Overcoming

In a court of law there is a legal case between two opposing parties. A dispute between a defendant and an accuser - civil or criminal. Occasionally, there is opportunity for a settlement or plea bargain. In either case, there is a thorough investigation and evaluation of evidence to prove what is truth with “respect to claims of guilt, innocence, liability, or lack of fault.” The last 2 weeks I have been diving into the many aspects of the sacred blood of Jesus Christ. In particular, as it is used in spiritual warfare as a weapon against the Accuser. I appreciate the visual of a court of law standing as a defendant against my Accuser. I see the person of Jesus Christ as my representative in supreme authority as the plea of His blood is released in power; declaring the Accuser defeated. To plead the blood of Jesus Christ is to proclaim the legal right given to every believer proving innocence. The blood of Jesus Christ defends, protects, and is a literal voice that speaks “mercy” (Hebrews 12:24). I have been so encouraged to take up this holy weapon as I continue to overcome and encourage you the same! May you always know the authority of the name of Jesus Christ and the power of His blood.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death… Revelation 12:11

Freedom

Freedom! Today I have been seeking the Lord on getting to the root of doubt and unbelief in my life. I want this stronghold gone - for good! I truly believe it is perhaps the greatest stronghold the enemy uses to deceive us into believing the lie that God is withholding from us! Doubt and unbelief actually cause a person to be held captive! The dictionary describes being held captive as, “held under control of another but having the appearance of independence; especially: owned or controlled by another...” Wow! How many things can potentially hold someone prisoner?! Toxic thoughts, ungodly emotions, physical issues, etc... Wherever we are being held captive by the enemy, remember, the Lord wants to release His wonderful work of grace and mercy in our lives to free us. It is the very reason Jesus Christ came (Luke 4:18).

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity... Jeremiah 29:11-14

Joy in His Presence

There is a joyful end! When the sea is raging and the road before you is dividing, there is a peace that only the presence of God can bring. It is the place where the mysteries of heaven and earth are made known. A place He calms the sea and illuminates the road. It is where hope is restored, the enemy is defeated, and life’s pure joy is felt. It is my prayer that we always seek His presence; where our spirit waits on His still, quiet, powerful presence. He is faithful to bring a joyful end!

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore… Psalm 16:11

Surrender to His Love

As each year passes in my relationship with the LORD I find myself more and more intrigued by the depth of His heart. His love has no limits. The more I know Him, the more I want to know. The more I experience His presence the more I never want to leave it. Wherever I go, there He is. There is no grief He hasn’t been there to wipe every tear. No valley so perilous that He did not carry me through. He has always made a way for me where there seemed to be none. He not only has provided for my every need, but lavishes on me abundantly. He is the source of all joy and peace. He is the answer to every question. There is a love so real that He offers to every soul. He pursues even when rejected. He is in love with YOU!

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord… Romans 8:38-39

Covenant Blessing

You have a covenant blessing! In Genesis 28, we find Jacob fleeing from his brother Esau's fury on the way to his destination. He falls asleep on a stone and begins to have “a dream in which he saw a stairway (ladder) resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” If that weren’t magnificent enough, Almighty God appears at the top of the stairs reminding Jacob of his covenant blessing and ending with the precious reminder, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." So many times we don’t remember our covenant blessing - perhaps even live a counterfeit! As seen in the life of Esau, constantly appearing as the one who has a traditional right to obtain the covenant blessing... it came to my clearest attention that before the twins birth God had given a prophetic word to Rebekah that the younger son, Jacob, would rule over the older (Genesis 25:23). There is a LOT more to this struggling story, but my encouragement is that we must remember that God has given us a covenant blessing and when He speaks it will trump everything! I was reminded of this lately as I see life decisions being made on opinions of man, traditions, and influence of the world! It is up to each one of us to seek with ALL of our hearts the perfect “ladder” - Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) - so we may have continual access and awareness to an open heaven!

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 'Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it'... Genesis 28:16

Eternity

Eternity is in our heart! To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). So often we have a deep desire to understand life from beginning to end. However, only God can fully comprehend and complete the purposes He has in mind for each one of His children. Staying mindful of eternity will keep our hearts tender and open to where He is in every “season” and “purpose.” May we always remember to be confident in the LORD who is working all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). 

He has made everything beautiful in its time! He has put eternity in our hearts, but no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end… Ecclesiastes 3:11

Divine Romance

Let’s face it, who doesn’t have a deep desire for romance - flowers, kisses, snuggles by a fire, endless conversations, gazing into the eyes of the one we love… who knows what I am talking about?! Yet when we think of these tangible things, do we think God can meet those needs? Really, let’s be honest with ourselves, I think it’s safe to say the majority of us would answer “no.” However, the “need” we have for romance was created by the LORD. We may not even be aware of it, but most of the time we are preoccupied trying to find it in relationships outside of God. In all honesty, there are not enough people in the world to satisfy this deep level of intimacy. Only God’s love has an endless supply that can reach the very depths of the human heart. What I am encouraging today is we choose to move from the tangible to the intangible, from the natural to the supernatural; where the Lord extends to us His romantic love and ours to Him. This will be unique to each person and is a life-long pursuit. Remember, romance is a wonderful thing created by God, so must start with Him. By surrendering our whole heart to God, He will unlock the mystery and excitement of His divine romance!

                           

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame… Song of Solomon 8:6

Surrender vs Passivity

Never give up! I have noticed in my journey with the Lord that it is easy to become passive in “waiting on the Lord" (Psalm 37:7). This waiting time has often left me feeling a little despondent, even sometimes distant from God. In this, He has shown me that passivity can sometimes be mistaken as surrender, but is quite the opposite. Surrender most often requires great sacrifice and perhaps even the call to battle. It is having an attitude of not giving up! As we surrender, we have the God-given privilege to make decisions and choices daily that will take us in two very different directions – either consumed by distractions or guided by a faithful God!

Nothing that they have a mind to do will be impossible for them… Genesis 11:6

Established by Grace

God wants to establish you! In an ever-changing life and unstable world, the LORD wants His children to be securely settled and confident in our position in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:8). WE ARE HIS! It is the LORD who establishes (1 Corinthians 1:21), which is why to be established is an act of surrender! This type of surrender is letting go to receive and believe by faith the LORD is who He says He is and we are who He says we are. Remember, although we are shaken, we will not be moved. Although we suffer, we wait patiently on Him to work our miracle!

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you… 1 Peter 5:10

God Dreams

We have such limited understanding and must trust that when He gives and takes away there are unseen things He is accomplishing. By faith, we walk into the calling and purpose He has on our life. It is His promise that if we delight in Him alone, we will receive what we long for (Psalm 37:4). I encourage you to release all of your dreams to God - both unfulfilled and buried. Remember, Jesus Christ is in the business of resurrecting dreams at every stage... especially in death! The resurrection of a dream is a simple thing for Him - Our Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3).


Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life... Proverbs 13:12

It's all about TRUST!

God has your best interest at heart! A surrendered life is all about trusting Him in every situation and area of life: needs, worries, pains, sorrows, joys, praises, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Be willing! I encourage you to remember something He has done for you each day and surrender your whole life! 

You are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you... Isaiah 43:4