SEIZED BY THE POWER OF A GREAT AFFECTION

 

Over 100 years ago, people in the south, who where in a relationship with Jesus Christ used the phrase, “I was seized by the power of a great affection.” (Google it) Brennan Manning quoted it often. I was seized by that power In 1978.

Let’s face it, 2020 sucks. But we need not live in fear. We must come to grips with the fact, whether we believe it or not, God is in control. He’s allowing all of these things to bring the church closer to Him, individually, and corporately as His Body.

We MUST NOT blame God, or see Him as the master of puppets behind all this craziness. If we indeed have spiritual eyes we will see the truth of Satan’s assault on our country and the world today: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus in John 10:10

The heart of God is to give us a full and abundant life. What a glorious promise! But we are in a sin-sick world in which Satan (for now) has limited freedom to accomplish his purposes of stealing, killing, and destroying.

There a so many voices (Christian and Secular) today screaming for our affections. But God’s Word is truth. Not believing it is truth doesn’t change the fact that it is.

• If we’ve been seized by this power, then we can relate to this passage from Isaiah: "Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5

Have you really seen the King with your spiritual eyes?

• If we’ve been seized by this power, then we MUST live by this rallying reminder from the Apostle Paul: "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”   Titus 3:1-3

We MUST pray for this country’s leadership.

• If we’ve been seized by this power, we will not be blinded by the truth of these verses that are holding our country captive: "He (God) said, “Go and tell this people: “ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Isaiah 6:9-10

We MUST understand that the church is under attack. We MUST be praying for the church.

• If we’ve been seized by this power, we will acknowledge that God is the only One to be feared (revered) and stop worrying about conspiracies: "Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.” Isaiah 8:12-13

There are so many conspiracy theories out there. We MUST pray for God’s truth to be revealed. Pray for discernment.

• If we’ve been seized by this power, we will experience TRUE FREEDOM to love and work for a free world. And yes, I’m an idealist.

“Freedom belongs to the core of the spiritual life; not just the freedom that releases us from forces that want to oppress us, but the freedom also to forgive others, to serve them, and to form a new bond of fellowship with them. In short, the freedom to love and to work for a free world.” Henri Nouwen

There are many in our culture and the world who consider Christians a disease. There is an old Russian proverb: "Those who have the disease called Jesus will never be cured.” In Jesus name, may we never be cured!!

Peace and Unity?

Enough with the religious fluff, legalism, showmanship, politicizing, racism, and the like. “The devil’s trademark attack is to draw us away from the simplicity of faith in Christ…Satan’s strategy is to use the educated elite, the mind manipulators, and the brilliant thinkers of history to lure people away from simplicity of devotion to Christ and biblical authority.” Chuck Swindoll

On the same hand, we have some amazing Christian minds from history and today who were/are educated, brilliant thinkers, and non-mind manipulators, who intelligently lead people to this simple faith in absolute truth.

2 Corinthians 13:3-4 “But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.”

I never post anything political or controversial on Facebook because I don’t like the hatred that is expressed and spewed by both Democrats and Republicans, diverse ethnicities, Christians and non-Christians, etc. I appreciate good, hearty debate if exercised in love with the end desire being peace and unity. It just never appears to be that way. One of the things that really bothers me is the Christian who criticizes without praying for the person they judge. If they do, you would never know it by the things they post. Is it really too hard to pray for our President and other Republicans, that God would give him (them) wisdom, clarity, and proper judgment, instead of ripping him (them) to shreds like the media does? Whether you agree with him or not, God is using our President. Would it be too difficult to pray for the former Democratic Presidential Candidate or other Democrats that if it’s God’s will, and they stand for godly principles, to be put into office? The bottom line: Do we pray for peace and unity on all sides or just for “my side?” Jesus said, “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44). He took no political sides, when it came to paying taxes, He even said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 22:21)

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God…The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good.” Romans 13:1,4 God even allows evil rulers to reign to show countries and the world how deprave mankind can really be which proves our desperate need of Him and godly leadership. King Saul was dethroned by King David because David was a “man after God’s own heart.”

No matter what our belief, our political authorities have been placed there by God. So, if we really believe this and have attitudes that actually abide in this reality, maybe, just maybe, we will begin to sow the seeds of peace and unity through our prayer life for this divided country.

Don’t be deceived, remember, “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 Let none of us be deceived by the sound bites the media continually force feeds us. So much stuff is taken out of context (on all sides). All the while, we may never know the absolute truth or motivation. Yet we get sucked in. King David had every right to retaliate, spew dissent and hatred when being hunted by Saul and later by his own son Absalom. But he always submitted. Always trusted that God was in control. Psalm 115:3 says it well: “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.”

