![]() The enemy has had the same tactic since the beginning found in Genesis 3 with Adam and Eve, who by the way lived in the perfect environment and yet they too were deceived. It is the tactic that he uses over and over again, time after time and I just wanted to share with you his process, to make you aware of the way he works. A step-by-step process that he uses to take you out! His number one goal is to take you out of a relationship with God! Be aware he doesn't play fair! The process he uses to Steal, Kill and destroy looks a little something like this... 1. He starts by causing doubt in our minds about God that brings worry and anxiety. 2. Then he brings circumstances that cause these doubts to grow, either through life happenings, sin, or offenses through the body of Christ (and many times through all three). These things that take place not only allow our doubts to grow, there are often offenses that take root in our hearts. When these offenses take root, our doubts, worry, and anxieties give birth to fear, resentment, and unforgiveness 3. Our enemy begins to chip away at our identity. He causes us to doubt everything about ourselves, so insecurity arises, and when unrecognized and unchecked, it becomes self-hate. 4. Our unforgiveness quickly turns to bitterness, anger towards others and God. 5. If these offenses are not dealt with, we eventually kick God out. We no longer believe in him nor want anything to do with Him. 6. As the bitterness and self-hate grow, we begin to die from the inside out. Sickness occurs in our natural bodies, depression increases, and the tormentor is unleashed against us in our minds 7. We no longer know who we are or what we want. Our past is skewed by our bitterness which causes us to live a life full of self-loathing and negativity. We question every decision we ever made and plan to make, so we begin to experiment in every area of darkness, which adds to the distance of God and the increase of the tormenting spirits in our minds 8. When we kick God out, He will not supersede our free will and force himself on us. Therefore, His grace, protection, and direction are all lifted. Although He will continue to love and try to woo you back. Our enemy is pleased because he knows you are in the palm of his devious hands - right where he always wanted you 9. You see, it is here that you now no longer love God, and when you no longer love God, you no longer love yourself. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to love others. Because God is Love, when we kick Him out of our lives, we kick Love out. Before we know it, all of our relationships are toxic and crumbling around us, and we do not understand why! But there is hope. You do not have to stay here Here is the process back to a relationship with God! A. You can get the help that you need from a trusted believer. The process is simple. You must (1) Confess your sins; (2) Repent to God, and; (3) Seek His forgiveness for what you have done. Lastly, (4) Invite God to fill the gaps, fill every empty place in your life that He may heal you. B. You have to deal with the unforgiveness and offenses in your life. It is necessary to walk through the pain of what has been done against you. Find a friend or two who can help you walk through the past hurts and bring healing through Jesus there. C. Because of the enemy's work in your life, there may be many offenses that you will need to walk through. But to have the healing and wholeness you desire, it is important to process thoroughly. Surround yourself with those who can encourage and continue to help you walk through healing and restoration. Find the people who can cheer you on, help quiet, and direct you. Returning to Jesus is much quicker work than the slow fade that took us away from Him. Take note, salvation is a journey, and the prayer of repentance is the beginning of the journey, not the end. Maybe today you have realized that you are on step 1 to a slow fade away from God or maybe you are step 9, wherever you are I pray that you return. I pray that you begin to see the lies the enemy has been speaking to you, and recognize that he is the one that has been destroying you. God is good, and He loves you always no matter what. He loves you the same on your best day as He does on your worst day, unconditional and unmoving! Maybe today you are just unsure, pray ask God to reveal Himself to you, He will. If you have any questions or need prayer please feel free to reach out to me. Maybe you just need help in the process of returning, again inbox me.
2 Comments
Ever been in a season - where you feel blindfolded?
You can hear everything that is going on around you, and you can feel it but you can’t see. It. You can’t see what it is, or where you are or even where you are headed. This is my life right now!!! A transitional season, being called out from a place that is ”comfortable “ (I use that word loosely) or maybe it’s just a place that you have been for awhile that is just familiar. Feeling the call A little like Abraham leave the place that you know and head to a place unknown. That is where I believe many are in the body of Christ right now myself included. For me it has been calling me out of the corporate world into a life of well quit honestly I am not even a 100% sure yet. He just has revealed to me to step away, only work at a job that I bring to you and partner in these ministries : Light and Life with my husband, E5 Life Strategies and Found Ministries’s. He has spoken to start a business to incorporate an income but hasn’t reveled what to start and He has also spoken more education but hasn’t told me what type of education - I mean it could be university, leadership trek - whatever it may be He hasn’t revealed it yet. Bottom line walk this way and keep walking. I am blindfolded and have no idea where I am headed taking every day one step at a time fully dependent on him. There are many others in this same state in the body of Christ and it is so easy to become like the children of Israel in this season instead of like Abraham. The children of Israel were called out from a place that they knew (a place that they were begging God to get them out from under) and so He does He takes them in a direction that makes no sense and is difficult terrine you know like coming to a sea that looks impossible to cross with enemy closing in from behind and they get to that spot of transition and they began to look back to what was a life they knew but a life that had them in bondage begging to go back to it. Why - because where God was taking them didn’t make sense, didn’t look logical and way different than what they knew or even expected. In this moment for the children of Israel, this moment of transitioning into freedom from bondage the enemy is amplified as they close in from behind and it looks like there is no way out! And just as it was for the the children of Israel it is the same for us: what the enemy is up too seems to become more amplified than what God is up too - and it is so easy to look back to what is familiar and long for it even if that place of familiarity was a place of bondage, long for it and cause us to respond in fear instead of faith! Just like the children of Isereal we often find ourself aligned with murmuring and complaining instead of worshipping and thankfulness. Murmuring and complaining does not align us with the leader we are following it aligns us with the enemy who is squeezing in from behind looking to destroy us and thus amplifying what He is up too even more! What is in our throat matters in this season! Psalm 149 has become a life line for me, as I am in this transition season, this season of uncertainties Psalm 149 ESV “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the Lord!” Psalms 149:1-9 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/psa.149.1-9.esv Listen what is in your throat matters; look back through every hero of faith in the Bible - when push comes to shove what was in their throat of each and every one of them?! Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and throughout the entire narration of His story he never aligned himself with murmuring and complaining, at the end when he has opportunity to bring revenge in his brothers in Genesis 45 he tells them don’t worry about it, it is God who sent me ahead to preserve your life! How about Daniel a captive of war did we hear about all of his complaining and the injustice that was done to him? Not at all, no again and again he declared the goodness and praises of God! Over and over again throughout every biblical account of our hers of faith, we see that what is in your throat matters! When all of hell comes against you what is in your throat? When you are in seasons of transition and uncertainty what is in your throat? Whatever season you are in at this time what is in your throat matters. Sunday morning the Lord quickened to me that He inhabits the praises (praises is words declared out loud) so declare life declare praise, speak it out, shout it out! Do whatever you need to, to make sure that He comes close in dwells with you on this season! Because what is in your throat matters!!! "Wrestling with God and I won"
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." This is a scripture that I had memorized my entire life, but I hadn't realized how often I didn't follow this or make this scripture true in every area of my life. In most areas of my life I have done that but as of recent... not so much. I have heard a gentle whisper for over a year now of a season of change that God is going to bring to me. A season that would alter my husband and my life, a change that would affect everything. Prophecies prophesied, words were spoken, scriptures quoted, whispers heard and yet – when it came right down to it – I hadn't fully surrendered or trusted what God was speaking. The whole lean not on your understanding was the catch that I couldn't get beyond. It didn't make sense; I couldn't give up my control (because I mean, I know better than God...)! God began to speak to me over a year ago: Levitical Living, missionary lifestyle, "I am calling you out to be trained and equipped." I guess in the back of my heart and mind I didn't grasp or surrender to the idea that He would call me out from a job that I have loved (most days) for over 11 years. The very job that was helping us dig out of debt, pay our bills, as well as give us extra spending money, eat steak whenever we wanted and drive a car with all the bells and whistles (though it's no BMW and is quite old, I love it. I picked it out and it has almost everything I have ever wanted in a car). When God began to speak to me about these things, I assumed when it did finally come, I would have all my ducks in a row. I imagined we would have all our debt paid off, we would have incredible savings and my husband's pastoral salary would increase significantly. Well here I am and none of the above has happened. So, when I felt the grace lifting in my job and a strong sense to resign, I again assumed it was just my wishful thinking. My job had become more frustrating than not and it wasn't one that I loved anymore. Deep down I knew the truth of the matter, but I wanted more confirmation, needed more confirmation (yes, I know, how immature of me), but this is a big deal! Not bragging, but my job was bare bones when I walked into it and it is now a thriving successful place – it's my baby, an accomplishment I am very proud of as God and I partnered together to build it up. Now, I am contemplating leaving, and at times even prophesying it into the air... yet, despite all of that I am still questioning whether I was truly hearing God. Recently, one morning, I was wrestling again with the idea of walking away from my job and from an income we needed. I began thinking, "This is not realistic at all! So, no, I can't quit. Not now." And then I heard God's audible voice, "Since when have I asked you to look at your life realistically?" And I knew it – I was wrong and hadn't surrendered. I knew it at that moment that God was a tad bit frustrated with my wavering faith, and the fact that I was seriously considering being disobedient. The fear of losing my income didn't seem so bad right then, because I didn't want to lose my connection with God. He continued by quoting to me Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in Me, Angel, with all of your heart and DO NOT lean on your understanding – nothing I call you to will ever make sense when you look at it through your earthly eyes – you must have a kingdom perspective. In all your ways acknowledge (to know, to recognize, to perceive and see, find out and discern) Me and I will make your path straight." And at that moment, I released all control – my heart shifted to surrender and obedience. I knew I needed to step out in faith and leave my job, not knowing what is next, not having all of my ducks in a row, but only to TRUST and obey God and let Him direct me accordingly in this season. I know that some sort of education and equipping is approaching, but I don't have a clue what that will look like. I also know that I will be continuing to work with E5 Life Strategies, where I will continue my certification through them – and continuing to bring transformation encounters in traumatic places in people's lives. I also will be continuing to work with Found Ministries as we set up a missional school here in Dubois – to raise missionaries to go out into all the world! I know that I will be going to Uganda, Africa in the winter and possibly Russia, and maybe even Germany – who knows where else but that is all I know. I don't know how I will pay bills or pay for further education. I am not even 100% sure what that looks like, but what I do know is that God has gone before me and is making my path straight. In a sense, I feel like Moses and the burning bush. In that moment of seeing the bush, God makes a point to state that Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight." Moses had to act to go see what was going on, he had to turn toward just as I am turning toward the burning bush and pressing in to trust God with all that I have. I am leaning not on my understanding. I don't know what Levitical Living or missional living looks like. I don't have a clue how it all plays out, but I am not trying to figure it out in my mind. I am pressing into Jesus and saying yes. I have been singing this song ever since the wrestle began, sometimes 100 times a day just to remind myself to stop trying to get my ducks in a row. I sing it as I begin to pack up my office and say goodbye to those I work with. I sing it when I begin to worry over finances and educational opportunities... then I lay out my life map and begin to hover over it all, choosing to trust Jesus and not my understanding. Nothing I Hold On To Will Reagan and United Pursuit Band I lean not on my own understanding My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven I give it all to You God trusting that you'll make something beautiful out of me There's nothing I hold on to I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open I pray the same for you. I pray that whatever season you are in or whatever it is God is calling you to, you can look beyond the reality of your circumstances and see the call from the perspective of Heaven. I pray you will be able to fully surrender control and trust the maker of heaven and earth – that He truly is Jehovah Jireh, your provider. He doesn't call us to fail, He calls us because He has abundant life for us. It doesn't mean it won't be hard, some days more than others, but it will be worth it. You see, I have been wrestling with God and because I have completely surrendered at this moment, it would appear as though I lost. In the eyes of the world, I have lost my mind, my income, my title, and even my worth. But you see, in the eyes of the Kingdom, and as a believer, I have won! Division is a weapon of our enemy!!!
It’s great to have opinions and even state those opinions, but we must learn to silence our opinions when we begin to get heated in our opinions! When we arguing a mute point that has nothing to do with kingdom principles, and or just that our opinion and sometimes our own personal conviction. All to often we argue our opinions to the point of causing division and separation to the person in front of you, a person that in your heart you truly love and even care for, yet frustration is rising in your heart toward that person whom you love just because their opinion is different than yours! Then later that day you begin to gossip about the person whom you love to others to make sure that you have enough people aligned with you, no longer about your opinion but about your pride that you are right and they are wrong! And before you know it because of the sake of your opinion there is such a wall between you and the one with whom you claim to love, that there is division, you no longer hang out together, call each other, lift each other up, or even pray for each other! Offense has started to take hold of your heart all for the sake of your OPINIONS and yours being right and better! let me ask this at the end of the day how has light, Gods kingdom been expanded! How has Love won? Has light grown or has darkness expanded all for the sake of opinions! We have forgotten all about 1 Corinthians 13, we have forgotten all about being a Christian - you know Christ like! But oh our opinion has been heard!!! Now hear me out I am not talking about standing up for our biblical principles, or even doctoral issues - I am only talking about personal opinions on things such as our voting choices, what school options are best, whether we vaccinate or not, how about whether we have hymns or contemporary worship and on and on it goes!!! There are great opinions and valid points on both sides of the fence but how is arguing and division ok? Why is it we can’t have differences of opinion and still love each other! Opinions are only wrong when they don’t match ours! It saddens me so much to hear disagreements turned ugly, it saddens me when we loose sight of love, grace and mercy the very things we need! I love seeing good healthy debating, and love seeing people passionate about their beliefs and their opinions, but what I don’t love is when those things turn to division, separation, arguments, gossiping, put downs, name calling and down right rudeness non of which are attributes of love! Jesus lived on this earth and spread love even when He was speaking truth - we have lost sight of His principles - such as love your neighbor as yourself or even extend forgiveness as I have forgiven you or how about we just get back the main thing which is love! Love the one in front of you by respecting their opinions and agreeing to disagree, by being mature enough to leave your uncontrolled emotions out of the conversations, and moving on to something you can agree with! By not making people feel stupid for their opinions, for not gossiping about that person to others to make sure you have enough opinions on your side. People, church, body of Christ we must get back to love - it’s a plea from a my heart but even greater plea from our heavenly Fathers heart! One that is calling out Angel come higher - love the one in front - let your opinions go - even let their opinions go - see beyond even their opinions - see how you can love them, encourage them - extend grace and mercy to them!” So as the Father calls me up - I beckon you to come higher in His love and extend that same love to others - read over 1 Corinthians 13 again and remind yourself what love truly is I Corinthians 13 NLT “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” “If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:3-13 NLT It seems as if I am in a season of constant difficulty with no end in sight! Quite honestly, I have no desire to do hard or difficult seasons! I would much rather avoid these seasons altogether! My parent's generation completely understood that life is not easy, that it’s hard work and at times very difficult. Despite the struggle, their faith was never shaken – it was steady and true no matter what came their way. But not me, or for most in my generation or the upcoming generations! We see the on ramp for 'hard' and look for a way around it or, we go so far as to look for a way back to where we once were in order to avoid the difficult season altogether! We beg God to take it away and when He doesn’t we want to quit on God!
I wonder if He gets as frustrated as I do when I hear the cries of how a hard day is impossible! And yes, it is my own cries with which I am frustrated! But there in the midst of frustration, He gently reminds me that it’s human nature to want to take the easy road! It’s human nature to see a sea in front of you and an enemy quickly pursuing you and think, 'This is too hard and difficult! Let’s go back!' It’s such a shame that this is our nature, but what is an even bigger shame is that nature is suppose to be dead – dead under the blood of Jesus! It is sad that our tendency is to run from conflict and battles because it’s in the difficult seasons that God gets to show up in such a beautiful, strong, and amazing way to part the sea and destroy the enemies before us. All the while, using such situations to build our faith and refine us! Maybe instead of looking for an easier season, we should learn to walk through the difficult and ask God, “Lord, what is it I am to be learning here?” It’s in the difficult season that we need to press in and worship the only One that can part the sea and destroy the enemy that is quickly approaching. Maybe, just maybe, it’s the difficult seasons that actually bring about the very victory God has for our lives! I mean, look at Daniel, he was in a permanently difficult season. He was living in captivity and yet it’s on his most trying day that God showed up with the most power. The day he was thrown in the lions den was both his worst and his greatest day; it was the day in which God preformed His greatest miracle for Daniel. In the midst of this severe trial, everything that Daniel said about his God was proved true and Daniel's faith increased as a result of trusting God! And because of all that, an entire nation was changed! Think about it, it was because of a man's difficult season that a miracle took place, and out of that a nation changed! Look at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: their hardest day and biggest battle was also the day that God showed up in person and walked beside them!!! A moment that had to forever change and mark them! A moment where persecution brought about God's plan for their life!? Can it be that our Savior allows what is needed to bring about victory in my life, to bring about purification and transformation in me? Come on now, it’s our most difficult days that God shows up the most but so often we don’t see Him there because we are searching for a way out! They pressed into what they knew about God despite what their circumstances looked like! You see, because it’s in the “pressing-in” that the victory truly comes. The victory isn’t in the parting of the sea or the destroying of the enemies. It's not even the shutting of the lion's mouth or being able to stand in fire and not be burned. The victory is in the moment that I begin to transform and look like my Savior! So today, I embrace this difficult season, not that I don’t seek God for the victory, but the victory I seek is my personal victory. This victory looks like: me looking less like me and more like my Father! So I press into Him and say, 'Refine me, Lord!' And I keep my eyes on the one who can part the sea and destroy my enemies trusting and pressing into Him! |
ANGELThere is a constant ebb and flow of seasons in my life: some easy, some not so easy. But with every season I am learning to focus in on Jesus, see His face and allow myself to be immersed in the process so that at the end of the day I look more like Him! Thanks for joining the journey!
Archives
August 2021
Categories |