2Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

When I was in school our teachers would instruct us on developing good study habits. They knew that if they could get students to practice this principle it would be of great value to them for the rest of their lives. They would always remind us not to wait until the night before our exam to beginning studying. This panic behavior was called cramming. Cramming involves trying to pack a large amount of information into your brain in a short amount of time. This normally proved to be a very exhausting and unwise practice. The brain best retains and remembers information by repetition.

Likewise, the scriptures instruct us to study. The word study is defined as the process of learning about a subject by reading, thought, intuition, or research. Studying is a process, line upon line, precept upon precept. Studying requires meditation and pondering. It involves research, seeking, searching, and digging. It requires interest, if it is of no interest to you, more than likely you won’t stay with it long enough to absorb it. It requires time and attention. One should never plan to study something unless they can give the subject their undivided attention and sufficient time. Distractions promote ignorance. How can you retain something specific if you have 25 other things interrupting your thought processes?

Some people think that their spirit man is incapable of being distracted but this is quite the contrary. Our spirits must mature and be trained in the arena of focus and discipline. The bible tells us to set our affections on things above, this takes practice. To set something implies you have to hold something in place until it is immovable. We have to resist the temptation to wander and drift; this to takes practice.

When I hear the word study, I hear discipline. A person who is studious generally is a person of discipline. Discipline speaks of control and order. Have you ever tried to study a subject with unorganized notes? It is very frustrating and time wasting to study like that.

An effective student is a consistent student. Giving time each day and sometimes several times a day, depending on the project, yields great results. A consistent student generally is a confident student, they are not freaking out on test day. Jesus never showed up for a test with anxiety, He was always in peace because He was prepared!

NURTURING NUGGETS BLOG IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

1 Corinthians 14:2 (AMP)
For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].

It is such an honor to be able to talk with God. We not only get to talk to Him but He also talks with us. Prayer is a form of communication. Jesus made if possible through His death, burial and resurrection for believers to communicate with God. God is our Father and He enjoys talking with His children just like we enjoy talking with our children. However God is God and there are times when we may not know quite what to say or how to express ourselves in our natural language to Him. God has made it possible for believers to receive a supernatural prayer language whereby we may communicate things that are beyond our natural understanding. We don’t know everything but God does. There are situations , circumstances and much more that we need God’s insight and discernment to know what is going on or to know what to do next. The scripture above says we utter or speak secret truths and hidden things, by the Holy Spirit, that are not obvious to the understanding. God is always willing to help us but we must be willing to be helped. It is not logical or natural to pray in a language you don’t understand but it is of God and it is supernatural. Just because we may not fully understand this gift God has given to His church to communicate with Him doesn’t mean we should not use it. We may not know how our car does everything it does to get us from point A to point B but that doesn’t keep us from driving it. God is a good God, every gift from Him is good. God would never give us anything that would destroy or hurt us, He loves us. We must trust Him in everything and never hesitate to do what He ask of us. If God says we should pray in unknown tongues then we obey. If God says love your enemies the we must obey. If God says resist the devil and he will flee from you then we must obey. Whatever He says to do, just do, regardless if you understand it or not, prove your love and trust to Him by obeying what He says without doubting or complaining.

The Holy Spirit helps us to communicate to God in an unknown tongue or language. We who love God count it an honor and privilege to communicate with Him and we take full advantage of every good gift and available help He has provided for us to do so. God knows what we need to live as an over -comer in this life. We must not reject or neglect the precious things He has freely given us. Take advantage of the free gift of unknown tongues and benefit from its power. You won’t regret it!

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN ENTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

Influence defined:
• The effect of something on a person, thing, or event.
• Power to sway: the power that somebody has to affect other people’s thinking or actions by means of argument, example, or force of personality.

Another word for influence is persuading.
Today I pose the questions, “Who has influence in your life? Whose life are you influencing?

What things or people do you allow to sway your life? TV, radio, ancestors, tradition, your past or someone elses past, fear, culture, the opinions of natural unchanged men/women, etc.

Whether we know it or not throughout the course of our earth journey there are those in whom our lives greatly influence or sway and there are those who influence our lives. We affect those around us for good or for evil everyday by what we say and do. We can affect the way others dress, eat, wear their hair, train their children, and treat their spouses. We can sway peoples self-image, the way they think and speak, money management, the way they interact with God, their perception of God, etc.

In the book of Acts chapter 18:12-13
… the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
Here we see that Paul’s influence among the people was perceived by some to be contrary, although Paul was sent by God. Power persuades. The limited power of the kingdom of darkness persuades and the ultimate limitless power of God persuades. People and things can be greatly influence by power, even if it is weak power. Paul lived a life that demonstrated true power and therefore many people were willing to listen to what he had to say. Paul told the people to follow me as I follow Christ. In other words allow my life to influence your life in respect to my relationship and fellowship with God.

In 2Corinthians 5:11, Paul says:
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Paul knew that he would someday have to stand before God and give an account of the life he lived and the influence he had in the lives of others here on the earth. Influence carries with it great accountability. The children (natural and spiritual) that God entrust to us here on the earth are influenced by our lives; we can sway their hearts toward good or evil. If we influence children to be partial and have respect of persons because of our own fears and pride we will have to give answer to God for that misguided influence. We can by precept and example influence our children to love and honor then we our responsible for that influence as well.

What kind of a sway do you have on people around you? Are you the kind of Christian that influences everyone around you to be carnal? Or does your life persuade and stimulate spiritual hunger in people? Do people follow and emulate you because you follow and emulate Christ?

Jesus delegated the power of influence to His Church. He told Paul, in Acts 26:18, that he was chosen and appointed by God:

To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in Me.

You too are a light and influence in somebody’s life, whether they are young or old. So let that light shine bright before them so that they may see your good works and glorify God by following in your footsteps.

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

Ephesians 6:16
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

The shield of faith is a offensive as well as a defensive weapon given to the Body of Christ by God. This weapon is fail proof. It is unbeatable and unstoppable. The devils strategies and attacks are no match for its unquenchable force. The above scripture reveals to us that the shield of faith is the answer to every Satanic assault because it quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked, that’s right all. The Holy Ghost revealed to Paul’s readers that it didn’t matter that the darts were fiery they were still quenched.

Fiery defined:
• burning or full of fire

It is the same as scorching, blistering, sweltering, sizzling, blazing, flaming and hot.

The word quench means to put out or extinguish a fire or a light. It doesn’t matter how hot the situation or pressure may be, your faith can put it out. Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail because Satan was desiring to sift him as wheat. Jesus knew the only thing that could quench Satan’s fiery darts against Peter was his faith. The scriptures remind us in Isaiah 54 that no weapon formed against us shall be able to prosper. Why, because faith stops it progress and nullifies its attack. Take courage child of God and know that there is no weapon of darkness that can defeat or paralyse our faith, it is impenetrable. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. So keep your shield of faith up by staying full of the word of God. Wear it faithfully, it will never rust or corrupt, you can never out grow it, it will always fit like a glove!

So go ahead and walk talk and be courageous in your armour of God it is tried and true, it will always protect you.

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

1Corinthians 4:5 (AMP)
So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God.

Have you ever prematurely judged someone or hastily made an assumption in a situation? Of course you have, we all have at some point in time in our lives.

Judge defined:
• To measure by guesswork, using the eye or some other sense as a rough guide.

The bible tells us that it is unwise to make premature judgments in situations that you don’t have all the facts or truth. There are things that are not obvious to the natural senses or known to human understanding. Many times people judge according to their past experiences with similar situations or people. They allow their past to be the standard for their present and future. We size up people and situations even before hearing the complete truth. We assume that our feelings and human reasoning will not fail us in our judging. However, our feelings and limited human understanding are incapable of judging hidden things. Without God’s help we are unable to know secret things, God is the revealer of secrets. Without God’s help we don’t even know our own hearts. Only God knows the true intent of a man’s heart and mind. Only God knows if a person’s motives are pure and sincere. During Jesus’ earthly ministry He would frequently reveal the secret intents of peoples hearts around Him. His purpose was not gossiping or exposing the sins of their hearts to hurt or damage them but rather to help and rid them of these dangerous hidden toxins. God’s purpose many times in revealing is healing.

God will sometimes reveal the intent of peoples hearts to you but not for the purpose of just sharing some information about that person with you. God’s plans are always rooted and ground in love.

This is not to say that God will allow people to plot evil against you, with the intent to harm you and He will not warn and protect you in that situation. God will always provide protection and deliverance for His family from the plots and strategies of the enemy.

We must be those who trust God with all our heart and not depend on our own natural understanding but in all our day to day living acknowledge and depend on Him to instruct and guide us.

NURTURING NUGGETS BLOG IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

Ezekiel 37: 3-6
And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

God showed Ezekiel a situation that seemed impossible in the natural. God showed him a valley of old dead bones. Now these bones that God showed Ezekiel were not only old and dry but they were scattered all over the valley. God asked Ezekiel a very crucial question because the prophets’ answer would determine if God could use him in this situation. God needed Ezekiel to be open to do and believe whatever He said. Ezekiel must had known possibly by experience or good teaching that whenever God asked you a question we need to ask Him what the answer is not lean to our own understanding. We must be willing to trust and accept whatever God says and agree with Him. If God says no then we say no, if God says yes then we say yes, if God says stop then we must stop and not go one inch further. God performed a great miracle through the prophet because He obeyed God’s command. What would have been totally impossible in human ability God made a reality through one man’s faith in God. Ezekiel did exactly what God told him to do and he saw exactly what God said He would do.

Sometimes in our lives we may be faced with situations that seem down -right impossible but God has a word for every impossible situation. When we take the time to hear what God has to say and then say only what He commands us to say we will always see favorable results. It is impossible for God to lie, so if God says it, it shall come to pass. If you read the whole chapter of Ezekiel 37 you will see that when God began to perform this miracle through Ezekiel there was a part when the miracle was not complete. Everything had happen just like God said but there was no breath yet. God had said that He would put breath in them. However Ezekiel did not fret, murmur or complain. He did not settle for 95% either because He knew God was not a 95% God. Ezekiel waited on the word of God to command him in what to do next and God spoke and told him what to do. Ezekiel did not get in pride and try to do it himself, no; he waited on God because he knew God was not finished. God fully expects to do everything He says not just half but all.

We must stay in faith and allow God to accomplish His full complete will in our lives as well. We must not run ahead of God or try to figure things out for ourselves we must trust God. God is not a man that He should lie, He will always keep His word, and He will always do what He said He would do, 100%.

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMP)
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

It is quite clear from these passages of scripture that Love is not of this world. Love has no darkness in it at all. Love is spirit and truth. There is not one ounce of worldly resemblance in Love. Love is pure and undefiled by sin or self. It is not hard to distinguish human love from the love of God, there is no comparison.

The scriptures above declare that love is ever ready to believe the best, how awesome and supernatural. It says love believes. Love never fears or doubts that which is of God. Love is a believer of the plans and purposes of God. Love is a believer of the righteousness of God. Love is a believer in the power of God. Love is a believer in miracles, signs and wonders. Love is a believer in the power of the blood of Jesus. Love believes in mercy. Love believes in the regenerating power of the Holy Ghost in the life of a sinner. Love believes that by Jesus stripes we are healed. Love believes in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Love believes the Word of God. Love believes when we pray according to God will He hears us and grant the petitions that we desire. Love believes in the 1st and 2nd resurrection. Love believes that Jesus is coming back for His church just like He said He would. Love believes! Love believes! Love believes!

NURTURING NUGGETS BLOG IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxiyfingthesoul.com