Words of Life!
by Pastor Jennifer Mears
2/3/2010
So many are struggling today. Spiritually, financially, in health, in strength. I feel in my spirit that God is calling us to a higher level of praise, worship, and He is developing faith within each believer - He desires a closer walk with us. It is through praise and worship that we will see our breakthroughs. In The Word of God, praise and worship are not just acts before someone preaches a message or something that we just do during a church service...praise and worship are connected to our everyday lives.
When we hear the words praise and worship, many have music come to mind. But, truly, praise is the acknowledgement of God and His actions within our lives. Worship acknowledges who God is. Many examples of this are within the pages of The Bible. If we take many of those phrases of scripture and plant them in our heart and spirits, they will keep us, nourish us, preserve us, complete and comfort us. It is absolutely not possible to be depressed or worried and medidate on praise and worship at the same time!
Praise is faith - with a voice! It is applause of God's works and miracles - past, present and future! The sound from our mouth during praise and worship should be a mighty, two-edged sword of The Word and The Holy Spirit of God. Mightier than any moutain we are facing! A supernatural weapon in spiritual warfare against the works of the enemy - allowing God's works to shake the foundation and destroy the handiwork of the enemy. Truly, trials reveal character and produces character. It is how we respond to the trials, through the reason of the trials, that brings result to that trial. Trials prove our faith, revealing our true character. Trials will come. There is no avoiding them. But, Jesus said He would go with us, even to the end of the world and that he would stick closer to us than a brother. It is through the fire, we are made strong. As we trial, He triumphs. We just need to get a hold of that and let God be God - in all circumstances, even the little things. This will build us up into the mighty warriors that will be able to stand, and many times that is all we need to do...just stand.
God is in the process of making us everything we should be. In maturity, and truth, and faith.
For this to be accomplished, trials are necessary. They build in us an endurance, a steadfastness under pressure which will develop us as mature men in Christ.
It is impossible to be in continual praise and live in defeat. Through our praise, we are paralyzing the enemy. You see, the devil throws stuff at us to discourage us and then, through discouragement, he obtains more power in defeating us and stealing our joy and praise - but, if we praise God through it all, God's presence brings POWER - strength to the weakened and victory over all the mess that the enemy tries to create!
Stand firm against those firey darts of the enemy - holding that shield of faith and sword of The Holy Spirit - claim and proclaim Words of The Holy Scriptures. The most powerful prayers have the Word spoken within them - and mean what you say! You gotta know that you know that you know what you are saying is Truth - and those words will set you free. Our miracles are in our mouths - speak them out into the atmosphere! There is Power in speaking and covering ourselves and our circumstances in The Blood of Jesus...Power in God's Word and Promises. Rely on them. Lean on them. Stand firm on them. Believe! Know! And Expect! God will move upon your faith! Keep talking to him. Surrender everything to God and just stand still, know He is God, and watch His Marvelous Works unfold all around you.
Loving you and praying for you, always.
In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer Mears
The Book of James
1:2-27 (Amplified Version)
2Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
5If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of [b]the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
6Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
7For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,
8[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
9Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation [as a Christian, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God],
10And the rich [person ought to glory] in being humbled [by being shown his human frailty], because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
11For the sun comes up with a scorching heat and parches the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away. Even so will the rich man wither and die in the midst of his pursuits.(A)
12Blessed (happy, [c]to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.
13Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.
14But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
15Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.
16Do not be misled, my beloved brethren.
17Every good gift and every perfect ([d]free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
18And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].
19Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.
20For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].
21So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.
22But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
23For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
24For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
25But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
26If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person's religious service is worthless (futile, barren).
27External [e]religious worship [[f]religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL HAVE TO GO!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A Word of The Lord -
RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL HAVE TO GO!
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
So many of us are going through many battles at this time and we truly are on the threshold of breakthroughs. The devil is throwing everything he can at us right now! He is desparately doing all he can to keep bound and powerless. You are a threat to him. Keep your eyes and ears - and your spiritual eyes and ears open! The devil will slither in like a snake into many or all areas of your life through circumstances, relationships and communications with others, and through your very own thoughts, actions and emotions. Do NOT give him an inch, or else he will take miles. We must resist the devil! Resist him in all his ploys and plots! The enemy will have to flee away from you! He will have to go! Open your mouth and rebuke Him in Jesus Name - tell him he has to go - and he will have to! The Lord says so in His Word! Tell him to go and he will - and do it in all Power and Authority that Jesus gave to us in using (speaking and believing upon) His Name and the application of Jesus' Blood to our family, our homes, our circumstances, our finances, our burdens, our sickness, EVERYTHING!
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
The enemy is out seeking whom he may destroy - impersonating the power and fear we consider and visualize as a lion would have that is ravenous and trying to devour us! But, it is just a vision - we must turn our eyes on The Power in The Blood of Jesus! Plead His Blood over your circumstances, life, problems, fears and you will prevail! We are more than conquerors in Christ - He strengthens us...let your faith rise! Let your expectations of The Lord rise and His Spirit rise within you to face each and every trial and anxiety! The devil does come to steal, kill, and destroy! But, GOD has given us ALL POWER to stand against the enemy! Read Ephesians 6:10-18!
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHICH STRENGTHENS YOU! (Phil. 4:13) Just surrender to Jesus! Lay everything at His Feet - He cares! He responds to your faith! Lean on Him...constantly be in prayer throughout the day (and night) and focus on The Victory! Not on the fight! The Battle was won already on The Cross - just claim that victory and begin to walk victoriously! Walk and talk and act like The Child of The King that you are!
UNTIL HE CAME TO ME
(song lyrics)
(c) Jennifer Haynes-Mears 2000 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
So many times I've stumbled along the way trying to move mountains I was supposed to climb. It's so easy to stray away in a dying world of sin holding on to broken dreams never knowing what life could really be until He came and rescued me...
He changed my vision when He opened my eyes, all things He made new. All hope w...as gone until He came into my life and it wasn't a moment too soon...Yes, He can do this for you and forgive if you would only believe...You see, I was just as lost as you, Until He Came To Me.
