Language of the heart

" Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." ( Ephesians 4:29 ) The way we speak tells a lot about where we are in our spiritual walk with Christ. Many of us say that we are Christians, but our speech is harsh; filled with anger, profanity, gossip, slander; and our tone is one of nastiness. We have learned over the years in the world how to build walls of defense by being harsh in our speech. What we fail to understand is our language reflects the condition of our heart. A peaceful heart cannot speak harsh and a broken heart cannot speak words of love. Jesus died so that we could seek Him for healing of a broken heart. Jesus Christ is not nasty; nor should we be be nasty and mean spirited. How is your communication? Remember, " Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." ( Colossians 4: 6 )...." But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." ( Matthew 12: 36-37 )

Loving Your Spouse with a Whole Heart

Good Morning Church Family,

When I come acroos something that provides guidance that may help us grow I stop and send it to you. The last few weeks I have noticed the stress on the faces of the people that I see on the street, every office that I walk into and yes in the church. It is during these times that the people closes to us get hurt the most. If your spouse is going through some things right now remember your vows for better or for worst. You can't have all of the better and none of the worst. The Bible tells us that the strong shall bear hold up the weak... if never said that one party would be strong all the time. Everybody has days when they are strong and days when they are weak. Keeps your eyes open for your spouse's weak days. When a person is down the last thing they need is another put down.


BE BLESSED,

PASTOR

Loving Your Spouse with a Whole Heart
Whitney Hopler
Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Dr. Greg Smalley and Dr. Shawn Stoever's book, The Wholehearted Marriage: Fully Engaging Your Most Important Relationship, (Howard Books, 2009).

The passion and intimacy you wish you and your spouse could enjoy together isn't just a pie-in-the-sky dream. That kind of marriage is within your reach. But it's possible only if you both devote yourselves wholeheartedly to your relationship -- fully engaging and giving 100 percent, without reservation.

Here's how you can put your whole heart into your marriage:

