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

Be Not Deceived

There is an adversary that seeks to kill, steal and destroy.  I'll say it again, he seeks to steal, kill and destroy.  Not just one or the other but all 3 of these are his purpose.  He is known as Satan, Lucifer, Antichrist, Beast, Beelzebub, Accuser, Liar, Belial, Deceiver, Devil, Dragon and the list goes on.  There are more names in the bible for Satan than anyone else except Jesus Christ.  There is only one devil, but there are many demons.  The demons are angels who sinned with Satan by following him when he revolted against God.  Some are confined, but many are active in the world.  They seek to thwart the purposes of God.  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

They even promote their own system of doctrine.  "The spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." 1 Timothy 4:1

They can inflict diseases of men and of animals. Matthew 4:24, Mark 5:13

People who have a true relationship with Christ cannot be overcome by demons.  Those who do not are fair game.  One of Satan's greatest abilities is deception.  He makes lies look like truth.  His lies take on various forms such as cults and false doctrines.  It is important to know God's word to discern the difference between truth and error.  As strange as it may seem, even the demons acknowledge that there is only one God.  "You believe that there is only God.  You do well.  Even the demons believe that and shudder."  James 2:19

Now for the good news, Jesus Christ came not to condemn the world but to save the world.  Do you know what that means?  It means that we can be redeemed.  We can have the same authority over Satan as Jesus does.  "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."  Matthew 10:1

 What a blessing.  Brothers and Sisters, BE NOT DECEIVED.