Undoing Knots

I never did learn how to tie knots. Maybe they didn’t teach that in Girl Scouts when I was a member. But I sure have been in quite a few knotty situations. Assuming we’re all living in the same fallen world, problems, obstacles and hindrances are quite common.

A couple of years ago I read one of those life changing books. You know the type. It’s a keeper. One you refer back to again and again. Authority in Prayer, by Dutch Sheets, is a must for anyone who wants to see their prayers answered.

In Chapter One the author relates a true story of being stuck in an airport waiting in line to check in. For whatever reason the line didn’t move for about 20 minutes and everyone was getting irritable and pushy. About to give up on making his flight on time, Pastor Sheets sends up a desperate prayer. “Lord, do something to stop this chaos and get me on my flight.” To his surprise the Holy Spirit tells him to do something about it. “Move in the authority I have given you….” He was instructed to command the enemy’s hindrances to be ineffective, to declare that he had favor, and that he would be on time to his meeting.

That scenario fascinated me, so I decided to try that new way of praying. It has been helpful in many situations. On numerous occasions I have stood before a computerized cash register only to have it malfunction when it is my turn to be checked out. Under my breath I pray something like this: “I release the authority of Heaven into this situation. I break the power of the enemy off the equipment in Jesus’ name. I have favor in God’s kingdom.” It’s amazing how many times the register will start functioning again. Same with my home computer. Now I realize that equipment breaks down, and that not everything is a spiritual attack. But if you never think of it at all, you miss the opportunity to exercise your authority over hindrances the enemy does put in your path.

Romans 5:17 If by the transgression of the one {Adam}, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 8 tells us that God made man to have dominion over the works of His hands (His creation). “You have put all things under his {man’s} feet.”

In John 10:10 the Word says that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but that God wants us to have an abundant life. Why does the enemy get away with his plans? One reason is that we as Christians do not understand the authority God has given us. We haven’t been taught what it is or how to exercise it. It reminds me of a parent who complained that her child was watching a cartoon show that she didn’t think was beneficial for her child. “What can I do?” she asked helplessly. My answer was simple. “Turn it off. You’re the parent.” Unfortunately she hadn’t thought of it.

Dutch Sheets demonstrates scripturally how and why Christians have authority over their lives. Because of ignorance, we have not known how to use that authority effectively and appropriately. Here’s an example. I had been shopping for several hours with one of my children. When we arrived home, the child complained of foot pain. Since my feet didn’t bother me in the least, I questioned whether this foot pain was real or from the enemy. My child thought it was real because, using reason, it seemed logical that one’s feet should ache after all that walking. The pain felt real. There was a ‘reasonable’ cause and effect. So the child chalked it up to the shopping trip. However, with my new found spiritual weapon, I walked over, put my hand on the feet and commanded, “Pain go away in Jesus’ name.” It left instantly! I was as amazed as my child.

If it’s true that an estimated 80% of symptoms presenting in doctors’ offices are not based in true disease, then we have nothing to lose and everything to gain by commanding symptoms to leave in the name of Jesus. If they don’t, we haven’t lost any time. We can always seek medical help. God uses doctors, medicine and prayers to heal. The enemy is a thief. He will stick his foot in the door and see if we do anything about it. If we don’t, he forces his way into our lives. We need to learn to slam the door on him the minute he gets a toehold. We need to enforce the authority that is rightfully ours.

There’s a lot more to learn about this interesting topic, but not enough space to do it justice. So if these thoughts have piqued your interest, please get a copy of Pastor Sheets’ book. We need to stand our ground and take back what is rightfully ours.

HELP! Unsticking the Stuck

Do you ever have times when you need to do something, but you just cannot do it? Perhaps it’s a term paper or studying for a test. It might even be something that you believe God wants you to do, but everything within you is shouting, “I can’t do that!” Perhaps it’s because you do not believe you have the ability to accomplish the task at hand. Fear of failure or procrastination might be blocking you. What to do?

If you’re human like me, this has probably happened many times. May I share something that has helped me get the job done?

The first time I learned this was in graduate school. I was under the weather, not feeling well mentally or physically. All I wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep until my health returned. Unfortunately it was the end of the semester and I had a large paper to write and exams to take. I distinctly remember sitting at my dining room table and laying my forehead down on the text book in front of me. I felt defeated even before I started. Ever feel that way? I had a bad case of the “I can’ts.” I couldn’t see any way that I would be feeling better instantly and the deadlines weren’t going to be moved back because of me. As a new Christian I did the only thing I knew to do – pray.

My prayer went something like this. “God, I feel awful. I can’t write this paper. I give up. I really need Your help. Please write this paper through me.” That was the gist of the prayer.
Although I probably spent a bit more time complaining about how terrible I felt at the time.