Recognize where love comes from. Do you find yourself thinking that you're not in love with your spouse anymore? Perhaps you feel like you just don't connect with your spouse. Maybe you feel alone, even though the two of you are still living under the same roof. Have you chosen to settle, compromise, or go into survival mode in your marriage? Worse, have you given up and started looking for love somewhere else?
It doesn't have to be that way. No matter how discouraged you may feel, it's possible to experience love for your spouse again. That's because love comes from God -- who is always willing to give you a fresh supply of it -- rather than from you. You don't have the pressure of trying to generate love for your spouse when you don't feel it. All you need to do is go to God in prayer each day and ask Him to fill your heart with His love.
When you open your heart to God daily, you'll receive from Him all the love you need for both yourself and your spouse. The love in your heart will naturally overflow into your relationship with your spouse. So remember that God is the source of all love, and love is always available to you because it flows through you whenever you open your heart to God.
Open your heart. In your marriage, the issue isn't love; it's the state of your heart. Ask yourself daily: "Is my heart open or closed?" If your heart is closed, your marriage will start to shut down because you're blocking the flow of God's love into it. But if you open your heart to God and keep it open every day, you'll be inviting God to pour out His love through you into your marriage.
Give your heart a voice. Become aware of the emotions you're experiencing, and learn how to manage them in healthy ways. Keep in mind that God has designed your emotions to work together with your thoughts so you can make the best possible decisions. Your emotions give you valuable information that you can then process through your thoughts.
Ask God to help you accurately identify what you're feeling each day in various situations.
Rather than judging your emotions, consider what they are trying to tell you. When you feel frustration, joy, sadness, hurt, fear, or any other type of emotion, what does that mean?
Once you've figured out what you're feeling and why you're feeling it, start guiding your emotions toward what you want to feel in your marriage.
Identify your specific desires for your marriage. Then, instead of expecting your spouse to give you what you want (because he or she is bound to fall short), turn to God with your desires. Regularly pray about what you want your marriage to be like, and trust God to bring about the transformation for which you're hoping, as long as you and your spouse cooperate with Him.
Bring your negative emotions to God and ask Him to replace them with positive emotions in your life.
Whenever your emotions get stirred up, rather than blaming your spouse, consider what you may be doing yourself to intensify your own feelings. Look at your thoughts and thought patterns, interpretations, judgments, perceptions, expectations, fears, past hurts, beliefs, family-of-origin issues, and anything else that may be affecting your emotions. Then consider how you can best respond to your emotions.
Avoid unhealthy actions like ignoring, suppressing, judging, or minimizing your feelings; viewing your feelings as facts; impulsively acting on them; or spewing them on others.
Figure out some healthy responses from which you could choose to manage any emotion that comes your way: taking deep breaths, praying, going for a walk, journaling, talking to a friend, cleaning your house, reading a book, etc.
Deal with a wounded heart. Life in this fallen world wounds you and your spouse's hearts by attacking them with false messages (such as: "You're not valuable"). The messages on your hearts affect how you see yourselves and how you interact with the world.
Ask God to help you identify the false messages that have attacked your hearts and wounded them.
Does your heart make you feel: rejected, abandoned, disconnected, a failure, helpless, powerless, inadequate, inferior, invalidated, unloved, undesirable, worthless, judged, ignored, unimportant, misunderstood, disrespected, defective, or some other harmful message?
Then replace those lies with biblical truth.
Search the Bible for specific verses that line up against the lies with which you've been struggling, and memorize those verses.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to renew your mind so you can see yourself from God's perspective and think right thoughts about yourself.
Talk to some people you trust (such as friends, mentors, or a trained psychologist) for counsel and encouragement.
Care for your heart by nurturing yourself (such as by maintaining a close prayer connection to God, nurturing healthy friendships, setting healthy boundaries in your life, journaling your feelings, eating whenever you're hungry, and sleeping whenever you're tired).
Deal with a fearful heart. Create an emotionally safe environment for you and your spouse to relate to each other, so both of you feel safe to truly open up and be known at a deep, intimate level. Each of you should be able to open and reveal who you really are and know that your spouse will still love, understand, accept, and value you no matter what.
Avoid behaviors that erode trust, like:
criticism, angry reactions, threats, withdrawal, sarcasm, broken promises, nagging, judgment, harsh words, defensiveness, manipulation, teasing, deception, negative assumptions and jumping to conclusions, bringing up the past over and over, and refusing to forgive.
Recognize your spouse's value.
Ask God to help you honor your spouse -- no matter what -- because he or she is God's priceless gift to you and has a position in your life that's worthy of great respect. Treat your spouse in valuable ways, such as by: praying for and with your spouse, listening to your spouse with your full attention, validating your spouse's feelings, considering your spouse's point of view, notice your spouse's good qualities, thank your spouse for what he or she does for you, serve your spouse in ways that are meaningful for him or her, honor your spouse's boundaries, spend lots of time with your spouse, be honest and trustworthy with your spouse, forgive your spouse, and reassure your spouse of your unconditional love for him or her.
Deal with an exhausted heart. If you don't intentionally plan regular time with your spouse and time to recharge yourself, the busyness of life will take over and your marriage will suffer.
Slow down the pace of your lifestyle and simplify your schedule.
Build in plenty of time for rest, reflection, and prayer. Learn when and how to say "no" to pursuits that don't relate directly to your core values, so you'll be free to focus on what's most important and let the rest go.
Get rid of stuff that clutters your house and demands your time and energy to deal with it. Refuse to allow our culture's standards to define your value by what you look like, what you do, or what you own.
Find your true value in the fact that God has made you and redeemed you, and He loves you.
Ask God to help you become whole and full emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically so you'll have the energy and resources necessary to love your spouse fully and unconditionally.
Fight for your spouse's heart. Conflict is inevitable in marriage. But it doesn't have to harm your relationship; it can actually strengthen it. If you and your spouse respond to conflict in a healthy way, conflict will become the doorway to intimacy between you because it will deepen your understanding of each other.
Consider how both you and your spouse tend to react to conflict now.
Responding with "fight" behavior -- defensiveness, anger, going into fix-it mode, escalation, criticism, sarcasm, blame, or belittling comments -- won't promote the intimate connections you want to make. Neither will responding with "flight" behavior: withdrawal, negative beliefs, shut-down mode, isolation, numbing out, over-functioning, stonewalling, or passive-aggressive behavior.
Instead of becoming your spouse's adversary in conflict and causing your hearts to close to each other, open your hearts to God.
Pray for the ability to embrace, appreciate, and deal with you and your spouse's differences in healthy ways. Ask God to show you what emotional buttons your spouse is pushing through the conflict and how that makes you feel. Also ask God to reveal how you're pushing your spouse's emotional buttons through the conflict. Then pray for the power you need to gain control over the conflict and use it to accomplish something constructive in your relationship.
Care for your spouse's heart. Your spouse has an amazingly valuable and incredibly vulnerable heart, just as you do.
Keep the promise you made in your wedding vows to care for each other.
Communicate to understand by agreeing on when it's a good time to talk, agreeing on the goal of each conversation (connecting emotionally, or trying to fix something), and checking during the conversation to make sure you're still both staying on track and understanding each other.
Avoid communication pitfalls, such as trying to figure out: who is right or wrong, who is to blame or at fault, and what was said or what really happened.
Avoid destructive behaviors like: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. During difficult interactions, say to your spouse: "Help me understand" so he or she knows you truly care.
Ask God to open the eyes of your heart toward your spouse and give you compassion for him or her.
Respect how valuable and vulnerable your spouse's heart is by treating it gently.
Set aside your temptation to blame your spouse and focus on simply caring for him or her instead.
Express empathy ("I feel what you're feeling, and I want to share in your joy or pain.") and validation ("What you're feeling matters to me and you matter to me.") toward your spouse.
Speak to your spouse's heart. Give your spouse words of encouragement every day.
Honor, motivate, and call out your spouse's spiritual gifts and natural talents.
Find out what wounds and fear your spouse is struggling with, and what you can say to encourage your spouse to pursue healing.
Consider people's most common intimacy needs -- acceptance, affection, appreciation, approval, attention, comfort, encouragement, respect, security, and support -- and do what you can to help meet your spouse's intimacy needs through your marriage.
Understand people's love languages -- words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch -- and express your love for your spouse in ways that best speak his or her specific love language.
Celebrate with your spouse's heart. Bring fun and laughter into your marriage often. Humor increases intimacy, reduces stress, and increases positive emotions. Intentionally turn toward your spouse each day to help prevent drifting apart. Spend as much time as you can together.
As much as possible, do your everyday chores and errands together rather than separately.
Pray with your spouse often. Share your dreams with each other regularly.
Schedule dates whenever you can.
Talk frequently about what God is doing in each of your lives.
Learn something new together, such as through trying a new activity or taking a class.
Serve others together by doing volunteer work side-by-side.
Surprise your spouse by doing something unexpected every now and then (such as by playing a loving practical joke on him or her or planning a romantic getaway trip).
Reminisce about the positive events that have happened over the course of your marriage, and recall what qualities about each other first attracted you to each other. Protect your fun activities from being ruined by conflict by agreeing to talk about issues at other times instead of while you're trying to have fun together


Willie A. Farrow, Pastor
Saint Luke Missionary Baptist Church
1500 Fountain Avenue
Panama City, Florida 32405
850-769-4195 P
850-522-1429 F

Visit Bible Study Blog at www.Saintlukepc.org and leave comments

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Hindered Pray Life

" Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both." ( Proverbs 24: 17-22 ) Many times we believe that we are somehow vendicated when people we don't like suffer, but wee must take care not to envolve ourself in sin. Each time we committed sin and our prayers hindered because iniquity is in my hearts ( Psalms 66:18 ). Today, many of us are surrounded by people who want to do us harm. We must pray for those individuals lost in sin, and not wish evil upon them. Do not let the devil or the flesh cause you to sin and have your prayers hindered. People will only see Christ if we do good to those who do us wrong. Are you rejoicing in someone's downfall? If so, remember, " If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." ( Psalms 66:18 )..." Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." ( Romans 12: 17-21 )

Not his to have... not his to give

" Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." ( Matthew 4: 8-10 ) Satan has showed things to many of us. He show us cars, money, women, men, clothes, alcohol, drugs, homes and what power over people could do. We worship him and acquired some things, hoping for power; which led to our downfall. Today, many of us have fallen for this same trick. Now, we find ourselves overburdened with debt; dependent on drugs and alcohol to cope; worrying about whether our jobs will be there the next day and trying to maintain a lifestyle that caters to man more than God. This is what Satan does. He will give you something for a season, but what he gives you is meant to destroy us not save us. In today economy marriages are coming apart at the seams, men and women of positions and power are under investigation like never before and some are turning to desperate measure. We must remember, " If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." ( Colossians 3: 1-2 )..." The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness." ( 2 Peter 3: 9-11 )

Follow Righteousness

" There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." ( 1 Corinthians 10: 13 ) During these time of challenges many are tempted to seek relief from our financial woes... we must remember that God blessed us the first time and loves us that He desires nothing but good for us. Let us encourage each other in this down time for the Lord will lift us up if we don't give up on Him in this season of drought. ( Ephesians 4:30 ) The forces of evil would like us to believe that all is lost and give up on God. IF we call on the Lord for help in the midst of temptation, he will provide a way of escape. Will you take the escape or continue on the path to sin? Remember, " Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." ( 2 Timothy 2:22 )...." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." ( James 4: 7 )

Don't be overcome by evil!!

