Deepening my relationship with the Lord through prayer.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
A word for me today - Counterfeit
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.My heart is very tender. Although most of the time I have great joy in what God is teaching me about a Godly relationship, there is a small part of me that still flinches from a recent hurt. Actually, if I allowed myself to think of the severity of the blow dealt I am very sure I'd be deeply entrenched in sorrow. But, I am more confident in who I am now then I used to be and if the blow was meant to cripple me it hasn't. Neither the power of a spiritual enemy or the bitterness of a man's heart or both has prevented God from strengthening me even more.
God has allowed me to feel the value of who I am and revealed the importance of having a good and tender heart. My feelings are genuine and I refuse to hide them, deny them, or be ashamed of them. I'm emboldened actually because the Lord has filled me with His love and peace.
The word counterfeit has played in my head today because I question my wisdom and ask for God's discernment in navigating my feelings. A great way to be deceived when you have a tender heart is to insist on looking past the fault or shortcomings of the person you think you love. What a person perceives as real gives them hope but when they seek the truth they sometimes find deception. Our spiritual enemy is a master at counterfeiting. We allow the enemy to use us to debase and devalue the act of loving or the counterfeit act which revealed is simply the spirit of lust.
How sad and how it must grieve the Lord's heart to see his children misuse love and intimacy. I've never had a truly deep, Godly relationship with a man and I am sad for not knowing the unbridled joy God intended for me to have instead of a counterfeit of His intentions.
God's love is real and I am thankful for the safety and shelter it has provided for me. I praise Him for His mercy and love and for my tender heart.
Thinking about Lazarus
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
I sometimes look at things from different angles when I work in the barn and I talk to God. Today while going about doing my various chores I thought about the changes in my heart recently that God has brought about. I thought about how He can change a person's heart and how we pray for a loved one's heart thinking it will take years or it may futile to pray for them at all.
I had a picture come to mind and it was of Jesus bringing forth Lazarus from the grave. When we think of death in the physical sense it is of a decomposing body, rot, and odor (prior to the embalming). A dead body is something obviously you would want to avoid touching or coming into contact with at all. I kind of think that is what happens to a person when they are deep in sin. The person's spirit and soul begin to break down and decompose until it becomes very undesirable to the living persons around them.
What I just described is really morbid and depressing to be sure but then the Lord reminded me of Lazarus. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and brought him forth. This particular story for me is very encouraging because the Lord can and will deliver hearts from sin. It isn't hopeless to pray for someone no matter how deeply they are entangled in sin. They may be spiritually dead and their heart may be like stone but I don't put my faith in the person but in the Lord and He can do all things.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Despair? Look to God's goodness
I've been touched very deeply in my heart recently by several things God is doing for us. He is working through people around us. It is interesting that when you feel like you haven't a friend in the world, when things seem really dark and you pray half hearted, you stay in that emotional place and sometimes the feelings get worse. I spent a few years in despair not really understanding how close God really is to me and how much He cares and wants to help.
Things right now are awesome and at the same time difficult but I don't feel low or down in the depths of despair. I am able to rejoice in my heart because I am happy. I pray and talk to the Lord and try my best to lay the hard stuff on Him and just turn it over to Him (this takes practice). The rest of the time I am surrounded by His creation and the people He sends into my life. The strangest needs are being met like a neighbor who is moving dirt soon and has decided to fill the whole beside the house for me. I didn't ask him to do this and he knows I have no money but he sees the need and is determined to do it. The most interesting part about these random kindnesses is the people are genuine, they are not looking for something in return or to boast.
One of the best parts about my job and jobs in the past is being able to be of service to others. My heart is made so that I am the happiest when I can do something to help out. I am a nurturer by nature. I don't have to have something in return for what I do. The Lord puts things in my heart and I try to do what He asks for someone. I am not perfect of course I still have to battle the negative feelings everyone else does so I'm not bragging here but I am at my best when I am trying to do something for a person or an animal.
The point of all this writing is through believers and non-believers all things come from God. He gives prosperity to us to do His work by sharing it and spreading it around. He speaks to people's hearts and softens them. I am thankful for neighbors, friends and caring family but I thank God for the goodness He instills in people and his creatures. All things come from Him and He so desires our love in return.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
God does speak
Hearing from the Lord? Yes, hearing. I have had prayer or conversations with God since I was a child. I do this because my grandfather made me feel very comfortable about sharing my thoughts with God. I know he knows them but I tell Him anyway. My grandfather had a spiritual presence around him continually, he had retired from the ministry years before and was my caretaker in his 90's. He had a lot to share.
