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Chains…

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

fullsizerender-4Two years ago, I received the best birthday present I have every received.  Chains.

Over the years, I have been blessed to lead some incredible women in Bible study.  This very small group of two women are very special to me.  They were hungry for the Word and desired Him more than anything else.  These two women were babes in Christ, but they desired the meat!  They wanted to know what the Word said, but had never really studied it to find out what it said.  We began Genesis Part One of Precept Upon Precept, published by Precept Ministries.  This study covers Genesis chapters 1- 2.  It was life changing!  For all of us.

During this study, all of us opened up about many things that Lord was doing in our lives, hearts, families and how we wanted more from Him.  We shared many deep, personal struggles and secrets.  And on this birthday, this special lady gave me the best present a teacher could ever ask for.

She had wrapped up in a beautiful box the chains that the Lord had removed from her while in the ministry the Lord had given to me.  She shared how He had set her free from so many things and how she never wanted to be in those chains ever again.  She had been set free!

I share this now because I ask, what are your chains?  What are you in bondage to?  What do you desire to be free from?  Or who’s chains are you to help remove?

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
    foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
    you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
    and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
    and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
    and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
    that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
    and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
    and praise spring up before all nations.” Isaiah 61

The Voice of the Enemy…confirmed

/ heatherhaley07 / 1 Comment

Confirming the Voice of the Enemy in someone’s life can be extremely dangerous.  Many times the Enemy speaks to us, internally harassing us, with the same old thoughts and phrases.  He knows where to jab at us and when it will hurt the most.  He knows how to whisper the right things to the people near us and encourage them to repeat it as well.  When those closest to us begin to speak the very words that the Enemy is whispering to our hearts, what happens?  What does that do to us?  Have we ever even thought about what effect our words have on those around us?

In Matthew 4, we read of how the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  During this passage, we see in verse 8 the devil tempts Jesus to have “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory…. if He fell down to worship him.”  Essentially, Satan wanted to give Jesus an easy way out.  A way to have the glory of the nations without ever dying on the cross.  He was promising a way without the cross.  To normal, fleshly ears, that would be quite a temptation.  To Spirit-focused ears, Jesus combated that temptation with Scripture, and overcame the Spiritual battle.  Just a few short chapters later, we see that Peter offers the same opportunity.  In Matthew 16:21, Jesus shares of His upcoming death on the cross and resurrection.  Peter quickly rebuked Him for saying such things and said, “God forbid it, this shall never happen to you!”  Peter never wanted to see His Master endure the torture He spoke of.  He desired for Christ to gain the keys to the Kingdom another way.  A way without the cross.  Christ knew such options were not available and turns to Peter in verse 23 to say, “Get behind Me, Satan!  You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

Did Peter know the fullness of how Christ had been tempted by these exact same words?  In Peter’s ignorance, he was attempting to confirm the Enemy’s words in Christ’s heart.  How often do we do that?  In our ignorance, do we confirm the Voice of the Enemy in others?  It is easy to think of the times when others have done such things to our hearts, but what about when we do it, unknowingly, to others?

Science has proven that words matter.  I recently read an article about how scientists took dishes of water and froze them.  They spoke words of life to one dish and words of destruction to another, and the results of how they froze are completely different.  Words matter.  Below on the left is a picture of water that froze with prayer, then a picture of the water that froze without prayer.  Dr. Emoto (Dr. Emoto’s Water Experiment, The Power of Thoughts) conducted this experiment and you can read up on it more by googling the experiment.  Don’t forget, our bodies are made of mostly water.

(http://highexistence.com/water-experiment/)

How can we be cautious with the words that we speak?  How can we protect our minds from hearing and believing the Voice of the Enemy in our hearts and minds?  How did Jesus…. Scripture.

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is anything excellent and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” Philippians 4:8.

God, are You even real?

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Jesus, I am thankful for the times in my life when I say, “God, are You even real?”

These seasons, these roads, these pits produce the evidence that He is.

Over the course of my short 31 years of life, I have had many moments of doubt.  I have questioned whether or not our God truly does love.  Whether He truly does forgive.  Whether He truly does know all things and has good things planned for me.  I have often wondered, “are You even real?  Because I thought I knew what you wanted from me and for me….”

