FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE – PART 2

January 29, 2013January 29, 2013Kim Sweeting 2 Comments

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE – PART 2

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Romans 8:14; Luke 14:26)

“YOU CAN FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE”

This is the last part of the post I wrote in April of 2010 about finding the right balance.

Be blessed!

Kim

In each time and season of our lives, we need to seek God’s direction as to where we should be, when we should be there and what we should be doing, and upon receiving this information to, by God’s grace, make it a priority to act on it.

Such spirit-directed life adjustments will enable us to come to our place of right balance.

Jesus prioritized his whereabouts and tasks according to the timing and will of His Father. He found His place of right balance by listening to and obeying His Father at all times, in all places and in all things; He never tried to be a people pleaser, nor did He prioritize pleasing Himself.

Like Jesus, our ultimate priority in life should also be to do the will of our heavenly Father as revealed by the Holy Spirit at all times, in all places, and in all things, no matter how “big” or “small” and then we too will experience our right balance.

Please be warned though, that embarking on such a lifestyle is not without a price. As you seek to emulate Christ’s example of obedience, turbulence from others will come.

It may come in the form of opposition, rejection, criticism, expressed anger, expressed hurt, expressed disappointment, being despised, being accused of insensitivity or of “changing”, being the object of gossip and slander, even death, – whatever the form, you can rest assured that turbulence will come.

It came for Jesus as a result of His lifestyle of obedience to our Father, and if we follow His example, it will come for us too.

Some of the turbulence that Jesus experienced as a result of His obedience to our Father’s will was that He was despised, rejected, the brunt of anger, the object of controversy, viewed as a trouble-maker, the religious order of the day was totally against Him and plotted to kill Him, He was called a wine-bibber, accused of being demon possessed, looked down upon for being with those considered “nobodies”, He was mocked, ridiculed, scorned, spit upon and eventually crucified.

Like it did with Jesus, when you make a decision to be in the right place at the right time doing the right thing as determined by God, at some point, turbulence from others will arise.

It will arise because in making this choice, no matter how noble your intentions and righteous your actions in the eyes of the Lord, it is inevitable that some people, whether, family, friends, fellow Believers, associates, co-workers, neighbors, or whomever, will experience or interpret them negatively, and not hesitate to communicate this to you in some way, especially if you are not able to meet or accommodate their expectations, desires, requests, demands or needs.

When this happens, remember that it is all a part of the price of being Spirit led, it is all a part of the price of being a mature son of God, it is all a part of taking up your cross and following after Christ so do not be discouraged.

Know ahead of time that when you embark on this lifestyle, not everyone will accept your decisions and not everyone will like or understand you, especially those who have no experience in living life in this way, and that it’s okay.

Like Jesus, we need to have a mind to endure any turbulence from others that may arise and with the help of the Holy Spirit to not be angered, offended, or distracted by it, for when we view experiencing such turbulence from a Kingdom perspective, it truly is a “small” price to pay considering the resulting benefits of our obedience in this life and in eternity.

As Kingdom Citizens/Believers in Christ, a key to finding the right balance in our lives is being in the right place at the right time doing the right thing as determined by God.

It’s a God thing. It’s all about Him. It’s all about His will being done in each time, season and situation of our lives, not our will and not anyone else’s.

Today if you find yourself in a place of imbalance, why not pray and ask the Lord to enlighten you about your state and then make a decision to do whatever He says is necessary to achieve what He defines as the right balance for you.

Remember however, this not a one shot deal. It is a lifestyle and a life-long process and among other things, it will take commitment, effort, determination, “stick ability”, knowing the Word, dying to self, dying to being a “people pleaser”, a whole lot of prayer, a whole lot of help from the Holy Spirit, and maybe some Kleenex (smile!).

This may sound like a lot, but the good news is that based on Jesus’ life, the results of such obedience and balance will be worth it both in this life and the next.

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “LIFE BALANCE SIGNPOST” by stuart miles courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE – PART 1

January 28, 2013Kim Sweeting 4 Comments

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE – PART 1

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Romans 8:14; Luke 14:26)

“YOU CAN FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE”

Of late, many women have spoken to me about feeling tired, overworked and overwhelmed because of having so much to do, and voiced their struggle to keep balance in their lives.

As a result, I decided to reblog this post I wrote in April of 2010 about finding the right balance.

Be blessed!

Kim

Today we live in an extremely demanding age with a myriad of voices constantly calling out after us. They call out after our mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual resources, after our money, our attention, our time, and sometimes even after our sense of sanity.

