Our God-given Authority

Growing in Christ…In the Time and Place of Transition – Part 2

~ kathrynspen ~ 2 Comments

Early one day in March of this year  – as I was spending some time waiting on the Lord – quietly singing and  worshipping Him – I began to “hear writing”… Then, as I heard the words “large place” and “transition”…I began to write….

“The Lord wants to bring you into a large place.. It’s not about comparing yourself to anyone else. This is about the Spirit of God wanting to bring you into a place of greater freedom and peace…

It is a time of TRANSITION.. and those times can be uncomfortable as we begin to feel “different”- even a little strange – almost like we have lost some of the good things that He has put in us… and I just heard this example: It’s like when a good mechanic is putting something new under the hood.. and some other things are temporarily taken out and lain aside while He gets to the place He needs to get to.. in order to “install” the new part… Which will result in everything running better, smoother, easier to operate.

The enemy of course doesn’t want us to get to that larger/stronger place… So he does his thing to get us off track.. slow the work down .. to stop it if he can. He attempts to plant his thoughts into our thinking.. and to “club” and injure our emotions if he can get to them… For him to do this, we have to “let” him… but he comes so subtly that if we’re really busy with life .. it may knock us for a loop before we recognize that “Hey that’s the enemy trying to mess with my mind and emotions!” I need to stop receiving that!

Once we recognize who’s at work (i.e. “your adversary, the devil” – I Peter 5:8) trying to stop what God wants to do in our lives.. we can make the choice to stop him/resist him… But even if he gets us to the place of feeling so beat up and confused that we are at a loss as to how to get out.. We CAN – by embracing the word of God – set the enemy running and start turning things around.. We’ve all been there!.. all of us who have truly pursued after knowing God and fellowshipping with Him.. and we’ve all needed to learn – and then “choose to use” the authority God has given us…over ALL the operations of our enemy.

TRANSITION.. it’s a time to be quieter – and spend time – in the different ways Jesus gave us to use to set our focus on Him…and incorporate the Word of God into our daily lives.. For the challenges of the times in which we now live.. and the important decisions we all have to make – our time to invest in getting to know and learning to hear God – is indeed a very precious and valuable thing.

Also..in relation to a time of transition….the word “test” was mentioned… It could be “like a test” – in that it enables us to see where we are actually walking…and to note the areas where the enemy occasionally works his way in to steal from us. But that information is for us.. because God is NOT “grading us” to dock us in some way.. but rather, as we see those areas we need to do better in.. we can make up our mind to “do better” – using the tools/weapons God has given us. This is a progressive work taking place in each of us that believe.. You are not competing with anyone.. because God has put things in you that are not exactly like anyone else!

It’s not a time to be fearful of, but a time to “let” your spirit man rise..(with all that God has put in it) and be dominant over your flesh. It’s a time to exercise yourself.. stir yourself up to apply/walk in those things that the Lord has shown you.. and put into your spirit… Your spirit is stronger than your flesh.. And you will see that – every time you CHOOSE to let the things of the spirit be the dominant factor in your life – you are winning a battle!  Hebrews 5:14.. “Strong meat belongs to those, who by reason of use, have exercised their spirit to discern between good and evil.”

God loves us so dearly – that He purposes to help us grow – and move forward…Because God is always about raising up mature sons and daughters.. which brings increase both to our own lives… and to the Kingdom of God…

And for those who are hungry for this….

I just heard Him say to tell you “that many victories await you”… And with that,  He just referenced John 15:16 “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you – that you should go and bring forth fruit – and that your fruit should remain.. that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.”

And growing into that particular place in Christ, is a major reason for trusting and staying quietly close to Him during a time of transition.

 

 

 

Growing in Christ…. In The Place and Time Of Transition

~ kathrynspen ~ 3 Comments

Sometimes the Lord wants to take us to a new place in Him – a good place, a better place – than where we are at in our present relationship and walk with Him… and we think “Hey, that’s great”… but when things begin to feel  different”.. perhaps even a little strange.. We begin to wonder “what’s going on… and “where am I missing it”?

It’s a time of transition…but on the way… as we begin to feel “different” –  it can be quite uncomfortable – almost like we have lost some of the good things that He has already put into us!…. But in this time that is intended for growth and healthy change.. we have old wrong attitudes and habits that do not “fit” the new place He wants to take us to.  These wrong attitudes and habits are things that He wants to help us see – and turn loose of.. so that we can follow Him on in to that new place in Him that He is calling us to walk in.

