Stumble Proof

"Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."
~Psalms 37:24~

Reading this verse I thought back to when we as kids were starting to learn to walk and how we stumbled so easily. I have heard so many stories of when I was a toddler and taking my first adventurous steps into this world. One that never fails to make me laugh is when I was a year old or so and was at my god-mother's house. I was in her backyard and chasing a little calico kitten. My mom said I was toddling along and almost had that little kitty! But she just darted off suddenly and I ended up stumbling, falling flat on my head with my butt in the air.

I wasn't a very happy camper about that and pretty much howled my indignation at not getting the kitten to pet and play with. Mom and Aunt Nellie both ran out to calm me down and mom being the overprotective mom that she was, of course, had to check and make sure there were no bumps, broken bones, etc. Pretty much the only thing hurt was my strong will to catch that kitty. But even that wasn't hurt for too long as I ended up chasing her again.

Stumbling is something I do well & make into a fine art form as I can easily trip over my own feet. Recently while leaving work I was walking to my friend's car and without paying any attention to where I was walking, stumbled head first over a parking bump. I bruised not only my ego from embarrassment as everyone on the docks saw it but my knee and one of my arms was scuffed up badly. Stumbling can be very painful but in adults it can be prevented so easily..just be aware.

Spiritually it's the same deal. It's tough enough in the world to try to figure stuff out without God helping us "get it". But if we try without God's help that's what will eventually happen. A spiritual "stumble".

A Scripture I really love says:

"This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us." (1 John 1:5-9)

1 John 1:5 says it foremost God is Light. He is our continued source of Divine light. It is only our willfulness to do things our own way that gets in the way of making our path less rocky and unbalanced.

Usually I find in stumbling situations that it usually is a matter of pride and ego-ridden reactions to stuff that happens in our lives. Creating oftentimes a victim mentality. Pride itself is a sin and is a sin for a reason as pride can lead to so much unnecessary drama and situations. Sin and stumbling happens so quickly as a result of pride. A prideful person is just in short "full of it" (Psalm 36: 1-2)

In prideful situations we tend to look on our own capabilities and not look to and rely on the hand of God in our lives. Like the ultimate Parent God wants to make sure that His children have no stumbling blocks in their paths. He will send indicators to wake us up if we get too far away from Him spiritually and start stumbling. Spiritual wake up calls.

"No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges; He brings one down, He exalts another."
~Psalm 75:6-7~

As our Light and Source of Life, He will never give up on any of us. Today make it a plan to seek out the knowledge of Christ as your Lord, Savior, Guide and prayerfully submit to His Guidance.

"Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble."
~Psalms 119.165~

Stepping out of the darkness around you and into the light that is Christ and Christ alone. Step out in faith knowing that He has charted the course already and will get you there. Believe. Trust. Pray. Hope. Know.

"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."
~2Corinthians 3:5~

Other Scriptural Testimonies of God being our Light and Shield:

"He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light."
~Job 33:28~

"Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because He has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."
~John 3:18-20~



Forever Reign--Passion Worship Band



Break The Chains- Misty Edwards

The Lord's Clinic

"Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved,
for You are the one I praise"

~Jeremiah 17:14~

God's name is Jehovah-rapha ~ the God who heals.

In Exodus 15:22-26 God wanted the children of Israel to learn an important principle: when things are difficult, run to God. Listening and obeying Him will bring healing. (click on verse to read it)

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like an eagle; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint ~Isaiah 40:28-31~ (NIV)




Here In My Life - Darlene Zschech

Breathe

this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm I'm lost without you



this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm I'm lost without you

And I, I'm desperate for you,
And I, I'm lost without you,

I'm lost without you,

I'm lost without you.

I'm desperate for you.

I'm desperate for you

this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm lost without you

© Michael W Smith Breathe




Breathe - Michael W Smith

The Desert Song

The Desert Song

Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides


Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames


Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain


I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here


Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand



Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship


Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

© Hillsong



The Desert Song-Hillsong

Seeking and finding Deliverance!

Read Exodus 15 (click here)

Approaching the theme of deliverance I can't help but think of the example of Moses and The Israelites. After centuries of being enslaved in bondage, thousands of former slaves see The Lord work in marvelous ways to deliver them. From witnessing plagues to the most utter wonder of walking through a path of a raised Sea for hours as God holds back their enemies. In the end they witness the utter destruction of their enemies at the path of nature's and God's wrath. A powerful army at that! Can you imagine what that would look like to you after having been enslaved your entire life?!

As a result the Israelites began a sacred holiday called The Passover which commemorated the intervention of God to protect His chosen people during a time of retribution on Pharoah and his government who refused to deliver His people. The ultimate victory was The Lord's in that through this His people were indeed delivered!

This example shows how powerful God is and YES! He can deliver even in this present age. It comes down to our faith. How much faith do we have that He can deliever us to a happier more fulfilled place?

Faith is not just a belief in God but instead it's a belief that ALL things are possible with God! (Matthew 19:26)

It is not by our strength we can achieve deliverance but only through the will of God. (Ephesians 1:11)God already has a plan mapped out for us but first we need to seek out what that map is for our lives and trust Him to lead us to it.

Even if it is seemingly impossible. Which is where I am at right now in my own walk. Remember God made us and meant for us to fulfill His destiny for us!

To work towards your walk to deliverance several things must be kept in mind and done.

#1 Acknowledge what is holding you back from achieving then RENOUNCE it.
Whether it's a thought pattern i.e. I am not good enough, I am unable to get this job because I don't have a degree, my husband (or wife) is an unbeliever and will not listen nor shows an interest in God. (Fill in yours)

A popular phrase is if God can take you to it, He'll get you through it!

If it's God's will for you to have this job, this career, have the dream home, have the harmonious relationship, etc..you will have that job, that home, that peace.

Because Jehovah Jireh is Jehovah Jireh! (God will provide!)

I am for sure now at this point in my own walk seeking a full deliverance as I am pretty good at using those tired lame excuses myself. But bottom line...if it's God's will don't be surprised if it materializes out of thin air. So RENOUNCE them voices!

#2 FORGIVE! Yes!! Too many times feelings we hold towards others are what holds us back from moving forward. Forgiveness is a commandment for a reason people. It's to help YOU move forward as how often do you think that person simmers on the event that is holding you back or events? Release. Let Go. Move forward.

#3. Submit to God's will.
Our will gets us no where often than not. God knows what He is doing whereas we stumble about sometimes making mistake after mistake. Who knows what's best for us better than who created us?

#4. Be Responsible and Own it!
If you have done things that have either hurt yourself or others then bottom line you need to take responsibility for it.

Be responsible to God for it and then to who you have hurt.

There's true liberation in owning up. As God teaches us to walk blameless with our fellow man (Philippians 2:15 Psalms 15: 2-5)He tells us that for a reason.

Nothing tears more at peace than to have something weighing on your conscience and to have problems arise with someone. Be clear with God and be clear with yourself and others! Release it! Let Go!

#5 Terminate what causes you to backslide!

Matthew 5:30 says "And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."

Only we can gauge what causes us to look away from our path with God and ultimate deliverance. But whatever it is we need to just utterly get it away from us and quick as the longer we hold onto something that's holding us back..the stronger the hold will be.

I am walking my path to deliverance as we speak and my hope is others will also learn to walk this same path. As nothing is more important or holds more importance than our relationship with God and fulfilling His purposes in our lives.

Mat God speak to you today and show you the path to finding deliverance. If He has shown you this path give praise as like the Israelites of old a marvelous power has been manifested in your life!

Let today be the start!

Awakening - Jesus Culture



Breal Every Chain -Kim Walker and Jesus Culture

Ephesians 4:29

"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."
~Ephesians 4:29~


Foul language bottom line is something God hates! The Lord counsels us to watch using this in our speech as it is destructive (Proverbs 4:24). It is very disrespectful and can cause harm (Proverbs 11:9).

Sometimes people attach God's name to a profanity and actually "curse" on God Himself which is so very wrong. We are to be respectful of God's name bottom line, period! If we use His name in a disrespectful way we will be held accountable for this! (Exodus 20:7) Plus by uttering this profanity on people is to condemn them and condemning others is a sin. (Romans 2:1)


The use of foul language is more frequent these days than it was a century ago when using certain profane words was frowned upon. As a child if I were to use "salty" language, there was no way I could sit down for a week! Though I learned these "words" from him, my dad would tell me that it was "improper" for a young lady to say those things. He also stopped using them himself when I was 6 because he gave his life to God. But he often said he wished he hadn't used certain words in my presence because now he had to train me not to use those. He did a good job because for many years I had a tough time saying certain words because I would think I don't want to make either of my fathers (God or daddy) mad at me. But by mid-teens I fell victim to uttering them. Now as an adult trying to serve God I am aware of how wrong the use of certain words are and work hard to not use those.

The use of foul language in some instances is a federal violation.

When I was in high school I took part in a club called Jr. Broadcasting Club sponsored by my local radio station WLNC. When George Adams, one of the djs at WLNC; started giving us the ins and outs of what to do and what not to do on air, one of the things he mentioned was that it was against FCC regulations to say so much as "darn" over the airwaves. In fact a station could be fined heavily or lose their license.

So a few years later it was surprising to me to hear songs being played over the radio that contained curse words.

In fact the use of certain terms, words, etc is just so commonplace anymore as you hear them on tv, in music, in movies, read them in books etc. It's like as a society we are numb to the shock value and what the power of these words can hold. In fact, these words are no longer as frowned upon as it was, say 100 years ago.

