tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45619279161265111432024-02-02T14:15:16.219-08:00Finding the precious, worthy woman in yourself!Let your Light Shine! Encouragement, Inspiration and Everyday Life for the Precious Woman of God!LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-18704158960713452182011-04-14T03:47:00.000-07:002011-04-14T03:47:29.963-07:00Jesus said "Come to Me!"Sometimes we want to hide away from the madness around. When we are feeling heavy, we mistake moments like watching TV, reading a book, what ever it is that you do to find rest. We are actually replacing God. It makes us feel good to step back, forget our problem and hope when we come back things will be different. Yes! Sometimes, we need to get away to really be able to think logically about something. In <i>Matthew 11:28 Jesus says "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." </i>He is not saying "go somewhere else and forget your problems, then you will have rest!" He is saying "Come to me! Come to me!"<br />
It is time! Take up your armor and fight the good fight! Release all your brokenness into the hands of Our Heavenly Father. His hand is stretched out, waiting to touch your life.<br />
When you get in the morning, before you even touch your foot on the ground. Go to Jesus and give Him your heart, ask for protection and covering from a world that wants to make us weary and burdened.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-71795738695198148872011-04-06T02:13:00.000-07:002011-04-06T02:16:34.661-07:00Amazing Hope<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having hope is a confident expectation of great things to come! Be waiting, Be expecting, Anticipate and trust in God! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope is personal... we are each hoping for something different. Hope is.... God's promise to bless us. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's look at the prayer of Jabez</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">"Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, 'Oh that Thou would bless me indeed, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">and enlarge my coast [territory], and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!' </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">And God granted him that which he requested."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">1 Chron 4:10</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">I think it would be safe to come to conclusion that Jabez<span style="color: maroon;"> </span>had hope. Ladies, we need to pray- ask God to increase your hope. Life can be difficult in times of worry, depression, relationship problems, finances and in those times we wonder where God is??? Call on the name of Jesus, and you will find peace like a river, You will be in good hands with God.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">It is well with your soul even when it is not well with your circumstances.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 62: 5-7</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14833" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">5</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Yes, my soul, find rest in God;</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> my hope comes from him.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14834" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">6</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Truly he is my rock and my salvation;</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14835" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">7</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">My salvation and my honor depend on God</span><span class="Apple-style-span">;</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> he is my mighty rock, my refuge</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;">.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">We have no hope when we resist instead of rest. We do not rest because we resist to allow God to be in control.Rest during failures, flaws and frazzledness.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">has given to them. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">* Suffering is temporary, but hope is everlasting. Hope is not a feeling, it's a fact.</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-82052592462232025242011-04-04T01:48:00.000-07:002011-04-04T01:52:03.613-07:00His name is Jesus and He loves you!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2yP0ISyYXETVpiYUgFI-akZJIeF41xNyPKNw7UObVeEHy_qfLloB22CmsE_NqxTY-MO3cohBUPwNo8XUH2_HIbEl-wO0l7jraPp3102KpWI8yAh9BR4-F5R5pOkP_ACQfJmt9m3pGyw/s1600/water+lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2yP0ISyYXETVpiYUgFI-akZJIeF41xNyPKNw7UObVeEHy_qfLloB22CmsE_NqxTY-MO3cohBUPwNo8XUH2_HIbEl-wO0l7jraPp3102KpWI8yAh9BR4-F5R5pOkP_ACQfJmt9m3pGyw/s200/water+lily.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><b>"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Proverbs 18:10</b></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is interested to me to learn about peoples personalities. We can't always know exactly how someone is feeling or how their day is REALLY going. We, as humans, are very good at hiding our true selves from our family, friends, co workers and others. We naturally want to look balanced, happy and perfect. What is it we are afraid of if we were to show the world our true self? Would they not accept me? Would they be less respectful? Would they treat me different? Would they love me the same? These are all good questions, and all may or may not be possible with man (woman). But, there is only One who matters my friend! His name is Jesus and He will love you for you. He knows your heart and still accepts you. He know your ways and your thoughts and will never leave you. At that moment when it feels like no one could possibly love you and you feel all alone, remember that you have a Friend who is just waiting for you to listen. At that moment of release you will feel swept off your feet by a love so deep, so powerful it can make the enemy tremble and flee. Hallelujah! Today, know that you are covered by the blood of the lamb. Make this the day, your feet touch the ground and you say</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">It always makes a difference when Jesus passes by</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The devil trembles, the enemy flees</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">When Jesus comes on the scene</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">He always shines a ray of light</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">The darkening clouds must fly</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">It always makes a difference when Jesus passes by</div></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I will overcome!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Get ready! Stand firm! Set your feet upon a Rock! In your troubles, Call on Him, His name is Jesus!</span></span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-19816696767104696132011-02-22T03:24:00.000-08:002011-02-22T03:24:16.200-08:00Under Construction!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENQO3tny-cjtUb1oIJvQ8h2ZndzG8hdhpY4_Xq99VsOOc54VkMLQpR3DGhRddxkUHDDOF3L0-ZPNQExrIjjCT7KKkKR3e2rfXUPbcCbmmFZloNN2Zths8h4eYcIuI_vmq_E6ANQFaebk/s1600/under-construction-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENQO3tny-cjtUb1oIJvQ8h2ZndzG8hdhpY4_Xq99VsOOc54VkMLQpR3DGhRddxkUHDDOF3L0-ZPNQExrIjjCT7KKkKR3e2rfXUPbcCbmmFZloNN2Zths8h4eYcIuI_vmq_E6ANQFaebk/s320/under-construction-logo.gif" width="319" /></a></div><br />
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Today I'm stepping out of the box! For some time now, I have been praying about this blog and asking God where He wants it to go?? There are many, many, many good blogs out there, so I wondered if my blog was doing the good that I had originally hoped it would do for women. I thought well maybe my blog is just like all the other blogs. For example, when to many stores of the same likeness come to the same town... chances are one of the stores are going to go out of business. The only thing that will save a store is the simple fact that they have a product that is different or the store has a huge selection. So, I'm feeling the need to change some things up, ya know, supply some product that is a bit different. I'm not quite sure where it's going quite yet, so bare with me while I go "Under Construction". Thanks for your patience and I will be back after much prayer! <br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-3971030086516954392011-02-21T03:14:00.000-08:002011-02-21T03:14:31.281-08:00Just in case you haven't noticed, I have added a new tab for the Precious Mom who works. Finding balance and emotional health is an utmost importance for the working Mom. Life doesn't have to seem or feel totally crazy and you don't have to feel alone. There are many Moms who are Christians, love their children and yet have to go to work. You do not have to feel guilt over this, these lies only come from our enemy. His joy is to keep you at at place of unhappiness and depression. If you find yourself in a position where you work outside of the home and just can't figure it all out-- it's okay! There are other women who struggle with the same issues. Click <a href="http://preciouswomenofworth.blogspot.com/p/working-christian-mom.html">HERE for support and encouragement for the Christian Working Woman!</a><br />
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Blessings to you today as you walk in peace with your Heavenly Father!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-19182405412070158892011-02-17T05:18:00.000-08:002011-02-17T05:22:41.857-08:00Oh, be careful Little eyes what you see...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuVhBn-4DgtgFzZ6tA5OYMVKrxI2wPaGsT3brFWe-q7Dvj0LGCfRxw9Na65qb1_b8U7DG8jlEFnMzl2VxvO6GUXvrI-Uo0wWfe9ITm8sqhDRhjoswpH8QdWo0YwnXhO8QUsuVwXE6msU/s1600/Miley+Cyrus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuVhBn-4DgtgFzZ6tA5OYMVKrxI2wPaGsT3brFWe-q7Dvj0LGCfRxw9Na65qb1_b8U7DG8jlEFnMzl2VxvO6GUXvrI-Uo0wWfe9ITm8sqhDRhjoswpH8QdWo0YwnXhO8QUsuVwXE6msU/s320/Miley+Cyrus.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Heart Reflects a Person." - Proverbs 27-19</span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firstly, I am sorry ladies, today I just had to post this picture. Not because of what I have to say about the nature and role of Miley Cyrus's everyday life and negative influence on young girls. More because of the looks from the girls in the background. It displeases me to no end, the looks on all their little faces of such awe, adoration and envy. Like Miley is all there is in life and to be like her would be complete and utter fulfillment. Of course, I was a young girl once and liked singers like Madonna, Cindy Lauper and Janet Jackson. But, had I fully understood what I was watching or listening to, I would have had a chance to make a better decision.(I must say that I am by no means putting blame on these women, but merely pointing out the lack of positive behavior they bring to the media.) We have to purposely be teaching our girls about the REAL purpose, the REAL fulfiller, the REAL God. To many girls watch women like Miley, Lady Gaga, Katie Perry, etc and want to be like them and look like them. This in turn can lead to low self esteem, anorexia/bulimia or more negative acts. We need to show them that it's okay and a good thing to be different, because that is what God intended. We need to be teaching them modesty<i> </i>and<i> </i>self importance.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety..." 1 Timothy 2:9</span></i> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">Parents of this generation have become much more passive when it comes to guarding their young girls innocence and virtue, it has become the thing that “old</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">people” do. There used to be a time when a young Christian girl was protected and guarded from anything that could corrupt her sense of virtue, but today, she is allowed to watch anything and anyone on television. She is allowed to wear the most ungodly types of clothing. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">It is hard because peer pressure is real and so is the fact that designers no longer design modest clothing for girls.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talk with your young girl about peer pressure, negatives influences and what the Bible has to say about these issues. Pray with them to overcome and to have a desire to be more like Jesus and less like the world. You are blessed sweet Sister in Christ to have such a beautiful and precious young lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you!</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-24259165814008868482011-02-14T03:01:00.000-08:002011-02-14T03:06:38.123-08:00He's Still working on Me!<div style="color: maroon; font-weight: bold;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>He's Still Working on Me</u></span></b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be.</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>How loving and patient He must be, He's still working on me.</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><br />
