03-16-13 Rebuking - How?

In the NIV version of the Bible - go to Biblegateway.com and type in (speak word) and then (spoken word). Altogether, there are 111 references to speaking out the Word of God and something happening.

Isiaih 55:10-11 "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."

We learned a couple weeks ago about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. How did he overcome the devil? He spoke the word.

How do we rebuke the demonic in or around our lives, we speak out what we know to be true based on the Word of God and our Authority that Jesus has given us.

It's not enough to ask forgiveness and repent, we must kick the enemy out of our lives (through the Power of Holy Spirit Who lives in us). All Christians have this Power flowing in them - no matter if we feel it or not - if we have been baptized with Holy Spirit. See, in Acts 1, Father sent His Holy Spirit in Jesus Name down to His disciples so that they could receive power from on high. They needed the Power of God to heal the sick, cast out demons, overcome the power of the enemy at work in their lives. It's only through the Power of Holy Spirit that we even can remember. In John 14:26 Jesus says, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

Ok, the Lord is speaking to me also in this... I have this propensity to forget what they Lord has said about who I am and Whose I am - about Who He is - about what He's already accomplished in my life. So when trouble hits, I go pretty close to the edge of the deep end. I have a strong sense that He's not just talking to me. He wants us to remember what He said, so when we do realize we've slipped (or actually jumped) into sin - that we have a way out. For example, if I'm tempted to drink, I can say, "Spirit of Alcoholism and Addiction, I command you in the name of Jesus to leave me alone. I will not listen to you. I will not agree with you. The Word of God says 'Don't get drunk on wine (or high on drugs), but be filled with My Spirit.' I choose to be filled with the Spirit of the Living God, not go back to the death that is in the bottle, can or pill. Whom Jesus sets free, is free indeed. I will not turn back to you. I hate you and I will not be your friend - so get away from me. I choose to follow Jesus."

Sorry, got on my soapbox (an improvised platform, as one on a street, from which a speaker delivers an informal speech). I just couldn't resist looking it up. I think that's maybe a good temptation though ;) But that's what I'm striving to do when I'm caught in a particular sin or am tempted to sin. When I need help, I get help... I ask for help. Do I do it all the time? Unfortunately, no. Why? I forget. What do I do about that? Post it around the house, car, work (which you can have fun with because you can put one little word in an inconspicuous spot that no one else will notice - but you know it's there). Post the truth that you - that I - have been given all authority OVER all the power of the enemy. If say 'it' has to leave (in Jesus' Name - which means we're saying it under and with the authority of Jesus)... 'it' has to leave. No ifs, ands or buts.

Still on my soapbox... oh well, I get angry at the enemy. I don't like demonic influences in my mind - my thought, my emotions. I just do not like satan or his little minions. I want to rout the enemy - breaking and defeating them from working in and around and through my life. I want to serve Jesus and Him alone. You can make that your declaration also!

So, let's resolve to get rid of the sin in our lives - asking the Lord to reveal what He sees in us that needs to be cleaned out. Then let's clean it out. I want a clean house for my Lord to dwell in, what about you?

Word of God Speak - MercyMe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTY-UKgLlXs

03-15-13 Rebuking

To Rebuke: A strong expression of disapproval, as by one in authority; reprimand; reprove sharply.

So, we've learned that repenting is asking for forgiveness and turning away from the sin, renouncing is totally separating ourselves from any contact with that sin. What about rebuking? Should we rebuke the demonic and their influences in our lives? What about rebuking satan? Of course.

First of all, let's see what Jesus did.

Mark 4:39 He (Jesus) got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

This isn't talking about rebuking the enemy, but it is talking about the AUTHORITY Jesus has that even the natural elements obeyed His command.

Luke 9:42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.

Ok, now this is more like it. There was this boy, who had maybe epilepsy or something like that. Whatever it was, Jesus discerned that it was an impure or unclean spirit in Him. Jesus used His AUTHORITY given to Him by Father to rebuke the spirit (sending it away from the boy), and the boy was healed.

