Tag: Satan

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You Cannot Serve Two Masters

You Cannot Serve Two Masters

You Cannot Serve Two Masters. Every individual in our world will stand on one of two sides — the chosen and loyal under the blood-stained banner of Jesus, and all others under Satan’s banner.

The God of Christianity and the god of money are irreconcilably opposed.

There is to be no compromise with the powers of darkness. Individually we must take our stand. If we are not at war with the prince of darkness, the serpent, his folds encircle us and all our powers and his sting will be in our hearts.

All who range themselves under the blood-stained banner of the Jesus will henceforth count Satan as a deadly enemy, and will in God’s strength oppose him. They will take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

What should you do in order to hold your ground?

Pray always with supplication in the Spirit, and watching with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18).

We should be quick to discern danger. We should see the hateful character of sin and should expel it from the soul. The followers of the Word know that in Jesus there is strength, which becomes their own by faith. They are clothed with righteousness that God will accept, for it is the righteousness of Christ.

Clad in this armor of God, they successfully resist the Satan’s temptations. Not one soul has a moment to lose. The concerns of eternity are of sufficient importance to take precedence over every other issue.

What must you do to be saved?

This should be the great and solemn question for every believer in Christ now.

We wish that all could appreciate the wonderful working of God on behalf of man. For fallen angels there has been no atonement; but for fallen man a full and ample offering has been made, to save to the uttermost all who shall come unto God by Him.

God beholds in all His children the image of His only-begotten Son. He looks upon them with a love greater than any language can express. He holds them in the arms of His love. The Lord rejoices over His people.

Mammon /ˈmæmÉ™n/ in the New Testament of the Bible is commonly thought to mean money, material wealth, or any entity that promises wealth, and is associated with the greedy pursuit of gain. “You Cannot Serve Two Masters” or “You cannot serve both God and mammon.”

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God Gave Me Power and Authority

God Gave Me Power and Authority

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog on, “How to battle fear.”   I used the scripture, “For God has not given us a Spirit of Fear”¦” 2 Timothy 1:7. In that writing, I said, “Fear is the opposite of faith.”  

With every problem or crisis that we acquire, there are two choices; fear or faith, and we must choose one each time we face a crisis. We make the choice, fear or faith, almost immediately and most of the time we aren’t even aware that we are making a choice.

God also gives us amazing supernatural power because he wants us to be able to overcome anything that is thrown our way.    In 2 Timothy 1:7 you can find that we have already been equipped with tools to help us succeed in life, we just have to know what the tools are and how they apply to us.  

The first tool God gives us is power. God has given us the power to make a choice.  Knowing that we have a choice and we don’t have to choose fear is powerful. Even if we choose fear first, knowing that we can change our mind and choose to put all of our faith in God, is powerful.    

For me personally, God gave me the power to rise above a lifetime of suffering and torture. What should have made me a classic statistic, didn’t because God gave me the power to overcome.

I grew up in a negative and suppressive home as a child that set me up to fail.  I withdrew and felt  defeated.  I suffer from a number of illnesses. I had abusive parents, I went through the foster care system, but did not end up in a good foster home.

I then spent the last three years of my teen working two jobs to help support my mother and my three siblings and  as a result could not attend high school.

I got married at age 18 as I was looking for stability in my life.  My heart was broken, my body was weak, I carried a lot of emotional pain, but hid my pain from others. I felt like I was dying inside. I felt hopeless.  

When I was first diagnosed with Lupus it devastated my family’s financial stability because my income was a large part of our budget, however, God made a way.  God gave me the power to come out of a lifetime of built up hate, resentment, bitterness, and fear.  

Over the last four years, God has provided everything we needed.

I didn’t say it was easy, but all that we need is provided. God made a way for us to buy a house right after losing my job. He made a way when there seemed to be no way. He never ceases to amaze me.      

God gave me the power to trust Him even when I didn’t trust myself. He loved me before I loved him.  There is power in asking, power in believing and power in trusting.

God gave me the power to allow myself to take chances.  

