Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Offended

Luke 17.1 It is impossible that no offenses should come.  


Satan, you are the enemy of my soul, and I refuse to allow you to ensnare me in your hidden and baited trap of offense against my brothers and sisters in Christ.     ( declaration, pg. 3 of The Bait of Satan by John Bevere)


But what happens when it does happen?

You get offended -- by someone you are trying to help, by someone you are trying to love, by  someone who knows exactly HOW to hit the right buttons within your heart and head.  

David stated in Psalm 55: 12-14 -- "for it  is not an enemy who reproaches me: then I could bear it.  Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me: then I could hide from him.  But it was you, a man of my equal, my companion and my acquaintance.  We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng."   


Offended -- by the one we are trying to help.
Offended -- by the one we sing along side of.
Offended -- by the one we spend holidays with.
Offended -- by the one we grew up with.
Offended -- by the one we sleep next too.

Offended.

One way the enemy keeps a person in an offended state is to keep the offense hidden, cloaked with pride.  Pride will keep you from admitting your true condition.

Pride will keep you from dealing with the truth.

Pride distorts your vision.   The enemy will use your pride to destroy you.

Pride won't let you change what you think - and you will never change because you think everything is fine.

Pride hardens your heart and dims the eyes of your understanding.

Pride causes you to view yourself as a victim.  Your attitude becomes "I was mistreated and  misjudges, therefore, I am justified in my behavior." 

Pride will kill you -- maybe not literally, but a prideful heart won't see the eternal life with Jesus  -- there is  scripture to support that.

There is plenty of scripture that reminds us to forgive and not hold onto bitterness and unforgiveness.

Today was another example of how our world is not 'ours'.  On every news channel, there was commentary and comments about Matt Lauer and what transpired today.  He was fired.  Sexual misconduct.

Sin is always revealed.  I see it so often and I think I see it because I was THERE for almost twenty years -- trying to cover up...trying to justify....trying to explain to God why I was "ok" and others were not.

What God allowed in my life -- to OPEN the prideful eyes I had ..... hurt and it was  a very hard lesson to learn.

When I think of that period -- of  those ugly years -- when,  realizing  pride was my god ---I get very remorseful, because I never want to go back there  and  I become grateful,  that  it is in my past.

Praise God.  He showed me mercy -- so I must extend that to others, especially those lost around me.

However,  when something comes AT you like an attack - my flesh wants to FIGHT it back.
I FIGHT in words and then prayer.  God is teaching me to FIGHT first in prayer and speak WHEN HE says -- 'go  -- share'.  I am not perfect, but......  I do believe I am getting quicker to PRAY first!

Mercy and grace needs to be extended to those that hurt us.  Prayers need to be said to the one that was the victim, but that one must eventually forgive and move forward as well.

People need to place their trust in the one man WHO will not lie or disappoint -- Jesus.  People will fail us.  Period.


Today, along with the news of Matt Laurer, I had a mammogram.  It is never really "fun" to be squished into a machine and be told to hold your breath as it hurts so she can get that perfect image.  But -- I do it once a year -- to prevent other stuff.

That simple procedure -- to help prevent cancer.

Why are husbands not doing the simple procedure of covering their family and their wives with the blood of Jesus in their prayers?   

Why are wives allowing the enemy to control and rule their thoughts instead of the simple procedure of leaning on the Word of God to confirm and support their worth?  

Why are parents allowing the world and social media to raise their children instead of setting a standard and a basis of belief so their child can stand up for what is godly and right?  What ever happened to the simple procedure of having some family time devotions?

Why, when a believer has come through the fire and has seen God's hand in a miracle...why does she allow the enemy to come right back in and take back or steal her peace again ... steal her home... steal her authority?  


Why??  

Because we are weak people....
We fail.... 
We can't do this on our own -- The Savior came to save and He sent the Holy Spirit to help us 
...but we must do the simple procedure. 

Not just once a year.

Daily.

We must put ON that full armor of God.
We must dig INTO God's love letter to us and get instruction.
We must TEACH it to our children and hold them accountable.
We must tell the enemy to go to hell and claim victory.

Today, I was told about another couple that is divorcing.  She just decided it was time and she didn't want to be married.  He did not fight it - he felt he couldn't.  I wanted to SCREAM!   In the John and LIsa Bevere Series - "The story of Marriage", they speak about couples and how they don't FIGHT to stay married or fight for the marriage.  Marriage is meant to test us -- it is the one of the ways we learn to be self-less.  It is hard, but some of these husbands and wives are allowing the enemy to win -- way too quickly.  Way too fast....   there is no FIGHT!  And yet, sometimes these very same people will be up at the crack of dawn to FIGHT the crowds and get the BEST deal at Target -- but they won't fight for what is hurting their family.  Sad.  Frustrating.

