Public Enemy Number One...

If you are facing heavy spiritual attacks right now discouragement, temptation, chaos - take it as a compliment. A thief doesn't break into an empty house; he only targets a house that has treasure inside.

​The enemy is attacking you because he sees the value of what God has placed in you. He knows that if you keep going, you are going to do damage to his kingdom. He is trying to stop you now because he is terrified of who you are becoming.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 (NKJV)
Provided by "Devine Insight"

My Testimony

I don’t have a polished testimony. Mine still has dirt under its nails, tear stains on its pages, and prayers that never made it past a whisper.

There are parts I don’t know how to tell. Chapters I didn’t think I’d survive. Memories that still catch in my throat when I speak them aloud.

But here’s what I’ve come to know deep in my bones…

God never asked me to be shiny. He never waited for perfect. He asked me to be real.

And in the raw, in the wreckage, in the moments I thought I was too far gone, He stayed.

He saw what no one else did. The fight it took just to keep breathing. The strength it took to show up anyway. The silent prayers I cried when the world thought I was fine.

So no, I don’t have a tidy before and after.

But I have a testimony that’s still being written. One that’s honest, unfiltered, and laced with grace. And that, lovely, is holy ground.

Provided by "Little Sparrow Loved"

Spiritual Maturity

A Definition

Spiritual maturity is a process that begins when a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior. He or she is born again of the Holy Spirit and then chooses to live "in Christ." The Apostle Paul said that spiritual growth is an ongoing process. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14). Even the Apostle Paul had not arrived, yet he continually pressed toward the prize.

Therefore, in order for Christian maturity to develop in your life, you must make a choice to learn God's Word, allow God to renew your mind, and then be obedient to what you learn. Romans 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Accomplishing Growth

What are the marks of spiritual maturity? Spiritual maturity is learning how to walk in obedience to God. It is making the choice to live by God's viewpoint rather than your human viewpoint. Galatians 5:16 and 25 give the key, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature…Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." The word "walk" in verse 16 is from the Greek word peripateo, which means "to walk with a purpose in view." The word "walk" in verse 25 is translated from another Greek word stoicheo and it means "step by step, one step at a time." It is learning to walk under the instruction of another. That person is the Holy Spirit. Since believers are indwelt by the Spirit, they should also walk under His control.

How can you learn to walk in the Holy Spirit's control? You study God's Word! 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17 instructs us, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth…All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." This is good practical instruction on how you become spiritually mature. It is not done by osmosis, but it is done by choosing to apply God's Word in everyday circumstances. As you walk step-by-step, applying God's Word to your life, you will grow spiritually.

Spiritual maturity should be a priority for you. "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:13-14). As a believer, you are not to be milk-fed. Instead, you are called to chew on the "meat" of God's Word. Discover God's truth by in-depth Bible study and feed yourself spiritually. Then apply that sustenance to your life as you walk in the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Galatians 5:25

 

Application of God's Word: Galatians 5:25

 
Verse: Galatians 5:25
 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Application:

Again Paul reminded the Galatians that in addition to a divine judgment of the sinful nature there is a divine enablement in the person of the Holy Spirit. He made the believer alive by regeneration (cf. John 3:5-6), so each believer is exhorted to keep in step (stoichōmen, translation “follow” in Galatians 6:16) with the Spirit. Step by step one's Christian walk should conform to the Spirit's direction and enablement.

God is interested in every part of our life, not just the spiritual part. As we live by the Holy Spirit's power, we need to submit every aspect of our life to God: emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocational. Paul says that because we're saved, we should live like it! The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so keep in step with his leading. Don't let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life.

Throw The Pebble

A man once threw a small pebble into a quiet pond. It seemed insignificant in his hand, barely enough to notice when it hit the water.

But the moment it landed, ripples spread far beyond the point of impact, reaching places the pebble itself never touched.

That is how the gospel works. When we share the truth of CHRIST, it may feel small, awkward, or unnoticed.

A single conversation, a single act of obedience, a single testimony offered in faith. But GOD never wastes faithfulness.

What begins as a quiet word can move hearts we will never meet, affect generations we will never see, and reach depths we cannot measure.

We are not called to control the ripples. We are called to throw the pebble. GOD handles the water.

Provided by "God's ARMY-Soldier Of Faith"

Meme: Heaven...

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. My perspective is unlimited by time. Because I am infinite, I am able to see and understand everything at once. This makes Me the ideal Person to be in charge of your life. I know the ending of your earth-life as well as I know its beginning - and I know everything in between. You are finite and fallen; your understanding is limited and far from perfect. So trusting in Me rather than relying on your own understanding is the most reasonable way to live; it is also the most joyful."

"And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.'" - Revelation 21:6 (NKJV)

- "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

Walking The Valley With God

I don’t have shiny faith. Most days it looks like worn out boots. Scuffed from miles I didn’t plan on walking. Heavy from valleys I thought I would be past by now.

I love God.

And I’m tired.

Tired of being strong.

Tired of explaining why this season is still hard.

Tired of praying the same prayers and wondering if they’re landing anywhere at all.

But I keep walking…

Not because I feel brave.

Not because I feel full of hope.

But because I’ve learned that God meets me in the valley, not just on the mountain.

Some days trusting Him looks like whispering His name through tears.

Some days it looks like getting up when I’d rather stay in bed.