He touched my heart and He healed my soul, placed a smile upon my face. Now I'm holding on and I never want to let go of this New Song that I sing...my faith, it keeps me moving on and I know He hears me when I pray...with The Promise of a Brighter Day, and I KNOW He's gonna carry me through...He changed my vision when He opened my eyes, all things He made new.
All hope was gone until He came into my life and it wasn't a moment too soon...Yes, He can do this for you and forgive if you would only
believe...remember, I was just as lost as you, Until He Came To Me.
(These are lyrics to a song Jesus wrote through me on April 7, 2000 and I felt led to share it with you this morning - somewhere someone needed to hear these words of life and encouragement - LOVE OF JESUS TO YOU ALL!!!!)
In HIS Service,
Pastor Jen
DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW CLOSE TO YOU! THERE IS HOPE FOR THE HURTING, THOSE WHO NEED TO BE SAVED, DELIVERED, HEALED, SET FREE - THROUGH JESUS! LET US FOCUS ON THAT TODAY! AND, EVERYTHING ELSE WILL JUST FALL INTO PLACE IF WE TAKE OUR HANDS OUT OF IT AND GIVE IT OVER TO GOD! HELP US, JESUS, I PRAY!
I PRAISE YOUR NAME, LORD!!!
With The Love of Jesus!
In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
A Word of The Lord -
RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL HAVE TO GO!
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
So many of us are going through many battles at this time and we truly are on the threshold of breakthroughs. The devil is throwing everything he can at us right now! He is desparately doing all he can to keep bound and powerless. You are a threat to him. Keep your eyes and ears - and your spiritual eyes and ears open! The devil will slither in like a snake into many or all areas of your life through circumstances, relationships and communications with others, and through your very own thoughts, actions and emotions. Do NOT give him an inch, or else he will take miles. We must resist the devil! Resist him in all his ploys and plots! The enemy will have to flee away from you! He will have to go! Open your mouth and rebuke Him in Jesus Name - tell him he has to go - and he will have to! The Lord says so in His Word! Tell him to go and he will - and do it in all Power and Authority that Jesus gave to us in using (speaking and believing upon) His Name and the application of Jesus' Blood to our family, our homes, our circumstances, our finances, our burdens, our sickness, EVERYTHING!
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
The enemy is out seeking whom he may destroy - impersonating the power and fear we consider and visualize as a lion would have that is ravenous and trying to devour us! But, it is just a vision - we must turn our eyes on The Power in The Blood of Jesus! Plead His Blood over your circumstances, life, problems, fears and you will prevail! We are more than conquerors in Christ - He strengthens us...let your faith rise! Let your expectations of The Lord rise and His Spirit rise within you to face each and every trial and anxiety! The devil does come to steal, kill, and destroy! But, GOD has given us ALL POWER to stand against the enemy! Read Ephesians 6:10-18!
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHICH STRENGTHENS YOU! (Phil. 4:13) Just surrender to Jesus! Lay everything at His Feet - He cares! He responds to your faith! Lean on Him...constantly be in prayer throughout the day (and night) and focus on The Victory! Not on the fight! The Battle was won already on The Cross - just claim that victory and begin to walk victoriously! Walk and talk and act like The Child of The King that you are!
UNTIL HE CAME TO ME
(song lyrics)
(c) Jennifer Haynes-Mears 2000 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
So many times I've stumbled along the way trying to move mountains I was supposed to climb. It's so easy to stray away in a dying world of sin holding on to broken dreams never knowing what life could really be until He came and rescued me...
He changed my vision when He opened my eyes, all things He made new. All hope w...as gone until He came into my life and it wasn't a moment too soon...Yes, He can do this for you and forgive if you would only believe...You see, I was just as lost as you, Until He Came To Me.
He touched my heart and He healed my soul, placed a smile upon my face. Now I'm holding on and I never want to let go of this New Song that I sing...my faith, it keeps me moving on and I know He hears me when I pray...with The Promise of a Brighter Day, and I KNOW He's gonna carry me through...He changed my vision when He opened my eyes, all things He made new.
All hope was gone until He came into my life and it wasn't a moment too soon...Yes, He can do this for you and forgive if you would only
believe...remember, I was just as lost as you, Until He Came To Me.
(These are lyrics to a song Jesus wrote through me on April 7, 2000 and I felt led to share it with you this morning - somewhere someone needed to hear these words of life and encouragement - LOVE OF JESUS TO YOU ALL!!!!)
In HIS Service,
Pastor Jen
DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW CLOSE TO YOU! THERE IS HOPE FOR THE HURTING, THOSE WHO NEED TO BE SAVED, DELIVERED, HEALED, SET FREE - THROUGH JESUS! LET US FOCUS ON THAT TODAY! AND, EVERYTHING ELSE WILL JUST FALL INTO PLACE IF WE TAKE OUR HANDS OUT OF IT AND GIVE IT OVER TO GOD! HELP US, JESUS, I PRAY!
I PRAISE YOUR NAME, LORD!!!
With The Love of Jesus!
In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
Monday, December 21, 2009
Until He Came To Me
UNTIL HE CAME TO ME
(c) Jennifer Haynes-Mears 2000 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
So many times I've stumbled along the way trying to move mountains I was supposed to climb. It's so easy to stray away in a dying world of sin holding on to broken dreams never knowing what life could really be until He came and rescued me...
He changed my vision when He opened my eyes, all things He made new. All hope w...as gone until He came into my life and it wasn't a moment too soon...Yes, He can do this for you and forgive if you would only believe...You see, I was just as lost as you, Until He Came To Me.
He touched my heart and He healed my soul, placed a smile upon my face. Now I'm holding on and I never want to let go of this New Song that I sing...my faith, it keeps me moving on and I know He hears me when I pray...with The Promise of a Brighter Day, and I KNOW He's gonna carry me through...He changed my vision when He opened my eyes, all things He made new.
All hope was gone until He came into my life and it wasn't a moment too soon...Yes, He can do this for you and forgive if you would only
believe...remember, I was just as lost as you, Until He Came To Me.
