~Finding that someone

No one can help everyone,

But everyone can help someone.

So stop focusing on the everyone,

And start looking for the someone!

I’m sure we’ve all felt that way at one point or another. God is just so great and you feel that you HAVE to share it, take it to the people and have it make a big impact!
  Don’t get me wrong. By all means share it! And I do believe that some people are called to share the gospel and God’s love in a “big” way, but for most of us that isn’t His plan. I’m not telling you to downgrade your focus but to place it where God intends it to be. To bloom where you are planted!
  Step back and look at your life. Think about those you come into contact with ever day. Friends…siblings (just for starters) they are your ministry right now! Especially for us single girls, they are the people we are to share God’s love with. There is not a person you come into contact with who you couldn’t encourage in some way. Maybe a word of encouragement, an act of love, or something as simple as a sincere smile or greeting.
  Just remember, Godly encouragement will always point back to God. That is ultimately what it is for. To bring glory and honor to Him. And in that way (Yeah to us it may feel small and insignificant, but we never know what lasting impact it may make on someone’s life.) we are doing exactly what God has called us to do: be bearers of His light!

You can only make a difference in others’ lives if you have allowed God to work in yours. Have you?

~The War for Mansoul-book review

“A John Bunyan classic as told by Ethel Barrett”

“It’s not just a story to read-it’s an experience. And when you’ve read it, you will be filled with wonder-at how little you love God-and how much He loves you…” 
                                                                                            -Ethel Barrett
The Main Characters

• King Shaddai, who is God
• Prince Emmanuel, who is Christ
• The Lord High Secretary, who is the Holy Spirit
• Diabolus, who is Satan
• Mansoul, who is YOU  

 I think I mentioned it before but I’ll say it again “I love allegories!” I love how Characters in a story can represent spiritual aspects from our lives. (I also love stories with castles and kings and dragons!)
  “The War for Mansoul” is kind of a simple looking book published by Christian Light Publications.
  Come with me now as I show you a glimpse of the town of Mansoul.
  It’s a beautiful place. So very cheery and…peaceful. The streets are full of happy people who have no fear. For Mansoul is the very delight of King Shaddai, who created it simply for His pleasure and glory.
  To lead the town, King Shaddai has established five leaders: Lord Mayor Understanding, Lord Willbewill (Will), Mr. Conscience, Captain Resistance, and Lord Innocency.

Also right off in the beginning you enter the lair, the pit of doom, the residency and headquarters of the evil Diabolus who is once again plotting the overthrow of Shaddai. But I’ll stop there so as not to give away anything. 

  I find it so fascinating the play on words they use for all the names (You always know the villains because their names give them away!) such as: Captain Conviction, Mr. Justice, Mr. False Peace, Mr. Carnal Security, and the list goes on! It put a whole new light on things for me.

  One person stood out in particular: Lord Willbewill. He could be one Mansoul’s greatest leaders or worst enemy. Will had the choice to please his flesh or his King. And that is so true! I want to please God. I want to love and serve Him with all my heart, but then I also want what I want. You can’t have both and that is very evident as the story goes on. Oh yes, Will thinks he is serving Shaddai, but he is really only serving his flesh. He loved to think “I am the master of my own fate!” And speak it too. Diabolus just loved it. Mansoul only needed to believe one lie and they had given Diabolus the key to overthrowing their entire town.

  As I’m sure we all know, the story doesn’t end there, for Prince Emmanuel pays the price to redeem the town and restore it to His Father. 

  And no, it’s still not over because Satan never gives up, he just waits for a time when they let their guard down. So the story continues as the town officials learn to rely on the Lord High Secretary and guard against Diabolus and his evil henchmen.

  Yes, it’s suspenseful and dramatic, but also very eye opening. I pray that as you read it, you would allow God to show you areas of your life where you have let in Diabolonians without knowing and root them out with all diligence!   

~Friends with a purpose

Today I wanted to challenge you with the thought of “What kind of friend are you and what kind of friend does God want you to be?”
  To the world a good friend is someone who is there for you, who’ll listen to you, who’ll agree with you, and maybe even encourage you.
  You, you, you. As Christians we need to be focusing on THEM. Denying our own flesh and work at pointing them to Christ. We need to be able to listen and encourage and draw them to Christ. To care about their hearts.
  We need to be friends that see the pain in their eyes when others see the smile on their face. But remember, we can give them nothing (of lasting importance) apart from God. Everything else is worthless in the end.

