The Mercies of God

November 24, 2009 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Deliverance 

Being born and raised in New York City wasn’t easy. I watched my mom struggled with taking care of us and moving from place to place as a child. Though an eye was always kept on us by God, back then, we still did everything we wanted to do. There were parties after parties, drinking and smoking. Though we were struggling, we still managed to have fun. What I remember most was the anger and hostility I had locked up inside of me. My siblings and I was picked on as kids whi.ch made me fight a lot. After the first few fights, anger became my friend. The move to Virginia was hard but necessary. My mom found a new job and decided it was the best move for us. Having to leave everything behind was hard for me. I felt like people were just starting to accept me as the greatest fighter in the school. Though it wasn’t the greatest title to have, it was my only title and I felt like I worked hard for it. Being in Virginia, it seemed like everyone didn’t like us because we were from New York. So once again, I felt trapped and had to do something about it. So I began fighting again, but this time it was worse. I was in and out juvenile detentions within the Tidewater area. I was running away from home and exploring the world of sex as well as catching all kinds of charges. Very defiant and violent, I was at a point where I just didn’t care anymore. I was robbing, stealing, smoking, drinking, and threatened other people’s lives. I was in and out boot camps and foster homes. I became an unstoppable, violent teenager. No one knew what to do with me anymore, I felt like my mom had just about given up on me, and I was on my way to up state for juvenile life by the age of 16. But one day while I was in Newport News Juvenile Detention, I got into a fight with a girl that I knew was 3 months pregnant. I was determined to make her have a miscarriage by stomping her in the stomach. Her mother decided to press charges on me and they sent me across the street to Newport News City Jail. I was there with killers and vicious women beyond my teenage imagination. I would see them every day even though I was on a different part of the facility. I was devastated and felt alone and abandoned. They were going to charge me with attempted murder on an unborn child as well as other charges. But by the grace of God, the mother decided not to go through with the charges and said to me ‘may God be with you’ and left the courtroom. Before then I was facing being in jail for the next 60 years and was in a deep depression and even considered suicide. But God still felt like I had a job to do and rescued me from what seemed like an impossible situation to get out of. And now I’m 20 years old with my beautiful 5 month old baby girl and I haven’t been in any trouble or fights since then. I’m trying to walk by God and I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I owe him that much and more. I am a lot happier and full of love and joy living with my family in Virginia. Though I still go through things, I don’t forget where I came from and don’t forget who brought me out. With unimaginable grace and mercy, God has given me another chance at life and I am grateful.

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Prayer to Watch What You Say

November 22, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dare II Declare 2009 Word Challenge, Prayers 

I believe this is an awesome prayer and I wanted to share it with you. This prayer, as well as the other prayers I’ve shared with you this week, can be found in the book ‘Prayer That Avail Much’ by Germaine Copeland. This particular prayer, I believe, addresses a problem that we all need help in; which is having control over our mouths. The Bible says in James 3:8, “but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” The Bible also says that death and life are in the power of the tongue, so with that said, it only makes sense to ask and work with the Holy Spirit in helping you to control your mouth.

 

I encourage you to first read the prayer and then pray this prayer aloud. I say read the prayer first so that you’ll know what you’re praying and so you can get into agreement with this prayer. And while you can certainly pray silently, I strongly recommend you to pray this prayer aloud because there is power in speaking aloud the Word of God. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:12 that the Word of God is alive and active. The Amplified translation states: ‘For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective].’ God also says in Isaiah 55:11 that, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Therefore, get into agreement with God’s Word, which is alive and filled with power, and speak His Words out of your mouth while believing in your heart.

 

If you are unable to get away for a few moments, then I strongly urge you to read and pray this prayer silently now, print out this prayer (or go to page 28-29 if you have this book), and begin praying this prayer aloud during your alone time with God. You can meditate on this prayer since it is packed with God’s Word, and I’d recommend praying this prayer until it becomes your own. You can also look up the Scripture references following the prayer and meditate on them as well. The goal is for you to get into agreement with the Word of God (heart, mind and soul), to speak out what God says about the matter, to believe God for what He said, and receive! Remember that God’s Word is alive and is packed with absolute power!

