It Was A Mistake

A mistake is a missed opportunity, a lapse in judgment, a wrong turn, a word spoken too soon, a signed contract based on the personality of a con artist, or a business deal gone awry. A mistake isn't repeated because it is costly whether it is financial, a person's time, or the direction of one's life.

Many car accidents come from the mistake of depth perception, running an amber light, not looking out of the correct mirror, or just plain arrogance. The same mistake is rarely repeated, if actually a mistake, because people value their vehicles. Trusting a Realtor with an attractive smile to purchase a house or a piece of land and later finding that the property has faulty wiring or flood damage is a mistake not repeated because people value not wasting their hard earned money. Allowing a stylist creative license with hair having the end result of looking crazy is never repeated because people value the opinions of others. A mistake isn't something fondly remembered nevertheless, is reminded of so not to do it again.

Using the phrase, a mistake, has been abused. People have had affairs, misappropriated funds, has run from the law, ruined families, people have lost their minds and lives based on someone stating that they have made a mistake.

A mistake is not a preconceived, premeditated, plan for action. People attend college and are trained for certain positions of employment so not to make a mistake especially while on the job. A doctor making a mistake makes him a liability. His/her insurance rates are too high to meet. Other doctors try not to associate themselves with a medical professional who has made a mistake. Police officers carry lethal weapons and have to rely on the months and months of training so not to withdraw their weapon too soon but soon enough so not to become the victim. A lawyer without the right strategy can make a mistake causing his/her client to receive an unjust punishment. A mistake for trained professionals is the difference between having a career and being unemployed.

In Christianity, a minister, speaker, or anyone calling themselves "the mouth piece of God" cannot have the luxury of stating that they have made mistakes. They have been to school and have had their own personal study. They have been in prayer and have a close, continuing relationship with God having taken on the responsibility of feeding the flock. He/she cannot afford to give the flock tainted or spoiled spiritual food. It is the difference of having a flock for the next sermon and closing the ministry down. There would be no reason for such a profession to make a mistake over that pulpit because of so many other factors have been set for such a thing not to happen. Much like a doctor or lawyer with the concentration being specifically on one subject so that he/she could do the best job for their client. The same with the clergy only not to be pleasing to man, but pleasing to God having still the assignment that has been given to them. After all, how many times have we heard that the pastor, minister, evangelist, preacher, or bishop have said that they have not taken their assignment lightly but has count it as an honor and a privilege?  How then would a mistake happen? How then could they have heard anyone else but the voice of the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-5 AMP)?

In that same vein, with a Christian couple knowing the basics of what is expected from the two of them that have become one in front of witnesses, how could a mistake happen within that couple? How could he/she be in an uncompromising position knowing not only that the vows spoken weren't just lip service but also that they have received the blood bought salvation of Christ, Who sees all? How could anyone with these factors in place (Christianity, the blood of the lamb, the anointing, a spouse, integrity, character, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit), then decide to embezzle funds from their place of employment, cheat on their taxes, lie to cover for a friend, manipulate to cause confusion, have an affair just to do it, plot revenge, continually be late on a job, start an argument to distract from the real issue, gossip, brag, or be a dead beat parent? All of which has been rationalized with - it was a mistake (2 Peter 2:20-22 AMP).

One of my favorite television shows for the last 20 years is COPS. It is the first reality show I believe that has come on T.V. and is credible. I watch the show and feel comforted that there are those that have been employed to uphold the law and no matter how fast the criminal runs, or cries, pleads for the officer to let him/her go with a warning, the officer doesn't say a word until he hears what is necessary from the device he has strapped to his shoulder. The information given back dictates what the officer will do to this person. If a repeating offender, there is no amount of tears that will sway the officer from doing his/her appointed assignment (Romans 13:4 AMP). It could be a traffic violation. If the offender did not appear in court at the date given, the judge issues a warrant for arrest. There is no skipping out on that court date. Once found, he/she will serve jail time. Those committing felonies, get the royal treatment especially if they run. Pepper spray, taser, canine officer, billy club, whatever device necessary to be used to subdue the non-complaint individual, it is used and well deserving because of the offense. It is written in scripture - I would suppose that's why it is so comforting to watch.


