Don’t Allow Your Circumstances to Steal Your Joy

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Every now and then, I find myself in not so ideal circumstances. Sometimes by my own creation and sometimes not. Either way, I always look to God to bail me out. What I’ve learned from this last circumstance is to look at the big picture. As I began to critique my own actions pondering the steps that landed me where I was, I thought about my old standby. One of my favorite scriptures, Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. All things means just that, all things. It doesn’t mean just the good things. It doesn’t mean the things that are so, so, where no one profits, and no one gets hurt. It means all things.

But let’s take a step back. Before my epiphany, I felt the pity party trying to start. All the usual guests started showing up. Guilt, sorrow, disgust, anger, and oh yes, regret. What kind of pity party would it be without regret? Would’ve, should’ve and could’ve showed up. You know they always travel together. But then someone else showed up just as I was closing the door getting ready to start the party. It was Mercy. Mercy quickly walked in and evicted the other guests, saying there’s no pity party here. Not while I’m here. I immediately grabbed Mercy by the hand, thankful for the reminder. Instead of playing songs of sorrow I began to play songs of worship to the God that already knew I would be right where I was at that time. And just as Mercy reminded me, God began to give me that peace that surpasses all understanding.

When I look at the big picture, the reason for the circumstance was also coupled with many blessings that I could never have imagined. I was right where I believe God wanted me to be for the blessings to occur, and I will even go as far as to say for miracles to occur.

Things don’t always go as planned even when there is a blessing tied to them, but what I don’t think we always consider is that God is always in control. The best example I can think of is Jacob. Jacob connived his way into getting his brothers blessing. He was duped by his future father-in-law. He feared retaliation from his brother. What Jacob did not know, was that it was Gods will all along for him to receive His blessing.

When we fall into those not so ideal circumstances, the thief is standing right there to pounce. His job, that he does oh so well, is to steal, to kill and destroy. He robs us of our peace, our sleep, our health. He can, when he is working his hardest, and we do not have the strength to put on our armor, even rob us of our life. His tactics may cause us to lose relationships; material things such as houses and cars. How does he do this? It’s simple. When you go into a battle you must be prepared. You can’t start preparing after the battle. You are sure to lose. Have you ever watched how a prize fighter prepares for a fight?  The fighter will change their diet; their exercise routine, they prepare their weapons, their body and their mind. We must do the same. We must prepare.

What are our weapons? We read in 2Corinthians 10:4 -5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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.

We are also admonished in Ephesians 6:11put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and in verse 17, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Take the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. In other words, the way to prepare for battle is to arm yourself. Read the word of God. Study the word, meditate on it day and night. When you read, study; meditate on the word it becomes a part of you. It becomes the helmet of salvation enabling you to cast down imaginations.

Let’s pause right here. How many of you know when those not so ideal circumstances come, your mind begins to imagine the worst-case scenario? You begin to have those thoughts that are contrary to the word of God. You forget about Gods promises. Fear enters in. The enemy has his foot in the door. All he wants is your mind.

Think about it.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, Ephesians 6:12. Our battle is against an enemy we can’t even see. But guess what? The battle was won over 2000 years ago on Calvary’s cross. It’s up to us to maintain our stance. It’s up to us to stand our ground. Isaiah 59:19(b) When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Your word filled mind coupled with the Holy Spirit reminding you of what God has told you, as well as what Jesus did on the cross is all you need to conquer the enemy.

It’s always better to be proactive than reactive. Too often we wait until those not so ideal circumstances arrive before we put on our armor. Imagine those fiery darts coming at your head and your helmet of salvation along with your sword of the spirit are on your beside table, or in your car. You’re defenseless.

One of the great things about our God is that He is always there. He always hears our cries. Even when we haven’t prepared for the battle and the enemy is trying his best to topple us over. When we cry out to God, as I stated previously our God will lift up a standard against the enemy. We may suffer a couple of bumps and bruises since we entered the battle without our armor, but we will survive.

