Wouldn't it be nice if life gave you a hint of good news coming? Wouldn't it just make your day if you knew the reason why you go through your trials? This would help you push through right? Someone please tell me why I keep doing what I am doing and what the outcome is going to be!
Joshua was told by God to march around the city of Jericho once and then six times. He also told Joshua what was going to happen; the outcome. Next, Joshua called the men of valor and told them to march around the city. However, Joshua did not tell them the number of times nor the outcome as God did to Joshua.
Why did Joshua keep this from his men?
Reading the story, it does not say. However, it does express how the power of God showed up through their obedience. God received the glory and not Joshua. 
Perhaps the reason you are going through your crisis of belief is because God wants to show his mighty power in your life to receive the glory. There is always a higher reason and lesson for the crisis you go through.

~ Be encouraged to press through your life atruggle for the victory is just around the corner. Obedience is your key to success.

Hanging With Doubting Debbie

You would not be human if you didnt hang out with Doubting Debbie once in a while. She sometimes doubts Jesus' capability to work miracles, signs, and wonders. There are people still today who proclaim Jesus is not who He says He is nor can do what He says He can do.
I mean, why should we get our hopes up and expect God to grant us an answered prayer request we've prayed about for years? It would be natural for us to doubt God's power and involvement in our lives, right?

I resolve to not doubt God's capability to take my cup and fill it up.
I resolve to not doubt God's capability to give me the fullness of life He wants me to have.
He wants me to experience joy, love, peace, companionship, and life exceedingly and abundantly above what I think or imagine.
I do not want to resist the truth. God is capable of making a new creation in me.
I refuse to stop believing and seeing Jesus work in my life.
God's mighty strong hand is upon my life and He has great plans for me.

I hope that if you are in a season of your life that you doubt God, you will speak the affirmations above and change your stinking thinking.

~Be encouraged;  God can change your doubt into faith when you decide to stop hanging out with Doubting Debbie. Why not hang out with Fabulous Faith?

Girl's Got Attitude!

Remember that day when your anger reared up and you were ready to just give that girl a piece of your mind? Did you see those two girls on "Cops" get into each others face and were ready to begin that cat fight?
Perhaps you are a guardian of a child and you gave instruction for them to do a chore and instead of a polite response, they gave you attitude?
We've all been ready to respond with an unkind word, reared up into someone's face, or even just get an attitude because life didn't go our way.
I recently thought of someone in my life that gets an attitude when things don't go her way. Often times, she smacks her lips, swerves her neck with attitude and makes her mouth go crooked. Instead of pulling her arm and fist back to give a sucker punch; she lets her tongue give the lashings instead. This girl really gets an attitude. Then, later in the day, week, and month or in life; she remembers what she said and realizes just how hurtful her words were. Sometimes her mouth has gotten her into trouble such as time out in the corner or even placed in a jail cell for time out.  Man can our tongues get us into trouble or what?

It is possible to live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers (and sisters), be compassionate and humble. We do not need to repay evil for evil or insult with insult but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Now that is my kind of response I want. I will take a blessing over a curse any day.
God tells us these words and more about how to live a life of good.
Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.  He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

You may not believe in that Jesus Christ came as the Son of God, died on the cross for your sins, nor rose from the grave on the third day nor ascended into heaven and sits at the seat of judgment. However, one day your knee will bow and your tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.

I don't know about you, however, I want long days of good and not evil.  I feel like crap when I talk negative to or about others. I don't feel good when being in fights with others. I would rather tell my enemy that I love them than fight with them. I would rather show kindness to them rather than point my finger at them and tell them what a poor sucker they are. Kicking someone is not my idea of fun and I hope you will consider how it would feel if your enemy kicks you.  It won't feel good. So why not stop the entire attitude you throw around?  Why not pray for your enemy and your attitude?  Why not try for one day showing compassion and humble yourself to goodness and mercy?  I promise you will feel better than the stinking thinking you hold onto when you smack your lips and swerve your head to make that ugly face.

If it was possible, would you want to make that face, have someone slap you on the back and you were stuck with that facial expression for the rest of your life?
 I hope not, but our words and actions are important and love should over take you regardless of who you get an attitude with.  So the next time you are ready to show your butt off, I hope you will consider the outcome before you even begin showing evil for evil and insult to insult.

What you wear doesn't matter, but what you say matters and how you say it matters even more. What you wear on the inside shows on the outside.  What book are you allowing others to read out of yourself?

~ Be Encouraged