The pornography epidemic is spreading like cancer on steroids. This plague is not confined by boundaries because it has touched many nations. It is not restricted by resources because there are outbreaks in every economic level from the ghettos of the cities, the condos of the suburbs, to the mansions along the shores. It is not limited by race because people of every shade can become its victims.

Each second $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography. The pornography industry is larger than the revenues of the top technology companies combined, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, Netflix, and EarthLink.

90% of children ages 8-16 years old admit to having viewed pornography online.

47% of Christians said that pornography is a major problem at home.

Like a drug, this addiction renders its victims helpless, destroying lives everywhere.

There is nothing sugar-coated or sweet about the damaging results of pornography and yielding to sexual temptation. Enticing images are constantly displayed on television, magazines, and on the Internet. Seductive visions are implanted in the minds of many by almost every form of technology known to mankind. In times past, “sex sells” was a term used figuratively, but now it has taken on a literal sense, and unfortunately, business is booming.

So how can we defend ourselves against the power of porn? With the power of purity of course.

Fight power with power. The power of porn is great but the power of God is the greatest. The only defense we have against the addiction of pornography and all sexual impurity is through God. We must arm ourselves with the word of God. Put on the entire armor of God. Making sure you have your loins girt about with truth, with breastplate of righteousness guarding your heart. Protect your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Next, take the shield of faith, that you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Finally, take with you, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray without ceasing. To pray without ceasing doesn’t mean praying non-stop 24 hours per day. It means to pray in addition to the morning and bedtime prayers you pray. It means that quick silent prayer you pray when you don’t have time for eloquent words and the prayer poise. Prayers like, “Lord, help me,” “Jesus, I need you now,” or “God, I can’t do this alone.” These are what I like to call “rescue me” prayers, like the one Peter prayed when he began to sink on the water after Jesus called for Peter to join him.

Guard your spirit. Your eyes, ears, and nose are all portals to your soul. It’s easier to prevent junk from entering the portals to your soul than it is to get the junk out after it has entered. You’ve heard of preventative maintenance right? It’s the same concept. Prevent yourself from allowing sexually impure images, conversations, thoughts, etc. to enter your spirit. This means movies, books, songs, etc. will have some type of affect on you, if it provokes sexual arousal on any level, no matter how small, it’s probably not good for you spiritually. Be sensitive to your spirit and the Spirit of God too. It may not scream warnings to you, it may whisper them, be on alert.

Can I pray for you, your loved one or friend who maybe struggling in this area? Father in heaven, we glorify you and praise you! You are so awesome! I am interceding on my friends behalf because I know what it’s like to struggle. Please strengthen them, shower them with your love and mercy. Assure them that with you, anything is possible. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Resources:

The Bible, New Living Translation Ephesians 6: 13-17

Something Else:

Dream BIG. Pray Hard. Expect God.

A birth certificate shows that we were born. A death certificate shows that we died. Pictures show that we lived.

I believe that just because two people argue, doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, doesn’t mean they do love each other.

I believe that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change. I believe that no matter how good a friend is, they are going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. I believe that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe that you must leave loved ones with loving words-it may be the last time you see them.
I believe that you can keep going long after you think you can’t.
I believe that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe that heroes/sheroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe that money is a lousy way of keeping score in life.
I believe that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I believe that sometimes the people you expect to kick you ‘when you are down” will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right 2 b angry. But that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
I believe that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them – and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I believe that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I believe that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

Remember: Don’t tell GOD how big your storm is – tell your storm HOW BIG YOUR GOD IS!!!

By Daria Dillard Stone

Is it journaling if you write on a paper napkin? Or in a fancy notebook? Or online? I think so. There’s no perfect way to journal. So if you’ve wanted to journal, but never tried it, dive in—or least stick your toe in the journaling waters. If you’ve journaled in the past, consider testing the waters again.

Too busy? Yes, I get it. Not oodles of discretionary time. Still it’s worth it. It has been for me—and many others.

Journaling Research Study: In a recent study, 41 unemployed professionals were divided into 3 groups. All searching for jobs, they submitted resumes, made phone calls and had interviews.

1. One group wrote about the frustrations and trauma of unemployment for 20 minutes each day.
2. The second group wrote about non-traumatic job-search events.
3. Third group didn’t write at all.

After eight months, the results:

1. Over one-half of those who wrote about their frustrations had full-time positions.
2. 25% of the non-trauma writers found work.
3. In the non-writing group, 13.6 % had started new jobs.

Researchers concluded that the difference in re-employment wasn’t differing job-hunting skills; they all took approximately the same steps. The difference seemed to be a more positive attitude evidenced in those who paid attention to their thoughts, emotions and frustrations as they wrote honestly in their journals. Interesting, huh?

Journaling Benefits: Recently I asked several people for reasons they journal. A writer friend said, “It is my way of keeping track of myself.” My hair stylist said, “I don’t have much time with three boys, a husband, and job, but I like to journal. I do it off and on—just 2 paragraphs at a time. It helps me stay aware of the bright spots in my busy day, so I can enjoy the moment. Otherwise, I tend to overlook the good times.”

“A journal is a book . . . in which you carry out the greatest of life’s adventures–the discovery of yourself,” writes Ron Klug, one of my former editors and the author of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. “A journal . . . is a place to record daily happenings. But it is far more than that. A journal is also a tool for self-discovery, an aid to concentration, a mirror for the soul, a place to generate and capture ideas, a safety valve for the emotions, a training ground for the writer, and a good friend and confidant.”

