Is it a loss or is it growth?

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4.

I think of her story often, especially when I am faced with change. Each time I read her story God shows me something new. His word is like that. His word is alive and will meet you at your point of need.

This past year has been a trying year for me; a real test of faith. At times it was as though I were on an emotional roller coaster. I would find myself at the peak of a high and think I have arrived, only to be plummeted down the next slope. Up and down. Seriously, I do not know how people survive life without knowing Jesus.

Do you ever feel that way?  Just as you arrive to the peak of the mountain you are staring at the ground floor again? I don't know about you, but I am going to be real honest here, there were moments where I really questioned if I would have the strength to start all over again. And to be even more real, if it weren't for the grace of God and His love for me, I would have probably just sat down and stared into oblivion and wish it all to be over. Doesn't sound very spiritual, does it? I am just being real.

This is when I was reminded of the Shunammite woman. I can imagine her voice, her heart, her grief, when she said to Elisha,  "Did I desire a son? Did I not say 'do not deceive me?"

I have said things very similar to God. It is OK for me to share this with you, because He knows anyway. My moaning's to God sounded something like this, "Why would you give this to me, just to take it away? I am tired of starting over! It is not fair! When will it be my turn? How much more do I have to take?!"

The thing about pity parties is no one shows up. It is usually a party of one. Even when you felt you did everything right, it wasn't your fault, you may still find yourself at the bottom of the roller coaster, scratching your head and wondering what just happened. Perhaps it is a relationship gone bad, a loss of a job, loss of home, health issues, or any other curve ball that has been thrown at you.

Let us remember, trials will come. Things do happen, to all of us. Not everyone we want in our lives will want to stay there. There will be times you will be misunderstood, harshly judged, and wrongly accused. It happens to all of us. But this does not have to be the end of us. The dream He gave you, He hasn't taken it back. The gifts He gave you, He hasn't taken that back either. Just because it has not come to pass the way you thought it would does not mean it will not come to pass.

James 1 says, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave in the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man and unstable in all his ways.

God does, and will, open doors. We still have to do our part and walk through them. He will also close doors and we will have to choose to trust Him and let that door close.

My friend, I write this to encourage you. Though the plans you laid, have fallen, trust the Lord. His ways are perfect. Trust Him when He says your steps are ordered by Him. Listen for His voice. You will not always see a big flashing sign pointing you in the direction you should go. You may not even get the memo warning you change is coming and it may happen abruptly. But what you can count on and trust, is His Spirit to lead you.

So when your foundation has been shaken, when all you thought you had gained has been stripped away from you, in that moment of decision, choose to believe. Shut the pity party down. Ask God to search your heart and let this time have its perfect work, so what is produced from this will bring forth a harvest. Be like the Shunammite woman, she did not assemble a funeral, she went right to the source. Take it to Jesus, my friend.

If you walk in forgiveness, maintain a teachable spirit, and choose love; you will see this is not a season of loss, but of growth.

                               Be Free & Stay Free

The Power of the Tongue

When we ponder the complexities of His creation, we are in awe, of the vastness of what we see and what we cannot see. From the deeps of the ocean to the infinite skies, we are amazed with His purposeful design. With all that we have discovered, there is so much yet to be discovered.

Yet, with all that lies before us, all that we can see; we are the most complex of all of His creation. We are the reflection of the One who has formed us. How exciting is it, that we have been created in the very image of our invisible God? We reflect an attribute of our God.

When I think on this I understand David when he said, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it." Psalm 139:6

A gift that He has given us is the ability to communicate; language.

There are two kinds of languages; earthy and heavenly.

Earthly is the language that we have learned from our mothers, depending where we were born; English, Spanish, Amharic, French, Arabic, etc...  We even have the ability to learn other languages from other lands. This gives us the ability to communicate with each other. Sometimes we use this gift for good and sometimes we use it for bad.

Knowingly, and/or unknowingly, we use our words to build up or destroy. There is much power in the words that we say. In the Bible, James likens the tongue to a small rudder that is able to turn large ships. See James 3

When we speak in our own language we speak with limited understanding. Many relationships have been destroyed from our lack of understanding.

