Please be advised we will be posting new content to our new website at
https://xpectamiracleministries.com/
We will continue to keep this site active as so many people return here for the many articles and prayers.
Breaking the Power of Shame and Humiliation
Shame and humiliation are powerful emotions that can have a significant impact on a person’s mental and emotional well-being. Sometimes it comes from our own poor decisions and behavior, and at other times shame and humiliation comes from the harsh words and actions of others. Shame and humiliation can also come from things such as chronic poverty, handicaps and other things beyond our ability to control. These negative emotions can arise from a wide range of experiences, including public embarrassment, personal failure, and social rejection. The effects of shame and humiliation can be far-reaching, impacting a person’s self esteem, relationships, and overall quality of life.
One of the most damaging effects of shame and humiliation is the way it can erode a person’s self esteem. When a person experiences these negative emotions, they may begin to question their worth and value as a human being. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy,self-doubt, and low self-confidence, making it difficult for them to engage with others and pursue their goals. The enemy weaponizes shame and humiliation as an attempt to neutralize the power and effectiveness of Christians so that they are defiled by bitterness, rejection and pride, causing them to become unfit for the Master’s greater purposes. Sometimes he employs other Christians or even ourselves to do his dirty work. Satan will utilize the words of others to inflict shame, criticism, false judgments and a sense of rejection, which result in feelings of deep humiliation in the recipient of those words and actions. It is an excruciating, corrosive emotion. Shame causes people to feel inherently bad, defective and wrong at the core of who they are as a human being.
We have also experienced this type of behavior from people who were blinded by their own pride and self righteousness. It is a trap from the enemy that can be easy to fall into. How often a person judges themselves by one standard (their opinions) and others by another standard which is often much harsher. That is hypocrisy. This is not God's standard of righteous judgment. His word is His standard! Elevating criticisms, opinions and judgments above showing mercy and compassion can put people in the employment of the accuser. When people are influenced by the spirit of legalism and have rejected the grace of God, they are declaring a different gospel and they come under condemnation and a curse. (See Galatians 1:9) The scripture in James 2:13 reminds us that judgment without mercy is what remains for those that have shown no mercy. God's heart in any circumstance is that mercy would triumph over judgment! People that broadcast the shame and humiliation of others, and enjoy inflicting pain because they think it makes them feel better about themselves are under condemnation. They do not realize what spirit they have given themselves over to. They are self condemned, and often project the condemnation and rejection they feel onto others. A person that feels unworthy, condemned and rejected condemns others, and can become very critical. It is a form of bullying and portraying a false Jesus with a false gospel message that is very displeasing to the Lord.
One of the roles every Christian has is the dual roles of a priest/intercessor and a king, exercising their royal authority. The job of every priest is reconciliation, approaching God on behalf of others and praying for mercy. The priest is to take on the mantle of intercession as Jesus does, in compassion praying for healing, freedom and restoration so that the damage caused by sin can be repaired and relationships made whole again. This is what restores peace between God and others.
Shame and humiliation can also impact a person’s relationships with others. If a person feels ashamed or humiliated, they may avoid social situations or withdraw from others out of fear of being judged or rejected. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, sometimes even suicidal thoughts and feelings, further exacerbating their negative emotions. It's important to separate what we've done with who we are in Christ. It's ok to sometimes feel bad about things we've done, that means we still have a conscience that is working to keep us in the path of righteousness. What's not ok is internalizing negative emotions and allowing them to rewrite the truth of who God says we are. In Christ, the blood of Jesus atones for our sin and wipes out the penalties of all our mistakes, our sins, and the guilt associated with them. It is also the blood of Jesus that has the power to cleanse our conscience of guilt.
"...how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Heb. 9:14
"...let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Heb. 10:22
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
Fortunately, there is hope for those who struggle with shame, feelings of disgrace, and humiliation. Jesus Christ offers a message of hope and healing for all who are burdened by these negative emotions. Through His teaching and example, Jesus shows us that we are beloved children of God, worthy of love and acceptance. There are many examples in scripture where God’s children cried out for God to take away the reproach and fear of being humiliated at the hands of their enemies. Note one such plea from Psalm 25.
“Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:1
One of the most powerful ways Jesus sets us free is through His unconditional love. Jesus teaches us that we are loved not because of what we do or how we look, but simply because we are God’s children. This love can help us overcome feelings of shame, rejection, humiliation or fear of embarrassment, as we learn to see ourselves as beloved and worthy of love. Jesus paid the price for our fears, our sin, and all the pain that has been inflicted upon us through His death and resurrection. God doesn’t remember all our past failures or the shame associated with those things, and He doesn’t want us to remember that pain, either.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See! I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-20
God calls us to forget the things that are behind us and focus forward on running the race. We cannot run well if we are always looking behind us. Let God take care of the past!
Another way Jesus sets us free is through His forgiveness. When we make mistakes or experience some sort of failure, it can be easy to feel embarrassed or perhaps even humiliated. However, Jesus offers us forgiveness, reminding us that we are all imperfect and in need of grace. We all fall short of the glory of God. This forgiveness can help us let go of our negative emotions and move forward in help and confidence.
God has promised that those that put their trust in Him would not be put to shame. It takes a focused effort to rehearse His promises and let His good intentions towards us cause all the painful words of others to pale in comparison. If you have agreed with the many voices of accusation, self condemnation, shame, humiliation, reproach, self rejection and inferiority, it’s time to be intentional and speak it out loud that you are canceling that agreement (and the assignment of the enemy that he has been enforcing against you!).
The key to overcoming is through humility, which is not at all the same as being humiliated. When we humble ourselves before God, it is to accept His truth and what He has said about us rather than elevating the hurtful words and criticisms of others above His word. Humility also doesn’t try to put a proud spin on our failures or shift the blame onto others. It takes responsibility for our faults, is honest about them, and then puts one’s trust in God to restore rather than looking to the approval of man. We never have to gain the approval of a rival or someone that has been instrumental in wounding us in order for God to do something miraculous. God’s intentions towards us are always for our healing, reconciliation and restoration, but He does resist us when we are acting proud. We are reminded in James 4;6,7 to first submit to God (repentance and confession), then we can resist the enemy and he must leave.
We overcome all the enemy’s tactics through the blood of Jesus and the word of our testimony. You see, shame needs secrecy and our agreement in order to remain. But, when we tell our story honestly and in humility, His anointing comes upon us for breakthrough and healing others. The enemy has no power over us as we share our testimonies because telling our stories is what breaks the fear of rejection and the fear of embarrassment the enemy uses against us. God has promised that His children will not be put to shame if we put our confidence in Him.
“Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” Isaiah 61:7
The negative effects of shame and humiliation can be significant, impacting a person’s self-esteem, relationships and overall quality of life. However, through the beautiful example of Jesus’ sacrificial life, His teachings and His forgiveness, we can find healing and hope.By embracing His message of love and forgiveness, we can overcome our negative emotions and live a life of joy and purpose.
Introduction to Deliverance part two
Introduction to Deliverance (Continued)
James 4:6 tells us He resists the proud, but He gives His grace to the humble. It also says to submit to one another and be clothed with humility. Submission, humility and confession are also keys that unlock our healing and freedom. When we confess our sin then we can be cleansed from our unrighteousness, and it’s also what removes the legal grounds Satan uses against us to block answered prayer. This is also the nature of deliverance ministry, to remove spiritual blocks to prayer so that people can make forward progress in their lives. Many times, people need help identifying what is blocking answered prayer.
We all know people, including ourselves perhaps, that may be saved but not yet free, healed, or walking in victory. There are going to be strongholds in people’s thought processes that need to be dealt with, and agreements with spirits of darkness that need to be renounced in order to put those devils on notice that they are no longer that person's master. If a person used to call on the name of Buddah, Allah, Mary, Catholic saints, or any other names of false gods of other religions, those spirits need to be divorced and renounced through some very intentional efforts in prayer because those are connected to the sin of idolatry. Jesus does not share his lordship with other spirits. But, if no one ever told you you need to enforce your dominion over those spirits through prayers of renouncement, they are often still connected to you, and their assignments need to be broken.
Some of our blind spots involve doors to the enemy that our ancestors opened as well as ourselves. Until the blood of Jesus is applied to those sins, it’s like a swinging door in the spirit realm where the enemy can come and go. The blood of Jesus closes the door so that the enemy is shut out. It is all about applying the work of the cross to our lives. It’s about the blood of Jesus that is powerful to deliver us from evil.
When God first started teaching me about generational curses, it came at a time when we were going through a very difficult time. It was very apparent that there was a spiritual battle because we were being squeezed financially. I was also having some very vivid dreams where I was attacked and followed by satanists and witches, and in every dream they were winning. I knew God was talking but I wasn’t sure about what.Then one night as I was praying the Lord told me to renounce voodoo. I was shocked because my mind couldn’t make sense of what I heard. But as I was obedient to the Lord, I stumbled through a prayer and asked the blood of Jesus to cover voodoo and other sins in my family line. Once I was obedient, I heard his voice very clearly. He asked, “Do you know what doors others in your family have opened a door to?” And I said, “No, Lord, how could I know that?” To which he replied, “That’s my point exactly, Laura.” It’s what you don’t know that is destroying you. The enemy sees legal grounds due to open doors and you don’t even know they exist.
In my early years as a Christian, no one in my life informed me that I needed to tell demonic spirits to leave me. I had no idea because the church didn’t teach it. So even though I was saved, those spirits continued to unravel my ability to prosper.
“Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.” Proverbs 26:2.
That word “undeserved” can offend people because no one wants to think they deserve a curse. God doesn’t curse His children, but Satan will gladly enforce a curse if we are careless. We tend to evaluate ourselves by our own opinions but the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light don’t care about our opinions. They only operate by the spiritual laws in His word. People tend to judge themselves by a false standard of their own opinions because it is a form of self deception that offers a false form of comfort. We rationalize what motivates our behavior and think God will accept all our excuses, but Hoseah 4:6 says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” We cannot afford to make allowances for our ignorance or our disobedience because it leaves us and our family members vulnerable to the enemy.Demons constantly look for areas where people have open doors. They take advantage of our blind spots. So let me just say it again: No one can afford to judge themselves by their own opinions or their own understanding. You will err greatly. The word of God is the standard by which we are judged, by God and by the enemy. God’s promises of restoration are conditional upon our obedience.
The enemy always wants to challenge us for dominion. There are believers that are bound in the area of their emotions. These are indicators that a person needs deliverance. All sin comes from the separation between us and ourselves, yourself and others, or between ourselves and God. Whenever there is something broken in one of these areas, it causes a lack of peace. Other words for peace are serenity, calmness and ease. The word dis-ease comes from the prefix dis, meaning NOT, and ease, which means peace. So, not peace. A lack of peace is the root of all disease. Dis-ease.Spirits of infirmity, sickness and disease can take up residence in our physical bodies. Spirits of infirmity must be cast out before healing can take place in the body. That can be another block to answered prayer. If you pray for healing but you’re not casting anything out, the demons that cause sickness and disease can remain. Jesus ministered healing to the sick often by casting out evil spirits. Luke 4:40-41 is one example. It says, When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
Jesus came to give us rest. His name is Jehovah Shalom. The word shalom is a word that means safety, prosperity, well-being, health, protection, fruitfulness and abundance. Jesus’ name means all of that. So wherever we are disconnected from Him, wherever the enemy is squatting on our land or is lying to us, there will be evidence somehow of a lack of peace and rest. If the enemy has established a stronghold in your beliefs, that will be the place where your mind wanders and there is a lack of peace. If you’re bound by unforgiveness or bitterness, there will be a lack of peace. Those are clues where you need deliverance and healing so that your peace can be restored. The question is, who and what is ruling over your emotions?
This sort of ministry builds up the individual and establishes the work of God.When people receive deliverance, they get healed, and healthy people will bring healing to others. So, it’s also a ministry that releases multiplication of health, freedom and increase to the body of Christ. This is an overview of deliverance ministry and I want to share with you a great resource to the body of Christ. My book, Wisdom to Defeat the Enemy is a deliverance handbook. Whether you are interested in working with God in your own self deliverance or you want to become more informed on how to help others, this is a book full wisdom and truth that will lead you in your journey of healing. It’s available on Amazon.
Introduction to Deliverance part one
Today I’d like to talk to you about the deliverance ministry. This is such a complex subject that this is only an introduction to it and why it’s so vital to our lives. Hopefully, I will share some things that make you think about it on a deeper level and prepare you for what God wants to do in your life. One of the first things I want to clarify is that deliverance is about a life giving connection to the Lord and His Holy Spirit in our life. We can say all kinds of prayers, but our freedom, peace and healing are found in His presence. Worship is the first key because we cannot bear any fruit whatsoever without being connected to Him. John 15:5 tells us that we must remain In Christ in order to bear fruit, and apart from Him we can do nothing.Worship connects us to the heart of God and allows us to experience His love. In His presence is fullness of joy. In His presence our desires change. We feel more inspired to want genuine transformation in our life and want to give Him access to our hearts. In His presence He leads us to the well of living water, and it’s in His presence that we receive revelation that has the power to set us free. Worship is the first key to deliverance because it transports us into the holy place where the enemy has no access and we can begin to hear God’s thoughts towards us. Connection to the Holy Spirit is the second key. You cannot get delivered or help others get delivered without depending on the Holy Spirit. You must train yourself to listen.
