Overcoming Addictive Behaviors
"When you ask [pray], you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures"1
A Daily Encounter reader writes: "I am writing because I need to confess some things I am struggling with. I have a drinking, smoking, and pornography problem and am irresponsible with spending. As a result I have lost my home. I don't want to do these things and repent over and over but keep doing them. I am so sick of this filth that's inside of me. I feel like I'm going down this shame spiral. I feel very frustrated, depressed and angry. I want to change in a hurry before something more drastic happens."
Dear Tim (name changed), thank you for sharing your struggles. This is the beginning point of recovery. Unfortunately, I can't offer you a quick fix as it takes commitment, time and hard work, as well as God's help, to overcome problems that have established themselves in our life over a period of years.
The next step in recovery is to learn how to pray the right prayer; that is to pray honestly with the right motive. For instance, it is imperative that you admit that you are an addict—addicted to drinking, smoking, pornography and over-spending. Realize that any habit that controls us is an addiction. When we want God to deliver us only from our addictive behaviors without admitting the real issue of being an addict and dealing with the cause or causes (often hidden) of the addictive behaviors that enslave us, we are praying the wrong prayer with the wrong motive.
True, while your addictive behaviors are problems that need to be confronted, they are not the main issue, but the symptoms of a deeper problem—the fruit of a deeper root. It's at that deeper root level that God wants to heal you. When we focus our prayers only on the symptoms, we tend to reinforce them, for what the mind dwells on, the body acts on.
From what you have shared about your family background, it is obvious that you are suffering a deep love-deprivation need that goes all the way back to your childhood. It is at this level where you need healing. Your addictive behaviors have been used as a defense against feeling this pain and as a means to medicate and deaden it.
You need help to stop acting out in addictive behaviors so you can feel your pain, face it, confront it, and resolve it. Start by praying the right prayer. Admit to God that you are an addict, that you are powerless to overcome your addictions in your own strength, and ask God to help you see the real cause of your problem, and to lead you to the help you need to overcome it.
Also, realize that you can't overcome your problem alone. You have already learned that this doesn't help. A recovery program such as an AA (Alcoholic Anonymous) group can help you to stop acting out in addictive behaviors. This will allow you to get in touch with and resolve the cause or causes of your addictive behaviors.
Chances are that you are going to need help from a capable counselor who can help you work through and resolve your childhood hurts and lack of meaningful love—which is undoubtedly at the root cause of your addiction. (See below for helpful information.)
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in all my praying, please help me to be honest with myself and with you, admit what I really am (an addict that needs help … or name whatever problem you are struggling with), and see the root cause of my addictive behaviors. And please lead me to the help I need to resolve and overcome my problem. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Pr.Miguel
Monday, 27 February 2012
Monday, 20 February 2012
On Boulders and Knapsacks
On Boulders and Knapsacks
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ … for each one should carry his own load."1
In one breath Paul says that we should bear each other's burdens, and in the next breath he says that every man should bear his own burden. Is he talking out of both sides of his mouth?
Actually Paul is referring to two types of burdens. The first means a large boulder, the weight of which is too heavy for any one person to carry alone.
The second refers to a knapsack size burden that one can readily carry himself. In other words, we need to help people when their load is too heavy to bear alone but not when they can handle it quite well by themselves.
However, those who are "takers" can be adept at getting those of us who are "care-takers" hooked into feeling sorry for them and we end up taking responsibility for their knapsack. What we need to do is to walk away and leave their knapsack for them to carry. They may get nasty and mean when we do this, but if we don't walk away from them, we become a part of their sickness.
To do this can be very unnerving at first. Long-standing patterns never surrender without a struggle, but helping people help themselves when they are fully capable of doing so is the kindest and most loving thing we can do for them—regardless of what our feelings "tell" us. By developing healthy boundaries to protect ourselves from being used, in time we will feel good about what we have done—or what we have stopped doing—because we will know that we have done the right and healthy thing. Plus, when we allow ourselves to be used, we make ourselves angry and upset and feel badly about ourselves—and understandably so.
So here's a paraphrased edition of what Paul said: "Help carry one another's boulders but don't carry their knapsacks for them."