<div style="color: maroon; font-weight: bold;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>1. There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part.</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>But I'll be perfect just according to His plan</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Fashioned by the Master's loving hands.</b></span></div></div><br />
<div style="color: maroon; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">CHORUS:</div><div style="color: maroon; font-weight: bold;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>2. In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Remember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.</b></span></div></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank goodness God is not finished with me yet! I often think of this song that I learned as a child. Especially the days when I look at myself and think "oh man, what was I thinking, what have I done?" It's good to remember that even though God has done wonders in my life that I am still a work in progress- He is still working on me. Oh how I would<i> </i>love to hang a sign upon my heart that reads "Don't judge me yet, there's an unfinished part." </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are all a work of art, being deigned perfectly by the Master's gentle hands. He works out every area of our lives, He smooths the rough edges, He shapes us in a way that makes us unique, He takes His time to make the clay into a complete work of art. I picture a smile on His face as He looks down at His piece. Knowing that this piece is not finished, yet He can see the end work and loves every moment. Every spin of the wheel, He builds it up higher and higher; stronger and stronger. Never giving up, He patiently waits as the clay becomes a beautiful piece of art. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's the Potter, we are the clay. Thank you God, that we are in good hands. Without the Potter, we are but a ball of rounded mud and water. We were meant to be more useful and significant. We were meant to be formed and made whole. It may take time, but know that God has a plan for you. No matter where He is with your "piece", know that He's still working on you!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-15854544223607728342011-02-11T03:37:00.000-08:002011-02-11T03:37:58.631-08:00You Can Make a Difference!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu18LsIxAqr34vMQ75B2zhME56usvMdZt-vvtHsxDs8EgL8NiVuheJbBqkk32p2UogG2XfCvI_mnhzeI9FpPkQC-XxerbPdXD6iEF7nduONuqoH1QqEp0xeJC9BQNPPf_GsYzoPF-Pkz8/s1600/seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu18LsIxAqr34vMQ75B2zhME56usvMdZt-vvtHsxDs8EgL8NiVuheJbBqkk32p2UogG2XfCvI_mnhzeI9FpPkQC-XxerbPdXD6iEF7nduONuqoH1QqEp0xeJC9BQNPPf_GsYzoPF-Pkz8/s1600/seeds.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you know what I love most about serving God? That God doesn't put the same job expectations on me as the world does. This job doesn't require a degree, the ability to write an essay, or meet a certain age requirement, it requires me to show God's love through actions and sometimes words. Sometimes it's as easy as smiling at a stranger, whom you had no idea was having a bad day. Maybe it's holding the door for someone or listening to an older person tell their past stories. I love that I can feel special, important and worthy in a world that wants me to feel unloved, lonely and discouraged from caring for others. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are so many people in this world that need Christ.So many people that are lost and need us to plant a seed in their hearts. We might be planting the first seed, we may be tending to the immature garden or we may be the ones who see the ripe fruit. It does not matter what step we're working on with someone else. All stages are necessary and need love.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YOU can make a difference in this broken world by planting seeds of God's love. YES ONE person can bring many to God, leading them to salvation. Look around at the people near you everyday. Can you reach out to someone, can you help them? God has commanded us to spread His word and to love. Let's take our eyes off ourselves and fulfill this request. Take time for someone. When you take care of others, God will take care of you. You will not grow weary, for God will give you rest. You will not stumble and fall, for God will be<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559;"> </span>there to catch you. You will soar on wings like eagles. - Isaiah 40:31</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. (Romans 14:17-19)</i></span></span><br />
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</i></span></span></span>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-27484891506859091412011-02-10T03:29:00.000-08:002011-02-11T02:53:35.980-08:00You will be secure, because there is hope...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bxf3pl_ImKBjg79iEWjFrWNdtOI5yo2TEznp-EBWXuyhmmCmIRzd0JB-u3I6ez7YzVPkXJBLhQnkXgUop7p5Ul1XdIric2MW4nx9dWCFlwvno2ftM3o_k1MbvrMUi8YyPKYgKHrtOT0/s1600/Insecure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bxf3pl_ImKBjg79iEWjFrWNdtOI5yo2TEznp-EBWXuyhmmCmIRzd0JB-u3I6ez7YzVPkXJBLhQnkXgUop7p5Ul1XdIric2MW4nx9dWCFlwvno2ftM3o_k1MbvrMUi8YyPKYgKHrtOT0/s200/Insecure.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Insecurity comes from a mindset we have about ourselves. People react in different ways when affected by insecurity. Some folks will hide this quality and become loud and overbearing so that others will not be able to see the fragile layer underneath. Others will become quite and unsocialable in a hopeful attempt to hide this lack of self worth. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Insecurity - a deep sense of doubt about your worth and place in the world - is never God's will for you. But as a woman living in a culture that's constantly telling you you're not enough - attractive enough, smart enough, rich enough, or failing to measure up in some other way - you must be intentional about viewing yourself the way God sees you rather than giving into the world's pressures. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Insecurity generally stems from something that happened in the past. It could be mentally (rejection, unacceptance) or it can be physical (traumatic event, accident, violence). Its all about your emotional makeup and a general lack of love. Fortunately when we are children our bodies have a natural sense of self defense which helps us get through life's tough issues. Unfortunately, as we get older and these forms of abuse go on "unhandled", our hearts do not heal <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">properly, and we grow up with an imbalance in our personality. We may or may not have recognized insecurity in ourselves. We most certainly do not want others to know it's there. That's okay! They don't have to know. This is a situation between you and God. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Let me share something with you:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b>God knows all about it</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">. He always did. He knows, he understands, he feels your inner pain. And he wants to do something about it because He loves you. God wants us to bring it all to Him in prayer. All the pain, all the fear, all the anxiety, all the trouble, all the questions, all the unstableness- take it to the cross and lay it at the feet of Jesus. He understands that you are feeling in-superior and lack the confidence you were created to have. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Child, you are worth far more than you could ever imagine. You were created to be somebody and you were created to do wondrous things in this life. Don't let the enemy steal your success! God wants to fulfill your every goal and dream. Come to Him and allow Him to heal your insecurities. Look to Him to find confidence and stability. Your past does not have to direct your future. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I pray that God will break your chains of self doubt and may God set your feet upon a rock! May you be filled with God's love and mighty power today. May you feel His presence working in your life this very moment. May you be blessed with a secure spirit.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">“You will be secure, because there is hope . . .” Job 11:18</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></a></span>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-75066098584851907442011-02-09T03:24:00.000-08:002011-02-09T03:27:23.749-08:00Drowning in Discouragement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l_YsCD_EUGS8ruOxqTbXg3D0IkW2KH63P2lIuGVEfoeyWOPQDlc7zzOKJJqP4t-IcKDa6EMeuHtBH6RERh782zeIrc8M1OwI7TMktpjpTct7Fn8e9pLtB8QR4O3iqaoixh9_hLzDqgM/s1600/discouragement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l_YsCD_EUGS8ruOxqTbXg3D0IkW2KH63P2lIuGVEfoeyWOPQDlc7zzOKJJqP4t-IcKDa6EMeuHtBH6RERh782zeIrc8M1OwI7TMktpjpTct7Fn8e9pLtB8QR4O3iqaoixh9_hLzDqgM/s1600/discouragement.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the problems around you seem to be caving in and start taking over our peace-filled living space.... When nothing seems to be going the way you expected.... When you ask yourself, what else could possibly go wrong in my life? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This, dear friends is discouragement! Discouragement is defined as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">“a feeling of despair in the face of obstacles; or a state of distraught and loss of sense of enthusiasm, drive or courage.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Check yourself: Does this sound like you?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Everyone will have their share of discouragement at some point in their lifetime. However, our approach to managing our discouragement will distinguish us from others. Discouragement not only hits folks flat in the face today, but there are several accounts in the Bible of this state of mind. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">The Devil has learned to attack the minds of people, making them discouraged and ultimately depressed. It is his goal to entrap people and discourage them.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't let the enemy win!! There is a battle going on and God is fighting for you!But, you must stay encouraged and faithful.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus does not promise us a perfect life on earth, but He does desire us to have a balance in life and He promises to carry us through those hard times. We will pass through some situations and trials that may incapacitate our joy. And still we’ve been promised victory in this world over them!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.” -Psalm 69:1-2</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't let your feelings and emotions take over your life. God would never put negative feelings in your mind. Remember who is feeding you these lies. Remember who is trying to steal your joy and peace. Remember that God is for your success and is not a God of dissatisfaction, discontentment, nor discouragement. God will lift your spirits and make all things works together for your good. -Romans 8:28</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace and victory to you beloved!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-70767045135772597122011-02-07T03:16:00.000-08:002011-02-07T03:17:46.830-08:00Fearfully and Wonderfully Made<div class="verse visible" style="margin-left: -150px; padding-left: 150px; visibility: visible;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdpqPQiXjH9GxYMKXbDOaaKeeOQJzYIlBbieW7zLKQe7wGV5BKteT2HoGgvQXzIedpllx1IS3LGh_md2UeiUsBRiczFpIn-Z7Nq0Y_XELR9EAriR6L-tzGjsHgMk_dl60ZhgN54O7sZo/s1600/GingerCat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdpqPQiXjH9GxYMKXbDOaaKeeOQJzYIlBbieW7zLKQe7wGV5BKteT2HoGgvQXzIedpllx1IS3LGh_md2UeiUsBRiczFpIn-Z7Nq0Y_XELR9EAriR6L-tzGjsHgMk_dl60ZhgN54O7sZo/s320/GingerCat.gif" width="270" /></a></div><div style="margin-top: -1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
