Author: angied

HUMBLE VESSEL

The potter makes a vessel. He creates it in the shape he wants and designs it with a specific use in mind. Let’s say he makes a vase. He fires it and makes it strong and to hold water. If we compare a natural vase to Christians as a vessel this will help us to understand pride.

The vase would have no business being prideful of the flowers inside. The vase didn’t make the flowers. People don’t look at someone who receives flowers and say,”Oh, look you got a vase.” They say, “Oh look, you got flowers.” The vase is just to hold the water to keep the flowers fresh.

In like manner, we do not have a right to be prideful when God uses us. We are simply a vessel that carries His Spirit. We carry his love. We are just empty vessels without Him. Because he uses us doesn’t mean we should feel superior to other vessels. After all, it is what God places in the vessel that has the beauty; His love and His Spirit. Just as the flowers make the vase pretty. A proud vase would say, “Look at me, I am so wonderful that God decided to place his Spirit in me.” A humble vase would say, “Don’t look at me, look at God’s Spirit, He is the one that needs the attention.”

James4:6–⁶But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Luke 14:11 –For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

God gives grace to the humble, which is basically the opposite of pride. People that are full of pride have such a high opinion of themselves that they do not have room for God to move in their lives. Pride often comes with a religious spirit. Look at all the Bertha Better than you’s. They are judgemental and full of pride. While they are looking down their noses at others they are committing sin by being so full of pride and judgmental.

To be humble is to not brag or be self-important. God will exalt the humble. The prideful will be brought down. Humble people listen to others. They are not too proud to ask for help. Humble people are grateful for what they have been given. The humble are pleasant to be around and very helpful.

We are called to serve, but we cannot do that if we are prideful. Even Jesus humbled himself and became a servant. He had every reason and right to be exalted and prideful. But instead, he showed many acts of humility while he walked this earth. Jesus is our example, we need to check ourselves and see if we are a vessel that God can use.

HIGHER

There was a little girl walking with her daddy. They were in a large crowd and she felt scared that there were so many around them, pressing in on her. What if she lost grip on her daddy’s hand? She couldn’t see what was going on in front of her. All she could see were legs like tree trunks in a thick forest. She asked her daddy to lift her up higher so she could see. Once in his arms, she could see the pretty horses running freely on the beach. The ocean view was amazing. He pointed out different things to her as they spent alone time together, even though they were in a crowd.

We often do not see the evil and all that is going on around us because we are mixed in the crowd. We don’t see the beauty God created either. God is calling his children to a higher place. A place in his arms a place of fellowship with him. He will point out things to us as we spend alone time with him. He will show us beauty and wonder and whisper future plans to us. He will also warn us of evil and possible attacks. All because we choose to be alone and talk to him.

The higher the fewer. People will not understand us and our choices. The higher we go, the less they understand because they do not see what we see. The crowd is in their way. Their vision is not as clear. God has not revealed to them what he has to us because we have spent time with him.

Many people have been hurt and abused by people who are supposed to be looking out for them. People in church can often wound us very deeply. We may forgive, but getting to a point the scars don’t hurt is difficult. We can overcome what people have done to us by rising above, asking God for his healing and the ability to forgive them. We can use what they said to propel us into our future. Few are willing to go the rough road they prefer to walk where it is easy. They will never reach their potential. Jesus never promised things would be easy. He promised not to leave us to try to navigate the hard stuff alone.

I keep feeling a call to come up higher. God is going to need an army of warriors. Evil is everywhere, even in a lot of churches. The pastors are so full of sin and greed that God has left that place a long time ago. He needs us to rise above sin and the things of this world, he wants to give us special gifts, that only come by climbing higher.

God is going to need people full of the Holy Ghost to stand against the enemy and put Satan in his place. We will not reap deliverance for ourselves or those around us if we don’t sow time in prayer. You can be sure the enemy will know if you are walking in the power that God has placed within you; when he gave you the Holy Ghost. The enemy has a lot of power right now. He is trying to destroy as many lives as possible. We need power over the enemy, but how do we get that power? By having a good connection to our Father. We need to be able to hear His voice and know it is Him that is leading us.

To get my point across, Acts 19: 13-18– 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

The evil spirits knew Jesus, and they knew Paul. Just because someone says in Jesus’ name doesn’t mean they have the power necessary to put the enemy in his place. That power only comes by fasting and prayer. Just like in Mark Chapter 9, a man brought his son that was possessed. He asked the disciples to deliver him, but they could not. Once Jesus had commanded the demon to come out to not enter him again. He sent the man and his delivered son on their way.

Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Consider our lives are like light bulbs. In order for a bulb to shine it needs a power source. Prayer is that connection to our power source. If we pray and get connected to the power source (JESUS) we will become the light God desires.

We need to get more serious about our walk with God. It is time we climb higher and become His Warriors. Remember, The Higher the Fewer, people will not understand you. Remember, Little Prayer equals Little Power. We are going to need that power over the powers of the enemy.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

SPIRIT OF TRUTH

I was thinking about the human perspective and how people’s opinions are tainted by the things they have been through. For example, I work with several women and on winter mornings. Some of them will be texting. ‘All the roads are so bad; everybody stay home.’ Some of them will be like, ‘oh, I was just out and it’s not that bad. I’ll be there.’ others are like, ‘well, I don’t know what I’ll do’

The one that says the roads are so bad and it’s so horrible to stay home. She had a scary accident on winter roads; so she’s afraid. They are not as bad as she thinks they are in her mind. But the experience of the wreck makes her afraid.

We are the same way about spiritual things. If we didn’t have the experience of growing up with a loving father, it is hard for us to relate to God being our father. But if we had a good father, then it is easy to relate to God being a loving father who only wants the best for us. It is easier to trust in spiritual things because of our experience.

Experience cannot be our entire driving force. Especially when it comes to spiritual things. God is a Spirit and we must worship him in Spirit and truth. We cannot allow our human experience to get in our way. God takes the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.

Education

Education cannot be allowed to get in the way of spiritual things. Some feel that they are superior to others if they have completed an education at a seminary or Christian school. Education means nothing if they are not led by the Spirit. If they are taught man’s ideas or doctrines, they could even be dangerous, deceiving many.

John 16:13- Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he will not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Being led by the Spirit is critical to anyone in the ministry or really anyone that calls themselves a Christian. In order for us to walk by faith, we need to be empowered by God’s Spirit. The Holy Ghost will teach us all things. He gives us the right words to speak to witness to and encourage others. He is our guide and leads us in paths of righteousness. He will give us power over the powers of the enemy. The Holy Spirit is the discerner of thoughts and will convict us when we step out of line.

God honors the bold and the brave. In order to have boldness against wickedness we need to grow a holy backbone; full of boldness. Allowing our God Focus to be on Jesus and not those around us. That holy boldness is what it is going to take in these last days to accomplish our tasks for the eternal kingdom of God.

Experience and education are good things in their place. But none of it will replace being led by the Spirit of God. It should be our daily prayer, before our feet hit the floor every morning, that we be led by the Spirit and allow the fruit of the Spirit to show in our character. (Fruit of the Spirit is listed in Gal.5:22-23)

Take a few minutes and think about God’s plan for your life. Then allow his boldness to arise in you. He will empower you with His Spirit to be the light someone needs in their darkest hour. One thing I do know he will never leave us alone, if we trust in Him.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

ALONE

There are seasons we walk through in life that we are meant to walk alone. Not completely alone, but alone with God. He will cause our friends and family to not be available when we need a shoulder to cry on, because he craves alone time with us. He will isolate us so we can get to know Him. We consider times of isolation a low point. Almost like we are walking in a valley and we prefer the mountain top. We want to be anywhere but alone in the valley. But he wants to teach us that the mountains and the valleys are both necessary. It is on the mountaintop that we exercise what we learn in the valley.

The top of the mountain has the best view, and the most exciting things happen. Look at history, God spoke to Moses on a mountain. He destroyed the prophets of Baal on a mountain. But for us ever to get to the mountain top experiences we need to walk through the low places. It is in the valley that we learn the lessons that will prepare us for our climb. God will walk us through the valley; just as he will help us climb the mountain. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

It is in the quiet places we can hear his still small voice speaking to us. He will guide, comfort, strengthen, educate and encourage us. We must be willing to wait on him, to speak to our hearts. We must be committed to the process.

The struggles we go through make us who we are and what we are getting ready to become. Difficulties are not a part of our lives to cause us pain. They are a part of our life to strengthen us for our destiny. Goliath was not something David had to face just to get past fear. God used Goliath to elevate David to his destiny as king.

The main thing to remember is that he will not leave us in the valley to suffer alone. He will not leave us one second longer than we need to but will lead us out when it is time. He can and will deliver us out of the hand of the enemy. It is our job to let go of our fear, anxiety, our ideas of what we need. He will give us what we need. We don’t always know what is best for us, but God knows.

If you find yourself dealing with something scary and hard to walk through, just listen for that still small voice that is whispering, “I am here with you, my child. I will help you. I need you to see ME in a new light. I have plans for you and they are going to be amazing, just TRUST me.” It is in these quiet times that we learn who we really are, deep down. Every valley is different some only last days. While others will drag on for years. God will only leave us there until we learn what we need and are empowered to take the next step.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

IMPACT

Another work week is almost done. I thought of a question for us all to ponder. “When I die will I have made an impact on the eternal?” This is a question every Spirit-filled, blood-bought Christian should be asking. We don’t have to have great skills to impact eternity. All we need to do is get on our faces before God and pray. Ask him what he wishes us to do.

