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Christians are constantly in a spiritual warfare. Our flesh constantly wars with our spiritual being (Galatians 5:17). Once we accepted Christ as our Savior, the war began. We are sinful by nature. We were born into sin (Psalm 51:5). In accepting Christ as Savior, the old man, flesh, must decrease so Christ will increase in our lives (John 3:30). It is what makes us Christ followers.

Dr. Charles Stanley was known for his passion for teaching the word of God. Recently, I listened to one of his sermons where he talked about the, “Battle Before The Battle.” I chuckled when I heard it. He emphasized how the battles that we fight start in the mind first. He proclaimed if you can win that battle you do not have to fight the battle of temptation as hard. 

Many times we believe the battle is temptation. Temptation is a battle. However, fighting the thought that enters into our mind that leads to the temptation is where the battle starts. If we do not entertain the sinful thoughts that come to our minds, we can win the battle before the battle.

David is a good example of winning the battle in his mind. Before he actually went to battle with Goliath, he saw himself winning. In this instance, he already knew in his mind he had the Spirit of the living God on his side. This is how he was so bold in asking KIng Saul to take on Goliath. David had the secret sauce, God’s Spirit. 

We all have the secret sauce. God’s Spirit dwells in all of us (1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:9). When Jesus resurrected and left the Holy Spirit with us, we have that power within us to do all things God wills for us to do. If we believe, like David, we can defeat any giant in our lives. So, when the battle in our mind begins we can shut it down. We do not have to waddle in temptation. If it comes, and many times it will rear its head, we can swat it down. 

David had the confidence in God that He would give him the win. So much so, he told Goliath he would be defeated by the Spirit of the living God. He told him it would be by cutting off his head (1 Samuel . 17). That was bold and powerful! David did just that with the Spirit of the living God on his side. David won the battle before the actual battle with Goliath took place. We can, too. Amen. Love & Blessings!

Being a Christian is a process. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). As baby Christians, God will often send us signs and wonders of who He is. He will show us His supernatural power if we are paying attention to Him. As we cultivate our relationship with Him, it allows us to grow. Our aim is to be in His likeness. When people see us they should see the Christ in us.

As we grow more and more in Him, God may not use signs and wonders or other evidence to prove who He is. We have to build our resilience, determination, and commitment in Him. Through the signs and wonders it helps to build our trust and faith in Him. But God wants to wean us off of that. He wants us to prove to Him He can trust us. We have to stand on our faith.

In the Bible Elijah believed in God against all odds. In an earlier blog, we talked about Elijah’s bold challenge against idol gods to 450 prophets. God heard and saw that challenge Elijah made to the prophets. God showed himself strong to not only Elijah, but the prophets as well. God consumed the wet soaked altar with fire!

Now, Elijah stands on God’s word again. This time he believed without a sign that God would send an abundance of rain in a drought. He had his servant go and look at the sky to see if he saw any signs of rain. But no sign was in sight, according to the servant. With confidence and stubbornly, Elijah sent him back seven times!

Although it did not look like Elijah wanted it to look, it did not deter His faith in God. We must be the same. If God has whispered something in our spirit or we are standing on one of His many promises and we are honoring God with our lives, He will come through. Invariably, it will be in His time and His way.

We must prove to God that He can trust us. When we prove to God who we are in Him, there is nothing He will withhold from His children that is in His will for them… Amen. Love & Blessings!

Being a Christian is a process. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). As baby Christians, God will often send us signs and wonders of who He is. He will show us His supernatural power if we are paying attention to Him. As we cultivate our relationship with Him, it allows us to grow. Our aim is to be in His likeness. When people see us they should see the Christ in us.

As we grow more and more in Him, God may not use signs and wonders or other evidence to prove who He is. We have to build our resilience, determination, and commitment in Him. Through the signs and wonders it helps to build our trust and faith in Him. But God wants to wean us off of that. He wants us to prove to Him He can trust us. We have to stand on our faith.

In the Bible Elijah believed in God against all odds. In an earlier blog, we talked about Elijah’s bold challenge against idol gods to 450 prophets. God heard and saw that challenge Elijah made to the prophets. God showed himself strong to not only Elijah, but the prophets as well. God consumed the wet soaked altar with fire!

