Don't Get It Twisted, We Are At War!

Luke 8:30

Jesus asked him what is your name?  Legion because many devils were entered into him.

The topic of demons have been fairly mixed within the church.  This passage in Luke lets us know that demonic activity is real, and there is a reason why it’s called spiritual warfare.  When Jesus was here on earth, He did things for our example.  One of them was showing us how to take authority over demonic activity. 

Demons focus are to attempt to distort and destroy, especially people relationships with God. It is vital that believers recognize this.  As the word of God states, there is a war between the spirit and the flesh!

2 Corinthians 10:4

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to pulling down of strong holds.

Demons can be powerful until they come across a saint that knows their authority in God!  What did Jesus do when he was face with demonic activity. Did he run?  NO!  He took his authority immediately.  What was the weapon, His word!

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power!

The power of His resurrection give us power through His name.  At the name of Jesus, the weakest demons tremble.  Just at His name!  The name that is above all names!  This is also why it is so vital for saints to get God’s word in their hearts.  When it’s time for war, the soldiers are prepared. That is not the time to being getting your weapons together.  Same principle in the spirit.  When it’s time to rebuke those demons, that is not the time to start looking up a scriptures.  Mediate on God’s word.  It is vital to the spiritual war we are in.  What happen when Jesus spoke His word, the demons left.

So do we seat back and just accept sickness on our body or chaos in our homes or attacks on our finances?  Not if you are a child of God that know your authority in Christ!  During this month of Halloween, I am reminding the saints to be prayerful and fast.  Its war!  Demonic activity is at its peak doing this time of the year.  Notice how no one gets offended with Halloween, but everyone opinions come out for Christmas.

Saints, I encourage you to take your authority in Christ.  We are at war, no time to sleep!

Catch Me in the Club...

You are a youth in church and hear how you can’t be going to the club on Saturday and then try to praise the Lord on Sunday.  You may think to yourself, what’s wrong with that?  Some may even think well its easier for you to tell me not to go the clubs when you was younger, you was all up in it.  Now that you're old, you trying to ruin my fun.  Hmmmm

Well, I learned yet again the hard way why saint don’t got no business in the clubJ  

As Sophia from the Golden Girls would say, picture it.  You got your best outfit on and feeling good.  You arrive at the club.  Your song comes on so you decided to get your dance on.  You saved, but full of youth and just want to have some fun.  To be honest, the club scene starts off fun.

I’ve learn that Satan works best on the youth through deception!  Remember, he is the father of lies!

The deception for me was one of my co-workers suggesting I be the designated driver since they knew I was saved and wouldn’t drink.  I said ok, at least I would help from one hurting themselves or others.  So off to the club I go.  I heard a song and was like ohhhhh and did my dance, while babysitting adults. Oh yeah, at first it seem like no big deal.  Why the church gets on the youth so about this.  Oh but the night went on….

Within this same night, I witnessed women getting their high on in the bathroom. While dancing, this lady looked out of it and the guy was doing some interesting things while suppose to be dancing with her. I didn’t want to leave my soda down, as concern someone may put something in it that would send me out my right mind. Ha-ha   Then I had to ask the Lord for help, as my friend was about to go off with two other guys that was walking her to this white van.  I forgot how some people become the angry drunk, and while minding my business, this stranger asked me what I was doing there.  Yeah, the demons knew I had no business being there even if I didn’t!  What started out to feel like so much fun ended up having to semi fight off the two men with my friend.  I had to wrestle with her to get her in my car.  Then calming down another one before we ended up on the local news, and wondering about the next one.  By the time I got home, I was exhausted and not in a fun way.

So why are we told such places aren’t meant for a saint, simple, because it turns into a demonic atmosphere.  If not careful it can take your peace, it can disturb your joy.  I haven’t been back to a club since!  I have no desire to be there.  Oh, and I told the adults you grown when they wanted me to be a designated driver again.  Yet did you see how the devil tricked me.  However it taught me the answer to why.

