February Newsletter: Focus...(REPOST)
Our February Newsletter
Happy February from God-Driven-Designs. This is a repost. However, in making edits to update it, I heard "Please don't get distracted by what you see."
This month's message is about "focus" and "renewal". In a time when the devil is trying to distract, let's focus more on our Spiritual walks and staying Christ-centered (so we can move those mountains blocking the way!). Remember, old things are passed away. Start cleaning your Spiritual house so you can focus on Christ!
Special Note: We're working on enhancements to offer text to speech options for those with disabilities. In the interim, if there's any text you would like to hear, please use this link for text-to-speech. Just copy and paste the text directly into this site. It will then create a free MP3 and you can use it for blogs, messages, or any articles that you want to listen to.
In This Month's Issue We Cover:
Our February Message: Focus, Breakthrough with the Power of the Anointing, Our February Prayer; Renewing Marriages and Vows to God
Music Spotlight: DappyTKeys: Holy Spirit: Fill This Place; Koryn Hawthorne featuring Lecrae: Unstoppable; Leon Timbo: Abba (Father) I Belong to You
Black History Month: Because of Them...
Empowered Women Empower Women: Fearless Women Ministry and Conference Products
Need a Powerful Word? Ministry Messages
LOL: Maybe It's a Sign...
Here we go...
Focus: Staying Centered on Christ...
"Something good is about to happen to me." Say that bold declaration and hold onto it. I'm coming back to it but first I have two important stories to share.
One of my coworkers has a problem with her mother-in-law. The woman stalks my coworker and her husband for money, and she plays mind games. She'll try using guilt trips and every time she comes to see her grandkids if she sees anything new, she'll discuss all her problems. She makes her son feel so guilty it's been crushing his spirit. She doesn't want to work to support herself and looks to them for everything. Every time she calls, or they visit her, it leads to the couple arguing. It's strategic and the devil knows what he's doing. Here's another story.
I had the chance to counsel a married man once. He was so upset as he described how his wife plays mind games with him. She won't cook or clean and uses their kids and intimacy as ways to psychologically attack him. He admitted that on more than one occasion he was so mentally drained from arguing that he slept in his truck. He doesn't want to leave his marriage because he made vows to God, but she's making his life miserable.
How do we serve God when people cause distractions and try to make us feel guilty? Or they play so many psychological games, you almost "feel better" at work than you do at home. How do you grow in Christ when the devil is attacking your mind at home? For starters, you have to rebuke their personalities.
It Will Get Better
Without looking back at the declaration, do you remember the sentence I asked you to declare? Maybe you forgot. Maybe when I described the two stories you thought of an area where you are struggling at home. You might have seen a situation where the devil has been attacking you on a personal level. And that's the point.
In order to focus on moving forward, we need a better way to deal with the distractions. Importantly, we need psychological warfare because we're battling the demonic. The devil wants your mind and he'll try to sabotage you with childish games or petty arguments. These are snares from the devil to tie God's people up. But we need tools that are strategic because the attacks are strategic.
Machine Learning, AI, and Continuous Improvements
I was writing an article for a client about new advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. When both are used effectively, they can collect data and use the data to make better estimates. For example, a delivery company that uses drivers might install machine learning and AI to help improve logistics. Data that is collected might alert them to a problem with a driver that takes too long on their route. The AI and machine learning might make recommendations directly to the driver through software to speed up his deliveries, "Take this route." It can also suggest to management that the driver be retrained or replaced, "This driver is continuously delayed by 1-hour each shift and takes an extra 3-minutes with each delivery."
Because these new technologies work to improve themselves, they are considered advanced technologically. They take billions and trillions of data points and can give accurate sales forecasting and demand planning estimates and suggestions. And this is faster than humans can work. It's why businesses like Walmart and Amazon are able to service billions of customers online and in-stores (omni-channels).
The point is, the devil improves himself, too, and therein lies the problem. We think (using human logic) that if we just use positive thinking and fight less that we'll get a better outcome in an argument. While that might work in the short run - - because the devil wants to steal your peace - - he'll come back another way with a new twist. He'll say, "Okay, so she's not arguing back. We need a new strategy to defeat her."
