A Different Battle Tactic

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5 (Amplified Bible)

Ask anyone who has been a Christian for any length of time and they will testify to the fact that we are in a battle. Whether it is in the spiritual, physical, or emotional realm of life we are often engaged in battle daily with either the world, the flesh, or the devil. Realizing this truth does not necessarily make it easy but at least it allows us to know who we are fighting against. But that is only half the story. Not only are we in a battle but we have weapons to use while fighting. Ephesians 6 lists the armor we are to put on daily….armor that is both offensive and defensive. There is also the power found in learning to pray Scripture and along with that learning to use our God-given authority. The list goes on and on. It boils down to warfare praying and warfare living.

So I was taken back yesterday when in the midst of what I knew to be an attack, God revealed another aspect that was new for me. As thoughts became dark and emotions ran wild, I sensed His invitation to hide in Him until the storm passed. Rather than a time to fight it became a time to rest. I will be honest with you, I didn’t know that was ever an option. And it worked! In the midst of the battlefield, He became my hiding place and shelter. And within that shelter, He exposed issues of my heart that needed to be addressed. Rather than fight the external forces, He was leading me to deal with some internal forces. And what were they? Fears, disappointments, loneliness, discomfort, wounds. Unless confronted and dealt with they would fester. God in His wisdom removed this soldier from the fight just as a wounded soldier would be removed from the battlefield.

For the entire day I stayed hidden. And when the night fell, the words of honesty poured from my mouth just as the tears fell from my eyes. As the depths of my heart were exposed, His healing balm was applied. What followed was a good night’s rest and a sense of refreshment when I woke. My internal world feels like the calm after the storm. I can almost smell the rain. When my eyes landed on today’s verse I KNEW that was what God had done and I am in awe of Him!

I am always amazed when I turn a spiritual corner and learn a new aspect of God and how He works. He is definitely a God of variety and victory. And I take that truth with me into a new day.

Father, there is so much about You that I still do not know. Thank you for the intentional ways You reveal yourself to me. Amen.

Victory Rather Than Defeat

In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:1-3 (New King James Version)

The enemy of our soul wants nothing more than to keep us in bondage to addictions, strongholds, and harmful mindsets. When we do find freedom from those things, he wants nothing more than to lure us back into them. He is not usually blatant about it. He approaches with what seems like innocent thoughts and hidden consequences. But things are never as they appear. Like a fisherman who hides the hook with an appetizing worm, he dangles the bait in front of us in hopes that we will dwell on the temptation long enough to go for it. Like a single drink to a recovering alcoholic, he knows one “taste” will be enough to enslave us again.

David gives the answer to all such times of temptation. Trust in the Lord! Not in your own ability to resist. Not in countless friends. Not in a change of activity or distraction of the mind. Trust, rely, depend, lean upon the Lord. Cry out to Him as your deliverer, refuge, defense, rock, and fortress. See Him as the One who will lead and guide you. He is the only lasting source and solution to the schemes of a vicious, plotting enemy.

God’s first move may be just to simply get your mind off the very thoughts that seem so appealing. He may take you down a mental trail and reveal to you the end of your actions if you go through with the thoughts. He is intent on keeping you free and will do everything He can to help you cooperate with Him. While He will not over ride your free will, He will help you to align your will with His. He will help you to desire victory more than what seems to be such a strong pull at the moment. He will help you to “swim away” from the baited hook into a spacious place of freedom and delight.

David knew times of defeat and times of victory. Taste enough victory and the thought of defeat becomes unappealing and avoidable. God’s desire is that we always see there is an option. There is always a way of escape. There is always a choice. While God cannot over ride our free will, neither can the enemy. God has provided everything we need to turn away from even the most powerful, pleasant looking temptation. A good place to start is in voicing, out loud, the prayer David left for us in Psalm 31. By the time you get to verse 3, I guarantee the temptation will be downsized and the taste of victory will already be within your grasp. Don’t give up! Don’t give in!

Father, You heard my cries and came to my aid. Once again the enemy’s plans and desires have been thwarted. I raise my hands and voice to You in adoration and praise! Hallelujah! You have set this captive free! Amen.

Receiving Needed Truths

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (New American Standard Bible)

God’s desire to be in intimate relationship with His children is displayed in today’s verse. His longing for us to see Him as the lover of our soul and supplier of all our needs is clearly stated but often unrealized by many. The awareness of God’s offer to us is often born out of our places of emptiness, brokenness, and failure. Hence, the ability to receive His strength and help is brought about when we are willing to let go of our preconceived ideas and all the substitutes we have been holding on to. As long as there are any other voices we are listening to or hands we are holding on to, God’s words will fall on deaf ears and a closed heart.

This past weekend I had the privilege and joy of speaking at a women’s Christmas brunch. The two truths I shared with that small group came out of my own experiences of disillusionment and disappointment. I have heard it said that God must put to death the very things that hinder us from knowing Him intimately and personally. While the process of death was excruciating at times the resurrection of hope found in Him has been beyond description.

