In the Quietness

When I first started walking out this journey of being a Minister of Gospel, the demands on me changing my lifestyle and being committed made me wonder if I could make it past a year without returning to my old ways or even running scared from the challenges tht I faced on a daily basis. Now eight years later, I now that I can make it with the help of  God.

I recently read this scripture: 

Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

These are the words that Moses spoke to the Isrealites when they had just escaped from slavery in Eqgypt and were being pursued by Pharoh and his army, they were discouraged and afraid. I mean really who wouldn't be. I am sure it seemed  like an  overwhleming defeat. they had the red sea ahead of them and mountains on each side of them and Pharoah behind them. No way out and they were slaves many had not been taught how to fight.There were women, children, elderly and animals. It would seem this was the end.

I know how that feels, Ihave found myself in the same position. Well not literally but figuretively. See at 14 when I began to preach and teach it was simple because I did not have to make my own decisions. People didnt really count on me to lead them. as a younf adult I picked and chose what i did in ministry so there was no real sacrifice there. It was not until 2007 when God said FULL-TIME ministry tht it hit me how serious this thing was to God and needed to be for me. Thus I had to change everything about me and how I thought about ministry. I was at the red sea being pursued. 

Now even, though I have learned many lessons, once again I am at the red Sea and being pursued. As a believer, let alone a minister, with temptations engulfing my world, this call to be still has been an encouragement to me.  Because even though I have been saved since 6 years old and in ministry since 14 and full time ministry since 39, I still have to trust god in the hard times, the bad times and the indifferent times. I still have to remain quiet and still while trusting Him in the midst of stress-laden situations. this I'm learning will be a constant in my walk. I desire to please God and that means I must trust Him. 

In Psalms 46:10 it states, "Be still and know that I am God," this means to me that when we are still that is when God reveals himself even the more to us. He then is able to become, "our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble" (Psa 46:1). In our times of troubles, we see our weakness apart from God and recognize our ned to surrender to Him. Paul said it this way, "When I am weak, the am I strong" (2 Cor 12:10).

Daily we grind through stress and other frustrating situaions and circumstances. But we can trust that He will be faithful to His promises to care for us; to never leave us; and nor will He forsake us. It only requires that we learn how to be still.

Here's something to remember, the Lord may clam your storm but most often He will calm you.



You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

21 - Day Consecration: Obedience to God (Day 21)

Well Day 21 and I am so full of emotions as I write this journal. So twenty one days ago I started this journey of 21 Days of concentrated obedience. This was the best journey I could have taken at this time. Obedience is so very important in this walk. I had lost sight of what true obedience. I knew that God wanted me to be obedient in every way but I still pick what areas I would obey. I pick how and when I would obey. I mean let's be real... no matter how you slice it, I wanted to be in control. I allowed fears, worries and doubt rule my life. Now I just want God to rule. I have learned to move out of the way. Now I have to put it into practice. It's time to walk it out not just because of this journey but because God has so much for me to do and it requires my COMPLETE obedience.

So let's talk about how I did on this journey... Here are the things I wanted to do on this journey:

1. Reading the word, not just studying it for sermons and counseling.

Well, I began a "Walk through the Bible" which means I am reading each book of the bible and really getting acquainted with the nuggets in the Bible. You know those things that you over look because when you are studying a certain topic you are concentrated on that thought process. Just reading the Bible for me opens me up to enjoy every morsel. It's been a while since I have just read the Bible for reading sake. I am finding a new love of the scriptures. Not only that I have notes and notes of things that popped out to me that I need to go back and study more. So the word is still speaking LOUD and clear to me. It's been very refreshing.

2. Eating right and losing some weight

As you know the first five days of this journey, I was fasting but now I am learning about eating foods that nourish my body and helps it operate as God intended. By the way, I also lost 10 lbs in the meantime. Yeah, Go Linda Go Linda. I was supposed to go to the Gym but I hate going alone so I never made it. however, I feel bad about it so I have decided to put myself on a 21 day to better exercising. Which means I will start going to the gym and doing some form of walking/cardio each day. Ya'll pray because it is alway easier for me to choose to do something different. 10K steps Monday - Friday. Here we go!

3. Forgiving those that have wronged me and seeking forgiveness from those that I have wronged.

Now this one was a bit harder for me. No one wants to admit they are wrong but I have had to take a long hard look at my actions and repent to God and those I have offended. More than that I had to release some grunges and resentments of my own. As God brought up things in my heart I had to face them and make them right. I thank God for his mercy and grace in this. I have never felt so much love from above than when I was dealing with forgiveness. Letting go is the best thing anyone can do. I noticed when foriveness is real, even my complexion and weight reflect it.

4. Staying faithful to my writing schedule

Another hard thing for me. I seem to let fear reign in this area a lot. Even writing these blogs have been a struggle for me. You know what it feels like when you have so much to say but you are not sure that people want to hear it. Then there are times I feel that I have nothing to say. My fear has paralyzed me in this area for years. I can always find reasons not to write. During this journey, I faltered in this are a lot. LOL do you remember the blank post? I had to go back and redo them... IJS! the fear is real ya'll. I had to repent almost daily. Even now I feel the tears coming to my eyes. However, I have resolved to plow through my fears and make this happen even it it means taking drastic measures. I will obey God in this area. I will, I will, I will, I am.

5. Being more consistent in every area of life

Prayer is the key. Seeking God and acknowledging Him regarding big and small decisions. To me trust was an issue for me. Trusting that God has it all in control and that He was concerned about what concerned me. During this process I now know that He is. He sees me. He chose me. So since I am chosen for this life, I can make it work. Through all the trials and hard times, I will be victorious. I will be exactly what God wants me to be and it will glorify Him. Jesus is truly the reason for this new season. It is a season of living a life of obedience and a fresh anointing is flowing my way to be an obedient child to my Lord and savior.

