ESTHER’S WARRIORS MINISTRY
As we move into the last week of August the fall season is just ahead. As with any seasonal shift there will be adjustments in our personal environment. Depending on where you live this could mean a change to warmer clothing and crisp mornings. School begins across the country as students settle into academic learning for another year. Summer festivities come to an end and we look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Maturity is Not a Number
As with any seasonal shift there is change. As we journey through life we experience seasonal changes year to year in the natural. Passing from one life season to another brings shifts that are smooth if we accept them. “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.’ (1 Corinthians 13:11) No matter what stage of life we are in we have a choice to grow gracefully by letting go of self-indulgent behaviors. What is appropriate in our 20’s is not so in our 30’s, 40’s and beyond. Logically we know this but are we living it?
As followers of Jesus Christ we commit to put Him first as Lord of our life. In so doing we will change and grow in our spiritual maturity which will then be evident in our natural maturity and behavior. Whatever your age in the natural, have you put away the worldly thought patterns and things that correlate to that age?
Now is a Good Time to Change
If you are still acting and reacting to people and situations through heart issues bound to worldly behavior patterns, commit today to change. Gossiping and living with continual bitterness, resentment and offense are two key patterns that indicate immaturity on both natural and spiritual levels. If you find yourself continually disappointed with what others do and say, chances are you have not yet let go of ‘childish things.’ If your life has not radically changed over time since you accepted the Lord, check your heart (it is always a heart issue).
We can remain in bondage to familial behavior patterns that will continue to play out in all our relationships until we let the Holy Spirit perform a heart circumcision. You can know the Scriptures inside and out but your mind can remain hardened in certain areas and your heart veiled from the fullness of the Lord’s destiny for you.
Give Him Your Heart
Just as there are natural seasons and age related seasons, there are also spiritual seasons. Such seasons can be short or seemingly without end depending on what the Lord has for us and how we respond to His direction. If we remain open to His prompting and do not shut down our life will change dramatically. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
We will literally be changed to be a reflection of Jesus in how we think, act and react. If we let Him unveil Himself to us and change us, our heart will beat in sync with His heart for His people and for the lost of this world.
Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life!
Jesus tells us clearly, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) He said this in a discourse explaining not to worry about provision. If we are continually finding issue with all around us we are opening the door to believe that God’s provision is somehow lacking in our life. We are allowing what we perceive would be right to trump His righteousness. The enemy is very subtle in deception if we are not diligently seeking the Lord despite what we think we see in the natural.
Purpose today to set aside ‘childish things.’ Purpose to let Him lead you through the season you are in without any negative residual effects of previous seasons. Let the past go and seek Him fully from this day forward. His mercies are new every morning! When we commit to lay all at His feet, when we seek first His Kingdom, then and only then will He add the fullness of His provision.
‘Pray the States’
Join us this week as we ‘pray the states’ toward the 2012 Presidential election. We are praying for each state in the order of admission to the Union. Please cover Oregon admitted to the Union February 14, 1859 in prayer. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the political leaders, pastors and church leaders, the people residing in Oregon and for all in our Nation.
Each state is important in forming our United States of America. We commit to pray for a different state each week so we not only provide prayer cover but also to make us aware that our country is bigger than the space we personally occupy in it. These are our United States. Let us pray that we will arise united ‘for such a time as this!’ Please repost and share.
No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. President George Washington
A Prayer Request and Personal Blessing
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our frontline on the battlefield, let us be their frontline in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. God bless all our military personnel and their families. May God richly bless the United States of America and keep her safe.
May God bless you this week. I pray that we will each open our hearts to let Him lead us forward as we put away our ‘childish things’ in Jesus’ name. Amen and amen. Pray without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17) for our United States of America!