Has life ever hit you with a major blow?

I have had My share of knock downs in my life. The one thing I have learned is that help can not be found buy natural methods but super natural ones. God is my strength and my salvation. On my knees is where my help comes. He will give me the peace I need to cope. He will give me strength when I need it most. He will fight the battles I cannot fight and he gives me the victory before I even know the outcome. I enter into each new trial with a greater understanding of his ability to get me through. Just as James1:2-4 says you will be more patient with, more tolerable with, the blows in life the more you allow God to get you through. It's just like a fighter he has to first learn to take a hit and keep going, He must learn endurance, he must learn to block and move fast, bobbing and weaving to avoid a punch. But most importantly he must learn his opponents tactics and  believe with all his heart he can WIN! That doesn't happen after just one fight. That takes years of training and building up of strength and confidence in his ability. So it is with a Christian believer Faith is built over time and we overcome by our testimony. Each trial that we overcome is a stepping stone to the next and we are transformed by it's blows into a prize fighter for Christ.Our testimony will make it just a little easier for others to get through their own training ring thus we carry each others burdens and live to fight another day.(Galatians 6:1-2)
by Virginia Toussaint
For more on this subject check a Teaching By T.D. Jakes "You can recover from a fall" http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/the-potters-house/

We all have our troubles

How do you deal with stress and trials? Some people throw themselves into work. Others get down in despair, and depression over whelms them. Others get angry, and frustration takes them on a daily Journey of outbursts and everything hanging on a nerve. Many people of faith internalize all of it looking for answers within. They think somehow if they fix what's wrong in themselves then they will understand why they are suffering trials. Well the answer is not inside us as much as it is God's redemptive power. He can get us through. He can do the impossible. He is our savior. Jesus saves! There is a great article on this very subject based on the book "The Christian Life" by Sinclair Ferguson http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/tchividjian/where-to-look-when-youre-in-trouble.html
I found this article to be right on when it comes to how many Christians deal with trials today. It is worth a read weather you choose to read it on a coffee brake or at night before bed. I urge you to take the time and chew on it for a while. by Virginia Toussaint

Bear each others burdens

Recently I heard another preaching on 1 Cor. 5:1-13, 6:1-11 and I have to say that the spirit in which it was preached did not agree with my spirit. I felt a strong sense of legalism on the part of the preacher that left no room for Christ. So I did what I always do, I prayed for guidance and searched the word for answers. A few days later God brought me to Gal. 6:1-10 and I felt from God that the only way to be able to deal with 1Cor. 5 in a Christ like manner was Gal 6. What is funny is that anyone at first glance reading both passages of scripture would say these contradict each other. Lets look and see:

Galatians 6

Bear and Share the Burdens

 ¹ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵For each one shall bear his own load.

1 Corinthians 5

Immorality Defiles the Church

 ¹ It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named^[a] among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! ² And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. ³ For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. ⁴ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁵ deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.^[b]
6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? ⁷ Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.^[c] 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Now do you see what I mean? and further reading doesn't help much.

Immorality Must Be Judged

  1 Cor. 5:
⁹ I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. ¹⁰ Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. ¹¹ But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
¹² For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? ¹³But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.

Gal. 6:

Be Generous and Do Good

⁶ Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Are you a little more confused I was at first. Then the Lord made me see that rather then contradicting there was a correlation between the two passages. He led me to see that in order to do what is in 1 Cor. 5 and still fulfill the law of Christ we needed Gal. 6 to be practiced in our lives. 

