You are not a drug addict, you are not an alcoholic (as every program out there would have you repeatedly speak unto your death), you are not an adulterer, you are not a whore, you are not a thief, and you are not a murderer.
If you have humbled yourself before the Lord, came to a place of repentance, and turned from your wicked ways, you are a new creature. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor 5:17).
If God has delivered you, stop holding on to the image of what you once were and accept who you ARE in Christ Jesus. To us He gave the POWER to BECOME the sons of God. Grab hold of that power and BECOME, don’t lay waste dwelling on what the enemy says you are. It’s a lie! God doesn’t deliver only part-way. Our God is the author and FINISHER! It was finished on the cross and through His blood it is finished for you now.
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36) Free from sin, free from temptation—pray that you enter not into temptation, for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak! But we know that through Christ, who strengthens us, we can do all things. We have the POWER, through Christ, to say I don’t have to give in to temptation, the POWER to stomp the enemy under our feet!
We are free from condemnation, free from the law of sin and death, free from the image of what we once were, free to become exactly what God has called us to be.
We are free to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, free to give Him all praise, free to shout Hallelujah! Glory to God Most High! Amen.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Desires of the Heart
I love how God knows our true desires--beyond image-seeking and satisfying the lusts of the flesh--and grants us fulfillment.
I remember years ago, at a job interview, the lady asked me where I saw myself in five years. I answered her honestly and said something along the lines of making enough money working from home so I could be home with my kids. She kind of chuckled and dismissed my comment as just some dream. But God knew. God knew the true desire I had, beyond any amount of money, to be home with my kids. Realistically though, I also knew that you gotta make money to pay the bills.
Upon our move to WV two years ago, I found myself working from home in a job that paid enough to keep our income above our expenses (praise God!) and am still working that same job. Shortly after that, I realized it was just about five years since that job interview. How amazing is that?!?
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Ps 37:4 NIV
I don't know how many times since our move Ive had a strong desire to do something, but it involved more of the world than God. I would pray, God I want to do this, but I want to do it for You. (Everyday the desire to serve His kingdom in all I do grows.) Eventually, He brought (and continues to bring) the fulfillment of those desires.
Granted, He doesn't fulfill every desire to make a spoiled child out of me, but I've really noticed the ones He has. If I wasn't watching though, they could've easily passed right out of sight. God would not have received His due praise and I would've missed the joy of recognizing how blessed I truly am. Thank you Lord.
I remember years ago, at a job interview, the lady asked me where I saw myself in five years. I answered her honestly and said something along the lines of making enough money working from home so I could be home with my kids. She kind of chuckled and dismissed my comment as just some dream. But God knew. God knew the true desire I had, beyond any amount of money, to be home with my kids. Realistically though, I also knew that you gotta make money to pay the bills.
Upon our move to WV two years ago, I found myself working from home in a job that paid enough to keep our income above our expenses (praise God!) and am still working that same job. Shortly after that, I realized it was just about five years since that job interview. How amazing is that?!?
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Ps 37:4 NIV
I don't know how many times since our move Ive had a strong desire to do something, but it involved more of the world than God. I would pray, God I want to do this, but I want to do it for You. (Everyday the desire to serve His kingdom in all I do grows.) Eventually, He brought (and continues to bring) the fulfillment of those desires.
Granted, He doesn't fulfill every desire to make a spoiled child out of me, but I've really noticed the ones He has. If I wasn't watching though, they could've easily passed right out of sight. God would not have received His due praise and I would've missed the joy of recognizing how blessed I truly am. Thank you Lord.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Intercessors
God showed me something in His Word a while back about how important it is for us to always be praying for those who are lost, those who cannot come to Jesus & believe for themselves. Sharing His word today really brought it to light again for me.
We are the intercessors for a lost and dying world—our families, friends, strangers. When we feel a burden for someone’s life, situation, addiction, etc., it’s not for us to say “It’s hopeless.” It’s for us to get on our knees and seek the Father’s grace and mercy for them. It is our burden to bear so their needs may be met-- be it a need for salvation, deliverance, healing, or anything else.
In Matt 17, after Jesus & the three came down from Mt of Transfiguration, they were met by a boy in bondage, his father, and other disciples. The disciples could not cast the demon out of the boy so his father then brought him before the Lord. Jesus points out to the disciples that it’s because of their unbelief, but that this kind won’t come out but by prayer and fasting (paraphrasing). Both of these are great messages in themselves—unbelief and prayer and fasting.
However, there is yet another message God showed me. In Mark 9, Jesus also addresses the father of the boy and says that if he will believe then his son will be delivered. IF HE WILL BELIEVE. The father immediately responds with, “I believe” and “help me with my unbelief.” Jesus didn’t say that it was the boy, the one in bondage that had to believe. He said if the father will believe. So the father did and the boy was freed. The father was an intercessor for his son who could not come to Jesus himself. And so we are today for those who cannot of themselves come to Jesus.
