When going through difficult times, I have found that the Lord brings encouragement in many different ways. And when this encouragement comes from God, there is no way man can take this joy from us. This is when I wrote, No Man Taketh Away.
No Man Taketh Away
John 16:20-24 ~~ Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
About to go through a difficult time, Jesus told his disciples they would grieve, with him going away (being crucified), but that the grieving or hurtful time would not last. He tells them he will return, and they will rejoice (receive joy) That sorrow they felt will turn to joy - a joy that no man could take from them.
We go through times in our life - times of grieving, times of hurt, and times of disappointments and we need encouragement. At times, we can be guilty of letting these times rob us of the joy of the Lord. Why do we allow these times to control our life? The Lord provides that encouragement in many different ways (through the Word, people, a song, a letter, a hug, etc). During our hurtful times, there will be people who try their best to minister to us and we must show kindness and thankfulness to them even though what they may offer is just not quite what we need. But when that "special" encouragement comes, in whatever way it does, we know it came from God. It was NOT a coincidence. It was God-incidence. God-sent. God-ordained. A healing takes place within that is just so miraculous. And this blessing is one that no one can take away. That moment is one that you will treasure forever!
The joy or blessing that comes from the Lord is much more than a little happy feeling that we might feel inside and later subsides. It is not just merely an emotion. The joy we receive from the Lord is a much deeper and broader feeling. It is planted in the spirit and put there for eternity. This joy is a fruit of the Spirit that has the power to cause our anguish to cease, and not to be remembered again. It is so great that it causes the hurt to diminish.
I think Jesus used a perfect example of a woman giving birth, going through that pain, but once the baby is born, the pain is forgotten that quick.
I can remember every detail of the birth of my son. And yes, I know I suffered pain during that time, but the moment our "bundle of joy" was born, that pain did not seem to be such a big issue anymore. Once my eyes met his, a love was planted deep in my heart. It was a moment that no one can ever take away from me. It is very true that the hurt subsides after the "blessing" is born and no one can take it away.
"Wow, I have this terrible headache! I can hardly stand it!" These were the words of my friend that I used to work with. Several thoughts came to my mind, like..."I know how you can get rid of that headache. God is a healer! He can heal that headache right now. Let me pray for you." But then came the "other thoughts" that followed, like..."But what if she is not healed after I pray for her? What will she think of me?" You know, you always have that “other guy” sitting on the other shoulder trying to put doubt and fear in you. And many times it works.
Sad to say, as with my situation, this is as far as the conversation got...the girl telling me about her headache. My thoughts remained just...thoughts.
The situation written above happens more than we realize. And it is so sad to think that because of the disobedience of one, another may not receive. Oh maybe later on down the road but how sad that the other person missed out on the blessing to see not only that person receive but also to have God work through them.
FEAR is the biggest thing that keeps people from doing a lot of things that they desire to be doing for the Lord. I think many times we are afraid to share about the Lord with someone because of the fear of rejection. Also, what if God gives us a Word for someone and after we give it, we do not see the results we think we should see? We start doubting, wondering if it was really God. Then we are afraid to give a word the next time we feel led to.
Like the situation above, I used to always fear when someone would start talking about an illness or physical problem and I knew that I had the answer. Because I know The Healer! But I would not speak up and say anything because I was afraid if I prayed for them, they would not be healed and then what would this person think, that I'm a fanatic or something? But there are some things that God taught me concerning this very topic. Here are some things He told me:
When God leads us to do something, we need to:
-Be obedient
-After obeying, walk away believing it is done!
-Realize it is not about you
-Understand that it is God doing the healing/ministering and we are just the instrument He chooses to work through
-Know that just because we did not see the results we thought we should have seen, doesn't mean God isn't working
-Walk away with a confidence knowing we did what God asked and now put it into His hands and let Him take care of it. He will.
One of the most important things in our walk with God is obedience. Don't give up on evangelizing and helping people get closer to God because there is always hope. Through God all things are possible. The key words being "through God". Yes, it is God who does the healing, and the ministering. But many times He works through us, using the gifts He has given to us for that time. That is why it is important to be obedient to His voice.
Don't let fear keep you from being a blessing to someone else through your obedience to God. Listen and obey, then WALK AWAY BELIEVING IT IS DONE!
I've got a great interest in The Eagle. It is the most majestic bird in the sky. I find it so interesting that like so many other things in my life that God has used to inspire and uplift me, He also has used the Eagle. The Eagle and its way of life can be symbolic to a Christian's life. There is so much we can learn from the life of an eagle, which is why I believe God mentions eagles in His Word.
The one Scripture that we are most familiar with is found in Isaiah 40:31: "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint".
I used to think that to "wait upon the Lord" meant for us to not do anything but wait, when actually "to wait upon" the Lord means "to be of service to" the Lord. If we continue to do all that we know to do, even during our time of storms, God will renew strength to us so that we can mount up, or rise above any storm that blows through. Those that "wait upon" the Lord, to make conscience of their duty to him, by faith rely upon him, and committing themselves to his guidance, shall find that God will not fail them.
