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Showing posts from 2010

Triumphant Victorious Reminders, "Selfishness Revealed"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice." ~Philippians 4:4 ~ It has been a while since I wrote my last post. Some may ask and have asked... Busyness? No Time? Christmas season? Well, none of these are my excuse. I will be to the point confessing that I have not written in a while due to my own choice to be selfish. I have submitted to my flesh, which has resulted in resisting God and I have fled from the purpose-Maker over my life. I realize that as James 4:6 records, "Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you" is not about a 'Three Step' formula on how to resist the devil. Apart from God, I can do nothing... absolutely nothing. However, when I submit to God, trust in God, run to God and HOLD ON to HIM; my Shelter and Safe Place, this beautiful thing called submission results in resistance to something or someone else. I learned from the Holy

December 15, 2010, "Connecting Bridge"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established." ~Proverbs 16:3 ~ It was Monday and I was doing the normal thing; driving to the grocery store. I was planning on going to this particular store which I enjoy frequenting. However, this day I was convicted to commit even this 'to do' moment to Him. I prayed to the Lord to guide my steps and as I was driving I was led to go to a different store which I do not like to frequent because of the great lack in customer service. But as I looked back upon that irritation, for me to complain about not having a good customer service experience is truly not suffering. Perspective was put back into its proper place...I was reminded to have options to go anywhere while others experience true suffering was insulting to those who truly suffer; especially for the cause of Christ Jesus. Hence, as I drove to this particular store,

December 11, 2010, "Setting our Gaze on God"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." ~ Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) ~ "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." ~ I Peter 4:11 (NKJV)~ Enamored. Awestruck. Amazed. I shake my head as I sit here in this place of absolute awe of The Great I Am. The All Sufficient God who needs know one, yet this Amazing God desires ALL of us as He is beyond amazingly awesome. For He is All Consuming Fire fueled by who He is; passionate Love. The Great I Am, The Great Father God, The Greatly to be Feared God who is the most Famous One; The Deliverer of the trapped and broken; The Strengthener of th

December 7, 2010 "Jesus"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." ~ John 3:16 ~ Holidays, traditions can become such distractions. "Look over here." "Look over there." "He/she offended me." "I have to buy a gift for her, for him...ahhhhhhh!!!!" When all the while as we're busy being 'petty' someone else is dealing with the 'hefty'. I'm not saying what we are going through is insignificant, but stepping back and truly looking at the other issues of life in which lives are being changed in ways I cannot imagine. Lives are ripped apart, effected by effected by divorce, murder, abuse and the list goes on. There are others effected by sickness, disease and even death of a loved one and a friend. As I think about the many issues of life. I am also led to think

"I was hungry and you gave Me food..."

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Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'" ~ Jesus Christ ~ Matthew 25:35 ~ I have to admit ~ I don't know what I thought when we were going down there...but whatever thoughts I had were surpassed in so many ways. The premature aged faces of the many homeless people and their stories were perspective changing for my daughter and I. The desire to hold onto things loosened as we saw so many destitute. Yet even in their destitution, they smiled and expressed how blessed they were. They expressed with great gratitude that so many of us were there. Many of the homeless people who have nothing according to our standards of living...yet, they proclaimed that they were blessed. There were two specific people I will n

This May Make You Cry (in a good way) ...

I found this on KLOVE radio station's website today. If you receive 'Triumphant Victorious Reminders' via email, please go to my website by clicking here and it will lead you to the link for you to watch...within 20 seconds you will most likely cry. God bless our Veterans and our active military men, women and families in every branch of the United States of America here and abroad... Please note: Pause the music on my playlist by scrolling down to the bottom of my page and clicking the pause button before watching the video... This May Make You Cry (in a good way) ...

