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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Soul Surfer's, Sarah Rachel Hill, joins the 2012 Women of Purpose Line-up! via @constantcontact
EXCITING NEWS!!! Please click on the link below for more information!!!
Confidence in Christ
In order to have CONFIDENCE in Christ, we must first BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and be willing to get off the throne and let Him be Lord of our life, which is the hard part, because most of us like to be in control.
What’s it going to take for us to relinquish control of our lives to Him? That’s a question to ponder; the answer is different for each one of us.
I’ll never forget the day that I acknowledged my need for Christ; it was a monumental moment. I fell to my knees and said, “Lord, I need you; I cannot make it through this day without you! I need your strength Lord!”
I was in my mid-twenties and even though I BELIEVED, I had not fully surrendered my life to Christ. The Bible says that even the demons BELIEVE and shudder at the name of JESUS! James 2:19
I believed, but I was living my life apart from God and apart from God, we are SINNERS. In order to be SAVED, we must acknowledge & repent of our sins & confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Romans 10:9-10
I invite you to pray this prayer with me. Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you took the pain of the cross to give me new life. I ask you to come into my life and to give me your peace and joy. I confess that I am a sinner -- that I have gone my own way and have done wrong. Please forgive me for my sins. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to follow you and to serve you all my life. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, you are now a child of God. The things of your old life have passed away and He has made ALL things new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
From this point forward, stand upon His word and TRUST in Him!
In this world we will have trials and tribulations, but be of good cheer because Jesus has overcome the world! John 16:33
In this life we do not fight against flesh and blood but against the principalities of the air. Eph. 6:12
Spiritual battles are REAL and they must be fought with a SPIRITUAL WEAPON, which is the Word of God, and that is WHY it is very important to read God’s word and KNOW what His promises are and then SPEAK His Word over your life daily!
Following are a few of my favorites!
I am a CHILD of the most high God. Psalm 82:6
I am joint heirs with Christ. Romans 8:16-17
I have access to the throne of God. Romans 5:2, Hebrews 4:16
I am RIGHTEOUS in the eyes of God. Romans 3:22
I am BLESSED coming and going. Deuteronomy 28:6
I am the HEAD and not the tail. Deuteronomy 28:13
I have AUTHORITY over the enemy in Jesus’ name. Mark 16:17
I am more than a CONQUEROR through Christ Jesus. Romans 8:37
I CAN do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
I have OVERCOME by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of my Testimony! Revelation 12:11
Amen & Amen! (So be it!)
Confidence in Christ comes from BELIEVING & TRUSTING in Him!
Monday, November 21, 2011
A Season of Doubt
Secretly, I had entered a season of doubt in the existence of God.
I cried out to Him and felt as if He was NOT present. I was angry. He is HOPE & to no longer believe in His existence meant that life was HOPELESS.
I wanted to BELIEVE, however, doubt had presented itself to me and faith & doubt can NOT co-exist; we either believe or we don't!
Friend, we have a real enemy and his name is Satan!
Satan wants to get us to doubt the goodness & love of God, and if he can he’s won a great victory.
Satan is not looking for the unbeliever, he already has them. He’s looking to devour Christians; this is a battle for our souls. Satan wants to get at us in this life because as Christians we are headed for GLORY!
Satan would love for us to turn our backs on God & curse Him to His face. He would like us to believe that God is holding back on us and that He’s not a good God.
Satan is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 (NIV)
When Satan attacks time after time after time, don’t turn your back on God; there is no HOPE without Him.
If doubt shows it’s ugly face REFUSE to give into it! Dive deeper into God’s WORD, gather together with other BELIEVERS, PERSEVERE & STAND FIRM until the end! God’s word says if we draw nigh unto Him, he will draw nigh unto us. James 4:8 (KJV)
Satan comes only to steal and kill and destroy and Jesus has come that we may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)
I don’t know WHY God allows Satan to attack believers, it’s a mystery to me.
When we are faced with what we don’t know, go back to what we do know and that is God is a God of LOVE, a God of HOPE, a God of ENCOURAGEMENT and a God of RESTORATION.
I share my journey of FAITH with you for the purpose of encouraging those of you who may be living a life of hopelessness, due to your doubt of His existence, to NOT give into Satan, instead choose to BELIEVE! Fully SURRENDER your life to Him and He will reveal Himself to you!
God has revealed Himself to me in undeniable ways; STAND FIRM in your FAITH and BELIEVE that JESUS LOVES YOU!
“Now may the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (ESV)
Additional Scripture references:
Jesus said even the elect would be deceived by Satan. (Matthew 24:24)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:16 (NASB)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV)
Thursday, November 17, 2011
My Life's PURPOSE
Dear Friends,
I'm excited to share my new web page with you!
My life has been spared and I'm dedicating my life to sharing Christ's love with others and using whatever platform the Lord gives me to create an awareness regarding Melanoma Cancer, the most deadly form of skin cancer!
Please click on the link above & take a look at my page and share it with others!
Love & Blessings, Karen
“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:39
Monday, November 14, 2011
Hearing God's Voice
Through the Holy Spirit the Lord speaks to each of us ALL of the time! We need to prepare our hearts in order to hear His voice!
It starts with BELIEVING in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit and then in FAITH we SURRENDER our lives to our Heavenly Father by saying, "Your will, Lord, NOT mine, be done!"
We give our lives over to Him. We seek His face by studying His word. We pray & ask and He answers!
