BAIT

1 Peter 5:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

2 Corinthians 2:11
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.

          I spent my summers as a young adult traveling to northern Michigan.   Our summer consisted of spending time with family and friends in woodsy log-like cabins which sat directly off of the beautiful glistening waters.  Our mornings began in the wee hours when even the birds had not awakened.  As the dawn began to break, birds now chirping and sea gulls in flight, we were already on our boats with our fishing poles in the still waters.  The cool crisp air brought chills, yet it was fun to breathe out and see it create a dissipating smoke.  We had already taken the time to purchase our bait at the local store.  Nothing high tech here though,  just plain old squirming worms sacrificed on a hook for the sheer purpose of catching our dinner.  On the water there would be very little talking, no harsh movements just sitting until our behinds became numb waiting for the fish to bite.   Fish were easily drawn by the worms that we had placed in the water on that sharp hook.  Once baited the fish were hooked and dragged to their demise.      

       I was reminded of my past fishing expeditions as I reacted to a post I read  some time ago on Facebook.  The bait was a topic I am passionate about in my life.  This small little question-posed paragraph would  be the dangling worm enticing me in.  Reading the comments would cause my heart to race, thoughts to run wild and leave me emotionally spent.  I was ready to fire a quick comment and let them know a thing or two!  A far cry of what I encourage others’ to do which is to respond in love. Yet, I had been baited and caught and no one knew this little worm had caused me all of this anguish as I sat in my car pondering upon what just happened.  It had dragged me to my demise of extreme anger lingering in my flesh.      

     We are not fish to be baited by the world or Satan as they sit and dangle worms in our faces waiting for us to bite.  The worms that cause anguish and despair which end in disruption of our day, more so our lives.   We run the risk of getting caught up in something which holds greater consequences than we may be able to handle.     

     There is nothing high-tech about the one who dangles money in our faces when we are in great need only to find ourselves in a vicious poverty cycle.  There is nothing high-tech about the one who dangles drugs in our faces when we are looking for ways to forget our problems.  There is nothing high-tech as one who dangles attention in our faces during times of loneliness, which ends in passing our moral compasses.  Nothing high-tech about the berating spouse‘s mouth which sends us out searching for niceties.  The bait of the pornographic video no one knows we watched which fuels ungodly desires.  The bait of our political or religious beliefs sent over the edge by differences of opinion.  The bait of  the television which consumes our time with reality that’s not real. No, none of these worms which are dangled in our face daily are high-tech at all.  Yet there are so many more disruptions to our lives which create distance in our relationship with God.  These worms keep us from all God has promised us in His Word.   

     On the other end of this spectrum -  what did Jesus say to his disciples? Go and be fishermen of men. So which bait do we want to take? The bait salvation which consists of hope, peace and love? The bait of abundant life? The bait of the Father? Yet, the bait of salvation is not bait at all - but a gift.  I believe sometimes we think we are being brain-washed or baited by something which is holding us captive.  Being captivated by God’s love is much different than being held captive (or in bondage) to sin.  God desires for us to live such a prosperous life and guides us in a manner to keep us from things that would harm us.  Yes, those worms eat our lives away.  It’s imperative we spend time alone in the presence of God to avoid being baited by the wrong things.  Beware of the next fishing expedition!   

John 8:12 
New International Version (NIV) 
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

2 Corinthians 11:14
Amplified Bible (AMP)
14 And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Joel 2:25
King James Version (KJV)
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Romans 7: 21-25

 Message (MSG) 

21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me?  Isn’t that the real question?

25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. 

