It's Time to Give Birth! PUSH!!!

Deliverance is sometimes a longer process than we would wish.  Just as a baby is pushed through the birth canal, we must also push through our own dark passageway to get through to the other side of light and new life. Although this is a difficult period, we should not give up knowing that God promises us that we will be delivered.

Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.  Isaiah 66:9

Sometimes we need, to be delivered from ourselves.  It may become necessary that we get out of our own way and get over ourselves so that we can experience the new life that God has purposed for us. 

In an earlier writing, I divulged my secret - the fear of success.  Unfortunately, I have still not fully conquered this fear, but the battle is on and I am assured of victory as my Heavenly Father is with me.

For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deuteronomy 20:4

The fight is fierce, and I have been trampled on and tried. But, I am coming out!!!  I have been brought against one of my strongest enemies - myself.  I can empathize with Paul when he says:

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:18-20

This is face to face combat, and what I see in me, I do not like.  I have not been able to stand against the devil's schemes, since I have been unwittingly resisting my God-given purpose with an armor of my own making.  My waist has been girded with lies, which made me believe that self-denial was the Christian thing to do.  And so, I pitifully put on an easily bendable breastplate built with self-righteousness and filled with a chest puffed with pride that grew from a holier than thou attitude. Furthermore, I haven't been wearing the shoes that God sized for me, resulting in my being uncomfortable with no peace to share.  Fear has been a slight shield, consequently the flaming arrows of rejection have penetrated me.  

Too tired to place the helmet of salvation on my head, my mind has been an open target for the devil's accusations -"You will lose your relationship with God if you are successful and make money"; "No one will like you if you are influential and you are regarded with honor. They will think you are stuck up"; and "You will lose yourself if you ever attain wealth."

Lies...all lies...from the father of lies.  Yet, I have fallen prey to the dubious deceiver.

My sword did not take full swings.  Lackluster lunges did not lance the liar and I have been left languid licking my wounds. Therefore, my Spirit has been doused with the devil's devices, hence, my prayers have not been persistent or effective, and I have felt ashamed to bring all my requests before God. Also, far too often I have been caught unaware of the enemy's tricks.

But, now I know.  I understand where it all went wrong.  It started when I thought it all depended on me to be holy and righteous.  The plan was to be an admired martyr - dying to myself,  forsaking all of life's pleasures.  Surely, everyone would perceive how Christlike I was?  Well, they didn't.  All they have seen is my impoverishment.  This is not being poor in Spirit... this is being poor as a church mouse.  What an appropriate idiom for my idiotic thoughts on how my Christian walk should be! 

The poor church mouse - that's me.  Let me restate - that's how I used to be.  I am presently getting a new lease on life. No longer am I going to be a mouse, scrounging around to get enough just to get by. Why are church mice poor anyway? Frankly, at this point, it doesn't matter. I don't even like mice, and I don't intend to stay one, church or otherwise.  I am purposed to build God's church, not tear it down.  Those church mice are destructive little critters that create a mess.  My choice is not to be a messy mouse, but a valiant victor.  

Being born again, means that I should have a new life.  However, it seems that I have been stuck in the birth canal, not wanting to push out.  I was not formed to stay in darkness, I must come out into God's marvelous light to truly experience His goodness and to win the battle.  I will therefore pray as David prayed:

But you, O Sovereign LORD, 
   deal well with me for your name’s sake; 
   out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. 
For I am poor and needy, 
   and my heart is wounded within me. Psalm 109:20-22

I know God will answer.  He will come to my rescue as I climb out of my self made quagmire.  The new woman is emerging. This birthing room is a battlefield, I do believe I am waging war. However, despite this being a long and difficult delivery, I will encourage myself, "Girl...it's time to give birth! PUSH!!!"

Little Foxes

Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. Song of Songs 2:15

It is so often the "little foxes" that hinder us from receiving all that God has purposed for us. A vineyard in the Bible was of great significance. Those fortunate enough to have a vineyard were able to pass it down to their children as an inheritance. Jesus described Himself as the vine.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:1&5

The devil does not want us to bear fruit, so he will send the little foxes to eat the fruit we bear.  A little fox cannot get to the branches, but he will devour the fruit that is within his reach.  It is when we are starting to bloom and bear fruit, thinking we are safe, that the little issues creep in, stealing what we have produced.