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</i></span></div><div style="margin-top: -1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. - Psalm 139:14-16</i></span></div></div><div class="verse" style="margin-left: -150px; padding-left: 150px;"><div class="vote-buttons invisible" style="left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; position: absolute; text-align: right; visibility: hidden; width: 140px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><button id="vote_u_53001011-53001012" name="vote_u_53001011-53001012" style="margin-bottom: 3px;" type="submit" value="1"></button><button id="vote_d_53001011-53001012" name="vote_d_53001011-53001012" style="margin-bottom: 3px;" type="submit" value="-1"></button></i></span></div></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>- 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In today's society we sure have a hard time accepting each other for the unique individual that God created. God created each of us do be different for His purposes. Each unique quality about a person is special in God's eyes. From the person who speaks their mind easily to the one who sits quietly in the corner not wanting to be noticed. God gave each his own personality for them to work wonders in God's Kingdom. Where the world sees these people as different and annoying God sees beauty and perfection. Please don't get me wrong, I am not justifying the person whom acts difficult and rude. Even this behavior stinks in God's nostril's. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone has a story and not one person will know the details in a person's life, only God knows everything. Your past life affects your present life, correct? Everyone has had something happen to them in the past that they may not have shared with you and yet it reflects in their attitude toward you. We can forgive and lift that person into the hands of God to deal with. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were not created to be superwomen! Just women who are created to be super!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first Bible verse my son was taught in Pre-School was "I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made". It was great, he walked around everywhere he went practicing this verse. To be teaching our children how special God has created them is the utmost importance. Kids today have it rough, kids can be mean. To instill this positive way of thinking about themselves will be a benefit when the lies of the enemy come on strong. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Practice this verse "I am fearfully and wonderfully made".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does your soul know this well?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></a></span>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-91555587871719381382011-02-04T03:13:00.000-08:002011-02-05T03:54:18.035-08:00More than a Sparrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh_HBym16kchDxl_P5kCmL7LSW-lZCOz10L4HynUGRqsS3yAa-JPyP7vUo6U8irr4ik48Frlqja2KAF9r-1XEyXP6Sxc4DK1OiMvhTOml_oYz3NVQpL4JvAzhQt5-IDqGd9oP5ZPxVSQ/s1600/sparrow.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh_HBym16kchDxl_P5kCmL7LSW-lZCOz10L4HynUGRqsS3yAa-JPyP7vUo6U8irr4ik48Frlqja2KAF9r-1XEyXP6Sxc4DK1OiMvhTOml_oYz3NVQpL4JvAzhQt5-IDqGd9oP5ZPxVSQ/s400/sparrow.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I love birds! I love the colors of their feathers, I love their sound, I love watching them fly in packs, it's everything about their daily living. Just look at this picture, doesn't it bring joy to see his little beak and his tiny body. We can learn so much from watching the bird and all their habits. David, Solomon and the Psalmis<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">t are just a few men who bird watched. David was bird watching when he came upon a bird who was ensnared in a trap. David helps the bird and compares this bird in a trap to the traps that also ensnare us humans. He writes "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><b>Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped." - Psalm 124:7</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The author in Matthew 6:26 notices how birds go about living without worry of a lack of food or shelter everyday. We are much better than a bird in God's eyes and yet we worry, but God will provide. "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><b>Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor </b></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><b>gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not </b></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><b>much better than they?"</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Solomon was watching a bird leave it's nest and the bird seems lost. He compares this to us leaving our Heavenly Father (walk away) and find ourselves in trouble and lost. "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><i><b>As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so </b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><i><b>is a man that wandereth from his place." - Proverbs 27:8</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">The Psalmist writes "</span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;">I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top" -Psalm 102:7. </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">The sparrow is known to be a friendly bird that if it were on a housetop, there would be many birds with him, so we know that the birds loneliness was intended. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In an overwhelmed hour the Psalmist poured out his heart before the Almighty. The reason he said he was like a "sparrow that is alone upon the housetop" was because it is the most unusual thing in the world for a sparrow to sit mourning alone, and therefore it attracted attention and made a forceful comparison. It only happens when the bird's mate has been killed or its nest and young destroyed, and this most cheerful of birds sitting solitary and dejected made a deep impression on the Psalmist who, when his hour of trouble came, said he was like the mourning sparrow--alone on the housetop. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">I have always thought birds were cute and nice to hear and see. But, now I see it differently. What can I learn from the bird? It<i> is</i> special to watch a bird. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">We know how important the sparrow is to God and we also know how much more special we are.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"> We know that God is so very interested in you! The next time you see a sparrow, remember how much God cares about you---more than the sparrow (and yet He provides for them). As the birds of Spring start to arrive, you can find reason to smile and be glad, you can rejoice in His love and goodness.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"> Today, make it a point to find a bird and watch it. What are you seeing?</span></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-62966815974078347622011-02-02T03:03:00.000-08:002011-02-02T03:03:05.617-08:00Emotional Healing- The Words we Speak!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPzKk6TpXMdP2KI_uflpwe8ou-rAnZdcdlPzd-S5On4cy6F18C1MecA3hVunkhrpjBtoTxKetae-C-ykiSnRFoESxK5J1Nan1JaZ6lr8CqINwHqWb-hgRrPFZdcBol0TSxKsYXPwhJU0/s1600/woman_on_beach_rstf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPzKk6TpXMdP2KI_uflpwe8ou-rAnZdcdlPzd-S5On4cy6F18C1MecA3hVunkhrpjBtoTxKetae-C-ykiSnRFoESxK5J1Nan1JaZ6lr8CqINwHqWb-hgRrPFZdcBol0TSxKsYXPwhJU0/s200/woman_on_beach_rstf.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><br />
The other day I was in a dressing room at our local JcPenney store. As I was trying on some pants I overheard some ladies in the stall down from me. The women were talking about bathing suits and how there is NOWHERE they could possibly wear one. They started putting themselves down about their weight and lack of tan. One lady even put into words "I am a hog, look at me" I was a bit surprised, but mostly sad that she would see in herself someone that she was not. I understand the feelings of less than perfectness, but I also understand that we can not claim negative thoughts over our own lives/bodies. We have to see ourselves for the beautiful woman God has created us to be.<br />
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In Stormie Omartian's- Lord, I want to be Whole she wrote: "When we constantly speak negatively about ourselves or our circumstances, we cut off the possibility of things being any different than what we've just spoken.The Bible says '<i>You are snared by the words of your mouth.' - Proverbs 6:2 </i><br />
<i></i>Ladies, this is saying that all words which come from you, <u>whether they are silent messages or the words we speak aloud,</u> you are cutting off the possibility of things being any different than what we've just spoken. We can't be healed if we are constantly speaking bondage over ourselves and infecting our own worth. Ask yourself: Who is talking? Is it the voice of God, the flesh or the Devil? When talking about yourself, speak words of hope, health, life, encouragement and purpose."<br />
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This does not mean acting like everything is perfect. Please ladies by all means be real to others and true to yourself, we all have difficulties, it's okay to show others that you also struggle. Giving the impression that nothing is wrong in your life when something actually is wrong is living a lie. What I am saying is don't believe the <b>lies</b> about yourselves. Stormie Omartian writes "Rather than saying 'life is the pits.' say, 'I feel sad today, but I know God is in charge of my life and will perfect all that concerns me'. - Psalm 138:8. If you can't speak anything positive, say, 'Lord, show me Your truth about my situation.'<br />
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We need to stick together, if you hear your friend say words of negativism about herself or her situation, give her a slight nudge and remind her how beautiful and worthy she is. My heart is compassionate for the woman who are under the attack of negative thoughts. I pray that you will see truth and learn to love everything good about yourself. I pray that you see yourself as the precious woman whom God sees you as.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-3361829778966985602011-01-31T03:31:00.000-08:002011-01-31T03:43:46.508-08:00Emotional Health- Depression<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wt20pnv-nlHifYcqmSsY1jmKnvyql_BqXwTjlaNd7pjQ6ok8x10ZaQZ7iYMMjJqNKP7v6_8LsQ9lQAEMDMTsWp2jNdwf9n8w3I5fFbGeYM9bFnXKuljjtKDl5FNwaF4TS3_GCCH6K-k/s1600/woman+depressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wt20pnv-nlHifYcqmSsY1jmKnvyql_BqXwTjlaNd7pjQ6ok8x10ZaQZ7iYMMjJqNKP7v6_8LsQ9lQAEMDMTsWp2jNdwf9n8w3I5fFbGeYM9bFnXKuljjtKDl5FNwaF4TS3_GCCH6K-k/s200/woman+depressed.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>but those who hope in the LORD<br />
