Notes On A Sermon-T.D. Jakes

I often read through my notes from sermon's that I listen to on podcasts or from church.  I love listening to podcasts by T.D. Jakes and Joyce Meyer the most.  Here are a few bullet points that I have from several T.D. Jakes' podcasts.  Some of them to name a few are: Your Opposition is Your Opportunity and Defying The Urge To Quit.

1. We damage what we are trying to save trying to go after something we are trying to kill.

Can I get a Amen?  And again?  This reminds me of the damage caused by chemotherapy and radiation trying to kill cancer.  So many other parts of our body are affected and must be repaired by our immune system.  The process must happen if we want to eradicate cancer and hopefully end up with a better quality of life.  Sometimes the cancer comes back and sometimes it destroys us.  The good new is, cancer cannot destroy your soul or take away eternal life.  You have the choice to spend eternity with God no matter what happens to you in this life on earth.  Choose wisely to take up your cross and follow Jesus. "God may remove His hedge of protection from your stuff, your health, etc... but not your soul."

2. Don't miss an opportunity because of opposition.

Because we are caught up in a war between 2 worlds, opposition will always be a factor.  But God always provides an opportunity around the opposition.  You can't get more blessed w/o more problems.  They grow up together. The more you get, the more you need.  More anointing means more crushing.  Your source is greater than your situation.  Your source is greater than your circumstance.  God is your source!

3.  The enemy of your soul attacks you because you have value.  Wherever you see a thief or a robber, there has got to be some value.

4.  Nothing that the enemy has planted in your life can destroy what God has put in your life.

This goes back to opportunity vs opposition.  Keep hope alive no matter what happens in life.  Giving up is not an option.

5.  Dont miss your season worrying about your situation.  Everytime you try to fix your situation yourself, you mess it up.  God said, "Leave it alone."

Sometimes our circumstances can distract us from our goals.  Every time challenges creep up, nail them to the cross.  We were not designed to carry burdens.  We must learn to lay our burdens down to achieve the purpose that God has planted in our life.

Kick Your Pride to the Side

Is pride really all that bad?  I mean really.  There are so many things that we can't help but to be proud of.  You hear sayings like, "Team Pride" and "I'm so proud of you" and those terms make us feel...well.....pretty darn good.  But then the bible warns us about being prideful.  God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.  So what's the difference?  Is there a good pride and a bad pride?

I am here to help sort all of that out.  This is something that I have both studied and written about.  Humble Pie Anyone?  This post is about humility which is the opposite of pride.

In the concordance to the bible, usually found in the back of the bible, pride is defined as:

1. inordinate self-esteem or deceit; disdainful behavior or treatment of others.

In the wikipedia aka world dictionary, pride has 2 definitions.  One negative and one positive:

1. Negative connotation: an inflated sense of one's personal status or accomplishments.
2. Positive connotation:  a satisfied sense of attachment toward one's own or anothers choices and actions, or toward a whole group of people, and is a product of praise, independent self-reflection, or a fulfilled feeling of belonging.

Do you see how the negative definitions between the bible and the world are very similar but only the world's definition has a positive side which when carefully dissected is not all that great from a biblical perspective for many reasons. 

A satisfied sense of attachment, a product of praise and an independent "self-reflection" are in opposition to God's word.  Please don't confuse this with being happy about something good that you did or happy for someone or sharing their joy.  Those are obviously good things.  This is about wicked pride.  Let me explain. If we are exalting or elevating ourselves by putting ourselves on a pedestal, God might lower us because it is not our place to put ourselves or anyone else on a pedestal.  God will elevate us when we humble ourselves.  

Here are 2 biblical examples of 2 kings that became powerful and prideful and God's wrath as a result:

1. Uzziah was a king who did many great things until....he became powerful.  His PRIDE led to his downfall.  He was unfaithful to God so the Lord afflicted him with leprosy.  He had leprosy until the day he did.
2. Hezekiah was a king who had very great wealth and honor.  But his heart became PROUD and he did not respond to the kindness shown to him by God.  Therefore God's wrath was on Hezekiah, on Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah repented of the PRIDE of his heart as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord's wrath did not come on them.

Wow, did you see that?  King Uzziah did not repent of his PRIDE and he had leprosy until the day he died but God's wrath was lifted from king Hezekiah who repented of his what.....PRIDE!

In his PRIDE, the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. Psalm 10:4.  No room for God?  May it never be.