In doing some minor research on this topic, I found a number of polls online that asked about the frequency of the use of swear words. Looking at the various responses in the polls I found, it appeared mixed. Most used "frequently" while a few stated "rarely". On a poll about the usage in movies, I noted a couple of responses where one stated portrayal of characters should show "real life" as in "real life" swearing is common - one stated that it's "realistic".

Bottom line it's common but does it mean everyone should use it? Would you want your kids using these words? Many of these words are very ugly and disrespectful. Involving the Holy name of God is the highest form of disrespect..to HIM and even to yourself. How hard is it instead to focus on things that build up others as opposed to things that tear a person down or make them feel uncomfortable?

The things we say can either be a source of bringing someone peace, happiness or it can cause problems for them and harm rather than help. The Bible says we are to love one another (John 13:34, 35)and to disrespect anyone or anything is not showing love. The Bible says we are to guard our tongues. Especially when we are angry. (Ephesians 4:25-32)The Bible also says we are to first and foremost give GLORY to God in everything we do(1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 6:20) Don't DAMN HIM! Use your words to worship the Lord instead! In fact we should be appalled at the use of certain words and not allow those words to come from our lips. In the end, it's in our power in what we choose to say. If you let a very bad word slip then apologize immediately to God and to the person you said it to even and work towards not using the language for any reason.

Let your words be used for good and not for bad.(Luke 6:45 view Scripture) Don't follow the masses but instead choose to do the right thing. In the process you bless your God who has done so much to bless you! Pray for and bless others as that is far more needed than curses, build and not break. Peace and love giving glory to God and one another.


I link each verse so it can be viewed. Please take a moment to view each Scripture used in this devotional by clicking on each Scripture in each(verse).

Blessings -Laura Story

Nothing Just Happens!

I was recently blessed to come across this series by the magnificent T.D. Jakes and I gotta tell you this is some powerful stuff! Listening to this I was in tears at times, not sad ones but tears of release. I don't find myself shouting often at video ministries but this one had me shouting, clapping so yes it is very very powerful stuff!

His message is timely. It heals. It's potent and very Spirit-filled! I gotta say a PRAISE YOU JESUS for this message and I am sharing it because I am positive it will bless many lives who come across it. Get ready to be on fire for God!

Part of the powerful Let It Go Series

Nothing Just Happens Part 1 T.D Jakes
Nothing Just Happens Part 2 T.D Jakes
Nothing Just Happens Part 3 T.D Jakes







©T.D. Jakes Ministries The Potters House

Psalms 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."
~ Psalm 119:105~

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
(NIV)

"Your word is a lamp before my feet, and a light for my journey. "
(Common English Bible)

Above are various translations of this powerful and truthful verse found in Psalms 119. I can give testimony that when I get myself thoroughly drenched in His word that there have been times when I have received a prompting to try something or to do something. I also of late have received direct guidance on situations where I have had no idea quite how to handle things. I will pray about it and be directed right to a verse in the Bible that offers discernment and wisdom.

I think of the Bible as our manual. Just like when you purchase an item & you get instructions in a manual that tells you how to best use it. For instance you purchase an electronic item and within the manual it will say keep free from direct heat or exposure to heat as an instruction. Or perhaps it tells you to clean the item with just a dry cloth as if you used chemicals you could damage the item. These are instructions on how to best care for your possession. In the same thinking God's Word can be applied as our manual for having a healthy, peaceful and balanced life. God created us so He would know how best to guide us and what is best for us.

In many ways God's Word offers us so many testimonies and illustrations of how God has dealt in the lives of His people in the past and many of these are just as timely today. God Himself is a source of Light and in Him there is no confusion. Only in us not listening to His guidance will we find confusion.

The Bible tells us in 1 John 1: 5-7

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

To stay within His Word means to live within His Spirit. Within Him there is no darkness. Only light and salvation.

In closing, Psalms 119 says God's direction is a source of Light and as long as we trust His direction, we will never be in darkness again.



Thy Word Praise 9

How Active Giving For Reality Rally Works!

Active Giving Fundraising is a way to donate proceeds (credited towards a Survivor or any reality star participating and raising funds through their Page on the website) with the proceeds going towards mammograms for those in need through Michelle's Place Each mammogram costs $400 and the more funds raised through donating to the Active Giving fund the more this will benefit those in need.

The star or person who raises $1100 will be rewarded with a hot air balloon ride which is cool! Below are some links to Pages to donate towards a star who is participating. Click on the link of the person you would like to sponsor and a donation can be made to Active Giving credited to them by clicking on the banner beneath their bio. Not only will you be helping raise funds towards mammograms that are so needed but as stated earlier the one who raises the most is rewarded something cool as well! Win-Win!