will renew their strength.<br />
They will soar on wings like eagles;<br />
they will run and not grow weary,<br />
they will walk and not be fain</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>t.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Isaiah 40:31</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-15713" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">13</sup> Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,<br />
and he saved them from their distress.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-15714" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">14</sup> He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,<br />
and broke away their chains.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Psalm 107:13-14</i></span></span><br />
Most of us have experienced the feeling of depression. The feeling of deep despair, the feeling that you have fallen into a pit so deep that you will never get out on your own and as a matter of fact it almost seems like no one could possibly help you out of this deep dark pit. It feels like darkness has swept over you and the light seems a thousand years away. The colors of the world turn to black and white. No one would understand you. Your problems are a million times worse than anyone could imagine. Yes, I know that feeling! Most of us woman understand and you do not have to feel alone.<br />
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Depression firstly is NOT from God. It is from our enemy, Satan. His satisfaction is dependent on our unhappiness. If you believe that God is not walking with you through your depression today, you need to pray and ask God to reveal Himself in a true way to you. Our God is a Father of good,He's always beside us and wants to deliver you from this attack. Deliverance is evicting the Devil and refusing to be crippled by him. Being depressed is a sign that your personality has turned inward and focused on itself. One of the healthiest steps to take is to focus outwardly on God through praise. Spend time with God and ask Him to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life. Ask Him to open your eyes to how He sees you and how He sees other people. Do you have unforgiveness or any negative spirits? Spend time with God. Only through God will you be set free, refreshed and whole.<br />
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Depression is not something a drug can help, it CAN take the edge off, but it WILL not get rid of the actual problems. Drugs can bring on side effects, dependency and your doses will gradually become stronger. God can fulfill your need for joy, peace and happiness. This will be a healthy dependent and the side effects are much more positive and less dangerous. We need to stop trying to have an immediate fix and look to God for a forever fix. Let's stop taking on what the "world" says is working. I am telling you from experience, only God can give you what you are looking for. His peace is real not prescribed with side effects.<br />
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If you are ready to get well emotionally and get rid of this sadness forever, take it one step at a time. Get to know God, read, read, read about who He really is and how much He loves you. Become the woman He created you to be. Even though you do not realize how great you are, you are so worthy in His eyes. Start seeing yourself in the light instead of the dark. I have been where you are and understand and know you can do it with God's help. God understands far greater and He understands all the lies Satan is feeding you to keep you in the chains of depression. Break free from that prison and stay free in the world of light.<br />
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Every morning when you wake up ask God in prayer to fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit this day and to crowd out anything that is not of Himself.<br />
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Emotional healing is about making yourself into a a woman who can take on the world and not letting the world take you. Get healthy, get free, get God!<br />
Keep the love,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-69815586633465371662011-01-29T06:18:00.000-08:002011-01-29T06:21:09.845-08:00Emotional Health- Wounds that fester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbXpksbMHueywBl56guGlIM-Jb73czVpJ91OgNWiSFu3AO5bgfNzENXFlOjLUNfq6n4xUASoG0HrMpgLTnn1tfQ3Fjj6CPsZVX3rfdqtjsUO1D7v7vtcPlVIc1dL5s4fLQDzcIFJEtjM/s1600/scab_bandaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbXpksbMHueywBl56guGlIM-Jb73czVpJ91OgNWiSFu3AO5bgfNzENXFlOjLUNfq6n4xUASoG0HrMpgLTnn1tfQ3Fjj6CPsZVX3rfdqtjsUO1D7v7vtcPlVIc1dL5s4fLQDzcIFJEtjM/s200/scab_bandaid.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Stormie Omartian wrote in her book "Lord, I want to Be Whole"<br />
"Some people have hurts so deep that only God knows for sure what they are. These hidden hurts grow, and the pain gets worse, not better, as we get older. When you have a cut, a band-aid provides a protective covering, but if a wound hasn't been cleaned thoroughly, it can fester a long time until the infection surfaces. When you are emotionally wounded, you need more than an emotional band-aid, you need the light of God's Word penetrating like a laser beam to that hurt area and cleansing so that it can heal."<br />
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Yes! I am even thinking about wounds like bitterness, rejection and hurt. This is not just about physical pain. When someone hurts us in some way, if we allow it, that pain will fester in our hearts; it will grow 10x larger than what it should have. If someone bothers you with words or actions and you take it to not one but two or three friends, that sore is festering. The hurt feels much bigger than what may have been intended. It's not easy to let go of the hurt. Cover your wounds with God's band-aid! If you allow God to heal them, this allows faster healing and chances are there will be no infected areas. If you have been wounded by your past or maybe you are still being wounded today, pray that God would intervene, clean your wound and restore your body and soul to complete freedom!<br />
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<i>In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free. -Psalm 118:5</i><br />
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<i>And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.</i><br />
<i> - 2 Timothy 4:18</i><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-68953602914043779852011-01-28T07:13:00.000-08:002011-01-28T07:13:48.795-08:00The Tyger<h2><a href="http://www.artofeurope.com/blake/index.html">William Blake</a> - The Tyger</h2><pre>Tyger, Tyger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger, Tyger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?</pre>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-85314297676828019692011-01-28T07:03:00.001-08:002011-01-29T05:46:48.502-08:00A Dream Deferred<h1 align="center">A Dream Deferred</h1><h1 align="center"><i>by Langston Hughes</i></h1><center>What happens to a dream deferred?</center> <center>Does it dry up <br />
like a raisin in the sun? <br />
Or fester like a sore-- <br />
And then run? <br />
Does it stink like rotten meat? <br />
Or crust and sugar over-- <br />
like a syrupy sweet?</center> <center>Maybe it just sags <br />
like a heavy load.</center> <center>Or does it explode?</center>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-81045791199302888982011-01-28T02:56:00.000-08:002011-01-28T03:02:12.033-08:00Emotional Health- Forgiveness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEDIrlUz4VSNSFAVs2rzC7L_ZVTVjtXNvCq92IRnXGWfDGNaJJC4kACBBERjPh1VVdXe3YxDU1p9UKLzsUakJrgzxxX_9UXFrSRZJD2bH_5AWqqqem594pzzOHdHs8hEVOolCsbS_tDI/s1600/a-forgiveness-lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEDIrlUz4VSNSFAVs2rzC7L_ZVTVjtXNvCq92IRnXGWfDGNaJJC4kACBBERjPh1VVdXe3YxDU1p9UKLzsUakJrgzxxX_9UXFrSRZJD2bH_5AWqqqem594pzzOHdHs8hEVOolCsbS_tDI/s200/a-forgiveness-lady.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Doesn't the words "Emotional Heath" just seem soothing to you? We all long to have total peace about who we are, what we do, and where we're going. We long to have total peace about the past, present and future. We also long to know we are in line with God's ultimate purpose for our lives.<br />
<i>He restores my soul. - Psalm 23:3</i><br />
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FORGIVENESS- This is one way God has ask us to be obedient to Him. We get so caught up and focused on how others have wronged us that we can not forgive. Even though someone has done the most wrong act they could possibly do to you, while it's not your fault that someone wronged you, your reaction in NOW your responsibility. You may feel justified in your anger or bitterness, but you still must confess this to God and forgive that person. The forgiveness may not be immediate, it may be an act of ongoing forgiveness. Does the thought of forgiving someone feel overwhelming, due to how hateful or neglectful they were to you? You don't have to <i>feel </i>forgiveness in order to say you forgive someone<i>. </i>Forgiveness is something you do out of obedience to the Lord because He has forgiven you. Forgive and release that person to God. Forgiveness leads to life, Unforgiveness leads to a slow death. It is not about being saved or not. What it's about is being able to live a life free from emotional pain and a life that God has created for you. Base your decision to forgive on not how you <i>feel</i>, but what you know is right. Forgiveness is right! Forgiveness does not make the other person right, it makes you free.The law of the Lord is to let go, not get even. Unforgiveness also separates you from people you love, They sense of spirit of unforgiveness, even if they can't identify it, and it makes them uncomfortable and distant. Keep in mind, that people are often the way they are because of how life has shaped them and only God knows the full story, and therefore we have no right to judge. Without unforgiveness we can't release the past. Don't let unforgiveness keep you from the healing, joy and restoration God has for you!<br />
