Refuge for a Single Mom
Every Single Mom Needs a Refuge. This is Mine. In the Natural Atleast!* A Blog Dedicated to Struggling & Hurting Moms of Every Walk of Life.
As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Friday, June 15, 2007
The Armor of God: Salvation & the Spirit
The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:17)
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Helmet:
Helmets are so important in a lot of activities. Bicycling, skateboarding, roller skating/blading, climbing, motorcycling…actually, if you think about it, a lot of those activities ‘get’ you somewhere. Kind of coincidental?
You wear a helmet when you are ‘moving’, ‘going somewhere’ – wouldn’t it make sense to wear the ‘HELMET OF SALVATION’ when you are moving along in life – ‘going somewhere’? The enemy is going to attempt to stop this and throw out roadblocks and obstacles. (Did you ever watch that movie “Big Daddy” with Adam Sandler, where he throws sticks into the trail to make the roller bladders crash?)
We know that there will be trials and tribulations, we know that there will be debris in our path and obstacles to overcome - we want to protect our head/brain and not become injured!
Sword:
”The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” – that actually gives me cold chills! The sword, the ‘weapon’ or ‘protection’ IS the Word of God! No words could be more honest, true and powerful!
When you protect yourself with the Word, with the knowledge and the power, nothing can really harm you! Sure, there will be attempts, but when you truly know the power and promises of our God, no weapon formed against you will prosper!
No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17
II Corinthians 6:1-18
1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”
3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,
4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
Labels: Armor of God, Courageous, Salvation, Way of Thinking
Friday, May 11, 2007
Food for the Soul
But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it. Deuteronomy 30:14
But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART "-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching. Romans 10:8
On Wednesday, our pastor, and the men of the church, prepared a fantastic Mother`s Day meal for us ladies. They prepared a delicious mushroomy, cheesy, puffy appetizer thingy (that`s the `official` name now), crab soup and for the main course we had steak, mashed, garlic potatoes and asparagus wrapped in bacon! Yum! Yum! (Our pastor is quite the chef!) They even served us!
It was a fantastic dinner. We spent some wonderful time together with our mothers and children and we all ate until we were stuffed. In fact, I spoke to the pastor`s wife on Thursday morning and we both still felt stuffed! *smile*
Later that day, I got to thinking about how the Lord feeds us with His Word. It is the `food` which our soul so desperately needs and hungers for.
I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12
You know how you get SO hungry that your stomach feels like it will jump out of your skin and serve itself? I think our spirit can get that way too!
This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me. Psalm 119:50
Sometimes, when we are very busy or the trials of life are a bit overwhelming, we tend to neglect the needs of our spirit. We think that we can handle the pressure on our own and off we go to `deal` with things. Neglecting the one true nourishment we always need!
But when the sun sets, he will be clean, and afterward he shall eat of the holy gifts, for it is his food. Leviticus 22:7
Maybe we just feel like our problems are too `today` for the words in the Bible? Maybe we don`t think that the authors of the Bible anticipated the problems we`d face `today`?
23 For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
24 For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you. I Peter 1:23-25
You have been born again from a seed that is imperishable through the living and enduring Word! The Word of the Lord endures forever! The things of the flesh, like grass will wither and pass away. The pain, suffering, disappointment and sadness of the flesh is temporary! The Word of God AND His promises, however, they endure! They last FOREVER! Through EVERYTHING!
It doesn`t really matter what we are `hungry` for! Whether it be peace, joy, love, friendship, companionship, our Father God in Heaven is the most readily available and constant source we will ever need!
Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5
Who gives food to all flesh, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 136:25
That says`tested. According to another translation it reads “proven to be true”. It also says that His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Honestly, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word. It is truly a manual for living a life pleasing to Him and for life everlasting.
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. II Corinthians 9:10
It is also important to not only guide ourselves and trust in the Lord, but to share that with non-believers. So many people out there are lost. So many people think they are on the `right track`! Maybe WE think we`re on the `right track`? The only way to truly glorify God is to use His manual! Feed your soul! If you are confused, hurt, angry, lost, trust in His way! It is a sure fire way to help yourself and those around you!
In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. I Timothy 4:6
Labels: Comfort, Discouraged, Encouragement, Learning, Restoration, Salvation, Victory, Way of Thinking
Thursday, February 22, 2007
The Power of the Church AND You
Recently, during a church board meeting, focused on `re-grouping` and `re-structuring` our `outreach` efforts, our Pastor concentrated mainly on Acts 2 which outlines the original spread of Christianity and the power of the church.
I felt very motivated and inspired from this, so I thought I might share it!
Acts 2:37-47
Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”
So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles` teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
This basically sets the guidelines for salvation, the `steps` so to speak.
“Be saved from this perverse generation!” ~ That sounds familiar! I still find myself in amazement at the corruption that continues to plague our society. Most of which is completely legal!
“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles` teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” ~ How many of us could actually use the words `continually devoting` in reference to our teaching, fellowship or prayer? To anything that pertains to God?
“Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs . . . “ I STILL feel a sense of awe when I see God`s work and supernatural power!
“praising God and having favor with all the people” Do you receive favor? I can tell you first hand, if you approach people with sincerity and with the love of God shining through, you will be surprised at how many times you will receive His favor ~ for no apparent reason! Let me give you an example . . . I had returned an item and I waited 6 weeks for the credit to be applied to my credit card . . . nothing happened! Once again, I called the company and explained the circumstances. Like most other representatives, this gentleman could have demanded proof of the return or presented me with some sort of series hoops to jump through! He did not. He immediately issued me credit for the item and for several other charges I had incurred due to his company`s error. (Credits that were not originally offered to me!) The total for this ended up being $88.98! That`s a chunk of change!
My main point here is simply this . . . get excited about God! Approach everything in life BECAUSE of God! Get excited about eternal life! This world we live in is just temporary! If the moms at the PTA give you a hard time and judge you ~ so be it! If the ladies in the hair salon whisper because they know your ex-husband ~ so be it!
Personally, I`m tired of the judgment! I have carried guilt, condemnation, fear, insecurity and all sorts of other kinds of `junk` around for long enough! The people looking down their noses at you do not have a clue what is going on! Stand up straight! Hold your head high and look to your Father in Heaven for support! He created you in His image! He created you with a plan! You are a beautiful, magnificent daughter of the Almighty God in Heaven! Praise God!
Ultimately, this is your ministry! People (sinners) will see your beauty (inside and out) they will begin to yearn for what you have (God)! You certainly do not have to be arrogant about it, but just be you, be the YOU that God personally made you to be! Be the YOU that has been born again ~ made new! I was reminded recently that God knows how many hairs are on your head! If He is concerned about something so insignificant, imagine how much thought and time and love He put into who you are! Glorify Him in everything you do! Amen!
Labels: Repentance, Salvation