(These are lyrics to a song Jesus wrote through me on April 7, 2000 and I felt led to share it with you this morning - somewhere someone needed to hear these words of life and encouragement - LOVE OF JESUS TO YOU ALL!!!!)
In HIS Service,
Pastor Jen
You can listen to this song "UNTIL HE CAME TO ME" on the link below along with other cover Praise and Worship songs that were recorded for me LIVE by my precious, dearly departed friend, Dr. Michael Wofford. HAVE A BLESSED DAY EVERYONE - PEACE OF JESUS!
Click below to listen to Pastor Jennifer
as she leads Praise & Worship (Live Recordings)
DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW CLOSE TO YOU! THERE IS HOPE FOR THE HURTING, THOSE WHO NEED TO BE SAVED, DELIVERED, HEALED, SET FREE - THROUGH JESUS! LET US FOCUS ON THAT TODAY! AND, EVERYTHING ELSE WILL JUST FALL INTO PLACE IF WE TAKE OUR HANDS OUT OF IT AND GIVE IT OVER TO GOD! HELP US, JESUS, I PRAY!
I PRAISE YOUR NAME, LORD!!!
With The Love of Jesus!
In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
(c) Jennifer Haynes-Mears 2000 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
So many times I've stumbled along the way trying to move mountains I was supposed to climb. It's so easy to stray away in a dying world of sin holding on to broken dreams never knowing what life could really be until He came and rescued me...
He changed my vision when He opened my eyes, all things He made new. All hope w...as gone until He came into my life and it wasn't a moment too soon...Yes, He can do this for you and forgive if you would only believe...You see, I was just as lost as you, Until He Came To Me.
He touched my heart and He healed my soul, placed a smile upon my face. Now I'm holding on and I never want to let go of this New Song that I sing...my faith, it keeps me moving on and I know He hears me when I pray...with The Promise of a Brighter Day, and I KNOW He's gonna carry me through...He changed my vision when He opened my eyes, all things He made new.
All hope was gone until He came into my life and it wasn't a moment too soon...Yes, He can do this for you and forgive if you would only
believe...remember, I was just as lost as you, Until He Came To Me.
(These are lyrics to a song Jesus wrote through me on April 7, 2000 and I felt led to share it with you this morning - somewhere someone needed to hear these words of life and encouragement - LOVE OF JESUS TO YOU ALL!!!!)
In HIS Service,
Pastor Jen
You can listen to this song "UNTIL HE CAME TO ME" on the link below along with other cover Praise and Worship songs that were recorded for me LIVE by my precious, dearly departed friend, Dr. Michael Wofford. HAVE A BLESSED DAY EVERYONE - PEACE OF JESUS!
Click below to listen to Pastor Jennifer
as she leads Praise & Worship (Live Recordings)
DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW CLOSE TO YOU! THERE IS HOPE FOR THE HURTING, THOSE WHO NEED TO BE SAVED, DELIVERED, HEALED, SET FREE - THROUGH JESUS! LET US FOCUS ON THAT TODAY! AND, EVERYTHING ELSE WILL JUST FALL INTO PLACE IF WE TAKE OUR HANDS OUT OF IT AND GIVE IT OVER TO GOD! HELP US, JESUS, I PRAY!
I PRAISE YOUR NAME, LORD!!!
With The Love of Jesus!
In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
Thursday, December 10, 2009
(quote from the movie,"It's A Wonderful Life" - George Bailey: Dear Father in heaven, I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there and you can hear me
[begins crying]
George Bailey: show me the way... show me the way.
AND, THAT IS ALL IT TAKES...The phrase, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” is used three times in the Bible—once in Joel 2:32, once in Acts 2:21 by the Apostle Peter, AND once in Romans 10:13 by the Apostle Paul....MUST BE AN IMPORTANT POINT IF GOD INSPIRED THAT PHRASE TO BE INCLUDED THREE TIMES IN HIS HOLY WORD, THE BIBLE. IF YOU HAVE A NEED, OR YOU HAVE REALIZED YOUR NEED FOR GOD IN YOUR LIFE, CALL ON HIM...HE IS WAITING TO TALK TO YOU...HE IS THERE FOR YOU...CAST ALL YOUR CARES UPON THE LORD FOR HE CARES FOR YOU!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Come on Church!
COME ON CHURCH!
Wednesday, November 5, 2009
Whether or not we want to accept it, we are in right in the middle of a dark battle. The fighting is all around us! There's a battle going on in homes, work-places, CHURCHES, schools, EVERYWHERE - but they are taking place in the Spiritual realms! Through The Holy Spirit, God can make us aware of the battle and know how live in victory, rather than in the defeat of the enemy. First, we must understand the battle, and how we are to fight the enemy. If we want victory, we must allow The Holy Spirit of GOD to lead us through the battle. other hand, if your army had “intelligence” about the enemy, you could plan for their attack and their reply.
The Bible and The Holy Spirit allows us to see our enemy for who he is and become aware of the spiritual war. Without the Holy Scriptures, we would be fighting an invisible unknown enemy, completely blind and ignorant to their weapons and devices, and maybe we wouldn't even understand or know that we were at war at all...the enemy can deceive! And, he will deceive if we are not wise to his ways! Satan can make manure smell like roses (I tell it like it is) to us if we are not led by The Holy Spirit! We have to be aware and awake! The Bible, revealed through Holy Spirit of God, has totally unveiled the invisible world, which surrounds us at all times. In this spirit world, we have an enemy who is alive and is at war with us, and he wants to stop the kingdom of God from advancing! He wants to hurt God through us! He wants to stop GOD's Work in us and through us! His time is short! Satan and his fallen angels are the enemy! They seek out to take us, destroy us, and to make us ineffective against their work they are trying to do. They are fighting any more souls to be saved through Jesus! This is a battle raging all around us, and the tools and weapons of satan are fully engaged and ready to fight against us in every way in this battle.
WE MUST BE AWARE AND READY!
Satan uses our old man/our past against us! He will use our own human nature to fail to war with us in the spiritual realms. The Holy Spirit who is dwelling in us is our weapon and preparation for the spiritual battles. Through scripture and spiritual conviction, God’s Spirit prepares us for what the battle is, why the battle is, and how to win the battle. Paul in Ephesians chapter 6 tells us all about the equipment of a spiritual warrior...and he describes it and explains how to use it!
'Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.' 1 Peter 5:8-9
"For we wrestle not 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).
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:11-18)
Therefore, as Holy-Spiritual warriors, we need to know and always be aware of the fact that we are in a battle, and since we are in battle, we should put together our own battle plan, so we can live the victorious life, advancing the Kingdom of God!
PRAY IN THE SPIRIT!
"Which he (God) wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.(Ephesians 1:20-23)
THE DEVIL IS ON THE MOVE! HE IS FIGHTING ALL OF US- I STAND IN THE GAP FOR YOU AND OUR CHURCH! The world is a battleground between truth and error or light and darkness and therefore is a place in which we engage in spiritual warfare. Our battle against the devil is a battle against good and evil, the goodness and power of God against the evil and power of the devil. Therefore we are in direct conflict with the god of this world, "the devil." He has power over the world and the flesh and is our ultimate enemy. However, we are promised the victory in Christ! WE NEED TO STAND AND CLAIM IT! IN JESUS' NAME! NOW FOR OURSELVES, OUR CHURCH, OUR FAMILIES, OUR CHILDREN, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR JOBS, EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!
EVIL IS IN THE AIR - AND IT IS THICK YESTERDAY AND TODAY MORE SO THAN I HAVE A FELT IN A WHILE....PRAY! FOCUS ON GOD! PRAY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT! SPEAK OUT AND CLAIM SCRIPTURE IN JESUS' NAME! PLEAD THE BLOOD OF JESUS! WE GOTTA GET SERIOUS ABOUT THIS THING! PEOPLE ARE DYING AND GOING TO HELL...PEOPLE NEED TO BE DELIVERED, HEALED, SET FREE! IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST...LET'S OPEN OUR MOUTH AND SPEAK AGAINST THE ENEMY AND USE OUR HANDS AND FEET FOR JESUS!!!!! BE WILLING AND OPEN VESSELS AND INSTRUMENTS OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO OUR GOD, TO JESUS! AND LET HIM USE US IN THIS STAND AGAINST THE ENEMY! WE CANNOT LAY DOWN AND DIE! WE CANNOT JUST TURN OUR HEAD ANY LONGER! FIGHT, IN JESUS' NAME, THROUGH AND BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD! FIGHT THE ENEMY IN THE SPIRIT! JESUS HAS ALREADY DEFEATED THE DEVIL BUT WE BELIEVE SATAN'S LIES THAT WE HAVE TO FIGHT! JESUS WON THAT BATTLE! WE ARE TO WALK ON HIM! IN JESUS' NAME! THE DEVIL ONLY WINS WHAT WE LET HIM WIN! TAKE A STAND AND DO NOT WAIVER - FIRM AND UNSHAKEN!
I hate the devil and all he is, all he has done, all he stands for, all he means, all of his lies, his deceit, and his thievery! It is time we come together and stand against him! In Jesus' Name!
Pray in the SPIRIT OF GOD! PUT ON AND KEEP ON THAT WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!
"...Christ in you, the hope of glory." Jesus Christ, Who came as a light in the world, a light that the kingdom of darkness tried to extinguish. But through the sacrifice of Christ, the Son of God, God's gift of Holy Spirit is given to every believer in Christ (Christ in you), in which, through the manifold wisdom of God, one Lord and Light, continues to sow a vast Kingdom of Light.
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't
To me the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
REMEMBER THIS OLD HYMN? STAND ON IT! IT IS TRUE!
DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW CLOSE TO YOU! THERE IS HOPE FOR THE HURTING, THOSE WHO NEED TO BE SAVED, DELIVERED, HEALED, SET FREE - THROUGH JESUS! LET US FOCUS ON THAT TODAY! AND, EVERYTHING ELSE WILL JUST FALL INTO PLACE IF WE TAKE OUR HANDS OUT OF IT AND GIVE IT OVER TO GOD! HELP US, JESUS, I PRAY!
I PRAISE YOUR NAME, LORD!!!
With The Love of Jesus!
In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
Wednesday, November 5, 2009
Whether or not we want to accept it, we are in right in the middle of a dark battle. The fighting is all around us! There's a battle going on in homes, work-places, CHURCHES, schools, EVERYWHERE - but they are taking place in the Spiritual realms! Through The Holy Spirit, God can make us aware of the battle and know how live in victory, rather than in the defeat of the enemy. First, we must understand the battle, and how we are to fight the enemy. If we want victory, we must allow The Holy Spirit of GOD to lead us through the battle. other hand, if your army had “intelligence” about the enemy, you could plan for their attack and their reply.
The Bible and The Holy Spirit allows us to see our enemy for who he is and become aware of the spiritual war. Without the Holy Scriptures, we would be fighting an invisible unknown enemy, completely blind and ignorant to their weapons and devices, and maybe we wouldn't even understand or know that we were at war at all...the enemy can deceive! And, he will deceive if we are not wise to his ways! Satan can make manure smell like roses (I tell it like it is) to us if we are not led by The Holy Spirit! We have to be aware and awake! The Bible, revealed through Holy Spirit of God, has totally unveiled the invisible world, which surrounds us at all times. In this spirit world, we have an enemy who is alive and is at war with us, and he wants to stop the kingdom of God from advancing! He wants to hurt God through us! He wants to stop GOD's Work in us and through us! His time is short! Satan and his fallen angels are the enemy! They seek out to take us, destroy us, and to make us ineffective against their work they are trying to do. They are fighting any more souls to be saved through Jesus! This is a battle raging all around us, and the tools and weapons of satan are fully engaged and ready to fight against us in every way in this battle.
WE MUST BE AWARE AND READY!
Satan uses our old man/our past against us! He will use our own human nature to fail to war with us in the spiritual realms. The Holy Spirit who is dwelling in us is our weapon and preparation for the spiritual battles. Through scripture and spiritual conviction, God’s Spirit prepares us for what the battle is, why the battle is, and how to win the battle. Paul in Ephesians chapter 6 tells us all about the equipment of a spiritual warrior...and he describes it and explains how to use it!
'Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.' 1 Peter 5:8-9
"For we wrestle not 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).
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:11-18)
Therefore, as Holy-Spiritual warriors, we need to know and always be aware of the fact that we are in a battle, and since we are in battle, we should put together our own battle plan, so we can live the victorious life, advancing the Kingdom of God!
PRAY IN THE SPIRIT!
"Which he (God) wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.(Ephesians 1:20-23)
THE DEVIL IS ON THE MOVE! HE IS FIGHTING ALL OF US- I STAND IN THE GAP FOR YOU AND OUR CHURCH! The world is a battleground between truth and error or light and darkness and therefore is a place in which we engage in spiritual warfare. Our battle against the devil is a battle against good and evil, the goodness and power of God against the evil and power of the devil. Therefore we are in direct conflict with the god of this world, "the devil." He has power over the world and the flesh and is our ultimate enemy. However, we are promised the victory in Christ! WE NEED TO STAND AND CLAIM IT! IN JESUS' NAME! NOW FOR OURSELVES, OUR CHURCH, OUR FAMILIES, OUR CHILDREN, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR JOBS, EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!
EVIL IS IN THE AIR - AND IT IS THICK YESTERDAY AND TODAY MORE SO THAN I HAVE A FELT IN A WHILE....PRAY! FOCUS ON GOD! PRAY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT! SPEAK OUT AND CLAIM SCRIPTURE IN JESUS' NAME! PLEAD THE BLOOD OF JESUS! WE GOTTA GET SERIOUS ABOUT THIS THING! PEOPLE ARE DYING AND GOING TO HELL...PEOPLE NEED TO BE DELIVERED, HEALED, SET FREE! IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST...LET'S OPEN OUR MOUTH AND SPEAK AGAINST THE ENEMY AND USE OUR HANDS AND FEET FOR JESUS!!!!! BE WILLING AND OPEN VESSELS AND INSTRUMENTS OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO OUR GOD, TO JESUS! AND LET HIM USE US IN THIS STAND AGAINST THE ENEMY! WE CANNOT LAY DOWN AND DIE! WE CANNOT JUST TURN OUR HEAD ANY LONGER! FIGHT, IN JESUS' NAME, THROUGH AND BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD! FIGHT THE ENEMY IN THE SPIRIT! JESUS HAS ALREADY DEFEATED THE DEVIL BUT WE BELIEVE SATAN'S LIES THAT WE HAVE TO FIGHT! JESUS WON THAT BATTLE! WE ARE TO WALK ON HIM! IN JESUS' NAME! THE DEVIL ONLY WINS WHAT WE LET HIM WIN! TAKE A STAND AND DO NOT WAIVER - FIRM AND UNSHAKEN!
I hate the devil and all he is, all he has done, all he stands for, all he means, all of his lies, his deceit, and his thievery! It is time we come together and stand against him! In Jesus' Name!
Pray in the SPIRIT OF GOD! PUT ON AND KEEP ON THAT WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!
"...Christ in you, the hope of glory." Jesus Christ, Who came as a light in the world, a light that the kingdom of darkness tried to extinguish. But through the sacrifice of Christ, the Son of God, God's gift of Holy Spirit is given to every believer in Christ (Christ in you), in which, through the manifold wisdom of God, one Lord and Light, continues to sow a vast Kingdom of Light.
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't
To me the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
REMEMBER THIS OLD HYMN? STAND ON IT! IT IS TRUE!
DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW CLOSE TO YOU! THERE IS HOPE FOR THE HURTING, THOSE WHO NEED TO BE SAVED, DELIVERED, HEALED, SET FREE - THROUGH JESUS! LET US FOCUS ON THAT TODAY! AND, EVERYTHING ELSE WILL JUST FALL INTO PLACE IF WE TAKE OUR HANDS OUT OF IT AND GIVE IT OVER TO GOD! HELP US, JESUS, I PRAY!
I PRAISE YOUR NAME, LORD!!!
With The Love of Jesus!
In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Abusive Churches: So, what now?
Abusive Churches: So, what now?
By Pastor Jennifer A. Mears 10/22/2009
Scriptures taken from The Amplified Version - Zondervan (c)
The Painful Exit
Leaving an unhealthy or abusive church can leave very serious, life-changing, and painfully deep scars. It is a damaging, discouraging, and loss of trust issue that lingers for a very long time. The ones who suffer these situations experience an isolation, bitterness, embarrassment, grief, and anger. Then, of course, there is a bout with excessive confusion (which we know who the author of confusion is!). Everyone begins asking the question of “God? How could You let this happen”? We beat ourselves up with, “why did I get into this group and why did I stay as long as I did”?
When I left an abusive, unhealthy church leadership situation I expressed, "I am so confused over my emotions. Sometimes, I am glad to have left. I enjoy being free from the constant burdens I carried while I was involved with the church. Later, I would feel anxiety over how I could subject myself to those situations for so long and suffer that pain that affected me in so many areas of my life. I also feel pain over having the lost years and lost friendships and fellowship with the ones who were not involved and were innocent to the abuse or were knowingly or blindly being abused themselves. I grieved as I would have through the death of a loved one. Putting so much of myself into everything I did for God in a place that was not good ground after all. I know I was called by God to be there…I brought myself and all The Spiritual Gifts that God had entrusted me with, but I was abused and lied to, lied about, shoved aside, pushed away, and I took it and took it and took it until I couldn’t take anymore" It was a spiritual abuse. It was the type of abuse that hurts and tries to destroy the centerpiece of who you are and ends up leaving you so up in the air and cut off from the fellowship that aide in healing. Sure, The Love of God is The One who heals, but after so much damage and grief appears and lingers, the more difficult it is to connect with God to let that much needed healing begin.
The exit process can be difficult but it is possible. Be hopeful and keep in mind that the healing process is not the same for everyone. We all grieve and deal with things differently. Some people may take years and some may recover from the experience in just a few months. Surrounding yourself with mature Christians and The Word of God is essential and many may need to seek professional counseling. You have to be careful not to end up giving up on church and God all together! Believe me, I know that would be so easy when you are so beaten down and confused. Many may even question what is true to lean on and what to discard as false. This is when you MUST rely on God’s Word, not mans, to light and direct your path.