<i>Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:31-32</i><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-85440307622049608072011-01-25T02:44:00.000-08:002011-01-25T02:54:41.269-08:00God's Promises About The Work We Do!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa2OoV7fZL75SAp5vkAS2Ez1TqquKd84h_cDr7ZzAfXnZp4lcawB0JWWAt0w4usvW-4zMDcox5iDhYCFLd5Phgnl2mTnVT1EY2ijghbglWkBn_P9l0NGNxMUgULNx8etIzW0ygyUFs3k/s1600/Laundry+Woman.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa2OoV7fZL75SAp5vkAS2Ez1TqquKd84h_cDr7ZzAfXnZp4lcawB0JWWAt0w4usvW-4zMDcox5iDhYCFLd5Phgnl2mTnVT1EY2ijghbglWkBn_P9l0NGNxMUgULNx8etIzW0ygyUFs3k/s200/Laundry+Woman.gif" width="132" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laundry, dishes and jobs oh my! If it's not one job, then it's another one on our to do list. Do you ever feel like the work you do (whether at home or away from home) is under appreciated, to much or unimportant? Ever look at the people around you and think how unfair life is because you are doing it all or your work is worse? Never fear women of God! Your work is always appreciated and rewarded by our Heavenly Father. Isn't that wonderful? You no longer have to depend on humans to make you a worthy worker. As long as you are doing the best that you can ever day, putting your heart into it as if the Lord were your boss, you will always get your reward!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some promises from the Bible about the work we do:</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our work will be rewarded</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29541" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">23</sup> Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29542" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">24</sup> since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Colossians 3:23-24</i></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your labor is not in vain</span></b><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28777" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">58</sup> Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 15:58 </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><b>God gives you what you need to do every good work</b></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28965" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">8</sup> And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.</i></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">2 Corinthians 9:8</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ gives rest to the overworked</span></b><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23488" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">28</sup> “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matthew 11:28</span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's promises ladies are something we can count on! You can guarantee these words pertain to your life and you can guarantee enjoyment in the supernatural peace that goes along with trusting in these promises. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take the verses above with you wherever it is you spend you day working and know that your boss is God and you will be blessed for the hard work you are doing today! Know that nothing shall move you because your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Know that God will provide you with what you need to do your good work. And Ladies lastly, walk today knowing that God will give you rest when you grow weary.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a blessed day and remember God's promises to you!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-56892960428204077562011-01-24T02:58:00.000-08:002011-01-24T03:02:59.447-08:00<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-42zfnp6ZimB2lPeLO_JRi7I_m0IBMlctfudgAL2llVF46JlF6l8cdbrkjvJT2UoC-bntcfbSZ2xKKZmn69gRgtRSLuW1UD6dvFW2FRhAxxas7o7d6bayY7v5QiAneqwKyJRkH9nCB7Y/s320/Woman+Peaceful.jpg" width="320" /><i><br />
</i></div><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Isaiah 26:3-4</i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You will keep in perfect peace<br />
those whose minds are steadfast,<br />
because they trust in you.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18135" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">4</sup> Trust in the LORD forever,<br />
for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I allow my mind to wander and life's troubles fog my thinking, I start to <b><u>feel</u></b> far away from my God. I don't necessarily know it's happening at first, but by the time it occurs to me, I feel distant from Him. Although, I may <u><b>feel</b></u> distant, my God is still beside me. He does not leave me! I become frantic in my thinking, looking around and asking "Lord, where have you gone? I don't see you. Why have you left me?" Instead, He's here the entire time saying "Child quiet yourself and listen to me, I never left."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we forget to spend the time with our Father, we don't feel that peace we long for everyday. But, when you are building a solid friendship with God and trusting in Him, He will give you a perfect peace. The Lord is our Rock, He is our solid foundation. In Him we find rest; lay it down, give it to Him and find peace!</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-37359650897841735272011-01-22T04:09:00.000-08:002011-01-22T04:33:34.082-08:00Fruit Of the Spirit... Faith, Gentleness and Self-Control!<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></div><br />
<br />
<h1 style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">9 Fruits of The Spirit Bible Scripture Study:</span><br />
Lesson 4: Faith, Gentleness, and Self-Control</h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<h3 style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: dimgrey; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder; line-height: 14px;"><span style="color: #660000;">And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased;and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. ~ Proverbs 29:23</span> </h3><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">We are finally</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="color: #cc3300;"><span style="color: black;">entering</span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">our fourth and final lesson on the 9 Fruits of the Spirit!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/image-files/woman-holding-apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="fruit of the spirit bible study galatians 5 woman holding apple" border="0" height="132" src="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/image-files/woman-holding-apple.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We began in Lesson 1 by discussing the true purposes of these spiritual fruits - Why God gives them to us, and how He wants us to use them. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We then moved on to Lesson 2, where we began hunting through the scriptures in our Bible Scripture Study to discover what else God has to say about each of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this Bible lesson, we will continue our hunt through the scriptures by looking at the final 3 of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit: Faith, Gentleness, and Self-control.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bolder; line-height: 14px;">Faith and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Faithfulness</span></span></h3><div style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="9 fruits of the Spirit woman praying" height="165" src="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/image-files/praying-black-woman-closeup.jpg" width="200" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we study this particular Fruit of the Holy Spirit, we find that it is translated differently in various translations. Some translations show it as faith, while others describe it as faithfulness. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
The Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary explains that the term used when the scripture was written would have meant "...moral conviction of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God..." to the readers of the time. <br />
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I think this definition more closely lines up with the way we would define the word faith, so that is what we will examine here.<br />
<br />
What is faith?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">NOW</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> FAITH </span><span style="font-style: italic;">is the assurance</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i> (the confirmation, the title deed)</i><br />
<i> of the things [we] hope for,</i><br />
<i> being the proof of things [we] do not see</i><br />
<i> and the conviction of their reality </i>[<span style="font-weight: bold;">faith perceiving <span style="text-decoration: underline;">as real fact</span> what is not revealed to the senses</span>].</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i> -Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Wow! I love using the Amplified for in-depth Bible scripture studies because it really brings the true meaning out of the text. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Faith is the "title deed," or, essentially, the proof of ownership for the things that you are still hoping for. The things that, with your senses, you can't even see yet. In fact, you may be seeing the opposite! <br />
<br />
But, it is your faith that is the confirmation that you already possess it in the spiritual realm.<br />
<br />
Faith is probably one of the biggest challenges, because it is believing in something that you can not see, long after you thought it would have appeared. That is why faith is not something you have to come up with on your own - It is a One of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit.<br />
<br />
I have heard a lot of Christians say that they are not sure that they have enough faith for something. Hey, I've even said it myself.<br />
<br />
But, faith is not something that you just have to scrounge up from inside of yourself. It is something that grows inside of you from spending time with God's Holy Spirit. <br />
<br />
Never think that you do not have enough faith. The Holy Spir</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;">it </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">is your source for as much as you need</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;">!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<h3 style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gentleness</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"></span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><a href="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/image-files/woman-eye22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="9 fruits of the holy spirit humility gentleness woman eye" border="0" height="132" src="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/image-files/woman-eye22.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like the way that the Message Bible explains gentleness. It says that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will no longer feel the need to "force our way in life" (Galatians 5:22 Message) <br />
<br />
Our society is very <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Me</span> centered. People feel that they have to<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Take Care of Number One, </span>or they will somehow miss out or be taken advantage of.<br />
<br />
But, when you realize that God is taking care of you, and that He can do a much better job of it than you ever could, you loose the conviction that you must force your own way. You let Him make your way, and you begin making the way for others.<br />
<br />
Another more traditional way of describing gentleness is being meek and humble.</span> <br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased;<br />
and he that shall humble himself<br />
shall be exalted.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">- Proverbs 29:23 </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Wouldn't you rather have God exalt you than you try to exalt yourself? He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!" (Ephesians 3:20).<br />
<br />
Though Learning How to be Humble and Meek is not easy in our society, that is why God has given you the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><h3 style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Self- Control</span></span></h3></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>And because of His glory and excellence, </i></span></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>He has given us great and precious promises. </i></span></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature </i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>-2 Peter 1:4 (NLT)</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="9 fruits of the Spirit self-control woman looking in the mirror" height="130" src="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/image-files/woman-looking-in-mirror.jpg" width="200" /> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Christians, we all have two natures. No matter how <span style="font-style: italic;">holy</span> we think we are, we are still human. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, we have our sin nature, and, because of Jesus' sacrifice, we have God's divine nature that we are allowed to share in. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, there is an issue.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The two natures don't get along! "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other." And, if you were working on your own, you would not be able to do the things of the Spirit, even if you really wanted to (Galatians 5:17 NLT).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the Holy Spirit has been sent to help you. God tells you to "live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." If you live by the Spirit, you will be able to maintain self-control.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What would you look like if you were able to gain self-control through walking in the Holy Spirit?<br />
