Every thought

It’s not just that I am getting older, just 10 years ago things were way different.  Words have changed their meanings and even history is being erased.  Have you ever wondered how everything has gotten so crazy? I believe it is that spiritual warfare has been upped a level or two.

In today’s world with one saying this and another saying that how can we know what is true?  No matter where we look there seems to be another reason to fear or get angry.  So how can we obey JESUS who tells us not to let (allow) our hearts be troubled but to simply believe in GOD the FATHER and to believe in HIM (John 14:1).

According to the Bible, we have been in the last days for some time now (since our LORD JESUS was on the earth -Hebrews 1:1-2) and we are told the last days are days of deception.  There is a battle going on for our minds and though it may not seem that way our battle is NOT with flesh and blood people but with principalities and powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies (Ephesians 6:10-13) against us and influencing people.

In this spiritual war GOD has weapons powerful enough to pull down the strongholds of wrong thinking and every deceptive argument that rises up against GOD’s knowledge (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) For really GOD is still in control, does know what HE is talking about, and all of HIS ways are right and do work.  We are instructed to take every thought captive, we cannot let them run wild.

JESUS said abide in ME (stay close to ME), without ME you can do nothing (John 15:5) and HE said if we let HIS words abide in us our prayers will be answered (John 15:7). Then in 2 Corinthians 3:5 we are told that we are not sufficient as of ourselves to think anything as coming from ourselves, our sufficiency comes from CHRIST. So, we need to abide in HIM- meet with HIM in HIS word and prayer.

Hebrews 4:16 tells us to run to the throne of grace for mercy and grace to help in time of need. So, I just take troublesome thoughts in prayer to the throne.  GOD has an amazing way of taking my thoughts and through the HOLY SPIRIT showing me HIS.  For when I am in HIS presence things become clear as I am reminded of Bible verses.

When fears, frustrations, anger or rebellious thoughts come, do what I have learned to do.  I arrest them by taking them to JESUS who sits on the right hand of GOD the FATHER’s throne in heaven for HE understands (Hebrews 4:14-16).  Why should you struggle in your own strength (or lack of it) with the thoughts that the enemy is shooting at you like fiery darts?  Just take those thoughts to throne and HE will show you the truth and give you strength to cope.

Hugs

Sharon

Issues in the last days

After asking the LORD to speak to me, I was reading in Mark 8 and 3 accounts in that chapter struck me as potentially applying to you and me and spoke blaringly of things known about the end times. 

Just a few of the things GOD tells us about the last days.

Matthew 24: 4 JESUS answered and said to them, ‘take heed (watch out, pay attention) that no one deceives you.”  The last days are days full of deception.

2 Timothy 3:13 imposters will grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived

1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the SPIRIT speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines (teachings) of devils” Those false doctrines/ teachings will be taught by men who themselves are deceived.

In Mark 8:17-21 After the disciples had seen JESUS feed the 4,000 with 7 loaves and a few fish they thought JESUS was upset with them for not bringing bread along.  JESUS said they had ears but didn’t hear (listen up/pay attention) and eyes but couldn’t see/ perceive for they were not connecting the dots, they didn’t remember nor think things through.

In Mark 8:24 a man saw men like trees walking. In other words, he didn’t see things clearly. But when he told JESUS, the problem was taken care of, and he could see clearly.

Both led me to stop and ask GOD if and how these issues applied to me.  Was I taking things just at face value and not connecting the dots?  Do I acknowledge GOD in all things (Proverbs 3:5-7)? and ask the LORD for clarity (Hebrews 4:16)?

Then began to pray for specific others to have their eyes and ears opened, asking for them to be reminded of truth so could see things/issues clearly (1 John 5:16).  For obvious basic truths are being denied and countless people are so confused about so many things.

Then the 1^st truth of 2 Timothy 3:1 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves” came alive as I read in Mark 8 of Peter rebuking our LORD JESUS when the LORD told HIS disciples of HIS coming rejection, death and resurrection. JESUS’ response to Peter made me stop and think.

In Mark 8:33 JESUS rebuked Peter

KJ “Get behind ME, Satan: for you savor (look to, enjoy, relish, delight in) not the things that be of GOD, but the things that be of men.”

NASB “you are not setting your mind on GOD’s interests, but man’s.”

NIV “you do not have in mind the concerns of GOD but merely human concerns.”

Ouch! That convicted me! I know that GOD’s thoughts and ways are not mine (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that HE often works through hard things (2 Corinthians 4:17) yet how often do I want GOD to move in a certain way now, and struggle and worry when HE does not.  It also speaks of 2 Timothy 3:1 when man puts his wants and HIS ideas before GOD and HIS wisdom. When man delights more in the things of this world than in what GOD is doing those things become idols to him and we are warned, “Little children keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). 

O LORD, show me any idol I may have set up in my heart and tear it down for I want to worship YOU alone.  I ask this in JESUS name.

Hugs

Sharon