Family: Are You Speaking Generational Curses or Blessings?

We've all been raised with the comments by our parents, "Be careful when driving so you don't get in an accident," or "Watch out the roads are going to be icy or slippery today," or "You better not go near that person; they are sick and you might catch it too."

We have been filled with concern that creates negativity in our minds. Worrisome parents who think they are doing good and warning us what to do and not to do. The problem is it causes us to have negative thoughts, worry and put those some kind of remarks on our children.

When we have those negative words instilled in us all our lives how can we not out of habit speak the same thing into our children? When those thoughts are spoken into our lives we can take them and have them become who we are over a period of time. We can become negative things like worry warts, paranoid we will get in an accident or afraid to go to a hospital or sick person's house because they may be contagious. 

These negative facts over years build strongholds in our minds so that when it is cold, snowy and rainy we will be scared instead of cautious to drive on the road.

I am 47 and I recently received another one of those texts from my mom about the weather condition. She means well. She loves me and desires me to be safe, but I have chosen to not live in fear of the storms, but have faith that God will guard and protect me and that the blood of Jesus covers me.

I remember several years ago as my children were starting to drive I had to hold my tongue back so many times. I knew I did not want the same fear instilled on my children that I was raised in about driving. I made a choice then to turn those generational curses of words and emotional turmoil into blessings and you can too. 

When your children are going out the door, instead of the drive careful and "Watch out for deer or animals running out in front of you," "Be careful it will be getting dark and rainy," or "Make sure the kids in the car aren't goofing off and distracting you," why not say a blessing over them.

I have turned the generational curses into blessings by speaking out loud over their lives and into the spiritual atmosphere prayers such as, "Goodbye, have a good time, I love you, may the blood of Jesus cover you," "Love you honey, I dispatch angels to guard and protect you tonight," Or "Have a great time, the Lord our God goes with you and before you and no weapon formed against you shall prosper."

By taking a few Scriptures and incorporating them into the natural things you say when your child leaves your home you can build their faith instead of imparting fear or concern. When you are speaking life and love into your children that raises their faith, makes them feel protected and assures them they can trust God to have their backside.

We can speak life and protection instead of worry.

When we speak these things we have just brought forth generational blessings and proper word choices that they can in return speak to their children. As you go forth in parenting what are you going to speak, generational curses of negativity or generational prayers of blessing?

Kathy DeGraw

ACCEPT GOD'S SOLUTION

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever." - 2 Chronicles 20:21

Christians almost universally agree, "God answers prayer." But many people, if they were honest, would amend the phrase to say, "The Lord answers most prayers, but not mine."

A believer can fervently call upon God without receiving what he considers a -satisfactory answer. The stumbling block isn't God's unwillingness or inability to respond, but rather our unwilling to accept His solution.

If we come to God with a pre -conceived idea of how to solve our problem, we will likely overlook His true solution.

Suppose King Jehoshaphat had decided that God could answer his prayer only by giving the army extra strength for the forthcoming skirmish. He would have called a war council, arrayed his soldiers in armour, and set up battle lines.

God's solution was entirely unexpected: First, send the choir out singing praises, then watch the Lord save Israel. If Jehoshaphat's soldiers had attempted combat, they would have lost Jerusalem.

Sometimes, we don't like God's solution. We desire freedom from physical pain rather than an extra measure of grace to endure the hurt.

Or we want a new job, not a command to seek the boss' forgiveness for our poor attitude. In essence, we want the Lord to fix everything without requiring any effort from us.

But our willingness to obey is key to answered prayer. When He tells us how to resolve our problems, we must act just as He specifies, or we will never experience victory.

Prayer: Father, all Your ways are perfect. Show me Your ways.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:14-25

Health: 10 cancer symptoms that most people ignore

Medicine has developed fantastically in recent years, finding new drugs that help with the control of various diseases that once haunted, and even killed.

But despite medical advancement, prevention is key to maintaining our health and fighting diseases early.

Good use of medicine is another important factor. Misuse of it can also cause harmful symptoms.

Cancer, a disease that scares many people, has a greater chance of cure when treated early. It stops being so scary when we periodically take preventive tests.

We must carefully watch every day, as different symptoms may indicate that something is not quite right, and there is need for medical help.

Because cancer can attack various parts of the body, it is crucial to pay attention to our bodies. Below are 10 cancer warning signs.

1. Frequent cough

Frequent coughing can simply be a sign of allergies -- but when the cough is very persistent you may want to consider seeking the opinion of a specialist. Even non- smokers can develop throat, larynx and lung cancer. Therese Bartholomew Bevers, MD of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, said that "Most coughs are not cancer, but a persistent cough needs to be evaluated because it can be a symptom of lung cancer."

2. Weight loss without dieting

Though losing weight is the dream of many women, without dieting it can be the indicator of a disease. Look out for sudden weight gain as well.


3. Frequent pain in the joints

Joint pain is one of the symptoms of bone cancer, whether it is frequent or not. Getting headaches does not mean you have a brain tumor, but it's always nice to closely evaluate them. Many ovarian cancers are diagnosed after persistent abdominal pain. And lung cancer can be spotted from chest pains.

4. Fatigue without apparent cause

Being overly tired for no apparent reason can be a sign of the blood cancer Leukemia. Being aware of changes like this in your body can save your life.

5. Jaundice

When jaundice, the yellowing of skin most commonly seen in babies, appears in adults, it may be a sign of liver problems, including cancer.


6. Dark spots and freckles that change color and size

It is never a bad idea to have freckles and moles checked periodically. Also, all new dark spots on the skin should be examined. Skin cancer can be detected precisely from these spots.

7. Eye pain that persists

Pain in the eye, a symptom of eye cancer, can easily be mistaken as a result of being tired. If pain persists, consult a doctor immediately.

8. Discharges with or without blood

Discharges of different color and odor should also be investigated. Vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual period may indicate cervical cancer. Check in with your gynecologist at least once a year.

9. Hoarseness

Hoarseness can be started by the swelling of the vocal cords caused by a more serious problem, and could be a cancer indicator.

10. Diarrhea and bleeding

A diseased intestine can cause bowel changes.

Do not be terrified every time you notice any symptoms, such as those mentioned above. Remember that many of these things are also common symptoms of other illnesses and things we encounter on a daily basis. However, if any of these symptoms persists longer than normal, it is always smart to check it out. It could save your life.

WHAT’S YOUR IDEAL WEIGHT ACCORDING TO YOUR BODY SHAPE, AGE, AND HEIGHT?

There’s a big difference between desired and ideal weight. Whereas desired weight can often be unhealthy, ideal weight is how much your body needs to weigh for optimal function. This only sheds new light on the latest trends which promote excessive weight loss, which is not necessarily the best option for a healthy body. While on one side excessive weight incurs the risk of obesity and all the accompanying conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, heart problems etc., on the other hand excessive weight loss is no less dangerous. After all, it seems that the rule of the “golden middle” is the best option you can get.

Although there are numerous charts and calculators to give you your ideal weight, this one has been specially designed by doctors and specialists. Plus, it’s really comprehensive as it includes several parameters, such as your body shape, age and height, to give you the ideal body weight. Best of all, this chart does not support or even promote unhealthy body proportions, but tells you how much you should weigh according to your specific proportions and age. See the chart below and find your own characteristics to see how close you are to your ideal weight:

BE JOYFUL

But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. - Acts 16:25

Paul wrote extensively about spiritual joy, which had been tested and proven in his life through the "fires" of beatings, rejections, and arrests.

As he sat in the Philippian jail, the apostle demonstrated what is possible for any surrendered believer: biblical joy through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

We can lose our gladness for several reasons:

• Wrong focus. Paul and Silas were able to praise God despite severe trials because they centered on Jesus. Concentrating on our difficulties will cause delight to disappear. Refocusing through praise will bring it back.

• Disobedience. Sin steals our joy because it separates us from the Lord. As we receive His forgiveness and obey Him, joy returns.

• Regret. We crowd out gladness when we continue to feel bad about past mistakes and failures.

Our Father wants us to believe that He forgives us (1 John 1:9). He also desires that we choose to live in His grace and move ahead.

• Fear. Too often, we attempt to live out the future before it happens. With so much outside our control, we become afraid.
Joy and fear cannot coexist. The Lord calls us to live by faith, asking Him to meet today's needs and trusting Him with the future.

• Someone else's suffering. How can we rejoice when others are hurting?

Romans 12:15 says we are to weep with them, but we are also to offer the hope of God's presence, power and provision. A downcast spirit is a poor witness for hope.

What excuse have you been using for your lack of joy?

Prayer: I bind and cast out anything that takes away my joy, in Jesus' name.

Scriptural Reading: Acts 16:16-34

Prayer For The New Week

As much as God will make you blessings to others, I pray that you will never lack the resources to always go higher everyday in Jesus name! God will stand in for you where every hope has failed. You will never be disgraced in Jesus Name.

Your expectations for greatness shall come in double portion,I deeply pray that the sins blocking your miracles from you shall be forgiven you. Your prayers will not become an empty words in the ears of The Lord in Jesus name! God will give you the grace to fast and pray more than ever before. 

Happy new week folks!!!

YOU ARE QUALIFIED

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. - 2 Corinthians 4:7

A little girl was asked in her Sunday school class who a saint was. Thinking of the saints in stained glass windows, she replied, "Oh, those are the people the light shines through."

She was right. That is exactly what a saint is: someone whom the light shines through.

Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

According to Scripture, a saint is one who shines forth the glory of God. When the Lord Jesus rose from the dead and wanted to send forth the Good news to the world, He commissioned 12 disciples.

They didn't have modern technology to help them reach their culture, yet in a relatively short period of time, they reached their ancient world. And they did so primarily through word of mouth, person-to-person, telling others about Christ.

When we think of these great men of God, it is hard for us to think of them as human beings. But when we read their stories in Scripture, they are very candid and honest.

We see their shortcomings and missteps and even their sins. I think the reason for this is so we can see that God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people.

These men that God used were quite ordinary. They weren't superheroes. They were very human. God did not call them because they were great.

Rather, their greatness came as a result of the call of God. God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. God has already qualified you.

Are you willing to be used by God?

Prayer: Thank You Lord, for putting such treasure in this earthen vessel.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15