How Much Does It Take Before
You Come ‘Unhinged?’
Recently I opened a door I seldom use and the hinges came ‘unhinged.’ I must say it was a bit shocking. While getting screws at Lowe’s to repair it, I told the salesman, “…and I wasn’t even swinging from the handle.” I had actually read on the internet that when children swing from a door handle their weight can cause a door to come unhinged. Really? Anyway, the salesman had a good laugh and said now he just could not erase that image from his mind.
I could not help but think as I looked at the screws hanging out of the ‘unhinged’ hinge, how often do we come unhinged in a moment of time? How often do we come unhinged from no readily apparent reason? I do not know about you but anytime I have come ‘unhinged’ in an instant there was much beneath the surface that contributed.
What Is In Your Heart?
Do you carry around a lot of weight beneath the surface in your heart (and it is always a heart issue). Is that weight laden with memories; unhealthy relationship patterns of bitterness or resentment; anger about a situation; frustration misdirected at others in your life? The list goes on with reasons to come ‘unhinged.’
Many spend their time blaming the devil for every episode in their life that does not line up with their view of how something should take place. You know what I mean. The devil did this. The enemy is behind this. Now do not get me wrong, there is a devil and he does roam around to see who he can torment. Just read the news. However, the more he is talked about the happier he is to receive the glory whether or not he is behind something. Where is the glory to God? When does God get the glory if the enemy has the forefront in spoken words? What you speak identifies what is really in your heart. Think about that.
I actually went to a church service where the air conditioner (AC) had broken that morning. It was in the 90’s so it was a tad hot. The pastor commented right up front at least 5 times that the enemy broke the AC to wreak havoc on the service. Actually, not one person left so what real havoc was wreaked? Needless to say I did not return as I much prefer to hear right up front about what God is doing. How about you?
Sometimes, things that happen are simply part of life in the world. Jesus told us to expect trials and tribulation in this world. The world is a fallen place replete with difficulty and suffering. It is only through a close relationship with Jesus Christ that you can walk through life on earth with grace and a peace that surpasses all earthly understanding.
What Would Jesus Do?
Look at Jesus. He did not walk around saying that the devil was responsible for what He saw. He simply bound the devil when necessary, rebuked him and cast him out. Period. Then, Jesus moved on without revisiting through His speech every work that took place that may or may not have been assigned to the devil’s handiwork. Can you imagine Jesus sitting around with the Apostles in the evening after a day of teaching and healing and saying, “I know the enemy is after us. What a struggle we had today! We must be in a season of attack?” I think not. How does your speech line up? Do you give God the glory or go right to the ‘attack?’ What is in your heart?
Pay attention this week to what you say. I am not saying that some of us are not living heavy challenges. I am saying that you must give God glory for all the good He is doing in your life. Focus on what is positive in your life and in the world around you. It is easy to come unhinged today if you let the state of the world and our own country get into your spirit.
For example, there is a conspiracy theory going around that this summer is to be the “Summer of Chaos” which will usher in Marshall Law to gain order and keep Obama in office. Sometimes such information is theory and sometimes it actually is a conspiracy. As more police officers were gunned down just this morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (3dead, 7 wounded), such a concept is not too far-fetched. We have already seen a month of violence and heightened racial tension fueled by out of unbalance incendiary comments from our president.
Will you come unhinged? Do not. God has placed you here to pray without ceasing ‘for such a time as this’ for this country. We are all in this together and must stand united in prayer to ensure the safety and well-being of all true Americans. Do not come unhinged!
Can You Be Counted On?
In this season each and every true disciple of Jesus Christ must rise up and be the light in this dark world. No more can ‘playing church’ suffice. To truly follow Jesus there is a cost to pay. If you are looking for an easy ride this is not for you. We are at war. We are at war in the natural within our very boundaries against ideologies and belief systems of hatred and division that do not in any way line up with our Constitution or our foundational beliefs. We are at war in the spirit realm against principalities, powers, rulers, and spiritual hosts of wickedness. Put on the whole armor of God every day. Suit up, Army of God. Pray believing without doubt. We do have the victory through Jesus Christ!
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins. Ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and be Lord over your life. From this moment forward let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“And because of the abundance of evil, the love of many will grow cold. But whoever will persevere until the end will have life.” ~Jesus, Matthew 24:12
“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” ~Jesus, Mark 11:23
“For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” ~Jesus, Luke 6:45
“These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” ~Jesus, John 16:33
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” ~2 Corinthians 5:7
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ~Ephesians 6:11-13
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of god, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” ~1Peter 2:9-10
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” ~Proverbs 3:6
“Lose all your identity in the Son of God. Let Him become all in all. Seek only the Lord, and let Him be glorified.” ~Smith Wigglesworth, Devotional, page 534
“This president has consistently chosen to see things through the eyes of an aggrieved black activist rather that a president of all the people. ~Brit Hume, in an interview of Fox News
“You are Lord and You are mighty and You are merciful. Raise up all who would call upon Your name. Raise up those that love You and seek You and trust You. Lord, we need an army of believers that would stand on Your Word above all else. Raise up warriors, Lord, who will fight on their knees; who will worship You with their whole hearts, Lord. Lord, call us to battle that we may proclaim the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Raise them up, Lord. Raise them up!” ~Miss Clara, War Room the Movie
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father, we come before you with hearts full of anticipation for the next season that You are ushering into this place. May we have ears to hear and eyes to see what You are bringing forth in this time. May we each stand firmly on Your Word that no weapon not one formed against us shall prosper. Equip us to stand in the gap for our Nation and for Your people that all will see the glory of the Lord shine forth in these days. We pray for Baton Rouge, La for the families and friends of the police officers slain today and for those injured and taken to area hospitals. We pray for all men and women in blue across this country as senseless attacks threaten the safety of all of us. God, please hear our repentant and humbled prayers, hear from heaven and heal our land in Jesus’ name. Amen and amen.
A Prayer Request
These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour. #Pray for America. #Revival. Please join us in prayer:
We thank You , Father God, that You keep Your hand on America. Forgive our sin and heal our land that we will remain One Nation Under God. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail concerning Benghazi and all issues as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen. SEEK: Stay Equipped, Empowered, Kingdom focused! ©