  

PRAYER TO WATCH WHAT YOU SAY

Father, today I make a commitment to You in the name of Jesus. I turn from speaking idle words and foolishly talking things that are contrary to my true desire to myself and toward others. Your Word says that the tongue defiles, that the tongue sets on fire the course of nature, that the tongue is set on fire of hell.

 

In the name of Jesus, I submit to godly wisdom that I might learn to control my tongue. I am determined that hell will not set my tongue on fire. I renounce, reject, and repent of every word that has ever proceeded out of my mouth against You, God and Your operation. I cancel its power and dedicate my mouth to speak excellent and right things. My mouth shall utter truth.

 

Because I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, I set the course of my life for obedience, for abundance, for wisdom, for health, and for joy. Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Then the words of my mouth and my deeds shall show forth Your righteousness and Your salvation all of my days. I purpose to guard my mouth and my tongue that I might keep myself from calamity.

 

Father, Your Words are top priority to me. They are spirit and life. I let the Word dwell in me richly in all wisdom. The ability of God is released within me by the words of my mouth and by the Word of God. I speak Your Words out of my mouth. They are alive in me. You are alive and working in me. So, I can boldly say that my words are words of faith, words of power, words of love, and words of life. They produce good things in my life and in the lives of others because I choose Your Words for my lips, and your will for my life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

Scripture References

Ephesians 5:4 2 Timothy 2:16 James 3:6 Proverbs 8:6, 7 2 Corinthians 5:21 Proverbs 4:23 Proverbs 21:23 Ephesians 4:27 James 1:6 John 6:63 Colossians 3:16 Philemon 6

Prayer from ‘Prayers That Avail Much’, 25th Anniversary Commemorative Gift Edition, written by Germaine Copeland; 1997

  

  

 

 

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Tags: death and life, mouth, prayer, Prayers, praying, speak, speaking, speech, talk, talking, tongue

Provoked N2 Destiny

November 21, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Biblical Teachings, Words of Encouragement 

Current Mood:Cool emoticon Cool

As I mentioned before, God has had me in 1 Samuel, studying the first chapter, about Hannah and Peninnah.

As we already know, Hannah was barren and Peninnah was her rival –constantly reminding Hannah of her being unable to have children.  To make matters worst, Hannah’s husband (which was also Peninnah’s husband) didn’t understand Hannah’s pain, feeling that his love for her should supercede her desire to have children.  As if that wasn’t enough, her own priest Eli accused her of being drunk when she was in the temple praying.

God showed me something in this text, as I read it again in preparation of teaching it at our family’s bible study @ home.  There are times when God will allow us to go through things, things we care not go through, in order to provoke us to an action that is needed for him to fulfill his purpose.  In the bible, it says that Peninnah “provoked” Hannah.  When a person “provokes” you, they are trying to get a certain reaction from the person being provoked- often a negative one.  Instead of succumbing to Peninnah’s attacks, Hannah took her hurt and pain before the Lord.  It is here where it really becomes interesting.  Though Hannah was consistent and persistent in her prayer to God, God didn’t move at this time and allowed Peninnah to continue “provoking” Hannah.  Though he heard her anguish in her prayers, seen how Peninnah mistreated her, God did not move because he too was waiting for a reaction from Hannah.  From being provoked by Peninnah for all those years, it finally led Hannah to going to God and making a promise that if God gave her a child, she would give the child back unto him to serve the Lord all the days of his life.  It was when she made that vow that he moved and opened up her womb.  She conceived and 9 months later had a baby named Samuel.  And once the boy was weaned, she took him to the house of the Lord, where he stayed – studying under the priest Eli.  This boy, Samuel, would soon grow to be one of Israel’s greatest prophets.  He also would anoint Israel’s first king.  When you track back to where this all began, it began with a woman who was in so much pain and anguish that she vowed to give back to God the very thing she so desperately desired.  I am sure she was not aware that her son would be a mighty man of God and would be well favored by God and man.

