Tag Archives: doubt

Being Destroyed from the Inside Out

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Japanese beattle on rose

I Corinthians 3:16 – 17

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”

I HATE, HATE, HATE Japanese Beetles!!! Can I say it again, I HATE JAPANESE BEETLES!!! They destroy everything in their path but they love roses. NASTY LITTLE CRITTERS!!! Okay, I feel better.

Japanese beetles grow underground where you can’t see them and hatch in late spring, early summer when my roses start to bud and bloom. They fly, crawl and have a hard shell which makes them difficult to kill. They get inside the rose buds or underneath the rose leaves and eat my roses from the inside out.  I can check my roses in the morning and they will look fine but, when I go out to look at them later the same day they have holes straight through the heart of them.

When I first moved to Maryland and started caring for my roses I didn’t know what Japanese beetles were because I didn’t have to deal with them in California or Texas. I was talking to a friend one day and telling him about this bug that was eating my roses and nothing I used got rid of them. He identified the pest and told me to get some Sevin and that would do the trick. That afternoon I went to a nursery and picked some up. My friend was correct. As soon as I started spraying my roses with Sevin the beetles began to fly away and die.

Now that I’ve lived in Maryland for over 20 years I know how to deal with the beetles. As soon as the humidity starts, I begin two-a-day spraying; once in the morning and again in the evening. The humidity seems to be the trigger for the beetles to come out and destroy.

We have things that are eating us from the inside out. Things like hate, envy, jealousy, pride, low self-esteem and feeling less than are just a few things that eat at our spirit persons.  There is also the spirit of control, you have to control everything and everyone or everything is wrong. Then there’s a competitive spirit, you have to win and be first in everything even when no one else knows there’s a completion underway.  The list of things eating us from the inside out goes on and on but there are three solutions; The Word of God, prayer and professional help.

We need to identify the triggers that cause our internal bugs to start their eating frenzy within us. We need to pay attention to our feeling and emotions when this happens, also called self-awareness and we need to spray our internal bugs with the God’s word and prayer. If necessary, we need to seek professional help to deal with our internal bugs. It’s okay! The goal is to kill that which is destroying you from the inside out.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other; so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:16 – 17

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They’re Baaack!!!

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Ephesians 6 12

Romans 6:6 – 7

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”

It’s easy for me to get discouraged when I’m doing something new and old problems, issues and even some old people seem to pop up in the midst of my new stuff. It’s just like weeds popping up in my yard in the same places that I’ve evicted them no too long ago. The truth is I evicted them but I couldn’t eradicate them.

I worked hard to get rid of the weeds and grass from my new rose bed. I dug, pulled and trenched around the new bed so I could remove the unwanted stuff and keep it out. Unfortunately, after a heavy rain, the weeds are back and the grass is trying to return to where it used to live.

I looked out the window of my home office and saw weeds and grass growing and all I could think was, “they’re baaack!!!”

I was feeling sad, frustrated, let down and discouraged. All my heard work down the drain, then, I resigned myself to the truth; this is going to be an ongoing battle, not a one time effort. So, I went out, grabbed my garden tools and headed to the yard. This means war!!!

The same scenario is true when we start obeying God and begin to live our lives according to His will. We dig up doubt, fear, concerns about money, unforgiveness, past pains and disappointments. We dig up the pain of hurt feelings, envy and jealousy, guilt and shame. We pull them out, remove and evict them from the soil of our hearts with fasting, prayer, reading and studying God’s Word. We think we’re good, and then one day something or someone sends rain on our lives. Before we know it, we are battling the same weeds we removed from our lives because we evicted them but did not eradicate them.

We must resign ourselves to this truth: This is a never-ending battle! We will continue to contend with fear, doubt, guilt, shame, etc. as long as we live in these bodies. The good news is we have already won the war through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

So grab your spiritual gardening tools; your Bible, your favorite Christian authors’ books and Bible studies. Turn down your plate or, turn off the television or your computer and get to work clearing out those weeds. This means war!!!

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

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Weeds or Roses

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Good as Gold
Matthew 13:24 – 28

‘“Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.  When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.  “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’  “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.”’
For the last few days I have been working in my backyard. This year I decided to plant roses in the back portion of my yard which meant I had to removed grass and weeds from the place where I wanted to roses to go.

I hate weeds and they are always around! I had to use a small pitchfork and hoe in order to loosen the weeds so I could pull them out by hand because I needed to remove the roots of the weeds. It has taken me two hours a day for three days, to area clear the grass and weeds and, I’m not done yet.

A big problem with converting an area this has been allowed to grow weeds unchecked is the roots of the weeds have a head start over my roses. The roots of the weeds are mature and well established while the roots of my roses are new and immature. If I allow the roots of the weeds to remain in place they will overtake my roses and choke them out.

We have weeds that have been planted in our hearts and minds. Our weeds have been planted by the words of others. Then, without our consent, the weeds in our hearts and minds talk to us when we true to do something new.  Our weeds say things like; “You’re not good enough.” “You will never make it, you just aren’t that smart.” You’re ugly/fat/too tall/too short, etc.” “You can’t do anything right.” “They will never accept you.”

