Se concentrer sur une chose que je n'ai pas

Se concentrer sur une chose que je n'ai pas

Focusing on the One thing I don’t have, Veille.

Genèse 2:15-3:9, and Isaiah 61:1-3

How does the enemy torment a believer? It’s very simple actually, by getting us to focus on the one thing we don’t have: it can be financial security, a relationship, good health, a job, a family, a nice home, etc. Alors, let me ask you, what one thing are you focusing on right now that you don’t have?

Let’s look at Eve for example, she lived in a beautiful garden in perfect harmony with her husband and all of creation and they walked with and spoke with God daily. She had everything she could ever want, except one thing; God told them not to touch or eat of the tree in the midst of the garden because when they eat of it their eyes will be open and they will know good and evil. Alors, what does the serpent, the devil do? He comes to Eve after observing her looking at the tree. This is not in the Bible, but we know that the devil cannot read our minds. But he and his demons observe us and how we react to things. Alors, he is observing Eve over a period of time and notices her looking at the tree; he slithers by and starts talking with Eve. The first thing he does is to put doubt in Eve’s mind that God doesn’t love her or else he would have given her everything, that “God is holding out on you, because he knows if you eat of it you will be like God knowing good and evil.” No, the truth is, that by disobeying God, sin entered the world and there will now be conflict between the woman and her husband, all of creation will be forever changed, and their relationship with God will be broken. They will now experience pain, grief, sorrow, la honte, and guilt and Adam and Eve will be forced out of their beautiful garden to never return again. They will be cursed as a result of their sins. That sounds pretty harsh but that’s how evil sin is, we like to justify sin so it doesn’t sound so bad, but the truth is sin is destructive and it separates us form God and others.

Many of us chose abortion, drunkenness, drugs, promiscuity and lying, as a way to cope with all of the pain and destructive choices in our lives. We were spiraling out of control, until one day we met the Savior, who had mercy on us and saved us from the path of destruction we were on. He exchanged our ashes for something beautiful, He took our mourning and grief; he gave us joy and exchanged our rags for a beautiful pure white garment. He gave us a new life, a new destiny, a new song, and a new purpose. I don’t want my old life back because that person is dead and gone. I have been made new and I no longer desire the things I use to do.

 

Let me ask you what are you struggling with today?

 

What thing is the enemy causing you to focus on?

 

Have you ever asked Jesus to forgive your sins and to become your Lord and Savior?

 

Comment pouvons-nous prier pour vous?

 

Bénédictions,

Toni

Votre vie a-t-elle été ressuscitée?

Votre vie a-t-elle été ressuscitée?

John 1:1,14, Titus 3:5, Luc 1:28, 2 Corinthiens 5:21, Matthieu 27:3-4, 1 Corinthiens 15:3-4, and Colossians 3:1

For those of us who have suffered the trauma of abortion, can agree that every part of our being, physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional, has been broken and shattered into a million pieces. We found ourselves barely able to function and as a result we chose unhealthy mechanisms to cope with our state of despair; such as alcohol, sex, drugs, achats, unhealthy relationships or anything that could fill the black hole in our heart. There is only one person who can pick up the shattered pieces of our broken lives and fill the hole in our heart and that is Jesus the only begotten Son of God. Have you truly met the Savior, the lover of your soul? Have you been led out of the darkness and chains, into His glorious healing light?

Where were you when you found Jesus? I was 34 years old and literally on my back laying on my couch for weeks at a time, and thinking this is not living, I am barely surviving, and wanting to end this torment of a life. My depression was so severe that I was incapable of getting on with my life and daily responsibilities. I was a broken, depressed, addicted, suicidal mess. On the outside, I pretended to have a perfect life, but inside I was dying and it became exceedingly more difficult to put on my mask every day. The only thing that kept me from formulating a plan to end my life were my 2 children who were very young, at the time around 7 et 8. I could not abandon them and leave them without a mother.

