THE SECRET IS ABOUT TO BE LEAK, SOMEONE THAT KNOWS ABOUT YOU IS PICKING ...

We all have secrets. But there is no secret that can damage you because God has already forgiven you. You are free from that sin if you confessed it to God. The Bible says that He remembers it no more. So why should you be remembering it and feeling guilty? You don't need to go around confessing your sins to people once you confessed it to God.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Your sins are the reason why Christ died on the cross. So everything you did has been washed clean as if it never happened the moment you accepted Christ as you savior. 

You have been redeemed. People cannot damage you by leaking your secrets. There is no secret that God did not know about before you found Him. Only God has the final say. And God is a God of mercy. 

Everything Is Going To Work Out!!!!!!

Oh my goodness! I mentioned this exact scripture in my last You Tube video. Nikki is one of my favorite sources of encouragement. She says so many things in this video that I have been talking about lately. 

Don't magnify the problem; focus on the promise--"...all things work together toward good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." 

Stand still and watch God move on your behalf. Don't let fear cause you to make a decision that you will regret. Keep your heart right. A faithful man will always abound in the blessings of the Lord. God will prove to you that He will never leave you disappointed. 

If THESE 5 Things Happened, Your Season Has Changed

I had to share this because I know that my season has changed, and I know that what this man speaks is truth. God has pulled people out of my life. He has taken away provision. He has isolated me. He has put in me a desire to draw closer to him, and he has taught me how to use my sword to be victorious in spiritual warfare. My season has changed. I have stepped out of the nest, and for the first time, my wings are touching the sky. 

WHO'S CARRYING YOUR BURDEN?

By Danelle Carvell

In high school, I spent many lunch breaks studying instead of eating. And I was starved by the time I got home. We can feel starved of more than just food. Sometimes the emptiness we feel is a longing for close supportive relationships with people who have our backs.

While clearing out a box of papers in the basement, I came across a four-inch stack of writings from many years ago. Today, I spent a good hour going through those thoughts on all kinds of topics. What memories it brought back. 

Although I'm taking a break from blogging to pursue other interests, I felt the need to share one particular short piece that I wrote back in 2007. I'm sharing it because I recently joined a small group study at LCBC church, and the topic relates to that decision. 

I've been part of the group for only two weeks, but already I feel that it is exactly what I've been craving for the past three years. I'm hoping that sharing this will inspire women to step out in faith and gather with one another in their homes or churches because we need the support of other women so we don't feel so alone in our burdens. It could be exactly what you need right now. 

Below is the entry I wrote 17 years ago:

Something was missing. I couldn't put my finger on it. My emotional and spiritual needs weren't being met. Although I was close to God, went to church, had a satisfying marriage and two great kids, an emptiness haunted me. 

I longed to be part of something... to share my faith more intimately with other believers. Perhaps the ladies bible study in Lykens was the answer. According to the newspaper, they would meet on Thursdays. So I called the number and planned to go. 

For me to step out of my comfort zone and meet with a group of strangers took a great deal of courage. I'm not a social butterfly, but these women made me feel instantly welcome. They truly had a heart for Jesus and a kindness that made me want to return. I told them the first night that they were a breath of fresh air for me, a stay-at-home wife and mother who rarely got out of the house. 

After eight weeks of enjoying the company of these gracious women, I didn't want it to end. My enthusiasm for the group to continue through summer led to an invitation. "Would you like to be a Bible study coordinator for our women's connection?" Before saying yes, I felt amazed what can happen when you step out of your comfort zone and faithfully go where God is calling you. 

Is God calling you to join a Bible study? Perhaps he's calling you to guide one. Don't ignore that inner longing. If sitting in a pew for an hour once a week is your only spiritual nourishment, then you're probably starving as I was. Large groups of people who know little about you can't satisfy your need to be known and cared for. 

We need consistent contact with people who really know us and who care about our well-being. "Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The Bible suggests that we meet regularly with a small group of other believers. Small groups allow us to get to know each other, and wonderful things happen when believers gather. 

Now I'm guiding a bible study, and a wonderful thing happened last week when the women in our group shared the most amazing stories of how God revealed himself to them and helped them. One woman shared how she had lost her son in a store and after searching everywhere inside the building she frantically ran outside and saw her precious little boy being led back into the store by a stranger, one of God's angels assigned to protect her family. 

From finding a lost wallet to discovering a special book lying along the road, these women were bursting with testimonies of God's daily love and guidance. I left that night feeling so uplifted and inspired. And none of that would have happened if I hadn't stepped out of my comfort zone and attended that first bible study where God was nudging me to go. 

Who's carrying your burden? God created us to need being around people and to be part of a community. What invitation have you come across that you should say "yes" to? 

 

LET IT GO AND TRUST THE OUTCOME

By Danelle Carvell

                                                

Not a flattering photo, but sometimes life just isn't fun. I'm learning that there is a right way to handle disappointment. 

Are you dealing with a disappointment right now? Does an unresolved issue keep coming to your mind? Do you have conversations with yourself about your troubles? And are you wondering why God doesn't do something about it?