Then he led me to go over these sins mentioned in scripture 1 Cor.5:11, 1 Cor. 6:10-11, Gal. 5:19-21 Which say that anyone practicing these things will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Then he led me back to Leviticus  the law. Lev. 18,19. At this point I said 1 Cor. 5 is legalism and we are supposed to be free from the Law. So why should we shun a brother because he has fallen into a sin that is clearly in the law. Then God showed me something he said you should always continue in all ways to be Christ to everyone by showing kindness and being a good Christian. But that doesn't mean you have to go to the house of a known sinner who refuses to stop sinning and dine with them. Why because you put yourself at risk of being leavened or poisoned in your thinking and spirit. Keep a safe distance. Here is where Gal. 6: 1 comes in 'You who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness" You need to attempt to help them. If they then refuse to repent then you need to protect yourself and have no extra contact with them outside the church. You go to the elders and suggest counsel for your brother. The Elders call your brother to counsel and they again try to restore your brother gently. He refuses to submit and repent. The elders call for a fast and prayer without ceasing on behalf of their brother and begin to spiritually act out 1 Cor. 5:5 Deliver them up to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so he in the day of the Lord Jesus may be saved. This goes something like this: Lord Jesus please do whatever you have to do to bring my brother to repentance I want to see him in heaven when we spend eternity with you. He is suffering from a great weakness in his flesh and you alone can save him from his destructive behaviors. please lord have compassion and mercy for his eternal soul. Sometimes it takes rock bottom to bring us back to our senses. In Jesus name Amen. Now using the example Paul used, The brother who is with his fathers wife. Let's look at what that destruction of the flesh might look like. The brother develops testicular cancer his testicles are cut off. This has caused him to be impotent and the women leaves him because he can no longer perform. He can say "kill me now' and Satan would gladly drag him to hell, but because of your prayer for restoration he may repent and ask for forgiveness and go into remission and testify to Gods loving mercy and kindness. Or he could repent and still dye from cancer but go straight to heaven because you prayed for his restoration. You see how the love law is still working in all this? How Gal. 6 is at work in accordance with 1 Cor. 5? It is my belief that this is how God intends us to be. Remembering ourselves that we don't fall under the same temptation. Why do I believe this even though Paul clearly says in 1 Cor. 5:12 "Do you not judge those who are inside?" and "Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person."  Well one reason is Jesus' dealings with the women caught in adultery  did something very profound he who had no sin and had the authority to stone her showed her Mercy. He caused the others to self examine thus causing them to retreat. So she was not condemned to death. Does this mean Jesus condoned her sins? No he said clearly to her go on your way and sin no more. He gave her a second chance. The other story that gets me is Jonah and how God too showed compassion and mercy but there we see how Jonah's attitude was completely judgmental and lacking in mercy. This shows me that as Christians we should always be on the side of compassion and mercy wanting our brother to repent and go to heaven no matter what it takes. But we should never lose heart or grow weary and lack patience for someones salvation but that we should Love our brothers as ourselves. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you and pray for their weaknesses since we all fall short of the glory of God. Some people have used both these passages as and excuse to pass judgement and to say Their brother is going to hell. They practically have thrown them in and thrown away the key. Just like Jonah.  The way I see these passages that kind of attitude should have them looking behind themselves  for Satan to throw them in next. They already have one foot in the sulfur. Yes I do believe that knowing the difference between sin and good spiritual behavior is a form of judgment we need to discern the difference of right and wrong. That is not only for our own salvation but that of our brothers. I don't believe to take the evidence and decide if someone is guilty and deserving of damnation is our call. That kind of judgment belongs to the Lord. For the Lord has mercy on whom he has mercy Romans 9:18 So we should leave that part to him and pray we all make it into heaven. This has been a long lesson for me and I pray you all are blessed by it. May the Lord continue to fill our hearts with his love, mercy, and compassion so we may always pray for everyone not only those who have fallen into temptation but also  that we might not be tempted at all. In Jesus Name Amen.

Atheists vs Christians: Can't we all get along?

I have been watching the growing debate between Christians and Atheists and I have to say that the general tone of these arguments has me somewhat alarmed. It is my opinion that civility and healthy discourse have been thrown out the window and name calling and outright harassment have taken their place. I think that there are many people out there who are confused about what the other guy believes and that they take that confusion to the extreme. I grew up in a country called the United States of America where freedom was a word used to describe what we as a nation stood for. One of those freedoms, the freedom of religion, is always touted as one of the most important in our nation. In fact, our history shows that this country was started by people who came to the “New World” seeking the freedom to worship God freely and without the regulation of the state. The fact that these same people, upon coming to the new world, immediately installed a theocratic form of government that was just as intolerant ( and some would say more so) as the one which they had just left is fodder for a different post. (See “God in America” by Frontline).

It is this intolerant attitude that I wish to discuss in this post. I see Christians attacking fellow Americans because they are expressing religious beliefs, ( or the lack thereof), on the internet and via other media. I see Atheists attacking fellow Americans for the same reason. I see the word “tolerance” being used by religious fundamentalists in a pejorative manner, as if accepting that others have the right NOT to believe as they do will somehow diminish their own faith. The thing that pains me the most is the fact that most of the people engaged in these hurtful arguments are not “bad people”. It's just that they get so wrapped up in the argument that they forget the laws of civility and common decency. On the side of the Christians: where is Christ in the middle of all that hate? And on the side of the non-believers: how can you get so worked up about something which you don't believe in? There is a great article on the common ground which Christians and Atheists share here. I'm tired of Christians being vilified by non-believers and vice versa. We all need to respect each others convictions and agree to disagree. It's what grown ups do.

For the Atheists: Those of us who believe in Christ are bound by our faith to “Preach the Gospel (good news) to all the world”. It's what we do. We feel that the information we have acquired about God is so important that to keep it to ourselves is practically criminal. In fact our Bible requires us to do so in many different scriptures. I understand that this can be annoying to you. I get it, but in the interests of promoting a more peaceful society, there is no need to degrade or insult someone because they talk to you about their beliefs. I agree that some Christians can be offensive in their approach. Many Christians feel the need to point out that non-believers are headed to Hell for an eternity of torment. This is not something that most people enjoy hearing. These misguided souls fail to recognize that Christ taught and led by example and that a more effective way to communicate the benefits of our belief (in today's world) is through love and compassion and not through fear or hate. You as an intellectual must recognize this for what it is: poor indoctrination. Please don't discount the message due to the failings of the messenger. True followers of the Christian faith make sure that when they speak to others about God and Jesus, they do so with discernment. They respect the person who they are preaching to and also respect the fact that that person may not want to hear what they have to say. If a Christian is not coming from a position of love than they have not learned the first principle of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 13:4) and they are not really being Christlike which should be the goal of every Christian. Extremism is ugly and not indicative of the majority in any belief system so try not to paint us all with the same brush.

For the Christians: Christ came to save the world. If we are to continue in Christ than we must be like Him. Christ did not say “ Love your neighbor...but only if he goes to my church”, He said “ Love your neighbor as yourself”. Most of us do not appreciate being insulted or threatened. If you wouldn't like it done to you than don't do it to others. Christianity 101. The spiritual walk is an individual one and we cannot sit in judgment of each other because that is God's role. Each individual has to come to God (or not) on his or her own terms and spiritual choices are the most intimate choices we can make because they are between the individual and our Creator. Only He can truly and safely judge because only He knows the inner workings of our hearts. So stop telling people that they will burn Hell for eternity even if you think that it's true: it's counter productive in this day and age. That argument was effective in the middle ages when most of the population could barely read. In today's world, there is too much information available and people are making informed decisions based on evidence. The non-believer cannot accept your teachings “because it says so in the Bible”. That is a circular argument. The “proof” that they seek can only come from a personal willingness to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Until they get to that point in their spiritual walk, they will never acknowledge the validity of your claims. They cannot and will not experience what you experience when in the midst of communion with God be it through prayer or in praise and worship. It's like trying to prove the existence of colors to a blind man (Calm down atheists, I'm just making an analogy, I'm not degrading you). Describing the color blue will never allow the blind man to understand (or see)what that color is. The metaphysical cannot be explained to those who are unwilling to acknowledge that it even exists. Jesus was clear that not all would accept Him: (Luke 13:23-24) He was also clear on what we should do in the face of disbelief:(Matthew 7:6)(Matthew 10:14). Nowhere in the Bible does He teach us to force our religion down their throats whether they want it or not. Our God is not pushy, otherwise there would be no free will and we would all believe in Him (because He could do that if He wanted to...it's just not what He is about). Oh and by the way, just because you know the Lord does not make you any better than the next guy. Humble yourself. Salvation is a gift and you are saved not because of who you are or what you do aside from accepting the gift. When sharing that gift with others, don't allow your flesh to overcome you, because then the Holy Spirit leaves the conversation and then you have already lost the argument.

In summary, The only way to reverse the current trend with regards to discussing this subject is to treat each other with respect and to be humble in our knowledge. Knowledge in and of itself does not make someone great. It is how we use that knowledge that defines us. Healthy debate will always refine our positions as long as it is civil. Making fun of the other guy only injects an element into the discussion that can only escalate into an argument with both sides losing out.

The oil is not enough by V.Toussaint

Yesterday marked the beginning of Advent a time of hope and anticipation. a time of looking forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, of spending time with family and friends, of much needed rest and relaxation, and a time to reflect. It is also a time to be considerate of others who are less fortunate in our families, circles of influence and in the world. We are also reminded to be watchful of the second coming of Christ. Jesus said  "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour"-In the parable of the ten virgins  Five of the women had just enough to get into heaven and the other five were running out and non of them were keeping watch they were asleep. we as Christians are supposed to have our cups running over with oil. We are supposed to have more then enough to be able to share. But a lot of us are selfish Christians who only care about our own salvation and our own problems. We don't even make time to pray for others. The weakest in our churches, families, communities, and in the world need these prayers. The anointing from us needs to trickle down into their lives Psalm 133:1-3. When we do this we go from being Christians to being part of the body of Christ. We are in unity with Christ and his body. Unity brings anointing to heal and deliver the body of Christ. It creates wholeness Eph 4:13. When we are being selfish in our prayers we tend to look at our circumstances a lot and less at Jesus. Seeing him work in our lives is believing. We then tend to waver in our faith. But when our prayers become more aware of others needs and pray for those needs  the anointing begins to flow through us till over flowing and we can make an impact on those weakest around us. During this time we need to be watchful, prayerful, and selfless to have an impact that can make a difference in the body of Christ and will be eternally beneficial. So let's make this time mark the beginning of a more powerful anointing in the body of Christ because of a unified decision to make prayers for those weakest around us. 
Lord Jesus help us to be more sensitive to the needs of others and to be prayerful of all those who are in need in the world spiritually and naturally. Help us to leave our lives in your hands and trust you will care for us. Help us to keep watch and not fall asleep  In Jesus Name Amen.

