Archive for the ‘Spiritual’ Category

Submissive Wife

Posted: September 9, 2014 in Spiritual
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I will be the first to admit that the word “submission” is hard for some people to grasp, especially when it is pertaining to women and their role in a marriage. Submission does not mean being disrespected, being a doormat, a push-over or any other degrading characteristic. Being a submissive wife means that the women is willing to give herself completely, freely, and lovingly to her husband without feeling forced to. She is willing to have this man lead her, teach her and cover her the way a husband should. She trusts that he has given his life to Christ and by Christ being the head of his life, this man, her husband can be the head of her family under God in their household. When a man loves a woman as he should…as he loves himself and cares for her in that same fashion, he will find it easy to have a supportive and submissive wife. The wife is to respect her husband as the head, the leader and again when men encounter a woman who is strong and / or independent I will admit that this can be a challenge but even she will be submissive. It is all in how you love her and show her that you deserve the respect you seek from her. Marriage is a mutual respecting relationship. You must be equally yoked and have a relationship centered on God and what He desires from your marriage. Why? The design of marriage isn’t just to procreate, actually the design of marriage is to bring glory to God. The union of marriage signifies love personified, grace, mercy, faith is all needed in a successful Godly marriage. Dying to your flesh to become one! The man is to lead his wife through her spiritual walk and the woman is to encourage her husband and to complete him spiritually by assisting him with his work and his walk with Christ. Each marriage has a mission, a ministry to produce and if you are married to a man who has no God given mission then that marriage for a Godly woman will fail and if a Godly man with a vision marry’s a woman with no belief in his vision or in God, that marriage will fail. Below I have posted a few bible verses pertaining to a submissive wife but I will close my paragraph with a verse from Proverbs that I use for restoring my faith and affirming my thoughts when presented with difficult situations. I found it to also work for the idea of what a marriage should be. “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3-4 In other words, both people should be in prayer, worship together, study together to gain the wisdom needed for marriage, the strength of God to be in them both and by doing those things He will impart knowledge to them about how to deal with things in a Godly manner. When two people truly have their eyes set on having a God centered marriage, the blessings He will give to them will be beautiful because that marriage is bringing glory to His name and all that see that marriage will have hope and see God in it.

Ephesians 5:22-33
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[b] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Colossians 3:18-19
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

© Brandi Anderson

Spiritual Warfare

Posted: August 18, 2014 in Spiritual
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Spiritual Warfare is a subject that I believe takes years to understand so I encourage you to study it yourselves so that you too can equip yourselves appropriately. Spiritual Warfare is taking a stand against the evil in this world. It begun in Heaven when God defeated the devil and sent him away. Jesus was giving to us humans as our protector and savior from evil forces. When He ascended to Heaven, He left with us the Holy Spirit, the comforter. The Holy Spirit dwells in each and every one of us. We don’t have to go looking for the Spirit, all we have to do is accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will obtain the Holy Spirit. Now feeling the Holy Spirit move in you is where the work comes in. That work is studying the Word of God and walking in the way of the Lord which is something we have to do daily. The devil uses many tricks to tempt us away from God. He tempts us with luxuries, material gains, jealousy, lies, a host of things that will cause us to not act righteously in the eyes of the Lord. The biggest tool the devil can use against us is ourselves. We are our own worst enemy. If you truly knew how much God loved you, if you really knew and believed His love for you, you would do what Jesus did on that mountain and deny the devil entry into your soul. You have to resist the devil but you can’t resist the devil if you brush him off as any old thing. The devil is real, evil is real and you need to understand that. Once you understand that you have to understand that the devil will use anything in your life to get to you. Money, relationships, friendships, jobs, strangers, and your thoughts. All of this is fair game to the devil. Even though all of those examples I used are separate, they all tie into your thoughts. Your mind must be stayed on Jesus, your mind must be equipped and protected with the whole Armor of God.

How to protect yourself:

Ephesians 6:10- 18

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Verse 18 is a verse that is most important, a verse that I am reminded of during this writing. It is something that we must do every day if we don’t pray anything at all. We have to learn how to pray and give thanks daily. God wants our prayers and praises. He doesn’t just want our concerns and worries. God wants us to come to Him in the happy times just as much if not more than we do in our troubles. Imagine how you would feel after helping someone with something and they don’t say thank you. Doesn’t that just boil your blood at times? You will call them ungrateful and for some people, you actually cut them off. We should be happy that God doesn’t cut us off and He gives us many chances to get it right. So be grateful and give God the praises that He so deserves. We must also learn to pray for others more than ourselves as well. Praying for others is a form of love and love is what Jesus commissioned us to do. We must love one another and truly want the best for one another. Job 16:20-21

My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.

