The misuse of the scripture, "Touch not my anoited" and a post for thos who want nothing to do with Christ because of the Religious Wars of the past and present

Sing praises to the Lord, you who belong to Him;

praise His holy name.

His anger lasts only a moment, but His kindness lasts for a lifetime. Crying may be for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5 NCV

For the past few days, I have truly felt weary, and there is a very real part of me that just wanted to come to a complete stop.

I went to church Sunday and I percieved an injustice. The details are very, very strange and I'm not going to delve into the specifics, but there were some really strange coincidences that I perceived as a wrong.

However, I called my pastor and spoke with him and, it turns out that there was a complete misunderstanding. I was humbled, and I could see the hand of the enemy trying to pit me against the people who care about me.

The truth is that the enemy longs to cause division. He longs to separate and tear apart our churches, our families, and our individual lives. Another truth is that we are all family. The more I research and pray for discernment, the more I realize that we were never meant to be separated by denominational differences.

Lately, God has been showing me things that force me to completely challenge the way that things are done, and we only need to look around at the dark world around us to see that something truly isn't working.

It's hard writing things that challenge people's ways of thinking, but God continaully shows me that He has a better way than what we realize, and His path is one that is rooted in perfect love.

One day I read the verse.."For I come not to bring peace, but the sword."  At first, I thought that the verse seemed harsh, but now I think I can truly understand it's meaning. The sword is the truth..and as the Truth of Christ is spread into the world..it cuts it wide open. The truth hurts sometimes. It is like a sword that rips through our very sinful human nature..and exposes the guts. It is because He loves us that He gives us this truth.
Today, I read something interesting.. I read how the disciples died defending God's Truth.. They would have never died willingly for a lie, but it was the Truth so great, that they were willing to lay down their lives.

Yesterday, I posted a link on my facebook page. It was a link exposing the false teachings of Kenneth Copleand. In one of his statments, he called Christ a "wormy little spirit" and in other, he said that "greatest failure in the Bible is God." This offended me deeply, and as I began to read the things that he spoke, I became aware of something very dark at work.

Many times people come to me and tell me the verse, "Touch not my anoited and do my prophets no harm" It is located in the book of Psalms.. Well, last night I did some research.

As it turns out, many pastors and people in authority use that same verse in order to create fear in their congregations. Christianity, in some ways has come to resemble a business,and many people are afraid that if they are challenged, they could possibly lose a certain standard of living.

I learned that  the Old Testament verse "touch not my anoited" refered to the kings of Israel. The New Testament, tells us to Test all things and the apostles encourage us to expose false teachings because they do serious harm to the Body of Believers.

I also started watching a sermon on youtube. The sermon was given by a man who had once witnessed something wrong in his church. He said that his church was doing a Bible drive and he percieved a monetary abuse as money started going missing. He said that he asked his pastor about the incident, and his pastor was "standoffish"..But during the next sermon, the pastor preached a message on Psalms, "Touch not my anoited and do my prophets no harm."
The man in the video said that this misuse of scripture truly damaged him for a while.


as Christains, we are called to operate in light..we are called to expose the darkness..
Regardless of what any "man" says, we need to remember the verse "If God is for me then who can be against me."

I have heard many people say that if you question something, then you will be cursed. But God says in HIs word to test all things.The Word says that we are to contend for the faith.. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3).

I have heard Benny Hinn say that if you speak against him and his ministry, then a curse will come upon you.
Truthfully, I do not speak against Benny Hinn.. Nor I speak against Kenneth Copeland..but sometimes, people's words will speak for themselves. While it is true that we should hear sermons in their entire context, I think that you will agree that some of the things that you read are extremely disturbing. The truth is that we are called to "Test all things."

Please clink on this link if you are interested in some of the things being said.. The Bible says that "For lack of knowledge my people will perish," so I pray that you read this prayerfully.

Above all else, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God."

Do you want to hear something truly amazing?  

  2 Cor. 1:20-22 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee”

This verse tells us that the entire Body is anoited. The truth is that we are all supposed to be using our gifts to function as a whole. However, I feel as if this is rarely being done in today's brick and mortar church.

We typically fall into routine or patterns and no one is being served or evangelized. The community often sees little of the true Jesus. We typically feel as if there is only one or a few anoited among us, but in reality, we are meant to function as a whole. We are each anoited and meant to carry out a specific task, by using our gifts or talents..

The truth is that there are many false teachings that have infiltrated our churches. Many are using the "touch not my anoited" verse as a form of fear, but it is being grossly misued when someone uses it against someone who wants to challenge a certain idea or way of doing something. I have also heard it used in order to defend certain pastors and people in ministry..  However, the only thing that we should be concerned with defending is the Truth  of God's Word.. and when people twist God's word..there is cause for concern.

I challenge and encourage you to read the article below which fully explains the misuse of the verse. I also encourage you to read this link

http://www.letusreason.org/Pent38.htm

One final thought:  The other day I learned a new word.. the word is "apologetics." Someone asked me if I was an apologist.. Truthfully, I had no clue as to what the word meant..I only try to write what I feel God is showing me.. Anyhow, I learned that Christian apologetics refers to defending the faith and being contenders for the gospel.  I think it is ironic that, in the past, many have "contended" for the faith through religious wars.. but defending the faith was never meant to be a violent and bloody affair..
Contending for the faith simply means defending the Truth against the lies.


I think of the word..apologize...
I make no apologies for Christ, ( He is perfect!)  but I am sorry for the way that He has been misrepresented by those proclaiming the gospel. I am aware of many false teachings that are literally sickening the Body as a whole and the truth is that we are not functioning in the capacity that we are called to function..

