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Tuesday, I had the privilege of writing the final piece in the 8-week perseverance series with my friends. In that post, I shared how God had spoken to my heart about getting my house in order. He wasn’t talking about the wooden structure my family lives in but rather, my life; body, soul, and spirit.
With Tuesday’s “Get your house in Order” post in mind, I want to dig in a little deeper and share one of the areas in my life that I needed to get in order. There are things in our lives that shape and form us into who we are today. Some good, some not so good. Some of the things that have shaped our life can actually hold us back from fulling entering into the promises God has for us. That is unless we let go, get some healing, and renew our minds.
My husband John, is preaching a series right now about the life of David and Saul. A few weeks ago, He shared from 1 Samuel 15, where Saul is a little full of himself, disobeys God, does his own thing, and then blames it on the people. Saul even sets up a monument to honor himself. Oh boy, from bad to worse.
In 1 Samuel 15: 13-14
And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.”
My dear husband loves to quote Samuel 15:14 … “what is that bleating I hear?”
There are things in our lives that we know we should not do, or relationships we should not be in, and yet we keep on keeping on in the same old sinful patterns.
As John shared about these verses, he made a statement that has been rolling around in my mind ever since. It was: “Kill the things in your life that stand in the way of the destiny God has for you.”
Ouch. That’s a zinger.
God gave strict instructions to Saul through Samuel. Kill and destroy the Amalekites because of what they did to Israel when they were coming out of Egypt. God was allowing Saul to rid the nation of the things that stood in the way of the fulfillment of God’s promises for the Nation of Israel, and the promises for Saul as King.
And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel (1 Samuel 15:17).
Saul had an identity issue. He was walking in his position as king, but he had a mindset of who he used to be. Saul was afraid, insecure, and wanted recognition from the people for his deeds. Saul wanted to be in charge. He thought he knew best, but it was only what was best for him and his ego, not what was best for the nation long term. Saul couldn’t get past his small mentality and a mindset that said “You’re too little.” He was being transformed by his surroundings and the people around him, instead of being transformed into what God had called him to be.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)
Saul had a problem trusting and believing God, therefore he wanted to be in control. We need to stop, and give control to God. We can’t see the Lords hand moving if we are always grabbing control and taking matters into our own hands. Trust Him through the process, and we need to renew our minds to the truth found in the Word of God.
We must devote our will to the destruction of the things that stand between us and God. We need to step into our authority and position in Christ. We need to understand God is for us. We can trust Him. God had placed an authority on Saul to be king, and He has given each believer a delegated authority to carry out our Kingdom purpose here on earth.
We need to ask God to show us where we are believing lies instead of the truth.
We need to ask Him to work in and through us as we relinquish control to Him.
We need to ask, what sound is our life making before God?
Prayer
Father God in the name of Jesus, help us to fully let go of control as we seek You today and everyday. Help us to get rid of any thinking that does not line up with the Word of God. May we step into the authority You have granted us.
Amen
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Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
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If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
I have been teaching these classes internationally for the last 10+ years equipping and training believers in discerning the Ways God speaks. God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
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Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
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What a powerful paragraph you’ve shared from your good hubby! I had to go back and re-read!
Thanks Michele – God has given my hubby the ability to pull out powerful nuggets and revelation in the stories we read all the time. I am glad that you found it as powerful as I did too. 🙂
I hope your June has gotten off to a swell start, Debbie!
Thanks Lisa – yes, it started with a time meeting and connecting with some writing and blogging friends and then vacation with my husband and some friends. I hope yours has been good as well.
Pastor John’s one liner really struck me this morning. As you know, and as you’ve heard over and over again, I’ve felt so unsettled ever since moving to SC. Uncertain of what I’m supposed to be doing, listening to the lies of the enemy that confuse my purpose. Lord, show me the things I need to kill so I can walk fully in the authority and purpose You’ve given me. Thanks Deb. God bless your sweet heart <3
Oh Patti, you are most welcome – I am so glad Pastor John’s words moved you to ask God to show you the things that need to be “killed” so you can walk forward fully in what God has for you. I am looking forward to all God has for you in the future.
I am seeing I need God’s help big time because I am discovering I like to be in charge. I like to be my own boss (workwise, teacher, leader, speaker) and am seeing it takes going to Him daily to stay grounded. I don’t want to succumb to ego junk and I need help because I want to be a good witness but I sometimes can’t tell the difference between my happy-go-lucky personality and if I am being too confident? But if I am being confident I want it to be that in HIM. Random thoughts to ponder and pray over as He opens doors for me to lead, Debbie. Remember when we had face time? A few things have happened since then and I just really want to present myself the way he wants and not just be showy. Pray for me, that I don’t ever become a Saul. Thanks for this message!
Meghan – you are so not alone with wanting to be in charge. It does take constant monitoring and being in tune with God to allow Him to be in charge and stay grounded in Him and not let ourselves take charge. I read a book years ago that helped ground me. It talked about God confidence versus self confidence. Back then I had no confidence. I lacked self confidence and therefore also lacked God confidence. There is a balance between the two. I know your heart is in the right place and the fact that you are asking and even concerned about perception is what will keep you anchored to God. Yes, I do remember our facetime call, and I am praying for you my friend. If God is opening a door walk through it, ask Him to search your heart everyday and He will. He wants your confidence to be in Him and what He can accomplish through you as you partner together. Just remember it’s a partnership with God, It’s His delegated authority and His power working in and through you. You are a vessel for God’s hand and feet to be extended to those in need. You are in my prayers friend and you are welcome. Blessings….
What’s that bleating I hear?
I hope my life is producing a pleasing sound to the Lord.
Nylse – I too hope my life is producing pleasing sounds to the Lord. Thanks for linking up today
Thanks for this challenge to really examine ourselves and let go to receive. Our false comfort zones can rob us of so much.
Crystal – you are so right – those comfort zones are often false and rob us from getting ALL GO has for us. you are most welcome for the challenge and just so you know, God is working on me with it too. I am letting go so I can receive fully.
The killing field…I am pondering. Listening for the bleating. LOVED spending time with you this past weekend. PURE GIFT!
Pondering is a place I was for a while after John’s sermon on the topic too. I too LOVED spending time with you are your husband. I sure hope we get to do it again in the future. Blessings to you both.
What a smart hubby you have:)
Ugh… the control issue. Many times I think I possess it. God is working on me!
Julie – you are so right – My hubby is pretty darn smart – God gave Him a brilliant mind and the ability to see things others don’t in stories we read all the time. and I am right there with you – double Ugh! I used to have control issues really bad, and God worked on those, now they are much more subtle and He is working on those ones as well. thanks for sharing your thoughts today
What timing! I finally did just that today. I struggle with adding too many “good things” to my plate which keeps me from the true destiny God has for me. I seem to need to clean house, but I hate disappointing people. Yes, I have work to do in that area. Thank you for your post it reinforced the decision and the actions I took today.
Maree – God’s timing is amazing isn’t it 🙂 I am so proud of you for stepping into your authority today! woo hoo … I have struggled with the same thing of adding too many things to my plate and not wanting to disappoint people, but then the Lord began to speak to my heart about disappointing Him when I don’t do the things He has for me. The struggle is real, and I so know where you are at. I am glad the post reinforced the actions you took today – way to go! Thanks for sharing your heart with me today.
I always look forward to your messages! Thanks for hosting!
awe thank you Roseann! I am so very glad to have you joining us. Blessings
Thanks for the reminder to keep surrendering control back over to God. Die daily, that’s what is called for. Death to self, so that more of Jesus can be seen in my life! Blessings to you!
Oh BettieG you are most welcome, I completely relate to having to let things especially control die daily 🙂 Have a great weekend
Love learning something new every time I come here. Thank you for hosting and have a blessed day!
Thank you Jas – I am so glad you enjoy linking up with me and look forward to reading and learning. I love sharing. Have an awesome weekend
Thank you for hosting once more. Enjoy a lovely week!
you are welcome Marilyn – I am looking forward to seeing what tasty treats you linked up this week 🙂 Enjoy your weekend
Saul definitely had a small mindset. It is so easy for us to slip into that mindset if we are not careful to stay in the word and hold onto our true identity. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, Melinda, it is so easy for us to slip into that mindset too. Thanks for linking up today enjoy your weekend
Hi Debbie,
1 Samuel 15.14 always makes me smile! Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor! Thanks for hosting and have a blessed week-end!
Hi Donna – yes, God definitely has a sense of humor, and no one can convince me otherwise. LOL you are most welcome and you enjoy your weekend as well.
Thanks for hosting and thanks for the wonderful words. I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend.
you are welcome Patrick and I did have a wonderful weekend. I hope you did as well.
“Kill the things in your life that stand in the way of the destiny God has for you.” Wow – powerful thought and powerful post! Finding the life in our purpose does demand some consecrated weeding – I appreciate the reminder. Blessings from the #RaRaLinkUp.
Sandra – I know, it was a WOW moment for me when my husband said it during his sermon. Oh, and yes, consecrated weeding is most definitely often needed. I am so glad you are my neighbor this week and you had the opportunity to stop by and visit. I hope you will come back again.