Peace - God's Treasure You Already Possess

Imagine walking into a frozen forest of dense trees. You are cold and lost. You do not know where to go and are dressed inadequately suddenly you realize there is a pile of gold that seems to be glowing beside you. Then you realize in your pocket there already was some of the gold. It produces a heat that warms you when you focus on it. God gives you the revelation that the gold is actually the peace of God. You realize you have a choice, you can focus on the forest where your circumstances are unknown and be truly afraid or you can focus on the fact that no matter your circumstance in life you carry the gold -- the peace of God. Which would you choose?

The above is a vision God just gave to me. Can you choose to focus on that peace with me? What would your life be like if you focused on that gold in your pocket -- allowing the warmth of God to fill you with a sense of peace, of purpose, of life? Life gets hard and we can get easily distracted into the present and try to solve all of the problems, yet, God wants to carry these problems and have us truly feel His peace in all circumstances.

Which do you choose today?

Your Best Case Scenario

What is your best case scenario when you think about your life? Success in your career? Perhaps another degree? Your children's accomplishments?
These are what the world values. But, what is God's best case scenario for your life? What is your destiny from God's perspective?
God's plans for us are WAY bigger than anything we could have ever thought was possible when looking at life from an earthly perspective.
How do you discover God's plans for you? There are multiple ways:
1. Prophetic words might have been spoken over you or to you. Remember when someone gives you these types of words you must always test them -- are they edifying and glorifying God? Do they ring true in your heart through the Holy Spirit? Have other words confirmed the same message? Do the words line up with scripture?
2. You can ask God what He wants you to know about you. Do you know how to hear God? Can you be still before Him? Click here if you are not sure how to hear God. Be sure to write down whatever you see or hear - even if it is weird or doesn't make sense.
3. Fill your life and heart by listening to praise music, audio bible, and sermons. Pay attention to when your heart feels full or your eyes fill with tears. Note what is resonating with you. What does God want you to gain at that moment? What does God want you to know?
4. Spend 5 minutes each day just daydreaming and writing. If you could live anywhere where would it be? Have you ever longed to visit a certain country or place? If you could do anything and not have to worry about money or other life details - what would you do? God places desires in our hearts that tie right into His plans for us.
5. Do some life mapping. This is basically a word web. Think of all areas of your life. What is the best case scenario for you physically, emotionally, spiritually? What is the best case scenario for you in your love life? In your family? Professionally? What hobbies could tie into this best case scenario?

Basically, what I am encouraging you to do is go deep with God. God has so many plans for us. We can choose to see right in front ourselves and do the same thing we have always done in life and basically just survive each day. Or we can truly thrive by stepping out of the comfort zone into the great unknown of what God has for us. Can you take some time to reflect on this? Can you set your heart on things above? God wants to give you your best case scenario. TRUST. LISTEN. REST. REALIZE.

Condemnation vs. Conviction

I just read an excellent article by Dr. Henry Wright of the Be in Health Institute. It was so good explaining the difference between condemnation of the enemy and conviction of the Holy Spirit. I have decided to share the article with you in full here:

Many times we feel like there are areas in our lives we need to change. However, we need to be careful to distinguish between the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the voice of the enemy. Is it conviction or condemnation?

Condemnation screams in our ears and makes us feel terrible and afraid. Conviction is a soft, sweet voice that makes us feel good about the changes we want to make to line up with the Word of God.

 

Condemnation is similar to conviction in that it always contains an element of truth. We can discern which one is speaking by asking ourselves several questions:

1.) How does it make us feel? Condemnation will leave us feeling guilty and ashamed. Conviction will fill us with hope and a sense of renewal.

2.) What's the pathway? Condemnation will leave us feeling hopeless and confused about what to do. Conviction will point us in a clear direction of change.

3.) Where's the problem? Condemnation says the problem is actually us - and our identity - to bring us to a conclusion that we can never change. Conviction will declare that the issue is not us and will help us overcome.