Deliverance ministry is important to the church because it is a ministry that draws people. People, like sheep, will wander to find the food that sustains them. Heals them. People everywhere need answers to the issues of their life. They need to know, “Why am I stuck?” “Why can’t I seem to make any progress?” “What is withstanding my prayers?”or “How do I get healed from emotional wounding?” All those questions and more are answered through deliverance ministry, yet it’s the least popular and least talked about ministry in many churches. Feel good messages don’t impact people with real change. A watered down gospel doesn’t deliver people from spiritual darkness. And when people don’t have answers for the issues of their life, they are left broken, weak and vulnerable. This makes them restless. They are searching, sometimes for something they don’t even know how to articulate, so they wander from church to church, place to place,looking for the food and deliverance that brings rest to their soul.
I have had some amazing testimonies from people that have had curses broken. For instance, two different women from Africa emailed me to ask me to pray for their pregnancies because they were miscarrying. In the first situation, the doctor had already told her it was too late, the baby was dead. She was believing for a miracle. I had her pray my prayers that renounce all kinds of generational sin and witchcraft. She emailed me later to tell me that when she went back to the doctor the baby was alive and doing well! In the second situation, it was very similar but the miscarriage had not started yet. When she went back to the doctor, a new scan revealed she had not just one, but two LIVE babies in her womb. God gave her double once the sin issue was removed. Recently a friend of mine told me about one of her friends who had contacted her for prayer for her grandbaby that was soon to be born. The mother was about 6 months along and the doctor said the baby wasn't getting enough oxygen and wasn't doing well. I sent her my prayer for life in the womb (a healthy pregnancy) and she passed it along to the grandmother, who shared it with her son and his family. They all prayed it in the third trimester. My friend just got the report back that the baby was born perfectly normal and healthy. Praise God!
Deliverance ministry is heavily dependent upon wisdom from the Holy Spirit. He is our source of wisdom and truth, and he is committed to us because He loves us. We never want to impart a sense of legalism or condemnation through the letter of the law. There is no condemnation for those in Christ. The law of the Spirit of Life in Christ depends on us walking in the Spirit, depending on the Holy Spirit for illumination. But, with all that said, we also cannot bypass the consequences of disobedience. It’s our obedience that allows us to walk in true freedom.
Matthew 15:22-29 tells us that healing is the children's bread. Bread is sustenance. In those days, bread was the staple food. That means it is of primary importance to the life of the believer. In other words, it’s not optional, or shouldn’t be, because you can't be in good health spiritually or emotionally without deliverance being a part of your life. In Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” People depended on bread for the nourishment of their bodies. It’s required for spiritual health and strength. The spiritual appetite cannot be satisfied without deliverance. It is healing to the soul. It results in inner healing and joy, and strength to God’s people. Without it, people struggle under the enemy’s yoke of heaviness and oppression.
With this sort of ministry, it’s important to pay attention to everything. God will drop clues in our dreams to give us secret information - information we need to pray over and research so that it leads to healing and freedom. I just had a woman a couple weeks ago where she got delivered from constant, disruptive stomach issues and sharp, stabbing pains in her body that had plagued her for years - all because we stopped to research and pray about something God showed her in a dream that went all the way back to her teenage years. It was connected to video games, wizardry and fantasy roleplaying. I researched the name from her dream and then had her renounce everything related to this fantasy character. All her symptoms went away. Before we had a deliverance session, she had no rest. Things were manifesting in her body. Afterwards, she had peace.
God wants to give His people rest. This is the purpose of deliverance, to give us rest from our enemies. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mercy is one of the covenant blessings we have with God. Mercy moves Him to action on our behalf, wanting to draw us closer and bring us into a place where our soul is comforted.
Demons create a lack of peace. Look at what what Matthew 12:43-45 says. This is from the Message Bible.
“When a defiling evil spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return it finds the person spotlessly clean, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse off than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place. “That’s what this generation is like: You may think you have cleaned out the junk from your lives and gotten ready for God, but you weren’t hospitable to my kingdom message, and now all the devils are moving back in.”
A lack of peace makes it impossible to enter into rest for your soul. Now, listen to this: If a person can’t enter into God’s rest, they also can’t enter into their promised land. In the days of Moses, we read of a generation of Israelites that wandered the wilderness for 40 years, never taking their promised land. Those people were never at rest. They were full of bitterness, complaining, strife and unbelief, and a lot of discouragement They saw the miracles, signs and wonders yet failed to act in faith to confront enemies that stood in their way, preventing them from possessing their promises.They were delivered from Egypt but they never got rid of that poverty mindset that undermined and unraveled their faith. Their minds remained in captivity so they never exercised their dominion and authority. A poverty mindset is one that is characterized by a sense of unworthiness, insecurity, and inferiority. How many of you struggle with those same feelings? Your inner critic tells you, I’m not good enough. I can’t do anything right. I’ll never have a good life. Why even bother believing? My life will never amount to anything. God, I feel like You’ve abandoned me. I guess I don’t measure up. See, It’s a rejection of who you are in Christ, an unbelieving mind.
Hebrews 4:1-11 tells us that there was an entire generation of people that did not take their promised land because they had unbelief. They were too afraid to fight the giants that guarded their spiritual inheritance. They allowed fear and unbelief to keep them stuck in the wilderness. We too, can make the same mistake if we are not intentional when it comes to those things that want to keep us stuck. How are you going to fight the giants - also known as strongman spirits - if you aren’t trained in deliverance or experience it for yourself?
The enemy still uses fear and unbelief today to keep people from receiving their deliverance. God can bring you to the person who is anointed to help you, but He won’t make you stay to receive help if you want to opt out. I have seen it many times where people are right on the brink of a breakthrough, and the enemy will do everything possible to redirect them away from their deliverance.
The thought of deliverance ministry can make people uncomfortable if they have preconceived ideas of what they fear will happen. I find that people who don’t really know God don’t trust Him, and they won’t trust others to help them with their issues. Mostly because they are afraid of embarrassment or insecure about being judged. The word of God in Psalm 23 says our Good Shepherd leads us in paths of righteousness. He brings us to peaceful streams so that we can rest. He wants to give you rest and refreshment in His presence. But you can be sure that truth also makes the enemy uncomfortable. All because the enemy doesn’t want to lose his host. He needs people to cooperate with him so he has a place to stay. But when people make excuses to avoid deliverance, they are actually practicing a form of idolatry, because it’s living by self rule rather than yielding to the authority of God so they can be healed and free. That defiance may present itself like fear or some form of intimidation, maybe it sounds like one of the statements I made a moment ago, but it’s breaking faith with God. It’s the acceptance and agreement with the enemy rather than a profession of faith. Sometimes we tell ourselves, “I’m ok the way I am. I don’t need anyone’s help. I am satisfied with the knowledge I have. I’m satisfied with the amount of God I have.” 1 John 1:8 tells us that if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth isn’t in us. But it can also be a stubborn refusal to grow, and God calls that rebellion, which is why He said in Hebrews 4:1-3, these people will not enter my rest.
"Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest…"
Faith and unbelief cause double mindedness. Scripture is very clear in James 1:6-8 and tells us that we become very unstable when our beliefs waiver. A double minded man does not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Another reason why deliverance ministry is important is because it stabilizes our faith.
Deut. 9:4-5 is a reminder that we don’t take our promised land because of our own righteousness, but as a gift of God’s grace. We cannot enter into our promised land in our own strength. It’s not by our own strength, our will, our good works or by striving to make something work just because we will it to. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord. We have to cease from our works so that we can obtain our promises in God‘s grace. And you cannot do that without deliverance, because deliverance produces a yieldedness and submission to God. Every spiritual warfare battle I’ve been in - and I’ve been in a lot - was there to buffet my flesh until I reached a point of yieldedness and surrender. I needed deliverance. We go through hardships and trials and learn to overcome and subdue our flesh so that in a time of testing, we can withstand the tests and not be unapproved or seen as a counterfeit. But a person that has not had deliverance will not be able to pass those tests with demons still attached to their lives. Those spirits are assigned to trip people up and cause spiritual abortion. It’s why people find themselves going through the same type of familiar seasons where you go, “Oh, not this again. This feels so familiar.” It’s because you haven’t passed the test in a previous season. It’s the same reason the Israelites stayed in the wilderness for 40 years.
When a person is not submitted to God’s Holy Spirit, it causes them to be timid and unbelieving. People sometimes don’t want to get involved in deliverance because they’ve not been trained how to walk in their true identity as sons and daughters of God. If you haven’t been trained in this, naturally, you won’t feel confident in taking authority over demonic spirits.
Let me tell you another story. I was teaching a deliverance class and one woman simply asked a question, “Who is Leviathan?” Instantly that demon surfaced and shut her down. She slumped over, non responsive. Like completely catatonic. She couldn’t open her eyes, couldn’t talk, coulndn't move - nothing. After about 30 minutes had passed, I was starting to think, yikes, maybe we should be calling 911, but what are paramedics going to do with Leviathan? This was a spiritual issue. One of the people there asked, “Ok, what do we know about Leviathan?” I said, "Job 41 says He is the king over all the children of pride, and his wall of armor is made up of things like shame, rejection, regret, fear of embarrassment, judgments, unforgiveness, self hatred, and all manner of emotional wounding.” Then I remembered that the night before this woman had shared she had a lot of regret and shame from an abortion she had when she was married, because she was on her way out of the marriage and didn’t feel she could support another child. She blamed her ex husband and herself for the murder of their child. She was emotionally stuck, even though I did pray with her about that the previous night. Leviathan was guarding those raw emotions and that spirit knew she was in a deliverance class where he might lose his host, so he shut her down to protect his house. He was the strongman that needed to be bound. Everyone in the class was shocked and just looked like a deer in the headlights. I looked at them and said, “Hey! This is what you’re here for!” You need to participate too! I told them, "Get in your bibles or on your phone, and start finding scriptures that speak about the blood of Jesus, forgiveness, shame, God’s grace, the love of God... and begin to declare it over this woman." As we did, she was slowly able to respond a little more. We kept telling that spirit, the blood of Jesus has already defeated you. BUT, it knew it had legal grounds to stay because she hadn’t forgiven herself or her ex. I told her she had to forgive her ex or this spirit wouldn’t leave. She started wailing. All the pain, all the torment starting coming to the surface. Little by little, we got her to say she forgave him. Then we told her to forgive herself. She had great difficulty because of the shame and regret. See, emotions are not just emotions. They are spirits with an assignment. We had her break the agreement with the spirit of grief. People in the room were still declaring the word of God over her. Some were singing the scriptures. One person blew the shofar over her. She was finally able to comply, but then she wailed and she wailed, as grief kept pouring out of her. Every time, we had her renounce the agreements she had made with those spirits (shame, rejection, anger, resentment, guilt, self-condemnation and self-hatred, unworthiness) and we commanded them to leave. She got the victory and she came out of that free and healed from the emotional pain she had lived with for many years.
That class learned a lot that night. They saw the process and felt empowered by what they learned. Deliverance helps build your confidence. Aren’t you tired of the enemy getting one over on you and your family? What if that had been your loved one? Are you going to leave them in that state? Or do you want to know how to help them? Aren’t you tired of spirits blocking your prayers and robbing you of the blessings God has for you? It is time to take back your life and take possession of your land!
--End of part one. See the next post for part two.
Humility and Repentance is a Key to Healing Children and Families
The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of words. In Genesis chapter one, we see that everthing that was created was done with the spoken word of God. We also see that (if we seek knowledge and understanding of God's word, the original meaning in many words portrays a courtroom setting. We acknowledge there is a just and righteous judge, an adversary that takes on the persona of a prosecuting attorney, and we have our Advocate, Jesus, that acts as our defense attorney. The Holy Spirit bears witness and testifies to what He knows. We, too, are called as witnesses and our words are our testimony. This is not intended to be a complete teaching on the reality that there are courts in heaven where judicial matters are dealt with, but may it serve as a reminder of this truth.
The kingdom of God as well as the kingdom of darkness is built with words. It is how the enemy ensnares people, and forms his assignments against mankind. That is why the words we speak carry such weight. Born again believers have the Spirit of God living inside of them, and as such, we have the ability to create what we speak, just like God. There is a principle found in Romans 4:17-18 that we are to call forth the things that are not in faith and they shall manifest. By the same principle, we also have the potential to create a negative future based on the words we speak. We can either speak life, or negativity and words that carry the power to act as a destructive force. We want to remember to speak words of life, because according to Revelation 12:11, our ability to overcome any situation lies in the power of the blood of the Lamb, AND the words of our testimony. A testimony is a spoken statement given in a court of law, with the intention of determining the outcome of a legal matter.