This morning, before we went to church, a subject for a future post came to my mind. I wrote on a post-it note "how to hand problems over to God and have peace." And I placed that note on my laptop. 

Then I asked Him to lead me to teachings that would help me write about that subject. Well guess what the sermon was about this morning--What to do when you don't know how to handle disappointment. Once again, I was amazed by the God that I serve and the way He answers prayers and guides my mind. 

Our hurts, our longings and our disappointments can be a source of distraction, anxiety, exhaustion and depression. Who hasn't dealt with a troubling problem and the disappointment of seeing no resolution. When God doesn't answer our prayers about something important, what is the right thing to do. How do we best handle it? 

I've had my share of disappointments in life, as I'm sure you have. And I have made a lot of mistakes in the way that I handled those troubles. I'm still making those mistakes, but I'm learning to handle my hurts in a better way. 

I don't recall getting mad at God for my disappointments, but some people do go that route. And it's not a wise decision because He can best get you through it. I'm still waiting for healing of a chronic sleep issue after 17 years. My prayers and closeness to God are what gets me through each night and the tired days. Where would I be if I allowed the problem to distance me from the source of my strength? 

I can't recall blaming God for a problem, but one mistake I have made is trying to fix things myself. God wants us to lay our problems at His feet and then trust Him with the outcome. But our human nature wants to take control and manipulate the outcome. We don't want to wait for answers. We are impatient. Instead of allowing God the time He needs to bring peace to the situation, we take the wheel.

When people are hurting or disappointed, they want their feelings validated. They want understanding for their hurts. They want solutions. They want apologies. They want someone to acknowledge the wrong that was done to them.  

But I can't convict a person's heart. Only God can do that. I can't be a problem solver without the Way Maker. In other words, the problem is not mine to fix. Yes, I can address the problem. I can plead my case to those involved. But once I do that, I need to step back, pour my heart out to God and let it in His hands. That is what I'm learning right now.

My hands need to be open. I have to let it go. My open hands represent my willingness to give the hurt to God and then accept His answers in His timing. If I hold onto that problem with a tight fist, I will end up even more disappointed. 

The question I've been pondering lately is... How do I have peace while I wait for the problem to change? The answer came to me in this morning's sermon--I must believe that God can fix it, but also accept that He might not. I do believe that God can fix anything, but sometimes He chooses not to give us the things we pray for. And we have to trust His reasons. 

We often don't see the reasons for our sufferings until years later when we look back on that situation and realize how God really was working on our behalf. We can see how He got us through it, and we can better understand why it worked out the way it did and why it took so long. God is operating from an all-knowing perspective. Our human minds don't have His divine wisdom in every situation. 

"For we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose" 

That scripture, Romans 8:28, is the answer to our disappointments, all our problems, all our frustrations, and our unmet longings. When you're hurting, you have to hang onto something. So keep repeating that scripture and believe that God is working it out for your good. 

Faith is powerful. Frustration is not. 

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL ARMOR and why do you need it?

By Danelle Carvell

                                                

We protect our bodies from the sun, yet fail to put on our spiritual armor.

Last year, I experienced the most real, intense spiritual battle of my life. Maybe some day I can share the whole story, but for now I can only say that I was laying sideways on the floor, unable to move, and I knew that I was under a demonic attack. My only option was to pray. The prayer started as a whisper, because I was exhausted from not sleeping for three days straight. 

As I kept praying, I felt something come over me that gave me strength. I knew it was the Holy Spirit. As I pushed myself up off the floor, my prayer became progressively louder and more forceful until it exploded into what felt like a victorious battle cry. And I knew that I had won. Through that battle, I learned the authority that I have and I learned how to use it. 

The believer who puts on spiritual armor and engages in spiritual warfare is marked. The devil will do all he can to prevent you from knowing your authority and using it against him. But you must learn that do have authority over Satan's attacks as you go about your daily life. 

Many Christians do not realize the authority they have. To learn more about your spiritual authority, I recommend The Believer's Authority by Kenneth Hagin. I wrote about spiritual authority in a July 7 post. You can scroll down the home page of my blog to find it. The post is titled "What do you Want That is Different?" 

We must recognize that we have an enemy, the devil, who is battling to pull us away from God and destroy our lives in any way he can. The spiritual realm is very real and it is operating in high gear right now. You have probably been feeling the heaviness of the battle we are in for the freedom and soul of our nation. We must learn how to fight this battle not only for ourselves and our families, but also for our nation and the people who are working to save it. 

"So often people struggle to recognize that the battles they face every day are not against other people but against spiritual forces. Human nature leads us to believe the conflicts we face in life are because people have wronged us. While sometimes that is true, there is also a bigger spiritual enemy whom God wants us to focus on defeating. So Paul urges you to put on your spiritual armor," says Chelsea Kight in her article What is the Armor of God @ cru.org

"God offers you the same armor that He protects himself with. Recognizing and making use of the armor God gives you is part of becoming more like Him. So it is important to understand the different roles of each piece of armor God tells you to put on," Kight explains. 