Satan wants to twist God’s intentions. The burdens we often feel are not to be discouraged that there is no hope for a person. That’s what the devil wants you to think, so you lose hope and faith. The truth is Jesus gives us a burden to bear so we can lay it at His feet because the other person can’t or won’t—the reason doesn’t really matter. What matters is that we obey the Lord and intercede for the lost and dying because nobody else will.
We cannot give place to the devil, even in what may look like the most hopeless of situations. Our God is greater, more powerful than any bondage the enemy can try to use to keep His children separated from Him. God’s children WILL be redeemed. Jesus will not lose ANY that the Father has given Him. Jesus won’t give up. He didn’t give up on us; He won’t give up on them. He will leave the 99 to find the one. If they won’t come to church, don’t stop praying! If they don’t want to hear anyone talk about God, don’t stop praying! God’s power isn’t limited to a church building; He can bring salvation in the darkest of places. Don’t let the devil discourage you into unbelief. Trust in God’s holy Word that He will be there waiting with open arms when the prodigal’s son returns.
We are the intercessors for a lost and dying world—our families, friends, strangers. When we feel a burden for someone’s life, situation, addiction, etc., it’s not for us to say “It’s hopeless.” It’s for us to get on our knees and seek the Father’s grace and mercy for them. It is our burden to bear so their needs may be met-- be it a need for salvation, deliverance, healing, or anything else.
In Matt 17, after Jesus & the three came down from Mt of Transfiguration, they were met by a boy in bondage, his father, and other disciples. The disciples could not cast the demon out of the boy so his father then brought him before the Lord. Jesus points out to the disciples that it’s because of their unbelief, but that this kind won’t come out but by prayer and fasting (paraphrasing). Both of these are great messages in themselves—unbelief and prayer and fasting.
However, there is yet another message God showed me. In Mark 9, Jesus also addresses the father of the boy and says that if he will believe then his son will be delivered. IF HE WILL BELIEVE. The father immediately responds with, “I believe” and “help me with my unbelief.” Jesus didn’t say that it was the boy, the one in bondage that had to believe. He said if the father will believe. So the father did and the boy was freed. The father was an intercessor for his son who could not come to Jesus himself. And so we are today for those who cannot of themselves come to Jesus.
Satan wants to twist God’s intentions. The burdens we often feel are not to be discouraged that there is no hope for a person. That’s what the devil wants you to think, so you lose hope and faith. The truth is Jesus gives us a burden to bear so we can lay it at His feet because the other person can’t or won’t—the reason doesn’t really matter. What matters is that we obey the Lord and intercede for the lost and dying because nobody else will.
We cannot give place to the devil, even in what may look like the most hopeless of situations. Our God is greater, more powerful than any bondage the enemy can try to use to keep His children separated from Him. God’s children WILL be redeemed. Jesus will not lose ANY that the Father has given Him. Jesus won’t give up. He didn’t give up on us; He won’t give up on them. He will leave the 99 to find the one. If they won’t come to church, don’t stop praying! If they don’t want to hear anyone talk about God, don’t stop praying! God’s power isn’t limited to a church building; He can bring salvation in the darkest of places. Don’t let the devil discourage you into unbelief. Trust in God’s holy Word that He will be there waiting with open arms when the prodigal’s son returns.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Sacrifice & Surrender
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." Matt 19:21-22
Oh, how many times I’ve said—or thought, “I’d give up everything to follow Jesus.” Then I wonder if I totally grasp the reality of that statement. Even reading Matt 19:20, I’ve thought, “If I was the young man I’d sell all, give to the poor, and follow Jesus.” And asked, “Why didn’t he just do it?”
Two things come to mind:
1. The boy didn’t understand the depths of what Jesus was offering when He said, “…thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
2. He was too emotionally/mentally connected to his possessions and, therefore, could not give them up.
Praise God I’ve been given understanding to what Jesus offers when He says, “…thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Since He delivered me and my husband from the bondages of this world, a life of serving and an eternity with Him are all that my heart seeks (most of the time, if I’m being totally honest). So, I can’t really relate to #1. I can, however, strongly relate to #2.
Gaining and getting, more is better—this is what we’re taught. We become defined by our possessions, by our successes, by our relationships. Yet, when we come to Jesus, we come lost and seeking direction. From there, do we follow Him? I mean, really follow Him. Or do we simply find complacency in His place of rest?
Our studies at church have been pressing on being more than just “Christians” (especially as the Christian is defined in society), but moving forward as Christ’s disciples. Christ’s disciples followed Him. They didn’t simply come to Him for healing or deliverance; they left their families, all they had, to follow Him.
My heart tells me I want to follow Christ wherever He will lead me. Recently though, I realized following also requires taking direction. It’s more than just going with the flow. When that voice of direction says, “Get rid of _______ because it is hindering your progress forward,” do you take heed? When that voice says, “Stop putting other people before me,” do you stop and listen? Do you think of the sacrifices necessary?