6. Being faithful to accomplishing daily, weekly and monthly goals

I learned several years ago, that goals have to be written or they are just dreams. The other thing I learned is you must do something everyday toward your long term goals or you ill never reach them. So setting daily, weekly and monthly even annual goals s always a hug part of my life. Where I really lacked was in time management. You think you can manage time until you have to manage time. I now now that I put alot of me and I really set myself up for failure because in 24 hours, most things I want to get done cant get done in the time alotted. So I would get overwhelmed and would just give up. Now I am learning less is more. But I also need to aks for help. Asksing for help is hard for me. However, giving up and failure is not an option... So i will learn how to be faithful and I will learn how to ask for help when needed. As a matter of fact I am looking for a personal assistant to help with my many projects and keep me on point. I also need an accountability partner.  IJS!

7. Not watching anything that is contrary to my Christian beliefs

This was another hard thing for me. Because I like some shows that when you ask yourself waht it is promoting... I had to shake my head. In this area, I found that I had to just read a book or dosomething different. Now I am working on this because like I said, there are some shows that I love  to watch. I may not be a groupie but when i catch them I look at them. Especially these ratchet reality shows... LOL I just saying. However, I no longer make excuses. I know as time goes by... they will become less and less and I will be free from the lure of it all. So keep me in your prayers. Because I will do as God says do in this area. He has not told me to stop watching TV altogether but I have started watching it less and less. Which I was already not watching it a ot anyways. But even my Prime, Kindle Unlimited and Netflix watching is curbing.

8. No gossiping/venting

Now to be honest there were some moments that I DID vent. However, I made sure that it did not overstep the boundaries and become gossip. I am learning that I have alot to work on in this area. Because when someone does something you dont agree with, it really is human nature to want to talk about it. Not take it to prayer and make sure tht everyone knows how you feel. the wrong part of that is that now I have bought others into my situation. They give their thoughts and in many cases they begin to feel some kind of way about the people i am talking about. So ehrn I forgive them (the person i talked abut) they may still be in that place of holding a grunge. In this process, God showed me how I have to not only forgive but ask for forgiveness from the person and the people I spoke to about it. It's just not the best thing to do especially in anger. So I am working on this. I have to know when to speak and when to just hold my peace and pray. 

At the beginning of this, I challenged myself to take a long hard look at me and make a change. To be different. Here are the questions that compelled me to step up to the plate:

What would happen in my life if I actually followed through with God's daily direction?
How much spiritual fruit would I bear and what would be its quality?
What if I actually practiced daily and followed through with my dreams?
Who would be blessed by what I produced from what God has given me?
What would be the impact in my businesses; if as an employer I demonstrated Christ’s love in my actions and responses?
What if my food choices were Spirit-inspired vs. gluttony driven?
How much weight would I really lose, or better yet, how healthy would I really be?
What if my exercise decisions came from courage rather than a lazy aspiration that leads to me to do as little as possible?
How much more could I physically do for the kingdom?
If I got proper rest regularly, what would be the quality of my daytime energy?
How prepared would I be to face each day’s challenges?
How much more would I enjoy life’s delights?
What would be the effect if we Christians forgave instead of begrudged when faced with the choice?
How much more would our children trust God or even us if we gave them our time instead of our disapproval?
What if we really added more of our mornings’ first energy to worship versus self indulgces?

These questions will continue to drive this journey in my everyday life. This journey may end here but actually, it's only beginning. A life of concentrated obedience. So I may not journal everyday and share with you all my progress but should the Lord say I need to share something with you I will. It is my desire to be pleasing in His sight no matter the cost.

Father, I pray that you are glorified in my life. That you are lifted high above all my issues, circumstances and moreover my flesh.

In my life Lord
Be Glorified
Be Glorified
In my life Lord be Glorified
Be glorified today

Be Glorified, Be Glorified
Be Glorified, Be Glorified
Be Glorified in the heavens
Be glorified in the earth
Be glorified in this temple
Jesus, Jesus
Be Thou glorified

Amen

This journey is just beginning....


You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

(Corrected Post) 21- Day Consecration: Obedience to God (Day 16)

Wow, It seems like only yesterday I started this journey. I was excited and anxious but today, I am more excited than anything. Excited about the things I have learned and how to apply them to the rest of my life. I can not go back to the picking and choosing what I will do. I must, I must change. I must stay focused. Directions have been given, things have been removed, my determined has been set. As I continue this journey I am focusing on the long-term goal.

What is the long-term goal for me...To see Jesus face in peace, to hear him say, "Well Done thy good and faithful servant, enter into my joy and rest."

So, as I continue this journey over the next few days, I am concentrating on those big things God has placed in my lap. Those wonderful things He has given me to do. I am worshiping Him in every area of my life. I am thanking Him for being the God I serve with gladness. I pray that He will continue to teach me His ways; so Linda can die more and more each day.

Do I make mistakes, absolutely, do I slip and fall, Yes, but I have learned that I can and must get back up. Get back up, get back up. I remember reading about getting back up. It was a nice post, but I was a bit dismissive of it. I smiled and said yes I know this, however, I did not hear the message until today. I had fallen and was content to lay in my misery, my defeat, my doubt. God was telling me then, you can not reach your goal or potential in this place or position. I have to get back up. I have to move on. I have to break through the barriers that are hindering me. I have to stop making excuses.

My My, it is so hard to overcome SELF but I must. through the grace and mercy of my Lord and Savior, I must continue to fight the good fight of faith. I must understand that this is not what God has for me, but it's on the other side of these hardships. Boy, God how much You love me. WHEW!!! God never said it would be easy. Actually I am supposed to join Him in his suffering. I think that was my problem... I thought God suffering would still be breezy, easy and not really suffering at all. Then I am reminded that he went to calvary. So if He could do that for me... Surely these light afflictions that plague me I can endure for Him. It's really in how I chose to see it.