Mark 1:25 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

Or what about this one? Some guy came into the church where Jesus was at and (the demonic) recognized him as the Son of God. Well, Jesus wasn't into letting that be fully known to everyone quiet yet. He rebuked the demon and the demon left the man.

Ok, two more verses Matthew 10:1 "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."

Luke 10:17-20 "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

What did He just do and say? Well, first He gave the authority He had to rebuke (drive out the enemy) and to heal to His disciples. Then He said to the 72 additional disciples (representing us) that He has given US His authority to overcome ALL the power of the enemy. The demons listened to them because they knew their AUTHORITY. But Jesus warned them / us not to get all worked up about casting out demons - like that should be the norm... really. But to rejoice because they / we are His.

"But wait, what about where it says that we shouldn't rebuke satan? Well, it doesn't quite say that. It was talking about Michael the archangel and we don't really know what authority he has. So, he said 'The Lord rebuke you (send you away)."

Jude 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."

Well, one thing we should know is that satan is a created being, not God's opposite. He is not all-powerful. He is not all-knowing. He is not everywhere. So, the chances of satan himself being around is quite slim. But his demonic horde are all around... trying to wreak havoc wherever they can get a foothold.

What's this mean to us. Well, it means that WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY to tell the demonic influences in our lives to get out of our lives. We don't need to go running to someone else all the time (though there are times when another believer is helpful). We can tell the enemy to flee in the Name of Jesus', because we bear the Name of Jesus' inside of us - and they MUST flee.

Isn't that good news? And Jesus is right there beside us with huge smile... saying well done.

So, let's get rid of the enemy's influences in our lives and shut those doors once and for all. It's not only possible - it's our heritage!

I'll finish with a quote from St. Augustine, "He who confesses and condemns his sins, already acts with God. God condemns your sins: if you also condemn them, you are linked on to God."

03-14-13 Renouncing - Mind Alteration

Ephesians 5:8-20 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

Ok, I just was about to send today's devotional and it disappeared off into cyberspace and is irretrievable. 

So, I'm going to Keep It Simple.  

 

Debauchery doesn't just mean sexual sin (like I original thought).  Since, I like to look up words - I took my Funk and Wagnalls and looked up the word.  It actually meant extreme indulgence in anything - including things like gluttony, but it also meant, not giving allegiance to someone (as a servant).  Interesting to me.  I'm going from memory, so bear with me ;)

 

Come on, Jesus turned water into wine, right?  Jesus used wine to represent His Blood during His Last Supper with His disciples.  John told Timothy to drink a little wine to settle his stomach. Doctors even say one glass or red wine a day is actually good for you.  Some people can drink socially - have one or two drinks and stop.  Some people cannot go near alcohol without setting off an abnormal chain reaction in their minds, and actually if they would have that one drink it someone alters the brain chemistry in such a way that they cannot stop.  That one or two drinks that the social drinker can have within a period of a couple hours, this person would have gone in 60 seconds.... maybe a little longer. 

 

But the question here is not 'to drink or not to drink'.  The question here is are we filling our minds with anything so much that it would cause us to sin (to take our allegiance away from God to whatever it is)?  Drugs and alcohol are only two items that can produce passivity in our minds that allows the enemy access to influence us to do really stupid things sometimes.  'Wait a second, here, what about meditation?'  Well, what are we meditating on?  Is it the Word of God, Jesus, the fruits of the Spirit, breathing in the Spirit of the Giver of Life and breathing out the stress and tension and decay within us?  Or are we meditating on other concepts that are not in line with the Word of God?  If it's the latter or if we're using some other mind-altering drug or practice, then those should be renounced so that Father can fill us with the Spirit of our Lord Jesus.  He doesn't want us to fill ourselves with anything other than Himself.  He's kinda jealous that way, because He loves us more than if you put everyone in the word together and their love for whoever they love and bottled it.... it wouldn't even compare to how much He loves us and pursue us.

Ask the Holy Spirit to come and fill you right where you are.... and even though your circumstances might not change, you will.  

 

I believe there is a song-writer (or at least a song-singer) in all of us.  The Lord has put it there - not in our minds, not in our will, not in our emotions, but in our spirits to encourage ourselves and others.  When we sing to the Lord - it may start out, just singing to the Lord (like some sort of act of obedience), but something changes if we have open hearts to the Lord.  The music starts coming from our love for Him, our devotion to Him, our need for Him.  The enemy hates that, and personally, I like to do what the enemy hates (sometimes with mild kicking and screaming).  But generally, it ends up making me quite happy that I'm doing something he hates ;)  Because, I'm doing some God loves - praising Him, thanking Him.  

 

So, let's ask the Lord to reveal to us anything that makes our minds passive enough to allow demonic influences into our lives and then repent and renounce them. 

 

Bring the Rain - MercyMe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR22SugrR2o

03-13-13 Renouncing - Being Careful

Ephesians 5:8-20 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

I don't know why, cut the first part of this verse just reminded me of Elmer Fudd saying, 'Be vewy quiet, me hunting rabbit'. Ok, so maybe that's not exactly what this verse means, but sometimes, we can take it to the extreme that we're always looking for something to go wrong. Sometimes we can go to the extreme of looking for sin or demonic influences under every rock and in every crevice of our lives. The trouble with that is, WE are doing it. WE are aren't letting the Lord shine His Light into our lives, because WE think we have a million candle watt flashlight and it's enough. The Lord says, 'Hey kid, yeah, you with the flashlight, come over hear for a minute.' So we go saundering over to where He is and right there in front of us, He shows us His radiance, His glory. 

 

And we fall of our faces and say, 'this LITTLE light of mine, how can I let it shine - for You outshine even the sun.' We make a declaration that we are going to follow the Lord, not make the Lord follow us. It REALLY doesn't work well doing the latter.

 

Oh, He'll let us lead and He WILL follow, because He's never that far away from us. You know why He will follow us? Because His love compels Him to. He knows that sooner or later (and He hopes 'sooner' rather than 'later'), we will become tired and weary from all of our striving and will eventually trip on some Rock and fall. We may get back up and try again on our own, but we keep ending up on the ground. So finally, we stay there - not even knowing where 'there' is and cry out to the Lord. We renounce our own waywardness, self-righteousness, and self-sufficiency. and the Lord comes up to us and says, 'It's time to come home, my loved one'. He picks up our broken bodies and carries us home.

I guess what I'm saying is that Holy Spirit was sent to us so that He could show us which path to walk, using the Word of God as a map. It's asking Father for discernment when we come to a crossroad in our lives. In knowing that the days are becoming darker and darker spiritually, He would like it very much if we would allow Him to shine His Light into our hearts and minds - to not only clear out the junk (as I mentioned yesterday), but so that He can fill us so much with His LIGHT that when we walk into the darkness of the world, we will still be able to see (to keep our focus on the Lord). Daily, hourly, and sometimes by the minute or the second being in constant communication with Him so that we will be able to know where He wants us to go or not go. Be aware of your surroundings, but know that greater is the Lord Who lives in us that the demonic influences that are in the world that try to get at us (1 John 4:4).

Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture -- just because I heard it on the way to work and it helped me out a bit ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVPr1fI7acM

 

Strong Tower - Kutless -- (for the same reason above)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLYnN3rRC1Q

03-12-13 Renouncing - Exposing Darkness

Ephesians 5:8-20 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

If we're in a dark room with no obstacles (lamps, tables, etc) and we switch on the light, we can see everything around us, right? There's nothing in the way - all is light, there is no darkness anywhere in the room. Which is good, because we've never been in this room before.

Now let's say we throw in a table, some chairs, a couch, some candles and maybe bookshelf or two for those of us who still actually read 'books' ;) We switch on the light and nothing happens. For some reason or another the electricity is off in that room. We could think about going downstairs and checking the breaker, but we just wanted to have a little resting time, so we decide to grab a flashlight and light some candles. The candles don't put off a whole lot of light but enough to not bump into anything that would turn into a bruise the next day (most of us would then wonder the next morning how in the heck we got that bruise). If we carry the candle around, we take the light wherever we go. We expose the light only those place that we want to go. Everything else stays in darkness.

Now let's say the electricity comes back on and, oops - we left the light switch in the 'ON' position. After being in the dimly lit room resting, it takes a little bit of time for our eyes to adjust to the radiance around us. We no longer have control over where the light goes.... unless we go over and turn the switch off and just use the candles again. We go lay down on the couch and go back to resting and the light pops back on. Not to worry, there are no ghosts. Someone cracked the door open and switched the light back on. This happens a couple times and we are getting annoyed. The next time the light pops on, we think we see something over there underneath the table, but we're not quite sure. There's a shadow there from the other pieces of furniture in the room. So we take the candle and go over to see if we really saw something there or not. Yep, there's something there. As soon as the light hits it, a mouse runs under the crack of the door and out of the room. Well, at least we weren't hallucinating! But we do start to cautiously look into all the other shadow places, just to make sure there's no more mice around... so much for resting.

The dark room with no obstacles and the light coming on represents our lives when we are born. There are no obstacles in the way - light is everywhere because God and Jesus through Holy Spirit is everywhere patiently watching over us. As we grow and move more stuff into the room, we realize at some point, it's a bit cluttered. The 'stuff' being sin, our wants, our desires, things we've done to harm others, things others have done to harm us. The list could go on and on. The light goes off in that room - Holy Spirit sees He's not welcome there anymore. Other things have taken His place. We close the door, because we don't want anyone else to see what in that room. Yet, every once in a while, we walk in there just to have a look around and maybe pick up one or two things... look at them and put them back. We can see just barely whats in that room, we do have a little flickering light (conscience, no - Holy Spirit) with us. We may even clean out a couple small things here and there. Then we leave and shut the door again.

This goes on for quite some time... even years in most cases. Now everything is covered in dust and cobwebs, might even have some spiders...I mean, spirits, living in there. We start to feel like something is terribly wrong with our relationship with God, with others, or even with ourselves. We are waking up from a very long sleep. So, we ask the Lord to show us what it could be. He points to the room. 'Oh... you mean that old, stanky place? Why would I ever want to go in there now? Do you know how filthy everything in there must be?' He just stands there looking at us with one eyebrow raised and His finger is still pointing to the door. In all actuality, we are dreading and trembling at the thought of going in there. Jesus walks up to us, puts His arm around us and says we'll do it together. We open the door, because Jesus said that's our part, we have to open the door to our heart to let Him in. There's instant Light as Holy Spirit comes back into the room. The spiders (spirits/demons) vacate the premises (some Jesus says we actually have to tell them they have to go, then Jesus kicks them out). We start the long, difficult process of cleaning up the room. All the old stuff has to go, is what Jesus says. You know, all those desires, wants, sins, hurts, wounds, etc.? Yeah, those. Some of it really hurts to let go of, it surprises even us, but Jesus is there comforting us and replacing what we're throwing out with the good things of the Spirit. The room is looking brighter and shinier. Just when we we're done, Jesus sees the shadows and we start to clean out the shadow places - those places long forgotten or that happened a long, long time ago that we may or may not have forgotten. These are the hardest to reach, but Jesus put His hand on ours and helps us clear away the clutter even in the shadows. Eventually His Light is everywhere. There's so much joy. The room is clean!!! We all rejoice and rest in the Light.

One day, as we're sitting there.... we wonder..... how many other rooms are there? The Lord just smiles and says, 'In due time, My Child; in due time.'

I know this was rather long, but I said all that to say, Jesus doesn't want us to carry darkness around with us. It's heavy, it weighs us down, it hinders us from fulfilling our destiny, our original design - how He created us. He wants us to walk around and not only carry His Light for ourselves, but for others to see that Light within us and be drawn to Him.

He always takes us from glory to glory.

Holy Spirit - Jesus Culture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcmUYDU-2DY

03-11-13 Renouncing

Ephesians 5:8-20 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

My Funk and Wagnalls says this about renouncing: "1. To refuse to acknowledge longer; disclaim; disown, repudiate (renounce as shameful). 2. To make a formal announcement of; give up explicitly. 3. To abandon the use or pursuit of; reject."

I just love dictionaries.... and prefer the ones with the yellowing pages. There's nothing like a book in your hand that was written 30 years before you were born.

So, to renounce is to not even acknowledge the wrong path we were taking, to formally announce giving it up completely - ohhhhhhh, 'formerly announce'? Like I should probably tell someone - not everyone, but at least one person? Yep. This is called accountability. If we want something bad enough, don't we tell someone else 'hey, I would really like to have (fill in blank) and I'm going to work towards it'? Sure, that other person may at some time come back and say 'hey, what ever happened to our wanting this or that'? Or the we may feel like it's unattainable after a while of working towards it and want to give up. Our friends says 'yeah, you could do that, or you could continue it's not as far out of reach as you think. Or maybe our friend would even see it themselves and say 'wow, they actually did work towards it and got it... good for them.' That's some good accountability. Our friend helping us along.

Same with renouncing, if we tell someone what we've renounce it come fully out into the light - it's on the table' - and now someone else knows and if we really want to give it up, we'll ask them to keep us accountable to ask us about it from time to time.

We want to renounce any contact whatsoever with that wrong path we've been on.... I listed all the verses that I believe are for this week's musings. Because I'm pretty much camping here for a few days. Today, we'll stick to the highlighted portion, but feel free to read it all everyday.! There is a lot of meat to glean from these verses. Meat has protein - good for recovering muscles - puts like back into them, makes them stronger and heal faster. So, we're going to eat some meat (sorry vegetarians - I'm sure veggie burgers would count, especially Black Bean Burgers.... ohhhh, yum. Not for breakfast though!

This portion says 'for we WERE once darkness, now we ARE light in the Lord.' We exchanged darkness for light, evil for good, the wide path that leads to destruction for the narrow path that leads to life. We are to live in goodness, righteousness and truth. How in the heck do we do that... it a daily discipline I'm learning... not just a one-time, one-size fits all time. We are to work out our own salvation - our own healing and freedom with the Lord. If He chooses to use others to help accept the help. If He chooses to just want us to be alone with Him, then we cast off our fear like a dingy, grimy cloak and come into His Presence. That's what impressed me this past Sunday (I think) during a sermon at Community of Christ Church. Pastor Pat said that sometimes when we're in His Presence we just want to stay there... no matter what is going on around us. It was like, yeah, now I have permission to lay flat on my face during worship and if the Lord doesn't want me to move... I am not going to move. People can look at me funny all they want. If I'm with the Lord balling my eyes out or just resting or both, then that's what I'm going to do.... because that's where the Lord has me. Not so everyone can see 'how spiritual' I am... but because I'm truly humbly submitting myself to the Lord and what He wants me to do.... not man. We need to find out what pleases the Lord - AND THEN DO IT!

Those verses then go on to say 'have NOTHING to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness (fruit trees need light - so do we in order to bear fruit - even the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). Tall order, but we can pray for this every morning.

We are to expose deeds of darkness, not hide in the darkness. Holy Spirit is here to help shine His light into those dark places and bring new life into our lives. Let's let him this week....

Take Me Out of the Dark - Gary Valenciano

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pntU48Vrs1Q