Monday January 17, 2011

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-13

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 

¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

I have found in my daily walk, that the closer I get to the Lord, the more subtle and sneaky the attacks; from the enemy, become in my daily routine.  The things I use to battle are easy to spot, like big flashing lights.  Much easier to turn away from that particular temptation.  But the devil is cunning and extremely patient.  And because I have finally realized this in my later years (wisdom), I always start my day off with this prayer:

Oh heavenly Father & precious Jesus, I came to you with great humility and Pray the Armor of God over me and my family.  By faith we put on the Helmet of Salvation; may you protect our minds against attacks from our enemies.  By faith we put on the Breast Plate of Righteousness; may you fill us with your character, integrity.  By faith may we buckle tight the Belt of Truth; please expose in our hearts the lies we are tempted to believe, may we hear with your ears, see with your eyes and speak with your tongue.  By faith may we put on and lace tight the Sandals of the Gospel; let our feet lead the way to spread the Good News And be a witness to those around us, not just by our words but by our actions.  By faith we lift up the Shield of Faith; I ask that we not believe what the world may want us to believe or settle into the circumstances of the world, but rest today on Your Glory, Your Resurrection and Your promises to us.  Let our feet be cemented in bedrock and our roots run deep, so that our faith can not be shaken.  By faith may we pick up our Sword of the Spirit; and I ask that you give us the Godly words to help ourselves and others.  I Thank You for choosing us to represent you to this fallen world, may Satan and his host shutter and flee as your powers are manifested through us.May this Armor protect us today against the seen and unseen things of this world. 

Guard yourselves and your family daily for the Lord has given us the Armor to face the enemy.  Don't leave home without it.  May the Lord Bless each and everyone of you and I want to thank you for starting your day with "God's Cup of Coffee".....

Spread the word and spread this link to those you love and care about!!!! 

My son stands guard LCPL Bo Boening, USMC

Sunday January 16, 2011

It's the Small Stuff!

Our schedules seem to get busier & busier.  Often times I think this may be a mask (busyness).  When we tend to get still, are minds have time to reset and start to bring the important things in life to the forefront.   When our lives are going a million miles an hour; we find ourselves consulting God less & less over the small stuff we face each day.  We tend to consult Him, when a tragedy or misfortune comes our way.  One of God's greatest desire for us, is to have an intimate and personal relationship with Him.  We can't achieve that if we only come to Him when we need Him to bail us out of a bad choice or help us when we've reached a deep valley and see no way out.  Trust when I tell you He needs a good laugh, just like we do.  We are made in His image, if we are made in His image and they say laughter is great for our sole, don't you think God must love to laugh.  Have you ever just talk to Him and started laughing when you heard just how funny that must sound too Him.  He says bring it all to Him: the hurt, the emotional pain, the financial wows, the daily pressure that seems to rob us of our peace and even: the thank you's, the love, the laughter and daily small stuff.  We can't achieve an intimate and personal relationship we our Lord & Savior without talking about the SMALL STUFF!  Try it, it can turn a prayer time into some fun and intimate conversation.  May the Lord Rain Down From The Heaven's Above His Glory, Mercy and some Peace and Laughter into your daily routine.  Thank all of you who are starting your day with God's Cup of Coffee.

My son Bishop @ the beach laughing & taking it all in!!

Saturday January 15, 2011

GOD KNOWS WHO I AM!

I heard this song may times before, but I was driving my son to a friends house last night and it jumped all over me in such a different way than ever before.  I'm sure we have all had this happen before.  I had such an overwhelming sense of peace and just started thanking Him for really knowing who I am.  I don't have to wonder if He loves me; He died for me, I don't have to wonder if He knows me, He tells us the hairs on our heads are numbered.  For some of us thats easier than others.  I just loved the peace I had when I truly stopped what I was doing; after dropping my son off, I pulled down the street & stopped the car and re-played the song and had a very intimate time with my Lord & Savior.  I hope this song touches you today the way it touched me.  God Bless & thank all of you who take a minute out of your day to start your day with God's Cup of Coffee.

James Boening

EMAIL: RESPONSE TODAY

From: Deb Brown <deb.brown84@gmail.com>
To: Leigh Anne Boening <laboening@att.net>
Sent: Sat, January 15, 2011 11:52:38 AM
Subject: Re: James new Blog

Wow !  Awesome.. I am posting the last scripture on my mirror !  What peace has flooded over me today because of that !  I will buy his book . I have only positive feedback .

****Praise the Lord for this!****

Friday January 14, 2011

Good Morning Everyone!  I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming response to my new Blog.  

1 Peter 2:22-23

²² “He committed no sin,
   and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Jesus lived his entire life as the scripture above mentions.  We obviously can not live up to the first four words of this scripture.  However, we can live without deceiving others.  We don't have to retaliate when we are attacked or insulted.  We can and we should trust in the Lord in all situations and circumstances.  At times this seems so hard to comprehend, especially within the fallen world we live in.  It is possible, not easy but haven't we all heard the old saying, "nothing worth having comes easy."  When things are easy to obtain they don't hold as much value.  An elementary example: which one of these has more value and is looked upon with great revere?  A banana or a diamond?  Obviously the diamond, its harder to obtain and not as easily gotten.  The same is true with our faith and walk with Christ.  Because of the fallen world we live in, how much easier is it to walk the path of: Rebellion, Deceit, Lies, Greed, Envy and probably one the biggest lies were told from a young age, look out for number one because no one else will (self-centered, self-indulgence).  The last sentence in verse would teach us the exact opposite of that.  We always have the choice to have someone watching over and protecting us, when in doubt, REMEMBER THE CROSS!!  He loved all of us enough to come down from the heaven's above and take the form of man and be humiliated, rejected, beaten, imprisoned and was hung on the cross to die for you and me.  But, don't think He stopped there.  He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven to build our homes and has promised to return in His great glory and splendor for all who have asked for forgiveness and accepted Him as their Lord & Savior!  Praise be to God for that amazing Gift.

I leave you with this: For those of you that find yourself in a valley today remember this.

This too shall pass!  

Surrender to the Lord and give it all to Him, He has promised never to forsake us!!!

The wife & I Skiing in Lake Tahoe!

Thursday January 13, 2011

I feel like a little kid at Christmas, waiting to see those of you interested in what the Lord has laid on my heart to share with all of you.  Please sign-up as a follower of the site and post your comments.  I have let a select few read the book and this is what one of my best friends had to say.

I though it was awesome!! A true modern day parable!

Sent from my iPhone

Bobby Slay

I leave you with this to ponder for the day!

INTEGRITY

The majority say they posses, but few have.

It is not to be spoken from mountain tops, with hands beating ones chest.

It's hardly convenient, but a commitment between you & yourself when no one is looking.

Most things people can take from you, but there is only one person that can take integrity from you, YOURSELF!

This intangible item that eludes God's greatest creation, is the most difficult to posses because it

means doing what you've said & doing what is right over how you feel.

Taking a stand; possible over your family, friends or wealth at all cost, regardless of the outcome.

Integrity, one of the most rewarding blessings has allowed us to posses, & it simply boils down to one word:

CHOICE!!!

Wednesday January 12, 2011

This is the beginning of an adventure with my Lord & Savior "Jesus Christ".  I have never written a book before, but the Lord has a sense of humor. I'm living proof.  He has given this beautiful parable between coffee and how we should live our daily lives.  It was given to me in an instant.  I found myself; during the time of writing this, taken back and often wondered how all of the things that I had written came from my mind to my hand. I didn't have to think about what came next or how it would end.  That's how I know this book was a gift that was given from my Heavenly Father to one of His unworthy sons.  Because I don't want to take credit for coming up with this parable, I am calling it a re-gift to those who will take a moment out of their busy schedule to read this short book.  May it touch all of you the way it has touched me and my family.