Bipolar Disorder - My Experience

 

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces evil in the heavenly realms."

Ephesians 6:12

On Tuesday, June 24, 2014 they were airing the TV series Rizzoli and Isles as they were saying goodbye to Lee Thompson who took his life in August 2013 at age 29. It was a very sad show. As I watched the showed I could feel the pain and my spirit was moved. I have with this in my spirit for two days and praying this morning I couldn't take it no more and I just cried. I didn't cry for him, I cried for all those who have fallen in that same situation of hopelessness and depression and feel that the only way out is to end their life. I cry for all the hurting family and friends that are left behind with a pain that seems to never go away with so many unanswered questions as to why it happened. Lee Thompson Young had been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and was being treated. 

What is Bipolar Disorder? Basically it is a brain disorder (considered a mental illness) that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity level, and ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms are severe, they are not your normal ups and downs. You get depressive episodes that last about two weeks. With that you see depression, hopelessness and sadness. Then there's mania. You can be euphoric or grandiose with high self-esteem. There are medications to help with this disorder. Unfortunately, some of these medications can also increase the risk of suicide.

What best way to understand something or someone than if you yourself have experienced it or have gone or are going through it. Well, I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and am currently on medication for it. When I was first diagnosed it was very difficult to accept. I have been taking medication and it hasn't been always easy. I know it has been very hard on my parents and family as they seen me going through this in my worst moments. I have been hospitalized four times (baker act) However, I have been doing much better. My body has also become toxic ending in emergency room because of Lithium. I also have noticed that when I do get the mood swings I pray to God and ask Him to take control of my mind and my mood swings and help me to get out of that cycle right away. Once I was diagnosed my sister took me to the bookstore and we went through a lot of books regarding Bipolar Disorder and I picked out three of the ones I thought were the best. I decided to read and study these books to know what I was up against. The information I received and in the workbook talked about triggers. It talks about trying to figure out your triggers. I have found out some of them, but not all of them. I thank God because He has been with me through the darkest hours and in the moments where I felt hopeless and in despair and not wanting to live.

Now besides mental illness, Bipolar Disorder and any other medical conditions, the Word of God tells us that there is a battle; an unseen battle by human eye. There is a battle raging in the spirit world. There is a spiritual battle going on in our minds. As a Christian it doesn't make you exempt to the battle raging in the spirit world, but God does give you the weapons in which to use to fight those battles. We all have an enemy within us, in Romans 8:7 says that "The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." Our flesh, our carnal minds is our enemy. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God..." Satan is not omnipresent (he can't be everywhere) so he has an army of demons that help him. Why does the battle begin in our mind? Because the thoughts begin there. Your thoughts are affected by good and by evil and by right and wrong. "Arguments and taking every thought captive" having pressures in your mind is not abnormal. It is part of a Christian life. It's not a sign that you are doing anything wrong or on the wrong path, it's part of your total Christian experience.

Many people battle every day with thoughts that come into their minds that are negative or evil. Many of these thoughts have been injected in their or our minds by the devil and the evil spirits. They do this to disturb our peace, to bring confusion, to torment, to destroy and use us to destroy others. We live in a sinful world full of evil and we really need God to be able to fight the battle in our mind. There are many different thoughts I can go into right now and speak about, but I only want to speak about the ones that God has put in my heart to speak about.

Thoughts of hopelessness, despair, depression, worthlessness, low self-esteem...then you isolate yourself and you feel lonely and that no one is there for you, cares or loves you. 

Hopelessness - beyond optimism
Despair - to lose hope, to give up
Depression - a sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason
Worthlessness - of no use or importance

Low self-esteem - beliefs you have about yourself as statements of fact when actually they are just opinions (I will be dedicating a post just for this one because it's important)