Ephesians 5:11

The Message (MSG)

11-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,

Climb out of your coffins;

Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

Live Blessed,
Dee-Dee
   
     

ARMS AROUND A MOUNTAIN

When I was on my ‘homeless’ tour [displaced from Hurricane Katrina] I had the awesome opportunity to travel west across the United States. I relished at the beauty of the sun-kissed land and enormous green trees across the states. The beauty of rich brown horses and black cows grazing amongst the countryside brought joy to my spirit. I drove pass hundreds of miles of corn fields and amazingly beautiful barns, as farmers atop over-sized plows tended their fields. The most amazing state became apparent to me as the beautiful snow-capped mountains became visibly clear upon arrival. The crisp clean air with decreasing temperatures and babbling flowing rivers revealed to me that I had arrived in Colorado. I will never forget those amazingly beautiful mountains. They seemed to expand as far as the eye could see in every direction. The tips of the mountains seemed to touch the skies and peek through the clouds. It was boundless serenity. I loved it! I was in awe of     God’s magnificent beauty of work.  

Those beautiful mountains were brought back to memory when I was gently reminded [through another believer] that God was moving a mountain out of my life, which had been there for many years. It was blocking the things He specifically had in store for me - His good blessings. He was clearing the clutter; the debris. I could literally visualize a huge mountain just being moved completely out of the way as if it were on wheels. I was able to walk straight forward, not having to go around or even through it because it wasn’t there anymore! I had the faith in God that He would move this mountain for me. A couple of days later, I re-evaluated what was spoken to me. As I began to ponder upon it, I was troubled by the fact that I was unsure of which mountain! I immediately searched scripture in my mind. Jesus teaches us that all we need is to have faith the size of a mustard seed to move the “mountains” [obstacles] in our lives and nothing will be impossible for us. I became even more troubled because my faith was there. I believed, without any doubt that God would do what He promised, so why wasn’t this particular mountain moved already? I didn’t seem to think I had many mountains in my life, so which one was it? Did I even recognize that it was a mountain? Was I in denial of it being a mountain? Could it be just a test of my faith? So I asked, “Lord, I believe so what is the problem; which mountain?”

The Holy Spirit spoke without hesitation, “You have your arms around this mountain, holding on - I can’t move it, unless you let go [or you‘ll just move with it].” Can you imagine this? - Our arms can’t even fit around a small pebble on a mountain, yet we have our arms wrapped around ungodly relationships, self-indulging sins, self-destructive behaviors; selfish dreams, poverty mentalities and all things that prevent us from receiving God’s best for us - mountains! I immediately asked God to help pry my arms off of my mountain and immediately move it for me! Deliverance came like the dawn! I felt an immediate sense of peace come over me as I let go of something that I had been holding on to for years! I believe now, God’s purpose for me has become more evident and His blessings are flowing like the rivers of Colorado!  I thought about how such a wonderful Father would always overtake [overwhelm] me with His good blessings and move the mountains in my life!

What are some of the mountains in your life right now? I encourage you today to unwrap your arms from around the mountains of ungodly relationships, sins and behaviors that are blocking the flow of your river from God (peace, joy, etc.). Allow Him to remove the clutter (lack of self-control, denial, other people, etc) - the debris and watch Him do the supernatural in your life! What God has done for me, He will do for you! Believe in Him today through His son Jesus Christ and don’t go back the same way! The faith you need can barely be seen with the naked eye! Get excited because all of His promises are for you too! Place your trust and put your hope in the Most High! Mountains be moved! In the mighty name of Jesus!

Praise Be to God and With God’s Love,
Dee-Dee McDuffie
012/ 8/1/2011
P.S. I encourage you to read my coming QuickShare blog: Mountain Madness, it will supply some practical applications for you to get started on the road to having God move your mountains!

Scripture Meditations:
Matthew 17:20 (AMP)
He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [ that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

Matthew 18:11-13 (AMP)
11For the Son of man came to save [from the penalty of eternal death] that which was lost. 12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray and gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost? 13And if it should be that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not get lost.

Luke 3:5 (KJV)Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

More: Zechariah 4:7; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23; Hebrews 12:18

DAUGHTERS' OF THE MOST HIGH

Oh, my daughters', why do you allow him to speak to you in that manner?
Do you not know to whom you belong? The Most High?
With those words that tear down, not build up
Remember that your ears are part of the body that belongs to the Most High
What you accept into your ears is the pathway to your heart. Guard your heart!  Don't allow him to speak to you in that manner with words that cut deeper than a knife.....

