Declaration of War

     When a challenge has been extended, the challenger is prepared to not only attack, but defend. Remember, our tongues hold the power of life and death. Before you make this statement out loud, you need to know that you are prepared for battle.

     HELMET of SALVATION in JESUS CHRIST needs to be on your head. BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS needs to be on your back and chest. GIRDLE of TRUTH about your waist. SHOES of the GOSPEL of PEACE. In one hand you carry your SHIELD of FAITH; in the other hand you carry the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD. PRAYING in the SPIRIT ALWAYS. Be on the ALERT, WATCHING ALWAYS. Be ready to speak in authority, BOLDNESS of MOUTH declaring the Mystery of the GOSPEL to all who hear.

     If you are not fully clothed in Jesus Christ, you are not ready to declare war on the enemies of God. I am so glad I know my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST and that HE is mine forever and I am HIS!

FaithBaby website or FaithBaby on facebook

     I love Christian clothing sites, they inspire us and bring out the best in some of us (like me) and the worst in some of us. Boldness of faith is essential in bringing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to the forefront of spiritual warfare instead of leaving it on the home front. And I thank God for the anointing power of the Holy Spirit, who works through those of us who are willing to take a stand for our belief and will not back down when the fighting gets ugly. 

LOVE IS

Many couples in their wedding ceremony use the verses from 1 Corinthians 13 in their vows. We did, too. Here it is streamlined and easily understood by everyone. This chapter selection from 1 Corinthians is written for everyone; just like every other part of the Bible. We need to apply the things we read and learn on how to be better Christians to ourselves and to stop pointing fingers at those who fail to live up to our standards of what it means to be Christian. It is God's measure we need to live up to. When we don't, we all fail. 

Oh, Lord, guide me in all Your ways, that I might be the Christian You have called me to be. I surrender myself to You. Mold me into a useful vessel to be used for Your purposes and not mine. Shine through me. Shine the Light of Love and Compassion into the darkness that encompasses my walk. Joy over me with singing. I delight in Your Word and hunger for more of you. Fill me to overflowing. Continue to teach me to love like You love. In Jesus' Name, these things I ask; these things I praise You for. Amen.

LOVE IS.........

PATIENT (LONG-SUFFERING, WAITS)

KIND (SHOWS MERCY TO ALL REGARDLESS OF RACE, POLITICS, BELIEFS, CULTURE)

ENVIES NOT (DOES NOT WANT WHAT OTHERS HAVE_

GENEROUS (WITH THE BLESSINGS WHICH GOD HAS POURED OUT)

HUMBLE (PUTS THE NEEDS OF OTHERS FIRST)

MEEK AND MERCIFUL (STRONG IN THOUGHT AND ACTION)

REJOICES IN DECISIONS AND ACTIONS BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD AND DOES NOT REJOICE WHEN SOMEONE SINS

BEARS (WITHSTANDS, CARRIES) ALL THINGS

BELIEVES (HAS FAITH IN) ALL THINGS

HOPES (ANTICIPATES WITH JOY) ALL THINGS

ENDURES (HOLDS ON) ALL THINGS

NEVER FAILS (NEVER ENDS, NEVER STOPS)

1 Corinthians 13:4-7. 13

V4. Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not: charity does not vaunt itself, nor puff itself up,

V5. Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;

V6. Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

V7. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

V8. Charity never fails: prophecies fail, tongues cease; knowledge shall vanish away

V13. And now abides FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY, these three; but the greatest of these is CHARITY.

"Abides" means lives in.  Faith lives in us through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He who was crucified for our sins. He took our punishment that we live eternally through Him and with Him. Hope lives in us: a blessed hope we have, one which causes us to rejoice daily: we will see Jesus face to face someday and live forever in the mansions which He has prepared for us. We will see God and live. We will sing praise to Him who is Truth and Beauty.

Charity lives in us because Christ lives in us. As we allow the Holy Spirit of God to move in our minds, in our hearts, in our spirits, in our lives, we are changed from glory to glory until we become fully what God has chosen us to be. 

To God be the glory and none other. There is no god like our GOD. 

5 Marks of Spiritual Maturity

{Notes from Pastor Alan's sermon)

1. Positive Attitude
James 1:2/Good under pressure

2. Sensitive to the needs of other people
1 John 3:17
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

3. Peacemaker (not trouble maker)
James 4:1
Romans 12:18

4. Patient;Waiting;Longsuffering
James 5:7

5. Prayerful
James 5:16, 17
1 Thessalonians 5:17