Who is it?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we

take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:5 )

And as the thought marinated in his mind, anger made itself at home and went to the door and opened it.

We would never say that we would purposely allow anything to operate in our hearts that would be displeasing to God and harmful to us, right?

It could never be said enough, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)

When thoughts are allowed to run loose like a “bull in a china shop” something will break. 

The abrasive behavior will take everything in its path including the testimony of God in our lives. 

The thing we said we would never do will now sit in the recesses of our heart and wait for an opportunity to expose itself; reveal itself to our detriment.

In the book of 1 Samuel we read that “Saul was very angry” (1 Samuel 18:8) because of something he heard.

Saul’s insecurities had his ears perched to every word; words that became thoughts and thoughts that became action.

His anger invited jealousy and the Scriptures read that, “The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul.” (v.10)

We have heard, read and learned that we must not let anger settle into our hearts. “because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:20)

As I read 1 Samuel 18 I put myself in Saul’s place.

What if Saul decided not to meditate on what he heard? 

The song “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” did not say that Saul was not a great fighter. The problem came when PRIDE invoked JEALOUSLY.  Jealousy spoke to Saul and said, “you are not the 'top dog' in the camp anymore, do something.” (Liz's version)

Saul was the king; should not the king be honored?

Saul indeed was honored!

Actually, Saul was extremely pleased with David’s accomplishments. We read, “Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.” (v. 5)

So what’s the problem Saul?

Saul had erected a “vain imagination”, an unproductive or ineffective belief that gave root and footing for his own detriment.

“The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul.” (v. 10) Wow, this is a difficult verse!

Saul, did you wrestle? Did you look to cast down this evil thought? Did you call upon the God of Israel?

No, Saul embraced the anger and opened the door for destruction.

We must take every thought captive lest it take us.

There is a lot to be said about Saul’s life, his kingdom, his rise and fall, his disobedience and how a humble man became so proud.

Let’s be reminded again today, thoughts become kingdoms in our mind that manifest into action.

Let’s take the weapons of our warfare and use them!

Bring that kingdom of evil down. Let’s not allow jealousy to be the builder in our mind. Anger, dissolution, distrust and all its relatives have no place in our mind.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 )

Run to the door and shut it!

Christ will sit in the chambers of my heart as my mind is being renewed daily by his Word. 

We are kings and priest unto God to be used for the glory of his Name. 

This is who I am!

God bless you!~Liz

Waiting here for YOU

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

A very familiar story in the Scriptures, Saul anointed king over God’s people.

Saul, “a head” above the rest was chosen by God to lead his people.

This man is called forward to be declared as king. But where is Saul, he cannot be found; he was hiding among the ‘stuff’.

We see humility displayed, after all God had touched his heart and he was changed (1 Samuel 10:6) –a chosen vessel for God’s glory. In the company of prophets and worship Saul is transformed.

Each of us has been appointed of the Lord to do his will even called “priests unto God.” (Revelation 1:6)

This kingship comes with a stipulation for power and success, “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.” (1 Samuel 10:8)

Now in Jerusalem many decades later we see similar instructions.

The disciples were instructed “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.´ (Acts 1:4)

I wonder what would have happened if the disciples chose to go ahead of the Lord and not pause?

Surely they would have been just as cowardly as before hiding in the baggage of life.

Peter would have missed the revelation and promise spoken by Joel when he quoted, “‘In the last days, God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,and they will prophesy.” (Acts 2:17-18)

The glorious sound that enters into the Upper Room, the Holy Spirit himself began a transformation to equip those anointed to serve in God’s Kingdom. But they had to wait.

Saul’s kingdom eventually comes crashing down. When Saul’s humility was overtaken by fear a drastic change occurs again. 

 “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” (1 Samuel 13:11-12)

Compelled is a strong word that is used in the text. It’s as if Saul was saying, I felt obligated, bound, forced, or even required. The question is by whom? If God through his Prophet said wait, then we wait.

Fear has always been an enemy of God’s people. It deters the promises of God and deflates our strength. It blinds us and causes us to sin against God. It’s a foe in the camp of the King.

“A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. (Psalm 91:7-8)

God has a way of taking the cowardly and making us mighty men and women. It’s never about what we have but what we don’t have. 

We do not have the ability change the world, not even our own hearts. But staying in the midst of God’s promises; remaining in the atmosphere of worship, our hearts are changed. Promises come. Promises are fulfilled for his glory. But we must wait in obedience for the transformation to come from above.

Tremble and shake. God is entering into our lives and he comes with instructions.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

Help us Lord to hear and listen. Forgive us if we have stumbled and disobeyed. We want to be in the midst of your Spirit to hear the charge, be changed and obey. Fill us Lord and guide us. May we be found faithful to do all that you say. We wait on you, Lord. 

Maranatha! 

Come Lord, come!

God bless you!Liz

Slime

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever

is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

This past weekend as I lounged on the coach, I joined my family in watching the 1989 Ghostbusters II movie. It was humorous, caused me to laugh which is a good "stress-buster".

As the movie unfolds the underlying theme is this "slime" that has accumulated under NYC; a slime that is charged by negative emotions and expressions of hate.

When was the last time we smiled at a stranger as you were walking into your favorite coffee shop? Did we pass by the toll booth and ignore the toll collector? How about the mom with 2 toddlers that needed a hand carrying that grocery cart to her snow-covered vehicle, did we lend a hand?
There is great joy when we help others. It nullifies selfishness.

The movie was pretty funny but also highlighted an important fact. Evil begets evil. Enter a room where someone has a terrible disposition and it almost feels as if you got "slimed" by their bad attitude.

As Christians we are called to be thermostats. Thermostats control the temperature.

When we enter a heated environment we reset the thermostat!

The Bible often reminds us to help the widow, to give an apt reply, a word of encouragement. We are commanded to rejoice, to sing aloud, to believe that God is in the midst of our lives working things out for our good for those that are called according to his purpose. We are reminded to fix our eyes on Jesus; look above, to have hope!

As the movie continued evil manifested all over the place. Silly movie. In order to share love and joy, they launched the one symbol they had that reminded them of freedom and joy. The Statue of Liberty, well, this is Hollywood, begins to walk through the city with music playing loudly on New Year's Eve. Joy and celebration filled the air and love overcame the evil that was lurking underground.

We have One that has walked the earth. He came with a message of hope, new life, and joy!

He was the promise that was to come, foretold in days of old. His love for us has overcome this world. He offers the joy of eternal life in exchange for our fallen state; joy for sadness, peace for despair.

He saw the condition we were in and He himself became the solution.

Yes, trust Jesus with your soul. Follow his instructions so that our toxic thoughts can be renewed by his Word.

Joy is from the Lord. Let's take it and share it!

Try it. Share the expression of Jesus to all you encounter. Change the atmosphere.

Let's keep our mind in a renewal mode.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

God bless you!~Liz

The Wind

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26)

I recently saw a video of a young girl (Eltide) attempting to sky dive. I say attempting because she was being led by an instructor, but the wind was so strong that in a quick moment she was shot into the enclosed arena fence. The instructor pulled her back in and in a few moments, with his leading, she was flying high!

At first it seemed funny but in a moments time the Holy Spirit spoke to me. Oh, conviction!

It seemed to me that she resisted the wind (I'm not saying I would have done any better). The point was that she had to submit to the wind which took a lot of strength and trust in her guide and then she had to let go. 

Isn't that like LIFE lead by the Holy Spirit?

He speaks and directs us and yet we still end up being tossed into areas we were convinced we would never end up.

The Spirit speaks gently and asks us to be silent but as we continue to open our mouth we find ourselves with "foot in mouth" disease. 

"Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues." 

(Proverbs 17:28)

Often we shop just because. Our credit cards continue to build up. We find ourselves in debt, no budget, when it would have been wiser to wait; to save up or pray to the Provider. Instant gratification is what we are after.  Debt is what we get.

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!" (Proverbs 6:6)

The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit walks with us. He teaches us and will even rebuke us.

Resisting the Wind of the Spirit is like letting ourselves slam into a wall when the solution it right with us, even in us. We who have the Spirit of the Lord must continually learn to listen to his gentle instructions.

It's a matter of letting go and trusting Him!

So how high or better said, how far can we go? 

With the Holy Spirit's leading the answer is wherever He takes us! 

Just let go and trust the Instructor!

God bless you!~Liz