On and on the weeds our enemies have planted in us lie to us. YES! They lie to us in an effort to choke out God’s purpose for our lives. In John 10:10 Jesus says, ‘“The thief comes ONLY to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”’ The enemies job was to kill our lives; destroy our dreams, chock out our hope and dash our desires for greater against the rocks of their lies. Our job is to plant and cultivate God’s word in our hearts and minds, which will uproot and destroy the weeds of the enemy.

It is time to take back our land that has been overrun by weeds. It’s time to uproot the lies we have been told down through the years and replace them with the truth of God. Then and only then, will we blossom, even in the wilderness.

Isaiah 35:1-2a

“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.  It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing…”
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Coming Out of Someone Else’s Normal, Into My Destiny – II

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failure success decision

 

Romans 8:29 – 30

“For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified he also glorified.”

No one wants to get to the end of their live and consider themselves a failure. In fact, most people don’t want to fail at anything they endeavor to do. But, do we feel the same way about fulfilling our God-given purpose? Are we willing to fail at what God has predestined us to do in order to fit into someone else’s box? Are we willing to forego our calling so we can be liked? Are we willing to neglect our predestination in order to get along with others? Are we willing to fail God so others can feel good about us?

In every family everyone has a role. Some of us are the “go to” person. You know, the one everyone calls when things are falling apart. The one everyone expects to have all the answers and take care of everything even when it’s not their responsibility. Then you have the “baby” of the family. Not that they are a baby or the youngest in the family, they just act like a helpless, hapless baby. They expect to be taken care of by everyone else because that’s their role. And of course, you have the irresponsible one. We all have them in our families, they are the ones that no one can count on for anything, and usually, they are the lazy one that does nothing but expects a share of, or a free ride to, everything that goes on in the family.

But what if your family role was not the role God has appointed for you? Are you willing to give up the role your family expects you to play in order to fulfill your God given appointment?

Sometimes, we are called out of our current situation and into our destiny like David, but other times, we’ve got to walk into our destiny in spite of what others may think or say.  We’ve got to know that if God called us to our destiny, He’s made the way for us to fulfill our call and, our gifts will make room for us.

Are you struggling with knowing you’re more than others give you credit for?  Or, are you fighting within yourself to move past your fears and reach for the unknown because you know that God has ordained greater for you?

If you answered to either of these questions is “yes” then you have a bigger question to answer; Are you willing to be a failure in God’s plan for you, rather than being the success He’s already ordained you to be?

The biblical meaning of success is summed up in Acts 20:24 “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Not succeeding at our God-given task means hundreds, possibility thousands or event millions of lives will not affected by the eternity plan that is in you.

To fail or to succeed, the decision is yours.

 

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Prayer for Today

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bookends

May 22, 2015

Father, everyday Your children have a spiritual choice to make; whether we’re going to operate with Your bookends of grace and mercy or, if we’re going to operate with Satan’s bookends of fear and doubt.

Your bookends hold together Your Word, Your promises, faith, love and hope in our lives. Satan’s bookends hold despair, depression, hopelessness, anger and anxiety for our lives. The choice of what bookends we want in our lives is ours, individually, to make.

Lord, help us as we make the wise choice to live under Your blessings and evict fear and doubt out of our hearts, minds and spirits by utilizing Your Word of truth just as Jesus did on the Mount of Temptation.

Father, help us as we accept everything that comes with living under Your blessings for our lives. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture references:

Deuteronomy 11:26 – 28

Matthew 4:1 – 11

 

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Prayer for Today

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God whisper

April 8, 2015

Father God there are so many voices vying for my attention. Often the voices I need to pay attention to are drowned out by the loud voices that I should pay the least amount of attention. Help me Lord!

Father the external loud voices are usually people who want something from me. These voices usually come from marketers and advertisers who want to tell me how I should look, how I should feel or what I should eat, drink or wear. They want me to know what their pill or drug can do for me. All these voices lead me to believe I’m just now good enough the way I am.

Father, on the other hand, my internal loud voices are usually my low esteem, my past failures, my fears and doubts, which all lend themselves to my ability to have paralysis through analysis. I end up getting stuck where I don’t want to be but I can’t move because all I hear are the loud voices screaming at me. Help me Lord!

Father God these voices yell at me daily! I often listen to them more than I listen to Your still small voice that is gently whispering Your truth to me. Help me Father to pull away from all the loud voices so I can hear from Your through Your Word, through prayer and meditation.

Father, I want to set aside time during the day to shut out all the loud voices just so I can hear from You. This is my sincere, earnest and heartfelt pray I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture references:

I King 19:11 – 12

Matthew 14:23

John 10:27

Romans 10:17

 

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Prayer for Today

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Feed faithLenten season challenge: Read the scriptures that are referenced at the bottom of each prayer every day during this Lenten season!

 

March 6, 2015

Father, I know that without faith it is impossible to please You, but doubt often come in and shakes my faith in You. Before I know it I’m playing the “what if” game. I’m coming up with “Plan B” just in case You don’t show up on time or You don’t fix the problem the way I think it should be fixed.