<br />
Would there be less of those moments when you weren't walking in love. Fewer instances when you said something that wasn't kind, and then regretted it. Or less times where you tried to exalt yourself instead of being humble and counting on God to exalt you.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allowing God's Spirit to develop this spiritual fruit within you gives you the help you need to walk in all 9 Fruits of the Spirit. No wonder God put it last.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<h2 style="background-color: transparent; color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><big style="font-size: larger;">9 Fruits of the Spirit Bible Scripture Study <span style="color: black;"><br />
Lesson 4</span></big></span></span></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reflection Questions:</span></span></span></span></div><ol style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<li>Have you ever thought that you did not have enough faith for something? How does it feel to know that developing faith is something the Holy Spirit has been sent to help you with? </li>
<li>Have you ever fallen into the world's trap of feeling like you have to take care of number one? How can you safeguard yourself from feeling this way, even when you are wronged by those around you?</li>
<li>Are there any of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit that you thought would be difficult to develop? What role do you think developing self-control can play in helping you to develop the others you had been lacking?</li>
<li>What do you think are the best ways to develop the 9 Fruits of the Spirit in your own life?</li>
</span></span></span></ol></div></div><div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/">Study by Hem of His Garment</a></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-66698001348459208932011-01-21T05:30:00.000-08:002011-01-21T05:31:04.357-08:00This thought has pondered in my mind....A quote I read online (anonymous)<br />
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</style><span class="messagebody"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <b><span style="font-size: small;">I've learned that many women look like precious jewels but have great pain. I've learned not to judge them because looks are deceiving. I don't know their story or their pain and as my discernment speaks to me, I find myself saying a silent prayer for them. </span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messagebody"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh so true ladies! So next time you jealous or envious because some other woman's life looks greener. Just think of this... everyone has pain, everyone struggles. Even God said, the sinners and the righteous will both have trials and tribulation. Their storm may be happening the same day you think everything is perfect in their life. Let us not judge the other for what she does and how she acts.. for there may be a story on the inside your eyes can not see!</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; border-style: none ! important; border-width: 0pt ! important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-23830239384688180502011-01-21T02:52:00.000-08:002011-01-22T04:33:08.653-08:00Fruit Of the Spirit... Endurance, Kindness and Goodness<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"></span></b></span></span><br />
<h1 style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b>Lesson 3: Endurance, Kindness, and Goodness</b></span></span></h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></b></span></span><br />
<h3 style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink,but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 14:15 </span></b></span></span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMjyrTNmewcWqFr1XoIeP0wfyf4YBN_b9o7tSq0n1NpjYV-Um5wXyLhtGU3gpmh174VVKEEKPz8nHR2rEhBFDRTFK8qsIn-kv5wYpga6d2SiDLD_WDGqGqHC46OgzFvShZcrmmWqSoTc/s1600/shadow-of-screen-woman-face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMjyrTNmewcWqFr1XoIeP0wfyf4YBN_b9o7tSq0n1NpjYV-Um5wXyLhtGU3gpmh174VVKEEKPz8nHR2rEhBFDRTFK8qsIn-kv5wYpga6d2SiDLD_WDGqGqHC46OgzFvShZcrmmWqSoTc/s200/shadow-of-screen-woman-face.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<h3 style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><u>Patient Endurance</u></span></b></span></span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;">Depending on what translation you are using for your Bible scripture study, you will read several different words used to describe this one Fruit of the Holy Spirit. <br />
<br />
In the King James version, it's translated as longsuffering. The Message Bible calls it a "willingness to stick with things." And, the Amplified Bible says that this Fruit is manifested when the Holy Spirit gives you an even temper, and something called forbearance. <br />
<br />
Dictionary.com says that forbearance is patient endurance! This simply means that the Holy Spirit will give you the ability to endure trials and tribulations, as you patiently watch for your victory.<br />
<br />
<br />
</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren,<br />
whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort<br />
or fall into various temptations.<br />
Be assured and understand that </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">the trial and proving of your faith bring out </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">endurance and steadfastness and patience.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play<br />
and do a thorough work,<br />
so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed<br />
[with no defects], lacking in nothing.</span>-James 1:2-4 (AMP)</span></b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
Why can you patiently endure trials and tribulations? Because you know that God's Word will always prevail in His timing. <br />
<br />
Notice what God is telling you through this scripture. He says that trials are only an opportunity for you to prove your faith in His promises. Do you believe what you see in front of your eyes, or do you believe what the Word of God says about your situation? <br />
<br />
Anyone can believe God's promises for healing when they aren't sick. But what happens when they get a bad report from the doctor, and 6 months have passed with no improvement. Where is their faith then?<br />
<br />
A trial is your chance to prove to yourself, your God, and the world, that you really do believe!<br />
<br />
It is amazing that God says we should let patience and endurance complete their work in us. He tells us that they are what will really make us "fully developed" (James 1:4 AMP). </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><br />
</u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Christian Kindness</u></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">We've been told to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" since we were 3 years old. So, sometimes we can take the idea of kindness for granted.<br />
<br />
But, when we do a Bible scripture study on kindness, we find out the emphasis that our Heavenly Father really puts on just being nice. <br />
<br />
God tells us that, since He has chosen us to be His children that He loves, we have a responsibility to clothe ourselves in tenderhearted mercy and kindness (Colossians 3:12 NLT). <br />
<br />
I mention mercy together with kindness, because they are so interconnected. You may consider yourself to be kind, but can your kindness pass the ultimate test? Can you show the mercy of God to those around you, or do you still need to learn how to forgive those that trespass against you?<br />
<br />
Proverbs, known as the book of wisdom, holds some wisdom for us regarding kindness. We are told that there is actually a reward for being kind. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> <br />
<br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">If you do this, you will live many years,</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">and your life will be satisfying.</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Never let loyalty and </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">kindness</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> leave you!</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tie them around your neck as a reminder.</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Write them deep within your heart.</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Then you will find favor with both God and people,</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">and you will earn a good reputation.</span> </span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">-Proverbs 3:2-4 (NLT)</span></b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
I've heard many Christians confessing the end of this scripture - "I have favor with God and man." But, as I have said before, God works in covenant promises. If you are not doing your part of the promise, you can not expect to walk in the provision.<br />
<br />
Yes, we all want to live many years and have our lives be satisfying. We want to have favor with God and with people. But, have we hung kindness and loyalty around our necks as reminders to always walk in them? <br />
<br />
That is where the Holy Spirit comes in. It is there to help you to be kind to people who do not deserve your kindness anymore than you deserve the kindness of a Holy God.<br />
<br />
As you grow in the area of kindness through God's Spirit, you will be surprised how many people you begin to draw to God. Becoming a representative of His mercy and kindness here on the earth allows you to be a reflection of God's unconditional love. <br />
<br />
Let the world see the love of God through your kindness.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 800;"><b><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><u><br />
</u></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 800;"><b><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><u>Goodness</u></span></b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6XSN6qWJK_ZfsHnwlkuHEkzZJSaD7Ll9Ec-mZEE0H9uy5nowZ4rRwJWF5Z9kHxjBJf6Jo1jibjhrWM3bF9l-pRpZhpcOXAKQpmdloBUR0PSVNS249KwSO8nZeUD3uS7AC0lOSx_dHTk/s1600/crucifix-dusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6XSN6qWJK_ZfsHnwlkuHEkzZJSaD7Ll9Ec-mZEE0H9uy5nowZ4rRwJWF5Z9kHxjBJf6Jo1jibjhrWM3bF9l-pRpZhpcOXAKQpmdloBUR0PSVNS249KwSO8nZeUD3uS7AC0lOSx_dHTk/s200/crucifix-dusk.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">For once you were darkness, </span></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">but now you are light in the Lord; </span><br style="font-style: italic;" /><span style="font-style: italic;">walk as children of Light...</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">For the fruit...of the Light<br />
or the Spirit </span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">[consists] in every form of </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">kindly goodness</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
uprightness of heart,<br />
and trueness of life</span><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br />
-Ephesians 5:8-9 (AMP)</span></b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"> <br />
Of course, God's Word can explain the true heart of goodness better than I ever could. And I truly believe that it does in that scripture. <br />
