We have the power to truimph in life

Romans 8, Mark 16:18

As I was reading today's devotional "Use Your Delegated Authority" by Andrew Wommack, I

I was impressed by the urgency of this message. Entering a new year with hope and expectance, we should praise God for the great accomplishments we have made this year.

But the defeats we experienced in 2012 should just help us to avoid any mistakes we might have made. Loss, failure to achieve our goals, disappointments, whatever was not right is now history. It is not our portion. Our victory depends on who we are in Christ and not what we have been through. We should therefore remind ourselves of who we are in Christ and of the authority He has given us to dominate through the Holy Spirit. We are more than conquerors. We are coheirs with Christ.

Andrew Wommack wrote: “The power that is now working in believers is the same power that worked in Christ to raise Him from the dead. Everything we have as believers in Christ comes from our union with Him. Therefore, what is true of Him is true of us too. We have come to share in Christ's throne, to partake in the authority that the throne represents, and to exercise divine power and dominion. There is no place in the New Testament that tells us to ask God to do something about the devil. Rather, we, (the church) are told to do something about the devil. This is because we have been given delegated authority over the works of the enemy. God desires that the church be enlightened to this, and walk in victory.”

So let us start the new year fully equipped with this truth and walk in triumph.

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor. 15:57-58

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." 2 Cor. 2:14

 

 

 

 

Staying positive in negative situations

Staying positive in negative situations has to be a purposed effort. Psalms 16:11, tells us that in the presence of God there is fullness of joy. So regardless of the situation we can find joy if we stay in the presence of God.

My sister is going through chemotherapy and I have spent the last two months with her. Chemotherapy is a very challenging treatment. There were times when I wondered how my sister would go through the day but she was always positive. This was only possible because she decided to trust God, stay in the Word and focus on His promises, rather than focus on the pain and the negative reports. Psalms 16:1 continues to say that at His right hand there are pleasures evermore.

My sister kept on reminding us that God is good. She would say it to herself, say it as we discussed the treatment and say it when visitors came. One important truth that shined  through this experience is that God is good and He wants the best for us.

John 10:10 says, “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.”

If you are going through a negative situation, remember, God is on your side. He loves you and He wants you healthy and prosperous.

Our God Heals

What a wonderful Father we have! He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He healed in the Old Testament times. He healed in Jesus' time and He is still in the healing business today. 1 Peter 2:24

God is good

I can't stop praising God for His great love, care, protection and favor on my life. I just turned 68 and I am feeling better than I felt 10 years ago. It is all because of what Jesus did for us. His finished work which encompasses His unconditional love, grace, joy, peace, favor, protection, health, healing, guidance, provisions, victory and more!!!!!!!!!

Thank you all for your prayers and support.
Stay blessed

Why Fast?

Fasting has been around for centuries. It is not a trend. It has been practiced by various groups both for spiritual health and for physical cleansing. Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine believed fasting enabled the body to heal itself. Paracelsus, another great physician wrote centuries ago; “Fasting is the greatest remedy, the physician within.”

Benefits of fasting

Fasting done the right way with the right motives:

• Encourages spending quality time with God as we pray, study and meditate on His Word
• Leads to a more intimate relationship with our loving Father God
• Stirs up and builds our faith in God and in Jesus’ accomplished work. Reminds us of who we are in Christ and of our ability through the Holy Spirit
• Helps us to listen to the Holy Spirit more intently, hear Him more clearly and follow His instructions more closely. Therefore fasting helps us to know the perfect will of God
• Reveals areas of weakness and compromise, helps us to submit to God and resist the devil, it helps us to reshape our private life and change direction.
• Helps eliminates bad habits like smoking and drug or drinking addictions

Since our main motive is to glorify God in our spirit and with our soul and body, we incorporate our fast with a nutrition program that teaches the effect of various types of fast on the body and how we can utilize the fasting discipline to maximize on its benefits for our spiritual life, our minds and our bodies the temples of God. As we dedicate our lives to studying the Word of God so that we may accomplish what is listed above, we also submit our bodies to God so that we may be good examples or ambassadors of His Kingdom here on earth. We remind ourselves of specific principles of nutrition, good eating habits and the right way to eat. Therefore, fasting also:

• Helps to improves dietary habits, Promotes awareness of healthy foods and healthy eating
• Reduces the stress on the digestive system and rests the body
• May improve the elimination system
• Rejuvenates health and slows aging
• May lower cholesterol and high blood pressure
• After 2^nd day reduces hunger pangs and need for binging
• Is easily adaptable to a busy life
• Gives the body internal cleansing if done right
• Some individuals report healing results after certain types of fast. Did you know that animals stop eating when they are hurt or when they are sick? Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine believed fasting enabled the body to heal itself. Paracelsus, another great physician wrote centuries ago; “Fasting is the greatest remedy, the physician within.”

Although some types of fast do not result in permanent weight loss, when adapted as a lifestyle, proper fasting can generate reasonable weight loss. For example, people who periodically first, one day a week, 3 days a month throughout the year or 21 days once year, are less likely to be troubled by weight management issues than those who never do. Periodic fasting will not only enhance your spiritual life, when combined with healthy eating habits, physical activity and proper rest, it will yield wonders in your physical and social life.

Do you have any concerns about fasting? We are here for you and if you want to share your experiences with us please don't hestate. Yours might change somebody's life!

Motives for a fasted lifestyle

Matthew 6:14-18

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."