Did you know that this is normal?  Did you know that it is okay?  Did you know that our God is big enough to handle our times and seasons of doubt?  Did you know more people do this than are willing to admit?

There is freedom in realness.  Freedom in our relationship with The Saviour and realness in our relationships with others.  Many times we feel like we know, understand, catch a glimpse of The Lord’s perfect will in a situation and the circumstances do not line up.  Does that mean The Lord lost?  No.  It means that The Lord “causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.  And this is written by God, through a man who faced many forms of persecutions and eventually death for the Gospel that he believed and preached.

I have faced loss and difficulties:

  • death of all my grandparents,
  • death of my father-in-law,
  • watching loved ones fight through cancer
  • infertility for five years wondering what I had done that God did not want to bless me,
  • my blessed baby girl that the Lord breathed life into my womb, born with a cleft lip and cleft palate,
  • feeling overlooked and unappreciated,
  • friendships ending and not understanding why,
  • persecution from others because of beliefs,
  • cars breaking,
  • home air conditioning going out,
  • financial struggles- some because of my choices, others because of just life,
  • feeling like my husband did not understand me
  • etc, etc, etc, etc…. you get the point….

None of these are special just to me and my circumstances.  These are just life.  Life is difficult.  It is all how we handle the difficulties that defines us.  Do we pretend that everything is okay or do we face it?  And be transparent through the struggles?

In this world, we know that we will “encounter various trials”, but we also know that we should “consider it pure joy… knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance and when endurance has its perfect result, we will be complete and perfect, lacking in nothing.” (James 1).  Lacking in nothing.  Our King Jesus wants me to be lacking in nothing.  Today, I don’t necessarily want to be lacking in nothing.  But tomorrow, when endurance has had the chance to perfect itself, I will appreciate and be thankful for the testing.

Jesus, I am thankful for the times in my life when I say, “God, are You even real?”

Slavery is still going strong today…

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Slavery is still going strong today.  Slavery. Is it about the color of someone’s skin?  Slavery.  Is it about what country you are from or how much money you make?  What about your age? Slavery knows no boundaries.  Slavery goes beyond borders, skin color, age and further than bank accounts and financial statements.  Slavery attacks all walks of life because slavery devours the slave and the master.  A slave is defined as a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.

There are more slaves today than in any other point in the history of all mankind.  And these slaves are black and white.  Yellow and red.  These slaves are from Asia, Africa, America, Europe, The Islands and Knoxville, Tennessee.  These slaves are poor and rich.

More than 2 million children are exploited each year in the sex trade.  Those children are white, black, yellow, red… one of us.

There are more than 27 million slaves globally.  These can be in the sex industry working as prostitutes or on farms working in the fields.  Those people are yellow, black, red, white… one of us.

Of 95 counties in the state of Tennessee, Knox County ranks in the top 4 in trafficked areas in the state.  Knox County is where we live.  Slavery exists right here with us.

Every 30 seconds another person is trafficked.  Every 30 seconds.  In the time that it will take you to read this article another 8 people have been enslaved.

My generation has become more concerned with the act of slavery that took place before our grandparents were born, instead of fighting the slavery that is going on right now, under our noses, in the parts of town we “avoid” around the people we “avoid”.  Each child trafficked is someone’s child.  Every person trafficked is someone’s someone.

Today, we watch news updates of black verses white and white verses black and it is all referencing slavery.  Today, we are citizens in a nation with a black President.  If a black man can hold the highest office in the nation voted in by the people, the slavery that once held our country in bondage, no longer does.  At least not in the majority.  Is it possible that by our focus being so strongly on the immediate hatred or slander against one another, we miss the real slavery still in existence?  Is that the plan?  While I raise many questions in this brief article.  I only ask that you search yourself and the real data of who the slaves in 2016 really are and how do we help them?

A21 is an international organization that works to rescue those in bondage today and help restore them through the healing power of Jesus Christ.  A21 EXISTS TO ABOLISH INJUSTICE IN THE 21ST CENTURY.  A21 is a non-profit organization who believes that we can end human trafficking together. For the past three years, A21 has hosted the #walkforfreedom walk in numerous cities across the globe.  The walk exists to reflect A21’s heart for freedom and justice, and it is ultimately designed to turn awareness into action.  This year, Knoxville has been chosen as one of their host cities.  Please feel free to go to A21.org for more information about A21 and the walk itself.   The event is Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 8:30am beginning at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

Do we as a county, as a state, as a city want to continue fighting against the slavery that was abolished many years ago or do we want to face and fight for the ones that are currently in chains?  The decision is ours.  What shall you choose?

