tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43180342650904293262024-02-07T00:50:09.783-05:00Janice Davis Steele's BlogThis blog is for people who want to live a triumphant Christian life. The goal is to introduce people to Jesus Christ, establish believers in the Word of God, and teach believers how to receive Spiritual insight and understanding, so that they can triumph in every area of their lives. In short: total transformation, total triumph!Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-31677133690576064942011-04-21T23:27:00.002-04:002011-04-21T23:30:14.167-04:00The Significance of Christ's Sacrifice<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP_zuw2Oouq9d8dKNT_a_sM8wd4Fr5VDNzdDM5VI-AQV07zFFFgLay6hHUYzbki1ktsw459jZYJmwluYRNBmBqSeCLz5zUhr5e5W_7OYGnXPgFChPdvgh0XQKw2sjOnO98K6twbi3KYmD/s1600/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP_zuw2Oouq9d8dKNT_a_sM8wd4Fr5VDNzdDM5VI-AQV07zFFFgLay6hHUYzbki1ktsw459jZYJmwluYRNBmBqSeCLz5zUhr5e5W_7OYGnXPgFChPdvgh0XQKw2sjOnO98K6twbi3KYmD/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" width="144" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> A</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z9Zf8kGsSw5mbl3miLe3QBHubNH2XXb2Ip27CFC3MffkO6TB5jp2n5DdiuBHGq0p4fCWghFLtAkcf3XgfNELZ-n3bLiaJfN3W1GKujEbLgLOwmozc-TgGg43QxI8XHj99Dtg0lx-Mb5l/s1600/jdsreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">s we approach Resurrection Day, we recognize that this season represents the very centerpiece of the Christian life. Christ the Lord, the resurrected Son of God, has enabled us to receive: forgiveness of sins, the promise of a present life lived in the glory of God’s power and the promise of an endless life in God’s presence! </span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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We believe the Good Friday dimension of life that says, "Christ died for my sins." Many readily believe and receive the payment Christ made for our sins. Many also readily accept and receive the Resurrection Sunday dimension of life that says, “Because I live you will live also.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But that does not teach the full measure of provision which God has made possible through the redeeming work of our Lord. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Christ’s suffering was both redemptive and substitutionary. Jesus suffered in our stead, and absorbed in Himself the horrible implications and effects of sin's impact on the human existence.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Isaiah 53:4-5 powerfully illustrates this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This scripture, along with Matthew 8:17 and I Peter 2:24, shows how completely biblical it is to reach out to the Lord Jesus Christ for deliverance from suffering and sickness just as surely as we can reach to Him for salvation from our sins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Many believe Christ died for our sins. Many find it easy to believe and receive forgiveness for your sins. What about when pressures mount? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What about when your marriage ruptures? What about when your business is on life support? What about when you face betrayal? What about when your co-workers are disloyal and setting you up for failure? What about when your children are floundering?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What about the periods when turnaround, deliverance or healing seems so remote—not because God is cruel, taunting or uncaring, but because it just seems to elude us? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">At such a point, some people try to wax philosophical or become resentful or bitter. Some tend to rationalize the situation as "God's will." Others become angry with God, saying He doesn't care. But Christ, in going all the way through His sufferings, has provided an alternative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You see, there is a force—a power—in Jesus' suffering to break the ability of pain, injury, or sorrow to dominate you, even when these things seem to persist even after you have prayed. Hebrews 2:18 tells us, "For since he himself has now been through suffering...when we suffer...he is wonderfully able to help us" (Hebrews 2:18, TLB). Christ's suffering has a power to absorb the most hellish attack, the most tragic or traumatic pain, or whatever it is that seems about to exceed your capacity to endure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Without Christ, problems, crises, heartaches, embarrassments, stresses, upheavals, and all forms of suffering can overwhelm people until they're reduced to an emotional pulp. Without Christ people can feel resigned to give up. Some are driven to exhaustion or depression. Others just suffer breakdowns. Still others suffer heart attacks, seizures or strokes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But the revitalizing truth is that in His suffering, Christ has caused the very eye of your storm to collapse: He has disabled the power of suffering to destroy you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jesus has broken the ability of suffering to reduce you to bitterness, foolishness, faithlessness, or disobedience. Jesus wants to fill you with the same life that brought Him through suffering. He wants to fill you with the same life that kept Him from shrinking before the fires of hell's worst workings. He wants to fill you with the same life that kept Him from being weary in well-doing. He wants to fill you with the same life that kept Him from becoming bitter or turning to animosity. He wants to fill you with the same life that caused Him to TRIUMPH!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You must recognize, acknowledge, believe, and receive that His life power belongs to you. Take it! That is part of your salvation that was purchased by Christ’s suffering! Yes, the Lord says, "Come to Me, I love you, I forgive you, and I understand." But also hear Him say: "I will invade your suffering with My life, and not only will you survive but you will triumph in the midst of it all!"</span><br />
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Choose to be a blessing: <a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/pages.asp?pageid=61444">Donate</a><br />
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Was this message helpful? Let me know what you think. Give your reaction below or submit a comment. I'd love to hear from you. Be a blessing and share this with someone who could really benefit from it. Click the small envelope below to forward this message.Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-50024727364920985052011-04-19T10:00:00.043-04:002011-04-19T10:15:24.600-04:00Jordan Crossings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFAJ3lMQc61UDTRzdKdGwWZrTa_zEc_YyznPNz08s8yyhUZHdGlAZHnW7ATuMGuUn-QgAkA-nKUUHHMPoFLw_58zBiW4pcVC1CxOXWPEIWq_dCI7R9enJejz69g-JztT7UxR6OpfTtzcG/s1600/jdsinredsmiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFAJ3lMQc61UDTRzdKdGwWZrTa_zEc_YyznPNz08s8yyhUZHdGlAZHnW7ATuMGuUn-QgAkA-nKUUHHMPoFLw_58zBiW4pcVC1CxOXWPEIWq_dCI7R9enJejz69g-JztT7UxR6OpfTtzcG/s200/jdsinredsmiling.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>At pivotal times in life you may find yourself at a point of departure where you leave one place and enter into a new dimension in life. From student to employee. From employee to employer. From renter to home owner. From pew sitter to missionary. Such places I like to call "Jordan crossings."<br />
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Jordan crossings represent a divide, where although you are in one place, you can see the other side. It is a place that challenges you to transition into a new dimension in your life. A new dimension in your relationship with the Lord. A new dimension in marriage. A new dimension in ministry. A new dimension in finances. A new dimension in your physical body. A new dimension in parenting. A new dimension in industry. A new dimension in business.<br />
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Jordan crossings are: where you walk into what others only looked at; where you experience what others have only dreamt about; where you go from hanging around the anointing to actively participating in the move of God. Jordan crossings are designed to take you from your present into your promise. You know you have come to a Jordan crossing when you recognize that you must move forward, but the way forward seems quite uncertain.<br />
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Joshua and the Israelites faced a Jordan crossing -- the distance between wilderness living and promise living. The Jordan parted for Joshua and the children of Israel. The Jordan also parted for Elijah. He walked across the Jordan on dry ground and was caught up to be with God. Talk about entering a new dimension! The Jordan parted for the prophet Elisha. Elisha crossed the Jordan and went from serving the head prophet to being the head prophet. He entered a completely new dimension in ministry.<br />
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The new dimension can only be achieved God’s way. That’s why <strong><em>you will never find a boat at a Jordan crossing!</em></strong> You enter the place where you fully trust God to take you over and bring you through. You learn that there are absolutely no limits to what God can and will do.<br />
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To cross Jordan successfully, you must: (1) Acknowledge that it is God speaking to you, challenging you to move forward even though the way seems uncertain (Prov. 3:5-6); (2) Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:6,7,9); (3) Speak the end result as God has revealed it to you (Joshua 3:9-13); (4) Get in position to cross/get ready (Joshua 3:14); (5) Carry God's presence (Joshua 3:13); (6) Step into Jordan/move out under the power of God (Joshua 3:15); and (7) Give God praise/testify to the goodness of God (Johua 4:19-24)!<br />
