Making a Way

Making a Way

So often we find ourselves praying and praying for something to happen, for some kind of breakthrough. We try to counsel people who are struggling with the very issues we're struggle with and have no answer.  This is where I've been for a while now. 

I have faith that God hears me, He hears us all and has a plan, but at this time in life I just can't see it or understand it. My faith is sometimes shaken and giving advice to others who share this struggle is difficult. So, I continue in His word and don't give up praying. I've been reading in the Old Testament lately and have been learning how much God is constantly chasing us, making a way to stay close to us, bless us, and shed light in the darkness around us. Our human state often keeps us blinded to that very truth. 

In the Book of Numbers, while God's people were passing near the land of Moab, they were grumbling and rebelling in the wilderness. The King of Moab gets worried about all of them passing through his territory and hires a pagan sorcerer, Balaam to pronounce curses over Israel. Three different times, he tries and all he can do is bless them, God won't allow others to curse His people. See Genesis 12:2-3 talks about his children receiving blessings and warning against those who curse them. In fact Balaam also received a vision of the future king of Israel, the same one mentioned in Genesis 49. 

God has made a way many times over for His people to have a relationship with Him: Starting with, taking His people out of bondage in Egypt, followed by making a covenant at Mt. Sinai. After the people rebelled, He had a tabernacle built and priests to attend to it and be a go-between He and His people. Again, the very people God wants so much to be in a relationship with, continues to pull away from Him, complain He isn't doing enough, and rebel. It's been a continuing cycle throughout the ages. 

While the people who call themselves followers of Christ act like the people of Israel of the Old Testament, discontent, grumbling, and complaining,  God is still on the scene working on our behalf. And like Israel at that time, we don't even realize it. We think God doesn't hear or isn't working. The fact is we don't even have any idea what is happening behind the scenes on our behalf. Like the unseen enemy trying to curse Israel, there are unseen enemies around us trying to discourage and keep us in a mental state of defeat. The battle around us rages on to protect and defend us. Yet, we question God and His motives and concerns for our lives.

We as a Western culture are so unaware of the spiritual realm that surrounds us and wages war on our earthly and eternal lives. As the times get closer to the return of Jesus it will just get worse. But, God always creates new ways to have encounters with His creation, we need to seek them out and continue to draw near to Him. In James 4:8 were told if we draw near to God he'll draw near to us. In the end we want to be counted as "they who have won the battle and those who have stood the test!"

In Daniel 10 an angel  appears to a very weary Daniel after he was loosing hope, feeling discouraged, and poured out his soul praying and humbling himself before God and fasting, because he felt a prayer wasn't getting answered quick enough. It took 21 days! I know you and I have waited longer for answered prayer. However, the point is, the three week delay was not because God took that long to hear Daniel's prayer or answer it. He hears our prayers instantly, often before we finish saying it out loud. Why did it take so long, you ask?

The reason the angel or messenger of God was detained in bringing an answer to Daniel's prayer and letting him know God does hear him was because a spiritual being called "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" stood against him. And the reason this angelic messenger got free from this opposition was because the angel Michael came to help him. Read Daniel 10:12 Among the supernatural beings opposed to God, at least one is assigned to a territory or, more accurately, to a kingdom, namely, Persia in this case. It's understood that his job is to blind the people of Persia to keep a vail over their eyes and harden their hearts keeping them from knowing the truth and the light of God's Word. If that is true for Persia then, it is safe to say that it is true for all nations today. 

As we follow the story,  the angel is going back to fight against the prince of the kingdom of Persia and defeat him. Then, another enemy, a great spirit or dare we say demon, the prince of Greece rises up, see verse 20.  This shows as different kingdoms rise and fall it is because of the battle raging on in the spirit world. What happens there is reflected here! We take part in this battle with the power of prayer that activates the whole battle armor mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18. I wrote about this battle armor of God in an earlier blog. We must take part in the battle if we want to see God's angels accomplishing His purpose and His will to be done!

Today there is a legion, an army of powerful evil spirits, demons with assignments from Satan himself over kingdoms like the book of Daniel mentioned in Persia and Greece. Satan even tempted Jesus, so don't think we are above temptation. Don't be tempted into believing the lies of the devil that God doesn't hear or answer prayers, or that you are insignificant. Also, don't be tricked into to believing demons are weak, at the same time, don't fear them as if they were stronger than Jesus. 

Remember what happened in Luke 4:5-6? The devil took Jesus up on top of a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world: "Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” The devil may have influence and power in this world but, he does not have victory and his power is limited. God's power is infinite and always at work for our good. 