Hands Held High by V. Toussaint

But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:12.  This passage  was set during a war. Moses said he would pray on the mountain while the people fought. But he became so tired that he could no longer hold his arms up to the lord. As his arms were high in the air the people were winning the fight. When his hands began to fall the people began to fail. So his servants held him up. Moses was the head of that family and in a time of crises he grew weary. As families our positions as head whether you are a husband and the head of your family or a single parent holding it all down on your own in times of crises we all can grow weary. The stone they put under him to sit is the rock. Jesus is our rock he came to give us rest. the servants raising the hands of moses is the church or your family members. When we go through crises we need a support system. when I see my husband going through a hard trial I get into my prayer closet and pray for him more then ever. I encourage him with scripture and affectionate support. If that does not seem to be enough I ask him to please seek counsel. I let him know he is not alone. As a women who was married before and have two children in my previous marriage I can tell you that as a single parent when I grew weary it could get very lonely. But I knew that if on my knees to Jesus I did not find enough comfort I had a whole support system in my church. My leaders, pastors, my sisters in Christ. They helped me pray and gave me encouragement. I always knew I could count on my family in Christ. Now that I have remarried I have taken what I learned to help my husband be the best head of household he can be and when he grows weary I step up to the plate and help him hold the bat and hit the ball out of the park. I make sure we go to church as much as possible and make sure we pray more then ever. I get in the word and I praise God in our circumstances. I carry the load! Jesus carries us and we should carry each other in love and prayerfully fighting the good fight of faith.  This holiday season look to be a support to someone if not at home then in church or extended family and friends. So many people suffer silently during the holidays try to be discerning and find out who may need some extra support this season. Then don't stop there make it part of your Christian walk. Seek to be loving and supportive. My husband is my great support when I grow weary and don't seem to be getting what I need from my daily devotions he sees and steps in to encourage me. I love him dearly for it.  Thank you Jesus that you put in our lives those who can support us in the hardest of times. Thank you that you are the rock of our salvation. That we can find rest in you and in your body when we need to. please continue to support us and bring those who will help us to carry the load In Jesus name Amen.

Drinking alcohol is not a sin Drunkenness is. By V. Toussaint

I have a bone to pick with all those Christians that point a finger at any brother in Christ who they find out has a drink occasionally and says you are sinning. I would love to know where in scripture does it say that you cannot drink alcohol. Do not put an alcoholic beverage to your mouth for it will cause you eternal damnation. I have never seen it. I will tell you what it does say , and you may double check it. I actually want you to. Proverbs 23:20 says  AKJV:  " Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat". ESV:  "Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat," 23:21 AKJV "For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." 1 Corinthians 6:10 AKJV "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God."  Eph. 5:18 AKJV "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"   Drunk implies excess, not simple consumption. We all know a lot about what excessive alcohol can do in a person's life. We also know that it takes a lot to stop drinking once you become an alcoholic. But what about those who don't over consume and those who like to drink wine at dinner and do not drink till they begin to lose control of their faculties?  Why is it that they get blamed for drunkenness by other Christians? They haven't broken any biblical law, or command, or rule. Jesus drank wine and it was fermented and the fundamental leaders of the day (Pharisees) called him a winebibber. AKJV " The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a drunkard, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.'  Jesus drank wine. I heard one church say he was drinking grape juice. It would obviously be a surprise to them to find out that the  process didn't exist yet to turn wine into grape juice till 1869 By Thomas Bramwell Welch. He discovered  the Pasteurization process to prevent the fermentation  of grape juice. So yes Jesus did drink wine. In the region where he was living the climate was very warm which actually sped up the fermentation process. So if you brought wine made that morning, by noon it would be about the equivalent of a beer today. Look into it. If they accused Jesus of being a drunkard and today any Christian who chooses to enjoy a beer at a barbecue or wine with dinner is being accused of the same, then I would have to say that there are modern day Pharisees among us and to read the scriptures for yourself to see if you are right with God. That being said, if you find that you have a problem with alcohol, then you should refrain from drinking. This is not because drinking in and of itself is wrong but that your self control is an issue that you have to lay before God. If you are unable to drink responsibly, and for a Christian this means to avoid drunkenness, then you should not drink. This applies to all aspects of life. Everything in moderation is a good way to look at this. The focus in your walk should always be your relationship with God, not what people think about you. to read more on this subject checkout these links http://powerofaith.com/drinking.htm
http://www.peele.net/lib/latimes030196.html