Spiritual armor is outlined in Ephesians 6: 10-17. You should read that scripture so you can see how God made full provision for your safety. The different parts of this armor symbolize spiritual truths that belong to the believer. 

By wearing this armor, your authority over the devil is protected. But you must keep your armor well-secured around you. And you can't do that simply by "praying on" your armor every day. You have to live out each part of your armor and "work it" in order for it to work. 

The Belt of Truth

This represents a clear understanding of God's word. You need to know what the scriptures say about every problem you encounter because the devil will tell you lies about yourself and other people. He will accuse you to make you feel guilty, uncertain or unworthy. He will tell you lies about God and about the situations you encounter. You can't just "pray on" your belt of truth; you need to put the time in and study God's word. This is the only way you can stand strong and defeat the lies of the enemy. 

The Breastplate of Righteousness

"To protect yourself with the breastplate of righteousness, means to claim for yourself the righteousness before God that only comes from Christ and then grow in obedience to Christ with His help," says Kight. In other words, love and accept Christ and then be obedient to God's word. You can't just "pray on" your protective breastplate and then not bother being obedient.

"When we focus on right living, honoring and obeying God's will, and saying no to sin, we are actively living out and experiencing the righteousness we have as followers of Jesus," Kight says. 

Shoes for your feet

Your feet must be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. This is a faithful ministry proclaiming the word of God. What are you doing every day to bring peace to others? Are you sharing your faith with others? Are you living as God intends you to live? 

The Shield of Faith

This represents our complete safety under the blood of Christ. You must remember that your faith in God will keep Satan's arrows from wounding you. Kight suggests that you begin each day by reminding yourself what is true about God and what is true about you. Find  verses that you can meditate on throughout the day. Keep speaking God's promises until trust in God becomes your natural response to every situation. Again, you can't just "pray on" the shield of faith. Faith is something you live out every day. It takes effort. 

The Helmet of Salvation

We are living in dark days when many people are turning away from the truth of God's word. You must protect your mind from this darkness. Your salvation is your greatest gift. By meditating on your salvation (which you cannot lose) you will overcome the fear that something you said or did will separate you from God. 

The Sword of the Spirit

This represents God's word, your offensive weapon for spiritual warfare. God's word is an active weapon that cuts like a sword when you feel attacked. During His 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus used scripture to combat Satan's attacks. You can withstand every attack of the enemy by speaking the appropriate scripture for that situation. But you have to know the word of God. You can't just "pray on" your sword. 

The spirit world is real. Even though you can't see evil spirits, you can certainly feel the effects of their attacks. Do you deny wind because you can't see it? No. You can see and feel the effects of wind, so you know that it's there. Why is it so hard to believe that you might be dealing with a spiritual problem? 

WHAT ARE YOU CREATING WITH YOUR WORDS? (VIDEO)

                                                   

Words can create or destroy friendships. I'm learning to be mindful of my words because they have the power to create. This photo was taken in 1995 at our class reunion. My husband and I graduated from Upper Dauphin High School in 1980.

The video below is something you need to watch.  After watching it, both my husband and I realized that we need to make some changes in the way we speak. Or should I say, we need to be more careful with the words we speak. 

Within our churches, there is little to no teaching on the power of words. And this is why we don't grasp the truth of this subject. In her teaching, Julie gives many scriptures that tell us we have delegated authority here on earth. Our words have the ability to create. God spoke the universe into existence, and we are created in His image; therefore, we also can create with our words. 

When you speak positive words in a prayer and then later, during your conversations, you speak negative words on the same subject, your negative words will prevail. This was a wake-up call for us. We realized that we have been doing exactly that, and that is why we have not been seeing any change in certain things we've been praying about. 

We should not be praying blessings upon someone and then speaking negatively about them during our conversations. Although that person has problems and things they need to work on, we need to keep our conversations about them positive. We also need to speak positively about situations in which we want to see a breakthrough.  

For example, when I pray for someone to draw closer to God and then during conversation I complain about all the things that person is doing wrong, then my negative words will prevail over my positive prayers. "When you complain, you remain," Julie says. 

The Bible tells us that we can have what we say. Our words have creative power. So if you say, "I have cancer," then you are claiming that. If you believe that the problem is greater than God, then that is what you will have. Whatever you believe, you receive. 

You probably never heard this before, but it is biblical truth. Watch the video and write down the scriptures so you can get this into your head. We need to remember that every negative word we speak about ourselves and other people are like curses coming against them. Words really do have power. 

The Bible says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. When I say, "Nothing seems to change. This situation is not getting better." then the situation will remain stuck. I need to try harder to speak life into people and circumstances because I have the power to create with my words. If you are not seeing any results from your prayers, this could be why. 

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:

rumble.com/v37e8aj-live-with-julie-html

ARE YOU A BURDEN BEARER?

