Archive | October 2015

Questions for Parents!

Oct25

   It troubles my heart as I observe Christian single individuals choosing a path (a path influenced by a world that has rejected Christ) but one they hope will led them to happiness, only to find disappointment and heartache, instead. I wonder, what were the fiery darts Satan used to manipulate these individuals? Perhaps this excerpt from my book, exposes some of Satan’s deception:

Reconsider the effect of the Adamic Curse. Society tells us that we need to search, that means by dating, for someone who will complete us, someone that will make us happy. If we buy into this thought, then Satan has no trouble fashioning a most deceptive fiery dart that will convince us that as individuals we are incomplete and we need the love of another person to make us whole. This fiery dart assumes we do not realize that it is the love of God that completes us and makes us whole, not a romantic relationship with someone of the opposite sex. FD, p. 55-56

   In my book I expose Satan’s intent when it come to planting thoughts into our mind that eventually leads to the heartache and disappointment to which many fall victim!

Scriptures are obvious in describing Satan’s plan in John 10:10a, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;…” (NIV) So what is it that the Enemy desires to steal, kill, and destroy? The answer is obvious – anything God has planned for us!

  I have observed a dramatic difference in the lives of Christian single individuals who have discovered that a relationship with Christ goes beyond salvation! They have discovered that a deep relationship with Christ is what makes them whole and complete (even if, and especially if, they come from homes that failed to teach them this Truth). For these individuals Christ has become the deepest desire of their hearts. I have noticed that when they experience disappointment, that disappointment doesn’t rule them or ruin them. Instead, they trust Christ with all their heart and resist the temptation to try and figure out what went wrong on their own. Because the deepest desire of their heart is Christ, they trust Him to direct their path and lead them forward in His strength. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Therefore, Parents, here are a couple of questions I want to pose to you.

Are you raising your children to desire Jesus above all else?

Is Jesus the deepest desire of your heart?

HOW MUCH DO WE CARE? According to the statistics, NOT MUCH!

Oct13

The following excerpt is from an article written by Ronnie Floyd (president of the Southern Baptist Convention and senior pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas) for The Baptist Press.

The most recent research by empty tomb, inc. reveals the following:

— Less than 3 percent all Christians tithe, meaning give at least 10 percent of their income to their church.

— In 1968, Americans gave 3.1 percent of their disposable income; now Americans give 2.2 percent, which is less than they gave during the Great Depression.

— At the current rate of decline, by the year 2050, Americans will give only 1 percent of their disposable income to the church; if this occurs, a vast number of churches and missions will be forced to close. http://bpnews.net/45640/cooperative-program—where-is-the-money

   The above statistics published on October 11, 2015, reveal an alarming complacency toward giving to the Cooperative Program on the part of many strong and wonderful churches, filled with many strong and wonderful people.

   So, why are these churches and their congregations so content to leave the Cooperative Program wanting? I do have a theory about that! (taken from my book, Fiery Darts: Satan’s Weapon of Choice).

Scriptures are obvious in describing Satan’s plan in John 10:10a, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;…” (NIV) So what is it that the Enemy desires to steal, kill, and destroy? The answer is obvious – anything God has planned for us! p. 1, FD

   The enemy wants to fix our focus on the economic challenges many churches and many Christians are facing! And what it all boils down to is that we no longer possess the vision to look beyond our present struggles with obedient faith. Like Peter, (Matthew 14:22-33), we allow the tempest to overwhelm us and we take our eyes off our only sure source of deliverance.

   For example, as a result of our lack of giving the International Mission Board is having to tighten their belts and make some drastic changes within its organization. All the while, depleting the personnel needed to reach the world for Christ.

   Therefore, if we could but see that those thoughts that convince us we can’t give a consistent income to the church as fiery darts of the enemy to prevent the Good News about Jesus Christ from reaching the lost world, then we would be less likely to continue cooperating with the enemy! And eventually, the statistics would loudly proclaim that we do care and that we care a great deal!

Words for Parents!

Oct7

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   There are some youngsters near and dear to me that have recently embarked upon that vulnerable journey in life referred to as adolescents. And I am being reminded of the pitfalls that await our children during this section of their life’s journey as I learn of the struggles my loved ones are facing.

   Therefore, I pass along the following in the hopes that if you or your adolescent is having a difficult time maneuvering through the challenges of this time, you may find these ‘words’ to be the lifesaver for you that they were for me. 

*    *    *    *

   As my children came along, I knew, from my own experience, that I had to find a way to protect them from the damage negative words could inflict, especially negative teasing. Thus I believe God prompted me to establish a rule in our household of “no negative teasing”. 

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   Negative teasing at some level inflicts pain. Sure on the surface we may be laughing but down deep we aren’t! It certainly doesn’t build up someone to teasingly call them ‘stupid’ now does it?

   But the most revealing and powerful force to defeat the negative thinking that years of hurtful words had produced in my own life, regretfully didn’t come to me until I was in my 50’s. Fiery Darts: Satan’s Weapon of Choice is the compilation of lessons given to me in how to overcome and/or heal from the damage caused by hurtful words.

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   It is from this perspective of healing that I offer these words to parents, for we must pass on to our adolescents an awareness of the Truth thought found in Ephesians 4:29 (opening photo)! We should model the Truth of this verse in the words our children hear coming from our mouths before we try to impress upon them how to filter their words through this Truth.

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   We need to teach our children how to handle the hurtful words (whether teasing or otherwise) that is inflicted upon them. For without this guidance our children will be tempted to believe things about themselves that are nothing but lies.

   We must teach our children that God’s Word is the most powerful of all weapons to destroy the enemy’s fiery dart attacks. However, we must first learn how to use that weapon for ourselves then we will be equipped to pass along successfully what we have learned to our children.

   Within the Bible are counter attacks for every fiery dart Satan throws at us and our children. Therefore, it is imperative that we teach our children (after first learning for ourselves)  how to recognize Satan’s fiery darts, then how to call upon God’s Word to defend themselves. (Ephesians 6:16)

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A FINAL WORD

   Please remember that the flesh is weak. If we do not arm ourselves with the Sword of Truth, our flesh will not be able to resist the temptations that will arise from the fiery dart attacks. But by wielding the Sword of Truth against every hurtful word, the tempter’s plans to weaken us will be demolished. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

 

I need your input!

Oct5

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 I have a special favor to ask of my Fiery Dart blog followers. If you would be willing, I need you to send me an email describing how the message of fiery darts and how to fight them is setting you free of the manipulation of fiery dart thinking (or negative thinking). I will be selecting a few to post on my blog. So when you send them, keep in mind they may wind up being included in my Fiery Dart blog. (I will not use your name or identifying information if I use your email. I will send you a copy of the post before I post it.)
   I write from my observations and personal experience, but I feel in order for this message to have a broader appeal, people other than myself need to share how their lives are being transformed by this message.
    I believe God prompted me to do this, so, please, prayerfully consider sending me your email responses.

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Send your responses to: janetwarrenlane@gmail.com