So in the words of Bob Carlisle and Donnie McClurkin, I have to "get back up again for a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up." The hardest part for me is trust. I see that now. My what ifs hinder me to the point of paralyzing me. This journey will not end in a few days it will intensify, why? Because My lifestyle will become a life of concentrated obedience.

Father God, I ask that you give me the strength to do Your will in my life. I know it will not be easy, and Your word says that I can be pressed on all sides, battered, bruised, even misused but you are with me always. I must put my trust in You. You will carry me. all You ask of me is that I depend on You. Help me to lean not to my own understanding and acknowledge you in everything I do. Help me to turn from my wicked and evil ways. I need You. I want you. I can't make it through this wilderness without Your hand guiding me. I ask You to show me your ways, teach me your ways. Help me Love your people. Help me Love your people. Help me see that it's in You that all this will be accomplished. The task is so great, but You can do all things. I can do all things through You that gives me the strength. Father, I am Your child and I need my Daddy now and always.

I rebuke any thoughts that would come against your plans for my life. I rebuke any obstacles that Satan would try to place in my path. I come against worry, doubt, fear, anxiety, stress, lack, deceit, and lies. In Jesus name. I plead the blood of Jesus over my life as a hedge of protection from the storms of life and the evil spirits that will try to uproot what You have given me. In Jesus name, I break every generational curse and bondage in my life and blood line backwards and forwards; things known and unknown. I Shut the door now. In Jesus name, I loose freedom to hear, speak and believe God's Word. See those that are to partner with me in this journey, those that are like minded. In Jesus name allow us to prosper as our soul prospers. set free and deliver Oh God. I pray this all in Jesus Name. Amen.

The journey continues... 


You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime 

21- Day Consecration: Obedience to God (Day 12)

Today, I was in morning worship...For me, morning worship is just expressing how much I love, adore and want to please God because of who He is to me. It starts with thanksgiving. I thank him for all the wonderful things He has done. It so amazing how I start to thank Him and even the minute things come to my mind (ie. that breeze across my face when I was sitting in the sun, hot and sweaty). As I begin to thank Him, I start to praise Him for what He has done and then it is like a moth to fire, I begin to worship Him for who He is. No longer am I just grateful but I evolve. I can't express it in words. I transcend beyond, my circumstance of what I don't have or even what I do...

I realize most of the "revelations" that I am focusing on are not new, but things I have known. Things I have tried to minimize or skirt around. So God is just good in that he has not cut me off or thrown me out. I think Aladrian said it best, this is a time to get better acquainted with God and to understand my relationship with Him.

I entered this journey thinking it would bring NEW revelation to me...what it has done is confirmed what God has already said. So I resolve to work on those things with a vengeance now. Another thing that God has shown me, in this, is I need those that can help me to help me. I can not do all that God has given me by myself. Now, I am praying that God send those that are to partner with me in this journey and that we walk together in unity. I ask that you help me pray also.

I have wasted so much time dealing with the fear of being rejected, fear of failure and the fear of success, that I have forgotten it is not about me at all. It's all about what God wants to do through me and in me.

The Journey Continues...


You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 

Booklinda@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

(Corrected Post) 21- Day Consecration: Obedience to God (Day 9)

See in the beginning of the 21 days of concentrated obedience I knew that I was suppose to focus on the things God had placed in me. I was supposed to focus on my diet and making this temple the best that it can be for Christ. Well, I did the later but the former, Well, let's just say I dropped the ball totally. I forgot to remember the dream, the commission, the passion.

Over the past eight days,  I have not written or rewritten very little of my book. I really have not written anything but the notes for the days of concentrated obedience.

Lately, I have been feeling unfulfilled. Why? Well, now I know, I have not been actively doing everything that God has asked me to do. I have picked through his desires for me and choose the ones that made me feel comfortable, a few that didn't. I have been focused on me and not His heart.

I have used excuses to make me feel better about me but would not look to see the disappointed look on His face. So this journey has opened me up for God to show me the ugly truth. He has been good to me and faithful, but I have not been good or faithful to Him. I have a desire to hear those words but until this journey, did I realize that the words, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant", were drifting away from me. Not because, I am blatantly disobeying God but because I am too afraid to step out and truly believe God for the impossible. Is that the same things? It is not easy to trust God to be a way maker when standing in front of a ten-foot tall brick wall, but He is way-maker. So I resolve to trust Him, even faced with the impossibility of the dreams He has placed with me. His passion and desire for His daughter. He knows what he is doing and If I can trust Him, so will I.

The journey continues...

So, Lord I surrender my will to you and I will do as You say do.


You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 

Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
 In The Meantime

Faith Testimony

I just wanted to share a faith story (testimony). Some may think that this is a strange story or maybe even unbelievable but listen to this and know that God gets all the glory. This testimony was written back in 2011. However, it is still true today and it's been 4 years now. So this is what I wrote back then... but I am still rejoicing about it today.

A few months ago... I was struggling financially and I wanted my situation to change. I had been in business for two years and I was only breaking even. Nothing of the abundance God had promised. It seemed like all my efforts were to no avail. Then I prayed in January...the Jabez prayer you know the enlarge my territory, increase me, no limits, you know the prayer. well I prayed and I felt God but things did not change.
February was more of the same. March came and I was desperate. I asked God to show me how to live in abundance. I wanted my finances to change. God started working on my unforgiveness. I want my finances to change, God started working on my commitment level to Him. I wanted my finances to change, God started asking for my devotion and started causing more ministry opportunities. My finances were still the same. Now dont get me wrong, I had the bare minimum, a house to live in, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet, a car to drive, and food to eat. Men were giving into my bosom but I wanted the good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

So in April, more of the same I prayed for more finances God worked on me inside and out. May came and now I am frustrated, "God I am praying more, fasting and reading Your Word. I am teaching more studies and doing all that You asked me to do. When will you enlarge my territory, when will you grow my business?" God started giving me coaching program ideas and started giving me vision for my company. I worte the vision and when I looked at it I still said " Huh? God but how is this going to come about with no money, or at least more than I have." God blessed me with a speaking engagement at a women's conference where he spoke to me directly. This woman I had never seen before told me exactly what my life was and will be. I breathed a sign of relief. However, things did not change actually they got worse.