God is good. He is our Heavenly Father to those who believe. He is the creator of us all. How then would He allow for anarchy to continue and those perpetuating it to live a care free life. It doesn't happen for them and it would never happen to those who believe. Mistakes repeated are not mistakes. No one is fooled - not man and definitely not God. If man (in the authority of police, judge, or parole officer) doesn't take the opportunity to give correction, correction will be. God will see to it (Proverbs 2:8-10 AMP). Disregard what is written if that's what will make you feel better (Proverbs 1:7 AMP). Just know when making a plan, right it down. One is less likely to make mistakes. To call a foiled plan a mistake is deceptive. Deception is evil. With God being good, evil will never reign - ever!

My Brother Is Suing Me?

There is this misconception that as a Christian we are not supposed to take one another to court. Misconception may not be the correct word to use here because the bible does state the procedure if there is a dispute among the believers (1 Corinthians 6:1-7 AMP). The process can be just as long as going through getting a complaint on the docket and having the other party served; nevertheless, it is different then what the world does and is pleasing in the sight of God to do good.

In using the word, misconception was after reading a textbook about divorce and marriage in the church. It was  difficult getting through the first five chapters thinking about how many divorces there are thus far in the church. With so many people not knowing what the correct thing to do in Christ, the alternative being what everyone on the bandwagon does and is socially acceptable.

Oh well, it just didn't work out but there is always divorce! 

It was tedious reading and a little disturbing to realize with the statistics being what they are, why hasn't this topic been discussed to exhaustion. Why are there so many sermons about getting more from God when what has been given has not been taken care of (Luke 12:48 KJV)? That isn't just the congregation but the spiritual leaders and  ministers  as well. They can't ask more from the congregation when they haven't done what God has told them to do. With God being a good Father, He would not have His children be without the information we need in order to have a full, complete and successful life. It seems there is enough punishment to go around for everyone.

Believers try their best to be pleasing to God. In so doing we tend to think this also means we must allow others to take advantage of us. This became a hot spot for me as I got up this morning and thought about my co-worker who happened to give me my check after opening it. She said, "sorry, I accidentally opened your check. It was a mistake." I was seething but took the check from her and said nothing about the matter. You see, everyone gets their check or a notice of their direct deposit in their mailbox located in the clerical office. She and I, because of having the same title, share a mailbox. If you know this, there is not mistake. I was here before her and never did I pick up my co-worker's check by mistake. You just don't do it, not even subconsciously because you are aware of someone else's personal property is there. Even with your own mail, one just doesn't open anything and everything. You scrutinize between the junk and the bills. A year or so later, the administrator did the same thing. Why wouldn't she notice the difference between her check and mine and why didn't she make that mistake with anyone else's check? She wrote on the envelope, "oops, sorry, I opened it by mistake" and then signed her name. She didn't even try to tape it back together. I still said nothing but could have taken a bite out of the back of the office chair I was so angry. The point of the matter is, I didn't do anything about it because the check wasn't a size that was worthy in making a big deal about. I also took it before God so I could still work with these people without gritting my teeth.

Would there be a difference if the check was constant and bigger?

There would be a slight difference. Would there be a difference if the perpetrators professed Christianity? And this is what the entire post is about. People tend to stray away when both parties are Christian because the whole foundation of love and being pleasing in the sight of God is paramount. Getting revenge belongs to the Lord and we are not to care about our material possessions; therefore, we have to go through so many different avenues to settle our discontent with being taken advantage of or just letting the matter go. It is what a family member told me to do when I was a freshman in college and working for a business in its fledgling stages of production. Granted, the owner used a number of his family members and also a few of us in the neighborhood which should have been my first clue but I was 18 at the time. My sister and I were elated to get a job so close to home but all of the adulation went South when weeks turned into months without pay. The owner at the end of every week had a speech about where the company was going and his goals in taking the entire staff on vacations. He puffed up the time we had with so many pipe dreams, the major complaint of payment was overlooked. I suppose he was surprised when he had to explain to the Better Business Bureau of his work practices and to the IRS for not filing the correct papers with having that many people as employees. Or maybe it was a shock to find that I got that process rolling and he received a summons to court.  I just couldn't let it go. It was so wrong of him to do with no remorse and no sign of rectifying the matter. I didn't know whether he was paying his family members with all of our hard work; I just knew my sister, my neighbor, and I had never received a check. My family member still maintained for me not to do anything and let God handle it even when I won my case. I didn't regret one moment of that process especially when he took all of his assets and put them in his only child's name. After I won my case, I did let the matter go. It was necessary for him to know that all of his hot air didn't detour me from doing what I knew was right and now he knew that I wasn't alone in thinking that way.

What about the Christian aspect of the matter? 

If Christians have a dispute, we know the Word would clear it up. If one party was not in agreement of the Word, then there would have to be another party who was knowledgeable in Christian principles (book knowledge as well as living it) to over see the topic and weigh in based upon the Word. If there was still a dispute, then the spiritual leaders are to handle the matter. The purpose for this procedure is to keep peace amongst the people for progression to continue in Christ. If the disputing party is still trying to cause discontentment, then he/she must leave the congregation (be excommunicated). He/she would be considered a sinner. This would mean that calling him/herself a Christian was only lip service. One must also walk in the spirit so not to fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16 AMP). Even if that practice wasn't something that had been studied for that individual as of yet, there is the practice of loving thy neighbor as thyself. If the so called Christian hadn't got to that lesson yet, there are always those 10 Commandments. Now with all three of those principles, we can see the levels of maturity in Christ. If none of these levels have ever been in practice especially as long as some of the people have been in church, then there is something wrong. The word tells us to know to do right and not to do it is a sin (James 4:17 AMP). If a person practices not doing right when he/she knows what right is - no matter how many times they call themselves a Christian, their acts say otherwise. He/she is a sinner and therefore is beholden to the same laws that the world goes by.

This is also true when there are those that go through a divorce. If both parties don't know what they have done, they should seek counseling in the church before attempting to file papers. It is no different in the case above. It is still paramount to do things that are pleasing to God. God hates divorce. God has called us all to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15 AMP). Is it a conundrum? 

I know of a case where the husband refused to get a job to support his wife and children. It was taken to the elders in the church over and over again. The pastor counseled the man and he still didn't do anything different. It was as if he snubbed the pastor's advice. Years passed and the tension in the household didn't subside. The wife was tired of going to the pastor and receiving no change. It had become an embarrassment for her and the family. The husband kept making references that if she was miserable, she should go and file for a divorce. He was very careful not to ask for a divorce himself just the suggestion of one. When matters didn't move as quickly as he would have liked, he made the living conditions so uncomfortable, that she contemplated the idea of leaving him.They separated. He started dating and was enjoying his single life. His family spoke to him about his behavior and suggested for him to go to the elders of the church to be reconciled with his wife. He hemmed and hawed but knew what the scriptures state about the matter. He made arrangements for him and his estranged wife to see the pastor. Nothing was resolved even after 4-5 sessions. Finally, after the pastor spoke to him privately, he was over wrought. He called his wife without gathering his thoughts and said, "If you don't want to get back together, I have to live my life. I need a wife. If  it isn't going to be you, it has to be someone. So what are you going to do?" She answered, "I don't know yet. What are you going to do?" He repeated himself. She didn't say anything. Frustrated that she didn't give him the answer he was looking for, he said, "You need to give me a divorce." She said, not knowing the Word as well as she should, "Why don't you get one yourself?" After that, the arguing started but she didn't have to keep listening to it and hung up the phone. 

You see, in this case, the man refused to care for his children. The Word tells us if a man doesn't support his children that he is worse then an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8 KJV). An infidel is a sinner. If his actions depict who he is, he has decided to be a sinner again no matter how he calls himself a Christian. Therefore, he is subject to the laws of the courts. He was taken to the elder of the church and spoken to over and over again. Because he refused to do anything better then he was doing, he disregarded the advice and actions within the church should have been taken. He knew what was right to do and decided not to do it. The Word tells us, this is a sin. His continued acts again makes him who he is - a sinner. Because the church did not take any other action for his disregard of advice, it would be a matter between the pastor and God; nevertheless, because he was not corrected, he thinks he can continue to do as he pleased in the church. Whether he knew it or not, he asked his wife for a divorce. She didn't know that was all she needed to be free and clear of him because it is written (1 Corinthians 7:15 AMP). The marriage continued, estranged as it was, for years even after the separation. His acts of infidelity continued even before a divorce was filed and granted.

It's as if there is this target on our backs for us to be the whipping post for all of those who desire to be bullies but have no one else to pick on but the Christian. Because we have some knowledge in Christ to be the peace givers and the light of the world, we try with every effort not to be argumentative and not to cause dissension anywhere. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. With Him being greater on the inside of each and every one that believes, how then can we disrupt the quiet? How can we be the cause of the storm when we are the ones to call, peace be still? Selah.