You see, pride comes before destruction.  Our hearts can deceive us into seeing pride as a great thing but honestly we should seek to avoid pride in our hearts at ALL costs.  The result of human PRIDE is never worth the consequences.  God wants us to give Him glory by praising him and not ourselves or others for the kindness and mercy that He faithfully gives to those who love Him and trust Him.  PRIDE, evil thoughts, greed and foolishness come from within your heart and defile you.  Mark 7:22  I don't know about you but I don't want to be defiled because of PRIDE.

I must confess that I constantly come dangerously close to being prideful but thanks to the Holy Spirit who dwells in my heart, there is no room for PRIDE.  Yes I tell my children that I am proud of them all the time.  But that's not what I am referring to.  I'm talking about when people praise me for the gifts that God himself has blessed me with such as knowledge and wisdom.  If I am not careful pride can slip in and I can become judgemental, complacent and downright rude.  I find myself complaining about my position and other people.  Then God's spirit reminds me of my place and warns me about exalting myself and becoming arrogant.  I have no right or reason to think of myself as all that because in due time, God will and always has exalted me.  He does it in a way that brings glory to Him while allowing me to shine at the same time w/o worldly thoughts in my heart such as.....PRIDE!

One final thing I want to touch on is a verse from 1 John 2:15-17.  It says:

• 15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you (I can think of a few things), for when you love the world you do not have the love of the father in you.
• 16 The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and PRIDE in our achievements and possessions.  These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
• 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.  But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever!  Amen

Hitchhiker

I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.  2 Peter 3:17

A few years ago on my way to work I saw 2 women hitchhiking on the freeway.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  They were actually sitting on a concrete divider in a construction zone near one of the on ramps.  People are already driving 35 to 40 mph at that point and increasing speed in preparation to enter traffic between 55 and 65 mph.  There is no where for a person to pick them up even if they wanted to.  My first thought was the potential danger they were in.  I immediately started praying for them that God would guide them and protect them.  They appeared to be in their mid to late 20's. 

I'm assuming that they were desperate to get where they wanted to be.  It takes desperation to even hitchhike and I would say extreme desperation to be a "freeway hitchhiker".  Either way, you are purposefully putting your life at risk in more ways than one. 

As I talked to the Lord about these girls I began to think about how many times I have done something risky, or shall I say risque (risk-ay) to get somewhere or something?  Hitchhiking requires you to trust a stranger.  When I think of it this way, the same concept applies when you hire someone like a plumber or contractor to come and work on something in your home?  How about babysitters and child care either in your home or another location? 

There are many reasons that we have exercise trust in another human being but we don't have to freeway hitchhike.  You know, stick our thumb out and risk our own safety or the safety of our loved ones.  Choosing child care for my girls was one of the most difficult times of my life.  I'm so glad they are older now and no longer require constant adult supervision and I thank God for watching over them then and even now.  God will give you discernment in situations like this if you go to Him and ask for His direction and guidance.

Do you think those women asked God for discernment?  I'm thinking they chose their own route and I honestly can't stop thinking about them.  I hope they made it to their destination safely and I prayed that God would place someone on their path to lead them to Him.  And if they already know Him, I pray that He would speak to their hearts and they would listen to Him and know that with God, they never ever have to hitchhike on the freeway again.

As I write this, another thing that comes to mind is the hitchhiker of our soul.  The devil has many ways of doing this, no thumb necessary.  His minions have easy access by way of certain shows on TV, certain places, certain kinds of music, certain websites, etc........  You know what I'm talking about.  Most of it isn't even obvious and sometimes we don't even know they have hitched a ride until it's too late.

How can you be safe from the soul hitchhikers?  There is only one way that I know of and that is God through the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit of my soul gives me discernment about certain situations and warns me when danger is near.  The Holy Spirit guards your soul with the "shield of faith" like the best anti-virus program available on a computer.  When something does try to sneak in, your anti-virus program aka shield of faith will automatically block entrance and warn you not to go there, an intruder is there attempting to hitchhike and destroy the network of safety that surrounds your soul.  Now, you know you can override the Holy Spirit just like you can override the anti-virus program on your computer and choose to go there anyway.  If you do, it can wreak havoc on your hard drive aka your soul.

The best way to avoid and defeat the tactics of the devil is to be on guard and ready for anything.  God's word is your weapon that provides you with many ways to fight off the "soul hitchhiker".  That's why it's so important to study His word and obey the boundaries that He has placed in our lives.  We need to avoid being "freeway hitchhikers" and protect ourselves from the "soul hitchhiker".  There is a free ride through Jesus Christ.

Is There No King In You?