I have power to cast down thoughts of the past, fears of the future and imaginations that do not line up with God.

There is power in knowing that I have control over my own thoughts.

I have power in knowing that when I call on Jesus nothing is impossible. From climbing mountains, losing weight, beating anxiety, facing illnesses.  I gain strength and solitude just knowing that he can and will work all things out for my good.  

I have Power in being able to share my life’s testimony.

I used to be ashamed of my life, it’s nothing to brag about for sure. God has taken my mess of a life and made a way for me to share my story with others in confidence.   Now, I am not ashamed of my life because I overcame, Satan didn’t win, God has received the victory.  

God is the only one that gives me peace. He gives the power to stand tall with confidence. I am not ashamed of who I am because I am the daughter of the Creator. God is the only one that gives me hope, even in the middle of what Satan hopes is going to bring me down. I stand tall in name of Jesus and rebuke Satan. I am not afraid because God has given me the power to overcome. In the name of Jesus Christ AMEN

 

 

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When Willpower Fails: How to Build Your Resistance to Temptation

When Willpower Fails: How to Build Your Resistance to Temptation

Wise believers determine ahead of time to resist temptation—before it enters their consciousness. If we want to avoid being misled by Satan, our hearts must be preoccupied with the truth of the word of God.

The Word of God will provide our minds with weapons of divine power, to raise up a standard against the enemy. Happy is the person, who, when tempted, finds their soul rich in knowledge of the Scriptures, and who finds shelter from the promises of God.

“Thy word,” said the psalmist, “have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
The Word of God is ever-present in our hearts and minds. “It is written” is to be our foundation.
Those who make God’s Word their counselor already realize the weakness of the human heart and the power of the grace of God to subdue every unsanctified, unholy impulse, thought and temptation. Their hearts are ever prayerful, and they have the constant guardianship of holy angels who excel in strength. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God lifts up for them a standard against him.

There is harmony in the heart, for the precious, powerful influences of truth bear sway. The scripture is a channel of communication with the living God. He who feeds upon the Word will become fruitful in all good works. He will discover rich mines of truth and hidden treasure. When he or she is surrounded with temptations, the Holy Spirit will bring to their minds the very words with which to meet the temptation at that very moment when they are most needed, and they will be able to use them effectually.

We must be better acquainted with our Bibles and commit to memory passages of Scripture in order to close the door to many temptations. Let us hedge up the way to Satan’s temptations with “It is written.”  We shall meet with conflicts to test our faith and courage, but they will make us strong if we conquer through the power and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Who’s Pimping Who…?

Who’s Pimping Who…?

A man and a woman coo over each other. A bystander turns to another and says, “What does she see in him?” Or, conversely, “What does he see in her?”

She’s tall, he’s short, shes from the city, his from the country, she  talks a lot, he’s quiet, he likes Australia, but she likes New York, he’s a Hill-song gospel music fan, she’s a Marilyn Manson fan. She also loves the bright lights and big options, shes unholy, she’s not righteous, she’s impure, she’s been around the block. People know her by what she does, not by her name. There the ‘odd couple’.

Now it’s been said that “Men marry women  with the  hope they will never change. but that “Women marry men  with the  hope they will  change.”

But not in this case. God has told this holy man to marry an unholy woman, a woman which will not be faithful, a woman by her wicked nature is sure to commit adultery, a woman that will cause endless frustration and monumental grief.   Hosea is a prophet, his wife is a prostitute. He’s a man of God, she’s a woman of the night, he is faithful, she is unfaithful, he peaches the power of the living God, she provides ungodly considerations for cash. The story of Hosea puzzles even the devout and zealous Christian. There an ‘odd couple’.

Why did God ask his own prophet to marry a prostitute?

An immense allegory can be interpreted from the depths of Hosea’s life.  The prophet Hosea was commanded to marry an unfaithful wife, and this set up a model of our broken relationship with God.

Hosea’s wife: an allegory of God’s undying  love

The LORD is the husband of Israel, and Israel’s passionate, chronic attraction for idols was like the lust of an adulterer. His people were as unfaithful as a prostitute.  For the land had committed great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.

