Just having a bad day or is there something more...

I can really connect with John E.'s writting today on Spiritual Warfare. He makes the claim that most of us don't really recognize the "oppressive stuff" that we are living under daily. We just chalk it up to being in a bad mood, having an off morning, some kind of distraction. In other words we can make an agreemtn to the crud that is going on in our life. We can agree in our hearts that it is noting more than indigestion and a headache... or we can ask Jesus if there is anything else at work here. We already established yesterday that there are other forces in this world at work in our life and they want nohting other than to rob our joy and steal our days. That power is Satan.

So here is the question. How often do we honeslty ask Jesus "where is this CRUD I am expriencing in my life coming from?" Do we honestly choose to seek God to point a finger to what is going on or are we too bussy to do so, or we think He doesn't have the time for this, or maybe we don't really want to hear the answer to this? I have to tell you when I am having a bad day, morning, evening or all fo the above I very seldom go to God with it. I usually blaim it on some external circumstance, someone else, or something else. At times I will blaim it on some stupid choice or decision I made and now I am paying for it. However it could just be that Satan has found a foothold in my life and he is making some headway. Scary to think about, but is altogether a reality!!! It does happen, and if we try to wage war against him on our own then he has won, becuase we don't have the power to do it. I am really open this morning to seeking god's counsel in the crumby days. Maybe for one reason and one reason alone. A selfish reason...I want more JOY in my life. I don't want to be cranky irritable, and hard to life with. My family can attest to this fact. I want the fullness of God's joy in my life. I don't want to be ruled by the devils footholds in my life. He will do anything in his power to rob joy from me and lately he has been winning all to often. Today I take a new stand.

In our Bible study group last night at MY Place I told the group of a project I am undertaking for the 9 days we will be on vacation. It is called my project of Joy. For 9 days I am going to choose God's joy to be my strength. I am going to choose to respond to my children and family with joy. I am going to seek joy in all circumstances in my life no matter what comes. Though I confess that I am a little concened about this project. I know that in order for God to teach me joy He is going to give me circumstances that I am going to have to choose His joy and that gives me a little fear of what might be coming. On the other hand I have a peace because whatever does come my way I beleive I will be stronger to deal with it. Because the joy of the Lord is my strength.

I really believe God is going to do a new work in me on vacation. Not the typical experience that I go away have fun get rest and say hello to God when I get back. I beleive there is a new connection waiting for me in the mountains of Gatlinburg. A connection that I have been needing for sometime. It is time for Joy to reign in my life. Please be praying for me as I am believing God for this new work in me. I pray that God helps you see the enemy for who he really is. A liar, a cheat, and someone who hates your guts!!! No worry's though...if we go to God for His council He will free us from this oppression and replace it with his joy. Time for the project to begin, God...help me, A-men.
Walking Together,
Your Dreaming Pastor