Triumphant Victorious Reminders

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love, He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our sins. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our trasgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." ~ Psalm 103:8-16 ~ Amplified Version Today, the first Saturday I 'planned' on sleeping in; of course this did not happen as I woke up this morning with my smooth fox terrier pawing on my head at ...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." ~ Matthew 13:44 & 45 ~ With joy I went through my purse to find my journal that my dear friend, Jennifer bought for me. I had to write down the words that I was hearing flow forth out of my mom's mouth. As we were fellowshipping together yesterday morning she was somewhat frustrated with not knowing how to use her iphone, as she was needing a username and password that she had no idea she even had. She looked at her phone and said, "This phone has so much potential, if I only knew how to use it." This comment sparked something so thought provoking. I said, ...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~ Philippians 4:13 The gym was packed. I arrived during 'peak' time. I could hear the 'buzz' in the atmosphere; many people sweating profusely as they pushed themselves to another level of fitness. I walked over to the cardio area scoping out which elliptical machine was open. I found just one as I hurriedly walked towards it with my ipod clipped to my shirt and earphones in my ears. I could feel the rush, it was intense, my adrenaline was pumping. The two people on either side of me at this point were working out to see results; not just working out as though they were going through the motions. I powered up my ipod, pushed play and was pumped. You'll laugh but I was getting pumped to a 'High School Musical' song (As a side note I love those movies). I could feel the motivation rise up within me to work out reall...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked. So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these]." ~ Luke 6:35 ~ Amplified Version "Hi, How are you today?" Her response to this question was in a condescending tone, "The day has only begun, it's kinda early to tell, don't ya think?" I was caught off guard by this smug answer. She was an attractive woman probably in her 60's, nicely groomed and dressed; a fresh face framed with soft light ...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed." ~ Proverbs 16:3 ~ Amplified Version Driving out to the campsite we drove around slowly to find the 'perfect' location for pitching our tent. The purpose of our drive was to stake out the campground. We then planned on going home to retrieve our camping supplies. As we drove around we spotted the land. Tim prayed over that land that God would guard it so that when we came back a couple of hours later the camping location would still be available. Sure enough when we arrived after retrieving our camping supplies the camping site was still available just for us. We thanked the Lord, parked in our spot and unloaded our 'Jimmy' with all of our camping supplies from lanterns, to cooking utensils, sleeping b...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell Image courtesy of Google Search Grasped hands holding on, hoping this moment will not end. Yet reality interrupts as their hands slowly let go and slide apart. With all her might she holds back the overwhelming emotions that are overtaking her at this very moment. She tries with everything in her to capture this moment; praying it will be forever seared in her heart and mind. Her husband dressed in uniform as he represents his country but also his family. He slowly walks away as his body faces forward, yet he has to turn back one last time to capture this moment with his beautiful wife as he watches her tears softly roll down her rosy cheeks. Suddenly, the door flings open as their children cry running after him, wanting to touch him just one more time. He swiftly turns back around, bends down with his strong arms open wide receiving each child as his shoulders shake uncontrollably. It ...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed...lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, 'I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake not let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]'" ~ Hebrews 13:5 ~ Amplified Version "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you." ~ Joshua 1:5 ~ Amplified Version Reading these scripture verses, God's promises of not leaving us is more than amazing. I know so many times we reflect on how circumstances, things or people have left us and we automatically look at God as ...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I trust..." ~ Psalm 91 ~ Tired as I had just come home from working out, yet anticipating to see my parents, I heard the knock at the door. As I unlocked and opened the door there stood my awesome dad. As I invited him inside my dog who is a smooth fox terrier darted out the door. The dog paused for a moment as he heard my husband and I yelling for him, screaming out, "Jaaaacccck! Jaaaacccck!" I was tired yet as I chased Jack suddenly a burst of energy went right through me. Running after him I realized that he would stop and mark his territory on almost ever tree along his way. He would then turn around, see me advancing towards him and then would turn around and run e...