Tag Archives: Corinthians

Voices in My Head

15 Jan

Voices

“There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.” I Corinthians 14:10

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From as far back as I can remember, I knew things.  Things I had no way of knowing, I knew.  Little things and big things; things near and things very far away . . . I just knew.  I knew when people were hurt, I knew my father was going to die months before he did.  I knew my 2 year old nephew was going to die soon, the first time I met him.  I knew where lost things would be found, states away.  How did I know . . . the voice told me.

My mother felt that the voice I heard was my father, guiding me from the grave.  She was into the occult and encouraged me to try to communicate with him.  She had me try astral writing to see if I could ask questions and receive answers.  When she wasn’t happy with the results (couldn’t say for sure that it was my father) so she bought an Ouija Board, so that she and I could both ask the “spirit” questions.  I wish I had never seen that Board.  That Board is pure evil.

After trying to communicate with my father the voice changed and multiplied.  The voices told me that I had no value, that I should hurt myself, that life wasn’t worth living.  I struggled with depression and very low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts; hiding away rather than interfacing with people.  It was a very dark time in my life.

Although my father’s side of the family was very strong in their faith, I rarely saw them.  My father and mother were far from Christianity.  I did not understand about salvation and didn’t commit my life to God until I was 38 years old, although I prayed often and had a strong belief in Him.

During an evangelical event, a few years later, I was helping tape the event series for those attending.  No matter how hard I tried to focus in on what was being shared, I just couldn’t grasp what the evangelist was saying.  The evangelist saw me struggling, walked up to me, placed a hand over each of my ears and shouted “Voices stop, in the name of Jesus.”  That was the last time I heard those voices; I’m so grateful.

After that day only one voice has spoken to me, the voice of my Lord.  I hear Him clearly, without distraction.  I believe that when a child is gifted with a prophetic ministry, Satan will do everything he can to destroy it.  If Satan can’t confuse the voices, he will do his best to destroy the person, any way he can, so the prophetic can’t follow the call God has placed on their lives.

Recently a prayer request came to me for a young boy with voices in his head; tormenting him.  When I asked questions of the mom she said that he always “knew things.”  Another young man is being attacked with voices and depression.  This young man has worked in the prophetic realm from his early childhood.  Satan tries to pervert what God has blessed us with.

Guard your mind, Saints.  Don’t allow yourselves to listen to, see or participate in any activity that would allow the enemy to find an entry point into your mind.  If you see someone struggling, get into deep prayer and help them to repent of whatever activity allowed for the entry.  Keep our children and youth in prayer, they walk in a world filled with evil and temptation.

Lord, please keep my mind strong and unwavering.  Keep me from areas where no Christian should trespass.  Help me to be a gatekeeper for our tender children.

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“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14 KJV).”

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A SOLDIER

16 Sep

Praying Soldier

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. [20] And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.     1 Corinthians 3:19-20  KJV

I have a picture of a young black man in fieldworker’s clothes holding a small baby.  At the bottom of the picture is a caption “I Cannot Do Great Things, But I Can Do Small Things in a Great Way”.  The Lord brought me to that picture over and over today.  But, how Lord, how can I do small things in a great way?  How can I make any size difference in God’s Kingdom?

The Bible says that all portions of the Body are essential to the whole body.  No one position has greater worth, no one portion has lesser worth.  All are called to a position, to serve in a position they have been prepared for.  I can do small things in a great way.

I have been called to be a soldier.  I’m not a General, I’m not a Captain, I’m not a Lieutenant – I’m a soldier.  I will not lead the troops into battle, but I will fight to preserve the Kingdom, I will devote all my abilities to protect the General, the Captain and the Lieutenant.  They will never have to worry about looking back for I will be there – and if I fall, my brother/sister will step forward into my place.  We will move always forward in battle to make a safe place for those we have yet to meet – those who have not yet heard the truth – those who have yet to come to the Lord.

What can I do as a soldier?  How do I battle?  How can I do small things in a great way?  How?

I am a soldier.  I wage war with the words I speak.  I can wage war against evil or I can send turmoil among the troops I walk with – all by the words I choose to share.  I can speak life or I can speak death.  I can spread comfort and healing or I can spread gossip and dissent.  I can do small things in a great way?  It’s my choice.

As a soldier in the Kingdom I have the tremendous responsibility to protect those above me when they are at their most vulnerable.  I can scan the horizon while the General prepares the way for those that will follow.  I can be the strength to hold his arms, the inspiration for his words, the confidence that allows him to rest.

As a soldier in the Body I can pray a cover of protection over my Pastor and my Church.  I can intercede when the spirit of confusion moves into the assembly.  I can watch the body while the Pastor is concentrating on delivery of the message – critical to the hearts, prepared and hungry, in the assembly.  I can intercede when confusion and fear overcome the musician or soloist.  I can set the shield against the attack of the enemy.  And, if I feel overwhelmed, I can engage my brothers/sisters to join with me in battle.  For it is my job, as a soldier, to pray for a safe haven for the searching to come into.  It is my job to pray a cover of protection over those called to provide the atmosphere for the message for those whose hearts have been tendered by Jesus.  It is my job to intercede when the enemy attempts to steal away the anointing – so carefully placed.  I cannot do great things, but I can do small things in a great way – I can pray.

I can hear the faint whisper of a name and pray.  I can see the faint image of a face and immediately begin to intercede.  I can be a thousand miles away at the time, or ten thousand miles, it matters not.  I can wage a warring battle for a soul in need – even when I have no clue as to the situation at hand.  I am not big, but I am mighty.  I am not brilliant, but the wisdom of the ages rests within me.  I have no material wealth, but I will inherit a jeweled, golden mansion.  I am quiet and meek in this world, but determined and confident in spirit.  I am not great – I cannot do great things – but I can do small things in a great way.  I am a soldier for God.

But  –  What if I choose to fail?  What if I choose to step away and let you carry your burden as well as mine?  And what if you choose to leave it to someone else – and so on – and so on – then who will prepare the way for the lost?

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DAMAGED

27 Apr

Dead Tree Tops

By Linda J. Humes

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

I live in an area well known for forest fires. Several years ago a fire came through this area that was the largest Arizona forest fire in history – this year a new fire outgrew the previous by over 25%. People in this area are very aware of fire and its dangers – in fact, some live in fear all during fire season.

On a road I travel frequently is a tall pine tree. It would be quite majestic, except for a slight flaw. From one side the tree is green and lush and beautiful. From beneath the tree looking straight up, you would never notice that it was anything less than the trees nearby. But, as you come over a rise, driving toward it, you notice that there is a strip of black up the north side of the tree, and the top eight feet of the tree is charred and burned to the trunk.

Aren’t we a lot like that? That tree looks strong and majestic, from the right angle – just don’t look behind – just don’t look too high! How many times do we wonder if people would like us, would want to be around us, if they knew about the life behind us – the mess we just walked out of? Who would want to be near us if they heard the confusion and torment that races through our mind? Can we hide the burns of the past running up our back? Can we cover the charred memories of our mind? Do we cover our body in fashionable clothing and sweet fragrances to turn the eye from our flaws?

I have a savior, His name is Jesus. My Savior puts a healing salve on the burning pains of the past. My Savior brings down His Glory and restores tortured minds and souls. My Savior can make anyone whole who asks – no past sin is unforgiveable.

When I see that tree I think, “I was once like you.” I’m so glad that I have been restored by the restoring power of Jesus.

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SHRINE

27 Apr

Shrine

By Linda J. Humes

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

It breaks my heart. Every time I pass by a part of me rips. It drives me to an urgency of prayer. Shrines – ornate piles of mementos placed along the side of a road at a point where a life was lost. Not a simple white cross, but a memorial of treasures, family pictures, candles, flowers, trees, elaborate crosses, balloons, clothing, even a whiskey bottle decorates one near my home. Paths to the shrine are kept raked and clean, a row of rocks line each side of the path. Someone spends hours of time showing their love for one lost. This is only one example of many that are scattered throughout the community.

It is difficult to know much about the one being memorialized, but the ones left behind are the ones I grieve for. Do they believe the “ghost” of the loved one lingers there to enjoy the birthday banners, Christmas trees, stuffed Easter Bunny, or the framed photos that are changed every few months? Do they think a disembodied soul floats about, mourning and waiting for the living to remember them at holidays?

I pray continually that God would send someone to the keepers of the shrine, to let them know the peace of letting go. To let them know that there is more to life than animate mementos of life. To let them know about Jesus. To show them His great love. To give them the security of knowing that to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of God. That our peace after death is completely dependent upon our relationship with Christ, not on those who have stayed behind.

I don’t know who tends the shrines, but I know my God. I know that every prayer I utter meets the ears of my Creator, and I know that He can bring the right person, with the right words, at the right time, to touch their hearts and direct their souls.

Jesus, if that person is me – show me the way.

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