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January 30, 2007

Word for Today.......Lest I Should Be Exalted

Scripture:   And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2 Cor 12:7
 


LEST I SHOULD BE EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE...
 
 
Paul states here in the scriptures that he had been given and assigned a thorn in his flesh just in case he begins to get exalted above measure.  In other words, he was given a messenger of Satan to buffet him or keep him humble.  Now, what exactly did Paul do to get such an assignment?  He received an ABUDANCE of revelations.  Was it his fault that God trusted him enough to open up revelations to him?  NO!!!  But he still needed that thorn to make sure he kept it all in perspective.  Many times people will look across the fence at great men and women of God and want to be JUST like them.  However, we must realize that although those people are being greatly used by God and have great revelations of God, they also have greater struggles. 
 
We aren't sure whether some great trouble or some great temptation was the thorn Paul spoke about.  Some think it was an acute bodily pain or sickness; others think it was the opposition he met with from false prophets and the religious community.  Whatever the thorn was we do know it was ordained by God and delivered by a satanic messenger.  Many times when we pray we ask God to cancel Satan's assignment over our lives.  The bible says that Paul prayed and consulted the Lord 3 times, but God's answer to Paul was to give him the grace to handle it.  It is the love of God which keeps us from being exalted above measure and therefore spiritual burdens are ordered to cure spiritual pride.  Many times we are faced with "thorns" and we have prayed for God to remove them, but God in his infinite wisdom knows what is best for us.  So when God tells us that the "thorn" isn't going to be removed, we have to rely on His grace.  We also have to rely on His ability to sustain us and for His grace to be sufficient and enough.  Sufficient grace means that God’s grace can fulfill the need and/or requirements for us but without being abundant.  The thorn is not to destroy us, but assigned to make us weak so that God’s strength can be perfect in us. 

To every new level of revelation and anointing there a buffeting Satanic messenger!  But God's grace IS sufficient!

Be Blessed!

 

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January 13, 2007

Word for Today......"Gap-Fillers"

Scripture:    And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.  Ezekiel 22:30
 
 
THAT SHOULD MAKE UP THE HEDGE & STAND IN THE GAP...
 
 
 
GAP-FILLER!!!  I am sure all my educated scholars will attest that there is NO such word.  However, there is a person who can be called as such.  Well in order to understand what a gap-filler is, you must first understand what the word gap means.  The definition for gap as described in Webster's dictionary means a space between objects or points, or an interruption of continuity.  So if there is a gap, there has to be something or someone to "FILL" the gap.  Hence my word "gap-filler"  

 
Now let's look at the scripture a little closer.  The scripture has represented God as one who is seeking or searching for someone.  It isn't the preacher who God is seeking, the prophet, priest or the anointed.  God is seeking for someone to make up the hedge (fill the breach caused by separation) and someone who will stand in the gap.  Standing in the gap involves more than just praying for another person who is obviously in need of prayer.  Standing in the gap is a privilege for anyone who is willing.  You don't have to have any great gifts or talents.  It simply involves being willing to be a prayer barrier for someone's family, a prayer bridge for someone's survival or a prayerful stepping stone for someone's growth.  The bible says that God in the Old Testament had sought for 1 man (or woman) that would be willing to do this for Israel.  However, in this verse he couldn't find one.  Today God is not only looking and seeking for a "gap-filler" but in the New Testament Jesus furthers the search by including a worshipper.  In John 4:23 it says, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father SEEKETH such to worship him."  Those of us who are true "gap-fillers" are also true worshippers.  You can't be a "gap-filler" for someone else and not worship the Father in spiritual truth.  It is the reason why we sign up to be "gap-fillers" is because of our love and worship of the Father.  Who is willing to be a "gap-filler"?  I know some, but not many. 

There is one in individual in particular who recently called me to tell me that she was lead by God to lift me and my family up in prayer.  She didn't ask details, but just offered her prayers.  Little did she know that the devil had waged a full attack on me & my family.  No one else knew the battle we were facing, but because she was willing to be a "gap-filler" God gave us the strength to go through and come out victoriously.  It is those people who God is searching for in this day more than ever.  It isn't a glamorous job and neither are accolades given for praying.  However, these are the people the Father is seeking.  He is seeking for a worshipping "GAP-FILLER." 

 
Be Blessed!

 

Posted by donna at 07:34 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

January 05, 2007

Word for Today.....Battle FOR the Mind

Scripture:  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Rom 7:23
 

Warring against the law of my mind….


Here is a description of the conflict between grace and corruption in the mind, between the law of God and the law of sin.   And a great controversy there is of which of these laws will win the battle.    The law of sin prevails, when Paul speaks of one sold under sin, not being able to perform that which is good.  The law of God, furthermore, prevails in hating sin and serving the law of God with the mind?  The 2 laws that are at war in the mind are the struggles that are felt in a converted soul, that is yet because we do not feed our mind the things of God, knows the Lord’s will, but doesn’t do it.  Nonetheless approves the things that are more excellent which are of God, and yet lives in the constant disobedience and the breach of it.   

Though we have been saved from sin, there is still a war that is waging in our minds.   This war is due to our minds not being renewed until WE began the process of renewal.  Romans 12:2 tells us to be not conformed to the world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind.  This lends itself to believe that once upon a time our minds were rightfully focused.  The renewing means to become AGAIN new!  So through the sin of Adam our minds began the war with the spirit and law of God that was also there.  The soul and mind resisted the siege of the law of sin, but to no final effect; without the power of God it was taken by storm. Like a city which falls under the attack of its enemy; its inhabitants are carried into captivity and made the slaves. Such is the inevitable fate of those who don’t possess the power of Jesus Christ." In Christ we have victory; outside of Him there is nothing but frustration, defeat, slavery, and death. No wonder that Paul cried out in the following verse with a cry that voices the agony and despair of unsaved humanity!
 

The corrupt and sinful acceptance is here compared to a law, because it controlled and governed in our actions. This war is resident in our members, because, Christ having set up His Kingdom and throne in our hearts, along with the rebellious sinful members of the body that were the instruments of sin because of Adam’s sin. These two laws or governing bodies war and battle for control of our minds, however, it our obligation to give our control to the spirit of the law of God.  With this release of control to the spirit of the law of God allows us to win in our members with a victorious victory.  The bible says that we MUST submit to God first, AND THEN resist the devil, and ultimately the devil will flee.  Regardless of our human efforts which are weak and feeble, we cannot attain victory, or even a regenerated Godly nature until the Battle for the mind is won.  Joyce Meyer wrote “Where the mind goes the man will follow.”  Nevertheless I say, “Whoever or whatever leads our minds leads US!”
 

Be Blessed

Posted by donna at 11:08 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)


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