We all have a choice. We can live a life of freedom in and through Jesus Christ or we can live a life in perpetual offense.
What is perpetual offense? It is existing, not truly living, in a state of constant victimhood. It is remaining chained by this stronghold of the enemy. When I think about this perpetual offense and how to describe it, the old song "Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I think I'll eat some worms." I laugh as I type this because I literally sang it as I was typing. Ha Ha Ha! It is this mindset and attitude that I see and think of when I see others living in perpetual offense or constant victimhood. We live in a world full of "safe spaces." And we live in a society full of "political correctness," that is an environment that plants, grows lies and is a place that tries to keep all of us in perpetual offense. We live in a time that so many spend all of their time finding anything to be offensive instead of spending time focused on God and His truths. There is nothing offensive, about God. Does He convict us when we are living outside of His truths? Sure! Instead of being offended that the creator of everything and us (in His image) is gently trying to get us in line with His will, why not listen? Even in the church, "political correctness" has infected, festered and corrupted with trying to "appease" everyone instead of standing in and on the TRUTH of what God's Word says. As my pastor has said so many times, "You either believe God's Word or you don't. Genesis to maps! You believe it all or none of it." We live in a world and society full of lies. The most dangerous and damaging attitude and phrase in today's world, especially to disciples of Christ is, "You do you, Boo!" This way of thinking and living is dangerous to disciples today because it encourages taking your eyes off of Christ, the cross and the Word of God and keeps you/society looking inward, selfishly. That is what the enemy wants! When we are focused inward on ourselves and our feelings/emotions, we miss out on God, His will, way, promises and potential of ALL God has in store for us. People today are so quick to be offended by anything and everything, truth or lies, because that inward focus keeps us in bondage. Here is an idea! Who cares?!?! Who cares that so and so doesn't like you or called you this name or that name. Is it truth? Is it God's truth about you? We are commanded to love our neighbors AS ourselves, not INSTEAD of ourselves. That does not mean that we believe everything those we know say to us or about us either. Mark 12:31; Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:10, 1 John 4:7; Galatians 5:14; John 13:34; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:9; These are just a few instances in the love letter commanding us to love one another but never once does it say to love others' actions. Where does your truth lie? Whose are you? When someone (the enemy) tries to cover us in lies with belittling, viciousness, lies, blame, guilt, etc., why give them (the enemy) that kind of false power over our minds and hearts? You MUST go to the truth of the matter and remind yourself who and what God says you are! Your freedom, purpose and "matter" does not lie in anyone in this world, so why take every little thing to heart? It robs you and does nothing to grow you. It does, however, give the enemy a foothold/stronghold like a hook in your entire being to keep you from God. Why give him that kind of power over you? I have chosen to allow God to break those strongholds and fill the spaces in my heart, spirt and mind with HIS truths about me! The enemy wants to keep us captive even if we have experienced justification in salvation through Jesus Christ. Why? Because the enemy knows that he has lost us for eternity. BUT! He tries everything in his "power" to keep us, in this life, from recognizing, walking in, claiming and having the abundance that God has promised. The enemy does NOT want us to be walking in our authoritative swagger in Christ because when we do he not only loses us, but others we will bring into the family of God. How does he keep us down? By lying to us. The heartbreaking part of his lies in our hearts and minds is that until we truly walk in God, we believe his lies. We give the enemy the foothold that turns into a stronghold that disrupts and prevents us from walking in our authority. STOP IT! How do you stop this? #1-Submit to God. God wants ALL of you. He wants it all, even those parts you think you are hiding from him or you think are not useful. Allow Him to do what He does best! He made you in His image and He wants you! You are chosen and wanted. You are full of potential and have amazing gifts that God has already given and wants to continue to give! #2-Speak LIFE! Speak life over yourself. How often are you intentional in speaking life over others? How often are intentional in speaking Scripture to others? Praying for and over others? How often do you do those things to YOURSELF??? When you replace those spaces in your heart, mind and spirit that you have allowed the lies of the enemy to be spoken and believed with the truth of God's Word, promises and life, you are able to change your perspective and rob the enemy of his control and power. #3-Go back and do #1, then resist the enemy. He MUST flee when you do these things. You cannot make him flee from you and release his measly attempt in trying to keep you down without submitting to God first. Submit and then stand up against your real enemy. James 4:7 #4-Recognize the enemy in all of the words and actions that are thrown at you by others and society. Be aware, 1 Peter 5:8 gives clear instruction to us! Guess what..2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV brings the enemy into the light of truth, "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." There are times that those around us do not recognize they are being used by the enemy in our lives, but we can. Ephesians 6:12 ESV gives us the truth. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Change your perspective from inward and worldly to the truth of everything. Remember WHOSE you are and speak those truths over yourself. Stop living in perpetual offense because it changes who you are and dims the light you are purposed to be through Jesus Christ. We are told to be in the world but not OF the world. Keep your focus on God, seeking Him in all things, learning, saturating your heart and mind in His Word. Know YOUR truth and stop allowing the world and the enemy to rob you of the beautiful, amazing YOU that God sees and wants to mold. Love, Shalon
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How well do you know me? How well do others know you?
