I read a quote a number of years back that read something like God so far today I haven't said anything ugly to hurt anybody, I haven't cussed anybody out, I haven't thrown my alarm clock out the window and the quote just went on and on about things like that before ending with "but when I get out of bed..."

Many of you may well feel like that every morning. Trust me, getting up early to spend time with God before you do your bible studies, your scripture writing or whatever else your morning routine holds will prepare your heart and your spirit to ensure you have a far more pleasant and victorious day.

While doing some bible studies is spending time with God, make time to talk to God and give him the time to speak into your heart and life each day before you get started. One of my old habits that I definitely need to renew is to pray this each morning from Psa 51:10-12: 10)"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11) Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12) Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." That right there is reason enough to get up early and pray.
Okay, here are a few of my favorite reasons for spending time with God early.

1. Jesus got up early to pray and to be with the Father before his day got started. If Jesus needed to get up early….need I say more. 
   Mark 1:35, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
2. God’s mercies are renewed every day, you want to get with God to receive all of them and be sure to thank him for everyone of them by faith before your spirit takes them in. God imparts things into our spirit-some we won’t notice until something happens and then looking back we see how God prepared us for that moment.
   Lamentations 3:22-23. Verse  22)"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
3. Why wait until the end of the day to pray for that day? Your enemy started before day light cooking up his calamities to slam you with and without God first thing, you're going to be hit with what satan wants to throw your way. Getting up early to pray gives God room in your life to set the parameters of your day against the enemy and this will help you to have a really great day.
   John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
4. We are called to co-rule and co-reign with God to establish his covenant blessings in our lives. We want to get up early and work with God so he can prepare us for any surprises that pop up on us.
   Rev 1:6, "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. This is also found in Rev 5:10.
5. Rising up early can show that you are diligent in seeking the Lord. You build a certain discipline in this and God can prepare you so that he can use you to bless or help others.
   Isa 61:1, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound."
6. Getting up early before your day starts and family wakes up is a good time to pray for loved ones and others the Lord would lay on your heart. That also is working with God to help others.
7. Rising up early is your chance to establish God's word in your heart and mind and to speak it out. You want what God thinks and you want to say what God's word says. That's the best news you'll receive all day. So start your day early with God's good news. This is confessing the word (the answer) over all of the circumstances you face.
   Phil 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things."
8. Rising up early to spend time with God, honors God before you honor people. Calling on Jesus before calling on others is honoring him-it’s also tithing 10% of your day to God. If you have a 15 hour day, you’ll want to spend an hour and a half in God’s presence, in his word, and inviting him to impart his will and wisdom into your spirit for the day.

Your daily action plan should start by giving God the time of day to impart his wisdom from heaven, courage to face your day, strength for the hard times, and so much more.  Don't give up if God doesn't speak with you right away or give you an answer right away, but keep your spiritual ears open, keep your spirit open and God will often speak when we least expect it.

All to His Glory,
​La  Donna
Photo by Samuel Martins on Unsplash

Like the fresh start of the New Year, Springtime gives us a 2nd chance at renewal. However, we need not wait for certain times of the year or for certain events, like taking summer vacations, to make us feel alive and for that chance to unwind mentally, physically, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually.
If we would cultivate a lifestyle of being in God's presence, we would experience more times of refreshing and each experience would be deeper and more meaningful. It definitely would build your faith and trust in this God we can't see with our natural eyes.
It's time to get rid of everything that holds you back, keeps you down, and suppresses your right to grow and feel alive in Jesus. 
Eph 2:4-6 says  4)  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened [made to be alive] us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6) And hath [past tense-it's already a done thing] raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. [emphasis mine]
Sometimes living a life of faith in God is not always easy but it is always right. To learn more about living by faith, read my blog Flying by Faith and you might also want to read Defying Negative Gravity.

Below are 5 steps you can use today to position yourself for and create for yourself that river of living waters for times of refreshing.  John 7:38 says, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." These living waters can be a constant source of refreshment both for you and for others as you learn to encourage others. This all depends on how much of  yourself you put into Christ.

Step One:
First, we must see God as our provider in everything, not just some being out there waiting for us to get to heaven. He is real and desires to be involved in our everyday lives.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
So get it fixed in your heart now, that God desires to work with you to establish his covenant blessings and his plan for your life. Don’t expect much help if you are not lined up with his word and plans for you. About the only help you’ll get is him helping you to refocus on what he has for you.

Step Two:
As in the Hebrew scripture above, we must go to God diligently. He can tell when you are just somebody that wants something from him and has no plans to honor him. Going to God for everything builds a relationship of trust and faith. When you can prove to God that you are serious about loving him, and wanting to serve him, when you show him you have been in his word about your situation, he’ll come shining through. Wait patiently and full of hope-fully trusting that he will be there and bring you those refreshing explanations that will make you alive in him once again.

Step Three:
Be prepared to know what you want and what you need God to do for you. Don’t just mouth off asking for any and everything. While God has a sense of humor, he’s also a serious God and he’s more than capable of meeting your needs. 
James 4:3 says, “Ye ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
This Is clear evidence that you can’t just ask for anything on a whim. It also gives a good indication that you need to want what God wants you to have. I know that can sound selfish of God but remember that his ways and thoughts are far higher than our own. He authored this life, and we should honor him in it and in every way possible. Isaiah 55:9 says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth; so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

​Step Four:
Obedience is big with God. He desires that we learn his commandments and follow them all our lives, trusting him to make the promises work in our favor. We need to truly learn to love God not just for what he can do for us but simply just because of who he is. He is love. John 4:8.  Mark 12:30 says, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Read verse 31, as well.

Step Five:
Make sure you understand what God’s kind of love, called Agape, is all about and that you are walking in it to the fullest you possibly can.  Galatians 5:6 says, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision: but faith which worketh by love.” 
Do you see that? Your faith will not work if you are not walking in God’s kind of love in every situation and towards every person. What this verse is telling us is that it doesn't matter what kind of life you live, or where you go to church. If you are not using God's kind of love in every situation, your faith will not work. It's as simple as that.
Ask God to help you in this because this is the single most important thing you can ever do as a Christian and that is to see others the way God sees them. You need to see yourself as God sees you. 

Additionally, to get to know God on a more personal level, I've created the 29 Days of Loving God package. It's free. I've included instructions and 29 scriptures to journal each day. Although it was originally intended to do during the month of February, anytime of the year is a good time to get to know God.  All you need to do is contact me and I'll email it to you. 
Be assured that this is the only time I will use your email unless you opt in for updates. I don't really have material to send out on a regular basis except for The Net Magazine which goes out monthly for free. 
Make this year the year of refreshing in Jesus.

