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What's Gotten Under Your Skin?

5/23/2018

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"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."
--Ephesians 6:12(NKJV)
It's so easy to get annoyed with people, isn't it?  It really does not matter who it is either--a spouse, a co-worker, a family member, a random stranger in the market who is pushing a shopping cart like she is taking a nature walk, or the distracted driver who is texting and does not realize the traffic light is now green.  Any of it sound familiar?  How about our response--the side-eye, the eye roll, the snarl, the flared nostril, the flagging of the hand--all of these non-verbal gestures suggest disdain.  Then, of course, it's the more blatant things we say or do to express our dissatisfaction or disgust with another person--yelling, sarcastic remarks, ignoring, withholding affection or attention.  We have innumerable ways to a let a person or people know they have gotten under our skin. The bottom line is, we all get annoyed with others from time to time and we all have our own way of expressing annoyance. 

The Bible even gives accounts of individuals becoming annoyed and irritated.  Don't believe me?  Consider Paul.  He got annoyed alright, but his response targeted the thing that was at the root of his annoyance. 

​We would do well to examine Paul's response when something got under his skin:

​
"One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes.  She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her."--Acts 16:16-18(NLT)

​
​
The Bible clearly states that this young woman really got on Paul's nerves. She was offensive and really troubled, displeased, and offended Paul as she followed him (and those with him) day after day with her antics and taunting.  Finally, Paul had enough.  He was able to see beyond this girl and confront the thing that was using her.

​How often do we fight a losing battle because we are focused on a visible opponent?  Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our real fight is not with people. Yet, it is people we consider our adversaries/opponents.  This erroneous thinking is a tactic of the enemy.  It invariably causes us focus on the wrong thing (person) and thereby have strained or severed relationships.

​May I encourage you, before you engage in another verbal battle or heated exchange, before you become enraged with another person, remember
S-T-A-M-P:

1.  STOP.
​2.  THINK--if I engage, what am I engaging in and with whom/what?
​     (Ephesians 6:12)
​3.  ASK--the Holy Spirit to reveal what is at work.  He will give you discernment
​     (I Corinthians 2:10-16) 
​4.  MAINTAIN your POSITION and your POWER (Ephesians 6:14)
​5.  PRAY (Ephesians 6:18)
​
If we follow Paul's example and the precepts of the Scriptures we will be on our way to experiencing peace and more mutually satisfying relationships.  No, we cannot change the behavior, attitude, or mindset of another, but we can take ownership and responsibility for our participation/engagement.  When we begin to fully understand and embrace that we are not contending with people, but rather things we cannot see, it puts matters in a different perspective.  We begin to see with the eyes of the Spirit.  We pray with precision as we arm ourselves with the Word of God.  We become a most formidable opponent.

Prayer
​Father, in the name of Jesus', I thank you for your word.  I thank you for your Spirit that gives wisdom, revelation, knowledge, and discernment.  Lord, I pray that you would give me restraint and enable me to proceed with caution as I interact with others.  Help me to remember that the real enemy is not my spouse or boss or family member or neighbor--but rather something that cannot be seen.  Help me to discern the spirit that I may be confronting--be it fear, anger, lying, manipulation, procrastination, or mocking--I pray that you would identify it.  I thank you that you have given me the tools to be a victorious champion in this situation.  Amen and so be it according to your word.


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Which Way Are You Going?

5/6/2018

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"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."--Proverbs 14:12(NKJV)
  Hebrew Word Study
​way: H1870--derek:  road, journey, path, direction, manner, habit, course of life

​right:  H3477--yashar:  correct, right, pleasing, fitting, proper

​death: H4194--maveth:  death, destruction, ruin

​It's a dramatic narrative that we see played out all too often in a movie, a TV show, a play, a book--someone who is hurting, broken, or wounded searching for relief, comfort, and/or some sort of revenge.  But, perhaps, we should bring it a little closer to where we are in our lives.  If we keep it real, if we keep it 100, if we are honest no one wants to feel hurt.  Rejection, abandonment, abuse, neglect, humiliation, and shaming deeply wounds the human soul.  And, when we are wounded, we are vulnerable and we are prey.  Human brokenness is prime time for the enemy.  Grieving the loss of a loved one is also a time a vulnerability.  It is prudent to be extremely cautious about  where we turn to whom we turn to for comfort.  The enemy's entire effort is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) and to impede our relationship with God.  Therefore, it is critical that we know WHO is our very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

​In times of distress, it's not uncommon to look for ways to soothe, ease, or avenge pain independent of God.  This human effort dates back to the Garden of Eden after the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3).  When a loving Father asked Adam where he was spiritually, he endeavored to hide himself from God and use human effort to self-protect.  Sans God, there is no victory nor we will never experience the enduring peace, health, healing, wholeness, and wellness that comes with a personal relationship with God.

​So, beware!  There is a way to overcome emotional anguish that seems right, but it only seems that way.  It is an intricate and sophisticated illusion targeted to get your attention and to get you far from God.  It is the way to destruction and utter ruin.  The enemy will always send a counterfeit that will seemingly offer what only God can provide and the Bible gives many accounts of such.  Witches, soothsayers, magicians, necromancers--all of whom are an abomination to God-- attempted to mimic His miraculous power:  
  • ​Jambres and Jannes (Pharoah's magicians): Exodus 7-9, 2 Timothy 3:8
  • Witch of Endor: I Samuel 28
  • Simon the Sorcerer: Acts 13
  • Damsel with spirit of divination (Acts 16:16-18)

​As Christians and believers in Messiah, we are strictly forbidden to have any interaction with such (Deuteronomy 18:10-14).  We invite oppression, fear, and torment (I John 4:18) into our lives when we interact with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) and go against the precepts of God.   

If you are in a place of emotional pain and distress today, please do not be duped by the enemy!  Hear, heed, and receive the Good News!

God:​
  • ​Binds up the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3)
  • ​Heals emotionally wounded (Psalm 147:3)
  • ​Gives beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3)
  • Restores the human soul (Psalm 23:3)
  • Leads us in the path of righteousness (Psalm 23:3)
  • He lifts our heads (Psalm 3:3)
  • Vengeance belongs to him (Romans 12:19)
  • He gives us abundant life (John 10:10)
  • He desires that our souls prosper (3 John 1:2)

Prayer:
​Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you that you are the true and living God.  You are the Lord and beside you there is no other (Isaiah 45:5).  There is no one greater than you!  You are exalted above the heavens and the earth (Psalm 57:11).  We thank you for your word that is true and eternal.  You exalt your word above name (Psalm 138:2).  We reverence you as The Almighty and the great I AM.  We bring our hearts before you--every wound, every pain.  We give you the toxic parts of ourselves--the venomous rage, the bitterness, the offenses, the indifference, the vindictiveness--we lay it at your feet.  We receive your love, your healing, your mercy, your redemption, your comfort, your compassion, and your care.  We decree that your word is alive and at work in our lives.  We thank you that we walk in supernatural wholeness and wellness because of the Blood of Jesus that has been shed to bring us deliverance,  healing, and a life of abundance.  Amen, and so be it according to the Word of God!


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    I am a wife, mother, and Christian counselor who believes that God can heal and restore our broken hearts and put us on the road to wholeness, purpose, and productivity in our lives when we follow and trust his "GPS".

               2022 abrokenheartsgps.org.   856-473-5937    "Finding our way--through God's love."
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