They call out through family, friends, church, employers, co-workers, social organizations, neighbors, television, radio, Internet, cell phones, I Pods, Blackberry’s, newspapers, magazines and the list goes on.

They say, “come here”, “go there”, “buy this”, “eat that”, “dress like this”, “you must have that”, “spend time here”, “never go there”, “call me”, “email me”, “text me”, “visit me”, “give this”, “join us”, “read this”, “listen to me”, “feed me”, “change me”, “do this”, “do that”, “do the next…………..and on and on and on

We are seemingly bombarded with endless demands, and we can not be all things to all people, so the question is:

How do we find the right balance in all of this?

From a Kingdom perspective, I believe that a key to finding the right balance is:

Being in the right place at the right time doing the right thing as determined by God.

Jesus’ life was a perfect demonstration of this. He was always in the right place at the right time doing the right thing as determined by God, our Father, not as determined by His disciples, family, friends, emotions, circumstances, or even crises.

For example, in John chapter 11 when Jesus heard that Lazarus was extremely sick, He did not drop everything and rush off to heal him, but instead, remained where He was for two more days before leaving to deal with the issue.

If you read the account, in verse 2, the scripture makes it a point to let us know that the Lazarus who was sick was the brother of Mary who had anointed Jesus with the precious ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, in verse 3 it makes it clear that Jesus loved Lazarus, and in verse 5, it makes it clear that he also loved Mary and Martha.

Nevertheless, in spite of the circumstance and who it involved, Jesus did not allow the relationships or emotions to move Him out of divine position or timing. He got His instructions from God, our Father and simply did as directed.

What do you think you would you have done in this circumstance?

Had Jesus succumbed to the emotion and the pressure of the situation, He would have lost His place of right balance, gotten out of the position and timing of God and aborted the purpose of the event which according to verse 4 of John 11 was, “for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby”.

Have you ever aborted the purpose of a situation because you were not Spirit led?

Jesus’ life was driven by doing His Father’s will. In fact in John 6:38, He says that He came down from heaven “not to do His own will but the will of the one who sent Him”. His life personified right balance because He always sought to obey God our Father at all times no matter the situation, who it involved or the probable consequences.

If we desire to find the right balance in our lives, we need to approach life as Jesus did and have a Spirit driven, not people, emotion, or circumstance driven lifestyle.

In this whole process of finding the right balance, there are two fundamentally important points to take note of:

1) There is no universal state of right balance.

2) Finding the right balance is a very personal God-defined thing.

In other words, what is the right balance for you may not necessarily be the right balance for me and, what is the right balance for me may not necessarily be the right balance for you.

It is important to keep this in mind because it minimizes the temptation to judge other people’s decisions and it also reminds us that we are each personally responsible for finding the right balance in our own lives and no one else can do it for us.

To be continued………………

Image “LIFE BALANCE SIGNPOST” by stuart miles courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

TRUST HIM WHEN YOU CAN’T TRACE HIM

January 24, 2013Kim Sweeting 2 Comments

TRUST HIM WHEN YOU CAN’T TRACE HIM

“TRUST HIM WHEN YOU CAN’T TRACE HIM”

“Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”

(Psalms 10:1 – NIV, 1984)

Fasting

Praying

Seeking

Longing

Waiting

Crying

Praising

Worshipping

No answer

No instruction

No intervention

No revelation

No understanding

No comfort

No presence

No anything

Everything inside you wants to scream,

“GOD WHAT IS GOING ON??????…….WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!

Wait……..Listen

He’s there

Right there

He sees

He knows

He understands

He loves

He cares

He’s at work

TRUST HIM WHEN YOU CAN’T TRACE HIM!

“Behold, I go forward [and to the east], but He is not there; I go backward [and to the west], but I cannot perceive Him;

On the left hand [and to the north] where He works [I seek Him], but I cannot behold Him; He turns Himself to the right hand [and to the south], but I cannot see Him.

But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. “

(Job 23:8-10 – Amplified Bible)

“….for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]”

(Hebrews 3:5 – Amplified Bible)

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

(Romans 8:28 – NLT)

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

(Psalm 130:5, 6 – NKJV)

Image “ALL QUESTION WORDS” by renjith krishan courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

FOR THOSE GOING THROUGH

January 19, 2013January 19, 2013Kim Sweeting 4 Comments

FOR THOSE GOING THROUGH

“HE’S TURNING IT AROUND FOR YOU”

For those who are going through,

Through times of struggle and uncertainty,

Through times of depression and despair,

Through times of confusion and perplexity.

For those who are going through,

Through times of pain and disappointment,

Through times of turmoil and distress,

Through times of fear and doubt.

