Truly understanding and resting in the power of God has been the topic of a lot of conversation in the FAM Fellowship for the past couple of weeks, and today one of our members shared how the Lord helped her understand it more clearly through a book she’s reading by James Robison. And since this may well be the same struggle others have had with understanding the awesome power we have as Christians, here’s Diane’s message from earlier today and a couple of the responses as follow:

MORE POWER OF GOD

I know that we have been talking lately about the power of God and I believe I finally GOT it. I received a book yesterday by James Robison, called The Life You’re Fighting For –strength to win your spiritual battles. I know that Linda has been stressing this so much, but it went in without touching deep in my soul. Jesus is saying to us ALL that what HE has is OURS. When we ask something in HIS name; he is saying we have a legal right to issue orders in His name (Romans 8:17). We have the same power Jesus had to crush Satan and give Him victory. It just finally took root in my heart.

Christ’s purpose for coming to this world was so “that He might destroy the works of the devil. He said “As the Father hath sent me so I send you.” So one purpose in our life is the same as Jesus’ – to destroy the works of the devil and to deliver those whom he holds captive. We share that calling with Christ. The devil knows this purpose for us and tries everything to thwart that purpose. But the armor we always need to put on is manufactured by God and it is all we need to have the victory. This book goes into much detail about all the pieces of armor we need to put on and it was eye opening. If you have never actually studied every piece and what it is for, I would suggest doing so. I put on each piece everyday, but did not fully understand each one. Now I do.

Always remember that we are not under the circumstances; we are above; we are secure in Him. Have confidence in God and believe that whatsoever we ask for in Jesus’ name, the Father in Heaven will bring it to pass. I recommend that anyone struggling with God’s awesome power and all that it means check this book out. It has opened my spiritual eyes so wide and I thank God for sending this book to me; and I really don’t remember sending for it. But in order to reveal the Kingdom of God through our lives with power and strength, we must choose to believe God’s Word concerning our identity, our purpose and our resources in pursuing that purpose. We must choose to believe that Christ IS our life (Colossians 3:4), and to step out, to behave according to our belief. We have the credentials necessary to wage victorious spiritual warfare, so lets do it. I hope this helps to encourage anyone still struggling with the GREAT and AWESOME POWER that God gives us because we are God’s children. We can do all He asks through Christ who strengthens us. Amen. Be encouraged and have a great day. Diane

Response by Linda Wattu on April 4th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
WOW, Diane, this is awesome – POWERFUL! I am always amazed how the Holy Spirit works! We can hear a message over and over again, and then we hear it one more time, maybe worded a little differently (or not), and through the power of the Holy Spirit, it just ignites our spirit, and like you said, it is deeply planted into our hearts and souls! And this is such a powerful and important message, so thanks for sharing it with us. In fact, if it’s okay with you, I’m going to add the scripture references and post it in SOF, which I already know is okay with you! Thanks again – what a blessing this and you are to all of us! We all love and appreciate your very special brand of faith and encouragement SO much – and I know the Lord does too, which is why He is working so mightily in your situation and the restoration of your marriage and family!

Response by Alex on April 4th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Yep, Diane you got the message alright. That’s exactly what finally got sunk into my spirit last week. The academic knowledge becomes known to our spirits and that’s when we experience peace, release, power, strength, refreshing…all sorts of wonderful things. Keep riding that wave! Hugs, Alex

And it’s very interesting how this also ties into another theme we’ve been discussing quite a bit in the fellowship lately, which is humility; more specifically the power of humility. And Creflo Dollar presented a great message about The Delivering Power of Humility today. True humility is total and complete surrender to the will and power of God, and the above and following messages from Dr. Dollar really illustrate that so well, especially the awesome power for deliverance and victory found at the feet of Jesus, which he teaches in The Delivering Power of Humility (Part 2). .

When we really understand the power of God and can truly rest in it and humbly submit and surrender our will and plan to His, we will truly be blessed and encouraged, so this is a very important message for everyone standing for marriage restoration or in need of victory and deliverance of any kind!

One of the most important biblical principles we have to master as we stand for marriage restoration is the amazing power of humility and the disastrous consequences and results when we allow our words and actions to be dictated by pride and offense. Most standers have to admit that allowing their pride and natural defense mechanisms to control the way they responded when hurt and offended by the actions of their spouses, only made their situations a LOT worse, and NEVER better. In fact, many of the men and women I’ve talked to actually admit that it literally drove their spouses right into the arms of the other person. So it’s very important for us to study what the Bible teaches about the power of humility and the disastrous and destructive consequences of pride and responding in our flesh when we have been offended.

