Live The Life Of Your Dreams.

Live The Life OF Your Dreams.

Life is built on dreams. Dream away child. Dream your way into adulthood and watch where your path takes you. As an adult, dream away anyway. Don’t stop dreaming. Don’t stop envisioning the life you want. Dare to take that chance, to turn your dream into reality.

A life of dull repetition is not the way a child of God was supposed to live. Doing the same thing day in and day out; bored, depressed, in a rut. What is your passion? What is it that causes your heart to leap with joy? What is your dream?

Dare to wonder how to bring that dream into reality. Read, study, learn what it takes to be successful in your field of dreams. If you’re feeling fear; feel the fear and do it anyway. Do it on a smaller scale, if you’re worried about losing what you’ve already worked so hard for.

As we get older, it becomes harder to take risks. We don’t want to go backwards, as it’s too difficult to recover when we don’t have so many years ahead, as behind. If you’re more mature, don’t risk all you have, but also don’t stay in a rut.

Work on the little things you can do to improve where you are, what you want and where you want to go. It doesn’t have to all be done today. Baby steps, one step in front of the other.

The bible says: Write the vision and make it plain, that he may run who reads it… though it tarry wait for it, for it will surely come. (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

Write the dream. Write the steps you need to take to get you there and take those steps every day, for one day it will surely come. Don’t ever stop, until you see that dream a reality in your life.

Dust yourself off if you fall down, but take another step. Don’t quit, for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it will speak and it will not lie. (Hab 2:3)

This isn’t just a biblical promise. Those of the ‘positive thinking’ sway, also write their goals, or make vision boards for easy visualization of where they’re headed. Looking every day at their goals help the reader remain positive, focussed and on track and that’s what we’re to do, if we want to see our vision realised in our life.

If you want good success, if you want to see your dream fulfilled, turn to God for, God promises life and life more abundantly and there is no higher word than His, for He swears above His own name, that you can trust in the One who’s given you the dream. You can trust He will bring your dream to pass. Even when it tarries – trust.

Those of the ‘positive thinking’ sway, working on their goals without the input and power of God, miss an important element in successful living. Positive thinking is a false movement, a carnal movement, a movement without the aid of God. And while positive thinking does work to a point, it’s better to have God on board, as you work towards your dreams and desires.

God will bring a power and a truth, that positive thinking alone can’t. I was travelling in my little caravan once, when the Holy Spirit gave me a nudge. We’d just turned on the motor of the car and were about to pull out of a caravan park when I heard; Check the brake on the van. Sure enough, the brake to the van was still in the lock position.

You won’t get that with positive thinking. You only get that, as a child of God. God speaks and if we listen, we’ll go a long way.

The bible is full of the wisdom for successful living. It tells you how to maintain relationships, how to manage finances, speaks of ways to live a healthy and happy life. If life isn’t what you thought it should be, get into the word of God and He will direct your steps. It’s never too late to start either.

I know. I’ve been there. No belief in the bible, or God, whatsoever. Now I’m living the life of my dreams and I accredit it to having faith. I’ve turned my life around 160 degrees and life is full of fun, excitement, love, good health and prosperity. It all started, when I started to believe in God, His word and His promises.

So, get into the word (bible) and get going, towards a new and exciting life, a life of abundance which God has promised to those who will follow Him.

 

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

 

 

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

 

alexandragrose@amazon.com

©2023

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

 

 

 

 

 

The Unshakable, Immovable Rock.

        

         The Unshakeable, Immovable Rock.

                      

                          The Great I Am.

As Christians, we are in a war and the war never ends. Satan will consistently barrage us with strife, fear, illness, negative mental images of ourselves, imaginings of self-rejection thoughts, and much more.

The only way to win the war is to fight; constantly. We strengthen and grow our faith, as we read His word and believe what it says. Strive, battle, conquer, overcome - we shall have victory. How do I know? Because God says so, in His word. And God doesn't lie.

