Defense Technique #10

• Make peace with your enemy when possible. "But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain," (Matthew 5:39-41).

Defense Technique #9

• Avoid confrontation with your enemy when possible. Jesus did this. "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another," (Matthew 10:23). Fleeing does not demonstrate fear, but wisdom to sustain your life and ministry and retain your focus (Ecclesiastes 7:12).

Defense Technique #8

• Always remember that overcoming your enemy is the key to your rewards. "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name before My Father, and before His angels. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God...and I will write upon him My new name," (Revelation 3:5, 12).

Defense Technique #7

• Prepare your defense against your enemy. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil," (Ephesians 6:10-11).

Defense Technique #6

• Never attempt to defeat your enemy in your own strength. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testiment," (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).

Defense Technique #5

• Keep your focus on the spoils of war, not on your enemy. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne," (Revelation 3:21; see also 1 Peter 4:13-14; 2 Timothy 2:12).

Giving Honor

"Jesus showed the importance of paying tribute. After a woman poured a costly, fragrant oil on His head, He said that she would be honored for years to come (Matthew 26:13). The disciples were indignant and thought her act was wasteful, but Jesus called it "a good work" for which she would be remembered.

We know heroes who have given their lives in service to God and their country. Let's honor them today". ~Anne Cetas~

We honor God when we honor one another.

Lord, help us to appreciate

the work that others do,

the service given from their hearts,

their sacrifice for You. ~Sper~

Defense Technique #4

• Remind yourself that the holy spirit within you is more powerful than any enemy that you will ever face. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world," (1 John 4:4).

Defense Technique #3

• Use the weapon of praise during times of battle. "His praise shall continually be in my mouth," (Psalm 34:1).

Defense Technique #2

• Use the weapon of fasting to move the hand of God In destroying your enemy. The Old Testament prophets knew this. "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:...And I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things," (Joel 2:15,19-20).

An Enemy Exposed Can Become An Enemy Defeated

Wisdom Digest by Mike Murdock,

Any uncontested enemy will flourish.
Ignoring an enemy does not remove him. Hoping your enemy will leave does not remove him.

You must resist an enemy. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," (James 4:7).

Enemies are deadly when uncontested. "Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem," (Ezra 4:23-24).

An exposed enemy becomes defeatable. When there is a liar in your circle, expose them. You owe that to those under your protection.

I will be sharing in the next couple of weeks, 18 defense techniques against your enemy.

1. Confront your enemy in the timing of the Spirit and with the right spiritual weaponry. This enables you to predict his strategy and conduct. The motivation of Peter to protect Jesus by cutting off the ear of the soldier is admirable, but it was not Spirit led.

Spring Fun(gi)

I have been having some fun this spring. This is less than half of what I have cleaned for fish this year. My pastor has one up on me since he has caught somewhere around 600 to 900 fish this spring so far. I also got my hands on some spring fungi. I smell a steak and mushroom grill out coming soon to a back yard near me.

I didn't actually pick these myself. A lady at my church gave these to me.

Wednesday Night Drama

We had an unruly teenager on the church bus tonight. He felt he could boss the other children around because he is older and stronger. He shouts in their faces and tells them to shut up. He wouldn't do what he was told and my other bus driver lost it and kicked him off the bus with a lot of screaming involved.

I don't know if the situation was handled correctly or not. I feel the kid had it coming. He has a big mouth and needs to learn some respect which he obviously isn't learning at home. He needs these nights at the Youth Center but where do you draw the line.

There are several people very unhappy with the way the situation was handled. I'm curious of how these other individuals would of handled it. Would this kid of even listened to them? Would these individuals just have caved in and let the snot get away with whatever he wanted? I pray for wisdom concerning such things and how to handle them correctly. I also pray that this incident doesn't hinder this young man from coming to and learning at our youth group meetings.

Slight Disappointment

I'm slightly disappointed in the fact that Bash on the Farm is being held the second week of June. I had a fishing vacation planned for that weekend. The fish will be spawning in southern Iowa at that time and I go every year. I would go fishing the first week in June but I'm chaperoning a clubhouse camping trip that weekend. So as I contemplate this tricky decision I guess the third weekend in June will have to do for fishing. If the fish are done spawning by then the fish won't barely bite. That would be a bummer. But it is hard to deny 40 plus Christian Rock bands with a free will donation that lasts all weekend. And I also promised an 8 year old girl I took with me to Bash on the Farm last year, that I wouldn't forget to bring her with again. It is amazing what 8 year olds can remember when you make a promise. I better be a man of his word and keep a promise, unless it's raining. ;-)

Right or Wrong?

What do you think of this? Was this the right move? Personally I think it was an unwise decision on the school boards part. Isn't this a bit extreme? What kind of message is this baptist school sending the world. Are people more likely to become Christians when they hear of things like this? I love the baptists but this makes me scratch my head and think that something like this would have definitely driven me further from the faith rather than reaching out to me.

The Second Secret To Happiness

Apart of what I posted yesterday there is more to this whole happiness issue. I feel (just my opinion) that selfish people cannot be happy. A self-indulgent lifestyle is a one way ticket to unhappiness. We need to look away from ourselves and reach out more. Most of us have more than enough already. In 2 Corinthians 8:14 it says "...at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need,..." "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack." (v.15)

Read Ezekiel 16:49-50 and you will see people of an ancient city who suffered God's judgment, because they led a self-indulgent lifestyle. We should desire to please God and serve others, not ourselves. "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4) The more we serve Christ, the less we serve self. Thus the more happy we will all be.

The Secret To True Happiness

This might not be much of a secret to most of you reading this but I believe the secret to true happiness is knowing Jesus. I had a guy at work say "you don't know much of anything do you". His words made me want to lash out at him. I thought for a while and instead of doing a flying knee to his jaw bone, I decided to let it go. The most important thing to know is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. This is what the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:2.

"Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory..." (1 Cor.2:6-7) "The secret He reveals has nothing to do with having happy thoughts in order to obtain happy things; it has to do with having the mind of Jesus Christ (v.16).

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus".(Romans 8:1) There is a law that made us free (v.2).

The secret is to walk with God, and lean upon His Word. To know lasting happiness, we must get to know Jesus.

Half Way Point

Back in Febuary I posted something on setting goals. I thought I would take the time to show everyone how I'm coming along on this seriously stupid goal which I have been paying dearly for. Check out where I was in Febuary here. I have not cheated either. Every last one consumed. =}

Reaping Glory

At lunch time today I took the opportunity to dive back into a book that I had put on the back burner for a while. I am glad I chose to read the rest of it. The section I am in is called violent reaping. The author talks about how sometimes we have to intentionally reap our harvest.

He says "God has promised and prophesied some things to you, and you may have even sown generously believing for that thing to come to pass. Arise and take the first steps to possessing what is already laid up for you. Go and spy out the land, ministry, property, equipment-whatever God has already ripened for your picking. The act of looking by faith will begin to release the blessing. Elijah told the widow to reap on purpose by telling her to gather as many bowls as she could so God could fill them." (see 2 Kings 4:1-7)

Instead of showing faith I have been hoping for things. After lunch I was thinking, how in the world am I going to seek out my harvest in faith. I have been hoping for a raise and my time for promotion has past. When I was in the office today talking with a co-worker and my boss, I said this office could use a painting. Instantly my boss perked up and said yes, you want to do it on your own time. Sure, I said as I walked out of the office. One minute later my boss was chasing me down telling me how he could use a building painted out at his house. Cha-ching, two jobs in two minutes. If I hadn't intentional went out looking for this harvest it would never of happened.

The author exclaims that once we grab hold of this revelation there will no longer be a shortage of finances for His Kingdom! And of course as God increases our seed, we increase what we sow into His Kingdom. God is a God of more than enough. The best thing is that these two extra jobs will pay almost twice as much as I make now!

25 Reasons I Love My Mother

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2.. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.."

7. My mother taught me IRONY "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck?"

10.. My mother taught me about STAMINA..
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it"

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13 My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14.. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.

No Rest For The Wicked

While at work today I heard a song that kept repeating the phrase "There's no rest for the wicked". At first thought I said to myself, what a stupid song. That phrase kept running through my head, not because it was a catchy song, it actually sucked, but because I saw a hint of truth in that song. No matter the secular influence that was on it, they were right. There is no rest for the wicked. Satan is in the business of stealing, destroying and deceiving.

My mother brought something to my attention not too long ago. The issue of credit cards and how they are a definite evil today. Think how many people have credit cards and are falling in debt. It isn't just the worldly people falling for this stuff. God's very own children have fallen pray to this deception. Debt seems to be a way of life anymore. It tells us in the Bible that the borrower is slave to the lender. It tells us not to owe anybody anything except to love them. Satan's system has caught on and has become a way of life for so many.

Unfortunately the devil works through so many facets in life. He is cunning and slick. You can be deceived and not even realize it. How do we fight such a force? We apply the Word of God to every inch of our lives, that's how. Every tool, weapon and word of knowledge is at our finger tips. We fight back against this attack on the truth and refuse to live that way. I want to live God's way. He tells us in His Word not to give an inch to the devil. Why would God say this? Because He knows if satan can get that noose around your neck, your sunk. It says in scripture that God's ways are above our ways and His thoughts are above our thoughts. God knows what can make us or break us and He's given all of us ample warning and insight through His Word. He gives us everything we need to live out His Will. (1Peter 5:8)

Gone Fishing

Gone Fishing. Be back some other day!

Prayer A valued tradition

Thursday is National Day of Prayer. This year the theme for the day is "Prayer...America's Hope," and is based on Psalm 33:22 which declares: "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you" (NIV).

From the very beginnings of our nation, those in leadership have known the value of calling for national days of prayer, particularly in times of trouble. Today national prayer is vital to our country during this critical time. Sadly, today on the radio I heard that this will be the first year since National Day of Prayer was established in 1952, that it will not be recognized in the Whitehouse.

But just because our weak, worldly president who calls himself a "Christian" isn't recognizing it doesn't mean we don't have to. To quote President Reagan, "One of my favorite passages in the Bible is the promise God gives us in 2 Chronicles: 'If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.' That promise is the hope of America and of all our people." Notice in this scripture that God didn't say it would take everyone in the nation to turn things around. He said, "If My people..."

Historically, President Harry Truman signed a joint resolution by Congress in 1952 establishing an annual National Day of Prayer. Then in June 1988, President Reagan signed a bill enacting the permanent National Day of Prayer to be set as the first Thursday of May. Each year the president signs a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray on that day.

With Good Intentions

I often wonder about peoples motives, their intentions. I wonder about my own motives at times. When I started serving the Lord and others at my church I never dreamed I'd be doing what I am. I greet people, drive the van on Wednesday nights, help update the church's web site, started a church blog, powerpoint and other odds and ends. It makes me think, am I doing this for God's Glory, or my own? Am I trying to look all Christian or am I being a Christian? Am I trying to get people to like me for all I do? I believe my intentions are pure but perhaps they have construed something different to those around me. The large part of me says who cares what everyone else thinks, I'm doing this out of the love for God and others. I wonder if everyone else sees it in the same light.

Last night I asked God to help me, help me keep my motives in the right place. Many times we do not have because we do not ask. (James 4:2) The funny thing is I just now looked up that verse and kept reading and it reads. "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James4:3) That's funny. =) I had no idea that was there.

I had someone tell me I am making everyone look bad by doing so much at our church. I know this person was only joking and poking fun at all I do. But maybe I'm being an example of all we can do, or all we should do, by doing all these things and still having fun and not being stressed. Lets strip ourselves of this selfish nature and do more for the body of Christ and in our own communities. The love of Christ should rub off on people that we are around.

Being Hardcore Isn't Easy

This is where hardcore offroading begins!

And this is where it ends. This brings a new term to driving it until the doors fall off. Personaly I always said I'll drive my jeep until the wheels fall off. I never meant it literally.

Verses I Favor

Not much going on today. So I thought I would share a couple verses from scripture that hold a special place in my heart.

"I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me. The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears." (Psalms 18:1-6)

When I first came across these verses I couldn't help but weep. It took about a year for me to be able to read this and not weep. It still stirs me up because I was so far lost, yet God waited for me and heard my cries for help from the pit I was in. Me, one person out of billions and He answered little o'le me. I will praise Him for eternity!

The next verses I would like to share explain what happened after God delivered me. I guess this happens to all who come to Him for salvation. The renewing of the spirit. It's a reminder for me that my strength comes from the Lord to obey and follow His statutes.

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a New heart and put a New spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

I can remember people asking me if or when I got saved when I was a young man. I had no answer. I often wondered, how do you know when your saved? Now I know.God continues to amaze me and I can't help but dance for Jesus. What love!!! His spirit is within me. ("For the love of Christ controls us...." 2 cor. 5:14) ("...do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you,...." 2 cor. 13:5) ("...the Spirit of God dwells in you..." 1 cor.3:16)

I just went and blogged myself happy :-) ("Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in the things pertaining to God." Romans 15:17) Grace to you and peace from God.