Life is a song.  At least for me that is the case.  I write songs and I love music so much that I taught myself how to play the piano.  I learned terms like scales, octaves, and how to read music.  A lot of people learned how to play by ear which is amazing as well but I'm better at learning a song by reading the notes first.  Once I get it down, I memorize it forever.  There is a song for everything.  I find myself using song lyrics for almost every situation.  "Wrote a song about it.  Like to hear it?  Here it goes."

When I think of life's challenges, one song that I love is There Is A King In You by Donald Lawrence.  Every time I turn around I find myself facing a new battle.  But despite all that, God is teaching me who I am.  How to recognize that I was born to rule.  You see, I answer to the King of all kings.  This King knows me better than I know myself.  I am His daughter so that means that I come from royalty.

That means that I don't have to let the challenges of life keep me down.  Why?  Because I come from royalty and I know who I am no matter what the enemy's goals are.  There is a King in me.  Is there no King in you? When you have the King in you there is no room for defeat in you.  When you have the King in you there is no room for low esteem.  

So embrace your King.  

Sing that song, dance that dance.  

Talk that talk and walk that walk.

No more feeling like you are beneath.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  You are a lender and not a borrow.  You have an inheritance.  You have been adopted into the royal family.  

If you are not sure if the King is in you, say these words out loud:

I trust you Lord with all my heart.  I believe Jesus is your Son.  I believe He died for me.  I believe He rose from the dead and He is the Risen King.  I invite Jesus into my heart.  Please help me to crucify my unsurrendered soul every day.  

Help me to know your voice and to hear you when you call.  Amen.

Paul/Faith vs James/Works

Our women's bible study group is currently studying the book of James.  I did some in depth studying on our last session:  The role of good works in the believer’s life. This has always been an interesting topic regarding salvation because sometimes we read one or 2 lines of scripture and come to a conclusion that can be a little skewed.  

In reference to the scripture below from James 2:14-26, here are some interesting points that I found.

James talks about the external results; James says this is what saving faith looks like.

Faith and Works

¹⁴ What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can ^[n]that faith save him? Works bears testimony of the inner-man. 

¹⁵ If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, ^[o]be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? ¹⁷ Even so faith, if it has no works, is ^[p]dead, being by itself.  The cause must come before the effect.  As evidence of a changed life, salvation must come first.

¹⁸ But someone ^[q]may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” ¹⁹ You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. ²⁰ But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? James speaks to the man who is all talk and no show (actions).  True salvation always proves itself.

²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? ²² You see that faith was working with his works, and ^[s]as a result of the works, faith was ^[t]perfected; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.  Abraham’s works mentioned by James were a result of justification which came by faith 25 years earlier.  Abraham was not being saved again.  He was showing evidence of his salvation, confirmed in the justification by faith, accomplished years before.  Paul and James cite 2 different times in Abraham’s life, events separated by 25 years. 

²⁴ You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.  “Works” are the result of true “faith”.  Jesus Christ and His righteousness is the standard.

Salvation is the result of God’s grace and your faith. 

Paul looks at what goes on internally; Paul says we are saved by “faith”. 

Ephesians 2:8-For by grace, you have been saved through “faith”; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Romans 10:6-But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works.

Galatians 2:21-If Righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died needlessly.

Titus 3:5-He saved us not on the basis of deeds, which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy.

I hope this helps others as much as it helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of both faith and works in a believer's life.  I touched a little on Ephesians 2:8 in my blog post titled: Salvation Is A Free Gift.  As humans, we believe that nothing is free and everything must be earned.  After all, hard work is everything and we really seem to struggle with accepting unmerited favor aka grace. Well T.D. Jakes helped me to realize that "Favor Ain't Fair".  This means that God shows grace on whomever he chooses and it's never about earning it.  We just aren't good enough, period.  

Online Reference:  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2042251/posts?page=155

Follow The Leader

It gives me joy to give my husband the space and support he needs to be the head of our household and to lead me as I submit to Him according to God's will.  Because of that, our relationship is much stronger than it would be if I didn't choose to obey God's will for our marriage.  If you don't allow a man to do what God has called Him to do as the head of the house, you could be setting him up to fail.

As we all know, in dancing two people cannot lead.  One must be willing to follow or both of you could trip and fall.  The same applies to married couples.  When you have a wife trying to control her husband or usurp his authority as the leader, disaster is in the mix.  Trust me, I know from experience.

As the wife, trusting your husband is trusting God.  You know that your husband will make mistakes at one point or another.  Finances, children, discipline, ego, etc.... That's why trusting God is essential when it comes to being a submissive wife.  What does it take to be a submissive wife?  I will share with you how things look for me personally as a submissive wife.

