Matthew 17:5

THE SEASON OF “I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT…”

By Lana Vawser

The Lord spoke to me recently and I heard Him say “This is the season of “I never would have thought...” and the sense surrounded me powerfully of 1 Corinthians 2:9: 

But as it is written:

What eye did not see and ear did not hear,

and what never entered the human mind- 

God prepared this for those who love Him.” (HCSB) 

“This is why the Scriptures say: Things never discovered or heard of before, things beyond our ability to imagine - these are the many things God has in store for all his lovers.” (TPT)

Friends, the Lord is leading you further into your destiny. He is awakening you in greater ways to who you are in Christ and who He is in you! There is a MAJOR shift taking place in the body of Christ right now where the Lord is awakening people from their slumber. 

He is breaking the limitations and containments that have kept you hidden in the dark. He is breaking the delays that have kept you withdrawn and chained. He is breaking the lies, the comparison, the doubts and fears that have kept you from stepping further into your inheritance in Christ, manifested in greater ways. The Lord is calling you out! He is calling you out into the place of the greatest awakening of your life concerning your destiny and the plans that He has for you. 

You will no longer be held back and hidden away from what God has called you to and how He wants to use you. You have met your divine moment, right now in this season where things are going to rapidly align. Where heaven and earth will collide in such a significant way, catapulting you further into your destiny. Your destiny of loving Him, making Him known, extending His Kingdom and walking in the pathways He has for you. 

You have been in the hallway of waiting for so long, but now you have arrived on the runway of divine take off. The Lord said that this is the season of “I never would have thought...” because you haven’t even imagined what God has planned for your life that He is releasing you into in this season. 

The way that God is going to move FOR YOU and THROUGH YOU is going to be unlike anything you have ever experienced or seen. 

There have been many “caged messages” within many of you. The message God has placed within you, the song that your life will sing that releases His heart and His love to the world is being broken open. 

The Lord showed me there is a great outpouring that is going to take place in your life and the spheres of influence He has given you to extend His Kingdom and see His Glory come. 

No longer will you doubt about how God uses you or the gifting He has given you, because the power of His Spirit is bringing such momentous awakening and activation within you that His Spirit will flow through you powerfully. Things will start to make sense in greater ways of how the Lord uses you and new ways He wants to use you. 

DO NOT FEAR UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY 

I heard the Lord say “DO NOT FEAR UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY!!”. For the Lord will lead you into unfamiliar places and begin to use you in ways you never thought. Gifting will arise in your life in this season that you never knew you had. These giftings and anointings on your life, the enemy has come HARD against and many have been confused at the battle, but the battle is breaking and the birthing of new giftings and anointings are coming forth. 

For the unfamiliar territory that He is and will continue to lead you into, Will be territories and pathways of seeing the greatest displays of His power and His Glory that you have ever seen. 

There will be many tears of awe and wonder at how God is using you. Everything will be impacted. Your households, your children, your spouses, your workplaces, God is bringing major reformation and you have a KEY part to play. No longer will insignificance chain you or torment you, but boldness and joy will blossom within you as He moves through you in power. So many “YOU CAN’T do that” lies will break off as you step deeper into “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH!!” (Philippians 4:13) 

STEWARD THE FAVOUR AND DISPLAY OF HIS POWER, WELL!! 

As I watched this incredible awakening and activation taking place in the body of Christ and such major “off the charts” moves of His Spirit through His people, there were MAJOR releases of favour and open doors that were happening. God was opening significant doors, setting up significant divine appointments and releasing greater favour to see His Kingdom extended, His Glory revealed and the Gospel heralded further and louder than ever. 

But in the major shift and release of favour and opportunity, I felt His heart so strongly encouraging us as His people to steward the favour, opportunity and mighty demonstrations of His power, WELL!!! 

Stay DEEP in the secret place and stay close to His heart. I heard Him say “don’t assume anything in this season, ASK ME!”. I have this sense of urgency and the fear of God in this major shift we are in, to really be living close to His heart more than ever, with our ears on His chest, listening to His heart. 

We must be people who steward favour, opportunity and increase, WELL. With every door, every release of favour, with every shift, ASK HIM! It’s not a place of “asking” in fear and as a slave, we are children of God and we partner with Him in what He’s doing, but there is a GREAT NEED for wisdom. 

For pride will try and trip up many in this season, and the Lord is wanting to safeguard His people, protect their hearts and see them living deeply in the place of deep dependence upon Him. 

In this season of “I never would have thought....” you are going to see the heart cry continue to increase from within you that says “I can’t do this without you Jesus, only in YOU can I do this!!” 

Friend, this is a very strategic, historic, defining season in your life. God is about to do through you what you never thought would happen. He is about to show Himself so strong and do the impossible through you. The power of God that is going to flow through you is going to ASTOUND YOU!!! 

I heard the decree in heaven, the Lord and the angels were decreeing loudly “GET READY TO BE ASTOUNDED” 

The Lord spoke again: 

“The enemy for so long has tried to muffle your sound, but no more. My sound through your life is about to become SO LOUD! I am about to THUNDER THROUGH YOU with My voice, My power and My love.” 

“You are about to move. You are about to move further into your destiny, history maker! Together we are going to shape and change history! The battle has been fierce because of what we are about to do together. The decree has gone forth and paved the way, now you are about to enter into the way My decree has paved.”

To be Happy you need know these Secrets - Kat Kerr

To be Happy you need know these Secrets - Kat Kerr

BE EXPECTANT Prophetic Word

YOUR TEARS WERE SEEDS SOWED, YOUR ARMS ARE NOW BEING FILLED WITH BLESSINGS AND A HARVEST OVERFLOWING!!!

by Lana Vawser 

 

"Those who sow their tears as seeds will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee. They may weep as they go out carrying their seeds to sow, but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness as they bring back armloads of blessings and a harvest overflowing." - Psalm 126:5-6 (The Passion Translation)

 

The Lord brought this Scripture before me this week and I have been sitting on it and seeking the Lord's heart. As I sat with the Lord, I heard Him say:

 

"There have been MANY tears sown as seeds in this season. There have been MANY tears that have been cried and I have collected each one. There have been many tears sowed in obedience, in faith and in worship of who I am and My goodness while the battle has been raging. I have seen it all. I have seen the intense season of weeping that many have endured. In the intense season of weeping, I have drawn My people deeper. I have invited them to come deeper into My heart to know the stability of My Word and My goodness. The anchor of My nature and the power of My name. For in the intense weeping, there has been a maturing and a fortification that I am bringing to My people. A strength that cannot be stolen as they lean into Me. For the time has come for the weeping they have endured to come to an end, and the season of harvest to be released. For many have felt like they endured much for nothing, but the OPPOSITE is true. There have been sacrifices, there have been tears in the night hours, there have been many nights of incredible depths of intercession, but NOTHING is wasted. NOTHING is wasted. I have collected all the tears, they have been sown as seeds and now there is significant shifts taking place. There has begun POWERFUL demonstrations of the power of My name and My blessing. This will continue to manifest rapidly. There is nothing that has been wasted. In the fire, in the battles, in the opposition, I have been building in My people the revelation of the power of ACTIVATED FAITH and the POWER OF PRAISE. My people are coming up higher into the awakening of living in their truly reality and that is My realm, and every Word that flows from My mouth."

 

THERE HAS BEEN WEEPING IN THE LACK, NOW THERE SHALL BE WEEPING IN THE OVERFLOW!!

 

The Lord continued to speak:

 

"For many have been in the place of such deep weeping in the lack, in the place of lack of breakthrough and momentum but I have decreed that now there shall be WEEPING IN THE OVERFLOW. For there is such abundant harvest that is beginning to be reaped amongst My people that is going to bring forth tears of JOY, laughter and glee. Many areas where the enemy has come hard against My people and there has been so much weeping, now I have decreed that My blessing, breakthrough, harvest and blessing released by the power of My Spirit will cause the enemy to flee in fear as he is again reminded of his defeat."

 

STRETCH YOUR ARMS WIDER, THE OVERFLOWING HARVEST IS MORE THAN YOU HAVE EVER CARRIED!!

 

There is FIERCE and VIOLENT repayment, restoration and recompense that God is releasing in this season. He has been releasing it for quite a while now, but the Lord showed me a MAJOR TAKE OFF and increase of momentous ACCELERATION of major repayment, restoration and recompense being released to God's people. I saw a SIGNIFICANT shift take place in the spirit a few weeks ago that heralded a whole other level of acceleratory repayment and restoration. Things are speeding up friends, and they are going to continue to speed up.

 

For the Lord said to me:

 

"NOW it is going to make sense to My people even more than it EVER HAS why the battle has been so fierce, WHY the enemy has come against them so strongly to take their land. This is not just another shift of repayment and recompense, the shift that has been taking place recently is MOMENTOUS. In the heavens I am THUNDERING "The greatest demonstration of OVERFLOWING HARVEST is upon My people."

 

The sense surrounded me so strongly that the Lord is calling His people to get DEEPER into the Word, get DEEPER into the promises that are yours in Christ because the Lord is wanting you to EXTEND, ACTIVATE and ANTICIPATE!!! I heard the Lord saying over and over "EXTEND, ACTIVATE AND ANTICIPATE" and it was all rooted in FAITH.

 

The Lord went onto say:

 

"FEAR has come against My people SO intensely in the weeping and battles looking for their agreement with lies so he can attempt to prevent the extension, activation and anticipation of major breakthroughs contained in the truth of My Word, but his attempts are falling to the ground as a MAJOR WIND of My Spirit is BLOWING across the body of Christ bringing healing, freedom and deliverance. Deep refreshment and renewal is being released to My people and MAJOR harvest and breakthrough that is igniting a whole new level of FAITH and the ACTIVATION of FAITH within My people."

 

Extend, activate and anticipate the move of God in your life to significantly increase right now. Your expectation and what you place your faith in is POWERFUL. I know many of you are weary, I know many of you are discouraged in the battle you have endured, but I want to encourage you that the Lord is decreeing that you are now returning with JOYFUL laughter, shouting with gladness as you bring back armloads of blessing and harvest overflowing.

 

The Spirit of God is decreeing:

 

"You are COMING OUT not the SAME WAY you WENT IN!!!!!"

 

You are coming out of the captivity you have felt in the season of weeping. You are coming out in freedom, RESTORED and WEEPING in joy and gladness.

 

I saw the Lion of Judah standing over you and He roared LOUDLY. As He roared I heard the decree of His heart over you:

 

"The lion (enemy) has come against you to steal, kill and destroy, constantly seeking to devour you, (John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8) but here I am, the Lion of Judah and I am roaring over you right now that a NEW SEASON OF ACCELERATED WEEPING IS UPON YOU! You shall weep MORE NOW than you ever have, but your weeping shall be different. Your weeping is weeping at the MIGHTY MIRACLES that I am doing in and through your life. You are not coming out the same way you went in. You are coming out with ARMLOADS of blessings and harvest overflowing!!!!!!! You are coming out and into the greatest season of JOYOUS WEEPING that you have ever experienced. I am ROARING OVER YOU!!!!! This IS your season of restoration, recompense and renewal. It's HERE!!!!!"

 

"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45)

October 6, 2018 at 2:00 pm #11686

David Hood

Participant

Last night, Thursday 4th, during a short group impromptu prayer time that focused on current and vital issues in America, 2 short visions were received
I share them here, but I’ve been unable to use graphics to help with the content.
Vision 1 Seesaw (Thur 4th)
I saw a wooden seesaw
It was weighed down on the right side by men in “silhouette form” (men dressed in black) , holding 3 things in their hands
Unrighteousness \ injustice \ lies
These 3 things seemed to be winning, weighing the nation down… the weight held the opposite (left side) … up in the air.
Then I saw again, the same seesaw but it now looked different.
From the left side, God now took a step and placed one foot, one boot of God standing on the left side, holding it, weighing it down
Also that represented that side as being weighed down by 3 things.
Righteousness / justice / truth
The side that was previously weighed down with/by unrighteousness \ lies \ injustice
was now …up in the air … with nowhere to go. Because it was weighed down by God’s characteristics, weight and focus and not mans.
No matter how much they tried, they, the right hand side, could not move, or budge one iota the left side weighed down by God. His Foot, Boot of righteousness / justice / truth.
Neither could they move, alter or shift from their ‘up in the air’ place.
Boot in scripture represents battle, boot of a warrior in battle. Reflective of a firm, bold stance.
But earlier today, Friday 5th. It’s noted that Veronica West posted, on FB, a video, of a dream she had Thursday night. Of the Lion of Judah on the stairs of The Supreme Court.

A WORD FOR THE NATION OF AMERICA; THE LION OF JUDAH ON THE STAIRS OF THE SUPREME COURT…!“LISTEN! THE ROAR OF HIS…
Posted by Veronika West on Friday, October 5, 2018

In her dream she vividly outlines how The Lion of Judah with roars and the attendance of archangels send forth Righteousness, Justice and Truth … offering confirmation, and scope for further prayer.
Following the 1st Seesaw vision was a 2nd short vision … called “conjoined”
Conjoined: Thur eve 4th.
I saw the outline of the USA with all its states in different colours and state boundaries marked out.
And I heard …How can two walk together unless they agree
This is from Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
As I looked at the coloured blocks of states I thought … they are not in agreement…, they are all individual and not cohesive.
And the thought that darkness loves to keep it this way … because it causes/fosters division.
I then saw 2 neighbouring states, that seemed to have one common boundary line –
And down the length of the join of that common line … I saw God drawing His line along on top.
Only that it was drawn in fire and where the fire touched the common boundary line … it turned to … molten red lava… this had the effect of welding, sealing the boundary line, melding what was two, into one
For example the common boundary line one a map, between say Colorado and Utah (SW USA)
But then, as a result of His action, one could see the central common boundary line had disappeared all together – resulting in the 2 states becoming one.
And Utah/Colorado would turn all pink or all brown using the example of the states colour on a map… the colour I actually saw the two states meld into, in the vision was, the colour red.
They were now one … but really they were the same 2 but walking in agreement.
And I saw this happening again, in various other parts of the USA with other states that were neighbours.
UNTIL
there were more pairs of conjoined states than there was the sum total of the separate, individual ones combined.
The conjoined ones were all in agreement with each other.
My thoughts, suggested, this might well be, a healthy thing and that it would determine that the total number of conjoined states – Had the majority over those states that were still individual
.
50 states … as I’m from the UK, I think that means at the very least … 13 pairs need be conjoined to represent any majority.
… both pictures – seem to be Gods response – that came out of the ascending prayers during the end time of that meeting.
Which no doubt also bears the weight of many other groups and individuals elsewhere, that have yearned for Gods intervention
Each state has 2 senators…so there is a dynamic internally to each state as well, that will determine any leaning, result.
The question is … Is the introduction of the conjoining aspects of the States, to be seen as characteristic of voting patterns! If so what vote is being represented and if so, where, if so when?
Today as I write, it is Friday 5th … and we only now see the result of an initial vote.
Which is one regarding Judge Kavanaugh and the Supreme Court nomination.The result as being 51- 49 in favour of the proposal going through to a final vote . There is tomorrow’s (Saturday) vote to come.
Veronika’s dream, is situated on the stairs of the Supreme Court, before any vote was taken. The understood common factors between the dream and mini visions were the announcing, highlighting of Righteousness, Justice and Truth, with … that were to be instigated from there. There is a need to gain understanding.
So it is Saturday … the concluding vote will be known here after 2030 here in the UK
Whatever transpires …or when. For it seems that some form of representation, with the inclusion of a numerical process. Is brought into the timeline. For the Lion of Judah has shown what He purposes, whether it be sooner in His time and/or later.
The following comes to mind. May He who begun a good work, perfect it
Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?” says your God.

This morning while contemplating the fallen state of man as it relates to this 3rd dimensional world, the following Words were spoken: “LAW AND ORDER IN EVERYTHING”.  VISION: Seeing people in an expansive and very dark place. Suddenly at the top of this scene an area brightens up. A hole in the fabric of this darkness begins to open up wider and a brilliant white light appears.
INTERPRETATION:
As New Covenant, Born-again, Believers we are no longer subjected to legalistic laws nor to the laws of this world. Instead we live by grace and its associative spiritual laws that are engraved by the Holy Spirit and the Word in one’s heart and mind. By living this way, we no longer activate the law of cause and effect that is associated with darkness. And this is the Light which is Christ which is GOD that is breaking through the darkness of the hardened human heart and slothful carnal mind. This is the hope, the understanding that is emerging for many who are still enslaved by the dissensions, debaucheries, evils, immoralities, and wickedness of this fallen world. And this is the Light that will bring order into countless lives and into everything. This time-limited dispensation of undeserved benevolence is made available for all who seek to know Him and believe in GOD’s plan of redemption through His Son Jesus Christ.
Whoever you are and whatever negative situation you are in, do not despair. There is more than hope in Jesus Christ. There is Light, Life, Love and Freedom for you and for all who abide in Him.
RELATED VERSES:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. “ (Rom. 8:1-8)
“Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law. And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night (darkness) is nearly over; the day (light) has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.” (Rom. 8:11)
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 Jn. 4:19)
Keep your Heart Soft and Keep the Faith in His Finished Works.
Suzanne

Proverbs 4:5-6-7  (NKJV)

⁵ Get wisdom! Get understanding !
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
⁷ Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.

The CORE OF what LIFE IS FOR...on the journey from Eden to the New Jerusalem !

Obedience with God | Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj

Posted on October 9, 2016

Prophetic Words, Uncategorized

AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CONCERNING THE US ELECTION AND DONALD TRUMP

By Lana Vawser 

Recently I had an encounter with the Lord where He showed me an assignment of the enemy that is about to be released into the body of Christ in the United States of America regarding the US election that is about to take place in a little over a month. 



Before I share this encounter with you, I want to state this and make it clear that since I felt the Lord speak of Donald Trump in this encounter, firstly I am not releasing this word from any “political standpoint” of reviewing any policies or agendas. I am simply releasing this word from an encounter that I had with the Lord and felt a strong urgency to release it.  



Secondly considering the video released yesterday from 2005, I want to say firstly that the Lord DOES NOT condone sin, and by releasing this encounter I am not condoning Donald’s past actions, but felt an urgency to publish this encounter as a warning to the body of Christ.  

As I pondered this encounter in light of yesterday’s video, I felt a stirring from the Lord to not focus on the past but what God is saying TODAY in THIS SEASON right now. 



I was standing in what looked like a “commission room” in hell and so much darkness around. I saw the enemy and he was about to release a horde of demons upon the earth into the United States with a specific target against believers. 

 

What I noticed about these demonic spirits was that they had blindfolds in their hands and they were ready to “move”. 

 

I asked Jesus what these demonic spirits were and he said that they were “spirits of deception”. 



I then heard… “My people that are not pressing in for discernment, to hear My heart concerning the US election and who I have anointed for the next Presidential Term, will be brought to a place right now in this season where they will be blinded by deception. This army that is about to be released into the body of Christ in the USA are coming to blind people to the truth that I have anointed Donald Trump and Mike Pence and the people of God need to hear this so that they keep pressing in for discernment despite what the media and the ‘natural world’ says. Things are going to continue to escalate and pressure intensify to push Donald Trump out, but My people need to take their place and stand with Me to see My purposes come to fruition.” 

The sense surrounded me that this is a very strategic moment, a time of urgency and a time to pray even more fervently. The sense of ‘laying down agenda(s) and simply seeking the heart of God for this new season for the nation of America that is approaching.  

I felt this reminder from the Lord to His people in the USA to be praying for discernment right now and to lift their eyes up higher. Place not your eyes on ‘media’ or the ‘natural’ but really continue seeking His heart. I felt such a strong sense of an ‘increase in onslaught’ in this US election in this “last leg”, and God’s people are going to need eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying more than ever before.  



As I have sat with the Lord on this word, I have felt the Lord’s heart for His people to not get “caught up” in what is going on in the “natural”.  

The very heart of this word ultimately was I felt a call from the Lord for His people to “come up higher”. To not be bound up by what is being reported or what is not being reported. The fate of a nation does not hang on MAN, it’s in the hand of the Lord and the ONUS is on the Church right now.  

I believe Jesus is calling His people in light of everything going on in this messy situation in the USA with Clinton and Trump, to seek His heart above ALL ELSE.

Put your hope in Jesus. To cry out for the Lord to bring a cleansing and a turning in this nation. To really individually continue to seek out the heart of God and ask the Spirit of God to give eye salve so there may be clear spiritual sight regarding this election and the destiny of the USA. 



“Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see” ~ Revelation 3:18 



This is not just about Donald Trump/Mike Pence, this is about the destiny and the fate of the United States of America. The Lord sees BEYOND today, and it’s time to really seek His heart and His ways.  

 

This is really a time of repentance for America and calling forth the plans and purposes of God in the nation and a surrendering of agendas to align with His ways, even when we don’t understand. It’s time to stand in the gap more than ever before for a move of God in the nation. I felt that this is a very strategic moment right now, the fate and destiny of the nation hangs in the balance. 




This morning while contemplating the fallen state of man as it relates to this 3rd dimensional world, the following Words were spoken: “LAW AND ORDER IN EVERYTHING”.  VISION: Seeing people in an expansive and very dark place. Suddenly at the top of this scene an area brightens up. A hole in the fabric of this darkness begins to open up wider and a brilliant white light appears.
INTERPRETATION:
As New Covenant, Born-again, Believers we are no longer subjected to legalistic laws nor to the laws of this world. Instead we live by grace and its associative spiritual laws that are engraved by the Holy Spirit and the Word in one’s heart and mind. By living this way, we no longer activate the law of cause and effect that is associated with darkness. And this is the Light which is Christ which is GOD that is breaking through the darkness of the hardened human heart and slothful carnal mind. This is the hope, the understanding that is emerging for many who are still enslaved by the dissensions, debaucheries, evils, immoralities, and wickedness of this fallen world. And this is the Light that will bring order into countless lives and into everything. This time-limited dispensation of undeserved benevolence is made available for all who seek to know Him and believe in GOD’s plan of redemption through His Son Jesus Christ.
Whoever you are and whatever negative situation you are in, do not despair. There is more than hope in Jesus Christ. There is Light, Life, Love and Freedom for you and for all who abide in Him.
RELATED VERSES:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. “ (Rom. 8:1-8)
“Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law. And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night (darkness) is nearly over; the day (light) has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.” (Rom. 8:11)
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 Jn. 4:19)
Keep your Heart Soft and Keep the Faith in His Finished Works.
Suzanne

Monday, May 4, 2015

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Love gives. Loves goes the extra mile. Love endures.
That love is not always reciprocated.
As Christ followers, we strive to give love from a pure heart that doesn’t require a person to love us perfectly in return. We intentionally allow God to be our source of perfect love, and we relinquish the right to demand it from others. In obedience to God and His Word, we set our hearts on being patient and kind. We commit to modeling Jesus’ sacrificial love. But sometimes the person we give our love to consistently betrays and wounds us. How do we give 1 Corinthians 13 love in that situation?
Kuddos to Debbie McDaniel for her insight in "How to Protect Yourself from these 10 Toxic People." McDaniel wisely suggests we set boundaries and limit the control an unhealthy person might be placing on our life. She also notes when "we look deep into the mirror of our souls, we may realize that we are the ones who have some unhealthy tendencies that God wants to change."

Exposing Dysfunctional Patterns

I’ve got a really strong mercy streak. For decades, I’ve looked for the best in everyone. I pursued relationships with very emotionally unhealthy people. I was sure God loved them and I could, too, but I had no idea how to employ boundaries. I gave love no matter how much pain was delivered to me in return. I was too timid to speak the truth in love.
I lived with a desperate fear of confrontation. My rational thinking dropped into a coma if I sensed any threat of an explosive reaction. Eventually resentment wrestled mercy to the ground. Wounded and exhausted, I would just walk away from the relationship.
That is how I handled my first marriage. Years later, I was very close to repeating the pattern in my second marriage.
A major crisis in our marriage led me to intense Bible study and prayer counseling. God exposed many of my own toxic relationship patterns. I was addicted to the approval of others. I was a great blamer and gossiper. If there had been a contest for arrogant victims, I would have won the crown.
I once was blind, but now I see.

Restoration is God’s Work

Pride kept me from seeing these things about myself. It also kept me focused on how the “other person” needed to change so I could be ok. With amazing grace, God revealed the truth for the purpose of restoring me to wholeness.

He sent His Word and healed me and delivered me from self-destruction. (Psalm 107:20, my paraphrase)

God offers healing and freedom to everyone.
He is waiting to transform the lives of everyone leaking nuclear emotions and throwing verbal grenades. The controller, the abuser, and the too-easily angered are not immune to the power of God’s Word. We are promised that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37, Mark 10:27). There is hope for the bully, the addict, and the one whose mind is stuck in a negative gear. The blamer, the gossiper, the arrogant, and the victim are all offered fresh doses of mercy from God each and every day.
God created those who hurt us. He has a good plan for their lives. He knows the “why” behind their destructive behaviors. He knows the lies they believe about themselves. He knows what stands in the way of their wholeness. He is a Shepherd who pursues every sheep that wanders away from all He offers.

Partnering with God

We are temples of God’s Holy Spirit, empowered by Him to believe in what we cannot yet see. We are vessels of His mercy, His wisdom, and His Word. His mighty power is at work within us to accomplish infinitely more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).
There is a dark force of evil behind every lethal personality disorder and self-defensive coping mechanism. Every casualty in a relationship war has fallen prey to the one who steals, kills, and destroys.
The great news is... God has far more power than Satan. The God of angel armies makes us ready for battle with His truth, salvation, faith, righteousness, peace, and the sword—the Word of God. His banner of victory flies over us. When we arm ourselves and pray, we salute His authority and partner with His plan for the family of God.
What would delight our God more than for us to turn our minds away from the problems and focus on Him? He is our solution.
Praising God is a powerful first line of defense. We can worship and adore Him, our wonderful counselor and supreme relationship expert.

Holy God. You are full of mercy and compassion, slow to anger and full of love. No one can measure Your greatness. You open your hand to satisfy the needs of everyone.
You protected Daniel in the lion’s den. You provided an ark before the flood. You create streams in deserts. No situation is too dire for You. Everything is possible because You are the Creator and Redeemer.
You love imperfect people extravagantly. Your perfect love drives out fear.
You are mighty to save!

We can choose to live prayerfully and humbly before God. He can help us love those who do not love us well with a pure heart.

Father, I may be blind to my own role in toxic relationships. Help me see the truth about myself. Apply the healing power of Your Word to my heart and mind. Deliver me from any stronghold that causes me to harm people with my words and actions. Save me from self-destructive patterns.
I struggle in my relationship with ______. I need You to give me wisdom on how to love ____ well. You are my shield and defender. Show me how, when and where to erect boundaries in our relationship. I believe You are my healer and I trust You to guard my heart and mind.
I need Your specific directions on how to interact with ______.
I want to love _____ with a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5)
Help me to love ______ courageously. Fill me with Your truth and compel me to fearlessly tell the truth with love. Let Your perfect love cast out all of my fears related to our relationship.
I forgive ______ for hurting me. I ask You to forgive me for _______ and _______. I acknowledge my emotions: _______, _________, and _______. And I invite You to steady my heart so my emotions do not rule my decisions
I surrender what I think our relationship should be. Please transform it so that it honors You.
In Jesus, I pray. Amen

The toxic person in your life may feel like an enemy. That is certainly how Satan wants you to feel about your husband, your family member, your church leader, etc. But remember the real culprit is Satan.
God has given us clear instructions to bless those who curse us and pray for the people who mistreat us (Luke 6:27–28). Jesus modeled this pure love for us on the cross, and when He washed Judas’ feet knowing he was going to betray Him.
Praying for your enemy is like training for the Christian Olympics. The stakes are high. The requirements are intense. But the reward is far greater than any gold medal. Your prayer can be used by God in a person’s life, their family, and the generations after them.
Use this prayer prompt to launch an ongoing conversation with God on behalf of the toxic person in your life.

God, I acknowledge You as _______’s provider. Thank You for providing all ______ needs to live in peace and harmony with me and others.

Your Word is alive and a gift of healing to ______. I invite You to fill _____’s life with It. Let It be a salve to _____’s wounds. Use it to set ______ free from the snare of the enemy.
You are the Good Shepherd. Please rescue _______ from paths of destruction.

You are the Wonderful Counselor. Break down the walls in _____’s heart and mind with Your battering ram of revelation. Give ____ spiritual wisdom and insight to know You. Flood ______’s heart with Your light.

Where _____ has endured shame, pour double portions of honor into _____’s life.
Your Holy Spirit intercedes for _____ 24/7. Use me to do the same and raise up an army of intercessors on _______’s behalf. Let heaven and earth work in tandem to deliver ____ from evil.
Make _____ ready to hear me and others speak Your truth in love. Help ____ to experience Your love and Your presence.
You are the One who can enable _____ to hunger for Your Word and obey Your commands. Let that be so for ________.
With faith in Jesus, I pray. Amen

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Jennifer O. White is the author of Prayers for New Brides: Putting on God’s Armor After the Wedding Dress and Marriage Armor for the #PrayingBride. Jennifer is a natural encourager who offers hope from the truths of God’s Word at her blog, Prayerfully Speaking. With every blog post, Jennifer is exalts the one true God who can empower us to do more than we can ask or imagine.