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, give me a discerning heart so I know when to help a brother or sister with their boulder, and when I need to quit carrying knapsacks for people who are quite able of carrying their own knapsack. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name."
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ … for each one should carry his own load."1
In one breath Paul says that we should bear each other's burdens, and in the next breath he says that every man should bear his own burden. Is he talking out of both sides of his mouth?
Actually Paul is referring to two types of burdens. The first means a large boulder, the weight of which is too heavy for any one person to carry alone.
The second refers to a knapsack size burden that one can readily carry himself. In other words, we need to help people when their load is too heavy to bear alone but not when they can handle it quite well by themselves.
However, those who are "takers" can be adept at getting those of us who are "care-takers" hooked into feeling sorry for them and we end up taking responsibility for their knapsack. What we need to do is to walk away and leave their knapsack for them to carry. They may get nasty and mean when we do this, but if we don't walk away from them, we become a part of their sickness.
To do this can be very unnerving at first. Long-standing patterns never surrender without a struggle, but helping people help themselves when they are fully capable of doing so is the kindest and most loving thing we can do for them—regardless of what our feelings "tell" us. By developing healthy boundaries to protect ourselves from being used, in time we will feel good about what we have done—or what we have stopped doing—because we will know that we have done the right and healthy thing. Plus, when we allow ourselves to be used, we make ourselves angry and upset and feel badly about ourselves—and understandably so.
So here's a paraphrased edition of what Paul said: "Help carry one another's boulders but don't carry their knapsacks for them."
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, give me a discerning heart so I know when to help a brother or sister with their boulder, and when I need to quit carrying knapsacks for people who are quite able of carrying their own knapsack. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name."
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
The Gift of an Untroubled Mind
The Gift of an Untroubled Mind
"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."1
In his book, Peace of Mind, Joshua Liebman writes of an experience he had when he was still a boy. "I made a list of the supreme goods in life," Liebman said. "I went to a wise mentor and I showed him the list expecting to be praised for my precocity. The list went something like this … health, love, talent, riches, beauty, and faith. As I shared the list with the old wise man, he reached for a stub of a pencil, and carefully scratched through all of the things that I had listed. He said, "Young man, you may have all of these—health, love, faith, riches, beauty—but they will all turn out to be enemies instead of friends unless you have the one thing you missed." Then he wrote on the paper, "The gift of an untroubled mind."2
From what I read and hear it appears that so many people (at least in our modern society) are plagued by depression, heartbreak, worry, anxiety, fear, and impaired relationships. And (compared to most of the world) we have just about every material benefit and human comfort we want, except so many don't have peace of mind.
There are two kinds of peace we all need in order to fully live. First, and most important of all, is spiritual peace or peace with God knowing that our sins are forgiven, our guilt is gone, and we have God's promise of a home in heaven for all eternity. This gift from God is absolutely free and comes from admitting our sinfulness and accepting Jesus as our Savior. For help see No.4 below: "Finding Peace with God."
The other kind of peace we could call emotional or relational peace. This comes from resolving any and all impaired relationships, forgiving any and all who have ever hurt us, and resolving any and all negative emotions—especially super-charged repressed negative emotions which are destroyers of both emotional and physical wellbeing and extremely destructive of personal relationships. The Bible also instructs us to get rid of (not bury or deny) all feelings of hatred and all negative emotions.3
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see and resolve anything in my life that is causing me to have a troubled mind. Please fill me with your love and help me to know and experience your eternal peace in the very center of my being. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
"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."1
In his book, Peace of Mind, Joshua Liebman writes of an experience he had when he was still a boy. "I made a list of the supreme goods in life," Liebman said. "I went to a wise mentor and I showed him the list expecting to be praised for my precocity. The list went something like this … health, love, talent, riches, beauty, and faith. As I shared the list with the old wise man, he reached for a stub of a pencil, and carefully scratched through all of the things that I had listed. He said, "Young man, you may have all of these—health, love, faith, riches, beauty—but they will all turn out to be enemies instead of friends unless you have the one thing you missed." Then he wrote on the paper, "The gift of an untroubled mind."2
From what I read and hear it appears that so many people (at least in our modern society) are plagued by depression, heartbreak, worry, anxiety, fear, and impaired relationships. And (compared to most of the world) we have just about every material benefit and human comfort we want, except so many don't have peace of mind.
There are two kinds of peace we all need in order to fully live. First, and most important of all, is spiritual peace or peace with God knowing that our sins are forgiven, our guilt is gone, and we have God's promise of a home in heaven for all eternity. This gift from God is absolutely free and comes from admitting our sinfulness and accepting Jesus as our Savior. For help see No.4 below: "Finding Peace with God."
The other kind of peace we could call emotional or relational peace. This comes from resolving any and all impaired relationships, forgiving any and all who have ever hurt us, and resolving any and all negative emotions—especially super-charged repressed negative emotions which are destroyers of both emotional and physical wellbeing and extremely destructive of personal relationships. The Bible also instructs us to get rid of (not bury or deny) all feelings of hatred and all negative emotions.3
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see and resolve anything in my life that is causing me to have a troubled mind. Please fill me with your love and help me to know and experience your eternal peace in the very center of my being. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Monday, 6 February 2012
Scratch
Scratch 'Em Where They Itch
"The Samaritan woman said to him [Jesus], 'You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?' (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans)."1
On one occasion Jesus and his disciples left Judea for Galilee. Jesus wanted to go through Samaria as he had some "business" to take care of there. About midday Jesus was tired so he sat down and rested at Jacob's well. He sent all twelve disciples off to get some lunch and, while they were gone, a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well.
Without doubt this woman was the reason for Jesus coming this way. But how could he approach her? For one thing she was a Samaritan and Jesus was a Jew. In those times it wasn't socially acceptable for a Jew to speak to a Samaritan. She also had some personal issues that would make it look rather suspicious for Jesus to be talking to her alone. She had lived a colorful life and had had a few men in her day. Because of this she wasn't accepted by the other town women, so she came to the well alone in the middle of the day. The other women came in the cool of the evening to draw their water.
Imagine the outcome had Jesus approached this woman by asking a question like this: "Excuse me, lady, my name is Jesus. May I ask you a personal question?" And then, without giving her a choice, he asked, "If you should die tonight, where would you spend eternity?"
There are times when it is right to ask such a question, but this wasn't one of them. Had Jesus done that, she probably wouldn't have had the faintest idea what Jesus was talking about and dismissed him as being some kind of a religious nut.
But Jesus didn't approach her with a pat question. Being sensitive to people's needs he knew that this woman had issues. The fact that she came to the well alone in the heat of the day was saying that. Jesus knew the kind of woman she was and that she was lonely—and had been searching for love and acceptance in all the wrong ways and places. He knew that her pressing need was for loving acceptance. And that's what Jesus gave her before ever speaking of spiritual things.
Psychologists say that with the lives we touch we either build a bridge to that person or a wall between us. And Jesus, being a great bridge builder, bridged the great social gap between her and this stranger by simply asking, "Will you please give me a drink of water."
This was the beginning of an interesting conversation. Following a brief discussion about living water, Jesus put his finger on both the need and problem area of her life. Without judging her in any way Jesus told her that he knew she was living with a man who wasn't her husband and that she had already gone through five husbands.
"You have to be a prophet," she exclaimed and then turned the conversation to spiritual things herself. She then got so excited that she left her water-pot behind, rushed back to the town and, in essence, said to the men in her life, "Come with me. I want you to meet a man who told me all about myself with all my weaknesses and he accepted me just as I am. He didn't judge or criticize me. He must be the Christ."2
Jesus knew this woman's deepest need—her need for acceptance—and when he met it, she believed in him and automatically became a most enthusiastic witness.
That's the kind of witness we who call ourselves Christians also need to be. In other words, on most occasions before speaking of spiritual things to people, we need to be sensitive to their personal needs and "scratch 'em where they itch" just as Jesus did—and minister to their deepest need whatever it may be.3
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be sensitive to people's needs, and be 'as Jesus' to them by meeting them at their point of felt need. And grant that they, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Your Humble Servant.P.Miguel
"The Samaritan woman said to him [Jesus], 'You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?' (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans)."1
On one occasion Jesus and his disciples left Judea for Galilee. Jesus wanted to go through Samaria as he had some "business" to take care of there. About midday Jesus was tired so he sat down and rested at Jacob's well. He sent all twelve disciples off to get some lunch and, while they were gone, a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well.