A very powerful testimony illustrating these principles was posted on the private fellowship site this past weekend. A few weeks ago one of the FAM Fellowship members asked for my advice concerning a situation she wasn’t sure how to deal with. She had been asked to take over as choir director at the church she joined after her husband left, because he was a pastor and their church went under. But the interim choir director seemed to be very unhappy with those arrangements and did everything in her power to create problems. At the point of our discussion, they had been in a meeting with the pastor without resolving anything and the other woman had circulated something untrue about her, and she had written a letter to send to everyone concerned in the matter; vindicating herself and setting the record straight. She hadn’t done anything to the woman and nothing she tried to do to resolve the conflict was working, and she was at a loss to know what to do. Little did she know how much like a situation from my past that reminded me of, in which I did not have the wisdom to handle things any differently than she was handling her situation, with disastrous consequences for me and a lot of other people, which I greatly regret even to this day! So I asked her not to make the same mistake I had made and to humble herself under the mighty hand of God, trusting that HE would lift her up in due time (1 Peter 5:5-8). And I reminded her of the many scripture verses that tell us to be peace makers, seek peace and to even pursue peace; and that the Bible also tells us to bless those who curse us, so I said “So, why don’t you send her some flowers instead?” We also talked about pride and how it was one of Satan’s favorite and most effective weapons, and how he especially LOVES to mess up churches through music! And I told her that I thought this was a unique opportunity for her to lead by example. Needless to say, she was not feeling all warm and fuzzy about my counsel at that moment! But the Holy Spirit must have confirmed it to her later, because the testimony she posted this weekend told of how God worked when she submitted to doing things HIS way instead of following the dictates of her flesh. She didn’t have a chance to get flowers, but bought a flower pin for the woman instead, and gave it to her all wrapped up with hearts and a card that said “Blessed are the peace makers.” She said there was no real indication of a reaction when she gave her the gift; not even much of an acknowledgement of it at the time. I bet she was thinking what a stupid idea it was! But the next week at practice, the woman came running up to her and gave her a big hug AND kiss and asked her to ride with her to the drugstore after practice, and even offered to take her out to lunch! They had a great time together and talked about going shopping; even took pictures of themselves together!!! Now, who could change a heart like that other than God? And ever since that time, they have had no problems in choir practice and every time the other woman sees her, she runs to give her a hug and kiss. Needless to say, that outcome was not possible without obedience to what the Word teaches us, and there’s NO telling what would have happened if she had continued on the path she had already started down to defend herself! That’s a very powerful lesson, and one the member said she’ll NEVER forget! When we DO things according to God’s wisdom and instruction – HE steps in and works through supernatural power on our behalf! If Jesus Christ didn’t defend Himself, we shouldn’t think it’s right or necessary to defend ourselves, even when we’re totally right and the other person is totally wrong. And the example the Bible tells us to follow is found in 1 Peter 2:21-25, which says To this you were called, be
cause Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. We HAVE to trust God to make the wrongs done to us right, and the ONLY way to make sure He will do that is to walk in HIS ways. When we DO things God’s way, we get God’s results; when we do things the world’s way, we get the world’s results…and none of us want the world’s results! So the following verses teach and remind us of God’s way, and when we put them into practice, we won’t be able to help being blessed and encouraged!

Proverbs 17:9
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Isaiah 44:22
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

Matthew 18:35 (AMP)
So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.

Luke 7:23 (AMP)
And blessed (happy– with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, apart from outward conditions–and to be envied) is he who takes no offense in Me and who is not hurt or resentful or annoyed or repelled or made to stumble [ whatever may occur].

Luke 17:4 (AMP)
And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled).

Acts 24:16 (AMP)
Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.

James 1:19 (AMP)
Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.

1 Peter 4:8 (AMP)
Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].

Leviticus 26:19
I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze.

Psalm 10:4
In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

Psalm 18:27
You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

Psalm 25:9
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Psalm 147:6
The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.

Isaiah 29:19
Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 18:4
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

The following messages from Creflo Dollar are two of the best messages I’ve ever heard on the topic of pride and just what it means, so you will definitely benefit and be blessed by listening to them and maybe even several times!

Getting out of Pride

Getting out of Pride – Part 2

Since this is such a special time of year for all of us as we commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our beloved Lord and Savior, as we celebrate the love and victory we have in Him, I can’t help thinking how blessed the FAM Fellowship is to have so many wonderful men and women of God as members! The following message, which was posted on the ladies’ private site Saturday, is a perfect example of why; and reveals the awesome, loving, supportive and uplifting ministry that takes place among our members. And so true to how the Lord ALWAYS works, this message really spoke to many of our members very personally and was confirmation of several other conversations as well. And you all know how much God’s awesome power of confirmation totally amazes me! So I really appreciate Alex’s permission to share the following message here too, along with the other members whose responses I’m sharing as well. And I have no doubt many others will be just as blessed and encouraged as we all are! Thank you, Alex, for your faithfulness and obedience and the loving service you render in the name of Jesus!