We love songs from Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin.  I suggest a get together one Friday or Saturday night and play those types of songs and just enjoy one another’s company.  God is not against youth having some fun, but to be honest, we have to use wisdom.  We are in the world, but we sure nough aint of the world.

Hope my experience gave a better understanding on why not go to the club.  Be encouraged.          

For the Young and Saved :)

Oh the dating phase.  You see that guy that is so fine to your eyes.  You see that girl that is just gorgeous to your taste.  You meet.  You eat, laugh, and get to know each other better.  The flowers, the candy, the cards make it extra special.  Your heart beats harder when you see them.  You heart aches for them when they have to go.  Some women practice writing the guy they’re dating last name.  Men show other men how proud they are to say that’s my lady.  Oh yes, dating, what a wonderful feeling.  What a wonderful phase.

Then one night hormones knocks on the door.  What the two of you to do?  This is just some suggestions I think can be helpful for those youth that are dating and saved:

1.      Pray before you start your date.  I know when I was practicing this, hormones took a back seat.  I don’t know why I stopped.  Oh, and if brother is not encouraging the pray sometimes, RED FLAG!!

2.      Go to places where neither of you will be tempted! Then go home! Hahaha.  A kiss good night is nice but keep it moving!  Oh, and don’t get too HBO with the kiss either.  What happens when you touch a hot stove, need I say more. Hahaa.  It’s also good to go out with others like a double date to avoid temptation as well.

3.      Spend some time on your spirituality.  For example, this Friday night we will prayer together and do a bible study or discussion.  Again, if brother is not feeling this too tough, RED FLAG!!

4.      Some things come out by prayer and fasting.  It’s more to our spiritual lives than just corporate fasting.  Sometimes you have to get in your prayer closet and work it out.  So fasting to keep the flesh under subjection is suggested as well.  If brother making excuses all the time, RED FLAG!!

There is a reason why the Bible tells us to watch as well as prayer.  So keep mindful of things!  Even if it wasn’t meant to be, you can still remain friends and wish the best for each other.  It’s easier to do that when there is no sex involved!  I have ex’s that if I saw right now I would be like “heyyyy” J  Yet the one with sex, I would be like “oh God” J

Men, looking back, I wish I would of stayed doing this.  Well, we live and learn.  Hope this helps someoneJ

If anyone needs prayer or just want to holla at me on this, feel free.  Email: clarke697@gmail.com Twitter: @evie730

What About The Youth?

Remember in church you will see the children’s choir and we all would go awww, so cute.  Somehow the church would make sure all types of programs were catered to them.  We would grab their cheeks or give them that hug.  Yet something happened…these same munchkins have now gone from adorable to hormones.  Where is the church then?

We often wonder why that girl got caught in out of wedlock pregnancy, or you why haven’t seen that boy in church since he finished high school.  Can it be that the church as a whole ignores our youth needs???

Growing up in church, I was not perfect at all.  As I’ve said in the past, I started out getting saved because I witnessed the Lord deliver my mother from alcoholism and a cigarette addiction in one night.  Yet how many can say amen to the fact that you can’t live off of someone else’s testimony forever.  Eventually, you have to have your own.  I learned the hard way that church is not a place to expect perfection.  I truly thought back then it would be the one place where it would be problem free.  Yes, I was wrong!  I ended up experiencing more hurt from my peers in church than I did at high school.  Sad but true.  Here’s a secret, as long as I kept my mind on Christ, He kept me in peace.  It was the minute I turn my mind towards the issues that all hell broke loose!

Yes, we were told fornication is a sin, but did anyone think to have youth night to explain in detail?  Did anyone say let’s just minister to the youth one Friday night to just let them get it out and have some prayer?  Did anyone explain why we shouldn’t be at such places like the club?  Where’s the youth ministry, not munchkins, youth!  Going to such things like Great Adventures is nice, but Great Adventures isn’t going to help when those hormones knock on the door!