Without doubt this woman was the reason for Jesus coming this way. But how could he approach her? For one thing she was a Samaritan and Jesus was a Jew. In those times it wasn't socially acceptable for a Jew to speak to a Samaritan. She also had some personal issues that would make it look rather suspicious for Jesus to be talking to her alone. She had lived a colorful life and had had a few men in her day. Because of this she wasn't accepted by the other town women, so she came to the well alone in the middle of the day. The other women came in the cool of the evening to draw their water.
Imagine the outcome had Jesus approached this woman by asking a question like this: "Excuse me, lady, my name is Jesus. May I ask you a personal question?" And then, without giving her a choice, he asked, "If you should die tonight, where would you spend eternity?"
There are times when it is right to ask such a question, but this wasn't one of them. Had Jesus done that, she probably wouldn't have had the faintest idea what Jesus was talking about and dismissed him as being some kind of a religious nut.
But Jesus didn't approach her with a pat question. Being sensitive to people's needs he knew that this woman had issues. The fact that she came to the well alone in the heat of the day was saying that. Jesus knew the kind of woman she was and that she was lonely—and had been searching for love and acceptance in all the wrong ways and places. He knew that her pressing need was for loving acceptance. And that's what Jesus gave her before ever speaking of spiritual things.
Psychologists say that with the lives we touch we either build a bridge to that person or a wall between us. And Jesus, being a great bridge builder, bridged the great social gap between her and this stranger by simply asking, "Will you please give me a drink of water."
This was the beginning of an interesting conversation. Following a brief discussion about living water, Jesus put his finger on both the need and problem area of her life. Without judging her in any way Jesus told her that he knew she was living with a man who wasn't her husband and that she had already gone through five husbands.
"You have to be a prophet," she exclaimed and then turned the conversation to spiritual things herself. She then got so excited that she left her water-pot behind, rushed back to the town and, in essence, said to the men in her life, "Come with me. I want you to meet a man who told me all about myself with all my weaknesses and he accepted me just as I am. He didn't judge or criticize me. He must be the Christ."2
Jesus knew this woman's deepest need—her need for acceptance—and when he met it, she believed in him and automatically became a most enthusiastic witness.
That's the kind of witness we who call ourselves Christians also need to be. In other words, on most occasions before speaking of spiritual things to people, we need to be sensitive to their personal needs and "scratch 'em where they itch" just as Jesus did—and minister to their deepest need whatever it may be.3
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be sensitive to people's needs, and be 'as Jesus' to them by meeting them at their point of felt need. And grant that they, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Your Humble Servant.P.Miguel
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Friends
Forever Friend
In the course of life’s journey
we rub shoulders with many people,
Some are warm and open,
others afraid and closed.
Some we connect with,
others come and soon are gone.
Some linger awhile.
But every now and then...
either through fate or by chance
or because of a Higher Power...
In an unexpected moment
we are touched by a smile
that lingers in the memory.
We meet again and the more
we do the more we know
that we have met a friend
and we'll be friends forever.
Next to God
there is no greater gift in life
than a forever-friend.
I hope that we can be such friends.
Your humble Servant: P.Miguel
In the course of life’s journey
we rub shoulders with many people,
Some are warm and open,
others afraid and closed.
Some we connect with,
others come and soon are gone.
Some linger awhile.
But every now and then...
either through fate or by chance
or because of a Higher Power...
In an unexpected moment
we are touched by a smile
that lingers in the memory.
We meet again and the more
we do the more we know
that we have met a friend
and we'll be friends forever.
Next to God
there is no greater gift in life
than a forever-friend.
I hope that we can be such friends.
Your humble Servant: P.Miguel
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Are you Gods Wife ?
Are You God's Wife?
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."1
According to a story reportedly written by Leo Buscaglia, "On a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about 10 years old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.
"A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'
"'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,' was the boy's reply.
"The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
"She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
"By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she then purchased a pair of shoes for him.
