This is the testimony of Natalie Dixon, who experienced a miracle healing in her life on January 14, 2012 at New Life in Osceola, Arkansas. Let her tell you about it...
Well, where do I start? From the time I was a baby I had a growth problem with my leg... When I was very young I started wearing a brace to hopefully stretch my ligaments to help me walk a little better. Although the stretching of the ligament was not going to grow my bones, it would help my leg some where I wouldn’t walk on my tiptoes. Which the length needed to grow too. But doctors cannot grow bones so they worked on the tendon.
Well my mom had to exercise my foot all the time and I had to wear a brace to school. The brace went up to my knees ...so it was very noticeable! So as a child I got all the jokes I could stand. Which we are human and we carry a lot of the bad comments into our adult life and after awhile you believe them.
After some time, I don’t remember my age.. My mother just got tired of the braces and exercising my foot so she just quit! So I’m a young child that is growing up walking on my tip toe and not to mention the length wasn’t the same.. So I really got the looks ridicule from all the people in high school.
I adjusted as life went on ... But my infirmity never stopped me from trying to live life to the fullest! I would run jump play anything I could! To make a long story short.. I have done a lot of things with this infirmity... I went to college, got married, became a mom...
When I got in church and God filled me with the Holy Ghost in on April 20 th, 1997!! Wow! How amazing! God loved me despite all the harsh words I had heard from people in my life!!! How that I was crippled and made fun of but inspite of all that the God of Heaven still loved me!!!
I really enjoyed church! I loved soul-winning and was on fire for God! The infirmity that I had in my leg never stopped me from witnessing! I was going to win people to God walking straight or not!! Now through life I always got prayer for my leg and my foot! Don’t get me wrong… I did! I did not make an issue about it.. just would always go get prayer. If God healed me… “Wonderful” and if God didn’t heal me,” Wonderful!” My infirmity never stopped my walk with the Lord!
On January 14, 2012 , like any other day , I got up getting ready to start my day. I knew that Bro. Doran’s in Osceola was having revival! I just felt an overwhelming desire to go, which I love to go to church anyways but this was like overwhelming! So , I went to church that night! I knew God must have something special and amazing in this service so I was on my way! I never dreamed that I would be the miracle that was so profound that night!
After the preaching, there was an alter call , so I went! I always go try to give things to God and to cleanse myself from the message being taught that night! People prayed for a while in the alter and God was moving greatly! Bro. Brandon Houseworth asked , “Is there a person here that has a problem with their right leg?” Well, I just raised my hands and said, “I do!” He asked, “What’s wrong with your leg? “ I said, well, my right leg is shorter than the left leg.” I think Bro. Houseworth said, Well, that’s a good problem.. lol.. or something to that nature. So, prayer began and then Bro. Houseworth wanted me to sit in a chair, so I did! Well, a lady laid her hands on my feet and prayer began again! I was enjoying just the presence of God , when all of the sudden, I here a “ahhhhhh” and people praising God! I was like that has got to be good!!! Are you ready? EVERYONE WATCHED MY LEG GROW IN FRONT OF THEIR EYES!!!! IT GREW 2 INCHES OR MORE! I was like such in shock to the miracle it never really came into my spirit till the next morning. I woke up and both feet hit the floor. NO MORE TIPTOEING! I tried to walk like I used to and when I did my right leg would raise up too high!!!There was no need to do that because God gave me new bones! I now walk flat-footed! My bones in my hip do not hurt!! It is truly amazing! Im still in awe!! I DON’T WALK LIKE I USED TO WALK..HE MADE THE DIFFERENCE!!!!
I was chatting with a friend.. she said , that the man that was at the pool of Bethesda was there for 38 years! Well, I am 39! A baby usually starts walking good after the first year! So, I was healed of an infirmity that I had for 38 years!! My story goes along so much with this story! When God healed the man , the Lord healed him “wholly” which is his body , spirit and soul!! Every since I have received this miracle, I feel like I have been healed entirely, “wholly” . All the pain from the past and years of emotional abuse from having an infirmity feel erased from my mind! Because humans are cruel and after years of hearing comments when I was young , you really feel like you are not good enough!! Or that you will never be good enough! But praise be to God, I’m healed body soul and spirit now!! God is amazing! I love Him!
