You have more than enough Power

In a 24 hour window I heard two different conversations and the words “satan strong” were uttered. In the first conversation I did not respond but the second time around I took the opportunity to make it clear that satan is not strong according to the Word (1John4:4). I understand that the situation, challenge and our emotions may get the better of us sometimes but try not to allow yourself to take ownership of this thought that satan has more power than you do.
As children of God and even unbelievers we have windows of opportunities to resist the devil. Think about it. Before you got saved (accepted the free gift of salvation Romans 10:8-10) we resisted the devil long enough to ask Jesus Christ to replace our old spirits with a new spirit. More than likely the day you got saved was not the first time you felt the urge to give your life to Jesus. Likewise since the time you became born again you have experienced challenges that made you felt weak and powerless. Do you remember the account of Peter walking on water until he shift his focus to the Ocean of uncertainty and not Jesus. Note Jesus’ encouragement to Peter (Matthew 14: 28-32) When Jesus told Peter to come Peter had faith then but when he shift his focus to the challenges/issues/problems/people and what is not working the way we expected then Jesus said “You of little faith. Peter had faith but when our focus shifts then our faith diminishes and we give satan an entry point into our lives.
James 4:7 God encourage us to give satan a black eye by simply resisting. Psalm also says praise the Lord at all times and we know that praise is a weapon, prayer is a weapon as well as the weapons listed in Ephesians 6:10-18. The challenge comes when we believe the tricks of satan more than the promises of God. When we allow the facts of life to over take the truth of God’s word then it appears that satan has strength but he really does not. God loves us too much to leave us powerless. The Holy Spirit is our Help in ALL things He will show us truth and that should give us comfort. I leave you with this thought: Love God, Love yourself, Love others and Live life.

Relationships

We are always looking for companionships/relationships to share our Joy, happiness, sorrows and dissatisfied moment with. We are drawn to others for the purpose of fellowship and I am not talking about eating only. When God created Adam He saw “it was not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper who is right for him” Genesis 2:18 states. This is the foundation of the family and we can thrive very well in environments where we have the love and support we need from the people we love and respect. Many of us knows these following common phrases “no man is an island, don’t forsake the fellowship of believers and iron sharpens iron” because we need each other.

You may say and strongly believe that God gave you a mission or ministry and you think it only involves yourself and does not require the help of others I question the source of your idea. Look at of Paul’s mission and examine the salutations of all His letters in the New Testament for example Galatians 1:1-2. Paul wrote “I was not chosen to be an apostle by human beings, nor was I sent from human beings. I was made an apostle through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead. This letter is also from all those of God’s family who are with me.”Jesus’ relationship with His disciples is a demonstration of the closeness he desires for us to have with each other. Humans need each other to survive in our true identity God created us for. From the beginning of time the devil our adversary/enemy/satan has been trying to cause division and negative tension. Satan’s first successful division was God’s fellowship with man when sin entered because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve. The enemy’s tactic is always to attack the family. From the identity of the family comes a husband and a wife fully functioning in each other’s roles, children who respect and love their parents and respect those around them, strong communities and a powerful government.

The work is necessary for us to restore the relationships God has given us and the identity of the family. Though I am a strong believer that Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled the codified commandments of Moses, I can identify the effect of the first commandment that came with a promise, “children obey your parents, honour thy father and mother” Ephesians 6:1-2. We will have to take back the God ordained relationships that we let go due to disagreements. Our relationships need preservations by the love of God we read about in 1 Corinthians 13. Restoring our relationships will not be easy but it is do-able through Jesus Christ. The best thing we can do to is to submit to God’s word. The first place to start is will forgiveness, a pure repentance of the heart and the pass. I am not telling you that you will be able to get along with everyone but live peaceably with all men according to Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 Identify the broken relationships in your life. Ask God to help you to restore your brokenness and give you the wisdom to restore what the enemy has stolen or we have destroyed in the past. Remember we were born into a family, created to be a family and we need to live as a family. May God continue to bless your relationships.