How do we know it's God? When there is PEACE that surpasses ALL understanding, it's GOD!
I learned a long time ago, if I didn't have peace it was a BE STILL AND KNOW that He is God moment! If you're NOT at peace, God's trying to tell you something. I urge you to BE STILL, know that He is God & LISTEN. He will speak to your heart and you WILL KNOW it's Him when PEACE comes over you like never before.
I know in my own life, I have prayed for answers to questions like, "Lord, what is my PURPOSE? How can the gifts you've given me be better used to build your Kingdom?" He had the answer; however, He LOVED me so much that He WAITED to give me the answer until I WAS READY!
If you're in a time of waiting, consider this, He has the ANSWER; however He LOVES YOU so much that He's waiting on YOU to be ready to receive it!
BELIEVE in Him, SURRENDER your life to Him, SEEK His face by studying His word & BE STILL & know that He is God! Psalm 46:10
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Famous people who have DIED or are SURVIVORS of Melanoma
Melanoma is not a high profile cancer, therefore there is a lack of awareness regarding the seriousness of it; most people think that “it’s ONLY Skin Cancer” and you just get it cut out and then you're OK, which is NOT the case; SOMEONE DIES EVERY HOUR, EVERYDAY OF THIS SKIN CANCER, which is unfortunate because it’s largely preventable (two-thirds of Melanoma cases are related to sun exposure) and highly curable IF detected in its early stages.
Please click http://www.aad.org/public/exams/screenings/index.html and register to be notified of FREE Skin Cancer Screenings within a 50 mile radius of your home and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same!
Following is a short list of FAMOUS people whose “untimely deaths” could have been prevented:
BOB MARLEY (singer) died at age 36 in 1981 from a cancer whose primary source was an Acral Melanoma under one of his toe nails. (http://www.melanomaupdates.com/2010/05/14/spotlight-on-melanoma/)
*Acral Melanoma one of the most common forms of melanoma in Asians and people with dark skin, accounting for up to 50% of melanomas that occur in people with these skin types. Acral melanoma is often referred to as a “hidden melanoma” because these lesions occur on parts of the body not easily examined or not thought necessary to examine. It develops on the palms, soles, mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth, nose and female genitals) and underneath or near fingernails and toenails.
EVA CASSIDY (singer) died at age 33 in 1996. evacassidy.org
STEPHEN CANNELL (American TV producer, writer, novelist & actor) died at age 69 in 2010 from complications related to Melanoma Skin Cancer.
DANNY FEDERICI (Bruce Springsteen's E Street Bandmate) died of melanoma at age 58 in 2008 after a three-year battle. http://www.dannyfund.org/
FRANK MCCOURT (teacher and author e.g., "Angela's Ashes") died at age 78 in 2009.
FAMOUS “SURVIVORS” OF MELANOMA:
JOHN MCCAIN (2008 U.S. Presidential candidate)
TROY AIKMAN (NFL Cowboys quarterback) was diagnosed with the "earliest stage" of Malignant Melanoma on his shoulder in 1998. "I've known people who had skin cancer," Aikman said. "Usually they go in and the doctor freezes it. I thought that was how it always was. But melanoma is different. If you don't catch it, it can be deadly. I'm fortunate that we found it early and got it out."
EWAN MCGREGOR (Star of Blockbuster Star Wars episodes 1-3) had a cancerous mole (Melanoma) removed from his face at 36 years old in 2007.
Just to name a few.
PLEASE click on http://www.aad.org/public/exams/screenings/index.html TODAY and let others know about the LIFE-SAVING OPPORTUNITY to have a FREE Skin Cancer Screening.
Thank you for joining along with me in creating an awareness regarding the seriousness of this deadly disease for the purpose of SAVING LIVES!
Originally Posted by Karen Rae Selm Hickam February 9th, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Monday, November 7, 2011
Hope in Christ
At 39 years old I was diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease, Melanoma Skin Cancer, the most deadly form of skin cancer that can metastasize and invade other organs throughout our bodies and as a result kill us.
Thankfully, my cancer was detected in it's earliest stages, which is highly curable. My life has been spared; HOWEVER, I was faced with the REALITY of the FACT that this life we are living is TEMPORARY and at some point EACH OF US WILL DIE!
We don't know the time of our death; most of us assume that it will be LATER rather than SOONER; however, we are NOT GUARANTEED TOMORROW. This FACT is very hard to grasp.
How do we "live like we are dying?" Do we really go sky diving and Rocky Mountain climbing? Life brings along with it responsibilities, like providing for ourselves and taking care of our homes & families, so as long as we are still living, we have a living to make, laundry to do, groceries to buy, meals to prepare and kids to take care of.
In the midst of handling our day to day responsibilities we must do our best to not only "get through" each day, but to "gain something from" each day. We have been BLESSED with the GIFT of LIFE!
BELIEVE that there is a purpose & a plan for your life. Seek God's face, read His Word and He will reveal to you His will for your life.
We must first have FAITH, which is a confident belief in the TRUTH, a secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
What is TRUTH? Many don't have a basis of truth, their truth is a matter of opinion derived from upbringing, culture or society, and it's ever changing. God's Word is TRUTH, His promises are the same yesterday, today & forever.
As a believer in Christ, we have the promise of Eternal Life, this gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. There is HOPE in Christ!
Believe in Him, Trust in Him, Lean on Him, Hope in Him, Call upon His Holy Name & NEVER GIVE UP!
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 40:31
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