Defense or Offense?

Have you ever had those days where you feel like everything is after you? OK - maybe weeks or even months? Discouragement, doubt, temptation, fear, distractions? I sure have. If you have the Holy Ghost, these are things that you can over come! Whenever we get on the right track and start making progress, the devil is sure to come after us and throw all sorts of things our way. It's easy to get discouraged. This is the time to stir up the gift that is within you and realize you have power over these things through JESUS! He shed His blood for us and He is able and willing to help us over come all of the things that the enemy of our souls throws our way. It is time for us to rise up with boldness against the enemy. It is time for US to be on the offense! Let's send the enemy of our souls running in fear! "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Notice the order in this verse. Before we are able to resist the devil and make him flee, we have to submit ourselves to God! When things get tough and the devil is fighting you, make up your mind to do even more for God. Read your Bible more, pray more, get rid of sin, and whatever else it takes. God has promised us so much, we just need to step out and get it. It's up to us - what we choose is important. Do right and set the devil running!

Power of Perception

I was listening to a preaching CD that Bro. Booker preached entitled "The Power of Perception." Here are a few things that stood out to me. Just some thoughts. We should learn only the wisdom from an experience and not anything more. We can learn too much from some things. It's like the cat who sat on a hot stove top and got burnt. It will never sit on a hot stove top again, but it will never sit on a cold one either. We see bad things that happen to other people in church, but that should never rob us of serving God! In II Chronicles a man named Jotham reigned. "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD..." You see, his father Uzziah had trespassed against God and had sinned in the temple of the Lord. And because of what he did, he was smote with leprosy in the temple in a state of wrath. Wrath against the priests. He was a leper until the day he died. His son Jotham never went into the temple because of it. He was robbed of an experience with God because of the sin of his father. Don't let anything stop you from living for God. No person, and no situation can stop you from serving God if the desire is truly in your heart. The problem is never with God, it's with people. Including you and me. Other peoples sins and failures should not effect our walk with God. Let's get it for ourselves. :)

Happy Birthday UM

UM stands for Uncle Mike. lol So Happy Birthday Uncle Mike! I hope you decide to read my blog today! :) Have a wonderful day and know that I am thinking of you! Love you!

Your favorite niece,

Jen

A challenge for Apostolic young people

I was talking to a good friend not long ago about doing more for God. It seems there are not enough young people that truly want to make a difference and do something in the Kingdom of God. They might be good young people, but so many are too busy fighting for their own salvation. At a conference a few months ago, Bro. Davis preached a message entitled "Gaining Spiritual Advantage." We shouldn't be on the defense the whole time. We need to get on the offense and put satan on the run! The problem is there are not enough young people with a prayer life. When you get your prayer life straight, God can deal with you and get everything straightened out. If you think living for God is hard and you just look at it as a bunch of "do's and don'ts," there is no joy in your salvation. You need to pray "God, restore unto me the joy of my salvation!" When you really pray and get ahold of God on a regular basis and get rid of junk in your life, you won't feel that way. Reading the Bible is so important too! God will speak to you through His Word. When you apply the words on the page to your life, you will change forever. When you feel dry, you need to pray through. Praying through will do your spirit wonders. Know why? Because GOD moves in you when you pray through. And God IS love, joy, peace, righteousness, and holiness. When that is stirred up in you, it restores unto you the JOY of your salvation. The answer is to STAY PRAYED UP. GOD has your answer. Nothing else will work. Backsliding will not make a situation in your life better. Backsliding will not fix family problems or life situations. You get your answers when you're in the Holy Ghost. You get your answers by prayer and going to church, fasting, and reading the Word. Don't give up or let go. We are living in the last of the last days and it is not the time to let go. You may be the only one that can help your family live for God. If you let go, they'll never make it either. God will still do miracles and work wonders for those who are faithful and seek it! The devil may think he's got you down, but you do have advantage of surprise. You can turn around and say "NO devil, you aren't going to get me. I'm not giving up" When we gain spiritual advantage we can look out for others. If you aren't strong, how will you help your friends get to heaven? How will you help your family get to heaven? When we're so focused on our problems and situations, we can't be thinking of others. We need to realize how much we really do need eachother. What if a brother or sister is struggling? What if they need a miracle? Who is going to be there and interceed for them? Those who are prayed up and strong. Those who have gained spiritual advantage. So, I challenge young people: Live for Jesus with all your heart. Pray everyday, for others and yourself. Read your Bible everyday. Study to show yourself approved. Step up the plate. Put the devil on the run. Have faith with works. Take advantage of what God has given you...His Spirit. You CAN make it. You CAN be something for God. It doesn't matter what you've done and it doesn't matter what your family is like. Gain spiritual advantage!

Words

"The difference between a word and the right word is like the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."

Words can be so very powerful, spoken or written. Words can hurt, offend, encourage, sadden, and cheer. Sometimes we don't think before we speak! (Dangerous) I want the words that I write and the words that I speak to be words pleasing to God. I want to encourage others! I want to witness to others. Proverbs 25:11 says "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Saying the right thing at the right time can do a lot of good. What you say can make a difference in somebody's life. Encouraging and witnessing to people are good uses of words! Words are SO important! Pro 15:23- "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" So we understand that the words we say are important and can deeply affect others. However, there is a flip side to this: Our reaction to the words spoken to us. If someone says something hurtful, do we forgive them? If someone makes false accusations do we stand up for what is right? If someone in authority tells us to do something, do we listen? We should! The most important of all is the Word of God. The Bible is God's Word, and it is our duty to obey it and keep God's commandments. The Word of God is life and Salvation unto those who obey it and trust in it! We could not be saved if it were not for the preaching of the word. The Bible talks about those who stumble at the word of God: 1Pe 2:8 "And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." I don't ever want to stumble at God's word! I want to obey it. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It will lead us and guide us through the things that life may bring us. We need to have a desire for the Word of God! We should long to hear it preached! 1Pe 2:2-3 "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. " God's Word is what will get us to heaven. It us up to us to obey it and apply it to our lives. God's Word will last forever and ever....

