Triumphant Victorious Reminders

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Stevens Criswell "LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath." ~ Psalm 39:4 & 5 ~ I love the Autumn season in Texas. It is so crisp as it brings refreshment; like drinking out of an oversized coffee mug filled with hot apple cider as it warms me up from the inside out. As I am reminded of Fall and how this is the time of harvesting for many farmers throughout the Midwest, I want to desire to see a great harvest of people that do not yet know God intimately and personally through Jesus Christ Who is The Seed, Who is The Word Made Flesh! As the agendas of today, tomorrow and the next day that attempt to sweep me away; I pray instead that I will reveal a glimpse of God's memorable, indes

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done." ~ Hebrews 4:13 ~ "In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession." ~ James 1:18 ~ The mountains tremble in awe of God's eternal majesty. The seas roar and waves crash against the walls of the sea at His infinite greatness. Trees that sway to the praises of God, echoed by the wind. The songs of the birds sing a song of praise, as they flutter in the freedom of His eternal mercy. I am in awe of nature's praises to God. I am reminded that nature is a glimpse of the incredible, indescribable greatness of Almighty God. His awesome power and majesty revealed in unimaginable ways; through unimaginable resources; as He is the True Sou

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "Let them praise His name with the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp." ~ Psalm 149:3 ~ I remember it was almost five years ago; as I became 30 years old. For a moment, I went into a silent panic. I began to think of all the things I had always wanted to do, but had not yet accomplished. Those dreams from when I was a little girl were being reignited. It seemed that I had this hilarious need for a 'bucket list'. The thoughts raced in and through my mind for a few weeks. I made a mental note of the things I really wanted to do, one of them was the following: ~ Become a ballerina. Those of you who know me; I know you're laughing as you ask, 'ballerina'? Teresa and 'ballerina'? LOL! Well, I signed up for evening classes at the local dance studio. I proudly purchased my ballet slippers, leotard, skirt and tights, and I was going to

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth; but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may bring grace unto the hearers." ~ Ephesians 4:29 ~ I saw this today, "Stay on the high side of every conversation: honor the absent." it was a quote by Lisa Bevere. Truly a reminder today from the Lord; no matter what people struggle with, what they are going through or how we feel negatively when we are around them, this is a great reminder of Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying; that it may bring grace unto the hearers." I love how simple yet powerfully the statement effected me. "Stay on the high side of every conversation: honor the absent." As we honor the 'absent', we honor God as well. O Lord, help me to stay on the high side of every conversation; honoring those have wrongfully accused me, or that I have issues with. Thank You Lord for he

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by The Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old." ~ Psalm 77:11 ~ The constant wind in my heart that stirs the fiery passion for God is consuming. I remember that day in 2004 being in a women's bible study. Every woman was asked to share a brief testimony of how they encountered a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The testimonies were so amazing, revealing the power of God in ways the greatest novel could not romanticize. I remembered as it was my turn to share God's testimony in my life; I had just surrendered my life to Jesus a year prior and there was a fiery zeal of the Lord that was overwhelming. I remember one of the ladies I looked up to said to me very lovingly, "O Teresa, that is so amazing. I remember when I had a zeal like that for the Lord. Just embrace it now, because one day it will slowly fade away." I was so ta

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, When it was weary." ~ Psalm 68:9 ~ As the rains shower the earth; there is a replenishing of the soil. As the God who reigns; He showers the soil of my heart with His everlasting, unfailing love. There is a replenishing, a renewal of His abundant life upon my heart. I know many of you at this very moment are going through many different and difficult circumstances. I have a friend who took her two year old little boy to the hospital this morning as he had to have his tonsils removed. The love she has for her son as she does whatever she can so that he will not be afraid; grips my heart in such a powerful way. The lavishing love of a mother flows so freely and abundantly upon her child in times when that child needs their mother and father the most. I imagine the little boy clinging to the neck of his mother, as

"And He said to me, " My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. " Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~ II Corinthians 12:9 ~ I have to say "thank you" to those of you who have sent encouraging words in response to the devotionals written. You truly have no idea how when God uses us to encourage, it is truly a necessity to be encouraged as well. I am so thankful for your emails and your comments on my blog. I love it when my blogging and email friends receive a word and share with me what God has revealed in their own lives. It truly brings encouragement and there is a "Wow" factor involved! It's something that no one can glory in but ALMIGHTY GOD; to which His glory is only FITTING for HIM! For even the heavens cannot contain His Matchless Glory! Today, is a reminder to me that even when I 'feel' I have nothing to give, if I a

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "So Jesus answered and said to them, " Have faith in God ..."" ~ Mark 11:22 ~ As the rain trickled down the window pane, hearing the pitter patter of the rain applauding the majesty of God, I was enthralled by His great power and glory. Nature proclaiming their knowing of God's great provision over them. It was as though I was sitting in the middle of a beautiful symphony. Swept away by this intoxicating reminder, I went to the computer as my fingers knowingly knew how to dance upon the keys of the keyboard. As my fingers continued to dance so confidently; I opened my inbox to my emails. As I opened the inbox, I saw that I had received a devotional from 'Girlfriends In God'. As I read the devotional I was reminded of faith. This quote of faith declared from Corrie Ten Boom, a woman who endured life and death obstacles I cannot imagine during the Holocaust of the

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." ~ Isaiah 53:5 ~ "...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed." ~ I Peter 2:24 ~ My husband and I were cooking and eating together early evening yesterday; when it seemed out of nowhere the 'chills' started on my back. My mood was immediately moved by the chills as it was a signal to my brain, "You're getting sick." Immediately, because I am learning of the promises of God it became an all out WAR! I was being convinced by my body that I was getting sicker by the moment. Yet in the same moment I was being reminded in my spirit, as I was reminding my mind that I am not to be moved by what I feel or see, but to be immovable because of the Word of God. I'm sure my husband receiv

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "O Lord our Lord how EXCELLENT is Your Name in all the earth. You have taught babies and nursing infants how to praise You. When I consider the heavens the work of Your fingers the moon and the stars which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him...I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds!" ~ Psalm 8:1-4, 9:1 ~ Are you sleepy? Do you feel that almost every part of you is 'spent'? Maybe you even feel defeated. Are you frustrated that things aren't going the way you planned? Maybe you're frustrated by a dream you know is to be fulfilled, but it seems there is more 'road block' than there is 'road'. I felt that way today. However, TODAY, The Lifter of my head reminded me of Psalm 8 and 9. "Declare out loud My praises." Does God alre

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere." ~ James 3:17 ~ Awesome NEWS!!!! Received word from Tammy on Sunday morning that her dad, who many of us know as Poppa C.O. Farmer is now at home in Austin. He returned home on Saturday! Praise God! We Thank You Lord in advance for accelerated healing over his body in this time. We pray and thank God in advance for great comfort to replace the pain in The Mighty, Majestic Name of Jesus! The encouraging news is that he will have a physical therapist coming to his home for six weeks so that he does not have to go to them. I know that the Farmer family is beyond grateful for each of your prayers and encouraging words! If you haven't done so already, whether you know Poppa C.O. or not, please feel free to leave an encouraging note if you have not done so al

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay." ~ I Peter 1:4 ~ "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ." ~ Philippians 3:8 ~ "Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are." ~ Matthew 6:26 ~ My daughter and I were holding hands in the store walking towards the registers to pay for our items. We weren't in any particular hurry when Tristin stopped which jolted my stride. I heard my daughter giggling. I was annoyed when I asked, "What are you doing?" She wasn't saying any

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You." ~ Psalm 73:25 ~ The passion for God within me is burning. It is as though I have a constant knot in my throat realizing the God I am honored to call my 'Heavenly Father'! Excuse the 'what seem to be random' declarations as I type! There is a stirring on the inside of me; it won't stop. I am overwhelmed by His glorious love and His glorious heart. As I was with great longing wanting to know a glimpse of the heart of God, I asked, "What is the purpose of our assembling together (i.e. church, bible study, prayer, luncheons, etc.)?" The purpose is to pursue Who I AM! I AM your God. I long for for my sons and daughters to know who I truly I Am ~ so that they can begin to see their TRUE identity in Who I AM. It isn't about the big screens, the coolest 'worship bands', the cafes...it's about Who I Am and what I Am about. I ponder this, "Pursue W

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." ~ Galatians 6:9 ~ A wife and mother has waited for years to see breakthrough over her children's hearts; yearning for the heart of God. Yet it seems like nothing has come to pass, it actually only seems to be getting worse! Her eyes of faith are growing dim. At one time what seemed so clear, she can hardly make out what it is suppose to be anymore. Across the country in a beautiful home, a man stares at his reflection as shaving cream covers his face. He stares and sees himself, a man, a husband and a father that has seemed to fail his wife and children. A career that he knew he would have until he retired, has been cut short. The haunting questions, "What am I going to do?" "How do I tell my wife?" He asks himself, "What kind of man am I?" As if to conf

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." ~ Hebrews 10:19-25 ~ I sit here tapping the keys of my laptop and ask the Lord, "What would you want me to write?" "What do you want me to learn today from You?" Have you ever told a 'white' lie or even a big lie? I'm so frustrated. I feel as though I

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "The young women will dance for joy, and the men ~ old and young ~ will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing." ~ Jeremiah 31:13 ~ "And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil." ~ Luke 7:37-38 ~ A beautiful woman dances in the back of the church. The church filled with many people. People 'snicker' and with great haughtiness say among themselves and even in their hearts, "Who does she think she is?" Immediately they disqualify her because of her rare expression of her l

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "For the Son of God, Christ Jesus (The Messiah), Who has been preached among you by us, by myself, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not Yes and No; but in Him it is [always the divine] Yes. For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God." ~ II Corinthians 1:19 & 20 ~ Amplified Bible I woke up and the clock read, "7:15". I rose up from my bed slowly. Yawning, tempted to crawl back under the covers. As I looked down, my legs hanging over the bed before my feet hit the ground, my little dog was looking up at me pawing at me 'telling' me he had to go 'potty'. As I slowly got out of bed, I walked out of the bedroom to the right and down the stairs. As my feet hit the floor after the last step of the stairca

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." ~ Romans 8:37 ~ Victimized. Defeated. Failed. Downsized. Annihilated. Overwhelmed. Everyone of these adjectives in some way describe how circumstances have effected us, are effecting us or will effect us. What do these words represent? For me, the two words that come to mind is GREAT LOSS! When we are victimized we feel violation of innocence stripped with great violence as dignity is lost in the debris of overwhelming sadness. When we are defeated we victory has escaped us. When we have failed our lack of success attempts to strip us of our significant purpose. When the position we have worked in is downsized, our identity along with employment feels as though we are done for. When we are annihilated and overwhelmed the feeling of being destroyed is paralyzing. BUT WAIT! When we are victimized, and feel defea

I received my first blog award today! The 'One Lovely Blog Award'! When I got it today, the timing was never so perfect, like only God does it! Thank You Lord for Alisa! Thank you so much Alisa from 'Faith Imagined' http://www.faithimagined.com/ for my first 'blog' award! Everyone go check out her amazing words of encouragement from God's amazing love letter! Alisa is not only amazing, gifted writer, but she is also a mighty daughter of the King!