Could you imagine Hosea’s, groomsman – you’re respected, a wise man, but your decision making is in question? Your wife is a disgrace. Why on earth are you married to a woman like that?

The reply, why on earth is such an awesome, good and powerful God married to a people like you?

Young people and self-esteem

Self-respect is perhaps the most essential quality for young women, especially in our generation.

We live in an era where girls as young as middle school are posting provocative things online. It’s a cry for attention being sought from boys or anyone else who will listen.  The story is told of a young girl who had a male friend who came to her with an article  in the classified section of a newspaper. The proposal was, if you have sexual relations with a stranger for 1 million dollars there are three things you are guaranteed:

  1. Nobody will ever know
  2. No disease
  3. No baby

1 million dollars, no questions asked, out the door, he asked her, would you do it? She thought about it, like some people reading this article.

The girl the said, are you kidding me, nobody will ever know, no disease, no baby, sure i’ll do it. Well then he said, would you do the same for $10?

She replied, “What, do you think I’m a prostitute?” To which he replies,  “We’ve already established that — I’m just haggling over the price.”

However, young ladies, you don’t have to lower your standards or provide ungodly considerations for cash. Tell that young man, I’m not for sale and because you’re not for sale, take off all those for sale and on sale signs.  Hug appropriately, speak appropriately.  Text appropriately, stop posting  barely-clothed photos, sexual innuendos, and explicit language. Be honest in your motivations for being  in a relationship.

Young ladies, if he can’t take care of himself now,  how is he going to take care of you later.

So the question today is who’s Pimping you?

Sorry boo-boo”¦ hate to burst your bubble, but you have been bamboozled, conned, led astray , run amok, dupe, tricked, fooled, swindle, hoodwink; you have been deceived”¦

You see, Satan has been pimping from the third chapter of the Bible onward and is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. The pimp of all pimps and you want to hang out with him!

But he has no power in the life of a believer unless we give it to him. That’s right! Regardless of how you’ve been thrown out to the trash,  we want you to know that Jesus loves you.  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Gal. 5:1) Refuse to make deals with Satan, no matter how attractive the trinkets. Refuse to be a commodity that is for sale to the highest bidder.

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What ‘Love Your Enemies’ Means in an Era of ISIS

What ‘Love Your Enemies’ Means in an Era of ISIS

We live in a time of political polarization and while parts of the world have experienced random violence against civilians for years, it seems agenda-driven mass violence—terrorism—has touched the U.S. and UK in this generation more than ever in our history. Some even say we’ve entered

“The age of terrorism.”

Well, whether this is an age of terrorism or not, we certainly are a generation terrorized.

But love your enemies? Come on.  How on earth can you love someone that keeps sinning against you? Easier said than done right. With this current atmosphere of terror, Jesus’ command to love our enemies is baffling and  something we all struggle with at times.  

That is why you must rely on the Holy Spirit because  that coworker, family member, bad friend, or boss probably has never seen a true Christian and you’re probably the only one who can share the gospel message with them. We must remain calm and forgive.

Here’s a look at 28 quotes (largely attributed to the holy-bible) that will inspire the way you live your faith.