The answer is because we are the light of the world we have to stand against the wrong that is being done. If we have someone do wrong against us it is as if the person is doing wrong against the temple of God. You do remember when Jesus came upon those that tried to sell wares in the temple? He said that they had made the house of God a den of thieves (Mark 11:15-18 KJV). There is no communion with light and darkness. When light has been turned on, darkness is eradicated. With this understanding, do what is right. If there is a person who professes Christianity, then he/she will abide by what the church decides according to scripture. If not, then he/she does not believe and therefore, without admitting it, is a sinner. He/she can then be summoned to court, get a bill of divorce, and any other legal matter that is acceptable by the world's standards. It is not because you believe in such practices, it is because the respect and reverence of God is not honored and has been disregarded. Just like Jesus kicking over the tables in the temple, we have the same right to evict the wrong so it is right again. This is why there should be Christians in political office and in everything that would change policy and procedure for the greater good. We don't necessarily have to run for office, we just have to be an influencing factor for those that do. Amen?

Did God Say You Would Have Trouble?

Its just that when I hear a man or woman of God teach something that doesn't line up with the Word of God, I cringe. The cringe is a reminder of how long I believed lies that kept me from pursuing the true blessing. Truth delivers. Deceit deprives. What may sound good isn't, unless you can find it in the Word and know how to rightly divide it.

Let's take some lies that have been compounded (spoken again and again) in ministry where many heard and believed to be the truth (2 Peter 3:16-18 AMP). This list is small; however, it should get you started in studying and having your own reference materials to use when the lies try to contend with you:

The Lies
1. God didn't say that you wouldn't have trouble.
2. God may not come when you want Him but He is always right on time.
3. Marriage is hard and an eye opener.
4. The many things you can't do because you are a Christian.
5. Seeking God's perfect will in your life.
6. The list of foods a believer cannot eat.
7. Docile and introverted is the same as meek and humble.
8. The devil targets the righteous because he already has the sinner.
9. God never says no but always yes and amen.
10.It is good to use your imagination... what do you think God gave it to you for?

Alright, there you have it. There are some current ones in there that you probably just heard this week. I know there are some in there I just heard and had to correct my fellow sister in the Lord. She wasn't too happy about it in fact when a third party showed her the scripture that I was referring to and neither one of us could find, she changed her tune and acted as if it was what she was saying all along. There is no need to quarrel over it (James 1:20 AMP). If that mind is changed for the better, that is the goal. Not who said what first. Remember that, and also to pray before going over this or saying it to someone else. People are set in their ways for a reason and the allowance of that thought and feeding it, it isn't trying to be moved anytime soon. So get ready for the opposition - if you pray, it will be momentary.

Here is the truth:
1.  God didn't say that you wouldn't have trouble. God did say that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness all these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33 KJV). We first then find out what the Kingdom of God is and go from there. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but joy and peace in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17 KJV). Peace is not trouble. Even if there is some trouble in our lives, don't we have the where withal to know the effect of righteousness ? Do we not have weapons for the battle? If trouble arises we have to question ourselves with what we thought, said, or did for this to come upon us. Joy comes in the morning - right?

2.  God may not come when you want Him but He is always right on time.That particular phrase frustrated me for years. I know of a woman who liked a certain type of house. She bought a starter home and was believing that God would give to her what she desired. She waited for years for God to move and give her what she asked for. It was getting to be 30 years at her wait and when asked why she never moved into her home, the tone in her voice would change and she would express anger at how she waited on God and He didn't do what she asked of Him. She wasn't ready to hear anything consoling from me, but I know that when we wait longer than we ever thought it necessary to do, it is because we practiced impatience in other areas of our lives. Patience is a necessary ingredient for the fruit of the Spirit. God is good. If He tells for fathers not to provoke your children to anger (Ephesians 6:4 KJV), do you think He would do this to His children? So then, why else would we wait an inordinate period of time? Had we done this to someone else? Why then do we expect for God to move so quickly when we have made people wait unnecessarily for us (Galatians 6:7 KJV)? It sounds like seed was sown but you don't like the harvest.The Word tells us that we have not because we ask not but when we ask we ask amiss. Judge yourselves. What have you missed in the sight of God? Now that with your asking, this time of waiting is really getting your attention - isn't it?

