Category: Love

People by nature are irritating…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Matthew 7:1-3 – New King James Version (NKJV)

Judge not, that you be not judged.For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

John 10:10 – New King James Version (NKJV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Reflection:  

Growing up my mother always suggested that I became a teacher. From a practical standpoint choosing a career that would support family centered personal/work life balanced seemed ideal from a stay-at-home mom perspective.

Reflecting at the time as a young adult, I had spent most of my late teens babysitting and children were irritating.  At least with my younger siblings, I had some sort of leverage to get them to behave. Ironically, now years removed and working full time I have found that people may grow up on the outside but are still the same on the inside, children. Granted the older versions of ourselves are slightly different than we were, but the awkward adolescent remains in there somewhere.

We are told in the Bible that once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become children of the Most High God. We have a new nature, however our flesh is still very much present and very much as annoying as it was before. As we glean revelation from the Word, we start to see all the little irritating things other people do, but we are less likely to turn that same gaze on ourselves.

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye? – Matthew 7:1-3(AMPC)

So, what is irritation? Irritation is an arousal to impatience or anger. If the root of irritation is anger, then the antidote is love.  If God uses all things for good, then the irritation that we experience is designed to bring to our attention the weakness that we have in ourselves. If we don’t have patience, it may be due to not having enough time in our mind and heart for grace. If we don’t have grace, it may be due to not being able to understand another person’s perspective due to our self-centered view. How do you know you have a self-centered view? When you have relationships in your life that are compartmentalized and shallow. Instead of looking at individuals and circumstances as God’s designed assignments, one picks and chooses what pleases our desires at the moment whereby giving up something greater in the Lord.

Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. – Genesis 25:29-33 (NKJV)

If we don’t deal with our irritation and unforgiveness then the Lord will not have mercy with us

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy! – Matthew 5:7(AMPC)

Now, we all have them in our lives…individuals that act more like children than like adults. Beloved, we must look past the flesh and seek to discover the assignment behind the challenge.

Please hear me Saints, I am not suggesting to randomly take on challenging people.  We have an enemy out there is seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).  We must have discernment when it comes to a challenging person.  They will serve one of two purposes, the Lord will put them in your life as assignments or then there will be people the devil will put in your path as assassins.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 (AMPC)

How do we know the difference? Our counselor, the Holy Spirit, will identify these people. When you seek Him concerning why you are irritated you will get revelation as to first your self-centered perspective of the situation and then next if the individual is an assignment from God or a distraction from Satan. The biggest sign is multiplication vs subtraction. If the blessings and the anointing is flowing, there is peace and order in the Lord with that person. If the curses and despair leave you stuck in the same place and sometimes going backward in unrest, you may of made a wrong turn or stayed to long in a situation.  The choice is yours, what will you do with your irritation?   

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Take inventory of your peace with irritation as one of your measures, time is short, and Jesus paid too high a price for us to be spinning our wheels in vain.
    • List the five top people in your life that grate on your soul
    • Ask Holy Spirit what is the root of that irritation? Is it pride, jealousy, judgment?
    • Ask Holy Spirit to identify the people that are specifically a part of your assignment. Please be aware that these maybe seasonal assignments and not lifelong details.
    • Ask Holy Spirit to identify the people that are distractions. Gradually and intentionally limit time spent in these people’s presence.
    • Pray and seek the Lord for help to cultivate what started off as an annoyance into a heart changing experience for all those involved.

He has nothing in me . . .

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

John 14:20 – New King James Version (NKJV)

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.

John 14:20 – The Passion Translation (TPT)

I won’t speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this dark world is coming. But he has no power over me, for he has nothing to use against me.

John 14:20 – Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.]

Ephesians 6:12 – New King James Version (NKJV)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Reflection:  

There is an individual in my life that has been like an achilles’ heel*(2 Corinthians 12:7).  You know that person or situation that grates on your soul. That no matter how you feel like you have grown in your love walk that person says or does something or you fall back into the same situation. It is like watching the same syndicated sitcom of your life called ‘Get a Rise Out of Your Flesh’.  We all have those struggles. Thank God for Jesus! 