Although I have known Christ as my Savior for over three decades it took thirty years for me to embrace the truth that I was His beloved. I failed to see that in God’s eyes I am esteemed, dearly loved, favored, valued, and welcome. In order to see that, He had to first release me from the mindset that performance and a list of do’s and don’ts was the way to His heart. Letting go of what seemed so right and taking hold of what seemed so foreign was long in coming but pure gold when realized.

It took four additional years to begin to understand another powerful truth. That being, God’s willingness, desire, and ability to supply everything I need. Not merely my physical and spiritual needs but my deep emotional needs as well. As long as I had individuals to look to, I unknowingly kept God at arm’s length. Taking hold of His hand and receiving His filling and completeness came only as I lost or let go of my varied counterfeit messiahs (those individuals whom I looked to as a way to be fixed, filled, and healed). Looking to them for what only God can do was like entering an apple orchard and expecting to find oranges or bananas. Many were the times I partook of the crumbs of relationship instead of the feast God was offering.

God’s extravagant love and endless supply are now the gifts I open daily. While I still experience moments of failure, I am delighting in moments of victory.

Father, there were times I didn’t understand Your ways and the removal of my sources of security. But I now thank You for removing all that blinded me from seeing You and blocked me from hearing You. Amen.

Each and Every Time

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. Psalm 30:11 (New King James Version)

Several years ago I asked God to show me His heart in Scripture. My desire was lined up with His and He graciously answered the prayer I had voiced to Him. What followed was that each time I read the Bible there was always found a living message for me! At first, this was such a change for me that I wasn’t sure it would continue to happen each day. I would approach His word with a certain amount of hesitancy and wonder if He would do the same thing for me as He had done the day before. Eventually the timidity gave way to anticipation as I had learned that He would infact be faithful to “show up” and give me practical truths from His Word.

God recently brought this scenario to mind as I ventured into a new area with Him. In the past, I had been use to taking difficulties and heart aches to people. Any amount of sadness or discomfort was reason enough to send an email or make a phone call. While comfort was usually forthcoming, God let me know this was not His intent for me as His child. His desire was that I learn to bring the “mourning and sackcloth” to Him, without which I would not experience Him as my Comforter and Counselor.

Accepting His invitation required trust on my part. He revealed to me that there was a certain amount of distrust I had toward Him and an unbelief that He could do for me what people had been doing. As He tenderly removed that obstacle of doubt, I became willing to take some moments of sadness to Him. Within a short time I found myself experiencing today’s verse. Dancing and gladness replaced sorrow and sadness! To say I was ecstatic is an understatement. I could not get over the way it actually worked! And yet just as in the case of approaching His Word, I found myself wondering if it would work EVERY time. Would God bring about the change for me every time? Absolutely!

He is unchangeable and completely reliable. I see that now. I no longer have to wonder if there is a limit to His availability or capability. He will never withdraw His offer of “Come unto Me.” His supply of comfort and power to transform my internal world will never run out. The temptation to make the calls or send the emails has been greatly reduced and I dance with joy because of it! Therefore, I will give thanks unto Him for ever. (Psalm 30:12)

Father, how You have longed for me to finally see that You could be trusted! May I never get over the wonder of it all. Amen.

Still Doing the Impossible

But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: Daniel 2:28 (New King James Version)

It was an impossible demand! The king of Babylon had a disturbing dream and wanted to know what it meant. He had men who were use to giving him their “interpretations” of his dreams. If a dream was told to them they could easily come up with what sounded like an accurate meaning. But this time there was a problem. The king could not remember his dream. He could only remember that it had greatly disturbed him. So he demanded that his men tell him what he had dreamed as well as the interpretation. When they insisted he was asking the impossible, his anger spewed out in a death sentence to any and all of his “wise” men.

Upon hearing of this, Daniel requested time to inquire of God what the dream was and what it meant. Daniel, and three companions, fasted and prayed and God revealed to him what only God knew. Daniel then stood before King Nebuchadnezzar and confessed that the king had indeed made an impossible demand on the men and then proclaimed today’s verse. What a contrast! Impossibility was met with BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO REVEALS SECRETS! The God of the impossible was revealed to the king of Babylon as the dream and its interpretation flowed from the mouth of Daniel.

The Word of God is filled with impossible situations in both the New and Old Testaments. Each was recorded for our benefit and encouragement. Each given to help us see that there is a God in Heaven who does the very things that cannot be done without His intervention. I praise Him that He is still doing it! No matter the situation God is still able to do the impossible. Whatever the need, God is able to meet it. No matter the length or depth of our problems God is able to do what needs to be done. All things are possible with our God!

Imagine saying to any person at any time, “There is a God in Heaven who can ______________.” He is not limited, powerless, or absent. Be it finances, health, relationships, areas of bondage, losses, or tragedy this same God is still in Heaven! The most amazing statement is that there is a God in Heaven who can forgive sin and make all things new! That is the God I serve and love. That is the God anyone can know and be in relationship with through Jesus Christ. Starting today, let’s determine to speak Daniel’s words over each part of our life and watch the impossibilities become possible.

Father, I have seen You do the impossible in my life and I gladly point others to You for the same purpose. Your name be praised! Amen.

The NOTs of Life

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8,9 (New King James Version)

I cannot explain how the words of the Apostle Paul become our experience in the midst of what we feel is going to do us in. My mind cannot wrap itself around the full concept of peace in the midst of storms, strength in weakness, and peace that passes all understanding. The “nots” of this passage are amazing! Not in despair. Not forsaken. Not destroyed. These are only possible statements by the grace of God!

Trials and difficulties are not fun, enjoyable, or desired by any of us. As I stood in the kitchen of a friend’s home last night and listened to the hard-pressing, perplexing, and striking down circumstances she and her husband are experiencing I was over whelmed by her present furnace of affliction. We spoke of God’s faithfulness and presence. We prayed and thanked Him for what would come of all of this. It was truly a moment of looking to His father’s heart instead of man’s provision and wisdom. There was no where else to take her but to the throne of grace. I trust that while her heart was heavy, her spirit was raised and poised for flight!

Someone once said, “When we come to the edge of the light we know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, of this we can be sure…either God will provide something solid to stand on or …we will be taught to fly.” I praise God for the Solid Rock called Jesus that each of us do stand on. And I praise Him for the way we will be taught to fly!

The flight comes as we allow the circumstances that are the most painful to drive us right into close intimacy with Jesus Christ. To know that when all human sources and resources fail to carry us, He becomes our refuge and strong tower. It is when we allow Him to enter into such a place with us that we are bathed in the comfort of words and promises that were penned by Paul but proclaimed by God.

Whether it is for my friend or myself, I am able to begin thanking God for all that He will do that neither of us can even see or fathom at this time. It is then that we can go from distress to anticipation of all that God has in mind and the ability to carry out! How He longs for us to realize how faithful, merciful, and available He is. Those things are best seen and experienced when we are forced out of comfort zones and security blankets into the abiding presence of Almighty God. The tears that flow actually water the seeds of faith and hope that He sows within us.

Father, I have no where else to lead hurting individuals than to Your throne room. I have no one else to entrust them to than You. Because of that I know it will be well with them. It will be well. Amen.

In Christ Alone

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. I Corinthians 11:1 (King James Version)

Paul penned these words to the converts in Corinth, Ephesus, and Thessalonica. His goal was not to have people ultimately follow him but to point them to the One who could be their Savior, Deliverer, Healer, Friend, Comforter, and Companion….Jesus Christ. Paul set an example for them to follow which would eventually lead them into an intimate relationship with God through Christ. Today, we have many people in ministry who would voice his same words to new believers as well. People are being used of God to mentor and encourage young believers in their faith until they reach a point whereby they are completely reliant upon God and able to then become an encourager to someone else. It is a precious system God has used and honored many times.

I have been the recipient of such encouragers. For over three decades I have been blessed by several significant relationships that had the flavor of Paul’s words. God graciously brought women into my life who saw something in me that needed to be nurtured and cultivated. Out of love they invested themselves into my life. I would not be the person I am today without their influence. If that were the entire picture all would be well in my corner of the world. Unfortunately what they never fully saw and what I never fully understood was an un-addressed issue in my life.

My area of struggle had to do with emotional dependency (also known as soul ties and relational idolatry). This is the case of one who looks to people and relationships to receive a sense of love, acceptance, significance, identity, and attention. All deep needs are directed toward the significant person who becomes their HOPE of getting those needs met. The relationship is for the sole purpose of survival. While I knew something was not right in the way I related to and looked to the significant people in my life I was clueless as to why I did it and how I could be free from it!

I was forced to take a hard look at this issue when a mentoring relationship abruptly ended a year and a half ago. As I found myself recently heading into yet another dependency driven relationship, I became desperate for not only release from pain and captivity, but to experience God as my true Source for the meeting of all needs. When that became the cry of my heart, He graciously led me to freedom which is only found in Himself!

Some who do not struggle with this issue, might read what I have written and wonder what the big deal is. But to any who are in the stronghold of emotional dependency, I pray my words offer you the hope that freedom is available and possible for YOU! The two resources God used to show me my bondage and way to freedom were EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCY by Lori Rentzel and PLEASE DON’T SAY YOU NEED ME by Jan Silvious. To God be the glory for the writing of both and the effect they have had on my life. It is now my sincere desire to help point others to the only One who can and will set them free. That One is Jesus Christ!

Father, I cannot find the words to thank you fully for all You have done! I am free and I can’t get over the wonder of it! I praise You! Amen.