A New Beginning

I hope you had a great Christmas.  What do you know this is the last Friday in the month of December in the year 2012. This year has certainly gone by very quickly. How was 2012 for you?  Some of us started out 2012 with a lot of plans and dreams which somehow never materialized. Some of us made a lot of mistakes and bad decisions in 2012. Some of us may have gotten promoted, or demoted or lost jobs. Some may have gotten married or divorced or found that person of your dreams that you are now dating. Well I must say that this was an extremely difficult and challenging year for me and my family.  I felt like everything that could possibly happen came at us- the worst being the loss of my 28 year old son. Although bruised and battered and not understanding a lot of what has happened, I am still thanking God for His goodness and His faithfulness.  I know that because of His incredible love for me He will turn to good what was meant for bad. However, in whatever state we find ourselves, 2013 is looming around the corner and ready or not it will be here in a few days.  A new year heralds a new beginning; it signifies a second chance at our goals, dreams and aspirations.  Let's move forward! We can't undo what has been done in 2012 we have to now pick up the pieces and try to make our picture from a different angle. For those who had a good year, you also have a chance to make it even better.

 Here are a few suggestions for 2013:

Let us start by celebrating the New Year with thanking God in spite of what was.

Let us endeavor for a closer walk with God by praying more and reading the Word more.

Let us walk more in love and forgiveness, kindness and patience.

Let us not live with regrets; “I should”, or “I wish I could”.  Instead let us resolve with, “I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil 4:13.

Let us endeavor to enjoy our everyday life on purpose

Don't procrastinate in doing what God has called you to do.

In His Service,

Vilma

Its Not Just a Holiday

I wish for you a very happy Friday evening. Yesterday we completed our “50 States in 50 days” of praying for our children. I hope you were as blessed as I was praying each day. I had a wonderful experience, even just becoming familiar with the names of the various States alphabetically was awesome. Well in case you missed this experience, do not despair as I mentioned before, starting in January we will continue our prayers for children of various nations. Please stay tuned for more information.

In 4 more days it will be Christmas, one of the most important days for Christians as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately this has become much commercialized and most people spend hundreds of dollars and a lot of time shopping for gifts. Credit cards will be maxed out in trying to make sure we get everyone that very special gift.  There is nothing wrong with giving people gifts, but we should never make it the reason for Christmas.  Most of these gifts that you buy will be taken back to the stores or re-gifted or will be left in the box untouched, and then there are those gifts that will get broken by the end of the first day. Some of us who will receive gifts may be disappointed with it, because it does not meet with our expectations. In other words these gifts are not lasting.

Let me suggest that this year we do things a little differently. Let us resolve not to use our credit cards to shop. If you cannot pay for it in cash leave it alone. Do not be stuck with a bill to start the New Year. Next, you do not have to get every gift your child has on their Christmas list.  How about choosing two of the most important ones and reward them throughout the year with the rest you were not able to get for Christmas. They may be temporarily upset on Christmas day, but can you imagine their delight throughout the year receiving these gifts they may have forgotten about.

 I suggest that we give gifts that are needed and lasting such as the gift of forgiveness that you have held up for so many years from that friend or relative that badly needs it. How about giving the gifts of love, mercy, kindness and joy? You may not have thought about it but these are very valuable and lasting gifts that bring a smile each time they are given. If you think about it Christmas time can get very lonely for a lot of people. Some are depressed, others are sad, let us bring to them the message of hope, and remind them that Jesus Christ the Savior is born. Remind them: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.(Isaiah 9:6). One good thing is that this won’t cost you anything monetary and if it does it will not be an arm and a leg.

God gave us the greatest gift that any person could ever give or receive. He wants us to pattern our giving as He did by giving something that will last. So as you gather around your Christmas tree and open your gifts and see the joy on your loved ones faces, remind them of the real reason for the season.