We may feel alone in the place of transition – but God has never turned loose of us!  And it is in this time of feeling “different” – perhaps even feeling that we’ve lost our way – that we must learn to choose to take and use from the table God has prepared for us…..  It is right there before us… But we have to learn to choose – in the very midst of the pressure that our flesh is feeling (in particular our emotions) – to take from that table He has set before us…

For like money in the bank – it does us no good until we reach out and draw on it…In this case we need to draw on and use the “tools” He has given us to use in the good fight of faith that we are called to walk … Tools like giving thanks, worship and praise to God.. as well as learning to  respond to our negative feelings and emotions.. with the word God has spoken concerning the time or situation we are in.  All of these are “tools” God has set before us… tools that will get us to the other side of the “crisis” we feel.

All of these things are “on the table before us” as a part of our provision/our authority in Christ..  And so much greater is this provision that Jesus “bought” for us than any thing that the enemy can throw at us…. For as we look to Him.. God is working all around us!… To say that He is not (simply because what we see is an unfinished work) – is to deny His faithfulness… It is to embrace the lie of our adversary (I Peter 5:8,9)… And to do that is to choose defeat….

For ultimately, we will win if we do not quit!  (Galatians 6:9)…Thus we take our stand – we take our stand on what God has said and done for us… “And having done all to stand – we stand – on the everlasting word of God! –  (especially the Rhema words that He has given to you for a particular situation )… given you for fighting the good fight of faith!!

But many times – instead of using the tools that God has provided for us – we choose to call somebody to pray for us…(I know because that is what I always used to do!)  And it is not “wrong” to call for prayer support –  but – ultimately we each have to learn (at some point) to stand and use what God has already provided for us  …. in order to continue.. GROWING IN CHRIST… a place and a transition that you will like!

 

When “Ask” is More Than a Request….

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

“Ask” is such a small word… But when we understand what it sometimes refers to – the effect can be a powerful thing.

Now what I mean by that.. is the fact that the little word “ask” in the New Testament .. has more than one use or meaning!… So let me explain when the original Greek word for “ask” has such a powerful effect: ….

To begin this explanation – I will tell you that there are at least five different Greek words used in the New Testament..  all of which are very often translated “ask.”  Here are 5 different Greek meanings for the word “ask” ….

  • Ask..  as a question (to ascertain by inquiry)
  • Ask..  as a request or favor
  • Ask..  as a search for something hidden; investigate
  • Ask..  as a petition for help; beseech
  • And finally the “ask” we are going to focus on here – which is “to call for something due; to require  (see #154 & #4441 in Strong’s Concordance)

In Matthew 11:12,  Jesus gave voice to some very interesting words….”From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence (to crowd into); and the violent (a forcer) take it by force”  (to seize, catch away by force, to take for oneself.)  It is the taking by force – the seizing that the “ask” (Strong’s Greek #154) refers to… “calling for what is due” – from the Kingdom of God.  You are not resisting God, but the forces of darkness – the “authority and jurisdiction of darkness” from which we’ve been delivered (Colossians 1:12-14) !

Why “seize” it?… You must actively take hold of what God has promised – because “your adversary the devil” (I Peter 5:8) will not sit passively while you receive all the things that belong to you as a believer in the Kingdom of God!... The Word of God is very clear about that in Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8 – in the parable of the sower – which tells us that any time we have a promise from God, the enemy comes immediately to snatch the word of promise away from us – to keep us from receiving it.  That is where we must not be passive!  But we must stand (which is an active upright position) – holding forth the word of promise in faith – against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-13).  It is an active resistance – not as those who lie stretched out passively under his influence while the enemy takes their goods….

And thus, we are back to the scripture on seizing the Kingdom of God by force – which does not mean that we are to be forceful and demanding with God! … No, indeed .. “for it is His good pleasure to give us the benefits of belonging to His Kingdom  (Luke 12:32)… What we are being told is to “ask” (#154) – call for what is due!  It is like when you are writing a check on an account that belongs to you… You don’t get nasty with the bank – and they aren’t upset with you for “calling for” what belongs to you!  Indeed the bank is working with you… And so is God!!  It’s all for the increase of His Kingdom – and His plan is to increase you too – i.e. “blessed to be a blessing”… That’s how God the Father operates… He would like to touch a lot of people through you that aren’t open to Him any other way!

We are talking about a whole lot more than money here.. because we are co-laborers together with God in establishing His Kingdom on earth.  We have a part to do.. because He has “given (assigned or appointed) the earth to man – for a season of time.  (Psalm 115:16)   Indeed, in Genesis 1, God the Father – in His sovereignty – chose to give the authority over the earth to man.. Then after man “fell” from his place of relationship and fellowship with God – God made a way to get man’s authority.. directed by God.. back into the earth  – i.e. He made a way to reconcile man back to Himself by Jesus Christ.