Holy Week

This is an awesome week, so I know that many are fasting and consecrating themselves and their households to the Lord. And the excitement and joy I feel goes beyond what I desire in terms of our restorations. I feel that this week holds explosive spiritual growth and healing for a lot of members, their spouses, and their children.

We have been talking this past week about the Holy Spirit’s power within us and the need to first believe our prayers and then speak them forth. Again and again, we have had personal confirmations of this in our lives. Through the teachings of those such as Glenn Jackson and Marsha Burns, we have received even more confirmation that we are moving with the flow of the Holy Spirit on these subjects. And what an appropriate time to take hold of this truth; during this special season of Easter and God’s power made manifest through the victory of our risen Savior.

This morning, I was reading in 1 John and I came across some scripture that sheds even further light on this subject; something to strengthen and edify each one of us. 1 John 3:8 gives us so much confidence in God’s plans for us, Because it says The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. Jesus didn’t just come to conquer sin; he came to conquer the effects – the consequences of sin in our lives!!! Let that sink in for a moment. Jesus didn’t just come to save me from the sins that destroyed my marriage; He came to destroy the devil’s work that resulted from my sin-that means I can have total confidence that He came to restore my family and my broken marriage. He came to restore me by cleansing me and causing me to be whole again. I am not depressed; I am not an adulteress; I am not fearful; I am not ashamed-PRAISE GOD! My study bible says this about the above passage: Satan cannot lay hold of the believer to harm him, on the contrary, the Christian will overcome him and Christ will destroy his work.

And here is a word of comfort for those whose spouses are not walking in fellowship with God right now; verse 9 says No one born of God will continue in sin, because God’s seed remains within him, he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. And for those whose spouses are not saved, this is an important reminder to continue to pray daily for their salvation, and I will be praying this week for the salvation of all prodigals who do not know the Lord.

I sound like an infomercial – but wait there’s more! Verse 12 says Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because Cain’s own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do you feel like your marriage is a body and your spouse is walking away; letting it die while you try to give it CPR? So many in the fellowship are dealing with spouses who, like Cain, are consumed with jealousy, fear and anger because they feel inadequate-that what they have to offer is not enough. Their feelings of unworthiness have led to anger which has been sustained and produced sin. This feeling of unworthiness is compounded in them when they see the growth and light within us that they so desperately want for themselves. And sometimes, they lash out at us because they don’t know how else to take their anger out on God. Jenn and Amy, as I write this, your situations just come so strongly to my mind. In this season, you are enduring the wrath of Cain from your husbands, but praise GOD, this season will pass and God will make peace with them and they will make peace with you. We know God will do this, because as the Word says, we are one flesh with our spouses and as we have received forgiveness and deliverance, so shall our spouses. We are halves of a whole.

I also received comfort from verses 18-20, which say Let us not love with words but with actions and in truth…this is how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts and he knows everything. My study note says this: An oversensitive conscience can be quieted by the knowledge that God himself has declared active love to be evidence of salvation. He knows the hearts of all-whether in spite of shortcomings, they have been born of him. I myself have struggled with an oversensitive conscience, and I know others here have as well. I found the following word from Bill and Marsha Burns website, Spirit of Prophecy, which so speaks to this feeling that I will share it here:

The Slack-Mary Clark

March 31, 2007

On those days, beloved, when you “feel” that you just do not measure up, remember that I, your God, will take up the slack. Don’t be mournful about your shortcomings, but remember: That your God is well able to take up the slack. I am well able to give you the beneficial help that you need to keep going on the path that I have selected for you, that path that you long to walk with Me.

Many of My dear ones fret throughout their day about their shortcomings, wondering if they are going to make it. I ask you this, beloved: Do you have a willing heart, a heart longing to please the heart of your Father? If your answer to this is “yes,” I tell you truly that you need have no more than that. I am your God. My will is to move you forward toward the high calling that I have selected for you. Your desire is to follow that course. You will see My will accomplished in your life, dear one. I am able to take up the slack.

And, beloved, when you have had an extraordinarily good day, don’t pat yourself on the back. Look to Me with a thankful heart, knowing I was there and as always I was taking up the slack for you, sending you on your way to a success in your walk that thrilled your heart and Mine also.

