Conquerors Stand Up Again

Make 2014 a year of Sharing

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” – Romans 8:35,37

You are stronger than you can ever imagine.  The problem is that you have become dependent upon man rather than your heavenly Father.  True faith in God does not waver in times of difficulty or struggle it is strengthened by knowing that there is nothing in this world that can overcome the power and authority of your Father. 

Do you believe this?  Do you trust that your life is completely in the hands of your supreme Creator?  It’s easy for me to sit on this side of the internet and claim that you can see your way through the struggles in this life through simple faith.  But, how does one actually put it into action?  When you look at the gas tank and it’s empty and you do not have a dollar to your name, how is God going to solve that problem?  When you are getting daily calls from creditors and you haven’t had a job in months, and can’t find one – where is your Savior?  Loved one’s have lost their battle for life after months and sometimes years of praying, was God even listening?  How are all of these young girls kidnapped and sold into sex trafficking supposed to believe that nothing can separate them from the love of Christ?

For years I have struggled with this verse.  I look around at this world, and the evil and corruptness that is all around us.  We watch as the moral fabric of our society continues to decrease.  Our children are continually taught to tolerate the sinful world in which we live, rather than stand up for truth.  I am slowly coming to the realization of the truth in Jesus’ words in Matthew 10^th chapter: “"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” (v22) and “"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (v28)  What will happen to my eternal life when everything I have is taken away, or my health fails, or I am persecuted, beaten or thrown into prison?  That is the area we must remained focused on.

This is the strength that God will empower you to live through the pain.  The reality life is that we all will die at some point.  This life is temporary and only a stepping stone to our eternal life with the Father.  As we observe the struggles and hardship in this life, we have the opportunity to remain confident and filled with the peace in knowing that we are destined for eternity with Him.  With this acceptance and understanding we are no longer fearful of what others can do, or the persecutions that we will face, or the death of our loved ones.  With this faith in our eternal destiny we are capable of speaking and acting without abandon in our daily walk to further His kingdom.  The freedom that this realization brings to one’s life is the act of experiencing God’s love thoroughly.  Hardship is going to happen in this life, to not be naïve.   But, you must hold firm to that truth that your Father in heaven is your strength and will empower you to overcome all things in this life, with the promise of eternal life. Take hold of the conquering spirit you have within you as a child of God and rise up, despite your circumstances, for He is still on His throne.


© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

Time for a Stand

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”– Joshua 24:15

There is a time in every person’s life when a choice must be made.  Not because you want to do something, but because it is something you are required to do or not do.  Temptations will arise from different areas of our life on a daily basis and we all must reach inside to answer the basic question, “What do I stand for?”  Where is the plum-line of my integrity, my moral values and my ethics?  At what point will I step over the line, despite the awareness of the unrighteousness of a situation?

When your values are pressed, when you are pressured into supporting or participating in a situation that you know is outside of your foundational beliefs and moral code; how will you respond?  Knowing how you will handle a situation before it arises is the foundation of strength that will allow you to stand solid in your faith when temptations arise.  Know how you will handle the situation of adultery before it ever presents itself.  Know what you will do in the circumstance of being offered drugs, illicit sex or other participation in things outside of your value system.  Set a plan for how you will react to these situations, so should they arise you are prepared.

it would seem that much of the world today is free from a value system that aligns with the character of God.  There is much focus on self gratification and the immediacy of pleasure with little care of the long term impact.  The likelihood of being tempted into carnal activities is much higher today than it has ever been in our existence, and without a solid eternal foundation to stand on these temptations become reality very quickly.  The availability of destructive information and media is exponentially greater today than even 10 years ago.  Our children are not even safe watching something like the Disney channel when you think of the suggestive and often times seductive scenes being demonstrated daily through the sitcoms.  School curriculum, magazines, newspapers, advertising, the internet, the radio, the music and their friends are all influencing our children into a watered down perspective of political correctness that is miles and miles away from the righteousness of the bible.  When our children are being taught and influenced that homosexuality is an acceptable way of life; that drugs are okay and non-addictive; that sex is something that cannot be avoided, so stop trying to fight it and simply be concerned about safe-sex rather than no-sex; that they are entitled to luxuries in life without having to work for it and that the Bible is just another history book; we need to step in and establish the baseline of what we stand for.  The youth of our day are influenced in ways that were taboo and unspoken just 15 years ago, not to mention unheard of 30 years ago when I was a teenager.