Now, Elijah stands on God’s word again. This time he believed without a sign that God would send an abundance of rain in a drought. He had his servant go and look at the sky to see if he saw any signs of rain. But no sign was in sight, according to the servant. With confidence and stubbornly, Elijah sent him back seven times!

Although it did not look like Elijah wanted it to look, it did not deter His faith in God. We must be the same. If God has whispered something in our spirit or we are standing on one of His many promises and we are honoring God with our lives, He will come through. Invariably, it will be in His time and His way.

We must prove to God that He can trust us. When we prove to God who we are in Him, there is nothing He will withhold from His children that is in His will for them… Amen. Love & Blessings!

The letters that Paul wrote in the New Testament were to the church. He was talking to church folk! There were many things that were going on in the church and its community. Today, there is nothing new under the sun. There is much that is going on today in the church and the church community. God does not change. The Bible does not change. We change! We are transformed by the renewing of our mind, according to Paul (Romans 12:2).

Sin changed the course of life God had for His children. Because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, we live a different life that God once had in mind for us. A depraved mind, in a biblical context (specifically Romans 1:28), refers to a state where a person has rejected God and His knowledge. As a result, this leads to a moral and spiritual decline. 

We all sin. We are not perfect. When we sin we repent and turn away from that sin. This depraved mind comes about when a person is practicing evil, wickedness, and corruption. The Bible actually lists these sins in Romans 1: 18-32. Because they refuse to repent, Romans 1: 34 says God gave them over to their lusts.

Imagine a person being “given over” to a debased or reprobate mind, by God. It is characterized by a complete disregard for moral boundaries and a propensity for evil actions. These people, according to the Bible, are no longer capable of discerning right from wrong. Their actions demonstrate a moral corruption. 

Woe unto us! The first person we need to examine in all situations is ourselves. There are many mysteries about God that we do not know. Even so, God has given us enough in the Bible for us to know how we should live and conduct our lives as Christ followers. Jesus said you will know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:16). It appears once God has given one over to a depraved mind, it is final… Only God knows. Amen. Love & Blessings.

We love to think of Jesus as our meek and mild Savior. However, when we read Matthew 10:54, it draws a stark contrast to that notion. Imagine Jesus saying He did not come to bring peace, but a sword! Yet, this is what He asserted in this chapter in Matthew.

Jesus often taught in parables. This is how many Rabbis taught on that day. So, it was not too strange to hear the stories and parables. Moreover, Jesus wanted people to not only hear His words, but to obey them. Obeying the word takes us into a deeper relationship with God. This is where our intimacy with Him is at.

Living in obedience to Jesus’ teaching will bring conflict and division in your life with the things of this world. Here lies the rub. We often want to live both ways. We want to take on the things of this world and say that we love Jesus, too. Still, Jesus said show your love for me by obeying me. (John 14:15).

Obeying Jesus brings challenge, tension, and separation. It brings a sword into our lives. As a result we are constantly choosing. We are choosing whether we are going to follow Jesus or the world. Thus, no peace as we choose. This is radical when you think about it.

We must not live on how we feel. Our feelings are fickle and lead us down the wrong path and away from Jesus’ teachings. It is the deception of Satan. Jesus did not sugar coat what we would face if we became one of His followers. There are sacrifices and sufferings. Even so, we also know there are blessings and rewards. There is a higher calling for us all. There is an abundant, victorious life here for us on the Earth. These are the things that Jesus knew would bring us heavenly peace on Earth. These were the spiritual things He emphasized and was pointing us to.

God LOVES our teachers! Therefore, we LOVE our teachers, too! Teachers serve as surrogate parents. They are considered school moms and dads. This is something that is not taken lightly. They treat students like our own. They provide for them when the school budget has been stretched to the limit. Invariably, they go into their pockets for extra supplies/equipment that students and parents cannot afford,  enrich a lesson and even provide breakfast, lunch or a snack for hungry students. This is the reality of being an educator.

Where Is God Now Ministries want to recognize the sacrifices teachers make. We thank you for the teacher nominations you shared and why these teachers were deserving. We are recognizing two teachers!