By Dean Brown

Is it me or is it Him

Is it me or is it Him

“Prayer changes things”, we have all heard that profound statement. How about, “God told me that you are the one or to do something”? What happen after the prayer manifested or you where obedient to what God said and now you encounter some difficulties or challenges? So many questions and it seems we can go on for a lifetime without finding satisfactory answers.

Many believers approach to the Gospel with a false sense of reality. What do you think Christ meant when he said “Pick up your cross and follow me” (Matt 16:24) or “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and turns around is not fit for the kingdom” (Luke 9:62). There is WORK to be done and we are shying away from every opportunity to grow. To walk with Christ you will get dirty, you will go through battles, you will be engaged in warfare, you will experience seasons when it seems like you cannot get a break from challenges ect. The fact of the matter is that if you are a serious threat against the plans of the devil then you become a target.

Jesus said “If the world hates you remember they hated me first” (John 15:18-25), this means you are in good company if people you were once close to stop calling you, you don’t get invites to hang out, co-workers and family members start making up things about you or your spouse.  Christianity comes with a price and once you are able to take control of the inner struggles dealing with your mind (Mind Renewal) the easier your journey becomes. When you embrace each challenge as an opportunity to grow and to give the devil some blows then you will demonstrate the PEACE that Christ gives and count ALL things joy (James 1:1-4).

I am convinced that Christianity is not difficult, I am the one that is difficult because I feel the stretching of my flesh and the discomfort of been discipline, consistently doing the word without physical proof of instant results and been patient. When I take myself out of the way, God is able to accomplish a lot more. The limitation of growth is a lack of self disciple and a lack of trust that God knows more than I think (Isaiah 55:8-10). I encourage you to continue to walk the path that seems foolish to the world (1Corinth 1:27) because your Heavenly father has a plan to use your life to be light to a world that is in darkness. We are the salt and the light the world needs to find the Jesus Christ (Matt 5:13-14) Satan does not want you to be successful living the life your creator created you to live so he will go to extremes to distract you from the path God has set for you. I have good news for you, God will restore the years you have sown in darkness (Joel 2:25) and He will not take back the plans he has for your life (purpose of your life) according to (Romans 11:29).

By: Dean Brown

Politics

Politics

This is not to identify my political affiliation or to persuade your voting decision. I believe every person eligible should vote and do so based on their own criteria’s. What has been my main challenge with regards to politics is religious belief. Many people say a candidate’s religious belief is not a major voting criteria for them but subconsciously it is. Every person’s decision comes from their fundamental belief system which is often their faith or religious beliefs.

I have been entertained, disgruntled, taken off guard and left wondering with the way politicians’ campaigns to be elected to leadership and office of the President. Particularly the race for the Republican nominee for the upcoming general election. If I was not living in America or have basic knowledge about the political parties then I would believe that this was the general election. The way they attack each other is almost unbelievable and a little difficult for me to believe that these people are affiliated with the same political party. This exposes the internal division on both sides of the political bench. This exposes a weakness and explains why decisions in congress are always at a stall.

USA history states that the early immigrants inhabited the land to seek religious freedom and the constitution was formed based on their religious beliefs. So it is fair to say that leadership and individual decisions were made based on their faith. In today’s political landscape religion is taboo and a point nominee try to stay away from discussing. The first time I have seen so much interest on religion was in the election of President Obama. I strongly believe that in every area of politics this will become a common theme, from general to local government. The body of Christ is paying closer attention to candidates as individuals. I am not naive, my trust and neither should yours be on the office of the President or any man/woman. We are to exercise our right to select the candidate that meets our criteria’s (natural responsibility) and pray for whoever is in the office of President (spiritual responsibility) 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

The religious group that is suppressed the most is Christianity but almost every church building is a voting station, a bible is present at the swearing in if a President, Presidents first church visit after taking office is always major televised news. On the flip side decisions to follow is often made without biblical principles, church groups are constantly attacked for various reasons, the name of Jesus is not permitted to be used in public assemblies.

These are questions I have regarding political campaigning: Where did they come up with the term party? Why is so much money wasted on the party trail? Where did the term politically correct come from and what is the purpose? If these politicians have so much money to fund their campaigns why do we have so many people without homes, insurance and proper education?