Over the past few years, specifically 5-8, I have changed. I have changed tremendously! There is no doubt in my heart, mind and eyes. You see I am growing. I am changing. Yes, physically, because that happens as we accumulate age and our physical bodies change. The change I am seeing, feeling and living in is spiritual. It is God sanctifying and edifying my heart, eyes, mind and spirit. As I continue this joyney, God is showing me ALL of the ways He is changing me. As I seek Him more, love Him more, listen more, learn more, I praise him for HIS work in me transforming me from the "old Shalon" into the "new Shalon." I am learning, growing and leaning into the "new Shalon" who is leaning into and saturating herself in God. God tells us in Romans 12:2, "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."-ESV In every way over the past few years, God has transformed me in some of the same ways he transformed Saul to Paul. My heart jumps each time I think about this amazing work. I have been reflecting on the me from years ago. My actions, words, reactions to people and situations. I am not reflecting with a sorrowful heart, guilty mind or regretful spirit. Those emotions do not represent my new mind, heart and spirit. Why? Because those are all chains, footholds or strongholds the enemy tries to plant in order to keep me from walking and living in the abundant fullness God has poured out and has planned for me. I KNOW who I am now. God is transforming me and I cannot get enough of Him and all of the goodness He has in store. When I am confronted by someone who knew me as "Saul" and that person or group of people throw their judgment because of my past, the Lord brings to mind several things. #1-I am clothed in dignity and strength because I wear the Armor of God. Those words of judgement and condemnation or rejecting attitudes are fiery arrows coming at me by the enemy and are powerless. #2-Even having been a believer in Christ since the age of 9, the past few years have been when I have truly had my soul awakened to my true identity. This realization and walking in and with God has removed the scales from my spiritual eyes and allows me to see more of God and who I am in Him. That freedom is priceless and the hope and peace I receive is difficult to put into words. #3-I am called to SHOW God's love and power. How receptive or reactive of those who knew me as "Saul" has zero to do with me and lies with them alone. In the love letter, God tells us, "If anyone will not listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust of your feet."-Matthew 10:14, NIV I am free in Christ! Truly free to walk in the light of who I am because of His blood shed on the cross. I am free to walk as "Paul" and leave "Saul" behind because that is just what God wants to do in accomplishing His plans for my life and His kingdom here on Earth. My purpose is to be the light simply because the Holy Spirit leads, guides and directs my steps. I want more of the promises God has for me because I know that He keeps His promises. That alone is enough for me to keep seeking God first, in all things, leaning not on my understanding but fully committed and trusting in God because HIs ways are good. Our willingness, full surrender and complete trust allows God to transform all of us from Saul to Paul. Which version of you do people know? Which version of you do you know? Are you walking and living in the freedom and fullness God has in store? My prayer is that you allow God to remove the scales from your spiritual eyes and grow your heart in Him so that you may go forward out of the shadows of the enemy and walking in the authority Jesus gave you when He died on the cross and rose again 3 days later. Love, Shalon A cup of tea. Simple. Seemingly insignificant, even to the one drinking it at times. On the other hand, soothing, warming, comforting, useful for sleep, aches, pains or many other ailments.
