Fear Not ...

I believe we can all agree that we are living in unprecedented times riddled by fear … if we allow it.  As I watch the world around me, the root of what I see is fear. We are in a battle. This is a spiritual battle, and I’m not sure that many people see that or even understand it. Yes, there are those who do understand it, but it’s my belief that many do not. God’s word tells us that our struggle is not  against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, and the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 Jesus said, “The enemy comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. I have come that you may have life and have an abundant life.” John 10:10 For myself, I don’t doubt any of this. Have I been challenged in this? Yes, but I have chosen to not let fear rule my life.

Over the past many, many years, I lived in a situation where fear was cast on me constantly. I’m very happy to say that God was, has been, and will continue to be faithful to keep me safe in spite of this fear that had been perpetrated on me. What I have learned is invaluable.

God is our only hope … period!

When I first heard about this virus back in November of 2019, no fear came … only strength from God and His word, Psalm 91. I’ve been standing on this Psalm since long before this virus reared it’s ugly head. The strength that God has supplied for this battle has been unwavering.

Over the past several years, well actually decades, I’ve chosen God’s path for my life, no matter how challenging it has been. And, it has been very challenging. What I have found interesting is that many, many people in the churches that I have attended, attempted to walk with and have fellowship with have chosen to judge me, for whatever their reasons, as not walking with God … because of the hardships I have endured.  ?? Yes, it’s true … and nowhere in the Bible does it say that being a Christian will be an easy, carefree life! I have cried out to God for a true “home church” where I can truly call it my family, but that has yet to happen.(I’m not the only one in this situation, either.) I have found that although I can attend, worship God, even feel God’s presence, and hear a word that I can align with the Word of God and my life, that, even still, there is something missing. I believe it’s the true movement and acceptance of God’s Holy Spirit fully leading and guiding us. Now, please understand that I’m not saying this of 100% of the people I have come in contact with. That would be a foolish statement. But, what I am saying is that the here in the U.S., or even the western church, we are missing out on the fullness of God … I believe, due to unbelief. If, in a casual conversation with Christians, I mention something about how the Lord spoke to me or how the Holy Spirit led me, I am often met with silence and a change of the subject. Is this how the disciples of Jesus lived? No, I don’t believe it is. They praised God and thanked Him for His goodness.

Many of you know that the past 4+ years of my life have been ultra challenging. There are so many things that it would take too long to share them all. In the past three years, God enabled me to travel to Australia two times for a worship gathering each time. In my first visit, I asked God to allow me to return to live there for a year after my house sold. His answer to me was that whatever I chose would be ok. At the time I didn’t understand that, but add three years to that statement and it all makes sense. At the time, I didn’t realize that it would take more than two years for my house to sell.(but, God did) In that time, God allowed me to have that “move” as a goal to work toward while He worked out one miracle after another in my life to benefit and repay me for the years of fear that had been perpetrated on me. (Job 42:10) God didn’t have to do this. But, because He is so good, He did do it for me. Now, several months before my house did sell, God spoke to me and gently led me away from making the move to Australia. That door closed. And, He didn’t slam the door. He did it in a very loving and gentle way. So, with that preface, I’ll get to the past year of my life. Just shy of a year ago, my house did sell. Although God spoke to me one place (temporary) that I believed I would reside after the sale, I still had no clue as to where I would live. I am a single woman in my 50’s who had been a stay at home mom/wife for the better part of 27 years. I had given my time to writing Christian blogs, a Christian book, learning graphic arts for His glory, volunteering at numerous places, including devoting time to singing/playing the guitar for worship services. This is an accumulation of more hours than I could ever count … all without any pay … in the worldly realm. I might add that I didn’t expect pay. I’m merely pointing out that my time has been devoted to serving God and not earning a paycheck. Trust me, this was a fearful moment. The enemy wanted to destroy me with fear. What was I to do? Trust God!

Working through God’s plan after the sale of my house was not easy. When I asked Him where I was to go, what I was to do, He told me that I would know when He told me. I assure you that is how it has been for the past year. It has been a pretty intense lesson in following the Holy Spirit.  I have prayed and trusted Him to open doors that man cannot shut and close doors that man cannot open … and praise Him for both. (Jeremiah 22:22) In this time, God crossed my paths with a handful of people that have been key to sharpening my skills in discernment and trusting Him … and not because they were true follower of Christ, but rather because they claimed to be, but were not. They were very stealthy about it also. That is how the enemy works. Not everyone who says they are a Christian is a Christian, which I have known for decades. But, God chose this time to allow me to experience this in real time, living it out.

