The Lord Shall Lift Up A Standard...

 

At times life can be smooth and clear sailing...

You can feel the sunshine on your face and you can see clearly.

But I have learned even when the sea starts to churn and pulse;

We as Christians have a place we can feel His peace.

As the world turns and we can feel the shaking;

God is not shaken...

When the enemy comes in like a flood,

God raises the standard!

We must not look at the waves and whitecaps;

As the water will always cover the shoreline in its continual

lapping against the sand. We can KNOW that when the enemy

comes in like a flood, the spirit of the LORD shall lift up a 

STANDARD against him...

Read this scripture

Isiaha 59:19

 When you see the enemy attacking you or your loved ones!

Isa 59:19

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Isaiah 59:19

"OUR DEFENSE"
I. THE ENEMY. "WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD."
A. "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the..."
1. Sometime before creation of man, He created angels of various ranks and orders.
2. One of the angels of the highest order rebelled against Him.
a. This angel was described as, "perfect in beauty..."
b. He drew a third part of the angels with him.
3. Originally, only one government in the universe. Light of life.
4. Now a second government.
a. Opposed to the first.
b. Government of death and darkness.
B. The purpose of the enemy.
1. To draw you away from God.
2. "The enemy has come to rob, steal and destroy."
C. The method of the enemy.
1. To appeal to the baser nature of man, to make him a slave to his own fleshly lusts.
a. The effect is always destructive.
b. More obvious forms alcoholism, drug addiction.
c. More subtle form is sex.
2. Thus, to follow the enemy is to follow the path to destruction.
3. To pervert the good, natural, God given drives by seeking unnatural fulfillment.
II. "WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD."
A. There are times when we seem to be singled out for special attacks.
1. The pressure is like a flood.
2. We are almost overwhelmed.
3. We recognize that those forces against us are more powerful than we.
a. I don't have the strength to resist the flood.
b. Am I doomed?
III. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WILL LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.
A. Though the forces that are against us are strong, that power that God has given to us is stronger.
1. "Greater is He that is in you than he that..."
2. "You shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit."
B. The standard that the Spirit lifts is the Word of God.
1. When the enemy came as a flood against Jesus.
a. He seems to know when to attack.
1. Jesus had been fasting 40 days and was hungry.
2. Use God's power to feed your own flesh.
b. Jesus used the Word, "It is written..."
2. "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart..."
a. The Word of God in my heart is one of my best defenses against the enemy.
IV. WHAT TO DO WHEN ENEMY COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD.
A. "Resist the devil..." James.
1. Peter tells us the devil is going about like a roaring lion...whom resist steadfastly.
2. In Hebrews you have not resisted unto blood.
B. Call upon the Lord.
C. Get into the Word.

Here is an amazing tool to learn and study the Bible;

Blue Letter Bible Study

Are You A Late Bloomer...

 

Totally Out Of Sync

I find it rather strange when a plant referred to as a Christmas cactus

blooms in July. Maybe it thinks it is actually a rose...

Roses bloom in June and July!

I had to take a picture of it and share it with you ladies.

Here we are working in our flowerbeds outside and to find this blossom.

Really surprised me, because it never did bloom this last December.

I realize over the many years it has bloomed maybe as late as February.

What are some things we can do to help us when we as

Women feel out of sync?
 As I told you this last month was

A rough one for me. But I have seen a pattern over the years,

And it looks like we have a growth in the Lord,

 then we get challenged and we feel like it is

  a bit of a setback.

Well, I now lean to this thought concerning this cycle.

I believe we are being tested to shore up our growth.

God, wants us to grow by and through the Holy Spirit.

NOT, by our own sheer will power!

A flower is still a flower, no matter if they bloom late or early!

Grace and honor to allow the working of the Word in each of

Our Lives...

As I have aged I notice a stronger drive to create and take pleasure.

Why is everyone and everything in such a hurry?

I pray each of you will allow yourself the space and time;

To bloom and to be beautiful and complete

In Him...

The Lighthouse The Only Safe Harbor...

The Light House

The Light House does not move...