 

By Danelle Carvell                                                    

We are given countless opportunities to display the love of Christ by bearing one another's burdens in small ways and in big ways. 

What have you done lately to step in and take the weight off of someone's burden? Do you worry only about your own burdens and ignore what others are carrying? The Bible tells us that we should look for ways to alleviate the stress in people's lives. But exactly how should we be doing that? 

In Galatians 6:2 we are told "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." The word "bear" in the Greek means "to take up or to carry." And the word "burden" can mean "weight." This verse is telling us that we should be taking up or carrying away the weights that others are carrying. 

We can't expect others to carry things that God has asked us to be responsible for. God expects us to work and take care of our families. There are limits to what we should expect others to do for us. But we still need help and encouragement while carrying our personal loads. 

This could mean helping someone who is dealing with a health or financial issue. It could mean helping someone get back on track when they are caught up in sin. The world is a tempting place, and many of us get lured into things like addiction, sexual sin, or other types of wrong behavior. 

To me, this verse simply means coming alongside someone in support of what they are going through. It means blessing someone by letting that person know you care. It's not just about doing things for someone. It's also about the things we say when someone is obviously hurting and struggling.

Have you ever gone to someone with a burden and received a total lack of concern? You are already feeling hurt and beaten down and the person you go to for comfort offers zero empathy. You were hoping for a soft place to land, but instead you were rejected with a cold shoulder. Do you know how that feels? 

That felt bad because you didn't receive the love of Christ in that moment. We are supposed to care when people we love get hurt. We are supposed to care when anyone gets hurt. And that is what this verse is telling us. Love other people in the way that you want to be loved and cared for. 

I have carried many burdens in my life. And I will never forget the people who stepped in at just the right time and gave me an encouraging word, or help with my finances, or good advice that got me back on track. I will never forget the people who saw my need and showed up to help. 

The person who showed up with a big empty trailer when I moved after my divorce, the person who gave me a place to stay when I was in transition, the person who offered me a better-paying job, the person who said just the right thing to lift my spirits and keep me going for another day...those people were my burden bearers. 

We all have within us the ability to bear the burdens of others, and we live in a time when people are very much in need of comfort, reassurance, help and hope. I thank God for people who take that verse seriously and live out their faith in ways that people can see, hear and feel the love of God in action. 

When we carry one another's burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ. 

WHY TEXTING IS THE WORST

By Danelle Carvell

                                                    

Jesus gave us one rule: Communicate in love

Texting can be useful in certain situations, but as a form of communication during a conflict, texting is the worst choice. Our culture has changed a lot since social media. Our ways of communicating have changed. And change isn't always good. 

People today feel free to say whatever they want because it feels safe to dart a text at someone and say things you would not have the courage to say in-person. Social media and texting have damaged our culture by making it easier to say mean things and bully people.

I've made mistakes too with texting and posting things on Facebook. One mistake I have made is using Facebook as a place to vent. Leaving nasty messages for people you don't agree with on Facebook is childish. Tearing people down in public is not the biblical way to resolve conflict. 

I believe that God commands a face-to-face meeting when we need to confront someone because it is the best way to clearly communicate. When someone receives your text, he can't see your facial expressions and body language. He can't hear your tone of voice. So your text could easily be misunderstood, which will make matters worse. 

If I don't have the courage to talk to that person privately, why should I take it public? Isn't that the gossip we are warned about in the Bible. 

Being mean on Facebook will always come back to haunt you. You ruin your own reputation for one thing. Among the many ways a bad reputation hurts you is this example--a potential employer might see your Facebook manners and reject your job application. Your Facebook posts represent you. They represent your character. You should guard your reputation like it's gold. 

Texting is great for quick messages such as, "I'm here. Text me when you get here." If that's all you needed to say, a phone call wasn't necessary. It's also great when a conflict is still raw and lingering emotions have made things too uncomfortable for discussions in-person or by phone. And that is when we especially need to use caution. 

Whatever it is that you need to communicate, and whatever form of communication you choose, the most important thing is to communicate with love. You won't get a good response if you come across as hostile and impatient when you confront someone. A soft answer turns away wrath. Hostility provokes it. 

The Bible has some excellent advice that applies to this subject:

"I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think...love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor...be patient in affliction...pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse...Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud...Do not repay evil for evil...Try to do what is honorable...live at peace with everyone...do not avenge yourselves. Vengeance belongs to God."  Romans 12:3-19

Wow! There's a whole lot of godly wisdom in that scripture. How many conflicts could be avoided if we would take those words to heart and act on them? 

FORGIVENESS AND TRUST: TWO DIFFERENT THINGS

 

By Danelle Carvell

                                            

Trust and forgiveness are important in our relationships. But confusing their meanings puts unhealthy expectations on people.

People often get confused about the meaning of words. I do it myself. And then I go to my big red dictionary and figure it out. An example of this is how people think that forgiveness and trust have the same meaning. 

I've learned a thing or two about forgiveness, and I've learned a lot about trust. According to the Bible, forgiveness is mandatory, but trust is not. Forgiveness should be generously extended to everyone, but trust is something we can keep on reserve. It's something that not everyone deserves. And we should be very careful about trusting people.  

When I forgive someone, that doesn't mean I automatically trust that person. Trust is something that must be earned over time. I can forgive someone without a reconciliation, because forgiveness does not require inviting that person back into my life. Forgiveness is an act of my will that releases the offender from my resentment for their words or actions. 

It's actually me that benefits most when I forgive because it releases me from thinking about it and replaying the situation over and over. When I forgive, I have more peace and my emotions can become calm again. I don't have to make myself sick thinking about the hurtful thing that was done to me. It's been forgiven. 

This does not mean that I now pretend that I wasn't hurt. It doesn't mean that I condone what took place. It doesn't mean that I relieve people of responsibility for their actions. And it doesn't mean that I must welcome them back into my life and force myself to trust again.

Trust requires wisdom. And only the person who was offended can decide if and when they want to trust again. We should never put an unhealthy expectation on someone who is having trust issues. When you hurt someone, you can't expect everything to go back the way it was in an instant. 

If the offender refuses to recognize that what took place was wrong, and they refuse to admit it was wrong, then wouldn't I be foolish to hand my trust back over to them?  When someone makes excuses for their actions or lies to get themselves off the hook, what is trustworthy about that? 

Forgiveness is something that we should always do. The Bible says that if we don't forgive others, then God will not forgive us of our mistakes. Lord knows I've made my share of mistakes. 

But trust has a completely different meaning. Trust is not something that God commands us to do.  I do have to forgive people who hurt me, but I do not have to trust them. 

So if you are dealing with a situation that hurt you deeply, pray for guidance and direction in how to handle it. And remember that sometimes we must forgive even when we don't feel like it. Forgiveness is not a feeling that comes over you and suddenly you feel the desire to forgive. I've often extended forgiveness when it was the last thing I felt like doing. 

Forgiveness is on God's terms. But trust is on my terms... I decide who and I decide when. And the Bible offers much wisdom to help me decide. 

SOMEONE I CAN TRUST

By Danelle Carvell

                                                                                               

                                                    

There's a freedom in knowing who you can trust.

                                                                                                        

Trust is a big word. It's so big that only one big person can live up to it. The reason that trust is such a big word is because it has so many requirements. 

In order to trust someone, that person must display a proven and consistent track record of caring for you, protecting you, standing up for you, showing up for you, looking out for you, never betraying you, and always being honest.

Who do you know that has done that for you on a consistent basis? Without intending to offend anyone, I can't think of a single person who has done that for me. And I have not done that consistently for anyone either. 

Trust allows people in your life based on their character and reliability. Trust is having faith in another person and having the confidence in their ability to protect and care for you. We normally do not want to associate with people we do not trust.

So what is it about God that makes Him trustworthy? We only need to look as far as His promises to us in the Bible.

• God will never abandon you or betray you.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them. For the Lord, your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

God will never betray me. And He will never abandon me. He was always there, even when I didn't feel His presence. My distance from Him was always my own choice. When I felt lost or alone, it was not because God abandoned me, but because I rejected Him. 

The reason why I know that for sure is because I am no longer rejecting Him, and I see the huge difference it has made in my life. The concept of God always being there is not something you could truly understand unless you begin seeking Him daily.

Not a day goes by when I don't feel His presence. He's there each day because I open the door each day. Even God can't walk through a door you choose not to open. People who cry out to God only when they need something might have a hard time finding Him. 

Are you quick to run and help someone who rarely talks to you? Is it easy for you to find your way to a place where you have never been before? Why would you expect God to rescue you when you don't have time for Him until you are desperate and need help?

• God always empathizes with you and understands your pain.

"The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them. He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalms 34:17-18

How many times have you been disappointed because someone that you thought loved you did not care when you got hurt? Maybe they didn't respond to your hurt in the way that you expected. Or maybe they made excuses for the people who hurt you. Maybe they failed to validate your feelings. Maybe they responded in a way that suggested you were the one who was wrong. 

Human empathy has many flaws. But God's empathy is always perfect and always comforting. But in order to feel that comfort, you must spend time with Him. Read His word. Worship Him until the tears flow because you probably need that release. And pray for your heart and mind to be filled with His peace. 

• God always lifts you up and encourages you.

"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."   1 Peter 5: 5-7

Do you find people to be naturally encouraging? Do you come home from a gathering with stories about how this person encouraged you and that person said such kind words to you? I don't. 

I could put together a list of times when I found people to be discouraging in the past year alone. People are not kind and encouraging by nature. Even those who attend church regularly can have a mean spirit that's obviously displayed in the things they say and do. 

But God will never treat you disrespectfully. Why would He? Do you treat the things that you create with disrespect? 

Before you were born, God knew your name. He knows exactly how many hairs are on your head at every moment. My hair has been thinning since Covid, and I'm sure God noticed that. 

He cares about every detail of your life and He wants to be your source of encouragement in a world that can crush your spirit with its cruelty. No one else can lift you up like God can, so don't depend on anyone else to cheer you on. 