"She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'
"As she turned to go, the astonished child caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked, 'Are you God's wife?'"2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, open the eyes of my heart so that wherever there is a pressing need placed across my path, I will see it—and help to meet it. And wherever there is a hurt, please help me to heal it. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."1
According to a story reportedly written by Leo Buscaglia, "On a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about 10 years old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.
"A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'
"'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,' was the boy's reply.
"The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
"She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
"By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she then purchased a pair of shoes for him.
"She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'
"As she turned to go, the astonished child caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked, 'Are you God's wife?'"2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, open the eyes of my heart so that wherever there is a pressing need placed across my path, I will see it—and help to meet it. And wherever there is a hurt, please help me to heal it. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Good evening comrades,
We had a wonderful time at prayer meeting.
You know, if you really sit down and reflect, you would realise that the enemy has stolen much from you and your family. He has closed many doors in an attempt to keep you down and scared.
But I tell you this, BE NOT AFRAID.
God is able to open all shut doors and to break down every hindering barrier that the enemy has placed in your life.
It does not matter who, what or how you been cursed, GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE. HE CAN MOVE THE MOUNTAINS AND CALM THE RAGING SEAS THAT CRASH OVER THEE.
We all have our challenges to face and wonder 'why us' at times.
We don't always know why we are in a situation or why we fail.
HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT MATTER. KNOW THAT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU AND HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT PAST OR FAULT.
When you surrender to God Almighty He gives you new life and a new beginning and the old self is washed away by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.
No matter where you have been you can go forward in Christ. He is only chance!!!!
Some light incense, some worship statues, some worship animals..................
Incense burns out, statues crumble and animals die.
BUT the LOVE OF CHRIST is never failing never ending and no power is greater, no name is higher no thing can outlast Him for He is the beginning and the end; yesterday, today and forever the same.
Give it all to Jesus let Him create in you a clean heart, renew your spirit and transform you by the renewing of your mind.
Where to start?
First accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
Then proceed to water baptism; even Christ was baptised.
Baptism, however, is symbolic. It is your journey after baptism that is the real test. To be a Christian you must be strong; greatly, God gives you the strength you need.
Live with clean hands and a pure heart to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
There are principles and directions a child of God must follow throughout his/her life to please God.
Everything you need is in that wonderful and blessed BIBLE.
STUDY IT!!!!
God bless you all,
Greg.
We had a wonderful time at prayer meeting.
You know, if you really sit down and reflect, you would realise that the enemy has stolen much from you and your family. He has closed many doors in an attempt to keep you down and scared.
But I tell you this, BE NOT AFRAID.
God is able to open all shut doors and to break down every hindering barrier that the enemy has placed in your life.
It does not matter who, what or how you been cursed, GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE. HE CAN MOVE THE MOUNTAINS AND CALM THE RAGING SEAS THAT CRASH OVER THEE.
We all have our challenges to face and wonder 'why us' at times.
We don't always know why we are in a situation or why we fail.
HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT MATTER. KNOW THAT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU AND HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT PAST OR FAULT.
When you surrender to God Almighty He gives you new life and a new beginning and the old self is washed away by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.
No matter where you have been you can go forward in Christ. He is only chance!!!!
Some light incense, some worship statues, some worship animals..................
Incense burns out, statues crumble and animals die.
BUT the LOVE OF CHRIST is never failing never ending and no power is greater, no name is higher no thing can outlast Him for He is the beginning and the end; yesterday, today and forever the same.
Give it all to Jesus let Him create in you a clean heart, renew your spirit and transform you by the renewing of your mind.
Where to start?
First accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
Then proceed to water baptism; even Christ was baptised.
Baptism, however, is symbolic. It is your journey after baptism that is the real test. To be a Christian you must be strong; greatly, God gives you the strength you need.
Live with clean hands and a pure heart to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
There are principles and directions a child of God must follow throughout his/her life to please God.
Everything you need is in that wonderful and blessed BIBLE.
STUDY IT!!!!
God bless you all,
Greg.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
PRAYER MEETINGS
Greetings All,
On Wednesdays we have our Prayer Meeting and Bible Study from 6pm to 8pm at the La Joya Auditorium.
We would like to invite you all, bring a family member, bring a friend and get in tuned with God's calling for your life.
We all have purpose, we must seek!