Oh, my daughters', why must you accept him cursing you?

Is this love… when you're worth more than rubies?
To address you with the language of those that go down into the pit?
Rise up! Are you not called by the Most High?
Show yourself strong in the Lord!
Your tears....oh...your tears! Will they not move God into action for you?

Oh, my daughters’, with the hurt and pain attached to each syllable, run!

With the tears that flow from your eyes with each vowel, run!
With words that do not minister His Grace, run!
You belong to the Most High! The Holy One!

Accept who you are in Christ my loves’

No need to heed to those words any longer
Through Him you have been redeemed
Strength and honor are your clothing

They disgust Me with the vile language of fools
To the left and to the right they come like blows to your Spirit
Do they not know? By words My Earth was created!
By their words they will be acquitted or condemned!
Do they think that I will just stand by and allow this?!

Oh My, daughters’, Rise up!

Show yourself strong in the Lord!
Your tears….oh….your tears, they move Me into action for you!

He comes like a thief in the night, to steal, kill and destroy
Do not listen! Do not heed!
My voice shall you follow only
To become all I have called you to be!

Oh, My daughters’, do you hear Me now?
Your Savior Your Father
The One who calls you. Rise up!
Show yourself strong in the Lord!

Oh the time has come,
My daughters’ of Virtue have heeded with gladness
You guard your hearts with vengeance
You have closed your ears to his destruction….
Your tears….Yes, I’ve bottled every one
They moved Me into action for you ….
Now your tears have become tears of joy!

Praise be to God and with God's Love,
Dee-Dee McDuffie
011
8/1/2011

RESIDUAL EFFECTS

I’m feeling the residual effects of you
Just when I thought I could start anew
You’ve yanked the cord of me back to you again
The pain returns once more to bend
My heart in places I don’t want to go anymore
Its as if I hadn’t closed that door

Crying is something I know to well
He’s bottled my tears so that I could tell
others’ of the hurt and pain to avoid
He’s the One who can fill the void
But you’ve yanked the cord of me back to you again
The pain returns once more to bend
My heart in places I don’t want to go anymore
Its as if I hadn’t closed that door

So here I am wondering what to do
Have I not severed the cord of you?
“No, not completely” I hear the Holy Spirit say
“Allow me to sever, you won’t go back in anyway”
So I call upon the name of the Most High
The one I recall that you choose to deny
So here I am ready to start anew
Yet I feel the residual effects of you

“Father, help me to completely depend on You!
I'm sitting here wanting to close that door
don't allow him to hurt me anymore... "
I cry in sheer joy at the sound of Your voice
I remember that I've made the choice
to allow You to help when I call upon the Most High
“Thank you Father,” as You draw nigh
“Now I have severed the cord of you
and I will wipe away the residue ….”

Praise Be to God and With God's Love
Dee-Dee McDuffie
010
07/22/11

A HIGH TOLERANCE OF PAIN

She was driving at least 50 miles per hour in a 25 mile zone. I was in the passenger seat of her burgundy ‘92 Toyota Corolla, breathing heavily and beginning to hyperventilate as she ran the second red light. The song “You Can Make It” was playing on the radio as she tapped along on the steering wheel and said, “See! God knows that you can make it!” As we laughed, my girlfriend flew over a wooden bridge that shook as we passed over it and the small creek below, breaking the sound barrier! “We’ll be there in a few minutes!” she continued. I felt like we would be at the hospital for the delivery of my daughter in a few seconds! I was not only afraid of the possibility of death in the way my girlfriend was driving, but I was also afraid of the pain of delivery! During the delivery, I realized the pain wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be due to previous painful experiences in my lifetime. In my early teens, I was diagnosed with extreme endometriosis. The pain associated with it was extremely discomforting to say the least! I had school, sports and the like, so therefore I was told by others that I had to learn to become tolerant of the pain. Each time, I would tell myself that it wasn’t that bad, breathe deeply and put my focus elsewhere. I developed a strategy just to ignore the pain and push through to the point - miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy, pneumonia; burns, cuts and bruises over the years were really not an issue for me. I developed a high tolerance of pain, even though in some cases, I almost died! I recently was reminded of my high tolerance of pain as I burned myself at work on a 350 degree oven! I quickly took a deep breath…said “oh well” and pushed through and focused on my work. Basically, I ignored the pain!

As I was in meditation and study, I thought about my high tolerance of pain and how it correlated with my past relationships. The first time that I was slapped so hard that I thought my eye was going to pop out of the socket by someone I loved, I told myself that it wasn’t that bad. The next time my head hit the mirror and the pain permeated throughout my body, I told myself to ignore the pain and push through. Looking back, I realized that I built up a high tolerance of pain in my relationships. Every time I ignored the signal of pain, ignored the red flags of warning, it cost me much more than one can even imagine. I tolerated the pain of severe abuse, cheating, addictions, jail, tickets, financial problems, manipulation, lying and on and on. WHY? Love? Sex? Loneliness? Baby-Daddy? Financial Help? Companionship? Low Self-Esteem? Maybe the answer could be all of the above!

Pain is described in the dictionary as an unpleasant physical sensation, feeling of discomfort, emotional distress and/or someone or something troublesome. Pain is an indicator that something is wrong and should be addressed. For example, I would have never known that I had endometriosis if I wasn’t in some type of pain. Now, we could go on and on about degrees of pain, but I think you get the hint! Pain is to get your attention, not to ignore the attention needed.  

Have you allowed each painful incident in your current relationship to develop into a high tolerance of pain? Have you ignored the signals of pain? Have you taken deep breathes and focused only on the so-called good when you need to address the painful areas? Do you need to re-evaluate the areas (or the person ) causing the pain your experiencing? Sometimes, you need to walk away from things to get clarity, especially if the pain is ever-increasing.  

Jesus Christ died so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. It is not God’s desire for you to suffer excessive unnecessary painful experiences. We all will have trials and tribulations in this life, but it is not God’s desire for us to wallow in them.  You don’t have to stay in an area of unhappiness and defeat - that is a trick (bondage) of the enemy- Satan! You can experience true joy, which supersedes happiness! When you come to know who you are in Christ, your tolerance becomes a shield of protection to God’s temple.  Don’t allow anyone to treat God’s temple (you) with disrespect - even you. Find out what God says about you in His Word beginning with His magnificent gift of salvation! God is all you need since all good things come from Him! Allow Him to give you true insight and godly wisdom into your future godly relationship of courting that will bring you to marry your Man of Valor! A man [or woman for my male readers!] after God’s own heart! Come out of the darkness of the enemy (Satan) - the bondage he has you in and be delivered.  In Jesus’ mighty name!God did it for me, He will do it for you!

Praise Be to God and With God’s Love

Delivered and Restored,

Dee-Dee McDuffie

07/4/2011

006
Scripture Meditations: John 3:16 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave is one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 31:1-2 (NIV)

In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge, let me never be put to shame deliver me in your righteousness (2)Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

Psalm 121:1 (NIV)

I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?(2) My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 118:6 (NIV)

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Proverbs 11:14 (MSG)

Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (AMP)19Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, 20You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, [made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8(AMP)
4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecythe gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

ONE-WAY OR ROUND TRIP? (A Quick Share)

To my readers: Although I speak with divine revelation and direction, it is still very important that as you read this blog, you pray and seek God on how it applies to your own situation. There are various aspects of God’s Word and His will for your life. Please, I encourage you to seek even more Christian counsel (e.g. www.dwo.org) as it pertains to your specific situation. No matter what, know that God’s restoration and deliverance is available to all, even you! 