For mora21-shirte information, please go to a21.org/Knoxville or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Service or Love?

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For too long in my life, I’ve lived with this mentality that it is my duty to serve. Duty? Does that sound like a love relationship? God doesn’t need me.

He has created you for a purpose. Have you sat long enough with Him and His book to know what that purpose is? Or do we spend more time being “busy” serving without relationship? Busy as stated by a friend, is Being Under Satan’s Yoke.  Now is the time to sit.  Now is the time to listen. Now is the time to hear.

No longer should we walk and follow men and their activities.  Today, we follow God. Today, we search for what He has in store for us! Today, sit and seek and let Him tell us what the next step is and follow.

Our God wants to lead us. Our God wants to speak to us. Our God desires a relationship with us above all else. Our God wants YOU! Not your service. Not your sacrifice. Not your ability to follow. He wants YOU!

Review: Brush of Wings by Karen Kingsbury

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This series has radically changed my life.

The Lord has inspired this series to show us what is truly happening in the spiritual realm all around us. This book is the third in Karen Kingsbury’s Angels Walking series. 

If you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ this is a MUST READ! In my life, I have seen dramas and books that depict the spiritual real from the demonic perspective, but Karen clearly gives all of the power to our God and His Angel Armies.  We don’t recognize that our God and His Angels (in the Name of Jesus) are all around us on mission for Him. We recognize the enemy only a third of the time that he is actually working. Karen has created a storyline that helps Christians identify when the enemy is   truly at work…. And it may just be more than we think! 

If you like to read, get this series. If you’ve never read, get this series. If you are curious about Angels and Demons, get this series. 

Please note, this book is not the Word of God and I do not equate it to the Word of God.  I do believe this is the greatest series that Karen Kingsbury has ever written and will have the greatest impact on the Kingdom of God.  

 

Is The Church the Body of Christ or just a country club?

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The Church is to be the living and breathing Body of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ intentionally went to the least of these.  His best and closest friends (the disciples He chose) were not among the upper echelon of people.  The men and women that His Holy Book (the Bible) documents that He spent time with were the prostitutes and tax collectors (again, not the well liked of society).

Ephesians 5:1 tells us to “be imitators of God, as beloved children: and walk in love just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God, as a fragrant aroma.”

“Imitators of God”…. when I walk around and do life, my little girl, Georgia, is constantly watching me.  She says, “hello, it’s nice to meet you!” and shakes hands.  She wants to drink coffee, sing and dance throughout the house.  She wants to read a book and play on her phone.  All because she wants to me an imitator of me.  She isn’t me.  But she wants to be like me.  Just like I am not God or Jesus, but I want to be like them.  So I must follow their example and imitate them.  Paul even throws in there, “as beloved children…”  The Lord and Paul knew that we would need an example.  And since everything on earth is just “a shadow”, of course our children should teach us this beautiful lesson of being an imitator of Christ.

All too often we find ourselves becoming imitators of spiritual leaders- pastors, teachers, writers, speakers…. when our good book (the Bible) tells us to be imitators of Christ.  In order to imitate Him, we must first know Him.

Ephesians 4: 4 “There is one body, and one Spirit, just as also you were called to one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all”.  We are one body.  We are one body in Christ.

We, as The Church of Jesus, The Body of Jesus, must be concerned about being where the “least of these” are and welcoming them into The Embassy (since we are ambassadors) for safe keeping from the enemy.  If not, we are just a country club concerned about our own desires and well-beings…. but we must stop using Jesus Christ’s Name as a banner.

 

the cross

 

Review: 7 by Jen Hatmaker

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Review: 7 by Jen Hatmaker

Okay, there is conviction… and then there is CONVICTION.  This book has challenged me to study God’s Word to see what it means to truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I have been a believer and follower of Jesus since I was 12 years old.  In many ways, I have been blessed with Godly wisdom to avoid some of the major pitfalls of this life.  However, in many ways the plumb line that I had used against myself was not the Living Word of God, and definitely not the Saviour of the Universe.