Some days it looks like saying, “I don’t understand this,” and walking anyway.

That’s faith too.

The kind no one claps for.

The kind that aches.

The kind that keeps moving even when the path is slow and uneven.

“The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9b

If your faith feels worn but you’re still taking one more step, you’re not failing. You’re walking the valley with God.

And He hasn’t let go of you.

Provided by "Little Sparrow Loved"

Search Me God...

Lord, sometimes my heart feels crowded. Worries, ambitions, old wounds: even good things: can quietly turn into idols, taking space that belongs to You. I confess, I keep holding onto things, thinking they’ll satisfy, but they never really do.

Father, will You sit on the throne of my heart? Dethrone everything that rivals You. Show me where I’ve set up substitutes, and help me surrender them. I want You to be my desire: the first, the greatest, the only One who truly fills me.

Search me, God, and know my heart... See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) Provided by "Word of Encouragement"

Scripture: Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age, I am He,

And even to gray hairs I will carry you!

I have made, and I will bear;

Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isaiah 46:4 (NKJV)

Meme: Hearing God

Abide In Christ

Abide in Christ – Being in Christ
“Abide in Me [Christ], and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4).

Consider abiding in Christ or being in Christ as a journey. This spiritual adventure begins with a personal experience with Jesus Christ and continues for the rest of your life. The steps on this glorious path are ones of both pain and great gain since you must leave your former, natural pathways to follow a new way of living (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new path involves denial of your former path and its accompanying selfish desires and actions (see Romans 6:3-5), but is also filled with great blessings, including the very presence of Jesus Christ and a joy that is beyond description in human terms alone (1 Peter 1:8). This new life is one lighted only in small steps, which require faith in following along with, but not ahead of, Jesus Christ. Yet those who choose to discipline themselves do so with the assurance of fellowship that continues forever with Jesus Christ in His Home called Heaven (John 3:16 and John 14:1-3).

Abide in Christ – Remaining in Close Fellowship with Jesus Christ

To abide in Christ is not a matter of being in a relationship with Jesus and then suddenly being without that relationship. Abiding in Christ is experiencing an intimate, close relationship with Jesus as your Savior. It is more than a superficial acquaintance.

The life of Jesus Christ on earth was one of trial and suffering (Matthew 8:20), but also one of great joy in doing the will of God the Father (John 15:9-11). After the initial experience of coming along side of Jesus Christ, one begins to walk more and more as He walked (1 John 2:6). It is accompanied by a heart that is inclined and dedicated to obey God and His Word.

Abide in Christ – Continuing in Closeness

Being in Christ also involves the Holy Spirit, who convicts, comforts, and communicates with the disciple of Christ (John 14, 16). The truth that the Holy Spirit will teach the believer in Christ is always the same as that which Jesus Christ said to His disciples while they walked with Him on this earth (John 16:13-15).

This invisible leading is one that goes beyond words and even outward actions. There is an intimacy for the follower of Christ who hears the beckoning and guidance of the Holy Spirit which transcends what can be described in human terms alone. This closeness leads to a fruitful life with both inward and outward manifestations. These fruit are gifts from this life with the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Jesus Christ likened abiding in Him to a branch of a tree remaining part of the main vine of a tree (Luke 13 and John 15). From this vine (Jesus Christ) comes the only true, spiritual nourishment and eternal life. The branch that seeks its own ways and substitutes candy for spiritual food will not grow and will not produce spiritual fruit (John 15:2, 6). The branch which receives this spiritual food grows and helps to lead to other growth on the tree and receives to itself a life of “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Provided by "All About Following Jesus"

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Jesus Wants You To Know...

Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend for you to be.

"And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose." - Romans 8:28 (AMP) - "Dear Jesus" by Sarah Young

Meme: Let God Be God

God Is The Way Maker

Stop worrying about what you are going to do. God is still the Way Maker. He is already opening the road in front of you, even where you cannot see a path ahead. 

Your heart may feel worn out. You lie awake and stare at the ceiling, replaying conversations, test results, bank statements, what your children did or did not say. You think through every “what if,” every worst case, every burden you are carrying for the people you love, and by morning you feel empty. 

You love the Lord. You have walked with Him for years, yet your thoughts still run ahead of you, trying to peek around every corner. You wish you could see the plan, the timeline, the exact way He will help your family, your health, your future. The not knowing sits on your chest like a weight you cannot quite push away. 

But friend, you belong to the One who called Himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is not asking you to chart the course. He is not expecting you to keep all the pieces in the air. He simply asks you to stay close to Him. While you are studying the map and worrying about every turn, He is already out in front, clearing the road you cannot see and arranging details you do not even know to pray about. 

Think back over your life. There were seasons you were not sure how you would pay the bills, raise the children, survive the loss, or bear the disappointment. At the time, it all looked dark and confusing. Later, when you looked back, you could trace His care through every detour and delay. What felt like confusion turned out to be protection. The God who carried you then has not changed. He is still guiding, still guarding, still opening a way where there does not seem to be one. 

Right now, in this very ordinary moment, God is at work behind the scenes. While you stir a pot on the stove. While you answer a message from a grown child. While you straighten the pillows in the living room or sit at the table with a quiet cup of coffee. He is speaking to hearts you cannot reach. He is moving in rooms you will never sit in. He is unlocking doors that, from where you stand, still look shut.