Inspiring Stories to help you beyond your circumstances A HOUSE DIVIDED WILL NOT STAND
Our society is suffering from a progressive breakdown of interpersonal relationships. People are more connected than ever…and less connected in real relationships. Texting has taken over talking. Relationships have diminished and people actually spend less quality time with family and friends. People are bashing authority, taking matters into their own hands, attempting to kill people because they don’t like them, to all sorts of manipulation and evil. What on earth has happened in this nation? How did the breakdown start? What can we do to bring about change?
It’s imperative to take time to get away to spend with family and friends, or you will get caught in the crossfire of enemy tactics. Satan is afraid of what you can become in Christ…so he seeks to destroy any of us at a young age. Be encouraged….people who have been the lowest often end up the highest. The Scriptures tells us, “He who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).
There is always something you don’t know in any situation; so be careful not to assume and judge. Satan will try to get you to accuse, assume, attack, belittle, lie, and slander. He will paint a rosy picture to get you off course and it never ends well. Remember Judas. Sowing and reaping is a principle that works in the good and the bad.
David’s own father and brothers assumed he wasn’t in the lineup for God’s choice…but wow….were they wrong. The very one they thought wasn’t good enough and not even called in for the lineup, was God’s choice. See how far off assumption can get a person, and an entire family falling for their own opinions? (See 1 Samuel 16)
Satan comes to distract, deter, damage, and create doubt and duress in the lives of every believer so that we are derailed by evil tactics. Lack of respect, lack of respect for authority, and moral decay has swept through the nation. It is obvious what is happening. Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy.
The Bible says that we are hid in Christ (as born-again followers of Christ) and the devil cannot find us. He roars like a lion trying to get us to come out and align with him through negative confession, accusation, slander, and all sorts of evil.
Satan comes to divide your mind against God. He will try to divide your marriage, family, friends, cities, churches, and nations. A house divided will not stand. A nation divided will not stand. When people lose their moral compass, disaster is imminent.
The enemy wants to destroy from within. Keep your heart pure. Purity is prerequisite for power. Courage is prerequisite for impact and legacy
Choose this day WHO you will serve —God or Satan. Determine in your heart to be the change in every situation. Determine to confess the Word of God over any and every circumstance, regardless of how it appears. Stay in alignment with God’s Word which is His will. Build your house upon the ROCK…Jesus Christ…a sure foundation. We will never improve on God’s “ancient path.” (Stand at the crossing, and consider the ancient path, that leads to Me. Walk on this path and you will find rest for your souls….See Jeremiah 6:16).
Jesus said that whoever heard His words and obeyed Him, would be like a wise man who built his house on a rock. (See Matthew 7:24-27)
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.” (Psalm 18:2)
God wants us to build securely on the Eternal Rock—the Word of God. Jesus is our ROCK..He is the firm foundation that we can build our lives upon. Don’t you dare budge off of God’s Word! Stand strong, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord. Instead of being divided, be determined to obey God! Believe Him, and trust Him! He is always faithful….
God loves you!
HIS love and mine,
DEBORAH
Dr. (Rev.) Deborah Starczewski
BOOKS FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI
GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed, And Know Your Purpose)….move from drama to destiny, pain to purpose, trials to triumph,
A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…the full account of God raising my husband from death, healing him from two strokes and two open-heart surgeries….25 days at Mercy. This book will encourage you to take your own leap of faith!
THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (WIll America Turn Back To God?)….a must read for all.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, www.starministriesinc.com, and other distributors.
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts…”
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Wrong associations can corrupt good manners. The people you associate with on a regular basis will have an impact on your life—one way or another. Not all people who sound religious are really godly. Jesus said “they refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.”…..He also said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on a solid rock. Though the rains come in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against the house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on a rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.” After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. (See Matthew 7:21-28).
It is impossible to live a life that is untouched by other people. Wrong attitudes, opinions, and unbelief through negative speaking can reshape our perspective and influence our decisions if we don’t choose to renew our minds on a daily basis. That is why it is imperative to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit—not mankind—and to have a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord through spending time in His Word, and with other believers. It’s a daily choice.
It’s totally awesome when one godly person’s life sharpens another, but it can be a disaster in the making when negative influence sways better judgment. Being lured in by the temptation of negative opinions, and the world’s system doesn’t really show up too much in the beginning—but surely does with hindsight. It also has the power to harden the heart over time.
When people who call themselves believers or Christians surrender to sinful lifestyles, it dulls the ability to discern right and wrong (1 Tim. 4:1-2), and can easily draw others along as well. Believe it or not, some of the biggest potential enemies to spiritual growth that Paul experienced were not those outside the faith who were involved in blatant sin, but rather those inside the church community.