See the devil wants us to feel hopeless. He wants us to give up, to feel of no use and make you so sad to the point of believing you are not important so it's okay if I disappear. "No one will miss me" "They won't even know I'm missing" "They'll get over it, I'm a burden to them right now" "I've never done anything to make them proud of me" "No one loves me" "No one cares what happens to me" "They're always making fun of me" "They push me around all the time" "They are always hitting me" "They tell me I will never be anybody" "They tell me I'm dumb" "They never say I love you" - these are just some of the thoughts the devil puts in your mind. These thoughts then start playing over and over again in your mind and then they start taking form. You start developing feeling of inferiority. You get depressed. You feel like you're drowning. Your mind is invaded with these thoughts and you can't get them out of your head. Day in and day out this is all you think. You walk around trying not to let anyone know what is going on in your mind. You work really hard at not letting any signs of what's going on show. You don't want to tell anyone anything because you don't want them to think you're dumb or crazy - because this is what you think. If you're a Christian and/or a child of a Christian family you think I can't say anything because as a Christian I shouldn't be feeling this way and if I am, I must be doing something wrong. These are very powerful thoughts and create strongholds. A stronghold is an area of predominance (to take over). In other words, these thoughts take over. The longer they linger the more powerful they become until they are debilitating. 

This is the way the enemy has a claim on your mind keeping it bound with lies and confusion. If you are ready to fight this battle and claim back your mind you will have to fight the lies and confusion. First thing you must do, might sound crazy, say out loud that you will not allow any outside force do your thinking! Do not let any spirit or any other person do the thinking for you. There are spiritual laws that the demons must obey. They cannot stay when you tell them to go. There is power in the name of Jesus, in His blood and the Word of God. We have to ask God for discernment to the lies of the devil.

Think about what you're thinking about. What are you pondering on? If you catch yourself thinking about something that you can identify it being injected from the devil, stop the thought at once by speaking to yourself out loud. I am speaking through experience, I do this. If I catch myself thinking something negative or something that is going to make me feel depressed, I immediately speak out loud to myself "stop it right now! Devil you are a liar! The Lord is with me so leave me alone right now! Devil I command you right now to leave in the name of Jesus!" Yes, I do say that! You must do this over and over again every time the lies of the devil enter your mind and you will regain peace, you will be able to sleep and concentrate better. You are in a battle but you are not alone, all of God's people fight the same fight - Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle 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." You have to make up your mind! Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." We have to set our minds and keep them set. As you begin fighting or you begin to battle it may seem worse before it gets better. The reason for this is that the demonic powers are fighting to keep their place in your mind/thinking. Regaining your mind is a process. We all fail at one time or another, but God knows our weaknesses and in 1 John 1:9 says that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Continue to claim what belongs to you (your mind and thinking belong to you) in Jesus name.

The Word of God says that "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." When I am battling a thought, for example worthlessness, I then would stop this thought I would declare as follows: I bind and rebuke right now the spirit of worthlessness in the name of Jesus and loosen upon my life love. Every time I bind any spirit I always loosen a blessing upon my life. I am using the Word of God which is the weapon to fight against the devil. You might say I don't know how to pray or don't know much about the Bible you still can overcome the thoughts that invade your mind and do battle. God's Yellow Pages This link takes you to a pdf that has a list of "where to look when..." Understand that it is by God's name, power and authority that the devil flees. I nor you have power of our own to do this, we must rely on God. 

I pray that the Lord will minister to your life through this post.

",,,by His stripes we are healed..." This is also healing of your broken heart.

God bless!

Do you have on the full "Armor of God?" Part 2

V. 12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The combat that we have to prepare is not against ordinary men, it's not against your brother, sister, mother, father, friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc. It is not against a person made out of flesh and blood nor against our own corrupt nature, but against the devil who has a government that exercises in this world. He is like a serpent because of his subtlety, an old serpent, experienced in the art of tempting. He is a powerful enemy - principalities and powers and rulers. They are numerous and vigorous. The dark parts of the world are the seat of Satan's empire. The devil is a spirit, an wicked spirit; and our danger is greater because our enemies deprive us of our heavenly blessings and obstruct our communion with heaven. What is our duty? To take and put on the whole armor of God, and then to stand our ground, and withstand our enemies!

I. Characteristic of Spiritual Conflict:

     1.  An inward battle Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law in my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

      2. Spiritual weapons 2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

      3. Invisible Foes Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We are called to fight 1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well. Not to just fight, but fight with faith. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of  the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In order to fight this fight and do well in it you have to be consecrated or dedicated to the service and worship of God. In 2 Timothy 2:4 says No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

II. Satan's Power:

1. Permitted to afflict the righteous Job 1:12 The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your power but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

2. Claims authority over the world Luke 4:6 And he said to him, "I will give you all authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to."