We cannot conform to the ways of this world, or we are sentencing ourselves and our children to an eternity of Hell.  The sinful nature of man is forgiven and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, this is true; but this is not an excuse to carry on in life frivolously and without abandon as if your actions are meaningless.  What are you doing to change the world’s perspective on the unrighteousness that abounds all around us?  What are you standing up for, that you know is wrong based on your faith, your belief and your trust in God’s word?  Do you truly believe that the God of the Universe is going to abide by the political correctness that our society is pushing today, or should it be vice versa?  If you, like me, believe that God has established the moral plum-line for our lives, then it is time to stand up for those values, ethics and morals.  Do not fear the wrath of mankind for challenging their acceptance of the iniquities of the world, but fear the wrath of God upon mankind for challenging His existence and righteousness.

I will stand before any man, woman and child that I come before and without question proudly state, as did Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  By stating this, I am clearly stating that I believe in His Holy Word as the truth and guidelines for my life.  That I will take seriously the responsibility to teach my children about Jesus Christ and to serve my family in a manner that demonstrates God’s love for His children.  I am asking you to join me in this effort by standing on His principles and abide by His plan for our existence, despite what mankind might persuade you to do.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

God Bless Mommy

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her "  - Proverbs 31:28

  The alarm clock rings in the morning as she fumbles with the snooze button until it stops. Squinting through tired eyes in the dark of the pre-dawn morning, she finds a moment of peace with the Lord before the realization of her day begins to unfolds in her mind.  Stretching her arms and legs, muscles sore from the day before, but not too sore to step from the bed, she takes a deep breath and begins her day.  And so begins another day in the life of God's warrior and teacher.  Her days are filled with inspiring the minds of the children and challenging them with the newness of God's glory each day.  Sighing deeply as she contemplates the Lord's work for the coming day and committing herself to serving where He needs her as she feels the love bubbling up from within.

  She is building an army for the Lord.  Nurturing, strengthening and equipping them with the knowledge and skills that they will need to fight in the real world.  For a few years she is their main influence and the shaper of their personality and character.  As each day unfolds, she fills them with love and character, teaching right from wrong, showering them with hugs and band-aids when the unfortunate accident occurs.  She pours into them the message of God's love each and every day to prepare them for the world that lies ahead.  Manners, morals, values and truth are compassionately delivered beneath her roof.  Before the world has the opportunity to corrupt, she has built the foundation on which they will stand.

When the day is done and the dark has come, her attention shifts to a family perspective. Between dinner, dishes, laundry and evening news, she provides the love and caring necessary to strengthen the household once again.  For never will the day pass that it might be said her love wasn't known before they went to bed.  Her children will grow and likely move on to establish their own footprint on the world, using all of the love and gifts she has given them.  But within the walls, scars, paint and shadows of this home she will find peace and purpose. As the day draws to a close she finds comfort at last resting in her husbands arms and quietly her mind drifts away to that peaceful state of knowing she is fulfilling God’s purpose for her life.  She is a mother.

  A woman must be cherished. Her responsibilities are great and the world revolves around the values and life lessons that have been taught by God's most beautiful creation. The entire book of Proverbs 31 is dedicated to the praise of women, mothers, wives and daughters of the Lord. I truly believe there is a special place in heaven for those that have raised strong warriors for Christ, ready to fight with all of the compassion he has given them to the death for their children and for Him.  Often times overlooked and taken for granted by those around them, they have an amazing ability to pour out love to everyone regardless of the return gesture.

  Today I honor all of the mothers who are fighting for what's right, truthful and Godly in this world.  Remain strong in your faith and lean on Him when you are feeling weak, tired and beyond your ability. He alone can give you strength and courage in any situation.  He will not abandon you in any situation. Thank you for all you have given to us.  You deserve so much more than we have given you in return.  God Bless Mommy.
             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts