A spirit of failure

Today's affirmation: #fear #failure #empower

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

Good Morning! ~ You Control your Joy

Part II- Removing your Grave Clothes... Are you ready to be set free?

Submitted by: Carl F. Hunter II, M.Div

Read John 11:17-44

“When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."  John 11:43-44

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" Galatians 5:1 - 

Are you ready to be set free?

In the first part of this submission, I discussed that the redemptive act of Jesus Christ was not only the “purchase price” to lift the burden of sin, but it also destroyed the yoke of sin. The yoke of sin are those issues of unforgiveness, guilt, shame, and remorse that isolate us in dungeons of desperation, degradation, and fear. The outward manifestations of the yoke are the masks that we have to ware so everyone thinks that we are ok. They are our grave clothes because they are meant to cover the stench of low self-esteem, self-loathing, and failure. The inward manifestation of the yoke is the discomfort that we’ve had with ourselves and tried to anesthetize with all types of behaviors that seemed to work, but ultimately increased the pain that we were inflicting upon ourselves.  Praise be to God that the magnitude of God’s love for us rests in the fact that the sacrifice that God made by giving his only begotten son not only made restitution for sin, but broke the yoke of every encumbrance that could enslave us or separate us from the love of God. YOU have been purchased by his blood. Are you ready to be set free?

Wrapped like a mummy

In the 11th chapter of the Gospel of John, Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, died and was buried before Jesus arrived. We need to remember that, “He may not come when you want him, but he is always on time.” The story goes that Jesus asked them to take him to the grave site and roll away the stone. He then said “Lazarus come forth”, and wrapped in his “Grave Clothes” Lazarus, who was dead, came out of the grave. Many of us focus on the “Lazarus come forth” part, but we fail to focus on two important facts. First, Lazarus came out of the grave, wrapped like a mummy. His body was bound in linen and his face was covered, which was customary. Second, Jesus said to those that were present, “Loose him, and let him go”. 

Metaphorically, when we are called out of where God has brought us from, the burden of sin is lifted, but just like Lazarus, we still have on our “Grave Clothes”. We are still bound by the traumas that have shaped our lives. From the victimization of sexual abuse to the degradation, isolation, and shame of the things that we brought onto ourselves and those generational curses that are no faults of our own. In short, salvation does not relinquish the fact that we still have to deal with our issues. To have the freedom that is promised to us in Jesus Christ, “the “Grave Clothes” have to come off.   


Loose him and let him go

Jesus told those who were present to “Loose him and let him go.” Lazarus, could take off his own “Grave Clothes”, but Jesus was present and commanded that he be loosed from those things that bound him. So, not only does Jesus have the power to call us out of sin and lift the burden of sin, which is death. He also has the power to break the yoke of the spiritual dilemmas that are keeping us from our greatness. 

Do you still have your “Grave Clothes” on? Have you had enough? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Are you tired of fronting and acting like everything is ok and everything ain’t ok? Are you tired of feeling that God’s

word doesn’t apply to you? Are you ready for a breakthrough?
It sounds insane to go to the doctor’s office or the emergency room and be ok with sitting in the reception area never to see the doctor or even worse, be in the presence of the doctor and not willing to tell him what is wrong with you.  Then why are YOU going to church and not exposing what is really going on in YOUR life. Has church become for YOU an institution of social acceptability or a place of healing and deliverance?

social acceptability

If it is a place of social acceptability, then you might be afraid of what the other sick people in the pews are going to think of you. Yet, if it’s a place of healing and deliverance then you have to tell the doctors what’s wrong with you so they can prescribe the proper medication. This is your life and you only get one shot. How are you going to live it? Do you want to continue suffering or do you want the freedom of your new birthright in Jesus Christ?

Galatians 5:1 says to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage".  The lower power; Satan, wants you to stay right where you are, but Jesus Christ made it possible for you to be set free from your self-imposed prisons. Are you willing? If you are, then... 

Pray with me: 

Father God, we thank you for all that you have done in our lives. Your grace, your mercy and you love has covered us and many times carried us and we are so ever grateful. Right now Lord many of us have the gift of your salvation, but are still held captive by our past. It clings to us and we need it removed. So, Lord, right now, in the name of Jesus, loose us from our grave clothes!!! Let us know that we have been forgiving and help us to ACCEPT who we have been so shame and guilt have no power over us any longer. Use us as examples of your glory and you power, and give us the willingness and humility to use our collective testimonies to be a beacon of hope for those who have lost hope. In Jesus name we pray...AMEN

Speak Life to yourself at all times

Submitted by: Guest Writer

It is ME, MY VOICE, MY THOUGHTS, MY PERCEPTIONS, MY SELF-DECEPTIONS, MY SELF-ACCEPTANCE OR LACK THERE OF that preaches LIFE or DEATH to me.

It is when I put CONDITIONS on the WORD OF GOD or on the WORDS of HOPE and TRANSFORMATION that are given to me by others that I impose LIMITATIONS on the POWER OF GOD working in my life.

“SAY TO THEM, AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD I WILL DO TO THEM THE VERY THINGS THAT I HEARD THEM SAY…” (Numbers 14:28)

I CAN’T, BUT, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, IT MIGHT WORK FOR THEM: All these words minister negativity to my spirit. They negate that:

“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST THAT STRENGTHENS ME…” (Philippians 4:13)

“THAT NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD…” (Romans 8:38)

“IN CHRIST JESUS, I AM A NEW CREATURE OLD THINGS HAVE PAST AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

It is that which I say to myself that opens up the vast and unparalleled possibilities and blessing that God has for my life.

At this very moment, I speak life to myself.

• I ask YOU GOD to increase my faith that I might see past my limitations

• I ask YOU GOD to give me higher thoughts and higher aspiration for my life

• I ask YOU GOD that when I am feeling rejected and unworthy trapped off by self-doubt, self-loathing, and low self-worth that you dispatch the Holly Spirit to witness to heart that there is nothing wrong with me.

• I ask YOU GOD to take me to another level of self-acceptance

The best part of my life is yet to come….GOD SAID IT:

• I BELIEVE IT

• I RECEIVE IT

• I WILL STAND ON IT

• I WILL LIVE BY IT

• THAT SETTLES IT

TODAY I AM SPEAKING LIFE TO MYSELF…..AMEN

The power of the tongue… a positive attitude

Death and life of the tongue

Read: Genesis 37:1-11

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21

Death and Life of the tongue

How important is a positive attitude? What are the affects of a negative attitude? These questions are raised daily by millions.  Overtime negativity can out weigh positivity. Adverse thoughts tend to lead people in blaming God for their situation Today I want to focus on three key steps that can help motivate, invigorate, and stimulate the greatness within that God gave us all.

A friend gave me a copy of The Game of Life and How to Play It.  It was the most thought provoking book about the game of life I've read.  It was not because the author had any new revelations or some supernatural way of dealing with life, the book, written by Florence Scovel Shinn, in 1925 spoke on facts that most of us already know. It was bible based with common sense affirmations and a reminder that there is power in the words we speak – positive or negative.  There is power in the tongue.

        "Whatever man feels deeply or images clearly, it is impressed upon the subconscious mind and carried out in the minutest detail.” 

Keep they heart [or imagination] with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life Proverbs 4:23.  Be careful of what you say! Having a positive attitude can help a person deal with pitfalls. Or deal with a life time of misery. Death or life is in the power of the tongue – which one do you choose?

Joseph’s dream

We all have dreams. In our youth we dream of meeting that special someone, accomplishing are goals or becoming successful (whatever that means). As with most, there are setbacks.  If you read this week’s scriptures we learn that Joseph had a dream though at the time his dreams did not make sense.  Because of his visionary thoughts and dreams his brothers did not want them to come into fruition. To make sure, they got rid of Joseph (Genesis 37:12-36).  Despite Joseph’s life changing encounter never did he waiver from dreaming.  Even after being sold into slavery by his brothers, casted into prison, and promised to be set free he never lost hope or vision.  For many, when life throws a curve ball and it appears you struck out, negativity evades the thought process. During the trials and tribulations that is the time to reaffirm faith and speak positive into negative situations.

Positive thinking 101

Life is no fairy tale. You cannot control the past but you can manage your thoughts and how you respond to it – regardless your age. “How important is a positive attitude?” What a man thinks or verbalizes, sooner or later come to life?  At some point we all will face setbacks and pit falls. The words that come from our mouth lay the foundation of our future.  If you speak negative you will reap negative results - I don’t have any money”, “Why is my life so terrible”  “I don’t like my job.”   Even if you speak positive and prepare for failure you will get the situation that was prepared for – failure.

Everyone can develop positive thinking. To get you started on the right path, there are 72 positive thinking verses in the bible. By renewing your spirit with uplifting affirmations [scriptures] one will find it becomes medicine for the heart. Here are three positive thinking steps which can lead you to a happier way of living:

When negativity strikes: the more you try to control or not think of something the more you think of it. Find a song, word, or affirmation to speak daily – biblical and secular. I know there is nothing to defeat God; therefore, there is nothing to defeat me. – Florence Scovel Shinn.

Being positive help your body heal: Researchers say mental attitudes have an affect on our health life. Speaking negative can make you sick! A cheerful heart is good medicine Proverbs 17:22

Positive people are fun to be around: No one likes to be around negative people they zap energy. It can even affect you getting a job. Find people to encourage you or encourage yourself even if it hurts

What is holding you back? Why is your soul down trodden? Get a positive attitude. Speak it daily. God’s word can lift a down spirit.  Look unto the heavens and find the strength, speak words of affirmation and watch your life change before your eyes!

Let us pray:

Dear heavenly father I understand that there is power in the tongue.  Help me to recognize when I am speaking negative and also learn how to speak positive into my life.  I am reminded that I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. So there is no way I can fail if I walk in faith and speak positive in my life – even when it appears to be bad.  Thank you for your healing words, grace and mercy. Amen.

PRAYER REQUEST:

People are experiencing hardship, distress, doubt, and worry. To combat the perils of life The Souls Remedy offer comfort through prayer. Your life concerns are important to us. Click the link to be added to The Souls Remedy Prayer List