God is the strength of our lives.
Beloved, it's not in our human endeavours that His strength is made perfect but in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Those moments we fail or flail about without any energy or ability to do right is when God shows us His perfect or complete strength to help us.
We know there are things in our lives like bad attitudes, poor mindsets and deeply rooted patterns of sinful behavior that only His strength can go to the depths of our heart to uproot and set right. This takes a work of humility on our part. And it requires His strength so that we are willing to bend and break to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Arrogance and self-sufficiency will always oppose His Spirit of grace to transform us from the inside out. Beloved, mercy is extended to us if only we come to the end of ourselves.
King Saul was an example of what not to do when God showed him mercy. After repeated disobedience, Saul lost the privilege of being both the appointed and anointed king of Israel. Listen to the stern words of prophet Samuel. "And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent." (I Samuel 15:29, KJV).
We can be so headstrong in our ways that the same strength of God to deliver us could in fact work against us! God will in turn become our enemy and oppose us. Nothing can be so terrifying when God is your enemy and your strength to persist in sin leads into greater weakness and spiritual darkness.
Beloved, God's strength is never intended to destroy us (Isaiah 42:3). Recall He crushed His son on the cross on our behalf taking the full weight of our sins (Isaiah 53:10). He knows that we are but dust (Psalms 103:14) so He is patient beyond measure that we might allow His strong hand to deliver us...even when we are blind to our own ways and don't want to be set free.
Be encouraged today my brothers and sisters. Let His hand rest on you - to uphold and strengthen you - turn fully to Him allowing His perfect strength to change weakness into a place of joy and sweetness. Most gladly [Greek word that means sweetness] therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9].
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Breaking The Spirit Of Manipulation
For those who feel weak and ineffective to exert control will sometimes use manipulation.
We twist and turn a conversation toward or away from us as a defensive or offensive mechanism. We re-direct people's attention to look or think elsewhere while not looking at the obvious - of what is really going on in secret. We become quite skilled in deceptive and underhanded practices but fail to realize we become deceived. Eventually, we are ensnared by our own words and the many lies we've told that we don't even know the truth ourselves!
Such was the life of Jacob who was called supplanter. (Genesis 27:36). A supplanter is one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another (vocabulary.com). Jacob wanted the rights and blessings of the first born which was not his to possess. Along with the help of his mother, Jacob disguised himself as his older brother to deceive his father to bless him.
What breaks a spirit of manipulation is the light of Christ.
Those who harbored secrets and lived double lives will attest. What ever is hidden in darkness will fester and grow. Over time it becomes evident in our behavior (I Timothy 5:24). Once light is shown, truth confronts lies that bind a soul.
So the question remains: are we willing to come clean and let His light pierce our darkness?
Isaiah 42:16 holds out this promise. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (NIV).
When we are willing to have Him lead us into the light of His Presence; it will devour our darkness.
How freeing it is when there is nothing hidden or buried deep in the heart. We can be at peace and know a sweet rest that we are walking in the truth. The accusations of the Devil can not stick. And the confidence of being a child of light is restored.
Beloved, just ask Him for help. It's that simple. God knows how to liberate the captive heart. Truth and light will break the spirit of manipulation. Like Jacob who wrestled all night with an Angel, that deceptive spirit was broken and he limped into the promises of God (Genesis 32:31). And his name was changed to Israel.
God may wound us to break that which binds us but we will be the freest people who knows the depths of His love for us.
We twist and turn a conversation toward or away from us as a defensive or offensive mechanism. We re-direct people's attention to look or think elsewhere while not looking at the obvious - of what is really going on in secret. We become quite skilled in deceptive and underhanded practices but fail to realize we become deceived. Eventually, we are ensnared by our own words and the many lies we've told that we don't even know the truth ourselves!
Such was the life of Jacob who was called supplanter. (Genesis 27:36). A supplanter is one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another (vocabulary.com). Jacob wanted the rights and blessings of the first born which was not his to possess. Along with the help of his mother, Jacob disguised himself as his older brother to deceive his father to bless him.
What breaks a spirit of manipulation is the light of Christ.
Those who harbored secrets and lived double lives will attest. What ever is hidden in darkness will fester and grow. Over time it becomes evident in our behavior (I Timothy 5:24). Once light is shown, truth confronts lies that bind a soul.
So the question remains: are we willing to come clean and let His light pierce our darkness?
Isaiah 42:16 holds out this promise. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (NIV).
When we are willing to have Him lead us into the light of His Presence; it will devour our darkness.
How freeing it is when there is nothing hidden or buried deep in the heart. We can be at peace and know a sweet rest that we are walking in the truth. The accusations of the Devil can not stick. And the confidence of being a child of light is restored.
Beloved, just ask Him for help. It's that simple. God knows how to liberate the captive heart. Truth and light will break the spirit of manipulation. Like Jacob who wrestled all night with an Angel, that deceptive spirit was broken and he limped into the promises of God (Genesis 32:31). And his name was changed to Israel.
God may wound us to break that which binds us but we will be the freest people who knows the depths of His love for us.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Love Everlasting
The love of God makes us fearless.
The more we understand His love greater is our strength to believe Him for the impossible and the impassable things in our lives.
Such as impassable mountains can be removed not something we scale or circle around it - those imposing rocky fortresses - of wrong thinking, bad attitudes and a spirit of unbelief - can be brought low.
If there is one mountain that is common to all and one of the most difficult to remove is fear.
The Bible tells us that perfect (mature) love throws out fear (1 John 4:18). Just as Jesus said to the disciples when asked to why they couldn't cast the demon from a boy brought by a desperate father pleading for his deliverance. The Lord's response was simple.
Prayer is the key to deliverance (Mark 9:29).
So what do we do when we are afraid? We pray. Psalms 56:3 says, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (NIV). Such is the maturing work of love when pressing into God through prayer. It's been said faith is pressing into fearful places. Any one can love God when all is going well and blessings flow but when we go through the shadow of death is yet another thing.
Beloved, fear should not be a motivation to do or act in our human strength as if to prove we trust God but rather we must rest on His promises. God says that in quietness and rest is our strength (Isaiah 30:15).
Fear wants to paralyze us but as the woman bleeding out - she pressed through the crowd to stretch out her trembling hand for her fingertips to brush the Lord's robe. Such a desperate act was an extension of faith that drew power from God.
If your marriage is failing or your son or daughter is bound - pray! Have you sinned grievously (again and again) - pray! Are you ill or just ill tempered? Pray! Your words may falter and feel flat. Your heart may feel miles from God. He may seem silent and untouchable - but this is just a thin paper veil of flesh and demonic whisperings. There is a place that suddenly God breaks through and makes His Presence known. Suddenly He lifts you up just like Peter sinking on the stormy seas! At the cry of your voice God appears with fresh grace and mercy. Everything changes!
So press in and as you do faith is exercised and stretched - and love is increased in a God who is real and will act on your behalf!
The more we understand His love greater is our strength to believe Him for the impossible and the impassable things in our lives.
Such as impassable mountains can be removed not something we scale or circle around it - those imposing rocky fortresses - of wrong thinking, bad attitudes and a spirit of unbelief - can be brought low.
If there is one mountain that is common to all and one of the most difficult to remove is fear.
The Bible tells us that perfect (mature) love throws out fear (1 John 4:18). Just as Jesus said to the disciples when asked to why they couldn't cast the demon from a boy brought by a desperate father pleading for his deliverance. The Lord's response was simple.
Prayer is the key to deliverance (Mark 9:29).
So what do we do when we are afraid? We pray. Psalms 56:3 says, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (NIV). Such is the maturing work of love when pressing into God through prayer. It's been said faith is pressing into fearful places. Any one can love God when all is going well and blessings flow but when we go through the shadow of death is yet another thing.
Beloved, fear should not be a motivation to do or act in our human strength as if to prove we trust God but rather we must rest on His promises. God says that in quietness and rest is our strength (Isaiah 30:15).
Fear wants to paralyze us but as the woman bleeding out - she pressed through the crowd to stretch out her trembling hand for her fingertips to brush the Lord's robe. Such a desperate act was an extension of faith that drew power from God.
If your marriage is failing or your son or daughter is bound - pray! Have you sinned grievously (again and again) - pray! Are you ill or just ill tempered? Pray! Your words may falter and feel flat. Your heart may feel miles from God. He may seem silent and untouchable - but this is just a thin paper veil of flesh and demonic whisperings. There is a place that suddenly God breaks through and makes His Presence known. Suddenly He lifts you up just like Peter sinking on the stormy seas! At the cry of your voice God appears with fresh grace and mercy. Everything changes!
So press in and as you do faith is exercised and stretched - and love is increased in a God who is real and will act on your behalf!
Saturday, January 9, 2016
An Unruly Spirit
Nearly everyday this past week a Scripture tugged at my mind. The Holy Spirit was revealing something about my heart condition.
It says in Proverbs 25:28, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." (KJV).
The Lord was pointing to an unruly spirit as a result of broken places in my soul. Similar to the walls of Israel broken down and the gates burned by fire; it made such a glorious city defenseless and disgraceful (Nehemiah 1:3).
When we allow anger, resentment or bitterness to rule our hearts and behavior we become much the same way. The proper boundaries (the walls) and gates (points of access) are broken or completely ruined. Instead of the Holy Spirit ruling over our passions and desires we are subjugated to our fleshly whims. Not only do we suffer but our relationships feel the full weight of a crumbling edifice - of a God built temple - our bodies.
Recall we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and if defile it, God will destroy it (I Corinthians 3:17). It's the same warning given to Solomon above the physical temple he was building for the nation of Israel (I Kings 9:7).
From the beginning God blessed Adam and Eve to subdue and rule over His natural dominion (Genesis 1:28). He delegated to them His authority to exert power over their surroundings. Likewise through Christ we have the power to be lead by the Spirit so we don't gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-18).
Beloved, we have to pray that the fruit of the Spirit of patience and self-control be cultivated in our lives. It will not be easy because we can't say the first thing that pops in our head. We can't react as we did by letting people know how we feel. It means praying with sincerity for His help because the flesh can be so persuasive especially in a culture of rights and entitlements.
On a final word, the Lord knows the places we have been wounded that have made holes in our souls. We have done our best to fill in the open gashes and ripped out places but it often leads us to sin. Only He who had holes from nails driven into His feet and hands understands us the best. Only He can fill those empty places. Allow Him to rule over you and in your heart. His peace and power is at your disposal.
Its simple.
Bend the knee and say yes to His rulership.
It says in Proverbs 25:28, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." (KJV).
The Lord was pointing to an unruly spirit as a result of broken places in my soul. Similar to the walls of Israel broken down and the gates burned by fire; it made such a glorious city defenseless and disgraceful (Nehemiah 1:3).
When we allow anger, resentment or bitterness to rule our hearts and behavior we become much the same way. The proper boundaries (the walls) and gates (points of access) are broken or completely ruined. Instead of the Holy Spirit ruling over our passions and desires we are subjugated to our fleshly whims. Not only do we suffer but our relationships feel the full weight of a crumbling edifice - of a God built temple - our bodies.
Recall we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and if defile it, God will destroy it (I Corinthians 3:17). It's the same warning given to Solomon above the physical temple he was building for the nation of Israel (I Kings 9:7).
From the beginning God blessed Adam and Eve to subdue and rule over His natural dominion (Genesis 1:28). He delegated to them His authority to exert power over their surroundings. Likewise through Christ we have the power to be lead by the Spirit so we don't gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-18).
Beloved, we have to pray that the fruit of the Spirit of patience and self-control be cultivated in our lives. It will not be easy because we can't say the first thing that pops in our head. We can't react as we did by letting people know how we feel. It means praying with sincerity for His help because the flesh can be so persuasive especially in a culture of rights and entitlements.
On a final word, the Lord knows the places we have been wounded that have made holes in our souls. We have done our best to fill in the open gashes and ripped out places but it often leads us to sin. Only He who had holes from nails driven into His feet and hands understands us the best. Only He can fill those empty places. Allow Him to rule over you and in your heart. His peace and power is at your disposal.
Its simple.
Bend the knee and say yes to His rulership.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
A Call To Submit
We can agree to the terms of surrender when we are sin weary or at wits end. Surrender in those moments seems fairly easy. After all we have no strength after trying hard to battle against sin and when nothing seems to go right.
But is it truly a heart surrender or is it just resigning when all else fails?
Submission on the other hand is one of those prickly words that can get right under the skin.
It means bending the knee especially when you are in fight mode (versus flight mode - when you want to walk or run away - sometimes a passive form of surrender). Your work piles up leaving you frustrated and out of sorts. Your neighbors are too loud. You argue with your spouse. There is no rest and peace. Your soul is agitated with frustration and anger. The last thing you want to do is confess your wrong and bend the knee.
And then God calls you to submit.
Job 22:21 says, "Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you." (NLT). In the original language the word submit means to be of use or service. In other words, when we submit to God we are ministering (becoming of use) to Him. Otherwise, if don't bend the knee we will harbor bitterness or anger that will serve no purpose of ministering to Him or to others.
That is why moment by moment submission is needed not only to resist the Devil but experience a deeper freedom from the things that threaten to bind us. The word for submission in James 4:7 means under God's arrangement. Submission must be first then resisting the Devil will follow.
Human effort can not bring any lasting victory against sin. Submission acknowledges that if there is any relief from the troubles we encounter our help is in God alone.
We have a promise of restoration when we submit to God. When we submit to Him our strong desire for justice and taking matters into our own hands - God will act on our behalf.
If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent (Job 22:23 NIV).
But is it truly a heart surrender or is it just resigning when all else fails?
Submission on the other hand is one of those prickly words that can get right under the skin.
It means bending the knee especially when you are in fight mode (versus flight mode - when you want to walk or run away - sometimes a passive form of surrender). Your work piles up leaving you frustrated and out of sorts. Your neighbors are too loud. You argue with your spouse. There is no rest and peace. Your soul is agitated with frustration and anger. The last thing you want to do is confess your wrong and bend the knee.
And then God calls you to submit.
Job 22:21 says, "Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you." (NLT). In the original language the word submit means to be of use or service. In other words, when we submit to God we are ministering (becoming of use) to Him. Otherwise, if don't bend the knee we will harbor bitterness or anger that will serve no purpose of ministering to Him or to others.
That is why moment by moment submission is needed not only to resist the Devil but experience a deeper freedom from the things that threaten to bind us. The word for submission in James 4:7 means under God's arrangement. Submission must be first then resisting the Devil will follow.
Human effort can not bring any lasting victory against sin. Submission acknowledges that if there is any relief from the troubles we encounter our help is in God alone.
We have a promise of restoration when we submit to God. When we submit to Him our strong desire for justice and taking matters into our own hands - God will act on our behalf.
If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent (Job 22:23 NIV).