Month: May 2023

MAKING PEACE WITH MY PAST AND MY FUTURE

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.  Psalms 103:17

I’ve done it. Have you? I’ve not only attempted to live in the present, which is God’s will for me, but emotionally, I’ve lived in the past as well as the future. None of those options is good for me.

How can I know if I am living in the past? When I rehearse it and wish there had been a different outcome. I review what was done to me and fantasize what life could be like had I not been victimized. I also review my sins, even the unintentional mistakes I made from not knowing better, and ache to travel back to fix them. I live in the wonderland of wishful thinking and the grief of how it is.

How can I know if I am living in the future? When I borrow tomorrow’s trouble and decide that I can’t possibly handle what’s coming. I assess the way things are today, forecast the future, and cast it in stone. Believing that my prediction is accurate, I succumb to fear and unwarranted grief. How many times have I said ~ “I can’t handle tomorrow because . . .”

How can I have peace about the past? By believing that God is a redeemer of it. I can’t mess anything up so badly that He can’t bless me with abundant life. His mercies started afresh at 12:01 a.m. this morning so I put the past behind me and stand in the faith of His goodness.

How can I abandon a fear of the future? By trusting that He’s already there. Nothing I do is going to take Him by surprise. The scriptures about tomorrow are rock solid and will sustain the weight of my expectations, and my successes and failures.

The past and the future are out of bounds. I’m not supposed to play God. He is the only one who operates outside of time. He equipped me to live today on the wings of momentary grace.

For my yesterday’s, redeem. For today, sustain. For tomorrow, bolster my faith that You’ve got it covered. Amen
Daughters of Promise

OVERCOMING THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5

A large portion of overcoming the battlefield of the mind, is subduing certain thought patterns before they ever begin. By ejecting negative views before they are initiated. And given a second thought.

To take every thought captive is “to control, to conquer, to bring into submission.” We take captive, we make it submit. Every thought obedient to Christ. At the very first moment the thought comes to mind.

How are you doing today my brothers and sisters in Christ? The vicious, invisible, intense battle in your mind continually ebbing and flowing unrelenting, subdued by the word of God.

We are all feeling the pressure today. For those diligently seeking a personal relationship with Jesus, it is more intense than ever before in our life time. As the the body of Christ followers battle rages onward.

Personally my biggest battle is capturing every thought and following the appropriate actions as the thought comes to mind. Once I give any attention to a negative thought it takes time, and effort to get rid of the consequences of my sinful decision

2 Corinthians 10:3-4:

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

A stronghold is anything that takes your focus off of Jesus, and the examples he set forth in scripture. Rid it upon the first thought, before sin arises.

* Stress

* Anger

* Strife

* Envy

* Bitterness

* Jealousy

* lust

Any of these that you give a second thought to complying with will become a strong hold and probably already is. That is how and why Satan is using it against you. Most likely it has already been established.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Think about what you are thinking about. The first negative thought you have on a matter is not a sin. It’s what you do with that thought next.

Don’t let satan condemn you, and convince you in believing a temptation, or a intimate thought is a sin. It is what you do with the thought next, is what determines if it becomes a sin or not.

Matthew 4:4

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

William Alteneder

WHAT IS DEPENDENT PRAYER?


Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

How many people exist with whom you can speak freely – without a filter? With whom can you pour out your heart and know that divine wisdom is hearing it, filtering it, and responding to it? Precious few. To speak freely is a gift rarely experienced.

‘Pouring out’ in Hebrew means what it portrays. To empty oneself of something. I’ve been surprised by just how often this phrase is used in scripture. A dependent prayer is described as the ‘pouring out of one’s soul’. God also says that ‘He pours out His wrath’. That’s sobering. And how about this? God says that He will ‘pour out His Spirit on the house of David’ and they will finally be able to see ‘whom they have pierced and weep bitterly.’ Zechariah 12:10

There are times I pour out my heart to a few trusted friends. I must ask myself if I feel that freely with God. Do I feel I have to weigh my words with Him and phrase everything just right? Do I sit on my anger and try to pretend I don’t have any? Is prayer a time when I can truly empty the contents of my soul and know I have placed my heart in safe hands? God extends this kind of freedom to me, and I’m held safely in perfect Love.

I am riveted by the beauty of two things; 1.) Lifting my heart to God, tipping it, and pouring out the contents. 2) Envisioning the effects of Him pouring out His Spirit upon me.

Both are beautiful. While I would certainly feel better having poured out my soul, the benefits would be minuscule in comparison to what would happen if God poured out the power of His Spirit on me. Nothing in my world would stay the same.

With confidence and without restraint, I pour out my heart to You. Pour out Your Spirit upon me to raise me up to wholeness. Amen
Daughters of Promise

WHAT GOD POURS OUT

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! Psalm 4:1

When I’m in trouble and need someone to help me, I tend to remember the last time I was in distress and someone came to show me compassion and kindness. The memory of it makes my heart long for it to happen again. You’ve heard women say to one another, “When I’m sick, I just want my mother.” Whether our mother is still living or not, the desire for her to care for us like she once did is so real that it leaves us aching. No matter how old we are, we wish she would come.

This is what David is feeling in this prayer to God. He begs for God to answer him and come to him like He did the last time David was in distress. David is remembering the power of God’s arrival. While the memory is robust, it doesn’t eradicate the need for another miracle.

I can’t live on yesterday’s memories. While they may inspire me and build my faith, my need for God will accompany me until eternity. I will always need to be His child. I will always need a Father. I will always be small. I will always need reminders that He is bigger than my storms. I will always come to the end of myself. I will always need all that He is.

What keeps God coming time after time? His grace. His faithfulness. If He gets tired of hearing distress calls, I’ll be in trouble. But unlike human beings, he is anxious for me to need Him. The more I desire Him, the better he likes it. There’s no such thing as ‘too needy’ with God.

When any of us face an ongoing struggle, the kind that spans years, we have down days when God speaks into our discouragement and gives us the fuel to make it another 24 hours. The next day, however, brings new battles. Though I don’t plan to plummet into unbelief, if things look dire, I can echo David’s cry.

“Be gracious to me, Father, and answer me. Hear my prayer!”
Daughters of Promise

A REPEAT OF MERCY

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! Psalm 4:1

When I’m in trouble and need someone to help me, I tend to remember the last time I was in distress and someone came to show me compassion and kindness. The memory of it makes my heart long for it to happen again. You’ve heard women say to one another, “When I’m sick, I just want my mother.” Whether our mother is still living or not, the desire for her to care for us like she once did is so real that it leaves us aching. No matter how old we are, we wish she would come.

This is what David is feeling in this prayer to God. He begs for God to answer him and come to him like He did the last time David was in distress. David is remembering the power of God’s arrival. While the memory is robust, it doesn’t eradicate the need for another miracle.

I can’t live on yesterday’s memories. While they may inspire me and build my faith, my need for God will accompany me until eternity. I will always need to be His child. I will always need a Father. I will always be small. I will always need reminders that He is bigger than my storms. I will always come to the end of myself. I will always need all that He is.

What keeps God coming time after time? His grace. His faithfulness. If He gets tired of hearing distress calls, I’ll be in trouble. But unlike human beings, he is anxious for me to need Him. The more I desire Him, the better he likes it. There’s no such thing as ‘too needy’ with God.

When any of us face an ongoing struggle, the kind that spans years, we have down days when God speaks into our discouragement and gives us the fuel to make it another 24 hours. The next day, however, brings new battles. Though I don’t plan to plummet into unbelief, if things look dire, I can echo David’s cry.

“Be gracious to me, Father, and answer me. Hear my prayer!”
Courtesy of Daughters of Promise

THE LIFE SAVING WOUND OF MY PAST

See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand. Deuteronomy 32:39

What exactly is a life-saving wound?

It is a wound that comes with a loving purpose. A wound that is given by a friend – not an enemy. A wound inflicted that, when redeemed, will bring ten-fold joy in comparison to the agony once suffered.

The tragedy is that so few children of God recognize the wounds of their past as life-saving wounds. They define them as tragedies. Victim becomes a permanent label. Deprivation creates a defeated mindset. God, who was, and is, sovereign over their past, is viewed as an adversary rather than a friend. They reason that only an enemy would inflict a wound. Enemies relish the chance to inflict a wound, but they do it to kill or maim. God wounds to save and bless. Never do I suffer anything that is not an installment to something glorious.

If a child of God lacks a theology of suffering, they might never come out of the corner to believe Him for their redemption and restoration.

· A child who is never the object of someone’s affection grows up to bear the spirit of rejection. But the wound can be lifesaving when he discovers that God is a pursuer. He woos him to the cross to adopt him and bestow great favor upon him.

· A teenager who has been bullied because he is different grows up unsure of himself. He doesn’t realize that his uniqueness is really the mark of leadership. But the wound can be lifesaving when he discovers that God set him apart to think differently and to lead a cause for the kingdom.

· A woman who has, unexpectedly, been served divorce papers, feels torn apart on the inside. She does not feel she will ever recover from the betrayal. But the wound is lifesaving when, driven to God, she experiences Him as her Bridegroom. Daily, He loves, whispers comforts, and provides.

What is the nature of your unhealed wound? And what is the need that rages as a result? Are you willing to consider that the need you’ve just isolated is life-saving if it takes you into the arms of a sovereign God who waits eagerly to redeem what was stolen from you? Look up. Believe. Live in the promises.

When I don’t believe, it is Your Word and Your Spirit that revives me. Amen
Courtesy The Daughters of Promise

THE FRIGHTENING PART OF THE JOURNEY

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

Historically, the ‘rod and the staff’ portion of Psalm 23 has been addressed apart from the rest of the verse it sits in.  While it is both instructive and comforting to know that Jesus rod/staff will guide me and protect throughout my life, how does that apply to the context of walking through the valley of the shadow of death? Here’s the whole context.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

In Israel there’s an ancient trail one must walk to travel up to Jerusalem.  It is steep and the traveler must climb way above the deep precipice the Jews call “The valley of the shadow of death.” It is believed that David imagined this journey while writing Psalm 23. When pilgrims walked this skinny dirt trail, it was easy to slip and fall over the side into the deep canyon. Added to this danger were the thieves who hid behind huge boulders on the mountainside. Attacks and the physical struggles that followed certainly resulted in someone’s death.

This stretch of their journey was the most dreaded as God’s people traveled to the Holy City. The Psalms of ascent reveal that, for strength and encouragement, they sang songs of Zion and recited God’s promises.  This helped them deal with the fear and uncertainty.  They lived for the joy that awaited them when they would enter Jerusalem. 

With that as the backdrop, I can know that on the most difficult part of my journey home to heaven, Jesus will shepherd me through this treacherous valley.  The wiles of the devil don’t diminish at the end of life.  Far from it.  Satan preys on fear.  He thrives on oppressing the weak.  Never will Jesus’ presence, and His rod and staff, be more needed.

He promises to guide and protect me, never leaving me for a moment.  He knows the way; His Father walked him through that valley after His own death. 

He will not let your foot slip; he who watches over you will not slumber.  Psalm 121:3

Shepherd in life, Shepherd in death.  My life is continually under your perfect care.  Amen
Courtesy of Daughters of Promise

Photo Credit: YouVersion

#37: Today’s Prayer: Heal me O God from Anxiety attacks (2)

Continuation:

Previously, we discussed that in confronting anxiety attacks,you should ventilate to God at the place of prayers:

2- Cast out the spirit influencing  anxiety and related evils to go at once to the feet of Jesus Christ. 

a- Affirm that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7) Therefore, the peace of God like a sentinel guards your mind.

3.- Speak to yourself as the Psalmist  did in Psalm 42:11 saying;

“Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you, Lord! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.” (Psalms 42:11 CEV)

4. Stop worrying about Tomorrow (Matthew 6:34)

a.- UnLearn the bad habit of creating possible problems in your mind.

b. Confront issues daily as they arise and stop trying to solve future problems that might not arise.

5.- When fear of the future cloud your mind, remind yourself that God the Source of your protection, provision, and your ever Present helper-

a.- Boldly Declare:

“The LORD is my solid rock, my fortress, my rescuer. My God is my rock— I take refuge in him!— he’s my shield, my salvation’s strength, my place of safety. (Psalms 18:2 CEB)

6. When feelings of hopelessness try to overwhelm You, encourage yourself in the faithfulness of God.  

a.- Remind yourself of how God helped you in the past. 

b.- Just remember that God did not bring you this far to abandon you. He will perfect  all that concerns you.

As you meditate on God’s trustworthiness, your faith will be built up and hope will well up in you, and anxiety will be defeated. 

7. Pray in the spirit and pray positively with understanding as well. (Jude 21, Philippians 4:6-7

8. Be joyful in whatever situation you are in.

The Apostle Paul faced discouragement, imprisonment, desertion by friends, and even suffered physical trauma, and the prospect of execution. 

And yet against all these odds he was in an incredibly joyful mood when he wrote the epistles. 

Likewise, you can overcome anxiety when you have an attitude of gratitude. 

 Prayer:

I pray that you are strengthened in your inner man and that all the fears in your heart disappear. And faith will grow in you so that you will become full of joy in whatever circumstances you are facing, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 

Shalom from Hephzibah Christly, TheSpiritualWarrior. May 3rd 2023.

You have need of Patience (2)

Previously:

We concluded #1 by helping you to understand that the Divine ability to be patient is in You!

Therefore, you can convert pain to gain by the way you process problems.

Therefore, you need to-

“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23)

Questions that will help you develop the patience in you:

a.- What is your pain threshold?

b.- How do you process loss of property or persons?

c.- How do you process damages- to personality, property, reputation, relationships, etc?

c.- Do you respond to challenges by anger, bitterness, faith, fear, fight or flight?

Your responses will depend on the principles you live by.

What is a principle?

Among the many definitions I found online, the one from Merriam-Webster somehow conveys my thought: it says that a principle is “a rule or code of conduct”.

Simply stated, A principle is a generally accepted truth, used as the basis for reason or action. 

Why Principles are important:

Just as there are spiritual and physical laws governing the world and nature, basic Biblical Principles, will help you govern your personal life and relationships. 

In order to be a Christian who provokes growth in others, you need to havebbasic principles for your life.

What to base your life principles:

It is sad to note that many Christians base the Principles of their life on :.

*- The traditions of the elders, 

*- governmental laws, 

*- social norms, 

*- new age philosophies and

 *- denominational dogmas etc.

Which explains to a great extent, the confusion, faithlessness, and lack of moral compass among some professing Christians. 

However, when you set Biblical Principles for your life, they will undergird your relationship with God and with others, and  also give consistency and cohesion to your activities.

EXPLANATION OF WORDS:

*- UNDERGIRD means to hold under. 

The Truth of God’s Word is a base or foundation that holds together and also liberates. (Read John 14:6, 8:32)

*.- CONSISTENCY refers to unchanging – not contradictory.  

1 Peter 1:25 says that the Word of God abides forever.

COHESION: involves sticking together 

As a Believer, you need to base your thinking and action on the unchanging and infallible Word of God that abides forever.

When you do, Fear, fight, flight, anger, bitterness, etc, will no longer control your responses.

 Instead, because you are principled, you will exercise self-control, and patiently process challenges!

Principles will help you to accomplish more and you will not be distracted from your goal. 

I hereby challenge you to do some constructive thinking that will recreate your personality and enable unprecedented progress in your life.

Next, we shall discuss some Biblical principles that I live by: and which has helped me,  and from which you can draw insight.

Prayer:

I pray that you are filled with the thirst and hunger for righteousness, and that your life will count for more, and you will be more productive  and be the light in your world, in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. 

Shalom from Hephzibah Christly TheSpiritualWarrior, May 2nd 2023.

Continuing 

Desperation Is a Powerful Motivator

In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Genesis 30:14

Is there someone near you who has everything you want? You’ve kept your distance because being anywhere near them is too painful. Now, in what seems like a cruel joke, they’ve been blessed yet again with something that would be lifesaving to you but it’s in their hands, not yours. You consider what it might look like to swallow your pride enough to beg.

Such was the story of Leah and Rachel. Leah bore Jacob many sons. Rachel had none. This was more than agonizing for her. To add fuel to the fire, Leah’s son came in from the field with mandrakes – a plant believed to have properties that cured barrenness. Rachel was willing to do anything at this point to have children – even if it meant asking Leah for her son’s mandrakes.

When I believe that my fate lies outside of God’s providence, I just may do the unthinkable. I’ll assume a false posture of friendship to win over my enemy, the one whom I believe is the key to moving forward. If I ask this person outright for what they have, they probably won’t share but if I pretend to be their friend and come bearing compliments, they may succumb.

Maybe you are in a desperate place today because someone who has little heart for you possesses the very thing you need. If I’m in a situation similar to Rachel’s, what do I do? This is when it’s time to rest in life-saving theology. 

·      It is not up to my ingenuity to secure my future.

·      The timing of my blessing and the length of my wilderness is in God’s trustworthy hands.

·      Internal blessings are always mine even though externals are temporarily non-existent.  

When another has what I think I need, I must remember that God has what I need. When He gives it, there will be a celebration of His glory. But, if I force someone else to give it by prying his hands open, the party is hollow.

PRAYER

I know, Lord, that the test of your character in me is what I will or won’t do when I’m desperate. Your grace is powerful enough in those moments to hold me fast. Amen

Courtesy of The Daughters of Promise