Survivor and some Reality Links on Active Giving

Ashley Trainer (Survivor Samoa	Ben Henry Survivor Nicaragua	Billy Garcia Survivor Cook Islands	Bob Crowley Survivor Gabon
Brooke Stephens Survivor Guatemala	Brooke Stephens Survivor Guatemala	Chris Daughtery Survivor Vanuatu	Dawn Meehan Survivor South Pacific
Earl Cole Survivor Fiji	Eliza Orlins Survivor Seasons Vanuatu/Fan vs Favorites-Micronesia	Gillian Larson Survivor Gabon	Julie Berry Survivor Vanuatu
Laura Morett Survivor Samoa	Marcus Lehman Survivor Gabon	Phillip Sheppard Survivor Redemption Island	Randy Bailey Survivor Gabon
Rita Verreos Survivor Fiji	Sandra Diaz Twine Survivor Pearl Islands Survivor Heroes vs Villains	James Miller Survivor Palau	Mark "Papa Bear" Caruso Survivor South Pacific
Joshua Bogart Reality Super Fan	Kendra Guffey Pirate Master	Jodi Witchetski The Amazing Race	Michelle Noonan Big Brother

I Support Reality Rally!

Reality Rally



My friend Gillian Larson is hosting her second annual Reality Rally with the proceeds benefiting the cancer resource center Michelle's Place It was an amazing event last year with lots of support from local Temecula businesses as well as support worldwide. Below is a video from last year featuring Team Erin which included a real life cancer survivor named Erin and two of her friends with a wonderful Survivor cast member Holly Hoffman!



The idea for this awesome event came to Gillian while she was still filming Survivor Gabon season and it took a bit but it came to fruition and is growing yearly!



Please take a moment to check out the Rally on Reality Rally Page on Facebook as well as the website. Great event for a great cause with lots of fun stuff awaiting!

Psalms 139

Psalm 139

New International Version (NIV)
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.



Psalms 139--Mercy Me



Indescribsble - Chris Tomlin


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The Costs Of Anger

For this ministry I decided to touch on something that all of us at some point in our lives have dealt with. Namely anger. Anger is not a healthy emotion to have or to cling onto as it can do more harm than good.

Mark Twain said of anger: "Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured". In reality, anger hurts no one but the person who is struggling with it.

I myself usually try to avoid situations that can make me angry as I am a sensitive individual. It takes a lot to really upset me but when it happens it's often hard to just brush it off.

I'd like to share some thoughts of when I was struggling with a deep seated hurt caused by someone who I trusted as a friend. I won't go into the details but I had thought I had worked through it, released it and let it go, until a reminder brought those same feelings back. It became a journey in the process of releasing it to God and working through the various feelings that would occasionally crop up.

In truth, God has been amazing and has brought into my life wonderful people who have listened and counseled. As a result it has helped me start to resolve it. Had it not been for my faith and the wisdom of these Godly people, I doubt I would be on the road to recovery from this. As the anger I felt, seemed so embedded.

But I have come to understand that emotions are a choice. You can choose to be miserable and angry at something or you can choose to look for something that you learned from the experience. Once you have gained the insight from it, release it all to God and move on.

It's not always that simple at the outset. But when you truly trust God to handle anything He will. Plus He will offer the means to find answers and peace for any painful situation.

As I struggled with walking this to Him the following verses brought insight, wisdom and even comfort:

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
~James 1:19,20~

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." ~Proverbs 29:11~

"Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold."
~Ephesians 4:26-27~

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men."
~Hebrews 12:14~

This verse meant so much to me from Hebrews as who really wants to have bitter, painful feelings when you think of someone? Instead it's better for you as a person to simply work to make peace and strive for peace. It's healthier physically and spiritually to find a peaceable solution even if it's solely for your own sake.

Health wise this can result from having anger within you:

From About.com © Stress Management comes this:

"One study from the University of Washington School of Nursing cited previous evidence that anger problems and depressive symptoms have been linked to all major causes of death."

Any internet search and general study will show that anger induced depression is a direct cause of smoking, over-eating and alcoholism which can lead to hypertension, heart problems and even cancer and most addictions.

In His Word God tells us:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"

~Matthew 5:43-46~

Yes it is a challenge to love and to even pray for the ones who have hurt or angered you. Though it was tough at first as I continued prayer for their specific needs I found it easier to start the release process. Remember God knows us better than we can ever imagine and His Word is our manual for the tough stuff and how to overcome it. Plus it never hurts to have a blessing said or friends pray with you as well through the process.

A wonderful quote from Cherie Carter-Scott says it all and well: "Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were."

If you are struggling with anger or feelings that have arisen as a result of an experience that made you angry please seek out people to counsel you through it. Above all seek God's direction and His will and help. For as we read at Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."




Jaci Velazquez - Flower In The Rain



On My Knees - Jaci Velazquez