it is that time of year when we begin to reflect on the past year . This year  if you are having a difficult time being thankful, take a sheet of paper and begin to write down what you are thankful for. It may begin slowly but in just a few moments you will find the list longer and longer. There was a time in our life as a family, my husband unemployed and it was Christmas season. Being the kind, compassionate, caring, loving person he, is along with being a man of integrity did this. I am not saying is was easy, for how do you tell children no gifts for Christmas.I can say in a matter of moments once he began our family had much abundance to be thankful for. It turned out to be one of the best seasons ever. Not only that but God supplied a job above and beyond . what we expected.This year let us all be thankful.Do not look at what is going on in the condition of thngs of the economy but focus on his goodness of God who is the provider of all . 

This Thanksgiving season, there are some things we can all learn about being thankful. Begin at early age to teach the word thank you. When was the last time you may have heard it.?  You can teach by being an example. From the littlest things to larger being thankful is important. As adults model  others begin to catch on. We can be thankful in the bad times as well as the good. It is easy when all is going well, but when the bottom appears to be falling then what? I leave this question with you.,today and through this coming year be thankful.

There are real realities in life which can be taught to all of us. There is poverty and those who suffer. One gets to see the world does not revolve around them but others. Families do not have to go over board with material things. Simple things in  life are many times the ones remembered.

Thanksgiving is all year tho we take one day to celebrate . We do not need to wait to focus on being thankful when we have been doing it. If you have not been practicing then begin now.

With all technologies teach responsiblities to the family for having them. If not they will become ungrateful. To many take things for grated until they no longer are able to enjoy.Teaching responsiblilty teaches thankfulness. A person may not think it at the moment but when he or she looks back, that is when they see what was being taught.

From this day onward, take time to focus on being thankful. Each day is a blessing.  Thankfulness is a scriptural pattern. An ungrateful person will be selfish. Things may not go the way we want in life or even each day but one thing I would leave with you and it is this. Do not lose sight of being thankful no matter what life may bring your way. A grateful person will reach out to touch others. I can not stress this enough. Happy Thanksgiving to all. May God richly bless each one this holiday sesason as you focus on  him. It does not matter what you do or do not have. God is faithful as we put our total trust in him. So much more I could say but will do another article later.

A cell is unforgiveness. It will keep you and I in bondage unless we learn how to forgive. This means total forgiveness not partial. Some like to say I forgive if, no , it does not work that way. It is time to remove the old furniture from the cell. When you are released why would you want to go back? No you would not so a cell is a place you may pass for a day but not stay in there. There will never be a time we will not need to ask forgiveness from the Lord or in a relationship.. Who may you need to forgive? It could be the person close by. When you or I refuse to forgive it effects family, but also those around us. Just what does forgiveness mean? It means to release and let go once you have dealt with it according to what scripture  says. Let me tell you you can not forgive partially. Jesus forgave totally. This is what he expects from us, but problem is for many they hang on and on. Jesus set the example for us to follow.

I want you to look in the mirror and be honest. Perhaps you see anger, disappointments, hurts and on the list goes. The mirror is a reflection. Many things we carry with us are not worth it. Let them go. You will stay in bondage as long as you want to be . Let go, be set free or stay in the cell. Not everyone is going to like you or me. Jesus tells us forgive. The choice is up to you this day. You choose to stay in the cell or get out.  I do not know about you, but I choose to be free.

In the battle iis growth and victory. You do not see it when in the battle but when you come out of it  look back and see the goodness of God. In the battle you can expect immediate assault especially if you are not rooted and grounded or as it is called discipled systematically. The battle will take you down unless you learn how to stand firm. Problem today, many are not discipled to know what he or she believes so when the battle comes it is not hanldled. Discipleship is so important it can not be stressed enough. Many get bits and pieces but never able to stand the test for they do not get grounded with deep roots. Discipleship is not to be scoffed at but serious. I ask you what is your Philistine? That person is not your friend. That person may try to drag you down.

In battle do not be overcome with fear. Scripture tells us the Lord fights our battle. It also says the battle is the Lord's.

Begin to know the power of the cross is enough in any situation of life. It will never lose its power. If you are in bondage it stays fresh. The cross stays fresh and there is no other way. For those in a battle, the cross is sufficient. Take it to the Lord. to continue to carry the battle with you only drags it on and on. You can trust God to work out all the details.