I cause myself anxiety; fear or I’m placing the blame on myself or someone else which causes me to be angry, ashamed or feeling guilty. None of this gives me peace, joy or contentment which means it’s not from You and it is not how You purposed me to live my life. Forgive me!

In the midst of me causing myself turmoil because my faith in You waivers, Your faithfulness towards me never waivers. Thank You!

Lord, I need You to not only rebuke the storms that are brewing in my live but I need You to calm the storm of doubt, fear and unbelief that is developing in me. Father, Your word says if I have faith in You, nothing will be impossible to me. Please help my unbelief.

Help me live by my faith in You; not in man, not in the world system, only You. In Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture references:

Psalm 3:5 – 6                     Matthew 17:20

Psalm 118:8                        Mark 9:23 – 24

Isaiah 26:3                          II Corinthians 5:7

Isaiah 40:27 – 29             II Timothy 2:13

Matthew 6:30                  Hebrews 11:6

 

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Prayer for Today

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Not staying where you are  Lenten season challenge: Read the scriptures that are referenced at the bottom of each prayer every day during this Lenten season!

February 25, 2015

Lord free me for joyful obedience. Not just today but every day of my life. I’m tired of walking down one wrong path after another. I’m sick of allowing my emotions to guide me in ways that You did not design for me.

I’m asking you to free me from guilt, shame, pride, low esteem and procrastination. Do not allow doubt, fear or uncertainty to stop me from moving forward in You and for You. Help me release my past failures and my shortcomings and embrace Your call on my life.

Father, nothing that has happened to me is more important than what You’re calling me to be and accomplish for the kingdom of God. I know it is by faith that I will please you and it is by faith that you will bless me as I work to renew my mind. Releasing the old and embracing Your word as my compass and my guide.

Do not forsake me Lord! I am working to change and I am Your handiwork in the process of being more like Your son. Let Your word work in me and change me from the inside out. In Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture references:

Deuteronomy 28:2        John 16:13 – 15

Psalm 25:8 – 9                  John 17:17

Proverbs 20:24                Romans 7:21 – 25

Ecclesiastes 3:11              Romans 8:1 – 2

Isaiah 58:9 – 11

 

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Not Mine! All His! Part I

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“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” II Timothy 1:6 -10 (NIV)

In common vernacular, Paul was telling Timothy, who was timid person, “You’ve got to come out of that timidity and do what God has called you to do. Don’t allow your gifts to smolder and slowly burn out. No! Fan them into a flame so people can see them burn. You can’t hide what God has given you. Get out of your comfort zone! God didn’t save you, empower you and give you His grace so you can hide! No! You’ve got to get into the battle!

When we give God our minds, bodies and spirits we are saying we no long lay claim to ourselves. Everything about us, strengths, weaknesses, insecurities, pride, gifts, talents and even our fears are not ours anymore; they belong to God.

Nothing we call ours is ours any more. Our spouses, children, homes, jobs, all our belongings belong to God. Everything God has given us is at His disposal to teach, correct or bless us. In other words, we don’t have the authority to tell God “no” any more. Everything God says goes!

Stop fighting God! Staying in your comfort zone is not an option any more. We have to let the light of our gifts shine knowing they are going to attract good and bad attention. We’re going to have fight against our internal enemies and our external foes in order to fulfill our destinies.

It’s time for us to stop sitting on the sidelines watching others fight their fight of faith. It’s time for everyone to get into the battle! Are you ready?Sword Sharper than Two Edge Sword

Hold On Part II

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Ice age squirrel holding on

Hold On – Part II

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, ‘Never will I leave your; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”’ Hebrews 13:5 – 6

God has told us that he will never leave us; he will always be with us. This is why we don’t have to seek after the things of the world system. We don’t have to love money, fortune or fame. We don’t have to give up our morals nor ethics in order to fit in with the world. We don’t have to go along to get along with everyone else because God the father has made us a promise; ‘I will never leave your; never will I forsake you.’

This means as children of God we can stand and fight just like the Israelites stood and fought at Jericho, using unorthodox methods by the world’s standards. Who marches around a fortified wall and sings in order to bring the wall down? Who show’s love and compassion to the people who are trying to take their jobs, their home or their car? Those who trust in God do because we know, God is with us!

We can hold on when it looks like all is lost because we have confidence that our God is not only with us, but he’s for us! We can be strong and courageous, unswerving and stout-hearted because we know that no matter what happens God is standing beside us to care for us.

Even in the most desperate or difficult times we can keep our lives free from the love of worldly things  and be content with what God has given us because we know that God will provide for all our needs according to his riches in glory through his son, Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:19).

Proverbs 19:23 says it like this: “The fear (respect) of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” If we respect the truths of God; that he is with us at all times, that he will supply our needs and that no one can do anything to us that God hasn’t ordained, then we can rest untouched by trouble!

DO NOT GIVE UP NOW! God has been and will continue to be with you.  He sees what you’re going through and he’s right beside you to help you through it. This is not the time or place to give up!  Just keep your eyes fixed on Jesus because he is walking right in front of you; The Holy Spirit is leading, guiding and directing you down the correct path for you. Remember Gods’ hook, “Hold on, I’m here!”