Right before Jesus was imprisoned, He said something that continues to tumble around in my spirit every time I reach the end of myself with challenging people or situations – Jesus said “He has nothing in Me.”  God so loved the world that He sent is only Son to save us. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14(NKJV)

When Jesus said that he (the devil) had nothing in Him, I think He meant that He didn’t have any practices(works) of the flesh for the enemy could attach himself to.  This included fear. In the New King James version, the phrase ‘fear not’ appears eleven times and ‘do not be afraid’ forty-eight times. One of my most favorite ‘fear not’ citing was the words Jesus spoke to Jairus, let’s look at it in the Passion translation:

 And before he had finished speaking, people arrived from Jairus’ house and pushed through the crowd to give Jairus the news: “There’s no need to trouble the master any longer—your daughter has died.”But Jesus refused to listen to what they were told and said to the Jewish official, “Don’t yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing.” So they left for his home, but Jesus didn’t allow anyone to go with them except Peter and the two brothers, Jacob and John. – Mark 5:35-37

When Jesus walked the earth, He was fully man, and the Holy Spirit was with Him.  When we were born again, we became a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17) yet kept our fleshly nature. Jesus was tempted in all ways, as we are, but did not sin.  The Word lists out for us the works of the flesh:

Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21 (AMPC)

Fear and the works of the flesh have the same effect in our lives. It chokes out the Word and makes the blessings of God unfruitful.

Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. – Mark 4:18-19 (NKJV)

So, what is the antidote to our flesh sitcom? It is to catch ourselves, STOP talking, and put things in an eternal perspective. Is the attack that we are facing internal (works of the flesh) or external (people/situations)? Our responses should always be in love, if it is not, these thorns will run rampant and choke out the Word in our hearts. If we have something in us that is not from God, it must be prayed on, some behaviors repented, and actions changed to get back in sync with the harmony of heaven, love.       

* Wikipedia defines an achilles’ heel as a weakness in spite of overall strength, which can lead to downfall.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Do you love yourself (Romans 13:8-10)?  Do you think you deserve to be loved? Have you truly accepted God unconditional love?
  • Is there a person or situation that seems to be on repeat? Like a never-ending wilderness season in your life?
  • Seek the Lord as to what are your triggers.  Is it feelings of hopelessness and despair? Control or pride? Fear of loss? Or all the above?
  • When you find yourself in the same mind space, pause, get quiet, and pray.  The devil cannot hear your thoughts, but he can certainly sense the shift in the Spirit when you block out what distracts you from what is truly important . . .that is reaching, the soul(s) in the situation.   

A familiar face in the cloud…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Hebrews 12:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection:

My Dad passed away last week. Similar to the transition to life – a birthing mother in immense pain followed by relief after her child is born – the reverse – a loved one passing on to glory is relief that your loved one is no longer suffering followed by the immense pain of the void that person’s absence has left in your life.  My heart knows without a shadow of a doubt that when our days end on this earth we will be going home to be with Jesus.

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

– 2 Corinthians 5:8

In spite of my heart knowing this, it wasn’t until now I realized that my mind never really grasped it.

After moving around a lot as a child, I was a professional about leaving people behind. As an adult, the Lord has very much rooted me in one place.  From this vantage point the seasons of life still changed, but other people are the ones leaving my life.  I have had close friends in the Lord move away; while others drift away for other social spaces; and still others get offended and fall away from our fellowship.  My Dad’s passing was the first time that I had personally experienced the heartbreak of a heavenly transition.  Honestly, a little part of me was jealous because of all that there is in store for us in eternity, at the same time there is so much to do in this lifetime.

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. – Philippians 1:23-26

In our foundational scripture it talks about a great cloud of witnesses. The Holy Spirit truly knows how to prepare one’s soul.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

A word like ‘witnesses’ becomes more personal when you are able to picture a person you have known and loved in that cloud. My Dad became one of those witnesses this past week.  Believe you me, I don’t ascribe to the belief that our loved ones are up in Heaven just watching our lives in real time.  However, I do believe that there are defining spiritual moments in all of our lives that this cloud of witnesses is watching God’s glory manifest itself through you and I here on earth.

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. – Matthew 6:9-10

My Dad left a gap on this side of Heaven for myself and my family, but he also illuminated my mind to the truth – the truth that my heart already knew – the Kingdom of Heaven is a destination. I have never laid my eye upon Jesus, but I am excited when that time comes.  Until then, I must keep running my race and hoping that every now and again, there will be moments that will draw the great cloud of witnesses to see what the Lord has done in my life.  In that joy, I will celebrate the love I have for my Heavenly Father and remember my Dad as he is, radiant in the glory of the Lord.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What challenging situation are you facing today? God has a “app” for that – find a scripture(s) that speaks directly to that situation.
  • Meditate on them daily until revelation comes. Once your spirit is awakened to the truth continue renewing your mind so that can it also can be illuminated to the truth of God’s Word.
  • Remember, in all seasons give praise to the One that restores your soul.

Purpose starts with prayer

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Scriptural Foundation:

1 Corinthians 2:9-16 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [[who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed].

Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny].

For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God.

And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit].

But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].

For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

Reflection:

As far back as I can remember I have always strived to organize the chaos around me. My mom tells me all the time, as a child, how would I always walk around with a pencil, papers, and a clipboard. My husband tells me now, I am the most organized disorganized person he has ever met. It all comes from a good place but looking back it wasn’t always what I should have been doing at that time.

In my early years of walking with the Lord, He spoke two specific things into my heart – sign up for Bible correspondence school and that handsome young man that I had just met would be my husband. How exciting! I signed up for school and deeply enjoyed courtship with my soon-to-be husband. As the years flowed by, my need for organization kicked into full gear. Marriage and family became my top priority and school fell on the back burner. Despite initially responding to both items of what the Lord told me to do, I prioritized them my own way.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:8-11

I have learned that rushing towards the next thing, we miss out on the God thing. The Lord has blessed me tremendously, however, my past priorities in the natural has delayed the purpose that the Lord has put on my life. Praise God, it doesn’t matter how much time has gone by, if we repent, the Lord will redeem it and put us back on course. I am back in school now…would it have been easier prior to having kids…yes…but the richness of the application of what I am learning now is awe inspiring. The women that I am fellowshipping with and encouraging in this season of my life is so invigorating. If anything, the “delay” only is making for fire for the Lord in my belly that much hotter and my urgency for accomplishing my purpose that much immediate.

Remember Beloved, prayer unlocks priority which in turn reveals God’s purpose for your life. Faith is the currency of Heaven, but prayer is the exchange rate. Prayer is the beginning of purpose, but keeping your priorities synced up with the Holy Spirit will insure that you accomplish your purpose here on earth in His divine timing.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Think back to the things that the Lord have placed on your heart.
  • Write that list down.
  • Repent for going your own way.
  • Start praying and yield to the Holy Spirit as to the priority of that list.
  • Keep after it until the job is done.

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ – Matthew 25:31

I am not religious…

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Scriptural Foundation:

Proverbs 18:24 New King James Version (NKJV)

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

John 15:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Reflection:

I said it…I am not religious. The relationship that I have with the Creator of the universe cannot be summed up in a generic descriptor like religion. I have a relationship with God – my Heavenly Father; Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior; and the Holy Spirit my life counselor; cannot be contained in an adjective and just one word.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. – 1 Corinthians 2:9

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 – Romans 8:38-39 (AMPC)

The world views anyone that takes the time to go to church as religious. For them, it is just another pass time, like golf or jogging.  That is a broad and blind observation, but sadly how most people feel. A person once told me that she saw religion as “another form of therapy”. Gasp…I will leave that there…

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. – Matthew 13:13 (AMPC)

Religious rituals and traditions are man’s additions to God’s Word. To know someone is to spend time with them.  Religion is void of intimacy between a person and God.  Instead, it is perceived as means to breed hypercritical behavior.  The devil has deceived many people into thinking that the Bible is a rule book instead of a love story.  Tony Boraz once preached that the Bible stood for Jesus’ “basic instructions before leaving earth.’  To add or take away anything from the Word would contaminate it.

You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. – Deuteronomy 4:2 (AMPC)

I [personally solemnly] warn everyone who listens to the statements of the prophecy [the predictions and the consolations and admonitions pertaining to them] in this book: If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues (the afflictions and the calamities) that are recorded and described in this book. And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these predictions relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book.

 – Revelations 22:18-19(AMPC)

When Jesus came to earth, the hallmark of His ministry was relationships. His objective with his disciples were intimate and incremental changes to their souls through daily fellowship.  He didn’t want to totally get rid of what was there, but just to build up, in the Lord, their God given purpose.  A relationship with the Lord will prune off non-profitable behavior to allow for ones God given gifts to thrive.

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? – Hebrews 13:5-6 (AMPC)

Experiencing God requires that we go beyond our six senses; to our seventh and most important sense; spiritual enlightenment given to us by the Holy Spirit. Don’t be content with the label of religious.  Transform the minds of others through your personal relationship with Christ.  The fruit that you will bare will have these same people seeking you out to find out your secret.  Through your relationships with them, you will continue to live out God’s mission on this earth –

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. – 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • When someone calls you religious are you insulted? Why or why not?
  • It is all about souls, what people are you ministering through your actions? Look for opportunities to sow seeds (kind words and actions) and pray for their relationship of Christ’s love for them.

I am awkward, how about you?

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Scriptural Foundation:

Psalm 1 New King James (NKJV)

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

2 Peter 3:8-10 New King James (NKJV)

 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Reflection:

I can’t accept a compliment to save my life. It is like playing water balloons with baby oil.  I can “catch” it, but then I drop it – always deflecting the compliment so it falls with a splash at my feet.  Where is the glory in that for the Lord? I know it makes the person giving the compliment feel uncomfortable and it is something the Lord has recently revealed to me as a stronghold in my life that needs to be removed.

I moved around a lot growing up. On the positive side, I didn’t get attached to people and things, however at the same time, I was always the outsider looking in.  My adult years have been the complete opposite.  I have been planted in the same place for quite some time and as the years pass, I am challenged by the Holy Spirit almost daily.  The Lord has blessed me tremendously. I see the fruit of the Spirit at work in my life. . .at the same time, do you know how fast weeds grow when watered?  They tend to grow faster than the flowers, vegetables, and fruits next to them.  What I have found in my “planted position” is that when one is always moving or making themselves busy, no real growth in the spirit can occur.

…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. – Psalm 1:2-3

Everyone wants to prosper; however, everyone is not built for the process it takes to receive that kind of blessing. The Bible is filled with awkward people: Adam – Noah – Abraham – Moses – Rahab – Ruth – David – Mary – even Jesus.  From the opening credits of their awkwardness to their departure into eternity, the Lord used their perceived shortcomings to connect and draw souls into the Kingdom of God.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. – 1 Peter2:9-10

He must increase, but I must decrease. – John 3:30

It is through our awkwardness we connect with the people around us. I can’t feel your current heart ache, but I know your heart ache.  I haven’t experienced your current shame, but I have several shameful and disappointed moments in the folds of my past.  It is when we as Believer’s try to air brush our memories, that the grace and the mercy that God wants to pour through the vessels of our lives, is obstructed.  Similar to when there is an obstruction in the valve of a heart, the heart can’t pump the blood throughout the body efficiently.  The same is true, when we try to cover our awkwardness.  We obstruct the Blood of Christ being transferred to a lost and dying world.  The Lord does not want anyone to perish, but all of us to enjoy eternity with Him (2 Peter 3:9).

I have a friend that is broken spiritually, he has been diagnosed by several doctors throughout his life for mental health issues. The names of the diagnosis only describe the spirit.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12

Depression is a spirit Saints! [Check your offense meter Beloved, and really hear me.] I am not saying that doctors and medicine should not be used to manage such a feeling, but that is all that it is doing, managing it.  The Lord wants to break that stronghold off individuals that feel like they are lost and forgotten.  Although my friend and I both come from very different backgrounds, we have been able to talk and find out that other than my “religious thing”, we agree on a lot of fundamental view-points.  Most of these view-points, he will not admit it, reflect the ten commandments…just saying.  The bottom line is that as I continue to work through my awkwardness, the Lord is using me to connect with any and everyone around me for His glory.  Isn’t that worth embracing your awkwardness today?

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What areas in your life do you feel awkward?
  • Ask the Holy Spirit, how you can cultivate these “hinderances” into a landscape that reflects the Lord’s love and mercy. 
  • Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. – Matthew 5:5

Search and rescue…

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Scriptural Foundation:

1 Peter 2:11-12 New Living Translation (NLT)

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Ephesians 6:12 New Living Translation (NLT)

For 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.

Romans 12:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Reflection:

Years ago, I determined in my soul to be in a constant state of praise. That was an ambitious goal and one that seemed impossible with my current mindset.  At the time, I desperately needed a change in my life and the Lord met me in my time of need.  The more I began to meditate on what Jesus did, the more I became emboldened to see beyond my temporal state of mind.

When I [John] saw Him [Jesus], I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. – Revelation 1:17-18

The battle has been won in the Spirit, by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Satan’s “kingdom” has been reduced to rubble.  In every generation since that victory and in every season all there is left to do as Believers is to seek out the lost and share with them the Good News.  In a world where things move at the speed of light and depression is wide spread, the pace of life causes one to become desensitized to the struggles of another. The devil has been given his eviction notice but is still trying to convince us that this world is not worth inhabiting in the Spirit and is beyond saving.   Praise God that we are not of this world!

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. – Philippians 3:20

Spiritually speaking, planet earth is not our home. When we were born again our naturalization was changed.  It is up to us to keep our internal fire lit in faith, hope, and love.  Do you know how hard that is in our own strength?  It is impossible, but again praise God that impossibilities are the language of heaven.

Getting back to my constant state of praise goal. It didn’t happen overnight.  I purposely worshiped every chance I got, listened to messages, and read books that would encourage me in my faith.  The funny thing was, I never noticed how far I had come until more and more strangers noticed and told me how nice it was to hear someone singing while going about their day-to-day.

One interaction stands out in my mind and made an impact on my heart. It was when my vet ran out of the dietary food that we give our dog, so I had to go to a different vet to pick it up.   It was beautiful day, I had my windows down and one of my favorite songs was playing on the radio.  I parked and went into the store and proceeded to find the veterinary counter.  While the lady went in the back to get the food, this man walked up to me and ask if I was the same lady that was singing in the parking lot!  A little embarrassed, I said yes.  The man was overjoyed and wanted to share how it pleased him to hear someone go about their life singing to themselves.  Relieved I said thanks.  Not knowing how much it was second nature to me, as I was walking away, I again began singing to myself again…the same gentlemen yell from behind, “yeah man, you’re awesome!”

Another time, I was at the grocery store, again singing to myself and the grocery clerk asked me what song I was singing. Yet another time, I was whistling down the hallway and a co-worker called me out on it – “you must be having a good day.”  And the list goes on and on.  This change in my countenance didn’t come automatically but was a daily commitment that I made unto the Lord. I am determined to be a vessel that the Lord could use for that day to reach just one more person for the Kingdom.

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish. – Mathew 18:12-14

Saints, the truth is we are all on a search and rescue mission! The devil has a limited time left in this dark and chaotic world.  It is up to us, in our words and actions to search out opportunities to rescue just one more soul.  If someone has breath, they have an opportunity to accept Christ in their hearts and change the destination of their eternity.  Determine in your spirit today to keep your light shining like a light on a hill.  Be vigilant…the recovery mission is still in progress!

       You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16 

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Are you guarding your ears and your eye gates?
  • What music do you listen to on a regular basis? Is it edifying our spirit or pleasing your flesh?
  • Are you listening to messages outside church on Sunday? What nuggets are you applying to your sanctification walk?
  • Outside of your daily devotionals, what books are you reading to edify your spirit?
  • Who are the people you are praying for daily to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord?

Beloved, remember…

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

Lord, when will it be my turn?

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

John 5:2-9 New King James (NKJV)

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

And that day was the Sabbath.

Reflection:

My kids love Legos. I love Legos, because there are sets for every age level. Granted, that doesn’t defuse the Lego “envy” that goes on between them, but it does challenge each one of them where they are, to build something amazing with the pieces they have.

As Believers, I suspect that we all get a little bit of Lego “envy” when we observe what the Lord is doing in the lives of our loved ones. We all have different pieces that the Lord has placed in our lives to build something wonderful here on earth, only we need to focus on our process and not the process of others.

In our foundational scriptures, we read about Jesus’ interaction with a man that had been waiting for his miracle for thirty-eight years! There is so much to this interaction that I really encourage you to meditate on it, nonetheless I have pulled out a couple of nuggets that I uncovered in my studies that I wanted to share with all of you.

Jesus met this man at the sheep gate. That is a very significant place. Out of all the gates in Jerusalem, the Great Shepard, met this man at the sheep gate. The gate reminds us that there is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ.  It is through this gate, those that are broken (mentally, physically, emotionally, etc.) come and wait by the pool called Bethesda which means holy mercy.  In this place of brokenness at a certain time (or in some translations in a certain season), an angel of the Lord is sent to stir up the water.  The first to respond in faith and bathe themselves in Bethesda (holy mercy) will be made whole of their infirmity.

Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be made well. Wasn’t that a funny question to ask?  Of course, this man wanted to get well, however his response to the Lord revealed why he had not been able to attain that healing.  Now this man, sought out the gate and the pool, believing that if he got to the water when it stirred he would be made whole. The only hurdle he had after all those years of waiting was that he still expected others to help him move into position to receive his blessing.

The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” John5:7

As Believers, we all seek out the Lord in the places from past experiences where we think that He is most likely going to move. We assume we know the totality of His character and His resources. Sadly, our minds cannot comprehend the vastness of our Lord.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. – 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

As a new born Believer, we will be “carried” by others to experience God’s holy mercy, but at some point we are expected to help others and/or find our way to the pool ourselves. Jesus asked this seemly seasoned Believer if he wanted to be healed and the man defaulted to the blame game, that it was somehow someone else’s fault.  Blaming others or our circumstances for our short comings will only keep us in the same season of life…well that will preach!

Jesus in all His love and compassion, like He had done with the Samaritan woman at the well, took time out on the Sabbath to bring the “pool” right to where this man was at in his faith.

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” – John 4:13-14

Beloved, we must remember we have living water (the Word) in our bellies and we have the Holy Spirit (power) on hand to help us out of any and every situation we find ourselves in.   It is up to us to choose what we are going to do with that authority.  Are we going to use the water and power given to us to build something awesome for the Lord or are we to going sit around with our pieces and wonder when the Lord is going to send someone else to put them together for us? The decision is yours.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Have you been comparing your walk with the Lord with someone else’s life?
  • If so, why?       Are you discouraged in your current season of life?
  • Ask the Lord to reveal to you through His Word, what “pieces” in your life you are not utilizing to the fullest.
  • The Lord is still in the miracle business, reach out and receive your blessing!

Changing the Narrative…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Genesis 1:31-2:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)

[Truth]

Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day. So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation.

Genesis 3:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

[Satan’s 1st attempt to change the narrative.]

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

Revelation 12:7-12 New Living Translation (NLT)

 [Truth]

Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,

“It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

Reflection:

From the beginning of time, the devil has been trying to change the narrative of eternity. God evicted him and his cohorts from Heaven and then Jesus defeated at Calvary. Although He has lost the war, it has not stopped him from bombarding our minds with thoughts contrary to the Word of God.  He simply doesn’t want us to understand the magnitude of the love that our Father God and Jesus has for us.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. –  John 3:16

He (Jesus) canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.  In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross. – Colossians 2:14-15

In the garden of Eden, the devil launched his calculated campaign to separate and convince Believers that God is withholding something from us. He plays on our disappointments and insecurities to the point where we feel empty and abandoned. Satan helps us throw pity parties, where he serves up shots(thoughts) that leave us bitter and angry.  Slowly we start believing this “new” narrative.  That’s when he has us captive…captive to our own negative thoughts.

As far back as I can remember I have needed two things.. to express my feelings through writing or art and glasses for my near sightedness. I have been chronicling my life in journals on and off for decades.  Recently I have gone back and read about certain seasons of my life where things were very dark and very negative.  Looking through a different lens now with the far-sightedness of the Holy Spirit, I realize I was suffering from spiritual near sightedness.  Praise God, despite going through some difficult times, I would not have change a thing because it has brought me to a sweet and intimate place with the Lord – that is priceless.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

Beloved, as humans we are wired to be negative in our flesh…thanks Adam. It is easier to wallow in self-pity then start the dauting task of cleaning up from that party, but that is why Jesus left us the Holy Spirit.  He is our great comforter and guide (John 14:15-18).  We were not created to walk through this life alone.  Our spiritual man – the true essence of ourselves – cries out to the Lord.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. – Ecclesiastes 3:11

It wasn’t until I accepted Jesus into my life that things began to change with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. I was given “spiritual glasses” that opened up a whole new world. Instead of only being able to see/focus on my hurts and my failures…the Lord showed me through His Word that compassion for others was the balm I needed to heal past wounds.  No matter how hard the devil is trying to convince you otherwise, this Word still stands.  There will be no re-writing the narrative of the Bible in your heart.  Keep the faith and keep standing.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • In what areas of your life do you feel that you have fallen short?
  • Reflect on where the origin of that thought came from. Was it something you read in the Bible or was it conflated memory that past hurt has warped into something other than a fruit of the Spirit.
  • Ask the Lord to identify the source of these feelings and actively pray and meditate on scripture to change the narrative back to the truth…what the Word of God says about you.

Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven. -Psalm 119:89

 

You are not your brother’s keeper; the Holy Spirit is…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

John 21:15-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

John 21:20-22 New King James Version (NKJV)

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

Reflection:

Looking back on my life the one thing that has been constant besides my love for the Lord, was the heart to serve. If there was an issue, I have always felt compelled to figure out how to solve it.  Now this can be a positive and negative “super hero” skill.   On the one hand you can help others going through a difficult season, get back on track; however, at the same time it can become a distraction and may cause you to get off track with the Lord as it relates to your own assignment.

Often, I have cried out to the Lord for loved ones, passed along wisdom given to me by the Him, only to have them to go down the same path. Every once and a while I especially sense a grieving in my spirit. Although it is disappointing, I am never completely discouraged. It is in these moments, I press further into the Holy Spirt…He knows a thing or two about being grieved.

 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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

 – Ephesians 4:29-30

The last time this happened, I heard Him very clearly say “You are not your brother’s keeper.” He gently reminded me that I delivered wisdom on behalf of the Lord and that person chose not to hear it and as a result, I had become too emotionally tied to the situation.

It may be hard to comprehend, but the Fruit of the Spirit has nothing to do with the soulish realm – one’s mind, will, and emotions. This kind of fruit is planted by the Holy Spirt to be nurtured and multiplied in your heart (in your spirit) for the Kingdom of God.  For example, peace is not something that is felt per say, as it is something that your spirit experiences through a manifestation of the Lord (Philippians 4:7).  The same is true with love, it is not a feeling, but a person – God is love (1 John 4:8 and 4:16).  If at any point the peace or love that you experience turns into an extreme emotional response, such as drama or anguish check to see if you have not drifted off into a soulish place.  The truth is that not everyone is ready to hear the truth at the time it is given with Godly direction.

I love the disciple Peter, for the simple truths he provided through the examples of his dramatic and emotional statements while he walked alongside the Lord. One that is memorable is Peter’s response to Jesus revealing His assignment:

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” – Matthew 16:22-23

Peter later vowed that he would not be offended in the King James Version of the Bible:

Peter answered and said unto Him, though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. – Matthew 26:33-35

If you look at these same scriptures in different versions offended is swapped out for “stumble” (NKJV), “fall away” (NIV), or “desert you” (NLT)… all vows that we have made ourselves at some point during our sanctification walk. The only thing is that we only have control over ourselves and our relationship with the Lord.

Convictions (soul-sourced – Peter) can be challenged and ultimately can be a cause of distraction, but an assignment (heart-sourced – Jesus) is a process of evolution that cannot be derailed.   In this context, a conviction is an emotion where as an assignment is an order.  We must be careful that our responses to things beyond what has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit are not one of emotion or conviction but one of sound wisdom from the Lord.  This will ensure that your steps and conversations are ordered by the Lord and everything else outside of this is fully in the Lord’s court.

Now, go back and read through our foundational scriptures. Our beloved Peter is commanded to “Feed the Lambs” then “Tend the Sheep” then “Feed the Sheep”.  Slight word changes should be picked up on and meditated on – lambs once and sheep from there after.  We as Believers are given the great commission of going out there and winning the loss, but at the same time we are to encourage and advise with Godly direction our brothers and sisters in Christ.  This will require that we go back and forth between feeding and tending, but the ultimate care and wellbeing of all the lambs/sheep are the Lord’s.  So, don’t get caught up again like Perter did at the end of the chapter observing a fellow saint’s lack of progress in a certain area – John 21:20-22 – instead follow Jesus and continue to feed and tend…feed and tend…feed and tend…

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Do you have a family member or friend that just grieves your heart?
  • Are you overly emotional – good or bad – when interacting with this person?
  • If that person belongs to the Lord, ask the Holy Spirit if you need to change your “feeding” or “tending” techniques.