New Beginnings

Sinister Siblings Sent by Satan

I got a call yesterday from someone very special.  She is someone that I barely know from a usual perspective, but somehow God has tied us together spiritually in a strong way.  She is a pastor's wife and very in tune to things of the Spirit.  I think of her as somewhat of a prophet.  She listens to God and speaks things that only He could have told her.  I love talking to her because she is very energetic, completely soul'd out for Jesus and very encouraging--but blunt!

We were talking about my tendancy to "worry" and she told me about how she has always thought about worry as one of the bad siblings........

You know how it is, worry comes knocking and you just let her in.  Then along comes stress right behind her.   Stress barely even had to knock before you opened that door.  Then here comes Depression skipping along looking for her siblings.  Ooops!  She found them and you let her in too.   If you don't lock the door quickly, Anger might slip in too. 

I couldn't help but laugh out loud!  Boy, have I let those rowdy siblings walk in on me a few thousand times!

Of course, she shared with me that we each have to decide that those "siblings" are not welcome in our home or our hearts.  We must shut the door in their faces and tell them they are not welcome here!  We must shout to them to go back to Satan from whence the came! 

Instead, we choose to open the door for the "good siblings"--siblings from the Holy Spirit.  We should open our doors out call out to Peace, Love, Joy and Understanding.  INvite them in with open arms--fill up the "house" with those sibliings so those "bad siblings" cannot possibly even sneak in--there just won't be room for them! 

Isn't that a great way to think about it?!

Later last evening, as I had my quiet time, I came across 2 scriptures that just seemed to mesh with that whole message:

David said to the Phillistine, you have come against me with the sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty!                   1 Samuel 17:45

It doesn't matter what Satan throws at us or which siblings he sends in--that cannot stand against the name of the Lord Almighty!  So, we can with full support from the name of Jesus send those nasty siblings home!

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth, gave me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.  Psalm 86:11

To me that just says.... keep me focused on You Lord.  Don't let my heart be torn between my worries, my dreams, my family's problems or the day-to-day circumstances.  Let my heart be focused on only You because You are All-Powerful.

Another thing my friend told me was never to consider myself as "trying" to do God's will, but rather consider myself a "doer" of the word.  Trying implies that you aren't sure you can do it and we know that God gives us the power to do all things!  I liked that!  She told me to write it down.... Brandi is a doer of God's Word! 

She really motivated me to be more bold in my faith.  To grab hold of my Godly dreams and believe in Him to make them come true--when the time is right.  She encouraged me to never let Satan bring me down or convince me otherwise.  

Jesus, 

Forgive me for letting in those nasty siblings of worry, stress, frustration, depression and anger.  Help me now to safely guard Peace, Joy, Love and Understanding in my heart and home.  Help me to remember to keep my heart devoted to You so that I may have my dreams when You know the time is right.  Thank You for never leaving my side and for always giving me a nudge when I need it most.  Thank you so much for my friends here at Praize whose comments inspire me so very much.  Thank you for the phone call from Karen at just the right moment and for Your Word that highlites itself for me as I read.  Lead me through the upcoming weak.  Give me strength both physically and spiritually.  Grant me the peace and joy of truly sensing Your Presence every moment.  Amen.