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A Timely Important Message
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By Joni Ames
(6-12) God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
(13-18) Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
(Ephesians 6:6-18 The Message)
Dear Friends,
We know our battle is truly not against people, but against the enemy.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12NKJV)
However, the prevailing political spirit that is raging out there is attempting to get all of us in such a tizzy that we battle each other.
The weapons of our warfare are not the same as the world knows or uses. They are more powerful even than atomic ones. If we use God's weapons, we win and the enemy is punished.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
(2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV)
What are some of those weapons?
(1) Love. God IS love. Love wins. Period. We know that torks the enemy off but it is truth. It's not our giftedness, intelligence, cunning abilities, or smooth talking. It's love that wins. Love NEVER fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
So don't let anyone get "to" you and move you out of the "love zone." Shut off or shut out what is able to push your buttons.
(2) Prayer. Communication with the Father. And if possible, praying in the spirit so that we are praying about the things He wants us to pray, in the way He wants it prayed, and in His Will so that He can work it all out in our favor.
"26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His Purpose."
(Romans 8:26-28)
(3) The Word.
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
(Hebrews 4:12NKJV)
Be in The Word, praying it out loud, and declaring it. There's nothing more powerful.
(4) Obedience.
So Samuel said:“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
(1 Samuel 15:22)
Knowing how to obey God is simple. Read, learn, and obey His Word. He will never tell you to do anything contrary to that. Even in voting in this election time. Pretty simple. What candidates stand for things contrary to God's Word (like abortion)? Don't vote for them.
(5) Self control. It's a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes it's a matter of mind over matter. Mind over what matters to the enemy, and onto what matters to God. Then us taking control of our impulses to allow the enemy to cause us to become controlled by his spirit and become upset, irritated, and out of sorts. And instead, seeking the mind of the Lord for our response to the situation and to give His Holy Spirit control.
"Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5NKJV)
We cannot control anyone else. But we CAN control our own thoughts, words, and deeds and cause them to line up with and be obedient to God. Therein we will find peace in these troubled times.
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 4:7NKJV)
Love & blessings,
Joni
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If you'd like to sow a financial gift at this time, you may do so any of the ways listed below my calendar. It would be exceptionally timely and greatly appreciated. Being off so long has put things in a precarious place.
Thank you again for your love, prayers, and friendship.
Please... Continue to #PrayForCharlotte for God's intervention, truth, and peace.
Love & blessings,
Joni
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Important Prayer Point
Keep praying dear friends! Your prayers are keeping Hurricane Matthew away from US land as it squeaks by. Pray for a more eastern track as it moves up along the coast. Also pray for those in the islands where it currently is at.
Watch "Matthew Barreling Toward Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica"
www.weather.com/storms/hurricane/video/watching-extremely-dangerous-matthew-in-caribbean-3?pl=pl-editor-picks
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Joni's 2016 Calendar
Now to Oct 11: Open
Wed Oct 12th, 6:30pm: Grace House, Pastors Eddie & Mikki Lawrence, 1946 Florence Blvd, Florence, AL 35630, www.gracehouse.info
Thurs., Oct. 13th, 6:30pm: Hse. Mtg. @ Butch & Lydia Collins home, Killen, AL
Oct 14 - 18: Open
Wed Oct 19: The Well Gadsden, Pastor Blake Sitz, 504 Brown Ave Se., Attalla AL 35954
thewellgadsden.com
Thurs Oct 20: Open
Fri Oct 21, 6:30pm: Global Harvest Church, 3594 Atdoann Dr., Hoover AL
Sat Oct 22: Open
Sun Oct 23: Open
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Mon Oct 24: Heading home to SC
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Tues Oct 25-27: Open
Wed Oct 26: Brooke's 10th Bd
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Oct 28 -31: In WV for Brooke's Bd
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NOVEMBER
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Tues Nov 1-30: Open
Thurs Nov 3: my 62nd Bd
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Joni's Address &
Giving Info
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Please continue to pray for me for health and finances.
If my life and ministry are a blessing to you and you'd like to sow a financial gift at this time, you may do so any of the ways listed below. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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NON Tax Deductible Gifts
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Send check to:
Joni Ames
P.O. Box 36667
Rock Hill, SC 29732
Or give via the Cash App. (This is immediate and instantly arrives into my account for use.) Try this link:
cash.me/app/NQJQHMB
Note: My giving tag is $joniames
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Tax Deductible Gifts
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You can send a check to:
Hope Ministries
P.O. Box 470743
Charlotte NC 28247
Important: Be sure to put "for Joni Ames" in memo section
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