The Great Renovation

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2, NKJV)

Mike and I are currently renovating our townhouse. We are working on adding some color (YAY COLOR!) with new paint, carpet, rugs, plants, and we are doing some deep cleaning as well. Last night we bought special cleaners and a special tool with a scrubber so we can dig down deep and clean the tile and grout. 

The night before last, Mike went head to head with the hard water stains on the glass in our master shower. He got down on his knees and scrubbed the tile. He reached up high and scrubbed the top of the glass. And finally, (God bless his heart) He sat down and scrubbed the shower floor. It was quite a process. (Who knew WATER could set up like CONCRETE?!) 

We were away from home for quite some time and when we returned, we kept seeing large ants (like really large…I am not a fan of bugs) all over our house. We kept wondering, “Where are all these ants coming from?" Well. We (and by we, I mean me) found (Dare I publicly admit this…in writing?!) an ant infestation in our jacuzzi tub! Who does that?! How did I discover this infestation one might ask? 

Well. 

 While I was cleaning our tub (in order to enjoy a very-very-very long salt and oil bath…after not having a bathtub for almost a year. Selah!), I turned on the jets to clean out the jacuzzi tub and…HELLO ANT MONSTER ATTACK!! Thankfully, about 10,000 ants immediately got stuck in the filter but another about 10,000 tried to escape by crawling up the tile on the wall! Who knew ants were so fast?! I grabbed a candle holder, threw the candle out, and used the holder to throw water on the wall washing them down, sending them to their watery grave, HA! Take that ant army!

Needless to say, salt/oil bath mood…O-V-E-R. 

I screamed! I jumped! I wanted Mike! Alas…he was at work. What was I to do?! The only thing I could do…kill ‘em all with my bleach/epsom salt/409 arsenal, while stomping and screaming), turn off the jets, and wait for Mike to come home!

After all, I didn’t want the ants to plug up my filter and burn it up! (Yes, there really was that many ants!) Plus, Mike is much better at these situations than I am. 

(It’s ok. He’s use to it. I once trapped a mouse with a laundry basket and waited for Mike to come home to…shall we say, humanely (yeah thats a nice word) remove the varmint (not a fan of troublesome, wild animals a.k.a. varmints either). So nothing shocks him (Mike) anymore.)

It was quite a crime scene. Dead ants…all over the tub. Floating dead ants. Dead ants on the bottom of the tub. Dead ants still stuck in the filter. And I was suspicious there may have been even more dead ants still “in the system” of my tub. Those places I couldn’t see. I wasn’t motivated to investigate any further. I knew Mike would have the perfect plan.

When Mike got home from work, I showed him the crime scene and told him every detail of my horrific ant attack and I said, “What should I do?” He hugged me, patted my head and said, “You should go sit down and rest while I clean this mess up.” 

And. Then. I heard the angels sing.

Last night, we went shopping for rugs and a coffee table. I found the perfect coffee table for me (delightful squeal)! It is like a trunk, the top has glass and the table has a drawer. In the drawer are sections (ORGANIZATION FIX!), where I can display my ocean finds!

I declare thee, the best coffee table...ever. That is all.

Again. 

And. Then. I heard the angels sing.

While placing our new rug (filled with beautiful colors) on our clean floor underneath our breakfast table, I (all the sudden and quite unexpectedly) noticed how dirty our chair seats were. The difference between the new and the dirty was a little shocking. The seats have been through five years of “breakfasts” and a passel full of kidlets. I’m going to have to reupholster the seats. (Whoop-whoop, more color!)

I stopped and thought for a second. The more new, clean items I added to our home…I saw something dirty that needed to be cleaned. Just when I thought I had cleaned everything that needed to be cleaned, I would see something else that had to be dealt with. Not in an overwhelming way but in a, “Wow, I wasn’t aware of that until now.” way. 

In that moment…the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, 

“This is the process I gently walk my people through.” (Isaiah 43:19)

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Romans 12:1-2, The Message)

God...confirming His Word...for today, for now. 

"changed from the inside out"

And. Then. Genice cried.

An extremely thankful cry.