I am a good God Who is always working on His dear children’s behalf, always taking up the slack in their lives and bestowing the benefits that serving Me brings to a heart that is willing. Now isn’t that reassuring, beloved. Isn’t it reassuring to know that I am always there with you, always making those nips and tucks in your walk, establishing you in your walk, sending you forward into that promised success in your walk for which your heart longs? Isn’t that reassuring? Of course it is, beloved. Of course it is! So when you are feeling a bit down or feel that you are floundering a bit in your walk, look to Me and see the light of My eyes smiling on you, and know deep within that you serve a masterful God Who is more than able to give you that extra boost in your walk, sending you forward into the wonders that I have provided.

And that word is just confirmation, because I didn’t find it until after I had read 1 John this morning! Now comes one of the best parts of what I found in the word this morning. Again, same chapter, verses 21-23 say Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD AND RECEIVE FROM HIM ANYTHING WE ASK BECAUSE WE OBEY HIS COMMANDS AND DO WHAT PLEASES HIM. And this is His command: to BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST and to love one another. Isn’t that what we have been talking about this week. Believing, believing, and believing. Asking with confidence. My study note says this about these verses, This command has 2 parts, the first is to believe in Christ and the second is to love. Again, we get so focused on love and we forget the necessity of believing and the power that comes through believing.

Father, may we all have the joy of seeing our faith strengthened this week. You can bring us out of disbelief and into the realm of truly embracing your Word and we ask for that transformation during this Easter season. Lord, we pray for the salvation of all prodigals who have never known you. Father, we thank you that those who have not been walking with you, will do so again because your word promises it. We thank you that you “pick up our slack” and that we will no longer listen to the accusing voice of the enemy but rather will bring our thoughts into captivity to you. As a result, we will have no fear that we are undermining your efforts or that we are hindering your work. We will have renewed love and patience for our spouses because we understand that their anger, though directed toward us at times, comes from deep wounds which you have promised to bind up and heal. Thank you Father because you look on our spouses with deep compassion and because of that, we do too. You will draw them out of deep waters and we will have joy when we see your glory in their faces. We rejoice in our victories Lord that are coming and coming soon! We thank you that we are commanded to have confidence before you and to ask with the expectation of receiving! How awesome is that truth from your Word! We love you Lord and we praise you. May you receive thanks, praise, glory and honor from your children this week. Sweet Jesus, make it so. Amen.

Response by Linda Wattu on April 1st, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Alex, thank you so much for sharing this with all of us – it’s awesome! And you know I’ll use it in my SOF post tomorrow! But another neat thing about it, is how it confirms a conversation I had last night with Kathy in Oregon. That was the first time we had a chance to get to know each other and I know she’ll appreciate the confirmation that you provided (well – the Holy Spirit) for so much of what we talked about! As always, you are such a blessing and this is a very important message for all of us, especially as we approach the day we set aside to honor the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Love you lots!

Response by Diane on April 1st, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Yes, Thank you for sharing this Alex, this is truly a special time. The prayer is so great; I will pray it this week for us all. Have a great Lords day. Diane

Response by Kathy in Oregon on April 1st, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Alex, — this is such an awesome post and like Linda said, so amazingly confirms what Linda and I were talking about last night!! God speaks in such amazing ways, and you are such a shining example of what the Lord will bring when we are fully yielded to Him! Thank you so much for sharing the insight that the Lord gives you — it ALWAYS carries such blessings and encouragement, and for that, I KNOW the Lord’s blessings are and will continue to be showered upon you and your family! Love, Kathy

Response by Janet in Maryland on April 2nd, 2007 at 10:37 am
Alex, your words had to be God sent!! I promised myself that this Holy week I was just going to be still, not post anything, just reflect on the Word and try my best to become more of what God wants me to be as a wife. After an exchange with (husband’s name omitted) yesterday, it was readily apparent that I had not totally forgiven him for some of his past actions; that I had not totally let him go and that I was not loving him based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. The result was I threw a little pity-party for myself, and then I fell on my face and poured out my heart to my God, asking for forgiveness for the entire exchange (husband’s name omitted) and I had. I asked God to help me be more forgiving and loving and to give me the strength to totally let my husband go. After reading “The Slack”, I felt so much better about the situation. I knew then that I did not have to worry about my shortcomings. I knew that I did not measure up to what God wanted me to be, but I also knew that my Savior will pick up that slack for me. I know that He just has to see the sincerity in my heart, for He knows how much I want to change and get right with Him. It was so reassuring to know that I serve a God who is “always working on His dear children’s behalf, always taking up the slack in their lives and bestowing the benefits that serving Him brings to a heart that is willing.” My heart is willing, but right now my flesh is weak. I would certainly appreciate your prayers at this time. I want nothing less than to be like Christ in my everyday life.
May God bless you all. You have all been so inspiring to me. Love Always, Janet.