Take Risks, God's Got Your Back

God has really been teaching me recently to let go of fear-based mindsets. These mindsets or thoughts are NEVER from God and ALWAYS keep us from what God has for us.

Just take a moment and think about the things you have said or thought about that you could never do. What are they? What are the areas you feel completely afraid of in your life? What are circumstances, people, events you purposely avoid? Chances are this is actually an area where God really wants to move things for you and it is the old, yucky mindsets that are getting in the way of breaking truly free.

So, you have a choice. You can stay exactly where you are, doing the things you always do, being the same you have always been OR you can choose to challenge the fear and face it.

Begin by getting a notebook and a pen.
Now be still before God.
Ask God to show you areas in your life where you are allowing a fear mindset to rule.
Write down what God says to you or shows you.
Now ask God to give you strategies to move beyond the fear.

Take a risk. With the help of God you can move past ANY fear mindset. Your life is to be powerful, full of strength and glory - not fear keeping you from helping others know about God, isolating you, or keeping you stuck in a rut of self-pity. You are God's treasure and He has big plans for you - which definitely do not involve fear or anxiety. Step into a different path and breathe the air of freedom.

GOD HAS GOT YOUR BACK!

Girded by Truth

Last night I was reading Stormie Omartian's The 7-Day Prayer Warrior Experience. 

This free kindle book is quite excellent!

How often have I read something in the Bible and thought, "Well, I don't quite get that, but it sounds good." That is the way I have always felt about the Armor of God passage in Ephesians 6:10-18 [see whole passage at bottom of this entry].
I can certainly rattle off each piece of armor and have even pantomimed putting on armor (as Hank Hennegraff had suggested). However, I didn't really 'get' it.
Stormie, somehow, made it quite clear to me.
For instance, the first piece of armor is the Belt of Truth. I had always thought this just meant God's word, but Stormie describes it as simply God's truth which strengthens us at our core. The word 'core' really got me thinking about all of the exercises we do in Jazzercise to strengthen our core. Likewise, I can strengthen my inner spiritual core by knowing and agreeing with God's truth and promises. Wow! What an easy way of thinking about it. For some reason, this idea is so much more tangible to me. We know that the enemy tries to confuse us or get us off track by focusing on lies - this, in turn, causes anxiety or fear. Therefore, we must put on the first layer of our our armor by remembering who God says we are and what we are in Him.

Prayer: Dearest God, Help me to strengthen my inner core. Keep my focus on your truth and help me to hold every thought captive that is deceptive and not from you. Teach me how to experience your truth every moment of my day. Amen.

Ephesians 6:10-18New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 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 Lord’s people.

Agree With God - You'll Feel Better

What does God say about you? Do you really know? Are you stuck in sadness or, perhaps, anxiety thinking you are not living up to God's standards?

First, know and agree with the idea that - God has never had a bad thought about you!

Therefore, any gobbledegook in your head stating negative things is not from God and should be immediately rejected.

For instance, I began a new job with a different schedule and have noticed I have not been spending time each day reading the Bible. Unfortunately, I have heard some condemning statements cross my brain. Thankfully, I know and agree with Romans 8:1 which says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

So, when I hear these statements, I immediately recognize they are lies. God has never had a bad thought about me. I am His treasure (as are you!)

It is important, instead, to agree with all the things we do know God says about us. Look below and find a couple of these statements and then choose to agree and meditate on them. THIS IS TRUTH. This is what God really thinks about you! You are His beloved, His child, His love!

• I am a child of God.

But to all who have received him--those who believe in his name--he has given the right to become God's children … (John 1:12).

• I am a branch of the true vine, and a conduit of Christ’s life.

I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me--and I in him--bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing (John 15:1, 5).

• I am a friend of Jesus.

I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father (John 15:15).

• I have been justified and redeemed.

But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

• My old self was crucified with Christ, and I am no longer a slave to sin.

We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Romans 6:6).

• I will not be condemned by God.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

• I have been set free from the law of sin and death.

For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

• As a child of God, I am a fellow heir with Christ.

And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)--if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:17).

• I have been accepted by Christ.

Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to God's glory (Romans 15:7).

• I have been called to be a saint.

… To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2). (See also Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, and Colossians 1:2.)

• In Christ Jesus, I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption … (1 Corinthians 1:30).

• My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in me.

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you (1 Corinthians 6:19)?

• I am joined to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.

But the one united with the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17).

• God leads me in the triumph and knowledge of Christ.

But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and who makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14).

• I am a new creature in Christ.