What about the cup in which the tea is poured in? Do you have a favorite cup or drinking glass? Is it stained? Is it broken? Chipped? Special because of where you got it or someone who gave it to you? Salvaged because it was dropped and broken at one time? What is meant by "being someone's cup of tea?" or NOT being someone's cup of tea? It means to be something one like or excels in. It can also mean, a thing to be reckoned with. Interesting? I have only recently began hearing the phrase, "Let's talk tea" and "spill the tea." In this sense, it apparently refers to sharing gossip. This is something I strive to stay away from. Unnecessary drama and lies, no thank you. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I have NOT been someone's "cup of tea" more often in life than I HAVE been. I am okay with that. As I continue to grow, bloom and blossom in my journey with God, I see that it is okay to not be someone's/everyone's cup of tea because the truth is, I AM God's cup of tea! I was fearfully and wonderfully made with a special purpose even more than one. You see, I am a tea cup in God's cupboard. A broken, stained, chipped, glued back together after being accidentally or purposely broken by someone else. I have rough edges but am not seen that way by God and neither are you! In God's eyes, in His collection of vessels to carry what He chooses to pour in to, I am a precious heirloom of His. I am treasured, adored, loved, valuable, useable, cherished, special and worthy of being used by Him. You see? I long to be a cup overflowing of God's purpose, love, truth, comfort and use. I long to accomplish complete servanthood of God my Father. I was made in His image, therefore, He longs to pour into me and allow me to spill over onto those around me whom He chooses to also pour over and into. In preparing to write this, I asked God what it meant for me to be HIS cup of tea. This is what He said: T-TRUTH in speaking, seeking, sharing God's truth E-EXPECTATION from obedience to Him completely (Just be that cup that is useable by God in whatever way He knows I can be of greatest use for Him. He has made promises to us that he WILL keep!) A-ACCEPTANCE, walking in fullness & anointing of God by God I long to be overflowing and not just full? Why? Because the overflow reaches others and allows God to touch them in ways I never could. Of course, I want to be full of God's grace, love, mercy, wisdom, discernment, fruits of the Spirit and touch those around me to know that same fullness, BUT! I want to be overflowing, able to accomplish more. I want to be overflowing in speaking God's truth with His love, grace and mercy steeped into life-giving words to others. I long to be warming to others with the sweet aroma of praise to God and to those around me. I want to allow God to "steep" my baggage from the past hurts, abuse and mistreatment by others that in my humanness try to contain in a neat "bag." God is the only one who can steep that "bag"gage and then throw those pieces into HIS compost pile that is transformed into something useful, nourishing and freeing to others as well as me. Holding on to my tea "bag"gage weighs me down in the water and does not allow me truly be free. I am not everyone's cup of tea and I am okay with that. I was not created to be everyone else's cup of tea or tea cup. I was created, designed and made to be God's tea cup vessel overflowing with His Truth with Expectation of fulfillment of His promises from my obedience and Acceptance of walking in His fullness and anointing. Several weeks ago, God showed me a verse and spoke it over me in a way that opened my eyes to His amazing love and purpose for me, his cherished, loved, adored "heir"loom and I have been unable to stop hearing it being repeated to me. Song of Solomon 2:10, "My beloved spoke to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.'" My heart leaps whenever I hear or read this verse because God gave such an incredible meaning behind it directly to me. I hope you are able to see yourself the way God sees you as an invaluable, cherished, loved, adored, worthy "cup" in his cupboard and will allow Him to pour over you not just to fill your cup but to overflow onto others the way He wants to do this. And remember, if you don't empty a cup, it never needs to refilled. Also, you have the choice to be just full or to be overflowing! |
AuthorDaughter, Sister, Wife, Momma, Friend, Warrior Princess, Sold out follower of Christ. There is more to me than meets the eye. A beautifully broken, messy, loving, imperfect woman praying to inspire others to find the JOY in this Joy-ney we call life! Archives
July 2022
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