Now that I have seen, I am responsible.

I have always struggled with how the Living Word was supposed to scrub up against the life of the a 21st Century American Christian.  This book has caused me to focus on 7 major areas of my life and hold them up against the Word of God.  Those areas are: Clothes, Spending, Waste, Food, Possessions, Media & Stress.  At first glace, you might think, “I do okay in those areas..”.  If you feel like you are good and have accomplished all that Jesus has for you, read this book.  If you feel like you are obedient in most areas of your life, read this book.  If you feel like you have no real understanding of what God says about these areas, read this book (and then become a Berean and study it out).

Jen doesn’t seek to be the end all, be all about these issues mentioned.  My understanding is that she just wants the American Church of Jesus to study out how our lives actually line up with the Word of God.  Our view of Christianity is skewed by an American worldview, and not a Jesus worldview.

If you dare to go and pick this book up, be prepared to be challenged.  Be warned, this book is not for the weary.  Actually, the weary might just be the very one intended to read it!

Happy to you in finding your alter to fall upon with all of your idols!  Get ready!  Don’t say I didn’t warn you… (btw we all have idols).  Remember we have a loving Saviour who is willing to show grace to all, may repentance be near.

seven

Review: Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers

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Review: Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers

This book.  This book.  Wow.  This book.  Okay, so my girl Francine Rivers has challenged my knowledge of God’s Word once again.  Francine writes a beautifully anointed book in exploring every avenue of scripture.  She doesn’t just focus on the text, but the historical, physical and sociological climate of our scriptures.

This book explores the lives of five men in scripture: The Priest (Aaron), The Warrior (Caleb), The Prince (Jonathon), The Prophet (Amos) & The Scribe (Silas).

These men each faced extraordinary days in walking with the Unseen God of the Hebrews.  These men were placed in positions that no one else had ever faced and were forced to choose- follow Him faithfully & fearlessly OR disobey and walk away from the only peace and truth they’d ever known.

Not only does Francine challenge us with her sanctified imagination of scripture, but she follows up each section with a dive straight into the Living Word of God.  It is always important to decipher between what we actually know from scripture and what is sanctified imagination, but Francine paints crucial pictures for all believers everywhere to study out further.

This book has challenged me in ways I never could’ve dreamed.  It has also taught me how to view each person in our Holy Scriptures: real, sinful people born of the same dust as me.  These people were not super heroes.  These people were common.  These people only accomplished what they did for the Kingdom because the Spirit of the Living God was upon them.  Lord, may I be one who is known as a girl with the Spirit….

 

sons of enc

Presents for the King

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birthday bookLast night as I was reading to Georgia before bed, the Lord spoke.  We were reading an awesome book about birthdays, not because I am some great mom theologian teaching about Jesus on Christmas Eve… but she picked it out because it is one of her favorite books.  Throughout the book it speaks of hanging the decorations, sending the invitations, opening the birthday presents & the birthday cards and then at the very end it speaks of how thankful the little girl was for spending time with her at her birthday party.  And that is when it hit.

Has Jesus ever told me “thank you” for spending time with Him on His Birthday?

This year, Christmas has been completely different for me.   This year, I forced myself to be less busy and to truly focus… and it has changed my Christmas.

When I was a kid, and even many years into my adulthood (honestly, until last year), Christmas was really only about the presents.  I would get so excited about what I would open and what I would get to take home with me.  But this year, after spending more time with Him in His Word than ever before, this Christmas is truly about so much more.  Even when you look at your grandparents and how they celebrate Christmas.  They literally only want to be around you and family.  They want your presence, not your presents.  Maturity equals a switch in focus.  Time with Him changes your viewpoint on life and then on Christmas.  Jesus wants our time.  Jesus wants our presence.

This December has been the best December in my entire life.

If I were to give Jesus a birthday present, something that He has never had before… what would it be?  Today, in this early morning moment on Christmas morning, while my house is still and quiet and the only thing on is my Christmas tree lights and my coffee pot.  Today, I want to give Jesus the one thing that he really wants… my time.  The first hour of every day, may it always be devoted to Him.  Happy Birthday, Jesus!  Happy Birthday.

P.S.  Thanks Georgia for choosing the absolutely perfect book to read on Christmas Eve!