 HOW CAN THIS BE APPLIED TO TODAY?

Remember that we are the “created” and God is the Creator.  Hence, we are here to fulfill His purpose and not the other way around.  Let us remember the following points:

1) God allows us to go through certain things to provoke us into an action that is needed to accomplish his purpose.

2) Stay fervent in prayer, regardless of what the situation looks like.  Pray, without ceasing!

3) God honors a genuine sacrifice.

4) God always give much more than what he takes away. (Hannah gave God her long-awaited baby and God returned unto her 3 sons and 2 daughters!)

5) Do not get caught up on haters (Peninnah), people who are close to you who are somewhat insensitive to your pain (elkanah), or others who misjudge you or mistake your motives (eli).

6) Remember Jesus says that you will have whatsoever you ask for provided you believe and ask in his name…… and…… 

7) Leave the timing up to God

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D2D Word Challenge – Sample Confession List

November 19, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Dare II Declare 2009 Word Challenge, Deliverance, Godly Principles, The Faith Walk, Words of Encouragement 

“We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak” – II Corinthians 4:13

As many of you are aware, on November 15th we started our 40-day Dare to Declare Word Challenge!  Another way of looking at is, is calling it a Mouth Consecration!  During this time we will dare to declare the things of God over lives and refrain from speaking words of doubt, negativity and defeat; thereby planting good seeds for a good harvest.  If you didn’t know about it before now and would like to join us, don’t worry.  You can still join in! 

Below is a copy of a Confession list that I copied/pasted from Joyce Meyer’s website (it’s actually the list she used back in the 80’s).  The reason I am reposting this is so that you would have an idea of how to create your own list by seeing an example.  I encourage you to use this list for inspiration, but to create your own unique list based upon the Scriptures and Godly principles.  Since you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), you are indeed unique; thus, so should your list be.  With your mind, heart and mouth in agreement with God’s Word, you can dare to declare all of the bountiful blessings of God—with expectation!

Be sure to visit the site again very soon, as I’ll be posting another sample list as well as share my own personal experience—as we journey together in the….

DARE II DECLARE 2009 WORD CHALLENGE!

God bless you!

 

SAMPLE CONFESSION LIST

 

  1. I love all people, and I am loved by all people.
  2. I prosper in everything I put my hand to. I have prosperity in all areas of
  3. my life – spiritually, financially, mentally, and socially.
  4. All my children have lots of Christian friends, and God has set aside a Christian wife or husband for each of them.
  5. All my household are blessed in their deeds: we’re blessed when we come in and when we go out.
  6. I take good care of my body. I eat right, I look good, I feel good, and I weigh what God wants me to weigh.
  7. I operate in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are tongues and interpretation of tongues, the working of miracles, discerning of spirits, the word of faith, the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, healings, and prophecy.
  8. I know God’s voice, and I always obey what He tells me.
  9. The love of God has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost.
  10. I do all my work excellently and with great prudence – making the most of all of my time.
  11. I am creative because the Holy Spirit lives in me.
  12. I love to pray. I love to praise and worship God.
  13. I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. I will speak forth the righteousness of God all the day long.
  14. I have humbled myself, and God has exalted me.
  15. I am a giver. It is more blessed to give than to receive. I love to give! I have plenty of money to give away all the time.
  16. I cast all my care on the Lord for He cares for me.
  17. I don’t give the devil a foothold in my life. I resist the devil, and he has to flee from me.
  18. I don’t have a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.
  19. I am not afraid of the faces of man. I am not afraid of the anger of man.
  20. I am a new creature in Christ: old things have passed away, behold, all things are new.
  21. I have died and have been raised with Christ and am now seated in heavenly places.
  22. I am dead to sin and alive unto righteousness.
  23. I am a doer of the Word. I meditate on the Word all the day long.
  24. I am not passive about anything, but I deal with all things in my life immediately.
  25. I do not judge my sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus after the flesh. I am a spiritual man and am judged by no one.
  26. I take every thought captive unto the obedience of Jesus Christ, casting down every imagination, and every high and lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
  27. I am a responsible person. I enjoy responsibility, and I rise to every responsibility in Jesus.
  28. I have been set free. I am free to love, to worship, to trust with no fear of rejection or of being hurt.
  29. I have compassion and understanding for all people.
  30. I catch the devil in all of his deceitful lies. I cast them down and choose rather to believe the Word of God.
  31. I am Anointed by God for ministry. Alleluia!
  32. Work is good. I enjoy work. Glory!
  33. I have a teachable spirit.
  34. I do not think more highly of myself than I ought to in the flesh.
  35. Pain cannot successfully come against my body because Jesus bore all my pain.
  36. I am a teacher of the Word.
  37. I lay hands on the sick, and they recover.
  38. I do what I say I will do, and I get where I am going on time.
  39. I don’t hurry and rush; I do one thing at a time.
  40. God opens my mouth, and no man can shut it. God shuts my mouth, and no man can open it.
  41. The law of kindness is in my tongue. Gentleness is in my touch. Mercy and compassion is in my hearing.
  42. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he; therefore, all of my thoughts are positive.
  43. I do not allow the devil to use my spirit as a garbage dump by meditating on negative things that he offers me.
  44. I am a believer not a doubter.
  45. No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper, but every tongue that rises against me in judgement, I shall show to be in the wrong.
  46. I am slow to speak, quick to hear, and slow to anger.
  47. I cast out devils and demons; nothing deadly can hurt me.
  48. I never bind a sister or brother with the words of my mouth.
  49. I am always a positive encouragement. I edify and build up; I never tear down or destroy.
  50. I will cry to God most high Who performs on my behalf and rewards me.
  51. My son (name) has a sweet personality, and he is not rebellious.
  52. I don’t speak negative things.
  53. My children love to pray and study the Word. They openly and boldly praise God.
  54. My children make right choices according to the Word of God.
  55. I am an obedient wife, and no rebellion operates in me.
  56. My husband is wise. He is the king and priest of our home. He makes Godly decisions.
  57. I use my time wisely. All of my prayer and study time is wisely spent.
  58. I walk in the spirit all of the time.
  59. My car is paid for.
  60. I am rich – very rich.
  61. I love to bless people and spread the Gospel.
  62. I am an intercessor.
  63. I receive speaking engagements in person, by phone, and/or by mail every day.
  64. My daughter (name) operates in Godly wisdom and discipline, and she is full of energy.
  65. I have a finished basement.
  66. I have a beautiful wedding ring.
  67. We have all the new furniture we need. We have a new car.
  68. I never get tired or grow weary when I study the Word, pray, minister, or praise God; but I am alert and full of energy. And as I study, I become more alert and more energized.
  69. I will to study the Word of God. I will to pray.
  70. My husband can see perfectly. By the stripes of Jesus, he is healed.
  71. I do not hate or walk in unforgiveness.
  72. I do not fear. I am not guilty.

 (Confession list and it’s heading was copied/pasted from Joyce Meyer ministries’ website.)

 To read more about the Dare II Declare 2009 WORD Challenge, visit www.NaimaWilliams.org or click on the following titles:

It’s Not Too Late – Join in our Word Challenge

The Perfect Synergy: Mind, Heart and Mouth

Dare II Declare 2009 Word Challenge

FAQs: The Story Behind the Challenge

The WORD Challenge – Coming Nov 15th!  

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Tags: believe, believing, believing God, confess, confession, confession list, declaration, declare, declaring, decree, faith, faithful, God, God Almighty, Holy Bible, Holy Scriptures, Holy Spirit, hope, Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus, profess, prophesy, Prophetic Word, prosper, prosperity, Scriptures, speak, speak to it, speaking, Word of God

Amusement Park Faith

November 7, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: The Faith Walk 

 

Have you ever been to an amusement park?

Have you ever got on any rollercoaster rides or any other ride that was pretty danger?

 

It’s so funny how we’re able to stand in the blazing hot sun, dripping with sweat, waiting on an extremely long line in order to get on a 5-minute ride.  We sometimes stand in line for 45 minutes or more just to experience the thrills that the park promises through their advertisement.  While we wait, we’re either chatting with our friends or family members with us, or we’re eating the over-priced food we bought at the park or we’re downright complaining the whole time we wait.  Then, once it’s finally our turn to get on the ride, we become excited to get on the mechanical ride that promises shrills and thrills and outright terror. 

 Let me ask you a question: what do you believe is the driving force behind our willingness to go through so much trouble just to get on a 5-minute ride?  Furthermore, why do you believe we’re absolutely trusting of something that clearly claims no liability should something go wrong, using phrases like “Enter at your own risk”?  Let’s face it, we usually don’t know the integrity of the person operating the ride, and we don’t know if the actual ride itself has been properly maintained; yet we’re so trusting of this ride that we’re willing to risk our own lives as well as the lives of our children.  Why do you think this is?  Moreover, can we say that the same confidence and trust we put into a ride we have no knowledge of is that same level of trust and confidence we put into a God we claim to love and serve?  

SELAH 

In order for us to step one foot onto the ride, it is necessary for us to have complete faith and trust in the ride as well as the person(s) who operate the ride.  Just because you don’t actually say that you do trust these things, your actions say you do because if you didn’t trust it, you wouldn’t get on the ride neither would you let your children get on it.  Let me ask you a question: can you say that so is the same in your relationship with God?   Can you say that though you don’t physically see Him and though you don’t know all of the intricacies involved in your situation, that you still step out and have complete faith and confidence in Him who can do all things? 

As I am standing in the shower in fellowship with the Lord, I began to experience sadness.  The sadness came from the complete and utter insult it is to God for His people to have more confidence in a mechanical thing than in Him.  I seen how we’re so willing to trust in something that screams “I don’t care about you or your children, neither will I be responsible if something happens to you”; yet we want God to jump through hoops to prove Himself to us, demanding that He tells us what He’s going to do FIRST before we decide to believe, follow and trust Him.  How insulting is it to God, the one who is the Creator of heaven and earth and all therein, that a mechanical ride should receive more trust than the Almighty Creator receives from His own people.  How do you suppose you would feel if this were the case with your children?  Unfortunately, this sometimes can happen with our children, especially in teenage years when the same child who you nurtured, protected, and loved, now believes in anything and everything other than you.  At the very least we would be hurt and upset by their unconcern for all of the sacrificed we’ve made on their behalf.     

Can you imagine how your life would be if you focused all of your faith, all of your trust and all of your confidence in God?   Our faith is required throughout our walk with Christ; for without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).  The Lord also commands our trust in Him; for we’re told in Proverbs 3:5-6 to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  In addition to this, we must keep in mind that God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5); as He wants no other person or thing in front of Him.  He says in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD; that is my name!  I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols”  This includes, but is not limited to, a celebrity, leader, spouse, child, job, career, friend, substance, family, people, money, material things, mentor, power, etc.  In essence, anyone or anything can be turned into an idol, wherein all of your trust, time, faith, dependence, etc is wrapped into this person or thing.  

Before I continue further, let me explain that idolatry can easily occur without even knowing it at first.  We may think that we’re just really expressing of our love for someone or thing; however, we’ve somehow exalted this person or thing above all else in our lives to the point where everything else is secondary to it—including God.  The transition from love and concern to idolatry is often done in such a subtle way that we’re not even aware when it begins.  This is why we should continually examine ourselves to be sure that we haven’t inadvertently turned someone or something ahead of God as well as ensure that we’re truly letting the one true God sit on the throne of our hearts and lives.  Like the Psalmist in Psalms 139:23-24, we should desire the same of God expressed in this Scripture, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” 

Back to faith, God demands and requires our faith and trust in Him above all else; for His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8).  We as humans are absolutely limited and do not know all that is in our future neither do we know all things in general, which is why we must depend on He who knows ALL things—present, past and future!   This is why our faith and trust is critical.  Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is.”  This is how our relationship with God began; for we confessed with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in our heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10).  Thus, it is by faith that we were saved, having first heard the Gospel.  It is by faith we received the Holy Spirit, which was sealed in us the moment we received Christ as Lord and Savior.  It is by faith that we receive from God, period.  Paul explains this in Ephesians 1:13-14: 

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. 

