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A New Song For A New Year

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

Can you believe that it’s already the middle of February?…. But here we are..

We’ve made the switch from the old year to the new..

But early on into the year 2016 –

God gave me a thought about that.. which I’d like to share with you…

It is..that..sometimes there are some new things we can add to our life..or do

Things that don’t have to be hard to keep – like the resolutions you’ve already “canned” – and left behind you!

It could be as simple a thing as getting some new music – or changing what you routinely watch on TV….

You might try putting a different picture on your wall – one that voices pleasant things and lends to peace – especially if your job and lifestyle is a busy or hectic one…

Those few things are just thoughts that came to me as I write – because the thing that the Lord actually said to me was about getting the new music…

And He even explained “WHY” this can be a good idea for some people…. especially if you know it’s time to move into some new things that God’s already laid out for you…. (We’re talking here about “good things” – not about chucking responsibility!)

In a nutshell.. the reason we may need the new fresh music.. is this… Our “OLD” music has “our emotional ruts” imprinted all over it…. Think about it – the music that we listen to.. deeply affects our emotions.. and we tend to go to the same music time after time.. knowing how it will make us “feel” before we even get there….

And if that is NOT a good thing for you – or – you just need to get “a different mindset” to be a little more ready for some new challenges or mountains to climb…  that He’s adding to move you a little higher…. Then this small change can be very helpful and you’ll love it as well…

And that – in a nutshell – is the reason you might want  to bring in some fresh music which could help redirect your thinking and get you ready for a new thing this year … That’s why God gives some of us a new song for a new year!

 

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And I would like to add this scripture which just came to me – for any Christian who frequently feels down (25-30 years ago – that was “me”..That’s awhile ago, but I can still remember how it feels!) …. So, I want to share this scripture which speaks of the value that a new song can bring to your life and also affect the lives of others…..

Psalm 40:3  “He has put a “new song” in my mouth – even praise unto God... Many shall see and fear.. and trust in the Lord.” (He did this for me – when He brought me out of a “horrible pit” and set my feet upon a Rock – and established my goings.”.. Psalm 40:2)  Glory be to God!  He IS incredible!

 

 

 

The Tactics That Satan Uses to Deceive Us

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

I Peter 5:8… “Be sober, be vigilant – for your adversary the devil – walketh about, seeking whom he may devour!”…. And we can take note here that the very name of what he is (the devil – which means “false accuser, slanderer”).. tells us what he does so well .. Indeed – in John 8:44 – Jesus identified the devil as “a liar.. and the father of lies.”…

Okay.. the devil (aka Satan) is a deceiver… and realizing that – shouldn’t we then always be able to recognize him “at work”?  We could…. except that the problem with deception is.. that it is so “DECEPTIVE”!!  And since Satan is a being from the spirit realm, that makes it easier for him to carry out his deceptions generally undetected…. And that is even greater reason for us to identify and learn to understand the tactics he uses to get in to our thinking.

I have often heard it said that “Satan’s ONLY weapon against us is deception” – but did God give us any info in His Word to shed some light on “HOW” to recognize when we are being deceived?  Yes, He did… Because He wants us to LEARN how to recognize deception.. and to understand the tactics  that Satan uses to get into our lives with this deception.

The first piece of information that I would like to share about this is in Romans 8:14-16 & I John 2:27.. which tell us about the “witness of the truth” that God gave us in our born again spirit… And.. how the Spirit of God (aka the Spirit of Truth/The Holy Spirit ) has been sent to lead and guide us into all truth..(John 14:16,17 & John 16:13,14) ….He is the One who bares witness in our born again spirit.. He bares witness of truth.. and of error…. This “witness” in our spirit – along  with the information which we are given about “our adversary the devil” in the Word of God – is our greatest ally as we.. LEARN.. to recognize that witness in our spirit – and these “tactics”which Satan uses to gain entrance into our thinking.   

We can find a lot of information concerning those tactics in the Parable of the Sower – which Jesus used to teach the multitudes the “mysteries of the Kingdom of God.” In that parable in Mark 4, Jesus informs us of several very important things we need to  know IF we are to truly understand how the Kingdom of God operates…

( FYI – A parable is.. a short simple story of comparing one thing that we are familiar with.. with another thing which we are trying  to understand…. In the case of the Parable of the Sower..in Mark 4.. we see the operation of the Kingdom of God.. compared to the familiar subject of the planting of a seed to produce a harvest…. In other words.. the Kingdom of God operates like the planting of seeds works in the natural..to grow and produce a harvest!)

  • The “seed” that the sower in this parable sows – is the Word of God – v. 14
  • People receive (or not) in different ways (verses 15-20)…. but one thing is the same for all of them – which is this – “Satan/aka the devil – comes immediately to snatch away the Word which had been sown in their heart”/spirit… v. 15
  • He comes to take away the seed (aka the Word of God)  BEFORE  we understand the value of that Word – i.e. – That, as we RECEIVE and KEEP that word.. it imparts into us the very “life” that is in every word which God speaks (Hebrews 4:12)… The life that is in that spoken word  produces “fruit” – fruit according to the thing which God spoke to us about in that Word. (v. 20.)…. It is helpful to recall…that God spoke, and the worlds were created by His Word (Hebrews 11:3 and John 1:1-3)…. No word that He speaks is without power to come to pass – including the words that He speaks to us – which come to us as “a seed”…We don’t have to understand altogether “HOW” this works…. only that it does (v. 26-28!!)
  • Satan comes immediately to snatch away the Word we hear…and these are the 5 tactics that he uses to get into our life to do that…..:
  1. Persecution (v.17) – to pursue to harass or injure
  2. Afflictions  (v.17)…i.e. pressures, anguish, trouble
  3. Cares of this world  (v.18,19) ..Cares produce in us one or more of these things:  anxiety and disquieting of the mind by worry & fear,  grief,  weighed down by responsibilities (which can be either “genuine” – or false ones we’ve taken on)
  4. Deceitfulness of Riches  (v. 19)…is woven around the line of thinking that having wealth will solve all things
  5. Lusts of other things  (v. 19)….revolves around an excessive desire to gratify the senses or bodily appetites

Those are the tactics which the devil uses to bring deception and thus some form of defeat in an area of our lives….The ultimate goal of the devil being what we see in John 10:10… which is that the devil/aka our adversary – only comes to kill, steal, or destroy…Everything he does is aimed at accomplishing  something from one of those three categories….

BUT.. The good news is that we have been redeemed out of the hand of this our enemy.. .Psalm 107:2 and Colossians 1:12-14 express that very well…. And being AWARE of that – and of the tactics that the devil endeavors to use to get into our thinking and thus into our lives…is our best guard against living in some form of deception….So would it not be good to take some time to thoughtfully and honestly …Go over the list of those 5 tactics that he uses – to see if any of those tactics are things that he regularly uses to get into your life.. to bring in deception… Because as it is often said.. “Forewarned is forearmed.”… We are not to be ignorant of the devil’s tactics!