La Donna

Good Morning and Happy February!
February is the month we celebrate love. I've chosen to spend this month loving on God. We always go to God for our needs and we should, but when is the last time you woke up and said, Oh! I've got to go see God today, don't count on me for dinner?
I have hand selected 29 scriptures to write out, pray and meditate on for this month. These scriptures show us so much about who God is. We want to let God know that we know him and love him for who he is.
We can only love him back with the love that he first gave us. In fact, it's with this same love that we are to love everyone else. 
I hope you'll join me for this special journey. For more details visit 29 Days. If you are ready to sign up, visit our Contact Us page, mark the 29 Days of Loving God selection at the bottom. Be sure to leave me your email so I can send you the set of scriptures.
As an added bonus, you'll also receive a set of scriptures from Dr. H. R. Sharp teaching us 
Who We Are, What We Have, and What We Can Do in and all because of Jesus.
I have never done a scripture writing plan, but this one is special to my heart. Join me today!

Doing More in 2024
​La Donna

​The definition of redeemed is to compensate for the faults of something or someone, to free from captivity by paying a price, or to regain possession of in exchange for a payment. Redeemed also means to make better in behavior and character.
Let me remind you that we are talking about being fully redeemed. There are those of all ages who will not do a complete job on anything they put their hand to.  You might have told your girls to go clean up the kitchen and they left some things undone such as wiping down the counters and the table. Perhaps your son was told to clean out the garage and he only did one side and didn’t even take the trash out to the curbside.
Jesus, on the other hand, is not slack handed. He didn’t gracefully bow out on the whipping post. He didn’t give up on the cross until all of his work was finished.  And when Jesus did his work it was completely finished. All of his work here in the earth was designed to fully redeem you.
What did Jesus redeem us from you might ask. Simply put, death, hell, and the grave; in other words, eternal damnation. He made a way for our fellowship and relationship with our Father God to be completely restored. This is in the Hebrew word Shalom. Many folks just throw off this word as nothing more than the word peace. Oftentimes, our word peace is temporary and carries with it certain limitations, restrictions, or expectations.
For example, we might be at peace with our neighbor but only until they act up again in ways we don’t appreciate or like. Truly, Shalom carries a far weightier meaning. Shalom really means nothing missing and nothing broken.  When Jesus went to the whipping post and the cross he brought to us Shalom-a nothing missing, nothing broken kind of restoration to our Father.
Let’s read Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree;”
The curse of the law is death.  Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” I dare say this word death is not just the passing away from the bodies we live in. In fact, this affects our spirit. We’ll either live eternally blessed or we’ll live eternally damned.  The choice is ours.
Alright, let’s compare some words here. We’ll start with a few antonyms to the word redeemed. Neglect, disregard, breach, ignore, deprave, degrade or demoralize. Horrible words, aren’t they? Those words do not describe our Jesus. Amen? No, they are the complete opposite of the love Jesus extends to us.
Now, here are some synonyms. Deliver, rescue, ransom, save, recover, complete, fulfill, retrieve, release.  Some words related to these include: finalize, finish, perfect, execute, follow through with.  It’s getting better, right.
Want more? Reclaim, forgive, pardon, bless, consecrate, purify, sanctify. 
I want you to understand that being redeemed is more than just being delivered. We can be delivered from a jail sentence. Sometimes a person who has been released from jail hasn’t changed in behavior or character.
Atone, compensate, amend, collect, rectify, and propitiate are also words related to redeemed. The word reclaim is to bring back to a former state or condition.
In essence, you have been fully redeemed and fully reclaimed. The only thing holding you back from all of the goodness God offers through Jesus (having and maintaining a sacred relationship/fellowship with him) is you.  Our failure to believe, to trust in the word of God, to pursue the things of God will keep you from seeing the fullness of your redemption. 
1 Peter 1: 23 says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
When you receive Jesus in your heart and in your life, you have been born again. And not of a corruptible seed as our original state was. This time, your spirit cannot be destroyed by a sinful nature.
Listen to me. You can trust God. You can trust that everything in his word is for you today.  As you celebrate Resurrection Sunday, see yourself as fully redeemed, fully reclaimed.  You have been made to be free to obtain all that God offers you.
Happy Resurrection Day
La Donna

Make it Yours
Your words are so vitally important to mainly you, but you can use your words to bless others as well. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” What are you eating these days?
Romans 4:17, the last part of that verse says, “God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”
Your words can change things. Note also Mark 11: 22-24.
This Make it Yours section is to help you build some confessions based on the word of God.
Here are three confessions for you to use to help you begin to change things in your life:

1. I believe I am fully redeemed from the curse of the Law. I am redeemed and reclaimed by God.
2. I choose to live a life that yields blessings to me here on earth and eternally.
3. I believe I am born again of incorruptible seed and I am free to obtain all that God has for me and I will purposefully seek out His divine wisdom.

It's vitally important to note that speaking out these words just once will never be enough. You must daily focus on these while in communion with the Father. 
 

​I surely believe there is more to understand about prayer than we’ll ever be able to write about. I wanted to get this out to you as you continue to develop and strengthen your own prayer life.  This morning, thoughts about how to understand prayer took over my waking hours.
Certainly, Jesus left us a model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. But could there be more? Should we bother spending time learning more about what prayer is and how to effectively use it? You better believe it. The scriptures talk about different kinds of prayers such as prayer for salvation and others for healing, etc. And besides that, prayer is how we communicate to God our thoughts, desires, needs, and love for Him; that and more is all done in the spiritual realm. The passage above is something we should often pray in our natural language.  The bible does talk about speaking in tongues in two separate ways. We’ll see how tongues used in a prayer language is helpful and powerful.
One example we see is in Acts 2. After this group was filled with the promise of the Holy Spirit they began to speak in other languages that other men knew. So this is language(s) that can be learned. Although learned, if you speak in a language that nobody understands, it will take the Holy Spirit to reveal its meaning and this is usually done through another individual. This is a public event that requires interpretation.  If it's a true word from God, it will speak forth the mind, will, and counsel of God and you'll be albe to support this word with scripture because God will not contradict His own word. The other example is described in both, Romans 8:26-27 and coincides with Jude 20. Now, Jude only has one chapter, so just find verse 20.
Let’s start with Romans 8. Verse 26) “Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Now, Jude 20 reads, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” 