In my lifetime, I have traveled extensively whether by train, automobile or plane. I traveled for various reasons including business, family emergencies and vacations. Some trips were fun while others were physically and mentally exhausting. The question most asked it seemed when I traveled was “Is this one-way or a round trip?” Another question was “How much baggage do you have?” In my meditation time, I was reminded of how my past relationships were much like my travels. Most times, they were a round trip being physically and mentally exhausting, when they needed to be a one-way ticket out! The even more unfortunate thing was that I held onto baggage in which I should have left unclaimed (bitterness, resentment, hatred)!

I have spent what seems like a lifetime in bad relationships. I would return to a bad relationship only to be hurt and abused once again. My reasoning’s ranged from thinking “he” was the one to needing financial assistance or even just plain loneliness. God has a better plan for our lives and this (abundance of unhappiness) is not His desire for us! Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly! If his type of love is disrespectful, manipulating, physically abusive or verbally degrading, it’s time to find true love in God! God’s love is restoration, deliverance, peace and joy and it is available to you right now! God knows the heart of man (who “he” really is) and He knows whose best for you! Allow Him to choose the right man of valor (whom you are to marry) for you! In Jesus’ mighty name, Is this one-way or round trip?

Practical Applications/Meditations: (Prov. 31, 26:11; Ps 16, 21, 27, 28, 31, 68, 91; 1Cor 13:4-8)

Start at the Salvation Station:

If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so now! Receive all that God has for you right now! Life won’t be perfect, but it’s more rewarding with Jesus!
Get on the Train of Understanding:  

(of who you are in Christ Jesus!): Find every scripture on what God says about you in His Word and meditate (think about and internalize) on them! When you internalize who you are in Christ, you won’t allow anyone to treat God’s temple with disrespect!

Listen to the Conductor’s Instructions:

Get in a Bible-based practicing church and be covered by whom God has called to oversee and teach you! Most of all learn to develop a personal relationship with the “Conductor” Himself and heed to His instructions!

Where are You going?

Map and plan out what you’ve hoped and dreamed for and begin working towards those goals! Pray and Ask God for Help and people will begin to surround you with solutions to your problems!

Who’s Talking on your PA System?

It is very imperative that you seek Godly counsel because not everyone will give you good advice! The church? A Christian co-worker? Someone who you can sincerely trust to help you achieve your new found goals and grow in your faith!

Don’t Give Up!

The Enemy (Satan) is very real! He does not want you to succeed and is very subtle in his scheme to block your destiny that God has available for you! We all have had our hearts played and broken by “him”, but God will never leave you nor forsake you! He will supply your every need from comfort to financial help! Trust and believe!

Not a round trip?

Don’t go back to the island of hopelessness when you could be in Hawaii! Unless God has done the changing in “him”, most likely it’s not a lasting one! Continue moving forward on the train of success with God and Jesus as your Lord and Savior!

Praise be to God and With God’s Love, Dee-Dee McDuffie 6/19/2011

A LOG TURNED INTO A CABIN

I used to love watching Home and Garden Television on cable. One show in particular, Log Cabins, portrayed how a beautiful lavish log cabin started out as one simple beam of wood. The show revealed the process of building the cabin which was relatively slow because of the interference of weather, materials, etc. Although each episode was only an hour, you could travel through the four seasons as you watched them fully complete one house, which began as a log. I was reminded of this show during a brief encounter with a woman.

As I was speaking with her, I realized how her speech was very negative. She looked for and found something negative in everything, especially people. When she did acknowledge that she had some issues, the blame went to someone else or had excuses attached. Later that evening, as I was thinking about how she irritated me, I thought of the scripture: Matthew 7:3-5 that says, “3Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother's eye. (Amp)

A beam of timber…a log.

Still irritated, the Holy Spirit reminded me of how I was delivered from this same issue. He gently reminded me of how I used to blame everyone else too, had a tendency to find the negative in others’, but never accepted that I was a negative person. My mouth was negative, my thoughts were negative, my actions (or reactions) were negative. I spent most of my time, like her, being negative. I thought about (because of my own experience) how this type of behavior blocks the flow of God in our lives.