I Have Learned … Dealing with Difficult Feelings and Emotions

~ kathrynspen ~ 1 Comment

Note: I first published this post in May 2015 – but because so many people report having some of their most difficult times after Christmas as they go into the new year, I thought it good to share it again.  I share it from a Christian perspective …. because Jesus Christ really is “where my help comes from”… but  He is there and offers the same help for all who will come to Him.

So… I share this post about “dealing with difficult feelings and emotions” with compassion in my heart – because that is an area that used to “eat my lunch” – so that I very well understand how those things feel – and the way that they can negatively affect everything you need to do.  BUT this is one of the  “I have learned” things in my life…… not that I am always 100% perfect the minute I recognize a feeling I don’t like,  or an emotion that hurts – but I have learned what to do – and when I rise up and do it,  those things do not control my thinking or my day.

First of all, you must understand this – EMOTIONS CANNOT BE IGNORED! We struggle to get away from them – only to find that indeed they are still “with us” – they cannot be ignored!….. BUT fortunately –  they can be “TURNED”! …  I’ll show you an example of that in the Word of God……

I Samuel 30:1-19 (Paraphrased)  After being away for three days, David and his men returned to their place at Ziklag – only to find it burned and their wives and children all carried away captive……. “Then David and the men that were with him lifted up their voice and wept – until they had no more power to weep.” …..then came another “turn for the worse” ….. for David…..

“And David was greatly distressed – for the people spoke of stoning him – because the soul of every man was grieved for their wives, sons and daughters.. …..( which is not too surprising as people in deep grief often divert some of that grief to “assigning blame” for what has happened.) …. So that David who had suffered as much loss as the rest of them – now faced still another crisis…..  But the way that he chose to handle the mounting crisis is the thing that made ALL THE DIFFERENCE for him. 

So, what did he do?  Verse 6 says “David was greatly distressed… but David….  but David did what? – “But David encouraged himself in the Lord!!  To give you a better idea of exactly what David did, I will give you the definition for the Hebrew word “encouraged”…..  It means:  “to fasten upon – be stubborn, strong, courageous – which, by so doing – is causative to heal, cure, fortify, strengthen, or repair a situation….. David CHOSE to encourage himself in the Lord….. and the Lord obviously began to influence the situation so that the men who wanted to stone David in their grief begin to think differently….

AND – David prayed –  he inquired of the Lord saying -“Shall I pursue after the troop/this enemy? Shall I overtake them? And the Lord answered him “Pursue; for you shall overtake them – and without fail recover all”!   We then read the report of the outcome in verses 18,19 ……  “And David recovered all that the enemy had carried away –  there was no person nor spoil of what had been taken that was not recovered……. David RECOVERED ALL!  Of course that is what was important to David and his men……

But for us today, I am pointing to THE REASON  he was able to recover all the loss – which, of course, was that he fastened his eyes on God – David steadied himself in the midst of his distress – and looked to God for help and direction.  In the same way, when we are confronted with challenging or hurtful situations,  we have a choice to either “embrace” the negative feelings and emotions that often accompany those situations – and let them” swallow us up” – OR – we can begin to encourage ourselves in the Lord so that we can think and hear what He would say to us more clearly…….

HOW do you do that??  I am going to just list some ways I have learned that work for me   (and everyone of them you will find in God’s word)……

First, pray anything that you know to pray if a person’s safety etc. is involved. Also, forgive anyone that needs forgiveness – do this by faith – feelings follow.

  • Begin to give thanks for different things/ways God has helped or blessed you.  (This has nothing to do with what you feel like at the time – for basing what you do on feelings and emotions is like building a house on shifting sand.) You give thanks because God is good and offers help and deliverance to those who look to Him.
  • You might put on music that lends to worship – and deliberately focus on Jesus and the deliverance you have already tasted by His hand. Get into worship!
  • You can start speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns – sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord – with thanksgiving for every good thing.  (Ephesians 5:18-20)
  • Speak God’s word as scriptures come to you. (God’s word has the power to change things and to accomplish what He sends it to do.)
  • Pray in the spirit quietly – and continue in these things until your mind and emotions have quieted….. which will lend to hearing any scripture or words of direction the Spirit of God would put in your spirit for you at this time.   (Jude 20,21)

Setting yourself to do any of those things will have the effect of turning negative or painful emotions.

In the beginning, I found it hard to “make myself” say what I “didn’t feel” – but over the years I have learned to not go so much by what my mind or emotions are saying at the moment – but rather to choose to take Jesus up on His invitation to come to Him with all your cares and let Him give you rest.  Once I established myself in choosing to not embrace the negative feelings – but to labor to turn those emotions, I have seen a change happen in less than 5 minutes, but that’s not always the case – and you need to stay there with God until you have quieted your mind and let Him have some time to touch you.  Then if there be a valid reason for any of those negative feelings, He WILL show you – because He delights in our well being – the well being that comes from walking in the truth.

God bless and keep you.

 

 

Thanksgiving – A Day to Celebrate…. and an Attitude to Cultivate

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

 

One day as I began to ponder “why” I should be feeling a little “dull and testy” when nothing was actually “wrong” with my day…. I heard something  in my spirit – which was this – “The secret to keeping things fresh and new.. is a thankful heart”…..  

And now having gotten my attention, the Spirit of God began to add more to what I had just heard! …… It was to this effect…..”The secret to keeping things fresh and new – is a thankful heart”….. And having a thankful heart is also the secret to walking in and letting patience have its perfect(ing) work in your life… Which thing the Word of God tells us is very important – i.e. “Count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations, knowing this – that the trying of your faith worketh patience….. But let patience have her perfect work – that you may be perfect (complete) and entire, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4).

In thinking about it, I can see how that having an overall thankful heart attitude makes it much easier to be patient … with things and with  people  …. Because we know that patience is the secret to possessing your own soul (the mind, will, and emotions)  Luke 21:19….. So a thankful heart makes it easier for you and me to stay in control of our own thoughts and actions….    

I am beginning to see that developing a thankful heart is the foundation upon which other strong and desirable qualities in our life are built.   I am not generally an ungrateful person, but I see today that there is still room for (and cause for ) improvement in having this irreplaceable heart attitude of thankfulness….   (Do you suppose that this could be one reason why God – in His love for us – has commanded us to give thanks and be thankful?)

I hope this that I just shared with you will cause you – as it did me- to check out the attitude of your heart and see if there is room in you for more of this wonderful virtue of a thankful heart ….. It just might be the very thing that is needed for the opening of some other doors for you!

Thanksgiving – a day to celebrate….. and an attitude to cultivate!

 

 

An Example…… Confessing God’s Word in Prayer and Worship

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

Today I am sharing a “writing” which I call “a confession sheet” because it is full of the word of God …… It came to me early one morning as an answer  to something I had prayed the day before – when I had asked the Lord to show me how to pray for a Christian friend who was struggling with some bondages in their life.

