I need to get this behind me and move on.
It is real easy to type it, but doing it is something else.
I started typing this message yesterday, and walked away from the computer.
God showed me something.
He is always with me, He knows my heart, and He knows what I type.
I was looking for answers, but when God tells you something, you should ask God what He means, not man.
I had confided in a new friend, but I got a bad piece of advice. That piece of advice sent me down the road to some more bad advice and heartache.
God said what He said.
He had already told me that He was either telling me this stuff, or I was crazy.
God had a lot to say Sunday. One of the things He said was "believe Me".
But there was that question, that question that faced me everywhere I went.
What was the answer?
Everybody has their answer, but I didn't have mine until I could explain it with the scriptures.
Anybody can have an opinion, and I do too, but I wanted God's answer in His Word.
God in His never ending mercy told me to ask a certain man about that question. He is revered by all those in this circumstance. Certainly his answer would prove interesting. I sent him an email and asked what his scriptural answer was to the question that bugged me.
Next, I got to watch a movie of a dearly departed brother in the Lord. It was a beautiful testimony of how his ministry started with all the seemingly chaotic circumstances. I could really relate to him in these. As I watched, I could imagine how desperate he felt; I feel that way. I could see how the rejection tripped him up, but it caused him to find favor with the very people he was to minister to; REALLY?! - note to self. And the story went on, then he prayed for a miracle, God gave him the miracle, and people not only got saved, but got involved in the same ministry.
Hmm, I needed that. Thank you, Lord.
Basking in the afterglow of God's power in that testimony, the email came in with the answer.
This was not an opinion, it was God's Word.
2 Timothy 2:20"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
The last 2 verses but in the ESV
2 Timothy 2:25-26 ESV "correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, (26) and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."
They are my "opponents"?
Those that "oppose" me in this matter need to repent?
They have been captured by the devil, and they are forced to do the devil's will?
Okay. So that's it.
The demonic presence was very strong in that place.
What God said would happen, happened.
God said I was done, and I'm done.
This is not God correcting His children, and it's too late to put a "watchman on the wall".
The trumpet already sounded, but nobody harkened to it.
The Sword of the Lord is ALREADY in the camp.
This is judgement.
They would rather believe there are no demons there,
but we all saw it with our own eyes.
Nobody said "PRAISE GOD".
It was treated as a problem and it was swept under the rug.
I saw a miracle that night. I won't forget it.
As I stand alone in that, it puts me in mind of this verse-
"At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge." 2 Timothy 4:16
The next verses are a revelation-
"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:17-18
I was pulled out of the mouth of a lion.
I'm not in shock anymore...
I am VERY thankful!
Thank you Lord for delivering me.
Thank you Lord for delivering me from the lion's mouth and every evil work there!
Thank you, Lord.
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