Burton shuffles into the sanctuary. His body leans on a walker for stability; his eyes look to the cross for strength. A face-mask guards Burton's cancer-ridden body against infection. Jesus guards his heart against fear.
Burton's eyes twinkle, revealing a sincere smile of joy beneath the white gauze of the mask.
Though wracked with pain and debilitated by fatigue, this precious man of God finds his way to our place of worship each Sunday morning. Many times during the service he will cradle his head on the church pew in front of him, resting for just a bit - ears always tuned to the Word of God.
I see Jesus in Burton.
I experience God's peace when I speak to Burton.
I find tangible evidence of God's faithfulness when I consider Burton's refuge in his storm.
Isaiah 60:1 reads, "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you."
Read this again. Slowly. Let it sink deep within.
"...for the glory of the Lord is risen upon you."
I believe it is the Glory of the Lord that I recognize in my friend. A.J. Russell speaks of the Glory of the Lord in God Calling*, "The Glory of the Lord is the Beauty of His Character...the Glory of the Lord is also risen upon you when you reflect that Glory in your lives, when in Love, Patience, Service, Purity whatever it may be, you reveal to the world a something of the Father, an assurance that you have been with your Lord and Savior."
Burton knows the One in whom he has believed. He spends time with his Savior. He drinks of the Living Water. Daily. He absorbs the Light of God's Presence. Even in facing imminent death, Burton is alive with the Spirit of God.
And in so doing, the Glory of the Lord is revealed.
Oh, that I would do the same.
*Russell, A.J., God Calling (New York: Dodd, Mead, & Company, 1945).
Father God, May others see Jesus in me. May the trials of this life reveal Your Presence in me. Be glorified in me, Lord. Mold me into Your image. I pray that You will use me to draw others to Your amazing grace. Praise You Lord. You alone are worthy to be praised.
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Scriptures of Encouragement ~ So Was God...
The magenta sky dissolved into shades of navy, then charcoal, and black. Stars beckoned to the casual observer, winking, perhaps saying, "Child, if only you knew". Their twinkling lights danced like fireflies around the moon.
I remember, as a child, making a wish on the first star of the evening, enthralled by the carpet of stars that popped from one end of the universe to another. You know, those stars were there long before they caught my attention.
So was God.
I remember sitting on the front porch with my first date, pretending to watch the stars, but actually sneaking a peek at his dimples, instead. The stars and the moon provided a canopy over the sweetness of young love. You know, those stars were there long before I appreciated their beauty.
So was God.
I remember walking down a long strand of sandy beach, hand-in-hand with the man of my dreams, the father of my children. The magenta sky dissolved into shades of navy, then charcoal, and black. The stars choreographed a light show of praise to the Creator of Love. You know, those stars were there long before I knew what love was all about.
So was God.
Just imagine this: God surrounded us with His Presence long before our eyes were opened to see Him. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He changes not. The Lord our God, Maker of heaven and earth, pursues us with His love until we fall to our knees in reckless abandon and join our hearts with His own.
Moses once asked God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?'
"And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'" (Exodus 3:13, 14).
I AM WHO I AM!
I believe God would say to His children, "Child, I AM all that You need. I AM constant, unchangeable, unsearchable. I have known you long before you opened your eyes to behold My face. I have watched from afar, ordered your steps, whispered your name and waited for you to say yes to my forgiveness and grace. I AM your God. There is none other besides me. I AM."
I know the day will come when I take my last breath. As I step across the threshold of eternity and run into my Savior's waiting arms, I look forward to seeing the prisms of light shooting from the stars beneath my feet. You know, those stars were there long before I knew resurrection life.
So was God.
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page. I found an AMAZING song by Nichole Nordeman titled, "I AM". I promise this is one song you don't want to miss. It is totally beautiful and inspiring. Thank you, my precious reader, for your faithfulness. Sweet blessings to you! Nan
I remember, as a child, making a wish on the first star of the evening, enthralled by the carpet of stars that popped from one end of the universe to another. You know, those stars were there long before they caught my attention.