Like I said, I’m really getting sick of all of hatred spewed on Facebook. When I read this quote by Thomas Merton, the truth hit me like a runaway train: “Man is not at peace with his fellow man because he is not at peace with himself. He is not at peace with himself because he is not at peace with God.” If only we would see this truth as the reason for so much tension in this country it would drive us to our knees! We would tremble at the reality of it! We’re so busy complaining that we’re forgetting our mandate to be those who bring reconciliation between God and man.

Where is your energy being spent? Tearing down or building up? Like Jesus, be used by the Spirit to change a person’s heart, then the mind will change. Jesus told us our energy should be spent on going into all the world and making disciples (Matthew 28) and that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit would come upon us so that we would be His witnesses in our community, in our country, and around the world (Acts 1:8). That is awesome energy spent!

These turbulent days it’s difficult for me to have political conversations because people tend to judge, jump to conclusions, make assumptions, with no resolve the result. And those, my friend, are what sow seeds of disunity. The only way we will find unity, unconditional love, and peace with fellow man is when we are truly at peace with God through Christ. And sometimes finding that peace with God is submitting to the plan of authority He has ordained whether we like it or not. And either way, we must pray for our elected officials not to do what we want, rather what God wants for this country. 

You see, Jesus is the unifier, yet our culture looks at Him as the divider. He is the healer, yet our culture looks at Him as the disease. He is pure love, yet our culture looks at Him as the root of hatred and religious bigotry. He sees no color, died for all tribes and nations, yet our culture considers Him the western white man’s bigoted god.

As the Unifier, if we all look to Him, and allow His Spirit to illuminate our hearts; we therefore cannot, will not, and would not, be able able to respond by hatred causing discord and disunity. Our only response would be love causing peace and unity.

Read these almost prophetic words by the Christian mystic Thomas Merton over 50 years ago:

“It always gets back to the same thing. I have dutifully done my bit. I have been “open to the world.” That is to say, I have undergone my dose of exposure to American society  in the ’60s—particularly in these last weeks. I love the people I run into, but I   pity them for having to live as they do, and I think the world of U.S.A. in 1967 is a world of crass, blind, overstimulated, phony, lying stupidity. The war in Asia slowly  gets worse—and almost more inane. The temper of the country is one of blindness, fat, self-satisfied, ruthless, mindless corruption. A lot of people are uneasy about it but helpless to do anything against it. The rest are perfectly content with the rat race as it is, and with its competitive, acquisitive, hurtling, souped-up drive into nowhere. A massively aimless, baseless, shrewd cockiness that simply exalts itself without purpose. The mindless orgasm, in which there is no satisfaction, only spasm.”  May 27, 1967

MORAL COMPASS

.

MORAL COMPASS

In God's eyes we are all equal. But sin makes us unequal. As Christians, we are not better people, just unequal. Forgiven. Because we either believe and live like Jesus has redeemed us or we don't. And if we do, then He is our moral compass. And if we don't, our moral compass never stops spinning...no direction of right and wrong. That is the difference.

The problem is our culture has so muddied the reality of sin that we have gotten used to the darkness...not unlike dusk when the darkness gradually creeps in and we just accept it. If intended to reflect the nature of God, man is to be judged not by how he compares to other humans, but how he measures up to the Divine Standard. And remember God loves us for who we are, not for what we do. He also loves us as we are, not as we should be. We need to stop trying to measure up and start resting in the arms of His love. That doesn’t mean we don’t continue to live in a sinful state. Come on, if we’re honest with ourselves we still sin. What it does mean is that we must admit (confess) our sin, continually walk in forgiveness, and stop condemning ourselves! Romans 2:4 - “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” Oh the blessed mercy of God!

Here’s a prophetic verse, written about 600 years BC, that expresses God’s mercy and love in such a powerful way that expressed the heart of God back then, and was fulfilled in Christ Jesus: Zephaniah 3:17 — “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Did you get that?!!! Yes…He’s alive. God’s not dead or some figment of some religious nut’s imagination! He takes delight in you…unconditionally! We should never fear coming to Him no matter how dirty we think our souls may be. He rejoices over you  and me with joyful songs! It’s as if God is singing love songs to us! Unfathomable but true! Crazy? No. Relentless? Yes! That is my Jesus! All proven over 2000 years ago on the cross of Calvary.

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17) If we really believe in Him, we will surrender to His compass. And that, my friend, is neither political or religious.

