Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
How is it still possible that after years of spiritual growth and healing, that Satan can still cripple me emotionally? Genesis 3:13 Then the LORD God said to the women, "What is this you have done"? The women said, "The serpent deceived me.........no doubt in my mind! Satan is well aware of my weaknesses and knows just how and when to throw the first punch. He`s doesn`t play fair, he lays and waits for the perfect opportunity to attack. What a jerk!
Thursday I battled Satan all day, however because of my relationship with Jesus, I am prepared for combat. As I have shared many times, my roots of family dysfunction often surface, allowing Satan to throw the one two punch right to my gut. Through out the day, several times down for the count, my defense was prayer.
So what started this scrimmage? What I considered to be an act of love and concern on behalf of my sister, turned into an invitation for Satan`s attack. My sister is struggling with some health issues, so I asked my facebook friends to please pray for her. As God gently reminded me, my sister and I just think differently. "We have not because, we ask not." Joyce was offended that I had violated her privacy by posting a prayer request on facebook. She scowled me, "I don`t want everyone to know my business." I apologized, immediately Satan proceeded with his deception......Linda how could you have been so stupid? You`ve just demolished the progress that your God has made in your relationship with your sister, thanks for helping me! I believed his lies, I felt terrible!
Immediately, I was overwhelmed with guilt and shame, uncontrollable tears flowed! I tried in vain to extinguish the flow. However, it required a call for reinforcements, I needed prayer and I needed it fast! I called one of my spiritual sisters, Pat Turner. I could hardly talk, between deep breaths and intense sobbing, I relayed to Pat that I needed her to pray for me. I was definitely overpowered by ugly-face tears! Pat graciously granted my request. Soon, with Pat`s prayers, love and compassion the water works subsided.
Now off to my job for Market Place Chaplain, I had people to visit and pray with and for. Without Pat`s prayers this task may have been impossible, Satan had pumped my head and heart full of his lies. How can you pray for anyone, you just messed up your relationship with your own sister? You`re so dumb, how do you have the confidence to pray for anyone? Thank you God, for my friend Pat and your faithfulness. Psalms 9:1-2 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O most high.
After only three hours of ministering to employees, I found myself drained. How do pastor do this? God is this some kind of test, are you sure I can do this job? Oops, did I just open the door of self-doubt? Oh no, not you again Satan. I`m tired and drained, leave me alone. Father God, what`s going on?
Hours later, while praying with my friend Anita, I was brought to tears again. However, these tears where different. Not tears of condemnations but tears of desire and need. The requirement to be nurtured and replenished. As Anita and I prayed, I knew that I just needed a hug! No problem, she said! Psalms 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who take refuge in him.
Together, at the Generation Station an after school program for middle school student, we listened to a presentation by a policeman about addiction. As officer Groce made his presentation, my memory was flooded with accounts of my own alcohol addiction and the addiction issues that have destroyed my own family Office Groce, works at the local school with the Dare Program. As I chatted with office Groce, I briefly shared my own battle with addiction, I told him I would be glad to assist his program with my personal testimony. He took my information saying that they are assembling a panel to share testimony with students. Wow, thank you Father God, I pray that you will use me to witness to these young children. Use me LORD. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
What a day, such a gamut of emotions! Now home to have a nice dinner with my hubby, I just need a restful peaceful evening. Not the case. Rick got home late, he has consumed a few beers! But that`s okay. As we ate, I told him about my day. Instead of the love and compassion that I needed, he acted in anger and frustration when I told him what happened with Joyce and I. Great. Now he`s yelling at me, back to the feeling of condemnation. Satan, you mean you`re still hanging out with me? Once again, uncontrollable tears....what a day I`m having. Tears, on top of more tears! Romans 7:14-17 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
SOS, this time I texted my friend Suzanne, can you call me? I`m in need of prayer! Here I go again. Between breath taking sobs I told her what was going on. Can you please pray for me, I`ve prayed but I can`t stop crying. Sob sniff, sob sniff, sob.....sniff,sniff, sniff. As she prayed, I felt the loving arm of Jesus holding me tight. A sense of peace and comfort flooded my soul. A vision of angels surrounded my existence. Thank you, Father God. Suzanne, prayed the exact words that I needed, thank you Holy Spirit! 2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spoke through Suzanne; his word was on Suzanne`s tongue....personalize that, hope God doesn`t mind!
As I laid my head down for I night, I prayed, God what is it that allows Satan to block me from your grace and mercy. Please reveal the power, I still relinquish to him. "It`s his lie, your identity is in Jesus, not merely your family of origin." Really, God? In the name of Jesus, I renounce the lie that Satan can control my thoughts and emotions. I reclaim any authority that I have given to him. In the name of Christ Jesus....I will no longer tolerate or listen to Satan's lies, your truth will set me free. Amen.....Good night Father God, did I pass this test today?
John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again The wind blows wherever it please. You hear its sounds, but you cannot tell where it come from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
Jesus said in Acts1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit come on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Please pray for my sister Joyce she has some huge health issues to over come. LORD GOD, I thank you for my brothers and sister the family that you hand picked for me! Philippian 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in CHRIST JESUS.
Have a blessed Easter, have you received the gift that Jesus died for? ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO LORD GOD ALMIGHTY......CHRIST IS RISEN!
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