The Name of Jesus; Our Greatest Weapon
The Name of Jesus is our greatest weapon against the enemy! There is no other name which can stand against darkness of any kind. There is nothing which can get a foothold in our lives that the Name of Jesus cannot stop. We must also remember God gets glory when we speak the Name of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:19-21 proves to us, “And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Therefore, the Name of Jesus is above ALL names!
Acts 3: 1-8 “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” Verse 16 says, “And His Name through faith in His Name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”
You and I have been given, from Jesus the Power of Attorney to use Jesus’ name. However, I always believe we should seek out what the Word of God says concerning anything. Here is some of what Jesus said concerning His own Name:
“Where two or three are gathered together IN MY NAME, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew18:19-20); “These signs shall follow them that believe; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:15-20); “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And WHATSOEVER ye shall ask IN MY NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing IN MY NAME, I will do it” (John 14:2-15); “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that WHATSOEVER ye shall ask of the Father IN MY NAME, he may give it you” (John 15:16); “WHATSOEVER ye shall ask the Father IN MY NAME, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing IN MY NAME: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. . . .At that day ye shall ask IN MY NAME” (John 16: 23-26).
Notice Jesus said in John 15:16 that He has ordained us! You and I as believers of Christ have been ordained to go forth on His behalf and in His Name to take authority over the enemy and all his works. The word ordained means to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority. You have been given by Jesus priestly authority to declare His Name over your situation.
Satan knows the power of the Name of Jesus and he knows our authority to use The Name. Satan knows he must flee when The Name of Jesus is spoken. Satan is betting on the fact that we are ignorant of our authority Jesus has given us. He will try to cause doubt to come to us about our authority. The Name of Jesus stands as the most powerful weapon in our arsenal. God’s intention for the born-again believer is for them to walk in the power of the almighty God just as Jesus did.
Jesus wants us to be a mighty army of believers who know who they are in Christ and know their authority in the Name of Jesus. We can reign in life over every circumstance, every problem, every sickness, over anything the enemy throws at us; just like Jesus did!
Being Equipped for Your Life’s Valleys
We all experience different seasons in our lives. Seasons of greatness and seasons which we would rather skip all together. Psalm 84:6 says, “Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.” The word “Baca”, according to some scholars, signifies a mulberry tree. A mulberry tree grows in dry, barren, and sandy places. Which makes me think of a valley. A valley can be dry, barren, and even sandy as opposed to a mountain top which is refreshing, fertile, and bountiful. It is in the valley season where we look around trying to figure out how we got there. A season of difficulty is the signal we are in a valley. So just how do you equip yourself for those valley seasons in your life? You spend time building up your faith in the high seasons. You spend time reading the Bible, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Your faith is only built up by hearing the Word of God. Think of it as preparation before a dreaded decent to the valley. It will help you remember the God of the mountain is indeed the God of the valley as well!
Since most associate the valley seasons with storms it makes me think about raging storms. In Florida we have hurricane season and that means when the TV weather person tells us a storm is coming we know we must prepare by buying supplies that we can use when our power is out for weeks and even covering our windows so we can be safe from flying glass and debris. Preparation for your daily walk is no different really. Yet most people tend to turn to God only when a storm is already in full force with no preparation at all. However, the key is to learn to equip and prepare yourself before everything is shaking and breaking. If you grow your faith during the good seasons of your life, you are preparing yourself and becoming fully equipped for the storm or the valley. Not only are you equipped to come through the valley, but you begin your climb back up the mountain.
It all starts in your prayer and Bible time. If you do not have time for this in your life you are indeed setting yourself up for failure when the decent down the mountain starts. You can become dependent on Him but you want to prepare yourself to know what He has already done for you and what He will do for you now. It has been said that success is where preparation meets opportunity. I say you prepare on the mountain and then give God the opportunity to meet you in your valley.
Have you checked out Minister Hersey’s books?
“Help! I’m Alone With My Mind?”
And her newest for fall 2012 “I’m A Sword Wielding Devil Slayer; Declaring The Word of God and Taking Back What the Devil Has Stolen From Me!”
Prayer for our Nation
The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Jesus used this spiritual weapon when tempted by Satan in the desert. Each time Satan attempted to deliver a blow, Jesus blocked the attack with the Word of God by quoting scripture.