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "Casting the whole of our care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." ~ I Peter 5:7 ~ Amplified Version "Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall or fail)." ~ Psalm 55:22 ~ Amplified Version "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it roams through waterless places in search [of a place] of rest (release, refreshment, ease): and finding none it says, I will go back to my house from which I came. And when it arrives, it finds the place swept and put in order and furnished and decorated. And it goes and brings other spirits, seven (of them), more evil than itself, and they enter in, settle down, and dwell there; and the last state of the pers...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "...For I am the Lord that healeth thee." ~ Exodus 15:26 ~ I was blown away by the fight Farrah Fawcett (Famous Hollywood Actoress), perseveres through as she battles cancer. When I say she is battling cancer, she battles it with a smile on her face, giving hugs and kisses to those that surround her and that beautiful trademark smile that says 'Farrah' all over it. She produced a documentary, 'Farrah's Story' on her battle with cancer as she had endured treatments so extreme it made me wince in pain for her. The positive tenacity that she lives by is nothing short of amazing. She shed many tears of pain, and hearing the bad news of cancer returning when she only expected to hear good news that it was gone. To see a glimpse of her struggle and to see a glimpse of her great pain and suffering, she was still able to be grateful to God that she was still alive. Her life as I watch...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "We are assured and know that all things work together for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose. If God be for us, who can be against us? Who can truly be our enemy, if Almighty God is on our side?" ~ Romans 8:28, 31 ~ There are many people going through difficult times these days. The difficulties in life are so different, no matter the degree, it is very scary. As we are going through, notice the key words...'going through'. We know the option can not be to 'stay' there, however as my friend Ellen who I briefly communicated with yesterday via text, she said, "it's hard not knowing which way to go." She made a comment, "I've got to learn to 'let go' and just 'let God'." My sweet friend Ellen, she looks at many things in a positive light. Her husband's daughter, Lauren had juvenile diab...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "...you who [are His servants and by your prayers] put the Lord in remembrance [of His promises]..." ~ Isaiah 62 ~ Amplified Version An encouraging passing thought is just that...an encouraging passing thought. "As a passing thought; so is an intention that never comes to fruition." ~ Teresa Criswell What does a passing thought filled with encouragement accomplish? Nothing. The same goes if you multiply zero by any number, it is still zero. I want to have an encouraging thought meant for someone to hear and let them hear it. Are there times when you need an encouraging word? I want to take that a few steps further and think on the encouraging passing thoughts I have towards God that are great. Why not encourage Him? I want God to know that I am grateful, not just for what He has done for me and what He continues to do, but for Who He is. Another act of worship, who would have thought? En...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly." ~ II Corinthians 3:12 ~ For those of us who go to church, why do we go? Is it to say that I go to church? Is it another opportunity to dress up? Is it the opportunity to see my friends? To teach? To please God? What is the agenda? There is a hidden agenda many times, isn't there? Do we know what is going on in the world around us in our own country? I know, we hear and are reminded of the horrific and negative things that go on around us from many sources, such as the media. I act like a scared little chicken running from things that God may want to use me in. I have heard myself say, "I'm so tired of listening to the news, it's always bad news." Today, I got slapped with reality 'in love' when I saw in the forefront of my mind, "Of course...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell ""When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]." ~ Ephesians 4:26 & 27 ~ "An act of worship?" I asked the Lord. Just the question itself was frustrating. "Lord, how is it humanly possible to be angry and not sin?" Ready to pull out my hair as the Korean and Lebanese heritage started to seep out...I was beyond frustrated and mad. Let me tell you I was being defiant towards God; as I was beyond angry with a situation that may be taking place. Venting my frustration to my husband, with intense fellowship, I said, "I'm happy the way things are, I don't want this in my life right now, and of course a few 'not good choice' words slipped out, which frustrated me even moreso. At that point, I said som...

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop." ~ Mark 11:25 ~ Amplified Version The thoughts of how her friend spoke to her rehearsed in her mind like a broken record. The more she 'nurtured' the pain, the more her face revealed pain and anger; unknowingly she fed bitterness. Surrounded with beauty of her children and the love of her husband she would rather not give place to because her mind was so consumed with how she felt she was wronged. Legitimately, she had a 'right' to be angry, however, that right infringed on her joy from the Lord. It infringed on enjoying her beautiful blessings. Her life itself. The thing that does amaze me is have you ever noticed when we don't hold...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her [saying], "Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all." ~ Proverbs 31:28 ~ This is to honor every woman who is a mother. Especially the one's who have endured miscarriages. Just know that just because you may not have carried that precious child in your arms, your womb carried what your arms could not embrace. The precious child heard your heartbeat of love on their behalf. They knew as their mother you wanted more for them than you ever wanted for yourself. I honor you today especially, as God embraces you with His comfort, grace and unfailing love. If you are expecting to meet your little one soon, Happy Mother's Day, as you will be elated. Will it change your life? ...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "But [even] the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows." ~ Luke 12:7 ~ This is an early Mother's Day Writing that the Lord imparted into me as I drifted off to sleep last night. I dedicate this writing to my mom and my daughter...I pray you are blessed as I was: My Mother's Question To Me By: Teresa Criswell "Do you know your worth?" "For you are beautiful to me and you are priceless." As a child my thoughts answered back, "I believe you mom." My mother's question to me as a teenager, "Do you know your worth?" "You are beautiful to me and no matter what they say, you are priceless." With a fake smile I pretended to agree, yet my thoughts answered back, "That's not what they have said based on what I look like, I don't...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" ~ Matthew 6:25-27 ~ This morning, I stood in awe at the kitchen sink looking out the window. I could not help but be taken away by all the green trees before me. My attention was enthralled by a small creature; a tiny bird who flew in and perched on the fence. It looked as though he were cleaning itself, then another bird flew in to join him. The tiny bird that I was captivated by soon flew off onto a branch on a nearby cedar tree, then flew down to the ground picking up something and the...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "...for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us...But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us." ~ Romana 5:5,8 ~ (Amplified Version) My husband brought back to my memory yesterday as we were talking about the extraordinary love of Christ upon the adulterous woman. He reminded me of the gentleman that came to our church on Easter Sunday. He had made a statement that really allowed us to see God revealed by Jesus Christ how He not only possesses love; but HE IS LOVE! The guest speaker who came to our church said the following (paraphrased): "The three most difficult things to do in life, are not of physical difficulty. Like lifting a car, running for hundreds and thousands of miles or even climbing Mount Everest. Starting with the thi...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "...Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the Mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you..." ~ I Peter 5 (Amplified Version) ~ Reading the letter from Peter to the churches in Asia Minor, it is captivating to understand that he was encouraging those beautiful people throughout the northern part of that particular region where there was great suffering and persecution. Peter encouraged them by the Spirit of God to look to God for their hope as they were going through persecutions and sufferings. Trying to wrap my mind around something such as persecution is daunting and horrifying. Yet these people did so for the cause of Christ. They suffered in ways that I can not imagine. As I ponder these men and women that loved Christ no matter what the cost, they had an encourager reminding them to focus on their Hope in Christ Jesus. They had to have ...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "Therefore humble yourselves under the nighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieities, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Be well balanced, be vigilant and cautious at all times: for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour." ~ I Peter 5:6-8 ~ As discussed in our bible study yesterday regarding pride and humbleness, Pastor Kim helped me to understand some basic truths. As stated in I Peter 5:6-8 there is what she would call a 'Three Step Process' as we humble ourselves before the Lord. First, we must humble ourselves, knowing that God in due time will exalt us for His glory. Then, after we humble ourselves, we are truly able to cast our burdens on Him b...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3 ~ From yesterday's devotional, I ponder the woman that encountered Jesus as she received her pardon from the sentence of death by stoning. I would like to wonder what became of her? The touch of His gentle, strong hands, by The Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. Was she grateful beyond her wildest imaginations? I imagine that as He held her close to his chest she was forever changed. Wiping the dirt from her tear stained cheeks as she uncontrollably wept. Experiencing His unbelievable, indescribable mercy, He looked at her with those piercing eyes of love placing his hands gently under her chin as He lifted her downward head ...

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "So when they continued asking him, He lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." ~ John 8:7 ~ This is the scene played out in my mind: The door swings open by FORCE as they are caught in the very act of adultery. She screams in horror as she not only knows her demise of death at this very moment but they are dragging her outside like an animal being led to the slaughter. As she screams she does everything in her power to hide her frail naked body. She kicks and screams, weeping with little dignity she had. As they drag her, she tries to defend herself as the men pull her by the hair, and beat her, cursing her. The lowest blow of disgust upon a human being as they spit on her. I can just hear the 'stone' blood thirsty voices shouting at her, "You no good, waste of trash, you are a dead woman!" They throw he...