I recalled what brought my deliverance about and what God had done for me. One evening, as I was in deep meditation, the Holy Spirit spoke, saying that in order for me to grow and become all God has called me to be, there were some things that needed to be admitted and addressed. So, I began, “I am judgmental, a manipulator, a slanderer…” and it went on. I cried so hard that I thought my heart was going to pop out my chest! He revealed to me this type of behavior was displeasing in God’s sight no matter how I tried to previously justify it

(1). I heard the small still quiet voice say, “I’m here.” I cried uncontrollably as He continued, “I love you”. I knew then God loved me enough to help me and I needed His help! “Don’t leave me like this!” I yelled in tears. I had a desire to have permanent change because my actions didn’t line up with Truth. I was then reminded of His promises of deliverance (2). I immediately began regimens taught by my spiritual father including biblical fasting, prayer and just shutting up! Again, I admitted that I needed to change, so that my Father in Heaven could help me change. Next, I sought practical ways to implement those necessary changes including changing my thought pattern, speech, friends and surroundings.

When I finished pondering upon my own deliverance, I had an understanding of her current situation. It is difficult for her to be delivered because her log had turned into a cabin. She has been saved for many years but because she built her log cabin of slander, discord and judgment, one log at a time, it was now (not luxurious) a cabin full of negativity. Along the way, just like me, the weather of life aided in building her cabin, so much that she can no longer see what is within her, but only the “specks of sawdust” in others’.

My immediate prayer was, “Lord, how can we help her?”

The response: "Be transparent."

(3) So here today, I’m “write” [right] before you because I too had that same problem. I encourage you today to not allow each log of negativity through your speech or thought, turn into a cabin that blocks the flow of God in your life. Wake up! Arise! Become all God has called you to be! He can deliver you, just like He did for me! It may take time to crush the house that you’ve built around yourself, but God is a wrecking ball ready and willing to destroy that old cabin and give you a new luxurious one! Change is necessary to receive a consistent flow of God’s blessings in your life! I look forward to hearing your testimonies as I was just transparent with mine!

Praise be to God and With God’s Love,

Dee-Dee McDuffie
003
6/6/2011

Scripture Meditations:

(1)

Proverbs 10:18 (AMP)

18He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool.1 Corinthians 6:10 (AMP)
Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.
Colossians 3:8 (AMP)
But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
(2) Psalm 32:7 (AMP)
You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Psalm 35:9 (AMP)
Then I shall be joyful in the Lord; I shall rejoice in His deliverance.
 (3)
Revelation 12:11 (KJV) 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death

In Honor of His Promise

To our daughter's.... My mother passed away when I was 9 1/2...I thank God for my spiritual mother...but I sincerely miss "My Mommy." ..... Don't take yours for granted, you never know when God may call her home.
  I heard the words you said to your mother today
It hurts me to hear the things that you say
Why are you angry and why are you mad?….
It hurt me to see your mother so sad
Tears rolled from her face as she didn’t know what to do
Matter of fact, she’s not sure what’s wrong with you

You treat her with disrespect and dishonor her name
But you claim you love her just the same
Did you forget how much she does for you in the day?
Why do you hurt her in the things that you say?
Tears rolled from her face as she didn’t know what to do
Matter of fact, she’s doesn’t know what’s wrong with you

You slam the door as if you were right
But I am here to say, no more going back the same way
God’s Word is all too clear
Honor thy mother and father…do not dishonor… what part did you not hear?

It’s all for you to live your life long
No need to cut it short
So I love you enough to say - don’t go back the same way
What good will all that anger do?
Maybe today, try a different way
And love her just like she loves you!

Praise be to God and with God's Love,
Dee-Dee McDuffie

Scripture Meditations:
Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV)
Galatians 5: 22 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Proverbs 15:20 (NIV)

Tattooed

When I was in my teenage years, I didn’t have ownership of anything. I didn’t own anything that belonged specifically to me. The house that I lived in belonged to my father, the car we drove belonged to my father and the money that I had belonged to my father. My father provided all that I needed and because of this, I was very content regardless of the fact that these things didn’t specifically belong to me.   My father never made it a big deal to remind me these "things" belonged to him unless I mistreated them.  He taught me to respect the things that he had freely given to me because of his love for me. 

