When the Enemy Strikes Chapter 5

Look what happens when we DON’T abide in the VINE…

It’s not an eyesight issue, it’s a HEART condition

Have you ever thought about the Scripture “walking by faith, and not by sight”? Sure, we hear it and possibly think “yes, indeed I will walk by my faith in “THE ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD”, and not by sight…
We have started the Experiencing God Bible study in our Wednesday evening class at church. This week’s lesson references that the Holy Spirit will be our personal teacher.
The Holy Spirit gives us the assurance and confidence that we need to trust in God by faith. He enhances the knowledge that we have a house in heaven. The Holy Spirit stirs confidence and courage to face the present life. He stirs our faith within us. Knowing that our present home (body) is only temporary– that we are soon to move to our heavenly home– stirs great faith within us. True we do not yet see our heavenly home, but the Holy Spirit stirs within us- faith to walk through all the trials and problems of this life.

2 CORINTHIANS 5: 7, 8
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

How could Paul be so sure that when we leave this body, we will be present with the Lord? Paul says that we walk by faith. We take God at His Word. I would rather take Him at His Word than anyone else’s word.

FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: Walking by faith requires confidence in God’s Word. Real faith doesn’t come with a step by step plan, in which we “see” in order to believe..

Let’s grow our faith and trust in God’s Word every day without having to see the proof of His Promise in advance!! Walk by faith and not by sight:)))

It is WRITTEN and waiting to be read:)

Hello to you all:))
I must say that it’s been a busy time this past month!

I want to welcome my recent followers and say “thank you” for checking out my blog.
Do you know that sometimes what we perceive as one way, others may view it entirely different?
I honestly had no idea that my blog was missed to the extent that some of you have said. Today my sweet sister gave me a new book, and on the front cover, she wrote: “ Kimbo, Get to what you love- move in people with your actions, Spirit and deep love of Christ… Get your blog blooming…
I didn’t want to burn people out, but without further ado…LET’S GET BLOOMING FOR CHRIST:))))

I just started reading the book of ACTS and my what a book for us to be well versed in. It is the birth of the Christian faith and the early church. I was thinking about how Peter began to stand up for the faith once Christ was gone. He had witnessed the ascension, and he knew without a doubt that Christ had been indeed whom He Himself  had claimed to be all along.

We as Christians must believe in the Word of God, and stand up for our faith no matter the cost. Peter began telling people in Acts 3:19, that people must repent. When you stop to think about it, we have never been without a direction as how to follow God. In Luke 4 Jesus used the written Word against the devil when tempted in the wilderness.
ACTS 3:19-21
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Luke 4:2-4

2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing:and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: We must repent of our sins daily to stay usable for God, and know that the only way that we will defeat the devil is by remembering and quoting God’s authoritative Word toward the devil.

Let’s stand up for God by doing what He commands us to do TODAY AND EVERYDAY!!!

A BOLD APPROACH IS NEEDED:)

How BOLD are you feeling? Now, that’s an odd question isn’t it?
Our War Room study tells us that we need to do our fighting in PRAYER.

HEBREWS 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come “boldly unto the throne of grace.” Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung, afraid to ask Him to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly with little thought. Come with reverence, for He is your King, but come with bold assurance,  for He is your Friend and Counselor.

To approach God boldly does not mean we can approach Him disrespectfully or pridefully- but as God’s children enjoying a “freedom of speech” before our loving Father. Because of what Jesus has done for us we are no longer enemies inhibited by sin, guilt, shame, or doubt.

FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: We are beloved children who, by faith, can pray openly and freely with confidence in our Father’s care for us and ability to handle any request.

Let’s remember to ask God to remove anything that would hinder us from praying freely, confidently, and boldly today and every day :))

It’s really a matter of ACCOUNTABILITY:))

Do you know that we are accountable to our brothers and sisters in Christ? We are:))
We are in SESSION 2 of our WAR ROOM Bible study, and the lesson is on Accountability.

PROVERBS 27:6
The Wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.