There's a book about this called, The Strategy of Satan by Warren W. Wiersbe. Another is called, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. To overcome the games of the devil it's important to recognize that satan is cunning and he can out-think us with our physical minds. That's why we have to exercise spiritual authority over him if we're going to win.
Lean Not on Your Own Understanding: The Battle for Your Mind
In our daily lives, it's important to remember we're in a battle with the devil. He doesn't want us growing in Christ and will fight us. But that's part of the Christian walk.
I can remember once when I younger in my Christian walk, I declared I would start a fast in this new Pentecost season and I was suddenly hit with a demonic attack. I didn't realize that I was on the right track as "afflictions will come." Over time, I learned to ask God first and to wait for the Holy Spirit to tell me if He wanted me to start a fast. I also understood to expect some adversity because that's part of the Spiritual walk.
Because of the battle we are in, we have to stay focused on God. The enemy will do a lot to "try" and distract us. He might cause arguments, financial setbacks or some other distraction. He can also try through sexual sin or triggers from the past to undermine your spiritual walk. But one way to help is through renewing vows. The other is through the power of prayer. Let's look at vow renewal first.
Music Moment
Have you heard this awesome song Unstoppable from Koryn Hawthorne? It features Lecrae. Can't wait for the remix!
Love the lyrics, "I'm going to be who I'm supposed to be. Because I'm unstoppable. I can be who I want. He won't let me fall. Say a prayer, catch a wave, then I go out and get it!" Lecrae's lyrics include, "You can't stop this here. You can't top this here. It's too toxic here. I've worked too hard for my God. I'm going to leave your atmosphere. I can't be stopped. I won. The battle. It's over. We did it."
It's a reminder to ALWAYS know, humbly (of course), that we've ALREADY won, and we ALREADY have the victory. And everything you need? God's got it and He's got you. Cause you're unstoppable!
Stay encouraged. Keep reading your Bible. And keep lifting up your brothers and sisters in Christ. And look for inspirational leaders and successful financial planners to follow and learn from. Consider successful financial strategists like Dave Ramsey, Chris Hogan, JL Collins, Les Brown, the late Myles Munroe, and Tony Robbins. And find strong ministry leaders to follow like Pastors Lana Vawser, Hank Kunneman Steve Furtick, Kay Nash, Robin Bullock, Joel Osteen, A.R. Bernard, Joseph Prince, and John Hagee, and Jesus, of course!
You're a child of the King and success is yours! Walk away from anyone who tries to tell you otherwise!
Lord, help us to grow in You and know we can do all things through Christ. Not so we can become conceited and full of false pride - - because the Bible states, "Let us not become conceited provoking and envying each other," Gal. 5:26. But let us grow in You for Your edification and to give You all the glory, honor, and praise. For with God, all things are possible!
Renewing Marriages and Vows
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace, Romans 8:5-6
"Lord, program my mind for the answers."
I was watching a diet transformation show, Fit for Fashion. The contestants didn't just lose weight. They addressed bad eating behaviors so they wouldn't repeat the mistakes with their "new" bodies. It's the same with a marriage - - to a spouse or to Father God. Before you renew a marriage or vow, it helps to address any bad behaviors that need to be removed so you don't repeat them. New wine has to go into new wineskins.
This marriage and vow renewal article is broken down into different sections to help you expose where you might have problems. And, then when you expose it, you can explore how to fix it by taking Jesus there - - because we can't fix what we refuse to acknowledge or don't know about. So, let's start with bad "fixes".
The Pipe "Fitting" Problem
We had a pipe that broke in our building. I didn't know about it until I "heard" all the workers outside my window. There were several men onsite loading trucks. Others were digging underground and drilling. A pipe had burst from the cold weather and the section of pipe had to be replaced. Apparently, it didn't hold.
Late that night when the heat came on, it sounded like the boiler was going to explode! I was in bed and heard pipes crashing together. My neighbors heard it, too. I ran into the living room looking for a safe barrier because the noise was coming from all the pipes. I didn't know if a pipe was going to explode or if they would all suddenly skyrocket into orbit!
A few minutes later, the building super knocked on all the doors and said half the building had heat and half didn't. Apparently when they repaired the pipe, the "new" section didn't fit well with the old. That was obvious.