Here's an interesting thought related to the religious wars that have been fought in the past. As Christ was being taken away to be crucified..Peter drew his sword to try to defend Him.. But Christ said to Peter in Matthew 6:26 ""Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."

Religious wars were never God's intent. Instead, Jesus tells us to defend Him by being "contenders for the faith." whereby we are to protect the meaning of the true gospel in a world that is continually marring what it means and that for which it stands..

Jesus, instead of fighting, tells us, "But I tell you: " Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44

He also says ,  ¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Plase note that if we point out a false teaching..we are doing good.. We are exposing the darkness with the light of truth... Keep in mind that I do not speak against anyone, but I feel it is important to "contend for the faith."

Please read the FOLLOWING if you truly want to understand the meaning of the verse and how it is missapplied ...

One more final thought: I pray that everything that I write is "tested." The truth is that I do need to become stronger in the word. Test everything that I say against the word.. If I say something that doesn't match..please let me know.. The last thing I want is to be guilty of deceiving anyone. I will admit that I am human. I have often placed perhaps too much emphasis on works. We are not saved by works, but I do know that as Christ becomes a part of our lives, we will reach a place where giving becomes a true joy..Not a requirement or under compulsion or through manipulation or fear..but true joy..

There are still some questions that I have, so the best way to find the answer is for me to get deeper into the Word and pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance.


READ THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE and seek the Word and ask for His help understanding it..
Touch not my anointed!
I challenge all who say this phrase to read this whole article through prayerfully and with an open mind and heart. 
Loyalty is a good thing if it is for the right purpose and for truth. One certainly does not want to be loyal and find they have pledged their allegiance to something that is false.
“He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:150
But for one to find out what is true or false they must look into matter and hear both sides before they make a final judgment. “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15).
In a time of catchy phrases and clichés', Christians can be no different. What does the Bible mean when it says not to touch God’s anointed? It’s not my opinion or yours that matters; but what God’s Word have to say about this that really counts? I certainly wish the people that repeat this phrase would read it in its context, 'the Lord's anointed', is a reference to the kings of the nation of Israel (1Sam. 12:3,5; 24:6,10; 26:9,11, 16,23; 2 Sam. 1:14,16; 19:21; Psalm 20:6; Lam. 4:20). The mention of prophets, is a reference to the patriarchs (Psalm 105:8-15; 1Chron. 16:15-22). It is used exclusively in the Old Testament.
Ps 105:11-15 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance,” When they were few in number, indeed very few, and strangers in it. When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people, “He permitted no one to do them wrong; yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.”  Notice in this Scripture that God protected His anointed (who was Israel) and His prophets from the enemies of Israel to bring physical harm.
The first thing one should notice is that the word touch actually means physical harm. What it does not mean is saying something about another person publicly that is true. How do we know this? Because that's exactly what David did about Saul. It was David who said he would not harm God’s anointed, who was King Saul at the time but He spoke out publicly about him.
Not only David, but Samuel “touched God's anointed,” as he spoke out against the kings disobedience. God told Saul to “Smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not...” (1 Sam. 15:3). But instead, he spoke a half truth and “spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord...” (v.15). Samuel said it was rebellion like witchcraft and idolatry (v.24). Because he did not obey the Word of the Lord he would be removed being king. Saul admitted he feared the people and obeyed their voice. What a crucial thing to learn of Saul who was God's anointed.
In1 Sam.16:13-16 we find David who was shepherd boy was anointed before God took away Saul’s position. David refused to touch Saul physically but it didn’t stop him from telling everyone the truth about him publicly.
David not raising his hand to touch (harm physically) God’s anointed is used in 1 Sam.26:9,11,23. Look at 1 Sam.26:11: tells us that David would not stretch his hand out to touch him (harm him); instead he sneaked up and took Saul’s spear and water jug. In verse 15 David rebukes Abner for not guarding Saul and says he deserved to die. Saul hears the commotion and comes out, and David rebukes Saul before all his troops, asking why he is pursuing David’s life since he is innocent -- that the king has come out to seek a flea. Saul then repented for his rash behavior and called himself a fool. David returned Saul’s possessions and said, “For the Lord delivered you into my hand but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” Notice what this means, not to bring physical harm.
1 Samuel 24:10 “Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.” “And David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?”(1 Sam. 26:9)
Saul was anointed as King over Israel he had a position of rulership that was soon to be over. Knowing he was next in line David refused to physically touch the king as God’s anointed and remove him from his position prematurely. It was God, not David who would remove Saul from his position (26:8-10).
We should notice an important part in this story, it was Saul who was pursuing David, hunting him down and trying to kill him. The Bible story has Saul whose position was threatened, pursuing to kill David who was innocent. Isn’t this what we see today? Those who are in a greater position of leadership going after people who are anointed that are challenging them in what they are saying and doing as wrong. From their position they have trained people to listen to them and willing to silence their challengers. They do this by going after them with Bible threats such as “don’t touch God’s anointed” or you are committing the “blasphemy the Holy Spirit” when you speak against another “man of God.” Ignoring the fact that blasphemy meant one is saying that Jesus’ miracles were done by an unclean spirit, not about questioning another mans alleged miracles. Those of the flesh are pursuing those who are of the Spirit, just as Saul did to David. Those who are following the Spirit of the Lord go to His Word to keep themselves in the truth no matter what the opposition may say.
It’s interesting that in Rev. 6:9 John writes “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” They were killed because they held to the Word against the opposition and so they became martyrs. Those who apostatize from the Word always hate those who keep it.
We find the story of Saul ends with David kept from the Battle that Saul and Jonathan lost their lives in, instead he fought the Amalakites. An Amalakite messenger came back with torn clothes and dust on his head showing he was in mourning, David inquired of him and he told David he killed Saul. “So David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?” Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he struck him so that he died. So David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed.’”(2 Sam 1:13-16) Again it is clear, to touch the anointed means to bring physical harm, most often death. But if you spiritualize it, it can mean anything you want. 2 Sam 1:17-19 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, and ordered that the men of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar): “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!” Each time is about those who were killed. David did not relish the fact that God's anointed was apostate and met his end, he wept.
Since most of these so called anointed teachers that come under their follower’s protection teach the Word out of context, its not surprising that they would quote a verse of Scripture removed  from its correct meaning for their own self- protection. Those who shout don’t touch God’s anointed think they are doing God’s work, but they rarely ever look at the facts presented. They listen to their teachers and do not want to hear the other side of the story. They cut themselves off from hearing the truth. And some, even when they are shown false teachings and prophecies do not care, but look to some personality who captured their loyalty. They become enemies of all reason, their own worst enemy. They do not realize they have been trained well, and like Pavlov’s dogs, react the same way each time. It's time to break free!

