Feeling like The Black Sheep? Allow Jesus to Lift You Up!

Posted on by
Reply

The Black Sheep – Many of us are familiar with this modern phrase which “labels” those who have “wandered away” from God, family, or society, following after evil rather than good, and going their own way.  But Jesus doesn’t  ”label you” …  He loves you and you are precious to Him. Yet, He does sees that you, perhaps, have “gone astray” and “are lost” and may be in “deep trouble” from not staying near Him. Therefore, He will seek you out. Until He finds you. He desires your return into His Arms.

Full of love and compassion toward you, He desires to find you, that you will let Him in, so He may get you out of whatever mess you discover your sin has gotten you into. Believe me, our choices to sin have “consequences”… some long-lasting or devastating ..and the longer a person remains “as a sheep who has gone astray”,  the more entanglements that can bind or ultimately destroy you. You may not even realize you are “caught” or “snared” right now, but you are, if you are not walking with Jesus.

image

I have GOOD NEWS for YOU, even if you see yourself as the Black Sheep.

Jesus wants to lift you up out of the consequences of your sin, and carry you upon his shoulders, leading you out as your Good Shepherd, as much as He wants to save you as your Savior. God is able to LIFT YOU UP and OUT of any thicket or deep pit into which you have fallen, if You will LET HIM find you. Amazing revelation of the Lord’s heart toward you is found in Luke 15, which we will look at in a moment.

Some wandering sheep HIDE, or run further away, for they are afraid to BE FOUND.  They are afraid of punishment, of judgment, of ridicule, of rejection. I am convinced that you fear repenting because you are ashamed. You are not sure how you will be received back into the fold.   You “feel” as an outsider…unaccepted. Yet you must let the sweet conviction of conscience lead you into Jesus’ forgiving and loving arms, and not allow Satan’s heavy condemnation upon those in iniquity to keep you running away from The One who desires to and CAN help you! The Lord Jesus desires you, and desires your company. You must decide to trust His love, not rely on Your given fear. You DO have a choice. Jesus will not take away your free will…but you are never really “free” until you know and follow Jesus, whose will you were “created” TO follow.

Let’s look at how our scriptural passage, Luke 15:2-7 begins, so you may “know” your Jesus, a little better. We tend to trust only those we know, right?

This passage begins by people who came to hear Jesus, then murmuring among themselves concerning Jesus, saying, “This man receives sinners, and eats with them!!”  They thought this pretty horrible, as they were considered “righteous” themselves, and Jesus was now going to be instructing them as they gathered. “Where were Jesus’s high standards?” they thought within themselves. I assure you, Jesus does have high standards, and his standard of love and patience with people is high too. Yes, having been a black sheep myself, righteous people, though meaning well, can be judgmental toward one they have labeled as “a black sheep”. Maturity eventually brings them around to understanding that it is “sin” that was judged by God at the cross, placed on Jesus, and that the sinner is to receive the freedom purchased. And until one does, they will BE a sinner, and can’t lift themselves up. Jesus condemns the sin in us, while fully loving each one of his creation.

So… this is how Jesus, the GOOD Shepherd, responded to these righteous people…

He spoke these words from his mouth:

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the 99 in the wilderness, and GO AFTER the one which is lost, UNTIL He find it?  And when he HAS found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing!” 

(Now,take time to look at the above picture and meditate on this truth… He doesn’t yell at the sheep, kick it, make it follow behind the flock in shame, kill it for it deserves it, etc.  He lifts HIS sheep, He smiles, He enjoys it’s company, the sheep rides upon Him in its weakened state (probably needing some mending, which the Shepherd will do.). He is excited and happy! He has HIS sheep! Yes, he owns you, but praise God he does! As the sheep, you are now safe and secure. You need not worry of it any longer being in the enemy’s hands!)

And when he comes home, he calls together HIS friends and neighbors saying unto them, “REJOICE WITH ME! – For I have found my sheep which WAS LOST.”

(Now, all those acquainted with Christ will also share in the rejoicing! For they see the Lord’s happiness of your return!)

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner THAT REPENTS, more than over 99 JUST PERSONS which need no repentance.”

Imagine that, you return, and all of heaven will be full of great joy! 

What is delaying you? Who is delaying your return? I declare to you, that you are free to return. You don’t have to be perfect to be picked up.  Just repentant. It is just your heart’s desire crying out in surrender, “Jesus!”  - for he is “seeking” to “save you” even with this blog article.  it says in this passage that He will “GO AFTER” the one who is lost, “UNTIL” He find it.  I’m sure you “know” in your heart, if he is going after you.  You sense Him drawing you near. He knows his sheep, and those who will be his sheep.

—————–My testimony – I was once The Black Sheep ————————————

Jesus sought me out too. So I know what I share herein is very true of the Lord…and what he has spoken of throughout all of Luke 15. I have been a wandering lost sheep, and a prodigal son, and I can tell you this, I never ever desire to depart from the Lord or his flock (believers in Christ) ever again!! It is the most miserable life one can live: knowing you are “a sheep” but not “with” the Shepherd or walking along with His Flock! You can’t enjoy “the World” for Jesus is seeking after you; and you can’t enjoy “Believers” for you are not one in Spirit with them. So you are just plain miserable!  I went away from the Lord Jesus as a teenager. Though I had made Jesus my Savior as a young girl and followed his ways for years, it was in “my head and not in my heart”…”from law not from the spirit”…and so as an older teen I wanted my own way, and certainly desired no one dictating to me what I should or should not do! …My rebellion landed me in with a wild bunch… almost too eager to include me, “the pastor’s daughter” in their riotous living. Satan’s lies led me astray, thinking I was “missing out on something” out there “in the world”. I had immoral relationships trying to find love, and unchristian friendships to share in my rebellion, and I did all the worldly things that God hates… called “sin”.  Now cleansed and forgiven, I will not elaborate for those things remain shameful to me… nor do I blame others, for I was even “a leader” in that  lifestyle, using this attribute of my character for the “wrong side”…advancing the kingdom of darkness more than the kingdom of God, in those days.

AND THEN, the thicket I found myself entangled in was indeed very ominous: …I, a 17 year old pastor’s daughter, discovered myself unwed and pregnant, ostracized by man, unable to fulfill my plans for college, and not having a clue what to do.   I discovered myself as “lost” in so many ways. Was I saved? Was I loved? How could I ever amount to anything! How could I have been so foolish as to go away from God? I saw my true condition was that I “was” lost and and I was “astray”. I had no relationship to God, so how could I call upon Him to help me?… and how could I possibly cope with all my consequences? I lost a four year college scholarship, I was in a loveless relationship with a man who wasn’t a believer and so I knew I had no desire to marry him…  I had caused chaos in my household as my sin caused my pastor father to feel he needed to resign the church… and then my 4 other siblings were angry with me for we had lived in the same area over 10 years and they’d have to leave friends and school.  I had a baby on the way that I would felt so immature and scared to raise. I was indeed “the black sheep”! …suddenly despised by the “righteous ones” in my small town…for I caused so much scandal and pain by my sin.  But believers loved me still too…weird, how it is… but I now understand ..for they only wanted me to be sorry for my sin…enough to repent.  They saw my folly before I did. They saw the deceitfulness of Satan’s lies upon my life. They saw how my sin, sinned against others. I had been in “a web of deceit”… 

