tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90876023308892806792024-03-13T09:21:36.206-07:00Shining at all times!!Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-52425685950235333712015-08-31T03:28:00.002-07:002016-01-17T11:22:30.257-08:00It is not dead! It just needs to be recharged! <b>“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”(Matthew 11:28-30MSG)</b><br />
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Yesterday as I was getting ready for church, my Fitbit Surge watch died. Now, let me give you a little back story on my FitBit. My FitBit tracks my steps, miles, heart rate, sleep quality, weight loss, and other things I am sure I am leaving out. As you see my FitBit gives me a picture of what my day looks like, from while I'm sleeping all the way throughout my day. Well, about a week before my FitBit died there was a red indicator light that popped up on the face of my watch. I called customer service and they had me take a picture and send it. They also walked me through some trouble shooting solutions. None of those solutions worked and the red dot was still on the face of my watch. I noticed that this red dot made my FitBit battery drain really quickly. I was constantly having to take it off and connect it to the power source and wait before I could use it. So when I woke up Sunday morning and looked down at the face of my watch and it was off I just knew that it had officially died!<br />
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Now, I want you to really see the similarities between my FitBit and our relationship with God. See, many times we get the indicators that we are weary. Indicators that we need to get connected to the power source. Indicators that are red lights in life that are directing us to make contact with the manufacture. When the indicator light came on, the first person that I wanted to get in contact with was someone on the line from FitBit. I knew that they would be able to help me with whatever problem I had. Why do we not do the same when it comes to seeking God? When things happen in our lives and we see red lights, the first person we should call upon is the sovereign Lord.<br />
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Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us that no matter who we are we will get weary! Regardless of a title, or a position, or education we will each get weary! We will each become burned out if we are not connected to the power source. See, earlier I listed all of the things that my FitBit did. I want you to think about all of the things that you do. I want you to picture all of the hats that you wear. I want to focus on all of the functions that you preform from day to day. Now, I want you to use your sanctified imagination and picture how much easier it would be if you had God being the source! How much lighter the load would be if you gave the load to God and you in return received the yoke of the Lord. For we are reminded that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.<br />
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I want to leave you with this thought to reflect upon. My FitBit was not dead. My FitBit just was so drained that it had completely shut off. This has never happened before where it completely turned off. I automatically just assumed that it was finally dead and I could no longer use it. Don't we do the same thing in our walk with Christ? We become so tired and weary that we believe we can no longer be used by God. I want to remind you on today that you are not dead! Your dream is not dead! Your vision is not dead! Each of these thing simply need to be recharged! Go to the Father today and ask Him to recharge you in a way that only He can. The word of God says that we are to learn the unforced rhythms of grace! Be encouraged today and know that God won't lay anything heave or ill-fitting on you! When we walk upright with Him, we learn to live freely and lightly! Today, is the day to lay aside every weight that is hindering you from being all that God has called you to be. Today, is the day that you will decide to allow God to breathe on you! Today, is the day that you will be reminded that you are not dead! You simply need to be recharged!<br />
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Let me pray with you today: Father God, I thank you for each and every person that took the time to read this blog. Father, I know it was not by chance or coincidence. I thank you for the divine appointment. I thank you for stirring a desire to be connected to you in ways that they have been disconnected! Father, I thank you for the new thing that you are doing. The new thing that will require us to be even more connected than ever before. Father, I thank you for your grace and for your mercy that continue to infuse us with everything we need to stay the course and run the race you have set before us! Father, I thank you for the people that you are raising up to not just be God chasers, but they will be God catchers! Thank you for your promises and for continuing to say yes and amen! In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!<br />
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**If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and would like to accept Him into your heart on today, please allow me to pray with you on today. Father, God I thank you for drawing your children to you. I thank you that as they repent and confess with their hearts and profess with their mouths that you are Lord that you will come into their hearts and rein forever more. I thank you for I know the Angels in Heaven are rejoicing over the decision that was made today to accept you and receive eternal life. Lead, guide, and direct oh God like only you can. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen!Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-26625577498028250392015-01-28T17:29:00.002-08:002015-01-28T17:29:56.692-08:00What is that smell?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><b>"In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse."(2Corinthians 2:14-16MSG)</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Have you ever been somewhere and you immediately wanted to know what the smell was that you were inhaling in your nostrils? It could have been an amazing smell that you could </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">not get enough of. On the other hand, the smell could have been horrible and made you want to stop breathing all together! Think back to those times. Take a moment and reflect on the emotions you felt when you breathed in those smells both good and bad. Now, ask yourself what scent do you leave behind? When people are around you, what aroma are you sending out? Would you want to breathe in what you put out? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">As I was reflecting on the above passage of scripture, I began to think about all the times that I have fried chicken. When you fry chicken or are even in the house of someone who is frying chicken, you will not be able to escape without smelling like..you guessed it. Fried Chicken! The same is true with our relationship with Christ. There is no way that we are able to be in His presence and not walk away giving off a sweet aroma! 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 declares that everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Why you ask or better yet how? The passage of scripture goes on to answer that very question of how. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God! How amazing is that? The passage of scripture does not stop there. Here is the remainder of that sentence, Which is recognized by those on the way to salvation-an aroma redolent with life! Now, the last sentence stood out to me too. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. I started thinking about the smell of fried chicken. Not everybody likes the smell of fried chicken and you know what? Not everybody is going to like the sweet aroma that you are sending off either. Why? Because they are on their way to destruction. But let's go back to the beginning of 2Corinthians 2. The passage of scripture starts off by declaring that in the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in perpetual victory parade.Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Let's be conscious of what aroma we are sending out. There is absolutely no way that we can enter into God's presence and remain the same. Let me encourage you today, my friend, you are to be a spiritual change agent. Regardless of where you go, shift the atmosphere by your presence. Your very presence is enough to create a change in the environment. Let everywhere you go people ask, what is that smell?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Let me pray with you today. Father God, I come before you in the mighty name of Jesus. Oh, God I thank you for each person that took the time to read this blog. I thank you that the word of God will be so etched on their hearts that they will not sin against it. I thank you Father God for what you are doing in their lives even right now. I thank you for stirring up the gifts that you have placed on the inside of them. Father God, I ask in the mighty name of Jesus that you would continue to strengthen them for the journey that you have them on. Oh, mighty God I ask that the aroma that goes up from our lives would be pleasing unto you. Never let us leave your presence the same! I thank you for your sons and daughters. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen! </span></span>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-70624239234237579912014-08-25T17:00:00.003-07:002014-08-25T17:00:39.868-07:00Don't be fooled by what you currently see!"After that, the Word of God came to me: “Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. <b><i><u>Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? </u></i></b>They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!” Going back to the vision, the Messenger-Angel said, “The seven lamps are the eyes of God probing the dark corners of the world like searchlights.”~Zechariah4:8-10(MSG)<br />
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Today I dropped my daughter off for her first day of first grade. As we sat there, I looked around. My baby girl is 6 and is in a multi-age classroom. That means that there are both first and second graders in one classroom. Even though she is not the oldest child in the classroom, she is the tallest child in the classroom. It made me think back to when I was a child. I hit my growth spurt sooner than a lot of my classmates. So, if you seen me you would have thought I was going to be tall. Well, that was not the case. See, I hit my growth spurt early but I stopped growing when others kept on growing. That is what happens a lot of times doesn't it? You can look around and it looks like everyone else is so much farther along than you. They can look so much bigger than you through your eyes. My friend, don't get discouraged or fooled by what you currently see! God is not through with you! Others may seem bigger but be encouraged because God is still stretching and growing you!<br />
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It is easy to look at others and compare ourselves to them. Comparison is one of the quickest robbers of joy! Don't you know that when we compare ourselves to our brothers and sisters in Christ we lose focus of our strengths? It is easy to see only your weaknesses when you look at someone else's strengths. Instead of comparing yourself to others, rejoice when you see God's anointing upon others. Pray for them. Encourage them. You do not know what seeds were sown and watered in there life for God to bring forth the increase of strength that you see. One thing you can be rest assured of is the fact that seeds were sown. If you know anything about a seed, you know that different seeds grow at different rates. Not only do different seeds grow at different rates but the ground the seed is sown in determines how well that seed will grow. Lets make sure we are good ground so that we can grow as God desires for us to grow us.<br />
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I want to leave you with some encouragement on today. Rest on this word. You, my friend, are unique and you are beautiful. You are God's handy work. Never allow yourself to feel smaller than you are. "I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well."~Psalm139:14(AMP) I love that God, asked the question in Zechariah does any dare despise this day of small beginnings. Never allow yourself to despise where you are in God. God is yet working in and through you. Perfecting everything He started in you.<br />
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Let me pray with you on today. Father God, I come before you right now in the mighty name of Jesus. Father, I thank you for each person that took the time to read this blog. I pray that it encouraged them and drew them closer to you. Oh God, you declare in your word that when we draw close to you that you will draw close to us. We thank you of that drawing on today. Father, I ask that you would open their eyes so that they would see themselves through the eyes of Christ. Allow them to see who they are in your eyes. I bind the spirit of fear right now in the name of Jesus. I speak what your word declares for you have not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Have your way in the lives of your people! Remove any hindrance or weight in the name of Jesus! We count it as done and we give you the highest praise due to your holy name in the matchless name of Jesus, amen!<br />
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If you do not know Jesus as your personal savior and would like to receive the greatest gift you will ever receive, the gift of salvation join me in prayer on today. Father, I confess that I have sinned against you. I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are Lord. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me and rose from the dead to sit on the right hand of God the Father. Enter into my heart today to live forever more. I give you access to every part of me. Thank you, Jesus for saving me on this day! In Jesus name, Amen!<br />
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<br />Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-86267091674120034942014-08-15T11:08:00.000-07:002014-08-15T11:08:01.322-07:00You are too strong to be weak!"The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him."~Psalm28:7(AMP)<br />
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I was laughing, joking and play fighting with my oldest son when I told him, you are too strong to be weak. See, my eleven year old son is almost as tall as me and weighs ninety four pounds. He does not realize his strength. He does not realize how big he is. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I got excited! Think about it. Let it marinate. Many of us do not realize our own strength. We don't realize just where our strength comes from. The world would have us think it is from our size, but don't you know our strength comes from our God! Psalm28:7 reminds us that the Lord is our shield not only our shield but a impenetrable shield. That means absolutely nothing will be able to get past that shield. Now, that is the very definition of strong. When we know that we know that we know that God is our strength, we are able to walk out and live the remainder of Psalm28:7. Our hearts trust in, rely on, and confidently lean on Him! We know that we are helped and our heart greatly rejoices and with our song will we praise God! Now, that right there is a promise to stand on.<br />
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As I began to think about the reasons that we forget just how strong we are and become paralyzed and weak, the first thing that came to my mind was we think we have to be in the fight all by ourselves. We forget that it is a "fixed" fight! "The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."~Exodus14:14(NLT) Don't you know that the Lord Himself will fight for you. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to stand on Exodus 14:13. We have to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. The next time a situation tries to remind you of your weakness remind your situation who is perfected in your weakness! "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."~2Corinthians12:9(NIV) The next time fear and doubt come knocking and throwing up your weaknesses boast in them and let God's strength be perfected! God's grace is more than sufficient for every battle and storm you will face.<br />
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Never allow the size of your giant that you are up against cause you to forget the size of your God! "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." If that promise of God is not enough then lean on the strength that comes from this scripture: "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [a]infuses inner strength into me; I am [b]self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]."~Philippians4:13(AMP) Our feelings change, our circumstances change, but the word of God remains the same. If you are having trouble seeing your strength, allow God to light up the path for you to see! You my friend, are too strong to be weak another day of your life! Embrace your strength on today.<br />
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I would love to pray with you on today. Father God, I thank you for each and every person that took the time to read this blog on today. I pray that it met them right where they were at and caused them to be reminded of how strong they are in you. Father, I thank you for perfecting your strength in them through their weaknesses. Oh God, I thank you that we can run to you in our times of not just trouble but of victory! How great it is to be able to come before the throne of grace and marvel at your majesty. Father, on today I pray that what ever battle my brother or sister is facing that you remind them that you are not only their guide but their guard! That not weapon that is formed against them will prosper and that every lying tongue will be condemned! Have your way God. Move by your spirit right now and cause every crooked place to be made straight for your glory! In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, Amen!<br />
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If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal savior, I would love to pray with you on today to accept the greatest gift of all. The gift of eternal life. Repeat after me if you would desire to accept Him as Lord of your life. Father God, I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. I ask that you would come in to my heart and reign forever more. I believe that you died for my sins on the cross and that you rose from the dead and sit at the right hand of God. I repent of all past sins. I give you my life this day forever more. In Jesus name, Amen!Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-74440760047775628952014-08-10T10:57:00.000-07:002014-08-10T11:06:07.688-07:00Uncomfortable because of growing pains!<h2>
<u><i>"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."(Romans8:18NIV)</i></u></h2>
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As I was in my bed last night trying to drift away to sleep, I began to think about the pain that is associated with growth. The very reason many of us are uncomfortable is because God is enlarging us and we no longer fit in the same position that we once fit in. I don't know about you, but i have tried to fit into something that was too small. Let me tell you if you have never done this, it is beyond uncomfortable. It does not matter the length of time you try to keep what does not fit on, keeping it on will cause discomfort. That is what is happening right now in many of our lives. We are experiencing growing pains. We can no longer fit where we once could fit comfortably! God is enlarging your faith. God is enlarging your hope. God is enlarging your joy. God is enlarging your peace. God is enlarging your worship. God is enlarging your praise. I want to encourage you that the pain is only temporary and the growth that is being produced in you will amaze you. Your present suffering is not even worth comparing for the glory that will be revealed in you!<br />
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When I think about growing pains, I think of my children. Each of them are in different stages of life and with each stage there comes a different set of growing pains. The exciting thing about growing pains is that with it comes growth. My oldest son is eleven and almost as tall as me. When I look at him I still see my baby boy that I held in my arms and rocked to sleep. As I prepare for him to soon be going to middle school, I watch in amazement. The growth that he has experienced this summer has been awesome. The biggest change I see in him is his appetite. He is hungry all of the time now! What would once satisfy him is no longer enough. Let me let you in on a little secret. As you begin to grow, your appetite for the word will change. Your appetite will not only change but milk will no longer satisfy you. "<b><i><u>For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u>14 But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law."(Hebrews5:13-14AMP) </u></i></b><br />
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I just wanted to encourage you to get excited about what God is doing in your life. Move from being unsure of what He was doing to rejoicing in what He is doing! Move from concentrating on the pain to rejoicing about His glory being revealed in you! Move from fitting in to standing out for His glory! You were not created to fit in.<u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."(1Peter2:9MSG) </u><br />