What are we supposed to do?

Its easy not to confront falsehood today, but it has become easy to confront those who point it out. How many people tell others not to touch the so-called anointed ever check out the claims from someone who has real concerns, and is trying to get them to read about it? I can tell you from experience, very few. Why is this? Because for the most part they can’t read the material, or should I be more specific and say, they are not allowed to. Again I ask why?

It was an apostle named Paul who called the Berean’s more noble than the others. For what reason? They looked to the Scripture to see if what Paul was teaching was accurate. Today those who protect their favorite teachers say don’t touch God’s anointed for doing this. Paul never said, “Touch not God’s anointed” or “do my prophets no harm”; you will never find an apostle teach this, nor is this found ONCE in the whole New Testament. I ask again why not? Paul was questioned, why didn’t he say this? The apostle Paul called those who checked out what he said as noble, meaning they were a better stock than the others. How noble are you? Do you go wherever the tide goes? Are you willing to take a stand for the truth of the Word of God despite what people say, or will you follow the rest of the sheep off the cliff.To tell people not to search the Scriptures and expose false teaching as David exposed King Saul is to be touching God’s anointed. You are stopping people who have God’s anointed word from using it correctly! Even David later on in his ministry as King accepted rebuke and correction from Nathan the prophet. He did not say, “don’t touch God’s anointed” to protect himself, and neither should those who follow their leaders do the same.

Who are the anointed?

John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” Unless someone is speaking the word correctly they are not teaching the truth and it doesn’t matter if they call themselves anointed, or how big or successful a ministry they have, they are WRONG.