And yet, Jesus himself lovingly reached down, lifted me up, and set me in with the flock… once again loved and accepted.  I had to repent first. And repent I did.  And then Jesus began to work inside of me and God began to put the pieces of my shattered life back together. He used his people (believers) to help me get my life back on track. Upon returning to Him, I knew I WANTED to do things HIS way, and not my own way. I knew I would now CHOSE God’s plans over mine.  The church would not accept my father’s resignation…but reached out to me in Christian love.  In fact, I discovered my true friends WERE the ones with Christ in them, not my worldly friends… They abandoned me as I came to Jesus. Family stayed loving and true, as I sought the Lord, and God blessed me with a wonderful son, who is loved dearly to this day and is now 35! I left the sin behind…and clung to Jesus. God put all my black sheep’s life behind me, and even took the stain of my sin away, making me clean and pure through Jesus’ blood, which purchased me from the Kingdom of Darkness. Oh, it is indeed more joyful and blessed to be Lifted Up by Jesus! So now, 35 years later, I bear testimony that when I returned way back then…and let Jesus “carry me upon His shoulders”, joy-peace-righteousness (the kingdom of God within) returned as part of my daily life.  

I, will, however, also bear testimony that my sin’s consequence carried on to my son’s struggles, causing him pains of rejection, questioning his belonging,  and battling of low self-esteem, for our sin never affects only ourselves.  Regrets do not go away, but they are forgiven. You may be free, and forgiven, but you may not be able to free someone else of the pain your sin had upon them. This is why “NOW” is the time to return.  Not even a month, or a year later.  You could marry the wrong person, go into the wrong line of work and miss God’s plan for you…or you could die and go to hell.  The rapture could take place or a nuclear strike upon your land. The risk to wait, to come upon Jesus’s shoulders, is a huge risk! I am feeling within, today especially, an urgency for this message to be written. Maybe it is Just For YOU.

Jesus is a Good Shepherd, and He gives his life for His Sheep…and they Hear His Voice…and He takes full responsibility for “leading”. We only need to follow. And sometimes He carries us. And his rod and staff,  they comfort us, for he wards off the enemy or brings us back closer with them.

SO, to close…. I believe this is for SOMEONE whom will hear the Lord’s voice today saying, “It is you I seek out”…. “Will you allow me to lift you up?”  ”Will you return and repent, That I am able to heal you and put the pieces of your life back together?”

“HEAVEN WILL REJOICE AT YOUR RETURN.  AND SO WILL I “

Read Luke 15…the whole chapter… to know the Lord’s heart toward you.   I myself desire you to RETURN to, or COME to, Jesus..  He awaits you with open arms, loving heart, and anticipated relationship!

How do you return?  Just cry out to Jesus in repentance using your own words of surrender… or if you prefer, pray this prayer: “Father, please… forgive me all my sin and wandering away from your will and purpose…and deliver me Lord, from going my own way, and not caring about your will for my life. I accept you, Jesus Christ, as my Savior, and receive now your blood to wash away all of my sin. Untangle me from my sinful ways and any people or circumstances that cause me to sin, that I may enjoy being close with you, and joyful !! Put me on the right path, leading somewhere: toward peace, joy, and righteousness!  Let me know your perfect will for my life, filling me with the knowledge of you, Jesus, and you, God my Father, through your Word.  Begin “fulfilling me” in my day-to-day activities, for you are my creator, and know my purpose. Please undo all the damage that Satan has caused by my living my life my own way and sinning against you.  Keep me mindful of what is right and pleasing in your sight, as your laws are written upon my heart over the days ahead.  Lead me now.  Lift me up, and carry me.  Mend me, for I was indeed lost, and now need rescuing, and healing, and “loving on” by someone I can trust. Thank you Jesus, that your love has “found me” today.  I receive your love as the air I breathe. I believe I am a new creation, given your own divine nature, so I can do all you desire me to do. Breathe life into me, as I now come to you Jesus. Fill me too, with your Holy Spirit, that He will teach and instruct me in righteousness, and remind me day by day what you have to say. I will believe and receive now your forgiveness and love, your counsel and wisdom, your acceptance and joy!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

HE LOVES YOU, dear ONE…Let Him Lift you up and Carry you Out!

ascended-with-Jesus1

Written by Elizabeth Norland, May 24, 2013.  Additional articles by Elizabeth are under “Archived Articles” in this blog’s menu above. Enjoy them, for they are full of spiritual encouragement and comfort. Her music website is http://www.handmaidenmusic.com.

If you are not the black sheep, please share this blog on your facebook or social media using the share link below, for you never know whom Jesus is seeking to find….to lift up… and you will have a part in bringing them to Jesus. You will not lose your reward. It may not be someone in your circle of friends, but someone in their circle of friends as this is passed on by them. The internet is a big fishing net for harvest. Amen?! (smile) And…please pray for someone you know, by name, to be found….and Lifted Up!

Like Father, Like Son

Posted on by
1

“Therefore, be Imitators of God, as Dear Children.” Ephesians 5:1

I was pondering the above passage today, in light of receiving recent pictures from my son, Brian, who is now in his 30s, with he and his two boys fishing. fishing 2 

Something he, himself, loved to do with his own father growing up, which is revealed at the end… 

 

He began sharing his passion for fishing with both his children at a very young age, practically before they could walk. 

Here is Brian with his oldest son, Owen, when he was young.  The same son pictured in the first picture above.

image

Doesn’t God do the same with us?

The moment we can begin “to understand?” after our New Birth we ARE in a relationship of Father and Son.

He begins to share his heart and passions for us and with us?

As dear children, to imitate means: 1. To use or follow as a model. 2.  To copy the actions, appearance, mannerisms, or speech …

As they grew, I had to smile, for my son’s little guys looked just as he did as he fished with his dad…. “full of wonder”…

image

“being taken out of their comfort zone to learn how to handle the hook (scarey)”…

fishing 5

or to “handle a fish wiggling in their hands” (oh yuk)…

fishing 4

 

how to “face their fears of bringing in the fishes” (oh my)

fishing 7

or to “be still and know” that eventually a fish would bite.  (takes patience you know).  

But my little grandsons did it.  Why? Because their “daddy taught them how” and ” he loved fishing” and his “passion was being shared” with them.

He knew the not-so-pleasant part of fishing, would lead into the good part: the catching of fish!  The joy… the excitement… the wonder… of bringing them in!  (think spiritually of these past few paragraphs now, if you haven’t already…)

“Oh, one is biting! Should we reel the fish in, Daddy?”fishing 6


“Not yet, son, he has to have his hook set in deeper, before we can pull that one in… soon that fish will be ready for drawn in. He’ll struggle somewhat first..this will actually hook him sounder, when he realizes its really of no use. That your passion to hook him is greater than his to pull your string or struggle to get away.”

 

Yes….indeed… let’s look at that simple phrase again:  “Therefore be imitators Of God as dear children.”

fishing 2

Let’s realize the relationship of a child to their father.  We, are God’s, children.  Deeply loved, for ourselves, just as my son loves his sons. But he is showing them HIS WAYS, so they can choose to imitate him or not.