What Satan means for evil God always uses for good. Just like the time of Joseph in the Book of Genesis. He struggled for years and years under unfair, hurtful and what seemed hopeless situations and circumstances, yet his life was redeemed way beyond what anyone could imagine. Here's what he said to his brother's who abused, abandoned, and later sold him into slavery: Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." He became the second in charge over the land! He was used in a time of famine to save a nation. We can't see it or understand it a lot of times, but God is always doing something for our benefit. Even when it seems He doesn't care, He really does. 

God never seems to answer prayers in the way we expect him to. In fact when Jesus' good friends Mary and Martha sent word that their brother Lazarus needed his healing help, Jesus took his time and didn't hurry. Martha and Mary trusted in Jesus to heal their sick brother, whom they knew Jesus loved. Yet, He allowed him to die! How devastating that must have been! The one who had the power to heal, let him die. How could He? Jesus had a greater miracle in mind.

Jesus delayed his travel to Mary and Martha's for two days after they sent word to Him that their brother Lazarus needed His help. He arrived four days after Lazarus died. Jesus was actually going to perform an even greater miracle. John 11:43-44 "Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” " I bet they never expected that! 

 We don't always need to see with our eyes what God is doing in our lives, as much as we want to. In John 20:29-31 Jesus speaks to Thomas about those who will be blessed that cannot see, and that "the blessed will have life in His name." 

Earlier at the end of John 4, Jesus is implored by a nobleman with a dying son to come down and heal him. At this point I could see Jesus shaking his head with a smile in his heart, at the limited mind, clouded by the broken heart of this man as he said, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman was probably a little taken back and felt desperate and maybe even panicked when he didn't get the answer he expected, as he replies to Jesus, "Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” Even though the nobleman didn't see Jesus do the work, he had to believe with out seeing that Jesus did heal his son, and went on his way home. His servants met him on the way and told him, "Your son lives!” He was also told of the time and hour he was healed. It was the same time Jesus said he was healed. God rarely if ever answers prayers on our time schedule or in the way we expect, but He is always working on our behalf.

God the Father, through His Son Jesus, is always making a way for us when there seems to be no way.  He's always working behind the scenes where we can't always see. No matter how many times we rebel, fail to believe, or or loose our way, He will make a way and answer our prayers. My Hope and Future  is in the one who is making a way. 

Back to the Beginning

I often need to return back to the beginning, to the testimony of who Jesus is and how He has worked on my behalf in life. I need to be reminded of His great love for me so that I can return that love. I spend way too much time in my head. I'm full of head knowledge, that often looses translation and connection with my heart. I sometimes struggle with the true understanding of or the feeling of love. I can say I love Jesus and do my best to follow His commandments but to truly, in my heart, deep down, love Him, and get excited about His love for me; sometimes it's a stretch. 

How do you get that? The closest thing I've known, or felt that type of deep love is in the relationship with my current husband, or the love I have for my children. Yet, due to my human condition even that deep love ebbs and flows. Still, we are called, commanded, in the Book of Matthew to love God/Jesus above all else including our family members. How do you get that kind of love? Where does it come from? 

To quote John Piper, an author, teacher, and pastor, "'love comes from love.' It comes from being stunned by being loved by God, right? This love comes from being overwhelmed by the person of Jesus dying on our behalf and rising again, though we have no merit at all in ourselves." Wrapping my mind around God loving me so much He would send his son to die in my place can often be challenging because I haven't experienced that type of death, to fully realize what I've have been saved from. Although, knowing how He has worked in my daily life, that's nothing short of miraculous!

Philippians 3:8 says, "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Knowing what He has done in my life, I can't help but to be overwhelmed by emotion and allow that emotion of love over flow into all areas and people in my life. However, I often get stuck in my head, listening to lies of the devil: "You don't belong, you don't fit in, you never have you never will, you're not good enough, people pretend to like you out of pity, you're unworthy, tainted, and tarnished, if you don't have a solid group of friends now at 45 you never will, what's the point, why keep trying." I know, I know... GET OUT OF MY HEAD THERE ARE NO FRIENDS IN THERE! 

See I get caught up in the day to day issues of life: I worry about the choices my children make in life, are they following the Lord? Are we going to be able to make it to the next payday and pay all the bills and keep a roof over everyone's head while we're all in a place of transition? How long do I have to stay at a job I don't like? Will I ever find one that I like and pays the bills? Will my husband always have to work more than two jobs, feeling like he too is unable to fulfill his calling? I believe I was told by God before I ever met my husband that I would be in full time ministry. I laughed at that, thinking it had to do with speaking to others and maybe even getting paid for it. Anyone who knows me knows, for me that is a far out there idea, for sure! What would it look like? Or is this day to day life that feels like I'm more stuck in than positioned in, the full time ministry God spoke about? Forgive me Lord for the disappointment. 

