Our God is a Love-invading, fear-destroying, peace-bringing, hope-renewing, character-refining, arm-enveloping ALL-consuming fire! When we've completely surrendered every area to Him to be tested in the fire, we can rest assured that whatever survives the fire is of Him.
More than survive, we are called to thrive & live a life to the fullest; all glory to Him who is big enough to do all we ask & hope for... even beyond. I am daily astounded & in awe of Him. How awesome is this God who calls us not servants but friends!?!
Over the past few weeks I have just been increasingly overwhelmed by His love and all the ways He showers it on us and even more so impressed with all the opportunities He gives us to shower it on others.
My continuous prayer is that He be consistently replacing my human heart and it's selfish heart motives with His God-heart and it's selfless motives. I want to live a selfless life so I must make a conscious effort to be asking Him in each situation and circumstance of life, "What does your heart feel when it looks at this person or place? What do your eyes see and what is happening in the spiritual realm that I can't see in the physical?" I pray He lifts the veil off of my eyes and yours so that we can see things with pure perspective and undiluted/undistorted vision. Then when we see as He sees and feels what He feels we can more effectively pray His will into the situation or over the person.
Lately (the past month or so) He has been reminding me of the call to intercession. Both as a lifestyle and in the form of intercessory prayer. As His children and representatives on earth we are called to stand in the gap for those who cannot fight for themselves yet. Just after I finished the discipleship school a couple years ago, I started an incredible book full of revelation and teaching called "Intercessory Prayer" by Dutch Sheets. I recently picked it up again and continued from where I left off. I realized that I had forgotten just how powerful our prayers are and what an incredibly integral part we play in how God's will is brought to earth as it is in heaven. I was reminded of my authority and the authority I carry specifically in the area of prayer and indeed how my prayers can and will move heaven and earth in eternal ways. I was convicted of how in my own walk I have not always taken this call to intercession and prayer seriously. In some respects I know that there have been periods of time where I have dropped my sword and stopped fighting for the things He has burdened me to fight for. This is a serious conviction considering that to whom much is given, much is required. As someone with a high perceiver gift coupled with a strong call/burden to intercession I have more responsibility to use the revelation He has given me and the weapons to war in the spirit for the things He reveals to me than someone who does not see these things and is still unaware of the battle in the heavenlies. I know the victory is already won, but He has delegated us to enforce that victory and we have a very real responsibility to walk as children of light and push back the darkness. This can happen in many forms but the foundation of it all is intercession and prayer.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13
In the flesh we can't do much. But oh my goodness what a force for change we are when we drop to our knees and take up arms against the powers of darkness!
I think I will be blogging more on this topic but for now I hope you are encouraged and challenged to be faithful with whatever He has given you including truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmut of salvation, and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God (this means being in the Word more than once/week if you want to see victory in your day-to-day life and not just warm fuzzy feelings on Sundays) ... the section of scripture I am referring to goes on to say .. "praying ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication (or petitioning) in the Spirit, being WATCHFUL to this end with all PERSEVERANCE and SUPPLICATION for all the saints.." (emphasis mine).