Now we are in June, My Bishop preached a sermon on Faith. He kept saying what's in your hand?" So I went home that Sunday afternoon and asked God to show me what was in my hand. He began to show me all the potential that was in my reach and how to use it. The answer came so quickly I filled up two journal books with all the Lord was showing me and teaching me. I started to see there were tips, techniques and strategies in what the Lord had given me. I started working the plan, if you will, three weeks later my situation went from breaking even to overflow. I had made some authentic connections, my ministry starting flowing and my family, let just say total turn around. It seemed every area of my life was moving in the right direction and it was all coming together...Yes even my business. Today I am awaiting a settlement from 1989... not waiting for it to settle it has settled and the check is in the mail. (I got the check too)

Listen, God has truly blessed every area of my life and now what I thought was impossible is a reality for me. I hope this blesses you.

P.S. I know someone reading this will say, oh that's good for you or yeah talk to me in a year, but let me say this... Until you are ready to stop waiting on God to move on your behalf and are really ready to go to work and be obedient to god and his plan for your life you will not experience a total turn around. This time next year you will be the same but I will not. I have learned that God has plans for my life and I am willing to live the way He wants me to live. So, don't feel sorry for yourself...get with God and ask Him...What Do I have in my hand? He will show you if you don't know and not only will He show you like He showed me, He will instruct you how to use it. The Principles He uncovered in my life was not just for me. Know this, God is a good God and no respecter of persons. What He will do for me He will do for you. Trust and believe.

So now reading this, I realize that I am still in the overflow. I have a coaching business, a publishing House, two non-profits and have started walking in my destiny. Do things get tight? Yes, but reading this testimony, I am encouraged that the abundance is still coming and God gets the glory for this story and all the stories to come.  So my life has been changed and I can't go back!


You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Do You Really Trust God?

In Proverbs 3:3-6 it states "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This used to be something that I just quoted because it sounded good, but I did not live by it. 

I could not trust God because I was too busy being God. Well in June of this year, God spoke to me about stepping out of my comfort zone to see what ministry really looked like. I thought maybe he was going to do something new, but I couldn't have imagine what God would do to me. Not only did he put in my Spirit to travel, he told me to go 2579 miles to be exact. On Sept 17th, after many obstacles were overcome, I boarded southwest flight 263. I had no idea what I was in store for a two-week trip turned into a month in a half.

God began to open doors for me and he showed me what he can do when I am limited. He not only met every one of my needs during this trip, I always had a warm place to stay, food to eat, and was able to take care of myself hygienically and spiritually. God allowed me to preach his word to those that were hungry for change. He let my journey be a witness of his power.

hear me when I said I met some wonderful people on this trip. people that I was able to minister to not only in the church but outside fo the church.

God confirmed, time and time again, about the ministry he birthed in me. Not just the church in San Francisco, but missionary trips and even businesses. He answered questions that I had about marriage and other personal things in my life. He also, let me meet people that I will one day bring to California to minister. I am so overwhelmed in a good way about the many blessings he bestowed on me. He even paid my bills strategically while I was away.

Pray for me as I pray for you. This is It!

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklinda@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

It's All In How You Finish

God has been dealing with me about what it will look like when I have finished my course. When I have done all the things that I am supposed to do and it's time for me to lay it down. Well, At first my heart pounded because I felt like Hezekiah when Isaiah told him to get his house in order. However, that was not what the Lord was saying to me...He was telling me to live my life when the end in mind. 

Listen, let me say it this way, We don't know how many days, weeks, months, years we have. However, we need to live faithfully in the time that we have. So let's learn a lesson from Gideon. In the book of Judges starting at the 6 chapter, we start to read about an ordinary man that God used extraordinarily. Gideon is an old testament "believer" who was just living his life in the secret of his enemy. He came to be about in a time when Israel was being tormented by the Midianites.

Now I am sure that Gideon had aspirations of going up against the Midianites and delivering his nation from the rule. However, we find him hiding in the winepress. Now this is what I truly believe it takes courage to defy a stronger adversary and to make sure that your family is safe even when it could cost you your life. However, even though Gideon was hiding I don't look at it as a coward move but a wise move, here's why the Bible says that the Midianites were taking away all the food and devastating the land, but Gideon managed to keep his food (what little he could find) from them so his family could eat. This went on for seven years. Wouldn't you hid provision for your family so you would not be utterly destroyed. I think you would do the same. I am sure I would have too.

So the testimony continues that Gideon gets a divine visit and his destiny is spoken over him. Proving once again that Gideon had to have some substance or why would God choose him. God saw Gideon for who he was created to be not who he was standing in the winepress. See God sees us as the finished product, not the mixed up, messed up pup we are right now. We are operating in a manner that many of us don't know who we are, let alone, whose we are. Of course, we are hiding in the pews of the church, in bars, clubs, and acting out with all manners of evils. We have not had that divine visitation. But wait for it because it's on its way, it's time for you to walk in the calling for your life and fulfill your destiny.

Now I am not going to tell the story here but what I do what to say is that Gideon was called to war against the Midianites and the Lord instructed him that he would go with him. Read the story very powerful and enlightening. So Gideon is famous for putting a fleece before the Lord to know that this was really what God want him to do. Now many say that this was a coward move. It was because of his doubt. Peradventure, Gideon was actually showing us a glimpse of his character. He was more of a warrior than we know. Remember I mentioned that the Midianites were bullying the Israelites.Gideon was defying them by hiding his food. See how strategic this is when you really think about it. He was chosen to start a war because he was already in a form of war with them. He was saying, "So naturally, God I want to win this war and with my methods it can't be done but If you will just lead me, let me know that you are the one in control then I can move ahead with assurance. Because yes, I want to destroy my enemy, I hate them but I got to know that you are the one telling me to do this now. My life, my future, my family, my destiny is at stake here. I can't afford to do something that will cause a chain of reaction that will lead to further destruction of my nation." God allows his fleece both times. Gideon goes to war and just as God spoke he is victorious.