3. Marriage is hard and an eye opener. I have written about this before. If marriage is hard why would God have us do it? Jesus said to follow Me, My burden is easy and yoke is light. Did He add on, but unless you are married you are on your own? Of course not, so if marriage is hard, could it be because we did not do what God had planned for us? When Paul wrote that if you marry you would have trouble, was he just making it up as he went along? Man says marriage is hard. The word says to enjoy your own husband and husbands love your wives. Is the Word asking for us to do the impossible when man says one thing and Paul in as much agrees? No, none of which are in disagreement with the other. You would have trouble and it is hard if you marry for the purposes of having legal sex. If you did not practice walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16 KJV) in all that you do and love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength, then you will have to learn that with another person that you will be accountable for. Doesn't that sound hard to do? To keep peace in a house when you discover the person you married is a natural nagger, would be troublesome. How can you concentrate on the things God had destined for you when you did not seek these matters first (The Kingdom of God)?

4.  The many things you can't do because you are a Christian. There are many things you can do as a Christian. You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you (Philippians 4:13 KJV). If your heart is devising to do mischief and/or evil, then there are things you will have to put away until you are more mature to handle the matter. For instance, if you are a recovering alcoholic and still can easily be tempted, don't go into the bar under the guise of witnessing to people. Another example is, you can go into the casinos because they have a great breakfast bar there, but why tarnish your credibility with others who thought you were one way and considered being a Christian too until they saw you go into the casino. It can all be innocent, but would it be best for you to do that which is becoming of the Lord rather than yourself?

5.  Seeking God's perfect will in your life. To seek God's perfect will in your life would imply that there is a will that is imperfect. The imperfection is what you do because of outside influence (Ephesians 4:14 KJV). God has put in you what makes you happy. It gives you joy to do such and such. Others may scoff because they don't understand and even say out loud like, "you can't make any real money doing that." But God said that He will make room for you and place you before great men (Proverbs 18:16 KJV). His will is already destined and laid out for you. He is here and there. Whether or not you adhere to what He says. He said to choose life. Once you do, it will be perfect.

6. The list of foods a believer cannot eat. There are a list of foods that is mentioned in the Word (Leviticus 11 KJV). It clearly states that you cannot eat them in order to remain clean. In the New Testament Peter had a dream where he saw a blanket filled with different sorts of animals and the Lord told Peter that he could eat those foods (Acts 10:9-16 KJV). Right then Peter could have said, "I can, great! I was wondering what snake tastes like." But what Peter said was that he would not defile his body like that. He had a decision to make and made it. Now for anyone else who eats these foods, it is not a sin. For it is written, God would not tempt a man to evil (James 1:13 KJV). After all, lobster bisque sounds delicious and clam chowder is. Yet if we look at this matter scientifically, we can see why the list was made. There are certain animals that only consume dead things. Their job is the maintenance of the earth. They have special enzymes that our bodies don't have to break down decomposed matter. If we are to eat these animals in large quantities, much like having a lobster everyday or a crab cake for lunch 5 days a week, what would those enzymes do to our bodies? In not consuming those foods at all, would our health improve as well? God permits us to do as we choose to do. Is it the best in what we choose to do? Is it good for us? Yet we made a decision to do it or not? He said for us to choose life. When we do, then it is the decision for every aspect of it - life.

7.  Docile and introverted is the same as meek and humble. God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV). The word fear, in this scripture is defined as timidity which is synonymous to being shy. To be docile is passive and allowing to let whatever happen whether you could do something about it or not. A woman said to me what is the purpose of praying for things to change when God said that these things would happen in the last days? I thought it was a stupid thing to say. It is as if your child falls ill to something. Does it mean you won't care for or pray for your child? Of course not. The last and evil days becomes more prominent when the spirit filled Christian doesn't do what he/she is called to do. The prophetic Word tells of the last days to motivate the children of God to stay strong. In that strength of and not to be moved, it is that humility and meekness that will have its reward.

8. The devil targets the righteous because he already has the sinner.  I have heard, the devil is vigilante after the righteous, for years. I am so tired of hearing all the wrong that a believer has to tolerate because of the devil. He didn't do it!!! The believer made a decision and apparently it was a bad one. Read the first chapter of Job and be delivered. The devil has to obtain permission in order to come after the righteous. Even he knew that there was a hedge of protection around Job. Stop talking about the devil. Who cares what he does. Just keep him out of your life by doing God's will and not your own (Ephesians 4:27 KJV).

9. God never says no but always yes and amen.  Actually, God will not give you the go ahead to do wrong. It is in His Word what you should and should not do. If you decide to do what you will without a plan and prayer to do it, you get what you get. The only time God will answer yes and amen is when you state your case before Him and remind Him of His Word when you do. He is not interested in hearing all of the noise of what you went through. He was there. He saw it all!  He isn't interested in your personal drama, your pity party, or all of the ways used to manipulate others (unless you are repenting and turning from those ways). It just doesn't work on Him. In order for you to get the response you are looking for, you have to know His Word. When you study it, you get to find out more about Him. When this happens, little did you know that your questions are answered and your supply was already met.

