So, yesterday, I had an interesting experience. I was seeking jobs on a website and found one that would be a perfect short time fit for me and I applied for it. The person needed help that day so would be contacting the one they chose within hours. I also have an immediate need for an investment I must make in my books and was praying about how to raise those funds. So, I found this site where I could put my ask out there. But I really didn't feel so comfortable with it because the essence and the actual name of it was begging. I had just said earlier in the day that I was not a beggar. I debated with myself back and forth to find a justification for using the site to meet my need and actually took time to write and post an ask. However, while I was wasting time doing that, the person with the job reached out to me and asked if I was immediately available. But I saw his email 20 minutes after he sent it. Needless to say, the job went to someone else.
As I prayed this morning, I was led to "cut down the asherah poles in my life". I've read plenty of references to asherah in the Bible but really wanted to understand the meaning so I could obey God from a place of knowledge and understanding. To summarize my research, Asherah was considered the createss goddess and equal or in partnership with to God. She is associated with prostitution and fertility, hence the poles or trees used to worship it.
What I took away was three areas in life where I and maybe others can miss the blessings of God.
1-Misplaced loyalty to people, jobs or institutions that prevent you from pursuing the Kingdom of God to the fullness God desires
2-Prostituting or subjecting yourself to people in the hopes of gaining what you want by giving them what you should not and do not want to give
3-Begging from others for what God already said He would give you but you lack the patience to wait for.
I obviously disconnected from the begging site and uprooted, grinded and burned up every spiritual asherah pole in my life, identified and unidentified. Now, don't misconstrue this blog. I was not consciously aware of any idols in my life and I continually seek to ensure there are none. But God knows what is going on in the spirit realm more than we. So, if He says they are there, I move forward to remove them. I refuse to let spiritual pride or my "position" in ministry cause me to think I am above or have been delivered from every possible thing; even in 2014, there is still none perfect or good but God (Mark 10:18). But I share these things at the risk of being misquoted or wrongly judged so that we all can grow and come into what God has promised. Gideon's cutting down his father's asherah pole preceded the great victory over the Midianites (Judges 6-7). God promised to do great wonders for the children of Israel that all the nations around them would see if they obeyed Him and cut down all the enemy's idols (Exodus 34:10-14). So, I choose to remove any and everything that is hindering me from enjoying the life God promised me. Amen.
It is time to walk in full obedience and trust in God. In the remaining hours of 2014 going forward, let's live life God's way remembering we belong to a holy kingdom that cannot be moved or overcome. Yet, we overcome all things because of our relationship to the Almighty, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 2 Kings 23:6 ( context 1-25). He, alone, shall we serve.
www.heightsunknown.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Sunday, December 14, 2014
You are not a Failure
As long as you belong to Christ, you are not a failure.
As many are spending, laughing, enjoying family and the "season", there are many who are reflecting on what they should have but do not. Regret has creeped into the hearts of many during this season as most don't have enough to buy what they want to buy to give what they want to give. Sadness and sorrow are tagging along to bring depression and lowliness of spirit during a time when we should all be rejoicing and praising God.
I'm writing this not to the unsaved or unrepentant but to those that are saved and call Jesus their Lord. Many of us are not experiencing comfort and joy during this focused time of worshiping Christ for coming into the earth to be our Messiah. Instead we are being bombarded by thoughts of how much farther along in life we thought we would be and what we wish we had in this season be it money, a home that we own and not rent, a spouse, children, a happy family, invitations to wonderful holiday parties, money to buy gifts for others that we care about and whatever else the enemy can use as a point of discouragement for us. To top it off the enemy brings to mind those who don't call Jesus Lord but seem to have everything in life you wish you had.
If anyone should feel that way it should be me. I had the best education, best opportunities, most coveted jobs, favor beyond imagination..... and I lost it all! Through my own stubbornness and disobedience, I made some choices that caused me to lose what my carnal mind says I should have had; The family I always wanted, the financial stability and even the ministry I could have had had I not let fear keep me from moving forward. People have even said my life is just a waste. Others have wished me ill and said she is getting what she deserves for being arrogant (in their opinion) or outspoken.
But no matter what the last 50 years have involved, whether good or bad, I rejoice in this. That I understand and know my God that He is, "I Am, the Lord". Jeremiah 9:23-24. And this is not an arrogant boast. I know I don't know all there is to know about God, but what I do know makes me want to know more of Him. I do know that He loves me beyond man's borders and above man's wisdom. I know that His love for me is what guided me and kept me through truly tough times over the last 50 years. I understand that what I think I've missed here on earth, and yes, I did miss out on some good things because of disobedience, is nothing to be compared to the eternity of only joyous life that I will receive at His coming. I understand that He is the only one worthy of honor, worship, praise, glory, dominion and power and we should all ascribe that to only Him. I understand that all power is in His hands and that with one phrase, "Let there be..." all things came into being by the Spirit of His son, Jesus Christ, who has always been one with Him. I know that this same God and by this same Spirit things in my earthly life are turning around for good, and I understand that they are turning around for His good. I understand that the whole point of my life is not to live well and have all my desires met, but it is to accept and live in the Kingdom of God as a true Kingdom citizen and to help as many others as He gives me to do the same.
Yet, I also know that because He loves me He will give me the desires of my heart as I walk in obedience to His word (Else I might be consumed by my desires). I know that God loves YOU with a love that can't be measured with numbers or matter. I understand that He will lead us all in the path of His righteousness and no matter what we've faced, our latter days will be better than our former if we can keep our heads lifted so He can come in and show Himself to us.
Don't be deceived in this season by the bombarding of thoughts the enemy may bring your way. Keep your eyes on Christ and Know and Understand His love for you. Let His light replace the darkness that is trying to consume our hearts and minds. Let us Look Up! and see the salvation of the Lord. Tis the season to trust in God and know who we are in Him, how much He loves us and how much He desires to give us our desires as we are prepared to receive them. This is a joyous season, let us worship the Lord our God, for He is worthy to be praised. Our circumstances mean nothing in the face of such an awesome God. Father, we love you, we honor you and we stand to recognize you as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah!! You are great and greatly to be praised and we give you all of ourselves for your will to be done and your name to be made known throughout the earth. Amen.
As many are spending, laughing, enjoying family and the "season", there are many who are reflecting on what they should have but do not. Regret has creeped into the hearts of many during this season as most don't have enough to buy what they want to buy to give what they want to give. Sadness and sorrow are tagging along to bring depression and lowliness of spirit during a time when we should all be rejoicing and praising God.
I'm writing this not to the unsaved or unrepentant but to those that are saved and call Jesus their Lord. Many of us are not experiencing comfort and joy during this focused time of worshiping Christ for coming into the earth to be our Messiah. Instead we are being bombarded by thoughts of how much farther along in life we thought we would be and what we wish we had in this season be it money, a home that we own and not rent, a spouse, children, a happy family, invitations to wonderful holiday parties, money to buy gifts for others that we care about and whatever else the enemy can use as a point of discouragement for us. To top it off the enemy brings to mind those who don't call Jesus Lord but seem to have everything in life you wish you had.
If anyone should feel that way it should be me. I had the best education, best opportunities, most coveted jobs, favor beyond imagination..... and I lost it all! Through my own stubbornness and disobedience, I made some choices that caused me to lose what my carnal mind says I should have had; The family I always wanted, the financial stability and even the ministry I could have had had I not let fear keep me from moving forward. People have even said my life is just a waste. Others have wished me ill and said she is getting what she deserves for being arrogant (in their opinion) or outspoken.
But no matter what the last 50 years have involved, whether good or bad, I rejoice in this. That I understand and know my God that He is, "I Am, the Lord". Jeremiah 9:23-24. And this is not an arrogant boast. I know I don't know all there is to know about God, but what I do know makes me want to know more of Him. I do know that He loves me beyond man's borders and above man's wisdom. I know that His love for me is what guided me and kept me through truly tough times over the last 50 years. I understand that what I think I've missed here on earth, and yes, I did miss out on some good things because of disobedience, is nothing to be compared to the eternity of only joyous life that I will receive at His coming. I understand that He is the only one worthy of honor, worship, praise, glory, dominion and power and we should all ascribe that to only Him. I understand that all power is in His hands and that with one phrase, "Let there be..." all things came into being by the Spirit of His son, Jesus Christ, who has always been one with Him. I know that this same God and by this same Spirit things in my earthly life are turning around for good, and I understand that they are turning around for His good. I understand that the whole point of my life is not to live well and have all my desires met, but it is to accept and live in the Kingdom of God as a true Kingdom citizen and to help as many others as He gives me to do the same.
Yet, I also know that because He loves me He will give me the desires of my heart as I walk in obedience to His word (Else I might be consumed by my desires). I know that God loves YOU with a love that can't be measured with numbers or matter. I understand that He will lead us all in the path of His righteousness and no matter what we've faced, our latter days will be better than our former if we can keep our heads lifted so He can come in and show Himself to us.
Don't be deceived in this season by the bombarding of thoughts the enemy may bring your way. Keep your eyes on Christ and Know and Understand His love for you. Let His light replace the darkness that is trying to consume our hearts and minds. Let us Look Up! and see the salvation of the Lord. Tis the season to trust in God and know who we are in Him, how much He loves us and how much He desires to give us our desires as we are prepared to receive them. This is a joyous season, let us worship the Lord our God, for He is worthy to be praised. Our circumstances mean nothing in the face of such an awesome God. Father, we love you, we honor you and we stand to recognize you as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah!! You are great and greatly to be praised and we give you all of ourselves for your will to be done and your name to be made known throughout the earth. Amen.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
YOU are the seed God planted in the earth to grow and bear fruit in its time that will feed the nations and build the Kingdom. John 15:16.
As the glory of God covers us, there is so much more we are being called to do and produce in this season. Things have already shifted and hopefully you are staying in step with how the Spirit of God is moving us forward Galatians 5:25. The old ways of doing things that were not aligned with God's will are passed away and He is calling us into complete compliance with His will. This is not a hard thing as you might suppose. It just requires complete surrender to Him. Give Him your all; your thoughts, plans, emotions, desires, everything to Him. For His plans for you are far greater and it His will that will prevail. But as the scripture says in John 15:16, if we do His will by bearing lasting fruit (for only Kingdom fruit will remain), we can ask whatever we will in His name and it will be done for us.
So, today I pray with you that you ascend into the holy place with the Father and discover the life He desires for you, the fruit you were made to produce and the true joy that is yours not only in this season but every day of your life. Prosper in His ways for His steadfast love is all over the earth. Psalm 33.
www.HeightsUnknown.com
As the glory of God covers us, there is so much more we are being called to do and produce in this season. Things have already shifted and hopefully you are staying in step with how the Spirit of God is moving us forward Galatians 5:25. The old ways of doing things that were not aligned with God's will are passed away and He is calling us into complete compliance with His will. This is not a hard thing as you might suppose. It just requires complete surrender to Him. Give Him your all; your thoughts, plans, emotions, desires, everything to Him. For His plans for you are far greater and it His will that will prevail. But as the scripture says in John 15:16, if we do His will by bearing lasting fruit (for only Kingdom fruit will remain), we can ask whatever we will in His name and it will be done for us.
So, today I pray with you that you ascend into the holy place with the Father and discover the life He desires for you, the fruit you were made to produce and the true joy that is yours not only in this season but every day of your life. Prosper in His ways for His steadfast love is all over the earth. Psalm 33.
www.HeightsUnknown.com
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