When in battle fully expect  to engage in victory. He is victory. God ambarrasses the enemy. The Lord will not fail you.If he has told you something to do, go forward and stay with it. When you ask believe it will come to pass. You may trip up but God is faithful. God can change the situation no matter how big or small.

No conflict is pleasant but with God's help each can make it through. In the battle forgiveness is a must for relationships to be resolved. You and I make the choice as to whether we will experiecne victory or stay in bondage. How about it? Are you willing to let go and let God? Are you willing to get discipled so when the battles do come you will be able to stand. We serve a victorious God, one who is interested in all areas of our life. Now none of this is possible if you have not made a surrendet to Christ with a heart which has asked for forgiveness of sins.

Today if you have not done this, you can be have your sins forgiven. Tell the Lord you want to live for him from this day forward. Ask him to wash you, make you clean and come into your life.  Most importantly acknowledge you are a sinner.  Begin to read your Bible. If you do not have one, someone will see you get one. Finally get into a Bible believing church and have fellowhip with those with like mind. You will experience down falls for that is part of growing but God will be there fo pick you up and to carry you through. Any questions please add to the comment at the end of the article , leave me an address and I will respond with any questions you may have.

One thing I've learned through the years in my Christian life is nothing is to big for my God. He does miracles and I am one of them. Trust him .In him is victory.

When living in conflict obey God and leave it to him. You and I are the strongeset on our knees. You can have joy, peace and kindness. We reap what we sow. How do you feel facing conflict? Do you feel insecure, sad, guilty, and mixed feelings? How do you react? Do you want to balme someone else? All deal with conflict in life and it is inescapble.

Sometimes the conflct can come as a result of misunderstandings, and rebellion, plus old baggage from the past in life. Conflict in marriage is most painful because of intimacy. The issue is how do you and i respond to it? We all have a fallen nature. How do we deal so as not to end up with an unforgiving spirit?

You can't have conflict without it effecting someone else. It will spill over. Now for some of the causes of conflict.

It can be a personality crash. There can be problems with communication, jealousy, seeing someone get ahead. It can be anger with self . It can also be rebellion against aurhority, emotional baggage. Smetimes people repress and not acknowlege the problem. There can be a divided mind. If conflict it effects emotions and relationship with God. You may also keep people from knowing who you really are. By doing this, there is unnecessary pain and disappointment. Now how do we handle this?

Begin to  face things straight on. When it is denied it only gets prolonged.

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you discerning Spirit.

Maintain a quiet spirt which is not easy to do. By remaining quiet a peson can self destruct. Talking to get it out in the open is one of the keys to dealing with it.

Make no attempt to defend yourself.

Ask Holy Spirit to seal your lips so as not to say anything to keep the fire going.Sometimes God does not want you to say anything but to set quiet and listen.

View conflict as coming from God. You can tell God what you think is happening. God may say in the overwhelming situation you have to see this as coming from me. Reaction , we ask how could this be?

What does a long time mean to you? Whatever a long time is , it is a long time.  iT is to long. Some things go on and on, and appear never to end. When you serve God he will deliver. Let me ask, are you serving him with a whole heart?

A long time ago people mourned because of  a situation which went on and on with no end. Have you been dealing with a situation to long in that it makes you miseable? If that is the case it has been to long. Sometimes people sing the song Nobody Knows The Troubles I've Seen.  Troubles are common to man, yet many keep repeating.

Many are told when they attend church to leave the problem at home. I say leave it at the altar with one who is able to solve the situation. When it is to long it is time to surrender to the Lord. When miserable seek the Lord, let him fight. This sounds easy but most of you out there seek the Lord, give it to him, yet without complete surrender. The situation goes on and on because you do not want to give it up. The question God may ask of you is this. What have I done to make you distrustful? Handle it and leave with one who is able to take care of it.  Your friends look at you and say you are working hard beause of not surrendering.

Another reason for not giving it up when a long time is , it is habitual. You can be addicted to your own trash which needs to go.  Unbelief says God is incapable of getting you through. In a solitary state you do not want to step across the line, but instead determined to make things work on your own.  Problem is it just keeps going.

You may go to a place you have not been before. It does not mean God wants to take you back into misery. He lets his people step out, to get out. He desires his people to return.  Go back to the place you keep departing from.  You have to come to a place you say I've had enough, This has gone on long enough.