Before I get into the post – I’m going to share a few strong reasons  for learning to spend some time worshiping God and confessing His word as you pray…..

  • Mark 16:20 – informs us that “the Lord works with and confirms His Word with signs following.“
  • II Timothy 2:9 – says that “the word of God is not bound!”….. It can go into places and reach into situations where we ourselves are not able to go or get into – to affect a situation – (including people’s hearts and minds!)  + Psalm 107:20 “God sent His Word and He healed them and delivered them”…..   And remember the centurion (in Matthew 8) telling Jesus “You don’t even have to come to my house to heal my servant – but just speak the Word – and he shall be healed.“
  • In the same way, the Spirit of God will quicken/send a word to us….. with the expectation that we will receive that word and keep it – in our heart and in our mouth!!!….. speaking the life that is in that word into our own life – or even into someone else’s life.  In this way, you can cover someone’s life with the word of God – as you spend time thanking Him that His word is true!

CONFESSING God’s WORD IN PRAYER AND WORSHIP

I worship You, Father – You are the one true God, the Great Creator, Our Healer and Deliverer…. Provider and Keeper…….. Great and mighty God You are …. I worship and adore You! ……(Personal worship touches God’s heart deeply because He wants to be close to each one of  us – So I urge you to use your own words of worship here – expressing what is in your heart to God.).

Father, I thank You that You ARE  a rewarder of those that diligently seek You. I believe that You “are” – and I am a diligent seeker!…. Father, I am seeking You now for (name of person)….. and I thank You that You ARE perfecting the things that concern them…..

I thank You that You are:……..

Pulling down strongholds of error in their thinking – so they can recognize the truth when they hear it…… And for leading and guiding them into all truth, I thank You.

For enlightening the eyes of their understanding – that they may know the hope of their calling, and the riches of their inheritance in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Thank You that He is their Savior and Lord – and any place they are lacking in that – You are perfecting that part or place in them.  Hallelujah!

I thank You for causing them to see and understand the greatness of Your power towards all who believe.  And for helping them to see that even with a child like faith they can do all things that they need to do – and do those things well!….. because in Jesus, they are overcomers and conquerors!

Thank You for helping them to understand that they can live a life of overcoming and victory – because Jesus is Lord over every need that they have!   Oh Father, for redeeming their lives from destruction – even wrong things that they’ve bowed down to – I thank You.  I give You thanks and I give You praise for this – for nothing is too hard for You!

Thank You Father for helping them to see how much You love them…..and that nothing can separate them from that love!  … And for helping them to see the good plan You have for their lives.

Thank You now for causing Your wonderful grace to flow to them – redeeming and restoring every good thing in their lives……. even the years that the enemy has stolen!  And Father, thank You for taking and weaving in Your good into all those destructive things and bringing them back on line with that good plan You have for them……. Glory be to God – our Healer and Deliverer!  Thank You Jesus – You ARE the Redeemer and Restorer of every good thing!

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NOTE: That is just an example of a time of confessing God’s Word as you worship and thank Him for supplying what you (or some other person) needs. And I can tell you that – as you focus on God as the provider of all of our needs, the Spirit of God will likely drop some other things into your spirit to pray – making this more personally yours in the time that you spend with Him worshiping and confessing His word – acknowledging that you have asked – and He is doing these things to perfect the lives of those for whom you pray!

The Revelation From God…. Against Which the Enemy Cannot Prevail!

~ kathrynspen ~ 1 Comment

I believe God that it shall be …. even as He has told me….                                               Thus it shall be – according to His Word – just as He has said……  For by the Holy Spirit (aka the Spirit of God) – God quickens His word to me….

And even though at times, things certainly appear to be going a different way..     I’ll not let those things turn my head and my thinking away – from what the Lord did say!….  For I know the word that He quickened to me is full of life and ability… the ability to bring those things to pass which He did say!

Therefore I choose…… I’ll “set my face”- to hold fast to the words that He did say…  I will hold God’s words – over things to the contrary that I might hear or see……    For God – in His sovereignty – did set “this law of life in the spirit” into place……        And that law (of faith) rules above what men – or circumstances – might say!

So as long as I know I heard Him say…. that is the thing that will guide my way! For I know that God “who cannot lie” is watching for His Word to perform it ….. And He performs it – as it is spoken by you or me in faith….

So when you are in a battle where it looks like you can’t possibly win –                 Remember this very important little thing ….. Which is simply this …….           “Don’t doubt in the dark what you heard from God in the light” ……                          But take that into your heart and mind – and put it into your mouth! …..        And let it “Rule” over what you think and say!……

For when God speaks a word to you – or reveals to you His way…..                         That is “THE WORD” you are to stand on when doubts or fears assail…..                   For that is the revelation from God – against which the enemy cannot prevail!

Running Your Race to Win! …..

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

If you have been a Christian very long, you have probably heard Hebrews chapter 11 referred to as being “the roll call of the heroes of faith”- of whom it was said (v 34,35) that these…….”through faith subdued kingdoms, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions (that was Daniel!) ….. ie. Out of their own weakness – and dependence upon God,  these were all made strong.” Each one of them was running a race – and running it to win!

What race?….  the one that is set before you and me! The race being a course to run,  a fight to be fought – more explicitly – the “good fight of faith.” God set this race before us – to again give man a choice – ie. the first man Adam chose life apart from God….. but God so loved all of us that He called man back to Him. The only requirement being that we believe His word/His plan…..: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son -Jesus – that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16,17).   It would be (and it is) OUR CHOICE – the choice of each individual man and woman – our choice whether we would choose Jesus/Life or choose to live as we please – apart from God and His reconciliation plan.

But for those who do choose Jesus ….. there is a race set before you – a course that each of us are given to run……And the Word of God tells us HOW to run it – to win!…… (Heb 12:1,2 – Paraphrased)  “Seeing then that we have the testimonies of so many men and women of faith – that lived – and ran the race that was set before them……each one bearing witness – that what they did – you and I can do!… Okay, just please tell me how….. ie.  I remember wanting so very much to know how to run and how to grow in getting to know God…..