Note: A little information about Natalie Dixon: I'm a blessed beyond measure! I have a wonderful husband! I have 3 wonderful children that I love with all my heart. I have the greastest church family. Im involved with the work of God as much as possible. I love Him , I love Him, I love Him!!!!!
I work with the deaf at our church. Christian Life Center in Brookland, Arkansas. Besides I think sign language is beautiful ..just another wonderful way to glorify God! Thanks for your goodness Lord!
Im just a good apostolic lady who loves serving God and being in His Kingdom! Anything to help His kingdom florish that is my desire! Im pretty easy going , love people , love soul-winning! Never meet a stranger.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Shield of Faith
The Shield of Faith
As with each part of the armor, the shield had a very vital role in the armor of the soldier. I am including some information that I found concerning the construction and use of the shield the Roman soldier used in warfare.
“ The scutum was a curved oval shield made from two sheets of wood glued together and covered with canvas and leather, usually with a spindle-shaped boss along the vertical length of the shield. It can be considered a body shield, and was extremely heavy (~10kg or 22 lbs.). It is 1.28m (4.2ft) long and 63.5cm (25in) wide, and is constructed of laminated birch. Nine or ten strips of birch from 6-10cm (2.36-3.93in) wide were glued in-between two layers of thinner strips laid out perpendicular to the middle layer. The shield is thickest in the center (1.2cm) (1/2in), and is slightly less than a centimeter (.39") thick at the edges. The shield was covered with felt which was stitched through the wood. The grip was horizontal, and was meant to be held from the top. This type of shield probably also commonly featured an iron edging on the top and bottom rims. The shields of the legionary had to be of regulation size, and a soldier could be severely reprimanded if his shield was too large.”
When the soldiers marched into battle, they stood shoulder to shoulder with their shields in front of them, forming a wall. The men behind them stood in tight formation with their shields above their heads, forming a roof of protection. This formation was so tight and closed that the arrows of the enemy could not penetrate the protection. They said that the formation was so strong and dense that many times the troops would march into a river and stand there while the army, with wagons, passed over them using their shields as a bridge.
Through the years, while reading this passage, I have often pictured the soldier with a small round shield that he would maneuver around to stop the arrows coming at him. I would wonder what happened if he were to miss one or if two came simultaneously. This picture has changed, in my mind, to agree with the passage of scripture as it says, “ . . . taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked.” The enemy cannot fire anything at us that our faith will not protect us from.
Faith is such a powerful word. Faith is more than just hoping or thinking positives. It is much more. Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based on what we have heard. It is to place trust or have confidence in what we are believing. In other words, faith is more than just saying I believe something is true, it is living as if you have been convinced it is true.
Let me give you the best word picture I can think of to help you understand faith. Jesus approached His disciples while they were in a boat on the sea. The disciples were afraid when they saw Jesus because they thought He was a ghost. Jesus called to them not to be afraid and identified Himself. Peter challenged the identity by saying “Lord if it is really you, bid me to come to you.” Jesus simply answered, “Come.”
Now faith has to kick in! Peter has heard that it was Jesus. Peter has received the invitation to come to Jesus. However, action must now accompany that which he has heard. Now Peter is about to try to do something that is physically impossible to do. He is about to swing his leg, over the side of the boat, and walk toward Jesus on the water. In order for this to take place, Peter must have the firm persuasion or confidence that Jesus is out there in the dark. He must have the trust or confidence that if Jesus said to come he can walk on water. Peter is about to live what he believes to be true.
As we all remember the story, Peter did, in fact, walk on the water to Jesus. He did accomplish that which was physically impossible for him to do. It wasn’t until he became convinced that he could not walk on the water that he began to sink. In other words, then he became firmly persuaded that what he was doing could not be done.
In our relationship with God faith is the base on which everything else rests. The writer of Hebrews said, “We must first believe that He (God) is and that He (God) is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” We must have that firm persuasion that God is really there. We can’t see Him, but we are persuaded and we trust that God is going to respond to our pursuit of Him.
Where does this faith come from? It is the result of what we have seen and heard. We have seen the evidence of God’s existence or His being. In fact Paul said it this way,
“From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.”