On Wednesdays we have our Prayer Meeting and Bible Study from 6pm to 8pm at the La Joya Auditorium.
We would like to invite you all, bring a family member, bring a friend and get in tuned with God's calling for your life.
We all have purpose, we must seek!
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Emmanuel
Our GOD is WITH us!
So amazing he has named the stars of the deepest night; still He loves us He has called to us; let us honour Him.
Emmanuel Jesus Christ You never let me go, my Shepherd King You're watching over me............EMMANUEL!
Beloved,
Greetings I give to you in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our God will never leave us or forsake us.
Joshua 1:5.........There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.
Sometimes storms may brew and oceans may rise in life but I want you to know that in it all God is with us. Do not underestimate the ever bright presence of our God. He said that He is with us always.
On this earth, if all were perfect human beings would be simply miserable and bored. The thing is, we are built as progressive beings - built to adapt, to overcome, to progress, to improve. Therefore, if all were perfect in our lives then there would be no room for improvement and life of perfection would suddenly be dull.
God knows what He is doing. He always has.
We face trials and situations not because He wants us to fail or to suffer. We face these things to overcome and when we overcome we become stronger, wiser and He gets the glory.
God is not there for our convenience. He put us here to WORSHIP Him, serve Him, glorify Him through our lives.
He is more interested in our character than our comfort. Hence the reason for the trials which are meant to shape and mold us provided that we treat with them in the right way with the right attitude.
He already did His part and purchased us with a price saying He is with us and He will take care of us. It is up to us to believe and exercise our faith and just praise Him before and after for victory.
People can possibly argue and criticise the Bible but they cannot deny the power of your testimony. Can there be testimony if there are no trials to lead to victories?
Food for thought: when there are trials in your life, be glad and rejoice for God is watching over you and it is only a matter of time for the victory.
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND DO WHAT YOU GOT TO DO AND KEEP RUNNING YOUR RACE.
Athletes run hard and fast to finish their race regardless of the pain and pressure their body undergoes, RUN YOUR RACE THE SAME. Keep focusing on the goal..............ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH A LIFE LIVED PLEASING TO GOD ALMIGHTY.
God bless you all,
Gregory.
So amazing he has named the stars of the deepest night; still He loves us He has called to us; let us honour Him.
Emmanuel Jesus Christ You never let me go, my Shepherd King You're watching over me............EMMANUEL!
Beloved,
Greetings I give to you in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our God will never leave us or forsake us.
Joshua 1:5.........There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.
Sometimes storms may brew and oceans may rise in life but I want you to know that in it all God is with us. Do not underestimate the ever bright presence of our God. He said that He is with us always.
On this earth, if all were perfect human beings would be simply miserable and bored. The thing is, we are built as progressive beings - built to adapt, to overcome, to progress, to improve. Therefore, if all were perfect in our lives then there would be no room for improvement and life of perfection would suddenly be dull.
God knows what He is doing. He always has.
We face trials and situations not because He wants us to fail or to suffer. We face these things to overcome and when we overcome we become stronger, wiser and He gets the glory.
God is not there for our convenience. He put us here to WORSHIP Him, serve Him, glorify Him through our lives.
He is more interested in our character than our comfort. Hence the reason for the trials which are meant to shape and mold us provided that we treat with them in the right way with the right attitude.
He already did His part and purchased us with a price saying He is with us and He will take care of us. It is up to us to believe and exercise our faith and just praise Him before and after for victory.
People can possibly argue and criticise the Bible but they cannot deny the power of your testimony. Can there be testimony if there are no trials to lead to victories?
Food for thought: when there are trials in your life, be glad and rejoice for God is watching over you and it is only a matter of time for the victory.
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND DO WHAT YOU GOT TO DO AND KEEP RUNNING YOUR RACE.
Athletes run hard and fast to finish their race regardless of the pain and pressure their body undergoes, RUN YOUR RACE THE SAME. Keep focusing on the goal..............ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH A LIFE LIVED PLEASING TO GOD ALMIGHTY.
God bless you all,
Gregory.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Fighting temptation 2
Admit your weakness, seek God's help
All humans are selfish and sinful; it is our nature. Addiction to pornography and other sexual sins are particularly potent in their effect, similar to a seductive and powerful drug. Once it has a hold on you, it is very difficult to resist. In fact, it is virtually impossible to overcome on your own. You must have God's help.
