Good Morning,
This week, I was reminded of this verse, "..In the world you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration;
but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm
you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33) This week, I
was physically attacked with sudden and strange symptoms for two nights
in a row. It was horrific pain that permeated up my back and neck,
causing chills, then sweating and nausea. It subsided after about three
hours, both nights. I prayed and confessed the Word of God
concerning my healing and divine health (along with intermittent
moaning and groaning). My husband, daughter and friend stood in
agreement with me. I realize that this is usually how the enemy comes
against us, with sudden, unknown and unexpected assaults and attacks. That is why the Word tells us to, "Stay
alert!, be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours,
the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger],
seeking someone to seize upon and devour." (I Peter 5:7)
Sometimes we become lazy or less-alert in our faith, yes, all of us,
and then some 'strange trial', comes along and gives us a wake-up call.
Get back in the "gym of the Word," you have become soft and flabby! At
least that is what I was reminded to do! The rest of this verse tells
us what we must do when that stinking devil comes around with his load
of lying garbage. "Withstand him; be firm in faith (pay attention, stay alert) against his onset——[be
rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same identical sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world." (I Peter 5:8-9)
but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm
you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33) This week, I
was physically attacked with sudden and strange symptoms for two nights
in a row. It was horrific pain that permeated up my back and neck,
causing chills, then sweating and nausea. It subsided after about three
hours, both nights. I prayed and confessed the Word of God
concerning my healing and divine health (along with intermittent
moaning and groaning). My husband, daughter and friend stood in
agreement with me. I realize that this is usually how the enemy comes
against us, with sudden, unknown and unexpected assaults and attacks. That is why the Word tells us to, "Stay
alert!, be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours,
the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger],
seeking someone to seize upon and devour." (I Peter 5:7)
Sometimes we become lazy or less-alert in our faith, yes, all of us,
and then some 'strange trial', comes along and gives us a wake-up call.
Get back in the "gym of the Word," you have become soft and flabby! At
least that is what I was reminded to do! The rest of this verse tells
us what we must do when that stinking devil comes around with his load
of lying garbage. "Withstand him; be firm in faith (pay attention, stay alert) against his onset——[be
rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same identical sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world." (I Peter 5:8-9)
God has made
provisions for the 'whole' of man; spiritually, physically, mentally,
socially, and financially. As long as we live in this world, we will
have tribulations, trials, distresses and frustrations. We must always
under all circumstances depend on God's Word. "Casting the whole of your care [all your
anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on
Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you
watchfully." ( I Peter 5:7) Now, my sisters and brothers the word that I am about to use is not a curse word, nor is it taboo in the Word, it was mentioned earlier, but I want to highlight it for a moment. The word is 'suffering.' It is not a word that we should fear or treat as if it is a word of doubt and unbelief.
Suffer means as a result of outside forces or outside circumstances,
you are caused pain or discomfort; it could be physical suffering due
to persecution; mental suffering due to outside pressures; financial
suffering due to economic hardships; or any inconvenience that stems
from something outside of oneself or outside of one's control. The purpose is to try and take the Word out of your heart, so that it won't produce. We know better than that, huh? "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessings and favor], Who has called you to His own eternal glory
in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to
be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen and settle you. "
( I Peter 5:10) It seems that we win no matter what happens around us and even against us. Our Lord turns our suffering around to work for us and not against us, to make us what we ought to be!! If we don't allow roots of bitterness to
set in our garden (our heart), because of the things we have
suffered. We must let or allow God to make us complete, causing us to
become securely grounded and settle us in Him. We will come out
stronger and more mature, as we kill the weeds in our garden with the
Word of God.
provisions for the 'whole' of man; spiritually, physically, mentally,
socially, and financially. As long as we live in this world, we will
have tribulations, trials, distresses and frustrations. We must always
under all circumstances depend on God's Word. "Casting the whole of your care [all your
anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on
Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you
watchfully." ( I Peter 5:7) Now, my sisters and brothers the word that I am about to use is not a curse word, nor is it taboo in the Word, it was mentioned earlier, but I want to highlight it for a moment. The word is 'suffering.' It is not a word that we should fear or treat as if it is a word of doubt and unbelief.
Suffer means as a result of outside forces or outside circumstances,
you are caused pain or discomfort; it could be physical suffering due
to persecution; mental suffering due to outside pressures; financial
suffering due to economic hardships; or any inconvenience that stems
from something outside of oneself or outside of one's control. The purpose is to try and take the Word out of your heart, so that it won't produce. We know better than that, huh? "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessings and favor], Who has called you to His own eternal glory
in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to
be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen and settle you. "
( I Peter 5:10) It seems that we win no matter what happens around us and even against us. Our Lord turns our suffering around to work for us and not against us, to make us what we ought to be!! If we don't allow roots of bitterness to
set in our garden (our heart), because of the things we have
suffered. We must let or allow God to make us complete, causing us to
become securely grounded and settle us in Him. We will come out
stronger and more mature, as we kill the weeds in our garden with the
Word of God.
So, today I am a little stronger and more settled in my faith
for healing, more than I was before this unknown sickness attacked my
body. I trust My Father with my whole life. He has deprived the world
of it's power to harm us. He cares for me and you affectionately and
watchfully, so let's cast all of our worries, cares and anxieties on
Him. Thank you Daddy, for caring so much!
for healing, more than I was before this unknown sickness attacked my
body. I trust My Father with my whole life. He has deprived the world
of it's power to harm us. He cares for me and you affectionately and
watchfully, so let's cast all of our worries, cares and anxieties on
Him. Thank you Daddy, for caring so much!
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 