3. Sinners under the dominion of Satan's power Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

4. Blinds the minds of all unbelievers 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light to the gospel that displays the glory of Christ who is the image of God.

5. Contends (fights) with the saints Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

III. Evil Spirits:
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1. Matthew 12:45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself , and they enter and they dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So it shall be with this wicked generation. 

2. Mark 5:9 Then he asked him, What is your name? And he answered, saying, my name is Legion, for we are many.

3. Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.

4. Mark 7:30 And when she had came to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying in the bed.

5. Mark 16:9 Now He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast out seven demons.

Note: I have many more bible verses in regards to evil spirits and how Jesus set so many free. As I am speaking about the Armor of God, please note that you must have a personal relationship with God and the anointing of God upon you to do His work. You cannot use someone else's experiences, etc. The bible clearly states this in a.    Acts 19:13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed, they would say, in the name of Jesus, who Paul preaches, I commando you to come out.

IV. Spiritual Darkness (Spiritual blindness or dullness)

1. Micah 3:6 Therefore night will come over you, without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them

2. Matthew 6:23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

3. John 1:5 “And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend.”

4. John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

5.  Romans 13:12 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”

6. Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

7. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”

V. 12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Are you ready for combat? Have you been able to identify your real enemy? Do you understand why we have to have a relationship with God? 

Coming up next Part 3: V. 13-17 the Soldier's Equipment...don't miss it!

Resurrection of Jesus - Your Hope!

Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen Luke 24:5b-6

Today we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. I can't imagine being there watching my Lord and Savior suffering for me; to wipe away my sin. However, what was going on in the disciples minds. When Jesus said it is finished. They probably felt despair, heartache, and much more, something that all of us have had at one time or another, disappointment of a dream. Jesus died like a sinner yet He was innocent. He was humiliated. He was also put in a tomb. When someone is buried or mentioned (that was the burial in those days) it was final. For three days nothing went on, our Lord Jesus was gone. The disciples must of felt hopelessness....

But then on early Sunday morning....

Death could not keep Him! The grave could not contain Him! He rose from death as Scriptures foretold. In doing so He broke the chains, He gave us the access to come boldly to His throne. Full access to Him and we could talk to Him and He did away with the sacrifices from the Old Testament because He was the ultimate sacrifice.

There is hope for you still today! He died and rose again just for you!
Today receive the best gift you will ever receive.

HE HAS RISEN! PRISE THE LIVING GOd!

Happy Easter!!

Do you have on the Full Armor of God? Ephesians 6:10-11

The Armor of God
Ephesian 6:11-19

v. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. v.12 For our struggle is not flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. v.13 Therefore put on 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. v.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, v.15 And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. v.16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, which with you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. v.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. v.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. v.19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel, 

The book of Ephesians concludes with a precise comparison, perhaps he was looking at a Roman soldier, with his armor, patrolling the ground's of Paul's prison. Paul viewed the Christian life like a fight, warfare, and he wanted his readers to prepare themselves for combat with a dangerous opponent. As we read the verses above we can note two details. (1) Only the Sword of the Spirit is the defensive weapon, all the rest were used for defense. (2) There is no mention of a piece of armor on their back. Paul made no provision for running away from a spiritual battle.  It is a general persuasion (exhortation) of our firmness of mind and stability in our Christian walk and to encourage in our Christian battle (warfare). Is our life a battle? Yes, we struggle every day misfortune, life or death, events that cause harm - this is part of life. Is serving God a battle? Yes, because we struggle everyday with the opposition of the powers of darkness (remember this is not a physical fight but a spiritual one), and with many enemies that try to keep us from God. There are enemies we have to fight, but God is our banner and our Captain is Jesus Christ. However, there are some rules you must abide by:

v. 10 (I didn't include in the above verses) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

1. This is an exhortation in battle (warfare) in the work of the Lord
1. 2 Timothy 2:1 Paul exhorts Timothy to be strong: You, then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2. David tells his son Solomon: (1 Kings 2:2-3(a): ...so be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires...
3. There are so many examples in the Word of God telling us to be strong. 
4. You must have a relationship with God! Those who have to fight many battles need of great courage.
2. You have to have spiritual power: You have to be in the Lord. We do not have enough physical strength to fight this enemy. Our perfect strength is in our weakness but all of our sufficiency comes is in God. We must resist temptation in reliance/trusting upon God's omnipotent of His might.
1. Why do you need spiritual power? This spiritual power gives men courage to rebuke sin. Micah 3:8 But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression , to Israel his sin.
2. Why do we need spiritual power: Zechariah 4:6 So He said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord almighty.
3. Why do we need spiritual power? Jesus is the supreme example of Spiritual Power. Luke 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through the entire countryside. 
4. Why do we need spiritual power? Because it is accompanied by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
   
