2 RED WINE AUGUST 2016
Editors
Voice
Did You Know You Are a Gift? The Holy Spirit is the greatest strategist there ever will be because He helps us to begin to understand the spiritual things by showing us the natural things. He did that in the Bible and continues it even now in our lifetime. I say that because the world understands that when we come into the world, there is a season in our life for everything. There is a season to be a baby, an adolescent and an adult. And at a certain point, we begin to work and then seek out a career. Something we are good at and hopefully makes us happy to do. Unfortunately many people find jobs that they are unhappy at and so they live their life feeling off center and not really happy about where they are. But working in a career usually happens for 25 to 35 years for the average person. So we spend that time using our strengths, abilities and talents to work for others and serve others. In that way we become a gift to people. Your gifts will make room for you and bring you before great men (Proverbs 18:16). The Book of Daniel depicts that eloquently as his gift to interpret dreams and visions saved a people. This season I want you to come to understand that just as you are a gift in the natural world working in a career and will someday retire, it is the same in the spirit realm. There are things God has for you to do by using your gifts, abilities and talents. Don’t miss that. Know that you are a gift too! In fact, you are more valuable than any box you can by in Macy’s, Niemen’s or Nordstrom. Or anything on Amazon. You were created in love and have things that cannot be bought. Give those things to your friends, family and the world. Let the Holy Spirit excavate and show you how to use them so you can triumph in your life. God bless you. Happy Holidays to you and your family from Diana Hardy and Red Wine Magazine.
CONTENTS AUGUST 2016
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8
8 The Houseguest Called Hope 12 Working With A Girl Named Patience 16 Are You Addicted to Fear 21 The Great Physician 26 Crushing Confusion 30 Super Friends 34 Marriage: What a World
RED WINE
4 The Gift
22
EXECUTIVE OFFICE RED WINE MAGAZINE INCORPORATED
22
my brother’s
Keeper We need to be equipped to minister and preach the
good news
17503 LA CANTERA PARKWAY, SUITE 104-193 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78257
EDITOR -IN CHIEF DR. DIANA HARDY
WRITERS DR. DIANA HARDY ERICA JOHNSON
GRAPHIC DESIGN KAREN HUE GUSTAVO
WESITE DESIGN GAGAN MASOUN
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Christmas is a celebration of the gift God gave us. Unto us (everyone in the whole world)
A Savior was born
(Luke 2:11)!
gift
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t
he
Erica Johnson
The holidays are quickly approaching and many people have mixed feelings about this time of year. Some just absolutely love it and others see it as busy and hectic. And many people find it to be the most difficult time of the year. Suicide and depression goes up during the holidays. This is understandable as the holidays make you keenly aware of failed relationships that ended this year and loved ones you’ve lost recently. Many people are facing financial issues so they dread the holidays as they cannot give and share the way they would like. Work slows down for many so they are less occupied and can think about what makes them unhappy. The things that make the holidays great for most, make them depressing for those who do not have those things like family, friends and a little spending money. How can a time so full of joy be equally depressing? Well,
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it is all about perspective. We spend so much time and money giving gifts that we miss the fact that Christmas is a celebration of the gift God gave us. Unto us (everyone in the whole world) a Savior was born (Luke 2:11)! Christmas shows the love that God has for us, that it is so great and perfect that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, through a woman called Mary, to be born so that as Jesus makes intercession for us before God the Father, He is telling God from the experience of being in the flesh what we are going through. Jesus was touched by our infirmities. I know we tell people we know how they feel all the time but Jesus really does know how you feel. He took off His glory and put on flesh so He could understand what you experience every day. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.� (Hebrews 4:15). That was the gift that was given to us when Christ was born and that is what we should celebrate. So this holiday season focus on what you were given by God and how you will use that gift to bless the world around you. Be thankful for the people in your life by giving them your presence instead of just presents.
For those of you struggling with depression and hopelessness,
Christmas marks the birth of your hope (1 Timothy 1:1). You just need to grab a hold of it and live. You were not given a spirit of fear, which breeds anxiety, depression and hopelessness; you were given love, power and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Stop right now and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. I speak from experience as someone who suffered from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Jesus set me free. I know you have tried medications and therapy and many other things, so please just give Jesus a try. When He sets you free, you will be free (John 8:36). Have a blessed and meaningful holiday season everyone!
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The Houseguest Called
Hope Erica Johnson
Hope has a way of leaving in silence. It slowly, quietly packs up and departs without any big announcement. One day you wake up, life in disarray, and realized that you lost hope along the way. You try to think back to the exact moment but you can’t identify it. You just know that things aren’t good right now but you somehow can’t muster up the energy to try to fix it. How many of you out there can identify with that feeling? It’s not that you are keenly depressed, you go to work, socialize and even have fun but if you are pressed to think too deeply, you’d have to admit you have given up on certain dreams. You have accepted the status quo for your life. The idea of hope has become so cliché in our society. We callously say things are “hopeless” when in reality they are just a little more difficult than we would like. The concept of hope has become scientific, filling medical journals for decades trying to gain an understanding of what hope is and where it comes from.
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But hope is not trivial at all. Hope is essential to our existence. I say that because if hope were not important, God wouldn’t have made sure we can get a hold of it. Paul tells us the Bible was given to us to help us gain hope.
“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the
Scriptures give us hope and
You have something to hope for, no matter how difficult life is right now. Whatever you are facing, there is hope in Jesus Christ. Take back your hope today. Speak to the struggles in your life and tell them that you have hope things will change for the better. And if that’s too hard right now, then tell God to give you hope. Hold Him to His Word and tell Him you want those plans He has to bless you and give you a hope. Tell Him you are ready to grab hold of His plan for your life.
encouragement
So you see, it only feels like hope is gone. In God, hope is never lost, just temporarily misplaced.
God’s promises
Hope doesn’t leave you
as we wait patiently for
to be fulfilled.”
because hope is connected to wisdom (Proverbs 24:14).
That’s why if you find yourself struggling with having or maintaining your hope, you have to turn to God for assistance. Hope comes from Him.
So don’t be fooled. Your hope is still around as long as you allow the presence of God in your life. Hope hangs out where the Spirit of the Lord is and you want hope as your houseguest. We all need hope in this uncertain world. Isn’t it good to know that hope is always within your reach?
(Romans 15:4).
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11). It is easy to miss this but hope is a weapon against that enemy satan, who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). When all else has failed and you have lost everything, if you can still hope that God will delivery you, you will be able to stand. “We were given this hope when we were saved. [If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.]” (Romans 8:24-25).
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W
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pati
g
W
ieNnce
orking ith girl named o matter who you are, you are confronted with life situations on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter your socio-economic status, race, ethnicity or gender. There are just certain things in life we have to face and we all do it. Nothing makes that more clear to me than what is going on in our country today. For example, look at the presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. I have never seen this kind of campaigning. The behavior of both candidates is questionable. But families are
13 RED WINE NOV/DEC 2016 actually at odds over who should win. People are upset over things that have been said about women and different races in America. It always amazes me how God uses the current climate we live in to teach us invaluable things that we need to learn. I want to share a story of a situation I face on a daily basis. There is a family member of mine that I love very much. I have been given a mandate from the Holy Spirit to help take care of this person. When the Holy Spirit said this to me, the person I am referring to didn’t seem to need anyone to take care of her. But shortly thereafter I started to see signs of why the Holy Spirit said that to me. And the signs have progressed to a place where undoubtedly she needs assistance. I love this person dearly and though we are not natural family but spiritual family, we are more connected than I am to my siblings, cousins, etc. She has been there for me since I met her in 1996. The Holy Spirit brought us together using a strange situation. I had a TV show at that time and her mother used to watch it regularly. Her mother told her about me and she called and we ended up meeting. And we have been close ever since. She referred to me as her mentor and to be honest I didn’t know what a mentor was at that time. We are in ministry together and it has been a pleasure working with her. I don’t know anyone who has a better heart than she does. But right now she is facing some challenges which God has used to help me to grow leaps and bounds. He has used her health problems which include memory issues, which I believe is spiritual. Her memory has been challenged and a lot of normal, common things she struggles to remember. The doctor says she doesn’t have Alzheimer’s or dementia. But there are some real problems.
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p
Because I work so closely with her, at times it has been a struggle to have the patience. In part because at first I couldn’t believe she really didn’t remember the things she was forgetting. They were so basic. It just seemed impossible to me and I wondered if she was making it up. But as time has gone on, I realized she is not making it up. That coupled with the fact God said take care of her is why I really believe it.
atience can grow, heal and deliver you from some things but you have to let her have her perfect work. God didn’t make a mistake when He inserted patience into the life of every person. Be patient with the Lord. The Bible says, “But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their She drives and cooks and cleans for herself but she strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, has other struggles that require my assistance. What I they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and am gaining is learning patience on another level. God not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). has used me train up leaders over the past 20 years. Now He is teaching me another level of patience and We all need patience because we all get tired and compassion at the same time. I stand on the Word have stress. I’m sure there’s not an American that of God for her memory being returned to her as well isn’t tired of this presidential race. I cannot wait for as the other health problems being resolved because it to be over November 8th. Or will it be over? Will God has promised to heal her. When God says it, it is there be another level of patience that we will have to so because He is not a man that He should lie nor the embrace as a country? It may cause a chain of events Son of man that He should repent (Numbers 23:19). we don’t want to deal with but again patience is still working. As long as we live, patience is working. Being impatient gets us nowhere.
t
he Bible also says let patience have her perfect work (James 1:4). Patience works with us though it seems like we are forced to walk alongside her because we face situations where we need patience. If you get sick, you need to be patient while your body heals. Somethings you cannot force. Some things our love ones go through, we go through with them because we love them so we need patience to go through.
So let’s just resolve to be patient, especially in well doing (Galatians 6:19). I pray that you have a relationship with God but if you don’t now is the time to establish one because you are going to need patience to work in you and alongside you. And it is better to learn how to accept her teaching and training than to just be forced to deal under stress. We are all in this boat together. And guess who’s in that boat with us? A girl named Patience. God bless you! Dr. Diana
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ARE YOU ADDICTED TO
fae r
addiction;
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a word too often toyed with. So much so that it has become trendy to say. Like, “I’m addicted to chocolate.” or “I’m addicted to Starbucks.”
The word addiction is not a kind word, though. In fact, it is a boat of bondage. You shouldn’t be addicted to anything. One of the major addictions today, like a big mouse trap, is fear. Even when someone is addicted to whatever, the underlying tone is fear. The concern is that people have become comfortable in their fear. The fear now dictates their lives on many levels. Psychiatry is so big today because of fear. But Jesus said He did not give you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). So that right there tells us that fear is a spirit sent by the enemy, not by God. This enemy is satan, the one who masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), who makes you think that fear is OK. The only healthy fear is reverential fear of God. That you reverence Him. Anything else is unhealthy and will open the door for other things to come in and oppress you.
17 RED WINE NOV/DEC 2016 God said He gives us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind which means it is all spiritual. If you are not a spiritual person, you will not understand how these things are affecting you but they are and you can pass them on to others in your family. A major fear you have, your daughter could end up having. Which means it was never her fear, it was the fear you allowed to operate in your life that has influenced her life.
And now people are
addicted to fear
and are so comfortable that they can admit their issue is fear, that it
consumes a great part of their
life.
When you let certain spirits in your life, they invite others in and do damage. Fear is a damaging spirit. And so many people are addicted to it because they talk about it and agree with fear being in their lives which in itself is a type of addiction. I think they are afraid of what might happen if fear were removed and they were able to go out and do some of the things they want to do. Maybe they are afraid they’d actually enjoy themselves or get freedom in a way that makes you afraid. In Isaiah 41:10, God tells Israel not to be afraid and that He is with them to hold them up. In another place God is described as their battle ax (Jeremiah 51:20). God will fight your battles for you. You don’t have to be entrapped by fear. You don’t have to be afraid to move forward because you think something bad is going to happen. If you make God first and foremost in your life and cast your cares upon Him, you can be freed. God will walk hand in hand with you; in fact He will go before you and walk behind you to make sure that you are not destroyed.
If you get rid of any addiction this year, consider the But they never say how they are taking steps to get fear that holds them in place, like food or drugs or fear out of their lives. And then there are times when unhealthy relationships. Give it to God; ask Him to people know how to get rid of fear but have become break the chains of fear in your life. If you are saved, comfortable having fear as their friend. But fear is no tell fear to get out of your life, that you do not want friend, it is a foe. If God said He did not give you fear any more to do with it. If you mean that and keep then you have no business being in bondage to fear. that prayer before God, He will do it. You may say your fear of some things keeps you away from it. Like drugs. And I understand your thinking. But remember once fear gets into your life, it doesn’t stop with one thing. It starts to get into other areas of your life to the point where it traps you and keeps you from living the kind of life you want and can have. So I say don’t fear drugs but know the facts about them and how they can destroy one’s life.
The best antidote for fear is love, the love of God. It comes straight from Him so you need Him. He’s the gift that will keep giving. Jesus is not a baby anymore; He is a full grown man and a full grown God. Let Him help you prevail. Be blessed! Dr. Diana
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This book of the law shall not mouth; you shall meditate on that you may be careful to act i that is written in it. For then y way prosperous, and then you I hereby command you: Be str do not be frightened or dismay God is with you wherever you
t depart out of your it day and night, so in accordance with all you shall make your shall be successful. 9 rong and courageous; yed, for the Lord your u go.� Joshua 1:8-9
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20 RED WINE NOV/DEC 2016 With all the medications and medical advancements in the world today, I just wanted to take a moment and declare that Jesus is still the Great Physician. Medication often masks or provides temporary relief from symptoms of disease, illness or poor habits. So though we may feel better, we still have an underlying problem.
manifest through poor eating, lack of sleep and of course blatant attacks from disease and illness like diabetes, allergies and hypertension.
But Jesus is still in the healing business. I know we don’t see the big tent services anymore like Oral Roberts used to have. And many preachers have opted for talk show formats over church services on Today diet causes us to have so many physical TV but Jesus is still healing people every day. And ailments along with stress and lack of rest. And we whatever you are facing in your body or mind, I want mustn’t forget that everything has a spiritual origin. you to know that you can be healed as well. Many of us are fighting demonic oppression that
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c y
The Bible tells us about Jesus: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 11:15-17).
The Great
God uses doctors and medications and even foods for healing but you have to have a relationship with the Lord to hear from Him what will work for your specific situation. Several years ago a doctor prescribed a pill to help control my estrogen levels. She presented it in such a way that she made it sound critical that I take this medication or else I would have all kinds of reproductive issues in the future. I prayed about it
Ph si ian Erica Johnson
and asked my Pastor to pray and the Lord told me to not take that medication. And I did not. About two years ago that same medication was recalled by the FDA for causing severe blood clots in women.
So that right there tells me that ultimately Jesus has rule over everything. It is my personal belief that even when we take medication, the Lord has to allow it to work; same with medical procedures. Because He is sovereign and because you were fearfully and wonderful made by the Lord, it makes sense to put your trust in Him for your healing. Yes,
God knew what was going to come down the pipeline, all I knew was to ask Him and it saved my life. So I understand how tempting it is to get caught up in the science and the urgency the doctors portray. They are only human and think they are being helpful. But always take what they tell you to God. He designed your body. He knows your history and your future. Seek a consultation from the Great Physician before you make any decisions. Like me, it can save your life in a way you never expected!
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O
ne of the hot topics this election is immigration and the U.S. taking in refugees, especially in the wake of the Syria situation. The Republican candidate does not support bringing refugees into the U.S. and is actually more focused on getting immigrants out of the U.S. Most people are not against bringing refugees on the surface. The concern is if by doing so, the potential to also bring in more terrorists won’t increase exponentially. It is a perplexing situation because both sides have very valid points of view. What responsibility does the U.S. have to provide refuge to those fleeing persecution? Well, the Bible actually sets a precedent. Firstly, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh asked Moses if they could not cross the Jordan but instead settle in the land east of the Jordan. Their request was granted on the condition that the men of these tribes assist the other tribes in settling across the Jordan. “Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He told them, ‘Remember what Moses, the servant of the LORD, commanded you: ‘The LORD your God is giving you a place of rest. He has given you this land.’ Your wives, children, and livestock may remain here in the land Moses assigned to you on the east side of the Jordan River. But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with them until the LORD gives them rest, as he has given you rest, and until they, too, possess the land the LORD your God is giving them. Only then may you return and settle here on the east side of the Jordan River in the land that Moses, the servant of the LORD, assigned to you.’” (Joshua 1:1215).
my
Kee Erica Johnson
We need to be equipped to minister and preach the
good news
brother’s
eper
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The text denotes the responsibility of those who are established and settled to assist those who are not. The Bible also designates cities of refuge for the Jews and the aliens living among them (Joshua 20). And the Bible tells us not to oppress the stranger (Exodus 22:21). So the Bible does show us there is a responsibility to help those that need refuge. But in biblical times, these strangers often adopted the Hebrew religion. You read various accounts of how the servants of the Hebrews were circumcised, a distinctive Hebrew tradition at that time. And those that did not convert most certainly influenced paganism among the Jews. It is unconstitutional to demand that anyone entering the U.S. convert to Christianity. Plus, that is not how salvation works. God wants us to choose Jesus; it has to come from the heart. That’s where the role of the church comes in. We need to be equipped to minister and preach the good news to the immigrants and refugees that enter the U.S. We need to be vigilant in prayer so that souls are saved and so that God continues to provide His divine protection to this country. Cain posed the question, “am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). We are indeed responsible for ensuring all people get an opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15). No matter how one feels about the issues facing the presidential candidates on immigration, Christians must agree that everyone needs to hear the Gospel.
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We need God’s wisdom
On the other hand, I know there are people who woke up today in dread. Some wish they’d died in their sleep last night because they are facing so many problems. One of those problems is CONFUSION. Let’s face it, it is not fun not to know what to do next. To not know if you made the right choice.
C ing
I
f you are one of those people who woke up this morning thankful you can open your eyes and see a bright day, I know you are planning your day and the things you have to do already. Whether you are going to a doctor’s appointment or having toast and coffee with your family, it still can be a great day.
r
h us
n o
us
Confusion is in abundance in this world. There are people who have these same problems every day. Imagine people who are homeless that wake up and don’t know what the day will bring. They may not know where they will sleep, what they will eat or who will try to hurt them. They don’t know if they will feel sick today and they certainly don’t have insurance. We ought to give God the glory that we have shelter over our heads and not take it for granted.
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y every da
live. o t how w o to kn
f n o
i so
n
We are quickly approaching the holiday season. We see the Thanksgiving decorations in the stores, the plaques that say “Be Thankful.” They are encouraging you to buy and look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. But in reality, we should be thankful all year round, summer, spring, winter and fall. Some of you, your situation seems grim. But know that God made a plan before you were born on how to deal with these things that fight you or your family on a daily basis. I want to show you how to crush confusion. If you don’t have God in your life, by default, you have confusion. I say that because nobody knows everything and so we need God’s wisdom every day to know how to live. So in order to fight this enemy called confusion, I want you to give yourself the gifts you need to start the fight today. You don’t have to have money to give yourself these gifts.
28 RED WINE NOV/DEC 2016 The first gift you should give yourself is a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One that makes things clear. He tells the truth; in Him is no lie. He is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that He should repent (Numbers 23:19). So He doesn’t lie like man, you can trust Him. He doesn’t change.
esus “
JChrist
the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever
Cut a covenant with God which is an agreement. Tell Him you will do what He made you to do if He will help you. Ask Him for help in the areas you need it. And then, here’s the biggie, tell people He did it. I don’t care if they snicker or make a face. Don’t be embarrassed about the one who helped you out. If you are confused, you need to give your mind to Christ and ask Him for wisdom. Remind Him He said in His Word that, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5). That means He will give wisdom and He will not take it back.
“
Let me remind you that satan was once a very wise angel. He held two positions, as a covering angel and (Hebrews 13:8). an arch angel. So God didn’t take his wisdom, God I’m giving you these scriptures to comfort you and just confounded or corrupted it. Corrupted wisdom to use them like a sword against the things that fight is confusion. So if you are confounded which means you on a daily basis. Thoughts and ideas that come confused, the only way to get clarity is to invite the into your mind. The worry, anger and fear. Lust Lord Jesus Christ in to your life. Not just God but and feeling overwhelmed. All those things that can Jesus Christ because He is the plan that God provided try to come against you. If you struggle with any of for you to get to Him. Jesus is like a highway to God. these things, you need to take your mind and give it God basically says if you accept His Son you have Christ. Take your life and give it to Him. You can’t Him but if you don’t accept His Son, you don’t have do one without doing the other. You cannot ask Him Him. to help you without inviting Him into your life which brings Him into every area of it. Money, friends, God is a God of purpose. 2 Peter 3:15 says, “and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. . .” So relationships, career, everything. God’s patience in waiting for you to come to your Make Him the God of your marriage, your children, senses and acknowledge He has been helping you all your eating habits, your heart. Get Him in everything, along, saving you from destruction. Everything you talk to Him about everything. Don’t worry about have that is good came from God. You didn’t do this all the religious means of praying. Just talk to Him in your own strength. every day. Find a room where you can be quiet and start talking even if it’s just 20 minutes. If it is the Second is daily prayer. You can do it while you are bathroom, do it there. When you are showering is exercising, on your way to work. It doesn’t matter, just acknowledge God in everything. The scripture perfect.
i s d o G ofA
Godrpose pu
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says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). First thing in the the morning, seek the Lord. And if you feel like you’ve asked God and nothing has happened, just wait. Tell God you will not move or make a decision until He gives you what you should do. Tell me how ever you want to, audibly or by dropping a feeling in my spirit or give me a sign. God talks to me audibly but I understand everyone doesn’t get that from Him. But He still speaks, just in different ways. Number 3, find out what the Word, logos, tells you to do and do it. This will crush confusion. Don’t ever act in confusion. This is what gets us in trouble. Don’t let people pressure you or rather don’t let satan pressure you through people. Satan uses people and they don’t realize it. He is a thief and a liar who takes things and twists the truth. Don’t believe him, he is a liar. He will twist the truth just enough to make you question it like he did Eve in the garden. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”” (Genesis 3:1). Go to God and He will deal a severe blow to confusion. And help you crush it through obedience. Be blessed! Dr. Diana
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EVER
WONDER WHAT IT
REALLY MEANS
TO BE A
FRIEND
?
Even though there are lots of definitions out there, it’s an area we can all use some mentoring in like the depth of friendship and what it means to have a real friendship with someone. I grew up in a time when people put a special emphasis on friend versus associate. It was a trend at the time. And even though people acted like they knew the difference between an associate and a friend, they really didn’t. However, the Lord tells us that friend is one of the most powerful titles you can have. So much so that He called Judas friend when Judas betrayed Him with
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a kiss on the cheek. All of us have been betrayed on some level in our lives. Even if it was as child when a friend went off to play with someone else. We used to call that flat leaving. Friend has been used so much in so many situations. Sometimes to define depravity. Like when two drug dealers forge together and form a destructive friendship based on money and power. But they are not really friends; they cannot truly trust each other. One could want to take the other's territory by taking their life. But you never hear people discuss that there are super friends out there. It is much more classy and official. Many of us don’t get to that level. If you are looking for friendship right now because you are lonely or because the friendships you have right now have become stale and don’t seem to bring much into your life, consider super friends. In Isaiah 11, there are some super friends who befriended Jesus the man when He was in the world. I know we are celebrating His birthday coming up this holiday season. But He walked with some super friends that encouraged Him and gave Him the strength to do all that He did. Now you may feel like you have already sacrificed a lot in your life and now you just want to rest and be at peace and enjoy the rest of your life. But wouldn’t you like to go above and beyond what you have already done? The fact that you are here on earth means you are needed. God wouldn’t have you here if He didn’t still have a purpose for you.
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Isaiah 11:1-3 says:
“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear;”
a good thing. But just imagine what you could do if you had these friends! These spirits could show you how to help others in a way that would be a blessing to everyone everywhere. The way to get these friends is to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. To truly give your heart over and be willing to be used much like you are willing to give to charities and participate in functions. Give your life over to Him and let Him envelope you and show you how magnificent your life can be.
It will get rid of frustration, fear, and confusion. Get these friends in your life and allow them to teach you. They are real. These are the spirits that were in Jesus’ life and He used them daily and still does even though He is now on the right side of the Father in Heaven. Super friends are the best gift you can get There are seven friends, they may be spirits but they not only in this season but all year long and for the are still friends, in Jesus’ life. They were on Him and rest of your life. gave Him the ability to do what He did. Here, fear means reverence. We esteem God so much that we don’t want to upset or cross Him. The spirit of the Lord is the Holy Spirit.
Tell your family and friends about these super friends. Even tell your enemies, I bet they won’t stay your enemies! Dr. Diana
Could you imagine how great your life would be and how empowered you’d be to help others if you had these spirits as your super friends? They will point out to you where you should be in your life or even your day at any given time. They will guide you and give you strength that cannot be bought with money or found in lifting weights. These friends expose and nourish truth in your life. And show you how you can be all you can be. Imagine how you can nourish your family in a positive way. You can help children and people all across the world. I know some of you love to give to charity and feed the homeless. And that is
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Marriage:hat Marriage is a world of its own and can be beautiful if you walk it the way God says.
MARRIAGE:
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one of the standards of life. It’s something that most people think about at some point in their life. Now in the 21st century the word itself has become so stained. It is used many ways. For some marriage is an escape and for others it’s an aspiration. You can even refer to marriage as a fruit tree. When you plant a fruit tree and it grows and bears fruit, we most often think of the fruit that is coming forth as good for us to eat. But sometimes the fruit on a tree turns out to be bad. It’s bitter and not good for eating.
Marriage originated out of the heart of God and depicts His relationship to His children (The Body of Christ AKA Christians). Unfortunately, not everyone is a child of God though everyone is His creation. In God’s mind, in order to qualify as His child you must invite Him into your life through His Son Jesus Christ. You must accept and live by His decrees, commandments, and promises. You must have an intimate relationship with Him for the duration of
your life. He makes great promises to be enjoyed here and in the next world which you will experience as soon as you step out of your body.
Back to marriage. We all have to admit that marriage is not easy and not to be taken lightly. There are many people out there that have their opinion about marriage and have changed the constitution to reflect it. To me it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see and know that marriage is meant to be between a natural man and a natural woman. The two become one. It is
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a partnership between two people that cut a covenant to let no man put asunder or break them apart but instead to love one another for the duration of their lives. They commit to be faithful and submit their lives together to God.
the world, it is filled with chaos. They believe you find your own mate based on aesthetics and you have to fall in love but the world is plagued by divorce. If you can fall into love, you can fall out of love, hence the divorce rate. People decide one day they are going in two different directions. Or they decide they are When we have a right relationship with God, we ask not in love any more. His opinion on everything. Things we buy, what we should say. We invite Him into everything. So when Falling in love is a worldly concept in my opinion. It we think about marriage, we should be asking God to is not a godly concept. That doesn’t mean you cannot provide a spouse. And wait on His direction; allowing love someone, God instructs us to love our neighbor God to bring them to you. He will do it it in an eloquent as ourselves. When you truly love someone, you
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RLD way and you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is the spouse that God has chosen. And you should jump to do God’s will because everything you need to support you has been attached to them by God. They are built to accommodate you and stand by you and love you and become one with you. Once you are married bring everything to God. What happens when you don’t make God apart of the process of finding a spouse or what happens when you don’t accept the spouse God picks? CHAOS. Look at
can take that love and apply it to any area they need because the Holy Spirit told you to love that person. That is happening to me right now. I’m reading in 1 Timothy 4:3 where it says that men will forbid marriage. Read the first few verses to provide context but basically it says that men will speak against marriage. I have met men who refuse to get married because of the divorce rate or because of how women treat men in their opinion. So they shy away from marriage. Yet they have sexual desires
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and thoughts for women. Jesus said you have already sinned even if you just looked upon a woman in lust. That is why God gave us mates. Sexual intimacy is for marriage not random relationships where people decide they no longer want someone and move on to the next person and have sex with them. That’s fornication or adultery. There are many men who do not want to commit to marriage. They won’t ask God to give them a woman who He wants them to have and they will love and cherish. And same thing for women.
God said fornicators will not inherit the kingdom of
heaven
(1 Corinthians 6:9)
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Marriage is a world of its own and can be beautiful if you walk it the way God says. Invite God in and ask Him to help you be fruitful and committed to walk upright in your marriage. A threefold cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). You just have to ask and really want to walk upright.
They have decided to be boyfriends or girlfriends and just date someone so there is no real commitment. And they just leave when they want. That is men forbidding marriage. Ladies, same for those of you who do not want to commit. You are using men for sex. It all must stop. You are hurting yourself God bless! on many levels spiritually and you are wrong in the Dr. Diana eyesight of God.
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