I was blessed to have an article published by Christian Women Online. To read the article click here.
Posts Tagged ‘God’
A Single Mom’s Life: A Heavenly Husband
Posted in Published Articles, tagged God, God will provide, heavenly husband, honor, marriage, Purity, single moms, Wedding on August 18, 2014| 2 Comments »
Day 7: A Spirit Of Courage
Posted in Identity: A 12 Day Devotional, tagged fear, fear not, God, tear down those prison walls on January 26, 2014| Leave a Comment »
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Fear is a powerful weapon that our enemy, Satan uses to keep us from doing God’s will. The majority of people who live today have been overcome by anxiety and worry at one time or another. Fear is not a new tactic of Satan’s though. Even in Bible times, he used fear to paralyze God’s people and keep them from obeying God. God tells His people not to fear over 365 times and in every book of the Bible. He knew the plan of Satan was to attack His people through fear, just as it is his plan today.
I know all about fear. I have suffered from intense social anxiety and generalized anxiety since childhood. I have suffered from intense panic attacks. I still suffer at times, but through the assurance of my heavenly Father, I am so much better today. I hang on to God and I know that those peace-filled words of Do Not Be Afraid are meant to reassure us today, as they were meant to reassure God’s people in Bible times.
God is in control, today and forever. He gives us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. There is absolutely nothing in this world that we need to be afraid of. Feeling fearful is not a bad thing in itself, but allowing that fear to paralyze us and keep us from obeying God is where our fear can lead to sin.
If you are feeling fearful now or have on-going issues with worry or anxiety, know that God understands and is always beside you to guide you and even carry you through whatever it is you are fearful of.
When you are fearful, I encourage you to pray the prayer that David prayed, when he was seized by the Philistines:
Psalm 56:3-4
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
What are you fearful of right now?
Surrender your fear to God.
Ask God what He wants you to do in this situation and no matter how hard it is, trust God to walk beside you every step of the way.
Step out in obedience to God. You may still feel the fear, but real courage is feeling the fear and stepping out in obedience anyways. You just have to trust in God and do it anyways. You have to take that risk. No matter what the consequences are, if God is telling you to move, then you need to move.
Start your own list of “fear not” scriptures to use at times when Satan attacks you with anxiety and worry.
I understand how debilitating fear can be. I have lived in that prison for far to long. I am slowly starting to tear down those walls and as scary as it is, it is also empowering.
I want to start a list on here of the “fear not” scriptures. I want to share my own testimony of how God and God alone is breaking down the walls of that self-made prison. I want to hear from you. I want to hear your testimony of how God delivered you from that prison of fear. I want to hear from you, if you are still suffering.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS BATTLE!!!
Contact me and let me encourage you as you break free from fear.
As always, God loves you, friend and so do I!
Day 3: Redeemed And Forgiven
Posted in Identity: A 12 Day Devotional, tagged Forgiveness, God, Jesus, redemption on January 12, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Colossians 1:13,14
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
According to http://www.dictionary.reference.com redemption is the purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom.
I love this! Without Jesus we are ALL lost, but God purchased us back by giving His one and only Son as a ransom for our lives. Did He have to? Absolutely not. He did it because He loves us. He allowed His Son Jesus to die a horrific death on the cross, because it was the only way for us to have eternal life with Him. He wanted us that much!
In Christ we have the forgiveness of sins. We all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We have all sinned against others and against God. Others may not be so quick to forgive us our failings, but God always will, when you approach Him with a sincere heart. It doesn’t matter what you or I have done, God will always forgive. Not only does He forgive, He wipes the slate clean! The sin is gone forever, giving us a chance to learn from our mistakes and start over.
If you are in a place where you believe that God will never forgive your sins, if you believe that your sins are to bad for God to forgive, you are buying into the lies of Satan. God has more love for you than you will ever be able to imagine. When you approach Him in repentance, He will listen. Your heavenly Father will wrap you in His comforting arms and welcome you home.
George Mueller: 20 Characteristics For Spiritual Living
Posted in Being A Disciple, tagged characteristics of Godly living, George Mueller, God, obedience on December 12, 2013| Leave a Comment »
George Mueller was an amazing man of God, prayer and faith. It has been 115 years since his death and his life is still used as an example of true christian living. The book “George Mueller Of Bristol And His Witness To A Prayer-Hearing God” written by Arthur T. Pierson, is a must read for every christian. I have read it twice and will be reading it again. The book looks into every area of George Mueller’s life and faith and gives us a boat load of practical practices to implement in our own lives. Below are some of the characteristics the George Mueller embodied that led to his spiritual success:
1. Missionary Spirit- He was willing to follow God wherever and whenever God led. Mr. Mueller was a pastor, opened orphan houses that provided homes for thousands of children, and he traveled in his later years as an evangelist. He never had a “stable” income, trusting God for provision.