1 John:5-4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.

It’s hard to live in a place of poor, to no results. It’s hard to keep that faith, when we don’t see any change. A lack of change, a lack of positive results which carries on for years, makes it hard to stay in the fight and not give up. But what is faith, if it isn’t the hope of seeing what we don’t yet see?

Romans 8:24-25 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope, for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 

You can’t go AWOL, when the battle is raging. You have to stick it out (persevere) to the end. How will you know when you’re reached the finish line? When you see what you’ve prayed for come to pass. If you’re not seeing it yet, you’re still in the battle. Your job is to keep fighting, to never give up until you have the victory, until you have what you’ve asked for.

And when you have what you’ve asked for, remember to give thanks to the great and mighty God. You kept the faith. You continued the fight. In doing so, the Lord brought you the winning result, because you didn’t give up. You were like the woman with the unjust judge. She kept pestering, until he gave her what she asked for, lest she wear him down.

Luke 18:3-5 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him (the judge), saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this woman troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’

Unlike the unjust judge, God is never wearied, however, keep asking, seeking, knocking and one day that door will open. Your dedication and perseverance to God, to His word and His promises, is what will open the door and bring those promises to pass in your life.

Just a little aside: I was listening to a minister who went to bible college. He mentioned, out of the 130 students in his class, only 3 were still preaching 30 years later.

There’s a lot who don’t make the distance, who don’t finish the race, who give up and quit. Don’t be one of them, because it’s only in finishing the race, that we receive the prize.

Believe God. Believe His word is truth and can be trusted. Don’t be swayed or moved. Trust in Him; the unshakable, immovable rock – the Great I Am – during the storms of your life and you will be victorious. 

*Biblical notes from NKJV

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

alexandragrose@amazon.com

©2023

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

He Shall Direct Your Paths.

Lean not on your own understanding.

He shall direct your paths.

Sampson is often remembered for his killing of the Philistines, collapsing the pillars of the stadium and killing many, including himself. What’s often overlooked is that he was meant to overcome the Philistines and that he was judge over Israel for 20 years. God’s spirit empowers the judges at times, and even though they’re corrupt, God can still use them.

Right from the start, Samson was to take from the Philistines, 30 tunics, which is why he said the riddle, offering a wager. Judges 14:14; … out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet. He was so sure of himself, he knew no one could answer the riddle. His weakness for women pressing upon him was his downfall, as he told his wife the answer to the riddle and she blabbed.

He would have received thirty pieces linen and 30 sheets, but because he couldn’t keep it to himself, he lost the wager, although he made it known; it was his wife’s doing. Before the sun went down…i.e. before the consummation of the wedding, he found out her betrayal.

In his anger he killed 30 Philistine’s and honoured his pledge with their clothing, giving that clothing to the men who ‘supposedly’ guessed the answer to his riddle. He then left in a rage.

The father of the wife gave his daughter to Samson’s best man, assuming Samson wouldn’t come back for her after her betrayal to Samson. When he finally returned and found his wife had been given to someone else, again he was aroused to anger. He set foxes tails alight and burnt the crops, then went and dwelt in the cleft a rock.

This burning of the crops in turn caused the Philistines to burn the father and daughter to death, as an act of revenge, after which Samson killed a thousand men with the closest thing at hand; ‘a donkey jawbone’ and Samson became judge of the people of Israel for 20 years

Samson was a promiscuous, violent and arrogant man, who lusted after women. Lust caused Samson’s downfall, as he met a harlot, and while with her, was surrounded by his enemies. He escaped, after which the story moves to Delilah, where he was eventually captured through her pressing and Samson was taken captive. His hair cut and eyes plucked out.

Sometimes we do the same thing over and over, without learning the reason, or solving the issue; or turning to God for our answers. If Samson had followed God, rather than the lusts of his flesh, things would have gone very differently for him.