Most gracious, loving, sweet hearted, precious and perfect Heavenly Father…thank You for loving me so much You gently walk me through every crack and crevice of my heart and lovingly and gently remove everything that does not align with Your Word! I pray for every reader and myself as well, may we joyfully and with great expectation look forward to these changes with You by our side! Our confidence is not in ourselves but all our trust is in You! Thank You for freedom and deliverance! Thank You for prompting us and convicting us by bringing to our attention, the issues we are to address, overcome, and walk in freedom from. Thank You for teaching us bring our thoughts into captivity and to meditate on whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue and praise! Thank You for renewing our inward man day by day through Your life giving Word! Thank You for setting us up for success in every area of our lives, every day of our lives! We shall hide Your Word in our hearts in order not to sin against You! You deserve all the glory, honor, and praise LORD! Thank You for forgiving us for all infractions, both known and unknown, in the name of Jesus!

Please take the time to read the following, out loud. His living, life giving, life changing Word will take root in your life and change you from the inside out!

Proverbs 3:5, 6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Revelation 3:19

I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

Philippians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

2 Corinthians 4:16

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[a] being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Psalms 119:1

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD.

Romans 8:31-29

What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us? God didn’t spare his own Son but handed him over to death for all of us. So he will also give us everything along with him. Who will accuse those whom God has chosen? God has approved of them. Who will condemn them? Christ has died, and more importantly, he was brought back to life. Christ is in the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. Christ also intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or violent death separate us from his love? 

Acts 3:19

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Proudly Proclaiming, "I Am A Rebel!"

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20 KJV)

I'm excited so let's dig right in. 

The word prodigal goes hand in hand with the word rebellion. 

People walking in rebellion want to appear to be tough and hard. They typically proudly proclaim, "I am a rebel!"

But in all actuality, they are very broken, sad, empty, scared, lonely, and hurt. 

Do not ask me how I know. 

I've heard a lot of people try to make sense of rebellion saying, 

"Why is that person rebelling?"

"They should know better than to rebel." 

"Look how they are hurting their spouse/parents/kids/friends!"

Rebellion is very simple. 

Rebellion is a "Jesus hole" problem. 

We were created to worship God. (Psalm 86:9-10) When we don't channel that worship to Him, it doesn't just go away. It leaks out somewhere else. And when it leaks out somewhere else, (sex, drugs, work) there's a price to pay.  

Rebellion typically hits after a person tries to make everyone (and sometimes everything) around them be their Jesus. And when everyone and everything fails (and everyone/everything does fail because only Jesus can be Jesus), rebellion is lurking and waiting to jump up and say, "I'm going to do what I want, where I want, when I want, how I want, with who I want." 

When someone tells me, "This is my life. I am going to do what I want." I simply (with love and without attitude say), "Ok. Just know, God always wants you back. And always know, you can choose the rebellious act but the fallout chooses you. Rebellion not only affects you but everyone in contact with you. I will be praying for you."

When we are dealing with someone in rebellion, we are not called to "nurse", reason with, beg, or cry about rebellion. We are called to love, and teach Absolute Truth with Love's agenda. 

Sometimes, we are embarrassed by someone else's rebellion. We don't want to be associated with their rebellion. Here's a newsflash....none of it is about me. It's about love, and doing everything I have been called to do in order to save that person's life. (Snatch them back from hell.)

That is not a dramatic codependent statement. That is a be led by the Spirit and do precisely what (as well as when/how/where) He tells me to do and not one thing more. (Galatians 5:16-17)

"But Genice, I don't want others to think I'm onboard by ministering to this person while they are wigging out."

Hello. Jesus ministered to murderers/tax collectors/prostitutes and other "notorious sinners". (Luke 15:1, Luke 7:39, Ephesians 5:1)

However, I am not suggesting you roll around in the mud with anyone. Ask God what He would have you do. 

For all those dealing with someone who is rebelling, please understand rebellion results in attention. It may be negative attention but it's attention none the less. Rebellion hardens hearts preventing (blocking) the ability for that person to hear God. Shaming/lecturing/threatening (deep cleansing breath) crying/pleading/throwing a hissy fit/ displaying a better/holier than thou attitude won't bring people back from rebellion. If anything, those things will only push a rebellious person deeper into rebellion. It will motivate them to stay longer trying to prove they are right, even if all they want to do is run as fast as they can admitting they are wrong. Love is the only thing that will win someone away from rebellion. 

I've been on both sides of the "prodigal fence". The only thing that brought me to the correct side (saved me from myself and hell...on earth and into eternity) was...love. The only thing that has kept me on the correct side is...love. And educating myself on who I am in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:9, John 15:15)

One powerful way to win a person away from rebellion (and it is a battle...Ephesians 6:12) is to tell them about Luke, chapter 15.

Which brings us back to our text. I really don't think the father was by chance taking a leisurely stroll outside just a whistle'n Dixie because he had nothing else to do and just happened upon his son. 

No. 

When something is missing in our lives, we mediate on it, we miss it, we mourn for it, we want it back. We are made in our Father's image. Our very dna cries out for reconciliation. (Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19) I think it's pretty safe to say, the prodigal son's father had been watching every-single-day for his son to return. Excited expectation! 

Praying and declaring and calling his son home and standing on God's promises for reconciliation. Going out every day (several times a day and night) to look and see, is today the day my son returns to me. Is this moment the moment when my son returns to me. 

That is how we deal with rebellion. 

If one of my girls were "gone"...I sure would.

 I would pray, declare, call, stand, and expect. I would watch. And WHEN (not if) I saw her, I would have compassion on her, and I would run to her! I would fall on her neck and I would kiss her! 

If you are currently walking in rebellion...SHAME ON YOU for upsetting your momma!

Totally kidding, lol! 

Just know, God always wants you back. (Romans 8:37-39, Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:8) And always know, you can choose (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) the rebellious act but the fallout chooses you. (Romans 6:23) Rebellion not only affects you but everyone in contact with you. (Romans 6:23) I will be praying for you."

Father, I pray this blogpost be a catalyst for Your glory by bringing all prodigals home, in the name of Jesus! May none of us do one thing that would interrupt or interfere with Your process in delivering Your children back to You! May we all think, act, and do according to Love's agenda all the days of our lives, all for Your glory! 

Who Did This??!

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of wrongs. It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. (1 Corinthians 14:4-7, GWT)


One of my close friends made the following post on Facebook.

"My heart hurts for the two reporters that were murdered today. They were so young. Don't know if I can sleep tonight. I keep asking, "Why God, do you let these awful things happen?" I'm just disgusted with all the shootings of innocent people. My heart is broken for the two young lives taken today."

With her permission, I am responding here in an effort to to answer her questions to help her and others who may have the same questions.

First, I'd like to lay a little groundwork. Let's go all the way back to the beginning. 

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1, NLT) 

"The Word was God". How can the Word (the Bible) be God? We have to step out of our "natural" minds for a moment and understand God is spirit. (John 4:24) We have to use the faith God gave us to spiritually "see" in order to reconcile what appears to be foolishness. (Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 2:14)

Now that we have that foundation laid down, we move on to step two.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT)

I've heard arguments and reasonings about how "the Bible is written by man". And "man" has their "own agendas" as well as "man forgets details", etc. Those arguments say, man is responsible for the Bible, not God. However, Corinthians 10:5 teaches us to cast those down and bring every thought to the obedience of Christ. Combine Corinthians 10:5 with 2 Timothy 3:16 and we resolve those arguments, reasonings, and theories.

Next.

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (1 John 4:16, NLT) 

Please make a note, "God is love."

Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8, NLT) 

Again, please make a note, "God is love."

All that said, we can easily ascertain, (through Scripture...inspired by God Himself), God is love.

Not "Hollywood" love that is here today and gone tomorrow. 
Not raging hormone love. 
Not, "I love you as long as this all works out for me love".  
Not, "I love you until someone better comes along love."

True love. Real love. Authentic love. Absolute love. 

In His own words (Bible), God defines true love. (1 Corinthians 14:4-7)

Since God is love, He doesn't have the capacity to hate. Since it is impossible for Him to hate, it is impossible for Him to engage in or "allow", tragic, evil, hateful acts. God (who is love) never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8) God withholds no good things from us, not even sparing His own Son. (Romans 8:32)

So who is the originator of these terrible, hate filled, evil acts? Our Good Shepherd (John 10:11) answers that question. 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10, NKJV)

Would it not be counterproductive (as well as bipolar) for Jesus to come so that "we may have life and have life more abundantly", only to commit evil acts against us? 

This may be new information to some, saying, "Ok. You've shown me where the Bible says all this but I've always been told God in control." 

To that, I make this statement. I am a momma. I have a house full of girls. I would literally put myself in between a grizzly bear (or any other danger) and one of my kids. I actually have put myself in between a big, lunging, snarling, tweaked out dog and one of my girls. On two separate occasions. Its automatic. Mommas don't even have to think about it. It's like automatic tunnel vision. Baby...more aptly put, MY baby in danger...step aside Baby-Momma got this. It's a no brainer. Mommas fight for their babies. As a friend of mine puts it, "Mommas will charge hell with a water pistol for their babies."

Since that is true, how much more, will a perfect parent (God, our Father) fight for us? (Matthew 7:11, Matthew 6:26, Matthew 18:12-14)

However, I (as a parent) don't control any of my girls. Anyone who has ever dealt with a toddler knows that fact. Selah!

Neither does God control any of us. And, God doesn't set us up for tragedy anymore than we would set our children up for tragedy.

Jesus (God's own Son) "could not do any miracles" in His own hometown. (Mark 6:5, NLT) In that setting, it is obvious God wasn't in control. So, God who never changes, is in control of us today but not Jesus in His own hometown? (Hebrews 13:8) 

Saying, God is in control may sound like really good theology. I don't know everything, but I haven't found a place in God's Word to verify the statement. 

We choose who we serve. (Joshua 24:15)
We choose to open the door...or not. (Revelation 3:20)
We choose to submit to God...or not. (James 4:7)

Every day, we are faced with choices that bring life and choices that bring death. God tells us to choose life. (Deuteronomy 30:19) However, we choose.

Sometimes, choices collide and tragedy strikes. I personally believe, when tragedy does strike, Jesus cries right along with us. (John 11:35)

When a child is standing over a dying parent. When a mother's baby is sick in the hospital. When a young widow is arranging her husband's funeral. In other words, any time tragedy strikes. I really-really-really cringe when I hear someone say (with a long sigh), "Well, God is in control." I cringe because I see it making people question God's love. Instead of leaning on God during those times they say, "If God is love, where is all His love right now?! And how can He allow this?"

In all actuality, we would most likely love for God to be in control. If He were in control, our responsibility would lessen and we could just let Him sweat it. We could throw up our hands and say, "The Big Controller in the sky is in control." I digress.

The answer has to be, God didn't control Jesus' situation and He doesn't control ours.




Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for my sweet friend who is has all these questions. I pray this answers her questions. I pray she walk in the measure of faith You placed in her. I pray her eyes see, her ears hear, her heart is full of peace, and she lays down in sweet sleep. I also pray for every reader right now, that they dig deep into Your Word and know You, really come to know You and Your wonderful goodness! May we never find ourselves in a position calling evil good and good evil. May we all know You so well, we immediately recognize the source of every situation. May we all walk in Truth, Your Word, in the name of Jesus!


John 14:13
Matthew 13:16
Proverbs 3:34

Filtered

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7, NKJV)

Last Sunday, I was at church in our worship service. Momentarily, I looked around at the people in the service. As people were pouring their hearts out to God, I thought to myself, I am so sure each person feels the exactly the way I do right now. I was wanting to give God more…more honor, praise, love, and worship. 

I brought my focus back to worshiping God and in that moment, He gave me a vision. 

I saw myself as a small girl, back when I was a tomboy. 

My hair was in a disheveled ponytail, my face (and clothing) was muddy, (as it often was), and I was holding up a (very well used) dandelion. In other words, a torn up weed! I extended my arms out as if to offer the tattered weed to someone in front of me. In a split second, I saw a bright light and suddenly, I was a grown woman with every hair in place wearing very nice clothes and a beautiful huge crown on my head. My arms were extended out holding a huge silver platter overloaded with huge bricks of gold. 

I know that is a lot of “huge"…but trust me, 

the word huge doesn’t even begin to define what I saw! 

The platter was so full, there is no way (in the natural) that I would’ve been strong enough to pick the platter up, much less extend it out in front of me.

God spoke to me and said, “Think to how you feel when your girls offer you a wildflower or a rock. You treasure those “offerings” because you receive them through love. When I receive an offering, I receive it through the Blood of Jesus and there is a supernatural exchange which turns an offering from what it is into it’s purest form. I love a cheerful giver!"

In 1 Samuel 16:7, the bible tells us the LORD looks at our hearts! He doesn’t see things they way we see them!

I thank God, He filters me! 

Epically blown away. That is all.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for each reader right now and ask that they may see themselves the way You see them. Through the filter of love! Through the Blood of Jesus, You supernaturally make the exchange that takes us from what we were to what You created us to be! I pray each of us walk daily in everything You have planned and purposed for our lives! We love You LORD! We thank You for speaking to us through Your Word, dreams, visions, and the people You put in our path! May we all commit to becoming more like You everyday and see every person in our lives through Your filter of love!

Giant decapitated. That is all.

Several months ago, I submitted an article (provided below) for Faith Unlimited Magazine and called it, “Pick Up Your Sling and Run!" At that time, little did I know I would need the article myself just 2 nights later. 

A couple nights after submitting to the magazine, I woke up about 2:00 a.m. with both legs cramping, I was nauseous, and very dizzy. I rolled over to look at the bedroom window in an effort to gain some sort of grounding point. I started to pray. I got up and went into the bathroom so I wouldn’t wake up my husband.

I’ve been called, “bull headed” all my life. There are moments when that comes in handy. So if you have been accused of being bullheaded, use that to your advantage! Once I was in the bathroom, my bull headedness took over and through determined, gritted teeth I said, “I’ve got The Blood. I’ve got The Name. I’ve got The Word.” (Thank you Walk on Water Faith Church for planting that deep down inside me.) and “Jesus is the Lord of my life, sickness and disease has no power over me.” (Thank You Charles Capps for your cd on healing confessions. I purchased mine at www.faithman.org) I changed that to, “Jesus is the Lord of my life, dizziness has no power over me.” On the third time of saying that, the cramping, nausea, and dizziness immediately left. I went back to bed and my sleep was sweet!

Giant decapitated. That is all.

When you are faced with adversity, 

my prayer for you is for you to, 

Pick Up Your Sling and Run!

I pray the following blesses you and builds you up!

God removed Saul and made David their king. God spoke favorably about David. He said, ‘I have found that David, son of Jesse, is a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ (Acts 13:22, GWT)

Of all the people in the bible, other than Jesus, I have always found David’s life to be the most fascinating. Primarily, people remember David and his battle with Goliath.

The bible tells us, For a long time, Goliath came out every morning and every evening and “took his stand” shouting defiantly, screaming his plans against God’s people. (1 Samuel 17:16)

I’ve thought a lot about “every morning and every evening”. Why not all day long? Maybe because giving God’s army breaks in between his ranting restored hope only to strip it away again? Perhaps when Goliath went away all day, it gave the Israelites hope, “Yes, he has given up, this is finally over!” only to have hope stripped away, “Nope. Here he comes again to scream at us.”

I can relate.

I have a question for you. Have you ever had a “Goliath” screaming at you “every morning and every evening”, trying to torture you with his plans?

I sure have.

A routine medical exam turns into further testing and even further testing because “tests show a mass”, the giants scream:

• “This is it, your kids will watch you slowly die. Then where will their faith be?”
• “You should’ve eaten better, now all that junk food has come back to haunt you.”
• “You’ve eaten well for yourself all your life, and this is how your God rewards you? You should’ve just eaten all the cupcakes you wanted."
• “You should’ve exercised more.”
  
  
  
  When our marriages hit an all time low and 
  we see no earthly way for us to salvage the relationship, 
  the giants scream.