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. It does not swoop, or make sudden plunges downward. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we must not act abruptly, but we should continue our service unto God, letting Him take care of the situation and allow Him to renew our strength. We can rise above the storms by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us or cause us to swoop downwards. We can allow God's power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.
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DON'T LOSE HOPE
Even though Eagles are known to "rise above the storms", they too will experience a time of "molting". Just like with us, I believe that everyone will go through their own personal wilderness - "a molting stage" which may lead to a state of depression for some. But don't lose HOPE during this time, for GOD is even nearer to those in the valley.
It was very interesting to learn that an eagle has a "wilderness" time as we do - a time of molting. The similarity was incredible when I spiritualized it and it changed me. It strengthened me. It helped me now to be able to overcome many things in my life that I used to struggle with.
-During the 'molting' time, eagles lose their feathers just as we are "exposed" to the devil during our hurts or times when we may take offense, exposing our wounds to the possibility of anger, resentment, unforgiveness or bitterness entering the heart.
-Eagles 'molting' at the same time begin pecking at each other, some killing others, just as we tend to do during our trial time. We begin to strike out at those hurting us and at others. It's a vicious cycle of hurting people HURTING people. And this sometimes results in the killing of some spiritually.
-Eagles lose their desire to eat and have no strength to hunt their food anyway plus they lose their vision just as we tend to do during our wilderness. We stop turning to the Word, and lose sight of what God wants for our life.
-Calcium builds up on the Eagles beaks and they are unable to hold their beak up, which is so traumatic, to the proud majestic birds that Eagles truly are. During our wilderness time, it can get very hard for us to hold our heads up. We tend to get our eyes off the Lord and begin looking more at "our wilderness time" and start to lose faith.
-Some Eagles are not content to just lie there and die but will do something to benefit itself. While it is in this state of molting, some will choose a spot were the sun can shine directly on them. Experts say, they find a ROCK and will lie on it as they bathe in the presence of the sun and it is here they begin to get renewed. During our wilderness time, we canNOT allow ourselves to be overcome with unbelief, but we must turn towards the "Son of righteousness" and stay firm upon the ROCK, basking in His presence, that our strength may be renewed.
-During this time, hope is brought to the "molting eagles" when they hear older eagles that have survived this experience and know what the "molting" eagles are going through, flying above screaming loudly. The screams bring encouragement, for they know that these "encouragers" are about to drop meat to them for them to live on. As with us, God will send us "encouragers" during this time, feeding us with His Word, bringing us hope that God brings renewal to the faint at heart.
When God showed me all of this, He not only promised me that during my wilderness time that He would provide encouragers for me, but it was then that He revealed to me that I AM AN EAGLE. I AM AN EAGLE CAPABLE OF SOARING ABOVE. I AM THE EAGLE WHO IS THE ENCOURAGER. AND I AM THE EAGLE WHO BRINGS HOPE TO THOSE WHO NEED RENEWAL. AND SO ARE ALL OF YOU!
I encourage all of you reading this today that when you find "a wilderness time" approaching, be aware that you will become exposed to the devil, but that you must find a place to lay in the direct presence of the "SON OF RIGHTEOUSNESS". Lay upon that ROCK. Bask in His presence, and He will send you ENCOURAGERS who will be there to help nurture you back to great spiritual health and renewal so that you once again can RISE ABOVE any approaching storm.
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KNOW WHO YOUR ENEMY IS
THE EAGLE, being the most majestic bird in the sky, very swift during flight and having phenomenal vision, must still be on the lookout for CONDORS, a type of vulture, I think. We all have enemies, don't we? Well, the Condor hates the eagle. So wherever an eagle flies he must be on the look out for his enemy.
IN BATTLE, the condor will try to claw the eagle, but they say that the eagle doesn't stay around and fight but instead he mounts up and begins to fly. He doesn't fly to the left or to the right but instead, the eagle flies directly toward the sun. The eagle can withstand the bright rays from the sun. The condor tries to catch the eagle but soon he is blinded by the sun and has to turn away and fall off. When the eagle flies towards the bright light, the condor has no choice but to back off. The exposure is too much for it.
When the enemy is at your heels you do not have to stay and fight. All you have to do is turn your eyes toward the Son of Righteousness who will never fail nor forsake you. Keep in mind though that we do not fight against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
KNOW WHO YOUR ENEMY IS. It's not the person...it's the bad spirit behind their action or bad behavior towards you. We have many people who come against us. We have people who have hurt us. We have those who seem to continually try and trample our faith. But we must do our best to keep the person separate from their action/behavior. Keeping this in mind, we don't have to swoop and plunge downwards in the ways that they fight. We can MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES and RISE ABOVE their ways, their words, their attacks, by turning to the SON OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, turning to His Word, the Sword of the Spirit. For the enemy hates the LIGHT that exposes his evil ways.
So when the enemy attacks, remember...
KNOW WHO YOUR ENEMY IS! DON'T SWOOP BUT RISE ABOVE! FLY TOWARDS THE SON AND SOAR WITH THE EAGLES.
