Watching a reality TV program called “look me in the eye” I saw that the two most powerful weapons that we have as human beings are “love” and “Forgiveness”. There is no force in the universe that that can fight against love and forgiveness. Whatever we are battling with in life is won by loving and forgiving.
The devil is scared of us finding out this simple truth, because every demonic influence has to submit to Love and Forgiveness.
Hatred has to surrender to love and forgiveness
Offences have to surrender to love and forgiveness
Hurts are healed through love and forgiveness
Anger melts away through love and forgiveness
Love and forgiveness gives us hope, fills our soul with peace and joy.
We are not created to carry offences, and be unforgiving. All of this can cause sickness in our bodies.
Love and forgiveness does not judge
Love and forgiveness builds trust
The Bible (Ephesians 6:12)says we do not fight flesh and blood, but principalities and powers of darkness. Love and forgiveness conquer all principalities and powers of darkness. That’s how easy it is to win a spiritual war. Love and forgive.
Walking in un-forgiveness, offences, hurts and judgement, gives the devil permission to attack us. By making a single choice of loving and forgiving, takes away his (devil) right to touch us.
Recently I enjoyed a cruise in the Caribbean with my husband. We arrived and departed from 5 different ports hundreds of miles from each other. We sailed each night and usually arrived at the ports right before dawn. Most mornings I was awake before sunrise and was able to see our arrival in the dim light of the new day. Each time the lights of the island would first be seen and then closer and closer until I could see the dock and the dock workers ready to help this huge ship, carrying over 4,000 people, steer into a certain place and tie up. I could hear the engines shut down to almost stop and gently the captain would maneuver the second largest cruise ship in the world gently up to the exact spot and stop right on our scheduled time and place. This is an amazing experience. I was so glad I could trust the captain and crew to get it right!!
But no matter how amazing a feat men can do, our Lord does greater. He is the Captain of our ship of life and anywhere we sail, He has already charted our departures and our arrivals, our schedules and our destinations. In three of the gospels, Matthew 8, Mark 4, and Luke 8, we are told the story of when Jesus just spoke to raging waves of the sea and the waves were calmed. Jesus knows how to handle the waves of our lives and guide us safely to where He wants us to be. And in the final trip of our life He will guide us safely home. Have you turned the ship of your life over to Jesus? Is He the captain who steers where you will go? I am so glad I can trust Him to get it right!!
It has been a while since I have written anything on our web page, but that does not mean that I am not thinking of you all, there is never a day when Daughters of the King is not in my thinking. One day towards the end of last year, I was walking along the beach talking to God, asking Him what the New year would bring. I had the distinct feeling that He said to me “Grethe, 2019 is the beginning of a new book, not a new chapter, but a new book. 2018 was the last chapter of that book. The words that came to my mind was “out with the old, in with the new”. I have been prayer thinking about that a lot and this morning when I was sitting outside having breakfast, I was thinking about all the amazing things that have happened at the last 12 DOK Conferences and I was saying to God, wow, Lord what a journey it has been and I was thanking Him for His faithfulness to us over the many years, when suddenly I heard Him whisper to me “wait there is more” and then I felt He said to me to read Isaiah Chapter 43, the verses that jumped out at me was “forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing….
When God said to me 2019 is the start of a new book, He did not mean a written book, I believe He meant that He is going to do a NEW thing, I believe if we have eyes and ears to see we can be part of this new book. Maybe, just maybe the title of this new book is REVIVAL. The theme for this years Daughters of the King Conference is “prepare for revival”. I cannot wait to see what the first chapter looks like. By the way have you registered for the conference yet?
My cell phone is amazing. It has replaced so many other “things” that I once carried in my purse, It has a flashlight , a clock, a calendar, a pedometer, music, games, a camera and it functions as a phone and a computer. I can
google” any subject that I want to know and find I know that there are even other functions that I will never use. While I am not addicted to my phone I do rely on it for daily communications and information.
II Timothy 3:15 says that the word of God is “given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the children of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished into all good works.” I need to rely on His Word for those daily communications and information. The multi functions of Scripture cover all our daily needs and have more truths and guidance than we will ever use. There is nothing in life that is not addressed in the Bible in actuality or principle. Being “addicted” to the Bible would be a wonderful circumstance in our lives. The more we read it, the more we want to read it. Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Are you memorizing God’s word to hide it in your heart? Do you have a special verse that you claim for 2019? Please choose one if you haven’t yet and share it here in the comments. Let’s have some daily communication around God’s word!
Right now in Michigan and in surrounding states there is a stomach flu attacking us! Whole families are being put down for a while with headaches, fevers and vomiting. My own 9 year old grandson was a victim to it and now we are all waiting to see who is next? The good news is that it seems to be only the 24 hour variety and most folk recover quickly. It is highly contagious!!.
What are people in your world “catching” from you? Are they receiving the good news of Christ and His saving grace? What attitudes will your family learn from you and pass on to others? Negativity, bitterness, unforgiveness. bigotry and even sarcasm are germs that we can pass along and contaminate our world for generations. A sickness of the soul that is hard to cure developes. Galatians 5:22-23 tell us what to give others. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control are the “germs” that we should pass on to others so that they will “catch” a sight of Christ in us. Be contagious! Pass it on. Let others catch Christ from you!!
Change is constant, disruptive and often can disturb our view of life. I have lived in our house in Michigan for 27 years and there have been a few changes to either the house or the yard around it. Some would say we live “out in the country” although our little town with a McDonald’s is only a few minutes drive away. But I like the serenity of the views out my windows of fields and trees. And until lately there has been an old barn behind our house that I have watched “weather” over the years and taken many pictures of it. It is not on our property and so we have just had to watch while it got older and each wind storm took boards away, one by one. Recently the owner finally pulled what remained down and now there is no picturesque barn in my back yard view. I felt a little down, missing that old friend. I don’t like the current view of a heap of rubble. Change, disruption and disappointment.
Have you felt that recently? About a relationship, a job, a church, national politics? Have you had your faith shattered by the moral failure of a religious leader? Is your family in turmoil?? What views in your world have been pleasing for a time, to later come crumbling down? Do you have your eyes on the ONE who never disappoints, who never will fail you? The Christ Jesus, Immanuel, babe in the manger is the Savior of the cross who will always fill our vision with His glory and His provision for us. Life here on earth often gives us a pile of rubble but we are told in Hebrews 12:2 to “look unto Jesus, the beginning and the finishing of our faith” From the manger to the cross His life gives us hope and peace and visions of what is yet to come! “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” We already started 2019, which will bring many changes. Have a blessed 2019 in Him!!