The story of Judges then moves to Micah. Micah is a contraction of the name Micayehu; ‘who is like Jehovah’, and is one of several memorable transactions in the book of Judges. The story appears to jump from Samson to Micah, and are seemingly unrelated to each other, until one looks a little deeper into both stories.

Micah idolizes money, or he wouldn’t have stolen from his own mother. A closer look at Samson, shows he had his own idolatry (which is a sin, as is adultery a sin, both of which Samson was doing (intermixing) with all the women he lusted after). As a Nazarite, dedicated to God for as long as he lived, Samson certainly shouldn’t have been having affairs.

The stories of Judges aren’t in order and Micah is said to have been written after Joshua had died and before the Israelites had elected a judge to rule between the people and between one another. During this time the commandments of Moses were lost to the nations and every man did what was right in their own eyes. (Sounds much like today, doesn’t it?)

Micah stole from his mother, incidentally, the same figure of money that Delilah was offered if she could find Samson’s weakness - 1100 pieces of silver. His mother initially curses Micah, so it’s understood here that she knows it was him who stole from her.

He eventually returns the money and instead of being angry the mother blesses her son and between them, they decide to put the money to good use, turning the money into an idol and they set up idol worship within their home and community.

When every man does what is right in his own eyes, it is evil before the Lord. Today we have the bible to keep us on track. Today, we know what’s right, if we’re following the bible.

Micah and his mother had sincere intentions, but were in ignorance and delusion. Right biblical teaching had fallen by the wayside, since Joshua’s death and the death of all the other elders, under Joshua’s leadership.

Micah goes as far as to set his son’s to be priests at this time in history, as there was no judge. In setting his son’s and with sincere intentions, but wrong ideas, this caused cycles which move the nations in a downward spiral. Eventually Israel would sin again and so it would be another downward spiral of wrong-doing.

The stories in Judges are a warning not to turn away from God’s leading. A sobering explanation of the human condition, and the need to follow God. To turn away from our own understanding and turn from doing what appears right in our own eyes and yet are wrong in the eyes of the Lord.

It’s said that outward losses drive good people to prayer, but bad people to curse. Let’s be good people, driven to prayer and the word of God, during our testing times.

Proverbs 3:5-6; Trust the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

*Biblical references; Holy Bible NIKV.

 

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

 

 

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

 

alexandragrose@amazon.com

©2023

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

 

 

 

The Terebinth Tree

   

                   The Terebinth Tree.

        An important tree in biblical history.

The terebinth tree grows to around 30-35 feet. It’s also known to be an oak, fig, or a pistachio. A strong, hardy and long-lived tree, found in a number of the Arabic regions. A common tree which usually stands alone, meaning it doesn’t grow in a group.

Spiritually, this tree symbolizes there are things we can only do alone and not within a group. If you have a problem and see a terebinth tree, it’s said to be a sign that you need to look into the matter on your own. While working on the solution to your problem, it pays to remember, you have the power to overcome any obstacle in your life, if you would but try.

The terebinth can live to be a thousand years. It has strong, deep roots, therefor it’s not drought affected. It’s a symbol of our powerful nature and a sign of determination and strength. It can regrow after it's been cut down.

The tree is seen as a sign of great knowledge and as individuals, symbolizes we have the ability to discern right from wrong. It is also identified as a sign of success.

A terebinth was present when Saul prepared to fight the Philistines. The battleground of David and Goliath had terebinth trees.

Abraham passed through the land as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. Moreh is viewed as the place where God spoke. The terebinth is a landmark, where Abraham pitched his tent and where the Lord would appear, making the area a land mark and a faith mark to Abraham.

175 years later, Jacob would dig a well and settle here. It was here that Jacob would bury foreign idols under the terebinth. Jacob’s sons would herd their sheep here and it was here Joseph was sold into slavery. Joshua would return here hundreds of years later, with millions of Jacob’s decedents, putting a faith stone as a further landmark and faith-mark. Joseph’s bones were also buried here.

