Thursday, July 18, 2019

She's Crazy excerpt from book, signs to watch for

My Battles - Brother Will Betray Brother...and a Father His Child

As told in my book, Know Your Enemy: The Christian’s Critic, I was a new Christian in 1997, on fire for the Lord, and little did I know just how hard it would be to make friends and how easy it would be to draw foes when talking about Jesus.

The following Scriptures Jesus shared with his disciples centuries ago became real in my life: “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Matt. 10:22-23).

Even though I had not physically walked where Jesus had journeyed, I did have experiences with both hidden opposition and foes within plain view over the years such as in places like: my own household, neighborhood, on the job, at church, and elsewhere.  So not only have I written my faith books based on observation, research, private interviews, etc. but I personally underwent my share of life challenges.

Arguments, name-calling, backstabbing, and more abound whenever the enemy shows up.  I have seen much.  From witnessing adults physically fighting to being caught up in someone’s rage many times, I have experienced a challenging walk with Christ.  “If it ain’t one thing, it’s another…” I recall this popular phrase being said by more than a few believers as we headed into the new millennium.  
On fire for God, I went out into the public over the years sharing tracks, later my own newsletters, visited churches, shared a word of knowledge with leaders, used by God to convict others, and published online thought-provoking spiritual commentary and passages of Scripture.  From 1997 to date, eyebrows raise from skeptics, negative comments show up online and offline, and there have been times I had to go no contact with some relatives and former friends, but despite it all, my spirit continues to soar in Him!   

I received criticism to my face and behind my back for exposing some thought-provoking issues.  I was threatened for sharing convicting visions and warnings.  I also experienced frequent pain in my body during spiritual warfare, betrayal from those who claimed to love me, physical and emotional abuse, separation from children, theft, a divorce, and a couple of challenging pregnancies.  Throw in major financial losses that left two of my four children and I hungry at times (back to the welfare office I went more than I could remember), significant debt and the death of near and dear loved ones.  But God doesn't put anymore on us than we can bear, right?  Wrong!  We pick ourselves up, manage situations and get on with life!  No sense in pouting, crying, mistreating others, or pretending everything is all good when it is not.  

Keep fighting the good fight!

Photo by mauro paillex on Unsplash

Nicholl McGuire is the owner and contributor of this blog.

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Standing Up to Bullies - Your Controlling Family Members

What keeps relatives from standing up to the controlling members of their families? Fear.  God tells us in His word that he hasn't given us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).  Yet, at times it is difficult to shake fear when you know a family member has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous men or women around!

Most intimidated relatives are quiet around their bullying kin.  Taking great care not to set them off, they walk on eggshells around them in their attempt to "keep the peace."  However, there are ways to stand up to bullying family members by not engaging them in any conversations, avoiding meetings where they are present, and not entering into any agreements with them such as: money lending, volunteering service, or forming business partnerships.

A bully becomes powerful because he or she feeds on others' fear.  When you stop fearing them and you are no longer concerned about what they may do to you, you become the one who is strong!  You are able to face your foe!

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash
I knew of some bullying relatives who robbed other family members of their peace and quiet through intimidation, threats, stalking, and other despicable acts.  The common problem was that the victims saw what was happening to others early on, yet they thought the bullies would never bother with them after choosing to connect with controlling family members.  But they did use and abuse them too--over and over again!  Some victims had to use weapons to defend themselves, contact other family members to help and/ or get police involved.

When standing up to bullies, speak the truth but be respectful and firm:

1)  Be sure to do it when witnesses are around that are not loyal to the bully. (Matthew 18:16)
2)  Be prepared to be verbally attacked or physically assaulted. (Ephesians 4:29)
3)  Avoid going anywhere or sitting down with the bully out of public view. (Psalm 1:1, 127:6)
4)  Don't eat or drink anything they offer you. (Deuteronomy 32:33)
5)  Contact law enforcement before you agree to meet with a violent bully. (2 Samuel 22:3)
6)  Don't assume other relatives will have your back especially the ones who question why are you going to say anything to the bullying relative. (Leviticus 25:17)
7)  It's always best to avoid angry men and women rather than trying to handle issues diplomatically.  They are not friends! (Proverbs 22:4)

Nicholl McGuire is the author of Face Your Foe On Confronting the Critics

Friday, March 1, 2019

Christian Pretenders Win Your Trust

The words are like honey dripping from their lips, they know how to say all the right words to appear like they are Christ believers and followers, but these hypocrites are not!  The Bible warns, “They profess to know God, but deny him by their works.  They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

Pretenders falsely claim they love their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ while they work to obtain power, fame, assets, and more from them!  They assume that people will do for them because they said they are Christian.  These hypocrites believe themselves to be like God and hope in time to be worshipped.  They boast about gifts and services they have performed for others in the past.  They walk into homes, churches and other places Christians gather and expect acceptance because they may have done small things for the group or its affiliates in the past.  These fake Christians sole objective is to once again obtain what they want by winning gullible people’s trust first then take the spoils of war after.  They suspect that some discerning individuals will find them out, so they will not be able to get what they want from them without a fight.   

There is a war ahead involving a fake person who refuses to be sincere in his or her faith and real with people.  Once you learn that the fake Christian isn’t really into faith, God, church, family, etc. you will not want this person around.  If he or she knows that you are on to him or her, the charlatan will systematically try to discredit you while hoping you will grow distant and eventually leave the group. 

When one chooses to be blind to the wolves in sheep’s clothing, the wolf will certainly take advantage of his prey!  These Christian pretenders often show up when you least expect it quite friendly and accommodating.  Many wolves are brought in by someone already belonging to a Christian group.  The gullible person speaks highly of what they don’t know is a future foe then persuades others to accept the wolf.  

The so-called Christian typically has many associations that are not Christian.  Listen to what they say about a secular group, artists, and others who are worldly, they esteem them.  Seemingly wealthy and/or well-known, phony believers are typically well-connected to other denominations and fraternal groups due to product sales and services provided currently or in the past.  An impressive history, a jaw-dropping resume and possibly many accolades and recommendations, and before long the fake Christian is working in one’s family, the church, an organization, or workplace short or long term while creating much division over time in an effort to get ungodly needs met i.e.) premarital sex, greedy desires, selfish ambitions, fetishes, etc.

The phony Christian really isn’t interested in the people and things of God; rather they are in search of opportunities that Satan thoroughly enjoys.  He too loves to relish in fame, fortune, power, and control.  Once the false believer achieves his selfish goals, the he or she moves on to a new partnership or even better opportunity with another group all-too-willing to give more in the hopes that they will get something too from the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Be mindful of celebrities who return back to childhood churches when their careers are taking a downward turn.  They seek to gain favor and be uplifted spiritually only to return back to their old ways of life.  Watch as well as pray for the backsliders in your family who take up much interest in relatives when things are bad, but could care less once the help is provided.  Stay out of the path of the angry and violent who wish to take from others by force, they will surely commit abusive acts or worse kill!  Christian pretenders are among us, it is always best to be guarded rather than trusting.

Nicholl McGuire is the author of Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic. 

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