There is Treasure in our Trials

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I don't know about you but when I look back on some of my difficult times, I can see the rewards now that it's all over.  Being diagnosed with MS was a relief at first because everyone including the doctors thought that I was some kind of hypochondriac.  I spent so much time going to one doctor after another, to Urgent Care and ER.  My insurance company actually sent me a letter to find out if I had some sort of accident to make sure that someone else wasn't responsible for my issues.  Isn't that something else?

 My diagnosis also slowed me down in a good way.  I took the time to reevalute everything in my life and I learned how to distinguish what was really important.  Sometimes we have way more on our plate than we can handle and at the time we don't even realize it.  I actually feel special, I mean I even have the best parking spots ;)  It actually brought my entire family closer than we already were.  They even learned how to see life in a better light.

Another example is when my husband was in a terrible motorcycle accident.  You see, he landed between 2 crosses where other bikes went down and the riders didn't make it.  My husband saw that as God giving him a second chance to make some changes in his life.  The changes were gradual but he finally seems to really get what life is all about.  His priorities were way off.  Now he understands the order of things.  I consider that to be a huge reward.  He actually put's me first (after God of course), like a husband should.  After being together for 17 years and married for 14 years, our marriage is in a good place and I know that the accident was the beginning of our fresh start as a couple.  When we do have problems, the level of respect that we have for each other is always there and ultimately helps us get through things sooner.

So you see, there really is treasure in our trials.  Our trials are the difficult points in our life where we're not sure how we are going to get through it.  These times of testing will either make us better or bitter.  It's up to us and the outlook we choose to take.  I choose to hold on to God's unchanging hand.  He wants us to be strong in character and ready for anything.  Trust me, I have a 15 year old daughter and 2 more that are  9 and 10 going on 17, so I really do need to be ready for anything.

Let Me Let You Know

Heavenly Father,  I don't even want to think about where I would be without You.  Protect my mind and thoughts.  Keep me during the midst of all the turmoil and trials that we face in this world.  Remind me that there is still good in this world.  Help me as I try to be humble and not to be a stumbling block, but a light to the people around me.  Help me with my struggles of judging people and slaying other's with my words.  Yes, I am following You and every day I must crucify my flesh by putting on the full armor of God.  In your precious son Jesus' name, Amen.


There is something very heavy on my heart regarding the spiritual realm.  I must first point out that God is a Spirit, and we must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  Man is both spirit (soul) and material (body).  I recently heard a pastor say it like this, "We are a spirit, with a soul that lives in a body."  If we have a relationship with God, then the Holy Spirit dwells in us and we cannot be over taken or possessed by evil or unclean spirits. 

I am currently reading a book called "The Rite" by Matt Baglio which is a true story about a priest who was also an exorcist.  I'm only half way through the book and I plan to blog about it when I finish it.  I plan to watch the movie too.  But basically this priest talks about his very real experiences with demon possession, infestation, oppression and obsession and we should avoid opening the door to demonic activity.

Let me put it like this, "Whether you believe in demon's or not, it doesn't change the fact that they exist."  Proof of demon's exist throughout the bible and  demonic possession is not limited to biblical times. We should know and need to know that our adversary Satan and his minions roam about, seeking whomever they can devour.  He is an intelligent being and deceiver is one of his many names.  He will use whatever and whomever he can, including children and animal's.  Demon's do not posess the capacity to love.  They have a hate filled pleasure of doing evil acts. 

Satan can create the appearance of a miracle since his powers surpass the limits of human abilities.  This leads me to something that I cannot fail to mention: Fortune tellers, physics aka mediums, witches, etc......

 ¹⁰ Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, ¹¹ or casts spells, or who is a medium or spirits or who consults the dead. ¹² Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD; Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (New International Version 2011)

Let me let you know something right now, I don't care how harmless it may seem.  Remember that we live in a fallen world and things of this world are accepted and watered down but they have no place in the kingdom of heaven.  Sorcery, astrology, charmers/charming, clairvoyance, divination, enchantment, fortune telling, magic, occult science, soothsayer, false prophets, these are considered deeds of the flesh;

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.   Galatians 5:19-21 (New American Standard Bible)

So for those of you that are into astrology, know that this is a a portal for evil spirits, no matter how subtle it appears to be.  Consulting with the dead, that too.  Ummm let's see oh yeah, readings.  Anything that God wants to forewarn us about is in the scriptures.  If you want the truth, then study the scriptures to show yourself approved.  God's word is very specific, that way no one is confused.  You see, confusion is not of the Spirit of God and He will see to it that all truth, knowledge and wisdom is revealed to us.  All we have to do is ask in prayer, seek by reading the scriptures and apply His word and will to our daily life. 

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.   Galatians 5:17 (New American Standard Bible) 

Remember in the beginning I said that God is a Spirit?  If the flesh is in opposition to the Spirit, what exactly does that mean?  Flesh aka man is of things according to the world, which is also in opposition to God.  Remember that we must worship God with our spirit because when it comes to our physical body, our flesh gets in our way and attempts to block our blessings by giving in to temptation and our desires to follow the ways of the world.  No one is exempt, not even those of us that claim to be "walking with God".  We are still weak humans who must remember to put on the full armor of God daily, so that we can crucify the flesh.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  I encourage your feedback.  Let me know if you have read The Rite or watched the movie.  Also, if you need help understanding God's word and plan for your life I would love to hear from you.  My life belongs to Him and everything that I have is for Him and to be used for His glory.  Please do not be fooled by the wickedness that is present in the world.  And if you practice any witchcraft, sorcery, readings etc.... ask yourself this one question.  What does God's word say about it?

Love Never Fails

 Define love. What does it mean to you?  It seems that we all have different definitions of love and what it means to us. Do you have Agape (a-gop-ay) or unconditional love?  Just because we say we love someone that doesn't make it true.  If you say it, you gotta be about it. There should be actions behind your love for someone.  What would you do for love? 

Let's start with two things that do not belong together shall we?  Love and money.  First of all, you cannot buy love so that's out.  Well not true love anyways.  Second, the love of money is the root to all kinds of evil.  What evil you ask? ALL kinds of evil.  Let's take greed for example.  There is a show on TV called American Greed.  People have scammed and deceived many people, all for the love of money.  I guess they couldn't make enough of their own money so they had to steal it from other's.  I'm not just talking about survival money, I'm talking about millions of dollars.  And where are these people now?  In prison with not a dime to their name.  Now that's a dime shame.

Now let's talk about tough love.  Whew, that's a rough one.  Having to tell a loved one NO.  This is where you may have to turn your back on a loved one that has continously taken advantage of you.  They expect you to help them all the time, well because you love them.  They actually think that you owe them something.  Most of the time these people are irresponsible and you are usually doing more harm than good by enabling them.  As long as they can depend on your help and your love, they have no reason to change their ways.  Whether it be a drug habit or maybe even gambling.  There are many different ways to take advantage of someone and continue doing it until you love them enough to just say NO.

God's love for us is so great and He will say NO to us if it's not in our best interests.  He know's our hearts.  No does not always mean never, it just might mean the timing is not right.  Trust God to direct you, guide you and lead you.  Let your faith rest not on human wisdom, but on God's power and love.