Negative influence isn’t always obvious. We will never improve on the Master’s plan—staying on the “ancient path”….and following Jesus Himself is always BEST. We will never improve on anything by imitating man. We are warned to be on the lookout for wolves in sheep’s clothing—those who appear “spiritual” on the outside, but lead God’s people astray (2 Thess. 2:3; 2 Peter 3:17; 1 John 4:1).
Negative influence might go something like this: “Come on, everybody is doing it.” “You are over the top with this relationship with Jesus stuff.” “You can skip college class today…no one will miss you.” Or, when a friend says: “Don’t you think your husband is too tight with money?” Or, “The world says it’s okay, so it has to be okay with God.” WRONG!
The desire for man’s approval, rebellion, and the pleasure of sin are traps of the enemy. Don’t ignore warnings from the Lord…no matter how they come. Surround yourself with people who are positive influences, and limit time with negative people. Being around positive people who follow God’s Word will also bring protection.
Take time for prayer. The surrendered person has a relationship with God where he or she can hear what the Lord is saying. Through prayer, we submit ourselves to God, and allow our hearts, minds, and wills to be influenced by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The question to ask is this: “Is this relationship drawing me closer to Jesus and the Cross?” Stick close to people who run everything by God and His Word. It may save you from disaster.
And…remember this….the very person who irritates you may be the very one God has sent to you to bring you to a place of victory in some area. If your heart is tender, you will be drawn to God’s truth and want to grow. If your heart is hardening and wounded, you will be annoyed, aggravated, and want to distance yourself from people who love the Lord and His Word.
Focus on God’s truth…it will transform your thinking (Romans 12:2). The Word protects our minds against the lies and deception of sin. Submit to God through His Word and prayer. Joshua 1:8 commands us, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”
God loves you! He has a great plan for your life….Apart from our relationship with the LORD, all religious practices are empty. Let’s pray together: “Father, in the name of Jesus, keep me close and obedient, real and authentic, as I live my Christian life.
Take time to pray Psalm 129:4, Psalm 103:20, Isaiah 49:25, Isaiah 55:11, and Isaiah 54:17.
God bless you!
Deborah Starczewski
Books by Dr. Deborah Starczewski
GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed, And Know Your Purpose)….. move from drama to destiny, pain to purpose, a mess to a message, and trials to triumph through CHRIST.
A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)….the full account of the miraculous intervention by God in the life of my husband—raised from death, two open heart surgeries, and healing from two strokes. This book reveals the power of hearing, listening and obeying God…and the importance of other believers in our lives.
THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)… a must read for all. A great family devotional and makes a great gift for friends, family, and any occasion.
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Xulon, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors.
*Contact Deborah for ministry and speaking engagements at www.starministriesinc.com
DIRECT MY STEPS LORD
When any of us are stricken with some crushing pain, crisis, hardship, or trial and we don’t know what to do, it is paramount to remember the words of Jeremiah: “I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23).
The absolute worst thing we can do in times of trouble is to make hasty decisions and to take whatever course of action seems easiest at the time. Remember, God has promised to lead us.
In 1 Samuel 30, David was in extreme duress and had wept till he had no strength left. All those with him did the same. You can read the story. Even those around him wanted to stone him, but David encouraged himself in the Lord, chose to worship, inquired of God and God gave David specific instructions. David obeyed and recovered all. (*Note: … those with him wanted to stone him and out of all of those men, David was the only one mentioned that turned to the Lord). Time doesn’t heal our wounds; it is in turning to the LORD where we find strength and help in times of trouble.
We must remember that our life is not our own, and that God has promised to lead us. I don’t know what you are facing, but God does. Turn to Him and He will give you direction. He will direct your steps. If you sense a small unsettling nudge in your heart, don’t ignore it. It may save your life and future.
You may be seeing injustice all around you and sense God nudging you to step out into a new career to be the change. You may be facing a business decision and need help from God and clarity. You may be deciding which job to take, where to move, or what church to connect with in a new city. One thing I know for sure, God will lead you. He will also connect you will people to help you succeed as a team.
HIS love and mine,
Deborah
BOOKS BY DR. DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI
GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose)
A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…the miraculous account of God raising my husband from death, healing him from two strokes, and two open-heart surgeries. The story will keep you turning the pages, give you encouragement, and increase your faith to believe God for whatever you are facing.
THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)…a must read for all. A great devotional type read…the perfect gift for family, friends, and co-workers.
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors.
Contact Deborah at www.starministriesinc.com for speaking and ministry engagements.