We want to say to God, please do this or that and it immediately happens. We do not realize what all God has to manipulate and get the timing right to make what we pray for happen. When he tells us to wait, it isn’t because he wants to watch us squirm. He doesn’t say wait to make us uncomfortable or unhappy. Sometimes we are not ready for what we ask, even if we think we are ready.

Have I made an impact on the eternal? We all can make an impact if we apply ourselves. I often think of a story about a woman who was a devout Christian. She had been one to be involved in the ministries of the local church. She would deliver meals to the shut-ins and teach Sunday school, or anything asked of her. She had made an impact on her community for the kingdom.

The little woman had a stroke and was unable to walk. She was bedfast and for a while, she wondered why God even spared her life. The ministries she had been involved in previously were no longer an option for her. After a few weeks of feeling sorry for herself, she looked over and saw the phone book. The idea came to her that she was going to start at the beginning of the phone book and call people to ask them if they know Jesus.

The next few years until her death, God used her to encourage people to seek God. She saw many come to know Jesus because she made a phone call. There is something we can all do. The question we should be asking God is, what can I do now to impact the eternal? If we listen and then do all we can to impact people’s lives, we will have an answer. When our life is over, we can have peace that we have made an impact on the eternal.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

OCCUPY

Today I want to discuss something that has been on my mind. God has been dealing with me about the attributes of a warrior. I am working on something to do with our lives as warriors. I am not sure if God wants it to be a bible study or a podcast but for now, I will keep working on it.

As born-again soldiers in God’s army, we all have a duty to our king. I have been pondering a lot about what it means to be loyal to the wishes of my King Jesus. We all have different talents and callings. Every soldier has a specific task but we are to occupy the territory we are given. Everyone is necessary and every talent is needed to further the cause of Christ.

Luke Chapter 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

I want you to focus on the last part of the verse, Occupy till I come. This verse is in a parable about a nobleman that plans to leave his servants and gives them each an amount of money. Telling them he will come again once he has received his kingdom.

When the nobleman returned, each servant was asked to give an account of what they did with the money that the man had given him. Some gained a little and he gave them a reward. Others gained even more and the nobleman gave them a bigger reward. Another hid what he had, and he lost his original amount. Because he hid it and didn’t even put it in a bank to draw simple interest.

This was told to the disciples because Jesus was getting ready to be crucified and he wanted them to use what he had given them to gain the most important thing; souls into the kingdom of God.

What does it mean to occupy something? I don’t believe God wants us to just pass the time until his return like the one who did nothing with his money. God wants us to use the time we are given to do something to further the kingdom.

Occupy means- having one’s attention, mind or energy engaged; to inhabit or fill up a space. For example: one occupies a house, they fill it with furniture and use the space to give them shelter.

If we are to occupy, until he comes, we need to be using everything to fill up the space we have been given. To use our energy and talents to further the kingdom. We are called to reach others; how can we do that if we hide what we have been given to do. (Step out of your comfort zone and occupy whatever your calling.)

As soldiers, God has given us a territory and we are to defend it and keep the space from being overtaken by the enemy. In many cases, we can go into the enemy’s camp and take back things he has stolen from us. The Israelites often ended up with the spoils of war, when their enemy ran away. God will help us fight our battles if we can just follow his lead. Then we can take back the territory God had given us that we allowed the enemy to steal.

When Jesus had been crucified, he didn’t just sleep in that tomb, he went to hell and took the keys of death and hell from the devil. When he was risen and came out of the tomb, he was victorious over death, hell and the grave.

As soldiers with a territory to guard and talents to use, we need to ask our King Jesus for his orders. The prayer that Jabez prayed in the book of Chronicles comes to mind. I Chr 4:10 Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. We need to be in prayer for the territory he has given us that we can show him an increase when he comes to call us home. It should be our prayer for God to enlarge our territory. Ask for protection from the enemy and the evil of this world. To be the warriors he needs us to be in these last days. Seeing people saved, healed and delivered is truly the best use of the talents God has given us. I encourage you to occupy until he comes.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

BACKUP

Have you ever heard the phrase “I’ve got your back?” Many of us need to know someone is watching out for us. In Medieval times, soldiers would often fight back-to-back in order to protect one another. They often had a shield or breastplate to protect their vital organs from the front, but their backs were mostly exposed and vulnerable to enemy attack.

I myself am blessed with a wonderful family that has my back. I also have a few close friends that I know are there when the battles rage. But above all that, God is watching over me. It doesn’t matter what I face, he is there to protect me.

Because we don’t have eyes in the back of our heads it is hard to see an attack coming sometimes. We can get distracted and before we know it, the enemy has launched an assault. But God who sees everything will not allow us to be overtaken as long as we are obedient.

Police often call for backup when entering a dangerous situation. This means there is someone else there to watch and make sure they get to go home that night. Without backup they could easily be outnumbered by those doing evil. There is safety in numbers. This is why we need to cover each other always with prayer. The enemy doesn’t have a chance when we watch out for one another.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Eccl 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

I am glad to know that God has my back. He is my strength, my source, my friend, my comfort, the lifter of my moods, my rock, my salvation and so much more. But I know that no matter what, the Lord has my back.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

If you have given your life to him, that makes him responsible to have your back too.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

TRUTH

In the book of Galatians Paul tells the church, that the gospel he preaches is not after man but after God. He didn’t receive it from a man but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. He was an abuser of the early church until God revealed who he was to Paul. Paul helped kill early Christians for going against the teaching of the corrupt leaders of the Jews. The very ones who had Jesus crucified.

Three years after his Damascus Road experience, Paul went to Jerusalem to see Peter and was taught by him for fifteen days. He then started preaching Jesus to the people. All of the early churches had their issues, just like the churches of today. Until the people of God really get serious about doing the right thing, we will continue to deal with issues caused by our sins. We need to accept the full truth of the word and make it a part of us.

Paul told them in chapter four how they had treated him so well and almost put him on a pedestal until he told them the truth. Gal 4:13-16 ¹³Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. ¹⁴And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. ¹⁶Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Many today want a form of godliness. They want people to think they are good. They have illusions of being saved when they are full of sin and do not want the truth of God’s word. 2 Tim 4:3-4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

I don’t want God to give up on me and let me believe something that will comfort my flesh. I want the truth and nothing but the truth, even if it hurts. I want the old-fashioned preaching that gets all over my toes. I don’t need a fake smile and a motivational speech that it’s all a bed of roses. I need someone to tell me about the thorns on those roses. Life is full of pain sometimes, anyone telling you differently is trying to deceive you. But God will give us strength to endure the pain that life often brings.

We can find a way to endure the pain and come out on the other side stronger. It also adds to our testimony of how God helped us through it. If you are like me and want the truth, dig into the word of God. Jesus said he was the way the truth and the life. We can never go wrong with the whole truth.

BROKEN

PSALMS 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

People suffer all sorts of heart-breaking things in this life. Some never get over the pain and suffering, they keep the wounds fresh. If a wound is picked at, a scar never develops, and it never heals. Until the invention of the adhesive bandage people would wrap the affected part of the body with strips of cloth. This was called binding a wound.

God knows our heartaches and our wounds that run deep to our core. He is the only one who can reach down and pour his medicine on those wounds. Love is his ointment to help us heal. He has a way of restoring our hearts to a state before it was broken. In other words, he takes all our broken pieces and restores them to something that can be used for his glory.

It would be like breaking a mug and then gluing it back together. It is whole again and ready to be used for a purpose. Many times, the purpose is different than before, but it is still just as useful. Now maybe it is used to hold ink pens or paintbrushes.

Once we have walked through a few hurtful things our purpose changes. We all become carriers of God’s light and love. We do not want anyone else to suffer as we did, so we allow ourselves to be a guide. Why would we be allowed to keep the scars? He allows us to keep the scars, to show we have walked through trials. We can use these scars and broken places to bring help and restoration to others. We are not flawless, we all have made mistakes and sinned. It is in our weakness that he shines a light of strength. When that light shines through us it is a beautiful thing for others to see. Allow him to bind up your wounds and heal your heartaches. He is our great physician.

Our souls are broken, Jesus took pain and suffering on himself so that we could have eternal life. His love is truly a miracle.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

NO HIDING PLACE

From the time that Adam and Eve ate of the tree, they were not supposed to eat, mankind has been trying to hide things from God. They tried to hide their nakedness. There is no such thing as hiding something from an all-knowing God. We cannot run far enough to get away from his presence.

PS 139:7-10

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

We cannot hide our messes, wrong turns, and flat-out sin. He understands why we are broken. The pain and disappointment we carry. God knows our thoughts before we do. He understands everything about us and loves us anyway. Before we were ever conceived, God planned our path. Nothing we do, think or say surprises God.

We can TRUST HIM, with our fragile hearts. He will heal our brokenness if we just give up running. He knows what he is doing. There is only one thing he will not do is to override our free will. He wants us to come to him and surrender all that we are, not just the pretty parts. He wants our brokenness and our scars too.

We cannot hide from God, but we can hide in Him. He is our shelter when we are in need of protection. He is our father when we need guidance. He is our friend when we are lonely. He is our peace in the storms of life.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK. FEEL FREE TO SHARE MY BLOG. UNTIL NEXT TIME, BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS.