Summer is always a fun time of year. There's just so many things to do when the sun's shining and the weather's good. Going to the beach to me has always been one of those fun summer things to do.
The only thing about going to the beach is that you have to be prepared. There's a few things we need to take with us in order to enjoy the beach. Pack your bag and come go along with me!
Here's what we'll be putting in our beach bag...
Sunscreen.
One of the first things we'll need is protection from the sun. There's so much skin damage we can get if we don't protect ourselves. The sad thing is , we don't even know sometimes we've gotten skin damage until later down the road and are diagnosed with some type of skin cancer.
It's just like when we as Christians walk in the world and get too close to those worldly attractions and follies. We get burned and get damaged as it were. Sometimes we don't even realize how much we have been damaged by worldliness and those fiery darts of the devil. We could avoid it if we'd just put on some protection.
We'll be using that wonderful brand called, "Christian Armour". It's the highest protection there is. Off brands won't do as they don't contain all the right ingredients. Make sure you apply it liberally.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereuntowith all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sand Shovel.
One of the most delightful things to do at the beach is digging and playing in the sand. Making sand castles with moats, or for the little ones, just digging in the sand can be just the best of fun. Digging a hole in the sand and just putting your hands deep into it can be the best of sensations.
Digging into the Word of God can be the best too. Bible study doesn't have to be dry and boring. Just dig in! Find some verses that just tingle over your soul like sand does to your fingers when you are digging at the beach. Take those verses and concentrate on them for awhile. Put them in your bucket, pat them down, and dump them out and admire them awhile, just like you'd do a sand castle at the beach. God's Word will just glisten. Dig in and take in all the intricacies God's Word has to offer.
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have
tasted that the Lord is gracious." I Peter 2:2,3
"Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Psalm 119:140
Sand Bucket.
Let's bring along a bucket or something we can collect our treasures in while we are at the beach. Aren't the shells you can find along the beach just amazing? They are so beautiful and interesting.
The treasures found in God's Word are amazing too. There are so many things like the promises and assurances that are wonderful finds to put into our buckets and keep. Here are a few of my favorites to
pick up and admire.
--The treasure of strength...
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10
--The treasure that Christ is unchanging...
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8
--The treasure of eternal life...
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
There's so many more treasures in God's Word just waiting for us to pick up and put in our buckets.
Beach Ball or Frisbee.
Having a little activity at the beach is always fun. Playing with a beach ball or Frisbee can be great.
Activity as a Christian can be fun too. The Christian life can be so rewarding when we are actively living it to the fullest. There is so much joy in serving Jesus! We've got to embrace all there is to serving the Lord and put all we can into what we do as Christians. It not only furthers the cause of Christ but it enhances us as individuals.
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Romans 12:11
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31
Sunglasses.
We wouldn't want to go to the beach without our sunglasses. We not only need them to protect our eyes from the sun's damage, but they also help us to focus. When we don't have them on in the bright sunlight, we tend to squint and not see as clearly.
The type of sunglasses we'll be using is the "God's Love" kind. When we look at the world through Christ's eyes we see a lot more clearly and things look a lot more different. Just like the sun doesn't bother us so much when we've got on our sunglasses, things won't even annoy us so much when we are looking through the eyes of God's love. We can focus better and begin to see the souls of the people around us too.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34
So, are you ready for the beach?
by Julia Bettencourt
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Codependency
When God gave us His Ten Commandments, He began with these words, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) He knew that if we would make our relationship with Him our top priority, He would bless our lives, and, through our other relationships, we would be a blessing to others. The primary problem with codependency is that it violates the heart of God's first commandment. In a codependent relationship, you allow someone else to take the place that God alone should have in your heart . . . . You allow another person to be your "god." If you have a misplaced dependency, you will have neither peace with God nor the peace of God. But if you put the Lord first, living each day dependent on Him, you will have God's peace, even when others are not peaceful toward you. This is one reason God says to us,
"You shall have no other gods before me."
(Exodus 20:3)
DEFINITIONS
Imagine that you have been handpicked by God to impact all the people around you, You have been chosen to be the liberator throughout the land . . .chosen to have the respect of all the people . . . chosen as the highest judge over the entire nation. God has even spelled out the specifics you must do in order to protect your power and safeguard your strength. Soon, the awesome stories of your success spread like wildfire. Then . . . in walks Delilah!