For the first 3 or 4 years of our relationship, I tried to control every aspect of my husband.  You see, he didn't believe in God.  He was angry at God for many understandable reasons.  Well I thought that I could somehow make him be a man of God and I actually viewed him as a control freak.  Guess what I learned in the process?  Not only was I the "control freak", I would never be able to control him w/o first surrendering to him.  But how do you surrender to a man that doesn't want a relationship with God?  You take him, your children, your finances, your household and you place it all in God's care.

By totally surrendering everything you care about to God, you are setting the stage for abundant blessings in all those areas.  When I disagree with something that my husband does or says, I try to remain silent until I know I can address him w/o being disrespectful or saying the wrong thing out of anger.  That is what I used to try to do and it only made things worse.  We used to argue all the time, even in front of our kids.

As I finally started to grow up,  God saved my husband and our marriage and I allowed myself to agree with God and let Him minister to me through His word.  I learned how to see things through God's eyes.  Of course we don't always agree but we try to work through it w/o disrespecting each other. I talk to God and I ask Him to help me get my point across the right way. But not before God shows me where I'm wrong or need improvement.  This has worked for us for years now.  My husband almost always sees things as God sees them and as a result we are actually in agreement most of the time.  That's what it's all about.  When we do struggle with each others decisions or behavior, we ask God to help us see the situation through His eyes.

Tips for married couples:
1. When we learn to humbly trust and obey God, He brings personal transformation.
2. Give 100% no matter what the other person does.
3. Do not make mountains out of mole hills.
4. Respect your husband-a man needs respect like a woman needs love.  He feels valuable and esteemed which is very important to him.  Be his cheerleader, believe in him and appreciate him.

There are no inferiors or superiors in marriage.  Your husband is accountable to surrender his own agenda and hobbies to serve and meet the needs of his wife.  He should be willing to deny himself for the good of your family.

References:
Family Life Marriage Bible
Dennis & Barbara Rainey-Best selling authors and co-founders of FamilyLife.

My husband and I are best friends, partners, lovers and companions for life.  We treat each other like royalty.  He will always be my King and I will always be his Queen.

My Contract To Myself

This is my life.  It matters to me.  I was born to do great things. Through my veins runs resilience, determination, fight, drive, faith, and a hunger to get better each and every day.  I can't change yesterday, but I will have a massive impact on today and tomorrow.  I take my life serious.  If you choose to be a part of my life, I need for you to support me, push me, challenge me, and to encourage me as I seek my greatness.  This is my life.  I will not waste it.  My future dreams matter to me.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, FOCUS, DEDICATION, THE NEXT LEVEL, CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PHENOMENAL COMPETENCE:

Those will be the words that drive me.  I have a destiny to fulfill.  I will always strive to be better.  Mountains, barriers, and challenges are temporary; I WILL NOT BE STOPPED.  I am a force for God.  I will intensify my focus.  I am what I am now, but I know that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

These are words from a contract that I received from a safety class held at my job by a very beautiful and inspiring woman that I have known for a very long time.  When I finished this class, I felt like I was ready to make some big changes in my life and my career path.  I have big, big dreams and I know that God is growing me and pruning me for the right opportunity and the right moment.  It's amazing how far He has brought me in my life.  I know that as long as I continue to lean and depend
on Him, to trust Him, to hold on to His unchanging hand, I can face anything and I can succeed in everything!

From My Soul To Yours,

Starla E.

Misunderstood

Is he strange, or just misunderstood?

Is she mean, or just misunderstood?

Are they rude, or just misunderstood?

Are you good, or just misunderstood?

Sometimes we draw conclusions about things or people without enough information.  Do you know, what you don't know?  What I mean is, do you have enough information to make an informed decision or judgement about someone?  I cannot tell you how many times my first impression of someone was way, way off.

I have negatively judged people and I have even had a positive opinion about someone only to discover that I really am not the best judge of character.  That must be why it's best not to judge a person but it's not a bad idea to judge their actions.  Judge the sin not the sinner.  There is a fine line that's for sure.
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and[a]by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

Things are hardly ever what they seem, especially when you don't have the inside scoop.  When you are on the outside looking in, your ideas and opinions can be formed by your own assumptions.  And you know what "they" (whoever "they" are) say about assumption right?  When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me.  Well I personally like to say "When you assume, you make an ass out of you and umption."  (Excuse my language for the sake of making a very cliche point).  But really, don't you hate it when people expect you to assume what they want or assume what they are thinking like you must be some sort of mind reader?  I believe in verbal communication and assuming is one of my pet peeves.  I like to avoid making assumptions.  However, I know that I assume a lot w/o even realizing it.  I always say, "Don't expect anyone to assume what you expect.  Instead make it very clear by verbally communicating with them."