It is said that imitation is the highest, most sincerest form of flattery, so indeed good fathers rejoice that their children learn from them, and follow in their mannerisms, their interests, their principals, etc.

Do you want to make God happy? Most of us would say, YES!!! Of Course!

He is your Father.  So….

Make Him happy, by imitating him!

It makes us Dear, to him! (smile)

fishing 1 (2)

I know this is a simple devotional, but sometimes simple is best. (smile)

Imitate your DADDY, GOD, and give him GREAT JOY!

And He will impart things to you, you never dreamed… just by “watching Him”…observing “His Ways”…seeing how He treats people with love… etc.

The best way to know, how to imitate him, is to KNOW HIM.fishing 3

Know His Words. Listen to His Voice speak to your heart. Spend time quietly with him… as these boys are doing alongside their daddy.

He is continually instructing, and showing you, HOW to do things, if you’ll only pay attention. (smile)

May we ALL be imitators of our wonderful heavenly FATHER!

He is WORTHY of our imitation!

(just wouldn’t be complete wifishing-fishing-2-1thout showing you “the father” above, as “the son“,

for they are ONE.brianfishing-1-1

hmm… does that statement I just made remind you of someone, named Jesus?

…imitating His Father and he is himself God?

Through the Waters and the Rivers…with Him Alone…

Posted on by
Reply

image

I had a dream a while back of standing alongside a mighty rushing river, not certain of crossing it.. for it was ominous…but being instructed by someone to cross, as I looked at dead bodies being pulled out of cars that had attempted to cross it. I was not in a vehicle, but was standing on foot, being told by someone next to me to cross and that there were people along the way to help me, to get to the other side.  But I saw no one “out there” to assist me in any way, and did see all the bodies to my left and right in water ditches being pulled out dead from their cars (it was a ghastly site in my dream), and I couldn’t, within myself, believe that I could possibly even step into this river with its torrents of water, and even survive, yet alone cross through. All I saw was the power of the river…and questioned then whether to believe “that man” who spoke in my ear, or rather, to go with my gut instinct to stay put. It wasn’t so much fear of death I had, as I thought it would be foolish of me, when I could see the force of that river clearly and even saw “what happened to the others” who had tried.  The river in my dream looked just as the picture that I have included in this post, and it was a very deep and wide, I could tell. I could barely see to the other side, and I certainly saw no other people over there waving at me or encouraging me to cross. And where I was, the river was in flood stage… for I was standing IN THE WATER at the edge, in a depth up now past my knees, knowing I’d have to make a decision soon. 

SO, THEN, TODAY, in light of this dream I had awhile back, while reading scripture, my eyes locked upon a phrase of scripture, which I have “personalized”, for the passage spoke to the fear and questioning I had within, resultant from the dream. And for the record, I rarely dream at all, so I know the Lord was trying to show me, a woman of God, something important. *please read whole post, for insights will come in its pondering…

When I go through the waters
He is with me
When I go through the rivers
They will not overflow me.

Isaiah 43:2a

Two words stand out as truths:
1. It does not say IF, it says WHEN.
i.e I will indeed have unfamiliar terrain and obstacles in my way through this life. Some small, some great. And evidently this big river awaits me. (and maybe you all)
2. It says THROUGH….Not just to, or caught in, or destroyed by…
i.e. all will be alright, and I will get through the circumstance(s)

The KEY…
is His presence WITH ME.

AND WHEN I must face the rushing water.

Are you depending upon His Presence to get you THROUGH
TOO? (Smile)

I still don’t know really the exact interpretation of my dream, but I believe from this verse, at least I’ll decide to trust this scriptural Word of Promise, and I will go through the rushing waters..without a vehicle…maybe simply “diving in!”  WHEN, I know it is the time to step in, and it is the voice of the Spirit I hear within, that is. Trusting the voice of God within, not even the voice of another telling me to do something. For you see, in the dream, my own heart was telling me something, but I was instructed to do what this person was telling me to do.

So I was STOPPED.  Whilst trying TO DISCERN. Still am. Do I stand alone? or do I just jump in to a raging river, even knowing its danger? Is this blind faith? or is it stupidity?

You see, IF the man in my dream telling me to cross was a type of the Holy Spirit in interpretation, then surely, I would get to the other side…and it would be wise to promptly obey, no matter what I saw or perceived, I suppose…

but if it was MAN, telling me to do something God was not in, then I would be utterly DESTROYED, as were all these people “dead in their vehicles” and this was more the perception of this particular dream. 

SO, I am still pondering all this, yet am sharing it for you to ponder too.  Somehow I feel it is for the body of Christ and not just me, as a lot of what I receive from the Lord is.

To conclude: My prayer is that you will all remain SAFE, abiding in His Presence, and not depending on “other vehicles” to get you to your destination…for in my dream, the people in their vehicles were the dead ones being pulled out.  I seemed to “know” that only as I was  depending on HIM and HIS PRESENCE with me alone, could I dare to make it.

Our trust MUST BE IN GOD….and NOT IN MAN… NOR IN MAN’S ORGANIZATIONS (Vehicles ?)…

May God give us all understanding of what His Will is, as we approach the rivers in our individual lives, and as the Church faces its own mighty rushing river ahead.

Ephesians 5:17 says it all:

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Unusual for me, I am including a contact form, that goes to my email, if you are a Believer and believe God has given you extra insight to share with me on this matter. For I am yet “stopped” – “whilst trying to discern”.

Spiritual Ministry – What Are You Resonating?

Posted on by
Reply

resonating

Spiritual Ministry – What Are You Resonating?

  The Word says:  “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.”  I want to add this:  A man resonates what is in his heart to those around him.  A person may not realize that his spirit resonates and the people may not be aware of the resonance consciously, but spiritually they perceive what is being resonated and will respond to it.  Spiritually we react to another’s spirit. I believe that we have all experienced an attraction to or a caution of an unknown person we have come in contact with.   This awareness comes from our spirit without any prior communication or physical connection with that particular person.  Jesus gives us another example of this awareness when He rebuked Peter, “Get thee behind me Satan!”  He was aware of the spirit of the adversary that was motivating Peter to speak.  When we minister to another we must understand that we will communicate spirit to spirit.  We may be loving and positive in motivation towards another, but the very fact that we see him as needing our help is what he perceives in his heart.  He may rationally respond to your ministry, but in his heart he knows that you’re viewing him as lacking.  Your perception of him motivates your actions but you are communicating judgment not encouragement.   An example would be of parents “seeing” their child as deficient in sports or a bit slower in learning than other children.  They are motivated to aid and enhance the development of the child’s abilities, but too often the message the child perceives is that he is deficient.  It is not wrong to help our child develop, but our motivation should not be his deficiencies.  Our perception must be the uniqueness that God has placed in every human being.  We need to accept them for who they are and support what they desire to be.   It is not for us to measure a person by standards that we have set for ourselves or that the world has declared as normal.  The world sets standards of normalcy because it cannot receive the Word of God, therefore lacks the wisdom to minister to the spirit of a man.  We set ourselves up as judges and our judgment is what is spiritually transmitted to others.  Our hearts may be pure in motivation but we are doing harm in ignorance.  Throughout history you will find that those who are held as visionaries today, men of great genius, were often persecuted in their day because they did not fit the normalcy standards of their time.  It is the uniqueness of every human being that bears witness to God as creator.  Those that set standards for others are blinded by their own sense of self worth.  Like the Pharisees of old we can become blinded to the extent that we cannot recognize the Lord or His leading through His Spirit.  ”Judge not lest you be judged.” is self fulfilling to those who are trying to conform the world around them to their perceptions of what should be.  In direct contrast the Word declares that “Love conquers all.”  This love “believes all things…”  The “all things” are those things which are good and possible through God in another’s life.