  1. “Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.” ’- Steve Maraboli
  2. “Loving and forgiving your enemies doesn’t take away or downplay the importance of actively resisting evil, corruption, and oppression.” ’- Unknown
  3. “We must still seek justice, defend truth, march in solidarity for those who are mistreated, protest against the wickedness and even oppose government authorities and actions if they contradict the teachings of Jesus ’- it’s just that everything we do must be rooted in love.” – Unknown
  4. “When you are loving your enemies it helps you conform to the image of Christ.” – Unknown
  5. “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”  ’- Luke 6:28
  6. “It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.” – Unknown
  7. “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” ’- Matthew 7:12
  8. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” ’- 1 John 4:7
  9. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly Do not be wise in your own estimation.” –  Romans 12:14-21
  10. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.” –  Proverbs 25:21-22
  11. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most-High; for He, Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.” ’- Luke 6:35
  12. “The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.” ’- G.K. Chesterton
  13. “Let all that you do be done in love.” ’- 1 Corinthians 16:14
  14. “As Jesus was being ruthlessly murdered, He gathered up the very last of His physical strength to utter the words “Father, forgive them ”¦” ’- Luke 23:34
  15. “Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” ’- Romans 12:9-11
  16.  “Love transforms not just our enemies, but it transforms us—making us more Christ-like.” –  Proverbs 20:22
  17. “It is only once you see the baffled expression on the face of your enemy when you give his cruel words a warm smile that you’ll understand, truly understand, what love is all about.” ’- Vironika Tugaleva
  18. “Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.” ’- Proverbs 20:22
  19. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” ’- Matthew 24:13
  20. “It’s also vitally important to recognize that our war isn’t just carnal, but rather spiritual, and in spiritual warfare, love is the ultimate weapon against Satan.” ’- Unknown
  21. “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” ’- Acts: 7:60
  22. “Touch your enemies’ heart with love. It will bloom flowers of gratitude and joy.” ’- Debasish Mridha
  23. “It’s not about going around trying to stir up trouble. As long as you’re honest and you articulate what you believe to be true, somebody somewhere will become your enemy whether you like it or not.”
    ’- Criss Jami
  24. “When you see a person acting violently, ask yourself whether he knows how powerful he is. If he knew his power, would he feel the need to assert it?” ’- Vironika Tugaleva
  25. “Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.” ’- Mahatma Gandhi
  26. “May God help us to forgive and love generously ’- even in the face of death.” ’- Unknown
  27. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ’- Martin Luther King, Jr.”
  28. “The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.” ’- Abraham Lincoln  

Love someone. Share wisdom. Get passionate about something. Promote others. Bring an idea to life. Create, make, do. Rinse, repeat. And watch the world change.

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The Church, a Wolf, and Little Red Riding Hood

The Church, a Wolf, and Little Red Riding Hood

Most of us have grown up with many popular fairy tales told to us as children. The legendary story “Little Red Riding Hood” In most versions (although definitely not all of them) there is one common theme: a wolf attacks a young woman through deception.  Like parables, such stories are never intended to convey meaning in every detail. Yet, much of it may draw, even in unsuspecting ways, the reader to precepts or principles pertinent to circumstances behind the story. Such is the following on Little Red Riding Hood.

There is actually a lesson in that theme for God’s people today.

1. The Church. Satan’s wolves do more than disguise themselves as Granny. As Paul warned, they often present themselves as “ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15). Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

“That’s a lie!” said the wolf. “You won’t die!”

2. The Law. One of the most common deceptions by these types of wolves is the claim that the law was done away with. Using selective sections of the apostle Paul’s writings, these wolves deceive people into crying,  “Oh, what freedom you have!”

This was the very same tactic that Satan employed in the Garden of Eden.

3. False prophets. While these people appear to be godly—they come in sheep’s clothing—Christ said that inwardly they were “ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). These are people who claim to be children of God—but who don’t teach and live the word.

Another  Fake Jesus Christ was recently arrested and remanded in Uganda on Thursday, November 9th, for belonging and managing an unlawful society by the Magistrate’s court.  According to a report by Uganda’s Newspaper, Daily Monitor, the accused claimed not to be under any authority including the police, local council administration or the president of Uganda. The man purporting to be Jesus was arraigned in court alongside his three followers who preferred to be identified with their alias names.

“Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?”

4. The world. Wake up from your Slumber. Frequently in Scripture believers are exhorted to wake up, to be revived, and they are warned of the dangers of spiritual sleep. Christ warned us “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3). The world is under the sway of Satan.

As a believer in Jesus, we are promised a new life covered under the protection of God in which NOTHING can separate us from His love. Rest knowing that no matter what hardship you face, God is your provider and protector!  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of the wolf, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

5. Wealth. These wolves say, “all this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.” Christ warned of the “deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). Your response should be   “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“There was something wolfish about them?”

