James 1:23 NCV "Those who hear God's teaching and did nothing are like people who look at themselves in a mirror." Psalms 23:6 KJV "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Romans 13:11 KJV "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than we believed."

Have you obeyed and taken up your cross to be crucified with Christ? You answered the command to deny yourself and crucify the flesh but now things seem like they have gotten dark or darker all of a sudden and the flesh is crying louder than before!! WHAT'S GOING ON??? Here is a quickening word for you...Matthew 27:45-46 KJV "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:50-51 KJV "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;"

It's easy to get caught up in the moment. A moment is a small thing it comes and goes but can leave a lingering impression. We have to be intentional so that we are not sidetracked from our journey by a fleeting moment of adversity or contrariness. 2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and external weight of glory."

There are some basic things that we need to be consistent in as warriors in God's army. We have to stay sharp and alert. If the enemy catches us slipping it can mean a great deal of unnecessary struggle or trouble for us. It can even mean a fall. The adversary will work feverishly to distract us from these 3 basis disciples. Stay on guard and be alert. Victory is ours!! Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." 1 John 4:18 KJV "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Pride and NO Power!!! Take a few minutes and be kind to your mind. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Corinthians 11:4 KJV "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

Ever feel like you wake up to see the same problem, same issue, same tendency, same mindset, same stronghold?? You're walking around in circles! Listen to this WORD! Joshua 6:4 KJV "And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets."

There is a benefit to bearing spiritual fruit. If you remain attached to the vine (Jesus) and he is connected to you, you will bear much fruit. In the bible, the fruit of the vine is pressed to produce new wine. Has your fruit been pressed lately? God gave us living water through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water and wine have different effects. Let God take you through a pressing process to create new wine that you can drink and become totally intoxicated with the Spirit and nature of God. Let him turn your water into wine! Ephesians 5:18 KJV "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"

What does "forgive" look like? How do I forgive, especially if the pain someone makes me feel hurts more than their love feels good. Luke 17:3-5 KJV "Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Let's not give any legal ground to the adversary with which he can cling to us and occupy our being. Let's not leave any area of our being to the influence of evil spirits. Yield no areas of the flesh, soul, or spirit to the power of darkness through unrepentant sin or secret sins. Let us be totally FREE!!! John 14:30 KJV "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me."