My husband had been on a quest to find the truth about Jesus and he was attending several churches in our area. In my desperation, I told him I wanted to attend church with him on one such Sunday. All four of us attended a small Baptist church in Browns Mills, NJ on January 2, 1994. For the next four weeks we would attend church as a family for Sunday School, Sunday Service, and on Sunday and Wednesday night meetings. My heart and mind were being saturated with the Bible, the Living Word of God (John 1:1,14). My Spirit was slowly being regenerated or reborn (Titus 3:5). My eyes and ears were opened and I heard things I had never heard before, and I had attended church my whole life. I heard that Jesus was born of a virgin teenager, a woman blessed and chosen by God, (Luc 1:28) but no different from you or I. He lived a sinless life, (2 Corinthiens 5:21) was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for 30 pieces of silver, (Matthieu 27:3-4) was tortured and crucified on a cross, died, was buried and rose again on the third day. (1 Corinthiens 15:3-4) He is alive and sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. (Colossiens 3:1) When I realized that Jesus loved me so much that He died for me and He took upon himself my sins and He willingly died for me. I was finally broken of my self-sufficiency and pride and I humbled myself before God and I asked Him to forgive my sins and I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.

The most memorable life transforming day of my life was on February 6, 1994 when I became a born-again believer in Jesus. I will never forget that evening after Church when I was of all things, smoking a cigarette in my garage; that addiction took longer to stop than my drinking which stopped immediately. It was a clear crisp beautiful February evening and looking up I saw the moon and stars and I had this overwhelming feeling inside that something happened, I felt my spirit quicken in me and I said, “I feel you in me, I am changed, thank you Jesus.” Tears streamed down my cheeks and I was filled with gratitude, love, and hope for the first time in my life, I felt completely loved.

Have you encountered Jesus?

Once you do you will never be the same.

Tell me your story, where were you when Jesus found you?

Bénédictions,

Toni

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Pensée puante: Pensées négatives

Pensée puante: Pensées négatives

2 Corinthiens 10:3-5 and Philippians 4:8-9

La pensée puante fait référence aux pensées négatives qui nous tourmentent, surtout lorsque nous sommes ARRÊT (Hfaim, UNEen colère, Lseul ou Tirrité) ou avoir des pensées telles qu'une vision déformée de Dieu et de soi, pensée négative, justification, peur, et l'anxiété. Nous aborderons chacun de ces sujets afin de pouvoir discerner les mensonges auxquels nous avons cru au fil des années et les remplacer par la vérité de Dieu.. Notre objectif est de vous équiper pour que vous puissiez remporter la victoire dans ces domaines.

2 Corinthiens 10:3-5 NKJV

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God for pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself above the knowledge of God, brining every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

Philippiens 4:8-9 NKJV

“Finally, brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received, and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with.”

All of us know a person who can suck all the air out of a room because every word that comes out of their mouth is negative. Have you ever experienced that before? It is emotionally draining to be in the company of a negative person for a long period of time, before we too are dragged down into the pit with them. Are you plagued with negative thoughts?

The enemy is continually trying to trip us up, because his goal is to get us to focus on the negative things, instead of all the things we should be thankful for. Do you have a gratitude list? If you don’t, I suggest you do one today, and write down all the things you are thankful for. When you feel a negative thought coming on, just get out your list and remind yourself, God is still on the throne and He is in control and He is aware of everything that is going on in the world. He uses all of it for His purpose and plans in all of our lives. We must remember God is good all the time, and He is love, that is His character. He never changes, He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The battlefield truly is the mind, that is where spiritual warfare starts and that’s where we have a choice to take it on or not. Right now, we are experiencing a worldwide pandemic, many are fearful, but as believers we need to be seeking the Lord even more now, so we have His perspective on this. What are you focusing on now? Do you feel peaceful and hopeful or depressed and hopeless?

I have a list of Biblical truths that I read over every morning to remind myself that I am adopted and loved by God. This is how I put my armor on to protect myself from the fiery darts of the enemy.

Qui je suis en Christ, to Combat Rejection.

je suis digne.

je suis aimé.

je suis accepté.

je suis adopté.

Je suis confiant et compétent.

je suis un enfant de Dieu.

J'ai le Saint-Esprit en moi.

Je suis victorieux en Christ.

J'ai une maison au paradis.

Rien ne peut me séparer de l'amour de Dieu en Jésus-Christ mon Seigneur.

I am valued by God, I am His precious child, J'ai une maison au paradis.

Je ne craindrai aucun mal!

When I read this every morning it protects my mind from the lies and negative thoughts that the enemy wants me to focus on. When I don’t read my list, I am vulnerable to the enemy’s devices; I am impatient, unkind, and easily frustrated. Lord You are showing me that today in fact, I must make time with You each morning; You are my priority, reading Your Word daily is food for my soul, praying is a time for me to hear from you and to talk to you, and journaling is a time when I go even deeper with You seeking your wisdom and wanting so much to hear from you to lead and guide me in my life and in all I do, because I want my life to be pleasing to you and I want you to be glorified through it. Merci, Seigneur, for reminding me and convicting me of that today.

Father in heaven, I pray for each woman on this call and for the women on-line reading this blog. I pray they will seek you with their whole heart. Show them how much you love them in a very real and tangible way. Protect them from the lies and negative thoughts of the enemy and help them to focus on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Renew their minds daily as they read Your Word. Heal them and bind up their wounds as only You can, for you only, are their Mighty Counselor and Great Physician. Meet them where they are and lead them by Your righteous right hand. Forgive all of their sins and heal them Lord. Thank you for Your love, mercy, grace, and compassion upon them. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Do you struggle with negative thoughts?

How often are you plagued with these thoughts?

Is there a person or situation that causes you to start thinking negatively?

What have you done to help protect yourself from this kind of negative thinking?

Bénédictions,

Toni

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Pensée puante: Ma vision déformée de Dieu

Pensée puante: Ma vision déformée de Dieu

Proverbes 23:7un, Romains 2:4d, 1 Corinthiens 6:20, et Jean 3:16

 

La pensée puante fait référence aux pensées négatives qui nous tourmentent, surtout lorsque nous sommes ARRÊT (Hfaim, UNEen colère, Lseul ou Tirrité) ou avoir des pensées telles qu'une vision déformée de Dieu et de soi, pensée négative, justification, peur, et l'anxiété. Nous aborderons chacun de ces sujets afin de pouvoir discerner les mensonges auxquels nous avons cru au fil des années et les remplacer par la vérité de Dieu.. Notre objectif est de vous équiper pour que vous puissiez remporter la victoire dans ces domaines.

D'abord, la Parole de Dieu dit dans les Proverbes 23:7un, “Car comme il le pense dans son cœur, lui aussi.” Ce que nous pensons de nous-mêmes dicte la façon dont nous nous percevons, Dieu, et d'autres, et comment nous réagissons aux choses. Si nous nous considérons comme enfants de Dieu, aimé, chéri et adopté dans la famille de Dieu, nous verrons que nous sommes vraiment spéciaux, mis à part par Dieu pour les bonnes œuvres. Nous aurons une vision plus positive du monde. Si nous sentons que nous ne sommes pas aimables à cause de nos péchés passés, et pas une personne de valeur, nous nous sentirons déprimés, solitaire, et désespéré. Pouvez-vous voir que ce que nous pensons détermine ce que nous ressentons?