What do the anointed man and women of God act like? Do they stop you from going to check their teachings or anyone else’s by the Word? Of course not, Titus 1:9 “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
No apostle ever said they were anointed, they did not speak in this manner; “don’t touch me I’m God’s anointed.” If someone is truly anointed, they would want to encourage the people to discern what is true and what is not. They would encourage people to pursue truth no matter where it would lead. They would love the sheep enough to protect them from falsehood and want to see them grow. They would allow the sheep to learn and think for themselves. The anointing, who is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and someone who has the Spirit of Truth will never run from seeing error but will confront it when necessary. He will give someone the truth from the Word, subsequently leading us away from error.
We also need to ask the question who is anointed? The Bible tells us the whole body of Christ is, not just some certain people in the body. 2 Cor. 1:20-22 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee”
Let me ask those who use the phrase “touch not God’s anointed”, do you believe that only a certain teacher is anointed or can you admit that the whole body is anointed? If so, stop using this Scripture from the Old Testament as if there are only certain people anointed, like prophets or kings. Are there only a certain few leaders who are the anointed of God? Use it correctly.
The New Testament view identifies the anointed as all those who have received Jesus into their hearts and baptized into the body (1 Corinthians 12:13). It is not a certain church or group of people who are supposed leaders over the Church like the kings or prophets in the Old Testament; the whole body of Christ is anointed. When someone insists for people not to say anything when they see something wrong, it is THEY that are coming against the anointed. For everyone shares the same anointing. Before one gives the standard cliché to protect a favorite teacher with “don’t touch my anointed” to someone who is searching what the Scripture actually says, you should think this through. It just may be that it is you who are touching the anointed Jesus, the author of truth, His Word.
The New Testament teaching is that all Christians have the same anointing, the same Holy Spirit. I Jn. 2:27 “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” How does he teach? By the Word of God, by this we know what is true and false. Prior to this John wrote “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth” (I Jn. 2:20-21). So if someone speaks something false about Christ (which is what John is concentrating on) or His word they are not speaking by the Spirit and not presenting truth. This is made simple enough for everyone to understand. John says they already know the truth; this was by being born again, by His teaching and the New Testament being circulated throughout the whole church.
We need to ask are they teaching the Bible from the Bible or are they teaching the Bible by another outside interpretation leading you into an experience, or possibly a spirit they think is the Holy Spirit? Doctrine keeps us in communion with Jesus. If they tell you to not bother with doctrine and all you need is love or an experience, run from this because it is a lie. The Bible states “Whosoever transgresses and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, HATH NOT GOD. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9) “That you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3). Where is the doctrine found? In the Scriptures of course.
Ps. 105:14-15 “He permitted no one to do them wrong; yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” He permitted no one to do them wrong. Who is he? God. The whole people of Israel were appointed to be a kingdom of priests and kings unto God; they were set apart to his service, it was God who protected them from physical harm. We know this is the context because v.13 states they went from nation to another, from kingdom to another people.” Prophets and the kings of Israel did not care too much about what others said about them, but they did care about what the enemies said of God. In the same sense, those who are saying this phrase today: are you protecting God’s word or a person? 
It is God who protects His anointed, “Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:6-7). “The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed” (Psalm 28:8). If you are anointed you don’t have to make threats, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa. 26:3). Could these anointed men who threaten others be reacting in the flesh and not in His Spirit? Apparently so!
First: we are not to judge a man and his eternal destiny which is left up to God, but if we see their teachings as destructive, the Bible tells us to judge, it is a command. So if you are telling people not to judge by repeating the Scripture “touch not my anointed” you are telling them to be disobedient to God's command. That’s the clear and simple answer to this matter. So it has absolutely nothing to do with this cliché touch not my anointed. To hold to this shows ones immaturity in the Word.
Looking at the purpose of touch not God’s anointed, excludes the concept about judging. Most people who say don’t judge will go ahead and take apart everything someone presents as they explain that we are told to judge according to the Bible. For them to say don’t judge is a judgment in itself. But they cannot see the inconsistency in what they are actually doing.
It is the word of God that we use to Judge someone’s teaching and that is not My personal judgment, but God’s, so by obeying this we are doing EXACTLY what Jesus said, to JUDGE righteously. John 7:24 Jesus said: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment”, so we see Jesus did tell us to judge. Also if one examines Mt.7:1-5 in context they find that Jesus says if you have removed the same stumbling block from your eye and can clearly then go ahead and help your brother. 2nd it appears many have listened to men more than God, for the Bible scriptures that they are quoting need to read it in context. It is the self appointed leaders have trained people to think this way and by calling themselves anointed, they have made their followers go after people who say anything about them for their protection. The problem is evident; they can only quote a few certain verses that tell people not say anything about anyone.
Peter, Paul and John did a lot of judging the Biblical way. Every second epistle written is a judgment on false teaching explaining the truth by refuting the error. In 2 Timothy 2:17 he warns of the heresies of two men by name. Later in the same epistle (4:10), Paul judges by warning them about a man named Demas. Paul did a lot of judging and evaluating when it came to false teachers. Remember this is inspired by the Holy Spirit; therefore we have a mandate to judge false doctrine. In the epistle to the Hebrews 5:14 tells us that mature believers, those who are of “full age,” are those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern (judge) both good and evil.” It takes time to learn and grow in discernment; it is those who are babes, immature hold the position that we can’t judge. Think about it.
We are not to sit idly by when we see personal spiritual revelations change God’s Word.  If  men and women cannot hold to the core doctrines and instead make up new revelations or interpret the Scripture from their dreams, visions, visitations from angels or saints we are to point out this is unbiblical teaching.  This is what the Bible says, “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9). It's not opinion, its not chasing down a certain person because of any dislike, its a Bible doctrine that we are to practice. Those who see the error are to remove themselves from those who teach it. “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Rom 16:17). If you say you love the Lord lets see it by obeying Him on this matter.
God has given us objective truth to live by. He has not made the truth so vague and open ended that it becomes a matter of anyone’s interpretation, the bible is not an open-ended book. He has given us clear-cut instructions that are valid and applicable today. God gave us an objective means to know and walk with Him, by living out His written Word. The sheep hear the voice of the Shepherd found in the Word, not in new words that men claim God gave them. The sheep will be drawn to the Word if they have any questions. When someone says they are “anointed” or “led by the Spirit” but consistently teach contrary to the Word in its accurate context, you can be assured that they’re not being led by His Spirit delivering truth. This is especially important on the core doctrines. This of course does mean we must be able to teach perfectly every time. What I’m trying to convey is that it takes time to study, labor and gain spiritual understanding of the Word correctly, that is our goal. When someone distorts and butchers the word, changing or discarding its meaning, then we can safely assume they have not spent time in the word, they do not care, or should not be teaching . When it gets bad enough, harmful enough, its time to speak up to protect the babes, the immature and the naïve from eating poison food. The only alternative is to address the public of already circulated false teaching that is undermining foundational tenets of our faith. We are supposed to be our brother’s keeper, some are to watch over the Church. To ignore this is to have their blood on our hands (Acts 20:26), to warn them shows the same love and concern that Christ has. It's a matter of love and truth that people do the research to see if what is said is so.


Here is an article that more fully explains the , I come not to bring Peace but a sword verse..
http://carm.org/did-jesus-come-to-bring-peace-or-not

Some strange experiences from my life.

Today, I want to share some very strange experiences from my life. These experiences nearly ruined me, and it was through these experiences that I felt led to seek the gift of spiritual disscernment. God answered.
Lately, I have felt the need to question, at large, why we do things in a particualar way and even why we believe certain things.
  The word says to "Test all things." Even, as you are reading the pages of this blog, I encourage you.."test all things, seek God and His kingdom above all else."

The truth is that man is falliable. Many will use the word of God and twist the scriptures..but Christ sends His Holy Spirit to help us understand the Word. It is important that we seek God and pray for His guidance..

. The Bible says that there will be many false teachings and false prophets in the world. They will be disguised as wolves in sheep clothing. They can sometimes perform miracles and can fool even the elect.  The truth is that the enemy knows every weakness that we have. He will try his best to deceive us or harm us in any way that he can. He will try to destroy us if at all possible.

I am going to share some personal stories in hopes that you will understand what I am talking about,but first reflect upon these verses

.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. .

Matthew 7: 21-23
 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.Matthew 24: v 4-5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5   For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mark 13: v 21-23 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
22   For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.


As always, I am open to your thoughts, comments, and opinions. Silence profits noone when someone percieves an offense.

strange experience number 1

When I was a teenager I went to a retreat at a church from a different denomination. I'm not going to name demoninational names in this post because they are irrelevant. I believe that wherever there are falliable humans, the enemy has an opportunity to work.

Anyway, I was at a retreat and a man comes up to me and begins to tell me that God  told him that I was going to meet a man. He told me that the man will have dark hair and that when I meet him, I won't need to wear my "mask" anymore. I can take off my "mask"..

Well, as teenager wanting to find Mr. Right ..anxious and eagar..I was all ears. I wanted to find this man.

A few years later, I was living in Baton Rouge, La. I was attending school there. I went through a time of lonliness and depression. I met a man during this time of depression. We became friends and I slowly began to trust him. He fixed me dinner and was kind to me. One night we were sitting on his couch and he began to talk about "the mask"..He talked about the "masks" we wore and he told me that I could take off my "mask"..almost in the exact same words as the man "prophesied" to me at the retreat. Then the man I met and was slowly falling in love with...began to talk about the love of God and things like that.   In retrospect, the entire experience was almost like a strange dream.

I thought it was a "sign" that I was meant to be with him. I ignored my gut feelings because I saw a "sign from God." God tells us to seek His will above all else. Seek Him...He tells us in His word not to look for signs.  In Mark, Chapter 8..Jesus was dismayed with the Pharisees for their seeking of a "sign."

"And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation...."

Jesus also tells us in Deuteronomy 6:16 to not look for signs....

The truth is that I am not calling this man a false prophet..but, in this case, I was told something that "tickled my ears." I trusted in this promise rather than listening to the God who simply wanted me to walk away from the situation. In all essence,. Our hope should always be in God, not in man, and I feel as if this "word" attempted to put my hope in finding "Mr. Right rather than focus my sight on God.. " God says, Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.." 

Here's another verse for your relflection..

 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The second experience is a little harder to talk about. This one almost ruined me and nearly led to me to suicide.

I was at a church service one Sunday. A pastor began to speak of something that he felt was going to happen. He said that he had a bad feeling about something and that someone needed to turn their life around or someone could possibly die.He was referring to a physical death.  Of course, fear  gripped my heart. I felt as if he were talking to me. I went home that day and cried my eyes out. I worried for my children and the people in my life. I talked long and hard to God. I knew that things would have to change in my life in order for me to truly follow Christ..so I began to make those hard hard changes. I spoke to my boyfriend, who I loved very much, and told him that I needed to make some changes. I  told him that I no longer wanted to live the way I was living. During the course of the next few weeks, my some very strange things began to happen. Some men from my boyfriend's job began to harass him. He became paranoid and crashed his vehicle into a bridge. He died. I was crushed, and felt as if I was to blame for this tragedy.  I thought that perhaps he died because I hadn't heeded the pastor's words and nearly commited suicide over it.

 I went through a time of immense anger at God and church. I associated the  two. I thought that if I sought God, then I  would have to go to church...and I was afraid to go to church because of my experience. I was afraid of who might die. I was afraid of the fearful words that might be spoken.

 The truth is that God had nothing to do with this situation. God was there with me, even during my time of immense suffering and suicidal state that followed. This was all a  trick from the enemy to destroy my life. It almost worked. The course of the next few years, proved to be a living hell. But one day, I finally came to seek God..and He answered. He showed me more grace and love than any that I had ever known. He wasn't the one who had spoken those words at church. He wasn't the one who had driven the fear into my heart. He wasn't the one responsible for the death of my loved one. But somehow, I could see how He wanted to heal it all and bring me to level of understanding. And He is doing that to this very day.

 Howver, If I had discernment, I could've avoided so much fear and pain. I could have recognized things for what they really were, a work of the devil, instead of getting angry at God.

The truth is that God longs to heal us. He longs to lead us to water to drink. "For I know the plans I have for  you says the Lord..Plans to give you hope and future. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you."

The enemy comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy, but I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.

The truth is that I believe that where there are humans, the enemy has a way to infiltrate. Not everything you hear or percieve to be true is in fact true. THe Bible tells us to test the spirits.

"Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. - 1 John 4:1

Please note that I'm not calling the pastor who said these things a false prophet. I'm not saying that at all, only that discernment was needed in this situation..to this very day I wonder what beneift those words served and I wondered if they were even necessary. Is Christ the only one who knows when our time on earth will expire? Does Christ long to instill fear in our hearts and threaten that if we do not turn to Him that we will die a physical death? Here's a verse to consider, "I have come to save the world, not to condemn it."

Strange experience number three:

I've written a lot over the course of the past few years how the demonic has tried to destroy my life. I have seen that they are very real, just as the Bible says they are. I've gone through a lot of strange things and have dealt with the demonic in various ways. In the past, I have said a prayer that God would send someone to help me with this issue.

I was sitting at a church service a few weeks ago and a guest speaker came to speak. He had served time as a missionary.. As I was listening to the man speak, I truly thought that this man sounded like the real thing. He was not begging for money. He was not telling me that God wants me to be rich. He was talking about helping people in Haiti..He then begins to talk about people he has encountered in the area who are dealing with the demonic. He explains how God uses him to help them. My first reaction was.."this is an answer to prayer..Thank you, Jesus!" But, truthfully, God has been and still is helping me in this area.

So, the man asked if there was anyone in the service who needed help in this area. I went up to the front. The man put his hands on my head and started talking about negative thoughts. He said something about negative thoughts coming against me....but truthfully, there hadn't been any negative thoughts...