I've come to the end of all these thoughts running around in my head and am reminded of Philippians 4:8-9, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

What is praise worthy? The love God the Father has poured out over my life through His Son Jesus Christ, that I may live my life out as the Daughter of a King. As His daughter He has shown His love for me no matter what condition my heart was in, lovable or not. He loved me when I was born premature and the doctors had no hope, my heart stopped and He restarted it so that I would live. He loved me the day I said YES to him at that camp fire at a young age.  He loved me through the abuse and neglect as a child and was a friend to me when I had none. He loved me through the reckless behavior as a teenager that led to abuse at the hands of other guys. He loved me when my mind could no longer cope and I was locked away for a time. He loved me through a difficult marriage to a raging alcoholic, drug addict who wasn't always faithful. He loved me through the miscarriages. He loved me as I cried over a very sick child I wasn't sure would see their next birthday. He loved me through the pain of feeling I wasn't enough for both of my children. He loved me through the death of my marriage. He loved me and restored my life in ways I never thought were possible. 

My world has changed, nothing is as it was. There is no more fear, sadness, or pain. I've been redeemed, it's taken a long time but in comparison to eternity, it's just a blink of an eye. My blessings have increased, not with out struggle. I suppose the struggles keep you humble and looking to rely on the Lord. It is so important to reel myself back in when I feel empty inside and let the Love of God fill me back up so that it can overflow to the people and situations around me. 

My Hope and Future lie in the One who first loved me, so that I could love out of the overflow. 1 John 4:16 says, "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." When we are abiding in His love we give others a glimpse of His face. Be the face of God and Love!

Lesser of Two Evils

Thoughts for the day...
Lesser of two evils?

"Constantly choosing the lesser of two evils, is still choosing evil"
-Jerry Garcia

It's been coming for some time now, many have watched and warned of the darkness that seems to be overtaking our little piece of the world here in the U.S. For so long our young and inexperienced country seemed like the brand new, shining beacon of hope, sitting on a hill, for all to come and live, and worship, in peace and safety. Gaining that peace and safety didn't come with out risk, hard work, and fighting battles or wars. All accomplished while looking to the Lord.

Laying a strong foundation in Jesus Christ has kept our country, states, cities, communities, and families strong. However,  little by little, as our country grew older, just like any one growing up, maturing, and looking to find "their own way"; the foundation set down by their parents (or founding fathers in our case), is chipped away by making willful and poor decisions.  The way in which they should go is lost and confused. Darkness sets in and the path is no longer clear. As long as they continue to look to themselves, instead of the One who set and lights the path before them, their way will be rocky.  Any one they try to lead will stumble around in the dark with them until they seek the light and the right path. There are so many paths to choose from. Although, when you get so far away from the light none of the paths look safe, you're faced with a decision of picking the lessor of two evils. Or, perhaps you could just turn back to where you came from and seek the light.

Every Christian has a salvation story. Most of them contain a moment or point in time where they were left in such a state of darkness, that they had to admit that they needed the Lord in their life. They called out to Him and He set His light in their hearts, so that they could see in the dark, follow the right path and help bring light to others fumbling in the dark like they once were.

I think right now, our country is like that person who walked so far away from the source of light that they are fumbling around in the dark. It seems as if those who were given light to carry with them aren't using it as they should. They are hiding it or thinking they are saving it for another time or person to share with. I think when this happens, their choice in paths also become a little foggy and the decision isn't quite clear. They need to remember to shine their light. Don't just guess on your own and choose the path that is the lesser of two evils. Shine your light so you can see clearly!

All of this can be applied to what our country is going through now with the elections for president. Due to our humanness we will never have a perfect candidate. Remember,  all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All is all no matter what party you're from. Still, the fact that we understand humanity is broken and has fallen short doesn’t  take away our responsibility. However, voting for evil isn't an option, even if it’s our only option. Every one sins and a sin is a sin but that doesn't mean you would hire someone who is a known thief and a liar.  It sounds pretty harsh to call candidates evil. Just typing it out gives me a feeling of uneasiness. Although, what would the Bible say when it comes to choosing leaders?  "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil."(Romans 16:17-18)

But be careful, once you know the truth and what is right, there is a warning, "who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17

As Christians we can't just choose the least of two bad choices. But to abstain from a choice, I think would be  irresponsible and shows apathy. By concluding both are wrong you wouldn't be implicated in either. As I struggle with what the wise or right choice is. I wonder, could a third choice be written in, in order to voice your opinion and take a stand? Or would that be like not choosing at all and throwing your vote away? Is making an unwise or wrong decision just to get your point across or say you took a stand acceptable?
See, in Romans it says, "But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)
Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?
For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?
And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one; ""(Romans 3:5-10)
In short, it's never right to do wrong to do right.

There may come a time, in fact I'm sure there will come a time, very soon that our actions that are right in the sight of the Lord will be questioned and we will need to be ready to answer. Not in a way that shows contempt but in a way that is thought out and presents the facts to those lost in the dark. We're headed in a time of judgement and some will be looking to Christians for answers.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ...
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:15,17

The days ahead are going to get rough and rocky due to the poor choices our country has made by those lost in the dark and those refusing to share the light. But it won't be the end and as long as you are faithful, God will make the way plain for you.

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. "1 Corinthians 10:13

Are you as a Christian ready for what's coming? My hope and future doesn't lie in the future president or our current president. It lies in Jesus Christ, I pray yours does too.

Victor or Victim? A Battle Guide to Spiritual Warfare

Victor or Victim? 

A Battle Guide to Spiritual Warfare 

To be a victor you must win a contest, challenge, battle, or war, in doing so you defeat or conquer an opponent. In fact victor derives from the Latin word, vincere meaning conquer. The opposite of victor is, victim. A victim is someone who is harmed, injured or killed as a result of some action or event. A victim may also be someone who was tricked, duped, or fooled into believing opposite of the truth. In the late 15 century the word victim signified a creature killed as a religious sacrifice, derived from the Latin word victima. 

In our world it isn't very popular to go into combat and battle those who seek to do us harm, to protect ourselves from potential enemies, to be looked upon as conquers. It is however, very much okay to play the victim. Being a victim you're not held accountable for your actions, "because you didn't know." You can gain benefits for being a victim who has been harmed, or afflicted by some new disorder, indisposition, misfortune, or hardship. Does that seem upside down to you?

Whether you understand it or not, there is a spiritual realm around us that is very much affected by the convictions and attitudes we carry in our hearts about such things. In that spiritual realm, there is a battle raging. Just as our attitudes and convictions have an affect in the spiritual, the battle there has an affect in the physical. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For 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 in the heavenly places."

In the end, we know that Christ has already won the war, but as the battle rages on, we can have every day victories. Whether our battle is with drugs, alcohol, some sort of disorder, mental, or physical, or battles often disguised as anger, depression, anxiety and self harm, if we understand the battle and where it is coming from, we can obtain blessing and victory. We can't  just throw our hands up and decide to do nothing, wait and see what you end up getting in heaven. The battle is here, right now. Just as God's Kingdom is here right now, where ever you ask Him to reign and rule. Where He reigns, so does His power. You don't want to wait until heaven for what you can have now! 

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) Remember on this earth we may walk in the physical, what we can see, but the war is waged in the spirit that we can't always see. The strongholds, the things that keep tripping us up, that are fought in the mind, can only be defeated in the spirit, by The Holy Spirit. You have to allow Him into those places. You know, those places few know about; places you yourself don't want to admit are there. Where The Holy Spirit and His power reigns, so does His light and love. No darkness or stronghold can stay.  Will you let Him in? In the darkness the devil is on the prowl. You can stay in the dark, unwilling to fight and hope you receive that victory in heaven. You can sit there hiding out, not hurting any one, just biding your time, thinking it'll go away, until the devil devours you while your waiting. The devil can see in the dark, he created it. The darkness is just the absence of God, The Holy Spirit. Invite The Holy Spirit into the dark and He will fight the battle with you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1Peter 5:8

When your battle has been won and you've gained victory and blessing, continue to stay on guard, the war is not over until the Savior returns in full.   As we grow in our faith and take stands for Him, Satan will tremble and look for other weak areas to attack. We'll continue to be tempted, tested, and tried, but we won't have to fight alone. We'll continue to be victorious if we continue to fight. Being a victim is easy, it doesn't take work. Being a victim does hurt and it's often shameful, but once you decide to stand back up and get in the battle, you are no longer a victim, you will be a victor, a conquer!

"12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

Get over it, just face it. You're not the only one it's happened to. You're not the only one hurting and caring those scars. As long as you're breathing on this broken and battered sphere called Earth, you're going to face trials. At times it may be so difficult, it may feel as the life is being sucked out of you. BUT if you keep moving forward, keeping your eyes on the One Who has already suffered far beyond what we could imagine suffering, His glory will be revealed. In His glory, you will rejoice. Don't give into fears of the what ifs, how comes, and why nots. Stay in the battle and stand your ground. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 

While you're standing ground and living your life for the Lord in every way you can think of, winning battles and claiming victory, Satan will look for new ways to attack. Sadly, he will go after loved ones in attempt to turn your eyes to the battles of others, to distract and throw you off guard. That's when you take the strength you have and apply it to your loved ones in prayer. James 5:16 says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

So much is written in the Bible about spiritual warfare and how to fight and stay strong.  In these times we're living, it is very important to stick to the battle plan He has set before us. 

As I write this I think of how many times I let the smallest battles trip me up. Usually they are the old thoughts or tapes that are completely irrelevant to anything in my life today. Yet, I let it pull me down, I don't pick up God's battle plan, His word, I fight blindly. Then I remember why He gave us His word. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”John 16:33

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." ( Ephesians 6:13 ) the whole armor means, the whole armor. Would a warrior march on to battle leaving any part unprotected? No. Then why do we often forget about pieces of our armor meant to protect us? Ephesians 6:10-18 lists what the whole armor includes: The girding of your waste with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shodden with the preparation of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of The Spirit. 

The first piece of armor, I'm assuming is some sort of girdle like a belt or cord. But considering it is listed first it must be pretty important. This belt is not an ordinary belt but, a belt of truth. Very important I'd say when facing the father of lies and author of confusion. When we listen to his little whispers in our ear with out the belt of truth, how easily do we stumble? (sorry but my geeky side can't help but think of wonder woman's lasso here. OK now back on topic) We can't start stumbling around before the fight begins. We might believe the biggest lie, " it's impossible it can't be won." Fear and doubt. Fasten that belt of truth on tight! It will protect us as well as our testimony to others.

Second, the breastplate protecting those vital organs. The righteousness of Jesus Christ guards our hearts and keeps us free from the unrighteousness of sin Satan accuses us of. Unrighteousness, that would otherwise be the cause of our spiritual death and separation from our Heavenly Father.

Third, our feet are to be prepared for spiritual conflict. As we move throughout the world we will enter into Satan' territory. Just like any enemy territory filled with land mines and other types of IEDs or traps. 

Advancing into Satan's territory, we need to be aware that there will be traps. Those traps can be avoided by holding firm to and spreading the Gospel of Christ so that others might be saved. 

Fourth, when we're deep in the battle and our faith begins to shake, hold on to that shield of faith. Let it shine and reflect God's truth and love at the enemy, blinding them to the lies and doubt that make God's word  seem void. Let it reveal the truth in Christ who is the "author and perfecter." 

The fifth important part of our armor protects another vital part of our body. The helmet of salvation. Think of everything that goes on in our head. Our biggest battles are often fought in our mind, before it is fought anywhere else. Our mind is capable of storing so much important and some not so important information. The most important information it stores is the knowledge of salvation and the fact that you have eternal life through Jesus Christ. It stores the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus so that no other false doctrine can invade your heart and mind. It enables you to share the hope and truth of the gospel of salvation with others. With out this helmet, the truth can not be seen or understood.

The final piece of armor, the only offensive piece, is the sword of The Spirit. It's the one weapon Jesus used to defeat Satan while being tempted in the desert. Just speaking the Word of God, will defeat Satan every time. 

As the description of our battle armor concludes in Ephesians 6:18 we are told to pray always honestly and humbly in the spirit, being watchful to the end preserving praying with and for others. I think prayer is what helps keep our armor functioning properly. That constant connection with God keeps everything else running smoothly. 

These pieces of armor are entrusted to every believer so that we may continue through the battles and gain victory. They are to protect and strengthen us by building our faith, trust, and confidence in the "author and finisher of our faith", as said in Hebrews 12:2.

 It's already been written. In the end Satan will loose when the final battle has been won. We will be conquers in Christ. Romans 8:37 says, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:10

My future hope lies in the day that salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser. That's when the final battle will be over, the war won, and peace will reign for all eternity! Where's yours?

Remember Whose Child You Are

Remember Whose Child You Are

I don't know when the idea came to me but I do remember the thoughts, feelings, and circumstances that lead to it. I was in my previous marriage  at the time and my husband was heavy into drugs and alcohol often raging about something, real or made up.  I was doing my best in the circumstances I lived in to raise my children for the Lord. I knew I had made mistakes and would make more in my endeavor to try an shield my kids from the ugliness of some of the things in their world. 

At a young age I tried to get them to understand that there will be times I fail them or wouldn't always be there for them. There might even be times they were afraid and I wouldn't be able to be there to protect them. But there was a God, a Father in heaven who would always be there and who loved them more than I ever could. He went wherever they went and was aware of everything they did. I told them that before they were my children, they were the Lord's. And that's where the phrase came from, "remember who's child you are." 

As my children grew older, I knew they would not always be around me. They would gain more independence,  have friends of their own to go off with, and I wasn't going to be there to influence or correct their actions. So each time they left the house out into the world with out me, besides saying, I love you, I would tell them, "remember whose child you are." It was later followed up with a reminder, "You're a child of a King and you should act accordingly." I wanted them to always be aware of their actions and know that I'm not the only one who holds them accountable. I could only hold them accountable for what I knew about, but God sees all and they would one day answer to Him for their actions good or bad.

Therapists and doctors today will tell a person that the poor choices they make are due to the mistakes their parents made while raising them. It takes the blame off the one making poor choices, gives them an excuse, and frees them from accountability. There comes a point in everyone's life, or at least it should, when you know right from wrong. If you know right from wrong, you're  able to decide for yourself which you'll choose. 

 Like I mentioned in my first blog post, in my late teens I faced some major depression and anxiety; accompanied by alcohol and  other means of self destruction. Of course I had an excuse for it. I was living in a home that was often out of control, that, and I was a teenager. Was I aware of God in my life? Yes. Did I lean on Him in times of trouble and when I had feelings of desperation? Not as I should have. Did I drink and sleep with guys in order to drown out the pain and confusion, to find self worth and experience love and acceptance? Yes. Could I have brought all of my hurt, shame, and anger to the Lord? Would He have comforted me? Did He send people in my life to influence and guide me? Yes, yes, yes to it all!!! It's all a spiritual battle we can chose to fight or give in to, yet rarely do people see it that way. I didn't act that way and give into the depression, anxiety, and all that other stuff because of the way I was raised or the things I experienced in life. It was because I failed to recognize the spiritual battle and listened to the lies of the devil. Having this knowledge hasn't left me anxiety free and with out any bouts of depression, I am still human living in a broken world. However, when I take it to the Lord, who's very name covers and protects me, I gain freedom from it!

God is, Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there. He is Jehovah Jireh, The One Who Provides.  Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of Peace, and He is El Elyon, The Most High God. If He is my Heavenly Father then I am the daughter of a King!  In my poor choice to turn from Him, the most high God, who is always there, provides a way out, and offers peace, I looked to the world, and what it had to offer instead. My choices damaged family relationships and further damaged my self esteem. It wasn't my upbringing, it was how I chose to deal with my upbringing.

 My teenage and early adult years, a time of life I don't talk too much about, I'm not at all proud of it, as it shows me in an ugly light. However, God always saw me as beautiful. A beautiful mess perhaps, but beautiful. The way I dealt with my life just brought me more guilt and shame. I had aunts boldly, sometimes harshly, pointing out my sin, it made me pile on even more guilt. I held on to it instead of giving it to the one who had already redeemed it.  Instead of facing it, I let it eat at me. Sometimes I would try to turn to the Lord in my own power, but I never made the full commitment to give over everything, all of my ugliness.

 It wasn't until then, when I completely gave it all to Him did I begin to find peace. When you live in fear of being found out that you're a big fake, you're not the perfect person you're trying to be...When you live in fear that nobody will love you the way you are, or that you'll never fit in, or have  fear of anything, you won't have peace. The opposite of peace is fear. When we hold on to fear we can't have peace. Through Jehovah Shalom we can live in peace, or freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Through that peace we can live as the child of The most High King, just as we're called to be.

I have had an idea for quite a while about blogging on the idea of being the daughter or a child of the King, but I wasn't sure from what perspective to take it from. It wasn't until after listening to a speaker at Saturday's Morning Tea for the ladies at church, sharing a piece of my testimony with another woman there, and dealing with some family issues that echoed the very loudly the need for everyone to keep in mind that they are a child of The Most High and we should act accordingly.

As much as I had always told my children through out their lives to remember who's child they were, I hadn't turned it around to myself. I didn't really start doing that until almost three years ago when someone handed me a book they thought I should read called, His Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd. The point in wanting my children to remember who's child they were wasn't just because I wanted them to take responsibility for their actions but to know they were special and loved, not just by me, but a king! This book is written as a collection of letters from The King to us his Princess. Apparently it was something I needed to read.

We are children of the Most High King and we should act accordingly. What does that look like? It's funny that the speaker Saturday discussed the very idea of being a child of God. She used an illustration that pricked my heart a bit, because I couldn't relate to it. She described what it was like to be a little girl holding on to her daddy's strong hand, and while her hand was in his she felt safe and strong and that she could do anything. She related that feeling to what it is like to return and trust in the Lord. I have absolutely no idea what that is like. I never had a touch from my earthly father that felt safe. Although I longed for that very feeling, to put my hand in a big, strong, encouraging hand, that steadies my steps. Not having that left a hole in my heart that I tried to fill with so many worldly and self destructive things, everything but God. The one who had been holding out His hand all along. All I had to do is reach out and take it. When I finally did, He lifted me up, set me straight, and as long as I hold on He keeps me steady. 

18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the LordAlmighty.”( 2 Corinthians 6:18)

Being a child of The King means to walk in faith. With faith, you can't have doubt. There's no doubt which way to go in life if you trust Him enough to follow Him. Isaiah 48:17 reminds us to listen He will tell us which way to go. "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go." And, "For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught." (Proverbs 3:26) Life is going to be hard, in our humanness we will make mistakes but those mistakes are what we do, not who we are. He will keep us from being caught or unable to escape. Keep moving in the direction He calls you.

Your crown may be a little beat up, tarnished, and it may be missing a few jewels, but your title of Prince or Princess of The Most High can never be taken away. Walk in the position you hold, with your mangled crown on your head, looking forward to Him, and keep going! My hope and future are in Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there; Jehovah Jireh, The One Who Provides; Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of Peace, and in El Elyon, The Most High God, My Heavenly Father. 

Remember Whose Child You Are.

**

Jehovah Shalom- the Lord is Peace Judges 6:24

Jehovah Shammah-The Lord is there Ezekiel 48:35

Jehovah Jireh- The Lord Will Provide Genesis 22:14

Elyon- The Most High God 

Genesis 14:18

All Things are Lawful for Me, but All Things are Not Helpful

Oh the little things that make you think big! After typing this blog post, my 50th one, I kinda wonder who ever reads what I post, if it matters, and if it gets people thinking. All I can see is that people read it and where they are from, but I don't know the names or if it makes a difference or even gets anyone thinking like I hope my blogs do. Although, if it gets to just one person, I suppose it's worth it. 

As some know, I work in a primary life skills classroom for children with special needs. In the past 15 years working in public schools and at special needs summer camps, I have worked with children and young adults who have minor to major learning and physical disabilities. I've worked with those who have Autism, Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy,  Fragile X, Myotonic Dystrophy, Muscular Dystrophy, Williams Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and many more.

 I have such a soft spot in my heart for children with special needs. As a child I struggled with learning and was put into special education classes up through Jr. High, not much was offered in High School. So I have compassion when it comes to children struggling to learn. However, the young people I work with more often than not, have greater challenges than I ever had. While they all have their own unique physical and or mental abilities, and some may come from broken homes or difficult lifestyles, they are all so precious. 

True, there are days I'm so physically and emotionally worn out after dealing with attitudes and strong wills, temper tantrums, fits of anger, accompanied by objects thrown at me, multiple "Code Browns", AKA messy diapers, and just the constant noise...Still, I don't loose sight of the fact that they are God's first. When they learn something for the first time or take my hand and randomly say, "I love you", or when I watch them explore things for the first time and get a glimpse of the world through their eyes it makes it all worth it. Matthew 25:40 says, "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’" Sadly it doesn't pay the bills.

Now I hear that schools used to have prayer in them. When I was in school it didn't happen much, however if you felt the need to do so, nobody condemned you for it either. I also have heard that The Pledge of Allegiance is being taken out of schools. I personally haven't seen that happen at any schools I have worked. I have however, witnessed as students move up in higher grades, the lack of respect and understanding for the pledge, the flag, and our country in general, even respect for a Creator God, has greatly decreased. Although, the school I currently work at has a 30 second moment of silence every day. I take that time to pray over our day. That quick 30 seconds is followed by the pledge. A couple of days ago, I was looking at the faces of the students as one yelled the pledge, another mumbled or babbled as that's about the only way she speaks, another one misses a few words and adds others, but they all looked in the general  direction of the flag with a right or left hand somewhere on or near their chest or belly and recite or acknowledge the flag in their own way. 

Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks! People don't realize how blessed they are to live in the USA!! In other countries children like these precious trying, ones I work with, wouldn't be allowed to live. Their lives wouldn't be as cherished by the community as my students are.  If they were able to live they would not be attending school. They might be sheltered and or hidden away, and maybe not given the medical treatment needed.  This line of thinking led me to the think about how many people take for granted, the blessings right in front of them. Too many people are not satisfied with what they have.  They wanted to be handed more, feel they deserve more, all because some sort of disability or lack of certain ability, or even minority status. Not that every one with a disability or children with a disability or even minorities in the U.S. all think like that, but there is a growing number who do. 

In fact there are becoming a greater number of people in our country, in this world who feel entitled to gain something just because they feel they deserve it, nothing more. There is such a high number of people who continue to add labels to themselves or children to gain monetary support, health care, and other benefits or special treatment. 

The priorities and ideals our country once held in high esteem are being eroded away by selfishness, laziness, feelings of entitlement, and failure to acknowledging The God our country was founded on, whether  those who rewrite history want to admit it or not. Our country as a whole, not every individual person, is so focused on their little corner of the world. They don't seem to see past the community they live in, or the needs and desires they feel are more important than others. People don't often think bigger. Bigger than their, home, town, city, state, hardly bigger than their country. There is more to this world than The USA. We're a country, part of a global community. 

Yet, we as a society don't seem too concerned or pay much attention to what goes on in the rest of the global community. We think that none of the issues of the world affect us. So we go on not paying attention to what's going on around us, cry about some made up entitlement we're not receiving.  While others in the world we ignore are literally dying to drink clean water, have enough daily food to sustain them, attend school, and even worship the very same God our country was founded on, but is now trying to kick out. 

Our country was supposed to be a beacon of light, a place of hope, an example to the world. A good example. We may still have more freedoms than many other countries and be just about the richest country in the world, but we are spoiled and self centered. 

It is true that the Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." However, this statement isn't a license to be selfish, choose to be ignorant, or think you're more deserving than others. 

Unalienable means, unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor. Who is the possessor mentioned in the Declaration of Independence? "Their Creator".  If you ask the average American whether  they are religious or not, most would understand "their Creator" (note spelled with a capital C) refers to God with a capital G meaning, the one true God. So it is understood, God, whom our country is founded on, gave the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.   

Liberty is the freedom from external foreign rule. There was a reason why people sought out a new land, the rulers of their time and country were oppressive and took away many of the basic necessities they felt they needed to live a full and productive life. Whether current historians want to recognize it or not, worshiping God, the way they felt He was leading them, was one of the major pushes in finding new land. 

Happiness, as most anyone understands, according to an online dictionary, means: good fortune, pleasure, contentment, or joy. Notice in the Declaration of Independence it says, "the pursuit of happiness." It doesn't say that we are guaranteed or owed good fortune, pleasure, or joy, but we are free to peruse it. When thinking about that one freedom given to us by God, it reminds me of the quote, "... For to whom much is given, from him much will be required;..." It's not just a great quote from the Spider-Man comic or movie, it is from God himself in Luke 12:48. Our country has great freedoms but what they choose to do with them, isn't necessarily wise. 1 Corinthians 6:12 says, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any..." Just because we are able to use our freedom, it's how we choose to use them and what we use them for that matters.

As a country I think we have corrupted our freedom and made poor choices. It's time to turn back to God. I think we are so far away from what our Founding Fathers intended for us. Those who consider themselves a Christian, need to take a greater stand for our country before it is lost.  I think we are extremely far from what God would like to see in us. He never required much of us as Christians. "and if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayers made in this place." (2 Chronicles 7:14-15)

Those who don't consider themselves Christians need a true example of what it means to live for the Lord and not forsake Him. We have warnings about turning from the Lord, and I think we're on the edge of great danger. 2 Chronicles 7:19:20 says, “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a by word among all peoples." Do we want to be a proverb among all people? A proverb about a country richly blessed and as an example to the world, lost it all because we turned from the original purpose and plan for our life and country?

As Christians, we hold a high calling, I think most are failing to see. “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6) Are we conducting ourselves worthy of being called God's treasure? Once we accept God's gift of salvation through Jesus we are considered a chosen people.  He chose to give freely and we chose to accept. Proclaim what He has done and wants to do in the lives of others. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

While I desire Christians to make a stand and for our country to turn back to the Lord, I fear we've already gone too far and God is just going to give our nation over to itself. God did warn against such things.

"So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered,

When I spoke they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight.” (Isaiah 66:4) "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:21) 

I know I risk sounding like one of those people holding up a sign saying, "REPENT THE END IS NEAR!" It's not the first time I've been a little on that edge. Although, sometimes I feel a desperate desire to scream just that. Looking at the world as it is going now and looking to scripture, it's hard not too. 1Timothy 3:1-7 Sounds just like today: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." However there is some redemption in vs 14-15, "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

Many in our country seem to have or practice a "form of godliness, but denying its power..." They are fooled into thinking, because they are "good" and do "good" things they are Christians bound for heaven. They fail to see it's more than that. It's learning how to have and keep fellowship with the Lord, walking in His ways, not our own. It's grabbing hold of the truth in God's power that comes with salvation to everyone who believes, as spoken about Romans.  

Weak Christians can't be good witnesses to unbelievers and set the example we should be setting. Instead in our weakness we risk leading them astray or turning people away. Our lives, country, and world may seem out of control. That's when we should be careful to look to the ONE who holds our future in HIS hands and point others to the One who gives us HOPE. My hope and future rest in the one true God, Father, Creator, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. Where is yours when you see the uncertainty in our world?