Journaling and God: In case you or someone you know pooh-poohs the benefit of journaling, consider this:

• The book of Ecclesiastes is King Solomon’s published journal.
• In Numbers 33:2 God instructed Moses to write a diary/journal of his journey with that often grouchy bunch of people he led.
• The Psalms include many of King David’s journal entries.

Journaling and You: Okay, so your writing might not sound like David’s songs (or maybe it does.) But your diary/journal doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Do what works for you. Keep it up or let it go. If you’re tired of journal writing, admit it on paper and skip a few days or longer. If you want a jump-start, consider jotting down your responses to these questions: When did I get frustrated today? What am I grateful for this morning?

Remember the basic guideline of journal-keeping: There are no rules. Enjoy. Your way is a good way. I’ve journaled on paper napkins, church bulletins, paper plates, as well as in fancy notebooks.

What are your experiences with journaling? I’d love to hear.

Joan C. Webb

Author, Speaker/Teacher, Life Coach, IW LifePlan Facilitator

www.joancwebb.com

www.intentionalwoman.org

by: LaDonna Brown

Are there things in your life that seem to keep haunting you; things you find difficult to overcome? If your answer is yes, you may be dealing with strongholds. First let us define a stronghold. Scripturally, a stronghold is used metaphorically to refer to areas where human confidence is relied upon rather than the wisdom of God. It can also be defined as any excuse you adopt to justify your wrong doing. My personal definition is an area in your life where you have difficulty overcoming whether it be a nasty attitude, negative thinking, gossiping, worrying, etc. With these unresolved areas in our lives, we become ineffective Christians, unable to effectively spread the gospel to others whose only contact with Christ maybe through us. God has called us to be holy and has given us the ability to be over comers in every area of our lives, therefore, we should never allow strongholds to set up and take residence in our hearts, the very area where only Christ should reside.

Since a stronghold is a defense mechanism, you need weapons to destroy it. Here are several weapons you must keep well oiled and ready to fire at all times to destroy any stronghold you are facing.

Praise as a weapon: Praise is a very important weapon which takes the focus off you and your problems and redirects it to God. It allows you to see just how small your situation is in relation to the greatness of God. Genesis 18:14 the Lord posed the question to Abram, “Is there anything to hard for the Lord?” Once you begin to praise, you recognize the truth of that question, absolutely nothing is too difficult for God to handle. This truth is further confirmed in Ephesians 3:20 where Paul closed his letter by stating that God is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we can ask or think. That is pretty powerful. Beyond what we can ask or even think…Ponder on that, while you ponder, praise and feel the release of Christ’s power flow.

Prayer as a weapon: Proverbs 15:29 states the Lord hears the prayer of the righteous. He has an attentive ear to my prayer and desires to hear from me. Thessalonians 5:17 simply says “pray without ceasing”. That is very straightforward. Luke 18:1 Men ought to always pray and not faint and Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. We must earnestly contend for a strong prayer life which is one of our greatest weapons. Surely the enemy knows this. He will do anything to discourage us from praying. Since prayer is one of our strongest weapons we must pray when we don’t feel like it and not allow anything or anyone to interfere.

Fasting as a weapon: You can pray and not fast but you cannot fast and not pray. Fasting is a tremendous weapon and a source of power in the life of a believer. It is a form of worship that magnifies God. Your circumstances may seem so overwhelming that they are all you can see. When you worship, that reduces the power of your circumstances and magnifies God. The most effective thing you can do in the midst of your circumstance is to magnify the Lord. In Nineveh, everyone fasted, even the animals, this proved to be a powerful weapon against the strongholds that kept them from worshipping God. It moved the heart of God and he spared the city. Another great example is when Judah faced a great enemy (II Chronicles 20) they fasted and the Lord fought the battle for them.

Word of God as a weapon: My late pastor always taught us, one scripture well understood and rightly applied can set the devil to flee. Psalms 119 has several scriptures that accentuate the importance of knowing the word. Verses 9-10 tells us our way is cleansed through the word and to seek the Lord with our whole heart to avoid wandering from his commandments. If we know the word, we can apply it to our lives in a time of need, for example, when Jesus fasted 40 days and nights he fought the enemy with nothing but the word. Verse 105 tells us the word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path; if we allow the word to saturate us and be our guide it will enlighten us, encourage us and strengthen us.

Fellowship of the Saints as a weapon: When situations come, one of the first things we do is run from the church or the saints of God. The enemy speaks to us and we will take on an attitude making us stay away from fellowship. During this time, we need to run toward the saints of God for prayer and strength. Don’t run away from your strength, your prayer warriors, and your armor bearers. We are further encouraged to do so in Philippians 2:1-2, to find consolation in Christ and fellowship of the Spirit, to be likeminded, be of one accord and the same mind. We depend on one another to survive. Romans 15:1-2 tells us to bear the infirmities of the weak, we all have a responsibility to edify one another. In edifying others we also build ourselves up through sharing testimony of God’s grace toward us.

Be encouraged to use these weapons in your daily walk as you strive to overcome the strongholds in your life.

I had the awesome opportunity to interview Donnie McClurkin! Nervous is a gross understatement for the queasiness I felt at the beginning of the interview. However, Donnie put me at ease with his light-heartedness and sense of humor.

We discussed his new CD – We All Are One (Live In Detroit). This is an awesome CD that I can’t encourage you enough to go out and grab yourself a copy! My favorite song is “Wait on the Lord.” It’s a song of worship, that compels patience in God while going through rough times,  it features Karen Clark.  To hear samples of each song on the CD visit www.DonnieMcClurkin.com.

His CD is one among many other things we discussed such as a book he is working on, his involvement with Feed the Children, and acting.

This is one interview that I won’t soon forget!

 

 Donnie McClurkin: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download