For those who are going through,

Through times of sickness and dis-ease,

Through times of discouragement and apathy,

Through times of existing and not living.

For those who are going through,

Through times when prayers seem to hit the ceiling and bounce back,

Through times when a praise is a push instead of a pleasure,

Through times when faith is faltering and fading.

For those who are going through, know that this too shall pass, God is at work and He’s turning your situation around for you.

Be lifted, strengthened and blessed as VaShawn Mitchell ministers “Turning Around for Me”

Keep standing, keep believing, keep hoping, keep trusting……at the appointed time, your change will come.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1 – NKJV)

“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

(Romans 8:26-28 – The Message Bible)

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

(Matthew 19:26 – NLT)

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “SAD MAN SITTING” by Master Isolated Images courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Video “Turning Around For Me” courtesy of VaShawnMitchellVEVO – http://www.youtube.com

ANCIENT WISDOM FOR WORKPLACE SUCCESS

January 19, 2013January 24, 2013Kim Sweeting

ANCIENT WISDOM FOR WORKPLACE SUCCESS

“WORK AS UNTO THE LORD”

Today I’m sharing some ancient wisdom from Colossians 3:22-25 that I believe will help you as you navigate the waters of success in your workplace.

Colossians 3 verse 22 states, “Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him. (Amplified Bible)

Workplace Wisdom Nuggets

Do whatever your boss asks you to do…once it does not violate the principles and ethics of the Word of God of course.

Don’t just do it when your boss is observing you, deceptively trying to impress him/her with a false sense of diligence on your part, but do it consistently and put your heart into it; make consistent diligence a part of your daily personal work ethic.

Work this way not because of your boss, but because it is what the Lord requires of you; do it out of your devotion to Him and your desire to honor Him.

Verse 23 states, “Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,” (Amplified Bible)

Workplace Wisdom Nuggets

Whatever your assignment, do it with enthusiasm and excellence as if doing it for the Lord, not for your boss.

When you work for your boss, you risk the danger of subjecting your performance efforts to the grid of his/her temperament, character or actions and this can make you susceptible to “nice boss you get nice work – nasty boss you get nasty work” syndrome.

To safeguard against this, obey the Word and choose to work unto the Lord, i.e., to work as if doing your tasks for Him and not for your boss.

In this way, whether negative or positive, your boss’ temperament, character or actions will have no bearing on the way you perform your duties and you will more easily work in excellence.

So what is the motivation in taking this stance?

Verse 24 states, “Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).” (Amplified Bible)

Workplace Wisdom Nuggets

Kn0w and recognize that at the end of the day, your real reward is not coming from your boss, but from the Lord for it is Him that you actually serve.

It is critical to hold fast to this truth because not only will it help you keep putting your best foot forward, it will also help you be focused, strong, and have the spiritual fortitude to overcome any test of adversity in your workplace, knowing the Lord is on your side.

Whatever you do in time God will reward in eternity, and that reward is certain. While it is desirous to receive some rewards for your work while here on earth, even when they are not forthcoming from your earthly boss, you can rest assured that they will be forthcoming from your “heavenly boss”.

Finally, verse 25 states, “For he who deals wrongfully will [reap the fruit of his folly and] be punished for his wrongdoing. And [with God] there is no partiality [no matter what a person’s position may be, whether he is the slave or the master].” (Amplified Bible)

Workplace Wisdom Nuggets

No matter the circumstances in your workplace, do what is right in God’s eyes.

If you deal wrongfully it is not wise because you will receive punishment for your wrong doing and if your boss deals wrongfully, it is also not wise because he/she will receive punishment for his/her wrongdoing.

God does not play favorites, God does not play the blame game, and God does not justify one wrong with another so it is best that both you and your boss do what He deems right…selah!

That’s today’s ancient wisdom from Colossians 3:22-25 to help you as you navigate the waters of success in your workplace.

Here’s the same scripture from The Message Bible.

“Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best.

Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance.

Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ.

The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”

(Colossians 3:22-25 – The Messsage Bible)

Be encouraged to meditate on and implement these principles and remember, promotion does not come from the east, west or south but it comes from the Lord (Psalms 75:6, 7) so its best to do things His way for His honor and glory and in His time, your reward will come.

Blessings!

Kim

Image “MULTI-ETHNIC TEAM DURING MEETING” by Ambro courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

FOR THOSE BATTLING SICKNESS

January 17, 2013January 17, 2013Kim Sweeting 14 Comments

FOR THOSE BATTLING SICKNESS

“GOD STILL HEALS”

This morning as I sat by the pond in our garden feeding the fish and meditating on the goodness of the Lord, the song “I Am the Lord that Health Thee” came into my spirit and I reflected on the many times in my life that the Lord healed me, particularly the time in March of 2009 when a flu virus severely attacked my body and left me in an intense battle for my health and well-being that lasted over two (2) years……..but God!

In the Old Testament, speaking prophetically of Jesus, Isaiah 53:5, states, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquity, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed”.

In the New Testament, I Peter 2:24 says “…….by His stripes we were healed.” In other words it’s a finished deal.

In times of sickness, the battle for our faith can be very intense.

The facts and symptoms say we are sick, but the Truth, the Word of God says we are already healed.

The question is, Whose report will you believe?

Will you believe the report of your body, the tests and your doctors?

Or, will you believe the report of the Most High God?

No matter what manifests in your body, it is critically important that you believe the Word of God re: your healing.

I know from experience that at times this is not easy, especially when pain, malaise or other symptoms of sickness are figuratively speaking, “in your face”, or your dilemma seems to have no end in sight, nevertheless this is critical.

The enemy wants you to have faith in his words and your symptoms, and God desires you to have faith in His Words, to trust Him and to envision yourself healed.

I urge you to make up your mind to fight…….at times the fight of faith may be a hard fight, but it is a good and worthy fight!

Through hearing and meditating on the Word, develop the tenacious faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who when faced with the threat of death by the fiery furnace if they did not obey king Nebuchadnezzar’s edict to bow down and worship a golden idol stood up to the king and said:-

“…………..“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.””

(Daniel 3:16-18 – NIV, 1984)

In other words, develop the faith to tell the enemy that God is well able to heal you and He will heal you, but even if He doesn’t heal you while you are here on earth, you will still worship, trust and believe in Him.

If you are not feeling well in your body today, know that the Lord, Jehovah Rapha is a healer.

Focus on the truth that Christ already obtained your healing.

Read and meditate on healing scriptures and believe them in your heart.

Close your eyes and see yourself healed; see yourself made whole.

Make healing declarations over your life believing the words that you speak.

Do what you can in the natural realm to facilitate the manifestation of your healing.

Remember that God can use anyone or anything to bring forth the healing in your body.

I challenge you to cast down every vain imagination and every high thing in your mind that would try to exalt itself against the knowledge of God that you are healed, to take every thought that comes against your healing captive unto Christ, and to believe in your heart and boldly declare “By Christ’s stripes I am healed.”

Here are some healing scriptures to meditate on:-

“…….For I am the Lord that health thee.”

Exodus 15:26 – KJV

“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

(Psalms 107:20 – KJV)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;”

(Psalms 103:3 – KJV)

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

(Isaiah 53:5 – KJV)

“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.”

(Jeremiah 17:14- KJV)

“Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”

(Matthew 8:17 – KJV)

“By whose stripes ye were healed.”

(1 Peter 2:24 – KJV)

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

(3 John 1:2 – KJV)

“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

(James 5:14-16 – KJV)

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

(Hebrews 13:8 – KJV)

Here are a few healing declarations I use:-

“In the Name of Jesus I decree and declare that by Christ stripes I am healed”

“In the Name of Jesus I decree and declare that there is no sickness, disease, or infirmity in my body”

“In the Name of Jesus I decree and declare that every aspect of my body functions in the divine perfection that God originally created it to function in and operates and is governed by divine health”

“In the Name of Jesus I speak life to every healthy every cell in my body”

“In the Name of Jesus I speak death to every disease-causing germ, virus, non-beneficial bacteria, and cancer cell in my body and render their functions inoperative”

“In the name of Jesus I decree and declare that my immune system is healthy and strong”

“In the Name of Jesus I decree and declare that the healing that Christ obtained for me flows through and permeates every aspect of my body”

“In the Name of Jesus I declare that I am not moved by what I see or feel, but by the Truth of God’s Word that I am healed”

Here is Doen Moen singing “I am the Lord that Healeth Thee”…….be blessed, strengthened and healed as you listen.

Keep standing, keep believing, keep hoping, keep trusting keep praying and thank God in advance for the manifestation of your healing.

Shalom!

Kim

Video “I am the Lord that Healeth Thee” by Don Moen courtesy of ForGodSoLoved777 – http://www.youtube.com

CARIBBEAN PRAISE – I DARE YOU TO PRAISE HIM!

January 15, 2013Kim Sweeting 2 Comments

CARIBBEAN PRAISE – I DARE YOU TO PRAISE HIM!

There is power in praise; there is power in speaking and singing well of God.

