Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 2016)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2016 7 A Take back your mind and win the war If you have received Christ as your Savior, then you have an enemy. Did you know that? I know some people feel uncomfortable talking about the devil, but he is real and it’s important for us to face the truth about him so we can have a victorious life in Christ. Now, we don’t need to be afraid of him because as believers in Jesus, the Holy Spirit who lives in us is greater than our enemy in the world (1 John 4:4). But we can’t ignore the enemy’s attacks and overcome him. And the Word of God tells us how to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12 AMP) using the weapon of the Word. We Are in a War Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) says, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness….” And 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV) says, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling Florence Tech Solutions • Smart TV Setup • Virus Malware • Cloud/iCloud • Email Setup • Tutoring • iPad, iPhone, MAC • Universal TV Remote • Sound Bar Setup • Smart Phone | Tablet • Monthly Computer Tune-Up • Streaming Setup (Roku, Firestick) • Printer Scanner • Social Media Eduation • Website Design Owner | Technician info@Florencetechsolutions.com Book an appointment today at www.fl orencetechsolutions.com 541-590-2474 down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” There is a battle raging and the battlefield is the mind. That’s why it is critical for us to learn how to renew our minds with the weapon of God’s Word. Romans 12:2 exhorts us to “not be conformed to this world…but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…” (AMPC). The Word of God is the most powerful thing on the earth, and if we will really learn the truth in it, then the power of the Word will literal- ly transform our lives by “pulling down strongholds” in our minds. Know Your Enemy The Bible teaches us that the devil “is a liar [himself] and the father of lies” (John 8:44 AMPC). He comes against us by bombarding our minds with cleverly devised patterns of nagging thoughts that lead to suspicion, doubt, fear, reasoning and theories that refute the truth of God’s Word. When these thoughts get rooted in our minds, then we have strongholds that give the enemy control. A stronghold is an area where the enemy entrenches himself and takes control. So when the Bible talks about strongholds in our mind, it’s referring to areas where the enemy has become entrenched in our thoughts, causing us to believe some- thing that’s absolutely not true, but because we believe it’s true, it has become a real- ity for us. Before I learned about being transformed by the renewing of my mind accord- ing to God’s Word, I believed things that weren’t true, and they created a mess in my life. I remember thinking things like, “Nobody cares about me or loves me. Nothing good is going to happen in my life, so I might as well not expect anything good. I’m always going to have a second-class life because I was abused by my father and I’m damaged goods.” It’s taken years of diligent- ly studying God’s Word and prayer, but God has set me free from those strongholds and I have come to the place where I can live in His right- eousness, peace and joy every day. And like John 8:32 says, the truth has set me free! Wield Your Sword Let’s go back to Ephesians 6. Verses 12-18 tell us who our enemy is and that we need to put on the armor of God so we can stand our ground and resist him. Verse 17 says to “take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God” (AMPC). So how do we “wield the Word”? It’s simple: When we hear the Word, speak the Word, meditate on the Word and sing praises from the Word of God, we are doing spiritual war- fare. And as we study the Word, it becomes a filter in our mind that reveals the lies of the enemy and gives us the truth. That’s why the devil will do everything he can to distract us from spending time with God and studying the Word. I want to encourage you today to make a determined decision to keep your rela- tionship with God and His Word your number one priori- ty. Look up every scripture you can find about renewing the mind, then meditate on those scriptures and say them out loud. Ask God to reveal any strongholds in your mind and help you tear them down with His Word. Then, when the enemy comes against you, you won’t be deceived. And like me, your testimony will be: Thank You, God! Your Truth has set me free. Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. Celebrate candlelight service, new beginnings Today, on Christmas Eve, at the Florence Unitarian Uni- versalist Fellowship (FUUF), there will be a candlelight service led by the Rev. Ruth Miller from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. with stories, carols and holiday snacks. Christmas morning, starting at 10 a.m., there will be a pot- luck brunch with baked ham and spiced cider provided. Please feel welcome to attend. New Year is a time of new beginnings. In recognition and celebra- tion, “New Beginnings” will take participants on a journey to release last year’s kaleido- scope of experiences while opening awareness to the glory in today. On New Year’s Eve, Sat- urday, Dec. 31, beginning at 5 p.m., the “New Beginnings” labyrinth will be drawn inside FUUF. All are invited to share in drawing and walking the labyrinth. Chanting and drum- ming will culminate in joyous celebration of 2017 at 9 p.m. Then on New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1, seating will be arranged around the labyrinth as Larry and Linda Addison share new beginnings in sto- ries and metaphors. FUUF is located at 87738 Highway 101 at Heceta Beach Road and is wheelchair acces- sible. Visit www.florenceuuf.org for more information. Call to quilt artists for March show in Yachats Elks Community Appreciation Dinner December 25, 2016 12:00 - 3:00 pm The Offi cers and Members of Florence Elks Lodge #1858 Appreciate the Florence Community for Supporting our Lodge. As a token of our appreciation, please join us for a Complimentary Dinner At the Lodge, 1686 12th Street, Florence On Christmas Day from Noon to 3:00 pm. River Cities Taxi will be providing free transportation for those that need it, inside the Florence City Limits Please call 541-997-8520 Fraternally, Joyce Middleton, Exalted Ruler YACHATS—Polly Plumb Productions Board Member, Ruth Bass announces a call to artists for the Ocean Artistry Art Quilt Show to be held at the Yachats Commons, Yachats, Oregon, on March 10-12, 2017. This juried show will accept art pieces from local, regional, and international art quilters. The theme of this inaugural show will be “Gems of the Ocean.” Details of the call to artists can be found at www.ocean artistry call.com. Quilt entries will be accept- ed between Dec. 15, 2016 and Jan. 15, 2017, and will be decided by Feb. 1. Final judging will be made KRAB KETTLE 280 Hwy. 101 M 541-997-8996 Nominate businesses, people for Siuslaw Awards Stock the stuffi ngs with canned tunas in all fl avors! Have a very happy holiday from all of us at the Krab Kettle. Photo of the Week: Est. 1936 SUBMIT PHOTOS (JPEGS) BY EMAIL TO E DITOR @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM BY By Claudia Wittenberg NOON ON The ninth annual Siuslaw Awards event is fast approach- ing. The awards banquet, sponsored by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, will happen Feb. 8, at the FEC. This prestigious event rec- ognizes excellence in the local business community by nam- ing recipients for awards in Excellence in Customer Service, Curb Appeal, NonProfit Achievement, Community Caring, Inno- vation in Business and the Stu Johnston Business of the Year Award. Two outstanding individu- als in the community will be honored with the Future First Citizen Award and the First Citizen Award. Florence Area Chamber of Commerce will also recognize an individual or business that has selflessly given of their time and efforts in supporting the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce and its efforts with the Distinguished Service Award. Anyone can choose to nom- inate their own or another business for the Siuslaw Awards. Applications are available now either at the Florence Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center or online at www.florencechamber.com. Nominations must be sub- mitted to the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce by Dec. 30. For more information, call Florence Area Chamber of Commerce at 541-997-3128. 541-999-5083 T HURSDAYS Breakfast •Lunch • Dinner “Growlers Filled Here” GIFT CARDS Full Service Lottery • Full Bar • 20 Beers on Tap Open 7 days a week beachcomberpub.com beauty of this area and make interpretations based on their own whimsy.” The new art show has already received financial sup- port from both the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and the City of Yachats’ New Event Fund. “We’re delighted to bring this type of show to Yachats. This will brighten up the town and we welcome everyone to experience an art quilt show,” said Bass. For more information, visit info@oceanartistry.org. Reminder to pick up your Crabs before 3pm today. Elks Care-Elks Share Siuslaw News by a five-person panel of artists and dignitaries during the show. All selected entries will be on display during the Ocean Artistry Art Quilt show run- ning March 10-12 at the Yachats Commons in the multi-purpose room. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “One of the goals of the show is to introduce art quilt- ing to both locals and visitors to the area,” said Bass. “We thought the ocean theme would allow artists to explore the 541-997-6357 1355 Bay St. • Old Town