I realize that everyone falls short of his full potential, but they do not need our help to fall short.  One of the names of the Devil is “accuser”.

This spirit of accusation can work through us because we are spiritually unwise; ignorant.  Wisdom is the knowing the end result of our actions prior to us putting them into effect.  Our lack of wisdom combined with good intentions can easily be manipulated by the accuser to install negative feelings and beliefs in others.  Stop and think how much of our relations with others are based on their conforming to our standards, our desires and our needs.  Those that perform well by our standards are acceptable as equals and friends.  Those that do not conform receive less than our best.  The judgment of others places us in a position from which we have difficulty in hearing from God.  We become blinded by the very standards that we placed on others.

In our personal relationships we sow success or we sow distress.  If we will accept people for whom and what they are, without condemnation, without judgment, God is able to shed abroad His love for them through our heart.  We can be aware of their faults and short comings but we do not condemn them even as God shows us mercy and gives us grace despite our short comings.  We may be limited in our fellowship with them just as we were limited in our fellowship with God when we were pursuing sin, yet the door is always opened for God to minister love through us.  There is a vast difference between God ministering through us and us trying to minister for the Lord to please Him.  If God is not ministering through you, you have no ministry.  You are ministering through your own precepts of what the person needs and are ministering judgment with good intentions.  Jesus will tell those who ministered in their own power that He never knew them and cast them out.  History records crusades and inquisitions and persecutions not to mention indoctrination with false gospels by ministers that ministered according to their own understanding.  They were manipulated by Satan to damage the Body of Christ rather that to build it up.  Too many of us are being manipulated by Satan in our relationships with others.  There is only one way to avoid this pit fall.  Walk in Love.  If we will first acknowledge that we have set standards for others to conform to and remove those standards, then the fruit of the Spirit called love will take the place of judgment.  The love nature that is imparted to us at the “new birth” will fill the void in our relationships with others.  It will open new relationships with others that you never would have considered.  According to the measure that God is able to flow through us God is able to increase within us.  We can experience the love that God gives to others as it flows through us.  Setting aside standards and walking in love removes the veils from our eyes giving us clarity of vision.  We can see the world through God’s eyes and minister as He leads us.  Knowing this love increases our ability to let down barriers which have kept us from developing a more intimate relationship with the Lord.  It becomes an ever increasing cycle of going from glory to glory until we know His Glory; Christ In Us…the Hope of Glory.

Elizabeth Norland  03/03/13  www.theimageofchrist.com

Decisions Decisions

Posted on by
Reply

Decisions

Life is full of decisions. One makes them every day, and much more often
than you may think. Actually you make a decision with every thought. You
decide to think on this and not to think on that, to entertain this thought
and to dismiss that thought. We are not aware of this choosing because most
thoughts have been dealt with before, and unless we change a decision we
automatically accept or reject the same thoughts as we did in the past.

There is a time in which the Word describes as “hardening our hearts”, a
time where a particular thought has been rejected enough times that you no
longer hear the thought when it is presented to you. This can be good in
the form of protection, or bad in that it can cause one to live in darkness.
Both results are the result of a decision that each person makes in his
life. Jesus was aware of this trait of man for He repeatedly said, “Let
him, who has ears to hear, hear.”

Paul talks about us becoming “transformed by the renewing of our mind by the
Word of God.” This means that we will change our way of thinking to
correspond to the truth revealed by the Word, and that many decisions we have
made in the past will have to be reviewed in light of these revelations. It
is amazing to the new believer how the Scriptures open up as his mind is
being renewed in the Word. The decisions that we made in the past, when
reviewed and changed, open one’s mind to see where he was limited and blinded
before. At first there is so much that we are willing to change, and in
changing we are enabled to see so much that we could not see before. Therefore,
we are full of joy.

As we grow, we come across decisions that we made that we are less
willing to change, because they are a part of our thinking and desires that we want to keep.
We will try to salvage these thoughts by trying to work the Word around
them. We will find others that agree with our desired creed of salvage and
justify our actions. Yet if we truly desire the Lord and His Will in our
lives we will eventually have to set these thoughts aside and replace them
with the Word.

It is only when we identify ourselves with Him that we can truly enter into
an intimate relationship with God. “If my Word abides in you, I and My
Father will come and indwell you.” Is not so much a promise to be obtained
but a living reality of the Word that abides in you. The greater amount of
Word within, the greater awareness of His and the Father’s presence within.
The greater awareness of His presence, the more intimate relationship you are
able to enjoy. There is place of intimacy of knowing His spiritual presence,
that one can forget to stay in the Word of God, but not for long… for with
Him comes a hunger for the Word.

Elizabeth Norland shares this article 2-8-13, written by deceased spouse, David L. Stephens, on 1-28-04.

Identifying The Hardened Heart

Posted on by
1

Hard

As I began to read the book of Exodus this week, the Lord began to unfold to me characteristics of “The Hardened Heart” and how when one has one, it can grow increasingly hard, and is indeed Identifiable.  I’ll show you the hardening heart’s progression in these verses from Exodus that are in progression as well.

I am speaking of a person’s heart, their real inner self, and how their heart responds to God, when His Words and His Will are revealed.

The Number One characteristic of a hardened heart is that it WILL NOT LISTEN TO GOD. Indeed something IS going into the ear or heart, is heard, and its meaning acknowledged, but a hardened heart will not heed what is heard or respond to God in heart-felt obedience. A person with a hardened heart may temporarily respond, for RELIEF, but then will continue back into their own way. God will continue to speak, that He may be heard, until the hardened heart is stone cold.

None of us is exempt from the possibility of a hardening heart. Therefore try recognize yourself as well as others around about you in these identifiers. These are the last days and many will have hardened hearts. It is good, therefore, for all of us to be able to recognize what a hard heart will be like in those around around us, and know the identifiers so we can avoid a hard heart ourselves. In this case, preventative maintenance is indeed better than damage control.

You may desire to print this and follow along in your Bible, as a personal bible study, and I will bullet point the identification of a hard heart. If you don’t have the time to look up the corresponding scriptures, at least glance through the bullet points…please..for I believe that the Holy Spirit gave this important revelation for this hour. God and Christ Jesus must want these identifiers noted… for the Spirit does not reveal things that have no need to be revealed.

Friends, we are and will be surrounded by those with hardened hearts. Let’s see now what the Word of God reveals concerning one with a hard heart.

Exodus 7: 22-23

  • Easy to turn away from the truth of God, his words or instruction, even having heard it clearly declared.
  • Easy to walk away, to disengage from the reality of what they’re facing
  • Easy to ignore and to go back into their comfort zone
  • Don’t even take it to heart; no thought wasted upon it. Conscience seared.
  • Because the world and the occult mimics what God does, oftentimes His Acts don’t receive consideration.