A vineyard

We often think it's the "big" sins that will get us.  Surely, if we don't murder, rape, commit adultery or steal, then we are fine?  But, what about gossip? Or, even anger?

For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 2 Corinthians 12:20

Paul was upset about the all the sins the Christians in Corinth were perpetrating. He not only pointed out to them their lack of repentance for the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they had indulged (2 Corinthians 12:21), but he considered their quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder as major problems. How frequently we overlook these matters that were of great concern to Paul as just minor character flaws.  Yet, they obstruct the growth of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

If we are quarrelsome, prone to jealousy, easily angered, part of a clique, speak falsely against others, talk idly, filled with pride and give in to confusion, then we cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit. Our actions show that we are disconnected from Jesus, the True Vine. His Spirit cannot and will not remain in us as He is Holy.  He will be around us and can work in our lives, but He may not be comfortable residing in us as He prefers to inhabit pure, clean hearts.    
We need to ask God to reveal to us the "little foxes" in our lives as they are obstructing our spiritual growth.  Pruning is also essential. Therefore, we must allow Our Father, the Gardener, to have His way with us, cutting away all our dead and drying areas so we can flourish.

Our minds are generally where we combat the devil's devices.  Nevertheless, God has not left us without weaponry.  He has equipped us with the Sword of the Spirit to withstand the menacing "little foxes" that scamper our way.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:8, 1 Peter 1:13 and Philippians 4:7 

The vineyard God has given us is our hearts and minds.  We must guard them so that the fruit of the Spirit will be safe from the "little foxes," as this is the fruit that we will use to feed a dying world in order to give them life through Jesus.

Simply Like Jesus

"I made all this! I own all this!" God's Decree. "But there is something I'm looking for: a person simple and plain, reverently responsive to what I say." Isaiah 66:2 (The Message)

The Message Bible interchanges the word "humble" with "simple".  I do believe this is simply divine.  God desires us to be simple before Him, not simple-minded but simple-hearted. A simple- minded person lacks wisdom. On the other hand, someone who is simple-hearted personifies Godly wisdom, living simply to please God just as Jesus did - free of deceit and sincere.  Jesus simply obeyed God.

But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. Micah 6:8 (The Message)

Simply living for God by following in Jesus’ steps means we walk in love, loyalty, compassion and fairness. Furthermore, our identity does not stand on who we are and what we have done, but who God, Our Father, is.

Once becoming a Christian, many people often ask, “How do I live now?”  However, it is not complex.

The answer's simple: Live right, speak the truth, despise exploitation, refuse bribes, reject violence, avoid evil amusements. This is how you raise your standard of living! A safe and stable way to live. A nourishing, satisfying way to live. Isaiah 33:15 (The Message)

Unfortunately, far too frequently, we take our guidance from the world and therefore, we are led astray.  Our standard of living as Christians fall way below the bar, yet we stay living in compromise in order to satisfy ourselves and please those around us.  We lie to look good; exploit to feel powerful; take bribes to wield our authority; give bribes to expedite our affairs; assume a posture of hostility so that no one messes with us; and amuse ourselves with all sorts of pleasures thus, abandoning the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.

Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed. Matthew 4:19-20 (The Message)

Jesus wants us to have experiences that are above and beyond anything we could ever imagine. But, these amazing God incidences in our lives come when we follow Jesus, simply leaving behind our comfort zones which we have crafted for ourselves.  Knowing our designated design for our lives, often fall short of the creativeness of Our Creator, we must simply live for Jesus.

Oswald Chamber’s thoughts on living simply in Utmost for His Highest are profound, although simple.

A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us because we will not be simple. How can we maintain the simplicity of Jesus so that we may understand Him? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, and obeying Him as He brings us the truth of His Word, life will become amazingly simple. Jesus asks us to consider that “if God so clothes the grass of the field . . .” how “much more” will He clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him? Every time we lose ground in our fellowship with God, it is because we have disrespectfully thought that we knew better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed “the cares of this world” to enter in (Matthew 13:22), while forgetting the “much more” of our heavenly Father.