When the enemy tries to steal your joy, it’s up to you to stop him. God inhabits the praises of His people. Change your song. Instead of singing woe is me. Begin to worship the Lord. Sing praises to His name. When you are worshipping God, your mind cannot think about your circumstances. You will be consumed with the love of God. Don’t allow the enemy is any form to steal what is rightfully yours. Proclaim your victory.

The Helmet of Salvation

There are so many things that can cause us to worry, to be distracted, to be stressed and depressed. But because God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind I believe that He protects us from the many things that could cause us to have fear, to be worried and distressed, but because of His love, His mercy and His grace He keeps our minds in perfect peace, even when we don’t even realize it. I believe God places that helmet of salvation over us when we confess Him as Lord and Savior. But the enemy tries to tilt our helmet to the side or knock it off of our head by launching his fiery darts at us, allowing our mind to be exposed from time to time. We know the tricks of the enemies. Just like he knows which buttons to push, which darts to shoot as us to distract us and take our attention off of the comforter, the Holy Spirit that resides in us. We also know our own weaknesses. We know what will rock us. Knowing this we need to put up guard. We need to remain steadfast in faith and prayer.

Why Ask Why?

Have you ever asked God why me, or why now? Have you ever been so overwhelmed, bogged down or stressed out by things that were not your own doing, or perhaps they were your own doing, but either way you feel like you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth. God wants me to tell you to let go. When you feel like you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth, just let go. When you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth you are relying on your own strength and your own ability. When you let go, you are relying on Gods strength and His ability and we all know that He is able, more than able. He is more than capable. Whatever your situation, He knew you would be right where you are, as well as when you would be there. And He never allows you to be in a place where you are not under his mercy, grace and protection.

God wanted me to share these prophetic words with you.

“You are chosen for a purpose and everything that you go through is meant to strengthen you. Count it not strange, the things that you endure, for you are more than capable as I am with you to carry you through. You can, and you will make it through. Trust in Me and believe. I am always with you. It's all in My hands. I am the answer that you are searching for.”

Psalm 37:34 though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Why ask Why?

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I Knew You

God knew us before time began. He knew all about our birth including everything about our great grandparents, our grandparents as well as our parents.

We read in Romans 8:29 for whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Our birth was foretold in Genesis as we read in Chapter 1 verse 27-28  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

We were to be part of that multiplication that would be used to replenish the earth. The command God gave to Adam and Eve. As you are well aware Eve was deceived by the serpent, and Adam joined her in partaking of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Thus causing their spiritual death or separation from God’s grace, mercy and covering, and were removed from Eden.

Then sin began. Adam and Eves introduction to sin was our introduction to sin, or our separation from God. If you read further into Genesis you read of God destroying the earth by flood. Noah, his wife their sons and their wives were the only people that were saved from the flood. After the flood waters receded they received the same command as we read in Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

We read once again of Gods desire for the earth to be populated when he tells Abram, his name at that time in Genesis12:1-3 get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: ² And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: ³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

As we continue reading in Genesis in chapter 15 verses 5-6 God responds to Abram when he asks Him about the long awaited heir that has not yet come. Let’s take a look at Gods response.

God brought him (Abram) forth abroad, and said, look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. ⁶ And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

So we see our birth and our life was foretold way before any of us were even thought of by anyone other than God.

Not only did God know of our existence in the beginning of time. He also knew we would not be born in the Garden of Eden. He knew Adam and Eve would fall into Sin. He knew He would send His Son, His only son to die for our sins.

We read in Isaiah 53:5 but he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Jesus Christ died for each and every one of us. I want to share with you a little bit about my inspiration for writing this song. I’ve always rooted for the underdog and have a heart for those that have a broken heart. I have a heart for people who are obviously broken and those that camouflage their brokenness. God has placed in me a desire for souls to be saved, healed, set free and delivered.

It grieves me greatly when people are depressed, oppressed, feeling hopeless or helpless. I’m concerned about people that believe no one loves them. It bothers me that both children and adults are bullied and that some are tormented so badly that they take their own lives.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select I Knew You – Conference Call.

http://www.gretahillman.com/#!audiovideo/cd8l

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Dial in 641-715-3610 access code 215480