Exodus 8:8-10

  • When to call upon the Lord?
  • Always “Tomorrow”.
  • Hard hearts always want to yield or to make change “tomorrow”…never TODAY…never NOW.

Exodus 8:15

  • When RELIEF was received, back came the hardened heart... and the “not listening”.
  • This is how to differentiate between “worldly sorrow” and “godly sorrow” (II Cor 7:10)

Exodus 8:18-19

  • Even those in Satan’s camp, those into the occult practices, the magicians could not help but believe when they experienced the Finger of God …. But One with a hard Heart can still resist great signs. (This also gives indication that those in the occult may not have hard hearts, but misplaced alliances, and can and will be brought to salvation through Christ, resulting in them “changing sides”.)

Exodus 8:25-28

  • A hard heart will try to bargain or compromise with God. (Sacrifice “here” not there)
  • Even conceding, seemingly, One with the hard heart will not go as far as what God commands. (God said, a distance of three days. Hard heart “don’t go very far”)

Exodus 8:29-32

  • Hard hearts deceive, over and over, to get their own way… All they are after is “relief.” Then they go back to their own will and way.

Exodus 9:7

  • Even knowing the righteous would “receive favor” and that those of hardened heart would “receive judgment”, a hard heart will remain.

Exodus 9:11-12

  • Even if they notice the aspects of sin or judgment in the view of sufferings, griefs, pains around them, One with a hard heart will remain hard.

Exodus 9:17

  • A Hard heart acts arrogantly against the people of God.

Exodus 9:19-21

  • A hard heart will not heed a warning, even when given the option to receive grace! Whereas, when one has the “fear of the Lord”, they will at least take the warning “just in case”.

Exodus 9:27

  • A hard heart can speak words of repentance: “I have sinned” and can acknowledge God: ” The Lord is the righteous one and I am guilty” yet…

Exodus 9:30

  • Though they speak words, to get relief, God knows the real hearts. He revealed his heart: “I know that you still do not fear the Lord God”
  • True repentance is of the heart… not with words.

Exodus 9:34

  • Again, when relief comes, from God’s heavy hand… Those with a hard heart will sin again, and their heart will harden all the more!

Exodus 9:34b

  • At the hardhearted harden still more, they will bring others to the same hardness of heart that they have. (Note, “and his officials”, was added.)
  • Hanging around with someone with a hard heart? Warning: Your own heart will become hardened!

Exodus 10:3

  • God’s words to those of hardened heart: “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?

Exodus 10:4

  • God gives you “TODAY” to repent of your hard heart.

Exodus 10:7-10

  • Devastation realized… those with a hard heart will try ” to control the situation” even in their choice to yield. (men only… ) (God had said: Everyone, with the herds)
  • When the discover that they cannot cause God to compromise with them, anger will ensue from their frustration of not having the control.

Exodus 10:16-17

  • A hard heart may again be speaking words of repentance and even go so far as to speak words of apology to the person representing the Lord (“and against you”), Or who they sinned against…But…”Please forgive my sin once more” remain empty words…for they only do this “for relief” of God’s heavy hand (I.e. a change in circumstances)…. Not because of any genuine fear of, or belief in, the Lord.

Exodus 10:20

  • When they have received grace… in other words, they get RELIEF… they go right back to “resisting” God.

Exodus 10:24-26

  • A hard heart, when going into another time of some kind of conceding to God…will then compromise a little bit more with God… but will still not let obedience or concession be full, or obedience complete.
  • A hard heart STILL wants to have SOME control. Humility Is just out of the realm of possibility!
  • A hard heart is afraid of losing control, power, or the right to dictate. It still holds itself up “as God” and “self” rules.

Exodus 10:25-29

  • When one of God’s servants is continuously standing up for and declaring God’s will, one with a hardened heart will not desire further contact with that person.

Exodus 10:28

  • Even a murderous heart will become resident within a person with a hard heart, if he refuses to let God dictate to him.

Exodus 11:4-10

  • A hard heart can even resist a warning “against LIFE” and will even sacrifice “human life” (of others) just to have its own will and way.

This is why it is called “a hard heart” ….there’s no life in it toward God. It is a heart of stone.

If you walked through these identification points regarding one of a hardened heart, you will receive an understanding of what the end times are going to be like.

Let’s look at a few more related Scriptures too:

Matthew 4:18

“They are darkened in their understanding; alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.“

  • They don’t desire to know what God has to say.
  • People around us with hard hearts will not care about understanding, for they don’t want the life of God… and their ignorance is quite notable.
  • Their hard hearts and pride, and self-rule, have kept them from the word of God, or from listening to any one who witnesses to them or preaches the word.
  • Consciences seared, they are alienated from even the great grace of having a guilty conscience to steer them toward God.

Proverbs 28:13-14

“He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them, shall have Mercy. Happy is the man that is always reverent before God, but whoever hardens his heart falls into trouble, mischief, and calamity.”

  • Trouble will mark the life of those with hardened hearts.

NOW HERE IS HOW TO AVOID THE HARDENED HEART YOURSELF:

The book of Hebrews, especially chapters 3 and 4 talk about “TODAY, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled!”  A “Rest in the Lord” is available as our reward… a promise obtained from our obedience!

But the operative word is TODAY.

Hebrews 3:13 says, “Exhort one another daily, as it is TODAY, so you won’t be deceived by sin and become hardened in your hearts.”

Hebrews 4:7
“So God sent another time for entering his rest, and that time is TODAY. God announced this to David much later in the words already quoted: TODAY when you hear his voice don’t harden your hearts.”

Psalms 95: 7 – 11
Excerpt:
…”TODAY if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. I said they are people whose hearts go astray and they have not known my ways…”

Today is the time.

Tomorrow may bring judgment, consequences, reaping of our wrong choices, etc.

But we have TODAY…To affect any “future outcome”…through our heeding the Lord God and Honoring Christ through our obedience and following.

As we choose to soften our own hearts to humbly listen and obey God, we ourselves can avoid a hardened heart.

The most tremendous judgment of God in this world is the hardening of the hearts of men. This occurs when they continually Make Choices Daily NOT TO HEED HIS WILL when it is known.

By the way I read a quote, recently, sort-of a side-line to the subject but not OFF the subject. Hardened Hearts will affect people’s health too! This is the quote:

Hardening of the Heart ages people more quickly than the hardening of the arteries! (Author Unknown)  

Proverbs 3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

In this case, too, I repeat: “preventative maintenance” is way better than “damage control“, for when it is too late…our hearts have become as stone.

Encouragement:  If you are at all concerned about this topic, having read it, I assure you that you do not have a hard heart that is unable to become pliable in the Lord’s hands. So simply guard yourself, turn toward God and make necessary changes, and have your resolve to use TODAY to heed God’s voice. You will be led into sweet victory!! Amen!

Written by Elizabeth Norland   January 25, 2013    http://www.theimageofchrist.com

God Is With Me

Posted on by
Reply

nothing canI wanted to share this declaration that I wrote back in 2003. Though I stumbled across it today among my papers, it is as “real to me” as ever! In fact, even more so…for trials have indeed intensified in my own life since 2003. I believe I’m to share this today, to minister to someone else’s heart. Maybe you will see, that our hard times, and God seeing us through them, makes for added peace and strength.   If there is to ever be a  similar trial or testing, FEAR will hold no place! No TORMENT.

