Reprising It

Have you ever noticed how deceptive our flesh is? Take for instance, how we think we have this great spiritual insight, only to have the Lord strip away the scales from our blinded eyes and give us an “Isaiah tours Heaven” experience. That happened to me today.

My life with my mother was not a pleasant one. Due to her upbringing, she developed a very unhealthy way of relating – that of constant criticism. It found its zenith in our relationship and deeply wounded me as a child. I still am, it would seem.

The Lord had me move in with she and dad to care for them about a year ago. (He told me to a year prior, but I didn’t want to believe He’d do that to me.) Dad passed away in March (read about that here). Well, she has not changed for the better and today, I lost it with her. After she refused to cease a critical attack upon my asking her to do so, I found myself delivering a very stern, “The Lord rebuke you! May the Lord rebuke you!” Being that it came from deep within, I was convinced that the Holy Spirit had just spoken.

In speaking about it with a close friend a little later, he was used of the Lord to open my eyes. It would seem that our wounds can express themselves. The scripture that comes to mind is, “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;” Heb 12:15  By the time our conversation was finished, I’d had one of those holy moments where the Lord lovingly scourges us. So at church in the morning, I hope to get prayer for my all too human condition.

Alzheimer’s Didn’t Win

My dad passed away this past March from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. He was 88. And while he may not have been given the skills early in life to be the dad he could have been, he did open the door of his heart the night Jesus knocked and he is now home with Him. I share this here to relate the following.

Although dad’s mind left him, the Holy Spirit never did, and from time to time, He’d remind us of that. Like the way dad didn’t know who I was, but would call me, “Brother”. Or the day he looked at me and pointed, then said, “You’re going to go suddenly”, speaking of my departure from this earthly realm. (I take great comfort in that, knowing I’ll not be laying around in a bed.)

It wasn’t until a week or so after he’d gone home that the realization hit me about the times he’d tried to walk off from the house, because as he said, “I have to go home and see my mother”.

Yes, he died from Alzheimer’s, but I’m here to tell you, that disease didn’t win.

Jesus Is Our Refuge

There is great value in being aware of the enemy’s tactics and schemes. Especially from a prophetic perspective, when they pertain to the days in which we live. As there are many machinations afoot at all levels of society, most notably governments, we don’t want to be blind-sided. However, it is vitally important to realize that there is a danger in staring into the abyss. A dark fascination if you will, that can be mesmerizing. If given the chance, it will suck you right over the edge.

Jesus is our refuge. It is in Him that our safety lies, as does all wisdom and knowledge. We need to understand that He wants us to keep ourselves hidden in Him at all times. He will then direct our attention to the particular issues with which He desires us to be concerned. And as long as we stay sheltered, those issues will not overwhelm us or steal our joy.

So the next time you’re tempted to go traipsing off down the trail to gaze over the edge at a fascinating display of Satan’s dark ploys, stop and ask yourself, “Did the Lord send me on this mission?” If “No”, then please, turn around and head for home. Your very life may depend on it.