As I grew into my adulthood, I still didn’t have ownership of anything. As I watched others’ buy homes and cars, these were not things I obtained for myself because of bad choices. Between abusive relationships that consistently reminded me that I was not in control, and bad choices that proved I had nothing of substance (in others’ opinion), I looked for ways to have something of my own.

One day as I was conversing with peers about tattoos, I asked each of them why they decided to get tattooed. I was given several reasons from “I just needed something for me” to “its tribute to God”. As I thought about why I would like to have a tattoo myself, I thought this could be the one thing that I owned - so to speak. The powerful women’s declaration came to my mind - “My body belongs to me!” In my mind, no one could take it away from me because it was permanent. I immediately went out and had a Gecko tattooed on my ankle. I was so excited about it; I told everyone how the pain was worth it! Years later I would get another tattoo and to be honest, for the same reason. As I contemplated the possibility of a third tattoo, I resisted because I watched how others’ had become addicted and I realized this could become a problem for me. 

After I received salvation through Jesus Christ, I came across some young ladies who asked me about tattoos and if it was a sin. As I pointed them to scripture (1), one young lady reminded me that I have two tattoos, so what was the big deal because - “God had forgiven you, right?” At that point, I realized that my actions could affect the decisions of others. As I remembered back of why I thought ownership was so important, I recalled the experiences that led to this action. I was never the same after this conversation. I constantly wanted to cover the shame of my youth, (2) my tattoos. Although I watched what type of clothes I wore so that my tattoos wouldn’t be seen, I lived in constant condemnation. One evening, while in prayer and repentance about my tattoos, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that through Jesus Christ, I didn’t have to live in condemnation, but our bodies are not our own (3). Our bodies belong to God. God didn’t want me to have to constantly cover the shame, guilt and error that Jesus had taken care of, but it could make my witnessing for Christ more difficult. I was saddened deeply by the fact that my decision to get tattooed, could affect someone else in a negative manner where they might disobey God (4).

Like my father, our Heavenly Father will provide us with all that we need to be content. He loves and cares for us and promises that He will supply all that we need! He also gives us the blessings of obedience and the results of disobedience in His Word to keep us focused (5) on right living.   When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He was saying, “The pain was worth it!” for us all. He sacrificed His body, so that we could live and glorify God in ours. Why should we go through all the trouble of covering the shame of our youth or live in condemnation, when we could make the decision now to honor God through obedience to His Word? Although forgiveness is available, we should never test God’s grace and mercy.

It is my sincere prayer, as you read this, you will not mark what God created in His image.  I know for myself it has not been worthwhile looking for clothes to specifically cover my tattoos especially when it is a cute blouse! The Bible says in Leviticus (1) that we are not to tattoo our bodies or pierce them. When we mark the body (temple) that God allows us to move in freely, we dishonor Him, even if the tattoo was meant for Him! (6). It’s like saying, “God you’re work was just ok, but I have a better look for me so let me add a little something to it!” If like me, you unfortunately have made a mistake, I pray that you will come to realize there is no condemnation in Jesus Christ because He was “tattooed” enough for us all (7) !  Receive God’s forgiveness today in the name of Jesus!

You are beautiful the way God created you! Make the decision today to live in the body God gave you freely through Jesus Christ, tattoo free! Take care of the temple that God gave you and you will glorify the Most High!

Praise be to God and with God’s Love,

Dee-Dee McDuffie

5/12/2011

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Scripture References:

1. Leviticus 19:28 (New King James Version)

2. Jeremiah 3:23-25 (New King James Version)

3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New King James Version)

4. Romans 14:21 (New King James Version)

5. Deuteronomy 28 (NIV)

6. Genesis 1:27 (New King James Version)

7. John 3:16 (NIV)