And we can comfort others too, in their trials, for we have walked through similar, and found God faithful to those whose trust is In Him.

God is With Me

I have been poor. I do not fear poverty, for God is with me.

I have been ill. I do not fear illness, for God is with me.

I have been successful. I do not fear success, for God is with me.

I have been misunderstood and criticized.  I do not fear man, for God is with me.

I have been far from home.  I do not fear going anywhere, for God is with me.

I have been loved.  I do not fear loving again, for God is with me.

I have been betrayed.  I do not fear betrayal again, for God is with me.

What do I fear? Can anything be against me, if God is with me?

Written by Elizabeth Norland – 1/2/2003  (Shared 1/8/2012)

Here is also a scripture passage that rings true, with this, my declaration:

Praise to the God of All Comfort

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.  2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7

AND HOLD ONTO THESE COMFORTING VERSES:

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.      19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all…

Psalm 34:17-19a

Our Gifts Within Our Greatest Gift – Jesus

Posted on by
Reply

I was pondering today, the fact that Jesus is the Greatest Gift that can be given to anyone. And He offers himself to all mankind.

Jesus the Gift

Yet do we stop to ponder the gifts that are ours, within the Gift of Jesus?

I have been thinking on the gifts I enjoy, daily, because of Jesus being the Lord of my Life, my received gift, of My Savior.

It’s like opening a present, to find another present…opening that one, to find yet another present…opening that one, to find still another, all throughout my life.  Amazing! Thrilling! Oh friends, you simply must ponder this…

Here is but just a glimpse of my list, that I have rejoiced in. Perhaps you can add to it, many more gifts, but this will at least get you pondering about what I mean:

  • His Love
  • His Presence
  • His Wisdom
  • His Comfort
  • His Provision
  • His Listening Ear
  • His Forgiveness
  • His World’s Beauty to Behold
  • His Acceptance
  • His Family
  • His Salvation
  • His Healing
  • His Life – Eternal Life
  • His Discipline
  • His Guidance
  • His Peace
  • His Judgments
  • His Protection
  • His Word of Truth

I know this list could go on and on, for Christ is simply the gift that keeps on giving…

So, don’t know what to offer someone on your list for Christmas? Offer them Jesus.

Share Him, so that they may receive OUR GREATEST GIFT in life: CHRIST JESUS, THE SON OF GOD, WHO CAME, TO TAKE AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD….TO GIVE US HOPE…TO BRING US GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY…HIMSELF.

Yes, a gift must be received, to have it be a blessing.  Oh that Eyes would SEE, and Ears would HEAR, even amidst all the commercialized hoopla, or depressing news evil brings to this world, the fact that CHRIST, IS INDEED, EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US.  AND HE STILL IS… WITH US… alive and well…giving us everlasting gifts…

He came once, as a baby.

HE GAVE HIMSELF… TO BRING YOU ALL THESE GIFTS…

He comes again, triumphant, as our King.

ARE YOU REJOICING? (Smile)  I SURELY AM!

You are A PART. And God is “Building To Plan”.

Posted on by
Reply

The Spirit of God revealed something to me the other day, that I would like to share with you.

Imagine yourself walking down the aisle of a building supply store, like a Lowe’s or Home Depot, with me.

We walk up and down rows of lumber, trim boards, screws,  wires, door knobs, gates, and other builders supplies.

The parts, in the builders supply house, are just there.

Stored in groups. In bins.

Just waiting for a master builder… To come and select each item, each part, and choosing that part for his master design.

It is only when the builder is enabled to place each part where he wants it, as His house is being built, according to His design, that the parts can come together to then bring Him glory.

Some parts may never again be seen or known individually, nor will they be grouped any longer with like parts, for they are fitted together for the Masters use, now, with other, completely different parts.

What is seen, is as a glory to Him, and not a glory to any one particular part that He uses. Oh, some may be more visible to others, but still all are fitted together, and it is what is being built up that is seen by men. A Living House. His Habitation.

The parts, in and of themselves, are of value, yes…but not to their “potential”, until they are “done something with”…or used…by the master builder, in accordance to HIS plan.

Now let’s apply this spiritually.

Oh, my friends, it is not about us. It is about the design of God. His plan.

We wait upon the Lord, to take hold of us.

We make ourselves available to him, for Him to lay hold of. He draws from “his supply house”.

We walk not away, once we are placed in the Masters hand, for he Indeed has a plan of how to use us, or we would not have been chosen by him.

Allow him access. Let him show you, where you fit. Don’t try to show him.

You do not see things that would be, or how they should be. When he is able to see the end from the beginning, and what he is been putting together, doesn’t it make sense to cooperate with Him?  To let him LEAD?  to take others from us, and bring others to us in relationship, as He”fits us together”?

I know this is a simple devotional, but my prayer is that someone seeing this, will realize, they are “a part”….and they have a part.  They do have value to the one building his home…made of US. And that God alone gets the glory in the end.

You can be the very best screw, the most conductive wire, or the straightest plank you can be, for His design to be a masterpiece, for the “cooperative and well-made parts may have the visibility, tis true”… Yet, let me assure you this: even if you are a loose screw, don’t get the communications clear on that wire, or are a bit crooked as a plank, the master-builder is the craftsman, and a master at his art, and is able to create a beautiful masterpiece taking all of this into account. He is able to keep that which has been committed onto him against that day. HE WILL USE US ALL! If we will allow ourselves to be used.

When all is completed, you will be fitted together and be for Him a praise and a glory!!

Amen? (Smile)

Be encouraged, the Master Builder is still building, and still looking for those “parts” who are willing to become part of his wonderful plan and design.

Continue to make yourself “available” and do not grow discouraged, if you are still feeling as if “in the bin”, waiting to be drawn out.  He has already “chosen you”. (smile)

Get excited now to see where you will be placed, and if already placed, then BE THE BEST AT BEING YOUR PART (your self using your spiritual gifts and talents), that you can be FOR HIS GLORY! Be the part you are. A final example given by the Spirit of God just now “tickled me”, making me laugh as I share. “A hammer is not the nail. Both are needed to build. One may feel hammered, one may feel he or she is always hammering.  But the Master Builder is DOING IT.” (smile)

And one FINAL question: Imagine yourself a a part, still on the shelf... (undecided of who you want to make yourself available to).   a Builder will eventually grab you to build something he has designed. Who will YOUR Master Builder be? God or Satan? And whose design plan will be be placed into? God’s or Satan’s?  Interesting to ponder, isn’t it.

Written by Elizabeth Norland, November 2012

Familiar Spirits

Posted on by
Reply

I am going to share what I have come to know about Familiar Spirits, and how the Holy Spirit’s voice can be distinguished from their voices.  Saints, God is equipping us, to be victorious in this hour. It is time to identify our Lord’s enemies in our own midst !

Familiar Spirits attempt to mimic the Holy Spirit.  To mimic means: To copy or imitate closely, especially in speech, expression, and gesture.

This information is for the average believer, yet especially those in authority must know how to identify familiar spirits, for they attack rightful God-given authority.