In His service,

Vilma

Tradegy In Newton Connecticut

 I assume by now you have all heard about the horrible tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut where a 20 year old male massacred 20 children and 6 adults including his mother. This evening 26 families, no an entire community;  wait, the State of Connecticut, wrong again the  entire east coast, well as a matter of fact the entire United States of America is in mourning.  The majority of us have no idea who these people are, we don’t have their names, we have never heard their voices, or their laughter, neither have we seen their tears, but as people of compassion, as parents, and mothers we cannot help but choke back the tears and utter astonishment as this tragedy unfolds.

In October God gave me a strong desire to have mothers pray for our children in every State and hence “50 States in 50 days” was born.  Today we are at day 44 with just 6 more States to go and of course we already prayed for children in Connecticut.  So the question is if we prayed why then did this happen?  My response is can you imagine what this would be like if we did not pray?

Mothers we cannot should not allow ourselves to become complacent.  We cannot overlook what is happening around us.  We had the Columbine shooting, Virginia Tech, Aurora, Colorado, and now Newton, Connecticut.  We cannot stop praying for our children.  Satan is going to and fro like a roaring lion seeking people to devour.  He does not play fair.  He does not discriminate, he does not care how old you are, how rich, how pretty, how educated, how good or bad.  He will take anyone.  Ephesians 6:12 tells us- For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].  Satan will use any one to do his bidding.  Mothers we must P.U.S.H. (pray until something happens).  What makes a 20 year old shoot his mother and 20 innocent children?  I can see Satan’s hand prints all over it.

As we continue to pray for children in the assigned States, let us also pray for tighter gun   control; let us pray for the community of Newton, Connecticut.  Let us especially pray for those parents who have lost their children, and children who may have lost parents, that they will be comforted. With the upcoming Christmas holidays it makes even so much worse.

In His Service,

Vilma

We are God's Workmanship Created for Good Works

Let’s give praises to God who blesses us daily with good things.  I know we may not feel blessed on days when things seem to go crazy and we feel overwhelmed.  However always know that things could always be worse.  How has prayer been going for our children in each state?  Well it is day 37 and by now it should have become a habit for you- remember it takes 21 days to do something for it to become a habit. Well I am hooked!

The verse for this week comes from Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. What was Paul saying to the Ephesians?  Paul was reminding them that God was daily working in their lives so they would accomplish the works He pre-ordained that they should accomplish.  Why is this exciting?  Firstly in whatever state you may think you or your children are in God is reshaping and refashion us to what He wants.  Secondly God does not do things half-way.  He creates masterpieces that far surpass Picasso, and Rembrandt.  God does this makeover in Jesus Christ not just to be on display on a shelf, but to be on display for Him accomplishing against the odds, the work He pre-ordained for us.

So often we are bummed out by what is happening in our lives, because God does not always show us the whole picture.  He just shows us pieces of the puzzle.  Most time as we look at the piece of puzzle we have before us we tend to get even more anxious because we don’t know exactly where it fits in the big picture.  Sometimes when we start a puzzle it takes us a while to place each piece in the right place.  We keep putting a piece in, taking it out, shifting it around because the place we were so sure it would fit it does not.  That is where Trust comes in.  It will eventually all come together; God is the master craftsman of our lives.  Take your hand off the pieces and allow Him to put them together.  Some of us may be at the stage where the picture is starting to take shape and you can see more clearly- praise God and let us encourage those who may be just starting out on the road to their purpose.

So if you or your children are facing some challenges in your life at the moment and Feel as if God has abandoned you, keep trusting Him, do not give up because He is working behind the scenes.  He knows the plan.

In His Service,

Vilma

Making the Lord our Habitation

To God be the glory for all that He has done.  It is Friday and almost the end of another week.  I hope you had a productive week and were able to accomplish your “to-do” list.  Don’t feel badly if you did not it will be waiting for you until you get to it.  I am having a fantastic time praying for children in the various States, today is day 30 and we have only 20 more States to go.  If you did not start at the beginning of November, how about starting tomorrow December 1^st as we pray for children in New Mexico, and by the way you still have time to pray today for our children in New Jersey- It is powerful.

I would like to leave these verses of scripture with you as your prayer point for your children this week.  Psalm 91:10-12: There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.  