5. Why do we need spiritual power? Because it enables men to speak with authority see Acts 4:33
6. Why do we need spiritual power? Because it fills our lives with healing influences. See the following references: Acts 19:11-12; 1 Corinthians 2:4; Ephesians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and 2 Timothy 1:7
3. The other reason why we need spiritual power is because God is our Strength. If we look in Exodus 15:2 it says that the Lord is my strength and my defense...in 2 Samuel 22:33 it says God is my strength and power...Psalm 28:8 again The Lord is my strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Psalm 46:1 says God is our refuge and strength , very present help in trouble. Last but not least Psalm 73:26 says My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

v. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so you can take your stand against the devil's schemes (tricks).

We must be well armed. We must make use of the proper defenses and weapons that will fight or resist the temptations and tricks to deceive of Satan. Let no part be exposed.

1. Spiritual Armor Provided: 
1. In Romans 13:12 says The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds or work of darkness and put on the armor of light.
2. In 2 Corinthians 6:7 tells us that the Spiritual Armor provides the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. 
3. And 1 Thessalonians 5:8 says but let who are of the day be sober, putting on their breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
2. Duty of resisting (resist the devil)
1. In Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. This is one that I believe a lot of use need to practice because we get angry and sometimes don't talk to each other for days. So this verse is telling us that if we don't let that anger go before going to bed you are giving place to the devil. 
2. James 4:7 says Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he must flee from you. You know this is a verse that a lot of people like to quote but they only quote the second part "resist the devil and he must flee from you." However, the first part is a very essential part. We at one point of our lives had an issue with submitting, I know I did. I used to say I wasn't going to submit to no one but when Jesus comes in and transforms you and you have a real encounter with God, you submit.
3. And lastly under the topic of Duty of Resisting 1 Peter 5:8-9 says be sober, be diligent; because your adversary, the devil, walks about a roaring lion, seeking who he can devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. In other words, you are not the only one going through some issues. Sometimes we say no one understand what I'm going through, but there are others ahead of you that have already gone through it. So don't worry as long as you stand in faith you will not be touched by the roaring lion.
3. Satanic tricks or schemes:
1. 2 Corinthians 2:11 In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not aware of his schemes.
2. 2 Thessalonians 2:5 says The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie. People this is the main reason you need to educate yourself and ask God for wisdom and understanding of His Word so that we are not confused or swayed very easily. Stand firm on the Rock that is Jesus Christ.
3. And Revelation 12:9 and 20:7 says as follows: The great dragon was hurled down  - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth and his angels with him. Revelation 20:7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison.

It is called the armor of God because he prepares and gives it to us. This armor is prepared for us but we must daily put it on; we must pray for grace, we must use the grace given to us and draw it out into action when there is the occasion. We have to be completely armed so that we may be able to stand against the schemes/tricks of the devil. That we may be able to overcome, in spite of all the devils assaults, the deceptions he puts on us, all the traps he lays for us. The Apostle is trying to warn us of the dangers and that we must put on the whole armor of God considering the enemies we have to deal with, the devil and all the powers of darkness.

***Second part coming in a few days***

You pushed me violently....but God

You push me  violently, that I might fall, but the Lord help me. Psalms 118:13

The Lord has been good to me and I suffer an illness that I have been doing very well and it's been very well balanced. The Lord has been blessing me and has been using me for His glory and honor. I had one of my New Year's resolutions for 2015 was that I may be able to speak two more souls and at least win one soul for the Lord before the year end. This was my prayer in my prayer box. One day as I was driving I lost control of my car, thank God that no one behind me, because there was a line of cars, hit me and that I do not hit any cars that were in the other lane. I was disoriented I actually had a panic attack and that's all that all the cars we're coming on top of me so I lost control of the car but not one car was hit and I was not hurt. For the glory of God, he watched over me. However before I even had the accident I have told the pastor's wife, Missionary Mayra Santos, I feel like the devil is trying to kill me. She told me please don't say that. After that is when I had the accident. After that, I got very ill and was in the hospital for a week because of this illness. I wasn't able to really function correctly. I wasn't able to drive for a while I had to be driven everywhere. Those who drive know very well that it is hard to have to depend on somebody else to drive you. But I understand this to be an attack from the enemy. Therefore, I didn't count these as coincidences but rather as attacks from the enemy. I immediately started praying and binding and casting out everything that was coming up against me.