2. Renunciation Of Self- He was always analyzing his spirit for any signs of the flesh coming through. He was diligent about putting his agenda aside and focusing on what God wanted him to do.
3. Taking Counsel Of God- Mr. Mueller always consulted God first. In every situation, when a decision needed to be made, when provisions were needed, George was on his knees in prayer, asking God to reveal His will.
4. Humble And Childlike Temper- George was a role model of humility. He never thought of himself first, always thinking of the other person. He was known for his patience, love, kindness and compassion.
5. Cutting Loose From Man- Mr. Mueller did not ask any man for financial or any other type of support. He went to God alone to provide what they needed. He trusted God to work in the hearts of those He chose to provide for the needs of the ministry.
6. Satisfaction In The Word- He knew that the Bible was the Word of God. He found peace in knowing that God provided His Word as a guide to daily living.
7. Thorough Bible Study- He knew the Word inside and out. He was a lifetime student of God’s Word. He not only studied the Word, but applied what he read to his life.
8. Freedom From Human Control- George did not allow himself to be controlled or manipulated by humans. He did not seek the approval of humans, only the approval of God.
9. Use Of Opportunity: Approaching Others As To Matters Of Salvation- George was always open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. He was always open to the opportunities to reach out to others with the Gospel of Jesus.
10. Knowledge Of The Second Coming- Mr. Mueller was aware that Jesus is going to return at some point. Every one of of his ministries was used to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus.
11. Waiting On God For A Message- Mr. Mueller never acted of his own accord. He waited on God in all things. There were many times when God’s answer did not come until the very last minute. He never acted in disbelief. He always trusted God for an answer to his prayers.
12. Submission To The Authority Of The Word- God’s Word was the final authority in everything that Mr. Mueller did. He did not make any decisions without seeking God’s will through the Word. He would research the Bible inside and out until he found what God’s will was on a particular issue.
13. Surrender Of All Earthly Possessions- He did not consider anything he owned as his. It ALL belonged to God. If someone was in need of something that he had, he would give it freely.
14. Habit Of Secret Prayer- George spent hours on his knees in prayer. He prayed in isolation, using the time to focus on God and discern God’s will in daily matters.
15. Guarding Of His Testimony- George was very careful to make sure his reputation and testimony were not tarnished by sin. His daily goal was to live a righteous life as an example for others. He did not want anything that he did to become an obstacle in another person’s walk with God.
16. Organizing Of His Work- Mr. Mueller always maintained that the ministries he ran were not his, but God’s. If they ever ceased to glorify God, he would have closed them down immediately.
17. Sympathy With Orphans- Mr. Mueller had a God-given passion for orphans. I believe that this passion was extended to those who were “orphans” in their sin, as well as, children. God does not wish for any to be lost. George was a shepherd, in the truest definition of the word.
18. Allowing Himself To Be Molded By The Potter- He never stopped being a student of God’s. He was always seeking God’s guidance in matters of the heart. He was always seeking a revealing of any characteristics that were not Christ-like. Even in his later years, he still allowed God to mold his character.
19. Simple Living- George lived very simply. He only prayed for his basic needs to be met. If God blessed him with a surplus in resources, he would give the surplus away.
20. Giving Generously- He gave generously of any surplus resources he had. He believed in giving to those in need and did without himself, so that others would not have to suffer.
There is so much that we can learn from George Mueller. I really try to live these characteristics out in my daily life. It is an ongoing journey and I don’t always live up to the standard Mr. Mueller set.
I encourage you to read the book. It would be a great book for a group Bible- study. There is so much more wisdom and guidance from the life of George Mueller in the book. READ IT!!!
Day 7: My Reflections
Posted in The Armor Of God: A 7 Day Devotional, tagged Armor of God, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, reflections on December 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »
As Christians, we are soldiers in a spiritual war. It is important for us to put on our spiritual armor every morning to prepare for the attacks of the enemy throughout our day. Satan is real and he will stop at nothing to separate us from our heavenly Father. This is his mission. Believe me, he doesn’t let the busyness of daily life keep him from carrying out his mission. He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Don’t allow yourself to fall prey to the Devil. Stay alert and sober minded. Put on the Armor of God every morning as you dress:
1. The Belt of Truth- Jesus is our role model in living a Christ-centered life. Walk in the truth of Jesus.
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness- Do what is right in ALL things. Listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. He is our conscience, sent by God to lead us in doing what is right. If we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will know what is right.