• God never lies and he's always discreet.

"As for God, His way is perfect. The Lord's word is flawless. He shields all who take refuge in Him." Psalm 18:30

One of the fastest ways to destroy someone's trust is to lie. Honesty and trust are impossible to separate. God simply is not capable of lying because His flawless holiness makes any type of sin impossible. 

God also has perfect discretion. He repays everyone fairly. And he gets no pleasure from exposing your mistakes. God has divine discernment about everything you say and do, and He always makes the right call about your behavior. 

Unlike people, God is very good at maintaining silence when your conduct is of a delicate nature. He finds no satisfaction in gossip. You can tell Him anything and know that it will go no further. 

You don't have to worry about God hanging up all your dirty laundry for others to see if you have truly repented of your actions. But he has been known to expose the wrongs of those who refuse to turn from their wicked ways. His justice is always fair. 

• God always offers hope.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I find it hard to understand where people get their hope if not from God. What keeps them going? What gives them hope for the future when everything is falling apart? How do they get through even a single day?

I am in the middle of a storm right now. I call it a storm because I choose not to share the details. But although this storm seems to have no resolution, I know that God is working on my behalf. I trust that I will see light break through the clouds at some point and I will again feel warmth in areas where I now feel pounded by hailstones. 

God's desire is that I will prosper, be in good health and be joyful. That does not mean I will not have to pass through some valleys along the way. But I know from experience that God walks with me, and all I need to do is stay close and He will lead me out of every one of life's storms. He has done this again and again. He has a proven track record of being someone I can trust. 

WE GET WHAT WE SAY

By Danelle Carvell

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

Whether talking to yourself or others, what comes out of your mouth is what creates your life.

I don't always take my own advice. I know the consequences of talking negatively. The Bible is filled with warnings about being careful with our words.  But this is a hard lesson to learn for most people because we live in a negative world, and we are all prone to focus on the negative side of life. It's part of our fallen nature.

I told my sister today that I've been feeling like Squidward. If you're not a fan of the Sponge Bob cartoon, I should explain that Squidward is a grouchy Squid who lives under the sea with other entertaining characters. I laugh at his grouchiness, but sometimes I see myself in him and that's not funny. 

Saturday I had a mouse in my bedroom for the second night in a row. As someone who gets very little sleep on a regular basis, this was not a pleasant thing. I've watched how mice can crawl up fabric and up walls and I imagined this mouse crawling up my bed skirts and bunking with me for the night. The next morning I dumped a carton of eggs on the floor as I was preparing to go to my sister's house for a cookie and craft day. 

When I got the egg mess cleaned up, I snapped and decided to just go back to bed. Lately I feel like every time I want to do something fun, something happens to discourage me or exhaust me. There's a heaviness on everyone right now it seems. I hear people talking about problems at work, among families, and personal struggles that are wearing people down to the point of despair and depression. When this happens, it is so easy to become a negative talker and I often fall right into the trap. Before I know it, I'm complaining about everything and everyone.

I know that God hates grumbling and complaining. And I feel guilty every time I do it. As a Christian, I'm not supposed to blend in with this negative world, and I shouldn't be controlled by negative emotions. The first step toward changing this bad habit is admitting that I do it. With step one behind me, I must try harder to focus on the things I say and force my mouth to be a projector of life, not death. 

The Bible warns that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Most people are clueless to the amount of death they speak over themselves and others on a daily basis. The night I was kept awake by a mouse, I recall saying that I was going to go insane if I didn't get some sleep. I actually cursed myself by saying that. My words can create life or death. What I should have said was, "God will protect me from the mouse and he will help me sleep." 

I did finally fall asleep after I calmed down and prayed for that mouse to stay away from me. I put in some earplugs and trusted in God's goodness as I waited for sleep to come. I got 2 1/2 hours sleep that night, which is pretty typical for me. It's better than zero. 

It's not easy to take every negative thought captive and turn it into a positive thought. It's not easy to train ourselves to speak positive life-giving words in every situation. I'm sixty and I still haven't mastered it. But I do know how important it is to my mental and physical health to speak healing words upon myself. 

When I say nothing good ever happens to me, I set that exact thing in motion. When I call myself poor or tired, then that's exactly what I will stay. As long as I speak negative curses over myself, I will never break free from an exhausted mind and a body full of pain and afflictions. 

The ultimate example of how we should respond under persecution is Jesus. He faced crowds demanding his death, betrayal and abandonment by people he trusted, beatings and whippings, and the horrible pain of being crucified with metal spikes on a wooden cross. Yet, at the height of His pain, He didn't lash out. He didn't swear, complain or curse anyone. He kept his emotions and his tongue under control. And He spoke life into the situation when he pleaded with the Father, "Forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)

I pray that I will remember that example and become better at speaking life and using the power of my words to make things better and not worse. There's more than enough negativity in the world. I shouldn't be adding to it. God expects more from His children. 

Jonathan Cahn: Prophetic Message to Joe Biden! (Presidential Inaugura...

We can't have unity and peace in America when we have no unity and peace with God. Everything Biden is doing, everything he stands for goes against God's word and His Ways. Christians who voted for Biden should be severely questioning their beliefs and their judgement. 

WEDNESDAYS WITH KAT AND STEVE!

Start celebrating the victory that's coming for Trump and America. Our country will be a different place in the coming years. The exposure of evil will be great and the justice that's coming will be even greater.

THE HOPE THAT MAKES CHRISTIANS UNCOMFORTABLE

THE BLESSED HOPE ELUDES MANY CHRISTIANS

By Danelle Carvell

One of the most controversial subjects among Christians is the rapture of the church. Christians seem confused and frightened by this subject. And some pastors don't teach the whole counsel of God's word, which would help relieve the fear and confusion. False teachings, weak sermons, and Christians who ignore the truth contribute to the confusion (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

The rapture is an event which was prophesied by the Apostle Paul. He gave a clear description of it in his letters to the Thessalonians and Corinthians. According to scripture, at some future time, believers will be snatched from the Earth in a fraction of a second and transported to Heaven. This event is controversial because some Christians don't believe in the rapture of the church. And many who do believe are not looking forward to what the Bible calls our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).

I discussed the rapture with two women who attend church regularly, and I expected both of them to be receptive to the topic, but they were not. The first woman said the rapture is “science fiction” and the second woman argued that we can't take the Bible literally because her pastor said we can't. And since he doesn't believe in the rapture, neither does she.

Those women should read God's word instead of only trusting the church pastor. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God...” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Why would God inspire the writing of a book that we can't take literally? Christians who don't believe in the rapture don't know the Bible:

John 14: 1-3

This passage contains the promise from Jesus that He will return to Earth for the believers and take them to Heaven.

1 Thess 4: 13-18

In this passage, the apostle Paul answers the question, “Do believers who have died miss out on the rapture?”

1 Thess 4: 16-18

In this passage, Paul spells out the chronological sequence of the rapture event and he concludes that the promise of the rapture should be a comfort to us.

We are supposed to find comfort in this promised event, yet many Christians are far from comfortable when discussing the rapture. You can almost see them squirm in their seats as they try to change the subject. “That's not a popular topic,”they argue. Christians who convey such an attitude about our blessed hope are a mystery to me.

Haven't they read 2 Timothy 9:7-8? Don't they know that the crown of righteousness awaits all who long for the Lord's soon return?

Haven't they read Luke 21:34-36, which instructs us to pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape?

What exactly are we escaping from when the church is raptured? The same thing that Noah and Lot escaped from when God rescued them from an evil world that grew more and more evil. We learn from the accounts of Noah and Lot that God removes His people when danger is involved.

We live in a dangerous world. Nothing about planet earth is getting better. The danger only grows worse. More and more people are carrying guns to protect themselves from lawless thugs like those who are killing and injuring people on the streets as part of a game called the knockout game. Our society has sunk so low that people are now punching total strangers and catching it on camera for entertainment.

Our language is growing worse, our morals are declining, the rules of modesty and respect have vanished. Those who know what's really going on in the world and those who know God's word realize that we are living in a time that is similar to the days of Noah and Lot.

In Matthew 24, Jesus is asked, “What shall be the signs of your coming and of the end of the world?” Jesus then describes what the world will be like just before He returns to remove (rapture) those who have received Him as their savior. What Jesus describes in Matthew 24 is the same mess that describes our present world.

Have you noticed the increase in the number and severity of earthquakes? The bizarre animal deaths and sinkholes? Record-setting storms? Destructive tornadoes and tsunamis? The volcanoes all over the world that have lain dormant for centuries that are now erupting? Does the obvious decline of morality in people alarm you at all. Do you worry what this world will be like for your children?

At this point we are handing our children a 17 trillion dollar national debt that will be impossible to pay back. Millions of people have lost their health insurance under Obamacare. For others, their rates have quadrupled. Thousands of doctors are giving up their practices because they can't maintain their businesses under Obamacare. Thousands of volunteer fire departments face closure or financial hardship because Obamacare requires that volunteers be given full health coverage. And when 12 million illegal aliens become American citizens with a flick of Obama's pen, the fallout will be devastating.

Did you watch the House hearings that looked at Obama's growing dictatorial powers? Our own government leaders know we have a dictator in the White House, but the American people don't care. Obama is caught in one scandal after another and we yawn. Fast and Furious, Benghazi, and the scandals with the IRS, the Department of Justice and the NSA haven't woken anyone from their slumber. We swallowed the lie “If you like your health insurance, you can keep it.” Chalk that up as scandal number six.

The birth certificate scandal counts as seven. Obama claims he was born in Hawaii, but his wife has said that Kenya is his homeland. No one holds Obama accountable. Like Hitler, he does what he wants and no one questions him. So why is it so hard to believe that his Affordable Care Act allows for death panels to decide who gets healthcare and who doesn't?

Possibly bigger and more dangerous than Obamacare is the the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This brilliant idea will offer huge advantages to foreign businesses while putting American companies, especially small businesses at a disadvantage so severe that many won't be able to survive. This could pass early next year and it's an all-out assault on our national sovereignty as it unconstitutionally transfers legislative powers. One more crippling blow to America.

Obama has appointed hard core sharia law Muslims to key positions in Washington. If he condones the cruelty of sharia law and if he voted to deny care for babies who survive abortions, then what cruelty awaits the American people? He refuses to put his hand over his heart and say the pledge of allegiance. He refuses to wear an American flag pin. His actions display a hatred for America and we give him four more years.

This country is being destroyed by a dictator who glorifies Muslims but claims to be a Christian. He mocks the God of the Bible by his love for Islam. Muslims believe that anyone who doesn't worship Allah is an infidel who should be killed.

Why are Christians who hold home Bible studies being harassed? Everything related to Jesus Christ, the Holy Bible and the God who inspired it is being pushed out of sight and mind. Why do 100 million Christians face persecution every day? Why can't Phil Robertson quote scripture from the Holy Bible without being suspended from his show on A&E. This country has declared war on Christianity and in the process has denied Christians their constitutional right of free speech.

Why are we seeing a repression of Christian faith in the military? Freedom of religion is no longer one of the rights our soldiers are allowed to defend. The US Department of Defense has recently begun teaching seminars that list evangelical Christians and Catholics as subversive groups. US troops who express their Christian faith are being punished. Don't believe me? Take four minutes to watch “A Clear and Present Danger” on You Tube

We live in a totalitarian police state that monitors our every move. Cameras are watching us. Our phone conversations are recorded. A recent article in the Washington Post claims that the NSA is gathering nearly 5 billion records a day on the whereabouts of cell phones around the world, enabling Big Brother to track your daily movement and map your relationships with others. You may think you have nothing to hide, but if Christians can be labeled as subversive, who's next?

Our education system is being destroyed by progressives who push their Common Core Curriculum. “Five Reasons the Common Core is Destroying Childhood” by Katie Hurley explains why. Or go to theblaze.com to view a complimentary clip titled, “David Barton Explains How Common Core Poses Serious Problems for The Future of The Republic.”

If these things continue to worsen, won't we be crying out to escape? Yet some Christians reading this might say I'm a doom and gloomer. They have no hope in anything beyond their lives on this earth. They don't know God's word and they don't want to hear anything that might disrupt their love of this world--tomorrow night's game, their dinner reservations, or the next episode of DWTS.

The first century church had a strong desire for the soon return of Jesus. I see no such yearning in our churches today. Scripture constantly warns us to watch for the Lord's coming and be ready (Luke 12: 35,40). By being ignorant of scripture and not looking forward to the Lord's return, Christians are fulfilling Peter's words in his second letter (2 Peter 3:1-10).

In closing, I have three questions for Christians who either don't believe in the rapture or are not looking forward to it:

Why aren't you looking forward to an event that is described in the Bible as our blessed hope?

What are you afraid of?

Do you love this crumbling, corrupt world so much that you couldn't let go of it if God calls you home?

THE BLESSED HOPE

"Keep awake therefore, and watch at all times [be prudent, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength to be accounted worthy to escape [be taken from] all these things that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man." Luke 21:35 amplified

2012-Signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars-Just The First 3 Months

Dave Daubenmire -- Let the Sparks Fly

" We, those of us who are not afraid to speak the truth, are rapidly disappearing. At a time when straight-talking is more needed than ever, very few are willing to take the heat...

 Aren’t you sick of cowering in the corner? Isn’t your butt sore from sitting in the pew? Don’t you want to stand up and be counted for Jesus?! What kind of Christian-legacy are you leaving to your children?"
 Dave Daubenmire -- Let the Sparks Fly

Dave Daubenmire -- Today's Pastors are 'Lip Service' Pastors

Dave doesn't sugar coat anything. I like that about him, but some might be offended by his choice of words in this article. I like the article because it addresses the problem of Christians who don't have the courage to stand up for what's right. It's not just about pastors, it's about anyone who calls him or herself a Christian. The one's who really suffer for our cowardice are our children. They will have to live in the world that we did nothing to change. As evil creeps in every corner, we sit on our hands and say nothing, too afraid to rock the boat. What this world needs is some serious boat rockers. Go Dave!
 Dave Daubenmire -- Today's Pastors are 'Lip Service' Pastors

MEAN WORLD

"I’m sure I’m not the only one who has noticed the incredible change in people’s attitudes of late...Friendliness is diminishing while a spirit of meanness has surfaced in its place. Why is humanity heading into this wasteland of hateful attitudes? It’s actually much simpler than most would want to admit. As a civilization we’ve left God behind. That’s it, that’s the reason man is turning against his fellow man with such evil intent. Without God in our lives we can’t have joy, we can’t have peace, and we certainly can’t know love."
http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/g220.html