Now he's where I want to go with this. After all this, the battle is over and the people realize they are free. They ask Gideon to rule over them and that his sons and his sons' sons rule over them. Gideon, the humble man he is, refuses but here's how I know that Gideon in his own strength would make bad decisions and that is why He needed God to confirm His will to him, often. He did not trust his own ability to make a sound decision. How do I know well, read Judges 8:22-27. Yep, Gideon made a BAD decision here. At the beginning of his story, we see him destroying the idols that his people had started to worship so they could take their rightful place as the chosen nation. Now you have him creating a stumbling block that leads the Children of Israel back into the idol worshiping that got them into trouble in the first place. Gideon was not faithful in all the things the Lord require of him. Why didn't Gideon ask the Lord for a sign or place another fleece before the Lord?

He did not realize that he had to finish as strong as he started. Don't make the same mistake as Gideon. Remember to be found faithful in the end. All the great things Gideon had done were now tainted and destroyed by an act that caused a blemish on his family. Which then led to a horrible sin. The death of his sons. Yes, Gideon, delivered his nation, yes he got wealth and was able to help his family. He had many wives and many children, but he died in shame and not honor.

Remember it's all in how you finish. Finish the way you want to be remembered.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2012 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Accountability Is Responsibility

"Scholar Viktor Frankl, neurologist and psychiatrist, founder of logo-therapy and one of the key figures in existential therapy, in his book Man's Search for Meaning recommended 'that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast (that has become a symbol of Liberty and Freedom) should be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast.' His thought was that 'Freedom, however, is not the last word. Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth. Freedom is but the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon whose positive aspect is responsibleness. In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness.'"

I have been thinking a whole a lot about accountability. At first it was accountability versus responsibility, then I realize that you can not have accountability without responsibility. Therein lies the rub. Many people want greatness and want fame, but they do not want to be held accountable or responsible. Thus, you get people making up the rules as they go because no one has defined the rules for them. Actually, we in America have the "You're not the boss of me" syndrome. We don't want anyone to question our actions and we want to play by our own made up rules, that we will bend to favor our situations every time.

"Accountability is a concept in ethics and governance with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility, answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account-giving" (wikipedia.com) 

I remember as a child I would play games and each time I played the game I would make up my own rules and when one of my friends would question me, I would change the game or intimidate them until they backed down from the challenge. I find that in my adult life, I do the same thing. I am good at expressing what I want to say and if someone seems to second guess themselves, I will intimidate them until I get my way. well, of course this causes people to think of me as pushy, mean, unbending and other adjectives, I am sure you can guess. However, as I thought about this the question came to me...Is this what I have called you to be? Did I call you to be an island to yourself? My thoughts flooded with scriptures trying to defend my position. I don't need anyone to tell me what I should be doing because I have to "work out my own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12). But when I look at this scripture closer something leaped out to me. Let's look at it briefly:

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:11-13

Okay, now that does not sound like I get to do it my own way. It sounds like I have been taught how to act according to certain guidelines and rules. It sounds like I have a responsibility to God to obey the things I have been taught. Not to go about making my own rules and acting stubborn. If I say that I am a Christian, then I should act accordingly. Christians are not self-existing agents. We should have a covering and there should be someone that holds us accountable to do what we have been taught and do what is right in the sight of the Lord. This brings glory to God. So let me ask this...If God is a God of order and he has set certain things in place, such as church authority, why would I consider myself immune to God's ordained hierarchy?

I have friends who tell me that they don't have to go to a church but they can do ministry without a covering. God knows their hearts and they are only accountable to God. On the onset, that sounds good. However, when I read Romans 13:1-2 and Hebrews 13:7, 17, I see that it was never God intention for us not to have a covering. He did not say we have to agree with that covering or even like the covering, however, we are to respect, honor and adhere to (obey) the covering. So, it is my responsibility to be held accountable to those that God has set over me because in actuality they are accountable to Him concerning me.

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." (Romans 13:1-2)

"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."(Hebrews 13:7)

 "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17)

So where does my thoughts take me in all this...as I learn how to be obedient to my authorities, I need to also learn submission. I need to understand that God knows who he has set over me and His concern for me is to walk in integrity.  For the bible says, anyone in authority should be on who is blameless, in other words we should be people of accountability not only to authority but to those we serve.

"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly."(Titus 1:5-6)

My prayer is that I am blameless and can be held accountable and responsible for the things I say and do. Which means, those that are covering me should call me on the carpet if my actions are questionable. Instead of becoming pushed out of shape and angry, I just need to give an account. In the end hopefully when they are called to give an account about me, they will say, That I was good and faithful and they will say it with joy and not sorrow.

Pastor Linda Hillman
Booklindahillman@gmail.com

(CORRECTED REPOST) Philippines Chronicles: Lessons To Be Learned! Part 5

Sorry, I thought I had written this blog when it first posted but I realized that it posted along with May 8th post blank. So I am reposting. 

So needless to say I was confused. I did not know what to do and how to move forward. there was about 75% of me said,"It's over, this can't be fixed. You messed up." But there was 25% of me saying nothing is impossible for God. So my confusion was, "Do I trust God and wait for his instruction?" or "Do I give up?"

On the way back to Stockton, I just decided that I would not fight anymore. I would give up. I needed God to speak and he had said nothing. beside the little part of me saying trust Him, there was no assurance to trust. 

So, this is where things start getting real. Now as I write the events that will happen from this point forward, I am being transparent and taking you through my journey. I think many times people feel because we have a calling to preach, pastor, evangelist and do full-time ministry we can't have down days or make HUGE mistakes. That is the farthest thing from the truth. As long as we have flesh and free will we can make mistakes. What I learned in all this is how you bounce back from it.