" And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." ( Galatians 6: 9-10 ) Have you ever been in a situation that no matter how much you did what was right, things continued to get worse? I have, and many times I wanted to stop doing what the Bible said and start doing what my flesh said. My flesh and ego tells me that I don't need these hassles! But the Holy Spirit reminds me that God brought me through those situations before, but I realized that he was working pride and arrogance out of me. Today, many of us are in situations where we work hard and can not get a raise or promotion. The state of the economy is that we are working more and have less. There is more month left at the end of our money, more people are asking for help, many are growing tired and the voice of doubt is speaking louder and louder. We are in situations where we are nice to people and respect them, yet feel like they treat us like dirt. If you are experiencing these situations, this e-mail is to encourage you to continue to do what the spirit of God requires of the Children of faith. God will work things out if you don't give up. However, it may not come in the way you expect it. Remember, " And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience; and experience, hope. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." ( Romans 5: 3-5 ) Therefore, " Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." ( Romans 12:21 )

LET US LOVE IN DEED AND TRUTH

" In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far." ( Mark 8: 1-3 ) Jesus Christ had compassion on people he had never met. When He saw a need, he fulfilled that need without asking for an offering; a thank you; and without boasting about what he had done. Today, many of us see people in need, however instead of helping these individuals and glorifying Christ, we have to pray; get permission from a pastor, an elders or a deacon; or go tell everyone about what we did. It is so easy for us to cast a judgement about others situation with knowing all the facts. We act as if others experiences are just like ours. Christ knew He was the son of God but never considered himself too good to serve us. He said 'I came to serve, not to be served'. Jesus Christ has showed compassion to all of us; it is time we do the same for others. Remember, " But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3: 17-18)

A Nasty and Perverse Tongue

" A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers.

Frowardness is in his heart,
He deviseth mischief continually;
He soweth discord.
Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly;
Suddenly shall he be broken without remedy." ( Proverbs 6: 12-15 )

Many of us have to deal with co-workers, bosses, and family members who have a nasty and perverse tongue. These people vex your spirit whenever they come around, even before they say a word. I encourage each of you to pray for these individuals, because we are commanded to do so. Prayer will also help you to endure this sin nature and overcome their unclean spirit. Getting upset and arguing with the spirit of Satan will only give Him more power over you. You will find yourself wearing this Satan spirit like a shadow; it will wake up with you and go to sleep with you! Remember, " For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." ( 1 Peter 2: 21-23 )

The Joy of the Lord is My Stengh

"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our lord; neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." ( Nehemiah 8:10 ) Joy for many of us is meeting sales goals; being recognized for doing a good job; making money; obtaining material things; having a spouse or significant other love us; being highly esteemed among men; or having power and control over people. Sadly, many of us are never satisfied because none of the aforementioned things will last; are consistent; nor will provide us with the strength to deal with life's trials as they come. The only consistent joy any of us will ever have is the joy in surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ. There are those who don't know Christ... they have heard of Him but don't know Him. Let us pray for them today so they can come to a place of completion in their spirit and that thier faith in Christ is increasted day by day. " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ( Matthew 11: 28-30 )

The Fearful and the Unbelieving

" 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 )..." For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." ( Hebrews 4: 15 ) Many of us have overcome terminal illnesses, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, depression, obesity, credit woes and economic distress. While these are all worthwhile accomplishments, they mean nothing if we have not overcome sin. Jesus Christ was tempted with everything that we are being tempted with today, yet he overcame the temptation and never sinned. He expects us to do the same. We will all die of something one day. However, we can not die in sin and expect to spend eternity with the Lord. Remember, " He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimestone: which is the second death....And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21: 7-8, 27)

Believe and Be Baptized

" And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein ye are also risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses..." (Colossians 2: 10-13) When we finish working out, running, or doing yard work, we use soap and water to cleanse ourselves. We do this because society tells us to be clean. We trust the makers of Ivory, Coast, Irish Spring, and Dial. Jesus Christ commands us to be baptized for the remission of sins and we disobey him. Rather, we listen to denomination after denomination distort the Word of God (Matthew 15:9; Titus 1:14) . We let denominations tell us to just believe and we will be saved. Believing will not wash away our sins. Salvation is a process defined by God, not man. We do not have the power to change ourselves; only belief in Jesus Christ can do that (John 15:5). Have you been circumcised by Christ? If not, remember, " Then Phillip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8: 35-38)...He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)

Have you chosen life???

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." ( James 4:8 ) Many of us are being taught that God will come to us, regardless of how we are living. This is a false teaching. We must make the choice to come to God through his Son, Jesus Christ. This requires hearing God's Word ( Romans 10:17); believing God's Word ( Mark 16:16); repenting of our sins ( Luke 13:3 ); confessing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour ( Matthew 10:32, Romans 10:9 ); and being baptized for the remission of sin ( Acts 2:38 ). We can not draw closer to God while willfully living in sin. Do not be fooled into thinking that giving money and doing works while in sin is pleasing to God. Consider your time in study, prayer and meditation. Remember, " But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil. In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passeth over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deuteronomy 31:14-19)

Christ a Sure Foundation

" For we are labourers together with God; ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." ( 1 Corinthians 3: 9-11 ) My foundations were what people thought about me; material possessions, prestege, the sound of hands clapping approval... all of those things that man can give and take away. I soon realized that I could not depend on; afford, satisfy, or build upon any of the aforementioned foundations. The only foundation that any of us can depend on is that of the Jesus Christ. We must continue to build upon our faith in Christ if we are to spend eternity with him. Remember, " Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone." ( Ephesians 2: 19-20 )..." And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." ( 2 Peter 1: 5-10)

The Path to Distruction

" Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) Many times I have been denied access to an event or a gated community because I either left late; forgot an access code or card; or failed to let someone know that I was coming. I was left with a feeling of helplessness and frustration. Those feelings will be nothing compared to the feeling of being denied access to the gates of heaven. Our access to heaven depends on the life we choose to live here on earth. It depends on whether we choose to serve Jesus Christ or Satan. Will you have gate trouble on judgment day? Remember, " And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." ( Revelation 20: 12-15 )..." And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." ( Revelation 21:27 )

Hear From God Be Heal

" For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, That do I not; but what I hate, that I do....For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now, if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God: but with the flesh the law of sin." ( Romans 7: 15, 19-25 ) After being delivered from the bondage of alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality and the love of money; we find ourselves falling into the sin of gossiping and complaining. We know that we should not do those things, however sometime it appears that we cannot help ourselves. Sometime we cannot wait to join in on a pity party, or find someone to tell how badly things were going. Hypocritically, we then pray to God to help us ( He does not hearing us ), because we donot exercise self control ( temperance ) to help oursleves... If my people called by my name should humble themselves and pray, turn from their wicket ways, seek my face then I will hear from heaven and heal their land. Once we repented and renewed our mind, Christ will give us the strength to stop gossiping and complaining. Today, all of us are struggling with something and the only answer is Jesus Christ. There is nothing good in our flesh, however a renewed mind surrendered to Christ, will allow us to walk in the spirit ( Galatians 5:16 ). What are you struggling with today? Remember, " For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it." ( Acts 28: 28-29 )..." Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

" So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)...." And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe." ( Acts 15:7 )..."But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." ( James 1: 22 ) Had I believed the gospel that I heard and done what the word told me to do; I would not have spoken evil of anyone. I would not have complained when people did me wrong and when afflictions came my way. I would not have doubted when financial hardships arose. I would not have participated in gossip sessions; nor would I have compromised my integrity just to please someone in authority over me. Today, many of us remain in hardships and without peace of mind because we do not believe what the word of God says. We are quick to quote scripture, but do not live it day to day. The best teachers of the gospel are those that work day by day to show the love of Christ in them. Many can talk a good game but do you love your brothers and sisters enough to make sure that you are there for them in a time of need? Do you believe and do what you hear? If not, remember, " And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." ( Matthew 14:58 )..." But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)