Absalom’s mule went under the terebinth tree, where Absalom’s head became caught in its branches. A man saw it and told Joab he saw Absalom hanging from the terebinth. Joab took three spears and thrust them into Absalom’s side, as he hung in the tree.

It was under the terebinth that Abimelech was first declared king of Israel, as too was Rehoboam declared king under a terebinth. Jeroboam declared the site of the terebinth the new capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel. And it was here that Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, declaring Himself Messiah.

The body of Saul and his sons were buried under the terebinth at Jebesh.

Judges 6:11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophra, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.

1Kings 13:14 …and went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak. Then he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said “I am.”

The messengers of God often appeared under the covering of a strong tree. The terebinth tree is said to be the Lord’s strength, righteousness and power; relied upon no matter what. A tree that can never be shaken.

John 1:47-48 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and said of him. “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

Isaiah 6:13 But yet a tenth will be in it, and will return and be for consuming, as the terebinth tree or as an oak, who’s stump remains when it is cut down, so the holy seed shall be its stump.

Hosea 4:13 They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks, poplars and terebinths, because the shade is good.

These are just a few things that happened around the terebinth. We could go further, for there’s a lot more said in the bible, about these mighty trees.

Nothing and no-one is forgotten, cast aside, or left by God. We all have a part to play. The bible is a great book of the history of God’s will, God’s promises and God’s love. Let’s make our own history with God, starting today. Read His word and get to know Him. He might just surprise you.

*Biblical notes from NKJV.

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

alexandragrose@amazon.com

©2023

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

Tap into your Greatness

Though you feel small, there is a greatness within.

Tap into that greatness and you shall have good success.

Sometimes bible study is incredibly interesting. At these times I know God is talking to me; showing me things which are deeper than just what’s written within the pages of His book. I’m reading Judges. Gideon reminds me of me. He would feel the fear and do it anyway.

Gideon was hiding in the wine press, but he still threshed the wheat. Gideon destroyed the alters to Baal at night, because he was afraid of his father’s wrath, but he still destroyed the alters. Although he took his servant with him because he was fearful, Gideon still went into the adversary’s camp. He listened to God and in spite of his fear, in spite of his perceived shortfall of being the least of the least, he still won his battles and overcame armies.

I was toying with the idea of setting up an alter on my next property. God showed me today, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do this. The three alters in Gideon’s story; the alter of Baal (other God’s), the self-created alter (our own conceit and belief that we can do it our way (in the wrong order)) and the alter of God; the one God directs us to build.

Gideon asks the angel of the Lord to wait, while he prepared a sacrifice. He lays the sacrifice on the stone he set. There is no mention of wood. The angel of the Lord sets the sacrifice alight. It’s in the wrong order. Then Gideon destroys the Baal alter (the alter of the pagans, which bring sickness and poverty), after which God directs Gideon to build an alter in the right arrangement. That arrangement being, first to set the stone, then the wood and then light the wood, before placing the sacrifice.

Priestly alters are different again. Priests are dressed in royal robes, covering their sin nature and nakedness. They are of a higher order than their layman counterpart. Priestly alters can have more stones and also have carvings, but Gideon is not a priest. Gideon considered his tribe the least of all the tribes and he himself, the least of his tribe. But God…..

You see, God’s the answer. No matter how small you see yourself. No matter how much of a reject you feel, if you listen to God, He will move on your behalf.

As a Christian, our character and faith determines our power of overcoming. A man of great faith, is a man of great strength. Our confidence in God will overcome the wicked one. No strength can compare to that which faith and confidence in God can impart, especially when one’s faith is in the Risen Lord.

We don’t necessarily need an alter; for Jesus is our Lord and we can worship Him anywhere, any time. Our proper arrangement to the worship of God is; the right attitude and the right activities - praying, singing, preaching, tithing and communion. Get that right and we will overcome and see great success. 

Don't forget; Moses considered himself unworthy. David was also seen as the least worthy in his family. Joseph was the youngest, at the time his brothers sold him. They didn't think a lot of their little brother. Even Paul knew he wouldn't have become all he was, without God.

All went on to do great and mighty works for the Lord. The Lord’s strength is in our weakness. God has big things in stall for all of His people. 

Let the light of God shine upon you.

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

alexandragrose@amazon.com

©2023

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

Simple Steps to Overcome Depression.

      Simple Steps to Overcome Depression.

            And live the life of your dreams.

Energy is the result of a happy life. Having lots of energy is the opposite of depression. Depression is an indicator that life isn’t going the way you dreamt it would, or the way you want it to be. Your job at this point, is to find out what part of life you want to change.

Study those who’ve gone before you, who’ve already overcome this illness and do as they did and you will see those long, drawn out depression days turned into a joyous and fun filled life.

Remember; depression is a moment in time. In another moment, things will have changed and you will be on the other side of this. It may feel like eternity. It may seem like eternity. At the end of the day, everything changes, even a depressed state, although you may not see that right at this moment.

Stop listening to gloomy, depressing music. Put festive, exuberant songs on. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like it. It doesn’t matter if you can relate to that depressing music. You don’t want to relate. You want to be free and you can only be free, when you stop feeding on what’s harming you. So, get into good old-fashioned fun music and see if that doesn’t lift your spirit.

You can’t do the same thing over and over and expect a different result. To have a different result, means doing a different thing. How would you like to see your life unfold? If you’re depressed, life’s certainly not unfolding in a way you would like, so change something.

Think about what would make you happy. Think about how you would like to see your life. What steps could you take right now, right at this very moment, that would move you closer to your goal of a happy life? You see, you can’t carry on in the same direction and you can’t change direction, if you have no direction. Something has to change first.

If you want to go on a holiday, you decide where you’d like to go. You begin to save for that holiday. You look up fun and interesting things to see and do. You decide the steps you want to take, while you’re on that holiday. And then, when everything’s organised – off you go.

Life’s like that. You have to plan the future you want to see. You have to budget your way to building your desire. You have to decide which steps you will take, to get you there. And then - off you go – one step at a time, working towards your dream of a happy and fulfilled life.

Don’t spend years waiting for depression to pass. Become proactive in your life’s journey. There’s plenty of ‘how to’ advice, right at your fingertips (the internet is a wonderful tool, is it not?), so get cracking. Plan your fun and exciting future and take the necessary steps to get you there.

I know what I’m talking about, for I too was depressed once. Many years ago, life wasn’t going the way I expected, but I didn’t know what to do about it. Once I heard the above information, I picked it up and ran with it. Now, I’ve retired early and I’m living the life I dreamt about - trading currency on the global stock exchange, writing and taking photographs, while travelling the countryside.

Initially, I had no idea how I was going to turn my life around. I fumbled my way through, until I found what it was that I really wanted to do, what it was that made my heart sing and then I worked at it and worked at it, never giving up until my dream became my reality.

These days, I set off in my little caravan, with my bicycle on the back, finding the best places to photograph along the way. Glancing at the share market a few times a day, keeps my finger on the pulse, so to speak. I write to my heart’s content. With a walk, or cycle, each and every day, I love my life. I got there through diligence, perseverance and through faith in answered prayer. (God is real. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!)

Dare to dream. Dare to dream big and work towards it. Don’t stop until that dream becomes your reality. As you work towards your dream, your depression will lift and life will become a great adventure.

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

alexandragrose@amazon.com

©2023

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

Faith Wars

                               Faith Wars

                    A War of Flesh and Spirit.

There are two wars going on in the life of a Christian; a war of the flesh and a war of the spirit. A fight of light against darkness, of good over evil. Success in the flesh determines our success in the spirit. We will not see the enemy defeated, if we don’t conquer the flesh, for they’re closely linked.

When we fight in the natural realm, we’re dealing with natural appetites, not always and not necessarily, the work of the devil. Natural desires are not demonic, however God puts the responsibility on us, to make sure we say no to the appetites of the flesh. We need to do the right thing, even when it's hard.