We fail to understand Jesus because we aren’t simple enough.  We lack right relationship and intimacy with Our Father, because we come before Him with puffed up pride.  Then, we wonder why our prayers aren’t answered and so go in search for our own answers, which honestly are usually not simple.  Our approach needs to be different.

[Pray with Simplicity] "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. Matthew 6:5 (The Message)

I am thankful for God’s grace which is more than sufficient for all of us.  It’s His grace that keeps us whether we know it or not.  Our complexities cause confusion and we contrive chaos in our lives.  Consequently, we run to God pleading for Him to fix or failures when all He said to us in the first place was simply to “be like a little child”(Mark 10:15) – His child.

Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. Matthew 18:4 (The Message)

It is time for us to stop forfeiting our Kingdom rights by giving up our childish ways, and instead live in childlike simplicity and be Simply Like Jesus. 

Fearing Success

A few years ago, I went on a fast to break my fear of success. On recognizing that I dreaded prospering, I was determined to overcome it. One may not readily comprehend this.  Fear of failure seems much more logical. Truthfully, I didn't understand it myself. It took a while for this realization to sink in. If I remember correctly, I received this insight while praying.

Looking at me or knowing me, you would never think I would be ridden with this emotion as I am a driven person. Consequently, I decided to use my drive to conqueror my fear. But, alas it was to no avail. I couldn't rid myself of it.

Earlier this year, thoughts of my fear flooded my mind.  Therefore, I once again set out to disable my nemesis using the Sword of the Spirit. I went to the Bible and did a word search for success in order to grasp that God wanted me to succeed.  The following are some of the verses I found in my search.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 1 Samuel 18:13-15

I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success...." Nehemiah 2:20a

The Sword did not seem to penetrate my heart and mind deep enough. I still had my doubts, God Himself is not opposed to success - He gives it, yet, I cowered at the thought.  I would ask for success, however, I would somehow repel it.  Basically, I was doing things well.  Many people liked the work I did and praised my accomplishments.  In spite of this, I knew deep down that it was not enough.  I could do much more - God wanted me to do so much more.  As I climbed the hill of success, I would come to a plateau, never reaching the highest height as fear strangled my efforts.

It wasn't until quite recently it struck me that fear of success was not my problem, it was just a by-product.  I had to dig deeper to uncover the root.  The source of my issue was my resentment of success and some of it's consequences like money, power and influence. One of the verses that predisposed me to hate money was:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10

I believed that if I disliked money, then I would be a good Christian.  Being annoyed at prosperity preachers peddling their Christian wares, I sought to stay as far away as possible from the idea of affluence.  What would others think of me if I were rich and accomplished? They would surely hate me like Saul hated successful David.   I couldn't take that risk as I might become a snob.  Heaven forbid, people would think that I loved money if I had nice clothes, car, and house.  So, I only prayed for just enough to get by, and I could get by on very little. In addition, I didn't venture into areas which would make me too successful.

It is amazing how thoughts can manifest into reality. I actually have nothing. But really, at this time it is a good thing.  My extreme lack of resources has made me examine myself and I now see how selfish I have been.   I have blocked the hand of God to give me all He wants.  He has desired to bless me so I could bless others.  My success and riches are not just for me, but gifts God wants me to pass on to the disadvantaged.  My being impoverished, may result in others staying destitute. Without a car, I can't give anyone a ride.  Without a house, I can't offer anyone a place to stay. Without money, I can't give to the poor.  I have found that my ministry is hindered because I don't have enough.  I have been self-absorbed in my false humility, obstructing God from doing abundant work in and through my life.    

I have been worried that riches and pleasure would choke the seed God has placed within me. (Luke 8:14)   But, I must always remember, no matter what, my identity is in Christ, whether I am rich or poor, or I have success in the world's eyes. God's perspective on success is not the same as our culture's definition.  He is about character building and stepping out in integrity.  I cannot be manipulative and corrupt to be a success.  That is failure from God's point of view.  Wisdom is essential and she assures us in Proverbs that With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. Proverbs 8:18

Worldly wealth should never dictate the riches I have in Christ, which are His grace, His glory and the wisdom and knowledge of God.  When I have riches in Christ, I will know better how to utilize material gain and influence. 

