Spiritual Warfare Prayer

October 2, 2015 Gracie

Spiritual Warfare Prayer

I came across a fantastic spiritual warfare prayer on Facebook the other day. I had recently become a fan of this author’s page and, I have to say, her morning and evening prayers are both beautiful and inspiring. It seemed to exactly fit the words I needed to hear on an especially stressful morning.

spiritual warfare prayer Has that ever happened to you?

Have you ever felt plagued by thoughts of insecurity, low self-esteem, or even doubts about your purpose in life?

I’m sure we all have at one time or another. Sometimes, without any warning at all, negative thoughts or doubts pop up in your head, seemingly out of nowhere.

It can happen anywhere and at any time.

It’s happened to me too. The spiritual nagging was frustrating and relentless at first. I kept trying to think about something else, but the rounds of self-doubt just kept coming. What could I do? I remembered to put on the armor of God.

Spiritual Attacks Will Affect All of Us

Perhaps it’s a nagging thought that you aren’t good enough to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

Satan always sprinkles a little bit of truth in with his lies. Yes, it’s true no one is worthy, but we must always remember the Cross. Jesus paid the ransom for our sins and we have been redeemed. We have access to His complete forgiveness and grace.

satan's lies Satan is counting on us to forget our relationship with the Father. He seeks to destroy the family of God.

Another spiritual attack you might face is the feeling that you’re unforgivable.

Why did I act that way?

I have to check myself because I can get lost in a cloud of blaming myself for dumb decisions over and over.

The past is the past. I’ve asked for God’s forgiveness. We can never forget that we serve a God of second chances.

Please don’t dwell on your past mistakes. God will forgive you if you’ve confessed what you’ve done.

Don’t believe Satan’s lies that you’re scarred for life and God doesn’t care about you. That’s a spiritual attack.

We Question What We Don’t Understand

Since I became a Christian I never doubted the truth of the Bible. I have, however, questioned God’s reasoning (instead of praying) when things don’t go the way I planned for my life or when a loved one is critically ill. I don’t understand why bad things have to happen to people I love. Regardless, I’m only a sinner and I must trust God throughout the trial.

Don’t be embarrassed when you’re faced with various temptations. Even Jesus was a target of the evil one.

But, we can be ready for the next time the evil one strikes.

armor of God I’ve collected a list of Bible verses that I can refer back to whenever I need that armor. I highly suggest you consider doing the same. Write them down and commit them to your heart so you can recall them instantly when you need spiritual strength.

This verse from 1 John 4:4 is a perfect example:

*”You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

A Spiritual Warfare Prayer Worth Saving

When I found the spiritual warfare prayer I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, I couldn’t wait to add it to my collection of “armor.”

I wanted to share it with you too, so you can start building your own armor when the devil attacks.

This prayer was written by Christian author, Susie Larson. Many thanks to her as she was kind enough to allow me to share it with you here:

Spiritual Warfare Prayer God bless and may everything you do this week bring glory and honor to Him!

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Our Exceptional God

Gianna Jessen

September 29, 2015 Gracie

God’s Girl

If I had to name just one woman who truly inspires me, it would be Gianna Jessen.

I know I’ve mentioned her before in my blog, but she’s especially been on my heart lately. If you don’t know her story, Gianna Jessen is an abortion survivor. She also has cerebral palsy, the result of the failed abortion attempt.

baby in the womb Gianna has dedicated her life to sharing her faith in God and speaking out against the senseless murder of babies in the womb. She has shared her story all over the world.

I love her honesty and I love her spunk despite the difficult circumstances of her life. One thing she is not – and that is a victim.

“I’m His girl. You don’t mess with God’s girl. I got a sign on my forehead that says: You better be nice to me, for my Father owns the world.” – Gianna Jessen

The Planned Parenthood videos with the horrific news of dismemberment of babies make me want to be sick. Of course, they’re claiming the tapes were “doctored.” Would we expect anything else? Whether they were doctored or not, that doesn’t make abortion right.

