Our thoughts, words, and actions create atmospheres. We carry, cultivate, and release those atmospheres wherever we go. Considering the current global pandemic that we suddenly find ourselves facing, I feel compelled to share how imperative it is to create the right atmospheres so we can live in faith within a world snared by fear. What is your Atmosphere? Your atmosphere is the pervading tone or mood of a place or situation that you are within. Atmospheres can do two things: attract similar atmospheres and collide with each other (which is when one atmosphere takes over another; the strongest prevails). You have the power to create, change, and shift atmospheres through your thoughts, words, and actions. Guarding Against a Spirit of Fear One morning, recently, I awoke to a spirit of fear. Throughout the night, this demon had been tormenting and bombarding me with dreadful thoughts, telling me that I had contracted the COVID-19 virus. This spirit had been trespassing and harassing me because, you see, it was in the atmosphere. I wrestled with this spirit in my mind, but then I quickly realized that I needed to expose the darkness. I partnered with my husband in prayer so that we could agree, in faith, and shift the atmosphere. Faith successfully broke the atmosphere of fear and those thoughts disappeared. Fear is the Opposite of Faith In Mark 4:40, Jesus said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” When we are full of faith, we are not afraid. It is necessary to identify our fears so that we can exercise our faith over them and walk in victory. If we choose to live by what we see in the natural, fear can trespass and intrude. We must adjust our thoughts, words, and actions so that they line up with the Word of God. Take self-inventory. What are you thinking, speaking, and doing in these present times? Are you spending too much time listening to negative news? Are your thoughts and words fear-based? Have you allowed an atmosphere of fear to prevail in your home? If you haven’t been aligning with a lifestyle of faith, make those necessary changes starting today. Close the news, open your Bible, and pray! Stand firm in your faith and allow God to strengthen that faith. Isaiah 7:9 says, “If you are not firm in your faith, you will not be firm at all.” I declare over you that the atmosphere of fear is colliding with the atmosphere of faith, and the atmosphere of faith will prevail in your life! Pray the following prayer aloud, declaring an atmosphere shift: Dear heavenly Father, Thank You that You haven’t given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. I command every spirit of fear attacking me or dwelling within my atmosphere to leave now, in the name of Jesus. I ask You, Lord, to send Your angels to drive out anything that is not of You. I claim Your promises in Psalm 91, and I plead the blood of Jesus around my body, mind, family, home, and atmosphere. I ask for a fresh release of faith now, in a greater measure than I’ve ever experienced before. Equip me, Lord, to align my thoughts, words, and actions with a lifestyle of faith and not fear. Empower me to shift atmospheres from fear to faith wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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In a world where there are innumerable opinions, distractions, and voices, how can we undoubtedly stay on track with God’s will for our lives? When multiple opportunities appear all at once, how do we know which door to go through? God has provided us with a gift, the gift of discerning of spirits. It is one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, outlined within 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (ESV):
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good … to another the ability to distinguish between spirits … All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. This gift is the special ability that God gives the body of Christ to know, with assurance, whether something is Godly, demonic, or the flesh. It is the ability to obtain sharp perceptions, judge well between good and evil, cut right through smokescreens, and read between the lines, exposing what is hidden, obscure, or false. It involves going past merely what is evident in the natural to what you spiritually see, hear, and understand. JESUS WAS DISCERNING Jesus operated in the gift of discernment. His conversation with Peter in Matthew 16:21-23 (ESV) illustrates this gift in operation as He discerns the human spirit (the flesh): From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hinderance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man [flesh].” Peter loved Jesus. Obviously, he didn’t want Jesus to violently suffer and be crucified. However, Jesus discerned the human spirit Peter was operating in. Discernment is crucial in keeping us in the center of God’s will, regardless of man’s words, opinions, or persuasions. ARE YOU DISCERNING? Jesus also discerned the thoughts and true intentions of men in Mark 2:8 (ESV): And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?” Understanding the true intensions of others can save you from entering a wrong relationship, business deal, binding contract, or what seemingly looks like an amazing opportunity. On numerous occasions, this gift has saved me from various hardships. It has also enabled me to move powerfully in deliverance ministry and encouraged my faith through being in the presence of God’s angels. I have noticed that the gift of discernment sharpens the more I flow in it. THE GIFT IS FOR YOU NOW! Now is the time for you to move in the gift of discernment! Pray the following prayer: Dear heavenly Father, Thank You for freely giving gifts to Your children. I ask that You impart to me the gift of the discerning of spirits in a greater measure than I have experienced before. By faith, I receive this gift from You now. Lord, sharpen this gift inside of me so that I can stay within the center of Your will and be protected from unnecessary trouble, delay, and turmoil. Guide me, Lord, and help me know what choices to make and what doors to go through. God, I ask You to teach me and empower me to use the gift of the discerning of spirits not only for myself but also for the benefit of others and for the fulfilment and advancement of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen. |
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