 It is mandatory for us all, to keep our rightful positions. To Stand is our Command. We all must learn to exercise our authority given by God. It is not prideful to stand in our rightful position.

Familiar spirits bring Disruption and Hindrance… Although they can sound as if saying all the right words…even religious words.  Let us realize that Satan misquotes, slants, and deceives using scripture in a manipulative way, as in Christ’s temptation in the wilderness, and so do Familiar Spirits.

In Acts we read of a young woman following along after the disciples as they went about ministering for the Lord. Her words declaring “These men are the servants of the most high God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” were neither holy or uplifting, but grew actually very irritating to the disciples and troubled their own hearts. She kept it up for days. Until, after some time, needed for discernment, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Paul commanded the evil spirit, in operation through her, to come out of her…and within the same hour she was delivered of the “familiar spirit”. Paul, with the Holy Spirit, was finally able to recognize what they were all dealing with. A familiar spirit so mimics the Holy Spirit, we must test the spirits! It sometimes takes time for this identification to be made, yet when one is ALERT and knows how to identify a familiar spirit, God’s inner “check” in our spirit can be discerned fairly quickly.  We rely on the Holy Spirit within us to discern a Familiar Spirit operating around us.

Let’s look at the account in Acts 16:16-18

 16Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

The familiar spirit is a “personal” spirit, and it serves or prompts the individual. They have grown so familiar with it, that they cannot often distinguish it from their own self, yet in reality, their will is a separate will from this spirit, which they are hearing and obeying or operating in. They have not “tested the spirits”, or they would know they were believing “lies” and were in deception. I am convinced, personally, that much of mental illness is the resulting of an individual entertaining a familiar spirit, although, I do not believe this is always the case.  For did not God say He has given us, through His Spirit,  ”a sound mind”? II Timothy 1:7

The Holy Spirit knows exactly who the enemy is, and he will reveal deception to us. This is why Paul was “troubled”. And why you will be too, when in an encounter.

Familiar spirits recognize the Holy Spirit. They tremble in fear when the Holy Spirit is Dealing with Them! They are useless as the Holy Spirit is given Reign!  Believe no man without searching the Scriptures for yourself to see if those things spoken are true. Test the spirits. There is but One Spirit of Truth! And he won’t be casting himself out!

Familiar spirits are at work to cause distraction, commotion, upheaval, and problems, in our life at all times.

Their goal is distracting, misleading, and turning us towards the deceptive and covetous lusts of the human flesh and worldly attractions. Teaching false doctrines and causing people to follow false gods. A friend of the world is an enemy of God.

Familiar Spirits abound even now… All around us. We believers must become alert that we be not tormented in our spirit by them. We will sense something is just not right! As Paul, we will “become troubled”.  The Holy Spirit “alerting” us. He always has been, but up until now, it may be that some of you did not know what you were experiencing with that “uneasy” feeling within. That “check” in your spirit…

So, Now let’s speak of distinguishing between the Holy Spirit and a familiar spirit.

In order for one to counterfeit something, the real must exist, right? For instance, if I handed you a $3 bill, you would know it was counterfeit, for no real one exists. If, however, I handed you a $1 bill, you’d have to be able to distinguish between the real and the counterfeit.  So it is with The Holy Spirit versus a familiar spirit.  Both will speak. Both are spirits. Both will speak to us or around us through another person. We will hear both messages. Therefore we must distinguish.

When the Holy Spirit is leading it all begins with free will. With the spirit leading, I am given truth and guidance….the word of God confirms it, and my own spirit bears witness to what the Holy Spirit within me is speaking.  And, I have free will to obey. The Spirit of God is not making me do anything. He is steering me and can influence me strongly, but He will not violate my own will.  When I heed, there is agreement within my mind and heart. Peace, joy, and fulfillment come forth. Believers’ joy comes when they desire to make their own will to become aligned with His Will. This is why even the Spirit’s leading someone to salvation is called AN INVITATION. An individual is given an invitation to join his or her self TO CHRIST and TO GOD, an act of their free will.

But if another spirit is an operation… a familiar spirit…then I am given a lie, or a lust is activated.  The word of God won’t be consulted, or it will be completely twisted.

 And, if under a familiar spirit’s influence, I won’t feel like I have a choice. I’ll feel pressured. I’ll press. I’m not in agreement between my mind and heart. As a believer I will almost feel “violated”.  Troubled, for sure.  I will feel haste, instead of wait.

Hiding is an indication of Not Being Led by the Holy Spirit. Are you afraid of exposure? Then you better come into the light. Command the familiar spirit to depart. You opened the door to its influence and lies….and in Christ, you can close the door. God can then redeem all, and undo all the damage, using even ‘what you come out of’, as part of your life’s testimony.  When I say “hiding” I am not referring to discretion being shown by the righteous, or by leadership, but rather an individual’s awareness that he or she doesn’t  want others to discover what he or she is doing or who you are really, because motive or sin or iniquity is being harbored by that familiar spirit.

In a church or house meeting … and some are full of familiar spirits….When a familiar spirit is manifesting and causing hindrance or distraction, through a particular person, deal with it! As Paul did!  It can bring increasing destruction.  This is not simply immaturity – which is marked by a sincere desire to know the Lord and is fully submitted. This is a spirit trying to take the reins….of the meeting, of the hearts of people, of the agenda, etc….robbing from God or some God-given authority.

We command IT, or IT will destroy! We will be engaging in spiritual warfare from now until the end of days. A familiar spirit is the enemy of God, not a friend! And you can love the person whilst addressing the spirit. Command the familiar spirit to depart, with the Holy Spirit giving you words, and it will obey the authority of the name of Christ Jesus.

So, how do we open ourselves up to a Familiar Spirit’s influence?  A clue can be found in this passage:

Second Thessalonians 2:12

“They did not receive the love of the truth, and for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, and that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Familiar Spirits are connected to witchcraft.  Witchcraft is simply satanic power in operation. Satan’s way of imposing his will on your will…or imposing emotions, behaviors, or circumstances on people, causing them to do or follow, that which they would not follow, if under their own free will. There is no distinguishing between “white” witchcraft and another darker kind of witchcraft.  All is simply Satan’s rule over God’s rightful rule.

Rebellion is as witchcraft in that it is the rejection of the righteous legal legitimate government of God in one’s life, church, or anywhere.

All Familiar Spirits are in rebellion of God, therefore this is how they manifest in people.

Rebellion uses manipulation, domination, or intimidation ….to get My Way…

 When someone is taking authority, not given by God, it is called witchcraft. It is rebellion against delegated, legitimate authority. Familiar spirits draw people into evil.

Some types of familiar spirits are so rampant within the body of Christ, they have been given identification by the Church.

For example we call the Jezebel Spirit “Jezebel” because Ahab, the King, was the legitimate power… but Jezebel was the “illegitimate authority” or the power behind the throne.  She was evil and swayed leadership toward evil, directly threatening God’s anointed, who was speaking for Him.