Isaiah 61:3 tells us that God gives the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness – SELAH!

If you’re feeling kind of down, or if your spirit is heavy, weighed down with anxiety, worry and care, let the praise in this Caribbean song encompass you, fill the atmosphere of your heart and cause the spirit of heaviness to flee.

Listen and be blessed…..better still, get up and dance before the Lord and show the enemy he can’t keep your spirit down!

Kim

“Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.”

(Isaiah 42:10 – NIV, 1984)

“Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord;
exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel,
in the islands of the sea.”

(Isaiah 24:15)

“The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.”

(Psalms 97:1)

“I DARE YOU TO PRAISE HIM!”

“Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.”

(Psalm 47:6)

“I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”

(Psalm 104:33 – KJV)

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”

(Psalms 150:6 – NIV, 1984)

Video “Caribbean Praise” by Robert & Jenieve Bailey MrKattt courtesy of – http://www.youtube.com

“TAMBIRA JEHOVAH” – DANCE FOR THE LORD!

January 14, 2013January 14, 2013Kim Sweeting 9 Comments

“TAMBRIA JEHOVAH” – DANCE FOR THE LORD!

“DANCE FOR THE LORD”

“……………a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4 – KJV)

Yesterday morning one of the praise team leaders at the worship service I attended introduced the Zimbabwean praise song “Tambira Jehovah” and it truly unleashed a spirit of joy and praise and dance among God’s people.

“Tambira Jehovah” is Shona for “Dance for the Lord”.

I found a video of the song on YouTube and thought I’d share it.

Whenever the enemy tries to pull you down this week play the video and dance for the Lord and praise Him and His joy will be your strength; your situation may not change right away but you will….(smile!)

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” 

(Psalm 30:11- NIV)

Enjoy and be blessed!

Kim

“And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” 

(2 Samuel 6:14 – KJV)

“Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in  her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing.”

(Exodus 15:20 – NIV)

“Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs” 

(Psalm 150:4 – KJV)

“Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with  tambourine and harp.”

(Psalm 149:3)

Photo “PEOPLE JUMPING” by Vlado courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Video “TAMBIRA JEHOVAH JOYOUS CELEBRATION 15” courtesy of Gideon Mavedzenge – http://www.youtube.com

THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS

January 12, 2013Kim Sweeting 2 Comments

THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS

“THE NAME OF JESUS CAN BREAK EVERY CHAIN”

Are you bound by chains today?

Chains of depression, chains of fear, chains of loneliness?

Chains of sickness, chains of suicidal thoughts, chains of addiction?

Whatever the chain that binds you, there is power in the Name of Jesus to break it.

Do you believe that?

Allow the Lord to minister to you through this song, and call on His Name believing that He can and will break every chain in your life.

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

(Philippians 2:9-11 – KJV)

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”

(Mark 16:17, 18 – KJV)

Photo “3D CHAIN BREAKING” by David Castillo Dominici courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Video “BREAK EVERY CHAIN” by Tasha Cobb courtesy of abht01 – http://www.youtube.com

WANT TO FEEL GOOD? – SMILE!

January 11, 2013January 11, 2013Kim Sweeting

WANT TO FEEL GOOD? – SMILE!

“WANT TO FEEL GOOD? – SMILE!”

In her article “The Health Benefits of Smiling” (www.care2.com), Celeste Yarnall, Ph.D. notes that when we smile, our brain and nervous system release chemicals called Endorphins sending “feel good” messages throughout our bodies.

SMILE!

She states that these Endorphins have about the same strength as the pharmaceutical chemical Morphine and are strong enough to reduce symptoms of physical, or emotional pain.

SMILE!

Endorphins envelop us in a nice, warm feeling of well-being so even if you are not happy and things aren’t going the way you would like them to, when you smile, it will make you feel better.

SMILE!

Dr. Yarnall also notes that recent studies have shown that smiling improves our health by lowering our heart rate and relieving our stress levels – what a great extra benefit of smiling!

Proverbs 15:30 (NIV) states:-

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”

The New Living Translation puts it this way:_

“Smiling faces make you happy, and good news makes you feel better.”

These scriptures show that when you choose to smile or have a cheerful look, your heart will be joyful……in other words, put a smile on your face and you will also feel good on the inside.

SMILE!

The more you smile, the happier and better you’ll feel and guess what, if you Google it, you’ll see that a multitude of research exists to show that smiling is contagious so not only will you feel happier and better, so will others as they smile back at you.

So no matter your situation, why don’t you bless yourself and others today and SMILE!

To further encourage you, enjoy the music video of Kirk Franklin’s song “I Smile”.