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Let me pray with you today. Father God, I come before you thanking you for each person that took the time to read this blog. I ask God that you would meet them right where they are and fill whatever need they are standing with on today. Father, I thank you for the ability to come to you in prayer. I thank you that when we come before your throne of grace we leave differently than when we entered in. Oh, God I thank you for the work you are perfecting even now and that even though we will have times of growing pains and of being uncomfortable we know that the glory that will be revealed in us will be incomparable! Father, I pray for those who may not know you as their savor and the pardoner of their sins. If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior, won't you accept the greatest gift you have ever received? The gift of eternal life. The gift of a Savior. Join in this prayer. Father God, I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. That Jesus Christ died for my sins! That Jesus Christ rose from the dead and sits at the right hand of the father and I ask Him into my heart to reign forever more. In Jesus name, AMEN!Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-50264018975033244922014-06-05T07:24:00.000-07:002014-06-05T07:24:25.089-07:00Look in the mirror and stop looking out the window.<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;"><i>7 1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor."~Matthew 7:5(MSG)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;">It is always easier to look out of the window and see what is on our sister and brother's face then it is for us to look in the mirror and see what is on ours. The verse above goes as far to state that we will have the nerve to say, let me wash your face for you, when our own face is distorted by contempt. Let us get to a place in Christ where we are eager to get before Him and have Him search us and cleanse and purify us. When we are clean ourselves we will bear the fruit and not just talk about the seeds. It is time to be about our father's business through not just our words but our deeds. </span></i></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;">Our very actions are what display our fruit not how shiny we may look on the outside. How many of you know that an artificial piece of fruit can be one of the prettiest pieces of fruit you can find, but baby you will not be able to get any nutrients from that ar</span></i><i style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;">tificial fruit. The same is true with many of us we may very well be the prettiest or most handsome thing in the room but our vessels are empty and not empty in a good way. We are of no good to our Daddy because we do not have any of His fruit. This is what the scripture has to say about this type of person: </span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;"><i>“You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You’re like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it’s all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you’re saints, but beneath the skin you’re total frauds.~Matthew23:27-28</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;">We each should strive to walk in holiness. For holiness is still the standard. It is the standard when we feel like it and it is still the standard when we </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;">don't. Holiness has nothing to do with feelings at all.When we walk in holiness we will not be so focused on pointing out everyone else's sins. But instead we point them to the king of kings. We will be offering a healing balm from on high. We serve a holy God. In our holiness and humility there is a healing that takes place. It is in our humility that we admit that we ourselves do not have it all together but we know the one who is able to cleanse us and purify us for His use. </span></i><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;"><i>"If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God."~1John1:8-10</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;">Let me pray with you today. Lord, I come before you with a humble heart asking that you would let us be vessels of your glory instead of trying to be mirrors for others. Father God, search us on today and cleanse and purify not only our minds and our hearts but our motives as well. Let us not be so quick to point out the sins of others but to be quick to offer a helping hand. Let our fruit display a close walk with you. Father, I ask that the Holy Ghost would come in and have its way in our hearts. Create in us clean hearts and renew a right spirit within us. Let nothing we do be for selfish gain. In the name of Jesus, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;">Amen. If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior, won't you make the best decision of your life today and accept Him to be Lord of your life?</span></i></span>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-22415005781414510212014-05-11T14:10:00.002-07:002014-05-11T14:10:38.240-07:00Out with the old and in with the new!<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever bought a new outfit but were not able to wear it because you had no shoes to match? I am guilty of doing that. I was so excited about my new outfit and just knew that I had something in my closet to go with it. Only to return home to search and find nothing to match my new outfit. It is not a good feeling to be excited about wearing that outfit but not being able to because you don't have any shoes! The same is true with our walk with Christ. Many of us are looking <i>mix matched</i>. We are trying to put our new <i>beautiful</i> garments over our <i>old dirty</i> garments. It will not work. For in doing so we are ruining the new! <b><i>“Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before."~Matthew 9:16(NLT)</i></b> It is time to get rid of the old in order to embrace the new. The word of God tells us that old things are passed away. <b><i>"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."~2Corinthians5:17(KJV)</i></b> <i>Out with old and in with the new</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another way to look at out with the old and in with the new is to look at how we view pouring new wine in old wine bottles. Does this make since to you? Would you do that? Do you know in doing so you not only waste the new wine but break the wine bottle?<b><i> “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins."~Luke 5:37(NLT)</i></b> We do this in our every day life when we start a day with out asking God to empty us. We enter the day full of heaviness from the day before. We need to start empty so that it is God who is filling us with His new mercy. God's mercy is new everyday. <b><i>"Great is his faithfulness; </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>his mercies begin afresh each morning."~</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Lamentations 3:23</i></b> Let's remind our selves each morning to ask God to empty us. <i>Out with the old and in with the new.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is there an old pattern of behavior in your life that does not line up with your new identity in Christ? Is this behavior hindering your walk with Christ? Let today be the day you make up your mind to no longer hold on to your past. Let it go. Let old habits go. <i>It is time to walk in the fulness of what God has prepared for you. Let today be the day you say out with the old and in with the new! New mindset and new focus on your purpose. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would love to touch and agree with you today with a word of prayer. Father God, I come before you today praying for my brother or sister that took time on today to read this blog and that feels the wooing of your Holy Spirit. I pray that you have shown them what it is in their life that you a desiring for them to put aside. What you are desiring for them to get rid of through your grace and through the authority that you have given us through your son Jesus Christ. Father God we cry out to you today and ask that you would lead us on the path that you have for us. We long to do your will and be emptied daily so we can be filled with your glory! In the mighty name of Jesus we pray and praise you in advance for your work being completed amen! If you do not know Jesus Christ as your savior and you have not accepted Him into you heart and confessed Him as Lord, let today be the day that you receive eternal life. </span>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-56004438960046358832014-04-20T12:27:00.001-07:002014-04-20T12:27:44.400-07:00It Is Finished!<b><i>28 "Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”[a] 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit."~John19:28-30</i></b><br />
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Some of the sweetest words you can say or hear are these 3..<b><i><u>It is finished</u></i></b>! During this time of reflection of the cross and what it represents for us these are inspiring words to meditate upon. How exciting it is to hear that it is finished. It is complete! It is done! Whatever you are facing be reminded that it will not last forever. There is a beginning and an ending for everything. <b><i>3 "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven."~Ecclesiastes3:1(NLT) </i></b>Rejoice in the promise that the king of kings gave us.<b><i><u> It is finished</u></i></b>!<br />
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There are 3 more words that serve as awesome reminders of God's power and sovereignty. These words are <b><i><u>It is written</u></i></b>! <i style="font-weight: bold;">3 "The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]”~Matthew4:3-4(NIV) </i>When we get tempted by doubt and unbelief tries to creep in, declare these words..<b><i><u>It is written</u></i></b>! The only way we can grab a hold of the promises of God is if we know them. The words <b><i><u>it is written</u></i></b> are powerful because even when we get tempted and when the enemy comes in with lies and plots and schemes, we just have to be reminded of what is written in God's holy word. <b><i><u>It is written</u></i></b> that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!<b><i><u> It is written</u></i></b> that <b><i>“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”~1Corinthians2:9(NLT) </i></b><br />
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The next time you are faced with a decision to believe God's unfailing word or believe lives remind yourself that when you are redeemed by Christ you have an expected end! <i style="font-weight: bold;">11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."~Jeremiah29:11(KJV) </i>You have been redeemed and your redeemer lives! <b><i>23 "Oh, that the words I now speak were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book [carved on a tablet of stone]! 24 That with an iron pen and [molten] lead they were graven in the rock forever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth."~Job19:23-25(AMP)</i></b><br />
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I would love to touch and agree with you today in prayer. Father God, I thank you for your unchanging word. I praise you that you are your word and your word is you. I ask that you would touch the people that read this prayer on today and remind them of your promises. Remind us on today that your word never changes and that every promise that is written is for each of us. Give us a desire to not only know your word but to become your word. Etch your words on our hearts Lord. Thank your for the ultimate sacrifice which was the offering of your son for our sins. Show each of us our expected end. Ignite a passion in us to continue to speak what you have written, It is finished and It is written! When we get weary, when we feel defeated, when we feel like giving up, and when we feel like giving in, let us meditate on the words it is finished and it is written. Father God, I thank you. In Jesus name, Amen. If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal savior, won't you accept the best gift of all? The gift of eternal life.<br />
<br />Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-41884768431898866332014-04-16T14:21:00.000-07:002014-04-16T14:22:17.580-07:00What insecurity or struggle in your life is keeping you from maturing in Christ?<b><i>11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.~1 Corinthians 13:11(NLT)</i></b><br />
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I have a 3 and a half year old son. His name is Jonathan. Well, Jonathan is our 3rd child. He has an older brother and sister. All was well in Jonathan's world until my sweet baby girl, Jayda came along. When Jayda was born, Jonathan had a very hard time giving up his spot as the youngest child. You see, Jonathan still wanted to be mommy and daddy's baby. We noticed that once Jayda came he was no longer excited about potty training and he would tell us that he was our baby. See, Jonathan was wanting to hold on to his spot at whatever cost. He was not willing to put away childish things and be a big brother. Here recently he has officially became potty trained and in the process it made me start thinking. I began to think about our walk with Christ. When we get saved, we are babies in Christ. We are not ready for meat we have to have milk, but as we grow we become ready for meat. <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready."~1 Corinthians3:1-2 </i>The problem many of us are having is that we are not growing in Christ. We are happy with staying the baby. We are happy drinking milk and not eating meat. We have to understand as we grow we need more. Milk will no longer be enough. Milk will no longer sustain you.<br />
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What is hindering you from maturing in Christ? What is stopping you from seeking Him more? What is keeping you from moving from reaching for His hand to becoming His hand? What insecurity in your life is keeping you from gaining knowledge of who He is? What struggle in your life right now is keeping you from drawing closer to Him? There is a reason that you are not wanting to give up your spot as a baby in Christ. There is a reason that you have been going to church Sunday after Sunday and Wednesday after Wednesday and there has not been a change in your life. Once you get to the root of your insecurity and your struggle you will be able to yank it up and mature in Christ.<br />
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See, Jonathan's insecurity was that he thought he was no longer going to be important because he was no longer the baby. He was not used to more responsibility. He was not use to being a big brother and he did not like it. Once it clicked for him that he was still special, he got excited about being a big boy. He got excited about being a big brother. Jonathan became okay with giving up his spot as a baby. We have to get before God and yank up the root of our insecurity and be okay with maturing in our calling. As we mature, we become able to help our brother's and sister's in Christ. As we mature, we get excited about our responsibilities. We must realize that our struggle was designed to draw us closer to God and not push us away from Him.<br />
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I would love to touch and agree with you on today in prayer. Father God, I come before you today on the behalf of my brother and sister in Christ. I come touching and agreeing with them in faith that as you reveal to some what their insecurity are and as you heal the insecurities in others that you will remind them that you will complete the work that you have begun in them. Father, I thank you for maturing them in their walk with you. I thank you for the desire and zeal that you are renewing in them for your glory. Continue to have your way in their lives. Remind them on today that their struggles are designed to draw them closer to you and that you will never leave them nor forsake them. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. If you have not accepted the most wonderful gift of eternal life, won't you accept that gift today? It is always the right time to accept the gift of eternal life.Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-76625143373470792172014-04-14T15:04:00.001-07:002014-04-14T15:06:32.242-07:00It is time to shine some light on your dreams!<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">One of my favorite things about Germany is the shutters that are on all of the windows in the homes. It can literally be noon and you would not know it unless you opened up the shutters. Now, this is a wonderful thing if you have nothing to do but rest. It is not so much of a good thing when you are relying on the sun to wake you up. How many of you have been in a place like a tunnel or inside a house that had dark curtains on the windows and you were not able to tell what time it was? This is happening in our spiritual lives as well. We have put shutters up around our dreams. We have not allowed God's light to shine on the very dream that He placed in our hearts. When God give you something, He gives it to you for it to shine for His glory. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i>15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.~Matthew5:15-16(NLT) </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">When I put on my makeup I like to do it in natural sun light. It is amazing how different artificial light is compared to natural sun light. Natural sun light is so much better. It allows me to see my features better. The same is true with the light that the son of God shines forth on us. There is no substitute for His holy light. We can try and mimic His light with self help books and get right plans. We will learn that once His light shines upon us we will never be the same. We will never be able to just sit in the dark any longer. It is time to open up the window of your soul and let His holy light shine upon you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">There is power in getting before God and allowing Him to awaken our dreams. Many times when we are basking in His presence He gives us new dreams. I love the beach. I love relaxing on the beach. It can be very dangerous even at the pool in the summer. Time can get away from us and we can forget how long we have been exposed to the sun. Too much sun can be harmful to our flesh. Just as physically too much sun can be harmful to us, not enough of the Son of God can be harmful to our spirit. You may be at place where it is dark. You may have been at this place for some time now and you are weary. You have questioned the dream that God has placed in your heart. You have thought that this dream is too big for you. I came on today to remind you that we serve a Big God! My friend, it is time to shine some light on your dreams! It is time to let the son of God come in and do what only He can do. It is time to shine for His glory. <i style="font-weight: bold;">3 “Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever.~Daniel 12:3(MSG) </i>When you shine light on your dreams, you direct others to the right path so they can shine light upon their dreams as well!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I would love to touch and agree with you today in prayer. Father God, I come before you asking that as my friend reads this blog that you awaken each and every dream that has been sleeping in their lives. I call forth every idea and vision that you placed in their heart for such a time as this. I pray that you stir up the gift that is inside of them. Shine your light upon them like only you can so that they can shine bright for your glory. Father, I ask that you would remind them of who they are in you. Show them their purpose. Show them their strengths. When they are weak, come in and make them strong in you. Continue to show yourself mighty in their lives. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, amen. If you do not know Jesus as Lord, won't you make the best decision of your life on today and accept Him as your personal savior?</span></span>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-53988416868867662212014-04-09T10:54:00.000-07:002014-04-09T10:54:42.639-07:00Will you wear a cross or bear a cross?<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>23 And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [[a]disown himself, [b]forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, [c]refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [[d]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].(Luke 9:23(Amp)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">This past Sunday during the sermon a quote was read. This quote has played again and again in my mind. <i>"It is much easier to wear a cross than to bear a cross."</i>~Leonard Ravehill If you look around, you will see a cross displayed on just about everyones neck. It has became more of a fashion statement and less of a representation of our faith. To bear His cross is what we are called to do as His disciples. This is not always easy or comfortable, but it is always necessary. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">In order to bear that cross we must deny ourselves. The word in the text that echoes very loudly is daily. We are to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Next in the text the important key to being able to do this is written. That important key is to follow Christ. There is no way we will be able to deny ourselves and pick up our cross on our own. Oh, but there is power in following Him. There is confidence and hope in knowing that the one we are following is able to keep us from falling. </span><b style="font-size: 12px;">24 Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]—</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">When I think about the word bear, I think of child birth. I think of bearing a child or bringing forth fruit. Denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and following Christ will bring forth fruit in our lives. The more we give up of ourselves the more we gain our identity in Him. It is very empowering to know that daily we have the oppurtunity to be right where we need to be by making sure our minds, our hearts, and our feet are following Jesus. It is a choice that only we can make. It is a desire of our will. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Living over seas for the past 3 years has taught me to stretch out of my comfort zone. I have been stretched especially when it comes to driving places that I am unfamiliar with. I have learned to rely on my gps to be able to direct me to where I need to go. I am so relieved when I hear the gps talk to me and say recalculating! I get anxious sometimes when it seems like it is taking forever, even though it only takes seconds for it to put me back on the right track. Don't you know we are the same way with God? When we veer off of track and are in a wilderness, we get anxious and it may feel like it is taking forever for God to lead us back in the right direction. I came to remind you today my friend, that God is desiring to place your feet back on the right path. He is longing to see you deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow after Him in every area of your life! Choose today to not just wear a cross but to bear a cross.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I want to end this blog today with touching and agreeing with you. I pray that your desire and your will come together on today and that you will experience the fullness of God's presence. That you will be reminded of how amazing it feels to abide in God's presence! Today, lay aside every weight that so easily draws your attention away from the Master. I pray that on today you will have a mind that is made up. A mind that is steadfast. That on today you will make a choice to stand for righteousness by releasing your need to be in control. Father I thank you for my sister or brother that took the time to read this and that is allowing you to touch them right now. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen! If you do not know Jesus, and you are feeling an amazing stirring on the inside. Won't you make the greatest decision of your life on today and ask Him into your heart as your personal savior? </span></span>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-64831784192860076702012-11-26T13:13:00.000-08:002012-11-26T13:19:27.624-08:00Don't allow your situation to dictate your praise!During the past couple months I have learned many valuable lessons, but the most important one was to rejoice in <b><i>ALL</i></b> things! Now this is easy to say when all things are going the way you planned for them to go. But can you rejoice my friend when things are not going the way you prayed and planned for them to go? Can you rejoice when all hell is breaking loose in your life? When all hell is breaking loose in your marriage? When all hell is breaking loose with your children? Can you rejoice when you feel like you are all alone? Can you rejoice my friend when you are broken hearted? I came today to tell you that <b><i>YES </i></b>you can! Yes, you can rejoice when you do not <b>feel</b> like rejoicing! Yes, you can rejoice when you look around and feel as if there is nothing to rejoice about! Yes, you can rejoice when you feel as if your back is against the wall and you have no where to go! How are you able to do this you may ask? Let me let you in on an amazing<b> fact </b>your situation does not have to dictate your praise! Let me say that again <i>YOUR SITUATION DOES NOT HAVE TO DICTATE YOUR PRAISE!</i><br />
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The word of God reminds us that in all things we are to rejoice. "Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]."~1Thessalonians5:16-18(AMP) Now if this were something that was going to be easy, God would not have to remind us in His word to rejoice always! In life we are going to face trials that knock the wind out of us. We are going to go through storms that feel as if there will be no end. I want to remind you on today that yes the trials and storms will come but in the midst of them we are to rejoice! Why? Because it is the will of our Father! Why? Because God is still a Faithful God!<br />
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We are to rejoice because we are yet still here. We are still able to count our blessings! We are able to open up our mouths, or raise our hands, or stomp our feet as a sign of determination to keep going forth in God. In the word of God we are reminded why it is important to not allow our situation to dictate our praise! "Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!"Phillipians4:4 In this verse we see that when we delight ourselves in Him we are made glad!! The word says gladden yourselves in Him! It is hard to praise God and still feel defeated!! It is hard to glorify God with your actions and still feel like you are less than an over comer. It is hard to read your word and keep your head hanging down. There is strength in your praise! There is victory in your Hallelujah! There is power in standing firm in your faith and declaring I will not allow this situation to dictate my praise! There is power in not allowing your situation to shut your mouth!<br />
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Declare today regardless of what you are facing that the God you serve is a Great God! The God you serve can do ALL things but fail! The God you serve has allowed you to be more than an overcomer through His strength and His power! Declare today that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! Declare today that the trial you are facing is going to make you better and not bitter! Declare today that in-spite of what you are facing the God you serve is a great God! Watch how your praise takes your eyes off of your situation and puts them back on God! Don' allow your situation to distract you from praising God for He is good and His mercy endureth forever! Don't allow your situation to dictate your praise!<br />
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<br />Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-31739574283057617462012-09-16T13:24:00.000-07:002012-09-16T13:24:38.359-07:00Uncommon Joy!Ever since I was a little girl my daddy has called me smiley! He calls me smiley because I often have a smile on my face. Many of the times that I am smiling I do not even realize that I am doing so. I have such a joy that springs forth from deep down on the inside of me. It is a uncommon joy. It is a joy that is hard to describe. The joy that I am talking about gives me strength. The joy that I am referencing gives me peace. The joy that I am trying to express to you gives me hope. The joy that I am blogging about today is joy that refreshes and renews. How can you have this joy you may ask?<br />
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In order to have the uncommon joy that I am speaking of, you have to know that in spite of what may be going on around you, that you have the <b>power</b> to<b> <i>choose</i></b> to have joy! See my friend joy is a choice! A choice that each of us has to make daily. I am not talking about a superficial, fake, flowery, conditional joy. I am talking about a joy that sustains you. I am talking about the joy referenced in Nehemiah8:10"Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold." This joy is the joy that I want to strengthen me each and every day of my life.<br />
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Have you ever met someone and it just seemed as if they could not find one positive thing to reflect upon? It was almost as if it hurt this person to smile. If you are a person who is filled with joy and you come into a person who is lacking joy, this provides an opportunity to be a witness! This is your opportunity to sow some seeds of uncommon joy. When we give a smile away a day, we sow a seed of joy into someones life. When we offer a word of praise, or a compliment, or a friendly gesture we are sowing seeds of uncommon joy.The next time you encounter someone who is bitter offer a smile, offer a hello, offer a how are you today. In doing so you are opening the door so that joy can walk right on in and be planted in their life.<br />
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When I am faced with choices or I have made decisions that could easily cause me to feel everything but joy, it is in that moment that I have to determine just what is important to me. It is important for me to be a representation of the King of King and the Lord of Lords. In being this representative I am allowing those who I come into contact with to know that life can be hard but God is faithful. We must remind ourselves that the joy that you have the world did not give it to you and the world can not and will not take it away! No matter what you are faced with my friend we each have the choice to live each day reaping the benefits of uncommon joy! Choose to grab hold of joy today and never let go!Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-58468528363944316812012-06-23T13:47:00.000-07:002012-06-23T13:47:32.665-07:00Do you know?One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah29:11. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."(King James Version) I have always been comforted in knowing that God's thoughts towards me are thoughts of peace, and not of evil, and that I have an expected end! As I was sitting here reading God's word I was reminded that the key to being confident in God's word is to know that you know that you know that His word is truth! For I know God's thoughts towards me, but what about my thoughts? We each have to ask ourselves what have I been thinking about? What have I been allowing myself to believe to be true? What do I know for sure? We have to understand that the seeds of doubt that we allow to be planted in our lives are powerful. Doubt can cause you to no longer know what the truth is.<br />
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I remember being in a dressing room trying on clothes when I was around 12 years old. My mom came in the dressing room and heard me sigh. Now this dressing room was not empty, other ladies were in there trying on clothes. My mom knew exactly where I was because she knew me. She knew just not how I sounded when I spoke, but she knew what I sounded like when I sighed. I was so impressed. I was like Mom, "How did you know I was in this stall?" She replied, "Alicia, you are my child I know you! The same is true with my children. I have been out with my children and one of them has called out for me I knew their voice in the midst of everything going on around me. This makes me think of John10:27"The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me."Just as I know my children's voices I desire to know the voice of the Lord. I desire to be able to not just know His voice, but to follow His voice. I want to follow His voice when I am unsure of where He is leading me. I want to follow His voice when He is leading me down a path I have never been before. I want to follow His voice when I am all alone and unsure of what is yet to come!<br />
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“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."~Matthew7:13-14 I have read this scripture numerous times but today one particular portion jumped off of the page! The word <i>gate</i>! One of the definitions for gate is: A structure that can be swung, drawn, or lowered to block an entrance or a passageway. A lot of times we just think this walk with God is going to be a bed of ease! We have to understand that there is a narrow gate that leads to life and only a few find it. The reason only a few find it is because many stray off of the narrow path. It is so much easier to travel on a broad road. Be reminded today that the broad road leads to destruction. We put a gate around things that are important. We use gates to keep certain things out and to keep certain things in. The scripture lets us know that both the wide and the narrow roads have gates! Choose today what road you are going to stay on and which gate you are going through!<br />
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I opened up with a question, "What do you know?" Do you know God's thoughts towards you? Do you know His voice? Have you heard Him speak lately? Are you following His voice? Do you know what path you are on? Are you on the broad road that leads to destruction or on the narrow road that leads to life? Each of us needs to sit back and evaluate where we are in Him. It is so easy to get complacent. It is easy to just go through the motions. What may not be easy for you is choosing each day of your life to make a conscious decision to stay anchored to the King of Kings! Knowing is something that NO one can take away from you! Know God for yourself!Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-85082281761945853812012-05-04T14:37:00.001-07:002012-05-04T14:39:23.490-07:00There is NO Comparison!!<i>"17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."~2Corinthians4:17-18(NLT)</i><br />
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<i>"16-18So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here</i> <i>today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."~2Corinthians4:16-18</i><br />
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Oh, how awesome the above scriptures are. What an awesome reminder. A reminder to not be consumed with what is happening around us. A reminder that our present troubles are small and won't last very long! Oh, but the glory that shall be produced in us far outweighs the troubles and will last not for a moment but forever! I love the message version of these scriptures. The message version lets us know that these hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times! Oh, it does not stop there. It goes on to let us know that there will be a lavish celebration prepared for us! Do not allow yourself to get wrapped up in the <b>now</b>. The things we see are<b> temporary</b>. Isn't awesome that we serve an <b>eternal</b> God? Get your eyes off of your situation and fix them back on the King of Kings.<br />
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I know that it can be easy to be in the midst of a trial and allow yourself to get consumed by the thought of defeat. I also know that it is very hard to be victorious if you have already been defeated in your heart and mind! Proverbs23:7 reminds us of this very truth. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." We have to keep our eyes to the front, our head held high and go forth. Be careful of what you allow yourself to think about. Your thoughts will become your actions! If you think you are defeated, you might as well go ahead and ring the bell! You might as well go ahead and waive your white flag! You can go ahead and throw in your towel! But if you have made up your mind that the devil is already defeated, you will be able to have just what you think.. <b>victory</b>!<br />
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There comes a time where we are going to have to press forward. <i>"I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward."~Philippians3:13-14(AMP) </i>The word of God does not say press forward and keep your eyes focused on the trial going on around you! The word emphasizes the importance of forgetting the past and what lies behind us and <b>straining</b> forward to what lies ahead. The word strain is used not by coincidence, but it is used to let us know that it is going to be <b>uncomfortable </b>at times. It may even<b> hurt</b>. <b>Oh, but the future glory is far greater than your current trial</b>!<br />
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The next time you want to throw a pity party remind yourself that whatever is going on is temporary! Remind yourself that the God you serve is a triumphant God! You serve a sovereign God! You serve a God that will never leave you nor forsake you! I will leave you with one of my favorite scriptures. If you are in a season of weeping be reminded that<i> "Those who <b>sow in tears shall reap in joy</b>. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping,Bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with <b>rejoicing, </b></i><i><b>bringing his sheaves with him</b>."~Psalm126:5-6(NKJV)</i><br />
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<br />Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-72149709311317391512012-05-01T13:52:00.000-07:002012-05-01T13:56:42.155-07:00Breakthrough!!One word has been ringing in my spirit lately! The word is<b><i><u> breakthrough</u></i></b>. Just the thought of breakthrough gets me excited. Just the mention of breakthrough makes me want to shout with a triumphant voice. The scripture that is brought back to my rememberence is<i> Ephesians3:20(AMP) "Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--</i> Oh, He is able to go above and beyond each and every one of our prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes and dreams. The key is it is according to His power that is at work within us! So today I encourage you to let the word of God do the work! Stop putting God in a box. He desires to open doors you never imagined could be opened. He desires to close some doors that you thought were always going to be open! God desires for you to have your breakthrough. Do you want it?<br />
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One of the biggest tricks of the enemy is to cause you to think that you will not make it out of this storm. You will start to believe that you will not make it out of this trial. The enemy desires for you to waive the white flag of surrender. The enemy desires for you to shut your mouth and die. He wants you to die spiritually. But you have to make up in your mind that you will not die! You must declare over yourself <i>Psalm118:17(KJV)"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD."</i> Don't just speak what you heard but speak what you know to be true. Speak the word of God over your life! Declare that it is time for your breakthrough! It is time for you to walk in what God desires for you to walk in! It is time to rise up and run with the vision!<br />
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No matter how bad it looks, know that God is yet in control! Even when all of the odds are stacked against you declare <i>Romans8:31(NIV)"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"</i> You do not need an army you just need God on your side! Oh, if God is for us who can be against us? Who I said? Don't look at your current situation and allow the fear of things remaining the way they are paralyze you. Remind yourself of Joseph and the words he spoke. <i>Genesis50:19-20(MSG)"Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people."</i> What the enemy meant for evil the mighty God you serve, is about to turn around for not only your good but to save many people! BREAKTHROUGH not just for you but for many people!<br />
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<b>Again I ask you do you want a breakthrough? A breakthrough spiritually? A breakthrough financially? A breakthrough in your marriage? A breakthrough for salvation for your family members? A breakthrough for your neighborhood? Get before God and seek Him like never before! Do not leave His presence the same way you were when you entered! Make up in your mind that it is time to receive your breakthrough! The only thing standing in the way my friend is you! Get out of the way and let God have His way in your life! It is time for a breakthrough! Your breakthrough!</b>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-11098560473011629262012-04-17T07:43:00.000-07:002012-04-17T07:43:50.354-07:00Be still!!"Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!"~Psalm46:10(Amp)<br />
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Psalm 46:10 is a verse that we each should stand on. I love the amplified version because it shines even more light on the importance of not just knowing but recognizing and understanding that God is God! To know something is one thing but to recognize it goes a step deeper. I can know who my neighbor is but if I am able to recognize her out of a crowd then I have more of a relationship with her. I can know what 4 plus 4 is but actually understanding how I got the answer is even more beneficial than just knowing the answer. The same is true with us not just knowing that God is God all by Himself! When we recognize His sovereign hand at work in our lives and understand that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts we can be confident that all is well! We can let be and be still! "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord."~Isaiah55:8(Amp)<br />
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It is so much easier to do any and every thing but be still. Have you ever noticed just how hard it is to just do nothing? It seems like it would be easy, but it is far from easy. If we have loved ones who are headed down a dangerous road our first thought is not to let be and be still. Our first thought is to help them back to safety. In order to be still, we have to take on the mind of Christ. In doing so we are renewed in our thinking. "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]."~Romans12:2(Amp)<br />
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The last part of Psalm 46:10 gets me excited to know that the God we serve will be exalted! He will be exalted not just among the nation but God will be exalted in the earth! Praise the Lord! My friend when storms rise and test come be reminded that God is yet in control! Be reminded that it is the Lord our God who fights our battles! "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest."~Exodus14:14(Amp) Be reminded that you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus! Be reminded that God has the final say! It is not enough to know the word we have to live by the word! No longer can we just quote scripture! It is time to become the very scripture that we can recite! When you know that the God that you serve can do all things but fail you can comfortably be still and know that He is God!<br />
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</div>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-75816572877540867492012-03-23T08:45:00.000-07:002012-03-23T08:45:45.514-07:00What have you been searching for?<b><i>"Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."~Jeremiah29:12-13(Amplified)</i></b><br />
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<b><i>"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."~Jeremiah29:12-13(NIV)</i></b><br />
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Have you ever lost something and could not rest until you found it? Well put yourself in the position of never having had something, but desiring above all else to obtain it. For instance say you never felt love, and you wanted to obtain love. Or say you never felt abundant joy, and you desired to obtain that joy. At what lengths would you go to obtain those things that you desire? We have to ask ourself just what are we willing to do to have a thriving relationship with the Lord! It is going to take some seeking. I mean some searching, but it is oh so worth it!<br />
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I love that the scripture says you will call and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Isn't it amazing to know that the words that we speak to the Father are not in vain. He hears every word. He sees every tear. But oh it does not stop there, the scripture tells us that we will seek for Him and find Him when we seek with our whole heart! Our whole heart, my friend. That means we can't just think we are going to give a half hearted effort and be in the presence of God! It is going to cost you something. It is going to take a sacrifice! It is going to take an act of obedience! It is going to take all of you, my friend.<br />
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If you are at a place where you need more love, more hope, more joy, more peace, more of an abundant life it is time to seek God more! It is time to really lay aside your pride and your preconceived notions of how you will hear from God. It is time to allow God to reveal Himself to you. This can only happen when you earnestly and diligently seek Him. You can have more love! You can have more joy! You can have more peace! You can have an abundant life! Do you know how? By seeking God above all else! In order to have more of these attributes you have to have more of God!<br />
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Don't allow another day, another minute, another second to go by without you dwelling in the presence of the Most high! It is time to not just know who God is! It is time to have a relationship with the King of Kings! It is time to know without a shadow of a doubt that when you pray that God hears your prayers! It is time to know, that you know, that you know, that when you seek for God that you shall find Him! It is time, my friend! Seek God above all else and you shall find Him! He is waiting! What have you been searching for?Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-32965414131135588492012-03-01T04:15:00.000-08:002012-03-01T04:15:16.124-08:00Don't allow what you see to determine your praise!Some say it is hard to praise God in the midst of a storm. I disagree! I believe that your best praise comes forth from the midst of your storm! Your loudest<b> hallelujah</b> and strongest <b>yes, Lord</b> comes out of your darkest hour! My friend, one thing I know for sure is that the God that we serve will never leave us nor forsake us! <b><i>"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."~Deuteronomy31:6 </i></b>”Now that right there, is enough to tilt your head back and give God a <b>shout of praise</b>! The scripture does not just let us know that God will never leave us nor forsake us! The scripture lets us know that we are to not be afraid! No matter what it looks like! We are to not be terrified! No matter how dark it may seem! We are to be reminded that the God we serve goes with us! <b>What a promise from God</b>! To know that we know that we know that <b>God will never leave us nor forsake us</b>! <div><br />
</div><div>Have you ever watched a sports game and you just could not help but root for the under dog? You just had hope and confidence that even though they were not the ones that the commentators picked to win that they were going to walk away<b> victorious</b>! You need to be reminded today that even though the <b>odds are stacked against you</b>, that because you serve a God that can do <b>all things</b> but fail you have the <b>victory</b>! I need to remind you that we DO NOT go by what we see! We serve a God that is<b> eternal</b>! We do not focus our attention on the<b> temporary</b>! We focus our attention on<b> God</b>! Yes, trails are going to come! Yes, you may want to throw in the towel!<b> Don't do it my friend</b>! You know what makes us root for the under dog? We root for the under dog because of <b>their heart</b>! When your heart is right it does not matter what is stacked against you! Our God looks at our hearts! <b><i>"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”~1Samuel 16:7</i></b></div><div><br />
</div><div>A lot of times we try to figure <b>everything out</b>! We have to get to a place that we understand we do not have to figure everything out! We are not going to figure everything out! We have to fully understand Isaiah 55:9! <b><i>"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."</i></b> What peace there is in knowing that God is not looking at the situation the way we are looking at it! What confidence we should have in knowing that when we are trying to figure something out God is truly <b>already working it out</b>! When you feel yourself getting to a place where you want to know everything, remind yourself that you do not need to know everything! <b>Rejoice in the fact that your serve a Loving Daddy that knows EVERYTHING. </b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Make up in your mind that this temporary set back will not keep you back! Make up in your mind that this temporary upset will not determine your praise! Praise God in the midst of the trail! Praise God because He is worthy to be praised on your good days, on your bad days, and on each and everyday that you have breath in your body! Don't allow what you see to determine your praise! We serve a God who can do all things but fail! So my dear friend, put your trust in the one who is able to make your way straight! Put your trust in the one who is able to calm your fears! Put your trust in the one who is able to cause your enemies to slip and be destroyed! You my friend, are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus! Remain anchored in Him and even when the winds and the storms rage you will not be greatly moved! Again I say, don't allow what you see to determine your praise!</div>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-21159753984247956132012-02-18T14:26:00.000-08:002012-02-18T14:26:06.616-08:00It is time to move forward!Each of us have to make choices daily. We have to make up in our mind if we are going to move forward of if we will be paralyzed by our situation! In saying that, I must say that if we are not careful our life will be taken too soon! We may be alive in the physical, but we can be very much dead spiritually! When we have a loss come along that shakes us and wakes us up, it is for a purpose! As I watched Whitney's home going service I was reminded that tomorrow is not promised! It is time to move forward! It is time to allow our trials to cause us to move forward! Let these verses usher you through this current season of your life:"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."~Hebrews12:1-3<br />
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It is easy to feel as if things will always be a certain way! We can get to a place in our walk with God that we feel weary! There can be trials that come and knock the wind out of us and we feel as if we do not have the strength to go forth! But I came to you this day to remind you that your strength does not come from the north nor from the south or the east nor the west! Our strength comes from God! Our strength comes from raising our head and rising up and declaring that if God be for me who can be against me! Don't allow what is to your right nor to your left keep you from going forward!The time is now to go forth with what God has told you to do!<br />
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When it seems as if you can not run on, let God breathe fresh on you! Be reminded that the race is not given to the one that runs the fastest! The race is given to the one who makes it to the end! Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds us that we are to throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us! Oh, but it does not stop there! We are to run not walk the race that God has set out before us! Not just an aimless run but run the course that is set out for each of us! In running we must keep our eyes focused on Jesus! In doing this we will not grow weary! So my sister and my brother, grab hold to these verses and allow them to walk you through this current season of your life!<br />
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My friend, you have everything you need inside of you to go forth! Activate your faith by speaking those things that be not as though they were! Don't underestimate the power of standing on the Holy word of God! What does it take to go forth you ask! It takes a made up mind and a desire to be all that God called you to be! Go forth with boldness! Go forth with excitement! Go forth with one thing on your mind fulfilling your purpose! Go forth my friend! It is time to move forward!Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-76835066579665372132012-02-09T01:10:00.000-08:002012-02-09T01:10:53.986-08:00What is on your mind?<div class="result-text-style-normal text-html "><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am starting off this blog by asking, "<i><u>What is on your mind</u></i>?" We hear this so often that we don't even really take the time to reflect what is on our mind. A lot of times we just answer nothing or we just scratch the surface of what is on our minds. Tell me what is on your mind and I will tell you "<u><i><b>who</b></i></u>" is on your mind. See we have a choice we will either be thinking kingdom minded or we will be <i>consumed</i> by worries of this world. One of my favorite scriptures is <b><i>Philippians 4:8</i></b>! "<b><i>For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]."</i></b></span><br />
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Have you ever noticed that once you allow <i>one </i>little seed of <b>doubt</b> or <b><i>worry</i></b> to come in your thoughts that you are <i>consumed</i> with <b><i>negative</i></b> thinking? It is like a domino effect. It just takes on little seed of doubt or worry to come in to cause you to start doubting what you know to be <i>true</i>. Don't allow that seed to be sown in your mind on today. As soon as it tries to come in <b>cast it down</b> in the mighty name of Jesus! <b><i>Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.~2Corinthians10:5</i></b> The scripture does not say some things but it say <i><b>"every"</b></i> high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. We have the <b>authority</b> to do this in the mighty name of Jesus!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started off by letting you know that if you let me know what is on your mind I will let you know "who" is on your mind! That is because if worry and doubt are in your mind, if indecisiveness is on your mind the King of Kings is not on your mind! When our minds are focused on Him we have <b>peace</b>! The word says that when our minds are <b>focused</b> on Him we have a peace that surpasses all understanding! <i style="font-weight: bold;">"You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trust in you."~Isaiah26:3</i> That lets us know that if we keep our mind stayed on Jesus we have no choice but to have perfect peace! Worry and peace can not be in the same room! When you choose to usher in peace, by keeping your mind stayed on Jesus worry has to go!</span><br />
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my friend, when those thoughts that do not line up with the word of God try to come in cast them down <b>immediately</b>! When you are surrounded by confusion and you feel as if you can not think straight think on those things that are lovely and pure! Think on the word of God! Meditate on His promises! Praise Him for His faithfulness! <b>It is hard to entertain foolishness when you are so anchored to truth!</b> Remember worry and peace can not be in the same room! There is not enough room for worry and peace in your life! Cling to peace! Cling to truth! Cling to the knowledge of God! Cling to God's promises! So today my friend, let peace, joy, patience, love, and steadfastness be on your mind! You are what you think! So think according to God's Holy word!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."</b></i>~Hebrew11:6</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I absolutely love the above scripture! When we understand that to please God, we must first have <b>faith</b> we begin to understand the power of <b>faith</b>! When we understand that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him, we unlock the door so God has continual access to our lives. <b>Faith</b> is a beautiful thing. One of the definitions that I found that I loved for <b>faith</b> was: A belief that is NOT based on <i>proof</i> or <i>evidence</i>! Wow, that is an amazing definition. That lets us know that in order to say that we have <b>faith</b> in God we must not just go off of proof or evidence. We have to go off of what we know to be true! <b>Faith</b> is a personal thing! We have to have a <b>faith </b>that can be tested. The tests, trials,and storms will come. So make sure you have been studying(the word that is) and make sure you are prayed up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many times we have heard the phrase, just <b>step out on faith</b>. Well my friend, have you ever had to be the one to take that leap? I am here to tell you that it is much easier said than done. I am also here to tell you that it can be done! We have to guard what we entertain. We have to be very careful at who and what we allow to <i><u>define our truth.