Many times in our walk with God we face many different situations in our walk. At home, school, work, everyday living or in a church; we are constantly being pushed by the enemy so that we will just give up and leave God. However, the Lord promises that He will help us. This is a promise that he will keep. In Psalms 118:13 says You push me violently, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me.  In Isaiah 59:19(b) When the enemy shall come in like in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 43:2-4 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you. For I am the Lord your God,...You are of great worth in My eyes. You are honored and I love you." See this is how he loves you. Every time you have a trial and you feel you are being pushed violently remember......BUT GOD!!!!! See the enemy will always do something to make you fall. He will use whatever or whoever he needs to use to make you fall but the Lord will help you. 1 John 4:4 says You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all who are worry and heavy burden and I will give you rest." Psalm 18:6 "In my distress I called out to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears."

The enemy can rise up against you
he will not be able to have the victory!

What are you thankful for?

What is the definition of "thanksgiving?"
"It is the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgement of benefits or favors, especially to God."

It seems that as the years go by we forget the importance of taking a moment and thinking about our life, about our daily life. Have you thought about giving thanks for just waking up in the morning? How about because you are able to walk, or you can hear and speak? Maybe you can't get out of bed, but you woke up, right? Who do you think woke you up this morning? Maybe you can't hear or speak, but you can walk and you can do other things, correct?

See sometimes we are so wrapped up in ourselves, in our issues, our problems, our mess, our illness that we take for granted the small things that you should give thanks to God for every single day. You know it is very sad that there are truly people that wait until Thanksgiving Day to give thanks! What happened the rest of the year? Did the sun not rise? Did the moon not come out? The definition of thanksgiving is grateful acknowledgement of benefits or favors, especially to God. So are we not receiving benefits? Are we not receiving rain when we need it? See it says "acknowledgement for benefits or favor. You and I have received many benefits.

If you still feel you don't have anything to give thanks to God, then I have one more for you. This is the most important one, undeniable -

First let me explain a little something. When God created the world he spoke the Word and it would come into existence Genesis 1:3-25, but when he made man he said "let us create him in Our Image." Genesis 1:26a "Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: ...." Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." In Genesis 2:7 "And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils  the breath of life; and man became a living soul." 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be sober (well balanced and self-disciplined) be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion (fiercely hungry) seeking someone to to devour." John 10:10 "The thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and life abundantly."

Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with God until it was broken by giving in to temptation and once failing into that temptation and sinning that relationship with God was broken. However, God was not going to leave us lost without a relationship with him and condemned to eternal death, suffering in hell and in the lake of fire for all eternity. No! Hell and the lake of fire was created for the devil, demons and the fallen angels. It was NEVER created for us. However, the devil has made it his mission to break, damage, kill, destroy everything that belongs to God.

If God wouldn't have breathed life into you, you wouldn't be alive today and if He doesn't continue what will happen, you die! I think that is a good reason to be thankful every single day. Yet, we take one day of the year to sit down with our family many times not even give thanks to God, but gather to eat a good meal. Living now in the 21st century that is probably the only day and Christmas in which the family (I think) is all together and they sit at the table together. Thank God that your children are with you!

So as you read this blog and meditate on it, I ask you.....Do you have anything to be thankful to God?

I have so much to be thankful to God. The first and most important is for His forgiveness of my sins and for my salvation. I thank Him for the healing of my hearing in my right ear. I thank God for watching over me just recently when I lost control of the car. I thank God for my parents and family. I thank God because I was born into a very united, caring, loving and supportive family. I have so much more to give thanks, how about you!

God bless!

"For Such a Time of This"

 You Are Chosen

Esther 4:14
(NIV) For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you are your father's house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

(AMP) For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house shall perish. And who knows you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion.