Now we know that when any man receives Jesus, that man becomes a citizen of God’s Kingdom – but as a man – he still has God given authority on the earth…to the end that he can co-labor with God to establish the kingdom of God on the earth.  This is the place where we must “call for what is due.” God is the powerful one that set everything in place (Is God sovereign or what!!)… But He needs us to use our God given authority in the earth to “call for” the things that we need to live according to His will and do His bidding….

This is when and where it is right to 154 – “Ask” – call for what He has promised – so that He can “supply all our needs” in and through our relationship with Christ Jesus.  He doesn’t count it as a request, but as a call for what is due His sons and daughters who live to please Him and see His will done on the earth.  This is when “ask” is more than a request!

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Note: The Greek word for “Ask” #154 – is used more in the New Testament than any of the other Greek words for “Ask”.  Here’s just a few examples of the 154 Ask ….

John 16:23,24,26,30      James 1:5,6    James 4:2,3      I John 3:22

“Hitherto have you asked nothing in My name – ask (154) and you shall receive – that your joy may be full.”   John 16:24  !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“COME TO ME”

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

In Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus gave a wonderful and deeply heartfelt invitation to those weighed down by any kind of care….. “Come to Me – all of you that labor and are heavy laden.. and I will give you rest”… And from that simple discourse in the word of God the following lines came into my spirit….

 

Come to Me.. Do not be afraid.. I am “with you and for you”.. Do not let fear or discouragement stop you.  I AM your God!…

Come – and worship Me… I will meet you there…

You can be strong to rise up against fear..and the things that “come in the door” that fear opens… For My authority is in you to rise up over those things which the enemy has brought to stop you… Your fight is in the spirit realm – and that is where I operate to affect the natural realm.

So.. come to Me! ……. You will find the strength you need as you worship Me…. I love you!  Do not let people or pain from the past hinder you and rob you from returning to worship Me… I love you.. and I am stronger than any of those things….

Come to Me!   I will meet you – and you will know the peace that touching Me brings.. and the confidence that I have to give you.  There is a refreshing that comes to those who choose to draw aside to spend time with Me… And in My presence – you will find the answer to things that stop you from walking strongly with Me.

COME!… You “chase” other things – CHASE ME!  You’ll find Me waiting to touch you..  So come to Me and know how much I LOVE YOU!

 

readywriterblog

GOD’S CALL TO HIS PEOPLE ….

Come to Me.  Do not be afraid – I am “with you and for you.”  Do  not let fear or discouragement stop you.  I am  your God.

Come – and worship Me.  I will meet you.  You can be strong to rise up against fear – and the things that come in the door that “fear” opens.  My authority is in you to rise up over those things the enemy has planted to stop you.  Your fight is in the spirit realm – and that is where I operate to affect the natural realm…. So, come to Me!  You will find the strength that you need as you worship Me.

I love you!  Do not let people or pain from the past hinder you and rob you from returning to worship Me.  I love you.  I love you – and I am stronger than…

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Bread for Life – Man’s Authority Directed by God

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

Jesus, our Savior, is in Heaven…. He rose from the dead and ascended to the Father – after the work of the cross at Calvary was completed….

Jesus is in Heaven – at the right hand of God the Father – while you and I as born again believers and members of His Church – are on the earth…. as sons and daughters of the Living God – and ambassadors for His Kingdom.  We have the authority here – “The earth hath He given/assigned to the children of men” (Psalm 115:16; Psalm 8:4-6) … .Has God given man authority on/and over the earth?  These (and other scriptures) tell us that He has!…

For the believer, it is “man’s authority directed by God.”….. Because God is still the creator and owner of the earth, but you and I as born again believers are accountable to Him as “stewards” – having dominion on the earth – (Genesis 1:26-28 & Hebrews 2:6,7…verse 7 saying that He “gave dominion over the works of His hands to man”)……WHY would God the great Creator assign so much responsibility into the hands of man??

When you and I received Jesus as Savior,  we were instantly  born of the Spirit of God into His Kingdom  (John 3:3-8).…. and He calls us “sons and daughters.”  That makes us His family – His family on the earth…..and ambassadors for God’s Kingdom and it’s increase on the earth  (II Corinthians 5:17-20) ….. Indeed, as born again believers we are laborers together with Him to see the Kingdom of God increase on the earth!

….. To do this, we are called to walk in the authority that God the Father purposed for us – which is – man’s authority directed by God……How does it work?  This God given authority prospers as we walk in fellowship with God in the “spirit to Spirit” relationship that was birthed in our spirit when we were born again.  As we grow in our relationship and personal fellowship with Him, we learn to hear and recognize His voice – and follow His leading – which will ultimately result in His will being done in our life and on the earth…..Thus, the authority that God gave to us as believers – IS- man’s authority on earth directed by God