Begin to confront the irrefutalbe issues. The heart with bondage is divided. You can live in the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit to release you.  When a long time our hearts can become toxic. Can be clean on outside yet inside be a mess. You and IIcan not make excuses tho we try. Do not pick and choose what you will and will not let go of.

We are not the ones to change rules. God is after that which is darling to you and I.  This is a short article but for those who have things which have been going on and on for a long time. it is time to let God take charge . Give it to him, let him work it out.

Reason you are still in the battle is you are not willing to totally surrender What you are saying is I've not had enough yet.

Another things is you must stand firm with what the word tells you even at a cost. It cost our Master everything. He gave his life. There is not way you or I am going to to be firm unless we stand firm. Make a decision to cross the line and not go back out.

When you cross the line you become the biggest scare the enemy has ever had. As you grow commit and serve in areas he asks of you. We were created by God to worship him. Other things can enslave us but in him we are set free. Are you willing to give up what God is asking of you? If so you will be free. You can feel pain of giving up, yet have excitement. You will ask afer crossing what was I waiting for?

Make your commitement radical and memorable. With Jesus we receieve dignity. He wants us to bring things to him. We do not have to be afraid to tell it like it is. Are you profusely spent? It will you and Jesus will not put you down.

Expect an immediate assault. Your Philistine is not going to give up.

Do not be overcome with fear. God fights our battle.  Do not become co dependent upon others, nor become a counselor. Jesus is the one who sets free. 

Fully expect and engage in voctory. God will ambarras the enemy. The Lord raised an Ebenezer.  He will not fail you. When he has told you something go for it. You may trip up but God is faithful. God can change any situation.  I leave you with this question, do you really want to get out and be free? The choice is up to you.

Whatever long is for you it is to long. When you serve Jesus with a whole heart, he will deliver. For some there needs to be fasting and being poured out. Scripture tells us the Philistines drew near to the battle. They contnued in the same old state for about twenty years. That is to long. Many are miserable for it has been to long. For some you, could sing the song, Nobody Knows The Troubles I've Seen. Troubles are common to all. You want to get out begin by seeking the Lord. Begin to fight with complete surrender, do not give up. What is it which keeps you where you are? Things cause frustration when not resolved. For some circumstances go on and on because you do ot want to give up. Let me ask, what has God done to you which causes you to be distrustful? Let me say you are working hard by not surrendering.

Another reason not giving it up is things are habitual. You can be addicted to your own task which needs to go.  Unbelief says God is incapable of getting us through.  Problem is we do not want to step across the line. We are bound and determined to make things work by ourself, and when they do not, it is then we turn them over.  You may be in a place you have not been before. God wants to bring you back.

The Israelites camped at Ebenezar. They were going to go out and show what strength they had. Let's come back to the place we keep departing from. We have to come to the place we listen. but also say I've had enough. Are we sick of life situations? Jesus asked those will you be be made whole.

Confront the irrefutable issues. When away from God at the heart of all bondage is a divided heart. You and I can live in freedom in the power of the Holy Spirit to release us from bondage. Deep within our hearts are toxins because of unresolved issues. We can have clean hands outside, yet be septic on the inside. People we can not pick and choose which parts of the Christian life we want. The word of God is the entirety with all its pages.

We can not change the rules. Many try to make deals with God. I ask do you want to stay in where you are at or be set free? There is no worse friend than one who  is friendly and betrays. Some things are conditional. For many you live in the IF instead of the IN.

This article deals with those in leadership but also is relavent to our every day life. There were some Pharisees who had externalized religion, the Scribes had professed religion, the Sadduccees had secularized and the Zealots  had nationalized it. Today we can find ourself in one of the above. There are things which will not change ever. Being in a leadership position can be toxic if I can use that word to our spritual life. See when something goes wrong., it inevitably comes back to the leader. Following are some things to help in our every day life to watch out for. We need o watch our life and doctrines.

   First know Paul said, "that I might know him.". You can not get to know someone unless you spend the time. We say we know God but do we really? If some things were taken from us, would we still have a growing relaationship with Jesus? Life has change points, Some good, many we wish did not ever exist. Nothing is more important to you and I, then to take time daily to sit in the presence of the Lord to get to know him. In doing this we begin to grow. Let me ask you this. What is it you want remembered when you are gone from this earth? Nothing on this earth is worth losing our soul. It is most important even when it cost us to do what we know to do.