10. It is good to use your imagination... what do you think God gave it to you for?  This was the recent issue I had to contend with this week. I heard another minister use it in a message before and I was disappointed with the end of the sermon. I figured he just said those things to get our attention and then recall what the Word tells us about imagination, but he didn't. Instead he said that imagination is good and God wouldn't have given it to us if He didn't expect us to use it. Well, where is that written. I read that we should cast down imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. The minister said in the message, if we can see it then we can have it. It was the reason to use imagination, according to him. I thought that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17 KJV). I thought that faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.

There you have it. Just because the speaker is dynamic doesn't mean he has the dunamis power that God has given to us. We have to make sure that what we hear is the Word of God so that we can stay delivered and help others out of their dilemma. Honestly saints, be alert (Ephesians 6:18 AMP).

Spiritual Warfare

I was a small child when my mother had one of the neighborhood children walk my older brother and myself to Sunday School. I really liked getting dressed up and looked forward to going to church, but when the one walking us there was this teenaged girl, I began dreading to see her especially when my mother asked for her babysit. She would always have some horrific story to tell that seemed to challenge our physical ability. My older brother took the challenge on, but all I could think of was the story she told and that I wouldn't make it. Case in point was the "step on a crack break your mother's back myth only what she would do is use the rain from the day before. The soil was just beginning to dry and it left cracks. She would say, if we step on those cracks we would fall through the earth. The cracks on the side walk were the same. All I could see were cracks everywhere. When she leaped she stepped on them, but nothing happened. When my brother jumped, he landed on a clear path. I froze. I just couldn't do it. Because of her stories, we were late for Sunday school and had no excuse for it.

Would that spiritual warfare be the same as old wives tales? Where did the term come from and where in the Word did this ever take place? Was it a means to keep the people captive from knowing the truth and actually be set free to enjoy the abundant life that Jesus came to give? Who would try to keep believers in such a state? That babysitter kept me in a state of torment. As long as she had my hand and I listened to her I never stepped on a crack and wasn't afraid of falling. I wonder if these were her tactics for all of her customers to keep the children in obedience? But she never got to know how my brother and I were. We knew that if we caused any problems we had two parents that weren't afraid of being strict in the least. All she had to do was ask. Were telling lies so much easier?

I work in a gated community where the fromer worker and Christian said to me before leaving that she has had to deal with such spiritual warfare while on the job. She had to fast and stay up all night in prayer for the residents in the community. She explained the lifestyle of some and the sicknesses of others. She didn't complain of what she claimed was her duty as a Christian; however, she didn't smile much either. For the most part, her expression was a scowl and I was sort of taken a back from ever asking her anything. She just didn't look too inviting. When she left, I thought I would have to take over her duties. I prayed and didn't sense any calling to be up all hours of the day and night praying and fasting for a community of people that have the ability to make their own decisions just as I had to. I prayed for those that God led me to pray for. I prayed for the community as a whole. I do my job and live my life. What warfare was she going through?

I tried to look up something resembling the warfare I have heard in my many hours of listening to other ministers. I recall what Daniel went through when he prayed and the angel said that God heard his prayers from the beginning but the angel was held up by the Prince of Persia (Daniel 10:12-14 AMP). I recall Job believing that he could outwit the laws of sin and death by making atonement for unconfessed sins and as the result that which he feared came upon him (Job 3:25 KJV). And finally under the new covenant, I recall the Word telling me that the battle is not mine but is the Lord's. What warfare, when Jesus said, "it is done."

Its almost as if being manipulated, controlled, and oppressed so not to get what was promised (Ephesians 2:10 AMP). Was it done on purpose? And if it wasn't, how then could a pastor, minister, prophet, evangelist, or teacher be fooled? Aren't we all still growing? Aren't we all still learning? Isn't it written that we must prove all things, test all things? Aren't we supposed to rightly divide the Word? As we grow to be sons of God don't we become more responsible for what we know and what we tell others. If we deliberately lead someone astray, aren't there consequences to contend with?

Sickness and disease, torment and oppression are direct manifestations of disobedience. Medication and counseling can be a temporary fix but it will still need the truth to be truely set free (John 8:32 AMP). Remember the curse does not alight causeless (Proverbs 26:2 AMP).