​I want to talk to you a moment about this second way. We just read where the bible speaks of the Holy Spirit helping us to pray the perfect will of God. This is what we refer to as our prayer language. This one is not a learned language. It takes the help and power of the Holy Spirit to reveal what is said.  Unlike the other example, this is a private event and does not require interpretation. It’s often asked how would we know what we are praying for then. I was taught that whatever is in your spirit is what the Holy Spirit is helping you to pray about. I’ve had great comfort, peace, and success in knowing and praying like this.
Last thing I want to mention today about these two types of praying in tongues is that the bible does not record an end to this. Nowhere in God’s written word will you see where God said this is not to be done anymore this side of heaven.  We have bigger fish to fry than to mull over whether tongues is real or should be used. I personally will tell you that I pray in my prayer language often and I’m tremendously blessed and so are the people on the receiving end.
You need not worry if tongues are of the devil; he can’t give you what doesn’t belong to him. The word instructs us to ask God for this, not our enemy. Besides, I’m certain you’ll agree that honky-tonks are the devil's playground. There’s too much messing around going on in those places. I grew up in every honky-tonk in south central Texas from the time I was about 4 years old on into my adulthood and not one single time did I hear tongues being used. It doesn’t belong to satan, it is a gift from God. 

​To tackle a far more ferocious enemy through prayer, let’s move on. I want to cover two things with you.
First, EVERYTHING that happens in our lives FIRST happens in the spiritual realm. We see this truth in the creation story in Genesis 1: 1- Genesis 2:5. In this passage we read all about God creating heaven, earth, animals, trees, plants, etc. But, notice in verse 5 it says there was not a man to till the ground. Now, didn’t we just read back in Gen 1:27 that God created man?  This is key! Oh brothers and sisters don’t you see? This all took place in God’s spiritual realm. Up to verse 5 in chapter two, this was His vision and plans that He’s talking about to the Holy Spirit and to Jesus. None of what you just read has actually happened yet. All of this that God had said first took place in the spiritual realm. He decreed it to be so in that realm long before it was manifested (developed and took place) in our natural realm.
This is our formula for prayer. Are you with me?
Sadly, the staggering truth is that our mortal enemy, satan, also lives in that realm.
The word says that satan stands before God day and night as the accuser of the brethren, see Revelations 12:10.
It is here, my friends, that we must learn to work with God through prayer and warfare. When we need change in our circumstances, or to help others, we need to share our vision with God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus. It’s important to pray the answer (God’s word) over situations. Talk it over with them. They hear you!!!
Second, to position yourself for prayer and warfare, you must believe that prayer takes place in the spiritual realm because that’s where God is, that’s where He holds His court, it’s where He holds up His word for us as we stand on its truths, and to make sure our choices and the decisions we make are honored and carried out.
Matthew 18:18-20 says, 18) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

​Don’t let this get to you. We use our natural thoughts and mouth-our lips to communicate with each other here in the natural realm. God is a spirit and so are we. When we need to talk to God, what we say to him comes from our spirit but goes through our mouth.  See Luke 11:22-26 and notice how many times God says we are to speak.
In this spiritual realm, that’s where our throne is, that’s where our crown (authority) resides. This is where prayers take place and are made effective. That’s where we trade in our wilderness mentalities for God’s Kingdom Realities. It’s where we realize that we don’t have to be sick, poor, have bad family relationships and let the enemy run roughshod over us. This is where we declare our victory over any and everything ol’ slewfoot throws our way, amen? AMEN and AMEN!

​No doubt you’ve heard from many about the blessings of God. Are you one of those that struggle’s trying to understand anything about those blessings or how to even get them? If you keep on that trend, you’ll give up on the things of God.  I don’t want you to be one of them.  So, I’ve put together a special package just for you to help you take up your place in Christ, Ephesians 2:6.
God’s Spiritual Blessing Package is spelled out in his word from Genesis all the way through the book of Revelations and includes salvation for you and your family, healing for your body, family well being, and prosperity for your pocketbook. Most people give up right there because they don’t understand the bible. I get that, but that’s why we are here. We want to help you so that you can grow and help others. 
A necessary beginning is to understanding how to get anything from God is you have to believe in the atoning work of Jesus, and this pulls God into your corner.
So, let’s start with salvation. You’ve probably heard of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Are you a whosoever?  Scriptures like this and others can bring you to the knowledge of God’s saving grace. You accepted this as truth in your spirit and you just know that in the end, Jesus will be there to escort you to heaven. Repeat that process for all the promises and blessings that God made available to you.
Once you are born again, spend some time in the word to learn God’s nature. See what it is that he likes and what he calls sin. Learn how to pray and talk to God. Learn how to trust the Holy Spirit inside you to lead you, and comfort you. Learn about the commandments of God.  There are many others that will help you become a stronger person than you ever thought possible.
Why is that important? Psalms 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.  See also Proverbs 8:18-21; Proverbs 9:6; and Proverbs 10:22.
The sweet part of all of this is you don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to enjoy these things.  Proverbs 11:31 says, “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.”  You won’t need healing or prosperity in heaven. You’ll always have everything you need and no sickness lives in heaven. There’s no debt or lack, no such thing as poverty in heaven, praise God.
You have to hear the preached word to believe it. Once you’ve heard the word and you’ve studied it enough or allowed it to stay in your heart long enough for your spirit to grab a hold of it, then you can say you just downloaded that message (blessing or promise) right into your spirit, amen? And that’s what you are looking for-that download.
Let me ask you something. When you go out and buy new software for your computer, you study it to see what if offers and decide if it’s what you need, right? You purchase it and get it home. Is it going to do you any good until you get it uploaded and activated? No, it’s just going to set there or get lost in the shuffle of things. Such are the promises of God.
You can believe all day long in the promises but if you never download them into your spirit and activate them with your faith, it’s like the software you just purchased and left it setting on your desk.  Software that is not installed and activated is dead to you, right?  Faith without works is dead, too, amen.  James 2:26 says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” You can also reference James 2:20.
Many of you are probably thinking, now just how in the world do I activate something that I can’t even touch, this spiritual stuff you are talking about. I’m so glad you asked.
What do you need from God? Make you a list; spend some time thinking about what you would put on this list. And don’t worry about how tall of an order it ends up being. All things are possible with God, Matthew 19:26. Now, this only works when you are believing him for the things he has ordained for your life. You can’t ask God for a mountain of drugs and think this scripture will get you to that mountain. You have to know and believe in what God has for you. As we would say, you have to change your stinking thinking.
Talk to the Holy Spirit about what you need; he’ll guide you to the right scriptures for your particular level of faith and need. You have to have the word of God in this. Your faith cannot operate in the things of God without using his word. When the Holy Spirit reveals that scripture study it, speak it out loud, repeat it over and over, let your eyes read it over and over again. Faith will swell up in your spirit and then you act on whatever it is that comes up in that moment.
For instance. I bought an adorable soft padded little devotional for women. They had one for mother’s, too; I eventually got that one for myself. The Lord told me one day to go and get the one for Mothers and give it to a friend of mine. The one for mother’s had a cover that had this inviting bench set in a garden. It was really nice but it wasn’t near as pretty as the devotional for women. That one was covered in a beautiful rich purple brocade pattern with a stunningly beautiful tea cup and saucer. Gosh how I wish I still had those books. Anyway, I felt like my friend needed something pretty in her life. So, I bought her the book for women. As I was checking out, the Lord spoke to me through the indwelling Holy Spirit and said put it in a pretty gift package, add ribbons – make it special for her. So I did all of that.
When I got to my friends house, she met me outside and I told her, hey God loves you. He sees and collects your every tear; he knows your every heartache and is there for you to call on him. I gave her the package and she just started crying.  She told me she just got her son out of juvenile detention.
I just sunk inside myself.  I asked her for the package back so I could go and exchange it for the devotional for moms. She said no, that just the thought of me coming by with that thoughtful gift and sharing God’s love with her was enough. It blessed her.  I’ll guarantee you there must have been a word from God in the devotional for mom’s; she would have been far more blessed if I would have obeyed God.
The point is that God will work with you to bring blessings into your life and use you to do that for others. You just need to hear from God and be obedient to what he shows you in your spirit. 
Now, about the download package, I obviously cannot produce for you a healing package or a financial package etc. that you can just take home, open it, and consume it like a pill and everything is all better. However, you will do that exact same thing in your spirit.  Download in your spirit the truths in God’s word, act on them just like I had to buy my friend that devotional book and fix it up in a pretty gift bag. 
To help you get started, I do have some things for you, some tangible things you can put your hands on.  Use the insert for more information and to request your Spiritual Blessings Download and we’ll send it out to you right away. 
This set includes:  My Personal Hall of Faith workbook, God’s Plan~My Victory workbook, and four printed sheets of scriptures covering some of the blessings of God for you to use in working with God to make your life better.  As you take into your spirit these truths (that’s the download part) and you act on them (that’s the activation part), God will bring these things to you.
Isaiah 1:19 says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.  It’s important for you to understand the qualifications in this scripture. Who gets to eat the good of the land? Are you willing to make time to be with God in his word and grow? Can you be obedient to what he shows you?
Another truth that will really set you up for blessings is for you to let go of money and trust God to bless you and to take care of you. Reading this you are probably saying, oh I can’t let go of money. Friend, you can’t afford to not let go of money and trust God.
Malachi 3:9 & 10 says, 9) “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse [this is the place that feeds you spiritually], that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. [emphasis mine]
Listen to me, tithing is 10% of your gross income – all of your increase. You want gross blessings so tithe off of your gross increase. This is something I live and I can personally tell you that it works like crazy. I have a shed full of my toys and I don’t have room for more, yet the more I give, the more God blesses me back with things.
He’s no respecter of persons; he’ll do the same for you.
Blessings,
La Donna
 