In the Scriptures listed above, do you notice that the Apostle uses words such as faith, believe, and trust?  Jesus is the Author and the Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2); and in essence, the same faith we used to become saved is the same faith we must use to grow in the things of God.  We cannot begin our relationship with faith and then somewhere down the line decide that faith is no longer needed.  Au contraire!  That is not the case and thinking such a thing is a set-up for failure; for the carnal mind is enmity against God, and it is the Spirit of God that changes us from glory to glory (Romans 8:7, II Corinthians 3:18).  We cannot perfect our faith and holiness on our own; for only the Spirit of God can perfect such work.  Look at what the Apostle Paul says about it in Galatians 3:2-3:

“I would like to learn just one thing from you:

Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?

Are you so foolish?  After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”

 

I believe this Scripture makes it extremely clear that we cannot change ourselves or rely on our efforts to change nor increase in holiness and faith.  This can only be done through the Gospel of Christ; for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17).  

It’s amazing how we can learn about the propensity of our faith and trust by looking at how we respond to something as trivial as rides at an amusement park.  This certainly emphasizes Romans 12:3 which state that God has apportioned to each man a measure of faith.  The measures of our faith may vary from person to person; however, God desires that everyone grows in greater trust, dependence, adoration, and faith in Him.  As for me, those who know me know that I long to have absolute unmovable and unshakeable faith.  I think my wording of it goes more like, “having that off-the-chain, crazy, ridiculous, just don’t make no sense, girl you crazy kind of faith.”  The kind of faith Moses had when he held up his staff (stick) over the Red Sea and it parted so that he and the children of Israel was able to cross on dry ground (Exodus 14); or the faith Joshua had when he dared asked God to make the sun standstill and God honored his seemingly ridiculous request (Joshua 10:12-13).  Abraham hoped against hope when he believed that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken (by God – Romans 4:13).  The kind that the prophet Elijah exuded when he asked God to not let it rain for 3 ½ years and God shut up the heavens from giving rain (James 5:17-18).  

The Bible says in II Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”  Well, I’ve determined that I will be counted amongst those whose heart is loyal to God.  As for my desire to have unmovable and unshakeable faith, well, today during my time with God, He reminded me that in order to have unshakeable faith, our faith must first be shaken; and in order to have unmovable faith, our circumstances must threaten, and at times even succeed, to move us.  To be strong in the Lord, we must go through strong opposition.  To have a complete trust in the Lord, we must be put into situations that challenge our trust in God and our belief in His promise.  Every last one of these qualities must be tried and tested, and there’s no way to escape that in our pursuit of God; for we know that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5).  

In closing, the next time you visit an amusement park, think about amusement park faith.  And the times in your life when you feel like you cannot go through the tribulations needed to yield the kind of faith, trust, confidence and love in Christ you yearn to have, think about your last amusement park experience.  For if you’re able to put your faith in people who cares nothing about you and warns that you may even get hurt on the mechanical ride you know nothing about—and as you stand on an incredibly long line in the blazing hot sun with hurting feet and a sweaty T-shirt all for the sake of a 5-minute thrill that may cost you your life—then surely you can put your complete faith, trust, and confidence in the Almighty God who is you’re your Heavenly Father who loves you with an everlasting love and who promises that those who wait upon Him shall NEVER be ashamed!  

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away”

Matthew 24:35 

God bless YOU! 

 

(This article was written August 2009)

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Who Is Your Vindicator: You or God?