1 John 1:7 “But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].”
Let’s just face it, people can truly destroy a person through the venomous poisoned words of the enemy and many of those types of people are “church people”. Hey, the devil will use anyone who will let him to tear you down, rip you apart, and chew you up and spit you out! Be wise to this! Many of those who allow the devil to use them are sitting in the pews and preaching from the pulpit every Sunday. Such a sad truth but you better get a hold of that truth! Exercise that gift of discernment and listen for The Holy Spirit...that still small voice may be trying to tell you something but is being drowned out by the abusers or your own words being spoken through the hurt and the anger. It is so easy to think you are waiting on God to give A Word when actually, He has probably already given you sign after sign and word after word to do something! Keep your eyes and ears open! Suit up yourself in Christ, grab the weapon and ammunition - put on The Whole Armor of GOD! That is the only thing that will get you through all of this! Take a minute and read Ephesians 6 with me!
Ephesians 6 (Amplified Bible)
Ephesians 6
1CHILDREN, OBEY your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right.
2Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise--(A)
3That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.
4Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord.
5Servants (slaves), be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive and with all your heart, as [service] to Christ [Himself]--
6Not in the way of eye-service [as if they were watching you] and only to please men, but as servants (slaves) of Christ, doing the will of God heartily and with your whole soul;
7Rendering service readily with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men,
8Knowing that for whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.
9You masters, act on the same [principle] toward them and give up threatening and using violent and abusive words, knowing that He Who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons (no partiality) with Him.
10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
11Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(B)
16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
The fight is HIS! The vengeance is His! The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy! We have to stand still and only then will we see God move and turn things around.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.”
It disgusts me…and it angers GOD that people who claim to be Children of God, Shepherds of His Flock carry on such anti-Christ-like and anti-Biblical standards and practices. Many caught up into the acts of jealousy, envy, strife, backstabbing, lying, cheating, mockery and discouragement. One way to put it, just plain spiritual abuse is a deadly, scarring sin. We are to love people with The Love of Jesus! We are not to be about our own agenda! It is all about Jesus…
2 Corinthians 5:9 - 11 Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with Him], we are constantly ambitious and strive earnestly to be pleasing to Him.
For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing].
Therefore, being conscious of fearing the Lord with respect and reverence, we seek to win people over [to persuade them]. But what sort of persons we are is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood by God, and I hope that it is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood also by your consciences (your inborn discernment).
Stronger Because of the Experience
When leaving an abusive church and church leadership, you may leave scarred mentally and emotionally, and maybe even feel the physical effects of the whole ordeal. I promise that there is hope for you to recover, move on, and feel whole again. This actually can make us stronger in faith, understanding, and will create a closer walk with Jesus in fashioning your life closer to His. We learn how not to be. We learn to treat others as we would want to be treated. One way we can grow from this experience is to develop a deeper understanding of God's character. We can’t blame God! They were not reflecting Him, but so many times you will see people blame God for situations such as this. God needs to be viewed as The One who loves us. All the time and effort we put into the church and with the church leadership was because of what we are doing for God…don’t feel like you wasted your time and efforts…it was still for Him. It is just time to find better ground…good ground…and put your hands back to the plow and dig. Dig out all the hurt and anger. Dig deep into that bitterness and grief. Then, you will be enabling that good ground to become great ground because of all the chopping and tilling and plowing of those memories, emotions, and that past mindset as it becomes a rich, fertile substance that will enrich the new ground for growth and stability.
I know its hard. It took me over a year to being the healing process of Jesus through these circumstances. I turned away and locked myself down in fear of being hurt again. But, I count it all joy because as God has control, He has called me to a high calling of pastoring a new church fellowship of my own. God's love conquering all!
1 John 4:8 states that "God is love." God accepts us unconditionally. He only asks of us what He has gifted us with through His Grace and His Holy Spirit. He provided His Son Jesus Christ to be a human sacrifice for our sin and to live as a Holy example for us to go by. Who we are is in Christ, Jesus, not in the church building, groups, or relationships. Our status as Christians or ministers does not depend on what other people say and do but what GOD has to say! Our full purpose and destiny lie in The Lord! It is essential to realize that our worth and value will prevail because of Christ. He sheds light on the truth…perhaps not in our time, but it will come in God’s Perfect time. Sure, it is hard to be patient and diligent during the dark hours, but I assure you that those dark times will draw us closer to Jesus and will cause us to be Christ-dependent all the more.
God can bring good out of the situation if we will wait upon Him and trust in Him. Romans 8:28 says that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This even applies to those of us who have been abused spiritually. You see, it is through the pain and healing processes that God can tear us down to The Foundation (Jesus) that we stand on and rebuild us His way. He can mold us just like clay and help us become more and more like Him. Jeremiah 18:4 says, “ And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it.” Sometimes He just needs to get in there and totally reform us after we have been subjected to the effects of spiritual abuse. It causes deeply rooted issues that only He can remove and heal.
Remember all the terrible, evil things that Joseph's brothers did to him? Just think about what Joseph did in Genesis, Chapter 50. Joseph was able to say in the end, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." So, if we learn from the past, no matter what the situation may look like, and if we draw closer to God in our times of need, we can be healed and overcome our painful past, and be all the stronger and better person…AND Christian for it.
CAST ALL YOUR CARES!
What a comforting truth to know that God cares for us and that He will perfect the things that concern us. Pray about a Bible-based church! Always seek God and His Will for your life...even down to where you should worship and fellowship. Keep Him in control of every situation.
The difference between discouragement and encouragement IS DETERMINED BY WHOM you depend on God or man.
With The Love of Jesus!
In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
JUST ANOTHER NOTE:
For 38 years this invalid had tried repeatedly to get into the healing waters, but with no one to help him it was hopeless. Of all those who had been healed at the pool not one remained to help him. Discouragement had taken over his life. His response to Jesus was not an immediate, "Yes, Lord," but a rambling of why he had not been healed.
If your faith is in others, discouragement from their failures to love and care for you will be inevitable. If your faith is in Jesus Christ, healing and wholeness are in Him for you. Jesus is an inexhaustible fountain of healing for whatever you need. Others may have left you behind, but Jesus seeks you out. Receive from Him the power to rise up and walk through the power of the Holy Spirit.
There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years. When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?] —John 5:5,6
By Pastor Jennifer A. Mears 10/22/2009
Scriptures taken from The Amplified Version - Zondervan (c)
The Painful Exit
Leaving an unhealthy or abusive church can leave very serious, life-changing, and painfully deep scars. It is a damaging, discouraging, and loss of trust issue that lingers for a very long time. The ones who suffer these situations experience an isolation, bitterness, embarrassment, grief, and anger. Then, of course, there is a bout with excessive confusion (which we know who the author of confusion is!). Everyone begins asking the question of “God? How could You let this happen”? We beat ourselves up with, “why did I get into this group and why did I stay as long as I did”?
When I left an abusive, unhealthy church leadership situation I expressed, "I am so confused over my emotions. Sometimes, I am glad to have left. I enjoy being free from the constant burdens I carried while I was involved with the church. Later, I would feel anxiety over how I could subject myself to those situations for so long and suffer that pain that affected me in so many areas of my life. I also feel pain over having the lost years and lost friendships and fellowship with the ones who were not involved and were innocent to the abuse or were knowingly or blindly being abused themselves. I grieved as I would have through the death of a loved one. Putting so much of myself into everything I did for God in a place that was not good ground after all. I know I was called by God to be there…I brought myself and all The Spiritual Gifts that God had entrusted me with, but I was abused and lied to, lied about, shoved aside, pushed away, and I took it and took it and took it until I couldn’t take anymore" It was a spiritual abuse. It was the type of abuse that hurts and tries to destroy the centerpiece of who you are and ends up leaving you so up in the air and cut off from the fellowship that aide in healing. Sure, The Love of God is The One who heals, but after so much damage and grief appears and lingers, the more difficult it is to connect with God to let that much needed healing begin.
The exit process can be difficult but it is possible. Be hopeful and keep in mind that the healing process is not the same for everyone. We all grieve and deal with things differently. Some people may take years and some may recover from the experience in just a few months. Surrounding yourself with mature Christians and The Word of God is essential and many may need to seek professional counseling. You have to be careful not to end up giving up on church and God all together! Believe me, I know that would be so easy when you are so beaten down and confused. Many may even question what is true to lean on and what to discard as false. This is when you MUST rely on God’s Word, not mans, to light and direct your path.
1 John 1:7 “But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].”
Let’s just face it, people can truly destroy a person through the venomous poisoned words of the enemy and many of those types of people are “church people”. Hey, the devil will use anyone who will let him to tear you down, rip you apart, and chew you up and spit you out! Be wise to this! Many of those who allow the devil to use them are sitting in the pews and preaching from the pulpit every Sunday. Such a sad truth but you better get a hold of that truth! Exercise that gift of discernment and listen for The Holy Spirit...that still small voice may be trying to tell you something but is being drowned out by the abusers or your own words being spoken through the hurt and the anger. It is so easy to think you are waiting on God to give A Word when actually, He has probably already given you sign after sign and word after word to do something! Keep your eyes and ears open! Suit up yourself in Christ, grab the weapon and ammunition - put on The Whole Armor of GOD! That is the only thing that will get you through all of this! Take a minute and read Ephesians 6 with me!
Ephesians 6 (Amplified Bible)
Ephesians 6
1CHILDREN, OBEY your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right.
2Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise--(A)
3That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.
4Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord.
5Servants (slaves), be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive and with all your heart, as [service] to Christ [Himself]--
6Not in the way of eye-service [as if they were watching you] and only to please men, but as servants (slaves) of Christ, doing the will of God heartily and with your whole soul;
7Rendering service readily with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men,
8Knowing that for whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.
9You masters, act on the same [principle] toward them and give up threatening and using violent and abusive words, knowing that He Who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons (no partiality) with Him.
10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
11Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(B)
16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
The fight is HIS! The vengeance is His! The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy! We have to stand still and only then will we see God move and turn things around.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.”
It disgusts me…and it angers GOD that people who claim to be Children of God, Shepherds of His Flock carry on such anti-Christ-like and anti-Biblical standards and practices. Many caught up into the acts of jealousy, envy, strife, backstabbing, lying, cheating, mockery and discouragement. One way to put it, just plain spiritual abuse is a deadly, scarring sin. We are to love people with The Love of Jesus! We are not to be about our own agenda! It is all about Jesus…
2 Corinthians 5:9 - 11 Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with Him], we are constantly ambitious and strive earnestly to be pleasing to Him.
For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing].
Therefore, being conscious of fearing the Lord with respect and reverence, we seek to win people over [to persuade them]. But what sort of persons we are is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood by God, and I hope that it is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood also by your consciences (your inborn discernment).
Stronger Because of the Experience
When leaving an abusive church and church leadership, you may leave scarred mentally and emotionally, and maybe even feel the physical effects of the whole ordeal. I promise that there is hope for you to recover, move on, and feel whole again. This actually can make us stronger in faith, understanding, and will create a closer walk with Jesus in fashioning your life closer to His. We learn how not to be. We learn to treat others as we would want to be treated. One way we can grow from this experience is to develop a deeper understanding of God's character. We can’t blame God! They were not reflecting Him, but so many times you will see people blame God for situations such as this. God needs to be viewed as The One who loves us. All the time and effort we put into the church and with the church leadership was because of what we are doing for God…don’t feel like you wasted your time and efforts…it was still for Him. It is just time to find better ground…good ground…and put your hands back to the plow and dig. Dig out all the hurt and anger. Dig deep into that bitterness and grief. Then, you will be enabling that good ground to become great ground because of all the chopping and tilling and plowing of those memories, emotions, and that past mindset as it becomes a rich, fertile substance that will enrich the new ground for growth and stability.