Well –  this is how the Word of God instructs us to successfully  run that race

1.”lay aside every weight”-a weight being something that holds you down…. and like the runner described in I Corinthians 9:24-27,  we understand that a runner who wins – is one that is first determined to move forward, and is willing to apply disciplines to their life that make their run more certain – restraining the flesh  where its excesses hinder their run – thus they/we comply with the instruction to “lay aside every weight”

2. … and the sin which does so easily beset us”   (notice that it says “sin”- in the singular case)….. So what then is the “sin” that easily besets us?….. Could it be the sin of “unbelief”….. ie. “Did God say?  (That is the very thing that the enemy – aka Satan –  used on Eve to get her to begin to question what God had said – Genesis 3:1)……

“Did God say”?…..  Not very often, but occasionally in my first years after being born again, I would KNOW that I had heard something from God – but it was very easy for doubt to set in in just a day or two….. and it would be like “I did hear from Him – but now I’m not sure somehow” – that type of uncertainty and doubt……

But I have learned that as we get to know God and to recognize His voice, we can set a “standard” for holding on to what we know we heard from God.  That “standard” I refer to is something a Godly woman told me years ago – which is simply this:  “Don’t doubt in the dark what God gave you in the light.” ….. When I heard her say that – I KNEW –  I had just heard something that I could use as an “anchor” to help me  hold on to the things that I would hear from God……

From that time forward, I began to hold that standard/principle forth whenever I would hear something from God and then begin to have doubts about what I had heard.   I would….. ask myself the question – “DID I hear this and know that I heard it?”  Immediately the admonition “Don’t doubt in the dark what you heard in the light” would rise up in my spirit – and with it would come the peace and the assurance that “Yes” – I did hear that from God.” …..And that would settle the matter for me right then and there.  It was also clear to me that the enemy was at work seeking to get me to doubt what I had heard from God…..For you see, if we give over to doubt and turn loose of the word that God has given to us – we have nothing to base our faith on – because “faith comes by hearing (and understanding that we heard) the word(s) of God.  It is by faith that you and I receive anything from God……So learn to mind this rule that you “don’t doubt in the dark what you heard in the light!                    

3. …. And let us run with patience the race that is set before us”……. for it is through faith and patience that we receive the promise(s)!      (Hebrews 6:12)

4. “looking unto Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith”….. keep your eye on Jesus – not on the difficulties that may come to cause you to doubt….. but if you do sense doubt or feelings of discouragement trying to come in – remember that giving thanks and entering into personal worship or speaking God’s Word – will get you back on track and on the right course again!

And those my friends, are the instructions that God gave us in His word to help us to stay on course and run our race to win! 

Getting to that Place of Rest – a Place Called “Trust”

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

There is a place in God – where storms will calm and winds be still …..                    That place is in Jesus ….. It is the place called “Trust”- where we can rest from the problems that assail us.  We are not denying that the “problem(s)” exist – rather we are looking beyond all our reason – looking for His help….. asking for His answers.  I’ve been “there” – any number of times – and it’s quite likely that you who read this have been there too…… So, even though this that I am now writing may be a little “poetic” in wording, I hope to share here with you what I have learned over the years to do.

In everything we see or face we will find our Answer in that place – where storms are calmed and winds are stilled – because that’s where He IS – and we do not want to be found where He is not!….. He is not in strife, in turmoil, in reasonings.  Still,  He is available to us, but He does not walk in those things – they are not a part of who He is – (Recall that He was not in the earthquake, wind, or fire – but His voice was heard…..when Elijah got still!!  –  I Kings 19).

So to walk closely with Him in the midst of our need or the problems that we face – we must learn to “separate” ourselves from the turmoil, the strife, and the unrest that comes with the problem – even though those things may be waging a war in us and all around us….. and find our rest in Him….. For He IS our resting place….

But yet again – the winds (of adversity) and the turmoil, strife and unbelief come  against me, to take me out of that resting place….. Do they succeed?  In all honesty – Yes! – but their success is only temporary – because I see quickly that I do not like that place they take me to!!  So, like Jonah – remember? – I will tell you…..

So like Jonah – he was in the belly of that whale……. a circumstance more desperate and seeming impossible than anything I’ve seen in a long long while (and then some!)   But it says (Jonah 2:5-10 paraphrased)  “when my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord….”  and my prayer went up to Him – even with the voice of thanksgiving – (to Him who hears and answers prayers).  Salvation is of the Lord I said…..  And the Lord heard me and spoke to the fish” –  and thus He delivered me – out of the midst of a deep sea and on to the dry land – where I could breathe again – out of the belly of that whale!

It is God’s heart that we remember Him when trouble shows up in some form in our life – even if we had a part in bringing it…… He cares for us -. and wants us to learn to cast our care on Him – and ask/seek  to know His solution.  We can turn to Him in all kinds of trouble….. It’s a choice – our choice – to turn to Him  – best of course to do before we stir up and muddy the waters….. But even so, He can “fix our messes” – but the time can be made a lot shorter – and for us much easier – to ask Him into the situation in the first place.

There is a place of rest in Him – some call it “the secret place”…..  another name could just be “Trust”.….   “trust in the Lord with all your heart – and lean not to your own understanding….. call on Him and He will direct your paths” – (aka He will give you the answers and direction that you need)!

There is a place in God where storms will calm and the winds be still – a place of safety and rest….. That place is in Jesus.   Turn to Him, call on Him – and He will be there – there as your place of safety and rest.

 

I Believe God that it shall be as He has said… Receiving the things God has Promised

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The post that I share with you today is about another one of those “I have learned” things….. All of these “I have learned things” fit into a category of things that I have longed to see “work” in my life – as they are laid out in the Word of God – one of those things being about receiving things God has promised….. which is the thing that I will share about with you today.

I still have plenty of room to grow in this,  but I have gained a lot of ground… The credit for that  would have to go to the Spirit of God (aka the Holy Spirit )  because He has never given up on me, but faithfully led me to the next step – even when that next step meant going back to pick up some things I should have already worked into my life.

Sometimes He has talked to me “in plain English” – as another person would – but what He would say has never been contrary to the principles in His Word.  I shared that because – there is no where in the bible that God tells any one to “move to Minnesota” (for example) – but He might tell you to do just that – and you would need to know that you have indeed heard His voice and not something that is out of your own thinking – (or “off the wall” from someone else’s thinking).  Hearing and recognizing His voice comes as you spend alone time with Him….. time in the Word, in prayer, in worship.  Those are some  things that bring you into His presence – and into a confidence of knowing Him…. which things are paramount for you and me in learning to “walk by faith” and receive the things that God has promised.

You see, when the Apostle Paul – on that ship being exceedingly tossed for days in a storm they referred to as “no small tempest”- told his shipmates   “Be of good cheer – for I believe God that it shall be even as He has told me”….. Paul could say that to them because he had come to know…… and learned to have full confidence in God – from whom he had just received word that very night – “not to be afraid because there would be no loss of any man’s life among them.  (Acts 27:13-44 ) So regardless of how that storm (or your storm) rages, he had learned – as we can learn – to take what God has said about it and “fight the good fight of faith”….. by holding fast to acknowledge what God has said – and so receive the promise.

In holding fast to what God has said – regardless of “how things look” – we will “through faith and patience” obtain the promise…….whether it be a certain scripture that He has quickened to us – or a word we hear from Him – as Paul heard the word from God about the storm and the lives of the men on the ship.  We can count on it because “all the promises of God in His son Jesus Christ are yes, and amen (aka “so be it”) – That means they are sure and trustworthy.  (II Corinthians 1:19,20).