If you get some time try to read the entire psalm 91 and you will realize the number of promises that this psalm alone talks about.  However there is a key element that we should not miss, these are promises to those that have made the Lord their habitation or dwelling place.  So first and foremost let us pray that our children will make the Lord their dwelling place.  A dwelling place is a place where you spend a significant amount of time, a place with which we are familiar, where we can get comfortable and relax.  So if we translate this to the Lord as that dwelling place, we want our children to be spending a significant amount of time with Him, we want them to become familiar with His ways, and to feel comfortable in his presence to the point that they can relax and not become anxious.  Evil cannot get to them when He is their habitation, plagues must stay away.  They have angels who are solely in charge of their every move, including holding them in their hands so they would not hit their foot against a stone.  Two words that I will use to sum this all up are Safety and protection.

I don’t know about you, but just writing this overwhelms me of how Awesome God is.  

Have a great weekend.

In His Service,

Vilma

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A Test or a Bless?

I trust you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and at the moment coming up with creative ways to use up all those left overs.  So go ahead knock your socks off and enjoy!  Thank God my family and I made it through and all was well. I know that it was not by our strength, but that a number of you were praying for us and we thank you so very much.
I actually spent my Thanksgiving in Long Island New York and was out to do some shopping as well with my daughter…not the early morning rush, more like a mid-morning saunter.  One of the stores I went into was Macy’s and I got some pretty reasonable deals.  My total bill looked somewhat less than I anticipated but because there was a long line I took my receipt and walked out of the store. I stopped just outside the door and went back over my purchases and realized that one of the items, the second most expensive one was not rung up on the bill.  According to this Christian comedian I thought is this a “test or a bless”? Well I concluded it was a test and I walked back into the store and brought it to the attention of the cashier, and paid for the sweater. The cashier while thanking me kept looking at me with her mouth opened in disbelief. I said to her I really would not enjoy wearing this knowing it was not paid for. Why am I telling you this? In addition that this was the right thing to do as a Christian; I also was setting an example for my daughter although a grown individual. It is not only what you say, but what you do that matters. If I was overcharged I would be back to get my credit, so why not when I am undercharged?

How would this be a blessing? It would have been a blessing if someone chose to pay for the item for me, it would be a blessing if I had a coupon that gave me this item free, and it would have been a blessing if I was chosen from a group to get an item free. However, the clerk’s mistake in not checking the item was definitely not the blessing for me to enjoy.

Many times we mistake our Tests for blessings especially when it is to our advantage. However, how does God feel when we fail? So the next time you may be faced with such a situation ask yourself is this a “test or a bless?”

Have you been keeping up with the challenge of praying for our children “50 States in 50 days?”  We are almost half-way there, keep PUSHING you can do it.  

In His Service,

Vilma

We Can all Give Thanks

Today is day 16 of us praying for our children “50 states in 50 days”. There is still time to join us if you have not yet done so. These children and parents may have no idea that we are praying for them, but God is aware and is attentive to every detail of our prayer and that is what is most important.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching for those of us in the United States and by now most people are busy shopping and getting ready for that great thanksgiving feast. Then there is “black Friday” when some will be up at the crack of dawn, hunting down those bargains trying to get a jump start on Christmas shopping. The tradition in my family, and I am sure many other families is to say what each of us were thankful for before we started to eat that mouth watering meal. It is just amazing to see the many things that we would come up with of what we were grateful for.

A couple weeks ago I began thinking about thanksgiving, but this time it was very different. Instead of anticipation of being with family members I started to dread the thought of being with them. I thought about the stares and the whispers, the thoughts, the pity and I just wanted a way of escape. I thought about getting away to a hotel and just watch TV with room service or perhaps just lock myself in my bedroom and sleep. If anytime I was allowed a pity party I thought this would be a well deserved one. After all so much had changed in my life over this past year.

However, In the midst of it all the Holy Spirit reminded me of Psalm 42: 5- Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. I quickly got my thoughts together and started to recount how much I still had to give God thanks for.

Like I did you may have lost a child this year, or some of you may have lost a husband, a parent, your job, or you may gotten a divorce. Perhaps your house may have gone in foreclosure, your child may have being incarcerated, dropped out of college, became pregnant and not married. You may not have all the bells and whistle for thanksgiving as things may have gotten a bit tight for you, but guess what you can still give thanks. The fact that you are reading this e-mail is one reason to be thankful. Need I say more? Be safe over the holidays, especially if you have to travel.

In His Service,

Vilma

"Let your light Shine"

Let me thank those of you who rose to the challenge of praying for our children “50 states in 50 days”. If you have not yet started, do not get discouraged, it is not too late to pick up the baton and run with it, we are only at day 9-Florida with 41 more states to go. I hope no one was seriously affected by the hurricane or the recent nor’easter, if you were please let me know, how we may be able to help.
Beginning on Wednesday November 14^th MPUSH will launch its weekly call in prayer line from 8-9pm. If you would like someone to pray with you for any reason, please call in at phone #: 1-218-862-6420 CC 7099800.

For this weekend I would like to encourage you to “let your light shine” So many times we complain about what is wrong with our young people, with others, with our country, with our jobs, but never make the effort to do something about it. Sometimes we take the position that just by ourselves there is not much we can do. However, doing nothing can be a more dangerous decision. Remember if there is no opposition to wrong, then what is wrong will multiply. I don’t know about you, but I try to avoid some people who every time I see or call to speak with them they have a long list of the same complaints over and over again.  The interesting thing is they refuse to do anything about it.

What would happen if God just sat in heaven and complained about all that has gone wrong with mankind?  He probably would not have sent Jesus to die on the cross for us. He did something then and He continues to do something still. God uses people ordinary and extra-ordinary like you and I to do the things that He needs done. I guess this is why Mt. 5:12 tells us to Let our light shine. If you think about it, it’s His light shining through us into the world. Our light can shine in our discipline of our children, in speaking a word of hope to someone, in not compromising what is right. It is helping those who need help it is speaking up and speaking out when we see injustice and work for justice where we can, it is even a simple think as praying for our children, our spouses or significant others, our co-workers and our neighbors. It is refusing to gossip when everyone else is doing so.  Making a difference can start with you.

Father, I thank you that I can make a difference in my home, my community, at my job and in my church. So the next time I start to complain remind me to do something about it.

In His service,

Vilma

More than Conquerors

Breaking news- children in Alabama felt a special anointing and presence of the Holy Spirit yesterday and the children in Alaska are beginning to feel the same way, and the overflow is already making its way to Arizona.  The devil is trembling as he is beginning to get a headache from all the brick walls he has encountered in Alabama and Alaska.  However, God is pleased as he hears the cry of over 200 mothers interceding and standing in the gap for these children and He remembers His word in Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
It is only day 2, and so mothers if you have not yet started your commitment “50 states in 50 days” get going!!!  You will be surprised of the personal benefits you will receive.
Let us also pray for families that were affected by Hurricane Sandy- especially in New York and New Jersey.  Let us also pray for the safety and wisdom of those first responders .

For this week, let me remind you that each of you is more than a conqueror.  Romans 8:37 tells us- Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Do you really believe this?  I know that there are times when we allow fear to creep in and stop us from pursuing the things God has called us to do, from going after our dreams, starting that business, returning to school or even to discipline our children.  Sometimes because we fear that we may offend someone, we refuse to say a simple no to some things. My question is where did this fear come from?

 II Tim 1:7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  So if God did not give it to us where did we find it?  Go put it back where you found it.  Just know that In order to be a conqueror we must be courageous and determined that regardless of what obstacles come our way, we keep pushing forward.  The spirit of fear will always try to sneak around and try to intimidate us, but speak to it as you would speak to a real person and command it to go.  After all you have the power to get it done.

Let us pray that both we and our children will be courageous and stand, knowing that the fight is fixed- we are more than conquerors.