Then another man gets up to pray for me.. I think it was the missionaries friend..., He asks me if there is any area where I need healing... I told him that I had a mild thyroid issue. He puts his hand on my stomach and as he is praying for me, he keeps asking me..."Do you feel that? Do you feel that? Do you know what that is? What he was trying to ask me was if I felt God healing me.. Well, I believe that God is still the same. God still heals..but , as he was asking me this, I didn't feel anything... I became slightly confused...ummm, maybe I feel something? He asked, "Do you know what is," Confused, I said in a voice that was more of a question, "God?" He said, yes... He told me that I was going to start losing weight because God was healing my thyroid.

The men began praying for more people in the church and declaring healings and I wondered, and not based on a lack of faith, but I truly wondered if any miracles were taking place...

Truthfully, I have come to a place in my Christian walk where I can recognize God. In Him, there is clarity, truth, peace, and understanding...The encounter with these men left me confused. God is not the author of confusion..  However, I am not speaking against these men.Perhaps, these men are the real thing. I pray they are.. .. I am only saying that this situation left me confused. Perhaps, it was simply the enemy who left me confused.

Over the course of the next few days, negative thoughts and confusion came against me in such a way that I literally did not want to get out of bed. My stomach was twisted in such knots that I wasn't hungry and didn't want to eat. Subsequently, I started losing weight.

The truth is that I believe in miracles. I have seen the power of God in many ways,...But I do believe that if God is healing someone, it will be an undeniable experience, unlike any other. It will something wonderful and unmistakeable...Because that is who God is...IF God arrives to heal, there will be no questions about it....but am I wrong? IF so, please tell me...The truth is that this entire night confused me ..

After this experience, in my confused state, I felt led to do a lot of praying and fasting. I asked for the gift of discernment...If you aren't familiar with discernment, it is a gift from God that helps Christians test the spirits around them. Discernment brings clarity whereas the enemy brings fear and confusion.

Throughout the course of the next week or so, God truly began to work on my behalf.. I began to see many things in a new light and began to question why we do certain things in our churches today. Most people are willing to accept practices that they have been comfortable with for years, but how much of what we have learned and have been taught is truly of God?

Anyhow, I am posting this because I want us all to suceed. There is a part of me that realizes that some things aren't right. Look around. This world is a dark place. It doesn't hurt to question our experiences.. It doesn't meant that we are questioning God when we do.

I have heard a lot of people say that if you speak against their minsitry then you will be cursed.

But God says to test all things. I believe that God wants us all to be a the finish line...but I encourage you to Test all things.

Please stay tuned to my blog. I have some other very important things to consider.
Love you :)

 

The Embrace

Today, Bren, Dave, and I were at a car dealership. Dave hasn't had a vehicle in a few months, so today he bought himself a jeep.

Little Bear found a colorful little ball and started throwing it around.. It was comical because there was a bouncy ball in every corner in of the dealership today... I picked up a pen and wrote about it..

Right now, I am sitting here watching Baby Brendan play with a tiny rubber ball.

He's chasing it around relentlessly. His tiny arms have only one purpose right now - to clutch that little ball in his sweet, little hands.

Other things are going on around him, but his tree bark brown eyes are focused on the ball.

It kind of reminds of our pursuits in life.

So often, we become focused on a particular goal, a dream, an ambition..

Our arms are open, poised, as if we are trying to capture the world in a net.

But sometimes, when our arms are outstreched, trying to reel in the world..

They are really nothing more than tied up..

Embrace. That is the word that I keep hearing. Now is the time to use our arms for embracing.

Right now, there is a pen in my hand. There are hands touching keys.

My hands are busy and moving, and there is a part of me that feels as if I can capture

the goodness of God and the beauty of His world, in a pen...

But sometimes, the best way to really capture anything..is to put something down.

Lay it down, and embrace.

When our arms are busy waving, and trying to capture the wind, they aren't free to do the embracing

So, for now, I will put down this pen and I will reel in this moment and go and hug my boy.

The days go by too quickly for anything less.  Our love matters. It does make a difference.

So, perhaps if you are reading this.. take a moment and embrace..Embrace your family. Embrace your friends. Embrace the ones who need the gentle touch of love.
It's funny how we try to comlicate the gospel..but isn't the core of the message of Christ..an embrace.
God embraced us when He sent us His son. Christ was God's love letter to us..
I think about Christ on the Cross..I have never thought about it this way before.. but.
Christ's arms were wide open when he died..

as if He were hugging the entire world.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalms 34:8

Greet one another with a holy kiss 2 Corinthians 13:12

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

George Muller

Tonight, I want to share a really simple but really amazing God story with you. It's a story of great faith, sacrifice, love, and trust in the Father...
It's a story of how God will provide for us when we lay down our lives and trust Him.
I'm not talking about when we spit out wishes and make our demands to Him..but when we do His will and trust.. He provides..

Tonight I want to tell a little bit about the story of George Muller. George Muller was a man who lived in England in the late 1800's.  During that time, there were no orphanages. Children ran the streets with no home. They lived in gutters and sewers. Many were simply forgotten and tossed away like trash.
Children often had to steal food to be able to eat and were children as young as eight years old were often jailed.

Here is a brief paraphrased excerpt from his diary:

Things looked bleak for the children at the orphanage.  It was time for breakfast, and there was no food.  In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and empty mugs.  Not only was there no food in the kitchen, there was no money to buy any.

A small girl whose father was a close friend of Mueller was visiting in the home.  Mueller took her hand and said, “Come and see what our Father will do.”

And then he did what he always did when it was mealtime—he prayed. 

“Dear Father, we thank You for what You are going to give us to eat.” 

Immediately, they heard a knock at the door.  When they opened it, there stood the local baker.  “Mr. Mueller,” he said, “I couldn’t sleep last night.  Somehow I had a feeling you had no bread for breakfast, so I got up at 2:00 and baked some fresh bread.  Here it is.”  Mueller thanked him and gave praise to God. 