I have experienced those who say they are Christians, but do not believe what the word of God says (new age, cult beliefs) along with those who live their lives like the two religious people who walked by the man in the ditch who desperately needed help and it ended up being the Good Samaritan who helped him … not the “religious” people. (Luke 10:25-37) These things that have happened in my life have served to continue to strengthen my trust, faith, discernment, and following the leading in and of the Lord. But, at the same time, He has shown me the error that the church has been making for years. This is not something new that I’m speaking of. I’ve been saying it for years. If the church was doing what God wanted … fully … this country would not be in the predicament that it’s in right now. “The church in America is five miles wide and an inch deep.” ~ unknown   Unfortunately, this is, for the most part, true. Otherwise, we would not see people, the church included, dealing in fear due to the things we are seeing happen in our nation right now.

Fear has gripped this nation.

Philippians 4:19 says, “My God shall supply all my your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” This scripture covers all things in our lives … all things. “Dear friend, I pray that you will prosper in all things and be in health as your should prospers.” 3 John 1:2 You see, God wants us to prosper in all things and be in good health as our soul prospers. He says that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. The question is; are we living our lives that way? Are we trusting God to take out of us what He doesn’t want in us, effectively making us more like Jesus? Are we trusting Him to supply our needs … or are we taking control or supplying our “needs?” What I’m asking here is, are we truly allowing God to have full reign in our lives? I believe there are folks who do. But for the most part, I believe what Jesus told John in Revelation about the lukewarm church. “Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3 So many in the church believe that all is well. So many are so busy that they act like the “religious” in the parable of the good Samaritan, simply walking by leaving the man without any help. In the past year, I have personally experienced being the one who was passed by … by Christians who attend church every week. They don’t realize that there is more to do than just attend a church service. Even many of the literal churches during this trying time are trying to figure out how to fund themselves because the government has closed them down. What about Philippians 4:19? Doesn’t God’s word say that He supplies all of our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus? Doesn’t God say that that He wants us to prosper in all ways … as our soul prospers? Are our souls prospering?

It’s time for the Church, the Body of Christ, to stand up and be what God created us to be. That means we must get real about who God is and who we are in Him. We can no longer “play church.” We can no longer allow the fear of crossing the government interfere with our freedom to worship God in this nation. What will it take for us to realize this? Do things need to get worse than they already are or is this enough? In Revelation, Jesus spoke about seven different churches. Only two of the seven churches were fully doing what Jesus wanted them to do … only two. I don’t know about you, but I don’t care how challenging it is, I want to be included in the church that Jesus finds acceptable … not just in a church that goes along with the flow.

Fear has no place in our lives. Fear is not from God. Fear is from the enemy.

We are blessed in the United States to have freedom of religion as given to us by the 1st Amendment of the Constitution. We need to use it … or we’re going to lose it! “Fear not” is in the Bible 365 times. We need to repent, take up our cross, and live the lives that God created for us. We need to choose to be who He created us to be, in Jesus’ might name! (Matthew 16:24-26) Fear is not a part of that plan.

Fear not!      

The following is a blog I wrote two years ago when I was in California.

With no doubt, the Lord had led me to go there.  The initial idea was to be an intern at a church, but quickly I realized that God had other plans for me.  This was a test.  I had been controlled most of my life by a few people.  God had delivered me from that. I don’t let people control or manipulate me. But, this was quite the test.  I was submerged in a “society” of extremely controlling people … to the point that, at times, I was a bit fearful, mainly because I didn’t understand the “why” of what was taking place.  At times, it was like I was living out a nightmare.

Long story short, the Lord had me leave the internship, but stay in Cali. I don’t mind telling you that, at times, I was truly doubting whether or not I had really heard the Lord.  Looking back, I see that he was stretching me. Stretching my faith and trust in Him.  I ended up working with a ministry that taught Afghan refugee women how to speak and read English, which was very rewarding.

This blog is just a small portion of what I endured while in California.  ~ angie  

   

A Fool and his Folly... Proverbs 26:4-5

By :: angie c bilyeu     10.27.2016

The past three months of my life have been a bit of a whirl wind, to say the least. In a matter of just a few days, the Lord directed me to leave family, friends, and basically everything behind in Arkansas and temporarily relocate to California. God’s grace has been absolutely amazing…hands down…because this has been an extremely trying transition!

