thoughts

RISE UP!

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Years ago, I had done/said something that I regretted. The circumstances around it have faded in my memory. But, I still remember the regret and condemnation I was feeling at the time.

I went to the Lord in prayer and asked for His forgiveness. A few days after that I again felt myself in the throes of regret and condemnation. I again went to the Lord in repentance begging for His forgiveness. This went on a few more times…and then I heard the Lord lovingly say to me:

“Tina, I forgave you the first time you came to me…now you need to forgive yourself!”

Dearest Brothers & Sisters, I believe there is someone who is reading this post that is living in the same place that I was…living under the spirit of condemnation. If you haven’t repented of your action to the Lord and asked His forgiveness…I encourage you to do that today! Also, if it is involving a person, I would encourage you to go to the person and ask their forgiveness.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

God has given us a sound mind…the mind of Christ! (1 Corinthians 2:16). We need to get our thoughts aligned with His thoughts…with His truth. We need to “…take every thought captive to obey Christ…”. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Beloved of God, DO NOT let the enemy weave a stronghold of condemnation, fear, shame, and doubt within you! Stand strong…stand on the promises of God…stand on the truth of God! Take up the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the Word of God, and wield that sword against anything the enemy throws at you!

Tear down the strongholds of the enemy and let the LORD be your stronghold! He [Jesus] is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. (Psalms 62:2)

RISE UP, MIGHTY ARMY OF THE MOST HIGH GOD! PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD! PICK UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT AND BE STRONG IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT!! THE TIME IS NOW!! HALLELUJAH!!

MEMORIES…

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , ,

I am blessed to have some ministry opportunities coming up in the near future. So, it was time to declutter and organize my office space!

I have two handmade prayer shawls hanging from the back of my chair given to me by two dear friends. I have a picture of Jesus entirely made from the words of Scripture. It was given to me years ago by a former student and is so precious!

I have a wooden communion cup brought back from Israel after taking communion with my touring group.

I have a photo card that my host family sent me as I was resting on their couch during ministry times at their church.

I have plaques given to me during my teaching career and on my retirement.

As I sit in my office space, I am so thankful for all of my friends, family, and ministry memories. ❤️ And of course, I am thankful to Almighty God!! All glory and honor to HIM!!

And I am excited and expectant for what the future holds! There is MORE to come!!

HALLELUJAH!!!! 💥💥🔥🔥🔥💥💥

Weapons Of Our Warfare

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…(2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Ahhhh, Brothers and Sisters!  Our minds are a battlefield!!  This Scripture is so powerful!  It reminds us that our weapons are divine weapons…spiritual weapons…and not weapons of our flesh.

It reminds us that we are to “destroy” those thoughts that are raised up against the knowledge of God.  Our knowledge of God is what we have learned through the Holy Scriptures…the revelation knowledge of His Truth that has been revealed to us by His Holy Spirit.

ANY thoughts that go against His promises…His will for us…or His Truth, should be taken captive and destroyed!  Our thoughts are like fortresses.  They can either imprison us in false thinking and not allow us to be free in Christ Jesus…

or they can be fortresses that protect us from the enemy because we have built a “wall of truth” of God’s Word around our minds, souls, and spirits.

Are there any “fortresses” of wrong thinking that are imprisoning you today? Please know that FREEDOM is here for you NOW!! Take God’s Truth and use it confidently and boldly to bring down all those thoughts that go against who God is and who you are in Christ Jesus!! Look in His Word for those “weapons” –words of truth and power – that WILL accomplish for you what you have been unable to do on your own.

I speak and decree FREEDOM for you today!! In the Mighty Name of Jesus, AMEN!! ~Tina K. Roach

Raise Us Up, O Lord!!

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As I was sitting on the porch in the quiet of the morning and the coolness of the gentle breeze flowing over me, I drew near to the Lord and rested in His presence. 

I began seeking Him for His word for the new year 2021.  A scripture flowed through my mind but did not stay. Then the scripture above settled and I began to meditate on it. 

The New Year is a time of making new resolutions and new plans. We begin to list all of the things we want to change, make better, or simply add to our lives. Usually, they are good and healthy things. Some things we may want to get rid of altogether.

There is nothing wrong with doing a “life check” and judging where we are and where we need to be.  But, it is important to let God be a part of our “life check.”

We tend to have our own ideas, thoughts, and plans and never realize that the Lord has even BETTER ideas, thoughts, and plans for our lives!

I believe this new year will be a time of the unexpected. What WE think will happen and how it will be accomplished is thinking at a level far below that of the Lord.  

Do we truly trust our God?  May 2021 be a time of maturing – in our faith, in our hope, and in our love. May we SPEAK our trust and belief!  May our words align with the heart and will of God!  May our ways and thoughts be raised to God’s level and may we not try and bring His down to our level.  

RAISE US UP, O GOD!!

I’m entering 2021 with high expectations of God and in His ability to do more than we can even ask or think!!  

~Tina Roach

Take Every Thought Captive!

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,”. (2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬ ‭)

I want to be transparent with you about my weak moments. I know this scripture in 2 Corinthians and have even taught it. But, just because we know God’s truth does not mean it is easy to walk it out in our lives.

I have to admit that the isolation and social distancing during COVID-19 has been hard for me.  There are some days that I wake up and I can feel the heavy blanket of depression trying to take over my thoughts.  And that is not a good place to be!  Not only does it affect me but it affects those closest to me. 

Brothers and Sisters!  We all have times when we may feel despair, doubt, fear, frustration, anger, and hopelessness.  But, we need to make sure that we have the right response when and if it happens. 

We are told in God’s word that we are to TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE to the obedience of Jesus! We are to DESTROY speculations and every lofty thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God.

In other words, are our thoughts in alignment with our knowledge of who God is and in alignment with who God says we are?

We don’t have to act upon every thought!  We don’t have to allow our thoughts to dictate how we feel about ourselves or others.  We don’t have to allow our thoughts to be the “rudder” of our lives!

WE are in control of what thoughts we allow to take hold in our lives! If the thoughts we are having are causing us to fear, to hate, to be judgmental, or to feel depressed and unworthy —then we are to TAKE AUTHORITY over our thoughts and replace them with GOD’S TRUTH!!

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬)‭

LORD, thank You for being the Giver of Truth! Thank You for empowering us through Your Holy Spirit to control our thoughts and to not be ruled by them. We bring our thoughts into obedience to YOU!! Thank You, Jesus, for being the way, and the truth, and the life! It is in Your Name that we pray. AMEN!!

~Tina K. Roach

Acceptable Words & Thoughts!

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭NASB‬‬

I have been thinking alot about my words lately.  I have to admit that with everything that has been going on during the last 3 ½ months, sometimes my words may not be acceptable to the LORD.  I have allowed words of negativity and complaining to flow from my mouth. Forgive me, LORD!  

As I look at the meditation of my heart, I see the same problem. My words are connected to what I am thinking – to what is in my heart. God’s Word tells us that out of the heart the mouth speaks. 

What words do we find ourselves speaking to others and even to ourselves?  Are they words of life…words of encouragement?  Or are they words of discouragement and discontent?  What do we meditate on during the day?  What do we allow our thoughts to dwell on?

LORD, may Your Holy Spirit help us to filter our words and our thoughts. May we lift up and encourage all who we come into contact with. May we take every thought captive and bring our thoughts into alignment with You and Your life-giving truth. May we be vessels of reconciliation and peace. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. AMEN!

~Tina K. Roach

O MY SOUL

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , ,

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭42:11 ‭ESV‬‬

I don’t know about you, but sometimes my soul does get “downcast.”  Other words that describe this state are – dejected, sad, depressed, discouraged, and disappointed. 

I think we all have those days. How do we rise above those feelings?  How do we get our soul (mind, will, and emotions) to leave the position of being “cast down” to one of being “uplifted?”

Have you ever thought about speaking to your soul?  This is what is happening in this passage of scripture. If you are someone who has ever engaged in “talking to yourself” – you now know that it is scriptural!!  😃

As we read this verse, we see that the solution to the soul’s downcast state is to hope in God, praise Him, and to remember who He is – our salvation and God!

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves (speak to our souls) of God’s goodness and how we should respond to Him. As we move our attention from ourselves to God Almighty, our feelings of depression and discouragement begin to fall away. 

Oh my soul, why are you discouraged? Jesus is my salvation and Lord! The Lord loves me. He is faithful, strong, and true! He is my Rock and my Redeemer! Oh my soul, why are you cast down within me? By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me! Oh my soul! Hope in God! Even in my discouragement, yet will I praise Him!

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God… Psalm 42:1-2

~~Tina Roach

Think About These Things

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

⁣Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬⁣
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Well, the days of quarantine and staying at home continue. As we are separated from others physically and separated from participating in some things that give us pleasure, it is easy to dwell on those things that make us frustrated or angry or sad. ⁣
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We are instructed in God’s Word to take control over our thoughts! We are not to let our thoughts control us – to control how we feel – but we are to control what thoughts we allow to “hang around.” [2 Corinthians 10:5]⁣
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If we allow God to guide and direct our thoughts – we will discover that we can change our focus from thoughts of doubt, negativity, blame, frustration, and hopelessness to thoughts that focus on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. ⁣
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In other words, what are things that we are THANKFUL for? May we take each day and write down those things/people/circumstances that are commendable and deserve our praise. ⁣
Let’s not just write them down once a day, but let’s have a running list that continues throughout the day as we are proactive in bringing our thought life into alignment with God’s thoughts. ⁣
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LORD! We are so thankful that You are with us 24/7 as we journey through this quarantine season. Help us, Lord, to take control of our thought life. May our thoughts and our words be full of life and love and praise. Help us to see others through Your eyes and may we be vessels of honor and truth and love. Oh LORD!! YOU are the One at the top of our list who is worthy of our praise!! And we praise You each and every day! HALLELUJAH!!⁣
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~Tina K. Roach ⁣
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