The war wages on...

Painting: SCHAEFER MILES 

An excerpt from "Spiritual Warfare" booklet by Charles Stanley says:

"During the Gulf War, the eyes of the world were focused on the Middle

East and the strife building in that region. In wartime there is always a 

threat of loss of life, dismissal of liberty, and emotional destruction. 
Rarely does a nation emerge from war without some kind of physical 
or psychological scars.

"However, there is a war far more destructive than the ones fought on 
a battlefield. It is a spiritual war and it involves each one of us. 
None of us is immune." Charles F. Stanley

This month, I'm doing a study on this particular subject and I'm sure it's
no coincidence that its been tough to say the very least!


Years ago, I "heard" about spiritual warfare but never received a clear
definition on what it is and why it matters to me exactly. Didn't hear too
much about it in church either. Meanwhile, wondering why I was having
doubts, illness, bad attitudes, anger, unforgiveness and unable to find joy
in my life, so many constant struggles.
What's up with that anyway? Some proclaim, "you're only human"
but there is much more to it than meets the eye.


Maybe I wasn't living by God's standards, maybe I wasn't in the Word
of God, maybe I wasn't raised to defeat demonic influence, maybe I was
just stubborn, maybe I just didn't care or don't care. I have to be clear that
God doesn't punish us or cause trouble for us "despite us"...  sometimes
he may use troubles to get our attention, other times, your problem is an 
enemy who seeks to destroy you, which is why it is so vital to learn about
this subject of Spiritual Warfare before it's too late!


Until my eyes were wide opened to God's revelations, the Lord showed me
who He is and why He came and died and rose so He could live in me,
this spiritual warfare knowledge seemed meaningless to me.
Maybe this is where you are spiritually today and this message could very
well be for you.


Something to think about...
"Satan will never tell you, "I'm your greatest threat." He comes as
an angel of light often times - a counterfeit of God's truth. He has
four main objectives: to tempt you to doubt the Word of God; to 
distract you from spiritual things by overloading your schedule;
to disable you in the Lord's service by running your witness
through sin and guilt; to destroy your usefulness physically and/or
emotionally." Charles F. Stanley


"So why do we need warfare, what is so important about it and who am
I to use it?" Those are the thoughts that crossed my mind in the beginning
of my walk with the Lord.


Please make your own mind up to follow the Lord in obedience as you
seriously contemplate the following message:


"God called each of us to live a life of purity and holiness" (Rom. 12:1)
"Don't simplify the reality of Satan's presence in your life or those around
you. He is relentless. Satan wants to deceive you in believing he doesn't
exist. While Satan's power is limited, he was created by God and has 
tremendous power, knowledge, and beauty. When we dismiss God's 
warning to beware of his evil against us, we set ourselves up
for heartache and disappointment." (CFS)


BEHOLD, I GIVE YOU POWER
In Luke 10:19, Jesus tells His disciples; "Behold, I have given you
authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power
of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you." "He is speaking to them
and us today, about spiritual matters and avoiding being captivated
by the mind-set of this world.


One of the most important principles we must learn as believers is
that God's Word and the victory of Christ's death on the cross
have broken Satan's power over us. We do not have to shrink back
in fear but can stand victoriously as long as the source of our strength
is resting in Jesus Christ and not our own pride.


We can't do this in our own strength, so let's meditate on
this: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have
overcome the world." (John 16:33)


Ultimately, we must get to know our Savior. Build a relationship
with Him and don't neglect Him just as you wouldn't your spouse
or children. He needs to be our first priority in our everyday lives 
because "the war wages on" with or without us. So let's get 
fully prepared for the battle!


KEYS TO DEFEATING EVIL: THE ARMOR OF GOD.
http://www.crossroad.to/Victory/Armor.htm

"Busyness" Root Cause of Spiritual Problems?

Thanksgiving... another year has passed. Christmas... quickly approaching us.

LIFE... Where does the time go? Well, there could be many answers for that question.
If we're being honest, only God knows.

Though, I wonder how many times we've spent in solitude with our Savior particularly
during this holiday season? Even on a daily basis...

Obviously, I can't answer for everyone, however, my concern is that "we" humans
tend to be "creatures of habit"so to speak and can so easily get caught up in the hustle
n' bustle of life, holidays, our children, our businesses, and yes, even ministries of the church!

We could "blame it on" the traditions of man that we've grown up with through the years,
creating our own symbolic rituals or simply because we've become a part of the world system,
dare I say!