So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away--look, what is new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17)

• I have become the righteousness of God in Christ.

God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

• I have been made one with all who are in Christ Jesus.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female--for all of you are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

• I am no longer a slave, but a child and an heir.

So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God (Galatians 4:7).

• I have been set free in Christ.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).

• I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

• I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God.

For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love (Ephesians 1:4).

• I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).

• I have been predestined by God to obtain an inheritance.

In Christ we too have been claimed as God's own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11).

• I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)--when you believed in Christ--you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

• Because of God’s mercy and love, I have been made alive with Christ.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you are saved Ephesians 2:4-5

• I am seated in the heavenly places with Christ.

… And he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus … (Ephesians 2:6).

• I am God’s workmanship created to produce good works.

For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them (Ephesians 2:10).

• I have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ.

But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).

• I have boldness and confident access to God through faith in Christ.

… In whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ's faithfulness (Ephesians 3:12).

• My new self is righteous and holy.

… Put on the new man who has been created in God's image--in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth (Ephesians 4:24).

• I was formerly darkness, but now I am light in the Lord.

… For you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light (Ephesians 5:8).

• I am a citizen of heaven.

But our citizenship is in heaven--and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ … (Philippians 3:20).

• The peace of God guards my heart and mind.

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

• God supplies all my needs.

And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

• I have been made complete in Christ.

… You have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority (Colossians 2:10).

• I have been raised up with Christ.

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1).

• Christ is my life, and I will be revealed with Him in glory.

When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him (Colossians 3:4).

• I have been chosen of God, and I am holy and beloved.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience … (Colossians 3:12).

• God loves me and has chosen me.

We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you … (1 Thessalonians 1:4).

The more we embrace these truths from Scripture about who we have become in Christ, the more stable, grateful, and fully assured we will be in this world.

Bringing Back Past Yuckies...

I just had someone say something really hurtful to me. Initially, I felt angry, but I knew this was a great opportunity to go deep with God.

Unfortunately, in life, people say critical things or damaging words. Remember your words have power.

However, when we have the mind of Christ we always have a choice of what we are going to do with those words.

Will you choose to repeat the words over and over? Perhaps you will call every friend to tell them of the hurtful comments (this is what I used to do). Will you choose to visualize the conversation in your head and hear the person saying the critical statements repetitively? Will you punish yourself by thinking you deserve the negativity?

Or will you choose to process the situation with God? God is the best counselor and listener ever.

So, I immediately went to God and asked him to help me unpack why I felt so angry about the statements made. Remember when you are defensive there is often an underlying issue or core belief that God wants to give you freedom from.

I realized that the negative comment hit an old belief that I had that I was unlovable. This, of course, is nonsense from the enemy. My Heavenly Father loves me more than I can comprehend.

Anyway, back to my situation. I then asked God if we needed to pray through this or if had already been taken care of. God let me know that this belief was done. I had freedom from it and no longer believed it, but this negative comment had brought a spark to this dead thought pattern.

Therefore, it is my choice to choose to believe and agree with what the person said or to simply tell the thought to leave in the name of Jesus.

I choose to forget it. That means I will not acknowledge the comment by repeating the story to friends; I will not say anything to the person who was hurtful to "teach them a lesson;" nor will I repeat the statement in my head.

In the name of Jesus, I command this yucky gobbledegook comment to leave my brain forever.

Praise be to God!

Self Pity - Binds You to the Past

As hard as it is to admit, we all had "pity parties" about different things. For me, it was often about the daily migraines I used to have. 

Self-pity is a tool of the enemy. By dwelling in a self-pitying mindset, I believed I would always have migraines and never get better. Does this sound like a truth from God or a message from the enemy? It is never God's will for us to be sick.

However, I will admit, I got something from having my pity parties. I would complain about the pain getting sympathy (mostly from my mom). In addition, I also had a legitimate reason to take naps after work, watch extra TV, or to skip social outings. Yet, truly I was miserable. I was stuck. I didn't know I could be well. I thought I deserved the headaches as punishment and that God was disappointed in me.

Self-pity is the glue that binds us to the past. Binding us to past: sicknesses/conditions, sins, failures, family issues/traumas, etc.

The past, then, creates your future. By living your future in your past you are not able to experience the present as God has it before you. 

Philippians 3:13-14 says, "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

It is not God's will for us to focus on the past. He doesn't -- why should we? We have the mind of Christ. Let's agree with Him and run the race looking forward.

It is not God's will for you to be stuck. Stepping away from self-pity means a need to renew your mind. It may need to be renewed hourly. 