(Rom 1:20 NLT)
Just looking around us and seeing the amazing creation of God starts us on the road of faith. Added to that basic realization and knowledge is what we hear. Again Paul gives us insight into faith:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17
KJV)
To the basic knowledge there is a God, which we have because we have witnessed and enjoyed his handy work, we add what we have learned of God. Preaching and teaching is so important to our faith in that it is what spark our faith. Faith comes from what we hear and what we read in the Word of God. This is the reason we must have a personal Bible Study in our lives and we must be faithful to Church to hear the Word of God.
The question arises, how does this tie into spiritual warfare and the shield of faith? It goes back to that firm persuasion or conviction which is based on what we have heard. It involves placing trust or confidence in what we believe to be true. Let’s look at a good example of this happening in the Bible. The Spirit has led Jesus into the wilderness where He fasted forty days and nights. He is very hungry! Wild beasts surround him and Satan tempts him. (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
You will notice that prior to going into the wilderness, John the Baptist baptized Jesus. After He was baptized, Jesus heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) So in the wilderness, when tempted, He stands on what He has heard. He has heard a voice from heaven and He has heard the Word of God, which was read aloud at the synagogue. He obviously read the scripture as well.
When the fiery darts of temptation were thrown at Jesus, we see Him using His shield of faith. He is firmly persuaded to live by the Word of God! He is placing His trust and confidence in the fact He is only to worship and serve God. There is no doubt in his mind that He doesn’t need to try or test God. He knows that God will stand by Him because of what the Word of God tells Him.
The young early Church has just received a warning they were not to preach in the name of Jesus. What were they to do? Peter told the court they were going to preach what they had seen and heard! They returned to the rest of the Church and explained the threats they had received. Together, all of the Church, began to pray and notice their prayer.
“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:24-31 KJV)
So the shield of faith is again used for protection. A fiery dart of fear has been sent their way. As they began to pray they went back to that firm persuasion which was the result of what they had seen and heard. They returned to the bases of their faith which was, “God you created heaven and earth.” They continued with the greatness of God, His promises and deeds He had done. Then they presented their problem to the Lord. They were standing on their trust and confidence in God and His Word.
The enemy of our soul will attack us with fiery darts of fear and doubt. It is at this point that we must have confidence or trust in our salvation and our God of salvation. In your mind you can picture the Christian soldier behind the protection of a wall of faith. He stands firmly planted behind the persuasion or belief that he can place his trust in the Word of God.
Along with the basis of our faith we must build our faith or make it stronger. How is this accomplished? We build our faith by praying in the Spirit. We make ourselves, or our faith, stronger by praying in the Holy Ghost.
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” (Jude 20 KJV).
“A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord,” (1 Cor 14:4 NLT).
We will spend some more time talking about prayer a little further on in this chapter. However, let me say here that prayer is so vital to strengthening our faith. As we pray in the Spirit, or in the Holy Ghost, we build up our faith. Pressing on in our prayer until we know we have touched God is like engaging in physical exercise. You press until you feel the “burn” and know you have had a good workout. You know that you are building your strength.
When in battle and under the attack of the enemy we have the blessed assurance that we can trust in the Word of God. No matter what is thrown our way, we can rely upon God’s Word to give us a shield against the enemy’s attack. Relying on that firm persuasion, our faith, will never let us down but will quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked.
As with each part of the armor, the shield had a very vital role in the armor of the soldier. I am including some information that I found concerning the construction and use of the shield the Roman soldier used in warfare.
“ The scutum was a curved oval shield made from two sheets of wood glued together and covered with canvas and leather, usually with a spindle-shaped boss along the vertical length of the shield. It can be considered a body shield, and was extremely heavy (~10kg or 22 lbs.). It is 1.28m (4.2ft) long and 63.5cm (25in) wide, and is constructed of laminated birch. Nine or ten strips of birch from 6-10cm (2.36-3.93in) wide were glued in-between two layers of thinner strips laid out perpendicular to the middle layer. The shield is thickest in the center (1.2cm) (1/2in), and is slightly less than a centimeter (.39") thick at the edges. The shield was covered with felt which was stitched through the wood. The grip was horizontal, and was meant to be held from the top. This type of shield probably also commonly featured an iron edging on the top and bottom rims. The shields of the legionary had to be of regulation size, and a soldier could be severely reprimanded if his shield was too large.”
When the soldiers marched into battle, they stood shoulder to shoulder with their shields in front of them, forming a wall. The men behind them stood in tight formation with their shields above their heads, forming a roof of protection. This formation was so tight and closed that the arrows of the enemy could not penetrate the protection. They said that the formation was so strong and dense that many times the troops would march into a river and stand there while the army, with wagons, passed over them using their shields as a bridge.
Through the years, while reading this passage, I have often pictured the soldier with a small round shield that he would maneuver around to stop the arrows coming at him. I would wonder what happened if he were to miss one or if two came simultaneously. This picture has changed, in my mind, to agree with the passage of scripture as it says, “ . . . taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked.” The enemy cannot fire anything at us that our faith will not protect us from.
Faith is such a powerful word. Faith is more than just hoping or thinking positives. It is much more. Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based on what we have heard. It is to place trust or have confidence in what we are believing. In other words, faith is more than just saying I believe something is true, it is living as if you have been convinced it is true.
Let me give you the best word picture I can think of to help you understand faith. Jesus approached His disciples while they were in a boat on the sea. The disciples were afraid when they saw Jesus because they thought He was a ghost. Jesus called to them not to be afraid and identified Himself. Peter challenged the identity by saying “Lord if it is really you, bid me to come to you.” Jesus simply answered, “Come.”
Now faith has to kick in! Peter has heard that it was Jesus. Peter has received the invitation to come to Jesus. However, action must now accompany that which he has heard. Now Peter is about to try to do something that is physically impossible to do. He is about to swing his leg, over the side of the boat, and walk toward Jesus on the water. In order for this to take place, Peter must have the firm persuasion or confidence that Jesus is out there in the dark. He must have the trust or confidence that if Jesus said to come he can walk on water. Peter is about to live what he believes to be true.
As we all remember the story, Peter did, in fact, walk on the water to Jesus. He did accomplish that which was physically impossible for him to do. It wasn’t until he became convinced that he could not walk on the water that he began to sink. In other words, then he became firmly persuaded that what he was doing could not be done.
In our relationship with God faith is the base on which everything else rests. The writer of Hebrews said, “We must first believe that He (God) is and that He (God) is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” We must have that firm persuasion that God is really there. We can’t see Him, but we are persuaded and we trust that God is going to respond to our pursuit of Him.
Where does this faith come from? It is the result of what we have seen and heard. We have seen the evidence of God’s existence or His being. In fact Paul said it this way,
“From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.”
(Rom 1:20 NLT)
Just looking around us and seeing the amazing creation of God starts us on the road of faith. Added to that basic realization and knowledge is what we hear. Again Paul gives us insight into faith:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17
KJV)
To the basic knowledge there is a God, which we have because we have witnessed and enjoyed his handy work, we add what we have learned of God. Preaching and teaching is so important to our faith in that it is what spark our faith. Faith comes from what we hear and what we read in the Word of God. This is the reason we must have a personal Bible Study in our lives and we must be faithful to Church to hear the Word of God.
The question arises, how does this tie into spiritual warfare and the shield of faith? It goes back to that firm persuasion or conviction which is based on what we have heard. It involves placing trust or confidence in what we believe to be true. Let’s look at a good example of this happening in the Bible. The Spirit has led Jesus into the wilderness where He fasted forty days and nights. He is very hungry! Wild beasts surround him and Satan tempts him. (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
You will notice that prior to going into the wilderness, John the Baptist baptized Jesus. After He was baptized, Jesus heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) So in the wilderness, when tempted, He stands on what He has heard. He has heard a voice from heaven and He has heard the Word of God, which was read aloud at the synagogue. He obviously read the scripture as well.
When the fiery darts of temptation were thrown at Jesus, we see Him using His shield of faith. He is firmly persuaded to live by the Word of God! He is placing His trust and confidence in the fact He is only to worship and serve God. There is no doubt in his mind that He doesn’t need to try or test God. He knows that God will stand by Him because of what the Word of God tells Him.
The young early Church has just received a warning they were not to preach in the name of Jesus. What were they to do? Peter told the court they were going to preach what they had seen and heard! They returned to the rest of the Church and explained the threats they had received. Together, all of the Church, began to pray and notice their prayer.
“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:24-31 KJV)
So the shield of faith is again used for protection. A fiery dart of fear has been sent their way. As they began to pray they went back to that firm persuasion which was the result of what they had seen and heard. They returned to the bases of their faith which was, “God you created heaven and earth.” They continued with the greatness of God, His promises and deeds He had done. Then they presented their problem to the Lord. They were standing on their trust and confidence in God and His Word.
The enemy of our soul will attack us with fiery darts of fear and doubt. It is at this point that we must have confidence or trust in our salvation and our God of salvation. In your mind you can picture the Christian soldier behind the protection of a wall of faith. He stands firmly planted behind the persuasion or belief that he can place his trust in the Word of God.
Along with the basis of our faith we must build our faith or make it stronger. How is this accomplished? We build our faith by praying in the Spirit. We make ourselves, or our faith, stronger by praying in the Holy Ghost.
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” (Jude 20 KJV).
“A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord,” (1 Cor 14:4 NLT).
We will spend some more time talking about prayer a little further on in this chapter. However, let me say here that prayer is so vital to strengthening our faith. As we pray in the Spirit, or in the Holy Ghost, we build up our faith. Pressing on in our prayer until we know we have touched God is like engaging in physical exercise. You press until you feel the “burn” and know you have had a good workout. You know that you are building your strength.
When in battle and under the attack of the enemy we have the blessed assurance that we can trust in the Word of God. No matter what is thrown our way, we can rely upon God’s Word to give us a shield against the enemy’s attack. Relying on that firm persuasion, our faith, will never let us down but will quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Our first inclination when we sense danger is to run and hide. We want to flee the threat of danger! Our pulse begins to race! Our adrenalin begins to pump! Fear grips our heart! The first thought we have is to make a retreat and save ourselves.
Fear is a controlling, amazing thing. The cause of fear doesn’t even have to be real, it can be something we have imagined or someone has told us. Experiences can cause fear in our lives that are either real or imagined. Fear will control you. Let me give you an example.
I was driving home from Church one Sunday with my mother. We exited the Interstate and came to a stop sign at an intersection. Across from where we sat, about a hundred feet away and to our right, we could see the shore of a lake. My mother looked at the lake and said, “That makes my stomach hurt!”
Not sure what she was referring to, I asked, “What are you talking about?” To this she replied, “That water! Looking at it makes my stomach hurt!”
Now I was very curious how the lake’s water could make her stomach hurt, so I asked her. To this she replied, “Well, when I was two years old I almost drowned. So when I look at water, it makes my stomach hurt.”
I was surprised and said, “Mom, you can’t even remember when you were two years old. How can that experience make you afraid of water to the point it makes your stomach hurt to look at it? You are just going on what someone told you.”
Mom replied, “I don’t care! It makes my stomach hurt to look at water.” I then began to recall how afraid she had been all of my life whenever water was involved. She had never, in my lifetime, gone swimming. In fact, I don’t ever remember her going wading or standing in the waves at the ocean. When we were kids, we would beg to go swimming at the river. When mom would finally give in and would take us we could only get in the water up to our knees. I was eighteen years old when I learned to swim. A fear that someone had told her about, had controlled her life for seventy-five years.
The same thing happens to us spiritually. We often deal with fears that things that we have experienced in our past have caused. Sometimes the enemy of our soul will whisper lies in our ears that will breed fears into our lives. Our imaginations begin to expand on the lies, making them larger and more real in our minds to the point fear controls us.
Paul tells us, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7 KJV)
John also writes and tells us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18 KJV)
Fear is the root of so much of our spiritual troubles. It is the cause of much of the conflict we have with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We can find ourselves going through life responding to the fears of what others think about us. We are afraid of what someone else will do or say if we dress a certain way or fail to respond in a certain way. Too often we find ourselves bound by things we are sure others are saying about us. Fear and condemnation can blind us until we become helpless.
When fear sets in it brings torment! Torment will result in the victim becoming self centered. Not because they are egotistical! This happens because they become consumed by the fear that has overtaken their lives. Everything becomes centered on this fear and how it affects them.
