I"m writing to you who get bummed out a lot. I often talk about fasting..I will be honest with you..I fast mainly for one reason..to survive the offenses of the world. Eleven years ago I had a rough family move beside me.It"s been an ongoing trial .It"s been so bad I only go into my backyards early.Our school is going through discipline so the county officials have doubled the work load. My wife has health issues which is depressing because the heavensseemas brass..Saturday , while garage saleing my wife {Who reads a lot of Voice of the Martyr material} made her conclusion that the Christian walk is mainly an uphill battle with tiny sprinkles of mercies here and there..and I agreed. My list could go on and so could yours I"m sure..
Then , from deep inside I was reminded of Romans 12:21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Without my wife knowing it ..I began "Studying how to answer" my wife..with a positive statement intead of giving in to the negative talk..I remembered how the spies answered which Moses had sent to spy out the land.
Numbers 13:30And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. Note the positive "We are well able to overcome it."
31But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. These spies and all that believed {1000sof Isrealites} believed the negative talk and were not allowed to enter in to the promise land because although they had previously witnessed the delivering power of God..they did not believe it..
I realized real fast that our general nature {At least mine } is to give in and agree with the negative talk"instead..as James writes..we are to be "Slow to speak, slow to anger and quick to hear." James 1:19 ..To me it"s better than fasting because it takes a full time alertness. You are actually taking every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Today instead of putting up walls of numbness and a smile to get through ..I exercised faith and overcame the offences with good.I actually visualize the word good on people mentally when I deal with situations" instead of gloom and despair..Paul tells us that "Whatsoever is worthy of praise .think on these things." Jesus said "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"
One more verse..This verse here never really made sense to me in the past.. john16: 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ..I"ve always thought how does that help me.."Be of good cheer I have overcome the world?? Well"my friends {-: we can be of good cheer because the Jesus that lives in our hearts has overcome.the world"s tribulations .He is an overcomer..and because He is in you that makes you an overcomer too.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"
So now"I"m learning to not give in so quick to negative talk"stop and think .be slow ot speak...God will direct to overcome with good ,since it is His will.anyway. .Ever since I"ve received this truth joy and peace have come and stayed..I"ve shared Christ with the principal today and a few others..It"s easy..and the joy I have I want to pass on..No my friend..We don"t have to be defeated..Christ Jesus came" that we might have life and have it more abundantly..Even Jesus said in John 12:49 He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
James 3 tells us that the mature { perfect man} is one who has control of his tongue." And also warns us ""And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself"
From here out I try to let God help me to answer and help me to see good in every situation .
Phil.4:8-9 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me"everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
PS normally at the end of each day..I"m worn out mentally , physically and spiritually..but my friend..His peace and joy are still just as wonderful as it was this morning . I hope this lesson has blessed you as much as it has me.
God bless,
Chuck7
Very nice post Chuck, I came on to get a break from the devotion I have been working on for a retreat for the older ladies that is coming up, and was pleasantly surprised to see your post. This may sound odd but I wrote this verse down even though it wasn't going in my devotion, at the time I didn't know why but God did.
Philippians 4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I will say rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.
There was one other but my notes are really messy right now so I will post that one tomorrow.
Nice post Chuck, I am glad the Lord is bringing peace into your soul. It is amazing how good you can feel when you can get your life in tune with Our Lords desires for us.
Thanks for sharing that Chuck, it is definitely a post to re-read and reflect upon.
Thanks folks..
I honestly feel 10 years younger..I'm tired of building defenses everyday..it'stime to live..
Here's a few blessing from just today..my trucks been idoling rough..you know how mechanics are[]
Anyway..I dropped it off to the fairest one I know..I called to get my bill.
one fuel filter replaced , idle adjust..engine light diagnosed..50.00I said thanks man..He smiled and said"I got your back." I noticed John 4 of my CD was playing when I started my engine..right where i left it..
The principal who freaked on me Friday sat down beside me..My joy was so full I just said Mr. C I go to share what GOD is doing in my life..He was very happy to hear it.
My classroom was great and I really feel renewed.
I appreciate the nice replies.
C7
PS ..it's funny ..when you slip up ..it's easy to discern..your peace goes and you get a check in your spirit..a check that whispers.."Go on over there and apologize. ..and let's live."
You know Rev..
Today after dinner I looked at my wife's rash..she gets them when she is stressed. I've thought about all the various teachings on healing adn I said ,"Lord please show me in the scripture your way to heal." The Lord knows I've spoke to the rash in Jesus name, I've fasted, annointed with oil, confessed and thanked Him..all the things I know to do." And as I wrote the post today my eyes caught something in a verse.
Let's look.. The tongue is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself,
yep..a light come on for me too..Just as simple as Michael preached about the thief is the message of healing..It's not some magic prayer or formula..It's written in Matt. 6 Let's look.33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
AND ALL THESE THINGS ..healings included..when we honestly seek God's righteousness in all we do.He'll take care of the rest..I 've got a peace about that..Remember Abraham staggered not in unbeleive of the promises of God..so we in our lives should not be staggering but consistently yielding our tongue to His will, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
Overcoming Evil with Good
5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 
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"
No problem, gotta give credit where credit is due.
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