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IN LOW TIMES...FLY TO A HIGH SPOT AND SET YOUR WINGS. BE READY TO BE PICKED UP AND LIFTED ABOVE THE WINDS. RISE ON THE WINDS THAT BRING THE STORM. USE THE STORM TO LIFT YOU HIGHER. SOAR WITH THE EAGLES!
YOU'LL ALWAYS STAY IN GOOD SHAPE SPIRITUALLY IF YOU...
(S)et Your Wings - staying ready to be picked up and lifted above any storm
(H)ope in God - He knows what He's doing
(A)pply God's Word to your life
(P)ractice Forgiveness - True forgiveness includes restoration
(E)ncourage Others
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Luke 8:11, "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."
LUKE 8:11-15
It is through the reading of the Word and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit that Christ in His fullness is known. What a privilege it is today to have God's Word in our own language. Six hundred years ago there was no English translation of the whole Bible. Thanks to the efforts of John Wycliffe (1384) and William Tyndale (1523), today we are able to read and understand the writings of the apostles for ourselves. Men gave their lives to bring us God's Word. We should take advantage of this wonderful privilege.
The piece of armor known as the "sword of the Spirit" is the only piece of armor that has the ability to cut, wound, and hurt our enemy, the devil. It's not the Bible lying on your coffee table that makes the enemy flee, but it is the Word of God hidden in your heart, activated by the power of the Holy Spirit, and spoken in an appropriate situation. It's similar to what is spoken when Jesus said in John 6:63, that "...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." The Word by itself doesn't make us free. It is the Word we know and speak that will deliver us (Jn. 8:32).
Why is the Word so effective? It's because it is the WORD of God. It has authority, because it is indeed the WORD of God. God's Word supersedes all authority of the church, of reason, of intellect, and even of Satan himself.
It is the Holy Spirit that wields this Word as it is spoken in faith. Speaking God's Word in faith brings the Holy Spirit into action. In Luke 4, when Jesus was tempted of the devil for forty days, it was the Word of God, that Jesus used to defeat the enemy in the time of His temptation. Jesus constantly met His temptation by quoting from God's Word as He repeatedly stated the phrase, "It is written." Likewise, the Christian soldier must avail himself of God's Word by placing it in his heart, so that the Holy Spirit may bring it forth at the appropriate time to accomplish a complete and total victory. It's yours!
I was sent an email awhile back from a fellow who said he had heard that some believe we are to command angels to do anything and that they will obey, but he said he didn’t agree with this and wondered what my thoughts were on it. So I began to pray and ask God for Scriptures and understanding.
I agree that we do not command angels to do anything. Although in Hebrews 1:14, it says that angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.
Are not we the heirs of salvation (Rom 8, Gal 3, Titus 3), whom they are sent forth to minister for?
One of the ways that they minister to and for us is by taking heed to our words when we are speaking God's Words after Him. If we are giving voice to God's Words of promise, then angels have an assignment to see to it that, that promise is eventually fulfilled in our life.
They know Jesus said that we can have what we say if we believe and doubt not. (Matt 21:21,22) They are to do God's pleasure Ps 103:21
Psalm 103:19-22
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
I believe that the Word of God, conceived in the human spirit, formed by the tongue, and spoken out of the mouth, is creative power that will work for us.
The Bible says that Death and life is in the power of the tongue. (Prov 18:21) It is important what comes out of our mouth for the Bible also says what comes out of our mouth is what defiles us. (Matt 15:11)
James 1:26 ~~ If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this mans religion is vain.The Greek word translated vain means profitless.
Notice that James says there is a connection between the tongue and the heart. Speaking contrary to God's Word causes a person’s heart to be deceived. So if we choose to speak in agreement with God's Word, this causes a person’s heart to be filled with Truth. As you spend time, on purpose, speaking God's Word you are driving out deception from your heart and at the same time you are filling your heart with Truth.
Luke 6:45 ~~ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.The Greek word translated treasure in that verse means deposit.
Every time you speak God's Word you are making a deposit of Truth into your heart. A heart full of deception will always produce evil things when the tongue speaks. When Truth is in your heart in abundance, when you speak, you will bring forth good things.
When we pray the Word or speak God's Word over a situation, I believe that the angels are listening and that they and the Holy Spirit diligently work in response to what we speak.
And this is one of my favorite portion of Scriptures that I hold to knowing that when I speak the Word of God, that it will accomplish what it was sent out to do, and will not return unto me void:
Isaiah 55:8-11
(8 ) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (10) For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and maks it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (11) So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
SO....NO, we are not commanding the angels to do anything. We are not even speaking to the angels. They are just responding....hearkening unto the voice of his word that we speak...and ministering for us who are heirs of salvation because it is what they were created to do.
Thoughts?
Connie J. Schmoll
If you are viewing this from your email, visit http://waitingatthewindow.blogspot.com to watch the video and listen to Amy Grant's song, "Angels Watching Over Me."
