The saved life vs. the abundant life

I've been sitting on this blog for weeks. Not because I didn't want to write it, but because God wasn't finished writing it. This has been my journey over the last couple of months in a nutshell. I've spent years of my life in the saved life portion. I've had moments of the abundant life throughout the saved life, but could never get that part to stay put. Stay with me for a minute....the saved life happens when a person accepts God's gift of salvation. The abundant life happens when you finally get it. You understand the power that is within you and you tap into it. Too many know that they have a power on the inside, but busyness gets in the way. They know the power exists, but they don't tap into it for fear of what someone else will think. Sadly there is also a group of Christians that know the power exists, but have no idea how to tap into it. It's not always taught in churches or preached from pulpits. That's why there are many Christians today still struggling with the same thing they have given to God over and over and over again. They know how to leave it at the altar on Sunday, but have no idea how to resist or rebuke the enemy when he throws it back at them on Monday. Saved life vs. Abundant Life.....

One tells you that you are going to heaven and the other helps you live with peace on this side of heaven. The enemy is on the prowl....he's perfectly content with a saved Christian, but it's when that Christian finds their way to a prayer closet, to the word on a daily basis, and when they grasp a hold of their purpose and anointing...he gets scared. I'm okay with that....(and God about shouted I'm sure and said Finally). See a couple of weeks ago...three days into my altar time with Him. Three days into having my place where I met with Him(not just in the car etc.), but a regular place....God whispered are you ready? Well let's get real for a minute. That could be a scary whisper...but fear didn't answer that night faith did with a yes. That was the night I grabbed a hold of the anointing for myself. I knew it was there, but I had to believe it for myself. More on that in another blog....I was raised that the anointing was for a few. I was raised where we didn't really use the word anointing for fear it might scare someone. I know several who are still scared to speak that word now, but I've come too far for you to tell me it's not real. I've come too far for you to tell me it's for a certain group of people or even a certain gender. The anointing is what breaks chains, changes lives, and keeps you from running backwards when the fire feels too hot.

The saved life is the start to the journey, but oh my hear my heart when I say don't let that be the end of the journey. The abundant life is how you survive the walk. It's how you push through those moments when your world seems to be crashing, but you know God's still holding it all together. It's how you can walk forward and be who He has called you to be, even though it may not make sense to anyone around you.

My tired is tired

25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time  (Daniel 7:25, KJV)

This week has worn me out physically. I could sleep all weekend and I'm not sure I would "feel" caught up. It has been a long week, and I am thankful for a long weekend. These kinds of feelings before would have made me think of having a pity party blog, but God keeps whispering things in the natural reflect things in the spiritual. So I was like God how so? To me I don't "feel" tired spiritually...actually the opposite. The fire I have right now is what keeps me going most days. There is some how a peace knowing He's taking are of things even when it may not "feel" like it.

I started this on Thursday and had to go plug my laptop in to charge before I could finish. God woke me up and said it's time to finish it this morning. I'm still tired, but my focus has changed.  I'm tired of the enemy taking my energy. I'm tired of the enemy attempting to take my joy, my peace, and my confidence. I'm tired of the distractions from the enemy being so loud. At some point, that liar will realize that I know how to fight. Things that used to bother me, lead me to praying more. Things that used to make me hesitant, now make me run to His throne. My prayer time has increased and the line for battle has been drawn. I was preparing for war before seeing the movie War Room, but after the movie...lets just say the war cry is loud and clear.

It's time to go to battle for those that we love, those that we like, and even those we haven't even met. It's time for those that have heard the call to answer it and to walk out that calling. I am notorious for leaving my cell phone on silent. I have way too many things that ding or "notify" me of updates or messages that I typically just leave it on silent. I've also learned to ignore the light, but I digress. God started using my phone as a visual this week. Unless I'm looking straight at the phone, I may miss a call if it's on silent. Is your God phone on silent? Are you looking at it expecting, anticipating an answer to the prayer, the request you have made? or Are you just going about your business and if you miss it you miss it, you can always "call" back later? Oh reader don't miss the call. Turn the volume up if you need to, but be expecting when you ask Him in prayer. Be waiting when you ask Him believing He is going to do it. Ask, Believe, Expect.....the answer is coming.

The distractions have been plentiful this week. It would take multiple blogs to go through them all in detail, but let's just say the enemy has been on the move. Prayer is the only way church that we can stay steps ahead of his schemes. Spiritual warfare is real and the enemy knows who believes that and who doesn't. Find a prayer closet/spot and use it...it's not about these quick little prayers of blessing the food right now that are going to hit the enemy where it hurts. It's the prayers of God to move that mountain that is in someone's way, the prayer of pleading the blood over a house hold, the prayer of asking the angels to surround a place,...it's those prayers that are leading the army into battle. The distractions will always be there, but my time with God tells me that those distractions are a compliment. The enemy is pulling out the darts to keep you from that word God is bringing forth. If the enemy can keep you distracted with whatever else is going on in your world, then you may miss the call for that answer you are waiting to hear. Distractions have been everywhere and from places I must admit I didn't see coming. God did though....discernment has been priceless this week in knowing what was a distraction and what was not.

Tired is possible in every sense, physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. Things in the natural really do reflect things in the spiritual. Tired is something He can use if you let Him. He provides rest for the weary, strength for the journey, joy despite the tears, and a renewed calling each day. Check your feelings when you do become tired. Don't let the enemy get a foot hold in, but instead claim that strength and promise that says you can soar on wings like eagles, the promise that says you may be struck down, but not destroyed, and the promise that reminds you the One who called you is faithful and He will do it.

Tuesday Truths vol. 5

Truths this week are from 1 Corinthians 2

3I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

God equips the called, He doesn't call the equip. I've heard that saying for years and God brought it to mind again while reading this passage. So many times that "thing" we feel we just couldn't do is the very thing God had planned for us to do all along. I've learned the hard way, don't ever tell God you aren't going to do something and definitely do not pray for it ;-) 

14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,

I had to read this passage twice. The second time around I was like Thank you Lord for revelation...I dated this verse. For the last couple of months, I have had a difficult explaining what God had been doing in this journey with Him. I actually wrote out..."That's why it's hard to explain it to someone else!". I've often wondered if someone thought I was crazy when I tried to describe what God was doing in my life. I'm so thankful for friends who have walked the same journey, were there in the moment, and know I'm not crazy, just Spirit filled. So many times the things God reveals to us, the places He takes us, the time spent in His presence....unless that other person was there with us or has experienced it before...words do not always convey the moment. Discernment is a precious priceless gift for children of the Most High. Use it wisely, carry it with care, and know that He gave it to you for a reason. 

My heart for a minute...

I honestly thought God would let me forget about this blog, because it's so not "me", Then He let me in on a little secret.....I'm not the me I used to be. See for the past few months, God has taken this child of His on a journey that I haven't gotten over yet. His presence is incredible and I feel blessed to walk in it. I'm a week in to making my place with God, my spot with Him, my "altar". I've got one word to describe it...wow. The revelations are coming, the truths are powerful, and the anointing in stirring. Yes I said it...anointed. I've come to far for you to tell me I'm limited by God. God didn't make a box that we all fit in, He made us and filled us with a power that is ours for the using. Did you catch that...the using? The power is on the inside of us as Children of the Most High, are we using it?

This may be a different type of blog, but I felt so strong that someone out there needs to read it. I know what it's like to be hungry, thirsty, and desperate for Him. I know what it's like to be busy about what His church and forget to listen to what He is saying. I know what's like to go through the Motions and end up dried and tired. I know what it's like to try to change from the outside to the inside and it not work. I know what it's like to be sitting down in the midst of a pity party that has physically taken it's toll on me because I sat down. I know what it's like to be told who I am in Him by the yoke of tradition and religion. I know what it's like to feel defeated, but this blog isn't about that. This is a blog about power. See I also know what it's like to be satisfied, to be full, and to find Him. I know what it's like to be in the car and without even one of those "praise songs" on start praying in the Spirit and the tears flow. I know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night and know it's time to pray for someone. I know what it's like to read through His word with new eyes and to have revelation after revelation after revelation. I know what it's like to go not this time enemy and to walk forward in the power knowing that God's walking behind you, Jesus is walking beside you, and the Spirit is the one saying step here, step there. I know what it's like to hear Him use you to speak truth to someone(and I know what it's like to finally know what that obedience feels like). I know what it's like to have not only the gift of discernment, but to let the Spirit use it as a prayer prompting. I know what it's like to take the enemy back to the place where God said nope..that's my anointed Child. I know what it's like to remind the enemy he's defeated and a liar so back off. I know what it's like to hear God say....it's time for war, armor up child.