<br />
This Fruit of "the Light or the Spirit," as God puts it in this scripture, is being kind, having a heart for righteousness, and living a life that is true and dedicated to the source of truth - The Lord.<br />
<br />
What makes a person good? Sometimes religion can get us to focus on lots of little rules and regulations. We get distracted by denominations, or even things that amount to no more than rituals. <br />
<br />
But, God is looking at your heart. And He is looking at your life. Is it full of goodness? <br />
<br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink,<br />
but of</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> living a life of goodness</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit</span>.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">-Romans 14:15 (NLT) </span></b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
Those should be the things that we focus our energies on. Because those are the things that matter to God.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="2" style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; width: 491px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><h2 style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><big style="font-size: larger;">Fruits of the Holy Spirit Bible Scripture Study <span style="color: black;"><br />
Lesson 3</span></big></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reflection Questions:</span></div><ol style="font-size: small;"><li>Have you ever had to wait on a promise from God's Word to manifest itself in your life? What did you learn from the experience?</li>
<li>Does it shock you to know that God believes developing patient endurance will make you "fully developed" spiritually? Why or why not?</li>
<li>Do you feel that many Christians take kindness and mercy for granted? Have you ever done this yourself?</li>
<li>What do you think qualifies a person as being "good" in God's eyes? </li>
</ol></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<br />
</span></b></span></span></div><a href="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/">Study by Hem of His Garment</a><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></span></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-2502256004818297582011-01-20T02:50:00.000-08:002011-01-20T02:52:02.222-08:00Fruit Of the Spirit... Love, Joy and Peace!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1JDLuosrwWM13WCkBurxwDzgx7m8OGvSai96x9n5VAuwb3Jm2l0Rst3zM8osRwgpACIKS8DEcp_QLovywFR-3fBALQOVP-Mj8nq-kRC6CXJcsZLlm1TJL3dG7GdhcpePNPclChQUPAM/s1600/peace+love+and+joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1JDLuosrwWM13WCkBurxwDzgx7m8OGvSai96x9n5VAuwb3Jm2l0Rst3zM8osRwgpACIKS8DEcp_QLovywFR-3fBALQOVP-Mj8nq-kRC6CXJcsZLlm1TJL3dG7GdhcpePNPclChQUPAM/s200/peace+love+and+joy.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<h1 style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br />
</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br />
</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">9 Fruits of The Holy Spirit Bible Scripture Study</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;"> Lesson 2: Love, Joy and Peace</h1><h3 style="background-color: transparent; color: dimgrey; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder;"><br />
</h3><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><h3 style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: dimgrey; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ~ John 13:35</span></h3><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;">In Lesson 1 of your Fruits of the Holy Spirit Bible Study, we discussed the purposes for developing spiritual fruit. We learned that these Fruits are outward signs of an inward change in your life. Although they do not appear over night, they are proof that you are God's work in progress. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;">But, Galatians 5 is not the only place in the Word that we see references to these signs that God's holy hand is at work. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;">We are going to engage in what I like to call a Bible Scripture Study - Scouring the scriptures for all that God has to say on a subject. It's time to discover what else God's Word tells you about each of the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<hr style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 2px; line-height: 14px; width: 392px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><h2 style="background-color: transparent; color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</h2><h2 style="background-color: transparent; color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 0px;"><big style="font-size: larger;">A Closer Look At Each of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit</big></h2></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
<br />
But the Holy Spirit<br />
produces this kind of fruit in our lives: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Love, </span><br style="font-weight: bold;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joy, </span><br style="font-weight: bold;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Peace,</span><br style="font-weight: bold;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Patience, </span><br style="font-weight: bold;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kindness, </span><br style="font-weight: bold;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Goodness, </span><br style="font-weight: bold;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Faithfulness,</span><br style="font-weight: bold;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gentleness, and</span><br style="font-weight: bold;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Self-control.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
There is no law against these things!</span> - Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<h3 style="background-color: transparent; color: dimgrey; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="color: black;">Christian Love </span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><img alt="Christian Love Fruits of the Holy Spirit rocks in heart" src="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/image-files/rocks-in-heart.jpg" style="float: right; height: 160px; width: 240px;" title="Christian Love Fruits of the Holy Spirit rocks in heart" />By this shall all men know<br />
that ye are my disciples,<br />
if ye have love one to another.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">-John 13:35</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The Greek word used in Galatians 5,and again here in John 13, is <span style="font-style: italic;">Agape</span>. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">This is the kind of love that God loves us with - It is self-sacrificing. It is unconditional. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">And, let's face it, it is impossible for any human to achieve on their own. It can only be developed as a Fruit of the Holy Spirit.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">But, Jesus says that developing this kind of love in your heart is the only way the world will be able to identify you as His. In Matthew, Jesus explains that Agapao (the verb form of Agape) is the actual basis of Christianity. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Jesus tells us that everything God calls us to boils down to this:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><woj style="font-style: italic;">You must love the L</woj><woj style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">ord</span></woj><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><woj style="font-style: italic;">your God<br />
with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.</woj><woj style="font-style: italic;"><br />
This is the first and greatest commandment.</woj><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span class="sup" id="en-KJV-en-AMP-en-NLT-23885" style="font-style: italic;"></span><woj style="font-style: italic;"><br />
A second is <span style="font-weight: bold;">equally important</span>:<br />
Love your neighbor as yourself. </woj><woj><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
The entire law and all the demands of the prophets<br />
are based on these two commandments. </span><br />
-Matthew 22: 36-40 (NLT)</woj></span></div><span style="color: black;">There is no wonder why Paul lists love first in his description of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<hr style="height: 2px; width: 392px;" /><h3 style="background-color: transparent; color: dimgrey; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4561927916126511143&postID=250225600481829758" name="christian_joy"></a></h3><h3 style="background-color: transparent; color: dimgrey; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder;">Christian Joy</h3><img alt="Christian Joy Fruits of the Spirit happy man on beach" hspace="10" src="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/image-files/smallembrasing-life.jpg" style="float: left; height: 176px; width: 250px;" title="Christian Joy Fruits of the Spirit happy man on beach" />There are two kinds of joy. The fleeting joy that the world gives. And the lasting joy that God's Spirit provides. <br />
<br />
The joy that we find in this world is allusive. It is like chasing a mirage. <br />
<br />
People spend years thinking that when they finally get that promotion, or when they eventually get out of debt - They will be happy. <br />
<br />
And, yet, when they finally reach the place where they thought they would find happiness, they only experience more longing. <br />
<br />
Why? They foolishly thought that they were the source of their own joy.<br />
<br />
But, your Heavenly Father doesn't want His child sitting around "grieved and depressed." That's why God's Word says that He's given you<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>the very joy of the Lord to be your strength and stronghold (Nehemiah 8:10 -AMP).<br />
<br />
So, while the world is searching for happiness, the Holy Spirit is sprouting seeds of joy and gladness inside of you. And this Fruit of the Holy Spirit is God's gift, to be your strength in times of turmoil.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="background-color: transparent; color: dimgrey; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder;"></h3><hr style="height: 2px; width: 392px;" /><br />
<h3 style="background-color: transparent; color: dimgrey; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="background-color: transparent; color: dimgrey; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bolder;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4561927916126511143&postID=250225600481829758" name="christian_peace"></a>Christian Peace<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></h3><img alt="Christian Peace Fruits of the Holy Spirit Father and child's hands" hspace="10" src="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/image-files/close-up-child-and-adult-hands.jpg" style="float: right; height: 167px; width: 250px;" title="Christian Peace Fruits of the Holy Spirit Father and child's hands" />There are two kinds of peace that we have as Christians. We have peace with God, and we have the peace of God. Let me explain the difference.<br />
<br />
You will learn in a future lesson about the Holy Spirit in the Old testament that, before Jesus, we were not allowed to be in the presence of God. But, through Jesus' sacrifice, our peace with God was purchased.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified<br />
(acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God)<br />
through faith,<br />
let us [grasp the fact that we] have</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
[the peace of reconciliation to hold and to [enjoy] peace with God</span><span style="font-style: italic;">through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)<br />
-</span>Romans 5:1 (AMP)</div><br />