3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace- Walk in peace, living in the peace that God brings into our lives, no matter what the circumstances. Walk out peace, taking peace to the world, so that others may have that peace that you have found. We are to be mediators in the world, bringing peace wherever we go.
4. The Shield of Faith- Protect your heart. Believe that God is real. Believe that God wants nothing but the best for you. He is everywhere, but we must choose to believe.
5. The Helmet of Salvation- Protect your mind. Jesus died to save us from eternal life in Hell. Don’t fall for the lies of the devil. Believe that Jesus died for the sins of the world.
6. The Sword of the Spirit- Dig into the Bible. Immerse yourself in God’s Word, so that you will be able to be victorious in the spiritual battles that we all face. Don’t let Satan win. Hide God’s Word in your heart. Be prepared!
This has been a wonderful journey for me. I have learned the importance in preparing daily for the spiritual battles that I face. We never know when Satan will strike, I want to be prepared. I invite you to walk with me as I make a habit of putting on my spiritual armor every morning as I dress. If you have any creative ways of doing this, I would love for you to share them with me.
If you need prayer, encouragement, spiritual support, contact me. I am here for you always! Remember my friend, that God loves you and so do I!
Day 4: The Shield Of Faith
Posted in The Armor Of God: A 7 Day Devotional, tagged God, Holy Spirit, poison arrows of Satan, the shield of faith on December 2, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Hebrews 11:1
11 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Faith is believing in something that you can’t see. In my life, I have not seen the physical form of God (none of us could ever withstand the radiance of His presence), but I HAVE seen the manifestation of His presence in the natural wonders of this world, I HAVE seen the outpouring of His love through the obedience of His children, I HAVE seen His provision for those who choose to abide in Him. I have seen enough to know that He IS real and present in my life.
If we are tuned in, we can also, feel God through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s ambassador to this fallen world. I feel God’s presence through the gentle stirrings of the Holy Spirit. I feel comforted by reading the Bible, I feel peace when I pray, I feel encouraged by the whispers of the Holy Spirit, I feel convicted by conscience. It is all the Holy Spirit acting on God’s behalf. We can not see the Holy Spirit. We have to choose to believe. It is a choice. We will never be tuned in enough to feel God’s presence unless we make the decision to believe and to do what we need to do to grow in our relationship with Him. We need to be diligent about growing our faith. We can do this through prayer, Bible study, serving others, and taking up the shield of faith.
Medieval soldiers carried shields to protect their main organs: liver, kidneys, lungs, etc. Today I want to focus on the heart.
Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
We need to take up the shield of faith every morning to protect our heart from the poison arrows and darts of our enemy, Satan. Satan will stop at nothing to get us to turn away from God. Our hearts are his target. Even we are physically disabled, we can still live joyful lives, as long as our hearts are still connected to God.
Satan will pierce our hearts with discouragement, fear, confusion, anger, jealousy, pride, envy, identity issues, hatred, unconfessed sin, and the list goes on. It doesn’t have to be this way. God has provided us with a way to deflect those deadly arrows. Faith in God will send Satan packing. If we hold on to our faith in God, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, the arrows of the evil one will not be able to hit their mark.
I have been dealing with comparison and jealousy lately. I have found myself jealous over the time my daughter’s in-laws spend with our granddaughter. I have found myself comparing their time with her to my time with her. I know that I have entered the danger zone and that Satan is gleefully waiting for me to sin. I will not sin, because I have taken up my shield of faith and I know that I can not allow this heart issue to cause me to sin. I have to dig into the Bible and dig out the root of this issue before it hardens my heart. I need to be in prayer and believe me I have been.
If your heart has been pierced by the poison arrows of Satan, contact me. Let me pray with you and walk with you through this time. You can get through this. My prayers are with you, my friend. God loves you and so do I!
Day 3: Jehovah Rapha (My Healer)
Posted in God Is: A 7 Day Devotional, tagged Doves Nest recovery home for women, God, healing, Jehovah Rapha, love on August 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Exodus 15:26
He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
How reassuring to know that we have a God that heals us! In my life my Jehovah Rapha has healed me from fear, a failed marriage, and anger. Not that I don’t sometimes feel fear or anger, but they don’t control me like they once did.
God wanted the Israelites to be healed from the past and live in peace. He loved His chosen people and only wanted what was best for them. He feels the same about us today. Our heavenly Father loves us and wants to heal us. He wants us to live in peace. He wants to heal us, but we have to be willing to admit that we need to be healed. We have to stop living in denial and accept God’s love for us. We need to let go of the thing that keeps us from living our lives fully and open our hands to receive the love and healing that God is waiting to pour out. He will not force us to accept this gift. We have to be at the point where we are sick and tired of the way things are and we are ready to experience how things can be with God. It is up to you, my friend. If you are ready to accept this gift of healing, open your heart to healing with the following prayer:
I am opening my heart to you, Jehovah Rapha, for healing. I am opening my body to you for healing. I open my spirit and my mind to you for healing. I am struggling with_______________ and need healing, Lord. I know that your healing is a gift and I let go of my hold on this issue and open myself up to your love and healing. I thank you and I praise you for the healing that is already taking place. I give you ALL the glory!
Amen
God can heal EVERYTHING! Addictions, a broken marriage, a chronic illness, a mental illness, spiritual issues, etc. God can heal it! You are never alone in your struggles. Jehovah Rapha is ALWAYS with us! Contact me if I can pray for you. I am here for you, sister friend!
I am dedicating this post to the courageous women of the Dove’s Nest Recovery Home in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Dove’s Nest is part of The Charlotte Rescue Mission. I found out about this christian recovery home for women through the On-line Bible Study with Proverbs 31 Ministries. These women are remarkable in their strength and determination to change their lives. For more information on the Doves Nest or to make a donation go to http://www.charlotterescuemission.org. I have faith that Jehovah Rapha will heal these women.
A Woman Called Anna
Posted in From My Heart, tagged God, Prayer, Purity, worship on July 25, 2013| 2 Comments »
Luke 2:36-38
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[a] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
I was anything but forgiving when I realized that my husband of 7 years was leaving me for another woman. I raged against them both, hatred filling my soul. I was terrified of being left alone to raise 4 kids. I was fueled by anger, bitterness and resentment; my only thought on how to cause them as much pain as they had caused me.
I was not a pretty sight at that time, far away from God and as far away from being an Anna as I could possibly get. I continued to hold on and 6 months after our divorce baby #5 was conceived. Although, I was driven by the fear of being abandoned, this pregnancy was a complete shock to me. My heart felt like it would break into a million pieces. I couldn’t seem to find my way out of the storm and sometimes I felt that it would just be easier to go to sleep and never wake up. It was in this time of darkness that I found compassion and sympathy in a co-worker. Although, it never grew past an emotional affair, I knew it was wrong and God convicted me of my sin. Eventually, I quit my job and turned my heart to God. I began a journey of seeking God’s face and in turn, he healed my wounded spirit.
When I first read about Anna, I connected with her immediately. Here was a woman who knew grief, but in her grief, instead of remarrying, which was expected in her culture, she found comfort in God’s arms. She ran to the temple, where she spent the rest of her life in night and day prayer and worship. This is what I seek now. I have found my refuge and never want to leave the shelter of my heavenly father’s arms. It took me years to get here though, and I am here to encourage you to seek God first. If you are going through the storm of a broken relationship or dealing with the grief of a husbands’ death, I am encouraging you to run to God. Before you find yourself in another relationship, run to God and let his love and mercy heal you. We are so quick to jump into earthly relationships, seeking solace for our pain, when God is longing to shelter us from the storm. Run to God, get in the word, sit at his feet in worship and prayer.
We have an example in Anna in how to deal with the grief of a broken relationship or the loss of a husband. Become like Anna, run into the loving arms of our Father, he is waiting.
