February 12, 2011
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"Going up?" | Discernment: "God's Breath ~ world's breaths" | my calling
I'm not trying to minimize or treat the work of the devil lightly, but I only included the above video to make a point. If we really considered our interactions with the devil and the forces of darkness in such a way – if we really considered that every single time we are listening to the devil and every single moment we are giving heed to him, we are giving the devil a foothold – and in effect we are going straight down in that elevator with him! The children of God cannot ever get into that elevator with the devil! We must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.If we would really consider what it means to entertain the devil and his lies and what it means for us as Christians to have fellowship with the darkness, we might be less likely to be led astray and misguided by his tantalizing schemes and deadly wiles. The devil is a liar and the father of lies. We must be vigilant. The devil is constantly prowling.
Christians can never have fellowship with the devil, the world or sin and continue in the light and continue to have fellowship with God.
I John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
II Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
God's Breath ~ world's breathsGod's Breath
blows
ignites
Holy Fireworld's breaths
blow
suffocate
Holy FireGod's Word
speaks
quickens
Holy Fireworld's words
speak
extinguish
Holy FireLiving Water
flows
kindles
Holy Fireworld's waters
flow
dampen
Holy FireLiving Bread
eaten
sustains
Holy Fireworld's breads
eaten
starve
Holy FireSpirit's Wind
fans
inflames
Holy Fireworld's winds
fan
suffocate
Holy FireFirst Love
embraces
intensifies
Holy Fireworld's loves
embrace
quench
Holy FireShepherd's Voice
whispers
edifies
Holy Fireworld's voices
whisper
demolish
Holy FireUnspeakable Gift
received
magnifies
Holy Fire
world's gifts
received
minimize
Holy FireGod's Truth
proclaimed
protects
Holy Fireworld's truths
proclaimed
molest
Holy FireGod's Counsel
heeded
clarifies
Holy Fireworld's counsels
heeded
conceal
Holy Fire
God's Call
given
releases
Holy Fireworld's calls
given
limit
Holy FireGodly Sorrow
experienced
arouses
Holy Fireworld's sorrows
experienced
retard
Holy FireHeavenly Joy
sings
intensifies
Holy Fireworld's joys
sing
grieve
Holy FireJohn 10:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Jesus, I am Your sheep, but I confess I am having difficulty hearing Your voice today.
Will You not strengthen me to fan into flame again this Holy Fire You have given to me?
I am Your sheep. Will You not protect me for the sake of Your Name? Holy Spirit, incline my heart to the Good Shepherd's heart alone. Grant me ears to hear what He is trying to say to me this day. Many strangers are surrounding me now, appearing to me as angels of light. My flesh has been crying out to me loudly. Open my ears to hear Christ's voice and close my ears to the voices of those many strangers and to my own flesh. Give me ears to hear Your pure and true and life-giving and life-sustaining voice. I confess I have been once again seeking the love and approval of men and seeking my own way rather than resting in Your perfect love and trusting in Your perfect plan and timing for me. Forgive me.
As a result of all this, I have found myself paralyzed by my fears and frustrations rather than entrusting myself completely to You.
I wrote these words four years ago today as I began this blog:
So why Naphtali? Some of you may be wondering, "What's that all about?" Others may be familiar with the name. Naphtali was one of the sons of Jacob (Israel). In Bible Study Fellowship last year we studied the blessings Jacob gave his sons at the end of Genesis. The blessing to Naphtali popped out at me: "Naphtali is a deer let loose; he uses beautiful words" (NKJV, Genesis 49:21). In the months prior to that time I could see God beginning to loosen me from many things that were keeping me from worshipping and serving Him as He desired (and that, of course, is His continuing work in me). The phrase "he uses beautiful words" hit me since so often I have used my tongue in ways to harm others rather than to encourage and edify them, and it is God's desire for our words to honor and glorify Him (see James 3:10). My prayer is that this blog glorifies Him and encourages fellow believers in the Body of Christ.
For His Glory,
KarenI have seen that I have been allowing many things to bind me up once again. I have foolishly cast off Your easy yoke and have gone back under the bondage of the hard yoke. And once again I have found there is no joy or peace in any other yoke but Your perfect yoke. I have seen I have not been running like the deer let loose. Forgive me.
This grieves me and greatly frightens me.
I do not want to waste my life bound up in fear and what others think of me.
May I not waste my life consumed by my own voice or others' voices.
Anoint my ears to hear Your voice only and then strengthen me to obey You and You alone.
May I not fear anything that is frightening so I might prove myself to be a daughter of Sarah.
I long to run once again like that deer let loose!
I do not want to be disqualified.
Holy God, let me not waste this calling, this life, these gifts You have given me.
Strengthen me to use all I am and all I have to serve You to Your glory alone.
Amen.
Related:Why Naphtali?
Naphtali News: Happy Anniversary
learning to run without fear
my 3rd Xangaversary: "His grace abounded to this chief of sinners"
Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:11-"The Wiles of the Devil"
the most diligent prelate and preacher
the world says . . . You say . . . I say (a prayer of dedication)
even among the voices (Bible reading: Nehemiah 6:1-14)
John Piper's writing leave (& his impact on me)
Letter 25 on assurance and fighting for joy (a strong craving ≠ His joy)
take me to that place of quiet rest (letter 68 on assurance & fighting for joy)
Galatians 1:10 . . . if I yet pleased men . . .
the devil and God, passion and vision, lies and truth
true repentance leads to joy (Letter 37 on assurance & fighting for joy)
Keep me away from the paths of the destroyer that I might behold Your face. (Psalm 17)
tangled
the door, the sword, the crown ~ through faith & patience (Hebrews 6:11-12)Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Comments (2)
aman
"Holy God, let me not waste this calling, this life, these gifts You have given me."
How precious He is! In love He has poured out His grace on us so that we may glorify Him. This is life eternal, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.