July 1, 2010 Don't Listen To the Trash Talk

I don't know about you, but I've heard the same type of trash talk in my head that Sennacherib was laying on Hezekiah.  Whatever voice it is, any words that lie about God are trash.  You don't have to believe them, or even listen to them.  God will put down the enemy that exalts itself above the knowledge of God, or He will give us the strength to do so.  Remember David and Goliath?  Same situation.

Todays readings all seemed to be about words!  Words are powerful.  Gossip's got hidden poison in it, as we saw in the Proverbs.  Praise and the declaration of God's word are weapons that can take out Satanic control of nations, as we read in Psalms.  We saw what the Assyrian king got for his efforts to defame God (crazy that he would go back after the decimation of his army and worship his loser god, isn't it?).  We saw how the prophetic word annulled the evil pronouncement against God's people.  We read about how people can truly see future events and declare them to you, but you have to hear God about your response to it, as did Paul about what would happen to him in Jerusalem (all prophesy needs to be interpreted and applied properly, which takes seeking God).

Knowing God's word and learning to know His voice, in whatever form it comes, are two of the greatest pursuits in life, and I am dedicated to them.  I am grateful to every teacher, pastor and prophetic communicator that has ever helped me to recognize God's word, who has given me tools to help me walk in obedience to God and to overcome the devil's trash talk. 

God's word is your defense.  When you stand in the truth of Christ, nothing can ever defeat you. 

May 15, 2010 Goliath Is Whatever Defies God

The concept of "safety in numbers" doesn't hold up when we're dealing with our own personal nemesis.  The armies of Israel were terrified of this one giant.  Perhaps that fear came down from the top, as King Saul was afraid too.  The challenge was to fight this giant one-on-one, and nobody wanted to do that.

The truth is, we really stand alone against the world, the flesh and the devil.  Are you thinking, "that's not right!"  Did you ever think about the fact that Jesus Himself stood against Goliath in the wilderness-- alone?  ("And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening." 1 Samuel 17:16) Goliath isn't just the devil, it's anything that defies God.  Dares you to get past it.  Intimidates you.

I say that David had already faced his nemesis, and found his Champion!  The Scriptures call David a prophet, and I can see why.  In some way or another, he saw Jesus in the wilderness defeating the very giant David faced in the Valley of Elah.  Seeing himself covered by the Lord, he could easily stand in confidence to face each and every Goliath in his life, and become a champion himself. 

This is your destiny!  This is your champion mindset; this is what you say to your giant:  “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." John 8:23

You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus!  Find yourself in Him!  He has already conquered your nemesis; therefore, there is nothing that can defeat you.  You have the five stones of the grace of God.  And all it takes is one.

April 27, 2010

What do you do if somebody mocks you?  I don't mean just playing, I'm mean really.  They're trash-talking you-- really belittling you, and maybe by implication, God.  I haven't had a person do this to me in a long time, but the devil tries to do it in my thoughts sometimes.  What do you do?

When Jesus was mocked, He didn't reply.  He didn't get angry or mock back.  He didn't fight them off when they put a crown of thorns on his head, mocking him.  He certainly didn't do what Gideon did!  Jesus, while dealing with the people, was silent, except to offer forgiveness, even as He died on the cross.  He didn't try to prove himself, defend himself, or take revenge. 

On the other hand, with d'devil, it was different.  Jesus totally trounced Satan, breaking into his domain, and taking from him the keys of hell and death!  We don't know what Jesus said to Satan then, but He would never engage in prideful mockery; perhaps He warned Satan of his future imprisonment, and his eventual destruction.  For once, Satan was probably speechless!  I still don't think he's gotten over Jesus rising from the dead.

Follow Jesus' example when dealing with mocking people. When dealing with the devil, do what Gideon did (in a spiritual sense).  Be aggressive when the devil mocks you and tries to steal your confidence in God.  (You have to watch out for the lies after you have a great victory.  Beware!)  Don't listen to anything the devil has to say-- just say no!  Fight him with the Word-- what Jesus has said and done-- and that will be like torturing the devil with thorns; then tear down his stronghold.