November 7, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Godly Principles 

 

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;

And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17 (NASB)

 

Up until a little over a year ago, I used to be one who always needed to explain my case or would work really hard to vindicate myself during the times of adversity, scrutiny and wrongful accusations.  This changed as I began to really grow in the Lord and trust Him at His Word.  As a result, the Lord began teaching me how to release my problems to Him and let Him vindicate me.  The Scripture Isaiah 54:17 is often quoted by the saints, but are we really letting go of the problem and turning it over to God so that He can vindicate us?  When the accusations against us are so damaging and it has the potential of ruining our reputation or defaming our character, do we turn it over to the Lord and trust Him to handle it?  Or do we allow the situation to consume us, losing sleep to work diligently in proving our innocence?  Before I continue let me interject that by no means am I suggesting you do nothing to defend yourself while another tries his/her best to defame your character and your name.  Absolutely not!  But what I am saying is instead of you relying on your strength and wit to fix the problem, submit it to God and rely on Him to resolve it.    

 

In Isaiah 54:17, the Lord says the weapon will form, but it won’t prosper, and that EVERY tongue that rises up against us, WE will condemn.  Every tongue or every word means just that!  This includes every lying word, every derogatory word, every false rumor, every condemning word, every ridiculing statement, every bad name, and the list goes on.  Before I proceed, I just want to give a different translation to the same Scripture above:

 

But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed.

You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you.

These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;

Their vindication will come from me.

I, the Lord, have spoken! Isaiah 54:17 (NLT)

 

I believe this translation gives us a clearer understanding of the text.  Let’s go sentence by sentence to really sink our teeth into it. 

 

But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed.

This basically is saying there will most certainly be times when evil plots and custom-made weapons will be aimed and fired at you with your demise in mind; however, it will not prosper!  The weapon of choice can be any number or combination of weaponry such as exploitation of  your weaknesses, mischievous deeds, adding confusion, distractions, sabotage of tasks, projects or ministry, set ups and intimidations so that you’re unable to do the task God told you.  This is just a small list of the diverse weapons that one can be used as a destructive force against his/her victim.

 

Of all the weapons, I believe the deadliest and more often used are words.  The Bible says that death and life are in the power of the tongue; thus, people can use words to speak death over  your confidence, death over your gifts and talents, death over your self-esteem, death over your ministry, death over your marriage, death over your relationship with your children, death over all general relationships, death over your character, death over other people’s confidence in you, and even death over you and/or your family.  Just because no one likes to think about the latter doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.  Unfortunately you have people speaking all kinds of evil from their mouths without thinking of the damages that can occur from their words.  People can use words to try to curse and hurt you, defame your character, or to simply tear you apart. 

 

Words are so important that Jesus said in Matthew 12:36, “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment” (NASB).  So if we are to give an account on every idle word, how much more are we accountable for every intended word?  Those words that we thought about and spoke it even though we knew it would cause strife, division, harm, hurt or confusion?  Matthew 12:36 is a Scripture we should always keep before us.  Another one is James 3:8-11 which says, “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?”  With that said, which would you say describes what normally flow from the fountain of your mouth: fresh or bitter water?   This is something we should keep watch over all day, everyday!

 

You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you.

As we mentioned earlier, the tongue is the most deadly weapon of them all, and unfortunately, it is this weapon that is commonly used today.  Additionally, when this weapon comes in the form of an accusation, catastrophic affects can occur, even to the point of ruining another person’s life.  An accusation can cause a person to lose several vital things such as their job, their marriage, their business, being shunned or exiled from their church or community, and the list can go on.  Major damage can be done through one accusation, and more often than not, the accusation itself was said out of someone’s jealousy, resentment or anger.

 

I believe that everyone has been wrongfully accused at least one time in their lives, and if you haven’t, just keep living.  In Revelation 12:10, Satan is referred to as an ‘accuser of the brethren’; thus, the spirit of accusation comes from the enemy.  I can tell you that I’ve been attacked through wrongful and often painful accusations on more than one occasion.  However, what I’ve found is that usually the accuser is projecting on to me what they themselves have been known to do.  Additionally, almost every time I’ve been accused, I’ve found that the accuser is actually doing the very thing that he/she is accusing me of doing, me.  I honestly cannot think of a time when both or either wasn’t the case.  I’ve always found that quite fascinating.  

