“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who replace darkness with light and light with darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and see themselves as clever and shrewd. Woe to the champion wine drinkers who are heroes in mixing strong drinks--judges and politicians who acquit the guilty for a bribe and take away the rights of the innocent.” Isaiah 5:20-23 TPT
Today I want to share just a bit of what the Lord is showing me in my heart. After months of junk in our lives and a year and a half of unbelievable events I know that times have changed. Nothing in this world is the same or true but EVERY THING in His Kingdom is the same and truth. It was so easy to still be going about life like we knew it a couple years ago but now I see that isn’t working. How we thought, believed, perceived things and people is no longer a reality. The enemy pulled out his fear tactic full force and the world bit it, even Believers. I believe the main reason is that Believers don’t have a firm foundation is because their foundation is made of sand and religion instead of built on the Rock with a intimate relationship. Trying to live in both worlds – His Kingdom and the world’s system, isn’t grace but confusion.
“And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace. Just make sure you ask empowered by confident faith without doubting that you will receive. For the ambivalent person believes one minute and doubts the next. Being undecided makes you become like the rough seas driven and tossed by the wind. You’re up one minute and tossed down the next. When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?” James 1:5-8
I found myself caught up in the being tossed too and fro when it came to healing. My mind was going back and forth in the wisdom of the world and medicine and His Wisdom. I finally decided to choose one way or the other and get out of confusion. It has changed my life and my thinking so drastically. That is what we have to do with every situation. Walking the fence is a VERY dangerous place to be in this time and season.
This last week we made a fast trip to Tucson to try and settle the affairs of Ed’s cousin who had passed away the week before. Ed and his sister are the next of kin. We knew his cousin was struggling with health issues and not a house keeper since we were never allowed in her place but oh how it broke our hearts to see the mess she lived in. Absolutely the worst we have seen and we’ve seen a lot. We basically had 2 half days and 1 whole day to try to find important papers, anything of value, etc. It was impossible to find anything without first wading through the piles of stuff. I’m not being disrespectful to her but the Lord gave us a word through this mess. She was only 64 but I believe gave up because of her many experiences of life and having her heart broke one too many times. She was on lots of medications, she had several issues in her body, she had never been married or had a family even though she had longed for that so much. She was an only child. Our family was her family and she loved all our kids and grandkids. She was a crafter and made gifts for our families that were priceless. She was caught up in the world and its beliefs but still listened to Ed’s messages. About 3 years ago when she was here, she was baptized in the river and wanted to have a close relationship with Jesus but the bondage of the world’s hold made it hard. She kept to herself, didn’t talk about her struggles and tried to do it alone, but that didn’t work. We aren’t meant to go this road alone especially in these last days.
The first day when we walked into her home it took everything out of us. Her wonderful neighbors had done all they could for her and were there to walk through this with us. We were exhausted from leaving home at 3 am for our flight, it was 104 in Tucson and we were overwhelmed with sorrow when we walked through her home wondering where to begin. We decided to get a good night’s sleep and see what the next day brought. She has debt on the house and we were ready to take the keys, give them to the bank and walk away. I didn’t get a good night’s rest but I saw things different in the morning. His mercies are new every morning. That morning as I was praying and seeking His Wisdom I heard Him say this: “Candy’s house represents the world. The filth, clutter, sickness, hopelessness, stench, darkness is how I see the world.” Wow! I never expected that! Then He asked, “Are you walking away from the world? Get up! Take dominion! No fear! The neighbors had told us that rattlesnakes were in the garage living on all the pack rats. Fear? Maybe!) Call in what you are looking for and dig in!!” Then He said, “the sadness it brought should ignite action in Me! Take dominion and bring My glory to the situation” He told us to make a plan and get over ourselves and dig in. So that is what we did. We bought suits to wear while we worked in there, masks, head covering and dug in without any reservations. Didn’t find all the paperwork we had hoped to find but found enough to take care of immediate business.
Then we asked Him to show us what our part of ministering to the world is right now. We know ministry isn’t what it used to be. Church isn’t the same. People are hurting living in the disgust of the enemy and want to know a way out.
The verse I started this devotion with is so powerful. It’s a truth today like never before. Our ministry is to call evil evil and good good, to replace darkness with light, to replace bitter with sweet. To not be wise in our own eyes or see ourselves as clever and shrewd but to bring His Wisdom to these hurting, confused people and show them the way of the innocent and righteous.
How all that looks we don’t know. All we know is that is what we are called to do. That is what this church body is called to do together. We will take one step at a time just like we are with Mom’s situation and Candy’s situation. We will listen and follow His ways.
“Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10 TPT
“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make.
Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“For the sense and reason of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.” Romans 8:6
“Let my passion for life be restored, tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring to me.
Hold me close to you with a willing spirit that obeys whatever you say.” Psalm 51:12
“Since we are approaching the end of all things, be intentional, purposeful, and self-controlled so that you can be given to prayer. Above all, constantly echo God’s intense love for one another, for love will be a canopy over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8
The Lord is speaking to my heart the importance of being intentional and purposeful. I’m listening to the details He is showing me. Also, prayer. Prayer for our country, prayer for the world but also prayer for one another. Together we need each other and we need to stand together, lifting one another up in these times. Let’s Get up! Take dominion! No fear! Dig in!