November 4-11, 2010, "It is Finished"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ I Corinthians 15:57 ~ JESUS is our VICTORY and VICTORY is ours because of and through JESUS! Did you know that when Jesus proclaimed the words, "It is Finished", it was beyond significant? This powerful declaration was also used by the Romans. After the Romans would overtake a city, with fierce shouts they would declare, "It is Finished"! Can you imagine the day that Jesus declared this statement as he was giving His life upon that old rugged cross; the power and the intensity of that statement that must have arrested the Roman soldiers who stood in their post during this grueling execution? To be reminded of the last words Jesus spoke before dying on the cross is that what He declared only revealed who He was, is and is to come...The Author and The Finisher of our faith! I am reminded

October 30, 2010, "Praises to You O Lord!"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell O God! I must declare, broadcast, and make known how magnificently awesome You are! For I am redeemed by You and I must say so! Your glorious splendor, displayed with Your ever constant power as the billowing waves of the ocean bow down in awe of You. In unison the beautiful, majestic mountains; jagged in great strength, adore You Mighty God revealing beautiful glimpses of Your eternally amazing power! The waves stand in glorious awe as they applaud Your glory, the melody of Your creation sing of Your eternal provisions. When we forsake others, You are the God who does not forsake. When we walk from The Truth, You are Still Truth. When orphaned and abandoned, You are still the Father to the fatherless and the mother to the motherless, for You are not man that You should ever lie! Your loving embrace is like a calming balm that soothes my soul. Glorious God! Glorious King! Glorious Father! Gloriou

October 25, 2010, "Ears as the Tongue, The Mind as The Stomach"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge." ~ Proverbs 23:12 ~ Standing in front of the mirror, I thought of her. A beautiful Puerto Rican woman who works at the corner dry cleaners and whom I have been able to pray with. This woman is overwhelmed by life and life's circumstances...on top of it all, she speaks of hopelessness only intensifying the hardships taking place in her life. Her son's father died from cancer a year ago. Just a few months ago her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Her son is overtaken by fear that his mom will soon be diagnosed; and in that fear, totaled her vehicle. She is now without a vehicle and borrows her oldest son's vehicle until she saves up enough to buy another vehicle. The fear of loss, fear of 'what if', fear of "what will be?" She surrounds herself with negativity, negative thoughts, negati

October 18, 2010, "My Strength, My personal bravery and my invincible army"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell In the beginning of chapter 3 of Habakkuk it says, "A Prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, set to wild, enthusiastic, and triumphant music." I love this...set to wild, enthusiastic, and triumphant music. As you read the last three verses in chapter 3, with great, powerful enthusiasm shout and declare the following: "Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are cattle in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will exult in the [victorious]God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army ; He makes my feet like hinds feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering or responsibility].&quo

Reminder from October 10 & 11, 2009, "But WAIT"

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 it looks as though victory has escaped us. When we have failed, the lack of success attempts to strip us of our significant purpose. When the position we have worked in is downsized, our identity along with loss of 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 vi

October 7, 2010, "Abundance revealed in the midst of lack"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:19 ~ "Why is this happening?" "Lord, we need the finances now, all we see is lack." What if you were told after knowing you owed over$30,000 to a hospital that after reviewing everything, the balance due was $0.00. If you asked me what I would do, I would say, "I would jump up and down, pray, pee my pants, shout..." But guess what, I sat in the chair as I heard the words proceed out of his mouth and couldn't do anything. My mind was saying with a shout, "Thank you Lord", yet it was as though I was non responsive. I desperately wanted to cry to show my gratitude, but nothing was coming out. All I could say was, "Sir, I want to make sure I heard you correctly, are you saying this is a possibility? Or are you saying that this is wh

A reminder from September 28, 2009

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell This post was written on September 28, 2009...as I re-read this reminder, I knew that I needed to be reminded of the motives of my heart. I pray you are blessed and encouraged as you read...encouraging each of us to be moved to transforming power by the Word of God! "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Strength and my Redeemer." ~ Psalm 19:14 ~ "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my mind and my heart." ~ Psalm 26:2 ~ "My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." ~ Psalm 84:2 ~ Have you ever craved a type of food so badly that you didn't care what time of night it was or what you were doing? I know for me that has happened, and I went out of my way to satisfy that food craving. In the same way, I am at this place in my own life where I 

September 23, 2010, "Desperation revealing the great need for Hope"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, know that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” ~ Romans 5:1-5 ~ Two hands on the wheel, the windshield blurred with pouring rain as she drives with caution. Her mind divided; overwhelmed with thoughts of tomorrow, next month, next year. Questions annihilate her mind, "How could I have done a better job being a wife, mom, and friend?" Regrets perpetuate the sound of hopelessness. Suddenly, the interruption of being kicked from behind, jolts her to ju
Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” ~ Romans 12:14 ~ My shift was over. Getting ready to leave, I went into the office area to retrieve my check. As I approached the glass window of the door, I began to knock, but stopped suddenly, when I realized that my manager was on the phone. She turned around to give me a look that revealed frustration and yelled, “What do you want?!” Taken back by her reaction from her body language, face, and words, I stumbled over my words, as the ‘jab’ of her words took me by surprise. I finally said, “I apologize, I didn’t realize you were on the phone. I wanted to pick up my check.” Suddenly, with great power this petite, thin woman violently opened the heavy door, which ricocheted off the wall, slammed, and opened again. Frustrated, she had her phone resting between her shoulder and face, as she held the door open with her foot, picking up the pile

Testimony of God through our story...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written By: Teresa Criswell "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and My ways are not your ways", saith the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts " ~ Isaiah 55:8, 9~ Where do I begin, but first thanking our Awesome God for Who He is; and for each of you who are in our lives! First let me tell you our story from the past couple of days, as God's testimony is revealed: A few days ago, I wrote in my journal to the Lord, "Lord, I trust you." And I heard, "Do you really trust Me?" My reply was paused as the question sunk in. As I awoke into sober humbleness, I slowly said, "I hope so." When the question was asked, "Do you really trust Me?" Who would have known what was going to happen next. The evening was like any other; but yet it wasn't, does that make sense? LOL! It raine

Excerpt from Chapter Two, "God Is Enthralled By Your Beauty"

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Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell Here is a small excerpt from chapter two of God Is Enthralled By Your Beauty . As mentioned in several posts before, I am placing excerpts of the book I was led to write onto my blog. I would encourage you to read chapter one so that you can better understand chapter two's excerpt. I pray you are blessed and that as you read you are led to rise up on behalf of girls and women alike who must be delivered and celebrated into God's glorious love. Some of these women we are called to celebrate, have rejected us. However, remember they have not only rejected you, but they reject freedom from insecurity and shame. With and in God's love, we are more than able to overflow with abundant, powerful freedom that saturates their lives, so that they and we will never be the same! There are two excerpts from chapter two (The whole chapter itself is not posted)... “Blessed (Happy, fortunate, to be envi

August 30, 2010, "Pursuing God? Or pursuing the benefits of God?

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." ~ Hebrews 12:1 & 2 ~ Pursing God? Or pursuing the benefits of God? I was guilty of the second; pursuing the benefits of God. I focused on being holy. I focused on the blessings. I focused on the fruit of the Spirit. I focused on the provision of God. I focused on the healing of God. I focused on the miracles of God. I focused on the Kingdom of God. I focused on resisting the devil. You name it, and I claimed it. Yet, I realized even in this small focus blunder, it is ALL idolatry. What?!?! Yes, I said it, and I am guilty of it, 'Idolatry'. This may seem a bit hars

God Is Enthralled By Your Beauty, Chapter One

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Triumphant Victorious Reminders As in the last two posts, I have mentioned that I would place excerpts from my book, "God is Enthralled By Your Beauty" Finally Looking Into the Mirror He Sees You In...below is the full chapter from chapter one. Chapter One: What Mirror Are You Looking Into? Definition of Mirror: 1: A polished or smooth surface (As of glass) that forms images by reflection 2: A true representation. “For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].” I Corinthians 13:12 (Amp.) I was enamored by the luxurious golden room filled with purity; draped with elegance and beauty. Secretly watching with delight and awe as this beautiful girl gazed acros