We have already learnt that fasting is one of the most important aspects of a Christian walk. In the scripture above, it is evident that Jesus expects us to live a fasted life. That alone tells us that there is a secrete in fasting. Jesus does not want us to waste our time and effort fasting without reaping the benefits. Our motive when fasting matter and Andrew has summarized it very well in the devotional of 4/07/12

http://www.awmi.net/devotion/jesus/mar_07

I have done a lot of fasting and I encounter many people who use fasting as a means of cleansing. Many isolate physical fasting from fasting for spiritual benefits, which neglects the soul. What I have learnt through experience is that you reap more when you combine the two because we are spirit with a soul, living in a body. A physical fast without renewing your mind with the Word of God does not produce lasting results. It is always best to feed your spirit and renew your mind as you train your flesh.

Even when cleansing, the main motive should be to honor God with my body and soul. In other words when I fast, my first and most important motive should be to humble myself before the Lord, get more sensitive to Him; sharpen my ear so that I may hear His Word and the voice of the Holy Spirit; hearken and do!!!!!! That really means let the Holy Spirit take over every area of my life. This brings my body under subjection to the Word and will of God.

As Andrew advises us, we should glorify and exalt Jesus in everything we do.

Please share your experience or concern on fasting.

Listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit

Psalms 119:105

Oh how we need to stay focused on the Word and be sensitive to the voice of God! He speaks to our hearts all the time and if we pay attention to our conscience we will not miss it. On Wed. 4/4/12 around 8 pm., I almost lost my life in the heavy rain as I drove from Jonesboro to Alpharetta. There was no sign of rain in Jonesboro before I left. But due to a warning in a small voice, I called my son in Alpharetta to check if it was raining over there; he said there was no sign of rain.

It normally takes me about 45 minutes so I set off to go (without checking the weather forecast for downtown). 20 minutes later, it was raining cats and dogs as I drove into Atlanta. It was so dark and raining so hard I could not see anything and it was dangerous to pull to the side. I kept on calling  on the name of Jesus and commanding the rain to subside as I drove blindly following the rear lights of the car ahead of me. This heavy rain contued for a good 40 minutes.

I praise God for His protection and love. If this warning had come from man, he would have said; "I warned you and you didn't listen." But not our compassionate Father. He kept me safe and surprisingly there were no accidents on the road. When I reached Alpharetta, it was dry and just cloudy.

God knows best. Everything He does, everything He says, is for our good because He loves us. We must learn to renew our minds so we may hear His voice more clearly and follow His instructions more closely. The lesson I learnt on Wednesday will last me a lifetime. It is vital that we practice listening and following the voice of God, even in what seems to be a small thing.

Please listen to Andrew Wommack on "Discover the keys to staying full of God" especially this week which is on hardness of heart.

http://www.awmi.net/tv/this_week

http://www.awmi.net/devotion/jesus/apr_06

Are you protecting your teeth?

Among the many things we take for granted in life the health of our teeth is high on the list. There are some very basic things we can do to promote the longevity of our teeth. Almost every one of us brushes her/his teeth daily but do you know that the frequency, when you brush them, what you eat and what you drink all have tremendous effect on the health of your teeth? In other words, a healthy lifestyle will take you a long way as far as your teeth are concerned.

1. Cleaning: brushing, flossing and rinsing
2. Nourishing; What are you eating? Processed foods are not recommended for haelthy teeth
3. Are you drinking good quality water? Soft drinks like sodas, most juices and carbonated water may  damage your teeth

Be of good courage

How exciting and uplifting that 2012 has been declared the year of fulfillment! Yet some of you are already discouraged due to past experiences. Don't you know that the enemy's attacks are designed to produce discouragement? Stay focused. We have a Word of encouragement from God in Isaiah 41:10. Be of good courage. What God has promised will come to pass. Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Remember delay does not mean denial. Give thanks and be patient, as you walk in faith.

The Word says; “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Look to Jesus in you. You don't have to look to yourself or to focus on the circumstances. Once you identify your vision, your goals and the steps to take, focus on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith.

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

Are you off track for your 2012 vision and goals?

You are not alone. Can you imagine a whole month off 2012 is already gone? How are you getting on with your resolution for 2012?

Some of the questions flooding my mind are: What have I done so far? What does God want me to do now? What do I want to do for the rest of my life? After some self searching and spending more time in the Word, and listening to the Holy Spirit, my pressing passion to be healthy and to help others maintain a healthy lifestyle is still on the fore front. I must admit though, I have been a bit lax; absorbed in other things, procrastinating, while taking for granted the vision God gave me! And how costly this can be in time and energy! The good news is that you can start once again.
God might have given you a different vision, completely unlike mine. That is alright since each of us is unique. We have diverse assignments and different visions and passions. But remember, living a healthy lifestyle and protecting your health is one of the basic requirements for achieving your vision. A sick body and a sick mind will not bring out your best.

And though your spiritman is whole (if born again), you have a soul and you live in a body. In order to maximize your health, your soul needs to consistently align with your spirit as you put your body under subjection to the Word of God, .

Roman 12:1-2. If you are to accomplish what God wants you to do or what you want to do for the rest of your life, regardless of your passion, some of the goals you set should focus on feeding your spirit with the Word of God daily because it is only your spirit that directly communicates with God. This will help you to:

• Renew your mind so that it may line up with your healthy, well fed spirit 
• Be a good steward as put your body under subjection to the Word and will of God
• To glorify God with your soul and body

Investing time to plan for your health will take you a long way to accomplishing your life’s assignment. The secrete of your future is hidden in your daily routine. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to lead and guide you through life, dwells in you. 1 Cor. 6:19-20

If you have any challenges or advice regarding vision and goals for 2012, please share them with us.