Sacrifice begins with surrender. So how surrendered are we? We want—and even experience—the blessings, the gifts, the supernatural moves of the Spirit; hence, most of us believe we’re surrendered enough. But are we surrendered enough to sacrifice (to give up that which is dear to us) when He asks?
When the Holy Ghost prompts us, we should listen and act. God has only good things in store for us. His perfect plan is what we have to trust in. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Even when it doesn’t feel good, even when we can’t see the happy ending, even when we don’t understand the reason, we have to trust in His Word. God’s plans are perfect and in that we can rest all of our doubts and our lack of understanding.
It is, however, easier said than done most of the time. Sacrifice requires surrendering ourselves to the point of being able to give something up that we don’t really want to. Otherwise, there really is no sacrifice.
If He asked, could we give up…
Our possessions: that nice car, our comfy homes, hard-earned money
Our images: clothing, music, jobs, reputations
Our hobbies: internet, TV, movies, racing, sports
Our friends, our own plans for our futures
Your husband, your wife, even your children—not to leave them, but to accept the place each has according to the Word of God.
Nothing can come before the Lord. If it occupies more of our thoughts, more of our time, more of our devotion, then we have not sacrificed to follow Jesus.
From experience, it hurts. It does not feel good to give up that which we enjoy, to lessen relationships that consume us, to separate ourselves from the things that are not of God. Our flesh wants those things; it desires those things. But, I’m sure it didn’t feel good when Jesus suffered to be the ultimate sacrifice for us either. I’m sure His flesh desired another route. Nonetheless, He accepted His calling—to do the will of His Father in heaven.
Have we accepted ours?
Oh, how many times I’ve said—or thought, “I’d give up everything to follow Jesus.” Then I wonder if I totally grasp the reality of that statement. Even reading Matt 19:20, I’ve thought, “If I was the young man I’d sell all, give to the poor, and follow Jesus.” And asked, “Why didn’t he just do it?”
Two things come to mind:
1. The boy didn’t understand the depths of what Jesus was offering when He said, “…thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
2. He was too emotionally/mentally connected to his possessions and, therefore, could not give them up.
Praise God I’ve been given understanding to what Jesus offers when He says, “…thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Since He delivered me and my husband from the bondages of this world, a life of serving and an eternity with Him are all that my heart seeks (most of the time, if I’m being totally honest). So, I can’t really relate to #1. I can, however, strongly relate to #2.
Gaining and getting, more is better—this is what we’re taught. We become defined by our possessions, by our successes, by our relationships. Yet, when we come to Jesus, we come lost and seeking direction. From there, do we follow Him? I mean, really follow Him. Or do we simply find complacency in His place of rest?
Our studies at church have been pressing on being more than just “Christians” (especially as the Christian is defined in society), but moving forward as Christ’s disciples. Christ’s disciples followed Him. They didn’t simply come to Him for healing or deliverance; they left their families, all they had, to follow Him.
My heart tells me I want to follow Christ wherever He will lead me. Recently though, I realized following also requires taking direction. It’s more than just going with the flow. When that voice of direction says, “Get rid of _______ because it is hindering your progress forward,” do you take heed? When that voice says, “Stop putting other people before me,” do you stop and listen? Do you think of the sacrifices necessary?
Sacrifice begins with surrender. So how surrendered are we? We want—and even experience—the blessings, the gifts, the supernatural moves of the Spirit; hence, most of us believe we’re surrendered enough. But are we surrendered enough to sacrifice (to give up that which is dear to us) when He asks?
When the Holy Ghost prompts us, we should listen and act. God has only good things in store for us. His perfect plan is what we have to trust in. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Even when it doesn’t feel good, even when we can’t see the happy ending, even when we don’t understand the reason, we have to trust in His Word. God’s plans are perfect and in that we can rest all of our doubts and our lack of understanding.
It is, however, easier said than done most of the time. Sacrifice requires surrendering ourselves to the point of being able to give something up that we don’t really want to. Otherwise, there really is no sacrifice.
If He asked, could we give up…
Our possessions: that nice car, our comfy homes, hard-earned money
Our images: clothing, music, jobs, reputations
Our hobbies: internet, TV, movies, racing, sports
Our friends, our own plans for our futures
Your husband, your wife, even your children—not to leave them, but to accept the place each has according to the Word of God.
Nothing can come before the Lord. If it occupies more of our thoughts, more of our time, more of our devotion, then we have not sacrificed to follow Jesus.
From experience, it hurts. It does not feel good to give up that which we enjoy, to lessen relationships that consume us, to separate ourselves from the things that are not of God. Our flesh wants those things; it desires those things. But, I’m sure it didn’t feel good when Jesus suffered to be the ultimate sacrifice for us either. I’m sure His flesh desired another route. Nonetheless, He accepted His calling—to do the will of His Father in heaven.
Have we accepted ours?
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