We pray in the spirit to build ourselves up. God doesn’t act on the natural, He expects us to do that. He expects us to be overcomers. He may help, but mostly we need to make the right choices. Praying in the spirit guides us in areas we need to be praying, even when we don’t understand the words we’re speaking.

Spiritual weapons are used in both war of the flesh and spirit. Spiritual strength is given by God to deal with our flesh and we do it through spiritual weapons. We put on the armour of God and then wield the sword of the spirit, which is the word of the Lord.

Paul said in Romans 7:15; For what am I doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.

Paul is telling us; we can’t win by willpower alone. Willpower is about feelings and feelings don’t last. Feelings are fickle and when we go by feelings we’re trying to deal with the war in the natural. We need to pray in the spirit and then choose to make the right decision.

Each of us have different areas we struggle through, but God expects us to conquer all of these areas. He won’t do in the spirit realm, if we don’t do our part in the natural. It’s harder to have spiritual success, when we’re making wrong choices.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 states; For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

There’s a lot of the demonic activity happening in the world right now. The devil has set his demonic weapons and we are to fight against the demonic beings he’s sent, all the while using the weapons God’s given us. Often, we don’t use the weapons God’s given us, but instead we pray and wait for God to move. God, however, is waiting for us to move.

The weapons God has given us are to pray, speak in tongues and take our authority seriously. We really are no match for the devil – our strength comes from the Lord - so we must take advantage of His weapons.

We come against all evil in the name of the Lord. As I mentioned earlier; the flesh and the enemy are closely linked, but we need to make right choices. We need to read our bible, to pray, to speak in tongues, to stay out of worry, anxiety and depression and stay in faith. And it’s all easier said than done, especially when we aren’t seeing results. Sometimes it takes years and years, before we see results. It’s hard not to fall into discouragement, as time passes and nothing appears to be happening.

We want God’s protection. We want to win our battle, but often we don’t want to set up for battle. Here on earth there are natural battles, a different form of battle to the spiritual and we have to learn how to manage that battle. It might be food, pornography, alcohol, deceit, or any one of a number of other things.

The Holy Spirit is our helper and we need to call on Him every time we feel tempted, or frail. It’s essential to stay close to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit doesn’t leave us but He will step back when we make choices we shouldn’t be making. We’re given the freedom to choose, however there is a consequence to pay, should we make an unwise choice.

We must keep ourselves clean, or at least try to, by doing the right thing as much as we possibly can. There are certain things we shouldn’t be watching, reading, eating. These are the entry gates; what we see, what we hear, what we put in our mouth, what comes out of our mouth and we need to be sure what enters and exits the body is wholesome. Making wrong choices in these areas stems the flow of living water. It slows and restricts the outpouring of the Spirit and we need the outpouring of the Spirit to overcome our issues.

When we’re clean (doing all the right things), we become a channel for God’s Spirit to flow with no obstacles. The flesh battle is ours – if we don’t read the bible and don’t go to church, but succumb to procrastinations, or addictions, we block the flow of the living water.

John 7:37-38 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

God looks for men and women whom He can trust, who’ve conquered the earthly realm. They’re the people He uses. That doesn’t mean we lose our salvation. It doesn’t mean God can’t use us. He’s the King. He can do anything and He loves us (enormously) either way. But perhaps we might consider helping Him along, by overcoming our shortfalls.

Besides, if we’re lukewarm, our children will be lukewarm and none of us will be overcomers. If we want to see our children at church, we need let them see us going to church. If we want our children to be mighty prayer warriors for the Lord, we need to be a mighty prayer warrior. If we can’t do what needs to be done, our children won’t.

If we want to see victory; stand with God, don’t try to go it alone. Do what you need to do and God will do what He needs to, and then we shall be an overcomer.

We often pray for the armour of God, but it’s not only the armour of God we need, we also need the weapon of God. What is the weapon of God? It’s the sword - the word of God - and we need to be wielding the word.

