December
1, 2016
May
the peace of Christ reign in our lives and make this season holy as
we gather our families together.
Well,
my dearest family, the Lord has truly brought forth His wisdom for
this time when families see one another again. We know that for some,
this may be the last time we see them on this Earth and so it is a
perfect opportunity to heal and love one another.
The
enemy, every year, sends out armies of demons to cause division,
misunderstanding and wounding in the family. First between husband
and wife and then between siblings and relatives. Knowing this ahead
of time, we can be prepared both by spiritual warfare and
strengthened in virtue, knowing that only love and its fruits will
conquer evil.
So,
yesterday when I had my communion service, the readings were from
Colossians 3, and they truly brought home everything the Lord has
been teaching us about our relationships with others and how easily
we get seeds of resentment, with which the enemy builds strongholds
of unforgiveness. I've been monitoring myself very carefully and
notice I have 'buttons' or 'hot spots,' places where I recoil inside
and begin grudging and complaining internally. Although I don't let
it show externally, most of the time, I feel it inside and it takes
the joy out of whatever I was doing.
Paul
addresses this very thing in Colossians 3 beginning at verse 12.
Because you are God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe
yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness
and patience.
I've
had to come to terms with the truth that I am the Lord's Beloved and
Bride before I am my mother's daughter, a niece, a sister or mother
of children. Therefore, the Lord is calling me to act as His disciple
before any earthly office, and my heart must be His towards my
family. This calls for exceptional self-control, and/or a healing of
memories that are painful and profound forgiveness. You may be the
only example of Christ's love in your family. How important then is
it to set aside all grudges and painful memories of past
misunderstandings and injuries.
The
Scripture continues, Bear with one another; forgive whatever
grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord has
forgiven you.
In
addition to this, we are called to demonstrate our love by deferring
to one another, showing respect and preference to their concerns. For
instance, which home we will gather in, who will make the
preparations? I can't count the number of times there was strife over
who deserved to have Christmas at their house, Christmas at someone
else's house - and how you don't want to leave out one set of
relatives for the other - and so on. We can't possibly please
everyone, but we can defer to some and give an example of generosity
and love.
Over
all these virtues put on love, which binds the rest together and
makes them perfect.
Without
this love, kindliness and meekness, even the finest preparations go
sour when there is strife and insensitivity. We can pray against
demonic strongholds in family members and make their demons wait
outside the door while we enjoy sweet fellowship. Make 'em wait
outside the door with our own demons! But Christ's peace must reign
in your hearts - the Scripture goes on to say - since as members of
the one body you have been called to that peace.
The
next verse in the Scriptures was what hit me the hardest, and I have
a favor to ask of you guys along with it. "Dedicate
yourselves to thankfulness." Wow. That really struck me,
because thankfulness is the first line of defense against demonic
attacks mentally, emotionally. If you're in a state of praise,
worship and thankfulness, it's very hard for them to penetrate with
resentment, strife, bitterness. It just can't enter when you're in
the sweet space of Thanksgiving!
The
Lord's even teaching us to give thanks for those resentments and
bitterness - things that CAUSE that. And that, in turn, will cause
the demons to flee, because they cannot get a foothold in our hearts
- they'll look for someone else to bug!
I've
been finding that each morning when I come before the Lord to repent
of anger, unforgiveness, selfishness and pride that I end
thanking the Father for all He has done for us. It just pours out of
me, I'm so grateful. During the day, when I am tempted to lose my
patience, somehow I begin singing thank you songs!!! I know this is
the Lord because my attitude quickly drifts to impatience and thank
you is the furthest thing from my mind!
It
continues, Let the word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you. In
wisdom made perfect, instruct and admonish one another. Sing
gratefully to God from your hearts in psalms, hymns, and inspired
songs. Whatever you do, whether in speech or in action, do it in
the name of the Lord Jesus.
Wow!
Drive this car to the grocery store, in the name of the Lord Jesus, I
won't be cutting people off - I'll be very, very deferring to the
traffic around me.
And
then the last part is, Give thanks to God the Father through Him.
Wow! The really explains why I've been so riveted on the Father in
the morning, thanking Him profusely for loving and caring for us.
And
of course, this ring that He gave me reminds me of His tremendous
kindness.
Let's
all sing gratefully to God from our hearts in psalms, hymns, and
inspired songs, and stay free from the seeds of strife and bitterness
these seasonal demons are out to incite us with, to steal our peace
and joy.
Source:
heartdwellers
