For too many years, my walk with God was characterized by more defeat than victory. Then, just a few years ago, I began to experience a gradual, yet powerful, transformation in my faith walk. As God continued to shed light on the darkness, which had plagued my walk with Him, I began to identify the source of my defeat. It became glaringly clear that negative thinking was at the core of my problematic walk with God. p. 14 FD 3rd edition
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Not voting is a form of voting, as it will influence the outcome. We need to take responsibility for our actions, as well as our lack of actions. I Peter 1:13
Voting publicly recognizes that we submit to the authority of the political system in our nation as established by God. Romans 13:1-7
Voting is a simple yet significant way we can do something about politics in our nation. ‘All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing, Edmund Burke. Psalms 34:14
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The Spanish Armada
I think guys, especially husbands, are convinced that it is impossible for them to understand their wives. (I know you know what I would call that!!!!) Therefore, husbands throw up their hands at the thought of trying to understand their wives, because the enemy has convinced them it’s impossible.
Ah, but God, has something quite different to say to husbands about understanding their wives in 1 Peter 3:7,
In a similar way, you husbands must live with your wives in an understanding manner, as with a most delicate partner. . . ISV
I am quite sure that the reason this fiery dart has infiltrated the thinking of husbands is because our Enemy, Satan, knows full well the blessed effect this will have on the relationship between a husband and wife. So, he cuts them off from these blessings by lying to husbands and convincing them that understanding their wives is all but impossible.
I can remember vividly a time when my son was about to leave to serve as a missionary in South America! We were driving around doing some shopping to prepare for his hiking of the AT and the night before he revealed to me his plan to go to South America.
I was overwhelmed! With great effort I had finally come to the point where I could release him to solo hike the AT and the night before, he had sprung this news on me! I remember privately crying out to God, “Really, God, couldn’t this news have waited a bit? I’m not at all sure I can do this!”
As we drove around the next day, I labored under the burden of deep sadness, trying all the while to keep it from my son! Then my son said this, “Mom, I understand that this is going to be harder on you than anyone else.” Well, the floodgates opened and the tears flowed like a river. But they were not tears of heartbreak that my son was leaving me! No, indeed, they were tears of relief because he understood my pain. From those precious words of understanding, I drew the strength that would empower me to do this hard thing. It was all I needed to move forward.
Now, I realize this isn’t a husband/wife scenario but it is a scenario that husbands can draw from to grasp the power of understanding your wife.
Everyone, especially wives, have a deep desire to be understood by at least one person and the person of preference is their husbands. Their husband’s understanding is the source of their strength to deal with hard things. If they don’t feel they have their husband’s understanding they become all the more vulnerable to Satan’s fiery darts of self loathing, depression, taking personally all the negative things that you and others say about them, and wounding their hearts more deeply than you can imagine.
Husbands, don’t allow the enemy to convince you that you can’t understand your wife. The Truth Thought is that God has mandated that you do. And when you commit to this, then God will show you how it’s done. Therefore, listen to your wife with the intent to understand, not to judge or criticize! The rest of verse 7 points out why understanding your wife is so important.
Honor them as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing may interfere with your prayers.
“I will vote my Christian values”” Rodriguez said. “It’s life, the family ethos, it’s religious liberty, it’s limited government. That’s the person I’m going to vote for.”
1) They want to repeal a law that disallows everyone’s tax dollars from directly paying for abortions. This means that Christians would be forced to fund the murder of babies.
2) They want to repeal a law that disallows foreign funding from directly paying for abortions. This means that not only do the Democrats want to increase abortions in America, they now want to spread it across the world.
3) They want to ban people from discouraging abortions. Basically, they want to make it illegal for Christians to try to help and persuade mothers to try to keep their babies. Praying Christians outside of abortion clinics would be punished for trying to help.
A Word from Mike Huckabee’s Facebook page concerning the effect voting for Hillary would have on future Supreme Court nominations:
Now, some of Hillary Clinton’s potential SCOTUS nominees have been revealed, albeit in an unofficial way. This story notes their “diversity,” but it’s all on the surface. On their attitudes toward the law and the Constitution, it’s a list of lockstep activist liberals from the courts most infamous for legislating from the bench. We have two names from the notorious Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, several more from other top California courts, a couple from the DC courts, and two Democratic Congress members who aren’t even judges now, but both gave very partisan speeches at the Democratic Convention. Plus, not on this list but suggested in passing by Hillary Clinton, is the possibility of appointing Barack Obama to the Supreme Court to safeguard the Constitution. Which is sort of like appointing your cat to safeguard your canary. These would be the people who might spend decades on the Court, condemning our children and grandchildren to a far-left, Washington-controlled America unrecognizable to the Founders, one where the Second Amendment is history, and with it gone, the gutting of the First Amendment and the rest of the Bill of Rights can safely continue.
The economy and terrorism are very important, but this may be the most urgent issue in the November election. I would urge the remaining “NeverTrump” holdouts to look over this list and think very hard before you pull the lever for Hillary or a third-party candidate who’ll help elevate her into the position of stacking the courts.And finally,
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Pro 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.
At times God puts us through the discipline of darkness to teach us to heed Him. Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and we are put into the shadow of God’s hand until we learn to hear Him. . . . Watch where God puts you into the darkness, and when you are there keep your mouth shut. Are you in the dark just now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? Then remain quiet. . . . When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you get into the light.
Ephesians 3:20, Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (It depends on Him, not me)
Psalm 17:6, I call on You my God, for you will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer. (God will answer me)
Fiery Darts: Satan's Weapon of Choice 