I have always had prophetic dreams but I ignored them sometimes, I also didn't really understand the Holy Spirit or that God communicated in other ways besides scripture and my dreams. I first heard or had the feeling of knowing that God spoke to me when my mother was dying of cancer. It was a small little thing while I was driving to the hospital and it wasn't even connected to my mother's condition. Yet, I knew where it came from.
Since then, from time to time I have received feeling and thoughts that were from the Lord to guide me. Now I am not always open to these things or my mind may be to cluttered to really tune in on them. but this is a new time in my life. More and more I read about how God speaks and I realize that I can pray, talk, and hear more from God.
I am of course running the risk that people who don't believe that God speaks in different ways to His sheep are going to say that it is just crazy but that's too bad. Read the scriptures, there are many examples in both New and Old Testaments that reference God speaking, that His voice can be heard, and that He desires to have conversations with us.
Christ came so that we could speak and hear from the Lord personally, praying in the name of Jesus. No prophet or intercessor is necessary in order to stand before the Lord and know Him only when we pray, we need to ask forgiveness (I mean for everything known and unknown as far as sin), ask for help to forgive others (this can be a process), and pray in Jesus's name. We need to speak to the Lord and we need to listen and He will answer. It may take time to hear, we might not like the answer but He speaks to us.
Adam? To good not to share.
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being” ; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
I never really hung onto the story of Adam and Eve because as a woman I have always felt that Eve really bore the brunt and the blame for the whole thing.
The Lord has revealed the importance of this story to me from many different sources. One thing that stands out is that Eve was deceived but Adam knew it was against the commandment of the Lord and willingly chose to disobey. That sounds like blame but really the serpent, Eve and Adam were all judged but for their own individual issues.
The Lord has been teaching me through this whole new concept about men and spiritual leadership. Adam should have said no and he should have led Eve and taken up his role of a spiritual leader who seeks out the will of God in his life and the life of his wife and later his children.
Blaming others for your short comings, sins, mistakes or whatever is outside the will of God and never brings healing. Instead, it perpetuates the work of the serpent which is deliberate. Everyone makes mistakes but taking responsibility for our part is the right thing to do and the Bible says so!
I now know that my feelings of desire to be physically close to a man, to be loved, and protected is what God would have me feel as He created me that way. Why then has this part of my life been so difficult? Well, because I never asked God for the man that loves the Lord first and is a spiritual leader a man must be in order to fulfill his part of the relationship.
The Lord is preparing me for just such a man now. I am a good lover, caregiver, and nurturer. I've lived my life mostly very independently and been passionate about the interests and jobs I've pursued. I have my daughter who I love very much. But (and there is always a but) my heart now longs for a companion and a protector, a spiritual leader who will share my life and my relationship with the Lord.
Only when I am with the Adam the Lord will provide will their be true joy in a marriage relationship. Nothing will compare to the promise the Lord has made to men and women who love Him and each other as God would have had them do. I know God is preparing me for a Godly relationship and with each day my heart fills with more joy.
How do I know this is so? Because, my heart is filled with pure love, I do not feel bitter, I am not angry, and I know these things are from the Lord. I know that I love the Lord so much that I don't want a relationship with anyone that I can't share that with or that would cause me to separate from my walk with the Lord. I also know that my joy is from knowing that I will be able to have a partner that will share in my walk with the Lord. How awesome is that!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
For those who don't believe in the Spiritual Realm
A very well respected ministry seems to think differently,
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Righteous Anger
Ephesians 4
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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Kylie is my child and I love her very much and am sad to see her suffer from confusion and rejection. I do not wish her to become a pawn in this disgusting cycle of evil but I know the Lord has promised to see her through life safely and she is under His protection.I believe that God can and will turn evil intent into something that will Glorify Him. Bring on the threats, carry them out. I choose to pray and in doing so releasing the power of the Almighty. Kylie is praying and embracing the Lord more and so there is already a blessing, I have a closer walk now with the Lord and that is another blessing.