So was God.
I remember sitting on the front porch with my first date, pretending to watch the stars, but actually sneaking a peek at his dimples, instead. The stars and the moon provided a canopy over the sweetness of young love. You know, those stars were there long before I appreciated their beauty.
So was God.
I remember walking down a long strand of sandy beach, hand-in-hand with the man of my dreams, the father of my children. The magenta sky dissolved into shades of navy, then charcoal, and black. The stars choreographed a light show of praise to the Creator of Love. You know, those stars were there long before I knew what love was all about.
So was God.
Just imagine this: God surrounded us with His Presence long before our eyes were opened to see Him. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He changes not. The Lord our God, Maker of heaven and earth, pursues us with His love until we fall to our knees in reckless abandon and join our hearts with His own.
Moses once asked God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?'
"And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'" (Exodus 3:13, 14).
I AM WHO I AM!
I believe God would say to His children, "Child, I AM all that You need. I AM constant, unchangeable, unsearchable. I have known you long before you opened your eyes to behold My face. I have watched from afar, ordered your steps, whispered your name and waited for you to say yes to my forgiveness and grace. I AM your God. There is none other besides me. I AM."
I know the day will come when I take my last breath. As I step across the threshold of eternity and run into my Savior's waiting arms, I look forward to seeing the prisms of light shooting from the stars beneath my feet. You know, those stars were there long before I knew resurrection life.
So was God.
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page. I found an AMAZING song by Nichole Nordeman titled, "I AM". I promise this is one song you don't want to miss. It is totally beautiful and inspiring. Thank you, my precious reader, for your faithfulness. Sweet blessings to you! Nan
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Winds of Change
The election rocked my world.
Terminal illness of a loved one has us on a roller-coaster of emotions.
Our adult children sift through difficult days.
Uncertainty in the job market creates doubt and fear.
Health issues slow me down, creating frustration.
The winds of change, they are a'blowin'.
Have you ever heard that saying? It's often used in a negative context. That's certainly how I used it for several days last week. Until.
Until God got hold of me. Yep. Daddy God gave me a tongue-lashing when I complained about all the change in my life one too many times. Wanna know what He said? It's really awesome.
He said, "Nan, do you not know that I walk on the wings of the wind? Do you not remember that on the Day of Pentecost I showed up as a mighty, rushing wind? I AM your sustainer and your defender. I AM your deliverer and provider. I AM. I am in control of all things that pertain to you and to any of My children. Do not fear change - in your life, your home, your family, your country. Do not fear. I am in the wind and I determine the direction it will blow."
Sweet friend, our God is Sovereign. He has all-authority over this earth. As His child, nothing - no thing - comes our way without His knowledge. Take comfort in this Truth today. Rather than fight the winds of change, I'm trying my darndest to embrace them. won't you join me? The Lord has eternal purposes in all things that concern His children. He promises to work everything for our good when we love Him fully and are called according to His purposes.
The change brought in on the wings of the wind just might be a blessing in disguise.
"For behold, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth - the Lord God of hosts is His name" ~ Amos 4:13.
Father, teach us to trust you fully and to be content in all things. That's a hard one Lord, but You promise that Your grace WILL be sufficient. Thank You Lord. Thank You for orchestrating our lives in such beautiful ways. Even when we can't see clearly, we can know that we know that our "Daddy God's got this". Thank You for Your love. We praise Your Holy Name!
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page to enjoy and be inspired by Laura Story as she sings "Blessings". If you have a minute please share this message with your friends. Thank you.
Terminal illness of a loved one has us on a roller-coaster of emotions.
Our adult children sift through difficult days.
Uncertainty in the job market creates doubt and fear.
Health issues slow me down, creating frustration.
The winds of change, they are a'blowin'.
Have you ever heard that saying? It's often used in a negative context. That's certainly how I used it for several days last week. Until.
Until God got hold of me. Yep. Daddy God gave me a tongue-lashing when I complained about all the change in my life one too many times. Wanna know what He said? It's really awesome.