In addition to Jesus' death buying you peace with God, it also serves as a cleansing sacrifice to allow you into the presence of the Lord. <br />
<br />
With the Holy Spirit now living inside of you, you are able to experience the peace of God. This is the kind of peace that the Fruit of the Holy Spirit manifests. <br />
<br />
We are told in Philippians how to receive this peace for ourselves.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Don’t worry about anything;<br />
instead, pray about everything.<br />
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Then you will experience God’s peace,<br />
which exceeds anything we can understand.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">His peace will guard your hearts and minds<br />
as you live in Christ Jesus.</span><br />
-Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
You are promised a peace that exceeds your understanding. That means, it is a peace that does not make sense to us mentally. In times when we should be pulling out our hair and biting our nails, we feel an overwhelming peace in our spirits. <br />
<br />
I think that, more and more, bearing this Fruit of the Holy Spirit is something that Christians struggle with. I find so many Believers who are struggling with fear, doubt, stress and anxiety. But, you don't have to live like that. God's Holy Spirit can set you free from the bondage of your thoughts and give you a peace that passes all understanding.</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"></span><br />
<h2 style="background-color: transparent; color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><big style="font-size: larger;">Fruits of the Holy Spirit Bible Scripture Study <span style="color: black;"><br />
Lesson 2</span></big></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reflection Questions:</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
<ol style="font-size: small;"><li>Why do you think that it is significant that Jesus uses the action verb Agapao to describe the kind of love that the Holy Spirit wants to develop inside of you?</li>
<li>Why do you think God tells you that His joy is what acts as your strength during trying times? Can you think of a time when His joy kept you strong?</li>
<li>Why do you think so many Christians today struggle with receiving and maintaining God's peace? Do you feel that you have a problem maintaining your peace?</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: left;">Study by "The Hem of His Garment"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></span></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561927916126511143.post-31715163479706724212011-01-19T03:13:00.000-08:002011-01-19T04:36:47.952-08:00Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2NmqPNuVeX45WgflaLmSJ7lVFOY4xq01fO5BHdM6vljQ757vxEAJYM6lcB32tydbutwH61ANhsU0BHeppHrG0ThQ5NBcKzqJ_egxzKEMiKgwFG5rogtiwakko2KSLjZkRBbZ_xvvBss/s1600/fruits+of+the+spirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2NmqPNuVeX45WgflaLmSJ7lVFOY4xq01fO5BHdM6vljQ757vxEAJYM6lcB32tydbutwH61ANhsU0BHeppHrG0ThQ5NBcKzqJ_egxzKEMiKgwFG5rogtiwakko2KSLjZkRBbZ_xvvBss/s200/fruits+of+the+spirit.jpg" width="200" /></i></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>- Matthew 7:17-20 (AMP)</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">...Every healthy (sound) tree<br />
bears good fruit [worthy of admiration],<br />
but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree<br />
bears bad (worthless) fruit. <br />
A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit,<br />
nor can a bad (diseased) tree<br />
bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Therefore,<br />
you will fully know them by their fruits.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29185" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i>Galatians 5:22-23</i></sup></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29185" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">22</sup> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29186" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">23</sup>gentleness and self-control.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>J</i>esus told His disciples that you can tell if someone truly belongs to Him by the kind of spiritual fruit that they produce. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Are you a fruit tree that produces healthy, sound fruit? Do you produce some good and some bad fruit? I am sure you want to produce ALL good fruit, right? </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><b>Ready to make that change?</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;">Now, the changes don't happen over night. They're gradual. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may not notice them over days and weeks. Or even after several months. But, you are God's work in progress - Not your own. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever heard that song: "He's still workin' on me?" Well in the song the singer sings</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">"He's still workin' on me, to make me what I ought to be, it took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. I love how patient He must be, cause He's still workin' on me."</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">I love to remember this when I feel I have room to grow in an area. I should not feel badly for this shortcoming, but to realize that I am a work in progress.</span></span></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;">The Spirit Controlled Life, the Fruit of the Spirit are not things that we can scrounge up on our own. But, the more time you spend truly seeking God, the more these signs will become evident in every area of your life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Everything that you do. Every thing that you say.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">You begin to look more like Jesus.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"> Wouldn't that be awesome! Hang in there... you can do it!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Here are the 9 signs to check for:</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"></span></span></span><br />
<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Love</i></span></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joy</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patient Endurance </span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kindness</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodness</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faith and Faithfulness </span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gentleness </span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Self-Discipline </span></i></li>
</ol><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Galatians 5:22-23)</span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
These signs are called the 9 Fruits of the Spirit. They are evidence to the world that you have been paid for by the blood of Jesus, and you have the Mark (an attitude)to prove it!<br />
<br />
You live for Him, and His Spirit lives inside of you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><big style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the Purpose of the Fruits of the Spirit?</span></big></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
There are two huge things that the Fruits of the Spirit accomplish here on Earth.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<ul style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/images/li.gif); list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">They give you the power to fulfill your</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> destiny in Christ.</span><i> </i></span></li>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i></ul><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without the Holy Spirit bearing spiritual fruit inside of you, you would be powerless. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You wouldn't have the endurance and faithfulness to complete the calling that God has given you. You wouldn't even have the self-discipline to study your Bible or pray. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without the Fruits of the Spirit, the gifts that God has hidden inside of you, would stay locked away forever.</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><ul style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/images/li.gif); list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none;"><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">They are what God uses to draw people to Himself through you.</span> </span></i></li>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i></ul><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you know anyone who, no matter the situation, always radiates a godly peace - They are unshakable. People in this world are drawn to that kind of peace. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With all of the chaos surrounding them every day, they search their entire lives for whatever peace and joy they can get their hands on.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They end up trying to fill the void with fleeting counterfeits like alcohol and illicit sex. Things that merely numb their pain for a short while, but leave them longing once again, after the party is over. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When they look at you in a time of crisis, and see God's unshakable peace and joystaring back at them through your eyes, they want to know what you know. </span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, you can introduce them to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Who</span> you know.</span></div><div style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Remember, the Fruits of the Spirit are not something that you can scrounge up on your own, but gifts that God gives to you. He uses them to set you free from human frailties like anger, fear and depression.<br />
<br />
He wants to give you His peace for your stress and anxiety, His love for your unforgiveness, His joy for your depression, and on and on.</span><br />
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<h2 style="background-color: transparent; color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, Eyechart, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><big style="font-size: larger;">Fruit of the Spirit Bible Study:</big><br />
<span style="color: black;">Reflection Questions:</span></span></h2><ol style="font-size: small;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you believe in your heart that you have been <span style="font-style: italic;">Marked</span> by the Spirit of God? Why or why not?</span></li>
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<li>Do you agree with the idea that people in the world can be drawn to God by His fruit in your life? Why or why not?</li>
<li>What Fruits of the Spirit do you already see manifesting in your life?</li>
<li>Which of the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit do you still need God to manifest inside of you? Stop now and pray for the Holy Spirit to begin this work today!</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">We will continue the study tomorrow... for today ponder on what it is to truly accept the help of the Holy Spirit in your life to change and to mold you. It is not you who will provide the fruit, but God Himself. You must be able to allow change! Pray about it and tomorrow, we will begin with Love, Joy and Peace!</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Bible study from "Hem of His Garment"</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Looking forward to it!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/344/BE57F539E6ABEBC5F4AC16D1428AE5BE.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0pt !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0pt !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0pt !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0pt !important;" /></a>LaShonda Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171978907566490612noreply@blogger.com0