Success takes courage. In spite of how much I attain materially, or how influential I become, I must follow God's path.  Undoubtedly, this will not be popular with most people.  There is a Promised Land and I must fight to possess it as God has purposed this. Even if it means battling my own fears, I must struggle against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12  It is imperative that I succeed not only for me, but for society's good.  

God has equipped me to succeed in everything He has purposed me to do. He clothes me for battle and empowers me with the Holy Spirit.  I am dressed to win being more than a conqueror in Christ.  God wants me to succeed.  Jesus came to give me abundant life. (paraphrase John 10:10)  

The Lord wants me to occupy the land and walk in my authority in whichever sphere He places me.  I need to be sure I am surrendered to Him and I am His will. 

Then, I don't have to be Fearing Success as the Lord is with me through it all.

Identity Theft

Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; 
But he that filches from me my good name, 
Robs me of that which not enriches him, 
And makes me poor indeed. 
-- Shakespeare, Othello Act 3, scene 3

The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  He wants to rob us of the very essence of who we are in Christ by taking away our God given identity. Shakespeare understood that a good name is more important than riches.  The enemy of our souls understands this too, and so he is not just after our identity, he wants to take away our Heavenly Father's good name.  Satan believes, if he gets God's children off track, then he will smear God's illustrious identity.  In some ways that is true.

An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Titus 1:6

Paul was clear that elders should have obedient children and God also expects us, His children, to obey Him also.  Many times it has been stated in the Bible that loving God is obeying Him.  If we truly don't know God as a good Father, then we will act as wayward children.  Even the prodigal son comprehended that it would be better to live as a servant in his father's house than stay wallowing in the pig sty.  Why then do we stay in the quagmires of life instead of run to our loving Father?  It is because out identity has been stolen.

The devil tried to cheat Jesus out of His identity by daring Him to throw Himself down "if" He were the Son of God (Matthew 4:6).  That little word "if" can be detrimental to our being, when we give in to its conditions.  Jesus knew better, however, as He knew who He was, whose He was, and His purpose.  Jesus responded, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”  Matthew 4:7.  In addition, He had an intimate knowledge of His Father, so He knew what God would have Him do during His time of temptation.

Consequently, our lack of  intimate knowledge of God as His children creates in us a tendency to give in to the devil's "ifs".  Which results in us losing our true identity.  

The United States Department of Justice provides us with insight in identity theft.

The short answer is that identity theft is a crime. Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception...

The devil is a fraud and a deceiver.  This crafty con-artist uses us against ourselves and we become the poser, pretending to be someone we are not.   There are so many ways that he takes away our true selves, hence,we walk around as amputated beings searching for wholeness in all the wrong places.  We need to apprehend this diabolic fiend's devices or else we will be constantly trapped in his snares.

This nefarious pilferer really is not that creative, so he uses similar schemes of any identity thief.   

Sticking close to us, he and his demonic forces gets our information, so that he can use it against us.  This is why we must be careful with our words, remembering that the tongue has the power of death and life. Satan will use our own negative words against us.  Our thoughts will be invaded with messages that make us feel less of ourselves and often times, these are words we have said against ourselves.  We combat this by knowing the truth of how God perceives us and walk in this truth.

Liking messes, the devil rummages through our garbage, to use information from our past.  He continuously brings up all we did and so we keep on returning to the junkyard of our old life feeling like this is where we belong.  We need to grasp that we have moved on, we are no longer that old man, but we have been made new in Christ.

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”  John 3:6-8

When we have been born again in the Spirit, we are new people and we move by the wind of the Holy Spirit.  We are no longer wanders in the wilderness, but citizens of the promised land.  The devil wants us to stay in the wilderness always longing for more, believing there is no real place to call our home.  But, we already have a home in Christ.  He has prepared a place for us, we just need to accept it.

Just like the Internet, the devil sends us a lot of spam.  It may look like we are being offered something good, but we open up what is an enticing opportunity and when we respond we end up with regrets and empty promises that leave us in a quandary. This is why we must put on the full armor to take our stand against the devil's schemes.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18

The key is we need to know God and understand that we are His.  We should let what He says about our identity sink in our minds.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

We are God's people, we should let no one, not even ourselves, make us out to be who we are not.  We are royal , we are holy and we belong to God.  Knowing this, we should no longer fall prey to Identity Theft.