(Can you tell I'm having fun with our Willow Tree dolls?)

~I am here for you

(Photo credit: Tashia)

My Dearest Daughter,
  I am here for you. When you have no one to talk to, I am here. When you have no one to spend time with, I am here. When you feel alone, I am here. I will not turn my back on you for I have promised to always do you good. (Jeremiah 32:40-41)
  My daughter, I only want what is best for you. Please keep seeking me and I will reveal my will to you – in my time.
  Love your Heavenly Father

~To overcome

(To start off with, you should have your Bible on hand.)

 (My lil' sister Jess letting Dunny lick her hand.)

He is victorious

He is all-powerful

He is almighty

He is supreme

  He is so much more but there are not enough words to describe Him! His being exceeds our understanding. But do you know that as followers of Christ we have access to all that He is?

He will give strength and peace-Psalm 29:11

He will give grace-James 4:6 (But there is a condition with that one. We need to be humble to receive it.)

He will give wisdom-Proverbs 2:6

 

  These are just a few that I picked out so you go and find more!

Do you believe God? Do you believe His word? If you do, accept it! Cling to it! Believe it! And live it!

   Here’s something for you to do. If you can, do it right now. You can say it in your head but it would be better to say it to God out loud.

 

  Dear Father,

I accept your word as truth and believe that you can show your power through me. That your grace is sufficient and that through you, I can overcome anything! Thank you God, for giving me the ability to be victorious.

Love,,

Your child who wants to know you  

If you have time here are a few more verses to look up. If you don’t have time, write them down so that you remember to check them out later.

~2 Corinthians 2:14

~2 Corinthians 12:9-10

~Romans 8:37

Now the last thing is that God has given you all this for a reason.

“For God, who commanded His light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

He is now saying “You have found me, it is your turn to show me to others.”

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;

  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

  Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

  Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

  ~Ephesians 3:16-21

~Your Heavenly Father

Postmarked - Today and forever

  My Dearest Daughter,
  
  I want to tell you how much I truly love you and wish that you would return my love. I wait for you. All day if I have to, but O how it hurts when you don't come! Some days we spend long hours together in conversation, while other days you merely give me a nod of recognition.
  Daughter, where is your heart today? (I ask for your sake. I already know.) If it was in me, you would not have yelled at your sibling or given that look of disgust to the immodestly dressed girl you passed on the street. If your heart had been focused on me you would have seen that your sibling was only trying to help and that girl on the street? She has never had love and protection from a father. She has not yet found me either. Why do you think I had her cross your path?
  Give me your heart child. You think you have, but I can see into the corners where you are still holding on tightly to a few reserved pieces; afraid to let me take full control.
   Daughter, please trust me.

Love,
Your heavenly Father  

~ To Compromise

  Satan is out to get you. (I hope you realize that by now.) He wants you no matter what, no matter the method he has to use. He hates to see revival in your life and he will fight for you even harder when he sees it happening. Satan comes to you saying that he only wants to make a deal with you. He will give you peace and prosperity, he says, but who is talking? The Bible calls him "the father of lies." You can NOT listen, cling to God's word! Satan may promise freedom, but in the end, it is only bondage that you are left in.

  You do not need to fear him! You can not compromise because compromise always takes away the glory of God. His word is not negotiable. It is firm. It is true. You are loosing ground to the enemy with every single itty-bitty compromise you make.

 

 That outfit is modest enough, isn't it?

It won't really matter that much.

I can do it just a little bit. 

No one would ever know.

  

  If you ever find yourself talking or thinking along these lines, you are dabbling in compromise, and God is obviously not in the center of your life, nor is He being honored. It is sin. Will you admit that? Will you repent and turn away from it? True repentance is always followed by obedience. 

   

  To sum it up, yes, Satan will fight to get you back, but God is stronger! He has already won! Cling to Him, live in accordance to His word, and you will conquer!