When I started this post I was angry and indignant and angry with the person, now I am angry with the sin and the destruction it has caused in so many peoples lives. The same people and the same sins and destruction now as it was when Kylie was a small child, it has been very costly for her. Still, I pray.
Lord heal my broken heart
Isaiah 61
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Something shared with me twice in one day from believers
Roman 6
When we sin and are not saved we live under the curse and judgement according to the law which is really in the spiritual realm. The atonement to God was through the sacrifice of His son Jesus for all sins to remove the curse of the law. In the old testament an unblemished animal was sacrificed to cover the sins of the people temporarily.
When we walk with Jesus, we are no longer under the curse brought on by sin. When we follow the prince of this world and are wicked we are judged and share in the original curse that was pronounced on the devil in the garden of Eden.
14And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
20And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
Set free from sin - Romans 6
Romans 6
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Slaves to Righteousness
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. 19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Monday, March 21, 2011
A servant and His protection
2. (11-17) Promises of prosperity, peace, and protection.
“O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD.
a. To you afflicted one, tossed with tempest and not comforted: God cares about the afflicted one. He cares about the one tossed with tempest. He cares about the one who is not comforted. When someone is in this place - afflicted, tossed, and not comforted - it is easy for them to believe God doesn’t care. But He does, and He gives precious promises to give strength.
b. Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems . . . sapphires . . . rubies . . . crystal: God will lavish riches upon the hurting and afflicted. When someone feels afflicted, tossed, and not comforted, they feel poor, no matter how much money they have in the bank. God promises to make the afflicted truly rich.
c. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children: When we are afflicted, tossed, and not comforted, we feel bad not just for ourselves, but also for our children. God gives precious assurance not only for us, but also quiets our fears for our children.
d. In righteousness you shall be established . . . you shall not fear . . . whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake: God promises those who are afflicted, tossed, and not comforted will find protection and security in Him.
e. The sovereign God - who created the blacksmith, who created the spoiler to destroy - also has the power to protect. He can promise that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Whatever weapon is raised against God’s people is destined to be destroyed itself. God will ultimately even protect His people from criticism; indeed, every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.
i. The LORD will not allow the weapon formed against His servants to prosper. Sometimes this means the LORD takes the weapon out of the hand of the enemy of His servants. Sometimes it means that God allows the weapon to strike, but brings a greater good out of it than the pain of the immediate blow. In allowing this, God will not allow the weapon to prosper, but transforms the violent sword into a trowel for building His kingdom.
ii. The tongue which rises against you can really hurt. “Satan leaves no stone unturned against the Church of God. He uses not simply the hand; but, what is oftener a sharper weapon, the tongue. We can bear a blow, sometimes, but we cannot endure an insult. There is a great power in the tongue. We can rise from a blow which smote us to the ground; but we cannot so easily recover from slander, that lays the character low.” (Spurgeon) Yet, we can trust in the LORD’s triumph. “The more accusers, the more acquittals; the more slander, the more honor; so the enemy may slander us as much as he pleases.” (Spurgeon)
ii. This is not a blanket promise for any churchgoer. The LORD specifically says, this is the heritage of the servants of the LORD. Are you a servant of the LORD? Then you can rest easy in His promised protection. The LORD also says that this is a promise for those whose righteousness is from Me - from the LORD Himself - and not from themselves. When a person understands that their righteousness is really from the LORD, they are much more comfortable in letting the LORD protect their righteousness.
Pray Isaiah 54: In our darkest moments, our most difficult trials....
Pray Isaiah 54: In our darkest moments, our most difficult trials....: "“He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord ..."
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Internal dialogs
I can't stress enough that words have the power to destroy or bless a person. Children develop an internal dialog from the words that come from the most important people in their environment and they internalize what they hear both positive and negative. While writing this, I can a picture a spear that is able to penetrate deeper depending on how sharp (negative) it is when it's being hurled at someone.
Tendencies to praise or criticize transfers from one generation to the next unless something happens to change the pattern. The person's peace or the burden of rejection can be an inheritance we pass to our children. Some examples of what I heard as a child are as follows:
Your parents didn't want you and by the looks of things no one else will either.
Your parents were crazy and whores don't be like them.
If you can't behave I'll take you to your father and leave you and you will never see me again.
What is wrong with you.
Look for all I have done for you and you are so ungrateful, you were pathetic and I saved you.
You were the ugliest baby I've ever seen.
You will never amount to anything.
If abortion would have been legal you wouldn't be here.
Some things I've heard parents say about or to their kids:
He or she isn't the brightest tool in the shed.
He can't accomplish this it's too hard and he or she doesn't know what they are doing.
Let me you'll just break it.
You are just like your mother, father or so and so.
I think I've painted somewhat of a picture that people can relate to here. Internal dialogs start out this way and the record plays inside a person perhaps their whole life. I am sure it wouldn't surprise anyone after reading the above comments that my mind tells me regularly that I don't belong, I am not worthy of love or respect, why am I even here etc.
The distorted internal dialog acts as a thief that steals our peace, happiness, success, and relationships with the Father and with the people around us. Each one of these messages I've asked God to release me from as if they were a link in the chain that has bound my soul. He has answered my prayer and lifted this from me internally and externally. What you ultimately think about yourself can affect how other people see you and you will drag the spirit of hurt and rejection around with you and eventually it will become a self fulfilling prophecy.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Let the Lord remove the thief that steals our thoughts and blessings and allow Him to fill the empty space with His love, approval, and spirit for all to see and to rejoice with you!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
In our darkest moments, our most difficult trials.. Let us praise Him
I've been alone most of my life and been a single parent for most of my daughter's life. I've been abused by family and in relationships. Used poor judgement in many situations and had plenty of financial downfalls. I've lost many loved ones both human and pet.
I've had adventure and committed some pretty bad sins. If I would have known as a child just how many twists and turns my life would take I'd be in utter awe and horror all at the same time!
My story is not as ugly as some and worse than others. Through all of this I've experienced really up moments and really low moments. It's easy to praise Him when we are on the mountain but harder when we descend into a deep valley in life.
I know what it is to be truly angry, hurt deeply to point that I didn't think I could bear it, rejected by the most important people in a person's life, and abandoned to the point almost of death. I know what it feels like to be lost, hungry, and cold. I've been beaten, threatened, cursed and betrayed.
On the flip I've loved deeply and fully, had many special people as friends, excellent jobs, success in many areas of my life. I have a wonderful daughter and many special animals to enjoy. I had the best mentor in my grandfather. I've witnessed miracles in my life and seen the power and love of the Lord.
I can't think of too many moments in my life where I doubted God really, reflecting back the doubt was in my ability. The short falls were my own lack of experience or wisdom. The Lord is patient and a good teacher, He has guided me along steadily, allowing me to learn and grow instead of leaving me in a trap of bitterness and hate.
When our hearts are low or we loose faith the fear begins to engulf us and we begin to sink deeper. When moments like this come it's a good time to praise Him. You won't have time to fear or worry if you are too busy praising Him. Praise is the secret weapon we don't think to use in times of need. I always remember to thank Him when His answer to prayer comes but it takes more gumption to praise Him when all you want to do is lay down and cry your eyes out!
Monday, March 14, 2011
A revelation: Courtship
As I sat through this meeting I wondered why my mother never explained things and ministered to me about the dynamics of relationships before marriage. Why weren't we associated with a church where I might of met a good Christian man in my early life.
The blessing for me now though is to have Kylie front row and center and supported by a Christian peer group. We were privileged to hear from a young couple recently married in the church and they shared their courtship with the congregation at the meeting. What a wonderful story!
The process was slow and the young man went to their parents first. They limited their relationship to first phone calls mainly, later seeing each other in a group, and eventually one day a week together. They vowed not to talk about love or have physical contact at all. They wanted to make sure they would be right for each other for the rest of their lives so the marriage would last.
Since my daughter has been home schooled she has shared many situations she encountered at her old school of boys being in appropriate and even seeing make outs in the halls. I can thank God that she is now home away from these influences and has time to mature while being around young men and women who have given their lives to Christ and whose parents support proper courtship and marriage.
I who have not been holy in my past relationships and have not honored myself, my body, or the Lord has asked for my daughter's forgiveness so she may know that I was wrong and I have pledged to help her do what is right. I'm able to pray that when she becomes a grown women she will have courtship and a wonderful Christian husband and family.
When we live our lives with other things besides our walk with the Father we fall pray to sin and the world and we send our children into the world unprepared and unprotected. When we make our job, our passions and hobbies, other people a priority over our relationship with the Lord we abandon our duties as parents. There isn't enough money, horses, pets, material items or anything of this world that should be aloud to stand between me, the Lord, and the welfare of my child and her future.
A generational curse was at work in my life and her fathers. Thank you Jesus for helping me see this and ask for deliverance. You Lord, have not left me in my sins but delivered me and shown us the way. Kylie is blessed by having You as her father to lead her and guide her. Thank you for the joy You have given me in the security of knowing my child is in Your hands and safe.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children: When we are afflicted, tossed, and not comforted, we feel bad not just for ourselves, but also for our children. God gives precious assurance not only for us, but also quiets our fears for our children. Isaiah 54:13
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Lying should be taken seriously
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16)
The problem with lying is that when we lie we form an agreement with satan and give him permission to attack us and use us for his benefit.
Lying because words have power become truth to the lier and the person who was told the lie. The Lord is Light and does things in the open. Evil covers it's deeds in darkness and hides them in the blanket of lies.
Lies soothes the conscience and hinders the persons spirit till they no longer feel the conviction of sin.
Lies lead to the shedding of innocent blood and the suffering of the innocent person.
Lies route consequences so that the liar does not benefit from the immediate consequences of sin that would cause that person to repent and stop the sin.
Lies lead the person to sin more because they have rewarded themselves by accomplishing sin without immediate consequences and instead they receive immediate satisfaction.
Lies hurt the lier as much as the innocent person involved. The lier will reap the results of lies which are evil and the good they supposed will turn on them. I believe lies separate people from God because they are tricked into believing their own lies and distort God's blessings and messages. The ultimate punishment is to be separated from God. Every lie that is told is a step further away from Him until the liar is unable to see the path back to Him.
Take lying seriously, ask for forgiveness and pray for the truth to be revealed to you.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Pray Isaiah 54: Prayer for all
Pray Isaiah 54: Prayer for all: "The Lord has laid it upon my heart to pray for Dave and his current wife Chris and the four children he has and also for his other ex-wife B..."
Generational Curses and Blessings
c. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children: When we are afflicted, tossed, and not comforted, we feel bad not just for ourselves, but also for our children. God gives precious assurance not only for us, but also quiets our fears for our children.
It sounds very cold to say this but if it is wrong and wicked you can bet someone and most likely one of my parents have done it.
I was sort of lifted up out of this wicked family and placed into a home where there was a strong spirit for the Lord. My adopted grandfather sat with me everyday that I can remember while he was living and taught me Bible stories and scriptures. I believe he passed his mantle to me and groomed me as a child to someday serve the Lord in Spiritual Warfare.
My adopted mother although saved did not have the same spirit and unknowingly hurt me in ways in the spirit. I was raised with out a normal father mother relationship and grew up searching to fill that void.
Many women can relate to this story I am sure. I searched and had relationships and marriages but nothing real. I met Kylie's dad who I thought to be "the one" had a relationship, a child, a marriage.
This person had also had many relationships, marriages and other children before Kylie. I have often wondered why he got involved with me but I think I understand better now and also I have learned more about ungodly relationships.
My biggest concern about this relationship was the safety and wellbeing of my daughter. Because of my own broken family and heart I didn't want her to have the same outcome and in spiritual language not the same generational curses as both myself and her father have had in our families.
We were tormented by many cruel acts by being in an ungodly relationship till she turned three and half. My mother died of cancer and her father dropped out of our lives.
The above verse and the entire chapter was given to me from the Lord through these trying times. Verse 13 was especially given after my mother passed as an inheritance to me and then to Kylie.
Last night, this promise was fulfilled. Kylie and I studied the scripture and she prayed. She previously said she had tried praying and didn't feel she got an answer. Kylie shared with me this morning that she prayed last night and ask God to forgive her sins and asked her to be able to forgive her father for hurting her and prayed for him and her horse Aubrey (she's afraid in her father's anger he will take the horse).
Kylie received an answer from God. She had a dream much as I do when the Lord either reveals something or warns me of something. The dream simply interpreted was a message that God would teach her and the teacher in the dream sent a note home with her for me not to worry He would bring her home safely each evening.
I then shared the above chapter with her and the interpretation I recently posted. Together we worked through the recent dreams we have both been given. She had received other dreams but I didn't realize the messages.
To all mothers who fear for their children spiritually, take time to study this verse because it is a promise and a blessing. It's strength binds generational curses and will set your children free and put your heart at ease. Guard against the sin of the parents that visit the 3rd and 4th generation.
Now we must continue to pray as one of the first post in this blog, for all to receive this promise and to be healed and released from bondage to be able to come before the Father in Jesus's name and claim the relationship and be reunited with God the Father.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Lord as a Husband!
Again, I am amazed and now humbled and brought to tears. This year starting a business and completely letting go of the security of a good job, my retirement funds and more we have moment when financially things can be a challenge. The grocery department can be tough when you have other priorities to feed the animals in the barn etc.
Needless to say, meat has been a challenge. The Lord has promised to provide for us as a husband and through people who have no idea of our need He has done so. I am thankful for these provisions! Thank you Lord, to Your glory.
Needless to say, meat has been a challenge. The Lord has promised to provide for us as a husband and through people who have no idea of our need He has done so. I am thankful for these provisions! Thank you Lord, to Your glory.
Completely Amazed!
I was awoken in the middle of a dream at 1:30 last night. Two things were clearly revealed to me that I had missed in a conversation with someone who is tied up in all of this ungodly spiritual activity. The issues both were important keys to many years of strongholds.
It helps to know these things when praying because it is difficult to discern what is the Lord's will and what is my own feelings in the matter. God is all about truth and seeing the truth is difficult when it is distorted by the master of lies. Even people who lie believe what they say is truth because the are being influenced to think so by others or spiritual powers. I recently read that lying creates a soul tie to satan which is incredible to me and scary at the same time. It is entering into agreement with satan. It gives him legal rights to enter into the situation and dominate it and even the person themselves. Logically, that seems to true since one lie is the foundation of many and you are then brought into deeper lies to cover the first one. Before you know it the entire situation or issue is based on lies. Lies hurt and hinder the Kingdom of God.
As I write this I know it all sounds crazy unless you a Believer in such things. What can I say? I can't deny what I see and what I have experienced. Since I have been a small child I can remember my sensitivity to such things. It is amazing to me that I was groomed by my Grandfather Phillips in these spiritual matters from very in my childhood. I didn't understand what was happening then or the importance but now that I have chosen or been led to act on what has been revealed to me I understand the significance.
I hope the Lord sees fit to let me serve Him to help other woman. It seems if I would have understood more about the spiritual realm I would have avoided some really hurtful times. But, here I am and I'm armed with a new arsenal of knowledge from the Lord and I thank Him and Praise Him.
It helps to know these things when praying because it is difficult to discern what is the Lord's will and what is my own feelings in the matter. God is all about truth and seeing the truth is difficult when it is distorted by the master of lies. Even people who lie believe what they say is truth because the are being influenced to think so by others or spiritual powers. I recently read that lying creates a soul tie to satan which is incredible to me and scary at the same time. It is entering into agreement with satan. It gives him legal rights to enter into the situation and dominate it and even the person themselves. Logically, that seems to true since one lie is the foundation of many and you are then brought into deeper lies to cover the first one. Before you know it the entire situation or issue is based on lies. Lies hurt and hinder the Kingdom of God.
As I write this I know it all sounds crazy unless you a Believer in such things. What can I say? I can't deny what I see and what I have experienced. Since I have been a small child I can remember my sensitivity to such things. It is amazing to me that I was groomed by my Grandfather Phillips in these spiritual matters from very in my childhood. I didn't understand what was happening then or the importance but now that I have chosen or been led to act on what has been revealed to me I understand the significance.
I hope the Lord sees fit to let me serve Him to help other woman. It seems if I would have understood more about the spiritual realm I would have avoided some really hurtful times. But, here I am and I'm armed with a new arsenal of knowledge from the Lord and I thank Him and Praise Him.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
A big day in prayer and guidance
Today I was really pressured to call my friend Diane. She invited us to her church and also affirmed some of the things going on here in the spiritual realm. She is adding us to her churches prayer list and personally praying for our family. This person is a strong woman of faith and I feel really good to have talk with her and to have prayed with her.
I got a great podcast message today about it being a day of prayer and answers. Also, I spoke with my dear friend Betty about intercessory prayer and was encouraged to maybe volunteer some time to help her in her works.
Betty warned me I would come under attack if I were involved in intercessory prayer and I know that it is truly possible. Still, I have to follow where I'm led.
Still praying for Kylie's dad and the entire family and will continue to do so.
I got a great podcast message today about it being a day of prayer and answers. Also, I spoke with my dear friend Betty about intercessory prayer and was encouraged to maybe volunteer some time to help her in her works.
Betty warned me I would come under attack if I were involved in intercessory prayer and I know that it is truly possible. Still, I have to follow where I'm led.
Still praying for Kylie's dad and the entire family and will continue to do so.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Today's challenges
I enjoyed praying today and many truths are coming to me to further free me. Today was not so much walking in the spirit though. More low key I guess is good. I had some anxiety but tried to stay focused. My work day was very successful.
I am still very excited about growing closer to the Lord. I'm glad things got stirred up because I know He is working on me and to my benefit.
I am still very excited about growing closer to the Lord. I'm glad things got stirred up because I know He is working on me and to my benefit.
Monday, March 7, 2011
I claim this
PLEADING THE BLOOD OF JESUS
Say this prayer in the morning before you leave your house.
Father, I come in the name of Jesus to plead His blood on my life and all that belongs to me, and on all that over which You have made me steward.
I plead the blood of Jesus on the portals of my mind, my body ( the temple of the Holy Spirit), my emotions and my will. I believe that I am protected by the blood of the Lamb that gives me access to the Holy of Holies.
I plead the blood on my children, my grandchildren, and their children, and all those whom You have given me in this life.
Lord, You have said that the life of the flesh is in the blood. Thank You for this blood that has cleansed me from sin, and sealed the New Covenant of which I am partaker. In Jesus' Name
I must not forget
I confess and believe that my children are disciples taught of the Lord and obedient to God's will. Great is the peace and undisturbed composure of my children--because God himself contends with that which contends with me and my children, and He gives them safety and eases them. God will perfect that which concerns me.
This scripture was given to me when I was pregnant with Kylie
Isaiah 54 - The Restoration of Israel, the Wife of the LORD
“Try and suck all the sweetness that you can out of this chapter while we read it. The personal application of a promise to the heart by the Holy Spirit is that which is wanted. The honey in Jonathan’s wood never enlightened his eyes until he dipped the point of his rod into it and tasted it. Try and do the same. This chapter is the wood wherein every bough doth drip with virgin honey. Sip: taste, and be satisfied.” (Spurgeon)
A. The LORD speaks to Israel as His wife.
1. (1-3) Israel will be restored like a barren woman who bears many children.
“Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,” says the LORD. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.”
a. Sing, O barren, you who have not borne: In ancient Israel, the barren woman carried an enormous load of shame and disgrace. Here, the LORD likens captive Israel to abarren woman who can now sing - because now more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman.
i. The Babylonian exile and captivity meant more than oppression for Israel; it meant shame, disgrace, and humiliation. God promises a glorious release from not only the exile and captivity, but also from the shame, disgrace, and humiliation.
ii. This passage is quoted by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 4:27, in reference to the miraculous “birth” of those under the New Covenant. Paul also probably intended the phrase more are the children to also indicate that the children of the New Covenant would outnumber the children of the Old Covenant.
b. Enlarge the place of your tent: The curse and shame of barrenness would be so completely broken, and Israel would be so fruitful, that they would have to expand their living space. This would be of particular comfort to the returning Babylonian exiles, who felt themselves small in number and weak. This promise would strengthen them.
2. (4-6) Israel will be restored like a widow who is rescued from her reproach.
“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. For the LORD has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused,” says your God.
a. And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore: Just as God compared the disgrace of Israel to the shame of barrenness, now He compares their humiliation to the reproach of widowhood. Here, the LORD promises rescue from Israel’s shame.
i. “Shame . . . disgrace . . . humiliated represent three synonymous Hebrew verbs sharing the fundamental idea of disappointed hopes, the embarrassment of expecting - even publicly announcing - one thing and then reaping another.” (Motyer)
b. For your Maker is your husband: Though Israel might have been regarded as forsaken as a widow, the LORD promises to stand in the place of her husband.
i. Through the centuries, many a hurting woman has taken this promise for herself. Forsaken by a husband, or forsaken of a husband, they have found beautiful comfort in the promise that God would be a husband to them, when all others forsook them. The principle is true; God will supply and meet our emotional needs, and rescue us from our disgrace and shame, when others forsaken us.
c. The LORD of hosts is His name: To comfort and strengthen His people, God reminds them of how glorious of a Savior He is. He is their Maker, He is the LORD of hosts, He is their Redeemer, He is the Holy One of Israel, and He is called the God of the whole earth. Not only does God supply a husband, but a great one - Himself!
i. The promise that the LORD will meet our needs when others forsake us does not leave us to a place of “second best.” The LORD God can be a greater husband than any man can be. This is something for every single woman to remember; and something no married woman should forget. An earthly husband can never fulfill every need that the great Heavenly Husband can.
3. (7-8) God explains His restoration of Israel.
“For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.
a. For a mere moment I have forsaken you: God never really forsook Israel; yet He recognizes that they felt forsaken. God says, “for a mere moment I allowed you to feel that Ihave forsaken you.”
b. But with great mercies I will gather you: The forsaken is in the present tense; the great mercies are in the future tense. But they are real, and give Israel cause to set their hope and trust in the LORD, though they feel forsaken at the moment.
c. I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you: The contrast is between the moment of feeling forsaken and theeverlasting nature of the kindness that will come. When we feel tried and forsaken, we should recognize that it is just for a moment, and the everlasting blessing will certainly come.
B. Comfort and assurance to restored Israel.
1. (9-10) A promise to never forsake Israel.
“For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says theLORD, who has mercy on you.
a. For this is like the waters of Noah to Me: Just as God promised that the flood waters of Noah’s day would not cover the earth forever, so will His anger recede from Israel.
b. For the mountains shall depart . . . but My kindness shall not depart from you: Flood waters recede, and mountains do not. But even if the mountains shall depart, even if the hills be removed, the kindness of the LORD to His people will never depart. The kindness of the LORD is more certain than the mountains and the hills, and Hiscovenant of peace is more sure.
2. (11-17) Promises of prosperity, peace, and protection.
“O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD.
a. To you afflicted one, tossed with tempest and not comforted: God cares about the afflicted one. He cares about the one tossed with tempest. He cares about the one who is not comforted. When someone is in this place - afflicted, tossed, and not comforted - it is easy for them to believe God doesn’t care. But He does, and He gives precious promises to give strength.
b. Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems . . . sapphires . . . rubies . . . crystal: God will lavish riches upon the hurting and afflicted. When someone feels afflicted, tossed, and not comforted, they feel poor, no matter how much money they have in the bank. God promises to make the afflicted truly rich.
c. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children: When we are afflicted, tossed, and not comforted, we feel bad not just for ourselves, but also for our children. God gives precious assurance not only for us, but also quiets our fears for our children.
d. In righteousness you shall be established . . . you shall not fear . . . whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake: God promises those who are afflicted, tossed, and not comforted will find protection and security in Him.
e. The sovereign God - who created the blacksmith, who created the spoiler to destroy - also has the power to protect. He can promise that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Whatever weapon is raised against God’s people is destined to be destroyed itself. God will ultimately even protect His people from criticism; indeed, every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.
i. The LORD will not allow the weapon formed against His servants to prosper. Sometimes this means the LORD takes the weapon out of the hand of the enemy of His servants. Sometimes it means that God allows the weapon to strike, but brings a greater good out of it than the pain of the immediate blow. In allowing this, God will not allow the weapon to prosper, but transforms the violent sword into a trowel for building His kingdom.
ii. The tongue which rises against you can really hurt. “Satan leaves no stone unturned against the Church of God. He uses not simply the hand; but, what is oftener a sharper weapon, the tongue. We can bear a blow, sometimes, but we cannot endure an insult. There is a great power in the tongue. We can rise from a blow which smote us to the ground; but we cannot so easily recover from slander, that lays the character low.” (Spurgeon) Yet, we can trust in the LORD’s triumph. “The more accusers, the more acquittals; the more slander, the more honor; so the enemy may slander us as much as he pleases.” (Spurgeon)
ii. This is not a blanket promise for any churchgoer. The LORD specifically says, this is the heritage of the servants of the LORD. Are you a servant of the LORD? Then you can rest easy in His promised protection. The LORD also says that this is a promise for those whose righteousness is from Me - from the LORD Himself - and not from themselves. When a person understands that their righteousness is really from the LORD, they are much more comfortable in letting the LORD protect their righteousness.
© 2001 David Guzik - No distribution beyond personal use without permission
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