There is a call going out. There is an army rising up. Lukewarm isn't where it's found. Being cold isn't where it's found, it's about being in His presence and letting Him light the fire that cannot be extinguished. God's looking for a people to pour His Spirit out upon in this time we are living in...ask me how I know...because I have been sitting under the spout constantly for the last couple of months. My toes have been stepped on by God at times, and I'm good with that because it means He's still molding me to the soldier, the warrior He has called me to be. Conviction brings about change....I'm not perfect, I still make mistakes on a daily basis. The difference now is that where I used to sit down, now I stand still. There is a power on the inside of me...for years I have felt it stirring, but I ignored it. I listened to what others said and believed power and anointing for others. Well guess what devil...I grabbed it for myself last week. I grabbed on to that calling, that anointing and started claiming it and believing it for myself.  Being in His presence changes you, if it doesn't ...you may want to check what presence you were in. For me, I haven't been the same since.

Moving forward isn't always comfortable. Getting off the fence can be scary at times, but there is a freedom and a peace that passes all understanding. There is an anointing and a power for every child of the Most High to walk into. Tap into yours.....there is an army rising up. Are you a solider ready for battle or one still looking for their shoes?

Tuesday Truths vol. 4

This passage has been one I've quoted MULTIPLE times and in many arenas. It's one I've believed on, stood on, and Sunday God used it to push me, to provoke me to change. I mentioned some of this in my previous blog.

Isaiah 54
15  If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;

    whoever attacks you will surrender to you.

16 “See, it is I who created the blacksmith
    who fans the coals into flame
    and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc;
17     no weapon forged against you will prevail,
    and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
    and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord.  

So many times we quote verse 17 and forget to read the versus prior to that one. We stand on the fact the truth that God promised no weapon forged against us (forged means formed, made, imitated etc.) will prosper. God protects the weapons that are sent our way from others or outside sources. What about the weapons (i.e. thoughts, choices) we allow from within? The thoughts that sow seeds of doubt or discouragement. The choice that leads to condemnation or feelings of unworthiness. I truly believe as a child of the Most High God has the outside sources covered, but He needs us to believe it for ourselves. His part is taking care of the weapons formed against us, ours is believing what He says about us. See if we believe what God says about us, what others say about us will not matter. It may be a thought that enters our mind, but it's deleted with the truth of God's voice/word. It may be a moment of discouragement, but you defeat that with a praise song or a moment spent just letting Him love on you. No weapon forged against/created against us will prosper or prevail, that's God's promise and we can stand on that. Now let's add to that truth that the One who has called you is faithful and He will do it. God doesn't start something and not finish it, and you sweet reader are one of His most prized creations. Believe what He says about you, tap into the power that He already said you could have, and trust that the He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it!      

Sometimes you gotta preach to yourself....

I'm beginning to see the pattern with that mean old devil (who is a liar by the way). I'm sensing his schemes, I'm learning his tricks....oh this means war devil. 

The enemy apparently didn't care for the blog I wrote yesterday or the two that God was working on writing throughout the day. For a time the enemy's thoughts were louder than God's truth...but then my stinking thinking got me feeling stinking..I'm so tired of his messes. The enemy has a plan, but my God has a purpose. 

At some point last night, when I knew my feelings were taking me down a road I didn't want to head down I plainly told God I needed a word. At this point I didn't care what the word was even I just needed to hear from Him. He is a constant and so very faithful. 

He started speaking last night and hasn't stopped yet. Sometimes you gotta preach to yourself, sometimes you have to encourage you. It's okay to seek encouragement from friends, but sometimes God wants you to seek it from Him. God wants to remind you of what is on the inside of you. Last night I went over some things with Him, I was like God you have my future...He said yes child I know. I then said and you have my past...all of those hurts that I had let take root are in your hands. He said yes child I know...So I said...what am I missing...His answer was not what I expected. He replied with You still have your present. You have given me your tomorrow, but what about when tomorrow turns into today. I was like ouch God...

So many times our today is what messes us up. It's where our feelings lie, where our emotions can be louder than our steps. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He wants to take care of our todays just like He does our tomorrow. Once that truth set in...wow....

