Be mindful

Ladies, I was sitting at the breakfast table one morning this past week with my Man discussing some things. Isn't it amazing how being at the table, over a meal, so much of our hearts can come pouring out? There seems to be a "safeness" that comes from sharing a meal. I was doing the majority of the talking while Bill listened to me as I shared that I really believe that the Body Of Christ is beaten and bloody. We seem to be chewing one another up and then spitting them out. We are doing this to our own Brothers and Sisters in Christ. If we'll be honest with one another, I would say we've all found ourselves on both sides of the fence. The one doing the chewing or the one being chewed on.

My prayer for 2011 is that I will become much more aware of my words, actions and re-actions to others. That I will be so immersed in Christ that I'll have the power of the Holy Spirit readily available to turn the cheek, to forgive 70 x 7, as well as to not take offense to a fellow Believer's words or actions. To not bloody another or to spit them out, basically tossing them to the wolves. That is going to be a big bill to fill, but honestly, if I become more: mindful, aware, prayerful, and obedient, all because of Christ living on the inside of me, then I believe it can be accomplished.

**And when I believe something that powerful, guess who is going to come knocking at my door? I've got to be prepared and remember that he will come knocking!**

In no time at all, after sharing my heart with Bill, this is what I read in my current bible study:

"Satan so vehemently despises what Christ has done for the mortals that one of his chief objectives is to make the clean feel unclean. Oh, how he desires to stain the beautiful bride of Christ. Satan can't MAKE the bride do anything, so he does everything he can to GET her to. How is this best accomplished? He tries to corrupt thoughts to manipulate feelings.

Satan knows the nature of humankind is to act out of how we FEEL rather than what we KNOW. One of our most important defenses against satanic influence is learning to behave out of what we KNOW is truth rather than what we FEEL. Satan's desire is to modify human behavior to accomplish his unholy purposes." **When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, by Beth Moore**

A scripture that back this up is found in 2 Timothy 2:26 NLT "Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants."

Are you allowing yourself to be caught in the devil's trap, doing his will? Have you allowed your mind and thoughts to become corrupted and manipulative? Have you acted out towards your brothers and sisters with what you "feel" versus what you "know"?

I had a friend this past year share something from her heart that was rich to me, "Church is hard, Jesus is easy." Girlfriends and guy friends, let's be Jesus!

I am praying and believing that we will begin to come together in 2011 as the Body Of Christ, seeking healing and forgiveness. Uniting instead of dividing. Building up instead of tearing down. Restoring instead of demolishing. Will you come along side me and pray for the Body of Believers? Will you come along side of me and be much more mindful as well?

With much love,
Yolanda at Higher Grounds

**Eph 4:20 (NIV) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”