 There’s a passage in Matthew where Jesus returns to Jerusalem, and this was shortly before he was taken captive in the Garden of Gethsemane.  This passage, Matthew 21: 1-11, talks about how Jesus returned.  In verse two we see where Jesus sent for a donkey and the donkey was brought unto him.
Let me set the stage here.  Most of the Jewish population then was looking for their King, a great King, a King of all Kings.  When you think of a King, you think of one wearing a crown and wearing luxurious robes of purple and red and gold threads running through it.  We think of him sitting on a high throne with a scepter in his hand and surrounded by guards, right? That’s what the Jewish people were expecting. And that’s totally understandable.
Verse four and five alerts us to a prophecy that said “Tell ye the daughter of Sion [church], Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” [emphasis mine]
Now, horsemen know horses. They know a good quality horse when they see one.  You don’t buy cattle without knowing what you are getting into, right?
You would think that these folks would recognize a well-bred donkey, quality stock, if you will. After all, most of them were herdsmen and farmers.  There were no marks on him, he was young. Basically, this was the Cadillac of all donkeys … low mileage you see. He had never been ridden before. Many failed to recognize their king because Jesus didn’t come into town wearing royal robes with a crown on his head and waving a scepter at his royal subjects.
Verse 10 says, “And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?”  Sometimes our answers don’t come to us wrapped up in pretty packages with dangling curls of ribbon and a card attached to it, amen? Amen.
I want you to know today that the same King that came riding into Jerusalem that day is the same King that will ride up into your camp bearing gifts, bringing answers, stirring your faith, solving all your problems, meeting all your needs and more.
Isaiah 61: 3 tells us this same King will comfort all that mourn. He will give unto you beauty for the heaps of ashes in your life. He will give you oil of joy for mourning. He’ll walk right up to you and give you a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that you’ve been walking around in. He will plant you as a tree of righteousness that the LORD may be glorified.
He’ll use you to build up the old waste areas, and raise up the former desolations, repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. He’ll cause strangers to stand and feed your flocks, the sons of people you don’t know to dress your vineyards.
This same king has named us the Priests of the LORD and for our shame he’ll give us double [blessing], for confusion [darkness and despair] we’ll rejoice in our portion.
But this stuff doesn’t happen overnight. In the spiritual realm it has already happened. The sooner you let your spirit believe this, the sooner your answers will come. 
Let me tell you that no matter how dark your world is right now you can rise up victoriously. Realize that this darkness is already around you, it can’t do anything more to you. You have no choice but to open your heart to the only true and living source of light – it’s the King.  It’s the same king that came riding into Jerusalem on that donkey.  While you may be looking for this light you so desperately need to come in one form or another – don’t miss your donkey.
Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." 
You can turn to Jesus today. Visit here to learn more about Jesus and pray to receive him into your heart and life today.
As always, we're here to help you connect with God.
In His Service,
La Donna