His words are trustworthy because  He has said “I will not alter the words that have gone out of my lips.” Our part is to hold fast to the words He has spoken to us ….. And we can learn to do that – with patience – because He is faithful that promised.

I’m in there with you – having received a lot of promises….  And I’m still fighting the good fight of faith – ie. endeavoring to “hold fast to what He has said” – in order to receive other promises.  That’s how it works!…..Through faith and patience you and I WILL receive the things that God has promised!

I Have Learned … Dealing with Difficult Feelings and Emotions

~ kathrynspen ~ 3 Comments

I share this post today about “dealing with difficult feelings and emotions” with compassion in my heart – because that is an area that used to “eat my lunch” – so that I very well understand how those things feel – and the way that they can negatively affect everything you need to do.  BUT this is one of the  “I have learned” things in my life…… not that I am always 100% perfect the minute I recognize a feeling I don’t like,  or an emotion that hurts – but I have learned what to do – and when I rise up and do it,  those things do not control my thinking or my day.

First of all, you must understand this – EMOTIONS CANNOT BE IGNORED! We struggle to get away from them – only to find that indeed they are still “with us” – they cannot be ignored!….. BUT  fortunately –  they can be “TURNED”!  I’ll show you an example of that in the Word of God……

I Samuel 30:1-19 (Paraphrased)  After being away for three days, David and his men returned to their place at Ziklag – only to find it burned and their wives and children all carried away captive……. “Then David and the men that were with him lifted up their voice and wept – until they had no more power to weep.” …..then came another “turn for the worse” ….. for David…..

“And David was greatly distressed – for the people spoke of stoning him – because the soul of every man was grieved for their wives, sons and daughters.. …..( which is not too surprising as people in deep grief often divert some of that grief to “assigning blame” for what has happened.) …. So that David who had suffered as much loss as the rest of them – now faced still another crisis…..  But the way that he chose to handle the mounting crisis is the thing that made ALL THE DIFFERENCE for him. 

So, what did he do?  Verse 6 says “David was greatly distressed —- but David….  but David did what? – “But David encouraged himself in the Lord!!  To give you a better idea of exactly what David did, I will give you the definition for the Hebrew word “encouraged”…..  It means:  “to fasten upon – be stubborn, strong, courageous – which, by so doing – is causative to heal, cure, fortify, strengthen, or repair a situation….. David CHOSE to encourage himself in the Lord….. and the Lord obviously began to influence the situation so that the men who wanted to stone David in their grief begin to think differently….

AND – David prayed –  he inquired of the Lord saying -“Shall I pursue after the troop/this enemy? Shall I overtake them? And the Lord answered him “Pursue; for you shall overtake them – and without fail recover all”!   We then read the report of the outcome in verses 18,19 ……  “And David recovered all that the enemy had carried away –  there was no person nor spoil of what had been taken that was not recovered……. David RECOVERED ALL!  Of course that is what was important to David and his men……

But for us today, I am pointing to THE REASON  he was able to recover all the loss – which, of course, was that he fastened his eyes on God – David steadied himself in the midst of his distress – and looked to God for help and direction.  In the same way, when we are confronted with challenging or hurtful situations,  we have a choice to either “embrace” the negative feelings and emotions that often accompany those situations – and let them” swallow us up” – OR – we can begin to encourage ourselves in the Lord so that we can think and hear what He would say to us more clearly…….

HOW do you do that??  I am going to just list some ways I have learned that work for me   (and everyone of them you will find in God’s word)……

First, pray anything that you know to pray if a person’s safety etc. is involved. Also, forgive anyone that needs forgiveness – do this by faith – feelings follow.

  • Begin to give thanks for different things/ways God has helped or blessed you.  (This has nothing to do with what you feel like at the time – for basing what you do on feelings and emotions is like building a house on shifting sand.) You give thanks because God is good and offers help and deliverance to those who look to Him.
  • You might put on music that lends to worship – and deliberately focus on Jesus and the deliverance you have already tasted by His hand. Get into worship!
  • You can start speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns – sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord – with thanksgiving for every good thing.  (Ephesians 5:18-20)
  • Speak God’s word as scriptures come to you. (God’s word has the power to change things and to accomplish what He sends it to do.)
  • Pray in the spirit quietly – and continue in these things until your mind and emotions have quieted….. which will lend to hearing any scripture or words of direction the Spirit of God would put in your spirit for you at this time.   (Jude 20,21)

Setting yourself to do any of those things will have the effect of turning negative or painful emotions.

In the beginning, I found it hard to “make myself” say what I “didn’t feel” – but over the years I have learned to not go so much by what my mind or emotions are saying at the moment – but rather to choose to take Jesus up on His invitation to come to Him with all your cares and let Him give you rest.  Once I established myself in choosing to not embrace the negative feelings – but to labor to turn those emotions, I have seen a change happen in less than 5 minutes, but that’s not always the case – and you need to stay there with God until you have quieted your mind and let Him have some time to touch you.  Then if there be a valid reason for any of those negative feelings, He WILL show you – because He delights in our well being – the well being that comes from walking in the truth.

God bless and keep you.

 

 

Part 2 – Being a Doer of the Word… Wielding the Sword of the Spirit

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In this post, I will share a little about learning to use the Word of God as your sword of deliverance against attacks of the enemy….as Jesus did. This enemy that I  refer to here is specifically referred to as “your adversary, the devil” in I Peter 5:8…. and also named “the tempter” in Matthew 4 – as he comes to tempt Jesus to do other than what God had sent Him to this earth to do…. That is where we see Jesus taking the Word of God to “answer” every thing that the devil suggests to Him that He should do – but each time, Jesus answered and said “It is written…..” – using the Word of God to shut the enemy down – ie. we see that after his third unsuccessful attempt to lure Jesus away from His standing in God, verse 11 says  “the devil left Him.” Jesus resisted the devil and he left!

And that is exactly what the Word instructs you and  I to do when we find ourselves being tempted by this enemy….. because according to I Peter 5:8,9  “your adversary, the devil – as a roaring lion – walketh about seeking whom he may devour (oppose, swallow up) – whom we are to “resist – stedfast in the faith (the faith in what God has said)”….  that means that we are to speak in line with what God has said.  When the enemy comes to suggest anything contrary to what God has said about a matter – then you and I are to resist that temptation by speaking according to what God has indeed said about that matter.   Being a “doer of the Word” means that we apply the Word to our situation…. for as we do this, we are ” announcing”-  in effect – that we believe God that it shall be even as He has told us.  That is our resistance – it affects to “disconnect” us/our situation from the suggestions that the enemy is tempting us to take over what God has said….  And we are told to hold fast to our speaking according to what God has said..for His words SHALL BE FULFILLED “in their season.” (Luke 1:20)

How can such things be??  We have to get out of our own (man’s) way of thinking – because as Isaiah 55:9-11 (paraphrased) tells us – God thinks higher than you and I do.  His ways are higher than our ways …. and what He speaks, He is able to perform and intends to perform.  And as we get to know and trust Him, we can more and more be able to say with the Apostle Paul (Acts 27:25) “I believe God that it shall be even as He told me” – in the face of a storm that had raged so violently for days against the ship he was in – that all hope that they could be saved had been taken away……but the Apostle Paul said “I believe God that it shall be even as He told me”! … and so it was – for him – and so it can be for us!

…….And like Mary, whom God had chosen to be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38) – who though being a virgin at the time – understood that “with God nothing shall be impossible”…. and with these words: “Be it unto me according to Your Word”– gave her consent for the power of God to “overshadow/ envelope” her – causing this miracle of conception to take place in her.  Likewise with our words of agreement with what God has said, we release Him to begin to bring to pass the promise He has given us.  

The words that God speaks  have the power to perform to bring about  WHATEVER  He has promised! …. But realize this – that HE HAS MADE US to be  labourers together with Him in this process….. BECAUSE…..He gives us His Word and it is with you and I even as He said to Mary  “Blessed is he or she that believes – for there shall be a performance of those things that were told her from the Lord.”

God’s Words – are the sword we use to cut off the suggestions of the enemy …. and they are the words we speak to bring forth what God has purposed for our lives and for His Kingdom!  Its not because you and I are such hot rods – but it is because God cannot fail – and His words SHALL BE FULFILLED in their season…. He wants us to get in there and believe so that they can be fulfilled in our lives!

 

Part 3 – Praying in the Spirit … Why Pray in Tongues ?

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When you or I speak or pray in an unknown tongue – we are not speaking to men, but to God …. in fact I Corinthians 14:2  informs us that in the spirit we are speaking /praying the mysteries of God.  . and as we pray those mysteries that God is depositing into our spirit – we are being “set up” for God to begin to direct us and our lives in those things that He desires for us and for the people for whom we pray.

God wisely and lovingly put this together in this way  – because you and I don’t always know (actually we seldom know)  the whole picture concerning things that we need to know …. but He wisely deposits the knowledge we need about  those things into our spirit as our spirit prays (I Cor 14:14)…. And one very good reason for that is  – as we see in  Romans 8:26 – “we know not what, or how to pray as we ought”…..And  just as God intends to answer the prayers that we give voice to in English – even so, those prayers we are giving voice to that come in tongues out of us as we pray in the spirit – He intends to answer!

And I can honestly tell you that my prayer life – both the satisfaction of it and the answers to prayer – multiplied as I learned to spend time praying in the spirit (that is because you are much more likely to be praying “according to His will”)…. And I quickly noticed how much more alive the Word of God became to me as well.  It is as the old quote says “the proof is in the pudding.”  So I was very soon “sold” on the value of praying in the spirit….. and  It didn’t hurt that a hero of mine – the Apostle Paul – valued personal prayer in the spirit so highly that he told the Corinthians “I thank my God that I pray in tongues more than you all”… (and you can note that he didn’t have time to waste on things that weren’t important!) – So since he urged us to “follow me as I follow the Lord” …..

Perhaps  praying in the spirit should likewise be a priority to you and me – don’t you think?   I can also tell you that after praying in tongues for 15 – 20 minutes or so, I will generally  feel/or hear some things in English rising up in my spirit to pray for – and I will go with that until it feels “emptied out” – then I begin again praying in the spirit until I finish the time I have to give to praying – or until something else rises up in my spirit such as worship or maybe one of the writings that He frequently downloads into my spirit.  I have also learned that I can continue quietly praying in the spirit even after I leave the “place” of prayer and become involved in house work – or driving the car – or laying down to rest,  etc, etc……

If you think I place great value on praying in the spirit, you are very right and if you think I am urging you to  spend a little time developing that habit, you are right again.  You can start by taking 15 minutes  out of your day (or more if you can) aside from other things and begin praying in tongues.  Day by day as you pray – the Spirit of God gives you the utterance – so that you can know it is as perfect a prayer as you could possibly pray … and one that He will take coming from your lips – and answer in the best possible ways as you continue in those times of fellowship with Him…… praying in the Holy Ghost – as Jude 20,21  refers to it.  I am excited for you as you begin “building yourself up praying in the Holy Ghost!”

Thank You Lord for this incredible gift You gave to the Church….. I pray that many more of Your people will come to understand its value and receive it as a precious gift from You to them.

“I Have Learned”……. Being a Do-er of the Word

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The Apostle Paul said… “I have learned to be “content” in whatever state – circumstance, or situation I find myself in.   (Philippians 4:11)  The key phrase used here that I will share some things about in this post – is –  “I have learned”….. We generally tend to emphasize other parts of that verse, but one day the Spirit of God really quickened that little 3 word phrase to me – and it has served as a goad to me to keep moving forward on many ocassions……

“I have learned” indicates a process entered into.  It also indicates a willingness to apply yourself to going through that process – even as we can see that the Apostle Paul made such a decision (in Philippians 3:8-11) when he determined to pursue a thing that he considered to be  paramount to every other thing in his life…..  And in the verses that followed that – he expressed the fervency of his pursuit to press toward that mark – but immediately thereafter – he assured the readers of this passage that he had not yet “got there” – ie. he was not as mature as he would like to be or could be, but nevertheless – and in spite of some mistakes along the way – he was purposed to keep walking and moving forward in that direction – doing his best to  mind the things/rules that he had learned along the way.

“I have learned” he tells us….. indicating that he gained some ground as he kept minding and putting into practice the things he was learning along the way.   That is actually what the “famous” Romans 8:28 passage is talking about.   Let’s look at that one for a moment….. Because we hear so much that “God is sovereign – and that settles the matter” – (which it does), but because we mostly fail to understand the details of,  and the God placed boundaries on that sovereignty – we therefore swallow  “hook, line, and sinker” the teaching that EVERYTHING that happens to us was sent by God….. and is therefore to be passively and humbly received…..  But is that what it truly says and means?

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose.”

One day as I was reading that verse, I heard God ask me the question:  “Who is it that loves Me?”….. and before I even had time to ponder it, I heard Him tell me the answer –  ie. He directed me to look at John 14:21 & 23…”He that has My commandments (My Word) and keepeth it – he is the one that loves Me.. .If you love Me, you will keep My words”…  THIS IS THE ONE FOR WHOM ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD!  (….and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God!!)  BECAUSE  he that loves Me – God says – will keep My word”……..

We’re not talking about a long list of “do’s and don’ts” (although that will have some part in this because it is God’s word) – but rather He is telling us that when He directs us in some way – do that!… If He tells you whether or not to “buy that house” for example – or – If He has quickened a Word to you about stopping exaggerating the truth – or maybe you felt really convicted as you read His Word that you needed to stop overeating – then  begin as much as you know how to, to do that – and as you walk, continue to mind anything that you learn that applies to your walking according to “what or how” He has directed you….. BECAUSE… it all has a cumulative effect – like pieces of a puzzle – and that thing that He directed you to do will weave together with all the other things that He has been telling you to do – BECOMING A PART  of the “all things work together for your good” chain of keeping His word (s) -which He has promised to bless!