I’ll have to be honest with you, I wasn’t sure as to the “why” I was coming out here until about 4-5 weeks into my residency here in California. Now that I’ve been here for two days shy of two months, I have a much better idea of the “why.” I wouldn’t say that I fully know all the reasons because God always tends to reveal some in “the during” and some in “the after.” It always amazes me how He always works things out for my good. I trust Him. I trust Him, fully.

Yesterday, I was thinking about the scripture in Proverbs. 4 “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly lest he be wise in his own eyes. Proverbs 26:4 As I was thinking about some of the crazy things that have happened since I left Arkansas, this scripture came to mind. I looked it up, read it and pondered it throughout the day. This morning, much to my surprise, it was in my daily Bible reading. I was overjoyed, praising God for the way He does things and laughing because of the joy it brought me!

Early on in my arrival, a young woman began challenging my boundaries. I’m sure she didn’t realize that she was crossing boundaries that she shouldn’t. It’s ok. I could see that she doesn’t have a good sense of boundaries for herself. For the most part, I know and understand how to handle these situations…only because of God’s leading and guiding and not because of anything within me. I rely on God’s help to know what to do and when to do it. I once was the young woman who had no sense of good boundaries. I have allowed God to teach me. Therefore, I now am ultra respectful of the boundaries of others and also keep safe boundaries for myself.  Anyway, this person crossed a boundary with me. I didn’t say anything to her. I let it go, forgave her and prayed about it. Soon thereafter, she did it again, but in a different way. This time, I asked her a question where she had to answer either “yes” or “no” to her foolishness. Well, she didn’t like this at all. She was immediately offended and then went around spouting off about what had taken place between the two of us. Never mind the fact that she was out of line in the first place.

This is exactly what the proverb is talking about. It seems that it contradicts itself, but really it doesn’t. You see, when dealing with foolishness of others, you have to know when to speak and when not to speak, and ultimately, either way, they won’t “get it.” When you don’t speak, said person believes they are wise in their own eyes. When you do speak, they usually get offended and show their immaturity. When dealing with a person like this, you cannot win. It truly is best to simply walk away and just keep the peace when coming in contact with them.

This person from that moment on did everything she could to get into “my world.” It’s not that I was unfriendly or mean. I was simply keeping safe, healthy boundaries for myself. This wasn’t my “first rodeo,” so the saying goes. The thing is, even though this person stirred up all of strife and even tried to “teach me” where she believes I’m in error, she has no idea that she is the one in error. She has chosen to be “wise in her own eyes.” I don’t say that arrogantly or as though I am wise in my own eyes at all. I say it extremely humbly. I have been patient to allow the Lord to show me exactly what He wanted me to learn from the situation without spouting off and gossiping to others about the situation.

Basically, the Proverb says that you cannot win with a fool. You cannot answer a fool who is “wise in their own eyes.” You must be cautious and use wisdom if you choose to answer what the Bible refers to as a fool.  The truth of the matter is, this person is loved by God as much as you and I are. He wants a better way for this person as much as He wants a better way for you and for me.

If and when we find ourselves in a situation like this, we must remember that even though someone is crossing boundaries and being disrespectful, we must take the high road, which I did, in this case. Thank You, Jesus…who enabled me to do so!! More often than not, we must remain silent, which I also did. God will fight these battles for us when we allow Him to do so. (Exodus 14:14) Silence doesn’t mean we don’t understand a situation. Silence doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t have anything to say, either. For me in this particular situation as a leader, I wasn’t in a position as a leader who had authority to confront and correct, but rather a follower. I knew my boundaries and chose to keep them. It wasn’t my place to correct this person, so I forgave and let it go, but, I kept safe boundaries for myself with this person from that point on. Wisdom was available, accessed and used in this situation. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who will give it without reproach. James 1:5 I rely on this scripture A LOT!! God has never failed me. If I fail to use wisdom in a situation, it’s not because of God, but rather because I didn’t ask for, access, or use it. Wisdom is always there for us because God is always there for us with an infinite supply of wisdom. We must choose it. We must also pray for the person who is the offender. The Bible says to love your neighbor and pray for your enemies. Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 5:43-48. In this case, this person has no idea of their folly. That’s ok. It’s currently where she is in her walk. If she continues with the Lord and allows Him to do so, He will teach her a better way in time … like He has done and continues to do with me because that's what I choose with all my heart.