4.) What's the resolution? Condemnation will place all the blame on us and drive us into trying to fix everything ourselves. Conviction puts the blame on the enemy and depends on God to help us make the changes we need in order to overcome.

Condemnation is straight from the enemy. It feeds into his plan to keep us from the truth, so we're scattered and confused. When God is leading us to change something, He does it gently and clearly. If we recognize we have been listening to condemnation, we must put the blame back on the enemy where it belongs and take our peace. When we're ready to be changed in an area of our life, God will lead us into overcoming!

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

  

Reference: I am Changed newsletter article; Feb. 2, 2015; Dr. Henry Wright 

How to Use Sword of Spirit

Do you remember the armor of God in Ephesians? (Posted at bottom of this blog) I always thought it was a great idea to put on this armor, but I really didn't get how to do it. Especially when told to fight with the Sword of the Spirit. I figured this must be the Holy Spirit, but how exactly do I use this to fight the wily schemes of the devil? While spending time with God the other day and being still, I heard God tell me how to do this. Begin by knowing what God says about you. If you do not know what God says specifically about you go to this blog post here. Once you have God's thoughts about yourself then write then out and say them daily so they become very familiar and agree with them. It is very powerful when we agree with what God says about us.
Anyway, God let me know that to use the Sword of the Spirit I was to test any thoughts that entered my head with the words God has told me about myself. Does this thought agree with what God says about me? If not, throw it out. Do not allow it to remain in the head. Do not perseverate or give it anymore air time. Repeat something God has told you, like, "I am God's treasure."
I really like this practical way of using the truths God has been telling me about me to battle against any gobbledegook satan is trying to sell me.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

The Fight against Evil

10 Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day[a] comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
14 Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. 15 Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. 16 Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.
18 Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.

We Do Not Have a Spirit of Fear

When you are saved your spirit becomes new. This means that your old spirit is gone forever and the Holy Spirit lives within you.

Why then does the Christian struggle with fear? The Bible says over and over again that we are not to fear - ever! 

15 You didn’t receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again. Instead you received the Holy Spirit, who makes you God’s child. By the Spirit’s power we call God “Abba.” Abbameans Father. 16 The Spirit himself joins with our spirits. Together they give witness that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:15-16)

Rather we have a spirit of power, love, and of a strong mind. Think about that for a minute. Power - You have authority. The authority of Jesus living within you to speak to that sickness, pain, depression. Look in the gospels. Have you ever noticed how Jesus spoke with such authority and conviction when He spoke? Speak with the same authority. Your words have great power!
Love - Have you learned to embrace the love God has for you? Are you agreeing with everything God has called you to be? When you agree with God's love for you, you are able to love with an amazing love to others.
Strong mind - For so long, I felt my mind was weak. I was a Christian, but I was not renewing my mind. I actually didn't know how to. I would make myself read the Bible and pray because I thought I should. To renew your mind, you take authority over anything that is in there that should not be (such as condemning thoughts), hold onto important words from God/visions that you can agree with and meditate on, and tell your mind to line up with the Holy Spirit.
If you are living in fear, you are not free. This is not where God wants you to be. It is normal to feel fear, but you should not live in that space. If you are in anxiety land and cannot stop your mind from racing - seek God. Just stop wherever you are. Tell your body and mind to line up with the Holy Spirit. Then ask God, "What do you want me to know about this anxiety I am feeling right now, God?" Breathe, close your eyes, and listen. 
Repeat this as often as necessary. God does not want you in fear. He will provide freedom, but you have to let him in and get off the anxiety wheel in order to allow Him to work.
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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 52302302

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What Does it Mean to Have a New Spirit?