Normally I don't post anything but devotional writings...however, I had to celebrate my beautiful daughter. I am very grateful to God for allowing my wonderful husband and I to get to be her parents. Sometimes we look at her in awe! I tease her all the time, yet there is great truth in jest when I say, "I get to be your mom? You're my daughter? Wow!" She responds so faithfully, "Mom, stop! You say that all the time!" She is hilarious, precious and her heart is so passionate for life and I love her innocence to want to remain a child... She is so kind and thoughtful as her school had an 'Amazing Race' Theme PTO Family Night, along with a fabulous Book Fair. She allowed me to utilize her as my 'prop' for our country that we represented. I did allow her to take a quick break to get her passport stamped from all the different countries. The 'theme' allowed visitors to 'travel' to the 7 Continents in an hour ~ so cute and everyone

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "I will lift up my eyes to the hills ~ from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore." ~ Psalm 121 ~ Why is it Lord that the thoughts continue to linger? The thoughts of failure, depression, hopelessness, fear. Those thoughts seem to never leave people. But wait! I don't want that 'by default' promise upon my life. I want and pursue Your heart in which You have promised that You would never leave me, nor forsake

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Stevens Criswell "You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you. O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out and against them, for the Lord is with you." ~ II Chronicles 20 ~ (Excerpt from II Chronicles 20:17) Do you feel like there is a heavy weight on your chest, feeling as though you can't breathe? Do you dream or have nightmares about your real life situation? The thought never leaves you. Are you more sensitive, frustrated, angry and irritable? It sounds like a prescription drug commercial doesn't it? Actually, it's called real life. Many of us are going through difficult times right now. It almost feels like there is no way out, doesn't it? The words that come to mind are: Overwhelmed, pressured, failure, depression, sadness, frustration, anger, regret, etc. Today I

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." ~ I Corinthians 15:58 ~ "What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [can be] against us?" ~ Romans 8:31 ~ "My brethern, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." ~ James 1:2-4 ~ Though the giants attempt to come after me. I will not fear and I will not be moved. Not because of who I am, but because of who I am in Christ. For I know what they come after...they come after my faith. As they pursue my faith to attempt to destroy me; I will persevere and produce patience as I count it all joy. How do I count it all joy? On purpose I 'walk' in Joy of the Lord that is within me by the power of the Holy Spirit to rise up and

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inpsired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell **Below the devotional is an update on Poppa C.O.** "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." ~ Psalm 139:14 ~ As I looked into the mirror getting ready to go to church. I wanted to get to the heart of the matter. You may ask, "The heart of the matter regarding what?" My thoughts were in regards to being validated by others. I thought, "Lord, why is it I feel the need for validation?" As I looked into the mirror getting ready for church I received some powerful words within my spirit that ministered to my mind: "When you feel the need to be validated by others it reveals that you have forgotten how valuable you are to Me." I am amazed how God ministers to me as I look into the mirror. For the only person looking BACK at me? Is none other than ~ me! Know that you are valuable to Him

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell This month, the month of October is 'Pastor Appreciation Month'. Many who read this, may go to church and many may not. Either way I just want to share with you that the pastors have been placed on my heart this morning. There is an attack on the office of the pastors, in ways we could never imagine. Many within the 'church' are part of the attacks and many have been disgusted observers of the attacks. Many have left because other people have left. Some have left because they felt they knew more than the pastor. Some have left the church because they took on an offense. However, some have left the church because the pastors were being seduced away from truth. Some have left because they were ex-communicated. Some have left because they were given an ultimatum. The list goes on and on. To those that have been mistreated intentionally, I say, I am truly sorry and I pray you will allow

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "So whoever cleanses himself [from what is not noble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, set apart and useful to the Master, fit and ready for any good work." ~ II Timothy 2:21 ~ "You can't be used." This is a lie. Drive that lie out with the Mighty Name of Jesus. "Your past is way too dirty and tainted for you to ever be used." LIE! I am reminded of many people that have been utilized so powerfully by God. Throughout the Bible, there were many with tainted reputations, probably some even wore the 'Scarlett Letter', some convicted of murder, some were adulterers, some were prostitutes, some were cowards, the list goes on..remember the truth when that lie tries to stick it's ugly head up against you. Bring it'