Godly, righteous people weigh their answers; those who are wicked do not think before speaking because they don’t care about the effects of their words. When you have something to say, think about it first. Do you carefully plan your words, or do you pour out your thoughts without concern for their impact?
Posts Tagged ‘religion’
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
Posted: October 15, 2020 in Proverbs, Proverbs 15Tags: Daily Motivation, religion, spirituality
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Dodging The Ambushes of the devil
Posted: January 13, 2019 in Battle Focus, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, UncategorizedTags: feelings, relationships, religion
Ambush – A surprise attack (Element of Surprise) by people lying in wait in a concealed position
The one-person lying-in wait in a concealed position is the devil.
Not being prepared for an Ambush can knock you off the path of righteousness and godliness
Ambushes have always been one of the most effective tactics of war. When I was in the Army and some of you can related to this. “The best way to survive an ambush is not to encounter them.” Your Patrol movement must not be at a constant speed and direction, the patrol should vary these, with occasional stops to observe both the route ahead, and changes behind. Units should move in such a way that they are close enough together for mutual support, but far enough apart so that one burst of automatic fire wouldn’t take out the entire unit. When on foot, if possible, the patrol should move in such a way as to maximize their firepower. We were trained to move in a wedge formation not allowing ourselves to be skylined. While on foot, we always had a point man way ahead of the main body, and, if possible, a rearguard as well. The whole point of this instruction was for the soldier to expect the unexpected.
There are two kinds of ambushes: Near and Far.
• Near ambushes happen right in front of us and causes us at that moment to act out of the will of God.
• Far ambushes hit us in areas that sneak into our lives and comes from a distance like drug addiction and alcoholism. These Far Ambushes can ruin marriages, break relationships with friends and family, and anything else that you can think of.
Our battle is similar, but with spiritual forces of evil. First thing to remember is
the Lord is the Supreme Commander of the hosts of heaven who has at his disposal all of the “firepower” of the universe.
During the course of the day we come across a lot of situations that triggers a negative emotional response and sometime starts to take us down the wrong route. It could be bad customer service, someone cutting you off on the road or anything that brings you out of your normal state of mind. That negative response can be giving someone the finger, having wondering eyes with lustful thinking, cussing someone out, displaying a total lack of patience, raising your voice at someone due to poor customer service or anything else you experience during this time. These are all near ambushes that catches us off guard. Far ambushes come from a distance and sneak their way into our lives and eventually destroys.
These are all Ambushes to bring you out of your peaceful state of mind and get you to go down the wrong path. Our bodies go through all kinds of things when we get upset about something. Our blood pressure goes up, we start looking for things to calm us down, and some people even had Strokes and heart attacks, these are ambushes of the enemy to get to act out of the will out God.
Let’s say you know about all the Ambushes for the day. You already knew that guy was going to cut you off, you already knew your spouse was going to get on your nerves (LOL but true), you knew about the bad customer service you were going to receive, and you just knew about all the other ambushes that were planned for that day. When all these things happen, you don’t get upset because you already knew they were going to happen.
Of course, knowing things like this ahead of time is not possible, but we still can prepare for these ambushes of life.
How? Follow the instructions below. God even provides Spiritual Equipment to fight, and its more than a bullet proof and a M-16.
Ephesians 6-10-18
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For 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.
Step up and received your Standard Issue equipment in which we must become experts in the use of.
13 Therefore put on you’re the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14 Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
15 And with your feet fitted with the readiness hat comes from the gospel of peace
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
After receiving the Equipment and Instructions we must:
1. Realize that God is the Supreme Commander and has given the Son all the Firepower that is needed.
2. Remember we spoke about the Point Man who is way out there ahead of the Patrol. So first we need to make Jesus our Point Man who is already schooled in the tactics of the enemy. With Jesus leading, you will not get lost or misoriented.
3. Stay on Guard. The devil does not fight fair and most of the time does not tell us when he is going to attack. He lies in wait looking for an opportunity to catch us off guard and unprepared.
4. Not deliberately enter into areas that will open yourself up to a surprise attack. For example. You go out the house down The Path called Negative Attitude or the Path of Angryness about something. The devil will take that and try to escalate into more.
5. Align ourselves with fellow soldiers of Christ for mutual support and pray for one another as instructed by God.
6. Practice self-control and we must stay alert to every movement on the battle field to avoid the Ambush. Surprise is the enemy’s favorite tactic.
7. Pray for wisdom and insight to anticipate and avoid the ambushes that lie ahead. Then when it comes, you can say, already prepared for that.
The best way to survive an ambush is not to encounter them. We must take occasional stops to observe our behavior and remember to walk in the Spirit and not Flesh. Taking and following orders from the Point Man Jesus Christ who is a true veteran of war and peace who has never been defeated. We are called to do battle. We know what to do. And when we are surrounded, we need to get on that wireless walkie talkie and call for help so God can dispatch more reinforcements.