 

During times of wrongful accusations, remember that Jesus was also accused of a lot of things. 

 

Jesus was accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24-27)

Jesus was accused of being a drunkard and a glutton (Matthew 11:18-19, Luke 7:33-34)

 

Thus, remember that you are in good company when you’re wrongfully accused; as there were many prophets and apostles that were persecuted and wrongfully accused during the Biblical times.  And guess what?  So is the same today!  True men and women of God are often persecuted and accused and Jesus warns us about this in John 16:2-3, Jesus says, “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.  These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.”  We are living in these times now so when these things begin to happen to you, resist the urge to justify and vindicate yourself, and instead keep your focus on God.  He will illuminate the truth and direct your steps on how to proceed.  And remember that His way is ALWAYS better than your way, so give it to Him and let Him lead you to victory!

 

These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;

Some of us may have worked jobs that didn’t pay as high as we’d liked; however, the benefits were bar none and more than make up for the lesser wage.  I believe it’s said that government jobs offers the best benefits.  I really don’t know because I’ve never worked for the government, but I have had jobs that offered awesome benefits, from having NO co-pay nor deductible for medical to having unlimited sick days.  Well, as children of the Mighty King, we have a great and mighty inheritance which comes with a slew of awesome benefits.  One of the countless number of benefits we have is mentioned in the next line below.

 

Their vindication will come from Me.

Here are a few definitions I copied/pasted from an online dictionary:

 

(1) to set free : deliver; (2) avenge; (3) a : to free from allegation or blame b (1) : confirm, substantiate (2) : to provide justification or defense for : justify c : to protect from attack or encroachment : defend; (4) to maintain a right to. 

 

Any way you slice it, God has us covered.  He will do whatever He needs to do and whatever the situation requires.  He will set free and deliver us, avenge us, set us free from allegation or blame, confirm and substantiate us, provide justification or defense, justify us, protect us from attack or encroachment, defend us, or maintain our right.  God Himself will put you in a position that silences your accusers, but the condition is that you must remain in what I call the ‘blessed’ place.   I believe Psalms 91:1 says it better, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”  Don’t allow the accusations to get you so upset that it causes you remove yourself from the ‘blessed’ place because that’s exactly what the enemy wants to do.  Instead remember that God is your Vindicator.  Psalms 135:14 says, “For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.”  If you are His servant, then this is part of your inheritance.  Remember this and wait on the Lord!

 

I, the Lord, have spoken!

Is there anything that needs to be said?  In Isaiah 55:8-11, the Lord says,

 

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.  For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

 

To wrap things up, the most powerful thing you could ever do is to abandon your own power and rely on God’s.  The Bible says that they who wait upon the Lord shall never be ashamed.  I can certainly attest to that!  Once I release the matter into God’s hands, He’d always silence my accusers in one way or another.  He will make it so that the hidden agendas and impure motives are brought to surface (no longer hidden) and the truth becomes absolutely apparent and irrefutable.   These are the things He will do for His children, and in the case where the opposing parties are also children of God, remember that our God is a just God.  Hebrews 10:30 says, “For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”   Also, in Proverbs 24:29, it reads, “Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”

 

In closing, it behooves you to understand that the closer you get to God, the more attacks you will have against you, your ministry, your family and your loved ones.  The more humble you become, the higher God will exalt you, and the higher God exalts you, the more people will try to knock you down.  So instead of getting bent out of shape by lying tongues, persecutions, and accusations, keep yourself in the secret place of the Most High so that you can abide under His shadow.  Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you (Pro. 20:22).  Lastly, remember the Beatitudes, specifically the ones toward the end (Matthew 5:10-12):

 

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you,

 and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

 

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great;

for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “

 

 

 

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