I just want you to know that if this describes your life, you can work with God to change everything negative in your life into something far more positive than you can begin to even think or imagine.
John 10:10 says, "The thief [satan-your enemy] cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." [emphasis mine]
This verse clearly shows us who does all the destroying and who does all the blessing. Our enemy, satan, is active and present every day in all our lives.  He's among us because the worldly system was given back to him when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. The worldly system is defined as beg, borrow, and steal, extra-marital relationships, hate, bitterness, murder, sleeping with your neighbor's wife, spiritual and physical death, disease, lack, and poverty of all kinds, and this list goes on and on. 
I hope you don't seriously think that God would leave us in such defeated conditions. Yet, many people live and believe that is exactly what happened. Listen to me when I tell you that God is a good God, he's only good - never bad, and he's good ALL THE TIME because that is exactly what God is. You can trust his word when it says He is Love.
Let's see how God remedied these things in the following three scriptures.
Matthew 12:40 says, "For as Jonas (this is Jonah from the story of Jonah and the whale) was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Why do you suppose he was there?
Matthew 16:19, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:...
​Revelation 1:18, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 
Do you see now why he was in the heart of the earth? Jesus had to die like this so that sinless blood could take away from us the keys of death and hell in exchange for the keys of life-the keys of his kingdom.
Right now, maybe you are saying that's great but how do I use this information.  The answer to this is a really strong one. If you are not born again, there is absolutely nothing you can do about this. You have no power over this kind of darkness, this kind of evil. None of us do. None of us have the power to overcome anything negative in and of ourselves. Our only hope is found in believing in Jesus and all that he went through. Everything Jesus went through, from the being captured in Gethsemane, through the trial -being traded out for a murderer named Barabas, through the whipping post, through the crucifixion, even right on through those three days he spent in hell taking back the keys of life, having risen again after three days, and all the way back to his throne in glory, he did for you and me so that we could overcome, being more than conquerors. 
So, what do you do with this information? You simply believe in what the word tells you about this and ask Jesus into your heart so that you can begin to trade in those wilderness mentalities for God's Kingdom Realities such as I am the head, and not the tail, I am above and not beneath, I am more than a conqueror, I'm not poor anymore, I'm alive-I'm alive-I'm alive in Jesus, AMEN!!!
You work with God by simply believing that he has a plan taylor-made just for you and you open your spirit [like unbuttoning your jacket and pulling it wide open] to him to usher in that glorious plan he has for you. Begin to change your confession from doubt to victory, get in his word and get to know the nature of God, learn to see things his way by taking on the fruit of the spirit. Just don't stop. For more blessings reference Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7, read the whole book of Romans, then Hebrews chapter 11. 
You spend enough time in the word of God you'll soon recognize a power and authority that is being built up in you that will boldly defy the odds and cause your life to be described as 2 Corinthians 2:14 which says, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." This authority will flow out of your mouth like John 7:38 explains: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
Take your authority, Jesus freely and willingly gives this to you, so that you can reign with him (see Ephesians 2:6) to effect his covenant of blessing - not curses- in your life. 
As a last note, trust me, it is well worth the effort you put into this.  In other words, the degree to which you put into God, is the minimum degree to which God will return things back to you. You must remember that everything we give to God, he presses it down, shakes it together, and returns it to us overflowing.
Let's close by going back to John 10:10. That word abundantly means to the full, until it overflows. 
If you have never received Jesus in your heart, please visit our prayer page where you can learn more about Jesus and ask him into your heart so that you can begin to live a better life in Him. 
Please leave me a comment if this helped you at all. We've all been in those rotten places in life - no condemnation here. We're here to help you get up out of darkness and walk in God's light.
Blessings be unto you,
La Donna

If you are a mom reading this, I sincerely hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.
This year, I decided to host a semi-virtual Mother's Day Brunch and Tea. Our menu was a Mediterranean style salad, with bread and butter, and sparkling grape juice for drinks followed by a moment of tea served with angel food cake and vanilla ice cream. 
Although it was nothing fancy, it was still a lovely day. Here are a few of my pics to commemorate the day.

I love flowers. They are one of God's best gifts to us to show us how real He is and that he promotes beauty and peace. If you want to see God, look at flowers, birds, and bees.  Amen.
I've invited those who participated in this semi-virtual celebration to share with us their pics of their Mother's Day celebration. These are below. Enjoy. 

One need only look around and see the chaos of our modern times. These days are marked by governments the world over ignoring the only true and living God. 
We see and hear other religions out there that think it's okay to go around and blow things up, to take away a beautiful life from a beautiful child (I'm of the opinion that every child is beautiful) and make them grow up to hate and to kill, and they have no regard for the women that bring them children.
Can you imagine living under a government that says it's okay to rape women and our daughters? Can you imagine them stealing your sons from you and turn them into murderers? And they call us horrors, prostitutes because we do not worship their god or honor their ways. Their way is to bully themselves into the lives of others demanding folks worship their God. Am I the only one, or does anybody out there see how evil this really is? Do you see any true love or real peace about thinking and living this way? I certainly don't. I would never want to worship some god that has absolutely no regard for human, plant, and animal life.
What's worse is our government here in the United States has allowed some other religions to come in and make their laws applicable - here on our God given soil. In that single act alone, this government has wiped out all the blood that was shed for this country to honor the only real God, they have forgotten what peace and liberty is all about. They have decided that honoring God is no longer a necessary thing to live a good life.
I'm here to declare to you today that there is only one God of real, true, peace and love and this God is the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. Our God is one of peace, mercy, and love everlasting.  
In John 14:6 we read, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
The path that God would have us on focuses on the things we read from Isaiah 26:3 and from Philippians 4:8.
Isaiah 26: 3 reads, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Philippians 4:8 reads, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
​Your choices to not honor God are recorded daily so that God can make sure you get what you wanted regarding both your life here on earth and throughout all eternity. What choice are you making today? I choose to love, honor, and worship this God of Abraham - He is My God. My savior Jesus is the ONLY WAY, TRUTH, AND LIFE for me and my family.
To learn more about this God I serve, read my article on Getting to Know Jesus here. 
If you pray and ask God to forgive you of all sin and disobedience, and ask Jesus to come into your life, and to be filled with God's precious and Holy Spirit, please let us know. 
We want to help you get off to a good start in your new life (walk) of faith in this awesome God. He loves you and so do we! 
Listen, we all have trials and tribulations. But it's how you deal with those situations that makes you victorious. Jesus said he has overcome the wickedness of this world and that means that through Him [because we believe in Him, he gives us the strength to overcome], we can choose to not walk in the way of wickedness, evil, bitterness, hatred, and unforgiveness. There is power in the blood of Jesus to help you have a choice to not participate in the evil things of this world. This power in the blood of Jesus brings you the God given ability to not sin against God, to not speak and do hurtful things to others, to live a life that is successful with no sorrow added. This power in the blood of Jesus has caused those of us that believe to overcome death, hell, and the grave. This power in the blood of Jesus has caused those of us who believe to be translated out of the kingdom of darkness [satan's domain-being ruled and governed by it] into God's marvelous light [strength, understanding, wisdom, peace, love and joy in the Holy Ghost and so much more].
​This God is the real God. This God is not weak, because no other god out there sent his son to die on a cross for the sins of his people. 
Choose God today.
In His Service,
​La Donna    

Just as we should eat balanced meals for our bodies, I want to talk to you about your spiritual meals. For this, we’ll look at Ephesians chapter 4. It can never be said enough how important and necessary it is to feed your spirit a well balanced diet. Your spiritual life will suffer worse than your natural body when it is not fed a proper diet and daily so.
We feed our bodies nutrition from fruits, berries, sources of meat, dairy, and carbs. We feed our spirits on the word of God. And that last years keto meal isn’t going to feed you today. Likewise, you need to study the word of God on a daily basis for fresh food. So, when we take in the word of God, we grow from correction, we grow from confirmation, lots of love, and revelation of Gods great plans for our lives. We reach for the place that God desires us to be in our walk with Him. But, none of this happens without proper spiritual dinners on a daily basis, amen.
Ok, if you haven’t yet, open your bibles to Ephesians chapter 4: 11. Here we read,
11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fullness of Christ:
14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.
That word stature has to do with how tall your spirit grows.  We have a natural stature, we also have a spiritual stature. 
Verse 11 lists the gifts that Jesus gave the church. We know them as the five-fold ministry. Your spiritual diet should regularly consist of messages from those that operate in that gift. 
A good church is one whose pastor will feed his flock a regular diet from the 5-fold ministry. If your church does not bring in these ministers to feed you, then you need to make every effort to avail yourself to Christian conferences that can bring more to your table. We’re not going to purposefully starve ourselves in the natural but many people the world over will starve themselves spiritually. Don’t starve yourself. Learn to love the Lord, learn to love His word and learn to love spending quiet time with Him. 
In verse 12 we read why Jesus gave us these gifts. It’s for the perfecting of who? The saint’s of God—YOU! We all need to be equipped to do the things God has called us to do. It doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time—start today. We know that God wants us free, healed, delivered, restored to our rightful place and so much more. It’s the responsibility of the 5-fold ministers to get you there.
What the church should be focused on is setting the captives free, causing the lame to walk again, the blind eyes to see again. The church should be focused on it’s connections with God for His blessings to flow in your life.  It should be teaching its members about how God can minister healing to you, spirit, soul, and body.
It’s not about what religion you are. Those religious tags need to fall off right now anyway because that was never God’s design for his church. You can study that by reading the first chapter of 1st Corinthians.  Paul talks about how he is glad he didn’t baptize those who lay claim to those religious tags. Many will say, well I’m Baptist, I’m  Presbyterian, etc.
A good church will teach you who you are in Christ.  It will teach you about your authority in the Lord and how to use it.  It will teach you how to behave in a Godly way in all situations; you’ll respond the same no matter what is going on around you.  A good church will teach you just exactly what the word of God says and nothing more, nothing less.  A good church will teach you the word of faith which is what we preach, what faith is and how to use it to stop the enemy from destroying everything and everyone in your life.
These things come to you by those in the 5-fold ministry, and that includes your pastor.  Find a good church, listen to the things they bring to your table. Is it giving you knowledge to grow, is it giving you strength to endure, does it teach you how to wear that God given crown of yours and keep it on?
In The Net magazine, and throughout all of JHM / TMC we endeavor to bring you such a ministry that can help feed your spirit so that you can become the full stature that God ordained for you to be. To get that well balanced spiritual meal, read a chapter in the bible every day, take notes if something reaches out to you. Pay attention to those times. Use our magazine for good bible study material to help you grow. Get in touch with us if you need more study material or have questions. Stop by to visit the Mary and Betty Amerson Word Study Center, spend some time here on my blog,  Mornings with La Donna, and do yourself a real favor, make sure you stop by and visit Doc on his new blog. I know what I know today because if this man and his wife Beverly’s ministry as well as Mary and Betty’s ministry. 
For outdoor enthusiasts, visit Jason’s blogs. God has given him several ways to relate positions of sports teams to our walk of faith.
God needs you so you should spend plenty of time preparing to be used by our wonderful God. And this is not something to be taken lightly.
Dare to believe that God has so much for you, wonderful plans to bring you an expected end where His goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life. He desires to lead you beside still waters, not roaring rapids. He desires to lead you to greener pastures which speaks of a land of plenty, a land that will have you drinking from your saucer because your cup has overflowed, amen? Amen!
Until next time,
La Donna 

We talk a lot about declaring the word of God over every situation.
For some, you may still be wondering what that looks like, how do you declare the word. 
To give you an example I've chosen the 23rd Psalms.
​Basically just take your favorite scripture or passage and pray it in first person.




Praying the 23rd Psalm
Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus.
I thank you Jesus that you are my (our or name your children and family) shepherd; I (we) shall not want.
Thank you that you make me (us) to lie down in green pastures, and that you lead me (us) beside the still waters.
And I thank you Lord that you restore my (our) soul(s) and lead me (us) in the paths of your righteousness for your name’s sake.
Though I (we) walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I (we) will fear no evil for you are with me (us). Your rod (ordinances) and your staff (laws) comfort and protect me (us).
You prepare a table before me (us) in the presence of my (our) enemies and you anoint my (our) head with oil, my (our) cup runs over.
I thank you that surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me (us) all the days of my (our) life (lives). And I (we) will dwell in the house of my (our) Lord forever.
In Jesus’ name I (we) pray, Amen.
Alternately, you might pray something like this:
Father according to the 23rd Psalms, I declare you are my shepherd, I shall not want.
I declare the green pastures belong to me and my family, that our cup runs over, and I declare that your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. I choose Father to live in the house of my God, my Lord and Savior forever. In Jesus' name, amen.
Apply this technique to any of the scriptures and you are on your way to victory. But don't just spout off at the mouth, you must believe what comes out of your mouth for this to work. Turn inward to the Holy Spirit, recognize what you believe about the word of God in your spirit.
We'll do this again with the 91st Psalm and Isaiah 54:17 in the weeks ahead.
Blessings until next time.

La Donna,

I could ask you how you are doing.  Your answer may well depend on what you are doing. 
So, I ask, What are you doing?  No, seriously, what are you doing?
2 Corinthians 6: 14 - 18 says:
14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
To walk as children of light means we are to not touch the unclean things in this world.  We have no business dealing with the affairs of darkness as to make them a part of our lives or take them into our hearts (our spirits) as truth.
To seek for wisdom outside of the counsel of God violates the first of the ten commandments: Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me. That is why uoiji boards, tarot cards, gazing balls, soothsaying, and the like are wrong to use. Don't say "well, it's all in good fun". To you it may be, but not to your mortal enemy and not to the only God who loves you and desires for you to rise above the limits of this world and be with Him now and throughout eternity. Moreover, this God desires for you to effectively bring heaven down here on earth and to establish His blessing in your life and for all the others God would bring across your path (your kingdom).
To dabble in things of darkness gives satan entrance into our life.  Jesus went to the cross to give us the power to not partake in things of darkness.  So, for us to dabble in them is slapping our Savior, Jesus, in the face, it is counting his substitutionary work on the cross for us as nought (for nothing). Our dealing in darkness renders the cross null and void in our lives.  Dabbling in the things of darkness dulls our ability to hear from a sinless and loving God that only has your good in mind.  He has a wonderful plan for you. But you must learn to walk with Him, in spirit and in truth.  In spirit, because God is a spirit and we need to let our hearts (our spirit) connect in fellowship with God. In truth, because we are to believe in the truths in God's word so that when we are faced with a decision, the truth is what we go with. In other words, God's word should be like our constitution, that something that governs the affairs of our lives.
If we are children of God, then we should walk in the light of His love and counsel.
Have a safe and blessed week.
In His Service,
La Donna

I ask myself this and I relate to being German more than I do being Irish. My dad's parents were both German. Both of my mom's parents were Irish. But for whatever reason, I think more of myself as being German. 
But, I want to rise above my natural self and reach into what God has made me to be. In other words, I want to identify with the things of God, not this old rotten here and now. I definitely don't want to be associated with Hitler's dark world. So, if you want to rise above too and reach into the things of God for your life and family, then lets take a little personal inventory together. We'll talk about several areas of identification. In each of these areas, this list could go on and on.  How often do you say this about yourself, or your life. 
FINANCES:

• I'm so poor I can't even pay attention
• I don't even have two pennies to rub together
• If it ain't one thing, it's another.

FAMILY:

• Too much family drama; family disowning one another
• Divorce, separation, spouse domination; fighting all the time
• Lack of self restraint, character, composure marked by a huge debt of love and forgiveness

WORK:

• Can't hold a job / you don't get the promotions
• Lot's of back stabbing / under paid and over worked
• Boss is a real jerk

COMMUNITY INFLUENCE:

• The police is always looking over my shoulder
• My community can't count on me to be punctual, positive, or respectful
• I'm the person your mamma warned you about.

Are these the things you identify with? Maybe you're not quite that bad. Maybe you're one of those that the community would think of you as a teacher's pet, or the dorky - nerdy kind of person.  Or maybe you are the one the community looks at and says, well they are rich, live in a big house, they must be smart and intelligent.  They have their lives all together.  Little Joey is going off to college and  little Nelly is getting married.  But, most of the time, if you look under all that cover, you'll find misery to no end.
But listen. You can have all of that stuff but if you are not in Jesus, your life will be marked with all of those negative things above. So many live with the depression and oppression from living a life like that, and they've done it for so long they don't even know that they should not be living that way.
I'm here to tell you that there is more out there. I know because I live it.  Better yet, IT lives on the inside of me.  It is the kingdom of God. I am still on this earth and I do not live in the rotten here and now. I have learned to bring the will of God from heaven down here into my life. I live a much better life than ever before. You can do the same thing, too. And no I haven't brought it all down but I will spend the rest of my life learning how to live in the fullness of God.  A little every day goes a long way.
God's kingdom is the absolute opposite of what you see above.  This kingdom has never-ending blessings and provisions for you.  This kingdom will never be shaken or destroyed because it can't be touched in the natural by the hand of man. So, now, let's look at the flip side of this thing. Here's a list of things you want to identify with:
Proverbs 10: 22: "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
Do you see all the sorrow from poor relationships, lack-living in poverty, in the notes above compared to the kingdom of God?
1 John 4:4: "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." Read on through verse nine.
Identify with the agape love in 1  Corinthians 13: 1 -8.  Identify with the realm of faith in Galatians 5:6 which reads, "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."
Learn to identify with the truth in Matthew 6:33: "But see ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Identify with Deuteronomy 28: 1-14.  Identify with the Lordship of Jesus and watch him take care of your life.  You can read my two part series on the Lordship of Jesus and Lordship of Jesus 2.
Identify with that throne and crown that God has prepared for you now, in this life, in Ephesians 2: 6: "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
I apologize that this is a long post but I want you to see what this kingdom offers you. Identify with the 23rd Psalm that surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life. Identify with the 91st Psalm, Isaiah 54:17, Isaiah 53: 1-5 and 1st Peter 2: 24.  You look those up. Get a notebook and pen. Highlight the ones that jump off the page to you and don't stop. (yes you can make notes in your bible and highlight scriptures-God won't care because it doesn't weaken, change or alter his message in any way, it doesn't water down what He offers you)
Listen, get in THE WORD, get THE WORD IN YOU, and watch the blessed life chase you down and run you over, amen. (Duet 28:2). Identify and stay connected to the things of God in my article The Vine-Branch Principle. 
All these things shall be added unto you when you identify with the truth that Jesus took your place on Golgotha's hill, on the cross He shed pure, and sinless blood so that you and I could have here and now what He has in heaven. If you've ever read any of our magazines, The Net, you would have read about Dr. H.R. Sharp, Jr. He was my first pastor and I remember that he once taught us that Jesus came to earth to identify with man, take on all that man had become and all that man has so that we could identify with His blessings, his glory and all that it is. Jesus took on our sickness, our diseases, our lack and poverty, he took on our defeated mentality and gave us His divine health, gave us the blessing to reverse the curse of poverty, He gave us His indomitable spirit of love, power (dunamis-dynamic power of God), and a sound mind. That part there about the sound mind could be read as a well-ordered mind.  Identify with Jesus, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the King of Israel, the King of all the earth, amen? Amen!!! 
Now, take a moment to go to the Word Study Center and read my new article Such is the Kingdom 2.  Don't throw away your notes. I've poured out a ton of truths to you today. Take a few of the scriptures and pour over them every day.  In fact, every week when I post a new blog, take the scriptures and go over them daily for that week. Then come back here for more. 
I'll see you next Monday. Have a safe, blessed, and very happy Valentines Day.
La Donna

Imagine this, right after we are born again (we've chosen to believe in Jesus and we've accepted Him in  our heart) a scene opens up with us right in the middle of a fight. Now, this fight has been going on since Adam and Even ate fruit from a tree that God told them not to eat from in the garden of Eden. 
This fight is on, and we start thinking we don’t have time to read through a handbook or manual; we start living life our way, fighting this fight our way. ​
As children of God we become like spiritual jet fighters.  We’ve been thrown into this cockpit, surrounded by switches, buttons, gauges, levers, and we’re loaded with weapons many of us don’t know about let alone how to use them.  And we’re  promised great rewards if we can figure it out.  Oh and don’t forget the “how to manual” aka - the holy bible.  Every air craft has that one manual for operation, mechanics, and survival, right.  If it don't, you don't want to be on that flight, right, lol.
Over the loud speakers a voice reminds us that this is not a drill, we are not in a flight simulator.  This is God getting our attention. We can hear Him telling us, “Hey, the sun is going down on this thing; you can’t fly by sight, you’ll need to learn how to fly by faith to win this thing, to get my rewards ie to prosper in every area of  your life, to have that certain kind of peace only I (God) can give; it's the kind of peace that brings in a rest and your mind and your spirit doesn't have to work overtime to figure out how to get things done like getting your business or your ministry off the ground and running, restoring your marriages, restoring your broken family relationships, etc.” 
2 Corinthians 5: 7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 
Listen, hard times happen. You can't let them bring you down. During hard times, what is happening is our faith is being tried.  It is looking for the word of God in your spirit as its foundation on which to stand. If you are facing a healing hardship, you need to feed your spirit on healing scriptures and not on how to prosper financially.  Save that for another time.
Can you wait for trials and tribulations to hit you before you start hearing the word? Not unless you like being thrown in a cockpit and don’t know what to do with what’s been given to you.  I like a good challenge but not like that. 
No, today is the day, don’t harden your hearts when things get tough. Take the word of God today and every day and don’t ever stop; you'll soon be flying by faith. Amen. The best part is there are no negative side effects, you can take it all day – every day and you don’t need a doctor to prescribe it. 
But, now watch this.  Hebrew 4: 1 – 7 NLT (New Living Translation) gives us a good picture of those who don't use faith, it's a good warning.

1. God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.
2. For this good news – that God has prepared this rest – has been announced to us just as it was to them.  But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.
3. For only we who believe can enter his rest.  As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: They will never enter my place of rest.” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.
4. We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”
5. But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”
6. So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.
7. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” 

We are not fighting flesh and blood here; we are fighting an enemy you can’t see with natural eyes. We are fighting “the good fight of faith” and the enemy is doing everything in his power to stop you.
Hebrews 11: 6 says that we can’t please God without faith.  So how do we get this faith, to please God and overcome our trials? How do we get that faith that reveals our victory?
Romans 10: 17 says,  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (KJV)
Whatever you need in life, you have to find it in the word, find a scripture that supports why you have a right to it. Study it, think about it often, talk to God about it. It will eventually explode in your spirit, it will become something that is alive inside of you - that's your faith to fight for what you need. Now all of a sudden you know a little something about pulling that lever, and pushing that button. You are flying by faith now.  Keep going, you will win this fight, you can have what you need if it's in the word of God.
I was a bit difficult to put this one together to where it makes sense. I hope you enjoyed this post and most of all that it helps you to not be afraid of your cockpit. Go ahead, climb on up in there. With God as your pilot, your next destination: VICTORY! AMEN!
See you next week,
​La Donna
​

Have you ever wondered what the scripture means in Genesis chapter one verses 26 - 28 when God is talking about making us in His image?  For me, this is one of those passages that sets my mind on "tilt".  So, get your bible out and read this with me.  I believe it will help you understand just what God has invested in YOU.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen 1:26-28 (KJV).
There is so much information to absorb from these verses but what captures my interest the most is how God chooses to make us in His image.  What does that image look like?  How would it function?  Why would He choose to do this in us?  There are probably countless other questions about this. 
In brief, His power to change, His grace to overcome, all that God IS resides inside of every born again believer. In other words, God is living on the inside of you being God, living out His "Godness" through our spirit, soul, and body. 
Like the picture above, we all have the capacity to be the same even though we have different colors.  We still have the ability to be that cookie ie that child of God in His image.  Incidentally, we hinder God being God inside of us when we make choices contrary to His Godness through the soulish realm of our mind, will, and emotions.  I hope this inspires you to move through life more slowly, giving yourself time to recognize God inside of you tackling your everyday challenges.  Learning to yield our ways to God's ways takes some time so start today.
When you wake up in the morning, sit on the side of your bed long enough to recognize God inside of you.  Give Him the room to live His life, His thoughts, His ways, His power, in your life so you can experience His kind of life, His high thoughts, His high ways, and his overwhelming kind of victory in your everyday life.  Gosh that was a mouthful.  This is why I said earlier that this sets my mind on "tilt, ding, ding, bonkers, flash, and more tilt". 
When I think of God, I never think of Him as being challenged on any level, not mentally, physically, or emotionally.  I never think of God as wringing His hands wondering what to do about adverse situations.  I never catch God struggling to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.  I never catch God short of words or coming short of an answer to anything at anytime.  I never witness God having a bad hair day, right. 
So, in closing, our being made in His image means that He created in us the capacity to live a God kind of life [His kind of life] in this earth.  We can think His thoughts, we can be in a position of authority as in a King, we can choose which plan we are to work, His plan or our plan.  Personally, I choose His.  I tried the ways of this world -defined as beg, borrow, steal, and stomp on anybody who gets in the way- and it brought only sorrow and defeat at every corner.  Thinking God's thoughts, accepting our rightful place in Him - Eph. 2: 6, working His plan puts us in position to experience His kind of victory.  And how many of us are in such a position that we'd have to say, Ok God, you've got to stop with all this victory, I have too much?
I want you to understand something. See, we were born with a nature to sin, to be rebellious.  It is the Grace of God that allowed him to keep loving us enough to send Jesus to the cross for us to remove that sinful nature just by believing Jesus would do something like that for us.  It's all because of this Grace, that we are saved, it is a free gift.  And it is all because of this Grace that God would allow us to have any
-A N Y- rewards in heaven.  He's even got a huge celebration planned for us called the marriage supper of the lamb.
Our reward for allowing God to be in us through Jesus is an invitation to the grandest ball ever - the marriage supper of the Lamb, Rev 19: 17-19.    All the "who's who" will be there.  And I am not talking about Hollywood's a-listers either.  I'm talking about YOU and ME and anybody who allows their heart to believe in Jesus as savior and Lord.  We, collectively called the Bride of Christ, will be the "Belle of the Ball", we are the object of His divine affection, and we are the recipients of His everlasting love.

See yourself victorious today.
In His Service,
​La Donna