I chose Job because if you know anything about Job, Job was tested by God to display to the devil that we can defeat Spiritual Warfare. Job had everything taking away from him but with his last ounce of faith he resisted the devil. We can defeat the evils of this world because the evil in the Heavens was defeated. If we understand that the battle for our souls was already won and that we have the Victory! John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” God never promised us an easy life but He did promise us a blessed life. You just have to understand what it means to be blessed and allow yourself to be blessed.

One more thing, learn to forgive. The devil loves for use to not forgive others. Unforgiveness is like a disease and it will kill us quicker than the one we supposedly hate or dislike.

The greatest thing you can do for an enemy of yours is to love them and release them.

© Brandi Anderson 2014

The Soul

Posted: May 1, 2014 in Poetry, Spiritual
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I am calm in a day full of drama.

My body aches with an emptiness I can only describe as pain.

But yet I am calm.

It must be because I know it is only temporary and pain has no permanent dwelling in my soul.

My soul only accepts happiness and love in the form of positive light.

So when negative darkness tries to eclipse this light, my soul fights and that is what causes the pain,

what causes my body to ache.

Allowing my soul to clean itself is a must.

I heard once that the eyes are the windows to ones’ soul, and I believe that.

So when people look into my eyes I want them to see the light: God.

You can’t clean these windows with Windex! No! No! No!

They can only be cleaned when one self-evaluates and gets a reality check.

Who gives the reality check, God. He speaks to us every day. Do we listen?

Sometimes, most never hear Him.

To simply put it, I am a soul presented in God’s image so it is a daily struggle of cleansing I must go through.

I am not as perfect as He would want me to be but I am not giving up.

I know that makes Him smile. You asked, “How do I know that”.

He continues to bless me abundantly. Never worrying about anything and always praying for everything. This is what I must remember to do.

I will be perfect in His image. My soul will be perfect in His image. Amen.

 

© Brandi N. Anderson

Be In His Will!

Posted: April 11, 2013 in Motivation, Spiritual
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“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Cor 10:13

Every situation that you encounter in this life is a common one. Most of us will face the same type of emotional and mental strain that comes from living a life here on this earth just in different situations. This is what makes us a common people. But we serve an uncommon God who has the ability to bring us out of anything and everything we put ourselves under! All we have to do is want change, seriously pursue it and trust in Him that He will make your path straight. It is not easy, definitely not an overnight process. The situation that you have allowed wasn’t an easy or overnight process either. However, just like you wanted what you desired then, why not want what God desires for you? Not your will but His will! Not Your Will but His Will! Now say. “NOT MY WILL BUT YOUR WILL GOD! May you all have a blessed day!

Right On Time!

Posted: April 10, 2013 in Spiritual
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We live in a society where things are moving quickly.  Technology has evolved so much in the last 10 yrs so great that multitasking and being at two different places at the same time is actually possible if you have a smart phone capable of video conferencing or phone conferencing.  This is the “microwave” society, we expect things instantly and it better be right too!  So far through my 11 yrs of being an adult, I’ve experience so many things emotional roller coasters, physical changes, mental stresses and definitely spiritual growth.  When I think about the things I’ve gone through and how I had to “wait” for them to run the coarse, all I can say is But God!  You see, I had to understand that each and everything that I went through had a purpose and although I didn’t understand at the time why those events happened in my life, I now understand that God was preparing me for His purpose and for the right season. We can’t rush God when it comes to getting our desires, the desires that He planted in us.  Everything has a season and everything happens for a reason.  We don’t have to always know the next move and when it comes to God, He works in a way where we will not know the next move until we develop a more intimate relationship with Him.  He wants us to trust in Him to the point He is the first on our minds when we awake and the last we speak to before we sleep. God will not accept a quick text message, a quick facebook shout out, and all the other quick tools we use to satisfy our human needs of affection.  God desires more from us and once we give Him more then we will understand God’s timing.  God’s timing is everything, look back on the things that you’ve gone through in your life and consider how much you’ve grown.  Some of you I am sure have grown more spiritual after going through some things and that may very well be the reason you went through it.  All things work together for the good and for God.  If you have something special to do for the kingdom, trust and know that God will not let you go, He will allow you to go through some things in order to grow you for His purpose, remember people, your life does not belong to you but it belongs to the one who gave you life and from the one who can take it away. We often heard our parents say that because in theory they did give us life but our Father in heaven is the ultimate giver of life and He has the final say on when it begins and when it ends.  So with that said, stop rushing through life thinking that you have all the answers and that God is taking too long in answering your prayer.  Maybe He has already answered your prayer but you are too busy multitasking and living your life 5 days ahead of today instead of sitting back and allowing your mind to rest and your spirit to connect with the Lord so that you can hear His answer, His instructions and His advice on the things that you desire help in.  God takes His time because He doesn’t makes mistakes.  You are precious to Him and He wants you to have a full and blessed life in Him.  Develop that personal relationship with God and enjoy His timing, trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Obtaining your God-Given Vision!