Fear Not
Posted in My Favorite Scriptures, tagged Bible scripture, faith, fear not, God, Jesus, love on July 21, 2013| Leave a Comment »
If we are honest with ourselves, we can ALL confess to being fearful of something. Dictionary.com defines fear as a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined. Certainly, there are real dangers in the world that we have a right to be fearful of. On the other hand, many of our fears are imagined or we live in fear of what MIGHT happen. I have lived most of my life dealing with social phobias, panic attacks, partial agoraphobia, worry, and paranoia. I have let fear control my life to the extent of allowing my social phobias keep me from God’s will of sharing my testimony with other women and encouraging them in their relationship with God. I recently discovered that there is a “Fear Not” in almost every book of the Bible. God does not want us to live our lives trapped in a prison of fear. I was so afraid of being hurt and rejected because of past hurts and heartaches that I built a wall around my heart and became a prisoner of my fear. I am so much better now, but it is sometimes a day to day struggle. Will I “Fear Not” or will I allow my fears to control my life? Below are 10 of the “Fear Not” scriptures I have found. I pray that they encourage you as they have encouraged me.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Isaiah 35:4
say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 43:5
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Isaiah 54:4
Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Luke 12:7
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:32
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Taming the Tongue
Posted in From My Heart, tagged Bible study, devotional, encouragement for women, God, Jesus, taming the tongue on July 10, 2013| 2 Comments »
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
If I am completely honest, I have to admit that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart have not always been acceptable in God’s sight. I have been guilty of yelling at my kids when I am frustrated and overwhelmed. I have been guilty of snapping at the cashier in my impatience and I have been guilty of complaining about co-workers when they aren’t doing things my way. I have also been guilty of thinking un-Christlike thoughts. I don’t like when I do these things and am immediately filled with remorse. My loving Father in heaven convicts my heart and brings me back to Him.
It is an ongoing battle though. Every day is filled with opportunities to lash out with unkind words and harbor unkind thoughts.
James 3:5-8
5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
I know how discouraging this verse sounds. How can we ever gain control over our tongue, if the Bible says that no human being can tame the tongue? And if the words of our mouths stem from the meditations of our hearts, then what hope is there to live like Christ? I am here to encourage you, my friend, it does take some discipline on our part, but if we make the effort to be the example of Christ in our own sphere of influence, God in His mercy and grace will show us the steps to take. Below are some ways to become that example of Christ that God calls us to be:
- Study God’s Word: Meditating on God’s word allows us to hide His word in our hearts so that we may not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). If you are struggling with an issue today, rest assured there is a scripture that addresses that issue. The Bible is definitely my go to book when dealing with a tough situation or simply to sing praises to my compassionate and loving Father. There are many free Bible studies for women online and relatively inexpensive on Amazon.com. If you have a Christian book store near you, check there also.
- With today’s obsession with media and entertainment, it is easy to let things into our hearts that are evil. I have been astounded at the violence and sexual content in television shows lately. We have to make the decision to turn the T.V. channel/radio station or turn them off to keep our hearts pure before God.
- Think Before You Speak: this is one I have trouble with! When someone says unkind words to me or simply has a different opinion from mine, it is sometimes hard for me to keep my mouth shut. Especially, when my pride has been wounded and my ego bruised. I constantly feel like I have to defend myself or have the last word. I have gotten better at keeping my mouth shut, praying for wisdom in the situation and choosing my words more carefully, so I don’t add fuel to the fire. As in many other areas of my life, I am a work in progress. Sometimes we simply need to walk away from the situation when our evil tongues are itching to sting someone with it’s deadly poison. In those situations where we can’t walk away, pray for God’s wisdom in dealing with the situation. I promise He will give you the right words to use in every situation.
- Pray: I am constantly in prayer throughout my day. Now, before you think I am some super spiritual person, let me reassure you that some of those prayers are of a whiny child simply wanting an easier day at work. I know people who can sit in prayer for hours at a time and I am glad that there are those who feel called to that type of prayer life, but I am not one of them. With 5 kids, a job, and other responsibilities, I have found it necessary for me to pray on the go. God has called us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) anyway, so it makes sense that being in a continual conversation with God throughout our day is going to help us in deflecting the poison arrows of the enemy. Asking for forgiveness immediately when we sin, asking for wisdom, patience, self-control etc. immediately as a difficult situation arises, saying a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude when given good news or when we have been the recipient of God’s favor. Being in that continual conversation puts us in the place where the meditations of our heart will be acceptable to Him.
- Get involved in a local church: getting together with other Christians provides us with a support system when we need one and accountability partners when we are facing the temptation to sin. Becoming active in the local body of Christ keeps us close to the Vine (Christ) and provides the strength we need to keep the enemy at bay.
I have addressed five important ways to stay close to God and be that example of Christ in our lives. It takes discipline. Being a Christian is not easy, but it is so worth the effort to have that peace in my life, even in the midst of chaos at times, that comes from knowing and living in Christ. Being attached to the Vine gives us power over Satan and allows us to live victorious lives no matter what circumstances we may be living with. I encourage you to incorporate these steps into your life and you will find yourself a living example of Christ. We cannot tame our tongues on our own, but with God’s help the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts will be acceptable to the One we seek to honor and glorify.
Patti Burris 