I tell you hold to your integrity. God knows all the secrets in our life so why not just let him in on them. Tell him those areas you and I need to work on. It is not right to try to rationalize things. Most of the time there is only one answer. We can try to make thngs go the way we want, but in reality, our integrity could be on the line. I ask it is worth it? to compromise is to let standards down. What good would it be if Jesus were to come today?  what would be our testimony to those around as they watch to see what we are going to do in a situation. Jesus died for yuo and me o he deserves our very best in all situtions with no compromises. He simply calls us to a confession to him with an honest heart , frees us and forgives .

It is important for us to be ourself. We do not need to prove anythng to anyone. God made you and i with uniqueness. Do not try to be who you are not. Do those areas you know. Sometimes God will stretch beyond limits but that is healthy to get out of comfort zone. Leave the things to those who are gifted in their areas. Why would ou want to put pressures on yhourself doing those things you are not suppose to be doing.? I get really upset with all this politically correctness, and professionalism. We will make mistakes but important to learn from them.

Acknowlege the mistakes instead of blaming. Be careful not to get into a critical mode. When we need changing God is the one who will do it as we allow this to take place.

Be willing to embrace changes. We can stay in the predictable but miss a blessing. Change will always be new and constant. For those with nastalga you can get locked into the past. You can become paralized.

Learn to live joyfully. Do you love what you do? We can become toxic if we attempt to perform instead of self serving to others with a joyful heart. Jesus is the one who called you to do what he asks. If you are not joyful, find something else to do. there are many opportunities to get involved in.

If I were to ask you where would you find self worth, what would your answer be? Everyone tries to perform. Your performance does not compare to anyone else. You are unique. Let me tell you, someone will always do somethng beter than you.It is just the way it is in life. You work hard and think you deserve a promotion. That may well be the case but  it has nothing to do with your self esteem. Just what does someone else's opinion have to do with you? I say nothing. The cross says you are valuable. You are sons and daughters of the most high. All of us are of worth in God's eyes. God came to live within you and I. It has nothing to do with performance.

Every person hs failed. You say you are a failure or refuse it. Some have no self worth because they have failed and hard on themself. The only thing some are absolved in is work. They think they need to perform in order for success. I tell you, we belong to  a living God.

You need to begin to have confidence in God. Put your trust completely in him . Jesus told the disciples not to leave until the Holy Spirit was within them. Your sins are forgiven when you ask him to do so. The Holy Spirit seals you at redemption. He lives within you. Every work of the Holy Spirit is directed at our life, where there is need. God has made you capable of serving him. If you are wrestling so all you can think of is your problems, do something for someone else to minister .

Some of you feel unworthy and unloved. You can take the scripture, but until you make it real in your life, you will not find peace within. It does not matter what you look like or what you do, He is the answer to life situations.

Many thing have nothing to do with your appearance or success. Your sense of belonging is wrapped up with a relationship to him. You are worth everything to him. The Holy spirit will enable you to do what needs to be done.

Belonging, worthiness and confidence will be present as you trust Jesus. He is the Son of God and took away sins of the world. He made you worthy. Your sense of worthiness and confidence will never be cast out with him. He is a loving God who has provided the best for all. No place else will you find worth.

It is up to you to trust. He is your best friend. He is there for you at all times. He is all you need. Do not compare yourself to anyone in how they do things. Your promotion comes from him who is on the throne.

In the last blog we left off  with preparation.  Let us review for a moment. First came the  divine coincidence, then guidance.

Preparation. All need to prepared in what we are called to do. Saul had to be prepared also. You are called to do great things. As you draw near to your destiny will be revealed.

Anointing     Being used of God there is anointing. Without anointing we can try to do whatever and yet much is missing without anointing. pray for anointing. The anointing is within you.

Revelation      the Lord will show others who you are. After anointing he was told you are commander over the people. Samuel was anointed also. We start with lesser task to greater to be promoted. God took care of the donkeys. I trust you will want to know your destiny in what God calls you to do. Be discipled, grow in him. He who is faithful in least will be faithful over much. Be all you can with potential in the destiny God has for you as well as me.