I know its hard. It took me over a year to being the healing process of Jesus through these circumstances. I turned away and locked myself down in fear of being hurt again. But, I count it all joy because as God has control, He has called me to a high calling of pastoring a new church fellowship of my own. God's love conquering all!
1 John 4:8 states that "God is love." God accepts us unconditionally. He only asks of us what He has gifted us with through His Grace and His Holy Spirit. He provided His Son Jesus Christ to be a human sacrifice for our sin and to live as a Holy example for us to go by. Who we are is in Christ, Jesus, not in the church building, groups, or relationships. Our status as Christians or ministers does not depend on what other people say and do but what GOD has to say! Our full purpose and destiny lie in The Lord! It is essential to realize that our worth and value will prevail because of Christ. He sheds light on the truth…perhaps not in our time, but it will come in God’s Perfect time. Sure, it is hard to be patient and diligent during the dark hours, but I assure you that those dark times will draw us closer to Jesus and will cause us to be Christ-dependent all the more.
God can bring good out of the situation if we will wait upon Him and trust in Him. Romans 8:28 says that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This even applies to those of us who have been abused spiritually. You see, it is through the pain and healing processes that God can tear us down to The Foundation (Jesus) that we stand on and rebuild us His way. He can mold us just like clay and help us become more and more like Him. Jeremiah 18:4 says, “ And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it.” Sometimes He just needs to get in there and totally reform us after we have been subjected to the effects of spiritual abuse. It causes deeply rooted issues that only He can remove and heal.
Remember all the terrible, evil things that Joseph's brothers did to him? Just think about what Joseph did in Genesis, Chapter 50. Joseph was able to say in the end, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." So, if we learn from the past, no matter what the situation may look like, and if we draw closer to God in our times of need, we can be healed and overcome our painful past, and be all the stronger and better person…AND Christian for it.
CAST ALL YOUR CARES!
What a comforting truth to know that God cares for us and that He will perfect the things that concern us. Pray about a Bible-based church! Always seek God and His Will for your life...even down to where you should worship and fellowship. Keep Him in control of every situation.
The difference between discouragement and encouragement IS DETERMINED BY WHOM you depend on God or man.
With The Love of Jesus!
In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
JUST ANOTHER NOTE:
For 38 years this invalid had tried repeatedly to get into the healing waters, but with no one to help him it was hopeless. Of all those who had been healed at the pool not one remained to help him. Discouragement had taken over his life. His response to Jesus was not an immediate, "Yes, Lord," but a rambling of why he had not been healed.
If your faith is in others, discouragement from their failures to love and care for you will be inevitable. If your faith is in Jesus Christ, healing and wholeness are in Him for you. Jesus is an inexhaustible fountain of healing for whatever you need. Others may have left you behind, but Jesus seeks you out. Receive from Him the power to rise up and walk through the power of the Holy Spirit.
There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years. When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?] —John 5:5,6
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Overcoming Anxiety Over The Past
"All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances]." Proverbs 15:15 (AMP)
For almost two years, I went through a terrible period in my life where I was weighed down by past events and the anxieties that seemed to hover over me. I was filled with bitterness, fear and dread. My daughter was in counseling over what her father had done to her in the past and was moving toward getting better and dealing with his death. I was in counseling to help me meet her needs, about her past and in both of us moving toward the future, and I was just frozen still in time inside.
I just kept feeling like peace of mind was going to happen. It was hard to forgive my husband of 8 years and to forget what all had happened. I had to forgive and move on from lies, deceit, and destruction caused by my former church and church leadership. Insane circumstances, things that I just could not understand...and never received closure to all the hurt, anger, and bitterness that I felt for them and their attacks. Finally I went to the Lord and talked with Him about what was troubling me. He told me it was memories of the past that were haunting me and that I had never claimed The Blood of Jesus to cover them. Then and only then can you be able to forgive.I plead The Blood of Jesus over all the past hurts and the anxieties that followed them. Then, Jesus ministered to me, teaching me to just let those things go and not bury the dead things and dig them back up or sit and weep all the time over those things that were lost or abused. I needed to give them to Him - cast all of them onto Jesus. I had to forget them and go on. If we continue to allow the enemy to rule our lives with the past and anxiety, our lives will only consist of becoming upset over one little thing after another that really don't matter because we have allowed our past, fears, and anxiety to rule and reign our thoughts and feelings and we won't have much peace or joy. Jesus came to set the captives free...through Him and only Him can we be set free and where there is freedom, there is liberty!
David said, "In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.", Psalm 118:5
With His Love and In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
For almost two years, I went through a terrible period in my life where I was weighed down by past events and the anxieties that seemed to hover over me. I was filled with bitterness, fear and dread. My daughter was in counseling over what her father had done to her in the past and was moving toward getting better and dealing with his death. I was in counseling to help me meet her needs, about her past and in both of us moving toward the future, and I was just frozen still in time inside.
I just kept feeling like peace of mind was going to happen. It was hard to forgive my husband of 8 years and to forget what all had happened. I had to forgive and move on from lies, deceit, and destruction caused by my former church and church leadership. Insane circumstances, things that I just could not understand...and never received closure to all the hurt, anger, and bitterness that I felt for them and their attacks. Finally I went to the Lord and talked with Him about what was troubling me. He told me it was memories of the past that were haunting me and that I had never claimed The Blood of Jesus to cover them. Then and only then can you be able to forgive.I plead The Blood of Jesus over all the past hurts and the anxieties that followed them. Then, Jesus ministered to me, teaching me to just let those things go and not bury the dead things and dig them back up or sit and weep all the time over those things that were lost or abused. I needed to give them to Him - cast all of them onto Jesus. I had to forget them and go on. If we continue to allow the enemy to rule our lives with the past and anxiety, our lives will only consist of becoming upset over one little thing after another that really don't matter because we have allowed our past, fears, and anxiety to rule and reign our thoughts and feelings and we won't have much peace or joy. Jesus came to set the captives free...through Him and only Him can we be set free and where there is freedom, there is liberty!
David said, "In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.", Psalm 118:5
With His Love and In His Service,
Pastor Jennifer
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