You know you are not to reveal the secret of your strength, because God has said, "Don't tell." Yet you feel torn. You want to please God, but you also want to please Delilah, who has asked you to disclose the source of your strength. You try to resist, but the more you do, the more she cries and begs, prods and pleads. Now you find yourself in the Delilah Dilemma. As you take care of her feelings, you cave in to her manipulation. Finally, you confide that your strength is in your obedience to God in never, ever cutting your hair. Big mistake--a big mistake that leads to unimagined misery! Delilah tells the enemy Philistines, and they cut your hair and take you captive. However, your biggest mistake is not what you said, but what you did--you let Delilah be your "god" instead of letting God be your God. (See Judges chapters 13-16 to read this story in the Bible.)
What is Dependency?
If Samson had not been so dependent on pleasing Delilah--if he had not been a "codependent people-please"--he would not have lost his strength, his status, or his sight . . . nor would he have lost his spiritual insight. Ultimately, his dependency, which in turn led to his downfall. In truth, Samson's pride caused his own downfall, for he prioritized the words of Delilah over the words of God.
"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor."
(Proverbs 18:12)
- A dependency is a reliance on something or someone else for support or existence.
"I have to have this to live."
- A dependency can be either negative or positive, such as being dependent on cocaine versus being dependent on Christ.
"This is necessary for my life."
- A dependency can be an addiction to any object, behavior, or person that represents an underlying attempt to get emotional needs met.
"I must do this to meet my needs....to make me happy."
Objects-
- A chemical addiciton to drugs (or alcohol)
- A sexual addiction to erotic items (pornography)
Behaviors-
- An addiction to behaviors that appear to be bad, those that are not widely socially acceptable and can be harmful (inappropriate sex, gambling, excessive spending, compulsive eating)
- An addiction to behaviors that appear to be good, those that are widely socially acceptable but may be equally harmful (perfectionism, workaholism, caregiving)
People-
- A "love" addiction is which you feel that your identity is in another person ( A weak "love addict" is emotionally dependent on someone "strong.")
- A "savior" addiction in which you feel that your identity is in your ability to meet the needs of another person ( A strong "savior" needs to be needed by someone "weak.")
Because addicitons provide a momentary "high," good feelings are associated with them. However, the Book of Proverbs gives this poignant warning . . .
"There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death."
(Proverbs 14:12)
RANDOM CHAOS OR DESIGNED DISORDER
Random Chaos or Designed Disorder
by Ginny Anthes
Come into my kitchen and look into a drawer of mine that I consider to be “managed chaos.” It means that I have put things in there that don’t fit in the more ordered drawers, yet I know roughly what is there, and precisely where a few of the often used items are. One drawer like that is fine, but when our life begins to spin out of our control and feels cluttered with items that we don’t remember choosing to put in it, there are two truths we must get a good grip on if we are to experience peace in our lives.
Since the opening chapters of Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned and were sent out of the perfectly ordered garden, into a world of chaos, women have been coping with life that just seems “to come at us.” What is it that robs peace from your heart? In ministry, just when we feel we are exerting some control over our home domain…bam! That brings us to the first truth: Our God reigns! “And he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.” (Dan. 4:35) Does that mean when you are sitting in Intensive Care with a deathly sick or injured child, that God is ruling and ordering your life at that moment? When peace has descended on your home in the evening and the knock comes at your door, or the phone rings…you know something out of your control has happened. There was a period of time in my life when all the following were happening simultaneously. My father came for a short visit, but ended up with heart surgery, that went awry, making him a total invalid. Half of my house was torn off for a remodel, our church of fifteen years was exerting tremendous pressure on us, all of my children were living at home and with little sleep or energy, I felt that I was going from one crisis to the next, day after day, week after week. The Lord reminded me that I was to welcome these trials as friends, and by his grace, I set my heart to do that. Day after day, he sustained me and gave me joy, and peace, that were not mine.
That brings us to the second truth that we must anchor our souls to: The Spirit Produces Peace. In I Cor. 6:19-20 Paul tells us that our “body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” In Gal. 5:22 we read that his fruit, among others, is peace. God’s gracious provision for us in Christ is the Holy Spirit who lives in us, reminding us of the truth that Christ is sufficient for all our needs, and it is he who produces peace. When life becomes difficult, fix your mind quickly on the truth that our all wise, sovereign, loving God is directing your path. Turn you heart and mind and spirit towards him with dependence on his Spirit to give you peace. While I never go looking for trouble, when God directs it my way, I realize it is an amazing opportunity to glorify him, demonstrating to the world, that in the midst of the storms of life, Jesus Christ is sufficient. Jesus himself has gone before us, taking each insult, each lash on his back, each nail in the palm, knowing from eternity that it was his Father’s will for him. Let us learn to trust and depend on our gracious Father who loved us enough to design such a life for his beloved Son.
Ginny is married to Paul Anthes, who is pastor of Community Bible Church of Placerville, Ca., and a graduate of The Cornerstone Seminary.
by Ginny Anthes
Come into my kitchen and look into a drawer of mine that I consider to be “managed chaos.” It means that I have put things in there that don’t fit in the more ordered drawers, yet I know roughly what is there, and precisely where a few of the often used items are. One drawer like that is fine, but when our life begins to spin out of our control and feels cluttered with items that we don’t remember choosing to put in it, there are two truths we must get a good grip on if we are to experience peace in our lives.
Since the opening chapters of Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned and were sent out of the perfectly ordered garden, into a world of chaos, women have been coping with life that just seems “to come at us.” What is it that robs peace from your heart? In ministry, just when we feel we are exerting some control over our home domain…bam! That brings us to the first truth: Our God reigns! “And he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.” (Dan. 4:35) Does that mean when you are sitting in Intensive Care with a deathly sick or injured child, that God is ruling and ordering your life at that moment? When peace has descended on your home in the evening and the knock comes at your door, or the phone rings…you know something out of your control has happened. There was a period of time in my life when all the following were happening simultaneously. My father came for a short visit, but ended up with heart surgery, that went awry, making him a total invalid. Half of my house was torn off for a remodel, our church of fifteen years was exerting tremendous pressure on us, all of my children were living at home and with little sleep or energy, I felt that I was going from one crisis to the next, day after day, week after week. The Lord reminded me that I was to welcome these trials as friends, and by his grace, I set my heart to do that. Day after day, he sustained me and gave me joy, and peace, that were not mine.
That brings us to the second truth that we must anchor our souls to: The Spirit Produces Peace. In I Cor. 6:19-20 Paul tells us that our “body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” In Gal. 5:22 we read that his fruit, among others, is peace. God’s gracious provision for us in Christ is the Holy Spirit who lives in us, reminding us of the truth that Christ is sufficient for all our needs, and it is he who produces peace. When life becomes difficult, fix your mind quickly on the truth that our all wise, sovereign, loving God is directing your path. Turn you heart and mind and spirit towards him with dependence on his Spirit to give you peace. While I never go looking for trouble, when God directs it my way, I realize it is an amazing opportunity to glorify him, demonstrating to the world, that in the midst of the storms of life, Jesus Christ is sufficient. Jesus himself has gone before us, taking each insult, each lash on his back, each nail in the palm, knowing from eternity that it was his Father’s will for him. Let us learn to trust and depend on our gracious Father who loved us enough to design such a life for his beloved Son.
Ginny is married to Paul Anthes, who is pastor of Community Bible Church of Placerville, Ca., and a graduate of The Cornerstone Seminary.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
STUFF I HAVE LEARNED........I WANT TO SHARE WITH MY FRIENDS - GIRLS
Words of Wisdom that touched my heart, mind, & soul from a sweet sister in Christ, Marissa Namirr from GA.
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Some people cannot love you. Some people are in your life for a brief season. Some people may even exist to cause you pain, and make you feel like trash...for a minute. Then, without realizing, they push you back to the arms of your LOVER, the LOVER OF YOUR SOUL...the One we can trust, a...nd long for, with no hesitation!
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Do not underestimate the power of girlfriends. Be faithful to the one's who have been there forever, and leave room in your heart for new ones. I know both old and new ones have pulled me out of the muck of life, too many times to count. (You know who you are, and I love you!)
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Turning the other cheek, does not suggest hurling yourself headlong into a lion's den. Use your boundaries, and don't martyr yourself.
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Not everyone will let you love them. Love them anyway!
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Mean what you say, and say what you mean. Life is too short to mince words, or play mind reading games. Don't expect anyone to automatically know what you are thinking. Live out loud!
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know (this is one of the MOST PROFOUND and PRECIOUS things I have ever learned in life):
For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel...
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
There is no substitute for a godly husband. He will lay down his life for you, forsake all for you, give all to you, BUT He is not GOD...do not idolize Him. He is made of dust, just as you are!
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
If someone makes you want to slit your wrists, maybe they shouldn't be in your life.
For my Single Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Say the word "love" to a man and it means something completely different than it means to you. A woman wants love to mean protect, and a man wants love to mean respect. If a man protects you, it will be much easier to respect him.
For my Single Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
If a man loves you, he will protect your character, not destroy it!
For my Single Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Don’t give your heart to a man who is settling for you. If he is not completely smitten, he is not worthy of you.
Will he love you like this: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it~Eph. 5
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Love is not temporary. It is not here today and gone tomorrow. If someone loves you, they always will. If they suddenly don’t, they never did.
Charity never faileth~I Cor. 13
For my Single Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Just because someone says they love you, does not mean that they do. Your guide to knowing is I Cor. 13. Does he love you like this?…
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.Charity never faileth~I Cor. 13.......if a woman is lonely she is not ready to marry...she needs to find her joy, fulfillment and contentment in CHRIST first and foremost...His love will be the standard for all those who will try to pursue her...high standard? YES, it is GOD's standard.
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
If you want a man to see your soul, it may be wise to veil your other assets.
Whose adorning ... let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.~I Pet 3
For my Girls: I have learned, and hope you know:
Flattery is not the same as admiration. If someone admires you, it should be about your character, not your appearance.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. ~Prov 31
Thursday, March 24, 2011
I was decieved years ago by her false prosperity gospel!
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Tim 4:3-4)
Monday, March 14, 2011
JOYCE MEYER Did you realize that Joyce Meyer is a word-of-faith teacher? Are you aware of the word-of-faith atonement heresy Joyce Meyer teaches? - that Jesus paid for our sins in hell?
What?!
Christ told us that His blood would remit our sins (Matt. 26:28). Where is it that His “precious blood” was shed? In hell or or on the cross? Please answer - you eternal soul is in the balance based on whether or not you believe this Bible truth or the false teaching of Joyce Meyer and the word-of-faith wolves.
By believing and teaching this heresy, Joyce Meyer has denied the LORD.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (secretly) shall bring in damnable heresies (falsehoods that damn the soul to eternal hell), even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
Jesus told us that He paid for our sins by His own blood on the cross - "It is finished" is what Christ cried on the cross (John 19:30). Did the Son of God lie? OR were our sins fully paid for their on that cross? To believe this truth is essential to be saved and to deny it is to deny Christ and be lost. This false teaching (that Jesus paid for our sins in hell) denies the sinless blood sacrifice He offered on the cross. No one can be saved that believes "Jesus" paid for our sins in hell instead of on the cross - that is "another Jesus," a false jesus (2 Cor. 11:2-5).Was what Jesus did on the cross not enough? All word-of-faith teachers are completely false because they espouse and teach this “doctrines of devils,” and “damnable heresies.” (2 Pet. 2:1-3). The Bible says they are “false teachers” and “false prophets.” (2 Pet. 2:1-3)
Jesus Christ is the only One who paid for your sins on the cross.Who do you love more, Jesus or Joyce? “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exod. 20:3)
Is Joyce Meyer making “merchandise of you”? (see Bible text above)