Let’s be real, youth can be saved and love the Lord, but those hormones are kicking them big time.  I hate to say I see the same cycle today.  I am trying my best to encourage my brother, which at times can be hard as I also understand.  I see in my parents the church the young people that are 18-25 are barely there.  It breaks my heart at times.  It during those prime years is where the devil comes in with decent.  That decent can turn into rebellion due to hurt.  That rebellion can cause some never to get back to their first love.

I know this is women know your worth.  However, I think I want to address some “youth issues” in some upcoming blogs.  I want our youth to be encouraged.   Especially my young ladies! Oh and churches, I hope I am giving you something to think about.

So Many Hats....

As women, we wear so many hats.  We wear the I’m the daughter hat.  We wear the I’m your sister hat.  We wear the I’m the girlfriend hat.  We wear the I’m your wife hat.  We wear the I’m the lover hat.  We wear the I’m sexy hat.  We wear the I’m a mother hat.  We wear the I’m the best friend hat. Whew, no wonder we be so tired.  Hahahaha

By wearing all these hats, it’s easy for us to say I have no time.  I have no time to take out for me.  I have no time for vacation.  I have no time to be sexy.  I have no time for hanging out with a friend.  I’m way too tired for sex. Etc…  However, at the end is this really healthy for us?

Every now and then we must stop and smell those roses we have worked so hard to plant!  Don’t let the devil put a spirit of condemnation on you for wanting some YOU time.  How can we be truly happy within ourselves if we are just burnt out.  We have the power over our homes.  Think about it, momma can affect everybody!

So I encourage us beautiful women to every now and then do you!  Whether that’s s trip to the hairdresser, or getting your nails done, or going out with a friend, exercising,  or just saying I need me time for a hour.  It’s important to keep yourself happy and healthy so that in return we can continue to wear all these hats sufficiently.   I know the next two weekends its going to be the road trip time for me. Woo hoo…then back to the student hat.  Booo.  Hahaha.  Stay encouraged.

What Makes The Difference?

You know Sunday I visited my parents church and they were singing today’s songs and it was nice.  However, they sung an oldie but goodie song from back in the days and it had me wanted to get my dance on.  The pastor than stated how back then you were in church all day.  Sunday morning services, then eat, then come back for afternoon or night service.  I grew up in that time as well.  Yet it didn’t feel long.  Many of times the night services was hotter than the morning service.  There were times I couldn’t wait to get to church, as I was excited to see how God was going to move before it was all over.

Confession, now my attitude many of times is I get there when I get there.  That excitement I once had just isn’t there.  Is it because I lost my zest for God?  Is it because my flesh doesn’t want to go to church anymore?  What is it…

Psalm 25:14

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and he will show them his covenant. 

One of those secrets that truly makes the difference is the anointing.  What made me so excited back then was the anointing.  The anointing that would come forth out of the saints prayers before they sing, preached, or even took an offering.  It was the anointing that overflowed the atmosphere where people received salvation, healings, and deliverance.

To keep it real, we have lost some of that anointing in our church services.  The saints were strict back then.  Whew, when I think about some of that strictness. Lawddddd.  However, they may have had a point with some of it.  It does taking fasting, not just corporate fasting, but personal time fasting as well. It does take every now and then turning off that TV and studying God’s word.  It does take prayer as well as spiritual warfare.  It does matter how we dress.  It does matter how we condone ourselves.  It does matter to discipline this flesh. 

So my prayer is we get back to the anointing.  You can hit every note as you sing.  You can know every scripture for a subject.  You can even cut a good step, but without the anointing, it profits nothing.  It’s the anointing that makes the difference saints.  Just sayin!

The Privileges in God

So many times our flesh can have us dwell upon what appears to be rules and regulations to our salvation.  It’s what I call the “you can’t do this and that” syndrome.  However, I wonder, do we as saints really think about the privileges we have in our God??  Here are some examples:

You start feeling like you are coming down with something.  The sinner would have to deal with it and try to drug themselves to death in the process.  The saint can quote He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities.  The chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with HIS stripes, we are healed.  Then get to rebuking in Jesus name and before you know it, you feel much better within the hour.