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will honor me Ps 50:15
When you are home, get instructions from your Point Man who is Jesus before starting the day, He will be prepared for the Ambushes for the day that lie ahead.
References:
The Bible
Light Infantry Handbook
Ranger Handbook
Wisdom from God
Spiritual Training 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Posted: January 7, 2017 in 1 Sameul, UncategorizedTags: christianity, Inspiration, religion, women
Under Gods Command
(Hannah’s Prayer)
1 Samuel 2:1-10
1 Then Hannah prayed and said;
My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
2 There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God
3 Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a GOD who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
4 The bows of the warriors are broken, but hose who stumbled are armed with strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. 7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.
For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’S, upon them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them form heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.
He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.
Hannah praised God for his answer to her prayer for a son. The theme of her poetic prayer is her confidence in God’s sovereignty and her thankfulness for everything he had done. Mary, the mother of Jesus, modeled her own praise song, called the Magnificat, after Hannah’s prayer (Luke 1:46-55). Like Hannah and Mary, we should be confident of God’s ultimate control over the events in our lives, and we should be thankful for the ways God has blessed us. By praising God for all good gifts, we acknowledge his ultimate control over all the affairs of life.
Hannah praised God for being a Rock—firm, strong, and unchanging. In our fast-paced world, friends come and go, and circumstances change. It’s difficult to find a solid foundation that will not change. Those who devote their lives to achievements, causes, or possessions have as their security that which is finite and changeable. The possessions that we work so hard to obtain will all pass away. But God is always present. Hope in him. He will never fail.
No doubt as Hannah said these words, she was thinking of Peninnah’s arrogance and chiding. Hannah did not have to get even with Peninnah. She knew that God is all-knowing, and that he will judge all sin and pride. Hannah wisely left judgment up to God. Resist the temptation to take justice into your own hands. God will weigh your deeds as well as the deeds of those who have wronged you.
Lets Bring it Home: Because we live in a world where evil abounds and where war and terrorism always threaten, we may forget that God is in control. Hannah saw God as (1) solid as a rock (2:2), (2) the one who knows what we do (2:3), (3) sovereign over all the affairs of people (2:4-8), and (4) the supreme Judge who administers perfect justice (2:10). Remembering God’s sovereign control helps us put both world and personal events in perspective.
Proverbs 18:13,15&17 Wisdom for the Soul
Posted: November 18, 2015 in Proverbs 18, UncategorizedTags: Daily Motivation, Fellowship, Memorization, religion, Spiritual Food for the Day, spirituality, theology
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 18:13,15,17 – 13) He who answers before listening-that is his folly and his shame
15) The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
17) The first to present his case seems right , till another comes forward and questions him
In these concise statements, there are three basic principles for making sound decisions:
(1) get the facts before answering;
(2) be open to new ideas;
(3) make sure you hear both sides of the story before judging.
All three principles center around seeking additional information. This is difficult work, but the only alternative is prejudice-judging before getting the facts.
Spiritual Training 1Samuel 1:12-17
Posted: November 17, 2015 in 1 Sameul, UncategorizedTags: Bible Study, christianity, Fellowship, god, religion, spirituality, theology
Under Gods Command
(Samuel’s birth and childhood)
1 Samuel 1:12 -17As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
15“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. 16Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
17Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
Eli was a Priest, and miss judged this woman at first. But instead of just walking away with that believe of her being drunk with wine, he spoke to her and told her to put away your wine. Then he found out he miss judge her, and listened to her story.
Lets Bring Home: How many times do we miss judge a situation, and walk away with the thought of what we think we saw? When at times if we speak to him or her, we also can find the truth in someone’s situation, and give him or her a word of encouragement that just might change his or her life. How many people have we walked by or came to us and we did not have time which later ended up in a bad situation or Suicide?
Spiritual Training 1 Samuel 1 10-11
Posted: November 17, 2015 in 1 Sameul, UncategorizedTags: Bible Study, christianity, Encourgment, Fellowship, god, human-rights, religion, Spiritual Food for the Day, spirituality
Under Gods Command
(Samuel’s birth and childhood)
1 Samuel 1:10-11 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Al mighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
Be careful what you promise in prayer because God may take you up on it. Hannah so desperately wanted a child that she was willing to strike a bargain with God. God took her up on her promise, and to Hannah’s credit, she did her part, even though it was painful (1:27-28). Although we are not in a position to negotiate with God, he may still choose to answer a prayer that has an attached promise.
Lets Bring it Home: When you pray, ask yourself, “Will I follow through on any promises I make to God if he grants my request?” It is dishonest and dangerous to ignore a promise, especially to God. God keeps his promises, and he expects you to keep yours.