It is steady even in a storm of epic portion;

It can withstand wind and rain and icebergs.

I heard the Lord say a few years back;

"There's a Storm In The Heavens"

If I were to look for a place to ride out a storm,

I think I would choose a Lighthouse!

When I was a child, I went past this Lighthouse so often!

I saw it in all its glory; The sun rising around it or the sun setting beside it!

Reflecting the Light of the greater light, The sun that marks each day!

I am at perfect peace because I have laid my foundation on solid ground!

Notice the narrow path to the Lighthouse?

When you are walking out to this Lighthouse;

You must keep your eyes open and do not lean over the edges.

I know this Lighthouse personally!

This Lighthouse has even looked like a cross when the shadows.

Would lie across at just the right angle.

As a child, I played on the sands of this lovely Lighthouse. My memories

Are filled with so many days and evenings of this site!

My eyes have seen the glory of so many beautiful things in this world.

And they can always point us to a truth in God's word!

I am not a religious zealot, but rather a daughter of the King!

I have been given the gift of sight to see how God is in all of these

sweet memories to be used as I matured and grew in wisdom.

There is a safe Harbor in the storm;

Always look for the Lighthouse!

Jesus Christ Of Nazareth...

Overused And Under Rated...

Swimming Pigs...

I have always heard the saying I will believe that...

 When pigs fly...

Well, how about when pigs swim??

I kid you not; this little piggy swims.

Faith is a word that is much like love;

Overused and under rated!

I must use my faith to even get out of bed some mornings!

I love so many different things,

But are there different levels we love at?

Of course!

I love my morning tea or coffee, but I don't plan on marrying them.

I use my faith in giving each new morning to the Lord!

Learning to love at walking in faith...

Faith is a true and vital living power!

Faith moves us into something

Faith moves us out of something!

Faith will step us up!

Faith will hold us steady...

Like this little piggy;

I must learn a new stroke of faith!

I am not much for change;

But I have learned a vital truth lately,

I want to switch from being a passive sitter to an

active participant in our adventure beyond the familiar.

Breaking out of an old, tired routine is one of the secrets

of staying young.

"So Don't just sit there!"

Swim Little Piggies Swim...

Royal Crown Of true Royalty...

 

Are you wearing your crown today?

Some days you just feel like your hair will not fix right;

You just wake up on the wrong side of the bed...

The sun forgets to come out,

You can feel a large pit in your stomach...

You feel like crying for no reason?

Well, for your information so does half the women in your state!

Women have more days that we might feel a bit out of the loop;

Or just out of sorts...

But, we can know the very thing that makes us feel these feelings;

Is the very thing that allows us to have the womanly instinct that God gave us.

We have been given these raw emotions that once we allow God to

Temper them, we grow in insight and wisdom!

We are given so much influence and reign...

I can promise you this that when you have given a bit of advice;

To your children or other women; they may just one day use it!

To God be the Glory...

We are ruling whether we like it or not!

But,may I ask are you ruling in grace and love?

Do you hold and iron fist or a helping loving hand?

Do you wear your crown of authority with humility?

Or do you parade around like a Queen Bee;

Be careful you might get stung is what others may be thinking about you!

The crown of life;

Which is promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

Ruling your home is a great and noble calling!

Remember the hand that rocks the cradle, washes the dishes,

Cooks lovely meals, washes dirty sock, and rids her home of dust bunnies;

And sweeps the crumbs of Hansel and Gretel away;

Really does rule the world!

Just a friendly reminder that holding your hubby's arm when walking

makes your crown sit high upon your head!

Holding a kiss with your Husband  for 15 seconds.

Will ignite passion, and your crown will shine a bit brighter.

There is a crown we can wear that brings life to all that we encounter everyday!

We might not be able to see each others crowns,

Yet we can know those Queens that wear their crowns as the

 Royal Woman Of God...

Your crown one day will be placed at the Kings feet...

Visitation Or Habitation...

 

Visitation or Habitation

So many of us this time of year we take vacations;

We love getting away and seeing new sights

And hearing new sounds.

Visiting new things can spur us on and give us new insight.