Bottom line … be cautious when dealing with what the Bible refers to as fools. Don’t fall into their trap. Use wisdom that God provides. Know who you are in Christ. When you know who you are in Him, you don’t have to try to win people over to your side because you know that the only opinion that matters is God’s opinion of you. ~ Selah

What do you believe?

Lately the Lord has had me stay focused on chapters 10 and 15 in John.  This morning, John 15:24 stood out to me.  “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both me and my Father.”  These are words spoken by Jesus.  Throughout the previous text, Jesus had been ridiculed and criticized for “doing good works.”  Now, the good works that Jesus was doing were things like, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, revealing sin in lives and releasing them to “go and sin no more.”  Jesus knew who He was.  He was God in flesh allowing the Holy Spirit to heal, give sight, etc. 

In John 15:24, it says that if he had not done these works, they would have no sin.  I find this very interesting because basically, it was the Jews / Pharisees (the religious leaders of the time) who were criticizing Jesus … to the point that they wanted to kill Him.  John 10:31-33 (Hmmm … what about that commandment, “Thou shalt not kill??)

The religious leaders of that time knew the word.  They had it memorized.  They had it down.  But, when God in the flesh stood in front of them, they didn’t know Him.  They saw the good works He did and claimed that He had a demon.  But some said, “These are not the words of a demon, can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”  John 10:21

The good works that Jesus did an does seem to be a stumbling block for us. Why is that?  Why is it so difficult for us to believe that miracles do happen … everyday … great or small. ( as seen by human eyes. It’s just as simple for God to do a “small” miracle as it is a “great miracle.”)

Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Basically, Solomon is saying that history repeats itself.  It’s all been done before. Mankind will repeat the same things over and over again year after year, decade after decade, and millennia after millennia.  We shouldn’t be surprised when we see these things being repeated.  But, I believe the question is; “Do we even see when history is repeating itself … in religious leadership, in the government, in the work place, in our own little world … in ourselves?”  You see, I don’t have to look very far in my own life to see that history is repeating or has repeated itself.  I don’t have to look very far in my world, religious leadership near or far, or in the government to see that history is repeating itself. But, I have to look to God to give me eyes to see it.  And, I have to look to God to know how to make the proper changes.  History does repeat itself, but what can and should we learn from it to make changes at any and all levels?

Twenty years ago, I helped a single mom with a teenage child get her sight back from blindness due to fast growing cataracts.  God led us to an organization that took care of her issues one hundred percent!  She had lost her job due to literal blindness and was living on $350 a month.  I watched religious leaders turn their backs on her.  In fact, my pastor at that time told me that he didn’t give pearls to swine.  He really did say that! Unbelievable!! History repeating … Luke 10:25-37  Now, as I got to know this woman, she revealed to me that her dream was to have a soup kitchen for the lost and hungry.  I have to tell you, I encouraged this woman to follow her dream.  I didn’t discourage her because of her situation or what the world … or fellow Christians would consider her “status” to be in society.  That’s not for me to do.  Her dream is between her and God and it’s for her to work out with Him. 

Just recently I was out and about and saw an acquaintance that I hadn’t seen in about a year.  She asked how I was doing.  The last time she had seen me, I was in much emotional pain due to the recent announcement that my husband was divorcing me.  The divorce is now old news and I’m in a much better place … not where I want to be, but working towards it.  As I explained to her all that God had done and is doing, the countenance on her face began to change, not for the good, and physically she even backed up from me a bit … as though there was something wrong with me.  She then literally looked away and walked away from me as I was in mid sentence.  No, you see, there’s “nothing wrong with me.”  I’m simply working out God’s will for my life.  She had told me of God’s will for her life and I rejoiced with her.  I didn’t make a judgment that she was incapable of following the dreams that God has placed inside of her.  I certainly didn’t receive the same encouragement from her and I won’t let her unbelief discourage me, either.  Again, unbelief in God’s good works.