Accountability: The quality or state of being accountable; especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.
A friend has the best interest at heart; they may give us unpleasant advice, but know it’s for our good. The enemy, on the other hand, says sweet words and happily sends you on your way to ruin.
Sometimes our friends or family many need to be encouraged with Godly wisdom. A person can be so caught up in their struggle that they may lose perspective of the entire situation. As Christians, we should come alongside them and gently critique them. Such as a family member who has stopped going to church and soon several weeks of missing becomes several months, and before they know it, they’ve lost their excitement about going to learn about or to Worship our ALL MIGHTY God.
Nobody likes criticism,

but everybody can benefit from it when it is given wisely and taken humbly.

David suggested how to accept criticism; 1. don’t refuse it, 2. consider it a kindness

3. keep quiet and don’t fight back.

FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: We must always pray for God’s guidance and the wisdom that we stand in need of to help those that we are accountable to and to those that need encouragement to get back on the right path with the Lord.

Let’s do our best to critique gently where needed today and every day!!!!    🙂

2 minute 12 seconds FRUIT BITE 3/31

The seventh piece truly means completion and perfection:)

Did you know that Prayer is part of the FULL Armour of God? It is!!

While participating in doing my homework for the War Room Bible study, I’ve come to understand this important aspect. I count six pieces of the armor, but prayer makes seven. Most of us know that in  the Bible the number seven represents completion or perfection. I’d say that prayer truly is both! 🙂
In Ephesians 6:10-17, we are told that in the Christian life we battle against “principalities and powers.” (the powerful evil forces or fallen angels headed by satan who is a vicious fighter, see 1 Peter 5:8). To withstand the attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of His armour. Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals within the church. The whole body needs to be armed.
As we do battle against “the rulers of the darkness of this world,” fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.

One does not commonly equate prayer with battle attire, but it is no accident that Paul commands believers to pray when engaging in spiritual warfare.
EPHESIANS 6:18
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
One way to pray constantly is to make quick, brief prayers our habitual response to every situation we meet throughout the day. Another way is to order our life around God’s desires and teachings so that our very life becomes a prayer
FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: We don’t have to isolate ourselves from other people and from daily work in order to pray regularly. We can make our prayer our life and our life a prayer while living in a world that needs God’s powerful influence.

Let’s remember that we have a POWERFUL WEAPON and that we can use it today and every day! 🙂

Rooted, BUILT UP and ESTABLISHED!

Do you know that there is a BIG difference between claiming to be a Christian and knowing Christ and actually living as a maturing believer?

2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Christians are brand new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated-we are new creatures, living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6-7). We are not merely turning over a new leaf; we are beginning a new life under a new Master.
Colossians 2:6-7
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Accepting Christ as Lord of our life is the beginning of life with Christ. But we must continue to follow His leadership by being rooted, built up, and established in the faith. Every day He desires to guide us and help us with our daily problems in the faith.

FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: Paul used the illustration of our being rooted in or connected to Christ. As plants draw nourishment from the soil through their roots, so we draw our life-giving strength from Christ.

Let’s draw our life from Christ, and not be fooled by those who falsely claim to have life’s answers (2:8).

LUKEWARM…EWWW NO THANKS!!

We are starting a five week Bible study this evening on the WAR ROOM movie.

The primary focus is how PRAYER IS A POWERFUL WEAPON!

Jesus invites us into a closer and more intimate fellowship with Him. Prayer is our ultimate conversation with Him, and He wants us to be on fire for Him.

The first lesson addresses LUKEWARMNESS
Revelation 3:14-22
Laodicea was the wealthiest of the seven cities, known for its banking industry, manufacture of wool, and a medical school that produced eye salve. But the city always had a problem with its water supply. At one time an aqueduct was built to bring water to the city from hot springs. But by the time the water reached the city, it was neither hot nor refreshingly cool-only lukewarm. The church had become as bland as the tepid water that came into the city.
Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink. The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant. The believers didn’t stand for anything; indifference had led them to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself.
FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: God does not want us to be cold, but there is more hope for a rebel to repent than for a halfhearted, in-name-only Christian who is self-sufficient. Don’t settle for following God half way.

Let Christ fire up our faith and get us into the action today and every day!  :))