Ma première vision déformée de Dieu a commencé quand j'étais un très jeune enfant. 6 ou 7 ans. J'ai vu Dieu comme un Dieu en colère et inaccessible. On m'a dit quand j'étais enfant, si je faisais quelque chose de mal, Dieu me punirait, J'attendais constamment que le marteau me tombe sur la tête à chaque fois que je faisais quelque chose de mal. L'église était vieille et possédait de beaux vitraux, mais à l'intérieur il faisait noir, froid, et les gens parlaient en latin. Je n'y ai pas vu l'amour de Dieu. Tout ce que j'ai vu, c'était des règles strictes et des punitions sévères en cas de désobéissance.. J'ai vu régulièrement des étudiants frapper avec des règles.. Cela m'a empêché de me cacher à nouveau, comme je l'ai fait à la maison, quand mon père avait une de ses crises de colère.

C'est la bonté de Dieu qui mène à la repentance. (Romains 2:4d) Une méthode pour modifier le comportement consiste à avoir peur du jugement; l'autre c'est par l'amour. Dieu veut que nous lui obéissions par amour et non par peur. Si tu aimes quelqu'un et qu'il t'aime, tu veux passer du temps avec cette personne, mais quand tu penses à quelqu'un comme à une personne dure, ce n'est pas quelqu'un avec qui vous vous sentez en sécurité et à l'aise. Voyez-vous la différence? Dieu est amour, et sa grâce est imméritée. À cause de ce que Jésus a fait pour moi sur la croix, le moins que je puisse faire est de le servir et d'obéir à sa parole. J'ai été acheté avec un prix (1 Corinthiens 6:20); le sang précieux de Jésus a payé le prix de mes péchés et des péchés du monde entier.

Je n'ai pas vu l'amour de Dieu évident dans mon ancienne église. Ce n'est que lorsque j'étais 34, quand j'ai fréquenté une petite église baptiste du New Jersey, que j'ai entendu l'évangile pour la première fois. Le bâtiment était très simple, pas de vitraux. Il y avait une croix devant où se tenait le prédicateur et un piano. Mais une chose que j'ai vue manifestée était l'amour de Dieu que ces gens avaient. C'est ce qui m'a attiré vers Jésus. C'était la prédication de la Parole de Dieu à travers la Bible et l'amour de Dieu dans les paroles, les actions et sur les visages des personnes qui fréquentaient cette petite église..

John 3:16 “Car Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu'il a donné son fils unique… ” Il nous a tellement aimé qu'il a donné son Fils mourir pour vous et moi; c'est une image de l'amour sacrificiel. Merci, Jésus, pour mourir volontairement sur la croix pour nous, Je sais que c'est ton amour pour le monde qui t'a retenu sur cette croix.

Je crois que l'ennemi travaille dur pour déformer notre vision de Dieu, pour nous faire douter qu'Il nous aime vraiment et se soucie de nous. Regarde Eve dans le jardin, le serpent (Satan), le trompeur et père du mensonge, essayer de semer le doute dans l’esprit d’Ève quant à savoir si on peut faire confiance à la Parole de Dieu. J'imagine qu'elle pensait, "Dieu me cache quelque chose de bon, Il ne m'aime pas vraiment parce que s'il le faisait, Il me donnerait tout ce que je veux. Adam et Eve ne savaient pas ce qui était le mieux pour eux, et c'est pareil chez nous; nous ne savons pas non plus ce qui est le mieux pour nous. Dieu nous a dit de ne pas avoir de relations sexuelles avant le mariage. Était-il en train de nous tenir tête? Non, en fait, il nous protégeait, surtout ceux d'entre nous qui voudraient avorter nos bébés. Il essayait de nous protéger, nous et nos bébés.

J'ai réalisé que c'était par amour que Dieu ne voulait pas que j'aie des relations sexuelles en dehors du mariage, parce qu'il voulait me protéger. Si seulement j'avais fait confiance à Dieu et l'avais invité dans mon processus de prise de décision et croyais qu'il pourvoirait à mon bébé et à moi., alors peut-être que j'aurais eu le courage de choisir la vie pour mon bébé. Au lieu de cela, ma vision déformée de Dieu m'a fait craindre de l'approcher avec mes besoins., quel était l'ennemi'le plan. Si l'ennemi peut nous faire paniquer et ne pas chercher Dieu'la sagesse, disposition, et protection, alors il a gagné la bataille.