Posted: April 10, 2013 in Spiritual
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When God gives you a vision, sometimes it is hard to notice that it is from God.  The reason behind this is due to the fact that when God gives you a vision it is usually too big for you to conceive what you are to accomplish.  But do we not serve a God who provides our every need according to His will?  If you believe this then know that the vision that God has given you can’t be completed without Him and He doesn’t expect you to complete it on your own.  You have to realize that He chose you as a vessel to complete this vision for your life.  This great thing that He has placed in your heart to do will not only play a part in building His kingdom but it will also be the one thing that He will constantly use to provide and supply all your needs including your desires.  When we walk in obedience to God we are willfully submitting to His will. We are saying to God that I don’t want to do it may way any longer.  I want to do it your way.  I want to live in this vision that you have for my life, I want you Oh Lord to order my steps so that I may be a smile upon your face (Psalm 37) Our visions are predestined and are set for a particular time.  God will reveal that time to you and you will know it. However, we must first submit ourselves to believing that we are purposed for this life and He does have a plan for it.  Even if you don’t fully understand what the Lord is doing in your life, especially if you have falling on hard times and you are at the end of your ropes, just continue to pray and believe God for all things.  Thank Him for a sound mind and for the peace that is coming your way. Thank Him for being that right on time God and ultimate provider to those who love and trust in Him. (Philippians 4:19) Once you submit yourself to God, all the things that you have gone through, the trials and tribulations that you have survived will all become vividly clear, the purpose of it all will work for the vision He has placed in your heart. God Will Provide! Jehovah-jireh (The Lord will provide) So call on Him and have that unshakable faith when the time comes to grow your vision. When you are in the place that God wants you to be, the favor of God will be on your life and the impossible will be made possible through God, the obedience to His word.  If God is with you then you can make it through any circumstance.  If you are in a place where you believe God has given you a vision, I want you to write that vision down so that who reads it may run with it forever, and ever not stopping for anything.  That reader is you!  It is the vision that God has given you so you write it down for yourself and you run with it. How will you know it is a God given vision? 2 kings 2:9-10… The vision will be so clear to you that it will look like you are seeing it in real time with your eyes.

 

Obtaining your vision!

It must be clear not cloudy, no doubts, it will be clear.  You must run (pray) to receive it.  Pray about this vision constantly. Pray for all things concerning the vision.You must have faith!!! The vision may not come to past right away but your faith is key when in waiting.So wait for the appointed time for the vision to come to past.  God will provide revelation pertaining to your vision in the meantime.  All things that He will provide you will add up to the completion or realization of the vision He gave to you.

 

Dancing in the Storm!

Posted: April 2, 2013 in Spiritual
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We all have heard these common words of encouragement when we are going through like, “if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” or “I know God will not give us more than what we can handle.” That saying stems from the 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

But what do those words of encouragement really do for those who are suffering and don’t know God as some of the more mature souls in Christ? Absolutely nothing, now I don’t mean to come off harsh but I am being real for a moment. To a person that is hurting and can’t see a way out, you have to come with something stronger than that. You have to come to them with scripture and with prayer. You have to intercede for them and show them why God is a God of mercy and grace and how He will protect you through it all if you just trust in Him. Yes it is true, if God brought us there He will take us from there and send us where we should be but there are times when we have to go through the storm especially when we have been disobedient to His word. Also, we go through things not for ourselves but for other people. You question God like why me, why now, haven’t I been obedient and you will hear from Him yes but you have a work to do for me that is greater than you! You see sometimes we go through these storms to minister to other people and to show other people that through faith God will raise you up from the ashes and sit you on high as He did Jesus Christ. You see those that love Jesus were persecuted just like Him. He died to save us from ourselves, He was punished, a clean soul free of sin was punished for something that we did, not him so now ask God that question, “Why me, why now?” and I will say to you “Why not? Didn’t Jesus do the same for you?”

Learn how to dance in the storm, learn how to praise God not just when things are going right in your life but praise God when things are going wrong and upside down. In fact that is the time when you need to be praising Him more. Your spirit should yarn to be in His presence so you can hear that healing word, that prophetic word of when you are going to come out of this storm and how your life will be better because of it.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. (Psalm 27: 1, 3)

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)

I encourage you to study the book of Psalms as it will teach you how to praise God through your storms. I also encourage you to study the books of Proverbs, Isaiah, as well as Jeremiah and Hebrews. These books are filled with glorious truths about praising the Lord at all times, especially when you are in the midst of a strong hold on your soul.

So when you are going through and as long as we are living on this side of heaven we will go through some things. Learn to Dance in the storm. Let God wash away all that is wrong in you and put in you a new clean heart, a new reformed mind. God will show you why He is God, He will make in you a servant of His Kingdom and bless you with abundant life as you work to save others.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2