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These points are dealt with in depth in the CD and DVD entitled <strong>“Crossing Jordan.”</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/apps/store/default.asp?view=search&searchtype=Product+Title&keywords=+Jordan&categoryid=0&groupid=0">You can obtain it here</a>.<br />
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Choose to be a blessing: <a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/pages.asp?pageid=61444">Donate</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=1499616193" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA8GCsZfX_HZlBoPo1MnO7WpNymyEVgXUuhRTXHU-saF5S8olDin5UWce5MzGR3iBQDVAeKZXOoRsBK-SVnSLEXVbFHd03jGDB7dRmbWkKQNA_0z-8VuzTGifAXAmqbB7aDXxVZDDgHYI/s200/Facebook.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><em>Are you at a Jordan Crossing? Does this message resonate with you? Let me know what you think! Give your reaction below or submit a comment. I'd love to hear from you. Be a blessing and share this with someone who could really benefit from it. Click the small envelope below to forward this message. </em></strong></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-91612058843292044062011-04-18T11:29:00.000-04:002011-04-18T11:29:53.887-04:00Preaching Woman Empowerment Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XStJuTq4cbo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-16635356818257443512011-01-27T10:29:00.001-05:002011-01-27T10:29:00.872-05:00The Dangers of Lethargy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCJHUxVdHWI_5IiDuQVtqFLFsmo4-Bw2V7TiXbv6kYJf37NYjFQX-FAQ3dBUtaWIbfi1UiKm8mEAh919Qo9FqorHJmnhc6Xf6B3Q60eOEgRCifsRfPIwQlHlzMWlpU_X1lGETMWsiopWp/s1600/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCJHUxVdHWI_5IiDuQVtqFLFsmo4-Bw2V7TiXbv6kYJf37NYjFQX-FAQ3dBUtaWIbfi1UiKm8mEAh919Qo9FqorHJmnhc6Xf6B3Q60eOEgRCifsRfPIwQlHlzMWlpU_X1lGETMWsiopWp/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>“Lethargy” is defined as “A deficiency in mental and physical alertness and activity; a lack of emotion or interest.” Lethargy is not laziness. Lethargy is a state of unresponsiveness, dullness, disinterest, impassivity, and indifference. It is dangerous to be lethargic when it is time to fight. <br />
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Consider David. David, we know, was a mighty man of valor. Even as a youth, he stood while others trembled. Yet, the Bible describes a time in David’s life when he fell prey to the influence of lethargy. Look at 2 Samuel 11:1-2:<br />
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<em>And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. <strong>But David tarried still at Jerusalem.</strong></em><br />
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<em>And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.</em><br />
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It seems David allowed a spirit of lethargy to enter and permeate his thinking such that his soul was rendered immobile. Pay particular attention to verse 2. It says that David arose out of bed in the EVENING! Why was he in bed all day? We know David was hardly lazy, and there is no evidence that he was depressed at that time. But the scripture shows us that David had no fight in him. He was immobilized mentally and lethargy manifested itself physically. Though he was to be at war, it’s as if his mindset was, “whatever; so what.” It’s not laziness. It’s not depression. It’s indifference. It’s lethargy. <br />
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Operating from a spirit of lethargy is dangerous. That spirit will point you in the direction of sin! It will lure even a spiritual Superman to his Kryptonite – the area of weakness. When you find yourself saying, “What’s the use?” or “whatever,” look out! A temptation consistent with an area of weakness typically follows a lethargic believer. Once David embraced the spirit of lethargy and became indifferent about war he suddenly became so consumed with lust that he went on the rooftop right where Bathsheba could be seen. That led to an illicit affair and the death of an innocent man. You may not succumb to a spirit of lust, but the spirit of lethargy will try to lure you to your own Kryptonite. It could be anger, overeating, uncontrolled shopping, addictive behaviors – you get the point.<br />
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Refuse to allow the enemy of your soul to disarm you with a spirit of lethargy. Keep a holy fight on the inside of you. You don’t have to pick up a machine gun or grenade. Our battle involves bringing contrary thoughts into captivity. 2 Cor. 10:4-6. Our battle involves truly believing in our hearts the Word of the Lord despite what things look like. Acts 27:25. Our battle involves opening our mouths and decreeing the Word despite what we see! Job 22:28; Romans 4:16-17; Mark 11:24. The Lord God enforces the defeat of the enemy when we cooperate with Him. Isaiah 42:13 says, “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.” <br />
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In this hour we cannot afford to be lethargic. It is time to fight! Fight for your finances! Fight for your dreams and visions! Fight for your family! Fight for your health! Don't give in to lethargy. Fight!<br />
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For more information, visit <a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a><br />
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Let me know what you think! Give your reaction below or submit a comment. I'd love to hear from you. Share this with someone who could really benefit from it. Tweet it, Facebook it, or click the small envelope below to forward this message via email. But by all means, share it.<br />
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Choose to be a blessing: <a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/pages.asp?pageid=61444">Donate</a>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-24547173843072073722011-01-08T17:32:00.000-05:002011-01-08T17:32:06.703-05:00BlackNews.com - Ted Williams: From Homeless To Oprah Winfrey - In One WeekYear 2011 is the year of swift transition and acceleration. This is just one example. If you have fallen down, you can and must get back up again! There is grace for rescue, revival, and reaping!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blacknews.com/news/ted_williams_homeless_golden_voice_oprah_winfrey101.shtml">BlackNews.com - Ted Williams: From Homeless To Oprah Winfrey - In One Week</a>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-61387333955477519792010-12-06T10:00:00.002-05:002010-12-06T10:00:06.784-05:00Give Worry the Boot!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCJHUxVdHWI_5IiDuQVtqFLFsmo4-Bw2V7TiXbv6kYJf37NYjFQX-FAQ3dBUtaWIbfi1UiKm8mEAh919Qo9FqorHJmnhc6Xf6B3Q60eOEgRCifsRfPIwQlHlzMWlpU_X1lGETMWsiopWp/s1600/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCJHUxVdHWI_5IiDuQVtqFLFsmo4-Bw2V7TiXbv6kYJf37NYjFQX-FAQ3dBUtaWIbfi1UiKm8mEAh919Qo9FqorHJmnhc6Xf6B3Q60eOEgRCifsRfPIwQlHlzMWlpU_X1lGETMWsiopWp/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?”</em> Mark 4:38.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It seems that since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, the enemy has worked to indoctrinate mankind to believe that if you aren’t worried about something you don’t really care. The truth is lack of worry does not mean lack of care. For the believer, refusal to worry means you have more trustworthy, superior knowledge. You have inside information which gives you no cause to worry. When Jesus rested in repose on the boat asleep during the storm, it wasn’t that He didn’t care about the conditions around him or the people with him – He knew the winds and the waves had to obey His will. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Worry is emotional muck; it is emotional quicksand that sucks down anyone who perches upon it. The more we worry, the more it pulls us down. "Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up" Prov. 12:25 (NLT).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So what do you do when you are tempted to worry?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First, identify the nature of the worry. Sometimes you are walking around with a feeling of anxiety but you can’t really put your finger on what it is. Take time to stop and pray. Ask God for wisdom, and don’t try to deny what you know to be true. If an area is worrying you, the first step is to identify it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Second, give the worry to the Lord. Psalm 55:22 says, “Turn your burdens over to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will never let the righteous person stumble” (God's Word Translation). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How do you give the worry to the Lord? Through prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 says, " Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Amplified Version).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Kick worry out through prayer. Transform your worries into prayer. Not just one time. Whenever the feeling and weight of anxiety attempts to attach itself to you, take the worry and formulate it into a prayer! God promises in His Word that when you do, He releases His peace which mends frayed nerves and settles you down. You won’t even understand fully how it happens, but that’s okay. You will experience the peace of God that goes beyond your understanding. Uproot worry from your life through prayer and experience God’s wholeness. Smile. Sleep well. It is well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For more information, visit <a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>Let me know what you think! Give your reaction below or submit a comment. I'd love to hear from you. Share this with someone who could really benefit from it. Tweet it, Facebook it, or click the small envelope below to forward this message via email. But by all means, share it.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Choose to be a blessing: </span><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/pages.asp?pageid=61444"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Donate</span></a>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-57817227517062140322010-09-30T08:37:00.001-04:002010-09-30T10:57:04.624-04:00Lord of the Breakthrough! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW5VX1SNRBp-RKFuE73lrIHI0c0jRPGx39jdzCU5NCvFrRCkQXE0oEbYFOXIxIPDPkGFpjTGynPTgJQXYCI-5J7oZTHc-qz3gGaZojGS7Jx8YoBJMw8X4jpOOucDmu9GadaCIH_PRKPGe/s1600/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW5VX1SNRBp-RKFuE73lrIHI0c0jRPGx39jdzCU5NCvFrRCkQXE0oEbYFOXIxIPDPkGFpjTGynPTgJQXYCI-5J7oZTHc-qz3gGaZojGS7Jx8YoBJMw8X4jpOOucDmu9GadaCIH_PRKPGe/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" width="144" /></a><br />