6. Marriage  How many times have we heard the story of the little red riding hood (aka Christian Sister or Brother) who fell in love with a big bad Wolf?    ‘It wasn’t beauty, it was the beast, she or he says in regret.  Being equally yoked is not meant to inhibit our dating lives. Rather, it is a command designed for protection and honor. Being unequally yoked is more dangerous than you think – and waiting for someone with whom you share the same spiritual heritage is far more rewarding than many believe.

Hey, Little Red Riding Hood, where are you going, so alone, so”¦ alone?

7. Relationship. Without Jesus, you can do nothing. An intimate relationship with God is required. That means fellowship with God daily. The big bad wolf was disguised to trick little red riding hood, but the wolf could not mislead her because Little red riding hood knew her grandmother intimately. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. – John 10:27”

“You can huff and puff but I will not worship you!”

8. Worship.  Shadrach,  Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “We don’t need to answer your last question. If our God, whom we honor, can save us from a blazing furnace and from your power, he will, Your Majesty.  Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with anger toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face turned red and he ordered that the furnace should be heated seven times hotter than normal. However,  God commissions His angels to save His chosen ones from calamity, to guard them against “the pestilence that walketh in darkness” and “the destruction that wasteth at noonday.”  

These eight types (or packs, if you will) of “wolves” have plagued Christ’s followers throughout history.

These are just a few of the tricks and deceptions that are used by Satan and his wolves. Some wolves are masters of deception and disguise. They talk like Christians. They use the Bible. They seem like nice people. They are so loving! But they will draw you in to eat you for dinner!

God’s people must learn the lesson of Little Red Riding Hood. Let’s never allow ourselves to fall prey to the Satan’s deceptions.  

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Pride

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.  Pride will kill you, forever, and is the sin most likely to keep you from crying out to God in times of need.

As dangerous as pride is, it’s equally hard to spot. Satan fell because of his ambition to be equal with God. He desired to enter into the divine counsels and purposes, from which he was excluded by his own inability, as a created being, to comprehend the wisdom of the Infinite One. It was this ambition  that led to his rebellion in heaven, and by the same means he seeks to cause the ruin of man.

“Too Many People Spend Money They Earned..to Buy Things They Don’t Want..to Impress People That They Don’t Like.” ’- Will Rogers

Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be the leader in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from God, and to win their homage to himself. Therefore he misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his own evil characteristics he sought to dethrone the loving Creator.

“Through Pride We Are Ever Deceiving Ourselves. But Deep down Below the Surface of the Average Conscience a Still, Small Voice Says to Us, something Is out of Tune. ” ’- C.G. Jung

Had Lucifer really desired to be like the Most High, he would never have deserted his appointed place in heaven; for the spirit of the Most High is manifested in unselfish ministry. Lucifer desired God’s power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same.

“Proud People Breed Sad Sorrows for Themselves.” ’- Emily Brontë

We can’t conclude that we don’t struggle with pride because we don’t see pride in ourselves. Whenever pride and ambition are indulged, the life is marred; for pride, feeling no need, closes the heart against the infinite blessings of Heaven.

“It Is Better to Lose Your Pride with Someone You Love Rather Than to Lose That Someone You Love with Your Useless Pride.” ’- John Ruskin

Pride of heart is a fearful trait of character. “Pride goeth before destruction.” This is true in the family, the church, and the nation.

“All Men Make Mistakes, but a Good Man Yields When He Knows His Course Is Wrong, and Repairs the Evil. The Only Crime Is Pride.” ’- Sophocles, Antigone

Removing the Chains of Pride

How does one move from the chains of pride and self-obsession to the freedom of humble self-service?
  • A Harsh Spirit –  Those who have the sickness of pride in their hearts speak of others’ sins with contempt, irritation, frustration, or judgment.
  • Superficiality –  When pride lives in our hearts, we’re far more concerned with others’ perceptions of us than the reality of our hearts.
  • Defensiveness –  Those who stand in the strength of Christ’s righteousness alone find a confident hiding place from the attacks of men and Satan alike.  
  • Presumption Before God –  Humility approaches God with humble assurance in Christ Jesus. If either the “humble” or the “assurance” are missing in that equation, our hearts very well might be infected with pride.  
  • Desperation for Attention –  Pride is hungry for attention, respect, and worship in all its forms.
  • Neglecting Others -Pride prefers some people over others. It honors those who the world deems worthy of honor, giving more weight to their words, their wants, and their needs.    

Think of these as three facets as the jewel of genuine Christian humility

  • Who is the focus of your service?
  • Whose sin are you focused upon?
  • What is the focus of your joy, security, and contentment?

God’s people should be subject one to another. They should counsel with each other, that the lack of one be supplied by the sufficiency of the other.  

“Learn of Me,” Said Christ; “For I Am Meek and Lowly in Heart: And Ye Shall Find Rest unto Your Souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

Maybe more of us struggle with pride than we thought.  There’s good news for the prideful. Confession of pride signals the beginning of the end for pride.  

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart! Try Me and Know My Thoughts! And See If There Be Any Grievous Way in Me, and Lead Me in the Way Everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)

In the end pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.

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Getting Rid of Toxic Thoughts – the Key to Clear and Creative Thinking

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Agile Methodologies

Dr. Andrew Butterworth is a Content Writer, Author, Coach, Pastor.

Have you ever felt uneasy when somebody’s name gets mentioned? Or when the name of a previous company gets brought up? Perhaps a past relationship that didn’t end well?

All of us go through life. We have good experiences and bad experiences. It’s the nature of being human. Those bad experiences can even make us stronger. We learn lessons and if we are wise, we make sure we don’t repeat the experience again.

But here’s the rub: if things from the past trigger negative emotions inside of you it means there are people or experiences taking up space in your brain that you just don’t need. It’s like a physical wound that doesn’t heal. Physical wounds should heal and scar. But sometimes they don’t. If there is dirt inside they can get infected. They are really sensitive when they get knocked. Ow!

It’s the same for emotional wounds. Most of the time we process the wounds well and they heal. But sometimes they don’t and they linger inside.

You and I don’t need that emotionally. Life’s hard enough without having emotional wounds that aren’t fully healed.

Have you ever been in a stressful time at work and then somebody triggers a wound from the past? Or have you ever been on the end of somebody’s emotion when you’ve triggered that wound? Why did they react so over the top? It’s because you hit a wound.

The good news is there is an answer. We have an inbuilt ability to process pain from the past that allows things to heal. These memories no longer need to take up valuable space in our brain.

Anybody can learn how to do it. It just takes practice.

So what’s the key? The key is forgiveness. Weird I know. But forgiving properly means that you no longer use precious brain power ruminating over the past. That brain power could be put to much better use. Who want’s to live in the past anyway? Life is for the present.

I know what you are thinking: It seems too simplistic. Or, you’ve tried that and it didn’t work. Or even ‘that’s letting them off the hook’. But forgiveness really works. I have helped almost a hundred people process their toxic thoughts and get real freedom. The commonest response people say is ‘I feel so much lighter’ or ‘It’s like a burden has been lifted off me’.

In some ways, you are letting them off the hook because you are choosing something better. You are releasing them from being locked up inside of your brain. But the person who gets free is you.

In reality, not forgiving only harms yourself.

Somebody once said failing to forgive is like buying a poison and then drinking it yourself. Nobody gets harmed more by your toxic thoughts than yourself.

In contrast, forgiving people releases this and creates valuable space in your brain for other things. It makes space for other things, like creativity.

Have a think: How much creativity are you losing out on because your brain power is being taken up with toxic thoughts?

I encourage you to try forgiveness out. It’s incredibly freeing. You can do it by yourself, but sometimes it’s helpful to have somebody guide you through it. There are many people out there who can help. Engaging somebody who is skilled in this is probably one of the best investments you’ll ever make.

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Sin – Exceedingly Sinful

Sin - exceedingly sinful

In great mercy, according to His divine character, God bore long with Lucifer. The spirit of discontent and disaffection had never before been known in heaven. It was a new element, strange, mysterious, unaccountable.

The Infinite Value of the Sacrifice Required for Our Redemption Reveals the Fact That Sin Is a Tremendous Evil

Lucifer himself had not at first been acquainted with the real nature of his feelings; for a time he had feared to express the workings and imaginings of his mind; yet he did not dismiss them. He did not see whither he was drifting. But such efforts as infinite love and wisdom only could devise, were made to convince him of his error. His disaffection was proved to be without cause, and he was made to see what would be the result of persisting in revolt. Lucifer was convinced that he was in the wrong. He saw that “the Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works” (Psalm 145:17); that the divine statutes are just, and that he ought to acknowledge them as such before all heaven.  He nearly reached the decision to return; but pride forbade him.  He persistently defended his own course, and fully committed himself to the great controversy against God.

Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its terrible results. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God’s government is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty.

 

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Social Media Envy!

Sin - exceedingly sinful
Anyone currently active on social media knows that Godinterest is slowly developing  into an incredible phenomena. Idea sharing and photo sharing combined in the ultimate setting of graphic after graphic, interests and likes can be decided and shared in two clicks or less. There hasn’t been a day before now where the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” is more true.
Can we  just tell you that there are a ton of posts  on Godinterest  that fall under the categories listed above?   And that is why people  love it! But we do need to check ourselves  from time to time as there is a  danger that we just might be forming the wrong thought pattern about certain things, thereby transforming them into sin.

“If You Are a Christian Who Seeks God with Your Whole Heart, You Are a Target.”

Instead of playing the comparing game on social media, what if we stick to the guideline of God’s Word? Let’s seek recipes, means of hospitality, and all sorts of ideas and content, yet be sure that we do so without envy and with our identity firmly planted in #Christ.

“We Live in a Time of Great Stress, When Trials Can Come upon Us Suddenly and Leave Us Overwhelmed, Weary and Confused.”

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in #Christ  Jesus – Philippians 2:4
Has Facebook, Twitter  or other social media ever made you feel inadequate or envious? We  would love to read your thoughts about this topic!

We’ve included ten of the most  voted  photos posted on#Godinterest  so far in  2015.

 

“God wants full custody, not just weekend visits.”

“You Call It Religion, I  Call It a Relationship.”

“I AM THE DAUGHTER OF A KING WHO IS NOT MOVED BY THE WORLD, FOR MY GOD IS WITH ME & GOES BEFORE ME, I DO NOT FEAR BECAUSE I AM.”

“Don’t Forget to Give It to God in  Prayer.”

“Seek First the Kingdom of God. But Jesus Said, Suffer Little Children, and Forbid Them Not, to Come unto Me: For of Such Is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

“I’m Not Alone. God Is Always with Me…  We Are at War! Satan the Devil Hates Us and Wants to Destroy Us. We Must Be Aware of Our Enemy’s Weapons and Tactics, Because Our Spiritual Life Depends on It.”

“Don’t Shine SO OTHERS CAN SEE YOU, SHINE SO THAT Through YOU, OTHER CAN SEE Him… One of Satan’s Strongest Weapons Is  Pride.  Pride Is Always a Danger, Especially When Things Are Going Well, Such as in Times of Peace and Prosperity (Deuteronomy 8:11-17)”

“Make the Water Stop? Or Thank You, Lord for Loving Me, I Welcome You in My Heart.”

“I Want to Be Do Full of  That If a Mosquito Bites Me It Flies Away Singing There Is Power in the Blood!”

“Nothing Is More Impressive That a Person Who Is Secure in the Unique Way God Made Her.”

Godinterest continues to withstand attacks by hackers and censors as the media outlet expands. A hacking attack which took place over the weekend inflicted superficial damage which was quickly repaired. Hackers remain unable to penetrate the site’s security, but the unwanted attention shows that the evil is hard at work.

 

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