The following article has in mind specifically how our words have affected our children and family members, but it can also apply to anyone that we may have spoken about with negative, careless or critical words. Words carry power in the spirit realm and create a ripple effect that is far beyond what we can imagine. Sound waves create vibrations and are a force that impacts other things. The prayer at the end was written with children an families in mind, because we are in a profound time when God is healing families and restoring the lost back to Him. Children, just like anyone else, can be deeply hurt and offended by our words. Jesus pointed out to take extra precautions not to treat children with disrepect because they have guardian angels that are always in the presence of the Father. Matthew 18:10 says,
“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father."
Angels are messengers, and if they are always guarding our children don't you think they are also reporting back to the Father the things that are hurting and offending them? As parents, guardians, coaches, mentors or leaders, we have a responsibility to also act protectively towards all children, not just our own. We should be careful that we are not a source of pain, offense, or a stumbling block to them coming to Christ. We don't want them to see us as insincere or hypocritical Christians. Allow me to group together some key texts from scripture then I will elaborate on what God put on my heart to share. I have underlined some important words for the sake of emphasis.
Let all the little children come to Me and never hinder them. Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! (That word, 'woe,' is a warning - don't create offense in others! I would go so far as to include, don't slander, disrespect, shame or humiliate others thrugh the careless, negative words you speak. Be careful not to offend others and become their stumbling block!) Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Since each of you are part of God’s family, never complain or grumble about each other so that judgment will not come on you, for the true Judge is near and very ready to appear! Confess and acknowledge how you have offended one another and then pray for one another to be instantly healed, for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!
James 4:11 is a powerful reminder that we are responsible for the words we speak.
"Dear friends, as part of God's family, never speak against another family member, for when you slander a brother or sister, you violate God's law of love."
James 5:9 speaks of a judge standing near as well as a judgment. This is a reference to a courtroom setting.
"Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!"
Stop and think about that for a moment. Consider what you've said about others, maybe even those closest to you. Are you building them up, or tearing them down?
We also know there are books that must be opened prior to courts going into session, according to Daniel 7:9-10.
"I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened."
These are books of things that have been recorded, such as books of destiny, and words that have been spoken that pertain to God’s will being done on earth, as it would be done in heaven. In every court system there are witnesses who give testimony. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us there is a great cloud of witnesses. This isn’t just those who have passed on. We also bear witness and offer testimony with the words we speak about others. That is why our words matter so much. Matthew 12:36-37 says,
"But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
If we have been careless with our words, those words are documented by scribe angels. How else would every word we have spoken be called into account? Indeed, they are recorded and bear witness in heavenly courts. This is very important to understand! Careless words also have the potential to hurt and offend others. But Jesus warned us in His word to be careful about the words that we speak. I don't think I fully understood the significance why until now, but it is the same as bearing false testimony (again, likened to a courtroom situation) , speaking against the reputation of someone else.
Careless words often are spoken from a limited understanding of a situation. How often have you spoken carelessly about someone when you are disappointed, frustrated, angry or upset? How often have you made a rush to judgment? People have a limited understanding based only on what they know regarding a situation. Often times they never stop to consider how the words coming out of their mouth might impact someone else, or how it can boomerang back into their own life as a judgment that blocks their prayers from being answered. These are emotional words, not truth or based on facts. Therefore, those word are equated to giving false testimony against the reputation of another God has called into the kingdom, to live victoriously. Speaking negatively against others is no small matter! In a court of law many other factors are taken into consideration before a verdict is issued. Speaking out of frustration, anger or hurt causes offense. It is not only hurtful to those we speak about, it also grieves the Holy Spirit. Those careless words must be expunged - completely erased - from the records because when we judge others, according to Luke 6:37, a judgment is placed on the books under our name. Words spoken carelessly about others can become a judgment against us, making us guilty before the court. Romans 8:33 says,
“Who then would dare to accuse those whom God has chosen in love to be His?”
The enemy is also sure to repeat those words in the ears of those it is about, in an attempt to bring them into agreement with them. Ecclesiastes 10:20 reminds us that birds of the air (spirits) will carry the words we speak about others to them.
"Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say."
Hurt and offense has the potential to create unforgiveness, bitterness and rebellion to God. That is how Satan releases his assignment into their lives. He uses words to stir up misunderstanding, resentment, mischief, and create offense against us and others. Earlier I mentioned that Matthew 12:37 tells us we must give an account for the words that we speak, and every careless word that has been spoken will be brought up in the court records. “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” The words we have spoken gives the enemy legal grounds to withstand our prayers. This is why we must take care to confess and repent for those things because it makes us guilty before the court. When we are guilty of judging others and speaking critically of them, that outstanding judgment and sin of bearing false testimony is now recorded in our books. Speaking poorly against others places us in agreement with the accuser, and because of that, there is a penalty for that action. Those words can hang in the spirit over loved ones that we are praying for. It can cause our prayers to be hindered until we repent and confess our sin to God, and ask that the blood of Jesus cleanses us of all unrighteousness. Many people are gaining knowledge of how to go into the court of heaven to try to gain a favorable verdict from the Judge (our heavenly Father), but you know what happens when you show up to court when there's an outstanding charge against you? The Adversary (prosecuting attorney, Satan) is going to tell the judge that he has legal grounds against you to withstand your prayers. You might even receive a penalty! As God’s ambassadors, we have a judicial responsibility to properly distinguish the content of our words, whether they release life or death. And, as His intercessors, we bear the responsibility to plead for mercy, not to agree with Satan and falsely accuse someone else, which signifies guilt. Matthew 5:22-24 tells us,
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be guilty before the court, and whoever says to his brother ‘You good for nothing’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says ‘You fool’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
We must cancel out any agreements we have made, knowingly or unkowingly, with the enemy and the spirit of accusation, because God will not bless what is in alignment with Satan. James 5:16 is another reminder that even our healing may be blocked until we have confessed our sins and asked for forgiveness.
"Confess and acknowledge how you have offended one another and then pray for one another to be instantly healed, for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!"
Humility and repentance are the keys to healing emotional wounds, misunderstandings and resentment that has contributed to brokenness in families. God wants to heal the broken trust issues. Our goal is to remove all hindrances to answered prayer so that Heaven’s courts may rule in favor of those we pray for. We also have the responsibility, through intercession, of legally dissolving contracts with the devil that allow him to carry out his assignments. The job of the body of Christ is to prepare the way for the Lord to act.
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I repent for any negative words towards my children/spouses/grandchilldren (name them). I repent for speaking any negative, careless words that may have been used against them for the enemy to form an assignment. If I have ever said or done anything that made them feel insignificant, ridiculed, humiliated, disrespected, or anything that caused them to doubt who You created them to be, please forgive me.If my words have brought offense to them, please cause me to remember what I spoke and to make amends to them, and ask for forgiveness. Please forgive me, Lord, for the sins of bearing false witness, judging and releasing words of death over my children and family members. I condemn those words and ask that you forgive my sin, and theirs, and put the blood of Jesus over every wrong, careless word spoken to them or about them. May we be cleansed of all unrighteousness. If I have in any way contributed to their hurt and caused emotional pain, please heal those wounds. Let them not remember any hurtful words, and please silence the voice of the enemy in their ears. If anyone else has been hurt or tormented by my careless words and actions, please help them to forgive me from their heart and wipe away all negative memories. Please forgive me Holy Spirit, if I have grieved You. Heal my heart from any rejection issues, and let every unloving spirit be driven out of me and my family in Jesus' name.
Lord, please help my children to bring every thought into captivity and discern what comes from the enemy and what is from You. I declare they choose the power of God to overcome any lies and temptations of the enemy, and they turn away from evil. I ask You to create a compassionate, grateful and teachable spirit in them. May my children choose love, humility and forgiveness. Let the mind of Christ be formed in them so that they reject all thoughts from the enemy. Let the peace of God guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I declare my children hear the voice of God and follow You. Give them abundant grace to help them in their transformation and deliverance.
Now, Father, I ask that all judgments on my books and those of my children, or anyone else where my negative words are recorded, would be expunged from Your records.Please cancel any judgments or accusations that testify against either of us. I would like to repent and cancel any negative words I have spoken over anyone. I pray for Your mercy over all our lives. I ask that all careless words be expunged and erased from our books of destiny and any other books where our names are recorded. I also ask that any legal grounds the enemy has used to withstand my prayers would be expunged from the records, and You would issue an acquittal of all charges against me and my family members. May every demonic spirit active in my children’s life be bound and cast out now, in the name of Jesus. Let every demonic assignment be cut off and destroyed. Please Father, release your angels and messengers into my children’s lives, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Scripture references: Mark 10:14, Luke 17:1, Luke 6:37, James 5:9, James 5:16, Daniel 7:9-10, Psalm 139:16, Romans 8:33, Hebrews 12:1, Matthew 12:37.
Do You Know What Time it is?
We are in a time of shift. A shift in power. A shift in spiritual operations. A shift in position, placement and promotions. I hear the Lord speaking about gates, doors, locks and keys.
08/14/22 - I heard the Lord say that many people would be removed from their positions because they, like Shebna in the Bible, had not been good stewards of those positions. The Lord said that this transition of power would not be the same as in times past when positions were traded or exchanged from one corrupt person to the next, but this would be a time when God would establish an entirely new type of leadership. He told me to study the differences between Shebna and Eliakim, as found in Isaiah 22:15-25.
The Judgment on Shebna
15 Thus says the Lord God of hosts:
“Go, proceed to this steward,
To Shebna, who is over the house, and say:
16 ‘What have you here, and whom have you here,
That you have hewn a sepulcher here,
As he who hews himself a sepulcher on high,
Who carves a tomb for himself in a rock?
17 Indeed, the Lord will throw you away violently,
O mighty man,
tAnd will surely seize you.
18 He will surely turn violently and toss you like a ball
Into a large country;
There you shall die, and there your glorious chariots
Shall be the shame of your master’s house.
19 So I will drive you out of your office,
And from your position he will pull you down.
20 ‘Then it shall be in that day,
That I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah;
21 I will clothe him with your robe
And strengthen him with your belt;
I will commit your responsibility into his hand.
He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
And to the house of Judah.
22 The key of the house of David
I will lay on his shoulder;
So he shall open, and no one shall shut;
And he shall shut, and no one shall open.
23 I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place,
And he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house.
24 ‘They will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the posterity, all vessels of small quantity, from the cups to all the pitchers. 25 In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘the peg that is fastened in the secure place will be removed and be cut down and fall, and the burden that was on it will be cut off; for the Lord has spoken.’ ”
Shebna(h), (also possible variation is an abbreviation of Shebaniah) was a financial officer in King Hezekiah’s court. One translation of his name means 1) to be high or eminent, 2) to beautify, and 3) to be in an abode, a place of abiding or dwelling. Another translation offers additional details, explaining that Biblical names often were a ‘bouquet of meanings” due to the fact that there were slight differences between Hebrew and Aramaic script; therefore, the entire spectrum of names often contained multiple meanings. In this case, the name Shebna also means 1) a seat of beauty, 2) captured, and 3) please let return. (see Abirim Publications’ Biblical Name Vault)
Shebna represents those that have been given the opportunity to hold a trusted position of governing over others, but have not shown to have the quality of character that would benefit those under their care. Ungodly stewards will now lose their seats of authority because they have shown corruption in their actions and have not esteemed the Lord. Their pride has caused them to exalt themselves in a form of idolatry. I believe God is not only speaking to political leaders, but also addressing those that have not been good stewards of what they have been entrusted with, including things such as relationships, resources, positions, properties and other things. God requires an account and the books are open. Ungodly stewards will soon discover the false sense of security they have put their trust in cannot protect them from the sudden, unexpected turn of events that will create a reversal in circumstances. They will experience shame as a result of being removed from their positions and being stripped of their authority. While they go into captivity, they will yearn to recover their losses and return to their positions, and they will watch as others take the place they once held in high esteem. Thus, the plea for intervention to let them return to their position is understood by the meaning of ‘if you please.’ The verb that means “rest or cease activity” as another descriptive part of Shebna’s name means to halt the path or trajectory someone has been on and coerce them to go somewhere else. In other words, it constitutes the removal of someone and forcing them to move somewhere else. The slight variations in the spelling of Shebna(h)’s name may seem inconsequential, but in the context of the Bible, many people were known by either a variation of spelling or names. “This often occurs when a person undergoes a significant change of identity or character that changes the narrative of their life. It speaks of a sudden change of destiny, a real ‘head turner.’ In a positive sense, this can also be viewed as one of the ways God brings about a person’s restoration.” (See Abirim Publlications Name Meaning:Shebna) Those that are ready for their next step into promotion will experience the sudden turning of events that releases restoration.
The Rise of the Eliakims
Shebna(h) was deposed. Eliakim was called. This is a time when those who are called by God will come into positions they have been prepared for; it will be a strategic move by the hand of God. When God interrupts and disrupts leadership, it forces organizations, churches, ministries, and the political and cultural landscape to go into transition. Transition generally causes a sense of instability in the midst of change, but in Isaiah 22:20 we see that the transition of power was completed in the space of the same day, or a very short window of time. God’s choice for leadership is seen in Eliakim, who would bring a sense of comfort and stability in unstable times, and being securely established as a peg in a firm place by the hand of God, would not be easily moved. Others would cling to him because Eliakim was to be ‘like a Christ,’ or represent the fatherly authority, sacrificial love, care and affection towards the people under his care. Eliakim was a father to the city of Jerusalem. The inhabitants of the city were viewed as those in his own household.
A Time of Resurrection
In Hebrew, the name Eliakim means “God rises,” “God sets up,” or “God takes a stand.” The portion of his name (kim) is actually translated from “qum” and means to rise up. It means to get up from a sitting position. As in, get ready, it is time to move! It is time to act! It may also indicate the start of a journey, or paying attention. This same verb was used in Numbers 23:18 when God addressed Balam and Balak, who both were unwilling to hear and listen to God! It can also indicate one who takes a stand against an adversary. It can mean God taking a stand or giving his people the power to take a stand. This verb, qum, is also mentioned in Mark 5:41 when Jesus said to the little girl who had died, Talitha qum, which translated means “Damsel, arise.” This verb which means “to rise” is full of resurrection power!
I tell each one of you today, rise up! Be filled with the resurrection, overcoming, power of God. You ARE an overcomer in Christ. You are filled with the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. You may feel that you are at your wits end with some of the things you are dealing with, but remember that it’s when you reach the dead end where you have no place left to go - no solutions or means to figure out how to find the solution to your problem - it’s in your surrender and posture of humility when God shows up with your deliverance. You can‘t worry your way out of a problem. You have to prophesy your way to the other side! Use the authority God gave you and declare His word! When Moses came to the edge of the Red Sea he was at a dead end with trouble on all sides. God told him, “Stop crying and lift up your rod!” God told Him to speak to the problem. Tell your problem how big your God is and declare what His word says - Your deliverer will appear!
A Time of Deliverance
This verb represents deliverance. A time when God releases His Spirit to help us overcome that which has been set as an adversary against us.
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves;I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.” (Leviticus 26:13)
Also, another reference is from the Book of Judges when Gideon was called to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites.
“And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand!” (Judges 7:15)
A Time When God Establishes and Sets in Place; A Time of Receiving Keys and Opening Doors
This name, Eliakim, means God will establish. He would bring glory to the Father’s name. Eliakim was the steward with the key of authority that gave him an audience with the king.
A Time of Exercising Authority, Binding and Loosing
The key was an emblem of power; of opening and shutting doors which determined who would be allowed or disallowed to possess positions. This is another reference to ‘binding and loosing’ as we find in the New Testament. (See Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18-20 and Matthew 12:29). Jesus rebuked those that ‘shut up the kingdom of heaven’ through misrepresentation of the gospel and refused to enter the kingdom themselves. Just as Shebna had his keys taken from him and given to Eliakim, God will take what belongs to those that have misused what they’ve had and it will be given to those that will use what God gives them for kingdom purposes, to bring glory to the King. Shebna was only concerned about bringing glory to himself. God also took away the keys of wicked tenants from those with a religious, critical, fault finding spirit and abused others and gave them to His disciples. The Lord told Peter he would build his church upon the revelation of who He was as the Son of God. This revelation was the new model of the kingdom of God. God wants to restore HIS VISION in us that allows us to build HIS KINGDOM in the earth, and it will take many different forms.
A Time to Build
It’s time to build. Before God can build, He will often tear down. God wants to build His kingdom inside of us but He won’t build upon error. He can only build upon revelation of the truth, who He really is. That is why He comes to each one of us and asks us, “WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?” He can’t build upon fear, insecurity, worry and doubt. He can’t build upon lies that tell us He can’t be trusted, or He doesn’t want the best for us. It’s time to really come to a place of surrender, and ask Him to reveal any lies in our belief system that hinders His ability to build His kingdom in us. Religious spirits must be evicted. This means deliverance! God does not build on corruption. Religious spirits can be deceiving, but there is a sense of rigidity, legalism, critical and fault-finding spirits that bring people under condemnation, control and religious witchcraft. It lacks love and compassion towards others and is not an authentic representation of the heart of God. It’s an old wineskin that cannot hold the new wine. Old wineskins are inflexible and resistant to change.
It is a time to examine our level of commitment to purity and surrender those things we know we should not make excuses for, the things that hinder our spiritual growth. Why do we shortchange ourselves? That is an area where we deny the Lordship of Christ and excuse ourselves from obedience. That is not ok with God and we can’t afford to keep living in our old identity. That stubborn refusal to give up some old habit is a refusal to grow up in the Lord. Many people hold on to old behaviors because there is something in them that still hurts. Some of the old behaviors are tied to false forms of comfort that we attempt to justify in order to mask emotional pain. It’s time to get to the root of the pain and ask Holy Spirit to reveal the truth so that you can be healed. Once you are healed the old behaviors are easier to overcome. The bottom line is, people overcome WHEN THEY WANT TO. If you are struggling, ask the Lord to give you the WANT TO so you can overcome what has been stunting your spiritual and emotional growth. He will!
If we are not willing to be emptied of our flesh how can we receive that of the Spirit? My husband, Norm, spoke a few weeks ago on making room for the Lord. We must let go of some things because we can’t receive more of His Spirit if our hearts and our hands are already full. If we are full of excuses then we have not made room to receive. We must stop trying to live in an old identity. If we are crucified with Christ then there are certain habits and behaviors that must die, because it’s representative of a person that was buried with Christ on the cross. We are no longer that person! There are some doors that people will not have access to because they refuse to grow up in the Lord and discipline their flesh. Just as you would not give a child the keys to heavy machinery or a vehicle they were not mature enough to handle properly, so it is in the Spirit. God does not let us go through certain doors if we have not proven we are ready and spiritually prepared. This involves the development of character, integrity and purity in a person’s life.
A Time to Possess Keys and Harvest Souls
The word ‘key’ in Hebrew is the word ‘pathach,’ which means ‘to open, or an opening.’ Keys back in Biblical days were often very large, bent and curved, resembling a reaper’s hook. (Reaper's hooks were used to harvest wheat and other crops.) It is the time of harvest and God wants us to possess the keys that will help us harvest souls and bring them into the kingdom! The steward carried the keys of the house, or the entire household, with him and they were prominently displayed on his shoulder as a sign of honor and importance. The key of Isaiah 22:22 was not only a sign of power and authority, it was also a sign that the individual was trustworthy and knowledgeable, meaning the person had wisdom, experience and knowledge pertinent to understanding the solutions of certain problems.
It is only through intimacy with the Lord that we find keys to unlock the mysteries of the human soul. Sometimes these keys are our testimonies of how God met us in a time of need. It may be a story that releases hope and assurance to someone else. God wants to give His people words of knowledge that will help deliver and heal others. Some of the keys take the form of prophetic words that release encouragement and stability in these difficult times. Joseph had the key of dream interpretation that brought him before pharaoh. Joseph, because of the gift inside of him, possessed the wisdom to solve the problem at hand. His God-given gift was the key that opened the door and gave him an audience with a king. That gift also opened the door to his promotion.
“A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16.
Many of God’s solutions to perplexing situations are the keys that will open the heart of others. Every heart and every problem is a potential door because ‘doors’ are in people. When we find what touches their needs, the door of their heart will open. We then have an opportunity to connect them to Jesus, who loves them and wants to touch the issues of their lives. But, without this intimate relationship with the Lord, we shall find we stand empty handed without the keys that will open the doors to people’s lives. Many of the keys are only given to us as we seek the Lord.
The lover of our soul stands just outside the door of our hearts, knocking and waiting for us to grant Him entrance. Even when we are unmindful of Him, He is thinking about us. The conviction of the Holy Spirit to spend time in the secret place is like the gentle tapping on the door, waiting for us to respond, but only we can open the door from the inside. No one else can be sent to open the door for us. No false key will open the lock. Revelation 3:20 also reminds us that our beloved, Christ, stands at the door of our heart and knocks, waiting for us to invite Him in.
“Now pay attention; I am standing at the door and knocking. If any of you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to visit with you and to share a meal at your table, and you will be with Me.” Rev. 3:20 The Voice
A Time to Seek the Lord
There are times when He may seem to withdraw from us. All of us, myself included, struggle with busyness, distractions, apathy and things that pull us away from spending quality time with the Lord. In Song of Solomon, the Shulamite hesitated to open the door until her beloved turned away and left. In Song of Solomon 5:4-5, the scripture says,
“My beloved put his hand by the latch of the door,
And my heart yearned for him.
I arose to open for my beloved,
And my hands dripped with myrrh,
My fingers with liquid myrrh
On the handles of the lock.”
In ancient times, there was a hole by the lock of the door where a hand could be inserted with the key that opened the door. There was a hollow bolt and pins that could be moved by hand, but it required a soft lard or wax to fill the pin pockets so that they would not fall back into place, and then the door could be opened. This hollow space above the lock was also used as a hole where women could look out and speak with men without being publicly exposed, so they could maintain a sense of propriety.. It was where lovers could meet, speak, and even touch fingertips, but only the one on the inside could open the door. The one on the outside of the door could not easily gain admittance. No false key would open the door.
When the conviction of God’s word is not enough to evoke a proper response, there are times when He will, by the finger of God, which is called His Spirit, move the obstacle that prevents Him from having access to our heart. So great is His love for us! I speak this not to bring anyone under condemnation. Instead, let this serve as a gentle reminder that the lover of our souls promises to never leave us or forsake us, but he patiently waits for us to awake from our slumber and run to open the door and welcome Him in. Even if it seems that He has hidden Himself, it is not as a punishment, but a lover’s game of ‘hide-n-seek’ until he appears and draws us to himself. He longs to embrace us and rekindle the love and passion for His presence!
A Time of Awakening
We are in an interesting season. There are many things going on in the spiritual and natural realm. It is a time when God is awakening many who have been in a spiritual slumber and been somewhat apathetic towards Him. He is shifting the spiritual and political climate, exposing wickedness, and removing evil and corrupt people from positions of power. Those that are unfit like Shebna, or the Haman who conspired against God’s people shall be removed. Do not fear the things to come. Do not believe the lies of mainstream media or even other Christians that promote fear and doomsday messages. This is a time of reversal and restoration, even if it looks the opposite for a while. God will watch over us. We will see more and more of a shift of power over the next several months and going into the next year. It will be a wake up call to get right with the Lord like many have never known. This is a time to speak boldly for the Lord to encourage others to turn to and put their trust in the Lord. It is a time of harvesting souls, and for some, it may be the last time they are given an opportunity to hear and respond to the offer of salvation.
On August 26th, we entered the month of Elul on the Hebrew calendar, which is the last month on the Jewish yearly cycle before going into the Jewish New Year known as Rosh Hashana. (See Elul | Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Inc..) This month is intended to be a month of inner reflection, forgiveness and making amends with others, so that people can enter into the New Year with a ‘clean slate.’ God gives us this time of reflection so that we can correct our ways before the books of the previous year are closed. In Jewish tradition, it states that once an opportunity for repentance is closed at the end of Sukkot, the books and judgments are sealed. The ending of the Hebrew year falls on September 25th-27th 2022. This is a time when we should all petition God in prayers of repentance and draw closer to Him whether we are of Jewish heritage or not. God honors times and seasons on the Hebrew calendar. The first ten days of the year begins with Rosh Hashana and ends with Yom Kippur. It is known as the days of repentance, or the Days of Awe. It was named the days of awe because it was a time of assurance, with people knowing they were in right relationship with God and experiencing His closeness more and more. It became a time pregnant with expectancy and anticipation of heavenly encounters.
A Time of Spiritual Encounters
The month of Elul is also known as the month when ‘the king is in the field.’ A king lived in a palace and ordinarily would not be easily accessible to others. But, during the month of Elul, the king would leave the palace and make himself available to the citizens of His monarchy. The king made himself available to His people because He takes personal interest in us! The month of Elul is known as an appointed time when it becomes easier to meet with Jesus and access His presence. It is a time to return to God in heartfelt reflection, offering repentance, seeking forgiveness from God and others to whom we may need to make amends so that we may experience His mercy and restoration. It is a time to joyfully welcome Him into our heart and our home, enjoying sweet fellowship with Him!
The Lord is fighting for us. We are His people and the apple of His eye. Part of our seeking should be just loving Him, but the other part is drawing near to ask Him for keys, solutions, and strategies. We belong to our beloved and He belongs to us. Jesus yearns to connect with us and answer the questions of our heart. Behold, He stands at the door and is knocking!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)