In His Service,

Vilma

Sowing and Reaping

I hope you all had a great and productive week on purpose.  Remember it’s not about the challenges you faced, but how you reacted to those challenges.  Some of you may have a whole bucket of lemonade from all the lemons you had to squeeze, but think about how refreshing that can be when days ahead you get thirsty and have no time to make lemonade .
I would like to share with you a quick principle that we sometimes overlook and that is the principle of “sowing and reaping” Most times we look at sowing and reaping in terms of planting/farming, but it also applies to our relationship with others.  Did you realize that what we have been doing over these many months is sowing into the lives of our children and grandchildren?  As we practice to consistently go before God for our children, we will find ourselves going before Him for other things as well.  This helps us to develop a closer relationship with Him and the closer we get to God, the more our perspective about things will change.  We start to slowly but surely get a clearer picture of who God is and who we are and his incredible Love and concern for our welfare. Eventually our Faith gets strengthened; we reap the benefits of Galatian 5: 22-23 (fruit of the spirit).

On the other hand we can sow and reap negative attitudes and words.  Here is something I came across from Joyce Meyer.  Joyce mentioned the fact that the devil delights in keeping us busy thinking selfishly, sowing words of strife in our families and thinking negative thoughts about bosses, pastors etc.  The devil wants us to sow bad seed in every single relationship.  Joyce continued to say that so many people behave this way and then wonder why people treat them the same way- the answer is simple, they are reaping what they have sown.  (Thank God sometimes we are spared the full effect of the crop we deserve to reap).

My question is what else are you sowing today in the life of your children, grandchildren and other people’s children?  Let us purpose to sow love, forgiveness, kindness, patience- (fruit of the Spirit) in our relationship with our children and others.

In His Service,

Vilma

A Watchman

As I encourage us as mothers to be always in prayer, the image of a watchman comes to mind. Like a watchman, you stand at your post scanning the horizon for the enemy so that you are able to sound the alarm at the first glimpse of him. 

Luke 21: 36: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

If being a watchman was your secular job and the boss came and found you sleeping, more than likely you would be fired. You would be seen as compromising the safety of those who you are supposed to be guarding. So it is in your spiritual watch- we cannot allow ourselves even to close our eyes for a second, doze off or to fall asleep, because the enemy is sitting waiting for the opportune time to pounce.In addition to praying for your children, I would like you to also pray for their friends, companions and associates.  Sooner or later we start to look, sound and behave like the people we hang out with.  As you pray for them this week, please include the words found in Phil. 4: 8.  Please insert their name (s) where appropriate in the verse.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

Upcoming:

1      Mothers take a State for Prayer: For the month of November I will ask that    you choose a state and pray for the children in that State.  We will culminate this at our December meeting.

 

2.    Mothers take a Nation for Prayer: We will each choose a nation or country and pray for the children in the country for the month of December and we will culminate this at our January Meeting. 

In His Service,

      Vilma

Giving Thanks For Our Children

For this week I would like us to spend some time just to thank God for our children, young and old.  As I often say children are gifts from God and from my experience God only gives the best, remember He gave His only son to die for us.  Sometimes it may not seem that way, but trust me God does not give mediocre things.  If at the moment you are not able to see the greatness and beauty in your gift, perhaps you need to just dust it off a bit, to bring back the shine. II Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

 I want you to imagine that you were given a plant as a gift.  At the time you got the plant it was green and beautiful and with it came instructions on its care.  In order to do justice to the plant as well as to the person who gave you the plant, you will need to follow the directions carefully.  You will need to water it as instructed, keep it in appropriate lighting, give plant food as needed, change the pot as warranted, and trim any dead leaves that you see.  Suppose you decided to do your own thing with this plant, water it too much or not enough, put it anywhere inside our outside the house that you felt like, too much or not enough sunlight, do not fertilize, when needed, keep it in the pot that it has outgrown and when the leaves are dead or dying you just left them there.  I believe you will end up with an ugly looking plant.  Can you imagine how the person who gave the plant to you feels when they see how badly the plant looks? 

However at other times you follow the instructions as closely as possible but still the plant seems to have a mind of its own.  This is the time when you perhaps consult other books, or other florists or gardeners for suggestions on what to do.