What's new in your life that's not agreeing with the old? What has to be removed for you to walk in the new as Christ wants us to? Importantly, are there old behaviors/flesh at war with your Spirit? Remember, we are new creations and old things are passed away, right?
Because the devil tries to undermine people, we need to focus on our spiritual walk and renewing vows. These might be vows to a spouse if there was infidelity or other "cracks" in the marriage. It can also be renewing vows to Christ if you fell off in your spiritual walk at some point. The Bible states: It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows, Proverbs 20:25. But, there are people that made them in the early stages of their walk and want to continue honoring their words to Christ. So, let's look at both types of vows.
Music Spotlight
When you know who you are, you know whose you are. Hear this powerful song Abba (Father), I belong to You from Leon Timbo. It's a reminder that as we draw closer to God, it's intimacy with the Father. Everything that's not like God has to come off us so we can focus on our loving Father God. Love the lyrics, "Daddy, your thoughts define me. You're inside me. You are my reality."
The Vows You Make to God
Another type of vow we have is our relationship with God. There were people who early in their Christian walk made promises to God. They might have said, "Lord, I promise to read my Bible every day." Or "Lord, I vow not to drink anymore."
While the Bible states not to make vows like these because we should just honor God with our word, it's okay to renew your vows to Father God. You can say, "Lord, I know I said that I would work on reading my Bible more. I haven't always done this, and I apologize. I will get back on track and spend more time in the Word."
The Battle for Your Mind and the Power of Prayer
The reason it's important to realign your walk in your marriage and with the Lord is that the devil is battling our minds. He wants to get our focus off of Christ, so he tries to distract us with petty arguments...
Music Spotlight
For a change in music, we turned to DappyTKeys. Holy Spirit Fill This Place is soft piano to help you usher in God's Spirit as you pray. This music excerpt is 42-minutes in length and includes soft piano that plays with an ocean scene and Bible verses shown in the background.
From the Holy Spirit...
The Holy Spirit said, "Tell them they don't have to worry for what God's about to do. He's preparing a table for them. But they have to move fast and be ready." Father God is asking, "Why are you worried?" It will get better." He said, "Ask them why are they worrying?" "Tell them they don't have to worry."
The Prayer of Salvation
If you haven't said the Prayer of Salvation, now's the best time: Father God in the name of Jesus, Lord, I ask forgiveness of my sins. Please come into my heart. I turn my back on sin and I make you my Lord and Savior. I want to follow you for the rest of my life. Please give me eternal life through you in Jesus' name, Amen.
Rededicate Your Life to Christ Prayer
If you need to rededicate your life to Christ because you feel like you've been sinning or haven't been living right, pray Father God in the name of Jesus, I ask forgiveness of my sins and I turn my back on sin. Please help me to overcome ---- and I want to lead a better life through you. I decree and declare this day I have overcome ---- and I have the victory in Jesus' name, Amen.
Stay in God's shadow, stay away from sin and temptation, keep reading your Bible and keep seeking God first.
Be ye doers of the Word... We pray this message blesses you today!
If you need prayer, please call the Bill Winston Prayer Center at (877) 543-9443. You can also check online for Joyce Meyer's prayer request form and other ministry sites that can pray for and with you. You are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ!
Empowered Women Empower Women:
Fearless Women Ministry and Conference Products
Have a church or business event coming up? Want help with custom women's conference products? Need conference banners and cards for women?
Shop for women's event banners, brand marketing cards, and other event and ministry products. You can go BOLDLY to the Throne of Grace!
Need an Uplifting Word?
Jesus said, "Come to me all ye who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest."
Need a Word? Want spiritual uplifting? Need prayer or to meditate on God?
Whether it's a morning prayer, or soothing praise and worship music, we've found inspirational video clips to help inspire, encourage, and uplift you. Hear these awesome prayers and listen to this amazing praise and worship. Jesus is with us, and He is healing and helping us.
Black History Month: Because of Them We Can
Sharing the Images of Eunique Jones Photography
LOL: "Maybe It's a Sign."
You know how when you pray, and you look everywhere for confirmation?
