Category: Heart Condition

Let us Return & Remain! God’s “…Hand is Stretched out Still” (Isa.9:12,21 KJV).

Introduction 
We serve a merciful God who said of Himself to Moses:

“The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth…”

Through Christ, God’s abundant grace and mercy towards mankind is evidenced eternally. With this in mind as new Covenant believers we can picture a Father with His outstretched hands ready to receive us back again and again following genuine repentance. He is quick to forgive us our sins and remembers them no more. In this Word of encouragement and a call to repentance and restoration in intimacy with Father, we are reminded by Isaiah of God’s ways in relation to His disobedient people and His expectations of them, applicable now as in biblical times.
Let us Return & Remain! God’s “…Hand is Stretched out Still” (Isa.9:12,21 KJV).

Key scripture: Isaiah 9:8-21

We are living in the extremity of times when God’s people are more self reliant and have turned away from God more than ever before. 

As I read Isaiah 9:8-21 theLORD in his rebuke of Ephraim or Israel was showing me that these things are happening now in the church and the land in general to a great extent.

There are people who are saying in “pride and arrogance of heart” (vs 9) that when hard times occur in their lives or things are not going well, they will prevail because they will know what to do in their own strength (vs 10). However God makes it clear that if you say you are His and you think you can prevail without him, then in effect you are building castles in the air or you are in delusion! 

Such an attitude constitutes living for oneself and not God and such people will be “devoured with an open mouth” (vs 12) of the enemy as the Lord will allow the enemy to have free reign in their lives. God does not permanently forsake His people now as he never forsook biblical Israel, however he gives them over to the lusts of their flesh or whatever they uphold in preference to God and His ways. God always hopes that his people will change their ways and repent. 

Some might snigger at the choice of key scriptures (Isaiah 9:8-21) and exclaim “Oh but this is the Old Testament ! There is grace in Christ”. Indeed but it is not an excuse to keep sinning. God is the same yesterday, today and forever more.  

It is true Jesus Christ who brought forth the New Covenant came to perfect the law of Moses (Old Covenant) and the “types” of animal sacrifices and high priests were awaiting His coming, however we serve the same God of the Old Testament who is the one who came in the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the incarnate Christ. His personality and requirements in relation to holy living did not change. We are reminded of this many times in the New Testament. A key example is Peter’s quote of who God is and what He requires from His people:

“15But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, 16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially,live your lives in reverent fear duringyour temporary stay on earth. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers 19but with the preciousblood of Christ, a lamb without blemishor spot. 20He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake…(1 Peter 1:15-20 KJV).

The sixteenth verse of 1 Peter 1 quotes Leviticus 11:45, 19:2, 20:7.

Christ himself says “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9) and “me and my Father are one” (John 10:30). As believers in Christ, we are positioned as kings and priests unto God (Rev 5:10) with the anointing and authority of the overcomer as King Jesus (Rev 12:10, Rom 8:37, Luke 10:18/19) and with the priestly anointing through him, our Royal High Priest (Psa. 110:4/Heb.6:20) to minister before God for the sake of ourselves and others. In this position, we have the righteousness of Abraham through Christ (2Corinth. 5:21, Romans 4:21-22, Gal 3:13-14).

John in his epistle says “5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. ” (1 John 3:5-7 KJV).

Therefore our mindset as believers in Christ, New Covenant believers that is, should be as ones who daily cultivate sinless lives through living in obedience to God’s Word. In addition, praying, singing worshipfully unto Him and seeking to hear Him speak strengthens our relationship with God and helps us to live in the spirit so as not to fulfil the lusts of our flesh. 

The writer to the Hebrews writes about how during the wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan (the promised land) some did not enter Canaan or “His rest” due to disobedience. This was what God was rebuking Ephraim for in Isaiah 9:8-12; their disobedience constituting self reliance and separation from God among other things which resulted in them suffering the chaotic consequences.

Not only did God give Ephraim or Israel over to their enemies, he also cut of “head (the leaders and honourable) and tail (prophet that teacheth lies) from Israel” (Vs 14/15), this is because 

“the leaders of this people cause [them] to err; and [they that are] led of them [are] destroyed.” (vs 16)

In addition, it states that “..the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one [is] an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly” (vs 17).