Since before you were born God already had a purpose and a plan for your life. In Jeremiah 1:5 (AMP) it says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew (and) approved of you (as my Chosen instrument), and before I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; (and) I appointed you as prophet to the nations." (KJV) "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

God knew you before you were born. He knows what you are going to go through before it happens. He gives you the tools, the knowledge and understanding. He doesn't put you through the test, He doesn't give you the test but He knows you are going to go through it and He will help you. You just need to trust and believe that God will see you through. You need to know not to give up but to get back up and ask God for forgiveness and keep walking. See you've been called for such a time as this! Why do you think the devil is fighting so hard to keep you down, distracted, not believing that you can do anything for God. The devil is a liar and he's trying to create doubt in you; he's trying to keep you thinking you are not worthy of salvation, of His love and forgiveness or grace. He keeps you entertained with things of this world. Why? Because you are called for such a time as this!

See you didn't choose God, God chose you. In John 15:16 (NIV)"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last - and so whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." He chose you for such a time as this! If you are not sure if you are chosen read "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9-13 If you believe this then you are chosen. You've been chosen for such a time as this!

To bring this all together back to the main bible verse I started with Esther 4:14 (AMP) For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house shall perish. And who knows you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion. The story of Esther is well known but it is also a great lesson to us. Her parents died when she was young and her uncle adopted her. The King got drunk asked for the Queen Vashti to come so he can show off her royal crown and her beauty before his officials and she said no. So they had to use her as an example of what happens if you talk back to the King, to your husband and refuse to listen to him so that the other women wouldn't follow her example - she would no longer be queen. So they went through a process and Esther was brought with many other young ladies (virgins) to the place where they would have to go through 12 months training and other things before they would get presented to the king. According to whether the King was pleased or not with you, you would get called back to see the King. The King was very pleased and attracted to Esther. Now Mordecai, her uncle had instructed her not to say what nationality she was or her family. Even though she was now a young woman and was chosen as queen, she still obeyed her uncle as she did when she was a child. She kept quiet about her nationality until it was time to speak. In those days you were not allowed to see the king unless he summoned you, including his wife. Then Haman that worked for the king and had it in for Mordecai and convinced the king to send out an order. The reason why he had it in for Esther's uncle is because the king had given Haman a seat of honor higher than the other nobles. The nobles and officials would bow down when he would come by but not Mordecai so he was angry and convinced the king to give the order to destroy the Jews. When Mordecai told Esther she replied that he knew she couldn't go to the king unless he extended the invitation because if not they can be put to death unless he decides to accept you. Mordecai reminded her and told her "just because you live in the king's house you alone of all Jews will escape"?

She was reminded what she had been called for, what she was chosen do to. Once she was reminded, once her vision was focused again she was able to hear "....for such a time of this" See she was called, she was prepared and equipped and she was positioned to do what God had called her to do what He called her to do for such a time of this!

What have you been called to do? You have been called to do what God has called you to do. What he has placed in your hands and what he has prepared you to do - for such a time as this! Why? Because there is so much confusion, false teachers, preachers, and leaders. There are so many people seeking the truth and cannot find it because they are being filled by false teachings. There are so many hurting people seeking where to find healing for their wounds; seeking joy and restoration and the pain taken away. God is calling men and women, youth, and children to get up shout from the mountaintops that Jesus lives, that He loves them; that He died for them; that He rose from the dead; this is what you need to start saying. You need to reach those that feel unloved, the ones that feel rejected. We do not need to judge anyone, how they look or what condition they are in when you speak to them or they come into your church. They will come in full of tattoo's and body piercings but you know what those are the ones we want to reach. They will be radical for Christ and they can reach others that were in the same situations or style of life for the Kingdom of God.

We are living in the end times. The Bible, the prophecies are coming to pass which indicates He's at the doors. I know you've heard for years that He's coming but nothing yet. God's time is not like our time and our time is not like God's time. However, read your bible and watch the news - we need to sound the alarm, we need to snatch the lives out of the enemies hands and proclaim them for the kingdom of God. We need to stand in the gap.

We must arise.....Ephesians 5:14 says "Therefore He says, Awake, Oh sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light." (AMP) " This is not the time to be sleeping or trying to figure out what God wants you to do. For such a time as this you have been called!

God bless! Stand strong in the Word! Get up, go forward, spread the Word!