You can recall the exact day and circumstances of when you accepted Christ into your heart. At that time you were given a new spirit. However, your body and mind were not born again. Only your spirit was.
Why is this important to consider? It is important to think about so you understand how God wants you to run.
The New Age religion operates in a way contrary to the way God wants us to run. New Age tells one body then mind then soul.
It is actually the opposite that God wants us to operate from. We are to function spirit then mind then body.  What is really sad is often a Christian operates in the old man mentality of focusing on physical (body) or mind (emotional) rather than starting with God in the spirit.
So, for instance, for many years as a Christian I was overwhelmed by schemes of the devil in my body (all of the migraines and pains in body) and emotional (feeling depressed, anxious, and worried). This was not living the victorious life God has called for me.
No demonic spirits can mess with the Holy Spirit that dwells within me.
Therefore, if I approach life from a spirit perspective rather than on how I feel or body symptoms then I can really run in a free way.
Why not spend time alone with God today (even 5 minutes is fine) and ask him, "God what were you thinking when you designed me?" Try to empty your head and keep a pad a paper nearby to write down any visions or words of knowledge gives you. If you suddenly think of an errand you need to, write that down and then return to the task at hand.
To operate in the spirit we must learn to listen and then look forward to the journey God wants to take us on!

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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 52302302

Grading Your Decisions

Boy, doesn't it just feel awful when you have made a poor decision? It is hard to stop condemnation or negative thinking from taking over.

What if you were able to avoid negative decisions by looking at all the choices you made in a new way? Stop viewing everything in a pass/fail mentality. 

Think of something you are trying to make a decision about right now. Now, think of a solution that you have considered doing to solve the problem. 

Grade this solution you are considering on a 1-10 scale (1-poor - 10- best). What is your number? Now take your problem before God. Be still before Him asking Him how to improve your solution. Is there someone he recommends you speak to for guidance? Is there are verse He gives you to add clarity?

Now think of the solution God has given you and grade this one in your head. Did your number go up?

Remember, stop thinking about everything as right or wrong -- pass or fail. If you make a decision that you don't like as well say, "Well, that outcome was about a 3. I wonder what I could try to make it go up a couple of numbers in the future?

We are talking about shifting your brain about the way you think about decisions. Start shifting and see a difference!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 5230230

What if it Doesn't Work? What if it Does?

Do you live in the land of "what ifs"? Do you find yourself constantly wondering what might happen or could come next? Is worry your go-to emotion?

I know it was (and sometimes still is) for me. I used to worry about absolutely everything. Even when I would tell myself not to worry, I would worry. I knew Matthew 6:34 by heart, where Jesus says, "Do not worry about tomorrow for today has enough troubles of its own." I would chant that to myself - yet I would worry.

God really does not want us to worry. When a worry pops into your head, tell it to leave in the name of Jesus. Also, try shifting your thoughts.

You might be worrying about something and think, "What if it doesn't work?"
INSTEAD, try thinking, "What if it does!"

Also remember God really is your best friend. He wants to help you in EVERY decision. So even if it something small like trying to figure out what you should wear to work or when to go do your exercising for the day - just ask Him. I have found great peace when I just ask God about whatever is going on in my brain.  Just try it. Allow Him to close the door on worrying and release you from that prison!

I am Not How I Feel. I am How I Decide.

Do your emotions run haywire? Are you driven by feelings to do things you later regret?
God gave us emotions as a helper, but not to be our guide.
The Holy Spirit is our guide.
Just today, I found myself feeling fear and guilt over something that was really not worth feeling anything over. The emotions were so strong and did not make any sense to me. I stopped and prayed with power and told these feelings to go away in the name of Jesus.
Before I learned so much from God, emotions truly controlled my life. I was led to eating too much or feeling the need to escape through TV to get away from my uncomfortable emotions.
Now that I really understand who God says I am and how he wants me to be free from emotions that dictate my actions.
God wants you to understand when you have a strong feeling - it is just that. It is not wrong to feel mad or sad, but God does not want the emotions to dictate what you do. Rather, acknowledge the feeling. Pray to be rid of it if it is an uncomfortable feeling and then go on with your life.
You be the decision maker about what you do. Not your feelings.
Be intentional.  Seek the Holy Spirit if you are unsure about your next step, but don't rely on those unruly emotions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 5230230