Lord, Deliver Me From Me

 Romans 7:15-20 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Lord, deliver me from me. As Paul so aptly stated, it is our flesh, our carnal thoughts and behaviors that get us into trouble every time.

So many times, I’ve decided to do one thing and end up either doing something else or doing nothing at all. Why, because I allow the thoughts in my mind to override my spirit.

Sin does not always have to refer to an inappropriate behavior. It is whatever we say or do that is contrary to God’s will, His word and His purpose for our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

As I often confess, I am a dreamer and a believer. If it is in the word of God, not only do I believe it, but I expect all of God’s promises to manifest. God’s word is true and will not return void.

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

And then there’s me. What is my part? I must put works with my faith.

James 2:17-26 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

What are the works that I need to put with my faith? The works that are the evidence that I have faith in what I believe God has planned and purposed for my life. You see, I believe God wants me to share His word with you and encourage you to Liv by Faith. But what if I believed that is what God wanted me to do and never did it? What if I never shared His word with you? Not only would I not be fulfilling God’s purpose for my life, but my behavior would also say God I don’t trust You to do what You said you would do.

The enemy will use the voices in our head, whether they are our own voices, or the voice of someone else to convince us we are defeated. What we must remember is that the enemy is defeated and he is trying to project his future onto us.

Oftentimes we are our own worst enemy.

Rather than protecting our mind by wearing the helmet of salvation; protecting ourselves from what we see and hear. Taking the shield of faith to stop the darts of unbelief. And using our sword, the word of God to defeat the enemy within. We allow our mind to dwell on thoughts and words that are contrary to the thoughts and words God says about us.

Ephesians 6:16-17 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Thoughts of fear, doubt, anxiety, procrastination, slothfulness. Fear of rejection, fear of failure are not thoughts of peace. They are evil in nature as they are harmful and do not bring us hope. These thoughts do not align with God’s word.

Do not think it, do not speak it, do not believe it. If the words you hear are contrary to God’s will, His word, and His purpose do not give them life.

2Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Focus on who God says you are. You are victorious.

 

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Don’t Talk Yourself Out of It

 God has just given you a great idea. You are beyond excited. What do you do next? You write it down.

Habakkuk 2:1-3 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Why write it down? Writing it down makes it real. It serves as a constant reminder. It provides clarity, helps you create a plan, set a goal, and of course all of this is done while seeking God for direction.

Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. When you are spending time in God’s presence, seeking Him for direction, He will direct your path. The thoughts or ideas that you think are yours will align with the thoughts and plans that He has for you.

I liken getting a word, thought, idea, or plan from God to the parable of the sower sowing the seed. Whether the thought or idea is God’s plan for your life, your desire to make a change in life such as going back to school, taking better care of your health, or making a career change, the enemy will try to distract you.

In Matthew 13:19, Jesus explains the parable to the disciples.

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

When you hear from God, the enemy immediately comes to try and steal what you have heard. He comes in many ways. If, in all your excitement, you share what you have heard from God or your ideas with others, there may be someone that tries to discourage you. They may even question whether you have heard from God, or why you desire the change you seek. They may cause you to doubt your desires or what you have heard.

Verse 20-21 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

We’ve talked about how excited we are when we hear from God. We’re ready to act and move forward. Then the voice in the back of our mind, you know the one that tells you that you can’t do it, begins to speak to us.

Jeremiah 1:4-6 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

Verses: 7-9 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

 When the Lord spoke to Jeremiah, Jeremiah flat out said I can’t do it. And the Lord replied yes you can. He told Jeremiah not to be afraid. He told him He was with him. And finally, He told him, He, the Lord God Almighty had placed His words in his mouth. When God gives you a word, or an assignment He will prepare and equip you to do whatever it is that He wants you to do.

 Matthew 13:22: He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Let’s say you’ve heard from God. You didn’t listen to the naysayers nor the voice in your mind that told you that you couldn’t do it. You’re moving forward. Then the enemy throws another monkey wrench your way called life. Relationships, other commitments, family obligations and let’s not even mention finances, or the lack there of may distract you from your plan or goal. These are distractions and they are real. How do you overcome them? You seek God for guidance. You also prioritize and exercise time management. If you are unable to commit 2 hours a day to your goal, commit 1 hour a day, or 2 hours per week, whatever works best with your schedule. If you lose a source of income or have an increase in expenses, become creative. Have a yard sale. Barter your services. Cut down on entertainment or eating out. Determine what’s most important to you.

 Verse 23: But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Ah, this is the place we all want to be, receiving seed into good ground and bringing forth the harvest. There may be some people that are able to go directly from concept to manifestation with few or no distractions. If you are one of those people, I commend you. The truth is, many people, me included fall into one of the 3 categories in the parable. People whose seed, vision, dream, goal, or desire is hindered by the voice of others, the voice of oneself, or the cares of life. To that group of people, I say stay focused. God will not place in your heart, whatever He places there if He has not already made a way for it to manifest.

The enemy is going to try every trick in the book to prevent you from moving forward in God’s plan for your life. Don’t let him do it. You are the one that can stop him. God has already prepared the way. Just as He said to Jeremiah “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee…” He is saying the same thing to you.

 Remember your purpose. Think about who will benefit from what it is that God has predestined for you to do. Don’t talk yourself out of it. Let your passion be greater that your fear. And as we read in Habakkuk,… for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.