You see we can’t just live any old way and expect that all of the things that  come our way are working for our good – but God can,  and wants to work with us to have a better outcome and a lot less ongoing grief in our life…. He wants to weave His good into every area of our lives – even those places where we think that we’ve missed it so badly that it can never work out right!  But we can – like the Apostle Paul – realize how important and powerful God’s words are – and LEARN  to keep them – ie. Do as James 1:25  admonishes us to do by being not just a forgetful hearer, but be a doer of God’s Word – realizing that the Word of God has power to change things – because God is “one with His Word(s) – and He works with His Word to perform it (to bring what He has promised to pass).  It has taken some time for me to “get it”- but I have learned that following each thing as best I can that He directs me to do – or holding on to a promise He has given me – will indeed have  its part in working all things together for my good!

Part II – Praying in the Spirit – What IS the Purpose?

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“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all.”   (I Cor. 14:18) Who said that – and why would they place such high value on speaking with tongues?….. It was the Apostle Paul speaking to the Corinthian church – and to us who would even today be reading God’s Word……

(I made a point to tell you that it was spoken for us even today – because in many circles it is taught that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today – but there is no place in God’s Word that nullifies any of the spiritual gifts which God gave to the church after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.  A verse or two taken out of context has been used to appear to say that the gifts have passed away – but you would have to do away with MANY other new testament passages of scriptures in order for those one or two verses to stand – as evidence of the spiritual gifts having “passed away.” I am not trying to be ugly to anyone – for I have seen some things in the name of “spiritual gifts” that would turn me off too – but any true gift God has for us is too good to miss – simply because of misuse or misinformation….. So  my aim is only to share what the Word of God does have to say about this incredible gift of God for His church)

Incredible gift is right!….. that is “the why” for the Apostle Paul telling us that he speaks in tongues – “more than you all!” The Apostle Paul was a very busy man – and with all that he had to do for the care of the churches, he would not have had time – or taken time – for frivolous or trivial things!  That should tell us that it is important to look into this matter to see why he placed so much value on speaking/praying in tongues (aka praying in the spirit)…..

To begin with (in I Cor 14) – just four verses before he made the statement about his choice to spend time praying and speaking much in tongues – he tells us that … “if I pray in an unknown tongue – my spirit prayeth.” (verse 14)  And going back to verses 4 and 5,  he makes the statement “I wish that you all spoke with tongues”– and in verse 39 as he finishes that chapter – he tells us to “forbid not to speak with tongues” – all of these statements pointing to the fact that he found it very important that we understand the value that he placed on this gift…. and at the same time he made it clear that it can be used (misused) in a disorderly fashion in a church setting – that being the topic of that entire chapter…. . He was not belittling the gift (as some pull a verse or two out of the context of that whole chapter to say),  but rather he was addressing the proper use of the gift in a church setting so that all could benefit.  There is the church as a corporate body meeting together,  and there are the individual members of that body. The gifts were given to the individual members to profit withal…….“There are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit ….. and there are diversities of operations,  but it is the same God which worketh all in all – for the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (I Cor 12:4-7 paraphrased)……ie. Praying in the spirit – or any of these gifts that are used for the end result of ministering the life giving grace of God to others will benefit the minister – and the one(s) ministered to.  That is the “profit withal” that this scripture mentioned.

Okay, it’s an important gift – but “WHY”?   To begin to answer that I will share from two passages of scripture with you…… “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…. for in the spirit he is speaking mysteries .” (I extracted two key statements here from I Corinthians 14:2,4 – highlighting them to you for a purpose)-  ie. “Edifieth himself” means “to be a housebuilder – to build (up), to construct – or instruct in such a way as to improve, enlighten or uplift and embolden.…..  That’s a lot of good stuff,  and at first look it might appear that this is a rather “self-serving” gift – but not so!

Why is that?  ….  Let’s look at one other scripture because one scripture often sheds light on other scriptures….. Jude 20, 21 :  “But you beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith – PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST – keep yourselves in the love of God…..   Hmmmmm … Indeed!  We do build ourselves up when we pray in the spirit (aka pray in the Holy Ghost) – and it is very important that we keep ourselves built up and strong – so that when the need arises, we are able also to help others……  And “keeping yourself in the love of God” –  (as this scripture attributes to praying in the Holy Ghost) – is no small thing either!

I’ve just shared with you a couple of super big reasons for developing the simple but strong discipline of praying in the spirit.  There’s more to share with you about this from the Word –  and from some personal experience about what has helped me along the way too – so I hope with all my heart that you who are reading this today will return to this blog for the next posts on this very important subject of praying in the spirit

….. And thank You Lord Jesus  for this incredible gift to your church!… and for unveiling its purpose in Your Word.

A Heart Attitude – a Secret Worth Paying Attention To

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The following is what the Lord gave to me this morning as I pondered why I should be feeling a little “dull” and “testy” ( which is a “flesh” thing/feeling.)…..

As I just began to ponder “the why” for such feelings – I picked up on something in my spirit – which was this….. “The secret to keeping things fresh and new – is a thankful heart.”  

(And now having my attention, He began to add more to what I had just heard!) ……

…… And having a thankful heart is also the secret to walking in and letting patience have its perfect(ing) work in us – which the Word of God tells us is very important – ie. “Count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations – knowing this- that the trying of your faith worketh patience….. So let patience have her perfect work – that you may be perfect (complete) and entire, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4).

In thinking about it, I can see how that having an overall thankful heart attitude makes it much easier to be patient – with things and with  people  ….  And we know that patience is the secret to possessing your soul (which is your mind, will, and emotions) – Luke 21:19.  Think about that one….. and the fact that  a thankful heart makes it so much easier to be patient!

So …. I see that developing a thankful heart is indeed the foundation from which other strong desirable qualities in our life are built upon.   I am not generally an ungrateful person, but I see today that there is still room for (and cause for ) improvement in having this irreplaceable heart attitude of thankfulness.  It is a wonderful virtue and a true strength of character…..which God in His love for us admonishes us to make it our heart attitude ….

“Forbear and forgive one another where there has been a quarrel – put on love in action!  Then let the peace of God rule in your heart… and be ye thankful.” Colossians  3:13-15  (paraphrased).

I hope this that I just shared with you will cause you – as it did me- to check out the attitude of your heart and see if there is room in you for more of this wonderful virtue of a thankful heart ….. It just might be the secret you need for the opening of some other doors for you!