• “Your marriage is over.”
• “Your marriage failure will cause many to stumble and you know what
  the bible says about that!”
• “You should’ve tried harder, been more exciting, and not grown boring.”
• “Restoring this marriage is an impossibility.”
• “Your failed marriage will ruin your children’s lives. Nothing will ever be
  as good as it was before.”
  
  
  Sales have been low this week, the giants scream.

• ”This is the beginning of the end for your business.”
• “You’ve always been faithful to tithe, and now look at your sales. This will cause your business to fail. What have you done to mess this up?”
• “You should’ve been a more cheerful giver.”
  
  
  
  Please allow me a quick side note momentarily.
  It is so important to me for you to see the pattern in the giants’ attacks.
  
  
  
  No matter what we do or don’t do, attacks will come. (Psalm 34:19)
  God already gave us a head’s up to be prepared.
  
  
  I have encouragement for you today, God delivers us out of them all!
  Turning back to our subject.
  
  
  When we say something well meaning in an attempt to help our children, but our delivery is incorrect or the child’s heart is not prepared to receive. And if that child walks out the door, everything in our flesh wants to fall to the floor. We are made in God’simage (Genesis 1:27) and everything in us screams reconciliation with our children. When that relationship is strained for a season, giants scream.
  
  
• “You’ve scarred your kid for life.
• You’ve really messed up this time.”
• “Your child will always hate you and will never speak to you again.”
• “You’ve always been a bad parent.”
• “Even in all your best efforts, you’ve never done anything right with your
• child.”
• “You should’ve kept your mouth shut about what the bible says.”
• “You should’ve opened your mouth told them what the bible says.”

Please allow me to elaborate on this subject more than the previous ones because I’ve learned a lot about this in the past year. I have learned by experience, when we’ve trained our child in the way they should go, it is not necessary for us to constantly remind them of their training. Not every mistake they have made is a reflection of us. If someone tries to blame us, we need to simply reject it. Our children have their own minds. I’m not suggesting we get into agreement with everything our children do; however, we don’t need to be a constant reminder of every mistake they’ve made. Sometimes, the best thing for us to do is accept our right to remain silent (even when they want our agreement knowing they won’t get it, want to argue with us, or want to justify their mistake) and love them.

Most often, they already know what they’ve done wrong, they just want assurance that we will always love them through the good and the bad. Like God loves us. (1 John 4:8, John 13:34-35) And that is what God has called us to do. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Rather than “call them up on the carpet”, we are better off to plead the blood of Jesus over the situation and tell them about a time we’ve messed up and all the ways God delivered us. (Revelation 12:11) While we all need godly counsel, sometimes we need to realize we are not always our children’s counsel. So we should pray for laborers in their field instead of steam roll onto their field. (Ephesians 6:12, Mark 6:5, Proverbs 19:20, Matthew 9:38) If what have been doing isn’t working, wisdom says to do something different.

Turning back to our text.

Goliath was so big and loud that whenever the Israelites saw him, the bible says “they all fled in great fear” Not just fear, but great fear. The bible describes Goliath very well.
Goliath:

• was a champion
• was very large
• had very elaborate armor
  
  
  It would be easy to be fearful of him because of his appearance and his confidence. I understand the temptation to fear. I don’t know about you but I have certainly felt very small in comparison to the “giants”. God has taught us how to walk by faith (everything He has said we are) and not by sight (everything the giants say we are not).

  David disregarded all his past failures, his apparent lack of experience, their obvious size difference, and the vast difference in their “armor”, or should we say in David’s case, the lack thereof. David kept his focus on God and what God was about to do.

So we must too, follow David’s example when fighting “giants”!

David boldly called Goliath a “disgrace”. When I read this chapter, I picture myself back in that day standing near the battlefield. Hearing David boldly refer to Goliath as a disgrace, I’m unsure if I would think, “This kid is crazy.” or “This kid is exactly my kind of kid!” David’s main focus was that Goliath was defying the armies of the living God. David didn’t consider the battle at hand or any of the specifics of the day. David only concerned himself with, the “uncircumcised disgrace” who was defying God’s Word.

To complicate the situation, David faced opposition from his brothers (family) and the other soldiers. The people David should have been able to count on for support. His brother even falsely accused his motives and accused him of not doing his job.
But David’s faith was not deterred and he maintained his focus. (1 Samuel 17:30) 

When we are faced with opposition by our biological family/church family/friends/others around us, we must stand strong, not be deterred, and maintain our focus.
David boldly told the king, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32) Even though, Saul had no one willing to fight Goliath, other than David, the king even informed David of his inabilities and let David know exactly how big and bad Goliath was.

How many times, 

does someone in our lives tell us (well meaning or not) 

everything we are not able to do while at the same time, 

telling us exactly how huge and experienced the “giants” are that we were up against? 

But again, David was fully persuaded and very bold in his approach to the king, telling Saul“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:36-37)

David kept his focus on God and what God was about to do!

David said, “because he had defied the armies of the living God”.

We can now say, “because Jesus!”

The king finally relented and he decided since David would go against this “Philistine“, David needed his (Saul’s) gear. The gear (the ways) that had helped Saul be successful, in the past.

But David had to fight this giant and use his own experience in this battle. David said, “I cannot go in these,” So he (David) took them (Saul’s way) off. (1 Samuel 17:39) 

Tradition, religion, theology doesn’t win the battle. 

Putting God first wins the battle. (Matthew 6:33)

With his sling in his hand, David approached the Philistine. (1 Samuel 17:40) Sometimes in our lives, giants have to be approached.


Goliath was about to be killed in very short order but still could not shut up. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” (1 Samuel 17:44)

That would make most people stop and gulp but Goliath’s threats did not deter David. 

David did not waver, but remained bold and fully persuaded in God’s will and ability to deliver the giant into his hands.

David said to the Philistine, “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.” (1Samuel 17:45) We have to know that we know that we know, the power in the name of the Lord Almighty and talk to the “giants”. (Jeremiah 10:6, Ephesians 6:12, Matthew 12:37)

David didn’t stop there. He went onto tell Goliath exactly how the next few minutes were going to play out, saying, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:46-47)

This kid is B.O.L.D. In my opinion, this qualifies David as the poster child for boldness! Let’s just take a moment to break this down. When faced with a giant, David boldly proclaimed:

• I will strike you down!
• I will cut off your head!
• I will also deal with all your friends! I will give all your carcasses to the birds! And the wild animals!
• But most importantly, the whole world will know that my Lord saves! And they will know, the battle is the Lord’s! And, I will also inform you, Mr. “Giant”, my God will give all of you into our hands!

At that, Goliath was done and wanted to finish David off. Did Goliath’s advancement deter David? Did Goliath's advancement shake David up? Not in the slightest. Goliath moved closer to attack David. So what did David do? 

David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. (1 Samuel 17:48) Who does that?! 

A man and woman of God fully persuaded in the power in the name of the Lord Almighty does that!

We all know what happened next. David used his sling, popped Goliath right in the head, and Goliath fell to the ground. (1 Samuel 17:50) How is that even possible?! Mark 9:23 makes that possible!

And then, David danced “his victory dance”! David ran and stood over the giant. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off Goliath’s head with his own sword! (1 Samuel 17:51) Talk about adding insult to injury and rubbing it in! David had an attitude of, I am going to kill whatever comes against God’s Word and cut it’s head off! David was making sure Goliath would never return. Decapitation is death. The giant wasn’t going to return into David’s life nor will “giants” that we decapitate return to ours!

Then, all the sudden, the king wanted to know who this kid was. (1 Samuel 17:56) And
David, although he had acted in more bravery than the king and all his men, David never forgot who he was and whose authority he was under. Glory to God! (1 Samuel 17:58)

When we do what He has called us to to, He rebukes the devourer for us. (Malachi 3:11) I am fully persuaded, God rebukes the devourer for me. Can you imagine what that looks like in the spiritual realm?! His Word cannot fail.

When a “Goliath” (sickness, pain, disease, financial attacks, marital attacks, prodigal children, etc) try to come against our covenant, we have to rise up like David did, fully persuaded, “grab our slings”, run towards the giants and boldly proclaim, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I will strike you down and cut off your head! And the whole world will know my God lives! All will forever know it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give all of you into our hands, in the name of King Jesus! 

Then what shall we say about such wonderful things as these? 
If God be for us, who can ever be against us?!” (Romans 8:26-31)

Rock Throwing Tirades!

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; (Romans 12:10-12, NKJV)

Road trip'n with my Bestie! She's my happy place ;)

Several weeks ago, we had a get together at our place with friends. If you’ve been reading our most recent blogposts, you know our place is currently an RV on a remote campground in Alaska. There is a gathering place on this particular campground lovingly referred to as “The Smokehouse”, where campers sit around an open fire, chat with other campers, cook meals to share, make smores…just your average camping hangout. Some families bring their musical instruments so everyone can enjoy a singalong.

On the particular weekend our friends had joined us, the campground was full of campers of all ages. All the parents were at the Smokehouse while most of the kids were playing near the middle of the campground where they could be easily seen from the Smokehouse. 

Suddenly, a teenaged boy had joined the smaller children. He asked one of the ten year old girls, “Can I pick you up? I want to see how much you weigh.” She responded with, “No.” He picked her up anyway. He picked her up at her knees and started flinging her around upside down. One of our friends (we will call him “Sam") asked her dad (our other friend), “Is that your daughter?!” Her dad “Bob” (for confidentiality purposes) immediately yelled her name, “Susie!” (also for confidentiality purposes) as he immediately headed her direction. He kept yelling her name in a very…well, a very fatherly way…a father who knows his authority. Needless to say, every camper on the campground knew, Dad was on his way to his daughter. Also needless to say, every camper on the campground knew not to get in between him and his daughter!

The second time Bob yelled, “Susie!”, the teenage boy gently put her down and quickly disappeared in a camper. 

Bob checked on Susie and thankfully she was unharmed. 

Susie’s friends ran to the Smokehouse. I asked for details on what had happened. One of the children said, “Momma, were we right in throwing rocks at the teenager when that boy picked Susie up?!”

To clarify…that would by my child asking that question, also that would be my child throwing rocks.

In the weeks after this occurrence, I’ve thought a lot about how this situation played out. This situation has really impacted me and made me more fully realize the importance of our inner circle. It has also made me more grateful for my inner circle.

We all need “Sams” in our inner circle. These are the friends who keep a watch on us when we don’t even know it. They notify our Father the instant they know something is up. Earnestly keeping us in prayer manifesting great power and producing wonderful results on our behalf! (James 5:16) I cannot tell you how many times my “Sams” have contacted me ready to do battle, letting me know they are praying for me and to say, "Hey, what's up?". Thanks “Sams”, I love and appreciate ya’ll!

We also have to have our "fervent in spirit” friends who we can trust to go on a spiritual rock throwing tirade when we are being flung around upside down! (Romans 12:10-12, Ephesians 6:12, Psalm 34:19) 

Dr. Terry Mize recently posted on his Facebook, “Always stay until the devil leaves…” 

Yes. 

That. 

Those friends.

And then…there’s our faithful Father who never leaves or forsakes us! Our Rock! Our Fortress! Our Deliverer! The Father, who always answers when we call on His Name!  (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 18:2, Romans 10:13, Jeremiah 33:3, 1 John 5:14-15)

A great big shout out to my inner circle! May I always be sensitive to the Spirit in keeping you as you so faithfully keep me, I love you all!

Most gracious Heavenly Father, thank You! Thank You for all the “Sams” and the “rock throwers” You have placed in my life! Thank You for their diligence! Thank you for their patience with me! Thank You they remain steadfast with and for me in prayer! Thank You for their encouragement! I am so rich in the friend department! Thank You for ordering my steps and answering my prayers by placing them in my life, each of them are more than I could have ever thought of or asked for! I pray for them right now, in the name of Jesus, every need met and perfect wholeness in their lives and the lives of their loved ones! I pray for every reader right now, for each of us to invest our time, effort and energy into the inner circle You have placed in our lives. We thank You for friendship and we thank You for our our ultimate Friend, King Jesus!

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Proverbs 20:24

John 15:15

Ephesians 3:20