“And David came to Baal-perazim, and he smote them there, and said, The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters. So he called the name of that place Baal-perazim [Lord of breaking through]. “2 Samuel 5:20 [Amplified].<br />
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Biblically, water frequently symbolizes the Spirit of God at work in the life of a believer. Isaiah 12:3 tells us that with joy we draw waters out of the wells of salvation. John (7:38-39) tells us that for anyone who believes on Jesus out of his/her belly shall flow rivers of living water. According to verse 39, the rivers of living water refer to the operation of the Spirit of God in the believer.<br />
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In 2 Samuel 5:20 we see that David likened his enemy's defeat to torrents of water breaking forth. This represents another instance where the Spirit of God moved, overwhelmed the situation with the deluge of His mighty power and defeated David’s enemies. While David and his men physically showed up and fought the Philistines, David made it clear that his conquest was really a supernatural operation of the power of God. David and his men showed up, but they were overtaken by the power and might and Spirit of God. Similarly, in our lives, the Spirit of God will break through the circumstances of our lives like the bursting of great waters to defeat our enemies and secure our victory. <br />
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Our God is Lord of the breakthrough! When we pray we converse with the Lord of the breakthrough who has already defeated every enemy. This includes the enemies of bondage, guilt, perversion, depression, suppression, regression, oppression, lack, confusion, and every other enemy attempting to prevent God’s people from being all they were created to be!<br />
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We invite God by His Spirit to burst through and inundate every enemy causing the people of God to remain paralyzed, stagnant, defeated and unproductive. In the name of Jesus, we enforce the defeat of every enemy! By the authority of the name of Jesus we decree and declare forward advancement, creativity, new expressions, witty inventions, healing, peace, prosperity and salvation in all of its dimensions in the lives of the people of God! We ask the Lord to cause the people of God to advance! <br />
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For those who are angry, confused, hurting, or discouraged, we thank God that because we are alive and breathing, there is still opportunity. We receive new mercies every morning. Great is God’s faithfulness. God is faithful to work --- to break through in every situation. Refuse to wallow in the midst of challenging situations as if they are unconquerable. Appeal to and cooperate with the Lord of the breakthrough! <br />
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We thank God for setting the precedent and providing us with innumerable examples of instances when the Spirit of God broke through enemies like the bursting out of great waters. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8. He did it before and He will do it again!<br />
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<em><strong>Lord, we ask You by Your Spirit to burst through like a raging flood; cause deliverance, miracles and tremendous triumphs to burst forth in the lives of Your people. By the faith of God we call it done. In Jesus’ name we pray with thanksgiving. Amen!</strong></em><br />
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For more information, visit <a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-86975269103750232002010-09-21T09:35:00.003-04:002010-09-21T22:41:10.312-04:00Hope Springs Forth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztvKPM4ZDNMF1AggdBZsnlZz8Jn_RvN9DPGOJd5Syw4mVT84KDBHhGLFPT2mGn1U3x_bupKPfY9LOjH7fSJ3F6GaRuLX8AhCd9TzxfaGuKjlywBfy9yq0DzB6Nq0n2xsK5ejKIR9-k-zj/s1600/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztvKPM4ZDNMF1AggdBZsnlZz8Jn_RvN9DPGOJd5Syw4mVT84KDBHhGLFPT2mGn1U3x_bupKPfY9LOjH7fSJ3F6GaRuLX8AhCd9TzxfaGuKjlywBfy9yq0DzB6Nq0n2xsK5ejKIR9-k-zj/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><br />
“In this world you shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.<br />
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Hope springs forth from the throes of darkness. Usually in the midst of dark times in life, we find ourselves filled with hurt and loss. We just messed things up. We totally wasted a divine opportunity for victory or favor. We had an opportunity, we missed the opportunity, and the time of prosperity slipped past us. We listened to the wrong voice. We lost sight of where we were headed. We got tired running the race and dropped out. Now we are on the sidelines, staring at the backs of others going forward, wondering what happened. We were sure we knew the will of God one day, but somewhere along the line we made a mistake and the next day we were not able to find our way.<br />
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There is always a way back into your next phase in life. You can not only survive but you can find the right road again and thrive. Jeremiah 6:16 says, “This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths. Ask which way leads to blessings. Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves” (God’s Word Translation). Many people have gone through terrible divorces, bankruptcies, losses of business and homes, diseases and depressions, and many have been able to call upon the Lord and hear Him answer “This is the way walk in it.” They have been able to enter into the new place – the new phase of their life. And so can you.<br />
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No matter what situation you find invading your life, you need to know that God is the light in your darkness. Day will always follow night as long as the earth remains. Gen. 8:22. There will come another day – always. You may be in the midst of tribulation, but the believer possesses an over comer’s anointing that will break through the tribulation and give you victory.<br />
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An over comer moves beyond. An over comer moves beyond defeats, beyond traumas, beyond wounding, beyond mistakes and beyond failures. An over comer moves past those challenges to gain new strength. An over comer moves forward into the next season with hope. Light springs forth from the midst of darkness.<br />
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Each time God moves us past our last failure, each time He causes us to experience triumph, the overcoming anointing enlarges within us. Talk to the LORD. Ask which way leads to blessings. Then choose to live that way. Activate the over comer anointing within and move into the new place. Your best days are ahead of you, beginning today!<br />
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<em><strong>Let me know what you think! Give your reaction below or submit a comment. I'd love to hear from you. Be a blessing and share this with someone who could really benefit from it. Click the small envelope below to forward this message.</strong></em>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-47668280329699419252010-03-12T11:48:00.023-05:002010-03-12T12:27:23.770-05:00YOU CAN DO IT!"All that the Lord has said will we do" (Exodus 24:7 NKJV).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7Ex3NVdkDYIvf_EDduqvtokhVkcvVHTlS35QOUbwOx_kguDZ61tpOgwAKEABDJTBLiPzwJzPaxQrh13wI00e9xtLAQuNn2BqX_6sUYYAzsWvvCok81TGhyT2nfc7ZpKn24utfgJIxn05/s1600-h/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447796644747894962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7Ex3NVdkDYIvf_EDduqvtokhVkcvVHTlS35QOUbwOx_kguDZ61tpOgwAKEABDJTBLiPzwJzPaxQrh13wI00e9xtLAQuNn2BqX_6sUYYAzsWvvCok81TGhyT2nfc7ZpKn24utfgJIxn05/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Would you like to know how you can make the Word of God personal to you? Would you like to know how the Word of God can be more effective in your everyday life? The answer is simple: you must receive the Word of God as a real, relevant, relatable and practical Word. You cannot look at the Word of God as being merely theoretical.<br /><br /><div><div><div>Although the Bible contains excellent advice and illuminating insights, the purpose of the Bible is not simply to provide interesting insights and advice for us to muse over. The Word of God is an authoritative, indisputable statement of eternal truth. It is to be given real-world application. </div><div><br />Jesus said, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon the rock" (Mt 7:24 NKJV). The man who utilized a rock-solid foundation in building his house withstood the fiercely tempestuous storm. In stark contrast, Jesus warns, "Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them," is a fool, and the turbulent storms will destroy his foundation and, in turn, his house (v. 26-27).</div><br /><div>Notice that the man was not chastised because he built an inadequate structure. The man was not at fault for failing to hear. He was not faulted for failing to understand or even believe the Word of the Lord. No, the man was faulted for failing to act on them. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says...the man who looks intently into the perfect law...not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it he will be blessed in what he does" (Jas 1:22-25 NIV).<br /><br />We can easily get caught up in self-deception if we think reading, knowing, and even believing God’s Word fulfills our obligation to it. God desires to bring to pass -- to fulfill -- His purpose in giving us His Word. That requires not just believing, but doing the Word. James didn’t say, "he will be blessed in what he believes," but "he will be blessed in what he does!" When Moses read God’s Word to the Israelites, they responded by saying, "All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient." That must likewise be our response.</div><br /><div><em>Father, I pray that this message compels those reading it to act on Your Word. Let it motivate those who have received revelation and instruction from You to do that which You have instructed. I pray for a special impartation of grace necessary to do Your Word. I pray that the one reading this will say, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (I Cor. 15:10). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><div>LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. Did you need this word? Talk back by commenting below. </div><br /><div>To forward this email to someone else, just click on the little envelope below.</div><br /><div>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a><br /></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele">Follow Rev. Steele on Twitter</a><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447794767242117970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 97px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 66px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJWvaobbhAHSidvtErweILcDlbpYWjxId4bYG0ZKrAiE0wfwdD5o-DEUhLViF6ndyQMVvVP6Y3jAFxuJftoCP21WXd9_f5eYoAkuVx0klEe9D92_e1SbOlPPLGt4UA5CHn5CzDITUjiCO/s200/twitter_bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-22054627352076752052009-12-03T07:51:00.014-05:002009-12-03T08:26:27.990-05:00Reality is a Reflection of Thoughts and Beliefs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFd-bSklfdQu9dEPu5YlAsKjciIKekqOb-mSjVZtzUVDseap_A0j3GWC3dtyhzAuUYxzItXg3zIGQgp53TZi7jKf_fVO9r3Kw_mW5GpUefG-oR9WhwPl70s0K6TPpWsndxB9NP6phE-yU9/s1600-h/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410992264875121410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFd-bSklfdQu9dEPu5YlAsKjciIKekqOb-mSjVZtzUVDseap_A0j3GWC3dtyhzAuUYxzItXg3zIGQgp53TZi7jKf_fVO9r3Kw_mW5GpUefG-oR9WhwPl70s0K6TPpWsndxB9NP6phE-yU9/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Word of God has a lot to say about thoughts and beliefs. We read, “As you have believed, so be it done unto you.” Matthew 8:13. The Word also says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7.<br /><br />What can we learn from these passages? The clear message is that our reality is a reflection of our thoughts and beliefs. Things are “done unto you” or happen to you in direct proportion to what you believe and the intensity or extent of that belief. You become what you think in your heart. You do not become what you want others to believe about you. You become what you actually believe about yourself, in your innermost being. What you believe happens to you.<br /><br />Reality is a reflection of thoughts and beliefs. Your thoughts and beliefs create your reality. Consider Numbers Chapter 13, where Moses sent one representative of each of the twelve tribes to spy out the land God had promised the Israelites. They were to spy out the land for 40 days then report back. When the spies returned, 10 of them returned saying they could not possibly take that land because it was full of giants. They viewed themselves as grasshoppers, unable to overtake the giants in the land. God called their report an evil report. Their thoughts and beliefs became their reality. They did not believe they could overtake the inhabitants of the land, and they did not.<br /><br />Not only did their thoughts and beliefs become their reality, but their negative, limiting thoughts and beliefs were contagious. Their evil report extended to and affected any and everyone who chose to believe the word of the 10 spies. Not a single person over age 20 who believed the evil report entered into the Promised Land.<br /><br />By contrast, only 2 of the twelve spies believed they were able to overtake the inhabitants of the land. And guess what? They did! In each case, the thoughts and beliefs of the individuals created their reality.<br /><br />You give life to negative situations when you focus on the wrong thing. For far too long, believers have focused on thoughts and beliefs that have utterly sabotaged their progress. Faulty perceptions can get you into trouble. Faulty thoughts and beliefs can even be deadly. Consider all the people who died in the wilderness without ever entering into the Promised Land. This is nothing to take lightly or overlook.<br /><br />Consequently, it behooves you to focus your attention and commit to changing negative thoughts and limiting beliefs. Focus on exchanging negative thoughts and beliefs for positive, Godly thoughts and empowering beliefs. Keep your mind off what you don’t want and on what you do want. Don’t spend your time thinking about and fixating on what you are trying to avoid. Focus on the promises of God and think about and meditate on those promises becoming your living experience. Begin today: don't waste another moment!<br /><br />Once you start believing, anything is possible. God will turn the tables on your enemies. God will resurrect lost dreams. God will cause you to triumph with great victory, even when it seems all odds are against you.<br /><br />Begin today to live the life God desires for you to live. Begin today to embrace and meditate on Godly thoughts and empowering beliefs. Change your thoughts, change your reality.<br /><br /><br />Janice Davis Steele<br /><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a><br /><br /><div>WHAT DO YOU THINK? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW. </div><br /><div>If you believe someone else could benefit from this message, please click on the small envelope below and email this blog to that person.<br /></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele">Follow Rev. Steele on Twitter</a></div><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402844142783529762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ffMnvyXWc2TDzTSPO-rkNaNbim-xzshkOo6wB4tumMUp40uQ1jcDuOwcCwc6yp6vElq2-ikb27dJEUx117O0TRqwzdpmAdXDHJVi8iS2CTZAM_gJyOYTa01V_HtRWfOaYaQImJWbfBzW/s200/twitter_bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"></a></div><br /><div></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-91680257276906456652009-11-11T08:21:00.023-05:002009-12-03T08:07:43.110-05:00Don't You Want More Out of Life?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHtUzm-Q8GFSy0ROqCVRRI-jOdN-Qr7HfNqoCSxnz7_aszgOr5cfJiRgDSW_weqK38E_3PbZPa-q1cdDgtZjDtFgbdjzrwD7EX2mgXsZoX-a5guXSobP4h8UqgmBNh5HzUa3h7yM0HABw/s1600-h/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402840644370984306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHtUzm-Q8GFSy0ROqCVRRI-jOdN-Qr7HfNqoCSxnz7_aszgOr5cfJiRgDSW_weqK38E_3PbZPa-q1cdDgtZjDtFgbdjzrwD7EX2mgXsZoX-a5guXSobP4h8UqgmBNh5HzUa3h7yM0HABw/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" border="0" /></a>No matter where you are in your spiritual walk, there is so much more to learn, to discover, and to experience concerning our Lord. God has so much more of His glory to reveal to you. He has so many more blessings in store for you. He has so much more of His ways for you to experience. We must beware of spiritual complacency.<br /><br /><div><br />One passage I find amazing is a prayer Moses prayed toward the end of his life. Do you remember when Moses asked God if he could go over Jordan and enter into the Promised Land? The Lord told Moses that his eyes would see the Promised Land, but Moses would not be permitted to enter that land. Remember that? Well, look at how Moses started that prayer. He said, “O Lord GOD, You have <strong><em>begun</em></strong> to show your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?” (Deut. 3:24). You have <strong><em>begun?</em></strong></div><br /><div><br />What? Moses was used by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Moses was used by God to usher in the plagues and defeat the Egyptian gods. Moses was used by God to part the Red Sea, to cause water to flow from a rock, to defeat formidable foes like the Amorites, the Midianites, the Amalekites, etc. God placed Moses in the cleft of the rock and Moses was able to see a portion of God’s glory. Moses received the Ten Commandments from God (twice!) after days of fellowshipping with God. Yet, after all those experiences, Moses understood that he had <strong><em>only begun</em></strong> to see God’s greatness and His glory.</div><br /><div><br />Precious friend, no matter how much you believe you know of God, no matter how much you have received and attained from Him, by Him, and through Him, you have <strong><em>only begun</em></strong> to see His glory. There is so much more in God! We spend a lot of time coming to God asking Him to bless us with things -- health, financial increase, safety, etc. Now don't misunderstand me. God wants you blessed, healthy and prosperous. It isn't that these requests are wrong; it is simply that they cannot be the paramount aspect of your relationship with God; they are just not enough. A true God-chaser, a true God-seeker will never be satisfied with receiving creature comforts and tangible items. Within the heart of a true God-seeker is an insatiable quest for more of God. Your heart's desire is to know Him; to dwell with Him; to experience depths and realms of His indescribable love, power and glory.</div><br /><div><br />I encourage you to make it your heart’s cry to desire more of Jesus. Make knowing the Lord your life’s greatest goal. Desire to see and experience more of God’s wonders, His greatness, His mighty hand. Precious friend, the Lord wants you to know there is so much more. You have <strong><em>only begun</em></strong> to see God's greatness and His glory in your life. Do not believe for one nanosecond that what you have experienced to this point in your life is all that God has for you. Precious friend, there is so much more. You have only begun to experience what the Lord has for you. Continue in your quest. Pursue the Lord. Pant after His presence. You have <strong>only just begun</strong>.</div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div>WHAT DO YOU THINK? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW. </div><br /><div>If the Lord is leading you to share this blog with someone else, please click on the small envelope below and email this blog to that person.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele">Follow Rev. Steele on Twitter</a></div><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402844142783529762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ffMnvyXWc2TDzTSPO-rkNaNbim-xzshkOo6wB4tumMUp40uQ1jcDuOwcCwc6yp6vElq2-ikb27dJEUx117O0TRqwzdpmAdXDHJVi8iS2CTZAM_gJyOYTa01V_HtRWfOaYaQImJWbfBzW/s200/twitter_bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"></a></div><br /><div></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-10721812237308537562009-10-02T15:43:00.029-04:002009-10-09T12:26:30.192-04:00Avoidance is not a Game Plan!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388091374485775714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_bhzFAIrXWWaapbuGK99yLvkBUaZBYMOdw4Ma_inPHO3qWKrC5khIiqEC4wWXosWUGagGJNsUzPvUJ_ENMqm4fvoIDLJgUL1aw-j3HjhKNxr9-9UyIyxtu1lkM2yQK4FGSgnns-nZqfl/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" border="0" />Too many people give up on their dreams and fail to pursue their passions because they are living with the effects of negative prior experiences or internal fears. It may sound like this: “I’ve been divorced once. Been there. Done that. I’ve given up on marriage.” Or, “Every time I try to move forward with a business idea my spouse always puts me down.” Or, “I never finish anything I start, so why even try to start something new?” Or, “No one ever takes my ideas seriously, so why bother to share them?” Or, “The last time I taught/sang/wrote (you fill in the blank) I received so much criticism that it wasn’t even worth it. I won’t do that again.”<br /><div><br />This kind of thinking is fraught with problems. First, you have to appreciate where these dreams, passions, and desires are coming from. Philippians 2:12-13 says we have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling because it is God who works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. God places His desires in us and He places in us the ability to be willing to fulfill those God-inspired dreams, passions, and desires. God is working in us so we can work out what He works in. What are you going to do with your God-given desires and aspirations? Second, how are you going to create and live out the future God has for you if you remain stuck in an old behavior pattern? Third, do you really want to spend the rest of your life carrying that label, whatever it is (failure, non-finisher, disorganized, unreliable, etc.)? Don’t you really want to move beyond that place? Fourth, how can anyone successfully move forward paralyzed with the past? Avoidance, refusal, reluctance -- are not the answer.</div><br /><div><br />When you look at the heart of the matter, it seems that it is our avoidance that paralyzes us, steals our dreams, and cools our passions. It is not so much the external hindrance, or what we believe to be our Goliath that stifles us. It is really our avoidance of that Goliath that keeps us from moving forward, pursuing our dreams, goals, and passions.</div><br /><div><br />You see, Goliaths don’t stop on their own. Goliaths will keep taunting and advancing until they are confronted. This is not to say that the issues look like mammoth Goliaths. In many cases the matters and issues stifling us are unassuming, subtle and barely recognizable. But they are thoughts and perceptions that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, and they must be stopped.</div><br /><div><br />When you confront the issues, you will discover that God has many tactics and methods for securing deliverance and enabling you to move forward. For example, the truth of the Word alone can bring deliverance. The truth will make you free (John 8:32). By delving into Scriptures that deal with the issue, the behavior and emotions, the truth of the Word will penetrate into your heart and ultimately change your behavior and emotions. It may be that you speak to your mountain and command it to move, in the name of Jesus. It may be that the Holy Spirit will reveal past hurts that you, through prayer, would turn over to the Lord and allow the Lord to heal.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>You may experience breakthrough as you increase your dependence on the Holy Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to live His life through you. It may be that the Goliaths are stopped instantly while you are in a service under a powerful corporate anointing. You may be in a prayer line where hands are laid on you and the Goliaths flee.</div><div><br />The Lord may give you an instruction or a message that totally annihilates the wrong thought or behavior. I can recall when I first started teaching. It seemed as if detractors crawled out from under so many rocks to challenge my ability as a teacher of the Word of God! Just when I seriously considered throwing in the towel, I received some valuable insights from the Holy Spirit. I learned SW to the fourth power (or SWxSWxSWxSW): some will, some won’t, so what, someone’s waiting. Some will receive the teaching, some won’t, so what if some won’t, there are still some waiting -- so continue.</div><br /><div><br />These examples are by no means exhaustive. One thing is for sure, though: avoidance is not a game plan. The key is to confront the issues by running fully and completely to God, who is full of unconditional love, truth, grace, acceptance, compassion and majesty. Recognize your total dependence on God. He will deliver you. He will cause the Goliaths that are preventing you to fall! Confront the issues and they will crumble. Challenge the issues and they will change. But in any case, don't avoid them.</div><div><br /></div><div>What do you think? Let me know by commenting below. You can also share this blog entry with others. Just click on the small envelope to the left below to email this blog entry to those God puts on your heart.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a></div><div></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-47105623331169404062009-09-18T08:57:00.019-04:002009-09-18T09:38:27.923-04:00There is Always a Way Back -- Part II<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382796028922729058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMla3uIgfxk0a7mHsaXKDWiw8dTbf3Lordvxf8ynkxyTDeOK1MAInWYdcXU7IsS-gy0mPp3RQETLrH0TVS86LeuGKmDd7Q6Z4XaGUid1dTMsBHhZyH6k_RHbb3dZlWDxr4HZyEw4jB7a-_/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" border="0" /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X3p5h9dCfAEpzWE2EttDsEec7PuWVEHSdtkikTtrz1Jb87dTWtj4VXWCQcUoeeT5TDGMb1WlpbsCp0HWBBcLDKoMvvmxdXihRMK6ECA7zmhJFxmjmaY3DtrhqJpGIK6925GPw8qozZdv/s1600-h/jdsreading.jpg"></a>In the previous blog entry, we addressed the challenges people face in the middle of difficult times in life. We pointed out that there are times in life when you can find yourself filled with loss, injury, or pain. If you are not vigilant, these feelings can find places to lodge, even in the cells of your body, so that the stress and trauma you experienced has not only psychological consequences but also physiological consequences.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Yet there is good news! God is able to move you past painful experiences, prior failures, injuries, and areas where you just plain missed it. You may have listened to the wrong voice. You may have gone through bankruptcy, divorce, business loss, loss of home, depression, and missed opportunities. </div><div> </div><div>God is able to get you back on track to run effectively the race set before you. You do not have to let any setback keep you back. You certainly do not have to suffer debilitating physical conditions as a result of stress and trauma in your life.</div><br /><div></div><div>In the prior blog entry we provided the following five helpful suggestions from the Word of God to help you receive the delivering power of God that will heal and deliver your from traumatic and stressful feelings: (1) Acknowledge an issue exists. (2) Consider what is wrong with it. (3) Consciously choose to reject what you now know and acknowledge is negative, debilitating, stifling, and contrary to God’s Word and way. (4) Use your God-given weapons of warfare. (5) Apply the power of the blood of Jesus. You can read the entire prior blog entry to receive the full teaching.</div><br /><div></div><div>Here we provide the remaining four suggestions.<br /><br /><div></div>6. Make a conscious decision to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Ask the Lord to help you think positively. Speak to yourself. Ephesians 5:19 tells us to speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and to make melody in our hearts to the Lord. Don’t let negative thoughts just wander. Don’t say, “I can’t help it!” You CAN help it! Talk to yourself out loud. Confront and control your thoughts.</div><br /><div>7. Practice forgiveness. I’m not saying you let people off the hook who harmed you. No, I’m saying you consciously place those people in God’s hands. Choose to forgive those who abused you and hurt you. You don’t have to make excuses for the people. You don’t have to try to justify what they did. You don’t have to pretend they didn’t hurt you. Choose to forgive them and place their fate in God’s hands. They do not have power to control you or your future. Don’t give it to them. Choose to forgive.</div><br /><div>8. Consciously think of the blessings in your life. Meditate on and give voice to the blessings in your life. This will enable you to experience even more of God’s love.</div><br /><div>9. Earnestly seek the Lord for His direction. As you acknowledge Him in all your ways, He will direct your path (Prov. 3:6). He promised to “speak a word behind your ear saying this is the way walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21). </div><br /><div>God is able to move you past painful experiences, past failures, injuries, and areas where you missed it. You may have listened to the wrong voice. You may have gone through bankruptcy, divorce, business loss, loss of home, depression, and missed opportunities. God is able to get you back on track to run effectively the race set before you. You do not have to let any setback keep you back. God is able to lift you up, dust you off, and move you forward into a glorious future. You don’t have to die before your time. You don’t have to live with disappointment and regret.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Rev. Janice Davis Steele</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele">Follow Rev. Steele on Twitter!</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.twitter.com/JDavisSteele"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382800421235222450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 75px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0vHNG3-6P75kG36fbRsQ_qZ_ySqeSeg-v5EDpgZSZs1nTA3bhUEnD3mBgAIeXLEK9j0EzhCAXYkfX5fYTiaZbqjzbVqkmHTBvQpI4XjIYKt4kH5GLvt34kthILl7E4EG3nH-RlT6TPfK/s200/twitter_bird.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-80110820826485984462009-08-10T09:00:00.011-04:002010-09-09T09:42:38.575-04:00There is Always a Way Back! Part I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcKfyF1BY7iRNSUnMe4F3xewwY1NJTjiaUItAIhO8WFZ0FGlhB1NEAEs9JeLAgZMhzYsbJZXzVGnl5f43-cmXwgsg-J0nSJ5pcB6kxHwy8D4Oi6dTQYThRB1DJVummmogRQhEzkea3G2d/s1600-h/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368328667892205970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcKfyF1BY7iRNSUnMe4F3xewwY1NJTjiaUItAIhO8WFZ0FGlhB1NEAEs9JeLAgZMhzYsbJZXzVGnl5f43-cmXwgsg-J0nSJ5pcB6kxHwy8D4Oi6dTQYThRB1DJVummmogRQhEzkea3G2d/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 144px;" /></a> Do you realize hope is present even in the middle of darkness? Sometimes we face daunting challenges in life – events and situations that cause great distress and disruption. We experience an emotional wound or shock that creates substantial damage to our psychological development. In the middle of difficult times in life, you can find yourself filled with loss, injury, or pain. If you are not vigilant, these feelings can find places to lodge, even in the cells of your body, so that the stress and trauma you experienced has not only psychological consequences but also physiological consequences.<br />
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Left unchecked, stress and trauma can leave you stuck in the event, even though the incident has long since passed. You can be living with the effects of traumatic events to such an extent that the event colors how you perceive things moving forward. You begin to shape your world from the standpoint of the event, rather than by the Word of God. You will look at the world through eyes of fear, failure, anxiety, grief, etc.<br />
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Moreover, stress and trauma can result in very serious physical maladies. In the book Who Switched Off My Brain, the author, Dr. Caroline Leaf details how traumatic, stressful thoughts can lead to diseases in the physical body, such as: hypertension (high blood pressure), angina, coronary artery disease, strokes, aneurysm, immune system disorders, fatigue, depression, allergies, asthma, type 1 diabetes, fibromyalgia, to name a few.<br />
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Thank God for Jesus! Jesus came to deliver us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. “He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their distresses.” Psalm 107:20. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to move in such a way that we are sovereignly delivered. God has made available to us an overcoming anointing! Jesus has delivered us from the power of darkness, according to Colossians 1:12-13.<br />
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You may be going through a lot, but there is a way to overcome! There is a way to experience divine deliverance! There is a way to actually reverse the power of the dark event and to move forward into the best that lies before you. With Jesus, the best is yet to come!<br />
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How do you move past the trauma and stress? It is one thing to read about the delivering power of God, but it is an entirely different matter to decide to embrace it, walk in it, and live it out in your life. Isn’t it time for you to stop harboring traumatic and stressful feelings? Aren’t you tired of being tired? Why not use today to make a conscious decision to appropriate the deliverance Jesus died for you to enjoy? In this blog, I will provide 5 of 10 suggestions. I'll provide the other 5 in the next blog. Stay tuned.<br />
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1. Acknowledge an issue exists. Rather than try to pretend the wounds don’t exist, acknowledge them as a first step. The Bible instructs us to cast every care on Jesus. If you do not acknowledge the care exists, how can you give it to Jesus?<br />
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2. Consider what is wrong with it. It is important to agree with God. If you are content with harboring unforgiveness, you will not be delivered from the emotional and physical effects of unforgiveness. If you think it is acceptable, or that you deserve to feel sorry for yourself, then you will have erected self-constructed barriers to your own deliverance. Use the Word of God to show you what is wrong with that thought, that emotion, that temptation, that anxiety.<br />
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3. Consciously choose to reject what you now know and acknowledge is negative, debilitating, stifling, and contrary to God’s Word and way. For example, you discover that it is not God’s way for you to dwell in a place of constant worry. You discover that staying up at night rehearsing the awful event is not God’s way. God calls it eating the bread of sorrows (Psalm 127:2). Consciously choose to refuse to accept it. Reject it. Speak the Word of God over it. Say, “I am not going to stay up late or get up early eating the bread of sorrows. I reject it, in the name of Jesus.” By doing this, you will break the feedback loop that keeps stroking your emotions and debilitating your body.<br />
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4. Use your God-given weapons of warfare. They are mighty! They have “divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4). Say, “In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of His blood, I rebuke and pull down all aspects of (name the issue, e.g., fear, abuse, rage, hatred, anxiety, grief, etc.). I affirm that You have given me weapons -- divine power sufficient to overcome and eradicate every power of darkness.”<br />
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5. Apply the power of the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 9:14 tells us that the blood of Jesus is effective to cleanse and purge your mind of dead works so that you can serve the living God. Say, “I cover all levels of my mind – conscious, subconscious, and unconscious – with the blood of Jesus. My mind is purged of negative thoughts and emotions, by the power of the blood of Jesus. Thank you for the blood of Jesus!”<br />
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In the next blog, I will list the remaining five suggestions.<br />
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God is able to move you past painful experiences, past failures, injuries, and areas where you missed it. You may have listened to the wrong voice. You may have gone through bankruptcy, divorce, business loss, loss of home, depression, and missed opportunities. God is able to get you back on track to run effectively the race set before you. You do not have to die before your time. You do not have to let any setback keep you back. God is able to lift you up, dust you off, and move you forward into a glorious future. It's time to let Him do just that, isn't it?<br />
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Janice Davis Steele<br />
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SHARE WHAT'S ON YOUR HEART. PLEASE COMMENT<a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"></a>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-38733254749713798662009-07-22T00:30:00.014-04:002009-07-22T00:43:28.772-04:00How to Have an Ear to Hear<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMrtniNZkdLH3QFsawcwyPZAUkjXNZIyGGdkMFc21tVeNjCEtAMn7K6uBCUAtGjUtWI2wZME4r9UPAzdff731omMyF94jjpr2Zw-c4Ty-M8dwb4IJSK0DSJqULOQj6DFqLY0uXUhwwHfx/s1600-h/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361140169248694962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 111px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMrtniNZkdLH3QFsawcwyPZAUkjXNZIyGGdkMFc21tVeNjCEtAMn7K6uBCUAtGjUtWI2wZME4r9UPAzdff731omMyF94jjpr2Zw-c4Ty-M8dwb4IJSK0DSJqULOQj6DFqLY0uXUhwwHfx/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div>Each day you hear so many voices speaking to you – through the media, through people, through things you read, through experiences, through circumstances, etc. It is vital that you learn how to ferret out the noise to hear God speaking to you.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>God has promised in Isaiah 30:21, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.” Even Jesus said, “He that has an ear to hear, let him hear….” Rev. 2:7, 17. Jesus also promised to send the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. John 16:13. So just how can you discern what is really God speaking and what is not?</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>First and foremost, any true message from the Lord must be biblically based. There must be Bible back-up! You really need two or three corresponding scriptures that agree with what you believe you have received. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 2 Cor. 13:1; Deut. 17:6; 19:6. You will develop the ability to discern the more you read, study, gain understanding, and more importantly, apply and live by the Word of God. Your level of discernment will become almost automatic.</div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Second, the message must speak to you where you live. It must be personal to you. Isaiah 30:21 says your ears will hear a word behind you – it must be personal to you. That is especially so if someone comes to you saying they have a message from God for you. That message must have biblical support and it must be relevant to your life in a meaningful way.</div><div></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Third, it must have the effect of improving a situation. The effect of the message should be that it changes a situation for the better. Somebody’s life should be improved, changed, saved, etc., by implementing or acting upon the message you received. I Corinthians 14:3.<br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Applying these guidelines should help you better discern God’s voice.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Janice Davis Steele</div><div><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">www.jdsministries.org/</a></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele">Follow me on Twitter!</a></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361138673288018386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f6UWZRWNTrFHXKbIozy2MSPzhxiSkhoOMdB8zLUR_4NJ9K3r0nKsQJHfBzH9uyNIfC98Ii5T4hHg8r3MMxnzgqpQmNvvXAxEaDReHBKs4arahwrsZLaXQSXYJ6qaRJ-Egfjri5QQ3oWT/s200/twitter_bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-25414194790269069092009-06-26T07:55:00.013-04:002009-06-26T18:19:41.022-04:00Michael JacksonMichael Jackson's passing is both woeful and surreal. The self-described king of Pop was unquestionably a gift from heaven. He was so extraordinarily talented. Sadly, he also seemed to suffer from a conflict of the soul. Even though on the one hand he seemed to have it all, on the other hand he seemed to be plagued by a certain emptiness, a void. It seemed as if he tried to fill this void with things reminiscent of good times and laughter: amusement rides, a personal zoo, etc. At the same time, he seemed to search for a greater purpose in his life. Some of his music, like "Man in the Mirror" (listen below), points to this other, searching side of MJ.<br /><br />The truth is, no one can truly understand purpose unless and until he/she is acquainted with his/her creator. Don't get me wrong; clearly MJ was destined to create music and entertain. In that respect he lived out his purpose and accomplished what no other entertainer has ever accomplished: greatest selling album <em>ever;</em> 13 Grammy awards, etc. Yet, it seems there remained this dissatisfaction, a sense of longing, a void -- he knew there was something else. His songs "Heal the World," "We are the World," "Man in the Mirror," "The Lost Children," etc., hint at a recognition on some level that there was something more he was to do with his gift.<br /><br />Life is so ephemeral, so fleeting. It is important to seek God, to feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us (Acts 17:27). Jesus alone gives true peace, true satisfaction, and true meaning to life.<br /><br />Rev. Janice Davis Steele<br /><br />Listen to Man in the Mirror<br /><a href="http://blip.fm/jdsministries">Blip.fm Blips by jdsministries Page 1 of 1</a><br /><br />Shared via <a href="http://addthis.com/">AddThis</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele">Follow Rev. Steele on Twitter!</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351621730283148674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 96px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-7r0XfET5aFRMlLgRMbhZzAEZum6xhZ7werfHbhJNmgo9p_eySymUgdDhVfT1iscNS82ujC3V0wANsj83jqhS9bR09LZeolZ4YGXenSuWjz5LydLm5cjb16FCaUVb9OB8mcbG5jWPS8T/s200/twitter_bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Share what's on your heart. Please comment.Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-69248119799428062412009-06-26T06:00:00.000-04:002009-06-26T09:30:28.312-04:00NEVERTHELESS!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmyxDIG8xtWye87oRCprp_6HrvWun-MXvxr1vmtzutgHg_t1uLyoxcgZ5LtyDHqZlU9EUlraPhNONO6nYUJI5poF_DWqXXbKEwmKTP3bJ5z7IdSIb63573rS1RJItHco0hYUF3QSWkwOl/s1600-h/Janice_red.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346557993481319538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmyxDIG8xtWye87oRCprp_6HrvWun-MXvxr1vmtzutgHg_t1uLyoxcgZ5LtyDHqZlU9EUlraPhNONO6nYUJI5poF_DWqXXbKEwmKTP3bJ5z7IdSIb63573rS1RJItHco0hYUF3QSWkwOl/s200/Janice_red.jpg" border="0" /></a> What do you do when you are facing a challenge you would prefer to walk away from rather than confront? I think we all face these kinds of situations. You know, even Jesus, faced such a situation. As the time neared where Jesus would offer Himself to die on the Cross for our sins, He agonized over the prospect. Jesus said, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me...nevertheless, not as I will but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).These words from Jesus are quite instructive. They let us know Jesus fully and honestly recognizes the extent and depth of human difficulties. At the same time, they show that despite the breadth and depth of difficulty, God's way is always best. His way will always produce blessing and fruitfulness far beyond anything we could have seen or even imagined at the time we faced the difficulty.Decide today to confront challenges by obeying the Word of God. It will yield a life that is fruitful and fulfilling.<br /><br />Consider Simon Peter in Luke 5:1-9. He and his fishing partners had toiled in their own strength, pulling an "all-nighter," and had caught absolutely nothing. After having been out all night and after having just cleaned all those fishing nets, Jesus instructs Peter to begin the process all over again by throwing the nets BACK into the water. He had already tried and failed. He had nothing. Now he was receiving an instruction from God that seemed like a repeat of what he had just done. Peter confronted that challenge by saying, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net" (Luke 5:5). When he obeyed, the boat filled up so much that it began to sink!<br /><br />When you agree to say, "NEVERTHELESS, I will do your will, Lord," you, too will understand that God's ways reach far beyond our understanding at the moment, but they will allways yield abundance and blessing beyond what you ever could have imagined while you were facing that trial or challenge. Agree with God and get ready to experience amazing abundance in your own life!<br /><br />Janice Davis Steele<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele">Follow Rev. Steele on Twitter!</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351624012074225922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 69px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRt8onz5wWPFSiJxp0mzNn-FMIjTtw25CY21d4cCMRhTFSZJzeWUbvp4Vyohloe5DvyiP-nQUME2aperjmmjVhek5oXwRgzFUxVb4-av5sMt8XTNm_qEZeJCozI-jQXFd_GEZKEp51UbP/s200/twitter_bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Share what's on your heart. Comment.Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-8504793777269943362009-06-16T18:17:00.024-04:002009-06-24T09:44:26.604-04:00The Heroes Among Us<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9ttRTE3yLOJTCUiIyXyDjaDsjoBRxC0CugzVIaPvLRyqFy8uSLBi4iQTzCNWVa1aeGZeCbnd8oc7WaBX4FI6cFMPuYMLrMfKt4iF1O_KJhJWmzxK-LJ8fbQYotPywSRnC6v_g-mq5qoY/s1600-h/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348120485214619922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 117px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9ttRTE3yLOJTCUiIyXyDjaDsjoBRxC0CugzVIaPvLRyqFy8uSLBi4iQTzCNWVa1aeGZeCbnd8oc7WaBX4FI6cFMPuYMLrMfKt4iF1O_KJhJWmzxK-LJ8fbQYotPywSRnC6v_g-mq5qoY/s200/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg" border="0" /></a> On Ju<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCJHUxVdHWI_5IiDuQVtqFLFsmo4-Bw2V7TiXbv6kYJf37NYjFQX-FAQ3dBUtaWIbfi1UiKm8mEAh919Qo9FqorHJmnhc6Xf6B3Q60eOEgRCifsRfPIwQlHlzMWlpU_X1lGETMWsiopWp/s1600-h/Janice_whitebkgrd.jpg"></a>ne 10, 2009 we stood transfixed, frozen with disbelief, unable to wrap our minds around the depth of depravity, the viciousness, and the perversion, that apparently so consumed an octogenarian that he engaged in a diabolical mission, bent on destroying lives and shattering families. <em>Why</em> would anyone select the Holocaust Memorial Museum -- a place with such piercingly painful memories of man’s inhumanity toward man -- only to inflict more pain, death, and wickedness? <em>How</em> could anyone openly and brazenly brandish such a large firearm in broad daylight on a busy Washington street without being noticed, much less stopped?<br /><br /><br />Our attempt to try to process and make sense of it all ends in frustration: the demonic neither yields to nor respects the rational.<br /><br /><br />We thank God for the heroism of Stephen T. Johns, the security officer who selflessly placed himself in harm’s way. Johns’ heroic act in the line of duty foiled what apparently was the gunman’s deranged plot to kill many innocent individuals visiting the Holocaust Museum that day. In one day, worldwide, Johns’ name became synonymous with heroism. We thank God for Harry Weeks and Jason McCuiston, the two other museum security officers who returned fire and injured the assailant, putting a stop to his demonic rampage.<br /><br /><br />We also thank God for Jacqueline Carter, Johns’ mother. Her response to it all has been extraordinary -- an exemplar of Christ-likeness. In the midst of such heartrending depredation, and with the eyes of the world upon her, this elegant, beautiful, poised Christian has extended unimaginable grace, love, compassion, and forgiveness. She has told all who will listen that her God and her faith will get her through this. She has openly forgiven her son’s assailant, and has openly prayed that the assailant’s son would find it in his heart to forgive his father for his heinous act. This is not some resigned acceptance of the hands of fate. Neither has her response been some artificial gesture meant for public display. One thing we can all attest to is when pressed hard enough, what’s really in you will come out. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Carter, when pressed beyond measure, has exuded what is in her: the love of God.<br /><br /><br />You see, Carter has drawn upon the wells of salvation within her (Isaiah 12:3). She has drawn upon a reservoir of the Word of God that has been built up over decades of intimacy with the Lord. She has tapped into and received grace to help in time of need. She radiates with what Zechariah 12:10 calls the spirit of grace. It is a picture of triumph over tragedy. It is wondrous to behold.<br /><br /><br />I have known Jacqueline Carter for more than fifteen years. I have watched her sing praises to the Lord. I have watched her dance before the Lord. I have watched her delve into the Word of God. Her love of God is genuine. Her worship is authentic.<br /><br /><br />I tell you, it is one thing to preach Matthew 5:44 (“But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you;”) but it is another thing entirely to live it, especially where the rubber meets the road.<br /><br /><br />The Bible tells us in Philippians 3:17 “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.” Carter is a model of courageous faith in action. She, too, is our hero.<br /><br /><br />I encourage you to show your love toward this family by giving to one of the three funds that have been established:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><br /><li>The U.S. Holocaust Museum Memorial -- Checks payable to USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund may be mailed to USHMM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW, Washington D.C. 20024. Contributions can also be made by calling 877-91USHMM (877-918-7466) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or going to the museum's Web site: <a href="http://www.ushmm.org/">http://www.ushmm.org/</a>.<br /></li><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Wackenhut, Stephen T. Johns' employer, asks that contributions be made by check or money order payable to Zakia Christina Johns in care of WSI Wachovia, 4440 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 33410.<br /></li><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Checks payable to the American Jewish Committee, with "Holocaust Museum Memorial Fund" on the memo line, should be mailed to: American Jewish Committee Washington Chapter in care of Melanie Maron Pell, 1156 15th St. NW, Suite 1201, Washington D.C. 20005. Donations will also be accepted at the AJC Web site: <a href="http://www.ajc.org/">http://www.ajc.org/</a><a href="http://www.ajc.org/">c.org/</a>.<br /></li></ul><br /><br /><div>Rev. Janice Davis Steele</div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/JDavisSteele">Follow Rev. Steele on Twitter!</a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://twitter.com/JDavisSteele"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350888077831886210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 89px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHToCK6g4jGD-zg-w7lOA7rdc4dk1-kJxGRaTomDePpy7ocn1tLn-qTSuQ0fRkrJA0hp1KsbZYq5HF9JPJ8yXgYWjvzBaYofzgtVDN6-7smewyJC83hJNh0r8k2Pr_ZK66Qb_916EnYm9P/s200/twitter_bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p><strong><em></em></strong></p><br /><p><strong><em></em></strong></p><br /><p><strong><em></em></strong></p><br /><p><strong><em>Please comment below. Your opinion matters!</em></strong><br /><br /></p></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318034265090429326.post-2045768591762835582009-06-08T19:55:00.047-04:002009-06-11T08:52:22.354-04:00How to Delight Yourself in the Lord<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlFfywg2XHAuKJSurXRBK9qpPfkQo2i7lOasUYOhyKZpp-QNGrUCJt0yyyyZ9GmK4Y33U9kImSwbW6VuF-MTCEr_10nfFIrN0UAqXVY6XHYJVU8_7waHlHVGOuXXWPvqftoqv3WLc_ukn/s1600-h/Janice_red.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346049048151291074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlFfywg2XHAuKJSurXRBK9qpPfkQo2i7lOasUYOhyKZpp-QNGrUCJt0yyyyZ9GmK4Y33U9kImSwbW6VuF-MTCEr_10nfFIrN0UAqXVY6XHYJVU8_7waHlHVGOuXXWPvqftoqv3WLc_ukn/s200/Janice_red.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#333333;">During the May Triumph! seminar, we learned from the book of Nehemiah how to follow the desires of your heart. God wants you to experience the things you have dreamed of. In fact, it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Phil. 1:12-13. Often, your desires flow from the heart of God to your spirit. He places in you a burning desire, a mission, a task. But what do you do with that? Psalm 37:4 says if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. </span><br /><br /><div><div><div><span style="color:#333333;">How do you delight yourself in the Lord? Here is a helpful exercise:<br /><br /><strong>I. Daily Smile</strong> -- Upon arising, put a big smile on your face. Just smile broadly. Keep smiling for at least five minutes! Bless the Lord! Say Good morning, LORD!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">Then name 10 things you are thankful for. Identify things you are grateful for. This simple step will help put you in the place where you are delighting in the LORD. [Psalm 100 tells us to enter His gates with thanksgiving, enter His courts with praise].<br /><br /><strong>II. Acknowledge the Godly Desire</strong> -- Make certain the desire agrees with God's Word. God will not deviate from His Word. Once you establish from two or more witnesses (scriptures) that the desire truly is from God, talk to the Lord and let Him know, through prayer, that you acknowledge that it is God who has placed the desire in you. Why do this? Because Proverbs 3:6 tells us that when we acknowledge God in all our ways, He <em>will direct our paths!</em> Direction is what you are seeking, isn't it? Then acknowledge God!<br /><br /><strong>III. Imagine/Visualize Victory</strong> -- Imagine having received the desires. What would it look like, smell like, taste like, sound like, feel like? Put yourself in the place. This is not wishful thinking. This is getting a vision of victory. This is a prelude to believing you receive. Seeing is vital. Write it down. Write the vision and make it plain so they that read it can run with it. Hab. 2:4.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>IV. Pray</strong> -- Mark 11:24 says, "Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe you receive them, and you shall have them." You must pray in faith, believing that you will attain and experience the desire the Lord has placed within you.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Many people who attended the seminar have reported tremendous success in areas of their lives after having implemented these simple instructions. If the Lord is leading you to follow suit, please obey! Then holler back and share with us what the Lord has done! Leave a comment!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">Janice Davis Steele<br /></span><a href="http://www.jdsministries.org/">http://www.jdsministries.org/</a><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Please comment below. Your opinion matters!</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Janice Davis Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06337059360889957513noreply@blogger.com3