</u></i> If God tells you to go 10 steps to the right take a left and then jump as high as you can, you can not allow an outside person to tell you that 5 steps to the left will get you to the same place! <b>Faith</b> is a personal thing. <b>Faith</b> does not depend on your neighbor, your friend, your husband, or your wife! <b>Faith</b> depends on your relationship with God. It is hard to take that leap of <b>faith</b> when you are not sure of your safety net! Oh, but when you know the one who holds you up and keeps you from falling you can <i>confidently</i> take that leap! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you know the <i>truth</i>, you will <u>NOT </u>believe a <i>lie</i>! It will not matter who tells you the lie you will <u>not</u> believe it. You will not be capable of believing the lie because you will know the <i>truth</i>. When you know that God is real, that Jesus died for our sins, and rose again on the third day, and when you know that the Holy Spirit is a keeper and a comforter no one will be able to tell you that there is not a God. It will not matter who told you the lie you will <u>not</u> believe it!<u><i><b> The truth removes ALL doubt</b></i></u>! You know what <b>Faith</b> is to me..<u>.Complete belief in God</u>! <b>Faith</b> to me is the <i>truth</i>! It <u>enables</u> me to walk by <b>faith</b> and not by site. It allows me to <i>speak those things</i> that be not as though they are! It allows me to <i>run</i> the race set before me and not get weary,because I know who is leading and guiding me. Without <b>faith</b> it is impossible to please God!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next time doubt tries to creep its ugly head up cast it down immediately! Don't allow any seeds of doubt to planted in your spirit today! As soon as they come cast them down and meditate on the truth! Think on those things that are lovely and think on those things that are pure. In those quite moments when it is just you and God rejoice for your <b>faith</b> is your <i>weapon</i>! Your <b>faith</b> can not be taken from you! Your <b>faith</b> can not be watered down. Your <b>faith</b> will be elevated in the mighty name of Jesus! You will speak to mountains and they shall be removed! Remember today my friend, WITHOUT <b>FAITH</b> IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD! </span><br />
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</div>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-86401991856853482882012-01-26T05:01:00.000-08:002012-01-26T05:01:39.460-08:00Speak the truth in love and with boldness!Too many times we do not want to hear the <i><b>truth</b></i>! We want to hear what we want to hear and many times that is not the <b><i>truth</i></b>! My friend it is time to speak the <b><i>truth</i></b> in <i><b>love</b></i> and with <i><b>boldness</b></i>! Being a true friend requires telling it like it is! We can not speak the <i><b>truth</b></i> only when it is <i>convenient</i>. We can not speak the <b><i>truth </i></b>only when it won't make someone <i>uncomfortable</i>, but we must speak the <b><i>truth</i></b> with <b><i>love </i></b>and <b><i>boldness</i></b>! Make today the day that you don't choose to <i>tip toe</i> around the <i><b>truth</b></i>! The<i><b> truth</b></i> is like <i>medicine</i> to a <i>dying soul</i>! Speak the <b><i>truth</i></b> in <i><b>love</b></i> today with <b><i>boldness</i></b> and watch <i>life</i> come forth! "<i><b>Rather, let our lives lovingly [b]express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).</b></i>"~Ephesians4:15<br />
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We have to know the <i><b>truth</b></i>! When we know the<b><i> truth</i></b>, we choose to walk in<b><i> love </i></b>and <b><i>trut</i></b><i><b>h</b></i>. When we walk in <b><i>love</i></b> and<b><i> truth</i></b>, we are able to <i>speak</i> the <b><i>truth</i></b> with <b><i>love</i></b> and with<b><i> boldness</i></b>! <i><b>"And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.</b></i>"~John8:32 I do not know about you my friend but I want to be <i>free</i>! I want to stay<i> free</i>! Who the son of man sets free is free indeed! Don't you want to be free <i>today</i>? In our being free, we are able to free those around us by the word of the <i><b>truth</b></i>! Have you ever seen someone in bondage free another person in bondage? I have not! What I have seen is someone who was free come and set others <i>free</i>! Won't you allow God to use you as a vessel to set the <i>captives</i> free today? In order to be used by God for this purpose, you have to first be <i>free</i> yourself! The <b><i>truth</i></b> my friend is what sets you free!<br />
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<i>No more bondage, no more chains, no more shame, and no more mindsets of defeat</i>! Today is the day to go forth and speak the <b><i>truth</i></b> in <i>love</i> and with <i><b>boldness</b></i>! You do not have to stay in a state of mind that does not reflect the<i> mind of Christ</i>! If you are <i><b>free</b></i>, won't you <i>open</i> your mouth and speak the <i><b>truth</b></i> so that whoever you come into contact with will be able to <i>walk</i> in that freedom! The domino effect starts with one domino! You could be the <i>instrument</i> that God will use to <i>draw</i> others close to Him! His word declares if <i>He is lifted up He will draw all men unto Him</i>! <i>So today my friend open up your mouth and speak the<b> truth</b> in <b>love</b> and with <b>boldness</b>! </i>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-70207363190796149352012-01-23T11:49:00.000-08:002012-01-23T11:49:10.756-08:00Don't give up! Don't quit! Don't be weary in your well doing!<i><b>"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint."</b></i>~Galatians6:9 When you feel like you can't go any further, yet<i> push</i> your way! When you feel like throwing in the towel, choose to <i>rejoice and be glad</i>! When you feel like waiving the white flag of surrender, a<i>ctivate your faith by walking by faith and not site</i>! We <i>can not</i> grow weary and <i>faint</i> in our well doing! We do not have the <i>option</i> of counting the cost and then deciding if we will say <i>yes Lord</i>! We each have a <i>due season</i>, but the only way we see our due season is if we <i>do not grow weary</i> and <i>faint</i>!<div><br />
</div><div>If you have ever talked to someone that has been <i>through</i> something, they will tell you that it was not easy to <i>get up</i>. They will tell you that it was <i>worth</i> it though! When you have been <i>knocked down</i>, or taken <i>a blow</i> that was <i>designed</i> to take you out you must <i>resist</i> the temptation to <i>surrender</i>! The hit you took was not designed to destroy you, but it was <i>designed to draw you closer to Christ</i>! It is not enough to <i>endure</i>! We have to continue to <i>sow</i>! We have to know that we know that we know that we will have an <i>appointed season</i>! So my friend it is <i>not</i> time to give up! <i>Don't give up</i>! <i>Don't quit</i>! <i>Don't be weary in well in doing</i>!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><i>It is time for us to be</i> <i>steadfast and immovable</i> <i>always abounding</i> i<i>n the work of the Lord knowing that</i> <i>your labor</i> <i>is</i> <i>not in vain</i>!</b>~1Corinthians15:58 What we do for Christ is <i>not in</i> <i>vain</i>! What we do for Christ will not return to us void! We have to determine that we are <i>not</i> going to move! We must make a declaration that we <i>shall not be greatly moved</i>! It is not an option to become wavering in our service to God! You may be asking, how can I make up in my mind I will not be moved! When we allow God to be our <i>anchor</i>, we can be <i>confident</i> that He will be our <i>sustainer</i>! When God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are the ones <i>sustaining</i> us we will <i>not </i>be <i>greatly moved</i>!</div><div><br />
</div><div>So my dear friend <i>do not grow weary in well doing</i>! <i>Do not faint in your well doing</i>! Continue to sow those<i> seeds of righteousness</i>! Continue to sow those <i>seeds of love, seeds of peace, and seeds of joy</i>! In sowing those seeds you can be <i>confident</i> in this very fact that you will have a <i>due season</i>! So open up your mouth and praise God for a <i>due season</i>! Glory be to His name! <b><i>Don't give up! Don't quit! Don't be weary in your well doing!</i></b></div>Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087602330889280679.post-84588183567181316102012-01-19T14:00:00.000-08:002012-01-19T14:01:51.870-08:00Going but Not Growing!It is so important to not just go but to <i><b><u>grow</u></b></i>! Too many times we go to the house of God, but we do not come forth changed. It is time to not just go but to <b><i><u>grow</u></i></b>. It is time to <b><i><u>grow</u></i></b> in our<i> faith</i>, <b><i><u>grow</u></i></b> in our <i>love</i>, <b><i><u>grow</u></i></b> in our <i>knowledge of Christ</i>, and <b><i><u>grow</u></i></b> in our <i>ability to walk by faith</i> and not by site! Is anybody <i><b><u>growing</u></b></i>? If we are to know one another by the fruit we each bear, what does your fruit say about you? Does your fruit reflect a well nourished tree? <i>"You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?</i>"~Matthew7:16 Can we tell that you are growing from your fruit?<br />
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A lot of times we move too<i> quickly</i>. We are too quick to move when our feelings get hurt. We are too quick to move and it is not our time to move. Have you heard the phrase stay <i>rooted</i> where you were planted? So many times we don't even allow roots to come forth before we are moving ourselves! If I kept changing out a potted plant it would be hard for that plant to <b><i><u>grow</u></i></b>. The same is true if you keep uprooting yourself! Let God <i>blossom</i> you where you are at! Be like the tree that was planted by the <i>living water</i>! <i>"And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]."</i>~Psalm1:3 It is time to get <i>firmly planted</i>! Declare today that you are not just going to go but you are going to <b><i><u>grow</u></i></b>!<br />
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Growth is so important! We have to get to a place that we are not worried about the number of people attending a service! The important thing to be focused on is how many people are <i>growing</i>? If I plant a vegetable garden full of fruits and veggies but I only water half, eventually the ones that are not getting water are going to stop growing. The veggies that are not bringing forth any fruit are of no benefit to me. Have you ever seen a banana or a potato that was just<i> too little</i>? You asked yourself, now what am I going to do with this! The same is true when we just go to church but we are not the "<i>church</i>". We have to <b><i><u>grow</u></i></b> and not just go!<br />
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It is time to let the rivers of living water flow through us so that we are not just hearers of the word but we are doers of the word! The time is now. <i>"He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water."</i>~John7:38 When we are in Christ we can not help but <u><b><i>grow</i></b></u>! It is time my friend to not just go to revivals, conferences, prayer meetings, retreats, and church services! It is time to be changed! It is time to be transformed! True growth brings forth renewal! Don't just Go but <u><b><i>Grow</i></b></u>!Alicia Cabrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747096887244391935noreply@blogger.com0