This morning God was still pouring it out. He took me to a verse I have read and quoted MANY times before to myself at times of struggle. I read the verse and He said now read the one before it. Have you ever had God just take a verse and go here's that word you asked for? Umm..yeah those times are becoming frequent and I LOVE it! I will never read "No weapon formed against you shall prosper" in the same way again. 

You may be thinking well this is a different kind of post and you are right it is. I've been on a journey for awhile, but finally started running it in July. I'm not going back, even though it would be comfortable at times and easier to just get in a routine (which leads to a rut). I'll admit I've tried to run backwards, but every time I try something stops me....The song "I won't go back" starts singing in my Spirit and I just have to stop. Dig in and stand still friend, but don't go back once you start moving forward. It's a blessing to have friends who will encourage, pray, and speak life into you...sometimes though all you need is a reminder of the power on the inside of you and the shift starts to happen. God knows what He's doing. He finishes what He starts and It's not over! 

Different kind of post, but somebody needs to know the power inside of you is greater than any feeling or thought that the enemy is throwing your way. Stand up, get your praise on, and know that God is the one fighting the battle. The enemy wants your praise, don't let him have it through the busyness of life. 

Have a blessed week! 

Coals and Flames

God doesn't waste a moment, a word, or a picture. 

Fires are precious. Some see the results as warmth and comfort, others see it as heat and irritating. Fires are also costly. They can do damage when they are not contained and can also leave scars from the burns. Fires are also beneficial because they take care of impurities, strengthen things being molded, and can bring out the gem under all of the dirt. 

Things in the natural reflect things in the spiritual. 

God starts the fire the day you become a Child of His. Let that sink in....so many times we talk about our fire going out, our spark not being sparked anymore etc. When God starts the fire, it never goes out. It may appear that the fire is growing cold, but that is a choice we have made. We let the enemy throw coals on it, turn the thermostat up or down, and or add the wet wood in the mix. When God starts the fire, the flame is eternal. You can pretend it's not there, but it's still burning one way or another. The enemy can only touch your fire when you make the choice to let him, but even then he can't take it away. What thoughts of discouragement, doubt, despair, condemnation are we allowing to be cold coals on our fires? What situations, circumstances, or people are we allowing to mess with the thermostat? What pity party, Eeyore mood has allowed wet wood on your flame? The enemy knows the weak spots in the fire, where the flame isn't as hot, how the wood is laid etc. God also knows the weak spots in the fire, and can shift the wood at any moment to strengthen the flame. 

Your fire is one of the most precious thing you have. Protect it. Draw a line around it and cover the line with the blood. The enemy wants to put your fire out, because he knows that the fire is what will impact those around you. The fire is what will cause others to look within themselves at their own flames. 

God started speaking last night from Sister Darlene Bishop's word on Prayer. I'll admit even with watching via Periscope every night and attending last night...the busyness of life had started to take it's toll on my fire. God is faithful. If we will get in the overflow of His anointing, He plants seeds we didn't even know we had asked for, He word takes root in the right atmosphere. He waters those already planted, and He sets a spark to the flame that you thought was about to die out.  Prayer is the power source for changing lives. Prayer is what keeps the flame going when it seems to everyone else the fire should have already gone out. Not tapping into the power of prayer is like asking God to save you on a ship that is sinking yet refusing to get into the Lifeboat that is there. As His word says, we have not because we ask not. 

Where is your fire at? Have the coals of life started to cool the flame? Has busyness become a way of life again, even though you promised yourself it wouldn't? Have you taken your focus off of the end of the race only to think about how you feel while running it? Sometimes we long for more, we hunger for that touch that only He can give, but our words never speak it. Life and Death are found in our words. What are we speaking about our lives that may is either turning our flame up or turning it down? 

One last thing...You won't always get it right. Life gets in the way and you lose focus at times. Those times decrease as you get stronger, but there will be those moments when you have to crawl in His lap and tell Him You're sorry. I don't always get it right, I've learned that, grown from that, and refuse to let the enemy condemn me at those moments....but I always get up! After you have crawled in His lap, He's dried your tears and spoken life to those feelings of yours....don't keep crawling. Stand up and keep moving forward. 

Have a blessed weekend readers!

~Melissa