Time to Face your Demons

What does it mean - to face your demons?  I believe it is to confront that thing in your life that is negative, and say “no more”.

The word “demon” can instil fear into us if we let it. 

I remember a number of years ago hearing a story of when Jesus cast out demons – something inside me reacted in fear - so I can write about this having experienced it myself.  When I look back, I can see I was riddled with fear, but now I am free!  And yes, Christ set me free.

The devil loves to bind us up – he will do anything to prevent us from reaching our destiny.  But God is stronger – His purposes and desires for us will overcome anything the enemy is throwing at us.  Jesus has said – He has come to set the captive free.  We only need to ask Him to do so.

Do you know it is possible to love God and be disobedient, just like a child.  Sometimes, God asks us to do something that we don’t want to do.  We wriggle and squirm and find any way we can to avoid doing that something.  Does that sound like someone else?   

Jonah didn’t want to do what God asked him so what did God do?  He let Jonah go his way for a time, and then he put him in a totally intolerable situation until Jonah surrendered and repented.

At times, God will put pressure on us to bend us to his way.  Remember though “a bruised reed, He will not break, and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out”. (Isaiah 42.:3)  He knows our frame.  We are not made to be “yes” men.  We all have a will and we make choices.  Sometimes those choices are not good – they lead us up the garden path – even worse, they can lead us to destruction or to miss out on our destiny.  However, God is continually for us – He works all things together for good to those who love him.  Ultimately, when we look back, we can see the hand of God working in that situation. He does not treat us as we deserve.  He loves us so much He is continually moulding us and making us to be more like his Son.  We are being changed from glory to glory.

Sow in Tears

“Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.” 

The Word is the infallible truth. 

Have you experienced a time when you just couldn’t figure life out and things seemed to be going from bad to worse?  Yes, it happens to all of us at some time or another; and we need to do all we can to fix the problem, but in some situations, there isn’t a lot we can do except to cry out to God and ask Him for help.  Perhaps we need to put the situation on the altar – “Here God, I give it to you.  I can’t do anymore.”  Just watch what He does.  He loves it when we put our trust in Him.  It’s saying, "I can’t but you can". 

Can’t you see the golden harvest – sheaves – the blessing, the fulfilment of hard work, and the resulting joy? 

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Joy unspeakable and full of glory – that’s the believer’s lot – we can have this if we choose. 

Jesus has promised to leave us his peace – “When you draw near to me, I will draw near to you”. 

When you spend time with the Lord, all the cares and worries of this world will fade away – and the peace of God which passes all understanding will flood your inner being.

I’m not talking about being religious– “thou shalt read the Bible for one hour a day and pray for two”.  No, when you’re walking down the street, whisper a prayer; “thanks for today Lord, may I be a blessing to someone.  Be with my family, keep them safe and bless them”.  You will find you will want to spend more time with Jesus because He loves you and you will feel that love. 

He says in the Word that He didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it. And He said “if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself.”  We just need to be willing to come.

Isaiah 61: 1

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound.”

Aliens in the World

Do you feel like you don’t fit?  No matter where you go, you get the impression there’s something more – something big is about to happen – I mean this in a good sense.

If you are a believer in Christ, then this is absolutely normal.  Why, because we are aliens in a foreign land.  Our home is not the earth – it is in the heavenly realms. 

What, you might say.  Yes, when you are “born again”, born of the Spirit of God, you become a new creation.  The old has passed away – all things have become new.  You become a child of God belonging to the Kingdom of God.  You will have the DNA of heaven coursing through your veins.  How exciting!

How do I get “born again” you say.   The Lord says “you will seek me, and when you seek me with your whole heart you will find me”.  The Lord has a way of enticing us to him.  When we surrender – “God, I give my life to you. Forgive me for my wicked ways - I acknowledge that your son died on the cross for my sins, I thank you.”  Wahoo – welcome to a whole new life.  You will never be alone again – why, because He now lives in you.  Your spirit has come alive again.  You will find you have new desires, old bondages will drop away – sure some won’t want to go for a while – but hey a new born baby doesn’t eat meat straight away either.

Read the Bible – this is all you need to grow.  Start with John’s gospel.  Find someone to tell what has happened to you – you will know you are different!  Find a church where you can share with other believers – they will encourage and support you – and have some FUN!