One Beautiful Life

We can't be in a series on healing and not address the hippo in the room...

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It is very carefully and thoughtfully that I address this subject.  At the Allume conference, which impacted me greatly as a writer/blogger, I realized that my "purpose statement" for this blog was focused on encouraging women as mothers, wives, daughters, friends, and women of God.  So it is with my purpose in mind that I write this today.

I am heartbroken as I watch the Spirit of Rebellion take hold of so many in our country and the idol of Self be worshiped and raised higher and higher.  And even though it breaks my heart, I have a certain peace that flows from knowing God is in control and that what is happening is biblical.  It flat out says, in the Word of God, that in the last days... what is right will be made wrong and what is wrong will be made right.  I know, from reading through the Old Testament and especially after studying the feasts/God's appointed days, that what He says is going to happen... to the day, to the person, to the last detail... no matter what man or Satan does to try and thwart it.  In that, and in that alone, I find peace.  His Word also clearly states HE is the one who places leaders in leadership and HE is the one who takes them down. 

But what troubles me more and makes me cringe on a daily basis (and especially on facebook) is watching Christians... who love the Lord... act in a way that tramples truth and dims the light of Jesus... actually casting more darkness into a world already fighting and falling beneath the ruler of darkness.  We are called to stand in the midst of things just as this and to stand with the full armor of Christ... not the full armor of the world... not with hateful words and mockery of leadership and attacks that are just full of ignorance, doubt, and fear. This is not a "if you can't beat them... join them" kind of situation.  This is a "if you can't beat them... love them and live with scabbed knees and dirty faces from praying for them" kind of situation.

It is o.k to be disappointed.  It is not o.k to spew hatred and speak words over people I won't even rewrite and over our country like "she has died."  How about, "She is in the hands of the living God and God have mercy on us."  How about, "She is in the hands of the potter and being pressed on every side and being refined... even disciplined."  How about, "She is in THE perfect place for God to do something mighty that no man could do and the entire nation/world could come to their knees and salvation as they witness the POWER OF GOD... and not the power of the people!"

GOD IS IN CONTROL. Where is our trust?  Where is our anticipation to watch Him move?  Where is our hope that with HIM ALL things are possible?  Where is our spirit of love, power, and a sound mind... a sound mind?  Where is our belief in the power of prayer?  Where is our faithfulness to draw near to Him?  Where is our love for our enemy?  Where is our turning of the other cheek?

Last night, as I was thinking about this, a very well known story came to mind.  The disciples are in the boat with Jesus.  A storm arises, dark clouds roll in and cover the night sky, the wind is blowing and tossing them from side to side... and Jesus sleeps.   "And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!  Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water.  And they ceased, and there was calm.  But He said to them, Where is your faith?"  Luke 8:23, 25~

Does any of that sound familiar?  I am hearing a lot of, "We are perishing!"  And I am also clearly hearing, "Where is your faith?"  But I am believing and sharing friends... HE WILL ARISE AND HE WILL REBUKE AND THERE WILL BE CALM.  I believe in the sovereign authority, trustworthiness, and timing of my God.  He has shown me over and over in His Word and in my life that His timing is always perfect and ALWAYS BRINGS HIM GLORY!

We are missing the big picture.  We so often fall into seeing with only our physical eyes.  Oh, to remain in the place of seeing with our spiritual eyes.   "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought captive into the obedience of Christ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."  2 Corinthians 10:3-6~


This whole thing right now, is not only about us.  It is a part of the entire tapestry God is weaving in the world for the arrival of the KING... and it will play out the way He has already created, written and ordained it to play out.

We have two choices.  We can play our part for the side of righteousness and unite, pray, love, trust, and stand... continuing with the task set before us... sharing the gospel and making disciples.  Or we can play our part on the other side in the midst of discord, demands, hatred, mistrust, self-righteousness, entitlements, and idol worship of the god of Self. 


What are our weapons?  We are so blessed that God loves us enough and tells us exactly what we are to fight with... gird your waist with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, around your feet... preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith WITH WHICH you will be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked one, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD... Ephesians 6:12-18~  The sword defends and protects us... the Word of God is what we defend and fight with... being protected by all the rest.   There it is friends... our armor... our arsenal... our protection... our battle attire. 

I love the summing up at the end of that chapter: "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for the saints."

Can we pray?

Holy Lord, remind us you are holy.  Remind us You are sovereign and You are the author of every step that brings the end in which Your holy and worthy Son will return to judge the world, cleanse her, and marry His bride.  Let the Holy Spirit fall on each and every one of us with the refreshing of Your love and peace and allow it to overflow onto those around us.  Give us joy in the midst of the storm.  Give us joy and the ability to praise you as the winds pick up strength and speed... as our boats fill up with water... and keep our eyes focused directly on You.  Let us not turn our face to the left or to the right... or we will sink in doubt and fear.  Lord, bring healing to each one of us, bring healing to our country and bring healing to our leaders.  Forgive us for our sin and hear our prayers, Lord.  Remind us You have already won the battle through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and through the very truth of who You are.  Give us the courage to lay down our burdens, our fears, and our disappointments at your feet and to leave them there.  Give us the eyes to see the attacks of the enemy on our hearts and on the power of our testimony and remind us to rebuke him.  Remind us of the authority we have as your children and fellow heirs.  Give us the discipline to take every thought captive and bring it to the obedience of your word!  And Lord, let us die to ourselves daily so you can live in us.  We can't do this... we can't do this.  Thank you for letting us have the opportunity to die to our flesh and to let you live in and through us... overflow Jesus... overflow and help us... pull us... yank us out of the way.  Let your will be done and let us thank You and praise You in it!  Let us be a light in the darkness, Lord... a light that leads people to you!  Hallelujah.  Have mercy on us.  Be our refuge.  Be our comfort.  Be our strength.  To be You be ALL the praise and glory... Lord... you WILL ARISE AND CALM THE STORM.  I BELIEVE.  In your precious and worthy and holy Son's name, Amen.