The “Good News” is that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. He has given us the “Spirit of Power.” Power is the opposite of fear. Fear leaves you feeling weak. Fear causes you to feel vulnerable and helpless. However, power is strength, ability and authority. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” (Acts 1:8a KJV).
The “Good News” is that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. He has given us the “Spirit of Love.” Love is the opposite of fear. Fear causes you to feel alone. It will make you feel that no one cares and no one is listening to your cries for help. Fear will make you feel that no one will be there to take care of you. Love, on the other hand, is the assurance that someone is there and they do care. It is the knowledge that there is someone you can call to and they will respond and wrap their arms around you in a loving embrace. Peter admonishes us, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1Peter 5:7 KJV)
The “Good News” is that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. He has given us the “Spirit of a Sound Mind.” Several translations use the word discipline here. A mind that is undisciplined will cause fear. They allow the imagination to be in control. However, when we control or discipline our mind, fear is no longer able to rule over us. Paul admonishes us, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”; (2 Cor. 10:5 KJV).
When I recognize that I have protection from fear I am free to walk in peace. I will enjoy peace that is beyond understanding in my life. I will know peace with my fellow man. It is then that I will be free to spread the “Gospel of Peace” in a world that is searching for peace. As Jesus said in His last words to His disciples, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8 KJV).
Paul encourages us in to, “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7 NLT)
(An excerpt from the second chapter of the book I am presently writing.)
Fear is a controlling, amazing thing. The cause of fear doesn’t even have to be real, it can be something we have imagined or someone has told us. Experiences can cause fear in our lives that are either real or imagined. Fear will control you. Let me give you an example.
I was driving home from Church one Sunday with my mother. We exited the Interstate and came to a stop sign at an intersection. Across from where we sat, about a hundred feet away and to our right, we could see the shore of a lake. My mother looked at the lake and said, “That makes my stomach hurt!”
Not sure what she was referring to, I asked, “What are you talking about?” To this she replied, “That water! Looking at it makes my stomach hurt!”
Now I was very curious how the lake’s water could make her stomach hurt, so I asked her. To this she replied, “Well, when I was two years old I almost drowned. So when I look at water, it makes my stomach hurt.”
I was surprised and said, “Mom, you can’t even remember when you were two years old. How can that experience make you afraid of water to the point it makes your stomach hurt to look at it? You are just going on what someone told you.”
Mom replied, “I don’t care! It makes my stomach hurt to look at water.” I then began to recall how afraid she had been all of my life whenever water was involved. She had never, in my lifetime, gone swimming. In fact, I don’t ever remember her going wading or standing in the waves at the ocean. When we were kids, we would beg to go swimming at the river. When mom would finally give in and would take us we could only get in the water up to our knees. I was eighteen years old when I learned to swim. A fear that someone had told her about, had controlled her life for seventy-five years.
The same thing happens to us spiritually. We often deal with fears that things that we have experienced in our past have caused. Sometimes the enemy of our soul will whisper lies in our ears that will breed fears into our lives. Our imaginations begin to expand on the lies, making them larger and more real in our minds to the point fear controls us.
Paul tells us, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7 KJV)
John also writes and tells us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18 KJV)
Fear is the root of so much of our spiritual troubles. It is the cause of much of the conflict we have with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We can find ourselves going through life responding to the fears of what others think about us. We are afraid of what someone else will do or say if we dress a certain way or fail to respond in a certain way. Too often we find ourselves bound by things we are sure others are saying about us. Fear and condemnation can blind us until we become helpless.
When fear sets in it brings torment! Torment will result in the victim becoming self centered. Not because they are egotistical! This happens because they become consumed by the fear that has overtaken their lives. Everything becomes centered on this fear and how it affects them.
The “Good News” is that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. He has given us the “Spirit of Power.” Power is the opposite of fear. Fear leaves you feeling weak. Fear causes you to feel vulnerable and helpless. However, power is strength, ability and authority. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” (Acts 1:8a KJV).