We, too easily, can know God’s word … inside and out … but, can get hung up on His good works.  If we believe that we know completely how God works things out, we are fooling ourselves, and basically, we are placing ourselves as God when or if we make a determination that someone is “incapable” of something.  That’s not our job and it doesn’t work that way.  God does what He wants, and it’s not always the way we would do it or even comprehend it.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither  are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

Recently, I had a gentleman tell me that it’s not possible for us to hear God’s voice.  He found it necessary to tell me four different times in about a minute that he was a religious leader and that he had never heard God’s voice.  Again, a stumbling block.  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He can and will speak to us whatever way He chooses.  We must be willing to listen.  See Numbers 22:21-39

We must be very careful.  Jesus said that if He hadn’t done those good works, they would not have sinned.  I believe that is very relevant for us today.  We must not allow ourselves to get caught in unbelief because of the good works that Jesus is doing all around us, through others who are willing to allow Him to work through them.  And, when I say this, I’m in no way saying that we should believe everything that we see, hear, or experience.  We must use wisdom, which God provides.  If any of you lacks wisdom, ask of God and He will give it without reproach. James 1:5

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again and again; many of us in the church have become dependent upon our own experiences and, knowingly or unknowingly, decided what is or isn’t of God.  Instead of being led by the Holy Spirit, many of us are leading with worldly head knowledge instead.  By doing that, we are, knowingly or unknowingly, placing restrictions on God … placing Him in a box.  You see, if we choose not to believe, we’re literally keeping the Holy Spirit from working in all the ways that He could. You can read about how Jesus was unable to do many miracles in home town in Matthew.  “He did not do many miracles due to their lack of faith.” John 13:58  Are we, as the Church, stopping God from doing many miracles due to our lack of faith?  Do we persecute those who do have the faith to believe in God’s very creative miracles?  Do we seek to stone them with our words, simply because we choose to not believe?

Jesus went about doing good.  Acts 10:38. He had an unlimited supply of the Holy Sprit, as do we, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit like Jesus was.  John 3:34  And we, as followers of Christ and co-heirs with Him, have the same Holy Spirit.  All we need to do is simply believe.

There was a man in the Bible whose son was taken over by a demon.  He sought Jesus to heal him.  Jesus said to the man “If you believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  The man said, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”  Mark 9:14-29  Jesus then cast out the demon and the boy was healed.

I believe there are many in the church who don’t even believe that casting demons out is necessary in this day and age.  This is very far from the truth.  I, myself, was a part of a group of women who cast demons out of a lovely young woman who had been greatly abused in her short twenty-one years of life.  We watched her transform from being bipolar, depressed, anxious, and on medication to a whole person, free from the demons (and medication) who had controlled her life due to situations beyond her control.  This is the healing power of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior!

Do you believe?  Do you need help for your unbelief?  I have to tell you that in my own life, I pray that scripture often at times … especially in the past two years.  I have been in situations where I didn’t understand why certain things were happening or sometimes even what was happening.  I trusted God because I believed Him.  But, I prayed for Him to help any unbelief that I had within me, as well.  I’m very grateful for that scripture.

As the Church, the Body of Christ, we need to take our hands off of things more and allow God to work through us.  We need to ask anew for eyes to see as God sees, ears to hear clearly what the Holy Spirit is speaking to us, and help for our unbelief.  Having unbelief about certain things isn’t necessarily a bad thing because we’re human.  We need God’s help.  If we didn’t need help with unbelief from time to time, there wouldn’t be a story about in in God’s word, and we wouldn’t need God.

Ultimately, we need to see God’s good works for what they are.  We don’t need to fear them and, in turn like the Jews of Jesus’ time did, deny them.

God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8  He is in control, not us.

We really don’t want to repeat the things that the Jews of Jesus’ time did … ultimately denying the good works of God, do we?  Let’s not let history repeat itself on our watch. There are so many lost and / or hurting in the world, and the church, as well.  Let’s  take our hands off and with wisdom, embrace God’s healing and restoring powers.  Let’s choose to ask for help with any unbelief we may have so that we don’t hinder God from moving in our lives or the lives of those around us.

He is God. We are not. 

Let’s not allow unbelief to keep us form God’s best for us … keeping us from fully impacting the world around us for the advancement of God’s Kingdom! 

A fool and his folly... Proverbs 26:4-5

The past three months of my life have been a bit of a whirl wind, to say the least.  In a matter of just a few days, the Lord directed me to leave family, friends, and basically everything behind in Arkansas and temporarily relocate to California.  God’s grace has been absolutely amazing…hands down…because this has been an extremely trying transition!!