The acts of God that unleashes His wrath are described by God through Isaiah as the land burning and going up in smoke as well as being in darkness (vs 18/19). Even people shall be “as the fuel for the fire” (vs 19), in other words used by God in his time of wrath to allow division, contention dissatisfaction and lack. 

This is all because God’s people suffer when they choose to disobey him and this suffering sadly escalates as “the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.” (Isaiah 9:13 KJV).

God spoke clearly of His nature when Moses went up to Mount Sinai to get the 10 commandments.

 “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7who keepslovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin;yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourthgenerations.” 8Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship” (Ex.34:6-8). 

Moses interceded for the people asking for God to pardon them despite their iniquity and disobedience and God said he was going to make a covenant with them and perform miracles that has never been produced in all the earth and that he will drive out their enemies and give them the land of Canaan (Ex 34:8-11).
Brethren, let us therefore be reminded that although God is a consuming fire (Heb.12:29) and does not tolerate disobedience and He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth” (Ex 34:6KJV), let us also always remember the abundant grace we have in this New Covenant dispensation through Christ who came to perfect the law of Moses received on 
Mount Sinai that was expressed as “the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire,…unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest…” (Heb 12:18 KJV).
If God’s “hand is still upraised” in relation to Israel’s disobedience as repeated by Isaiah twice (Isa.9:12, 21). How much more would He not extend His hand of mercy out to us through Christ? 
In our position as “Kings and Priests” of God through Christ, we have access to God intimately. The writer of Hebrews describes this intimate place in God clearly as our coming 
“unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” (Hebrews 12: 22-24 KJV).

Let us therefore use every opportunity God has provided us in obedience to His Word to attain and remain in this realm of intimacy with God to fulfill our predestined purpose on earth which includes being his effective vessels of world transformation.

Deborah is a Minister with prophetic, prayer, teaching and writing ministries under the umbrella of Bearwitness-Forerunner Ministries International. She is also a published Author & Poet.

Ministry Website: http://www.bearwitness-forerunner.org

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/nyamekyede

For more Inspirational teachings, devotionals, poetry, and prayers,  visit “Manna from on High” Blog http://www.readywriterps451.org
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#IsaiahteachingsDEN

©Jan.2017 Deborah E. Nyamekye 

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My Heart, My God! 

The chosen day of congregational worship is not what God will use to judge me but the condition of my heart. What I bring to God in terms of financial offering or good works that everyone sees is not as important to Him as the state or condition of my heart before him (Isa.1:10-17); I’m I obedient to His commands? Do I treat people as I would like to be treated?
If I engage in rituals which have pagan roots knowing full well this is the case then I am guilty of compromise, as the kings of Israel who knew they had the authority to remove the high places of idolatrous worship but did not while at the same time worshipping Yahweh, also as the person who knows it is called “stealing” when they engage in the act of taking pens or notebooks from their place of work even though they make excuses for doing so. John 8:32 states “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”. Complete freedom lies in honestly applying the truth that one knows so that one is set free. Likewise, we are told in scripture that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:14-26). You can say you have faith in God, but do your fruits or actions confirm that you do or is it just lip service?

As the Pharisees in the time of Jesus, if we want to be baptised and have the genuine title of a people of God then we have to produce fruit that shows we have repented. John the Baptist said to the Pharisees as they watched him baptizing:

8Produce fruit worthy of repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:8-10 Berean Study Bible).

There is a saying that is expressed as follows “show me your friends and I will show you your character”. By our fruit people will know whether we are children of God or not (Matt.7:16). Do people you allow among your close circle of friends have the same belief systems as you? By this I mean do they live to please God, men or self? However strong you think you are, know that you are capable of being influenced one way or another by people, society and events around you and even more so by those close to you and whatever society or events they form alliances with.

Brethren, my message today is this “Let us beware and be aware of God’s key requirements and so guard our hearts “above all else, for it determines the course of your life.(Prov.4:23 NLT)””

©Jan2017 Deborah E.Nyamekye

Guard your heart, a well-spring of Life 

Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (New Living Translation)

or “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (English Standard version).

Your heart is the central and innermost part of you where moral activity takes place and therefore includes your soul; emotions, intellect and mind. If one has a pure heart, then it means that one lives devoted to God and for the sole purpose of glorifying Him. God’s nature is to look at man’s heart while man has the tendency to focus on outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7).

This is why our pious acts of worship and involvement in church ministry do not impress God if we are living secret sinful lives or in hypocrisy. He takes our heart condition before Him very seriously.

When I think of this verse in the bible (Prov. 4:23), I note that it is full of the counsel of God. If my heart is guarded by worshipping God in Spirit and in truth (His Word of truth) and prayer, then the outflow from it bears witness to the fact that I am a child of God. This is one of the functions of the Holy Spirit.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17 KJV).

The course of my life is therefore dependant on what I “feed” my heart and from the scripture above amongst others in relation to the Spirit of God, the importance of life lived in fellowship with the Spirit cannot be underestimated.

Two key words of counsel derived from Proverbs 4:23 are that we
1.Watch the Company we Keep.
There are certain people who are inclined to gossip or speak negatively about others and the more I stay close to them the more I will find myself speaking the same way even without realizing it. In fact the mere fact that I listen to such talk means that I am in alliance with their gossiping and malicious banter.

The bible states
“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends” (Prov. 16:28 ESV).

“There be six things which the LORD hateth; yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood;An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief;A false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Prov.6:16-19 ESV).
The Apostle Paul gives this noteworthy advice for our application:
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear”. (Eph. 4:29 ESV)
If I choose to hang around gossipers and malicious people thinking I will change them then I am likely to be disillusioned. Why? Because it is not possible to change someone over night and honestly God is not giving me that mandate unless he knows that I am spiritual strong enough to resist adding to their gossip or malicious talk and partaking of their ways. Even then, God will give me the wisdom to wait on Him for the right time to confront them about their behaviour.
Having done so if they choose to continue, then it means it is time to separate from the one who has chosen to walk the way of the ungodly despite professing to be in Christ. Such people are to be removed from the category of close friends to that of acquaintances who I do not stop praying for, but I guard my heart if I happen to find myself in their company. I accept my calling as a child of God to love the brethren in Christ with the love of God, however not everyone is meant to be my friend. As I walk with the LORD, my priority is to cultivate heart- felt intimacy with Him in true holiness as is humanly possible.
Nothing and no one should be able to prevent me from sustaining a heart from which flows the life of God so that I am able to be in fruitful service unto Him. Therefore if anyone or anything stands in the way, I must step back and take a hard look at that thing or person and pray seriously about it before God, there is no beating about the bush. Satan does me no favors and comes as an angel of light, but praise the Lord that his dark ways through certain people and situations.
It is also important to self examine. If I am so easily influenced by people and even though I know better, I continue to be part of such a crowd and partake of their gossip and malicious conversation (yes even one word) then it means I have formed an unholy alliance which will forever be an obstacle to the power of God working in and through me. This is a serious matter brethren! That I would be quick to acknowledge my sins and repent before the LORD!
We have a Heavenly Father who is merciful and forgives those who acknowledge and confess their sins before him (1 John 1:9).
2.Have the characteristics of true children of God
As believers in Jesus Christ we must remember that we are those who live on God’s “Holy Mountain” and there are characteristics that affirm we are children of God:

Psalm 15

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbour, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
Strife is not the portion of the child of God and from these verses we are also presented with the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives:

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. “(Gal 4:13-18 NIV).

May the Lord help us to have and sustain the characteristics that bear witness to the fact that we are true children of God;

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. “(Gal 6:19-26 NIV).

3.Cultivate a life of intimacy with God;
To have the “light of life” (John 8:12) or a heart which is a well spring of life so as to be the “Light of the world” (Matt.5:14) in christlikeness, we must follow the leading of God our faithful Shepherd:
“The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Ps.23:1-3 KJV).

The secret place of the most high, that place of intimacy is also abiding “under the shadow of the Almighty” as according to psalm 91, and with psalm 23 we are expressed the profound peace, protection, goodness and mercy we receive as children of God.
If we have the attitude that the sanctification process of the believer in Christ means being restored to the place of having the nature of God the Father, then we will see this process as a partnership which involves us consciously doing our part in obedience to the Word of God. This involves starting our day being still before the Lord, in praise, prayer and bible reading and meditation and also ensuring that throughout the day our focus is on Him through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Setting time aside with God during break times at work, school or from whatever we are doing. Any time with the Lord is a form of resting in Him “beside still waters” in “green pastures” or in “paths of righteousness”.