I don't think it would be cross of me to suggest that these behaviors can easily become
a dangerous lifestyle and create a meaningless thought-life to emotional numbness,
spiritual blindness and physical brokenness.

The definition of busyness is best described as: 
"the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity"


Are you too busy right now??


Have you pushed others aside to fulfill your own selfish needs or desires?


Have you become so accustomed to living life for "you" OR the world system that
relationships and building relationships are just no longer an option or maybe 
you just don't care anymore? Jesus longs for a relationship with you and patiently
waits for you to come to Him. Let's not take Him for granted, you never know when
you'll take your last breath!


If you can honestly answer YES to these questions... I'd like to challenge you with this
scripture as a reminder of what the Lord has to say about our busyness:


"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)


Your life is worth the time because God loves you!

You and I were made for Worship!

Artist Unknown
My impression... Encounters with the Holy Spirit

Have you ever witnessed the Lord's presence in someone else?
Or captured the Lord's glory on your own? Amazing to say the least!

Some say that we cannot truly fathom His glory until we're in heaven. However,
I have experienced a very different view.

From the very first time the Holy Spirit enveloped my heart and life in an
overflowing of emotion and of God's love was when the Lord's presence filled my
room one day during an encounter dancing and I said, "Yes, I will go Lord"... in
2004, My temple (spirit, mind and body) has not been the same!

Dance/Movement has been a constant theme of my life since I took my very first steps
and I know now why the Lord chose movement to be the strongest
weapons against evil that I feel necessary to share with you today.

I've discovered that I was made to Worship the God of the Universe, Jesus Christ
above all other activities under the sun - even more than being a wife and mother!
And so are you by the way...

Some people believe Worship is as simple as singing praises, going to church,
being a part of something "spiritual" - those are all ways in which we can show
our worship to the Father however, there is MUCH much more to it!

You may ask yourself, "who is she to determine what Worship is for me?"
Well, I can tell you what I've experienced more recently, more of my testimony
to the Power of Christ in my life and so, here am I.

Have you ever watched a baby move? Of course you have.
What comes truly natural to them? Movement. Particularly when there is music on!
Turn up the volume and see what happens! This shouldn't be a revelation to you...lol

There is a spiritual matter at hand during the expression of dance that's for sure!
Some might argue that "dance" is carnal in nature, however, not so. Depending upon
your heart's desire that is. "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty"... freedom
of expression.... one could conclude, dance as a part of that.

This subject is particularly excitable to me... for obvious reasons to those of you
who know all about me. Although, it's because the Lord has designed in us
the heart of a worshiper whether we let that spiritual side out of us or not!
It's inherently there! Now, this is getting good I tell you! Let's get to the crux
of the matter here. What in the world is Worship anyway?

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your 
bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your 
spiritual service of worship." (Rom 12:1)

"Worthiness" thus, giving God the recognition He deserves... with our whole
selves! Nothing more (symbols/crosses around our necks, repetitive
prayers/religiosity) nothing less (just going to church).

God doesn't intend worship to be connected to a "place" or "thing" rather, our
heart attitude. Worshippers frequently spend some or all of their time 
professing faith, praising God, thanking God and proclaiming truths about God. 
Are you a Worshiper of the living God?

We have been bought at a high price! Therefore, honor God with your body.

For years a regular church goer or attendee at many different kinds of churches,
I was never able to fully grasp this knowledge that God made me, my whole being/
body to worship Him. I didn't realize that it was "okay" to lift my hands, shout for
joy, spin around and be joyful during worship and praise. How blind I was, how
desperate for the Lord I truly was. I hadn't experienced what it meant to worship
the Lord in spirit and in truth.

Until very recently that is. I thought it was "the church" that held me hostage because
some of them were extremely conservative almost sad during so-called Praise &
Worship time. Though, they have played a part in my spiritual set-backs and growth,
it was until the opening my heart, life and giving all of myself JOYFULLY toward
the Living God who set me free to move in His presence with complete abandon!
Kinda like David.... I get that now!

There are strongholds that the enemy of our souls sets up for us, especially in our
times of solitude and even in our corporate worship. Be aware of those tactics that
are used to hold you back from experiencing fullness in Christ. Examples of these
strongholds against us are: (Embarrassment, Sin, Anger, Bitterness and Unforgiveness)

Don't be ashamed anymore... be encouraged! Lift your hands, shout, sing, dance,
FEEL the Lord and His power and might through you.

Your body is where He (Jesus) longs to dwell and He is bursting at the seams to be
shown to the world through you... Let Him out, I dare you, you'll never be the same.