Joyce Meyer says: "You're on the brink of a miracle. Go to the phone and give $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 and $1,000,000; go to the phone. God has a miracle waiting on your response." / "The anointing is tangible; some of you should leave your televisions on TBN all night when you're asleep to get the anointing." / "This is inspiration, Oh! I heard you Holy Ghost! God is teaching you right now how to hear His voice. Go to your phone!" / "I believe that there are 10 people that need to match that $10,000. Your believing for the greatest miracle of your life, then sow the greatest seed of your life." / "You're not going to your phone; you can hear me while you're on the phone! Your miracle is waiting! Your deliverance is waiting!" / " Why are all these heretic hunters trying to get people to know God by criticizing people by name?" / " I won't get to the text until you get to the phone." (TBN, March 31, 2004)
Joyce Meyer says: "God said, 'you can sow for whatever your soul lusteth after.' Sow $2,000 says the man of God." (TBN, April 6, 2003)
Joyce Meyer says: "I just love to talk about your money. Let me be very clear. I want your money. I deserve it. This church deserves it." ("An Empire Of Souls", Page 35)
Friend, if you are resistant to hearing an objective perspective about Joyce Meyer, it is perhaps because you have made an idol in your heart out of a mere woman - “Thou shalt have NO other gods before me.” (Exod. 20:3). Is Jesus Christ your “first love” or not? “No man can serve two masters.” (Matt. 6:24) If God’s Word is not first place and does not hold the highest authority in your life, He wants to bring you to true repentance and save you (Mk. 8:38; Jn. 8:47; 2 Tim. 2:16). Jesus is coming for those who are looking to and for Him alone and no mere human (Eph. 5:25-27; Heb. 9:28; 1 Jn. 2:28-3:3). Idolatry is a soul-damning sin (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5). Those who will be saved worship Jesus Christ alone and therefore have no idol in their heart (Ezek. 14:3; Eph. 5:5-9; 1 Jn. 5:20-21).
A great review of the Shack
Focusing on just three of the subjects William
Young discusses in The Shack, we’ve seen that
errors abound. He presents a false view of God
and one that may well be described as heretical. He
downplays the importance and uniqueness of the Bible,
Young discusses in The Shack, we’ve seen that
errors abound. He presents a false view of God
and one that may well be described as heretical. He
downplays the importance and uniqueness of the Bible,
subjugating it or making it equal to other forms of
subjective revelation. He misrepresents redemption
and salvation, opening the door to the possibility of
salvation outside of the completed work of Jesus Christ
on the cross. We are left with an unbiblical
understanding of the persons and nature of God and of
His work in this world.
But this is not all. The discerning reader will note
as well that the author muddies the concepts of
forgiveness and free will. He introduces teaching that is
entirely foreign to the Bible, often stating with certainty
what is merely speculative. He oversteps the bounds of
Scripture while downplaying the Bible’s importance. He
relies too little on Scripture and too much on his own
theological imaginings.
All this is not to say there is nothing of value in
the book. However, it is undeniable to the reader who
will look to the Bible, that there is a great deal of error
within The Shack. There is too much error.
That The Shack is a dangerous book should be
obvious from this review. The book’s subversive
undertones seek to dismantle many aspects of the faith
and these are subsequently replaced with doctrine that
is just plain wrong. Error abounds.
I urge you, the reader, to exercise care in reading
and distributing this book. The Shack may be an
engaging read but it is one that contains far too much
error. Read it only with the utmost care and concern,
critically evaluating the book against the unchanging
standard of Scripture. Caveat lector!
subjective revelation. He misrepresents redemption
and salvation, opening the door to the possibility of
salvation outside of the completed work of Jesus Christ
on the cross. We are left with an unbiblical
understanding of the persons and nature of God and of
His work in this world.
But this is not all. The discerning reader will note
as well that the author muddies the concepts of
forgiveness and free will. He introduces teaching that is
entirely foreign to the Bible, often stating with certainty
what is merely speculative. He oversteps the bounds of
Scripture while downplaying the Bible’s importance. He
relies too little on Scripture and too much on his own
theological imaginings.
All this is not to say there is nothing of value in
the book. However, it is undeniable to the reader who
will look to the Bible, that there is a great deal of error
within The Shack. There is too much error.
That The Shack is a dangerous book should be
obvious from this review. The book’s subversive
undertones seek to dismantle many aspects of the faith
and these are subsequently replaced with doctrine that
is just plain wrong. Error abounds.
I urge you, the reader, to exercise care in reading
and distributing this book. The Shack may be an
engaging read but it is one that contains far too much
error. Read it only with the utmost care and concern,
critically evaluating the book against the unchanging
standard of Scripture. Caveat lector!
I encourage you to read the entire review here:
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