In doing the aforementioned, the outflow of the life of God which speaks of one full of the Holy Spirit to overflowing setting the course of one’s life is not only sustained but increased so that we can do more for God. The reality of the “Life-giving Spirit” Jesus’ words in John 14:12 become evidenced in our lives.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12 NIV).
In addition, our discernment and sensitivity to God’s Spirit and His ways is increased and so we are spiritually strengthened and mature enough not to fall into temptation nor act on carnal or satanic provocations.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Ps.51:10-12 NIV)

You are blessed. Determine to stay blessed!
Deborah Esther
©Deborah E. Nyamekye 18/12/2015

PLAIN SPEAKING II: Gotcha! Traits of the Enemy within; Self Idolater, Idolater & Self-Dependent

 

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“23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.
24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”
(James 1:23-24 NLT)

Ever get strong negative reactions to unfulfilled expectations of others? willingness to self examine or point the finger inwards to self, may result in surprising, but redemptive results as I personally discovered.

Caution: This is likely to convict, challenge or cause you to break out in sweat!!

Have you ever reacted furiously or angrily when people have not fulfilled your expectations of them. I have a few times and the last time, the Lord ministered to me profoundly in a manner for which I am eternally grateful. You see, if you regularly react furiously or angrily when people do not fulfill your expectations of them, then it is time to sit back and think: why do I often have these emotions well up in me, what is wrong with me? It is as if there is a persona foreign to you within who is triggered negatively when your expectations are not met.

There could be many reasons why you behave in this manner, one being that these people have always given you the impression that they want to meet your needs and another one is that you have a subconscious deep-set belief that they are the gender who have to do this or that particular thing so that if they do not, you become like the untamed devouring Rottweiler in your thoughts and woe be to them if those thoughts translate into action!

Whatever you think that they owe you or humanity that propels you to want them to meet these expectations, the basic truth is that they owe you or humanity nothing at all. Anyone who is in Christ should know that it is against the will of God to impose unreasonable expectations on others, but we at times fall short of this truth. Spouses have certain expectations of one another which we all understand are normal and it is normal to have some expectations of immediate family members, close friends, a courting partner and work colleagues. Expectations of one another are the essence of relationships and parties in contractual agreements.

However if even in those relationships as in our casual ones there are recurring feelings of anger or contention when we feel let down, rather than always pointing of the finger outwards and blaming others, as Christians if we honestly point the finger towards ourselves for a change, we will be surprised but relieved at what we will discover. The problem may not be from the other person at all or not entirely, as the saying goes “there is no smoke without fire”.

If we choose to humble ourselves by examining our hearts before the LORD, God’s grace will abound for His grace responds to our humility. God’s grace results in the conviction of the Holy Spirit which we are ready to receive when we set out pointing the finger inward. It is not a deliberate attempt to blame ourselves for such things, it is simply a self examination exercise which is good for the soul. In this place, we are enlightened to the hidden and presumptuous sins that only God can reveal to us when we seek him sincerely.

David who became the king of Israel engaged in the self examination exercise regularly if not he would not have prayed as follows: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

“How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:12-14)

If we are honest with ourselves we can easily be honest before God in prayer and therefore receive answers to our prayers. In my personal situation, during worship in church a couple of days after the incident happened, I was thinking “although I thought what I expected was reasonable, perhaps my reactions over the course of time meant I did not handle the person’s failure to comply very well”. I then sensed strongly the LORD was saying the following in response “actually Deborah, your emotional reaction and at times your utterances in this incident and similar ones in the past reveal
1. Self-idolatry (Controlling)
2. Idolatry
3. Self dependence

It was like a great knock on my head to hear that. Initially I was shocked and wondered whether it was God speaking to me. But I knew deep within that those words were true. In relation to that particular incident and similar ones in the past, the LORD began to give me further insight then and some time after church how these three flawed characteristics can manifest in a Christian’s life to varying degrees.

1. Self-idolatry (Controlling)
I sensed the LORD saying “You were not vocalising it plainly to others but the message your unreasonable emotional reactions conveyed is the following in words “each time I desire something and ask you, I want you to comply or do as I say. If you do not then I will not be happy with you and it will adversely affect my relationship with you”. Although you don’t realise it consciously, you are seeking to be elevated and therefore worshipped. You say you worship me, but in that situation, you are seeking others to ascribe worship to you!

The LORD showed me that in such situations, “most people at the receiving end (victims) react by either
a) becoming fearful and do what you want so as to live in peace with you or appease you to make you happy.
b) doing as you request but increasingly resent you with every fibre of their being because they discern that their obedience to your will is the only way they can receive your approval or live in peace with you.
c) shunning you permanently because they immediately become offended and want nothing to do with you.”

2. Idolatry
I sensed the following explanation from the LORD “This is when you have expectations of people and they do not fulfill them, and you find that your reactions are recurrently rage-filled or filled with disappointment. Your reactions reveal a deep-set feeling of being let down and even rejected so that you decide to have nothing to do with them. Such a reaction means that you place unreasonably great weight on their response as if your life depends on it. You make those people idols as well as whatever it is they failed to do”.

3.Self dependent “I always want my own way” syndrome
The tendency to be a self idolater /controller of people and situations as well an idolater in varying degrees even as a Christian, is basically a product of the fundamental “I always want my way” syndrome of the adamic sin or carnal nature. A truly committed or born again Christian does not deliberately scheme to act in any of these ways, but while they are being perfected in the sanctification process of gracious Father God, the old nature under the control of Satan (formerly called Lucifer) at times manifests. The source of this “I always want my own way” syndrome is Satan.This is why it is important to have a lifestyle of self examination as King David so as to honestly acknowledge one’s sins and seek God for cleansing from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

A key scripture which expresses God’s desire that we refrain from being self dependent and rather to depend on him always is Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV):
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

After God rebuked me and got me thinking about all the aforementioned, there was no sense of condemnation but I felt convicted by the Holy Spirit and a profound feeling of being loved by Father to the extent that he would not only highlight the sinful nature that was so hidden, but he would include some teaching as well. He revealed to redeem and I accepted what he showed me about my sinful nature which led me to ask for forgiveness. Together we had nipped that flaw in my nature in the bud and I had received much teaching as well!

I am currently very conscious that no one has to do what I require of them even if they promise me they will. If they do not meet my expectations and disappoint me, I have developed the fruit of self control in relation to my emotions, rather than let my emotions run wild and let my mouth be an outlet of ungodly expression, I have learnt to quickly vocalise to myself the decision I choose to take which is to forgive them. I then quickly ask the Lord to heal my emotions from the disappointment or any anguish caused.

Doing this quickly really helps to prevent a welling up in me of negative emotions; exaggerated, violent reactions often have little to do with the situation in hand but more to do with unresolved past similar offenses, the emotions of which are triggered by the similar situation in hand. When we know our weaknesses, we must choose to partner with God in the right way to be free from temptation to sin so that we remain overcomers in Christ (Romans 8:37). I am not yet perfected, but I am getting there with God’s daily help.

When we study the life of King David, we note that he had cultivated the lifestyle of sustaining intimacy with God. Being quick to ensure his heart condition was right before God was key to his success at remaining the Apple of God’s eye. He was quick to forgive (i.e. Saul) and quick to repent, for instance in relation to his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband (Psalm 51).

Exposure of sin is lethal to satan’s kingdom only if the redeemed respond in the right manner because they are cleansed from all unrighteousness connected with that sin so that satan no longer has a foothold in their lives.

Following that incident which brought about this ministration, I recalled how I used to regularly and fervently pray for God to renew my mind (Romans 12:1-3) and also for the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), and for my heart issues but then I grew complacent and only did so very sparingly, while I prayed often for other things in my life and for others. I praise God that He used that incident to remind me that one of the worst things a Christian can do is to stop praying regularly and fervently for protection of their heart, renewal of mind, fruit of the Spirit and Spiritual gifts as well as what they are struggling with.We must not take God’s grace and protection for granted, Satan as a devouring lion does us no favours and is always ready to pounce at every given opportunity!

Thank you LORD that you reveal to redeem!

“Plain Speaking & Counsel” Series : Blunt, to the point narrative (not mincing words so to speak!) & counsel relating to a moral matter or subject requiring our attention as children of God. Click for
PLAIN SPEAKING & COUNSEL I : The question of failures/affliction – is it always the fault of the devil, me or both?
PLAIN SPEAKING & COUNSEL II: The question of friendships; Acquaintance, close/inner circle friend or none of the above!

©Deborah E. Nyamekye 19/03/2016