Read what God’s word tells you to do about your issue. Decree and declare what you want to see happen in your life and in the lives of those you love, have faith that you’ll see it come to pass and don’t quit until it does.

Note: Biblical references from the NKJV

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

alexandragrose@amazon.com

©2023

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

God Will Not Leave You Nor Forsake You.

God Will Not Leave You Nor Forsake You.

Hebrews 13:5 states; Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)

Do you feel like you’re moving backwards? Are you bewildered at what’s happened in your life? God has not placed you on the shelf. You haven’t done wrong. You’re not being punished, but prepared. God’s not far from you, for He will never leave you, nor forsake you.

If you feel your life’s not the way God promised, know this: You are being prepared for something very important. There’s a purpose to walking in the wilderness and that’s to develop your character. There is a right way to go through the wilderness wandering; a way that will shorten the trip. There’s also a wrong way; a way that will add years to your wilderness experience.

Let’s do it the right way, for to have foreknowledge is to be forearmed!

When you walk with God and things don’t seem to be working, you’ll begin to feel disappointment and discouragement. You may even shake your fist at God and cry out, “Where are you!” If you don’t walk the right way during these times, you’ll feel like you’ve been abandoned. It’s during these times we must stand strong on who God says He is. Give Him praise and glory, through these difficult days.

When you’re thinking;‘God I don’t get it,’ there’s something you haven’t yet learned. If you’re wondering why you’re stuck in the same place, it’s time to go deeper into God’s word. God has a plan for your life and the only way you’ll find it, is if you take God and His word seriously. Nothing can fill you, like the presence of God and if you want answers, you need to spend time with God.

When you first start your journey with God, it feels like every prayer is answered. After some time, it seems to stop and you feel your prayers are falling on deaf ears. First you think you’ve done something wrong; sinned, not read your bible, not attended church regularly enough, maybe told a lie. Confess if you have, but if you’re doing everything you feel you should and you can’t perceive God, that doesn’t mean He’s not there. God is working behind the scenes.

God rewards those who diligently seek Him, not those who casually seek or pursue from a place of doubt. You have to believe He is who He says He is. Once God gives you a promise, He takes you through the wilderness to develop your character. When you’re fully developed, you’ll be better able to cope with the scale of the promise God’s bringing forth.

As a child, Joseph skited that his family would bow before him. Joseph was full of pride. He was a boaster, a tattle-tale and a bragger. Imagine if he ran the country without going through the hardship that he went through. Joseph would have been, not loving and caring, but narcissistic and who wants that kind of person leading them? His wilderness wandering served him well.

Saul never went through the wilderness and he didn’t finish well. He was appointed king with no training. Saul was arrogant and never saw the wrong he was doing, always shifting the blame onto others. He constantly worried about his reputation and honour, while at the same time, downplaying his roll for his bad decisions. He ended up losing his mind and died in battle.

David went through the wilderness and became a great king. During his former years, he killed lions and bears, while tending sheep and this set him up with the confidence to later kill Goliath.

Joseph’s wilderness wandering took 19 years, from the time his brothers sold him, until his dream of his family bowing to him eventuated. Moses; 40 years of walking in the wilderness. David; 17 years, before being anointed as king.

Sometimes it takes years to reach the ‘promised land’ and in all that time, you need to obey God. Those who obeyed God, all became great men of God. Isn’t that what we want too? To become great men and women of God.  

What about the child stars you see on tv? They start early and appear to have it all, but often end up in goal, or drug and alcohol addicted later in life. Why? Because their character hadn’t been developed enough to carry the load of stardom.

What I’m saying is: Even if things aren’t working, God still expects us to honour Him, to speak highly of Him and to obey Him – even when things aren’t going our way. 

Joseph interpreted dreams for others, even though his own dream hadn’t come to fruition. He could have said dreams don’t come true. Instead he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and because if it, was made second in charge of the region. This is why we need to honour God, even through the dry times of our walk with Him.