 

I’ll have to be honest with you, I wasn’t sure as to the “why” I was coming out here until about 4-5 weeks into my residency here in California.  Now that I’ve been here for two days shy of two months, I have a much better idea of the “why.”  I wouldn’t say that I fully know all the reasons because God always tends to reveal some in “the during” and some in “the after.”  It always amazes me how He always works things out for my good.  I trust Him.  I trust Him, fully.

 

Yesterday, I was thinking about the scripture in Proverbs.  4 “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.  5 Answer a fool according to his folly lest he be wise in his own eyes.  Proverbs 26:4  As I was thinking about some of the crazy things that have happened since I left Arkansas, this scripture came to mind.  I looked it up, read it and pondered it throughout the day.  This morning, much to my surprise, it was in my daily Bible reading.  I was overjoyed, praising God for the way He does things and laughing because of the joy it brought me!

 

Early on in my arrival, a young woman began challenging my boundaries.  I’m sure she didn’t realize that she was crossing boundaries that she shouldn’t.  It’s ok.  I could see that she doesn’t have a good sense of boundaries for herself.  For the most part, I know and understand how to handle these situations…only because of God’s leading and guiding and not because of anything within me.  I rely on God’s help to know what to do and when to do it.  I once was the young woman who had no sense of good boundaries.  I have allowed God to teach me.  Therefore, I now am ultra respectful of the boundaries of others and also keep safe boundaries for myself.

 

Anyway, this person crossed a boundary with me.  I didn’t say anything to her.  I let it go, forgave her and prayed about it.  Soon thereafter, she did it again, but in a different way.  This time, I asked her a question where she had to answer either “yes” or “no” to her foolishness.  Well, she didn’t like this at all.  She was immediately offended and then went around spouting off about what had taken place between the two of us.  Never mind the fact that she was out of line in the first place.

 

This is exactly what the proverb is talking about.  It seems that it contradicts itself, but really it doesn’t.  You see, when dealing with foolishness of others, you have to know when to speak and when not to speak, and ultimately, either way, they won’t “get it.”  When you don’t speak, said person believes they are wise in their own eyes.  When you do speak, they usually get offended and show their immaturity.  When dealing with a person like this, you cannot win.  It truly is best to simply walk away and just keep the peace when coming in contact with them.

 

This person from that moment on did everything she could to get into “my world.”  It’s not that I was unfriendly or mean.  I was simply keeping safe, healthy boundaries for myself.  This wasn’t my “first rodeo,” so the saying goes.  The thing is, even though this person stirred up all of strife and even tried to “teach me” where she believes I’m in error, she has no idea that she is the one in error.  She has chosen to be “wise in her own eyes.”  I don’t say that arrogantly or as though I am wise in my own eyes at all.  I say it extremely humbly.  I have been patient to allow the Lord to show me exactly what He wanted me to learn from the situation without spouting off and gossiping to others about the situation.

 

Basically, the Proverb says that you cannot win with a fool.  You cannot answer a fool who is “wise in their own eyes.”  You must be cautious and use wisdom if you choose to answer what the Bible refers to as a fool.

 

The truth of the matter is, this person is loved by God as much as you and I are.  He wants a better way for this person as much as He wants a better way for you and me.

 

If and when we find ourselves in a situation like this, we must remember that even though someone is crossing boundaries and being disrespectful, we must take the high road, which I did, in this case.  Thank You, Jesus…who enabled me to do so!!  More often than not, we must remain silent, which I also did.  God will fight these battles for us when we allow Him to do so.  Exodus 14:14  Silence doesn’t mean we don’t understand a situation.  Silence doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t have anything to say, either.  For me in this particular situation as a leader, I wasn’t in a position as a leader who had authority to confront and correct, but rather a follower.  I knew my boundaries and chose to keep them.  It wasn’t my place to correct this person, so I forgave and let it go, but, I kept safe boundaries for myself with this person from that point on.  Wisdom was available, accessed and used in this situation.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who will give it without reproach.  James 1:5  I rely on this scripture  A LOT!!  God has never failed me.  If I fail to use wisdom in a situation, it’s not because of God, but rather because I didn’t ask for, access, or use it.  Wisdom is always there for us because God is always there for us with an infinite supply of wisdom.  We must choose it.  We must also pray for the person who is the offender.  The Bible says to love your neighbor and pray for your enemies.  Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 5:43-48

 

In this case, this person has no idea of their folly.  That’s ok.  It’s currently where she is in her walk.  If she continues with the Lord and allows Him to do so, He will teach her a better way in time … like he has done and continues to do with me because that's what I choose with all my heart.