It is okay to find yourself feeling sadness about your current situation. Your Heavenly Father is very compassionate and wants to comfort you! 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 states, "3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 

God wants to break the chains of the bondage that is keeping you stuck, sick, or out of commission. 

When you find yourself feeling sad - reach out to the best counselor in the universe - God! Ask Him what he wants you to know about you and about the situation you are in. Cry out to Him for comfort or relief. Don't give up!!

Just catch yourself. If you start to dwell in the sadness or hear yourself complaining to someone about the situation - you might be falling into self-pity. No problem. Stop and take 5 minutes with God. Ask for forgiveness and then ask for guidance on how to proceed with the next step. 

[Not sure how to hear God when you pray? Try being still before Him.]

Self-pity ties us to the past. Let's break those chains! Allow God to provide freedom and hope. 

God Scares Me

How do you see God? Are you afraid of doing something wrong and receiving punishment?
I was always confused by all those verses that talked about fear of the Lord being a good thing.

Think about your earthly father for a minute. How you view your father here on earth is often how we view our heavenly Father. So, if your father was not present, you might feel abandoned by God or fear His abandonment.
If your father angry and harsh, then you may truly fear God the Father.
If your father was highly critical of you then you might believe God is truly disappointed in you.

A lot of us have made God the Father guilty by association because of our earthly father.

What is the truth? What does God think of you?

First off, God has NEVER had a bad thought about you, nor has he ever been disappointed in you.

To discover who you are in Christ and all the fabulous things he has to say about you click here.

Agree with what he says about you and embrace it as complete truth!

If you still find God scary or worry you might disappoint Him, check your heart. Have you forgiven your earthly father for whatever happened in your past? If not click here.

Making peace in your heart with the past and then walk in peace with your Heavenly Father - for He truly adores you and longs to be with you!
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In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302

and the Be in Health ministry 

Hard to Forgive ... How to Forgive the Unforgivable Part II

In our last post, here, we discussed how to forgive those who seem to be unforgivable. I wanted to make this a new post because I needed to explain the next part.
It is all about perspective. For so long, I was holding onto stuff that happened back in middle school and still having trouble forgiving, despite knowing what the Bible said.
However, when you really look at it, what caused that person to do the things he/she did to you? God? Certainly not. The person themselves? No, because God created them for His destiny and purpose. So who influenced the person? Satan.
Now, when you really start to embrace this truth, suddenly your previous thoughts, "He is just evil" or "She is a horrible person." No, not really. At the core of these people is their spirit and who God created them to be. What has really happened is they are being very influenced by the evil spirit realm and embracing that influence - which then manifests as the person doing bad and hurtful things.
Once you truly acknowledge this, you suddenly should begin to feel compassion for that person. He/she has all sorts of spirits dominating their life! How would it be if they were free? What type of person did God really design him/her to be?
OK, now with this new perspective, let's go back to forgiving that person.

1. Ask God to forgive you for the hatred you agreed with and the grudge you held.
2. Say aloud, "I forgive myself for agreeing with this, in the name of Jesus."
3. Pray something like this, "Father, I thank you that you have forgiven me and I come to you release (name of person) into your loving hands. This person hurt me and many others, God. I pray that you bring freedom into his/her life, in the name of Jesus. Father I forgive (name of person) with all of my heart. Thank you for your love. AMEN"
4. Imagine that person - listen closely to your heart - is there any negative feelings (fear, fury, deep sadness, etc.) that enter your heart? If so, seek God and maybe consider going back and repeating Part I of this post.
5. Finally, if when you think of this person you still feel something keeping you drawn into unforgiveness you might need to do freedom prayer (like the Circle of Prayer) on yourself or seek out freedom prayer from a prayer center / church. Just ask God what to do next. He desires you to be totally free from anger and hatred.
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In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302

and the Be in Health ministry 

Hard to Forgive ... How to Forgive the Unforgivable Part I

We know God's word tells us that we are to forgive for He forgave (and still forgives) us. Matthew 6:14-15 states, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

But, what about when it is someone who really mistreated you or did something really awful?

Is it God's will for us to hold a grudge? To hate? Romans 12:19 says, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

I recommend starting with removing any hatred from your heart. This is definitely not from God and by thinking about it, dwelling it in - you have embraced and agreed with hatred for your brother who sinned against you. 

I do not tell you this to make you feel shame or guilt; rather, it is stated to move you into action. Do you want something in your heart that is contrary to God? No. Do you want to be free from this anger raging. Obviously. 