One thing that I always try not to do is judge someone by their appearance.  Good and evil can appear in all forms.  Evil people can appear to be good, and good people can appear to be evil.  I guess it depends on your definition of good and evil.  Not everyone would define good and evil quite the same way.

We can never really know what's on a persons mind.  They can tell you anything but that doesn't mean it's true.  However, their conversation will help you get a better understanding of who they really are.  How do they behave as a person?  What does their conversation consist of?  I have a great example.  I know someone who is always complaining and never happy.  This person is miserable all the time and doesn't really like dealing with people.  On the other hand, this person believe's in God and attends church.  They donate their time and money to charity too.  This person doesn't smile often but I have seen them show care in different ways.  What does all that really say about them?  Does it mean this person is good or bad?  Overtime I have come to realize that this person is constantly in pain and often feels unappreciated for various reasons.  I try to show them love by not judging them but showing concern for their feelings.  I believe it helps but they have a lot of unmet needs and I pray for them often.  My concern for them is genuine.  They have a good heart but they are hurting emotionally and just need someone in their life to care.

My main point is this:  We are all capable of being good and/or bad on a daily basis.  We can easily be misunderstood based on our good and/or bad actions.  God is the best judge of character and He will help you determine what you need to know and do regarding His definition of good and bad.

Are you good, or just misunderstood?  You be the judge of your own character and clothe yourself in righteousness.  That way when people judge your goodness, they won't be misunderstood.

Bought For A High Price

If you are saved, a believer who walks with Christ.  You were chosen and you were bought for a high price.  Imagine that, you were purchased with something more valuable than silver and gold.  Unblemished and spotless, as that of a lamb.  The precious blood of Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to be bought with blood?  It means Jesus is your master and you are not your own.  Jesus loves you and He has chosen you out of the world.  You are not of the world and the world does not love you.  The world only loves its own.  You were bought for a high price, purchased by Jesus Christ.  Because of this, the world hates you but it has hated Him before it hated you.  But take heart, He has overcome the world.  So love one another, for this is His command.  The one with blood as precious as a lamb.

Though you have not seen him, you love him, and though you do not see him now, you believe in Him.  Your soul has been saved as the outcome of your faith.  1 Peter 1:8,9.

You were chosen and you were bought for a high price.

Fear Factor

For GOD has not given us a

 SPIRIT of FEAR

but of Power

 Love  and of

a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

"Lord, I am just thinking about how grateful I am that You have not given us control of anything except ourselves, our choices and our thoughts.  Our understanding is finite, limited and for good reason.  Our minds cannot even begin to fathom or contain Your level of knowledge.  This should keep us humble because not one person on this earth knows it all.  I'm so glad that I don't because I believe it could destroy me to know too much."

When I was a child, I had no fear of most of the things that I fear now.  My brother and I used to spend hours in the desert hunting lizards and horned toads.  We would climb barbed wire fences and everything.  In the middle of summer days with no sunblock or water, the only thing we were equipped with was my brother's BB gun.  He would shoot a lizard and we would be so fascinated.  Talk about rough and tumble.

Now, you couldn't pay me to spend more than 20 minutes in the sun and my deficient vitamin D levels can attest to that.  I do not like to spend a lot of time outside, especially if there isn't any shade nearby.  My lack of sunlight may have caused me to be more susceptible to Multiple Sclerosis and now too much sun can cause me to have a relapse.  You can see details about my MS on my MS blog Did I Mention My MS???

Some fear is healthy and alerts us when danger is nearby.  I call that our animal instincts and we need to have animal responses.  Don't try to rationalize your God given instincts when something is amiss.  When most animals sense danger, they don't mind confronting it right away and nipping it in the bud.  Whether they flee or fight, they are quick to take action.  For most humans, our ability to rationalize causes us to hesitate.  Sometimes that hesitation can be the difference between life and death.  So trust your own instincts.  They are there for a reason.  I'm not saying fight every time you feel danger, instead get yourself to safety and in a safe position as soon as you feel the first hint that something is off.  You could be wrong, but you will at least be alive.