If you cannot see the beauty of your children or child at the moment here are a few things to do.  Go back to the manual- the word of God and make sure you are following the directions carefully.  Make sure that you consulted the giver of the gift, that’s by praying to God about what may be wrong and after you have done that, then just turn them completely over to Him and just praise Him and give Him thanks.

In His service,

Vilma

 

Having a Great Day on Purpose

October 5, 2012                           

I trust you are having a great day on purpose.  Regardless of what may be happening in your life, make the decision that it will not determine your demeanor. As mentioned in my last “in touch” it is simply a matter of choice.  I am choosing to be a thermostat and control the temperature rather than a thermometer to just check the temperature.  I am sure Joyce Meyer put a lot of thought when she named her ministry “Enjoying everyday life”.  This does not seem like a very impressive name for this great ministry, but it is really making a statement.  Everyday life can be seen as ordinary, dull and tedious, but we can still purpose in our minds to enjoy it.  I looked at some synonyms for enjoyment and found these words pleasure, delight, satisfaction, amusement and gratification.  I must say that at times my everyday life does not reflect these descriptions, and it does become challenging to enjoy.  How about yours?  

Having a great day on purpose or “enjoying everyday life” has to do with our mind set and our attitude.  We must renew/or train our minds to look at our situation  or circumstance and tell it how big and able our God is rather than telling God how big and frightening our problems are.  We need to replace the old way of thinking and doing things with new way -the word of God.  Here are two verses of scriptures that speaks to the renewing of our minds Rom. 12:1-2 and Phil. 4:8-9.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=ESV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A8&version=ESV

As we read these verses please understand that it is possible to achieve, it may be a long journey but if you start you will eventually get there.  I guess this is why Paul was able to say in II Cor. 4:8-9 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

As our children see us exhibit these attitudes they themselves will start to do the same when faced with certain situations.

In His Service,

Vilma

CHOICES

Greetings!  I hope you all had a wonderful and productive week and looking forward to an enjoyable and restful weekend.  As we continue to intercede on behalf of our children, please take some time to also intercede for children on a whole.  Our children are consistently faced with temptations and most times if not prayed up succumb to whatever the enemy throws at them.

Let us pray that they will make the right choices when faced with especially tough decisions.  Psalm 1:1-2 says: Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

This verse speaks entirely about choices, what will it be?  Moving in and around negativity or delighting in the positives?  The choice is entirely ours to make.  We have to live our personal life with a level of integrity that will rise above the moral decline we find in our society. Here is a well- known quote that offers some sound advice. 

Watch your words: They become your actions.  Watch your actions: They become your habits.  Watch your habits: They become your character. Watch your character: It becomes your destiny.

Another person decided to put a spin on these words and came up with the following:

A powerful destiny will affect the character of others.  A powerful character will affect the habits of others.  A powerful habit will affect the actions of others.

 A powerful action will affect the words of others.  A powerful word will affect the thoughts of others.

In His service,

Vilma

Three Spiritual Weapons to Fight the Enemy

I recently read a devotional by Joyce Meyer that I beleive is worth sharing. In essence Joyce was reminding us of how Satan wages war against us to keep us in a mindset of defeat. She discussed the importance of not allowing ourselves to become discouraged or feel defeated. By doing this would be playing right into Satan’s hands.  Joyce identified three spiritual weapons that we can use to fight off the enemy, ones that you may already know, but it wont hurt to hear it again for emphasis. For each of these weapons she mentioned I have given additional information for purposes of clarity. Let me see that Satan is real and we cannot take him for granted.

1.    God’s word: If you remember when Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He used the word to defeat Satan. If Jesus the son of God did this,why shouldn't we?  However in order for us to use the word of God against the enemy we must know the word. We must spend time to study the word of God (II Tim 2:15). After we study the word of God we need to hide it in our hearts -Psalm 119:11- because at times when we need to use it there may not be a bible around to grab, (some attacks are "Fast and Furious") but when it is in your heart you can easily retrieve it- you never leave your heart it is always with you!.  At times we can also receive teachings of God word through bible study or through the preached word.  Joyce mentioned the fact that we must endeavor to continue in the word until it becomes revelation as given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

2.    Praise: As Joyce mentioned Praise defeats the devil faster and more efficiently than  any other battle plan, but it must be a genuine heart-praise, not just lip-service or a religious ritual. Can you imagine going through a dark period in your life and Praising your way through-that is sure confusing to the enemy- Psalm 34. Most battles fought in the old testament were won by praise- check it out- the praise were sent on ahead to clear the way. You better open up your mouth right now and give Him some praise- Check outJehosaphat account in II Chronicles 20:21 or perhaps you want to ask Paul and Silas what happened to the prison doors when they broke out in Praise?

3.    Prayer: JWe must take every thing to God in prayer. We cannot afford to make rash decisons we must consult God first regardless of how imminent the danger seems. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Joyce mentioned that prayer is relationship with the Godhead.  It is communication with God, asking Him for help or talking with Him about whatever is on your heart.  To have an effective prayer life, we must develop an intimate, personal relationship with the Father.  Know that He loves you and that He wants to help you. Do not be afraid to talk with Him and pour your heart out to Him. It is not that He does not know, but He wants to hear you say it.

II Cor. 10: 3  tells us - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

II Cor 10:4-For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds.

We must remember what Ephesians 6:12 tell us: For we wrestle not against Flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Prayer Starter : Lord, thank you so much for giving me the spiritual weapons I need to fight my enemy.  With your help, I know that I can win the battle today!

In His Service,

Vilma

 

 

The Spirit of Deception

Greetings!  I hope you all had a wonderful and productive week.  By this time all schools and colleges have reopened and in full swing and the tears have dried for those who had children leaving home for the first time.  I believe that this is especially difficult for those going to first grade and spending a full day in school and those who started college and living on campus.  Be of good courage, many of us have been there and survived, so will you.

For this week I would like for us to pray that our children will not fall prey to the spirit of deception especially our young adults.  Deception has been around for many years, as far back to the Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis where Eve was deceived by the serpent.  Satan is a master at deception and before you know it he will have you believing lies about yourself, your children, the church and God.  As the serpent did with Adam and Eve, the lie may not be a blatant one, but just a slight deviation from the truth, but it is still deception.  The most intelligent of us is susceptible to deception.  We must, however, counteract the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s word.  When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He used the word against Satan, and so must we, but we first need to know the word.

Ephesians 5:6- Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Let us pray for God to give our children the spirit of discernment to recognize when they are being deceived.  Let us pray that the veil will be removed from their eyes so that they can see the light and become children of obedience.

In His Service,

Vilma

 

Waiting on the Lord

I trust you are all doing very well on this Fantastic Friday afternoon.  As usual it is a pleasure writing to you.  I know that you are continuing to P.U.S.H towards your goal as you do your best in raising your children according to the word of God.  Remember it does take some elbow grease most times to get it done, but if you partner with God- their “true father” you will be amazed at your success.

For this week, let us revisit a verse of scripture from Isaiah 40.This particular verse has been on many bible covers and most people often time can be heard quoting some portion of this verse.
Isaiah 40:31 says: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
I know that as mothers we get anxious about our children and we find it difficult to wait for the manifestations of the things we have been praying for.  Sometimes we try to give God a hand in making it come to pass but instead only make it worse.  Is this waiting?  As a matter of fact what does this verse really mean?

Let us look at the word waiting -the word “wait” in the Hebrew translation means to “twist or tie together”, “to bind together like a cord”.  As we can see waiting is really not a bad thing.
The benefits of waiting: Renewed strength, running and not getting weary, walking without fainting.

Do you feel your strength being renewed?  Or are you always feeling weary or faint?  Do you believe it has to do with how well we are twisted?   If you think of a rope it is made up of many strands the more strands the stronger the rope.
ECC.4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Do you want to soar like the Eagle?  Well then let us wait on the Lord.  Eagles are powerful birds and very purposeful and because of their incredible strength they are able to rise above the tides and soar.  Not only will we soar but we will also run and not be weary, walk and not faint.  I think I will wait, how about you?

In his Service,

Vilma