1Pe 1:25 - But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Kid's Church

The people of our church worked so hard on outreach and decorations for Kid's Church this Sunday! The pictures don't do it justice! It was a lot of fun for the kids and the lesson was really good! It's a Sundae Soda Shop theme. The first lesson was about pressure that comes into our lives. First, that God is with us and will help us through it, and second, pressure is was shapes us and molds us into what we need to be. More kids are coming and being taught what it takes to be saved! They are excited! And it is exciting to see God working in the little kids!

The power of taking a bath

Yesterday afternoon I gave my dog a bath. Since she has gotten older she has mellowed out and is not as playful as she used to be. I noticed that whenever she gets a bath it effects her mood and energy. As soon as she is clean and out of the tub she is like a puppy again! She goes running all over the house, happy and energized. There is something about being clean that effects our mood and energy. Not just for dogs, but for humans too. What my dog does not like is the process of getting cleaned. She hates getting wet and having the dog shampoo rubbed in. She hates being rinsed off and being in the tub. It doesn't feel good to her. But when she is all done she is like a new dog. She feels good and clean, and she is happy. We as humans have a sinful, fallen nature. It is in our nature to sin and do the wrong thing. We need the Spirit of God imparted to us so we can overcome our sin. It may hurt to get clean spiritually. You will have to give up some things and old habits that aren't pleasing God. But when you get the Holy Ghost,(the Spirit of God living inside of you) it gives you power to overcome those things and give up those old habits. Once you do that and start living for God, you feel so good and clean, new and happy! It does wonders for your spirit. You will feel like a new person, and it is the most wonderful thing in the world. It fills you with Joy Unspeakable and full of Glory! You can be happy while living in a world of misery and filth, because Jesus is living inside of you! I have experienced this for myself and I wouldn't trade it for the world, or anything in it! Not for money, fame, or anything else. When you're in the church and you fall and make a mistake and sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. We can go to Him in prayer and repent. It might hurt to confess what you have done, and especially hurts if someone else finds out. But when you take that step and take a spiritual bath, you will feel SO much better. You will feel new and clean and happy again. Sin makes you feel dirty and tired inside. But being right with God makes you feel clean and happy inside! The best feeling in the world is knowing that you are right with God, and having His Joy inside of you. God is love, joy, and peace. When His Spirit comes inside of you by the evidence of speaking in other tongues, (God taking control) it puts real love, joy, and peace in your spirit. That's exactly what this world is looking for. Take a bath! Ask God to clean you up! If you really want it and will seek it with your whole heart, He will touch your life!

Hanna's Graduation

Hanna graduated High School tonight! I think she got the most cheers because of our spirited group! lol We are all so proud of her and love her very much. She is a wonderful person. Hanna and I have been friends for a long time, but just this past year have become close. I appreciate you Hanna! Hanna "Kie-full." (Inside joke) We had lots of fun tonight. After the ceremony we went to Chili's. Then we went to Baskin Robins. After we finished we hung out outside -- that was fun. We always have fun when we hang out! Well...anyone who would like to congratulate Hanna please do so!

Awww -- glowing. :)

Abel is... ??

Hanna with her parents

Brandon, Abel, Hanna, and Coco

Coco always makes the same cheesey face!

Kindred spirits! lol

No Comment!

Mesgana not paying attention to me!

The comedians, at Chili's.

Pentecostal Bloopers

We Pentecostals ALL have stories of funny things that have happened in church. I have laughed myself silly over things I have seen and heard that happened during a church service. It's fun living for God. :) Elder Morton always says that...and it's so true! Living for Jesus is the best life out there. Here are some things I have either seen, heard, or heard about that have happened in church:

Short little Bro. E**** is running the aisles at lightening speed. Big Sis. D***** is running the aisles going the opposite way. Both are worshipping God and getting into the service. They are both getting closer and closer to the back of the church. The people on the platform are cringing. Then it happens. BAM! They collide in the back of the church. Bro. E****'s legs are still going. He bounces of Sis. D***** 3 times, because he couldn't get around her and kept running right back into her. Everyone on the platform is laughing.


***
Pastor So and So is standing behind the pulpit. His son is on the drums and his wife is on the organ. His pants were way too big so he wore his belt very tight. A little too tight. So tight, it couldn't take it anymore and busted. His pants fell to his ankles. His wife and son were laughing. At least he was behind the pulpit!

***
A brother was preaching about how he had seen people convicted and how they had started taking care of things in their lives that needed to be taken care of. "I've seen ladies take their make up off - ah! I've seen 'em take their jewelry off - ah! I've even seen 'em take their pants off -ah!" Oops.

***
A brother was running the aisles at church and worshipping the Lord --- with his eyes closed! He ran right into the wall and broke his glasses. I think after that he paid more attention to the verse that says "watch and pray."

***
A sister church of ours had a lot of saints gone helping at a youth camp -- including the musicians. So a young man who could play just a little bit stepped in to help. They have a nice, high tech keyboard. I believe for altar he was playing the song "I feel Jesus," when he accidentally hit the techno button a beat started playing instead. I think that ended altar call...

***

Well, that's just a few! Which one was funniest? Leave me a comment about something you have heard or experience like that in a church service.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful, awesome, loveable Dad in the whole wide world! I hope your day is great! Thanks for all you have done for me. I would not have made it this far without you.

Love,

Jen

P.S. Birthday Comments are welcomed. :)