You are stressed.  Things are going on within the home and you just can’t deal with it.  The sinner would have to go to false pleasure like a cigarette, or alcohol, or even sex or drugs to take their mind off of things for a little while.  Ever heard of happy hour?  LOL.  The saint can quote the peace that passes all understanding shall guide my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.  We can call on Jehovah Shalom to send some peace and the next thing you know; things are calm in your spirit.

How many times do you overhear co-workers saying I had to take this or that to get to sleep the other night?  There is no rest for the wicked! The saints have now I lay me down to sleep, for thou Lord make me dwell in safety and can get that good sleep on throughout the night.

A sinner sees something that they really want but don’t have the money for and will just have to deal with it, or in some cases, steal it.  The saints have delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thy heart.  There have been times when my money was low, but God touched someone heart to grant something I wanted...HOLLA

Problems are a part of this realm.  Thanks to sin, there isn’t anything we can do about that.  However, hell can be all around, BUT the joy of the Lord can be a saint’s strength.  I remember with my mom in the hospital.  God showed up in the hospital room one night.  In the midst of my flesh being concerned if my mom was going to meet our Lord, God granted us a spirit of praise and removed the burdens.  Whewww... (Praise break)

So I say all that to say this, saints, we have privileges in our salvation that sinners don’t get to experience, as they are spiritual discerned.  We have His word.  We have His name.  We have prayer as a key and faith that unlocks that door.  Just think about whom we are serving here…Jesus the Christ!  This man took on flesh so he could understand everything we feel on a personal level (don’t you wish some of our government leaders would do that).  He took the burdens of the cross for us to be made free.  He even resurrected himself from the dead and gave us power in His name!  We can now come boldly to His throne.  In HIS name, we can cast out devils.  In HIS name, we can change atmospheres.  In HIS name, our bodies are healed.  Shoot, even with trouble, in HIS name, there can yet be peace.  He is Rab-Koach, the mighty powerful God. 

What a privileged!

  

Are We Taking God For Granted?

Romans 7:21

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

I love this chapter as I feel like Paul was keeping it real here.  How many times as children of God, we know to do good, but our flesh!  You know you are fasting and yet somehow you can smell those McDonalds fries a mile away.  You know not to covet, but that person man is looking mighty good to our eyes.  You know not to fornicate, but he is looking so good and saying all the right things and making you feel like you’re only his alone.  You know you shouldn’t looking at things that will just entice” your heat”, but you sneak off and do it anyway.  The flesh!!!  It can lead you to a road that can carry you straight to hell.  It can ruin relationships not just with people, but with God.  Worse of all, it can take away your anointing! 

Yet we find ourselves to all have sinned and come short.  It is a deep thought to process.  Could it be we are just taking advantage of our Savior’s love??  His love is unconditional.  His love is indescribable.  His love  never fails!  Yet does that mean we take advantage of it??

Romans 6:1

What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace my abound?

Is it really ok to think I can do “flesh” things as long as I just repent?  Is that true repentance? We love to say how God looks at the heart when it comes to our clothing.  Yet God is looking at that same heart when it comes to our actions, even with repentance.

My sister in Christ had me thinking today!  Am I taking God’s love for granted?  It’s  something for us all to think about! 

Inspired by Carla

Something To Think About!

These three African American men…

All three are educated

All three maintain good jobs

All three support  me

One is my husband, one is my dad, one is my brother

Do they look suspicious to you?  Marinate!

Let’s continue to keep our African American men covered in prayer.  There has been a demonic attack on them that only the blood of Jesus can prevail against!  Wives, daughters, sisters, and mothers; lets support our African American men.  They go through so much on a daily basis just by stepping out their door.

What Makes Us Stay...

There you are minding your own business when you look up and see a tall, caramel skin, nice brown eyes and a heck of a smile kind of guy.  You make eye contact.  He starts to approach you.  You feel chills as he takes each step towards you.  Then within a blink of an eye, you give him your number.

There’s conversations that leads to dates.  There’s dates that leads to laughs.  There are laughs that can lead to memories.  You even say to yourself could he be the one?  You start picturing the ring, the dress, and the day of the wedding.  Yet you can’t help but notice things have changed.  The texts are less.  The calls are few. The time spent is now short.  You find yourself giving your gift of time only for it not to be returned back to you.  He says he loves you, but.  It’s the “but” that now has you feeling insecure, being depressed, and even at times feeling lonely.  That good God looking man has now shattered your heart and left you empty.  So you leave right? No, we still hold on.

How many of us women do this?  We are experiencing a bad relationship, but we hold on.  Hold on to the thought of I can help change him.  Hold on to the thought of but he’s so fine.  Hold on to the thought of it’s better than being alone.  Notice how everything we do starts with a thought!

This is a root called rejection and under it is a spirit of insecurity, sex for love, denial, loneliness, and low self-worth (Cindy Trimm, Rules of Engagement, p236-240).

Our Avi, Father has made women beautiful, intelligent, and unique.  Our Avi, Father did not make us to feel belittled, used, or even to settle.  If a man can’t appreciate your worth, he is simply not worth your time!  I know this issue too well, as I spent two years purposely alone to seek God for deliverance, as low self-esteem led me to think I didn’t have a life unless I had a man.  I spent that time repenting, intense honest prayers, fasting, and reading God’s word.  I went to the movies by myself.  I went to eat out by myself. I went to beaches and parks by myself.  I spent time with me and God!  Was it depressing at first to do, you betcha.  Was it worth it at the end, you betcha.  Thank God for Yahweh Mephalti, the Lord my deliver!  I know my worth!

Even Song of Solomon 4:7 states:  You are all fair (beautiful), my love; there is no spot in you.

So I leave you with this…he is fine, but is he really worth your time!

Be Encouraged.

What Are You Seeking?

In the voice of Sophia from the show Golden Girls, picture it.  You are watching the time, as you hurry up to get dress to get in the car.  You make sure you are on time to that church service, as you don’t want a miss a second of what God may do.  The minister starts off the service with such a powerful prayer, that God’s presence enters the room.  There’s no pumping up praise, as the praise is already there.  You leave church renewed, refreshed, and full of armor.

So what happened to our services particularly here in America?  The rush we once had now has turned into dragging our way to church.  The praise that uses to be already there is now spent pumping the saints up.  That powerful start off prayer over services has turned into a five minute bless the service Lord Prayer.

My opinion, I think we started walking more after the flesh and less after the spirit.  If the Pastor got up and said Monday night we are having prayer for those desiring a financial blessing, I bet you there will be a great turn out.  That same Pastor can say we having Monday night prayer for spiritual breakthroughs, ten people may show up.  We as a body has got caught up to seeking things instead of seeking God!  We have catered to our flesh and as a result, we have flesh services. Even with a lot of our gospel music today, it caters to our flesh. Very few songs encourages praise and worship.

Don’t misunderstand me, God desires for us to be blessed with things.    The scripture says He has pleasure in the prosperity of His servants in Psalm 112. There should be a balance with our lives.  However let me be honest here, if a person gets sick, that car is not going to heal them.  If a person is depressed, that house is not going to free them. If there’s chaos at work, that three carat ring isn't going to change the atmosphere. If you need to forgive, those clothes are not going to help mend your heart to do it!

We know the scripture, seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

The question is what are we seeking first?

Saints, we need to be reminded that we are in this world, but we are not of this world.  Someone needs to be delivered.  Someone needs to be saved.  Someone needs to be made free.  Our services need to go back to the old landmark.  We need to go back to seeking His anointing.  It’s the anointing that destroys the yoke!  So again I ask what are you seeking FIRST?