 

Bottom line … be cautious when dealing with what the Bible refers to as fools.  Don’t fall into their trap.  Use wisdom that God provides.  Know who you are in Christ.  When you know who you are in Him, you don’t have to try to win people over to your side because you know that the only opinion that matters is God’s opinion of you.  ~ Selah

Know who you are in Christ!!

I recently had a conversation with someone where, going into it, I thought that we were on the “same ground,” so to speak.  I soon found out that this wasn’t the case.

 

I’m writing about this, not to condemn or put down anyone, but rather to share what I have experienced so that others don’t get caught in a snare of the enemy, which is something that could have easily happened to me in this situation.

 

All in all, I have to say that this is not a situation that I will knowingly repeat.  Although there was some good that came from it, overall, I believe it was an attempted snare of the enemy to bring me down mentally and emotionally to attempt to keep me from moving forward with the Lord.  As #JoyceMeyer says: “New level, new devil!”  #Truth

 

In a nut shell, while sharing what the Lord has done in my life.  In one sentence that took merely seconds to speak, this person, had I believed what they said and allowed it, could have wiped out the true meaning of the past 8-10 years of my life. What I mean by that, is that had I not known who I am in Christ, I could have received the words that this person spoke over me and made the decision that I was no good and the past decade of my life I was a complete failure. Now, that being said, yes, the past decade has been extremely challenging.  However, I can see God’s purpose and training in every trial that has come my way.  I was told that I wasn’t praying effectively and that I brought all of the trouble on myself because I allowed it to happen.  Nope!!  Not sorry and not gonna receive that.  Am I perfect? Absolutely not.  Did I bring all of this on myself?  No, not in the least.  Could I have handled some situations better?  Possibly, in some situations.  But, I know now that I could have. Where, in the midst of the situation, I did the best that I knew.  It’s called training.  God is training me to fully and completely be who He created me to be. And, quite honestly, I’m not going to beat myself up for mistakes that I have made in training.  God doesn’t beat me up over it, so why should I beat myself up?  Does God correct me?  Yes, but He never beats us up.

 

There are certain spirits that I’ve sensed about the geographic area that I live in for a long time now.  I have wondered what it was / they were and about a year ago, the Lord revealed it, or at least part of it, to me in a dream.  Not only did He show me what it was, He showed me that He has used it for my good. Romans 8:28  He has used it to train me…my “college” …Holy Spirit U. My years haven’t been wasted years.  They have been training years and He has used incredible opposition to shape me, mold me, train me, strengthen me, stretch my faith and trust in Him.  He has used this situation, as well, to allow me to see just how far He’s brought me from only having an idea of who I am in Christ to knowing who I am in Him.

 

Do you know who you are in Christ?  The definition of know: have developed a relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with. You see because I spend time with the Lord, not on a regular basis, but as a lifestyle, I have come to know Him.  I know that He is with me always, whether I feel or sense Him or not.  When I sin, I repent immediately and ask Him to help me.  Because I abide in Him, I have come to know who I am in Him, therefore, allowing me to see or know when something or someone is speaking something that doesn’t line up with the Word of God.  Now, am I saying that I have “arrived” and have nothing more to learn in this area?  No, not at all.  What I’m saying is that I know who I am in Christ at this moment of my life and I believe that as long as I continue the lifestyle of walking daily, actually, every moment of my life being led by the Holy Spirit, He will continue to grow me in all areas of life. Romans 3:12-14

 

So, as a Follower of Christ, I encourage you to strive to know who you are in Christ if you don’t already.  Ask Him to show you who you are in Him.  He is faithful and will show you in His own way and His own timing. 1 Corinthians 1:9  Be diligent, patient and alert. Proverbs 13:4

 

As for myself in this situation; I have been praying for this person…praying peace, love, joy and prosperity.  Matthew 5:44   Remember, it’s not flesh and blood that we contend with, but principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness of this age.  Ephesians 6:12  I have examined myself in the situation, allowed God to show me anything that I do need to change about myself, because there is always room for improvement,  and am acting accordingly.

 

Know who you are in Christ!! 

Rise up!!