"Words are potent weapons for all causes, good or bad." - Manly P. Hall

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." - Proverbs 18:21

Heavenly language is what we receive from our Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit. Through this tongue we are able to transcend all understanding and languages. This language carries us to the throne room of God, articulating beyond our own understanding, and speaks clearly and perfectly into the spirit.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. - Romans 8:26,27

See also James 4:2,3

The gift of tongues comes through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Through this baptism we will receive the power to be witness for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)

When we open our mouths to speak, the power of His Spirit will accomplish what He has spoken, with clarity and precision. With  the signs and wonders that flow from the throne room, people will say, "surely, God is with them."

My friends, let our words be used to edify, to build up and bring unity. Let us be ever mindful of the power that our words carry. Also, let us yield to the Holy Spirit and follow His direction, and may we all seek to have the mind of Christ.

Be Free & Stay Free

Familiar Spirit

Do you find yourself in one failed relationship after another? Do you enter into each new relationship with high hopes and rose-colored-heart shaped-glasses; only to leave feeling more empty?

In the beginning did he say all the "right things" and even though you wrestled with the thought of "I heard this before" you ignored the red-flags, because you wanted it to be different this time.

If you find yourself falling for the same lies repeatedly it may mean that you have not broken ties. Over active imagination, 'romanticizing', gives way for the deception to wreak havoc on your mind, body and soul. Deception is the tool of the devil. It comes in many forms and can make itself very attractive, you don't even recognize it. If you are a born-again Christian, listen to His Spirit lead you and you will not be deceived.

One of the ways soul ties are formed is through intercourse. Within marriage, this is a holy tie. Outside of marriage it is sin and it will destroy you.

Are you tired of the rollercoaster of relationships? Then get off the ride! Repent! Renounce all sexual activity outside of marriage. You were not making love, you were fornicating. Do not be deceived, you cannot afford the cost of prostituting yourself.

This may sound harsh. You may even argue "but we love each other." I tell you, the One who truly loves you says "repent and do not look back."

When you have been delivered, don't go back. It is a hindrance to your spiritual growth and it will lead to death. 

Matthew 12:43-45 says, "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first...

I tell you again, DO NOT BE DECEIVED, the devil is crafty. Repent and do not turn back. The next time that familiar spirit comes knocking, do not answer the door. When he shows up carrying flowers and speaking those smooth words with flattery and empty promises, slam that door shut!

Clean your house and fill it with His Holy Spirit. Let Him answer the door and if He approves then He will tell you. The next time you feel that red flag, that warning, even if you can't quite put your finger on it, take it to the Lord. There is no confusion with God. If you have no peace, then He is not in it.

Be Free & Stay Free

How to Fight the Attacks of the Enemy

The devil is not all knowing, but he is very clever. He is a trickster, a deceiver, the father of all lies. He knows how to get under your skin and make you feel defeated. But, you are not defeated! He doesn't care if you are a Christian, he just doesn't want you to be effective. He knows if you fall for his attack you will not be bold in your faith and your witness. He just wants to plant a little seed of doubt.

So, how do we fight the attacks of the enemy? Submit to God and resist him! If you resist him, he will flee. The battle is not yours, you are called to stand firm and resist the devil; no matter what manifestation his attack takes.

1. Prayer. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 6:18

2. Fellowship. Where two or three are gathered together because they are His, He is in the midst of them.

3. Read the Bible. You must know His Word. The Word of God is full of power, sharper than any two edged sword. Hebrews 4:12

4. Confession. If we confess our sins to Him He is faithful and just to forgive. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins to each other we will be healed. The devil likes secrets. Jesus brings light. Confession and repentance will silence the devil because then he will have nothing on you.

5. Love. Perfect love cast out fear. If you are walking in love, knowing who you are and Who He is and who you are in Him, you will have no need to fear. Do not return evil with evil, but return it with good. Let Him love through you.

Finally, do not forget to suit up.

Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace; above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints - Ephesians 6:11-18

Be Free & Stay Free