Most of my fears are unrealistic.  I am afraid to swim in the ocean because I just know a shark is out there waiting for me.  That's a true story.  Well that and the fact that I am not the greatest swimmer.  It's the things that don't scare me that have caused me more harm.  Thanks to T.V., I know just enough to be paranoid and irritating.  Getting connected with God on a regular basis is the only thing that helps me maintain a sound mind.  He teaches me how to combat my fears w/o worrying because I know He will always have my back.  He teaches me that even though I am not exempt from problems in this world, He will guide me through every single trial until the day He calls me to come home.

Yes, at times I worry.  Yes, at times I am afraid.  And in those times, the Holy Spirit ministers to me and helps me to keep my focus on Him.  To focus on what is true and how I can manage my fears.

Fear is not be a Factor for me, as long as I keep my mind stayed on Him.

Baptized For The Dead??

Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead?  If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?  1 Corinthians 15:29

I was reading my daily devotion today when I came across this scripture.  This is the one that caused me to stop, read it again, go back a few scriptures and read it again.  I have come across this scripture before and even had conversations with a person who actually believes in baptism for the dead.  At the time, I wasn't able to rightly divide this scripture so I didn't get into a deep debate as I usually would but the Holy Spirit led me to realize that this scripture wasn't saying that we should be baptized for the dead. That was a few years ago.

Today when I came across this scripture, I was able to practice something that is taught at my church known as SAR-Some Assembly Required.  The whole concept is to journal when you read and study the word.  Write the scripture, then ask yourself, "Why did this stop me?" then write a response.  In order to do this, you will have to go back a few scriptures, go forward a few scriptures and also read other scriptures that cross reference the one that you are trying to divide or understand.  I like the Ryrie Study Bible because it has footnotes and references other scriptures that relate to what you are reading.  If you are still unable to gain understanding, pray for God to reveal it to you and in His time, he will.

So back to baptism for the dead.  My response to the question, "should we be baptized for the dead" is, NO!  This scripture is referring to (those) some religions who say there is no resurrection of the dead but practice being baptized for the dead.  What is the point of being baptized for the dead if the dead cannot be raised??  They do not believe in the resurrection of Christ.  That makes their practices vain and their own doctrine false.  1 Corinthians 15:19 "If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied."

There are no opportunities for salvation after death, period.  So please, don't get baptized for the dead.  That is a doctrine of false teaching.  Because Christ is raised from the dead, we can obtain salvation through Christ only.  We must believe in His resurrection.  His death and resurrection have bridged the gap between men and God.  Romans 4:25 "He was delivered up for our sins and rose again for our justification." 

Jesus, who walks on water.

There is a name, that is so precious.  That name is Jesus.  The name above every name.  The one who gave His life for me.  At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord.

The day will come when every knee will bow in heaven, and on earth, and underneath the earth (Philippians 2:10) and will give Jesus the respect that is due to Him.  I don't know about you, but that is so profound to me.

That means;
Those who believe He is just a prophet.
Those who worship Mary, mother of Jesus.
Those who believe that He is Michael, the archangel.
If you believe that Jesus is no more than a messenger.
Atheists
Evolutionists
Mary Baker Eddy
Joseph Smith
Charles Taze Russell
Confuscious

You will all bow down to Jesus Christ, the Son of God and your tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Not might bow down or maybe confess.  Will bow down and shall confess.  Jesus, the one who died on the cross for sinners like you and me.  Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God.

 Jesus, the one who walks on water.

Peace Be With You: Prayer Warrior

Calling all prayer warriors.  How would you like to help change the world, one prayer at a time?  Now is your chance to join a network of prayer partners at Peace Be With U.  I became a prayer partner about a week ago and let me tell you, it really blesses me to be able to stand in the gap for hurting people.  If you would like to be a prayer warrior, click here Peace Be With U Ministry.  There are other ways to help people through Peace Be With U so please get involved any way that you can.  Help make a difference in the lives of others.

 If you are standing in need of prayer, click here Prayer Request.

Genuinely Fake

Be so familiar with the truth that when you encounter a lie, it sets off an alarm in your soul.  Falsehood can manifest itself in many different roles and sometimes the perpetrator is the one in the mirror.  Yep, you.  It's funny how you cannot see yourself w/o looking in the mirror or seeing your reflection.  Be sure to look at your reflection (yourself) often.

Let's face it, everyone lies.  Yep I said it.  You, me, she and they.  We all lie at one time or another.  A 2 year old child lies w/o fully understanding that it's wrong.  A child does not have to be trained to be disobedient, that comes naturally.  We are born sinners.  The wicked are estranged from the womb, those who speak lies go astray from birth.  Psalm 58:3   For a better understanding of what this verse means, I suggest you do your research.  Studying God's word is the best way to learn.  When you study His word, you will not be easily deceived.

We are all capable of lying.  Most people do not like to lie but will sometimes lie to avoid conflict (the  peacemaker).  They may be known to withhold the truth by not speaking up or revealing what they know even when it's necessary.  That is a form of lying or faking, ok.

Then there are those who practice lying as a regular way of life.  They are constantly trying to come up with ways to deceive people.  They are fake and appear to be something that they are not.  For some, lying is how they make money, it's their full time job.  Some people lie for power.  False witnesses come to deceive people about God's word.  They want to control people.  This is what I call faking it to make it.

Recently there was a report on the news about the "fake red sole shoes".  You know, the french shoe designer Christian Louboutin?  All of  his shoes have a signature bright red sole.  People were making a profit by selling counterfeit Louboutin's.  They deceived the public who believed that they were getting a great deal for the real thing.  The garment districts are notorious for this.

I used to work at a credit union and me and 2 other women taught a few classes on how to identify counterfeit money, bad checks and fake identification.  I taught the part of the class regarding counterfeit money.  Everyone was surprised to see the depths that people go to get money.  There are so many security features on real paper money that makes it difficult to duplicate.  But if you don't know the real thing, you will accept the counterfeit.  By the time you realize it's a fake, it may be too late and you are left with something that is of no value to you.

 In this life, you will encounter perpetrators whether it be "fake people", "fake money", or "fake things".  They are so good at what they do that it's not always obvious at first.  We must watch the company we keep.  Some people are really good at appearing genuine or real (actors).  When you find out who they really are, you feel betrayed.  Don't ignore your instincts.  That's the red flags and alarms that go off when you are in the presence of something or someone that isn't genuine or real.

If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Is it you?  Sometimes we lie to ourselves.  We act differently than how we feel.  Acting, faking, deceiving, lying, call it what you want.  If you struggle with telling the truth talk to God about it.  Ask Him for forgiveness and to help you change your life.  You can avoid it all by Keepin It Real  and trusting God no matter what.

From My Soul To Yours ©

Starla Danielle Espinoza

Following photo:
I Forgive You courtesy of:
PeaceBeWithU.com

Bloggers in God: God Desires Your Heart ©

Here is my Wednesday post for Bloggers In God, 7/4/12.

Bloggers in God: God Desires Your Heart ©: Today's post comes from Starla at Keepin It Real   freecodesource.com When I read the bible, it really comes alive and spe...

My Father's Business ©



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 We are NEVER alone, No NEVER!  God is always in our midst.  All you have to do is call on Him and He will fill the void in your life.  Whether it be emptiness, despair, depression, anxiety or loneliness, call on Jesus.

We have no need to worry , fret, or fear.  Call on Jesus.  It is by God's grace that I am able to do anything.  He speaks to me all the time.  He has chosen me to work for Him.  I am so honored to be a vessel for the Lord.  He is in the business of repairing, sustaining, comforting, healing, and more.....

The main requirement is to love Him with all my heart and soul.  When you love God, you will know that all He needs is your heart.  Once you have given Him your heart the desire that He has carefully placed there will be employed by Him.  If your desire is to sing for Him, go into the mission fields, preach His word, exhort His people, serve others, He will bring it to pass because it brings Him glory.  It's all for His kingdom.

So....even though I may not be qualified to be the CEO of a company, He has qualified me as the CEO of the desire that He has carefully placed in my heart!  It is my job to trust Him, obey Him, believe His promises and leap out in faith.

My job is to be about My Father's Business.  What about you?

In this new life one's nationoality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing.  Whether a person has Christ is what matters and He is equally available to all! Colossians 2:11

From my soul to yours,

Starla Danielle Espinoza 

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Bloggers in God: Hitchhikers

Here is my weekly post at Blogger's In God.  Enjoy and whatever you do, watch out for the hitchhiker of your soul.

Bloggers in God: Hitchhikers: Today's post comes from Starla at Keepin It Real

The Purpose of Money; Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12

King Solomon's Temple

In week 5 of our bible study, "A Life Well Lived" King Solomon schooled us on the topic of money.  Complete this phrase:

If only I had ______________, then I'd be happy.  There is always something better in our minds.  Satisfaction is only guaranteed for a little while.  Let me keep it real, I wouldn't mind having a BMW or a bigger house but I am thankful and grateful for what I do have, no matter what.  I used to tell myself that if I could just win the lottery, I can help so many people but God never asked me to do his job.  When He does inspire me to do something, please believe He will give me the resources to do it.  Something more like common sense than money.

In Ecclesiastes 5:10 he says, "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income.  This too is vanity."   Bottom line:  We always tend to think of something better than what we already have.

In 5:11 he goes on to say, "When good things increase, those who consume them increase.  So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on?"   Bottom line:  Don't let what you don't have take away from the joy of what you do have.

6:7 says, "All a man's labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied."  Bottom line:  Once you have eaten, you will eventually be hungry again.  The concept is the same for everything.   How many times have you desired something and once you have gotten it, eventually you want something new or better than what you already have?  I know none of you are like that but I'm just sayin.

6:9 "What the eye sees is better than what the soul desires."  Bottom line:  What you see in front of you is what you already have, which isn't always good enough.  You always want more and more of what you don't have and your soul seems to desire what you don't have.

My take away from this entire lesson is:  Money fails, homes fail, cars fail, people fail but God never fails and He will supply your every need if you get out of His way.  The best things in life really are free.

From my soul to yours,

Starla Danielle Espinoza

Confession Series: My Inner Brat

One of my most difficult things to confess is how broken I really am.   I am very perceptive which often causes me to be very sensitive and feel insecure about things.  In my mind, I manage to twist things around to appear  negative in my eyes.  It's very difficult to face and confess these emotions.  It makes me feel very evil and mean.

You see, it's not so much about having my way as it is about proving myself to be so wise.  Now I am finally facing the music so to speak.  I throw in the towel, wave the white flag.  I surrender.  I am confessing to the world that I am such a brat sometimes.  So it's only fitting that I clean up my act and get some sense before I destroy my valuable relationships.  My husband, children, family and friends are so very dear to me.

Do we all have demons to face?  Sure we do.  And I'm finally ready to tackle my giants head on.  I am running toward this giant hill of lies from the enemy with my sword, the word of God.  I will focus on what God says about me.  I will no longer allow the enemy to ruin my mind.  The cure to this ailment is prayer (lots of it) and spending more time in the word instead of the world.  I will no longer allow myself to be so distracted by TV, blogging, money, etc......  Not that TV and blogging is wrong, but it is when I'm so wrapped up in catching the latest episode of "whatever" or making sure that people are reading my blogs in place of my alone time with God.  It doesn't even have to be a long time and I know this.

Not only that but it's always very comforting.  I love to pray, praise, worship and fellowship all in the name of Jesus.  It cleanses my soul which should be done daily.

Sooo, with all that being said, I am asking my readers to please send up sincere prayers for me to do what I know I should to protect my mind from evil thoughts and false accusations.  I also apologize to those that I have hurt with my words in the past.  And to those that I have complained about for hurting me in the past.  Today is a new day and "We're all in this together."

From my soul to yours,

Starla Danielle Espinoza

Were You Really "Just Kidding"?

Every now and then I have to reprimand my daughters for being rude to each other.  There are 3 of them and sometimes the older 2 gang up on the youngest or the younger two gang up on the oldest.  One of their favorite excuses for being mean is, "I was just kidding."  "Oh really?", I reply.  "Do you think that just because you were "just kidding" it makes your sister feel better?"  They think about it then realize that a sincere apology is in order.

Kidding and joking cannot un-ring a bell.  Once we speak something hurtful on purpose, the words "just kidding" only make it worse because now it seems like we are making light of cruelty.  Not only that but don't you think people know the differene.  We are all guilty of saying mean and hurtful things to people.  Once we realize that we have rang that bell (saying something that we regret), a sincere apology should follow.

Even if we have hurt someone unintentionally we should apologize.  What if we are not sorry?  You know, maybe you said something that needed to be said but it was not in a loving way.  More out of anger?  Once the dust settles you will feel bad but pride may prevent you from apologizing right away (at least that's the way it is for me). 

At that point, give it to God and ask for His guidance and forgiveness.  Sometimes an apology isn't necessary and changing your attitude is all it takes.  Actions can definitely speak louder than words.  If you do apologize, don't continue to make the same mistake.  Eventually your apologies will fall on deaf ears.

I am very bold and outspoken.  That can be good or it can be very bad.  I used to speak w/o thinking which didn't always turn out good.  As I get older, I gain wisdom about bridling my tongue or atleast speak in a loving way. 

......But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.
James 1:19 New American Standard

Kidding and joking should be kept to a minimum (unless you are a clown) and never at someone's expense.  You can be funny w/o acting like a fool.  Keep wisdom and knowledge close by.

From my heart to yours,

Starla D Espinoza