He said, "Nan, do you not know that I walk on the wings of the wind? Do you not remember that on the Day of Pentecost I showed up as a mighty, rushing wind? I AM your sustainer and your defender. I AM your deliverer and provider. I AM. I am in control of all things that pertain to you and to any of My children. Do not fear change - in your life, your home, your family, your country. Do not fear. I am in the wind and I determine the direction it will blow."
Sweet friend, our God is Sovereign. He has all-authority over this earth. As His child, nothing - no thing - comes our way without His knowledge. Take comfort in this Truth today. Rather than fight the winds of change, I'm trying my darndest to embrace them. won't you join me? The Lord has eternal purposes in all things that concern His children. He promises to work everything for our good when we love Him fully and are called according to His purposes.
The change brought in on the wings of the wind just might be a blessing in disguise.
"For behold, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth - the Lord God of hosts is His name" ~ Amos 4:13.
Father, teach us to trust you fully and to be content in all things. That's a hard one Lord, but You promise that Your grace WILL be sufficient. Thank You Lord. Thank You for orchestrating our lives in such beautiful ways. Even when we can't see clearly, we can know that we know that our "Daddy God's got this". Thank You for Your love. We praise Your Holy Name!
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page to enjoy and be inspired by Laura Story as she sings "Blessings". If you have a minute please share this message with your friends. Thank you.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Sapphire Blue
The glorious leaves of fall were tossed in the air as the brutal winds of an early snowstorm bellowed across the mountain ridges. Trees, once graced with shades of crimson, butternut gold and blazing embers now stood stark against the sapphire sky. Branches reached toward the heavens. Some lay broken from the storm. Others rested against nearby branches, too weakened to stretch toward heaven on their own.
As I stared out the window, numb from the stress-filled moments of the day, I heard a song. I leaned into the window pane. A blue blur rose within the charcoal branches of our apple tree. I leaned in closer. And listened. The song became a chatter. It was a bluejay. No...wait...it was THREE bluejays hopping from branch to bare branch. Pops of blue moved throughout the stripped branches that, only days before, were ablaze with the splendor of fall.
My thoughts turned towards the Lord.
Ezekiel 1:26 reads, "And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a Man high above it." Ezekiel was seeing a vision of God. God's throne had the appearance of a sapphire stone. Blue.
Isaiah 54:11 reads, "O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted. Behold I [the Lord] will lay your foundations with sapphires..." The Lord is speaking through Isaiah about the restoration of Jerusalem. God's covenant of peace is central to the restoration of His people. Our foundation will be sure - built with the beauty and strength of sapphires. Blue.
And finally, Exodus 26:1, "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them." These curtains billowed at the eastern entrance to the outward court of the Tabernacle. These curtains also hung within the Tabernacle to conceal the magnificent entrance to the inner court - the Holy of Holies. Passing through these curtains took the child of God, symbolically, from the physical realm of the world that consumed them into the Presence of a Holy God that loved and cared for them.
El Elyon, the Most High God, utilized the color blue - sapphire, to be exact - to draw the thoughts of His people towards Him. It is the color of the heavenlies. Our eyes look up to behold a sapphire blue sky and we are reminded of the One True God.
Lost in my thoughts, God interrupted and taught me a beautiful, visual Truth: Even though the apple tree was stripped of its splendor because of the fierce winter storm, evidence of God moved freely among the barren branches. So it is with our lives. The glorious joy of laughter may be gone for a season, but God's Presence is still with me. Always.
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you" ~ Deuteronomy 31:6.
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As I stared out the window, numb from the stress-filled moments of the day, I heard a song. I leaned into the window pane. A blue blur rose within the charcoal branches of our apple tree. I leaned in closer. And listened. The song became a chatter. It was a bluejay. No...wait...it was THREE bluejays hopping from branch to bare branch. Pops of blue moved throughout the stripped branches that, only days before, were ablaze with the splendor of fall.
My thoughts turned towards the Lord.
Ezekiel 1:26 reads, "And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a Man high above it." Ezekiel was seeing a vision of God. God's throne had the appearance of a sapphire stone. Blue.
Isaiah 54:11 reads, "O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted. Behold I [the Lord] will lay your foundations with sapphires..." The Lord is speaking through Isaiah about the restoration of Jerusalem. God's covenant of peace is central to the restoration of His people. Our foundation will be sure - built with the beauty and strength of sapphires. Blue.
And finally, Exodus 26:1, "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them." These curtains billowed at the eastern entrance to the outward court of the Tabernacle. These curtains also hung within the Tabernacle to conceal the magnificent entrance to the inner court - the Holy of Holies. Passing through these curtains took the child of God, symbolically, from the physical realm of the world that consumed them into the Presence of a Holy God that loved and cared for them.
El Elyon, the Most High God, utilized the color blue - sapphire, to be exact - to draw the thoughts of His people towards Him. It is the color of the heavenlies. Our eyes look up to behold a sapphire blue sky and we are reminded of the One True God.
Lost in my thoughts, God interrupted and taught me a beautiful, visual Truth: Even though the apple tree was stripped of its splendor because of the fierce winter storm, evidence of God moved freely among the barren branches. So it is with our lives. The glorious joy of laughter may be gone for a season, but God's Presence is still with me. Always.
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you" ~ Deuteronomy 31:6.
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page. The David Crowder Band is singing "Doxology". You're gonna love it!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Scriptures of Encouragement ~ My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone
"I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
"I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies." ~ Psalm 18:1-3
Please. Let's read this again. Out loud this time...
"I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
"I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies."
The power of God's Word is amazing...
Breaking through the thickest chains.
Flowing through the broken places.
Rebuilding shattered lives.
God's Word is the embodiment of Who He is.
Find your rest in Him today. He alone is worthy of our praise.
Father God, Awaken our hearts to love You more. Open our eyes to behold Your majesty. You are far beyond our natural comprehension, and yet You reveal Yourself to us. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. You are faithful, Lord. You are worthy of our praise and adoration. Hold our hands and lead us to Your throne of grace where we can sit and rest awhile. Hasten us to Your side, Lord. We love you. Bless Your Holy Name!
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please, PLEASE visit the Morning Glory page. I am featuring a worship video by Paul Wilbur singing "A Resting Place". I know you will sense the Lord's Presence as he ministers in song.
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
"I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies." ~ Psalm 18:1-3
Please. Let's read this again. Out loud this time...
"I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
"I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies."
The power of God's Word is amazing...
Breaking through the thickest chains.
Flowing through the broken places.
Rebuilding shattered lives.
God's Word is the embodiment of Who He is.
Find your rest in Him today. He alone is worthy of our praise.
Father God, Awaken our hearts to love You more. Open our eyes to behold Your majesty. You are far beyond our natural comprehension, and yet You reveal Yourself to us. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. You are faithful, Lord. You are worthy of our praise and adoration. Hold our hands and lead us to Your throne of grace where we can sit and rest awhile. Hasten us to Your side, Lord. We love you. Bless Your Holy Name!
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please, PLEASE visit the Morning Glory page. I am featuring a worship video by Paul Wilbur singing "A Resting Place". I know you will sense the Lord's Presence as he ministers in song.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Scriptures of Encouragement ~ An AHA Moment!
God gave me an AHA moment in Sunday School this past week.
Let's look at Judges 6:11-13. "Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah...while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!" Gideon said to Him, 'O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?...'"
Notice verse 11: "The Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree..."
The Lord sat under the tree watching Gideon work like crazy in his own strength trying to solve the problem of his enemies, the Midianites. He sat there! I wonder how long the Lord sat and watched His child before He intervened. How often does He come near and watch us, waiting for us to acknowledge His Presence and power?
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon in verse 12 and said, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!" Do you suppose the Lord heard Gideon's cries for help or do you suppose the Lord had mercy on His fearful child and responded before Gideon turned to Him? Something tells me Gideon had not turned to the Lord before this. I believe this is an example of God's grace and mercy. Verse 13 gives us the answer: "Gideon said to Him, 'O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?..."
Can anyone besides me hear your own voice saying the same thing?!
In the midst of our panic, God is right there. Waiting. Watching. Listening. I have learned that "the eyes of the Lord roam to and fro across the earth seeking those who need to be strengthened" (2 Chronicles 16:9).
But we have to choose to let go of the reins. We must choose to open our eyes to see the Lord our God in our midst, waiting for us to let go and trust Him.
I believe the Lord watched Gideon's frenzy and then encouraged him with words from a heavenly perspective, "You mighty man of valor!" (Notice the exclamation point - God's, not mine.) God, the Father, believes in us. He calls us by His Name.
But He also wants us to call Him by His Name.
Jesus.
Father, forgive us for the times we try to handle things in our own strength when You are right there waiting and watching, hoping that we will come to our senses and call on You. Thank You for Your faithfulness. You are an awesome God and we love You so much.
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If you have received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page to be blessed in song by Selah as they sing, "One Thing I Know". Sweet blessings to you!
Let's look at Judges 6:11-13. "Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah...while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!" Gideon said to Him, 'O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?...'"
Notice verse 11: "The Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree..."
The Lord sat under the tree watching Gideon work like crazy in his own strength trying to solve the problem of his enemies, the Midianites. He sat there! I wonder how long the Lord sat and watched His child before He intervened. How often does He come near and watch us, waiting for us to acknowledge His Presence and power?
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon in verse 12 and said, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!" Do you suppose the Lord heard Gideon's cries for help or do you suppose the Lord had mercy on His fearful child and responded before Gideon turned to Him? Something tells me Gideon had not turned to the Lord before this. I believe this is an example of God's grace and mercy. Verse 13 gives us the answer: "Gideon said to Him, 'O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?..."
Can anyone besides me hear your own voice saying the same thing?!
In the midst of our panic, God is right there. Waiting. Watching. Listening. I have learned that "the eyes of the Lord roam to and fro across the earth seeking those who need to be strengthened" (2 Chronicles 16:9).
But we have to choose to let go of the reins. We must choose to open our eyes to see the Lord our God in our midst, waiting for us to let go and trust Him.
I believe the Lord watched Gideon's frenzy and then encouraged him with words from a heavenly perspective, "You mighty man of valor!" (Notice the exclamation point - God's, not mine.) God, the Father, believes in us. He calls us by His Name.
But He also wants us to call Him by His Name.
Jesus.
Father, forgive us for the times we try to handle things in our own strength when You are right there waiting and watching, hoping that we will come to our senses and call on You. Thank You for Your faithfulness. You are an awesome God and we love You so much.
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If you have received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page to be blessed in song by Selah as they sing, "One Thing I Know". Sweet blessings to you!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Scriptures of Spiritual Warfare ~ Face to Face With the Adversary
The spinning blue strobe lights broke through the calm of the morning. A hastened siren blurted out one solid yowl, just enough to let the driver know she had one choice, and that was to pull over.
"Pull over?" she said to no one in particular. "That's all I need! I don't have time to pull over." But, reluctantly, pull over she did.
Her blonde hair was disheveled. She flicked it repeatedly over her shoulder as her fingers combed through her bag to retrieve a driver's license. License found. Thank You, Lord. Freshly painted red nails nervously clicked and tapped the steering wheel. Hurry Mister! Please, hurry!
The officer approached as the frazzled woman rolled down her window. Before he could say a word, the woman blurted out, "Sir, I don't think I was doing anything wrong! Why did you stop me?"
"Well, Ma'am, you look like you're mighty angry about something.
"Angry? Yessir, I'm angry! I'm angry at Satan for trying to disrupt this day God has made just for me! I'm getting married in a few hours and you have no idea how he has tried to come against me. I've been rebuking him in the Name of my Jesus!"
The officer took about five steps backwards. Slowly. "And another thing," the lady said, "God has brought me this far and I am not about to let the devil have his way with me! I am washed in the Blood of Jesus!"
"Uh, Ma'am, I..."
"God has given me the perfect man and He has restored our broken lives!" she continued. "I WILL not let Satan have this victory!"
"Yes, Ma'am," he surrendered. "But, please do me a favor and calm down."
Apparently, the officer was no match for this little lady-warrior.
Paul told the Church at Ephesus that, "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
~ Ephesians 6:12
Jesus told His disciples in Luke 10:19, "Behold, I give you the authority...over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
James 4:7 reads, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
Resist. The Greek word for resist is anthistemi (anth-us-tay-mee) and means - are you ready? - it means to vigorously oppose, bravely resist, stand face-to-face against an adversary, stand your ground.
And that is exactly what my friend Joy was doing in the true story above. Joy knows who she is in Christ. She is also well acquainted with our adversary, Satan. When Joy rebukes the devil, SHE REBUKES THE DEVIL! She enters into spiritual WARfare.
And there ain't nothin' prim and proper about spiritual warfare.
It is intentional.
It is done with God-given authority.
And it is done as if your life depends upon it.
Sweet child of God, YOU are somebody in God's Kingdom. You have been bought with the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, and where the Blood is, Satan has no authority. Resist him and he must flee. Amen?
Amen.
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page if you want to GO TO CHURCH! Hezekiah Walker will get your body swayin', your hands clappin' and your feet movin' as he sings "Faithful is Our God". Enjoy!
"Pull over?" she said to no one in particular. "That's all I need! I don't have time to pull over." But, reluctantly, pull over she did.
Her blonde hair was disheveled. She flicked it repeatedly over her shoulder as her fingers combed through her bag to retrieve a driver's license. License found. Thank You, Lord. Freshly painted red nails nervously clicked and tapped the steering wheel. Hurry Mister! Please, hurry!
The officer approached as the frazzled woman rolled down her window. Before he could say a word, the woman blurted out, "Sir, I don't think I was doing anything wrong! Why did you stop me?"
"Well, Ma'am, you look like you're mighty angry about something.
"Angry? Yessir, I'm angry! I'm angry at Satan for trying to disrupt this day God has made just for me! I'm getting married in a few hours and you have no idea how he has tried to come against me. I've been rebuking him in the Name of my Jesus!"
The officer took about five steps backwards. Slowly. "And another thing," the lady said, "God has brought me this far and I am not about to let the devil have his way with me! I am washed in the Blood of Jesus!"
"Uh, Ma'am, I..."
"God has given me the perfect man and He has restored our broken lives!" she continued. "I WILL not let Satan have this victory!"
"Yes, Ma'am," he surrendered. "But, please do me a favor and calm down."
Apparently, the officer was no match for this little lady-warrior.
Paul told the Church at Ephesus that, "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
~ Ephesians 6:12
Jesus told His disciples in Luke 10:19, "Behold, I give you the authority...over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
James 4:7 reads, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
Resist. The Greek word for resist is anthistemi (anth-us-tay-mee) and means - are you ready? - it means to vigorously oppose, bravely resist, stand face-to-face against an adversary, stand your ground.
And that is exactly what my friend Joy was doing in the true story above. Joy knows who she is in Christ. She is also well acquainted with our adversary, Satan. When Joy rebukes the devil, SHE REBUKES THE DEVIL! She enters into spiritual WARfare.
And there ain't nothin' prim and proper about spiritual warfare.
It is intentional.
It is done with God-given authority.
And it is done as if your life depends upon it.
Sweet child of God, YOU are somebody in God's Kingdom. You have been bought with the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, and where the Blood is, Satan has no authority. Resist him and he must flee. Amen?
Amen.
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page if you want to GO TO CHURCH! Hezekiah Walker will get your body swayin', your hands clappin' and your feet movin' as he sings "Faithful is Our God". Enjoy!
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