So the first step is: identify the problem

The second step is: pray and admit your need for God’s help. That’s the humility part.

The next act is one of faith and action. Open the book, pick up the pen – whatever will start the process. Trust that God has heard and is answering your prayer, even if you do not sense His presence. In my example, I sat up, picked up my pen and began to write from the materials I had gathered in front of me. Nothing earth shaking occurred. There were no thunder claps from heaven. I had committed the problem to God and then moved forward toward the goal.

The end result was winning a second place award for my paper (perhaps God wanted me to really, really remember this principle). When I saw what leaning and relying totally on the Lord could do, I began to see that He accomplish far more through me than I can do simply relying on my own talents or strengths. He took what was innately in me and expanded it to a higher level. He did through me what I was unable to do without Him.

There’s an expression, “God helps those who help themselves.” To expand on that concept, I would say that God co-labors with us when we humble ourselves, admit our weaknesses, and ask for His help.

In James 4:2a it says, “You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives….” That tells me that if I stayed up all night at a party and then expected God to bail me out with my assignment, it would be asking with wrong motives. When we honestly request help because we are in a situation that is out of our control, or beyond our capabilities, that’s asking with the right motives. If we try to do everything in our own strength, we get the credit. If we ask for God’s help, He gets the glory, not us. I truly believe that God wants us to bring all our problems to Him.

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares upon the Lord and He will sustain you.

Knowing that God actually invites us to unload our problems at His feet and partner with Him helps make our burdens light.

Have you ever had a lab partner who expected you to do all the work, or done a school project with someone who didn’t pull their weight? Well, it’s just the opposite with God. He’s welcoming our troubles and concerns with open arms. Run to Him and He will meet you right where you are. He’ll do more with and for you than you could do alone.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

If you try it, I would love to know what happens!

How Would You Like to Have Tea With Me?

Is there anyone out there that enjoys loneliness???

Being alone and being lonely are two different things, of course. You can feel lonely in a crowd, and you can be full of contentment and peace all by yourself. Some of us need to recharge our emotional and physical batteries by spending time alone. Those who are more outgoing might find they re-energize by being in a crowd. But all of us have had numerous occasions when we find ourselves lonely - wishing we had someone to connect with on a heart level and not being able to satisfy that need.

Loneliness. Does it ever serve a spiritual purpose? I believe many times it does. Has God ever stepped onto your front porch and rung your doorbell? Has He ever called you on your cell phone or texted you? Probably not. So how does He get your attention? We would love a letter dropped from Heaven right into our laps. Or how about an angelic telegram? Well, I think that loneliness can be God's calling card.

You're in your dorm room and everyone seems to have a date or your friends left for a movie and didn't include you. You find yourself alone and lonely. What to do? Look at your planner. Nothing is written there. Or is there? Perhaps God has written His name in (using invisible ink of course). Could it be that He has been waiting to spend some quiet time with you and you forgot to pencil His name in?

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.

Sounds an awful lot like an invite to me. The next time you sit down in the cafeteria and there's no one to talk to, or you're stuck in your dorm room all by yourself, talk to the Lord. He cares about every detail of your life. Tell Him everything that's bugging you. Share your heartaches and frustrations.

I Peter 5:7
...casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Seems like a pretty good deal to me. He's the perfect friend. He's the perfect counselor. Try reading John 1 if your Bible is handy. Then ask Him to fill you with His love. Then ask, "Lord is there someone that needs encouragement or friendship? Make me a vessel of Your love and show me who to befriend right now." Then look around and see if you can give away some of God's love to someone else: share a smile or hold a door open, or buy a postcard and send an encouraging note. Ask God for creative ways to bless somebody else that might be lonely, too. Focus outward, not inward.

Freedom from Fear

For whatever reason, I entered my adult years with numerous fears. Since I couldn't deal with them all at once (who can?) God has been gracious to point them out to me when it is time to deal with each one. An example that comes to mind was my fear of flying. Although I never really enjoyed traveling by airplane, it didn't become a significant fear until after 9/11. For four years after that act of terrorism, I refused to get on a plane. God was patient with me. However, the day came when I needed to travel to Washington, D.C. (of all places). As I was praying with a prayer partner on the phone, God impressed on my heart that He wanted to set me free from my fear of flying. The problem was, I didn't want to get rid of the fear. Doesn't make sense, does it? My mind rationalized that if I kept the fear, I wouldn't have to actually board a plane. That was my way of staying safe. But relying on fear for one's safety is not God's plan.

So after struggling mentally and emotionally with God's offer, I decided to accept. My friend prayed that God would break the fear off, and He did. Peace replaced the fear, and I was able to make the plane reservations.

That was not the end of the story, however. One day I was picking up my son from his friend's house. His friend's father is a pilot, and we began a conversation about his work. Without thinking, I repeated what I had often said in the past which was, "I hate flying." Instantly I felt the fear of flying reattach itself to me. I was mad at myself for declaring a fear from which God had just set me free.

What to do? After confessing my error, God was gracious to set me free again. That's one of the things He loves to do. He doesn't want us walking in bondage to fear or anything else that keeps us from fulfilling His plans for our lives. And He has the power to do it!

The next step in 'sealing' the healing, so to speak, was to walk it out. That meant getting on the plane and trusting in faith that we would land safely. Here's the funny part. Not only did I fly on a day when it was snowing but we sat on the runway for quite some time waiting to be de-iced. Pink bubbly liquid was being sprayed on the windows and wings while we waited to take off. Not a comforting sight or thought. I actually laughed when I saw it, and thought, Okay, God, this is really funny. It's not enough for me to just get on this plane, but you are really testing my faith on this one. Obviously we landed safely, and I learned a valuable lesson.

Last summer I had to deal with another fear. God had impressed on my heart to participate in a mission trip to South America. I had been on the same trip the year before but for some reason paralyzing apprehension came over me and I was unable to sign up for the trip. As the deadline to apply approached I knew that I needed prayer. A friend prayed for me over the phone and asked God to show me the source of the fear. Immediately a scary memory surfaced that was related to a traveling experience many years ago in which my personal safety felt threatened. Once the source of the fear was uncovered I was able to pray through the incident using my previous training in inner healing.

Isaiah 41:10 (Amplified translation)

Fear not (there is nothing to fear), for I AM with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I AM your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes I will help you; yes I will hold you up and retain you with My (VICTORIOUS) right hand of rightness and justice.

That verse assures us that God is always with us. God doesn't want us looking at our circumstances and being frightened. He wants us to keep our eyes on Him and who He is. He is our defender and protector. We are to trust Him for our security. Fear imprisons us. But God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to set the captives free.

The Word of God also says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. If fearful thoughts plague my mind, it helps me to declare that Scripture out loud or meditate on it until peace is restored.

Fear is not fun. It's the opposite of faith. These are just a couple of ways that God has helped me conquer fright. If you have other ways of dealing with it, I would love to hear your comments.

What is the deciding factor?

It's going to cost a lot of money. I don't want to spend the time doing that. It might not be fun.

What drives your decisions? Summer approaches. It's time to plan for vacations and summer jobs. Perhaps there is an opportunity for a mission trip or volunteer work. How do you decide what to do? What determines the final choices?

These last few days have been tough decision making ones for me. As I sought the Lord for wisdom, I became aware of some thoughts that were making it difficult to determine what God wanted me to do. Despite many hours of prayer, God seemed to be silent.

I asked myself three questions:

1. Could something be blocking His answer?

Many times our thoughts travel through our minds like elevator music. There's a 'song' playing in the background that influences our thoughts on an unconscious level. Indecision frustrated me until my inner ears focused on the 'lyrics' influencing my emotions. 'Lyrics' like, It might be a lot of work, I don't think I can do it, or I really don't want to.

Becoming aware of the thoughts that preceded my prayers was the first step to unblocking God's answer.

2. What was driving my decision?

Was God's will my number one priority, or had I allowed money, time, abilities or personal pleasure to usurp His lordship over my choices? Money warned me about possible lack. Fear eroded confidence in my abilities. Anxiety whispered it really wasn't something I would enjoy doing. I decided to silence them all. I saw them for what they were - idols or strongholds that were dictating my decisions. They were squeezing out God's still small voice and clamoring for my attentions. Indecision and lack of peace were the fruit of listening to the wrong messages.

3. Was I willing to do whatever God asked me to do?

Once those competing thoughts were identified, confessed and silenced, I waited peacefully for God's answer, unhampered by fear and anxiety. My unfettered commitment to obey His plans brought a quick answer. I am excited about that plan because those other voices are now silent. The next time I face a tough decision, I plan to tune in to the 'lyrics' in my mind, silence those written by my flesh, and commit to doing whatever God wants.

What drives your decisions?

Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to be agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed (Proverbs 16:3)

Toss the Cookies, Toss the Peanut Butter, Toss the Files

One of my desires is to have a pure heart. So periodically I find myself asking God to search my heart and show me what needs to be discarded. Has pride crept in? Selfishness? Unforgiveness? If so, repentance sweeps it away, and I ask God to fill the void with the opposite (humility, selflessness, forgiveness).

Sometimes a treat can seem very appealing (the latest movie release, a bestselling book), but when scrutinized through the eyes of the Holy Spirit, turns out to be a poisoned cookie (see the last post) or a Trojan horse - innocent in appearance but disguising a trap.

The news has recently alerted us that certain forms of peanut butter and products containing them are contaminated with a potentially fatal bacterium called salmonella. Hundreds of consumers have become ill after eating the tainted peanut butter, and a few have died. Stores have been tossing the peanut butter products and consumers have followed suit.

This past week we have been receiving envelopes in the mail marked ‘important tax return document enclosed’. I file them in our 2008 tax file until all have been collected and it’s time to prepare for April 15th. In that file folder I keep a photocopy of an article that details which tax documents to keep and for how long. After so many years, one is free to shred check stubs and receipts without fear of reprisal if audited by the IRS.

There is another file, one that no one sees…except the Holy Spirit. Although a brain surgeon can not find it, it lies hidden in our gray matter somewhere. It’s not stored on a CD or a DVD, although for some people it plays back over and over as if it were. It’s a record; a record of wrongs. Most of us can remember when so and so did such and such to us. Someone’s hurtful comments singed our ears. A close friend betrayed us. Someone we trusted gossiped behind our backs. We’ve all been there. We’ve probably all done something similar ourselves at one time or another. Into our mental file go the memories of wrongs, like records in a juke box. The next time we think about that person, or see the person, an invisible finger presses B 17 and it plays back the hurt as if it were yesterday’s hit song.

May I suggest that it’s time to toss the poison cookies, toss the peanut butter and toss the files? Those past hurts aren’t golden oldies, they’re reconstituted unforgiveness that eventually turns into bitterness and sours not only the relationship but our hearts as well. I know, I know. You’re saying, “It’s easy for her to spout forgiveness. She hasn’t experienced what I’ve been through.” You’re correct. But I have had my own garbage to throw out, and if left untouched, boy does it smell up my life.

Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Matthew 6:14-15 is sobering and deserves our attention. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Ouch. I sure want God to forgive me when I goof up. Don’t you? Well, let’s give the same forgiveness to our fellow sojourners when they blow it, too.

Romans 3:23 …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...

I John 1:9-10 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

After we get rid of the peanut products, let’s toss the old records. Let’s forgive. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and see if some spring cleaning is in order. Let's invite God into those hurts and allow Him to heal them (in some cases professional or pastoral counseling may be needed). We are the ones who will benefit from the clean up. God’s forgiveness is life restoring and a source of soul peace.

Race you to the shredder!

Is there poison in your cookie?

On frosty winter days I love to bake cookies. The aroma fills the kitchen and brightens my spirits. I look forward to that first warm bite of a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie and the refreshment of a cold glass of milk. Mmmmm.

We live in such abundance in this country. We have the luxury of books, movies and freshly baked cookies. Compared to much of the world, we live like kings and queens. Recently we watched the movie, Ratatouille, in which the main character, Remy (a rat), is delegated to be the food taster for all the rest of the rats because he has a special gift sniffing out rat poison. Before eating any morsels, each rat presents its food to Remy, who determines if it is safe to eat or not – somewhat similar to when kings had food tasters to prevent being poisoned by the enemy.

God tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we are carriers of the presence of God. What we ‘feed’ ourselves affects the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, and affects our lives as well.

I Peter 1:15-16
But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.

Are we living holy lives even in the choices we make as to the books we read or which movies we see? “Character and conduct begin in the mind. Our actions are affected by the things we dwell on in our thoughts.” {author unknown} What affects our thoughts? The things we see or experience. That includes books and movies. They aren’t harmless forms of entertainment. Their content influences our thoughts and therefore our character and conduct.

Ephesians 5:1, 11
Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead let your lives be so in contrast as to expose and reprove and convict them.

II Corinthians 7:1
….let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring our consecration to completeness in the (reverential) fear of God.

So how do we determine what is safe to ‘consume’? After Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He sent His Holy Spirit to guide and to teach all believers what is good and what is evil (John 14 and 16). In addition, the scriptures are filled with teachings on what is righteous and unrighteousness. If you want just a short snippet of guidance, read Ephesians 5.

So when it comes to our choices of entertainment, we have two forms of quality control. Just like a taste tester, if we submit those choices to God and ask for His wisdom, the Holy Spirit will warn us about what is poison (ungodly) and what is healthy (godly). God’s standards for choosing are in His Word – the Bible. The more we read His Word and learn what pleases Him, the easier it becomes to make choices that honor Him. We’re going to make mistakes. God knows that. He’s looking at our hearts to see if our intent is to please Him. God’s Word says that our hearts are deceitful and we can’t always trust ourselves to make wise choices - another reason for studying the Word and asking for wisdom.

If we call Jesus Christ our Savior, is He also Lord of our lives? Of all of our choices? Even books and movies?

Like a freshly baked cookie, does the latest movie or new bestseller smell good to you? Are you tempted to read it, before running it past the ‘taste tester’ (God’s Word, the Holy Spirit)?

Before you take a bite, ask yourself, ‘Is there poison in that cookie?’