Spiritual Training 1 Samuel 1:8-10
Posted: November 17, 2015 in 1 Sameul, UncategorizedTags: Bible Study, Fellowship, god, religion, Spiritual Food for the Day, spirituality, theology
Under Gods Command
(Samuel’s birth and childhood)
1 Samuel 1:8-10 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
9Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s house. 10In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly.
Hannah knew her husband loved her, but even his encouragement could not comfort her. She could not keep from listening to Peninnah’s jeers and letting Peninnah’s words erode her self-confidence. Although we cannot keep others from unjustly criticizing us, we can choose how we will react to their hurtful words.
Hannah had good reason to feel discouraged and bitter. She was unable to bear children; she shared her husband with a woman who ridiculed her (1:7); her loving husband could not solve her problem (1:8); and even the high priest misunderstood her motives (1:14). But instead of retaliating or giving up hope, Hannah prayed. She brought her problem honestly before God.
Lets Bring it Home: Each of us may face times of barrenness when nothing “comes to birth” in our work, service, or relationships. It is difficult to pray in faith when we feel so ineffective. But, as Hannah discovered, prayer opens the way for God to work Rather than dwelling upon our problems, we can enjoy the loving relationships God has given us. By so doing, we can exchange self-pity for hope.
Spiritual Training 1 Samuel 1:1-7 Hannah
Posted: November 17, 2015 in 1 Sameul, Eli, Hannah, UncategorizedTags: Bible Study, Daily Motivation, religion, Spiritual Food for the Day, spirituality, theology
Under Gods Command
1There was a certain man from Ramathaim, Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD. 4Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.
The book of 1 Samuel begins in the days when the judges still ruled Israel, possibly during the closing years of Samson’s life. Samuel was Israel’s last judge and the first priest and prophet to serve during the time of a king. He was the best example of what a good judge should be, governing the people by God’s Word and not by his own impulses. Samuel was the man who anointed Saul as Israel’s first king.
Although many great Old Testament leaders (such as Abraham, Jacob, and David) had more than one wife, this was not God’s original intention for marriage. Genesis 2:24 states that in marriage, two people become one flesh. Why then did polygamy exist among God’s people? First, it was to produce more offspring to help in the man’s work and to assure the continuation of the man’s family line. Numerous children were a symbol of status and wealth. Second, in societies where many young men were killed in battle, polygamy became an accepted way of supporting women who otherwise would have remained unmarried and, very likely, destitute. Nevertheless, polygamy often caused serious family problems, as we see in this story of Hannah and Peninnah.
The tabernacle (Tent of Meeting) was located at Shiloh, the religious center of the nation (see Joshua 18:1). Three times a year all Israelite men were required to attend a religious festival held at the tabernacle: the Passover with the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:16). Elkanah made this pilgrimage regularly to fulfill God’s commands. (See Exodus 23:14-17 for the regulations concerning the pilgrimage, and see the note on Exodus 40:34 for more on the tabernacle.)
Hannah had been unable to conceive children, and in Old Testament times, a childless woman was considered a failure. Her barrenness was a social embarrassment for her husband. Children were a very important part of the society’s economic structure. They were a source of labor for the family, and it was their duty to care for their parents in their old age. If a wife could not bear children, she was often obligated by ancient Middle Eastern custom to give one of her servant girls to her husband to bear children for her. Although Elkanah could have left Hannah (a husband was permitted to divorce a barren wife), he remained lovingly devoted to her despite social criticism and his rights under civil law.
Part of God’s plan for Hannah involved postponing her years of childbearing. While Peninnah and Elkanah looked at Hannah’s outward circumstances, God was moving ahead with his plan.
Lets Bring it Home: Think of those in your world who are struggling with God’s timing in answering their prayers and who need your love and help. By supporting those who are struggling, you may help them remain steadfast in their faith and confident in his timing to bring fulfillment to their lives.
Spiritual Training 30 July 2014
Posted: July 30, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Motivated, Personal Growth, Special gifts, Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Under Gods Command, Your calling, your giftTags: different gifts, Preaching the gospel, religion, special gifts
Under Gods Command
1 Corinthians 9:16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
Preaching the gospel was Paul’s gift and calling, and he said he couldn’t stop preaching even if he wanted to. Paul was driven by the desire to do what God wanted, using his gifts for God’s glory.
Lets Bring it Home: What special gifts has God given you? Are you motivated, life Paul, to honor God with your gifts?
Spiritual Training 06 May 2014
Posted: May 6, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods CommandTags: Bible Study, christ jesus, christianity, command jesus, Encourgment, Fellowship, power, religion, Revelation 21:1
Under Gods Command
PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)
1 Corinthians 02:09 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”
We cannot imagine all that god has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity. He will create a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1), and we will live with him forever. Until then, his Holy Spirit comforts and guides us.
Lets Bring it Home: Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship, and to avoid giving in to temptation. This world is not all there is. The best is yet to come.
Under Gods command 