Putting Humble Back in Humility

Take a Bite of Humble Pie

A recent article in Rolling Stone magazine sparked a fire in my heart regarding humility. It’s a cover story regarding an in-depth interview with U2’s Bono. In the context of humility, Bono says, “Humility is a genuine sense of your place in the universe and understanding that it is OK to play a quiet, supportive role in the lives of others. Greatness as a person comes from not pursuing it.”

If you think about it, what Bono says really ties in with what the Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:5 – “And all of you, serve each other in humility, for ‘God opposes the proud but favors the humble.’” Also, with what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4 — “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

At the same time, I’d been reading the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. I’ve probably read the account well over 30 times and have heard numerous sermons about his life. The one thing that stuck out to me this time around was Joseph’s humility. Joseph is an interesting study. As we read the entire account (Genesis Chapters 37-50) we see that Joseph was a shepherd, a slave, a convict, and finally a ruler…in that order. He was the 2^nd youngest of 12 sons of Jacob. He was his father’s favorite (even though most parents today say they don’t have favorites!) and that didn’t bode well with his other brothers…especially when his father gave him that special multi-colored robe. It says in Genesis 37 that his brothers couldn’t even say a kind word to Joseph. It seems like Joseph was young and naïve without much of a filter. It also seems that God had to purge Joseph of his youthful zeal by allowing the events that followed in his life to bring humility and dependency.

I also sense that Joseph got a life-lesson in pride when he shared his dream with his brothers: “Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” (Genesis 37:6-7) Hmmm…maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to share that with older brothers who didn’t like him that much in the first place! When he shared the dream with them, they obviously weren’t very happy about it! They thought he was saying that he would rule over them. So, they decided first to kill him, but upon further thought, realized it would be better to sell him into slavery. Maybe, just maybe, if Joseph wasn’t so proud to share that dream, and he didn’t learn humility through many trials over many years, his family would have never been blessed the way they were by the end of the story. Truly God’s ways are not our ways.

If we fast-forward Joseph’s story of slavery, imprisonment, false accusations, integrity, positive attitudes, humility, non-vengeful behavior, leadership, dream interpretations, and obedience, we see how he reacts to the way his brothers formerly treated him and how God used it all for the blessings of his family when God raised him up to be the most powerful man in Egypt, save Pharaoh (Genesis 41):

Genesis 50:19-21 — “¹⁹But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? ²⁰You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. ²¹No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.”

Wow…talk about humility!! Through all his years of humiliation and ultimate exaltation, Joseph was able to say to his brothers with all integrity and humility, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

Chuck Swindoll once wrote about greatness and humility, “Greatness is not revealed in one-time grand actions but in daily positive attitudes. If you’re under the impression you are going to be great because of some great action but you harbor wrong attitudes, you’re in for a terrible jolt. Greatness comes from a sweet spirit, humility, forgiveness, and support for fellow human beings.”

One of the things that I learned about humility a long time ago was this: As soon as you realize you’re humble, you’re no longer humble…pride creeps in to make you proud of your humility. Once again, “Greatness as a person comes from not pursuing it.”

Some humbling thoughts…

•  2Samuel 22:28 — “You rescue the humble, but Your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.”

• Proverbs 11:2 — “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

• Proverbs 15:33 — “Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.”

• Luke 14:11 — “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Jesus

• Colossians 3:12 — “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

There are stories after stories in the Bible of how God blesses and restores those who humble themselves before Him. Listen to what God does for those who are humble: He leads, rescues, hears, guides, cares for, supports, crowns with victory, is gracious to, fills with fresh joy, blesses, provides inheritance of the earth, exalts, delivers from enemies, and ultimately enables one to see God!

Brennan Manning once wrote, "What is humility? It is the stark realization and acceptance of the fact that I am totally dependent upon God’s love and mercy. It grows through a stripping away of all self-sufficiency."

Those statements beg a few questions: Am I absolutely, totally, unequivocally, dependent on God’s love and mercy? Do I really understand the depth of His absolute and unconditional love He sacrificially expressed to me on the cross? Do I really believe that His mercy far outweighs and removes all the sin-soaked stains in my life? Are His love and mercies really that simple?! “Simple?” you ask. Yes, they are that simple. Yet so very profound. Oh friend, let those truths soak in!

And what about all my self-sufficiency? Am I really willing to “put on the altar” all the things I am naturally good at in order to allow His power to work in and through me so that my weaknesses shine because only He can get the credit and the glory?! Oh yes. I would much rather be an empty vessel for Him to fill, an empty canvas on which He can paint, a lump of clay that He can mold, or a piece of dirt that He can breathe His life into.

Yes Lord, strip me away from me to total nakedness only to be clothed with the person of Jesus. No matter how cold it gets. No matter how much I try to cover myself. No matter how much I try to draw myself to the wrong fire of desire.

Please God…be patient and let not my self-sufficiency clothe me with garments that will get singed or wear out. Only in my nakedness will I be truly humble. 

Depression Slapped in the Face! PLEASE First Read Sunday July 21 "Game Plan" Blog for Context!

Monday, July 22. Wow…God is faithful! After my rant on Sunday, this is especially powerful. The next day, Monday morning during my time with God, I read the passage below (during my daily Bible reading) from the Gospel of Luke. He knew I needed this! Now this all may sound manic but it’s awesome to me how God’s timing has pinpoint accuracy, especially considering my blog/journal from Sunday. Every day, before I read my Bible, I also read from four different daily devotional books. At the end of this blog, I included from the same date, what Brennan Manning wrote from the collection, “Reflections for Ragamuffins.” My God, who knows me better than anyone else does, heard my heart’s cry. The bedrock of my worry, fear, and depression is lack of faith and trust. As I read the words in Luke I was comforted and convinced that I have nothing to worry about! He will meet all my needs. Again…I’ve known and experienced His supernatural provision for years . So why does it seem the older I get, the more faithless I get? 

I guess I’m learning that I must react differently to each little challenge that comes my way. It’s kind of like each little test is like adding one little pebble to another little pebble that morphs into a seeming insurmountable wall. The challenge really is “one day at a time.” One pebble at a time so it doesn’t even reach the heights of a curb. And to continue with Sunday’s analogy of “game plan”…stay on the field during the game because if the game plan changes, I need to be ready to pounce. One play at a time to victory.

Luke 12:22-34 ²² Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life- whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. ²⁴ Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! ²⁵ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ²⁶ And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? ²⁷" Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ²⁸ And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? ²⁹ "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. ³⁰ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. ³¹ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. ³²" So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. ³³ "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. ³⁴ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

When will I learn?! Worry is a sin because it is a lack of trust in God and putting myself in the driver’s seat. I worry because I’m trusting in me and I know I can never manipulate life and events to go in my favor. Only God can do that as I walk in submission to Him and His will. And I would so much rather Him be driving than me. HE REALLY DOES CARE! His GPS will never lead to a wrong turn.

Brennan Manning, Reflections for Ragamuffins, July 22 -- “Let me  make  a  suggestion.  Each day take a little time to pause and pray, "Jesus, I thank you for everything ." In this simple prayer there is humility, a deep trust in his love, surrender,  and thanksgiving. It glorifies Jesus and pleases the Father. It is a cry of abandonment. Actually, it is nothing more than what Paul asked of the Ephesians in chapter 5, verse 20: "Always and everywhere giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ .” As you pray daily in this way, I believe you will hear the Father say something like this: ‘My child, fan the flame of your confidence in me. Keep it burning . I want you to be happy, to come back again and again to this feeling of trust until you are never without it. Trust is an aspect of love. If you love me and believe in my love for you, you will surrender your whole self into my hands like a little child who doesn't even ask, 'Where are you taking me?' but sets off joyously, hand in hand with his mother. How many blessings this happy confidence wins for you, my little one." 

I have practiced Brennan’s suggestion for two days now and I’m telling you, it’s turning things around. With each moment of stressors or conflict before my mind reacts with mental cussing or complaining, I actually say/think, “Jesus, I thank You for everything.” All a part of renewing the mind and creating a heart of gratitude to the One with limitless Love.

Torn Up Game Plan

Psalm 143:4-8 ⁴ I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. ⁵ I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. ⁶ I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain…⁷ Come quickly, LORD, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don't turn away from me, or I will die. ⁸ Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. 

Yes…I have felt like I have lost all hope, was paralyzed with fear, contemplated on the past, lifted my hands (and heart) in prayer, and thirsted for God. And yet it seems indeed like my depression deepens, my trust wavers, my patience thinned. I feel like I have no direction, no plan, no peace. Oh how I need a sense of His unfailing love. A waterfall of renewal. A submergence of trust. “SHOW me where to walk. I give myself to You.” 

I want God to show me where to walk but so often I feel like I turn off His GPS. I want to walk this journey on my own. Yet deep down I know my need for Him because I get lost so easily. I don’t give myself fully to Him. I give myself conditionally and don’t take up my cross daily to follow Him. I hate that about me. I know He has an awesome plan for me but I can’t see it. Not even glimpses. And that’s when the depression deepens. It’s all about trust. 

Then, a few days later I read this by Brennan Manning:

“Concretely, abandonment to the will of God consists of finding His purpose for you in all the people, events, and circumstances you encounter. If God tears up your beautiful game plan and leads you into a valley instead of onto a mountaintop, it is because He wants you to discover His plan, which is more beautiful than anything you or I could have dreamed up. The response of trust is, “Thank You  Jesus,” even if it is said through clenched teeth.”

God tore down my game plan…the perfect family, successful ministry, financial security. All of it gone. As if almost overnight. This isn’t self-pity (I know that all too well!) It’s just been the reality of my life in the past 6+ years since “Forgiven Ministries” was dissolved. It avalanched after that. It has been a long, hard, stressful road and through it all, I haven’t been very appreciating, so now…I thank you Jesus through clenched teeth and I lift my heart to you as King David did in Psalm 143:10-11 ¹⁰ Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. ¹¹ For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

Being Heavenly Minded in Earthly Battles

For the last 4½ years, I have to admit, I have not been living in the heavenly places the way I know I should have been. And I miss it.  After re-watching “The Apostle” with Robert Duvall a couple of weekends ago, I want, no I need, that constant communication with my God.  Even though he was somewhat of a nut job in the movie…you can sense his battle with the flesh and the Spirit. But on the Spirit side of things, Sonny was portrayed as a man in constant verbal communication with God (especially when no one else was around). I envied that. I used to talk to Jesus like that.

This morning I read the following passage from Ephesians with new eyes. I preached and taught from this passage many times through the years. Paul prays earlier in Ephesians that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened. “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”

Ephesians 6:10-19

¹⁰A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹²For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Being strong in the Lord is so much better than trying to be strong in myself. Because my “self” is so weak. I know that in my weakness is God’s strength.

There were times over the past few years that I was often neglecting to put on my armor on. I was vulnerable and bare-chested before the enemy as he shot fiery arrow after fiery arrow. So many days I felt bloodied and defeated, depressed and fog-like. However, all of those arrows but one missed my heart. You see, through it all, my heart belonged to God. He was protecting it. Something I couldn’t do on my own. The only arrow that pierced my heart was betrayal. And since that happened, God has healed it. I wrote in my journal on March 24, 2009 that, “There really is a fate worse than death…betrayal.  There is nothing worse to penetrate the heart of a man then when the arrow of betrayal strikes it.  Rivers of blood flow impacting and rippling to the far reaches.  It is unfathomable.  It’s beyond empty.  It’s beyond the need to be healed.  It’s beyond any sense of human emotion. How did Jesus feel when He was betrayed by a close friend and confidant of 3 years?”

In my recent spiritual process of decompression and compass bearing, slumber is turning to full consciousness…the spiritual cataracts have scabbed and are falling off. Clarity is taking over and faith is being built up again. Spiritual fervor, praying in the Spirit with consistent communication, verbal gratitude, and even praise are being awakened.

I’m beginning to recapture the truth that my life is a spiritual battlefield. Anyone to whom God is going to use powerfully must first be broken.  I battle in this heavenly realm fully clothed in the spiritual armor God provides.  As I walk in spiritual nakedness it is so easy to get sidetracked, attacked, and lose the battle. But as I trust in Him I realize that I am clothed with His righteousness for the war. He has given me every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). He has seated me with Him far above all rule, power, authority and dominion (Ephesians 1:21; 2:6). I am prepared to defend (the clothing) and attack (the Sword – The Word of God).  Always remembering that no weapon formed against me will prosper and that the battle is the Lord’s.

I choose to live in victory. The arrow of betrayal was gently pulled out by the Master Surgeon and He filled in that hole with a heart of forgiveness providing healing, freedom and unconditional love.

Sinking Like an Ax Head?

Did you ever feel like a sinking hunk of 5 lb. iron in a river of darkness? Doomed to land and sink into the murky seabed? That no one else really cares about the practical side of life to reach out a hand to pull you out of the mire?

And speaking of practical, did you ever borrow anything and lose it and had to explain to the lender that you lost it, even if it wasn’t your fault? Who can help you? Does God really care about things that seem so trivial?

Well, God does care. In the book of 2Kings Elisha was informed by a bunch of prophets that they need a bigger place to meet. So they all went down by the Jordan River because that was a good place to procure and cut logs. So Elisha went with them and they started cutting down trees. Then something interesting occurred:

2 Kings 6:4-7

 “When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees. But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. "Oh, sir!" he cried. "It was a borrowed ax!" "Where did it fall?" the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface.  "Grab it," Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it.”

This passage really struck me on Friday morning.

Allow God to even use someone to “throw a stick in the water” to bring you up out of the seabed  (requires humility) and never question the method (seemed kind of silly to throw a stick in the water!).

Sometimes I feel like the ax head, sometimes I feel like the borrower.  The beautiful thing is that not only is God the God of the supernatural, He is the God of the practical.