A few minutes later, there was a second knock.  It was the milkman.  His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage.  He said that rather than let the milk spoil, he would like to give it to the children.  


George Muller had a faith that was inspiring and humbling. In His diary, you can literally see the hand of God working in his life and for the children entrusted in his care.

I have a copy of his book if anyone wants to borrow it..

If not, then I hope you watch this video..
Also, read  this blog... I have a lot of stories where God came through for me time and time again.. He answered very , very specific prayers in ways that only God can..

If nothing else, I hope this post challenges you to ask yourself...am I truly doing God's will and allowing His provision for my life?

It is something that He is pulling me toward, but I still have some hurdles to climb before I get there fully..

http://www.stephaniecherry.com/2010/07/george-muller-by-basil-miller.html

Hellfire and Damnation Rhetoric

Today, I would like to point out some things that I question. I always try to write what is on my heart, and today is no different.

I encourage you to write your thoughts and opinions..but please note that the one thing that I will not tolerate is hate speech of any kind. ..I guess in some ways this post could be considered “controversial” and my aim is to offend no one..but I hope that you will hear me out and respond according to your convictions.

Some of this involves talk about the election. I know that the election is over, but I think that this post is really about something much, much deeper than voting.  This involves matters of the heart.  I want out to point out some things, and if you agree or disagree, please feel free to comment. While sometimes silence is necessary, other times, I think it is important to speak out, especially when you see an injustice.

One thing that has truly bothered me during this entire campaign is the “hellfire and damnation” rhetoric. I will explain why this has truly gotten under my skin..

Many of my friends, family, and people that I truly care about..have equated a vote for President Obama as a vote that will unequivocally damn them to hell. First of all, I think the Bible states that God is our only lawgiver and judge..(James chp 4.)  And if I am not mistaken, the Bible says that Christ came to save us from the powers of Hell..not to damn us. “ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

I for one, knows that hell exists.. I have had demonic experiences, but through them, I have learned the power of Jesus as my Deliverer.. .. However, despite my experiences, I refuse to “damn anyone to hell” whether it be on paper or with my words.  I don’t have that kind of power and even if I did, I wouldn’t use it to damn anyone. I am simply not fit to make that kind of judgment call… I am no judge and I hope I see the beam in my own eye before pointing out someone elses..

The two main issues that are being discussed are abortion and gay marriage. Ok, I’m going to be blunt and all I can do is pray that if I am wrong….I would just like someone to simply explain why …

First of all, one thing that I have always had a problem with is the fact that Mitt Romney was also for abortion. I read a yahoo article last night that stated that he was for full fledged abortion prior to running for President. Even during his campaign, I recall him changing his stance on the abortion issue… Basically, stating that he would allow abortion under his Presidency. I couldn’t help but wonder why he kept flip flopping and wondered if it was simply to win votes or  if actually believed in something.

So the thing that I don’t get is why is it damnation for an Obama vote on the abortion issue ,,but if you vote for Romney, who is also for abortion, you are somehow more righteous?  I have heard people use the whole “lesser of two evil” argument but that never even made sense.. God says He is a light and In Him there is no darkness at all… so if we are equating Romney with Christlikeness….then we should simply not  do it based on his abortion stance..because he was for something that we consider wrong.  First of all, I don’t care who you voted for..I love you all the same..but I think it is wrong to equate a vote with a form of godliness.

One thing that I will be the first to tell people is that I am against abortion. I have been known to tear up at the sight of a dead bird and I have even been sad over the sight of a cracked egg because, in it, I see the potential for new life..  I don’t like abortion, and I am against it.  I think it is sad that a mother would come to a place where she feels like she is unable to raise a child alone. I also think that it is a great travesty that, as Christians, a lot of us don’t take care of one another and help one another as the Bible commands. We evangelize and socialize only with the people whose look like us….many of us sit on pews during the week, and never really live out what that which we claim to believe.   

Another great irony that I see…

Do you know how many times I have heard the term “raghead”?  I see a lot of hatred toward people of the middle east. One thing that I have always found ironic is that I often feel as if many of see Jesus as a white American.  I have heard that Jesus, having been born in a certain region, actually had dark skin… Why does skin color frighten people so much? Are we afraid that if Jesus were dark skinned, then He wouldn’t be as holy or as righteous? I have heard people argue…..Yes, argue over Jesus’ skin color.

I think we have missed the point of the gospel entirely if it matters to us how Jesus looked in physical appearance. I don’t care if Christ was black, white, brown, tan…I don’t care if he was spotted.and covered in splotches.. .. I know His character and I love Him. I know that His character was perfect, but the Bible never mentioned anything about His physical attributes.

Have you ever heard the song, “Jesus in Disguise? It is a great song. The song on the based on the verse that says..”What you have done for the least of these, you have also done for me.” There is another verse in the Bible that speaks of entertaining angels… The verse, and I paraphrase,  says to be kind to everyone you meet because you could be secretly be entertaining angels…

Well, what if those angels and the Jesus’ in disguise are black people? What makes us think that angels look like we do? What if God sent an angel in disguise to work behind the counter of a corner store? What if He looked like a Muslim?   When did we get it through our heads that people of other nations are our enemies?

Didn’t Christ say to love your enemies and do good to those who curse  you?  Yes, He did.. And yet, I  often have seen hateful rhetoric aimed at people of middle eastern descent.

I used to have a friend of middle eastern descent.. He saw a lot of hypocracy and hatred from the Christian community. I thought it travesty because I learned that he was a real person and the color of his blood was the exact same color as mine. I gave him a Bible and told him a little something about Jesus…not because I wanted to shove in his face that I was right and he was wrong..but because I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.

I stand behind Israel.. Jesus tells us pray for Israel. But He never commanded us to hate anyone based on His command to pray for Israel.  He says that He is the God of all nations. Google it ..you will find many verses on Christ’s love for people of other nations.

We consider ourselves a Christian nation, but do you know what I read the other day that I found interesting. A nation can be no more Christian than a car or a cellphone. Christ came to save people.. Individuals.. The truth that I am seeing is that America is not a Christian nation. There are some true Christians out there..but there seem to no shortage of finger pointing, backstabbing, foul mouthed, people whose lives are wrought with hypocracy and greed. So you want to talk about Christ? Talk is cheap! Show me… People need to see Him…  People need to see His love in action.  Are you truly living it and  showing His love or are you giving the world lip service? Food for thought.

Another irony.

Yesterday I was reading the blog of a friend. She happens to be liberal and gay.  As I was reading her blog, I got a real glimpse into her heart. Truthfully, I don’t think most Christians  today would have even taken the time to listen to anything that she has to say… Many simply look at the word liberal or gay and automatically go into “shun” mode. Many of us would put her into a corner and point our fingers and call her a sinner.. But wait..aren’t we all sinners? Didn’t Christ say that ALL have fallen short of the glory of God..and didn’t He say that we are all sinners .. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us"… or in His verse from John 1:8 that says  "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."  

There have been days when I have been driving along and think a wrong thought against another person, and see the sin and the fault in that alone. We are all sinners. Salvation is something that has to be worked out in fear and trembling.. It is not a simple sinners prayer and poof you are all done.. It is something to work for, to seek..to strive to obtain.. “Work out your salvation in fear and trembling” That's in the Bible too.

I’m not going to tell you I agree with everything my friend writes.. But today, I am not going to point fingers and call her a sinner until I take a good hard look at my own life and make sure that there aren’t any “beams” pointing out of my eye. Its sad that I live in a society where I have to remind people that we all bleed the same blood and that we all have feelings.

Instead, we say in our speech and our actions that she doesn’t matter..but what does Christ have to say about her? Christ says that He knew her before she was born. He says that even the hairs of her head are numbered and that He loves her and rejoices over her with singing…

 When is the last time we have actually dusted off our little black books and read what they say about how to treat others? Are we picking apart verses to fit our own ideas about things or are we learning something from the story of Christ as a whole? Why are we crucifying people and nailing them to a cross when they may be Jesus in disguise?

Are we listening to talking heads who tell us what or how to  think or are we seeking Christ and what He has to say on things? Just some food for thought.

On my friend’s blog she pointed out how she thought it was ironic that so many of “us” go to great lengths to stop gay marriage… But she also pointed out how many of us can’t even make our own marriages work. She pointed out the irony of having “Jimmy Swaggarts” in the pulpit who point their fingers at her and tell her that she is wrong. Does anyone know the jimmy swaggart story..about his hotel escpades and how, only after he got caught in the act…was he really sorry..and then he got caught yet again with his pants around his ankles..Doesn’t true repentance and being sorry mean that you won’t want to commit the same act over and over and over? But yet sometimes it seem like we idolize people and send them their money because they promise us something in return.. They try to sell miracles and salvation. Bull! I'm not buying it from them. It taints the message of the true Cross of Christ. He is worth more than that to me!

I’ve always found it ironic that half of the lawmakers who write laws are either cheating on their wives and lying through their teeth are touting a Christian agenda simply in order to win votes.  Why do we consider homosexuality such a horrid sin, when we can’t even get past our own lies?  Didn’t the fall of the man begin with a lie?  And yet..I ‘ve seen many Christians who have no problem letting little deceptions slip off the tongue and “call themselves good.”

Let’s look at the beam in our own eyes before we try to get the beams out of everyone elses..

I guess I conclude that, in our quest to be right,  many of us  have missed the point entirely. Many of us pull out a scripture to wave in someone’s face telling them how “wrong” they are before taking a long, hard look at their own life.

The entire story of Jesus was a love story. It was a story that that taught us how to love our enemies, the people that we don’t see eye to eye with… ..The Bible is a story of unconditional love… In all of our self righteousnes, have we forgetten all of that?

Do we even care?

Are we going to change anything, seek the face of Christ Himself, or are we going to continue listening to hateful rhetoric from pulpits and people selling the gospel of Christ for a profit?

One thing that I can say about Christ is that He is the embodiment of perfect love. His love is so pure that no words could even describe. He is a light that is so bright. He is so holy and so good. He is perfect in all of His ways.

We are called to be Christlike.. When we speak His name, but can’t carry His love.and finger point are we guilty of “having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof?

___________

One thing I will say,and I may get reamed for this…I don’t agree with a lot of Obama’s policy, but I can say that think it is great that we overcome years of racial hatred. To me, that is something wonderful.

I don’t even claim to support Obama. I don’t want to jump on a political bandwagon..but I will pray for him.  The Bible says to pray for our leaders. T ruthfully, I haven’t done that but since I do take God at His Word..Today is just as good as any to start.

On that note…your thoughts?

Also, read this article before you respond . It makes sense to me f rom a political standpoint.. even  though I can't claim to agree with every thing he may write..

a gift

tonight, i simply want to leave you with a few verses...God says in His word that "For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever...

Here are some verses to relfect upon...and some images from my pinterest boards. I always feel as if I get little glipses of Heaven when I see images like these...

Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:31

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 4 : 16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Philippians 3:7-9

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Ephesians 3:17-21

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Hebrews 10:19-23

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,  by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 1:17

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes 1 Corinthians 16:13

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong