Every once in a while, I find myself in a place of absolute inability to function. Whether it's my own fault or it's something that God is doing is impossible for me to tell, but I always come to the same conclusion: I am nothing without Him. I could relate very much to this verse today: For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
2 Corinthians 13: 4
I decided a long time ago that there isn't any point in trying to do something in my own strength. What little natural strength I have is easily used up, and what meager things I can do on my own are nothing compared to what the Lord can do through me. I have learned (more than once) that the world goes on without me. This can come as a big shock to anyone who has finally believed that "I am the only one who can be me and do what I do." As true as this is, we still must accept that it is up to God to empower us. He is Life, and there is no substitute for waiting on Him.
I see myself as a sailboat. My gifts and talents are like sails. When the wind blows I will go somewhere as long as my sails are oriented to being filled with the wind. Just as in the natural world, sometimes the wind is just not blowing! A sailboat cannot control the wind. It cannot fake wind either. Why do we Christians think we have to fake the wind? Do we control the wind? No. We don't control the Holy Spirit, and we do not fake His activity. We just wait. We actively wait, for at the first sign of movement, we get our sails hoisted and ready to be filled.
It is the times that I am forced to rest that I see how very weak I am. I feel overwhelmed at the idea of doing any of the things I had previously been doing with ease. How much I need the Lord! There is no shame in this. If Jesus accepted this place of total dependency on God, then it good enough for me. In fact, it is the only safe place to be. I am reminded, with force, to be constantly dependent on Him and His strength alone so that I do not fall into pride and self-will. Stripped of all that makes me feel acceptable to Him, I discover once again that He loves and accepts me "just because." Everything gets distilled down to having a relationship with God and a more pure desire to please just Him. Of course, this is the place of inspiration, where exploits are born.
Questions to ponder:
Are you naturally a "be-er" or a "do-er"?
What word-picture would you use to describe the way God empowers your life?
Do you ever feel you are trying to "do" your life on your own? What do you do about that?
Have you ever felt a sudden shift in how the Holy Spirit was moving in your life? How did you feel about that? What was your response to this change?
Showing posts with label empowerment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label empowerment. Show all posts
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
July 26, 2010 Bridge Over the Chasm of Doubt
I often have to be reminded of what I already know. Although I may feel ashamed for having "forgotten" something I had revelation on, and really felt I understood, I am grateful for the prodding I get from the Holy Spirit. He gently reminds me, and somehow gets across His desire that I do what He's saying.
Today He used this passage to do that kind of prodding with me:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 NKJV
I'm not suggesting that I used to be saved but now I'm backslidden and need to be reinstated. No, there's more to salvation than becoming born-again. We tend to use the term "backslidden" to mean "become unsaved," and that's a debatable concept anyway. Just because I might get close to a slippery slope of sin doesn't mean I've lost my salvation! But that's not what I'm talking about here. What I mean is: I'm not walking in total salvation because I forget to cross the bridge from believing to overcoming. What is that bridge anyway? We see the chasm, if we're honest, but we can't see the bridge.
Perhaps we don't see the bridge because whenever we reach that chasm, there is no bridge. We are put in the position of having to build it. We build the bridge over the chasm of doubt by speaking the word of truth that we believe and walking on it until we reach the actuality of our faith.
I'll use myself as an example. Through faith in Christ, I've overcome many obstacles in my life. Depression is one of them. Even though I was a born-again child of God, I still had chronic depression and bouts of severe and debillitating depression-- as I had suffered throughout my life-- until the last several years, where it has diminshed to only an occasional temptation. Quite a process and lots of help from others helped me understand how to overcome the depression. But I had to overcome it myself by walking on the bridge over the chasm of doubt.
All the Word and faith about who I was in Christ, His love for me, His purposes in my life, knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit, etc., wasn't going to defeat the darkness of depression if that truth stayed locked inside my heart. Only by speaking out loud the truth I believed in my heart, and walking upon the bridge it created, would I be able to exit the gross darkness I lived in and into God's glorious light. Declaring what I believed inside my born-again heart was the only thing that could dispel the lying reality that colored my mental and physical existence. Every time I did this, I was able to take another step into freedom from depression. Believing alone could not do it; faith demands action, and speaking is the first action we take.
Sometimes our cultural adages steer us away from believing the word of God. All our life we hear "actions speak louder than words," and so we believe we don't have to speak, only act. This is like saying "the car engine revving is louder than the turn of the key." Well, of course it is, but try getting the engine to rev without turning the key in the ignition switch! And just because the engine is revving doesn't mean we're getting anywhere. We do have to shift gears, release the brake, and put our foot on the gas. Our declared words of faith are like the key that gets it all going.
I'm saying all this to help you, as well as myself, so we can get our heart beliefs out where they can activate our salvation. I'm believing God for healing and restructuring of some physical problems that are hindering my life progress. The things I'm wanting to receive from God are stated clearly in the Word-- they are not gray or cloudy. I have complete faith in their truth, and in God's will for me. So why am I not getting saved in those areas? Because I forget to declare the truth out of my mouth. I forget to put the key into the ignition and turn it. I forget to build the bridge and walk on it.
Understanding and practicing this concept can save us a lot of frustration, disappointment, shame and even anger with God. The above Scripture tips us off as to how to get saved, and keep on getting saved. We believed the truth, and we confessed our faith when we were born again. We have to keep practicing that to get to where we're walking in all that Christ bought for us by His death and resurrection. Christ is the Word, and He is the Salvation. We unveil Him once again in our lives at every point of decision whenever we speak the truth we heard and believed.
What hinders you from confessing your faith? Ask the Lord to show you the things that keep you from speaking the word that's in your heart, so that you can walk on the bridge of faith until you own salvation in that area of your life.
Today He used this passage to do that kind of prodding with me:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 NKJV
I'm not suggesting that I used to be saved but now I'm backslidden and need to be reinstated. No, there's more to salvation than becoming born-again. We tend to use the term "backslidden" to mean "become unsaved," and that's a debatable concept anyway. Just because I might get close to a slippery slope of sin doesn't mean I've lost my salvation! But that's not what I'm talking about here. What I mean is: I'm not walking in total salvation because I forget to cross the bridge from believing to overcoming. What is that bridge anyway? We see the chasm, if we're honest, but we can't see the bridge.
Perhaps we don't see the bridge because whenever we reach that chasm, there is no bridge. We are put in the position of having to build it. We build the bridge over the chasm of doubt by speaking the word of truth that we believe and walking on it until we reach the actuality of our faith.
I'll use myself as an example. Through faith in Christ, I've overcome many obstacles in my life. Depression is one of them. Even though I was a born-again child of God, I still had chronic depression and bouts of severe and debillitating depression-- as I had suffered throughout my life-- until the last several years, where it has diminshed to only an occasional temptation. Quite a process and lots of help from others helped me understand how to overcome the depression. But I had to overcome it myself by walking on the bridge over the chasm of doubt.
All the Word and faith about who I was in Christ, His love for me, His purposes in my life, knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit, etc., wasn't going to defeat the darkness of depression if that truth stayed locked inside my heart. Only by speaking out loud the truth I believed in my heart, and walking upon the bridge it created, would I be able to exit the gross darkness I lived in and into God's glorious light. Declaring what I believed inside my born-again heart was the only thing that could dispel the lying reality that colored my mental and physical existence. Every time I did this, I was able to take another step into freedom from depression. Believing alone could not do it; faith demands action, and speaking is the first action we take.
Sometimes our cultural adages steer us away from believing the word of God. All our life we hear "actions speak louder than words," and so we believe we don't have to speak, only act. This is like saying "the car engine revving is louder than the turn of the key." Well, of course it is, but try getting the engine to rev without turning the key in the ignition switch! And just because the engine is revving doesn't mean we're getting anywhere. We do have to shift gears, release the brake, and put our foot on the gas. Our declared words of faith are like the key that gets it all going.
I'm saying all this to help you, as well as myself, so we can get our heart beliefs out where they can activate our salvation. I'm believing God for healing and restructuring of some physical problems that are hindering my life progress. The things I'm wanting to receive from God are stated clearly in the Word-- they are not gray or cloudy. I have complete faith in their truth, and in God's will for me. So why am I not getting saved in those areas? Because I forget to declare the truth out of my mouth. I forget to put the key into the ignition and turn it. I forget to build the bridge and walk on it.
Understanding and practicing this concept can save us a lot of frustration, disappointment, shame and even anger with God. The above Scripture tips us off as to how to get saved, and keep on getting saved. We believed the truth, and we confessed our faith when we were born again. We have to keep practicing that to get to where we're walking in all that Christ bought for us by His death and resurrection. Christ is the Word, and He is the Salvation. We unveil Him once again in our lives at every point of decision whenever we speak the truth we heard and believed.
What hinders you from confessing your faith? Ask the Lord to show you the things that keep you from speaking the word that's in your heart, so that you can walk on the bridge of faith until you own salvation in that area of your life.
Friday, July 9, 2010
July 9, 2010 Trusting God In Someone Else's Ship
Have you ever felt frustrated when you feel the person in charge is making a serious mistake? I have. I've been a "voyager in someone else's ship" most of my life-- as a child dependent on parents in a troubled marriage, as a teenager in a ultra-restrictive boarding school, as a college student on scholarships trying to please a demanding professor, as a young new-Christian wife struggling to submit to her less-than-wise husband, as an employee attempting to do good work under a corrupt boss, and even as a church member trying her best to follow a confused pastor. I'm sure there are as many tales like this as there are people. The challenge is to stay true to our faith and keep our trust in the Lord.
Once we come of age, we often have choices about what we will do about a "captain" who is sailing off into a seemingly life-threatening storm. I've had to make some difficult decisions, but the Lord was always with me through it all. The Apostle Paul had a word from God to keep him staying on with a ship that was sure to sink. That takes some strong faith! Sometimes marriage feels like a sinking ship, and if you're a wife, you may feel like jumping! (Fortunately, we're not prisoners as Paul was, although it may feel like it sometimes. Reminding ourselves of our desire to make the commitment can help us weather the storm.) Guys have a different problem: they are the ones who have to decide where to take that ship. I'm glad I don't have to take the helm! However, sometimes we have to say what we see, whether it's believed or not. Paul did. Then he just had to hold on to his vision and trust in God for the outcome. I have to wonder what was going on in Dr. Luke's mind during all this, since he was on the ship too!
Prayer is always the first action we should take-- it should be automatic. That's when we get our directions, and peace. So often, things just seem to straighten themselves out when we pray. Staying in the Word, too, keeps our eyes focused on the Lord: isn't He really the Captain of our life anyway? He knows exactly what's going on, and He's committed to our well-being. He is the manager of our trials. Even though being under the leadership of, or even being dependent on, another human being is probably one of the most difficult trials we undergo, we can be assured that the Lord is still watching over us for our benefit-- and for the other person's as well.
There are times we feel we must confront. Emotional pleas just do not work! I've tried it many times, and I simply give up. My overwrought emotional state doesn't convince anyone of my ability to think clearly! I will not be listened to, no matter how right I am. Getting my focus on the Lord and seeking Him for peace is top priority. Then, I may be heard by the "captain" if I present the information I have with calm and clarity. It's up to him, then, to decide what to do with my intelligence (it's called intelligence for a reason-- you'd better know what you're talking about if you want to be listened to). I must maintain in faith.
Even if you end up having to go through a shipwreck, know this: God is able to preserve you. His ways are always redemptive, never forget. He may be working with the "captain" of the ship you're in, to bring some level of change or repentance or growth; but even if it's mostly about them, guess what? God's going to bring you to another level of faith, trust, backbone, maturity-- whatever it is you need to grow in. He uses all things for our good, even shipwrecks.
Once we come of age, we often have choices about what we will do about a "captain" who is sailing off into a seemingly life-threatening storm. I've had to make some difficult decisions, but the Lord was always with me through it all. The Apostle Paul had a word from God to keep him staying on with a ship that was sure to sink. That takes some strong faith! Sometimes marriage feels like a sinking ship, and if you're a wife, you may feel like jumping! (Fortunately, we're not prisoners as Paul was, although it may feel like it sometimes. Reminding ourselves of our desire to make the commitment can help us weather the storm.) Guys have a different problem: they are the ones who have to decide where to take that ship. I'm glad I don't have to take the helm! However, sometimes we have to say what we see, whether it's believed or not. Paul did. Then he just had to hold on to his vision and trust in God for the outcome. I have to wonder what was going on in Dr. Luke's mind during all this, since he was on the ship too!
Prayer is always the first action we should take-- it should be automatic. That's when we get our directions, and peace. So often, things just seem to straighten themselves out when we pray. Staying in the Word, too, keeps our eyes focused on the Lord: isn't He really the Captain of our life anyway? He knows exactly what's going on, and He's committed to our well-being. He is the manager of our trials. Even though being under the leadership of, or even being dependent on, another human being is probably one of the most difficult trials we undergo, we can be assured that the Lord is still watching over us for our benefit-- and for the other person's as well.
There are times we feel we must confront. Emotional pleas just do not work! I've tried it many times, and I simply give up. My overwrought emotional state doesn't convince anyone of my ability to think clearly! I will not be listened to, no matter how right I am. Getting my focus on the Lord and seeking Him for peace is top priority. Then, I may be heard by the "captain" if I present the information I have with calm and clarity. It's up to him, then, to decide what to do with my intelligence (it's called intelligence for a reason-- you'd better know what you're talking about if you want to be listened to). I must maintain in faith.
Even if you end up having to go through a shipwreck, know this: God is able to preserve you. His ways are always redemptive, never forget. He may be working with the "captain" of the ship you're in, to bring some level of change or repentance or growth; but even if it's mostly about them, guess what? God's going to bring you to another level of faith, trust, backbone, maturity-- whatever it is you need to grow in. He uses all things for our good, even shipwrecks.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
June 29, 2010 The Mighty, Prevailing Word of God
Sometimes it feels like we're in the middle of the riot in Ephesus, with everybody chanting "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" When large numbers of people get together, all worshipping the same god, a lot of shouting happens if you say anything about Jesus Christ being Lord. Confusion and mindlessness are a symption of mass deception. It's hard to get it to listen.
In order to save our nation, we need revival-- meaning: we need a majority of people who are free from mind-control and who believe and follow the truth of the gospel. We need to pray for the Spirit of Truth to break through and open people's minds that have been captivated by lies, so that they can receive the truth. This prayer has already had great effect. However, just because we pray doesn't mean there isn't more to do. Everyone who is free has work to do to get others set free. The word of God still needs to be shared: taught, preached, written about, discussed, illustrated, etc. Now is not the time to be lazy or intimidated. We need to work harder than the devil is!
There are two strategies I see that would be useful in dealing with the problem of mass deception as we get the word of God out: 1) publicly demonstrate the power of God and His word in a way that is undeniable. 2) relate to individuals in a way that doesn't trigger the programmed response (in other words, have wisdom in how you approach people about the gospel, and other subjects--included is a discussion on what to do if you if you end up triggering people).
If you'll think about it, you'll see that Jesus, in His earthly ministry, did both these things. He was dealing with a nation of people who were captivated in a religious "stronghold." Even some of the Pharisees, who were controlled by it but were also using it to control the masses, were won by the prevailing Word of God. Jesus demonstrated God's power by healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons, as well as other miracles. Jesus also spoke in parables to the people, getting the truth into them, in part, by by-passing their mental triggers. He didn't talk to the people in the same religious way that the Pharisees did, and they listened. I think that Jesus may have deliberately triggered the Pharisees to show what spirit they were really of!
These strategies are going to take a lot of prayer, submission to God, and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We know, without a doubt, that it is God's will to get people set free. Why else would Paul the Apostle have been casting demons out in the name of Christ? (possession by a prevailing mindset of lies is just as bad as demon possession, isn't it?) This was true demonstration of the power of God, and it couldn't be duplicated by those who were not obedient to Christ. (It wasn't the only way Paul showed God's power, however; he did many other miracles.)
When the power of God is demonstrated along with the preaching of the word, the fear of the Lord rises up in people. The result is that 1) people come to Christ (by their own choice), 2) people confess their sins, and 3) people lay down their idols and their idolotrous practices because of the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (you can see this is verses 17-19)
I am fascinated by this verse: "So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." Acts 19:20 We need not be intimidated by the seeming power of a crowd of deceived people. When the word of God is spoken, it gets planted in people. I think when people see God's word in action, it sort of pokes a hole in them, and the seed of the word goes down deeper-- has a chance to take root. God's word grows in people, then bears fruit. This takes time. (Some of the hard times we've been going through are perhaps digging the "rocks" out of people-- softening the hardness of people's hearts and making them better "soil"). All the Christian mass media in the world won't suddenly change society by suddenly changing the crowds' mind. But the word of God spread en mass will touch many individuals. And God's word always prevails.
There is nothing mightier than the word of God. In the Psalm today, we are reminded how the word of God controls nature. He created nature in the first place-- with His word. He created mankind. He upholds the universe with His word. If He can do this, then He could control a crowd, easily, with His word. But I don't see that He has ever done this, even with His own people. He doesn't violate His own policies, and the individual's free will is one of the things He has set up. It is a key to His kingdom.
Satan, however, has no qualms about violating God's laws. Controlling a group is something he tries to do as much as possible. (In the incident in Ephesus, Demetrius was used by Satan to stir up a crowd against the gospel, using a group deception that was already in place and a strong economic incentive: and the devil always uses "fear, shame and the need to belong".) Even so, God sets people free individually. Otherwise, we would just be pawns in a duel between God and Satan, and we are not. God is not controlled by Satan's tactics. We don't have to be either.
God's people, when we become full of His Word and Spirit, will eventually act as one-- not because God is controlling us against our will, but because each of our wills are freely submitted to the Head, who is Christ. We will choose to do His will because we want to. It is pure worship. If we are submitted to the Head, we will be free of any other type of control. We will not fear or worship anything else. We will move as one-- His Body.
In the words of John, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1John 5:21 In order to free others, we must be free ourselves. Watch for how the enemy promotes controlling mindsets through the media. He does it by saturation, seduction and peer pressure (and other forms of intimidation). Don't become a cult-victim of the prevailing culture. Let God's culture and His powerful word prevail in your life. The choice is yours.
*******
The following is specific instructions about dealing with triggered behavior. I just wanted to let you know in advance, so you don't get mad at me for taking up so much of your time. It might be very useful for you, either now or in the future, especially if you are in ministry. It just seems that, since this is a very common problem, and the Scripture readings brought it up, it would be wrong of me to not share what I know, at least briefly (and this is very brief, really).
Satan believes that if he can get people, either in a mass or individually, so programmed that they will not be able to think or listen (or even get angry and attack) if they are triggered, that we will stop preaching the gospel to them. Since this is a widespread phenomenon, we either have to avoid the triggers (and they are often common and avoidable), or learn to deal with people when they are triggered, either by ourselves or others. What we must not do is become afraid of people and stop speaking the truth in love. I will share with you a little of what I have learned so far; some of it was revealed to me as I read the Scriptures today.
Sometimes God will lead us to do or say something that will trigger the programmed response, either in a crowd or in an individual. This is to show us what is controlling the crowd or person. It is possible to calm a crowd, as we saw by the speech the clerk gave in the theater. But all he did was cater to their belief system. It didn't set them free. I'm not saying we should do this. Sometimes Paul was barely able to talk sense into a frenzied crowd (such as when they tried to worship him as Zeus). In my limited experience, it is possible to speak (whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to) into the volitile situation. This can change a hostile atmosphere by the work of the Spirit, who speaks to individual hearts and allows His peace to overwhelm enemy activity. This is temporary, but it gives you the chance to share the word of God to the group of people. I believe angel ministers also help in this situation when we speak the word given us. You also can speak directly to an evil spirit who has tried to invade a meeting, and you can directly cast it out (if you've been given authority over the meeting). I can't share experience on what to do in situations like Paul was in, since I've never preached in venues like he did. Thankfully, if I ever have to, I know that God's grace is sufficient for all things.
In ministering to an individual who you see is being controlled by something, we have to have discernment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, moment by moment. I have had lots of experience with this in the counseling room, as well as everyday life, but there is no formula. Sometimes you can cast a demon out, but lots of times there is more to it, and you just have to calm the person down and go at the problem from a different angle. You may have to wait for another time. When I was counseling one time, a lady client was triggered into a tizzy because I wore the color pink! It seemed bad at the moment, but it led us to a place that needed healing. No, I didn't cast a demon out! Yes, I have cast demons out before. Just try casting a wound or a thought-process out though! Discipleship, and often deliverance, is a process.
If you trigger a controlled throught-process, evoking a programmed response (and then you're dealing with an unreasonable, and even dangerous, person at that moment), most likely your conversation is over for the time being. Make a note of what you learned. You will have to go around the "back door" and, in a different way, begin to share the word of God that will refute the lies that the person is believing. Once the person believes the truth, they will overthrow the demon themselves, if there is one. This is best and most permanent. (There isn't always an actual demon present, because the human psyche is capable of all sorts of strange defensive behaviors, which often look demonic to us, but aren't necessarily. The number of demons in the world is finite, and Satan won't use them if he doesn't have to. He has had thousands of years to study human psychology, and he knows more than you do. He is a master mind-twister. Good thing we have access to the infinite mind of Christ! God's wisdom and knowledge always trump the devil!) If there is a demonic guard everywhere you go in talking with a person, then you are going to have to get them delivered. Prayer over the situation is advised before you act. I'm sure Paul was praying over the girl with the spirit of divination, and he knew exactly what he was getting into. I have been led, in some instances, to immediately command a demon to leave, and it has left. But if you don't help the person close the door that let it in, it will be back, guaranteed. This is worse, and to be avoided. Jesus taught about that.
Christian deliverance is not exorcism! Never forget that the word of God is His will; it is powerful and it will prevail. If Christ lives in you, then His authority will speak through you when He gives you the word. You never have to exert human power; if fact, in dealing with demons, you are only giving them something to feed on when you do things in the flesh. It makes them stronger. The fruit of the Spirit is poisonous to them however, so make sure you're in the Vine and bearing lots of fruit! Doing something "in the name of Jesus" requires doing it in His nature. You can't use the name of Jesus as a magic potion.
When you are walking in the Spirit, then He will lead you only to places in which He will either work through you, or teach you with what you are experiencing.
In order to save our nation, we need revival-- meaning: we need a majority of people who are free from mind-control and who believe and follow the truth of the gospel. We need to pray for the Spirit of Truth to break through and open people's minds that have been captivated by lies, so that they can receive the truth. This prayer has already had great effect. However, just because we pray doesn't mean there isn't more to do. Everyone who is free has work to do to get others set free. The word of God still needs to be shared: taught, preached, written about, discussed, illustrated, etc. Now is not the time to be lazy or intimidated. We need to work harder than the devil is!
There are two strategies I see that would be useful in dealing with the problem of mass deception as we get the word of God out: 1) publicly demonstrate the power of God and His word in a way that is undeniable. 2) relate to individuals in a way that doesn't trigger the programmed response (in other words, have wisdom in how you approach people about the gospel, and other subjects--included is a discussion on what to do if you if you end up triggering people).
If you'll think about it, you'll see that Jesus, in His earthly ministry, did both these things. He was dealing with a nation of people who were captivated in a religious "stronghold." Even some of the Pharisees, who were controlled by it but were also using it to control the masses, were won by the prevailing Word of God. Jesus demonstrated God's power by healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons, as well as other miracles. Jesus also spoke in parables to the people, getting the truth into them, in part, by by-passing their mental triggers. He didn't talk to the people in the same religious way that the Pharisees did, and they listened. I think that Jesus may have deliberately triggered the Pharisees to show what spirit they were really of!
These strategies are going to take a lot of prayer, submission to God, and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We know, without a doubt, that it is God's will to get people set free. Why else would Paul the Apostle have been casting demons out in the name of Christ? (possession by a prevailing mindset of lies is just as bad as demon possession, isn't it?) This was true demonstration of the power of God, and it couldn't be duplicated by those who were not obedient to Christ. (It wasn't the only way Paul showed God's power, however; he did many other miracles.)
When the power of God is demonstrated along with the preaching of the word, the fear of the Lord rises up in people. The result is that 1) people come to Christ (by their own choice), 2) people confess their sins, and 3) people lay down their idols and their idolotrous practices because of the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (you can see this is verses 17-19)
I am fascinated by this verse: "So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." Acts 19:20 We need not be intimidated by the seeming power of a crowd of deceived people. When the word of God is spoken, it gets planted in people. I think when people see God's word in action, it sort of pokes a hole in them, and the seed of the word goes down deeper-- has a chance to take root. God's word grows in people, then bears fruit. This takes time. (Some of the hard times we've been going through are perhaps digging the "rocks" out of people-- softening the hardness of people's hearts and making them better "soil"). All the Christian mass media in the world won't suddenly change society by suddenly changing the crowds' mind. But the word of God spread en mass will touch many individuals. And God's word always prevails.
There is nothing mightier than the word of God. In the Psalm today, we are reminded how the word of God controls nature. He created nature in the first place-- with His word. He created mankind. He upholds the universe with His word. If He can do this, then He could control a crowd, easily, with His word. But I don't see that He has ever done this, even with His own people. He doesn't violate His own policies, and the individual's free will is one of the things He has set up. It is a key to His kingdom.
Satan, however, has no qualms about violating God's laws. Controlling a group is something he tries to do as much as possible. (In the incident in Ephesus, Demetrius was used by Satan to stir up a crowd against the gospel, using a group deception that was already in place and a strong economic incentive: and the devil always uses "fear, shame and the need to belong".) Even so, God sets people free individually. Otherwise, we would just be pawns in a duel between God and Satan, and we are not. God is not controlled by Satan's tactics. We don't have to be either.
God's people, when we become full of His Word and Spirit, will eventually act as one-- not because God is controlling us against our will, but because each of our wills are freely submitted to the Head, who is Christ. We will choose to do His will because we want to. It is pure worship. If we are submitted to the Head, we will be free of any other type of control. We will not fear or worship anything else. We will move as one-- His Body.
In the words of John, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1John 5:21 In order to free others, we must be free ourselves. Watch for how the enemy promotes controlling mindsets through the media. He does it by saturation, seduction and peer pressure (and other forms of intimidation). Don't become a cult-victim of the prevailing culture. Let God's culture and His powerful word prevail in your life. The choice is yours.
*******
The following is specific instructions about dealing with triggered behavior. I just wanted to let you know in advance, so you don't get mad at me for taking up so much of your time. It might be very useful for you, either now or in the future, especially if you are in ministry. It just seems that, since this is a very common problem, and the Scripture readings brought it up, it would be wrong of me to not share what I know, at least briefly (and this is very brief, really).
Satan believes that if he can get people, either in a mass or individually, so programmed that they will not be able to think or listen (or even get angry and attack) if they are triggered, that we will stop preaching the gospel to them. Since this is a widespread phenomenon, we either have to avoid the triggers (and they are often common and avoidable), or learn to deal with people when they are triggered, either by ourselves or others. What we must not do is become afraid of people and stop speaking the truth in love. I will share with you a little of what I have learned so far; some of it was revealed to me as I read the Scriptures today.
Sometimes God will lead us to do or say something that will trigger the programmed response, either in a crowd or in an individual. This is to show us what is controlling the crowd or person. It is possible to calm a crowd, as we saw by the speech the clerk gave in the theater. But all he did was cater to their belief system. It didn't set them free. I'm not saying we should do this. Sometimes Paul was barely able to talk sense into a frenzied crowd (such as when they tried to worship him as Zeus). In my limited experience, it is possible to speak (whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to) into the volitile situation. This can change a hostile atmosphere by the work of the Spirit, who speaks to individual hearts and allows His peace to overwhelm enemy activity. This is temporary, but it gives you the chance to share the word of God to the group of people. I believe angel ministers also help in this situation when we speak the word given us. You also can speak directly to an evil spirit who has tried to invade a meeting, and you can directly cast it out (if you've been given authority over the meeting). I can't share experience on what to do in situations like Paul was in, since I've never preached in venues like he did. Thankfully, if I ever have to, I know that God's grace is sufficient for all things.
In ministering to an individual who you see is being controlled by something, we have to have discernment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, moment by moment. I have had lots of experience with this in the counseling room, as well as everyday life, but there is no formula. Sometimes you can cast a demon out, but lots of times there is more to it, and you just have to calm the person down and go at the problem from a different angle. You may have to wait for another time. When I was counseling one time, a lady client was triggered into a tizzy because I wore the color pink! It seemed bad at the moment, but it led us to a place that needed healing. No, I didn't cast a demon out! Yes, I have cast demons out before. Just try casting a wound or a thought-process out though! Discipleship, and often deliverance, is a process.
If you trigger a controlled throught-process, evoking a programmed response (and then you're dealing with an unreasonable, and even dangerous, person at that moment), most likely your conversation is over for the time being. Make a note of what you learned. You will have to go around the "back door" and, in a different way, begin to share the word of God that will refute the lies that the person is believing. Once the person believes the truth, they will overthrow the demon themselves, if there is one. This is best and most permanent. (There isn't always an actual demon present, because the human psyche is capable of all sorts of strange defensive behaviors, which often look demonic to us, but aren't necessarily. The number of demons in the world is finite, and Satan won't use them if he doesn't have to. He has had thousands of years to study human psychology, and he knows more than you do. He is a master mind-twister. Good thing we have access to the infinite mind of Christ! God's wisdom and knowledge always trump the devil!) If there is a demonic guard everywhere you go in talking with a person, then you are going to have to get them delivered. Prayer over the situation is advised before you act. I'm sure Paul was praying over the girl with the spirit of divination, and he knew exactly what he was getting into. I have been led, in some instances, to immediately command a demon to leave, and it has left. But if you don't help the person close the door that let it in, it will be back, guaranteed. This is worse, and to be avoided. Jesus taught about that.
Christian deliverance is not exorcism! Never forget that the word of God is His will; it is powerful and it will prevail. If Christ lives in you, then His authority will speak through you when He gives you the word. You never have to exert human power; if fact, in dealing with demons, you are only giving them something to feed on when you do things in the flesh. It makes them stronger. The fruit of the Spirit is poisonous to them however, so make sure you're in the Vine and bearing lots of fruit! Doing something "in the name of Jesus" requires doing it in His nature. You can't use the name of Jesus as a magic potion.
When you are walking in the Spirit, then He will lead you only to places in which He will either work through you, or teach you with what you are experiencing.
Friday, June 25, 2010
June 25, 2010 Earth-Shaking Praise
Our trials and tribulations always have redemptive purposes! We can be assured of this because, when we belong to God, He uses everything for good. We have our share of responsibility, I think, in releasing God's redemptive purpose into our sphere of influence. From reading about Paul and Silas in prison, I realize that praising and glorifying God in the midst of trouble and persecution can be the sign that points people to Christ.
Even when our sufferings are entirely private, praising God with abandon is a key to victory. If we're practicing this when no one is looking, we'll be prepared for action when someone actually is. To me, having victory over my difficult circumstances is a good incentive to do what I know: praise God with my whole heart-- which is a pleasing sacrifice. The thought that I might be practicing for the future-- that other people might be brought into the Kingdom because I glorified God while I suffered-- gives my present trials even more meaning. I might even be able to embrace them with gusto!
Even when our sufferings are entirely private, praising God with abandon is a key to victory. If we're practicing this when no one is looking, we'll be prepared for action when someone actually is. To me, having victory over my difficult circumstances is a good incentive to do what I know: praise God with my whole heart-- which is a pleasing sacrifice. The thought that I might be practicing for the future-- that other people might be brought into the Kingdom because I glorified God while I suffered-- gives my present trials even more meaning. I might even be able to embrace them with gusto!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
June 9, 2010 The Spirit of Excellence
Being an artist, I always love reading the descriptions of the temple, in all of its stages throughout the Bible. They've become more vivid to me as I've practiced imagining the details in my mind's eye. The varied way that the Spirit of Wisdom worked in Solomon-- either in the practicalities of business, or in the beautiful details of an artistic vision-- is a vivid picture of how God's wisdom is a priceless endowment in every area of life. Christ is now building His temple, the Church, as a habitation for God's name, and the glory that permeates His workmanship, through the Spirit of Wisdom, is what sets the Church apart and makes her great in every area of influence.
The same Spirit of Wisdom works through the members of Christ's Body today. No matter what our endeavors and areas of gifting are, the Spirit of Wisdom, when allowed to guide and empower, will enable us to glorify God by helping us to achieve a level of excellence that shines. I am reminded that when people began to notice Jesus, they commented that He did "all things well." The fact that Solomon did "all things well" clues us in to the concept that he is a "type and shadow" of Christ. Think how glorious His reign will be! Do you ever let yourself imagine what that time will be like? I certainly do!
Nobody that I know does "all things well"! I'm good at several things, but I'm terrible with numbers! Lucky for me, my husband Bob is a whiz! He, on the other hand, has some holes in his abilities that I can fill nicely. We're a good team! And this is the glory of oneness: not only in marriage, but in the Body of Christ, the Church! As we each do our part by the Spirit of Wisdom and Excellence, we participate in building a living temple for the glory of God's name. "O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:9
We should never look down on someone because their part doesn't look spiritual to us. Everyone has a duty, whether they are prophets or plumbers, to walk in the Spirit, and thus shine with God's wisdom and excellence, which is part of His glory. As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Psalm 16:3 Being excellent in all we do is not about getting glory for ourselves (which is worldliness), but is all about showing forth the glory of God.
Sadly, a religious spirit of false humility has, over the decades, tended to tarnish the Church's ability to shine forth the glory, promoting, in many individuals, a need to diminish the light of Christ in themselves. If we are truly walking in the Spirit, we will do whatever it is we do, whether small or great, in an attitude of worship, which will allow God's excellence to be seen.
Even when something is unnoticed by people, excellence glorifies God! One of the marks of quality-- for example, of a piece of designer clothing-- is that even the hidden seams are marked with excellence of workmanship. Never think that what you do doesn't matter-- it's all part of the Church's reason for existence: to glorify God's name.
Don't get discouraged if you feel like you're not doing excellently! Jesus is still the Author and Finisher! It's our job to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, not stress and strive in a perfectionistic way. (see how today's Psalm addresses this: Psalm 127:1-2). He will teach and guide, and if we just keep on being faithful, we will eventually do excellently without even trying.
Jesus Christ is excellent. If you're born of God, and if the Spirit of God lives in you, you are made of excellent material! As Christ is formed in you, you will become-- you are becoming-- more and more excellent, just like Him!
The same Spirit of Wisdom works through the members of Christ's Body today. No matter what our endeavors and areas of gifting are, the Spirit of Wisdom, when allowed to guide and empower, will enable us to glorify God by helping us to achieve a level of excellence that shines. I am reminded that when people began to notice Jesus, they commented that He did "all things well." The fact that Solomon did "all things well" clues us in to the concept that he is a "type and shadow" of Christ. Think how glorious His reign will be! Do you ever let yourself imagine what that time will be like? I certainly do!
Nobody that I know does "all things well"! I'm good at several things, but I'm terrible with numbers! Lucky for me, my husband Bob is a whiz! He, on the other hand, has some holes in his abilities that I can fill nicely. We're a good team! And this is the glory of oneness: not only in marriage, but in the Body of Christ, the Church! As we each do our part by the Spirit of Wisdom and Excellence, we participate in building a living temple for the glory of God's name. "O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:9
We should never look down on someone because their part doesn't look spiritual to us. Everyone has a duty, whether they are prophets or plumbers, to walk in the Spirit, and thus shine with God's wisdom and excellence, which is part of His glory. As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Psalm 16:3 Being excellent in all we do is not about getting glory for ourselves (which is worldliness), but is all about showing forth the glory of God.
Sadly, a religious spirit of false humility has, over the decades, tended to tarnish the Church's ability to shine forth the glory, promoting, in many individuals, a need to diminish the light of Christ in themselves. If we are truly walking in the Spirit, we will do whatever it is we do, whether small or great, in an attitude of worship, which will allow God's excellence to be seen.
Even when something is unnoticed by people, excellence glorifies God! One of the marks of quality-- for example, of a piece of designer clothing-- is that even the hidden seams are marked with excellence of workmanship. Never think that what you do doesn't matter-- it's all part of the Church's reason for existence: to glorify God's name.
Don't get discouraged if you feel like you're not doing excellently! Jesus is still the Author and Finisher! It's our job to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, not stress and strive in a perfectionistic way. (see how today's Psalm addresses this: Psalm 127:1-2). He will teach and guide, and if we just keep on being faithful, we will eventually do excellently without even trying.
Jesus Christ is excellent. If you're born of God, and if the Spirit of God lives in you, you are made of excellent material! As Christ is formed in you, you will become-- you are becoming-- more and more excellent, just like Him!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June 3, 2010 Full Circle of Promise
It's like a heavenly "promise ring"-- as the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven, so He will return. The disciples were gazing up into the heavens as He ascended before their very eyes. We are now in the position of gazing upwards, looking for His return. "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Luke 21: 28 Jesus keeps His promises: He is coming for His bride!
Jesus' prayer for oneness is still resonating in my mind and spirit. When I read the opening lines of Acts, I feel the connection with the disciples. We embrace the promise of His return, and we will at last be together with all the saints.
Jesus kept His promise to empower the disciples as well, sending the Holy Spirit and fire, just as John the Baptist had prophesied. John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Luke 3:16 We accept the Great Commission as including us as well as the Twelve. Why not, then, accept the promise of empowerment from on high? John the Baptist was saying that "to all," not just the Twelve. We are one with them, just as Jesus prayed. And it is not in Christ's character to send us out as witnesses without empowering us first.
The Apostles went before us and paved the way of faith and works. The promises they received and the works they did were for us too. They went first, building a foundation, showing us how to walk in the Spirit and serve Christ in the world. They ran the race with patience, and they passed us the torch. Let's honor them and glorify God by holding the torch high and finishing the race in faith and love.
Jesus' prayer for oneness is still resonating in my mind and spirit. When I read the opening lines of Acts, I feel the connection with the disciples. We embrace the promise of His return, and we will at last be together with all the saints.
Jesus kept His promise to empower the disciples as well, sending the Holy Spirit and fire, just as John the Baptist had prophesied. John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Luke 3:16 We accept the Great Commission as including us as well as the Twelve. Why not, then, accept the promise of empowerment from on high? John the Baptist was saying that "to all," not just the Twelve. We are one with them, just as Jesus prayed. And it is not in Christ's character to send us out as witnesses without empowering us first.
The Apostles went before us and paved the way of faith and works. The promises they received and the works they did were for us too. They went first, building a foundation, showing us how to walk in the Spirit and serve Christ in the world. They ran the race with patience, and they passed us the torch. Let's honor them and glorify God by holding the torch high and finishing the race in faith and love.
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