The “Good News” is that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. He has given us the “Spirit of Love.” Love is the opposite of fear. Fear causes you to feel alone. It will make you feel that no one cares and no one is listening to your cries for help. Fear will make you feel that no one will be there to take care of you. Love, on the other hand, is the assurance that someone is there and they do care. It is the knowledge that there is someone you can call to and they will respond and wrap their arms around you in a loving embrace. Peter admonishes us, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1Peter 5:7 KJV)
The “Good News” is that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. He has given us the “Spirit of a Sound Mind.” Several translations use the word discipline here. A mind that is undisciplined will cause fear. They allow the imagination to be in control. However, when we control or discipline our mind, fear is no longer able to rule over us. Paul admonishes us, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”; (2 Cor. 10:5 KJV).
When I recognize that I have protection from fear I am free to walk in peace. I will enjoy peace that is beyond understanding in my life. I will know peace with my fellow man. It is then that I will be free to spread the “Gospel of Peace” in a world that is searching for peace. As Jesus said in His last words to His disciples, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8 KJV).
Paul encourages us in to, “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7 NLT)
(An excerpt from the second chapter of the book I am presently writing.)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Is Your Nose Pressed Against The Window?
It was so funny, one night at Church, you know that some of the funniest things happen at Church! I had to start laughing and shame on me. We were having an awesome move of God in service. I was standing up front playing the guitar and looked over to the side. My brother, Tim, was in the fellowship hall doing children’s ministry. He had come to the door and was peaking in to see what was happening. All I could see was one eye and his nose. I couldn’t help but laugh because it looked so funny.
I remembered an incident back many years ago. You can only remember many years ago when you get old. I was preaching a revival in a little town in Oregon. The revival was only for the weekend, so I had invited one of the young men from the church to accompany me so I wouldn’t have to travel alone. On Monday morning the pastor left early for work and we left, when he did, to head home. We stopped at a little restaurant in town to have breakfast. We were seated right at the window, which looked out over the street. The restaurant was right on a corner which also served as a school bus stop and there were several children standing waiting for the school bus. As we were setting at the table eating, I looked over toward the street and much to my surprise there were three little boys standing at the window with their noses pressed against the glass watching us eat.
You can imagine how funny that looked! We started laughing and they start laughing as well. I couldn’t help but think of those three little boys when I saw the big boy looking through the door. It was as if his nose was pressed against the glass and he was wishing he could have some too. If you know Tim, you know that is exactly what he was wishing!
The Psalmist tells us, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” (Ps. 34:8)
How many times have we stood back and watched others get blessed while we wonder how good it tastes?! How often have we looked in, with our noses pressed against the window, wishing we could have some of that?! All along each of us has the opportunity to “taste and see” for ourselves. We don’t have to be a spectator; we can be a participator in everything God offers to the believer.
I have observed as different ones plunge their dipper into the “well of living water” and take a taste. I have watched as the “well of living water” began to bubble up within them and the blessings began to purge away the pressure of the week. I have watched as some were healed, just as a result of worship. I have watched others as the weariness of life was washed from their faces. Some weep with relief. Others have responded with jubilation. They “tasted” and found for themselves the Lord is good. There is a special blessing when we realize we can place our trust in the Lord!
Each and every life is created with a hunger in it that can only be filled by God. Jesus stopped one day at a well and talked with a woman who had come to draw water to meet her natural, physical needs. Jesus offered her water that would meet the longing that was in her soul. In fact, Jesus told her, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14 KJV)
How many times have I wanted to buy a type of food that I was hungry for only to realize it was too expensive? At the price of beef today you need to mortgage your home to buy a steak! There have been times in my life, when we have lived on very simple, basic staples because of a lack of finances. I remember one time when I was young and times were hard, as Dad and Mom were pastoring a home mission Church, we lived on pancakes for several weeks. In the morning we had pancakes with homemade syrup. In the evening we had pancakes with jelly. That was all we could afford and were thankful for it.
However we have this invitation, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isa 55:1 KJV)
I don’t have to stand outside the window and press my nose against the glass. I have a standing invitation to come inside and eat and drink until I am full. What a blessing to be invited to come in and sit down to eat at the king’s table. What a great opportunity is available, to have the assurance that satisfaction is available to each and every one of us.
Let me encourage you to step back from the window and come on in! Pull up a seat and place your trust in God, you will find out He is GOOD!
It’s just a thought! God Bless
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