Jezebel – is simply a name given for a familiar spirit that has these identifiers:

  • Hungers for control.
  • Uses any means at her disposal to do it.
  • She undermines true authority.
  • Found among weak men, with passive authority.
  • Jezebel is all about committing sedition – the undermining of God delegated constituted authority with intent to Overthrow.
  • This spirit drives true anointed leaders to discouragement, despair, suicide, and depression.
  • A “personal” familiar spirit operating in a “rebellious” woman

A submitted woman of God exercising her God-given power and authority should never be classified as having a Jezebel spirit, simply because she carries spiritual authority through her yielded heart to God. Many times it is a man with the Lucifer spirit that starts such a persecution. Usually not her own mate. And yet his identifiers are similar, howbeit male.

Lucifer - He steals the hearts of people away from their predominant leader. He is predominant. He craves authority not given him by God. Identifiers: Proximity, pride, perceived injury, divisive, splitting, rebellious, selfish ambition drives him. A “personal” familiar spirit operating in a “rebellious” man.

Another “personal” familiar spirit influencing believers is the Absalom Spirit. This spirit is charming, deceptive, cunning, subtle, and treacherous.  This spirit brings chaos and confusion to a church or business, all under the pretense of really caring. How many decent and loving people have been destroyed by the proposal of Absalom’s “care” and “concern” for the church, the district, or the business? The spirit of Absalom is a personification of a master usurper…and a pretender. In the bible, David’s son, had a way of judging everything by his own criteria.  His brother, Amnon, sinned and Absalom determined that he deserved to die, so he arranged the execution of his own brother.  Instead of seeing himself as a murderer, he saw himself as a hero, worthy of a Medal of Honor or some other kind of special recognition for his noble achievement.  He was twisted in his thinking.

In the same manner, a modern Absalom gets offended at leadership, then, secretly arranges the subtle “execution” of the leader’s reputation, achievements, or integrity. An Absalom spirit typically harbors camouflaged bitterness, unresolved offenses, disappointments, and anger, as we see in his treatment of his brother’s offense.  His father, King David would never have approved the murder of Absalom’s brother, so he plotted it all on his own.

When a modern day Absalom’s ideas are not accepted or promoted by the leadership, as he believes they should be, he becomes offended.  Once a person takes on an offense, and does not resolve it, he becomes offended at everything, no matter how minor. He will carry that unresolved offense in his heart often searching for others to agree with him in the offense (2 Samuel 13:20-29) Absalom, David’s son, ended up bringing shame to his father, his family, and his kingdom.

So these are just a few identified spirits in conflict with The Holy Spirit.

Let’s go on…

Why do you suppose the Spirit of Christ who dwells within believers is called The Holy Spirit. Because holy is one of HIS identifiers! He will lead to truth. He will lead to righteousness. He will love enough to be speaking the truth in love. He is himself holy.

Whereas, let’s recap what manifestation of familiar spirits in operation looks like:

  • disruption
  • hindrance
  • manipulation
  • confusion
  • Intimidation
  • coercion
  • making haste – pressuring
  • direct conflict with God given authority
  • rebellion
  • selfish ambition

Church, Let’s tolerate this NO MORE!!

Pray on this article. Ask for discernment. Put its truth in your mind and heart. You may not have need of it yet, but you may be “in basic training” for a war you may be called to fight in your near future.

Conclusion:

Believers are given a choice to follow their Savior, to obey from love and devotion, and appreciation for their liberty… Just as US Soldiers do.  We have Free Will. However, if you are being coerced, tormented, hindered, manipulated, oppressed, hiding for fear of exposure, etc… Be alert to the possibility that a familiar spirit may be in operation, and needs to be addressed. Rather, annihilated!  Give that spirit no place! The Holy Spirit will lead you in how to deal with it.

Yet remember what Ephesians 6:12 says:

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.

Our authority is over evil, not over people. We love and minister truth to people. We exercise spiritual authority and power over evil and it’s reign in our life and others’ as led by the Spirit of God. Do not go outside of your Spirit Led and Spirit Given realm of authority…

Or you could end up as the acts 19:11-20 attempting exorcists:

11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Evil spirits recognize the servants of the Lord as their mortal enemies. They know Jesus, Paul, Peter, and others throughout Christendom. Those who walk in the light as He is in the light will be used, for in that Light the evil spirits would be forced to recognize our authority. In Christ, you have that authority, but only if you are living righteously.  If you exercise this power unworthily, you  may hear the ominous words, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”  I don’t know about you… But I would hate to be fleeing naked and wounded!

On the other hand, we can see from this same passage above, that the Holy Spirit is powerful, and as familiar spirits are identified and rooted out, others will see…fear of God will come on them, and they will leave their own evil ways behind…growing in the word of God…and prevailing!

Therefore, another conclusion in dealing with Familiar Spirits is this:  

To LIVE for Christ is our greatest position of warfare. We are recognized then by both sides of the conflict of Good and Evil. The enemy messes with the undecided, to those ignorant of the Word of God, to those with one foot in each camp, to those who haven’t quieted themselves long enough to hear the Holy Spirit’s counsel.  As we draw near to God, the familiar spirits will hide from us.

Remember, the Holy Spirit does not CONTROL.  We grant Him the controls. (smile) Familiar Spirits control…but they are about to lose their control! Amen?!

So, I INVITE YOU to enlist in the Lord’s Army, of your own free will, and let’s do some serious damage to Satan’s forces!   Pass this article along to others who will benefit from it’s information, or teach it yourself to others at church or a gathering.  I am only sharing what God told me to write TODAY.

IN CLOSING, I DECLARE as a daughter of God, and bride of Christ:

Familiar Spirits, you will be exposed, and you are no longer welcome in our midst! In Christ we have the victory over you! And will “entertain you” no longer! The blood of Jesus has defeated you! And we believers will no longer tolerate your coming against the rightful authority of God! Prepare to do battle! In Jesus Name, Amen!

Written by Elizabeth Norland, November 12, 2012

I cut and paste this list about the Holy Spirit. Author unknown… but these are HIS  IDENTIFIERS. Again, I reiterate, if we have intimacy with the real Holy Spirit, dwelling within our hearts, it is the best way to go forward. and be able to identify the voices without, which conflict with his voice, character, or workings.

The Holy Spirit regenerates us.
The Holy Spirit set the Believer Free.
He will cause you to walk with God.
The Holy Spirit teaches Truth.
He makes you a New Person.
He gives you Rest.
He will bring excellence into your Life.
He will bring Life where there was death.
He is your Seal and Guarantee.
The Holy Spirit Sanctifies you.
The Holy Spirit liberates you.
The Holy Spirit brings renewal.
The Holy Spirit brings you Hope.
The Holy Spirit gives you Comfort.
The Holy Spirit gives you assurance.
The Holy Spirit leads and guides.
The Holy Spirit Helps in Prayer.
The Holy Spirit inspires us to Worship.
The Holy Spirit Leads us to give Thanks.
The Holy Spirit bears witness of the Lord Jesus.
He will turn your Wilderness into a Fruitful Place.
He will cause you to Understand God’s Word.
The Holy Spirit imparts the character of God.
The Holy Spirit reveals the things of God.
The Holy Spirit brings the Works of Christ to your remembrance.
The Holy Spirit teaches you to be occupied with spiritual things.
He will cause you to know God’s Presence.
The Holy Spirit strengthens the Inner Man.
The Holy Spirit brings you into God’s Presence.
The Holy Spirit will manifest the emotions of God within you (Fruit of the Spirit)
The Holy Spirit leads you into all Truth.
The Holy Spirit is much more.