The fact is: God wanted those babies to be born and their lives were snuffed out.

Babies Have Rights Too, Just Ask Gianna Jessen

Sadly, any moral compass in our country is disappearing right before our very eyes. The “eject” button has been pressed by the media, Hollywood, politicians, and a self-absorbed generation of Americans who can’t be bothered. We will all be held accountable.

I don’t know about you, but I feel betrayed by the majority of the congressmen we elected during the mid-terms. I thought, with a supposed conservative majority, it was a signal that our nation may be turning back to God. And yet, time after time, this current crop of politicians have turned their backs on God and the sanctity of life with their decisions.

Shame on them. 🙁

I am disgusted.

Those politicians who are failing us and also those people holding up their pro-abortion signs, do not represent me. From the statistics I’ve seen, nor do they represent the majority of men and women in America.

Gianna Jessen - God's Girl Abortion is evil, plain and simple.

We might as well be right back in Biblical times when cult-worshippers sacrificed children on their counterfeit altars.

Planned Parenthood only does mammogram “referrals” – we’ve heard that time and time again. Regardless, for some very deceived people, this “referral” is more important than a baby’s life. Follow the money.

Haters of Christianity like to spread the lie that a woman who has had an abortion can’t go to Heaven. It frustrates me to hear that, because we have a loving God who knows the hearts of sinners and will forgive those who are truly seeking His pardon.

Abortion is morally wrong. Our country is shedding the blood of the innocent. America is killing its future. All life is valuable. All life is a gift from our Creator. We must receive and cherish the gifts we are given. We must honor the right to life. – Gianna Jessen

Godwin Is Not God

A few nights ago on social media, I was called out by someone for my pro-life views about the abortion holocaust. This guy quoted Godwin’s law.

“Who?”

Exactly.

I could care less what Godwin says.

Godwin is not God.

Christians follow God’s laws.

As the song says, there’s “no turning back, no turning back.”

Speaking of music, I wanted to share this beautiful song written and sung by Gianna. I hope it blesses you as much as it does me. The movie based on her life, “October Baby,” features this song.

God bless Gianna Jessen.

Our Exceptional God

Grace

September 21, 2015 Gracie

His Grace Is Enough

The word “Grace” is, to me, one of the most beautiful words in the English language. When you think about what the word means, unexpected and unmerited favor, it gives me great encouragement to know that God created the potential of this beautiful quality in all of us so that we can share it with others.

Grace started with Him. His grace is enough When Jesus paid the penalty for yours and my sin, His grace covered all of it.

Do we still sin? Yes, but if we truly repent, God forgives and continues to refine and perfect us. Remember the “potter and the clay” analogy? It’s a perfect description of how God works in all of our lives. God’s grace is a refining fire in the midst of trials.

Everyone has the opportunity to receive His grace. It makes me sad when I hear that there are people who still believe they have to earn their way into Heaven.

They can’t. It’s impossible. We must believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal salvation and that is the path we must take.

A Thorny Path

It’s a path that’s sometimes filled with thorns. Bad things will happen to us – we can expect it at some point in our lives. We may even question God about the injustice of it all.

Take heart, dear one.

God has promised He would always be with us, and if it’s in His divine plan, He will bring healing if it accomplishes His purpose. There is always a purpose.

Cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease – there are so many words like these that strike fear and discouragement when they become a part of our lives or of someone we love.

How do we survive a diagnosis such as these?

faith and prayer With Faith. It has to be with Faith.

Please add “a lot of prayer from friends and family” to that because God listens to every one. He hears your every heart beat and He hears your every word. Trust in Him and His plan for your life. We know that God is already working your suffering for good, maybe tomorrow or maybe way into the future. We must trust Him, even when the healing doesn’t come in this life.

A friend of mine, Martha F. from Texas, has experienced God’s grace within her own family. We are all sinners in the eyes of God. Here’s a verse to illustrate that from the book of Romans:

Romans 3:23 —

* ²³All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

All is Not Lost However

Taken by itself, one might think that all is lost, that there’s no way we can measure up. But all is not lost. Jesus provided a way for us to spend our lives eternally in His presence and where there will be nothing but joy.

Martha adds:

This verse sums up the human race to me and the grace that is available to all who receive Jesus as their Savior. It is a reminder to me that no one, no not one, of us are pure and blameless, but we have hope in Jesus as He took the punishment for our sins. Everyone has sinned, but everyone also has the opportunity to receive Christ. Because we all are sinners, Jesus died for all, not just an elect few. We all have the opportunity, as we are all sinners, to receive eternal salvation.

Nothing Compares To God’s Grace

We will have an eternal future with Him that will be better than anything we have ever experienced – that means all the beautiful sunsets, fun times spent with our loved ones, personal experiences with grace, exciting vacations, alone time spent with God – when it’s our time to leave this world, we will spend our time with Him in His holy presence and nothing can even compare with that.

His grace will always be enough. Here’s a song I love by Sara Groves. I hope you enjoy. God bless you all this week.

Our Exceptional God

Remembering September 11th

September 11, 2015 Gracie

Remembering September 11th

Remembering September 11 I remember waking up that September 11th morning in 2001. I turned on the news like I always did while getting ready for work. The news anchors were talking about a “small” plane that had crashed into the World Trade Center, but details were very, very sketchy.

I had an ominous feeling about the whole thing, but headed off to work as usual. Fortunately, I had a job at the time where I could work while the TV was on in the background. My boss was away on a trip so I had the whole office to myself.

I turned on the TV and I could tell from the news reports that the alleged small plane “accident” at the WTC was much, much more. I stopped what I was doing and spent the next hour glued to the TV.

It gets me emotional just thinking about it. My boss called me a short while later to ask if I’d heard about the attacks and that I could go home. I called my husband and his whole office was talking about it too.

I begged him to come home and he said the office would probably let them go soon.

The dread and reality of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil finally sunk in and made me sick to my stomach. I drove back home in shock, probably like everyone else in the world, and turned the TV back on.

Feeling Helpless

I was thankful I had our dogs with me until my husband got home. I just felt helpless. There was nothing to do except to watch and pray.

This can’t happen in America. Any belief I had of feeling safe in the greatest country in the world was shattered that dark day.

The images of people jumping off the towers were horrific and unforgettable. For those people to have to make that awful choice – I can’t even go there in my mind.

Dear God, what is happening? Please let this be a nightmare.

My husband got home and I remember we didn’t say much. There was just a numb feeling, a deep sadness, like at a funeral of someone you hold dear. Later that evening, we took a walk around our neighborhood like we always did when the sun was setting.

But that evening was different.

We lived about 15 minutes from the airport and there were no planes in the sky.

I cried that day, and for days afterwards.

I will never, ever forget.

thank you first responders

A Big Thank You

On this day of remembrance, I want to thank all of the first responders who risked their own lives to save others and continue to do so.

A thank you also to the loyal and brave service dogs and their trainers who were instrumental in all of the recovery efforts.

I pray this will never happen again, but I believe we’ve been betrayed but those in high office who promised to protect us and our freedoms. Ultimately, this is a spiritual battle and we need to pray for our country.

I pray that God will heal our land. One look at the news every night and it doesn’t look good. Satan is prowling around and the influence of the evil one is everywhere…in high political offices, in public school curriculum, in some churches, the list goes on.

We are at a crucial time in our nation’s history. God has allowed some major wake-up calls and there will be more. Biblical prophecies always come true.

Are You Prepared?

I know I’ve said this before, but I believe some people still think that none of these world events going on will affect them.

It will. Pay close attention to some of the national meetings taking place later this month.

America is in deep, deep trouble.

I encourage you to read the Book of Revelation with a good commentary. Pastors John MacArthur and Dr. Robert Jeffress have excellent teachings on the events to come. You can find their teachings in video and written form simply by doing an online search.

Our only hope is in God and salvation through Jesus Christ. If your faith is lukewarm or nonexistent, please don’t put off THE most important decision in your life.

Nothing and I mean nothing is more important than making sure yours and your family’s faith is in Jesus Christ.

Stay strong and faithful and God bless you all!

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Our Exceptional God

Putting on the Armor of God

September 8, 2015 Gracie

Gearing Up for Spiritual Battle

In the Bible, we’re instructed to put on the armor of God. The Enemy is on our doorstep, and it’s time to start getting prepared … if you aren’t already.

putting on the armor of God Ephesians 6:13-17, NASB, says:

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

– New American Standard Bible (NASB)Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

That’s a straightforward, pulling-no-punches, command from God. Our strength is in God and in His Word. Ultimately, we are fighting against the devil’s schemes.

No one said it was going to be easy, but no battle worth fighting ever is.

We must pray, read His word, and commit scripture verses to memory so we can be prepared to answer for our faith in the tough days ahead.

Never in my life have I seen so many attacks on Christianity, babies in the womb, racial relations, and God’s design for marriage. As the political arena heats up prior to the 2016 elections, I can only imagine this hatred towards Christians will only get worse.

Blatant irreverence and rebellion towards God.

The News Media Bias is Disturbing

It’s getting real difficult for me to watch or even read the news anymore … continued attacks on pro-life supporters and God’s design for marriage between a man and a woman.

God’s will has now been vilified by the mainstream media as well as the mantra “anything goes” in our society. In fact, there are some segments of our society that want to do away with any descriptions of gender at all. Have you seen what’s happening with California restrooms and what almost happened in a Tennessee school, “he” and “she” were almost done away with.

C’mon, this is nonsense.

As Christians, we need to wake up and get our heads out of the sand.

Parents, please stay involved and watchful.

Those moms and/or dads who have their children enrolled in public schools better be prepared to de-program their kids when they get home. Not doing so is a recipe for disaster. Eventually, the culture war will come to your school and your family will either stand up for your faith in God or you’ll choose to stay silent, hoping it will all just go away.

It won’t.

We are to speak up for our faith when we have an opportunity, exhibiting the reverence we have for our Heavenly Father.

We need to spread the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ alone as quickly as we can against this growing tide of persecution. Have you heard what is happening in the Middle East?

How could anyone stay silent against persecution, even that which has come to America? I do believe we are the terminal generation.

The desecration of a national and historical place in June (I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I refuse to share a picture) was a disturbing assault on our God-given values of family and faith in our nation’s history. I knelt and cried when I saw it.

Our Nation Needs Prayer

Today, our nation needs prayer. I still hold out hope for America to be a praying nation again, but only God knows the timing of every event to come.

There are Christians in the public eye taking brave stands. That encourages me. Evangelist and best-selling author, Ray Comfort, is one whom I have tremendous respect for.

His heart and compassion for people has led him to witness to many people across the globe. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Ray has reached countless souls for Christ.

He and his team at Living Waters have also produced some wonderful films which discuss the Christian response to some of the disheartening topics of the day.

Gods design for marriage I also highly recommend the movie, “Audacity.” I’ve seen it twice now and will put the link to it below. The movie is free and just over 55 minutes long. It centers on God’s design for marriage and how to lovingly witness to homosexuals. I repeat, “lovingly.”

Now, of course, there are those people out there who hate Ray Comfort and anything having to do with Christianity. As vicious as their attacks are, we must pray for them.

Audacity is worth the watch, less than an hour out of your day

We are all sinners and in need of a Savior. It doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor, from a different ethnic group, sexual community, old or young – none of that is the point.

“Audacity” will help you see this controversial issue with new perspective.

Here’s the link to the free Audacity movie:

God bless you all. Stay strong, my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Our Exceptional God

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