What are some of the feelings you have while visiting?

I think they can range in many different feelings;

When we visit family, it can be emotional!

When it is a new city, we may feel free or maybe out of place.

Sometimes I think we need a good dose of different;

As we can get so same old, same old on everything.

One thing I have had the Lord speak to me about is this;

To be passionate about Him...

We are not called to just visit the Lord,

But rather clinging in a habitation with Him...

Everything is always moving;

Moving In

Moving Out

Moving About

Yet, when we desire more than a visitation, we need habitation!

Pray for more of His Presence...

Allow Him to fill every crack and crevice.

Have you allowed some other love to move in;

And God was pushed aside?

Take these days of rest and sunshine R&R

And draw close to the Lord!

Allow Him to open your eyes and heart to His leading...

See What the Lord has done...

See what He wants you to be...

Habitation is the only place to be!

Under Cover...

God is so good!

He makes provision for His sheep...

He covers us with His Word and His Annointing

Anointing means smeared (covered)

I am going to a women's conference that will give me a fresh word!

Black or White

He covers us all when we make Him our great shepherd...

Sometimes we can change things up just a bit and get a whole new perspective.

Every year for many years I have gone to this women's conference.

I am so excited...

I just can't hide it...

He's got control and I think I like it!!

Praying for all of you ladies that stop by to be inspired and encouraged!

You Go Girl...

Here is a word that blessed my heart as I know it was for this season; Hope you are blessed!

During wars, people look for places of safety to hide under cover where they cannot be harmed by the weapons of their enemies. We are in Christ and children of God therefore we are under cover at all times. No weapons formed against us will prosper because we dwell under the shadow of the Almighty.

A way of receiving an anointing originated with the ancient shepherds. Lice and other insects would get into the wool of sheep. When they got near the sheep's head, they could burrow into the sheep's ears and kill the sheep. To prevent this from happening, shepherds poured oil on the sheep's head. This oil made the wool too slippery for insects to get near the sheep's ears and they would slide off. Of this, anointing with oil became symbolic of blessings, protection and empowerment.

We can trust the precious presence of the Spirit of Christ to make our enemies flee. The battle truly is the Lord's and His mantle is upon us to protect us from every opposition. Whenever we feel threatened let us dwell under cover with confidence and total rest in our Comforter, the Holy Spirit. We can wrap ourselves in Him and watch the enemy's attacks slip off, from glory to glory!
Dr. Joelle Suel
Senior Pastor

Hear His Voice In The Rushing Waters...

His Voice Is Like Many Rushing Waters...

Feeling the breeze upon the land, times of cleansing and refreshment.

Being set apart can seem like a lonely place;

But He is the one who has called you to this place of solitary.

Lay back against Him and breath...

Rushing in those days of raising our children;
Days of hurry and scurry with little ones may be over;
But we still have a place that has been set apart for this very season.

We are the only ones who can fill these shoes and walk this way!
I can sense that my path in some ways seems more narrow...
Yet, I feel like my horizons has widened;

God can never be fitted into a one size fits all box dear ones;

He fills every droplet of water that flows into the ocean;
He cannot be contained!

Allow Him to fill your heart and hours and days,
We can with no guilt now enjoy a quiet spell of reading a good book.
We can eat a late supper and
 Listen to the frogs singing after a soaking rain.

We can stop and watch the sun set into another day into the other side
of  this wide and wonderful world.
 Where another women's day is just starting.

We can and will complete our journey and calling with great
Expectations and fulfillment, because He is the fountain that is never dry!

Drink from His water of truth and continue to drink;
You have heard the saying you can lead a horse to water,
But you can't make him drink.

Well, God is guiding you to the stream;
So drink dear ones, for His cup never runs dry...

These days and season is a part of your reward!
Do not allow the enemy to make you feel like you have no place,
Or that your job is finished;
Jesus never said anything about retirement...
We  can now have more calm and composure.
Slow and steady with assured steps in knowing that He is
Leading you...
You dear ones have been planted by a stream and your roots have grown deep!
You will continue to bear fruit even in your old age...