This morning as I skimmed through facebook reading the news highlights, I felt as though I was in some futuristic movie.  As different images flashed through my mind, I thought; “How is it that I find myself in a world that is seemingly out of control and crazy…crazy enough to be some scary futuristic movie?” I wasn’t fearful.  It just felt very surreal. Instantly I heard; “Keep your eyes on Me and not on the situations.”  Amen!!  Thank You, Lord for wisdom, guidance and comfort!!

 

Yes, we are living in crazy times on this planet, but, we were born for such a time as this.

 

Rise up!!  We all have a part in this.  We were created with specific gifts, talents, purposes, etc.  Do you know what your part is?  Have you sought God for your purpose in this life or are you floundering…unaware of why you’re here?

 

Don’t let the troubles of this world cause you to doubt your calling or purpose in life.  Don’t allow the rising of evil to get a hold of you.  As the dark gets darker…and, it will continue to get darker, the Light will get brighter as darkness will never overcome the Light.  John 1:5

 

Don’t let fear overcome you.  Look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, as Christ followers.  Hebrews 12:2  Remember, even though it may seem like things are out of control, ultimately, God is in control.  He is all knowing.  He’s not surprised by anything that has happened or will happen and He has made a way. Isaiah 55:9,  Job 37:16   Put your trust in Him.  Don’t listen to those who cry out that our prayers are not working.  They have no idea what they’re speaking of.  They are lost.  Continue to pray…and pray for the lost…Jew and gentile, alike…terrorist, Satanist, agnostic, and the slumbering Christian, just to name a few.

 

Folks, we are in the midst of the great falling away.  There will be only black and white…no gray.  When all is said and done, which side will you find yourself?

 

I have read the last chapter in the Book and I know who wins.  Never give up!! Christ will prevail!  Rise up and be who God created you to be!!

When speaking the truth...

How is the truth being spoken?  Is it spoken in love or is it being screamed from a street corner with a bull horn or worse yet, from a pulpit by a screaming, spitting pastor?

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,  I have become a gong or clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

From my own history, I can tell you that I was used to receiving what I believed to be truth without love…and often, that’s how I spoke the truth, as well.  I come from a highly dysfunctional family and it’s all I knew.  I thought it was normal to be critical, mean spirited and overbearing in “truth.”

When I became a Christian and began attending church, it seemed normal to have the truth yelled or screamed at me from the pulpit.  But when I truly began to understand the love of God, this yelling and screaming didn’t make any sense to me.  I began to question where the love was in it.  I can understand being passionate and intense in explaining something, but when it leads to someone yelling, screaming and pointing fingers at those who they consider sinners and calling other denominations cults simply because they believe they have the right to…I cannot stomach it.  I don’t want to hear a word that is being said.  I have been in church services where people, who felt the same way I did, got up and walked out.  There is no love in this type of message, even if there is some truth in what is being spoken.

So, yes…when speaking the truth, speak it in love.  The old saying, “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar” speaks volumes.  Truth…speak it in love or don’t speak it at all…please?!

 

Just because you stand for what you believe...

Just because you stand for what you believe doesn’t mean you don’t love sinners.  Speak the truth in love, love the sinner. 

If you’re a Christian, persecution comes with the territory to a greater or lesser degree depending upon where in the world you live.  If we stand up for the truth of what God says about living a moral life, we’re persecuted. 

When Jesus told the Pharisees that whoever was without sin to cast the first stone, He was defending a woman who had been caught in adultery.  Jesus then spoke to the woman and told her to go and sin no more.  He spoke the truth to her in that she shouldn’t commit the sin of adultery any longer.  He was loving and kind to her.  He didn’t shy away from speaking the truth to her in love nor did He condemn her or, being the only One without sin, He didn’t stone her.

This is how we should, as Christians, handle similar situations.  In the times that we live in now, it seems that we can say that we’ve nearly seen it all…there’s nothing new under the sun.  There are some crazy things going on in our world and when we need to stand up for the truth, we need to speak the truth in love.  In 1 Corinthians it says that if we speak with tongues of men or angels but we don’t have love, we are like a clanging gong or cymbal.  Annoying!!  Speak the truth in love, but know that not everyone is going to like what you have to say.  Persecution is everywhere and should be anticipated.  Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.   Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.   But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.” John 15:18-22

Don’t condone sin.  Speak the truth in love.  Know that we will be persecuted.  Remember that God is with us.  His grace is sufficient to get us through all things!