05.30.2014
Standing on His Word - Harlan
Ephesians 6:14 says “Stand therefore having your loins girt about with the truth!” Sunday we were singing about standing on the promises! I was reminded of what that word “standing” actually means. The word “stand” is actually a military term that means to be ready for battle. I can visualize a soldier readying himself for defense or offence. Back in those days, the footwear of these soldiers had cleats in them so as to grip the ground. These men could plow thru the enemy because their feet would not slip but grip the ground on which they stood! When the word was given to advance, the enemy could not push them back, because their feet were firmly planted.
As Christians, we are firmly planted on the ROCK Jesus Christ. We are NOT shaken. We are NOT moved. But we stand on the Truth and that truth is none other than Jesus Christ. In the natural, our physical strength is in the waist portion of the body. But spiritually, our strength in God comes from the knowledge of Christ himself. Satan is full of lies and deceit. He is the father of lies, there is no truth in him. Jesus is full of Truth. His words bring strength and life. We must girt our loins with the belt of truth. God does not lie.
As we were singing Sunday, I began to remember the many promises in His word. His word is filled with truth. When He says we can be free, then I “stand firm” on that promise. When God gives a Word of Knowledge, then we can “Stand Firm” on that word. Scripture says that none of His words will come back “void”. When God beings to speak to your spirit, His words “come alive”, it is Rhema from Heaven. You can stand on it, trust in it, believe in it…EXPECT it to come to pass! Why? Because He is Truth, His Word is truth and He never lies.
The enemy will surely try to steal the truth from you. He will try to plant seeds of doubt and fear. Satan will even try to attack the word. Weigh what you have received. Does it bring hope and joy? Is it in the written Word? Yes? Then trust and receive it from God. God is GOOD!
Satan has never been a threat to God. Not in the past, present, nor will he be in the future. And the same power and authority that “Raised Christ from the dead” now dwells in me! I’m not looking for a fight, but if satan gets in my way I can take him out! My feet are planted. My foundation is solid and sure.
It is time for you and me, The Church, to take its Stand. Believe the Word, whether it is the Bible, a Word given to your local congregation, or a personal Word from God. You can STAND on it, believe it, trust in it. Jesus said, “Don’t doubt”. Doubting is NOT of God and is actually a partnership with the enemy.
I am renewed in my spirit. Moving forward I will stand on the Truth and Promises that I have been given. The enemy may attack, but, he will not win because I am standing firm! I am wearing the belt of TRUTH. Jesus is my strength and satan is no threat to the BELIEVING CHURCH! We will NOT be moved from our position of standing….we will NOT retreat. We are stepping up and FORWARD to advance His kingdom!
4.7.2014
Passion for Christ - Harlan
In the church world, when the word “passion” is mentioned, for many “The Passion of Christ” comes to mind. The movie showed the sacrifice that God made for you and me by portraying the suffering that Jesus went thru to secure our Salvation in very graphic detail. As I was meditating and reading the other morning I felt God saying to me, “I’m looking for passion in my people”.
But if that is something He is looking for, what is it and what does it look like? So, I went to the dictionary. Passion defined is a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense compelling emotion, enthusiasm, or desire for a thing. If we apply this definition to the passion of Christ, then certainly we can see the intense love He had for us. Many times I have heard people say that Jesus endured the cross so that we might have forgiveness of sin. I believe that is true, but that is not the only part. His passion was not just so that we could have a “get out of jail” card…. It also provides for a life full of joy, freedom from our past life, and life more abundantly!
Many people just take their sins to the cross for forgiveness, but never venture into the “life more abundantly”. I felt that as He was talking to me, He said, “Many people never go past the cross into the fullness that I have provided for them. They just are enduring and waiting till I come and take them away…that is their goal. I have so much more if they will just go past the cross and into the “promise land”; the land flowing with milk and honey.” My mind went to the children of Israel, how that once they crossed the river and left their old life behind, they had to FIGHT to secure the land that had been promised. They had to be passionate and courageous about entering into the promise. Battles had to be fought and won to “secure” the land God had promised them.
We are no different. Today, it seems that people are passionate about many things, but most of the time it is about the things of this world. People will do all kinds of crazy things when it comes to sports events. They work long hours to advance to the next level at work. And many put these things before their pursuit of God. I remember someone saying to me “there is plenty of time to get religion.” I suppose that it is true, but “religion” is not what I want. The number one thing I want is a relationship with God the Father, Jesus my Christ, and the Holy Spirit. God was passionate for me, and I want my love to be so powerful that nothing will stand in the way of my being in His presence. I remember hearing Kim Walker of “Jesus Culture” say that the first thing she had to do each day after getting off of work was to get alone with God and STAY THERE until she felt His presence come. Then she would just spend some time alone with Him. This was more important than anything else. She felt that she could not make it thru the day without that time. So she would not let anything stand in her way of getting into His presence.
I remember one day being in a seminar crying out to God for “MORE” of Him. And I did want more. I told Him how much I loved Him, that He was first, and there was nothing more important in my life. But, I heard Him say, “No you don’t. If you loved me so much, you would want to spend more time with me. You would listen when I try to talk with you. But instead, you want to do all the talking and I just listen.” I must admit, my heart was broken and all I could do was weep. I realized then and there, that I had allowed so many things to take top priority in my life, so that my love and passion of the things of God had moved down the list of important things.
God really worked on me that night, and several days after. And I came back with a new passion and love for the presence of Jesus. It was not about my working more in the church, or reading my Bible more, or even praying more. The new “fire/passion” was to be in His presence more, and allow Him to talk with me and for me to just listen. Oh, I still spend time telling God of the needs that I have. But now I spend more time just being in His presence, just worshiping Him for who he is.
What I have noticed is that the enemy fights me even more. The week-end comes and I get a headache or sick. Or, here is one that He loves to toss at me…. It is Wednesday evening and my wife and I are preparing to go to prayer meeting and I get a call from a client needing help with a computer problem. Am I going to be “PASSIONATE” about God and getting filled up with His presence and power, or am I going to allow these “things” to get in my way. As I said, I am changing the way I think. The scripture says to “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and ALL these things will be added to you.” I believe All means ALL.
The Word of God tells us that anything that we put in front of God, has become an IDOL. Anything that has become more important than God, anything you value, anything that you put ahead, even family, you have set up as an idol. God told the children of Israel that they were to have NO other gods before Him. Here is a good one that I have heard. I can’t go to church because Sunday is my only day that I can sleep late. REALLY? You love your bed more than God. That one I really don’t understand.
I don’t want to be mean, or uncaring, but what I am saying is that if you/I want to have a life changing encounter with God, then we must be relentless in our pursuit of Him and His presence. When we cast all worldly things aside and demonstrate our passionate love for Him, He will not turn us away.
Revelation 2 tells of the church at Ephesus. They had a lot of good things said about them. It seems they were doing all the right things. But, it was all done for the wrong reasons. They started out right, but they had lost the most important thing - their first love. I had to do a “LOVE CHECK”, and found myself lacking. That was several years ago now. I purposed to not let my love die, but to grow and build it until it was blazing once again. It is time for us (even the church) to become passionate for Christ once again. The rewards are out of this world!
1.27.2014
The Author and Finisher of our Faith - Harlan Wright
He is the one that came up with the idea, so He the author, the one who dreamed it up. What was the idea, you ask? You and me! He wanted a people - He created us…a people that looked like Him, acted like Him, thought like Him…a people that He could actually walk with, and communicate with…a people who in essence carried His DNA. What a grand thought indeed! He had the original idea and therefore He is the only one who really knows how you are designed, and what you were made to accomplish.
People who write books are called authors. They dream up the plot, the story line, and then put words on paper to develop and convey what they are thinking and feeling. It was God who began this whole universe and then decided to “author” you and me. It is said that sometimes writers get writers block. They get to a point in the story and can’t figure out where to go. They are stumped so to speak.
Not so with Father God. He had it all designed out from beginning to the end. Each person has a reason to be here…a purpose and a destiny. We sometimes think we know all about ourselves, and others. But until the “Author” reveals the plans and purpose (destiny) of one, it can remain a mystery.
We cannot allow others to guide and control our lives. Only the Author really knows what we were created to be. It is the Author who gives us our purpose and reason to be. Once we know why we are here, then we have the “authority” of the Author. In essence, we receive our authority from the Author because He is the one who created and empowered us with destiny.
If we try to become what someone else is, we may completely miss the mark. Or we may not be effective. It would be like trying to use a kitchen knife to plant flowers. Oh, it might do some good, but it is more effective in the kitchen. To know what we were designed to do, and receive our greatest authority to full fill our purpose, we must go back to the Author.
I wondered about the word finished. At first I thought it would be to “get it done”. Let’s get this thing finished. That’s what I always want to do. I get something started and moved quickly to get it finished so that I can start something else. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of a special carpenter. When we built our house, our builder brought in a “finish carpenter”. He was the one who put the “finishing touches” to create the final product. He made everything beautiful. Everything that had been roughed in; he smoothed out, sanded, polished, and put on the final touches. “To finish” also gives the connotation to polish out. When my wife and I would make children’s toys, after she would paint the item, she would give it back to me to put on the final coat of “high gloss”. That finish would give it shine and durability. Putting the finishing coat on a product is always the last thing that happens. Looking at the “rough” item, you can see what it was created to be or do. It might even work! The children would play with our toys, even if they were not finished out. But it was so much better to have a finished out product. To make the toys smooth and flawless took time. Sanding was necessary to remove the sharp edges. We did not want for children to get hurt. Sometime we would need to “fill in the holes” where the wood had been damaged. Then came the paint, more sanding and then the final coat.
Not only does our Author start the good work in us, but He is also the Finisher of our faith. Only He knows how He designed the final product to look. When we submit ourselves to the Author, He can make all things in our lives to perfectly match His plans and purpose. And, this can only happen with we spend time with the Master. His touch, in His presence, can change our lives forever! When our lives begin to take shape….Well, it is a beautiful thing. We don’t all have to look the same or have the same design. But to Him, we are beautiful when we conform to His design. We don’t need to look like each other, act like each other, only yield to the touch of His hand.
No we are not all perfect, but we seek that place in Christ where He picks us up and begins to put the finishing touches on our lives. He takes us in His hand and begins to remove all the sharp edges and repairs the “damaged” areas of our lives. He fills in the places that have been wounded or gouged. Then begins the sanding process. We were never in a hurry to “finish” our toys. We could see what it was going to look like, because we had designed it in the beginning! We worked and worked until we had completed it and then released it to it purpose. God has designed you and knows your destiny. He who has begun a good work in you will complete it if you will let Him. When we allow ourselves to be designed, molded, and finished by the Master’s hand; then we can be released into this world to accomplish a beautiful work for the Kingdom of God.
1.7.14
Be Aware of the Enemy...Harlan Wright
Paul admonishes us in II Corinthians 2:11 to not be ignorant of the devils devices. He did not say to stand in fear. Just be aware… Satan has power; he is
called the prince over the earth. But he has NO authority over the believer. He can rant and rave. The winds may blow… Yes, he has power, but he has no authority of his own. Paul’s statement infers that the only way satan’s inferior power can usurp the believer’s authority is if we are in some way ignorant.
I am not interested in chasing down a devil. My focus is NOT on them, but on Christ and Christ alone. But if satan gets in my way, I want to recognize him and pull the trigger (so to speak) and take him out. That which is in me is superior to him in every way. So Paul’s admonishment is for the saints to be aware of satan’s ways, methods, and to never let down their guard; keep a watchful eye and be ready for his tactics.
Satan loves to stir up trouble. He looks for ways to bring strife and unbelief to the people of God. He does not care who we fight with. Each other is fine with him as long as we lose focus of Jesus. He wants us caught up with what we want rather than what is important to the Kingdom. If satan can do that, he has gained ground by taking it from us. If he can get the children of God acting and fighting like the world, then he knows that it will weaken us in the battle.
Secondly, his tactic is to bring doubt and fear into a situation. He “reasons” with us that our situation is impossible or beyond hope or resolution. If he can’t make us “SIN”, then he will try to make us believe his “LIES”. For example, you are out of work. Satan will come and tell you that if you don’t get a job now, our family will go hungry, or you will lose your home. His “lies” will cause you to think and even believe that the worst will happen. But what does the word of God say? My God will supply ALL your needs according HIS riches in glory! You must decide what you will believe…the LIE or the truth of the WORD. Satan is tricky and deceitful. He will also use the wounds that have occurred in your life to cause you not to see the truth. When you believe his lies, you have actually agreed with him.
Anytime you put your situation, your strength, your means above God’s abilities, then you are developing a stronghold. Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that any argument or pretension that “sets itself up again the knowledge of God” is a stronghold. It is anything that exalts itself in our minds to be bigger and more powerful than God. It causes you to feel weak, controlled, overpowered. It consumes your time, energy, and emotions with arguments between the two sides. This is the enemy’s goal. The war or battlefield is in the mind. Paul says these strongholds must be brought down. Satan wants you to believe a lie, not the truth. If he can do that, then he has achieved partnership and you have given him your authority.
A believer that believes a lie has very little power against the enemy. But you are not powerless. How do you bring down the lies of the enemy? With the truth – the Word. Tell the enemy, “ You say_____, but the Word of God declares_____(fill in the blanks). For example, you can say “I won’t get a job and my home will be repossessed”,or “God declares that He will supply my needs. Satan – I will not believe your lie and I WILL stand on the truth of God’s Word.” This applies to any stronghold that is in your life. Replace the lie (the belief) with a declaration of the Truth and believe that Truth.
Building Godly strongholds is equally possible. We can build up areas in our lives where our belief is so strong in God that there is no way that the enemy can penetrate. David said in Ps 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in my heart…” It is the renewed mind (renewed by the Word) that can recognize when the enemy comes in. I cannot afford to have a single thought in my mind that is not in His. I cannot have one belief that is NOT in alignment with the Kingdom, if I want to fulfill the calling and destiny that God has planned for me. There must be a passion in Kingdom people to take every thought captive and cast out anything that does not line up with the Word. Discerning of the Spirit (recognizing the spirit at work in a situation), and the Word of God (God’s truth) are two of
the greatest weapons God’s people have in their arsenal.
Remember when Peter made that stupid decision to rebuke Jesus in Matthew 16? Jesus said, “Get behind me satan, for your thoughts are NOT OF GOD”. They are not in alignment with the purposes of my life! So get behind me. Jesus recognized immediately when satan entered the conversion. Jesus seized it and cast it away! It was not in alignment with His destiny. You must be watching for any opportunity for satan to enter your thought life and come against the purpose of your life, the church or this region. Take them captive and rebuke them. If a wrong thought lights upon your mind, recognize it, seize it, and cast it away. Don’t dwell upon it or even give it a second thought. The longer it stays, the more permanent it becomes. If you dwell on it too long, it can become a stronghold that he can hide in, and that is just what he wants.
Godly thoughts and promises can build good strongholds as well. Mary had been given promises and insight to her destiny; and she pondered them in her heart. Dwell upon and guard the promises you are given. Treasure the Rheama words of God given to you. When Godly thoughts, ideas, dreams, revelations come, we must be just as diligent to guard against losing them. We must hide them in our hearts. Think on that which is “good, and perfect, and true”; that which is in alignment with your calling and destiny. They will actually attract the angelic realm to you side to accomplish that which God has planned for you.
Pay attention to the atmosphere that you walk in, the atmosphere in your home. Where the enemy has come in there is chaos, distress, unbelief, lack of purpose, turmoil. But where the presence of God resides, there is peace, joy, belief in the calling and destiny of one’s life. The absence of peace and hope is the first sign that the enemy has infiltrated your thinking and you have allowed something to establish itself against the Word of God. It is time to open our eyes, take captive any thought that is against the Truth and cast it out. Rebuke the enemy and he will flee from you. Repent for setting anything above God. Any time you are doing battle against the enemy you must make time to get alone with God and let Him give you new revelation for your life. “He that began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it…” He will reveal to you any area that does not align itself with His truth as you remain in His presence. His light
will drive away any darkness.
Satan loves to twist the lie any make it seem to be true. But as you sit in His presence and rest in His love, His truth will expose and drive away any lie that you may believe. Maybe you need to just “REST” in the fact that you are loved and nothing can remove that love. Every good and perfect thought comes from above. Let the thoughts that you dwell upon come from above. Let them be Kingdom thoughts. Let your hope, joy and peace become full again as you rest in His presence. Victory is yours in His presence.
Standing on His Word - Harlan
Ephesians 6:14 says “Stand therefore having your loins girt about with the truth!” Sunday we were singing about standing on the promises! I was reminded of what that word “standing” actually means. The word “stand” is actually a military term that means to be ready for battle. I can visualize a soldier readying himself for defense or offence. Back in those days, the footwear of these soldiers had cleats in them so as to grip the ground. These men could plow thru the enemy because their feet would not slip but grip the ground on which they stood! When the word was given to advance, the enemy could not push them back, because their feet were firmly planted.
As Christians, we are firmly planted on the ROCK Jesus Christ. We are NOT shaken. We are NOT moved. But we stand on the Truth and that truth is none other than Jesus Christ. In the natural, our physical strength is in the waist portion of the body. But spiritually, our strength in God comes from the knowledge of Christ himself. Satan is full of lies and deceit. He is the father of lies, there is no truth in him. Jesus is full of Truth. His words bring strength and life. We must girt our loins with the belt of truth. God does not lie.
As we were singing Sunday, I began to remember the many promises in His word. His word is filled with truth. When He says we can be free, then I “stand firm” on that promise. When God gives a Word of Knowledge, then we can “Stand Firm” on that word. Scripture says that none of His words will come back “void”. When God beings to speak to your spirit, His words “come alive”, it is Rhema from Heaven. You can stand on it, trust in it, believe in it…EXPECT it to come to pass! Why? Because He is Truth, His Word is truth and He never lies.
The enemy will surely try to steal the truth from you. He will try to plant seeds of doubt and fear. Satan will even try to attack the word. Weigh what you have received. Does it bring hope and joy? Is it in the written Word? Yes? Then trust and receive it from God. God is GOOD!
Satan has never been a threat to God. Not in the past, present, nor will he be in the future. And the same power and authority that “Raised Christ from the dead” now dwells in me! I’m not looking for a fight, but if satan gets in my way I can take him out! My feet are planted. My foundation is solid and sure.
It is time for you and me, The Church, to take its Stand. Believe the Word, whether it is the Bible, a Word given to your local congregation, or a personal Word from God. You can STAND on it, believe it, trust in it. Jesus said, “Don’t doubt”. Doubting is NOT of God and is actually a partnership with the enemy.
I am renewed in my spirit. Moving forward I will stand on the Truth and Promises that I have been given. The enemy may attack, but, he will not win because I am standing firm! I am wearing the belt of TRUTH. Jesus is my strength and satan is no threat to the BELIEVING CHURCH! We will NOT be moved from our position of standing….we will NOT retreat. We are stepping up and FORWARD to advance His kingdom!
4.7.2014
Passion for Christ - Harlan
In the church world, when the word “passion” is mentioned, for many “The Passion of Christ” comes to mind. The movie showed the sacrifice that God made for you and me by portraying the suffering that Jesus went thru to secure our Salvation in very graphic detail. As I was meditating and reading the other morning I felt God saying to me, “I’m looking for passion in my people”.
But if that is something He is looking for, what is it and what does it look like? So, I went to the dictionary. Passion defined is a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense compelling emotion, enthusiasm, or desire for a thing. If we apply this definition to the passion of Christ, then certainly we can see the intense love He had for us. Many times I have heard people say that Jesus endured the cross so that we might have forgiveness of sin. I believe that is true, but that is not the only part. His passion was not just so that we could have a “get out of jail” card…. It also provides for a life full of joy, freedom from our past life, and life more abundantly!
Many people just take their sins to the cross for forgiveness, but never venture into the “life more abundantly”. I felt that as He was talking to me, He said, “Many people never go past the cross into the fullness that I have provided for them. They just are enduring and waiting till I come and take them away…that is their goal. I have so much more if they will just go past the cross and into the “promise land”; the land flowing with milk and honey.” My mind went to the children of Israel, how that once they crossed the river and left their old life behind, they had to FIGHT to secure the land that had been promised. They had to be passionate and courageous about entering into the promise. Battles had to be fought and won to “secure” the land God had promised them.
We are no different. Today, it seems that people are passionate about many things, but most of the time it is about the things of this world. People will do all kinds of crazy things when it comes to sports events. They work long hours to advance to the next level at work. And many put these things before their pursuit of God. I remember someone saying to me “there is plenty of time to get religion.” I suppose that it is true, but “religion” is not what I want. The number one thing I want is a relationship with God the Father, Jesus my Christ, and the Holy Spirit. God was passionate for me, and I want my love to be so powerful that nothing will stand in the way of my being in His presence. I remember hearing Kim Walker of “Jesus Culture” say that the first thing she had to do each day after getting off of work was to get alone with God and STAY THERE until she felt His presence come. Then she would just spend some time alone with Him. This was more important than anything else. She felt that she could not make it thru the day without that time. So she would not let anything stand in her way of getting into His presence.
I remember one day being in a seminar crying out to God for “MORE” of Him. And I did want more. I told Him how much I loved Him, that He was first, and there was nothing more important in my life. But, I heard Him say, “No you don’t. If you loved me so much, you would want to spend more time with me. You would listen when I try to talk with you. But instead, you want to do all the talking and I just listen.” I must admit, my heart was broken and all I could do was weep. I realized then and there, that I had allowed so many things to take top priority in my life, so that my love and passion of the things of God had moved down the list of important things.
God really worked on me that night, and several days after. And I came back with a new passion and love for the presence of Jesus. It was not about my working more in the church, or reading my Bible more, or even praying more. The new “fire/passion” was to be in His presence more, and allow Him to talk with me and for me to just listen. Oh, I still spend time telling God of the needs that I have. But now I spend more time just being in His presence, just worshiping Him for who he is.
What I have noticed is that the enemy fights me even more. The week-end comes and I get a headache or sick. Or, here is one that He loves to toss at me…. It is Wednesday evening and my wife and I are preparing to go to prayer meeting and I get a call from a client needing help with a computer problem. Am I going to be “PASSIONATE” about God and getting filled up with His presence and power, or am I going to allow these “things” to get in my way. As I said, I am changing the way I think. The scripture says to “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and ALL these things will be added to you.” I believe All means ALL.
The Word of God tells us that anything that we put in front of God, has become an IDOL. Anything that has become more important than God, anything you value, anything that you put ahead, even family, you have set up as an idol. God told the children of Israel that they were to have NO other gods before Him. Here is a good one that I have heard. I can’t go to church because Sunday is my only day that I can sleep late. REALLY? You love your bed more than God. That one I really don’t understand.
I don’t want to be mean, or uncaring, but what I am saying is that if you/I want to have a life changing encounter with God, then we must be relentless in our pursuit of Him and His presence. When we cast all worldly things aside and demonstrate our passionate love for Him, He will not turn us away.
Revelation 2 tells of the church at Ephesus. They had a lot of good things said about them. It seems they were doing all the right things. But, it was all done for the wrong reasons. They started out right, but they had lost the most important thing - their first love. I had to do a “LOVE CHECK”, and found myself lacking. That was several years ago now. I purposed to not let my love die, but to grow and build it until it was blazing once again. It is time for us (even the church) to become passionate for Christ once again. The rewards are out of this world!
1.27.2014
The Author and Finisher of our Faith - Harlan Wright
He is the one that came up with the idea, so He the author, the one who dreamed it up. What was the idea, you ask? You and me! He wanted a people - He created us…a people that looked like Him, acted like Him, thought like Him…a people that He could actually walk with, and communicate with…a people who in essence carried His DNA. What a grand thought indeed! He had the original idea and therefore He is the only one who really knows how you are designed, and what you were made to accomplish.
People who write books are called authors. They dream up the plot, the story line, and then put words on paper to develop and convey what they are thinking and feeling. It was God who began this whole universe and then decided to “author” you and me. It is said that sometimes writers get writers block. They get to a point in the story and can’t figure out where to go. They are stumped so to speak.
Not so with Father God. He had it all designed out from beginning to the end. Each person has a reason to be here…a purpose and a destiny. We sometimes think we know all about ourselves, and others. But until the “Author” reveals the plans and purpose (destiny) of one, it can remain a mystery.
We cannot allow others to guide and control our lives. Only the Author really knows what we were created to be. It is the Author who gives us our purpose and reason to be. Once we know why we are here, then we have the “authority” of the Author. In essence, we receive our authority from the Author because He is the one who created and empowered us with destiny.
If we try to become what someone else is, we may completely miss the mark. Or we may not be effective. It would be like trying to use a kitchen knife to plant flowers. Oh, it might do some good, but it is more effective in the kitchen. To know what we were designed to do, and receive our greatest authority to full fill our purpose, we must go back to the Author.
I wondered about the word finished. At first I thought it would be to “get it done”. Let’s get this thing finished. That’s what I always want to do. I get something started and moved quickly to get it finished so that I can start something else. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of a special carpenter. When we built our house, our builder brought in a “finish carpenter”. He was the one who put the “finishing touches” to create the final product. He made everything beautiful. Everything that had been roughed in; he smoothed out, sanded, polished, and put on the final touches. “To finish” also gives the connotation to polish out. When my wife and I would make children’s toys, after she would paint the item, she would give it back to me to put on the final coat of “high gloss”. That finish would give it shine and durability. Putting the finishing coat on a product is always the last thing that happens. Looking at the “rough” item, you can see what it was created to be or do. It might even work! The children would play with our toys, even if they were not finished out. But it was so much better to have a finished out product. To make the toys smooth and flawless took time. Sanding was necessary to remove the sharp edges. We did not want for children to get hurt. Sometime we would need to “fill in the holes” where the wood had been damaged. Then came the paint, more sanding and then the final coat.
Not only does our Author start the good work in us, but He is also the Finisher of our faith. Only He knows how He designed the final product to look. When we submit ourselves to the Author, He can make all things in our lives to perfectly match His plans and purpose. And, this can only happen with we spend time with the Master. His touch, in His presence, can change our lives forever! When our lives begin to take shape….Well, it is a beautiful thing. We don’t all have to look the same or have the same design. But to Him, we are beautiful when we conform to His design. We don’t need to look like each other, act like each other, only yield to the touch of His hand.
No we are not all perfect, but we seek that place in Christ where He picks us up and begins to put the finishing touches on our lives. He takes us in His hand and begins to remove all the sharp edges and repairs the “damaged” areas of our lives. He fills in the places that have been wounded or gouged. Then begins the sanding process. We were never in a hurry to “finish” our toys. We could see what it was going to look like, because we had designed it in the beginning! We worked and worked until we had completed it and then released it to it purpose. God has designed you and knows your destiny. He who has begun a good work in you will complete it if you will let Him. When we allow ourselves to be designed, molded, and finished by the Master’s hand; then we can be released into this world to accomplish a beautiful work for the Kingdom of God.
1.7.14
Be Aware of the Enemy...Harlan Wright
Paul admonishes us in II Corinthians 2:11 to not be ignorant of the devils devices. He did not say to stand in fear. Just be aware… Satan has power; he is
called the prince over the earth. But he has NO authority over the believer. He can rant and rave. The winds may blow… Yes, he has power, but he has no authority of his own. Paul’s statement infers that the only way satan’s inferior power can usurp the believer’s authority is if we are in some way ignorant.
I am not interested in chasing down a devil. My focus is NOT on them, but on Christ and Christ alone. But if satan gets in my way, I want to recognize him and pull the trigger (so to speak) and take him out. That which is in me is superior to him in every way. So Paul’s admonishment is for the saints to be aware of satan’s ways, methods, and to never let down their guard; keep a watchful eye and be ready for his tactics.
Satan loves to stir up trouble. He looks for ways to bring strife and unbelief to the people of God. He does not care who we fight with. Each other is fine with him as long as we lose focus of Jesus. He wants us caught up with what we want rather than what is important to the Kingdom. If satan can do that, he has gained ground by taking it from us. If he can get the children of God acting and fighting like the world, then he knows that it will weaken us in the battle.
Secondly, his tactic is to bring doubt and fear into a situation. He “reasons” with us that our situation is impossible or beyond hope or resolution. If he can’t make us “SIN”, then he will try to make us believe his “LIES”. For example, you are out of work. Satan will come and tell you that if you don’t get a job now, our family will go hungry, or you will lose your home. His “lies” will cause you to think and even believe that the worst will happen. But what does the word of God say? My God will supply ALL your needs according HIS riches in glory! You must decide what you will believe…the LIE or the truth of the WORD. Satan is tricky and deceitful. He will also use the wounds that have occurred in your life to cause you not to see the truth. When you believe his lies, you have actually agreed with him.
Anytime you put your situation, your strength, your means above God’s abilities, then you are developing a stronghold. Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that any argument or pretension that “sets itself up again the knowledge of God” is a stronghold. It is anything that exalts itself in our minds to be bigger and more powerful than God. It causes you to feel weak, controlled, overpowered. It consumes your time, energy, and emotions with arguments between the two sides. This is the enemy’s goal. The war or battlefield is in the mind. Paul says these strongholds must be brought down. Satan wants you to believe a lie, not the truth. If he can do that, then he has achieved partnership and you have given him your authority.
A believer that believes a lie has very little power against the enemy. But you are not powerless. How do you bring down the lies of the enemy? With the truth – the Word. Tell the enemy, “ You say_____, but the Word of God declares_____(fill in the blanks). For example, you can say “I won’t get a job and my home will be repossessed”,or “God declares that He will supply my needs. Satan – I will not believe your lie and I WILL stand on the truth of God’s Word.” This applies to any stronghold that is in your life. Replace the lie (the belief) with a declaration of the Truth and believe that Truth.
Building Godly strongholds is equally possible. We can build up areas in our lives where our belief is so strong in God that there is no way that the enemy can penetrate. David said in Ps 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in my heart…” It is the renewed mind (renewed by the Word) that can recognize when the enemy comes in. I cannot afford to have a single thought in my mind that is not in His. I cannot have one belief that is NOT in alignment with the Kingdom, if I want to fulfill the calling and destiny that God has planned for me. There must be a passion in Kingdom people to take every thought captive and cast out anything that does not line up with the Word. Discerning of the Spirit (recognizing the spirit at work in a situation), and the Word of God (God’s truth) are two of
the greatest weapons God’s people have in their arsenal.
Remember when Peter made that stupid decision to rebuke Jesus in Matthew 16? Jesus said, “Get behind me satan, for your thoughts are NOT OF GOD”. They are not in alignment with the purposes of my life! So get behind me. Jesus recognized immediately when satan entered the conversion. Jesus seized it and cast it away! It was not in alignment with His destiny. You must be watching for any opportunity for satan to enter your thought life and come against the purpose of your life, the church or this region. Take them captive and rebuke them. If a wrong thought lights upon your mind, recognize it, seize it, and cast it away. Don’t dwell upon it or even give it a second thought. The longer it stays, the more permanent it becomes. If you dwell on it too long, it can become a stronghold that he can hide in, and that is just what he wants.
Godly thoughts and promises can build good strongholds as well. Mary had been given promises and insight to her destiny; and she pondered them in her heart. Dwell upon and guard the promises you are given. Treasure the Rheama words of God given to you. When Godly thoughts, ideas, dreams, revelations come, we must be just as diligent to guard against losing them. We must hide them in our hearts. Think on that which is “good, and perfect, and true”; that which is in alignment with your calling and destiny. They will actually attract the angelic realm to you side to accomplish that which God has planned for you.
Pay attention to the atmosphere that you walk in, the atmosphere in your home. Where the enemy has come in there is chaos, distress, unbelief, lack of purpose, turmoil. But where the presence of God resides, there is peace, joy, belief in the calling and destiny of one’s life. The absence of peace and hope is the first sign that the enemy has infiltrated your thinking and you have allowed something to establish itself against the Word of God. It is time to open our eyes, take captive any thought that is against the Truth and cast it out. Rebuke the enemy and he will flee from you. Repent for setting anything above God. Any time you are doing battle against the enemy you must make time to get alone with God and let Him give you new revelation for your life. “He that began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it…” He will reveal to you any area that does not align itself with His truth as you remain in His presence. His light
will drive away any darkness.
Satan loves to twist the lie any make it seem to be true. But as you sit in His presence and rest in His love, His truth will expose and drive away any lie that you may believe. Maybe you need to just “REST” in the fact that you are loved and nothing can remove that love. Every good and perfect thought comes from above. Let the thoughts that you dwell upon come from above. Let them be Kingdom thoughts. Let your hope, joy and peace become full again as you rest in His presence. Victory is yours in His presence.