Begin here:
1. Find at least 5-10 minutes to be alone with God. Your car is a great place (just an FYI - the blu tooth devices that everyone uses with their phone makes all people look like they are talking to themselves - so you won't look too silly)!
2. Tell your body, mind, and spirit to line up with the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus.
3. Begin to imagine the memory of the event(s) that lead to you feel so betrayed, angry, scared, etc. Now notice the feelings you are having in your body. Say them aloud so you can note them. Command, in the name of Jesus, for these feelings to leave your body. Break any strongholds, mindsets, and thought patterns (in the name of Jesus).
4. Put yourself back in the memory in your head. How are you feeling now? If you have any more feelings continue until you can remember event without negative feelings. [For truly traumatic memories, I would encourage seeking out freedom prayer from your local prayer center, email me if you cannot locate a place near you for this].

Please see my next blog post here to continue the process of forgiving those who seem to be unforgivable. 
==========================================================
In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302

and the Be in Health ministry 

Your Words Have Power!

I challenge you to start really listening to what you say about yourself. When you have the power of God living inside you (the Holy Spirit) you are basically making declarations with whatever you say.

So, if you say, "I'm not very good at balancing my checkbook." You have just declared yourself incompetent with your checkbook. What kind of things are you saying about your body and the way you look? I go to Jazzercise frequently and even in this super-positive, fun environment people say all sorts of gobbledegook about their bodies. 

While we are thinking about our words, let's examine what you say about others. Last night at Jazzercise I heard a mother tell her daughter in a silly, joking manner, "You better do that you lazy butt." Hey, I am all for having fun and being silly with each other - I could tell the daughter took no offense to what the mom was saying, but those words sink into our souls. Your words have power! You can declare victory and freedom over something or you can just as easily curse yourself or others with your words. 

Let's look at James 3 for help in understanding about how our words have power:

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

We have to work with God to keep our tongues in check. As God's word says, it is an unruly, evil, and full of poison. We can choose to bless others and ourselves or curse. 

It can be so difficult to say kind words to ourselves if we are full of self-hatered, self-bitterness, and self-rejection. If you find yourself really struggling to say anything positive about yourself you are really needing to receive some freedom prayer. Look for a prayer and worship center in your area, consider doing the online For My Life training to help you receive deliverance from what ails you, or contact me through email and I will help you.

Remember the truth about who you are in Christ and that God has never had a bad thought about you. Pray for God to help you catch words that could hurt yourself or others before speaking. 
============================================================
In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302

and the Be in Health ministry 

7 Steps to Sin - You Have a Choice!

How many times have you promised God, yourself, an accountability partner, your family, etc that you are going to stop with a specific sin. Then, suddenly you find yourself AGAIN in the spot of sinning. It feels like a trap. Perhaps, this is just going to be your own personal sin struggle. Maybe this is just your personality - a part of you.

NO! LIES - THESE ARE ALL LIES!

I have just been watching a remarkable training from the Be in Health folks about the 7 Steps to Sin.

As noted in James 1:14-15, there are seven steps to sin:

James 1:14-15

King James Version (KJV)

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

1. Temptation - An evil thought enters your head. This is always a thought from the enemy. Not from God.
2. Drawn Away - Preoccupied by thought. You begin to have strong feelings about specific temptation.
3. Own Lust - Satan knows what we are easily tempted by. At this stage, you sit back and turn on the TV in your mind thinking about temptation and liking it.
4. Enticement - Weakening of your will. Your will power weakens. You begin to get symptoms in your body enticing you to sin.
5. Lust Conceived - This is not only meaning the sexual sin of lust. You prepare for sin - the desire to sin enters your heart. You make the thought your own.
6. Sin - You commit the sin.  You open the door to curses and diseases
7. Death - Consequence of sin is death. Separation from God. Guilt and shame come in.

YOU HAVE A CHOICE!

I always knew the Bible said that it was a choice to sin or not, but in some areas of my life I just could not get a very strong handle on it. I would walk away from a temptation then fall repeatedly several times in a row. I was thankful that Jesus had died for me, so I could ask for forgiveness, but I felt guilty and shameful that I kept falling.

This message is a life changing idea. It is the disembodied spirit (demonic) that often brings a tempting thought into our heads. Even if it seems like it is our idea - for instance, if we hear the voice in first person. Just think you have not actually committed the sin until step number 6.

In my next blog entry, I am going to discuss how to renounce the sinful thought before it becomes a sin reality!

Awesome! Walk in freedom, my friends!

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This blog entry is based on a training from Be in Health, created by Henry Wright