God cannot work with you if you are still trying to overcome sin on your own; it is a form of pridefulness. You are, in effect, saying to God "I can take care of this myself." Consider these verses:
"The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God…" (Psalm 10:4). "Pride goes before destruction…" (Proverbs 16:18). "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2).
"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You" (Isa 26:3, NKJV).
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (I Peter 5:6-7).
You see, God's willingness to “exalt you” (lift you up spiritually) is dependent on your willingness to humble yourself before Him. But the second part is just as important: God cares for you so much that He is willing to take all of your cares (worries, anxieties, needs, fears, desires, challenges, regrets, etc.) upon Himself. In other words, humble yourself by accepting your inability to handle the cares of life and give them all over to God. THEN He will lift you up spiritually, and you will find peace and freedom unlike anything you've ever known.
The Holy Spirit will be the most powerful in your life, when you are the most humble—when you get your own interests and desires out of the way. Then, He can produce in you the fruit He promised: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Notice that last one—self control. It is important to see that self control is not simply a matter of one's will; it is, in fact, a fruit of the Holy Spirit working in us. What a merciful God we have! As we learn to depend more and more on God to see us through each day, and we become more aware of His presence moment by moment, we find that over time the magnet of sexual sin loses its strength.
All humans are selfish and sinful; it is our nature. Addiction to pornography and other sexual sins are particularly potent in their effect, similar to a seductive and powerful drug. Once it has a hold on you, it is very difficult to resist. In fact, it is virtually impossible to overcome on your own. You must have God's help.
God cannot work with you if you are still trying to overcome sin on your own; it is a form of pridefulness. You are, in effect, saying to God "I can take care of this myself." Consider these verses:
"The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God…" (Psalm 10:4). "Pride goes before destruction…" (Proverbs 16:18). "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2).
"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You" (Isa 26:3, NKJV).
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (I Peter 5:6-7).
You see, God's willingness to “exalt you” (lift you up spiritually) is dependent on your willingness to humble yourself before Him. But the second part is just as important: God cares for you so much that He is willing to take all of your cares (worries, anxieties, needs, fears, desires, challenges, regrets, etc.) upon Himself. In other words, humble yourself by accepting your inability to handle the cares of life and give them all over to God. THEN He will lift you up spiritually, and you will find peace and freedom unlike anything you've ever known.
The Holy Spirit will be the most powerful in your life, when you are the most humble—when you get your own interests and desires out of the way. Then, He can produce in you the fruit He promised: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Notice that last one—self control. It is important to see that self control is not simply a matter of one's will; it is, in fact, a fruit of the Holy Spirit working in us. What a merciful God we have! As we learn to depend more and more on God to see us through each day, and we become more aware of His presence moment by moment, we find that over time the magnet of sexual sin loses its strength.
Fight temptation
Face the facts
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). There are many ways that we humans sin and fall short—lying, greed, stealing, adultery, taking the Lord's name in vain, and many other selfish acts. All sins are equally serious before our Holy God.
If there is some sexual sin in your life, the first step toward improvement is to understand and admit what you have done. If you have given yourself to pornography or sexual fantasies involving people other than your spouse, you have been committing adultery. Jesus said:
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28).
Grasp the seriousness of this. You have been breaking a commandment of God. You have turned something beautiful (sex), into something ugly, selfish and damaging. If you are married, then you have been unfaithful to your spouse. If single, you are sinning against the dear person you may one day marry. If you are returning to this behavior over and over again, despite your desire to stop, then you are out control. You are addicted. If this is the case, and you can admit it, then congratulations; you have taken the first step toward recovery.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). There are many ways that we humans sin and fall short—lying, greed, stealing, adultery, taking the Lord's name in vain, and many other selfish acts. All sins are equally serious before our Holy God.
If there is some sexual sin in your life, the first step toward improvement is to understand and admit what you have done. If you have given yourself to pornography or sexual fantasies involving people other than your spouse, you have been committing adultery. Jesus said:
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28).