“Heavenly Father, I give thanks for our government (1 Timothy 2:1). I pray for all men and women having authority over us in any way (1 Timothy 2:2). Pour out Your Spirit upon them and make Your Word known to them (Proverbs 1:23). Cause them to be men and women of integrity, obedient concerning us (Psalm 25:21), that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty (1 Timothy 2:2). Let wisdom enter their hearts, and let knowledge be pleasant to them (Proverbs 2:10). Let discretion preserve them and understanding keep them (Proverbs 2:11), to deliver them from the way of evil and from evil men (Proverbs 2:12). Make their hearts and ears attentive to godly counsel (Psalm 1:1), doing what is right in your sight (2 Chronicles 20:32). Let the upright dwell in our government (Proverbs 2:21). Cause there to be a shaking in all areas. Let those complete and blameless before You stay (Hebrews 12:27), and cut off the wicked. Let the unfaithful be rooted out (Proverbs 2:22). Bring to light what is hidden in darkness (1 Corinthians 4:5), and expose the secret aims of the hearts (1 Corinthians 4:5). Let this nation remember from where they have fallen, repenting, and returning to doing their first works (Revelation 2:5), setting their hearts and their souls to seek the Lord (1 Chronicles 22:19), humbling themselves, praying, and turning from their wicked ways. Then hear them, Lord, and forgive their sins and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light (Acts 26:18). Soften the hearts that are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). Deliver them from their destructions (Psalm 107:20). Father, You have been longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Raise up a standard in this nation (Isaiah 49:22). Cause the rains of Your Spirit to flood this land (Zechariah 10:1), and revive Your work in the midst of us (Habakkuk 3:2). Raise up intercessors for this nation (Isaiah 59:16), to pull down strongholds over this land (2 Corinthians 10:4). And let the glory of the Lord be revealed (Isaiah 40:5)!”
Minister Hersey has a new book coming out Fall 2012 “I’m A Sword Wielding Devil Slayer! Declaring the Word of God and Taking Back What the Devil Has Stolen From Me!” This 40 day devotional will teach you how to pierce through the lies and deceptions of the enemy. Jesus knew the Word of God and was able to defend and attack the devil by using the scriptures to attack and drive His enemy away. And you can too! Sign up to be one of the first to know and get specials!
Peace To Deal With Our Present and Courage To Deal With Our Future
It’s not a surprise to hear we live in a world of turmoil. Wars are being fought all over the world, news reports tell us of shootings, failing economy, and natural disasters. Even as you listen to the news, or even get your news off of Twitter as I do, you hear of so much tragedy. How do we find real peace and walk in peace each day in the midst of such chaos? It all goes back to the words of Jesus; living the Red Letter Lifestyle of His words in John 16:33. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” What is important to know, is that these very words Jesus spoke, came just a few hours before He Himself would be crucified; rocking the very foundations of the lives of the disciples who had come not only to follow Him, but to love Him. They would soon see that the Messiah they had hoped for and believed in, would die a horrible death. This also meant that they would live in fear for their own lives. Jesus spoke these words because He knew that the world was at odds with the purposes of God. But the good news is that both then and now Jesus offers us peace. His very own peace! “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). He wants you and I to have His peace!
But how do we have peace to deal with our present situation and courage to deal with our future in unsettling times? By putting first things first- gaining peace with God. You can’t have the peace of God until you have peace with God. The fact is that outside of Christ you are not a child of God. That is the lot of all who do not accept Jesus Christ, or refuse to accept His offer of eternal life which He purchased on the cross for everyone! Jesus said we can be God’s child- He wants you as His child, and He sent Jesus into this world to make that happen.
How to live in the peace of God:
1. Understand God is sovereign.
As we give God our lives, He is in control from beginning to the end, and we must remember His plans will succeed. Jesus said that He has already overcome the world in His death. He conquered sin and its power, then He went on to conquer death and its power in His resurrection! He has also given us His Living Word – The Bible. The Bible allows us to find direction and comfort in Him and His promises; and these promises cannot be thwarted by anyone! Understanding He ALONE is sovereign goes a long way to help you live in His peace. Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
2. Pray
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
We are also instructed to “pray without ceasing” which means to continue to be in an attitude of prayer throughout the day. God hears you and He moves on behalf of His people. He is not deaf to your concerns and prayers. I once read that the average person has more than two hundred negative thoughts a day! We have worries, jealousies, insecurities, and the list goes on! It has been reported that those who are depressed have as many as six hundred negative thoughts running around every day! We may not be able to eliminate all the troublesome things that go on in our lives, but we can learn to stop invasions in our mind and have victory over our thoughts! (Read my latest book: Help! I’m Alone With My Mind! A Guide To Having Victory Over Your Thoughts!”)
One of the best ways to reduce the negative thoughts invading your mind is to turn them into prayers. It is important that we also pray according to God’s Will. What is His Will? The Bible! When faced with a concern we are to find scripture to cover our situation in prayer; according to what God has already promised us. Instead of, “God help I am broke!” You pray according to the Bible – “Father you know that I am in need of money right now, but I trust you Lord and I confess your Word that You are my provider and I trust in you Father to look over your Word that you said and to perform it! I thank you that you are supplying even now.” When we spend time praising and thanking Him for the answer before it comes- not just our concerns, we find peace in the fact that God is active in our situation and peace will flood our minds. Look at Daniel 9:23 and what the angel of God said to Daniel about the fact he was praying, “The moment you began praying, a command was given.” Now look at Isaiah 65:24 “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” God doesn’t have to check his Facebook inbox or text messages to see when we send up a prayer to Him. He hears immediately and He immediately answers, however those prayers are not always revealed for us immediately in the natural for many different reasons. But take comfort in knowing God hears us and answers us, and it is our responsiblity to trust Him and His Word and wait for the manifestation of the answer!
3. Fix your mind; Having a Biblical Mindset
Ecclesiastes 5:1 (Amp.) “Keep your foot, give your mind to what you are doing.” We are to listen to the voice of God. How? By prayer and reading His Word. Then we will be able to give our mind to Him instead of our worries. People who adopt a Biblical mindset and who are Christ-centered and focused on others can live in peace. Why? Because the world’s value systems do not determine your outlook or outcomes – the promises of the Bible does! That’s not to say that you will never be affected by this world. But by having a Biblical mindset you choose to believe the Bible is true and correct in all it teaches. When you are faced with a time of unsettling, pick up your Bible and read. I like to start with the book of Psalms. I read them aloud as prayers to God. Soon I feel His presence and I feel the weights of worry lifting. Then find scripture to cover your present situation. (I have listed some scripture you can pray to cover your situation). Above all you are to think on what God instructs you to think on – not what the world is dishing out. Philippians 4:8 gives us specific instructions, “Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” Then look at verse 7, “And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
4. Keep Moving!
I know when disaster hits we feel like we just can’t continue to get up again and again. I know we wonder why we even bother with moving ahead. Remember God is still God no matter what we see with our eyes and hear on the news. We have a future and a hope the Bible promises us, so we should look to the future. But as we do that, let’s look at Proverbs 16:9, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” We are not to plan for the future in despair, but rather to plan with the Lord’s purposes in mind. 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” Run to win it says! That means keep on running and don’t stop no matter what, and it also says YOU WIN when you keep running! Glory!
5. Live in anticipation!
God’s Promises help us get through the grind of day-to-day living. The best way to have peace is to read those promises on a daily basis. You’ll be surprised what God has for you in there. One of my favorites is Lamentations 3:22-23, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” God’s faithfulness is always in play, and I thank Him for that. We can live in anticipation that His Word is true and it never fails. If He promised it to you it is yours now! God gave you peace and He promises to never leave you or forsake you. That is something to be thankful for! Live your life in anticipation of what He is going to do in you and for you! You are His child! He loves you!
Peace to deal with your present circumstance and to face your future does not have to be overwhelming-IF we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into the greatest peace of all- Jesus’ very own peace! John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubledand do not be afraid.” -SH
Isn’t it time to take your thoughts captive and step into the full peace of God? In Minister Hersey’s book, “Help! I’m Alone With My Mind! A Guide To Having Victory Over Your Thoughts” she will show you through practical Bible application how to line your thoughts up with God’s thoughts. God desires for you to walk in victory in all areas of your life; including your mind!
God said Go; But I Like it HERE!
How many times do we want to be used of God yet we are afraid to step out when He gives us certain instructions? He tells us to “go ye into all the world.” He even told Abram to get up and go. Go is a word which moves us to action. I’m even venturing to say the word “go” may also sound something like “remove,” “stop,” or “let go.” God commanded Abram “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1). Abram obeyed God for a promise of greater blessing. God tells us to “go” however, in order for us to go we must leave some places, people, and maybe even some things! God did not ask Abram to go, remove, and let go of his father’s family and what he currently had just to keep things from him. God had a better plan and better purpose for his life. Think of this: because of his obedience to God’s command the nation of Israel came from Abram AND Jesus Christ came through Abram’s family tree! Can you imagine that kind of call on your life! When given the command Abram had a choice between setting out for parts unknown or staying right where he was – where the comfort level was just fine! He was faced with a choice of security or uncertainty. All he really had to go on was God’s command and promise to bless him.
You and I my friend are faced with exactly the same thoughts and feelings Abram had! He was just as human as we are, with the same thoughts, fears, and emotions. Abram had no idea the effect his obedience would play on this earth – even today! YOU have no idea what God is asking you to do which will effect others - even years down the road! We must realize that if we allow our comfort zone to lead us we will miss what God has for us – as well as for others! Remember God will never ask you to do something you can’t d0. You might not want to do it or even know how to do it; but if He asks you to do something or remove someone out of your life, or even go somewhere, He has already put in you the ability to do what He requests!
I know our comfort zone and fear keep us from doing what we are asked to do. Even when we are asked to let go of someone or something. This fear is our flesh rearing it’s ugly head. But remember God wants you to use what He has already given you. He created you – so just use what you have. Push through the fear and watch Him take over once you step out in faith. The woman in Luke 7:38 was memorialized by Jesus HIMSELF in Mark 14:9! He said she would be remembered, why? Because she did an amazing feat? Because she lead millions to the Lord? Because she went into a foreign country and served? NO! Jesus said she would be remembered and discussed wherever the Good News is preached because ”She has done what she could…” ( verse 8 ). Your Heavenly Father is not asking you to do any more than you can. Will you have to face some fears and get out of your comfort zone – yes! Settle it in your heart that you will do what God asks you to do, no matter what your flesh, family, friends, or circumstances are telling you! I am sure Abram’s family had some opinions when he was going away. Can you hear them? “Where are you going Abram, what will you do?” To Abram’s reply, “I have no idea, God just said go!” Can you hear the family arguments there? I think a family meeting was called don’t you! What about the woman with the alabaster box? The disciples of Jesus; the very ones who should be encouraging others and helping them “do what they can” were criticizing her for what she was doing! (Mark 14: 4-5). Does this sound like some people of the church today? Someone is serving how they can and that’s not enough or the right way?
You have a plan and a purpose in which God wants to use YOU! He wants to ask YOU to do what you can for Him, so His work can get done. You do have a choice my friend on what to do. Abram had a choice and so did the woman with the precious oil. The question remains will you get uncomfortable and push past the fear and nay-sayers? Will you say “Yes Lord here I am!” He is not asking you to do anything that He has not already set up and equipped you to do. He will not let you slip, fall, or fail (Psalm 55:22). Why would He? He needs you! Are you willing to do what you can and allow Him to do the rest? Ask Him now what He desires of you and then rely on The Holy Spirit to help you do what you can!
Know someone who is facing a storm they can’t seem to get out of? Sandra’s book The Drying Pot; And The Refining Fires Necessary to Become a Vessel Used By God is a book of trials and triumphs! She takes you through her real life trials and how she overcame! See how you can move God to change your situation!
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Am I Praying Properly?
Prayer is vital to our lives, as most of us know. However, most give their “grocery list” prayers I like to call them, which sound something like this: “God, help me pay my mortgage this month. Help my mom to feel better. Send me someone to give me some HELP. Make my spouse understand me more. Please God make my children mind! Thank you Jesus. Amen.”
Though prayer is important, it is of the most importance that we know how to pray properly. And as with anything we must look to the Bible for the correct answer, and who better to look at as an example than Jesus!
When we face times of trials, and storms rise up in our lives, we can seem to be like a tossed ship in raging waters. But God intends for us to chart those “storms of life” with the promises He has already laid out for us in His Word. Jesus knew this when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. Now you may say “I’m not being tempted to sin, I just need an answer to my prayer.” Think of this my friend, when we are worried we ARE being tempted to sin by not trusting God. God does not want us to worry or His Word would not declare “Be anxious for nothing!” ( Read here for more on why we should not worry). The point I want to show is not about temptation, it is how to follow Jesus when we have Satan bringing on a storm in our life.
Let’s look at Matthew 4: 1-11- 1THEN JESUS was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. 2And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry. 3And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread. 4But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. 5Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret (pinnacle, gable) of the temple sanctuary. 6And he said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 7Jesus said to him, On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God. 8Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them. 9And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me. 10Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve. 11Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”
Notice Jesus had the same reply to everything the devil threw at Him; He said over and over “it has been written!” Jesus took the Word of God and declared “It is written” then He spoke out what the Word said about His particular situation! For example when Satan tried to tell Jesus he would give him all things Jesus said in verse 10 “Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.” Jesus spoke out it is written and backed it up with Deuteronomy 6:13. Jesus also said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (John 15:7). We must have God’s word abiding in us so we can declare it out when we need answer to our prayers!
It is vital we follow Jesus’ examples and instructions. He knew how to talk with His Father and get His prayers answered, as well as how to send the devil packing when he showed up!
First, find the scripture which has already been promised to you in God’s Word. If you need healing find a healing scripture like 1 Peter 2:24. If you need help in your finances stand and declare Philippians 4:19. If you have an unsaved loved one; bind up the devil over their life according to Matthew 12:29, and pray the Lord of the harvest according to Matthew 9:38 will send labors into their lives to lead them to Jesus! There is a promise from God to you in His Word for EVERY situation in your life! You must find that promise!
Second, you pray out “Father, in Jesus Name, it is written in your Word….” then add the scritpture you are standing on!
Third, give thanks to the Father IN ADVANCE for doing what He promised He would do. THIS is walking in faith! When we know BEFORE it comes that God WILL do it, THEN we are walking in faith. Faith is NOT hoping God will. Faith is not wringing our hands and pleading with God; it is declaring out of our mouths the Word of God. Declaring “it is written, and in Jesus Name” to the Father. Then we keep thanking Him that it is done, NO MATTER what we see in the natural!
We must come to the point where we know we must declare first “It is written” before we can claim “it is finished!”
Know someone who is facing a storm they can’t seem to get out of? Sandra’s book The Drying Pot; And The Refining Fires Necessary to Become a Vessel Used By God is a book of trials and triumphs! She takes you through her real life trials and how she overcame! See how you can move God to change your situation!
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Seasons of Change
Just like we have seasonal changes in the natural we also have seasons of change in our walk with God. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Though seasons in our life change – God’s truth remains; His Word will not pass away. When God speaks it is sealed in Heaven; we can be sure of it, we can depend on Him!
One of the greatest obstacles Christians face is when they do not recognize the season they are in.
If a Christian is in a spiritual winter season and becomes nervous because there does not seem to be any fruit appearing in their life, they may commit to new ministries in order to force themselves to produce fruit. No matter how hard they try, they won’t produce fruit until God produces it in them. But what is worse is sometimes they blame God for the lack of fruit! I can not tell you how many times I’ve heard “I did everything right but God did not come through.”
God does not fail; we fail to recognize our seasons and we fail to work with God in what He is doing in our life.
Just like the natural seasons we go through; we go through spiritual seasons as well.
During our Spiritual Springtime we are to look for the leading of God in new activities and ventures into new opportunities. In our Spiritual Summer we need to take the time for spiritual development and fruit bearing. During our Spiritual Fall we may be feeling a need to return to the basics of our relationship with God, or a new commitment to the spiritual disciplines of fasting, praying, solitude, individual worship, and devotion; things which in themselves seem to produce little fruit but are essential for our Christian walk. Lastly, there is winter – Spiritual Winter is the most uncomfortable time for many Christians. In our society we tend to value people based on how much they produce. This “work equals value” culture is not godly and it is wrong to applaud people who are over committed as much as it is wrong to applaud people who are under committed.
God values people – not works and we should too. Spiritual winter is like the Sabbath rest. God instructed people to keep the rest holy to God and reflect on the things which God had done for them. God says in Leviticus 23:27 we must “deny” (NIV) or “afflict” (KJ) ourselves when observing the Sabbath. What should we deny? Whatever keeps our minds from reflecting on God’s good deeds and keeping a holy attitude before Him.
As you work unto the Lord and most importantly once you work or rest according to the season you are currently in, you will maximize your spiritual growth and your production of spiritual fruit. Some may feel they do not know how to hear God concerning the season they are in, however, John 2:20 plainly declares ALL believers have an anointing from God which provides them with insight of God’s will for their lives. Our responsibility is to spend time in prayer and even fasting to seek Him for His will in the season we are in.
Know someone who is facing a storm they can’t seem to get out of? Sandra’s book The Drying Pot; And The Refining Fires Necessary to Become a Vessel Used By God is a book of trials and triumphs! She takes you through her real life trials and how she overcame! See how you can move God to change your situation!
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