 

 

These 3 Things — About that 3rd Thing – Praying in the Spirit

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“If I pray in an unknown tongue – my spirit prayeth – but my understanding is unfruitful.  What then? ….  I will pray with the spirit, and  I will pray with the understanding also.”   ( I Corinthians 14:14, 15a )

In the post on March 7th, I began to share with you about the three things have really helped me grow in the area of developing the ear of my spirit to hear…..  (I want to hear when God has something to say – don’t you?) In several of the posts since March 7th, I have shared a little with you about the first two of those 3 things  – one being: personal worship where you spend time alone with the Lord – giving thanks and worshiping Him. … And the other of the first two things being – getting alone to spend time with God in His Word – so that you come to understand the true value of it.

I would also tell you this about those first two things – which is that in spending time in personal worship and alone with God in His word – it is there that you will learn the “taste” of His presence more than anywhere else….. and knowing that “taste” is very important to your learning to hear His voice – and to recognize it from any other.  That is why I listed these as the first two things – ie. because they are foundational in learning to hear the voice of God.  They are the place that you learn to have sweet fellowship with Him.

But in this post, I will begin to share about the third one of those 3 things that have been so helpful to me in learning to hear the voice of God……(to say nothing of the wonderful fellowship you can have along the way).  This third thing is of course “praying in the spirit.” The scripture that I used to begin this post with in the first paragraph separates praying in the spirit from praying with your native or other natural language.  I feel that it is important to point that out to you because I have heard praying in the spirit “explained away” by saying something to the effect that it just means that you are “in the spirit” while you are praying to God in whatever your natural language is.  I will address that more in the next post by sharing more from the Word of God about it – indeed there are a number of scriptures that I will bring to you to further clarify and explain more about this subject while I am doing the coming posts on praying in the spirit……

But what I particularly would like to share with you today is to assure you that I have both friends who pray in the spirit and those who do not – and I would tell  you that ALL who receive Jesus as Savior are born again – and praying – or not praying in the spirit – does nothing to change that!

Now because praying in the spirit (aka praying in tongues) has been a subject  with some controversy attached to it within the Body of Christ as well as outside of it – I am proceeding here with consideration of that fact – but I must as the Lord reminded me when I started this blog -“speak His Word faithfully.” …. So that I likely cannot please everyone who reads this, but my first loyalty is to God and to His Word – and though I do not  purpose to offend anyone, I  cannot speak contrary to what I see and hear and know of the Word of God….. It is just too important …..But I pray that each of you as readers will be like the Berean Christians (Acts 17:11) who “searched the scriptures daily to see for themselves whether the things they were being taught were indeed true.” You and I owe that much to ourselves I think.

I’ve kept it short today – just presenting the very beginning of what I want to share with you “about that 3rd thing – praying in the spirit.” But for those of you who are hungry to know what is in the Word of God concerning this subject – please join me for the next post – which will take us a little further into the scriptures about this.

Seek to Know the Realities of God’s Kingdom

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

Is your life about striving to get the “accolades” that come when one is an “overnight success” …. and the popularity/fame that may come with it…. ?  Those things alone are often fleeting – and empty at the end – as things and people more “relevant” take that place…..

Therefore, why not rather seek to know the realities of God’s Kingdom – which will never end – and each one has a place reserved for them…..And although all these things are hidden to the natural eye of man , yet God’s invitation to receive Jesus – the Door to knowing Him…… to all men, this invitation God does extend….

The invitation accepted….. and the journey begins.  There are challenges, yes – but you can be sure that deep within…                                                                                   you will find much satisfaction, contentment and confidence – when your heart is to do the Lord’s bidding – ie. walk out the plan that He put together especially for you!  Because walking upon that path is the greatest success any person can know or even think to do – for when you choose to walk God’s path, He will walk there with you …… and ever stay close…..

….. as you give Him the praise and worship that He deserves, always looking to Him for the things that you need and what is best to do – learning to keep the eyes of your spirit on the horizon – where He purposes to open up new venues for you!

There’s nothing boring about walking His way you see ….                                              for the spirit of a man can hold more strength, more joy than the flesh ever can. And that is because…..it is by the spirit that you are “connected” to Him      –  when you are born again (John 3:1-8) –  and by way of this Spirit to spirit connection that you then have with Him,  He can impart peace and many other things that you pray for and need.  He can answer your questions – and inform you of His plans. (John 16:12-15)

So stay close to Him and learn to live more aware of this Spirit to spirit relationship you have with Him.  (John 4:22-24). … *spending time in His word, giving thanks and worshiping Him – and finally praying in the spirit – (as well as in words that you understand) …..  For *these things all lend to developing that ear that He gave you to hear – those things that He would say and impart to you……

… . So that at the end of this life, you can depart with peace because you know Him – the Giver of that life that is so much better than the accolades of men.  Glory be to God – my goal then – will be to seek to know and walk with Him!  For as the scripture says ….

“Godliness is profitable unto all things – having promise for the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”  (I Timothy 4:8)   Amen!

A Practical Tip for Getting the Word in You

~ kathrynspen ~ 2 Comments

Today, I want to share a very practical thing that you can do which has helped me tremendously in getting more of the Word of God in me with very little effort on my part.   In fact, I have so felt the benefits of doing this – that 20 years after I first started  – I still do it to make the most of my time!

What I am referring to is listening to the word of God on CD (or other device as you please) during the night.  I started out programming one book of the bible to repeat, started it  playing as I went to bed and just let it play all night long.   I keep the volume at a lower “pleasant” level as I sleep.  I had little or no trouble getting accustomed to this low level “noise” going as I sleep.  In addition to that I would tell you that even though I generally sleep easily and well – I have found it to be helpful to just relax and listen quietly when I happen to go to bed extra tired – and I seldom get to listen to a whole book of any size without going to sleep before it gets to the end.

Do you actually hear it/does it actually help?  YES!   I asked the Lord that question myself – more than once – and He graciously let me see that indeed I was hearing and getting as much out of it as if I were reading it during the day.  More than once I woke up and found myself in my mind beginning to speak the next words that would be playing – BEFORE – they were actually spoken on the CD….. and this happened with verses of scripture that I was not real familiar with – so you can see that the Word is being “heard and hidden” inside you as you let yourself hear it being spoken over and again.

Is this to be a “substitute for setting and reading the Word where you draw aside to spend time with the Lord?  NO – it is not a substitute, but a very helpful and profitable “supplement” to that.  

And I would also advise you to keep a notebook and pen at your bedside – (or a recording device you can speak into) – BECAUSE – many times when I am first waking up (or during the night at times)  the Spirit of God will quicken one or more of the scriptures to me – and I am careful to jot down enough of it so that as soon as I can, I will set down with the bible and go to that particular scripture and start reading and listening for anything that He wanted to show me about it.  Sometimes the scripture that was quickened is for direction that I needed or holds the answer to a question I have asked Him

This that I have just shared with you has helped me immeasurably to get the Word of God in me – and I would be very very pleased if this little shared tip helps someone who is reading this.  God bless and keep you!

……….and have a good night!