Grasp the seriousness of this. You have been breaking a commandment of God. You have turned something beautiful (sex), into something ugly, selfish and damaging. If you are married, then you have been unfaithful to your spouse. If single, you are sinning against the dear person you may one day marry. If you are returning to this behavior over and over again, despite your desire to stop, then you are out control. You are addicted. If this is the case, and you can admit it, then congratulations; you have taken the first step toward recovery.
Faith
"If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow—perhaps it all will."1
I recently read about a woman who planted some 50,000 daffodil bulbs in her back yard—one at a time—over a period of nearly fifty years!
"Year after year, she kept planting bulbs until she had created five acres of ineffable magnificence, beauty and inspiration. After seeing the spectacular garden one woman remarked, 'It makes me sad in a way. What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal 35 or 40 years ago and had worked on it one bulb at a time through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!' Her daughter responded, 'Start tomorrow.' The mother said, 'I'll start today.'"2
It's amazing what can be accomplished by doing just a little every day, day after day. You've probably heard the old saying that says, "Inch by inch anything's a cinch—but yard by yard it's miles too hard."
When I first wanted to write a book, it seemed like an overwhelming task. However, a friend suggested I considered writing just one page at a time. "I can handle that," I said to myself … and that's what I did 205 times.
Not many people are going to plant five acres of daffodils and not everybody is going to write a book. However, the important thing is to invest your life in a worthwhile cause that will achieve at least three things: (1) it will have eternal value, (2) it will benefit others, and (3) it will give you a deep sense of satisfaction in that you will not have lived in vain but have achieved something worthwhile with your life. It doesn't have to be profound or earth shattering—just significant. And that you can start today … one "bulb," one "page," one kind word of encouragement, one act of kindness at a time … every day for the rest of your life.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a noble cause for which to live—not so big that it will cause me to be proud … not so small that it will never be a challenge … but big enough to make me stretch and grow … and give my life significance. And most of all grant that it will be a blessing to others and bring glory to your name. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
I recently read about a woman who planted some 50,000 daffodil bulbs in her back yard—one at a time—over a period of nearly fifty years!
"Year after year, she kept planting bulbs until she had created five acres of ineffable magnificence, beauty and inspiration. After seeing the spectacular garden one woman remarked, 'It makes me sad in a way. What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal 35 or 40 years ago and had worked on it one bulb at a time through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!' Her daughter responded, 'Start tomorrow.' The mother said, 'I'll start today.'"2
It's amazing what can be accomplished by doing just a little every day, day after day. You've probably heard the old saying that says, "Inch by inch anything's a cinch—but yard by yard it's miles too hard."
When I first wanted to write a book, it seemed like an overwhelming task. However, a friend suggested I considered writing just one page at a time. "I can handle that," I said to myself … and that's what I did 205 times.
Not many people are going to plant five acres of daffodils and not everybody is going to write a book. However, the important thing is to invest your life in a worthwhile cause that will achieve at least three things: (1) it will have eternal value, (2) it will benefit others, and (3) it will give you a deep sense of satisfaction in that you will not have lived in vain but have achieved something worthwhile with your life. It doesn't have to be profound or earth shattering—just significant. And that you can start today … one "bulb," one "page," one kind word of encouragement, one act of kindness at a time … every day for the rest of your life.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a noble cause for which to live—not so big that it will cause me to be proud … not so small that it will never be a challenge … but big enough to make me stretch and grow … and give my life significance. And most of all grant that it will be a blessing to others and bring glory to your name. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
My Family
Pr.Miguel
This year is the year of God, dont give ears to whatever fake prophecies that the END of the world has come, the bible tell us not even the son knows when the father will come,12 is the number of God, just analyse the scriptures and your wont be lied to, 12 tribes of the house of Jacob Genesis 29,verse #31, in the beginning God created the universe he separated them into 12, the day light reigns for 12 hours and the darkness for another 12 hours, Jesus choose 12 men to be part of his ministries the disciples were 12,this is 2012 the year of your deliverance, I will be praying on a new campaign in Port of Spain -Trinidad and Tobago, Lahoya every Wednesday. to make sure that this year is the year of FAVOR of God in your life.
My Recent Trip To South America
Talking about evangelism and outreach to other nations.
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