by Pastor Kim DSouza | Jul 1, 2016 | Dating & Relationships, Healing & Freedom, Marriage & Parenting
Temptation, simply put, is a desire birthed in your flesh that is in direct conflict with God’s standards and can take you off course from the plan of God for your life.
We live in a fallen world and so none of us is temptation-proof. But the problem starts when we start yielding to it. And it starts little by little (like yeast, which too seems to be a small thing, but it works its way through a whole batch of dough pretty fast), and then destroys your life (James 1:14-15).
PS: The world finds everything ok under the pretext of freedom of expression. But your standards of norm are not defined by the world but by the Word. The world is slave to sin, but believers are at war with it. As long as you weigh things as per the world’s norm, you will fall into the trap of accepting it. And what you accept, you won’t fight. You are called to be different! You have the royal blood. You are a holy nation!
In the part 1 of this post we want to give you 3 keys to break free from the temptation trap. (Don’t miss reading the concluding part next week for the next 3 keys) :
1. Know your identity in Christ
Many Christians are struggling with temptation because they have not renewed their minds. Know that once you are born again, there is a new you in the inside of you (2 Corinthians 5:17). Know that the spirit in the inside of you has authority over every force of darkness (Colossians 2:9-10). Know that you have the power to take into captive every thought that is contrary to what God says (2 Corinthians 10:5). Know that you are loved and accepted in Christ (Galatians 3:26). Once you know the truth, the truth will set you free!
2. Fill yourself with the Word
The source of temptation does not lie with God or in others, or our surroundings, movies, modern girls dressing, current wicked generation, but rather all our temptations come from our own inward desires and lusts of our flesh.
Sin always begins in the mind. No one ever falls into adultery without first entertaining it in his (or her) thought life. That’ why it is so important to fill our hearts and minds with the Word. For when you walk, His Word will guide you, when you sleep, it will watch over you and when you are awake, it will speak to you (Proverbs 6:20-22).
3. Flee from it
Joseph in the book of Genesis showed us the best way to avoid the temptation trap – Flee! You need to know what tempts you, when it tempts you, where it tempts you, who tempts you, and then just stay away from those situations and people. Don’t just walk away, but run! You don’t fight it; you flee it!
Remember sin easily entangles and so it is easier to avoid than to resist. Paul counselled Timothy saying – Flee from the evil desires of your youth (1 Timothy 6:11-12). Sadly people want to be delivered from temptation but would like it to keep in touch.
Another thing worth mentioning is 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says, when tempted, God provides a way out so that you can stand up under it. So if you are still falling for temptations, you are simply rejecting God’s way out from it.
-To be continued
by Pastor Kim DSouza | Apr 20, 2016 | Marriage & Parenting
Here’s some good news!
Youversion, the world’s most popular Bible App, now has a 9 Day Bible Reading plan based on my book, “It’s Your Turn For A Beautiful Pregnancy”. It is the only reading plan on pregnancy currently available on the App.
Since the plan was launched on April 8, and as I upload this post, Youversion Dashboard tells me that around 950 people have already subscribed to the plan! Praise Jesus! It’s amazing how we have been able to reach out to so many people across the globe within a few days with the Youversion platform.
You can check out the devotional here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/2421-beautiful-pregnancy
Please do consider sharing the above link with your friends who may need it! Thank you!
Testimony of Ethan Ezra Ambrose
Meanwhile here is a testimony of beautiful pregnancy we recently received from Cheryl Ambrose (Dubai). In her words…
When I got to know that I was pregnant, I experienced bitter-sweet emotions. We had not planned this pregnancy and it was an unexpected surprise. My life changed the minute I knew I conceived and I had many questions running in my mind – How do we manage our finances and pregnancy expenses in a city like Dubai? What about my career? Will I have a safe delivery? The list was endless…
But as I begin to meditate upon God’s Word, slowly my doubts, insecurities and fear was overcome by peace and security. It’s about that time that I began to read Kim’s book on pregnancy. It changed my perspective on pregnancy and motherhood and I decided to face my fears and worries with the Word of God. One word that really spoke to me was Hebrews 11:6, And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Yes, in times like these your faith has to be bigger than your fears.
The bad report
By the time I reached the third trimester I was diagnosed with a condition called Gestational Diabetes, which according to the doctors, could affect our baby and even cause pre-mature delivery. Doctors also told us that our child could be born with low sugar levels, a big head circumference and would be under observation for more than 24 hours in the NICU, post his delivery.
I was completely shocked and I broke down after I heard this report. That’s when the Word of God and His promises for our baby came alive. Me and my husband kept declaring God’s Word over the baby in my womb and pressing through in prayer and seeking the counsel of godly friends. We prayed and claimed for a normal healthy baby with absolutely no complications. Despite of what my Gynac kept saying I chose not to let that affect me. I also want to thank my husband, who was a constant pillar of support for me.