Quelle était votre vision déformée de Dieu lorsque vous étiez plus jeune?

Comment le vois-tu maintenant?

 

Bénédictions,

Toni

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Quand j'ai enfin reçu l'amour de Jésus dans mon cœur

Quand j'ai enfin reçu l'amour de Jésus dans mon cœur

From the time I was a small child, I did not use my voice and hid in the background to keep under the radar. Par conséquent, I became what people wanted me to be. I was labeled, “The good, quiet one.” I was fearful of rejection, so I became a people pleaser. I believed the lie that if I were perfect, I would be loved. That’s when I started wearing a mask.

My need for love and acceptance caused me to hide parts of myself. I only showed the good sides so people would love me. Puis, when I was 12 ans, I started sneaking whiskey from my parents’ liquor cabinet. À présent, I was really hiding. I didn’t want my parents to find out. They were very strict with me being the oldest, and I didn’t want them to be angry or disappointed in me.

As I got older, my sins were more and more grievous, and my secrets became bigger and bigger. Alors, I isolated even more and hid everything. My mask morphed as I got older. En tant qu'enfant, I strived for perfection. I was a good student, good athlete, and an all-around good child. When that wasn’t working, I tapped into a lifestyle of alcohol, drugs and sex. When I was home, I was still the good one. But in high school, I was hanging out with those who smoked and did drugs.

At this point, people pleasing ruled my life. All I strove for were accolades from others and a place I could fit in and feel safe. But I would not find that for a long time. Franchement, I lost my own identity because I wanted to fit in with others. I no longer knew what I liked or what I wanted to do because I became a chameleon and changed depending upon the group I was with. I had lost my own identity striving to please others.

I felt unloved and lost. My drinking and drug use were out of control. I was a walking time bomb. I hated myself and felt so depressed. I struggled with keeping it all together. When I found out I was pregnant as a 21-year-old college student, I panicked. This pregnancy did not fit the narrative I was allowing my parents to see. I was not the good, quiet one. I was doing very ungodly, sinful destructive things, and now I was going to terminate my baby’s life.

How did I end up here? My whole life was a lie. I will have an abortion and act as if everything was fine. But everything wasn’t fine. After this traumatic event, I was more depressed than before, crying all the time and drinking more. My self-loathing and suicidal thoughts were now continually plaguing me. I just wanted to die so this torment would stop. It was too hard to keep up this façade. Slowly my mask was cracking, and I was so afraid of being exposed. All my sins and lies would come flooding out. I was scared.

In my early 30’s I had a physical and emotional break down. I could not function normally at all. I would lay on the couch for weeks at a time. All the years of stuffing and lying and all the pain I had been holding in all my life were starting to come out sideways. I was a walking volcano, spilling hot ash on anyone who got in my way. I was extremely emotional. I felt I could not look anyone in the eyes because if I did, I would not be able to stop crying.

Slowly I started recognizing I needed help. I needed someone who would love me, accept me, and heal me. J'avais besoin d'un Sauveur. Then on January 2, 1994, I heard the gospel for the first time. Dans 4 weeks I gave my heart to Jesus, confessé mes péchés, turned from my old ways and turned toward God. I am coming up on the 26th anniversary of my salvation, and it is still the sweetest day of my life. It is the day I finally surrendered my life to God and allowed Him to heal my broken body, my broken heart and my broken mind. He transformed me into the woman He created me to be: a loving, confident woman filled with joy and peace. I have been adopted into the family of God; je suis accepté, and I am finally loved. I feel safe to be me. I can take the mask off now because I am finally home.

Are you wearing a mask?

What does your mask look like?

Do you have the courage to take off the mask and be real?

I pray that as God heals you, you will be filled with His love and you will have the courage to take off your mask.

Bénédictions,

Toni

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