We need tests. We need to pass our test, so we can be successful. We go through our wanderings, so we can develop our character well enough to pass our test. The more you obey God, when there’s not one shred of evidence to say His word has come to pass in your life, the more your character develops, to better handle the promotion.

At the end of his wilderness wanderings, instead of being a narcissist, Joseph blessed his brothers. His character had developed over his years of captivity. This is why we must take every thought captive, why we must be obedient, even when we aren’t seeing results.

When we complain, we show a lack of holy fear. When we complain it's like we're saying; you know I would do it this way, not your way God. And that displays disrespect to the Great I Am. Nothing can remove the destiny God has prepared for us. All we have to do is walk in love, in faith and not complain about our situation.

The Israelites consistently complained and because of that, they kept going around and around the mountain. And that’s what will happen to us, if we complain. We go through the same issues time and time again, even if we just complain in our heart and not out loud.

Jesus knows our heart. He knows our thoughts. We have to keep a check on our thoughts. We prolong our season, when we complain. We have a job to do and we need to be getting in and getting it done. We can’t afford to prolong our situation. God s word says to redeem our time, so we need to be on top of things. We can’t be complacent.

God doesn’t even show us His full power. We couldn’t handle it if He did. Does that mean we shouldn’t try – absolutely not. We need to show the world the power of God, even if all we have is a thimble full.

The Holy Spirit ushered Jesus into the wilderness after his baptism, and Jesus returns from the wilderness in power. (Luke 4:14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee.) We need to come out of our wildness wandering in power. Jesus comes out in power and authority and what Jesus has; He gave to us. We need to walk in the authority He gave us.

When it seems like you’re going backward, don’t let faith founder. During the last supper, Jesus prayed Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail (Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.) and we need to pray that too when we’re in our wilderness wandering, because it’s easy to lose sight of where we’re going, when we feel God isn’t moving on our behalf.

It was in the desert wilderness that Moses saw the burning bush. John met God in the wilderness. The wilderness is where you find God, but you have to keep going in those wanderings. No complaints; joy every day regardless of circumstance. That is Fear of the Lord. Sometimes there is a need to vent (complain), for we are but human. Just don't stay there.

God says; they will be His, after the refining fire. (Zechariah 13:9 I will bring one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people;’ And each one will say, ‘ The Lord is my God.’) The refining fire is the wilderness wandering. When we come through these times, we shall be made as pure gold and people will see the treasure in us. That treasure is Jesus. Let the people see Jesus in you.

It’s a privilege to go though training. Allow God to train you. Your cup will overflow. It will be much bigger than you expected and I pray that your faith doesn’t fail during the testing time. God keeps His promises, for He is faithful to bring it to pass.

Your life is your responsibility. What happens after disaster, is up to you. You can’t rely on others. You have to take a stand and make the stand count, then thank God for His hand in your recovery. You have to redeem your time, you have to control your temper, you have to manage your money. If you do your bit, God will do His.

He will show you how to manage time, manage emotions, manage money, manage relationships, overcome addictions. And when He does, it’s up to you to act on what He’s told you. If you feel you can’t hear Him speaking – delve deep into His word and you will hear Him speak.

If you’re diligent, He will speak to you through His written work. He will cause a biblical phrase to jump out at you. He will prompt you to look things up and dig deeper into the word. He will take the impurities from your life and refine them. And it all starts when you land in the wilderness.

Take a look at what’s not working in your life. Look up scriptures that discuss those areas and God will show you how to deal with them. Life will bring trials and desert wanderings and we will be tested in the fire. Then the dross will float to the top and you will be refined, coming out of the wilderness as pure gold. And only then can Jesus use you mightily. We have to go through our brokenness, through the wilderness wandering, to become the great warrior God's called us to be.

 

*Biblical quotes from the New King James Version.

 

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

 

 

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

 

alexandragrose@amazon.com

©2023

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.