I was continuously monitored by an Endocrinologist for my sugar levels and I cannot thank God enough for him as he encouraged me to lead a healthy lifestyle and be fit.
And then came the most awaited day! On January 11 2016 our son was born with the perfect weight and with the perfect head circumference. Though he was monitored in the NICU, his sugar levels were perfect and he was discharged from the NICU in less than 24 hours.
Ethan Ezra Ambrose our little bundle of joy is 3 months now. He is the best gift to us! I love my daddy God for blessing us abundantly!
by Pastor Kim DSouza | Mar 9, 2016 | Christian Walk
Genesis 13:10 KJV
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Genesis 13:14 KJV
And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward…
It is so typical of man that when given an option to “select or choose”, man will use all his intellect and reasoning to make the best choice in the natural. As in the above case, because the land could not hold both of their livestock, Abraham asked Lot to choose which land he would prefer inhabiting so that he (Abraham) could go the other way and both could live in peace.
The Bible says “Lot lifted up his (natural) eyes and saw the well watered plains” and made his decision. What he did not see is what God was going to do to Sodom and Gomorrah which was the very place that Lot decided to pitch tent and make his aboard.
Now comes Abraham’s turn and guess who gives him direction to choose? The Bible says… And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look ….
Oh that blesses me beloved, here are 5 key points:
1. Be divinely led
As God’s children our lives are to be divinely led and not humanly explored. Man looks with his eyes. But God lifts up our eyes to see!
2. Expect God’s instruction
We can expect God’s instruction (long term/ short term) in our lives so we do not end up in places of Gods judgement.
3.You have the Holy Spirit!
God has placed on the inside His Spirit so that you do not make decisions in the flesh that may look rewarding in the short term but prove to be a loss in the long term.
4.Strategic positioning
God wants to position you strategically so that “many families and nations will be blessed by your obedience to His Word.”
5. Don’t compromise
Don’t live a life of compromise and settle in the plains of the yesterday’s ‘Edens’ but seek God to walk in His will today. The place He places you in may not look in the natural as a place of beauty but obedience to God will turn your desert place into an oasis of life to all!
by Pastor Kim DSouza | Feb 12, 2016 | Christian Walk, Leadership
It is impossible to live a life that is unaffected by other people. Your association/friends can take you closer to your God destiny or far away from it. Their attitudes and opinions, like pollen, blow into our lives, shaping our perspective and influencing our decisions.
The parable of weeds in Matthew 13:24-30 tells us about two types of seed: 1. Children of God (good seed) and 2. Sons of the evil one (weeds). Both were planted for one reason – to add influence. Many people do no realise the power of influence and therefore they are caught unawares by people who leave their seeds of slander, back biting, gripping, complaining, pride, gossiping, etc. They wake up one day all of a sudden and see their garden with all sorts of weeds that choke the Word of God in their lives.
Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God (James 4:4).
The Bible also warns, Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ (1 Corinthians 15:33).
On the other hand, when one godly person’s life sharpens another’s, it’s a good thing (Proverbs 27:17). It yields a harvest of mature fruit over time.
Don’t compromise your destiny for company
One principle that I have learnt with bad company is that it is progressive. If you are not careful you will be moving down a slippery path that ends in shame, disgrace, worthlessness, loneliness and every evil work. Psalm 1 hints at the three progression stage of association that leads to sin: It first begins with standing (casually listening), then walking (intentional listening) and finally sitting (living) with wickedness.
I like what Pastor Steven Furtick says, “Don’t compromise your destiny for company.”
The Bible says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20).
I am not talking about associating with the world alone, but even in terms of believers who claim to walk with God.
Here are some guidelines about who you should stick to, or stay away from:
Stay away from:
1. Fools, or the know-it-alls, who are wise in their own eyes. (Proverbs 1:7)
2. Gossipers, grumblers, drunkards, immoral, boasters, hot tempered men (1 Corinthians 5:11), (Proverbs 22:24,25).
3. Those who cause quarrels and fights, backbiters, unsubmissive to authorities (Romans 16:17)
4. Those who are lovers of the world (James 4:3,4).
5. Those who are lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
Stick to:
1. Those who are wise. Not in the ways of the world, but in the knowledge of God’s Word (Proverbs 13:20).
2. Lovers of Jesus, those who boast in Jesus (1 Corinthians 8:3)
3. Visionaries, who have a vision for their lives, who have an action plan and who are pursuing it, who are not mere talkers, but doers. (Proverbs 29:18).
4. Those who are humble, hardworking and who never stop learning. (1 Peter 5:5)
5. Who correct and counsel you according to the Word of God (Proverbs 3:12)
I can think of a lot of examples in the Bible and in my life where I see people influenced or rather allowing themselves to be influenced by bad company and I can tell you that it will corrupt the good character (seed) placed in your life. It will always make the journey to your destiny harder, tougher, lengthier and you will also end up hurting many people along the way both family and friends. So watch out!
by Pastor Kim DSouza | May 25, 2015 | Healing & Freedom
With God, all things are possible! Matthew 19:26. In this post we want to feature an amazing testimony of faith and healing from our friend Damian Fernandes. Based out of Mumbai, Damian is a worshipper at heart. He is self employed and stays with his wife Vijaya, a homemaker, and a teacher of the Word, and they are blessed with three beautiful daughters.
We were a happy family of four – my wife, Vijaya, my daughters, Esther and Ruth and myself. It was in the month of July 2014 that we got to know that we were expecting our third baby.
Damian, his wife Vijaya and Hope Miracle Fernandes.
Initially we were taken by surprise but we thanked God because we know that the Word of God says that children are a blessing from the Lord.
At the first sonography, the doctor noticed that the NL value (Nuchal translucency is a collection of fluid under the skin at the back of your baby’s neck) of the baby was high, and asked us to inform our gynaecologist immediately. The next day when we went to the gynac, he saw through the report and told us that the child would be born with the Down’s Syndrome. He suggested that we terminate the pregnancy and warned us about the consequences. But my wife who is a real woman of faith said, “Doctor, we will go ahead with the pregnancy”. At that point that seemed like the voice of God. There was no further discussion after that.
The first few months were not very easy because Vijaya was just not able to eat anything. She even brought up the water she drank. It seemed like the enemy was trying hard. We called the Andrew Wommack prayer line for prayer. The prayer representative prayed with us and encouraged us to press on.
The Holy Spirit led us on an amazing journey from that point. We started having bread and wine everyday and confessed the work of the cross over our lives and our baby. There were times when the enemy would bring negative thoughts to our mind. Sometimes, I gave in to those thoughts but the Holy Spirit used to quicken me and tell me to rebuke those thoughts.
We hadn’t told anyone else about what was happening. My wife would listen to various teachings on healing for three to four hours a day and everyday when I returned from work, she used to share with me whatever she heard. The testimonies revealed that nothing was too difficult for God.
The doctor’s visit was another stronghold. Every time we went to see him, he kept stating the facts. We knew that the truth was that God had already healed our baby. We were then asked to do a test called karyotyping ( To help identify genetic problems as the cause of a disorder or disease). We told him we didn’t want to do it and were trusting God with our baby’s health. We were confident that we were going to see a miracle and there was absolute peace in our hearts.
At the beginning of the ninth month, our church members organised for a surprise baby shower for Vijaya. What was so amazing about that evening was that every single person was speaking life over our baby according to God’s Word. And these people knew nothing about our situation, and yet all spoke what God wanted the child to be.
The next day was the doctor’s visit. After examining Vijaya, he told us that the baby’s weight was very low and we would need to do another sonography. He also said that we might have to go in for an early delivery. That night Vijaya was unable to sleep so she woke me up at 3:00 am. She felt something unusual happening and after some time her water bag broke.
I rushed her to the hospital and she was taken immediately to the labour room. Within 10 minutes Vijaya had delivered our third princess! She weighed only 1.2kg at birth and so had to be rushed to the NICU. After some time the doctor came and told us that she was very weak and there were too many complications. He said she might survive at the most for a week. When I looked at my baby, she looked so weak and lifeless. The doctor looked at me and said, “I had already told you both what was going to happen”. I looked at him and said that we were trusting God. I’m sure he must have thought that were acting like fools. But God chooses the foolish things of this world to shame the wise. Although in the natural we didn’t see our baby healed, we were by faith thanking God already for her healing.
Our baby was in the hospital for almost 28 days and every single day God showed us His faithfulness. She gradually started putting on weight. While she was in the hospital, they told us that it was mandatory for them to carry out the Karyotyping test now, which we didn’t do earlier. They took her blood sample and told us that the report would come after 15 days. We knew in our hearts that no matter what the report says, we were trusting God. And when we received the report, everything was NORMAL! No Down’s syndrome! Hallelujah! We serve an amazing God! We named our third princess Hope Miracle Fernandes.
If you are reading this testimony and if you have received a medical report that is negative, we would like to encourage you to hold on to His unfailing Word. Remember Jesus paid the price for EVERY sickness on the cross. There is nothing too difficult for Him!
Do share this testimony with your family/friends or let us know how it blessed you here on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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