So -- with that -- I will end with a prayer.  I was deeply offended by some situations recently.   It wasn't just one circumstance but frankly several -- seems like when it rains, it pours.  I had to LAUGH really big as I was watching "This is Us" last night and at one point, Randall said the same thing -- "when it rains, it pours".  After a week of some thinking and praying, I awoke today with a new attitude for those lost ones who offended me and God gave me an insight and a reminder of HOW to act and react.  And then, He confirms it while I watched the first 10 minutes of  Hoda and Kathie Lee on the Today show --

To Quote Kathie Lee, "Only God can heal this - ONLY He can!".

She is right.  The bottom line, the one doing the offending needs Jesus --and the one who is getting the brunt end of the offense -- needs Jesus too!   As only understanding the blood of Jesus and what He did on that Cross -- can make it right and heal the whatever.  God will win.  Period.


Lord -- I refuse to be trapped when the enemy's bait of offense tries to ensnare me in its grip by filling my heart with bitterness, jealousy, or envy -- but especially anger.   Your Word says in Luke 17 that -- the enemy will try - but, we, I can stand against it!    

Holy Spirit, destroy every shred of pride in my life, and do not allow it to keep me from being healed, set free, and filled with Your Power.  I am committed to helping unbelievers who have been blinded by the enemy to behold Jesus through my Christlike love for them.... namely -- her!  

Holy Spirit, be my teacher and my counselor so that Your revealed Word will continue to bring great liberty to my life and this blog ministry -- and the ministry You have placed into my hands with Women's Encounters.  

Father, I want to continue to always grow into a more intimate relationship with You -- expose the areas of my life that hinder me from being Christlike and cause my life to reflect the character of my precious Savior  and Lord.  

And Lord,  You know who did what this past month -- so help me to move from the anger to a place of unconditional love - period.  Lord, help me to avoid division by again, giving me that supernatural Christlike love for another .  

Holy Spirit, anoint my eyes with eye salve that I may see my true heart condition, and be kept from deception through unforgiveness, anger, envy and resentment -- but also -- help me see this in others and USE me to help share Your love.  As I know -- You love them as much as You love me and want them in Your eternal Kingdom as well...IN Jesus's Holy and Strong Name -- AMEN! 



Thursday, November 23, 2017

It is impossible to be 'a little blessed'!!

In walking through this funk, I have gravitated towards my journals and read and reread stuff that has reminded me what God has done.

It is impossible to be a 'little blessed'.

Beth was speaking at a LPL event and she used the acronym of the word Blessed:

B  Bountifully
L  Loved
E  Extravagantly
S  Saved 
S  I am Supplied
E  I am Empowered
D  and Delivered

 When one really understands and realizes that she is indeed bountifully loved, extravagantly saved, supplied, empowered, and delivered -- so much changes.  

I know this - and yet, the enemy won't let up - he hates me.  He hates you.  As  I was speaking to God, and praying yesterday He reminded me of many woman around me needing this knowledge.  He also had me pray in such a way -- well...

I will share.  Maybe this is you.  Maybe this is person in your circle of influence.  Maybe this is a dear child of yours -- but as I pondered over the 'd' words....  that I referenced in my last blog -- I prayed.  

If this touches you -- please let me know.  If you feel led to share it with another - please do.  Sometimes  God can speak so clearly to a lost one - right though the computer!  

Thanks.  






Dear Beloved,  you are so discouraged right now.  It has been so long...so long to hear a kind word, to feel his affection, and even to know that hope is coming.  I want you to know -- God is faithful and He has not forgotten nor neglected you.  He has never left.    Lord, I pray because of Your great love she is not consumed by this -- for Your compassion never fails.  Lord, he is failing her right now -- but You won't.  Lord, be her portion, and help her continue to wait on You and him.  Lord, You are good to those whose hope is in You -- to the one who seeks You -- she does.  Lord, help her to move past this discouragement....In Jesus name.  Amen. 

Dear Beloved, your actions have caused division.  You seem so bitter and hopeless as it seems you have lost your first love....Jesus wants to hold you and remind you that He has already paid the price.  The hurts from your past, the hurts from your young life -- can't compare to the joy and wonderment He has for you -- but only YOU can change this..... It's Your choice.  It seems you walk in the midst of trouble and yet - He has preserved your life.  God will stretch His hand out against your foes and His right hand will save  you -- however, YOU have to extend it out and grab it.  Dear Beloved, I wish I could do this for you -- but I can't and I will continue to believe that soon -- one day you will realize HOW loved you are.  I pray you won't have to loose what you are dividing....to find the unshakable God -- is RIGHT there for you as well...In Jesus name.   

Dear Beloved, you doubt.  You doubt God can hear you - You doubt your prayers are heard and You doubt  You are good enough to experience it.  Lord, I pray you will SEE that YOU are indeed worth the price Jesus paid - He went to the cross for you.  He went there - for you.  He knows your sins and He knows what You have done and what you will do and yet -- He still choose YOU to die for.  Please don't put Him back up on that cross.  Accept by  faith, His grace....the forgiveness -- He freely extended  to  YOU....  walk in that forgiveness and be like the woman caught in adultery -- "go and sin no more".  Go and guard that marriage.  Go and guard that child -- remove the temptations.  Walk away -- walk away from the one who has that listening ear right now -- choose Your marriage and guard it.   You can do this -- You can be free of past sins, but it will take a daily 'turning' away and I am praying His strength will guide and lead you.  Lord, Psalm 119 says, "it was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees"....Lord, I pray this past of hers will now be a reminder of Your grace and mercy and that she will place her hope now in Your Word and allow it to guide her into this season of resisting the devil .....as then he will flee, In Jesus name.  

Dear Beloved, your discontentment reminds me of a spoiled child.  When my children were little and discontentment sprang up, I was quick to find the root cause.  I pray you will FIND the root cause and realize....that indeed --- this is  a tactic of the enemy's to remind you that perhaps....God has forgotten you or that God is denying you of something better and bigger.  My husband reminds me that when we complain -- it is like saying Jesus needs to go back to that Cross and do it again -- Jesus already paid the price for ALL sin.... being discontented is a ploy of the enemy to keep us in bondage.  So, Lord, I come to you and pray from Psalm 51.... Lord, YOU desire the inner most truth to be felt and heard in my most inner parts and You Lord teach me wisdom.... So please expose to the one reading this....to the one going to read this...or to me....  please expose to me the deeply embedded lies I have believed and replace them with permanently engraved truth.  In Jesus name.  

Dear Beloved distractions come to distract.  You seem to be set on getting that right job or finishing the last class and you have forgotten that the enemy is distracting you from Your purpose.  Lord, I pray for those that are being distracted -- distracted to think that living together is ok for now....as marriage may be in the future.  ---distracted to think that compared to others, they are pretty good in Your sight as they are not  committing murder or doing any major sin and yet they have allowed the distraction of the world to take Your place in their hearts.  ---distracted to think they are generous and yet they rob   You Lord of the tithe you commanded.  ----and distracted to think they still have time...time to sin for a season as You will provide the grace and mercy to be saved when the time comes.   Lord God I pray for all those around -- those who have allowed the lies of the enemy to distract them....especially when they DO KNOW Your Word and think "it will be ok".  God, awake them....God, show them... may they OPEN Your Word and repent....In Jesus name.  

Dear Beloved, you are deceived.  If you believe it is your place to bring revenge to another  -- you are deceived.  If you believe a new man or woman is the answer -- you are deceived.  If you believe that playing house is ok because it is accepted now in our society  -- you are deceived.  If you believe that silence or ignoring what is happening in front of your eyes is the best option -- you are deceived.  If you believe you can seek God on a pod cast and don't need to be a part of the body of Christ -- you are deceived.  If  you believe you can live without prayer -- you are deceived.  If you believe you can live with the unforgiveness because it is justified -- you are deceived.  If you believe you can ignore the calling on your life - you are deceived.  If you believe you are without sin -- you are deceived.  If you unsure about your eternal home -- you are deceived.  If you don't have a relationship with Jesus -- you are deceived.  

 
Lord, you know how each prayer for each "d" word came about and You know my heart and the women and men that I could tag in this -- but, it is because of Your Grace and Your Mercy that I don't.  Goodness Lord -- You know I want them to avoid the pit of sin and the hardships when choices are not in alignment with Your Word -- but give me grace to wait on You being their Holy Spirit.     Lord, please use this blog as a reminder to all prayer warriors that we must not shrink back or let our own guard down -- that we put on the FULL Armor of You and walk in the freedom that we have been delivered in.  Lord, may everyone reading this - love and adore you that they have such an eternal peace as they read and pray with me for those that are discouraged, divided, doubting, discontented, distracted, and deceived.  Lord, that one may come to know you in a more personal way by just reading this -- USE this blog for YOUR glory and I submit it to You.  I believe You are moving me out of this Writer's Block -- into a new season.  A season where I trust You EVEN more....I am not fearful Lord, just wanting to always be in the apple of Your eye and doing Your Will..... Help me discern Lord, Fill me to overflowing -- 

I know I need more of Your love for the unloved and the hurting.  I know I need more of You to extend to others.  I know that can only come supernaturally - so I have asked and will receive.  Use me Lord -- IN JESUS name....Amen.   

And Lord -- thank you -- that I live with  one that indeed knows he is blessed as well -- Lord help us to be that light and show how blessed we are to others -- may they want what You have blessed us with.  God.... that we walk in the delivered freedom you died for.  IJN 

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

God Wins!

Does He?       


YES!  

Isaiah 25:1 NIV says:  Lord, you are my god: I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.  

I have not blogged in almost 30 days.   If you watch or read my posts -- for almost 2 months now, I have written a new blog -- one that focuses on my grand-daughter.  That was a clever disguise for my "Writer's Block".   And if you look closely, I re-posted several blogs as well -- again, covering my Writer's Block.

  I would like to tell you that I was fasting blogging, or that God had me in a super QUIET time with Him -- but confession is what I must type.

I have been in a funk.

I have been flat..... frustrated and yet, discouraged.   And yet -- needing rest and a fresh move of God.  I have seen God all around me and He reminds me---He has not left -- I have. 

 Or..did I?

  yes.... it 'feels' I did.   


In the past month, I have questioned WHY I am in this funk.  There is a LONG list.  I have analyzed it, confessed it, and sought counsel and yet.....still....a funk. 

Hormones.
Lack of energy.
Too much on my to do list.
Stupid people.
Hormones. 
Prayers that seemed to go unanswered.
Time Hop reminders of some stuff.
Too busy. 
Life.
Work.
Changes.
Hormones.
Life.
Hurts.
Lack of sleep.
Too much sleep.
Business.
Stuff.
Guilt.


I was able to see the ROCKS cry out-- lots of times in the past few months -- and sing His praises and yet....I still remained in a funk.    I will admit -- I am still there -- some could label it depression.  Others could say, "pity party".  And yet, others will remind me -- it is Spiritual Warfare.  What I know, is that it is a place that feels uncertain and yet I know that I know -- God is trying to move to something or do something.  Or....it is a season of such spiritual warfare and my flesh just won't 'feel' better until I SEE something! 


My husband keeps me in reality and reminds me -- it is the enemy.   Praise GOD for that -- THAT is a miracle in itself!  And I know it is.   

 Sunday, I sought out a precious sister in Christ that I submit to and just let her speak over me and pray.     That helped! 

In all of that -- if this makes any sense -- I believe I was just frustrated, as at times, I believe the Lord has me doing something and I expected some different answers and then it did not happen.  And then again -- I am believing the Lord is just calling me DEEPER to trust Him -- even when I can't SEE the mountain moving. 

Deep calls to deep. 

There I said it -- I don't feel pretty deep right now and so therefore, I do think the Lord is a bit distant and yet -- THAT is such a lie from the enemy. 

There, I can say that!  The enemy lies -- but to LIVE in that knowledge....that is where it  gets hard. 

It gets hard when I see this season and yet...I want to be obedient.

 In the past six months, He, God,  has asked me to do some "things".  I have been obedient in about 1/2 of them.  And the enemy uses that info to remind me that I am less than perfect.  I failed.  And thus....a crack in the armor happens and the funk sets in and ......continues. 

But the enemy will do anything and everything to distract -- in fact on Sunday, through a guest preacher, God reminded me...

The enemy -- brings discouragement, division, doubt, discontentment, distractions, and deception! 

So, with that -- I am blogging today.  I am being obedient -- being transparent.  I don't feel like the Lord is writing this -- I feel like it is a confession.  But -- I do believe the Lord will USE this for His Glory. 

I can't be the only warrior for Christ that gets into a funk. 

I have claimed victory over my "list".  I have made a few doctor's appointments to address the hormones.  And....  today, I blogged - in obedience.  Being transparent. 


Lord, this blog is me being honest and as You know I prayed today -- I want this season to be for YOUR glory, but I want to know its purpose.  But...I will trust that I don't HAVE to know its purpose.  Protect me Lord,  you know the secret places that need Your touch and You know how the Holy Spirit lives in me.  God, as your Word says - You have planned wonderful things for me -- long ago.  I will trust that YOU made me for THIS time...for  Your purpose and that You will use me -- IN Jesus name.  Amen!