Are You Under Cover?

Are You Under Cover?

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’- Ps. 91:1-2.

During wars, people look for places of safety to hide under cover where the weapons of their enemy cannot harm them. We are in Christ, therefore we are always under cover. No weapons formed against us will prosper because we dwell under the shadow of the Almighty.

A way of receiving an anointing originated with the ancient shepherds. Lice and other insects would get into the wool of sheep. When they got near the sheep’s head, they could burrow into the sheep’s ears and kill the sheep. To prevent this from happening, shepherds would pour oil on the sheep’s head. This oil made the wool too slippery for insects to get near the sheep’s ears and would make them slide off. This illustrates anointing with oil as a symbol of blessings, protection, and empowerment.

We can trust the precious presence of the Spirit of Christ to make our enemies flee. The battle truly is the Lord’s, and His mantle is upon us to protect us from every opposition. Whenever we feel threatened, let us dwell under cover with confidence and total rest in our Comforter, the Holy Spirit. We can wrap ourselves in Him and watch the enemy’s attacks slip off, from glory to glory! 

The Power of His Might!

The Power of His Might!

The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? – Prov. 18:14

We can bear up under many trials and difficulties in life because of the strength of our spirit. It is the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us that quickens our spirit and makes us strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. The Spirit of God is a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind.

Even though we are strong in spirit, we also have a soul and a body. We must recognize the conflict we find ourselves in and remember that, even though we have a treasure in our earthly vessel, we can be weak in our bodies. We can have struggles in our will, mind, and emotions. In those times, the Word of God, prayer, and praise strengthen us. 

Instead of doubting God in times of trials, let’s stand in faith, being persuaded that the outcome of our situation will be glorious. God upholds us with His mighty hand of power. In the power of His might, we withstand infirmities, losses, and afflictions. We can rest assured our Spirit is strong in the Lord and will help us through it all, from glory to glory! 

Like the Bars of a Castle

Like the Bars of a Castle

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. – Prov. 18:19

Offenses and contentions are like the bars of a castle. They hinder our freedom and witnessing. As we mature in Christ and yield to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, we learn not to pick up offenses. We also learn how to handle those we may have offended, even when they may not share their feelings with us. 

We may discern others have taken offense, but they are not open to confront the issues to find resolution. At other times, we may meet with people to come in one accord and we achieve reconciliation in unexpected ways. Everyone is unique, so every situation needs to be handled differently. Instead of only considering our feelings, we also consider theirs.

By God’s grace, we should care for every person with sensitivity and specifically. We praise God for dealing with us with so much grace and mercy, and extend this same grace and mercy to others. Let’s trust the Lord with His ways and timing in dealing with offenses. We can trust the Lord to heal all of us, from glory to glory!

Shield of Faith

Shield of Faith

“… above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” – Eph. 6:16

Fiery darts come from all directions, and sometimes with great speed, but they come to nothing when they meet our shields of faith. The Lord anoints our shields individually and then places ours next to others because we can do greater works in one accord. Our unity is powerful in Christ.

On the battlefield, the enemies shot arrows at the Roman soldiers and above them. Their shields were four feet by two feet. The front row would hold their shields side by side for protection, the others would hold their shields over their heads above all, to form a roof of protection. We stand side by side through our prayers, in one accord, and by faith.

The Holy Spirit brings unity among members so the Body can move effectively to enforce the victory of Christ. We position our shield of faith, individually and corporately, to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. Faith without works is dead, but faith with works is alive, powerful and moves mountains. We are protected, provided for, positioned and powerful in Christ, from glory to glory!  

MindFUL?

MindFUL?

But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’ – Mat. 16:23 

The Greek word for mindful is phroneo, to exercise the mind; that is, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; to be disposed in a certain direction, and to intensively interest ourselves in a matter. When we meditate upon what we see in the natural, we magnify its potential impact. If we over-think our ways, and the ways of others, we become fearful and quench the flow of the mind of Christ in our lives.

When Jesus rebuked the enemy working through Peter, He told him he was being mindful of the things of men, not of God. Our adversary tries to battle us in our thoughts the same way. The more we are mindful of the spiritual realm, the more we can walk victoriously in the natural realm. 

Our aim should always to be mindful of the things of God. Reading and speaking forth the Word of God helps us exercise our mind. Let’s press through until we are disposed to think toward the things of the Spirit, more than of the flesh. Our walk is by faith, not by sight. We do not focus too much on the human aspect, but on the spiritual, from glory to glory

Reject Rejection

Reject Rejection

But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, “The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you. – Luke 10:10-11

Rejection tries to cling to our feet to slow down our progress and hinder our walk of obedience. It happens when we least expect it. Because it catches us off guard, offense and anger can rise quickly. When we don’t have time to process it, it lingers and increases in its negative impact.

To reject rejection, we release it unto the Lord, trusting our election in Him. Our heart is to be pleasing unto God, not others; not to look for human approval or seek praises of men …but seek first the Lord and His Kingdom. When we know who we are in Christ, we don’t let others define us.

We can shake the dust off our feet, refusing to be offended. We wipe off rejection against our adversary and see his plans come to nothing. Instead of dust on our feet, we walk away with glory. We release the glory of the Lord everywhere our feet tread; and we never carry rejection with us to the next place. We move forward, from glory to glory!