So back to my testimony, I sent a message on FB to Rein and Kelsi and told them Since I was not being instructed how to move forward, that I was just going to give up and not try to get to the Philippines. I told myself that it was not meant to be. If it had been then I would have been on the plane. Even though God had confirmed His word several times to me through my own personal prayer and dreams, he had sent prophecies from others, and when we had prayer vigils regarding the Philippines no one ever said God said I was not suppose to go...it was obvious that I was not suppose to go. 

So now the torment started. I know now that this was demonic and it came to destroy not only my witness but whatever ministry god still has in me. I will explain more as we go. 

After I wrote the inbox message to them. I looked at my sister and she had a look of concern on her face. So I asked her. Now my little Sister Jessica, is also very prophetic and I know that God speaks to her. I knew that my emotions were up in the air and I had shut down spiritually. So I asked her what she thought, did god tell her anything. She said, "Linda, I saw god move on your behalf and do things that are unexplainable, not just concerning this trip but how he takes care of you. I can't believe when you think about how you got the money to go when you didn't have it, how you got the medicine and immunizations, even giving you money so you can get a pedicure. You can't tell me that God would do all this just to have you miss the flight by forgetting your passport. IF he is not telling you to stay then you should do whatever he is telling you to do. One thing I know for sure, God speaks to you and he speaks specifically. Maybe you emotions are in the way and you cant hear what God is saying but that does not mean he is not speaking. Don't just give up."

I thought about what she said. Then I heard what the man from China Southern said. So I picked up my phone to call them. On the recorded message, they said that they have flights from SFO on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to Manilla but they had flights Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to Guangzhou. I knew that if I could get on a flight on Friday that I could possibly catch the last leg of the flight that left today from Guangzhou to Manilla. Although when the representative came on the phone, the information he gave me was different. He said that there was a flight on Saturday that would get me to Manilla on Monday morning. However, in order to get on that flight I would need to call Priceline because they were the ones that I got my ticket from. Later it will come up that I could have asked China Southern to let me go on standby on Saturday's flight and they may have done that with no further fees. But I digress.

So I called Priceline. Once on the phone with them. They looked into any flights going to Manilla. I asked for Friday or Saturday at the latest. She came back with a list of flights I could take but all of them were over thousand dollars and even with the price I had paid for the ticket I had, with the difference in airfare and all the fees I would still have to pay over thousand dollars to get on the flight. I just didn't have that kind of money. Seeing no way out and hearing Elder Smith's words, "I don't want to be where God has not ordained me to be." after going back and forth with Priceline. I canceled the flight and asked for a refund. I was told by Priceline that they could refund the money, but I would have to pay a 300.00 cancelation fee to China Southern. 

I tried not to break down in front of my sister. I was not sure if my sister was feeling bad or not but if she were I did not want my state of mind to add to it. I was confused and did not know what to think or do at this point. I can say I gave up and let faith go. 

Stay tuned for more to come...



You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklinda@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Philippines Chronicles: Lessons To Be Learned! Part 3

I could feel my doubt trying to flood in. My positivity had turned into faith and now it was slowly running out. To keep myself from thinking, I went back to the ticket counter. I asked the same lady if they could wait for my passport, it was on its way. She called over a supervisor. I explained to the supervisor my situation and that my passport was on its way. This supervisor called over someone who had more authority than she did. I explained to him what was going on and he said they could give me to 1:20 PM. I thanked her and looked at my watch it was 12:55PM. At this point, all I could do is wait. He then added, "Tell them to get here as quick as possible."

So I waited. At 1:05, I started pacing, I was getting really nervous. I kept telling myself, "Linda don't think." it became my mantra so I would not have negative thoughts. About 1:20PM, The same man came to me and said, "Do you have a picture of your passport?" I told him, "Yes." He said, "Come on then, we will check you in and hold your luggage until the passport comes." I wasn't sure what he meant, but I said thank you and followed him. As they were checking me in my phone battery started to die, so I got out my charger and gave them the cord. As they worked on checking me in, this man, who had the final say, told me that if my luggage could not get on the flight because it was too close to take off that they would put it on the next flight out which was Saturday. I prayed Lord delay the plane. Because I knew that I had another flight to Cagayan De Oro and since I was leaving on Thursday, I would not get to Manila until Saturday and that flight left Saturday afternoon. I would just make it for that flight with Rein and Stephanie.

I would not think about that now. I would cross that bridge later. Right now, God was working on my behalf and I would not give the enemy any room or a foothold. They checked me in and took my luggage. I got my phone back and asked where an outlet was to charge my phone. I said he would check in with me at 1:30.  As I was heading to sit down, I saw a white Lexus that looked like Kelsi car. I remember my heart beating so fast. however, the car pulled off and I realized it was not her. Before I could find an outlet near my phone died. 

At 1:30, he approached me again and said, How much longer, I told him I did not know because my phone had died. He pulled his cell phone out and asked for a number to call. The only number I knew was Jessica's so I gave him her numbers and she informed us that Kelsi had the passport ad had left headed to me about 5-10 minutes ago. So I told her to call Kelsi and get an estimate of time because they were wanting to know how much more time I needed. She said okay. I told her to call back on the number that I had called her on. He said we wait and returned to the ticket counter.

For the second time, I prayed Lord delay the plane until they get here and I can get to the boarding area. I stood there watching cars especially white cars coming and going. I stood there until I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the man again. He had my luggage and a lady was with him. He asked had they come yet or were they close because no one had called him back. I just shook my head. He said, "I'm sorry I can't delay anymore." The lady tore up my boarding pass and removed the tags off my luggage. I shook his hand and thanked him for all his help.  He patted me on the shoulder and said there is another flight on Saturday. I wanted to cry but held my tears back.

Now my prayer changed. I prayed, "God hold up the airplane, let them have a delay and have him come looking for me letting me, so I can still board the plane." I willed Kelsi to drive up soon.

See what happens next...

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Philippines Chronicles: Lessons to Be Learned! Part 2

Finally, we are at SFO, I get my luggage and situate myself so I can maneuver my bags. I walk up to the ticketing counter, put my check-in bag on the scale and proudly announce, "I here to check in for my flight."

I open up my carry-on purse and pull out the famous purse pouch. I smile to myself becasue, see I did not forget it. I look and NO passport. I move the items around and NO passport. then it hits me like a ton of bricks. I left it in the copier in my home office. My heart sinks. I look once again, I can't believe I have done this again. trying to buy time I give the representative my Driver's license and pull out my cell phone. 

Okay, okay, I now you want to know how I left my passport in the copier. Well, the night before I was reading things online about traveling internationally alone ans some precautions one should take. Many of the sites said, make a copy of your passport and leave with family members in the states in case something happen. they also said I should have copies on my person to hand to hotels that require having your passport on file. This way you don't have to give them your original. So after reading that I went to make copies of my passport. However, after making the copies I never put my passport back in my pouch purse. 

So now I am on the phone wth my sister, Jessica, again. She is at work and I ask her to go to the house and get my passport out of the copier and drive it to a meeting place I will tell her so someone can meet her and bring the passport to me. I look at my watch while I am talking to her and see that it is 11:02 AM. The plane does not leave to 1:55 PM. So we have more than enough time to. She agrees to do and I ask what is the latest I can check in for the flight. They tell me 1PM.

My next phone call was to Mother Pryor, I could hear the disappointment in her voice when I told her what had happened. She called my name "Linda" like only a mother could do. She said she would pull off the freeway and wait for instructions where to meet Jessica because she had to get back to get her grandson by 2PM. 

I called my middle sister, Stephy to see if she was off work. Unfortunately, she was at work. My plan was to have Jessica drive to her and Have Stephy, who is a fast driver like myself bring the passport to me. But she was at work. I asked if they would let her leave ans she said it was just two of them in the Pharmacy and she would not be able to leave. 

Then I called Kelsi, a friend that lives in Richmond. I need to have a backup plan. I asked her if she had time to help in this situation. She was willing to do whatever was needed. She also suggested that I let Mother Pryor go so she could get back to ensure that she was there for Caleb. I told her it would be easier for us to Vox.  I hung up with Kelsi and called Mother Pryor back. I told her she could go that Jessica and Kelsi would make sure that I got my passport. Then I waited.

I looked at my watch it was about 11:20 now. I hadn't heard from Jessica about her leaving the house. Kelsi and I were trying to figure out the fastest route. We were going back and forth and Kelsi reached out to Rein. rein advised her that meeting up in Oakland would be best. So Kelsi told me to have Jessica meet her at Powell street in Emeryville. 

I called Jessi and asked where she was and did she have my passport. I was expecting her to say yes. but her answer was I am just leaving my job. I looked at my watch. I was like okay, as long as she gets there and leaves by 11:45 we should be good. Kelsi had told me from Emeryville it would take her 30 minutes if there was no traffic. So I knew it would take Jessica 45 minutes to an hour. 

I get a call from Jessica and I look at my phone it is about 11:50. She was looking in the wrong place for my passport. I explain that it was in the printer/copier. She said okay I got it. I then instructed her she needed to hurry because I needed to get the passport by 1PM.  I told her to call me when she was on the road so I could have an estimate of when she would be able to meet up with Kelsi. I mean she has my passport in hand nothing is stopping her from walking out the door right now. Right?

I go back to the ticketing counter and asked what is the absolute time I could check in. the lady I spoke to told me no later than 1:10PM. Whew, 10 more minutes. I breathe a little but from this point on NOTHING can go wrong. At about 11:59 Jessy calls and says she was on her way. I flash a bit but I hold my peace. For the first time, the thought crosses my mind she is not going to make it. I immediately push it out with an outspoken statement, she HAS to make it. Now I forcing myself to think positive. If God could part the Red Sea, surely he could get my passport here on time to me. I prayed that there would be no traffic or accidents and everything would flow well. NO delays. Then I looked at my watch and pleaded for God to slow time for me like he did for Joshua. I should have asked for God to STOP time, or make the Sun stand still which is what he actually did.

I called Jessi for a progress report and she was just approaching Tracy. Then I got a thought. I said I know that you are driving, but see if you can take a picture of the data page of my passport and text it to me. Be Safe but let me know if you can. NOW, I know someone is going to say, OH no you didn't put that girl's life in danger to do that for you. But sadly I did. I told you this was going to be the real and the raw. I am not going to leave stuff out because it makes me look bad or sound bad.  So yes, I did that. Now I know you can't text and drive safely, that whole thought process was wrong on so many levels. My only excuse was this girl was desperate and desperate times calls for desperate measures.

Needless to say a few minutes later my phone chimed with a text message and there it is. I look at it to make sure all the necessary information is on the pic. I blow it up and everything is there and it's readable. I got back to the ticket counter and asked the rep there if they can check me in with the pic of my passport. She looks and says no she needs to scan it. I walk away a bit defeated. I was hoping that they would have been able to do it. 

My thought process was...they would see that I had a passport. Check me in on the flight and get my luggage to the airplane. then I could continue to wait for for my passport and run to get on the flight once it got there. But this way I would not miss the check in time. My thought was that would give them more time to get there with the passport since the plane did not actually leave until 1:55 PM. So hearing that she needed my physical passport. I whispered a prayer as I walked back to sit and wait. I asked God to grant me favor. Let the plane have to be delayed allowing them enough time to get here with my passport. I checked in with Jessica again she was entering the Altamont. Now in her defense Jessica was making very good timing. But with a time restraint, I was praying that she would drive faster. I looked at my watch and it was about 12:35 now. For the second time, I thought she isn't going to make it. The drive from that point was still about 20-25 minutes. Once again, I prayed that there be no traffic to slow her down. But once she got to Kelsi, there was still 30 minutes before they would get it to me. I breathed deeply and thought, God let them make it.

Continue to read what happens next...



You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklinda@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Philippines Chronicles: When God Speaks! Part 6

My phone rang and it was Stephanie. She was calling to encourage me and being the woman of God that she is, she helped me by giving me the portion that I lacked as a loan. Tears flooded my eyes and rolled down my checks because iI get  had the money that I needed. So i put her on hold and called Priceline back but I couldn't get through. I know now that my trip number had been reported as a no show so it was not showing in the automated system. At that time, I was frustrated. So I got on my computer went to their site and opened up a live chat session.  During that chat session they gave me a number to call in and speak to a person. 

Talking to the Representative at priceline and going through what I had gone through just a few hours earlier, he comes back and says the price of the ticket has raised to 518.30. However, with I knew that would take all that I had but I could pay that amount. We started the process and as he began to take my information, he started calling my name and aksing me if I was there. I kept saying I am here and then he disconnected the phone. I told stephanie that I was having trouble getting through. So she said just take my information and put the money in your paypal. Then handle your business and let me know what happened. I agreed. 

I then called back into Priceline and get another representative. She takes me through the same process as the others but then she says I need to call China Southern to get an authorization for you to get on the flight. I said okay. She placed me on hold and after a while comes back to say that she was unable to get China Southern on the line beciase their office has already closed. I asked her to check to see if the others had already gotten an authorization. She says she does not see it in the notes. Now you have to know that all these calls happened within 4-5 hours. She tells me that I have to call back in the AM because there is nothing that she can do. She verifies that the price is still 518.30, however, she says again that they can not guarantee the price and it may go or even go down by the morning. Frustrated and helpless, I hang up the phone. I sigh deeply. I need to be distracted. So I start working on my publishing projects. 

As I worked on my publishing projects, My thoughts were going all ver the place, I remembered how God had rebuked me for thinking that this was not suppose to happen, that maybe he really did not make this happen for me. A peace fell upon me and my mind quieted, I heard God say "Trust Me." I admit trusting is a hard pill for this girl to swallow. The unknow was facing me but I had to choose to trust God. I could hear my voice from a few nights before telling rein and Stephanie, "Either we trust God or we dont." Now I had to live those words. I was able to focus on my projects. I got engrossed in reading emails and making phone calls and then my phone rang again.

It was Stephanie calling back to see what happened. So as I explain to her what happened and how I am going to get a ticket for Thrusday's flight no matter what and Stephanie stopped me and said, "Listen to me, you got to sit still and hear what God is saying in this situation. Right now you cant hear God because you are too emotional." It was like a slp in the face. it got my attention. I remember taking offense a bit but I listened to what she was saying. The last thing I wanted was to miss God.

As I listened to Stephanie, and even though I did not want to hear what she was saying, she was right. I also knew that I could not completely hear God in this situation if I did not journal. Most times the healing from my brokeness comes from journaling and somehow God takes over and begins to speak through me.  However, I knew that if I began to journal in the state of mind that I was in it would turn into a pity party. Like Stephanie Said I had to be still and rest.  No plotting, no scheming and no manipulation. Just pure rest. 

I had to release my fears, and grab ahold of my faith. I was running scared right now and God could not operate in my life like he needed. Stephanie said let's pray. Her pray was not the usual God work a miracles and make it happen but it was a simple prayer, "Lord have your way." In her prayer she said that when I called in the morning that if it was meant for me to go, the price would be the original price quoted or less. If it was not meant for me to go it would be more. I remember holding my breath and refusing to thik in that moment. I rebuked any negative thoughts. and simply said "Have your way Lord."

I remember being a little worried, but I heard the words again, Either we trust God or we dont. We chatted a few minutes more and hung up the phone. I decided not to take anymore calls or talk to anyone else that night. I would shut down from working and rest like Stephanie had said. I didnt want any other opinions to flood my mind. I just wanted to know now what God would say and I would not find that out until the morning. 

As I got ready for bed, I heard God say, "Trust Me." I whispered Lord I believe but help my unbelief. I went to bed.

More to come tomorrow...



You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 

Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Deal With Your Hurt Before It Deals With You

Although Samson seemed to be real with God, we can deduce that perhaps Samson wasn’t real with God about everything.

Was Samson still hurting from his betrayal and heartbreak, after his Philistine wife was given to his Best Man and then killed by her people? Did he fail to deal with this hurt which led him to find temporary solace with a prostitute and with Delilah? Many Bible commentaries are quick to brand Delilah as this manipulative woman which she was, but ‘it’s not every day blame the woman, sometimes let the man take responsibility for HIS actions’, read the story with fresh eyes.

Oftentimes, like Samson, we fail to deal with our pain and pride, which clouds our discernment, causing us to make unfavourable decisions. Surely, Samson would have understood Delilah’s schemes after the third time, but His pride got in the way of sound judgement. He allowed himself to be swayed by flattery and he told Delilah those things to prove his strength and massage His ego.

We would have thought that Samson would have learnt to be careful when it comes to sharing intimate information and this time it was information concerning his Nazarite (belonging to God from birth through an oath) status. Samson trusted his fate to a woman who didn’t believe in the things that he did and in the end it cost him His life.

Who do you trust? Do they share your beliefs and morals?

Is there a hurt that you’re holding on to right now? Take it to God, deal with it, so that it doesn’t become a liability in your life.

Have you ever allowed yourself to be deceived by flattery? Do you always feel like you have to prove yourself?

Don’t allow anyone - no matter how persuasive or attractive - talk you into doing wrong. Avoid being deceived by knowing the difference between deception and truth.

When bankers study cash notes, they don’t study the counterfeits. They diligently study the REAL notes, so that when a counterfeit comes, they can quickly identify and void it. In the same way, as believers, we must study God’s word so much, so that when something contrary God’s word is presented to us, we can quickly identify it and avoid being deceived.