"Imitate God, since you are the children he loves." (Ephesians 5:1)
"(as it is written [in Scripture], “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the sight of Him in whom he believed, that is, God who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist." (Romans 4:17, AMP)
It has been a long time since I’ve written a blogpost. I don’t currently blog as consistently as I have in the past and many have very lovingly asked, “What happened?” Mostly, homeschooling seventh and eighth grade happened. These upper grades have been more demanding than previous grades; thus, we are in a new season resulting in prioritizing (Psalm 37:23)
I miss blogging on the wonderful goodness of God! This past weekend, one of my closest friends encouraged me to blog again. And recently I’ve sensed the LORD prompting me to write about “giving place” in areas of our lives. So, here we are!
First, please allow me to say, we travel a lot and we have the privilege of attending many different churches throughout any given year. This blogpost is not about a church in particular. In other words, this is not about pointing out someone’s faults or shortcomings. It is about using experiences to correct situations in our lives, immediately, so the chance for it to escalate is quashed.
Several months ago, I had an experience that taught me the power of “giving place”. We were in a church service and as soon as I walked into the sanctuary, there was a heaviness. I assumed it would lift as soon as worship service began. The heaviness didn’t lift at all. It seemed to only intensify. I was about to chalk it up to being an issue with me but when the pastor took the platform, the pastor seemed confused and said, “There is a heaviness in here today.”
Several people shook their heads in agreement.
The LORD immediately and powerfully spoke to my spirit and said, “Don’t ever give place to that. You call those things that are as though they were.” (Ephesians 4:27, Ephesians 5:1, Romans 4:17)
Although the teaching was great, the heaviness increased and intensified during and to the end of the service.
I learned a very powerful lesson. I saw firsthand how our words affect our atmosphere.
For example, we begin our week early Monday morning with a great attitude and ready to conquer the world! And then “little foxes” dart in and out all day long and by the end of the day (or at times, by noon) leave us feeling, well, like less than a conqueror! (Song of Solomon 2:15, Romans 8:37)
It’s during these times we have to turn to God’s Word and use it to combat everything that attempts to rise against us! (John 10:10, Ephesians 6:12, Isaiah 54:17)
I believe Dr. Larry Ollison (www.faithman.org) teaches it best. I’ve heard him describe it this way:
When our dog is outside and we go to the door to call our dog inside, we don’t say what we see but we say what we want to see.
We don’t say, “There Fido! Oh! Over there Fido!”
As Fido continues to run around, we don’t continue to say what we see.
Most can agree, that would be confusing to Fido
as well as everyone else who is within earshot.
Instead, we say and continue to say, “Here Fido!”
If Fido continues to run around all over the place, we don’t change what we say, regardless of what we see and feel. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Likewise, when the storms of life rage against us, we don’t waver from God’s promises. Instead, we bear down and bring every thought and make it obedient to Christ (because it is not automatic), we align our words with everything God says, and we encamp ourselves with only the ones who can walk in full agreement with us being fully persuaded! (Proverbs 18:21, Luke 6:45, Romans 4:20-21, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Matthew 7:24-27, 2 Corinthians 10:5)
The easiest and most affective way I’ve found to accomplish these things is to practice His presence! (Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
But what does this look like on a day to day basis?
When faced with an opportunity to overcome (i.e. a battle rages against me), I dig in God’s Word and find a scripture or scriptures that will keep me on track. I turn that scripture into a confession and I write my confession down on a little index card. And then, I speak that confession over myself every time I need it. (Psalm 73:26, Luke 1:37)
For example, let’s say I receive a troubling phone call/email/text/Facebook post. I use John 14:27 which says, “I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.” I write my confession as, “Thank You Jesus for giving me the gift of peace! You gave me peace of mind and heart! In the name of Jesus, I refuse to allow my heart to be troubled or afraid!
Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every reader and I thank You in advance for your gift of peace that protects their heart and minds. I thank You for opportunities to teach us to be fully persuaded in Your promises. I thank You for Your Word that is alive and working on our behalf. I pray each reader be changed by what they've read here today and I thank You they are fully persuaded in You and Your promises!