When we read through the nominations and supply list, the Holy Spirit said to me some of YOU have these new or gently used items in your home that you are not using. Please see the below list and let me know if you have these items. I will come and collect your items on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14. Of course, if you want to drop your items by my garage door, let me know so I can be on the lookout for them. 

                                                             SUPPLY LIST

Folders and Binders (for student portfolios)

Color Coded Bins (for class materials)

Label Maker

File Organizers or Trays (for differentiated assignments)

Small Rewards (pencils, stickers, erasers, etc.)

Games for Vocabulary Review (Scrabble, Taboo, Bingo, etc.)

Tissues

Hand Sanitizer and Wipes

Stress Relief Tools for Calming Corner

Snacks (for students who come to school hungry)

Dry Erase Boards and Makers (for small groups)

Highlighters (for reading comprehension strategies)

Vocabulary Flashcards (including academic and tired vocabulary)

Bilingual Dictionaries (English and Students’ Native Language)

14 pc. Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Portable Ice Maker

Pot Holder/Oven Mitts

You may also make a tax deductible donation! Please click the link to the website. Scroll down and click on “Donate.” on the right side of the page. 

https://whereisgodnow.org

Thank you for your continued love and support.

You may share with whomever…

Love & Blessings!

Gwen

David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David loved God. Unfortunately, because we are in these fleshly bodies, we sin. Fast forward to 2 Samuel 11-12, we see David’s sin with Bathsheba. Not only did David commit adultery to cover up this sin, he committed murder, too. David arranges to have her husband, Uriah, killed on the battlefield. Bathsheba became pregnant because of their indiscretion. Later, David marries pregnant Bathsheba who is carrying his child.

Sin is hideous. It is why God hates sin. It opens the door for more sin as we see with David. It derails our humanity. It reduces us sometimes less than human. Pride, guilt, shame, lies, deceit, etc., piles on. These are the hallmarks of Satan. Therefore, it leads to death to our souls and spirits.

David had sunk to an all time low. Thankfully, we serve a loving and forgiving God. David did experience the consequences of His sin. As a result, the child did not survive. Further, he dealt with some self-inflicted wounds to his character.

God is our redeemer. After a year of pretending nothing happened, David was confronted by Nathan, the prophet (2 Samuel 12) . Finally, David confessed his sin. For a year David lived miserably. It is in Psalm 51 we see David asking for forgiveness and a renewing of his spirit.

David asked God to give him a clean heart. A clean heart is a pure heart. That is not to say we will be perfect. But it is a heart that is bent towards God. Moreover, our hearts are capable of making right decisions. Our vision is clear. It allows the Holy Spirit to flow through us to do God’s will. This was the desire of David. This clean heart is a supernatural heart that wants to please God. David loved the presence and favor of God in His life. He once again wanted the relationship to be restored. God in His graciousness did just that… Amen. Love & Blessings!

God has promoted us an abundant victorious life on the Earth! Through Jesus Christ we have that life. God wants us to enjoy our lives. He wants an intimate relationship with us so we will do that life with Him.

We do not serve a boring God. Just look at creation. He has given us so much! In the summer, we experience so much of creation. Although, it gets heated and humid, some people prefer this type of weather. They love going to the beach to soak up the sun and play in the water. Depending on which beach they visit, they can see white, beige, red, pink, green or black! Think about that… God is not boring!

The God gives us different variations of flowers. They come in vibrant colors, too! We have yellows, whites, purples, blues, red, orange, just to name some. These colors attract pollinators like butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. They come in different variations, too!

God has given us sea animals to enjoy. We go crabbing and fishing a lot during summer. Not only is this a sport for some, but some use them as a feast. We also feast on oysters during the summer. This is good eating!

Let us not forget about our summer fruit and vegetables. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are plentiful during summer. Melons are dripping with hydration for our bodies. Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are often sweet, too. Corn on the cob is always a hit along with tomatoes, butter beans separately or together for a delicious succotash.

These are just of the wonderful things God has given us during summer to enjoy. The time is passing quickly. Schools will reopen and before we know it fall will be upon us. In the meantime, I encourage you to make sure you enjoy God’s wondrous creation this summer. You will not regret it. Love & Blessings!

It is always humbling seeing God WORKING and MOVING in the lives of the ladies. This cohort of ladies participating in the weekly Bible Study has been revealing on so many levels. Let me share…

Every week I have the ladies celebrate their sobriety. The Holy Spirit revealed to me some time back Jesus had already healed the ladies from their addiction. When Jesus died on the cross… it was FINISHED! They had been set FREE from their addiction. Now, it was up to them to WALK in their sobriety NOW! Of course, their sobriety will look different for each of them.

I have to admit I was sensing some of the ladies were not embracing their sobriety and FREEDOM. One of the ways we celebrate is thanking God for the number of days He has kept them sober. It’s no secret that drugs find their way in jails/prisons. We hear about it in the news. So opportunities are there for people to indulge.

I asked God why some of the ladies were not embracing their sobriety. God shared sobriety, like everything else He has promised us, is for “Whosoever”. The Bible uses this term throughout scripture. So I knew it was the Holy Spirit that revealed this to me. Specifically, Mathew 16:24-26 talks about denying ourselves and following Jesus. It is where the abundant, victorious life on Earth is.

I shared my observations with the ladies and what the Holy Spirit had shared with me. I explained to the ladies the celebration, counting the days of sobriety, receiving their sobriety was only for “Whosoever”. Those who wanted it. Furthermore, the healing comes through Christ, who keeps us everyday. Moreover, He is able, if we lean and depend on Him. If we try to do it on our own we start to sink like Peter walking on the water with Jesus. Invariably, when we take our eyes off of Him, we start to sink. Since sharing this revelation with the ladies, the ladies have embraced it enthusiastically and with thanksgiving.

The other strange occurrence I observed with this group was their knowledge of the Bible. There are diverse populations in jail. Different races, ages, educational backgrounds, cultures, disabilities, etc., are there. Two ladies in particular had a keen knowledge of the Bible. As a former educator, I would suspect these ladies may have had additional educational support services in school. I encountered many instances of them quoting scriptures and finishing my sentences about scriptures before I completed them.

This happened frequently. Curiously, I asked the ladies how they knew so much about the Bible. One recounted how a deacon in her church used to teach the scripture to her as a child. The other talked about growing up in the church. I had to ask God what was this. Once again, the Holy Spirit revealed to me it was lip service. He took me to Isaiah 29:13 and Matthew 15:8-9. It talks about people serving God with their lips. Yet, their hearts are far away from Him.

I shared this observation with the ladies, too. Immediately, one of them agreed that she needed to be more committed in her relationship with God. There was a consensus of head nodding and speaking aloud this was true for the rest.

The Holy Spirit never fails to show up and provide what is needed during our Bible Study sessions. Wonderfully, it is an opportunity and a privilege! It is a BEAUTIFUL thing! More deeply, it is God reaching out to these ladies and providing them with TRUTH and HOPE as He does with us all… Amen. Love & Blessings!

God  forgives us because of the Cross. He forgave the Sinner through Jesus Christ. Christ paid the penalty for us. It is the reason He walked the Earth. To take care of our sins. This is POWERFUL!

As powerful as Jesus dying on the cross to take our sins, it is just as powerful when we forgive others. Just as Jesus set us free, we set ourselves free when we forgive others. When you think about it, refusing to forgive others is prideful. It is telling God we know what is best for us than He does; therefore, I choose not to forgive. If Jesus did it, why can’t YOU?

Satan is the author of such acts. It is another one of his deceptions to keep us in bondage. Unforgiveness drips in bitterness, hostility, hatred, and the negativity goes on and on. This is not of God.

The things of God set us FREE. It lifts us up. We are propelled into higher levels in life. It allows us to live in the Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, and the other Fruit. Who would not want this life?

Unforgiveness will BLOCK these blessings. The Bible says, if we do not forgive others God cannot forgive us (Matthew 6: 14-15, Mathew 18:35). So if God cannot forgive us, we block our blessings from Him.

If you find it difficult to forgive, God will help you. It is a process in some cases. We have to turn it over to Jesus… Cast our cares upon Him for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7). Knowing that the Holy Spirit is our Helper in AlL things helps us to lean in. To receive the help that we need (John 14: 16, 26, 15:26, 16:17). Forgiveness gives us FREEDOM… Amen. Love & Blessings!